Science X Newsletter Thursday, Dec 10

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for December 10, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Locust-inspired robot can jump 11 feet high (w/ video) (Updated)
- Year in Review—The most important research of 2015: January
- Researchers show presence of charge-density waves in superconductive material
- Chemical state thought to be unobservable characterized
- Could molecular oxygen be common on comets?
- Twin studies provide first explanations for boundary within Earth's mantle
- Skyscraper-style chip design boosts performance 1,000-fold
- Scientists teach machines to learn like humans
- German physicists see landmark in nuclear fusion quest
- Spitzer and Kepler detect Jupiter-like storm on small star
- Superhydrophobic coating protects without the price
- Models overestimate rainfall increases due to climate change
- What is your memory style? Tendency to remember episodic details versus facts is reflected in intrinsic brain patterns
- How one gene contributes to two diseases
- CRISPR-Cas9 helps uncover genetics of exotic organisms

Astronomy & Space news

	Year in Review—The most important research of 2015: January (ScienceX)—In this new monthly series, we're offering summary articles featuring links to some of the most interesting, intriguing or popular stories that appeared on ScienceX throughout 2015. This is the January 2015 edition.
	Could molecular oxygen be common on comets? (Phys.org)—A team of researchers, encouraged by the latest discovery of ESA's Rosetta spacecraft of molecular oxygen (O2) on the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, are going over comet 1P/Halley (known as Halley's Comet) with a fine-tooth comb, searching for the traces of this essential molecule. The new study, led by Martin Rubin of the University of Bern, Switzerland, shows that molecular oxygen is also present on 1P/Halley and therefore might be common on other comets.
	Spitzer and Kepler detect Jupiter-like storm on small star Astronomers have discovered what appears to be a tiny star with a giant, cloudy storm, using data from NASA's Spitzer and Kepler space telescopes. The dark storm is akin to Jupiter's Great Red Spot: a persistent, raging storm larger than Earth.
	High school student helps discover new planet, calculates frequency of Jupiter-like planets High school senior Dominick Rowan of Armonk, New York, is making discoveries about other worlds. Working with University of Texas at Austin astronomer Stefano Meschiari, Rowan has helped to find a Jupiter-like planet and has calculated that this type of planet is relatively rare, occurring in three percent of stars overall. Their research is has been accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal.
	NASA tests ICESat-2's laser aim Close enough doesn't cut it in the spacecraft assembly cleanroom at NASA Goddard's Space Flight Center, where engineers are building an elevation-measuring instrument to fly on the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 or ICESat-2. Recently, engineers tested the instrument's pinpoint accuracy.
	Keck Observatory opens its archive to the public The W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii has just been awarded the 2015 NASA Group Achievement Award for pioneering the Keck Observatory Archive (KOA) ten years ago, which has significantly increased the impact of Keck Observatory data. The award was received by Keck Observatory Chief Scientist, Dr. Anne Kinney at NASA headquarters on December 8, 2015.
	Darkness is disappearing and that's bad news for astronomy Astronomers have much to celebrate in the International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies (IYL). Until the 1930s, every scrap of information about the universe came to us in the form of light.
	Ceres reveals its salty secrets – and blurs the line between comets and asteroids When Guiseppe Piazzi reported his observations of a minor planet in 1801, he originally thought it might be a comet. But follow-up observations by fellow astronomers suggested that Ceres was actually an asteroid. So it's somewhat ironic that the latest results from NASA's Dawn mission suggest this asteroid is confusingly similar to a comet.
	A 'ghost from the past' recalls the infancy of the Milky Way When our galaxy was born, around 13,000 million years ago, a plethora of clusters containing millions of stars emerged. But over time, they have been disappearing. However, hidden behind younger stars that were formed later, some old and dying star clusters remain, such as the so-called E 3. European astronomers have now studied this testimony to the beginnings of our galaxy.
	SpaceX to launch rocket Dec 19, six months after blast SpaceX on Thursday announced plans to launch its Falcon 9 on December 19, its first mission since a massive explosion after liftoff destroyed the rocket and its space station cargo six months ago.

Technology news

	Locust-inspired robot can jump 11 feet high (w/ video) (Updated) (Tech Xplore)—Researchers have built a locust-inspired robot that is just 5 inches (13 cm) long and weighs 23 grams, but despite its small size can jump 11 feet (3.35 m) high and cover a horizontal distance of 4.5 feet (1.37 m). This jump height is more than twice the height of similar-sized jumping robots, and is 25 times higher than its own length. The robot could have applications in search-and-rescue missions, reconnaissance, and environmental monitoring in rough terrain.
	Skyscraper-style chip design boosts performance 1,000-fold For decades, engineers have designed computer systems with processors and memory chips laid out like single-story structures in a suburb. Wires connect these chips like streets, carrying digital traffic between the processors that compute data and the memory chips that store it.
	Scientists teach machines to learn like humans A team of scientists has developed an algorithm that captures our learning abilities, enabling computers to recognize and draw simple visual concepts that are mostly indistinguishable from those created by humans. The work, which appears in the latest issue of the journal Science, marks a significant advance in the field—one that dramatically shortens the time it takes computers to 'learn' new concepts and broadens their application to more creative tasks.
	Lie-detecting software uses real court case data By studying videos from high-stakes court cases, University of Michigan researchers are building unique lie-detecting software based on real-world data.
	Wal-Mart to launch own mobile pay system The mobile payment wars are heating up.
	Google's researchers explore quantum annealing advantages Since 2013, Google and NASA have worked on code designed for a quantum machine bought from D-Wave. Google Research Blog said Tuesday that Quantum AI lab researchers report in a new paper that has yet to be peer-reviewed that the machine can perform quantum computing operations.
	How Tor's privacy was (momentarily) broken, and the questions it raises Just how secure is Tor, one of the most widely used internet privacy tools? Court documents released from the Silk Road 2.0 trial suggest that a "university-based research institute" provided information that broke Tor's privacy protections, helping identify the operator of the illicit online marketplace.
	VW staff began working on cheat in 2005 to crack US market (Update) A small group of Volkswagen engineers began working as early as 2005 on emissions cheating software after they were unable to find a technical solution to U.S. emissions controls as the automaker pushed into the North American market, executives said Thursday.
	Chile plans hydropower plant—in desert Building a $400-million hydroelectric power plant in the world's most arid desert may seem like an engineering debacle, but Chile sees it as a revolutionary way to generate green energy.
	Yahoo a key part of Internet history Among the best-known names on the Internet, Yahoo was one of the first companies that enabled users to find their way online, but it has lost its role as a leader.
	Chinese-backed electric carmaker picks Nevada for $1B plant A Chinese-backed electric car company with visions of revolutionizing transportation—but no product to show yet—announced plans Wednesday to build a $1 billion plant near Las Vegas, marking the second time in just over a year that Nevada has landed a coveted project from the budding industry.
	News 'micropayments' site to launch in US Online news startup Blendle, which allows users to make small payments to read individual articles, announced plans Wednesday to launch next year in the United States.
Judge allows expansion of Uber class-action suit A judge opened the door Wednesday to expanding the number of drivers who can join a class-action suit against Uber contending they are treated like employees but get no employee benefits.
	Why Bitcoin's founder matters, as spotlight hits Australian Since the founding of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin in 2009, its inventor—or inventors—have been shrouded in mystery. For six years, that individual or group has lurked behind the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto and hoarded a pile of the digital currency so large it might crash the market if sold today.
Report reveals seven-year South American malware campaign A number of journalists, activists, politicians and public figures in Latin America have been targeted by a large-scale hacking campaign since 2008, according to a new report from the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab.
	Have journalists found the inventor of Bitcoin or simply been duped? Two US technology sites have claimed that the creator of the digital cryptocurrency Bitcoin is an Australian businessman called Dr Craig S Wright. Both Wired and Gizmodo have based their conclusions on documents and emails "leaked" to them by an unnamed hacker who claimed to have worked for Wright. The anonymous source had allegedly first shopped this evidence to a NY Times reporter Nathaniel Popper, but then passed it on to both Wired and Gizmodo after Popper declined to believe the link.
Comfort is important in identification VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has conducted a study about user attitudes to different personal identification methods. The most popular identification methods were internet banking access codes and passwords. The most important thing to users seems to be the feeling of being in control of their own information and who else gets to access it.
	Reliably detecting irregularities in aircraft turbines Even the slightest fault in aircraft engines could pose a safety risk. Until now, inspectors have relied solely on their well-trained eye to unmask defects on blade-integrated disks, known as blisks. In the future, they will be supported by an automatic control system that is the first to unite geometric measurement and surface inspection. Researchers will introduce the AMI4BLISK system at Control 2015, the international trade fair for quality assurance in Stuttgart on May 5 – 8. (Hall 1, Booth 1502)
	Twitter expands ads to reach users who don't log in Twitter said Thursday it was expanding its advertising to allow marketers to reach people who use the messaging platform without logging in.
	Secretive data firm Palantir raises $679 mln Palantir Technologies, the secretive data firm that works with military and law enforcement, has raised $679 million in funding, confirming its status as one of the richest tech startups.
	US launches trial of facial, eye scans on Mexican border The federal government on Thursday began collecting facial and eye scans of foreigners entering the U.S. at a busy border crossing with Mexico, a first step in one of its most ambitious efforts to track people who stay in the country illegally after their visas expire.
	Yahoo CEO gives birth to twin girls after big announcement Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer has followed a major business announcement with some big personal news.
	'Internet economy' is six percent of US GDP: study The Internet's economic impact has doubled since 2007 and now fuels at least six percent of the overall US economy, a study showed Thursday.
	Nevada governor unveils $335 million deal to draw carmaker Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval announced a tentative agreement Thursday that would bring Chinese-backed electric carmaker Faraday Future's $1 billion plant to a Las Vegas suburb in exchange for $335 million in state tax incentives and infrastructure investments.
	Yahoo's Mayer: From grocery store to Silicon Valley star She is one of the biggest stars in Silicon Valley, but multimillionaire chief executive Marissa Mayer has her hands full trying to revive the fortunes of faded Internet pioneer Yahoo.
Underworld Wide Web: Moscow to launch wifi in cemeteries (Update) Residents in Moscow already enjoy free wireless Internet in cafes and on the metro system but now authorities in the city have also decided to bring wifi to a more unusual setting—some of its most storied cemeteries.
	EU takes Germany to court over car coolant The European Union said Thursday it was taking court action against Germany for failing to force luxury automaker Daimler to use a new air-conditioning coolant deemed less likely to cause climate change.
	Bangladesh lifts ban on Facebook Bangladesh on Thursday lifted a ban on Facebook, three weeks after it was imposed for security reasons in the tense country, but mobile messaging apps remained barred, the telecoms minister said.
	Imec boosts performance of beyond-silicon devices At this week's IEEE IEDM conference, nano-electronics research center imec demonstrates record enhancement of novel InGaAs Gate-All-Around (GAA) channel devices integrated on 300mm Silicon and explores emerging tunnel devices based on optimization of the same III-V compound semiconductor.
Russian charged with hacking asks judge to throw out charges A Russian man charged with hacking into U.S. businesses to steal credit card information will try to convince a federal judge on Thursday that his 2014 arrest in the Maldives was illegal and his indictment should be dismissed.
	BEMR: A new reality for the future force New virtual-reality capabilities emerging at the Battlespace Exploitation of Mixed Reality—or BEMR—Lab, in San Diego, California, will make dramatic impacts across the Navy and Marine Corps, including advancements in affordable virtual training, data assessment, firing of weapons and even basic concepts of operations.
Shares of Australian software maker Atlassian soar in IPO Shares of Atlassian soared more than 30 percent in their U.S. stock market debut Thursday, valuing the Australian software maker at $5.8 billion.

Medicine & Health news

	Feeling like a Grinch? At least it won't shorten your life There's good news for grumpy women: Being happy apparently has no effect on how long you might live.
	Researchers find discrepancies in brain reactions due to acute versus permanent neural manipulations (Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers with Harvard University and the Simons Foundation has found that using techniques to acutely disable brain parts of rats and zebra finches can lead to different behavioral results than techniques that involve causing lesions. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the researchers describe how they tested both approaches on rats and birds and the differences they found between the techniques. Thomas Südhof with Stanford University offers a News & Views piece on the work done by the team and suggests ways for future researchers to proceed in light of the new findings.
	Psychologist's 18-month study of his own brain reveals new relations between brain and body Every Tuesday and Thursday morning for a year and a half, Russell Poldrack started off his day by climbing into an MRI machine and scanning his brain for 10 minutes. The self-experimentation has made the Stanford psychologist's brain the most studied in the world.
	Scientists reveal brain circuit mechanisms underlying arousal regulation Adjusting a specific deep-brain circuit's firing frequency immediately and dramatically alters rats' forebrain activity and alertness levels, Stanford University School of Medicine investigators have shown.
	How one gene contributes to two diseases Although it is known that psychiatric disorders have a strong genetic component, untangling the web of genes contributing to each disease is a daunting task. Scientists have found hundreds of genes that are mutated in patients with disorders such as autism, but each patient usually has only a handful of these variations.
	New clues to halting nerve degeneration A discovery into the mechanisms which lead to degeneration and loss of communication among neuron cells - the cells controlling function in the brain and nervous system - could potentially lead to future therapies for neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
	3-D map of human genome reveals relationship between mutations and disease development Whitehead Institute researchers have created a map of the DNA loops that comprise the three dimensional (3D) structure of the human genome and regulate gene expression in human embryonic stem (ES) cells and adult cells. The location of genes and regulatory elements within this chromosomal framework could help scientists better navigate their genomic research, establishing relationships between mutations and disease development.
	Signaling from dysfunctional mitochondria induces a distinct type of senescence Buck Institute faculty Judith Campisi, PhD, says age researchers need to stop thinking of cellular senescence, now accepted as an important driver of aging, as a single phenotype that stems from genotoxic stress. Research from her lab reveals that cellular senescence, a process whereby cells permanently lose the ability to divide, is also induced by signaling from dysfunctional mitochondria - and that the arrested cells secrete a distinctly different "stew" of biologically active factors in a process unrelated to the damaging free radicals that are created in mitochondria as part of oxygen metabolism. The results are published in Cell Metabolism.
	First look at how astrocytes function in humans Pretty much everything happening in the brain would fail without astrocytes. These star-shaped glial cells are known to have a critical role in synapse creation, nervous tissue repair, and the formation of the blood-brain barrier. But while we have decades of data in mice about these nervous system support cells, how relevant those experiments are to human biology (and the success of potential therapies) has been an open question.
	What is your memory style? Tendency to remember episodic details versus facts is reflected in intrinsic brain patterns Why is it that some people have richly detailed recollection of past experiences (episodic memory), while others tend to remember just the facts without details (semantic memory)?
	Could a scan someday replace lymph node biopsy? (HealthDay)—Scientists are testing a noninvasive alternative to lymph node biopsy for detecting early signs that melanoma skin cancer has spread.
	Scientists show how drug molecules regulate a medically important protein A new study, led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), shows how different pharmaceutical drugs hit either the "on" or "off" switch of a signaling protein linked to asthma, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Heart injury reduced after bariatric surgery but not lifestyle intervention Heart function in morbidly obese patients returns to normal after bariatric surgery but not after lifestyle intervention, reveals research published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. The results suggest that bariatric surgery2 may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in morbidly obese patients.
Cheerleading among safest high school sports, say Colorado School of Public Health experts Despite popular perceptions, cheerleading is one of the safest high school sports, yet the relatively few injuries sustained are often some of the most severe, according to a new study from the Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
Campus programs increase California college students receiving mental health services The proportion of California public university and college students receiving treatment for mental health issues increased more than 10 percent in the final year of a statewide prevention and early intervention program, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
Study examines how patient's unmet needs impact their health and health care A study of patients seen at two primary care practices at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has identified specific unmet socioeconomic needs that can interfere with the quality of care patients receive. In their report published online in the journal BMJ Quality & Safety, investigators from MGH and from Health Leads - a Boston-based organization that helps connect patients with local services - describe finding how limited financial and other resources relate to specific health problems. This is the first study to examine those connections in adult patients.
	In short children, a study highlights parents' concerns, reframes a long-running debate Is short stature a problem? In particular, when it does not result from an underlying disease, does it justify giving a child nightly injections of human growth hormone?
	Plus-sized models in advertising linked to rising obesity rates, study finds The increasing use of plus-sized models in advertising campaigns may be contributing to growing rates of obesity, a new study from Simon Fraser University's Beedie School of Business suggests.
Racial disparities found in major surgeries at quality-improvement hospitals Considerable racial disparities exist in surgical outcomes for black and Hispanic patients undergoing major cancer and non-cancer surgeries in U.S. hospitals, even among institutions that have already enrolled in a national surgical quality improvement initiative.
	Is stroke prevention taking a back seat to stroke treatment? Many strokes that required immediate treatment in emergency rooms may have been preventable, according to a University of California, Irvine study.
Imaging test detects aggressive and treatment-resistant cancers Scientists have developed a new imaging test that could enable doctors to identify more dangerous tumours before they spread around the body - and tailor treatment accordingly.
Cancer patients' access to minimally invasive hysterectomies remains persistently limited A new study led by Johns Hopkins researchers shows wide racial and economic disparities in access to minimally invasive hysterectomies for early uterine cancer in the United States. This is despite years of accumulating evidence that the procedures to remove the uterus are linked to fewer postoperative complications, the researchers say.
	Participating in team sports boosts mental health but body image and fitness worries make girls quit A rink occupied by female hockey players isn't the rare sight it was 15 or 20 years ago. Yet while opportunities for girls in sport continue to grow, participation remains lower than for boys.
Study finds advanced thyroid cancer rate in some California counties is well above national average A team of UCLA researchers found that there are several parts of California where, in a high percentage of people with thyroid cancer, the disease is already at an advanced stage by the time it is diagnosed.
	Divorce impacts felt into adulthood Divorce can have a multitude of short-term negative effects on children, including anxiety, anger, shock and disbelief. New Penn State research indicates parental divorce can have long-lasting impacts and even influence the health of adult children.
	Noise during pregnancy increases risk of hearing dysfunction in children A recently published study from the Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM) at Karolinska Institutet shows that exposure to noise during pregnancy can damage the child's hearing, with an 80 percent increase in risk in occupational environments with particularly high decibel levels. The results strongly indicate that pregnant women should not be exposed to loud noise.
Researcher tapped for cellphone-based health survey project When a person dies in a developed nation, more often than not the cause of death is known and recorded. But that's not the case in many low- and middle-income countries around the world. This lack of information makes it difficult for governments, public health leaders and aid organizations to prioritize funding and resources that can ultimately save lives.
Policy shift improves outcomes for addressing cases of child neglect Child protection services personnel respond to some 3 million reports of maltreatment per year, including child neglect and physical or sexual abuse. Although families are dealing with a variety of issues, and pose different levels of risk to children and youth, many states respond identically to all incidents, regardless of their nature.
	Using intestinal organoids to study salmonella One of the main causes of food poisoning is Salmonella enterica. This bacterium infects cells in the intestinal epithelium that lines our gut, leading to painful stomach cramps, diarrhoea and fever. One major difficulty in studying Salmonella infection is that you can't easily study it in people's intestines, and recreating the intestinal epithelium in a lab setting has been notoriously tricky. However, newly developed intestinal organoids are starting to provide a solution.
Analysis of blood samples finds ESR1 gene mutations are prevalent and associated with reduced survival Among patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, metastatic breast cancer, those who had a D538G and/or a Y537S mutation in the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene, as detected in cell-free DNA obtained from patient blood samples, had significantly worse median overall survival, according to data presented at the 2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 8–12.
Student co-authors new scientific paper on concussions in athletes In the fall of her first year at Brandeis, Madeline Engeler '16 was elbowed in the head while warming up before a varsity volleyball match. She fell, then got up, and later competed in the match. A few hours later, she was vomiting and needed to go to the hospital. She'd suffered a concussion.
	Doctors help teen girl with alopecia areata grow hair using novel cream A young woman who had no scalp or eyebrow hair for years now enjoys a full mane after using a novel cream devised by researchers at Yale School of Medicine.
	By rushing to speed up forced adoptions we are letting children down It is within the power of a judge to sever all legal ties between a child in care and its birth family through an adoption order. Most adoption orders for children in care in England are made without parental consent, and are sometimes referred to as "forced" adoption. With political pressure mounting to speed up the adoption process, we are at risk of rushing through more of these adoptions, despite serious concerns on whether this is the best option for the children involved.
	Researchers describe new model for regulation of signal transduction in cells In their recent study, Thomas Leonard and his group at the Max F. Perutz Laboratories (MFPL) of the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna have shown that the cellular activity of the enzyme ROCK is controlled by a 'molecular ruler'. ROCK is a protein kinase. These enzymes transmit signals and regulate complex processes in cells. Their findings, representing a completely new model in kinase regulation, have recently been published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Communications.
	Greater collaboration key to better geriatric dental health More collaboration between dentists and better education for carers could significantly improve dental care for residents in Perth's aged-care facilities.
	Functional biomarker for age-related macular degeneration Adults whose eyes are slow to adjust to the dark have a greater risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, according to new findings from the University of Alabama at Birmingham published online in Ophthalmology. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in older adults in the United States.
	Short peptide inhibits the activation of a signal pathway that enables monocytes to adhere to endothelial cells Ludwig Maximilian University researchers have developed a short peptide that inhibits the activation of a signal pathway in monocytes that enables monocytes to adhere stick to endothelial cells and penetrate sites of acute inflammation.
	Children's choices influenced by dominance of junk food marketing The extent to which Scotland's children are being directly influenced by junk food marketing is uncovered in a report for the Scottish Government by researchers at the University of Stirling.
	Young people turn to social media for advice on managing health conditions Social media is now a key source of information for many young adults with chronic health conditions, a new study conducted by University of Glasgow researchers has found.
A dietary sugar that may prevent melanoma from metastasizing New research from scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) suggests that a rare sugar found in seaweed, mushrooms, seeds and other foods may be able to help treat skin cancer. The sugar, called L-fucose, has previously been linked to a number of pathological conditions including inflammation and certain cancers. The current study, published today in Science Signaling, is the first to associate L-fucose with melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
Singing is beneficial for memory and mood especially in early dementia Researchers led by Dr. Teppo Särkämö at University of Helsinki, Finland have revealed that caregiver-implemented musical leisure activities, particularly singing, are cognitively and emotionally beneficial especially in the early stages of dementia. The findings could help improve dementia care and better target the use of music in different stages of dementia. The research was published today in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
	TB forgotten in fight against HIV Tuberculosis seems to have fallen between the cracks in poverty-stricken Malawi's sponsor-dependent health sector. The dominating focus on HIV may have left parts of Africa with a skewed health service, say researchers.
Neurotransmitter GABA predicts learning In an international collaboration with the Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD, USA), neuroscientists at the Ruhr-University Bochum have determined a link between brain levels of the neurotransmitter GABA, the main source of inhibition in the brain, and tactile learning. Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, they were able to show that success in learning can be predicted by baseline GABA levels. The results of this research were recently published in the scientific journal Cerebral Cortex.
	More than half of England's poorest citizens risk undetected bowel cancer A study was set up to test ways of narrowing the gap in uptake between rich and poor. The results highlight just how wide this gap currently is, and also provide the first published national figures on bowel screening uptake since the scheme was fully rolled out in 2010.
Parents have more influence than they might realize to prevent substance use Adolescence is a time when many children may consider experimenting with alcohol or drugs. New research shows parents can reduce that risk by maintaining a healthy and open relationship with their children.
	When is an aspirin a day to prevent heart attacks too risky? We've known for a long time that aspirin can help prevent damage from a heart attack or a stroke if taken during one of those events. In fact, you might have seen ads about how aspirin can be lifesaving during a heart attack.
	Blood test that could predict arthritis risk Scientists have found a marker that can indicate your likelihood of suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) even sixteen years before the condition takes effect. A team from the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology at Oxford University found that a blood test that looks for antibodies that recognize the protein tenascin-C could reliably show those who will contract the condition.
	Safer, faster heart scans in view A team of Oxford University researchers has developed a technique that could improve heart scans for patients, giving more information about the heart than traditional scans and without any injections, making them safer and faster.
Prime-boost H7N9 influenza vaccine concept promising in clinical trial In clinical trials, several candidate H7N9 pandemic influenza vaccines made from inactivated viruses have been shown to be safe and to generate an immune response. However, scientists believe for practical use, these potential vaccines would require multiple doses or the addition of adjuvants, which enhance the immune response. With hopes of making one dose of an inactivated H7N9 vaccine fully protective, scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) successfully tested a prime-boost concept in a small clinical trial. The 'primer' pandemic influenza vaccine—made from live but weakened virus—introduces the immune system to H7N9 influenza virus, and subsequent vaccination with the 'booster' inactivated virus vaccine recalls a more robust immune response.
Mastectomy and reconstruction has higher complication rates, costs than lumpectomy and radiation Among the various guideline-concordant local therapy options available for women with early-stage breast cancer in the United States, mastectomy plus reconstruction had the highest complication rates and complication-related costs for both younger women with private insurance and older women on Medicare, and it was the most expensive option for younger women, according to data presented at the 2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 8-12.
Resistance of ER-positive breast cancer to tamoxifen therapy may be driven by APOBEC3B Responses to tamoxifen were significantly prolonged by reducing levels of the enzyme APOBEC3B in preclinical models of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer and significantly shortened by increasing levels of APOBEC3B, suggesting that APOBEC3B drives resistance to tamoxifen, according to data presented at the 2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 8-12.
Early stage dementia patients referred to specialists are institutionalized twice as often A new epidemiologic study showed that patients with early stage dementia, who had been referred to a specialist, have twice the risk of institutionalization compared to those who are not, according to a research study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease this month. The research suggested the influence of early specialist referral for dementia patients on institutionalization risk and demonstrated that the benefits of early dementia diagnosis may lead to challenging issues.
Swine flu outbreak nears Tehran as Iran death toll tops 40 An outbreak of swine flu in Iran has claimed 42 lives since mid-November, including in a province neighbouring Tehran, Health Minister Hassan Hashemi said Thursday.
Tobacco firms launch legal challenge against UK plain-packaging Four tobacco giants on Thursday launched a High Court legal challenge against a British law banning the use of logos or branding on packets of tobacco products from May 2016.
	Delaying chemotherapy in breast cancer patients reduces overall survival Postponing the start of adjuvant chemotherapy for more than 90 days following surgery may significantly increase risk of death for breast cancer patients, particularly those with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), according to a new study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Further, the researchers found that factors such as socio-economic status, insurance coverage and ethnicity were associated with delayed treatment.
Controversial prostate cancer screening can be improved by repeating abnormal tests For more than 20 years, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test has been used to help screen for prostate cancer, but in recent years, some task forces have called for this blood test to be abandoned because it leads to many unnecessary biopsies. Now, a new study from The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa shows that simply repeating abnormal PSA tests dramatically reduces unnecessary biopsies.
Stimulating vagus nerve prevents blood loss following surgery, battlefield injuries Stimulating the vagus nerve is a potentially efficacious and safe way to stop the flow of blood and prevent hemorrhagic complications following surgery and other invasive procedures, according to a researcher in the Center for Bioelectronic Medicine at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research.
	Surprising diversity of TB strains found in Ethiopia Ethiopia is a hotspot for tuberculosis (TB) infection, ranking third among African countries and eighth in the world for TB burden according to the World Health Organization. But, say researchers who have analyzed the genomes of 66 TB strains and reported their findings in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on December 10, that's most likely not because TB was absent in the country before Europeans made contact—the so-called "virgin soil hypothesis"—as had been proposed ever since colonial times. Rather, they suggest, Europeans may have introduced a new wave of disease spread by more virulent TB strains, which spread during the 20th century as countries of Sub-Saharan Africa grew increasingly urbanized.
'Ghost Fibers' left by injured muscle cells guide stem cells to regenerate Ghosts are not your typical cell biology research subjects. But scientists at the Carnegie Institution for Science and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) who developed a technique to observe muscle stem/progenitor cells migrating within injury sites in live mice, report that 'ghost fibers,' remnants of the old extracellular matrix left by dying muscle fibers, guide the cells into position for healing to begin. Using intravital two-photon imaging combined with second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy, the Carnegie's Micah Webster and Chen-Ming Fan and the NICHD's Uri Manor and Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz observed these cells riding to the rescue, using the long axis of these ghost fibers to spread out and orient themselves.
Mapping the brain: Probes with tiny LEDs shed light on neural pathways With the help of light-emitting diodes as small as neurons, University of Michigan researchers are unlocking the secrets of neural pathways in the brain.
Researchers report possibility of using unused human pancreata to build new organs Researchers have been working for years to develop an artificial pancreas in the lab to help the millions of people with type 1 diabetes. But what if the answer is to "recycle" the more than 300 human pancreata from organ donors that aren't currently being used?
More kids with autism evaluated as preschoolers—but more progress needed in early recognition An increasing proportion of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are undergoing recommended evaluation in the preschool years—but population rates of ASD remain higher in eight-year-olds compared to four-year-olds, reports a study in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, the official journal of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals—threatening fertility in industrialized countries The birth rate is declining in all industrialised countries, and socioeconomic factors and women's age are not solely to blame. Male reproductive health and environmental factors are also significant, as concluded in a new scientific review article. The article was recently published in the prestigious American journal Physiological Reviews.
Children with specific birth defects at increased risk for abuse Children born with cleft lip or palate and spina bifida are at an increased risk for abuse before the age of 2, according to researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).The results were published in the December issue of the journal Pediatrics.
Cancer drug shows promise in reducing toxic genetic material in myotonic dystrophy A group of researchers has shown for the first time in cells and in a mouse model that a drug used to treat cancer can neutralize the toxic RNA that causes the prolonged muscle contractions and other symptoms of myotonic dystrophy type 1, the most common form of adult-onset muscular dystrophy. The researchers report their findings today Dec. 10, 2015 in the journal Cell Reports.
Surgeon-in-training report cards can help reduce blood clots in hospitalized patients A study of general surgery residents at The Johns Hopkins Hospital suggests that in the efforts to prevent dangerous blood clots among hospitalized patients, regular, one-on-one feedback and written report cards work a lot better than the usual group lectures that newly minted surgeons receive as part of their training.
Using public surveillance to study insect vectors of Chagas disease in Texas Chagas disease is caused by a parasitic protozoan (Trypanosoma cruzi) and transmitted via triatomine insects known locally in Texas as "kissing bugs". Due to the success of community based triatomine surveillance and collection in Central and South America, researchers from Texas A & M University set up a citizen science program to gain insight into the distribution and infection prevalence of triatomine insects in Texas.
	Researchers identify gene possibly linked with methamphetamine addiction A new study sheds light on the significance of a potential genetic risk factor for drug addiction and possibly other neuropsychiatric disorders. Both genetic and environmental factors are known to influence susceptibility to substance use disorders. However, the genetic basis of these disorders is largely unknown.
Computer model could hold key to personalized epilepsy treatment A computer model that identifies the parts of a person's brain responsible for epileptic seizures could be used to design personalised surgical procedures, researchers say.
	Safe, inexpensive chemical found to reverse symptoms of progeria in human cells Progeria is a rare genetic disease that mimics the normal aging process at an accelerated rate. Symptoms typically appear within the first year of life, and individuals with the disease develop thin, wrinkled skin, fragile bones and joints, full-body hair loss and organ failure, among other complications. Most do not survive past their teen years.
	Scientists learn how poxviruses defeat the body's host defense Smallpox virus, which killed millions of humans through the ages, ranks among the world's most feared bioterrorism agents. Human monkeypox continues to occur sporadically in remote African villages.
Unhealthy choices cost company health care plans billions of dollars One out of every four dollars employers pay for health care is tied to unhealthy lifestyle choices or conditions like smoking, stress and obesity, despite the fact that most large employers have workplace wellness programs.
Harm reduction services less available in areas plagued by rising IV drug use and HIV infections Access to harm reduction programs such as syringe exchange is lowest in rural and suburban areas, where rates of addiction to heroin and other opioids are on the rise, according to a study led by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published online today in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
	Painkillers, heroin drive increase in US overdose deaths Drug overdoses rose again last year, driven by surges in deaths from heroin and powerful prescription painkillers, according to new federal statistics.
	Plant compound found in spices and herbs increases brain connections Brazilian researchers from D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) have demonstrated in laboratory that apigenin, a substance found in parsley, thyme, chamomile and red pepper, improves neuron formation and strengthens the connections between brain cells.
Fewer teens are driving drunk, national survey says A government survey shows fewer teens and young adults say they drive drunk.
LSD changes consciousness by reorganizing human brain networks LSD is known to cause changes in consciousness, including "ego-dissolution", or a loss of the sense of self. Despite a detailed knowledge of the action of LSD at specific serotonin receptors, it has not been understood how this these pharmacological effects can translate into such a profound effect on consciousness Today, a new report presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology in Hollywood, Florida, provides evidence to show that LSD reduces connectivity within brain networks, or the extent to which nerve cells or neurons within a network fire in synchrony. LSD also seems to reduce the extent to which separate brain networks remain distinct in their patterns or synchronization of firing. Overall, LSD interferes with the patterns of activation in the different brain networks that underlie human thought and behavior.
	Maybe you can forecast your health better than a doctor (HealthDay)—How you rate your health could predict your risk of getting a cold, a new study suggests.
	One in five US kids over age 5 has unhealthy cholesterol: CDC (HealthDay)—Twenty-one percent of American children and teens have some form of "abnormal" blood cholesterol reading that leaves them at heightened risk for heart disease and stroke as they reach adulthood.
	Nutraceuticals alone or with ezetimibe aid in dyslipidemia (HealthDay)—For statin-intolerant patients with dyslipidemia with ischemic heart disease treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, nutraceuticals alone or in combination with ezetimibe improve the lipid profile, according to a study published in the Dec. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
	Cell-free circulating mtDNA identifies Parkinson's disease (HealthDay)—Cell-free circulating mitochondrial DNA (ccf-mtDNA) from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is reduced in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), according to research published in the December issue of the Annals of Neurology.
	Excessive testing may be compromising T2DM care (HealthDay)—Many Americans with type 2 diabetes may be getting unnecessary tests—and, in some cases, needless changes in medication, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in The BMJ.
	Nitrates in heart failure may harm more than help (HealthDay)—Nitrates don't improve quality of life or everyday activity levels as intended in patients with heart failure, according to research published in the Dec. 10 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Interlobar collateral ventilation impacts EB valve outcomes (HealthDay)—A more careful selection of patients could help improve the success rate of bronchoscopic lung-volume reduction with the use of one-way endobronchial valves in patients with emphysema, according to a study published in the Dec. 10 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
	IOP spikes common after cyclophotocoagulation (HealthDay)—For patients undergoing cyclophotocoagulation, intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes are common in the immediate postoperative period, according to a study published in the December issue of Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.
Sensation-seeking, reward sensitivity and early cannabis use Sensation seeking is a personality trait that describes a person's tendency to seek out novel and exciting experiences, and a high level of sensation seeking has been implicated as a risk factor for addiction. According to a report today at the annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, in Hollywood, Florida, sensation seeking is related to reward sensitivity, which is a trait that characterizes how rewarding a person finds different experiences. Further, reward sensitivity is itself related to cannabis use, and partially explains the relationship between it and sensation seeking. Importantly, the researchers describe a school-based psychological intervention that both targets sensation seeking and affects the use of cannabis in teens, delaying the onset of first use, and slowing the progression from light to heavy cannabis use in teens already using.
	When brain metabolism dips, desire goes up in monkeys on 'female Viagra' As the drug touted as "the female Viagra" comes to market, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are learning more about how the drug, called flibanserin, affects the brain.
	Why does tamoxifen work better in some women? The anti-hormone therapy tamoxifen can reduce breast cancer recurrence by about half in women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer. But it works better in some women than others. Researchers are not sure why.
Sex differences in brain may underlie neurodevelopmental disorders more common in males Many early-onset neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, are more common in males than females. The origin of this gender bias is not understood, partially due to a major gap in research on sex differences regarding how the brain typically develops.
	Do you really need that MRI? Too many tests at the doctor's office could cost you more than just dollars. In addition to the huge hit to your wallet, there's also the potential harm of false positives, and just because a test has traditionally been done for a condition doesn't mean it's the best way to treat it.
AAOS releases guidelines for surgical treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) today introduced a new clinical practice guideline (CPG) for adults undergoing surgery to improve motion and relieve pain caused by osteoarthritis of the knee. The guidelines focus on the surgical procedure most commonly performed for this condition, total knee replacement (TKR).
AAOS recommends specific treatment, rehabilitation for elderly patients with hip fractures The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Board of Directors recently approved Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for treatment and rehabilitation of elderly patients with hip fractures, in addition to postoperative direction to help prevent fractures from recurring.
AAOS releases criteria for treating pediatric patients with knee osteochondritis dissecans The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) today released Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) to assist in the treatment and rehabilitation of pediatric patients with osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral condyle, also known as OCD knee.
	New concussion treatment could change how head injuries are treated The standard of care for acute concussion may undergo a dramatic change, depending on the results of a new exercise treatment that physicians at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo have developed and begun testing. It is the first randomized, controlled clinical trial of this exercise treatment for concussion.
Girls, boys and obesity A recent study published in the Pediatric Obesity journal suggests that young girls who are either overweight or obese during childhood were more likely to remain obese as they progressed into young adulthood compared to boys.
	New book explores women's complex relationship with food Getting dinner on the table every night is a regular challenge for many modern households. Ensuring that each meal is healthy, good for the planet and affordable adds extra weight to a burden that is still primarily shouldered by women, according to a new book by U of T Mississauga sociology professor Josée Johnston.
Crowdsourcing call for 'brown fat' study to tackle diabetes and obesity Scientists are asking the public for help in funding new research aimed at harnessing the body's own fat-fighting defences to tackle obesity and diabetes as part of an innovative new crowdsourcing project.
Mastectomy plus reconstruction has highest rate of complication of guideline-concordant therapies In a review of guideline-concordant treatment modalities for women with early stage breast cancer, mastectomy and reconstruction had the highest rate of complications and complication-related costs, regardless of age. It was also the most expensive treatment option in a younger patient population, according to a new study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Breast-conserving therapy yielded better outcomes than mastectomy for early-stage patients Among patients with early-stage breast cancer, those who received breast- conserving surgery plus radiation therapy had improved overall survival after 10 years compared with those who received mastectomy without radiation therapy, according to data presented at the 2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 8-12.
Blood samples analysis finds ESR1 gene mutations prevalent, associated with worse overall survival Among patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, metastatic breast cancer, those who had a D538G and/or a Y537S mutation in the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene, as detected in cell-free DNA obtained from patient blood samples, had significantly worse median overall survival, according to data presented at the 2015 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 8-12.
Nurse staffing and work environments affect survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest Patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) have low survival rates—but why do some hospitals achieve higher survival than others? Higher nurse staffing levels and better working conditions may be part of the answer, reports a study in the January issue of Medical Care.
Combined imaging modalities may change cancer management PET/CT and whole-body MRI detect extraskeletal disease that may change the management of high-risk breast and prostate cancer patients, according to a recent study reported in the December issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. In addition, the combined administration of F-18 sodium fluoride (NaF) and F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in a single PET/CT scan showed significantly higher sensitivity and accuracy than alternative methods for the detection of skeletal lesions.
Racial disparities exist in access to home dialysis among us patients with kidney failure There are substantial racial/ethnic differences in use of home dialysis and the health outcomes of US patients who use it, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). With an unprecedented growth in the number of patients undergoing home dialysis in the United States, ensuring equitable access and improving health outcomes for patients is imperative.
Active ingredient in magic mushrooms reduces anxiety and depression in cancer patients A single dose of psilocybin, the major hallucinogenic component in magic mushrooms, induces long-lasting decreases in anxiety and depression in patients diagnosed with life-threatening cancer according to a new study presented today at the annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.

Biology news

	Scientists create first map of the wheat epigenome Scientists at the University of Liverpool have carried out the first ever genome-wide survey of heritable molecular changes that regulate gene activity in wheat, in what could become a new tool to improve crop breeding technologies.
	Groundbreaking microscopy unlocks secrets of plant virus assembly New research into how a plant virus assembles could lay the groundwork for future use to carry drugs into the human body.
	How skates and rays got their wings The evolution of the striking, wing-like pectoral fins of skates and rays relied on repurposed genes, according to new research by scientists from the University of Chicago. Studying embryonic skates, they discovered that the rear portion of the fin is built by typical limb-development genes; but the front portion develops through a different set of genes that are usually found in the shoulder areas of other species.
	Team discovers new acoustic, vibrational duet in crickets A Dartmouth-led team has discovered that one group of crickets has a unique communication system that likely evolved from males startling females into revealing their location.
	Bacterial circadian clocks set by metabolism, not light Most organisms on Earth, from bacteria to humans, possesses a circadian clock—a biological mechanism that synchronizes activities such as rest or growth to daily changes in a 24-hour day. Although commonly thought to be tied to the day-night cycle, the circadian clock actually appears to be set by metabolic rhythms, according to a new study by scientists from the University of Chicago. By genetically reengineering cyanobacteria to be able to feed on sugar, the team discovered that the cyanobacterial clock was unaffected by light or dark, but responded only to metabolism.
	Researchers discover novel role of TBK1 protein in cell division Moffitt Cancer Center researchers have found that a protein called TBK1 plays an important role in the process of cell division, especially at a stage called mitosis.
	Protein factors tie the genome up in a bow for gene expression Protein factors are responsible for organizing chromosomes inside the nucleus in three dimensions (3D), forming a shape like a gift bow, with proteins aggregating as the central 'knot' holding the ribbon-like loops of DNA when genes are organized for proper expression, or a tangled mess in the presence of certain mutations.
	CRISPR-Cas9 helps uncover genetics of exotic organisms The simplicity of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing will soon make studying the genes of any organism, from the simplest slime mold to the octopus, as easy as it now is to study the genes controlling development in standard lab animals such as nematodes, fruit flies, frogs and mice.
	Anatomy of a microscopic wood chipper: New observations reveal how an individual cellulase enzyme operates TrCel7a is a cellulase: a special enzyme that breaks down cellulose, the most plentiful natural polymer on the planet.
	Researchers discover new aspect of gene regulation and possible target for cancer drugs There are about 20,000 genes in the human genome, but not all are used in all cells at all times. At any given moment, a cell is converting only roughly half its genes into proteins. And of those active genes, about 75 percent are regulated by a process known as 'RNA polymerase pausing.' This critical from of gene regulation occurs when an enzyme that transcribes the DNA hesitates at the beginning of the gene. Much like a runner at the start of a race, this molecular machine is poised to take off, but waits for the official signal.
	Some prairie vole brains are better wired for sexual fidelity Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have found that natural selection drives some male prairie voles to be fully monogamous and others to seek more partners. The surprising contrasts in the animals' brains result from differences in their DNA.
Vertebrate decomposition study provides potential new tool for forensic science A new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of California, San Diego indicates unique and changing microbial communities present during the decomposition of human cadavers look to be a reliable "clock" for forensic scientists.
	Periodic Table of Protein Complexes presented The Periodic Table of Protein Complexes, published today in Science, offers a new way of looking at the enormous variety of structures that proteins can build in nature, which ones might be discovered next, and predicting how entirely novel structures could be engineered. Created by an interdisciplinary team led by researchers at the Wellcome Genome Campus and the University of Cambridge, the Table provides a valuable tool for research into evolution and protein engineering.
	Plants cope with climate change at genetic level Climate change can influence everything from pine beetle outbreaks in the Rocky Mountains to rising sea levels in Papua New Guinea. In the face of a rapidly changing earth, plants and animals are forced to quickly deal with new challenges if they hope to survive. According to a recent paper by Jason Fridley, associate professor of biology in Syracuse University's College of Arts and Sciences, recently minted SU Ph.D. Catherine Ravenscroft, and University of Liverpool professor Raj Whitlock some species may be able to handle environmental changes better than others.
	Endangered monkey-eating eagle hatched in Philippines A monkey-eating eagle has been hatched in captivity in the Philippines, boosting the critically-endangered giant bird's fight against extinction.
	Researchers using blowflies to sample mammal DNA and develop a mammal monitoring tool Mammal DNA detection in invertebrate guts has been proposed to study mammal diversity but certain concerns remained. The concerns were addressed by showing mammal DNA persists in blowfly guts for 1-4 days post-feeding and developing primers that bind to mammal DNA barcodes that can distinguish lookalike mammal species,but do not bind to blowfly DNA.
	Cockburn Sound fish victim to nature's bad hand The algae behind the widespread fish kill in Cockburn Sound over recent weeks is a bad roll of nature's dice not the sign of a dead waterway, an environmental consultant specialising in port operations says.
	Study uses 'evidence maps' to signpost conservation research Researchers have used a new technique to ensure research findings in the field of nature conservation are more visible and accessible.
Genetics of the African cheetah continues to surprise and excite researchers Researchers at Nova Southeastern University (NSU's) Genome Bioinformatics Center the announced the release of a reference genome sequence of the African cheetah, (Acinonyx jubatus,) a critically endangered species that informed, even empowered, the field of conservation genetics. Working with collaborators at Theodosius Dobzhansky Center for Genome Bioinformatics, St. Petersburg State University in Russia, BGI-Shenzhen in China (a genome sequencing powerhouse) and the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in Otjiwarongo, Namibia (a premier global conservation organization,) the 35-author team accomplished a detailed innovative analysis that illuminates our understanding of both the successes and perils of this unrivalled evolutionary creation.
	The need to name all forms of life: 60 new species of dragonflies described from Africa As dragonflies are good indicators of water quality, knowledge of these insects is important. The discoveries were published by three odonatologists (dragonfly experts) led by guest researcher KD Dijkstra of the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in a 230-page issue of the journal Odonatologica on December 1st 2015.
	Effective and novel mechanisms to block chikungunya virus identified Scientists looking at the antiviral mechanisms of two previously identified human monoclonal antibodies have found they potently inhibit chikungunya virus (CHIKV) at multiple stages of infection.
Preventing spread of deadly salamander disease in North America An emerging fungal pathogen that has caused recent die-offs of salamanders in Europe, faces a formidable foe in North America: the Amphibian Survival Alliance and its partners, who today published a paper outlining the conservation community's proactive efforts to prevent the introduction and spread of the disease in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
	Spiders on the menu as northeast India embraces slow food Welhite Naro proudly proffers his fried spiders and grilled crickets along with a somewhat less exotic dish of millet and squash—a small sample of the disappearing delicacies of India's remote northeast.
	Japan slammed for fuelling illegal ivory trade A conservation group slammed Japan Thursday for fuelling illegal ivory trading and smuggling through poor law enforcement.
	Eavesdropping on seabirds Ecologists trying to pin down the complex web of connections swirling around a particular species need to start with the basics, things like the size of the population, and whether or not its members are breeding successfully. Simple questions, but if a scientist's quarry is elusive or cryptic, it can take more than the powers of human observation to find the answers.
Continued decline of the northern spotted owl associated with the invasive barred owl, habitat loss Northern spotted owl populations are declining in all parts of their range in the Pacific Northwest, according to research published in The Condor. Based on data from 11 study areas across Washington, Oregon and northern California, a rangewide decline of nearly 4 percent per year was estimated from 1985 to 2013.

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