Science X Newsletter Thursday, Dec 17

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for December 17, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Year in Review—The most important research of 2015: June
- Meeting of math minds fails to clear up ABC conjecture proof
- New hydrogel gives clues to mechanism behind stress-stiffening-mediated mesenchymal stem cell fate
- A gene for new species is discovered
- Study reveals environment, behavior contribute to some 80 percent of cancers
- Borophene: Scientists create atomically thin boron
- Mysterious sharp symmetric features detected around young double star
- The awakened force of a star
- New Mars rover findings: Much higher concentrations of silica indicate 'considerable water activity'
- Snake bellies help scientists get a grip
- Christmas Eve asteroid to cruise past harmlessly: astronomers
- First flu exposure imprints itself on immune system
- Researchers identify potential approach to treat heart disease through the gut
- Burgess Shale fossil site gives up oldest evidence of brood care
- Stem cells likely to be safe for use in regeneration medicine, study confirms

Astronomy & Space news

	Mysterious sharp symmetric features detected around young double star (Phys.org)—An international team of astronomers, led by Markus Janson of Stockholm University in Sweden, has discovered mysterious sharp symmetric features around young double star, named AK Sco. The discovery is baffling scientists as they are still unsure about the nature of these features, pondering the possibilities that they are highly eccentric rings or two separate spiral arms in the disk around the star. Moreover, these features may have been caused by circumbinary planets interacting with the disk. The results were published on Dec. 14 in the arXiv journal.
	The awakened force of a star Perfectly timed for the release of "Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens", this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has imaged a cosmic double-bladed lightsabre. In the centre of the image, partially obscured by a dark Jedi-like cloak of dust, an adolescent star shoots twin jets out into space, demonstrating the fearsome forces of the Universe.
	Cassini closes in on Enceladus, one last time A thrilling chapter in the exploration of the solar system will soon conclude, as NASA's Saturn-orbiting Cassini spacecraft makes its final close flyby of the ocean-bearing moon Enceladus. Cassini is scheduled to fly past Enceladus at a distance of 3,106 miles (4,999 kilometers) on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 9:49 a.m. PST (12:49 p.m. EST).
	NuSTAR finds clumpy doughnut around black hole The most massive black holes in the universe are often encircled by thick doughnut-shaped disks of material. This doughnut material ultimately feeds and nourishes the growing black holes tucked inside. Until recently, some of these doughnuts were too thick for any telescopes to penetrate, but now a team of astronomers have used the NASA NuSTAR and ESA XMM-Newton X-ray observatories to peer inside. They publish their work in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
	Christmas Eve asteroid to cruise past harmlessly: astronomers After a comet for Halloween, another Earthly holiday will be marked by a visit from a celestial body—this time a large asteroid zipping past on Christmas Eve, astronomers said Thursday.
	New Mars rover findings: Much higher concentrations of silica indicate 'considerable water activity' New findings by NASA's Mars Curiosity rover are the focus of a press conference this morning at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) meeting in San Francisco, Calif. A group of scientists, including one from Los Alamos National Laboratory, revealed that the Curiosity rover found much higher concentrations of silica at some sites the rover has investigated in the past seven months than anywhere else it has visited since landing on Mars 40 months ago. Silica makes up nine-tenths of the composition of some of the rocks.
	Rare full moon on Christmas Day Not since 1977 has a full moon dawned in the skies on Christmas. But this year, a bright full moon will be an added gift for the holidays.
	Europe adds two more satellites to Galileo sat-nav system Europe on Thursday launched another two satellites for its multi-billion-euro Galileo sat-nav system, a rival to America's GPS, the European Space Agency (ESA) said.
	Euclid dark universe mission ready to take shape Euclid, ESA's dark universe mission, has passed its preliminary design review, providing confidence that the spacecraft and its payload can be built. It's time to start 'cutting metal'.
	An unlikely pair of satellites Space research and exploration reaches across Earth's borders and boundaries, relying on collaboration between nations, disciplines and institutions.
	Laser instrument to help bring home asteroid sample by NASA mission Michael Daly, a York University researcher, is the lead scientist on a laser altimeter that will map the surface and create a 3D model of the asteroid Bennu during a NASA mission launching in 2016.
	Ancient Egyptians described Algol's eclipses The Ancient Egyptian papyrus Cairo 86637 calendar is the oldest preserved historical document of naked eye observations of a variable star, the eclipsing binary Algol - a manifestation of Horus, a god and a king. This calendar contains lucky or unlucky prognoses for each day of one year. Lauri Jetsu and Sebastian Porceddu from the University of Helsinki have performed a statistical analysis of the Cairo Calendar mythological texts.
	ESA confirms James Webb telescope Ariane launch The next great space observatory took a step closer this week when ESA signed the contract with Arianespace that will see the James Webb Space Telescope launched on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou in October 2018.
NASA spinoff 2016—space technologies used on earth NASA technology is all around us, turning trash into oil, saving women from a deadly complication of childbirth, and putting the bubbles in beer.
	NTU Singapore successfully launches its fifth and sixth satellites Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) successfully launched two satellites: a climate monitoring and navigation satellite, and the university's first satellite with a commercial payload.

Technology news

	Ocean desalination plant capable of fresh water daily A desalination plant in Carlsbad, California, has started regular operations. The desalination plant conducted test runs leading up to the scheduled start of normal operations.
	Study assesses solar photovoltaic technologies An MIT assessment of solar energy technologies concludes that today's widely used crystalline silicon technology is efficient and reliable and could feasibly be deployed at the large scale needed to mitigate climate change by midcentury. But novel photovoltaic (PV) technologies now being developed using specially designed nanomaterials may one day provide significant advantages. They could be easier and cheaper to manufacture; they could be made into ultrathin, lightweight, flexible solar cells that would be easy to transport and install; and they could offer unique attributes such as transparency, opening up novel applications such as integration into windows or textiles. Since no single technology—established or emerging—offers benefits on all fronts, the researchers recommend rapidly scaling up current silicon-based systems while continuing to work on other technologies to increase efficiency, decrease materials use, and re! duce manufacturing complexity and cost.
	VR rock climbing game to chalk up a lifting experience If you have not yet experienced rock climbing a new game has been developed called The Climb which offers a rock-climbing experience on a VR level. The game is from Crytek, created in partnership with Oculus. Founder, CEO & President of Crytek, Cevat Yerli, said "The Climb invites players to experience the intensity of one of the world's most dangerous sports."
	Pandora wins out in modest royalty rate hike Internet radio leader Pandora was ordered Wednesday to pay 21 percent more in royalties to record labels, a modest increase that the company hoped would allow growth.
	Why you can't shut down the Internet Donald Trump says the government must work with "brilliant people" in Silicon Valley to keep violent extremists offline, even if it means shutting down parts of the Internet.
	Newspaper: Defense secretary used personal email at Pentagon A news report published Wednesday said Defense Secretary Ash Carter used a personal email account to do some of his government business during his first months at the Pentagon.
'Hoverboards' hot for the holidays despite concerns Riding a "hoverboard" will zip you around town and make you the coolest person in the neighborhood. But it might also be risky.
	WhatsApp back online in Brazil after temporarily block WhatsApp is back online in Brazil.
	French railways test software to track suspicious behaviour Software that monitors suspicious behaviour and luggage could eventually be integrated into 40,000 surveillance cameras across France, a railway firm said Wednesday, as the country tightens security after last month's deadly Paris attacks.
	EU parliament to probe Volkswagen emissions scandal European lawmakers approved on Thursday a wide-ranging probe into the Volkswagen emissions scandal and allegations that EU regulators turned a blind eye to suspicious pollution testing of diesel cars.
	China's Panda orders electric cars for $12 bn from Nevs, ex-Saab Chinese energy vehicle leasing company Panda New Energy has placed an order for 250,000 electric cars from Chinese-owned carmaker Nevs, formerly Saab, for $12 billion (11 billion euros), Nevs announced on Thursday.
	Even with falling prices at the pump, consumers find home energy more affordable than gasoline Consumers say their home energy bills would have to more than double before they become unaffordable, according to the University of Michigan Energy Survey.
	Tracing paths through a bottleneck Automatic tracing of filamentary structures in medical images could improve drug screening and clinical diagnosis, and might also be useful for image analysis in other fields. Software to perform this complex task has been developed by A*STAR researchers in collaboration with co-workers in Singapore and China. The system has been used to examine images of neurons in brain tissue samples and blood vessels in the retina.
	Electronics are getting small, and that is causing big problems Your television, computer, smartphone or any other electronic device wouldn't work without being able to shuttle electric charges around their circuits.
50 percent of retail will be automated by 2020 Retail experts at Fujitsu Americas today offered projections for the future of retail and the implications for enterprise technology.
	How computers help biologists crack life's secrets Once the three-billion-letter-long human genome was sequenced, we rushed into a new "omics" era of biological research. Scientists are now racing to sequence the genomes (all the genes) or proteomes (all the proteins) of various organisms – and in the process are compiling massive amounts of data.
	New process provides renewable fuel Luleå University of Technology is the first in the world to produce renewable fuels from pyrolysis bio-oil in its facility LTU Green Fuels. Pyrolysis bio-oil is produced by rapidly heating the forest residues in an oxygen-free environment and then rapidly cooling the products formed. By co-gasification with black liquor, a renewable fuel is produced.
	How long until we can build R2-D2 and C-3PO? The Star Wars universe is full of droids. Everywhere you turn, there are medical droids, exploration droids, labour droids, pilot droids, even battle droids. They carry out clearly defined tasks, often with a degree of independence, without needing to interact with people. In real life, we now have the technology to create many of them ourselves. But what about robots that can also interact with people? When it comes to the likes of R2-D2, C-3PO and Force Awakens newbie BB-8, it's a much more mixed picture.
	Microsoft opens NY studio to showcase HoloLens headset Microsoft is opening a studio in New York to showcase its upcoming HoloLens headset for inserting holograms into real-world settings.
	Wearable tech market surge led by new gadgets The global market for wearable technology is seeing a surge, led by watches, smart clothing and other connected gadgets, a research report said Thursday.
	WhatsApp back online in Brazil after temporarily block WhatsApp is back online in Brazil.
	Daimler's Smart launches online store German automaker Daimler said Thursday its Smart subsidiary has launched an online store, allowing customers to order a car on the Internet and have it delivered to their home.
	Facebook adding 'Photo Magic' to Messenger application Facebook is trying to make it easier to send photos as the holiday season's picture-taking frenzy escalates with the arrival of Christmas and New Year's Eve.
Largest flexible X-ray detector manufactured with thin film transistors The Flexible Electronics and Display Center (FEDC) at Arizona State University and PARC, a Xerox company, announced today that they have successfully manufactured the world's largest flexible X-ray detector prototypes using advanced thin film transistors (TFTs).
Jury sides against Cox in 'trailblazing' music piracy case A Virginia jury has issued a $25 million verdict against Cox Communications in an online piracy case that could mean more trouble for downloaders of illegal content.
	Roadmap to safer cyberspace How do cybersecurity experts discover how to properly defend a system or build a network that's secure?
Identity theft security firm fined $100 mn for lapses A company which sells identity theft protection services agreed Thursday to pay a fine of $100 million for failing to protect consumer data in the largest settlement on record, officials said.
A look at California's plan to make self-driving cars public California's Department of Motor Vehicles has unveiled draft regulations that would govern how consumers get access to self-driving cars—once they are ready for the public to use them safely.
Washington state sues firm, alleges tech support scam Washington state sued one of the world's largest independent tech support companies Wednesday, saying it routinely scams customers into buying software and services they don't need.
	Seeing through the big data fog A neuroscientist studies how stress affects the brain's ability to form new memories. Across the campus, another researcher looks for telltale signs of distant planets in a sliver of sky. What each of them seeks may lie hidden in an avalanche of data.
Researchers determine where Canadian data transfers increase exposure to US state surveillance Researchers at the University of Toronto announced today that IXmaps, a visual, interactive database of Internet traffic routes, is now live. The tool, funded by the .CA Community Investment Program, helps Canadians understand how their Internet traffic moves, and how certain traffic routes (known as 'boomerang routes') move data through the United States and into the jurisdiction of the U.S. National Security Agency before returning to Canada.
	RemLife software helps power stations improve efficiency of operations RemLife is an innovative software tool developed at ANSTO for use at power stations to help maintain plant components and improve the efficiency of operations—including conventional power stations, combined cycle heat steam recovery boilers and nuclear power stations.
	Carter admits improper use of personal email account (Update) U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter acknowledged on Thursday he sometimes used a personal, unsecured email account to conduct official business after he took office in February, a practice he called "entirely my mistake."
	How 'The Force' is invading 'Disney Infinity' game series There's a great—and unique— disturbance coming to "Disney Infinity."
	Apple names Jeff Williams as chief operating officer Apple named Jeff Williams as its chief operating officer Thursday, a job that hasn't been filled since Tim Cook left the position more than four years ago to become CEO.
VW hires Kenneth Feinberg to handle emission-cheating claims Volkswagen has hired Kenneth Feinberg to create a program to compensate owners of diesel-powered cars caught up in an emissions-cheating scandal. Feinberg is known for his work in compensating victims of the General Motors ignition switch scandal, the BP Gulf oil spill and other high-profile cases.

Medicine & Health news

	Study reveals environment, behavior contribute to some 80 percent of cancers A team of researchers from Stony Brook University, led by Yusuf Hannun, MD, the Joel Strum Kenny Professor in Cancer Research and Director of the Stony Brook University Cancer Center, have found quantitative evidence proving that extrinsic risk factors, such as environmental exposures and behaviors weigh heavily on the development of a vast majority (approximately 70 to 90 percent) of cancers. The finding, reported in the December 16 online issue of Nature, in a paper titled "Substantial contribution of extrinsic risk factors to cancer development," may be important for strategizing cancer prevention, research and public health.
Face cream ingredient found to mimic life-extending effects of a calorie restriction diet A commonly used skin care ingredient is one of several newly identified compounds that can mimic the life-extending effect of a starvation diet, new University of Liverpool research has revealed.
	Scientists localize the Christmas spirit in the brain The Christmas spirit has been located in the human brain, reveals a study published in The BMJ's Christmas issue this week.
	Fish oil helps transform fat cells from storage to burning Researchers have found that fish oil transforms fat-storage cells into fat-burning cells, which may reduce weight gain in middle age.
	Harnessing chemical and genomic data to fight cancer In the years since the human genome was first sequenced, a trove of genomic data has been amassed, aiding not only in our understanding of how the body works, but also in the search for disease-fighting drugs. Indeed, finding connections between idiosyncrasies within the genome and effective treatments is the hallmark of "precision medicine," a growing movement that aims to target therapeutics to those who would most likely benefit from their use.
	Gene variation promotes uncontrolled cell division Mom's eyes and dad's tumor? Cancer is due to genetic defects, some of which can be hereditary. The gene variant rs351855, for example, occurs in one in two cancer patients. It supports the growth of a variety of tumors that are aggressive and difficult to treat. A team headed by Axel Ullrich from the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Martinsried identified the gene variant a decade ago. The same laboratory has now succeeded for the first time in showing that the defect exposes an otherwise hidden binding site on the FGFR4 receptor. In a previously unknown interaction, growth factor STAT3, which promotes cancer, binds to the exposed site. The STAT3 signaling cascade can be efficiently blocked. For the first time, this could provide a promising therapeutic approach for many cancer patients. At the same time, it represents an important step towards personalized medicine. The paper was published in Nature.
	Scientists identify a neural population highly selective for music Scientists have long wondered if the human brain contains neural mechanisms specific to music perception. Now, for the first time, MIT neuroscientists have identified a neural population in the human auditory cortex that responds selectively to sounds that people typically categorize as music, but not to speech or other environmental sounds.
Researchers develop microscope that allows look at live muscle units in action Millions of people each year are diagnosed with diseases that result in the loss of neuromuscular function. One of the complications in treating these people has been an inability to track the progression of disease and provide the best possible therapeutics.
	For first time, neurotransmitter in the brain linked with autistic behavior In a discovery that could offer valuable new insights into understanding, diagnosing and even treating autism, Harvard scientists for the first time have linked a specific neurotransmitter in the brain with autistic behavior.
	Researchers identify potential approach to treat heart disease through the gut Cleveland Clinic researchers have demonstrated - for the first time—that targeting microbes in the gut may prevent heart disease brought on by nutrients contained in a diet rich in red meat, eggs and high-fat dairy products.
	Stem cells likely to be safe for use in regeneration medicine, study confirms Cambridge researchers have found the strongest evidence to date that human pluripotent stem cells—cells that can give rise to all tissues of the body—will develop normally once transplanted into an embryo. The findings, published today in the journal Cell Stem Cell, could have important implications for regenerative medicine.
	First flu exposure imprints itself on immune system A person's first infection with the influenza virus likely stimulates the production of key antibodies that then shape later immune responses to different seasonal influenza strains. In a study published December 17th in Cell Reports, Harvard researchers provide insights on how exposure to the flu impacts the immune system, which could be valuable for designing more effective and longer-lasting vaccines.
	Loss of tiny genetic molecules could play role in neurodegenerative diseases A tiny sliver of a person's DNA—several thousand times smaller than a typical gene—produces a molecule that has crucial influence over whether a person has any control over their muscles, according to a paper published December 18, 2015 in the journal Science.
	MERS virus: Drying out the reservoir A German-Dutch team has succeeded in immunizing dromedaries against the MERS virus. As the camels appear to be the major reservoir of the virus, the vaccine should also reduce the risk of future outbreaks of the disease in humans.
Coronary heart disease patients with no teeth have nearly double risk of death Coronary heart disease patients with no teeth have nearly double the risk of death as those with all of their teeth, according to research published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. The study in more than 15 000 patients from 39 countries found that levels of tooth loss were linearly associated with increasing death rates.
Deadly candidiasis must be addressed swiftly to help vulnerable patients One of the most common causes of healthcare-associated infections, candidiasis is a serious, life-threatening fungal infection that needs to be treated early, aggressively and appropriately, note updated guidelines released by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.
	Study finds Americans do not have better teeth than the English Contrary to popular belief, the oral health of US citizens is not better than the English, finds a study in the Christmas issue of The BMJ.
Men with moustaches outnumber women in medical leadership Men with moustaches significantly outnumber women in academic medical leadership positions in the top medical schools across the US, finds a study published in The BMJ Christmas issue this week.
	Low prices lead to high regret at all-you-can-eat buffets Ever wonder how much the price you pay for an All-You-Can-Eat (AYCE) buffet influences how you feel at the end of the meal? To explore this idea and address the lack of studies that do, this study examines whether pricing affects key indicators such as overeating, physical discomfort, and guilt. Researchers discovered that lower paying diners feel more physically uncomfortable and guiltier compared to the higher paying diners, even when eating the same amount - a finding that has implications for consumers, restaurants, and public health officials. This study is unique in that it was conducted in the field, where subjects' natural behavior could be observed unobtrusively. It is also the first to address the effects of pricing on consumers' experienced feelings, such as guilt and satiety.
	High schools listening to scientists, letting teens sleep More school districts around the U.S. are heeding the advice of scientists who have long said that expecting teens to show up to class before 8 a.m. isn't good for their health or their report cards.
	Hepatitis C prevention, control efforts should focus on incarcerated individuals More than one in nine people with hepatitis C in Canada spend time in a correctional facility each year and researchers said this presents a unique opportunity to focus hepatitis C prevention and control efforts in incarcerated populations.
	Scientists analyze the dynamics of HIV adaptation HIV mutates rapidly and forms countless virus variants in the patient. A collaboration of scientists from the group of Richard Neher, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Tübingen, Germany, and scientists from Stockholm analyzed the evolution of HIV using patient samples from early to chronic infection.
	Largest ever ovarian cancer trial suggests that screening reduces mortality, but longer follow-up is needed One of the largest ever randomised trials has concluded that ovarian cancer screening may reduce ovarian cancer mortality by an estimated 20% after follow up of up to 14 years. Longer follow-up is needed to determine the ultimate mortality reduction and if screening the general population is cost effective.
New method proves long-held theory about dopamine modulation during decision-making processes Mathematical computing techniques developed by Dr Emili Balaguer-Ballester at Bournemouth University, and a team of neuroscientists at Indiana Purdue University in US, the University of Heidelberg in Germany and British Columbia in Canada have been used to map the effects of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, on neural activities and behaviour. This has enabled the team to prove a long-held assumption in computational neuroscience: that cognitive decisions seem to be represented by temporarily stable states of neural dynamics which are modulated by dopamine. Until the publication of a new study, based on the application of their method, this theory remained insufficiently evidenced.
	Researchers describe changes in intestinal microflora that are characteristic in diabetes A group of Russian scientists, including Dr Elena Kostryukova and Maria Vakhitova has discovered that the presence of certain bacteria in the gut may be linked to the development of type 2 diabetes.
	Autistic workers and bosses differ on support Curtin University researchers are testing a system to enable employers to identify ways to best accommodate workers living with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
	Campylobacter and listeria infections still rising in the EU Human cases of listeriosis and campylobacteriosis rose once again in 2014, continuing an upward trend that began in 2008. Salmonellosis cases increased slightly for the first time since 2008. These are the main findings of the latest annual report by EFSA and ECDC on zoonoses and foodborne outbreaks in the European Union.
	Why we remember—or forget—details of alarming moments When someone walks down the street and is startled by a car accident, what determines whether they clearly remember the details of what they were doing prior to the crash?
	The transformation of cancer imaging Taken by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895, the first X-ray produced was of his wife's hand. Roentgen received the first Nobel Prize in physics for his work, but his discovery of X-ray beams also changed the medical profession far more than that simple black-and-white image might have suggested. The beams he used, higher in frequency than ultraviolet light but lower in frequency than gamma rays, revolutionized the medical profession, allowing physicians to see inside a patient's body to more readily diagnose disease and injury.
	Cigarillo use increases estimates of teen smoking rates by half The percentage of teens who smoked tobacco in the past 30 days increased by more than half when cigarillos—small cigars or little cigars—are included with regular cigarettes as a form of tobacco use.
	Most youth use e-cigarettes for novelty, flavors—not to quit smoking In 2015, more than half of all students in 8th, 10th and 12th grades who used vaporizers such as e-cigarettes report that a primary reason for use was curiosity to see what they were like.
	Doctors beat calculators when predicting stroke recovery In the past 15 years, clinicians have developed scientific "calculators" to predict long-term outcomes for patients with bleeding strokes. This information is used by families and doctors to make life-and-death decisions about whether to continue life support or undertake aggressive treatment.
	Cancer cells take up nanoparticles more rapidly than normal brain cells New research carried out by drug delivery experts at The University of Nottingham has highlighted more advantages to using nanoparticles for the delivery of cancer drugs.
	Gaps in care for child trauma and stress after injury An international survey of hospital emergency department (ED) staff has found a gap in knowedge when dealing with child traumatic stress and providing emotional support to children admitted to hospital after injury.
	Why parents can't resist buying their children the hottest gifts BeatBo the dancing robot. The latest video games. A LeapPad tablet. The Nerf Stormtrooper blaster. Doc McStuffins from Disney's TV series. As the holidays approach, children and parents are barraged with marketing for the hottest toys.
We need to ditch the pink ball in day-night test cricket The pink cricket ball for day-night test matches in Australia is, at best, an unfortunate compromise with tradition. At worst it's a dumb decision that could risk lives.
Fit elderly fall as much as their couch-potato peers It's not enough to stay fit as you age if you want to avoid falls, researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology have found. When they looked at how many hours older people exercised and how well they performed on four balance tests, they found no relationship.
For people with memory problems, preventing mistakes is a better learning strategy Do people learn from their mistakes? This question is often a subject of discussion at rehabilitation centres. For people with memory problems preventing mistakes is a better learning strategy. Neuropsychologist Dirk Bertens has now demonstrated that 'errorless learning' also works with people with non-congenital brain damage. He will be awarded a PhD for his research by Radboud University on 8 January 2016.
	'Smart' contact lenses could predict your risk of suffering a common cold Why is it that there are some people who can go a whole winter without so much as a sniffle, whilst others seem to catch every common cold that comes their way?
Bone drug protects stem cells from ageing Stem cells can be protected from the effects of ageing by a drug currently used to treat patients with osteoporosis, a breakthrough study has found.
New research offers reassurance over multiple artery procedures for heart attack victims A new study has examined the effects on the heart of treating multiple narrowed arteries - rather than just one – at the time of a heart attack.
	Conflict has little effect on malaria control Very few studies have quantitatively assessed the associations between conflicts and malaria transmission, particularly across several countries.The analysis looked at the association between conflicts and variations in the prevalence of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite over 13 years in sub-Saharan Africa.
	Inflammation can fan the flames of depression Chronic inflammation in the bloodstream can "fan the flames" of depression, much like throwing gasoline on a fire, according to a new paper from researchers at Rice University and Ohio State University.
	Parents need more guidance to prevent toddlers overeating Reducing toddlers' portion sizes or number of eating occasions could potentially help to target weight gain in later life according to new research from UCL.
	Specialists make breakthrough for bowel cancer patients Specialists at The Christie and The University of Manchester have made a breakthrough which will spare patients with cancer of the lower bowel, rectal cancer, from major surgery.
Study shows multiple-dose, targeted radiation more effective for treating pituitary tumors A recent patient study at Houston Methodist Hospital proved that multiple small doses of highly focused radiation therapy is safer and more effective than a single larger dose of radiation at destroying pituitary gland tumors.
	Binge drinking with chronic alcohol use more destructive than previously thought Excessive alcohol consumption is a global public health issue. In the United States, binge drinking is the most common form—so common, in fact, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports approximately one in six adults binge drinks about four times each month. Now, a study by University of Missouri School of Medicine researchers shows that chronic alcohol use, when combined with repeated binge drinking, causes more damage to the liver than previously thought.
	High fat/low carb diet could combat schizophrenia Research by James Cook University scientists has found a diet favoured by body-builders may be effective in treating schizophrenia.
Men actually recommend getting help for depression History supports Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's recent tweet saying that men have a hard time asking for help for their depression.
Younger age associated with increased likelihood of targetable genotype in lung cancer Patients younger than 50 diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) had a higher likelihood of having a targetable genomic alteration for which therapies exist, according to an article published online by JAMA Oncology.
When cancer of unknown origin strikes, patient's family members face increased risk Cancer usually begins in one location and then spreads, but in 3 percent to 5 percent of cancer patients, the tissue where a cancer begins is unknown. In these individuals a cancer diagnosis is made because it has metastasized to other sites. Patients with these so-called "cancers of unknown primary," or CUP, have a very poor prognosis, with a median survival of three months. A new study in the JAMA Oncology finds that family members of CUP patients are at higher risk of developing CUP themselves, as well as cancers of the lung, pancreas, colon and some cancers of the blood.
Cancer drives patients to poverty in Southeast Asia Five percent of cancer patients and their families were pushed into poverty in Southeast Asia between March 2012 and September 2013, because of high disease-related costs, a study at the inaugural ESMO Asia 2015 Congress in Singapore shows.
	Good news for feast lovers? Obesity-promoting genes discovered Ever imagined you could eat all the mouthwatering, festive food during winter holidays and never worry about an expanding waistline?
	How excitatory/inhibitory balance is maintained in the brain Just as a thermostat is used to maintain a balanced temperature in a home, different biological processes maintain the balance of almost everything in our bodies, from temperature and oxygen to hormone and blood sugar levels. In our brains, maintaining the balance—or homeostasis—between excitation and inhibition within neural circuits is important throughout our lives, and now, researchers at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute and Nagoya University in Japan, and École Normale Supérieure in France have discovered how disturbed inhibitory connections are restored.
	Probing the mystery of how cancer cells die You've probably never heard of 'sphingolipids' before. But these curiously named organic compounds play a vital role in one of humanity's most well-known diseases: cancer.
Scientists uncover how opioids cause dangerous breathing problems University of Toronto researchers on a quest to make opioid drugs less lethal have discovered a window of opportunity: a tiny channel in the brain where opioids interfere with the breathing mechanism. They found that mice without this channel kept breathing normally with an opioid overdose - a discovery that may result in new therapies to stop accidental deaths from prescription painkillers.
Multiple myeloma drug could revolutionize treatment for sickle cell disease An established drug for recurrent multiple myeloma might effectively be repurposed to improve the survival and day-to-day lives of patients with devastating sickle cell disease, according to revealing new research by a Feinstein Institute for Medical Research scientist.
	Scientists identify mechanisms to reduce epileptic seizures following TBI UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found that halting production of new neurons in the brain following traumatic brain injury can help reduce resulting epileptic seizures, cognitive decline, and impaired memory.
	How the brain is protected against fungal pathogens by CARD9-mobilized neutrophils CARD9 is a molecule that plays a role in defending mammals, including humans, against fungal infections. A study published on December 17th in PLOS Pathogens reveals how CARD9 specifically protects the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), findings that might help the development of immune therapies against dangerous fungal infections.
	Why smoking bans may have advantage over higher tobacco taxes If governments want to discourage smoking among young people, both high taxes and smoking bans do the job - but bans may have one key advantage.
New reversible drug shows early promise in preventing dangerous clots A new drug that protects against dangerous blood clots in patients undergoing procedures such as angioplasty to restore blood flow through the coronary arteries, appears safe, fast, and the effects are uniquely reversible, according to early testing described in the American Heart Association journal: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.
	3 coronavirus species co-circulating in dromedary camels in SA and Korean outbreak of MERS caused by recombinant variant An international research team, led by Professor Yi Guan and Dr Huachen Zhu of the State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases and School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong (HKU), in collaboration with King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia; and scientists from Mainland China, Australia and Egypt revealed that the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus has become enzootic in dromedary camels in Saudi Arabia and diverged into five distinct lineages. Viruses that led to the Korean outbreak and the recent human infections in the Middle East were from lineage 5 and generated by recombination between viruses of lineages 3 and 4.
Using network science to help pinpoint source of seizures The ability to reliably pinpoint the anatomical source of epileptic seizures, different for each patient, remains elusive. One third of patients do not respond to medication and an alternative can be surgery to locate and remove the small cluster of neurons that act as the seed of an epileptic seizure, unfortunately such surgeries often fail to bring any relief.
	New genes associated with extreme longevity identified Centenarians show successful aging as they remain active and alert at very old ages. Scientists at Stanford University and the University of Bologna have begun to unravel the basis for longevity by finding genetic loci associated with extreme longevity.
	Nutritional vitamin D supplements do not help treat anemia in dialysis patients There is no role for nutritional vitamin D supplements in treating anemia in patients on hemodialysis, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).
New methods, requirements have changed data sharing among life science researchers Measures instituted in recent years to encourage the sharing of scientific information appear to have reduced the overall level of withholding of data and materials among academic life science researchers. In their follow up to an earlier study that documented the extent of data withholding in 2000, a multi-institutional research team describes the results of a 2013 survey of investigators at top research institutions. Their report has been published online in Academic Medicine.
Pancreas cancer liquid biopsy flows from blood-borne packets of tumor genes Pancreatic cancer tumors spill their molecular secrets into the blood stream, shedding their complete DNA and RNA wrapped inside protective lipid particles that make them ripe for analysis with a liquid biopsy, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center report online at the Annals of Oncology.
Nonoperative treatment of appendicitis may have unknown long-term risks and costs It is too early to change the standard treatment of appendicitis in U.S. adults to initial antibiotic therapy only, rather than surgical removal of the appendix, or appendectomy, authors of a new systematic review study conclude. Conducted by surgeons and emergency medicine physicians, the review article appears online as an 'article in press' on the Journal of the American College of Surgeons website in advance of print publication early next year.
	Identification tags define neural circuits The human brain is composed of complex circuits of neurons, cells that are specialized to transmit information via electrochemical signals. Like the circuits in a computer, these neuronal circuits must be connected in particular ways to function properly. But with billions of neurons in a single human brain, how does a neuron make the right connections with the right cells?
'Smart fat cells' cross blood-brain barrier to catch early brain tumors An MRI contrast agent that can pass through the blood-brain barrier will allow doctors to detect deadly brain tumors called gliomas earlier, say Penn State College of Medicine researchers. This ability opens the door to make this fatal cancer treatable.
	Compound found to trigger innate immunity against viruses Research from UW Medicine and collaborators indicates that a drug-like molecule can activate innate immunity and induce genes to control infection in a range of RNA viruses, including West Nile, dengue, hepatitis C, influenza A, respiratory syncytial, Nipah, Lassa and Ebola.
Exceptional care requires patient-driven education We've all been there: Sitting in a consultation with a doctor or nurse, jargon gets thrown around, time with the health-care provider is short and, soon after the conversation concludes, you forget half of what you were told. This can happen whether you're "health literate," meaning you comprehend and feel comfortable with medical terms and concepts, or not, and whether you're a parent dealing with your child's acute sickness or chronic disorder.
	Minorities less likely to trust physicians, research reveals When it comes to trust in their physicians, minority groups in the United States are less likely than white people to believe their doctors care about them, according to research by University of Pennsylvania's Abigail Sewell.
	Deforestation linked to rise in cases of emerging zoonotic malaria A steep rise in human cases of P. knowlesi malaria in Malaysia is likely to be linked to deforestation and associated environmental changes, according to new research published in Emerging Infectious Diseases. The study, led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, is the first to explore how changes in land use are impacting the emergence of the disease.
	US and Mexico must work to prevent future outbreaks of mosquito-transmitted diseases Despite the increasing risks of mosquito-transmitted epidemics in the United States and Mexico, policymakers in both countries have made little effort to prevent future outbreaks, according to a new policy brief by tropical-disease and science policy experts at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Behavioral economists: Health insurance complexity leads to costly mistakes If you dread the annual ritual of choosing a health insurance plan, you are not alone. While insurance exchanges were designed to benefit consumers by offering more plan choices, for many people, selecting a health plan is a source of confusion and stress.
	Going viral: Could peroxisomes be key to stopping West Nile and Dengue viruses? A new discovery from the University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry could open the door to one day treat or prevent diseases caused by West Nile virus and Dengue virus infections.
Mental health status prior to bladder cancer surgery can indicate risk of complications A patient's mental health prior to surgery can influence postoperative outcomes. Removal of the bladder, or radical cystectomy (RC), is an effective treatment for locally advanced bladder cancer, but complications occur in as many as 66% of patients. In a study in The Journal of Urology, researchers found that patients whose self-assessment of mental health was low suffered more high grade complications in the 30 days following surgery than patients with higher self-assessments.
	More U.S. kids have type 1 diabetes, but researchers don't know why (HealthDay)—The number of U.S. kids living with type 1 diabetes has increased by almost 60 percent since 2002, and experts are not sure why.
	More than half of U.S. states not well prepared for disease outbreaks: study (HealthDay)—More than half of U.S. states are poorly prepared to respond to infectious disease outbreaks, a new report says.
	Antineoplastic agent obscures diagnosis of fungal meningitis (HealthDay)—A case of cryptococcal meningitis with false-negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture results following receipt of capecitabine has been described in a case report published in the December issue of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
	Lack of sleep affects mood, cognition in anesthesiologists (HealthDay)—Partial sleep deprivation following a night-call shift affects anesthesiologists' total mood status and their cognitive skills, according to a study published in the January issue of Pediatric Anesthesia.
	ART conception tied to increased odds of maternal morbidity (HealthDay)—For singleton pregnancies, conception with assisted reproductive technology (ART) is associated with increased risk of severe maternal morbidity, according to a study published in the January issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Ultrasound can read weight of fetuses with FGR in obese moms (HealthDay)—Sonographic (US) examination can accurately estimate fetal weight, even in overweight and obese women with singleton pregnancies affected by fetal growth restriction (FGR), according to research published in the January issue of the Journal of Clinical Ultrasound.
	Type 2 diabetes may raise dementia risk, especially in women: study (HealthDay)—Women with type 2 diabetes may be at risk of developing a type of dementia resulting from damaged or blocked blood vessels to the brain, a new research review suggests.
	VA sets national policy for robotic legs for paralyzed vets Paralyzed Army veteran Gene Laureano cried when he first walked again with robotic legs at a New York clinic as part of research sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs. But when the study ended, so did his ability to walk.
Bulgaria, EU's death capital, to tackle 'nightmare' health system Bulgaria's medical system is causing a serious headache for all in a country—despite massive healthcare investments and the most hospitals per capita in the European Union, it has the highest death rate across the bloc.
Researcher examines nutrition, timing of foods acquired in food deserts Eliza Davenport Whiteman, a second-year doctoral student in the University of Pennsylvania's Department of City and Regional Planning in the School of Design, conducted a pilot study that offers a novel metric for evaluating how low-income residents of food deserts acquire food.
Study aims to help patients quit smoking before surgery Researchers from the University of Alberta are examining how to help smokers kick the habit before undergoing elective surgery.
	Simulation training to improve treatment injury prevention Treatment injury prevention in New Zealand will benefit from a world leading operating room simulation training programme, developed and piloted at the University of Auckland and to be rolled out to hospitals from next year.
Freeze-drying breast milk retains more of its healthy properties A study at the CEU Cardenal Herrera University in Valencia confirms freeze-drying as an effective alternative means of storing breast milk to the deep-freezing typically used at milk banks.
	UA researchers developing brain-mapping technology Researchers at the University of Arizona are developing a noninvasive brain-scanning technology that could produce images far superior to those obtained with the most commonly used systems—electroencephalography and functional magnetic resonance imaging. The technique, which incorporates sound waves to measure electrical activity in neural tissue, could improve diagnosis and treatment of many disorders, including epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and traumatic brain injury.
North Carolina abortion rules now in effect New regulations governing how North Carolina's abortion clinics operate are being quietly implemented more than two years after abortion-rights groups protested loudly against lawmakers and Gov. Pat McCrory for passing legislation directing rules be updated.
Immuno and targeted therapy provide new options for difficult-to-treat head and neck cancer Novel strategies are on the way for difficult-to-treat and advanced head and neck cancer, the most heterogeneous group of malignancies which are generally associated with poor survival, and encouraging results have been presented at the first ESMO Asia 2015 Congress in Singapore.
Judge blocks NYC flu vaccine requirement for preschoolers New York City can't require preschoolers in city-regulated daycares to get a flu shot, a state judge ruled in a decision published early Thursday.
Dietary cocoa flavanols improve blood vessel function in patients with kidney dysfunction Consuming a beverage containing cocoa flavanols improves blood vessel function in patients with kidney failure, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). The findings suggest that the plant-derived compounds may benefit the cardiovascular health of patients with poor kidney function.
Top risk factors for child undernutrition in India identified In India, nearly 40% of all children are stunted—of extremely low height for their age—and nearly 30% are underweight. A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has now pinpointed the five top risk factors responsible for more than two-thirds of the problem.
Mirrors can make unhealthy foods less tasty People often choose the unhealthy food because they think it is tastier. Aiming for solutions promoting healthy eating practices and ultimately combating obesity, this research shows that the presence of a mirror in a consumption setting can reduce the perceived tastiness of unhealthy food, which consequently reduces its consumption.
	New report shows gains in health insurance across Texas fall behind rest of US The rate of adults without health insurance across the U.S. dropped nearly twice as much as in Texas from 2013 to 2015, according to a new report released today by Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF).
	Targeting frailty in pre-lung transplant patients might improve survival rates, patient outcomes Frailty can affect people of all ages and demographics. Defined simply as "an increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes," frailty can affect a patient's chances of surviving a surgical procedure or needing a nursing home. A new study from physicians at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., published recently in the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, is among the first to show a definitive connection between frailty and survival after a lung transplant procedure.
Wearable heart device cleared for children with cardiac risk Federal health officials have cleared a wearable heart-zapping device for children who are at risk of deadly irregular heartbeats.
France adopts plain cigarette packaging Cigarettes in France will be sold in plain packaging under a law that was finally passed in parliament on Thursday despite objections from the conservative opposition.
	Advancing the Edmonton Protocol for the improved treatment of type 1 diabetes An antifreeze glycopeptide that mimics a naturally occurring glycoprotein found in Arctic fish is helping to significantly improve the efficacy of cell transplant treatments for diabetes patients—a procedure that transplants insulin producing islets to render them insulin independent for periods of time.
State safety nets offer uneven support to low-income working families, policy tool shows When it comes to providing economic assistance to families living near the poverty line, state practice and policy implementation vary in ways unexplained by differences in economic performance or the cost of living, according to data revealed in a newly updated and enhanced policy analysis tool from the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. The 50-State Policy Tracker is a unique online tool for comparing safety net policies that are critical to the economic security of working families. The tool reveals striking variation among states, showing that state policy choices have a major impact on whether low-income working parents succeed in making ends meet.

Biology news

	A gene for new species is discovered A University of Utah-led study identified a long-sought "hybrid inviability gene" responsible for dead or infertile offspring when two species of fruit flies mate with each other. The discovery sheds light on the genetic and molecular process leading to formation of new species, and may provide clues to how cancer develops.
	New research shows how fly brain reroutes odor information to produce flexible behavior Some responses come automatically, like reflexes. Others vary with circumstance and experience. A once-delicious smell can be easily overlooked during a stressful moment or when it calls to mind about of food poisoning, for instance. This happens because, within the brain, molecules known as neuromodulators reroute information about that odor.
	New research uncovers processes driving planarian stem cell differentiation With its abundance of stem cells known as neoblasts, and remarkable abilities to restore body parts lost to injury, the humble flatworm, or planaria, has become an exciting model organism to study the processes of tissue and organ regeneration.
	Experiments explain the events behind molecular 'bomb' seen in cancer cells Since scientists have begun sequencing the genome of cancer cells, they have noticed a curious pattern. In many different types of cancers, there are cells in which a part of a chromosome looks like it has been pulverized, then put back together incorrectly, leading to multiple mutations. For years, this phenomenon puzzled scientists. But new research from The Rockefeller University suggests an explanation for this strange molecular explosion that serves as a precursor to cancer.
	Snake bellies help scientists get a grip For many of us, the bodies of moving snakes look like little more than wiggly strands of spaghetti.
	'Smoke detector' enables fungal partnership that allowed plants to first survive on land New research has revealed that a plant protein known to detect growth-promoting compounds in smoke from burning vegetation has a much older and broader role: recognising initial signals sent from the beneficial soil fungi that deliver nutrients directly into plant cells.
	Ancient four-flippered reptile flapped like a penguin The puzzle of the plesiosaur has been revealed by computer simulations showing how the ancient animals used their unusual four-flippered body to swim through the ocean.
	Carnivore hunting policy does not always align with science, say researchers An international group of carnivore biologists, writing in the journal Science, say that policies regulating the hunting of large carnivores do not always align with basic scientific data.
	Darwin's finches may face extinction Mathematical simulations at the University of Utah show parasitic flies may spell extinction for Darwin's finches in the Galapagos Islands, but that pest-control efforts might save the birds that helped inspire the theory of evolution.
	Gene-editing is Science mag's breakthrough of 2015 A gene-editing technique known as CRISPR was named Thursday by the influential US journal Science as 2015's breakthrough of the year, due to its potential to revolutionize health and medicine.
	Genome sequencing may save California's legendary sugar pine The genome of California's legendary sugar pine, which naturalist John Muir declared to be "king of the conifers" more than a century ago, has been sequenced by a research team led by UC Davis scientists.
	New resource to help manage the invasive spotted lanternfly The invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) was detected last year in Pennsylvania, but entomologists are already warning farmers and growers as far away as California to be prepared for its arrival. In fact, they have published an article in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management which offers information on how to identify and manage it.
	Bigger is better for Zealandia's tuatara The size and health of the tuatara population was assessed this month in a joint project by Victoria University of Wellington and Zealandia—the first time many of the iconic creatures will have been handled since the species were introduced to Zealandia 10 years ago.
	Blue-green algae efficient in 'harvesting' light Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, have an ingenious system to prepare themselves for the coming daylight when it is dark by setting up a large 'antenna'. This antenna helps them capture light energy in an efficient way, while also providing protection against damage to the photosynthesis mechanism of the bacteria. This revolutionary discovery about the functioning of the antenna was made by the Laboratory of Biophysics of Wageningen University. "Enhancing the photosynthesis of our crops is as important as the Green Revolution has been" says Eric Schranz, professor in Biosystematics. "To achieve this improvement we need new and very detailed information about the possibilities which nature provides. This new knowledge is therefore a major breakthrough."
	Deep diving research expedition reveals unknown communities and alien species Scientists from the University of Aberdeen's Oceanlab recently explored the relatively unknown seabed communities off the Island of Rhodes and discovered the presence of potentially harmful alien species.
	How close are we to successfully editing genes in human embryos? An important international summit on human gene editing recently recommended that researchers go ahead with gene editing human embryos, but keep revisiting how and when such modifications would be appropriate in the clinic. The decision came after some scientists called for a moratorium on such research.
	Scientists predict activity of human genes Genetically identical cells do not always behave the same way. According to the accepted theory, the reason are random molecular processes - known as random noise. For decades this view has been underpinned by numerous experiments and theoretical models. Now the system biologists of the University of Zurich have made a momentous discovery: The spatial separation of human cells into a nucleus and cytoplasm creates some kind of passive filter. This filter suppresses the random noise and enables human cells to precisely regulate the activity of individual genes.
	Despite poaching, elephants' social networks hold steady While the demand for ivory has put elephants under incredible pressure from poachers, their rich social networks have remained remarkably steady. That's according to evidence on the grouping patterns among adult female elephants living in northern Kenya over a 16-year period, which show that daughters often step up to take the place of their fallen mothers. The findings are reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on December 17.
	Fungi may help drought-stressed wheat Scientists at Aarhus University have discovered that fungi associated with plant roots may improve growth and yield of drought-stressed wheat.
	Early warning system to save species Managers of wildlife conservation programmes are being helped by a method commonly encountered in industrial and service industries.
	Phytoplankton like it hot: Warming boosts biodiversity and photosynthesis in phytoplankton Warmer temperatures increase biodiversity and photosynthesis in phytoplankton, researchers at the University of Exeter and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) have found. Globally, phytoplankton—microscopic water-borne plants—absorb as much carbon dioxide as tropical rainforests and so understanding the way they respond to a warming climate is crucial.
	Seeds have recycled a plant protection mechanism, the cuticle, to withstand terrestrial aggressions Having emerged late during evolution, seeds have transformed many plants into miniature travelers, contributing greatly to their colonization of terrestrial habitats. Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, have just discovered one of the keys to this success: the cuticle. Present as a thick waxy layer in the seed coat and composed of cutin—a type of fatty acid —, the cuticle increases seeds' viability, their resistance to reactive oxygen species, and contributes to maintaining their dormant state. Seeds have thus recycled an ancient terrestrial plant protection mechanism that allows their leaves to be covered with an impermeable film preventing excessive transpiration.
	An alternative TALEN/CRISPR-mediated gene insertion technique described in detail A streamlined protocol for an alternative gene insertion method using genome editing technologies, the PITCh (Precise Integration into Target Chromosome) system, has been reported in Nature Protocols by Specially Appointed Lecturer Tetsushi Sakuma, Professor Takashi Yamamoto, Specially Appointed Associate Professor Ken-Ichi T Suzuki, and their colleagues at Hiroshima University, Japan.
	First praying mantis survey of Rwanda uncovers rich diversity A college student working at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History was lead author on the first formal survey of praying mantises in Rwanda, which revealed a 155 percent increase in praying mantis species diversity for the African country. Riley Tedrow, a Case Western Reserve University graduate student pursuing field research for the Museum, participated in two surveys across four locations in Rwanda, including three national parks. The survey was published Oct. 1, 2015 in the journal Zootaxa.
	Lucy, 9, is face of global fight to save frog from extinction A nine-year-old schoolgirl is to front a global educational campaign, launched today, to save one the world's rarest frogs.
	Are you ready to track Gnaraloo's sea turtles? Sea turtles are often thought of as majestic and serene and without a care in the world, but their numbers are dwindling around the world. To safeguard sea turtles who call WA home the Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Program are preparing to tag as many turtles as possible to better understand their behaviour and to keep them safe.
	Research seven kilometres deep The sponge researchers of Wageningen are plunging deeper. A PhD student of Wageningen University has recently taken samples of sponges in the sea near Curacao at a whopping 250 meters depth, and next year a search for sponges will start at a depth of seven kilometres. as part of a large EU project in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
	International demand for Dutch approach to harmful nematodes The chemical control of harmful nematodes is being limited in an increasing number of countries. Instead of using chemicals, farmers and horticulturalists must now control this pest in the soil. The Netherlands has a wealth of knowledge in this field and Wageningen scientists have noticed how this is generating lots of interest from abroad.
	102 new species described by the California Academy of Sciences in 2015 In 2015, researchers at the California Academy of Sciences added 102 new plant and animal species to our family tree, enriching our understanding of Earth's complex web of life and strengthening our ability to make informed conservation decisions. The new species include two frogs, 23 ants, three beetles, eight wasps, 11 spiders, 26 fishes, nine sea slugs, two corals, nine plants, one water bear, and eight new viruses. More than a dozen Academy scientists—along with several dozen international collaborators—described the discoveries.
	Scientists are paving the way for more sustainable Danish berry production The production of Danish berries for processing is under pressure due to fierce competition from abroad. In recent years the price achieved for production berries in Denmark has been less than the actual production costs. Using the berries for wine, vinegar and juice instead could be one way of solving the problem.
	Another baby: 8th endangered orca spotted in Puget Sound Whale researchers are celebrating the birth of another baby orca in Puget Sound, the first time in decades the population has experienced such a boom.

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