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Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for December 2, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Optical metacage blocks light from entering or escaping
- New research helps to explain how temperature shifts the circadian clock
- The economics of Star Wars: Modeling and systems risk analysis suggest financial ruin for the Galactic Empire
- Team finds detailed record of mysterious fast radio burst
- AI service will boost Wikipedia's hunt for damaging edits
- Trapping climate pollutant methane gas in porous carbon
- Intracellular calcium integrates complex signaling to control stem cell activity
- Researchers unravel age-old mystery of why cells use fermentation
- What is the universe made of? Shedding light on the mystery of missing ordinary matter
- Intestinal bacteria are affected by antidiabetic drugs
- Pneumonia 'finger clip' and better diagnostic tests could save thousands of lives
- New insights into the creation of heavy elements: Researchers simulate scattering of helium nuclei inside stars
- Researchers pushing limits of solar cells
- The accidental discovery of how to stay young for longer
- Quantum computer made of standard semiconductor materials

Astronomy & Space news

	Team finds detailed record of mysterious fast radio burst Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), brief yet brilliant eruptions of cosmic radio waves, have baffled astronomers since they were first reported nearly a decade ago. Though they appear to come from the distant Universe, none of these enigmatic events has revealed more than the slimmest details about how and where it formed, until now.
	The jet of a black hole drives multiple winds in a nearby galaxy A team of astrophysicists led by Dr Kalliopi Dasyra discovered fast winds of molecular and atomic gas that were caused by the interaction of the jet of a supermassive black hole with interstellar medium clouds in the nearby galaxy IC5063. The winds are detected in four discrete regions near the jet, at distances as large as ~3000 light years away from the black hole. This discovery indicates that black hole jets can influence the evolution of galaxies by increasing the turbulence of the gas and suppressing the formation of new stars at large scales.
	What is the universe made of? Shedding light on the mystery of missing ordinary matter Matter known as ordinary, which makes up everything we know, corresponds to only 5% of the Universe. Approximately half of this percentage still eluded detection. Numerical simulations made it possible to predict that the rest of this ordinary matter should be located in the large-scale structures that form the 'cosmic web' at temperatures between 100,000 and 10 million degrees.
	US space station delivery on tap after 8-month stoppage NASA hopes to resume commercial shipments this week to the International Space Station, following months of frustrating delay.
	A look back at NASA solar missions Twenty years ago, the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, a cooperative effort between NASA and the European Space Agency, launched into space and revolutionized our study of the sun and a scientific discipline called heliophysics – the study of how the sun's influence spreads out in all directions, able to dramatically affect the space environment near Earth and throughout the solar system.
	Astronomer discusses the science behind that mysterious star you've heard so much about A Yale-led team of astronomers has had its eye on a particularly bright star whose dramatic dips in energy output may be the result of fragmented, extra-solar comets buzzing past the star.
	Researchers question results obtained heretofore in the study of pulsating stars The movement of gas inside a star causes seismic waves which in turn cause irregularities on the star's surface. These 'earthquakes' (or pulsations) produce periodic variations in the brightness of a star, and the study of those variations can reveal the physical structure and processes that take place inside. A group of researchers examined the tools used to interpret those types of data and found that the methods which have been utilized for decades are not universally applicable.
	SOHO celebrates 20 years of discoveries Originally planned for a two-year mission, the ESA–NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, SOHO, is today celebrating two decades of scientific discovery.
	Why is the night sky black? It sounds obvious. That's what night is. The sun has set and when you look up at the sky, it's black. Except where there's a star, of course. The stars are bright and shiny.
	Image: Rover versus rocks An array of strange, sharp-edged rocks appeared suddenly on a sandy beach near ESA's technical centre as part of an ambitious test of robotic rover technology.
	European Space Agency ready to launch gravity probe The European Space Agency says it's preparing for the launch of a probe that will test technology for a future mission to measure gravitational waves.
	Orbital to fly first space cargo mission since 2014 explosion Orbital ATK on Wednesday counted down to its first space launch since a sudden explosion last year destroyed its Antares rocket and cargo craft bound for the International Space Station.
	US astronauts testify from Space Station On his 249th consecutive day in space, U.S. astronaut Scott Kelly told Congress that what he misses most is his friends and family on Earth and the chance to experience nature.
	Video: Watch SETI radio dishes dance across the universe Radio dishes always evoke wonder, as these giants search for invisible (to our eyes, anyway) radio signals from objects like distant quasars, pulsars, masers and more, including potential signals from extraterrestrials. This new timelapse from Harun Mehmedinovic and Gavin Heffernan of Sunchaser Pictures was shot at several different radio astronomy facilities—the Very Large Array (VLA) Observatory in New Mexico, Owens Valley Observatory in Owens Valley California, and Green Bank Observatory in West Virginia. All three of these facilities have been or are still being partly used by the SETI (Search for the Extraterrestrial Intelligence) program.
	Farmers benefit from satellite coverage Farmers can now call on the latest satellite information using the unique TalkingFields service to get the best from their land while cutting the environmental cost.
	Image: Outbound ESA spacesuits Roscosmos commander Yuri Malenchenko, NASA astronaut Tim Kopra and ESA astronaut Tim Peake stand by the Sokol suits they will wear on launch day, 15 December.
	Space sleep study to shed light on aging University of Surrey and European Space Agency launch sleep study to tackle health problems shared by astronauts and the elderly

Technology news

	Fighting climate change with 'poop power' The stench of clogged toilets fills the air at the US capital's wastewater treatment facility. And for good reason—it's one of the world's largest projects to transform human waste into electricity.
	For Israeli firm, an answer to global warming blowing in the wind For an Israeli start-up, one answer to global warming is blowing in the wind. The company called NewCO2Fuels, or NCF, has been developing its own version of a technology that allows heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions to be captured and recycled back into useable fuel.
	Tesla races into third position in innovation survey Electric car star Tesla has joined Apple and Google at the top of an annual ranking of innovative firms by Boston Consulting Group.
	Headphones, buttons, app all work toward freedom for blind city dwellers A leisurely day spent window shopping, and browsing in shops and discovering new places, things we enjoy but take for granted as part of town and city life. For the blind, such activities might be considered out of the realm of possibilities. Getting to a predetermined Point B from Point A is challenge enough.
	Japan shows off disaster-response robots at android fair Japan on Wednesday displayed a pair of two-legged humanoid robots that can operate in harsh conditions as the country prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions prepares for the next catastrophe.
Swimming devices could deliver drugs inside the body Engineers at the University of Sheffield have discovered that tiny spherical bead-like devices can be guided by physical structures while swimming inside fluids. This opens up a wealth of future possibilities, such as using structures in the body to guide drug delivery, or cracks in rocks to direct environmental clean-up and exploration.
	Wearable capacitor technology to power mobile electronics Industrial design researchers at Brunel University London have solved two of the major challenges which prevent everyday items of clothing being turned into power sources for smartphones, tablets and other personal tech.
	Study finds promise in expanding renewables based on results in three major economies Stanford energy experts have released a study that compares the experiences of three large economies in ramping up renewable energy deployment and concludes that renewables can make a major and increasingly cost-effective contribution to climate change mitigation.
	Formula E to stage driverless, AI 'Roboraces' Real-time computing algorithms will replace humans in an innovative series of driverless races to be staged alongside the regular Formula E season, promotors said on Wednesday.
	New plastic solar cell minimizes loss of photon energy As the world increasingly looks to alternative sources of energy, inexpensive and environmentally friendly polymer-based solar cells have attracted significant attention, but they still do not match the power harvest of their more expensive silicon-based counterparts.
	Researchers pushing limits of solar cells Florida State University researchers are striving to make solar cells more effective at trapping and using light. They're one step closer.
	Twitter data can make roads safer during inclement weather Go ahead, rant about the snow on Twitter. It can ease traffic on slippery, congested roads.
How does my therapist rate? New machine-learning software detects empathy in therapy sessions "And how does that make you feel? Empathy is the foundation of therapeutic intervention. But how can you know if your therapist is or will be empathetic? Technology developed by researchers from USC, University of Washington, and the University of Utah can tell you.
	AI service will boost Wikipedia's hunt for damaging edits Bears can fly. Shoes taste like lemons. Swimming causes rabies.
Giving it away: A look at past decade's $1 billion donations Mark Zuckerberg's pledge to give away Facebook stock worth $45 billion puts him at the forefront of a philanthropic class that has promised to donate most of their fortunes.
Digital rights group alleges Google invades student privacy Google is being accused of invading the privacy of students using laptop computers powered by the Internet company's Chrome operating system.
	New York promises biggest city electric fleet in US New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans to build what he called the largest electric vehicle fleet in any US city and to slash municipal traffic emissions.
Yahoo board to discuss sale of core business: report Yahoo's board will meet to discuss whether it should sell its core business instead of its Alibaba stake, according to a report Tuesday in The Wall Street Journal.
Microsoft Office getting new business tools Microsoft is trying to convince businesses that Office is more than just Word and PowerPoint.
	Cyber breach at the Bureau of Meteorology—the who, what and how, of the hack The ABC is reporting that there has been a "massive" breach of computer systems at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). The hack of computer systems at the BOM is believed to have originated from China and the ABC has quoted an expert as saying: "It could take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars to fix".
	Five ways we can harness the original renewable energy source – human power Human power used to be all the rage. 150 years ago, products that relied on human energy such as the bicycle, pedal-powered lathe or sewing machine could be found in most households. But as electro-mechanical motors developed, reliance on human-powered products gradually diminished.
All-terrain robot for nuclear decommissioning ROVéo is a robot whose unique four-wheel design allows it to climb over obstacles up to two-thirds its height. Rovenso, the start-up that developed this prototype, aims to produce a larger-scale model equipped with a robotic arm for use in dismantling nuclear plants, for example.
	Mushrooms could boost your phone's battery Anyone who uses their smartphone a lot notices that over time, the battery begins to lose steam and needs to be recharged more often. And the last thing you want is for your phone to run out of juice when you need it most.
Determinant factors for energy consumption and perception of energy conservation clarified A research group led by Keishiro Hara, Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Center for Environmental Innovation Design for Sustainability, Osaka University performed large-scale questionnaire surveys in Suita City, Osaka in 2009 and 2013: before and after the required electricity conservation practice following the Great East Japan earthquake in 2011.
	Yahoo up on report of possible sale of Internet business Shares of Yahoo are up sharply Wednesday on a report that the company will discuss the sale of its Internet business.
	UN report takes global view of 'green energy choices' Finding the right mix of green energy technologies for generating electricity will be crucial in reducing the global impact of pollution for the next generation, according to a United Nations report co-written by a Yale professor.
	Facebook CEO $45B organization to change charity landscape Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is shaking up yet another sector—the charity world—with his surprise announcement that he and his wife will devote the bulk of their wealth, or about $45 billion, to philanthropic works.
Nokia shareholders give green light to Alcatel acquisition Nokia shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the acquisition of ailing French telecom Alcatel-Lucent, removing one of the last hurdles to the 15.6 billion euro deal that will make the Finnish company a market leader in networks.
Most searched in 2015? Bobbi Kristina Brown, says Yahoo Internet searchers had celebrities on the mind this year: Famous names made up eight of the top 10 searches on Yahoo in 2015.
	Addressing climate change should start with policies to increase energy efficiency Replacing an old incandescent lightbulb with new LED lighting might seem insignificant in reducing energy consumption. It is a simple step, but an effective one that shouldn't be overlooked, said Yu Wang, an assistant professor of political science, who studies global energy policy and energy efficiency, at Iowa State University.
	Facebook to block access to non-members in Belgium Facebook on Wednesday said it would block access to its website by non-members in Belgium, as it battles a court order to stop tracking Internet users who do not have accounts with the US social media giant.
	Yahoo mulls shareholder demand to sell Internet business Yahoo's board is considering an activist shareholder's demand to sell the Internet services the company is best known for, a maneuver that might help the company dodge a tax bill of more than $10 billion looming over its holdings in China's Alibaba Group.
	Record Cyber Monday spending tops $3 billion Shoppers spent more than $3 billion online this "Cyber Monday," making it the biggest online shopping day ever.
Apps could 'Uber-ize' some holiday deliveries The delivery vehicle that pulls up to the house this year might be a blue Toyota instead of a brown truck.
A drone present may come wrapped in red tape If you give or receive a drone for the holidays this year, you should know that it may come with a bit of red tape.
Snapchat holds the line on targeted ads, but big brands are pushing for more A stunning 100 million people use Snapchat every day, and advertisers are demanding more access to them.
	The economic impact of additive manufacturing Remember the last time you went shopping and were looking in vain for shoes a half-size larger? Soon, 3D printing could help you find that perfect fit.
	Africa launches massive renewable energy initiative African heads of state today announced plans for a gigantic renewable energy initiative that would provide as much as 300 gigawatts of renewable energy – twice the continent's total current electricity supply – by 2030.
	Pro athletes use new platform to reach fans—and make news US basketball superstar Kobe Bryant didn't turn to a traditional media outlet to announce his retirement.
	Review: PicoBrew tidies some home-brew hassles for a price I've been brewing beer in my kitchen and garage for a couple years, so I know how time-consuming and messy it gets. I had high hopes for a system that promises to eradicate those hassles.
Mexico: International gang of credit card skimmers captured Mexico City prosecutors say they have captured 26 members of a surprisingly multinational gang involved in identity theft.
Zuckerberg philanthropy effort tests uncharted waters Following the stunning news of their $45 billion philanthropy initiative, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife face the challenging task of ensuring the staggering sum is put to good use.
Microsoft shareholders OK two new women board members Microsoft's shareholders voted Wednesday to elect the company's 11 nominated board members and said "yes" on an advisory vote on the company's executive pay packages.

Medicine & Health news

	If you're having trouble quitting smoking, maybe you can blame your DNA Smokers who have tried and failed to kick their deadly habit might be able to blame their DNA.
	Tiny genetic changes linked to breast cancer risk An international breast cancer research team involving the University of Adelaide has used a world-first technique to discover how tiny variations in genes can contribute to breast cancer risk.
	Biologists develop novel antiviral approach to dengue fever The virus that causes dengue fever infects an estimated 390 million people per year. Infection often leads to symptoms so severe that it was once called "breakbone fever" for the pain it causes, or even death. It's the fastest-growing and most prevalent mosquito-borne virus in the world, and although a third of the world's population is at risk of infection, there currently aren't any effective antiviral treatments or vaccines.
	Study identifies potential therapeutic targets for metastatic prostate cancer Scientists at the UCLA Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research have pinpointed five specific enzymes called protein kinases that play a role when prostate cancer spreads to bone. The discovery could point the way toward new drugs that slow or stop prostate cancer from spreading.
	Researchers 'turn off' most notorious cancer-causing protein It's known as the most common cancer-causing protein, directly responsible for 30 per cent of all cancers and indirectly involved in virtually all cancers. For over 30 years, scientists have failed to successfully target it, but now researchers from U of T can turn this protein off with an experimental drug.
	The accidental discovery of how to stay young for longer Living longer usually means a longer dotage, but wouldn't it be enticing to extend young adulthood instead? It's such an appealing prospect that scientists who are announcing success with roundworms are keen to be clear they are a long way from achieving it in humans.
	Pneumonia 'finger clip' and better diagnostic tests could save thousands of lives Investing in simple diagnostic tests could save lives and end disease epidemics in the developing world, say researchers in a supplement in Nature.
	Intestinal bacteria are affected by antidiabetic drugs Intestinal bacteria change their composition and function when diabetic patients are treated with the drug metformin.
	First direct evidence for synaptic plasticity in fruit fly brain Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have resolved a decades-long debate about how the brain is modified when an animal learns.
	'Love hormone' oxytocin, possible anxiety drug, shows different effects in male and female mice Clinical trials are testing whether oxytocin, sometimes called the "love hormone" for its role in intimacy and social bonding, has potential as a treatment for anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. New research by behavioral neuroscientists Michael Steinman, Brian Trainor and colleagues at the University of California, Davis, suggests oxytocin may have different effects in men and women—and in certain circumstances the hormone may actually trigger anxiety.
Scientists create 'fingerprints' for major drug development targets For the first time, scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have created detailed "fingerprints" of a class of surface receptors that have proven highly useful for drug development.
	Texas engineers develop potential treatment for whooping cough A team of researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and Synthetic Biologics Inc. have developed two antibodies to potentially treat or prevent pertussis, the highly contagious respiratory tract infection that affects millions of infants around the world and results in an estimated 200,000 child deaths every year.
Taking antidepressants with cancer drug does not increase breast-cancer recurrence A large study of patients with breast cancer who took the anti-cancer drug tamoxifen while taking an antidepressant were not found to have an increased risk of recurrence. The Kaiser Permanente study was published today in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
	False-positive mammograms may indicate increased risk of breast cancer later Main Finding(s): Women with a history of a false-positive mammogram result may be at increased risk of developing breast cancer for up to 10 years after the false-positive result.
Sleep environment one of several factors behind reduction in sudden infant death syndrome While the successful public health campaign to improve infant sleep environments has long been associated with declines in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), an analysis of 30 years of data by researchers from Boston Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute suggests that Back-to-Sleep is one of several trends that explain the reduced rates of SIDS. Other factors include improved prenatal and neonatal care, reduced maternal smoking during pregnancy, increased breast feeding and declines in teen pregnancy. These factors are linked to the biological underpinnings of infant vulnerability to SIDS.
Negative news stories about statins are linked to people discontinuing treatment Researchers in Denmark have found that negative news stories about statins are linked to some people choosing to discontinue their statin treatment, which, in consequence, is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and dying from heart disease.
Study suggests breast density alone not a risk factor for cancer Breast density may not be a strong independent factor for breast cancer risk, according to a new study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
	Imaging yields evidence of heart disease in archeological find Researchers using modern imaging techniques on hearts more than 400 years old found at an archeological site were able to learn about the health conditions of the people buried there, according to a new study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
The global diet is getting sweeter, particularly when it comes to beverages A Personal View, published today in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal, highlights that the global diet is getting sweeter, particularly when it comes to beverages. This Personal View paper is written by Professor Barry M Popkin, School of Public Health, Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA, and Dr Corinna Hawkes, City University London, UK.
Researchers find link between early-stage brain and heart disease Researchers in the Netherlands studying thousands of healthy adults have found a connection between very early stages of brain and heart disease. Results of their study were presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Toil and trouble in China over Nobel medicine prize China's Tu Youyou collects her country's first Nobel Prize for medicine next week for extracting an anti-malarial drug from a herb mentioned in a traditional text, but her award has prompted debate over the role of science in the practice.
FDA approved almost all medical devices in the last year The Food and Drug Administration says it approved 98 percent of all high-risk medical devices submitted during the most recent fiscal year, the highest rate in at least 15 years.
	Antibiotics influence childhood weight gain Kids who take antibiotics during childhood gain weight faster than those who do not, according to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research. Still, antibiotics are necessary in some cases.
	World AIDS Day brings optimism for cure on horizon within five years After nearly three decades of battling the HIV virus, Frank Brooks is daring to believe what once seemed unthinkable: A life free of AIDS.
Medtronic recalls InSync III pacemakers due to battery issue Medtronic has recalled nearly 97,000 advanced InSync III pacemakers for treating heart failure, saying the globally distributed devices may have batteries that put out less power than they should.
	Delayed clamping of umbilical cord may be better for preemies (HealthDay)—Delayed clamping of a preterm infant's umbilical cord leads to better motor function development, a new study suggests.
	Stop the clot! Just six extra minutes to save cancer patients Blood clots and infections are the leading killers of patients being treated for cancer. Rebecca Sharp, a nursing lecturer from University of South Australia, has devised a simple method that will reduce the development of clots and save patients' lives.
New guide for parents who are coping with their child's self-harm Young people's self-harm can leave families confused, anxious and feeling like there's nowhere to turn. Now, based on in-depth research with parents, a team from Oxford University's Centre for Suicide Research are launching a guide to help parents and carers who are trying to cope with this difficult situation.
New doctors face a future of infertility and increased disability Delayed pregnancy, longer life expectancy, increased disability and myths of unproven alternative therapies are just some of the challenges that will face the University of Adelaide's newest medical graduates in the future.
Research shows that women view Zumba workouts as better than exercise Women who trade the tedium of treadmills, for the fun and zing of a Zumba dance-fitness class report having fewer reservations, insecurities, and concerns about social judgment than in traditional group fitness classes. That's according to research conducted by Tanya Nieri, assistant professor of sociology at the University of California, Riverside.
	Using the power of optics, scientists make predictions about breast cancer A University of Rochester biomedical engineering lab discovered a new way to judge whether breast cancer cells are likely to spread, by viewing tumor biopsies with a powerful multi-photon laser microscope and watching for certain optical patterns emitted by cancer.
	Early vocabulary delays suggest therapy needs later in life A toddler's vocabulary delays may indicate a future need for speech language therapy, but race and home language can play a role in obtaining these services, according to a recent Penn State study.
	HIV-infected mother's milk could contain hundreds of shields against virus In the centre of Cape Town, just a short drive from the city's iconic Table Mountain National Park, is one of Africa's most advanced research facilities dedicated to eradicating HIV/AIDS.
	C-section children slightly more likely to develop asthma but no more likely to become obese Children born via planned caesarean section are statistically more likely to receive hospital treatment for asthma compared to those born vaginally, according to a new study led by the University of Aberdeen and published in the American Medical Association journal JAMA.
	Scientists study new therapy for lethal disease affecting infants The majority of infants with the rare disease known as GACI (generalized arterial calcification of infancy) die within the first year of life. Now Yale scientists have developed and tested a therapy that not only targets the underlying cause of GACI but also eliminates mortality in rodent models of the human disease.
	Breast MRI may lead to overdiagnosis for older women Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast has become part of routine medical care for many women undergoing breast cancer surgery, but these highly sensitive tests might identify health problems that would not otherwise impact patients—or lead to "overdiagnosis," according to a Yale School of Medicine study.
	Robotic therapy works better if stroke patients' brains are stimulated by electricity Research that could help stroke victims with severe disabilities to regain control over their limbs has been produced by a team at A*STAR. They have shown that stimulating the brain with electric current can help stroke victims use brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) to interact with therapeutic robotic systems.
	High levels of specific DNA methylation are linked to greater birth weight and higher adiposity The theory that weight gain is partly predetermined by our DNA, and not just a result of adult habits, has gained traction among obesity researchers. Now, scientists at A*STAR have discovered that epigenetic variations at a genetic region linked to obesity are directly linked to birth weight and an infant's 'adiposity' or baby fat.
	Listening to slow and steady music can help alleviate a fear of testing in numbers Sedative music can reduce the heart rate and blood pressure of people with anxiety about mathematics, suggests Samuel Gan from the A*STAR Bioinformatics Institute.
	Producing mesenchymal stem cells in large numbers requires careful tuning of the growth media Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have a vital therapeutic role, yet can still only be manufactured in relatively small batches. A*STAR researchers have made advances in finding a better growth media.
	Gene editing in embryos is fraught with scientific and ethical issues Recent technological advances have revolutionised our ability to manipulate the genetic code, allowing us to specifically edit individual genes. Gene editing offers exciting potential for disease therapies but application of the technology in embryos also raises many ethical and scientific issues.
	Scientists attack a potentially fatal infection that hits young children in the developing world A gastrointestinal parasite that causes serious diarrhea and malnutrition in infants and toddlers could well meet its demise in Saul Tzipori's laboratory at Tufts University.
	Danes' vitamin D levels are determined by their genes Certain genetic variations increase the risk of having a lower level of vitamin D. This is the finding of a PhD project from the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, which has examined the effect of eating vitamin D fortified foods or receiving artificial UVB irradiation during the winter months. The fortified diet and artificial sunlight had less of an effect on vitamin D status in people with certain genetic variations. The results can be used to identify people who are genetically predisposed to having lower levels of vitamin D.
Evidence suggests contact sports played by amateurs increase risk of degenerative disorder Scientists have recently found evidence that professional football players are susceptible to a progressive degenerative disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is caused by repetitive brain trauma. Now, researchers on Mayo Clinic's Florida campus have discovered a significant and surprising amount of CTE in males who had participated in amateur contact sports in their youth.
How many children are at risk of measles in the United States? Despite the MMR vaccine controversy resulting from a series of now discredited studies linking the vaccine with autism, childhood vaccination rates remain high in the United States. In 2013, 92% of children aged 19 to 35 months had received one or more dose of the MMR vaccine. For the most part, this level of vaccination is sufficient to confer 'herd immunity' and stop the continuous transmission of measles within the country. However, small outbreaks and imported cases of measles are a concern for public health.
	Keeping emotions under control Childhood and adolescence are ages of constant change and crucial experiences. At times the emotional weight can be difficult to manage and may lead to psychological issues in adulthood. Neurofeedback is a method that helps individuals to keep their brain activity (for example a response to an emotional event ) under control. While routinely used on adults, a new study published in NeuroImage demonstrates that the technique shows promise for young people as well.
	New study finds 'Your friends were right! You did change after you started dating' A new study published in Developmental Psychology put to test the hypothesis that adolescents become less similar to their friends and more similar to romantic partners after they start a new romantic relationship. Results of the study showed that adolescents who dated were more similar to dating partners than to friends on measures of alcohol abuse. Non-daters who started dating changed from being more similar to friends to being more similar to romantic partners. This is the first study to use longitudinal data to demonstrate changes in friend similarity that follow from the initiation of a romantic relationship.
Zafgen reports second death in key drug study Zafgen Inc. on Wednesday reported a second patient death in an ongoing study of its potential treatment for a rare genetic disorder linked to obesity.
	Survival has improved for women with stage IV breast cancer A study that included more than 20,000 women with stage IV breast cancer finds that survival has improved and is increasingly of prolonged duration, particularly for some women undergoing initial breast surgery, according to the report published online by JAMA Surgery.
	More training key to water births Mandatory training for midwives in facilitating water births could help banish a stigma that is attached to the birthing practice, according to a Perth midwife.
	Novel intestinal bacterium provides human gut with healthy compounds Fibers in our food are thought to be good for health since they are converted in the intestinal tract into the favourable compound butyrate, that is crucial to maintain intestinal health. In contrast, protein is believed to be less healthy since intestinal fermentation of the building blocks of proteins, amino acids, generates undesired compounds. This latter picture is now changing since a novel intestinal bacterium has been isolated by the researcher Nam Bui and co-workers at Wageningen University The team reported their findings in the December 1 issue of Nature Communications.
	What clues does your dog's spit hold for human mental health? Dogs were the first animals people domesticated, long before the earliest human civilizations appeared. Today, tens of thousands of years later, dogs have an unusually close relationship with us. They share our homes and steal our hearts – and have even evolved to love us back. Sadly, they also suffer from many of the same difficult-to-treat psychiatric and neurological diseases we do.
Multicenter clinical study on the prevention of stroke recurrence by statin The results of "The Japan Statin Treatment Against Recurrent Stroke (J-STARS)" study led to the hypothesis that statins reduce the occurrence of strokes due to larger artery atherosclerosis.
	Lower numeracy could leave older individuals at greater risk of financial exploitation Older people with lower levels of numeracy are more prone to financial exploitation, a study involving Plymouth University has suggested.
	Parallel microfiltration could lead to better treatments for a number of diseases Scientists have previously established that many types of cancer cells are squishier and more pliable than normal, healthy cells. Now, researchers led by UCLA's Amy Rowat have developed a screening method that utilizes this information to classify many more different types of cancer cells and that could ultimately lead to better treatments for cancer, diabetes, malaria and other diseases.
Researchers develop antibody to save cancerous bones Bone Cancer Primary bone cancer called Osteosarcoma (OS) is a rare cancer most often affecting adolescents and children. While most bone cancers have their origin in other body tissues and spread to the bones through metastases, OS originates in the bone tissue. Common for all, is that they degrade the bones and are associated with high mortality.
Review does not support monthly lab testing for oral isotretinoin use for acne A review of medical literature does not support monthly laboratory testing for all patients who are using standard doses of the acne medication isotretinoin, according to an article published online by JAMA Dermatology.
	How much TV you watch as a young adult may affect midlife cognitive function Watching a lot of TV and having a low physical activity level as a young adult were associated with worse cognitive function 25 years later in midlife, according to an article published online by JAMA Psychiatry.
	Researchers attempt to stop the kiss of death Researchers at Florida International University are on a mission to control and eliminate Chagas disease, which affects about 7 million people worldwide and can cause premature heart failure or gastrointestinal issues.
	Study highlights the importance of physical activity and aerobic exercise for healthy brain function Regardless of gender, young adults who have greater aerobic fitness also have greater volume of their entorhinal cortex, an area of the brain responsible for memory. Better aerobic fitness however does not appear to impact hippocampal volume, another area in the brain responsible for memory.
	Scientists discover that the immune system affects gut bacteria evolution Our health is strongly dependent on the diversity of bacteria that inhabits our intestinal tract and on how the immune system tolerates it or responds to the pathogenic bacteria to prevent disease. In a study published this week in Nature Communications, researchers from the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia (IGC, Portugal) discovered that when the immune system of the host is compromised, the composition of the gut bacteria changes, and the pace and predictability of the process of adaptation of these bacteria are affected. This study suggests that the treatment of intestine pathologies that result from impaired immune system, such as the inflammatory bowel disease, may require therapies based on personalized medicine taking into account the individual composition of gut bacteria.
Genetic mutations differ within a single tumor, study finds When researchers looked at different areas within an individual rectal cancer sample, they found cases in which each area contained different genetic mutations. The findings could have significant implications for treatment recommendations.
Distracted walking: A serious issue for you, not me A new study on distracted walking released today by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) finds that more than three quarters (78 percent) of U.S. adults believe that distracted walking is a "serious" issue; however, 74 percent of Americans say "other people" are usually or always walking while distracted, while only 29 percent say the same about themselves.
	Protecting the brain from Parkinson's disease Although a number of treatments exist to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, to date, none reliably slow the progression of the disease. In 2013, a molecule called GM1 ganglioside showed promise in patients for not only relieving symptoms but also slowing disease progression. However, GM1 ganglioside has been difficult to make and to deliver to patients for regular use. Now, researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have demonstrated a way to help the brain of mice produce more of its own GM1 ganglioside in a study published December 2nd in the open access journal PLOS ONE.
	RNA mystery solved in triple negative breast cancer Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have discovered why conventional efforts to block a tiny strand of ribonucleic acid, called microRNA, in triple negative breast cancer cells failed. In a study published December 2nd in the journal PLOS ONE, the new insight enables effective design of RNA blockers against previously intractable microRNAs.
Transcendental Meditation, lifestyle modification increase telomerase, study finds A new study published in PLOS ONE found that the Transcendental Meditation technique and lifestyle changes both appear to stimulate genes that produce telomerase, an enzyme that's associated with reduced blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and mortality.
	Money affects children's behavior, even if they don't understand its value, study finds The act of handling money makes young children work harder and give less, according to new research published by the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management and University of Illinois at Chicago. The effect was observed in children who lacked concrete knowledge of money's purpose, and persisted despite the denomination of the money.
New studies create better understanding of cancer-spreading enzymes As a part of the human immune system, white blood cells create a number of enzymes that help fight disease. Sometimes, these enzymes can malfunction, causing damage to the body or increasing cancer growth. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have determined a detailed structural view of one of these enzymes, called MMP7, as it binds to the membranes, or surfaces, of cancer cells. Steve Van Doren, a professor in the MU Department of Biochemistry, says understanding the structure of this enzyme and how it works with partners will help create future treatments for cancer.
Involvement in traditional dating abuse increases chances of cyberdating abuse in teens New findings from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston revealed that teens who are involved in dating abuse—as either the perpetrator or the victim—are more likely to also be involved in cyberdating abuse. Further, teens who commit cyberdating violence against their partners are more likely to later be victimized by it and cyberviolence victims are more likely to later perpetrate this act. The findings are currently available online at the Journal of Youth and Adolescence.
	Study reveals non-invasive warning sign of kidney disease progression University of Michigan researchers have identified an accessible, non-invasive way to identify patients at risk for progression of kidney disease.
	In lab research, scientists limit autistic behavior In a study published this week in ACS Chemical Neuroscience, Saint Louis University researchers report that treating mice with a compound, SR1078, reduces autistic behavior. The drug, developed by Thomas Burris, Ph.D., chair of pharmacology and physiology at SLU, and his lab, increases the expression of genes that are known to be low in the brains of autistic patients.
	Little known about children living with HIV-infected adults in Africa Sub-Saharan Africa has long been known to have the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world. But a new study published in this month's issue of PLOS One reveals that despite the focus on the region, few estimates exist of one of its most vulnerable populations: children living in households with HIV-infected adults.
New research explores complex relationship between sexual identity, sexual attraction and sexual arousal New research from of the Sexuality and Gender Laboratory at Queen's University shows that heterosexual women have more diverse patterns of sexual response than previously reported.
	2014 US health spending grew at fastest rate of Obama years U.S. health care spending last year grew at the fastest pace since President Barack Obama took office, driven by expanded coverage under his namesake law and by zooming prescription drug costs, the government said Wednesday.
New class of inhibitory compounds developed to aid melanoma treatments A University of California, Irvine pharmacology researcher has helped create a class of inhibitory compounds that can strongly enhance the effect of anti-tumor drugs for melanoma.
	Can slow walking speed in elderly signal Alzheimer's disease hallmarks? How fast elderly people walk may be related to the amount of amyloid they have built up in their brains, even if they don't yet have symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the December 2, 2015, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
	New drug may help fight heart failure (HealthDay)—Millions of aging Americans suffer from heart failure, and there are still too few options to treat them. Now, research suggests that a new medication called Entresto might help these patients live longer.
	Safety concerns linked to herbal medicine use in cancer (HealthDay)—For patients with cancer, use of herbal medicine has associated safety-related concerns, including direct toxic effects and increased chemosensitivity of cancer cells, according to a study published online Nov. 24 in Cancer.
	Burden, costs of gastrointestinal, liver disease estimated in US (HealthDay)—In the United States, the burden and associated costs of gastrointestinal (GI), liver, and pancreatic diseases are substantial, according to a report published in the December issue of Gastroenterology.
	Recovery pattern is useful tool after CPA tumor resection (HealthDay)—For patients who develop facial paralysis after cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumor resection, the recovery pattern in the early postoperative period is useful for selecting patients for facial reanimation surgery, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
	Transfusion, mortality link varies with hemoglobin levels (HealthDay)—For critically ill patients, the impact of transfusion on mortality varies with hemoglobin (Hgb) levels and with the presence of comorbid heart disease, according to a study published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
	Benefits for intra-, extracapsular tonsillectomy in peds OSA (HealthDay)—For children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), both extracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (ETA) and intracapsular tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (ITA) are effective, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
	USPSTF: Insufficient evidence for visual skin cancer screening (HealthDay)—The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has found that there is currently insufficient evidence to weigh the benefits and harms of visual skin cancer screening in adults. These findings form the basis of a draft recommendation statement published online Nov. 30 by the USPSTF.
	Genetic engineering's new frontier Humanity's ability to alter nature, a characteristic of our species for thousands of years, has taken a big step forward.
	CT and 3-D printing aid surgical separation of conjoined twins A combination of detailed CT imaging and 3-D printing technology has been used for the first time in the surgical planning for separation of conjoined twins, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
IOF urges early evaluation of fracture risk in diabetics Despite an up to six-fold increased risk of broken bones in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), the relationship between diabetes and osteoporosis has, until recently, suffered from a general lack of attention and research. As a result, health professionals who treat diabetic patients often do not recognize that fragility fractures are a major complication of the disease.
	The danger of overdiagnosis amid the childhood ADHD epidemic In barely a decade, the number of U.S. children and adolescents diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has risen by more than 40 percent, note authors Stephen Hinshaw and Katherine Ellison in their new book, "ADHD: What Everyone Needs to Know". Today, more than six million youths have received diagnoses, amounting to one in nine children aged 4-17. For those older than nine years of age, more than one boy in five has received a diagnosis. Among diagnosed youth, nearly 70 percent receive medication.
	Caring for those with autism as they grow older Six years ago, Danielle and Jeff Lumby's lives seemed complicated enough.
Study reveals who is being affected by state laws that criminalize people with HIV California laws that criminalize people living with HIV have directly affected 800 people from 1988 to June 2014, according to state-level criminal offender record information from the California Department of Justice obtained by the Williams Institute. The state outcomes suggest that national HIV criminalization rates may be much higher than currently estimated.
	Virtual 3-D heart Researchers at King's College London have begun a new study to help improve surgery for newborn babies with a life-threatening heart disease called hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).
	Looking for improved ways to safely transport soldiers When the U.S. military entered Iraq and Afghanistan in the early 2000s, it used primarily light tactical vehicles such as Humvees and other armored personnel carriers to protect troops from ballistic threats while moving on the ground. However, insurgents soon subjected these vehicles and their occupants to a new type of threat: blasts from buried land mines and improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.
Palliative care specialist explains how end-of-life conversations help families and patients alike In the late 1990s, Dawn M. Gross was headed for a prominent career in immunology. As a dual M.D./Ph.D. candidate at Tufts School of Medicine, she worked with scientists Allen Steere and Brigitte Huber and was the sole student researcher on a scientific breakthrough that identified the precise cause of an autoimmune reaction in the joints of patients with arthritis due to Lyme disease.
Video: Why do we have wisdom teeth? Were wisdom teeth ever good for anything?
How long can humans survive without food or water? Rita Chretien, a Canadian woman survived being stranded inside a vehicle in Nevada for 48 days, by eating only some trail mix and candy, and drinking water from a stream. Apparently, she and her husband were following their GPS instructions on their way to Las Vegas from British Columbia when they took a rural road that essentially turns to a bog in the winter months. Their van eventually got stuck in the mud in the middle of nowhere, and they both waited for help for 3 days without sighting anyone. At this point, Albert Chretien, the husband, left to seek out help, while Rita remained inside the van. When she was found by a group of hunters just last week, she was nearly dead and had lost some 30lbs. Her husband remains to be found.
	More people, more time, better data – what we need to 'treat-all' with HIV On the back of the headline studies Temprano, START, and new data from HPTN 052, WHO recently announced the 'treat-all' policy: everyone diagnosed with HIV should start antiretroviral therapy (ART), regardless of their immunological status. No more hanging around waiting for people to get sick and transmit the virus, we now crack right on and start the right medication for the right disease. Great news, we all say, as pre-ART follow-up was an undeniable disaster and the new policy may further simplify how we get treatment to those in need, especially in low coverage or unstable settings. But what are the implications of a policy that increases the number of people now eligible for ART from 28 million to 37 million? Can we get an idea of some of the key implementation issues by looking at previous experience with a treat-all approach.
New data could help policy makers boost cycling as sustainable transport It's time for us to get on our bikes if we want cycling to make an impact as a sustainable mode of transport. New research published in the Journal of Transport & Health shows that the proportion of households that own bikes has declined globally, with the average over 148 countries falling by half in the last few decades.
	Study highlights burden of eating disorders in South London A new study from UCL and King's College London has revealed that 7.5 per cent of adults in a South London sample could be diagnosed as having an eating disorder.
How HIV became a treatable, chronic disease It has been almost 35 years since the world was introduced to the term AIDS. In the 1980s, researchers and physicians were trying to understand what was causing waves of strange infections and discovered it was a new virus called the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. Since that time, HIV has gone from a death sentence to a manageable chronic disease. Today, it is estimated that 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States and 50,000 Americans are infected with HIV every year.
	Debunking myths about gun violence and mental health Like many Americans, Liza H. Gold, MD, felt sick with grief when the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting occurred in December 2012. The deaths of the 20 children and six teachers were profoundly tragic in so many ways, not least because first, their deaths were preventable as are many firearm deaths, and second, mental illness became the scapegoat, says Gold, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical Center.
	New study shows high use of complementary therapies by cancer inpatients Patients hospitalized for cancer treatment commonly use complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches such as nutritional supplements, special diets, and massage according to a new study. More than 95% of patients expressed interest in at least one of these types of therapies if offered during their hospital stay, as reported in the article published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
	Air evacuation following traumatic brain injury worsens effects on learning, memory/brain cell loss A study that simulated the effects of reduced barometic pressure (hypobaria) experienced by patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) evacuated by air showed that prolonged hypobaria significantly worsened long-term cognitive and neurological outcomes. Maintaining normal oxygen levels did not affect the poorer outcomes after hypobaric exposure, and multiple exposures or use of 100% oxygen further worsened the effects in the rats studied, as described in an article published in Journal of Neurotrauma.
	Disclosure strategies may improve communication for those with hearing loss Massachusetts Eye and Ear researchers surveyed 337 patients with hearing loss to better understand the language they use with communication partners to disclose their disability. Their findings, published online in the journal Ear and Hearing on October 28, 2015, may be used to develop resources for health care professionals to provide their patients with strategies to disclose hearing loss successfully and effectively in interactions with others.
Lung cancer patients gain access to new treatment for fourth time in two months The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) is pleased to hear of another approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that helps in the fight against lung cancer—the fourth in two months. The FDA approved necitumumab (Portrazza) in combination with standard chemotherapy to treat patients with advanced (metastatic) squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have not previously received systemic therapy for their advanced disease.
	New research sheds light on neuronal communication Researchers at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience have uncovered a critical molecule that regulates synaptic transmission.
	States' fish consumption advisories are often not in line with federal recommendations Fish consumption advisories are used to inform citizens about fish with potentially hazardous levels of toxins such as methyl mercury. When investigators examined five states that set their own recommendations regarding screening values for methyl mercury, the team found that the states issued fish consumption advisories for fewer than half of the water bodies that would have advisories if recommendations by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were followed.
	Affordable Care Act has reduced racial/ethnic health disparities, study shows The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has significantly improved insurance coverage and use of health care for African Americans and Latinos, according to a new study led by researchers in the University of Maryland School of Public Health.

Biology news

	New research helps to explain how temperature shifts the circadian clock For many living things, a roughly 24-hour internal clock governs the rhythms of life—everything from sleep in animals, to leaf opening in plants and reproduction in bread mold. Scientists have come to understand much about this internal time-keeping system, but one important aspect, its complex response to temperature, remains enigmatic.
	Camouflaged cuttlefish employ electrical stealth When you're as soft and delicious as a cuttlefish, evading predators is a full-time job.
	How bacterial predators evolved to kill other bacteria without harming themselves A joint study by the labs of Dr Andrew Lovering and Prof Liz Sockett, at the Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, has shown how predatory bacteria protect themselves from the weapons they use in their bacterial killing pathway.
	Researchers describe new North Pacific fossil whale A new species of fossil baleen whale that lived in the North Pacific Ocean 30 to 33 million years ago has been described by researchers from the University of Otago.
	Female peacock spiders show preference for multi-modal courtship (Phys.org)—A trio of researchers, two from the University of California and one from the University of New South Wales, has found that female peacock spiders prefer a multi-modal manner of courtship from potential mates. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Madeline Girard, Damian Elias and Michael Kasumovic describe their study of the tiny spiders and what their study has added to the general knowledge of female preferences regarding mate selection where there are examples of extreme ornamentation on display.
	First finding of crossbreeding between dogs and golden jackal confirmed (Phys.org)—A team of researchers with members from institutions in Croatia and Italy has confirmed the first known finding of crossbreeding between domesticated dogs and golden jackals. In their paper published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the researchers describe how the offspring of the bred pair were found, how they confirmed the crossbreeding and what it implies for crossbreeding between wild canines and domestic dogs heading into the future.
Does order matter in protein sequence alignment? What if the order in which you performed addition mattered, and the sum of '2 + 3 + 4' gave you a different answer to the sum of '4 + 3 + 2'?
	Bigger is not better when it comes to lifespan A study looking at how DNA changes with body size may help scientists to explain why taller individuals tend to have shorter lives.
	How packing away DNA stabilizes cell fate decisions Susan Gasser and her group at the FMI have identified in C. elegans a much sought-for anchor protein, a previously uncharacterized chromodomain protein called CEC-4 that directly sequesters inactive chromatin at the nuclear membrane. In a study published in Cell, they described the mechanism of how CEC-4 contributes to the 3D organization of the nucleus, and identified a new paradigm for the contribution of nuclear anchoring towards stabilizing cell fate decisions.
Researchers unravel age-old mystery of why cells use fermentation Wine, beer and yogurt are produced when microorganisms convert sugar into alcohol, gases or acids. But this process of fermentation—which is used by bacteria, fungi and other fast-growing cells to generate energy in the absence of oxygen—is a much less efficient way of generating energy for cells than aerobic respiration.
	Intracellular calcium integrates complex signaling to control stem cell activity Adult stem cells ensure continuous regeneration of tissues throughout our entire life. But the activity of these stem cells has to be carefully controlled in order to support regeneration without cancer. How this balanced control is achieved and maintained as the organism ages remains a critical question in stem cell biology. Publishing in Nature, researchers at the Buck Institute have identified a new mode of stem cell regulation. Working in the fly gut, senior scientist Heinrich Jasper, PhD, and colleagues show that stem cells adjust their proliferative activity in response to a wide variety of signals via intracellular calcium (Ca2+) signaling. Mechanisms that control the intracellular Ca2+ concentration and proteins that respond to intracellular Ca2+ changes thus emerge as master regulators of stem cell activity.
	Scientists, ethicists tackle gene editing's ethics, promise A hot new tool to edit the human genetic code has a big wow factor: the promise of long-sought cures for intractable diseases. But depending on how it's used, that same tool could alter human heredity.
	Lobster, schlobster: Seaweed is Maine's hot new product It's green, it's gooey and it's giving Maine's famous lobsters a run for their money.
	Whales under threat as climate change impacts migration The sight of thousands of whales surfacing, jumping and playing off the coast of South America as they migrate toward their breeding grounds is one of nature's most majestic displays.
	Groundbreaking study links levels of mercury in dolphins to exposure in humans What do mercury levels in dolphins say about mercury levels in humans? Quite a bit, according to a new study by scientists at FAU Harbor Branch, which sheds light on the potential dangers of consuming locally caught seafood.
	Why we can trust scientists with the power of new gene-editing technology A summit of experts from around the world is meeting in Washington to consider the scientific, ethical and governance issues linked to research into gene editing. Convened in response to recent advances in the field, the summit includes experts from the US National Academy of Science, the UK's Royal Society and the Chinese Academy of Science.
	Anglers have helped detect a shift in the habitat of black marlin We know that climate change is driving changes in the world's oceans. Currents are shifting, temperatures are climbing and the availability and dynamics of nutrient upwelling is changing.
	Why are the endangered dolphins of Hong Kong pink? Take a trip around Lantau island in Hong Kong and you might see something surprising: a pod of pink dolphins. Technically, they're known as Chinese or Hong Kong white dolphins and are a variety of the Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins or Sousa chinensis of South-East Asia and Australia.
	Playing God with mosquitoes? We humans have loftier aims In a startling development in "gene-drive" technology, a team of researchers at the University of California has succeeded in creating genetically modified mosquitoes incapable of spreading the malaria parasite to humans, and which could potentially spread this trait rapidly throughout mosquito populations in the wild.
	Call for arms and stings: Social wasps use alarm pheromones to coordinate their attacks Humans might know them as vicious stingers, but yellow jacket wasps also impress with their vigorous protection over their young. To resolve the mystery around their complex defensive behavior, a Canadian research team, led by Dr. Sean McCann, Simon Fraser University, have used simple components to develop and construct a device that consequently helped them to locate the species-specific alarm pheromones in three wasp groups. The insects use the emission of these substances to mark the enemy threatening their colonies and then join forces against it. The study is published in the open-access Journal of Hymenoptera Research.
	Guardian ants: How far does the protection of a plant-ant species to its specific host go? Seemingly helpless against their much more lively natural enemies, plants have actually come up with a wide range of defences. In the present research, published in the open-access Journal of Hymenoptera Research, Dr. Adriana Sanchez, Universidad del Rosario, Colombia, and Edwin Bellota, Texas A&M University, USA, focus on the mutualistic relationship developed between a specific Neotropical knotweed and an ant species. During a series of ant-exclusion experiments the scientists observed and subsequently reported an aggressive and highly protective behaviour.
	Research team discovers novel pestivirus affecting swine Researchers at Kansas State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory have discovered a virus that's been a real pest for pigs and hope the diagnostic tests they've developed to detect the virus are a step toward understanding the disease.
	Chickadee research predicts drastic northward shift for southern species Biologists know that climate change is causing southern species' ranges to move northward in the Northern Hemisphere. But little research has been done on the indirect ways climate change is influencing biodiversity, such as the poleward migration's impact on the ranges of species already residing in the north. What will the distribution of species look like across North America in the year 2050?
	Vessel speed biggest factor in noise affecting killer whales The speed of vessels operating near endangered killer whales in Washington is the most influential factor—more so than vessel size—in how much noise from the boats reaches the whales, according to a new study published today in the online journal PLOS ONE.
	Fries with a side of acrylamide: Researchers working to cut unwanted chemical in French fries French fry lovers, beware! You may be exposed to a chemical more commonly associated with heavy industry than crispy fried potatoes. Fortunately, researchers are finding ways to reduce that exposure.
	Brazil scientists discover three new toad species Brazilian scientists announced Wednesday the discovery of three previously unknown species of poisonous toads in the fast-shrinking Atlantic forest of southern Brazil, an area dubbed an "incubator" of new life forms.
	Researchers to sequence two wheat chromosomes The German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture announced today that it would award 1.5 million Euros to a project aimed at providing a reference sequence for two wheat chromosomes, part of the international effort to decipher the bread wheat genome, led by the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC).
SNR Policy Review debates the process of approving genetically engineered products U.S. Federal regulators have approved a fast-growing transgenic salmon as the first genetically engineered animal raised for human consumption. While some are hailing it as a historic breakthrough, others are questioning whether the approval process for the technology is stringent enough to prevent risks to the environment. One of those doing the questioning is Auburn University's Conner Bailey.  Bailey recently published a policy review entitled, "Transgenic Salmon: Science, Politics, and Flawed Policy," in Society & Natural Resources, in which he calls for reconsideration of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the designated agency for approving genetically engineered animals.  The policy review is currently available for free from Society & Natural Resources.
	Eagle-eye view to inform crop frost management Discovering the wavelengths that can best capture the devastating impact of a frost event on broadacre crops could provide WA farmers with another tool to fight back against this common but destructive event.
	'Fish fraud' across Europe in decline, study shows Tough new policies to combat fish fraud across Europe appear to be working, according to a new study.
	Greener anti-fouling solutions attract shipping industry interest The four-year SEAFRONT project, launched in 2014, has trialled new processes and methods designed to increase scientific understanding of exactly how biofouling occurs and how this problem can best be addressed. This initial work will help in the development of a new generation of anti-biofouling technologies, which will be able to effectively minimise biofouling on marine infrastructure and tools without damaging the ecosystem.
Now is the time to uncover the secrets of the Earth's microbiomes Communities of microorganisms called microbiomes play critical roles in our lives, yet we know very little about them.
	Winners selected in 2015 Faces of Biology Photo Contest "Photography is an effective tool for capturing the attention of general audiences," said Robert Gropp, Interim Co-Executive Director of AIBS. "It's important that we endeavor to help people understand how scientific research is done. Over the past five years, the Faces of Biology Photo Contest has inspired scientists, educators, and students to explore ways they can communicate their work through imagery with the public."

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