Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Dec 30

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Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for December 30, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Flu virus in pigs shows worrisome pandemic profile, study finds
- Mysterious radio signals from space discovered to be a much better test of Einstein's General Relativity theory
- Eating when we are not hungry is bad for our health
- Taking vitamin D may benefit people with multiple sclerosis
- Face time: Tech reads facial expressions for autism symptoms
- 3-D footage of nematode brains links neurons with motion and behavior
- US boosting broadband speed, but growth uneven
- Genoa lab makes sure robot can stand up to hard knocks
- Floating anti-plastic waste dam to be tested in North Sea
- Long-term cocaine addiction therapy developed
- New embryo analysis technique helps screen out genetic problems prior to IVF
- Giant squid makes rare appearance in Japanese port
- Images reveal workplace turning point for Google Glass
- Mice suffer from a decrease in biological fitness if their internal clock is mixed up
- Facebook investor class-action suit to move forward

Technology news

	Images reveal workplace turning point for Google Glass What ever happened to those ads showing cool people wearing Google Glass? Actually, what ever happened to Google Glass? That question was answered in July this year when reports came out that Google Glass as a next big thing for consumers was to resurface as something else.
	Genoa lab makes sure robot can stand up to hard knocks HyQ2 is a quadruped that has been in high focus at the Italian Institute of Technology's Dynamic Legged Systems lab. They have been getting it disaster-ready for search and rescue missions and for environment disasters.
	US boosting broadband speed, but growth uneven Americans are generally getting much faster Internet speeds than a few years ago, but growth is uneven depending on the type of connections, a government report said Wednesday.
	Facebook investor class-action suit to move forward A US judge has cleared a class-action suit against Facebook from investors claiming the social network failed to fully disclose its risks at the time of its 2012 share offering.
	Apple to pay Italy 318 mn euros to settle tax fraud probe Apple has agreed to pay Italy 318 million euros ($348 million) to settle a tax dispute after the US tech giant was investigated for suspected fraud, the country's tax agency said Tuesday.
Russia can be one of the most energy-competitive areas based on renewables, study shows A fully renewable energy system is achievable and economically viable in Russia and Central Asia in 2030. Researchers from Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) modelled a renewable energy system for Russia and Central Asia. Results show that renewable energy is the cheapest option for the continent and can make Russia a very energy competitive region in the future.
Why you should consider freezing your credit reports Freeze your credit reports before you get burned. That's the message from security experts, consumer advocates and some state Attorneys General. They say more people should consider a credit freeze as a way to block identity thieves from opening new credit cards and other accounts in your name. They recommend a freeze even if your identity hasn't been stolen.
	Free Internet service for over 3 million Egyptians shut down A program that had been giving free basic Internet services to over three million Egyptians was shut down on Wednesday, social media site Facebook said.
	The bitcoin revolution can be hard to find at the mal This holiday shopping season, I found myself in a peculiar situation.
Increasing LNG exports 'marginally positive' for US economy Increasing the United States' export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) above 12 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) would allow the U.S. to continue to provide a competitive advantage for domestic natural-gas-intensive industries relative to their counterparts overseas, according to a new report presented to the U.S. Department of Energy from the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy and Oxford Economics.
	Uber takes billionth ride in sign of upheaval Uber said Wednesday it made its billionth trip in a new milestone for the global ridesharing service.
Fairchild receives competing offer worth about $2.46 billion Fairchild Semiconductor International Inc. says it has a received an unsolicited offer to buy its business, topping its existing deal with ON Semiconductor.

Medicine & Health news

	Flu virus in pigs shows worrisome pandemic profile, study finds Tests on the most common type of influenza found in Chinese pigs reveal that it has the potential to transmit easily in humans, posing a pandemic threat similar to the virus that triggered a pandemic in 2009 after jumping from swine to people.
	Eating when we are not hungry is bad for our health With the wide availability of convenient foods engineered for maximum tastiness— such as potato chips, chocolates, and bacon double cheeseburgers— in the modern food environment and with widespread advertising, the contemporary consumer is incessantly being bombarded with the temptation to eat. This means that, in contrast to people in traditional societies, people in contemporary societies often eat not on account of hunger but because tasty food is available and beckoning at all hours of the day.
	Long-term cocaine addiction therapy developed (MedicalXpress)—A team of researchers with the University of Kentucky has developed a long-term chemical treatment option for cocaine addiction. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team describes how they came up with a type of compound that prevents cocaine users from experiencing the high that normally comes with its use, and also lasts long enough to be of use as a treatment option.
	New embryo analysis technique helps screen out genetic problems prior to IVF (MedicalXpress)—A new technique developed by a team of researchers affiliated with a number of facilities in China allows medical practitioners involved in IVF treatment to more easily weed out embryos with genetic defects prior to fertilization and implantation of a zygote into a host uterus. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team describes the new technique and the circumstances under which it is useful.
	Taking vitamin D may benefit people with multiple sclerosis Taking a high dose of vitamin D3 is safe for people with multiple sclerosis and may help regulate the body's hyperactive immune response, according to a pilot study published by Johns Hopkins physicians in the Dec. 30 online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
	3-D footage of nematode brains links neurons with motion and behavior Princeton University researchers have captured among the first recordings of neural activity in nearly the entire brain of a free-moving animal. The three-dimensional recordings could provide scientists with a better understanding of how neurons coordinate action and perception in animals.
	Face time: Tech reads facial expressions for autism symptoms There's an app for everything these days—from weight loss to working out. Now, thanks in part to support from the Office of Naval Research (ONR), there's an app that may screen for autism by reading kids' facial expressions for emotional cues.
'Un-Islamic' vaping catches fire in Malaysia amid govt backlash At Malaysian e-cigarette outlet Vape Empire, customers kick back and puff out thick, aromatic clouds of vapour in funky flavours like Horny Mango and Creamy Suckerz' Banana Anna.
Holidays present hard road for recovering drug addicts The holidays can be a tough time for addicts in their first year of recovery. Kylee Moriarty's family should know.
	Extinguishing thirdhand smoke When cigarette smoke is blown into the environment, its chemical constituents don't just vanish into thin air. Residue from the smoke settles into, accumulates and is stored in the surrounding environment, such as upholstery, carpets, walls, clothing and curtains.
	Eating potatoes on a regular basis may up risk of T2DM (HealthDay)—Greater potato consumption is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a study published online Dec. 17 in Diabetes Care.
	Early first cancer in BRCA1/2 ups risk in opposite breast (HealthDay)—BRCA1/2 mutation carriers have increased risk of contralateral breast cancer (CBC), with age at first diagnosis a significant predictor of CBC risk, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
	Diabetic kidney damage may start earlier than thought (HealthDay)—Kidney damage from diabetes may begin much sooner than previously thought, according to a new study.
	Researchers: Retract study that claimed nitroglycerin might boost bone density (HealthDay)—Some authors of a published study that claimed the heart medicine nitroglycerin might boost bone density in older women have asked that the study be retracted, saying the lead researcher falsified data in the report.
	Painkillers often gateway to heroin for US teens: survey (HealthDay)—Three-quarters of U.S. high school students who use heroin first tried narcotic painkillers, a new survey reveals.
	Study strengthens evidence for Mycoplasma genitalium as STI (HealthDay)—Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is prevalent in more than 1 percent of the sexually-experienced British population, with no infections detected in those reporting no previous sexual experience, according to a study published online Nov. 3 in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
	Virtual colonoscopy an alternative to FOB test and colonoscopy for colorectal cancer? Colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in the world, with population screening being recommended for early disease detection, however, the most optimal method to screen for the disease remains unknown.
	New method for better treatment of breast cancer A new study shows that a novel imaging-based method for defining appropriateness of breast cancer treatment is as accurate as the current standard-of-care and could reduce the need for invasive tissue sampling. The results suggest that the method might lead to more optimal treatment of individual patients.
	T cells that recognize HER2 teceptor may prevent HER2+ breast cancer recurrence Recurrence of HER2-positive breast cancer after treatment may be due to a specific and possibly cancer-induced weakness in the patient's immune system—a weakness that in principle could be corrected with a HER2-targeted vaccine—according to a new study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Results of the study show that T cells from patients whose breast cancer had recently recurred showed far weaker response to the HER2 receptor protein, compared to T cells from patients whose breast cancer had not recurred over a long period following treatment. The study, published in JAMA Oncology this week, suggests that patients with HER2-positive breast cancer—which accounts for roughly 20 percent of the 260,000 invasive breast cancers diagnosed in the US each year—might someday undergo immune status monitoring with blood tests before, during and after treatment, to allow physicians to gauge the ris! k of recurrence, and possibly to reduce that risk with therapies that boost anti-HER2 immunity.
	Research finds parents can play a role in preventing teen fighting Nearly one-fourth of all teens reported being involved in a physical fight in the past year, with higher rates of violent altercations among African American and Latino adolescents. In the first study of its kind, researchers conducted focus groups with African American and Latino parents regarding teen violence.
	Heading to a New Year's party? Here's how to stay safe (HealthDay)—New Year's Day is the worst day of the year for alcohol-fueled car crashes, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
	ADHD meds may raise risk for psychotic side effects in some kids: study (HealthDay)—Stimulant medications, such as those used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may raise the risk for psychotic side effects among young patients who have a parent with a history of serious mental illness, new research suggests.
	It's not too late to get a flu shot (HealthDay)—Anyone who hasn't had a flu shot this season should make a point to get vaccinated now, U.S. health officials advise.
	Third-trimester screen detects late alloimmunization (HealthDay)—Third-trimester screening for alloimmunization in Rhesus c (Rhc)-negative women improves detection and treatment of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), according to a study published online Dec. 11 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
	Timing of DTaP vaccine not tied to food allergies at age one year (HealthDay)—Timing of the diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccination is not tied to child food allergies; however, children with delayed DTaP have less eczema, according to a study published online Dec. 28 in Allergy.
	Infantile hemangioma incidence up over past three decades (HealthDay)—The incidence of infantile hemangiomas (IH) has increased over the past three decades, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
	Antimicrobial stewardship improves outcomes for MRSA (HealthDay)—For patients receiving antimicrobial injections targeting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship program that includes daily review of prescriptions is associated with improved clinical outcomes, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
	Patient age at initial cataract surgery varies by location (HealthDay)—There is considerable geographic variation in patient age at initial cataract surgery across the United States, according to a study published online Dec. 30 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
	What are the risks of giving birth inside and outside a hospital setting? The out-of-hospital birth setting in Oregon was associated with a higher risk of perinatal death, while the in-hospital birth setting was associated with a higher risk for cesarean delivery and other obstetric interventions (e.g., induction or augmentation of labor), according a study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University.
With Botox 'chemodenervation,' dermal fillers last longer December 30, 2015- Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are a popular treatment for facial lines and wrinkles, but early degradation of fillers may limit how long their effects last. Experimental evidence supports a simple technique for prolonging the effects of HA dermal fillers: using them together with botulinum toxin, reports a paper in the January issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Rio fights dengue fever explosion ahead of Olympics Rio de Janeiro launched an operation to wipe out dengue fever-carrying mosquitoes Wednesday, after an explosion of cases of the potentially deadly tropical disease hit the 2016 Olympics host city.
Travel distance is still a barrier to breast reconstruction after mastectomy Long travel distances continue to be a significant obstacle to breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer, reports a study in the January issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Biology news

	Mice suffer from a decrease in biological fitness if their internal clock is mixed up Mice with deviant internal rhythms due to a genetic mutation have fewer offspring and shorter life spans than normal conspecifics whose rhythms follow the 24-hr cycle of a day more accurately. This discovery was made by a team of scientists led by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology and Princeton University. Internal clocks that generate daily rhythms in living beings are among the most important achievements on earth. They are essential for coordinating processes of life with the environment. The study on mice shows that a deviation of internal rhythms from the 24-hr rotation of the earth has a direct influence on biological fitness.
	Giant squid makes rare appearance in Japanese port A giant squid that wandered into a Japanese port has been guided back out to sea almost a week after it was spotted, giving enthusiasts and experts a rare glimpse of the mysterious creature.
	Combining techniques provides new insight into bird migration Two complementary methods work together in a study forthcoming in The Auk: Ornithological Advances, producing more refined estimates of where individual Barn Swallows spend the winter. Using the methods separately comes with tradeoffs—one lets researchers precisely track a handful of birds, while the other provides data for larger numbers but with less detail—but together, they provide a fuller picture of an intercontinental migration.
	Grizzly bear deaths rise as Yellowstone population grows The number of grizzly bear deaths or removals in the Yellowstone region climbed to an all-time high in 2015, but biologists say they're not worried about the animal's long-term survival in the area.
	SeaWorld suing California over ban on orca breeding SeaWorld filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging a California commission's ruling that bans the company from breeding captive killer whales at its San Diego park.
	Sweden allows limited wolf hunt in temporary ruling Swedish courts on Wednesday authorised the culling of 14 wolves pending a top court's decision on the legality of hunting an animal protected under European law.

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