Science X Newsletter Thursday, Apr 28

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for April 28, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Friends 'better than morphine': Larger social networks release more pain-killing endorphin
- Are we alone? Setting some limits to our uniqueness
- 'Game-changer' for photonics applications: Researchers demonstrate record optical nonlinearity
- Winds a quarter the speed of light spotted leaving mysterious binary systems
- Infant attention span suffers when parents' eyes wander during playtime, study finds
- Study shows reptiles share REM and slow-wave sleep patterns with mammals, birds
- Personal cooling units on the horizon
- RNA splicing mutations play major role in genetic variation and disease
- A vitamin that stops the aging process of organs
- Turn left! How myosin-Va helps direct neuron growth
- New data analysis technique distinguishes active from passive fluctuations inside cells
- Study identifies a key to bone formation and vertebrate evolution
- Stem cells know how to open up and unwind
- Fiber optic biosensor-integrated microfluidic chip to detect glucose levels
- Fungal spores could 'hijack' human immune cells to spread infection

Astronomy & Space news

	Winds a quarter the speed of light spotted leaving mysterious binary systems Astronomers have observed two black holes in nearby galaxies devouring their companion stars at an extremely high rate, and spitting out matter at a quarter the speed of light.
	Are we alone? Setting some limits to our uniqueness Are humans unique and alone in the vast universe? This question—summed up in the famous Drake equation—has for a half-century been one of the most intractable and uncertain in science.
	Putin hails first rocket launch from new cosmodrome after delay (Update) Russia launched the first rocket from its new Vostochny cosmodrome on Thursday, with President Vladimir Putin hailing the event after dressing down officials over a delay caused by a technical glitch.
	Japan gives up on failed black hole research satellite (Update) Japan is abandoning a quarter-of-a-billion-dollar satellite it sent to study black holes, disappointed space scientists said Thursday, after spending a month trying to save it.
	Curiosity Mars rover crosses rugged plateau NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has nearly finished crossing a stretch of the most rugged and difficult-to-navigate terrain encountered during the mission's 44 months on Mars.
	Rare transit of Mercury to take place on 9 May On 9 May there will be a rare transit of Mercury, when the smallest planet in our Solar System will pass directly between the Earth and the Sun. The last time this happened was in 2006, and the next two occasions will be in 2019 and 2032. During the transit, which takes place in the afternoon and early evening in the UK, Mercury will appear as a dark silhouetted disk against the bright surface of the Sun.
	Examination of ancient text reveals details of Ibn Sina's sighting of supernova (Phys.org)—A trio of German researches has uncovered evidence of the Arabic scholar Ibn Sina's sighting of supernova 1006 (SN 1006). The new evidence will sit alongside that of others around that globe that reported details of what has been described as the brightest stellar event ever recorded by human beings. In their paper uploaded to the preprint server arXiv, Ralph Neuhaeuser, Carl Ehrig-Eggert and Paul Kunitzsch describe the text under study, their translation of it and the relevance of the information recorded by the ancient skygazer.
	New highest resolution images of long-lost Beagle 2 lander We like to focus on successful space missions and celebrate what those successes add to our knowledge. But, obviously, not all missions are completely successful. And since some missions are at such huge distances from Earth, their fate can remain a mystery.
	India gets homegrown satellite navigation system India on Thursday took the final step towards completing its own satellite navigation system, a development heralded by the prime minister as making the nation self-reliant in the field of space-based positioning.
	Fermi telescope helps link cosmic neutrino to blazar blast Nearly 10 billion years ago, the black hole at the center of a galaxy known as PKS B1424-418 produced a powerful outburst. Light from this blast began arriving at Earth in 2012. Now astronomers using data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and other space- and ground-based observatories have shown that a record-breaking neutrino seen around the same time likely was born in the same event.
	Probing dark energy with clusters: "Russian doll" galaxy clusters reveal information about dark energy These four galaxy clusters were part of a large survey of over 300 clusters used to investigate dark energy, the mysterious energy that is currently driving the accelerating expansion of the Universe, as described in our latest press release. In these composite images, X-rays from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory (purple) have been combined with optical light from the Hubble Space Telescope and Sloan Digital Sky Survey (red, green, and blue).
	An old glass plate hints at a potential new exoplanet discovery What's the value to exoplanet science of sifting through old astronomical observations? Quite a lot, as a recent discovery out of the Carnegie Institution for Science demonstrates. A glass plate spectrum of a nearby solitary white dwarf known as Van Maanen's Star shows evidence of rocky debris ringing the system, giving rise to a state only recently recognized as a 'polluted white dwarf.'

Technology news

	Facebook still isn't a mall, but its bots aim to change that It's now possible—though neither easy nor particularly convenient—to buy stuff on Facebook via automated messaging "bots." But it's far from clear that people really want to go shopping on the social network.
	Smartphone health: Apple releases software for medical apps (Update) Apple is edging its way a little further into health care with the release of new iPhone apps that patients can use to manage their own medical conditions—from diabetes to pregnancy and even depression.
	Engineers develop process to repair earthquake-damaged bridge columns in days, not weeks In just 30 seconds, a devastating earthquake like the ones that struck Japan and Ecuador can render a city helpless. With roadways split and bridges severely damaged, residents and emergency personnel could be prevented from moving around to rebuild.
	Non-toxic, cheap thin-film solar cells for 'zero-energy' buildings 'Zero-energy' buildings—which generate as much power as they consume—are now much closer after a team at Australia's University of New South Wales achieved the world's highest efficiency using flexible solar cells that are non-toxic and cheap to make.
	Fast-spinning, heat-controlling hair dryer latest Dyson opus Sir James Dyson has built a company reputation based on pride of engineering quality focused on everyday objects, taking them to the next level of features and functions, supported all the more by sophisticated promotional copy and attractive presentations. The Dyson beat goes on.
	Watchers wonder if Apple has lost its magic Is Apple facing a rare, simple pause in growth in a tough global economy or has it lost its magic for dreaming up must-have new gadgets like the iPhone?
Samsung's drug-manufacturing unit plans to go public South Korea's Samsung announced Thursday a plan to list shares of its drug-manufacturing unit on Seoul's stock market as it eyes the bio-medical business as a new engine for growth.
	Early smartphone launch boosts Samsung profits Samsung Electronics, the world's largest smartphone maker, reported a better-than-expected jump in net profits Thursday, boosted by the successful early release of its new flagship Galaxy handset.
	Sony swings to $1.4 bn full-year profit as PlayStation sales soar Sony posted a $1.4 billion annual profit Thursday, boosted by strong sales of its PlayStation console, but analysts warned that slowing smartphone demand could hit a lucrative business that makes key parts for mobile devices.
	LG Electronics' profit jumps on strong appliance sales LG Electronics Inc. reported a stunning jump in its first-quarter earnings as its high-end home appliance sales offset a loss for its smartphone business.
	Volkswagen to spend up to $8.8B on diesel buybacks, fixes Volkswagen said Thursday it had set aside $7.8 billion ($8.8 billion) to buy back or fix diesel-powered cars that had been rigged to cheat in emissions tests.
	Apple's slowdown highlights how growth-obsessed investors distort our view of value Apple has reported its first decline in revenues and income for the past 13 years. The market and media has reacted predictably with an 8% fall in Apple's stock price. From an investor's perspective, the decline in sales of the iPhone is a signal of worse things to come and in particular the end to Apple's ability to continually grow.
How high-speed wireless compares to cable in boosting our internet speeds Australia's national broadband network continues its roll out with more than 900,000 premises now connected, according to NBN Co's latest weekly progress report.
	In slumping tablet market, Apple still rules Global sales of tablet computers extended their slide in early 2016, with some bright spots at the low end of the market and more expensive "detachables," a survey showed Thursday.
	A theory explains why gaming on touchscreens is clumsy New research challenges the belief that touchscreens are worse input devices because they lack physical buttons. The reason is that key press timing in touchscreen input is unpredictable. When timing is made more predictable, performance improves.
	'Seeing' around corners: DARPA research into holographic imaging of hidden objects Researchers from SMU's Lyle School of Engineering will lead a multi-university team funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to build a theoretical framework for creating a computer-generated image of an object hidden from sight around a corner or behind a wall.
	Review: Kindle Oasis aims at avid readers, pricey for others The Kindle Oasis is Amazon's sleekest, lightest e-book reader yet—and at $290, unnecessary unless you're a die-hard reader.
	France shows off humanoid underwater exploration robot French officials have unveiled a humanoid diving robot that they hope will give a big artificial hand to the practice of underwater archaeology.
	Facebook, Messenger and Instagram apps hit Windows 10 Fresh from reporting stellar earnings, Facebook on Thursday rolled out applications tailored to Microsoft's latest operating system for the social network as well as its Messenger and Instagram services.
	Machines can learn to respond to new situations like human beings would How does the image-recognition technology in a self-driving car respond to a blurred shape suddenly appearing on the road? Researchers from KU Leuven, Belgium, have shown that machines can learn to respond to unfamiliar objects like human beings would.
	eBay uncorks online wine shop Online commerce colossus eBay on Thursday opened a virtual wine shop.
	Facebook says government data queries up 13 percent Facebook said Thursday it had received 13 percent more government requests for user data in the second half of 2015, with more than 46,000 requests worldwide.
	Comcast buying DreamWorks Animation for about $3.55B Comcast is buying DreamWorks Animation, the film company behind the "Shrek," ''Madagascar" and "Kung Fu Panda" franchises, for approximately $3.55 billion, strengthening its presence in the important and growing business of children's entertainment.
	Fiat Chrysler, Google in partnership talks Fiat Chrysler and Google's self-driving car project are in advanced talks to form a technical partnership.
	Samsung angles for spot at heart of connected life South Korean consumer electronics giant Samsung on Thursday wooed app makers as it pursued a vision of being at the heart of life in a hyper-connected world.
	Amazon delivers profit, stock surges Amazon on Thursday reported a fourth consecutive quarterly profit, sending shares surging for the online giant known better for its customer connections than its profit margins.
Baidu shares rise on quarterly revenue jump Shares in Baidu jumped on Thursday after the company often referred to as China's version of Google reported that revenue climbed as ads flowed into its search engine.
	How Amazon convinced you to pay up for shopping Amazon is clearly entering its Prime. Meaning, of course, its $100 annual membership program, now a decade old, which has accomplished the remarkable feat of convincing millions of people to pay an annual fee for the privilege of, well, shopping.
All Belgians to get iodine pills in case of nuclear accident: report Belgium is to provide iodine pills to its entire population of around 11 million people to protect against radioactivity in case of a nuclear accident, the health minister was quoted as saying Thursday.
	Are car buyers being taken for a ride? Car manufacturer Mitsubishi recently disclosed that it overstated the fuel efficiency on four types of its petrol-powered small cars sold in Japan, by up to 10 percent, affecting more than 600k vehicles.
	Body Electric Ever played with K'nex? If so, you know how the construction set, a classic for any child growing up in the '90s, can create more than just toys. It can build rollercoasters, architectural grandeurs worthy of Frank Gehry—and for Deitrich "Deke" Ludwig '17, an electric truck.
Augmented games can increase the diversity of sports Augmented climbing wall increases social interaction, helps to attract wider target audiences and empowers users to become content creators.
Taiwanese government should provide more support for solar panel industry The Taiwanese government should provide subsidies for the solar panel industry to help it survive in that country, University of Exeter researchers have recommended.
	Volkswagen CEO apologized in person to Obama over scandal Volkswagen's CEO says he apologized in person to U.S. President Barack Obama for the carmaker's emissions scandal, in which it rigged its cars to cheat on diesel engine pollution tests.
	Carl Icahn sells Apple stake, citing China worries Billionaire investor Carl Icahn has sold his stake in Apple, citing concerns about the giant tech company's prospects in China.

Medicine & Health news

	Friends 'better than morphine': Larger social networks release more pain-killing endorphin People with more friends have higher pain tolerance, Oxford University researchers have found.
	Infant attention span suffers when parents' eyes wander during playtime, study finds Caregivers whose eyes wander during playtime—due to distractions such as smartphones or other technology, for example—may raise children with shorter attention spans, according to a new study by psychologists at Indiana University.
	Tiny microscopes reveal hidden role of nervous system cells A microscope about the size of a penny is giving scientists a new window into the everyday activity of cells within the spinal cord. The innovative technology revealed that astrocytes—cells in the nervous system that do not conduct electrical signals and were traditionally viewed as merely supportive—unexpectedly react to intense sensation.
	Study shows how neurons decline as Parkinson's develops It's an unsettling thought: You could be walking around for 20 years developing Parkinson's disease and not even know it.
	Cell transplant treats Parkinson's in mice under control of designer drug A University of Wisconsin-Madison neuroscientist has inserted a genetic switch into nerve cells so a patient can alter their activity by taking designer drugs that would not affect any other cell. The cells in question are neurons and make the neurotransmitter dopamine, whose deficiency is the culprit in the widespread movement disorder Parkinson's disease.
Stem cell study finds mechanism that controls skin and hair color A pair of molecular signals controls skin and hair color in mice and humans—and could be targeted by new drugs to treat skin pigment disorders like vitiligo, according to a report by scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center.
	Study pinpoints mechanism that allows cells with faulty DNA to reproduce When it comes to replicating their DNA so they can propagate, normal cells are perfectionists. Cancer cells, on the other hand, have no problem tolerating mistakes while copying their DNA. In fact, messed-up DNA is a big part of what lets them keep changing and eluding the body's efforts to fight them.
	Turn left! How myosin-Va helps direct neuron growth Researchers at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute in Japan have discovered a protein complex that helps direct the growth of axons—the parts of neurons that make up our nerves, connecting our senses and muscles to the brain and spinal cord. Published in Cell Reports, the study shows how the protein myosin-Va acts as a calcium sensor that tells new pieces of axon where they should go.
Age-dependent changes in pancreatic function related to diabetes identified Age-related changes in the human pancreas govern how our bodies respond to rising and falling blood sugar levels throughout our lifetimes, and could affect whether we develop diabetes as adults. But it's been nearly impossible to study this process in detail because human pancreatic tissue is not readily available.
	How old do you look? Study finds an answer in our genes Researchers reporting in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on April 28 have found a gene that helps explain why some people appear more youthful than others.
Modifying an obesity drug could reduce side effects like anxiety and depression A new version of an obesity drug that caused serious psychiatric side effects could help people lose pounds without experiencing the anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts previously associated with it. The research, published in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, shows that the new version of the drug can still work without reaching the brain in rats, avoiding the side effects.
	Possible substitute for antibiotics to treat dangerous infections Infections continue to threaten human health. With remarkable genetic flexibility, pathogenic organisms outsmart available therapies. Fortunately, microbial versatility is matched by the host immune system, which evolves in dialogue with the microbes. Therapies that enhance the beneficial effects of the immune response represent a promising, but under-explored, therapeutic alternative to antibiotics.
	Shape of tumor may affect whether cells can metastasize Only a few cells in a cancerous tumor are able to break away and spread to other parts of the body, but the curve along the edge of the tumor may play a large role in activating these tumor-seeding cells, according to a new University of Illinois study.
Researchers discover potential treatment for sepsis and other responses to infection Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai say that tiny doses of a cancer drug may stop the raging, uncontrollable immune response to infection that leads to sepsis and kills up to 500,000 people a year in the U.S. The new drug treatment may also benefit millions of people worldwide who are affected by infections and pandemics.
A vitamin that stops the aging process of organs Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is pretty amazing. It has already been shown in several studies to be effective in boosting metabolism. And now a team of researchers at EPFL's Laboratory of Integrated Systems Physiology (LISP), headed by Johan Auwerx, has unveiled even more of its secrets. An article written by Hongbo Zhang, a PhD student on the team, was published today in Science and describes the positive effects of NR on the functioning of stem cells. These effects can only be described as restorative.
	Scientists turn skin cells into heart cells and brain cells using drugs In a major breakthrough, scientists at the Gladstone Institutes transformed skin cells into heart cells and brain cells using a combination of chemicals. All previous work on cellular reprogramming required adding external genes to the cells, making this accomplishment an unprecedented feat. The research lays the groundwork for one day being able to regenerate lost or damaged cells with pharmaceutical drugs.
New study expands potential applications for stool transplants For the first time, scientists studying stool transplants have been able to track which strains of bacteria from a donor take hold in a patient's gut after a transplant. The team, led by EMBL with collaborators at Wageningen University and the Academic Medical Centre, both in the Netherlands, and the University of Helsinki, Finland found that compatibility between donor and patient likely plays a bigger role in these transplants than previously thought. The study, published today in Science, could help make stool transplants a valid treatment option for more conditions than they are currently applied to.
	Subtle chemical changes in brain can alter sleep-wake cycle A study out today in the journal Science sheds new light on the biological mechanisms that control the sleep-wake cycle. Specifically, it shows that a simple shift in the balance of chemicals found in the fluid that bathes and surrounds brain cells can alter the state of consciousness of animals.
	Lifestyle has a strong impact on intestinal bacteria Everything you eat or drink affects your intestinal bacteria, and is likely to have an impact on your health. That is the finding of a large-scale study led by RUG/UMCG geneticist Cisca Wijmenga into the effect of food and medicine on the bacterial diversity in the human gut, which is published this Friday in the prestigious research journal Science.
	New report shows electronic cigarettes are beneficial to UK public health Electronic cigarettes have the potential to contribute to reducing death and disability caused by Britain's biggest killer, say experts in The BMJ today.
Serotonin reduces apnea and could be a clue to understanding sudden infant death syndrome Serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain, shortens periods of apnoea (temporary cessation of breathing) and promotes inspiration, according to a study published today in Experimental Physiology.
Rosacea linked to a slightly increased risk of dementia A new study has uncovered an increased risk of dementia—in particular Alzheimer's disease—in patients with rosacea. Importantly, the risk was highest in older patients and in patients where rosacea was diagnosed by a hospital dermatologist. The findings are published in the Annals of Neurology, a journal of the American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society.
Living in a high-deprivation neighborhood has long term health effects, according to unique refugee relocation study Living in a high-deprivation neighbourhood may lead to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a unique study looking at the health of refugee immigrants in Sweden, published today in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
	Student's research zeroes in on fine line between fear and disgust Does looking at a honeycomb, aerated chocolate or any other cluster of holes trigger an emotional reaction?
Expert: what parents should ask before their kids' X-rays, CT scans Whether a child is complaining of intense stomach pain or has a head injury after a car crash, doctors may recommend a computed tomography, or CT scan, to investigate possible injuries.
Who do you think you are? That depends, researchers suggest Let any one try, I will not say to arrest, but to notice or attend to, the present moment of time. One of the most baffling experiences occurs. Where is it, this present? It has melted in our grasp, fled ere we could touch it, gone in the instant of becoming. – William James, "The Principles of Psychology" (1890)
	Tips for surviving this spring's allergy season April showers may bring the loveliness of May flowers, but, for some, the pollen that accompanies those flowers is an unwelcomed tagalong to warmer weather. Pollen, a fine yellowish powder transported from plant to plant by the wind, is one of the biggest instigators of the seasonal allergies that affect nearly 50 million people in the United States. Symptoms include runny noses, runny eyes and nasal congestion that affects all ages.
	Doctors recommend prescribing fewer opioids after surgery Bolstering new federal guidelines that advise primary care doctors to carefully weigh the prescribing of opioid painkillers, two experts at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are recommending that surgeons also consider cutting back on the number of take-home opioid pills prescribed to patients after surgery.
	Exercise scientist examines mechanics of movement in MS patients Groundhog Day 1994 is one Linda Friedrich will never forget. That's the day a neurologist told her, "You have multiple sclerosis and there's nothing we can do."
	Vitamin E protects critical nutrient, prevents neurologic damage and death in embryos Researchers have discovered that a dietary deficiency of vitamin E in laboratory animals can cause significant neurological impairment in developing embryos, as well as physical abnormalities and embryonic death.
	Filling nutrient gaps in specialty diets Paleo, high-protein, low-carbohydrate, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan. These eating lifestyles can all be found within today's diverse consumer landscape. Whether people adopt these dietary approaches in order to lose weight or maintain overall wellness, there are often nutrients that these consumers need to ensure nutritous diets. Here is a look at the various diet patterns and some nutrients—including iron, protein, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins—that are important to them.
	Preventing secondary cataract Scientists may have found a way to prevent complications from surgery to treat cataract, the world's leading cause of blindness. The study was part-funded by eye research charity Fight for Sight and is published by a research team at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in the open access journal Scientific Reports.
	Insulin microcapsule may replace needle jab West Australian diabetics who need to inject insulin to maintain their lifestyle may soon be free of the regular needle jab—and the constant annoying questions that go with it.
Diabetes drug could influence brain activity in Alzheimer's Researchers in Denmark have released findings from a small clinical trial of the diabetes drug liraglutide in people living with Alzheimer's disease.
	Seeing the benefits of failure shapes kids' beliefs about intelligence Parents' beliefs about whether failure is a good or a bad thing guide how their children think about their own intelligence, according to new research from Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. The research indicates that it's parents' responses to failure, and not their beliefs about intelligence, that are ultimately absorbed by their kids.
	Researchers find association between FOXF2 gene and blood vessel damage Each year, stroke kills nearly 129,000 Americans, according to the American Stroke Association. It is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the top neurological cause of death and disability.
	Brain cells divide the work to recognize bodies Specific regions of the brain are specialized in recognizing bodies of animals and human beings. By measuring the electrical activity per cell, scientists from KU Leuven, Belgium, and the University of Glasgow have shown that the individual brain cells in these areas do different things. Their response to specific contours or body shapes is very selective.
Costs for orally administered cancer drugs skyrocket New cancer drugs, taken in pill form, have become dramatically more expensive in their first year on the market compared with drugs launched 15 years ago, calling into question the sustainability of a system that sets high prices at market entry in addition to rapidly increasing those prices over time.
Bored people reach for the crisps People crave fatty and sugary foods when they are bored.
Listening to the radio could impair drivers' concentration Listening to traffic reports on the radio could be bad for your driving - you could even miss an elephant standing by the side of the road.
Recent cancer diagnosis associated with increased risk of mental health disorders A recent cancer diagnosis was associated with increased risk for some mental health disorders and increased use of psychiatric medications, according to a new study published online by JAMA Oncology that used data from Swedish population and health registers.
	Researchers find genes that influence dizygotic twinning and fertility Twinning has fascinated human beings over the centuries. Twins are relatively common and occur more than 1 time per 100 maternities. Roughly two-thirds of all twin pairs are dizygotic or non-identical and are genetically as alike as other siblings. It has been firmly established that dizygotic twinning has a maternal genetic component, but no one so far has succeeded in identifying the genes for spontaneous DZ twinning after decades of investigations.
	Co-expression of alternative gene products helps neurons take shape The human genome contains some 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes, which is surprisingly similar to the number of genes in worms and flies. Where does complexity of our organism and behaviour come from? In many genes, coding regions called "exons" are separated by intervening "introns". Mammals may substantially increase their molecular complexity by removing introns and joining exons in a combinatorial manner. This process known as "alternative splicing" and allowing a single gene to generate multiple protein variants is especially prevalent in the mammalian brain. However, to what extent alternative splicing increases the number of functionally important proteins in individual neurons remains an open question.
Gestational exposure to type of antidepressants associated with adolescent depression A study to be published in the May 2016 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP) reports that use of certain antidepressants during pregnancy can result in offspring depression by early adolescence.
From retina to cortex: Unexpected division of labor Neurons in our brain do a remarkable job of translating sensory information into reliable representations of our world that are critical to effectively guide our behavior. The parts of the brain that are responsible for vision have long been center stage for scientists' efforts to understand the rules that neural circuits use to encode sensory information. Years of research have led to a fairly detailed picture of the initial steps of this visual process, carried out in the retina, and how information from this stage is transmitted to the visual part of the cerebral cortex, a thin sheet of neurons that forms the outer surface of the brain. We have also learned much about the way that neurons represent visual information in visual cortex, as well as how different this representation is from the information initially supplied by the retina. Scientists are now working to understand the set of rules—the neural blueprint— that exp! lains how these representations of visual information in the visual cortex are constructed from the information provided by the retina. Using the latest functional imaging techniques, scientists at MPFI have recently discovered a surprisingly simple rule that explains how neural circuits combine information supplied by different types of cells in the retina to build a coherent, information-rich representation of our visual world.
	A 'tropical' parasitic disease emerges in the Canadian Arctic An outbreak of an intestinal parasite common in the tropics, known as Cryptosporidium, has been identified for the first time in the Arctic. The discovery was made in Nunavik, Quebec, by a team from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), in collaboration with the Nunavik Department of Public Health, Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec and Health Canada. The discovery, which was documented in the journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, could have long-term implications for the health of children in Nunavik and Nunavut's communities.
	Peppermint tea can help improve your memory Peppermint tea can improve long-term and working memory and in healthy adults.
	A new discovery in the fight against cancer: Tumor cells switch to a different mode When medication is used to shut off the oxygen supply to tumor cells, the cells adapt their metabolism in the medium term—by switching over to producing energy without oxygen. This observation by biomedical scientists at the University of Basel and University Hospital Basel could be used for treatments that can inhibit tumor growth in the long term, as the researchers report in the latest issue of the journal Cell Reports.
Breakthrough in the treatment of inherited genetic disorder which damages muscle and nerve cells in the body Scientists at the Universities of York and Leiden have made a significant breakthrough in the treatment of an inherited genetic disorder which damages muscle and nerve cells in the body.
TJP1 protein may identify multiple myeloma patients most likely to benefit from proteasome inhibitors A gene known as TJP1 (tight junction protein 1) could help determine which multiple myeloma patients would best benefit from proteasome inhibitors such as bortezomib, as well as combination approaches to enhance proteasome inhibitor sensitivity, according to a study led by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
	Ocean views linked to better mental health Here's another reason to start saving for that beach house: New research suggests that residents with a view of the water are less stressed.
Study links residential radon exposure to hematologic cancers in women A new report finds a statistically-significant, positive association between high levels of residential radon and the risk of hematologic cancer (lymphoma, myeloma, and leukemia) in women. The study is the first prospective, population-based study of residential radon exposure and hematologic cancer risk, leading the authors to caution that it requires replication to better understand the association and whether it truly differs by sex. It appears early online in Environmental Research.
Narrow band imaging can reduce recurrence of bladder tumors Research into bladder tumour surgery has found that using narrow band imaging can significantly reduce the risk of disease recurrence.
	Four new genetic diseases defined within schizophrenia Changes in key genes clearly define four previously unknown conditions within the umbrella diagnosis of schizophrenia, according to a study led by researchers from NYU Langone Medical Center published online April 28 in EBioMedicine, a Lancet journal. Cases associated with changes in each of the four genes were different from each other in terms of symptoms, intelligence level and other disease features.
	Scientists predict cell changes that affect breast cancer growth, opening door to more effective therapies Designing effective new drugs, especially drugs to fight cancer, demands that you know as much as you can about the molecular workings of cancer growth. Without that, it's like planning to fight a war against an enemy you've never seen.
First implantable hemodynamic monitoring device in single ventricle Fontan anatomy While the Fontan procedure has improved the short- and mid-term outcomes for patients born with single ventricle anatomy, long-term complications of Fontan circulation include heart failure. These complications are thought to be secondary to elevated central venous pressure, chronic venous congestion and low cardiac output.
	Study explains how low testosterone raises diabetes risk Doctors have long known that men with low testosterone are at greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes. For the first time, researchers have identified how testosterone helps men regulate blood sugar by triggering key signaling mechanisms in islets, clusters of cells within the pancreas that produce insulin. The findings, co-authored by Tulane University researchers, are published in the journal Cell Metabolism.
Junk-food junkies go healthy when rewarded Healthy eating habits are more important than ever, with advocates calling for fast-food restaurants, schools and food providers to promote the sale of salads and vegetables as alternatives to burgers and fries. According to new Cornell University research, the most effective strategy for influencing such healthy food choices is not calorie counts and reduced prices, but rather more subtle incentives that reward healthy eating behavior.
	Analyzing the psyche of risky drivers Road crashes are the world's leading cause of preventable death and injury in people under 35, accounting for around 5 million casualties every year. Repeat offenders make a disproportionate contribution to these statistics - and are known for their poor response to education and prevention efforts.
	BPA determined to have adverse effects on couples seeking in vitro fertilization Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical that is used in a variety of consumer products, such as water bottles, metal food and beverage containers, and thermal paper cash register receipts. Long considered to have health effects on animals and humans, exposure to BPA may lead to reduced quality of embryos during reproduction. Fred vom Saal, a University of Missouri endocrinologist and researcher, has studied BPA and its effects on the reproductive system for more than 20 years. Now, a new study has corroborated his work showing that BPA causes a linear increase in the death rate of embryos and could be the cause for decreases in the frequency of implantation, pregnancy and live birth rates in couples seeking in vitro fertilization (IVF). Vom Saal, who wrote a review of the study, says that this is more proof that BPA usage should cease.
	Gene therapy shows long-term benefit for treating rare blindness Pioneering gene therapy has restored some vision to patients with a rare form of genetic blindness for as long as four years, raising hopes it could be used to cure common causes of vision loss, new University of Oxford research published today shows.
	Gut bacteria may predict risk of life-threatening infections following chemotherapy A new study led by researchers at the University of Minnesota and Nantes University Hospital in France shows that the bacteria in people's gut may predict their risk of life-threatening blood infections following high-dose chemotherapy.
US teen birth rate plunges to all-time low (Update) The US teen birth rate has plunged to an all-time low, driven by sharp declines among African Americans and Hispanics since 2006, health authorities said Thursday.
	Extreme heat and precipitation linked to more severe asthma requiring hospitalization Extreme heat and heavy rainfall are related to increased risk of hospitalization for asthma in Maryland, according to a study by University of Maryland School of Public Health researchers.
	Rare disease gene has a key role in chronic hepatitis C infection Hepatitis C virus (HCV) hijacks the host's fat metabolism for its own survival, growth, and transport in the human body. A study published on April 28th in PLOS Pathogens identifies a host gene involved in the formation of HCV virus particles and helps explain why humans with a rare mutation in the gene have problems with their fat metabolism.
	Modified household utensils improve autonomy and lives of people with leprosy Assistive technology—the use of (frequently modified or customized) equipment to improve the functional capabilities of people with special needs—is an important therapeutic tool. A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases finds that household utensils modified in relatively simple and cheap ways can increase autonomy and self-esteem and positively impact the quality of life of patients with leprosy.
	Study shows risk factors associated with injurious falls Falls are one of the leading causes of injury-related death among elderly people. So finding the risk factors that endanger them is becoming increasingly important, particularly with the projected increase in the elderly population with the baby boomers.
	HPV vaccination expected to reduce cancer in all races, may not eliminate all disparities Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers occur more frequently, and sometimes with more deadly consequences, among Hispanics, blacks, and American Indian and Alaska Natives than among whites. A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health finds that HPV vaccination is expected to reduce the cancer burden across all racial/ethnic groups. However, some disparities in cancer burden may persist and widen in the years to come if their causes—such as lack of access to diagnoses and treatment—aren't addressed.
	Focus on transitional care reduces hospital readmissions in stroke patients A transitional stroke clinic developed by doctors and nurse practitioners at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center reduced 30-day readmission rates by 48 percent, according to a study published in the April 28 online issue of the journal Stroke.
Gene therapy halts pulmonary hypertension progression in large animal pre-clinical study Scientists have used a novel gene therapy to halt the progression of pulmonary hypertension, a form of high blood pressure in the lung blood vessels that is linked to heart failure, according to a study led by Roger J. Hajjar, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Cardiovascular Research Center at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The study was published online this week, and will appear in the May 3 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).
Genetic risk factors of disparate diseases share similar biological underpinnings The discovery of shared biological properties among independent variants of DNA sequences offers the opportunity to broaden understanding of the biological basis of disease and identify new therapeutic targets, according to a collaboration between the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Arizona Health Sciences, and Vanderbilt University. The group published their findings this month in npj Genomic Medicine.
Store hours an obstacle to fresh foods in low-income areas Getting more nutritious meals on the tables of low-income Americans could depend on the hours the stores in their neighborhoods keep.
	New gene testing technology finds cancer risks 'hiding in plain sight' A research team led by an award-winning genomicist at Western University has developed a new method for identifying mutations and prioritizing variants in breast and ovarian cancer genes, which will not only reduce the number of possible variants for doctors to investigate, but also increase the number of patients that are properly diagnosed.
	Births of triplets, quadruplets on decline in U.S.: report (HealthDay)—Since 1998, births of three or more babies at once have fallen by more than 40 percent in the United States, new government statistics reveal.
	Got unwanted pills? Drug take-back day is April 30 (HealthDay)—Have you ever wondered how to get rid of an unfinished bottle of prescription drugs?
	Some smart yet easy ways to shield yourself from skin cancer (HealthDay)—One in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their life, but it can be treated and cured if detected early, a dermatologist says.
	Building muscle could boost the body's most important muscle (HealthDay)—Having more muscle and less fat reduces the risk of early death in people with heart disease, a new study suggests.
	Multiple techniques available for sunken superior sulcus (HealthDay)—Depending on clinical features, multiple techniques exist for correcting sunken superior sulcus, according to a review published online April 20 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
	Preventive topical steroids cut atopic dermatitis severity (HealthDay)—Intermittent preventive administration of topical corticosteroids in children controls the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD), according to a study published online April 14 in the Journal of Dermatology.
	Review compares metformin, OCP for teens with PCOS (HealthDay)—For adolescents with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), treatment with metformin and oral contraceptive pills can be beneficial, although evidence is limited, according to a review published online April 28 in Pediatrics.
	MAGED2 mutation causes antenatal Bartter's syndrome (HealthDay)—A mutation has been identified in MAGED2 that causes transient antenatal Bartter's syndrome, according to a study published online April 27 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Review: Type 2 diabetes linked to hearing impairment (HealthDay)—Type 2 diabetes may raise the risk of hearing loss, according to a review published recently in Current Diabetes Reports.
Massachusetts Senate approves under-21 ban on tobacco sales The Massachusetts Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to raise the minimum age for purchasing cigarettes and other tobacco products across the state, which could make it the second to raise its threshold to 21 years old.
Hip fracture surgery is 'inconsistent and inequitable' warn experts There is widespread variation in the use of hip fracture surgery across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, concludes a study published by The BMJ today.
	Obama wants $1.9B to fight Zika: Where does it stand? President Barack Obama's $1.9 billion request for emergency money to combat the Zika virus has been sitting before Congress for more than two months, and there's no obvious path forward despite a growing threat in the hot summer months and increasing public anxiety.
	Significant premium hikes expected under Obama health law Insurers will seek significant premium hikes under President Barack Obama's health care law this summer - stiff medicine for consumers and voters ahead of the national political conventions.
Indiscriminately ordering blood tests for rare heparin reaction can lead to patient harm and increased costs Testing for rare heparin reaction is unnecessary for most cases and can potentially be potentially harmful and lead to increased costs, according to an article published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
France's Sanofi makes $9.3 bn bid for US cancer drug giant (Update) French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi revealed Thursday it has made an unsolicited all-cash $9.3 billion (8.2-billion-euro) takeover offer for Medivation, a US drug firm that manufactures one of the world's top prostate cancer treatments.
	Understanding behavior key to combating malaria April 25 is World Malaria Day. This year's theme – End Malaria for Good – seeks to build upon past successes in combatting this deadly disease, which killed over 435,000 people in 2015, and sustain this progress in order to truly "end malaria for good."
	New method for exhaustively isolating olfactory receptors responding to specific odorants A research group led by Osaka University and Panasonic Corporation developed a method for making a prompt, exhaustive isolation of olfactory receptors (ORs) responding to the odorant of interest. This achievement will enable quick and easy exhaustive analysis of ORs responding to specific odorants, which previously required a great deal of time and effort. These results may be applied to biosensors capable of highly detecting only desired odorants.
Beauty companies should focus on older women's desire to look good, not young Beauty companies should focus on older women's desire to look good, not young.
Harsh out of necessity Multiple Sclerosis affects nearly 2 and a half million people worldwide. It is a highly debilitating autoimmune disease: the condition severely reduces patients' quality of life through symptoms which disrupt motor, cognitive, and sensory systems. The disease, which in its most typical form is characterized by irregular remissions and acute attacks can create a state of increased anxiety in patients, and, according to scientists, can have negative cognitive/emotional effects as well, even influencing moral cognition in patients, as was observed in the recent study.
	How we understand others People who empathise easily with others do not necessarily understand them well. To the contrary: Excessive empathy can even impair understanding as a new study conducted by psychologists from Würzburg and Leipzig has established.
Cardiovascular giants Abbott, St. Jude in $25 bn merger Abbott Laboratories and St. Jude Medical, leading makers of heart care and coronary devices, announced a $25 billion merger Thursday to better target the rising levels of cardiovascular disease in aging populations.
Scientific advances in lung cancer in 2015 highlighted by IASLC Capturing and summarizing the remarkable progress in lung cancer prevention, diagnosis, staging, and treatment in 2015, the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) announces the inaugural publication of "Scientific Advances in Lung Cancer 2015" in the May 2016 issue of the IASLC's Journal of Thoracic Oncology (JTO).
	Simpler fertility test is basis for promising UW-Madison spinoff Doubts about their ability to become pregnant affect as many as 25 percent of American women, and solving that problem is the basic business plan for BluDiagnostics. Although the startup company was born in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Biochemistry Department, co-founder Katie Brenner says the idea came directly from her own difficulty with conception.
	African American Women with ovarian cancer—can obesity mask early symptoms? African American women with ovarian cancer are more likely to die from the disease than are White women and they are also much more likely to be obese. These factors may be linked by the new finding that excess abdominal fat in overweight and obese women could interfere with the detection of early symptoms of ovarian cancer, as presented in a study published in Journal of Women's Health.
Growing number of patients who might benefit from liver transplant removed from wait list The sickest liver transplant candidates should be first in line when a donor liver becomes available, but transplant centers are increasingly removing these individuals from the waiting list, considering them "too sick to transplant," an analysis of nationwide transplant data finds. The study appears online as an "article in press" on the Journal of the American College of Surgeons website in advance of print publication.
WSU researcher improves mental health evaluations Washington State University researchers have developed a new assessment tool to gauge the risk that someone with a mental illness will commit a crime. It could also speed up long-delayed competency evaluations for people awaiting trial.
	Female hormones may make women less susceptible to kidney failure than men Female hormones may play a role in women's decreased risk of developing kidney failure relative to men, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). The findings may be helpful for future attempts at safeguarding women's and men's kidney health in sex-specific ways.
	Black raspberry improves cardiovascular risk in metabolic syndrome A new study shows that black raspberry extract can significantly lower a key measure of arterial stiffness-an indicator of cardiovascular disease. Black raspberry intake was also associated with increased levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which help repair and regenerate damaged arteries, according to the study published in Journal of Medicinal Food.
	Gilead 1Q profit tumbles on slower hepatitis C drug sales Gilead Science Inc.'s earnings tumbled more than 17 percent in the first quarter as steeper discounts and rebates on its blockbuster hepatitis C drugs cut into sales.

Biology news

	Study shows reptiles share REM and slow-wave sleep patterns with mammals, birds Behavioural sleep is ubiquitous among animals, from insects to man. In humans, sleep is also characterized by brain activity: periods of slow-wave activity are each followed by short phases of Rapid-Eye-Movement sleep (REM sleep). These electrical features of brain sleep, whose functions are not well understood, have so far been described only in mammals and birds, but not in reptiles, amphibians or fish. Yet, birds are reptiles—they are the feathered descendants of the now extinct dinosaurs. How then did brain sleep evolve? Gilles Laurent and members of his laboratory at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt, Germany, describe for the first time REM and slow-wave sleep in a reptile, the Australian dragon Pogona vitticeps. This suggests that brain sleep dates back at least to the evolution of the amniotes, that is, to the beginning of the colonization of terrestrial landmass by vertebrate animals.
	Hear no evil: Farmed fish found to be hard of hearing New research published today in the journal Scientific Reports has revealed for the first time that half of the world's farmed fish have hearing loss due to a deformity of the earbone.
	Researchers create natural insecticidal proteins to target resistant bugs Harvard scientists have developed molecules that may help to solve one of the most pressing problems in modern agriculture: the rise of insects that are resistant to traits that were engineered to help crops withstand pests.
	Researchers show humans and other animals can understand quantities, even without language Symbols don't always have to be part of the equation to understand math, according to cognitive neuroscientist Elizabeth Brannon.
	Math points to 100-times faster mapping of gene activity New research by UCSF scientists could accelerate – by 10 to 100-fold – the pace of many efforts to profile gene activity, ranging from basic research into how to build new tissues from stem cells to clinical efforts to detect cancer or auto-immune diseases by profiling single cells in a tiny drop of blood.
Fungal spores could 'hijack' human immune cells to spread infection Scientists have announced a major breakthrough in their understanding of how the fungus Aspergillus terreus - the cause of serious illness in humans - can move around the body, rather than remaining in the lungs as with similar fungal infections.
	Study identifies a key to bone formation and vertebrate evolution Researchers in a USC-led study said they have identified a key action of a watershed gene critical to bone formation and the evolution of vertebrates.
	Stem cells know how to open up and unwind Research led by the Babraham Institute with collaborators in the UK, Canada and Japan has revealed a new understanding of how an open genome structure supports the long-term and unrestricted developmental potential in embryonic stem cells. This insight provides new avenues for improving the quality and stability of embryonic stem cells - an essential requirement to fulfil their promise in regenerative medicine.
	RNA splicing mutations play major role in genetic variation and disease RNA splicing is a major underlying factor that links mutations to complex traits and diseases, according to an exhaustive analysis of gene expression in whole genome and cell line data. Reporting in Science on April 29, 2016 researchers from the University of Chicago and Stanford University studied how thousands of mutations affect gene regulation in traits such as height, and diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The findings highlight the need for a better understanding of the role of RNA splicing on variation in complex traits and disease, and enable more accurate functional interpretations of genome-wide association study results.
	New data analysis technique distinguishes active from passive fluctuations inside cells Inside every living cell, internal structures are continuously moving about. Under a microscope, organelles such as the nucleus, mitochondria, transport vesicles, or even external flagella wobble and twitch. This may happen spontaneously as these tiny structures are passively jostled inside a cell. But that's not necessarily all there is to it. Often a cell invests extra energy into these motions to enhance cell functions in ways we don't yet understand.
	A long-noncoding RNA regulates repair of DNA breaks in triple-negative breast cancer cells The discovery of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has dramatically changed the understanding of the biology of diseases such as cancer. The human genome contains about 20,000 protein-coding genes - less than 2 percent of the total - but 70 percent of the genome is made into non-gene-encoding RNA.
	Small bird tagging tech creates new ways to study animals Professor of ecology and evolutionary biology David Winkler found a needle in a haystack: three Ithaca tree swallows among 10 million or so overwintering in Florida this January. The coup was made possible by Winkler's development of the first lifetime-solar-powered tag for small songbirds, an invention that could revolutionize the way birds and other small animals are tracked and studied.
Snails select sources of food based on dislike for smells rather than acceptable taste Harnessing naturally occurring chemicals could be used as a means to protect crop seedlings being eaten by common pests, a study suggests.
	A genetic test for Shar-pei autoinflammatory disease A validated genetic test is now available to measure the copy number variant (CNV) linked to Shar-Pei Autoinflammatory Disease (SPAID), reveals an international collaboration lead by scientists and veterinarians at Uppsala, Sweden and Wurtsboro, New York, USA. Details were published in the April 23 edition of the open-access journal BMC Genomics.
	New breeding techniques provide opportunities for more sustainable agriculture Products from new breeding techniques provide major opportunities for making agriculture more sustainable. This makes them a useful addition to common breeding practice, especially for crops where the desired variety improvements are currently very time-consuming, such as potatoes and apples. These findings are contained in a literature review by Wageningen UR published in the renowned magazine Trends in Plant Science.
	Climate change puts most-threatened African antelopes in 'double jeopardy' Researchers reporting in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on April 28 say that climate change will cause a disproportionate decline in African antelopes with the smallest geographic ranges, placing the most-threatened taxa in "double jeopardy." The findings are the first to suggest that animals already living in the most-restricted areas will be hardest hit as the climate shifts in the coming decades.
	Flightless survivors: Incredible invertebrate diversity in Los Angeles metropolitan area Urban wildlife is surprisingly understudied. We tend to know more about animals in exotic places than about those that live in our cities.
	Influence of religion and predestination on evolution and scientific thinking Generally seen as antithetical to one another, evolution and religion can hardly fit in a scientific discourse simultaneously. However, biologist Dr Aldemaro Romero Jr., Baruch College, USA, devotes his latest research article, now published in the open access Research Ideas and Outcomes (RIO), to observing the influences a few major religions have had on evolutionists and their scientific thinking over the centuries.
	Hunting wolves near Denali, Yellowstone cuts wolf sightings in half Visitors to national parks are half as likely to see wolves in their natural habitat when wolf hunting is permitted just outside park boundaries.
	A cell senses its own curves Can a cell sense its own shape? Working in the Marine Biological Laboratory's Whitman Center, scientists from Dartmouth College developed an ingenious experiment to ask this question. Their conclusion - Yes - is detailed in a recent paper in the Journal of Cell Biology.
	Tropical plant called moringa shows promise in health, anti-aging products Ilya Raskin is seeking cures and treatments for ailments afflicting hundreds of millions of people.
	Growers cautioned to be on the lookout for invasive pigweeds The battle against invasive species is never-ending for agricultural producers, and the latest example is a pair of weeds that threaten to cause significant damage to crop yields across Pennsylvania.
What does your cat say? Soon you can find out what your cat's meow, purr, growling or hissing means. A new research project will investigate how cats talk with us humans – and how we speak to them.
	Kenya readies to torch tusks in bid to stamp out ivory trade Thousands of elephant tusks are being piled high into pyres as Kenya prepares to torch its vast ivory stockpile hoping to stop trafficking and prevent extinction of elephants in the wild.
	Putting antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the immune system under 'surveillance' A research team led by a Boston College biologist will use a $10-million National Institutes of Health grant to study the role of the immune system in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
	Some moths behave like butterflies to mate A new study led by ICTA-UAB (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) researcher Víctor Sarto and colleagues from the Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (CSIC-IQAC) has described for the first time in two centuries of knowledge a case of evolutionary convergence in the order of butterflies (Lepidoptera), certainly representing an evolutionary breakthrough to what has been known about their sexual communication. The research has discovered important behavior and physiological changes in the mating process of the moth Paysandisia archon (Castniidae). This neotropical moth that reached Europe in 2001 from Argentina (also inhabiting Uruguay and Brasil) breaks the known sexual rules by behaving like a diurnal butterfly.
	ESA releases statement on the dangers of invasive species The Entomological Society of America (ESA) has issued a statement about the dangers of invasive species and the potential threats they pose to U.S. national interests by undermining food security, trade agreements, forest health, ecosystem services, environmental quality, and public health and recreation.

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