Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Apr 20

COMSOL Days 2016 -- Free Simulation Training and More

Advance your simulation skills with free hands-on training and presentations from industry leaders at a COMSOL Day near you. Learn more and register here: http://goo.gl/ppfN0c

***************************************************

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for April 20, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Scientists turn to fireflies to improve OLED efficiency
- With simple process, engineers fabricate fastest flexible silicon transistor
- New method enlists electricity for easier, cheaper, greener chemistry
- Defects in the body's cell disposal system may contribute to the most common form of lupus
- First North American monkey fossils are found in Panama Canal excavation
- Identifying a genetic mutation behind sporadic Parkinson's disease
- Researchers discover moving, electrically 'silent' source initiates brain waves
- Replica of 5,000-year-old 'Iceman' made on 3D printer
- Model makes designing new antennas orders of magnitude faster
- Scientists develop multicolored labeling system to track genomic locations in live cells
- 'Dirty mice' could clean up immune system research, study suggests
- Recent warmer winters may be cooling climate change concern
- New material combines useful, typically incompatible properties
- Cellphone principles help microfluidic chip digitize information on living cells
- Mapping neurons to improve the treatment of Parkinson's

Astronomy & Space news

	Lone planetary-mass object found in family of stars In 2011, astronomers announced that our galaxy is likely teeming with free-floating planets. In fact, these lonely worlds, which sit quietly in the darkness of space without any companion planets or even a host sun, might outnumber stars in our Milky Way galaxy. The surprising discovery begged the question: Where did these objects come from? Are they planets that were ejected from solar systems, or are they actually light-weight stars called brown dwarfs that formed alone in space like stars?
	Mice flown in space show nascent liver damage, researcher says In a discovery with implications for long-term spaceflight and future missions to Mars, a researcher at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has found that mice flown aboard the space shuttle Atlantis returned to Earth with early signs of liver disease.
	NASA welds first flight section of SLS core stage for 2018 maiden launch One weld at a time, the flight hardware for NASA's mammoth new Space Launch System (SLS) booster has at last started taking shape, promising to turn years of planning and engineering discussions into reality and a rocket that will one day propel our astronauts on a 'Journey to Mars.'
	Virgin Galactic returns to Spaceport America for exercises It was nothing but clear, blue skies as the sleek, jet-powered plane approached the runway at Spaceport America in southern New Mexico, only to briefly touch down and then thrust off again.
	Image: Astronaut Umberto Guidoni in training ESA astronaut Umberto Guidoni training in Houston, USA, for his Space Shuttle mission STS-100 to the International Space Station that was launched 19 April 2001, making him the first European to work in the research laboratory.
	Delivering Copernicus data with EUMETCast Within months, EUMETSAT will begin disseminating the eagerly-awaited marine mission from Sentinel-3A, the latest addition to the EU's Copernicus fleet of earth observation satellites.

Technology news

	Swimming robots perform snake-like movements for subsea tasks Mention snake-like and robot in the same sentence, and many people find the words inspire thoughts of nightmares and disgusting sights. In Norway, though, a robot development that features a snake-like structure draws positive thoughts about sleek movements and contributions to efficiency in a subsea environment.
	Retrofitting a few city buildings would have big impact on overall carbon emissions Many programs encourage owners of homes and other buildings to improve their energy efficiency, sometimes offering substantial subsidies or tax incentives for doing so. Now, planners may have a way to determine where such programs can get the most return for that investment: New research shows how to identify the buildings where retrofitting for energy efficiency will have the biggest impact on a city's overall greenhouse gas emissions.
	'72 hours of science' project reveals new ideas on beneficial epidemics (Tech Xplore)—A team of postdoc researchers at the Santa Fe Institute has concluded a '72 hours of science' project regarding beneficial epidemics, by posting their results on the arXiv preprint server. The team found that such epidemics typically spread much faster than harmful epidemics and outlined possible reasons for it.
	Intel gambit aims for position in post-PC world The massive shakeup announced by Intel reflects the rapid changes in the tech sector and aims to position the Silicon Valley titan for a post-PC world.
	Model makes designing new antennas orders of magnitude faster Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a model that allows antenna designers to identify efficient configurations for antenna designs in minutes, rather than days. The model is designed to expedite development of next generation "multi-input, multi-ouput" (MIMO) antennas, which allow devices to get more use out of the available bandwidth.
	Chemists create battery technology with off-the-charts charging capacity University of California, Irvine researchers have invented nanowire-based battery material that can be recharged hundreds of thousands of times, moving us closer to a battery that would never require replacement. The breakthrough work could lead to commercial batteries with greatly lengthened lifespans for computers, smartphones, appliances, cars and spacecraft.
	Senate OKs bill to promote wide variety of energy sources (Update) The Senate overwhelmingly approved a far-reaching energy bill Wednesday that reflects significant changes in U.S. oil and natural gas production over the past decade and boosts alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power.
	Yahoo's deterioration accelerates ahead of a possible sale Yahoo may have hung out a "for sale" sign, but it hasn't done much to improve its curb appeal.
Dutch hi-tech group ASML sees drop in first quarter profit Dutch computer chip maker and global hi-tech bellwether ASML Wednesday reported a steep fall in first quarter sales and profits, but predicted an upswing in the months ahead.
	Canada competition bureau clears Google of wrongdoing Canada's competition watchdog announced Tuesday it was closing its investigation into allegations Google abused its dominance in online search advertising to keep rivals down.
	Chinese electric car maker enters US market by selling buses The Chinese automaker that sold more electric cars last year than Tesla, Nissan or GM is taking a back road into the American market on a battery-powered bus.
	El Hierro, the Spanish island vying for 100% clean energy Pines and pineapples vie for space on El Hierro, a tiny rugged Canary island that has gone all out to produce all its electricity from renewables, attracting global attention in the process.
	EU expands battle with Google with Android antitrust probe (Update 2) The European Union is broadening its battle with Google, alleging that the technology giant rigs the global market for mobile apps by making its Android operating system give preferential treatment to its own products.
	Computer algorithms predict next characters to be eliminated in 'Game of Thrones' The rich worlds created in the TV series Game of Thrones (GoT) inspired a computer science class at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Germany: As part of their class project, the students developed applications that scour the web for data on Game of Thrones and crunch the numbers. Then they put together a website that reports which characters are most likely to die in the upcoming sixth season of the TV series.
	Bringing 3D prosthetic printing to developing countries According to the World Health Organization, approximately 30 million people in low-income countries require prosthetic limbs, braces or other assistive devices. To make things even tougher, the vast majority who require these devices don't have access to rehabilitation services.
Thailand wants foreigners social media, bank account details Want to live in Thailand? No problem, say Thai authorities. Just be prepared to reveal your social media habits, bank account information and the restaurants and night clubs where you hang out.
	Helping computers learn to tackle big-data problems outside their comfort zones Imagine combing through thousands of mugshots desperately looking for a match. If time is of the essence, the faster you can do this, the better. A*STAR researchers have developed a framework that could help computers learn how to process and identify these images both faster and more accurately.
	A low-power sensor node processor for networked sensor applications The Internet of Things (IoT) describes devices and applications that gather and distribute data for everyday life. Sensor devices and processes that will underpin the IoT need to be small, versatile and energy efficient. Now A*STAR researchers have developed a sensor processor node that is capable of intelligent sensing while using ultra-low levels of power1.
	Frictionless drive system achieves stable nanometer positioning precision over an unprecedented distance Filling a major gap in precision control for applications from semiconductor fabrication to manipulations of living cells, A*STAR researchers have developed a frictionless drive system that provides nanometer precision over millimeters of travel without complicated feedback control1. The system, developed by Daniel Tat Joo Teo and colleagues from the A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, has the potential to revolutionize experimentation and fabrication at the nanoscale.
	Using turbulence to keep dams clean Sediment builds up in reservoir water and can prevent dams from operating properly. EPFL researchers have come up with a method of keeping sediment in suspension and allowing it be flushed out.
	Germany asks Belgium to shut two old nuclear plants Germany asked neighbouring Belgium on Wednesday to temporarily shutter two ageing nuclear plants near their border over safety concerns.
	Smart homes need to start treating their inhabitants better We might still be some way from coming home to robots doing the cooking and cleaning for us, but the age of widespread home automation has arrived. More and more people now have "intelligent" versions of devices like thermostats and lighting in their home, that either run automatically or can be controlled from a smartphone.
Making biodiesel with used cooking oil and a microwave Weaning cars and trucks off of gasoline and diesel made from fossil fuels is a difficult task. One promising solution involves biodiesel, which comes from natural oils and fats, but it is costly. Using a microwave and catalyst-coated beads, scientists have devised a new way to convert waste cooking oil into biodiesel that could make it more affordable. They report how they did it in ACS' journal Energy & Fuels.
	Computers play a crucial role in preserving the Earth Computers have helped revolutionize the commercial world and transformed the lives of the general public through the development of the Internet and mobile technologies like the iPhone. But, practically speaking, they have done little for the good of our planet.
	Japan's Mitsubishi Motors finds falsified fuel mileage tests Mitsubishi Motors Corp., the Japanese automaker tarnished by a massive recall cover-up 15 years ago, owned up to another scandal Wednesday, saying employees had intentionally falsified fuel mileage data for several vehicle models.
	Lessons of Chernobyl disaster, 30 years on Ukraine next week marks the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, when human error and flawed Soviet reactor technology led to the world's worst nuclear accident.
	Daily Mail publisher says has not submitted Yahoo bid The parent group of British tabloid The Daily Mail said Wednesday it has not made a bid for struggling US Internet giant Yahoo, but remained in talks with interested parties.
Modern styling, new tech, fuel economy highlight new Malibu Chevrolet revamped the Malibu for 2016, making the family sedan look more modern and giving it more safety and technology features, including software that helps keep teen-agers safe and parents in the know.
Creator of malware used to drain bank accounts gets 9 years The Russian creator of a computer program that enabled cybercriminals to infect millions of computers and drain bank accounts in multiple countries was sentenced Wednesday to serve 9 ½ years in federal prison.
	Google expands speedy news page program Google announced Wednesday an expansion of its program which delivers sped-up versions of news stories to smartphones and other devices.
	Comcast customers won't need cable box with upcoming apps Comcast says later this year you won't need a cable box to watch cable as the company follows its rivals in offering TV-watching apps.
	One app for a smooth multi-device user experience How do you watch television? Perhaps you move from a traditional cable or satellite broadcast to a streaming service on your PC, tablet or phone? Or maybe you like to 'multi-task' during TV time, checking the news on your smartphone or interacting with other viewers on Twitter and Facebook?
	American tech giants under EU cosh US technology giants Google, Amazon, Apple, Intel and Microsoft have all come under the often costly scrutiny of European Union (EU) authorities in Brussels:

Medicine & Health news

	New role for immature brain neurons in the dentate gyrus identified University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers have proposed a model that resolves a seeming paradox in one of the most intriguing areas of the brain—the dentate gyrus.
	Optogenetics reveals new insights into circuits of the brain To date, scientists have largely been in the dark with regard to how individual circuits operate in the highly branched networks of the brain. Mapping these networks is a complicated process, requiring precise measurement methods. For the first time, scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen, Germany, together with researchers from the Ernst Strüngmann Institute in Frankfurt and Newcastle University in England, have now functionally proven a so far poorly understood neural connection in the visual system of monkeys using optogenetic methods. To this end, individual neurons were genetically modified so that they became sensitive to a light stimulus.
	Inflammatory protein involved in autoimmune diseases has healing potential As its name suggests, inflammatory bowel disease, which afflicts more than 1.6 million Americans, involves chronic inflammation of all or some of the digestive tract. An autoimmune disease known to have a strong genetic component, its symptoms are abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhea, and fever and, sometimes, weight loss. IBD, which is a group of inflammatory conditions, includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
	Researchers identify new functional biomarker for autism in boys Researchers have developed a new method to map and track the function of brain circuits affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in boys using brain imaging. The technique will provide clinicians and therapists with a physical measure of the progress patients are making with behavioral and/or drug treatments - a tool that has been elusive in autism treatment until this point.
	Exposure to routine viruses makes mice better test subjects Vaccines and therapeutics developed using mice often don't work as expected in humans. New research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis points to the near-sterile surroundings of laboratory mice as a key reason.
	Why you can't teach an old mouse new tricks The ability to adapt to changes in the environment is key to survival, but this type of behavioral flexibility is often impaired in older individuals. A study in mice published April 20, 2016 in Neuron shows that the age-related decline in forming new behaviors is partly due to the deterioration of a brain circuit that plays a key role in goal-directed learning.
Defects in the body's cell disposal system may contribute to the most common form of lupus A casual observation about size differences in mice has led to the discovery that defects in a process for digesting dead cells called LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP) may lead to a lupus-like autoimmune disorder. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists led the research, which appears as an advance online publication today in the scientific journal Nature.
	Identifying a genetic mutation behind sporadic Parkinson's disease Using a novel method, Whitehead Institute researchers have determined how a non-coding mutation identified in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) can contribute to sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD). The approach could be used to analyze GWAS results for other sporadic diseases with genetic causes, such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and cancer.
'Dirty mice' could clean up immune system research, study suggests Scientists at the University of Minnesota have developed a new way to study mice that better mimics the immune system of adult humans and which could significantly improve ways to test potential therapeutics. Published online today in the journal Nature, the researchers describe the limitations of laboratory mice for immunology research and reveal the benefits of what they are calling "dirty mice."
	Gene therapy shows early success against 'Bubble Boy' disease Adolescents and young adults with a severe inherited immunodeficiency disorder improved following treatment with novel gene therapy developed at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. The results of this study appear today in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
	Taking aspirin could increase cancer survival by 20 percent Patients receiving cancer treatment could increase their chance of survival by up to 20% and help stop their cancer from spreading by taking a low-dose of aspirin, new research suggests.
	Researchers discover moving, electrically 'silent' source initiates brain waves Brain waves that spread through the hippocampus are initiated by a method not seen before—a possible step toward understanding and treating epilepsy, according to researchers at Case Western Reserve University.
	Micro heart muscle created from stem cells Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have invented a new way to create three-dimensional human heart tissue from stem cells. The tissue can be used to model disease and test drugs, and it opens the door for a precision medicine approach to treating heart disease. Although there are existing techniques to make three-dimensional tissues from heart cells, the new method dramatically reduces the number of cells needed, making it an easier, cheaper, and more efficient system.
	Mapping neurons to improve the treatment of Parkinson's Because billions of neurons are packed into our brain, the neuronal circuits that are responsible for controlling our behaviors are by necessity highly intermingled. This tangled web makes it complicated for scientists to determine exactly which circuits do what. Now, using two laboratory techniques pioneered in part at Caltech, Caltech researchers have mapped out the pathways of a set of neurons responsible for the kinds of motor impairments—such as difficulty walking—found in patients with Parkinson's disease.
	Breakthrough cholesterol drugs fizzle amid price pushback When a powerful pair of cholesterol-lowering drugs first hit the market last summer, initial excitement in the medical community quickly turned to panic.
New research reveals surprising insight into British drinking culture New research into the UK's alcohol consumption has revealed a surprising picture of Britain's drinking culture.
A reduction in sitting time could mean a lower body fat percentage for office workers An intervention to reduce workplace sitting time has shown potential health benefits, in results published today in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
BRCA1 gene mutation is linked to women having fewer eggs in their ovaries Researchers have discovered a link between the BRCA1 gene mutation and lower levels of a hormone that is an indicator of the number of eggs left in a woman's ovaries, according to research published today (Wednesday) in Human Reproduction, one of the world's leading reproductive medicine journals.
Researchers improve identification of women at high risk of pre-eclampsia Researchers have developed a new tool that will improve how clinicians can identify women at high risk of developing pre-eclampsia, and who should take acetylsalicylic acid, also known as Aspirin, after 12 weeks of pregnancy.
	Is your home harming you? New research highlights deadly effects of indoor pollution New research in the journal Science of the Total Environment has highlighted the dangerous effects of indoor pollution on human health, and has called for policies to ensure closer monitoring of air quality.
	Report: Life expectancy dipped a bit for white women in US Life expectancy for white women has fallen a little, according to a new government report.
	Can positive memories help treat mental health problems? Researchers from the University of Liverpool have published a study highlighting the effectiveness of using positive memories and images to help generate positive emotions.
Counseling in primary care clinics helps speed recovery for depressed teens Depressed teenagers who received cognitive behavioral therapy in their primary care clinic recovered faster, and were also more likely to recover, than teens who did not receive the primary care-based counseling, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published today in the journal Pediatrics.
	Consuming too much fructose during pregnancy raises the child's risk for heart disease The negative health effects of consuming large amounts of fructose could impact several generations, according to researchers at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
	Better preemie pain relief sought amid new call for action It happens every day to the most vulnerable infants in hospital intensive care units: fragile babies born way too soon are poked, prodded and jabbed as part of medical care meant to help them survive—and it can be heart-wrenching to watch.
Key health websites blindfold consumers on tobacco product risks Millions of people visit the websites of the Mayo Clinic, American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among others, seeking authoritative health information. But are they receiving it?
	Where next for the Zika virus? The southeastern US, including much of Texas through to Florida, has ideal conditions for the spread of Zika virus, according to a new study involving Oxford scientists.
Scientists identify link between brain development and cancer Researchers at The University of Queensland and the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute have identified a protein which plays a key role in brain cancer, opening the door to potential new treatments.
New technology can potentially overcome CAR T-cell immunotherapy limitations An engineered organic bispecific adaptor molecule that functions as a bridge between a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell and a cancer cell can potentially overcome some of the limitations posed by CAR T-cell immunotherapy technologies, according to data presented here at the AACR Annual Meeting 2016, April 16-20.
An implantable microdevice has potential to identify suitable therapy for cancer patients A microdevice implanted into a tumor could release up to 100 individual cancer therapeutics or combinations, and upon retrieval from the tumor and analyses, could identify the best treatment option for that tumor, according to preclinical research presented here at the AACR Annual Meeting 2016, April 16-20.
New mathematical model may help better define roles of environmental and intrinsic factors in cancer initiation A mathematical model that takes into account the number of mutations required to initiate a specific type of cancer to estimate mutational activity, rather than cancer initiation, as the elementary event (as reported in two studies last year, one of which generated the "bad luck" hypothesis) may help better define the contributions of environmental factors and cellular factors in cancer initiation, according to data presented here at the AACR Annual Meeting 2016, April 16-20.
	Navigation skill test could diagnose Alzheimer's long before memory fails Long before Alzheimer's disease can be diagnosed clinically, increasing difficulties building cognitive maps of new surroundings may herald the eventual clinical onset of the disorder, finds new research from Washington University in St. Louis.
	New study tests the effectiveness of at-home HIV testing for male couples Relationships bring with them lots of issues: Who will do the laundry? The cooking? Pay the bills?
	Fatty diets lead to daytime sleepiness, poor sleep University of Adelaide researchers have found that men who consume diets high in fat are more likely to feel sleepy during the day, to report sleep problems at night, and are also more likely to suffer from sleep apnoea.
Study explores discrimination, stress and coping methods of African American men The shooting of unarmed Michael Brown in August 2014 by white police officer Darren Wilson has served as a touchpoint for a passionate discussion about race relations and police tactics in America. But how has it impacted residents of the region outside of spotlight of national and international media?
Increasing use of internet to buy and sell drugs Findings from the latest Illicit Drug Monitoring System (IDMS) study show 72 per cent of frequent drug users report increased buying and selling drugs via social media and encrypted websites.
	What are children drinking before, during and after sports? In a New Zealand first, a Massey University study hopes to discover what children are drinking before, during and after playing competitive sports.
	New mental health app helps track moods and promotes emotional self-awareness A team from Monash University has developed a new smartphone app, MoodPrism, to track users' moods over time and support their mental health and well-being. The app is now available on both Android and Apple platforms and can be downloaded by anyone with a smartphone.
	Immune cell genome differences underlie individual predisposition to several diseases A new study has found a link between genomic variation and disease susceptibility. An A*STAR-led-team identified certain genomic variations associated with autoimmune, inflammatory and dermatological diseases in a type of immune cell known as neutrophils. These findings shed light on individual susceptibility to several conditions including autoimmune and inflammatory conditions1.
	Cells discovered in mouse embryos could shed light on newborn skin immunity A group of cells identified by A*STAR researchers may explain how a newborn baby's vulnerable skin defends against attacks to the immune system at first contact with the environment. In mice, these cells appear in a developing embryo's skin but significantly decline after birth, and are likely to play a role in shaping the skin's immunity to microbes.
No new malaria cases in Europe, Caucasus or C.Asia in 2015 No new cases of malaria originated in Europe, Central Asia or the Caucasus in 2015, the first year without a transmission for almost 30 years, the World Health Organization said Wednesday.
	Natural births after caesarean more likely if you call the midwife Women who had a caesarean section in a previous pregnancy are much more likely to have a safer vaginal birth if their antenatal care is led by a midwife, according to a new study from The University of Manchester.
	Do mothers really have stronger bonds with their children than fathers do? From the marketplace to the workplace, it is mothers who are still perceived as having that "special bond" with their children. This is compounded by advertising and the widely held expectation that it will be mothers who take parental leave.
	The cavity in health insurance coverage—oral health When we talk about the successes and shortcomings of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – and health care in the U.S. in general – little attention is given to dental care.
One antidepressant shown to control weight during two-year study Group Health researchers have found that bupropion (marketed as Wellbutrin) is the only antidepressant that tends to be linked to long-term modest weight loss.
	Targeted missiles against aggressive cancer cells Targeted missiles that can enter cancer cells and deliver lethal cell toxins without harming surrounding healthy tissue. This has been a long-standing vision in cancer research, but it has proved difficult to accomplish. A research group at Lund University in Sweden has now taken some crucial steps in this direction.
	No matter how equal or unequal a society is, men still smoke more In the developing world, far more men than women smoke. This is usually ascribed to pronounced gender disparities in social, political or economic power. But what about a developing society with a high degree of gender equality like the Aka pygmy tribe living in West Africa's Congo Basin? Surprisingly, even there, smoking is definitely a male thing, says anthropologist Casey Roulette of Washington State University, leader of a study published in Springer's journal Human Nature. Aka women shy away from smoking because it can harm their unborn babies and children, and because it makes them unattractive to suitors. On the other hand, women of this hunter-gatherer society prefer men who smoke because they link tobacco use to greater risk taking, and a man's subsequent ability to fend for his family.
Military sexual trauma associated with higher risk for veteran homelessness The devastating consequences of sexual trauma in the military reported by 25 percent of female and 1 percent of male veterans who served in the U.S. armed forces don't end with psychological and physical trauma, but are associated with a much higher risk for homelessness, a study led by Utah researchers has found.
Well-managed warfarin therapy associated with low risk of complications in patients with atrial fibrillation In a study published online by JAMA Cardiology, Fredrik Björck, M.D., of Umea University, Umea, Sweden and colleagues evaluated the efficacy and safety of well-managed warfarin therapy in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
Clinical score may help predict likelihood of bariatric surgery curing type 2 diabetes in patients In a study published online by JAMA Surgery, Annemarie G. Hirsch, Ph.D., M.P.H., of the Geisinger Health System, Danville, Pa., and colleagues examined whether the DiaRem score, a validated score generated from data readily available could be used to predict patients for whom bariatric surgery will result in cure of type 2 diabetes. This score can be used to predict whether bariatric surgery will lead to short-term remission of diabetes.
The importance of assessing weight control practices, eating behaviors, after bariatric surgery Assessing certain weight control practices and eating behaviors after bariatric surgery can significantly influence the amount of weight loss after surgery, according to a study published online by JAMA Surgery.
Transfer of gut bacteria affects brain function and nerve fiber insulation Specific combinations of gut bacteria produce substances that affect myelin content and cause social avoidance behaviors in mice, according to a study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published today in the medical journal eLife. This research suggests that targeting intestinal bacteria, or their metabolites, could be one way to treat debilitating psychiatric disorders and demyelinating diseases, like multiple sclerosis.
Brain study on memory delay explains visuomotor mistakes Who will win the women's singles tennis title at the 2016 Rio Olympics this August? That's a question recent York U brain research can help answer.
Taking the fight against risky pain pill use to the ER—study shows promise As America battles an epidemic of deaths from misused pain pills, a new study suggests an inexpensive way to cut risky use of these drugs by people who have a high chance of overdosing.
	Researchers use optogenetics to produce pain relief by shutting off neurons with light The potential of light as a non-invasive, highly-focused alternative to pain medication was made more apparent thanks to research conducted by scientists at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital of McGill University and the McGill University Health Centre.
Childhood obesity, malnutrition connected to mom's perception of child's weight A new study from the University of Houston Department of Health and Human Performance finds a child's risk for obesity or malnutrition may be tied to the mother's misperception of her child's weight status. A key to understanding this phenomenon may lie in how she regards her own weight status. Researchers say the situation shows that healthcare providers need to broaden their health care screenings.
Parts of Europe may be exposed to dengue outbreaks Global travel and climate change increase the risk for epidemics of the mosquito-borne dengue virus, and potentially other climate-sensitive infectious diseases, spreading into temperate areas. This according to a doctoral dissertation at Umeå University in Sweden.
Polish baby born from mother on life support is doing fine Hospital authorities in southwestern Poland say a baby born two months after his mother was put on life support is home and doing fine.
Should the food industry fund health research? In The BMJ today, leading experts debate whether the food industry should fund health research, and if so, under what circumstances.
	Early abnormalities of Alzheimer's disease: It takes two (proteins) to tango For years, neuroscientists have puzzled over how two abnormal proteins, called amyloid and tau, accumulate in the brain and damage it to cause Alzheimer's disease (AD). Which one is the driving force behind dementia? The answer: both of them, according to a new study by researchers at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute.
Chemical exposure could lead to obesity, study finds Exposure to chemicals found in everyday products could affect the amount of fat stored in the body, according to a study by University of Georgia researchers.
	Effects of sepsis negated by Tie2 activation-induced vascular protection Sepsis, more commonly known as blood poisoning, is an exceptional healthcare problem. It is more common than heart attacks, and kills more people than any type of cancer and despite this, it remains largely unknown. According to a 2013 paper published in The New English Journal of Medicine1, it affects more than 19 million people around the world yearly and the number keeps increasing. There is hope for a reliable treatment, however, as researchers at the IBS Center for Vascular Health have developed a targeted therapy for mitigating sepsis by strengthening as well as protecting blood vessels.
Targeting cancer with engineered T cells Dr. Philip Greenberg, head of immunology and a member of the Clinical Research Division at Seattle's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and a leader in cancer immunology, will describe how he and colleagues are genetically engineering T cells to seek out cancer cells, penetrate their defenses and kill them.
Strength training helps older adults live longer Older adults who met twice-weekly strength-training guidelines had lower odds of dying in a new analysis by researchers at Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Columbia University. The study is the first to demonstrate the association in a large, nationally representative sample over an extended time period, particularly in an older population.
	The origin of heart dysfunctions in myotonic dystrophy identified An international team, including researchers in France at Inserm, CNRS and the University of Strasbourg, brought together at IGBMC is lifting the veil on the molecular mechanisms causing heart dysfunctions in myotonic dystrophy, a genetic disease affecting one person in 8,000. This new study, published this week in Nature Communications, could contribute to discovering a treatment.
	Role of adaptor protein CD2AP in neuron sprouting discovered University of Louisville researchers have discovered that a protein previously known for its role in kidney function also plays a significant role in the nervous system. In an article featured in the April 13 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, they show that the adaptor protein CD2AP is a key player in a type of neural growth known as collateral sprouting.
High prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in large population of kids with type 1 diabetes During the past two decades, vitamin D status, defined as serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, has emerged as a predictor of key clinical outcomes including bone health, glucose metabolism, cardiovascular health, immune health and survival. Now, a University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Penn Nursing) team, including senior author Terri Lipman, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, the Miriam Stirl Endowed Term Professor of Nutrition, Professor of Nursing of Children and Assistant Dean for Community Engagement, has examined the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and diabetes control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
Patients at high risk for psychiatric symptoms after a stay in the intensive care unit Results of a multi-institutional national study of nearly 700 people who survived life-threatening illness with a stay in an intensive care unit (ICU) suggest that a substantial majority of them are at high risk for persistent depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder—especially if they are female, young and unemployed.
	Detecting when the most common skin cancer turns dangerous A biomarker associated with basal cell carcinoma may help signal which tumors will be more aggressive, a new U-M study finds.
	Scientist models Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome in adult stem cells Studies performed by a Sanford Research scientist using an innovative stem-cell model for a fatal developmental disorder is the focus of a recent study published in Nature Medicine. Kevin Francis, Ph.D. uncovered unique cellular defects associated with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) by modeling this disease using induced pluripotent stem cells.
	Cow's milk allergy in childhood may lead to weaker bones: study (HealthDay)—Children who are allergic to cow's milk may have weaker bones than kids with other food allergies, a small study suggests.
	Previous mental distress may slow concussion recovery (HealthDay)—Athletes may take longer to recover after a concussion if they had psychosomatic symptoms—aches and pains caused by mental distress—before their head injury, new research suggests.
	Digital assistant in closed-loop control mode beneficial in T1DM (HealthDay)—For patients with type 1 diabetes, a portable, wearable, wireless artificial pancreas system (the Diabetes Assistant [DiAs]) improves glucose control at home in closed-loop control (CLC) modes, according to a study published online April 13 in Diabetes Care.
	Decrease in prostate CA mortality parallels drop in smoking (HealthDay)—Declines in prostate cancer mortality seem to parallel declines in cigarette smoking, based on data from four U.S. states. The report was published online April 14 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Preventing Chronic Disease.
	Trichloroacetic acid beats cryotherapy for plantar warts (HealthDay)—Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is more effective than cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen for the treatment of plantar warts, according to a study published online April 4 in the Journal of Dermatology.
	Diffusion-weighted imaging + MRI OK for undescended testes (HealthDay)—Combined diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) show a greater performance compared to conventional MRI alone for identification of non-palpable undescended testes (UDTs), according to a study published online April 6 in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology.
	Spinal manipulation offers little low back pain disability relief (HealthDay)—Spinal manipulative therapy reduces disability from low back pain (LBP) more than functional technique, but not in a clinically meaningful way, according to a study published in the March issue of The Spine Journal.
	LDL reduction in hypertriglyceridemia varies per statin (HealthDay)—For patients with hypertriglyceridemia, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) reductions depend of the choice and dose of statin, according to research published in the May 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
New trial aims to prevent type 1 diabetes A clinical study evaluating a new hypothesis that an inexpensive drug with a simple treatment regimen can prevent type 1 diabetes will be launched in Dundee tomorrow.
Experts blame 'toxic' drug for deadly French medical trial Medical experts said Tuesday that the death of a man in a French drug trial was likely caused by the compound itself, saying it was probably toxic.
	Terror or tobacco? French school smoking lights up debate What poses a greater risk to French school children: a potential terror attack, or smoking cigarettes?
Utah calls pornography public health crisis, in US first Utah became the first US state Tuesday to formally declare pornography a public health crisis, in a move backed by Republicans, seeking to shield its citizens from an "epidemic" of addictive sexual content.
	Sugar—the addictive enemy hiding in plain sight Could you image a world without sugar? A life without that spectacular sweet taste in your mouth?
	Image: Neurologist creates image of Alzheimer's plaque in neurons The effects of the plaques on the brains of Alzheimer's patients are devastating.
Prediction of susceptible genes associated with diabetes risk The Institute for Infocomm Research (I²R) is a member of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) family and is Singapore's largest ICT research institute. Established in 2002, our vision is to power a vibrant and strong infocomm ecosystem in Singapore. We seek to foster world-class infocomm and media research and develop a deep talent pool of infocomm professionals to power a vibrant knowledge-based Singapore.
How to avoid foot amputation in diabetic patients Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University and National Autonomous Mexico University have developed techniques to treat diabetic foot syndrome with special insoles with silver nano-particles. The technique helps to fight foot ulcers in diabetic patients, and facilitates their healing and disinfection, reducing the risk of amputation.
	Slight increase in Norwegian drug consumption in 2015 Drug sales measured in defined daily doses (DDD) increased by 2 per cent from 2014 to 2015. Revenue growth was 8.6 per cent. This is shown in "Drug Consumption in Norway 2011-2015", a report issued by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
Non-inflammatory destructive periodontal disease Although, bacteria are a critical etiologic factor that are needed to develop periodontal disease, bacteria alone are insuficiente to induce a periodontal disease. A susceptible host is also required, and the host's susceptibility as local and/or general predisposing risk factors, are important determinants of the disease status. An accurate diagnosis is often essential in developing a predictable and suitable treatment plan, which, when executed, gives a guide to the resolution of the periodontal disease's activity. The majority of all forms of periodontal diseases, are considered as microorganism-induced diseases, which promote an inflammatory host defense response against the bacteria and noxious materials from bacterial plaque.
What causes the excess rate of death associated with alcohol use disorders? To what degree does the excess rate of death in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) happen because of a predisposition in the person who develops AUD compared with the direct effect of the AUD itself?
	Newly identified host defense mechanism protects cells from viral infection A new study to understand why viral particles tend to accumulate in a specific location around a cell's nucleus in the first several hours after viral infection has shown this phenomenon to be a novel defense mechanism used by cells to block nuclear entry and limit the infection. The implications of this sequestration of virions for use in new drug discovery and therapeutic gene delivery are discussed in an article in Human Gene Therapy.
New report calls for effort to reduce negative attitudes toward people with disorders The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) should lead efforts among federal partners and stakeholders to design, implement, and evaluate a multipronged, evidence-based national strategy to reduce stigma toward people with mental and substance use disorders, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Many private and public organizations in the U.S.—including eight federal agencies—are already engaged in anti-stigma and mental health promotion efforts, but these efforts are largely uncoordinated and poorly evaluated.
IADR/AADR publish advances issue on ICCC recommendations The International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR) have published an issue of Advances in Dental Research on the International Caries Consensus Collaboration's (ICCC) recommendations for carious lesion management and related terminology, developed from evidence-led consensus. Jo Frencken, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands; JDR Associate Editor Nicola Innes, University of Dundee, Scotland; and Falk Schwendicke, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany, served as guest editors of this special issue.
	Senior adults can see health benefits from dog ownership The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults of all ages should engage in 150 or more minutes of moderate physical activity per week. Among adults 60 years of age or more, walking is the most common form of leisure-time physical activity because it is self-paced, low impact and does not require equipment. Researchers at the University of Missouri have determined that older adults who also are pet owners benefit from the bonds they form with their canine companions. Dog walking is associated with lower body mass index, fewer doctor visits, more frequent exercise and an increase in social benefits for seniors.
Last known Ebola patient discharged in Guinea Guinea's health authorities and the medical charity treating the last known Ebola patient in the country said Wednesday he had been discharged after successfully recovering from the disease.
A look at marijuana laws around the US and the globe Marijuana is illegal for any reason under federal law, but states have boldly experimented with allowing its use anyway, starting with California 20 years ago.

Biology news

	Monkeys regulate metabolism to cope with environment and rigours of mating season New research on male Barbary macaques indicates that these primates have a flexible metabolic physiology, which help them survive by changing the speed of chemical reactions within their bodies, and consequently levels of energy, depending on temperature and availability of food.
	Lemurs mix smelly secretions to make richer, longer-lasting scents Humans aren't alone in their ability to mix perfumes and colognes. Lemurs, too, get more out of their smelly secretions by combining fragrances to create richer, longer-lasting scents, finds a study led by Duke University.
	Why a rat eradication attempt on Henderson Island failed (Phys.org)—A team of researchers the University of Cambridge and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has conducted a case study of a failed rat eradication project on an island in the South Pacific. In their paper published in Royal Society Open Science, the team reports that it has found that the failure was not due to migration of new rats to the island, or some of the rats being able to withstand the poison used, but instead because some of the rats never ate the poison and then began reproducing at a rapid pace.
	Baboons watch neighbours for clues about food, but can end up in queues Baboons learn about food locations socially through monitoring the behaviour of those around them. While proximity to others is the key to acquiring information, research shows that accessing food depends on the complex hierarchies of a baboon troop, and those lower down the pecking order can end up queuing for leftovers.
	Scientists develop multicolored labeling system to track genomic locations in live cells CRISPRainbow, a new technology using CRISPR/Cas9 developed by scientists at UMass Medical School, allows researchers to tag and track up to seven different genomic locations in live cells. This labeling system, details of which were published in Nature Biotechnology, will be an invaluable tool for studying the structure of the genome in real time.
	DNA sat nav uncovers ancient Ashkenaz The origin of Yiddish, the millennium old language of Ashkenazic Jews, is something which linguists have questioned for decades.
	New view of germ cells It has been accepted wisdom for decades that most animals create germ cells ― those cells that produce the eggs and sperm organisms need to pass on their genes ― in the same way.
	L.A.'s newt shows signs of severe stress in drought L.A.'s only species of newt is showing signs of severe distress, troubling researchers and raising questions about the impacts of the drought and climate change.
	Gene-edited mushroom is changing GMO dialogue The term "genetically modified organism" is almost guaranteed to spark debate in the news and social media, on internet message boards and at the water cooler. Now, the work of a faculty researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences has generated a new wave of attention to the ongoing dialogue surrounding GMOs.
Ancient DNA reveals evolution of giant bears in the The work of University of Adelaide researcher Dr Kieren Mitchell is shedding new light on the evolution of what are believed to be the largest bears that ever walked the Earth.
	Human beings – and our offices – are crawling with microbes Humans are crawling with microorganisms – indeed, each of us has our own unique microbial ecosystem, otherwise known as a "microbiome". Microorganisms are the smallest forms of life, and the human microbiome includes bacteria, viruses and fungi. There are more microbial cells on and in our bodies than the ten trillion human cells which make us what we are. This microbial life helps us to break down our food, provides vitamins we cannot produce and plays a big role in keeping us healthy.
	The history of orangutans in human culture The similarities between orangutans and humans, and the argument that primates should be given their own form of human rights, will be put under the microscope in a presentation at The Australian National University (ANU).
	Scientists dance around Pilbara's fairy circles An extremely rare phenomenon known as fairy circles—a concept more at home in the pages of fantasy books—have sprung into the vast, arid expanse of the modern day Pilbara.
	Brain stem cell quiescence needs to be actively maintained in Drosophila Neural stem cells are responsible for the formation of differentiated daughter cells in the developing brain. If no new cells are needed, the stem cells may enter a resting phase called quiescence. Biologists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have now discovered that the phases of quiescence in the Drosophila fruit fly central nervous system are controlled by the Hippo signaling pathway. Drosophila serves as a model organism that helps geneticists to decode the molecular fundamentals of cellular biology and unravel mechanisms that are conserved in human beings and other vertebrates.
	Study indicates polar bears are swimming more as sea ice retreats A study undertaken by scientists from the University of Alberta and Environment and Climate Change Canada to understand swimming behavior in polar bears is showing an increase in this behavior related to changes in the amount and location of summer sea ice. Lead author Nicholas Pilfold, now a postdoctoral fellow at San Diego Zoo Global, said "the pattern of long-distance swimming by polar bears in the Beaufort Sea shows the fingerprint of climate change. Swims are occurring more often, in association with sea ice melting faster and moving farther from shore in the summer."
	Grassroots tactics could improve global environmental policies Much of the world may cringe as lemurs are hunted and killed or when entire forests are burnt and harvested for charcoal. However, if local residents don't perceive the actions as crimes or they believe there's a low risk of getting caught, then poaching and deforestation will continue.
	Mexican researchers observe natural insect control without pesticides Scale insects known as cochineals are major pests of prickly pear in Mexico, and pesticides are often used to control them. However, one prickly pear farmer has been controlling them without the use of insecticides since the year 2000.
	Mystery solved: Traits identified for why certain chemicals reach toxic levels in food webs Researchers have figured out what makes certain chemicals accumulate to toxic levels in aquatic food webs. And, scientists have developed a screening technique to determine which chemicals pose the greatest risk to the environment.
	Herbicide resistance in waterhemp continues to grow Twenty-five years ago, waterhemp was virtually unknown to Illinois farmers. Today, the broadleaf weed blankets corn and soybean fields across the state and the Midwest, causing yield losses from 40 to 70 percent.
	New black fly species discovered in Indonesia A new species of black fly has been discovered in Indonesia on the island of Borneo. The new species, which belongs to the family Simuliidae, is described in the Journal of Medical Entomology.
	Muskoxen hair analysis shows diet suffers during snow-heavy Arctic winters Analysis of hairs from muskoxen in the Arctic tundra indicates they had limited amounts of forage available and relied heavily on body stores during snow-heavy winters, according to a study published April 20, 2016 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Jesper Bruun Mosbacher from the Arctic Research Centre at Aarhus University, Denmark, and colleagues.
Scientists sharpen view of gene transfer between pathogenic bacteria Bacteria possess the ability to take up DNA from their environment, a skill that enables them to acquire new genes for antibiotic resistance or to escape the immune response. Scientists have now mapped the core set of genes that are consistently controlled during DNA uptake in strep bacteria, and they hope the finding will allow them to cut off the microbes' ability to survive what doctors and nature can throw at them.
New studies highlight energy development's impact on birds Ornithology journal The Condor: Ornithological Applications is publishing a Special Section of open access articles highlighting the impact that energy development is having on North America's bird populations.
Geneticist warns against intervention in the human germline made possible by the CRISPR/Cas 'gene scissors' CRISPR/Cas9 opens up many possibilities in medicine presenting opportunities and risks. It is hoped that the new method can be used for the genetic treatment of serious diseases, such as AIDS. Scientists could simply cut out a gene modified by disease in the body cells and replace it with a healthy one. Scientists in China and the UK are taking this a step further by conducting research in the laboratory using human embryonic stem cells. This has broken a taboo sparking outrage and debate worldwide. How far should research go? Stefan Mundlos, Director of the Institute for Medical Genetics and Human Genetics at the Charité and Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin, holds a very critical view of interventions in the human germline.
	Singapore's wild bird trade raises troubling questions about African grey parrots A new study from WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) and TRAFFIC underlines Singapore's role as a leading transit hub for birds from Africa and Europe to East Asia and the Middle East, and highlights serious discrepancies in the way this trade has been recorded over a decade.
	Poorly known South African mountain endemic appears to be a very valuable keystone species Mountain ecosystems are valuable providers of key resources including water. These ecosystems comprise diverse species, some of which appear to be especially important to the ecosystem's functioning. In poorly studied mountain environments in biodiversity-rich countries, these keystone species can often be overlooked and undervalued.
	Ivory Coast deploys rangers to protect dwarf elephants Ivory Coast has deployed teams of rangers to protect the country's last surviving dwarf elephants from extinction, the head of the national park service told AFP Tuesday.
	Orca tagging stops after dead whale found with fragments Federal biologists have temporarily stopped tagging endangered killer whales in Washington state's Puget Sound after a dead orca was found with pieces of a dart tag lodged in its dorsal fin.

---

This email is a free service of Phys.org
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you no longer want to receive this email use the link below to unsubscribe.
https://sciencex.com/profile/nwletter/
You are subscribed as jmabs1@gmail.com