Science X Newsletter Monday, Nov 14

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for November 14, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

'Super-dry' reforming reaction converts greenhouse gases to useful intermediates

X-ray laser gets first real-time snapshots of a chemical flipping a biological switch

Atomic beltway could solve problems of cosmic gravity

Competitive males are a blessing and a curse, study reveals

Low growth in global carbon emissions continues for third successive year

Brain training can help in fight against dementia: Meta-analysis

Toadstool footstools: Are organisms manufacturing's future?

World looks up to gaze at extra bright 'supermoon' (Update)

Immune system uses gut bacteria to control glucose metabolism

How internal circadian clocks in neurons encode external daily rhythms of excitability

Battery electric cars are a better choice for reducing emissions than fuel cell vehicles, study finds

Research suggests the brain uses color to help us choose what to eat

Record distance for alternative super-current

Plant scientists identify gene to combat crippling wheat disease

Best of Last Week–New theory of gravity gains credence, banning killer robots and a food additive linked to colon cancer

Astronomy & Space news

	World looks up to gaze at extra bright 'supermoon' (Update) Skygazers took to high-rise buildings, tourist landmarks and beaches worldwide on Monday to catch a glimpse of the closest "supermoon" to Earth in almost seven decades.
	NASA finds unusual origins of high-energy electrons High above the surface, Earth's magnetic field constantly deflects incoming supersonic particles from the sun. These particles are disturbed in regions just outside of Earth's magnetic field - and some are reflected into a turbulent region called the foreshock. New observations from NASA's THEMIS mission show that this turbulent region can accelerate electrons up to speeds approaching the speed of light. Such extremely fast particles have been observed in near-Earth space and many other places in the universe, but the mechanisms that accelerate them have not yet been concretely understood.
	Prototype telescope demonstrates viability of novel Schwarzschild-Couder design In October 2016, the ASTRI telescope prototype, (Image 1) a novel, dual-mirror Schwarzschild-Couder telescope design proposed for the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), passed its biggest test yet by demonstrating a constant point-spread function of a few arc minutes over a large field of view of 10 degrees.
	Far away, so close During the last few weeks of its mission, ESA's Rosetta spacecraft ventured closer than it had ever been to Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. Eventually, it came to rest on the surface in a daring descent on 30 September 2016.
	Brightest moon in almost 69 years lights up sky around globe The brightest moon in almost 69 years is lighting up the sky in a treat for star watchers around the globe.
	PHOTO GALLERY: Supermoon puts on a show around the world The moon is putting on a show for sky gazers worldwide.

Technology news

	Toadstool footstools: Are organisms manufacturing's future? The sturdy stools and spongy cushions made at a factory in upstate New York are formed with fungus.
	Battery electric cars are a better choice for reducing emissions than fuel cell vehicles, study finds Many communities would be better off investing in electric vehicles that run on batteries instead of hydrogen fuel cells, in part because the hydrogen infrastructure provides few additional energy benefits for the community besides clean transportation.
	Facebook lets Messenger 'bots' tap analytic smarts Facebook on Monday began letting interactive "bots" inside its Messenger service tap into analytic capabilities once reserved for the social network, ramping up the potential to earn money from e-commerce.
	'Back to the Future' inspires solar nanotech-powered clothing Marty McFly's self-lacing Nikes in Back to the Future Part II inspired a UCF scientist who has developed filaments that harvest and store the sun's energy—and can be woven into textiles.
	Solar power, kinetic energy turn on streetlights in Vegas plaza (Tech Xplore)—Footsteps and the sun. The two key ingredients for Smart Street Lights, from EnGoPlanet. This month marks a big event for the New York based group, as it was announced that street lights powered by pedestrian footsteps and utilizing kinetic energy and solar energy, went up in Las Vegas.
	Samsung to buy US auto parts supplier Harman for $8 bn Samsung Electronics said Monday it would buy US auto parts maker Harman International Industries for $8 billion in a bid to enter the growing market for automotive technology to produce "connected" cars.
	Naver launches $43 million fund to seek content for Snow South Korean internet giant Naver Corp. has launched a $43 million fund with Japan's Softbank to invest in content and technology startups.
	Siemens to buy Oregon-based Mentor Graphics for $4.5 billion German industrial equipment maker Siemens AG says it has agreed to buy U.S.-based software firm Mentor Graphics Corp. for $4.5 billion, broadening Siemens digital capabilities.
	Understanding the four types of AI, from reactive robots to self-aware beings The common, and recurring, view of the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence research is that sentient and intelligent machines are just on the horizon. Machines understand verbal commands, distinguish pictures, drive cars and play games better than we do. How much longer can it be before they walk among us?
	New way to make low-cost solar cell technology Researchers at ANU have found a new way to fabricate high efficiency semi-transparent perovskite solar cells in a breakthrough that could lead to more efficient and cheaper solar electricity.
	A technology developed at EPFL will be used to analyze NBA players A new technology developed by PlayfulVision, an EPFL startup bought by Second Spectrum last year, records all aspects of sporting events for subsequent analysis in augmented reality. This system will be used in all National Basketball Association (NBA) games in the United States starting in 2017.
	New Macs, Lenovo laptop make traditional keyboards touchy Can the venerable laptop keyboard get more touchy-feely—and in a good way?
	Online freedom hit by pressure on social media, apps Governments around the world have stepped up efforts to block or censor social media and messaging applications, in a new blow to internet freedom, a watchdog group said Monday.
	Green-screen keying method cuts time, boosts quality in film compositing Filming an actor in front of a green screen and then superimposing the actor over another background is commonplace in feature film production, but getting rid of all traces of the green screen remains a chore. A new "keying" method devised by Disney Research and ETH Zurich, however, improves the results substantially.
	Researchers have a better way to predict flight delays The most dreaded announcement for any airline passenger trying to get home for the holidays has to be a flight delay. Researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York have devised a new computer model that can more accurately predict delays faster than anything currently in use.
	'Conductive concrete' shields electronics from EMP attack An attack via a burst of electromagnetic energy could cripple vital electronic systems, threatening national security and critical infrastructure, such as power grids and data centers.
Vroom: Gov't to require hybrid, electric cars to make noise New hybrid and electric cars are required to make noise when traveling at low speeds so that pedestrians, especially those who are blind or have poor eyesight, will hear them coming, under a new rule released Monday by the Obama administration.
	Britain approves extradition of alleged hacker to US Britain's interior minister on Monday ordered the extradition to the United States of a man accused of hacking into thousands of US government computers.
Google highlighting inaccurate story about election results Google's search engine is highlighting an inaccurate story claiming that President-elect Donald Trump won the popular vote in last week's election, the latest example of bogus information spread by the internet's gatekeepers.
Apple Pay expands to charities, Samsung Pay to offer rewards Apple is making it easier for people to give to charities by expanding its Apple Pay payments service to nonprofits.
	Facebook had tool to weed out fake news: report Facebook had a tool to weed out fake news circulating on the social network this year but declined to deploy it for fear of offending conservatives, a report said Monday.
German travel site trivago files for IPO in US German-based hotel booking site trivago, controlled by US online travel giant Expedia, on Monday filed for a public share offering in New York.
	Improving the management of 'systems of systems' The three-year DYMASOS project has tackled the management of systems of systems - how independent technologies can be harnessed to work together to optimise overall outcomes. With the development of the 'Internet of Things', the ability to do this is becoming even more important.
Making data centers green The value and scale of information grows unstoppably and data centers must size-up if they are to adequately meet their operational requirements.
	Energy savings in shopping centres Shopping centres are major energy consumers with significant opportunities for savings. Researchers are currently checking the impact of savings made on lighting and air-conditioning at the City Syd centre in Trondheim.
Court sidesteps issue of social media account authentication The Connecticut Supreme Court has sidestepped the issue of how social media accounts should be authenticated in criminal cases in a ruling upholding a murder conviction.
	Engineers developing cleanup method for stubborn contaminants They're in stain-resistant carpet, paint, permanent markers, food packaging and firefighting foam. Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), a broad class of manufactured chemicals, touch every corner of the industrialized world. They're impervious to traditional remediation strategies, and when they're ingested in large quantities, like in contaminated drinking water, they may be dangerous to human health.

Medicine & Health news

	Brain training can help in fight against dementia: Meta-analysis Researchers at the University of Sydney have found that engaging in computer-based brain training can improve memory and mood in older adults with mild cognitive impairment - but training is no longer effective once a dementia diagnosis has been made.
	Immune system uses gut bacteria to control glucose metabolism Researchers at Oregon State University and other institutions have discovered an important link between the immune system, gut bacteria and glucose metabolism—a "cross-talk" and interaction that can lead to type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome when not functioning correctly.
	How internal circadian clocks in neurons encode external daily rhythms of excitability Molecular clocks in cells throughout the body control many physiologic changes in a 24-hour day/night circadian rhythm—among them the timing of sleep and wakefulness.
	Research suggests the brain uses color to help us choose what to eat According to a study at the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Trieste and recently published in the journal Scientific Reports, vision is the main sense humans use to guide food choices. The researchers suggest that to evaluate calorie intake, humans rely on a "color code."
	First home-use implant allows ALS patient to communicate in everyday life (Medical Xplore)—A team of researchers working at University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands has announced via a paper published in The New England Journal of Medicine that an implant inserted into the skull of a "locked-in" ALS patient over a year ago works as planned, allowing the patient to communicate in a limited fashion in a home environment.
	Inability to safely store fat increases risk of diabetes and heart disease A large-scale genetic study has provided strong evidence that the development of insulin resistance - a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and heart attacks and one of the key adverse consequences of obesity - results from the failure to safely store excess fat in the body.
	Study finds facial impressions driven by our own experiences The pseudoscience of physiognomy - judging people's character from their faces - has been around for centuries, but a new Princeton University study shows that people make such judgments based on their own experiences.
	The power of expectation can restrain hyper-emotional memories in the brain The creaking of an opening gate followed by a dog attack can disturb otherwise pleasant evening walks. The sound of that gate opening on subsequent walks will elicit an emotional response, and the power of this response will be different if the dog was a German shepherd or a poodle. Through repeated experiences, the neighborhood, the gate and the dog all become part of the brain's emotional memory system. The core of this system—the amygdala—forges indelible links of experience when we are attacked or threatened but, thanks to the power of expectation, the strength of these emotional memories is proportional to the unpleasantness of the experience.
Research shows nerve growth protein controls blood sugar Research led by a Johns Hopkins University biologist demonstrates the workings of a biochemical pathway that helps control glucose in the bloodstream, a development that could potentially lead to treatments for diabetes.
	Stress-induced changes in maternal gut could negatively impact offspring for life Prenatal exposure to a mother's stress contributes to anxiety and cognitive problems that persist into adulthood, a phenomenon that could be explained by lasting - and potentially damaging - changes in the microbiome, according to new research in mice.
	Gene deletion allows cancer cells to thrive when migrating within the brain Astronauts survive in space by wearing high-tech space suits. But how do brain cancer cells thrive when they migrate to inhospitable sites within the brain?
	Length of telomeres should tell whether vitamin D, omega-3 are good for the heart, longevity The length of your telomeres appears to be a window into your heart health and longevity, and scientists are measuring them to see if vitamin D and omega-3 supplements really improve both.
	Retinitis pigmentosa may be treated by reprogramming sugar metabolism Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers have demonstrated that vision loss associated with a form of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) can be slowed dramatically by reprogramming the metabolism of photoreceptors, or light sensors, in the retina. The study, conducted in mice, represents a novel approach to the treatment of RP, in which the therapy aims to correct downstream metabolic aberrations of the disease rather than the underlying genetic defect.
	Compound suggests pain treatment without opioid or medical marijuana side effects Indiana University neuroscientist Andrea Hohmann took the stage at a press conference Nov. 14 in San Diego to discuss research conducted at IU that has found evidence that the brain's cannabis receptors may be used to treat chronic pain without the side effects associated with opioid-based pain relievers or medical marijuana.
	Women with congenital heart disease have better shot at healthy pregnancies Congenital heart disease (CHD), a group of abnormalities in the heart that develop before birth - including holes in the heart, leaky or narrow valves, and incomplete or missing parts - affects nearly one percent of all babies born in the United States each year - upwards of 40,000 infants. Early in their lives these children often undergo multiple cardiovascular surgeries to repair their hearts, and have to be cared for by a cardiologist for the rest of their lives. In recent years treatments for these defects have saved the lives of thousands of children who once died in childhood. As more women with CHD survive into their childbearing years, new challenges have arisen: doctors must now assess their risk for pregnancy-related complications and care for those issues throughout the pregnancy.
Moderate alcohol intake may slow good cholesterol's decline In a study of 80,000 healthy Chinese adults, moderate drinking was associated with slower declines in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or good cholesterol, over time, according to a preliminary study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2016.
	Most Americans consume too much sodium, not enough potassium A majority of Americans consume too much sodium and not enough potassium, according to a preliminary study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2016.
	New study finds cardiovascular rehabilitation helps reduce risk of death in depressed heart patients Depression has been known to be associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes, but if patients who are depressed attend cardiac rehabilitation after heart surgery, their risk of death is significantly reduced, according to a new study.
Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help lower blood pressure in young, healthy adults Healthy young people may be able to help prevent the onset of high blood pressure by eating diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids, according to a preliminary study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2016.
Children born by cesarean section may have a greater risk of obesity Children delivered by Cesarean section may have an increased risk for obesity compared to children born vaginally, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2016.
Physically fit adults have lower statin-induced diabetes risk Being fit may protect those who take cholesterol-lowering statins from developing statin-induced Type 2 diabetes, according to a preliminary study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2016.
Cardiovascular health linked to cellular aging The age of a person's immune cells may predict risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a preliminary study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2016.
	Two differing medications used during heart procedure are both safe and effective, study finds Two differing blood clot prevention medications are just as safe and effective for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, a non-surgical procedure to open blood vessels narrowed by plaque buildup, according to a new study.
	Study finds following a healthy lifestyle can greatly reduce genetic heart attack risk It is well known that following a healthy lifestyle—not smoking, avoiding excess weight and getting regular exercise - can reduce the risk of heart disease. But what about people who have inherited gene variants known to increase risk? A study led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators has found that, even among those at high genetic risk, following a healthy lifestyle can cut in half the probability of a heart attack or similar event. Their report is receiving early online publication in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with a presentation at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions.
Retail clinics do not decrease emergency department visits Despite being touted as a way to reduce emergency department visits, retail clinics opened near emergency departments had little effect on rates of low-acuity visits to them, according to the results of a study published online today in Annals of Emergency Medicine ("Association Between the Opening of Retail Clinics and Low-Acuity Emergency Department Visits"). An accompanying editorial suggests that the primary effect of opening retail clinics is to increase health care use, not substitute for emergency department visits ("Why Retail Clinics Don't Substitute for ED Visits and What This Means for Value-Based Care").
	Prisons fight opioids with $1,000 injection: Does it work? U.S. prisons are experimenting with a high-priced monthly injection that could help addicted inmates stay off opioids after they are released, but skeptics question its effectiveness and say the manufacturer has aggressively marketed an unproven drug to corrections officials.
How can people move past anger after the election? Fred Luskin, lecturer in wellness education in the Health and Human Performance unit of Stanford's Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation, offers his thoughts on forgiveness.
	How stress affects saving and spending habits Feeling overwhelmed? Stressed about work, a family illness or election season? It turns out that worry and anxiety can have an impact on your wallet.
Study examines gender differences in musculoskeletal disorders In a new paper co-authored by Professor Julie Côté, researchers found that differences in gender may explain "susceptibility to developing musculoskeletal disorders when performing repetitive work for prolonged periods in occupational life."
	Australian HIV rates remain stable while other STIs continue to rise New HIV notifications in Australia have remained stable over the past four years, following a steady increase since 1999, according to the 2016 Australian Annual Surveillance Report into sexually transmissible infections and blood borne viruses, released by UNSW's Kirby Institute.
	Study reveals cannabis users age faster A study carried out by researchers from The University of Western Australia has found significant detrimental effects to the vascular system from smoking cannabis, including early ageing.
Repurposed drug may offer diagnosis, treatment for traumatic nerve damage Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center believe they have identified a new means of enhancing the body's ability to repair its own cells, which they hope will lead to better diagnosis and treatment of traumatic nerve injuries, like those sustained in car accidents, sports injuries, or in combat. In a study published today, the team showed that a drug previously approved for other purposes can 'wake up' damaged peripheral nerves and speed repair and functional recovery after injury.
New figures show dementia is leading cause of death in England and Wales New figures released by the Office of National Statistics show that for the first time, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are the leading cause of death for England and Wales. Of the 529,655 deaths registered during 2015, dementia accounted for 61,686 (11.6 percent).
Promising findings towards targeted breast cancer therapy New research led by Conway Fellow, Professor Joe Duffy and Professor John Crown in St Vincent's University Hospital has reported for the first time on a new treatment that could be used in the majority of patients with triple negative breast cancer.
Should older people without cardiovascular disease take statins? While many Americans take statins to protect their heart health, a JAMA Viewpoint article published today by a nationally recognized geriatrics researcher from UMass Medical School and two Kaiser Permanente cardiovascular researchers addresses the pressing need to develop a better understanding of the long-term benefits and potential risks for the millions of older Americans who are taking statins to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
	Endocrine cells in the brain influence the optimization of behavior A person exposed to stress can usually rapidly adapt the own behavior to the specific situation. Biochemical messenger substances in the brain or so-called neurotransmitters play a central role in this rapid transformation process. We know that hormones also have a stress-regulating function, but that their effects are more slowly apparent. However, recent findings reported by the team under Professor Soojin Ryu, leading researcher at the German Resilience Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) in Germany, indicate that this may not actually be the case. Using a combination of genetic and optical techniques, the research team has been able to demonstrate that corticotrophs, the cell populations that stimulate the adrenal cortex and produce the stress hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, can rapidly influence avoidance behavior immediately after the onset of a stress situation. This insight may contribute to the development of effective treatments that can facilitate the management of acute stress-induced reactions or might even be able to alleviate acute stress-related conditions. The findings have recently been published in the eminent journal Nature Communications.
	Man on a mission to beat cancer Thirty years ago, Professor Richard Gilbertson pledged to implement a 15 per cent reduction in mortality from children's brain cancer. This is the story of what happened next.
	Study supports road map to saving lives through cardiac rehabilitation participation More than two million Americans experience some type of a cardiac event every year. Whether they've had a heart attack or coronary revascularization procedure, such as bypass surgery or coronary stent placement, doctors typically recommended these patients participate in Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) as outpatients. However, despite the proven benefits of increased longevity and reduced hospitalizations with CR, only 20 to 30 percent of eligible patients actually participate.
Stronger gun laws tied to decreased firearm homicides Stronger firearm laws are associated with reductions in firearm homicide rates, concludes a narrative review published in the November 14 issue of JAMA Internal Medicine.
Mostly meat, high protein diet linked to heart failure in older women Women over the age of 50 who follow a high-protein diet could be at higher risk for heart failure, especially if much of their protein comes from meat, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2016.
13-country precision trial looks at cardiovascular effects of anti-inflammatory drug use A 10-year trial involving osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients in 13 countries reveals new insights on the cardiovascular safety of widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and COX-2-specific inhibitors, according to new research findings to be presented on this week at the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting.
	How visual attention selects important information Researchers at Tohoku University have revealed multiple functions of visual attention, the process of selecting important information from retinal images.
Confidence influences eyewitness memory of crimes New University of Liverpool research has found that co-witnesses to a crime can contaminate each other's memory of who committed it, but that the likelihood of this contamination occurring depends upon their confidence.
Heater-cooler devices blamed for global Mycobacterium chimaera outbreak A global outbreak of Mycobacterium chimaera, an invasive, slow-growing bacterium, is linked to heater-cooler devices (HCD) used in cardiac surgery, according to a study published today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. This study adds interim guidance to recent field reports on the outbreak, providing precautionary recommendations to hospitals and health systems to reduce the risk of infections.
Researchers propose noninvasive method to detect bone marrow cancer For the first time, researchers have shown that using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can effectively identify bone marrow cancer (myelofibrosis) in an experimental model.
	Researchers find a better way to save eyesight in third-world countries Bacterial keratitis, an infection of the cornea often caused by contact lenses, malnutrition, or an injury, can lead to corneal scarring, one of the leading causes of blindness around the globe, according to the World Health Organization. It has blinded more than 400,000 children worldwide.
	Risk-taking behaviors tied to racial disparities in HIV in gay communities On the surface, data indicate that gay black men are 4.5 times as likely to have HIV, while white gay men are 16 times as likely than heterosexual men of their same race.
Neighborhood stressors associated with biological stress in kids in New Orleans Neighborhood stressors - the density of liquor or convenience stores, reports of domestic violence and rate of violent crime - were associated with signs of biological stress in a small study of black children in neighborhoods in the greater New Orleans area.
Homicide rates rise after introduction of 'Stand Your Ground' self-defense law A change in self-defence laws in Florida which gave citizens the right to use lethal force to protect themselves in public has been linked with the state's homicide rates going up by nearly a quarter, according to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Ensuring medical care is consistent with patient goals It can be challenging to determine whether the medical care provided in a hospital or nursing home is consistent with the preferences of the patient and family as indicated in the patient's advance planning documents.
	Cardiac PET/CT imaging effective in detecting calcium in arteries, reducing risks Many people who experience chest pain but don't have a heart attack breathe a big sigh of relief when a stress test comes back negative for blockages in their blood vessels.
Bariatric surgery may reduce heart failure risk Bariatric surgery and other treatments that cause substantial weight loss can significantly reduce the risk of heart failure in obese patients, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2016.
Statin use increases substantially in US, although use suboptimal in high-risk groups From 2002 to 2013, the use of statins increased substantially among U.S. adults, although use in high-risk groups remains suboptimal, and there are persistent disparities among women, racial/ethnic minorities, and the uninsured, according to a study published online by JAMA Cardiology. The study is being released to coincide with its presentation at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2016.
	Ability to recognize and recall odors may identify those at risk for Alzheimer's disease A non-invasive protocol testing the ability to recognize, remember and distinguish between odors was able to identify older individuals who - according to genetic, imaging and more detailed memory tests - were at increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The report of a study by a team of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators has been published online in Annals of Neurology.
	Companies pushing 'toddler milk' need oversight, experts warn Liquid-based nutritional supplements, originally formulated for malnourished or undernourished children, need more regulatory oversight as they are increasingly marketed to promote growth in children generally, warn researchers at Emory University.
	Long-sought genetic model of common infant leukemia described After nearly two decades of unsuccessful attempts, researchers from the University of Chicago Medicine and the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have created the first mouse model for the most common form of infant leukemia. Their discovery, published in the Nov. 14, 2016, issue of Cancer Cell, could hasten development and testing of new drug therapies.
Does a 'bad' apple spoil the bunch? Study shows how problem behaviors spread in siblings Siblings bear responsibility for the spread of problem behaviors. Adolescents with a delinquent brother or sister are more likely to misuse alcohol and other substances than those without a delinquent sibling. Identifying the exact nature of that influence has proven difficult, because behavior problems in siblings can also be traced to friends, shared genetics and shared experiences with parents. Evidence describing how problem behaviors spread between siblings and across domains has been scarce - until now.
Stress urinary incontinence drug's benefits do not outweigh harms A new study indicates that the benefits of duloxetine, a drug used in Europe to treat stress incontinence in women, do not outweigh the harms. The article is published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Using lung function tests to diagnose COPD can help patients and reduce health care costs Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) would benefit if pulmonary function testing was used more consistently to diagnose the condition, according to a study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal)
Researchers identify biomarker to speed diagnosis in brain and spinal cord inflammation Research from Mayo Clinic included in the November issue of JAMA Neurology identifies a new biomarker for brain and spinal cord inflammation, allowing for faster diagnosis and treatment of patients.
Study reports progress in preventing bleeding in atrial fibrillation A new study led by clinician-researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) testing the safety and effectiveness of anticoagulant strategies for patients with atrial fibrillation who undergo stenting procedures has shown that therapies combining the anticoagulant drug rivaroxaban with either single or dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT) were more effective in preventing bleeding complications than the current standard of care.
Noninvasive blood glucose monitoring device for people with diabetes in development People with diabetes are one step closer to more easily checking their blood glucose levels with a non-invasive device for detecting and monitoring blood glucose levels, which is currently in development. The hand-held breathalyzer device detects acetone, which has been linked to high blood glucose levels in the breath. The research is being presented at the 2016 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Annual Meeting and Exposition, the world's largest pharmaceutical sciences meeting. The meeting is taking place in Denver Nov. 13-17.
Poor sleep may increase risk for irregular heart rhythms Disruptions in sleep may be raising your risks of an irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation (AF), according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2016.
Teenage binge drinking can affect brain functions in future offspring Repeated binge drinking during adolescence can affect brain functions in future generations, potentially putting offspring at risk for such conditions as depression, anxiety, and metabolic disorders, a Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine study has found.
General surgery residents prefer flexible work hours for patient care, education CHICAGO (November 14, 2016): U.S. general surgery residents strongly prefer work hour policies that allow them the flexibility to work longer when needed to provide patient care over standard, more restrictive work schedules, according to results from a national survey conducted as part of the landmark Flexibility in Duty Hour Requirements for Surgical Trainees (FIRST) Trial. In fact, this preference for flexibility becomes even stronger as residents progress through their five years of training. The new analysis—a survey of more than 95 percent of the 3,700 surgeons in training who participated in the FIRST Trial—found that a striking 86 percent of surgical residents preferred flexible duty (work) hour policies over standard duty hours, or had no preference.
New study ties West Nile virus to risk of shorter life span West Nile virus may be much more deadly than previously believed, with deaths attributable to the mosquito-borne disease occurring not just in the immediate aftermath of the infection but also years later, long after patients seem to have recovered from the initial illness, according to a new study presented today at the 2016 Meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH).
	Depression on the rise among US teens, especially girls (HealthDay)—Depression is on the rise among American teens and young adults, with adolescent girls showing the greatest vulnerability, a new national survey reveals.
	Fewer American parents are spanking their kids (HealthDay)—Spanking and hitting children to discipline them has been on the decline among U.S. parents—rich and poor alike—since 1988, a new study finds.
	Celebrex may not pose bigger heart risk than similar drugs: study (HealthDay)—Some people taking the pain reliever Celebrex may not have a greater risk for heart problems than those taking other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a new study says.
	Tracking blood sugar in pregnancy might lower heart defect risk for baby (HealthDay)—Increases in a woman's blood sugar levels during early pregnancy may affect her baby's risk of congenital heart defects, a new study suggests.
	Some elderly with Alzheimer's brain plaques stay sharp (HealthDay)—In a discovery that challenges conventional thinking, researchers report that several people over the age of 90 had excellent memory even though their brains showed signs that they had Alzheimer's disease.
	Implantable continuous glucose monitoring system safe, accurate (HealthDay)—A new implantable continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system seems to be safe and accurate for diabetes, according to a study published online Nov. 4 in Diabetes Care.
	Oregon's hard-stop policy tied to drop in elective early delivery (HealthDay)—Introduction of the hard-stop policy in Oregon was associated with a reduction in elective early-term deliveries, according to a study published in the December issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Spinal manipulation Tx benefits older adults with neck pain (HealthDay)—For older adults with chronic mechanical neck pain, spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) plus home exercise and advice (HEA) results in better clinical outcomes and lower costs versus supervised rehabilitative exercise (SRE) plus HEA, according to a study published in the November issue of The Spine Journal.
	Efficacy of wet wrap therapy for atopic dermatitis undetermined (HealthDay)—Evidence that wet wrap therapy (WWT) is more effective than topical steroids for the treatment of atopic dermatitis is mixed, according to a review published online Nov. 8 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Injectable biologic therapy dramatically reduces triglycerides When an adult gets an annual physical, physicians commonly check the levels of fat cells, known as triglycerides, in their blood stream. Triglycerides are a type of fat, or lipid, which are consumed when you eat, and are normally stored in fat tissue to be used later as an energy source. However, some people accumulate fat in the blood that should otherwise be stored in the fat tissue, causing high triglycerides. Extremely high triglycerides can lead to inflammation of the pancreas - pancreatitis - and moderate elevations are associated with higher risk for heart disease such as atherosclerosis.
	Survey finds patients with RA their doctors not always on the same page A large global survey finds gaps in communication between doctors who treat rheumatoid arthritis and their patients, even though most physicians believe good communication and patient engagement are important to achieve the best outcomes.
Study shows bilingual lupus support and education program has positive impact A bilingual support group addressing the psychological and educational needs of patients with lupus and their families is a valuable resource to help them cope, according to a study at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS).
	Half of hospitalized atrial fibrillation patients don't receive critical medications When patients suffer from atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat, they are at considerably higher risk for blood clots and stroke. However, when hospitalized, half of these patients do not receive medications that could help prevent such complications, according to research being presented Nov. 14 at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.
	Sharp drop in blood pressure after Rx may be risky for some heart patients (HealthDay)—In some people with high blood pressure, too-steep drops in blood pressure after drug therapy may actually raise their risk of premature death, preliminary findings suggest.
The war on drugs has failed and doctors should lead calls for change, says BMJ The enforcement of prohibition - a ban on the production, supply, possession, and use of some drugs for non-medical purposes - causes huge harm, and doctors should lead calls for drug policy reform, argues The BMJ today.
	Buying experiences makes you more grateful, generous On Thanksgiving, many of us take a moment to reflect on what we're grateful for—and we get notable rewards for doing so. Feeling gratitude leads to important benefits, like increased happiness and social cohesion, better health outcomes, and even improved sleep quality.
Cholesterol lowering drugs cut risk of a first heart attack or stroke Cholesterol-lowering drugs help prevent heart attacks and strokes in adults with cardiovascular risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking, but have not yet had a heart attack or stroke, according to a large-scale analysis of clinical trial data led by the OHSU Pacific Northwest Evidence-Based Practice Center.
Elderly heart attack survivors rarely filled prescription smoking cessation medications Elderly smokers who were discharged from the hospital after having a heart attack rarely filled prescriptions for medications that might help them quit smoking, despite being counseled about the need to quit during their hospital stay, according to a preliminary study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2016.
Smoking a pack or more a day increases diabetes risks among blacks Smoking 20 or more cigarettes a day increases the risk of diabetes among blacks, according to a preliminary study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2016.
Most smartphone healthy diet applications fall short of recommended guidelines Most smartphone applications claiming to improve consumers' diet, nutrition or eating habits are not compliant with evidence-based scientific guidelines, according to a preliminary study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2016.
Personalized breast cancer program launches in Cambridge A new personalised breast cancer programme which will map patients' DNA and RNA to tailor treatment for individuals launches at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute.
Seeking halal contraception in Kenya's Muslim northeast Swaddled in colourful hijabs the women exchange puzzled looks and suppress embarrassed giggles. "You're sure it's halal?" asks one, peering at a collection of birth control pills, condoms and IUDs.
Global experts launch Lancet Countdown in response to climate change health crisis The Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change is being launched today (Monday 14th Nov) at the COP22 climate talks taking place in Morocco. An international, multi-disciplinary research initiative, it brings together leading experts to track and analyse the impacts of climate change on public health.
Long-term use of opioid patches common among persons with Alzheimer's disease Approximately seven per cent of persons with Alzheimer's disease use strong pain medicines, opioids, for non-cancer pain for a period longer than six months, according to a recent study conducted at the University of Eastern Finland. One third of people initiating opioid use became long-term users, and long-term use was heavily associated with transdermal opioid patches. The results were published in PAIN.
	Epilepsy self-monitoring app joins the NHS Innovation Accelerator programme An app designed and developed in the South West and which is benefiting the lives of thousands of people with epilepsy, EpSMon, is one of eight innovations to join the NHS Innovation Accelerator programme in its second year.
Enrollment completed for RE-DUAL PCI study of 2,700 atrial fibrillation patients The Baim Institute has announced that patient enrollment into the international Phase IIIb RE-DUAL PCI study is complete. The study evaluates the safety and efficacy of dabigatran etexilate in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients undergoing a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent placement. This is the first time that two dosages of a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) already approved for stroke prevention in AF are evaluated in a dual versus triple antithrombotic regimen after PCI.
30,000 chickens culled in Germany after bird flu detected German authorities say a flock of 30,000 chickens has been destroyed in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein after a strain of bird flu was detected in their enclosure.
New evidence finds mosquitoes could infect humans with Zika and chikungunya viruses at the same time Mosquitoes are capable of carrying Zika and chikungunya viruses simultaneously and can secrete enough in their saliva to potentially infect humans with both viruses in a single bite, according to new research presented today at the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH).
Scientists examine use of big data for infectious disease surveillance Big data derived from electronic health records, social media, the internet and other digital sources have the potential to provide more timely and detailed information on infectious disease threats or outbreaks than traditional surveillance methods. A team of scientists led by the National Institutes of Health reviewed the growing body of research on the subject and has published its analyses in a special issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases.
Immune cells identified as the culprit linking hypertension and dementia Hypertension is a leading risk factor for dementia and other disorders associated with cognitive decline. Blood flow to the brain is tightly controlled by several mechanisms that malfunction when blood pressure is abnormally high. Better understanding of how these mechanisms become disrupted in individuals with hypertension may help identify preventative therapies to reduce their risk of developing dementia.

Biology news

Competitive males are a blessing and a curse, study reveals Showy ornaments used by the male of the species in competition for mates, such as the long tail of a peacock or shaggy mane of a lion, could indicate a species' risk of decline in a changing climate, according to a new study from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).
	Plant scientists identify gene to combat crippling wheat disease A major breakthrough in the cloning of a resistance gene to eliminate wheat scab—a widespread disease responsible for drastic reductions in crop yield as well as millions of dollars in annual losses worldwide—has been achieved by a multi-institutional team of researchers including Nidhi Rawat, an assistant professor in the University of Maryland's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Michael O. Pumphrey, associate professor in Washington State University's Crop and Soil Sciences Department, who together performed most of the experimental work.
	Ancient gecko shines light on Australian desert origins Researchers have discovered an ancient species of gecko in the ranges of Central Australia which may shine new light on how and when Australia's deserts began to form millions of year ago.
	Heat shock regulator controlled by on/off switch and phosphorylation Whitehead Institute researchers have determined how the master transcriptional regulator of the heat shock response, known as heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), is activated and controlled. This insight could lead to treatments for cancer (where HSF1's activity is frequently hijacked) and neurodegenerative diseases (where its decreased activity may lead to the build-up of protein aggregates).
Cellular 'cannibalism' may be fundamental to development across evolution In living beings, from roundworms to humans, some cells may ball up unwanted contents on their surfaces for other cells to "eat." This is the finding of a study led by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center and published online November 14 in Nature Cell Biology.
	Checkmate for Castleman disease (Phys.org)—Dr. David Fajgenbaum is the founder of Castleman Disease Collaborative Network. Its goal is to organize patients with Castleman disease (CD), find an explanation for this rare and enigmatic immunological disorder that involves the immune system attacking vital organs, and beat it. As an orphan disease researcher at Penn, and a sufferer of CD himself, David's first-person, n-of-1 approach to a medical brick wall has emerged as the new, and only viable blueprint for moving the bar forward in real time.
	Not without my microbiome: Legume-rhizobia symbiosis influences bacterial community in plant roots Some plants can meet their nitrogen requirements by obtaining it from the atmosphere. To do this, they use bacteria in their roots, with which they establish a symbiotic relationship. Paul Schulze-Lefert's Research Group at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne and Simona Radutoiu from Aarhus University in Denmark have investigated the microbial communities in and around the roots of these plants. They discovered that the absence of legume-rhizobia symbiosis causes drastic changes in the composition of the microbial communities present in the root. These changes also remain stable under conditions that prevent the formation of any nodules because the plant obtains sufficient bound nitrogen from the soil. A set of genes in the host plant is necessary to establish a functioning symbiosis and the same genes are needed to form extraordinarily stable and characteristic microbial communities in the nodules, root and area around the root. Thus, these plant genes have a direct influence on the composition of the root microbiome.
	Which genes are crucial for the energy metabolism of Archaea? A research team led by Christa Schleper from the University of Vienna succeeded in isolating the first ammonia-oxidizing archaeon from soil: Nitrososphaera viennensis—the 'spherical ammonia oxidizer from Vienna.' In the current issue of the journal PNAS, the scientists present new results: they were able to detect all proteins that are active during ammonia oxidation—another important piece of the puzzle for the elucidation of the energy metabolism of Archaea.
	Underwater video reveals culprits behind disappearance of NSW kelp forests Seaweed-eating fish are becoming increasingly voracious as the ocean warms due to climate change and are responsible for the recent destruction of kelp forests off the NSW north coast near Coffs Harbour, research shows.
	Biologists give bacteria thermostat controls A new helper in the fight against cancer and other diseases of the gut may be genetically altered bacteria that release medicines to tumors or the gut.
	Scientists discover how protein senses touch A new study led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) reveals that a protein first discovered at TSRI in 2010 is directly responsible for sensing touch.
Small and extremely resilient—the secrets of black fungi Highly resistant to stresses, black fungi are real champions among microorganisms. With the support of the Austrian Science Fund FWF, a research team in Vienna discovered that the fungi owe their qualities to hitherto unknown proteins and special processes at cellular level.
	No need to fertilize, for increase in seed size" Plant biologists at ITbM have made a key discovery that the contents in pollen tubes alone can increase the size of seeds, without the need for fertilization. This finding may be useful in developing crops, which can develop seeds under unfavorable environmental conditions where fertilization does not readily occur.
Soy protein-based seed coating acts as biostimulant Cornell researchers have found a new green source that shows promise as a seed coating. Soy flour was tested as a component of a seed coating blend with broccoli seedlings, and results showed multiple benefits to plant growth and nutrition. The work was a collaboration between green materials scientists and seed technologists.
	Argentina to exterminate 100,000 ravenous beavers Argentina will cull 100,000 beavers which are devastating southern woodlands by gnawing down huge trees, officials said Monday.
	EU backs deep-sea shark hunt quota for scientists EU countries on Monday approved the capture of a set quota of deep-sea sharks, to allow scientists to better understand how many of the species are left.

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