Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Nov 9

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for November 9, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Taking statistics to the quantum domain

Impostor planet exposed by astronomers

Scientists restore leg movement in paralyzed primates using wireless neural interface

Chimpanzee males court friends in high places

Original dinosaur claw sheath proteins preserved for 75 million years

Engineers develop invisibility cloak for high-tech processing chips

Sculpting solar systems: SPHERE instrument reveals protoplanetary discs being shaped by newborn planets

Changing views of evolutionary factors at work on earliest mammals

Female chimpanzees employ babysitters to wean young faster

Ninety-percent of proposed Canadian hydroelectric projects may expose local indigenous communities to methylmercury

Making artificial 'cells' move like real cells

Exploring the trade-off between quality and fairness in human partner choice

Brazilian free-tailed bat is the fastest flyer in the animal kingdom

Emissions trading would be more effective than mileage standards, new study shows

Scientists probe underground depths of Earth's carbon cycle

Astronomy & Space news

	Impostor planet exposed by astronomers (Phys.org)—Don't be fooled by its light curve exhibiting anomalies like those caused by planets—one microlensing event with a fancy name OGLE-2016-BLG-0733 is doing a really good job of mimicking an extrasolar world. This case of a binary-source event masquerading as a planet could have further implications for the search of exoplanets using the gravitational microlensing method.
	Sculpting solar systems: SPHERE instrument reveals protoplanetary discs being shaped by newborn planets Sharp new observations have revealed striking features in planet-forming discs around young stars. The SPHERE instrument, mounted on ESO's Very Large Telescope, has made it possible to observe the complex dynamics of young solar systems. The recently published results from three teams of astronomers showcase SPHERE's impressive capability to capture the way planets sculpt the discs that form them—exposing the complexities of the environment in which new worlds are formed.
	Why all the super-buzz about the supermoon? A beautiful full moon will grace our skies on Monday November 14 this year. Full moons always rise around sunset, so look for it towards the east during evening twilight.
	Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is much younger than previously thought Based on computer simulations, astrophysicists at the University of Bern, Switzerland, conclude that the comet Chury did not obtain its duck-like form during the formation of our solar system 4.5 billion years ago. Although it does contain primordial material, they are able to show that the comet in its present form is hardly more than a billion years old.
	Markarian 1018: Starvation diet for black hole dims brilliant galaxy Astronomers may have solved the mystery of the peculiar volatile behavior of a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy. Combined data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and other observatories suggest that the black hole is no longer being fed enough fuel to make its surroundings shine brightly.
	Four Galileo satellites headed to orbit on a single Ariane 5 rocket This month, a single Ariane 5 rocket is set to propel four Galileo satellites into orbit for the navigation constellation's first-ever quadruple launch. Mission controllers are training intensively for the complex space delivery.
	SpaceX aims for mid-December Falcon 9 launch resumption, says Musk Hoping to recover quickly after suffering a calamitous launch pad explosion of their Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canaveral some two months ago, SpaceX is aiming to resume launches of the booster in mid-December, said company founder and CEO Elon Musk in a recent televised interview on Nov. 4.
	What are Magellanic clouds? Since ancient times, human beings have been staring at the night sky and been amazed by the celestial objects looking back at them. Whereas these objects were once thought to be divine in nature, and later mistaken for comets or other astrological phenomena, ongoing observation and improvements in instrumentation have led to these objects being identified for what they are.
	What are active galactic nuclei? In the 1970s, astronomers became aware of a compact radio source at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy – which they named Sagittarius A. After many decades of observation and mounting evidence, it was theorized that the source of these radio emissions was in fact a supermassive black hole (SMBH). Since that time, astronomers have come to theorize that SMBHs at the heart of every large galaxy in the Universe.

Technology news

	Tasting and chewing explored in virtual reality (Tech Xplore)—Virtual reality technology has you thinking you are doing many things, but there is much uncharted territory in eating virtually.
	GoPro recalls new Karma drone GoPro announced the recall of all Karma drones sold since sales launched last month.
	Giant machine shows how a computer works A giant, fully operational 16-bit computer that aims to demystify the strange and seemingly magical mechanisms of computation has been built by students and staff from the University of Bristol.
	4chan raids—how one dark corner of the internet is spreading its shadows The internet is full of dark places. There are websites where people gather to share illegal images, buy illicit drugs and air offensive opinions that wouldn't be tolerated on most mainstream sites. But just as the memes and jokes that originate on forums such as 4chan spread to the wider internet, the hatred expressed there doesn't stay put either.
	How Twitter bots affected the US presidential campaign Key to democracy is public engagement – when people discuss the issues of the day with each other openly, honestly and without outside influence. But what happens when large numbers of participants in that conversation are biased robots created by unseen groups with unknown agendas? As my research has found, that's what has happened this election season.
	Advertising is driving social media-fuelled fake news and it is here to stay The rise of fake news, once only the preserve of certain types of tabloids has now become a dominant feature of social media and a subject of major concern for mainstream media.
	Wave energy device successfully deployed at BiMEP site The final section of a sophisticated wave energy device has been successfully installed by a collaborative research team in the Bay of Biscay, on the northern coast of Spain.
	Using the X-Box Kinect as a sensor to conduct centrifuge research To gaming enthusiasts, the Kinect is Microsoft's motion sensor add-on for the Xbox 360 gaming console. The device provides a natural user interface that allows users to interact intuitively and without any intermediary device, such as a controller. Now, a team of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers have used the device to replace expensive sensors on its geotechnical centrifuge to better (and more economically) understand how levees fail when overtopped by large floods. The interdisciplinary project, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), focused on soil erosion, levees, and flood protection systems.
	This election was not hacked – but it was attacked The presidential campaign of 2016 thankfully – and we can only hope officially – ended this evening. As of when this article was posted, there are no reports of widespread cyberattacks or other digital interference against state voting systems. Of course, since votes are still being tallied, we're not in the clear yet. But current indications are that this was a fairly uneventful election, from a cybersecurity perspective at least.
	Dyke inspection robot with an innovative powertrain Future robots that continuously inspect our dykes, don't come across an electrical charging station every few hours. Using a smart gear box for the robot, UT researcher Douwe Dresscher manages to drastically reduce the energy consumption. The energy-autonomous robot comes closer.
	Power-to-liquid—pilot operation of first compact plant Demand-driven production of liquid fuels from regenerative energy sources is a major element of the energy turnaround. Production of synthetic fuels from solar energy and carbon dioxide extracted from air is the objective of the SOLETAIR project started now by INERATEC, a spinoff of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), in cooperation with Finnish partners. Together, the partners plan to take into operation the first chemical pilot plant worldwide. It is so compact that it fits into a ship container and produces gasoline, diesel, and kerosene from regenerative hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
	Apple out of touch with both fans and average consumers Apple is looking more and more like it's lost its way. Revenue and earnings are falling. Sales of all its major products are in decline. Numerous individual products are getting long in the tooth, waiting years for updates. Even for products that are getting refreshed, the updates are underwhelming.
	Review: Google's entry into smartphone design has some very cool features I always thought Google was missing out on a great opportunity in not having its own phone to take advantage of its Android operating system.
Amazon looks to clean house— literally Is Amazon.com thinking of providing good housekeeping as its next Prime member perk?
Hackers might be a pain, but we need them, expert says Sure, they might take your credit card information, stop you from watching Netflix and figure a way to use any key fob to access your car, but don't think too poorly of hackers.
Drowning in a sea of messaging apps We've got too many ways to talk digitally. WhatsApp, HipChat, Slack, Facebook Messenger and more.
Blizzard wants to create 'Overwatch' league with city-specific video game fans Blizzard Entertainment pioneered e-sports with its "Starcraft" franchise more than a decade ago.
	Accelerating cancer research with deep learning Despite steady progress in detection and treatment in recent decades, cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States, cutting short the lives of approximately 500,000 people each year.
	Tinder world swiped for Clinton—except Russia Tinder users worldwide looking for their perfect political match swooned by and large for Hillary Clinton—all except for the Russians.
	Twitter chief operating officer flying the coop Just weeks after reporting job cuts and a disappointing fiscal quarter, Twitter announced Wednesday that chief operating officer Adam Bain is leaving the company.
	Line sticks to the global shadows despite splashy IPO It staged one of the year's biggest IPOs but messaging app Line, while a huge draw among teens in Asia, says it has no big ambitions to take on Western giants such as Facebook on their home turf.

Medicine & Health news

	Scientists restore leg movement in paralyzed primates using wireless neural interface An international team of scientists has used a wireless "brain-spinal interface" to bypass spinal cord injuries in a pair of rhesus macaques, restoring intentional walking movement to a temporarily paralyzed leg. The researchers, who describe their work in the journal Nature, say this is the first time a neural prosthetic has been used to restore walking movement directly to the legs of nonhuman primates.
	Study finds PCBs disrupt pregnancy PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and other environmental toxicants can disrupt the reproductive cycle in women, according to a new long-term study led by UAlbany researchers.
	Mammalian bone gene may be repurposed to fuel cognition in humans A gene that regulates bone growth and muscle metabolism in mammals may take on an additional role as a promoter of brain maturation, cognition and learning in human and nonhuman prim ates, according to a new study led by neurobiologists at Harvard Medical School.
	New therapeutic vaccine approach holds promise for HIV remission A study led by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), in collaboration with scientists at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), Janssen Vaccines & Prevention B.V., one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and Gilead Sciences, Inc., has demonstrated that combining an experimental vaccine with an innate immune stimulant may help lead to viral remission in people living with HIV. In animal trials, the combination decreased levels of viral DNA in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, and improved viral suppression and delayed viral rebound following discontinuation of anti-retroviral therapy (ART). The research team's findings appeared online today in the journal Nature.
	DNA sequencing determines lymphoma origin, prognosis Sequencing tiny bits of DNA circulating in the blood of patients with lymphoma can accurately identify the cancer subtype and pinpoint mutations that might cause drug resistance, according to researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
	New study points to a possible cause of many preterm births The discovery that small calcium deposits in fetal membranes may lead to a mother's water breaking prematurely suggests that dietary or other interventions could prevent those preterm births.
	Will unanticipated genetic mutations lead to subsequent disease? A study published Nov. 9 in the journal Science Translational Medicine is the first to show that mutations in certain cancer and cardiovascular genes put individuals at an increased risk for dominantly inherited, actionable conditions, regardless of family medical history. The study, carried out in two separate populations of African-Americans and European-Americans, finds that individuals carrying these mutations are at about four and six times the risk of developing one of these cancer or cardiac syndromes, respectively. The new work, led by Robert C. Green, MD, MPH, of Brigham and Women's Hospital, Broad Institute and Harvard Medical School, has important implications for the use of genomic sequencing as a future clinical screening tool.
	Study shows people who aren't moved by music have less functional connectivity between some brain regions (Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers from Spain and Canada has found evidence that suggests people who are not emotionally moved by music have less connectivity between the regions in the brain responsible for processing sounds and those involved in managing emotions. They have published their results in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	Researchers discover new regulator in glucose metabolism A key genetic switch in the liver regulates glucose metabolism and insulin action in other organs of the body. Researchers of Helmholtz Zentrum München, in collaboration with colleagues of the Heidelberg University Hospital, Technische Universität München and the Medical Faculty of the University of Leipzig, have now reported these findings in the journal Nature Communications.
	Study links shorter sleep and sugar-sweetened drink consumption People who sleep five or fewer hours a night are likely to also drink significantly more sugary caffeinated drinks, such as sodas and energy drinks, according to a new study of more than 18,000 adults led by UC San Francisco scientists.
	Scientists uncover mechanism that controls feeding behavior in mice A team of scientists has discovered a mechanism that controls feeding behavior in mice by regulating the electrical activity of a few thousand brain cells. The researchers, from Baylor College of Medicine, South China Agricultural University, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, published their results in Cell Reports.
	First month after infection is key time to tackle drug-related HIV spread Data from the mid-1990s AIDS epidemic in Russia and Ukraine shows that the first month after infection is the key period to control the spread of the virus in drug-using populations, according to a new study by researchers at Oxford University. Crucially, needle exchange programmes and other 'harm reduction' approaches are the only measures that can target transmissions that happen within the first month.
Dementia diagnosis delayed by complex referral criteria Complex and time-consuming memory clinic referral criteria are contributing to delays in the diagnosis of dementia, according to a paper published today by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. Around 850,000 people are living with dementia in the UK but the number thought to have dementia substantially exceeds those with a formal diagnosis. Early diagnosis is a priority for the government and the NHS.
Researcher finds key to drug resistant bowel cancer Blocking a molecule could bypass bowel cancer's defence against the drug cetuximab, according to new research presented at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference in Liverpool.
Marker for aggressive prostate cancer doubles up as a drug target Researchers have discovered that a marker found on aggressive prostate cancer cells could also be used as a way to guide treatments to the cancer, according to new research presented at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference in Liverpool.
Giving more pregnant women common thyroid medicine may reduce risk of complications Extending the number of pregnant women given the common drug levothyroxine to boost thyroid hormone levels may lead to a reduced number of stillbirths, early caesarean sections and low-weight babies, according to a new study presented today at the Society for Endocrinology annual conference in Brighton.
Research examines country and health system factors on RN and MD personnel production A key component to achieving good patient outcomes in the healthcare world is having the right number and type of healthcare professionals with the right resources. While this may seem like a simple, obvious concept, it is still a large problem for many countries throughout the world. Social and political determinants impact how healthcare resources such as direct funding, national educational priorities, societal normative gender role assignment, and other factors all contribute to patient outcomes in varying degrees.
Who has the better memory—men or women? In the battle of the sexes, women have long claimed that they can remember things better and longer than men can. A new study proves that middle-aged women outperform age-matched men on all memory measures, although memory does decline as women enter postmenopause. The study is being published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS).
'Zika can break out anywhere,' warns Brazilian doctor The Brazilian doctor who first linked the Zika virus to brain damage in babies warns that rich countries are not safe from the disease, urging them to increase research funding.
Rising suicide toll rings alarm bells in Tunisia Six years since a young Tunisian stallholder set himself on fire, triggering revolutions across the Arab world, his country's suicide rate is surging over economic and social woes, experts say.
	Increased smartphone screen-time associated with lower sleep quality Exposure to smartphone screens is associated with lower sleep quality, according to a study published November 9, 2016 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Matthew Christensen from the University of California, San Francisco, USA, and colleagues.
	Self-harm a cause of death during pregnancy and for new moms (HealthDay)—In the past decade, "self-harm" has been the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in Colorado, a new study finds.
	Friendly competition on social media may get you to the gym (HealthDay)—Social media can be a powerful motivating tool. But if your goal is to get to the gym more often, competition beats friendly support on social networking sites, a new study contends.
	Isolated chorionic bump tied to fetal aneuploidy (HealthDay)—In high-risk fetuses, sonographically isolated chorionic bumps are associated with fetal aneuploidy, according to a study published online Nov. 3 in the Journal of Clinical Ultrasound.
Researchers find that even mild pulmonary complications after surgery can pose major risks Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, along with seven other major institutions, have found that even mild postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are significantly associated with increased death within the first week after surgery.
Using clinical features to identify patients at high risk for melanoma Can an individual's risk factors for melanoma be used to tailor skin self-examinations and surveillance programs? A new study published online by JAMA Dermatology suggests they could by identifying those patients at higher risk who may benefit from increased surveillance.
High-intensity statins linked to better survival rates of cardiovascular patients A large national study has confirmed the value of high-intensity statin treatments for people with cardiovascular disease, according to researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
	Antimicrobial resistance—a new perspective on managing a crisis Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognised as a global health crisis far surpassing outbreaks of single diseases such as Ebola and HIV and, arguably, on a par with climate change. Despite this the management of AMR has largely failed to stop or decrease the incidence of AMR in previously manageable diseases. Now, with Antimicrobial Awareness Week approaching, scientists from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and La Trobe University are offering a new perspective they hope will lead to the characterisation of AMR as an ecological disease that can be defined and tested and thus monitored in a different way.
	New approach needed on drugs, say bodybuilders Prohibition is failing to curb recreational bodybuilders' use of performance and image-enhancing drugs, and the policy is sexist and causes harm, according to participants in a first-of-its-kind University of Queensland study.
	For men, heavy drinking can get you killed Alcohol abuse can take a serious toll on your health, from cirrhosis of the liver to an increased risk for certain types of cancers. But for men between 25 and 54, it can also lead to a violent death.
Behavior of Alzheimer's-linked protein is revealed Enzymes called kinases manage a wide range of cell processes, from metabolism, cell signaling, nutrient transport, and many others. Because they can affect so many different cell activities, kinases are tightly regulated within cells to make sure that the enzymes only act when necessary. Improperly activated kinases are linked to illnesses such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease. A group of scientists from VIB, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) led by Prof. Tom Lenaerts (VUB-ULB) and prof. Nico van Nuland (VIB-VUB) has uncovered a new mechanism for controlling the activation of a kinase implicated in Alzheimer's disease, generating novel insights into how to control this protein's activity.
Researchers reveal how neurodegenerative diseases spread through the brain Synapses, the place where brain cells contact one another, play a pivotal role in the transmission of toxic proteins. This allows neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's to spread through the brain. This the main conclusion of new research led by professor Patrik Verstreken (VIB-KU Leuven), in collaboration with Janssen Research & Development (Johnson & Johnson). If the spreading of these toxic proteins could be prevented, the progression of neurodegenerative diseases might be slowed down substantially. The research paper is published in the leading trade journal Cell Reports.
Blood test may help identify fetal alcohol spectrum disorders Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, Texas A&M College of Medicine and the Omni-Net Birth Defects Prevention Program in Ukraine have identified a blood test that may help predict how severely a baby will be affected by alcohol exposure during pregnancy, according to a study published November 9 in the journal PLOS ONE.
	Researchers engineer instrument that replicates cigarette smoke's impact on human airways While it is well known that cigarette smoking is a major cause of lung disease, and a key exacerbating factor for patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it has not been possible to effectively model its deleterious effects on human lungs under normal breathing conditions.
	Object that appears to be bigger 'feels' less heavy The 'Müller-Lyer illusion' is not a phenomenon that sounds familiar to many people. However, most of us have seen the image of two arrow-like lines, one with normal arrowheads at each end and the second with inverted arrows at each end. The line with the inverted arrows appears to be longer. This is an optical illusion that the German psychologist Franz Müller-Lyer described a century ago. Veni researcher Myrthe Plaisier (VU Amsterdam) and her colleagues discovered that if you allow study subjects to lift two identical brass bars with ordinary and 'inverted' cardboard arrows attached to their ends, they then think that one object is not only longer but also lighter than the other. And that is a new discovery. The article 'How Heavy Is an Illusory Length?' was published in the online magazine i-Perception.
Growth in SNAP retailers followed enrollment spike during recession Increased enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Georgia contributed to the growth of grocery retailers at all levels from 2007 to 2014.
Urinary incontinence is common also in women who have not given birth Women who have not given birth often end up under the radar for research on urinary incontinence. In a study of this group, however, one in five women over 45 years say they experience this type of incontinence.
	Microscopic sensor for more precise radiology treatments A team of Norwegian, French and Australian researchers is the first in the world to succeed in quantifying the effects of radiation on individual cancer cells. This means that radiation therapies can now be tailored to individual tumours and thus be more effective.
Excessive BMI increase during puberty identified as a new risk factor for mortality due to cardiovascular disease Boys with a large increase in body mass index (BMI) during puberty are at increased risk of death due to cardiovascular disease later in life. There is no corresponding risk among boys overweight when younger and who have normal weight during adolescence, according to a study from Sahlgrenska Academy.
	A counterintuitive approach to fighting cancer When you're under attack, you fight back. You gather your troops and attack the invading enemy, hoping to wound and defeat them, while supporting and treating your own injured soldiers. It's common sense.
	Experimental drug delivers one-two punch to prostate cancer cells An experimental drug that targets abnormally high levels of a protein linked to cancer growth appears to significantly reduce the proliferation of prostate cancer cells in laboratory cell cultures and animals, while also making these cells considerably more vulnerable to radiation, according to results of a study led by Johns Hopkins scientists.
	Ketofol an alternative deep sedative Australian emergency medicine researchers have successfully trialled an alternative deep sedative for patients in the emergency department.
	Alzheimer's disease found to be a diabetic disorder of the brain Researchers at Tohoku University have found a promising treatment for Alzheimer's disease, by noticing a similarity in the way insulin signaling works in the brain and in the pancreas of diabetic patients.
Elucidating sex differences in Alzheimer's disease risk Women have a two-fold higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than men, yet strikingly little is known about how changes in brain function promote this difference—and how early in midlife those changes can be detected. Now, in a population-based study involving more than 200 healthy women and men ages 47 to 55, a team of researchers led by the Brigham and Women's Hospital reveals specific changes in memory function that correspond to sex and menopausal stage, rather than chronological age. The work implicates key areas of the brain that are vulnerable to age-related decline and highlights the importance of ovarian hormones in maintaining memory function.
	Healthy living equals better brain function It should be obvious that those with greater self-control live a healthier lifestyle. After all, it takes self-control to exercise before work, or forego fried food for kale.
	Full detonation in the hippocampus Altering synaptic plasticity leads to a computational switch in a hippocampal synapse: the presynaptic neuron turns into 'detonator' mode, causing its postsynaptic partner to fire more readily. This new insight into information processing in the brain by Nicholas Vyleta, previously a postdoc at IST Austria and now at Oregon Health and Science University, Carolina Borges-Merjane, postdoc at IST Austria, and Peter Jonas, professor at IST Austria, was published in the open-access journal eLife on Oct. 25.
New pathway towards treatments for inflammatory diseases A molecule thought to play a key role in some inflammatory diseases can be switched off by two widely used medicines, new research has shown.
	Nursing research identifies predictors of depression among women with diabetes Study shows almost 1 in 5 women with diabetes also suffer from depression; younger age, poor health, not completing high school, inactivity due to pain or poor health were all women-specific predictors of comorbid depression
	New findings on physical activity could shape treatment for mild Alzheimer's disease For older adults, physical activity is apt to shield against cognitive decline and forms of dementia such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Yet, as people age and some experience cognitive impairment, they tend to become less physically active.
Penn program trains librarians to improve public health and welfare Libraries are uniquely positioned to address public health needs in underserved populations, according to findings from a study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and the Free Library of Philadelphia in this month's issue of Health Affairs. The research team then took these findings a step further, developing a pilot program to train library staff into "community health specialists."
	New research shows promise for immunotherapy as HIV treatment Immunotherapy has revolutionized treatment options in oncology, neurology, and many infectious diseases and now there is fresh hope that the same method could be used to treat or functionally cure HIV, according to two related studies from Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Expensive new cancer drugs have little effect on survival of many cancers Despite considerable investment and innovation, new cancer drugs approved in the past 10 years may have little effect on survival in adults with cancer, raising a number of concerns, argues an expert in The BMJ today.
	Scientists develop computer models to predict cancer cell network activity A multi-institution academic-industrial partnership of researchers led by Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has developed a new method to broadly assess cell communication networks and identify disease-specific network anomalies. The computer-based method, called InFlo, was developed in collaboration with researchers at Philips and Princeton University and predicts how cells send signals across networks to cause cancer or other disease. Details about the new method were recently published in Oncogene.
	Meta-analysis links increased BMI, hand osteoarthritis (HealthDay)—Increased body mass index may have a moderate effect on hand arthritis, according to a meta-analysis published recently in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
	Multiple dysplastic lesions in esophagus up risk of SCC (HealthDay)—Patients with multiple areas of dysplastic squamous epithelium have increased risk for metachronous squamous cell carcinomas in the upper aerodigestive tract, according to a study published in the November issue of Gastroenterology.
	Macrophage COX-2 prevents diabetic nephropathy progression (HealthDay)—Macrophage cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) deletion is associated with progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN), according to an experimental study published online Nov. 4 issue of Diabetes.
	Naproxen sodium doesn't reduce pain with IUD insertion (HealthDay)—For patients undergoing intrauterine device (IUD) insertion, oral naproxen sodium does not reduce pain on insertion, but does reduce pain after insertion, according to a study published in the December issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Recommendations developed for lymphangioleiomyomatosis (HealthDay)—In a Clinical Practice Guideline published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, evidence-based recommendations are presented for the diagnosis and management of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM).
	Anakinra cuts risk of recurrence in recurrent pericarditis (HealthDay)—Use of anakinra reduces the risk of recurrence of pericarditis among patients with recurrent pericarditis with colchicine resistance and corticosteroid dependence, according to a study published in the Nov. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
	Report of recurrent immune thrombocytopenia after flu shot (HealthDay)—In a report published online Nov. 8 in Pediatrics, authors present the case of recurrent immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) after influenza vaccination.
3-D imaging improves breast cancer screening What if breast cancers could be found earlier, lumps seen more clearly or the number of callbacks reduced? Three-dimensional breast imaging technology can do just that by increasing the accuracy of breast cancer screening exams.
Did gender bias derail a potential birth control option for men? Who's in charge of preventing pregnancy?
Surgical options after a cancer diagnosis in one breast Dear Mayo Clinic: My daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer at 54 and had surgery to remove one breast. Her surgeon told her that it wasn't necessary to remove both breasts, because she was not at high risk for developing cancer on the other side. How can that be true? Isn't a recurrence likely if she still has breast tissue on the other side?
Italian oncologist seen as a father of cancer research dies Umberto Veronesi, an Italian oncologist, former health minister and senator widely respected for his work on preventing and treating breast cancer, has died, his foundation said. He was 90.
	Licorice compound interferes with sex hormones in ovary, study finds A study of mouse reproductive tissues finds that exposure to isoliquiritigenin, a compound found in licorice, disrupts steroid sex hormone production in the ovary, researchers report. This is the first study to examine the effects of this chemical on the ovary.
	California, Massachusetts approve recreational marijuana The marijuana legalization movement scored its biggest victory yet Tuesday as voters in California, Massachusetts and Nevada approved recreational pot, making the drug fully legal in the nation's most populous state and giving it a toehold in the densely populated Northeast.
	Australian law needs a refresher on the science of HIV transmission Being diagnosed with HIV is a confronting experience.
	Researchers describe bone marrow stem cell population with potential for repeat transplantation A new study demonstrates that non-blood cell forming stem cells present in human bone marrow play an important role in maintaining the hematopoietic microenvironment, and these stromal cells appear to retain full self-renewal potential after primary and secondary transplantations, according to an article published in Stem Cells and Development.

Biology news

	Chimpanzee males court friends in high places In the world of chimpanzees, being the alpha male definitely has its benefits and, as with humans, it's good to have powerful friends.
	Female chimpanzees employ babysitters to wean young faster A babysitter can make a big difference in a parent's life. For wild chimps in Uganda, it may even mean that mothers can wean their infants faster, which can allow them to reproduce again more quickly.
	Brazilian free-tailed bat is the fastest flyer in the animal kingdom Up to now, the speed record for horizontal flight was held by birds from the swift family: the common swift, for example, can reach speeds of over 100 kilometres per hour. Together with colleagues from the USA, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Radolfzell have now discovered a new front-runner among the acrobats of the air. However, the animal involved here is not a bird but a bat: the Brazilian free-tailed bat shoots through the night skies at over 160 kilometres per hour. Their aerodynamic body shape and longer than average wings compared to other bat species enable them to reach such vast speeds.
	Remote sensing data reveals hundreds more species at risk of extinction A new Duke University-led study finds that more than 200 bird species in six rapidly developing regions are at risk of extinction despite not being included on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
	Predatory bacteria offer potential solution to drug resistance problem For the first time ever, scientists have used predatory bacteria to kill pneumonia in a rat animal model. The research, published online in mBio, provides evidence that predatory bacteria can be used as a therapeutic, offering a possible solution to the rise of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
	DNA analysis of ancient teeth shows dogs gained ability to digest starches at the same time as humans (Phys.org)—A team of researchers from France, Sweden and Romania has found genetic evidence that indicates that domesticated dogs developed an ability to digest starch during the same time period as humans. In their paper published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the team describes how they conducted a DNA analysis of ancient dog teeth and other bones and what they found by doing so.
	Narwhal echolocation beams may be the most directional of any species Analysis of some of the first recordings of wintering narwhals showed that they may have the most directional sonar of any species, according to a study published November 9, 2016 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Jens Koblitz from Bioacoustics Network, Germany, and colleagues.
	Focus on quiescent cells brings to light the essential role of RNA interference in transcription control Some cells just don't get the respect they deserve. In fact, most cells don't. Over 99 percent of the innumerable cells on our planet exist in a state of quiescence. Pick up a handful of soil: it contains thousands of microorganisms, almost every one of which would not grow if you placed it in a culture dish. These cells are metabolically active—yes, alive—but they are not dividing. And they will remain in a reproductively "quiet" state unless stimulated under specific conditions to re-enter the cell cycle and gear up to divide once again.
	What makes Francisella such a bad actor? Scientists are gaining an insider's look behind the notorious infectivity of Francisella tularensis. This bacterium is an equal opportunity pathogen. It causes the disease tularemia in humans, rabbits and rodents, among others.
	The golden drool: Study finds treasure trove of info in saliva of foraging bears The rivers and streams of Alaska are littered in the summer and fall with carcasses of tens of thousands of salmon that not only provide a smorgasbord for hungry brown bears but are also the newest database in the arsenal of wildlife biologists.
	CT scans reveal birds' built-in air conditioners Birds' beaks come in an incredible range of shapes and sizes, adapted for survival in environments around the world. But as a new study from The Auk: Ornithological Advances reveals, there's even more to bird beaks than meets the eye—the insides of birds' bills are filled with complex structures that help them meet the demands of hot climates.
	The process of DNA packaging in cell nucleus revealed Scientists from the Lomonosov Moscow State University in collaboration with their colleagues from the U.S. have conducted a study on DNA packaging in the cell nucleus and its alteration in the process of DNA replication. DNA packaging is supposed to have strong influence on genes' activity. It's also one of the mechanisms of epigenetic control of gene expression.
Visitors to countryside not attracted by conservation importance Countryside visitors choose where to go based on the presence of features such as coastline, woodland or abundant footpaths, rather than a site's importance to conservation, according to new research.
	Penguin fight—understanding animal contest behaviour in five easy steps Have you seen the captivating footage (below) of fighting penguins that went viral recently? Or perhaps you caught the epic battle between two Komodo dragons in the BBC's new Planet Earth II documentary. Wildlife documentaries often feature this kind of animal contest behaviour. The National Geographic Channel that captured the penguin footage even produces a whole series dedicated to animal fights.
Personality tests for fish could boost reproduction rates Aquaculture experts from the University of Stirling and the Institute for Food and Agricultural Research and Technology (IRTA) in Catalonia, have found the way fish, Senegalese sole, cope with stress is determined by their personality and remains consistent regardless of the situation they are in.
	Lack of plasmodium surface-protein blocks mosquito infection A previously unknown feature of the malaria parasite development has just been published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe.

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