Fwd: Science X Newsletter Monday, Mar 16

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From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Tue, Mar 17, 2015 at 1:49 AM
Subject: Science X Newsletter Monday, Mar 16
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>

Dear Pascal Alter,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 16, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Half-millimeter-thick battery could be worn in a wrinkle-smoothing patch
- Successful in vivo test of breakthrough Staphylococcus aureus vaccine
- Researchers change human leukemia cells into harmless immune cells
- New clues from the dawn of the solar system
- A second minor planet may possess Saturn-like rings
- Second natural quasicrystal found in 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite
- Colorful life-form catalog will help discern if we are alone
- Uncovering the secrets of super solar power perovskites
- Moral decisions can be manipulated by eye tracking
- Frequency of tornadoes, hail linked to El Nino, La Nina
- Confirming Einstein, scientists find 'spacetime foam' not slowing down photons from faraway gamma-ray burst (Update)
- Symmetry matters in graphene growth
- Cyborg beetle research allows free-flight study of insects
- Molecular ruler sets bacterial needle length
- Materials theory combines strength, stiffness and toughness of composites into a single design map

Astronomy & Space news

	Colorful life-form catalog will help discern if we are alone While looking for life on planets beyond our own solar system, a group of international scientists has created a colorful catalog containing reflection signatures of Earth life forms that might be found on planet surfaces throughout the cosmic hinterlands. The new database and research, published in the March 16 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, gives humans a better chance to learn if we are not alone.
	New clues from the dawn of the solar system A research group in the UA Lunar and Planetary Laboratory has found evidence in meteorites that hint at the discovery of a previously unknown region within the swirling disk of dust and gas known as the protoplanetary disk - which gave rise to the planets in our solar system.
	A second minor planet may possess Saturn-like rings There are only five bodies in our solar system that are known to bear rings. The most obvious is the planet Saturn; to a lesser extent, rings of gas and dust also encircle Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune. The fifth member of this haloed group is Chariklo, one of a class of minor planets called centaurs: small, rocky bodies that possess qualities of both asteroids and comets.
	Scientists fly kites on Earth to study Mars An unconventional research method allows for a new look at geologic features on Earth, revealing that some of the things we see on Mars and other planets may not be what they seem.
	New desktop application has potential to increase asteroid detection, now available to public A software application based on an algorithm created by a NASA challenge has the potential to increase the number of new asteroid discoveries by amateur astronomers.
	"Mini supernova" explosion could have big impact In Hollywood blockbusters, explosions are often among the stars of the show. In space, explosions of actual stars are a focus for scientists who hope to better understand their births, lives, and deaths and how they interact with their surroundings.
	Scientists discuss new results from MESSENGER's low-altitude campaign NASA's MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) mission, now nearing the end of its fourth and final year of orbital operations at Mercury, is well into a low-altitude campaign that is returning images and measurements of the planet's surface and interior that are unprecedented in their resolution. MESSENGER scientists will discuss new findings from the low-altitude campaign and their implications for Mercury's geological evolution and the planet's geophysical and geochemical characteristics at a press briefing today at the 46th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.

Medicine & Health news

	Successful in vivo test of breakthrough Staphylococcus aureus vaccine (Medical Xpress)—One of the largest problems in clinical medicine is the growing prevalence of multidrug-resistant, disease-causing strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Penicillin resistance is now extremely common across a spectrum of staph strains, and although a few new antibiotic approaches show promise, the general availability of these new drugs still lies years in the future.
	Moral decisions can be manipulated by eye tracking Moral decisions can be influenced by tracking moment to moment movements of the eyes during deliberation, finds new research from Lund University, Sweden, University College London and University of California Merced.
	Researchers change human leukemia cells into harmless immune cells Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered that when a certain aggressive leukemia is causing havoc in the body, the solution may be to force the cancer cells to grow up and behave.
	Motor neurone disease: Researchers identify new group of gene suspects Researchers have identified a new host of gene variants that could make people vulnerable to sporadic motor neurone disease, according to a report published today in the journal, Scientific Reports.
	New images of the brain show the forgetful side effect of frequent recall A new study from the University of Birmingham and the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences unit in Cambridge has shown how intentional recall is beyond a simple reawakening of a memory; and actually leads us to forget other competing experiences that interfere with retrieval. Quite simply, the very act of remembering may be one of the major reasons why we forget.
	Genetic discovery provides clues to how TB may evade the immune system The largest genetic study of tuberculosis (TB) susceptibility to date has led to a potentially important new insight into how the pathogen manages to evade the immune system. Published today in the journal Nature Genetics, the study advances understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in TB, which may open up new avenues to design efficient vaccines for its prevention.
	Scientists make surprising finding in stroke research Scientists at The University of Manchester have made an important new discovery about the brain's immune system that could lead to potential new treatments for stroke and other related conditions.
	Exercise slows tumor growth, improves chemotherapy in mouse cancers One way many cancers grow resistant to treatment is by generating a web of blood vessels that are so jumbled they fail to provide adequate oxygen to the tumor. With oxygen starvation, the tumor gains a sort of cloaking device that protects it from the toxic effects of chemotherapy drugs and radiation, which are designed to seek out well-oxygenated tissue.
Investigators find window of vulnerability for STIs to infect female reproductive tract Charles R. Wira, PhD, and colleagues at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine have presented a comprehensive review of the role of sex hormones in the geography of the female reproductive tract and evidence supporting a "window of vulnerability" to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Published in Nature Reviews in Immunology, Wira's team presents a body of work that National Institutes of Health evaluators called, "a sea change" for research in the female reproductive tract (FRT).
Studies boost hopes for new class of cholesterol medicines New research boosts hope that a highly anticipated, experimental class of cholesterol drugs can greatly lower the risk for heart attacks, death and other heart-related problems.
	Oncologists reveal reasons for high cost of cancer drugs in the US, recommend solutions Increasingly high prices for cancer drugs are affecting patient care in the U.S. and the American health care system overall, say the authors of a special article published online in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
	Coke a healthy snack? How company gets its message out If a column in honor of heart health suggests a can of Coke as a snack, you might want to read the fine print.
	Combining stem-cell therapy with anti-scarring agent may heal injured kidneys Researchers have made a discovery that could see patients with kidney disease no longer having to resort to dialysis or kidney transplants.
Mothers help young people with arthritis through the tough times Young people with arthritis rely heavily on their mums for support during times of change and uncertainty – despite claiming to be independent, according to new research from Arthritis Research UK.
Researchers search for telltale signs of ovarian cancer This year, ovarian cancer will claim over 125,000 lives worldwide. The deadly disease remains the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality in U.S. women, killing about 15,000 per year.
	Endurance sport causes strain in right side of the heart Otherwise healthy people who exercise strenuously for more than 90 minutes suffer from a post-exercise drop in heart performance, but only in the right side of the heart, according to researchers at the University of Adelaide.
End of life care alters medical student attitudes to practice Earlier exposure to palliative care can enhance junior doctors' professionalism, focus on and communication with all patients, and other important aspects of care, according to a study from the University of Adelaide.
	New study links aging with increased trust and well-being Hollywood has given movie-goers many classic portrayals of grumpy old men—American Movie Classics even maintains a list of the top fifteen film curmudgeons.
Tests to diagnose coronary artery disease come with similar costs A new type of CT scan initially costs slightly less than the traditional stress test to diagnose blocked coronary arteries in patients with chest pain, but its lower cost did not translate into medical care savings over time, according to an analysis by Duke Medicine researchers.
High dose zinc acetate lozenges may help shorten cold symptoms According to a meta-analysis published in BMC Family Practice, high dose zinc acetate lozenges shortened the duration of common-cold associated nasal discharge by 34%, nasal congestion by 37%, scratchy throat by 33%, and cough by 46%.
	Why human eyes are wired backwards The human eye is optimised to have good colour vision at day and high sensitivity at night. But until recently it seemed as if the cells in the retina were wired the wrong way round, with light travelling through a mass of neurons before it reaches the light-detecting rod and cone cells. New research presented at a meeting of the American Physical Society has uncovered a remarkable vision-enhancing function for this puzzling structure.
Doctoral student presents research on social media and consent to sexual activity A University of Arkansas doctoral student's research suggests college students perceive they can assess whether someone would consent to sexual activity by looking at a person's social media profile. Kelley Rhoads said this is problematic because sexual consent should be a negotiation that occurs between the individuals engaging in sexual activity. These perceptions based on social media could lead to preconceived notions, which can quickly turn into negative consequences, she said.
HPV vaccination rates lower among the wealthy Parents in higher socio-economic areas are less likely to allow their children to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), new research from Massey University indicates.
	Curcumin proved effective at combating cancer WA scientists have helped re-affirm that curcumin, a chemical compound found in turmeric, is a safe and promising treatment for most cancers and other inflammation-driven diseases.
	Making water first for thirst Nutrition scientists issued their findings to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last month on the proposed 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. During the open comment period, which ends April 8, the University of California Nutrition Policy Institute (NPI) is encouraging the public to ask the government to make water the drink of choice in its final version of the 2015 guidelines and add a symbol for water on MyPlate.
	Veterinary researcher validates human tracheal/bronchial-cell model for influenza A infections of trachea A recently hired veterinary pathologist is bringing multiple skills to her new position in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, including experience with a human primary cell line used for modeling human influenza infections.
	What we talk about when we talk about obesity In philosophy classes, one of the first lessons in logic that students learn is what fallacies are and how to avoid them. One of my favorites is the false dichotomy, mainly because of its crystal-clear examples: you're either for us or against us; it's my way or the highway. Of course, the dichotomies are false, because each scenario has more than just the two possible options provided. Political rhetoric is filled with false dichotomies, which provides ample fodder for lighthearted classroom discussion about ways reasoning can go wrong.
New possibilities for the treatment of breast cancer arise, with the help of mathematics A means of reprogramming a flawed immune response into an efficient anti-tumoral one was brought to light by the results of a translational trial relating to breast cancer. Thanks to the innovative combination of mathematical modelisation and experimentation, only 20 tests were necessary, whereas traditional experimentation would have required 596 tests to obtain the same results.
	Smart textiles system prevents the development of pressure ulcers in wheelchair users The European research project PUMA (Pressure Ulcer Measurement and Actuation) technically coordinated by the Biomechanics Institute (IBV) has developed an innovative portable and non-invasive device to prevent and early detect the risk of pressure ulcer (PU) development and revert its onset for tetraplegic spinal cord injured (T-SCI) individuals relying on wheelchairs.
	Pollution levels linked to stroke-related narrowing of arteries Air pollution has been linked to a dangerous narrowing of neck arteries that occurs prior to strokes, according to researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center.
	How NORE1A acts as a barrier to tumor growth Researchers reveal how cells protect themselves from a protein that is a key driver of cancer. The study appears in The Journal of Cell Biology.
Survey finds doctors want to learn more about diet and cardiovascular disease prevention Most physicians are aware of the importance of lifestyle factors in preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD)—and believe diet is as important as statin therapy and exercise, according to a new survey from NYU Langone Medical Center.
Long-term ticagrelor cuts risk of future events after heart attack Adding the antiplatelet drug ticagrelor to aspirin as long-term therapy after a heart attack significantly reduced the rate of subsequent death from cardiovascular causes, heart attack or stroke, with the benefit appearing to accrue for nearly three years, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session.
No real cost difference between types of tests that look for heart disease A study comparing the overall economics of computed tomographic angiography with functional stress tests for evaluating patients with symptoms suggestive of possible blocked coronary arteries found no significant differences in costs over three years. The study was presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session.
Heart CT scans show slight benefits over functional tests for heart disease Patients with symptoms of heart disease have similar outcomes in terms of death and major cardiac conditions regardless of whether they undergo a functional stress test or a computed tomographic scan, but the scan may be better at ruling out the need for subsequent tests and procedures in patients who are free of heart disease, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session in San Diego.
	When cancer cells stop acting like cancer Cancer cells crowded tightly together suddenly surrender their desire to spread, and this change of heart is related to a cellular pathway that controls organ size. These two stunning observations are reported today by researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in the journal Oncogene.
Low vaccination rates fuel the 2015 measles outbreak Inadequate vaccine coverage is likely a driving force behind the ongoing Disneyland measles outbreak, according to calculations by a research team at Boston Children's Hospital. Their report, based on epidemiological data and published online by JAMA Pediatrics, indicates that vaccine coverage among the exposed populations is far below that necessary to keep the virus in check, and is the first to positively link measles vaccination rates and the ongoing outbreak.
Review suggests vitamin D supplementation not associated with lower blood pressure A review of clinical trial data suggests vitamin D supplementation was ineffective at lowering blood pressure (BP) and should not be used as an antihypertensive, according to an article published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.
Study examines memory and effects on the aging brain A study of brain aging finds that being male was associated with worse memory and lower hippocampal volume in individuals who were cognitively normal at baseline, while the gene APOE ?4, a risk factor for Alzheimer disease, was not, according to an article published online by JAMA Neurology.
	Risk patterns identified that make people more vulnerable to PTSD Researchers have built a new computational tool that identifies 800 different ways people are at increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), permitting for the first time a personalized prediction guide.
Researchers devise powerful new approach to drug design and demonstrate its potential against cancer cells Exploring the fundamental mechanism by which a cell-surface receptor transmits its signal, an international team of Ludwig researchers and their colleagues has established proof of concept for an entirely new approach to drug design. They report that a class of synthetic molecules known as diabodies can, from outside the cell, latch onto a target receptor and manipulate it in such a manner as to induce distinct and varying effects within cells and tissues. Led by Christopher Garcia of Ludwig Stanford, the researchers show in lab experiments how this might work, using a diabody to stall the growth of cancer cells isolated from patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms.
CT scans appear to dramatically improve diagnosis of heart disease Use of computed tomography coronary angiography, which provides 3-D images of the heart, coupled with standard care allows doctors to more accurately diagnose coronary artery disease in patients presenting with chest pain, therefore, leading to more appropriate follow-up testing and treatments, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session. Data also showed a trend toward a lower incidence of heart attacks among the group receiving the tests, known as CT scans, compared to usual care.
Novel anti-clotting therapy in halted trial no better than existing agents A novel therapy that would allow doctors to turn the body's blood-clotting ability off and on in a more controlled way was about as effective as established anticoagulants in patients undergoing angioplasty but was associated with higher rates of moderate to severe bleeding, according to an analysis of data from a terminated Phase III trial presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session. The study was officially halted in August due to an excess of severe allergic reactions, so authors caution that the data should be considered exploratory given the early termination.
	Scans for clinic patients may cut heart attack risk, study finds Routine heart scans for patients referred to cardiac clinics with chest pain could reduce heart attack rates, research suggests.
Bendavia does not reduce scarring from angioplasty after heart attack Patients who received the new drug Bendavia before undergoing angioplasty or receiving a stent to clear blocked arteries after a heart attack showed no significant reduction in scarring as compared to patients given a placebo, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session.
	Cancer researchers identify new function in an old acquaintance Cells have two different programs to safeguard them from getting out of control and developing cancer. One of them is senescence (biological aging). It puts cancer cells into a permanent sleep so they no longer divide and grow in an uncontrolled way. Now the research group led by Professor Walter Birchmeier (Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, Berlin-Buch) has discovered that an enzyme known to be active in breast cancer and leukemia blocks this protection program and boosts tumor growth. They succeeded in blocking this enzyme in mice with breast cancer, thus reactivating senescence and stopping tumor growth.
Study of veterans finds family support during deployment reduces suicidal thoughts Family support during deployment is an important protective factor against post-deployment suicidal ideation according to a new study in the journal Anxiety, Stress and Coping.
	Cancer drug may reduce bleeding in patients with rare genetic disorder, HHT A cancer drug that helps keep tumors from growing blood vessels may help patients with a rare genetic condition in which malformed vessels increase their risk for bleeding and anemia.
	A breakfast of champions for diabetics Our modern epidemic of obesity has led to an alarming rise in the incidence of diabetes. More than 382 million people on the planet suffer from diabetes, predominantly type-2 diabetes. For these people, blood sugar surges—glucose spikes after meals—can be life threatening, leading to cardiovascular complications.
Mental health misdiagnosis twice more likely for socially disadvantaged groups The shooting of an unarmed teenager in Ferguson, MO, has ignited a global discussion about implicit racial bias. One group of people you might think would be immune from this hidden bias is clinical therapists, people trained to understand the human mind. But a new field study finds that the social identities of patients and their therapists affect the accuracy of the diagnosis: Therapists were twice as likely to misdiagnose mental illness when their patients were members of a disadvantaged, compared to an advantaged, group.
	Researchers find 'affinity switch' for proteasome assembly process in cells A Kansas State University-led study is helping uncover the intricate workings of how a specific "molecular machine" inside of cells is assembled. Fully understanding this process may present new target sites for drugs and may lead to better treatments for neurological diseases, cancers and other disorders.
	Genetics: No evidence of role in racial mortality gap There is still no evidence of genetic difference between blacks and whites to account for the health disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a new study by McGill University researchers. Published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, the researchers suggest that after a decade of genetic studies, factors such as lifestyle, education and socio-economics - not genetics - are more promising avenues to understanding racial health disparities.
	Penn vet team points to new colon cancer culprit Colon cancer is a heavily studied disease—and for good reason. It is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and its numbers are on the rise, from 500,00 deaths in 1990 to 700,000 in 2010.
No mortality benefit of bypass surgery compared to latest generation of drug-coated stents Newer drug-coated stents that keep arteries open have similar long-term rates of death compared with traditional bypass surgery for patients with more than one diseased coronary artery.
	Spring allergies coming into bloom (HealthDay)—With winter loosening its icy grip on most of the United States, it's time to think about spring allergies, a doctor says.
	Could your child have migraines? (HealthDay)—Determining if your child has migraine headaches may be difficult because the symptoms aren't always obvious, experts say.
Rebooting cell programming can reverse liver failure It might be possible to heal cirrhotic liver disease by rebooting the genes that control liver cell function, according to researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. If validated in human studies, the game-changing strategy, described today in the online version of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, could potentially treat patients who are too sick for liver transplantation and, in the future, reduce the need for transplants.
Targets identified for developing therapies for IBMPFD IBMPFD is a rare and deadly genetic disorder that has devastated entire families, robbing many of their members of their ability to talk, walk and think clearly.
Study finds baroreflex activation therapy effectively treats heart failure Results of a clinical trial announced today at the American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session show a new type of therapy is safe and effective for symptomatic advanced heart failure patients who are already receiving optimum drug and device therapy. The study also published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology Heart Failure.
Routine clot removal after heart attack not beneficial, may have risk The largest study ever of its kind, led by researchers from McMaster University and the University of Toronto, has found that a routine strategy of blood clot removal during treatment for heart attacks was not beneficial and was associated with an increased risk of stroke.
Ablation during mitral valve surgery reduces atrial fibrillation Patients with atrial fibrillation who received ablation while they were already undergoing surgery to correct a leaky heart valve had fewer episodes of atrial fibrillation a year later compared to patients who had the valve surgery alone, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session.
ACP releases High Value Care advice for one of the most common diagnostic tests in US Physicians should not screen for cardiac disease in adults at low risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) with resting or stress electrocardiography, stress echocardiography, or stress myocardial perfusion imaging, the American College of Physicians (ACP) advises in a paper published today in Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Kidney transplant tolerance mechanism identified Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers have pinpointed the immune system mechanism that allows a kidney transplant to be accepted without lifelong immunosuppressive drugs, a significant step toward reducing or eliminating the need for costly and potentially toxic immunosuppressant drugs and improving long-term transplant success. The findings were published in the Jan. 28 online issue of Science Translational Medicine.
Study identifies 'lethal' subtype of prostate cancer A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published in the journal Cancer Research defines a new, distinct subtype of "lethal" prostate cancer marked by the loss of two genes, MAP3K7 and CHD1. Overall about 10 percent of men with prostate cancer will die from the disease. The study shows that of prostate cancer patients with combination MAP3K7 and CHD1 deletions, about 50 percent will have recurrent prostate cancer, which ultimately leads to death. About 10 percent of all prostate cancers harbor combined MAP3K7-CHD1 deletions.
Can watching porn make you better in bed? Does a predilection for porn mean bad news in bed? That's the conclusion of many clinicians and the upshot of anecdotal reports claiming a man's habit of viewing sex films can lead to problems getting or sustaining an erection.
	Tips provided for residents applying to fellowship training (HealthDay)—The process of selecting and preparing for a fellowship training program, specifically pulmonary and/or critical care medicine, should begin early in residency, according to an article published online March 5 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
	High satisfaction for ablative fractional skin resurfacing (HealthDay)—Patients express high satisfaction with ablative fractional skin resurfacing for photoaged skin, despite having high pretreatment expectations, according to a study published in the February issue of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
	Handoff tool alone insufficient to handle nighttime clinical issues (HealthDay)—A handoff tool, which has been widely adopted in hospitals, seems not to be sufficient for addressing nighttime clinical issues, according to research published in the March issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
	CDC releases estimates of cancer incidence, survival for 2011 (HealthDay)—Estimates of cancer incidence for 2011 in the United States show that about two-thirds of those with cancer survive five or more years after diagnosis, according to a report published in the March 13 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
	HCPs lack knowledge and awareness of sex trafficking (HealthDay)—Health care providers demonstrate significant knowledge gaps regarding sex trafficking (ST), according to research published online March 16 in Pediatrics.
UK approves plain cigarette packaging for 2016 Britain will become the first European Union nation to introduce plain packaging on cigarette packets after members of the House of Lords rubber-stamped a new law on Monday.
Team finds direct evidence of gadolinium deposition in brain tissues Mayo Clinic research finds direct evidence of gadolinium deposition in neuronal tissues following intravenous administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents used in MRI exams. The findings were recently published online in the journal Radiology.
	Nanotechnology shows promise for more accurate prostate cancer screening, prognosis A Northwestern University-led study in the emerging field of nanocytology could one day help men make better decisions about whether or not to undergo aggressive prostate cancer treatments.
Minimally invasive spinal fusion: Less pain, faster recovery, smaller scar A minimally invasive spinal fusion back surgery results in less blood loss, less postoperative pain, smaller incisions, a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery and return to work.
Even high-risk patients can benefit from aortic aneurysm repair Minimally invasive surgery can prevent a fatal rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
	As diagnosis codes change, data lost in translation—in both directions Changes in how medical diagnoses are coded under the latest international disease classification system - known as the ICD-10 codes - may complicate financial analysis, research projects and training programs that depend on look-back comparisons of health care data, report researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
New hepatitis C drugs will place strain on health care system The cost of treating people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) with newly approved therapies will likely place a tremendous economic burden on the country's health care system. The prediction comes from a cost-effectiveness analysis led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The findings, reported in the March 17 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, predict that the cost of providing patients their daily regimens could total $136 billion over five years - 10 percent of the country's annual prescription drug spending.
	Can 'off the shelf' stem cell therapy treat heart failure patients? UB researcher aims to find out After a heart attack, cardiac stem cell therapy stimulates the growth of new heart cells, but exactly how that happens is unclear. The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $2 million grant to a researcher at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences to do a preclinical study to find out. The answer will help determine which type of cardiac stem cell therapy will be most effective in treating patients with heart failure.
	Valeant ups Salix bid to $11.11B and Endo ends quest (Update) Valeant raised its offer for Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. by more than $1 billion Monday, forcing rival bidder Endo International out of the running.
Universal public drug coverage would save Canada billions Canada could save $7.3 billion annually with universal public coverage of medically necessary prescription drugs.
Benefits seen for first-in-field brain shield used with TAVR An investigational device that deflects debris away from the brain during transcatheter aortic valve replacement seems to improve in-hospital safety outcomes and cognitive scores at discharge, according to preliminary findings from a small randomized study presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session.
The 10-point guide to the integral management of menopausal health Elsevier journal Maturitas, today announced the publication of a position statement by the European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) covering the ten- point guide to the integral management of menopausal health. This has been written to mark the 10th EMAS Congress in Madrid May 20-22, 2015.
MitraClip valve repair continues to show benefit in commercial setting The commercial track record with transcatheter mitral valve repair, approved for patients at high risk for surgery, compares favorably with pre-approval reports, according to findings from a U.S. registry presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session.
Self-expanding TAVR widens advantage over surgery at two years Two-year data show a continued survival advantage for self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) over standard surgery in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session.
SAPIEN valve, surgery equivalent at five-years Five-year data suggest that the SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve is a feasible option for patients with severe aortic stenosis deemed to be at high risk for open-heart surgery, though valve leakage was more common with the first-generation valve evaluated in this study than with surgery, according to research from PARTNER I presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session.
SAPIEN 3 improves 30-day outcomes for major endpoints The SAPIEN 3 heart valve demonstrated lower death, stroke and paravalvular leak rates than earlier generation devices in patients at high risk for surgery and showed encouraging results in intermediate-risk patients, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session.
Researchers develop groundbreaking approach to evaluate sleep disorders Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers have developed a groundbreaking approach to determine sleep quality using their new breath sound analysis (BSA). This is less expensive and invasive than current polysomnography (PSG) technology, according to a new study published on PLOS Online.
	New system for detecting adverse effects of medications using social media Researchers at Carlos III Universidad de Madrid have developed a system for detecting adverse effects of pharmaceutical drugs by tracking information generated by patients on specialized blogs or social networks such as Twitter in real time.
Label design may affect risk of medication errors in OR Special redesigned labels for intravenous (IV) medication bags may help to prevent serious medication errors in the operating room, reports a study in the March issue of the Journal of Patient Safety. The journal is published by Wolters Kluwer.
Research calls for new policies to support women veterans' health care needs As more women veterans seek health care in the Veterans Administration (VA) system, effective approaches are needed to ensure that their unique needs are recognized and met. A special April supplement to Medical Care collects new studies from an ongoing research initiative to inform health care policy for women veterans. The journal is published by Wolters Kluwer.
Heart failure patients fare better with catheter ablation than Amiodarone Among patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation, those who underwent catheter ablation were less likely to die, be hospitalized or have recurrent atrial fibrillation than patients taking a heart rhythm regulating drug, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session.
Remote ischemic preconditioning fails to improve heart bypass outcomes Patients who underwent a simple conditioning procedure involving the inflation and deflation of a blood pressure cuff on the upper arm before coronary artery bypass grafting, known as heart bypass surgery, had no better long-term health outcomes than bypass patients who did not receive the conditioning, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session in San Diego.
France aims to criminalize advertising with anorexic models France's health minister says she supports plans to criminalize the use of advertising with anorexic models in France.
Study finds imaging tool to diagnose heart conditions is more accurate and safer New heart imaging technology to diagnose coronary heart disease and other heart disorders is significantly more accurate, less expensive and safer than traditional methods, according to a new study by researchers from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Salt Lake City.
	Obama administration: 16.4M have gained health insurance More than 16 million Americans have gained coverage since President Barack Obama's health care law took effect five years ago, the administration said Monday. But an independent expert who used some of the same underlying data had the much lower estimate of 9.7 million.
Heart bypass surgery outperforms new generation stents Despite the advent of a new generation of stents, patients with multiple narrowed arteries in the heart who received coronary artery bypass grafting fared better than those whose arteries were opened with balloon angioplasty and stents in a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session.
Losing weight substantially reduces atrial fibrillation Obese patients with atrial fibrillation who lost at least 10 percent of their body weight were six times more likely to achieve long-term freedom from this common heart rhythm disorder compared to those who did not lose weight, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session.
Overhaul of European and US medical device safety recommended by leading diabetes associations Two major diabetes associations have joined forces to recommend a comprehensive overhaul of medical device safety, involving regulators, manufacturers, doctors and the associations themselves. The recommendations come from a joint committee of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and will be published simultaneously in Diabetes Care, the journal of the ADA, and Diabetologia, the journal of the EASD, on Monday, March 16. The authors include Professor John Petrie, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK, and Professor Anne Peters, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
US Ebola patient 'critical,' says hospital The condition of an American healthcare worker who was sickened with Ebola in Sierra Leone has worsened and is now critical, hospital officials said Monday.
	Designing a better way to study stomach flu Rice University bioengineers are teaming with colleagues from Baylor College of Medicine and MD Anderson Cancer Center to apply the latest techniques in tissue engineering toward the study of one of the most common and deadly human illnesses—the stomach flu.
World Trade Center workers at increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases A new study has found a strong link between prolonged work at the World Trade Center (WTC) site following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the development of various autoimmune diseases including arthritis and lupus.
Sufficient sleep is important for healthy sexual desire In a study of 171 women, those who obtained more sleep on a given night experienced greater sexual desire the next day. Reflecting sleep's impact on sexual desire, each additional hour of sleep increased the likelihood of sexual activity with a partner by 14%.
	Finger lengths may indicate risk of schizophrenia in males Research suggests that the ratio of the lengths of the index finger and the ring finger in males may be predictive of a variety of disorders related to disturbed hormonal balance. When the index finger is shorter than the ring finger, this results in a small 2D:4D ratio, pointing to a high exposure to testosterone in the uterus.
New targets for rabies prevention and treatment Researchers have identified genes that may be involved in determining whether an individual is sensitive or resistant to rabies virus infection.

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