Fwd: Science X Newsletter Tuesday, May 19

HOT!

What makes cancer cells spread? New device offers clues

Body's 'serial killers' captured on film destroying cancer cells

The life and death of beta cells

Nanotherapy effective in mice with multiple myeloma

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Wed, May 20, 2015 at 3:46 AM
Subject: Science X Newsletter Tuesday, May 19
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>

Dear Pascal Alter,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for May 19, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Laser technique for low-cost self-assembly of nanostructures
- Scientists print low cost radio frequency antenna with graphene ink
- Heat from global warming captured by the Pacific Ocean being transferred to Indian Ocean
- Nature inspires first artificial molecular pump
- General principles to explain DNA brick self-assembly
- Pacific quest: Solar pilot prepares for toughest leg
- Chameleon proteins make individual cells visible
- The life and death of beta cells
- Body's 'serial killers' captured on film destroying cancer cells
- Adults harbor lots of risky autoreactive immune cells, study finds
- Genes may influence leadership in the workplace, research finds
- What makes cancer cells spread? New device offers clues
- Using a sounding rocket to help calibrate NASA's SDO
- The 'CAPEd' crusader: NASA advances CubeSat concept for planetary exploration
- For spider monkeys, social grooming comes with a cost

Nanotechnology news

	Laser technique for low-cost self-assembly of nanostructures Researchers from Swinburne University of Technology and the University of Science and Technology of China have developed a low-cost technique that holds promise for a range of scientific and technological applications.
	Scientists print low cost radio frequency antenna with graphene ink Scientists have moved graphene—the incredibly strong and conductive single-atom-thick sheet of carbon—a significant step along the path from lab bench novelty to commercially viable material for new electronic applications.
	Nature inspires first artificial molecular pump Using nature for inspiration, a team of Northwestern University scientists is the first to develop an entirely artificial molecular pump, in which molecules pump other molecules. This tiny machine is no small feat. The pump one day might be used to power other molecular machines, such as artificial muscles.
	Printing 3-D graphene structures for tissue engineering Ever since single-layer graphene burst onto the science scene in 2004, the possibilities for the promising material have seemed nearly endless. With its high electrical conductivity, ability to store energy, and ultra-strong and lightweight structure, graphene has potential for many applications in electronics, energy, the environment, and even medicine.
	Holes in gold enhance molecular sensing Non-metallic mesoporous structures have already demonstrated potential for applications in gas storage, separation, catalysis, ion-exchange, sensing, polymerization and drug delivery. Metal mesoporous films could have fascinating and useful optical properties as they are effectively the inverse of nanoparticle arrays. Now for the first time a collaboration of researchers in Japan, Turkey, Korea and Sweden demonstrate a simple approach for producing metal films with regular tuneable mesopores, and show their potential for high-sensitivity optical detection.
	Porous, layered material can serve as a graphene analog An electrically conductive material, with layers resembling graphene (single sheet of graphite), was synthesized under mild conditions using a well-known molecule that allows good electronic coupling of nickel ions and organic moieties. The new porous material exhibits high electrical conductivity as a bulk material that is potentially tunable and has unusual temperature dependence, suggesting new fundamental physics.
Breakthrough technology holds potential for treating brain disorders A Florida International University professor and his team this month published news of a scientific breakthrough that could lead to the noninvasive treatment of Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Physics news

	Using electrochemistry, researchers create reconfigurable, voltage-controlled liquid metal antenna Researchers have held tremendous interest in liquid metal electronics for many years, but a significant and unfortunate drawback slowing the advance of such devices is that they tend to require external pumps that can't be easily integrated into electronic systems.
	Leidenfrost thermostat uses levitating water droplets to keep cool The Leidenfrost effect is a strange phenomenon that allows water droplets to levitate and even climb uphill. Now physicists at the University of Bath have harnessed this quirk of physics to create a thermostat with no moving parts.
	Seashell strength inspires stress tests Mollusks got it right. They have soft innards, but their complex exteriors are engineered to protect them in harsh conditions. Engineers at the Indian Institute of Science and Rice University are beginning to understand why.

Earth news

	Heat from global warming captured by the Pacific Ocean being transferred to Indian Ocean (Phys.org)—A team of researchers working in the U.S. has found what they believe to be the answer to the question of what happened to the heat uptake in the Pacific Ocean due to global warming. In their paper published in Nature Geoscience, they suggest that it has been transferred to the Indian Ocean. Jérôme Vialard with Université Sorbonne offers a News & Views piece on the work done by the team in the same journal issue.
	Study backs seaweed's carbon capturing potential There are great hopes for the potential of coastal plants and seaweeds to store carbon and help counter the effects of climate change and a new study is backing that potential.
	Driest place on Earth hosts life Researchers have pinpointed the driest location on Earth in the Atacama Desert, a region in Chile already recognised as the most arid in the world. They have also found evidence of life at the site, a discovery that could have far-reaching implications for the search for life on Mars.
	Study shows isopods may dampen impact of global warming on forest soil (Phys.org)—An international team of researchers working in a forest in Massachusetts has found that the impact of global warming on forest soil might be less than predicted due to isopod activity in the same soil. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers describe their study and what they learned about the interaction between forest fungi and isopods.
	Drought-induced tree mortality accelerating in forests Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have found that drought and heat-induced tree mortality is accelerating in many forest biomes as a consequence of a warming climate in their paper "Darcy's law predicts widespread forest mortality under climate warming," published in the journal Nature Climate Change.
	Changes in land use pose greater threat than climate change to biodiversity of rivers and streams For the first time, scientists at the Senckenberg Research Center for Biodiversity and Climate and the Research Institute Senckenberg in Gelnhausen have modeled the effects of land use changes on the species diversity in rivers and streams. Their results show that the loss of biodiversity is caused to a significantly higher degree by changes in land use practices than by climate change. In consequence, conservation concepts for this valuable ecosystem and the organisms that live in flowing water should be adapted accordingly. The study was recently published in the scientific journal Freshwater Biology.
	Type and frequency of tropical clouds important for simulations of surface energy impact Clouds are energy traffic cops, controlling how much sunlight reaches Earth. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers used long-term observations to show that the sunlight stopping power of each type of typical tropical cloud and how frequently they occur must be accurately simulated in climate models. Otherwise, the true impact of clouds on the Earth's energy balance will be uncertain. Their research was published in the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology.
	Doppler on Wheels—the biggest 'dish' on the road! For nearly a decade, with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Doppler on Wheels (DOW) has been doing its best work in dangerous weather, driving into the eye of the storm to gather scientific data about wind, rain and snow that are missed by stationary radar systems.
	Long-gone bacteria blows the whistle on gold deposits Modern science is shining light on Jurassic rock, associating the organic remains of ancient bacteria with an increased likelihood of striking gold.
	How do you measure a sea's level, anyway? There are about 330 million cubic miles of water in the world oceans today, 97% of all the water on the planet. Early in our planet's 4.5 billion year history, water from the atmosphere and from the interior of the Earth gradually collected in the low areas on the planet's surface to form the ocean basins, accumulating salts along the way.
	Volcanic ash found in Yorkshire could help to improve flight safety forecasts Predictions of where planes can safely fly following volcanic eruptions could be improved, thanks to fresh discoveries about ash clouds.
	Atmospheric release of BPA may reach nearby waterways Water contamination by hormone-disrupting pollutants is threatening water quality around the world. Existing research has determined that harmful concentrations of Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical used in consumer products such as plastic food storage and beverage containers, have been deposited directly into rivers and streams by municipal or industrial wastewater. Now, researchers from the University of Missouri and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have assessed Missouri water quality near industrial sites permitted to release BPA into the air. As a result, scientists now believe that atmospheric releases may create a concern for contamination of local surface water leading to human and wildlife exposure.
	Merkel, Hollande push for 'ambitious' climate deal German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande jointly pledged Tuesday to do their utmost to ensure an "ambitious" UN deal to combat climate change is reached this year.
	Inventing extra protection for high energy waste At DOE's Savannah River National Laboratory, the primary goal is innovation for safe and cost effective legacy waste cleanup.  New methods are constantly being explored in order to protect workers and protect the environment.  When Senior Scientist Dr. Aaron Washington realized that a radiological waste bag wasn't lasting as long as he would like, he set about inventing a new one.  As a result, Washington and his team of researchers created a "double-ply" waste containment bag capable of better containing nuclear waste.
	Nature provides solutions to Europe's woes? Nature-based solutions to societal challenges have come to the forefront all over the world, and interest in such solutions is large in EU due to the potential economic, labor, social and environmental benefits. These solutions are being developed, e. g. to promote health and well-being, and to revitalize cities. ALTER-Net, Europe's Ecosystem Research Network,  organizes an international conference on May 19th to 20th in Ghent, Belgium, focusing on the potential of Nature-Based Solutions to Societal Challenges in urbanized regions. ALTER-Net does this in cooperation with the European Commission, under the auspices of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
	NASA's triple examination of Typhoon Dolphin Three different platforms have been examining Typhoon Dolphin as it moves through the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. The RapidScat instrument saw Dolphin's winds intensify over May 16 and 17, the Global Precipitation Measurement or GPM core observatory estimated the drenching rainfall Dolphin dropped over Guam and Rota, and the MODIS instrument aboard NASA's Terra satellite provided a look at the storm's structure as it was passing just west of Iwo To (island), Japan on May 19. Dolphin had weakened to a tropical storm mid-day on May 19 and is becoming extra-tropical.

Astronomy & Space news

	OSIRIS discovers balancing rock on 67P Scientists from Rosetta's OSIRIS team have discovered an extraordinary formation on the larger lobe of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in the Aker region. From a group of three boulders the largest one with a diameter of approximately 30 meters stands out: images obtained on 16 September 2014 from a distance of 29 kilometers with the help of Rosetta's scientific imaging system OSIRIS show it to perch on the rim of a small depression. There seems to be only a very small contact area with the nucleus.
	Air Force mystery space plane poised for Wed. launch A mini military space plane is poised for liftoff Wednesday on another long orbital test flight. But as usual, the Air Force isn't saying much about the unmanned mission.
	The 'CAPEd' crusader: NASA advances CubeSat concept for planetary exploration Although scientists are increasingly using pint-size satellites sometimes no larger than a loaf of bread to gather data from low-Earth orbit, they have yet to apply the less-expensive small-satellite technology to observe physical phenomena far from terra firma.
	Using a sounding rocket to help calibrate NASA's SDO Watching the sun is dangerous work for a telescope. Solar instruments in space naturally degrade over time, bombarded by a constant stream of solar particles that can cause a film of material to adhere to the optics. Decades of research and engineering skill have improved protecting such optics, but one crucial solution is to regularly recalibrate the instruments to accommodate such changes.
	High hopes ride on satellite start-up UNSW aerospace engineering student Solange Cunin has a plan to make access to space easier and more affordable. She also hopes to boost Australia's nascent space industry.
	Four decades of tracking European spacecraft Forty years ago this week, a satellite ground station in Spain became the first to be assigned to what would become ESA. Since then, the network – Estrack – has expanded worldwide and today employs cutting-edge technology to link mission controllers with spacecraft orbiting Earth, voyaging deep in our Solar System or anywhere in between.
	NASA seeks additional information for asteroid redirect mission spacecraft NASA has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking ideas from American companies for a spacecraft design that could be used for both the agency's Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) and a robotic satellite servicing mission in low-Earth orbit.
	What makes Mars sunsets different from Earth's? Even robots can't tear their eyes from a beautiful sunset. NASA's Mars Curiosity rover pointed its high resolution mast camera at the setting sun to capture this 4-image sequence on April 15 at the conclusion of the mission's 956th Martian day. While it resembles an earthly sunset, closer inspection reveals alien oddities.
	Russian deputy PM attacks space industry with reform bill Russia's deputy prime minister on Tuesday lambasted the country's beleaguered space industry as inefficient and corrupt, as he presented proposed reform measures to parliament.
	I sprint for exercise: NASA's iRAT study Run far or run fast? That is one of the questions NASA is trying to answer with one of its latest studies—and the answers may help keep us in shape on Earth, as well as in space. Even with regular exercise, astronauts who spend an extended period of time in space experience muscle weakening, bone loss, and decreased cardiovascular conditioning. This is because they no longer have to work against gravity in everyday living.
Dedication of Advanced LIGO The Advanced LIGO Project, a major upgrade that will increase the sensitivity of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatories instruments by a factor of 10 and provide a 1,000-fold increase in the number of astrophysical candidates for gravitational wave signals, will be officially dedicated in a ceremony to be held on Tuesday, May 19, at the LIGO Hanford facility in Richland, Washington.

Technology news

	Pacific quest: Solar pilot prepares for toughest leg Strapped into a seat in a tiny one-man cabin, Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg will have to endure extraordinary conditions as he flies over the Pacific Ocean for five days and nights, powered only by the sun.
	Demonstration designs for the remediation of space debris from the International Space Station Space Mom to all her little space cadets: "Look at this room, it's a mess. Somebody can get hurt just trying to move around these piles. Clean up your room, NOW." Unfortunately, the Great Room of Space has no such scene, only an Earth peopled with enlightened scientists who know they have to clean up the Great Room now, and are trying to figure out how. So what about a laser cannon to remove orbital debris?
	New technology could fundamentally change future wireless communications Radio systems, such as mobile phones and wireless internet connections, have become an integral part of modern life. However, today's devices use twice as much of the radio spectrum as is necessary. New technology is being developed that could fundamentally change radio design and could increase data rates and network capacity, reduce power consumption, create cheaper devices and enable global roaming.
	Tech firms, activists press US on encryption Some 140 tech companies, civil liberties and privacy activists urged the White House Tuesday to pull back efforts to weaken encryption or include law enforcement "backdoors" on technology products.
	Rid of CDs, Starbucks teams up with Spotify Months after ending its tradition of CD sales, coffee giant Starbucks confirmed the rapid growth of music streaming as it announced a partnership with Spotify.
	Alibaba's Ma expresses 'regret' over counterfeits lawsuit The founder of Alibaba Group defended its stance against counterfeit goods and expressed regret Tuesday that the owner of luxury brands Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent has sued the e-commerce giant.
Power transformers can drastically reduce energy loss compared to conventional transformers A transformer developed by the Robinson Research Institute, currently in factory testing in Christchurch, has successfully handled top current capacity—1390 amps—and measurements show the energy losses were half that of a conventional transformer.
	Video: Bats' sonar secrets could make for better submarines, drones The U.S. Navy has found that it pays to listen to Rolf Mueller carry on about his bat research. From unmanned aerial systems to undersea communications, practical applications flow from the team headed by Mueller, an associate professor of mechanical engineering.
	Pushing the limits of pump design for small farmers in India The Ganges River basin of eastern India is some of the most fertile farmland in the world. With shallow groundwater and rich soil, the area is instrumental in India's agricultural ecosystem. However, all is not well for the roughly 480 million people who rely on the basin for their livelihood.
	Paranoid defence controls could criminalise teaching encryption You might not think that an academic computer science course could be classified as an export of military technology. But under the Defence Trade Controls Act – which passed into law in April, and will come into force next year – there is a real possibility that even seemingly innocuous educational and research activities could fall foul of Australian defence export control laws.
	The rise of wearable health tech could mean the end of the sickie Now that the sun is shining and the temperature is rising, it's officially sickie season: go to work, or get struck down with "flu", a "24-hour virus", or that faithful stand-by, the dodgy prawn takeaway.
Microsoft research project reveals new method for keeping data private Microsoft researchers have created a new system that keeps data stored in the cloud safe from prying eyes or malicious players even when it is being accessed to make calculations.
	Students build portable hybrid power system to help in natural disasters When natural disasters like the earthquakes in Nepal or the volcano eruption in Chile occur, one of the most pressing issues hindering rescue efforts is the loss of electricity.
	Sandia helps small security company thwart thieves At a motorcycle shop on a busy city street, crooks devised an elaborate scheme to steal from the storage yard. They jumped the fence and unpacked some newly arrived bikes from crates. They used the crates to build a ramp and run the motorcycles over and out.
	Apple and Starbucks could have avoided being hacked if they'd taken this simple step Apple and Starbucks are two of the world's most trusted companies, but they both recently fell victim to security hacks. Both set up systems that appear to have allowed hackers to break into customers' accounts by repeatedly trying different passwords, a procedure commonly known as a "brute-force" attack. It has been reported that neither firm employed the simple tactic of automatically locking accounts after several failed attempts to enter a password.
	Capstone project aims to help solve global water shortage Five Northeastern University student-researchers have worked to address the worldwide water crisis, designing a solar-powered desalination system that produces potable ocean water.
	Google backs farm-focused startup as 'AgTech' blooms Google on Tuesday pumped $15 million into a farming-focused technology startup, the latest in a surge of investment applying Internet innovations to growing food.
	Q&A: Deezer CEO sees 'big' upside for music streaming Hans-Holger Albrecht entered a crowded music-streaming market when he became CEO of Paris-based Deezer in February. A month after taking the helm, Jay Z relaunched Tidal in the U.S. and a month from now, Albrecht faces the prospect of Apple Inc. relaunching Beats Music.
	Japan court upholds nuclear power plant injunction A Japanese court upheld an injunction banning the restart of two nuclear reactors, a report said Tuesday, in a blow to the government's ambitions to return to atomic power generation.
	A virtual twin: Can virtual drivers resembling the user increase trust in smart cars? Human error is estimated to cause more than 90% of traffic accidents, a percentage that might be drastically reduced by the implementation of self-driving cars featuring smart systems that control most aspects of driving. Although the potential benefits of self-driving cars have been widely touted, their success on the roadways of the near future is largely reliant on whether or not drivers are willing to trust these smart systems enough to hand over the wheel. A new study published in Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society evaluated whether the use of a virtual driver programmed to resemble the human driver could increase the level of trust and acceptance in smart cars.
	Dutch threaten UberPOP with million-euro fine Dutch authorities on Tuesday said they have raised the amount they can fine UberPOP to one million euros ($1,12 million) after the taxi service paid out the previous maximum of 100,000 euros.
	Not Your Ma's Bell: AT&T evolves beyond phones The company whose name has long been synonymous with telephones is looking for new ways to reach out and touch someone.
	Sweden seizes Pirate Bay web domains A Stockholm court on Tuesday seized the Swedish web domains of file-sharing site The Pirate Bay over repeated copyright violations in a bid to end the site's activities.
Mobile shapes how video, wireless providers evolve Video is going mobile, and leading TV providers are trying to adapt.
	Airline chief casts doubt on plane hacking claim The chief executive of United Airlines cast doubt Tuesday on claims by a security researcher about hacking the controls of a jetliner from its entertainment system.
PayPal to pay $25 mn for illegally enrolling users in credit program The US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Tuesday said PayPal will pay $25 million in refunds and penalties for illegally signing people up for its online credit product and mishandling complaints.
	Twitter-Google deal puts tweets in search results Google and Twitter announced a partnership Tuesday to display tweets in search results, renewing a tieup that ended in 2011.
Deezer prepares for battle in competitive music streaming sector French music-streaming service Deezer is preparing for a "decisive" battle as it faces off against big names like Spotify and American rapper Jay-Z's new venture Tidal, its CEO said.
	A lesson from Spain about social acceptance in new smart energy districts Torrelago is one of the largest residential districts in Europe. Located in the Spanish city Laguna de Duero, near Valladolid, it consists of 31 blocks of flats with more than 4,000 residents. The district is experiencing a green revolution, which is expected to be a model in Europe.
	Building a more sustainable future for housing Dr Adele Leah, who graduated this month with a PhD in Architecture, has established a method for the investigation of the relationship between the environmental impact of the building materials in a house and the lifestyle of its inhabitants, both immediately after construction and in the present day.
	Fast track program invites non-traditional roboticists to help bolster national security The past 10 years have seen an explosion of robotics advances from small businesses and individuals, thanks in part to lower manufacturing costs and the global rise of community workshops such as makerspaces and hackerspaces, which serve as incubators for rapid, low-cost collaboration and innovation. Unfortunately, the small-scale robotics community has tended to fly under the radar of traditional federal agencies and commercial technology providers, which generally rely on multi-year, multi-million-dollar contracts for technology development. This disconnect means that the U.S. government is not benefiting from some of the most cutting-edge robotics developers in the nation.
	Apple updates MacBook Pro, cuts price on high-end iMac Apple is introducing an updated MacBook Pro and iMac and lowering the price for its top-end iMac.
Review: 'Witcher III' an intimate story in epic trappings Geralt of Rivia may be trapped in medieval times, but he's the epitome of a Renaissance man.
Unsavory hits the App Store and Google Play Almost 90 percent of restaurant workers in the United States do not have access to paid sick days. Unsavory, a new mobile game available for iOS and Android lets players take the role of these workers preparing food to see if they can survive a month on the job while sick.
US charges China academics in trade theft scheme US prosecutors have charged six Chinese nationals, including three university professors, in a years-long scheme to steal trade secrets on mobile phone technology for Beijing's benefit.

Chemistry news

	General principles to explain DNA brick self-assembly (Phys.org)—DNA bricks are an odd phenomenon. They are nanostructures built from synthetic, single-strand DNA that self-assemble into 3D structures. Several years ago, researchers at Wyss Institute at Harvard demonstrated the self-assembly of designed 3D structures made from 1,000 "bricks" that fit together like molecular Legos. One of the curiosities about these DNA bricks is why this complex self-assembly process works so well.
	Tilting of guanine crystal arrays is key to light-induced color change in the skin of the neon tetra fish The neon tetra fish from the Amazonas River, along with some reptiles, amphibians, and other fish, takes advantage of structural colors in its skin to change its appearance in response to a triggering signal. In the light-adapted state, its lateral stripe shimmers blue-green, in the dark it is indigo. Scientists from Israel have now found an unambiguous answer to how this intriguing mechanism works. They present their results, which favor the so-called "Venetian blind" model, in the journal Angewandte Chemie.
	Scientists identify crucial step in helping to prevent Hepatitis C virus replicating New research from the University of Southampton has identified how changes in the cell membrane play a pivotal role in how the Hepatitis C virus replicates.
	Artificial enzymes to reduce carbon dioxide emissions Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions, such as the conversion of gaseous carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbonates. Carbonates are the basic component of coral reefs, mollusc shells, geological platforms and kidney stones. Although naturally occurring enzymes would be ideal for converting human-generated CO2 emissions into carbonates, they are generally incapable of coping with the extreme conditions of industrial plants.
	Researcher harnesses energy-efficient pulsed electric fields to preserve milk Even though much of the population in developing countries is involved in agriculture, food security is virtually out of reach. Often the only resort is to purchase a cow, buffalo, or sheep, to provide a steady supply of fresh milk, a nutritious staple of a daily diet. But how to preserve it safely? Refrigeration and boiling are costly—and often impossible due to sporadic electricity.
	Durable, washable and high-performance conductive textiles In a new method for preparing electrically conductive textiles, the textile surface is modified with a negatively charged polyelectrolyte poly(methacrylic acid sodium salt) (PMANa) or poly(acrylic acid sodium salt) (PAANa) by in-situ free radical polymerization, and then treated with electroless metal deposition.
	Biomedical sensors for disease detection made simple Healthcare researchers are increasingly focused on the early detection and prevention of illnesses. Early and accurate diagnosis is vital, especially for people in developing countries where infectious diseases are the leading cause of death. One way to achieve early detection is by developing simple biomedical sensors.

Biology news

	Giant panda gut bacteria can't efficiently digest bamboo It's no wonder that giant pandas are always chewing and eating, say Chinese researchers: their gut bacteria are not the type for efficiently digesting bamboo.
	Most European men descend from a handful of Bronze Age forefathers Geneticists from the University of Leicester have discovered that most European men descend from just a handful of Bronze Age forefathers, due to a 'population explosion' several thousand years ago.
	Using phages to deliver CRISPR to resistant bacteria found to sensitize the microbes (Phys.org)—A small team of researchers working at Tel Aviv University has found a way to deliver a CRISPR system to bacteria that have become resistant to drugs meant to kill them, using phages, to restore sensitivity. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team describes their approach and the applications they believe could benefit from it.
	Chameleon proteins make individual cells visible Researchers discovered a new mechanism of how fluorescent proteins can change colour. It enables the microscopic visualization of individual cells in their three-dimensional environment in living organisms.
	For spider monkeys, social grooming comes with a cost Social grooming, or helping others to stay clean and free of lice and other ecto-parasites, has long been associated with hygiene and good health in wild primates. In the process of picking out ecto-parasites, however, the groomers may be picking up internal ones, a new study finds.
	New way to save fish—and fishers An end to poaching will benefit ocean conservation and fishing communities worldwide, an Australian-led scientific study shows.
New potential for "homemade" opiates raises oversight issues Writing in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, researchers at the University of California at Berkeley have announced a new method that could make it easier to produce drugs such as morphine. The publication has focused attention on the eventual possibility that such substances could be manufactured illicitly in small-scale labs. Political scientists Kenneth Oye and Chappell Lawson of MIT, along with Tania Bubela of Concordia University in Montreal, authored an accompanying commentary about the regulatory issues involved. Oye answered questions on the subject for MIT News.
	Salt-tolerant herb rich in antioxidant compounds Epidemiological studies have emphasised the importance of eating foods high in antioxidants to reduce the risk of developing cancer and cardiovascular disease, two leading causes of death worldwide. Inside the body, antioxidants neutralise free radicals, which can trigger cancer. These compounds are also known to have anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects.
	Researchers reveal the Taieri's hybrid history New Zealand's iconic Taieri River is a river of two halves, according to a surprising new study led by University of Otago scientists.
	New colonial marine organisms discovered in Madeira The Portuguese island of Madeira is considered a diversity hotspot for bryozoans, which are colonial, principally marine, organisms. However, the fauna of these small animals only started being documented a short while ago. A team of Spanish and Portuguese scientists have now discovered two new species of bryozoans, as well as another that had previously only been found in the waters of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
	Griffon vultures are exposed to high concentrations of lead in their diets The population of wild birds is subject to dangers resulting from the presence of toxic elements in the environment—even more so when these elements are not degradable and are found in the foods comprising their diet, as is the case of heavy metals.
	To fight bee decline, Obama proposes more land to feed bees (Update) The Obama administration hopes to save the bees by feeding them better.
	Bodyguards for precious seeds—without chemical mace Naturally occurring, plant-associated bacteria as a crop protection agent are now avail-able for use in crop protection to alleviate the contamination of soil with pesticides—arguably the most environmentally friendly way of plant protection that has been developed to date.
	Horizontal gene transfer in E. coli Escherichia coli O104 is an emergent disease-causing bacterium various strains of which are becoming increasingly well known and troublesome. The pathogen causes bloody diarrhea as well as and potentially fatal kidney damage, hemolytic uremic syndrome. Infection is usually through inadvertent ingestion of contaminated and incompletely cooked food or other materials, such as animals feces.
Bloom preservation: Keep your gerberas blooming with urea and acid If you want your cut gerberas to last longer in the vase, you could try a flower food made from acids and urea. That's the conclusion of research published in the International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation.
	Advocacy group: Wind turbine rules needed to protect birds The sky above a tabletop-flat expanse of eastern Michigan farmland near Lake Huron is a well-traveled pathway for migratory birds journeying between summer nesting areas in Canada's boreal forests and wintering grounds to the south. Thanks to reliably brisk winds, the ground below is dotted with hundreds of electricity-generating turbines.
	Bugs and slugs ideal houseguests for seagrass health Marine "bugs and slugs" make ideal houseguests for valuable seagrass ecosystems. They gobble up algae that could smother the seagrass, keeping the habitat clean and healthy. That's according to results from an unprecedented experiment spanning the Northern Hemisphere and led by an international team of scientists, including marine biologists from UC Davis.
	Singapore nets biggest ivory seizure in decade Singapore authorities seized the biggest illegal shipment of ivory and other exotic animal parts in more than a decade Tuesday, with the haul from Kenya worth an estimated Sg$8 million ($6 million).
	Spotting pain in donkeys – learning the language Vets in Pakistan working for global equine welfare charity the Brooke have collaborated with the University of Bristol on a newly published paper to discover whether a donkey is in pain by just being observed.
	How harmful male genitalia can impact reproduction in other species Male Callosobruchus chinensis seed beetles have spines on their genitalia, which increase their fertilization success but injure a female's reproductive tract—especially a female of a related species called Callosobruchus maculatus.
The extent of toxin accumulation in birds off the coast of Canada Toxins known as perfluoroalkyl substances have become virtually ubiquitous throughout the environment, and various national and international voluntary phase-outs and restrictions on these compounds have been implemented over the last 10 to 15 years.
	Plant dispersal insights may aid climate change predictions Explanations for why the same plant groups occur in Australia, New Zealand, and South America have been deeply controversial. By comparing broad patterns of climatic history to age and habitat information for more than 70 plant taxa, or groups, investigators have provided important new insights.
	New action plan to save world's rarest primate An international team of more than 100 scientists, policy makers and community representatives, led by international conservation charity the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), today published a new report outlining the vital steps needed to save the Hainan gibbon (Nomascus hainanus) from extinction. With only 25 individuals remaining in less than 20 square kilometres of forest in China's Hainan Island, the Critically Endangered Hainan gibbon is one of the rarest animals in the world.
	New techniques for reprogramming stem cells target neurological disease models As scientists overcome the technical challenges in reprogramming stem cells to produce biologically precise models of human neurons, these emerging model systems will accelerate research on understanding neuronal activity, brain development, and neurological diseases, and will drive the discovery of new patient-specific, reprogramming-based therapies. Recent technological advances, current challenges, and future clinical applications are discussed in the Comprehensive Review article "Advances in Reprogramming-Based Study of Neurologic Disorders" published in Stem Cells and Development.
FDA proposes to know more about antibiotic use in animals The Food and Drug Administration is moving to collect more information on antibiotics used in animals that become meat. It's an effort to stem antibiotic-resistant diseases.
	Iceland whale meat shipment to Japan sparks protests Environmentalists reacted angrily Tuesday to a controversial shipment of fin whale meat to Japan by an Icelandic whaling company, saying it flouted international conservation agreements.

Medicine & Health news

	Awe may promote altruistic behavior Inducing a sense of awe in people can promote altruistic, helpful and positive social behavior according to research published by the American Psychological Association.
	Nature vs. nurture results in a draw, according to twins meta-study One of the great tussles of science – whether our health is governed by nature or nurture – has been settled, and it is effectively a draw.
	Nerve cells use each other as maps When nerve cells form in an embryo they don't start off in the right place but have to be guided to their final position by navigating a kind of molecular and cellular "map" in order to function properly. In a recent research study published in Nature Communications, neurobiologist Sara Wilson of Umeå University found that during embryonic development different parts of the nerve cell are important for guiding other nerve cells into their physical positions.
	Age-reversal effects of 'young blood' molecule GDF-11 called into question The leading theory for why the blood of younger mice rejuvenates the muscles of older mice is now in contest. The vampiric exchange of young blood and old blood has long been reported to have anti-aging effects, but it was in 2013 when Harvard University researchers first linked GDF-11, a molecule that circulates in the blood, to this effect.
Adults harbor lots of risky autoreactive immune cells, study finds Decades' worth of textbook precepts about how our immune systems manage to avoid attacking our own tissues may be wrong.
	Body's 'serial killers' captured on film destroying cancer cells A dramatic video has captured the behaviour of cytotoxic T cells - the body's 'serial killers' - as they hunt down and eliminate cancer cells before moving on to their next target.
	The life and death of beta cells ETH researchers studying microRNA—tiny strands of ribonucleic acid—in beta cells have found a type that plays a key role in cell death under stress.
	What makes cancer cells spread? New device offers clues Why do some cancer cells break away from a tumor and travel to distant parts of the body? A team of oncologists and engineers from the University of Michigan teamed up to help understand this crucial question.
Significant differences in achieving risk factor targets between women and men There is a striking and statistically significant difference in how women and men are treated following a heart attack. These gender differences are reflected in the rate of risk factor control, which was lower in women, and in the rate of hospital readmission for a further heart attack, which was higher in women than in men.
	Doctor group seeks to clear confusion in cancer screening Mammograms at 40 or 50? Every year or every other year? What's the best colon check?
Text messages can help boost teen birth control compliance Sending teen girls periodic text messages reminding them to follow through on their clinic appointments for periodic birth control injections can go a long way toward improving timing and adherence to contraception in an age group that is notoriously noncompliant, according to a small study from the Johns Hopkins Children's Center.
European consensus group calls for standards to move renal denervation field forward Experts participating in a European Clinical Consensus Conference (CCC) have concluded that research into the use of renal denervation for high blood pressure in patients unable to control the disease using a multi-drug regimen should not be abandoned until high-quality research is completed according to agreed-upon standards.
	Secrets of baby talk: Why mothers say coo while fathers stay cool Even to the casual observer, there's no mistaking how some perfectly mature parents will affect an infantile elocution when talking to their young children, speaking in higher-pitched voices with a wider range of pitches and frequently switching between highs and lows. This sort of babytalk is sometimes known as "motherese," in part because most research on parent-child interactions has traditionally focused on the mother's role. Scientists study the common behavioral phenomenon because they want to understand what role such speech patterns play in the child's language acquisition.
Computer-assisted sedation reduces patient recovery time by almost 20 percent Use of computer-assisted propofol sedation for routine upper endoscopy and colonoscopy reduced recovery room time by almost 20 percent, according to a study (abstract 1054) released today at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2015. The study, conducted by researchers at Virginia Mason Medical (VMMC) Center, Seattle, WA, showed the process yielded a better recovery experience than the commonly used combination of midazolam and fentanyl.
	How does the brain respond to hearing loss? Researchers at the University of Colorado suggest that the portion of the brain devoted to hearing can become reorganized—reassigned to other functions—even with early-stage hearing loss, and may play a role in cognitive decline.
	Antidepressants beneficial for women with postnatal depression Antidepressants are associated with better rates of treatment response and remission for women with postnatal depression, when compared to a placebo, according to a new systematic review by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London.
	New Alzheimer's drug to enter clinical trials A new drug developed at Lancaster University in the UK that may help to prevent the early stages of Alzheimer's disease is to enter clinical trials.
Tips to handle those rare Florida tick-borne diseases Though uncommon, Floridians can get tick diseases.
	How people defend eating meat Meat eaters who justify their eating habits feel less guilty and are more tolerant of social inequality say researchers.
	Tracking cancer by the numbers Is a woman's ability to have children compromised after cancer treatment, and should she be counseled to freeze her eggs? Is robotic prostate surgery less likely to result in impotence? Are women with breast cancer who are on Medicaid getting the recommended treatment? Help in answering these and other important questions can be found within an immense database: the Georgia Cancer Registry.
	Scientists announce major breakthrough against rare kidney disease Scientists at The University of Manchester and Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have made a significant breakthrough in the fight against Membranous Nephropathy (MN) – a rare kidney disease which can lead to kidney failure.
DUR-928 compound continues phase 1 clinical trials A therapeutic compound developed at Virginia Commonwealth University, which may have broad applicability in acute organ injuries and in several metabolic diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, continues to make strides toward becoming an approved treatment option.
	New strategies to manage back pain Improved mobility, less time off work and decreased reliance on painkillers are just some of the potential benefits of rethinking the approach to back pain treatment.
	Nanotherapy effective in mice with multiple myeloma Researchers have designed a nanoparticle-based therapy that is effective in treating mice with multiple myeloma, a cancer of immune cells in the bone marrow.
	Smoking cannabis linked to respiratory problems People who smoke cannabis as little as once a week are more likely to suffer respiratory symptoms such as morning cough, bringing up phlegm, and wheezing, according to University of Otago research.
	Optical tweezers manipulate key protein involved in HIV infection Using an instrument so sensitive it can fold and unfold a single protein, Yale School of Medicine researchers have manipulated a protein essential for HIV to invade cells.  The "optical tweezers" allowed researchers to apply tiny forces to a single protein that mediates entrance of HIV into host cells.
	Flood aftermath linked to post-traumatic stress Brisbane flood victims suffered more psychological distress during the rebuilding phase than as waters inundated their homes and businesses, a QUT study has found.
	Identifying overactive bladder issues just got easier Biomedical researchers at Massey University have just published ground-breaking research that could lead to faster diagnosis of bladder problems in women, in a leading specialist journal, the British Journal of Urology.
New resources help healthcare providers understand, diagnose mystery strokes A new guide helps healthcare professionals better understand and diagnose strokes of unknown cause. The free resource is part of an American Heart Association/American Stroke Association initiative in collaboration with Medtronic plc. which aims to reduce the rate of recurrent strokes in the U.S.
New hands-only CPR training video In only one minute, you can learn how to save a life. Trust us, it's worth your time, because 70 percent of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home, so the life you save is likely to be someone you know and love. The American Heart Association says Hands-Only CPR can double or triple a victim's chance of survival and is as effective as CPR with breaths.
A new window into the brain Tübingen neuroscientists have made an important advance in studying the human brain with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This imaging technique is used in research endeavours to investigate the interactions between different brain regions – but indirectly: fMRI does not measure neuronal processes, but marks active brain areas on the basis of their blood flow. Dr. Markus Siegel and his team (Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience – CIN / MEG Center, University of Tübingen) have now shown that interactions measured with fMRI indeed reflect correlated nerve cell activity, and in what form they do so. This will make the imaging method even more attractive for neuroscience research. The study is now published in the prestigious journal Current Biology.
	Blood biomarkers aid in Alzheimer's battle Local researchers are developing an effective low-cost screening tool to facilitate Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis for the first time by analysing different combinations of proteins in blood.
	First patient-led research registry for arthritis patients launched CreakyJoints, an online, nonprofit, patient support community with more than 80,000 members, has launched Arthritis Power, the first patient-led, patient-generated, patient-centered research registry for arthritis, bone, and inflammatory skin conditions. Focusing on rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis as well as numerous other musculoskeletal conditions, the goal of Arthritis Power is to securely collect health data from tens of thousands of arthritis patients to support future research.
Persistent nightmares in childhood could be linked to psychotic experiences in later adolescence Researchers at the University of Warwick have found a significant link between the presence of persistent nightmares in childhood and psychotic experiences in later adolescence.
	Technology offers improved care for preemies A new monitoring tool for preemies could help reduce complications from dangerous blood-oxygen levels by 30 to 50 percent, say its Swedish developers.
	Research aims to improve access to music for people using hearing aids Beethoven composed some of his most famous works after he became profoundly deaf.
Investigating the benefits of 'sticky sperm' for IVF Scientists from the University of Leeds are investigating whether a molecule usually found in moisturisers and skin creams could improve IVF success rates in the UK.
New study on brain exercises for healthy ageing in people with Down syndrome Researchers specialising in ageing in persons with an intellectual disability at Trinity College Dublin have just begun a new study to examine if cognitive training for adults with Down syndrome can have a protective effect for healthy ageing. The study is being conducted in the context of a growing concern by the researchers involved regarding levels of dementia in an ageing Down syndrome population in Ireland and varying standards of care, support and diagnostic pathways around the country.
	Omega-3 fatty acids enhance cognitive flexibility in at-risk older adults A study of older adults at risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease found that those who consumed more omega-3 fatty acids did better than their peers on tests of cognitive flexibility—the ability to efficiently switch between tasks—and had a bigger anterior cingulate cortex, a brain region known to contribute to cognitive flexibility.
	HIV reservoirs remain obstacles to cure Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has proven lifesaving for people infected with HIV; however, the medications are a lifelong necessity for most HIV-infected individuals and present practical, logistical, economic and health-related challenges. A primary research goal is to find an HIV cure that either clears the virus from an infected person's body or enables HIV-infected individuals to suppress virus levels and replication to extremely low levels without the need for daily ART.
Stress levels linked to risk of liver disease death, study shows Suffering from anxiety or depression could carry an increased risk of death from liver disease, a study suggests.
Oral steroids for acute sciatica produce limited improvement in function and pain Among patients with acute sciatica caused by a herniated lumbar disk (a condition also known as "acute radiculopathy"), a short course of oral steroids resulted in only modest improvement in function and no significant improvement in pain, according to a study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Study finds high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in US Nearly 35 percent of all U.S. adults and 50 percent of those 60 years of age or older were estimated to have the metabolic syndrome in 2011-2012, according to a study in the May 19 issue of JAMA.
	Studies examine prevalence of amyloid among adults and its link with cognitive impairment Two studies in the May 19 issue of JAMA analyze the prevalence of the plaque amyloid among adults of varying ages, with and without dementia, and its association with cognitive impairment.
New form of interleukin-2 could be fine-tuned to fight disease Scientists are reporting development of a new way to modify interleukin-2 (IL-2), a substance known as a cytokine that plays key roles in regulating immune system responses, in order to fine-tune its actions. Harnessing the action of IL-2 in a controllable fashion is of clinical interest with potential benefit in a range of situations, including transplantation and autoimmune disease. The modified IL-2 molecules inhibited the actions of endogenous IL-2, potentially more effectively than existing agents, as well as inhibited the actions of another interleukin, IL-15, with additional therapeutic potential.
Researchers pin down enzyme role in muscle 'aging' Researchers at the University of Birmingham have identified the role of an enzyme in muscle wasting, and associated age-related problems. They believe that inhibiting it could hold the key to developing ways of preventing, or reversing, the adverse effects.
Hemodialysis is recommended for acute salicylate poisoning The best remedy for severe salicylate poisoning is hemodialysis, according to a comprehensive systematic review of the medical literature published on Friday in Annals of Emergency Medicine. Salicylate is an active ingredient in aspirin as well as hundreds of over-the-counter medications, and contributes to approximately 20,000 accidental or intentional poisonings and nearly 30 deaths reported to US Poison Control Centers every year.
	Higher risk of preterm delivery for women born preterm Women who were born preterm have a higher risk of giving birth to preterm children, according to a study, published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, from researchers of the CHU Sainte-Justine and the University of Montreal. The researchers demonstrated that 13% of women born before 37 weeks of gestation gave birth prematurely at least once, compared to 9.5% of women born at term. Interestingly, this figure increased to 14% in women born before 32 weeks. "The difference is not alarming considering that according to our findings the vast majority of women born preterm gave birth at term. But it is significant enough to consider preterm birth a risk factor in monitoring pregnancies," said the senior author Dr. Anne Monique Nuyt.
	Multiple sclerosis: Scientists ID cause of movement, balance problems New research into the causes of the excessive inflammation that drives multiple sclerosis has identified a faulty "brake" within immune cells, a brake that should be controlling the inflammation. This points to a potential target for developing new therapies to treat multiple sclerosis and could have important implications for other autoimmune diseases, such as the colon disease colitis and the chronic skin condition atopic dermatitis.
	Cancer drugs may hold key to treating Down syndrome and other brain disorders A class of FDA-approved cancer drugs may be able to prevent problems with brain cell development associated with disorders including Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome, researchers at the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute have found.
	Team identifies inflammatory pathway that offers VEGF-independent target for diabetic macular edema drugs Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading source of vision loss around the world, affecting about a fifth of people with long-term diabetes. Drugs that target a protein known as VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) inside the eye have greatly improved the treatment options in recent years, but only about half of DME patients are fully responsive to these new therapies.
Livers donated after cardiac death are safe to use in liver cancer patients Patients with liver cancer can be cured with a liver transplant. But because of the shortage of donated organs, these patients often die waiting for a liver. That's because most transplant centers predominantly use livers from donors who die from brain death.
Large urban hospitals disadvantaged by medicare/medicaid patient satisfaction rating system The largest urban health systems, which serve as safety nets for large patient populations with lower socioeconomic status and greater likelihood to speak English as a second language, do worse on government patient satisfaction scores than smaller, non-urban hospitals likely to serve white customers with higher education levels, according to a new study by Mount Sinai researchers published this month in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Study reveals intestinal bacteria succession during recovery from cholera in Bangladesh A new study delineates a sequential pattern of changes in the intestinal microbial population of patients recovering from cholera in Bangladesh, findings that may point to ways of speeding recovery from the dangerous diarrheal disease. The report also finds what appear to be consistent differences between the gut microbial population - also called the microbiota - of individuals in developed countries like the U.S. and those the developing world and provides some of the most complete evidence that the gut microbiota usually return to normal after cholera infection. Their paper appears in the online journal mBio.
	Sharing doesn't hurt Preschoolers already recognize what it feels like to be left out when goodies are being shared. In a new study, Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich show that 3-year-olds can anticipate negative feelings in others, and adjust their own behavior in response.
	Differences in tumor cell metabolism affect growth, invasion and response Cells within a tumor are not the same; they may have different genetic mutations and different characteristics during growth and throughout treatment. These differences make treating tumors extremely difficult and often lead to tumor recurrence dominated by more aggressive tumor cells. Moffitt Cancer Center researchers are using mathematical modeling to characterize these differences within a tumor and hope that the results of their latest study will lead to better therapeutic treatments.
	Researchers determine best anesthesia option for infants Infants undergoing some types of surgery could have better recovery if they receive regional anesthesia rather than general anesthesia, according to two studies published in the Online First edition of Anesthesiology, the official medical journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). Researchers explored the differences between the two types of anesthesia by measuring the presence of apnea, a breathing complication, following hernia surgery.
Stuttering linked to rhythm perception deficiency Stuttering may be more than a speech problem. For the first time, researchers have found that children who stutter have difficulty perceiving a beat in music-like rhythms, which could account for their halting speech patterns.
	Anti-smoking commercials burn out over time The massive, federally funded anti-smoking campaign "Tips From Former Smokers"—"Tips" for short—fizzled more than it popped. That's the conclusion behind research published this week in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine by San Diego State University public health researcher John W. Ayers, along with a team of investigators at the Santa Fe Institute and University of Illinois Chicago.
	Key component in protein that causes cystic fibrosis identified Nearly 70,000 people worldwide are living with cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening genetic disease. There currently is no cure for the condition, but researchers from the University of Missouri have identified a key component in the protein that causes the disease. It is a finding that may lay the foundation for the development of new medications and improved therapies.
	Researchers identify a potentially effective treatment for methamphetamine addiction A new study by UCLA researchers has found that Naltrexone, a drug used to treat alcoholism, may also be a promising treatment for addiction to methamphetamine.
	Health and social inequities drives HIV in young men who have sex with other men HIV infections continue to rise in a new generation of young, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (YMSM) despite three decades of HIV prevention as well as recent availability of biomedical technologies to prevent infection. In the U.S., it is estimated that 63% of incident HIV infections in 2010 were among YMSM despite the fact that they represent a very small portion of the population. Given this heightened risk for HIV seroconversion among YMSM, researchers at New York University's Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS) sought to identify the factors associated with incident HIV infection among a cohort of racially/ethnically and socioeconomically diverse YMSM.
	Bacterial communities of female genital tract have impact on inflammation, HIV risk A team led by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard has found that the most common bacterial community in the genital tract among healthy South Africa women not only is significantly different from that of women in developed countries but also leads to elevated levels of inflammatory proteins. In a paper in the May 19 issue of Immunity, the investigators describe finding potential mechanisms by which particular bacterial species induce inflammation and show that the presence of those species and of elevated levels of inflammatory proteins could increase the risk of HIV infection.
	Scientists figure out how vitamin E keeps muscles healthy Body builders have it right: vitamin E does help build strong muscles, and scientists appear to have figured out one important way it does it.
	Smokers don't vote: 11,626-person study shows marginalization of tobacco users A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research shows a new dimension to the marginalization of smokers: people who smoke are less likely to vote than their non-smoking peers.
'Natural' sounds improves mood and productivity, study finds Playing natural sounds such as flowing water in offices could boosts worker moods and improve cognitive abilities in addition to providing speech privacy, according to a new study from researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. They will present the results of their experiment at the 169th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, held May 18-22, 2015 in Pittsburgh.
	UK population is becoming overweight and obese at younger ages Children born since the 1980s are two to three times more likely than older generations to be overweight or obese by the age of 10, according to new research published in PLOS Medicine. The study, conducted by researchers from CLOSER, a consortium of UK longitudinal studies, characterized population shifts in body mass index (BMI) using data from more than 56,000 people born in Britain from 1946 to 2001.
	Widespread diabetes screening in India is predicted to be ineffective Large-scale screening for diabetes in India using currently available survey- and glucometer- based screening tools is unlikely to meet effectiveness criteria, according to a modeling study published this week in PLOS Medicine. The predictions of this simulation, conducted by Sanjay Basu of Stanford University and colleagues, suggest that large numbers of false positive results would waste financial resources, and that focusing on symptom-based screening and on improvements to diabetes treatment might better serve India's population.
	Cholesterol drugs associated with 30 percent lower stroke risk in healthy older adults Use of cholesterol lowering drugs is associated with a one third lower risk of stroke in older adults without previous disease, finds a study published in The BMJ this week.
	Osteoporosis screening: Too common for low-risk women, too uncommon for higher-risk women Many of those who should get it, don't. And many of those who shouldn't, do. That's the story of a common screening test for osteoporosis, according to new research from UC Davis Health System.
	In study, skipping meals is linked to abdominal weight gain A new study in animals suggests that skipping meals sets off a series of metabolic miscues that can result in abdominal weight gain.
	The plight of America's 'elder orphans' (HealthDay)—Dr. Maria Torroella Carney grew increasingly distressed as she watched how emergency response teams had to help older, frail people who were living alone evacuate their homes in the wake of Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
	Alzheimer's-linked brain plaques may arise decades before symptoms (HealthDay)—Abnormal protein clumps may appear in the brain up to 30 years before people develop Alzheimer's disease, a new study estimates, perhaps providing a window of opportunity to intervene.
	Nation's capital named 'Fittest city' in US (HealthDay)—If you're a resident of Washington, D.C., congratulations—the nation's capital is also the fitness capital of the United States, according to a new report.
	Most Americans still not using sunscreen (HealthDay)—Most Americans still don't regularly use sunscreen to help prevent exposure to the sun's cancer-causing rays, a new study reveals.
	A billion smokers, 240 million alcohol abusers worldwide: study (HealthDay)— Tobacco and alcohol take a big toll on the health of people around the world, a new global survey shows.
	Most distinctive causes of death mapped by US state (HealthDay)—The most distinctive causes of death for each U.S. state have been mapped in a report published online May 14 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Preventing Chronic Disease.
	Glucose variation impacts coronary plaque vulnerability (HealthDay)—For patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) pretreated with lipid-lowering therapy, daily glucose fluctuation may affect coronary plaque vulnerability, according to a study published in the May issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
	Not all with dense breasts have high interval cancer risk (HealthDay)—Not all women with high breast density have high risk of interval cancer, according to a study published in the May 19 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Scientists say preparing foster kids for school lessens impact of moves A new study clarifies the impact of school moves experienced by children in foster care but also points to how to limit the damage, say researchers of the University of Oregon and the nonprofit Oregon Social Learning Center.
	Tracking the trends in youth self-harm visitation rates to Alberta's emergency rooms A Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry study at the University of Alberta is giving new insight into the youth visiting Alberta's emergency rooms for self-harming behaviour. The study, published in the March edition of the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine, examined approximately 6,000 visits of young patients from 2002 until 2011. It found youth from families who received various government subsidies, and First Nations youth, had far higher visitation rates to emergency rooms for self-harm compared to youth from families who didn't receive a subsidy.
Study finds high risk of sleep apnea in young veterans with PTSD A new study of young U.S. veterans shows that the probability of having a high risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increased with increasing severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
	Merkel: Global catastrophe plan needed after Ebola crisis The Ebola crisis in western Africa showed the world in a painful way that a global catastrophe plan is needed to deal with future epidemics, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday.
Texas woman gives birth to triplets; two babies conjoined A South Texas woman has given birth to triplet girls, with two of the babies conjoined at the pelvis.
Pioneering project will help patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease Patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) will benefit from a major multi-million euro European research project aimed at developing better diagnostic tests and treatments.
	The true burden of tuberculosis Prisons are common settings for tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks, yet screening and prevention services can be extremely limited. As the spread of drug-resistant TB increases, understanding and monitoring levels of the disease among vulnerable populations can minimise the delay of much-needed treatment.
Protect yourself and your pet from rising threat of rabies A bat flying erratically during daylight hours, a raccoon slowly wandering down the middle of a road, a fox that does not run away when you approach, a dead skunk in your horse's corral.
Australian researcher helps with Ebola vaccine trials An Australian researcher has helped identify the kind of human trial that is most effective for testing Ebola vaccines.
Task force offers recommendations on epilepsy treatments in women and girls The anti-epilespy drug valproate should be avoided whenever possible in women who may become pregnant due to a high risk of malformations and developmental problems in babies who are exposed to the drug before birth.
Baby teethers are a novel source of infant exposure to endocrine disruptors A new study has found that endocrine disrupting chemicals—which can interfere with the actions of hormones in the body—are present in some plastic teethers for babies, and the chemicals can leach out of the products.
	New program hopes to minimize obesity risks among elementary school students Teachers are the secret weapon in a new program designed to fight childhood obesity.
Advances in mechanical thrombectomy warrant call to action in acute stroke Experts speaking at EuroPCR 2015 say the explosion of positive results for new-generation endovascular devices for the treatment of acute stroke warrant a call to action to ensure swifter implementation of this technology. Known as "stent-retrievers," mechanical thrombectomy devices use catheters introduced into a blocked cerebral artery to suck out or lyse a clot that is cutting off circulation to part of the brain.
The road to successful uterus transplantation to restore fertility Swedish clinicians recently reported the first live birth after uterus transplantation, which was followed by two more uneventful births and another pregnancy that is near term.
Physical training helps women with polycystic ovary syndrome Women with polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal disorder that affects 5% to 10% of the female population of fertile age, often experience sexual dysfunction and low self-esteem, but a new study shows that physical resistance training can help.
Study identifies barriers to intimate partner violence services Texas has a shortage of beds for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), and although alternatives may be offered, survivors may find themselves isolated from much-needed services, such as crisis intervention, legal advocacy, support groups, medical advocacy, individual counseling and others, according to a study by the Crime Victims' Institute.
Apremilast in plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: No added benefit can be derived Apremilast (trade name: Otezla) has been available since January 2015 for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis or active psoriatic arthritis in adult patients in whom certain pretreatments are not sufficiently effective or unsuitable. The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined in two dossier assessments whether this drug offers an added benefit over the respective appropriate comparator therapy. Such an added benefit cannot be derived from any of the dossiers however, because they contain no relevant data.
Treating infants of mothers with opioid dependence—rising rates, rising costs As more infants are born to mothers with dependence on prescription pain medications, the costs of treatment for babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) have increased dramatically, suggests a report in the March/April issue of the Journal of Addiction Medicine, the official journal of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.
	DATECAN initiative publishes guidelines for time-to-event end point definitions in breast cancer trials The DATECAN initiative, Definition for the Assessment of Time-to-event Endpoints in CANcer trials, has published Guidelines for time-to-event end point definitions in breast cancer trials in a recent issue of the Annals of Oncology. Standardized definitions can help researchers to more easily compare the results of clinical trials. The guidelines developed by the DATECAN initiative can help researchers to have a more uniform usage of key endpoints in the design, conduct, and reporting of clinical trials for patients with breast cancer.
Cognitive process speed in teen years affects depression risk in adulthood Teens with slower performance on a test of "cognitive processing speed" are more likely to have depression and anxiety symptoms as adults, reports a paper in Psychosomatic Medicine: Journal of Biobehavioral Medicine, the official journal of the American Psychosomatic Society.
TAVI, safe and effective as surgical valves at two years in lower risk patients Two year outcomes in a study comparing implantation of transcatheter and surgical bioprosthestic aortic valves shows that the less invasive procedure is safe and effective, and comparable to the gold standard, surgical valve replacement, in patients whose operational risk was lower than that of patients studied in the pivotal randomized trials for these new devices.
COPD is more prevalent in poor and rural areas of the US Living in a rural area and being poor are risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), said Sarath Raju, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, lead author of a study presented at the 2015 American Thoracic Society International Conference.
Smoking a significant predictor of lung cancer recurrence in survivors In 2015, an estimated 158,040 Americans are expected to die from lung cancer, making it the leading cause of cancer death in in this country. Lung cancer screening with low-dose CT scans in high risk smokers has recently been approved to help detect lung cancer in its early stages when no symptoms are noticeable. The hope is that by detecting lung cancer in the early, more treatable stages, doctors may be able to improve the outcomes of patients with lung cancer. However, in addition to screening high risk smokers, close follow-up and monitoring of lung cancer survivors is also extremely important.
Mechanical ventilation associated with long-term disability Critically ill patients who have been mechanically ventilated for more than seven days are at greatly increased risk for functional impairment and mortality at one year following discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU), according to a new study presented at the 2015 American Thoracic Society International Conference.
	Music helps patients undergoing daily weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation Patient-selected music during weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation could benefit patients by decreasing their heart rate and anxiety, according to a study presented at the 2015 American Thoracic Society International Conference.
US: Myanmar legislation on birth control 'dangerous' The U.S. says legislation on population control approved by Myanmar's parliament is dangerous and could undermine the democratic hopes of minority groups.

Other Sciences news

	Genes may influence leadership in the workplace, research finds The right genes may help you become an organization's next president or CEO. But the same genes may also hinder your leadership path, according to Kansas State University psychological sciences research.
	Thinking alike changes the conversation As social creatures, we tend to mimic each other's posture, laughter, and other behaviors, including how we speak. Now a new study shows that people with similar views tend to more closely mirror, or align, each other's speech patterns. In addition, people who are better at compromising align more closely.
'Reuseum' in Boise spurs kids' passion for technology Watching a toothbrush-bristle robot skitter across the table, John Schiff grins and laughs with a childlike fascination.
	Scholars issue plan to reduce poverty Stanford scholars and other experts on California's low-income population have unveiled a new initiative – the Equal Opportunity Plan – aimed at dramatically reducing poverty in the state.
Shopping center design to deter shoplifters Specially designed shopping centres geared at encouraging shoplifters to think twice before they commit a crime are the way forward, according to researchers at Lancaster University.
	Estrangement likely when adult child does not share mother's values, study finds There is a strong bond between mothers and children that when severed is often the result of a difference in values. That is the finding of a new study published online in the Journal of Marriage and Family.
	The size of domestic animals has increased over time The paper on Zooarchaeology 'Livestock management in Spain from Roman to post-medieval times: a biometrical analysis of cattle, sheep/goat and pig' by the researcher of the Department of Geography, Prehistory and Archaeology of the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country Idoia Grau-Sologestoa, appeared recently in the Journal of Archaeological Science. The study shows successive changes in the size of domestic animals over time relating to changes in the landscape and production systems.
Bird flu could cost nearly $1 billion in Minnesota and Iowa Bird flu could cost nearly $1 billion in the economies of the two states hardest hit, Minnesota and Iowa, agricultural economists said Monday, and the virus is still spreading.
Geography and mapping give new dimension to study of the Holocaust Numerous scholars in recent years have made the horrors of the Holocaust real to the public through various media, including books and memoirs, films, art, photography and museum exhibitions. Anne Kelly Knowles and her collaborators are using a different approach to better understand the genocide: geography and mapping.
	Power of apps in preschool literacy Australia is a diverse, multilingual country, with more than 200 languages spoken. However, fewer second-generation Australians speak their parents' mother tongues than in some other Western countries.
	Plastic a valuable option for farmers' markets Farmers' markets wanting to increase purchases by customers should consider accepting more than just cash or checks as payment, according to Washington State University researchers.

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