Fwd: Science X Newsletter Friday, Sep 11

HOT!

Could we terraform the sun?

The hormonal factor FGF21, present in breast milk, plays a key role in regulating newborn metabolism

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Sat, Sep 12, 2015 at 3:46 AM
Subject: Science X Newsletter Friday, Sep 11
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>

Dear Pascal Alter,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for September 11, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Team announces breakthrough observation of Mott transition in a superconductor
- Electrostatic netting opens a whole new world of malaria vector control
- Ebola virus mutations may help it evade drug treatment
- Innovative imaging technique reveals new cellular secrets
- Spectral Edge joins with STMicroelectronics to offer TV for those who are colorblind
- Researchers erase memories in mice with a beam of light
- Using magnetic permeability to store information
- Making a difference with open source science equipment
- Globally unique double crater identified in Sweden
- Scientists discover a genetic mechanism for cancer progression
- Research team demonstrates LEDs that use visible light to talk to each other and internet
- Researchers compare the gut viromes of Malawian children with severe acute malnutrition
- 'Lab-on-a-Chip' technology to cut costs of sophisticated tests for diseases and disorders
- Automakers commit to put automatic brakes in all cars
- Resveratrol impacts Alzheimer's disease biomarker

Nanotechnology news

Curly nanowires catch more light to power nanoscale electronic circuits In the question of curly versus straight, new evidence suggests curly wins – at least in the world of nanowires. Researchers from Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey, have shown that twisting straight nanowires into springs can increase the amount of light the wires absorb by up to 23 percent. Absorbing more light is important because one application of nanowires is turning light into electricity, for example to power tiny devices.
	Bioinspired carbon anodes enable high performance in lithium-ion batteries A*STAR scientists have drawn on nature for a breakthrough that significantly enhances the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries. The researchers have developed hierarchical porous carbon spheres to be used as anodes after being inspired by the templated formation of unicellular algae or 'diatoms'.
	Novel approaches for the development of photo-catalysts and solar energy conversion materials A NIMS research team successfully identified the atoms and common defects existing at the most stable surface of the anatase form of titanium dioxide by characterizing this material at the atomic scale with scanning probe microscopy. This work was published under open access policy in the online version of Nature Communications on June 29, 2015.
Nano in food and agriculture: Regulations require collaboration to ensure safety An overview of regulatory solutions worldwide on the use of nanotechnology in food and feed production shows a differing approach: only the EU and Switzerland have nano-specific provisions incorporated in existing legislation, whereas other countries count on non-legally binding guidance and standards for industry. Collaboration among countries across the globe is required to share information and ensure protection for people and the environment, according to a JRC co-authored paper.

Physics news

	Team announces breakthrough observation of Mott transition in a superconductor An international team of researchers, including the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology at the University of Twente in The Netherlands and the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, announced today in Science the observation of a dynamic Mott transition in a superconductor.
Using magnetic permeability to store information Scientists have made promising steps in developing a new magnetic memory technology, which is far less susceptible to corruption by magnetic fields or thermal exposure than conventional memory.
	Crystal structure of metals can change at linear defects, which should affect the properties of the materials Steel has already been around for roughly 3000 years and in several thousand variations today - yet it is always good for a surprise. Scientists at the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung in Düsseldorf have now made a discovery in manganese steel which is thought to affect the properties of the material for good and bad. They have found out that the alloy forms a different crystal structure at linear defects than is typical for the material. The individual crystal grains of which any metal is composed can be considered as a stack of individual atomic layers. Linear defects, or more precisely edge dislocations, occur when a layer remains incomplete so that the layers above and below it must take a step. As the length of the linear defects in a cubic metre of steel can add up to one light year, the discovery ought to have great practical significance since the structure of a steel depends on, among other factors, how malleable,! rigid and ductile it is – properties which material scientists want to continuously optimize.
	Best precision yet for neutrino measurements at Daya Bay In the Daya Bay region of China, about 55 kilometers northeast of Hong Kong, a research project is underway to study ghostlike, elusive particles called neutrinos. Today, the international Daya Bay Collaboration announces new findings on the measurements of neutrinos, paving the way forward for further neutrino research, and confirming that the Daya Bay neutrino experiment continues to be one to watch.
	Searching for extragalactic neutrinos and dark matter in the Antarctic Ice Yale University physicists are part of two international research efforts at the South Pole—the IceCube Collaboration and DM-Ice—that have announced new observations on cosmic neutrinos and the nature of dark matter.
	Extreme pressure causes osmium to change state of matter Using metallic osmium (Os) in experimentation, an international group of researchers have demonstrated that ultra-high pressures cause core electrons to interplay, which results in experimentally observed anomalies in the compression behavior of the material.
	A new compact structure enables efficient lasers to be realized on silicon chips A compact 'on-silicon-chip' laser has been developed by A*STAR researchers that boasts both excellent confinement of light for lasing and the ability to efficiently share the laser light with nearby components.
	Tracking down nano-size current loops using polarized neutrons Determining the origin of high-temperature superconductivity is probably the single most important challenge faced today by solid-state physicists. This despite 30 years of extensive research efforts. High temperature superconductors are actually rather bad electrical conductors at room temperature. If they are cooled, they form a so-called "pseudogap phase" where electricity is conducted in a rather peculiar manner, with preferential directions. When cooled further, to temperatures easily reached using cheap and abundant liquid nitrogen, the electrical resistivity in the whole material falls to zero and the material becomes a superconductor.

Earth news

	Predicting tornadoes months or even seasons in advance A new model for predicting tornado activity could allow experts to prepare forecasts months or even seasons in advance, researchers at the University of Toronto say.
	Globally unique double crater identified in Sweden Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have found traces of two enormous meteorite impacts in the Swedish county of Jämtland, a twin strike that occurred around 460 million years ago.
	Burning remaining fossil fuel could cause 60-meter sea level rise New work from an international team including Carnegie's Ken Caldeira demonstrates that the planet's remaining fossil fuel resources would be sufficient to melt nearly all of Antarctica if burned, leading to a 50- or 60-meter (160 to 200 foot) rise in sea level. Because so many major cities are at or near sea level, this would put many highly populated areas where more than a billion people live under water, including New York City and Washington, DC. It is published in Science Advances.
	With time ticking, quake warning system begins to take shape University of Washington researchers are testing an earthquake alert system as the Pacific Northwest prepares for the day when a 600-mile-long fault line looming off the coast unleashes a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami.
	Little crabs vs. big environmental problems in reef habitats It's tough out there for a crab. As if overfishing, ocean acidification and pollution were not enough, they are also dealing with losing a key habitat: coral reefs. A University of Florida researcher says the oceans' smallest crabs—some only the size of a pea—are facing extinction due to their dependence on reef systems.
	Earthworms help smallholders increase crop yields A project in Zimbabwe is promoting the use of earthworms to enable the country's small-scale farmers improve soil fertility and boost crop yields.
	Political interest in environmental issues persisted despite economic recession Despite success in recent decades of the environmental political movement, many had speculated the 2008 Great Recession would put many environmental issues on the back burner.
	Research finds soil microbes behave similarly across globe Even though ecosystems may be located half a world away from each other, sometimes they really aren't all that different. That's what an international group of grassland scientists, including one from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, have found to be true about soil microbes living in grasslands and their response to fertilizers.
Study proposes new approach to retaining soil carbon For those familiar with the practice of composting, seeing—and smelling—the breakdown of plant and organic material over a long period of time is quite familiar. In a Colorado State University-led study, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, a new approach to soil management for carbon sequestration may help combat climate change.
	Image: Avezzano, Italy captured by Sentinel-2A This Sentinel-2A false colour image shows agricultural structures in the Abruzzo region of central Italy.
	Remnants of ex-Tropical Storm Linda spreading inland NOAA's GOES-West satellite saw the remnants of former Tropical Storm Linda begin to spread inland over the northern Baja Peninsula of Mexico, and they are expected to affect the southwestern U.S. over the next couple of days.
	In new book, researcher traces critical changes in our relationship with the natural world In his new book After Nature: A Politics for the Anthropocene (Harvard University Press, 2015), Professor Jedediah Purdy defines and details the Anthropocene epoch and calls for a new way of thinking about political, legal, and cultural solutions to environmental problems. The book has been praised by critics for its depth and urgency—one review said the book "may very well be the Silent Spring of the 21st Century."
	NASA spots Kilo becoming extra-tropical near Hokkaido, Japan NASA's Aqua satellite spotted Tropical Storm Kilo brushing the eastern side of Hokkaido, Japan early on September 11 as it was becoming extra-tropical.
	Suomi NPP sees a lopsided Tropical Storm Henri NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite passed over Tropical Storm Henri on September 11 and saw that almost all of the clouds and showers associated with the storm were on the northeastern side of the storm.

Astronomy & Space news

	Europe launches satnav orbiters Europe sent two satellites into space Friday as it pushes to get its beleaguered Galileo satnav programme back on track.
	Sweeping over the south pole of Mars An unusual observation by Mars Express shows a sweeping view over the planet's south polar ice cap and across its ancient, cratered highlands.
	Mysterious, massive, magnetic stars A Canadian PhD student has discovered a unique object – two massive stars with magnetic fields in a binary system. Matt Shultz of Queen's University, Ontario, Canada found the system – Epsilon Lupi – and will publish the new result in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Regional, not global, processes led to huge Martian floods Gigantic groundwater outbursts created the largest flood channels in the solar system on Mars, 3.2 billion years ago. For many years it was thought that this was caused by the release of water from a global water table, but research led by J. Alexis P. Rodriguez of the Planetary Science Institute reveals regional deposits of sediment and ice emplaced 450 million years earlier to be the source.
	New Pluto images from NASA's New Horizons New close-up images of Pluto from NASA's New Horizons spacecraft reveal a bewildering variety of surface features that have scientists reeling because of their range and complexity.
	Image: Methane painting in the Saturn system Why does Saturn look like it's been painted with a dark brush in this infrared image, but Dione looks untouched? Perhaps an artist with very specific tastes in palettes?
	SpaceX provides a peek inside their new crew vehicle SpaceX released new images today of the sleek interior of "Crew Dragon," SpaceX's spacecraft designed to carry humans to the International Space Station, and possibly other future destinations. If things go as hoped, the first commercial crew flights under the Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) program contract could take place in 2017.
	SOHO nears 3,000 comet discoveries It's a discovery that could come any day now.
	New Horizons probes the mystery of Charon's red pole I'm Carly Howett, a senior research scientist at the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado. I've been working on NASA's New Horizons mission since 2012, focusing on an instrument named Ralph, which among other things provides the color "eyes" for the spacecraft.
	Could we terraform the sun? In the list of crazy hypothetical ideas, terraforming the sun has to be one of the top 10. So just how would someone go about doing terraforming our sun, a star, if they wanted to try?

Technology news

Replicating liver cells for fast drug testing Scientists have developed a new technique that produces a user friendly, low cost, tissue-engineered pseudo-organ. The chip-based model produces a faithful mimic of the in vivo liver inside a scalable fluid-handling device, demonstrating proof of principle for toxicology tests and opening up potential use in drug testing and personalised medicine.
	Skittles color-sorting used as challenge for maker's 3D printer (w/ Video) A 3D-printed Skittles sorting machine that can sort the colors into bins is the product of an inventive person who wanted to see what his new 3D printing machine could accomplish. Nathan Peterson turned to Hackaday to share his success story with the rest of the candy color-sorting maker world.
	Nissan's 2016 Leaf SV, SL do 107 miles per battery charge What's that? You will get 107 miles on a single charge? No doubt the claim is designed to ring in your ears, as the Nissan Leaf makes its introductions to the public about how it has a new 2016 Leaf which is capable of achieving that range. Sean O'Kane in The Verge wrote about Nissan's battery feature.
	Defusing photobombs—researchers find ways to remove distractions from photos Researchers have found an automated way to identify and eliminate those stray soda cans, roaming cars and photobombing strangers that can send favorite photos to the recycle bin.
	Israeli mini-scanner tells what's in food, drink or pills An Israeli start-up has launched a pocket device which analyses instantly the composition of food, drink, medication or other objects.
	Spectral Edge joins with STMicroelectronics to offer TV for those who are colorblind Spectral Edge, an image processing company (started by researches with the University of East Anglia in the U.K) has announced that it has integrated its technology into a chipset with STMicroelectronics 'Cannes' set-top-box, offering customers with colorblindness an improved viewing performance. The new technology is called Eyeteq— Spectral Edge was created as a spin-off to market the technology to TV makers.
	Making a difference with open source science equipment Science can be expensive. But making customized scientific equipment doesn't have to be. Researchers at Michigan Technological University have compiled economic data on the effectiveness of open source hardware in the laboratory—and the process looks promising.
	Research team demonstrates LEDs that use visible light to talk to each other and internet The light that typically floods homes, offices and public buildings could provide something more than illumination. Scientists at Disney Research and ETH Zurich have demonstrated that light could be a medium for light bulbs to communicate - with each other, with objects and with the Internet.
	Automakers commit to put automatic brakes in all cars Ten automakers have committed to the government and a private safety group that they will include automatic emergency braking in all new cars, a step transportation officials say could significantly reduce traffic deaths and injuries.
	Out with the old... iPhones? Four ways to reuse, resell, recycle Each year, Apple dazzles its devoted fans with faster, sleeker, more powerful iPhones with better cameras and a bevy of bells and whistles. So, what's to become of last year's model?
	Projects seek concrete solutions to global warming When it comes to global warming, most people worry about power plants. Claire White thinks about another kind of plant—those that make cement.
Can typing habits prevent cybercrime? New research published in Journal of Applied Security Research proposes a new keystroke algorithm which intends on making online authentication processes more secure, reliable, and cheap. The new method hopes to alleviate some of the common issues for internet users including loss of password, growing prowess of hackers, and easy access to methods such as phishing and usage of bots.
	Automatic live subtitling system being trialed in academic conferences An automatic subtitling system powered by the speech recognition technology which is under development at Kyoto University made its debut on 22 August at the inaugural meeting of the Assistive and Accessible Computing (AAC) Study Group of the Information Processing Society of Japan (IPSJ). The system is intended to help people with hearing difficulties and is scheduled to be trialed over an extended term in academic conferences.
Wavelets improve medical imaging An approach to converting the data from MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machines, mammograms and other medical equipment gives doctors a much clearer picture of your insides and a chance to detect disease and other problems earlier, according to research published in the International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology. The technique known as the wavelet transform was first reported in 1910, but it was during the early 1990s that its applications in medicine and biomedical research first emerged and it is now reaching maturity as a technique to supplement or even displace conventional analytical methods.
Airbnb acquires travel planning tool Vamo Airbnb, the online accommodations platform, has acquired "travel hacks" tool Vamo for an undisclosed amount.
Yahoo marketing chief leaves for entertainment studio Yahoo said Friday that marketing chief Kathy Savitt is leaving to take a job heading a digital team at television and film industry studio STX Entertainment.
NFL to crunch Big Data in new tech deal It won't just be bodies crunching on the NFL gridiron this season: teams and coaches will be getting data from every player with new technology unveiled on Friday.
TeliaSonera, Telenor scrap merger of Danish units Telecom operators TeliaSonera and Telenor have abandoned a proposed merger of their Danish operations due to concerns by European Union regulators that it would stifle competition.
Redesigned website provides new tools to study history of slavery The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's digital humanists are bringing the American experience of slavery into sharper focus with a newly revamped website that compiles and analyzes 19th century court documents filed by slaves seeking their freedom.
	New photonic chips could transform how online data is sent and stored A key potential end user of these chips, developed through the EU-funded IRIS project, will be data centre operators. Data centres house computer systems and associated components such as telecommunications and storage systems that ensure the smooth running of businesses. Companies increasingly rely on their information systems to run operations.
Dynamic scheduling as a security tool The European Commission is supporting an innovative project, known as SAFEPOST, which will increase security in postal and parcel supply chains. SAFEPOST will introduce new technologies for detecting security threats in the supply chain. A highly innovative approach has been developed which uses real-time logistics optimisation software to detect suspicious behaviour that might threaten security.
Microsoft names Brad Smith president and chief legal officer Microsoft has named Brad Smith as its new president and chief legal officer, effective immediately.

Chemistry news

	Technique to identifying potential cancer drugs that less likely to produce side effects A class of therapeutic drugs known as protein kinase inhibitors has in the past decade become a powerful weapon in the fight against various life-threatening diseases, including certain types of leukemia, lung cancer, kidney cancer and squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. One problem with these drugs, however, is that they often inhibit many different targets, which can lead to side effects and complications in therapeutic use. A recent study by San Diego State University chemist Jeffrey Gustafson has identified a new technique for improving the selectivity of these drugs and possibly decreasing unwanted side effects in the future.
	'Lab-on-a-Chip' technology to cut costs of sophisticated tests for diseases and disorders Rutgers engineers have developed a breakthrough device that can significantly reduce the cost of sophisticated lab tests for medical disorders and diseases, such as HIV, Lyme disease and syphilis.
	Cancer decoy could attract, capture malignant cells A small, implantable device that researchers are calling a cancer "super-attractor" could eventually give doctors earlier warnings of relapse in breast cancer patients and even slow the disease's spread to other organs.
	Clear imaging of pancreatic cells through the development of a novel fluorescent probe A fluorescent imaging probe developed by A*STAR researchers has allowed scientists for the first time to visualize the detailed three-dimensional distribution of alpha cells in the pancreas of mice1. The probe could enhance diabetes research and shine a light on more effective treatment of the disease.

Biology news

	Electrostatic netting opens a whole new world of malaria vector control (Phys.org)—Mosquito-borne infectious diseases are a huge public health burden, which carry high human and economic costs. Malaria, Chikungunya, West Nile virus and dengue are difficult to treat, and controlling the disease vector—mosquitos—is imperative.
	Researcher studies courtship vocalizations and finds female mice not so silent They don't use gondolas or croon like Sinatra. But scientists have known for a long time that male mice belt out something like love songs to females when the time seems right to them.
	Wild bonobos use referential gestural system to communicate their intentions Pointing and pantomime are important components of human communication but so far evidence for referential communication in animals is limited. Observations made by researchers Pamela Heidi Douglas and Liza Moscovice of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, make important contributions to this research topic: To solve social conflicts female bonobos invite other females to engage in a socio-sexual behaviour by using pointing gestures and mimicking hip swings. This observation raises new questions about the evolution of referential communication and human language.
	Innovative imaging technique reveals new cellular secrets Cellular mitosis depends in part on small organelles that extend spindles to pull apart chromosome pairs. Before they can perform this and other essential tasks, these tiny cylindrical structures—known as centrioles in animals and spindle pole bodies (SPBs) in yeast—must themselves duplicate.
	Study shows Africanized bees continue to spread in California A study conducted by biologists at UC San Diego has found that the Africanized honey bee—an aggressive hybrid of the European honey bee—is continuing to expand its range northward since its introduction into Southern California in 1994.
	Neural circuit in the cricket brain detects the rhythm of the right mating call Scientists have identified an ingeniously elegant brain circuit consisting of just five nerve cells that allows female crickets to automatically identify the chirps of males from the same species through the rhythmic pulses hidden within the mating call.
	Large eyes come at a high cost Researchers from Lund University in Sweden have shown that well-developed eyes come at a surprising cost to other organ systems. The study involving Mexican cavefish shows that the visual system can require between 5% and 15% of an animal's total energy budget.
Too many candidates spoil the stew This election year has produced 17 Republican presidential candidates, which on its surface may appear to give the party a competitive advantage. Evolution, however, disagrees.
	Appeals court blocks pesticide use over concerns about bees A federal appeals court Thursday blocked the use of a pesticide over concerns about its effect on honey bees, which have mysteriously disappeared across the country in recent years.
	Drone captures photos of endangered baby orca, mom Federal scientists using a drone have captured photographs of a baby Puget Sound orca swimming alongside its mother in the waters of British Columbia.
	From eyesore to green oasis – the hidden beauty of our post-industrial landscape Ecologists have called for the biodiversity of brownfield sites to be given more recognition and protection after a study co-ordinated by the University of York revealed two former collieries were rich in plants and animals.
	Enzyme helps detect foreign DNA The human immune system responds to DNA from pathogens by triggering the production of a defense molecule known as interferon. A research team led by A*STAR scientists has now pinpointed an enzyme integral to this process, called Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), which provides a potential new target for drug development.
	Scientists learn how to predict plant size VIB and UGent scientists have developed a new method which allows them to predict the final size of a plant while it is still a seedling. Thanks to this method, which is based on the knowledge that a set of genes is associated with the final size of a leaf, scientists will be able to significantly accelerate plant breeding programs. The VIB/UGent scientists were able to identify this set of genes through advanced and highly detailed analyses. Expression analysis of specific genes will help breeders select the most useful crossing products at a very early stage.
Feds say New England cottontail doesn't need protection The federal government said Friday that public and private conservation efforts have helped the New England cottontail rebound to the point where it can be taken off the list of species under consideration for protection.
	Season's first dolphins killed in annual Japan hunt Japanese fishermen on Friday killed the first dolphins of the season in a controversial annual hunt that attracted global attention after it was featured in the Oscar-winning 2009 documentary "The Cove".
	Great Southern research receives technical boost The mountain bell shrub, which is partly named after Charles Darwin's grandfather, can be examined at a molecular level for the first time in Albany after the installation of a state-of-the-art genetics laboratory.
	Heifer development project atop reclaimed strip mine makes economic impact Perry County, Kentucky is mostly mountainous, but if you drive far enough up a particular road, there's a place that looks like Texas: the sky suddenly opens, the land is flat and treeless, and cattle are grazing. There's even a cowboy, who really is from Texas and runs the cattle horseback, hat and all.
	Research shows value of cadaver dogs locating underwater corpses Even when a body is submerged in deep and murky water, a specially-trained dog can sniff its whereabouts from the surface. This incredible level of canine capability is being investigated by University of Huddersfield researcher Lorna Irish. Her thesis on cadaver detection dogs will make a powerful case for extending their use in cases of underwater corpses.

Medicine & Health news

	Keeping gut bacteria in balance could help delay age-related diseases, study finds Why do some people remain healthy into their 80s and beyond, while others age faster and suffer serious diseases decades earlier? New research led by UCLA life scientists may produce a new way to answer that question—and an approach that could help delay declines in health.
	Hidden impatience revealed in linguistics study Someone's asked you a question, and halfway through it, you already know the answer. While you think you're politely waiting for your chance to respond, new research shows that you're actually more impatient than you realize.
	Scientists discover a genetic mechanism for cancer progression Genetics researchers from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine have identified a novel long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), dubbed DACOR1, that has the potential to stymie the growth of tumor cells in the second-most deadly form of cancer in the U.S.—colorectal cancer.
	Researchers erase memories in mice with a beam of light (Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers with member affiliations to several institutions in the U.S. and Japan has developed a new device that allowed them to alter the spines on a neural dendrite in a mouse brain that was first modified naturally by an event that caused a memory to form. As they explain in their paper published in the journal Nature, altering the spine caused a learned memory to be forgotten. Ju Lu and Yi Zuo both with the University of California, offer a News & Views piece on the work done by the team and offer suggestions on where such work is leading.
	Ebola virus mutations may help it evade drug treatment Genetic mutations called "escape variants" in the deadly Ebola virus appear to block the ability of antibody-based treatments to ward off infection, according to a team of U.S. Army scientists and collaborators. Their findings, published online this week in the journal Cell Reports, have implications for the continued development of therapeutics to treat Ebola virus disease, which has claimed the lives of over 11,000 people in West Africa since last year.
	Researchers compare the gut viromes of Malawian children with severe acute malnutrition (Medical Xpress)—Malnutrition is a leading cause of child mortality, and evidence is accumulating that it is not solely attributable to food insecurity. Maternal behaviors, environmental factors, and a host of complex developmental variables can contribute to the onset of severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Recently, an international group of researchers conducted a study of the gut DNA viromes of twins in Malawi that were discordant for severe acute malnutrition in order to define a familial risk for childhood malnutrition and to provide a viral dimension to the body of knowledge about the gut microbiome. They have reported their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
	Resveratrol impacts Alzheimer's disease biomarker The largest nationwide clinical trial to study high-dose resveratrol long-term in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease found that a biomarker that declines when the disease progresses was stabilized in people who took the purified form of resveratrol.
	An antibody that can attack HIV in new ways Proteins called broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) are a promising key to the prevention of infection by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. bNAbs have been found in blood samples from some HIV patients whose immune systems can naturally control the infection. These antibodies may protect a patient's healthy cells by recognizing a protein called the envelope spike, present on the surface of all HIV strains and inhibiting, or neutralizing, the effects of the virus. Now Caltech researchers have discovered that one particular bNAb may be able to recognize this signature protein, even as it takes on different conformations during infection—making it easier to detect and neutralize the viruses in an infected patient.
12+ hour hospital nursing shifts linked to increased risk of burnout and job dissatisfaction Working 12+ hour shifts is linked to a heightened risk of burnout, job dissatisfaction, and intention to leave among hospital nurses in 12 European countries, finds research published in the online journal BMJ Open.
	Eating a lot of fish may help curb depression risk—at least in Europe Eating a lot of fish may help curb the risk of depression—at least in Europe—suggests a pooled analysis of the available evidence, published online in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.
	Short lunch periods in schools linked with less healthy eating Students with less than 20 minutes to eat school lunches consume significantly less of their entrées, milk, and vegetables than those who aren't as rushed, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
	Diet beverage drinkers compensate by eating unhealthy food, study finds Want fries with that diet soda? You aren't alone, and you may not be "saving" as many calories as you think by consuming diet drinks.
	Call for government to curb the production and sale of cheap salty junk food A World Health Organization adviser is calling for the government to stop food manufacturers and distributors producing and selling unhealthy, cheap, salty junk food.
Pressure to be available 24/7 on social media causes teen anxiety and depression The need to be constantly available and respond 24/7 on social media accounts can cause depression, anxiety and reduce sleep quality for teenagers says a study being presented today, Friday 11 September 2015, at a British Psychological Society conference in Manchester.
	African dams linked to over one million malaria cases annually Over one million people in sub-Saharan Africa will contract malaria this year because they live near a large dam, according to a new study which, for the first time, has correlated the location of large dams with the incidence of malaria and quantified impacts across the region. The study finds that construction of an expected 78 major new dams in sub-Saharan Africa over the next few years will lead to an additional 56,000 malaria cases annually.
	Pressure to be cool and look good is detrimental to many children The pressure to be cool, look good and own the 'right stuff' is detrimental to many children and teenagers, according to new research by University of Sussex psychologists.
	Researchers' discovery is milestone in understanding treatment-resistant melanoma Within the past few years, new treatments have begun to turn the tide against metastatic melanoma, improving and even saving the lives of countless people with this deadly disease.
	Brain scientists discover why cognitive speed slows in MS patients In the first study of its kind, researchers at the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical Center found that individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) have decreased connectivity between key regions of the brain, slowing their cognitive speed and leading to impairments in concentration, attention, memory and judgment.
	Fewer women getting minimally invasive hysterectomies since FDA guidelines Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cautioned against using a minimally invasive method to treat fibroid tumors called power morcellation, there was a nearly quarter increase in hospital readmissions and 27 percent increase in major postoperative complications after hysterectomies in Michigan, a new University of Michigan study says.
When the neuroprosthetics learn from the patient While it takes a long time to learn to control neuroprosthetics, Jose Millán research, published in Nature Scientific Reports, will enable the creation of a new generation of self-learning and easy-to-use devices.
Does junk food shrink your brain? New research has shown for the first time that the part of the brain used for learning, memory and mental health is smaller in people with unhealthy diets.
	Self-cleaving peptides are key for easy and efficient monoclonal antibody production Using self-cleaving peptides, A*STAR researchers have designed a vector that improves efficiency for monoclonal antibody production, offering potential for improved preclinical studies.
	A protein vaccine designed to target all four variations of the dengue virus proves effective in mouse trials A breakthrough in the search for safe immunization against dengue fever has emerged after trials at A*STAR showed a new vaccine without live viruses induces an effective immune response.
Inhibited Tyk2 retains anti-cancer activity Tyrosine kinase 2 (Tyk2) is an enzyme involved in intracellular signalling and has an important role in activating the immune system. But enzymatically active Tyk2 can also promote excessive immune reactions and growth of certain cancer types.
	The hormonal factor FGF21, present in breast milk, plays a key role in regulating newborn metabolism A compound found in breast milk, named fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), plays a key role in neonatal nutrient absorption and intestinal function. FGF21 also contributes to improve newborn growth and metabolic profile.
	Smart cells teach neurons damaged by Parkinson's to heal themselves As a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease, scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have created smarter immune cells that produce and deliver a healing protein to the brain while also teaching neurons to begin making the protein for themselves.
Sedentary lifestyle and overweight in children weaken arterial health Arterial wall stiffness and reduced arterial dilation are the first signs of cardiovascular diseases that can be measured. The Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children Study (PANIC) carried out in the Institute of Biomedicine at the University of Eastern Finland shows that low levels of physical activity, weaker physical fitness and higher body fat content are linked to arterial stiffness already in 6-8 year-old children. The study sample included 160 children, and the findings were published in Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports.
	Why aren't under-65's diagnosed with cancer until the disease is advanced? With cancer, the earlier you are diagnosed, the great your chances for survival. It is easier, and more effective, to treat a cancer that is in its early stages and hasn't spread to other parts of the body. And that's why health care providers stress the importance of regular cancer screening.
	Cancer patient receives 3-D printed ribs After being diagnosed with a chest wall sarcoma, a 54-year-old Spanish man's surgical team made the decision to remove his sternum and a portion of his rib cage and replace it with an implant.
	Study reveals connection between fitness level, brain activity, and executive function The aging process is associated with declines in brain function, including memory and how fast our brain processes information, yet previous research has found that higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults leads to better executive function in the brain, which helps with reasoning and problem solving. Higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels have also been found to increase brain volume in key brain regions.
	Young male cyclists are the most likely to die after being involved in a traffic accident A study by researchers at the University of Granada has demonstrated that mortality among cyclists varies widely depending on the age and sex of the population. Male cyclists, above all those aged between 15 and 24 years, are more likely to die than adults (25-34 years), which could be explained by their greater exposure and risk of having an accident.
Italian-Chinese medical team to perform first head transplant An Italian-Chinese medical team plan to perform the world's first head transplant in China, one of the surgeons said Friday, amid concerns over medical ethics in the country.
Stroke patients fare better with private insurance than with Medicaid, researchers find Stroke victims who use Medicaid or are uninsured were more likely to die, stay hospitalized longer and have worse medical outcomes than patients with private insurance, a study by University of Florida Health researchers has found.
	Study backs more aggressive treatment of high blood pressure Aiming lower saves more lives when it comes to controlling high blood pressure, says a major new study that could spur doctors to more aggressively treat patients over 50.
	Periodontitis and heart disease: Researchers connect the molecular dots Periodontitis is a risk factor for heart disease. Now a team of researchers has shown that a periodontal pathogen causes changes in gene expression that boost inflammation and atherosclerosis in aortic smooth muscle cells. The research is published ahead of print in Infection and Immunity, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.
Achieving effective health care with a new approach to caring for chronic illnesses Researchers from the University of Miami and Harvard University address the challenges of effective universal health coverage in low- and middle-income countries, focusing on solving one of the most pressing issues: the care of chronic illnesses. Their suggestions, aimed at strengthening health care systems, include recommendations based on a "diagonal approach" for managing health care. Their report is published in the September issue of the journal Health Affairs.
The link between drug therapy and kidney failure in transplant patients New research will help scientists and medical professionals to better understand the long-term complications caused by an immunosuppressant drug used to treat thousands of kidney transplant patients.
For veterans with Gulf War Illness, an explanation for the unexplainable symptoms One in four Gulf War veterans suffers from Gulf War Illness (GWI). The condition is characterized by unexplainable chronic fatigue, muscle pain and cognitive dysfunction and may be associated with exposure to chemicals, many identified as genotoxins, during deployment.
British MPs reject controversial right to die bill (Update) A British bill to allow some terminally ill patients to end their lives was rejected Friday after it sparked fierce opposition from religious leaders and rival protests outside parliament.
Effects of incarceration spill over into health care system, study finds Consequences of incarceration on former inmates and their families are well known. But how does imprisonment affect the health care system as a whole?
	Reducing liver fluke transmission in northeastern Thailand A new model tested in northeastern Thailand shows that a multi-pronged approach—combining treatment, ecosystem monitoring, and community mobilization—can effectively tackle the transmission of liver flukes, according to research supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
High-intensity training delivers results for older men-but not for older women High-intensity training (HIT) is often recommended as a way to improve cardiovascular fitness in men and women. HIT exercise can have a positive effect on a person's maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity, the pathway that cells use to metabolize energy. However, studies on these exercise regimens have focused on younger subjects. University of Copenhagen researchers set out to study whether the effects were the same for older males and females as those noted in younger adults. They will present their results at the APS Conference "Physiological Bioenergetics: From Bench to Bedside" in Tampa.
	New epigenetic study reveals exciting insights into colorectal cancer progression Researchers at Nanjing University, China, found new epigenetic markers for colorectal cancer which may offer a new approach for treatment.
	Amid heroin scourge, schools stock up on overdose antidote In addition to pencils, books and computers, count a new tool this year at many schools around the country: the heroin-overdose antidote naloxone.
	New pharmacy, medical school partnership seeks better, safer medications​ St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are joining forces to find better, safer and more effective ways to use prescription medications to improve health. Researchers from the two institutions are collaborating to create the Center for Clinical Pharmacology.

Other Sciences news

	Neighborhoods influence use of African American Vernacular, research shows What neighborhood children grow up in can influence their use of African American Vernacular English and eventual prospects for educational success and socio-economic mobility, a new Stanford study shows.
	Pattern of winners and losers explains US policy on fuel subsidies The politics of climate change are often depicted as a simple battle, between environmentalists and particular industries, over government policy. That's not wrong, but it's only a rough sketch of the matter. Now a paper co-authored by MIT economist Christopher Knittel fills in some important details of the picture, revealing an essential mechanism that underlies the politics of the climate battle.
Opinion: Failure to reproduce results is 'a normal part of how science works' Results of a new study in the prestigious journal Science hit the front page of The New York Times late last month. The study found that of 100 papers published in three top psychology journals, more than 60 could not be replicated—that is, the findings could not be reproduced. A storm of speculation ensued, with references to everything from fraud and exaggerated scientific claims to questions about whether the social sciences are even "science" in the first place.
	Researchers identify new NZ fossil whale species University of Otago palaeontology researchers are continuing to rewrite the history of New Zealand's ancient whales by describing two further genera and three species of fossil baleen whales.
	Explainer: How do archaeologists discover forgotten ancient monuments? The popular image of an archaeologist is someone who spends most of their time on their knees painstakingly excavating sites. Although excavation is still one of archaeology's principal research methods, it is not without problems: it is slow, expensive and can cover only relatively small areas of a site. Most problematic of all, it destroys much of the very evidence we rely upon.
	Grass-cutters, mushrooms and giant land snails, oh my! When UCLA hosted the Special Olympic World Games this summer, a positive message of inclusion and acceptance was amplified. But unfortunately for many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in other parts of the world, this message doesn't resonate in their countries, where there are no pathways for them to learn work and social skills or gain independence.

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