Fwd: Science X Newsletter Sunday, Sep 27

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Blog comment, collab help man attack old maths problem

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From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Mon, Sep 28, 2015 at 3:36 AM
Subject: Science X Newsletter Sunday, Sep 27
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>

Dear Pascal Alter,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for September 27, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Ion space drive is said to break fuel efficiency record
- Opportunity Mars rover preparing for active winter
- Zuckerberg, Gates make bid for universal Internet access
- Supermoon plus eclipse equals rare sky show Sunday night
- Blog comment, collab help man attack old maths problem
- Researchers discover contenders in molecular arms race of major plant disease
- Biomimetic dental prosthesis
- Two-drug combo helps older adults with hard-to-treat depression

Earth news

	Paris boulevards car-free for a day (Update) Paris staged a car-free day for the first time on Sunday, with large parts of the increasingly polluted French capital taken over by cyclists, joggers and families with pushchairs on roads normally choked by vehicles.
	Skiing, climbing, global warming: French Alps show dilemma The Alps are the birthplace of downhill skiing and a crucible for mountain climbing—but now the French government is trying to help their winter tourist towns adapt to a warming world.
Singapore moves against Indonesian firms over haze Singapore has launched legal action that could lead to massive fines against Indonesian companies blamed for farm and plantation fires spewing unhealthy levels of air pollution over the city-state.
Brazil pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions Brazil on Sunday became the first major developing country to pledge an absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for an envisioned global pact against climate change.
	On menu for world leaders - trash, and a message World leaders accustomed to fine dining had a surprise on their plates Sunday at the United Nations—trash.

Astronomy & Space news

	Opportunity Mars rover preparing for active winter NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity is conducting a "walkabout" survey of "Marathon Valley," where the rover's operators plan to use the vehicle through the upcoming Martian winter, and beyond, to study the context for outcrops bearing clay minerals.
	Supermoon plus eclipse equals rare sky show Sunday night Get ready for a rare double feature, starring our very own moon.
	Stargazers ready for rare event in supermoon eclipse Stargazers are about to get a double celestial treat when a total lunar eclipse combines with a so-called supermoon.

Technology news

	Ion space drive is said to break fuel efficiency record What's that? A space drive that reportedly wipes out NASA's fuel efficiency record? The news comes from Australia, from Neumann Space.
	Zuckerberg, Gates make bid for universal Internet access Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates on Saturday threw their weight and resources behind the goal of bringing Internet access to everyone in the world by 2020.
	Japan robot owners warned off droid sex The company behind a chatty Japanese humanoid named Pepper has felt the need to remind customers who purchase the robots not to engage in sex with them.
	'Modern-day pirate' Kim Dotcom's words now used against him Prosecutors say Kim Dotcom and his colleagues sometimes reveled in their role as "modern-day pirates," discussed how to thwart the justice system, and joked that a judge would one day realize how "evil" they were.
	Silicon Valley to give India's Modi 'rock star' treatment For a change, Silicon Valley is buzzing about something besides a sleek new device, mind-bending breakthrough or precocious billionaire.
	What we know: the Volkswagen emissions test fraud scandal Just one week ago Volkswagen was a company oozing confidence, the world's best-selling automaker with a global brand that appealed to car buyers seeking trustworthy German engineering at an affordable price.
	BBC wins big by betting on chat app to deliver Ebola tips The BBC won a prestigious Online News Association award for public service journalism Saturday for its use of the chat application WhatsApp to distribute information about Ebola in stricken areas during the 2014 outbreak.
	Analysis: US-China agreement on cybertheft a first step China's pledge to help crack down on hackers who steal commercial secrets from the United States, even coming as it did amid a bit of arm-twisting by President Barack Obama, is a big breakthrough that could reduce U.S.-China tensions and end huge losses for American companies.
	Modi touts social media, tech development in Facebook visit Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi touted the power of social media and his own goals for developing India's tech economy on Sunday, speaking to a global audience from a "town hall" meeting at the headquarters of the world's largest social network.

Chemistry news

Biomimetic dental prosthesis There are few tougher, more durable structures in nature than teeth or seashells. The secret of these materials lies in their unique fine structure: they are composed of different layers in which numerous micro-platelets are joined together, aligned in identical orientation.

Biology news

Researchers discover contenders in molecular arms race of major plant disease Researchers have discovered how a tiny viral protein enables the infection of a complex plant, and the finding could lead to understanding viral diseases in other plants, animals and humans, according to a team of Texas A&M AgriLife Research biochemists.
Report recommends expanding SeaWorld killer whale tanks SeaWorld should be allowed to build a much larger facility for its killer whales, a state government report recommended Friday in a move that outrages animal rights groups that see it as a step toward breeding more orcas in captivity.
Fishermen worry as black sea bass stake New England claim As waters warm off the coast of New England, black sea bass are moving north and, fishermen say, threatening the region's most valuable aquatic species: the lobster.
Federal officials investigate walrus deaths in Alaska Two groups of Pacific walrus have been found dead along the Chukchi Sea northwest of Alaska. One incident is the subject of a criminal investigation. The other has been blamed on natural causes.
	Environmentalists ask court to stop Hawaii tuna quota shift Environmentalists on Friday asked a federal judge to stop the National Marine Fisheries Service from allowing Hawaii-based fishermen to attribute some of the bigeye tuna they catch to U.S. territories.
Advocates: Oyster farming may hurt threatened shorebirds Environmentalists and coastal researchers say New Jersey's efforts to establish commercial oyster farms in shallow coastal waters may be jeopardizing a threatened shorebird.

Medicine & Health news

	Two-drug combo helps older adults with hard-to-treat depression More than half of older adults with clinical depression don't get better when treated with an antidepressant. But results from a multicenter clinical trial that included Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis indicates that adding a second drug—an antipsychotic medication—to the treatment regimen helps many of those patients.
Cabozantinib improves survival in patients with advanced kidney cancer Vienna, Austria: Patients with advanced kidney cancer live for nearly twice as long without their disease progressing if they are treated with cabozantinib, a drug that inhibits the action of tyrosine kinases - enzymes that function as an "on" or "off" switch in many cellular processes, including cancer.
Breakthrough study demonstrates survival advantage with immune checkpoint inhibitor for advanced kidney cancer patients For the first time, an immune checkpoint inhibitor has been proven to increase survival among patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a patient population for whom treatment options are currently limited.
	How to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs (HealthDay)—Many people hold on to extra prescription drugs, but saving old medications is unwise, a pharmacist warns.
	Expert tips for preventing kids' sports injuries (HealthDay)—"Put me in, Coach," may be a common plea heard from young athletes. But sports medicine experts suggest that benching players for at least part of the year might help prevent sports-related injuries.
	No specific findings to ID recurrence in head and neck CA (HealthDay)—For patients treated for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), no definite index of symptoms or signs indicates local recurrence or second primary malignancy, according to a study published online Sept. 2 in Head & Neck.
	Low D-dimer cut-off appears to help prevent recurrent events (HealthDay)—Low cut-off levels used in the D-Dimer-Ultrasonography in Combination Italian Study (DULCIS) resulted in half the recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) events that would have occurred using other criteria in young patients at high risk, according to research published online Sept. 12 in the International Journal of Laboratory Hematology.
	Age, obesity affect gene expression in symptomatic BPH (HealthDay)—Age and obesity affect gene regulation in men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia, according to a study published in the October issue of The Journal of Urology.
	Sleep quality improved in seniors with access to natural spaces (HealthDay)—Seniors and men sleep more soundly if they have access to natural surroundings, such as beaches or parks, according to a study published in the September issue of Preventive Medicine.
	Guideline developed for supraventricular tachycardia (HealthDay)—Recommendations have been developed for the management of adult patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). The guideline was published online Sept. 23 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
	Tips offered for management of genetic conditions in pregnancy (HealthDay)—Management of genetic conditions during pregnancy may require a multidisciplinary approach, according to a Committee Opinion from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) published in the October issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Stone removal helps half of patients with recurrent UTI (HealthDay)—Half of patients with recurrent urinary tract infections and asymptomatic renal calculi can be rendered infection-free with stone extraction, according to a study published in the October issue of The Journal of Urology.
	Spironolactone seems effective for female pattern hair loss (HealthDay)—Spironolactone may be an effective treatment for female pattern hair loss (FPHL), especially among patients with signs of hyperandrogenism, according to a study published in the October issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
	Review: Link for physical activity, atopic dermatitis unclear (HealthDay)—The correlation between physical activity and atopic dermatitis (AD) is unclear, according to a research letter published online Sept. 19 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
	Retinal ganglion cell count IDs normal-tension glaucoma (HealthDay)—Weighted retinal ganglion cell (RGC) count has higher potential than other parameters for differentiating normal eyes from those with glaucoma, according to a study published online Sept. 19 in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.
	Moderate, more severe hearing impairment linked to mortality (HealthDay)—For older adults with hearing impairment (HI), moderate or more severe impairment is associated with mortality in an age-adjusted model, according to a research letter published online Sept. 24 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Childhood cancers in Europe: Progress has been made, but much remains to be done Each year in Europe, 6,000 young people die from cancer, and two-thirds of those who survive suffer from treatment-related side effects. Although there has been considerable progress in the treatment of childhood cancers over the past few decades, and cancer in childhood is rare, these are major problems that need to be overcome, says a report from SIOPE, the European Society for Paediatric Oncology, launched at the 2015 European Cancer Congress today.
Tackling the global shortfall in radiotherapy could save millions of lives and boost the economy of poorer countries Millions of people are dying from potentially treatable cancers like breast and prostate because of a chronic underinvestment in radiotherapy resources, according to a major new Commission on access to radiotherapy, published in The Lancet Oncology, and being presented at the 2015 European Cancer Congress in Vienna, Austria.
Everolimus improves progression-free survival for patients with advanced, nonfuctional neuroendocrine tumors In an international Phase III randomized study, everolimus, an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), has shown to dramatically improve progression-free survival for patients with advanced, nonfunctional neuroendocrine tumors (NET) of the lung and gastrointestinal tract.
Genetic screening of brain metastases could reveal new targets for treatment Unravelling the genetic sequences of cancer that has spread to the brain could offer unexpected targets for effective treatment, according to new research presented to the 2015 European Cancer Congress [1] today (Sunday) and published simultaneously in Cancer Discovery [2].
Differences between tumors of younger and older colorectal cancer patients Colorectal cancer (CRC) is on the rise among younger patients. Although some of the younger-onset cases can be explained by hereditary factors, the majority arise spontaneously. Researchers have now found that tumours in younger colorectal cancer patients may be molecularly distinct from those of older patients, and that these differences are related to the way genes are switched on and off (epigenetics) in the tumours of the younger patients. Such a discovery may lead to better treatment options tailored specifically to a younger age group, they say.
Differences found between smokers and non-smokers who develop lung cancer Tobacco smoke is known to be the main risk factor for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), although non-smokers can get it too. The incidence among non-smokers is increasing in many countries. Now a group of Portuguese researchers has found significant differences in clinical particularities and survival between smokers and non-smokers who develop NSCLC.
Rare cancer responds unusually well to new treatment Vienna, Austria: Patients with advanced gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) have limited treatment options and there are few oncologists who are specialised in this relatively rare disease. But now results from a multi-centre randomised international trial of an innovative treatment show a marked improvement in the length of time patients with mid-gut NETs live without the disease getting worse (progression-free survival, or PFS), researchers will report to the 2015 European Cancer Congress today.
Walking quieter routes to work can avoid peaks in air pollution Commuting to work by walking on quieter side streets rather than main roads can help people avoid exposure to peaks in harmful air pollution, according to new research presented today at the European Respiratory Society's International Congress, 2015.
Infections in childhood could provide clues to disease development in later life The interaction between infections and the microbiota during infancy in the lungs could help provide clues to disease development later in life, according to the findings of a new study.
Primary surgery is linked with survival benefit in patients with advanced throat cancer Patients with cancers of the mid- and lower throat may have higher survival rates if their initial treatment includes surgery, according to new research presented to the 2015 European Cancer Congress today.
EUROCARE data show large variations in survival from blood cancers in Europe Comparisons of cancer patients' survival and care in Europe up to 2007 show that although more patients are surviving for at least five years after diagnosis, there are large variations between countries, which are particularly significant in cancers of the blood.
	Tiny, premature baby survives birth on a cruise ship A Utah woman who unexpectedly gave birth on a cruise ship months before her due date said she wrapped towels around the 1 1/2-pound boy and kept him alive with the help of medical staff until the ship reached port.
Migrants and refugees: Nationality and social status affect cancer care quality Access to quality cancer care is still a big issue in Europe, and there is great heterogeneity in the availability of drugs, screening programmes and resources among countries. Neglected cancer populations exist with lower rates of early diagnosis and treatment compliance. Migrants and refugees are one of those. As the Europe migrant crisis grows, Dr Alexandru Eniu, Head of the Day Hospital Unit, Department of Breast Tumours, Cancer Institute "I. Chiricuta", Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Chair of the ESMO Emerging Countries Committee and ESMO Executive Board member, points out possible strategies to overcome disparities in cancer care.
Treatment of elderly breast cancer patients varies between different European countries First results from the largest international comparison of the treatment of elderly patients with breast cancer have shown there are substantial differences in the use of surgery, hormone therapy and chemotherapy between European countries.
Results of international trial show promise in rare, difficult to treat cancer Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) develop in the neuroendocrine system, responsible for producing the hormones that regulate the working of different organs in the body. They are rare, incurable, and treatments for them are limited, especially once they have become advanced. Now an international team of researchers has shown that the use of the mTOR inhibitor, everolimus, can delay tumour growth among both gastrointestinal and lung NETs. This is particularly important for patients with the lung tumours, the researchers say, because there is currently no approved treatment for such cases.
Lung cancer survival rates improve with CT scan follow-up Patients with recurrent lung cancer have better post-surgery survival rates if their management includes a follow-up programme based on computer tomography (CT) of the chest, according to new findings.
Sierra Leone's last known Ebola patients leave hospital Sierra Leone began a second 42-day countdown to becoming Ebola-free on Sunday as it discharged its last two known patients and lifted its quarantine restrictions in the north, local health officials said.

Other Sciences news

Blog comment, collab help man attack old maths problem Chris Cesare in Nature reported on Friday that Terence Tao successfully attacked the Erdős discrepancy problem by building on an online collaboration. Tao is a professor in the math department at UCLA. He works primarily in mathematical areas of harmonic analysis, PDE, geometric combinatorics, arithmetic combinatorics, analytic number theory, compressed sensing, and algebraic combinatorics.

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