Fwd: Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Mar 23

RESPEKT!

Earth's moon wandered off axis billions of years ago, study finds

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Thu, Mar 24, 2016 at 2:11 AM
Subject: Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Mar 23
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>

Dear Pascal Alter,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for March 23, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Female burying beetle emits pheromone to ward off male desire during parental care
- Quasars slowed star formation: First observed evidence of galactic-wind phenomenon
- Study questions life extension mechanism in roundworms
- Gas giant planet discovered near the Milky Way's bulge
- Earth's moon wandered off axis billions of years ago, study finds
- Statistics suggests that unanimous agreement in witnessed events may be sign of an error
- Human impact forms 'striking new pattern' in Earth's global energy flow
- Biologist discovers clues about frog deaths
- Blurred lines: Human sex chromosome swapping occurs more often than previously thought
- Does a common parasite play a role in rage disorder?
- Live-imaging technique for mice seen as boost to studies of brain function and development
- Smooth jumps from athletes integrating headphones with training
- Modified maggots could help human wound healing
- New drug to treat muscle wasting disease inclusion body myositis (IBM) reverses key symptoms in mice
- Unlocking the secrets of gene expression: Scientists make major advance in understanding a basic process of life

Nanotechnology news

	An innovative device studies gold nanoparticles in depth Artists have used gold nanoparticles for centuries, because they produce vibrant colors when sunlight hits them. Their unique optical-electronics properties have put gold nanoparticles at the center of research, solar cells, sensors, chemotherapy, drug delivery, biological and medical applications, and electronic conductors. The properties of gold nanoparticles can be tuned by changing their size, shape, surface chemistry etc., but controlling these aspects is difficult.
	Researchers develop a technology to enable unzipping of the graphene plane A research team at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed a technique that enables unzipping of the graphene plane without uncontrollable damage.
Optimized analytics reduce 'false negatives' in the detection of nanoparticles The INM – Leibniz Institute for New Materials has joined forces with a manufacturer of analytical equipment to reduce particles losses and avoid false negatives.

Physics news

Microfluidic devices gently rotate small organisms and cells A method to rotate single particles, cells or organisms using acoustic waves in a microfluidic device will allow researchers to take three dimensional images with only a cell phone. Acoustic waves can move and position biological specimens along the x, y and z axes, but for the first time researchers at Penn State have used them to gently and safely rotate samples, a crucial capability in single-cell analysis, drug discovery and organism studies.

Assembling micro-components with laser tweezers A team of engineers headed by Prof Dr Cemal Esen from the Applied Laser Technologies lab at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum develop microscopic components and assemble them to larger objects with the aid of laser tweezers. They are thus establishing methods that one day may be utilised to manufacture machines in dimensions of a few micrometres. The group has successfully tested several fastening techniques. At present, the researchers are experimenting with doped materials which can be used for rendering objects magnetic or giving them electrically conductive properties.

Earth news

	Protecting coral reefs with bubbles Blowing tiny bubbles through seawater could help protect coral reefs and oyster farms from oceans turned increasingly acidic through human activities by stripping carbon dioxide (CO2) from coastal marine environments and transferring it to the atmosphere, Stanford scientists say.
	Human impact forms 'striking new pattern' in Earth's global energy flow The impact humans have made on Earth in terms of how we produce and consume resources has formed a 'striking new pattern' in the planet's global energy flow, according to researchers from the University of Leicester.
Unaccounted for Arctic microbes appear to be speeding up glacier melting Today, at the Microbiology Society's Annual Conference in Liverpool, scientists will reveal how Arctic microbes are increasing the rate at which glaciers melt, in a process not accounted for in current climate change models.
	Palau declares state of emergency over drought Palau became the latest Pacific island nation to declare a state of emergency Wednesday, as the region struggles with an extreme drought that forecasters warn will not ease for months.
	Image: Picnic at Concordia research station in Antarctica ESA-sponsored medical doctor Floris van den Berg scans the horizon and contemplates life at Concordia research station in Antarctica during a freezing picnic. No arrivals will appear on the horizon for nine months – the winter months in Antarctica are too extreme for supplies or people to travel to the remote base, and the closest neighbour is 560 km away.
	Wildfire map reveals countries in Europe most at risk of catastrophic fire damage Cities and tourist areas such as Catalonia, Madrid and Valencia are among those most at risk of catastrophic damage from wildfires in Europe, according to research led by the University of Leicester.
	Predicting severe hail storms When a hail storm moved through Fort Worth, Texas on May 5, 1995, it battered the highly populated area with hail up to 4 inches in diameter and struck a local outdoor festival known as the Fort Worth Mayfest.
	You taste like mercury, said the spider to the fly More mercury than previously thought is moving from aquatic to land food webs when stream insects are consumed by spiders, a Dartmouth College-led study shows.
Experts urge UK parliament to take action to reduce food waste As UK supermarkets pledge to cut food waste by 20% within the next decade, experts are calling on the government to take legislative action and debate the Food Waste (Reduction) Bill.
	Australian prime minister announces greener policies Australia's prime minister on Wednesday distanced himself from the man he replaced by announcing a new fund to promote clean energy innovation as the country heads toward a likely early election in July.
	Water in the economy—a narrative for stewardship World Water Day always prompts dire headlines. The word "crisis" will be used frequently, as will "billions" – as in, billions of people affected by water scarcity and without access to sanitation, and billions of dollars of economic activity jeopardized by poor water management. These make for interesting tweets, but can actually stymie action by making the problems seem too big to solve.
	Preventing 'oceans of plastic soup' Approximately 8 million metric tons of plastic waste washes off land into the ocean each year. Bottle caps, toothbrushes, tiny plastic fragments, filaments, pellets, film and resin float about in the water columns.
	The damaging effects of black carbon Air pollution, both outdoors and indoors, causes millions of premature deaths each year. The deaths are mainly caused by the inhalation of particulate matter. Black carbon, a component of particulate matter, is especially dangerous to human health because of its tiny size. But black carbon not only has impacts on human health, it also affects visibility, harms ecosystems, reduces agricultural productivity and exacerbates global warming.
	International trade damages tropical nature, according to study Tropical countries incur annual economic losses totalling US$1.7 trillion through destruction of ecosystem services.
	Suomi NPP satellite spots ex-Tropical Cyclone Emeraude's remnants Former Tropical Cyclone Emeraude was battered by northeasterly vertical wind shear and reduced to a remnant low pressure area in the Southern Indian Ocean. NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite passed over the system on March 24 captured a visible image of the large area of remnant clouds.

Astronomy & Space news

	Quasars slowed star formation: First observed evidence of galactic-wind phenomenon Research led by Johns Hopkins University scientists has found new persuasive evidence that could help solve a longstanding mystery in astrophysics: Why did the pace of star formation in the universe slow down some 11 billion years ago?
	Gas giant planet discovered near the Milky Way's bulge (Phys.org)—Using the gravitational microlensing technique, astronomers have recently detected what appears to be a Saturn-like planet residing near the Milky Way's bulge. The newly discovered exoplanet has a mass somewhere between Saturn and Jupiter and is orbiting a star with half the mass of the sun. A paper detailing the finding was published online on Mar. 21 on the arXiv pre-print server.
	Earth's moon wandered off axis billions of years ago, study finds A new study published today in Nature reports discovery of a rare event—that Earth's moon slowly moved from its original axis roughly 3 billion years ago.
	The wilds of the local group Rather like an uncontacted tribe living deep in the Amazon rainforest or on an island in Oceania, WLM offers a rare insight into the primordial nature of galaxies that have been little disturbed by their environment.
	New theory helps explain and predict the activity of sun-like stars Researchers have developed a new conceptual framework for understanding how stars similar to our Sun evolve. Their framework helps explain how the rotation of stars, their emission of x-rays, and the intensity of their stellar winds vary with time. According to first author Eric Blackman, professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Rochester, the work could also "ultimately help to determine the age of stars more precisely than is currently possible."
	Space station cargo launches by light of nearly full moon Fresh supplies shipped out late Tuesday for the International Space Station, where the shelves finally are getting full after a string of failed deliveries.
	Tracing star formation rates in distant galaxies When we think of a galaxy the first thing that comes to our minds is an assembly of stars. Indeed, the stars of a galaxy are one of its most important characteristics.
	GRaND seeks subsurface water ice on Ceres The Gamma Ray and Neutron Detector (GRaND) aboard NASA's Dawn spacecraft is mapping the elemental composition of Ceres in a low altitude orbit, about 240 miles (385 kilometers) above the surface of the dwarf planet.
	Ancient Pluto may have had lakes and rivers of nitrogen The New Horizons probe revealed the surface features of Pluto in rich detail when it reached the dwarf planet in July 2015. Some of the features look like snapshots of rivers and lakes that are locked firmly in place by Pluto's frigid temperatures. But now scientists studying the data coming back from New Horizons think that those frozen lakes and rivers could once have been liquid nitrogen.
	Stressed in space Living in space is a wonderful experience but it can take its toll on an astronaut's body – half of astronauts return with weaker immune systems from the International Space Station. ESA astronaut and medical doctor André Kuipers remembers his six-month mission: "Back on Earth, I felt a hundred years old for a few months."
	Image: Six-degree-of-freedom microvibration unit for satellite testing The latest addition to ESA's satellite-testing facilities is this six-degree-of-freedom microvibration unit, sufficiently sensitive to identify the multi-axis forces induced by a single dropped feather.
	Man who predicted space shuttle Challenger disaster dies Bob Ebeling spent three decades filled with guilt over not stopping the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger, but found relief in the weeks before his death.

Technology news

	How the FBI might hack into an iPhone without Apple's help For more than a month, federal investigators have insisted they have no alternative but to force Apple to help them open up a phone used by one of the San Bernardino shooters.
	Automakers say electrics, hybrids no longer just gas-sippers When Toyota aired a Super Bowl television ad featuring a surprisingly quick Prius gas-electric hybrid eluding police, it marked a turning point for the auto industry.
	Optimizing flutter shutter to minimize camera blur Whether taking photos recreationally or professionally, photographers understandably want their snapshots to appear sharp and clear. Image clarity is dependent on exposure time, or the amount of time that a camera's sensor is exposed to light while a photograph is being taken. During this period, the shutter opens and the camera counts the number of photons emitted by the subject.
	Record-speed data transmission could make big data more accessible With record-breaking speeds for fiber-optic data transmission, University of Illinois engineers have paved a fast lane on the information superhighway—creating on-ramps for big data in the process.
	News 'micropayments' startup hits US market (Update) A Dutch-based startup that aims to get readers to make "micropayments" for individual news articles launched in the US market Wednesday with a handful of high-profile media partners.
	Engineers set a new world record in 5G wireless spectrum efficiency New research by engineers from the Universities of Bristol and Lund, working alongside National Instruments (NI), has demonstrated how a massive antenna system can offer a 12-fold increase in spectrum efficiency compared with current 4G cellular technology.
	Smooth jumps from athletes integrating headphones with training Halo Neuroscience is making its mark as a company with a focus on neurotechnology for elite athletes. Halo, reported Ars Technica, says its headset can be beneficial in performance.
	Epidemic of 'ransomware' is growing hacking threat Hackers are stepping up efforts to turn their exploits into cold cash, locking a user's data unless a ransom is paid, a report found Tuesday.
	Robots can function on a soccer field and a leaking nuclear power plant They are all shapes and sizes, with all numbers of legs. They can put out fires on ships, shimmy up construction sites to do dangerous inspections, safely traverse battlefields and enter power plants to plug radiation leaks.
	Electronic snooping 'small price to pay' against terror: expert Terrorism will cast a continuing shadow over future generations and government electronic surveillance is a small price to pay to combat it, a leading historian said Wednesday, a day after the carnage in Brussels.
	Technology could solve longstanding problem of separating gas from water When oil and gas are extracted from the earth, water also comes to the surface. Known as produced water, it contains naturally occurring hydrocarbons, salt, bacteria, radioactive material and other compounds, as well as any chemical additives used to ease extraction.
	New 3-D printer unlocks 'mind-blowing' possibilities with electronics manufacturing Installation of a highly advanced 3D printer for electronics at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has opened the door for creating miniature circuits on surfaces and substances that could never be used before.
Eliminating mechanical vibrations leads to better performing mechatronic systems For precision engineering systems, such as CD and DVD players, anti lock braking systems and computer hard disk drives, vibration can significantly affect performance. Now, A*STAR engineers have developed an efficient and reliable method for eliminating a major source of vibration.
	Technique for assembling active photovoltaic components from inexpensive metals By rapidly heating silicon wafers covered with thin iron silicide and aluminum films, A*STAR researchers have developed a way to eliminate many of the complicated, time-consuming steps needed to fabricate light harvesting solar cells1.
	Ten cool applications for virtual reality that aren't just games When you mention virtual reality (VR), most people's thoughts turn to video games. Indeed, Sony has just announced its new Playstation VR headset. But VR isn't just about gaming. There are many other interesting and exciting uses for VR.
	More advances toward autonomous cars Having your car drive itself to wherever you want to go—a concept immortalised in Minority Report or Total Recall—is one step closer with local researchers about to install lane changing capabilities in a self-driving car.
	Big data security problems threaten consumers' privacy As more personal information is collected up by ever-more-powerful computers, giant sets of data – big data – have become available for not only legitimate uses but also abuses.
	Engineers develop networked self-analyzing electric motors A team of engineers from Saarland University are developing intelligent motor systems that function without the need for additional sensors. By essentially transforming the motor itself into a sensor, the team led by Professor Matthias Nienhaus are creating smart motors that can tell whether they are still running smoothly, can communicate and interact with other motors and can be efficiently controlled.
Report: HealthCare.gov logged 316 cybersecurity incidents (Update) The web portal used by millions of consumers to get health insurance coverage under President Barack Obama's law logged 316 security incidents in just under 18 months, said a report Wednesday by nonpartisan congressional investigators.
	The consumer tablet is dying; long live the business tablet Tablets may never again be the consumer sensation they once were, but they are finding new life among professionals.
	Wheels to Watch: Honda, Toyota, Buick show new vehicles From hot-selling SUVs to cool new small cars to electric vehicles and hybrids, the 2016 New York International Auto Show features a diverse lineup of new vehicles. The show officially opens to the public on Friday. About 1,000 vehicles will be on display:
Chinese national admits hacking US defense firms A Chinese national pleaded guilty Wednesday on charges stemming from the hacking of trade secrets from US defense contractors, including plans for transport and fighter jets, officials said.
	Tinder looks to 'swipe' into presidential campaign Tinder made a name for itself by getting users to "swipe" right or left to find a date. Now it wants to use that idea in the US presidential campaign.
Solar incentives sunset as states grapple with tight budgets Thousands of homeowners and small businesses in New Mexico—the second sunniest state in the nation—have invested nearly a quarter billion dollars in roof-top solar and related labor thanks to a program fueled by tax credits.
	Why a future Apple-FBI case may go very differently Although it fiercely opposes the FBI's demand for help unlocking a San Bernardino shooter's encrypted iPhone, Apple has never argued that it simply can't do what the government wants. That might not be true for long.
6 Sri Lankans banned from leaving after Bangladesh bank hack A Sri Lankan court banned foreign travel by six directors of a foundation that police say was remitted some of the $101 million stolen in the hacking of Bangladesh Central Bank's account at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York.
	Marine renewable energy schemes should take greater account of local needs: study Developers should pay more attention to the needs of island communities when consulting on harnessing their potential as sources of renewable energy, a study suggests.
Discover stories within data using SandDance, a new Microsoft Research project Data can be daunting. But within those numbers and spreadsheets is a wealth of information. There are also stories that the data can tell, if you're able to see them. SandDance, a new Microsoft Garage project from Microsoft Research, helps you visually explore data sets to find stories and extract insights. It uses a free Web and touch-based interface to help users dynamically navigate through complex data they upload into the tool.
UN, Malawi try drones to transport HIV tests in babies Malawi and the United Nations children's agency are experimenting with drones to speed up HIV testing for infants.

Chemistry news

	Chemists find a way to synthesize complex plant molecule phorbol and its derivatives In a landmark feat of chemical synthesis, scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have developed a 19-step process for making the naturally occurring compound phorbol in the laboratory, in quantities that are useful for pharmaceutical research.
	New reaction turns feedstock chemical into versatile, chiral building block Researchers in the Doyle lab at Princeton have developed a direct cross-coupling reaction to produce nitrogen-containing compounds called 1,2-dihydropyridines, versatile building blocks that are highly useful in pharmaceutical research.
	Using frog foam to deliver antibiotics Today, at the Microbiology Society's Annual Conference in Liverpool, scientists will show that the foam made by Trinidadian frogs represents a new, non-toxic antibiotic delivery system that may help to prevent infections.
	Sensitive electronic biosniffers diagnose diseases via biomarkers in breath Professor Il-Doo Kim in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is developing ultrasensitive and highly selective gas sensors to diagnose diseases by exhaled breath analysis. Professor Kim has led the development of semiconductor metal oxide-based nanofiber sensor arrays, which are optimized for pattern recognition of breath prints.
	Cellular 'light switch' analysed using neutron scattering The internal movements of proteins can be important for their functionality; researchers are discovering more and more examples of this. Now, with the aid of neutron spectroscopy, dynamic processes have also been detected in so-called "LOV photoreceptors" by scientists from Jülich, Aachen, Dusseldorf and Garching near Munich. These proteins are widely distributed throughout nature and are of biotechnological relevance. The results highlight the immense potential of neutron scattering experiments for the analysis of cellular processes. The research has recently been published in the Biophysical Journal.

Biology news

	Study questions life extension mechanism in roundworms (Phys.org)—It's strange to think that there was a time when molecular cell biology was considered by professionals of other scientific specialties as disreputable or laughable. But the motivation for much cellular biology research around the mid-20th century was the search for the mechanisms of aging and the means to alter them—for centuries, people have been understandably frustrated by the indignities of aging and the burden of mortality, and the search for a "fountain of youth" was universally regarded as a foolish and hopeless endeavor.
	Female burying beetle emits pheromone to ward off male desire during parental care (Phys.org)—A team of researchers with members from several institutions in Germany has found that the female burying beetle gives off a pheromone during parental care that causes male beetles to temper their sexual advances. In their paper published in the journal Nature Communications, the team describes their study of hundreds of the beetles captured in a German forest and brought to their lab.
	First evidence found that 'cryptic female choice' is adaptive University of Otago researchers studying chinook salmon have provided the first evidence that "cryptic female choice" (CFC) enhances fertilisation success and embryo survival.
	Blurred lines: Human sex chromosome swapping occurs more often than previously thought It turns out that the rigid "line in the sand" over which the human sex chromosomes—-the Y and X—- go to avoid crossing over is a bit blurrier than previously thought. Contrary to the current scientific consensus, Arizona State University assistant professor Melissa Wilson Sayres has led a research team that has shown that X and Y DNA swapping may occur much more often. And this promiscuous swapping, may in turn, aid in our understanding of human history and diversity, health and disease, as well as blur rigid chromosomal interpretations of sexual identity.
	DNA molecules directly interact with each other based on sequence Proteins play a large role in DNA regulation, but a new study finds that DNA molecules directly interact with one another in a way that's dependent on the sequence of the DNA and epigenetic factors. This could have implications for how DNA is organized in the cell and even how genes are regulated in different cell types, the researchers say.
	Prairie dogs found to kill competing squirrels (Phys.org)—A pair of researchers, one with the University of Maryland, the other the University of Tulsa, has found that white-tailed prairie dogs living on the North American prairie, sometimes kill ground squirrels that live in the same area. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, John Hoogland and Charles Brown describe their multi-year study of the prairie dogs, their observations of squirrel killing, and why they believe it occurs.
	Biologist discovers clues about frog deaths UCF biologist Anna Savage is obsessed with frogs and figuring out why they are dying at an unprecedented rate around the world.
	Unlocking the secrets of gene expression: Scientists make major advance in understanding a basic process of life Your DNA governs more than just what color your eyes are and whether you can curl your tongue. Your genes contain instructions for making all your proteins, which your cells constantly need to keep you alive. But some key aspects of how that process works at the molecular level have been a bit of a mystery—until now.
	Changes to environment helps protect young pheasants Making changes to the early lives of young pheasants can help prevent them dying needlessly, University of Exeter researchers have found.
	Modeling to save a rare plant Human activities continue to expand. At the same time, an increasing number of plants face habitat loss and fragmentation. In fact, more than 700 plants are classified as endangered in the United States.
	First contact in decades with rare rhino in Indonesia's Borneo Environmentalists have made physical contact with a Sumatran rhino on the Indonesian part of Borneo island for the first time in over 40 years, the WWF said Wednesday, hailing a "major conservation success".
A better way to design fusion protein drugs New software developed at A*STAR could help scientists design sophisticated biopharmaceutical drugs that demand the joining of proteins together. The tool, which is freely available online, allows researchers and drug developers to input the protein fragments desired and pick the best 'linkers' accordingly.
	Could fungi help pine forests withstand climate change? Arthur Conan Doyle's famous literary detective Sherlock Holmes once noted that "the little things are infinitely the most important." It's a belief that investigators at the University of Alberta obviously share. Whether they're seeking to understand the tiniest forms of life, taking small steps toward major breakthroughs or influencing students in subtle but profound ways, U of A researchers and educators are proving that little things can make a big impact.
	Detecting changes in cell differentiation and migration during embryonic development Researchers at A*STAR have designed a highly sensitive, animal-free method to test the toxicity of drugs on developing embryos. The technique can identify compounds that disrupt the differentiation and, for the first time, the movement of growing colonies of human stem cells.
	Discovery of clock genes in plants that regulate the circadian rhythm Plants prepare for cold evenings by triggering biological processes, such as closing of their stomata and synthesizing wax to prevent water loss. Biologists have shown that these processes, which are induced by genes expressed in the evening, are actually regulated by clock proteins that are produced during sunrise. Further understanding of these clock-mediated processes could promote growth of plants in climates that are different from their origin.
	Durably resistant potatoes with wild potato genes offer 80% reduction in chemical control A research project into the development of potatoes with sustainable resistance against phytophthora via genetic modification with genes from wild potato varieties and good resistance management (DuRPh) has concluded with a scientific publication on the research results. The Wageningen UR scientists indicated that their approach was successful in developing potato plants which require 80% less chemical control.
Cellular "blindness" to chromosome cohesion defects Research led by Raquel Oliveira, group leader at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC; Portugal), has elucidated how cells are almost blind to chromosome cohesion defects. The results, published in the scientific journal Cell Reports uncovered how these defects, often associated with cancer development, congenital diseases and infertility, evade the strict surveillance of the checkpoint mechanisms that ensure faithful genome segregation.
	Poor outlook for ash trees The future for ash – the tree that gave us food, fuel and the Sweet Track, one of the oldest roads in the world – looks bleak, according to a new survey of its biology and ecology. The review by tree expert Dr Peter Thomas is the largest-ever survey of this much-loved tree and is published today in the Journal of Ecology.
	Reconstructing the cell surface in a test tube Like the phenomena of flocking birds and shoaling fish, the dance of molecules across a cell's surface has long fascinated theorists, physicists and biologists alike. Unlike bird and fish behaviour, however, cell surface dynamics cannot be observed and studied easily. However, it is important to understand these processes as they are crucial for cells to gain information about their environment and respond. So how does one understand the rules that govern movement of molecules across this arena? By reconstructing the cell surface from scratch, perhaps? Now, scientists from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bangalore have managed to do exactly that - construct a simplified cell surface from its constituent parts, namely, a mixture of fats and proteins. This reconstruction creates a crucial new tool that researchers can use to test theories on cell surface dynamics.
	Green light stops sea turtle deaths Illuminating fishing nets is a cost-effective means of dramatically reducing the number of sea turtles getting caught and dying unnecessarily, conservation biologists at the University of Exeter have found.
	Study reveals evolution of malaria Malaria affects close to 500 million people every year, but we're not the only ones—different species of malaria parasite can infect birds, bats, and other mammals too. A Field Museum study published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution reveals a new take on the evolution of different malaria species and contributes to the ongoing search for the origins of malaria in humans."We can't begin to understand how malaria spread to humans until we understand its evolutionary history," explained lead author Holly Lutz, a Ph.D. candidate at Cornell University and a longtime affiliate of The Field Museum. "In learning about its past, we may be better able to understand the effects it has on us."
Paradigm shift: 'We need to study lumps of bacteria' New research from the University of Copenhagen reveals that bacteria which agglutinate before entering the body are far more resistant than single-celled bacteria. This may be the cause of chronic infections.
	4-legged healers soothe hospital's stressed-out docs, nurses Patients who delay getting treatment and insurers who balk at paying for it are among job stresses that Chicago nurse Ben Gerling faces on a semi-regular basis. So there was no tail-dragging when his employer offered a few four-legged workplace remedies.
Scientists cross-breed to improve head shape in toy dogs predisposed to a painful disorder In a new study published today in the journal PLOS ONE, scientists from the University of Surrey, working with an experienced breeder in the Netherlands, examined how the skull and brain of toy dogs change when a Brussels Griffon with Chiari-like malformation is crossed with an Australian Terrier. The succeeding hybrid puppy is then back crossed to a Brussels Griffon to give some of the features of the Brussels Griffon, but keeping the longer skull of the Australian Terrier.
	Pit bull label may triple length of stay in dog shelters Dogs labelled as "pit bulls" may wait three times as long to be adopted from shelters than differently labelled lookalikes, according to a study published March 23, 2016 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Lisa Gunter from Arizona State University, USA, and colleagues.
	Pet owners warned over toxic Easter treats Hot cross buns and chocolate may be sweet treats for humans, but experts warn that Easter is a deadly time for pets.
	MSU part of team working to save endangered species in Nicaragua A proposed canal project in Nicaragua that would connect the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean could seriously deplete and disrupt the habitats of a number of animals, including some that are endangered.

Medicine & Health news

	Personality traits can be revealed by movement, study shows A pioneering new study has revealed how an individual's movement can give a unique insight into their inherent personality traits.
	Using magnetic forces to control neurons, study finds brain is vital in glucose metabolism To learn what different cells do, scientists switch them on and off and observe what the effects are. There are many methods that do this, but they all have problems: too invasive, or too slow, or not precise enough. Now, a new method to control the activity of neurons in mice, devised by scientists at Rockefeller University and Rensselear Polytechnic Institute, avoids these downfalls by using magnetic forces to remotely control the flow of ions into specifically targeted cells.
	New drug to treat muscle wasting disease inclusion body myositis (IBM) reverses key symptoms in mice A new drug to treat the muscle wasting disease inclusion body myositis (IBM) reverses key symptoms in mice and is safe and well-tolerated in patients, finds a new study led by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases at University College London (UCL) and the University of Kansas Medical Center.
	Scientists pinpoint brain circuit for risk preference in rats Investigators at Stanford University have identified a small group of nerve cells in a specific brain region of rats whose signaling activity, or lack of it, explains the vast bulk of differences in risk-taking preferences among the animals.
	Brad Pitt's and fruit flies' cowlicks controlled by cancer protein What does Brad Pitt have in common with a fruit fly? His Hollywood hairstyles cover a prominent cowlick - the swirl of hair that that is caused by a patterning mechanism also active in our two-winged friends—that similarly feature "polarized" hair patterns.
	Does a common parasite play a role in rage disorder? Individuals with a psychiatric disorder involving recurrent bouts of extreme, impulsive anger—road rage, for example—are more than twice as likely to have been exposed to a common parasite than healthy individuals with no psychiatric diagnosis.
	Brain stimulation may reduce symptoms and improve decision-making in people with anorexia Core symptoms of anorexia nervosa, including the urge to restrict food intake and feeling fat, are reduced after just one session of a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, according to King's College London research published today in PLOS ONE.
	Live-imaging technique for mice seen as boost to studies of brain function and development University of Oregon scientists have looked into the brains of living mice to see in real time the processing of sensory information and generation of behavioral responses.
	Modified maggots could help human wound healing In a proof-of-concept study, NC State University researchers show that genetically engineered green bottle fly (Lucilia sericata) larvae can produce and secrete a human growth factor - a molecule that helps promote cell growth and wound healing.
	SSRI antidepressants not associated with an increased risk cardiovascular conditions Commonly used antidepressants, known as 'selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors', are not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular conditions, such as heart attacks and strokes, according to new research at The University of Nottingham.
	Adherence to Japanese diet guidelines linked to longer life Closer adherence to Japanese dietary guidelines is associated with a lower risk of death from all causes and death from cardiovascular disease, particularly stroke, finds a study published by The BMJ today.
	Heavy, persistent pot use linked to economic and social problems at midlife A research study that followed children from birth up to age 38 has found that people who smoked cannabis four or more days of the week over many years ended up in a lower social class than their parents, with lower-paying, less skilled and less prestigious jobs than those who were not regular cannabis smokers. These regular and persistent users also experienced more financial, work-related and relationship difficulties, which worsened as the number of years of regular cannabis use progressed.
Antipsychotic drugs may not be effective against delirium A recent review of the medical literature does not support the use of antipsychotic medications for preventing or treating delirium in hospitalized patients.
Study suggests most female childhood cancer survivors have good chance of becoming pregnant For women who have survived childhood cancer, the impact of modern chemotherapy regimens on the likelihood of becoming pregnant is generally small, and most have a good chance of conceiving, according to one of the largest studies of its kind published in The Lancet Oncology. In contrast, male survivors of childhood cancer are significantly less likely to have children, especially if they are treated with chemotherapy regimens containing high doses of commonly used alkylating drugs and cisplatin.
	Warning: High-intensity training could hurt you if you're not an athlete High-intensity 'sprint training' may be gaining popularity at gyms, but if you're new to this form of exercise, the workout could do more harm than good.
Study finds benefits of device for inserting IUDs after birth A simple tool designed for inserting an intrauterine device may offer women in the developing world a convenient, low-cost option for long-term contraception.
Brazil confirms 907 Zika-linked microcephaly cases Brazil has confirmed 907 cases of microcephaly and 198 babies with the birth defect who have died since the Zika virus outbreak started in October, authorities said Tuesday.
	Decreased blood vessel leakage can improve cancer therapy and reduce tumor spread Cancer therapy is often hampered by the accumulation of fluids in and around the tumour, which is caused by leakage from the blood vessels in the tumour. Researchers at Uppsala University now show how leakage from blood vessels is regulated. They have identified a novel mechanism whereby leakage can be suppressed to improve the result of chemotherapy and reduce the spread of tumours in mice. The results have been published in the scientific journal Nature Communications.
	Scientists distinguish molecules capable of fighting prostate cancer Scientists from MIPT (Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology), MSU (Moscow State University), the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) and National University of Science and Technology (MISIS) have published an overview of the most promising compounds that can be used as medications for prostate cancer in the Journal of Drug Targeting.
	Students' grades lower due to lack of sleep Students who have a chronic lack of sleep have lower grades and find it harder to concentrate. Around a third of students do not feel well rested enough to be able to study properly.
	Possible breakthrough in tuberculosis research on the horizon "New weapon in fight against the deadliest disease! Medicine can be used to treat existing illness and prevent reoccurrence." These headlines were published 125 years ago and shook up not only the world of science and medicine, but also the general public. At the time, tuberculosis – the disease in question – was responsible for almost 40 percent of deaths among Berlin's working population.
	New insights into human tears could improve contacts lenses When contact lenses work really well, you forget they are on your eyes. You might not feel the same at the end of a long day staring at a computer screen. After too many hours of wear, the lenses and your eyes dry out, causing irritation that might outweigh the convenience of contacts.
	Breast cancer gene a key to unlocking new treatments Researchers from The University of Queensland have identified a treatment target for aggressive forms of breast cancer.
	Longer-time to follow-up with patients after heart attack associated with worse medication adherence In a study published online by JAMA Cardiology, Tracy Y. Wang, M.D., M.H.S., M.Sc., of Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, N.C., and colleagues examined whether earlier outpatient follow-up after acute myocardial infarction (AMI; heart attack) is associated with higher rates of medication adherence.
Survey finds positive view towards living kidney donation; offering payment may motivate In a study published online by JAMA Surgery, Thomas G. Peters, M.D., of the University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, and colleagues examined the willingness of voting U.S. citizens to become living kidney donors and to determine the potential influence of compensation for donation.
	Heroin overdose antidote offers hope for vulnerable inmates When he was a teenager, Lee Gonzales could not save his uncle from a heroin overdose. Now he worries that the same drug could kill him after he gets out of jail.
	Pulmonary embolism treatment widely used despite uncertain benefit Despite being costly and of little proven benefit, a procedure for treating pulmonary embolism with blood clot filters is routinely used in older adults, Yale School of Medicine researchers and their colleagues found in a new study.
	New research provides insight into high suicide rate in rural areas Newly published research around alarming suicide rates in regional areas provides an important insight into the issue.
Technique to generate antibodies for natural immune responses to cancer and leukemia The artificial enhancement of the body's natural immune defenses is a potential weapon in the battle against diseases such as leukemia. A*STAR researchers are honing methods to boost the interactions between antibodies and natural killer (NK) cells, which will increase the ability of the immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells.
	How do children learn empathy? Empathy, the ability to understand others and feel compassion for them, is arguably the most defining human quality – setting us apart from smart machines and even other animals. Without it, we couldn't function in social areas such as the schools, court rooms and office workplaces that are the cornerstones of our society.
	Microscopic structures of vegetable surfaces contribute to foodborne illness Foodborne illness outbreaks do more than make us sick. Not only can the U.S. economy suffer as a result of reduced worker productivity, particular sectors of the farming industry can experience negative consumer perception, potentially leading to sustained profit losses. In an effort to understand and eventually reduce the incidence of foodborne illnesses, University of Illinois researchers studied the ability of pathogenic viruses to adhere to fresh produce surfaces.
	Women more severely affected by Alzheimer's than men Women with Alzheimer's have poorer cognitive abilities than men at the same stage of the disease, reveal academics from the University of Hertfordshire in a paper published in World Journal of Psychiatry today.
	Making cigarette sticks unattractive next step for plain packaging As New Zealand moves towards legislating for plain packaging of cigarettes, the Government should consider measures that extend and improve upon Australia's model, ASPIRE2025 researchers from the University of Otago believe.
Medical marijuana reduces use of opioid pain meds, decreases risk for some with chronic pain Patients using medical marijuana to control chronic pain reported a 64 percent reduction in their use of more traditional prescription pain medications known as opioids, a University of Michigan study finds.
	New ultrasound method creates better picture of cardiovascular health Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have discovered a new and more accurate way to distinguish between harmful and harmless plaque in the blood vessels by using ultrasound. This can help healthcare providers determine the risk of strokes and heart attacks – which means avoiding unnecessary surgery for many patients.
	Concert hall acoustics influence the emotional impact of music Aalto University researchers have found that the emotional impact experienced by music listeners depends on the concert hall's acoustics.
The unreliability of Chinese traditional medicines Chinese medicines are manufactured and distributed all over the world. Many people perceive them as natural, even benign and with few side effects, but regulation of human medicines fluctuates widely in different countries. Are they really as safe as we think? Previous studies have found conflicting evidence of the presence of hazardous chemicals such as Arsenic (As) and Mercury (Hg) in Chinese medicines. Now a new research paper recently published by Dr Etsuko Furuta (Ochanomizu University, Japan) and Professor Nobuaki Sato, (Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan) in Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry, raises questions about what controls should be implemented regarding the use, importation and production of Chinese medicines.
	Study links dementia to head injuries Repeated minor trauma to the head and other body parts can lead to early dementia, according to a study by a Massey University health psychology graduate.
	Study highlights link between social media use and underage drinking A recent study finds that the savvier young people are about using social media, the less likely they are to report having alcohol-related problems.
	Will requiring food stamp retailers to sell more healthy food make it easier for SNAP recipients to eat better? The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves an important role in our nation's fight against hunger. Formerly known as food stamps, SNAP helps 45 million low-income Americans – nearly half of whom are children – put food on the table each month.
	Study finds safety of Whistler sliding track comparable to other tracks High speed and athlete inexperience are top contributing factors to injuries and accidents on the Whistler sliding track, according to a UBC study conducted following the death of an athlete during a training run before the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
	Treating withdrawal symptoms could help cannabis users quit, study finds Heavy users of cannabis who experience withdrawal symptoms such as nervousness and cravings when they quit are likely to use again sooner than their peers, a new study finds.
	Study demonstrates possibility of changing behavior of gaze by transcranial magnetic stimulation A study financed by the Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris has been conducted under the direction of Monica Zilbovicius in the Inserm Unit 1000 on a particular region of the brain, the superior temporal sulcus (STS), influencing perception and behaviour of the gaze. This work has shown that transcranial magnetic stimulation (non-invasive and painless) of the STS can selectively and transiently inhibit the subject's gaze into the eyes of the person speaking to them. Published in the journal Cerebral Cortex, it offers new therapeutic prospects for autistic patients precisely presenting anatomical and functional differences of the superior temporal sulcus.
	AMA encouraging physicians to ID, assist victims of trafficking (HealthDay)—Physicians can help to identify and assist trafficking victims, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
	Smoking cessation benefits persist in spite of weight gain in patients with mental illness The weight gain that can result from quitting smoking does not eliminate the reduction in cardiovascular risks associated with smoking cessation among patients with serious mental illness, at least not during the first year. A report from a Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-based research team, being published online in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, describes the results of a one-year trial but cannot rule out future health risks associated with continuing weight gain.
	New proteins discovered that link obesity-driven diabetes to cancer For the first time, researchers have determined how bromodomain (BRD) proteins work in type 2 diabetes, which may lead to a better understanding of the link between adult-onset diabetes and certain cancers.
Genetically altering female mice prevents diet-induced obesity, study shows Researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center seeking a way to combat the growing epidemic of obesity have found that deleting microRNA-155 in female mice prevents diet-induced obesity.
	Oxytocin level in pregnancy predicts postpartum depression severity Higher oxytocin levels in the third trimester of pregnancy predicts the severity of postpartum depression symptoms in women who previously suffered from depression, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study.
New study suggests children with cardiomyopathy benefit from treating entire family A newly published national study by the Children's Hospital of Michigan and Wayne State University School of Medicine researchers shows that "parental impact and family functioning" become increasingly abnormal when children with cardiomyopathy-related chronic heart disease are more severely ill than children less affected by the disease.
Scientists examine the merits of fish oil supplements The effects of fish oil supplements on muscle growth has been investigated by a team of Stirling academics, revealing the tablets do not give gym-goers an advantage in the weight room.
	Exercise may slow brain aging by 10 years for older people Exercise in older people is associated with a slower rate of decline in thinking skills that occurs with aging. People who reported light to no exercise experienced a decline equal to 10 more years of aging as compared to people who reported moderate to intense exercise, according to a population-based observational study published in the March 23, 2016, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
	PTSD may affect blood vessel health in veterans Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may decrease the ability of blood vessels to dilate, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke in veterans, according to new research in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
	Team achieves breakthrough in diagnosis of melanoma skin cancer In collaboration with researchers from UGent, VIB scientists from KU Leuven have revealed a remarkable link between malignant melanoma and a non-coding RNA gene called SAMMSON. The SAMMSON gene is specifically expressed in human malignant melanoma and, strikingly, the growth of aggressive skin cancer is highly dependent on this gene. The conclusions could pave the way for improved diagnostic tools and skin cancer treatment. The study, led by professor Jean-Christophe Marine (VIB/KU Leuven) and professor Pieter Mestdagh (UGent), is expected to cause quite a stir after its upcoming publication in the leading scientific journal Nature.
	NIST develops first widely useful measurement standard for breast cancer MRI Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed the first widely useful standard for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast, a method used to identify and monitor breast cancer.
	Prolonged daily sitting linked to 3.8 percent of all-cause deaths Sedentary behavior, particularly sitting, has recently become a prevalent public health topic and target for intervention. As work and leisure activities shift from standing to sitting, increased sitting time is starting taking a toll on our bodies. A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that sitting for more than three hours per day is responsible for 3.8% of all-cause mortality deaths. Investigators also estimate that reducing sitting time to less than three hours per day would increase life expectancy by an average of 0.2 years.
	Report of bone marrow/liver pathology caused by syphilis (HealthDay)—A case of acquired syphilis leading to involvement of the bone marrow and liver is described in a report published online March 22 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies show promise in ACS (HealthDay)—Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) monoclonal antibodies may represent a promising treatment option for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), according to a review published online March 22 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	ACC: Leadless pacemaker, subcutaneous ICD feasible (HealthDay)—Intrabody, wireless unidirectional communication is possible using a leadless cardiac pacemaker (LCP) and subcutaneous implantable-cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD), according to a letter published online March 21 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The research will also be presented at the upcoming annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology, to be held from April 2 to 4 in Chicago.
	Most pediatricians satisfied with professional responsibilities (HealthDay)—Overall, most pediatricians report that their allocation of professional time is in accordance with what they want, according to a study published online March 22 in Pediatrics.
	Age, ICU LOS can stratify patients into disability groups (HealthDay)—Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) who survive one week or more of mechanical ventilation can be stratified into disability groups based on age and ICU length of stay, according to a study published online March 14 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
	ASCO endorses cancer care ontario breast cancer guidelines (HealthDay)—The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has endorsed the Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) recommendations on the role of patient and disease factors in selecting adjuvant therapy for early-stage breast cancer, according to a special article published online March 21 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
In human development research, big data could mean better results While there is no Hubble telescope gathering data about the universe of human development, projects to make large amounts of information—big data—more accessible to developmental researchers could bring behavioral science's biggest questions into focus, according to a Penn State psychologist.
	New mobile container can sterilize surgical instruments in low-resource settings Rice University students and their mentors have created a sterilization station for surgical instruments that can help minimize risk of infections to patients anywhere in the world.
	The tougher men think they are, the less likely they are to be honest with doctors Men are less likely than women to go to the doctor, more likely to choose a male doctor when they do go, but less likely to be honest with that doctor about their symptoms, Rutgers psychologists have found. The researchers believe this may contribute to men's dying earlier than women.
	Model of tumor spreading may help doctors pinpoint best treatment Advances in personalized medicine allow doctors to select the most promising drugs for certain types of malignant tumors. But what if before initiating treatment, they could go a step further and use a mini-model of the human body to see how each patient's actual tumor responds to the drugs and learn if and where the tumor is likely to spread?
Missed opportunities to avoid painful shocks at the end of life Many patients who have a common medical device known as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) are unaware that the device can be deactivated to prevent painful shocks in their final days of life, according to two studies scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 65th Annual Scientific Session.
Researchers identify a new cause of inherited neuropathy Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT) is a family of inherited disorders of the peripheral nervous system, affecting approximately one in 2,500 Americans. Its most common iteration, CMT1, comes in many forms, most of which have to date been linked to a small set of causative genes. New research from the department of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia recently spanned the globe to uncover a new genetic cause of CMT1. Their findings are published online this week in Brain.
	Same symptoms, different care for women and men with heart disease Despite messages to the contrary, most women being seen by a doctor for the first time with suspected heart disease actually experience the same classic symptoms as men, notably chest pain and shortness of breath, according to a study led by the Duke Clinical Research Institute.
	New imaging scans track down persistent cancer cells Head and neck cancer patients may no longer have to undergo invasive post-treatment surgery to remove remaining cancer cells, as research shows that innovative scanning-led surveillance can help identify the need for, and guidance of, neck dissection.
Digital health tool helps cardiac rehab patients shed more pounds Adding a digital health tool to traditional cardiac rehabilitation appears to help people recovering from a heart attack lose significantly more weight in a relatively short period of time, according to research scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 65th Annual Scientific Session.
Long naps, daytime sleepiness tied to greater risk of metabolic syndrome Taking long naps or being excessively tired during the day is associated with a higher risk for developing metabolic syndrome, according to a study scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 65th Annual Scientific Session.
Depression after heart disease diagnosis tied to heart attack, death New research shows patients with a history of chest discomfort due to coronary artery disease—a build up of plaque in the heart's arteries—who are subsequently diagnosed with depression are much more likely to suffer a heart attack or die compared with those who are not depressed. The study, scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 65th Annual Scientific Session.
Statewide initiative associated with improved cardiac arrest outcomes Statewide efforts to equip family members and the general public with the know-how and skills to use cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the home or in public coincide with improved survival and reduced brain injury in people with sudden cardiac arrest. The data, collected over a five-year period, is scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 65th Annual Scientific Session.
	Blood test can predict risk of developing tuberculosis One-third of the world's population is thought to be infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB), but just a small fraction ever develops symptomatic illness. Now, an international team of researchers has identified biological markers in the blood of latently infected people that may give doctors a tool they have long sought: a way to predict who is at high risk of developing active TB. If validated through additional clinical trials, a test based on these blood biomarkers would allow doctors to target therapies to at-risk people, thus preventing them from getting sick.
Should doctors boycott working in Australia's immigration detention centers? In The BMJ this week, two experts debate whether doctors should boycott working in Australia's immigration detention centres.
Jury finds for Merck in hepatitis drug fight with Gilead A federal jury in California has ruled in favor of drugmaker Merck & Co. in a high-stakes lawsuit against rival Gilead Sciences Inc. over patents for lucrative new drugs that rapidly cure hepatitis C.
China vaccine scandal sees 37 detained At least 37 suspects have been detained and 13 wholesalers put under investigation over a vaccine scandal that has raised deep concern about safety, Chinese media said Wednesday.
	Obama health law birth control plan returns to Supreme Court The Supreme Court is taking up a challenge from faith-based groups that object to an Obama administration effort to ensure their employees and students can get cost-free birth control.
	Overlap between genetic factors associated with risk of schizophrenia and maternal age at 1st birth The risk of schizophrenia in children associated with younger and older maternal age appears to be partly explained by the genetic association between schizophrenia and age at first birth, according to an article published online by JAMA Psychiatry.
	A vision for medicine precision with new disease data link-up Vast amounts of data generated by screening patients for diseases like cancer and arthritis at The University of Manchester will now be used to improve treatment and drug safety in partnership with the University of Dundee.
Early detection tools promise to reduce the financial burden of lung and colorectal cancer A team of researchers at Israeli SME Nucleix have set for themselves the objective of reducing the financial burden of lung and colorectoral cancers—two of the cancer types with the highest occurrence in Europe. They are planning to bring new, non-invasive and more accurate diagnostic tools to market.
	German Cabinet OKs prostitution bill requiring condom use Germany's Cabinet on Wednesday approved legislation meant to better control prostitution and make life safer for sex workers, a bill that includes making the use of condoms obligatory.
	RetroSense doses first patient in phase I/II RP clinical trial A Wayne State University startup company announced today the first successful dosing of a patient in a clinical trial that is a major step forward for patients with vision challenges.
	New evidence shows what works to delay child marriage in Bangladesh New research presented by the Population Council shows that programs that educate girls, teach them about their rights and build skills for modern livelihoods can reduce the likelihood of child marriage by up to one-third in Bangladesh. This is the first rigorously evaluated study to provide evidence on approaches to delay child marriage in a region where two out of three girls is married before the legal age of 18.
	China detains dozens after sales of poorly stored vaccines (Update) Police in eastern China have detained 37 people implicated in a scandal involving the selling of poorly refrigerated and probably ineffective vaccines, state media reported Wednesday.
Ultrasound-estimated fat content in muscles may be an indicator of physical health Ultrasound-estimated percent intramuscular fat of muscles in the lower extremity was inversely associated with physical activity level and positively associated with body mass index in a recent study.
Company that makes sleep apnea masks to pay $34M in lawsuit A company that makes breathing masks for people with sleep apnea has agreed to pay $34.8 million to settle claims it paid kickbacks to suppliers that sold its products.
Chronic diseases may negatively affect the mental health of poor and middle-income adults In a study of more than 8,000 adults, those with a chronic health condition such as diabetes or asthma were more likely to report psychological distress and functional impairment if they were residents of poor or middle-income households. There was no significant association between chronic disease and distress for individuals from higher-income households.
Endocrine Society calls for integrative approach to improve diabetes care To provide integrated care for people who have diabetes and may be at risk of developing related medical complications, the U.S. health care system needs to continue building effective multidisciplinary care team models, according to new recommendations issued by the Endocrine Society today.
	Justices divided over health law birth control plan The Supreme Court seems deeply divided over the arrangement devised by the Obama administration to spare faith-based groups from having to pay for birth control for women covered under their health plans.
Tooth loss increases the risk of diminished cognitive function The International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR) have published an article titled "Tooth Loss Increases the Risk of Diminished Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis" in the OnlineFirst portion of the JDR Clinical & Translational Research. In it, Cerutti-Kopplin et al systematically assessed the association between oral health and cognitive function in adult populations.
Two decades have brought little change for women in cardiology Female cardiologists are less likely than their male counterparts to get married and have children and more likely to face challenges related to child care, family leave policies and professional discrimination, according to a study scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 65th Annual Scientific Session.
Many women not properly informed of heart risk by their doctors Although nearly three-quarters of women taking a recent survey had one or more risk factors for heart disease, a startlingly small proportion—just 16 percent—had actually been told by their doctors that these factors put them at risk for heart disease, according to a study scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 65th Annual Scientific Session.

Other Sciences news

	Statistics suggests that unanimous agreement in witnessed events may be sign of an error (Phys.org)—A team of researchers with The University of Adelaide and one with University of Angers has found that the probability of a unanimous agreement in witnessed events is low enough that instances of such are likely a sign of an error. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society A, the researchers suggest their findings could have an impact on fields as diverse as legal proceedings, archaeological assessments and even cryptographic testing.
	Ancient seaweed fossils document some of the oldest multicellular life Homing in on when life on Earth evolved from single-celled to multicellular organisms is no easy task. Organisms that old lacked many distinguishing characteristics of modern life forms, making their fossils exceptionally rare.
	The conflict between science and religion lies in our brains, researchers say The conflict between science and religion may have its origins in the structure of our brains, researchers at Case Western Reserve University and Babson College have found.
	Novel stadium-based research helps us understand group dynamics New Psychology research led out of New Zealand's University of Otago is backing up the old saying that "birds of a feather flock together". The findings emerged after researchers used high-definition video cameras on the roof of a large covered stadium to track and analyze how strangers formed groups.
	Big data for categorizing people should be used with caution, expert says Big data that could be used to identify people as likely child abusers or alcoholics should be treated with the utmost caution, according to University of Queensland researcher Dr Philip Gillingham.
Research study yields unexpected conclusion about longer school years A five-year randomized study to determine whether kindergarten through third grade students would benefit from an extra 25 days of school was completed with mixed results. The study concluded that students benefited, but only in specific conditions.
	What's that fossil? An app has answers Fossil hunters now have a mobile app to help them identify specimens in the field.
	Workplace status matters—but not in the way you think Are employees more likely to help co-workers above them or beneath them in the corporate pecking order?
Experiential learning needs time, experiential learners need support Internships and experiential learning programs typically span the length of a semester, but preliminary findings of a new University of Houston study indicate that's not long enough for students to get the full benefits. At issue are the students' expectations and their advisors' guidance.
Generosity and commitment to causes improve when giving is personal Whether the call to action is to support an important cause, save a life, or offer monetary support, new research shows it's the personal connection of giving that makes the giver feel more generous. This giving of oneself, from a signature to blood, increases feelings of generosity and in turn, increases the likelihood of continued support of a cause, according to research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science.
	Digital tech to enhance social interaction between senior citizens EPFL+ECAL Lab, Pro Senectute Vaud and the Fondation Leenaards have joined forces in an innovative initiative to use new technologies to enhance social interaction among seniors. Their goal is to develop a digital solution that will allow greater interaction among older people in "solidarity neighborhoods." Preliminary results have shown that, despite widespread assumptions to the contrary, new interfaces can be developed to meet the needs of elderly users.
	A new look at old bones reveals patterns of neck elongation in elasmosaurids I think at this point it's no secret that I really really really like aquatic animals, especially of the extinct variety (in case you don't believe me, see here and here and here and here and here and here! Whew!!). So I just couldn't resist featuring another study on aquatic organisms that came out this week in the Open Access journal PeerJ. The study, by Rodrigo Otero, focuses on one of the more unusual groups of marine reptiles, elasmosaurids.
Italian surgeon fired from Swedish research institute Sweden's Karolinska Institute (KI), which awards the Nobel Prize for Medicine, on Wednesday dismissed a Italian transplant surgeon suspected of research fraud and ethical breaches, in an affair that has plunged the renowned institution into crisis.
Study examines where and why New York City retailers sell organic foods A store's decision to sell organic food depends on its neighborhood demographics, and the range of organic foods offered for sale is linked to the size of the store, finds research by NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.
	NIST, partners set research agenda for protecting firefighters from harm If there is anything common among the 1.1 million firefighters—both career and volunteer—serving in the United States, it's that at any moment, they may be required to put their lives on the line to protect people and property from disaster. But who helps protect these dedicated public servants from the on-the-job dangers they face? One group making the effort is the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), whose "Everyone Goes Home" program champions a set of 16 life safety initiatives designed to reduce the number of preventable firefighter line-of-duty injuries and fatalities.

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