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From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Tue, Jul 19, 2016 at 12:30 AM
Subject: Science X Newsletter Monday, Jul 18
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>

Dear Pascal Alter,
Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for July 18, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Best of Last Week–Blurring lines between classical and quantum physics, why turtles have shells and new way to get happy

Scientists develop way to upsize nanostructures into light, flexible 3-D printed materials

Study points to critical periods in early-life learning for brain development

Kepler confirms more than 100 planets in single trove

A battery inspired by vitamins: 'New universe' of organic molecules that can store energy in flow batteries

Smallest hard disk to date writes information atom by atom

Tesla working on Autopilot radar changes after crash

Study shows auditory cortex of hearing and deaf people are nearly identical

SpaceX launching space station docking port for NASA

First image released from world's super radio telescope

World touring solar plane's final leg to UAE delayed

Flight of the bumble bee reveals plants' flair for flower arranging

Researchers invent 'smart' thread that collects diagnostic data when sutured into tissue

Tiny transformers: Chemists create microscopic and malleable building blocks

SpaceX launches space station docking port for NASA

Nanotechnology news

	Scientists develop way to upsize nanostructures into light, flexible 3-D printed materials For years, scientists and engineers have synthesized materials at the nanoscale level to take advantage of their mechanical, optical, and energy properties, but efforts to scale these materials to larger sizes have resulted in diminished performance and structural integrity.
	Smallest hard disk to date writes information atom by atom Every day, modern society creates more than a billion gigabytes of new data. To store all this data, it is increasingly important that each single bit occupies as little space as possible. A team of scientists at the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience at Delft University reduced storage to the ultimate limit: They stored one kilobyte (8,000 bits) representing each bit by the position of a single chlorine atom. "In theory, this storage density would allow all books ever created by humans to be written on a single post stamp," says lead scientist Sander Otte. They reached a storage density of 500 Terabits per square inch (Tbpsi), 500 times better than the best commercial hard disk currently available.
	A glimpse inside the atom An electron microscope can't just snap a photo like a mobile phone camera can. The ability of an electron microscope to image a structure – and how successful this imaging will be – depends on how well you understand the structure. Complex physics calculations are often needed to make full use of the potential of electron microscopy. An international research team led by TU Wien's Prof. Peter Schattschneider set out to analyse the opportunities offered by EFTEM, that is energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy. The team demonstrated numerically that under certain conditions, it is possible to obtain clear images of the orbital of each individual electron within an atom. Electron microscopy can therefore be used to penetrate down to the subatomic level – experiments in this area are already planned. The study has now been published in the physics journal Physical Review Letters.
	'Jumping film' harnesses the power of humidity Scientists from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) and the University of Tokyo have developed a film that curls up and straightens out autonomously when exposed to tiny, barely measurable changes in ambient humidity. When irradiated with ultraviolet light, which causes changes in the film's ability to absorb and desorb water, it can even "jump" into the air.
	Better understanding of perovskite solar cells could boost widespread use Researchers from the University of Houston have reported the first explanation for how a class of materials changes during production to more efficiently absorb light, a critical step toward the large-scale manufacture of better and less-expensive solar panels.
	Scientists glimpse inner workings of atomically thin transistors With an eye to the next generation of tech gadgetry, a team of physicists at The University of Texas at Austin has had the first-ever glimpse into what happens inside an atomically thin semiconductor device. In doing so, they discovered that an essential function for computing may be possible within a space so small that it's effectively one-dimensional.
	'Antenna-reactor' catalysts offer best of both worlds In a find that could transform some of the world's most energy-intensive manufacturing processes, researchers at Rice University's Laboratory for Nanophotonics have unveiled a new method for uniting light-capturing photonic nanomaterials and high-efficiency metal catalysts.
Research examines how to optimize nanoparticles for efficient drug delivery Nanoparticles are being studied as drug delivery systems to treat a wide variety of diseases. New research delves into the physical properties of nanoparticles that are important for successfully delivering therapeutics within the body, with a primary focus on size. This is especially important as relatively subtle differences in size can affect cell uptake and determine the fate of nanoparticles once within cells.

Physics news

	All you need for quantum computing at room temperature is some mothballs Much of the current research on the development of a quantum computer involves work at very low temperatures. The challenge to make them more practical for everyday use is to make them work at room temperature.
	Physicists discover how proteins in the brain build-up rapidly in Alzheimer's Cambridge researchers have identified - and shown that it may be possible to control - the mechanism that leads to the rapid build-up of the disease-causing 'plaques' that are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.
	Exploring superconducting properties of 3-D printed parts 3-D printing is revolutionizing many areas of manufacturing and science. In particular, 3-D printing of metals has found novel applications in fields as diverse as customized medical implants, jet engine bearings and rapid prototyping for the automotive industry.

Earth news

	Bridgmanite sample found to remain stable at lower mantle conditions (Phys.org)—A diverse team of researchers with members from Germany, France, Russia and the U.S. has subjected a sample of bridgmanite to conditions believed to be present at Earth's lower mantle and has found that it remained stable. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the team describes the testing they conducted, what they found and their theory regarding the dynamo effect that is, perhaps, the source of the planet's magnetic field
	The pains and strains of a continental breakup Every now and then in Earth's history, a pair of continents draws close enough to form one. There comes a time, however, when they must inevitably part ways.
	Researchers decipher the temperature indicator TEX86, overcome a seeming weakness of global climate models Scientists from the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) have overcome a seeming weakness of global climate models. They had previously not been able to simulate the extreme warm period of the Eocene.
	Researchers create means to monitor anthropogenic global warming in real time A research team including a Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego climate scientist simulated in a computer model, for the first time, the realistic evolution of global mean surface temperature since 1900.
	E.Asian shipping emissions kill tens of thousands: study A sharp rise in shipping emissions in east Asia is killing tens of thousands of people in the region every year and adding to global warming, a study said Monday.
	Better understanding post-earthquake fault movement Preparation and good timing enabled Gareth Funning and a team of researchers to collect a unique data set following the 2014 South Napa earthquake that showed different parts of the fault, sometimes only a few kilometers apart, moved at different speeds and at different times.
Quake jolts Tokyo region; no tsunami warning issued A moderately strong earthquake has rattled the Tokyo region, but there are no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
	Uproar as Albania to dam Europe's 'wildest river' "This river will bury the living and the dead," sighed Enver Vasilaj, 93, standing by the Vjosa, one of Europe's last wild waterways, which runs uninterrupted from its source in northwest Greece to the Adriatic Sea.
	Curing Florida's algae crisis will take time, money, science The enormous algae outbreak that has coated swaths of Florida's St. Lucie River with guacamole-like sludge is a man-made affliction, arising from political and economic decisions made over the past 140 years.
	How urban ecology can provide a greener alternative to the concrete jungles of the future Hollywood's dystopian movies would have you believe our future looks like the dark Los Angeles of Blade Runner or the grey concrete jungles of Metropolis. But the work of University of Melbourne urban ecologists paints possibilities more like Hobbiton in Lord of the Rings or Theed on the idyllic planet of Naboo in Star Wars.
	India court orders old cars deregistered in smog-hit Delhi India's environment court Monday ordered all diesel vehicles older than 10 years be deregistered in New Delhi, strengthening a ban on pollution-spewing cars partly blamed for the capital's toxic air, a lawyer said.
Managing an endangered river across the US-Mexico border The Rio Grande (called Rio Bravo in Mexico) is the lifeline to an expansive desert in the southwest USA and northern Mexico. From Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico, over 3000 km, people depend on the river to quench their thirst and irrigate their crops. The river also forms the boundary between the USA and Mexico for 2034 km.
	NASA sees a tightly wrapped Tropical Cyclone Abela NASA satellite imagery shows that Tropical Cyclone Abela's center has become tightly wrapped.
	NASA looks at Hurricane Darby's cloud-filled eye, winds NASA satellite imagery revealed a cloud-filled eye in a weaker Hurricane Darby. Although obscured by clouds in previous days, the eye was apparent in wind data from NASA's RapidScat instrument.
	NASA sees the hint of an eye in Tropical Storm Estelle Tropical Storm Estelle continues to strengthen in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and NASA satellite imagery showed what appears to be a developing eye in the storm.
	Satellite spots remnants of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Celia Tropical Cyclone Celia weakened to a remnant low pressure area. NOAA's GOES-West satellite provided an infrared look at the clouds associated with the low.
Air pollution reduction settlement reached for 6 refineries The Justice Department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday announced a $425 million settlement with two companies to reduce air pollution at six petroleum refineries in the West.

Astronomy & Space news

	Kepler confirms more than 100 planets in single trove An international team of astronomers have discovered and confirmed a treasure trove of new worlds. The researchers achieved this extraordinary discovery of exoplanets by combining NASA's K2 mission data with follow-up observations by Earth-based telescopes including the W. M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea, the twin Gemini telescopes on Maunakea and in Chile, the Automated Planet Finder of the University of California Observatories and the Large Binocular Telescope operated by the University of Arizona. The team confirmed more than 100 planets, including the first planetary system comprising four planets potentially similar to Earth. The discoveries are published online in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series.
	SpaceX launching space station docking port for NASA SpaceX aims to launch another load of space station supplies for NASA, including a critical docking port needed by new U.S. crew capsules set to debut next year.
	First image released from world's super radio telescope Even operating at a quarter of its eventual capacity, South Africa's MeerKAT radio telescope showed off its phenomenal power Saturday, revealing 1,300 galaxies in a tiny corner of the universe where only 70 were known before.
	SpaceX launches space station docking port for NASA SpaceX successfully launched a critical space station docking port for astronauts early Monday, along with a DNA decoder for high-flying genetic research.
	What lies beneath: Venus' surface revealed through the clouds Using observations from ESA's Venus Express satellite, scientists have shown for the first time how weather patterns seen in Venus' thick cloud layers are directly linked to the topography of the surface below. Rather than acting as a barrier to our observations, Venus' clouds may offer insight into what lies beneath.
Russia launches ISS-bound cargo ship A Russian rocket carrying an unmanned cargo ship blasted off for the International Space Station early Sunday from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Russian space agency said.
	NASA sails full-speed ahead in solar system exploration NASA's Juno is now poised to shine a spotlight on the origins and interior structure of the largest planet in our solar system. As we wait for Juno's first close-up images of Jupiter (to be taken Aug. 27 during the spacecraft's next pass by the planet), NASA continues to explore our solar system to help answer fundamental questions about how we came to be, where we are going and whether we are alone in the universe.
	Taiwan to make lunar lander for NASA moon-mining mission Taiwan is building a $47 million lunar lander as part of the first ever moon-mining project, officials said Monday.
	Astrophysics professor creates 'stellar' remix of space sounds A Professor of Astrophysics from The University of Manchester has teamed up with two acclaimed music producers to create a unique composition using sounds from space, which is now being released as a limited edition 7" single.
	Twitter lights up with 95th birthday wishes for John Glenn John Glenn is being showered with birthday recognition.

Technology news

	A battery inspired by vitamins: 'New universe' of organic molecules that can store energy in flow batteries Harvard researchers have identified a whole new class of high-performing organic molecules, inspired by vitamin B2, that can safely store electricity from intermittent energy sources like solar and wind power in large batteries.
	Tesla working on Autopilot radar changes after crash Tesla Motors is working on modifications to its Autopilot system after it failed to stop for a tractor-trailer rig in a Florida crash that killed the driver of a Model S sedan.
	World touring solar plane's final leg to UAE delayed The final leg of an unprecedented world tour by a solar-powered plane was postponed Saturday due to the pilot's health, he said in a message on Twitter.
	Researchers invent 'smart' thread that collects diagnostic data when sutured into tissue For the first time, researchers led by Tufts University engineers have integrated nano-scale sensors, electronics and microfluidics into threads - ranging from simple cotton to sophisticated synthetics - that can be sutured through multiple layers of tissue to gather diagnostic data wirelessly in real time, according to a paper published online July 18 in Microsystems & Nanoengineering. The research suggests that the thread-based diagnostic platform could be an effective substrate for a new generation of implantable diagnostic devices and smart wearable systems.
	Dragon Silk: US Army to test material with impressive elasticity (Tech Xplore)—Spider silk technology has potential for use in protective and lifesaving materials. That is the motivator that drives the Michigan-based biotechnology company, Kraig Biocraft Laboratories.
	Researchers design a solar-powered desalination device for rural India The air was hot and gritty. Shehazvi had to squint to see past the sun into the edge of town, past the cars and motorcycles whizzing by, past the scorched earth, to where old buildings stood beautiful in their own way, muted pinks and oranges still curving and curling in all the right places. No rain again today.
	Can we protect against computers being fingerprinted? Imagine that every time a person goes out in public, they leave behind a track for all to see, so that their behaviour can be easily analysed, revealing their identity.
	Researchers build a crawling robot from sea slug parts and a 3-D printed body Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have combined tissues from a sea slug with flexible 3-D printed components to build "biohybrid" robots that crawl like sea turtles on the beach.
	Computational design tool transforms flat materials into 3-D shapes A new computational design tool can turn a flat sheet of plastic or metal into a complex 3-D shape, such as a mask, a sculpture or even a lady's high-heel shoe.
	Researchers use acoustic voxels to embed sound with data Columbia Engineering researchers, working with colleagues at Disney Research and MIT, have developed a new method to control sound waves, using a computational approach to inversely design acoustic filters that can fit within an arbitrary 3D shape while achieving target sound filtering properties. Led by Computer Science Professor Changxi Zheng, the team designed acoustic voxels, small, hollow, cube-shaped chambers through which sound enters and exits, as a modular system. Like Legos, the voxels can be connected to form an infinitely adjustable, complex structure. Because of their internal chambers, they can modify the acoustic filtering property of the structure—changing their number and size or how they connect alters the acoustic result.
	Many fitness trackers leak personal data: study Security weaknesses on many popular fitness trackers may allow hackers to access or potentially manipulate user data, a study showed Monday.
	Gas sensors 'see' through soil to analyze microbial interactions Rice University researchers have developed gas biosensors to "see" into soil and allow them to follow the behavior of the microbial communities within.
	Light-trapping 3-D solar cells undergo space testing A novel three-dimensional solar cell design developed at Georgia Tech will soon get its first testing in space aboard the International Space Station. An experimental module containing 18 test cells was launched to the ISS on July 18, and will be installed on the exterior of the station to study the cells' performance and their ability to withstand the rigors of space.
	Twitter service slowed in Turkey Twitter pointed Friday to "intentional slowing" of its service in Turkey, as reports surfaced that social media was being sidelined during a coup attempt.
New social media tools empower citizen journalism It may be inside a protest rally, or in front of a deadly shooting. Smartphones, video and social media are empowering citizens to tell their stories like never before.
	Gates: Foundation to invest $5B in Africa over next 5 years Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates said Sunday his foundation will invest another $5 billion in Africa over the next five years.
	Japan companies seek hipness through teens posting to Vine What's helping turn Japanese youngsters into stars on Vine, the Twitter-owned social network devoted to looping, six-second video clips, is the stodginess of this nation's business world.
Tesla's Musk says software changes could improve Autopilot Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk says he's optimistic that a software update can improve the semi-autonomous Autopilot system in the company's cars.
	Sprint owner SoftBank to buy ARM in big post-Brexit deal (Update) Japanese technology company SoftBank Group Corp. is buying Britain's ARM Holdings for 24.3 billion pounds ($32 billion), in a deal the British government hailed as a vote of confidence in the country following last month's vote to leave the European Union.
Flailing phone business forces Microsoft to back off hopes for Windows 10 Microsoft says it will take more time than it thought to get a billion devices running Windows 10 because of its sharply curtailed ambitions in the smartphone business.
	Microsoft says Windows 10 is a hit but many users disagree Microsoft says Windows 10 is a hit with its customers. But many Windows users beg to differ.
	Review: CineHome offers great home theater sound without wires Anyone who's been to the movies lately knows why many people prefer to stay home and watch movies.
JustFab heads toward IPO even as other subscription startups struggle JustFab Inc. has carved out an online niche delivering inexpensive yoga pants, handbags and shoes to its 4 million members.
Uber battling more than 70 lawsuits in federal courts The past few months have been good to Uber - the world's most valuable startup raised a record-breaking $3.5 billion in June and in April escaped a high-profile trial that threatened to upend its entire business model.
How Amazon's team of old-school book reviewers influences what we read Within the highly automated folds of Amazon's online bookstore, there's a small team of literary types whose main job is rather old school.
	Chinese consortium buys Opera browser for $600 mn A Chinese consortium has bought the Opera internet browser for $600 million (543 million euros), its Norwegian developer said Monday, after a public share offer for the company failed.
	Faster prediction of wireless downtime As the number of mobile devices grows along with demand for faster connections and larger data volumes, wireless networks can easily exceed capacity, resulting in severe network slowdowns and outages. While engineers have developed various sophisticated signal processing methods to accommodate sudden changes in network loads, it has been challenging to evaluate and compare the performance of different approaches in realistic network environments. The reason for this difficulty is that network outages due to capacity saturation can be such rare events that producing simulations to identify outages can be very computationally intensive and take considerable time.
	Experts split on what popularity of Pokemon Go means for future of gaming and entertainment Normally, it's a short 10-minute walk from the office to the Arts Building on the University of Alberta's north campus. But on this day, there are several not-so-real-world distractions that drag things to a slow-Poke crawl.
	How to detect hackers who know we're on to them Cyber attackers' methods evolve rapidly, and software that worked to detect network attacks yesterday might be ineffective tomorrow.
	Blockchains—focusing on bitcoin misses the real revolution in digital trust In 2008, short of sending a suitcase full of cash, there was essentially just one way for an individual to send money between, say, the United States and Europe. You had to wire the money through a mainstream financial service, like Western Union or a bank. That meant paying high fees and waiting up to several days for the money to arrive.
	Design tool transforms objects into intricate works of art Just as wrought-iron fences and ornaments connect straight and curved elements to form aesthetically pleasing 3-D shapes, a new computational design tool developed by Disney Research enables people to design 3-D objects whose surfaces are formed from interconnected circles, hearts and other shapes.
	Character animation technique produces realistic looking bends at joints Bending of an elbow or a knee is common in most computer animations of human or animal figures, but current techniques often result in unwanted pinching or bulging near the joints. Disney Research has found a way to eliminate those artifacts even when the animation algorithm is running in real-time.
The future of perovskite solar cells has just got brighter—come rain or shine Widely known as one of the cleanest and most renewable energy sources, solar energy is a fast growing alternative to fossil fuels. Among the various types of solar materials, organometal halide perovskite in particular has attracted researchers' attention thanks to its superior optical and electronic properties. With a dramatic increase in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 3% in 2009 to as high as over 22% today, perovskite solar cells are considered as a promising next-generation energy device; only except that perovskite is weak to water and quickly loses its stability and performance in a damp, humid environment.
	New guidance system with 3-D sounds for the visually impaired The visually impaired will be able to use a new system of sensorial guidance that uses 3-D sounds. The system was developed by Geko NAVSAT, a company that receives assistance from the Business Incubator at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid Science Park. The application is designed to be installed in a mobile phone and uses satellite navigation and augmented acoustic reality to indicate to the user the correct path that is clear of obstacles.
Partially automated cars provide enough benefits to warrant widespread adoption Carnegie Mellon College of Engineering researchers have concluded that the public could derive economic and social benefits today if safety-oriented, partially automated vehicle technologies were deployed in all cars. The researchers examined forward collision warning, lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring systems. These technologies can include partially autonomous braking or controls to help vehicles avoid crashes.
	'Pokemon' no: Trying, but failing to get the smartphone game No one, it seems, can escape "Pokemon Go."
How to get started playing 'Pokemon Go' Ready to hit the streets in search of a Pikachu?
	McDonald's, Starbucks agree to filter Wi-Fi porn McDonald's and Starbucks are implementing filtering technology that blocks customers using Wi-Fi from accessing pornography sites.
	Netflix to stream new 'Star Trek' series across world Netflix said on Monday it would beam the new series of cult sci-fi franchise "Star Trek" to 188 countries across the world, excluding the United States and Canada.
	The lure of 'Pokemon Go': Respite from a summer of violence It's easy to see the appeal of "Pokemon Go."
	3D aerodromes—a VFR-pilot assistance technology for small aircraft Safe landing in adverse conditions is not only important for big airlines. Partners from Greece, Germany and Italy now developed the technology for a three-dimensional (3D) air navigation database and product for the general aviation sector - that is small and medium sized aircraft used for private use and short-middle range trips.
Video: 3D printing to rapidly create and assess alloys of varying composition A 3D printer is allowing researchers at Ames Laboratory to rapidly create and assess alloys of varying composition to find just the right combination to produce materials with the desired characteristics.
	New training videos leverage ESnet's expertise to improve network performance around the world The Department of Energy's Energy Sciences Network, or ESnet, and the Network Startup Resource Center (NSRC) at the University of Oregon are teaming up to create an extensive video training library to help organizations improve the performance of their networks by deploying the perfSONAR network measurement tools and the Science DMZ network architecture.

Chemistry news

	Tiny transformers: Chemists create microscopic and malleable building blocks Taking a page from Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels", a team of scientists has created malleable and microscopic self-assembling particles that can serve as the next generation of building blocks in the creation of synthetic materials.
	Team devises new way for stabilizing battery recharge It seems like fairly simple physics: If you construct a barrier that's stronger than the material trying to penetrate it, the barrier should work.
	New discoveries about photosynthesis may lead to solar cells of the future For the first time, researchers have successfully measured in detail the flow of solar energy, in and between different parts of a photosynthetic organism. The result is a first step in research that could ultimately contribute to the development of technologies that use solar energy far more efficiently than what is currently possible.
	Scientists determine structure of enzyme linked with key cell-signaling protein Scientists have captured atomic level snapshots showing how one key enzyme modifies a protein involved in turning genes on or off inside cells. Understanding this process-which is particularly important when cells are first taking on specialized identities such as nerve cells, muscle, skin, and so on-helps explain how complex organisms can arise from a finite number of genes. The research, published in Nature Chemical Biology, also identifies links between defects in this particular enzyme and certain cancers, potentially pointing to new targets for anticancer drugs.
	Researchers determine key improvement for fuel cells Washington State University researchers have determined a key step in improving solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), a promising clean energy technology that has struggled to gain wide acceptance in the marketplace.
	Synthetic membranes created to mimic properties of living cells Biochemists at the University of California San Diego have developed artificial cell membranes that grow and remodel themselves in a manner similar to that of living mammalian cells.
	Efficient purification of propylene using a fine-tuned porous material delivers advances in petrochemical production A breakthrough for the production of a key component for popular polymer materials has been achieved by researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia. Mohamed Eddaoudi and colleagues have developed a porous material that easily removes propane, a detrimental gas, from propylene, improving the potential for efficient fabrication of polypropylene polymers.
	Improved nanoscale patterning using aniodine or xenon difluoride gas A technique developed by scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia, has made more controlled fabrication of optoelectronic devices produced from a hybrid of organic and inorganic materials possible.
	Researchers develop new flame retardants Flame retardants are invisible assistants in car seats, gasket sealants, furniture and even in aeroplanes. However, their ingredients are not always harmless. Empa researchers developed three innovative flame retardants and tested them for toxicity; not all of them passed the test.
	Researchers partner with Kentucky bourbon distillery to convert waste into useful products In Kentucky, bourbon production is both a rich tradition and a booming industry. And as the state's flagship research institution, the University of Kentucky has discovered an inventive way to work with a local bourbon distillery.

Biology news

	Flight of the bumble bee reveals plants' flair for flower arranging Plants can maximise their chances of reproduction by taking advantage of how insects move between flowers when they track down nectar, a study suggests.
	Genome of 6,000-year-old barley grains sequenced for first time An international team of researchers has succeeded for the first time in sequencing the genome of Chalcolithic barley grains. This is the oldest plant genome to be reconstructed to date. The 6,000-year-old seeds were retrieved from Yoram Cave in the southern cliff of Masada fortress in the Judean Desert in Israel, close to the Dead Sea. Genetically, the prehistoric barley is very similar to present-day barley grown in the Southern Levant, supporting the existing hypothesis of barley domestication having occurred in the Upper Jordan Valley.
	Scientists delve into 'black box' of DNA research Scientists at Florida State University, Baylor College of Medicine and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT have broken ground in a little-understood area of human genetics.
	Bugs' flair for foraging inspires quest for new smart therapies Fresh insight into how ocean bacteria search for food could aid the development of a new generation of bacterial therapies programmed to treat disease.
	Trees rely on a range of strategies to hunt for nutrient hot spots On the surface, trees may look stationary, but underground their roots—aided by their fungal allies—are constantly on the hunt and using a surprising number of strategies to find food, according to an international team of researchers.
	Hummingbird vision wired to avoid high-speed collisions Hummingbirds are among nature's most agile fliers. They can travel faster than 50 kilometres per hour and stop on a dime to navigate through dense vegetation.
	Ridiculously cute mouse lemurs hold key to Madagascar's past Today, Madagascar is home to a mosaic of different habitats—a lush rainforest in the east and a dry deciduous forest in the west, separated by largely open highlands. But the island off the southeast coast of Africa hasn't always been like that—a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences announces that these two ecologically different portions of the island were once linked by a patchwork of forested areas. And to figure it out, the scientists analyzed the DNA of some of the cutest animals on earth—mouse lemurs.
	Group-navigating species may be vulnerable to collapse Migrating birds flock together and salmon swim upstream in schools because there's a navigational advantage: By traveling in groups, individuals are more likely to get to their destinations – or so a growing body of research suggests.
	Potential biomarkers of mastitis in dairy cattle milk identified Scientists from the University of Glasgow and the Moredun Research Institute have published data from a comprehensive analysis of the changes that occur in milk during mastitis caused by a bacterial infection of the udder. The team applied new analytical techniques where all the proteins (proteomics) and small chemicals (metabolomics) in milk may be examined within a single sample.
	Veterinary team looks at wild amphibians as possible zoonotic disease hosts Three different laboratories at Kansas State University hopped on board for a study that looks at the potential role of amphibians as a host for the spread of infectious diseases.
	Moving objects and flowing air: How bees position their antennae during flight Consider the bee that keeps circling your coffee cup or glass of juice—an unsung pollinator hero helping farmers grow tons of fruit and vegetables for our consumption. You try to shoo away the bee, but it dodges your hand to land neatly on the lip of your cup and quickly takes a sip of the liquid inside. In the next instant, it's up and away.
	'Bearcam' study focuses on human emotional connection with wildlife, parks If you have visited Alaska's Katmai National Park in the month of July, you probably enjoyed watching brown bears fish for salmon at the iconic Brooks Falls.
Researchers examine the evolution of flight Research by post-doctoral fellow Alexander Dececchi challenges long-held hypotheses about how flight first developed in birds. Furthermore, his findings raise the question of why certain species developed wings long before they could fly.
	New venomous snake discovered in Costa Rica An international team of scientists has solved a case of mistaken identity and discovered a new species of venomous snake.
	Genes found in H. pylori that influence biofilm formation Most bacteria cannot survive in the acidic environment of the human stomach, but Helicobacter pylori, a major cause of ulcers, thrives under such circumstances. Now research has shown that one of that bacterium's regulatory proteins that helps it adapt to these stressful conditions also regulates the formation of biofilms. Biofilms, a group of bacteria that adhere together on a surface, are often much harder to kill than bacteria in their normal, disaggregated state, and can cause major medical problems. The research is published in the Journal of Bacteriology, a publication of the American Society for Microbiology.
	New tool probes for genes linked to toxic methylmercury Environmental scientists can more efficiently detect genes required to convert mercury in the environment into more toxic methylmercury with molecular probes developed by researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
	Fear the turtle: Terrapins disrupt planes at New York's JFK Of all the factors that could delay flights at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, this one is probably the slowest: turtles.

Medicine & Health news

	Study points to critical periods in early-life learning for brain development A new study on infantile memory formation in rats points to the importance of critical periods in early-life learning on functional development of the brain. The research, conducted by scientists at New York University's Center for Neural Science, reveals the significance of learning experiences over the first two to four years of human life; this is when memories are believed to be quickly forgotten—a phenomenon known as infantile amnesia.
	Study shows auditory cortex of hearing and deaf people are nearly identical The neural architecture in the auditory cortex - the part of the brain that processes sound - of profoundly deaf and hearing people is virtually identical, a new study has found.
	What happens if you show a mouse a movie: Institute opens new window into living brain Are mice fans of film noir? Researchers at the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle can't answer that question - yet.
	Study sheds light on how advanced melanoma resists treatment UCLA researchers have identified mechanisms that determine how advanced melanoma can become resistant to immune checkpoint inhibitors, a discovery that could lead to the development of new and improved treatments for the deadliest type of skin cancer.
	Mental, physical exercises produce distinct brain benefits Cognitive brain training improves executive function whereas aerobic activity improves memory, according to new Center for BrainHealth research at The University of Texas at Dallas.
	Researchers using MRI to quantify human intelligence Human intelligence is being defined and measured for the first time ever by researchers at the University of Warwick.
	Grandpa's obesity affects the health of his grandchildren With more than 14 million Australians now overweight or obese, researchers are warning of the harmful legacy that parental obesity can have on future generations. It follows a vital breakthrough in obesity research, which shows a father's metabolic health can be passed from generation to generation, affecting not only his children but importantly his grandchildren.
	What are gut bacteria doing in critically ill lungs? New discovery could change ICU care No one knows for sure how they got there. But the discovery that bacteria that normally live in the gut can be detected in the lungs of critically ill people and animals could mean a lot for intensive care patients.
	Study reveals how the body disposes of red blood cells, recycles iron What happens when red blood cells become damaged or reach the end of their normal life span, and how is the iron required for carrying oxygen recycled? A new study led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators contradicts previous thinking about where and how worn-out red blood cells are disposed of and their iron retained for use in new cells. Their findings, being published online in Nature Medicine, may lead to improved treatment or prevention of anemia or iron toxicity.
	Genetic target could help fight deadly drug-resistant infections Fungal infections pose a major threat to hospital patients and have proven difficult to combat, but scientists have unlocked evidence that could lead to more effective treatment.
Macular degeneration insight identifies promising drugs to prevent vision loss In a study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a University of Wisconsin-Madison research team pinpoints how immune abnormalities beneath the retina result in macular degeneration, a common condition that often causes blindness.
	Technique uses 3-D weaving to grow a living hip replacement With a goal of treating worn, arthritic hips without extensive surgery to replace them, scientists have programmed stem cells to grow new cartilage on a 3-D template shaped like the ball of a hip joint. What's more, using gene therapy, they have activated the new cartilage to release anti-inflammatory molecules to fend off a return of arthritis.
	Scientists discover that defective HIV DNA can encode HIV-related proteins Investigators from the National Institutes of Health have discovered that cells from HIV-infected people whose virus is suppressed with treatment harbor defective HIV DNA that can nevertheless be transcribed into a template for producing HIV-related proteins. This finding may affect scientists' understanding of the long-term effects of HIV infection and what a cure would require.
Discovery yields answers for family with thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection A new finding by clinicians and geneticists may solve a medical mystery that one family has faced for the last 15 years and help identify the cause of a rare aortic disease in other patients as well. Through genetic analysis of a family with a history of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD), investigators at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified mutations in the LOX gene, a gene associated with the integrity of the arterial wall, in human subjects for the first time. Strong evidence from a mouse model of the disease further confirms these mutations as a cause of aortic disease, and, together, the results point toward possible strategies for managing this inherited form of TAAD. The new findings are published online this week in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	Toxic Alzheimer's protein spreads through brain via extracellular space A toxic Alzheimer's protein can spread through the brain—jumping from one neuron to another—via the extracellular space that surrounds the brain's neurons, suggests new research from Columbia University Medical Center.
Many elderly people are receiving and using prescription medications inappropriately A new study from Belgium indicates that the majority of community-dwelling elderly adults are taking prescription medications inappropriately. The study, which is published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, also found a link between underuse—not taking essential medications—and an increased risk of dying or needing to be hospitalized.
AIDS summit in S.Africa to warn of lagging effort Sixteen years after Nelson Mandela galvanised the world to take up the fight against AIDS, experts and activists return to the South African city of Durban on Monday, seeking to revitalise the fight against the disease.
	CMS proposes changes to physician fee schedule (HealthDay)—Changes have been proposed to the Physician Fee Schedule to transform how Medicare pays for primary care, focusing on improvements in pay for care coordination and planning, according to a new payment rule published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Biden announces 'unprecedented' US-Australia cancer database US Vice President Joe Biden on Sunday unveiled a series of agreements between the US and Australia to create an "unprecedented" international research database of cancer patients as he kicked off a three-day visit in Melbourne.
Blood management guidelines can reduce blood wastage and save millions of dollars Improving the processes of ordering, transporting, and storing blood can save millions of dollars and drastically reduce blood wastage, reported a research team from one academic medical center after implementing institutional initiatives to address blood management. The multidisciplinary team at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn., developed blood utilization practice guidelines that resulted in $2 million in savings and a 30 percent reduction in blood utilization, according to a poster presentation at the 2016 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) Conference in San Diego.
Children affected by parental substance use Children whose parents or caregivers misuse alcohol or use, produce or distribute drugs face an increased risk of medical and behavioral problems. According to a new clinical report by experts at Beth Israel Medical Center (BIDMC) and Boston Children's Hospital, pediatricians are in a unique position to assess risk and intervene to protect children. The report, "Families Affected by Parental Substance Use," is available online today and slated for publication in the August print edition of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Association of Pediatrics.
Nasal irrigation may prevent chronic sinus ailments—however, steam inhalation not effective Advising patient with chronic sinus congestion to use nasal irrigation - a popular nonpharmacologic treatment - improved their symptoms, but steam inhalation did not, according to a randomized controlled trial published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
'Cool, fun factor' motivates e-cigarette use in teens The novelty factor of e-cigarettes is the key motivation for their use by adolescents, according to a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
	Global AIDS conference exposes South Africa's dramatic turn The first time the world came to South Africa for a conference on AIDS, the country's leader shocked attendees by questioning whether HIV really caused the disease.
HIV/AIDS still top killer of African adolescents HIV/AIDS remains the leading cause of death among Africans aged between 10 and 19, UNICEF chief Anthony Lake said Monday at the start of a major international conference on the virus.
Birth control options for women over 40 — other than the pill Almost one quarter of women in the United States between ages 15 and 44 use the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy. Some doctors advise against continuing its use after age 40, but women need to protect themselves against unwanted pregnancy until one year after menopause, which on average occurs at the age of 51-52.
Range of treatments can lessen heavy periods Dear Mayo Clinic: After almost a year of having a period that is much heavier than normal, my gynecologist recommended an IUD as treatment. How does this work, and is it safe? I am 38, and I'm done having children, but don't need contraception.
	Could you be going through a midlife crisis? Is a midlife crisis real, or is it a common myth that you may feel significant uncertainty or discontent at a certain point in your adult life?
Understanding drug-resistant superbugs News reports reveal drug-resistant super bacteria identified as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) have been found in the waters of Rio de Janeiro where the 2016 Olympics sailing events will be held.
	Breastfeeding dictator or breastfeeding enabler? Midwives' support styles can make a difference We have come a long way since the days when babies were whisked away from their mother at birth to be bathed and wrapped before being presented back as a brand-new packaged bundle. For much of the 20th century, nurses cared for babies in a "well baby nursery", giving them back to their mothers for regimented feeds.
	Researcher to test blood pressure medication in clinical trial for cancer Our bodies are intricate machines with millions of processes, many of which are interconnected, to keep us functioning.
	Do kids grow out of childhood asthma? When a child is diagnosed with asthma, parents usually have a number of questions. How serious is asthma? Will the child grow out of it? How can it be treated? It can be difficult to get clear answers, as asthma affects different children in different ways.
Dry eye is common and easily treated Our eyes can become dry and uncomfortable due to a number of things - irritants in the environment, age, gender, certain medications or medical conditions - that can leave them feeling gritty, burning, itchy, and often feeling like there is a foreign object present.
	Australian first study finds massive diabetic foot disease costs New research from QUT shows preventable hospitalisation from diabetic foot disease is costing Australia hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
	Genomic region associated with autism plays role in specific cognitive functions A new study in Biological Psychiatry reports that variations in 16p11.2, a region of the genome associated with risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), have distinct effects on cognition. The findings highlight the diversity of people with ASD.
	New genealogical databases to determine family cancer links could be rolled out further The use of large family history databases to determine a person's likelihood of developing cancer has been well received in a recent study – and further trials should be conducted to see if their use is possible in Britain and other countries, according to a new research paper co-authored by a Plymouth University academic.
	Used consistently, monthly vaginal ring may be highly effective against HIV in women When used consistently for a month at a time, a vaginal ring containing an antiretroviral (ARV) drug called dapivirine provides significant protection against HIV, suggest results of new data analyses from the ASPIRE study announced today at The International Conference on AIDS (AIDS 2016) in Durban, South Africa. Among women who appeared to use the ring most regularly, HIV risk was cut by more than half across all analyses, and in some, by 75 percent or more.
	HOPE open-label study of vaginal ring for preventing HIV begins Women who took part in ASPIRE, a trial that found a vaginal ring containing an antiretroviral (ARV) drug called dapivirine was safe and helped protect against HIV, will soon be offered the opportunity to use the ring as part of a new study called HOPE. The first of HOPE's sites opened just today, at the Medical Research Council of South Africa's Verulam clinical research site in KwaZulu-Natal. Other South African sites, and sites in Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe, will open in the coming weeks or months as in-country approvals are received and other requirements are met.
AIDS summit opens with warnings that progress at risk (Update) More than 18,000 scientists, campaigners and donors opened a major AIDS conference in South Africa on Monday, issuing stark warnings that recent gains in the fight against the disease were under threat.
New evidence on why young women in South Africa are at high risk of HIV infection Evidence by the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) consortium of South African and North American researchers will be presented on July 18 at the International AIDS 2016 Conference in Durban, shedding new light on why young women in South Africa have high rates of HIV infection. Dr. Salim Abdool-Karim, professor of Epidemiology at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and director of CAPRISA, led the research team. The Mailman School was also among the North American institutions providing research support.
	Researchers sniff out potential Leigh syndrome treatment A mouse with dysfunctional mitochondria may hold the key to treating Leigh syndrome in humans.
	Immobility may be key to predicting Parkinson's decline West Australian researchers have found physical symptoms such as having difficulty moving or maintaining one's balance could be the key to predicting cognitive changes in people who suffer from a Parkinson's disease subtype.
Rise in avoidable diabetes hospital visits Hospital admissions for a short-term and avoidable complication of diabetes have risen by 39 per cent in the last ten years, a new analysis has concluded.
Novel biomarkers can help detect illegal blood doping in athletes Increasing oxygen delivery to muscles can help athletes perform better and give them the edge needed to win elite competitions. One of the best ways to increase oxygen supply is through blood manipulation, undergoing a blood transfusion that provides extra red blood cells and boosts oxygen levels. These blood transfusions, popularly known as "blood doping," are illegal for professional athletes. While some transfusions and stimulants are identifiable with current testing methods, autologous blood transfusion (ABT) is not. A new report in Transfusion Medicine Reviews looks at novel biomarkers to identify potential new testing protocols for ABT.
HIV therapy for breastfeeding mothers can virtually eliminate transmission to babies For HIV-infected mothers whose immune system is in good health, taking a three-drug antiretroviral regimen during breastfeeding essentially eliminates HIV transmission by breast milk to their infants, according to results from a large clinical trial conducted in sub-Saharan Africa and India.
	Sexting might actually be a sign of a committed relationship Why do people sext? Why do they send racy or naked photos or videos and sexually loaded texts?
	HIV treatment keeps uninfected partner from contracting the virus Anti-HIV medications suppress the viral load of people living with HIV and provide durable protection against heterosexual transmission a study led by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found. Researchers found a 93 percent reduction of HIV transmission when the HIV-infected person started antiretroviral therapy or ART at a higher CD4 cell count. The groundbreaking final results of the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 052 study were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Malnutrition, shaping up to be a first world problem Australian researchers have discovered that a bad diet has consequences on your immune system even before you notice an increase in body weight.
	Researchers identify a new genetic cause of Coats plus syndrome A team of Israeli researchers has discovered that mutations in STN1, a gene that helps maintain the ends of chromosomes, cause the rare, inherited disorder Coats plus syndrome. The study, "Mutations in STN1 cause Coats plus syndrome and are associated with genomic and telomere defects," will be published online ahead of issue July 18 in The Journal of Experimental Medicine.
Five-year survival data: Brentuximab vedotin may be curative in some with Hodgkin lymphoma Five-year survival data published online today in Blood, the Journal of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), suggest that the targeted therapy brentuximab vedotin may have cured some Hodgkin lymphoma patients whose disease has persisted despite receiving previous therapies.
	Limit kids' exposure to media violence, pediatricians say (HealthDay)—Media violence has become a routine part of the daily lives of American children, and parents, lawmakers and the media should take steps to change that, a leading pediatricians' group recommends.
	Three health issues that can threaten young female athletes (HealthDay)—Doctors need to be on the lookout for a trio of harmful health conditions in young female athletes, a new report says.
	Fracking industry wells associated with increased risk of asthma attacks, study finds People with asthma who live near bigger or larger numbers of active unconventional natural gas wells operated by the fracking industry in Pennsylvania are 1.5 to four times likelier to have asthma attacks than those who live farther away, new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health research suggests.
Poor African-American men have lowest likelihood of overall survival African American men living below poverty had the lowest overall survival in a study that examined the effects of sex, race and socioeconomic status on overall mortality, according to an article published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.
Bariatric surgery associated with improved mobility, less walking pain A new study published online by JAMA Pediatrics suggests bariatric surgery was associated with faster walking by teens, less walking-related musculoskeletal pain and lower heart rates as soon as six months following surgery and as long as two years after surgery.
	Researchers map Zika's routes to the developing fetus Zika virus can infect numerous cell types in the human placenta and amniotic sac, according to researchers at UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley who show in a new paper how the virus travels from a pregnant woman to her fetus. They also identify a drug that may be able to block it.
Moderate exercise might be more effective at combatting pre-diabetes Walking briskly on a regular basis may be more effective than vigorous jogging for improving glucose control in individuals with pre-diabetes, according to research from Duke Health.
	For frozen embryos in dispute, scholars propose guidelines In at least 11 cases over the last 24 years, including the appeal of a Missouri case heard in June, U.S. courts have grappled with difficult arguments between men and women who fertilized and froze embryos together, but then disagreed about whether they should be gestated and born. The scattered case law has resolved little, creating a need for common ground rules that could prevent such disputes.
Weight gain studied for second-generation antipsychotics for autism spectrum disorders Some of the most effective treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are also well known for their risk of weight gain and subsequent health complications. For the first time, however, researchers have compared five of these second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) to determine which ones are the biggest culprits.
Study finds quality of care in VA health care system compares well to other settings The quality of health care provided to US military veterans in Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities compares favorably with the treatment and services delivered outside the VA, according to a new study. In fact, VA facilities perform better in some cases when it comes to the safety and effectiveness of the treatment provided. Those findings are from a systematic review of 69 studies which weigh up the quality of health care provided in VA facilities compared to other settings. The review¹ was led by Dr. Courtney Gidengil of the RAND Corporation in the US, and appears in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, published by Springer.
	Soft drink, soft price: Soda prices found to be significantly low A Drexel University study found that huge disparities exist between the cost of sugary soft drinks and the price of the healthier alternative milk—differences that could be reduced by taxes like the one just approved in Philadelphia.
	Malaria: A genetically attenuated parasite induces an immune response With nearly 3.2 billion people currently at risk of contracting malaria, scientists from the Institut Pasteur, the CNRS and Inserm have experimentally developed a live, genetically attenuated vaccine for Plasmodium, the parasite responsible for the disease. By identifying and deleting one of the parasite's genes, the scientists enabled it to induce an effective, long-lasting immune response in a mouse model. These findings were published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine on July 18, 2016.
	Liver tissue model accurately replicates hepatocyte metabolism, response to toxins A team of researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Center for Engineering in Medicine (MGH-CEM) have created a "liver on a chip," a model of liver tissue that replicates the metabolic variations found throughout the organ and more accurately reflects the distinctive patterns of liver damage caused by exposure to environmental toxins, including pharmaceutical overdose. Their report has been published online in the journal Scientific Reports.
Loss of employer-based health insurance in early retirement affects mental, physical health The loss of private health insurance from an employer can lead to poorer mental and physical health as older adults transition to early retirement, according to a study by Georgia State University.
	In medical mystery, caregiver of Zika patient gets virus A person who cared for a Zika-infected relative in Utah also got the virus, but exactly how it was transmitted is a medical mystery, health officials announced Monday.
	Mindfulness key to eating what you want while preventing overeating Americans spend more than 60 billion dollars a year on weight loss products; two-thirds of these dieters are estimated to regain more weight within four or five years than they originally lost according to the Live Strong Foundation. A new book from a University of Missouri researcher provides an innovative and effective program to help people adopt healthy eating habits by mindfully listening to their body's needs, without giving up food.
Size matters: Advance could increase sensitivity of liquid biopsies The liquid biopsy, a new type of blood test for detecting and monitoring cancer, is a welcome reprieve from typical biopsies. The minimally invasive test could reduce the need for the sometimes painful and risky procedures involved in sampling tumors, particularly those that reside deep within the body. However, thus far, the utility of the test has been limited by its sensitivity, particularly in its detection of solid tumors that have not yet metastasized.
	New surgical tool for mitral valve repair shows success in first human clinical study Researchers investigating a novel device to repair the mitral heart valve report 100 percent procedural success in a safety and performance study, the first such study done in humans. The image-guided device, based on technology developed at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, is deployed through a tiny opening in a beating heart, avoids open-heart surgery, automates a key part of the valve repair process, simplifies the procedure and reduces operating room time. The research is published in the journal Circulation.
Simple measures reduce risk of death in cancer patients in ICU Oncologic patients are now among the main users of ICUs in the world, and they're also among the most fragile and prone to complications that can lead to death, such as hospital infections and adverse drug reactions. But the risk of these problems can be reduced through relatively simple processes of organization, such as holding meetings to discuss clinical cases between oncologists and intensivists, using care protocols and the presence of pharmacists in ICUs.
Study identifies rare genetic syndrome associated with infections and lung disease in infants An international team of researchers has identified a new rare genetic condition - a chromosome breakage syndrome associated with severe infections and lung disease in infants. The discovery provides an explanation for this deadly pulmonary disease, possibilities to diagnose it and opportunities for developing alternate ways to treat it. The results appear today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
	Some adolescent cancer survivors may require more comprehensive mental health screening Most adolescent survivors of childhood cancer have no reported psychological symptoms, but an analysis led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that those who do often have multiple symptoms and distinct symptom profiles. The findings, which appear today in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, highlight strategies to improve mental health screening and interventions.
Hard-to-treat chest pain may be improved with a patient's own stem cells A non-surgical treatment that uses a patient's own bone marrow stem cells to treat chest pain or angina improved both symptoms and the length of time treated patients could be physically active, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Basic Cardiovascular Sciences 2016 Scientific Sessions.
Fluctuations in 'bad' cholesterol may be linked to worse brain health Greater fluctuations in "bad" cholesterol levels may be linked to worse cognitive function in elderly adults, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.
Kidney toxins and kidney injury biomarker detected in children Water supply contamination has become a global issue, affecting communities in both the United States and around the world. Exposure to environmental toxins - such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and other heavy metals - early in life via contaminated water or other sources can have long-term health consequences as children grow. Investigators at Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Harvard Program in Therapeutic Sciences at Harvard Medical School have assessed environmental exposure to multiple toxins in children living in a region of Mexico with a high incidence of chronic kidney disease, especially among young adults. Not only did the team detect high levels of the arsenic and chromium in urine samples from the children, they also were able to detect elevated levels of KIM-1, a biomarker that is being studied as an early sign of kidney injury. The team's findings are published this week in Environmental Research.
Minimizing operating room traffic may help decrease surgical site infections A safety team at a Canadian hospital determined there was too much traffic in and out of the operating room (OR) during total joint replacement procedures. So they implemented several strategies to reduce traffic, which may have contributed to a decrease in orthopedic surgical site infections (SSIs), according to study results presented today at the 2016 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) Conference.
	Genetic drivers of immune response to cancer discovered through 'big data' analysis Scientists at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) have identified over 100 new genetic regions that affect the immune response to cancer. The findings, published in Cancer Immunology Research, could inform the development of future immunotherapies—treatments that enhance the immune system's ability to kill tumors.
	Concussion study shows player-to-player hits most damaging (HealthDay)—As officials at all levels of American football continue to debate how to prevent concussions, a new study using data from devices inside the helmets of high school players confirms that hits with other players are especially damaging.
	Baseline depression symptoms tied to low med adherence (HealthDay)—Among clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, only baseline depressive symptoms are tied to low medication adherence in teen patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online June 28 in Diabetes Care.
	Multiple, sequential light, laser sources no benefit in rosacea (HealthDay)—Use of multiple, sequential light and laser sources to activate aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in photodynamic therapy (PDT) does not lead to statistically significant improvements in patient outcome for rosacea, according to a study published online July 4 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
	Stellate ganglion block beneficial in postherpetic neuralgia (HealthDay)—The therapeutic benefit of stellate ganglion block for debilitating photophobia secondary to trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia has been described in a case report published online July 5 in Pain Practice.
	Use of local RVUs could aid CT unit management (HealthDay)—There is considerable variation in computed tomography (CT) radiologists' reporting workload across different tests, with a corresponding need for methods that normalize radiologist work to address reporting workload, according to a study published online July 11 in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology.
	Thin-walled needle best for subclavian catheterization (HealthDay)—A thin-walled introducer needle is recommended for right-sided infraclavicular subclavian venous catheterization, with lower catheterization-related complication rates and higher initial and overall success rates of catheterization compared with a catheter-over-needle technique, according to a study published online July 11 in Anaesthesia.
	Baseline ALT, AST frequently assessed with statin initiation (HealthDay)—Most Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries with dyslipidemia who initiate statins undergo baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) testing, according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
	Biologic response modifier use in kids ups infectious complications (HealthDay)—For pediatric patients, the use of biologic response modifiers (BRMs) is associated with increased risk of infectious complications, according to a clinical report published online July 18 in Pediatrics.
	MRI feasible for predicting prostate CA in unselected sample (HealthDay)—Prostate multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is feasible for predicting prostate cancer in an unselected sample of the general population, according to a study published in the August issue of The Journal of Urology.
Hawaii pot dispensaries can legally open, but none are ready Medical marijuana dispensaries can now legally open in Hawaii, but not one is ready to do so.
	Bangladesh stops open defecation in just over a decade Answering nature's call was once a nightmare for Rashida Begum, who had to creep around the jungle for a suitably private spot. Her home had no toilet, like the thousands of others in her crowded cluster of farming villages outside the capital.
Indonesia re-vaccinates children amid fake drug scam Indonesia Monday began re-inoculating children who received fake vaccines in a major drug counterfeiting scandal that has sparked protests from concerned parents.
Automated electronic communication system engages patients in preventing surgical complications In its first test among orthopedic surgery patients as a feasible tool for enhancing care and reducing surgical site infections (SSIs), an automated text and voice messaging system improved communication about the preventive steps patients should take a week prior to their operations and the early signs of infection they need to report in the two weeks afterward. The tool is being further refined to engage patients who are having other types of operations, such as cardiothoracic, colorectal, and trauma-related procedures in the prevention and identification of surgical complications. A poster presentation demonstrating the validity of the concept of using an automated text and voice messaging system with orthopedic surgery patients was presented at the 2016 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP ) Conference.
Egypt doctors disciplined over widely mocked AIDS device Egypt's doctors union has referred four members to a disciplinary court for taking part in the army's development of a widely mocked device said to cure AIDS and hepatitis C.
	Robot therapist hits the spot with athletes Trials of a prototype robot for sports therapy have just begun in Singapore, to create a high quality and repeatable treatment routine to improve sports recovery, reducing reliance on trained therapists.
Modified rye bread helps patients with irritable bowel syndrome Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are often concerned that certain foods may trigger or worsen their symptoms, which can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. In a new study, patients who ate rye bread that was low in so-called "FODMAPs" (fermentable oligo- di- and mono-saccharides and polyols) experienced milder IBS symptoms than patients who ate normal rye bread.
Hard-to-treat hypertension may jeopardize sleep apnea patients' heart health In a study of patients with hypertension, those with resistant hypertension—meaning that their blood pressure remained elevated despite concurrent use of three antihypertensive agents of different classes—had a higher rate of sleep apnea (9.6%) than those without resistant hypertension (7.2%). Resistant hypertensive patients with sleep apnea had an increased risk of ischemic heart events and congestive heart failure compared with patients with sleep apnea and non-resistant hypertension. There were no differences in risk of stroke and premature death in patients with resistant versus non-resistant hypertension, however.
	Global AIDS gains 'inadequate and fragile,' UN chief says Actress Charlize Theron, singer Elton John and Prince Harry are joining researchers, activists and policy makers at a global AIDS conference in South Africa this week to debate ways to better treat and prevent the disease.
Quality of care in VA health system compares well to other settings, study finds The Veterans Affairs health care system generally performs better than or similar to other health care systems on providing safe and effective care to patients, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
Study reveals new link between periodontal and cerebrovascular diseases A new study has revealed a relationship between chronic periodontitis and lacunar infarct, two common diseases in the elderly. Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the gums, whereas lacunar infarct is a type of cerebral small vessel disease that can lead to a stroke.
Helping doctors transform their practices into patient-centered models of health care Health-care delivery is changing rapidly, but many primary care doctors' offices are overworked, under-resourced, and unprepared to make the necessary transformation from the old, top-down hierarchical model to the patient-centered medical home (PCMH). This type of change is a years-long process that requires changing existing routines, integrating new technologies, and creating new processes and roles.
Dual antigen targeting may improve CAR T cell cancer therapy Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR T cells) are a promising immunotherapy approach to cancer treatment in which a patient's own immune cells attack tumors by targeting an identifying marker, or antigen, that is displayed at high levels on cancerous cells. However, CAR T cells that target a single antigen have had mixed results in clinical trials, which may be due to ongoing variability in the antigens that tumors display.
'Dense breasts' diagnosis varies widely among radiologists The likelihood of a woman being told she has dense breasts varies substantially according to which radiologist interprets her mammogram. These findings, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, have policy implications with regard to supplemental screening strategies.

Other Sciences news

	Best of Last Week–Blurring lines between classical and quantum physics, why turtles have shells and new way to get happy (ScienceX)—It was another good week for physics as a combined team of researchers with Google and UC Santa Barbara blurred the line between classical and quantum physics by connecting chaos and entanglement, a finding that suggests it might be possible to use quantum systems to learn more about some of the fundamental aspects of nature. Also, a team at Leiden Institute of Physics announced that they had developed an MRI machine that broke world records at the nanoscale—the nuclear magnetic resonance microscope is expected to offer researchers a new tool for studying the fundamentals of physical processes.
	Hundreds of years later, teeth tell the story of people who didn't get enough sunshine Researchers at McMaster University have found a rich new record of vitamin D deficiency, one that resides in the teeth of every person and remains viable for hundreds of years or more.
	23 shipwrecks discovered off Greece An expedition to the Fourni archipelago in Greece, co-directed by a University of Southampton archaeologist, has found 23 new shipwrecks dating from around 1,000 BC to the 19th century AD.
	New model highlights importance of core academic value in Universities In the higher education sector where there are multiple and competing objectives and often division between academics and professional services, a new model by academics at City University London and Regent's University London offers a novel and innovative way to understand the complexities of the sector and gives insight into how they can be better managed.
	How MIT gave "Ghostbusters" its "geek cred" The energetic researchers who grounded the new "Ghostbusters" in hard science—giving it "geek cred"—are using a flurry of media attention to alter public perceptions.
Food purchasing and social status perceptions In a new study in Applied Economics, Palma et al seek to reveal consumer motivations behind willingness to pay for expensive foods versus valuation of food attributes. Could it be fashion, a bid for prestige or a statement of wealth and social standing?
	Social networks in prisons impact prisoner health and re-entry Aside from the occasional brush with "Orange is the New Black" on Netflix, many are unfamiliar with the intricacies of the American prison system and the day-to-day lives of the inmates within it. Penn State professor of sociology and criminology Derek Kreager is researching inmate networks to demystify the connections that inmates make in prison in order to help them lead healthier, more positive lives within and outside of the system.
	How bad policies institutionalise economic dependency in couples How would you feel if, by living with your partner, you lost your financial independence and were obliged to ask him (or her) for money? What if you had children but your partner was not your children's father? This was the situation facing Nina, a 46 year old lone parent with three children I interviewed in 2013 as part of a qualitative study of partnering behaviour among 51 low-income mothers living in the North West of England. Employed part-time as a family liaison worker, Nina faced the unpalatable prospect of losing her Working Tax Credit and Housing Benefit if she started to cohabit with her new partner. In her circumstances, what would be the responsible thing to do – to throw caution to the wind by moving in together, hoping your partner would financially support you and your children? Or would you opt instead to live separately, allowing you to retain your financial independence? Like many of the low-income mothers in my research, Nina fashioned a compromise which did not entail the loss of income and control of the household finances; she delayed officially declaring her partner was living with her until she was working full-time and earning above the threshold for state financial support. Nina was not alone in challenging the indiscriminate way in which welfare rules force mothers like her into financial dependency. "[My new partner] hadn't played a part in the children's lives up to that time … so I thought it was unfair that we would be considered to be cohabiting in a way that meant he was responsible for providing for me and the children … That's not to diminish [his] relationship with [them]… [but] I don't consider him their father and nor does he, so why should he be responsible for them financially?"
New insights into a Cook Islands 'brain drain' Victoria University of Wellington student Lea Raymond is gaining new insights into a Cook Islands "brain drain", as part of her Master of Development Studies.
	The White Savior—racial inequality in film Sociologist Matthew Hughey studies the relationship between the varied interpretations of racial meanings and the prevailing structures of racism and racial inequality. His book The White Savior Film: Content, Critics, and Consumption (Temple University Press, 2014) addressed the cinematic trope of the white savior in film. With the recent release of two new films – an update of the Tarzan legend and the story of Newton Knight during the Civil War – he discussed the genre with UConn Today.
	Representation of white working class boys in higher education A groundbreaking new report 'The underrepresentation of white working class boys in higher education: the role of widening participation' has been published today.
	Should You Save Enough to Live to 100? First, you were supposed to die at 85. Then 90. Now 95 and even 100 are common defaults when financial planners tell people how much to save for retirement.
	Sexualizaton of female video game characters has diminished since the 1990s Video Games are an ubiquitous part of our lives. You can find people wandering the streets playing Pokémon Go, or spending hours playing massive multiplayer online games. Because they hold such value in our everyday lives, how they reflect the everyday is more important than ever, especially for those who don't have much say in their creation. So how are underrepresented groups, like women, portrayed and utilized in games? A recent study conducted by researchers at Indiana University, examined portrayals of playable female characters from 1983 to 2014 to find out.

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