Fwd: Science X Newsletter Monday, Apr 13

RESPEKT!

WSJ: Google exploring new day for battery tech

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Tue, Apr 14, 2015 at 3:52 AM
Subject: Science X Newsletter Monday, Apr 13
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>

***************************************************
Dear Pascal Alter,
Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for April 13, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Quantum Criticality in life's proteins
- Probabilistic programming does in 50 lines of code what used to take thousands
- Smartphone-based device could provide rapid, low-cost molecular tumor diagnosis
- Cancer virology researchers reveal new pathway that controls how cells make proteins
- Best of Last Week – A way to measure variations in the speed of light, a slower universe and plucking hair
- Team tightens bounds on quantum information 'speed limit'
- Moist explanation for Saturn's Great White Spots
- Long-sought magnetic mechanism observed in exotic hybrid materials
- Researchers find a way to convert waste heat to electricity at nano-scale
- How deep-brain stimulation reshapes neural circuits in Parkinson's disease
- 'Dwarf planet' Ceres spawns giant mystery (Update)
- Mars might have liquid water: Curiosity rover finds brine conditions
- Why we have chins: Researchers contend chin comes from evolution, not mechanical forces
- Solution-grown nanowires make the best lasers
- How bacterial cell recognizes its own DNA

Nanotechnology news

	Researchers find a way to convert waste heat to electricity at nano-scale (Phys.org)—A team of researchers working at Germany's University of Würzburg has shown that a theory developed to describe a way to convert waste heat in microelectronics to electricity can work in the real world. In their paper published in the journal Physical Review Letters, the team describes how they used quantum dots to create a three terminal device capable of generating electricity by harvesting waste heat.
	Insights into potential substitutes for costly platinum in fuel cell catalysts Platinum's scarcity hinders widespread use of fuel cells, which provide power efficiently and without pollutants. Replacing some or all of this rare and expensive metal with common metals in a reactive, highly tunable nanoparticle form may expand fuel cell use. At Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, scientists made such metal nanoparticles with a new gas-based technique and ion soft landing. As an added benefit, the particles are bare, without a capping layer that coats their surfaces and reduces their reactivity.
	Researcher creates technique for nanoscale measurements using light Researchers from disciplines such as biology, mechanical engineering, or pharmaceuticals use nanoscale elements for their projects (nano corresponds to a billionth of a meter). Handling these compounds requires tools of extreme precision and high-accuracy measurements.
	Lab team develops hyper-stretchable elastic-composite energy harvester A research team led by Professor Keon Jae Lee of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has developed a hyper-stretchable elastic-composite energy harvesting device called a nanogenerator.
New report on nanomaterials and graphene for 3D printing and additive manufacturing The technology scouting services arm of Del Stark Technology Solutions has published a new technology briefing on nanomaterials and graphene for 3D printing and additive manufacturing. Research findings include the next generation of 'active electronics in unique functional and interwoven architectures', as well as, methods to incorporate optically detectable nano particles for security measures and advances in biomedical applications.

Physics news

	Quantum Criticality in life's proteins (Phys.org)—Stuart Kauffman, from the University of Calgary, and several of his colleagues have recently published a paper on the Arxiv server titled 'Quantum Criticality at the Origins of Life'. The idea of a quantum criticality, and more generally quantum critical states, comes perhaps not surprisingly, from solid state physics. It describes unusual electronic states that are are balanced somewhere between conduction and insulation. More specifically, under certain conditions, current flow at the critical point becomes unpredictable. When it does flow, it tends to do so in avalanches that vary by several orders of magnitude in size.
	Team tightens bounds on quantum information 'speed limit' If you're designing a new computer, you want it to solve problems as fast as possible. Just how fast is possible is an open question when it comes to quantum computers, but physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have narrowed the theoretical limits for where that "speed limit" is. The research implies that quantum processors will work more slowly than some research has suggested.
	Solution-grown nanowires make the best lasers Take a material that is a focus of interest in the quest for advanced solar cells. Discover a "freshman chemistry level" technique for growing that material into high-efficiency, ultra-small lasers. The result, disclosed today in Nature Materials, is a shortcut to lasers that are extremely efficient and able to create many colors of light.
	Long-sought magnetic mechanism observed in exotic hybrid materials Scientists have measured the subatomic intricacies of an exotic phenomenon first predicted more than 60 years ago. This so-called van Vleck magnetism is the key to harnessing the quantum quirks of topological insulators—hybrid materials that are both conducting and insulating—and could lead to unprecedented electronics.
	New material set to change cooling industry Refrigeration and air conditioning may become more efficient and environmentally friendly thanks to the patent-pending work of LSU physicists. The team of researchers led by LSU Physics Professor Shane Stadler has discovered a breakthrough magnetocaloric material that may change the energy industry, including air conditioning and food refrigeration.
	New studies explain insulator-to-metal transition of vanadium dioxide When heated to just above room temperature, the electrical conductivity of vanadium dioxide (VO2) abruptly increases by a factor of 10,000. Experiments coupled with high-performance computation reveal how the unusually large lattice vibrations, which are the oscillations of atoms about their equilibrium positions, stabilize this highly conductive metallic phase.
X-ray ptychography, fluorescence microscopy combo sheds new light on trace elements Scientists have developed a new approach that combines ptychographic X-ray imaging and fluorescence microscopy to study the important role trace elements play in biological functions on hydrated cells.
	Researchers develop high-resolution technique for non-invasively imaging hidden layers in centuries-old paintings A painting hanging on the wall in an art gallery tells one story. What lies beneath its surface may tell quite another.
	On the road to spin-orbitronics: Researchers find new way to manipulate magnetic domain walls Few among us may know what magnetic domains are but we make use of them daily when we email files, post images, or download music or video to our personal devices. Now a team of researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) has found a new way of manipulating the walls that define these magnetic domains and the results could one day revolutionize the electronics industry.

Earth news

	Fragment of continental crust found under southeast Iceland An international team, including researchers at the University of Liverpool, have shown that south east Iceland is underlain by continental crust.
	Warming seas pose habitat risk for fishy favorites Popular North Sea fish such as haddock, plaice and lemon sole could become less common on our menus because they will be constrained to preferred habitat as seas warm, according to a study published today in Nature Climate Change.
	Coexisting in a sea of competition: Similar diatom species seek out nutrients in different ways Diversity of life abounds on Earth, and there's no need to look any farther than the ocean's surface for proof. There are over 200,000 species of phytoplankton alone, and all of those species of microscopic marine plants that form the base of the marine food web need the same basic resources to grow—light and nutrients.
	Pesticide pollution in water is rare, but can be severe: global study A global study of pesticides in streams and waterways released Monday found that such pollution is rare, but when found it exceeded regulatory limits about half the time.
	More people could survive tsunami if they walk faster, study says About 5,500 more people could survive a major tsunami hitting the Pacific Northwest if they just walk a little faster to higher ground after roads are knocked out, a new study shows.
	Heat's role in the Madden-Julian oscillation Tropical monsoons in Indonesia and floods in the United States are both provoked by the Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO), a process that results in pulses of clouds and precipitation moving eastward around the globe at about 5 meters per second. Despite the MJO's importance, global models often struggle to simulate the oscillation accurately. Researchers showed that MJO simulations are most sensitive to the existence of lower level heating in the atmosphere.
	Higher resolution alone will not fix climate models' daytime precipitation cycle problems Using increased computing power, climate modelers divide Earth's atmosphere into smaller areas so that global models can represent more details in the climate. But how do these large models behave with this higher resolution? Using a regional atmospheric model as a proxy for upcoming high-resolution global climate models, researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found that global models carry many biases into the higher resolution regional output despite its finer detail. The research identified certain tradeoffs that highlight modeling challenges when moving from coarse to high-resolution simulations.
Burying the climate change problem Burying the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, a byproduct of burning fossil fuels, has been mooted as one geoengineering approach to ameliorating climate change. To be effective, trapping the gas in geological deposits would be the for the very long term, thousands of years. Now, a team in Brazil, writing in the International Journal of Global Warming has reviewed the risk assessments for this technology and suggests a lack of knowledge means we should be cautious of turning to this method rather than finding sustainable ways to reduce emissions at their source.
	Go greener: Norway to clean up sovereign wealth fund Norway said Friday it would bar its state pension fund, the world's biggest sovereign wealth fund, from investing in the worst climate-polluting companies.
	NASA/Forest Service maps aid fire recovery New maps of two recent California megafires that combine unique data sets from the U.S. Forest Service and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, are answering some of the urgent questions that follow a huge wildfire: In all the acres of blackened landscape, where are the live trees to provide seed and regrow the forest? Which dead trees could endanger workers rebuilding roads and trails? What habitats have been created for fire-dependent wildlife species?
	Scientists urge public to take part in final part of health survey Scientists in Cornwall are making a final appeal for people to take part in research that will shed light on the health effects of marine pollution.
	India court suspends ban on diesel vehicles in smoggy Delhi An Indian court Monday suspended its ban on diesel vehicles more than 10 years old after New Delhi authorities complained they were struggling to comply with the order in the world's most polluted capital.
	Philippines says Chinese reclamation damaged reefs China has wrought widespread environmental damage in the South China Sea with its construction of artificial islands on disputed reefs, the Philippines said Monday.
	NASA catches Tropical Cyclone Solo dissipating Tropical Cyclone Solo was dissipating over the Southwestern Pacific Ocean when NASA's Aqua satellite passed overhead on April 13, 2015.
	NASA sees Tropical Cyclone Joalane's strongest southwestern side Tropical Cyclone Joalane had already become an extra-tropical system on April 13 fading over the Southern Indian Ocean. In the days before, two NASA instruments in space provided a look at the weakening storm.

Astronomy & Space news

	Mars might have liquid water: Curiosity rover finds brine conditions Researchers have long known that there is water in the form of ice on Mars. Now, new research from NASA's Mars rover Curiosity shows that it is possible that there is liquid water close to the surface of Mars. The explanation is that the substance perchlorate has been found in the soil, which lowers the freezing point so the water does not freeze into ice, but is liquid and present in very salty salt water - a brine. The results are published in the scientific journal Nature.
	Moist explanation for Saturn's Great White Spots Once every 20 or 30 years, a superstorm greater than Earth breaks out on Saturn and whips around the ringed planet in a violent spectacle that rages for months on end.
	'Dwarf planet' Ceres spawns giant mystery (Update) First classified a planet, then an asteroid and then a "dwarf planet" with some traits of a moon—the more scientists learn about Ceres, the weirder it becomes.
	Caffeine High: Space station getting Italian espresso maker (Update) The next space station grocery run will carry caffeine to a whole new level: Aboard the SpaceX supply ship is an authentic espresso machine straight from Italy.
	An exoplanet with an infernal atmosphere As part of the PlanetS National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR), astronomers from the Universities of Geneva (UNIGE) and Bern, Switzerland, have come to measure the temperature of the atmosphere of an exoplanet with unequalled precision, by crossing two approaches.
	SpaceX to send cargo ship on sixth supply mission SpaceX is sending its unmanned Dragon cargo ship on its sixth official supply mission to the International Space Station on Monday, should the weather behave itself.
	Will asteroid 2012 TC4 hit Earth in October 2017? On Oct. 12, 2017, the asteroid 2012 TC4 is slated to whizz by Earth dangerously close. The exact distance of its closest approach is uncertain, as well as its size. Based on observations in October 2012 when the space rock missed our planet, astronomers estimate that its size could vary from 12 to 40 meters. The meteor that exploded over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk in February 2013, injuring 1,500 people and damaging over 7,000 buildings, was about 20 meters wide. Thus, the impact of 2012 TC4 could be even more devastating. "It is something to keep an eye on," Judit Györgyey-Ries, astronomer at the University of Texas' McDonald Observatory, told astrowatch.net. "We could see an airburst maybe broken windows, depending on where it hits."
	Image: Hubble stares into the crammed center of Messier 22 This image shows the center of the globular cluster Messier 22, also known as M22, as observed by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. Globular clusters are spherical collections of densely packed stars, relics of the early years of the Universe, with ages of typically 12 to 13 billion years. This is very old considering that the Universe is only 13.8 billion years old.
	Mystery of peryton reception at Australian observatory solved: It's from microwave ovens (Phys.org)—A team of researchers working at Australia's Parkes Observatory has found the source of at least one kind of peryton—a type of radio signal similar to Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) which are known to come from somewhere else in the galaxy—microwave ovens in a kitchen nearby. The team has written about their investigation and findings in a paper they have uploaded to the arXiv preprint server.
	Meteorites key to the story of Earth's layers A new analysis of the chemical make-up of meteorites has helped scientists work out when the Earth formed its layers.
	Dark Energy Survey creates detailed guide to spotting dark matter  Scientists on the Dark Energy Survey have released the first in a series of dark matter maps of the cosmos. These maps, created with one of the world's most powerful digital cameras, are the largest contiguous maps created at this level of detail and will improve our understanding of dark matter's role in the formation of galaxies. Analysis of the clumpiness of the dark matter in the maps will also allow scientists to probe the nature of the mysterious dark energy, believed to be causing the expansion of the universe to speed up.
	Violent methane storms on Titan may solve dune direction mystery With its thick, hazy atmosphere and surface rivers, mountains, lakes and dunes, Titan, Saturn's largest moon, is one of the most Earthlike places in the solar system.
	Image: A view from NASA's Webb Bed-Chamber This photo, taken from the inside of Chamber A, a giant cryogenic vacuum chamber at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, shows the large vehicle resembling a bed frame in the foreground that will move James Webb Space Telescope's Pathfinder backplane inside the chamber. The large rounded object on the right side of the photo is the "bed chamber's" giant door.
	Sixth SpaceX delivery of station research with a side of caffeine From improving LCD screens to testing espresso machines, a variety of research is headed to the International Space Station aboard the sixth SpaceX contracted resupply mission. The Dragon spacecraft will deliver research equipment for physical science, biology, biotechnology, human research and a myriad of technology demonstrations to the station. These new and ongoing investigations continue to assist researchers in pursuing scientific breakthroughs not possible on Earth.
	Flexing new muscles on the International Space Station When people conjure an image of a robot in their mind, they may imagine something out of a steampunk story—complex gears, rotors and clockworks. All metal, no muscle—but that's all about to change.
	Space station grocery run stalled by storm clouds SpaceX will have to wait another day to deliver groceries and an espresso maker to the International Space Station.
	Hawaii governor says telescope-construction timeout extended Hawaii Gov. David Ige said Saturday that a nonprofit company planning to build one of the world's largest telescopes atop a mountain many Native Hawaiians consider sacred will maintain a moratorium on construction for another week.
Russia 'busts satellite spy ring': space commander Russia has uncovered a group of spy satellites, the head of its space command said in a film broadcast Sunday, which warned of "enemy" satellites that could masquerade as space junk.
	Space station grocery run includes Italian espresso maker Mornings are about to improve for the Italian astronaut who's been suffering through instant coffee at the International Space Station since fall. An espresso machine is on the supply capsule scheduled for launch Monday.

Technology news

	Probabilistic programming does in 50 lines of code what used to take thousands Most recent advances in artificial intelligence—such as mobile apps that convert speech to text—are the result of machine learning, in which computers are turned loose on huge data sets to look for patterns.
	Smartphone-based device could provide rapid, low-cost molecular tumor diagnosis A device developed by Massachusetts General Hospital investigators may bring rapid, accurate molecular diagnosis of tumors and other diseases to locations lacking the latest medical technology. In their report appearing in PNAS Early Edition, the researchers describe a smartphone-based device that uses the kind of technology used to make holograms to collect detailed microscopic images for digital analysis of the molecular composition of cells and tissues.
	Review: Many choices, indecision with Apple Watch Of the 13 Apple Watch models I tried over two sessions, the one I liked most cost $15,000.
	Hair today, communication trigger tomorrow Beauty technology? Don't be concerned if at first you missed the mark. "Beauty technology" does not refer to how ingredients are processed and packaged on shampoo and soap assembly lines. Katia Vega is a post-doc researcher with a PhD in computer science from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro; she can demonstrate what it is. She has been working on wearables and the virtual world, bringing beauty technology to a different place in technology.
	Twitter, YouTube, Instagram work on stealth advertising The quandary for those who run social media networks is how to make money on them without antagonising and thus losing users through distracting ads.
	Subzero learning environment enabling avalanche research A recent article about avalanche research in Popular Science referred to the effort toward knowing more about the avalanche in its subhead as "snowslide science," and the article was about the interesting lab work going on at Montana State University (MSU). Lab work? Do they want to replicate an avalanche in a lab? That is what they are doing, in attempting to understand more about such disasters. Sarah Zhang in Gizmodo called the lab "a mountainside in miniature." The scientists go to the Subzero Science and Engineering Research Facility when they are ready to study the effects of the cold on projects across many scientific disciplines. The Subzero Lab occupies 2,700 square feet and includes eight room-sized cold laboratories; three low-temperature biological incubators; two additional environmental chambers; a temperature-controlled computed tomography (CT) scanner; and a refrigerated epifluorescence microscope. MSU scientists t! here are probing for avalanche answers.
	WSJ: Google exploring new day for battery tech When The Wall Street Journal turned out a story recently about how Google was exploring improved battery technology, technology watchers thought Google was not a minute too soon; in fact it was about time battery solutions get a lot closer to reality than at a stage of being under study or very possibly something real by the year 2025.
	In-flight refuelling for airliners will see non-stop services shrink the globe There's real pressure on the aviation industry to introduce faster, cheaper and greener aircraft, while maintaining the high safety standards demanded of airlines worldwide.
	Researchers send out an extensive look into email behavior A large-scale study of email habits has turned up some insights about how we use email. Researchers were from Yahoo Labs in Sunnyvale, California and Barcelona, as well as from University of Southern California SC Information Sciences Institute. The researchers revealed a number of mail strategy behaviors.
Maine police pay ransom to hackers to get files back Some Maine police agencies say they have had no other choice than to pay a ransom to computer hackers to get their police records back.
	Chinese hackers targeted SE Asia, India for last decade: report A cyber espionage group most likely sponsored by China has been snooping on governments and businesses in Southeast Asia and India undetected for the last ten years, Internet security company FireEye said Monday.
	Japan's nuclear industry pledges to refire reactors Japan's pro-nuclear lobby pledged Monday that 2015 would be the year reactors are restarted, despite public wariness that has lingered since the Fukushima disaster.
	Debating the future of autonomous weapons systems The roles played by autonomous weapons will be discussed at a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, this week which could have far reaching ramifications for the future of war.
	Whistleblowers may bypass the media thanks to new data laws The Australian Government made some concession towards journalists when the new data retention legislation was passed by both Houses of parliament last month. But that doesn't mean a journalist's metadata is protected from ever being accessed by authorities.
	Is downloading really stealing? The ethics of digital piracy Many millions of people throughout the world will illegally download the fifth season of Game of Thrones, released today by HBO. Legally speaking, what they will be doing is a violation of intellectual property rights, or "piracy". But will they be doing anything morally wrong?
	An energy calculator to choose our future EPFL's Energy Center has developed an information platform on energy transition. In particular, it proposes a national energy calculator to develop scenarios for Switzerland's energy future.
	Suit filed as US 'open Internet' rule becomes official (Update) A telecom industry group Monday challenged "open Internet" regulations barring US broadband providers from separating online traffic into slow and fast lanes, hours after official publication of the order.
	German team presents efficient air conditioning for electric cars How can a pleasant vehicle climate be achieved efficiently? Researchers at the Technische Universität München (TUM) pursued this question in the context of the research project Visio.M funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). The results of their research show that the potential of energy efficient air conditioning is all but exhausted. And this applies also to gasoline powered cars.
	First robot into Fukushima reactor stalls, but gets some data The operator of the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant said Monday that the first robot sent inside one of the melted reactors stalled before finishing its work but collected data that indicates a path exists to send robots deeper into the reactor.
Qualcomm rejects hedge fund call for split Qualcomm on Monday rejected a call from an activist investment firm to break up the US tech giant into groups focused on chip manufacturing and licensing of its technology.
	Firms push high-tech solutions to fortify airport perimeters Technology firms increasingly pitch new sensors and software to U.S. airports as a way to bolster exterior security and keep intruders out, but such digital barriers come with a hefty price tag and don't always work.
	China orders media giant Sina to 'improve censorship' China's government has threatened to shut down Sina, one of the country's most popular news websites unless it "improves censorship", state media reported, in a rare public glimpse into controls over the press.
	'Game of Thrones' episodes leak on the Internet: HBO Already the most pirated show in television history, HBO's fantasy epic Games of Thrones was hit by a new leak Sunday just hours before the premiere of its hotly-anticipated fifth season.
	Pro-Saudi hackers seize Iran TV's social media accounts Hackers took over the social media accounts of Iran's Al-Alam television Sunday and posted material supportive of the Saudi-led air war against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen, the Arabic-language channel said.
	Hackers attack Belgian press group, second in days Hackers attacked one of Belgium's top newspaper publishers on Sunday just days after Tunisian Islamist militants took control of a regional government portal to denounce US counter-terror operations.
	Software that locates real-time leaks in water, oil or gas pipes Often, water, gas or oil distribution networks develop leaks in storage tanks, experience pumping failures or illegal connections. In order to avoid economic losses due to these causes, Cristina Verde Rodarte, researcher at the Institute of Engineering, of the Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM), designed a virtual guard that immediately detects abnormalities in any type of duct.
For big data researchers, network and compute capabilities are lynchpin to success For many researchers in the life sciences, Big Data is not just a buzz word—it's the daily reality for carrying out their work in areas like genomics, which is expected to equal if not surpass the data output of the particle physics community. For many scientists, in order to keep pace with the data deluge, the often less glamorous side of big data research—the network, computing and cloud architecture required to support their work—must be at the forefront of their minds. At the Internet2 Global Summit meeting taking place April 26-30 in Washington, D.C., researchers like Genetics and Biochemistry Associate Professor Alex Feltus of Clemson University will come together with network engineers, chief information officers, and other technology leaders in the research and education community to discuss ways they can collaborate to advance research capabilities in IT infrastructure and applications.
Now if you buy a Sprint phone you can get it set up at home A new customer strategy for Sprint: Phone setup in your house.
Russia detains hackers accused of using Nazi imagery in hits Russian officials say they have detained five hackers responsible for the theft of roughly $1 million from banks in Russia and Ukraine, breaking up a group dubbed "cyberfascists" for its predilection for Nazi imagery.
	Four 'Game of Thrones' episodes leaked as new season begins HBO says leaked episodes of "Game of Thrones" came from within a group given approval to receive them.
	Hackers launch new attack on Belgian media group Hackers launched a new attack Monday against the Belgian media group Rossel, targeting the websites of newspapers in Belgium and France, its managing director told AFP.

Chemistry news

	Engineers elucidate why skin is resistant to tearing Skin is remarkably resistant to tearing and a team of researchers from the University of California, San Diego and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory now have shown why.
	Paper-based lateral flow assay for morphine VTT is the first in the world to have developed a drug test printed on paper. VTT used antibodies – produced by methods of molecular biology – as morphine sensing molecules when creating this printing technology-based morphine test. Using printing technology to manufacture rapid tests enables high production volumes and low production costs.
	Stronger, longer-lasting fuel cell technology Manufacturers of low temperature fuel cells need solutions for improving the strength, durability and manufacturability of a key component, the membrane electrode assembly, or MEA.
	What's in your wine? New study reveals how production methods affect color and taste of pinot noir The taste and color of your wine depends on the methods used to produce it and the chemicals added during production, says research published in Analytical Chemistry Research. The researchers behind the study say wine bottles should carry information about what the manufacturers add during processing - including sugars and acids.
	New technology provides superior ability to rapidly detect volatile organic compounds Over the past several decades, the progress in micro fabrication technology has revolutionized the world in such fields as computing, signal processing, and automotive manufacturing.
	Video: Clean up your life with chemistry life hacks Ever run out of your go-to cleaning product, and you've got a mess that you just can't leave alone? Have no fear, chemistry is here. Reactions is back with another round of our Chemistry Life Hacks series, and this week it's all about cleaning.
New ways to see light and store information Researchers from the University of Cologne, Jilin University and the University of Nottingham have developed a method to significantly prolong the lives of charges in organic electronic devices.

Biology news

	Logging means ants, worms and other invertebrates lose rainforest dominance Invertebrates perform essential functions for the smooth running of the ecosystems in tropical forests. For example, creatures such as termites and millipedes help dead leaves decompose and release their nutrients back into the soil, and carnivorous ants and spiders act as predators of herbivorous invertebrates that would otherwise munch through all the foliage.
	Key to survival for endangered smalltooth sawfish What may be the last habitat of one of the world's most bizarre fish has been highlighted by a researcher at the University of St Andrews.
	The two faces of cellular forgetfulness Ludwig Maximilian University researchers have monitored how epigenetic information is transmitted to daughter cells during cell division and determined when the cell's developmental memory is re-established.
	Bacterial raincoat discovery paves way to better crop protection Fresh insights into how bacteria protect themselves - by forming a waterproof raincoat - could help develop improved products to protect plants from disease.
	Scientists uncover gene 'architects' responsible for body's blueprint Researchers have identified two key proteins that act as genetic 'architects', creating the blueprint needed by embryos during the earliest stages of their development.
	How bacterial cell recognizes its own DNA It may come as a bit of a surprise to learn that bacteria have an immune system - in their case to fight off invasive viruses called phages. And like any immune system - from single-celled to human - the first challenge of the bacterial immune system is to detect the difference between "foreign" and "self." This is far from simple, as viruses, bacteria and all other living things are made of DNA and proteins. A group of researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science and Tel Aviv University has now revealed exactly how bacteria do this. Their results were published online today in Nature.
	Chimpanzees show ability to plan route in computer mazes Chimpanzees are capable of some degree of planning for the future, in a manner similar to human children, while some species of monkeys struggle with this task, according to researchers at Georgia State University, Wofford College and Agnes Scott College.
	Florida takes aim at cat-eating African lizards A cat-eating lizard native to Africa is being targeted by Florida state wildlife officials who say the creatures, known as Nile monitors, could be dangerous to pets and people.
	Mass beaching fuels 'unscientific' Japan quake fears The mass beaching of more than 150 melon-headed whales on Japan's shores has fuelled fears of a repeat of a seemingly unrelated event in the country—the devastating 2011 undersea earthquake that killed around 19,000 people.
	Researchers define role of Tmem231 in maintaining ciliary function Researchers reveal how a protein linked to Meckel syndrome (MKS) and other human diseases regulates the membrane composition of cilia, finger-like projections on the surface of cells that communicate signals. The study appears in The Journal of Cell Biology.
	Microbes disprove long-held assumption that all organisms share a common vocabulary Some wild microorganisms, found in nature and not grown in the laboratory, reinterpret the instructions coded into their DNA. Short segments of DNA that signal other organisms to stop adding building blocks or amino acids to a protein are instead interpreted as "add another amino acid."
Microbe produces ethanol from switchgrass without pretreatment The conventional strategy for producing ethanol from plant biomass requires costly pretreatment and enzyme-driven reactions. Refining another strategy known as consolidated bioprocessing (CPB) could reduce costs. In second-generation CPB, a microorganism splits of water and ferments the products to ethanol, reducing the cost. Now, scientists engineered a strain of a CBP bacterium called Caldicellulosiruptor bescii that efficiently breaks down biomass without pretreatment. The microbe produces ethanol, demonstrating the successful conversion of switchgrass cellulosic biomass.
	Astrophysicist outlines astronomical costs of light pollution Light pollution is costing us hundreds of thousands of euro each year, as well as impacting environmental processes and affecting our health. That is according to Professor in Physics at Trinity College Dublin, Brian Espey, whose work has moved from monitoring the heavens to protecting our skies as part of our natural heritage.
	The famous olive trees of Puglia are ravaged by disease – here's how we can save them A common, humble field bug is spreading a disease that has already infected millions of olive trees in Italy. Olive and citrus fruit crops throughout the Mediterranean are threatened, yet there has been a collective failure to recognise the danger and take decisive action.
	Aspirin aids Middle East plant restoration project Kings Park scientists have found a key ingredient in aspirin and anti-pimple products, salicylic acid, is a cost-effective plant growth and survival improver during a world-first desert restoration trial in Saudi Arabia.
	Wasp identification made easy A newly published open-access article "Afrotropical Cynipoidea (Hymenoptera)" by Dr. Simon van Noort, from the Natural History Department, Iziko South African Museum, Dr. Matthew L. Buffington from the Systematic Entomology Lab, USDA, and Dr Mattias Forshage from the Swedish Museum of Natural History provides cutting edge resources to enable the identification of parasitoid wasps in Africa and Madagascar.
	Study of African birds reveals hotbed of malaria parasite diversity When you think of tropical biodiversity, you may picture flocks of colorful birds flitting through lush foliage—but what you are less likely to imagine is the plethora of parasites and pathogens pulsing through the bloodstreams of those birds. Among these microscopic organisms are Plasmodium parasites, best known for causing malaria in humans, birds and many other vertebrates.
	Student's research finds dog, cat owners differ on 'Better Than Average Effect' My dog's the best, but my cat's like the rest—those are the findings of Penn State Abington sophomore Sasha Thomas' research into the social phenomenon known as the "Better Than Average Effect" (BTAE).
	Whaling body experts question Japan's new Antartic plan A panel of experts from the International Whaling Commission on Monday questioned Japan's new Antarctic whaling plan, telling it to provide more information to justify the killings.
West Coast sardine collapse leads to fishing closure Fisheries managers have decided to call off the West Coast sardine fishing season that starts in July because of rapidly dwindling numbers, hoping to save an iconic industry from the kind of collapse that hit in the 1940s and lasted 50 years.

Medicine & Health news

	How deep-brain stimulation reshapes neural circuits in Parkinson's disease UC San Francisco scientists have discovered a possible mechanism for how deep-brain stimulation (DBS), a widely used treatment for movement disorders, exerts its therapeutic effects.
	Cancer virology researchers reveal new pathway that controls how cells make proteins A serendipitous combination of technology and scientific discovery, coupled with a hunch, allowed University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) researchers to reveal a previously invisible biological process that may be implicated in the rapid growth of some cancers.
	One type of airway cell can regenerate another lung cell type A new collaborative study describes a way that lung tissue can regenerate after injury. The team found that lung tissue has more dexterity in repairing tissue than once thought. Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Duke University, including co-senior authors Jon Epstein, MD, chair of the department of Cell and Developmental Biology, and Brigid L.M Hogan, Duke Medicine, along with co-first authors Rajan Jain, MD, a cardiologist and instructor in the Department of Medicine and Christina E. Barkauskas, also from Duke, report their findings in Nature Communications
	Researchers find protein that may signal more aggressive prostate cancers University of Michigan researchers have discovered a biomarker that may be a potentially important breakthrough in diagnosing and treating prostate cancer.
	Depression is genetic, not a pain in the back If you suffer from depression and back pain odds are it's down to your genes, suggests new research from the University of Sydney.
	Study finds testicular cancer link for muscle-building supplements Men who reported taking muscle-building supplements, such as pills and powders with creatine or androstenedione, reported a significantly higher likelihood of having developed testicular cancer than men who did not use such supplements, according to a new study in the British Journal of Cancer.
	Researchers identify drug target for ATRA, the first precision cancer therapy Targeted cancer therapies work by blocking a single oncogenic pathway to halt tumor growth. But because cancerous tumors have the unique ability to activate alternative pathways, they are often able to evade these therapies—and regrow. Moreover, tumors contain a small portion of cancer stem cells that are believed to be responsible for tumor initiation, metastasis and drug resistance. Thus, eradicating cancer stem cells may be critical for achieving long-lasting remission, but there are no drugs available that specifically attack cancer stem cells.
	Certain genes might make some people more prone to experience the placebo effect Placebos have helped to ease symptoms of illness for centuries and have been a fundamental component of clinical research to test new drug therapies for more than 70 years. But why some people respond to placebos and others do not remains under debate.
Mystery of Rett timing explained in MeCP2 binding For decades, scientists and physicians have puzzled over the fact that infants with the postnatal neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome show symptoms of the disorder from one to two years after birth.
	Molecular signature for outcomes of triple negative breast cancer Compared to other types of breast cancer, triple negative breast cancers are often more aggressive and have fewer treatment options. In a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah have identified a molecular mechanism that triple negative breast cancer cells use to survive and grow.
	Hyperactivity and social interactions: Balanced behavior with IRBIT protein Hyperactivity and social abnormalities are defining characteristics of ADHD and autism, two developmental disorders that parents and scientists around the world are struggling to understand. At the RIKEN Brain Science Institute in Japan, researchers have identified the protein IRBIT as a key player in preventing these behaviors from developing. Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the work shows that IRBIT plays a role in regulating dopamine levels in the brain and that its absence can lead to both hyperactivity and abnormal social behavior.
	Gold by special delivery intensifies cancer-killing radiation Researchers from Brown University and the University of Rhode Island have demonstrated a promising new way to increase the effectiveness of radiation in killing cancer cells.
	Family stress may figure in soldiers' suicide risk (HealthDay)—Service members who have to deal with trouble at home when they're deployed may be at increased risk of suicidal thoughts, a study of U.S. veterans suggests.
	Almost one in 10 readmitted after carotid revascularization (HealthDay)—Almost one in 10 Medicare patients undergoing carotid revascularization are readmitted within 30 days, according to a study published in the April 14 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
	Restless leg syndrome common in ankylosing spondylitis (HealthDay)—Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is common in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), according to a study published recently in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
	Agomelatine cuts ocular pressure with glaucoma (HealthDay)—Oral systemic agomelatine has a hypotensive effect that decreases intraocular pressure (IOP) in both eyes of treatment-resistant primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients, according to a study published in the March issue of Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics.
	Combination approach safely rules out PE in primary care (HealthDay)—General practitioners (GPs) can safely exclude pulmonary embolism using the Wells rule for pulmonary embolism in combination with either a qualitative point-of-care (POC) D-dimer test or a quantitative D-dimer test. The findings were published online April 6 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
	Three-drug combo cream effective for melasma (HealthDay)—A cream formula containing 4 percent hydroquinone, 10 percent glycolic acid, and 0.01 percent hyaluronic acid is very effective in the treatment of melasma, according to a study published online April 6 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
	Maternal C-type natriuretic peptide tied to pre-eclampsia (HealthDay)—Levels of maternal plasma amino terminal propeptide of C-type natriuretic peptide (NTproCNP) may be useful in defining phenotypes associated with pre-eclampsia in late pregnancy, according to a study published online April 5 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
	Statin use found beneficial in hepatitis C treatment (HealthDay)—For patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV), statin therapy is associated with improved virologic response rates, as well as decreased liver fibrosis progression and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence, according to a study published online April 6 in Hepatology.
	What to know about recent food recalls and bacteria listeria Large food recalls have forced consumers to throw away hummus and ice cream that may be contaminated with the same potentially deadly bacteria—listeria.
	Cancer surge in China prompts rise of special patient hotels Li Xiaohe has set herself up for the long haul in a cramped but sunny room in western Beijing, about a block from China's most renowned cancer hospital. Her laundry dries on hangers and her husband cooks in a communal kitchen as she embarks on an 84-day program of chemotherapy, following the removal of part of her right breast.
Australia to deny benefits to parents refusing to vaccinate children Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Sunday his nation will adopt a "no jab, no pay" policy to block parents who refuse to vaccinate their children from accessing some government benefits.
German woman pregnant with quadruplets—at 65: report A 65-year-old Berlin woman who already has 13 children is pregnant again with quadruplets, Germany's RTL broadcaster reported Sunday.
	HPV vaccination of adolescent boys may be cost-effective for preventing oropharyngeal cancer A new study indicates that vaccinating 12-year-old boys against the humanpapilloma virus (HPV) may be a cost-effective strategy for preventing oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer, a cancer that starts at the back of the throat and mouth, and involves the tonsils and base of the tongue. Published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study provides important information about HPV vaccination, which has proven effective against HPV-related disease in both sexes but remains controversial, especially in males.
Study suggests adjustments on the treatment of cancer patients with pneumonia Cancer patients are more likely to get infections. Pneumonia is the most frequent type of infection in this group and a frequent cause of ICU admission and mortality. A study conducted by researchers from the D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR) in partnership with Brazilian hospitals and universities analyzed the factors associated with severe pneumonia in hospitalized cancer patients and suggests that more personalized treatment protocols can reduce mortality in these patients.
EU moves closer to counting calories in alcoholic drinks Health conscious tipplers may be closer to finding out just how many calories they are imbibing as consumer advocates push for EU nutritional labelling on alcoholic drinks in the face of strong industry resistance.
Survey: Nearly 9 in 10 US adults now have health insurance Underlining a change across the nation, nearly 9 out of 10 adults now say they have health insurance, according to an extensive survey released Monday.
Gene therapy superior to half-matched transplant for 'bubble boy disease' New research published online today in Blood, the Journal of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), reports that children with "bubble boy disease" who undergo gene therapy have fewer infections and hospitalizations than those receiving stem cells from a partially matched donor. The research is the first to compare outcomes among children with the rare immune disorder - also known as X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID-X1) - receiving the two therapeutic approaches.
Family doctors important in advising young women on egg freezing for future fertility Family physicians have an important role in advising women about the benefits and risks of egg freezing, argues an analysis in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
	Emergency departments improve readiness to care for children Pediatric emergency care coordinators in the nation's emergency departments are strongly linked with improved readiness to care for children, according to a new study in JAMA Pediatrics. Nearly 50 percent of the nation's emergency departments have a physician or nurse dedicated to address staff training, equipment availability and policies for the care of children—a three-fold increase since 2003. This is an important finding because the presence of a pediatric emergency care coordinator is strongly correlated with improved pediatric readiness, independent of other factors.
Some atrial fibrillation patients receive unnecessary blood thinners About a quarter of all atrial fibrillation (AF) patients at the lowest risk for stroke receive unnecessary blood thinners from cardiology specialists, according to UCSF researchers, and these providers must be made aware of the resulting potential health risks.
	Researchers grow cardiac tissue on 'spider silk' substrate Genetically engineered fibers of the protein spidroin, which is the construction material for spider webs, has proven to be a perfect substrate for cultivating heart tissue cells, MIPT researchers found. They discuss their findings in an article that was recently published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Added sugar in diets has created public health crisis Sugars tastes good and for a little while, it may make us feel better until the crash comes and we are left feeling tired and lifeless. It is estimated that Americans consume 130 pounds of sugar per person a year which is about a third of a pound of sugar a day.
	Brain training instead of medication to counter insomnia The ability to finally enjoy a good night's sleep is something that can be learned. An Austrian Science Fund FWF project has investigated how this can best be learned and who responds best to such "brain training".
	Student projects get creative to encourage healthy eating Unlike writing a prescription for a pill, helping patients change their eating habits isn't something easily fixed in the average doctor's visit.
	Researchers to investigate overuse of antipsychotic drugs in dementia patients Rutgers will take the lead in a three-year study that will investigate the effectiveness of federal and state initiatives to address overprescribing of antipsychotic medications for dementia patients in nursing homes.
	Lower survival rates connected with high-risk melanoma with mutations, study finds Researchers from the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center analyzed hundreds of melanoma samples to find out if two genetic mutations more commonly found in melanoma tumors were associated with lower survival rates in patients.
	The genetics of psychiatric disorders While it has long been recognised that genetics – alongside environmental factors – play a role in developing psychiatric disorders, the function of individual genes is still largely unknown. But an international, multi-disciplinary team led by Bournemouth University's Dr Kevin McGhee is aiming to uncover just that – using fruit flies to isolate and examine the genes involved in the development of schizophrenia, with the hope of improving knowledge and treatments for the condition.
Is the length of work careers determined in utero? Low weight at birth increased the risk of disability pension among men, reveals a new Finnish study published in the PLoS One. Around 20% of the cohort members born in 1934–44 retired on a disability pension between 1971 and 2011.
	Healthy elders may hold key to fighting cancer Could the immune systems of healthy seniors hold clues for beating the most aggressive form of breast cancer?
	Novel neutrophil elastase isoform suggests new approach to pulmonary emphysema Elastases of white blood cells are involved in tissue destruction and can thus cause various diseases. Scientists from the Helmholtz Zentrum München have discovered a new isoform which could be involved both in the pathogenesis of diseases such as pulmonary emphysema as well as in the failure of some therapy approaches. The results of the study have just been published in the journal Nature Communications.
	Polluting agent found in fat-rich food increases the risk of cancer in males An international research project with the participation of the University of Granada has demonstrated that exposure to a chemical pollutant called PCB-153 is positively associated to the risk of cancer in males. This agent, which has been banned in Spain since the 1980s, can still be found in some fat-rich food, such as large, fat-rich fish (tuna, salmon, swordfish, among others), since it is highly resistant to degradation.
	Human immune system can control re-awakened HIV, suggesting 'kick and kill' cure is possible The human immune system can handle large bursts of HIV activity and so it should be possible to cure HIV with a 'kick and kill' strategy, finds new research led by UCL, the University of Oxford and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Better patient consultation needed on health tech funding Research from the University of Adelaide has highlighted the need for improved consultation with patient advocacy groups about public health funding for new medical technologies.
Alcohol and drug screening needed for the elderly Concerns surrounding drug and alcohol consumption are widely discussed in relation to youth but, according to a University of Adelaide researcher, there is a need to explore this issue further with older Australians.
	European watchdog seeks tighter guidelines on ibuprofen A European panel on Monday backed tougher guidelines on ibuprofen after research found high doses of the popular painkiller were linked to a small increase in cardiac and stroke risk.
	New evidence for how green tea and apples could protect health Scientists from the Institute of Food Research have found evidence for a mechanism by which certain food compounds could help protect our health.
	Your pain reliever may also be diminishing your joy Researchers studying the commonly used pain reliever acetaminophen found it has a previously unknown side effect: It blunts positive emotions.
	New software helps improve surgical safety Because the spine is made up of repeating elements that look alike, surgeons can mistakenly operate on the wrong vertebra. To avoid this, Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a software program that works seamlessly with currently available procedures to assist a surgeon's determination of which vertebra is which. Results from its first clinical evaluation show that the LevelCheck software achieves 100 percent accuracy in just 26 seconds. Details of the study will appear in the April 15 issue of the journal Spine.
	Study identifies teens at risk for hashish use The recent increase in popularity of marijuana use coupled with more liberal state-level polices has begun to change the landscape of adolescent marijuana use. More potent forms of marijuana, such as hashish, may present a threat to adolescent health. A wealth of research has been conducted to examine risk factors for teen marijuana use; however, studies rarely differentiate between different forms of marijuana.
	Mental rehearsal helps ER clinicians best prepare for trauma patients Picture this: you're a long-distance runner preparing for a 100-kilometer race. How do you get ready?
Bone mineral density improved in frail elderly women treated with zoledronic acid A single intravenous dose of the osteoporosis drug zoledronic acid improved bone mineral density in a group of frail elderly women living in nursing homes and long-term-care facilities, according to an article published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.
	Melanoma's 'safe haven' targeted for shut-down Melanoma cells become drug resistant by using surrounding healthy cells to provide a 'safe haven' from treatment, according to new research published in Cancer Cell today.
New strategy can help determine heart attack in patients within one hour A new strategy to rule-out and rule-in heart attacks in emergency departments will help physicians treat patients faster, found a clinical trial published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Medical marijuana liquid extract may bring hope for children with severe epilepsy A medicinal liquid form of marijuana may show promise as a treatment for children with severe epilepsy that is not responding to other treatments, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 67th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, April 18 to 25, 2015.
AHA new recs for designing, measuring and recognizing comprehensive workplace wellness programs The American Heart Association (AHA) released new recommendations today to address gaps in common standards around comprehensive workplace wellness programs (CWWPs). The recommendations improve the design, measurement and recognition of CWWPs, and, if adopted by employers, could significantly impact efforts to improve the cardiovascular health of the American workforce.
Team finds new gene involved in blood-forming stem cells Research led by the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute has identified a gene critical to controlling the body's ability to create blood cells and immune cells from blood-forming stem cells—known as hematopoietic stem cells.
Pain management study reveals patient confusion about opioid addiction Emergency department patients have misperceptions about opioid dependence and want more information about their pain management options, according to a new study from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The study, published online in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, found that patients seen in the emergency department for acute pain expressed a desire for better communication from physicians about their pain management options, along with discussion of the risks of opioid dependence.
Babies exposed to narcotic pain relievers more likely to experience withdrawal Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a drug withdrawal syndrome in infants following birth, has historically been associated with illicit drug use among pregnant women.
	Study challenges conventional wisdom that sight-based brain sensory network organization is impaired with blindness Is visual input essential to how the topographical map of the visual cortex develops in the human brain?
Mayo profile identifies patients most at risk of developing pancreatic cancer When people find out—usually from a diagnostic scan looking at something else—that they have a lesion in their pancreas that could morph into pancreatic cancer, they can panic. They insist on having frequent CT scans and biopsies to monitor the lesion, or they ask for surgery. Physicians also don't know if these abnormalities are dangerous, so the patients end up in surgery having part of their pancreas removed. Often the lesion is nothing to worry about.
Team identifies oncogene regulated by nutrients Scientists from the Growth Factors, Nutrients and Cancer Group at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), led by Nabil Djouder, have discovered that the MCRS1 protein, in response to an excess of nutrients, induces an increase in the activity of mTOR (the mammalian/mechanistic Target of Rapamycin); a protein that is altered in human diseases such as cancer and diabetes, processes associated with ageing, as well as in certain cardiovascular and neurodegenerative pathologies. The finding, published in the journal Developmental Cell, opens up new possibilities for the development of drugs that block MCRS1 to treat cancer and diabetes.
Promising developments in tackling resistance to blood cancer drugs A drug with the potential to reverse resistance to immunotherapy has been developed by scientists at the University of Southampton. It has shown great promise in pre-clinical models and will be available to patients with certain leukaemias and non-Hodgkin lymphomas in clinical trials later this year.
	Tango dancing benefits Parkinson's patients Dancing the Argentine tango could have potential benefits for people at certain stages in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD), according to findings in a new study by researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital -The Neuro, McGill University and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre. The study looked at changes in patients' motor abilities following a 12-week tango course, and is also the first study to assess the effect that tango has on non-motor symptoms.
	Network 'hubs' in the brain attract information, much like airport system One of the brain's main jobs is information processing - what is critical, however, is that information in the brain gets transferred to the right places at the right times.
FDA warns of liver injury from muscle-building supplement The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers to avoid dietary supplements sold by a Las Vegas company because they may contain anabolic steroids that can cause liver damage.
	New method characterizes structure of protein that promotes tumor growth Moffitt Cancer Center researchers have developed a new method to identify a previously unknown structure in a protein called MDMX. MDMX is a crucial regulatory protein that controls p53 - one of the most commonly mutated genes in cancer.
	Studies review relationship between immune system and cancer The last ten years have seen a renewed interest in how cancer evades the immune system and how white blood cells can be used therapeutically to help patients, even with late-stage diagnoses. In an April 13 joint special issue on cancer, immunity, and immunotherapy, Cancer Cell and Trends in Immunology explore the history of this work and review how immunology and cancer research currently intersect. Articles explore drugs that eliminate cancer's hold on the immune system, as well as the ways the immune response is affected by anti-cancer therapies and vice versa.
Recruiting participants for research: Simple explanations, queries from doctors are best While a debate was raging between scientists and government regulators on how best to explain to patients the risks of participating in clinical research studies that compare standardized treatments, a team of bioethicists boldly went where no experts had gone before—to the public.
More salt doesn't mean better performance for endurance athletes In a recent study, Saint Louis University researchers found that salt pill consumption neither hurt nor helped performance for endurance athletes. Edward Weiss, Ph.D., assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics at Saint Louis University, cast doubts on the popular idea that salt consumption can help endurance athletes during competition in the the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine paper.
	Cellular signals for pain fine tune neurons' sensitivity to opiods At the cellular level, pain and pain relief are caused by two different signaling pathways. But the two pathways aren't necessarily independent of one another, according to a study published by Carnegie Mellon researchers in Cell Reports.
	Mechanism outlined by which inadequate vitamin E can cause brain damage Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered how vitamin E deficiency may cause neurological damage by interrupting a supply line of specific nutrients and robbing the brain of the "building blocks" it needs to maintain neuronal health.
	Boozing in movies may boost teen drinking (HealthDay)—Seeing actors drink alcohol in movies seems to increase the likelihood that teens will drink and have alcohol-related problems, a new study suggests.
New York lawmakers mull warning labels on sugary beverages Public health advocates urged New York state lawmakers Monday to require labels on sugary drinks to warn consumers about the dangers of obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.
	Tan skin is damaged skin (HealthDay)— The "healthy glow" associated with a tan is actually a sign of danger, a dermatologist says.
	Know the signs of child abuse (HealthDay)—A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds in the United States, and more than 1,600 children die each year from abuse or neglect, an expert says.
	Exercise cuts pain interference from diabetic neuropathy (HealthDay)—Aerobic exercise may help reduce perceived pain interference resulting from diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), according to a brief research report published online March 20 in Pain Medicine.
	Adverse ocular effects from aesthetic facial Tx rare (HealthDay)—Adverse ocular effects from aesthetic facial procedures are infrequent, according to a review published online March 19 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
	Bipolar FRF Tx for acne in Japanese deemed safe, effective (HealthDay)—Bipolar fractional radiofrequency (FRF) therapy appears to be effective for atrophic acne scars and acne among Japanese patients, according to a study published online April 9 in the Journal of Dermatology.
Peritoneal drainage, laparotomy cuts mortality in NEC (HealthDay)—For infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), peritoneal drainage followed by laparotomy is associated with reduced mortality but increased costs compared with peritoneal drainage alone, according to a study published online April 13 in Pediatrics.
	Mortality up with spontaneous bleeding after PCI (HealthDay)—For patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), spontaneous bleeding is associated with increased risk of death, comparable to that associated with myocardial infarction (MI), according to a study published in the April 14 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Bird flu confirmed at 1 ND turkey farm, 4 more in Minnesota A deadly bird flu strain was confirmed Friday at one North Dakota turkey farm and at four more in Minnesota, raising the number of farms affected across the Midwest to 20 and the toll to almost 1.1 million birds since the outbreak was first confirmed in early March.
Improving nutrition in cancer survivors Stories involving cancer and its devastating consequences are a frequent occurrence in the news. We are constantly being told which foods may cause cancer, and which may prevent it, but how much is fact, and how much is  fiction is often in dispute. The same is true for cancer survivors trying to find reliable nutritional information which will help them to improve their quality of life and prevent future relapses.
	Biobanks need legal regulation, says expert Biobanks are repositories of personal medical data and biological material, such as DNA, blood and tissue samples, collected for research purposes. Legal scholars at LMU and Augsburg University recently produced a draft bill outlining a regulatory framework for biobanks. Here, Jens Kersten, Professor of Public Law and Administration at LMU, explains why biobanks need a defined legal basis.
	Empowering patients and improving treatment of Parkinson's disease A personal health system helps Parkinson's patients manage their symptoms while providing doctors with a rich source of information from continuous monitoring.
	Suffering from abuse during childhood increases the chances of depression, above all in those adults who are genetically An international research project led by scientists from the U. of Granada has demonstrated that the risk of suffering from depression due to abuse during childhood is significantly higher in those patients who are genetically predisposed.
	Research enables differentiated profiles in drug-addicted patients to be established The Journal of Addictive Diseases has published a study conducted by researchers in the Department of Psychology and Pedagogy of the NUP/UPVA-Public University of Navarre on the behaviour and treatment of patients with addictions. Specifically, the research has enabled profiles of addicted patients to be established in terms of whether they display associated behaviour of violence and/or whether they have committed criminal acts. As Prof Raúl Cacho pointed out, "this is very important as it enables us to predict the result of the treatment, and therefore, improve it, so that it is rendered more effective, is adapted to the patient and also leads to savings in terms of human and material resources."
Regenstrief Institute puts clinicians in charge of computer-based decision support Electronic medical record systems and computerized physician order entry systems provide clinicians with decision support in the form of warnings or reminders about possible drug interactions, recommended immunizations, need for specific follow-up and other information important and potentially critical to patient care.
Wisconsin records first outbreak of dangerous bird flu strain (Update) A dangerous bird-flu strain that has already hit numerous turkey farms in the Midwest has now been identified in a Wisconsin chicken flock, marking the first case of the virus in a commercial chicken farm in the U.S. and its first appearance in Wisconsin, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday.
More than 100 sickened by norovirus during San Diego cruise Federal health officials say 106 passengers and six crewmembers aboard the Celebrity Infinity cruise ship were sickened by the gastrointestinal illness norovirus.
Study finds emergency departments may help address opioid overdose, education Emergency departments (ED) provide a promising venue to address opioid deaths with education on both overdose prevention and appropriate actions in a witnessed overdose. In addition, ED's have the potential to equip patients with nasal naloxone rescue kits as part of this effort.
	US agrees to help launch 'African CDC' (HealthDay)—An agreement to help create an African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was signed Monday by the United States and the African Union.

Other Sciences news

	Best of Last Week – A way to measure variations in the speed of light, a slower universe and plucking hair (Phys.org)—It was a big week for physics. First, a trio of researchers proposed a method to measure variations in the speed of light—in alternative theories of cosmology where it has been theorized that time and space can vary. Also, another team showed that the "quantum freezing phenomenon" is universal—this describes conditions in which quantum correlations can be "frozen" in a constant state and remain that way in the presence of noise. Meanwhile another team suggested that "unparticles" may provide a new path to superconductivity—the hypothetical form of matter, the researchers suggest, could play a key role in mediating superconductivity.
	Why we have chins: Researchers contend chin comes from evolution, not mechanical forces Look at a primate or a Neanderthal skull and compare it with a modern human's. Notice anything missing?
	Did Richard III manage to keep his scoliosis a secret up until his death in 1485? Last month saw the mortal remains of King Richard III reinterred at Leicester Cathedral, more than two years after University of Leicester archaeologists discovered his skeleton in a car park in August 2012.
	Animals enliven human language When Debra Hawhee reads Mother Goose and Aesop's Fables to her 5-year-old daughter, she hears in them the usual social lessons—and an additional layer of meaning besides.
Thwarting cheaters with 'smart' tax returns Research by the University of Michigan examines whether changes to the income tax return could help cut evasion, which costs federal, state and local governments more than $400 billion a year.
	Poverty-level wages cost U.S. taxpayers $153 billion every year While the U.S. economy rebounds, persistent low wages are costing taxpayers approximately $153 billion every year in public support to working families, including $25 billion at the state level, according to a new report from the University of California, Berkeley, Center for Labor Research and Education. The report details for the first time the state-by-state cost to taxpayers of low wages in the United States.
	Springbank Island archaeology dig underway The Australian National University (ANU) has begun an archaeological dig on Springbank Island in Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin.
New study reveals link between arrival of grandchildren and early retirement of women According to financial planners, women face unique challenges when preparing to retire. A recent study co-authored by Robin Lumsdaine, Crown Prince of Bahrain Professor of International Finance at American University's Kogod School of Business, reveals retirement-age women who have new grandchildren are 9 percent more likely to retire early than those who do not. The increased probability of early retirement due to the arrival of grandchildren is comparable to the number of women that retire due to worsening health. The decision to retire early has a significant impact on income adequacy later in life as it can result in lower IRA, Social Security and pension benefit amounts.
	Onus on employers to improve productivity, say experts Government needs to look beyond strikes and other forms of industrial action and address the causes of workplace conflict, say workplace relations experts in a submission to the Productivity Commission inquiry.
	Timor-Leste's population bubble – dividend or danger? A Flinders demographer this week will tell the government of Timor-Leste that the population 'bubble' caused by soaring birth rates after independence in 2000 could potentially lead to an economic dividend for the young island nation.
	Tradition is more important than education in determining participation European immigrant women's role in the workforce The rate of participation in the workforce by European immigrant women is highly influenced by the traditional values that they bring with them from their countries of origin. The impact of gender norms and other traditional values is so strong that it is twice that of education, according to research carried out at la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, within the framework of their Chairs of Excellence, which include their projects with the support of Banco Santander through Santander universities.
	Report says schools still shortchanging gifted kids The report A Nation Deceived: How Schools Hold Back America's Brightest Students changed the conversation about academic acceleration in this country's schools when it was published 10 years ago.
Thousands likely to sit out New York English, math tests Parent leaders of the movement to boycott New York's standardized tests say opting children out could do more for their education than the tests themselves.
Improving work conditions increases parents' time with their children A workplace intervention designed to reduce work-family conflict gave employed parents more time with their children without reducing their work time.

---

This email is a free service of Science X Network.
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
(...)
You are subscribed as pascal.alter@gmail.com