Science X Newsletter Friday, Feb 20

Phys.org Newsletter for February 20, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Magnetic material's unusual heating effect could fry cancer cells at the perfect temperature 
- Pen draws flexible circuits using half-meter long carbon nanotube fibers 
- Research trio finds bluebird mothers give sons extra dose of androgen when antagonized 
- Cutting off a cancer cell at its transcriptional source: Model system for designing a small molecule inhibitor 
- Reducing energy efficiency boosts calorie burning in muscle 
- Researchers discuss plans for developing human model organs on plastic chips 
- Diabetes and depression predict dementia risk in people with slowing minds 
- Doctors say fitness trackers, health apps can boost care 
- Virus-cutting enzyme helps bacteria remember a threat 
- Genome's tale of 'conquer and enslave' 
- Stolen SIM card keys could be powerful spy tool 
- Ancient and modern cities aren't so different 
- Keeping the heart's engine in sync: Contractions' efficiency depends on critical protein 
- Life on Europa? Scientists ponder the possibilities 
- Team finds powerful dengue neutralizing antibody 

Nanotechnology news

	Pen draws flexible circuits using half-meter long carbon nanotube fibers (Phys.org)—While it may look like researchers from Tsinghua University in Beijing are sketching out an idea for a circuit on a piece of paper, they're actually using a special pen that draws real circuits using carbon-nanotube-based ink.
	Semiconductor works better when hitched to graphene Graphene – a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon with highly desirable electrical properties, flexibility and strength – shows great promise for future electronics, advanced solar cells, protective coatings and other uses, and combining it with other materials could extend its range even further.
	World-leading SuperSTEM microscope that can see single atoms is unveiled A new super powerful electron microscope that can pinpoint the position of single atoms was unveiled today at the Science and Technology Research Council's Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire. The microscope will help scientists push boundaries even further in fields such as advanced materials, healthcare and power generation.

Physics news

Magnetic material's unusual heating effect could fry cancer cells at the perfect temperature (Phys.org)—When exposed to a varying magnetic field, some conductive materials undergo a temperature increase of about 3-5 K over several minutes. This effect is called induction heating, and it occurs because small electric currents cause heating due to resistance. Now in a new study, scientists have found that, under the same conditions, the temperature of a certain magnetic material increases by more than 20 K in less than a minute—and then abruptly stops and does not increase any further. The large, self-regulated heating power occurs at just the right temperature to potentially enable it to be used as a safe and effective form of hyperthermia treatment of cancer cells.

Atomic-resolution holography electron microscope with the world's highest point resolution Hitachi today announced that it has developed an atomic-resolution holography electron microscope accelerated at a 1.2-megavolt ("MV") under the government-sponsored FIRST Program project named "Development and Application of an Atomic-resolution Holography Electron Microscope", and has achieved the world's highest point resolution of 43 picometers ("pm"), i.e., 43 trillionths of a meter. With its ability to measure electromagnetic fields at the atomic resolution, the developed microscope will contribute to the advancement of fundamental sciences by supporting the development of cutting-edge functional materials, through elucidating quantum phenomena that cause the functions and properties of high-performance materials, such as magnets, batteries, and superconductors.

Earth news

	Coping with earthquakes induced by fluid injection A paper published today in Science provides a case for increasing transparency and data collection to enable strategies for mitigating the effects of human-induced earthquakes caused by wastewater injection associated with oil and gas production in the United States. The paper is the result of a series of workshops led by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey in collaboration with the University of Colorado, Oklahoma Geological Survey and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, suggests that it is possible to reduce the hazard of induced seismicity through management of injection activities.
	Antarctica: Mystery continent holds key to mankind's future Earth's past, present and future come together here on the northern peninsula of Antarctica, the wildest, most desolate and mysterious of its continents.
	Climate change influences the distribution of organic pollutants in the Baltic Sea Regional climate change models predict an increased freshwater runoff into the Baltic Sea. This will result in increased inflow of terrestrial dissolved organic carbon. According to Matyas Ripszam, Umeå University, this change will have high impact on the organic pollutants on the organic pollutants in the northern Baltic Sea, since this carbon can interact with the pollutants and decrease their concentration in the water. He defends his thesis on Friday 20 February.
	Out of Africa: Did humans migrate in a single wave or in phases based on weather? Considerable debate surrounds the migration of human populations out of Africa. Two predominant hypotheses concerning the timing contrast in their emphasis on the role of the Arabian interior and its changing climate. In one scenario, human populations expanded rapidly from Africa to southern Asia via the coastlines of Arabia approx. 50,000 to 60,000 years ago. Another model suggests that dispersal into the Arabian interior began much earlier (approx. 75,000 to 130,000 years ago) during multiple phases, when increased rainfall provided sufficient freshwater to support expanding populations.
	Study suggests new pathway for phosphorous cycling in Chesapeake Bay In the summer months, phosphorous cycling leads the center of the Chesapeake Bay to suffer from bottom water hypoxia—low levels of oxygen—which makes it hard for oxygen dependent organisms to survive. Conversely, this cycling also causes surface water eutrophication, which leads to phytoplankton blooms.
	Paleoclimate, proxies, paleosols, and precipitation Precipitation reconstructions are essential for predicting impacts of future climate change and preparing for potential changes in terrestrial environmental conditions, such as shifting amounts of regional rainfall, which in turn impact water resource availability and crop growth patterns. Reliable proxy records of paleoprecipitation, especially from past warm periods, are a valuable tool for assessing and modeling future soil and plant moisture and local water availability. However, current terrestrial proxies are limited in their applications, and as a result, a wide range of paleoenvironments are underrepresented in the geologic record.
Draft U-M report analyzes policy options for hydraulic fracturing in Michigan University of Michigan researchers today released a detailed draft analysis of policy options for hydraulic fracturing, the natural gas and oil extraction process commonly known as fracking.
	Caribbean coral findings may influence Barrier Reef studies Corals may be better equipped to tolerate climate change than previously believed, according to research led by Dr Emma Kennedy from Griffith University (Queensland, Australia).
	Fossil fuel divestment effort comes to energy-rich Colorado A campaign to get universities to stop investing in greenhouse gas-producing fuels has come deep into energy country as activists ask the University of Colorado to divest from coal and petroleum companies.
	TRMM satellite sees rapid intensification of category-5 Marcia At 11 p.m. local time (1324 UTC) on Feb. 19, 2015, the Precipitation Radar on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite observed the eyewall of Tropical Cyclone Maria in the Coral Sea. At that time, Marcia was rapidly intensifying to category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, a little more than 12 hours before an expected landfall in Queensland, Australia.
	NASA saw heavy rainfall in Tropical Cyclone Marcia As Tropical Cyclone Marcia was nearing the Queensland coast, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite known as TRMM measured its rainfall from space.
	NASA snaps picture of Eastern US in a record-breaking 'freezer' NASA's Terra satellite captured an image of the snow-covered eastern U.S. that looks like the states have been sitting in a freezer. In addition to the snow cover, Arctic and Siberian air masses have settled in over the Eastern U.S. triggering many record low temperatures in many states.
	Greenland is melting: The past might tell what the future holds A team of scientists lead by Danish geologist Nicolaj Krog Larsen have managed to quantify how the Greenland Ice Sheet reacted to a warm period 8,000-5,000 years ago. Back then temperatures were 2-4 degrees C warmer than present. Their results have just been published in the scientific journal Geology, and are important as we are rapidly closing in on similar temperatures.
	NASA sees heavy rain in Tropical Cyclone Lam Tropical Cyclone Lam made landfall in a remote area of the Northern Territory and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission or TRMM satellite revealed that it brought heavy rain with it.

Astronomy & Space news

	Life on Europa? Scientists ponder the possibilities When Galileo viewed Jupiter through his telescope in 1610, he saw four dim objects near it that he assumed were stars. Repeated observations revealed that these "stars" orbited Jupiter like our own moon circles Earth. Thus began over 400 years of observations of Jupiter's moons, which now number 67. But if experts who gathered Wednesday at NASA's Ames Research Center are successful, by midcentury we may see one of these moons in a whole new light.
	Planets can alter each other's climates over eons A new study sheds light on how exoplanets in tightly-packed solar systems interact with each other gravitationally by affecting one another's climates and their abilities to support alien life.
	SwissCube's longevity marks its success Launched more than five years ago, the small Swiss satellite designed by EPFL and several other Universities of Applied Sciences, will soon have orbited the Earth 30'000 times. Against all odds, its systems are still fully functional. For the students who built it, it is a great testament to the quality of their work. This feat is the subject of an article in the latest issue of Flash.
	The controversy over interstellar messaging Should we beam messages into deep space, announcing our presence to any extraterrestrial civilizations that might be out there? Or, should we just listen? Since the beginnings of the modern Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), radio astronomers have, for the most part, followed the listening strategy. In 1999, that consensus was shattered. Without consulting with other members of the community of scientists involved in SETI, a team of radio astronomers at the Evpatoria Radar Telescope in Crimea, led by Alexander Zaitsev, beamed an interstellar message called 'Cosmic Call' to four nearby sun-like stars. The project was funded by an American company called Team Encounter and used proceeds obtained by allowing members of the general public to submit text and images for the message in exchange for a fee.
	What's important to know about planet Mercury? Close by the Sun is Mercury, a practically atmosphere-like world that has a lot of craters. Until NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft arrived there in 2008, we knew very little about the planet—only part of it had been imaged! But now that the spacecraft has been circling the planet for a few years, we know a heck of a lot more. Here is some stuff about Mercury that's useful to know.
	Image: Magnetospheric Multiscale Observatories processed for launch NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) observatories are processed for launch in a clean room at the Astrotech Space Operations facility in Titusville, Florida. MMS is an unprecedented NASA mission to study the mystery of how magnetic fields around Earth connect and disconnect, explosively releasing energy via a process known as magnetic reconnection. MMS consists of four identical spacecraft that work together to provide the first three-dimensional view of this fundamental process, which occurs throughout the universe.
	A recipe for returning Pluto to full planethood A storm is brewing, a battle of words and a war of the worlds. The Earth is not at risk. It is mostly a civil dispute, but it has the potential to influence the path of careers. In 2014, a Harvard led debate was undertaken on the question: Is Pluto a planet. The impact of the definition of planet and everything else is far reaching – to the ends of the Universe.

Technology news

	Samsung smart TVs subject of blog on traffic intercept findings Does your Samsung TV listen to you? That is the question that was posed on Monday, February 16, by David Lodge in a Pen Test Partners blog. This is a UK-based security company. Sure, the smart TVs have a voice command facility enabled by saying something or the default "Hi TV." What interested Lodge was "a bit of a privacy concern - can Samsung listen in on you whilst you're sat on the sofa watching TV? The easiest way is to intercept some traffic from a TV and see what it's trying to do." Lodge went ahead to do his research. To intercept the traffic he used a TP-Link switch which was able to mirror traffic from one port to another, allowing him to transparently intercept the traffic. From there he could record its handshake as it joined the network and attempted to make a few voice requests in different ways. Lodge said that "This was all recorded in Wireshark and saved as a PCAP for later analysis." (Wireshark is a network prot! ocol analyzer that lets you see what's happening on your network. It lets you capture and interactively browse traffic running on a computer network. It runs on most platforms including Windows, OS X, Linux, and Unix. Network professionals, security experts and developers use this regularly.)
	Doctors say fitness trackers, health apps can boost care That phone app keeping track of your exercise and meals might keep you out of the hospital one day.
	Stolen SIM card keys could be powerful spy tool It would be another powerful tool in the arsenal of US and British spy services: the encryption keys for a large share of the SIM cards used for mobile phones.
Don't count ATMs out just yet The automated teller machine might be an old and clunky piece of banking technology. But don't count it out just yet.
	Review: Android Lollipop gives Google operating system a sweet new look Traditionally, the best word to describe Google's Android operating system has been "utilitarian." The engineers behind the world's leading mobile platform have long emphasized features over aesthetics.
Kaiser joins Google, Apple in buying clean energy Google and Apple are not the only big companies harnessing California's sunshine and wind to power their workplaces.
Huge VC investments into Uber, Airbnb stifle competition The jackpot-sized venture capital investments last year reveal a few things about Silicon Valley's tech scene: Uber's IPO seems imminent, investors are convinced Airbnb can't be beaten by a competitor, and unlike years' past, it's now pretty common for a company to nab two huge investments within just a few months.
	'Imitation Game' introduces WWII codebreakers to audiences The Oscar-nominated film "The Imitation Game" may fudge some of the facts and amp up the drama to appeal to Hollywood audiences, but there's still a lot the film gets right about the Allied effort to crack the German armed forces' sophisticated communications code during World War II, says the owner of one of America's largest collections of Enigma encryption machines used by the Nazis.
YouTube releasing Android app for kid-friendly viewing YouTube on Thursday revealed plans for the US release of a mobile application built with children—and their parents' concerns—in mind.
Dutch SIM card maker investigating reported UK-US hack A Dutch company that makes SIM cards for cellular phones says it is investigating reports that it was hacked by Britain's electronic spying agency in cooperation with the U.S. National Security Agency.
Gas guzzlers on the decline In 2008, half of new-car buyers in the U.S. bought vehicles that were rated at less than 20 mpg. Today, just over a quarter do so.
	Upgrade to core HTTP protocol promises speedier, easier web Hypertext Transfer Protocol, HTTP, is a key component of the world wide web. It is the communications layer through which web browsers request web pages from web servers and with which web servers respond with the contents of the page. Like much of the internet it's been around for decades, but a recent announcement reveals that HTTP/2, the first major update in 15 years, is about to arrive.
	Malware infecting hard disk firmware remained hidden for 15 years – but who's responsible? It sometimes seems that whenever security researchers discover some new exploit or malware that allows the monitoring of remote computers, the finger is quickly pointed at the US intelligence agencies.
The three regulatory challenges for the sharing economy New internet businesses are transforming dusty old industries. The current wave includes Uber (hire cars), Airbnb (accommodation) and Freelancer (labour services).
	Eye tracking is the next frontier of human-computer interaction Eye tracking devices sound a lot more like expensive pieces of scientific research equipment than joysticks – yet if the latest announcements about the latest Assassin's Creed game are anything to go by, eye tracking will become a commonplace feature of how we interact with computers, and particularly games.
Hydropower completes greening of Norway The Norwegian energy supply can be sustainable by 2030, according to new research. Politicians simply have to keep their promises.
	Rights groups call for action over reported US-UK phone hack Rights organizations on Friday called for urgent steps to be taken to protect private calls and online communications after allegations that U.S. and British agencies hacked into the networks of a major SIM card maker.
	Team develops web tool to speed data collection By 2030, one in five Americans will be age 65 or older. To understand the role neighborhoods play in seniors' ability to 'age in place'—living safely and independently in one's home of choice rather than in a healthcare facility—American University sociology Prof. Michael Bader and colleagues created a web application that speeds up researchers' data collection.
	Challenges for doctors using fitness trackers and apps More hospitals and doctors are starting to use data from fitness trackers and health apps to help treat patients. But they are moving cautiously. The technology has a lot of potential, but there are key challenges to work out:
	How a maritime test bed can be used to address naval C4I capability gaps Lockheed Martin recently demonstrated how its leading-edge Maritime Test Bed can help the U.S. Navy accelerate the fielding of various sensor intelligence capabilities in the maritime and joint warfighting environments.
	High-voltage resonant controller with PFC for LED drivers With the ICL5101, Infineon Technologies AG extends its portfolio of lighting control ICs, addressing lighting systems in the range of 40W to 300W. The new high-voltage resonant controller IC provides a high level of integration which translates to a reduction in system cost. Typical applications which benefit from these features include indoor and outdoor LED lighting, high-bay and low-bay lighting, street lighting, parking garage and canopy lighting, office lighting, retail and shop lighting. Since the total cost of ownership is an important aspect for industrial lighting, customers prefer to use resonant topologies supported by the new ICL5101 due to its high efficiency up to 95%.
Information technology leaders feel ill-equipped to handle escalating cyber threats While the frequency and severity of cyberattacks against organizations are on the rise, a majority of information technology (IT) leaders do not feel confident in their leaderships' ability to leverage intelligence that can predict a cyber vulnerability and effectively combat threats, according to a new survey commissioned by Lockheed Martin.
	Safe public infrastructure… for life European researchers have developed a wireless sensor system to monitor the safety of large infrastructure. The new system will not only potentially save lives when the structure is old, it is reducing costs during construction, too.
	French minister meets with Google, Facebook, Twitter The French interior minister is meeting with representatives from Google, Facebook and Twitter to encourage them to join the European Union in its fight against propaganda disseminated online by terrorist groups.

Chemistry news

	Silver electrocatalysts may help enable long-term space travel Despite continuous advances, major obstacles remain before manned missions can set off for destinations like Mars. A primary concern is how people will breathe.
	New approach could enable low-cost silicon devices in fibers that could be made into fabrics Scientists have known how to draw thin fibers from bulk materials for decades. But a new approach to that old method, developed by researchers at MIT, could lead to a whole new way of making high-quality fiber-based electronic devices.
	Novel electrode boosts green hydrogen research Scientists from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) have developed a novel reference electrode, and are working with hydrogen energy system manufacturer ITM Power to aid the development of hydrogen production technologies for renewable energy storage.

Biology news

	Research trio finds bluebird mothers give sons extra dose of androgen when antagonized (Phys.org)—A trio of researchers has found that western bluebird mothers add a little extra androgen to clutches of eggs during times when there is competition for nest cavities. In their paper published in the journal Science, University of Arizona biologists Renée Duckworth, Virginia Belloni and Samantha Anderson describe how they conducted a ten year field study of the bird species and also carried out some experiments to learn more about induced maternal effects on the cycle of species replacement. Ben Dantzer, with the University of Michigan, offers a Perspectives piece on the work by the team in the same journal edition.
	Virus-cutting enzyme helps bacteria remember a threat Bacteria may not have brains, but they do have memories, at least when it comes to viruses that attack them. Many bacteria have a molecular immune system which allows these microbes to capture and retain pieces of viral DNA that they have encountered in the past, in order to recognize and destroy it when it shows up again.
	Genome's tale of 'conquer and enslave' Toronto scientists uncovered how viral remnants helped shape control of our genes.
	Genetic mechanism discovery key to controlling cell growth in the vinegar fly A group of researchers of the University of Barcelona (UB) have described a key interaction to understanding growth control in the vinegar fly (Drosophila melanogaster). According to the study, published in the journal of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), EMBO Reports, the interaction between the transcription factor Cabut and the protein Yorkie (YAP/TAZ in humans) is necessary for tissue and organ regeneration and growth. The study could have biomedical implications as the protein Yorkie is associated with different types of cancer; to avoid the interaction between Cabut and Yorkie could be a potential therapeutic target.
	Community-led marine reserve produces benefits for fisheries and conservation The first and only fully protected marine reserve in Scotland is continuing to provide benefits for fisheries and conservation, according to new research by the University of York.
	Conserving for nature's sake or our own? The value of nature in conservation may seem simple, straightforward and fundamental. Yet a persistent question arises: Should we conserve nature only for humans or also for its own sake as well?
	Host influences bacterial metabolism Bacteria are masters in adapting to their environment. This adaptability contributes to the bacteria's survival inside their host. Researchers at the Vetmeduni Vienna now demonstrated that the bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes adapts its metabolism specifically to the host genotype. The bacterial metabolic fingerprint correlated with the susceptibility of the infected mouse strain. The researchers published their results in the journal Plos One.
	Ant gin, cricket soup: Bugs crawl onto menu at Cordon Bleu Bugs in a gourmet kitchen are usually something to be squashed or swatted. But at Le Cordon Bleu, the esteemed French cooking school, chefs and food scientists spent a week simmering, sauteing and grilling insects to extract innovative flavors they say could open a new gastronomic frontier.
	Tracking invasives? There's an app for that Invasive species will have a tougher time sneaking around undetected, thanks to an app developed by Michigan State University.
	Chasing a changing climate Is it better to live in the north or the south? It's a question that even birds are struggling to answer as the climate in different parts of Britain changes in a variety of ways. Scientists have known for some time that global warming is causing the distributions of species to shift. Whether its warmth-loving species like the Dartford Warbler spreading north as our country's temperatures rise, or the cold-adapted inhabitants of our mountains retreating further up hill, the signature of climate change is commonplace. However, researchers are increasingly realising that not all species are tracking the climate in the same way. One reason may be that individual species respond to subtly different aspects of climate, such as temperature or rainfall at critical times of the year. Understanding this will help policymakers to adopt conservation and land management strategies that effectively assist species survival.
	Future of biobanking and translational research in China As clinical medical research in China reaches a turning point, the country's strategy for expanding its biosample collection and analysis capabilities and its focus on acquiring new sources of biomedical data to accelerate translational research are highlighted in a special issue of Biopreservation and Biobanking.

Medicine & Health news

	Cutting off a cancer cell at its transcriptional source: Model system for designing a small molecule inhibitor (Medical Xpress)—What if you could attack cancer cells at their source without hurting the surrounding healthy cells? A group of researchers from the University of Virginia, the University of Massachusetts, Cornell University, and the University of Kansas constructed a small molecule inhibitor that targets a mutated protein present in leukemia cells, halting the progression of leukemia in both mouse models and in human cells. Their work appears in Science.
	Scientists discover a protein's novel role in several types of cancers A protein found in pancreatic tumors may lead to a new chemotherapy that is effective against many different kinds of cancers, but turning the discovery into a new drug has required a bit of chemistry know-how.
	Research duo question whether oxytocin really can be used to treat autism (Medical Xpress)—A pair of researchers with Emory University in Atlanta has published a Perspective piece in the journal Science, questioning whether oxytocin can help people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In their article, Larry Young and Catherine Barrette note that as it stands right now, no one appears to know the answer to that very basic question because the results of studies conducted to find out have been mixed.
	Researchers discuss plans for developing human model organs on plastic chips (Medical Xpress)—A diverse group of speakers at this year's American Society for Microbiology-Biodefense and Emerging Diseases Research Meeting held last week, outlined their work and plans for the future on developing among other things, human model organs. Though their approaches differ, the ultimate goal for most of them is the same—to create a system of connected artificial model organs that can accurately mimic the intricacies of the human body when subjected to certain toxins.
Researchers identify gene that pushes normal pancreas cells to change shape A research team led by investigators from Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Florida, and the University of Oslo, Norway, have identified a molecule that pushes normal pancreatic cells to transform their shape, laying the groundwork for development of pancreatic cancer—one of the most difficult tumors to treat.
	Team finds powerful dengue neutralizing antibody A new Duke-NUS-led study has identified a super-potent antibody which requires a minute amount to neutralize the dengue virus.
	Reducing energy efficiency boosts calorie burning in muscle What started as an evolutionary protection against starvation has become a biological "bad joke" for people who need to lose weight. The human body doesn't distinguish between dieting and possible starvation, so when there is a decrease in calories consumed, human metabolism increases its energy efficiency and weight loss is resisted.
	Diabetes and depression predict dementia risk in people with slowing minds People with mild cognitive impairment are at higher risk of developing dementia if they have diabetes or psychiatric symptoms such as depression, finds a new review led by UCL researchers.
	Keeping the heart's engine in sync: Contractions' efficiency depends on critical protein The human heart is a fine-tuned engine - more advanced than the finest Ferrari despite being simply designed by Mother Nature. It's so carefully constructed that if it gets off kilter in the slightest way, it can throw the engine out of whack. The heart simply won't perform as well - or at all.
Study in Myanmar confirms artemisinin-resistant malaria close to border with India The spread of malaria parasites that are resistant to the drug artemisinin - the frontline treatment against malaria infection - into neighbouring India would pose a serious threat to the global control and eradication of malaria. If drug resistance spreads from Asia to the African sub-continent, or emerges in Africa independently as we've seen several times before, millions of lives will be at risk.
Up in smoke: Belief that shisha pipe 'filters out' heavy metals Contrary to popular belief, only a minimal amount of heavy metals are removed in the 'filtration' process when smoking shisha, also known as hookah, according to research published in the open access journal BMC Public Health. On average, 3% of heavy metals present in tobacco are removed and this would not be enough to protect users from exposure to these toxins.
Women back idea of more breast screens for those at high risk of cancer Most women (85 per cent) would back the idea of more frequent breast screening if they are at higher genetic risk of developing breast cancer, according to research published today by The Breast.
	'Remission' replaces 'functional cure' in HIV case (HealthDay)—All babies born with HIV should receive the same rapid medical response as the young Mississippi girl born with the virus who suffered a disappointing relapse last July, despite the fact that the virus later reappeared, according to a letter published in the Feb. 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Propranolol effective for infantile hemangioma (HealthDay)—Propranolol (Inderal) appears to be effective in treating infantile hemangiomas, according to research published in the Feb. 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
	New target for prostate cancer treatment discovered Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) scientists have found a promising new therapeutic target for prostate cancer. The findings offer evidence that a newly discovered member of a family of cell surface proteins called G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) promotes prostate cancer cell growth. The protein, GPR158, was found while the researchers were looking for new drug targets for glaucoma.
Powder vs. crack: Study identifies arrest risk disparity for cocaine use In light of the current sentencing disparity(18:1) between crack and powder cocaine possession in the United States, researchers from New York University's Center for Drug Use and HIV Research (NYU CDUHR) examined socioeconomic correlates of use of each, and relations between use and arrest, to determine who may be at highest risk for arrest and imprisonment.
Saudi MERS deaths surge Deaths from the MERS virus have surged in Saudi Arabia, health ministry figures showed on Friday, after authorities warned of a seasonal increase in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
	Los Angeles hospital 'superbug' takes toll on infected Among the seven people infected by a "superbug" outbreak tied to medical instruments at a Los Angeles hospital is an 18-year-old student who has spent nearly three months in the hospital and is in grave condition, his attorney said.
	People with a "bonding identity" cope better with structural disadvantage In a paper published in the British Journal of Social Psychology, NCCR LIVES PhD candidate at the University of Lausanne, Mouna Bakouri, demonstrates how individuals from socially disadvantaged populations who define themselves as connected to a group are better prepared to deal with barriers encountered in their life-course. Their self-esteem is indeed less harmed as a result of stronger sense of efficacy. Her findings call for renewed integration policies.
New test could significantly reduce burden on UK hospitals A new test that rules out heart attacks in patients could reduce hospital admissions by as much as 40%, for patients with chest pain, according to research published by Bournemouth University (BU).
	Findings pinpoint modules that regulate glioblastoma genes Researchers at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), Moores Cancer Center, and Department of Neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego, have shown for the first time a pyramid hierarchical network of "coherent gene modules" that regulate glioblastoma genes, involved in a highly aggressive form of brain cancer.
	Researchers discover potential treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a new small molecule drug that may serve as a treatment against multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, a form of the disease that cannot be cured with conventional therapies. They describe their findings in a paper published recently in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters.
	Beyond genetics: Illuminating the epigenome If you are attracted to the more mysterious areas of science, such as quantum mechanics and cosmology, and your special interest is Lamarckian epigenetic inheritance, then you may be aware that Nature has just published articles summarising progress of the Roadmap Epigenomics Project towards producing a reference human epigenome.
	Researchers measure concussion forces in greatest detail yet More than 40 million people worldwide suffer from concussions each year, but scientists are just beginning to understand the traumatic forces that cause the injury.
	Major study led by autistic scientist challenges long-held preconceptions about the condition A scientist with autism has used his own experiences to aid the completion of a study which challenges some of the most commonly-held beliefs about the condition.
Renewed call in Lancet for governments to get smart to curb obesity A University of Otago economist has written in the latest issue of the prestigious medical journal The Lancet that Government policy-makers serious about curbing the obesity epidemic should take into account the evidence from behavioural sciences about how people choose their food – and not just listen to the food industry.
Let's talk about sex... after cancer Romance may still be lingering in the air, but for many cancer survivors Valentine's Day was just another reminder of how their sexuality has been scarred by cancer.
	A large amount of mitochondrial toxic agents cross the placenta barrier Researchers from the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (Spain) have reviewed ten years' worth of scientific studies on mitochondrial toxicity in pregnant women. Exposure to toxic agents such as viruses, certain drugs, pesticides, alcohol and tobacco cause mitochondrial diseases about which very little is known, and which are transmitted from the mother to the foetus.
	Evidence linking marijuana and risk of stroke grows Smoking marijuana may increase your chances of having a stroke, according to a review of 34 different studies published in the American Heart Association's journal Stroke.
	Low antibiotic doses combat Golden Staph Local chemists have helped develop a class of antibiotics that kills drug-resistant superbugs in low doses.
Researcher says mental health services need to be made more 'attractive' and accessible to men With the 2013 suicide figures released today, Professor Shirley Reynolds, Director of the University of Reading's Charlie Waller Institute for Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment, provides comment:
	WHO gives green light to 15-minute Ebola test The World Health Organization (WHO) announced Friday it had approved a 15-minute test for Ebola that should prove a fast and rugged tool in countries hit by the disease.
	Butterfly effect and computer simulation pave way for heart disease prediction Scientists from Cardiff and Swansea Universities are combining the principles of the butterfly effect and computer simulation to explore new ways of predicting and controlling the beginnings of heart disease.
	How vaccines change the way we think about disease The news on the current measles outbreak contains plenty of reminders that measles causes brain damage, pneumonia, hearing loss and death. A few lone voices have spoken up to say measles isn't that serious, including an Arizona doctor who said it's "really just a fever and a rash" – and soon found himself under investigation by his state's medical board.
	GPs negotiate sick notes differently depending on whether a patient has a physical or mental illness A study which has for the first time investigated in 'real time' how GPs approach the negotiation of sick notes, has found doctors taking a differing stance with patients who have mental health problems compared with those who present with physical illness.
Survey shows postmenopausal women with VVA report improved satisfaction with VagiCap Newly released patient satisfaction survey results from a study of a novel investigational vaginal estrogen treatment show promise for improving quality of life and satisfaction for postmenopausal women who experience pain during sex and other symptoms associated with vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA).
	Safety and life-saving efficacy of statins have been exaggerated, says USF scientist Hailed as miracle drugs when they hit the market two decades ago, statins, the cholesterol-lowering drugs prescribed to prevent heart attacks, are not as effective nor as safe as we have been led to believe, say Dr. David M. Diamond, a professor of psychology, molecular pharmacology and physiology at the University of South Florida, and Dr. Uffe Ravnskov, an independent health researcher and an expert in cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.
Diabetes drug could protect against low blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin production in the body DPP-4 inhibitors are a group of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes that lower high blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin production in the body. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have now discovered that DPP-4 inhibitors are also effective against low blood sugar levels. The study, which was carried out on mice, has been published in the journal Diabetologia.
Immune cells: Learning from experience Immunologists have shown that our immune cells can learn on the job.
Dental researcher demonstrates how T cells cause inflammation during infections Case Western Reserve University dental researcher Pushpa Pandiyan has discovered a new way to model how infection-fighting T cells cause inflammation in mice.
Protein linked to development of asthma Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) have linked a specific protein to the development of post-viral infection asthma, which is the first step in generating a novel type of asthma therapy designed to prevent development of post-viral asthma in young children.
Palbociclib shows promise in patients with hormone-resistant breast cancer Palbociclib, an investigational oral medication that works by blocking molecules responsible for cancer cell growth, is well tolerated and extends progression-free survival (PFS) in newly diagnosed, advanced breast cancer patients, including those whose disease has stopped responding to traditional endocrine treatments. Results of the phase II study, led by researchers in the Abramson Cancer Center and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania , were published this month in Clinical Cancer Research. Earlier phase I results by researchers at Penn Medicine contributed to the development of palbociclib, which was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for metastatic breast cancer patients just beginning to undergo endocrine therapy.
	In the YouTube universe, alcohol is funny, drinkers are attractive, consequences minimal A variety of socio-demographic, personal, and environmental factors have been linked to negative alcohol-use consequences during adolescence and young adulthood. Media exposure to alcohol is one of these factors. A recent study of the content of leading YouTube videos involving alcohol intoxication has found the videos commonly juxtaposed intoxication with humor and attractiveness while infrequently depicting negative clinical outcomes.
Lower IQ has been linked to greater and riskier drinking among young adult men Although several studies have shown an association between intelligence and various health-related outcomes, the research on cognitive abilities and alcohol-related problems has been inconsistent. A new study of the association between IQ-test results and drinking, measured as both total intake and pattern of use, has found that a lower IQ is clearly associated with greater and riskier drinking among young adult men, although their poor performance on the IQ-test may also be linked to other disadvantages.
Binge drinking is strongly associated with eating problems among Russian girls Adolescent binge drinking has been linked to a host of problems, including worse school performance, risky sexual behaviors, illicit drugs, and a greater risk of suicide. Binge drinking may also be linked to problematic eating behavior, yet little research exists. A study of the relationship between binge drinking and eating problems among Russian adolescents has found that problematic eating behaviors and attitudes are commonplace, and that binge drinking is associated with more eating problems in girls than boys.
Amphetamine gets the job done Drugs are usually associated with vulnerable social groups. New research reveals that amphetamine, however, is used by some in physically demanding manual jobs - to sustain long working hours.
FDA approves new treatment for varicose veins The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new technique for treating varicose veins by sealing them with a clear liquid that turns into a solid adhesive.
Thailand bans surrogacy for foreigners after scandals Thailand has passed a law banning foreign couples from using Thai women as surrogates after a series of high-profile scandals tainting the image of the hitherto unregulated industry.
Safety groups endorse practice guidelines for youth football Three medical organizations are endorsing USA Football's new youth football practice guidelines in an effort to make the sport safer.
Indian health authorizes say 700 have died in flu outbreak Health authorities were working to ensure remote hospitals in northern and western India had adequate medical supplies for a flu outbreak that has claimed more than 700 lives in 10 weeks.
'Aging in place' may be the wrong answer for boomers and their parents Baby boomers trying to pick the best living arrangements for themselves or their parents as they age should be wary of a phrase they coined in their younger years: If it feels good, do it.
Patient information leaflets do not affect willingness to undergo mammogram screening Elisabeth Gummersbach and colleagues report on a study in which they determined how well the prospective subjects understood the information presented in leaflets about mammography screening and whether this information influenced their willingness to undergo screening.
23andMe authorized by FDA to market first direct-to-consumer genetic test Feb23andMe today announced that it has been granted authority by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the first direct-to-consumer genetic test under a regulatory classification for novel devices.
New HPV approved after international phase 2/3 trial Approximately 12,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in the United States and another 4,000 die annually from the disease. However, most cervical cancers are preventable through immunization against the human papillomavirus (HPV). A pivotal international phase 2/3 clinical trial involving Moffitt Cancer Center faculty demonstrated that vaccination with Gardasil 9 protects against nine HPV types, seven of which cause most cases of cervical, vulvar, and vaginal disease. The trial data indicate that if populations are vaccinated with Gardasil 9 approximately 90 percent of all cervical cancers worldwide can be prevented.
World's oldest psychiatric hospital opens new museum The world's oldest psychiatric institution, the Bethlem Royal Hospital outside London, this week opened a new museum and art gallery charting the evolution in the treatment of mental disorders.
Simoctocog alfa for haemophilia A: No suitable data Simoctocog alfa (trade name Nuwiq) has been approved since July 2014 for people with type A haemophilia, an inherited disorder that impairs blood clotting. The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined in a dossier assessment whether this new drug offers an added benefit over the appropriate comparator therapy. Such an added benefit cannot be derived from the dossier, however, because the drug manufacturer did not submit any suitable data.
Patients 'under observation' in Liberia after Ebola scare Liberia put a group of patients under observation on Friday at a hospital in the capital Monrovia after they had contact with a woman infected with the deadly Ebola virus.
	Kansas Senate approves proposed ban on abortion procedure A national group's push to outlaw an abortion procedure and redefine it as "dismemberment" advanced Friday in Kansas, with the state Senate's approval of what could become the nation's first ban of the practice.
	800,000 customers of Obama health program got wrong tax data President Barack Obama's signature health care program has run into another problem.
Alcohol places Hispanics at a much greater risk of developing alcoholic liver disease Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) refers to a broad spectrum of liver injuries, including alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis. ALD is among the most common liver diseases in the United States; however, it varies significantly by ethnicity. A new study examining the role of ethnicity in determining the age of onset and severity of ALD, and comparing risk factors for its progression among ethnic groups, has found that ethnicity is a major factor affecting the age and severity of different subtypes of ALD.
Liberia lifts Ebola curfew, re-opens borders Liberia said Friday it was lifting nationwide curfews and re-opening borders shut last year at the height of the Ebola crisis, after the retreat of an epidemic that has killed thousands.

Other Sciences news

	Tracing languages back to their earliest common ancestor through sound shifts A team of researchers in the U.S. and U.K. has developed a statistical technique that sorts out when changes to words' pronunciations most likely occurred in the evolutionary history of related languages.
	Ancient and modern cities aren't so different Despite notable differences in appearance and governance, ancient human settlements function in much the same way as modern cities, according to new findings by researchers at the Santa Fe Institute and the University of Colorado Boulder.
	The sound of intellect: Job seeker's voice reveals intelligence A résumé highlighting stellar professional credentials and experience could pique the interest of a prospective employer, but it's your voice that may actually help you land the job.
	Acting 'out of character' in the workplace Look around your workplace – and ask yourself which colleagues you'd describe as extravert and which as introvert. Perhaps your most talkative workmate is actually an introvert? Research by Sanna Balsari-Palsule, a PhD candidate in the Department of Psychology, investigates the ways in which people act 'out of character' – and how the consequences play out in the workplace.
	Researchers say feeling sleepy at work—or even when applying for a job—can heighten your negativity You know that prickly co-worker who gets bent out of shape over the slightest things? Could be that he or she just isn't getting enough sleep.
	Cyber crime and identity theft weighing on property crime rates, says study The U.S. crime rate continues to fall, according to the latest FBI's release based on Uniform Crime Reporting from police departments, but researchers say those numbers, which have been on a downward slide since the 1990s, don't tell the whole story.
Teens from single-parent families leave school earlier A new study from researchers at New York University, the University of California, Irvine, and the University of Chicago finds that that by the age of 24, individuals who live in single-parent families as teens received fewer years of schooling and are less likely to attain a bachelor's degree than those from two-parent families.
Study looks at millennials in the workplace IBM today announced that pretty much everything you thought you knew about Millennials could well be wrong. A new IBM study reveals much of the hype about Millennial employees simply isn't true. They aren't the "lazy, entitled, selfish and shallow" workers that many believe them to be.
	NASCAR announces effort to promote math, science It takes a lot of geometry and physics to get a race car to go 200 laps at speeds that can top 200 mph.
	We need to rethink the relationship between forensic science and the law Despite what we see on television, forensic science is not always easy to understand or simple to convey to a jury, many of whom may not have studied science since they were in school. When a case fails in the courtroom, maybe because the scientist was inexperienced, or there were flaws in the science presented, it creates the potential for a miscarriage of justice – something to be avoided at all costs.
	Testy over testing: More students snub standardized exams When it comes to standardized tests, parents across the country are (a) concerned; (b) demanding change; (c) pulling tens of thousands of children out of the exams; or (d) making themselves heard at the top levels of government.
	Education 'experts' may lack expertise, study finds The people most often cited as "education experts" in blogs and news stories may have the backing of influential organizations - but have little background in education and education policy, a new study suggests.
Utah Senate OKs bill allowing drive-thrus to ban cyclists Update: The Utah Senate has passed a bill that will allow Salt Lake City businesses to ban cyclists from drive-thru lanes.