Science X Newsletter Friday, Feb 27

Phys.org Newsletter for February 27, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Barclays to allow payments by using Twitter handles 
- Brain signals turn into drone commands in Lisbon presentation 
- Physicists suggest theory versus observational differences in the sun could be due to dark matter 
- Life 'not as we know it' possible on Saturn's moon Titan 
- Personal care product chemicals found in Antarctica 
- Antarctica's retreating ice may re-shape Earth 
- Could the Milky Way become a quasar? 
- New filter could advance terahertz data transmission 
- The sun has more impact on the climate in cool periods 
- Newly discovered algal species helps corals survive in the hottest reefs on the planet 
- First detailed microscopy evidence of bacteria at the lower size limit of life 
- The super-resolution revolution 
- Depth of plastic pollution in oceans revealed 
- Electrochemical 'fingers' unlock battery's inner potential 
- New process recycles valuable rare earth metals from old electronics 

Nanotechnology news

Electrochemical 'fingers' unlock battery's inner potential Lithium-ion batteries unleash electricity as electrochemical reactions spread through active materials. Manipulating this complex process and driving the reactions into the energy-rich heart of each part of these active materials is crucial to optimizing the power output and ultimate energy capacity of these batteries.

How we can substitute critical raw materials in catalysis, electronics and photonics 'Critical raw materials' are crucial to many European industries but they are vulnerable to scarcity and supply disruption. As such, it is vital that Europe develops strategies for meeting the demand for raw materials. One such strategy is finding methods or substances that can replace the raw materials that we currently use. With this in mind, four EU projects working on substitution in catalysis, electronics and photonics presented their work at the Third Innovation Network Workshop on substitution of Critical Raw Materials hosted by the CRM_INNONET project in Brussels earlier this month.

Physics news

	Physicists suggest theory versus observational differences in the sun could be due to dark matter A trio of astrophysicists has found that differences between observational data and solutions brought about through mathematics regarding the mechanism involved in heat transfer from the suns center to its outer parts, can be resolved by plugging dark matter into equations. In their paper to be published in Physical Review Letters, Aaron Vincent and Pat Scott, both in the UK and Aldo Serenelli in Spain, describe how they developed several models to show how dark matter might impact heat transfer in the sun and what they found by doing so.
New research signals big future for quantum radar A prototype quantum radar that has the potential to detect objects which are invisible to conventional systems has been developed by an international research team led by a quantum information scientist at the University of York.
	A new X-ray microscope for nanoscale imaging Delivering the capability to image nanostructures and chemical reactions down to nanometer resolution requires a new class of x-ray microscope that can perform precision microscopy experiments using ultra-bright x-rays from the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. This groundbreaking instrument, designed to deliver a suite of unprecedented x-ray imaging capabilities for the Hard X-ray Nanoprobe (HXN) beamline, brings researchers one step closer to the ultimate goal of nanometer resolution at NSLS-II, a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science User Facility.
Precision gas sensor could fit on a chip Using their expertise in silicon optics, Cornell engineers have miniaturized a light source in the elusive mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectrum, effectively squeezing the capabilities of a large, tabletop laser onto a 1-millimeter silicon chip.
	The super-resolution revolution Cambridge scientists are part of a resolution revolution. Building powerful instruments that shatter the physical limits of optical microscopy, they are beginning to watch molecular processes as they happen, and in three dimensions.
	New filter could advance terahertz data transmission University of Utah engineers have discovered a new approach for designing filters capable of separating different frequencies in the terahertz spectrum, the next generation of communications bandwidth that could allow cellphone users and Internet surfers to download data a thousand times faster than today. Once the filter is designed, it can be fabricated using an off-the-shelf inkjet printer.

Earth news

	Personal care product chemicals found in Antarctica A team of researchers with the Spanish Council for Scientific Research has found small amounts of cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes in soil and plant samples and also in krill and phytoplankton specimens, all taken from various sites in Antarctica. In their paper published in Environmental Science and Technology, the team describes their research and offers a possible explanation for how the chemicals found their way to such a remote part of the planet.
Increasing oil flow in the Keystone pipeline with electric fields Researchers have shown that a strong electric field applied to a section of the Keystone pipeline can smooth oil flow and yield significant pump energy savings.
Depth of plastic pollution in oceans revealed Wind and waves can mix buoyant ocean plastics throughout the water column, but most of their mass remains at the sea surface, according to research led by The University of Western Australia.
	Map outlines western Oregon landslide risks from a subduction zone earthquake New landslide maps have been developed that will help the Oregon Department of Transportation determine which coastal roads and bridges in Oregon are most likely to be usable following a major subduction zone earthquake that is expected in the future of the Pacific Northwest.
	Newly discovered algal species helps corals survive in the hottest reefs on the planet A new species of algae has been discovered in reef corals of the Persian (Arabian) Gulf where it helps corals to survive seawater temperatures of up to 36 degrees Celsius - temperatures that would kill corals elsewhere.
	Antarctica's retreating ice may re-shape Earth (AP)—From the ground in this extreme northern part of Antarctica, spectacularly white and blinding ice seems to extend forever. What can't be seen is the battle raging underfoot to re-shape Earth.
	The sun has more impact on the climate in cool periods The activity of the Sun is an important factor in the complex interaction that controls our climate. New research now shows that the impact of the Sun is not constant over time, but has greater significance when the Earth is cooler.
	High pollution cuts most Indian lives short by three years India's air pollution, ranked among the world's worst, is reducing the life expectancy of over half of the country's population by more than three years, according to a new study.
	How nitrogen is recycled in the Lake Tahoe ecosystem's food web A Scripps Institution of Oceanography-led study on how natural and man-made sources of nitrogen are recycled through the Lake Tahoe ecosystem provides new information on how global change may affect the iconic blue lake.
	Image: Brussels imaged by the Spot-5 satellite This false-colour image from the Spot-5 satellite was acquired on 28 September 2011 over central Belgium, capturing the capital city of Brussels (left).
	New NASA Earth observing missions expand view of our home planet Four new NASA Earth-observing missions are collecting data from space – with a fifth newly in orbit – after the busiest year of NASA Earth science launches in more than a decade.
	Pollution is driving force behind growth of nuisance algal scums, study finds Potentially toxic microbes which pose a threat to our drinking water have undergone a dramatic population explosion over the last 200 years as a result of pollution, research involving experts from The University of Nottingham has found.
	Engineers are making strides in reducing air pollution According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average adult breathes 3,000 gallons of air per day—yet the same air that fuels our bodies also can harm them. In fact, inhaling certain air pollutants can worsen conditions such as asthma, and studies estimate that thousands of people die prematurely each year due to air pollution.
	Scientists, students scour Florida Panhandle beaches for oil The BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill dumped millions of gallons of oil and gas into the Gulf of Mexico nearly five years ago, but the effects still linger.
Modern logging techniques benefit rainforest wildlife New research has highlighted the value of a modern logging technique for maintaining biodiversity in tropical forests that are used for timber production.
Powerful undersea earthquake shakes southern Indonesia (AP)—A powerful undersea earthquake shook parts of southern Indonesia on Friday, but no major damage or tsunami were expected because of its depth.
	Submarine data used to investigate turbulence beneath Arctic ice Using recently released Royal Navy submarine data, researchers at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) have investigated the nature of turbulence in the ocean beneath the Arctic sea-ice.
Switzerland 1st country to submit pledge for UN climate pact (AP)—Switzerland has become the first country to submit a pledge to the United Nations for a new global climate deal, vowing to cut its greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
	NASA's Terra satellite sees Tropical Cyclone Glenda stretching out NASA's Terra satellite revealed that Tropical Cyclone Glenda was being stretched out by wind shear on Feb. 27.

Astronomy & Space news

	Life 'not as we know it' possible on Saturn's moon Titan A new type of methane-based, oxygen-free life form that can metabolize and reproduce similar to life on Earth has been modeled by a team of Cornell University researchers.
	Stars found forming at Milky Way's outer edge Brazilian astronomers said Friday they had found two star clusters forming in a remote part of our Milky Way galaxy where such a thing was previously thought impossible.
	Image: Dark Energy Survey catches breathtaking glimpse of Comet Lovejoy On December 27, 2014, while scanning the southern sky as part of the Dark Energy Survey, researchers snapped the above shot of comet Lovejoy. The image above was captured using the 570-megapixel Dark Energy Camera, the world's most powerful digital camera. Each of the rectangular shapes above represents one of the 62 individual fields of the camera.
	Improved vision for James Webb Space Telescope Key science elements of the James Webb Space Telescope have been upgraded ahead of the observatory's launch in 2018.
	Galactic dinosaurs not extinct One of the biggest mysteries in galaxy evolution is the fate of the compact massive galaxies that roamed the early Universe.
	Could the Milky Way become a quasar? A quasar is what you get when a supermassive black hole is actively feeding on material at the core of a galaxy. The region around the black hole gets really hot and blasts out radiation that we can see billions of light-years away.
	What's the brightest star in the sky, past and future? What's the brightest star you can see in the sky tonight?
	The Curiosity robot confirms methane in Mars' atmosphere which may hint that existed life The tunable laser spectrometer in the SAM (Sample Analysis at Mars) instrument of the Curiosity robot has unequivocally detected an episodic increase in the concentration of methane in Mars' atmosphere after an exhaustive analysis of data obtained during 605 soles or Martian days.
	Envisioning the moon as a launch pad to explore the outer solar system For years, Arlin Crotts has been an iconoclast among his peers in the world of lunar science. His beliefs that the moon must have water and could possibly supply all the elements necessary to sustain life were considered unconventional to say the least.
	SMAP satellite extends 5-meter reflector boom Like a cowboy at a rodeo, NASA's newest Earth-observing satellite, the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP), has triumphantly raised its "arm" and unfurled a huge golden "lasso" (antenna) that it will soon spin up to rope the best soil moisture maps ever obtained from space.
	Study of atmospheric 'froth' may help GPS communications When you don't know how to get to an unfamiliar place, you probably rely on a smart phone or other device with a Global Positioning System (GPS) module for guidance. You may not realize that, especially at high latitudes on our planet, signals traveling between GPS satellites and your device can get distorted in Earth's upper atmosphere.
	NASA approves Sunday spacewalk despite water leak in helmet (AP)—American astronauts will venture back out for a spacewalk this weekend, despite a helmet water leak on their previous trip outside the International Space Station.

Technology news

	Brain signals turn into drone commands in Lisbon presentation Can we expect a time when aircraft will be directly controlled by the human brain? And what about mind-controlled drones? Imagine that, using an EEG (electroencephalogram) cap tracking neural activity, a man flies a drone with his brain.
	Barclays to allow payments by using Twitter handles The next chapter in banks moving into the digital age is a stretch beyond reminding customers over phone lines that they can also bank online. Barclays has launched Twitter payments through Pingit.
	Researchers find 3-D printed parts to provide low-cost, custom alternatives for lab equipment The 3-D printing scene, a growing favorite of do-it-yourselfers, has spread to the study of plasma physics. With a series of experiments, researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) have found that 3-D printers can be an important tool in laboratory environments.
	New process recycles valuable rare earth metals from old electronics Scientists at the Critical Materials Institute have developed a two-step recovery process that makes recycling rare-earth metals easier and more cost-effective.
	Twitter boosts effort to stop spoofing, data leaks Twitter said Thursday it was ramping up efforts to crack down on impersonation on the messaging platform as well as the leaking of personal, private data.
US spymaster warns over low-level cyber attacks A steady stream of low-level cyber attacks poses the most likely danger to the United States rather than a potential digital "armageddon," US intelligence director James Clapper said on Thursday.
Australian laws on storing phone, Internet records to change (AP)—A parliamentary committee on Friday recommended a major rewrite of draft laws that would force Australian telcos and Internet providers to store customers' personal data for the convenience of law enforcement agencies. A key recommendation is that the law specifies exactly what personal data is to be retained.
	Talking drone offers aviation safety boost In a world first, RMIT University researchers have developed a talking drone that can converse with air traffic controllers just like a normal pilot.
	Putting net neutrality in context After much litigation, public demonstration and deliberation, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3 to 2 to adopt open internet rules. While the substantive details of the decision are not yet known, the rules, as expected, reclassified "retail" internet service to subscribers as common carriage – meaning providing non-discriminatory service to customers. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) may not block, impair or favor particular traffic, users or content. The Commission also extended its jurisdiction to cover the exchange of data traffic via network interconnection between edge providers like Netflix and ISPs like Comcast, employing a general conduct rule reinforced by use of a case by case process. Proponents of net neutrality are lauding the FCC's move.
	Survey reveals sorry state of European cybersecurity The European Commission's annual Eurobarometer Cyber Security Survey, the third edition of which was recently released, is a substantial survey of more than 27,000 respondents from 28 countries. It contains interesting and, more often than not, disappointing revelations about the state of Europe's security.
	QR codes engineered into cybersecurity protection QR, or Quick Response, codes – those commonly black and white boxes that people scan with a smartphone to learn more about something – have been used to convey information about everything from cereals to cars and new homes.
	Computer-assisted authoring tools help to create complex interactive narratives Visitors to interactive virtual worlds want the ability to significantly affect the outcome of a story, but authoring these digital experiences is extremely complex. A new platform developed by Disney Research will help fulfill the medium's promise by automating some aspects of the authoring process.
	Google backflips on Blogger sexual content ban Days after announcing a ban on sexually explicit content or "graphic nudity" on its Blogger platform, Google has reversed course.
	Pebble smartwatch nears Kickstarter record The latest version of the Pebble smartwatch neared a record funding amount on Kickstarter on Friday amid growing interest in wearable tech and ahead of the highly anticipated Apple Watch launch.
	White House drafts privacy bill, consumers push for more (AP)—Amid "rapid growth" in the collection of data on Americans, the White House is proposing legislation that calls on businesses to do more to help consumers protect their personal information.
Local media have positive slant toward local businesses, Rice University expert finds When local news media report about hometown companies, they use fewer negative words than when reporting about nonlocal companies, according to research by business experts at Rice University and the University of Texas at Dallas.
	Google hits back at rivals with futuristic HQ plan Google unveiled plans Friday for a new campus headquarters integrating wildlife and sweeping waterways, aiming to make a big statement in Silicon Valley—which is already seeing ambitious projects from Apple and Facebook.
Stock market shrugs off net neutrality vote (AP)—The stock market largely shrugged off the Federal Communications Commission's vote to impose tougher rules on broadband providers like Comcast, Verizon and AT&T to prevent them from creating paid fast lanes for the Internet and slowing or blocking Web traffic.
	Ultra-low power radio transceiver enables truly wireless earbuds At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, taking place March 2nd-5th, NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI) will demonstrate Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) technology in a truly wireless earbud including wireless audio streaming from ear to ear, using its new NxH2280 NFMI based radio transceiver.
Low-power barometric pressure sensor for mobile and wearable gadgets and iot devices Infineon Technologies AG has launched an ultra-high ±5cm resolution, miniature MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) pressure sensor for use in mobile and wearable gadgets and IoT (Internet of Things) devices. The DPS310 is a low-power digital barometric pressure sensor that enables the development of new and enhanced navigation, location, well-being, gesture recognition and weather monitoring applications.
A model capable of simulating power fluctuations in large grids of photovoltaic power stations is patented Iñigo de la Parra Laita, an industrial engineer of the NUP/UPNA-Public University of Navarre, has focused his PhD thesis on the grid integration of large photovoltaic power stations. Among the contributions of his research, he has developed a model that has been patented and which is capable of simulating fluctuations in photovoltaic power. As he explains, "just by knowing the irradiance recorded in one spot, the number of grouped power stations and the average surface area they occupy, we can simulate what fluctuations may take place in photovoltaic power".
	Ericsson sues Apple over patent violations Swedish telecoms group Ericsson announced Friday a lawsuit against Apple claiming that the US tech giant continued to use its technology in iPhones and other wireless devices after refusing to renew a licencing agreement.
Uber says database containing driver info was breached (AP)—Uber says a database containing the names and drivers' license numbers of 50,000 of its drivers was breached in May.

Chemistry news

	Superatomic nickel core and unusual molecular reactivity A superatom is a combination of two or more atoms that form a stable structural fragment and possess unique physical and chemical properties. Systems, that contain superatoms, open a number of amazing possibilities for not only formation of new materials, but also for revealing unusual chemical reactivity. Throughout the chemical transformations process, superatom acts as a single unit and is left unchanged during the reaction. As a result, it would be logical to consider superatoms as elements of periodic table in nanoscale world. Potential area of application of superatoms is quite broad – currently many research directions are explored worldwide in catalysis, material sciences, organometallic chemistry, and medical research.
	The construction of ordered nanostructures from benzene A way to link benzene rings together in a highly ordered three-dimensional helical structure using a straightforward polymerization procedure has been discovered by researchers from RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science and the University of Tokyo. "We expect our achievement to open up new areas of nanocarbon and materials science," says Koichiro Mikami from the research team.
Researchers bring clean energy a step closer For nearly half a century, scientists have been trying to replace precious metal catalysts in fuel cells. Now, for the first time, researchers at Case Western Reserve University have shown that an inexpensive metal-free catalyst performs as well as costly metal catalysts at speeding the oxygen reduction reaction in an acidic fuel cell.
Combating bacteria via silver-dammar coating Natural resins obtained from plants to be used as a coating element to enhance durability and anti-rust properties.

Biology news

Refined method to convert lignin to nylon precursor A new study from the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) demonstrates the conversion of lignin-derived compounds to adipic acid, an important industrial dicarboxylic acid produced for its use as a precursor to nylon, plasticizers, lubricants, polyesters, and other popular products and chemicals.
	Bacteria 'hotwire their genes' to fix a faulty motor Researchers at the University of York are part of a team of scientist that has discovered how bacteria can restart their 'outboard motor' by hotwiring their own genes.
	Plant protein structure database will help to uncover unknown functions of plant genes Rigorous analysis of the structures of thousands of plant proteins by Tetsuya Sakurai and colleagues from the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science has led to the construction of a database that will help scientists identify the functions of more plant genes.
	Untangling DNA with a droplet of water, a pipet and a polymer Researchers have long sought an efficient way to untangle DNA in order to study its structure - neatly unraveled and straightened out - under a microscope. Now, chemists and engineers at KU Leuven, in Belgium, have devised a strikingly simple and effective solution: they inject genetic material into a droplet of water and use a pipet tip to drag it over a glass plate covered with a sticky polymer. The droplet rolls like a ball over the plate, sticking the DNA to the plate surface. The unraveled DNA can then be studied under a microscope. The researchers described the technique in the journal ACS Nano.
	A molecular compass for bird navigation Each year, the Arctic Tern travels over 40,000 miles, migrating nearly from pole to pole and back again. Other birds make similar (though shorter) journeys in search of warmer climes. How do these birds manage to traverse such great distances when we need a map just to make our way to the next town over?
	Research of plain wren duets could help further understand fundamentals of conversation Known for their beautiful singing duets, plain wrens of Costa Rica perform precise phrase-by-phrase modifications to the duration between two consecutive phrases, achieving careful coordination as their songs unfold, according to a new study published in the Journal of Avian Biology.
	First detailed microscopy evidence of bacteria at the lower size limit of life Scientists have captured the first detailed microscopy images of ultra-small bacteria that are believed to be about as small as life can get. The research was led by scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California, Berkeley. The existence of ultra-small bacteria has been debated for two decades, but there hasn't been a comprehensive electron microscopy and DNA-based description of the microbes until now.
	Lights, camera, blossom! Disney films inspire floral fantasy (AP)—Lights, camera ... blossom! Floral and garden designers are paying homage to Disney and Pixar films at the Philadelphia Flower Show, which opens Saturday with the theme "Celebrate the Movies."
New genetic technologies offer hope for white rhino With support from the Seaver Institute, geneticists at San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research are taking the initial steps in an effort to use cryopreserved cells to bring back the northern white rhino from the brink of extinction. Living cells banked in the Frozen Zoo have preserved the genetic lineage of 12 northern white rhinos, including a male that recently passed away at the Safari Park. Scientists hope that new technologies can be used to gather the genetic knowledge needed to create a viable population for this disappearing subspecies.
	Survey reveals signs of tuatara recovery (w/ Video) Since the early 1990s, an intensive tuatara conservation recovery programme has been run on the island, where the species had not been seen for 10 years.
	100,000 bird samples online The Natural History Museum (NHM) in Oslo has a bird collection of international size. It is now available online.
	Banksias differ on resilience to climate change Research into the germination requirements of four Banksia species (Proteaceae) endemic to the South West Australian Floristic Region (SWAFR) has found certain species may be more vulnerable to climate change than others.
Cultivation of microalgae via an innovative technology Preliminary laboratory scale studies have shown consistent biomass production and weekly a thick microalgal biofilm could be harvested. A new and innovative harvesting device has been developed for ALGADISK able to directly harvest the dense biofilm with a dry matter of 150 gram per litre.
	Salish Sea seagull populations halved since 1980s The number of seagulls in the Strait of Georgia is down by 50 per cent from the 1980s and University of British Columbia researchers say the decline reflects changes in the availability of food.
	Research to the rescue: Fishing for rhinos with tekken Tekken, a gill net used by Chamorro fishermen for centuries, has proven to be an effective trapping tool for coconut rhinoceros beetles.
	China bans ivory carving imports for one year Beijing has imposed a one-year ban on the import of ivory carvings, amid international criticism that rapidly-growing Chinese demand could push wild African elephants to extinction within a generation.
	EU, others: Catch plans for Bluefin tuna threaten recovery (AP)—The European Union, Japan and other nations hunting for the eastern Atlantic Bluefin tuna are fearful that Turkey's unilateral decision to exceed catch limits agreed last year is threatening the stock recovery and the organization regulating its conservation.

Medicine & Health news

	Study finds cannabis least dangerous of illicit recreational drugs A pair of researchers affiliated with several institutions in Germany, has found that of a number of drugs used by people for recreational purposes (i.e. for non-medicinal reasons and without a prescription) cannabis is the least dangerous—at least when measuring the lethality of a single dose. In their paper published in Scientific Reports, Dirk Lachenmeier and Jürgen Rehm describe their study of the lethality of several illicit drugs and their results.
	Reviving drugs with anti-stroke potential, minus side effects In the 1990s, neuroscientists identified a class of drugs that showed promise in the area of stroke. NMDA receptor antagonists could limit damage to the brain in animal models of stroke. But one problem complicated testing the drugs in a clinical setting: the side effects included disorientation and hallucinations.
Single-step fermentative method for the production of cholesterol-lowering drug pravastatin In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers have devised a single-step fermentative method for the industrial production of the active drug pravastatin that previously involved a costly dual-step fermentation and biotransformation process.
	A gene for brain size only found in humans About 99 percent of human genes are shared with chimpanzees. Only the small remainder sets us apart. However, we have one important difference: The brain of humans is three times as big as the chimpanzee brain.
Study challenges theory on unconscious memory system in the brain A new study by a UT Dallas researcher challenges a long-accepted scientific theory about the role the hippocampus plays in our unconscious memory.
	The brain's decision-making structure appears to operate hierarchically A key part of the brain involved with decision making, the striatum, appears to operate hierarchically – much like a traditional corporation with executives, middle managers and employees, according to researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University in Japan.
	Genomic sequence reveals new treatment options for pancreatic cancer An international project assisted by researchers from The University of Western Australia has offered new hope to patients with pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer has four distinct types Researchers have found that pancreatic cancer can be split into four unique types, a discovery that could be used to improve treatments for the disease, according to a study published in Nature.
	Neurons controlling appetite made from skin cells Researchers have for the first time successfully converted adult human skin cells into neurons of the type that regulate appetite, providing a patient-specific model for studying the neurophysiology of weight control and testing new therapies for obesity. The study, led by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) and at the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF), was published last month in the online issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Mystery of the reverse-wired eyeball solved From a practical standpoint, the wiring of the human eye - a product of our evolutionary baggage - doesn't make a lot of sense. In vertebrates, photoreceptors are located behind the neurons in the back of the eye - resulting in light scattering by the nervous fibers and blurring of our vision. Recently, researchers at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology have confirmed the biological purpose for this seemingly counterintuitive setup.
Urine test could lead to better treatment of bladder cancer Researchers at the University of Birmingham believe that a simple urine test could help to guide clinicians in the treatment of bladder cancer patients.
Global health experts call into question sub-Saharan cancer data Global health experts believe the current data on cancer prevalence, incidence and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa - which determines how billions of pounds of international development money is spent - are weak and could mean vital funds are being deflected from other priorities. These include diarrhoeal and waterborne diseases, malnutrition, sanitation and the need to strengthen health systems.
Experts warn of stem cell underuse Since the first experimental bone marrow transplant over 50 years ago, more than one million hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCT) have been performed in 75 countries, according to new research charting the remarkable growth in the worldwide use of HSCT, published in The Lancet Haematology journal.
	Shake it off? Not so easy for people with depression, new brain research suggests Rejected by a person you like? Just "shake it off" and move on, as music star Taylor Swift says.
Suicide rates rising for older US adults Suicide rates for adults between 40 and 64 years of age in the U.S. have risen about 40% since 1999, with a sharp rise since 2007. One possible explanation could be the detrimental effects of the economic downturn of 2007-2009, leading to disproportionate effects on house values, household finances, and retirement savings for that age group. In a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers found that external economic factors were present in 37.5% of all completed suicides in 2010, rising from 32.9% in 2005.
New approach to assessing effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs Manchester scientists have a developed a new method to monitor the effect of anti-cancer drugs on very rare leukaemia stem cells. The approach potentially allows doctors to screen patients and personalise their treatment.
	Smokers may tap into multiple sources for nicotine (AP)—The first peek at a major study of how Americans smoke suggests many use combinations of products, and often e-cigarettes are part of the mix.
Mediatisation of death and RIP pages on Facebook as virtual shrines In the wake of high a profile death, it is increasingly common to see mass public outpourings of grief on RIP Facebook pages. This article in New Review of Hypermedia and Multimedia explores media coverage of death and its relation to public expression of grief via social media.
	Scientists discover a new mechanism driving cancer metastasis A protein commonly found in human cells could be an important switch that activates cancer cell metastasis, according to a new study by researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital - The Neuro at McGill University and the MUHC. The finding focuses attention on a biological mechanism that until now was largely overlooked. The discovery of the protein's effect significantly expands our understanding of epithelial cancers such as breast and lung cancer.
Research captures transient details of HIV genome packaging Once HIV-1 has hijacked a host cell to make copies of its own RNA genome and viral proteins, it must assemble these components into new virus particles. The orchestration of this intricate assembly process falls to a viral protein known as Gag. For one thing, Gag must be able to discern viral RNA from the host cell's and squirrel it away inside new viral particles — no easy task considering only two to three percent of the RNA found in the cytoplasm is from HIV-1. Exactly how Gag selectively packages viral RNA has been widely speculated but never directly observed.
	Maternity survey tracks changes in health care for mothers A national survey of more than 4,500 recent mothers last year in England, conducted by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU) at Oxford University, found that women were aware of their pregnancies earlier and sought medical care earlier than in previous years.
Alzheimer's disease linked to heart's effect on the brain The prevailing medical wisdom that Alzheimer's Disease has its origins in the brain has a radical and disputed rival with shocking implications for medicine's relentless efforts to forestall disease, ageing and death, according to a new review of the evidence.
	Researchers develop quick test for fish toxin Flinders University researchers have invented a revolutionary method to test for food poisoning in fish.
	New peanut allergy test goes beyond scratching the surface Current peanut allergy tests are not very reliable when it comes to diagnosing the severity of an individual's allergic reaction, which can range from hives to life-threatening anaphylactic shock.
Feast-and-famine diet could extend life, study shows Think of it as interval training for the dinner table.
	Researchers developing an artificial vision system for prosthetic legs to improve gait Mo Rastgaar is poised to take a giant step forward in the development of a better prosthetic ankle.
Electronic medical management outperforms paper system in cost and patient safety A recent study into the cost-effectiveness of using an electronic medication management system (eMMs) has shown that monetary savings from reduced adverse drug events can offset the cost of implementing the system, making it more cost effective when compared with paper-based prescribing.
	Liquid biopsy provides real-time blood test for solid lung cancer tumors In the rapidly changing world of molecular profiling for genetic diseases, cancer researchers are increasingly optimistic about the reality of a simple blood test to monitor and treat solid tumor cancers.
	Half a million children predicted to die from smoking as MPs head toward a vote on standard cig packs Around 500,000 children will die from smoking when they are adults unless more is done to cut smoking rates according to new Cancer Research UK figures released today (Friday).
	Using DNA repair processes to target cancer Every day our DNA is under attack.
Antibiotic-resistant listeria in unprocessed salad not as widespread as feared Antibiotic-resistant strains of the food-poisoning microbe Listeria monocytogenes in unprocessed salad products is not quite as widespread as scientists originally suspected. A new study from Malaysia published in the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health reveals that strains of the microbe falling into six distinct groups can all be found on such products, but 82 percent of those strains succumb to at least one of sixteen common antibiotics used in veterinary and human listeriosis treatment.
	A study relates the level of pollutants accumulated in the body with obesity levels A team of Spanish scientists, which includes several researchers from the University of Granada, has confirmed that there is a relation between the levels of certain environmental pollutants that a person accumulates in his or her body and their level of obesity. Subjects with more pollutants in their systems also present higher levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, which are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Cardiac and respiratory function supported by abdominal muscles in muscular dystrophy The muscular dystrophies are known to target various muscle groups differentially. In addition to making limb muscles weak, muscular dystrophy (MD) can also lead to decreased function of specific muscles involved in respiration causing breathing difficulties as well as leading to cardiac problems.
	Do the benefits of drinking raw milk outweigh the risks? Raw milk is milk that has not undergone pasteurization, the bacteria-killing heat treatment designed to reduce human pathogens and increase shelf life. Unpasteurized milk can contain potentially harmful and deadly pathogens, including listeria, salmonella, E. coli 0157:H7 and campylobacter.
Researchers cautious about Vitamin D supplementation to prevent chronic diseases Vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk for a variety of chronic diseases, which has led to increased use of vitamin D supplements, often in high doses. However, taking a supplement "just in case" is not recommended to prevent chronic diseases until reliable knowledge about the efficacy or unwanted effects are available. This is the conclusion from a knowledge summary published in the British Medical Journal.
Study seeks to sharpen surgery systems Communication and coordination are important aspects of any workplace - but arguably more important in operating theatres than anywhere else, according to Professor Sharon Parker from The University of Western Australia's Business School.
	Scientists identify a neural circuit involved in translating premotor planning into active movement With half a second's planning, an animal's brain prepares it to quickly and precisely execute complex movements. Scientists at Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Janelia Research Campus have identified a neural circuit that transforms the flurry of activity that occurs during this preparatory period into commands that direct muscle movements.
	Deodorant use ok for radiotherapy patients Women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer can use deodorant without fear of increased underarm skin reaction, pain, itching or burning, research suggests.
	Trapping the Ebola virus in transit The deadly Ebola virus makes use of host mechanisms – including a specific type of membrane-bound calcium channel – to gain entry into the cell cytoplasm. LMU researchers now show that blocking this channel markedly inhibits infection.
Video: What makes carbon monoxide so deadly? It's colorless, odorless and can be deadly.
	It's time to fix our outdated guidelines for human vaccine trials Recently, Phase II and III trials of two vaccines for Ebola started in West Africa. The development of possible vaccines is welcome news. Like most vaccine trials, the current Ebola trials are being conducted under ethical guidelines derived from US standards for clinical research in human beings.
	Does traffic noise increase the risk of obesity? There is an association between road traffic noise and the risk of obesity among people who are particularly sensitive to noise, according to a study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
Quality control for adult stem cell treatment A team of European researchers has devised a strategy to ensure that adult epidermal stem cells are safe before they are used as treatments for patients. The approach involves a clonal strategy where stem cells are collected and cultivated, genetically modified and single cells isolated before being rigorously tested to make sure they meet the highest possible safety criteria. The strategy, which is published online in EMBO Molecular Medicine, is inspired by the approaches the biotechnology industry and regulatory affairs authorities have adopted for medicinal proteins produced from genetically engineered mammalian cells.
	A new tool provides maps of protein interactions for 2,800 diseases Today in the journal Nature Methods, the laboratory headed by ICREA researcher Patrick Aloy, at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), presents a computational tool that allows a greater understanding of the genetic causes of complex diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's and diabetes.
Women veterans younger, more depressed when referred for heart test Women veterans who had specialized heart tests were younger and more likely to be obese, depressed and suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder than men veterans, according to a study published in an American Heart Association journal.
New breast cancer test links immune 'hotspots' to better survival Scientists have developed a new test which can predict the survival chances of women with breast cancer by analysing images of 'hotspots' where there has been a fierce immune reaction to a tumour.
UN says limit use of personal audio players to 1 hour a day (Update) (AP)—People who use personal audio players should consider limiting their use to one hour a day and turn down the volume to prevent permanent hearing loss, the World Health Organization said Friday.
Scientists discover robust evidence that chronic fatigue syndrome is a biological illness Researchers at the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health identified distinct immune changes in patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, known medically as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) or systemic exertion intolerance disease. The findings could help improve diagnosis and identify treatment options for the disabling disorder, in which symptoms range from extreme fatigue and difficulty concentrating to headaches and muscle pain.
High stress for new mothers increases secondhand smoke risk for infants Recent mothers who experience higher levels of social stressors are the least likely to have rules that totally ban smoking in the home, which could expose their infants to secondhand smoke and increase health risks, according to a study that includes a University of Kansas researcher.
Aggressive boys tend to develop into physically stronger teens Boys who show aggressive tendencies develop greater physical strength as teenagers than boys who are not aggressive, according to new research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.
	Home walking program improves erectile function after MI (HealthDay)—For men with recent acute myocardial infarction, a home-based walking program is associated with a reduction in reported erectile dysfunction (ED), according to a study published in the March 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
	Abdominal obesity ups risk of hip fracture (HealthDay)—Abdominal obesity is associated with increased risk of hip fracture, according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Internal Medicine.
	Epilepsy surgery gets high marks from patients in survey (HealthDay)—More than nine in 10 epilepsy patients who had brain surgery to try to control their seizures are happy they did so, a new survey reveals.
	Black/blue or white/gold? Dress debate goes viral Is the dress black and blue, or white and gold? That question is lighting up the Internet.
Drug research and development more efficient than expected Drug R&D costs have increased substantially in recent decades, while the number of new drugs has remained fairly constant, leading to concerns about the sustainability of drug R&D and question about the factors that could be responsible.
New algorithm increases surgical success with advanced ovarian cancer A surgical algorithm developed and implemented by ovarian cancer specialists at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center dramatically increases the frequency of complete removal of all visible tumor - a milestone strongly tied to improved survival.
Study examines physician-industry conflict of interest issue from MS patient perspective If you're one of the nearly half a million Americans living with multiple sclerosis (MS) - a slowly disabling disease of the central nervous system - you are likely dependent on disease-modifying drugs to prevent symptoms such as vision problems, balance issues and weakness. Often, these treatments have been developed through pharmaceutical industry-sponsored clinical trials (ISCT) in collaboration with academic or private practice physicians who care for MS patients. But what do patients know, or want to know, about their physician's financial relationship with the pharmaceutical company sponsoring such research?
Intimate partners with low self-esteem stay in unhappy relationships People with low self-esteem are more likely stay in unhappy relationships, suggests new research from the University of Waterloo.
	Enhancing studies on a possible blood biomarker for traumatic brain injury New technology being introduced at NYU Langone Medical Center could help researchers advance blood biomarker capabilities that show changes in low concentrations of specific proteins present following a neurological injury.
New compounds protect nervous system from the structural damage of MS A newly characterized group of pharmacological compounds block both the inflammation and nerve cell damage seen in mouse models of multiple sclerosis, according to a study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published online this week in the journal Nature Neuroscience.
Commuter with measles also dined at Bay Area restaurant (AP)—Officials say the commuter who may have exposed at least 1,500 Bay Area Rapid Transit riders to measles also ate at a popular Northern California restaurant.
Personality and place: New insights on person-environment links Psychological traits, such as personality and well-being, are spatially and regionally clustered within cities, states, countries, and the world. Four presentations showcase cutting-edge research that investigates how traits are spatially and geographically clustered, what mechanisms drive the uneven distribution of traits, and the consequences of these spatial patterns. The presentations are part of a symposium featured at the SPSP 16th Annual Convention in Long Beach, California.
Novartis Japan hit with suspension over side-effect reporting Japanese health authorities said Friday that they have ordered the local unit of Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis to temporarily suspend its operations for failing to report drug side effects.
Preventing one case of HIV saves over $225K, study shows How much money would be saved if one high-risk person was prevented from contracting HIV in the United States? A new study led by a researcher at Weill Cornell Medical College and published online Feb. 24 in Medical Care, answers this question: from $229,800 to $338,400, depending on the continuity of treatment.
New app helps monitor depression Scientists from the University of Birmingham have developed an app that can measure the activity patterns of patients with depression and provide the necessary support.
Saudi reports 10 MERS deaths in a week Ten more people in Saudi Arabia have died from MERS over the past week, health ministry figures showed on Friday, after an international mission urged extra measures to combat the virus.
Experts blame anti-vaccine lobby for Bosnia measles outbreak (AP)—Medical experts are warning that the anti-vaccination lobby is growing in Bosnia, often using scientifically discredited arguments to stoke parental fears in the worst-affected country in Europe's measles outbreak.
Amsterdam warns tourists white heroin being sold as cocaine (AP)—Authorities in Amsterdam warned Friday that potentially lethal white heroin is being sold as cocaine in the city after three Danish tourists became ill this week.
Researchers find chemotherapy after bladder cancer surgery improved survival Patients that received chemotherapy after bladder cancer surgery demonstrated an approximately 30% lower risk of death than those that underwent surgery alone, according to an analysis to be presented by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai at the 2015 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.
Crohn's disease not exempt from racial disparities A study published recently in the IBD Journal found significant differences in hospital readmissions, medication usage, and both medical and surgical complications of children with Crohn's disease related to race. In the study, black children had a 1.5 times higher frequency of hospital readmissions because of Crohn's disease compared to white children.
For patients with brain tumors, insurance status linked to differences in patient safety and quality of care Patients that are on Medicaid or uninsured have higher rates of reportable patient safety and quality of care issues during hospitalization for brain tumors, reports a study in the March issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Hospitals participating in ACS NSQIP significantly improve surgical outcomes over time The majority of hospitals participating in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (ACS NSQIP) improve surgical outcomes over time, and improvement continues with each year that hospitals participate in the program, according to a new study published online today in Annals of Surgery.
	Native American tribes converge to discuss pot legalization (AP)—Tribal representatives from around the country are converging in Washington state to discuss the risks and rewards of marijuana legalization.

Other Sciences news

	Broken windows thesis springs a leak The broken windows theory posits that minor misdemeanors, like littering or graffiti spraying, stimulate more serious anti-social behavior. LMU sociologists now argue that the idea is flawed and does not justify the adoption of hardline policies.
	How were fossil tracks made by Early Triassic swimming reptiles so well preserved? A type of vertebrate trace fossil gaining recognition in the field of paleontology is that made by various tetrapods (four-footed land-living vertebrates) as they traveled through water under buoyant or semibuoyant conditions.
Predicting human crowds with statistical physics For the first time researchers have directly measured a general law of how pedestrians interact in a crowd. This law can be used to create realistic crowds in virtual reality games and to make public spaces safer.
Study shows employees become angry when receiving after-hours email, texts People who receive electronic correspondence from work after hours become angry more often than not and that can interfere with their personal lives, a new study from a management researcher at The University of Texas at Arlington shows.
	Study finds large racial disparities in how some school districts suspend students The reliance on student suspensions to maintain discipline in public schools varies dramatically across the 50 states, according to a new statistical analysis by UCLA researchers. Their report identified the individual districts with the highest suspension rates, while finding American children are losing almost 18 million days of instruction due to suspensions.
Bribery 'hits 1.6 billion people a year' A total of 1.6 billion people worldwide – nearly a quarter of the global population – are forced to pay bribes to gain access to everyday public services, according to a new book by academics at the Universities of Birmingham and Strathclyde.