Science X Newsletter Tuesday, Feb 17

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Nano switch could store memory using coordinated 'dance' of atoms 
- Study shows long tail on luna moth helps to thwart bat attacks (w/ Video) 
- Researchers find hunger pangs drive people to acquire more non-food objects 
- Biologist describes optimized cellular replication as a systems engineering problem 
- Novel crumpling method takes flat graphene from 2D to 3D 
- A close call of 0.8 light years 
- New insight into how brain performs 'mental time travel' 
- Study details impact of Deepwater Horizon oil on beach microbial communities 
- Scientists find deep-ocean evidence for Atlantic overturning decline 
- Seasonal flu vaccine induces antibodies that protect against H7N9 avian flu 
- Tadpole model links drug exposure to autism-like effects 
- Novel solid-state nanomaterial platform enables terahertz photonics 
- Researchers test radiation-resistant spintronic material 
- Dutch Windwheel draws energy innovations 
- Study finds first-ever evidence of climate change of northern China region dating back thousands of years 

Nanotechnology news

	Nano switch could store memory using coordinated 'dance' of atoms (Phys.org) —In one of the tiniest switches ever made, five atoms appear to "dance" around each other in a complex choreographic sequence, with their final arrangement corresponding to one of two stable states. This concerted motion of multiple atoms is unlike that in other nano switches, which typically involve movement of only a single atom or molecule. The motion of multiple atoms gives the switch a major advantage: due to its stability, it is one of the few atomic-scale switches capable of operating at room temperature instead of cryogenic temperatures.
	Novel crumpling method takes flat graphene from 2D to 3D Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have developed a unique single-step process to achieve three-dimensional (3D) texturing of graphene and graphite. Using a commercially available thermally activated shape-memory polymer substrate, this 3D texturing, or "crumpling," allows for increased surface area and opens the doors to expanded capabilities for electronics and biomaterials.
	Novel solid-state nanomaterial platform enables terahertz photonics Compact, sensitive and fast nanodetectors are considered to be somewhat of a "Holy Grail" sought by many researchers around the world. And now a team of scientists in Italy and France has been inspired by nanomaterials and has created a novel solid-state technology platform that opens the door to the use of terahertz (THz) photonics in a wide range of applications.
	Researchers develop new technique for making graphene competitor molybdenum disulfide Graphene, a single-atom-thick lattice of carbon atoms, is often touted as a replacement for silicon in electronic devices due to its extremely high conductivity and unbeatable thinness. But graphene is not the only two-dimensional material that could play such a role.
	Voltage tester for beating cardiac cells For the first time, scientists have succeeded in recording the current in membrane channels of contracting cardiac cells. To do this, the scientists combined an atomic force microscope with a widely used method for measuring electrical signals in cells.
	Improving energy efficiency one atom at a time Paul Simmonds looks at his molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) system the way other guys do a candy apple red Porsche. The sci-fi looking machine used to design and create new materials at the atomic level lights his eyes with pure joy.
Giant increase in conductivity measured when a semiconductor is submitted to high pressure ICN2 Oxide Nanoelectronics Group has obtained conductivity values for stroncium iridate 250 times higher than in normal conditions by pressing it with nanometric needles. The results, published in Nanoscale, were obtained via an atomic force microscope (AFM) showing that the material could become a good candidate for future applications in sensors and electronics.

Physics news

	Researchers test radiation-resistant spintronic material A team of researchers from the University of Michigan and Western Michigan University is exploring new materials that could yield higher computational speeds and lower power consumption, even in harsh environments.
	Interaction between light and sound in nanoscale waveguide Scientists from Ghent University and imec announce today that they demonstrated interaction between light and sound in a nanoscale area. Their findings elucidate the physics of light-matter coupling at these scales – and pave the way for enhanced signal processing on mass-producible silicon photonic chips.
	Firing up the proton smasher The Large Hadron Collider is being brought back to life, ready for Run II of the "world's greatest physics experiment". Cambridge physicists are among the army who keep it alive.
	Insight into inner magnetic layers Research teams from Paris, Madrid and Berlin have observed for the first time how magnetic domains mutually influence one another at interfaces of spintronic components. Using measurements taken at BESSY II, they could demonstrate that what are known as spin filters form between the outer ferromagnetic layers and the inner anti-ferromagnetic insulating layer, influencing tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR).
Building a more versatile frequency comb Frequency combs are the rulers of light. By counting a wavelength's many oscillations, they measure distance and time with extraordinary precision and speed.

Earth news

	Tides stir up deep Atlantic heat in the Arctic Ocean Researchers have identified how warm Atlantic water that is flowing deep into the Arctic Ocean is mixing with colder waters above to contribute to sea-ice loss in the Arctic. The results, published this week in the journal Nature Geoscience, show that tidal flows in the Arctic are causing deep, warm water (originating from the Gulf Stream) to mix with cold, fresh water lying above, in turn contributing to melting the floating sea-ice.
	White-band disease, culprit in disappearing reefs, driven by rising temperatures Over the last four decades, the iconic elkhorn and staghorn corals that dominated Caribbean reefs for millions of years have all but disappeared. According to a new study from Florida Institute of Technology, ocean warming has played a significant role in this dramatic decline.
	Scientists find deep-ocean evidence for Atlantic overturning decline A new study has found evidence from the deep ocean that the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation – a system of currents that brings warm water from the tropics to the North Atlantic region and keeps its climate more moderate – declined at the end of the last ice age.
	Study details impact of Deepwater Horizon oil on beach microbial communities When oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill first began washing ashore on Pensacola Municipal Beach in June 2010, populations of sensitive microorganisms, including those that capture sunlight or fix nitrogen from the air, began to decline. At the same time, organisms able to digest light components of the oil began to multiply, starting the process of converting the pollutant to carbon dioxide and biomass.
	Study finds first-ever evidence of climate change of northern China region dating back thousands of years Using a relatively new scientific dating technique, a Baylor University geologist and a team of international researchers were able to document—for the first time—a drastic climate change 4,200 years ago in northern China that affected vegetation and led to mass migration from the area.
	Scientists sound storm warning on African climate change On a typical February day in west Africa, Cape Verdeans are taking time to cool down as the island nation is buffeted by a rare unseasonal downpour.
Researcher explores benefits, costs of hydraulic fracturing Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling have had a transformative, positive effect on the U.S. economy, producing societal gains that likely outweigh negative impacts to the environment and human health from an economic perspective, according to a new paper co-written by a University of Wyoming faculty member.
	Deep sea expedition into the unexplored Perth canyon abyss A group of acclaimed scientists from The University of Western Australia's Oceans Institute will go where few others have gone before when they set out to unlock the secrets of a deep ocean canyon off Perth the size of the USA's Grand Canyon.
Scientists probe huge bands of vapor that make or break droughts Finally, it had arrived: the long band of atmospheric water vapor from the tropics that scientists were eager to examine from every conceivable angle.
	Colombia seeks 'environmental corridor' across Andes, Amazon Colombia on Monday proposed creating an "environmental corridor" across northern South America to protect a vast, biologically rich swath of mountains and jungle from the impact of climate change.
	Would you like greens with that? What if the greens you need for tonight's dinner were grown on the roof of the office where you work? From a cook's perspective this is a dream – fresh produce and no time wasted on shopping. And the advantages of urban farming extend way beyond the wellbeing of the time-poor consumer. Produce farmed on urban rooftops also contributes to reducing the heat island effect of cities, lowering summer temperatures and minimising the carbon footprint of food.

Astronomy & Space news

	A close call of 0.8 light years A group of astronomers from the US, Europe, Chile and South Africa have determined that 70,000 years ago a recently discovered dim star is likely to have passed through the solar system's distant cloud of comets, the Oort Cloud. No other star is known to have ever approached our solar system this close - five times closer than the current closest star, Proxima Centauri.
	Earth-like planets are more likely to orbit sun-like stars rather than lower-mass stars Simulations by researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tsinghua University indicate that Earth-like planets are more likely to be found orbiting Sun-like stars rather than lower-mass stars that are currently targeted, in terms of water contents of planets.
	Guiding our search for life on other earths A telescope will soon allow astronomers to probe the atmosphere of Earthlike exoplanets for signs of life. To prepare, Lisa Kaltenegger and her team are modeling the atmospheric fingerprints for hundreds of potential alien worlds.
	Dawn captures sharper images of Ceres Craters and mysterious bright spots are beginning to pop out in the latest images of Ceres from NASA's Dawn spacecraft. These images, taken Feb. 12 at a distance of 52,000 miles (83,000 kilometers) from the dwarf planet, pose intriguing questions for the science team to explore as the spacecraft nears its destination.
	Massive clouds erupted 260km into Martian atmosphere – and no one knows why Enormous cloud-like plumes reaching 260km above the surface of Mars have left scientists baffled. This is way beyond Mars's normal weather, reaching into the exosphere where the atmosphere merges with interplanetary space. None of the conventional explanations for such clouds make sense – neither water or carbon dioxide ice nor dust storms nor auroral light emissions usually hit such heights.
	Interesting facts about the planets While the universe is a big place to study, we shouldn't forget our own backyard. With eight planets and a wealth of smaller worlds to look at, there's more than enough to learn for a few lifetimes!
	Are astronauts really weightless? Hey look! It's a montage of adorable astronauts engaging in hilarious space stuff in zero gravity. Look at them throwing bananas, playing Bowie songs, drinking floating juice balls, and generally having a gay old time in the weightlessness of deep space. It's a camera inside a ball of water, you won't believe what happens next! Or whatever it was they told you to get you to click that video.
	Sending a rocket through the northern lights The combination of American electron clouds and Norwegian northern lights spells trouble for navigation and communication in the Northern regions. The ICI4 rocket will provide knowledge that can help us predict the weather in space.
	What makes the solar system interesting to astronomers? While most of us are stuck on planet Earth, we're lucky enough to have a fairly transparent atmosphere. This allows us to look up at the sky and observe changes. The ancients noticed planets wandering across the sky, and occasional visitors such as comets.
	With new data, Planck satellite brings early universe into focus From its orbit 930,000 miles above Earth, the Planck space telescope spent more than four years detecting the oldest light in the universe, called the cosmic microwave background. This fossil from the Big Bang fills every square inch of the sky and offers a glimpse of what the universe looked like almost 14 billion years ago, when it was just 380,000 years old. Planck's observations of this relic radiation shed light on everything from the evolution of the universe to dark matter.

Technology news

Improved fire detection with new ultra-sensitive, ultraviolet light sensor A new study published today in Scientific Reports has discovered that a material traditionally used in ceramics, glass and paint, can be manipulated to produce an ultra-sensitive UV light sensor, paving the way for improved fire and gas detection.
	Hackers' $1 billion bank theft may still impact consumers The hacker gang that looted as much as $1 billion worldwide from banks was unusual: It stole directly from the banks, instead of ripping off their customers.
	GE Global Research works on RFID tag for detecting explosives Tech sites are talking about an explosives detector the size of a postage stamp. This is a wireless RFID (radio-frequency identification) sensor tag, battery-free. The tags are specially capable of chemical sensing. The company behind the tags is GE Global Research (the technology development arm of GE) in partnership with an inter-agency task force focused on anti-terrorism, the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG), Quantum Magnetics, and with assistance of KemSENSE. The detection solution has numerous advantages, in cost, size and versatility. GE Global Research expects production costs for these sensors would range from 5 to 50 cents per sensor, depending on performance specs and fabrication volume. GE Global Research said the tags can be deployed on a variety of surfaces.
	More electric car charging points in Japan than gas stations Green-car sceptics take note: Japan now has more electric vehicle charging spots than gas stations.
	Study recommends better EPA labels on cost of traditional vs. hybrid, electric cars Redesigned Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy labels on cars for sale are likely ineffective in pointing out total savings of hybrid and electric plug-in cars over gasoline vehicles, according to new research involving two University of Kansas professors in the School of Public Affairs & Administration.
	Dutch Windwheel draws energy innovations The backers of the Dutch Windwheel leave few superlatives behind. The most innovative 'windmill' in the world. A showcase for clean technology. Accelerator for renewable energy. A future icon for The Netherlands and future landmark in Europe's largest port city, Rotterdam. A presence in the architectural capital of the Netherlands making the skyline even more spectacular. Superlatives may be in order for the Dutch Windwheel, an ambitious idea under the umbrella of the Dutch Windwheel Corporation, a consortium of Rotterdam based companies. The wheel makes use of EWICON (Electrostatic WInd energy CONverter) technology. In this construct, a wind turbine converts wind energy with a framework of steel tubes into electricity without moving mechanical parts. No noise. No moving shadow.
	Powerful cyber spy tool linked to US-led effort A powerful cyberspying tool can tap into millions of computers worldwide through secretly installed malware, security researchers say, with many signs pointing to a US-led effort.
	Xiaomi was China smartphone market leader in 2014: IDC Upstart Xiaomi was the top smartphone company in China last year with a 12.5 percent market share, narrowly outpacing South Korea's Samsung, market intelligence firm International Data Corporation (IDC) said Tuesday.
	Google's lip service to privacy cannot conceal that its profits rely on your data After the European Court of Justice ruled that there was a "right to be forgotten" from Google's search results, Google's Advisory Council embarked on a roadshow aimed at debating the issue. While this debate poses many interesting questions, Google's agenda is apparent in the way it has answered them – as revealed in the Advisory Council's recently published report.
	What happens when a self-driving car meets a road rage driver? Driverless cars could soon be cruising Australian roads if South Australia gives the go-ahead to reforms to its road legislation.
	Study finds need for education about online privacy The final report of a major national study on how New Zealanders manage their personal information in online commercial transactions, online government transactions and on social networking sites, is being released today. Led by Professor Miriam Lips, Chair in e-Government, School of Government at Victoria University, and commissioned by the Department of Internal Affairs, the report is based on in-depth qualitative interviews and focus groups that delve deeper into the insights gained from a nationwide survey published last year.
	NOAA study uses latest technology to compute updated Washington Monument height Using new international measurement standards and technology not available in the past, NOAA's National Geodetic Survey has calculated the official architectural height of the Washington Monument to be 554 feet 7 11/32 inches—a highly precise measurement that makes it eligible for inclusion in official registers of the world's tallest structures. NOAA's NGS provides the framework for all positioning activities in the nation.
	Criminologist 'hacks' the hacker, explores meaning of hacking We often view hackers as evil geniuses, but perhaps a more accurate depiction would be a talented—though sometimes mischievous—craft worker, according to a Kansas State University researcher.
	Bringing designers and animators together Aircraft designers and animators use different digital technologies to achieve the same goal: creating a three-dimensional image that can be manipulated. But a new method that links the two could vastly speed up how product designers create and simulate the performance of their products.
	Bringing a literary train to life with a 3-D printer When readers describe the experience of a great novel, they might say the story "leaps off the page." But for assistant professor of French Morgane Cadieu, that phrase took on new meaning last fall when she and three of her students set out to create a 3D-printed train based entirely on descriptions from Emile Zola's 1890 novel "La Bête humaine" ("The Beast Within").
	Ubuntu's foray into phones brings a fresh approach, but will consumers take to it? A new arrival into an extremely competitive market, the first Ubuntu-powered phone has finally gone on sale in Europe – two years after a failed attempt to generate crowdfunding nevertheless raised US$12m. A sleek, polished rectangle, it appears much like other smartphones, but promises a different experience.
	Consumer-friendly makers Entrepreneurship can sometimes take people down unexpected paths.
Cyber attacks on Israel traced to Gaza: researchers A series of cyber attacks against Israel since mid-2013 appears to be coming from "Arab parties located in the Gaza Strip" and elsewhere, US security researchers say.
	Poor decision-making can lead to cybersecurity breaches Recent high-profile security breaches, such as those at Target, Anthem Inc. and Sony Pictures, have attracted scrutiny to how the seemingly minor decisions of individuals can have major cybersecurity consequences.
Toy museum announces hall of fame for video games The museum that houses the National Toy Hall of Fame announced Tuesday the creation of the World Video Game Hall of Fame to recognize the impact games like "Pong" and "Grand Theft Auto" have on culture and society.
Man charged in biggest US hacking scheme pleads not guilty (Update 2) A Russian citizen pleaded not guilty Tuesday to an 11-count indictment charging him and four others with running what authorities have called the largest criminal computer hacking scheme ever prosecuted in the United States.
	Fukushima decommissioning made 'significant progress': IAEA Japan has made "significant progress" in cleaning up the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant, a UN review mission said Tuesday as it again advised the country to consider discharging treated water into the sea.
	Japan sees 25 billion cyberattacks in 2014 More than 25 billion cyberattacks on the Japanese government and other bodies were logged in 2014, an agency said Tuesday, with 40 percent of them traced to China.
BlackBerry again sues Ryan Seacrest startup over keyboards Smartphone maker BlackBerry has revived a legal battle against a startup co-founded by Ryan Seacrest, saying its iPhone keyboard rips off the design from BlackBerry phones' physical keyboards.
	Sony steps up in wearable space with SmartEyeglass Sony on Tuesday began taking orders for SmartEyeglass Internet-linked eyewear, moving ahead in the market as Google steps back to revise its Glass strategy.
	US to allow export of armed military drones (Update) The Obama administration is amending its regulations for weapons sales to allow the export of armed military drones to friendly nations and allies.
	'Modern Family' to air episode that takes place only online How to keep the "modern" in "Modern Family" in its sixth season? Create an episode that plays out completely on a computer and in the realm of social media.

Chemistry news

	Controlling car pollution at the quantum level Toyota Central R&D Labs. in Japan have reviewed research that might be leading the way towards a new generation of automotive catalytic converters.
	Unique laser instrument promises LIFEtime of biology breakthroughs thanks to big data computing A revolutionary new £1M laser instrument in the UK is set to illuminate the innermost workings of DNA, protein, enzyme and other molecules that play a critical role in key natural processes in humans, animals and plants. Using synchronised ultrafast infrared lasers to explore how biomolecules react and interact when struck by light, LIFEtime will provide the basis for developing better medicines, innovative cell-imaging techniques and tiny biomolecular 'probes' that can be inserted into cells to gather information.
	Study provides new data on chemical gardens, whose formation is a mystery for science Recent research which has counted with the participation of the University of Granada Andalusian Institute of Earth Sciences has yielded new data on chemical gardens, mysterious formations produced when certain solid salts (copper sulfate, cobalt chloride) are added to an aqueous solution of sodium silicate.
	Rapid extension of nanographene sheets from readily available hydrocarbons Commercially available hydrocarbons were used as templates to synthesize uniform nanographene sheets using a series of sheet extending agents and a new transition metal catalyst, which were developed by Kyohei Ozaki, Katsuaki Kawasumi, Mari Shibata, Hideto Ito, and Professor Kenichiro Itami at Nagoya University's Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM) and of the JST-ERATO Itami Molecular Nanocarbon Project. Nanographenes, which are nanometer-sized graphenes, possess good semiconducting properties making them highly promising materials for the next generation of organic electronic devices. Itami and his team have developed a new catalytic one-shot annulative π (pi)-extension (APEX) reaction, which enables the rapid construction of nanographene in a single-step.

Biology news

	Biologist describes optimized cellular replication as a systems engineering problem (Phys.org)—Biologist Rami Pugatch of Princeton's Simons Center for Systems Biology has characterized the self-replication process of Escherichia coli according to a scheduling policy model derived from industrial processes. The paper, titled "Greedy scheduling of cellular self-replication leads to optimal doubling times with a log-Frechet distribution," appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	Study shows long tail on luna moth helps to thwart bat attacks (w/ Video) (Phys.org)—A team of researches with members from several institutions in the U.S. has found that the long tails sported by the luna moth exist as a means to foil attacks by bats. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team reports on experiments they conducted that confirmed the true purpose of the abnormally long tails in the moths.
	Scuba divers lead charge against invasive lionfish Clad in a gray hooded wetsuit, Eric Billips straps on his scuba tank, grabs a pole spear and nods at his dive buddy as they step feet-first off the boat and disappear with a splash into sparkling blue waters off the Florida Keys.
Australian birds feel heat of climate change Ever wondered how pigeons are able to function quite happily on extremely hot days while other birds are nowhere to be seen?
	Age doesn't matter for foraging albatrosses A new study of the wandering albatrosses breeding on the sub-antarctic island of Bird Island (off South Georgia) reveals that age doesn't matter when foraging. The research, published in the journal PLOS ONE last month, shows that even when the birds reach old age, any reduction in muscle function and visual acuity didn't appear to affect their foraging behaviour.
	Three-year study yields comprehensive insights into large bivalves A three-year study conducted in the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets Marine Park has provided comprehensive insights into large bivalves (molluscs).
	Bacteria jump between species more easily than previously thought A new study suggests that bacteria may be able to jump between host species far easier than was previously thought. Researchers discovered that a single genetic mutation in a strain of bacteria infectious to humans enables it jump species to also become infectious to rabbits.
	Scientist uses fungus to destroy bark beetles As Arizona and other western states face ongoing drought conditions, the region's pine forests are becoming more vulnerable to bark beetles, which attack and kill stressed trees, increasing wildfire danger. NAU researcher Rich Hofstetter is working with a fungus that kills the beetles.
	Plants survive better through mass extinctions than animals At least 5 mass extinction events have profoundly changed the history of life on Earth. But a new study led by researchers at the University of Gothenburg shows that plants have been very resilient to those events.
	Study follows the rise of individuals with the greatest influence on collective group behavior Who takes charge during a disaster or at an accident scene? The question has intrigued sociologists since Gustave Le Bon first studied "herd behavior" in nineteenth-century France. The question of an individual's influence over the activity of a collective has perplexed researchers, in countless studies of this behavior, ever since.
	Scientists turn the tables on drug-resistant bacteria by infecting them with bacteriophages Every year, drug-resistant infections kill more than 50,000 people across Europe and the United States, and hundreds of thousands more around the world. According to the Review on Antimicrobial Resistance commissioned by the UK Prime Minister, failing to address the growing problem of drug-resistant infections could cause 10 million deaths a year and cost up to $100 trillion USD by 2050.
Even animals compose An international research team lead by Marisa Hoeschele from the University of Vienna argue that only by combining examination of species' natural behaviour and artificially testing species for their potentials the animal foundations for our musical faculty can be discovered. Animal research could be the key to unlocking what features of human music are cultural phenomena, and what features are rooted in our biology. This work is published in the scientific journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.
	Time for a bold dingo experiment in NSW national park Allowing dingoes to return to Sturt National Park in NSW, Australia and researching the results may be the key to managing the future of dingoes and many threatened native mammals, University of Sydney researchers believe.
	Tiny Oregon minnow is first fish taken off endangered list A tiny minnow that lives only in backwaters in Oregon's Willamette Valley is the first fish to be formally removed from Endangered Species Act protection because it is no longer in danger of extinction.
	Why dazzling patterns in motion may put off predators Many animals are masters of illusion, with the ability to fool a potential mate or predator with a flourish of feathers or display of exaggerated ferocity. The EU is currently funding research into what are known as motion dazzle markings – high contrast patterns such as black and white stripes that do not provide concealment to a prey animal but may help it to avoid capture – which appear to alter the perception of predators.

Medicine & Health news

	Researchers find hunger pangs drive people to acquire more non-food objects (Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers with members from institutions in the U.S. and Hong Kong has found that when people feel hunger, in addition to attempting to quash their pangs by eating, they will also acquire more non-food items. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team describes five laboratory and field studies they conducted that showed how people respond to non-food objects when they are hungry.
	New insight into how brain performs 'mental time travel' In Proust's novel Recollection of Things Past, the distinctive smell of a lemon madeleine launches the narrator on a long, involved reminiscence of his past that fills seven chapters.
Changing stem cell structure may help fight obesity The research, conducted at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), found that a slight regulation in the length of primary cilia, small hair-like projections found on most cells, prevented the production of fat cells from human stem cells taken from adult bone marrow.
	Forgotten bacterium is the cause of many severe sore throats in young adults New research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham suggests that Fusobacterium necrophorum more often causes severe sore throats in young adults than streptococcus—the cause of the much better known strep throat. The findings, published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine, suggest physicians should consider F. necrophorum when treating severe sore throat, known as pharyngitis, in young adults and adolescents that worsens.
	Molecular inhibitor breaks cycle that leads to Alzheimer's A molecular chaperone has been found to inhibit a key stage in the development of Alzheimer's disease and break the toxic chain reaction that leads to the death of brain cells, a new study shows. The research provides an effective basis for searching for candidate molecules that could be used to treat the condition.
	Brain's iconic seat of speech goes silent when we actually talk For 150 years, the iconic Broca's area of the brain has been recognized as the command center for human speech, including vocalization. Now, scientists at UC Berkeley and Johns Hopkins University in Maryland are challenging this long-held assumption with new evidence that Broca's area actually switches off when we talk out loud.
	New pathways discovered to prevent blindness Scientists have made a major new discovery detailing how areas of the brain responsible for vision could potentially adapt to injury or trauma and ultimately prevent blindness.
	Seasonal flu vaccine induces antibodies that protect against H7N9 avian flu Antibodies that protect against H7N9 avian flu, which emerged in China in 2013 and sparked fears of a global pandemic, have been isolated in individuals who received seasonal flu vaccinations. These antibodies account for a small percentage of the total immune response, but appear to broadly neutralize H7 viruses and represent promising new targets for therapeutic development against a wide range of influenza strains, report scientists from the University of Chicago and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in the Journal of Clinical Investigation on Feb 17.
	Tadpole model links drug exposure to autism-like effects Research suggests that fetal exposure to chemicals or drugs can cause neurological problems. Babies whose mothers take the epilepsy drug valporic acid (VPA) during pregnancy, for example, appear to have an elevated risk of developing an autism spectrum disorder. In a new study, scientists who developed a tadpole model of this exposure directly observed deleterious effects on brain physiology and behavior. Understanding that connection could provide scientists with the opportunity to discover how to stop it.
	Protein clue to sudden cardiac death A team led by Oxford University researchers was looking at how a protein, iASPP, might be involved in the growth of tumours. However, serendipitously they found that mice lacking this gene died prematurely of sudden cardiac death. More detailed investigations showed that these mice had an irregular conductance in the right side of the heart, a condition known as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).
Bile duct cancer study may pave way for new treatments Patients with bile duct cancer could be helped by a new class of experimental drug, a study has shown.
Amyloid formation may link Alzheimer disease and type 2 diabetes The pathological process amyloidosis, in which misfolded proteins (amyloids) form insoluble fibril deposits, occurs in many diseases, including Alzheimer disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). However, little is known about whether different forms of amyloid proteins interact or how amyloid formation begins in vivo. A study published in The American Journal of Pathology has found evidence that amyloid from the brain can stimulate the growth of fibrils in the murine pancreas and pancreatic-related amyloid can be found along with brain-related amyloid in human brain senile plaques.
	New study reveals how to improve chemotherapy use in prostate cancer Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer for men in the United States. Only one class of chemotherapy called taxanes is effective against the disease. A study published online this week (January 17th) in Clinical Cancer Research, researchers have found that a newer member of the taxane family called cabazitaxel, an FDA approved drug, has properties that could make it more effective for some patients - a hypothesis currently being tested in clinical trials. Researchers also found a genomic marker that could help physicians identify which patients might benefit most from cabazitaxel.
Australians get hepatitis A from Chinese berries Nine Australians have contracted hepatitis A linked with eating contaminated berries from China, with the importer apologising Tuesday as the food scare spreads.
	Medication effective in helping smokers quit gradually Among cigarette smokers not willing or able to quit smoking in the next month but willing to reduce with the goal of quitting in the next 3 months, use of the nicotine addiction medication varenicline for 24 weeks compared with placebo produced greater reductions in smoking prior to quitting and increased smoking cessation rates at the end of treatment and at 1 year, according to a study in the February 17 issue of JAMA.
Drug improves measures of genetic disease that affects liver, spleen Among previously untreated adults with Gaucher disease type 1, a genetic disease in which there is improper metabolism due to a defect in an enzyme, treatment with the drug eliglustat resulted in significant improvements in liver and spleen size hemoglobin level, and platelet count, according to a study in the February 17 issue of JAMA.
Study shows beneficial effect of electric fans in extreme heat and humidity Although some public health organizations advise against the use of electric fans in severe heat, a new study published in the February 17 issue of JAMA demonstrated that electric fans prevent heat-related elevations in heart rate and core body temperature.
Treatment for severe community-acquired pneumonia and high inflammatory response Among patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia and high initial inflammatory response, the use of the corticosteroid methylprednisolone decreased treatment failure, compared with placebo, according to a study in the February 17 issue of JAMA.
Anticoagulant linked with lower risk of death following heart attack compared to heparin Patients who experienced a certain type of heart attack who received the anticoagulant fondaparinux had a lower risk of major bleeding events and death both in the hospital and after six months compared to patients who received low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), although both groups had similar rates of subsequent heart attack or stroke, according to a study in the February 17 issue of JAMA.
Violations in pharmaceutical industry self-regulation of medicines promotion A discrepancy exists between the ethical standard codified in the pharmaceutical industry Codes of Practice and the actual conduct of the pharmaceutical industry in the UK and Sweden, according to a study published by Shai Mulinari and colleagues from Lund University, Sweden in this week's PLOS Medicine.
Primary care nurse-delivered interventions can increase physical activity in older adults A primary care nurse-delivered intervention can lead to sustained increases in physical activity (PA) among older adults, according to an article published by Tess Harris of St George's University of London, and colleagues in this week's PLOS Medicine.
Tuition fee increase has had little effect on students' mental health New research led by the University of Southampton and Solent NHS Trust has found no evidence of a long term impact on students' mental health as a result of the rise in tuition fees, introduced in 2011.
Eating disorders linked with financial difficulties in female students Experiencing financial difficulties at university may increase the risk of female students developing an eating disorder, according to new research from the University of Southampton and Solent NHS Trust.
Analysis shows benefits of endovascular therapy for severe stroke A pooled analysis of two recent clinical trials involving the use of devices to treat stroke-causing blood clots indicates that patients with the most severe strokes stand to benefit the most, new research presented by a University of Cincinnati (UC) neurologist indicates.
Toward more targeted cancer vaccines Scientists from Cardiff have used powerful X-ray technology to visualise how white blood cells interact with skin cancer cells, paving the way for the development of more accurate cancer vaccines.
Unhealthy choices boosted mortality rates for blacks who migrated north Millions of African-Americans left the rural South during the 20th century in search of greater opportunities for work, education and overall quality of life in the urban North, Midwest and West.
	Researchers exploring how digital gaming could help prevent childhood obesity The children file into the Penn State nutrition lab before taking their seats and being handed a tablet. A research assistant helps them turn the devices on and power up a game they're asked to play while the researchers look on. The kids guide their characters through the digital world—across platforms and into the air to collect items.
	New drug target for multiple sclerosis discovered Scientists at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) have discovered a promising new approach to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). In a new study, they've identified a previously unknown change in the spinal cord related to MS, and a way to alter this change to reduce the nerve cell damage that occurs with the disease.
	Tool can help assess cognitive impairment in multicultural populations The ability to assess cognitive impairment in multicultural older populations will become more important as demographics change worldwide. A new study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) reports that the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) is particularly effective in multicultural populations where English is not a patient's first language.
One in three Dutch doctors would consider assisted suicide for dementia or being 'tired of living' Around one in three Dutch doctors would be prepared to help someone with early dementia, mental illness, or who is 'tired of living' to die, reveals a small survey published online in the Journal of Medical Ethics.
Study finds brain processes that are key to understanding pupils How does the brain of a teacher work? New research has identified the parts of the brain involved in computing mistakes in other people's understanding, which is a key process in guiding students' learning.
	Climate change should not affect near elimination of malaria Some good news in the face of climate change has emerged from health economists: a study into the health economics of combatting malaria in countries nearing elimination has shown that climate change will not have too great an effect and should not dissuade health organisations from continuing to scale- up their current elimination methods.
	After lobbying push, drugmaker resubmits women's sex pill The makers of a twice-rejected pill designed to boost sexual desire in women are hoping a yearlong lobbying push by politicians, women's groups and consumer advocates will move their much-debated drug onto the market.
	Minority kids less likely to get latest type 1 diabetes treatments, study finds (HealthDay)—The care of type 1 diabetes has evolved rapidly over the past few decades, but not all racial and ethnic groups seem to be benefiting from the latest treatments, a new study indicates.
Scientists warn against complacency on Ebola vaccines A team of leading international scientists on Tuesday called for new Ebola vaccines to be made available in months rather than years and warned against complacency after a reduction in infection rates.
	When can you start having sex after a heart attack? Each year in the United States about 720,000 people have heart attacks and about 124,000 people in the UK and 55,000 people in Australia will have them as well. Since the 1980s, survival rates from heart attacks have improved – a lot of people get them, but more and more people are surviving. A recent study of patients in Denmark showed that in 1984-1988 31.4% of patients died within a month of having a heart attack. From 2004-2008 this was down to 14.8%.
Bone-loss score may tip off doctors to gum disease in postmenopausal women Postmenopausal women susceptible to bone fractures may also be a higher risk for gum disease, according to researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and Case/Cleveland Clinic Postmenopausal Health Collaboration (CCCPOHC).
Cancer experience triggers thoughts of healthy lifestyle changes in survivors and their families After studying cancer survivors and their family caregivers, researchers at Case Western Reserve University conclude that the period between the final cancer treatment and first post-treatment checkup may be an ideal time for the entire household to jumpstart a healthy lifestyle.
	Iron may be a factor in dementia Alzheimer's disease is no respecter of fame or fortune. Former US president Ronald Reagan had it. Legendary AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young has been diagnosed. Hazel Hawke suffered until her death in 2013. And author and broadcaster Anne Deveson is experiencing the distressing progression of Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia, a group of brain disorders affecting thinking and memory.
	Fathers with mental illness deserve better than stigma Where there is mental illness, there's almost invariably social disapproval and discrimination. And a report released by the Australian Institute of Family Studies today shows fathers with mental illness can face unique hardships.
	Hip protector saves you when you slip Are you well used to wearing studded shoes in winter? If so, you're probably ready for yet another step towards tackling the eternally icy winter streets.
Schizophrenia associated with impaired activity of the selective dopamine neurons Schizophrenia is not only associated with positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, but also with negative symptoms e.g. cognitive deficits and impairments of the emotional drive. Until now, the underlying mechanisms for these negative symptoms have not been well characterized. In the current edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) a German-American team of researchers, with the cooperation of the Goethe University, reports that a selective dopamine midbrain population that is crucial for emotional and cognitive processing shows reduced electrical in vivo activity in a disease mouse model.
	High deductible plans factor into physician-patient relationship (HealthDay)—In an environment where patients are increasingly aware of the costs of health care, physicians need to be prepared to address these issues with their patients, according to an article published Feb. 4 in Medical Economics.
	Medical journals should not be swayed by fear of libel lawsuits (HealthDay)—Fear of corporate defamation lawsuits should not prevent medical journals from investigating corporate products, according to a perspective piece published online Feb. 16 in Pediatrics.
	Certain macrolides linked with higher risk of pyloric stenosis (HealthDay)—New research supports previous findings that erythromycin can increase the risk of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS). The research also indicates that azithromycin is associated with a higher risk of IHPS when given to infants under 6 weeks old. The findings were published online Feb. 16 in the Pediatrics.
	Taking technology from the lab to the patient After finishing his PhD in molecular genetics in the late 1990s, Daniel Anderson found himself conflicted about what to do next: He enjoyed science, but wanted to find a way to have a direct impact on human health.
Government sets up a tricky balance for heart catheter procedure The patient with the bad heart valve will be in his 60s, say, someone who tires easily because of impaired blood flow but is otherwise in pretty good health.
	Some bilinguals use emoticons more when chatting in non-native language Sometimes, a smile can say everything. But has :-)—the emoticon version of a happy grin—crossed that line into becoming a socially acceptable way of communicating?
	Kids can get migraines too (HealthDay)—Migraines aren't just a problem for adults—about 6 percent of children and more than one-quarter of teens aged 15 to 17 have migraines, according to the American Migraine Foundation (AMF).
Organizational culture predicts use of evidence-based treatments for youth with psychiatric disorder Many mental health therapists use treatments that have little evidence to support them. A new multi-institution study led by Penn Medicine has found that an organization's culture and climate are better predictors of the use of evidence-based practices than an individual therapist's characteristics in the treatment of children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders. The study, published in the February 16th issue of JAMA Pediatrics, is the first comprehensive investigation of its kind.
	Shy babies need secure parent bond to help prevent potential teen anxiety Shy babies need to have a strong bond with their parents to avoid developing anxiety disorders in their teens, according to a new study co-authored at the University of Waterloo.
Molecule that provides cellular energy found key to aggressive thyroid cancer Cancer researchers at Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Florida, have identified a molecule they say is important to survival of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC)—a lethal tumor with no effective therapies. The molecule also seems to play a role in a wide range of cancers.
	Research finds fertile women seek variety in men and consumer products New research from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) College of Business suggests women seek more options in dating partners near ovulation - when they are most fertile - which may lead them to also seek a greater variety of products and services.
	In the short run, a high-fat diet may help minimize heart attack damage It's well known that over the long run, a high-fat diet increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
	Smoke-free campus policy enjoys wide support, research shows Students, faculty and staff at Oregon State University have largely embraced a new policy that prohibits smoking on the Corvallis campus, but the policy change hasn't completely eliminated secondhand smoke exposure, new research shows.
More measles cases tied to Disneyland, Illinois day care Health officials say the number of U.S. measles cases this year has risen to 141.
	Washington state panel mulls bill to trim vaccine exemptions Personal or philosophical opposition to vaccines would not be an authorized exemption for the parents of school-age children under a measure that received a public hearing before a House committee on Tuesday, drawing at least two dozen opponents to the proposed change.
	Alirocumab shows promise as treatment to reduce LDL-cholesterol in Phase III study A recently published clinical trial report reviewing the first completed Phase III study in the ODYSSEY development program has shown that alirocumab showed significantly better LDL-C lowering than ezetimibe, with a comparable safety profile to ezetimibe.
	City spinout develops revolutionary ophthalmic device A low cost eye-scanning instrument developed by Structured Eye Limited could transform the detection of eye diseases in the developing world as well on Western High Streets.
	Football injuries 12 times more frequent in competition than during training sessions‬ The risk of injury during competition matches is 12 times higher than during training sessions in players of the Professional Football League. The most common are muscular injuries and those resulting from overexertion, which imply recovery periods of around one week. These findings follow an extensive epidemiological study that analyses the characteristics of injuries to professional footballers in Spain conducted by researchers at the Universitat Jaume I of Castellón, the Polytechnic University of Madrid and the University of Exeter (UK). The results have been published in the scientific journals Sports Sci and Sports Med Phys Fitness.
Cross-border intensive care medicine Anyone who becomes seriously ill or has an accident while on holiday would like to be treated as well as they are at home. It is vitally important for the patient that the doctor has been well trained, in particular in intensive care medicine. A commission at the European Union under the leadership of Prof. Kai Zacharowski, the Director of the Clinic for Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy at the Goethe University Frankfurt is striving for uniform standards across Europe. This commission - shortened to MJC ICM for Multiple Joint Committee Intensive Care Medicine - has worked out general guidelines, which the member states are now expected to ratify. This will certainly not happen without compromises.
	Health groups say AIDS No. 1 killer of adolescents in Africa The 16-year-old Kenyan girl found out she was HIV-positive and pregnant at a clinic in the Korogocho slums two years ago. She still isn't sure how she contracted the virus—her mother died from AIDS-related complications when she was six years old, and she slept with various men after dropping out of school years ago to provide for herself and her two younger sisters.
	Johns Hopkins and CDC prepare emergency department staff to care for patients with infectious disease Four Web-based training modules developed by Johns Hopkins Medicine for emergency department personnel who treat patients with infectious diseases are now available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) YouTube channel.
Nestle USA strips artificial bits from chocoloate candy No more artificial flavors and colors in Butterfinger, Babe Ruth or any Nestle chocolate candies in the United States, because Americans want them gone, the Swiss food giant said Tuesday.
Boston Scientific will pay Johnson & Johnson $600M Boston Scientific will pay $600 million to settle with drugmaker Johnson & Johnson over the medical device maker's $27 billion acquisition of Guidant Corp. in 2006.

Other Sciences news

	Focusing on the success of others can make us selfish It is believed that the success of humans as a species depends to a large extent on our ability to cooperate in groups. Much more so than any other ape (or mammal for that matter), people are able to work together and coordinate their actions to produce mutual benefits. But what do we base our decisions on when we know whatever we do will affect those around us?
	Terror attacks offer insights for first responders, study finds When terrorists strike, emergency workers who have the proper training, information access and a positive work environment will make better decisions, according to research from the University at Buffalo School of Management.
	Workplace bullying a vicious circle Bullying at work grinds victims down and makes them an 'easy target' for further abuse according to new research from the University of East Anglia.
	Early hominids ate just about everything Reconstructions of human evolution are prone to simple, overly-tidy scenarios. Our ancestors, for example, stood on two legs to look over tall grass, or began to speak because, well, they finally had something to say. Like much of our understanding of early hominid behavior, the imagined diet of our ancestors has also been over-simplified.
Think again about gender gap in science Scholars from diverse fields have long proposed that interlocking factors such as cognitive abilities, discrimination and interests may cause more women than men to leave the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) pipeline after entering college.
	Researcher has some questions for the interview Interviews begin with questions, but a University at Buffalo researcher is instead questioning the interview, and the answers are mapping the history and unexplored conceptual areas of this familiar information-gathering tool.
Why must black students do better than white students to get into university? Race inequality remains prevalent throughout all areas of higher education, including staffing, admissions and employment, according to a new report by leading UK race equality think tank the Runnymede Trust, featuring the work of researchers at The University of Manchester.
	Obsessive audits stop charities from doing their job The goal of youth-centred charities is to provide a public benefit by helping and caring for young people in a variety of ways. The public, government, and funders should do their best to support these charities, not hinder them.
	Professors, students go behind bars to improve inmate outcomes How does visitation help or hurt people who are in prison?
Carnegie Mellon tells 800 applicants they're in, then out Ben Leibowitz called up relatives to tell them he got into Carnegie Mellon University's graduate computer science program. He even went out to dinner with his parents to celebrate