Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Feb 25

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Phys.org Newsletter for February 25, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Study demonstrates an electronic switch based on stereoisomerism 
- Distant quasar spectrum reveals no sign of changes in mass ratio of proton and electron over 12 billion years 
- Widely used food additive promotes colitis, obesity and metabolic syndrome, research shows 
- Several "new" craters found in Siberia 
- A new sungrazing comet may brighten in the evening sky 
- Monster black hole discovered at cosmic dawn 
- How does the human brain tackle problems it did not evolve to solve? 
- Himalayan ice shows chemicals ban is working 
- Magnetic nanoparticles enhance performance of solar cells 
- Behaviour study shows rats know how to repay kindness 
- Electric-car driving range and emissions depend on where you live 
- Mountain birds beat the odds 
- Silicon micro-funnels increase the efficiency of solar cells 
- Epigenetic 'switch' regulates RNA-protein interactions 
- First direct observation of carbon dioxide's increasing greenhouse effect 

Nanotechnology news

Study demonstrates an electronic switch based on stereoisomerism As devices get smaller and smaller, scientists are running up against limits to how small one can feasibly construct a circuit using bulk materials. Molecular circuits offer a possible solution to overcoming these size constraints, and have led to a growing field merging chemistry with electronics.
	New nanowire structure absorbs light efficiently Researchers at Aalto University have developed a new method to implement different types of nanowires side-by-side into a single array on a single substrate. The new technique makes it possible to use different semiconductor materials for the different types of nanowires.
	In quest for better lithium-air batteries, chemists boost carbon's stability To power a car so it can travel hundreds of miles at a time, lithium-ion batteries of the future are going to have to hold more energy without growing too big in size.
	Magnetic nanoparticles enhance performance of solar cells Magnetic nanoparticles can increase the performance of solar cells made from polymers - provided the mix is right. This is the result of an X-ray study at DESY's synchrotron radiation source PETRA III. Adding about one per cent of such nanoparticles by weight makes the solar cells more efficient, according to the findings of a team of scientists headed by Prof. Peter Müller-Buschbaum from the Technical University of Munich. They are presenting their study in one of the upcoming issues of the journal Advanced Energy Materials (published online in advance).
	Silicon micro-funnels increase the efficiency of solar cells The fovea centralis, or fovea for short, sits in the middle of the Macula lutea (or macula) of the retina, where the slender, funnel-like ocular cones are especially closely packed together. We see an image with greatest acuity in this small region because each cone there is connected to a nerve cell.
Flexible nanosensors for wearable devices A new method developed at the Institute of Optoelectronics Systems and Microtechnology (ISOM) from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) will enable the fabrication of optical nanosensors capable of sticking on uneven surfaces and biological surfaces like human skin. This result can boost the use of wearable devices to monitor parameters such as temperature, breath and heart pressure. Additionally, it is a low-cost technology since they use materials like standard polycarbonate compact disks, aluminum films and adhesive tapes that would facilitate its implementation on the market.
Researchers enable solar cells to use more sunlight Scientists of the University of Luxembourg and of the Japanese electronics company TDK report progress in photovoltaic research: they have improved a component that will enable solar cells to use more energy of the sun and thus create a higher current.

Physics news

	Rapid data transfer thanks to quantum physics RUB engineers have developed a new concept for accelerating data transfer in server farms. To this end, the team at the Chair of Photonics and Terahertz Technology applies a quantum-mechanical variable, i.e. the spin. RUBIN, the science magazine published by the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, reports on how researchers optimise so-called spin lasers for data transfer.
Physicists offer a solution to the puzzle of the origin of matter in the universe Most of the laws of nature treat particles and antiparticles equally, but stars and planets are made of particles, or matter, and not antiparticles, or antimatter. That asymmetry, which favors matter to a very small degree, has puzzled scientists for many years.
	New 'knobs' can dial in control of materials Designing or exploring new materials is all about controlling their properties. In a new study, Cornell scientists offer insight on how different "knobs" can change material properties in ways that were previously unexplored or misunderstood.
	Hidden physics make fish glitter A theory borrowed from physics to understand how electrons move in semiconductors may explain the silvery mirror-like appearance of many fish, recent research suggests.
Warming up the world of superconductors A superconductor that works at room temperature was long thought impossible, but scientists at USC may have discovered a family of materials that could make it reality.
A simple way to make and reconfigure complex emulsions (w/ Video) MIT researchers have devised a new way to make complex liquid mixtures, known as emulsions, that could have many applications in drug delivery, sensing, cleaning up pollutants, and performing chemical reactions.

Earth news

	Several "new" craters found in Siberia At least seven newly created mysterious craters have now been officially discovered in Siberia, though satellite imagery suggests there may be as many as 20. The discovery of the first three last year caused a small media storm as no one had any idea how the craters had come about. Since that time, one team of researchers actually went down inside one of the craters to see what might have caused it to come about. That expedition did not reveal any hard facts, but most geologists now suspect that the craters came about due to warming in Siberia, leading to melting permafrost, which led to underground gases filling underground cavities, which led, eventually, to blasts that caused the creation of the craters.
	Canada looks east-west to ship oil after Keystone veto After US President Barack Obama vetoed a bill to expedite construction of the Keystone XL pipeline Tuesday, petroleum producers are expected to turn to Canadian routes to ship oil internationally, but hurdles stand in the way of those projects as well.
	First direct observation of carbon dioxide's increasing greenhouse effect Scientists have observed an increase in carbon dioxide's greenhouse effect at the Earth's surface for the first time. The researchers, led by scientists from the US Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), measured atmospheric carbon dioxide's increasing capacity to absorb thermal radiation emitted from the Earth's surface over an eleven-year period at two locations in North America. They attributed this upward trend to rising CO2 levels from fossil fuel emissions.
	Himalayan ice shows chemicals ban is working A unique study of frozen ice cores from the Tibetan Himalayas has shown that international agreements on phasing out the use of toxic persistent organic pollutants are working.
	Felling of tropical trees has soared, satellite shows, not slowed as UN study found The rate at which tropical forests were cut, burned or otherwise lost from the 1990s through the 2000s accelerated by 62 percent, according to a new study which dramatically reverses a previous estimate of a 25 percent slowdown over the same period. That previous estimate, from the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Forest Resource Assessment, was based on a collection of reports from dozens of countries. The new estimate, in contrast, is based on vast amounts of Landsat image data which directly record the changes to forests over 20 years.
US sees little severe weather so far in 2015 (AP)—While a big chunk of the nation deals with snow and ice, the U.S. is poised to end January and February with the fewest bouts of severe weather in decades.
	Study shows fitting meters has an immediate effect on consumers' water saving habits University of Southampton research has shown consumers reduce their water consumption by 16.5 per cent after they receive a metered connection – based on the study of a five-year programme to install nearly half a million water meters in the south-east of England. This reduction is far more than the national average of ten per cent and is mainly achieved very quickly after a meter is installed.
Extreme science in the Arctic A research team from Northwestern University was dropped by helicopter in the desolate wilderness of Greenland with four weeks of provisions and the goal of collecting ancient specimens preserved in Arctic lakebeds.
Technology could make treatment and reuse of oil and gas wastewater simpler, cheaper Oil and gas operations in the United States produce about 21 billion barrels of wastewater per year. The saltiness of the water and the organic contaminants it contains have traditionally made treatment difficult and expensive.
	Agricultural insecticides pose a global risk to surface water bodies Streams within approx. 40% of the global land surface are at risk from the application of insecticides. These were the results from the first global map to be modelled on insecticide runoff to surface waters, which has just been published in the journal Environmental Pollution by researchers from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ) and the University of Koblenz-Landau together with the University of Milan, Aarhus University and Aachen University. According to the publication, particularly streams in the Mediterranean, the USA, Central America and Southeast Asia are at risk.
	Climate-warmed leaves change lake ecosystems, study finds Rising soil temperatures significantly affect autumn leaves and consequently the food web, appearance and biochemical makeup of the lakes and ponds those leaves fall into, a Dartmouth College-led study finds.
	NASA sees Tropical Cyclone Glenda may be developing an eye Tropical Cyclone Glenda is strengthening in the Southern Indian Ocean and NASA's Aqua satellite saw a potential eye developing when it passed overhead on Feb. 25.
Isolated wetlands have significant impact on water quality Geographically isolated wetlands play an outsized role in providing clean water and other environmental benefits even though they may lack the regulatory protections of other wetlands, according to an article by Indiana University researchers and colleagues.
Climate change may flatten famed surfing waves On a summer day in 1885, three Hawaiian princes surfed at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River on crudely constructed boards made from coastal redwoods, bringing the sport to the North American mainland.
Broader impacts in NSF's Division of Environmental Biology leave hope for improvement Since 1997, researchers applying for grant funds from the National Science Foundation (NSF) have been asked to give an account of the broader societal effects of their proposed research. The Broader Impacts Criterion was intended as a supplement to the traditional "intellectual merit" criterion, with the hope of creating an incentive for principal investigators to consider and enhance the further-reaching benefits of their work.

Astronomy & Space news

	Distant quasar spectrum reveals no sign of changes in mass ratio of proton and electron over 12 billion years A team of space researchers working with data from the VLT in Chile has found via measuring the spectrum of a distant quasar by analyzing absorption lines in a galaxy in front of it, that there was no measurable change in the mass ratio of protons and electrons over a span of 12 billion years. In their paper published in the journal Physical Review Letters, the team, made up of two members from VU University in the Netherlands, and two members from Swinburne University of Technology in Australia, describe their findings and what it might mean for helping to explain dark energy.
	Earth's other 'moon' and its crazy orbit could reveal mysteries of the solar system We all know and love the moon. We're so assured that we only have one that we don't even give it a specific name. It is the brightest object in the night sky, and amateur astronomers take great delight in mapping its craters and seas. To date, it is the only other heavenly body with human footprints.
	How to see quasars with backyard telescopes "How far can you see with that thing?" It's a common question overhead at many public star parties in reference to telescopes.
	A new sungrazing comet may brighten in the evening sky A newly-discovered comet may soon become bright enough to see from a sky near you. Originally dubbed SOHO-2875, it was spotted in photos taken by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) earlier this week. Astronomer Karl Battams, who maintains the Sungrazer Project website, originally thought this little comet would dissipate after its close brush with the Sun. To his surprise, it outperformed expectations and may survive long enough to see in the evening sky.
	Monster black hole discovered at cosmic dawn Scientists have discovered the brightest quasar in the early universe, powered by the most massive black hole yet known at that time. The international team led by astronomers from Peking University in China and from the University of Arizona announce their findings in the scientific journal Nature on Feb. 26.
	ESA's spaceplane is coming home ESA's IXV spaceplane, launched on a Vega rocket on 11 February, is now on its way to Europe for detailed study in Italy.
	Last look at Sentinel-2A Before Sentinel-2A is packed up and shipped to French Guiana for its launch targeted on 12 June, media representatives and specialists got one last look at the second satellite for Europe's Copernicus programme.
	Image: Software-testing satellite This replica of ESA's Ops-Sat was displayed at this month's Agency Technology workshop.
Video: Incredible "Birdman"-like tracking-shot timelapse of Earth from space The Academy Award winning film "Birdman" used what's called tracking shot to create the sense of a seamless one-shot film. A new timelapse created from imagery captured by astronauts on the International Space Station uses the same technique—which has not been used in previous ISS timelapses—with stunning results. Additionally, the footage is very recent, from January and February 2015. It was compiled by Phil Selmes.
	Astronauts take 2nd spacewalk for cable, lube job (AP)—Spacewalking astronauts breezed through a lube and cable job outside the International Space Station on Wednesday.
	Europe's electricity operators prepare for March solar eclipse Imagine: An entire UK plunged into darkness. Narrative for a science fiction trailer? Not at all. In parts of Europe, said Mirror Online, almost 90 per cent of the sun's rays will be blocked.
Water pools in US astronaut's helmet after spacewalk An American astronaut found water pooling inside his helmet after he finished a six-plus hour spacewalk on Wednesday, raising new concerns about the safety of NASA's spacesuits.
	Pink cloud visible in Arizona after New Mexico rocket launch (AP)—Early risers across much of Arizona were treated to a colorful sight—a pink cloud from a NASA research rocket that was launched Wednesday from a U.S. Army installation in New Mexico.

Technology news

	In Japan, robot dogs are for life - and death Incense smoke wafts through the cold air of the centuries-old Buddhist temple as a priest chants a sutra, praying for the peaceful transition of the souls of the departed.
	Researcher tackles some of the biggest bottlenecks holding back the data science industry When Kalyan Veeramachaneni joined the Any Scale Learning For All (ALFA) group at MIT's CSAIL as a postdoc in 2010, he worked on large-scale machine-learning platforms that enable the construction of models from huge data sets. "The question then was how to decompose a learning algorithm and data into pieces, so each piece could be locally loaded into different machines and several models could be learnt independently," says Veeramachaneni, currently a research scientist at ALFA.
	Journalists' use of social media in decline according to study The annual Social Journalism Study, conducted by Canterbury Christ Church University and Cision, has highlighted that while the majority of UK journalists now use social media for their work, they actually spend less time using the technology than they have in the last two years.
	Future vehicles will be virtually tested before the first prototype is built Future cars and trucks will be tested in a virtual environment long before the first vehicle prototype is built. UMIT Research Lab at Umeå University plays a key part when the vehicle manufacturers Scania and Volvo Cars and the simulation companies Algoryx Simulation and Modelon join forces to develop technology for the next generation of vehicle system simulators.
	The world's first printed jet engine Monash University researchers along with collaborators from CSIRO and Deakin University have printed a jet engine. In fact Monash and their spin-out company Amaero, have printed two engines. One is on display this week at the International Air Show in Avalon, while the second is displayed in Toulouse at the French aerospace company Microturbo (Safran).
	Electric-car driving range and emissions depend on where you live Many car buyers weighing whether they should go all electric to help the planet have at least one new factor to consider before making the switch: geography. Based on a study of a commercially available electric car, scientists report in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology that emissions and driving range can vary greatly depending on regional energy sources and climate.
	HAL wins: Computer program bests humans at 'Space Invaders' (AP)—Computers already have bested human champions in "Jeopardy!" and chess, but artificial intelligence now has gone to master an entirely new level: "Space Invaders."
	Companies increasingly turn to tech to keep drones out of no-fly zones Low-cost hobby drones are making the power of flight accessible to anyone with a few hundred bucks to spare. But a combination of technology and safety laws could take the controls out of users' hands.
	Internet access limited in developing world Most people in the developing world do not use the Internet, with access limited by high costs, poor availability and a lack of relevant content, a Facebook report said Tuesday.
Manhattan Project physicist Ralph Nobles dies at 94 (AP)—Ralph Nobles, a nuclear physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project and later led efforts to save thousands of acres of San Francisco Bay wetlands from development, died following complications of pneumonia, according to his daughter. He was 94.
	Unique solar lab shines year-round light in Stockholm Stockholm is one of the world's most sunlight-deprived capitals for almost half of the year. But now, the city's premier technical university, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, is home to one of the world's few solar laboratories.
	Ramp metering and speed limits to prevent traffic jams EPFL researchers showed that by managing the access to freeway junctions and moderating the speed limit on the express lanes it is possible to reduce delays by over 12% across the highway system.
	The aesthetic appearance of concrete is controversial Is a perfect concrete wall concrete without big pores? The aesthetic appearance of concrete is a controversial subject among developers, architects and building contractors. What does look like anyway? What is it that makes it attractive or ugly?
	Researchers develop a new acoustic insulation material that incorporates fibers from orange tree pruning Using the fibers from orange tree pruning as an acoustic insulator has been achieved in the laboratory by a team of researchers of the Universitat Politècnica de València and the Universitat de Girona.
	Lenovo's security debacle reveals blurred boundary between adware and malware A widely disliked habit of PC vendors is their bundling of all manner of unwanted software into brand new computers – demo software, games, or part-functional trials. Faced with shrinking margins vendors have treated this as an alternative income stream, going so far as to include adware that generates revenue through monitoring users' surfing habits, for example.
	Automated system enables unmanned aircraft to land QUT unmanned aircraft researchers have made what's believed to be a world-first breakthrough for small unmanned aircraft (UA) under 20 kilograms, developing an automated emergency landing system (AELS) that has enabled the aircraft to land on its its own.
New technology light-weight electric buses charge while operating Helsinki Region Transport and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd will launch an extensive joint pilot to introduce highly efficient light-weight electric buses. Buses have technology to charge their batteries in operation, in the capital region. Helsinki region with its demanding climatic conditions is an excellent test platform. This is the first extensive pre-commercial pilot project enabling a new mode of operation and service piloting in demanding conditions. The first buses, acquired from Linkker Ltd, will be in service by late summer.
Consumer behavior and free trials: What makes a customer stay? Free trials are wildly popular, but customers attracted with these promotions behave very differently from standard customers, according to a new study in the Journal of Marketing Research.
	SIM maker Gemalto confirms possible spy attacks European SIM maker Gemalto said Wednesday it had suffered hacking attacks that may have been conducted by US and British intelligence agencies but denied any "massive theft" of encryption keys that could be used to spy on conversations.
	Lexus tops auto dependability survey (AP)—Lexus is the most dependable car brand for the fourth consecutive year in rankings that increasingly hinge on high-tech features.
	Uber partners with Starwood, giving hotel points for rides (AP)—Uber is partnering with hotel chain Starwood to give riders a bit more incentive to choose the ride-hailing service over a taxi.
Motorola aims new phone at first-time smartphone buyers (AP)—Motorola is updating its low-cost smartphone, the Moto E, as it targets first-time smartphone buyers worldwide.
	EU police operation takes down malicious computer network (AP)—European police have taken down a computer network that used malicious software to infect more than 3 million computers worldwide and steal personal data, banking details and passwords.
Federal jury orders Apple to pay $532.9M in patent dispute (AP)—Apple has been ordered to pay nearly $533 million by a federal jury that found Apple's iTunes music store uses software that infringes on patents held by a Texas company.
Researchers discover cellular networks can be used to detect dangerous fog When warm air comes into contact with a cool surface and chills to saturation, fog materializes. It blankets open roads and runways and dramatically reduces visibility—often causing devastating accidents.
Google releases work tools designed for Android phones (AP)—Google is releasing a set of tools designed for businesses and employees who want to get work done on Android-powered smartphones, setting up a skirmish on another key front of mobile computing.
	Life-saving train design is rarely used (AP)—Nearly a decade ago, the U.S. secretary of transportation stood at the site of a horrendous commuter train crash near downtown Los Angeles and called for the adoption of a new train car design that testing showed could blunt the tremendous force of a head-on collision.
NY surveying banks on cyber security defenses (AP)—New York financial regulators are considering tougher cyber security requirements for banks to mandate more complex computer sign-ins and certifications from the contractors of their cyber defenses, the state's top regulator said Wednesday.
German chemicals sector sees falling sales in 2015 The German chemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors are projecting a drop in sales this year as falling oil prices weigh on chemicals prices, the VCI industry federation said Wednesday.
	Delhi seeks to block Uber app after rape claim Authorities in Delhi have asked the national government to block the Uber app, saying the cab hailing company is operating illegally in the Indian capital.
Britain clamps down on cold-calling epidemic Companies that bombard customers with nuisance calls and texts could face large fines under changes to British law announced Wednesday that make it easier for regulators to take action.
	Uzbekistan launches 'morality' crackdown on Internet cafes Authorities in Uzbekistan tightened control over Internet cafes in the capital Tashkent on Wednesday in a bid to stem the impact of "violent and immoral" web content and video games on children.

Chemistry news

Video: The chemistry of blue jeans, the pants that changed the world You might have a pair of them on right now, or maybe you have to wait until casual Friday. Blue jeans are among the most popular clothing items in the entire world.

Oat breakfast cereals may contain a common mold-related toxin Oats are often touted for boosting heart health, but scientists warn that the grain and its products might need closer monitoring for potential mold contamination. They report in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that some oat-based breakfast cereals in the U.S. contain a mold-related toxin called ochratoxin A (OTA) that's been linked to kidney cancer in animal studies. The findings could have implications for consumer health.

Biology news

	Boy or girl? Lemur scents have the answer Dozens of pregnancy myths claim to predict whether a mom-to-be is carrying a boy or a girl. Some say you can tell by the shape of a woman's bump, or whether she craves salty or sweet.
	Image: Human endothelial cells experiment bound for ISS Components of human endothelial cells stained for identification. In red is the 'actin' protein that allows the cells to move, adhere, divide and react to stimuli. In blue are the cell nuclei containing DNA.
	How jumping fish navigate land to find new pools (w/ Video) A 3-inch East Coast killifish can jump across land and navigate from one tide pool to another – a finding that could give insight into how sea creatures first made the transition to land, according to research by a Cornell undergraduate.
	Disappearing lakes stoke megafauna debate New research into central Australia's ancient lakes has found evidence that climate change contributed to the extinction of the continent's megafauna.
	Behaviour study shows rats know how to repay kindness If I scratch your back and you scratch mine, then we're both better off as a result – so goes the principle of reciprocity, one of the most popular explanations for how co-operative behaviour has evolved. But what if one partner provides a better service than another? A paper by Dolivo and Taborsky shows that Norway rats will only give as good as they get.
Mountain birds beat the odds Mountain chickadees (Poecile gambeli), a North American bird in the tit family, store away food for later occasions. These birds are found at different elevations where varying winter conditions are experienced. Previous research showed that mountain chickadees living at harsher high elevations have bigger hippocampi, the part of the brain which plays an important role in memory and spatial navigation. These chickadees also have far superior spatial memory. This helps them to be better at remembering where they hid food away.
Epigenetic 'switch' regulates RNA-protein interactions Chemical changes - also known as epigenetic modifications - to messenger RNA (mRNA) are thought to play an important role in gene expression, and have recently been found to affect biological processes such as circadian clock management and obesity. But the specific mechanisms involved have been poorly understood.
How does the human brain tackle problems it did not evolve to solve? Online dating, chatty smartphones, and social media played no role in the evolution of our ancestors, yet humans manage to deal with and even exploit these hallmarks of modern living. In the February 25 issue of the Cell Press journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Dartmouth College researchers review the latest social neuroscience literature and argue that our ability to respond to the challenges of a fast-changing culture comes from our brains' ability to flexibly combine and repurpose the neural resources that evolution provided us.
	Molecular feedback loop gives clues to how flowers drop their petals As Valentine's Day fades into the past, you may be noticing a surfeit of petals accumulate around your vase of flowers. A new study from the University of Missouri sheds new light on the process that governs how and when plants shed their petals, a process known as abscission. The findings are reported this week in the online Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	A new, low-cost way of accurately predicting the antimicrobial properties of honey Food scientists at The University of Queensland have discovered a new, low-cost way of accurately predicting the antimicrobial properties of honey.
	Researchers develop targeted approach to reduce rabies Researchers at the University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory are evaluating new methods to reduce the spread of rabies in wildlife populations.
Fighting invasive species in Michigan's lakes Everyone knows that clean water is important. But for the state of Michigan, surrounded on three sides by the Great Lakes, it is absolutely essential—to the economy and the environment. That's why the research being done by U-M professor Vincent Denef is so critical.
Molecular mouse-trap technique sheds light on key cell processes Scientists have shed new light on the fundamental biological process of cell division, thanks to an emerging analytical method.
	Regulating genome-edited crops that aren't GMOs A survey of rice, wheat, barley, fruit, and vegetable crops found that most mutants created by advanced genetic engineering techniques may be out of the scope of current genetically modified organism (GMO) regulations. In a review of these findings, published in the February 25 issue of the Cell Press journal Trends in Plant Science, two bioethicists from Hokkaido University propose new regulatory models for genome-edited crops and declare a call to action for clarifying the social issues associated with such genetically engineered crops.
	How the 'mute' cicada sings "Mute" cicadas may use the sound of wing impact to communicate, according to a study published February 25, 2015 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Changqing Luo from Northwest A&F University, China, and colleagues.
Methods to multiply pluripotent cells for potential therapies raise worries about cancer The therapeutic promise of human stem cells is indisputably huge, but the process of translating their potential into effective, real-world treatments involves deciphering and resolving a host of daunting complexities.
New study shows safer methods for stem cell culturing A new study led by researchers at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) and the University of California (UC), San Diego School of Medicine shows that certain stem cell culture methods are associated with increased DNA mutations. The study points researchers toward safer and more robust methods of growing stem cells to treat disease and injury.
Public perceptions of monkeys affected by the media The way that monkeys are displayed in the media, such as in human settings and in contact with humans, can have serious effects on the way that the public perceives those species, according to a new study that publishes on Feb. 25, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.

Medicine & Health news

	Widely used food additive promotes colitis, obesity and metabolic syndrome, research shows Emulsifiers, which are added to most processed foods to aid texture and extend shelf life, can alter the gut microbiota composition and localization to induce intestinal inflammation that promotes the development of inflammatory bowel disease and metabolic syndrome, new research shows.
	Study finds that animals and humans have similar lash length It started with a trip to the basement of the American Museum of Natural History in New York to inspect preserved animal hides. Later, Georgia Institute of Technology researchers built a wind tunnel about 2 feet tall, complete with a makeshift eye. By putting both steps together, the team discovered that 22 species of mammals - from humans, to hedgehogs, to giraffes ¬- are the same: their eyelash length is one-third the width of their eye. Anything shorter or longer, including the fake eyelashes that are popular in Hollywood and make-up aisles, increases airflow around the eye and leads to more dust hitting the surface.
	Navigating nerve fibres take different shapes An analysis of how nerve fibres make vital connections during brain development could aid the understanding of how some cognitive disorders occur.
	Twitter could bring better understanding of vaccine refusal patterns A team of researchers has developed a new way to understand vaccine refusal by drawing upon an unlikely resource: Twitter.
Scientists develop a novel method to suppress malaria parasite's virulence genes Up to one million people, mainly pregnant woman and young children, are killed each year by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, which causes the most devastating form of human malaria.
	EEGs can predict a movie's success better then surveys Seventy five percent of movies earn a net loss during their run in theaters. A new study in the Journal of Marketing Research finds that brain activity visible through EEG measures may be a much cheaper and more accurate way to predict the commercial success of movies.
How the landscape of the pancreatic cancer genome is coming into view Scientists from Australia and the UK have done the most in-depth analysis yet of 100 pancreatic cancer genomes and highlighted 4 subtypes that may help guide future patient treatment. The study is published in Nature today.
Antifreeze protein from ticks fights frostbite in mice A protein that protects ticks from freezing temperatures also prevents frostbite when introduced in mice, a Yale-led study has found. The research is the first to demonstrate the protein's ability to boost frostbite resistance in an adult mammal.
Researchers find link between inflammation, tissue regeneration and wound repair response Almost all injuries, even minor skin scratches, trigger an inflammatory response, which provides protection against invading microbes but also turns on regenerative signals needed for healing and injury repair - a process that is generally understood but remains mysterious in its particulars.
Hidden gene gives hope for improving brain function U.S. and Australian scientists have found the mechanism a novel gene uses to affect brain function and elicit behavior related to neuropsychiatric disease.
India's doctors should be helped to expose poor practice or misconduct Healthcare professionals should be helped to speak up if they become aware of threats to patient safety or wrongdoing. But as journalist Patralekha Chatterjee reports in The BMJ today, it's not easy for doctors in India to raise such concerns in practice.
An evolutionary approach reveals new clues toward understanding the roots of schizophrenia Is mental illness simply the evolutionary toll humans have to pay in return for our unique and superior cognitive abilities when compared to all other species? But if so, why have often debilitating illnesses like schizophrenia persisted throughout human evolutionary history when the affects can be quite negative on an individual's chances of survival or reproductive success?
	Scientists report bionic hand reconstruction in 3 Austrian men Three Austrian men have become the first in the world to undergo a new technique called "bionic reconstruction", enabling them to use a robotic prosthetic hand controlled by their mind, according to new research published in The Lancet. All three men suffered for many years with brachial plexus injuries and poor hand function as a result of motor vehicle and climbing accidents.
UK 1st country to allow creation of embryos from 3 people (AP)—Britain has become the first country in the world to allow the creation of human embryos from the DNA of three people, a technique intended to help mothers avoid passing on genetically degenerative diseases to their babies.
Smoking for 75 minutes in a car could render you unconscious It was announced earlier this month that drivers in England will be banned from smoking in their cars from October if they are carrying children as passengers.
Warning on use of melatonin for children's sleep Sleep researchers at the University of Adelaide are warning doctors and parents not to provide the drug melatonin to children to help control their sleep problems.
Harsh winter brings some psychological benefits, says researcher University at Buffalo researcher Mark Seery, who studies stress and coping, says the severe winter weather seems at first glance to have few redeeming qualities. Frigid temperatures and daily battles with mounds of snow and ice are testing the resolve of the heartiest among us.
	Helping Japanese youth bounce back from disaster University of Queensland experts are working with Japanese schools to help identify and reduce the long-term effects of trauma in children after a disaster.
Researchers discover new clues for treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacteria Researchers at the University of Georgia have identified a previously unknown process that many bacteria, including those that cause disease in humans, use to survive. Their discovery could lead to new therapies for bacterial infections like MRSA and tuberculosis that are resistant to current antibiotic treatments.
	Study identifies children at risk for persistent mathematics difficulties A recent study published in the Journal of Learning Disabilities suggests early screening and intervention may prevent persistent math difficulties (PMD) for at-risk children.
	Researchers to test 'breakthrough' pediatric leukemia treatment A promising method of immunotherapy to treat children with relapsed acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is opening at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center and American Family Children's Hospital. The trial is open to relapsed/refractory pediatric ALL patients who have limited treatment options.
	New York's preschool expansion tilts system toward better-off families Rather than extending access to new families, Mayor Bill de Blasio's robust expansion of free preschool across New York City has instead drawn thousands of children from existing programs and aided better-off families who already enjoyed abundant preschool supply, according to a new study  released today (Feb. 25).
	Study confirms long-term benefits of melanoma immunotherapy A long-term follow up of people on an international clinical trial has confirmed the benefit of immunotherapy for certain patients with advanced (stage 3 or 4) melanoma.
	Anxiety and depression more common among smokers While as many as one in three smokers think lighting up can relieve stress, new research shows that smokers are actually 70 per cent more likely to say they are anxious or depressed than non-smokers.
Daily menu plan reduces blood sugar significantly A large group of people with diabetes who followed a menu plan created by University of Alberta nutrition researchers for just three months significantly reduced their blood sugar levels.
	Scientists grow leg muscle from cells in a dish A team of researchers from Italy, Israel and the United Kingdom has succeeded in generating mature, functional skeletal muscles in mice using a new approach for tissue engineering. The scientists grew a leg muscle starting from engineered cells cultured in a dish to produce a graft. The subsequent graft was implanted close to a normal, contracting skeletal muscle where the new muscle was nurtured and grown. In time, the method could allow for patient-specific treatments for a large number of muscle disorders. The results are published in EMBO Molecular Medicine.
	Graphene shows potential as novel anti-cancer therapeutic strategy University of Manchester scientists have used graphene to target and neutralise cancer stem cells while not harming other cells.
	Study shows almost one-third of Welsh adults struggling with long term pain Thousands of Welsh adults have not learnt to live with the symptoms of persistent health conditions, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Cardiology.
	Maps help public health officials fight malaria, West Nile Virus When it comes to describing a scenario, a picture is worth a thousand words—and may also help save thousands of lives. Thanks to research at SDSU, public health officials can use satellite data to anticipate outbreaks of West Nile virus in South Dakota and malaria in the highlands of Ethiopia.
Exploring the genetic origins of autism The geneticist Sébastien Jacquemont is the new holder of the Canada Research Chair in Genetics of Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Associated Dysregulation in Energy Balance at the University of Montreal. He moved to the city in September to join the Faculty of Medicine and work with members of the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center.
Novel computer model designed to understand cardiovascular diseases Researchers have developed a novel three-dimensional, multiscale and multicomponent model of endothelial cells monolayer, the inner lining of artery, to identify the cellular mechanisms involved in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). New research based on the model is able to identify the main cellular pathways involved in the initiation and progression of the disease.
	Secret to health benefits of sunshine is more than vitamin D Summer sunshine makes most of us feel better, but there may be more to the benefits than just feeling good. A growing body of evidence suggests sunlight itself – with adequate protection, of course – may actually be good for health.
Researchers redefine role of brain's 'hunger circuit' Using techniques developed only over the past few years, UC San Francisco researchers have completed experiments that overturn the scientific consensus on how the brain's "hunger circuit" governs eating.
	Flawed study overstates link between fluoride and ill health Researchers have widely criticised a new study that questions the safety of water fluoridation, arguing the findings were overstated and the study poorly designed.
Increased risk from toxoplasmosis A third of all humans carry the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis—a disease commonly associated with cats, HIV-AIDS patients and pregnant women—with scientists long believing healthy immune systems control the parasite and prevent the disease from emerging. But new research by professor Kirk Jensen of the University of California, Merced, shows the parasite might be more dangerous than previously believed.
	Medical tourism isn't always a fair deal for developing countries Medical tourism is an awful term. It conveys an image of people from a cold climate flying off to some warm beach resort for a bit of nip and tuck, some dental repair or a few weeks of health spa rejuvenation. Although this does occur, many people crossing borders for health care are doing so for serious medical conditions.
Using snus doubles the risk of alcohol dependency People who use snus run twice the risk of developing alcohol dependency compared with non-users, and the more one uses snus, the higher the risk. This has been found in a study from Umeå University which was published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
Experts criticise 'inaccurate' view that B Vitamins have no role in Alzheimer's disease prevention Patients in the very early stages of dementia could miss out on a potentially effective treatment after misleading research was published last year, say medical experts.
Scientists discover unique risk variants of age-related macular degeneration in East Asians Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of blindness in the elderly in Singapore and worldwide. By 2040, global projected cases of AMD are 288 million, with the largest number of cases in Asia (113 million).
Fundraising 101: Tempting alternatives increase willingness to donate Charities are always trying to understand what type of appeal will increase the likelihood of donations. According to a new study in the Journal of Marketing Research, people are also very driven by seeing the good in themselves. Referencing particularly indulgent products (not a simple cup of coffee), can significantly increase charitable donations.
	Is your busy schedule affecting your health? Time might not be the problem The modern schedule is infamously frantic, leaving many of us feeling constantly pressed for time. But that feeling may not have much to do with time itself, according to a new study in the Journal of Marketing Research.
What does the future hold for treating patients with locally advanced breast cancer? Treating patients with locally advanced inoperable breast cancer is an extremely difficult task. The overwhelming majority of patients treated for this disease suffer relapse and, despite the best multimodal treatment, do not survive. There is a medical need to examine current and potential treatments, and EORTC researchers have recently published an article in Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology concerning this topic.
Playful adults preferred in choice of partner Playful adults are fond of wordplay, like improvising, approach a challenge lightheartedly, take pleasure in unusual things, deal with others in a playful way, enjoy teasing - and create situations in which they and others are entertained: Playfulness in humans has many facets. In psychology, however, comparatively little research has been conducted into playfulness in adulthood.
UN health agency urges Europe to step up measles vaccination (AP)—The World Health Organization is urging Europe to step up measles vaccination efforts as countries report thousands of cases of the disease.
Italian teen gets titanium pelvis in world first An Italian teenager suffering from bone cancer has had half his pelvis replaced by a titanium transplant in what medics at Turin's university hospital centre said Wednesday was a world first.
Could an HIV drug beat strep throat, flesh-eating bacteria? With antibiotic resistance on the rise, scientists are looking for innovative ways to combat bacterial infections. The pathogen that causes conditions from strep throat to flesh-eating disease is among them, but scientists have now found a tool that could help them fight it: a drug approved to treat HIV. Their work, appearing in the journal ACS Chemical Biology, could someday lead to new treatments.
New findings show stark inequalities in aging as government encourages us to work longer Changes in pension and employment policies are making it increasingly necessary for older people in the UK to work beyond the age of 65. However, new research from the University of Surrey finds significant differences in the likelihood of employment and income levels of people beyond 65, depending on their gender and health.
Postoperative mortality rates low among patients with HIV prescribed ART Postoperative mortality rates were low among patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), and those mortality rates were influenced as much by age and poor nutritional status as CD4 cell counts, according to a report published online by JAMA Surgery.
Supreme Court drills dentists in teeth-bleaching dispute (AP)—The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a state regulatory board made up mostly of dentists violated federal law against unfair competition when it tried to prevent lower-cost competitors in other fields from offering teeth-whitening services.
	Remote patient monitoring sector increasing rapidly (HealthDay)—The remote patient monitoring sector is growing rapidly and could have a considerable impact on health care, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
	Risk of violent crime rises with depression, study finds (HealthDay)—People with depression might be more likely to commit a violent crime than those without depression, a new study suggests.
Parkinson's disease patients have reduced visual contrast acuity Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) often have difficulties with visual acuity in low-contrast images. Because they may have normal high-contrast vision, this is often overlooked during routine eye exams. In the current issue of the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, researchers report that PD patients had significantly worse vision for low-contrast images at close (40 cm) and far (2 m) distances. Even for high-contrast images, PD patients' vision was deficient at far distances.
Quick antibiotics reduce PICU needs and mortality of pediatric cancer patients A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published in the journal Pediatric Blood & Cancer shows that pediatric cancer patients who receive antibiotics within 60 minutes of reporting fever and showing neutropenia (low neutrophil count), go on to have decreased intensive care consultation rate and lower mortality compared with patients who receive antibiotics outside the 60-minute window.
	Study reveals possible biological trigger for canine bone cancer Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) have identified the biological mechanism that may give some cancer cells the ability to form tumors in dogs.
	Study IDs key birds that host Lyme disease bacteria in California Birds are more important than previously recognized as hosts for Lyme disease-causing bacteria in California, according to a study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.
Vet researchers identify effective treatment for Niemann Pick Type C Niemann Pick Disease type C, or NPC, is a disease most people have never heard of, affecting just one person in 150,000. Yet the disease is a devastating one. Frequently diagnosed in children in their elementary school years, sufferers usually die by the time they're 20. The disease is sometimes referred to as "childhood Alzheimer's" because of the progressive mental and physical decline seen in the children it afflicts.
Mechanistic insight into immortal cells could speed clinical use The mechanistic understanding of the relatively new technique for growing cells in culture indefinitely - known as conditional reprogramming - has been deciphered and reported in the February 25th issue of PLOS ONE. Researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center say identifying the mechanisms of immortalization lays the groundwork for future clinical use of these cells.
Plant chemicals may prevent liver damage caused by fat accumulated during menopause Women going through menopause often struggle with weight gain that results when their estrogen levels drop, and many turn to weight-loss supplements to help them shed those extra pounds. But those supplements may cause an accumulation of fat in the liver and a potentially life-threatening condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
	The body's Transformers: Researchers examine a shape-shifting protein in the brain Like the shape-shifting robots of "Transformers" fame, a unique class of proteins in the human body also has the ability to alter their configuration. These so-named intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) lack a fixed or ordered three-dimensional structure, which can be influenced by exposure to various chemicals and cellular modifications.
	New compound may lead to development of cheaper anti-cancer drugs A new compound developed at the University of Toronto Scarborough could play an important role in developing cheaper anti-cancer drugs.
	Cherenkov Effect improves radiation therapy for patients with cancer The characteristic blue glow from a nuclear reactor is present in radiation therapy, too. Investigators from Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center, led by Brian W. Pogue, PhD, and PhD candidates Adam K. Glaser and Rongxiao Zhang, published in Physics in Medicine and Biology how the complex parts of the blue light known as the Cherenkov Effect can be measured and used in dosimetry to make therapies safer and more effective.
Unusual disease that causes acute confusion may be underdiagnosed An unusual disease called Susac syndrome, which can cause acute confusion and problems with hearing and eyesight, is rare but probably under reported, Loyola University Medical Center physicians report in the Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases.
Cystic fibrosis discovery may lead to new treatment strategy, help patients breathe easier A team led by UC San Francisco professor of medicine John Fahy, MD, has discovered why mucus in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) is thick, sticky and difficult to cough up, leaving these patients more vulnerable to lung infection.
	Shining new light on vascular diseases in diabetics Approximately 8 to 12 million people in the United States alone are suffering from peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a common vascular problem that is caused by narrowing of the arteries as a result of plaque buildup. The plaque accumulation leads to an insufficient blood flow to the body's extremities and increases a person's risk for heart attack and stroke by up to six times. PAD is also one of the most serious complications of diabetes.
Study shows less aggressive behavior toward strangers in autism spectrum disorder model While aggression toward caregivers and peers is a challenge faced by many individuals and families dealing with autism, there has been much speculation in the media over the possibility of generally heightened aggression in those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. A new study by scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) found no evidence of increased aggressive behavior toward strangers in an animal model of the condition.
Sleeping over 8 hours a day associated with greater risk of stroke People who sleep for more than eight hours a day have an increased risk of stroke, according to a study by the University of Cambridge - and this risk doubles for older people who persistently sleep longer than average. However, the researchers say it is unclear why this association exists and call for further research to explore the link.
Heart failure patients struggling with daily tasks more often hospitalized, die early Heart failure patients who struggle doing daily tasks are more likely to be hospitalized and die early, according to new research in the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Heart Failure.
Helmet add-ons may not lower concussion risk in athletes Football helmet add-ons such as outer soft-shell layers, spray treatments, helmet pads and fiber sheets may not significantly help lower the risk of concussions in athletes, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 67th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, April 18 to 25, 2015.
	Essential role for pediatricians in care of sexual exploitation victims (HealthDay)—Pediatricians have a role to play in identification and treatment of victims of child sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), according to a clinical report published online Feb. 23 in Pediatrics.
	Review: more whole grains, less coronary heart disease (HealthDay)—Higher dietary intake of whole grains may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), according to a meta-analysis published in the March 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
	Characteristics of tuberculosis source cases identified (HealthDay)—In 26 U.S. tuberculosis outbreaks the initial source case-patients had long incubation periods and were characterized by substance abuse, incarceration, and homelessness, according to a study published in the March issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Emerging Infectious Disease.
1 minute test predicts how well a patient may recover after an operation CHICAGO (February 25): Frailty has been used to predict how well a patient may recover from a major operation. Because frailty assessments are not routinely utilized in busy surgical practices, surgeons at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta have discovered that a short, approximately one-minute assessment can accurately determine how likely a patient is to have complications after an operation.
Respiratory viruses most common cause of pneumonia in children, study finds Respiratory viruses, not bacterial infections, are the most commonly detected causes of community-acquired pneumonia in children, according to new research released Feb. 26 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
One in 3 women could potentially be spared chronic pain after breast cancer surgery One in every three women undergoing a mastectomy could potentially be spared chronic post-operative pain if anesthesiologists used a regional anesthetic technique in combination with standard care, according to a new study.
	Largest study of its kind documents causes of childhood community-acquired pneumonia With the chill of winter comes a spike in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), which spreads more easily as people retreat indoors and come into close contact. The lung infection triggers persistent coughing, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing, and is particularly hard on the very young and the very old. In fact, pneumonia is the leading cause of hospitalization among U.S. children, with estimated medical costs of $1 billion annually.
Bariatric surgery affects risk of pregnancy complications Bariatric surgery has both a positive and negative influence on the risk of complications during subsequent pregnancy and delivery, concludes a new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The results, which are published in the New England Journal of Medicine, indicate that maternal health services should regard such cases as risk pregnancies.
Nasty stomach bug much more common than thought in US (AP)—A nasty intestinal bug sickens nearly twice as many Americans each year as was previously thought, according to the largest U.S. study to look at the problem.
Systemic sclerosis patients with unhealed digital ulcers benefit from fat cell transplant Digital ulcers (DUs) are a frequent, painful, and quality of life altering complication for patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a connective tissue disease causing a progressive loss of small blood vessels and resulting changes in organs and tissues. DUs on the fingertips of SSc patients are slow to heal, if they heal at all, as many are unresponsive to any therapies.
India's private healthcare sector 'treats patients as revenue generators' India's private healthcare sector "treats patients as revenue generators" argues a senior doctor in The BMJ today. A second article argues that private healthcare providers in India "are above the law, leaving patients without protection."
Short hospital stay linked to increased risk of death following hip fracture Older patients are more likely to die following a short hospital stay for a hip fracture, finds research published in The BMJ today.
	Jamaica decriminalizes small amounts of 'ganja' (AP)—Marijuana has been pervasive but illegal in Jamaica for decades, consumed as a medicinal herb, puffed as a sacrament by Rastafarians and sung about in the island's famed reggae music.
Clarithromycin as an anti-cancer agent An antibiotic may join the ranks of drugs suitable for repurposing as anti-cancer treatments, according to new research from the Repurposing Drugs in Oncology (ReDO) project published in ecancermedicalscience.
	24 hour news amnesia—how the public swiftly forgets murderers and their victims Almost eight out of ten people cannot recall the names of the UK's most notorious serial killers, paedophiles or their victims, despite the wall-to-wall media coverage of these cases over the past decade.
	A new Spanish peanut variety for consumers, growers A new Spanish peanut variety that packs high levels of healthful oleic acid has been released by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists and university cooperators. The new variety, called OLé, could provide producers and consumers with a peanut that has disease resistance, longer shelf life and heart-healthy qualities.
	Automatic drug dispensers empower the elderly Sixteen elderly people in a Norwegian municipality have been testing an automatic drug dispenser at home in their living rooms. Results include increased feelings of empowerment, time saved by the home care services, and fewer medication errors.
	Researchers find a technique to perform endotracheal intubation in a moving ambulance Researchers at the University of Alicante Nursing Department have carried out a project to achieve successful endotracheal intubation in a moving ambulance. With the collaboration of ASV Transporte Sanitario Ayuda, a group based in the province of Alicante, and the firm Medical Simulator-Innovación en Educación, they are assessing the possibility of safely assisting patients in medical vehicles at all times by performing certain procedures, such as intubation.
	More than 2 hours of TV a day increases high blood pressure risk in children by 30 percent A study on European children concludes that spending more than two hours a day in front of a screen increases the probability of high blood pressure by 30%. The article also points out that doing no daily physical activity or doing less than an hour a day increases this risk by 50%.
Nonprescription diet pill alli back in stores after recall (AP)—GlaxoSmithKline's diet pill, alli (ow-LEYE'), is now back in most U.S. stores.
International classification of functioning, disability and health benefits neurorehab research Use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) has increased significantly over the last decade. The current issue of NeuroRehabilitation features a series of insightful articles that provide examples of how the ICF can be successfully implemented in clinical practice and research related to neurorehabilitation, ultimately benefiting patient care.
Tagging drugs to fight counterfeit medicines The U.S. and other countries are enacting rules to clamp down on the sales of fake pharmaceuticals, which pose a public health threat. But figuring out a system to track and authenticate legitimate drugs still faces significant obstacles, according to an article in Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society.
Broad definition of 'commercially confidential' endangers transparency In April 2014 the EU Parliament and Council commissioned the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to establish a publicly accessible database containing comprehensive data from clinical studies. The deadline for comments on the transparency aspect of the database specifications was the 18th of February.
	Both parties face risks as health care law court case nears (AP)—Twenty-two out of 24. And 206 to 96.Those numbers tell much about the political impact of a Supreme Court case in which conservatives and Republicans hope to demolish a pillar of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. The justices hear arguments next week.
	Obamacare won't swamp doctors, study contends (HealthDay)—The greater number of Americans with health insurance under the Affordable Care Act will lead to only a slight increase in the use of medical services, and the health system can cope with the added demand, a new report states.
Traditional healer returns to first Ebola-affected village (AP)—Here at ground zero of West Africa's Ebola outbreak, a local traditional healer returned to complete the removal of a curse residents believe could have been placed on their village in Guinea.
5 tips for handling early-year medical expenses The clock on insurance deductibles reset on Jan. 1, and that means big medical bills are in store for some. Patients may be required to pay thousands of dollars before their health care coverage kicks in.
Navigators help patients overcome health-care inequities Traversing the healthcare system can be daunting for almost anyone. Add in the many obstacles that low-income uninsured populations face, and it becomes tremendously more difficult. But a new Northwestern Medicine study shows that guidance from trained navigators can help patients overcome healthcare inequities.
	Sub-Saharan Africans rate their well-being and health care among the lowest in the world Sub-Saharan Africans rate their own wellbeing, their health and their health-care systems among the lowest in the world, according to a new report published by Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
Improving inmate health can lead to better community health and safety If prisoners received better health care while behind bars and after release, both their health and the community's health would improve, new research has found.
3 US tobacco companies to settle 400 smoking lawsuits Three major US tobacco companies—Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds and Lorillard—have agreed to pay $100 million to settle more than 400 lawsuits claiming that smoking damaged people's health.
	Six-month dual antiplatelet tx noninferior to 24-month DAPT (HealthDay)—For aspirin-sensitive patients undergoing everolimus-eluting stent implantation, six-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is noninferior to 24-month DAPT, according to a study published in the March 3 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Many transplant surgeons suffer burnout Despite saving thousands of lives yearly, nearly half of organ transplant surgeons report a low sense of personal accomplishment and 40% feel emotionally exhausted, according to a national study on transplant surgeon burnout

Other Sciences news

	Crocs rocked pre-Amazonian Peru: New research uncovers 7 crocodile species in single 13-million-year-old bone bed Thirteen million years ago, as many as seven different species of crocodiles hunted in the swampy waters of what is now northeastern Peru, new research shows. This hyperdiverse assemblage, revealed through more than a decade of work in Amazon bone beds, contains the largest number of crocodile species co-existing in one place at any time in Earth's history, likely due to an abundant food source that forms only a small part of modern crocodile diets: mollusks like clams and snails. The work, published today in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, helps fill in gaps in understanding the history of the Amazon's remarkably rich biodiversity.
	Zombie outbreak? Statistical mechanics reveal the ideal hideout A team of Cornell University researchers focusing on a fictional zombie outbreak as an approach to disease modeling suggests heading for the hills, in the Rockies, to save your 'braains' from the 'undead.'
	Passive Facebook use undermines how a person feels Using Facebook only to scroll through your news feed or browse other people's profiles can have a negative impact on your well-being, says a University of Michigan researcher.
Workplace negativity can hurt productivity Employees who point out problems in the office may help the company improve, but could be hurting themselves in the process.
Predicting consumer preferences? Do not walk a mile in their shoes Salespeople have long believed that by imagining themselves as the customer, they can steer clear of their own personal preferences and make decisions that will appeal to consumers in general. According to a new study in the Journal of Marketing Research, the reality is exactly the opposite.
International marketing: Are store brands becoming a global phenomenon? Big name brands in the United States and Western Europe face a serious and growing threat from successful store brands. A new study in the Journal of International Marketing explains why store brands have taken some countries by storm while leaving other countries relatively untouched.
Why companies don't learn from their mistakes The mobile phone bill is not quite correct, the wrong food is served at a restaurant or the hotel room hasn't been properly cleaned: Most of us may have been annoyed about situations like these. Self-confident customers then usually vent their dissatisfaction towards a service employee. But what happens next? Do companies analyze the complaints of unhappy customers to learn from them and to improve the service quality?
Understanding faith, teaching evolution not mutually exclusive Discussing the relationship between science and faith, rather than avoiding the discussion, may better prepare future high school biology teachers for anticipating questions about evolution, according to Penn State political scientists.