Science X Newsletter Monday, Mar 2

Phys.org Newsletter for March 2, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Best of Last Week–Can space travel faster than light, another planet behind the Sun and should we allow head transplants 
- Light, meet matter: Single-photon quantum memory in diamond optical phonons at room temperature 
- Pens filled with high-tech inks for do-it-yourself sensors 
- The first ever photograph of light as both a particle and wave 
- Black phosphorus is new 'wonder material' for improving optical communication 
- Forbidden quantum leaps possible with high-resolution spectroscopy 
- Breakthrough in OLED technology 
- Mind-readers: Scientists crack a piece of the neural code for learning and memory 
- Water in smog may reveal pollution sources 
- Aerogel catalyst shows promise for fuel cells 
- Purring tempo, sliding notes grab cats' attention 
- Sleep-walking neurons: Brain's GPS never stops working-even during sleep 
- Genetically speaking, mammals are more like their fathers 
- Construction begins 2016 for Hyperloop on five-mile stretch 
- An old-looking galaxy in a young universe 

Nanotechnology news

	New nanodevice defeats drug resistance Chemotherapy often shrinks tumors at first, but as cancer cells become resistant to drug treatment, tumors can grow back. A new nanodevice developed by MIT researchers can help overcome that by first blocking the gene that confers drug resistance, then launching a new chemotherapy attack against the disarmed tumors.
	Researchers use lab-scale human colon and septic tank to study impact of copper nanoparticles on the environment What do a human colon, septic tank, copper nanoparticles and zebrafish have in common? They were the key components used by researchers at the University of California, Riverside and UCLA to study the impact copper nanoparticles, which are found in everything from paint to cosmetics, have on organisms inadvertently exposed to them.
	Glass coating improves battery performance Lithium-sulfur batteries have been a hot topic in battery research because of their ability to produce up to 10 times more energy than conventional batteries, which means they hold great promise for applications in energy-demanding electric vehicles.
	Research partnership explores how to best harness solar-power A University of Cincinnati research partnership is reporting advances on how to one day make solar cells stronger, lighter, more flexible and less expensive when compared with the current silicon or germanium technology on the market.
	Manipulation of light through tiny technology could lead to big benefits for everything from TVs to microscopes What if one day, your computer, TV or smart phone could process data with light waves instead of an electrical current, making those devices faster, cheaper and more sustainable through less heat and power consumption? That's just one possibility that could one day result from an international research collaboration that's exploring how to improve the performance of plasmonic devices.

Physics news

	Light, meet matter: Single-photon quantum memory in diamond optical phonons at room temperature (Phys.org)—Photonic quantum technologies – including cryptography, enhanced measurement and information processing – face a conundrum: They require single photons, but these are difficult to create, manipulate and measure. At the same time, quantum memories enable these technologies by acting as a photonic buffer. Therefore, an ideal part of the solution would be a single-photon on-demand read/write quantum memory. To date, however, development of a practical single-photon quantum memory has been stymied by (1) the need for high efficiency, (2) the read/write lasers used introducing noise that contaminates the quantum state, and (3) decoherence of the information stored in the memory.
	The first ever photograph of light as both a particle and wave (Phys.org)—Light behaves both as a particle and as a wave. Since the days of Einstein, scientists have been trying to directly observe both of these aspects of light at the same time. Now, scientists at EPFL have succeeded in capturing the first-ever snapshot of this dual behavior.
	Breakthrough in OLED technology Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), which are made from carbon-containing materials, have the potential to revolutionize future display technologies, making low-power displays so thin they'll wrap or fold around other structures, for instance.
	Forbidden quantum leaps possible with high-resolution spectroscopy A new twist on an old tool lets scientists use light to study and control matter with 1,000 times better resolution and precision than previously possible.
	Black phosphorus is new 'wonder material' for improving optical communication Phosphorus, a highly reactive element commonly found in match heads, tracer bullets, and fertilizers, can be turned into a stable crystalline form known as black phosphorus. In a new study, researchers from the University of Minnesota used an ultrathin black phosphorus film—only 20 layers of atoms—to demonstrate high-speed data communication on nanoscale optical circuits.
	Rhodopsin on track: Biological pigment aligns in double rows Scientists from the caesar research center, an Institute of the Max Planck Society, have explained, with the help of electron microscopy, how the pigment rhodopsin is arranged in the rod cells of the retina. This question has long been subject of a heated scientific debate. The findings have been published in the scientific journal Structure. Future research on diseases causing blindness will be facilitated by this discovery.
	Throwing light on a mysterious human 'superpower' Most people, at some point in their lives, have dreamt of being able to fly like Superman or develop superhuman strength like the Hulk. But very few know that we human beings have a "superpower" of our own, which almost anybody can perform by simply staring at the computer screen in front of them. As physics teacher David Shane explains in March's issue of Physics World, human beings have an astonishing ability to detect the polarization of light with just the naked eye.
	Important step towards quantum computing: Metals at atomic scale German scientists from RWTH Aachen, Research Center Jülich, TU Dresden and of the Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden report that the current flow on the surface of a topological insulator is channeled along tiny paths, which have been theoretically calculated and experimentally observed. Their work has been published in the issue from March 2, 2015 of the journal Nature Physics. The team shows for Bismuth-Rhodium-Iodine that these channels are tied to one dimensional surface features and run along steps formed by the edges of atomic layers. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy reveals the electron channels to be continuous in both energy and space and less than one nanometer wide.

Earth news

	Water in smog may reveal pollution sources The chemical signature of water vapor emitted by combustion sources such as vehicles and furnaces has been found in the smoggy winter inversions that often choke Salt Lake City. The discovery may give researchers a new tool to track down the sources of pollutants and climate-changing carbon dioxide gas.
	Genetics reveals where emperor penguins survived the last ice age A study of how climate change has affected emperor penguins over the last 30,000 years found that only three populations may have survived during the last ice age, and that the Ross Sea in Antarctica was likely the refuge for one of these populations.
	Core work: Iron vapor gives clues to formation of Earth and Moon Recreating the violent conditions of Earth's formation, scientists are learning more about how iron vaporizes and how this iron rain affected the formation of the Earth and Moon. The study is published March 2 in Nature Geoscience.
	Warming temperatures implicated in recent California droughts California has experienced more frequent drought years in the last two decades than it has in the past several centuries. That observed uptick is primarily the result of rising temperatures in the region, which have climbed to record highs as a result of climate change, Stanford scientists say.
	Did climate change help spark the Syrian war? A new study says a record drought that ravaged Syria in 2006-2010 was likely stoked by ongoing manmade climate change, and that the drought may have helped propel the 2011 Syrian uprising. Researchers say the drought, the worst ever recorded in the region, destroyed agriculture in the breadbasket region of northern Syria, driving dispossessed farmers to cities, where poverty, government mismanagement and other factors created unrest that exploded in spring 2011. The conflict has since evolved into a complex multinational war that has killed at least 200,000 people and displaced millions. The study appears today in the leading journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	Severe changes in world's leaf growth patterns over past several decades revealed Extensive worldwide changes in the timing of leaf activity over the past few decades—which may have significant ecological and atmospheric consequences—have been revealed by a University of Otago, New Zealand research team analyzing satellite data from 1980 - 2012.
	Heavy toll as Australian farmers struggle through drought On the road to Walgett a sign welcomes visitors: "Farming is not a way of life, it keeps everyone alive." But with drought taking a heavy toll on the region, farming has become a battle for survival.
	Fossils used to predict impact of global warming on marine life Researchers have identified the key environmental impacts on marine animals during natural global warming in the early Jurassic, 183 million years ago.
	New insight into carbon emissions from big carbon sinks in peat bogs Flooding is the way of life in peat bogs. The standing water helps create an environment where mosses, sedges and shrubs flourish. As each year passes, a thick new layer of vegetation buries the old. Layer and layer of partially decomposed organic matter piles into peat, which slowly gathers and stores tons of carbon over centuries. With so much old plant material trapped in them, these flooded peat bogs affect much bigger carbon and climate systems.
	Satellites give scientists unprecedented views of insect outbreaks in forests Scientists for the first time have simultaneously compared widespread impacts from two of the most common forest insects in the West – mountain pine beetle and western spruce budworm – an advance that could lead to more effective management policies.
	Seafloor holds 15 million years of monsoon history When the research vessel JOIDES Resolution returned to port in late January after a two-month cruise, it had harvested more than 550 sediment cores from deep beneath the Indian Ocean. Locked within those tubes of muck is a record of monsoon rainfall dating back millions of years. Brown geologist Steven Clemens, co-chief scientist on the expedition, says this glimpse of monsoons past could help scientists predict what may become of the rains in the future.
	Research cruise delves into Perth Canyon's depths A world-first expedition backed by Google billionaire Eric Schmidt is bidding to unlock the secrets of the Perth Canyon, the vast undersea gorge carved by the prehistoric Swan River.
	'Superhero vision' technology measures European lake's water quality from space An international team of researchers has demonstrated a way to assess the quality of water on Earth from space by using satellite technology that can visualise pollution levels otherwise invisible to the human eye through 'Superhero vision'.
	Pollution documentary attracts huge interest in China A slick new documentary on China's environmental woes has racked up more than 175 million online views in two days, underscoring growing concern in the country over the impact of air, water and soil pollution.
	Businesses 'failing to prepare for climate change' Companies are failing to develop the resilience they will need to cope with climate change, say two business experts from The University of Queensland.
	Ocean research vessel returns from the ice edge with first-of-its-kind atmospheric measurements Scientists have commissioned Australia's first permanent ship-based labs to study the influence of both natural ocean emissions and human emissions on the composition of air over the Southern Ocean.
	Green light for the world's first intelligent oil pipelines Electronics installed in Norwegian oil pipelines have been tested both at sea and in transport vessel reeling simulations. All that now remains is to install them offshore.
	Meteorological instruments for research and higher education Climate prognoses for 100 years or weather forecasts for tomorrow: The more precisely and continuously data are measured, the better will the prognosis be. KIT runs a number of stationary and mobile measurement instruments for research and higher education. The weather station at Rheinstetten near Karlsruhe now celebrates an anniversary. For ten years, it has been supplying data to scientists worldwide.
Human activity may be supporting growth of harmful algae in lakes Intensified land-use, sewage discharge, and climate change have likely favored disproportionate development of harmful algae in freshwaters. A new study found that blooms of one type of harmful algae, called cyanobacteria, have increased disproportionately over the past two centuries relative to other species, with the greatest increases since 1945.
	Arson to blame for Argentine forest fires Fires that have ravaged some 20,000 hectares of forest in Argentina's remote Patagonia region were deliberately set, according to Argentine officials on Monday.

Astronomy & Space news

	An old-looking galaxy in a young universe A team of astronomers, led by Darach Watson, from the University of Copenhagen used the Very Large Telescope's X-shooter instrument along with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to observe one of the youngest and most remote galaxies ever found. They were surprised to discover a far more evolved system than expected. It had a fraction of dust similar to a very mature galaxy, such as the Milky Way. Such dust is vital to life, because it helps form planets, complex molecules and normal stars.
	Spacewalking astronauts finish extensive, tricky cable job Spacewalking astronauts successfully completed a three-day cable job outside the International Space Station on Sunday, routing several-hundred feet of power and data lines for new crew capsules commissioned by NASA.
	Where do stars form in merging galaxies? Collisions between galaxies, and even less dramatic gravitational encounters between them, are recognized as triggering star formation. Observations of luminous galaxies, powered by starbursts, are consistent with this conclusion. Numerical simulations also support this picture, with gravity funneling copious amounts of gas into the central regions of galaxies, fueling powerful bursts of star formation there. But starbursts are not ubiquitous in interacting galaxies. Triggering therefore depends on many factors, including the specific merger geometry (how they come together), the properties of the progenitor galaxies (how much gas is available for new stars), and time-scale (maybe the starburst has yet to happen, or has finished?)
	Giant methane storms on Uranus Most of the times we have looked at Uranus, it has seemed to be a relatively calm place. Well, yes its atmosphere is the coldest place in the solar system. But, when we picture the seventh planet in our solar system invariably the image of a calming blue hazy disc that the spacecraft Voyager 2 took in 1986 comes to mind.
	NASA spacecraft nears historic dwarf planet arrival NASA's Dawn spacecraft has returned new images captured on approach to its historic orbit insertion at the dwarf planet Ceres. Dawn will be the first mission to successfully visit a dwarf planet when it enters orbit around Ceres on Friday, March 6.
	Hunting transiting exoplanets European Southern Observatory (ESO) gears up for the exoplanet hunting. The Next-Generation Transit Survey (NGTS), a wide-field observing system made up of an array of twelve telescopes was installed at ESO's Paranal Observatory in Chile. It will search for transiting exoplanets—planets that pass in front of their parent star and hence produce a slight dimming of the star's light that can be detected by sensitive instruments. "NGTS will have some sensitivity to habitable zone planets - these are planets at the right distance from their star that they would receive similar amounts of heat as the Earth does," Don Pollacco of the University of Warwick (UK) told astrowatch.net.
	Mystery giant Mars plumes still unexplained On Feb. 16, an international group of researchers proposed new hypotheses about some unusual plumes spotted by amateur astronomers on Mars in 2012. The plumes were seen rising to altitudes of over 250 km above. By comparison, similar features seen in the past have never exceeded 100 km. Now, new conclusions presented by scientists still raise more questions about the mysterious plumes, than they answer. "We tentatively explored two scenarios that might help explain the observed phenomenon: a cloud of condensed CO2 or H2O, or even dust, and an aurora. After elaborating the details of these two hypotheses, we came to the conclusion that none of them provided a fully satisfactory answer," Antonio García Muñoz of ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), co-author of the paper reporting the results in the journal Nature, told astrowatch.net. "Therefore, we consider that the genuine nature of the phenomenon is stil! l an open issue."
	New method makes space weather easier to predict Scientists can now gain a better understanding of space weather – the dreaded solar winds and flares – thanks to the development of high spatial resolution observation and computing methods. For the first time, it will thus be possible to study the interrelated events that occur on the sun and trigger solar activity. To this effect, a current project funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF is in the process of developing new methods that can generate three-dimensional images and will allow scientists to study the chronological sequence and evolution of processes taking place in the sun's interior. These new methods will make it possible to link detailed observational data about the sun with complex computer simulations of solar activity.
	Image: Simulating space for JWST's four infrared instruments Building a space telescope is no mean feat. Conditions here on Earth are drastically different from those experienced in orbit around our planet. How do we know that any telescope built in our controlled laboratories can withstand the harsh environment of space?
	The huge "Y" in the atmosphere of Venus due to a wave distorted by the wind Venus is covered by a dense layer of clouds which does not display any noteworthy characteristic. However, when looked in the ultraviolet wavelength, it presents conspicuous dark structures. The biggest one, which practically covers the entire planet, is shaped like a "Y" and it has been a mystery since its discovery more than half a century ago. Recently, a study led by astronomers from the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC), in collaboration with the university of the Basque Country and the Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences of Portugal, has described the mechanism that sustains this structure and has for the first time succeeded in reproducing its evolution in the course of one month.
	NASA spacecraft making first visit to dwarf planet Ceres (Update) A NASA spacecraft is about to reach the end of a nearly eight-year journey and make the first rendezvous with a dwarf planet.
SpaceX launches two communications satellites US space transportation company SpaceX launched two commercial communications satellites atop a Falcon 9 rocket Sunday evening.
	Why we see familiar-looking objects in Mars topology What is up with the fossils on Mars? Found – a dinosaur skull on Mars? Discovered – a rat, squirrel or gerbil on Mars? In background of images from Curiosity, vertebrae from some extinct Martian species? And the human skull, half buried in photos from Opportunity Rover. All the images are made of stone from the ancient past and this is also what is called Pareidolia. They are figments of our imaginations, and driven by our interest to be there – on Mars – and to know that we are not alone. Altogether, they make a multitude of web pages and threads across the internet.
	Halley research station hosts research to understand human adaptation to space flight A medical doctor, based at the most southerly UK research station in Antarctica, is about to embark on a new campaign of life science experiments to study how people adapt to life in remote and isolated locations in preparation for prolonged space flight. One of these experiments, set up in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA ), involves staff at British Antarctic Survey's (BAS) Halley Research Station being tested using a specially designed spaceflight simulator over the austral winter.

Technology news

	Construction begins 2016 for Hyperloop on five-mile stretch Hyperloop construction will occur next year with the first full-scale track. Hyperloop Transportation Technologies announced it plans to start building a five-mile track in central California in 2016. Consider this an urban Hyperloop system for California, and not a dream on paper but quite real.
	Pens filled with high-tech inks for do-it-yourself sensors A new simple tool developed by nanoengineers at the University of California, San Diego, is opening the door to an era when anyone will be able to build sensors, anywhere, including physicians in the clinic, patients in their home and soldiers in the field. The team from the University of California, San Diego, developed high-tech bio-inks that react with several chemicals, including glucose. They filled off-the-shelf ballpoint pens with the inks and were able to draw sensors to measure glucose directly on the skin and sensors to measure pollution on leaves.
	No plane, many discoveries in yearlong search for Flight 370 (AP)—The yearlong search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 has turned up no sign of the plane, but that doesn't mean it's been unproductive. It has yielded lessons and discoveries that could benefit millions, including coastal Australians, air and sea travelers and scientists trying to understand ancient changes to the earth's crust.
	Small SUVs, pricey sports cars dominate at Geneva auto show (AP)—Small SUVs for families and powerful sports cars for the rich are the big things this year at the Geneva International Motor Show this year. Environmentally correct electrics and hybrids, not so much—thanks to cheaper gas and limits on battery life.
	Ikea turns furniture into wireless phone chargers Global furniture giant Ikea announced on Sunday the launch of desks, tables and lamps that will wirelessly charge phones and other devices.
	Samsung ditches plastic design, adds mobile pay in new phone Samsung, locked in a tight race with Apple to be the world's biggest smartphone maker, has unveiled an important new phone that ditches its signature plastic design for more stylish metal and glass.
	Solar plane passes new test ahead of planned world tour A solar-powered plane made a third successful test flight in the United Arab Emirates on Monday ahead of a planned round-the-world tour to promote alternative energy.
	'Slow motion at the speed of light' New technology developed by a collaboration between the UA and the University of California, Los Angeles, provides real-time monitoring of streaming video to optimize network traffic.
	Google looking at ways to rate websites based more on trustworthiness A team of researchers at Google has been looking into ways to change the way links are retrieved by its famous search engine—instead of ranking them based on popularity, the researchers are looking into ways of ranking based on the trustworthiness of the site, which would be based on information the web agrees is factual. In their paper they have uploaded to the arXiv preprint sever, the team describes their ideas and what they have found thus far.
	Borrowing from whales to engineer a new fluid sensor How can a humpback whale and a device that works on the same principle as the clicker that starts your gas grill help an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fly longer and with more stability?
Silicon Valley shuttle drivers vote to unionize (AP)—Shuttle drivers who ferry tech workers between Silicon Valley and San Francisco have voted for union representation.
Fashionable or geeky—the modern watch dilemma It's Milan fashion week, you've got tickets to the catwalk shows and an outfit to die for, but which watch to wear? A chunky smartwatch or chic ticker that can't tell the time?
	Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia to trial new jet tracking system Australia on Sunday said it was trialling a "world first" system with Malaysia and Indonesia that increases the tracking of aircraft over remote oceans, allowing authorities to quickly react to abnormal situations such as the disappearance of MH370.
Japan's NTT to buy German data centre operator Japanese telecom giant NTT Communications is looking to acquire German data centre operator e-shelter, as it seeks to cash in on growing demand in Europe, a newspaper reported Saturday.
	Iran says ready to let in Google, other Internet firms Iran could allow Internet giants such as Google to operate in the Islamic republic if they respect its "cultural" rules, Fars news agency said Sunday quoting a senior official.
	Don't let looks deceive: HTC One improves the camera inside (AP)—From the outside, the new HTC One smartphone looks and feels like last year's model. But there's a huge difference inside—the camera.
	Asian firms challenge Apple with snazzy new smartphones Several big Asian phone companies launched new high-end smartphones and other wireless gizmos on Sunday, hoping to challenge US giant Apple in a big year for wireless gadgets.
	Next Google Maps adventure: Soaring through Amazon jungle For its next technological trick, Google will show you what it's like to zip through trees in the Amazon jungle.
	First Look: Samsung gets a lot right with new S6 phones Samsung's new Galaxy smartphones improve in two major areas: design and picture quality.
Dutch chipmaker NXP to buy Freescale Semiconductor for $12B Dutch chipmaker NXP Semiconductors N.V. said Sunday it had agreed to buy its smaller rival Freescale Semiconductor Ltd. for $11.8 billion in a deal that will make it the biggest supplier of microchips to the automotive industry.
	World's highest capacity microSD card unveiled by SanDisk SanDisk Corporation today introduced the 200GB SanDisk Ultra microSDXC UHS-I card, Premium Edition, the world's highest capacity microSD card for use in mobile devices. In just one year after introducing its record-breaking 128GB SanDisk Ultra microSDXC card, SanDisk has increased storage capacity by 56% within the same fingernail-sized form factor. Keeping up with the demands of today's mobile users, the new card provides the freedom to capture, save and share photos, videos and other files without worrying about storage limitations.
	Virtual vehicle testing – modeling tires realistically Manufacturers conduct virtual tests on vehicle designs long before the first car rolls off the assembly line. Simulation of the tires has remained a challenge, however. The software tool "CDTire/3D" from Fraunhofer researchers now models the wheels realistically. The software takes into account the heat that is generated during driving and how the properties of the tires change.
	Power vest supports the back without restricting freedom of movement Each year millions of people within the EU injure themselves in the course of their work due to picking up heavy loads or from one-sided movements – ending up with serious health issues. Together with the industry, Fraunhofer researchers are developing a vest designed to take the burden off caregivers and others with physically demanding jobs.
	High-precision radar for the steel industry Steel is the most important material in vehicle and machinery construction. Large quantities of offcuts and scraps are left over from rolling and milling crude steel into strip steel. New radar from Fraunhofer researchers measures the width of the strip during fabrication to an accuracy of micrometers and helps to minimize scrap.
Carbon dioxide reduction linked with hydrogen energy production Last Wednesday the lecture theatre at the Empa Academy was filled to the very last seat as speakers from the automobile, energy and finance sectors as well as researchers and those involved in the politics of energy presented their views on the potentials and challenges of "synthetic" fuels. The latter include such substances as hydrogen or methane, which can be produced using short-term superfluous electric power (for example in the summer months or during periods when hydroelectric power becomes temporarily uncompetitive on the energy market).
	Gemalto hack shows how far we are from deciding acceptable 'security norms' Is it true spies hack technology companies? Can governments really listen to your phone calls? Should we care? The latest details of NSA and GCHQ intelligence agency activities to come from files leaked by Edward Snowden are of the apparently massive theft of mobile phone SIM card encryption keys from the Dutch firm Gemalto.
	We are all suspects now thanks to Australia's data retention plans Australia's Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence & Security (PJCIS) last week endorsed the data retention bill, which means we're all suspects now.
	Should Australia consider thorium nuclear power? Australia has developed something of an allergic reaction to any mention of uranium or nuclear energy. Blessed as we are with abundant reserves of coal, oil and gas, we have never had to ask the hard questions many other nations have had to ask – questions the answer to which has been "nuclear" for many of those nations.
	Software for schools links classroom technology and strategies to student achievement To see the impact of their investments, companies often use business intelligence tools—primarily data-analytics software—that analyze company data to link cash spent with outcomes.
	Massive hydroelectric lagoon planned off Wales A British firm on Monday launched plans to build a giant lagoon off the southern Welsh coast that would harness the tide to provide electricity for the whole of Wales.
	Wrist action: phone firms bet on 'year of smartwatch' Defying scepticism and geek-stigma, mobile phone firms are determined this year to sell you a wristwatch wirelessly connected to your mobile phone.
	HP's big deal: Tech giant buys Aruba Networks for $2.7B Hewlett-Packard is buying wireless networking company Aruba Networks for about $2.7 billion, in what amounts to HP's first major acquisition since its disastrous purchase of a British software company in 2011.
	Google to offer own cellular network plan Google will soon be offering cellular network plans in a bid to bridge the gap between the realms of Internet services and mobile device software it dominates.
	Twitter working with probe on online threats Twitter said Monday it was working with law enforcement officials on unspecified threats, amid reports that the social network had been targeted for blocking accounts linked to the Islamic State.
	Clever application of magnetic force enhances laparoscopic surgery Pietro Valdastri is convinced that the clever application of magnetic force can make minimally invasive surgery easier and more effective.
Old-economy sectors are now tech, too: US study Forget about old economy and new economy. Everything is now part of the tech economy, a prominent US research panel said Monday.
Ikea launches furniture with inbuilt wireless chargers Lost that charger again for your cellphone or tablet? Hate sorting heaps of wires to charge various devices?
	Huawei puts premium styling in watch entry, thinks Classic News sites buzzed with preliminary talk about the Huawei Watch ahead of its official unveiling at Mobile World Congress last week in Barcelona. To be sure, while smartwatch reports of coming attractions focus on features and style, the key message about this Android Wear watch was for show-goers to be prepared—for above-average good looks.
	Facebook fends off telecom firms' complaints Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg fended off complaints on Monday that the hugely popular social network was getting a free ride out of telecom operators who host its service on smartphones.
	Dating app Tinder premium plan aims at under-30 crowd (Update) Smartphone dating app Tinder launched a premium paid subscription version on Monday, but drew criticism over a pricing system that charges older users more.
	Evolving robot brains Researchers are using the principles of Darwinian evolution to develop robot brains that can navigate mazes, identify and catch falling objects, and work as a group to determine in which order they should exit and re-enter a room. The projects are all part of a larger effort to create artificial brains that think, plan, and predict, and will ultimately be conscious.
	Yahoo marks 20 years with yodels, reminiscences Yahoo celebrated its 20th anniversary Monday with a look back at its history and an eye to the future of the Internet pioneer in the midst of a transformation effort.
	Google, Facebook update contrasting plans to connect world Sci-fi solutions or making friends one at a time? Google and Facebook are taking different routes to expanding Internet use and access among the unconnected in developing countries.
Watchdog: Air traffic control system is a hacking risk The nation's system for guiding planes and other aircraft is at "increased and unnecessary risk" of being hacked, according to a report by government watchdog released Monday.
	IOC defends Rio legacy amid green protests Ecological protests on Saturday dogged the final day of an International Olympic Committee executive board meeting in Rio as green campaigners slated the choice of a nature reserve to hold the golf event next year.
World's first WiGig-based millimeter wave mesh backhaul system InterDigital, Inc., a mobile technology research and development company, nanoelectronics research center imec, and WiGig chip developer Peraso Technologies Inc. today announced the integration of their respective technologies into the world's first WiGig-based Millimeter Wave Mesh Backhaul system. The technology will enable easier deployments for small cell mobile backhaul resulting in lower cost solutions for high-speed data delivery in 4G and 5G networks.
	Personalized factory workstations Tomorrow's factory jobs will be completely different from those of today. Although they will continue to be organized around assembly stations, they will not work in rigid shifts, be subject to inflexible processes, or be restricted to a single workstation. According to Johannes Scholz and Johannes Labuttis, engineers who studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Munich, in 15 years most monotonous and strenuous activities will probably be a thing of the past. Scholz and Labuttis now work at Siemens Corporate Technology in Munich, where they focus on the role of humans in production processes. "In the future, workers will use their smartphones and computers to organize their shifts themselves," says Scholz. "When doing so, they will be able to take into account their personal chrono-biological attributes – for example, whether they're day people or night people. This will enable them to adapt their work assig! nments to their private needs and personal situations"
Judge puts Mississippi AG's investigation of Google on hold (Update) The Mississippi attorney general's attempt to investigate Google is on hold for at least four more months.

Chemistry news

	Aerogel catalyst shows promise for fuel cells (Phys.org)—Graphene nanoribbons formed into a three-dimensional aerogel and enhanced with boron and nitrogen are excellent catalysts for fuel cells, even in comparison to platinum, according to Rice University researchers.
	New study brings medicine closer to non-addictive painkillers Powerful opiate drugs are a mainstay in modern medicine, alleviating pain in both acute and chronic forms. These charms however, bear a curse. Users quickly develop tolerance to their effects, requiring ever-increasing doses of the drug. Further, such opioid compounds lead to drug dependence, owing to their notoriously addictive qualities.
	New views of enzyme structures offer insights into metabolism of cholesterol, other lipids With the aid of X-ray crystallography, researchers at the University of Michigan have revealed the structures of two closely related enzymes that play essential roles in the body's ability to metabolize excess lipids, including cholesterol.
	Patent awarded for compounds that inhibit biofilm formation and persistence In the current era of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, treatment of unwanted microbial growth presents a difficult challenge for microbiologists and clinicians. The problem is further complicated when these bacteria form biofilms—protective matrixes of polysaccharides and proteins that encase bacteria attached to surfaces. Even when antibiotics are effective against single cells, they are oftentimes unable to eradicate the biofilm itself.
Supersonic electrons could produce future solar fuel Researchers from institutions including Lund University have taken a step closer to producing solar fuel using artificial photosynthesis. In a new study, they have successfully tracked the electrons' rapid transit through a light-converting molecule.
	Smart crystallization A novel nucleating agent that builds on the concept of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) could allow crystallographers access to proteins and other biological macromolecules that are usually reluctant to form crystals. The semi-liquid non-protein agent is reported by UK scientists.
	Scientists find clues to cancer drug failure Cancer patients fear the possibility that one day their cells might start rendering many different chemotherapy regimens ineffective. This phenomenon, called multidrug resistance, leads to tumors that defy treatment.
New screening, detection and extraction methods for priority contaminants in seafood The EU-funded ECsafeSEAFOOD project is improving seafood safety in Europe by assessing food safety issues related to contaminants present in seafood as a result of environmental contamination, and evaluating their impact on public health.

Biology news

	Purring tempo, sliding notes grab cats' attention Is there such a thing as cat-centric music, which is pleasing music to cats' ears?
	Genetically speaking, mammals are more like their fathers You might resemble or act more like your mother, but a novel research study from UNC School of Medicine researchers reveals that mammals are genetically more like their dads. Specifically, the research shows that although we inherit equal amounts of genetic mutations from our parents - the mutations that make us who we are and not some other person - we actually "use" more of the DNA that we inherit from our dads.
	China's latest survey finds increase in wild giant pandas (AP)—Wild giant pandas in China are doing well. According to a census by China's State Forestry Administration, the panda population has grown by 268 to a total of 1,864 since the last survey ending in 2003.
	Unlocking the key to immunological memory in bacteria A powerful genome editing tool may soon become even more powerful. Researchers with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have unlocked the key to how bacteria are able to "steal" genetic information from viruses and other foreign invaders for use in their own immunological memory system.
	Cell manipulation could lead to the better treatment of disease A new laboratory tool which will allow scientists to build and move microscopic cells could lead to the development of better treatments for disease.
	Researchers discover 'milk' protein that enables survival of the species Australian researchers have discovered the protein MCL-1 is critical for keeping milk-producing cells alive and sustaining milk production in the breast. Without milk production, offspring cannot survive, making MCL-1 essential for survival of mammalian species.
	The environment may change, but the microbiome of queen bees does not Researchers from North Carolina State University, Indiana University and Wellesley College have characterized the gut microbiome of honey bee queens. This is the first thorough census of the gut microbiome - which consists of all the microorganisms that live in the gut of the organism - in queen bees.
	Munching bugs thwart eager trees, reducing the carbon sink In a high carbon dioxide world, the trees would come out ahead. Except for the munching bugs. A new study published today in Nature Plants shows that hungry, plant-eating insects may limit the ability of forests to take up elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, reducing their capacity to slow human-driven climate change.
	Hormone disrupting chemicals and climate change increase risk of extinction in wildlife The impact of pollution on wildlife could be made dramatically worse by climate change according to a new study published today in the journal PNAS.
	Gorilla origins of the last two AIDS virus lineages confirmed Two of the four known groups of human AIDS viruses (HIV-1 groups O and P) have originated in western lowland gorillas, according to an international team of scientists from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Montpellier, the University of Edinburgh, and others. The scientists, led by Martine Peeters from Montpellier, conducted a comprehensive survey of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in African gorillas. Beatrice Hahn, MD, a professor of Medicine and Microbiology, and others from Penn were part of the team, whose findings appear online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	Democratizing synthetic biology: New method makes research cheaper, faster, and more accessible Deep in the heart of synthetic biology are the proteins that make it tick. Protein engineering is the crucial pulse of the booming, relatively new scientific discipline. Scientists grow, harvest, and reprogram proteins to become new drug therapeutics, environmentally friendly fuels, and vaccines. Producing proteins quickly and in large quantities has been and remains a major challenge in the field.
	Genome reveals how Hessian fly causes galls in wheat A team of researchers from 26 institutions around the world has sequenced the Hessian fly genome, shedding light on how the insect creates growth-stunting galls in wheat.
	Sizing up cells: Study finds possible regulator of growth Modern biology has attained deep knowledge of how cells work, but the mechanisms by which cellular structures assemble and grow to the right size largely remain a mystery. Now, Princeton University researchers may have found the key in a dynamic agglomeration of molecules inside cells.
	New technique improves forecasts for Canada's prized salmon fishery A powerful method for analyzing and predicting nature's dynamic and interconnected systems is now providing new forecasting and management tools for Canada's premier fishery.
	Vaccines from a reactor In the event of an impending global flu pandemic, vaccine production could quickly reach its limits, as flu vaccines are still largely produced in embryonated chicken eggs. Udo Reichl, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, and his colleagues have therefore been working on a fully automated method for production in cell cultures that could yield vaccines in large quantities in a crisis.
	Looking for alternatives to antibiotics Bacteria that talk to one another and organize themselves into biofilms are more resistant to antibiotics. Researchers are now working to develop drugs that prevent bacteria from communicating.
	How animals survive Norwegian winter nights Norwegian mammals and birds have many different methods of surviving long, intense winter nights. A biologist from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) University Museum reveals their secrets for survival.
	Desmoplakin's tail gets the message Cells control the adhesion protein desmoplakin by modifying the tail end of the protein, and this process goes awry in some patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, according to a study in The Journal of Cell Biology.
	Sall4 is required for DNA repair in stem cells A protein that helps embryonic stem cells (ESCs) retain their identity also promotes DNA repair, according to a study in The Journal of Cell Biology. The findings raise the possibility that the protein, Sall4, performs a similar role in cancer cells, helping them fix DNA damage to survive chemotherapy.
EU nations get power to ban genetically-modified crops The European Union is giving member states the power to ban the cultivation of genetically-modified crops even if they have been approved by the bloc's food safety authority.
	Conservation organizations need to keep up with nature Nature is on the move. As the impacts of climate change reveal themselves, species and ecosystems are moving in response. This poses a fundamental challenge to conservation organizations—how do you conserve something that won't stay still?
	Family log of spring's arrival helps predict climate-driven change Rare historic records of the changing seasons are helping scientists better understand how woodland trees and flowers are responding to climate change.
	Link identified between virus recognition, destruction in bacterial immune system An immune system that helps bacteria combat viruses is yielding unlikely results such as the ability to edit genome sequences and potentially correct mutations that cause human disease.
Myanmar captures rare white elephant in western jungles (AP)—Myanmar's forestry department has captured a rare white elephant in the jungles of the country's western Ayeyarwaddy region, an official said Sunday.
	How is the membrane protein folded? A key factor in the biosynthesis and stable expression of multi-pass transmembrane proteins was discovered, and its loss is thought to cause retinal degeneration. The factor works especially for multi-pass membrane proteins, in the integration of polypeptides into the membrane and/or protein folding. Understanding the mechanisms underlying protein folding and trafficking may contribute to the large-scale, therapy-based production of target proteins.
Survey shows biosecurity should be taught in school A survey of school children has found they lack knowledge about unwanted plants and pests and the effects they could have on our environment.
	Liberian camera trap survey captures rare footage of forest elephants A camera-trapping survey carried out by Fauna & Flora International (FFI) in north-west Liberia has yielded a number of interesting results, including the country's only footage of elephants filmed outside a designated protected area.
Parasite provides clues to evolution of plant diseases A new study into the generalist parasite Albugo candida (A. candida), cause of white rust of brassicas, has revealed key insights into the evolution of plant diseases to aid agriculture and global food security.

Medicine & Health news

	Sleep-walking neurons: Brain's GPS never stops working-even during sleep Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center have found that navigational brain cells that help sense direction are as electrically active during deep sleep as they are during wake time—and have visual and vestibular cues to guide them. Such information could be useful in treating navigational problems, among the first major symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.
	Results challenge conventional wisdom about where the brain processes visual information Neuroscientists generally think of the front end of the human visual system as a simple light detection system: The patterns produced when light falls on the retina are relayed to the visual cortex at the rear of the brain, where all of the "magic" happens that transforms these patterns into the three-dimensional world view that we perceive with our mind's eye.
	Mind-readers: Scientists crack a piece of the neural code for learning and memory It sounds like the stuff of science fiction: researchers slice a brain into thin little sections and, just by measuring the properties of specific neurons, they can determine what an organism learned before it died. In fact, this sort of mind reading has become a reality. In work published today in Nature, researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) describe how postmortem brain slices can be "read" to determine how a rat was trained to behave in response to specific sounds. The work provides one of the first examples of how specific changes in the activity of individual neurons encode particular acts of learning and memory in the brain.
	Japanese firm behind Ebola drug says tests offer 'hope' The Japanese company behind an experimental Ebola treatment says it offers new hope for thousands of people infected with the deadly virus in west Africa, but acknowledged it is "not a miracle drug".
	Alzheimer amyloid clumps found in young adult brains Amyloid—an abnormal protein whose accumulation in the brain is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease—starts accumulating inside neurons of people as young as 20, a much younger age than scientists ever imagined, reports a surprising new Northwestern Medicine study.
	Treadmill performance predicts mortality: New formula gauges 10-year risk of dying Analyzing data from 58,000 heart stress tests, Johns Hopkins cardiologists report they have developed a formula that estimates one's risk of dying over a decade based on a person's ability to exercise on a treadmill at an increasing speed and incline.
	How an FDA-approved drug boosts myelin synthesis Damage to myelin, the fatty insulator that enables communication between nerve cells, characterizes multiple sclerosis (MS) and other devastating neurological diseases.
	New target identified in fight against Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis Highlighting a potential target in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests that triggering a protein found on the surface of brain cells may help slow the progression of these and other neurological diseases.
	Researchers develop new approach to diagnosing TB—oral swabs Drawing inspiration from veterinary medicine, researchers at the University of Washington have helped developed a new prospective approach to diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) - easy-to-obtain oral swab samples, greatly improving on standard diagnostics.
	New genetic syndrome found, tied to errors in 'master switch' during early development Analyzing a puzzling multisystem disorder in three children, genetic experts have identified a new syndrome, shedding light on key biological processes during human development. The research also provides important information to help caregivers manage the disorder, and may offer clues to eventually treating it.
	Healthy-looking prostate cells mask cancer-causing mutations Prostate cells that look normal under the microscope may be hiding genetic mutations that could develop into cancer, prompting new ways to improve treatment for the disease, according to research published in Nature Genetics today.
Scientists override the body's inflammatory response Scientists who have discovered the mechanism of a protein that suppresses inflammation in the body, say the information could potentially be used to develop new drugs to control inflammation.
	Low sugar uptake in brain appears to exacerbate Alzheimer's disease A deficiency in the protein responsible for moving glucose across the brain's protective blood-brain barrier appears to intensify the neurodegenerative effects of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new mouse study from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC).
	Team finds key to tuberculosis resistance The cascade of events leading to bacterial infection and the immune response is mostly understood. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the immune response to the bacteria that causes tuberculosis have remained a mystery—until now. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have now uncovered how a bacterial molecule controls the body's response to TB infection and suggest that adjusting the level of this of this molecule may be a new way to treat the disease. The report appears this week as an advance online publication of Nature Medicine.
	Sequencing the hookworm: Ancylostoma ceylanicum genome provides potential new drug, vaccine targets In an advance that may potentially lead to new treatments for parasitic hookworms, scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Cornell University have sequenced the genome of the hookworm, Ancylostoma ceylanicum. The genome of the nematode that, according to some estimates, infects as many as 400 million people worldwide will help researchers find genes active during infection and devise new drugs or vaccines that target these genes. The study, which also includes researchers from the University of California San Diego and the California Institute of Technology, was published in Nature Genetics.
	New insight into antibiotic resistance strengthens call for increased focus on research Scientists at the University of Birmingham have identified a new mechanism of antibiotic resistance in bacterial cells which could help us in understanding, and developing solutions to, the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
	Brain waves: Basal forebrain neurons fine-tune consciousness by synchronizing rhythms in the cortex Like musical sounds, different states of mind are defined by distinct, characteristic waveforms, recognizable frequencies and rhythms in the electrical field of the brain. When the brain is alert and performing complex computations, the cerebral cortex, the wrinkled outer surface of the brain, thrums with cortical band oscillations in the gamma wavelength; in some neurological disorders like schizophrenia, these waves are out of tune and the rhythm is out of sync.
	Maternal health in India much worse than previously thought, new study finds More than 40 percent of women in India are underweight when they begin pregnancy, according to a new study published by Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. On average, these women gain only 15 pounds throughout pregnancy - just half of the recommended amount.
	Anxious people more apt to make bad decisions amid uncertainty Highly anxious people have more trouble deciding how best to handle life's uncertainties. They may even catastrophize, interpreting, say, a lovers' tiff as a doomed relationship or a workplace change as a career threat.
	Researchers find direct link between insulin resistance and behavioral disorders People with diabetes are more prone to anxiety and depression than those with other chronic diseases that require similar levels of management. The reasons for this aren't well understood, but Joslin Diabetes Center researchers have discovered one potential explanation.
Finding psychological insights through social media Social media has opened up a new digital world for psychology research. Four researchers will be discussing new methods of language analysis, and how social media can be leveraged to study personality, mental and physical health, and cross-cultural differences. The speakers will be presenting their research during the symposium "Finding Psychological Signal in a Billion Tweets: Measurement Through the Language of Social Media," at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) 16th Annual Convention in Long Beach, California.
Image-guided treatment shown to break the migraine cycle An innovative interventional radiology treatment has been found to offer chronic migraine sufferers sustained relief of their headaches, according to research being presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's Annual Scientific Meeting. Clinicians at Albany Medical Center and the State University New York Empire State College in Saratoga Springs used a treatment called image-guided, intranasal sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) blocks to give patients enough ongoing relief that they required less medication to relieve migraine pain.
Young girl's story may lead Idaho to approve marijuana oil (AP)—Ten-year-old Alexis Carey has a rare but intractable form of epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome. The genetic diseases causes severe and multiple seizures, which often leave parents guessing if the terror of watching their child seize up will pass or turn fatal.
Pediatricians face increasing pressure to delay vaccinations Pediatricians are facing increasing pressure from some parents who want to spread out the recommended vaccine schedule for their children by postponing vaccines, pointing to a need for improved programs that support timely vaccinations, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine at the Anschutz Medical Campus.
With kids' antipsychotic treatment on the rise, study looks at prescriber decision-making More kids nationwide are taking medications designed to treat such mental illnesses as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and pediatricians and psychiatrists at the University of Vermont want to know why.
	Black men less willing to be investigated for prostate cancer The incidence of prostate cancer among men of Afro-Caribbean origin is higher than in white men, they are more likely to be diagnosed as emergencies and their mortality rates are higher. Until now it has been unclear why these disappointing outcomes exist.
3-D printing offers innovative method to deliver medication 3-D printing could become a powerful tool in customizing interventional radiology treatments to individual patient needs, with clinicians having the ability to construct devices to a specific size and shape. That's according to a study being presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's Annual Scientific Meeting. Researchers and engineers collaborated to print catheters, stents and filaments that were bioactive, giving these devices the ability to deliver antibiotics and chemotherapeutic medications to a targeted area in cell cultures.
Interventional radiology offers new treatment for enlarged prostates Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate is enlarged but not cancerous, have a new, breakthrough treatment option that is less invasive and has fewer complications than other minimally invasive treatments, such as transurethral resection of the prostate and surgical options, according to research presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's (SIR's) Annual Scientific Meeting. Using an interventional radiology treatment known as prostate artery embolization (PAE), clinicians were able to improve patient symptoms, regardless of the size of BPH before the treatment, researchers found in a retrospective study.
Cesarean section rates in Portugal decline by 10 percent A new study reports a significant decline in the rate of cesarean section (C-section) births in Portugal. Findings published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, a journal of the Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology, indicate a 10% reduction in overall C-section rates between 2009 and 2014, with a 14% reduction in state-hospitals during the same time period. Researchers believe this may be due to more information and training of healthcare staff, along with inclusion of C-section rates as part of the criteria for hospital funding.
Deadly bacteria released from US high-security lab US officials in Louisiana are investigating how a dangerous and often deadly bacteria got out of a high-security laboratory at a research facility, USA Today reported Sunday.
	Soft drink tax could improve health of the nation An excise tax on sugar-sweetened drinks would be an effective way to improve the health of heavy consumers, new research shows.
	Could Ebola mutate faster than we can develop treatments? As the worst known epidemic of the Ebola virus continues in West Africa, scientists around the world are trying to develop treatments for those infected. But a process of viral mutation, known as "genetic drift", could potentially compromise their efforts.
	Seth Mnookin on vaccination and public health Seth Mnookin, an assistant professor of science writing and associate director of MIT's Graduate Program in Science Writing, is the author of "The Panic Virus: The True Story Behind the Vaccine-Autism Controversy" (Simon and Schuster, 2011), an acclaimed book that examines how inaccurate scientific reports linking vaccines to autism have reverberated through the media. The book won the the National Association of Science Writers' Science in Society Award in 2012. Mnookin spoke on the significance of the recent and ongoing measles outbreak in the U.S., and the current status of vaccination acceptance.
	Doctors nonsurgically correct infant ear deformities A team of researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College and NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center has improved a nonsurgical procedure that safely and effectively corrects newborn ear deformities in just two weeks – a drastically shorter period of time than previously reported.
Time to take a stand against the sale of caffeinated energy drinks International health experts are calling on governments to take a stronger regulatory stand on the use of energy drinks and curb the growing harm caused by their consumption.
	Nothing but a number A number, is a number, is a number, right? Not so say researchers Shamsher Singh and Beata Bajorek. They're developing a new diagnostic tool that will enable doctors to better define 'elderly' patients and to more accurately prescribe them medications.
	Measles vaccine in modified form also effective against Chikungunya virus A modified, conventional measles vaccine has the potential to act against the Chikungunya virus. This is the result of a study at the University Clinic for Clinical Pharmacology of the MedUni Wien (Medical University of Vienna), which has now been published in the top journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Up until now, there has been no effective vaccine against the Chikungunya virus and the associated feverish illness which can prove lethal, and is particularly prevalent in Latin America and the Caribbean.
	No more bleeding for 'iron overload' patients? Hemochromatosis (HH) is the most common genetic disorder in the western world, and yet is barely known. Only in the US 1 in 9 people carry the mutation (although not necessarily the disease).
	Preventing the spread of cancer with copper molecules Chemists at Bielefeld University have developed a molecule containing copper that binds specifically with DNA and prevents the spread of cancer. First results show that it kills the cancer cells more quickly than cisplatin – a widely used anti-cancer drug that is frequently administered in chemotherapy. When developing the anti-tumour agent, Professor Dr. Thorsten Glaser and his team cooperated with biochemists and physicists. The design of the new agent is basic research. 'How and whether the copper complex will actually be given to cancer patients is something that medical research will have to determine in the years to come,' says the chemist.
	Study identifies teens at-risk for synthetic marijuana use Synthetic cannabinoids ("synthetic marijuana"), with names like Spice, K2, Scooby Doo and hundreds of others, are often sold as a "legal" alternative to marijuana. Often perceived as a safe legal alternative to illicit drug use, synthetic marijuana use was associated with 11,561 reports of poisonings in the United States between January 2009 and April 2012.
	Mobile phones not causing increase in brain tumors, according to new study The risk of brain tumours has not changed significantly with increased mobile phone use, according to new research from the University of Auckland.
	Vitamin D and depression links debunked Vitamin D deficiency does not cause depression in later life but may be a marker for depression, a local study suggests.
Experts' advice for preventing a fall this winter Falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries among older people but, even though the weather continues to be wet and icy, experts from the University of Manchester are showing that falls can be avoided.
	So much has changed since the first HIV test was approved 30 years ago Thirty years ago today, on March 2, 1985, the Food and Drug Administration approved a new HIV test. It was the result of nine months of round-the-clock labor by dozens of scientists. Immediately adopted by the American Red Cross and other institutions, the blood test marked the beginning of a new era in HIV medicine.
Guidelines suggest blood thinners for more women, seniors with AFib Nearly all women and people over 65 in the U.S. with atrial fibrillation are advised to take blood thinners under new guidelines based on an analysis from the Duke Clinical Research Institute.
Alcohol screening and intervention for risky drinking: A guide for physicians A new review in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) provides tips for physicians to help patients cut down on excessive alcohol use and is aimed at health care providers who are not addiction specialists. The article is based on current evidence, including recent Canadian guidelines.
Published outcomes announced from study on adolescent bariatric surgery safety Cardiovascular risks of severe pediatric obesity, assessed among adolescents participating in the "Teen Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery" (Teen-LABS) study, were published this week in JAMA Pediatrics. Teen-LABS is a multi-center clinical study funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that is examining the safety and health effects of surgical weight loss procedures. Teen-LABS is being conducted at five clinical centers in the U.S., including Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Texas Children's Hospital, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The study's Chair, Thomas H. Inge, MD, PhD, is located at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
Are doctors using unnecessary tests to diagnose chronic kidney disease? Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects 13 percent of adults in the U.S. and is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and costs. Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) in Boston have found that many of the tests frequently conducted to screen for CKD have little clinical benefit on diagnosis and therapeutic management. These findings are published in a research letter in JAMA Internal Medicine on March 2, 2015.
Researchers identify the mitochondrial 'shield' that helps cancer cells survive Scientists have moved closer to understanding why cancer cells can be so resilient, even when faced with the onslaught of nearly toxic drug cocktails, radiation, and even our own immune systems. A new research report appearing in the March 2015 issue of The FASEB Journal, shows that intermediate filaments formed by a protein called "vimentin" or VIF, effectively "insulate" the mitochondria in cancer cells from any attempt to destroy the cell. Under normal circumstances, VIF serves as the "skeleton" for cells by helping them maintain their shapes. In some cancer cells, however, VIF actually help to preserve the cancer cell's center of energy, the mitochondria, either by helping the cell to resist outside assaults or by helping it recover quickly. Because a number of cancer treatments target the mitochondria of cancer cells, this discovery should help researchers develop new drugs that more effectively treat cancer.
Anticholinergic drugs linked to risk for pneumonia in elderly Taking commonly used medications with anticholinergic effects is associated with a significantly higher risk for developing pneumonia in a study of more than 3,000 older Group Health patients living in the community—not in nursing homes. "Anticholinergic Medications and Risk of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Elderly Adults: A Population-Based Case-Control Study" is in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
	Promising new strategy to halt pancreatic cancer metastasis Pancreatic cancer and its metastases might have their days numbered, according to a study published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine.
Why nitrate supplementation may increase athletic performance Walk down the aisles of any food supplement store and you'll see that the use of nitrate supplements by athletes and fitness buffs has been popular for years. The hope is that these supplements will increase endurance (and possibly other performance/health benefits) by improving the efficiency at which muscles use oxygen. Now, a research study published in the March 2015 issue of The FASEB Journal helps explain how some of these supplements may work and why they may increase performance—they decrease the viscosity of blood, aiding in blood flow, while at the same time ensuring that tissue oxygen requirements are not compromised.
Preventing metabolic disease may start in the womb... of your grandmother No one wants to have child who is born underweight, but for numerous reasons, this may be unavoidable. An intriguing research report involving rats suggests that helping fetuses achieve optimal weight before birth is of even greater importance than currently believed: Underweight infants may eventually become the grandparents of children at a higher risk for metabolic problems like high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity. This report appears in the March 2015 issue of The FASEB Journal.
	One step closer to defeating Alzheimer's disease Tackling brain inflammation ameliorates Alzheimer's disease (AD), according to a study published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine.
	On-board school bus filtration system reduces pollutants by 88 percent An on-board air filtration system developed specifically for school buses reduces exposure to vehicular pollutants by up to 88 percent, according to a study by researchers at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.
	Mutation may cause early loss of sperm supply Brown University biologists have determined how the loss of a gene in male mice results in the premature exhaustion of their fertility. Their fundamental new insights into the complex process of sperm generation may have direct applications to a similar loss of fertility in men.
	Study: US parents increasingly ask doctors to delay vaccines U.S. parents have increasingly pressured doctors to delay vaccines for young children, making their kids and others vulnerable to preventable diseases, a study suggests.
	Study finds nut and peanut consumption decreases mortality If you're looking for a simple way to lower your risk of dying from a heart attack, consider going nuts.
Growth screening could help detect celiac disease in kids Screening for five growth parameters helped detect celiac disease (CD) with good accuracy in both boys and girls because growth falters in most children with CD, according to an article published online by JAMA Pediatrics.
Cerebral blood flow as a possible marker for concussion outcomes A new imaging study suggests that cerebral blood flow recovery in the brain could be a biomarker of outcomes in patients following concussion, according to a study published online by JAMA Neurology.
	Survey of teen dating violence among US high school students A survey of U.S. high school students suggests that 1 in 5 female students and 1 in 10 male students who date have experienced some form of teen dating violence during the past 12 months, according to an article published online by JAMA Pediatrics.
	Study shows minors easily able to purchase electronic cigarettes online Teenagers in North Carolina were easily able to buy electronic cigarettes online because both Internet vendors and shipping companies failed to verifying ages in a study that assessed compliance with North Carolina's 2013 e-cigarette age-verification law, according to an article published online by JAMA Pediatrics.
Conservative treatment normalizes head shape in most infants with skull flattening More than three-fourths of infants with skull flattening related to sleep position achieve normal head shape with conservative treatment—without the need for helmet therapy, reports a study in the March issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Google Glass shows promising uses in plastic surgery The "wearable technology" Google Glass has a wide range of possible applications in plastic surgery—with the potential to enhance surgical training, medical documentation, and patient safety, according to a special paper in the March 2015 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
New care model enhances psychological, cognitive and physical recovery of ICU survivors The Critical Care Recovery Center care model—the nation's first collaborative care concept focusing on the extensive cognitive, physical and psychological recovery needs of intensive care unit survivors—decreases the likelihood of serious illness after discharge from an ICU, according to a new study from the Regenstrief Institute and the Indiana University schools of medicine and nursing.
Researchers propose novel new treatment of stroke and other neurological diseases Medicine should reconsider how it treats stroke and other neurological disorders, focusing on the intrinsic abilities of the brain and nervous system to heal themselves rather than the "modest" benefits of clot-busting drugs and other neuroprotective treatments.
	Neuron groups, not single cells, maintain brain stability To compensate for erratic shifts and spikes in its neuronal communications, the brain relies on the stabilizing mechanism called "homeostasis"—the ability to maintain relatively stable equilibrium between different elements of its composition—to preserve overall network function. Disruptions in stability cause disorders such as epilepsy, but precious little is known about this macro-level regulatory phenomenon.
You can't take your genes with you: Strategies to share genetic information after death Does the child of a person with a heritable form of cancer have the right to access their parent's genetic information after death? What if no consent was ever established? In the March 2 issue of Trends in Molecular Medicine, biomedical ethicists review current arguments about how to disclose genetic information of the deceased and offer suggestions that may help clinicians and officials develop their own policies.
NHS savings plan led to cuts in some 'ineffective' treatments The drive to reduce NHS spending led to a drop in some treatments considered 'low-value', according to new research.
US women's awareness of breast density varies Disparities in the level of awareness and knowledge of breast density exist among U.S. women, according to the results of a Mayo Clinic study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Despite broad awareness, only half of doctors use prescription drug monitoring programs In a new survey, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that physicians report relatively high awareness of state databases that track drug prescriptions but more than one-fifth indicated they were not aware of their state's program at all.
	Restoring ability to halt cell division may protect lung cells from cancer Researchers led by a team at the University of Illinois at Chicago, have identified a novel role for a signaling mechanism in lung cells that permanently places them into a state of suspended animation called senescence. Alive but unable to do much of anything, including divide, senescent cells cannot become cancerous. Drugs that can induce senescence through this signaling pathway would represent a new class of chemotherapy.
	Heart valve repair surgery may ease mental health symptoms, too (HealthDay)—People with a serious heart valve defect have less depression and anxiety after they undergo surgery to repair the problem, a new study finds.
	Do heart surgery patients get too many blood tests? (HealthDay)—The high number of blood tests done before and after heart surgery can sometimes lead to excessive blood loss, possibly causing anemia and the need for a blood transfusion, new research suggests.
	Circadian clock has significant impact on allergic reaction (HealthDay)—The circadian clock seems to have a significant impact on allergic reaction, according to a review published online Feb. 17 in Allergy.
	Laser at 924/975 + curettage best for axillary hyperhidrosis (HealthDay)—For patients with axillary hyperhidrosis, the optimal treatment option is laser at 924/975 nm combined with curettage, according to a study published online Feb. 6 in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
	Stress ups risk of peptic ulcer regardless of H. pylori status (HealthDay)—Psychological stress correlates with increased risk of peptic ulcer, with similar effects associated with Helicobacter pylori infection and ulcers unrelated to either H. pylori or use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, according to a study published in the March issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
	Invasive strategy improves outcome in elderly with ACS (HealthDay)—An invasive strategy using coronary angiography results in a better outcome in elderly patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS), according to research published in the March 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
	CDC: Routine procedures lead to two cases of HCV transmission (HealthDay)—Two cases of hepatitis C infection that occurred during routine surgeries highlight the need for hospitals to tighten infection control to prevent more transmissions, officials said Friday.
	Oral bisphosphonate use tied to lower endometrial cancer risk (HealthDay)—For postmenopausal women, oral bisphosphonate use is associated with a reduction in the risk of endometrial cancer, according to a study published online Feb. 23 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
	AMA: Key steps for minimizing liability risk in telemedicine (HealthDay)—Key steps should be taken to minimize the potential risk of liability resulting from use of telemedicine, according to an article published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
When I'm 64—I'll still have hot flashes? Some 40% of women 60 to 65 years old still have hot flashes. For many, the hot flashes are occasional and mild, but for some, they remain really troublesome, shows a new study just published in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). Sexual symptoms also remain a problem for more than half these older women. Furthermore, women bothered by these symptoms are often not getting treatment, even though treatments are available.
Lycopene may ward off kidney cancer in older women A higher intake by postmenopausal women of the natural antioxidant lycopene, found in foods like tomatoes, watermelon and papaya, may lower the risk of renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer.
ACP releases new guidelines for preventing and treating bedsores The American College of Physicians (ACP) today published two evidence-based clinical practice guidelines in Annals of Internal Medicine for the prevention and treatment of bedsores, also called pressure ulcers. Bedsores commonly occur in people with limited mobility, such as those in hospitals or long-term care settings.
	Risks of taking paracetamol long-term may have been underestimated by clinicians Doctors may have underestimated the risks for patients who take paracetamol long-term, suggests research published online in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
	Disease-carrying fleas abound on New York City's rats In the first study of its kind since the 1920s, rats in New York City were found to carry a flea species capable of transmitting plague pathogens.
	US public sees ill health as resulting from a broad range of causes A new NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health poll finds that more than six in ten people living in the U.S. (62%) are concerned about their future health. Nearly four in ten (39%) said that they had one or more negative childhood experiences that they believe had a harmful impact on their adult health.
Genetic discovery may help determine effectiveness of Huntington's disease treatments A new genetic discovery in the field of Huntington's disease (HD) could mean a more effective way in determining severity of this neurological disease when using specific treatments. This study may provide insight for treatments that would be effective in slowing down or postponing the death of neurons for people who carry the HD gene mutation, but who do not yet show symptoms of the disease.
Researchers identify genes responsible for lung tumors The lung transcription factor Nkx2-1 is an important gene regulating lung formation and normal respiratory functions after birth. Alterations in the expression of this transcription factor can lead to diseases such as lung interstitial disease, post-natal respiratory distress and lung cancer.
	How the brain's involved in wanting and having sex A new review looks at how the brain impacts the sequence of physical and emotional changes that occur as a person participates in sexually stimulating activities.
	People watching tearjerkers eat 28-55% more Sad movies are bad news for diets. A newly reported study from the Cornell Food and Brand Lab showed movie-goers watching tearjerkers ate between 28% and 55% more popcorn both in the lab and in a mall theater during the Thanksgiving holiday.
	Study shows why some brain cancers resist treatment Scientists at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center may have discovered why some brain cancer patients develop resistance to standard treatments including radiation and the chemotherapy agent temozolomide.
Owls and lizards lend their ears for human hearing research Lizards and owls are some of the animal species that can help us to better understand hearing loss in humans, according to new research out of York University's Department of Physics & Astronomy in the Faculty of Science.
Teenager with stroke symptoms actually had Lyme disease A Swiss teenager, recently returned home from a discotheque, came to the emergency department with classic sudden symptoms of stroke, only to be diagnosed with Lyme disease. The highly unusual case presentation was published online last Thursday in Annals of Emergency Medicine ("Acute Lyme Neuroborreliosis with Transient Hemiparesis and Aphasia").
The hidden burden of dengue fever in West Africa Misdiagnosis of febrile illnesses as malaria is a continuing problem in Africa. A new study shows that in Ghana, dengue fever is circulating in urban areas and going undiagnosed. The authors of the study hope to use the findings to launch a widespread initiative to better understand acute undifferentiated febrile illnesses in West Africa.
Standardization and simplification is key to helping NICU babies feed and grow A new standardized approach for feeding infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) helps babies attain full oral feeds sooner, improves their growth and sends them home sooner. The guidelines, developed by clinician-scientists at Nationwide Children's Hospital and published in the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, also reduces the cost of care for these babies by shortening their stays in the NICU by as much as two weeks.
US spends more on cancer care, saves fewer lives than Western Europe Despite sharp increases in spending on cancer treatment, cancer mortality rates in the United States have decreased only modestly since 1970, Samir Soneji, PhD of Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice has found. Refuting previous studies, Soneji published his paper "New Analysis Reexamines the Value of Cancer Care in the United States Compared to Western Europe," today in the March issue of Health Affairs.
	Suicidal ideation prevalent in patients with fibromyalgia (HealthDay)—Suicidal ideation is prevalent among patients with fibromyalgia and is strongly associated with mental health, according to a study published in the February issue of Pain Practice.
	Earlier surgery tied to greater benefit in cervical radiculopathy (HealthDay)—For patients with painful degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy, undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery within six months of becoming symptomatic is associated with a greater reduction in arm pain scores, according to a study published in the March 1 issue of The Spine Journal.
	Cannabis linked to increased risk of cerebrovascular events (HealthDay)—Cannabis seems to be linked to cerebrovascular events, according to research published online Feb. 19 in Stroke.
	High prevalence of HCV in baby boomers presenting to ER (HealthDay)—The prevalence of unrecognized chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is high among baby boomers presenting to the emergency department, according to a study published online Jan. 28 in Hepatology.
	Successful cognitive behavioral therapy in youth equals decreased thinking about suicide Penn Medicine researchers found that patients who did not respond to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety in childhood had more chronic and enduring patterns of suicidal ideation at 7 to 19 years after treatment. This study adds to the literature that suggests that successful CBT for childhood anxiety confers long-term benefits. The complete study is available in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Salmonella and Campylobacter show significant levels of resistance to common antimicrobials in humans and animals Treatment options for some of the most common food-borne infections are decreasing, as types of bacteria (called 'isolates') continue to show resistance to antimicrobial drugs. For example, multi-drug resistant isolates of Salmonella continue to spread across Europe. Also, high resistance to the antimicrobial ciprofloxacin in Campylobacter isolates in both humans and animals has been reported in some Member States. Encouragingly, co-resistance to critically important antimicrobials for both bacteria remains low. These are some the findings of the latest EFSA-ECDC European Union Summary Report on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in zoonotic and indicator bacteria from humans, animals and food, which analyses data from 2013.
Can money buy happiness?: The relationship between money and well-being Researchers are investigating new directions in the science of spending. Four presentations during the symposium "Happy Money 2.0: New Insights Into the Relationship Between Money and Well-Being," delve into the effects of experiential purchases, potential negative impacts on abundance, the psychology of lending to friends, and how the wealthy think differently about well-being. The symposium takes place during the SPSP 16th Annual Convention in Long Beach, California.
Interventional radiology treatment relieves chronic plantar fasciitis Patients suffering from chronic plantar fasciitis now have a new weapon against this debilitating foot ailment, according to research presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology's Annual Scientific Meeting. Researchers utilized ultrasound imaging and specific ultrasonic energy to penetrate, emulsify and remove diseased fasciitis tissue. Permanently removing damaged, pain-generating tissue allowed room for healthy tissue to regrow in its place, restoring normal function.
Psychology of food choice: Challenging the status quo Researchers are challenging conventional beliefs about the effectiveness of traditional strategies for encouraging healthy eating. The symposium, "Challenging Misconceptions About the Psychology of Food Choice," includes four presentations that tackle issues such as the harmfulness of weight-stigma, encouraging healthy choices, and strategies to help children and teens. The symposium is featured at the SPSP 16th Annual Convention in Long Beach, California.
Conjoined Brazilian twin dies after surgery A five-year-old Brazilian boy has died after surgery to separate him from his conjoined twin brother, media reported Saturday.
SLeone vice president in Ebola quarantine asks country to pray Sierra Leone's Vice President Sam Sumana, who put himself into quarantine after one of his bodyguards died from Ebola, asked fellow-citizens on Sunday to "have me in your prayers."
	GOP senators pledge help if court bars health law subsidies Three leading Republican senators are promising to help millions of people who may lose federal health insurance subsidies if the Supreme Court invalidates a pillar of President Barack Obama's health care law.
Australia must improve healthcare rationing Australia's struggling healthcare system is not making best use of available funding when deciding on allocating money to different services and should adopt international best-practice to achieve better healthcare rationing.
The failure of the Medicare principle of universality Monash University researchers have revealed for the first time clear and detailed evidence of the inequitable delivery of mental health care services for disadvantaged Australians.
Protecting nerve tissue during bowel surgery After bowel surgery, more than half of the patients suffer from irreparable nerve damage. Now scientists have developed an assistance system that warns surgeons about the risk of inflicting possible injury during operations in the pelvic area. The experts are currently working on a solution for minimally invasive surgery.
Techniques to solve school bullying outlined in public talk A trial on techniques to solve bullying at school is the topic of a public lecture at the University of Auckland next week.
New data on the regulation of the genetic activity that protects against lung cancer A research project led by the University of Granada, which includes researchers from Harvard and Yale, has provided new data for a better understanding of the alterations produced during the development of lung cancer, the tumour with the highest yearly death rate in Spain. This research clears the path for the development of new antitumoral therapeutic strategies based on microRNAs activity
The dangers of overconsumption of licorice A recent case study published in Pediatric Neurology details the account of a 10-year-old boy who suffered seizures after over-indulging in licorice sweets.
Cholera epidemic kills 41 in Mozambique The death toll from a cholera epidemic in Mozambique that broke out after widespread flooding has risen by almost 50 percent in two weeks to 41, health officials said Monday.
Improved survival for patients with brain mets who are 50 and younger and receive SRS alone Cancer patients with limited brain metastases (one to four tumors) who are 50 years old and younger should receive stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) without whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), according to a study available online, open-access, and published in the March 15, 2015 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics (Red Journal), the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). For patients 50 years old and younger who received SRS alone, survival was improved by 13 percentage points when compared to those patients 50 years old and younger who received both SRS and WBRT.
Use of new systemic adjuvant therapy in gastrointestinal tumors increasing A new study finds that the use of adjuvant systemic therapy for localized gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs ) has significantly increased over time and that patients treated with the therapy have better survival than those treated with surgery alone. The study, which appears early online in the American Journal of Clinical Oncology, also finds that older patients and minorities are less likely to receive adjuvant therapy for GISTs.
Infection control experts outline guidance for animal visitations in hospitals New expert guidance by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) outlines recommendations for developing policies regarding the use of animals in healthcare facilities, including animal-assisted activities, service animals, research animals and personal pet visitation in acute care hospitals. The guidance was published online in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
	Video: Are e-cigarettes safer than the real thing? Electronic cigarettes have exploded in popularity in recent months. People have turned to "vaping" as an alternative to puffing on the real thing. But is that vapor you're inhaling any safer than taking a drag on a cigarette?
Case study: Nebraska's Ebola isolation and decontamination approach The Nebraska Biocontainment Unit (NBU), located at the Nebraska Medical Center, has shared its protocol for Ebola patient discharge, handling a patient's body after death and environmental disinfection in the March issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
	ASPS: Cosmetic procedures increased 3 percent in 2014 (HealthDay)—According to a new report, 15.6 million cosmetic procedures, including both minimally-invasive and surgical, were performed in the United States in 2014, an increase of 3 percent since 2013. The report was issued by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
New FDA official inherits raft of projects, challenges One of the nation's leading medical researchers joined the Food and Drug Administration on Monday, taking on the agency's No. 2 leadership job at a critical juncture for prescription drugs, medical devices and tobacco products.
	Improving diagnosis of coronary artery disease in women—recommendations of a national expert panel Obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in women often presents with different types of symptoms than in men and can be challenging to diagnose due to a variety of factors. A national panel of experts convened to review the latest evidence regarding CAD in women, diagnostic approaches, and new types of tests and technologies. Their findings and policy recommendations are published in an article in Population Health Management. The article is available Open Access on the Population Health Management website.
Federal study: Foster kids struggle to get health screenings Some foster children are not getting their required medical screenings even though the visits are paid for by Medicaid, federal health investigators warn in a study released Monday.
Study highlights benefits of screening for heart disease in men with erectile dysfunction New research reveals that screening for cardiovascular disease in men presenting with erectile dysfunction may be a cost-effective intervention for preventing both cardiovascular disease and, over the longer term, erectile dysfunction.
New research aims to refine increasingly popular plastic surgery procedures Two of the fastest-growing plastic surgery procedures are gluteoplasty or "butt augmentation," to improve the appearance of the buttocks; and labiaplasty to address cosmetic and functional concerns with the vagina. New insights into the use and outcomes of these procedures are presented in the March issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
	What makes some women able to resist or recover psychologically from assault-related trauma? In a study of 159 women who had been exposed to at least one assault-related potentially traumatic event, 30% developed major depressive disorder, which may be attributed to self-blame common to survivors of assault. Fewer women (21%) developed chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.
Understanding lung disease in aboriginal Australians A new study has confirmed that Aboriginal Australians have low forced vital capacity—or the amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs after taking the deepest breath possible. The finding may account for the increased overall impact of lung disease among Aboriginal people in Australia that has previously been attributed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, also known as emphysema).
Sleep in America poll finds pain a significant challenge when it comes to Americans' sleep A new poll by the National Sleep Foundation finds that pain is a key factor in the gap between the amount of sleep Americans say they need and the amount they're getting - an average 42 minute sleep debt for those with chronic pain and 14 minutes for those who've suffered from acute pain in the past week.
	UN warns against complacency as Ebola fight enters new phase The United Nations is urging donors, organizations and countries fighting Ebola in West Africa not to give in to complacency as the death toll from the virus climbs toward 10,000.

Other Sciences news

	Best of Last Week–Can space travel faster than light, another planet behind the Sun and should we allow head transplants (Phys.org)—It was an interesting week for physics research—most of the big news was centered around space, the cosmos or how things came to be as they are. One team of physicists offered a solution to the puzzle of the origin of matter in the universe—suggesting that matter-antimatter asymmetry could be related to the Higgs boson particle. Another team wondered, how can space travel faster than the speed of light? If nothing can travel faster than light, they asked, how is it possible that there are parts of spacetime where the photons that make up light are forever out of our reach? And yet another team wondered if classical theory could be just as weird as quantum theory—they showed that objectivity, determinism, and independence are mutually incompatible with any theory.
	Archaeologists open the mysterious lead coffin found buried just feet from the former grave of King Richard III A mysterious lead coffin found close to the site of Richard III's hastily dug grave at the Grey Friars friary has been opened and studied by experts from the University of Leicester.
	When performance comparisons spur risky behavior When you're at work, there are two types of people you compete with: People with similar responsibilities at your own company, and rivals with similar duties at other companies. How do those different flavors of competition shape behavior?
Protections, not money, can boost internal corporate whistleblowing New research from North Carolina State University and Bucknell University finds that strong, reliable anti-retaliation policies can encourage employees to notify internal authorities of possible wrongdoing, but that offering monetary incentives does not necessarily influence whistleblowing behavior - or at least not right away.
	Republicans trust science—except when it comes to health insurance and gay adoption A new study finds that while Democrats are generally more "pro-science" than other political groups, Republicans are also inclined to defer to science across a range of policy issues. In fact, there are only four issues where Republicans exhibit less trust than independents: global warming, evolution, gay adoption, and mandatory health insurance. This new study is part of the March 2015 issue of The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science.
	New assessment tool can predict successful teachers A new video assessment tool that can inform teacher selection and hiring has implications for education reform.
	Teachers become healthier when they learn Several studies have indicated a connection between learning and health. In a recently published study from University West and Linnaeus University the researchers found that the health of school teachers is related to their level of work integrated learning.
New Mexico students join others in nation against new tests New assessment tests that have angered parents and teachers across the nation prompted walkouts Monday by hundreds of high school students in New Mexico who had been set to take the exams.