Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Mar 4

Multiphysics Simulation Papers Available for Online Viewing: http://goo.gl/K5C6RH

Instantly browse 600 multiphysics simulation papers, posters, and presentations based on the latest ground-breaking applications from research, engineering and industry. Explore now: http://goo.gl/K5C6RH

***************************************************

Phys.org Newsletter for March 4, 2015:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Museum workers able to digitally recreate Stegosaurus to find its mass 
- Theorist suggests a way to test gravitational Casimir attraction 
- Study explains why galaxies don't churn out as many stars as they should 
- Direct evidence that drought-weakened Amazonian forests 'inhale less carbon' 
- Earliest known fossil of the genus Homo dates to 2.8 to 2.75 million years ago 
- Researchers develop the first-ever quantum device that detects and corrects its own errors 
- Color-coading gene sequences in human cells 
- Cockroaches made to follow directions via wireless nerve stimulation 
- Scientists question rush to build Nicaragua canal 
- New models yield clearer picture of emissions' true costs 
- Men tend to be more narcissistic than women, large study says 
- Where you live could mean 'greener' alternatives do more harm than good 
- Characterizing permafrost microbes in a changing climate 
- Using fruit flies to understand how we sense hot and cold 
- Pleurobot is salamander-like robot with lifelike motion 

Nanotechnology news

	From massive supercomputers come tiniest transistors A relentless global effort to shrink transistors has made computers continually faster, cheaper and smaller over the last 40 years. This effort has enabled chipmakers to double the number of transistors on a chip roughly every 18 months—a trend referred to as Moore's Law. In the process, the U.S. semiconductor industry has become one of the nation's largest export industries, valued at more than $65 billion a year.
	Experiment and theory unite at last in debate over microbial nanowires Scientific debate has been hot lately about whether microbial nanowires, the specialized electrical pili of the mud-dwelling anaerobic bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens, truly possess metallic-like conductivity as its discoverers claim. But now University of Massachusetts Amherst microbiologist Derek Lovley, with postdoctoral researcher Nikhil Malvankar and colleagues, say they have settled the dispute between theoretical and experimental scientists by devising a combination of new experiments and better theoretical modeling.
	New research could lead to more efficient electrical energy storage Lawrence Livermore researchers have identified electrical charge-induced changes in the structure and bonding of graphitic carbon electrodes that may one day affect the way energy is stored.
Team customizes nanoparticles to better transport therapeutic drugs A UNL team has unveiled an extremely compact yet fully loaded vehicle that can brave conditions and navigate terrain its predecessors could not.
	Tiny conjugated polyelectrolyte-nanoparticle probes produced by ultrasonication prove superior to commercial products James Bond liked his martini to be 'shaken not stirred', and now A*STAR researchers have found that shaking, rather than stirring, also produces better nanoparticles for bioimaging—with important implications for spying on cancer.
	Energy-generating cloth could replace batteries in wearable devices From light-up shoes to smart watches, wearable electronics are gaining traction among consumers, but these gadgets' versatility is still held back by the stiff, short-lived batteries that are required. These limitations, however, could soon be overcome. In the journal ACS Nano, scientists report the first durable, flexible cloth that harnesses human motion to generate energy. It can also self-charge batteries or supercapacitors without an external power source and make new commercial and medical applications possible.

Physics news

	Theorist suggests a way to test gravitational Casimir attraction (Phys.org)—James Quach, a research fellow at Tokyo University is suggesting that it might be possible to observe a gravitational Casimir attraction by carrying out an experiment he has envisioned. In his paper published in the journal Physical Review Letters, he suggests that it might be possible to detect such an attraction using two mirrors that are able to reflect gravitational waves.
	Researchers develop the first-ever quantum device that detects and corrects its own errors When scientists develop a full quantum computer, the world of computing will undergo a revolution of sophistication, speed and energy efficiency that will make even our beefiest conventional machines seem like Stone Age clunkers by comparison.
	Newton's Laws of Motion model chimp behavior As deforestation, climate change and other pressures threaten habitats, how might chimpanzees adapt?
	Pennies reveal new insights on the nature of randomness The concept of randomness appears across scientific disciplines, from materials science to molecular biology. Now, theoretical chemists at Princeton have challenged traditional interpretations of randomness by computationally generating random and mechanically rigid arrangements of two-dimensional hard disks, such as pennies, for the first time.
	Higgs particle can disintegrate into particles of dark matter, according to new model The 'Standard Model' of particle physics successfully describes the smallest constituents of matter. But the model has its limitations – it does not explain the dark matter of the universe. Christoffer Petersson, a research scientist at Chalmers University of Technology, has found a solution. His theories are now being tested at the particle physics laboratory CERN.
	Online Icicle Atlas offers jackpot of scientific data Anyone who might be dreading the end of winter or cannot wait until it arrives again can now enjoy the beauty and mystery of icicles all year long with the Icicle Atlas.
	New materials discovered to detect neutrons emitted by radioactive materials Scientist Christopher Lavelle of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, together with a team of researchers from the University of Maryland and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, has successfully shown that boron-coated vitreous carbon foam can be used in the detection of neutrons emitted by radioactive materials—of critical importance to homeland security. Lavelle is lead author of the paper "Demonstration of Neutron Detection Utilizing Open Cell Foam and Noble Gas Scintillation" released today in the journal Applied Physics Letters.
	Argonne research expanding from injectors to inhalers There is a world of difference between tailpipes and windpipes, but researchers at the Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have managed to link the two with groundbreaking research that could enable exciting advances in prescription drug delivery devices.

Earth news

	Direct evidence that drought-weakened Amazonian forests 'inhale less carbon' For the first time, an international research team has provided direct evidence of the rate at which individual trees in the Amazonian basin 'inhale' carbon from the atmosphere during a severe drought. They measured the growth and photosynthesis rates of trees at 13 rainforest plots across Brazil, Peru and Bolivia, comparing plots that were affected by the strong drought of 2010 with unaffected plots. They found that while growth rates of the trees in drought-affected plots were unchanged, the rate of photosynthesis - by which trees convert carbon into energy to fuel their activities - slowed down by around 10 percent over six months. Their paper, published in the journal, Nature, concludes that trees may be channelling their more limited energy reserves into growth rather than maintaining their own health. Computer simulations of the biosphere have predicted such responses to drought, but these are the first direct observations o! f this effect across tropical forests.
	Characterizing permafrost microbes in a changing climate In the effort to curb climate change by reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thawing permafrost poses a critical challenge. These reservoirs of frozen organic matter embedded in Arctic soils are one of the major (~1.5 billion tons) stores of carbon on Earth. One of the abiding concerns regarding permafrost is that as global temperatures rise, as is projected over the coming centuries, soils may thaw completely. This event has the potential of causing the release of this carbon in the form of the potent greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane, resulting in the largest contribution of carbon transferred to the atmosphere by a single terrestrial process.
	Scientists map unprecedented urbanization in East-Southeast Asia Researchers have, for the first time, mapped the rapid urban expansion that has occurred across the whole of East-Southeast Asia in the last decade.
	Where you live could mean 'greener' alternatives do more harm than good Whether it's swapping your car for an electric vehicle, or your natural gas furnace for geothermal heating, transitioning from fossil fuels to electric-powered technology is widely believed to be the best way to lower carbon emissions.
	New models yield clearer picture of emissions' true costs When its environmental and human health toll is factored in, a gallon of gasoline costs us about $3.80 more than the pump price, a new Duke University study finds.
	Scientists question rush to build Nicaragua canal A consortium of environmental scientists has expressed strong concern about the impact of a controversial Central American canal across Nicaragua.
	As Delhi chokes, pressure grows for Indian climate action Torrents of thick black smoke billow up toward the smoggy skies as Kunti Desai feeds a coal-fired furnace to make tar for a Delhi road.
	New material captures carbon dioxide with high capacity A new provisionally patented technology from a New Mexico State University researcher could revolutionize carbon dioxide capture and have a significant impact on reducing pollution worldwide.
	Climate change ruled out as most dominant factor for watersheds A UBC-Chinese Academy of Sciences joint study shows that land cover plays as significant a role as climate change on the hydrology of watersheds.
	Genetic data can help predict how pine forests will cope with climate change Data from only a small number of gene variants can predict which maritime pine trees are most vulnerable to climate change, scientists report in the March issue of Genetics. The results will improve computer models designed to forecast where forests will grow as the climate changes, and promises to help forestry managers decide where to focus reforestation efforts. The results will also guide the choice of tree stocks.
	Miscanthus-based ethanol boasts bigger environmental benefits, higher profits A recent study simulated a side-by-side comparison of the yields and costs of producing ethanol using miscanthus, switchgrass, and corn stover. The fast-growing energy grass miscanthus was the clear winner. Models predict that miscanthus will have higher yield and profit, particularly when grown in poor-quality soil. It also outperformed corn stover and switchgrass in its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Washington state spill covers 50 birds in used motor oil Oil-spill responders on Tuesday are evaluating the impact to wildlife from a used motor oil leak into a river in an agricultural area of south-central Washington, as at least 50 ducks, geese and other waterfowl were observed covered in oil.
	Historic climate data provided by Mediterranean seabed sediments An international team of scientists which included three University of Granada and the Andalusian Institute of Earth Sciences researchers (a joint UGR-CISC centre) have found new data on the weather in the Mediterranean basin over the course of the past 20 thousand years thanks to the chemical composition of sediments deposited in its seabed.
How to make palm oil without destroying forests The versatility of palm oil has led to its use in not just food products but also in everyday goods from lipstick to laundry detergent. But its utility has resulted in the destruction of Southeast Asian rain forests that are the primary source of the oil. An article in Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, explores what avenues companies and scientists are taking to produce the oil sustainably.

Astronomy & Space news

	Study explains why galaxies don't churn out as many stars as they should A handful of new stars are born each year in the Milky Way, while many more blink on across the universe. But astronomers have observed that galaxies should be churning out millions more stars, based on the amount of interstellar gas available.
	NASA investigating short circuit on Mars rover Curiosity The Curiosity rover has temporarily stopped work on Mars while NASA engineers investigate a short circuit.
	NASA spacecraft nears encounter with dwarf planet Ceres A NASA spacecraft called Dawn is about to become the first mission to orbit a dwarf planet when it slips into orbit Friday around Ceres, the most massive body in the asteroid belt.
	Image: Training for Sentinel-2A launch On 25 February, the Sentinel-2A Mission Control Team at ESOC, ESA's mission operations centre, Darmstadt, Germany, commenced simulation training for the critical launch and early orbit phase.
	Take part in the world's biggest eclipse weather experiment Scientists at the University of Reading are turning the skies of Britain into a giant weather experiment as the country experiences a solar eclipse later this month - but they need your help.
	Image: Shimmering salt lake seen by Proba-V ESA's Proba-V minisatellite captures the rare sight of standing water in the arid south Australian outback.

Technology news

	Sony plans to launch virtual-reality headset in 2016 Sony plans on putting its virtual-reality headset on consumers' noggins next year.
	Newly found online security flaw stems from 1990s A newly discovered Internet security flaw could leave many websites vulnerable to hackers because of weak US encryption standards in the 1990s, researchers said Tuesday.
	Never mind: Android L full-disk encryption by default not required 2014: Google says with Android L you don't even have to think about turning on encryption. 2015: With encryption for Android L, you have to, uh, think. Times change and so has Google regarding Android L encryption by default out of the box.
	Big box stores could ditch the grid, use natural gas fuel cells instead Large facilities like big box stores or hospitals could keep the lights on by using a fuel cell that runs off the natural gas that already flows in pipelines below most city streets.
	Pleurobot is salamander-like robot with lifelike motion A video showing "multimodal locomotion in a bioinspired robot" has been making the rounds, and the video demonstrates advances in robotics as scientific tools as well as potential robots for search and rescue operations. Its name is Pleurobot.
	Indie game makers shaking up world of play Independent studios are boldly taking on blockbusters in a gaming world being transformed by smartphones, tablets, and online access to play.
	Italy adopts plans to shift into Internet fast lane Italy's government adopted a six-billion-euro plan Tuesday to modernise its Internet network and improve access to broadband in hopes of shedding its reputation as one of Europe's online laggards.
Applications of networked micro-drones Micro-drones are already being put to use in a large number of areas: These small aircraft face extensive requirements when performing aerial observation tasks or when deployed in the field of disaster management. A newly developed concept summarizes these challenges.
	UK cities including London not as 'smart' as global counterparts Major cities in the UK are falling behind their international counterparts in terms of their use of smart technologies, according to a new study from the University of Sheffield.
	New technology could improve night vision, thermal imaging Engineers at the University of Texas at Dallas have created semiconductor technology that could make night vision and thermal imaging affordable for everyday use.
	The UK doesn't yet need net neutrality regulations The net neutrality debate in the US has ended, at least for now, with the Federal Communications Commission ruling for stricter regulation of telecoms and internet service providers (ISPs) in order to maintain a level playing field. But why hasn't the same debate been had in the UK?
	Cheap, environmentally friendly solar cells are produced by minimizing disruptive surface layers By tailoring the interface between the two sections of a solar cell, A*STAR researchers have produced a high-performance solar cell from the abundant and cheap materials of copper (II) oxide and silicon.
	Facebook help a matter of timing Getting a response to a request for assistance on social media may have more to do with your request's timing than how many followers you have, research suggests.
	Responsible development of new technologies critical in complex, connected world On July 31, 2012, a massive blackout swept across northeast India. At 1 pm local time, a power line in the state of Madhya Pradesh became overloaded and tripped out. As the supply grid struggled to pick up the slack, other lines went down. By 1:03, a cascading series of failures had pushed the electricity supply grid into a state of chaos, resulting in the largest blackout in human history. More than an estimated 600 million people lost power temporarily as a result of the collapse.
	Laser weapon system stops truck in field test Lockheed Martin's 30-kilowatt fiber laser weapon system successfully disabled the engine of a small truck during a recent field test, demonstrating the rapidly evolving precision capability to protect military forces and critical infrastructure.
Kids and robots learn to write together (w/ Video) Who is the teacher: the student or the machine? By showing a robot how to write letters, children improve their writing skills and gain self-‐confidence. This system, called CoWriter, was developed by EPFL researchers.
	Road transport in Spain is more efficient during financial crisis periods Thanks to the development of an analytical method, members of the Transport Research Centre (TRANSyT) from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) have established the main factors influencing the GHG emissions trends as a result of the road vehicle traffic in Spain. The results show that this type of transportation tends to be more efficient during crisis periods than in economically prosperous periods.
	Flexible sensors turn skin into a touch-sensitive interaction space for mobile devices If a mobile phone rings during a meeting, its owner often has to dig it out before it can be muted. A more discreet method would be to decline the incoming call by pressing on one of your fingers. Computer scientists at Saarland University are studying the potential use of the human body as a touch sensitive surface for controlling mobile devices. They have developed flexible silicone rubber stickers with pressure-sensitive sensors that fit snugly to the skin. By operating these touch input stickers, users can use their own body to control mobile devices. Because of the flexible material used, the sensors can be manufactured in a variety of shapes, sizes and personalized designs. The research team will be presenting the 'iSkin' project from March 16th to March 20th at the Cebit computer expo in Hanover.
	Build-your-own Google handset reconstructs smartphone With a smartphone that slots together piece by piece like Lego, US Internet giant Google is trying to reinvent the mobile as most phone makers are honing sleeker handsets.
	Russian online retailer expects boom despite consumer gloom Russian retailers are being hit by consumers' loss of purchasing power, but Ulmart, the country's version of Amazon, expects to strengthen its position as people begin to count every kopeck.
Twitter chatter predicts health insurance marketplace enrollment, study shows An increase in Twitter sentiment (the positivity or negativity of tweets) is associated with an increase in state-level enrollment in the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) health insurance marketplaces—a phenomenon that points to use of the social media platform as a real-time gauge of public opinion and provides a way for marketplaces to quickly identify enrollment changes and emerging issues. Although Twitter has been previously used to measure public perception on a range of health topics, this study, led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and published online in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, is the first to look at its relationship with the new national health insurance marketplace enrollment.
	Done your homework? How to track your kids by smartphone Is your toddler being mean to his baby sister while you're out of the room? Is your eight-year-old making unauthorised detours to the sweetshop after school?
	Internet invades everything at gadget fair in Barcelona The pervasive creep of the Internet from computers and phones to all kinds of objects is the theme of this year's edition of the Mobile World Congress wireless show.
	Five stunners from the Geneva car show Forget driverless cars, electric power or even green technology. There is no doubt what visitors are coming to see at the glamorous Geneva motor show: supercars.
Alibaba opens US data center in new challenge to Amazon Chinese online giant Alibaba will open a data center in Silicon Valley, it said Wednesday, challenging US rival Amazon in the field of cloud computing.
Uber heads in new mapping direction with deCarta acquisition Uber Technologies is buying digital mapping specialist deCarta in a deal that may help the rapidly growing ride-hailing service lessen its dependence on navigation services supplied by Google and Apple.
Will Facebook make a car? Zuckerberg: Focus on the network No cars and solar power for Facebook, it seems.
IBM buys small Denver startup AlchemyAPI to expand Watson IBM announced the purchase of AlchemyAPI, a small Denver startup, on Wednesday as part of its effort to expand its Watson cognitive computing system.
	Size matters: Phones as big as they can get for easy use There was a time you could count on phones getting larger each year. Samsung's runaway success with the big-screen smartphone even spurred Apple to release a supersized model last fall. But if phones get any bigger will they be too hard to use?
	Five things to know about Clinton's State Department emails Hillary Rodham Clinton's use of a personal email account for State Department business has prompted questions about secrecy and the rules that govern the communications of senior government officials.
	Addressing the human brain's big data challenge with BrainX3 The human brain generates massive amounts of data resulting from its intricate and complex spatiotemporal dynamics. Biophysical mechanisms underlying these processes are key to our understanding of brain function and disease. To address this challenge, researchers at the SPECS lab lead by Prof. Paul Verschure, have recently developed BrainX3, a platform for visualization, simulation, analysis and interaction of large data, that combines computational power with human intuition in representing and interacting with large complex networks. BrainX3 serves as a hypotheses generator of big data. As is often the case with complex data, one might not always have a specific hypothesis to start with. Instead, discovering meaningful patterns and associations in big data might be a necessary incubation step for formulating well-defined hypotheses.
Video: Corrosion research informing best practices in the oil and gas industry NPL is working with industry and academia to understand typical pipeline failure mechanisms and mitigate the risk of loss of containment.
	Clinton email policy violated Obama administration guidance Even if Hillary Rodham Clinton's use of a private email server to conduct official business as secretary of state was not illegal, it violated Obama administration guidance and undermined his pledge of historic transparency.

Chemistry news

	Caging nuclear waste Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) of metal ions and organic molecules have the potential to grant batteries a longer life and bring sustainable energy technologies to the developing world. Now in the highly regarded journal Accounts of Chemical Research, an international team led by scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory proposes applying these MOFs to make nuclear power more feasible. The MOFs they identified can capture dangerous radionuclides released during the reprocessing of used nuclear fuel.
	Digestive brilliance of breast milk unravelled Scientists have discovered that human breast milk forms into highly organized structures during digestion in the body.
	researchers invent lab-on-paper for rapid, inexpensive medical diagnostics A team of University of Rhode Island engineers led by Professor Mohammad Faghri has created a new paper-based platform for conducting a wide range of complex medical diagnostics. The key development was the invention of fluid actuated valves embedded in the paper that allow for sequential manipulation of sample fluids and multiple reagents in a controlled manner to perform complex multi-step immune-detection tests without human intervention.
Study could change nuclear fuel The adverse effects of radiation on nuclear fuel could soon be better controlled thanks to research involving UT's College of Engineering.
	Chemists and other researchers are working up new formulas for greener plastic It's no longer common to hear, "Paper or plastic?" at the supermarket. In many jurisdictions, the plastic option is curbed. Hundreds of local governments around the world—even entire countries, such as China and India—ban or tax lightweight, single-use plastic bags.
	Determining recipes for some of the world's oldest preserved beers Some breweries have taken to resurrecting the flavors of ages past. Adventurous beer makers are extrapolating recipes from clues that archeologists have uncovered from old and even ancient brews found at historical sites. Now scientists have analyzed some of the oldest preserved beer samples from an 1840s' shipwreck to try to provide insight into how they were made. They report their findings in ACS' Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry.
	Reducing greenhouse gas emissions with a more effective carbon capture method Trapping carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants and various industries could play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the future. But current materials that can collect CO2—from smokestacks, for example—have low capacities or require very high temperatures to work. Scientists are making progress toward a more efficient alternative, described in the ACS journal Chemistry of Materials, that could help make carbon capture less energy-intensive.
	Solar cells get growth boost Researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University's (OIST) Energy Materials and Surface Sciences Unit have found that growing a type of film used to manufacture solar cells in ambient air gives it a growth boost. The finding, which could make manufacturing solar cells significantly cheaper, was published in Chemistry of Materials.
	Video: What does space smell like? You can see it through a telescope, or watch a documentary about it, but you can't stick your nose out and take a whiff.

Biology news

	Color-coading gene sequences in human cells (Phys.org)—Is there a way to peer inside the nucleus of a living cell and see how the genes interact? After the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2001, researchers have focused on epigenetic factors, spatial orientation, and non-coding repeated sequences, all of which affect genetic regulation and function. Hanhui Ma and Thoru Pederson from University of Massachusetts Medical School have demonstrated a new technique that resolves the spatial orientation between two target genetic repeated units within a living human cell. Their work is reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	Cockroaches made to follow directions via wireless nerve stimulation (Phys.org)—A team of researchers at Texas A&M University has found a way to control the path a cockroach takes as it walks using wireless technology. In their paper published in Journal of the Royal Society Interface, the team, made up of mechanical engineers and entomologists, describe how they created little backpacks for the bugs and implanted electrodes to allow for movement control.
	Study identifies first-ever human population adaptation to toxic chemical, arsenic High up in the high Andes mountains of Argentina, researchers have identified the first-ever evidence of a population uniquely adapted to tolerate the toxic chemical arsenic.
	Grand tree of life study shows a clock-like trend in new species emergence and diversity Temple University researchers have assembled the largest and most accurate tree of life calibrated to time, and surprisingly, it reveals that life has been expanding at a constant rate.
	Animal functional diversity started out poor, became richer over time Like a master painter who uses the same brush techniques to continually create original works of art, evolution has produced unique species to fill new or vacated ecological functions by tinkering with just a few basic body plans that have changed little in hundreds of millions of years.
	Researcher develops novel strategy to improve crops and treat diseases A novel strategy to enhance genome editing promises to increase the efficiency of making genetic improvements in a wide range of organisms, a new study suggests.
	Study sheds light on how malaria parasites grow exponentially A University of South Florida College of Public Health professor and his team of researchers have become the first to uncover part of the mysterious process by which malaria-related parasites spread at explosive and deadly rates inside humans and other animals.
	Fishes' innate food choice could change with the environment The fact that fish choose their food based on what colours they can see, as opposed to how it tastes, is an inherited trait that could have implications for the evolution in the animal kingdom, new Deakin University research has found.
	Deadly frog fungus dates back to 1880s, studies find A deadly fungus responsible for the extinction of more than 200 amphibian species worldwide has coexisted harmlessly with animals in Illinois and Korea for more than a century, a pair of studies have found.
	Metabolic path to improved biofuel production Researchers with the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI), a partnership that includes the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the University of California (UC) Berkeley, have found a way to increase the production of fuels and other chemicals from biomass fermented by yeast. By introducing new metabolic pathways into the yeast, they enable the microbes to efficiently ferment cellulose and hemicellulose, the two major families of sugar found in the plant cell wall, without the need of environmentally harsh pre-treatments or expensive enzyme cocktails.
	Activating genes on demand When it comes to gene expression - the process by which our DNA provides the recipe used to direct the synthesis of proteins and other molecules that we need for development and survival - scientists have so far studied one single gene at a time. A new approach developed by Harvard geneticist George Church, Ph.D., can help uncover how tandem gene circuits dictate life processes, such as the healthy development of tissue or the triggering of a particular disease, and can also be used for directing precision stem cell differentiation for regenerative medicine and growing organ transplants.
'No take zones' in English Channel would benefit marine wildlife and the fishing industry Marine conservationists are increasingly pinning their hopes on marine protected areas (MPAs) to save threatened species and reduce over-fishing. However, while most people agree that stopping some types of fishing in MPAs would benefit wildlife and fisheries, working out which fishing activities should be banned is often complicated and controversial.
	New study reveals widespread risk of infectious diseases to wild bees Researchers have discovered a network of viruses, which were previously associated with managed honeybees, may now pose a widespread risk to bumblebees in the wild, according to a new study published today (Wednesday 4 March) in the Journal of Animal Ecology.
	Hundreds of starving koalas killed in Australia Close to 700 koalas have been killed off by authorities in southeastern Australia because overpopulation led to the animals starving, an official said Wednesday, sparking claims of mismanagement.
	New 'enigma' moth helps crack evolution's code Aenigmatinea glatzella – which has iridescent gold and purple wings – is a 'living dinosaur' that represents an entirely new family of primitive moths. This is the first time since the 1970s that a new family of primitive moths has been identified anywhere in the world.
	A cost-effective method uses fungi to convert palm oil waste to green products Leftover plant matter from the production of palm oil could provide a generous source for making biofuels and environmentally friendly plastics. Researchers from A*STAR have developed a fungal culture for use in a cheap and efficient method to transform the waste oil palm material into useful products.
	New monkey species discovered in the Amazon rainforest Scientists have discovered a new species of titi monkey in Brazil, according to a recent paper published in scientific journal Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia.
	Virus in bats homologous to retroviruses in rodents and primates Scientists discovered a new retrovirus "fossil" found in the common vampire bat which is homologous to retroviruses in rodents and primates. The results suggest the recent circulation of an active infectious retrovirus and cross-species transmission. The study has been published in the scientific journal Journal of Virology.
	Why many similar species coexist within complex ecosystems Scientists from the universities of Granada and Warwick have published an article in the journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences), in which they suggest one possible answer for the enigma of stability in complex ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest or coral reefs. Many similar species coexist in these complex ecosystems without one of them prevailing above all the rest and displacing them.
	Scientists uncover cause of tree-killing fungus Forest scientists at the University of British Columbia believe they've discovered the root cause of a deadly tree fungus: extra genes.
	Researchers discover hurricanes helped accelerate spread of lionfish Just when you thought hurricanes couldn't get any scarier, think again.
	Usual prey gone, a fish survives by changing predictably A species of fish that normally eats smaller fish changes in predictable ways when isolated from its prey, research led by a Case Western Reserve University biologist found.
	Amazon deforestation 'threshold' causes species loss to accelerate One of the first studies to map the impact of deforestation on biodiversity across entire regions of the Amazon has found a clear 'threshold' for forest cover below which species loss becomes more rapid and widespread.
	Wild yaks: Shaggy barometers of climate change A new study led by WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), University of Montana, Qinghai Forestry Bureau, Keke Xili National Nature Reserve, and other groups finds that climate change and past hunting in the remote Tibetan Plateau is forcing female wild yaks onto steeper and steeper terrain.
Dog DNA tests alone not enough for healthy pedigree, experts say Breeding dogs on the basis of a single genetic test carries risks and may not improve the health of pedigree lines, experts warn.
	Brazil receives macaw pair from Germany A pair of endangered blue macaws of the kind made famous by the hit animated "Rio" movies arrived in Brazil from Germany on Tuesday as part of a drive to ensure the bird's survival.
Bridge jumper says sea lion saved him A man who jumped off San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge to try to take his own life and was kept afloat by a sea lion said Wednesday suicide prevention was now his life's work.
	Lifeline extended for critically endangered porpoise Mexico's recent decision to buy-out gillnet fisheries in the upper Gulf of California may give one of the world's rarest species the breathing space it needs to survive. Time is still ticking, but the move provides hope for the world's smallest porpoise and local fishing communities.
EU to mull outright ban on animal experiments The EU will consider a ban on animal experimentation after receiving a petition with 1.1 million names from an anti-vivisection group, officials said Wednesday.
Full-annual-cycle models track migratory bird populations throughout the year Ignoring the wintering ranges of migratory birds when studying their populations is like doing a puzzle with half of the pieces missing. In a new Review published this week in The Auk: Ornithological Advances, Jeffrey Hostetler and his colleagues show how statistical analysis can fill in those missing pieces.

Medicine & Health news

	Implanted stem cells reduce symptoms of Alzheimer's during experiment, researchers say Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) researchers at University-affiliated McLean Hospital have taken what they describe as an important step toward using the implantation of stem cell-generated neurons as a treatment for Parkinson's disease.
	Study reveals mechanism behind most common form of inherited Alzheimer's disease A study from researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) reveals for the first time exactly how mutations associated with the most common form of inherited Alzheimer's disease produce the disorder's devastating effects. Appearing in the March 4 issue of Neuron, the paper upends conventional thinking about the effects of Alzheimer's-associated mutations in the presenilin genes and provides an explanation for the failure of drugs designed to block presenilin activity.
	Common antidepressant may hold the key to heart failure reversal A team led by researchers at Temple University School of Medicine (TUSM) found that a commonly prescribed antidepressant restored heart function in mice with heart failure, a finding that could lead to clinical trials for a disease long considered irreversible.
	Scientists describe the function of an enzyme critical to male fertility Researchers are one step closer to unraveling the extraordinarily complex series of processes that leads to an event crucial to human reproduction: the creation of sperm.
	Men tend to be more narcissistic than women, large study says With three decades of data from more than 475,000 participants, a new study on narcissism from the University at Buffalo School of Management reveals that men, on average, are more narcissistic than women.
	Using fruit flies to understand how we sense hot and cold Innately, we pull our hand away when we touch a hot pan on the stove, but little is known about how our brain processes temperature information. Northwestern University scientists now have discovered how a fruit fly's brain represents temperature, mapping it neuron by neuron, which has implications for understanding the much more complex human brain and how it responds to sensory stimuli.
	Mouse study finds extra oxygen may spur tumor-fighting cells A provocative study in mice suggests something as simple as breathing in extra oxygen might give immune cells a boost in attacking cancer.
	Scientists find link between flame retardants and obesity Could your electronics be making you fat? According to University of Houston researchers, a common flame retardant used to keep electronics from overheating may be to blame.
New protein booster may lead to better DNA vaccines and gene therapy Scientists have discovered a new way to manipulate how cells function, a finding that might help advance an experimental approach to improving public health: DNA vaccines, which could be more efficient, less expensive and easier to store than traditional vaccines.
	Study shows who benefits most from statins New research suggests that widely used statin therapy provides the most benefit to patients with the highest genetic risk of heart attack. Using a relatively straightforward genetic analysis, the researchers assessed heart attack risk independently of traditional risk factors such as age, sex, so-called good and bad cholesterol levels, smoking history, family history and whether the patient has diabetes.
	'Stem cell' test could identify most aggressive breast cancers Testing breast cancer cells for how closely they resemble stem cells could identify women with the most aggressive disease, a new study suggests.
Analysis of spider venom reveals seven promising compounds with potential to relieve chronic pain New research shows that seven compounds of the countless found in spider venom block a key step in the body's ability to pass pain signals to the brain. The hunt for a medicine based on just one of these compounds, which would open up a new class of potent painkillers, is now a step closer according to new research published in the British Journal of Pharmacology.
	Fried foods tied to raised heart failure risk (HealthDay)—The more fried food you eat, the greater your risk for heart failure, a new study says.
	Crashes cause majority of deaths for truck drivers (HealthDay)—Crashes cause 65 percent of on-the-job deaths of truck drivers in the United States, making it the top cause of work-related deaths in that occupation, a federal government report shows.
	Estimates of childhood ADHD worldwide differ significantly (HealthDay)—About 7 percent of children worldwide have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), new research concludes. The study was published online March 3 in Pediatrics.
Research uncovers basis for cadmium toxicity University of Adelaide research has uncovered how the metal cadmium, which is accumulating in the food chain, causes toxicity in living cells.
	Sleep specialist says begin preparing now for this weekend's change to daylight saving time When daylight saving time takes effect on Sunday, March 8, it doesn't have to mean a miserably groggy Monday morning. Start planning now to ease your body into the time transition.
Researchers monitor for next novel influenza strain As seasonal influenza cases decrease across the United States, Kansas State University researchers are preparing for the next potential virulent strain of flu.
	Researcher forecasts next 5 states likely to OK recreational marijuana With laws going into effect last week that legalized recreational marijuana in both Alaska and Washington, D.C., a researcher into the history of cannabis' acceptance has predicted the next five U.S. states where voters could be inclined to approve marijuana use for relaxation and enjoyment.
Support, not punishment, the best way to boost vaccination Immunisation in Australia isn't compulsory - and doesn't need to be controversial. Most Australians recognise the incredible benefits that vaccination provides to prevent serious disease; we have high and stable coverage rates of around 93%.
	Hidden hazards found in green products A University of Melbourne researcher has found that common consumer products, including those marketed as 'green', 'all-natural', 'non-toxic', and 'organic', emit a range of compounds that could harm human health and air quality. But most of these ingredients are not disclosed to the public.
Young drinkers of supersized flavored alcohol beverages at increased risk of negative outcomes Underage drinkers of flavored alcoholic beverages who exclusively consume the supersized versions are more than six times as likely to report suffering alcohol-related injuries compared to underage youth who drink other types of alcoholic beverages, according to a new study from researchers with the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Boston University School of Public Health.
	Oxytocin may enhance social function in psychiatric disorders Researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, have shown inducing the release of brain oxytocin may be a viable therapeutic option for enhancing social function in psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. The study results are published today in the advance online edition of Neuropsychopharmacology.
Study quantifies costs, utilization, access to care for patients with eczema Adults with the common chronic skin condition eczema had higher out-of-pocket health care costs, more lost workdays, poorer overall health, more health care utilization and impaired access to care compared to adults without eczema, according to an article published online by JAMA Dermatology.
	Heritability of autism spectrum disorder studied in UK twins Substantial genetic and moderate environmental influences were associated with risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and broader autism traits in a study of twins in the United Kingdom, according to an article published online by JAMA Psychiatry.
Manipulating cells' shapes could treat breast cancer Changing the shape of breast cancer cells could make the disease more sensitive to treatments - even driving the body's own inflammatory response against a tumour - a new study shows.
	Getting enough sleep really isn't optional The typical adult needs 7 to 7 1/2 hours of sleep each night, while for teenagers and young adults under 25 about 9 to 10 hours of sleep per night is recommended, says Ann Romaker, MD, director of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center Sleep Medicine Center.
Patients who smoke want respect from physicians What is it like to be someone who smokes in today's increasingly smoke-free world? How can providers best interact with their patients who smoke and support their efforts to become tobacco-free? A new study by researchers from the UNC Department of Family Medicine and the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center represents one of the first efforts to ask these and other seemingly simple, yet critical, questions. The study was lead by Jacqueline Halladay, MD, associate professor, Department of Family Medicine.
	There's no evidence human pheromones exist – no matter what you find for sale online The idea of human pheromones is intuitively appealing, conjuring up the idea of secret signals that make us irresistible to potential partners. But this connection of pheromones with sex may be the wrong way to look at the issue – because despite 45 years of study and various claims over the years there's still not a lot of evidence that human pheromones exist at all.
Genetic modification aids cancer drug discovery Genetically modifying cancer cells can aid in clarifying new cancer drugs' mechanism of action, according to a new study by researchers at KU Leuven's Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy (Rega Institute).
	Tumor suppressor protein also helps establish body patterns in developing embryos Scientists first identified a gene called 'mutated in colorectal cancer' (Mcc) back in 1991, and yet many questions still remain about the gene's function in both cancer formation and normal tissue development. Using zebrafish as a model laboratory system, researchers from A*STAR have now discovered that Mcc plays a critical role in the cellular alignment of the early embryo.
	Researchers identify over 100 locations on the human genome associated with schizophrenia risk An international consortium has combined data from 150,000 people around the globe to shed light on genetic risk factors for schizophrenia, a debilitating psychotic disorder.
	Campaigns improve awareness of cancer symptoms and boost GP visits Awareness campaigns have boosted the public's knowledge of lung and bowel cancer symptoms and increased the number of people who went to their doctor according to one of a series of papers published in a special edition of the British Journal of Cancer (BJC) today (Wednesday).
Make your diet anti-inflammatory with a few easy changes Use your search engine or explore a local bookstore, and you'll find a wide variety of anti-inflammatory diet books. This eating approach is promoted to reduce everything from heart disease to asthma, and often requires you to make drastic changes in your eating pattern. What if you could make a few easy modifications that had a significant effect on your health?
Health expert shares some of the top health concerns men face Men lead women in the likelihood to die from nearly all the most common causes of death. Still, men are less likely to go to the doctor than women and often try to ignore symptoms of health problems.
Study bolsters evidence that depression intervention also benefits employers Workers with depression had improved mental health and were more productive after completing a phone-based intervention that focused on restoring their ability to work, according to a national study published in Psychiatric Services in Advance, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Psychiatric Association. The multi-site, randomized controlled trial involved middle-aged and older workers with depression.
	Scientists describe novel drug mechanism that fights brain cancer Researchers at UC Davis have developed and characterized a molecule that interferes with the internal regulation of cancer cells, causing them to self-destruct. This novel mechanism was found to be effective against glioma cells—responsible for a usually fatal type of brain cancer—and could be applicable to other highly aggressive cancers.
	Digital epidemiology—tracking diseases in the mobile age Being stuck in bed, waiting for the flu to run its course, is pretty unpleasant. And it's also really boring. What else is there to do but search for symptoms online, and read entries about the flu on Wikipedia or WebMD or post messages on Facebook and Twitter about how sick you are?
	Curtailing worry reduces key schizophrenia symptom Delusions of persecution in psychiatric patients can be reduced with just six sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a new clinical trial has found. Using CBT in this way could potentially help to prevent mental illnesses occurring in at-risk people.
GDNF not needed by the midbrain dopamine system A key factor in the motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease is the gradual destruction of dopamine neurons. The glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, or GDNF, has been proven to protect dopamine neurons in test tube conditions and in test animal models for Parkinson's disease. GDNF and its close relative, neurturin, have also been used in experimental treatments of patients with severe Parkinson's disease. The results have been promising, but vary widely in terms of efficacy. At the moment, two companies are conducting tests to determine the clinical effects of GDNF on Parkinson's sufferers.
An alternative to medical marijuana for pain? Medical marijuana is proliferating across the country due to the ability of cannabis ingestion to treat important clinical problems such as chronic pain. However, negative side effects and the development of tolerance limit the widespread therapeutic use of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the major psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.
	UN: World eating too much sugar; cut to 5-10 percent of diet (Update) New guidelines from the World Health Organization are enough to kill anyone's sugar high. The U.N. health agency says the world is eating too much sugar and people should slash their intake to just six to 12 teaspoons per day—an amount that could be exceeded with a single can of soda.
	Twitter helps smokers kick the habit, study finds When subjects in a smoking cessation program tweet each other regularly, they're more successful at kicking the habit, according to a study by UC Irvine and Stanford University researchers. Specifically, daily "automessages" that encourage and direct the social media exchanges may be more effective than traditional social media interventions for quitting smoking.
	Older, white males with advanced bladder cancer at high risk for suicide Older, single white males with advanced bladder cancer have the highest suicide risk among those with other cancers of the male genitals and urinary system, researchers report.
	Obesity associated with brain's neurotransmitters Researchers at Aalto University and University of Turku have revealed how obesity is associated with altered opioid neurotransmission in the brain.
Why you might get more than you bargained for playing 'beer pong' When the conversation fades and the food runs out, exuberant partygoers might turn to drinking games for their postprandial entertainment. But, be warned the ever-popular sport of "beer pong" could give you a little more than you bargained for, according to US scientists writing in the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health.
	Team discovers retina protein that may help conquer blindness Research led by Nicolas Bazan, MD, PhD, Boyd Professor and Director of the LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence, discovered a protein in the retina that is crucial for vision. The paper reports, for the first time, the key molecular mechanisms leading to visual degeneration and blindness. The research reveals events that may be harnessed for prevention, as well as to slow down progression of retinal degenerative diseases. The paper is published in the March 4, 2015, issue of Nature Communications.
	Mental health soon after war-zone concussions predicts disability Evaluating military personnel with blast-related mild traumatic brain injuries, researchers have found that early symptoms of post-traumatic stress, such as anxiety, emotional numbness, flashbacks and irritability, are the strongest predictors of later disability.
One-third of Americans do not have access to stroke center within 1 hour One-third of the US population does not have access to a primary stroke center within one hour by ambulance, and even under optimal conditions, a large proportion of the US would be unable to access a stroke center within this window, according to a new study published in the March 4, 2015, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the country.
Defined by your possessions? How loving parents unintentionally foster materialism in their children Can loving and supportive parents unintentionally encourage their children to define their self-worth through possessions? According to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research, children who receive more material rewards from their parents grow up to be more materialistic as adults.
Cell powerhouse sequencing technology provides deeper look at inherited disease risk A new sequencing technique may provide a clearer picture of how genes in mitochondria, the "powerhouses" that turn sugar into energy in human cells, shape each person's inherited risk for diabetes, heart disease and cancer, according to a study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published online this week in the journal Nucleic Acids Research.
	Infant gut bacteria and food sensitization: Associations in the first year of life A new study from Canadian researchers at the University of Alberta and University of Manitoba is shedding new light on changes in intestinal bacteria of infants that can predict future development of food allergies or asthma.
	Heroin overdose deaths quadrupled since 2000 (HealthDay)—Heroin overdose deaths have skyrocketed in recent years, quadrupling since 2000, U.S. health officials reported Wednesday.
	14 percent of toddlers may be drinking coffee (HealthDay)—Although they may just be learning how to say the word coffee, about one in seven 2-year-olds in Boston drinks the caffeinated beverage, a new study finds.
	Wound leak critical complication post open globe repair (HealthDay)—Postoperative wound leak affects a substantial proportion of eyes following repair of open globe injuries, according to a study published online Feb. 17 in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.
	Anemia linked to adverse outcomes in atrial fibrillation (HealthDay)—For patients with atrial fibrillation receiving anticoagulant treatment, the presence of anemia is associated with increased risk of thromboembolic events, bleeding complications, and mortality, according to research published online Feb. 13 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
	Aerobic fitness can predict post-op complications in AAA repair (HealthDay)—For patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, measures of cardiopulmonary fitness can predict postoperative complications, according to a study published online Feb. 6 in Anaesthesia.
	Nurse follow-up by phone cuts problems post orthopedic Sx (HealthDay)—A program of phone follow-up by nurses can reduce problems that discharged patients may experience after undergoing orthopedic surgery, according to research published online Feb. 23 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
	HPV-16 tied to improved survival in advanced esophageal cancer (HealthDay)—For patients with advanced-stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), human papillomavirus (HPV)-16 infection is associated with improved survival and treatment response, according to a study published online Feb. 24 in the Journal of Digestive Diseases.
	AHA: Many US adults taking action to reduce sodium intake (HealthDay)—Many U.S. adults are taking action to reduce sodium intake, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention/Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health 2015 Scientific Sessions, held from March 3 to 6 in Baltimore.
	STS releases outcomes for congenital heart Sx database (HealthDay)—The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has released the first publicly accessible report of surgical outcomes from its Congenital Heart Surgery Database (CHSD).
Marijuana an inescapable issue for health chiefs, say experts Marijuana will become an unavoidable policy issue for health watchdogs in coming years, a conference heard Wednesday.
	Often-ignored glucose value in routine blood tests correlates with risk of type 2 diabetes Glucose values obtained during routine blood tests are often overlooked, but could provide valuable insight into whether someone is at risk for having type 2 diabetes, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found.
	Strong genetic risk factor for MS discovered in family of five affected siblings Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have identified a genetic variation that in women significantly increases their risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
Better midlife fitness may slow brain aging People with poor physical fitness in their 40s may have lower brain volumes by the time they hit 60, an indicator of accelerated brain aging, according to new research presented at the American Heart Association EPI/Lifestyle 2015 meeting.
	LA story: Cleaner air, healthier kids A 20-year study finds that millennial children in Southern California breathe easier than ones who came of age in the '90s, for a reason as clear as the air in Los Angeles today.
	How much sugar is in that? Seven foods with added sugar Health officials say people should eat less sugar. But that's easier said than done.
Omega-3 fatty acids appear to protect damaged heart after heart attack Taking omega-3 fatty acids appeared to lower inflammation and guard against further declines in heart function among recent heart attack survivors already receivingoptimal standard care, according to results from a randomized, controlled trial to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session in San Diego.
	Mediterranean diet cuts heart disease risk by nearly half Adults who closely followed the Mediterranean diet were 47 percent less likely to develop heart disease over a 10-year period compared to similar adults who did not closely follow the diet, according to a study to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session in San Diego.
Novel approach helps prevent early menopause in breast cancer patients, study finds Early menopause can be prevented and fertility may be preserved in young women with early stage breast cancer, according to a study published today in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Study shows that use of statins increases risk of developing diabetes by 46 percent New research published in Diabetologia (the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes) shows that use of statins is associated with a 46% increase in the risk of developing diabetes, even after adjustment for confounding factors. The study is by Professor Markku Laakso, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Finland, and colleagues.
Gout may lessen chances of developing Alzheimer's disease People who have gout are significantly less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, concludes research published online in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
Second LA hospital issues alert over 'superbug' The Cedars-Sinai Medical Center may have unwittingly infected nearly 70 patients with a treatment-resistant superbug, it said Wednesday, becoming the second Los Angeles hospital to issue an alert.
	Common drug for irregular heartbeat tied to worse outcomes (HealthDay)—Patients who take the heart rhythm drug digoxin may face a nearly 30 percent greater risk of death than patients not taking the drug, a review of prior research suggests.
Opdivo approval expanded to include lung cancer (HealthDay)—U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of Opdivo (nivolumab) has been expanded to include advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the agency said Wednesday in a news release.
	Chinese researchers report successful hepatitis E vaccine (HealthDay)—A new vaccine for hepatitis E provides protection from the virus for at least 4.5 years, according to Chinese researchers.
Air pollution connected with narrowing of the arteries People living in areas with more air pollution face a greater risk of carotid artery stenosis, a narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the brain, according to research scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session in San Diego. Carotid artery stenosis, which results when fatty substances build up in the arteries in the neck, is associated with more than half of the strokes that occur in the United States each year.
Personalized health coaching helps reverse progression to diabetes People with prediabetes who took part in a comprehensive health program to improve nutrition, exercise, stress and sleep were able to revert to normal blood glucose metabolism, reducing their risk for developing diabetes—a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease—according to a study to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session in San Diego.
New studies fail to find cardiovascular risk with testosterone therapy Two studies scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session in San Diego failed to find a connection between testosterone therapy in men and heart problems, contradicting research that prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to investigate its safety. The new studies include a meta-analysis of data from 29 studies involving more than 120,000 men and an observational study from a Wisconsin health system.
Scientists quantify healthy years gained by avoiding risk factors Obesity, hypertension and diabetes are known risk factors for heart failure, a chronic condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. For the first time, scientists have quantified the average number of heart failure-free years a person gains by not developing those risk factors by age 45, according to a study scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session in San Diego.
Atrial fibrillation patients on digoxin face increased risk of death Patients taking digoxin to control atrial fibrillation face a 27 percent greater risk of dying than atrial fibrillation patients who are not taking digoxin, according to an analysis of 19 studies involving more than 500,000 patients scheduled for presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Session in San Diego.
	Is #TheDress white and gold or blue and black? Rice expert on visual perception weighs in On Feb. 26, a picture of a cocktail dress originally uploaded to the blog Tumblr swept the Internet and managed to divide the population over a simple question: What color is the dress? Some viewers saw gold and white while others insisted the dress is blue and black. Some people claimed they could see either interpretation, but only one of them at a time. It made people stop and ask, "What exactly is going on with this image?"
	Genome replication may hold clues to cancer evolution The more copies of an organism's genome in its cells, the more those cells seem to benefit in terms of growth and adaptation.
Agreement on best estimates of breast cancer overdiagnosis urgently needed to inform women In 2012, prompted by increasing debate about overdiagnosis, an independent UK panel estimated that about 19% of breast cancers diagnosed among women invited to mammogram screening were in fact overdiagnosed (they would have been harmless). But other estimates have been higher (up to 50%) or lower (less than 5%).
	UTMB collaboration results in rapid Ebola test University of Texas Medical Branch researchers who helped assess the effectiveness of a new rapid test kit to diagnose Ebola learned this week it has received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration.
Time for balance? Preventing atypical femoral fractures related to bisphosphonates Physicians worldwide frequently prescribe bisphosphonates such as alendronate (Fosamax) and ibandronate (Boniva) to treat osteoporosis and prevent fragility fractures. Unfortunately, long-term bisphosphonate use has been linked to an increased risk of atypical femoral fractures. In the March 3, 2015 edition of JBJS Reviews, Blood et al. offer some guidance on how to prevent such fractures.
New research may provide insight into reasons behind male infertility Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine researchers have identified a protein complex that is essential for formation of the sperm tail— findings that could lead to novel approaches to male contraception and clarify some of the unknown factors that contribute to male infertility.
	Does chemical exposure in the workplace affect hearing? With one in six Australians recording some form of auditory loss, a new study by The University of Queensland is examining how exposure to chemicals in the workplace can affect employee hearing.
	Dance study puts people with Parkinson's on the front foot Brisbane researchers have proven that a community dance program can improve the health and wellbeing of people living with Parkinson's disease.
Two studies of cannabidiol oil as a treatment for severe, intractable seizures The University of Alabama at Birmingham has launched two studies of cannabidiol oil, or CBD oil, as a treatment for severe, intractable seizures. The two studies, an adult study at UAB and a pediatric study at Children's of Alabama, were authorized by the Alabama Legislature in 2014 by legislation known as Carly's Law.
Endocrine Society publishes comprehensive report on hormone health statistics The Endocrine Society today published the first chapter of a new report compiling the latest peer-reviewed statistics on hormone health conditions into a single resource.
	McDonald's chicken gets new standard: No human antibiotics McDonald's says it plans to require chicken suppliers to stop using antibiotics important to human medicine within two years.
The brain works as a 'cyclops,' compensating the optical differences between the eyes The eyes differ in their optical properties what results in a blur projected in each retina, despite we see sharp images because the visual system calibrates itself. An international research performed by the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas has discovered that when each eye separately has a different level of blur, our brain uses as sharp reference the image projected through the less aberrated eye. The research has been published in Current Biology.
	ILROG issues treatment guidelines for pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma that incorporate advanced imaging techniques The International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group (ILROG) has issued a guideline that outlines the use of 3-D computed tomography (CT)-based radiation therapy planning and volumetric image guidance to more effectively treat pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma and to reduce the radiation dose to normal tissue, thus decreasing the risk of late side effects. The guideline will be published in the March-April issue of Practical Radiation Oncology (PRO), the clinical practice journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
	Can exercise training prevent premature death in elderly? Generation 100 is the first and largest randomized clinical study evaluating the effect of regular exercise training on morbidity and mortality in elderly people.
AMP launches micro-costing and health economic evaluation tools for GSP The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP), the premier global, non-profit organization serving molecular diagnostic professionals, today released cost analysis results and health economic evaluation models for several genomic sequencing procedure (GSP) CPT codes. AMP also released a micro-costing analysis template tool, molecular diagnostic laboratories can use to calculate the cost of their next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays used to perform these procedures. Three health economic models, including customized models for whole exome analysis, tumor panel for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and hearing loss are now available to help demonstrate the economic value of NGS procedures.
DR Congo cholera cases top 1,500, 35 dead: UN A cholera outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has infected 1,500 people and caused 35 deaths in less than two months, the United Nations said on Wednesday.
First-of-its kind reference on pelvic malignancies Loyola University Medical Center radiation oncologist William Small, Jr., MD, FACRO, FACR, FASTRO, is co-editor of Pelvic Malignancy and its Consequences, the first-of-its kind stand-alone reference on the subject.
Flu winds down as FDA aims for better vaccine next winter The miserable flu season is winding down, but it's lasted longer than usual and federal health officials warn there's still a lot of illness spreading.

Other Sciences news

	Earliest known fossil of the genus Homo dates to 2.8 to 2.75 million years ago The earliest known record of the genus Homo—the human genus—represented by a lower jaw with teeth, recently found in the Afar region of Ethiopia, dates to between 2.8 and 2.75 million years ago, according to an international team of geoscientists and anthropologists. They also dated other fossils to between 2.84 and 2.58 million years ago, which helped reconstruct the environment in which the individual lived.
	Museum workers able to digitally recreate Stegosaurus to find its mass (Phys.org)—A team of workers at Britain's Natural History Museum in London has used 3D scans of the bones of "Sophie" the most complete Stegosaurus skeleton ever found, to calculate the dinosaur's body mass at death. In their paper published in the journal Biology Letters, the team describes how they calculated the dinosaur's body mass two different ways and came up with nearly the same result, suggesting their calculations are likely accurate.
	Advanced modeling software explores whether Augustus Caesar really transformed Rome With degrees in Etruscology and Roman architectural history, Diane Favro has traveled to every corner of the Roman Empire, from Algeria to Germany to Lebanon, and written several books on the subject matter as well as worked on a long list of digital research projects that explore the ancient world. But the answer to one question about Rome during the reign of Caesar Augustus eluded and intrigued this UCLA professor of architecture and urban design.
	Research shows belief in supernatural punishment, rather than 'big gods' of religion gave rise to complex societies (Phys.org)—A team of researchers with ties to several different institutions in Australia has published a paper in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B refuting claims made by other researchers that the advent of "big gods" characteristic of such religions as Islam and Christianity, were one of the driving forces that led to large civilized societies. In their study, they found that instead, it appears a stronger force was more likely fear of supernatural punishment for those still living.
	Is generosity essential to human existence? When Dennis ole Sonkoi was a child he never gave much thought to sharing. Growing up in Kenya as part of the Maasai community – a pastoral group of herdsmen that travels throughout Kenya and Tanzania – it was routine to make sure others had resources, like enough milk to drink.
	Fossil lower jaw sheds light on early Homo A fossil lower jaw found in the Ledi-Geraru research area, Afar Regional State, Ethiopia, pushes back evidence for the human genus—Homo—to 2.8 million years ago, according to a pair of reports published March 4 in the online version of the journal Science. The jaw predates the previously known fossils of the Homo lineage by approximately 400,000 years. It was discovered in 2013 by an international team led by Arizona State University scientists Kaye E. Reed, Christopher J. Campisano and J Ramón Arrowsmith, and Brian A. Villmoare of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
	Flipping the flipped classroom concept on its head It may be time to tap the brakes a bit on the flipped classroom movement.
New (road) signs of the times? Traffic accidents claim lives, cause injury and cost money. Working on ways to reduce them is a constant battle.
	Marriage more likely to end in divorce when wives get sick, study finds Countless couples have recited the words, 'in sickness and in health' on their wedding day with the intention of honoring those vows. But as it turns out, that may be easier said than done.
	Cities have memory and interact with their neighbors Demographic changes in large cities depend on millions of individual decisions, but the population evolves depending on two factors: what 'reminds' them of their recent past and the existence of other urban areas around them.
	How big data can be used to understand major events With the most unpredictable UK general election looming in modern times, how can big data be used to understand how elections are covered by the media? New research has for the first time analysed over 130,000 online news articles to find out how the 2012 US presidential election played out in the media.
Trying to lose weight? How to avoid setting yourself up for failure If you're on a diet, just skipping dessert can seem like a huge accomplishment, leading you to think you're well on your way to losing weight. According to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research, consumers tend to overestimate progress and underestimate setbacks when pursuing goals such as dieting or saving money.
Time management: Why we feel busier when close to reaching a goal Is there any worse time to be interrupted than right now? Regardless of what we're doing or the nature of the interruption, we often feel as if we have no time to spare at the moment. According to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research, consumers feel busier when they are close to finishing a task or reaching a goal.
Chance as a motivator? Uncertainty can make people work harder Can uncertainty motivate people to work harder? According to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research, people will often put in more effort to obtain uncertain rewards.
	Think twice about investing in own company Employees whose retirement plan is invested in stock of the company where they work do not pull out money as the firms approach financial distress, a recently released, but yet to be published paper, co-authored by a University of California, Riverside assistant professor found.
French tomb sheds light on Iron Age European trade A tomb from the fifth century BC, likely that of a Celtic prince, has been unearthed in a small French town, shedding light on Iron Age European trade, researchers said Wednesday.
Budget first, thank yourself later: Are realistic consumers more successful? Every time you run errands, you make decisions about what to get done and how much to spend. How do you make these decisions when there is just not enough time or money to accomplish everything you want? According to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research, creating a budget will help you prioritize and make you more productive.
America's Next Top Model: How do fans contribute to the decline of their favorite TV shows? Popular TV shows can rapidly lose much of their audience. According to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research, the most devoted fans of popular TV shows could actually be contributing to their decline.
	Excavation reveals ancient town and burial complex in Diros Bay, Greece Recent research by The Diros Project, a five-year excavation program in Diros Bay, Greece, has uncovered the remains of an ancient town and burial complex that date to the Neolithic and Bronze Age. In addition to the Neolithic 'spooning' couple that has been highlighted in recent news articles, the archaeological team also uncovered several other burials and the remains of an ancient village that suggest the bay was an important center in ancient times. Located outside the entrance to Alepotrypa Cave, the site of Ksagounaki yielded Neolithic buildings and adult and infant burials that indicate the sites together were part of one huge ritual and settlement complex.
Launching a new brand: Is partnering with a popular brand a good idea? If you're trying to sell a new brand of cereal, teaming up with Kellogg's or General Mills would seem like a really great idea. However, a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research shows that partnering with established brands may not always benefit new brands.
Deciding on a purchase: Does it matter if you look up or down while shopping? Next time you look up at a higher shelf in a store or down at your phone when making a purchase, think about how the direction you are looking could influence your decision. According to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research, consumers choose different products when looking up versus down.
Gender perspectives in Puerto Rican childhood education For the last few weeks, Puerto Rico's streets have seen protesters for and against the incorporation of 'perspectivas de género' or gender perspectives in the public schools' curriculum.
	Dubai to curate next hot thing in 'Museum of the Future' The flashy Gulf city with a skyline that looks like something out of a science fiction movie is embracing its love of all things new with plans for a "Museum of the Future."
	History holds valuable lessons in the war on drugs Researchers say they're at the forefront of a new movement delving into the deep history of illicit drug use in Latin America and how it affects the rest of the world, a history that spans numerous fields of study. It's a history leading to the war on drugs in the United States, the largest international consumer of illegal drugs. This groundbreaking research is revealed in a current special issue of the Hispanic American Historical Review, published by Duke University Press and co-edited by Paul Gootenberg, a SUNY Distinguished Professor of History and Sociology, and Isaac Campos, a University of Cincinnati associate professor of history.
Professor analyzes role of trade sanctions against Iran Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress on Tuesday as about 50 Democratic lawmakers threatened to boycott the address, offering the latest and one of the most clear microcosms of the debate about Iran's nuclear program and strained relations among nations. A University of Kansas professor has authored an extensive look at the history of trade sanctions against Iran, noting that while they have had their intended effect, the problems are far from over.
	U of M researchers call for US government to expand role in helping rebuild Somalia As Somalia continues to rebuild after a prolonged civil war that began in the early 1990s, researchers at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs recommend the U.S. government shift its work from peacekeeping to rebuilding in ways that will help grow Somalia's economy. As the country began to stabilize, many members of the diaspora who had fled during the unrest returned to Somalia with ideas on how to start businesses and help grow the economy. Despite a deep desire to help, the Somali diaspora reported considerable barriers to their work, and researchers have identified several ways the U.S. government and nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) could help create better opportunities for growth and stability.