Science X Newsletter Friday, Feb 6

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Kitchen sponge supercapacitor has many porous benefits 
- Samsung offers new ePoP memory for smartphones 
- FAA appears to be attempting to expand its authority to moon activities 
- Researchers use transmission electron microscope as a thermometer at nanoscale 
- Neutron imaging instrument 'Dingo' helped reveal how granular material behaves under stress 
- The ages of sun-like stars 
- Settling for 'Mr. Right Now' better than waiting for 'Mr. Right' 
- Non-damaging X-ray technique unveils protein complex that uses sunlight to split water 
- Breakthrough technologies could pave the way for cheaper, faster small-satellite launches    
- Why 'baking powder' increases efficiency of plastic solar cells 
- Closer view of Ceres shows multiple white spots 
- Astronomers breathe new life into venerable instrument 
- A picture is worth 1000 words, but how many emotions? 
- Researchers reveal how hearing evolved 
- Scientist advances methane sounder to measure another greenhouse gas 

Nanotechnology news

	Kitchen sponge supercapacitor has many porous benefits By dipping small pieces of an ordinary kitchen sponge into solutions of nanoscale electrode materials, scientists have created a light-weight, low-cost supercapacitor that benefits from the sponge's porous structure. The pores provide a large surface area for the electrode materials to attach to, leading to an increase in ion movement between the electrodes and the electrolyte that fills in the pores. Overall, the new supercapacitor exhibits a performance that is superior to that of one made of the same electrode materials but without the sponge.
	Swapping tellurium for sulfur improves light absorption in organic solar cells The investigation of light absorbing organic semiconductors is important for the development of lightweight flexible solar cells. Replacing sulfur atoms in commonly used, polymer-based solar cells with tellurium atoms results in materials that absorb a wider range of wavelengths of sunlight. A tellurophene-containing low-bandgap polymer (PDPPTe2T) was synthesized by microwave-assisted palladium-catalyzed ipso-arylative polymerization of 2,5-bis[(α-hydroxy-α,α-diphenyl)methyl]tellurophene with a diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) monomer.
	Precision growth of light-emitting nanowires A novel approach to growing nanowires promises a new means of control over their light-emitting and electronic properties. In a recent issue of Nano Letters, scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (Berkeley Lab) demonstrated a new growth technique that uses specially engineered catalysts. These catalysts, which are precursors to growing the nanowires, have given scientists more options than ever in turning the color of light-emitting nanowires.
	Why 'baking powder' increases efficiency of plastic solar cells The efficiency of plastic solar cells can be doubled or tripled if an extra solvent is added during the production process, comparable with the role of baking powder in dough mixture. Exactly how this works has been unclear for the last ten years. But now researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) have come up with the answer in a publication in Nature Communications. This new understanding will now enable focused development of plastic solar cells.

Physics news

	Researchers use transmission electron microscope as a thermometer at nanoscale A team of researchers with the University of California has found a way to use a transmission electron microscope (TEM) as a thermometer for measuring heat in micro-electric devices. In their paper published in the journal Science, the team describes how they discovered using a TEM on a tiny piece of metal could reveal its density change as electrons passed through. Christian Colliex with the L'Université de Paris, offers a Perspective piece on the work by the team in the same journal edition.
	Acoustic tweezers device expands the range of X-ray crystallography A device for precisely positioning small objects using acoustic waves has now been used to position fragile protein crystals a few micrometers or less in size in the path of a crystallography X-ray beam. This technique will make it possible to collect data on previously intractable samples and will expand the scope of what is now possible with X-ray crystallography.
	New technique could use tiny diamond defects to reveal unprecedented detail of molecular structures Proteins are the building blocks of all living things, and they exist in virtually unlimited varieties, most of whose highly complex structures have not yet been determined. Those structures could be key to developing new drugs or to understanding basic biological processes.
Quantum mechanical behaviour at the macroscale Most quantum physics research to date has used particles such as atoms and electrons to observe quantum mechanical behaviour. Professor Mika Sillanpää of Aalto University is now working in the relatively new field of using supercool temperatures to observe quantum features in larger objects
	Neutron imaging instrument 'Dingo' helped reveal how granular material behaves under stress Enjoying a day at the beach in summer, stretched out on the sand, provides a good opportunity to observe how a granular material behaves.

Earth news

	Archaeologists use airborne lasers to solve mystery of Angkor's demise A team of University of Sydney archaeologists, led by Dr Damian Evans, have used groundbreaking laser imaging to map central Angkor and to help identify how unstable climate change damaged the city's water system and contributed to its demise. Their groundbreaking work is the subject of a new SBS documentary.
	Scientist advances methane sounder to measure another greenhouse gas A NASA scientist who has played a key role developing and demonstrating a new technique for gathering around-the-clock global carbon-dioxide (CO2) measurements is applying the same general principles to develop a new laser instrument sensitive to another greenhouse gas—methane.
	Methane seepage from Arctic seabed occurring for millions of years Natural seepage of methane offshore the Arctic archipelago Svalbard has been occurring periodically for at least 2,7 million years. Major events of methane emissions happened at least twice during this period, according to a new study.
	Image: Lisbon, Portugal from orbit This image from Sentinel-1A's radar shows the metropolitan area of Portugal's capital, Lisbon.
	Ancient snow patches melting at record speed Norway is dotted with small glaciers and permanent snow patches that contain all sorts of archaeological treasures, from ancient shoes to 5000-year-old arrowheads. But climate change has turned up the temperature on these snowfields and they are vanishing at an astonishing rate.
	Satellite science improves storm surge forecasting around the world A new online resource which will help coastguards, meteorological organisations and scientific communities predict future storm surge patterns has been created, with scientists from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) playing a central role in its development.
	A natural radioactive tool for urban pollution studies The amount of air pollution that city residents are exposed to depends mainly on three things: (1) how much pollution is emitted, (2) how fast it reacts or gets removed from the air, and (3) how high into the atmosphere it gets mixed (the dilution).
	Image: NASA sees Northeastern U.S. wrapped in a snowy blanket When NASA's Aqua satellite passed over the northeastern U.S. on February 3, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument better known as MODIS captured a visible picture that revealed the region under a snowy winter blanket.
	Study shows oysters, mussels have low levels of disease, parasites NOAA's first-ever long-term report of the national distribution of parasites and disease in mussels and oysters, using data gathered between 1995 and 2009, provides a new data set for coastal resource management and shows the occurrence and severity of disease and parasite infections to be generally low nationwide during that time.
	How to forecast extreme snowfall in Spain As of yesterday, the entire Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands are in the midst of the first significant cold snap for three winters. However, intense snowfalls, like the one affecting the whole of the north of the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, are not as common in the rest of Spain. A team of researchers has analysed the extreme snow that fell in March 2011 in the province of Madrid in the hope that the results will allow us to understand and forecast similar episodes in the future.
Fracking puts California governor, environmentalists at odds (AP)—In the 1970s, the environmental movement had no bigger political hero than California Gov. Jerry Brown. He cracked down on polluters, ended tax breaks for oil companies and promoted solar energy.
Federal lands takeover would harm the public The transfer of 31 million acres of land managed by the federal government to Utah would hinder public land management reforms and harm the state, according to a newly released analysis by researchers at the Wallace Stegner Center for Land, Resources and Environment at the University of Utah's S.J. Quinney College of Law.

Astronomy & Space news

	FAA appears to be attempting to expand its authority to moon activities The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has caused a bit of stir by hinting that it plans to expand its authority to include exploration of the moon and the use of its resources. News agency Reuters has reported that it has obtained a copy of a letter composed by officials with the agency and sent to U.S. based Bigelow Airspace—in it, the agency said it plans to leverage its launching authority by adding licensing authority of moon assets—all to encourage private companies to invest in such activities. The reason such a move has caused a stir, of course, is because it appears that the U.S. agency is attempting to expand its oversight into an area where it does not have the authority to do so.
	Image: Forty-four years ago today, Apollo 14 touched down on the moon On Feb. 5. 1971, the Apollo 14 crew module landed on the moon. The crew members were Captain Alan Bartlett Shepard, Jr. (USN), commander; Major Stuart Allen Roosa (USAF), command module pilot; and Commander Edgar Dean Mitchell (USN), lunar module pilot.
	Closer view of Ceres shows multiple white spots NASA's Dawn spacecraft has acquired its latest and closest-yet snapshot of the mysterious dwarf planet world Ceres. These latest images, taken on Feb. 4, from a distance of about 90,000 miles (145,000 km) clearly show craters – including a couple with central peaks –  and a clearer though still ambiguous view of that wild white spot that has so many of us scratching our heads as to its nature.
	Breakthrough technologies could pave the way for cheaper, faster small-satellite launches    Through its Airborne Launch Assist Space Access (ALASA) program, DARPA has been developing new concepts and architectures to get small satellites into orbit more economically on short notice. Bradford Tousley, director of DARPA's Tactical Technology Office, provided an update on ALASA today at the 18th Annual Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s Commercial Space Transportation Conference in Washington, D.C. Tousley discussed several key accomplishments of the program to date, including successful completion of Phase 1 design, selection of the Boeing Company as prime contractor for Phase 2 of the program, which includes conducting 12 orbital test launches of an integrated prototype system.
	The ages of sun-like stars The mass of a star is perhaps its most significant feature. It determines how brightly it shines (a star ten times more massive than the Sun will, during its normal lifetime, shine about forty million times brighter than a star ten times less massive than the Sun), how long it will live (tens of millions of years versus tens of billions of years, respectively, for these two cases), and how it will eventually die (as a supernova or as slowly cooling clump of ashes). The next most significant property of a star is its age, which fixes its current character, the age of its planetary system, and the evolutionary state of its environment, and moreover which can be used to refine details in the theory of how stars evolve.
	Astronomers breathe new life into venerable instrument How do astronomers determine the shapes of objects that are too far away to photograph? One method is by using spectropolarimetry, an observational technique that measures the way light waves align after they scatter through clouds of gas and dust in space. The Half-wave Spectropolarimeter (HPOL) is an instrument designed by Wisconsin astronomer Dr. Kenneth Nordsieck in 1989 to conduct these measurements. During HPOL's 15-year lifetime at the University of Wisconsin's Pine Bluff Observatory (PBO), astronomers worldwide used data from HPOL to study the gas and dust surrounding planets, comets, stars, and supernovae, as well as the interstellar medium within our Milky Way Galaxy.
	Planck mission explores the history of the universe Hot gas, dust and magnetic fields mingle in a colorful swirl in this new map of our Milky Way galaxy. The image is part of a new and improved data set from Planck, a European Space Agency mission in which NASA played a key role.
	Rocket into Northern Lights studies the "invisible aurora's" electric currents The aurora borealis lights up the Arctic night skies. Also called the Northern Lights, the phenomenon is the result of beams of charged particles tracing along the Earth's magnetic field and entering the atmosphere. When they collide with oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere, the gases glow green, red and blue depending on the beam energy.
	What's new about Europe's reentry mission? ESA's experimental spaceplane, poised for liftoff on Vega, is set to showcase the latest technologies and critical systems to extend Europe's capability for space exploration.
	Doctoral student explores formation of martian gullies The gullies of Mars have fascinated scientists since they were first identified through high-definition images transmitted to Earth by the Mars Global Surveyor in the late 1990s.
	What is a Wolf-Rayet star? Wolf-Rayet stars represent a final burst of activity before a huge star begins to die. These stars, which are at least 20 times more massive than the Sun, "live fast and die hard", according to NASA.
	What is gravitational lensing? (w/ Video) Everyone here is familiar with the practical applications of gravity. If not just from exposure to Loony Tunes, with an abundance of scenes with an anthropomorphized coyote being hurled at the ground from gravitational acceleration, giant rocks plummeting to a spot inevitably marked with an X, previously occupied by a member of the "accelerati incredibilus" family and soon to be a big squish mark containing the bodily remains of the previously mentioned Wile E. Coyote.
	Which planets have rings? Planetary rings are an interesting phenomenon. The mere mention of these two words tends to conjure up images of Saturn, with its large and colorful system of rings that form an orbiting disk. But in fact, several other planets in our Solar System have rings. It's just that, unlike Saturn, their systems are less visible, and perhaps less beautiful to behold.
	Two space station sensors yield vast data on coastal oceans, ionosphere October 2014 marks the five-year anniversary for two sensors that the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has been operating aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO) takes images of oceans in many different wavelengths to help scientists see what's in the water, be it sediment or chlorophyll or runoff. The Remote Atmospheric and Ionospheric Detection System (RAIDS) also measures light in various wavelengths, but looking at the upper atmosphere and ionosphere.
	Latest Galileo satellites reach launch site Another two Galileo satellites have touched down in French Guiana ready to take their place in Europe's satellite navigation constellation.
	Camera to record doomed ATV's disintegration from inside Next Monday, ESA astronaut Samantha Christoforetti will float into Europe's space ferry to install a special infrared camera, set to capture unique interior views of the spacecraft's break-up on reentry.
	NOAA's DSCOVR: Offering a new view of the solar wind There's a fascinating spot some 932,000 miles away from Earth where the gravity between the sun and Earth is perfectly balanced. This spot captures the attention of orbital engineers because a satellite can orbit this spot, called Lagrange 1 just as they can orbit a planet. But the spot tantalizes scientists as well: Lagrange 1 lies outside Earth's magnetic environment, a perfect place to measure the constant stream of particles from the sun, known as the solar wind, as they pass by.
	'Twinkle' satellite on fast-track mission to unveil exoplanet atmospheres A team of UK scientists and engineers have announced plans for a small satellite, named 'Twinkle', that will give radical new insights into the chemistry, formation and evolution of planets orbiting other stars. The mission, which is being led by University College London (UCL) and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), will be launched within four years. An overview of the science case and instrument design will be presented today at an open meeting at the Royal Astronomical Society.

Technology news

	Samsung offers new ePoP memory for smartphones (Phys.org) —High-end smartphones to come, if they could talk, would deliver a message to Samsung, relaying thanks for the memory. Samsung Electronics has announced they are mass-producing an "embedded package on package" (ePoP) memory for use in high-end smartphones. Samsung said this is a tech improvement over existing two-package eMCP memory solutions. This presents an opportunity for more space for a battery pack in slim handsets. In talking about the ePoP phone memory stack, Korea IT Times described ePOP as "a memory chip package that combines DRAM, NAND flash and controller into one memory, enabling them to be piled on top of a mobile application processor."
	Researchers develop prototype of a robotic system with emotion and memory (w/ Video) Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire have developed a prototype of a social robot which supports independent living for the elderly, working in partnership with their relatives or carers.
	Is Tor still secure after Silk Road? The Silk Road trial has concluded, with Ross Ulbricht found guilty of running the anonymous online marketplace for illegal goods. But questions remain over how the FBI found its way through Tor, the software that allows anonymous, untraceable use of the web, to gather the evidence against him.
	With HoloLens, the future of reality is augmented Prepare to open your wallets, ladies and gentlemen: Microsoft has announced the release of an augmented reality (AR) headset called HoloLens.
A picture is worth 1000 words, but how many emotions? Log on to Twitter, Facebook or other social media and you will find that much of the content shared with you comes in the form of images, not just words. Those images can convey a lot more than a sentence might, and will often provoke emotions in the viewer.
	'Big data' more accurately models how people adapt to snowstorms and other disruptions For Paul Torrens, wintry weather is less about sledding and more about testing out models of human behavior.
Video: Earthquake research in Chile could shake up the field of seismology Galo Valdebenito, a professor of seismic and structural dynamics and associate dean of engineering at Austral University, is developing tools so urban planners can better assess earthquake risks.
	How 3D printing with biomaterials can minimize our carbon footprint and revolutionize the world How can 3D Printing revolutionize the world? In the newly published book '3D Printing with Biomaterials', authors Ad van Wijk and Iris van Wijk explore the promises of 3D printing with biomaterials towards a sustainable and circular economy. This is illustrated by a remarkable example: the printing of an entire town house from bio-based plastics, made from sugar beets. The resulting carbon footprint for material is reduced by more than 60%.
Giving web developers tools to protect their sites and users Most Internet users know that practicing good online hygiene – never clicking on spam, choosing strong passwords and setting up two-factor authentication – is essential for protecting their personal information. They typically don't know, however, that unless the developers of the websites they visit take similar precautions, they could still be at risk.
China says Anthem hacking accusations 'groundless' China on Friday rejected accusations it was behind a hacking attack that saw data on up to 80 million customers stolen from US health insurance giant Anthem as "groundless".
Tribunal says UK spies' Internet surveillance was unlawful (AP)—U.K. spies acted illegally when they scooped up data about Britons' electronic communications gathered by the U.S. National Security Agency, a court ruled Friday in a landmark judgment against Britain's security services.
	Japan readies first robot to probe melted Fukushima reactor (AP)—A snake-like robot designed to examine the inside of one of three melted reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant is ready to begin its expedition.
Cybersecurity issue goes beyond the Anthem headlines While the security breach affecting as many as 80 million Anthem Inc. customers generates big headlines because of its size, it's the smaller-scale attacks that concern Purdue University cybersecurity expert Eugene Spafford.
Dealers challenged by smartphone car buyers Billy Franklin recently bought a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban for $14,900 through eBay on his Android phone while eating dinner at Red Lobster.
Anthem warns about 'phishing' emails after massive hack (AP)—After a huge hack, Anthem is warning about "phishing" scam emails that are targeting people it insures or has insured in the past.
	Senators call for investigation into Verizon 'supercookies' (AP)—Democratic senators on Friday called on federal regulators to investigate Verizon Wireless, the country's biggest mobile provider, for secretly inserting unique tracking codes into the Web traffic of its some 100 million customers.
	For police body cameras, big costs loom in storing footage (AP)—The rush to outfit police officers with body cameras after last summer's unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, threatens to saddle local governments with steep costs for managing the volumes of footage they must keep for months or even years, according to contracts, invoices and company data reviewed by The Associated Press.
Cyber-attacks rising in Utah, likely due to NSA facility (AP)—Utah state officials have seen what they describe as a sharp uptick in attempts to hack into state computers in the last two years.
	Anthem breach: A gap in federal health privacy law? (AP)—Insurers aren't required to encrypt consumers' data under a 1990s federal law that remains the foundation for health care privacy in the Internet age—an omission that seems striking in light of the major cyberattack against Anthem.
Google free mapping service adds local guides An update to Google's free online map service on Friday let users become local guides who post reviews of businesses and venues in a challenge to Yelp.
	Sprint to set up shop as RadioShack files for bankruptcy (AP)—Sprint's latest plan for luring new subscribers is to occupy the remains of RadioShack.
Harris buying defense contractor Exelis in $4.4 deal (AP)—Communications and information technology company Harris is buying Exelis in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $4.4 billion.
New grid location technology enables remote detection of power outages Lockheed Martin and Dominion Resources, Inc. have co-developed a new smart grid technology called VirtuGrid, which will enable remote detection of power outages for faster mapping and response. This collaboration between the two companies brings together Lockheed Martin's trusted expertise in technology and Dominion's experience in distribution engineering.
UK report accused PwC of tax avoidance on industrial scale (AP)—A British parliamentary committee on Friday accused the accounting firm PwC of promoting tax avoidance on an industrial scale and urged the government to step in and do more to regulate the tax industry.
	Uber to launch 'panic button' for users in India Uber is launching a "panic button" and other safety features for users in India, following news that Mumbai was readying a ban on the ride-sharing service.

Chemistry news

New silicon peptide biopolymers Copolymers made from synthetic and biomimetic components open new and interesting perspectives as biocompatible, biodegradable materials that can also be given biological functionality. In the journal Angewandte Chemie, French scientists have now introduced silicon-peptide copolymers. Their extremely simple synthesis is applicable to all types of peptides and produces both linear and branched polymer chains.
	Non-damaging X-ray technique unveils protein complex that uses sunlight to split water A more accurate view of the structure of the oxygen-evolving complex that splits water during photosynthesis is now in hand thanks to a study involving researchers from the RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Okayama University and the Japan Science and Technology Agency. The new model of natural photosynthesis provides a blueprint for synthesizing water-splitting catalysts that mimic this natural process.
	Nano-hydrogels that attack cancer cells Hydrogels are materials that are commonly used in everyday objects such as contact lenses or diapers, in order to control humidity. However, chemical engineers at the University of Guadalajara (UdeG), in Mexico, have developed a new technology based on thermosensitive nanoparticles (nano-hydrogels) to use these materials in the field of biomedicine, as an alternative to achieve controlled release of anticancer drugs.

Biology news

	Researchers publish complete DNA sequence of the Queensland fruit fly UNSW scientists have achieved a world first, publishing the complete DNA sequence of the Queensland fruit fly – a development that will improve both biosecurity and methods for controlling this global horticultural pest.
	To avoid mantids, stinkbugs evolved to hide in plain sight Did you know that the sky isn't actually blue? Perhaps in school you learned about how air scatters light, filtering out red light from the sun, but that is only half the story. While our eyes perceive a milky blue, a more optically-endowed creature, such as a bird, would actually see a colour which is more of a violet, pushing into ultraviolet. That milky blue happens in our eyes.
	Settling for 'Mr. Right Now' better than waiting for 'Mr. Right' Evolutionary researchers have determined that settling for "Mr. Okay" is a better evolutionary strategy than waiting for "Mr. Perfect."
	Researchers reveal how hearing evolved Lungfish and salamanders can hear, despite not having an outer ear or tympanic middle ear. These early terrestrial vertebrates were probably also able to hear 300 million years ago, as shown in a new study by Danish researchers.
Revealing the workings of a master switch for plant growth Brassinosteroids, a class of plant steroid hormones, play an important role in promoting plant growth as well as a host of development processes including cell elongation and division, development of the xylem, which is used for water and nutrient transport, and adaptation to differing light conditions. However, as brassinosteroids are very expensive to produce, they cannot be used directly for agriculture and plant biomass production.
Researchers find bubonic plague fragments on NY subway It is universally acknowledged that the New York subway is grubby. What may come as a shock is that it contains DNA fragments linked to anthrax and bubonic plague.
	Tiger nations to set up anti-poaching network Thirteen countries which are home to the world's dwindling population of wild tigers Friday agreed to establish an intelligence-sharing network to fight traffickers, concluding an anti-poaching conference in Kathmandu.
Robotic cars to help wine growers predict future yield It may be one of the few times when combining cars, robots and wine is a good idea.
	A new chicken breed brings winged hope to Africa In Uganda – as in most African countries – more than 85 percent of families live in rural village conditions, where small-scale backyard poultry operations are ubiquitous.
	Research shows honey bee diseases can strike in all seasons Agricultural Research Service scientists have found that two pathogens causing mysterious honey bee ailments are not just a problem in the spring, but might pose a threat year round. Entomologists Ryan Schwarz and Jay Evans at the ARS Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, and their colleagues have shown that two species of bacteria, Spiroplasma melliferum and S. apis, are more common than thought and infect honey bees in places as diverse as Brazil and Maryland.
	Genomic-enhanced data has a place in building back cattle herds, according to expert Genetic markers are beginning to give cattlemen a more accurate glimpse into their breeding animals' expected progeny differences or EPDs when selecting for traits to build into their herds.
	Eating habits of gulls match their surroundings Black-headed gulls choose food most likely to be found in their immediate environment, with birds in urban areas selecting less 'natural' foods than their rural counterparts, according to a study by the University of Liverpool.
	Oats to clean up heavy metals in contaminated soil Researchers from universities in China, Switzerland and Australia have identified that the naked oat is best suited to remove radioactive strontium from contaminated soils.
	Aerial monitors shed light on reed die-back around Central Europe's largest lake Researchers from the University of Leicester and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences discover way to map 'reed die-back' using satellites and aircraft
New tools to breed cereal crops that survive flooding Scientists at The University of Nottingham hope new research could lead to the introduction of cereal crops better able to tolerate flooding. They have identified the mechanism used by plants in stress conditions to sense low oxygen levels and used advanced breeding techniques to reduce yield loss in barley in water-logged conditions.
	Innovative restoration techniques used to rebuild West Coast abalone populations An edible delicacy prized for their shells, abalone populations historically supported West Coast fisheries and economies. In recent decades, however, their numbers have declined considerably—threatening the loss of a resource with significant ties to West Coast communities. To curb the decline and begin to rebuild abalone populations, NOAA Fisheries is tapping into partnerships and innovative restoration techniques to swing the pendulum toward recovery.
Lack of ice hampers efforts to net homely invasive fish (AP)—Warm weather has helped grant a reprieve this year to a homely, eel-like and especially slimy fish pursued by anglers as they compete for big money in two annual ice-fishing tournaments at a reservoir on the Wyoming-Utah line.
	Farmers file more than 360 corn lawsuits against Syngenta (AP)—Farmers and farm businesses in 20 states have now filed more than 360 lawsuits against agricultural chemicals-maker Syngenta, and hundreds more may be coming as a federal judge organizes the complex case so they can move forward.

Medicine & Health news

Cow immune system inspires potential new therapies To help people with hormone deficiencies, scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have developed a potential new therapy based on an unlikely model: immune molecules from cows.
Women with type 1 diabetes at significantly higher risk of dying compared with men Women with type 1 diabetes face a 40% increased excess risk of death from all causes, and have more than twice the risk of dying from heart disease, compared to men with type 1 diabetes, a large meta-analysis involving more than 200 000 people with type 1 diabetes published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology has found.
After hospital discharge, deadly heart risks can remain for up to a year In the month following an older heart patient's hospital discharge, there is a one in five risk of rehospitalization or death, but little is known about how these risks change over time. A new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers found that risks remain high for up to a year, but can be addressed with targeted care.
Cell signaling pathway goes awry in common pediatric brain tumor A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers links a well-known cell communication pathway called Notch to one of the most common—but overall still rare—brain tumors found in children.
	Caribbean blues: Mosquito virus is sickening more travelers Thousands of travelers to the Caribbean and nearby regions are coming home with an unwanted souvenir: a mosquito-borne virus that recently settled there.
	Vaccine skeptics find unexpected allies in conservative GOP (AP)—As vaccine skeptics fight laws that would force more parents to inoculate their kids, they are finding unexpected allies in conservative Republicans.
Small changes to lifestyle can help people LEAP into retirement Small lifestyle changes involving physical activity, healthy eating and maintaining social networks can set the stage for happier and healthier futures for people after retirement. Led by John Mathers, Professor of Human Nutrition at Newcastle University's Institute for Ageing, the five-year LiveWell project assessed how well people will age after retirement. The researchers studied the key issues surrounding retirement, and what factors promote health and wellbeing at this stage in life.
Study finds that organic food reduces pesticide exposure While health-conscious individuals understand the benefits of eating fresh fruits and veggies, they may not be aware of the amount of pesticides they could be ingesting along with their vitamin C and fiber. A new study to be published in the Feb. 5 edition of Environmental Health Perspectives is among the first to predict a person's pesticide exposure based on information about their usual diet.
	Teens are not competent to judge peers' behavior When you think about teenage peer pressure, plenty of images likely come to mind. Perhaps a classic after school TV special or dramatic D.A.R.E. program skit with a dimly-lit basement and one friend saying "Come on, everybody's doing it." Indeed, a good deal of prior research has focused on direct forms of pressure between friends. But if these images don't fully resonate with your own memories of high school, you may be onto something. New research suggests that although these direct forms of pressure may exist, teens likely are influenced in other, more indirect ways too.
	Research team identifies key process in embryonic neurogenesis MicroRNA are the tiny non-coding RNA molecules that help determine whether genes are expressed or silenced. One particular microRNA—miR-107—plays a key role in early brain development, and perhaps in the development of brain-related disease, a Yale School of Medicine team has found.
	Leprosy maintains stubborn hold through infectious buddy system Leprosy is an ancient and debilitating infectious disease largely quelled with medicine in the past several decades. Yet its persistence in some developing countries has mystified scientists, who long have thought the bacteria that cause the disease cannot survive in the environment.
	Getting ahead of antibiotic-resistant bacteria The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has turned new drug development into a high-stakes chess game, with researchers always trying to anticipate a disease bacteria's next move or mutation to make sure new antibiotics will be effective when they go into use.
Regular practice may be key to singing on pitch If you've ever been told that you're "tone deaf" or "can't carry a tune," don't give up.  New research out of Northwestern University suggests that singing accurately is not so much a talent as a learned skill that can decline over time if not used.
Researcher responds to study claims that cancer risk is a matter of luck The journal Science published a statistic-laden research article last month that garnered far more attention than most such pieces usually do. In it, the authors made a provocative claim: two-thirds of the variation of cancer risk among different types of tissues can be attributed to random mutations – in other words, "bad luck." That meant that the other two major drivers of cancer—heredity and environment—account for only one-third of the variation.
	Research could lead to Alzheimer's drugs New insights into how nerves cells in the brain maintain efficient communication with each other may help offset the effects of Alzheimer's disease.
	The app capable of halving medication errors The aim of a mobile application called Alicia, developed by the Calité Research group at the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) of Elche, is to help patients over 65 years with multiple pathologies to administer their own medication at home. This app has been tested on 99 patients from Alicante and was able to reduce medication mistakes in up to 41.2% of cases. It is available for iPhone, iPad and Android.
New research shows Reiki aids the wellbeing of cancer sufferers As a new study shows that at least half of the population will get cancer at some point in their lives, a University of Huddersfield research project claims that the complementary therapy named Reiki can improve the quality of life for cancer patients by lowering their levels of anxiety, depression and fatigue. The findings are to be presented at a major conference and larger-scale research could follow.
Pain management app set to improve patient care A new mobile app is set to transform the care of patients with long-standing pain issues. Designed and developed in collaboration between the Keele University Research Institute for Primary Care & Health Sciences and Keele University Science & Business Park-based software developers Secret Attic, the app allows patients to use their smartphone to record their levels of wellbeing each day.
Wine drinking could help you burn fat Drinking red grape juice or wine – in moderation – could improve the health of overweight people by helping them burn fat better, according to a new study coauthored by an Oregon State University researcher.
Concerns in US about measles grow as 5 new cases diagnosed (AP)—Concerns about measles in the U.S. are growing as five infants who attend a suburban Chicago day care center have now been diagnosed with the disease.
	A look at some vaccine-related legislation in several states Several state legislatures are debating vaccine-related measures as dozens of people have fallen ill from a measles outbreak that started at Disneyland in December and spread beyond the theme park. Here is a look at some of the legislation around the country:
	Transport and community services key for sociable Down syndrome adults Young adults with Down syndrome are more likely to be social depending on their access to public transport and cultural and religious services rather than social factors like their relationships with other people, according to recent research.
	Researchers find chromosomal risk factors for a spinal disorder common in Japan The spinal cord runs through a canal in the vertebrae that is lined with soft protective tissues. In patients with a condition known as ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine (OPLL), bone begins to form within one of these tissues. The resulting narrowing of the spinal canal compresses the spinal cord, inflicting motor weakness, numbness and pain.
	Literature review finds no evidence to support detox diets for weight loss or detoxification A critical review of the evidence surrounding popular detox diets has concluded that there is no compelling evidence to support the use of detox diets for weight management or toxin elimination.
	New studies model a deadly Ebola epidemic On Dec. 26, 2013, a two-year-old boy living in the Guinean village of Meliandou, Guéckédou Prefecture was stricken with a rare disease, caused by the filament-shaped Ebola virus.
New study sheds light on cancer stem cell regulation Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) have discovered a precise stem cell signaling process that can lead to intestinal tumors if disrupted. The findings add to our understanding of how stem cells give rise to tumors and identify specific stem cell molecules that may be targeted to prevent the onset, progression, and recurrence of intestinal cancers. The results of the study appear online in Cell Reports today.
Novel form of experience-dependent plasticity in the adult brain revealed Research by a team of scientists from Cologne, Munich and Mainz has shown an unprecedented degree of connectivity reorganization in newly-generated hippocampal neurons in response to experience, suggesting their direct contribution to the processing of complex information in the adult brain.
	Coffee linked to possible lower endometrial cancer risk (HealthDay)—Ladies, a heavy coffee habit might do more than perk you up. New research suggests it may also reduce your risk of endometrial cancer.
Report will aid in detecting, diagnosing cognitive impairment A new report from The Gerontological Society of America's Workgroup on Cognitive Impairment Detection and Earlier Diagnosis outlines a course of action for increasing the use of evidence-based cognitive assessment tools as part of the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV).
The battle for iron: Understanding anemias of the chronically ill When we think of how we fight disease, the image of cells in our immune system fending off microbial invaders often comes to mind. Another strategy our bodies can employ is to cut off the enemy's supply lines and effectively starve disease-causing microbes of the iron they need to function. However, this tactic can backfire and cause anaemia if the iron-starved state is sustained for too long, a common problem in chronically ill patients. The search for therapies against this anaemia of chronic disease (ACD) could take on new directions thanks to a study published today in Blood. In it, scientists in the Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, a joint venture of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and Heidelberg University Clinic, both in Heidelberg, Germany, have found a hitherto unknown way through which mice starve pathogens of iron.
	New method for minimally invasive tissue ablation surgery A team of researchers that includes scientists from the Quinnipiac University and the University of California, Berkeley reports a new method for minimally invasive tissue ablation surgery that combines electrolysis with reversible electroporation.
Poor access to primary care results in poorer health for deaf people Deaf people who sign have poorer health than the general population, according to a study led by researchers from the School for Social and Community Medicine at the University of Bristol, UK.
	Drug combinations a good approach for infectious fungus, research shows Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered that Candida albicans—a leading cause of potentially fatal hospital-acquired infections—rarely develops resistance to combination drug therapy and, when it becomes resistant, it also becomes less dangerous.
Researchers discover critical molecule in fight against lung infection A Montana State University graduate student who wants to reduce the number of people dying from lung infections has discovered a molecule that's critical for immunity.
Scientists target smartphone technology to improve hearing devices Many scientists agree: The smartphone offers many applications and has become one of the most sophisticated technologies out there.
	Value of robot-assisted surgery in kidney CA accrues over time (HealthDay)—Robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery for kidney cancer is associated with considerable benefits, which outweigh health care and surgical costs, according to a study published in the February issue of Health Affairs.
	Occupation, work hours linked to workers' risk for neck pain (HealthDay)—Occupation and work hours are associated with increased workers' risk for neck pain, according to a study published in the Feb. 1 issue of Spine.
	APOE allele linked to severity of alzheimer's disease (HealthDay)—The APOEε2 allele may be associated with a milder clinical and pathological course of Alzheimer's disease (AD), according to research published online Jan. 26 in the Annals of Neurology.
	Erbium:YAG lasers effectively treat refractory melasma (HealthDay)—Erbium:YAG lasers can effectively treat refractory melasma, according to a study published in the February issue of the International Journal of Dermatology.
E-cigarette vapors, flavorings, trigger lung cell stress Do electronic cigarettes help people quit smoking? As the debate continues on that point, a new University of Rochester study suggests that e-cigarettes are likely a toxic replacement for tobacco products.
Diabetes interventions should be localized, study finds Factors associated with the prevalence of diabetes vary by geographic region in the United States, according to new research from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.
Study finds minimal ethnic differences in health among older insured diabetes patients In one of the first studies of its kind, researchers found that the prevalence of geriatric conditions and diabetic complications among older, insured patients with diabetes did not vary significantly by ethnicity. The study was published online today in the Journal of Aging and Health.
Video game technology helps measure upper extremity movement Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital have developed a way to measure upper extremity movement in patients with muscular dystrophy using interactive video game technology. Their hope is to expand inclusion criteria for clinical trials to incorporate patients using wheelchairs.
Researchers identify new compound that takes aim at neuropathic pain A new compound discovered by a team of UC Davis investigators has potent actions against production of a chemical that which is implicated in the development of chronic pain following a peripheral nerve injury in the spinal cord.
Psssst, pull up a chair; no, wait, that might be killing you Ready for some bad news? I hope you're sitting down. Well, actually, you might want to stand up, because sitting down IS KILLING YOU RIGHT NOW!
Hospital crisis stokes anger in pre-election Britain The protest tents are being taken down but resentment burns on in Stafford, where the hospital is a notorious example of a healthcare crisis roiling Britain ahead of May's general election.
	ABFM: no change to maintenance of certification requirements (HealthDay)—In response to the announcement of changes to the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) has announced that it will not be making changes to the requirements for maintaining certification at this time.