Science X Newsletter Monday, Dec 11

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for December 11, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Astronomers identify twelve new Herbig-Haro objects in the dark nebula LDN 673

Volumetric 3-D printing builds on need for speed

Technique illuminates the inner workings of artificial-intelligence systems that process language

Numerical simulations reveal 'rivers of charge' in materials that become superconducting at high temperatures

Hyperlens crystal capable of viewing living cells in unprecedented detail

A global north-to-south shift in wind power by end of century

Best of Last Week – A new form of matter, saying hello to SIMPs and how exercise changes your gut biome

Electromagnetic water cloak eliminates drag and wake

Egypt archaeologists discover mummy in Luxor

Industrial Revolution left a damaging psychological 'imprint' on today's populations

Officials: Whales, after deadly year, could become extinct

Tech titans ramp up tools to win over children

Potatoes for peace: how the humble tuber stopped conflict in Europe

TITAN V: Now NVIDIA is talking deep-learning horsepower

Tracking how multiple myeloma evolves by sequencing DNA in the blood

Astronomy & Space news

	Astronomers identify twelve new Herbig-Haro objects in the dark nebula LDN 673 (Phys.org)—Astronomers have found a dozen new faint Herbig-Haro objects in the dark nebula LDN 673 by employing a novel color-composite imaging method. The discovery, reported in a paper published December 1 on the arXiv pre-print server, could provide new important information about star formation process.
	The initial mass function The gas and dust in giant molecular clouds gradually come together under the influence of gravity to form stars. Precisely how this occurs, however, is incompletely understood. The mass of a star, for example, is by far the most important factor constraining its future evolution, but astronomers do not clearly understand what determines the exact mass of a newly forming star. One aspect of this problem is simply knowing how many stars of each size there are, that is, knowing the distribution of stellar masses in a large cluster of stars. The initial mass function (IMF) describes this distribution, and is currently based on an average from observations of stars in our Milky Way.
	Research shows why meteroids explode before they reach Earth Our atmosphere is a better shield from meteoroids than researchers thought, according to a new paper published in Meteoritics & Planetary Science.
	Unravelling the mysteries of extragalactic jets University of Leeds researchers have mathematically examined plasma jets from supermassive black holes to determine why certain types of jets disintegrate into huge plumes.
	SpaceX launching recycled rocket, supply capsule for NASA Space Age hand-me-downs are soaring to a whole new level.
	Eclipse 2017: Science from the moon's shadow On Dec. 11, 2017, six researchers discussed initial findings based on observations of the Sun and on Earth gathered during the solar eclipse that stretched across North America on Aug. 21, 2017. Ranging from new information about the way the Sun's atmosphere generates heat, to how the dip in solar energy affected Earth's atmosphere, and even how to protect against contaminating other planets with bacteria, the researchers shared their results at the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union, in New Orleans.
	Image: Crescent nebula A young massive star that began life around 25 times more massive than our own Sun is shedding shells of material and fast winds to create this dynamic scene captured by ESA's XMM-Newton.
	Galileo satellites atop rocket for next Tuesday's flight Europe's next four Galileo navigation satellites are in place atop their Ariane 5, ready to be launched next Tuesday.
	Image: The moon in 1992 The moon was a focal point for NASA in 2017, whether it was blocking out the sun during one of the most-viewed events in U.S. history, or reinvigorating the agency's human space exploration plans. But the moon has always been a focus of humanity's imagination.
	Hubble frames an explosive galaxy Don't be fooled! The cosmic swirl of stars in this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image may seem tranquil and unassuming, but this spiral galaxy, known as ESO 580-49, actually displays some explosive tendencies.
	IAU approves 86 new star names from around the world Traditionally, most star names used by astronomers have come from Arabic, Greek, or Latin origins. Now, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Division C Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) has formally approved 86 new names for stars drawn from those used by other cultures, namely Australian Aboriginal, Chinese, Coptic, Hindu, Mayan, Polynesian, and South African.
	Trump tells NASA to send Americans to Moon US President Donald Trump directed NASA on Monday to send Americans to the Moon for the first time in decades, a move he said would help prepare for a future Mars trip.
	CU Boulder solar instruments, experiments headed for space A solar instrument package designed and built by the University of Colorado Boulder to help monitor the planet's climate is now set for launch Dec. 12 aboard a SpaceX rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
	Why doesn't Venus have a magnetosphere? For many reasons, Venus is sometimes referred to as "Earth's twin" (or "sister planet," depending on who you ask). Like Earth, it is terrestrial (i.e. rocky) in nature, composed of silicate minerals and metals that are differentiated between an iron-nickel core and silicate mantle and crust. But when it comes to their respective atmospheres and magnetic fields, our two planets could not be more different.
Snatching at the cradle of life Silence of the WA outback key in detecting low-frequency radio waves and, maybe, the precursors of life itself.

Technology news

	Volumetric 3-D printing builds on need for speed While additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3-D printing, is enabling engineers and scientists to build parts in configurations and designs never before possible, the impact of the technology has been limited by layer-based printing methods, which can take up to hours or days to build three-dimensional parts, depending on their complexity.
	Technique illuminates the inner workings of artificial-intelligence systems that process language Neural networks, which learn to perform computational tasks by analyzing huge sets of training data, have been responsible for the most impressive recent advances in artificial intelligence, including speech-recognition and automatic-translation systems.
	Tech titans ramp up tools to win over children From smartphone messaging tailored for tikes to computers for classrooms, technology titans are weaving their way into childhoods to form lifelong bonds, raising hackles of advocacy groups.
	TITAN V: Now NVIDIA is talking deep-learning horsepower (Tech Xplore)—'Desktop GPU' is a phrase that could take scientific researchers places, with NVIDIA in the frontlines of their newcomer, TITAN V. This is a graphics card created for the PC.
	New research identifies how 3-D printed metals can be both strong and ductile A new technique by which to 3D print metals, involving a widely used stainless steel, has been show to achieve exception levels of both strength and ductility, when compared to counterparts from more conventional processes.
	DeepVariant: Tool to call out variants in sequencing data goes open source (Tech Xplore)—Finding cats? That's old school. The AI that had been created by Google researchers Mark DePristo and Ryan Poplin built to recognize images of cats and dogs is, in Google Curiosity time, so yesterday. It's been a year and now they are on to using technology for finding gene mutations.
	Aperture mask allows for 3-D ultrasound imaging with just one sensor (Tech Xplore)—A team of researchers from Delft University of Technology and Erasmus Medical Center, both in the Netherlands, has found a way to perform 3-D ultrasound imaging using a single sensor instead of thousands. In their paper published on the open access site Science Advances, the group explains how their technique works and why they believe it could reduce the cost of ultrasound machines in the future.
	Asphalt-based filter to sequester greenhouse gas at wellhead Rice University scientists have found a way to make their asphalt-based sorbents better at capturing carbon dioxide from gas wells: Just add water.
	Battery research could triple range of electric vehicles New research at the University of Waterloo could lead to the development of batteries that triple the range of electric vehicles.
	Artificial intelligence and supercomputers to help alleviate urban traffic problems Look above the traffic light at a busy intersection in your city and you will probably see a camera. These devices may have been installed to monitor traffic conditions and provide visuals in the case of a collision. But can they do more? Can they help planners optimize traffic flow or identify sites that are most likely to have accidents? And can they do so without requiring individuals to slog through hours of footage?
	Big Media scrambles to meet challenge from Big Tech America's media giants have seen this movie before: Big Tech enters an industry with piles of cash and new ways of doing business, devastating the competition.
	Apple to buy music recognizing app Shazam: report Apple is in talks to buy the popular song recognition app Shazam as the tech giant tries to compete with streaming leader Spotify, TechCrunch reported Friday.
North Carolina county leaders say second cyberattack failed A North Carolina county recovering from a cyberattack says hackers failed in a second attempt to infiltrate their computer system.
German intelligence warns of increased Chinese cyberspying The head of Germany's domestic intelligence agency warned Sunday that China is using social networks to try to cultivate sources of information among lawmakers and officials, while Chinese hackers are increasingly attacking European companies through trusted suppliers.
	India faces painful move to cleaner energy Subedar Singh bears the scars of India's painful reliance on dirty power and its struggle to pay for the costly transition to the brave new world of solar and renewable electricity.
	With new internet rules set for vote, firestorm won't die US regulators are gearing up for a vote on a plan which—depending on your viewpoint—would "restore internet freedom" or, alternatively, result in "the death of the internet" as we know it.
	Bitcoin futures launch sparks excitement, warnings Bitcoin will make its debut on a major exchange Sunday, a landmark for the cryptocurrency that has generated enthusiasm among some investors and more than a little anxiety from others.
	As bitcoin soars, warnings of a bubble proliferate Is bitcoin in a bubble?
	Bitcoin futures soar amid frenzy over virtual currency (Update) Bitcoin's debut on a major U.S. exchange is a hit so far, with the price of the first-ever futures contract for the virtual currency rising 16 percent.
Transformation to wind and solar achievable with low indirect GHG emissions Different low carbon technologies including wind and solar energy, and fossil carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) differ greatly when it comes to indirect greenhouse gas emissions in their life cycle. This is the result of a comprehensive new study conducted by an international team of scientists, now published in the journal Nature Energy. Contrary to some arguments, the researchers found that wind and solar energy are more favorable when it comes to life-cycle emissions. They also show that a full decarbonization of the global power sector by scaling up these technologies would induce only modest indirect greenhouse gas emissions—and hence not impede the transformation towards a climate-friendly power system.
	Bitcoin tops $18,000 in debut on major bourse Bitcoin surged past $18,000 after making its debut on a major global exchange but was trading lower on Monday, highlighting the volatility of the controversial digital currency that has some investors excited but others nervous.
	Volkswagen boss urges end to diesel tax breaks The head of the world's biggest automaker Volkswagen has issued an unprecedented call to end tax breaks for diesel fuel in Germany, saying the technology must make way for cleaner ways of getting around.
	Could a cardboard principle boost vehicle safety? Prior research has shown that even thin-walled tubing can effectively absorb energy, which makes it appealing to those who engineer vehicles and other structures that may endure crashes.
	Additive manufacturing, explained Additive manufacturing is the process of creating an object by building it one layer at a time. It is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing, in which an object is created by cutting away at a solid block of material until the final product is complete.
	Going virtual—UniSA app to equip next-gen journalists Journalism has emerged as one of the 21st century's most rapidly "disrupted" industries as the rise of social media has undermined the effectiveness of traditional journalism. So how do you teach journalism in this new context so that it is meaningful and relevant to new generations of journalists?
	Uber's London licence battle set for May/June Uber's appeal against losing its licence in London will be heard in May or June next year, a court determined Monday.
	Soon you can watch the NFL free on your phone on Yahoo Watching NFL football games on your phone used to be mainly limited to Verizon customers. Soon anyone will be able to watch football games on the go for free on Yahoo's app, now that Verizon owns Yahoo.
	Seeking music edge, Apple buys song recognition app Shazam (Update) Apple said Monday that it would buy leading song recognition app Shazam in a fresh bid to secure an edge in the intensifying battle of streaming services.
	Snow and ice ground hundreds of flights in Frankfurt More than 300 flights were cancelled and hundreds more delayed as snow and ice blocked runways at Germany's largest airport in Frankfurt on Sunday, the airport operator said.
Secret surveillance methods in the Digital Age—how to ensure human rights protection Secret surveillance powers of authorities are reaching unprecedented levels in the Digital Age, raising challenges for the protection of human rights such as the right to privacy. In her inaugural address at Tilburg University on Friday, December 15th 2017. Prof. Eleni Kosta analyzes the right to privacy and its justified limitations as stipulated in the European Convention on Human Rights in relation to secret surveillance. What is the capacity of the existing framework to mitigate the challenges?
	Asian investors embrace bitcoin, but regulators are wary The weekend launch of a U.S. futures contract for bitcoin reflects widespread acceptance of the virtual currency, especially among investors in Asia, though regulators are wary.
End of unwanted items in the bagging area Queuing for the checkout and struggling with snappy self-scanners could be over with a superfast, super safe ultra-connected broadband set to revolutionise supermarket shopping.
	ESnet's Petascale DTN project speeds up data transfers between leading HPC centers The Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science operates three of the world's leading supercomputing centers, where massive data sets are routinely imported, analyzed, used to create simulations and exported to other sites. Fortunately, DOE also runs a networking facility, ESnet (short for Energy Sciences Network), the world's fastest network for science, which is managed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
	Mining to resume at nuke waste dump for first time since leak Officials at the nation's only underground nuclear waste repository are flipping the switch on an interim ventilation system this week, allowing mining to resume for the first time since a 2014 radiation release contaminated part of the facility.

Medicine & Health news

	Tracking how multiple myeloma evolves by sequencing DNA in the blood Although people with multiple myeloma usually respond well to treatment, the blood cancer generally keeps coming back. Following genetic changes in how the disease evolves over time will help to understand the disease and, eventually, deliver more effective treatments. Researchers now have successfully demonstrated techniques to track these alterations over time by analyzing cell-free DNA (cfDNA) found in blood, according to Jens Lohr, MD, PhD, a hematologist and oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
	Large genetic study links tendency to undervalue future rewards with ADHD, obesity Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have found a genetic signature for delay discounting—the tendency to undervalue future rewards—that overlaps with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), smoking and weight.
	Twitter can reveal our shared mood In the largest study of its kind, researchers from the University of Bristol have analysed mood indicators in text from 800 million anonymous messages posted on Twitter. These tweets were found to reflect strong patterns of positive and negative moods over the 24-hour day.
	A new weapon against bone metastasis? Team develops antibody to fight cancer In the ongoing battle between cancer and modern medicine, some therapeutic agents, while effective, can bring undesirable or even dangerous side effects. "Chemo saves lives and improves survival, but it could work much better if you eliminate unwanted side effects from it," said Princeton University cancer researcher Yibin Kang, the Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Professor of Molecular Biology.
	Social media trends can predict tipping points in vaccine scares Analyzing trends on Twitter and Google can help predict vaccine scares that can lead to disease outbreaks, according to a study from the University of Waterloo.
	Team identifies DNA element that may cause rare movement disorder A team of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers has identified a specific genetic change that may be the cause of a rare but severe neurological disorder called X-linked dystonia parkinsonism (XDP). Occurring only among individuals with ancestry from the Philippines island of Panay, XDP combines features of two common movement disorders, dystonia and Parkinson's disease, in an unusual pattern and significantly shortens the life of affected individuals.
	Full moon linked to increased risk of fatal motorcycle crashes The full moon is associated with an increased risk of fatal motorcycle crashes in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, finds a study in the Christmas issue of The BMJ.
	Updated brain cell map connects various brain diseases to specific cell types Researchers have developed new single-cell sequencing methods that could be used to map the cell origins of various brain disorders, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
	Selecting sounds: How the brain knows what to listen to How is it that we are able—without any noticeable effort—to listen to a friend talk in a crowded café or follow the melody of a violin within an orchestra?
	Scientists discover possible master switch for programming cancer immunotherapy During infection or tumor growth, a type of specialized white blood cells called CD8+ T cells rapidly multiply within the spleen and lymph nodes and acquire the ability to kill diseased cells. Some of these killer T cells then migrate where required to vanquish the germs or cancers.
	Presurgical imaging may predict whether epilepsy surgery will work Surgery to remove a part of the brain to give relief to patients with epilepsy doesn't always result in complete seizure relief, but statisticians at Rice University have developed a method for integrating neuroimaging scans to identify patients at high risk of continued seizures before the surgery takes place.
Protein Daple coordinates single-cell and organ-wide directionality in the inner ear Humans inherited the capacity to hear sounds thanks to structures that evolved millions of years ago. Sensory "hair cells" in the inner ear have the amazing ability to convert sound waves into electrical signals and transmit them to the brain for processing.
	Major cause of dementia discovered An international team of scientists have confirmed the discovery of a major cause of dementia, with important implications for possible treatment and diagnosis.
Researchers develop method to ensure human rights in public health services When measuring the success of public health work—from immunizations to family planning services—experts rely on sets of standardized indicators. But these indicators often neglect the voices and human rights of people who use the services, according to USC researchers.
	Obesity may be tied to higher rosacea risk in women (HealthDay)—Obesity may be associated with an increased risk for rosacea, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
	Dopamine receptor antagonist antipsychotic Tx can affect BP (HealthDay)—Use of dopaminergic antagonists and agonists can affect blood pressure (BP), according to a review published online Nov. 8 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
	What to do if someone's bleeding badly (HealthDay)—By knowing how to stop bleeding, you could save the life of a seriously injured person.
	Got scabies? Here's what to do (HealthDay)—If you or a family member develops scabies, you need to take immediate action, a dermatologist advises.
	Gene therapy improves immunity in babies with 'bubble boy' disease Early evidence suggests that gene therapy developed at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital will lead to broad protection for infants with the devastating immune disorder X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency disorder. Preliminary results from the ongoing, multicenter study were included in the press program here today at the 59th annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology.
International team identifies genetic model for predicting primary myelofibrosis outcomes A group of investigators from Mayo Clinic and multiple academic research centers in Italy have identified a genetic model for predicting outcomes in patients with primary myelofibrosis who are 70 years or younger and candidates for stem cell transplant to treat their disease. The group's findings were presented today at the 59th American Society of Hematology annual meeting in Atlanta by lead authors Alessandro Vannucchi, M.D. from the University of Florence and Ayalew Tefferi, M.D., a hematologist at Mayo Clinic.
	Immunotherapy drug nearly eliminates severe acute graft-versus-host disease Results from a phase 2 clinical trial, presented by Seattle Children's Research Institute at the 59th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, show that the drug Abatacept (Orencia) nearly eliminated life-threatening severe acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplants.
	Study finds emojis promising tool for tracking cancer patients' quality of life In findings presented to the American Society of Hematology, Mayo Clinic researchers found that using emojis instead of traditional emotional scales were helpful in assessing patients' physical, emotional and overall quality of life. Researchers found that using iPhones and Apple Watches were favored by patients, and the technology helped collect study data accurately and efficiently. The study, created using Apple's ResearchKit framework, showed that Apple Watch provides objective, continuous activity data that correlates with established cancer patient-reported outcomes.
Rapid responses, few adverse effects in targeted agent in Phase1 trial in rare blood disorder In a Phase 1 trial, patients with an advanced or aggressive form of systemic mastocytosis (AdvSM), a rare blood disorder, had rapid and durable responses with few adverse effects following treatment with an investigational drug that targets the genetic mutation found in more than 90 percent of cases. The once-daily pill, BLU-285, targets a mutation called KIT D816V that is found in almost all cases of AdvSM, a disease that originates in mast cells, a type of white blood cell. The results of this trial were presented at the 59th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition in Atlanta.
Study explores use of checkpoint inhibitors after relapse from donor stem cell transplant Immunotherapy agents known as checkpoint inhibitors have shown considerable promise in patients with hematologic cancers who relapse after a transplant with donor stem cells. Preliminary results from the first clinical trial in these patients of one such agent - nivolumab - indicate that along with signs of effectiveness, it also produced significant side effects at the dose initially studied. The findings indicate a need for further clinical trials in this group before being considered for off-label use with these patients, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators report.
Major recall of Lactalis baby milk over salmonella fears (Update) French baby-milk maker Lactalis and health authorities have ordered a major international product recall because of fears of salmonella contamination, following 26 cases of children falling sick in France.
Phase 2 CAR-T study reports significant remission rates at 15-month follow up A study involving the recently approved CD19-targeting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy shows that 42 percent of patients with aggressive large B-cell lymphoma remained in remission at 15 months following treatment with axi-cel (marketed as Yescarta).
Global CAR T therapy trial shows high rates of durable remission for NHL In a pair of clinical trials stretching from Philadelphia to Tokyo, the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy Kymriah (formerly known as CTL019) demonstrated long-lasting remissions in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients. Results from a global, multisite trial will be presented today at the 59th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition in Atlanta (Abstract #577). Results from the single-site study, with follow-up extending past two years, will be published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. Both studies were led by Stephen J. Schuster, MD, from the Abramson Cancer Center and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Sequencing offers clues to progression toward multiple myeloma Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have carried out the largest genomic analysis of patients with smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM), a precursor to full-blown blood cancer that doesn't show outward symptoms. The next-generation sequencing project "will help to explain the biology of the disease and how it unfolds through time from asymptomatic stages to symptomatic ones," said Mark Bustoros, MD, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Irene Ghobrial, MD.
	Landmark CAR-T cancer study published Loyola University Medical Center is the only Chicago center that participated in the pivotal clinical trial of a groundbreaking cancer treatment that genetically engineers a patient's immune system to attack cancer cells.
Low-dose treatment with Il2 across studies shows benefits in chronic graft-versus host Daily low doses of the immune signaling protein interleukin-2 (IL-2) can safely benefit patients who develop chronic graft-versus-host disease following stem cell transplants, including particular benefit in pediatric patients in one small study, report scientists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
	CAR T, immunotherapy bring new hope for multiple myeloma patients Two investigational immunotherapy approaches, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, have shown encouraging results in the treatment of multiple myeloma patients who had relapsed and were resistant to other therapies. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center administered CAR T cells to patients following chemotherapy, with 64 percent of patients responding in a clinical trial. In a separate study, patients got an infusion of an experimental monoclonal antibody, which resulted in an overall response rate of 60 percent. Both of these investigational approaches targeted a receptor called B-Cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA), which is highly expressed in myeloma and thus a promising target for treatment. These studies will be presented as oral abstracts at the 59th Annual American Society of Hematology Meeting and Exposition in Atlanta.
	Physicians, especially female and rural doctors, retiring earlier than expected Physicians in British Columbia are retiring earlier than previously thought and many are reducing their working hours in the years leading up to retirement, found new research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). These findings indicate that estimates based on physician "head counts" from data on physician licences may be overestimating the number of active physicians.
	Injuries from window blinds send two children to the emergency department every day Most homes have them. They help keep our rooms warm or cold and even add a pop of color to tie the décor together. But window blinds can cause serious injuries or even death to young children. A new study from the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital looks at this ongoing cause of injury and fatality and urges the industry to do more for the safety of our children.
Patients with atrial fibrillation at greater risk of death in rural hospitals than urban hospitals Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) admitted to rural hospitals in the United States have a greater chance of dying during their hospital stay than patients admitted to urban hospitals for the same condition, according to a new report in Heart Rhythm.
Study shows combining chemotherapy with targeted drug boosts response in chronic lymphocytic leukemia Among younger patients newly diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), treatment with a combination of chemotherapy and a molecularly targeted drug significantly improves response over what is typically seen with chemotherapy alone, according to an investigator-initiated multi-center phase II clinical trial.
Anesthetics have the same effects on plants as they have on animals and humans A new study published in Annals of Botany shows that plants react to anesthetics similarly to the way animals and humans do, suggesting plants are ideal objects for testing anesthetics actions in future.
	E-cig use increases risk of beginning tobacco cigarette use in young adults Young adults who use electronic cigarettes are more than four times as likely to begin smoking tobacco cigarettes within 18 months as their peers who do not vape, according to new University of Pittsburgh research. The findings demonstrate that e-cigarettes are serving as a gateway to traditional smoking, contrary to their purported value as a smoking cessation tool.
	Soy, cruciferous vegetables associated with fewer common breast cancer treatment side effects Consuming soy foods (such as soy milk, tofu and edamame) and cruciferous vegetables (such as cabbages, kale, collard greens, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli) may be associated with a reduction in common side effects of breast cancer treatment in breast cancer survivors, say a team of scientists led by Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Payment incentives to psychiatrists in Ontario do not increase access for new patients Incentive payments, introduced to encourage community-based psychiatrists to see new patients after discharge from a psychiatric hospital or following suicide attempts, do not increase access, found new research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Rheumatoid arthritis during pregnancy may increase chronic disease risk in children New research reveals that children born to women with rheumatoid arthritis face an increased susceptibility for certain chronic diseases. The findings, which appear in Arthritis Care & Research, should be used to increase awareness among pediatricians and general practitioners.
	Researchers indicate nicotine replacement is safer for pregnant women than smoking Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is safer than smoking and should be recommended to more pregnant patients who are not able to quit on their own, according to a new review study in the Medical Journal of Australia led by a Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researcher.
Exposure to air pollution just before or after conception raises risk of birth defects Women exposed to air pollution just prior to conception or during the first month of pregnancy face an increased risk of their children being born with birth defects, such as cleft lip or palate or abnormal hearts.
Indonesia vaccinates millions to halt deadly diphtheria outbreak Millions of Indonesian children are being vaccinated this week as the country responds to a widespread diphtheria outbreak that has killed dozens, officials said Monday.
	Study shows listeners perceive repeated environmental sounds as music Water dripping. A shovel scraping across rock. These sounds don't seem very musical. Yet new research at the University of Arkansas shows that repeating snippets of environmental sounds can make them sound like music.
	'Black box' recorder puts surgeons' robotic surgery skills under the microscope You may know that your surgeon is using the latest minimally invasive technology for your surgery, but how do you know if they've mastered it? To help answer that question, researchers at Keck Medicine of USC looked to a custom recording tool similar in concept to a flight recorder on an airplane. When attached to a robotic surgery system during radical prostatectomy procedures, the most common treatment for prostate cancer, the "black box" recorder captured data that could be used to discern the difference between novice and expert surgeons. The results of the study will appear in the January 2018 edition of The Journal of Urology.
Study seeks to aid diagnosis, management of catatonia Catatonia, a syndrome of motor, emotional and behavioral abnormalities frequently characterized by muscular rigidity and a trance-like mental stupor and at times manifesting with great excitement or agitation, can occur during a critical illness and appear similar to delirium. But the management strategies are vastly different.
	Heart disease linked to depression, loneliness, unemployment and poverty Social stress factors such as loneliness and being unemployed, in addition to conventional risks such as smoking and high blood pressure, are associated with higher risks of developing heart disease, according to a new UCL-led study.
	Social phobia linked to autism and schizophrenia New Swinburne research shows that people who find social situations difficult tend to have similar brain responses to those with schizophrenia or autism.
Clinical trial reveals risky clot busters do not benefit most patients suffering from deep vein thrombosis A clinical trial almost 10 years in the making has revealed that risky, but powerful, clot busting drugs and medical devices do not improve outcomes for patients experiencing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), nor do they prevent the development of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) when compared with conventional blood thinning medications. The results of the Acute Venous Thrombosis: Thrombus Removal with Adjunctive Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis (ATTRACT) study are published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Heat, humidity, and heart disease It's no secret that high temperatures or extreme humidity can negatively impact one's physical health, particularly those afflicted with cardiovascular disease. Previous literature has even suggested that cardiovascular disease is one most sensitive to weather extremes. Climate-health studies often examine the specific role of extreme temperatures or humidity but, until now, little has been known about the joint effect that the two conditions play together and whether or not demographics play a role in the way bodies react to such weather conditions.
	X-ray light revolutionaries The ETH spin-off GratXray is working to improve precision in mammography. With the help of an innovative new device, breast cancer detection might not only become more accurate, but also painless. This is a revolutionary step in breast screening.
	Researchers identify epigenetic orchestrator of pancreatic cancer cells Genentech researchers have identified an enzyme that shifts pancreatic cancer cells to a more aggressive, drug-resistant state by epigenetically modifying the cells' chromatin. The study, which will be published December 11 in the Journal of Cell Biology, suggests that targeting this enzyme could make pancreatic cancer cells more vulnerable to existing therapies that currently have only limited effect against this deadly form of cancer.
	Most enrolled in Michigan's Medicaid expansion already either work or can't work: study Nearly half of the people who enrolled in Medicaid after it expanded in Michigan have jobs, a new study finds. Another 11 percent can't work, likely due to serious physical or mental health conditions.
	Financial incentives may increase breastfeeding rates Offering new mothers financial incentives may significantly increase low breastfeeding rates, new research from the University of Sheffield and the University of Dundee has found.
Drug for spinal muscular atrophy prompts ethical dilemmas, bioethicists say When the Food and Drug Administration approved the first drug for people with spinal muscular atrophy a year ago, clinicians finally had hope for improving the lives of patients with the rare debilitating muscular disease. But the extraordinary cost of the drug and complicated logistics of delivering it present barriers for many patients, according to experts in bioethics at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
	High-intensity exercise delays Parkinson's progression High-intensity exercise three times a week is safe for individuals with early-stage Parkinson's disease and decreases worsening of motor symptoms, according to a new phase 2, multi-site trial led by Northwestern Medicine and University of Denver scientists.
	Drinking and the risk of cancer It's no secret that drinking alcohol is a risk factor for cancer. The National Cancer Institute says alcohol use is associated with a higher risk of developing cancers of the head and neck, esophagus, liver, breast, colon and rectum.
	For baby's brain to benefit, read the right books at the right time Parents often receive books at pediatric checkups via programs like Reach Out and Read and hear from a variety of health professionals and educators that reading to their kids is critical for supporting development.
	What's in a brain? Why networking might be the key to intelligence What makes some people more clever than others? One of the central aims of cognitive neuroscience is to understand how the make-up of our brains dictates our intelligence – the general mental capability by which we reason, think abstractly and learn from experiences. Recent research shows the links between brain regions may be the key.
	Liver cancer: Lipid synthesis promotes tumor formation Lipids comprise an optimal energy source and an important cell component. Researchers from the Biozentrum of the University of Basel and from the University of Geneva have now discovered that the protein mTOR stimulates the production of lipids in liver tumors to satisfy the increased nutrient turnover and energy needs of cancer cells, among other functions. This process has also been observed in patients with liver cancer as the scientists report in Cancer Cell.
Heart disease patients less likely to die of cancer if they are fit Heart disease patients are less likely to die of cancer if they are fit, suggests an observational study in more than 12 000 patients presented today at EuroEcho-Imaging 2017.
Impaired path integration in mice with disrupted grid cell firing One of the most complex accomplishments of our brain is spatial orientation. To accomplish this, the brain uses various cell types including place cells and grid cells. Place cells tell the brain the current position. Scientists have already been able to confirm this in experiments. Grid cells collaborate with the place cells. But their exact function has been a matter of theoretical speculation so far.
	You've got your DNA kit—now what can you do with it? Differences among people, such as eye colour or hair colour, come from slight variations in our genetic code. As technology advances, it's getting easier to unlock the secrets in our DNA to gain new insights into who we are and to apply that knowledge to dramatically change our lives and society.
	Why simple school sores often lead to heart and kidney disease in Indigenous children Impetigo, also known as school sores, is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection that occurs in children far more frequently than adults. It is one of the most common bacterial infections in children aged two to five years. Impetigo happens when a break in the skin, from scratching an insect bite for instance, lets in disease-causing bacteria.
	LDL cholesterol found to be the main modifiable predictor of atherosclerosis in individuals with no risk factor LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), known as 'bad' cholesterol, is the underlying reason why many apparently healthy individuals have heart attacks or strokes during middle age despite not having cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, obesity, dyslipidemia or diabetes. Even at levels considered normal, LDL-C, after age and male sex, is the main predictor of the presence of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries. This is the finding of research conducted at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC) and published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). The results of the new study, led by CNIC Director Dr. Valentín Fuster, support the use of more aggressive strategies to reduce LDL-C, including for individuals considered at minimum risk. Fortunately, LDL-C is the main risk factor that can be modified in order to avoid the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques.
	Experts discover ways to tackle drug resistant parasites that cause the killer disease malaria A new analysis of all relevant previously published clinical data shows how parasites causing malaria become resistant to a commonly used treatment for malaria in travelers.
Traumas do not impact job satisfaction Each year about a quarter of all workers will be confronted potentially traumatic events, such as crime, accidents, serious illness or death of a significant other. Part of the affected workers will develop very severe posttraumatic stress symptoms. However, in contrast to our expectations these events and symptoms do not have a negative impact on job satisfaction.
	There's more to evidence-based policies than data—why it matters for healthcare A critical part of reaching the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals in 13 years' time is to ensure that everyone can access equitable and affordable healthcare – more commonly known as universal health coverage.
	Infant brain responses predict reading speed in secondary school A study conducted at the Department of Psychology at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland and Jyväskylä Centre for Interdisciplinary Brain Research (CIBR) has found that the brain responses of infants with an inherited risk for dyslexia, a specific reading disability, predict their future reading speed in secondary school.
Smoking reduces increase in life expectancy for less educated women Life expectancy in Sweden has risen steadily during the last few decades for most groups. One exception is women whose highest educational level is compulsory school. This is mostly because of smoking, says a new dissertation in sociology.
	Rush to treat liver patients causing more harm than good Doctors risk overdiagnosing the most common and fastest-growing liver condition, exposing patients to harmful tests, according to a study published today.
	Over 50s with fewer than 20 teeth at higher risk of musculoskeletal frailty New research by scientists at King's College London has found that tooth loss may contribute to musculoskeletal frailty in the over 50s, with those with fewer than 20 teeth being at greatest risk.
	Kidney disease increases risk of diabetes, study shows Diabetes is known to increase a person's risk of kidney disease. Now, a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests that the converse also is true: Kidney dysfunction increases the risk of diabetes.
	Baby milk maker orders global recall over salmonella fears Baby milk maker Lactalis and French authorities have ordered a global recall of millions of products over fears of salmonella bacteria contamination.
Immunotherapy strategy could be beneficial for relapsed acute myeloid leukemia University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers report that pairing an immunotherapy drug with chemotherapy proved beneficial for some patients with acute myeloid leukemia whose disease did not respond to standard treatment or had relapsed.
	Use of chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer declines, study says A study of nearly 3,000 women with early stage breast cancer indicates a recent, significant decline in the use of chemotherapy despite the lack of any change in national treatment recommendations or guidelines, according to researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine and the University of Michigan.
AML study reports high response rates with combination targeted therapy Initial findings from a multi-national open-label phase Ib study of inhibitory drug therapy for relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have demonstrated a complete response in up to 50 percent patients say researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center .
	Scientists discover new way to help nerve regeneration in spinal cord injury There is currently no cure for spinal cord injury or treatment to help nerve regeneration so therapies offering intervention are limited. People with severe spinal cord injuries can remain paralysed for life and this is often accompanied by incontinence.
	Stress hormone may identify family members likely to suffer from anxiety after loved one's ICU care When a loved one has been hospitalized in intensive care for a critical illness, many family members experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress or other negative effects lasting months, according to new research led by Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City.
	Personalized blood sugar goals can save diabetes patients thousands A cost analysis by researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine shows treatment plans that set individualized blood sugar goals for diabetes patients, tailored to their age and health history, can save $13,546 in health care costs over their average lifetime when compared with treatment strategies that stick to a uniform national standard.
	Pushing the boundaries of melanoma border detection Skin cancer experts will soon be able to benefit from a better way of spotting and identifying lesions, thanks to an improved image segmentation tool developed by computer scientists at Brunel University London.
	Multiple health implications of women's early marriage go beyond early childbearing A new study of four South Asian countries reveals complex associations between early marriage and women's education, health and nutrition that go beyond the impacts of early childbearing. These health implications—which include higher risk of domestic violence and poor mental health—may also affect the next generation of children. Furthermore, increased education has had some, but not enough, success in delaying girls' marriage. The study, published in open-access journal Frontiers in Public Health, provides evidence showing why early marriage should be considered a major public health issue.
Using software, researchers predict tumor markers that could be immune targets University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center scientists have developed a software program that can accurately predict which tumor-specific markers will show up on the surface of leukemia cells in patients who have received stem cell transplants. Researchers plan to use their findings to develop immune-based therapies that target these antigens in leukemia patients.
	Health warnings on cigarettes could deter young people Young people are less likely to try cigarettes with the printed health warning 'Smoking kills' on each stick than standard cigarettes, according to a new study by Cancer Research UK published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research.
New research links brain structure with hallucinations and musical aptitude New research published in Schizophrenia Research conducted at the University of Liverpool links brain structure to an individual's likelihood of experiencing hallucinations and to their musical aptitude.
Report: New system for more accurate cancer staging to aid precision medicine Adding a blood test called liquid biopsy to a standard tissue biopsy could significantly improve the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment for patients with cancer, according to researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
	Good news, guys: Viagra prices start to tumble today (HealthDay)—In news that will delight men who've had difficulties in the bedroom, two generic versions of the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra are scheduled to hit the market Monday.
	Is there a best time of day for exercise? (HealthDay)—Many studies have tried to pinpoint the best time of day to exercise for peak performance and best results. But most of these studies were designed for elite athletes.
	ASH: New approach to gene Tx restores immune cells in X-SCID (HealthDay)—A new approach to gene therapy can restore immune cell types in infants with newly diagnosed X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X-SCID), according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held from Dec. 9 to 12 in Atlanta.
	Stair-step clomiphene reduces time to ovulation in PCOS (HealthDay)—The stair-step clomiphene protocol is associated with decreased time to ovulation for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), according to a study published online Dec. 4 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Preconception paternal SSRI use linked to ADHD in offspring (HealthDay)—Paternal use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) before conception is associated with increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in Pediatrics.
	ASH: High-dose gene transfer beneficial in severe hemophilia A (HealthDay)—For men with severe hemophilia A, high-dose factor VIII gene transfer is associated with sustained normalization of factor VIII activity levels, according to a study published online Dec. 9 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held from Dec. 9 to 12 in Atlanta.
	ASH: A+AVD beats ABVD for advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma (HealthDay)—For patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma, brentuximab vedotin, doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD) have superior efficacy to doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD), according to a study published online Dec. 10 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held from Dec. 9 to 12 in Atlanta.
	Beta-cell sensitivity to glucose impaired after gastric bypass (HealthDay)—Individuals with prior Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GB) have blunted β-cell sensitivity to changes in glycemia, according to a study published online Nov. 20 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
	ASH: Anti-CD19 CAR T-cell Tx beneficial in B-cell lymphomas (HealthDay)—Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel), an autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy and autologous T cells that express a CD19-directed CAR (CTL019) are effective for refractory B-cell lymphomas, according to two studies published online Dec. 10 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held from Dec. 9 to 12 in Atlanta.
Patient satisfaction, caregiver communication can reduce risk of hospital readmission A survey of patients admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has found that patients reporting greater levels of satisfaction with their care and good communication with the health care providers were significantly less like to readmitted to the hospital in the 30 days after discharge. The study, the first to focus on patients' perceptions on future readmission during their initial hospitalization, has been published in BMJ Quality & Safety.
	How social networking keeps people healthy Have you ever wanted to tell someone about a tough day at work or scary medical news, but felt nervous about calling a friend to share what's going on?
Disagreements can be a healthy antidote for biases A personal bias can influence everything from the brands we buy to the way we treat other people, and in today's world, these pre-existing beliefs can lead to intense racial, political and religious conflicts.
Glioblastoma survival mechanism reveals new therapeutic target A Northwestern Medicine study, published in the journal Cancer Cell, has provided new insights into a mechanism of tumor survival in glioblastoma and demonstrated that inhibiting the process could enhance the effects of radiation therapy.
	Women's sexual orientation linked to (un)happiness about birth Unhappiness about a pregnancy or birth has been associated with negative health outcomes for mothers and babies. Yet, unhappiness about a pregnancy or birth has been understudied, particularly among sexual minority (non-heterosexual) women. George Mason University's Dr. Lisa Lindley and her colleagues at the University of South Carolina published findings of their new study in Perspectives on Reproductive and Sexual Health, "Sexual Orientation Concordance And (Un)Happiness About Births."
	Medicaid expansion popular among Americans connected to program A concerted effort by Republicans in Congress to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act hit a surprising road block earlier this year: strong pushback against cuts to Medicaid.
Managing concerning behaviors when opioids are taken for chronic pain Patients receiving long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain sometimes demonstrate challenging and concerning behaviors, such as using more opioid medication than prescribed or concomitant alcohol or drug use. A new study, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, establishes expert consensus about treatment approaches that should be implemented when these behaviors arise.
	New animal model for Zika useful for testing vaccines and treatments An alternative animal model that mimics key features of the Zika virus infection, including its lingering presence in bodily fluids, has been developed at Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio. Acute infections in male marmosets, a New World monkey, resemble the human illness the Zika virus creates in people, including the presence of the virus in semen, saliva and urine up to two weeks after the initial infection.
	People say they want to live longer—if in good health Longevity is a such a pervasive goal in public health policy and even popular media, but individually most people only want to live long lives if they will be healthy, according to a new study that includes a University of Kansas gerontologist.
	Half of people aged 40-54 have hardened arteries: study Half of middle-aged people who are normal weight and don't smoke or have diabetes may have clogged arteries, researchers said Thursday, urging stronger measures to lower cholesterol.
	Insights on how SHARPIN promotes cancer progression Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery (SBP) and the Technion in Israel have found a new role for the SHARPIN protein. In addition to being one of three proteins in the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC), regulating NFκB and other inflammatory molecules, SHARPIN modulates PRMT5, an epigenetic master switch that controls several proteins linked to melanoma. The research was published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
	Certain books can increase infant learning during shared reading, study shows Parents and pediatricians know that reading to infants is a good thing, but new research shows reading books that clearly name and label people and objects is even better.
	Your mood depends on the food you eat, and what you should eat changes as you get older Diet and dietary practices differentially affect mental health in young adults versus older adults, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York.
For leukemia patients, transfusion needs may delay hospice care Toward the end of life, some leukemia patients depend on blood transfusions to ease their suffering. Unfortunately, the likelihood that transfusions won't be accessible through hospice care appears to be pose a significant barrier to meaningful use of the Medicare hospice benefit, researchers reported in a new presentation at the American Society of Hematology's annual meeting in Atlanta on Dec. 9.
	Price hikes push health insurance shoppers into hard choices Margaret Leatherwood has eight choices for health insurance next year but no good options.
	Researchers design a new smart system for children's chronic illness monitoring Researchers from the University of Granada (UGR) and the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) have designed a new smart system for monitoring children who suffer from chronic illnesses like asthma. The system consists of a small portable device connected to a smartphone, which allows continuous and accurate measurement of parameters such as heart rate or body temperature, among others. This would help parents, teachers and doctors to be informed about the child's condition at all times.
	Child abuse common in Vietnam Child abuse is a common problem in Vietnam. All forms of child abuse – emotional and physical – have a negative emotional effect on the child. In some cases, the child's physical health and memory are also affected. These are the conclusions of Ph.D. candidate Nhu Kieu Tran. Her Ph.D. ceremony is on 12 December.
Study finds poor knowledge of autism among doctors in Sri Lanka Autism is a neurological and developmental diagnosis seen from early childhood marked by difficulty in communicating, forming relationships and using languages. In Sri Lanka, one in 93 children have been found to have autism. Studies have shown that the condition of an autistic child can improve with early diagnosis. Early diagnosis and provision of further information to caregivers is largely linked to the level of physicians' knowledge of autism.
Sanofi urges Philippines to lift dengue vaccine suspension French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi on Monday urged the Philippines to lift the suspension of its anti-dengue vaccine, insisting it was safe, but the government accused the firm of "dishonesty".
PUMA pathway is a weak link in breast cancer metastasis Substantial advancements have improved the success of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical treatments for primary breast cancers. However, breast cancer that has spread, or metastasized, to other parts of the body remains a challenge to cure. It is difficult to predict whether a tumor will recur and metastasize, and uncertainty can lead to inadequate or overaggressive treatment.
Dutch retailer pulls infant milk in French health scare Dutch value-for-money retailer Kruidvat pulled some of its own-brand infant milk off the shelves Monday following an international recall by French baby milk maker Lactalis amid a salmonella scare.
Collaboration between EMS and primary care physicians could reduce unnecessary emergency transport for fallen seniors A protocol that couples paramedic assessment with primary care physician consultation and timely follow up significantly reduced unnecessary ambulance transport for fallen elderly residents of assisted living facilities. The findings of a prospective cohort study are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
WFIRM wound healing technology licensed to XCell Biologix A potential new cell-free treatment for severe burns and chronic wounds that was developed by scientists at Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) has been exclusively licensed to XCell Biologix, a private company that aims to make the therapy available to patients worldwide.
Research offers guidelines to improve patient care for sexual assault survivors Disclosing personal history of sexual assault and other forms of abuse to a primary care physician can have a profound impact on the patient's experience in the doctor's office as well as the quality of care, according to a review published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
	Technology to drive advances in obesity-related diseases For the first time, researchers led by Frank Lau, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery at LSU Health New Orleans, have successfully kept white fat tissue alive outside of the body for up to eight weeks. This breakthrough will pave the way for research advances improving treatment or prevention of such diseases as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer and others associated with white adipose tissue. Details are published as an Instant Online Article by the journal Tissue Engineering Part C: Methods, available here.
	Some glitches seen in deadline week for 'Obamacare' sign-ups Consumer advocates reported some glitches Monday in the final days for "Obamacare" sign-ups, although the Trump administration largely seemed to be keeping its promise of a smooth enrollment experience.

Biology news

	Officials: Whales, after deadly year, could become extinct Officials with the federal government say it's time to consider the possibility that endangered right whales could become extinct unless new steps are taken to protect them.
	Reductions in individual plant growth sometimes boost community resilience In sports, sometimes a player has to take one for the team. The same appears to be true in the plant world, where reduced individual growth can benefit the broader community.
	Novel framework to infer microbial interactions Inferring the underlying ecological networks of microbial communities is important to understanding their structure and responses to external stimuli. But it can be very challenging to make accurate network inferences. In a paper published in Nature Communications, researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital detail a method to make the network inference easier by utilizing steady-state data without altering microbial communities.
	Radar tracking reveals how bees develop a route between flowers As bees gain foraging experience they continually refine both the order in which they visit flowers and the flight paths they take between flowers to generate better and better routes, according to researchers at Queen Mary University of London.
	Internal forces directing cell migration are revealed by live-cell microscopy How do cells move in a certain direction in the body—go to a wound site and repair it, for example, or hunt down infectious bacteria and kill it?
	New online database brings the genome into focus using molecular structure Iowa State University researchers have built an accessible online database that brings critical genomic data into sharp focus with the single click of a mouse.
	World-first uses satellites and ocean models to explain Antarctic seafloor biodiversity In a world-first, a research team of Australian and international scientists has used data collected by satellites and an ocean model to explain and predict biodiversity on the Antarctic seafloor.
	Yeast can be engineered to create protein pharmaceuticals It took several years, but a research team headed by Professor Jens Nielsen at Chalmers University of Technology has finally succeeded in mapping out the complex metabolism of yeast cells. The breakthrough, recently published in an article in Nature Communications, means a huge step forward in the potential to more efficiently produce protein therapies for diseases such as cancer.
	Turning pathogens against each other to prevent drug resistance Limiting a much-needed resource could pit pathogens against one another and prevent the emergence of drug resistance. New research demonstrates that harnessing competition among pathogens inside a patient could extend the life of existing drugs where resistance is already present and prevent resistance to new drugs from emerging. A paper describing this ecological approach to drug resistance appears the week of Dec. 11 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Researchers develop powerful new method for microbiome analysis Scientists from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Sema4, and collaborating institutions New York University and the University of Florida today published a report detailing their new, more accurate method for identifying individual microbial species and strains in a community. This technique has important implications for microbiome analysis, with potential long-term applications for clinical care. The paper came out today in Nature Biotechnology.
	Patients' individual genomes may affect efficacy, safety of gene editing Gene editing has begun to be tested in clinical trials, using CRISPR-Cas9 and other technologies to directly edit DNA inside people's cells, and multiple trials are recruiting or in the planning stages. A new study led by Boston Children's Hospital and the University of Montreal raises a note of caution, finding that person-to-person genetic differences may undercut the efficacy of the gene editing process or, in more rare cases, cause a potentially dangerous "off target" effect.
	Typhoid fever toxin has a sweet tooth Although the insidious bacterium Salmonella typhi has been around for centuries, very little is actually known about its molecular mechanisms. A new study from researchers at the College of Veterinary Medicine addresses this knowledge gap and may lead to novel, targeted treatments.
	Dolphin and bear studies pave the way to improved population forecasting A new article by a UNSW Sydney-led team challenges the validity of current methods for forecasting the persistence of slow-growing species for conservation purposes, and provides a better approach to reducing the threat of extinction.
	The likelihood for mixed breeding between two songbird species lessens with warmer springs Global climate warming is considered a major threat to many living organisms but not all consequences of warming need to be harmful to species. A recent study from the University of Helsinki published on Evolution shows that two bird species react differently to warmer spring temperatures, succeeding to mitigate negative effects of competition and mixed breeding.
	Traces of historical reindeer grazing can still be observed after 100 years With the holiday season around the corner, most people may first think of reindeer as Santa Claus' trusted helpers. But it turns out that reindeer are not only good at pulling Santa's sleigh; they can also teach us important lessons about the functioning of ecosystems. By studying small meadows in the Swedish mountains, formed by historical traditional reindeer herding practices, Dagmar Egelkraut revealed long-lasting ecological effects induced by reindeer grazing in her doctoral research.
	A keep-fit gadget for your dog this Christmas – who really benefits? Researchers at the University of York have enlisted the help of our canine friends to test the concept of a "Dog Internet."
	A bird in the bush is worth $223,851 in the hand The arrival of a single Black-backed Oriole bird in rural Pennsylvania—5000 kilometres from its usual home in Mexico—was worth an estimated $US 223,851 to the economy from bird watchers flocking to see it.
Brazilian researchers uncover six new species of silky anteater In a recent study published in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, a team of Brazilian researchers discovered six new species of silky anteater, a mammal that lives in tropical rain forests of the Amazon region and Central America.
	Scientists urge endangered listing for cheetahs A comprehensive assessment of cheetah populations in southern Africa supported by the National Geographic Society reveals the dire state of one of the planet's most iconic big cats. In a study published today in the open-access journal PeerJ, researchers present evidence that low cheetah population estimates in southern Africa and population decline support a call to list the cheetah as "Endangered" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
New study identifies genetic basis for western corn rootworm resistance in maize Farmers are stuck. Western corn rootworm can destroy cornfields - and profits - but populations of the "billion-dollar bug" have stopped responding to insecticides and the genetically modified corn hybrids designed to resist insect attacks. But there may be hope. In a new study, University of Illinois researchers uncover the genetic basis of resistance to western corn rootworm, paving the way for development of non-GM corn hybrids that can withstand the worm.
	Five elephants killed by train in India A train has struck and killed five elephants as they crossed over tracks at a tea plantation in northeast India, an official said Monday.
The secret life of island animals Islands are places of myth and wonder that have fascinated people for centuries. They're also places to find odd versions of some familiar animals.
Three of nature's most bizarre relationships Not every partnership in the animal kingdom is fair and equal.
	Marine scientists lead comprehensive review of giant clams species worldwide An international team of marine researchers led by Dr Neo Mei Lin and Associate Professor Peter Todd from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has recently published a comprehensive study on the status of giant clams worldwide. Between 2014 to 2016, the scientists involved in this massive endeavour re-examined and updated the taxonomy, distribution, abundance, and conservation status of all species of giant clams.
	Great Basin seed study experiment targets rangeland restoration Restoration of rangelands in the Great Basin is taking a new direction as scientists seek to find the ideal seed stock to use for the many different ecosystems across the 70 million acre expanse - native seeds that are locally adapted to the conditions.

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