Fwd: Science X Newsletter Monday, Oct 20

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Tue, Oct 21, 2014 at 2:29 AM
Subject: Science X Newsletter Monday, Oct 20
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>

Dear Pascal Alter,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for October 20, 2014:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Best of Last Week – First map of hidden universe, pursuit of compact fusion and new clues about the causes of depression
- Serious security: Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution guards against the most general attacks
- Researchers build reversible tractor beam that moves objects 100 times farther than other efforts
- See-through, one-atom-thick, carbon electrodes powerful tool to study brain disorders
- Mental rest and reflection boost learning, study suggests
- Wild molecular interactions in a new hydrogen mixture
- Scientists restore hearing in noise-deafened mice, pointing way to new therapies
- Rounded crystals that mimic starfish shells could advance 3-D printing pills
- Heavy metal frost? A new look at a Venusian mystery
- An android opera: Japan's Shibuya plots new era of robot music
- Warming Earth heading for hottest year on record (Update)
- User-friendly electronic 'EyeCane' enhances navigational abilities for the blind
- Massive debris pile reveals risk of huge tsunamis in Hawaii
- New study demonstrates advances in creating treatment for common childhood blood cancer
- Brain activity provides evidence for internal 'calorie counter'

Astronomy & Space news

	Hot explosions on the cool sun (Phys.org) —The Sun is more spirited than previously thought. Apart from the solar eruptions, huge bursts of particles and radiation from the outer atmosphere of our star, also the cooler layer right below can be the site of explosions: in some areas magnetic energy builds up and discharges within only a few minutes in temperature eruptions of up to 100000 degrees. Researchers under the lead of the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research have now for the first time found evidence of such short-lived heat pockets in data from NASA's space telescope IRIS (Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph).
	New commercial rocket descent data may help NASA with future Mars landings NASA successfully captured thermal images of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on its descent after it launched in September from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The data from these thermal images may provide critical engineering information for future missions to the surface of Mars.
	Exomoons Could Be Abundant Sources Of Habitability With about 4,000 planet candidates from the Kepler Space Telescope data to analyze so far, astronomers are busy trying to figure out questions about habitability. What size planet could host life? How far from its star does it need to be? What would its atmosphere need to be made of?
	Heavy metal frost? A new look at a Venusian mystery Venus is hiding something beneath its brilliant shroud of clouds: a first order mystery about the planet that researchers may be a little closer to solving because of a new re-analysis of twenty-year-old spacecraft data.
	NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter watches comet fly near The longest-lived robot ever sent to Mars came through its latest challenge in good health, reporting home on schedule after sheltering behind Mars from possible comet dust.
	UAE launches project to send unmanned probe to Mars Oil-rich United Arab Emirates on Monday launched a project that aims to send the first Arab unmanned probe to Mars by 2021.
	Europe secures new generation of weather satellites Contracts were signed today to build three pairs of MetOp Second Generation satellites, ensuring the continuity of essential information for global weather forecasting and climate monitoring for decades to come.

Medicine & Health news

	Scientists restore hearing in noise-deafened mice, pointing way to new therapies Scientists have restored the hearing of mice partly deafened by noise, using advanced tools to boost the production of a key protein in their ears.
	Mental rest and reflection boost learning, study suggests A new study, which may have implications for approaches to education, finds that brain mechanisms engaged when people allow their minds to rest and reflect on things they've learned before may boost later learning.
	Genetic variant protects some Latina women from breast cancer An international research collaboration led by UC San Francisco researchers has identified a genetic variant common in Latina women that protects against breast cancer.
	Antibiotics may help Salmonella spread in infected animals Some people infected with pathogens spread their germs to others while remaining symptom-free themselves. Now, investigators at the Stanford University School of Medicine believe they may know why.
	Rapid agent restores pleasure-seeking ahead of other antidepressant action A drug being studied as a fast-acting mood-lifter restored pleasure-seeking behavior independent of—and ahead of—its other antidepressant effects, in a National Institutes of Health trial. Within 40 minutes after a single infusion of ketamine, treatment-resistant depressed bipolar disorder patients experienced a reversal of a key symptom—loss of interest in pleasurable activities—which lasted up to 14 days. Brain scans traced the agent's action to boosted activity in areas at the front and deep in the right hemisphere of the brain.
	Magnesium cuts diabetes risk Getting enough magnesium in the diet may reduce the risk of diabetes, especially for those who already show signs of heading that way.
	Brain activity provides evidence for internal 'calorie counter' As you glance over a menu or peruse the shelves in a supermarket, you may be thinking about how each food will taste and whether it's nutritious, or you may be trying to decide what you're in the mood for. A new neuroimaging study suggests that while you're thinking all these things, an internal calorie counter of sorts is also evaluating each food based on its caloric density.
New study demonstrates advances in creating treatment for common childhood blood cancer Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center conclude new drug in development may offer first alternative to standard chemotherapy for T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
	Stress-related inflammation may increase risk for depression Preexisting differences in the sensitivity of a key part of each individual's immune system to stress confer a greater risk of developing stress-related depression or anxiety, according to a study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published October 20 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
	Supercomputers link proteins to drug side effects New medications created by pharmaceutical companies have helped millions of Americans alleviate pain and suffering from their medical conditions. However, the drug creation process often misses many side effects that kill at least 100,000 patients a year, according to the journal Nature.
	Findings point to an 'off switch' for drug resistance in cancer Like a colony of bacteria or species of animals, cancer cells within a tumor must evolve to survive. A dose of chemotherapy may kill hundreds of thousands of cancer cells, for example, but a single cell with a unique mutation can survive and quickly generate a new batch of drug-resistant cells, making cancer hard to combat.
	Team untangles the biological effects of blue light Blue light can both set the mood and set in motion important biological responses. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine and School of Arts and Sciences have teased apart the separate biological responses of the human eye to blue light, revealing an unexpected contest for control. Their work addresses the properties of melanopsin, a light-sensitive protein in the eye that establishes the rhythm of our day-night cycle and the familiar constriction of the pupil to bright light. They measured the pupil response to stimulation of melanopsin and of short-wave-sensitive (S) cones, the other blue light-sensing cells that operate in daylight. Surprisingly, they found that melanopsin and S-cones have opposite effects and compete for control of the pupil in blue light. Their complete results are published in the current issue of PNAS.
Study shows medication is frequently, unintentionally given incorrectly to young children According to Nationwide Children's Hospital researchers, 63,000 children under the age of six experienced out-of-hospital medication errors annually between 2002 and 2012. One child is affected every eight minutes, usually by a well-meaning parent or caregiver unintentionally committing a medication error.
Viagra protects the heart beyond the bedroom Viagra could be used as a safe treatment for heart disease, finds new research published today in the open access journal BMC Medicine. The study reveals that long-term daily treatment of Viagra can provide protection for the heart at different stages of heart disease, with few side effects.
Group B streptococcus incidence rises significantly among newborns The findings suggest that this disturbing trend could be due the emergence of more virulent group B streptococcal strains and call for a renewed evaluation of preventive strategies to reduce neonatal disease.
Mummy remains refute antiquity of ankylosing spondylitis Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic disease that causes inflammation in the spinal joints and was thought to have affected members of the ancient Egyptian royal families. Now a new study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), refutes that claim, finding instead a degenerative spinal condition called diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in royal Egyptian mummies from the 18th to early 20th Dynasties.
Head injury causes the immune system to attack the brain Scientists have uncovered a surprising way to reduce the brain damage caused by head injuries - stopping the body's immune system from killing brain cells. The study, published in the open access journal Acta Neuropathologica Communications, showed that in experiments on mice, an immune-based treatment reduced the size of brain lesions. The authors suggest that if the findings apply to humans, this could help prevent brain damage from accidents, and protect players of contact sports like American football, rugby and boxing.
	Heart rate may predict survival and brain function in comatose cardiac arrest survivors Researchers may have developed a way to potentially assist prognostication in the first 24 hours after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) when patients are still in a coma. Their findings are revealed today at Acute Cardiovascular Care 2014 by Dr Jakob Hartvig Thomsen from Copenhagen, Denmark.
	Children who drink non-cow's milk are twice as likely to have low vitamin D Children who drink non-cow's milk such as rice, almond, soy or goat's milk, have lower levels of vitamin D in their blood than those who drink cow's milk, according to a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
iPads detect early signs of glaucoma in Nepal eye screening Using a tablet screening app could prove to be an effective method to aid in the effort to reduce the incidence of avoidable blindness in populations at high-risk for glaucoma with limited access to health care, according to a study released today at AAO 2014, the 118th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In this study, researchers from the University of Iowa, the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, the University of Michigan and the Tilganga Eye Institute in Nepal used a free peripheral vision assessment app to screen approximately 200 patients in Nepal for glaucoma using an iPad. The results show promise for screening populations that have limited or no access to traditional eye care and certain ethnic groups that have a high risk of developing the disease.
Seeing doctor twice a year helps keep blood pressure under control People who visited their doctor at least twice a year were 3.2 times more likely to keep their blood pressure under control than those who saw their doctor once a year or less, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.
Changing how primary-care doctors treat pain, fatigue and other common symptoms Common symptoms such as pain or fatigue account for over half of all doctor's office appointments in the United States, translating into more than 400 million visits annually.
Three-minute assessment successfully identifies delirium in hospitalized elders Delirium is a state of confusion that develops suddenly, often following an acute medical illness, a surgical procedure or a hospitalization. Although delirium is estimated to complicate hospital stays for over 2.5 million elderly individuals in the U.S. each year, this common condition often goes undetected. The end result can be serious complications with sometimes devastating consequences for vulnerable hospitalized elders.
One in five physicians unaware their patients have central venous catheters One in five physicians was unaware a hospitalized patient had a central venous catheter, which is commonly used for laboratory monitoring or to administer life-saving treatments such as IV delivery of antibiotics, nutrition, and other medications.
For inmates, pricey hepatitis C drug could make financial sense New, significantly improved hepatitis C drugs have revolutionized how the disease is treated, but they are also expensive. One such drug, sofosbuvir, costs more than $7,000 a week for 12 weeks of treatment.
Gambling, hypersexuality, compulsive shopping associated with dopamine agonist drugs During a 10-year period, there were 1,580 adverse drug events reported in the United States and 21 other countries that indicated impulse control disorders in patients, including 628 cases of pathological gambling, 465 cases of hypersexuality and 202 cases of compulsive shopping. The total included 710 events associated with dopamine receptor agonist drugs (used to treat Parkinson disease, restless leg syndrome and hyperprolactinemia) and 870 events for other drugs.
No long-term association found between vaccines, multiple sclerosis A study to determine whether vaccines, particularly those for hepatitis B (HepB) and human papillomavirus (HPV), increased the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) or other acquired central nervous system demyelinating syndromes (CNS ADS) found no long-term association of vaccines with disease and a short-term increased risk in younger patients was likely resulted from existing disease, wrote authors Annette Langer-Gould, M.D., Ph.D., of Kaiser Permanente, Southern California, Pasadena, and colleagues.
Analysis examines genetic obesity susceptibility, association with body size in kids A review of medical literature appears to confirm an association between genetic obesity susceptibility and postnatal gains in infant weight and length, as well as showing associations with both fat mass and lean mass in infancy and early childhood.
Using feminist theory to understand male rape Decades of feminist research have framed rape and sexual assault as a 'women's issue', leaving little room for the experiences of male victims. But a new study published in the Journal of Gender Studies suggests that feminist theory, with its focus on the gendered nature of rape, can also help us understand the stigmas, social constructions and realities associated with male rape.
Earlier unknown molecular-level mechanism may contribute to the growth rate of breast cancer Researchers at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the University of Turku and the University of Oslo have discovered a previously unknown molecular-level mechanism that may partly explain the increased growth of cancer cells. The study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, showed that high levels of miRNA-378a-5p molecule cause cell division anomalies. This renders the number of chromosomes in cancer cells abnormal, which is known to promote growth and the spread of cancer. In addition, the researchers discovered that elevated miRNA378a-5p levels in breast cancer patients correlate with the most aggressive forms of cancer. The objective is to develop new diagnostic methods for breast cancer on the basis of the research results
WHO declares Nigeria Ebola-free (Update) Africa's most populous nation Nigeria was on Monday declared officially Ebola free but warned that it remained vulnerable as long as the virus was raging elsewhere in west Africa.
	Exercise could help predict susceptibility to chronic pain (Medical Xpress)—Scientists know that exercise helps the body tolerate pain. But some feel more benefits than others.
	Invading worms cause the body to shut down defenses When parasitic worms invade muscle tissue, white blood cells called eosinophils rush to the scene. A study published in the Journal of Immunology this month reveals that these cells actually start a chain reaction that stops the body from launching a chemical attack on the worm, enabling the parasite to make a home within the muscle.
	Fruit and veggies pave the road to happiness Fruit and vegetables have been identified as a vital key to mental well-being.
	Facial recognition is possible even if part of the face is covered The need to accurately identify people is important for security (and for not embarrassing yourself by hugging strangers). It was cited as the main reason for excluding and restricting the movements of individuals wearing religious head and face coverings in public spaces.
	Panic over Ebola echoes the 19th-century fear of cholera On October 19 an inspector sent north from London to Sunderland reported a long-awaited arrival: the first British case of cholera. It was 1831 and as part of a second pandemic cholera had again progressed from its Bengal heartland through Europe, before reaching the Baltic ports. It was only a matter of time.
Adopting Older Children offers guide to parents thinking about adopting The authors of the new book, Adopting Older Children: A Practical Guide to Adopting and Parenting Children over Age Four (New Horizon Press), hope to help guide parents through the process of adopting an older child.
	Mum's health plays greater part in premmie babies An international study on premature babies has found medical conditions such as chronic hypertension and pre-eclampsia play a greater role in the untimely birth and not the mother's sociodemographic status, as was previously thought.
	New research means 360 million more people in India can be tested for autism A research project by the University of Reading could lead to more people in India receiving earlier diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) than ever before.
New approach to monitoring changes in cellular structure may lead to early detection of cancerous cells Researchers have developed a new approach to characterizing and monitoring changes in cellular structure. The new type of single-cell-based assay, developed by researchers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) and the University at Buffalo (UB), may provide a tool for detecting cancerous cells early and monitoring cell-to-cell variations in cancer progression or in response to pharmaceutical drugs.
	Something in the way we move Being depressed is depressing in itself and makes you feel even worse. That is one reason why it is so hard to break out of depressive conditions.
3-D printed facial prosthesis offers new hope for eye cancer patients following surgery Researchers have developed a fast and inexpensive way to make facial prostheses for eye cancer patients using facial scanning software and 3-D printing, according to findings released today at AAO 2014, the 118th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Their novel process can create more affordable prosthetics for any patients who have hollow sockets resulting from eye surgery following cancer or congenital deformities.
Males with IBS report more social stress than females, study finds One of the few studies to examine gender differences among patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has found that males with the condition experience more interpersonal difficulties than do females with the condition. The findings challenge what had been predicted by the University at Buffalo investigator and his colleagues. The study, "Understanding gender differences in IBS: the role of stress from the social environment," is being presented during the Oct. 19 poster session at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) annual meeting in Philadelphia.
	Fairness is in the brain Ever wondered how people figure out what is fair? Look to the brain for the answer. According to a new Norwegian brain study, people appreciate fairness in much the same way as they appreciate money for themselves, and also that fairness is not necessarily that everybody gets the same income.
Panic attacks associated with fear of bright daylight Fear of bright daylight is associated with panic disorder, according to new presented at the ECNP congress in Berlin.
Smartphone approach examining diabetic eye disease offers comparable results to traditional method A smartphone-based tool may be an effective alternative to traditional ophthalmic imaging equipment in evaluating and grading severity of a diabetic eye disease, according to a study released today at AAO 2014, the American Academy of Ophthalmology's 118th annual meeting. The results of the research indicate the lower-cost method could be useful for bringing the service to patients in isolated or underserved communities.
Cold sores increase the risk of dementia Infection with herpes simplex virus increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at Umeå University, Sweden, claim this in two studies in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia.
Aspirin shown to benefit schizophrenia treatment A new study shows that some anti-inflammatory medicines, such as aspirin, estrogen, and Fluimucil, can improve the efficacy of existing schizophrenia treatments. This work is being presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology conference in Berlin.
Fresh milk keeps infections at bay A study by researchers of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich shows that infants fed on fresh rather than UHT cow's milk are less prone to infection. The authors recommend the use of alternative processing methods to preserve the protectants found in the natural product.
	Researchers develop novel solutions to fight the obesity gene Individuals who are genetically predisposed to obesity may soon have a therapeutic solution to combat their condition. A research team led by scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has identified several potent inhibitors that selectively target FTO, the common fat mass and obesity-associated gene. These FTO-specific inhibitors pave the way for the development of novel anti-obesity drugs and treatments.
Research reveals likelihood, onset of MS diagnosis among patients with inflammatory eye disease The results of the largest retrospective study of multiple sclerosis (MS) in uveitis patients has revealed that nearly 60 percent of patients with both diseases were diagnosed with each within a five-year span. The study is being presented today at AAO 2014, the 118th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. While it has long been known that there is an association between the eye condition and MS, this is the first study to provide a detailed description of the relative onset of uveitis and MS and to calculate the likelihood of an MS diagnosis among uveitis patients.
	New class of drugs shows promise in treating chronic diarrhea A pilot study testing a new type of drug in patients with chronic diarrhoea has shown promising effects on reducing their symptoms.
Winning the war against Human parainfluenza virus Researchers at Griffith University's Institute for Glycomics have moved a step closer to identifying a treatment for the dreaded Human parainfluenza virus (hPIV).
	As US economy worsened, vasectomy rates rose, study finds (HealthDay)—During the recent "Great Recession," worries about the cost of raising children in an uncertain job market may have spurred an uptick in vasectomies, a new study suggests.
	Circumcision past newborn stage poses risk for boys, study finds (HealthDay)—Circumcision is typically done in the first days or weeks of life, but about 6 percent of U.S. boys have the procedure later, which increases the risk of complications and increases costs, according to new research.
	'Desensitized' parents let kids watch more movie violence, sex (HealthDay)—When parents become desensitized to violence and sex in movies, they may also become more lax about their children's exposure to both onscreen, a new study suggests.
	Ebola or not? Rapid test for the virus not here yet (HealthDay)—"Diagnosing Ebola is very different from treating Ebola."
Scientists unravel the mystery of a rare sweating disorder An international research team discovered that mutation of a single gene blocks sweat production, a dangerous condition due to an increased risk of hyperthermia, also known as heatstroke. The gene, ITPR2, controls a basic cellular process in sweat glands, promoting the release of calcium necessary for normal sweat production, and its loss results in impaired sweat secretion.
	Non-smokers exposed to three times above safe levels of particles when living with smokers Non-smokers who live in a house with smokers are exposed to three times the officially recommend safe levels of damaging air particles, according to a study published online in the journal Tobacco Control.
Obesity link to increased risk for orthopedic conditions and surgical complications Obesity affects individual patient care, the healthcare system and nearly every organ in the body. People with obesity often have other health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, certain tumors and cancers, and psychiatric disorders. However, the role of obesity in orthopaedic conditions and their treatment is less well-publicized.
	With three first-in-human trials, therapeutic stem cell science takes a bold step at UC San Diego A 26-year-old woman paralyzed after a motor vehicle accident a year ago has successfully undergone a first-in-human experimental procedure to test whether neural stem cells injected at the site of a spinal cord injury is safe and could be an effective treatment.
Sport in old age can stimulate brain fitness, but effect decreases with advancing age Physical exercise in old age can improve brain perfusion as well as certain memory skills. This is the finding of Magdeburg neuroscientists who studied men and women aged between 60 and 77. In younger individuals regular training on a treadmill tended to improve cerebral blood flow and visual memory. However, trial participants who were older than 70 years of age tended to show no benefit of exercise. Thus, the study also indicates that the benefits of exercise may be limited by advancing age. Researchers of the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), the University of Magdeburg and the Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology have published these results in the current edition of the journal Molecular Psychiatry. Scientists at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development were also involved in the study.
Drinking pushes up liver disease deaths in England Binge drinking and 24-hour alcohol shops have helped cause a "shocking" 40-percent jump in deaths from liver disease in England, public health officials said on Monday.
Canadian Ebola vaccine sent to WHO for testing The first batch of an experimental Ebola vaccine developed by Canadian scientists was sent to Switzerland on Monday for testing by the World Health Organization, officials said.
For prescription drug addiction treatment, buprenorphine maintenance trumps detoxification For treating patients with prescription opioid dependence in primary care, buprenorphine maintenance therapy is superior to detoxification, according to a new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers published in the Oct. 20 issue of JAMA Internal Medicine.
	For infertility treatment, should he drink less coffee, more booze? (HealthDay)—A man's love of coffee could hamper the success of a couple's infertility treatment, a small new study suggests.
	Herceptin boosts survival for breast cancer, study reports (HealthDay)—Adding the drug Herceptin to chemotherapy for certain breast cancer patients increases overall survival and reduces the risk of recurrence compared to chemotherapy alone, new research shows.
	ACG: Drug-induced liver injury mainly due to antimicrobials (HealthDay)—Idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is mainly caused by antimicrobials and herbal and dietary supplements (HDS), according to research presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, held from Oct. 17 to 22 in Philadelphia.
	Sustained benefit for parental tobacco control program (HealthDay)—Practices that are part of a parental tobacco control intervention have higher rates of delivering tobacco control assistance to parents over a one-year follow-up period, according to a study published online Oct. 20 in Pediatrics.
	Children may be at lower risk for Ebola virus disease (HealthDay)—Children may be at lower risk of Ebola virus disease (EVD), but physicians should be aware of the signs and symptoms, according to a viewpoint piece published online Oct. 17 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Study suggests altering gut bacteria might mitigate lupus Lactobacillus species, commonly seen in yogurt cultures, correlate, in the guts of mouse models, with mitigation of lupus symptoms, while Lachnospiraceae, a type of Clostridia, correlate with worsening, according to research published ahead of print in Applied and Environmental Microbiology. "Our results suggest that the same investigation shold be performed in human subjects with lupus," says principal investigator Xin Luo of Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
Scientists say national Alzheimer's plan milestones must be strengthened to meet goal by 2025 The U.S. Government has initiated a major effort to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer's disease by 2025. However, a workgroup of nearly 40 Alzheimer's researchers and scientists says the research milestones in the U.S. Government's National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease must be broadened in scope, increased in scale, and adequately funded in order to successfully achieve this goal. A series of proposals by the workgroup to enlarge and strengthen the Plan are published today in Alzheimer's & Dementia: the Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.
Texas hospital apologizes over handling of Ebola case The Texas hospital that cared for the first patient to be diagnosed with Ebola in the United States apologized Sunday over its handling of the case.
Duncan kin, some at hospital near end of Ebola isolation A 21-day quarantine for extended family of the first Ebola patient diagnosed in the United States was due to end within hours, his fiancee and health officials said Sunday.
Cigarette purchases, accompany prescription refills at pharmacies Patients using medication to treat asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), high blood pressure and using oral contraceptives (OC) often purchased cigarettes while filling prescriptions at pharmacies.
Brussels becomes latest EU airport to screen for Ebola Belgium's Brussels Airport on Monday became the latest European hub to screen passengers for the deadly Ebola virus when a flight landed from Guinea via Sierra Leone, an airport spokeswoman said.
EU tackles Ebola response European Union foreign ministers thrashed out measures to help halt Ebola's deadly spread on Monday, as Nigeria—Africa's most populous country—was expected to be declared free of the disease.
New research shows fish intake associated with boost to antidepressant response Up to half of patients who suffer from depression (Major Depressive Disorder, or MDD) do not respond to treatment with SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). Now a group of Dutch researchers have carried out a study which shows that increasing fatty fish intake appears to increase the response rate in patients who do not respond to antidepressants. This work is being presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology congress in Berlin.
Biomarkers uPA/PAI-1 in breast cancer: Benefit and harm of the test unclear To make a decision for or against adjuvant chemotherapy, a test to measure the concentrations of the biomarkers uPA and PAI-1 in the tumour tissue is available for breast cancer patients. However, as suitable studies are lacking, it remains unclear for patients with an intermediate risk of recurrence which benefit or harm a treatment strategy based on this test may have for them. This is the result of the final report published by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) on 20 October 2014.
	EU seeks $1.27 billion in Ebola aid for W. Africa The European Union committed itself Monday to step up efforts toward getting 1 billion euros ($1.27 billion) in aid to fight Ebola in West Africa and rejected the idea of halting direct flights coming from the region.
No added benefit proven for umeclidinium/vilanterol in COPD The drug combination umeclidinium/vilanterol (trade name Anoro) has been approved since May 2014 for adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In an early benefit assessment pursuant to the Act on the Reform of the Market for Medicinal Products (AMNOG), the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) examined whether this drug combination offers an added benefit over the appropriate comparator therapy.
	US clinics say not best place to check for Ebola The deadly virus' arrival in the U.S. has put the spotlight on weak spots in American hospitals, but those facilities are not the only ones who have suddenly found themselves on the front lines against Ebola.
Emergency epinephrine used 38 times in Chicago Public School academic year During the 2012-2013 school year, 38 Chicago Public School (CPS) students and staff were given emergency medication for potentially life-threatening allergic reactions. This finding is detailed in a new Northwestern Medicine report in partnership with CPS.
	Interleukin-27: Can a cytokine with both pro and anti-inflammatory activity make a good drug target? Interleukin-27 (IL-27), a member of the interleukin family of cytokines that help regulate the immune system, has a mainly anti-inflammatory role in the body, and its dysfunction has been implicated in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease. More recently, IL-27's proinflammatory activity and role in chronic inflammatory diseases is becoming increasingly clear, and a new Review article that explores the potential to target a range of diseases that share common IL-27-activated mechanisms is presented in Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research (JICR).
Elderly people fear family falls short in ethnic minority communities Older people from Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities in England fear changes in cultural attitudes will leave them without the family care they expect to rely on in their twilight years, a new study has found.
Norwegian Ebola patient cured A Norwegian woman who contracted the Ebola virus while working for Doctors Without Borders in Sierra Leone was cured and released from an isolation unit Monday.
EU says 'increased' effort needed to tackle Ebola European Union foreign ministers agreed Monday to step up efforts to contain Ebola to prevent it becoming a global threat, including ensuring proper care for international health workers.
Mouse model provides new insight in to preeclampsia Worldwide, preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal deaths and preterm births. This serious pregnancy complication results in extremely high blood pressure and organ damage. The onset of preeclampsia is associated with elevated levels of a secreted protein, sFLT1, in maternal blood. However, the factors that regulate sFLT1 production are poorly understood.
Cytokine therapy enhances natural killer cell functions against tumor cells Natural killer (NK) cells are sentinels within the immune system that rapidly respond to and kill diseased cells. NK cells typically target and eliminate cells lacking the surface protein MHC class I. However, many tumor cells lack this protein yet are resistant to NK cell surveillance and killing.
	Shopping for an egg donor: Is beauty, brains, or health most important? When it comes to picking an egg donor, until recent years, recipients tended to prefer someone with a similar appearance. Donor trait choices are changing, though, and which traits are now more preferable and why is the focus of "Beauty, Brains or Health: Trends in Ovum Recipient Preferences," an article published in Journal of Women's Health.
Nigeria declared Ebola-free in 'spectacular success' (Update) Nigeria was declared Ebola-free on Monday in a "spectacular success" in the battle to contain the spread of a virus which is devastating Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia where more than 4,500 people have died.
US cautiously optimistic after no new Ebola in five days With no new Ebola cases in five days, US authorities were cautious but hopeful Monday that the virus has been contained in the United States after a flawed response revealed shortcomings in the system.
	Design of micro and nanoparticles to improve treatments for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Enara Herran, a researcher at the UPV/EHU's Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, is working to improve the way Alzheimer's and Parkinson's treatments are administered. And it is a fact that, as Herran herself stressed, "both diseases are becoming more and more common in our society".
Third UN employee dies from Ebola A UN staff member in Sierra Leone has died from Ebola, the third employee from the world organization to succumb to the deadly virus, the UN spokesman said Monday.
	Ebola fear, monitoring eases for some in Dallas The people closest to Ebola victim Thomas Eric Duncan are trying to resume their lives now that they have come out of a 21-day incubation period without developing symptoms of the disease.
Ebola: Five questions about the killer virus The highly contagious Ebola virus, which has killed more than 4,500 people in west Africa since December and has fueled global alarm, is among the most dangerous ever identified.
New research software automates DNA analysis At the core of medical research is problem-solving, which is exactly what two PhD scientists did when they set out to eliminate a common, time-consuming task performed in research laboratories around the world.
	Patients who have left breast tumors have comparable OS to those with right breast tumors Tumor laterality (left-side vs. right-side) does not impact overall survival in breast cancer patients treated with breast-conserving surgery and adjuvant external beam radiation therapy, according to a study published in the October 1, 2014 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics (Red Journal), the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
	Ebola: Keeping patients alive as body fights back People who shared an apartment with the first U.S. Ebola patient are emerging from quarantine healthy. And while Thomas Eric Duncan died and two U.S. nurses were infected caring for him, there are successes, too: A nurse infected in Spain has recovered, as have four American aid workers infected in West Africa. Even there, not everyone dies.
	Viewpoint: Getting united states prepared for ebola outbreak (HealthDay)—A case of delayed Ebola diagnosis in Dallas and subsequent infection of health care workers has highlighted the lack of preparedness for a U.S. outbreak of the disease, according to a viewpoint piece published online Oct. 17 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
	New MCAT shifts focus, will include humanities (HealthDay)—The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) has been revised, and the latest changes, including more humanities such as social sciences, are due to be implemented next April, according to a report from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
AbbVie to pay Shire $1.64B fee over nixed merger AbbVie is walking away from its proposed $55 billion takeover bid of Shire and has agreed to pay the rival drugmaker a $1.64 billion breakup fee.

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