Fwd: Science X Newsletter Sunday, Nov 16

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From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 2:15 AM
Subject: Science X Newsletter Sunday, Nov 16
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>

Dear Pascal Alter,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for November 16, 2014:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Philae lander on comet may communicate again
- No signals heard from comet lander Saturday
- Watson-powered app to answer wellness-related questions
- Space agency says Philae completes primary mission
- New map shows frequency of small asteroid impacts, provides clues on larger asteroid population
- Healthy diets are good for the kidneys
- Battery support for renewable sources announced by Aquion
- Exercise can up reinnervation capacity in metabolic syndrome
- State Dept computers hacked, email shut down

Astronomy & Space news

	Philae lander on comet may communicate again European space scientists are hoping that they succeeded in maneuvering comet lander Philae into the sun and that it will resume communicating Saturday with recharged batteries.
	No signals heard from comet lander Saturday The European Space Agency received no signals from the Philae lander Saturday morning during a scheduled effort to establish communication, the mission chief said.
	New map shows frequency of small asteroid impacts, provides clues on larger asteroid population (Phys.org) —A map released today by NASA's Near Earth Object (NEO) Program reveals that small asteroids frequently enter and disintegrate in the Earth's atmosphere with random distribution around the globe. Released to the scientific community, the map visualizes data gathered by U.S. government sensors from 1994 to 2013. The data indicate that Earth's atmosphere was impacted by small asteroids, resulting in a bolide (or fireball), on 556 separate occasions in a 20-year period. Almost all asteroids of this size disintegrate in the atmosphere and are usually harmless. The notable exception was the Chelyabinsk event which was the largest asteroid to hit Earth in this period. The new data could help scientists better refine estimates of the distribution of the sizes of NEOs including larger ones that could pose a danger to Earth.
	Space agency says Philae completes primary mission The pioneering lander Philae completed its primary mission of exploring the comet's surface and returned plenty of data before depleted batteries forced it to go silent, the European Space Agency said Saturday.
	Comet probe uploads last-minute data from 'alien world' Robot probe Philae uploaded a slew of data to Earth Friday from a deep-space comet that it drilled into long after its onboard battery was feared to have died.
	Comet probe sends back science treasure in final hours Europe's science probe Philae sent home a treasure trove of data from a comet heading towards the Sun before falling silent as its power ran out, mission control said Saturday.
	Comet scientists take break after four straight days The European Space Agency says that its scientists are taking a bit of a break after working for four days around the clock since the pioneering lander Philae touched down on a comet.

Medicine & Health news

	Healthy diets are good for the kidneys A healthy diet may help protect the kidneys, according to two studies that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2014 November 11¬-16 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.
	Exercise can up reinnervation capacity in metabolic syndrome (HealthDay)—For patients with metabolic syndrome, supervised exercise can improve cutaneous regenerative capacity, according to a study published online Nov. 12 in the Annals of Neurology.
Obesity costs more than $8 bn in lost US productivity Obesity among workers in the United States is costing the nation $8.65 billion a year in lost productivity, according to a study released Friday.
What brain studies reveal about the risk of adolescent alcohol use and abuse Neuroscientists at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) are zeroing in on brain factors and behaviors that put teens at risk of alcohol use and abuse even before they start drinking.
Aspirin or blood pressure medication before and after surgery does not reduce risk of AKI In patients undergoing noncardiac surgery, neither aspirin nor clonidine (a medication primarily used to treat high blood pressure) taken before and after surgery reduced the risk of acute kidney injury, according to a study appearing in JAMA. The study is being released to coincide with its presentation at the American Society of Nephrology's annual Kidney Week meeting.
Use of antibiotic following kidney transplantation does not prevent virus infection Among kidney transplant recipients, a 3-month course of the antibiotic levofloxacin following transplantation did not prevent the major complication known as BK virus from appearing in the urine. The intervention was associated with an increased risk of adverse events such as bacterial resistance, according to a study appearing in JAMA. The study is being released to coincide with its presentation at the American Society of Nephrology's annual Kidney Week meeting.
	Two drugs are no more effective than one to treat common kidney disease Using two drugs was no more effective than a single drug in slowing disease progression in people with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), according to two studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). One of the studies also showed that rigorous blood pressure treatment slowed growth of kidney cysts, a marker of ADPKD, but had little effect on kidney function compared to standard blood pressure treatment.
India seeks to cash in on global demand for ancient remedies India's new government has launched a drive to promote the country's ancient therapies as it seeks to cash in on the multi-billion dollar global market for holistic medicine.
Chemotherapy following radiation treatment slows disease progress A chemotherapy regimen consisting of procarbazine, CCNU, and vincristine (PCV) administered following radiation therapy improved progression-free survival and overall survival in adults with low-grade gliomas, a form of brain cancer, when compared to radiation therapy alone. The findings were part of the results of a Phase III clinical trial presented today at the Society for Neuro-Oncology's 19th Annual Meeting in Miami by the study's primary author Jan Buckner, M.D., deputy director, practice, at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center.
Blood test could prevent medication trial and error for rheumatoid arthritis patients A molecule in the blood shows promise as a marker to predict whether individual rheumatoid arthritis patients are likely to benefit from biologic medications or other drugs should be tried, a Mayo Clinic-led study shows. The protein, analyzed in blood tests, may help avoid trial and error with medications, sparing patients treatment delays and unnecessary side effects and expense. The research is among several Mayo Clinic studies presented at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting in Boston.
	Patients with active asthma at higher risk for heart attack, research shows Patients with active asthma—such as any use of asthma medications, and unscheduled office or emergency visits for asthma—are at a twofold risk of having a heart attack, according to Mayo Clinic research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014.
	Secondhand marijuana smoke may damage blood vessels as much as tobacco smoke Breathing secondhand marijuana smoke could damage your heart and blood vessels as much as secondhand cigarette smoke, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014.
	Mentally stressed young women with heart disease more likely to have reduced blood flow to heart Young women with stable coronary heart disease are more likely than men to have reduced blood flow to the heart if they're under emotional stress, but not physical stress, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014.
	Poison control data show energy drinks and young kids don't mix More than 40 percent of reports about energy drinks to U.S. poison control centers involved children younger than 6 with some suffering serious cardiac and neurological symptoms, according to a new study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014.
	Beta blockers could benefit patients with HFPEF A novel registry study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden suggests that beta blockers may benefit also patients suffering from a relatively unknown form of heart failure called HFPEF, which today lacks well-established treatment. HFPEF involves an impaired ability of the heart to fill with blood, and affects nearly 2% of the population. These new findings are being published in the scientific periodical JAMA.
	Half of STEMI heart attack patients may have additional clogged arteries A blocked artery causes a deadly kind of heart attack known as STEMI, and a rapid response to clear the blockage saves lives.
Follow-up testing indicated for inherited cardiac syndrome that can cause sudden death Giulio Conte, M.D., of the Heart Rhythm Management Centre, UZ Brussel-VUB, Brussels, Belgium and colleagues investigated the clinical significance of repeat testing after puberty in asymptomatic children with a family history of Brugada syndrome who had an initial negative test earlier in childhood. Brugada syndrome is a genetic disease that is characterized by abnormal electrocardiogram findings without structural heart disease and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. The study appears in the November 19 issue of JAMA, a cardiovascular disease theme issue.
Comparison of methods to achieve artery closure following coronary angiography Stefanie Schulz-Schupke, M.D., of the Deutsches Herzzentrum Munchen, Technische Universitat, Munich, Germany and colleagues assessed whether vascular closure devices are noninferior (not worse than) to manual compression in terms of access site-related vascular complications in patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography. The study appears in the November 19 issue of JAMA, a cardiovascular disease theme issue.
Device's potential as alternative to warfarin for stroke prevention in patients with a-fib Vivek Y. Reddy, M.D., of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, and colleagues examined the long-term efficacy and safety, compared to warfarin, of a device to achieve left atrial appendage closure in patients with atrial fibrillation. The study appears in the November 19 issue of JAMA, a cardiovascular disease theme issue.
Overall death rate from heart disease declines, although increase seen for certain types Matthew D. Ritchey, D.P.T., of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, and colleagues examined the contributions of heart disease subtypes to overall heart disease mortality trends during 2000-2010. The study appears in the November 19 issue of JAMA, a cardiovascular disease theme issue.
Risk of death may be higher if heart attack occurs in a hospital Prashant Kaul, M.D., of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and colleagues conducted a study to define the incidence and treatment and outcomes of patients who experience a certain type of heart attack during hospitalization for conditions other than acute coronary syndromes. The study appears in the November 19 issue of JAMA, a cardiovascular disease theme issue.
	'Not just a flavoring:' Menthol and nicotine, combined, desensitize airway receptors Menthol acts in combination with nicotine to desensitize receptors in lungs' airways that are responsible for nicotine's irritation, say neuroscientists at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC).
High blood pressure control in United States continues to improve High blood pressure control continues to improve in the United States, with more than half of those with the condition now achieving readings below 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), according to new research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014 and simultaneously published in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension.
Long-term overtreatment with anti-clotting/antiplatelet drug combo may raise risk of dementia Long-term overtreatment with the anti-clotting drug warfarin, combined with antiplatelet therapy with aspirin or clopidigrel to prevent stroke, may raise the risk of dementia in people with atrial fibrillation, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014.
US emergency room visits for irregular heartbeat soar Emergency room visits for atrial fibrillation have increased significantly in the United States—causing a major healthcare burden, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014.
	Electronic monitoring device may help lower salt intake Using an electronic monitoring device may help heart failure patients and their families stick to a low-salt diet, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014.
High hospital admissions for acute aortic dissection coincide with peak flu season Hospital admissions for acute aortic dissection were highest during peak flu season November-March, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014.
	Young heart health linked to better overall health in later years Maintaining a healthy heart while young may help prevent future disease and disability, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014.
Lay bystanders in higher income Pennsylvania counties more likely to perform CPR Members of the public in counties with higher median household incomes are more likely to step into action to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, when they witness someone have a cardiac arrest, according to a new study led by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, which was presented today at the American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium 2014.
	Low medication persistence for older STEMI patients (HealthDay)—For older patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, evidence-based medication (EBM) persistence is similar after discharge from academic and nonacademic hospitals, according to a study published in the Nov. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
	Physicians feeling more positive about ACA (HealthDay)—Physicians seem to be feeling more positive about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to an article published Oct. 21 in Medical Economics.
Norovirus sickens 172 on Pacific cruise ship More than 170 passengers and crew on a US cruise ship in the Pacific have contracted Norovirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Sunday.
Hand transplant recovery sheds new light on touch Recovery of feeling can gradually improve for years after a hand transplant. That's the suggestion from a small study that points to changes in the brain, not just the new hand, as a reason.
Weight loss of 10 percent or more in seniors significantly raises hip fracture risk, study finds While a low body mass index (BMI) of less than 20 kg/m2 has been shown to be an independent risk factor for hip fractures, far less is known about the relationship of body weight changes on hip fracture risk.
Keeping your health law plan may mean premium hike (AP)—Many of the 7 million consumers who got insurance under the president's health care law will see premiums go up next year, unless they're willing to switch to another plan.
	A look at Ebola treatment in the US by numbers When Dr. Martin Salia arrives in Omaha from Sierra Leone, he'll be the 10th person with Ebola to receive treatment in the U.S.
World leaders vow to 'extinguish' Ebola The world's most powerful economies vowed on Saturday to "extinguish" the Ebola epidemic ravaging west Africa, as the vast desert nation of Mali scrambled to prevent a new outbreak of the killer disease.
Officials: Bad drugs likely killed 13 Indian women Tainted drugs apparently killed 13 women who underwent sterilization procedures in central India after autopsies ruled out any surgery faults, officials said Saturday.
DR Congo declares itself Ebola-free The Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday declared itself Ebola-free, after a three-month outbreak of the killer disease claimed at least 49 lives.
Hopes and fears as health law sign-up season opens The second sign-up season under President Barack Obama's health overhaul opens Saturday, and the hope is that consumers will have a positive experience this time.
Perceived racial discrimination may impact kidney function Perceived racial discrimination may contribute to disparities related to kidney disease, according to a study that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2014 November 11-16 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.
Home dialysis may be better than in-center hemodialysis for patients with kidney failure Home dialysis therapies may help prolong the lives of patients with kidney failure compared with hemodialysis treatments administered in medical centers, according to a study that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2014 November 11-16 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.
Access to specialized kidney care varies by geographic area and race Patients' access to specialized care before kidney failure develops varies significantly across the United States and among different racial groups, according to studies that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2014 November 11-16 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.
Air pollution associated with higher rates of chronic kidney disease Air pollution may play a role in the development of kidney disease, according to a study that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2014 November 11-16 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.
Potassium additives may make low-sodium meats unsafe for patients with kidney disease Potassium additives are frequently added to sodium-reduced meat products in amounts that may be dangerous for patients with kidney disease, according to a study that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2014 November 11-16 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.
Navajo lawmakers approve junk food tax The Navajo Nation Council has approved a tax on junk food sold on the country's largest reservation.
Bored with Ebola: Liberian schoolchildren with nothing to do It should be every child's dream: with the sun blazing on a sweltering afternoon exams are off, lessons have been cancelled and school's out for the summer—and possibly the rest of the year.
Liberians in limbo in Ghana as Ebola hits home Jefferson Karr was ready to return to Liberia. He had wound down the management school he ran in Ghana, given away the computers and planned his trip home.
	Obama: US public not misled on health care law President Barack Obama says the American public was not misled about certain provisions of his health care law.
	Surgeon with Ebola arrives in US for treatment A surgeon who contracted Ebola while working in Sierra Leone continued treatment Sunday at a biocontainment unit In Nebraska where two other people with the disease have been successfully treated.
Netherlands bans poultry transport after discovering bird flu (Update) Dutch officials on Sunday banned the transport of poultry in the Netherlands after the discovery of a highly infectious strain of bird flu which could jump to humans.
	Administration says HealthCare.gov working well The Obama administration says the health care website is working well as a crucial second sign-up season for President Barack Obama's health overhaul gears up.
Ebola-infected Sierra Leone doctor 'extremely ill' in US A doctor said to be "extremely ill" after being infected with Ebola in Sierra Leone was being treated in the United States on Sunday, while the world's most powerful economies vowed to "extinguish" the deadly epidemic.
'Rat poison' drug warning after India sterilisation deaths A senior Indian health official warned Sunday against buying an antibiotic feared laced with a toxin found in rat poison and linked to the deaths of 13 women who underwent sterilisation operations.
	Mali on high alert with new Ebola cluster It all started with a sick nurse, whose positive test for Ebola came only after her death. In a busy clinic that treats Mali's elite as well as wounded U.N. peacekeepers, what patient transmitted the virus?
Chinese medics in Liberia to beef up Ebola fight A large team of Chinese health workers arrived in Liberia to boost the Ebola fight as a US-based doctor infected in Sierra Leone was described as being "extremely ill".
States working to fix hobbled health care websites The state that served as a template for President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act had so much trouble coordinating with the federal government that it became a model of another sort: ineptitude.

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