Fwd: Science X Newsletter Friday, Feb 19

RESPEKT!

Extreme numbers—the unimaginably large and small pop up in recent experiments

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Sat, Feb 20, 2016 at 3:06 AM
Subject: Science X Newsletter Friday, Feb 19
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>

Dear Pascal Alter,

Here is your customized Phys.org Newsletter for February 19, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

- Physicists discover easy way to measure entanglement—on a sphere
- Scientists record first video of the 100-nm space under an impacting Leidenfrost droplet
- Robotic hand gets up close to human hand on anatomical level
- Scientists find popular stem cell techniques safe
- Space station astronauts give huge trash can the boot
- Topological insulators: Magnetism is not causing loss of conductivity
- 3-D protein map offers new malaria vaccine hope
- The 'ugliest fossil reptiles' that roamed China
- Studying memory's 'ripples'
- Experiments show that notions of twinning and slip in metals may not be as simple as thought
- US escalates fight with Apple over iPhone in attacks probe
- Researchers demonstrate 'quantum surrealism'
- New research reveals sound of deep-water animal migration
- Ancient lone star lizard lounged in lush, tropical Texas
- Record number of astronaut wannabes apply to NASA—18,300

Nanotechnology news

	Stretchable nano-devices towards smart contact lenses Researchers at RMIT University and the University of Adelaide have joined forces to create a stretchable nano-scale device to manipulate light.
	Shape-shifting engineered nanoparticles for delivering cancer drugs to tumours Chemotherapy isn't supposed to make your hair fall out—it's supposed to kill cancer cells. A new molecular delivery system created at U of T could help ensure that chemotherapy drugs get to their target while minimizing collateral damage.
	Tumour detecting sensors to reduce follow-up cancer surgery Tiny sensors that can detect the spread of cancer through the lymphatic system while a patient is having surgery to remove primary tumours could dramatically reduce the need for follow up operations.

Physics news

	Scientists record first video of the 100-nm space under an impacting Leidenfrost droplet (Phys.org)—There are many cool videos showing the Leidenfrost effect, which occurs when water droplets levitate and skid around on top of a very hot surface, rather than immediately evaporating like they do at temperatures that are not quite as hot. The effect occurs because the bottom of the droplet rapidly vaporizes as it approaches the hot surface, causing the droplet to levitate on top of its own vapor.
	Physicists discover easy way to measure entanglement—on a sphere (Phys.org)—Quantum entanglement—which occurs when two or more particles are correlated in such a way that they can influence each other even across large distances—is not an all-or-nothing phenomenon, but occurs in various degrees. The more a quantum state is entangled with its partner, the better the states will perform in quantum information applications. Unfortunately, quantifying entanglement is a difficult process involving complex optimization problems that give even physicists headaches.
	Remote predictions of fluid flow in fractures possible with new finding A team of researchers has created a way to quickly and remotely evaluate fluid flow in subsurface fractures that could impact aquifers, oil and gas extraction, sequestration of greenhouse gases or nuclear waste and remediation of leaked contaminants.
	Topological insulators: Magnetism is not causing loss of conductivity If topological insulators are doped with impurities that possess magnetic properties, they lose their conductivity. Yet contrary to what has been assumed thus far, it is not the magnetism that leads to this. This has been shown by recent experiments with BESSY II at HZB. The results are now published in Nature Communications. Understanding these effects is crucial for applications of topological insulators in information technology.
	Experiments show that notions of twinning and slip in metals may not be as simple as thought (Phys.org)—A team of researchers from multiple institutions in China has cast doubts on the simple approach that has until now been taken regarding twinning and slip as metals deform. In their paper published in the journal Physical Review Letters, the team outlines experiments they conducted with aluminum, explain their results and suggest that new ways of categorizing the ways metal responds to stress must be defined.
Researchers demonstrate 'quantum surrealism' New research demonstrates that particles at the quantum level can in fact be seen as behaving something like billiard balls rolling along a table, and not merely as the probabilistic smears that the standard interpretation of quantum mechanics suggests. But there's a catch - the tracks the particles follow do not always behave as one would expect from "realistic" trajectories, but often in a fashion that has been termed "surrealistic."
	Moving electrons around loops with light: A quantum device based on geometry While a classical bit found in conventional electronics exists only in binary 1 or 0 states, the more resourceful quantum bit, or 'qubit' is represented by a vector, pointing to a simultaneous combination of the 1 and 0 states. To fully implement a qubit, it is necessary to control the direction of this qubit's vector, which is generally done using fine-tuned and noise-isolated procedures.
	Are big-city transportation systems too complex for human minds? Many of us know the feeling of standing in front of a subway map in a strange city, baffled by the multi-coloured web staring back at us and seemingly unable to plot a route from point A to point B.
	LIGO-India gets green light Following this month's announcement of the first observation of gravitational waves arriving at the earth from a cataclysmic event in the distant universe, the Indian Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has granted in-principle approval to the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory in India (LIGO-India) Project. The project will build an Advanced LIGO Observatory in India, a move that will significantly improve the ability of scientists to pinpoint the sources of gravitational waves and analyze the signals. Approval was granted on February 17, 2016.
	Extreme numbers—the unimaginably large and small pop up in recent experiments The physics world erupted in celebration this month with the confirmed discovery of gravitational waves by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) group. Predicted by Einstein a century ago, the discovery verifies his description of the universe in which space and time can warp and bend.
	Jena laser system sets another world record POLARIS is the world's most powerful fully diode-pumped laser system, which produces the world's highest-performing laser pulses. A team of physicists under the leadership of Prof. Dr Malte Kaluza at the Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics has now improved POLARIS' performance significantly. For the first time, the laser has produced pulses delivering an energy of more than 50 Joules, which is more than three times as high as before.

Earth news

	Algal blooms reveal their poisonous past A poisonous, "hairy efflorescence" in a 17th century Polish lake is likely to be the first recorded example of a toxic blue-green algal (cyanobacterial) bloom, according to environmental scientists at Flinders.
	New research reveals sound of deep-water animal migration New research finds there is a distinct sound coming from a massive community of fish, shrimp, jellies and squid as they travel up and down from the depths of the ocean to the water's surface to feed. This sound could be serving as a "dinner bell" for these deep-water organisms that play a key role in ocean food webs and the global carbon cycle, and could help scientists better understand this mysterious ecosystem, according to new research being presented here Monday.
	How ice sheets collapse—a lesson from the past Antarctica and Greenland may be two of the most remote places on Earth but what happens in both these vast landscapes can significantly impact on human activity further afield.
	'Ice age blob' of warm ocean water discovered south of Greenland New research published in Scientific Reports in February indicates that a warm ocean surface water prevailed during the last ice age, sandwiched between two major ice sheets just south of Greenland.
	Image: Capital of the Charente-Maritime department in western France, La Rochelle Capital of the Charente-Maritime department in western France, La Rochelle and surroundings are featured in this Sentinel-2A image, captured on 26 December 2015.
	How well is the world protecting ecosystems and human health? The new global environmental report card is out. The 2016 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) graded 180 countries on how well they are protecting human health and their ecosystems. Launched at the 2016 World Economic Forum, the EPI is a collaboration between the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy, The Yale Data-Driven Environmental Solutions Group and Columbia University's Center for International Earth Science Information Network. Five biennial environmental report cards have been issued previously.
	NIST's natural air standards support accurate greenhouse gas measurements When it comes to tallying emissions of greenhouse gases, there is no better substitute than directly measuring the atmosphere. But this important accounting can be obscured, and even confused, if measurements of the air-borne heat-trapping chemicals are inaccurate or can't be compared from one instrument or data set to the next.
	NASA's GPM sees Tropical Cyclone Uriah start weakening trend Over two days, the Global Precipitation Measurement or GPM core observatory satellite had excellent views of Tropical Cyclone Uriah in the South Indian Ocean. GPM found heavy rainfall was occurring in the storm but saw a weakening trend begin.
	NASA sees major Tropical Cyclone Winston approaching Fiji Powerful Tropical Cyclone Winston continued to intensify as it neared Fiji and NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured an image of the strengthening storm with a clear eye. Warnings are posted in Fiji as the storm is expected to make landfall there as a major hurricane.
	Brazil prosecutor threatens to torpedo $5 bn dam burst settlement A nearly $5 billion expected settlement for last year's toxic flood that killed 17 people in Brazil could be challenged by prosecutors, who say the amount is not enough.

Astronomy & Space news

	NASA to simulate growing potatoes on Mars in Peru Do Peru's potatoes have the right stuff?
	Virgin Galactic to roll out new space tourism rocket plane (Update) Virgin Galactic will roll out a new version of its SpaceShipTwo space tourism rocket Friday as it prepares to return to flight testing for the first time since a 2014 accident destroyed the original, killed one of its pilots and set back the nascent industry.
	Hall thruster a serious contender to get humans to Mars The spacecraft engine that will help take humans to Mars may be based on a University of Michigan prototype.
	Space station astronauts give huge trash can the boot The International Space Station just got a whole lot tidier.
	Record number of astronaut wannabes apply to NASA—18,300 Space travel never looked so good.
	Russia plans return to Mars, Moon despite money woes Visitors are rare these days to the museum of Russia's Space Research Institute in Moscow even though it holds gems like the model of the Soviet Lunokhod, the first ever space rover to land on the Moon, in 1970.
	Bedrest studies inform astronaut health issues It might look like fun at first glance but it is not – bedrest participants spend months in bed as doctors take regular blood samples and continuous tests to chart how their body reacts to a sudden sedentary lifestyle.
	Did a gamma ray burst accompany LIGO's gravity wave detection? Last week's announcement that Gravitational Waves (GW) have been detected for the first time—as a result of the merger of two black holes—is huge news. But now a Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) originating from the same place, and that arrived at Earth 0.4 seconds after the GW, is making news. Isolated black holes aren't supposed to create GRB's; they need to be near a large amount of matter to do that.
	Image: Astronaut Mae Jemison suits up for launch, 1992 On Sept. 12, 1992, launch day of the STS-47 Spacelab-J mission on space shuttle Endeavour, NASA astronaut Mae Jemison waits as her suit technician, Sharon McDougle, performs a unpressurized and pressurized leak check on her spacesuit at the Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center.
Video: Sentinel-3 dances with aurora This video captures a surprising view of Sentinel-3A on its way into orbit amidst the flickering green of the northern lights.

Technology news

	Robotic hand gets up close to human hand on anatomical level If something feels sticky, we flex our hand by instinct, we move second, third, fourth fingers at will without a second thought, we cross one finger over the other as if to make a wish; we touch finger to thumb to make a circle. We do all these things without much thought, as what could be easier than moving our hands? For scientists in robotics, that is a vexing reminder of the differences between humans and machines.
	Big tech companies belatedly join Apple in encryption fight Leading tech companies are rallying behind Apple—some belatedly—in its fight against a court order requiring the company to help investigators break into an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino mass shooters.
	Augmented reality looks to future where screens vanish Microsoft inventor Alex Kipman was joined by holograms at a renowned TED gathering as he gave a glimpse into a future where computer screens are relics.
	Researchers invent 'magic wand' to improve healthcare, cybersecurity Dartmouth College researchers have developed a digital "magic wand" to improve home healthcare and to prevent hackers from stealing your personal data.
	US escalates fight with Apple over iPhone in attacks probe The US government Friday sought a court order to force Apple to help unlock an iPhone as part of the probe into last year's San Bernardino attacks, escalating a legal showdown over encryption.
China requires approval for foreign firms to publish online A new Chinese regulation announced this week will require foreign companies and foreign-Chinese joint ventures to acquire approval before publishing content online, in the government's latest move to tighten control of the digital realm.
Review: SC Medicaid agency exposed data to cybertheft risk A four-decade-old computer system and poor safety measures at South Carolina's Medicaid agency exposed the personal health information of roughly 1 million residents to risk of cybertheft, according to a federal report released Friday.
Los Angeles hospital attack concerns cybersecurity experts Cybersecurity experts worry that the $17,000 a Los Angeles hospital paid hackers to regain control of its computers could signal a troubling escalation of the growing "ransomware" threat.
	NASA aeronautics budget proposes return of X-planes America stands on the cusp of a new era in aviation that's dramatically cleaner, quieter, and even faster.
	Advancing detectors for suicide bombs On the chilling list of terrorist tactics, suicide bombing is at the top. Between 1981 and 2015, an estimated 5,000 such attacks occurred in more than 40 countries, killing about 50,000 people. The global rate grew from three a year in the 1980s to one a month in the 1990s to one a week from 2001 to 2003 to one a day from 2003 to 2015.
	Don't chuck that old mobile phone, there's gold in there In Australia there are many more mobile services in use than there are people.
	Faster airport queues with facial recognition New technology detects and tracks you from the second you arrive at the airport until you're out of the arrivals hall at your destination.
	Yahoo panel to study 'strategic' options Yahoo said Friday it had named a committee to study the company's "strategic alternatives," moving a step closer toward a breakup or sale of the troubled Internet pioneer.
	'Fallout 4' crowned game of the year at DICE Awards "Fallout 4" wasted the competition at the D.I.C.E. Awards.
	Tech toys abound at New York Toy Fair From a preschool toy designed to teach pre-coding skills to a hands-on molecule-building set for older kids that works with an app, technology abounded at this year's Toy Fair.
	Facebook updates Messenger app to handle several accounts Facebook has redesigned its popular Messenger app so several people can use it on the same smartphone or tablet without relinquishing their privacy.
	Leveraging social media to engineer success From Facebook to Twitter, Yelp to Mashable—social media channels have a broad and deep impact on society. It's where people get their news, alerts, gossip, and updates. But what if seamlessly scrolling through a media feed can unknowingly convince the user to choose one behavior over another? Researchers in Carnegie Mellon's College of Engineering, in collaboration with Google, Inc., are studying problems related to social media, and the data-driven engineering of social dynamics.
	Riding the rails to an efficient freight system From 2016 a specially-equipped standard railcar will be rocking and rolling along the tracks of East Java. It will have carefully positioned sensors to detect its movement during normal operation, including its displacement and vibration.
	Transport vehicles of the future Emissions from the transport sector can be drastically reduced with more streamlined trucks. Researchers at Linköping University have calculated, and road carrier owner Erik Alfredsson has built an initial version of the transport vehicle of the future. The results have also been published in connection with the 2015 and 2016 SAE World Congress.
	The magic of microbes: Engineers innovative research in synthetic biology An exciting new scientific frontier—synthetic biology—took center stage as a celebrated scientist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently spoke at the headquarters of the Office of Naval Research (ONR).
	Data overload from personal tracking devices: A waste or an opportunity? The explosive interest in wearable personal tracking devices is generating huge amounts of so-called "quantified self" (QS) data, just waiting to be analyzed and used to improve human health. One solution for turning QS data into actionable information and insights that can guide users' decision-making is described in a new study published in Big Data.

Chemistry news

Bath salts difficult to detect in biological samples, study finds Synthetic cathinones are derived from cathinone which is present in the khat plant. These recreational drugs produce effects similar to amphetamines and have been associated with numerous fatalities. Although the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) banned some synthetic cathinones in 2011, new designer drugs continue to appear, presenting a real challenge for forensic laboratories.
Smart skin made of recyclable materials may transform medicine and robotics Smart skin that can respond to external stimuli could have important applications in medicine and robotics. Using only items found in a typical household, researchers have created multi-sensor artificial skin that's capable of sensing pressure, temperature, humidity, proximity, pH, and air flow.
	Chemistry has a bright future for us and our economy Chemistry is the science of molecules: the basic building blocks of all known matter. In a way, this makes chemistry the science of everything.
	New method enables storage and controlled release of pharmaceutical substances in the body Thanks to an invention by Freiburg scientists, it is now possible to dispense precise dosages of drugs locally in the body. A junior research group from the University of Freiburg's Cluster of Excellence BrainLinks–BrainTools led by Dr. Maria Asplund and her doctoral candidate Christian Böhler has provided the foundations for a new molecular storage method that could find its way into clinical practice in the foreseeable future. The microsystems engineers, electrical engineers, and materials scientists have succeeded in creating a compound of organic and inorganic materials that is particularly well suited for the compact storage of pharmacologically active substances.
	Breakthrough in dynamically variable negative stiffness structures achieved HRL Laboratories today announced that researchers in its Sensors and Materials Laboratory have developed an active variable stiffness vibration isolator capable of 100x stiffness changes and millisecond actuation times, independent of the static load.

Biology news

	New microfluidic device may speed up DNA insertion in bacteria, the first step in genetic engineering Genetically engineering any organism requires first getting its cells to take in foreign DNA. To do this, scientists often perform a process called electroporation, in which they expose cells to an electric field.
	3-D protein map offers new malaria vaccine hope A three-dimensional 'map' of a critical protein that malaria parasites use to invade human red blood cells could lead to a vaccine countering the most widespread species of the parasite.
	Scientists find popular stem cell techniques safe A new study led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) and the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) shows that the act of creating pluripotent stem cells for clinical use is unlikely to pass on cancer-causing mutations to patients.
	60 years after pioneering survey, Wisconsin prairies are changing rapidly It was shortly after the end of World War II when John Curtis, inspired by his service as a civilian researcher aiding war efforts in Haiti, dedicated his energies to studying the ecology of Wisconsin's plants. The late botany professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison was particularly enamored of prairies.
	Alberta wildflower helps scientists plan for climate change A pretty wildflower that grows sparsely in east-central Alberta is helping researchers at the University of Alberta develop strategies for coping with climate change.
News from the secret world of the egg cell Scientists at the IMBA (Institute of Molecular Biotechnology) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences have discovered that the division of mammalian egg cells depends on cohesin proteins that embrace chromosomes before birth and are not renewed thereafter. The cohesin complex is remarkably long-lived but eventually lost irreversibly from chromosomes. The inability of egg cells to renew the ties that hold chromosomes together might contribute to maternal age-related chromosome missegregation and aneuploidy, leading to the production of trisomic fetuses. These insights provide a possible explanation for the molecular causes of the maternal age effect.
	Finding the best seeds to match Africa's needs Soybean farmers in the United States can choose from a "candy store" of hundreds of varieties of soybean seed—high-yielding seed with proven performance traits for every region and latitude. Soybean farmers in Africa may either only have access to a few seed varieties with an unimpressive yield potential, or a few high-yielding varieties for which no performance data exists for their latitude and altitude. A new coordinated soybean variety evaluation program is underway that will address these problems and give African growers more and better seed options.
	When young bluebirds don't leave the nest For a young male western bluebird, it might be better to live with one's parents as a helper for a year before starting a nest of one's own, according to a new study in Behavioral Ecology.
	Florida's monkey river A dewy morning fog hangs over the Silver River in central Florida. Gibbering chirps resound through the riverside oaks and maples as the local colony of rhesus macaques rises to greet the day. Two anthropologists from San Diego State University sit in a canoe, awaiting the river's human visitors in order to observe one of the more unlikely and understudied human-wildlife interactions in the world.
	Immunity gene fusions uncovered in plants Plant health and interaction with microbes is maintained by intricate antennas - plant immune receptors. A certain class of receptors is turning out to be highly informative about plant disease resistance.
	New plant species discovered on Yakushima Suetsugu Kenji, a Project Associate Professor at the Kobe University Graduate School of Science, has discovered a new species of plant on the subtropical Japanese island of Yakushima (located off the southern coast of Kyushu in Kagoshima prefecture) and named it Sciaphila yakushimensis. This research was published on 20th February in the Journal of Japanese Botany.
Scientists sue state police over 'pro-prosecution' DNA lab Three scientists who worked at the New York State Police crime lab have sued the agency, alleging administrators retaliated against them for finding flaws in processing DNA evidence and pushing for new testing that would identify past errors.
	Fishing for food security Local fishermen in Indonesia are catching less fish. Whatever the reason, it is a significant problem for those who live on small islands in particular, as fish make up about 90 per cent of the protein they eat.
	Deception and trickery are rife in natural world, scientist says in new book A University of Exeter academic is the author of a new book that describes how animals and plants regularly use ingenuity and cunning to exploit and mislead one another in order to survive and reproduce.
	Sumatran elephant found with leg almost severed by rope A Sumatran elephant calf lies stricken in the jungle in Indonesia as conservationists fight to remove a rope tightly wound around its leg that almost caused the critically endangered animal to lose a limb.

Medicine & Health news

	Antibody provide a more exact Alzheimer's diagnosis radioactive tracers For the first time, researchers have succeeded in passing an antibody through the blood-brain barrier to act as a tracer for PET imaging of the brain. This resulted in more precise information being obtained than with regular radioactive tracers. The study provides hope for more effective diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's disease and improvements in monitoring the effects of medication.
	How a waste product of exercise protects neurons from trauma damage Researchers led by EPFL have found how lactate, a waste product of glucose metabolism can protect neurons from damage following acute trauma such as stroke or spinal cord injury.
	Researchers find link between death of tumor-support cells and cancer metastasis Researchers have discovered that eliminating cells thought to aid tumor growth did not slow or halt the growth of cancer tumors. In fact, when the cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), were eliminated after 10 days, the risk of metastasis of the primary tumor to the lungs and bones of mice increased dramatically. Scientists used bioengineered CAFs equipped with genes that caused those cells to self-destruct at defined moments in tumor progression. The study, published in Scientific Reports on Feb. 19, was conducted by researchers funded by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). NIBIB is part of the National Institutes of Health.
Study identifies specific gene network that promotes nervous system repair Whether or not nerve cells are able to regrow after injury depends on their location in the body. Injured nerve cells in the peripheral nervous system, such as those in the arms and legs, can recover and regrow, at least to some extent. But nerve cells in the central nervous system—the brain and spinal cord—can't recover at all.
	Does stress cause premature DNA aging? Largest study to date investigates Telomeres are "caps" on the ends of chromosomes that protect DNA from damage. As we age, telomeres gradually shorten, compromising their protective role. But individuals vary greatly in their telomere length, and telomeres may be a potent indicator of an individual's biological age. Short telomeres are associated with heart disease, metabolic syndrome, neural degeneration, and other chronic diseases.
	New mathematical model explains variability in mutation rates across the human genome It turns out that the type, how frequent, and where new mutations occur in the human genome depends on which DNA building blocks are nearby, found researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in an advanced online study published this week in Nature Genetics.
	Study shows dried plums provide protection from bone loss due to radiation Dr. Nancy Turner, a Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist in College Station, was one of a team of researchers who recently studied different interventions to protect from radiation-induced bone loss.
	Studying memory's 'ripples' Caltech neuroscientists have looked inside brain cells as they undergo the intense bursts of neural activity known as "ripples" that are thought to underlie memory formation.
	Blood test could transform tuberculosis diagnosis, treatment in developing countries A simple blood test that can accurately diagnose active tuberculosis could make it easier and cheaper to control a disease that kills 1.5 million people every year.
Giving GPs feedback on their prescribing habits can reduce excessive use of antibiotics Sending general practitioners (GPs) in England a letter giving feedback on their antibiotic prescribing habits could cut unnecessary prescriptions of antibiotics, according to the first nationwide randomised trial of its kind involving over 1500 GP practices, published in The Lancet.
	Better survival of implanted cells improves healing of bone fractures To treat a complicated, non-healing bone defect, surgeons often use an implant with living cells to promote bone repair, but the implanted cells have a small chance of surviving because they are not prepared for a lack of oxygen and nutrients at the fracture site. Scientists from KU Leuven, Belgium, have now improved survival of these bone cells by preconditioning them to withstand the harmful environment before implantation. Their findings were published in Cell Metabolism.
New charts to assess head circumference at birth will be valuable tool in Zika crisis In the medical journal The Lancet, the INTERGROWTH-21st Consortium, led by researchers at the University of Oxford, publish the final set of charts that enable healthcare professionals worldwide to assess the weight, length and head circumference of newborns from 24 to 42 weeks of gestation, and which apply to all babies, regardless of race or ethnicity.
	Q&A: As Zika rages in the Americas, should Asia be worried? Zika virus continues to rage in the Americas, and the World Health Organization has declared it a global health emergency. Taiwan has recently issued a travel advisory for Thailand, warning expectant mothers or women trying to get pregnant to postpone their trips there. But how big of a concern is Zika virus for Asia? Here's what you need to know:
	Can scientists prove Zika virus is causing birth defects? Scientists suspect an outbreak of the Zika virus is behind a surge in a rare birth defect in Brazil. But how are they going to prove it?
App for children with severe, non-verbal autism available on Android SPEAKall!, a tablet application developed at Purdue University that facilitates communication and language development for children and families affected by severe, non-verbal autism, is now available on android tablets.
Independence and mobility key for older drivers, report finds The majority of older drivers want to continue driving as long as they are able to safely, according to a report written by a University of Warwick academic.
Binge drinking dangerous for young adults Having an occasional drink is fine, but "binge" drinking is a known health hazard and now high blood pressure may need to be added to the list of possible consequences. Young adults in their twenties who regularly binge drink have higher blood pressure which may increase the risk of developing hypertension, concludes a study conducted by researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM).
	Does sexual aggression alter the female brain? Rutgers scientists have taken a step toward understanding how sexual aggression alters the female brain.
	Software mines insurance claims data to determine best coverage for employees, within a budget For employers, selecting health care plans and benefits that adequately cover employees, within a budget, is a complex game of trade-offs. Considerations include whether to offer higher premiums for lower deductibles, whether to add preventive-care programs, and how to best cover various drugs and treatments.
	Researcher proposes supply-chain model to move vaccines quickly from manufacturer to patient Each fall, doctors stress the importance of getting a flu shot: influenza is the most frequent cause of death from a vaccine-preventable disease in the United States. But on-time delivery of the vaccine can be tenuous, and there can be shortages during times of peak demand, as seen in 2014.
	Is CDC's alcohol warning paternalistic? Why some women think so Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report recommending that women of childbearing age who aren't taking birth control abstain from drinking alcohol.
	Fruits, vegetables, 'farm-to-fork continuum' vital to cancer prevention After decades of research aimed at improving the yield, appearance and safety of fruits, vegetables and grains, it's time to focus science on the health benefits those foods can provide, according to a cancer researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.
	Where and when will Zika-carrying mosquitoes strike next? Zika: The virus has emerged as a major public health threat that's rapidly spreading through South and Central America and the Caribbean.
	Zika virus researchers join forces to develop handheld detection device The University of Alberta's first Zika virus researcher has joined forces with an interdisciplinary team to help with the rapid development of a much-needed handheld, inexpensive device that can detect the virus.
	The intestinal microbiota—a new ally for optimum growth The intestinal microbiota is necessary to ensure optimum postnatal growth and contributes to determining the size of adult individuals, notably in the event of undernutrition. The key element in this relationship is Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), whose production and activity are in part controlled by the microbiota. This has recently been demonstrated in mice by scientists at the Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon (CNRS/ENS Lyon/Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1), the Laboratoire CarMeN (INSERM/INRA/Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1/Insa Lyon), and Unit BF2I (INRA/INSA Lyon). These findings, published on 19 February 2016 in Science, and obtained in collaboration with researchers from the Czech Academy of Sciences, also show that some strains of intestinal bacteria belonging to the Lactobacillus plantarum species may favor the postnatal growth of animals, thus offering a new opportunity to combat the harmful effec! ts of chronic infantile undernutrition.
	Bacteria overgrowth could be major cause of stunting in children Excessive growth of bacteria in the small intestine could be damaging the guts of young children, leading to stunting, scientists from the U.S. and Bangladesh have discovered.
Novel approach obtains protein signatures from host and pathogen with one small sample A novel study from researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital has shown that it is possible to obtain both host and bacteria protein signatures in a sample smaller than the average human biopsy. The technique described in the paper—unbiased two-dimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry—could change how researchers study infectious diseases.
	Sugar tax could prevent 3.7 million cases of obesity over next decade A 20 per cent tax on sugary drinks could reduce obesity rates in the UK by five per cent by 2025 - equal to 3.7 million fewer obese people - according to a new report from Cancer Research UK and the UK Health Forum published today (Friday).
	What does employment mean for people with mental illness? There are calls for employers to better engage with potential staff who suffer from mental illness, to break down barriers and stigmas in the workplace.
Researchers make progress in genomic classification of bladder cancers The ability to map the human genome has transformed how scientists and researchers classify various cancers. In the past, cancer cells were examined through a microscope and their appearance, often enhanced with dyes or other agents, was used to categorize the type of cancer. Now, it is possible to extract the DNA or RNA from these cells and establish a classification according to the type and quantity of mutations, active and inactive genes, and other molecular characteristics. An article in the current issue of Bladder Cancer reports the results of a consensus meeting of experts in the field and describes the recent efforts to classify bladder cancers.
Biochemical alteration responsible for brain tumour resistance identified Researchers from the Institute of Neuroscience (INc) of the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) have identified the biochemical and molecular alteration that causes resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the glioblastoma , the most aggressive of brain tumours. This finding could enable new, more effective therapies.
	Pregnant, in prison and facing health risks—prenatal care for incarcerated women Between 1980 and 2010, the number of women in prison in the United States increased by 646 percent, going from 15,000 women to 113,000. Although accurate statistics are hard to obtain, it's estimated that 3 to 4 percent of women are pregnant when they arrive at prison.
	Brain activity patterns during sleep consolidate memory Why does sleeping on it help? This is the question tackled by new research at the University of Bristol, which reveals how brain activity during sleep sorts through the huge number of experiences we encounter every day, filing only the important information in memory.
New technology isolates pure tumor cells from FFPE samples Using the innovative DEPArray technology, scientists at Silicon Biosystems, a Bologna (Italy) and San Diego (CA, USA) based biotech company, were able to solve one of the biggest limitation in the study of cancer genetic: tumor samples heterogeneity.
	Scientists discover secret to promising new cancer drug Australian researchers have resolved a mystery about how a promising new class of anti-cancer drugs, called nutlins, work - paving the way for improving the future of cancer treatment.
	Brazil launches anti-Zika campaign in schools Brazil's president, government ministers, state governors, health agents and members of the armed forces Friday visited schools throughout the country to involve students in the nationwide campaign to eradicate the Aedes aegypti mosquito that spreads the Zika virus.
	Gene therapy: T cells target mutations to fight solid tumors The efficacy of the immune system to combat disease makes the body's own healing powers a promising approach in the fight against cancer. A Berlin research group led by Wolfgang Uckert, Thomas Blankenstein and Matthias Leisegang has been collaborating with U.S. researcher Hans Schreiber in a project to use immune components called T cells to target mutant proteins produced by cancer cells.
	Exposure to air pollution increases the risk of obesity Laboratory rats who breathed Beijing's highly polluted air gained weight and experienced cardio-respiratory and metabolic dysfunctions after three to eight weeks of exposure.
Stroke survivors using mail order pharmacies more likely to take meds Stroke survivors who get medications by mail are more likely to take them as directed than patients who get medications from local pharmacies, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2016.
New drug reverses the effects of blood thinner in patients with brain hemorrhage A new medication reverses the blood-thinning effects of the anticoagulant dabigatran in patients suffering a brain bleed, potentially limiting the extent of bleeding, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2016.
	Researchers work to decipher genetic data in hunt for new prostate cancer treatments Florida State University researchers are working on new approaches to deciphering genetic data that may lead to new, more targeted prostate cancer treatments.
	Common problem for older adults: Losing the five key senses It's a well-known fact that aging can lead to losing one's senses: vision, smell, hearing, touch, and taste. In previous studies, researchers have learned about the consequences of experiencing a decline in a single sense. For example, losing senses of smell, vision, and hearing have all been linked to cognitive decline, poor mental health, and increased mortality. Losing the sense of taste can lead to poor nutrition and even death in certain instances. However, until now little has been known about losing multiple senses. In a new study, researchers examined how often multisensory losses occur and what their impact on older adults might be.
	Early behavior therapy better than medication in treating children with ADHD In the United States, medication is the first line of treatment for 90 percent of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, Florida International University (FIU) researchers have determined behavioral therapy—when used first—is more effective in treating children with ADHD than medication. It is also more cost-effective.
Growing evidence linking Zika to microcephaly: WHO The World Health Organization said Friday it could still take months to determine for certain that the Zika virus causes the serious birth defect microcephaly, but said evidence was growing.
	Check newborns of women who visited Zika-prone areas for infection: CDC (HealthDay)—Healthy newborns of women who traveled in an area affected by the Zika virus within two weeks of delivery, or whose mothers show signs of Zika infection, should be checked for infection, U.S. health officials said Friday.
	Obesity can send kids' blood pressure soaring: study (HealthDay)—Children and teens who become or stay obese may quickly face up to three times the risk of developing high blood pressure compared to their slimmer peers, a new study says.
	Risk of preemie birth may rise for depressed parents-to-be (HealthDay)—It's known that an expectant mother's mental and emotional health can affect her baby. New research, however, finds that depression in either the father or the mother may be linked to an increased likelihood of preterm birth.
	Early rehab may help spinal cord injury patients (HealthDay)—Beginning rehabilitation soon after a spinal cord injury seems to lead to improvements in functioning for patients, according to a new study.
	Talk to your doctor about ways to trim health care costs (HealthDay)—Discussing medical costs with your doctor could save you money without affecting your care, according to a new study.
	High-dose sugammadex speeds reversal of neuromuscular block (HealthDay)—Sugammadex at a dose of 4 mg/kg−1 of ideal body weight allows for shorter reversal of deep neuromuscular blockade in morbidly obese patients, according to a study published in the March issue of Anaesthesia.
	Endoscopic management viable for sinonasal schwannomas (HealthDay)—Endoscopic management is feasible for sinonasal schwannomas, according to research published online Feb. 15 in Head & Neck.
US ends enhanced airport screening for Ebola The United States announced Thursday it will end enhanced screening of passengers for potential Ebola virus infection from West Africa after an epidemic that killed more than 11,000 people.
Trapping the Zika virus The Zika virus spreading through South and Central America was previously considered a mild pathogen, but a possible link to birth defects has elevated the obscure mosquito-borne disease to a public health emergency. Though Zika and Ebola are very different in transmission and symptoms, the same lessons learned from the West African outbreak can be applied in the Americas. As they did for Ebola, the New England Complex Systems Institute (NECSI) has outlined a response plan based at the community level. In addition to limiting exposure to mosquitoes and advising travelers, NECSI's plan takes control efforts one step further: offering female mosquitoes a place to lay their eggs, but with a deadly surprise.
	Calif. board rejects measure specifying condom use in porn One after another, scores of people who make porn films for a living pleaded their case to California workplace safety officials: Don't force condoms or safety goggles or other devices designed to stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases on them because those devices will simply stop people from watching porn films and soon they'll have no jobs at all.
	1950s study children reunite after more than half a century to help with new research Aberdeen school children who completed important learning ability tests more than half a century ago are to come together for the first time since then to help scientists with new questions.
	CRISPR clarifies split-hand/foot While James R. Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, calls genome editing a "national security threat", bioethicists warn of CRISPR-created superbabies, and prominent researchers argue whether patents trump papers, I prefer to quietly look at applications of the technology that aren't dramatic enough to enter the endless news cycle, but elegantly reveal the power of the technology.
	Study targets indigenous disease prevention A multinational study, led by Dr Lee Stoner, has identified key priorities that could help prevent heart disease and obesity-related diabetes in indigenous populations.
Doctor calls on Australian government to lift threat of imprisonment from doctors In The BMJ today, a doctor is calling on the Australian government to stop constraining doctors in the care of asylum seekers and refugees, and to adopt a humane stance to people seeking asylum.
	UN: Zika virus will be 'way down' before Rio hosts Olympics The head of the World Health Organization's Zika response team is predicting that Brazil will host a "fantastic Olympics" and that the mosquito-borne virus will be "way down" by the time the Summer Games begin in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 5.
Some hospice patients experience care transitions near life's end Research has documented that end-of-life health care may be impacted by poor coordination and communication among healthcare providers. In fact, a report from the Institute of Medicine has suggested that people nearing the end of their lives—even those enrolled in hospice (a special type of care for people who are likely in their final months of life)—can experience multiple transitions between places where they receive care (also called "care settings"). Transitions—such as going from home to an emergency room or hospital—can be difficult for seriously ill older adults and their family members. However, until now, little has been known about the number and types of transitions people in hospice experience.
'Extreme' US worry about Zika impact in Haiti A top US health official expressed "extreme concern" Friday over the potential for Zika to expand throughout Haiti and said the United States is helping the deeply impoverished Caribbean nation prepare.

Other Sciences news

	Most complete Bronze Age wheel to date found at Must Farm near Peterborough The largest and best-preserved Bronze Age wheel in Britain has been uncovered at Must Farm, a site described as Peterborough's Pompeii. The wheel will extend our understanding of early technologies and transport systems.
	Unlocking one of the great secrets of Earth's evolution An international team including scientists at the University of St Andrews has unlocked the secret of one of the great events of Earth's evolution – the Cambrian explosion.
	Panel calls for various researchers to band together to create an economic policy dashboard (Phys.org)—A widely disparate group of scientists and other individuals engaged in modeling and economic research has banded together to call for building a new kind of business model intended to help forecast financial meltdowns, such as occurred in 2008. They have written a paper together and have had it published as a Perspectives piece in the journal Science—in it they are asking others in other areas of study to join the effort to help forge a path to developing a product that might help foresee troubling economic indicators and in so doing perhaps provide a way to prevent serious problems in the future.
	The 'ugliest fossil reptiles' that roamed China Long before the dinosaurs, hefty herbivores called pareiasaurs ruled the Earth. Now, for the first time, a detailed investigation of all Chinese specimens of these creatures – often described as the 'ugliest fossil reptiles' – has been published by a University of Bristol palaeontologist.
	Ancient lone star lizard lounged in lush, tropical Texas Researchers have discovered a new species of extinct worm lizard in Texas and dubbed it the "Lone Star" lizard. The species—the first known example of a worm lizard in Texas—offers evidence that Texas acted as a subtropical refuge during one of the great cooling periods of the past.
	Female inventors earn 14% less than men Research by Myriam Mariani and Karin Hoisl calls for actions to ensure equal wages for equally performing or skilled employees and to encourage female students to engage in scientific studies, as females are only 4.2 percent of inventors.
	Ditch your high-spending close friends if you are a frugal shopper, study says Having trouble sticking to your New Year's resolution not to splurge on frivolous things? Don't hang out with your close friends who like to shop a lot, says a new study by Ted Rogers School of Management.
	Big-data visualization experts make using scatter plots easier for today's researchers Scatter plots—which use horizontal and vertical axes to plot data points and display how much one variable is affected by another—have long been employed by researchers in various fields, but the era of Big Data, especially high-dimensional data, has caused certain problems. A data set containing thousands of variables—now exceedingly common—will result in an unwieldy number of scatter plots. If a researcher is to extract useful information from the plots, that number must be winnowed in some way.
Special education teachers should be prepared in 'scaffolded' approach, professor says People might not think of special education teachers and surgeons as having much in common, but the way they learn their crafts could, and perhaps should, be more alike. A University of Kansas special education professor has co-authored research arguing that if special education teachers are going to educate students who are able to meet the demands of a global society, they should be prepared in a system that "scaffolds" knowledge, or provides knowledge in phases and offers feedback on learning throughout the process, all while collaborating with experts in the field.
	Researchers find that social media account suspensions reduce reach of extremist rhetoric Getting suspended on Twitter may have real-world consequences for extremists, according to a new white paper from the Program on Extremism at the George Washington University's Center for Cyber and Homeland Security.
	Bernini's 'Animas' were originally meant to be mythological, not religious, sculptures David García Cueto, Arts History professor at the University of Granada, affirms that these two marble heads are not a representation of a Christian soul's personification enjoying the pleasures of the Heaven or tormented by the punishment received in Hell (as believed until now), but they really are a nymph and a satyr, respectively.

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