Montag, 28. November 2016

Fwd: Science X Newsletter Friday, Nov 25

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Newsletter Phys.org <not-for-reply@physorg.com>
Date: Sat, Nov 26, 2016 at 12:30 AM
Subject: Science X Newsletter Friday, Nov 25
To: Pascal Alter <pascal.alter@gmail.com>



Dear Pascal Alter,
Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for November 25, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

New 3-D structure shows optimal way to divide space

Environmentally-friendly graphene textiles could enable wearable electronics

Theory that challenges Einstein's physics could soon be put to the test

Photonic crystals reveal their internal characteristics with new method

Self-driving mobility scooter is shown in Singapore

Researchers break new territory analyzing DNA modifications in glioblastoma

Zika-bearing mosquitoes quickly invade and adapt to new environments

Gut microbes contribute to recurrent 'yo-yo' obesity

New drug limits and then repairs brain damage in stroke

Listening on a noisy planet: How neurons have 'meta-adapted' to cope with our rowdy world

New capillarity effects in ideal gases solve an old mathematical mystery

Researchers pioneer alternate use for sugarcane waste

New atlas depicts first two months of human development in 3-D

Satellites confirm sinking of San Francisco tower

Single-molecule graphene switches bring minute electronic devices a step closer

Nanotechnology news

Environmentally-friendly graphene textiles could enable wearable electronics

A new method for producing conductive cotton fabrics using graphene-based inks opens up new possibilities for flexible and wearable electronics, without the use of expensive and toxic processing steps.

Researchers pioneer alternate use for sugarcane waste

From Britain to Mexico, countries are considering sugar taxes to reduce consumption and curb the global obesity epidemic. In 2014, about 600 million people, roughly double the population of the United States, were obese. Addressing the problem earlier this year, the World Health Organization pointed the finger at high sugar consumption, in particular through sugar-sweetened beverages.

Single-molecule graphene switches bring minute electronic devices a step closer

Researchers have discovered how to control molecules attached to graphene, paving the way for tiny biological sensors and devices to hold information.

Developing graphene microwave photodetector

A joint team has developed cryogenic microwave photodetector which is able to detect 100,000 times smaller light energy compared to the existing photedetectors. The significance is DGIST have developed the world's first microwave photodetector using graphene device.

Graphene coated motorcycle helmet launched

The Graphene Flagship presents an early success story in translating graphene's properties to marketable technologies. This autumn sees the commercial launch of a motorcycle helmet that benefits from the inclusion of graphene. Created from a collaboration between Graphene Flagship partner Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Italian luxury design company Momodesign this helmet will be on show at the Graphene Flagship Pavilion at the Composites Europe show from the 29 November to 1 December in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Physics news

New 3-D structure shows optimal way to divide space

(Phys.org)—Researchers have discovered a new 3D structure that divides space into 24 regions, and have shown that it is the best solution yet to a modified version of a geometrical space-partitioning problem that has challenged researchers for more than a century.

Theory that challenges Einstein's physics could soon be put to the test

Scientists behind a theory that the speed of light is variable - and not constant as Einstein suggested - have made a prediction that could be tested.

Photonic crystals reveal their internal characteristics with new method

A new technique developed by MIT researchers reveals the inner details of photonic crystals, synthetic materials whose exotic optical properties are the subject of widespread research.

New capillarity effects in ideal gases solve an old mathematical mystery

A Mathematician from the University of Leicester, Alexander Gorban, along with a physicist from ETH Zürich, Ilya Karlin, have challenged traditional concepts of micro and macro worlds and demonstrated how ideal gas unexpectedly exhibits capillarity properties.

NA64 hunts the mysterious dark photon

One of the biggest puzzles in physics is that eighty-five percent of the matter in our universe is "dark": it does not interact with the photons of the conventional electromagnetic force and is therefore invisible to our eyes and telescopes. Although the composition and origin of dark matter are a mystery, we know it exists because astronomers observe its gravitational pull on ordinary visible matter such as stars and galaxies.

Construction of practical quantum computers radically simplified

Scientists at the University of Sussex have invented a ground-breaking new method that puts the construction of large-scale quantum computers within reach of current technology.

Earth news

Satellites confirm sinking of San Francisco tower

The Sentinel-1 satellites have shown that the Millennium Tower skyscraper in the centre of San Francisco is sinking by a few centimetres a year. Studying the city is helping scientists to improve the monitoring of urban ground movements, particularly for subsidence hotspots in Europe.

New arrivals at remotest base on Earth – will you be next?

The next medical doctor to spend a year at the Concordia research base in Antarctica arrived this week by aircraft. Carole Dangoisse from Belgium will live and work at the station conducting space research on and with the rest of the Italian–French crew as they spend the winter in isolation.

Indian court bans firecracker sales in smog-hit Delhi

India's top court ordered a temporary ban on the sale of firecrackers in New Delhi on Friday, after air quality reached crisis levels in the world's most polluted capital.

Greenpeace urges UK microbead ban to protect ocean life

Environmental group Greenpeace is calling for a ban in Britain on plastic "microbeads", found in many cosmetics, which they warn pollute the oceans and poison marine life.

Svalbard sees 'shocking' temperatures near freezing point

The Arctic archipelago of Svalbard has seen such extreme warmth this year that the average annual temperature could end up above freezing for the first time on record, scientists said Friday.

Homes storing CO2, just like trees

Houses built with bio-based materials, such as timber, straw and hemp, act as CO2 banks. Experts explain how citizens can become custodians of atmospheric carbon dioxide and thus help reduce air pollution

Astronomy & Space news

Near Earth Objects

Near Earth Objects (NEOs) are small solar system bodies whose orbits sometimes bring them close to the Earth, thereby posing a potential threat. Because NEOs are constantly being replenished from the solar system, they are tracers of the composition, dynamics and environmental conditions throughout the solar system, and of the history of our planetary system. NEOs are the parent bodies of meteorites, one of our key sources of detailed knowledge about the solar system's development. NEOs are also potential targets for NASA missions. They are easier to reach with spacecraft than the moon, and NEOs offer a large number of targets with a wide range of physical properties and histories. NASA's exploration plans for the next decade and beyond include an Asteroid Retrieval Mission.

ExoMars space programme needs an extra 400mn euros

Barely a month after its expensive test lander crashed into Mars, the European Space Agency asked member nations Friday to cough up an extra 400 million euros ($425 million) to complete the ExoMars exploration of the Red Planet.

Image: Celebrating Thanksgiving aboard the International Space Station

The six Expedition 50 crew members celebrate Thanksgiving in space, Nov. 24, 2016, with rehydrated turkey, stuffing, potatoes and vegetables.

Technology news

Self-driving mobility scooter is shown in Singapore

(Tech Xplore)—Singapore has been noticed as one of the places in the world showing keen interest in our future with self driving vehicles. Ubergizmo's Tyler Lee noted that Singapore "has been testing out self-driving taxis, driverless pods, and self-driving golf carts that will ferry tourists around the island."

The sounds of safer driving

Have you listened to your car lately? In-vehicle sound technology designed at Michigan Technological University could keep your eyes on the road and your emotions in check.

Australia says IBM settles over online census failure

Global technology giant IBM carried most of the blame for the crash of Australia's online census three months ago and had compensated the government for the financial cost of the debacle, the prime minister said on Friday.

Binge-eating bacteria extract energy from sewage

New research shows that sewage contains a source of energy that can be harvested by using hungry bacteria.

Bangladesh says Uber 'illegal', days after launch

Bangladesh said Friday the Uber ride-sharing service was operating "illegally", just days after it launched in the capital.

Review: Backbeat Pro 2 shows just how good wireless headphones are getting

So Apple has taken the lead and announced that wired headphones are headed toward extinction (not really), but if wireless headphones are the future, I like where things are headed.

Cleaning equipment-maker hopes to introduce industrial-sized Roomba-like floor scrubber

New robotics technology is seeping into every part of manufacturing - even the cleaning of the factory floors and assembly lines.

New TV tech promises better picture for mainstream consumers

If all you want for Christmas is a TV whose picture hops off the screen, this could be your year.

Do automakers have the mettle to harness potentially lucrative data?

When cars exit the tunnel of the next 15 years, they'll be like giant smartphones.

Sensors to measure 'fan quakes' at Michigan-Ohio State game

Ohio Stadium is sure to be rocking on Saturday when Ohio State and Michigan take the football field, and geologists will find out just how much through the use of seismographs.

flightSpeak app guides travelers through airports

What: flightSpeak, an app to help you navigate any airport

Some examples in Europe show that cities running their own energy company can lower the energy bill for citizens

Across Europe, town and city councils are becoming increasingly interested in energy decentralisation, i.e. in producing power closer to where it is consumed.

Chemistry news

Obtaining kenaf fibres with ease

Researchers of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) have succeeded in developing Eco-Zyme, an enzyme that is extracted from locally isolated microbes to help in the process of kenaf retting in order to obtain kenaf fibres.

Clay and a little salt water can make for enhanced oil recovery

By controlling a mix of clay, water and salt, Norwegian and Brazilian researchers have created nanostructures that might help boost oil production, expand the lifespan of certain foods or that can be used in cosmetics or drugs

Biology news

Bright city lights are keeping ocean predators awake and hungry

Light pollution is changing the day-night cycle of some fish, dramatically affecting their feeding behaviour, according to our recently published study.

Enough is enough—stem cell factor Nanog knows when to slow down

The transcription factor Nanog plays a crucial role in the self-renewal of embryonic stem cells. Previously unclear was how its protein abundance is regulated in the cells. Researchers at the Helmholtz Zentrum München and the Technical University of Munich, working in collaboration with colleagues from ETH Zürich, now report in Cell Systems that the more Nanog there is on hand, the less reproduction there is.

Sampling species' DNA trails is leading to better environmental monitoring

Using a technique that can tell if a species has passed by from just a sample of water, scientists are developing new ways to assess ecosystems.

Defining conservation priorities in tropical and biodiversity rich countries

Rich in biodiversity, with a rapidly growing economy, Malaysia exemplifies the tension between conservation and economic development faced by many tropical countries.

Why has ragweed—a highly allergenic plant—been spreading so quickly?

Why has ragweed – a highly allergenic plant – been spreading so quickly? Researcher Michael Martin took a six-week road trip across the USA and collected 1000 samples of the plant from roadsides and herbaria to answer that exact question. 

Biologist discusses a synthetic metabolic pathway that fixes carbon dioxide and synthetic biology

A synthetic metabolic pathway developed by Tobias Erb and his colleagues at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg converts CO2 from the atmosphere into organic matter more efficiently than plants are able to through photosynthesis. We asked the researcher what significance this process could have for climate protection, discussed the hurdles the research team had to overcome to achieve their goal, and looked at the new perspectives that synthetic biology opens up.

Promoting parasites: Researchers' quest to identify freshwater fish parasites in Japan

Hiroshima University scientists have identified a new species of parasite infecting an invasive freshwater fish on the subtropical island of Okinawa, Japan. The results are part of a project to find parasites that have arrived in Japan with their non-native hosts and understand the role of parasites in natural ecosystems. Tracking parasites can be one scientific method to monitor ecosystem health and attempt to conserve biodiversity.

Development of a triarylmethane compound for possible control of plant growth

Arising from a collaboration between plant and animal biologists, and organic chemists at ITbM, Nagoya University, the group succeeded in developing a new compound, a triarylmethane that can rapidly inhibit cell division in plants. This compound was found to selectively inhibit cell division in plant cells with respect to animal cells. Having a reversible cell inhibiting property, this triarylmethane could be a potential candidate for developing new agrochemicals that can control plant growth.

Vietnam seizes smuggled ivory hidden with wax, wood nails

Vietnamese authorities have seized 619 kilograms (1,362 pounds) of ivory smuggled from Africa after finding 4 tons at the same port over the past two months, state media and an official said Friday.

Sweden slaughters 200,000 hens on bird flu fears

Sweden on Friday said 200,000 chickens were being slaughtered at a farm where bird flu has been detected, following a resurgence in the virus across Europe.

Medicine & Health news

Researchers break new territory analyzing DNA modifications in glioblastoma

Using state-of-the-art molecular biology and statistical approaches, researchers at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center (NCCC) have identified the functional role of two distinct DNA modifications in glioblastoma (GBM) tissues. The signature of one of these pattern disruptions in particular, 5hmC, had a particularly strong association with patient survival.

Zika-bearing mosquitoes quickly invade and adapt to new environments

The Zika-bearing mosquito Aedes aegypti is not only spreading rapidly but has shown a remarkable ability to adapt quickly to different locales and climates, according to Jeffrey Powell, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and environmental health sciences.

Gut microbes contribute to recurrent 'yo-yo' obesity

Following a successful diet, many people are dismayed to find their weight rebounding – an all-too-common phenomenon termed "recurrent" or "yo-yo" obesity. Worse still, the vast majority of recurrently obese individuals not only rebound to their pre-dieting weight but also gain more weight with each dieting cycle. During each round of dieting-and-weight-regain, their proportion of body fat increases, and so does the risk of developing the manifestations of metabolic syndrome, including adult-onset diabetes, fatty liver and other obesity-related diseases.

New drug limits and then repairs brain damage in stroke

Researchers at The University of Manchester have discovered that a potential new drug reduces the number of brain cells destroyed by stroke and then helps to repair the damage.

Listening on a noisy planet: How neurons have 'meta-adapted' to cope with our rowdy world

A new study by researchers from Macquarie University has revealed the way that the brain handles the often noisy environments found on this planet, with the results explaining why animals, including humans, can easily cope with both the still and quiet of early-morning parks to the bustle and hubbub of cafés and streets. The researchers discovered that as auditory neurons become more familiar with a sound environment, they speed up their adaption to the noisiness of that environment.

New atlas depicts first two months of human development in 3-D

(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands has created an updated interactive 3-D atlas that depicts the various stages of human development from conception to two months. In their paper published in the journal Science, the researchers outline the reasons for medical texts being outdated, how they got around the problem, the features of the new atlas and what it might mean for future medical research efforts.

New target receptor discovered in the fight against obesity

The team of scientists from King's College London and Imperial College London tested a high-fat diet, containing a fermentable carbohydrate, and a control diet on mice and looked at the effect on food intake of those with and without the FFAR2 receptor.

Study shows alarming disparities in health outcomes could be prevented by breastfeeding

A new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics showed that black infants had more than twice the deaths of whites attributable to lack of optimal breastfeeding. Black infants also had more than three times the rate of necrotizing enterocolitis, a devastating disease of preterm infants, attributable to suboptimal rates of feeding with their mother's own milk.

Three tips to keep burnout at bay

The pace of life today is crazy. Many people juggle multiple responsibilities - work, home life, caregiving and relationships. How many times have you felt like the demands, expectations and time pressure are exhausting and relentless?

Can the way we move after injury lead to chronic pain?

When people suffer musculoskeletal pain – that is, pain arising from muscles, ligaments, bones or joints – they change the way they move. Sometimes these changes include completely avoiding certain movements, and sometimes they are more subtle.

Why so many people regain weight after dieting

Anyone who has tried to lose weight and keep it off knows how difficult the task can be. It seems like it should be simple: Just exercise to burn more calories and reduce your calorie intake. But many studies have shown that this simple strategy doesn't work very well for the vast majority of people.

Opinion: Zika 'health emergency' status removed but it's sad news for reproductive health

The recent announcement the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Zika no longer a "public health emergency of international concern" is sad news. Rather than signalling a victory over this high profile global health threat, it is more a recognition the virus is here to stay.

Adult stem cell types' heart repair potential probed

New University of Otago research is providing fresh insights into how a patient's adult stem cells could best be used to regenerate their diseased hearts.

Virtual sleep coach effective against insomnia

The interactive app developed by TU Delft, Utrecht University and the University of Amsterdam to help people with chronic insomnia to learn a better sleep rhythm has been shown to work. The use of this virtual coach reduces sleeping problems, argues doctoral candidate Corine Horsch. She will obtain her doctorate from TU Delft on 23 November for her research on this subject.

Gambling addiction influenced by room design

Rooms where gambling machines are tightly clumped in ways that discourage social interaction are more likely to result in heavy and problematic gambling, according to an Auckland gambling addiction expert.

Study sheds light on diet of children with weight issues

A new, in depth study of children and teenagers struggling with weight issues highlights that their eating habits were poor, and sugary drink consumption was at concerning volumes on a daily basis in many.

Why frequent dieting makes you put on weight – and what to do about it

People who regularly go on diets tend to lose weight initially but bounce back and even gain weight after stopping the regime. This phenomenon – dubbed yo-yo dieting – is associated with changes in metabolism and is one reason why the vast majority of calorie-based diets fail. But exactly what causes these metabolic changes has remained a mystery – until now.

Mechanism revealed for side effects of drug used in hematopoietic stem cell harvesting

A team of Japanese researchers revealed the mechanism for side effects such as fever and bone pain caused by G-CSF, which is widely used for peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell harvesting (PBSCH). This is an important method for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) used to treat hematological malignancies such as leukemia.

Mouth cancer rates soar over 20 years

A new Cancer Research UK analysis reveals that rates of mouth (oral) cancer have jumped by 68 per cent in the UK over the last 20 years, today (Friday).

New method for predicting congenital CMV infection during the prenatal period

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can cause serious complications such as hearing difficulties and mental retardation in affected infants. A Japanese research team has discovered a new method for predicting congenital CMV infection during the prenatal period. This method is safe for both mothers and fetuses, and could potentially be adopted for general use. The findings were published on October 20 in the online version of Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Depression in young people affects the stomach, anxiety the skin

Mental disorders and physical diseases frequently go hand in hand. For the first time, psychologists at the University of Basel and Ruhr University Bochum have identified temporal patterns in young people: arthritis and diseases of the digestive system are more common after depression, while anxiety disorders tend to be followed by skin diseases.

Consider eye safety when choosing kids' toys

(HealthDay)—Are you planning to shop on Black Friday for holiday gifts for the kids? Experts urge you to keep an eye on eye safety when making your choices.

Diabetics can keep disease complications at bay

(HealthDay)—People with diabetes are at risk for vascular complications due to high blood sugar levels, but can take measures to reduce that risk, an expert says.

Scientists step closer to halting spread of lung cancer

Scientists at the Universities of York and Texas have found that a component of cancer cells, which acts like a 'cellular post office', could be the key to preventing the spread of lung cancer to other parts of the body.

Exercise prescribed to reduce fatigue in cancer survivors

New research about what type of exercise best helps cancer survivors overcome fatigue has won PhD student Kirsten Adlard a Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) award.

For firefighters, emotional stress often the deadliest enemy

Battalion Chief David Dangerfield's nickname was "Super Dave," a moniker the veteran firefighter had earned over the years for his cheerful, get-things-done personality. The leader of a fire department dive team in a quiet Florida beach community of 15,000 volunteered for charities helping kids and families and was the 2013 Treasure Coast Emergency Service Provider of the Year.

German zoo shuts down after bird flu kills emu

A zoo in northern Germany has been temporarily closed after an emu died of bird flu.

Women's wellness: vaginal yeast infections

A vaginal yeast infection is a fungal infection that causes irritation, discharge and intense itchiness of the vagina and the vulva - the tissues at the vaginal opening. It's a type of vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina. Vaginal yeast infection (also called vaginal candidiasis) affects up to three out of four women at some point in their lifetimes. Many women experience at least two episodes.

Other Sciences news

Pink balls in day-night cricket could challenge players at sunset

Cricket is a great game but it can be dangerous so anything that can reduce the potential risk to players in the game should be considered.

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