Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for October 24, 2016:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Space station accepts first Virginia delivery in two yearsThe International Space Station received its first shipment from a private, Virginia-based company in more than two years Sunday following a sensational nighttime launch observed 250 miles up and down the East Coast. |
 | Kepler has caught hundreds of asteroidsPreviously, the Kepler space telescope looked straight out from the solar system in a direction almost perpendicular to the ecliptic and the plane of the planets. This way, it could observe the same spot all year long, as the sun, and most of the solar system, were out of its field of view. But since the start of K2 mission, it has been observing parallel to that plane in order to better balance against the radiation pressure of the sun. This new strategy has two important consequences: One is that Kepler has to change its field of view every three months to avoid the sun; the other is that our own solar system, unexpectedly, has become a target for the exoplanet-hunting telescope. |
 | Uranus may have two undiscovered moonsNASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft flew by Uranus 30 years ago, but researchers are still making discoveries from the data it gathered then. A new study led by University of Idaho researchers suggests there could be two tiny, previously undiscovered moonlets orbiting near two of the planet's rings. |
 | 'Heartbeat stars' unlocked in new studyMatters of the heart can be puzzling and mysterious—so too with unusual astronomical objects called heartbeat stars. |
 | Hotspots in an active galactic nucleusThe nucleus of a so-called "active" galaxy contains a massive black hole that is vigorously accreting material. As a result, the nucleus often ejects bipolar jets of rapidly moving charged particles that radiate brightly at many wavelengths, in particular radio wavelengths. Active galaxies display a range of dramatically different properties, and the ones that are bright in the radio can beam as much as one trillion solar luminosities of radiation into space at those wavelengths. |
 | A rare opportunity for planet hunting in Alpha Centauri A predicted for 2028A very rare gravitational lensing event, set to occur in 2028, has been predicted by a team of French astronomers led by Pierre Kervella of the CNRS/Universidad de Chile. It will provide an ideal opportunity to look for evidence of a planet around a nearby star. |
 | Image: Hubble spins a web into the Red Spider NebulaHuge waves are sculpted in this two-lobed nebula called the Red Spider Nebula, located some 3,000 light-years away in the constellation of Sagittarius. |
 | To uncover the secrets of exoplanets, try listening to themFrom rainfall patterns to share price performance, the usual way to analyse any data that shows something changing over a period of time is to put it into a graphic. Making data visual usually makes it much easier to understand the trends – but not always. |
 | SpaceX's Elon Musk elaborates on plan to colonize MarsSpaceX CEO Elon Musk has given more details about his plan to colonize Mars. |
Technology news
 | Combining cellphone data with perceptions of public spaces could help guide urban planningFor years, researchers at the MIT Media Lab have been developing a database of images captured at regular distances around several major cities. The images are scored according to different visual characteristics—how safe the depicted areas look, how affluent, how lively, and the like. |
 | 3-D-printed organ-on-a-chip with integrated sensorsHarvard University researchers have made the first entirely 3D-printed organ-on-a-chip with integrated sensing. Built by a fully automated, digital manufacturing procedure, the 3D-printed heart-on-a-chip can be quickly fabricated in customized form factors allowing researchers to easily collect reliable data for short-term and long-term studies. |
 | AT&T buying HBO and CNN owner Time Warner for $85.4 billionGrab some popcorn—AT&T wants to take you to the movies. |
 | Geothermal power potential seen in Iceland drilling project(Tech Xplore)—Reykjanes Peninsula. For visitors to Iceland it is a place known for its diverse landscape. For scientists working on green energy alternatives, it has special significance as a "geopark" known not only for its diversity but for its geothermal potential. |
 | AI predicts outcomes of human rights trialsThe judicial decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) have been predicted to 79% accuracy using an artificial intelligence (AI) method developed by researchers in UCL, the University of Sheffield and the University of Pennsylvania. |
 | New study describes method to detect dishonesty onlineA new study by Kim-Kwang Raymond Choo, associate professor of information systems and cybersecurity and Cloud Technology Endowed Professor at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), describes a method for detecting people dishonestly posting online comments, reviews or tweets across multiple accounts, a practice known as "astroturfing." |
 | Blurring effect comes to iPhone 7 Plus with software updateApple's iPhone 7 Plus is getting a new camera capability—the blurring of backgrounds to focus attention on people or other objects in the foreground. |
 | Breakthrough soft electronics fabrication method is a first step to DIY smart tattoosImagine if your electronic wearable device, like your Fitbit, adhered to you like a sticker or temporary tattoo and could read your pulse or measure hand gestures. As electronics are becoming thinner, lighter, and more power efficient, they can be populated on stickers and temporary tattoos to create soft wearables that adhere to the skin. And the most exciting news is that one day you may be able to print these wearable electronics from a home printer. |
Russian indicted on charges he hacked LinkedInA Russian man has been charged with hacking and stealing information from computers at LinkedIn and other San Francisco Bay Area companies, federal prosecutors announced Friday. | |
 | Sweden wants EU to switch to emission-free cars by 2030Sweden's environment minister on Saturday urged the European Union to ban petrol and diesel-powered vehicles from 2030. |
 | Moscow confirms ministry website attack after US hacker claimRussia's foreign ministry on Sunday said an old version of its website had been attacked after a US hacker claimed he broke in and posted a mocking message. |
 | Senegal in renewables drive as new solar park unveiledSenegal put into service one of sub-Saharan Africa's largest solar energy projects Saturday as it pushes to become a regional player in renewables on a continent where the majority remain off-grid. |
Indonesian nationalism takes a bite out of AppleApple is battling to gain a foothold in Indonesia after nationalistic regulations hit the US tech giant's efforts to compete in the booming emerging market against Samsung and other rivals. | |
 | A merged AT&T-Time Warner may not do consumers much goodAT&T and Time Warner are playing up how their $85.4 billion merger will lead to innovative new experiences for customers. But analysts, public-interest groups and some politicians are far from convinced. |
 | 527 South Koreans seek Note 7 payback from SamsungHundreds of South Korean Galaxy Note 7 smartphone owners filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics on Monday over its handling of the fire-prone device. |
 | Robots at center of China's strategy to leapfrog rivalsThe Canbot can say its name, respond to voice commands, and "dance" as it plays Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." Other robots China is displaying at the World Robot Conference can play badminton, sand cell phone cases and sort computer chips. |
Philips holds firm on 2016 outlook after healthy quarterElectronics giant Philips posted a jump in third-quarter net profit Monday on robust sales in its health businesses, where the Dutch company has shifted its focus. | |
 | Is someone really trying to find out if they can destroy the internet?A prolonged Internet outage prevented access to major sites like Twitter, Netflix, Spotify and The New York Times on Friday. The attack has commentators concerned that this is was a practice run for future, promising more frequent and widespread disruption of the internet. The distributed denial of service attack (DDoS) targeted the dynamic domain name service provider Dyn and came in three waves during the day. |
 | Why are the tech giants struggling to build their own driverless cars?We may have just seen a major player in the drive towards autonomous cars apply screeching brakes. Apple has reportedly abandoned its plans to build its own self-driving electric vehicle and is instead going to focus on the underlying autonomous software. A similar initiative to produce a fully autonomous car by Google also appeared to run out of steam. Building self-driving cars clearly poses a challenge that even the world's top technology giants can't yet meet. |
Adding social touch to roboticsA squeeze in the arm, a pat on the shoulder, or a slap in the face – touch is an important part of the social interaction between people. Social touch, however, is a relatively unknown field when it comes to robots, even though robots operate with increasing frequency in society at large, rather than just in the controlled environment of a factory. Merel Jung is conducting research at the University of Twente CTIT research institute into social touch interaction with robots. Using a relatively simple system – a mannequin's arm with pressure sensors, connected to a computer – she has succeeded in getting it to recognize sixty percent of all touches. The research is being published today in the Journal on Multimodal User Interfaces scientific journal. | |
World first demonstration of virtualised 5G architectureThe University of Surrey's 5GIC (part of the Institute for Communications Systems) has – for the first time worldwide – produced a full demonstration of its FDC, which points to a significant reduction in deployment, optimisation and upgrade costs for network operators. The FDC was demonstrated over LTE-A (an advanced version of the Long Term Evolution network) on an end to end basis between off-the shelf mobiles and internet and traditional intranet services. | |
Germany stalls Chinese takeover of tech firm AixtronThe German government on Monday said it had withdrawn approval for a Chinese firm to acquire Aixtron, a supplier to the semiconductor industry, amid growing unease over Chinese investment in German companies. | |
 | Eyetracking data can improve language technology and help readersNew research from the University of Copenhagen shows that recordings of gaze data - within a few seconds - can reveal whether a word causes a reader problems. This insight could be used to alleviate reading problems with software that offer translations of difficult words or suggest easier texts as soon as readers experience problems. The technology may thus have a significant impact on the educational system, particularly because gaze data can now be recorded with ordinary mobile phones and tablets. |
 | New maps show where to generate solar energy in South CarolinaSouth Carolina has more than enough land suitable to generate the large amounts of solar power that would be needed to meet goals calling for all energy to come from renewable sources by 2050, according to new research at Clemson University. |
 | Lexus, Toyota and Buick top new auto reliability surveyLexus, Toyota and Buick are the most reliable brands in Consumer Reports' latest survey, a reward for their conservative approach to new technology. |
 | Smartwatch sales tumble, dragged down by AppleGlobal smartwatch sales slid 51.6 percent in the third quarter, amid a steep decline for the Apple Watch ahead of its updated device, a market tracker said Monday. |
 | Big US banks unveil consumer payment appMajor US banking groups Monday announced they would join forces for a new person-to-person mobile payment application to counter services like PayPal's Venmo and Square Cash. |
 | Cyber attack likely mitigated, US Homeland Security saysThe cyber attack which darkened a large portion of the US internet on Friday has been mitigated, but officials continue to monitor the situation, the Department of Homeland Security said Monday. |
Gov't: Cybersecurity should be part of auto design processThe government's highway safety agency says automakers should make cybersecurity part of their product development process by assessing risks and designing in protections. | |
 | Tilting, sinking San Francisco high-rise raises alarmPamela Buttery noticed something peculiar six years ago while practicing golf putting in her 57th-floor apartment at the luxurious Millennium Tower. The ball kept veering to the same corner of her living room. |
 | TD Ameritrade to buy Scottrade in $4B cash-and-stock dealOnline brokerage TD Ameritrade is buying Scottrade in a $4 billion cash-and-stock deal that would tie up two major players in the day trading industry during an era when an increasingly large number of investors are choosing index funds over stock picking. |
 | Merged Yoox Net-A-Porter aims to be as mobile as shoppersThe merged luxury group Yoox Net-A-Porter Group is aiming to be as mobile as its shoppers. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Sensitivity attributable to pain found transferable to other mice(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers with Oregon Health and Science University has found that pain sensitivity in mice is transferable to other mice. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the team describes the studies they carried out with mice, what they found and possible reasons for what they observed. |
 | How lying takes our brains down a 'slippery slope'Telling small lies desensitises our brains to the associated negative emotions and may encourage us to tell bigger lies in future, reveals new UCL research funded by Wellcome and the Center for Advanced Hindsight. |
 | Genetic hallmarks of acute lymphoblastic leukemia subtype uncoveredAn international team of researchers from the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project (PCGP) and the Children's Oncology Group (COG) has identified the genetic changes that underpin a subtype of the most common cancer found in children. This form of B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) features genetic changes to two transcription factors known as DUX4 and ERG, proteins that closely control the activities of other crucial genes in human blood cells. The findings are published online today in the journal Nature Genetics. |
 | Babies should sleep in parents' room first year, American Academy of Pediatrics saysTo reduce the risk of sudden death, babies should sleep in the same room as their parents but in their own crib or bassinet for the first year of life, US doctors said Monday. |
 | Mouse decision-making more complex than once thoughtWorking with dot-counting mice running through a virtual-reality maze, scientists from Harvard Medical School have found that in order to navigate space rodent brains rely on a cascade of neural signals that culminate in a single decision that prompts the animal to choose one direction over another. |
 | Robotic tutors for primary school childrenThe use of robotic tutors in primary school classrooms is one step closer according to research recently published in the open access journal Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience. |
 | A key to unlocking the mystery of triple negative breast cancerA study conducted at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) suggests screening breast cancer patients for the prolactin receptor could improve the prognosis for patient and may help them avoid unnecessary and invasive treatments. Using a database of 580 women with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), the researchers found that survival was prolonged in patients who expressed the prolactin receptor and that prolactin hormone was able to reduce the aggressive behavior of cancerous cells. It does so by decreasing their ability to divide and form new tumors. The research was published in the journal Scientific Reports. |
 | Possible strategy identified for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, other disordersCharcot-Marie-Tooth disease is an inherited disorder that leads to a gradual loss of motor neurons and, eventually, paralysis. The condition is caused by genetic mutations that disrupts cells' energy factories, called mitochondria. No drugs are available to slow or stop the progression of the disease, which affects nearly 3 million people worldwide. |
 | Maternal blood test may predict birth complicationsA protein found in the blood of pregnant women could be used to develop tests to determine the health of their babies and aid decisions on early elective deliveries, according to an early study led by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). |
 | Faulty RASGRP1 gene causes newly discovered human immunodeficiencyA multi-institutional, international team of scientists has discovered the genetic cause and biological mechanisms linked to a new human immunodeficiency. The study, which is published in Nature Immunology, also identifies a potential treatment. |
 | Fighting cancer with the power of immunityHarnessing the body's own immune system to destroy tumors is a tantalizing prospect that has yet to realize its full potential. However, a new advance from MIT may bring this strategy, known as cancer immunotherapy, closer to becoming reality. |
 | How even our brains get 'slacker' as we ageNew research from Newcastle University, UK, in collaboration with the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, investigated the way the human brain folds and how this 'cortical folding' changes with age. |
 | Elderly may face increased dementia risk after a disasterElderly people who were uprooted from damaged or destroyed homes and who lost touch with their neighbors after the 2011 tsunami in Japan were more likely to experience increased symptoms of dementia than those who were able to stay in their homes, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The study was the first to look at dementia as a potential health risk in the aftermath of a disaster. |
 | Boosting levels of known antioxidant may help resist age-related declineResearchers at Oregon State University have found that a specific detoxification compound, glutathione, helps resist the toxic stresses of everyday life - but its levels decline with age and this sets the stage for a wide range of age-related health problems. |
 | Scientists uncover why Hepatitis C virus vaccine has been difficult to makeResearchers have been trying for decades to develop a vaccine against the globally endemic hepatitis C virus (HCV). Now scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have discovered one reason why success has so far been elusive. |
Study links small RNA molecule to pregnancy complicationA family of small RNA molecules affects the development of cells that give rise to the placenta - an organ that transfers oxygen and nutrients from mother to fetus—in ways that could contribute to a serious pregnancy complication, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers report. | |
 | Study: El Nino could boost Lyme disease in western USThe big shifts in rain and warmth caused by El Nino and La Nina conditions may boost Lyme disease and intestinal infections in parts of the United States, a new study suggests. |
Higher levels of tau protein found in children with early onset psychosisNew research presented at this year's International Early Psychosis Association (IEPA) meeting in Milan, Italy (20-22 October) shows that levels of a certain type of the Alzheimer's disease-related tau protein are higher in patients aged 18 years and under suffering early onset psychosis (EOP). The study is by Dr Mathias Lundberg and Dr Neil Cleland, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden and colleagues. | |
 | Study adds to evidence that high strength cannabis is associated with an increased risk of becoming dependentNew data presented at this year's International Early Psychosis Association (IEPA) meeting in Milan, Italy (20-22 October) adds to accumulating evidence that high-potency cannabis in associated with an increased risk of users becoming dependent on cannabis. The analysis is by Dr Tom Freeman at University College London, UK. |
'Middle England' faces lowest psychosis riskThe risk of developing a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia is highest for young people, men, ethnic minorities and people living in urban areas and poorer neighbourhoods, finds a new study by UCL and the University of Cambridge. | |
| Study indicates that advances in precision medicine have improved breast cancer treatmentA new study examines how one early example of precision medicine—tumor genome testing—is being used in women with breast cancer to reduce overtreatment and maximize the benefits of chemotherapy. Published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study found that physician recommendations and final treatment decisions correlated highly with test results, suggesting genome testing helped physicians identify which patients could most benefit from chemotherapy, and those for whom chemotherapy could be safely omitted. Additionally, these personalized recommendations appeared to eliminate racial/ethnic and educational disparities in testing or treatment; however, many women who were tested inaccurately recalled their test results. |
Research shows physical activity does not improve after hip replacementNew research from the University of East Anglia (UEA) shows that, surprisingly, patients' physical activity does not increase following hip replacement surgery. | |
 | AAP announces new safe sleep recommendations to protect against SIDSInfants should sleep in the same bedroom as their parents - but on a separate surface, such as a crib or bassinet, and never on a couch, armchair or soft surface—to decrease the risks of sleep-related deaths, according to a new policy statement released by the American Academy of Pediatrics. |
 | Brain changes seen in youth football players without concussionResearchers have found measurable brain changes in children after a single season of playing youth football, even without a concussion diagnosis, according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology. |
 | Carbon monoxide poisoning deaths down 1999 to 2014(HealthDay)—From 1999 to 2014 the numbers of deaths, both accidental and intentional, due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning significantly declined in the United States, according to a study published in the October issue of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. |
 | Surgeon experience influences post-op mobilization orders(HealthDay)—Patient characteristics and surgeon factors influence surgeons' postoperative weight-bearing orders after hip fracture repair, according to research published online Oct. 6 in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice. |
 | More support for health benefits of chocolate(HealthDay)—A new analysis of existing studies, published online Sept. 28 in the Journal of Nutrition, provides more support for the idea that cocoa in chocolate may provide some health benefits. |
High rates of unplanned pregnancy and STIs among youth with mental health needsNew research published at this year's International Early Psychosis Association (IEPA) meeting in Milan, Italy, shows that young people attending mental health services have unmet sexual health needs, as shown by low rates of contraception and high rates of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The study was conducted by Dr. Brian O'Donoghue, Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health and University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, and colleagues. | |
Radiation method could enhance cancer-killing effect of treatment, reduce side effectsA Purdue-related startup is developing a unique nanoparticle ultraviolet radiation technology that could enhance cancer cell killing effects of radiation treatment, thus reducing radiation doses and patient side effects. | |
 | How should we teach our kids to use digital media?Any time a new technology is introduced, it disrupts values, routines and behaviors. This goes back well before the printing press replaced oral histories or the telephone replaced face-to-face conversations, but is evident today in our regular habits of checking our smartphones for notifications. Kids are growing up with the expectation of auto-playing streaming videos and having access to our phones when we need them to be quiet. |
 | What we know about perineal tearing, and how to reduce it during childbirthA common fear women have when contemplating having a baby is whether the birth will tear the tissues between the vagina and anus, also known as the perineum. How can something as big as a 3.5kg baby come out of something as small as a vagina without inflicting damage? |
No differences noted over time for children of gay, lesbian adoptive parentsAs more and more lesbian and gay adults adopt children, controversies continue regarding comparative parenting skills and the impact on the children. | |
Nutritionists must take a bigger piece of the pie when it comes to influencing food policyNutrition professionals need to step up to the plate and gain a larger portion of influence on food policy in Australia to dilute the heavy concentration of 'food industry' representatives with direct links to food policy decision makers. | |
Home handy but not so stable—steep rise in ladder-related fallsResearchers at QUT have warned about the rising popularity of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) culture after a steep rise in the number of people falling from ladders. | |
 | Active agent from the Caribbean sea cucumber could improve treatment for malignant pleural mesotheliomaResearchers at the Comprehensive Cancer Center of MedUni Vienna and Vienna General Hospital have discovered a new option for treating malignant pleural mesothelioma. For the first time in the world, they were able to show in a preclinical study, both in the cell culture and in the animal model, that trabectedin, a chemotherapy drug that is already successfully used for other types of cancer, is also effective against malignant pleural mesothelioma. The active agent originally occurs in the Caribbean sea cucumber, a marine-dwelling tunicate. The study results were recently published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, the therapy-oriented journal of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). The initial interim results of a clinical study from Italy confirm these results and show that they are transferable to clinical practice. |
 | Child migrants taken to Britain need support and psychological careHundreds of unaccompanied child asylum seekers are being taken to Britain, moved from a camp in Calais, northern France, as its closure begins. There were 387 unaccompanied minors in the French refugee camp known as "the Jungle" with links to the UK and they are arriving in England in groups of 70. |
 | Gene discovery in debilitating muscle disorderA coordinated research effort identified one of the genes involved in a debilitating muscle disorder. |
New type 2 diabetes research paves the way for future Parkinson's treatmentsIf you suffer from type 2 diabetes, you run a higher risk of being affected by Parkinson's disease. Chalmers researchers have now found a possible cause. The findings might lead to new future drugs. | |
 | Study investigates absorption of artificial sweeteners in bloodA recent study by investigators at the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health measured how much artificial sweetener is absorbed into the blood stream by children and adults after drinking a can of diet soda. Results of this study are published in Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry. |
High Facebook posts provide insights into pro- and anti-vaccination beliefsOne of the challenges to understanding the concerns behind vaccine hesitancy is that very seldom are people with worries about vaccines and vaccine advocates brought together in the same space, especially online. Both groups gravitate towards internet "echo chambers," only communicating with other likeminded individuals. In January 2016, however, Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg posted a photo of himself holding his baby daughter with the caption "Doctor's visit - time for vaccines!" With his undeniable reach and the ability of anyone to comment, the post represented a unique opportunity to analyze the language used to express pro- vaccination and anti-vaccination viewpoints and understand how people on both sides of the debate perceive the risks of vaccination. | |
 | Expanding role of hospitalist PAs achieves similar clinical outcomes, costs lessMore and more medical centers are relying on hospitalists—hospital-based internal medicine specialists who coordinate the complex care of inpatients. Now, an 18-month study comparing two hospitalist groups—one with a high physician assistant (PA)-to-physician ratio ("expanded PA") and one with a low PA-to-physician ratio ("conventional")—has found no significant differences in key clinical outcomes achieved by both groups. |
 | How we discovered that heading a football causes impairment of brain functionHeading a football may look effortless but many scientists have suspected it might actually harm the player's brain. There could be real consequences – we know that brain injury is linked to an increased risk of dementia, for example. However, it has proven surprisingly difficult to find out the true impact of football heading, partly because mild brain injury is notoriously difficult to detect. |
 | New target identified to combat deadly allergic reactionsResearchers in France have identified a molecular motor that controls the release of inflammatory factors that cause severe and fatal allergic reactions. The study, "Kinesin-1 controls mast cell degranulation and anaphylaxis through PI3K-dependent recruitment to the granular Slp3/Rab27b complex," which will be published online October 24 ahead of issue in The Journal of Cell Biology, suggests that targeting this motor may be a new way to treat patients undergoing anaphylactic shock. |
 | International study proves old blood is as good as newIt's been long thought that when blood transfusions are needed, it may be best to use the freshest blood, but McMaster University researchers have led a large international study proving that it is not so. |
Fragranced products: Risks for people and profits?A University of Melbourne researcher has found that over one-third of Americans report health problems—from asthma attacks to migraine headaches—when exposed to common fragranced consumer products such as air fresheners, cleaning supplies, laundry products, scented candles, cologne, and personal care products. | |
 | Don't believe your eyes: Team discovers way to induce visual hallucinationsVisual hallucinations ... everyone has heard of them, and many people have experienced the sensation of "seeing" something that isn't there. But studying the phenomenon of hallucinations is difficult: they are irregular, transitory, and highly personal—only the person experiencing the hallucination knows what he or she is seeing, and representations of what's being seen are limited to verbal descriptions or drawings. |
 | Heading the football 'affects memory'Heading a football can significantly affect a player's brain function and memory up to a day, a study by researchers at Scotland's Stirling University has said. |
Study determines efficacy of two drugs to treat a form of leukemiaResearchers have determined that two Phase 1 drugs (CX-4945 and JQ1) can work together to efficiently kill T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells while having minimal impact on normal blood cells. | |
Do patients choose lower-priced facilities after checking procedure prices?If patients know beforehand how much a procedure will cost do they pick a lower-priced facility? | |
Dietary intake and function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Are they associated?Is what you eat associated with better function and respiratory function for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) soon after diagnosis? | |
How is health-related quality of life for kids with postconcussion symptoms?Children with persistent postconcussion symptoms reported lower overall, physical, emotional, social and school quality of life for at least 12 weeks after concussion than children whose concussion symptoms resolved more quickly, although even those children reported lower school quality of life, according to a new article published online by JAMA Pediatrics. | |
How does pregnancy affect risk of stroke in older, younger women?Younger pregnant women, including the postpartum period up to six weeks after delivery, appeared to be at increased risk of stroke compared with their nonpregnant counterparts, and that increased stroke risk was not associated with older pregnant women, according to a new article published online by JAMA Neurology. | |
 | What proportion of cancer deaths are attributable to smoking around the US?The proportion of cancer deaths attributable to cigarette smoking varied across the United States but was highest in the South, where nearly 40 percent of cancer deaths in men were estimated to be connected to smoking in some states, according to a new article published online by JAMA Internal Medicine. |
 | Tumor markers can reveal lethality of bladder cancers, guide treatmentTumor cells collected during the removal of a cancerous bladder and - in some cases - transplanted into mice with weakened immune systems, could help physicians rapidly identify high-risk cancers, determine prognosis and refine the use of biomarkers to personalize care for patients with this common cancer, according to a study published online on Oct. 24, 2016, in Scientific Reports. |
Study uncovers brain changes in offending pedophilesNew research reveals that certain alterations in the brain may be present in pedophiles, with differences between hands-on offenders and those who have not sexually offended against children. | |
Research examines role of early-life stress in adult illnessScientists have long known that chronic exposure to psychosocial stress early in life can lead to an increased vulnerability later in life to diseases linked to immune dysfunction and chronic inflammation, including arthritis, asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and even mental illness. But the molecular mechanisms underlying the negative effects of early exposure to stress are unknown. | |
New effort aims to prevent surgery-related opioid addictionAmerica's opioid drug epidemic has struck hard in Michigan. But now, a team from the University of Michigan is striking back at a key factor: opioid prescriptions for patients before and after surgery. | |
| Helping dementia patients recall grandchildren's namesA novel telemedicine speech therapy program for people with language problems due to dementia significantly improved their ability to recall words they had "lost," reports a new Northwestern Medicine study. |
A new mode of communication between donor and host photoreceptors in retinal dystrophyUK eye researchers with funding from Fight for Sight have discovered a new means of communication between transplanted donor photoreceptors developed from stem cells and the degenerating photoreceptors of the host retina. The results, published in Nature Communications, show that this previously unreported mechanism of interaction between host-donor photoreceptors, termed 'material transfer', plays a major role in the rescue of visual function. | |
 | New subtypes of lung cancer can lead to personalized therapies with better outcomePersonalized therapies can potentially improve the outcomes of patients with lung cancer, but how to best design such an approach is not always clear. A team of scientists from Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center analyzed vast amounts of molecular data from a set of more than 1,000 non-small cell lung cancers that allowed them to break down the cancers into distinct subtypes, each with its own molecular profile and potentially different response to therapy. The results appear in Oncogene. |
Stent, bypass outcomes better for those who stick to medical therapyPatients who had a stent procedure or heart bypass surgery and continued with their prescribed medical therapy had significantly better outcomes than non-adherent patients, according to a study published today in the journal Circulation. | |
 | Increasing muscle strength can improve brain function, study saysIncreased muscle strength leads to improved brain function in adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), new results from a recent trial led by the University of Sydney has revealed. |
 | Women catching up with men in alcohol consumption and its associated harmsWomen are catching up with men in terms of their alcohol consumption and its impact on their health, finds an analysis of the available international evidence, spanning over a century and published in the online journal BMJ Open. |
 | Fetal surgery successfully removes life-threatening tumor connected to heartFor the first time, fetal medicine experts have performed prenatal heart surgery to remove a life-threatening tumor, called intrapericardial teratoma. The patient, who underwent the operation at 24 weeks of gestation while in his mother's womb, is now a healthy three-year-old preschooler. |
 | Many teens light up to lose weight, study suggests(HealthDay)—Many American teens may smoke to control or lose weight, a new study suggests. |
 | Fewer uncertain thyroid results with core needle vs repeat FNA(HealthDay)—To reduce inconclusive results for thyroid nodules, core-needle biopsy (CNB) is more effective than repeat fine-needle aspiration (FNA), according to a study published online Oct. 5 in Head & Neck. |
 | ICU clinicians cautiously support electronic portals(HealthDay)—Clinicians are cautiously supportive of an electronic portal to enhance communication in the intensive care unit (ICU), according to a study published online Oct. 4 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. |
 | Resveratrol doesn't improve insulin sensitivity(HealthDay)—Resveratrol supplementation does not improve hepatic or peripheral insulin sensitivity among patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online Oct. 7 in Diabetes Care. |
 | Guidance for coronary patients with ASA/NSAID sensitivity(HealthDay)—In patients with stable chronic ischemic heart disease (CIHD) and histories of nonsevere hypersensitivity reactions to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), an ASA challenge is recommended, according to a study published online Oct. 12 in Allergy. |
 | Continued two percent daily testosterone safe, effective(HealthDay)—Once-daily testosterone solution 2 percent (T-sol) is safe and improves sex drive and energy in men with androgen deficiency, according to a study published in the November issue of The Journal of Urology. |
 | Patient satisfaction high with filler for midface volumization(HealthDay)—Low-volume hyaluronic acid filler is effective for correction of age-related midface volume loss, according to a study published online Oct. 19 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery. |
 | Five-year outcomes similar for off-, on-pump CABG in CAD(HealthDay)—Five-year outcomes are similar for patients with coronary artery disease who undergo off-pump or on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), according to a study published online Oct. 23 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the annual Canadian Cardiovascular Congress, held from Oct. 22 to 25 in Montreal. |
 | Adaptive working memory training beneficial in HIV(HealthDay)—Adaptive working memory training (WMT), but not non-adaptive WMT, improves working memory performance in HIV participants and seronegative (SN) controls and reduces brain activation at one and six months, according to a study published online Oct. 19 in the Annals of Neurology. |
Mixing energy drinks, alcohol may affect adolescent brains like cocaineDrinking highly caffeinated alcoholic beverages triggers changes in the adolescent brain similar to taking cocaine, and the consequences last into adulthood as an altered ability to deal with rewarding substances, according to a Purdue University study. | |
 | Scientists adapt computer program to gauge eye spasm severityIf two clinicians observe the same patient with blepharospasm—uncontrollable muscle contractions around the eye—they'll often come away with two different conclusions on the severity of the patient's symptoms. That's because the rating scales for blepharospasm are notoriously subjective and unreliable. |
 | Rabies vaccine effective even after warm storageA Washington State University-led research team determined rabies vaccines stored at warmer temperatures still protect against the disease in dogs. |
Researchers survey drug use in business bathrooms in NYCDrug overdose death rates per year in the United States (U.S.) nearly doubled from 1999 to 2013. In New York City (NYC) alone, drug overdose deaths had a 43% increase between 2010 and 2014. The majority of these deaths in NYC involved opioids, with heroin being the most predominant. | |
 | Frequent exams only treatment for pregnant woman with ZikaYessica Flores is getting ultrasounds more frequently than the average pregnant woman, but there's a cruel downside accompanying the joy of seeing how much her unborn daughter grows every few weeks: fear of possible defects caused by Zika. |
 | Polio nearly vanquished: CDC(HealthDay)—Polio is almost a thing of the past, but it still exists in small pockets on the planet, U.S. health officials reported Monday. |
Perioperative Surgical Home delivers improved outcomes, satisfaction, shorter staysDecreasing the number of tests, blood transfusions and length of time in the hospital, while improving patients' pain management and communication with physicians were the results of implementing the Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH) model of care at TEAMHealth Anesthesia at Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, Fla., according to a study presented at the Anesthesiology 2016 annual meeting. | |
More Americans undergo procedures involving anesthesia outside of O.R.More than one-third of Americans who undergo procedures involving anesthesia now have them outside of the operating room (O.R.), an increase of 27 percent in five years, according to an analysis of a large registry being presented at the Anesthesiology 2016 annual meeting. Researchers say these patients tend to be older and in poorer health, having been urged by physicians to have less-risky minimally invasive procedures and tests that don't need to be performed in an O.R. | |
Latinos more anxious before surgery, desire detailed information, study showsLatinos may be more anxious than Caucasian patients about having surgery and also want more detailed information before having a procedure, suggests research being presented at the Anesthesiology 2016 annual meeting. | |
Cholera kills 9 in Yemen's AdenYemen's government announced on Sunday that nine people had died of cholera in second city Aden as the infectious disease spread across the war-torn country. | |
Many back pain patients get limited relief from opioids and worry about taking themMillions of people take opioids for chronic back pain, but many of them get limited relief while experiencing side effects and worrying about the stigma associated with taking them, suggests research presented at the Anesthesiology 2016 annual meeting. | |
Patients benefit from enhanced recovery programs: Are better prepared for surgery, have less painEnhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs, an important component of the Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH), are helping patients better prepare for surgery and recuperate faster afterward, according to two new studies being presented at the Anesthesiology 2016 annual meeting. | |
Research hits the sweet spot for healthy brainsThe University of Queensland has launched a world-first clinical trial to determine the exact amount of exercise that can reverse the effects of ageing on the brain. | |
 | Researcher investigates womens' motivations for clitoral reconstruction"I don't own my own sexuality." "I more or less take back my own body. I undo what they did." |
Public health insurance may be a predictor of pain in post anesthesia care unitPatients using public health insurance were more likely to experience high pain levels in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) following surgery to remove their tonsils and/or adenoids, according to a study presented at the Anesthesiology 2016 annual meeting. This single characteristic showed a disparity in patients' PACU experience, independent of overall health, age, gender, race or neighborhood median income. | |
Canada Health Act needs bite: CMAJ urges federal government to strengthen Act and punish violationsA new health accord between federal and provincial governments must uphold the universality, equity and quality of our current system, rather than introduce two-tiered health care, argues an editorial in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). | |
New guidelines published for discontinuing mechanical ventilation in ICUThe American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) and the American Thoracic Society (ATS) have published new guidelines for discontinuing mechanical ventilation in critically ill adults. The goal of the guidelines is to help physicians and other health care professionals determine when patients with acute respiratory failure can breathe on their own and to provide clinical advice that may increase the chances for successful extubation. | |
Patients report symptom improvement following prolotherapy for knee osteoarthritisProlotherapy, an injection-based complementary treatment for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, was associated with improved knee-specific symptoms, quality of life, and ability to participate in daily activities among the majority of individuals who participated in several small clinical studies. This report documents the safety, comfort, and overall positive experiences with prolotherapy, as presented in an article in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. | |
 | Poles protest plan to ban abortion of unviable fetusesPolish women gathered Monday in cities across the country to protest a proposal to ban abortions in cases where fetuses are badly damaged or even have no chance of survival after birth. |
Study suggests that autophagy inhibitors could improve efficacy of chemotherapiesChemotherapies treat cancer by killing tumor cells, but certain types of chemotherapy can also drive an immune system response to target and destroy the remaining tumor cells. | |
 | Look-alike smart snacks: Are they benefiting student nutrition or brand marketing?When Smart Snacks sold in schools-reformulated versions of less nutritious snacks sold in stores—are packaged to look like their commercial counterparts, consumer confusion is likely, compromising dietary health gains and affecting perceptions about both brands and schools, according to an article in Childhood Obesity. |
 | ASA: study describes non-operating room anesthesia care(HealthDay)—Patient and case characteristics differ for non-operating room anesthesia (NORA) and operating room (OR) anesthesia, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, held from Oct. 22 to 26 in Chicago. |
OPTIMISTIC study: Unique nurse practitioner role leads to safer care in nursing homesTransfers of nursing home residents to and from the hospital frequently expose these frail, older adults to medication errors and poor follow-up care resulting in near or serious harm to one in four nationwide. | |
Iron-deficiency anemia in ulcerative colitis—many patients don't get testing and treatmentMany patients with ulcerative colitis don't receive recommended testing and treatment for the common problem of iron deficiency anemia, reports a study in the October issue of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, official journal of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). | |
Simple instruction sheet helps patients correctly take regular medications before surgeryPatients may be more likely to take their regularly prescribed medications for chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension correctly before surgery when provided a simple instruction sheet, reveals a study presented at the Anesthesiology 2016 annual meeting. Taking medication correctly before surgery can improve patient safety and comfort, and reduce day-of-surgery cancellations. | |
Women who opt for laughing gas during labor, may still get an epidural, study showsThe majority of women who chose nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to manage labor pain, ultimately decide to have an epidural, according to new research presented at the Anesthesiology 2016 annual meeting. Researchers found nitrous oxide provided limited pain relief, with patients reporting no change in average pain scores after its use. | |
 | Obama administration confirms double-digit premium hikesPremiums will go up sharply next year under President Barack Obama's health care law, and many consumers will be down to just one insurer, the administration confirmed Monday. That will stoke another "Obamacare" controversy days before a presidential election. |
Biology news
 | Researchers quantify effect of global warming on fungal disease in frogs and toads for the first timeAt high altitudes, frogs and toads are being infected by a deadly chytrid fungus at increasingly high rates in the Pyrenees Aspe Valley, France. The spike in mortality of these toads is blamed on warming in these mountains, which drives fungal infection in frogs and toads, and is expected to get worse. |
 | New bacteria groups, and stunning diversity, discovered undergroundOne of the most detailed genomic studies of any ecosystem to date has revealed an underground world of stunning microbial diversity, and added dozens of new branches to the tree of life. |
 | MRSA uses decoys to evade a last-resort antibioticThe superbug MRSA uses decoys to evade a last-resort antibiotic, reveals new research. |
 | Calcium induces chronic lung infectionsThe bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a life-threatening pathogen in hospitals. About ten percent of all nosocomial infections, in particular pneumonia, are caused by this pathogen. Researchers from the University of Basel's Biozentrum, have now discovered that calcium induces the switch from acute to chronic infection. In Nature Microbiology the researchers have also reported why antibiotics are less effective in fighting the pathogen in its chronic state. |
 | The houseplant with a blueprint for improving energy harvestingFor many people, nanotechnology belongs in the realm of science fiction. Researchers at the Universities of Bristol and Essex have solved the mystery of the blue sheen on the leaves of some begonias and have found that their chloroplasts have evolved a nanoscale light-trapping structure to help them survive in the darkness of the forest floor. |
 | Parasitic plants may form weapons out of genes stolen from hostsSneaky parasitic weeds may be able to steal genes from the plants they are attacking and then use those genes against the host plant, according to a team of scientists. |
 | Scientists trace plant hormone pathway back 450 million yearsPurdue scientists got a glimpse into more than 450 million years of evolution by tracing the function of a hormone pathway that has been passed along and co-opted by new species since the first plants came onto land. |
 | Research on rare genetic disease reveals new stem cell pathwayHow do you improve a Nobel Prize-winning discovery? Add a debilitating disease-causing gene mutation. |
 | Report reveals a big dependence on freshwater fish for global food securityFreshwater fish play a surprisingly crucial role in feeding some of the world's most vulnerable people, according to a study published Monday (Oct. 24) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. |
 | Man-made noise can affect how animals use information from scentsResearch by scientists at the University of Bristol has, for the first time, found that man-made noise can have a detrimental impact on an animal's use of scent - putting them at greater risk of being attacked by predators. |
 | Cytomegalovirus infection relies on human RNA-binding proteinViruses hijack the molecular machinery in human cells to survive and replicate, often damaging those host cells in the process. Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine discovered that, for cytomegalovirus (CMV), this process relies on a human protein called CPEB1. The study, published October 24 in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, provides a potential new target for the development of CMV therapies. |
 | Psychological science explores the minds of dogsDogs are one of the most common household pets in the world, so it's curious that we know relatively little about their cognitive abilities when we know so much about the abilities of other animals, from primates to cetaceans. Over the last couple decades, researchers have been aiming to bridge this gap in scientific knowledge, investigating how our canine companions behave and what they know and why. |
 | No evidence climate change boosts coffee plant diseaseFears that climate change is promoting a fungal disease which can devastate coffee crops may be unfounded, research by the University of Exeter suggests. |
 | New species of extremely leggy millipede discovered in a cave in CaliforniaAlong with many spiders, pseudoscorpions, and flies discovered and catalogued by the cave explorers, a tiny threadlike millipede was found in the unexplored dark marble caves in Sequoia National Park. |
 | With the familiar Cavendish banana in danger, can science help it survive?The banana is the world's most popular fruit crop, with over 100 million metric tons produced annually in over 130 tropical and subtropical countries. Edible bananas are the result of a genetic accident in nature that created the seedless fruit we enjoy today. Virtually all the bananas sold across the Western world belong to the so-called Cavendish subgroup of the species and are genetically nearly identical. These bananas are sterile and dependent on propagation via cloning, either by using suckers and cuttings taken from the underground stem or through modern tissue culture. |
 | Rare, lonely 'lefty' snail seeks mate for love—and genetic studyScientists at The University of Nottingham hoping to study the genetics of an ultra-rare garden snail are asking the public for its help in finding the lonely mollusc a mate. |
 | Revealing the science of Aboriginal fermentationWine researchers at the University of Adelaide are investigating the traditional practices of Australian Aboriginal people in producing fermented beverages and foods. |
 | Public urged to help solve the mystery of why one of Britain's best-loved animals, the hedgehog, is in declineThe public have been urged to help solve the mystery of why one of Britain's best-loved animals, the hedgehog, is in decline. |
Stem cells also rustOxygen in the air is well known to cause damaging rust on cars through a process known as oxidation. Similarly, a research group at Lund University in Sweden, has now identified that certain cells during embryonic development also are negatively affected by oxidation. This oxidation is capable of leading to a block in cellular function. | |
 | Battle lines drawn fast at global whaling huddleA key meeting on whales opened to early confrontation Monday with Japan seeking an end to a 30-year moratorium on whale hunting, and others proposing an Atlantic cetacean sanctuary. |
 | How plants time their floweringThe onset of flowering is a central event in the life cycle of a plant and ensures reproduction. From an agricultural perspective, it is important that flowering takes place at the right time to optimise harvests. Professor Markus Schmid is leading a project to find out how flowering time is regulated on cell level. |
 | Study recommends solution to end unsustainable agricultural practicesA University of Kent study has suggested that rural areas can provide for both people and wildlife in biodiversity-rich tropical countries such as Colombia if agriculture is administered in the right way. |
 | New species of pea-size crab parasitizing a date mussel has a name of a Roman godTiny crabs, the size of a pea, dwell inside the mantles of various bivalves, living off the food filtered by their hosts. A new species of these curious crustaceans has recently been reported from the Solomon Islands, where an individual was found to parasitise a large date mussel. |
Choline deficiency during pregnancy influences milk composition in sowsCholine is an essential nutrient that is used by the body in a number of ways. However, nearly 90 percent of adults do not get the recommended amount in their diets. For pregnant or lactating women, this is especially significant, as choline, much like folate or folic acid, has been shown to play a role in early brain development. | |
 | Looking out for No. 2: Dogs sniff out fecal pollutionSome specially trained dogs are helping humans curb themselves. |
Scientists dicipher organization of cellular mechanisms responsible for energy productionScientists at the Centro Nacional de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC) have defined the molecular organization underlying energy production in living cells. The discovery, published in the journal Nature, sheds light on the regulation of metabolism and is a milestone in the understanding of the organization of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (mETC), which releases energy from nutrient-derived molecules. The study also suggests ways in which different mETC organizations could affect metabolism and be linked to the tendency to develop distinct diseases. | |
 | Researchers find zebrafish want to hang out with moving 3-D robotic models of themselvesAuthenticity is an important trait, and zebrafish take it especially seriously. An interdisciplinary team of researchers at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering discovered that zebrafish engage more with 3D-moving robotic models of themselves than with other stimuli. |
 | Genetic mutation in whale eyes may increase mortality risksScientists have found that a genetic mutation in the eyes of right whales that hampers their ability to see in bright light may make them more susceptible to fatal entanglements in fishing gear, one of the major causes of death for this critically endangered mammal. |
 | Whalers in crosshairs at international huddleMore than 80 nations square off in Slovenia next week over the fate of the world's remaining whales, facing a multitude of perils from meat hunters and ship strikes to getting snared in fishing gear. |
 | Studying insects' response to short term climate eventsStudying the response of living organisms to climate change is essential in the face of what increasingly looks like an irreversible trend. However, unlike other species which have gathered much scientific attention, insects seem to have been left behind. An EU project is seeking to bridge this knowledge gap while taking insects' specific features into account. |
 | How hooded seals are transferring contaminants to their pupsEnvironmental contaminants such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) can be transferred from mother to offspring through the placenta and mother's milk, exposing the young mammal before and after birth. PFASs are a family of human-made chemicals, which have been used in a number of consumer products such as textiles, carpets, paper plates and food packaging because they repel grease, water and stains and are heat resistant. Since it was discovered that they pose a risk to wildlife and human health, some PFASs have been phased out of use, but they have not been universally banned. |
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