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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for December 13, 2016:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
Mars rock-ingredient stew seen as plus for habitabilityNASA's Curiosity rover is climbing a layered Martian mountain and finding evidence of how ancient lakes and wet underground environments changed, billions of years ago, creating more diverse chemical environments that affected their favorability for microbial life. | |
Europe's own satnav, Galileo, due to go liveSeventeen years and more than 10 billion euros ($11 billion) later, Europe's Galileo satnav system is set to go live on Thursday, promising to outperform US and Russian rivals while boosting regional self-reliance. | |
Searching for trojan asteroids, Earth's unseen companionsThe University of Arizona-led OSIRIS-REx mission will take advantage of its two-year outbound cruise to the asteroid Bennu in order to conduct a search for elusive solar system objects. Between Feb. 9 and 20, the NASA spacecraft will activate its onboard camera suite and commence a search for Earth-Trojan asteroids. | |
Researchers report possible solution to a long-standing solar mysteryAstronomers from the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy (IfA), Brazil, and Stanford University may have solved a long-standing solar mystery. | |
Simulations suggest life on planet Proxima b might be possible if it has a thick atmosphere or strong magnetic field(Phys.org)—Dimitra Atri, an astrobiologist with the Blue Marble Institute of Space Science, has published a paper in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society outlining his work running simulations of planet Proxima b, an exoplanet circling the star Proxima Centauri, which could possibly support life. | |
After glitch, NASA satellite launch set for WednesdayA technical problem has delayed until Wednesday the planned launch of a series of NASA satellites designed to study hurricanes, officials said Monday. | |
Chinese treated to clear views of another supermoonAnother supermoon has landed in the skies over China. | |
Finding the unknowns in the universeWhat have pulsars, quasars, dark matter and dark energy got in common? Answer: each of them took the discoverer by surprise. While much of science advances carefully and methodically, the majority of truly spectacular discoveries in astronomy are unexpected. | |
Young, thin and hyperactive—that's what outlier galaxies look likeThe more massive, or full of stars, a galaxy is, the faster the stars in it are formed. This seems to be the general rule, which is contradicted, however, by some abnormal cases, for example thin (not massive) galaxies that are hyperactive in their star formation. Until now the phenomenon had been explained by catastrophic external events like galaxies colliding and merging, but a new theory offers an alternative explanation, related to an in situ (internal) process of galaxy evolution. The new theory correctly reproduces the behaviour of both normal and abnormal (or outlier) galaxies, and may be further tested by new observations. A study conducted by the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Trieste, already posted on the astro.ph archive, is soon to be published in the Astrophysical Journal. | |
Dark Energy Survey discovers potential new dwarf planetThanks to scientists on the Dark Energy Survey (DES), the solar system just got another member. | |
Life could exist in the atmospheres of many distant worlds, research suggestsMicroscopic organisms could survive at above the surface of planets and so-called brown dwarfs, whose terrain and lower atmospheres are inhospitable, scientists have found. | |
Christmas delivery at space station, courtesy of JapanChristmas gifts arrived at the International Space Station on Tuesday, courtesy of Japan. | |
LISA Pathfinder's pioneering mission continuesOn 7 December, LISA Pathfinder started the extended phase of its mission, an additional six months during which scientists and engineers will push the experiment to its limits in preparation for ESA's future space observatory of gravitational waves. | |
Lunar sonic boomsThe sonic boom created by an airplane comes from the craft's large, speeding body crashing into molecules in the air. But if you shrank the plane to the size of a molecule, would it still generate a shock wave? | |
NASA communications network to double space station data ratesLife aboard the International Space Station depends upon massive amounts of data, used for everything from commanding the station to providing real-time high-definition video and data on hundreds of science and technology experiments, to giving live TV interviews with astronauts. Every bit of that data travels to Earth via the Space Network, and starting soon, the network will transmit double the data in a single second than it ever has before. | |
NASA troubleshooting drill problem on Mars Curiosity roverEngineers are troubleshooting a snag on NASA's Curiosity that's preventing the rover from moving its robotic arm and driving to another spot on Mars, the space agency said Tuesday. | |
Image: Impact of a solar storm, 28 October 2003While this scene looks like the mesmerising result of shaking up a festive snow globe, it is in fact the disturbing effect of one of the most powerful solar storms ever recorded. | |
Finding a needle in a space haystackStephanie Bernard is one in 24 million. The University of Melbourne PhD candidate is the only Australian given access to NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, and she is using her time to explore one of the earliest galaxies in the universe. |
Technology news
Government to require cars be able to talk to each otherAll new cars and light trucks would be able to talk wirelessly with each other, with traffic lights and with other roadway infrastructure under a rule the Transportation Department proposed Tuesday. Officials say the technology holds the potential to dramatically reduce traffic deaths and transform driving. | |
Google's self-driving car project gets a new name: Waymo (Update)The self-driving car project that Google started seven years ago has grown into a company called Waymo, signaling its confidence that it will be able to bring robot-controlled vehicles to the masses within the next few years. | |
Colorado internet-tax case could change online shoppingBuying things online could get pricier after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a case Monday that could ultimately lead to states collecting billions of dollars in sales taxes lost to increasingly popular internet retailers. | |
New web tool helps online shoppers detect price discrimination on e-commerce sitesNortheastern University researchers have developed a web tool that could help consumers avoid being the victims of online price discrimination. | |
Stringent CAFE standards extension leads to billions in savingsThe Environmental Protection Agency's recent reaffirmation of national fuel economy standards will likely result in large reductions of future emissions and fuel consumed—even if the future vehicle mix does not change, say University of Michigan researchers. | |
Cybersecurity's next phase—cyber-deterrenceCyberattackers pose many threats to a wide range of targets. Russia, for example, was accused of hacking Democratic Party computers throughout the year, interfering with the U.S. presidential election. Then there was the unknown attacker who, on a single October day, used thousands of internet-connected devices, such as digital video recorders and cameras compromised by Mirai malware, to take down several high-profile websites, including Twitter. | |
Using smartphone technology to combat workplace injuryManufacturing industries in the United States rely on the tireless efforts of factory employees—who work daily to make, package, prepare and deliver the products we find on our shelves. | |
New anode material set to boost lithium-ion battery capacityA new approach developed by a team of researchers, led by Prof. Jaephil Cho (School of Energy and Chemical Engineering) could hold the key to greatly improving the performance of commercial lithium-ion batteries. | |
Autonomous shipping as a possible solution to impending labour shortages in the shipping sectorAutonomous shipping is a hot, yet hugely significant topic. According to researchers at TU Delft, this is the first time that we have really had to completely rethink the design of ships since we made the jump from wooden sailing vessels to steel steamships. From 12 - 14 December, the university will be devoting extra attention to this issue with two PhD ceremonies, a colloquium and an autonomous shipping demonstration. | |
'Revenge porn' takes toll on millions, study showsIt may be a jilted lover looking for payback after a breakup. Or it could be a hacker releasing intimate images of a celebrity. | |
New Snapchat 'Groups' allow chats with up to 16 usersSnapchat rolled out a feature Tuesday for group chats with up to 16 people as the fast-growing social network sought to broaden its services ahead of an expected share offering. | |
Norway revs electric cars to 100,000 unitsNorway, which boasts the world's highest number of electric cars per capita, now has 100,000 such vehicles on the road, a trade body said Tuesday. | |
London translation firm seeks emoji specialistA London translation agency said Tuesday that it is advertising for its first "emoji translator" to help meet the "challenges posed by the world's fastest-growing language". | |
Battery research reaching out to higher voltagesFor years, small rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have reliably supplied billions of portable devices with energy. But manufacturers of high-energy applications such as electric cars and power storage systems seek for new electrode materials and electrolytes. Michael Metzger, researcher at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), has now developed a new battery test cell allowing to investigate anionic and cationic reactions separately. Recently the researcher was honored with the Evonik Research Prize for his work. | |
Fossil fuel meets renewables: Vermont gas station goes solarThe Pump & Pantry looked unremarkable—a gas station, grocery and deli along the main road through the rural Vermont town of Williamstown. | |
Quest Diagnostics says 34,000 customer accounts hackedMedical laboratory operator Quest Diagnostics Inc. says a hack of an internet application on its network has exposed the personal health information of about 34,000 people. | |
World's first solid-state multi-ion sensor for Internet of Things applicationsAt last week's IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM) in San Francisco (USA), imec, the world-leading research and innovation hub in nano-electronics and digital technology and Holst Centre debuted a miniaturized sensor that simultaneously determines pH and chloride (Cl-)levels in fluid. This innovation is a must have for accurate long-term measurement of ion concentrations in applications such as environmental monitoring, precision agriculture and diagnostics for personalized healthcare. The sensor is an industry first and thanks to the SoC (system on chip) integration it enables massive and cost-effective deployments in Internet-of-Things (IoT) settings. Its innovative electrode design results in a similar or better performance compared to today's standard equipment for measuring single ion concentrations and allows for additional ion tests. | |
A skillful rescue robot with remote-control functionA group of Japanese researchers developed a prototype construction robot for disaster relief situations. This prototype has drastically improved operability and mobility compared to conventional construction machines. | |
Iran eyes nuclear-powered ships after US sanctions moveIran's President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday ordered the country's scientists to start work on nuclear-powered ships in response to the expected renewal of sanctions by the United States. | |
Tech leaders couldn't beat Trump; they'll meet him insteadTechnology leaders are about to come face-to-face with President-elect Donald Trump after fiercely opposing his candidacy, fearful that he would stifle innovation, curb the hiring of computer-savvy immigrants and infringe on consumers' digital privacy. | |
Apple's Jobs loses out in Paris street name voteSteve Jobs may have been a technological revolutionary, but his legacy will not be remembered in a Paris street name. |
Medicine & Health news
Stimulator bypasses spine injury, helps patients move handsDoctors at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center have implanted a spinal stimulator that is showing early promise in returning hand strength and movement to a California man who broke his neck in a dirt-biking accident five years ago. | |
Experimental compound protects transplanted hearts from rejectionAn experimental drug that blocks the activation of an immune cell component effectively prevented rejection of heart transplants in mice, according to new research from scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine and Brigham and Women's Hospital. | |
Research on the effect of nerve cell stiffness on sensitivity to touch could lead to new painkillersFor many patients with chronic pain, any light touch - even just their clothes touching their skin - can be agony. Scientists at EMBL and the Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience (CIN) of the University of Tübingen have found a possible new avenue for producing painkillers that specifically treat this kind of pain. In a study published online today in eLife, they discovered how the stiffness of our nerve cells influences sensitivity to touch and pain. | |
How our brains are biologically tuned to be influenced by confident peopleScientists have uncovered that the added influence of confident people may be down to our biology. | |
Brain structure best explains our dwindling tolerance of riskOur brain's changing structure, not simply getting older and wiser, most affects our attitudes to risk, according to new research. | |
American death rate from drugs, alcohol, and mental disorders nearly triples since 1980More than 2,000 US counties witnessed increases of 200% or more in deaths related to substance abuse and mental disorders since 1980, including clusters of counties in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio with alarming surges over 1,000%, according to a new scientific study. | |
Your left hand knows what your right hand is doingThe saying goes that "your left hand doesn't know what your right hand is doing," but actually, your left hand is paying more attention than you'd think. Researchers at Tel-Aviv University found that when people practiced finger movements with their right hand while watching their left hand on 3D virtual reality headsets, they could use their left hand more efficiently after the exercise. The work, appearing December 13 in Cell Reports, provides a new strategy to improve physical therapy for people with limited strength in their hands. | |
Unexpected activity of two enzymes helps explain why liver cancer drugs failSome cancers are caused by loss of enzymes that should keep cell growth in check. On the flip side, some are caused by over-activation of enzymes that enhance cell growth. Yet drugs that inhibit the overactive enzymes have failed to work against liver cancer. In mouse models, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have discovered a potential reason—counterintuitively, lack of both types of these enzymes can lead to liver disease and cancer. In human liver tumor samples, they also found that deficiencies in these two enzymes, called Shp2 and Pten, are associated with poor prognosis. | |
Researchers find bacterial protein that boosts insulin-producing cells in zebrafishA newly discovered bacterial protein produced in the zebrafish gut triggers insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas to multiply during early larval development, say University of Oregon researchers. | |
Sneaky virus 'goes easy on women to infect kids'At least one kind of virus has become less lethal when targeting a woman to ensure she does not die before it can infect her offspring, according to a study released Tuesday. | |
Loss of key protein unleashes cascade that culminates in rhabdoid tumor formationRhabdoid tumors are among the most recalcitrant childhood cancers, and scientists have long sought ways to understand what drives their resilience and makes them impervious to treatment. | |
No good evidence that shock-absorbing insoles stave off injuries or stress fracturesThere's no good evidence that shock-absorbing insoles, which are used to reduce impact and minimise muscle, tendon, and bone damage, do stave off injuries or stress fractures, reveals a pooled analysis of the available data, published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. | |
Would you take a free predictive test for Alzheimer's disease?Three-quarters of people aged 65 and over in the US would take a test telling them they were going to develop Alzheimer's disease if such a test existed, according to research published in the open access journal Alzheimer's Research and Therapy. | |
Study identifies druggable brain gene network implicated in epilepsyA new study has identified a network of genes in the brain that, when disrupted, causes epilepsy; the results also predicted that a known anti-epileptic drug works to restore the network's function. This discovery has not only offered a new target for developing anti-epileptic drugs, but the original 'network biology' approach developed by the team may provide a quicker and cheaper way to accelerate the discovery of novel drug candidates that are effective treatments for disease. | |
Hopeful sign in obesity fight? Chubby babies on the decline (Update)A decline in chubby babies and toddlers is providing a glimmer of good news in the fight against childhood obesity. | |
Immunotherapy drug gives non-small-cell lung cancer patients extra four months of lifePatients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer survive four months longer with fewer side effects on an immunotherapy drug called atezolizumab compared to chemotherapy, according to a phase 3 clinical trial published in The Lancet. | |
Teen substance use shows promising declineThe 2016 Monitoring the Future (MTF) annual survey results released today from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reflect changing teen behaviors and choices in a social media-infused world. The results show a continued long-term decline in the use of many illicit substances, including marijuana, as well as alcohol, tobacco, and misuse of some prescription medications, among the nation's teens. The MTF survey measures drug use and attitudes among eighth, 10th, and 12th graders, and is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the NIH. | |
NCAA honoring man who inspired ALS ice bucket challengeThe NCAA is honoring the former Boston College baseball captain who inspired the ice bucket challenge that raised millions of dollars for Lou Gehrig's disease research. | |
Lack of funds threatens malaria progress: WHOGlobal progress on controlling malaria risks stalling due to an "urgent need" for more funding, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned in its annual report on Tuesday. | |
Cheap, fun ways kids can learn through play this holiday breakChildren learn best through play, but they don't need expensive toys to do so. | |
2.2 million Yemen children acutely malnourished: UNNearly 2.2 million Yemeni children are acutely malnourished, victims of the near-collapse of the health care system during two years of escalating conflict, UN children's fund UNICEF said on Tuesday. | |
Expert offers tips on coping with divorce during the holidaysThe holidays are usually a time when families gather together to eat, open gifts and catch up. However, for some families who have experienced a divorce, the holidays can be difficult. One Baylor College of Medicine expert offers his tips on how to cope with divorce so families can enjoy the holidays. | |
Promising approach for prognosis and treatment in mastocytosisSystemic mastocytosis is a rare, incurable disease that affects approximately one in 10,000 people. It is a haematological tumour disease, similar to leukaemia, in which the bone marrow and other organs, such as the bowel, liver or spleen, are infiltrated by mast cells. In the animal model, researchers at MedUni Vienna's Institute of Laboratory Medicine have now discovered a new prognostic and therapeutic approach that could at least help to prevent rapid progression of the disease. This has now been published in the leading journal Blood. | |
Researchers find beta blockers reduce death risk but impair function after heart attackBeta blockers are effective in reducing the risk of death in older nursing home residents after a heart attack, but may impair their ability to perform daily functions independently, according to a new study by researchers at UC San Francisco. They recommend that clinicians weigh potential benefits with risks before prescribing these medications. | |
Support for taxing sugary drinks by sugar contentEvidence is clear that added sugars are a detriment to heart and brain health, that sugary drinks are the top single source of added sugars in the American diet and that children are consuming ten times the amount of sugary drinks recommended. The American Heart Association commissioned experts at the Urban Institute to help us better understand the best means to decrease consumption of sugary drinks through taxation policy. The Pros and Cons of Taxing Sweetened Beverages Based on Sugar Content defines options for elected officials to improve the health of their states and communities, encourage industry to offer healthier beverage options, provide resources to invest in programs that improve people's lives, and describes how to achieve these goals without placing an undo economic burden on low-income consumers. | |
'Turbocharged artificial intelligence' could personalize combination therapy in pediatric leukemiaA team of UCLA bioengineers has demonstrated that its technology may go a long way toward overcoming the challenges of treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, among the most common types of cancer in children, and has the potential to help doctors personalize drug doses. | |
Administered C3a peptide creates new synapses, could benefit stroke recoveryFaster and better recovery after stroke may be the result of a newly discovered treatment strategy that created new nerve synapses in the brain—a key factor for learning. A study at Sahlgrenska Academy showed improved ability to use the affected paw in mice that received the treatment. | |
Neurons paralyze motor function during REM sleepDuring REM sleep, the brain inhibits the motor system, which makes the sleeper completely immobile. CNRS researchers working in the Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon (CNRS/Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1/INSERM/Université Jean Monnet) have identified a population of neurons that is responsible for this transient muscle paralysis. The animal model created will shed light on the origin of some paradoxical sleep disorders, and more particularly the condition that prevents this paralysis. It will also be most useful in the study of Parkinson's disease, since these pathologies are related. This work was published on December 12, 2016 on the website of the journal Brain. | |
Vaping, hookah use by US teens declines for first timeTeens are lighting up less often when it comes to e-cigarettes and hookahs. | |
Yoga can have social benefits for children in care, says a new studyA new study from The University of Nottingham has found that a certain type of yoga could potentially help to improve the health and psychological wellbeing of children in care. | |
Killing in war leaves veterans with lasting psychological scars, study findsKilling in war often triggers a moral conflict in veterans that can damage their self-image, relationships and spirituality, according to a study by UCSF researchers at the UCSF-affiliated San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center. | |
New targeted chemotherapy technology proves effective in miceUC San Francisco researchers have developed a new variety of targeting system for chemotherapy drugs based on the unusually high free iron content of many cancer cells—distinct from the protein-bound iron that is common throughout the body's cells. In experiments in mice and cancer cell lines, the researchers succeeded in selectively killing off cancer cells while avoiding chemo's typical toxic effects on healthy cells, enabling them to boost the tolerable dose by as much as 50-fold. | |
Using herpes drugs to slow down Alzheimer's disease could become realityThe first clinical study to investigate if herpes virus drugs can have an effect on fundamental Alzheimer's disease processes has been launched at Umeå University in Sweden. The research group has previously demonstrated a correlation between herpes virus infection and an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. | |
Worm treatment strategy could benefit millions of kidsA landmark new study shows the benefits of an expanded treatment strategy for intestinal worms - treating adults as well as children - that could improve the health of millions of children in Southeast Asia, the Pacific and Africa. | |
Impurities in sugar excipients could cause drugs to failSugar excipients, needed to stabilize medicines, can be unsafe for patients due to an impurity discovered recently by Daniel Weinbuch. "The biopharmaceutical industry should now consider new excipient quality criteria for safer drug development," he says. PhD defence on 13 December. | |
Investment is key to tacking the ongoing threat of fake medicinesFrom Vienna to the Democratic Republic of Congo, fake medicines have threatened citizens across the board – and borders – in wartime as well as peacetime. | |
Topical skin cream for treatment of basal cell carcinoma shows promise as an alternative to surgeryBasal cell carcinoma (BCC), a type of skin cancer, is the most common form of human cancer. With a growing aging population, BCC rates are climbing at an alarming rate, with reported cases rising by as much as 10% per year. Rising demand makes a simple and effective treatment for BCC appealing to both practitioners and patients. A new study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology examines the effectiveness of imiquimod, a topical skin cream used to treat low-risk BCC lesions, over a five-year period. Investigators found that imiquimod success rates were sustained for the extended study period and did not promote lesion reoccurrence. | |
Sleep helps process traumatic experiencesIf we sleep in the first 24 hours after a traumatic experience, this may help process and integrate the distressing memories more effectively, as researchers from the University of Zurich and the Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich demonstrate in a new study. Sleep could thus be used as an early prevention strategy for posttraumatic stress disorders. | |
Research team describes the action mechanism of a drug inhibiting influenza A virusA research team at the University of Barcelona has identified the action mechanism of amantadine—an antiviral drug—to block the M2 channel and stop the viral infection process. | |
France's Sanofi faces class action suit over epilepsy drugAn association of French women who took an epilepsy drug during pregnancy said Tuesday they would launch a class action against its maker, Sanofi. | |
Hands-free just as distracting as handheld mobile phone use behind the wheelTalking hands-free on a mobile phone while driving is just as distracting as a conversation using a hand-held phone, despite one being illegal and the other not, a QUT road safety study has found. | |
Brain shrinkage in multiple sclerosis associated with leaked protein in bloodA leak of a protein called haemoglobin from damaged red blood cells may be associated with brain shrinkage in multiple sclerosis. | |
Sugar and sweeteners—how do they affect our appetite?What should healthy young men who want to watch their weight and manage their blood sugar levels drink? Can they risk something sugary or will they be hungrier after drinking calorie-free options containing natural or artificial non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS)? A new study1 published in Springer Nature's International Journal of Obesity shows that it doesn't really matter whether such drinks contain sugar, Stevia, monk fruit or aspartame. In the end, things even out in how the body reacts to these four options in terms of overall energy intake and the levels of glucose and insulin in the blood, says lead author Siew Ling Tey of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore. This is of interest given the growing popularity of natural plant-derived products, and the need to find out whether natural non-nutritive sweeteners are healthier than sugar or an artificial non-nutritive sweetener. | |
Television volume can be festive flashpoint for Christmas viewersFor many households, crowding around the television for a family film or to watch the Queen's speech is as much of a Christmas tradition as opening presents and enjoying a turkey dinner. | |
Mutations acquired trans-Pacific may be key to changes in Zika severityThe Zika virus remains a mystery. Isolated from macaque monkeys in the Ziika Forest in Uganda in 1947, the virus was shown to infect humans not long after, but it was identified as a benign disease, with mild symptoms. For this reason, it was not heavily studied until almost 70 years later when it appeared to be associated with an unusual cluster of cases of microcephalic birth defects and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) paralysis in Brazil in 2015 and 2016. | |
Therapy response in brain tumor cells linked to disease prognosisThe brain tumour form glioblastoma is difficult to treat and has very poor prognosis. In a new study, published today in the journal Cell Reports, scientists from Uppsala University show that a type of stem cell in the tumour is present in different states, with different response to drugs and radiation. The results may open an avenue towards development of new treatment strategies designed to reverse therapy resistant cell states to more sensitive states. | |
Research reveals autonomous individuals dislike gratitude and explores connection to interpersonal relationshipsWhen you receive a gift from someone, do you have feelings of gratitude? Or do you feel obliged and burdened to reciprocate the gesture? Not everyone experiences gratitude in response to the generosity of others, according to new psychology research in the journal Cognition and Emotion. | |
Study links nutrition to brain health and intelligence in older adultsA study of older adults links consumption of a pigment found in leafy greens to the preservation of "crystallized intelligence," the ability to use the skills and knowledge one has acquired over a lifetime. | |
Broken shoulder leads to carpal tunnel syndrome surgery studyPatients who undergo surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome can regain their typing ability within two or three weeks after the operation. | |
New research provides methods to combat holiday excessHoliday shopping, decorating, parties, family gatherings, and even children's Christmas wish lists for Santa are all sources of external stimuli that can put a great deal of stress on consumers this and every holiday season. For some, the added pressure to spread holiday cheer through gifts, food and festive gatherings can lead to excessive behaviors, which has an impact on consumer well-being. | |
Could co-infection with other viruses affect the survival of those with Ebola virus?Ebola virus is one of a variety of viruses that causes a disease that comes under the general heading of viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF). Since the Ebola outbreak in West Africa much has been done to further understand the biology of the Ebola virus. Yet a number of people in West Africa displayed VHF-like symptoms while testing negative for Ebola. | |
Drug for narcolepsy could help food addicts lose weightOverweight people could be given help with the discovery that a drug used for sleep disorder could also reduce the impulse for food. | |
'Western' maternal diet appears to raise obesity risk in offspringDiet composition around the time of pregnancy may influence whether offspring become obese, according to a new study using animal models at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI). | |
Pessimists—you aren't alone in feeling downWaiting for those tests results? Waiting to hear who won the election? And while waiting, does the feeling of dread start to creep in? | |
Low-carb diets safe in short term, more effective for weight loss than low-fat diets, study saysPeople deciding between low-carb and low-fat diets should know the research shows a slight advantage for low-carb diets when it comes to weight loss, according to an article published today in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. | |
Female hormones increase risk of vision loss in rare genetic diseaseGirls with a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in a gene known as Nf1 are much more likely to lose their vision than boys with mutations in the same gene. And now, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis believe they know why: Female sex hormones activate immune cells that damage the nerves necessary for vision. | |
Follicular lymphoma: A tale of two cancersFollicular lymphoma (FL), the second most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, is a largely incurable disease of B cells, yet in many cases, because of its indolent nature, survival can extend to well beyond 10 years following diagnosis. Yet in a small number of cases, histological transformation - where fast-growing cells outnumber the smaller, slow-growing cells - or early progression to aggressive lymphoma occurs. The events leading to this increased and early mortality are poorly understood. In a study published in PLOS Medicine, Sohrab Shah and colleagues from the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver, Canada, investigate the molecular events underlying transformation and progression and show that disparate evolutionary trajectories and mutational profiles drive these two distinct clinical endpoints. | |
Image of 'typical' welfare recipient linked with racial stereotypesWhen thinking about a welfare recipient, people tend to imagine someone who is African American and who is lazier and less competent than someone who doesn't receive welfare benefits, according to new findings in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. This mental image, and its association with specific racial stereotypes, influences people's judgments about who deserves government assistance. | |
Adapting the transtheoretical model of behavior change to understand PrEP engagementOne of the most groundbreaking HIV prevention strategies for HIV-negative gay and bisexual men (GBM) is a once-daily pill called pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which is up to 99% effective in the prevention of HIV infection. Despite this high rate of effectiveness, there is a dramatic gap between the number of GBM who could benefit from PrEP for HIV prevention and those who are using it. Two recently published papers from CHEST have helped understand the reasons for this gap using data from One Thousand Strong, a longitudinal study following a national cohort of over one thousand HIV-negative GBM for three years. | |
Scientists discover new bone-forming growth factor that reverses osteoporosis in miceA team of scientists at the Children's Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern (CRI) discovered a new bone-forming growth factor, Osteolectin (Clec11a), which reverses osteoporosis in mice and has implications for regenerative medicine. | |
Study shows how Zika attacks infant brain(HealthDay)—New research paints a chilling portrait of how Zika ravages the infant brain. | |
Where you live may determine how you die(HealthDay)—People along the southern stretch of the Mississippi River are more likely to die from heart problems than anywhere else in the United States. | |
Another menopause side effect: shortness of breath?(HealthDay)—As if hot flashes and night sweats weren't enough, a new study suggests that a woman's lung function seems to decline during menopause. | |
Polar vortex takes aim at US(HealthDay)—A polar vortex is expected to bring extreme cold and winds to the central and eastern United States this week, and millions of Americans are being warned to guard against frostbite and hypothermia. | |
Some low-income, uninsured patients aren't referred for colonoscopy(HealthDay)—Many low-income and uninsured patients don't have a follow-up colonoscopy after abnormal results on a colon cancer screening test—even if they're in a "safety net" health program, a new study finds. | |
Recommendations developed for pediatric NAFLD(HealthDay)—Evidence-based recommendations have been developed for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The guidelines were published online Nov. 30 in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. | |
Home-use device safe, effective for periorbital wrinkles(HealthDay)—A home-use device combining radiofrequency and light-emitting diode energies is safe and efficacious for self-treatment of periorbital wrinkles, according to a study published online Dec. 2 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. | |
Risk of ischemic, hemorrhagic stroke up with type 1 diabetes(HealthDay)—The risks of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke are increased with type 1 diabetes, with incrementally increasing risks with increasing hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), according to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Internal Medicine. | |
Methylation of PITX2 DNA feasible in prostate biopsies(HealthDay)—For patients with prostate cancer (PCa), methylation of the paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2) gene is feasible for individualized risk assessment in prostate core biopsies before surgery, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics. | |
Pokemon Go moderately improves physical activity among adults; but effect was not sustained beyond 6 weeksPokémon Go improves physical activity among adults who use the game, but the effect is moderate and not sustained over time, finds a study published in The BMJ Christmas issue this week. | |
Research identifies a molecular basis for common congenital brain defectScientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) have discovered a molecular cause of hydrocephalus, a common, potentially life-threatening birth defect in which the head is enlarged due to excess fluid surrounding the brain. Because the same molecule is also implicated in Down's syndrome, the finding, published today in the Journal of Neuroscience, may explain the ten-fold increased risk of hydrocephalus in infants born with Down's. | |
CMV infection 'disarms' the cell, inhibiting microRNA synthesisAn international research collaborative has discovered that in its early stages, CMV infection "disarms" cells, blocking their protective mechanisms by inhibiting the synthesis of miRNAs. The results of this study were published in Cell Cycle, and may further be used as a basis for creating fundamentally new ways of combating viral Infection. | |
The hypothalamic QRFP—a neuropeptide between food and moodThe hypothalamus is a brain region implicated in several vital functions such as feeding, thermoregulation, reproduction, stress and metabolic regulation. Dozens of hypothalamic neuropeptides have been shown to be involved in the regulation of food intake and body weight homeostasis. The extreme heterogeneity of these chemical signals and the complex sub-architecture of the hypothalamus participate in regulating homeostatic adaptations. | |
Tackling osteosarcoma in people and pet dogsDogs and people have lived side-by-side for thousands of years. So it should come as no surprise that dogs and their people have much in common. Unfortunately, the shared experiences of our two species include a considerable risk of developing cancer at some point in our lives. In fact, dogs and people often suffer from cancers that are remarkably similar at the biological level. Take osteosarcoma, for example, a devastating form of bone cancer. | |
CSU uses test for chronic wasting disease to study brain ailments in peopleWildlife disease experts at Colorado State University are investigating whether a test developed to detect early-stage chronic wasting disease in deer might also be used to identify the onset of brain disorders, including concussion-related trauma, in people. | |
Rural nursing homes are falling behind in health information technologyAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 million older Americans depend on nursing homes for their health care. The 16,000 nursing homes in the United States serve populations of all sizes; yet, according to new research from the University of Missouri, rural communities are lagging in health information technology (IT) needed to improve quality, safety and efficiency in health care. This gap could have implications for patient care as nursing homes in rural areas may have less capacity to exchange information with hospitals to ensure high-quality transitions in care. | |
Studies probe value and impact of direct-to-consumer genetic testingDespite being on the market for nearly a decade, direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing continues to be controversial among experts and raises concerns among health care providers and regulatory agencies. The NIH-funded "Impact of Personal Genomics (PGen) Study" addresses these concerns by empirically measuring the perceptions and tracking the behaviors of individuals who have received DTC genetic testing from two separate companies. Research from this large-scale prospective study has already generated numerous new scientific reports. These findings shed light on who seeks testing and why, and how they respond to the results that they receive. | |
Revolutionary image-guided device targets brain regions associated with neuropsychiatric disordersThe EEG-Guided High-Definition tES (HD-tES) system is a breakthrough in allowing identification of brain regions associated with brain disease and then delivering low-intensity electrotherapy to those targeted regions. Many neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression and chronic pain, can be associated with dysfunction in specific brain regions, but the specific brain regions will vary by symptoms and across patients. EEG-Guided HD-tES is a proprietary technology where electrodes embedded in a removal cap are used to detect brain activity (EEG), diagnose the brain target, and deliver mild electrotherapy (HD-tES). This news follows previous announcements of regulatory approval of Soterix Medical Inc. therapies in Europe (CE mark), Canada, and successful clinical trials from 32 medical centers including Harvard Medical School. | |
The good and bad of MRI evaluation of the urothelial tractWhen performed properly, MR urography (MRU) can be an alternative to CT urography (CTU) for imaging of the entire urinary tract. Some radiologists may prefer MRU for pediatric populations, patients undergoing repeat examinations, and individuals with compromised renal functions. | |
Study raises concern of significant under-reporting of child abuse within US ArmyOnly 20 percent of medically diagnosed child abuse and neglect cases in U.S. Army dependent children between 2004 and 2007 were found to have a substantiated report with the Army's Family Advocacy Program (FAP) - the agency responsible for the investigation and treatment of child abuse—according to a new PolicyLab study. This rate is less than half of the rate (44 percent) of medically diagnosed child abuse cases substantiated by civilian Child Protective Services (CPS). Researchers say this contrast raises questions about the Army-reported rates of child abuse, and suggests under-reporting of abuse cases by medical providers and/or a breakdown in communication between civilian CPS and established military services. | |
Cancer genomics continued: Triple negative breast cancer and cancer immunotherapyContinuing PLOS Medicine's special issue on cancer genomics, Christos Hatzis of Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA and colleagues describe a new subtype of triple negative breast cancer that may be more amenable to treatment than other cases of this difficult-to-treat disease. | |
Researchers identify biochemical mechanism behind a rare, painful genetic diseaseA team of researchers at the National Institutes of Health has uncovered a possible biochemical mechanism behind a rare, painful genetic disorder called ACDC disease, which causes calcium buildup in the arteries. The finding could lead to the first effective treatment for the potentially debilitating condition and might provide insight into other vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, the researchers say. | |
Obama signs bill boosting spending on cancer researchOn a "bittersweet day" that brought back memories of loved ones lost, President Barack Obama signed into law legislation that makes new investments in cancer research and battling drug abuse. |
Biology news
Pesticide poisoning stops bees from finding flowers, new research showsNew research published today in the journal Scientific Reports has shown how poisoning by pesticides can affect bees' spatial memories leading them to forget where they have been, making feeding less efficient and potentially affecting navigation. | |
Stealth fungus that causes thrush 'hides' from immune system, experts find out howExperts from the University of Aberdeen have discovered how the fungus which causes thrush tries to hide from our body's defences. | |
Orgasms used as sexual currency, research showsHumans have evolved to use intense sexual pleasure, especially orgasm, to control our partners, according to new research. | |
Hijacking the double helix for replicationFor years, scientists have puzzled over what prompts the intertwined double-helix DNA to open its two strands and then start replication. Knowing this could be the key to understanding how organisms - from healthy cells to cancerous tumors - replicate and multiply for their survival. | |
How cytoplasmic DNA undergoes adaptation to avoid harmful mutationsAbout 1.5 to 2 million years ago, the great evolutionary 'big fish, little fish' engulfment occurred. Somehow, scientists think, one bacteria swallowed another, creating a new type of cell, the eukaryotes. | |
Scientists devise new method to give 'most robust' estimate of Maasai Mara lion numbersScientists based at Oxford University have created a new method for counting lions that they say is the most robust yet devised. Using the Maasai Mara National Reserve and surrounding conservancies in Kenya as a case study, they estimate there to be 420 lions over the age of one in this key territory. At almost 17 lions per 100 square kilometres, that represents one of the highest densities anywhere in Africa. | |
Whales in the wild: rare gem amid Thailand mass tourismPiercing the water's surface with its almond-shaped mouth, a giant Bryde's whale opens wide for one, two, three seconds, gulping in anchovies as a boatload of awed tourist look on in the Gulf of Thailand. | |
Researcher's 200-plus wild 'fairy' birds make their home at UCLAAsk UCLA assistant researcher Melanie Barboni about volcanic eruptions and methods for assessing hazardous volcanic activity, and she might give you some scientific details about the Soufriére volcanic reservoir on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia that she has studied. Ask her about the moon, and she'll tell you how she was on the team that determined its age. | |
Researcher publishes book on adaptive origin of zebra stripesThe distinct black and white stripes of zebras capture people's attention and imagination from an early age. But rarely are we told why zebras have those stripes to begin with. | |
Study could help amphibian conservation effortsWhen a Southern chorus frog calls in the night from its wetland home, its voice sounds like a thumb being drawn across a fine toothed comb. At least that's how it's described by James Vonesh, Ph.D., associate professor of biology. The sound of a spring peeper frog can sometimes be heard under that of its fellow amphibian. It has a quieter call; a succession of small beeps. | |
Simply red—why one colour became so powerfulWho gets to walk on the red carpet? What makes red-letter days so special? Where is the red line that must not be crossed? When do we go to red alert? Why do you see red? And how can one colour have such diverse meanings in our lives? | |
How cheetahs find each other after separationIn the first study to track the detailed movements of cheetahs in a coalition, researchers from the Royal Veterinary College, UK, and Cheetah Conservation Botswana explored how the cats meet up again after becoming separated. | |
Tomato plant's male reproduction organs shrivel under high temperaturesThe male reproductive organs of tomato plants can't stand the heat. When temperatures rise above 32 degrees Celsius for several consecutive days, their appearance changes and they produce less and less fertile pollen, leading to lower agricultural yields. Biologists at Radboud University published these results in PLOS ONE on December 9. | |
New wheat crops as an alternative to a gluten-free dietWheat, one of the most widely consumed grains in the world, contains gluten, a mixture of proteins that can be toxic for people with coeliac disease. A new study that analysed the toxic components of these proteins in various varieties of wheat makes the first step forward towards developing wheat-based products that are safe for coeliacs. | |
Forming a second line of plant defense—capturing disease-resistant DNARenSeq1 is the method to sequence Resistance (R) genes that confer disease resistance in plants. | |
Salmon, blue mussel, eider, and eel die from the same vitamin deficiencyDeficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine) in wildlife is previously known as a problem among certain species within relatively limited geographical areas. Now, researchers at Stockholm University, together with several other research institutions in Europe and North America, show that the thiamine deficiency is far more widespread than previously realized. The results are published today in the highly ranked journal Scientific Reports. | |
Eat and be eaten: Invasive scavengers in Hawaii alter island nutrient cycleResearchers from the University of Georgia have found that invasive species on Hawaii Island, or the Big Island of Hawaii, may be especially successful invaders because they are formidable scavengers of carcasses of other animals and after death, a nutrient resource for other invasive scavengers. | |
Insufficient evidence to support use of homeopathy in livestockThere is insufficient evidence to support the use of homeopathy in food producing animals as a way to prevent or treat infectious diseases, reveal findings from a comprehensive review published online in Veterinary Record. | |
S. Korea expands cull to contain bird fluSouth Korea said Tuesday it was expanding a major bird flu cull to try and contain a damaging outbreak that has continued to spread during an all-consuming political crisis. | |
Opinion: Halting biodiversity loss – legislation fails to deliver for NSWBetween 1998 and 2005 an estimated 100 million native birds, reptiles and mammals were killed by destruction of native vegetation in the state of New South Wales. | |
Saffron – how to tell the real deal from a fakeProfessor Pat Heslop-Harrison from the University of Leicester Department of Genetics has outlined some of the key ways to tell real saffron from fake, with the real deal providing a unique experience for the senses. | |
Tiger seized in Ohio animal crackdown euthanized in ColoradoOne of six tigers seized nearly two years ago in a crackdown on exotic animal owners in Ohio has been euthanized just months after it was found in poor health and removed from a South Dakota sanctuary. |
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