Friday, May 19, 2017

Science X Newsletter Friday, May 19

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for May 19, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Catalyst for the carbon-free production of hydrogen gas from ammonia

Study finds new complexities in the neurochemistry of socializing

Self-ventilating workout suit keeps athletes cool and dry

Brain fights West Nile Virus in unexpected way

China, Japan extract combustible ice from seafloor

Which countries have the best healthcare?

Robotic co-pilot is shown to land simulated Boeing 737

Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus could simultaneously transmit other viruses

How RNA formed at the origins of life

Evidence of the earliest occupation of the coasts of Australia from Barrow Island, Northwest Australia

XENON1T, the most sensitive detector on Earth searching for WIMP dark matter, releases its first result

Iron deficiency restrains marine microbes

Mapping super massive black holes in the distant universe

South China Sea found to have heightened levels of anthropogenic surface nitrogen

Scientists construct a stable one-dimensional metallic material

Astronomy & Space news

Mapping super massive black holes in the distant universe

Astronomers have constructed the first map of the universe based on the positions of supermassive black holes, which reveals the large-scale structure of the universe.

3-D navigation tool among MESSENGER's final delivery products to the planetary data system

NASA's MESSENGER mission to Mercury has released an updated ACT-QuickMap tool with new 3-D navigation capabilities as illustrated by this "fly around" view of the Caloris impact basin. This update was among the new and improved products released by the agency's Planetary Data System (PDS), an organization that archives and distributes all U.S. planetary mission data.

Saving time in space

Working inside the International Space Station is sometimes like assembling complex furniture but with the tools and paper instructions continually floating out of reach. Astronauts also face situations unforeseen by the instructions. Communication delays with ground control to troubleshoot these occasions mean even more valuable time is lost. Now, 'mobiPV' is looking to help.

Comet V2 Johnson takes center stage

Had your fill of binocular comets? Turns out, 2017 may have saved the best for last. The past few months has seen a steady stream of dirty snowball visitations to the inner solar system, both short term periodic and long term hyperbolic. First, let's run through the cometary roll call for the first part of the year: There's 41P Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresák, 2P/Encke, 45P Honda-Markov-Padjudašáková, C/2015 ER61 PanSTARRS and finally, the latecomer to the party, C/2017 E4 Lovejoy.

Technology news

Self-ventilating workout suit keeps athletes cool and dry

A team of MIT researchers has designed a breathable workout suit with ventilating flaps that open and close in response to an athlete's body heat and sweat. These flaps, which range from thumbnail- to finger-sized, are lined with live microbial cells that shrink and expand in response to changes in humidity. The cells act as tiny sensors and actuators, driving the flaps to open when an athlete works up a sweat, and pulling them closed when the body has cooled off.

Robotic co-pilot is shown to land simulated Boeing 737

(Tech Xplore)—Would you want to take your next flight out knowing the pilot is a robot? The question will not be a problem for you to resolve any time soon. Instead, consider a robot behaving as co-pilot and that is not just a thought; it has been tested for real.

Researchers look to add statistical safeguards to data analysis and visualization software

Modern data visualization software makes it easy for users to explore large datasets in search of interesting correlations and new discoveries. But that ease of use—the ability to ask question after question of a dataset with just a few mouse clicks—comes with a serious pitfall: it increases the likelihood of making false discoveries.

Team demos potential environmental sustainability benefits in full life cycle assessment of 2nd-generation biofuels

Numerous studies have raised critical concerns about the promise of corn ethanol's ability to mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Some of the studies have suggested that after a full life cycle assessment—meaning an analysis of environmental impact throughout all stages of a product's life—biofuels like corn ethanol may not offer any greenhouse gas emissions reductions relative to petroleum fuels.

Frenchmen claim cure for WannaCry-infected computers

French researchers have released software tools that they claim can restore some of the computers locked up by a global cyberattack that held users' files for ransom.

The 'reality' of virtual reality pornography

Experts at Newcastle University, UK, are investigating how virtual reality is changing the experience of pornography.

Toyota, Nissan, others get behind fuel cell push in Japan

Japan is backing a push for pollution-free vehicles that run on hydrogen and planning to build more hydrogen fueling stations so that fuel-cell vehicles on roads will grow to 40,000 by 2020, from the current handful.

Singapore car 'vending machine' dispenses with tradition

A vending machine that dispenses luxury cars to well-heeled buyers is the latest space-saving innovation in land-starved Singapore—just don't try to shake it if it gets stuck.

US agency votes to roll back broadband 'neutrality' rules

US regulators voted Thursday to scrap a 2015 order aimed at forcing broadband firms to treat all online traffic equally, in the latest turn of the politically charged "net neutrality" debate.

Experts question North Korea role in WannaCry cyberattack

A couple of things about the WannaCry cyberattack are certain. It was the biggest in history and it's a scary preview of things to come—we're all going to have to get used to hearing the word "ransomware." But one thing is a lot less clear: whether North Korea had anything to do with it.

Modelling explains how hunters team up to catch faster prey

Seeing a chase play out between predator and prey on a wildlife documentary is a familiar sight for many. But in situations where the prey is faster than the hunters, how do the hunters get the upper hand?

New tech could prevent need to store non-working pacemakers inside the heart

Like conventional pacemakers, tiny new leadless pacemakers are designed to work for about 12 years.

An ethical hacker can help you beat a malicious one

The recent spate of cyber attacks on computer systems across the world shows how some organisations are not doing enough to protect their systems against malicious hackers.

Precisely controlling the movement of levitating objects for many manufacturing applications

Magnetic levitation (Maglev) is well known for its use in high-speed rail networks, but could also be applied at smaller scales in medicine and electronics. To do so, researchers must be able to precisely control electromagnetic fields so that they can move and rotate objects without touching them.

There's a technology that could stop Facebook Live being used to stream murders – but it has a cost

It took 24 hours before the video of a man murdering his baby daughter was removed from Facebook. On April 24, 2017, the father from Thailand had streamed the killing of his 11-month-old baby girl using the social network's Live video service before killing himself. The two resulting video clips were streamed hundreds of thousands of times before they were finally removed.

Should spies use secret software vulnerabilities?

The recent WannaCry ransomware attack infected about 300,000 computers in 150 countries, and cost computer users thousands of dollars in ransom money and billions in lost productivity.

Why we should be turning waste into fuel

The federal government recently announced that it is giving recycling company ResourceCo a loan of A$30 million to build two waste-to-fuel plants producing "solid waste fuel".

Rape inquiry dropped, WikiLeaks' Assange remains in embassy (Update)

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange no longer is the subject of an active rape investigation in Sweden, but he remains holed up in Ecuador's embassy in London facing an unclear future because of uncertainty over whether American authorities will try to get him handed over next.

Using design to perform 'non-invasive brain surgery'

Earlier this year, Twitter changed its default avatar from an egg to a human silhouette in an effort to curb harassment on the social media platform. Twitter officials hope the new avatar's impact will be two-fold, encouraging new users to upload photos of themselves while also removing the association between the egg and bully accounts.

Their code was used to hack Sony and create 'WannaCry.' Meet the 'Lazarus Group'

On Feb. 4, 2016, as employees left work to enjoy their weekends, the central bank of Bangladesh began firing off dozens of transfer orders to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, asking to remove money from its accounts - almost $1 billion.

Facebook launches war on clickbait headlines

Facebook on Thursday launched an assault designed to crack down on clickbait headlines, in a push to banish "fake news" from its news feeds.

Uber threatens to fire key exec in self-driving car dispute

Uber is threatening to fire a key executive accused of stealing self-driving car technology from a Google spin-off unless he waives his constitutional right against self-incrimination so the ride-hailing service can comply with a court order.

Uber extends on-demand service to trucking

Uber is expanding into a new field with a version of its on-demand ride application that lets truckers book cargo hauls with simple taps on smartphones.

Major League Baseball reaches streaming deal with Facebook

Major League Baseball and Facebook have agreed on a deal that will see 20 games streamed live via the platform starting Friday, highlighting the increasing willingness of US sports to embrace social media.

Appeals court strikes down FAA drone registration rule

An appeals court on Friday struck down a Federal Aviation Administration rule that required owners of drones used for recreation to register their craft.

US arrests man in $100 mn Fitbit stock manipulation

A US man has been arrested and charged in connection with a $100 million stock manipulation involving shares of the wearable technology maker Fitbit, federal prosecutors announced Friday.

Philippines arrests 25 Koreans over alleged fraud, gambling

Twenty-five South Koreans have been arrested in metropolitan Manila on suspicion of internet fraud or illegal online gambling, Philippine authorities said Friday.

Advancing next-generation batteries towards 4S: Stable, safe, smart, sustainable

Next-generation rechargeable batteries are promising candidates for state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries, owing to their high energy density and preferred cost efficiency. For instance, lithium-sulfur batteries theoretically offer 10 times higher capacity and five times higher energy density. Shu Lei Chou and colleagues from the University of Wollongong have published a review article in National Science Review proposing a new concept of 4S (stable, safe, smart, sustainable) batteries. They reviewed the development of functional membrane separators in liquid-electrolyte next-generation batteries, based on which they report four important criteria for guiding the advancement of novel battery systems.

A solution for precise, low-cost eye movement detection

Imec and Holst Centre (set up by imec and TNO) today announced the development of a sensing technology to detect eye movement in real time based on electrical sensing. Paving the way for the next generation of eye-tracking technology, imec's solution has promising applications in the fields of virtual and augmented reality.

Americans choose their computer over caffeine, carbs and cash

A new Intel survey conducted by Ipsos released today shows that computers remain the most trusted technology among consumers. Nearly 8 in 10 Americans surveyed report that even though they have other devices, they rely on their computer to do the things smartphones, tablets and other devices cannot. On average, Americans surveyed report they can go 18 days without talking to their family but only 13 days without their computer. Furthermore, computers also topped caffeine, carbs and cash, with Americans surveyed reporting they would rather go without each of these for more days than go without their computer.

Few Australians trust social media with personal information but most do little about it

When it comes to privacy, Australians are fairly clear about which organisations they trust and what information they feel uncomfortable sharing. This is according to a recent report released by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

Optimizing power networks for tomorrow's smart cities

The modern city, says Jie Liu, can be considered a web of networks that should run like a healthy, well-tuned circulatory system.

Medicine & Health news

Study finds new complexities in the neurochemistry of socializing

(Medical Xpress)—The number and quality of social relationships is now considered to be a particularly strong marker for health, well-being, longevity and sexual reproductive fitness. However, most research into the neurobiology of sociality focuses on a narrow set of peptides and relationships—often the hormone oxytocin, which is generally placed into the context of reproductive relationships.

Brain fights West Nile Virus in unexpected way

In a turnabout, a biochemical self-destruct trigger found in many other types of cells appears to guard the lives of brain cells during an infection with West Nile virus.

Which countries have the best healthcare?

Neither Canada nor Japan cracked the top 10, and the United States finished a dismal 35th, according to a much anticipated ranking of healthcare quality in 195 countries, released Friday.

Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus could simultaneously transmit other viruses

A new study led by Colorado State University researchers found that Aedes aegypti, the primary mosquito that carries Zika virus, might also transmit chikungunya and dengue viruses with one bite. The findings shed new light on what's known as a coinfection, which scientists said is not yet fully understood and may be fairly common in areas experiencing outbreaks.

Understanding the architecture of our 'second brain'

Scientists have made an important step in understanding the organisation of nerve cells embedded within the gut that control its function - a discovery that could give insight into the origin of common gastrointestinal diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation.

Light exposure in the evening improves performance in the final spurt

Athletes often have to compete late in the evening, when they are no longer able to perform at their best. As reported in the journal Frontiers in Physiology, however, researchers from the University of Basel have shown that athletes who are exposed to blue light before competing can significantly increase their performance in the final spurt. The blue light had no impact on the athletes' maximum performance.

Antibody for fighting cancer emerges

While studying the underpinnings of multiple sclerosis, investigators at Brigham and Women's Hospital came across important clues for how to treat a very different disease: cancer. In a paper published in Science Immunology, a group of researchers led by neurologist Howard Weiner, MD, describe an antibody that can precisely target regulatory T cells which in turn unleashes the immune system to kill cancer cells. The team reports that the antibody decreased tumor growth in models of melanoma, glioblastoma and colorectal carcinoma, making it an attractive candidate for cancer immunotherapy.

Scientists enlist engineered protein to battle the MERS virus

In June 2012, a 60 year-old man with flu-like symptoms walked into a private hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Two weeks later, he died from multiple organ failure, becoming the first victim of a mysterious virus that came to be known as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or MERS.

Women drive quest for insights into painful infertility condition

Women with endometriosis—a common and painful disease linked to infertility - have called for more studies to understand its causes and find a possible cure.

Erectile dysfunction medicines do not cause melanoma, analysis of large studies finds

Use of the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra does not cause the development of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer.

Eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables could cut obesity risk

Pro-vegetarian diets (with a higher consumption of plant-based foods compared to animal-based foods) could provide substantial protection against obesity, according to new research presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Porto, Portugal (17-20 May).

People with higher internal organ fat and thigh muscle fat spend more nights in hospital

New research presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Porto, Portugal (17-20 May) shows that middle-aged people who spend the most nights in hospital (and thus have the highest healthcare burden) have on average much higher levels of visceral fat (internal fat that surrounds their organs) and fat within their thigh muscles than those who spend no nights in hospital. The study is by Dr Olof Dahlqvist Leinhard Chief Technology Officer, Advanced MR Analytics AB, Linköping, Sweden.

Being overweight in childhood may heighten lifetime risk of depression

New research presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity suggests that being overweight, especially from a young age, may substantially increase the lifetime risk of major depression.

Study suggests using a mindfulness approach helps weight loss

New research presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Porto, Portugal (17-20 May) suggests using a mindfulness approach is an effective way to aid weight loss. The study is by Dr Carolyn Dunn, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA, and colleagues.

Study finds association between father's pre-conception vitamin D intake and child height and weight at five years old

New research presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Porto, Portugal (17-20 May) shows that a father's vitamin D intake pre-conception is associated with his child's height and weight at five years old. The study is by Dr Cilia Mejia Lancheros and colleagues at the School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Ireland.

Flies the key to studying the causes of dementia

A research team from the University of Plymouth, University of Southampton and the Alexander Fleming Biomedical Sciences Research Center, Vari, Greece, have studied two structurally-similar proteins in the adult brain and have found that they play distinct roles in the development of dementia.

Keeping young women's weight gain to less than 800g/year helps prevent progression from healthy weight to overweight

New research presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Porto, Portugal (17-20 May) shows that rates of weight gain are established by the time women are 18-23 years old. Measuring rates of weight gain at this age could identify women who are likely to become overweight or obese by the time they are 40. Furthermore, women who are divorced, separated or widowed, and those who smoke >10/day are most at risk of becoming overweight or obese. The study is by Professor Wendy Brown, School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, and colleagues.

Nearly one-quarter of patients say mechanical heart valve disturbs sleep

Nearly one-quarter of patients with a mechanical heart valve say it disturbs their sleep, according to research presented today at EuroHeartCare 2017.1

Team discovers neural stem cells can become blood vessels

Mother cells from the adult carotid body can transform into blood vessels as well as neurons. This discovery could have important repercussions on the treatment of such diseases as pediatric tumors and Parkinson's.

Low-carbohydrate diet could reduce weight gain risk in postmenopausal women

In an analysis of dietary patterns of postmenopausal women using data from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study, researchers at the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital found that those who consumed the fewest carbohydrates had a significantly reduced risk of gaining 10 percent of their body weight over an eight-year period, whereas those who consumed the least fat had a significantly increased risk of gaining more than 10 percent of their body weight over that time period. Their report appeared this week in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Study shows differences in brain activity between men and women who are obese

A new study of obese people suggests that changes in their brains' reward regions make them more prone to overeating, and that women and men exhibit different brain activity related to overeating.

World's smallest, leadless pacemaker yields positive results

An international clinical trial, led by Emory Heart & Vascular Center researchers, reports excellent outcomes for the world's smallest, minimally invasive cardiac pacemaker, the Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS).

Researchers find neurological conditions could begin in the womb

Researchers say a protein usually associated with the immune system could play a role in the development of neurological conditions such as epilepsy and schizophrenia.

A muffin a day might just keep the doctor away

Baking meets science in a delicious University of Queensland health initiative that really takes the cake.

Better pollen warnings for asthmatics may prevent hospital visits

Early warning of increased levels of pollen in the atmosphere could help allergy or asthma sufferers anticipate the onset of illness and begin preventative measures, new research finds.

Researchers connect brain blood vessel lesions to intestinal bacteria

A study in mice and humans suggests that bacteria in the gut can influence the structure of the brain's blood vessels, and may be responsible for producing malformations that can lead to stroke or epilepsy. The research, published in Nature, adds to an emerging picture that connects intestinal microbes and disorders of the nervous system. The study was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a part of the National Institutes of Health.

Resilience study examines how people with disabilities live successfully in rural areas

Living in a small town can be challenging for anyone. For people with disabilities, rural areas can create even more serious barriers to accomplishing the things they want to do.

When women are fully informed about pelvic exams, desire for the exam plummets

Providing healthy women with information about pelvic examinations, including a professional society's strong recommendation against them, substantially decreases the patients' desire for the exam, according to a study led by UC San Francisco.

Exposure to alcohol before birth may make drinking more appealing to teens

A new study suggests that fetal alcohol exposure (FAE) reduces the taste system's responsiveness to the bitter flavor and burning sensation of many varieties of alcoholic beverages. These factors make alcohol unappealing to some people, but, for reasons that are unclear, are less of a deterrent in young people exposed to alcohol before birth. The study is published ahead of print in the Journal of Neurophysiology.

Nutritional properties of mushrooms are better preserved when they are grilled or microwaved

A study by Spanish researchers has shown that microwaving and grilling are the best processes to maintain the nutritional profile of mushrooms.

New trial to fight cancer caused by asbestos

Patients with a hard-to-treat type of cancer are being given new hope in a ground-breaking clinical trial.

Pharmacist review of asthma patients is cost-effective, new study finds

Community pharmacists who carry out a medicines use review with asthma patients had a beneficial effect on patients' asthma control which was cost effective compared with usual care, according to a new study.

Should patients stop taking Prozac when pregnant?

Women, and perhaps their doctors, may be concerned when they see reports of a study showing an association between taking fluoxetine, an antidepressant also known as Prozac, during pregnancy and birth defects in children.

Study suggests cannabis may reduce crack use

North America is in the midst of a drug overdose disaster. In British Columbia, Canada, where nearly 1,000 people died of overdose in 2016, officials have declared a public health emergency.

Sequencing prostate tumors from African-American men reveals a novel tumor suppressor gene

African-American men develop prostate cancer more often than other men, and it tends to be more deadly for this population. Some of the differences seem to be due to socioeconomic factors, but scientists wondered whether the disparities are also rooted in the tumor genome.

How cancer cells flood the lung

Lung cancer patients are particularly susceptible to malignant pleural effusion, when fluid collects in the space between the lungs and the chest wall. Researchers at the Helmholtz Zentrum München, in partnership with the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), have discovered a novel mechanism that causes this to happen. Their study, published in Nature Communications, also shows that various active substances could potentially be used to treat this condition.

What it's really like to live with dementia

More than 225,000 people develop dementia every year – that's roughly one person every three minute. At the moment, 850,000 people in the UK are living with dementia. This figure is set to rise to two million by 2051.

Seven things you probably didn't know about midwives

The term "midwife" can conjure up images of a stern matron, iron pressed and ready for some no-nonsense birthing, or, in the more modern era, a back-rubbing, hand-holding, motivational cheerleader who can make or break the birthing experience. Midwives are so much more than those two stereotypes. Here are a few things you may not know about the profession.

How Big Tobacco is losing the fight to stop plain packaging of cigarettes

You may already have seen the tobacco packs currently sold in the UK: a dark, murky green colour with large graphic health-warning images and scary messages aimed at informing current and potential smokers about the devastating consequences of tobacco consumption. They have no colourful logos, with the brand name just displayed in small characters in a standard font.

'Adopted' embryo programme produces new style extended families

Experts at the University of Huddersfield are researching the emergence of a new style of family creation that sees couples "adopt" embryos and, after the child is born, remain in contact with the donors and in many cases develop a special relationship with them.

Urine test finds what makes people say no to blood pressure lowering pills

University of Manchester researchers together with their UK and overseas collaborators have found out that more than one third of 1,400 people with high blood pressure have not been taking their blood pressure medication.

Canadian cardiologist publishes world first mitral regurgitation procedure

A Canadian cardiologist has published a report in the journal Eurointervention describing how he used a Canadian-invented device for the first time in the world to successfully insert a MitraClip through a patient's jugular vein rather than the femoral vein.

Disrupted fat breakdown in the brain makes mice dumb

A study led by the University of Bonn opens a new perspective with regard to the development of dementia. The scientists blocked the breakdown of a certain fat molecule in the mouse brain. As a result the animals exhibited learning and memory problems. Also, the quantity of Alzheimer-specific proteins in their brains increased significantly. The researchers now have a clue as to why the mice become dumb. The results are published in the renowned scientific journal "Autophagy".

Mislocalized calcium channel causes insulin secretion defect in diabetes

Researchers from Uppsala University have studied beta cells of type-2 diabetic donors, and find that a mislocalized calcium channel contributes to the failed insulin secretion associated with the disease.

New hope for slow-healing wounds

MicroRNAs are interesting target structures for new therapeutic agents. They can be blocked through synthetic antimiRs. However, to date it was not possible to use these only locally. Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have now successfully achieved this in the treatment of impaired wound healing with the help of light-inducible antimiRs.

Playing football boosts girls' confidence, study finds

A study by scientists from the University of Birmingham has found that teenage girls who play football have higher levels of self-confidence than those who play other sports.

Tau prevents synaptic transmission at early stage of neurodegeneration

Tau proteins are involved in more than twenty neurodegenerative diseases, including various forms of dementia. These proteins clump together in patients' brains to form neuronal tangles: protein aggregation that eventually coincides with the death of brain cells. Prof. Patrik Verstreken's research team (VIB-KU Leuven) has now discovered how tau disrupts the functioning of nerve cells, even before it starts forming tangles. They immediately suggest a way to intervene in this process.

Suicide by insulin?

(HealthDay)—Insulin typically saves the lives of those with diabetes, but it can also be a way for some people to kill themselves, a new review warns.

Are you addicted to your smartphone?

(HealthDay)—As great as smartphones are, you can get too attached to the gadgets.

Tips provided to help physicians plan for retirement

(HealthDay)—Physicians should consider their retirement and plan ahead at all stages of their career, according to an article published in Medical Economics.

Chronic pain amplifies the brain's reaction to new injuries

Chronic pain in any one body part may distort the intensity with which a key brain region perceives pain everywhere else.

Study finds need for educating older adults on outdoor fall prevention

Many older adults have fallen outdoors but lack an understanding of the risks for falling and how to prevent them, warranting efforts for outdoor fall prevention, finds a new study by New York University researchers.

Blood discovery could benefit preemies, help end platelet shortages

The emergency call issued by the American Red Cross earlier this year was of a sort all too common: Donations of platelets were needed, and desperately. But a new discovery from the University of Virginia School of Medicine may be the key to stopping shortages of these vital blood-clotting cells, cells that can represent the difference between life and death.

To curb medical errors, physicians must be better trained to admit mistakes

Medical errors are a leading cause of death in the United States, with some research suggesting that errors can cause as many 250,000 fatalities each year. The medical community has made strides to normalize and encourage error disclosure for physicians and medical trainees in order to improve patient safety and health care outcomes, but these guidelines fall short when it comes to addressing the social psychology that influences how and when physicians and medical trainees disclose errors and how they manage the consequences of those errors.

One in 5 cancers diagnosed in the United States is a rare cancer

About one in five cancer diagnoses in the United States is a rare cancer, according to a new American Cancer Society report. The report, appearing in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, finds rare cancers account for more than two in three cancers occurring in children and adolescents. The authors say the proportion of rare cancers is likely to grow as the use of molecular markers to classify cancers increases.

Can omega-3 help prevent Alzheimer's disease? Brain SPECT imaging shows possible link

The incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is expected to triple in the coming decades and no cure has been found. Recently, interest in dietary approaches for prevention of cognitive decline has increased. In particular, the omega-3 fatty acids have shown anti-amyloid, anti-tau and anti-inflammatory actions in the brains of animals. In a new article published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, researchers have found that for patients with high omega-3 levels, blood flow in specific areas of the brain is increased.

Italy makes childhood vaccinations compulsory

Italy's government on Friday declared a new law making a series of childhood vaccinations a condition of school inscription in a move triggered by a spike in measles cases.

Caution urged in using PRP or stem cells to treat young athletes' injuries

Physicians, parents and coaches should be cautious when considering treating injured young athletes with platelet rich plasma (PRP), stem cells or other types of regenerative medicine, says a nationally recognized sports medicine clinician and researcher at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and UHealth Sports Medicine Institute.

Best practices in EMS oversight needed to improve pre-hospital care

Emergency medical services are often the first to provide acute care to critically ill patients. These services can include private, government or publicly owned paramedic and ambulance services, as well as fire departments with EMS personnel.

Predicting influenza outbreaks faster with a digitally-empowered wearable device

Through integration with a wearable thermometer, the Thermia online health educational tool developed at Boston Children's Hospital has enabled prediction of seasonal influenza outbreaks in China one month earlier than before, according to a new study in the American Journal of Public Health.

Innovations in the management of chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (long-standing inflammation of the pancreas) (CP) is a challenging disease for health care practitioners because it is difficult to diagnose and treat. Although its annual incidence rate in the United States is low (5 to 12 per 100,000 persons), hospital admissions due to CP are on the rise. CP is characterized by severe abdominal pain and irreversible damage to the pancreas.

Nursing homes cut urinary tract infections in half through focused effort on catheter care

They're a double-edged sword for nursing home residents and staff - making it easier and safer to handle a basic bodily function, but putting frail patients in danger of infections that can lead to confusion, falls and death.

Hypertension in young adults shows long-term heart risks

Otherwise healthy young people with high systolic blood pressure over 140 are at greater risk for future artery stiffening linked to an increased risk of stroke as well as possible damage to the kidneys and brain, new research shows.

Social media help identify medication concerns of inflammatory bowel disease patients

Cedars-Sinai researchers analyzed thousands of social media posts to determine the biggest concerns patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have about their prescribed treatments.

Scientists to test Zika virus on brain tumors

In a revolutionary first, Cancer Research UK-funded scientists will test whether the Zika virus can destroy brain tumour cells, potentially leading to new treatments for one of the hardest to treat cancers.

Philippine's Duterte imposes public smoking ban

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has signed an executive order that will impose a wide-ranging ban on smoking in public, reinforcing some of the toughest anti-tobacco measures in Asia.

The health consequences of Trump's global gag order

President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order that media reports say could obstruct nearly US$8.8 billion the U.S. spends annually to fight deadly diseases abroad. Here, Maureen Miller, a Columbia University Medical Center professor and infectious disease epidemiologist with training in medical anthropology, answers five questions about this move, including what it has to do with abortion.

Nearly 23,500 cholera cases, 242 deaths in Yemen in three weeks : WHO (Update)

A cholera outbreak in war-ravaged Yemen has killed 242 people, and left nearly 23,500 others sick in the past three weeks alone, the World Health Organization said Friday.

Child anxiety and parenting in the Trump era

"Lucy," a shy, intelligent six-year-old, missed three days of school because she had stomachaches. The symptoms started the day after Lucy witnessed a loud argument while waiting for the bus with her babysitter. A "scary man" shouted at people waiting: "Watch out, you're all going to be deported now!" Lucy didn't know what "deported" meant, but she knew it was very bad. People told the man to leave and shouted insults at him that Lucy didn't understand. The man finally left, shaking his fist and threatening "police action." Lucy held her babysitter's hand, looked up and noticed tears in her sitter's eyes. Lucy's stomach started to rumble. Sadly, cases like Lucy's are becoming increasingly common.

Number of suspected Ebola cases in Congo now up to 29

The World Health Organization says Congo now faces 29 suspected cases of the deadly Ebola virus.

Epigenetic program leading to vessel differentiation

Clarification of how human blood vessels are constructed is desperately needed to advance regenerative medicine. A collaborative research group from Kumamoto University, Kyoto University, and the University of Tokyo in Japan investigated the changes in gene functions that occur when stem cells become vascular cells. They found that the histone code, which alters the transcriptional state of the gene, changes over time as stem cells differentiate into blood vessels in response to a stimulus. Furthermore, they found that a transcription factor group essential for blood vessel differentiation (ETS/GATA/SOX) has a previously unknown role.

Educational session helps alleviate distress in prostate cancer patients and their partners

In a recent study, an educational session helped alleviate distress equally in both patients with prostate cancer and their partners.

Rush clinical trial provides new kidney cancer immunotherapy option

Rush University Medical Center is among the first hospitals in the nation, and the only one in Illinois, to provide patients fighting advanced kidney access to a new combination immunotherapy that targets different immune system cells and processes than a widely used therapy that has been proven effective for some patients but had little effect on others.

Philadelphia to mull safe injection sites in opioid fight

A task force charged with outlining ways for Philadelphia to combat its opioid epidemic has recommended the city consider allowing safe sites, where drug users could inject heroin.

Doctors worry as Texas lawmakers OK vaccine restrictions

Texas would restrict emergency immunizations given to children removed from troubled homes under legislation that worries doctors and is a victory for vaccination opponents.

Biology news

Using seaweed to kill invasive ants

Scientists at the University of California, Riverside have developed an inexpensive, biodegradable, seaweed-based ant bait that can help homeowners and farmers control invasive Argentine ant populations.

Nest of rare ant T. rex found in Singapore

(Phys.org)—A pair of researchers with Singapore Botanic Gardens and the National University of Singapore has found and studied a nest of Tyrannomyrmex rex, a first for the rare species of ant. In their paper published in the journal Asian Myrmecology, Mark Wong and Gordon Young describe how they found the ant nest and what they discovered after they brought it back to their lab for study.

Insects resist genetic methods to control disease spread, study finds

Researchers are exploring the use of the revolutionary gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 to fight human disease and agricultural blight. But a study from Indiana University has found several challenges to the method's use in saving lives and crops.

Triple play boosting value of renewable fuel could tip market in favor of biomass

Technologies for converting non-edible biomass into chemicals and fuels traditionally made from petroleum exist aplenty. But when it comes to attracting commercial interest, these technologies compete financially with a petroleum-based production pipeline that has been perfected over the course of decades.

After 10-year gap, Thai lotuses bloom again

For the first time in a decade a Thai lake has given up its dazzling secret—the pink blooms of tens of thousands of lotuses.

Deciding whether to bring back extinct species

De-extinction – the science of reviving species that have been lost – has moved from the realm of science-fiction to something that is now nearly feasible. Some types of lost mammals, birds or frogs may soon be able to be revived through de-extinction technologies.

Growing pains and how that might affect seed quality

How healthy a plant matures depends on how well it grows during its early life stages, which is not a surprise to anyone who has raised children.

Herpetologists describe an elf frog from the elfin forests in southern Vietnam

Deep in the foggy, moss-covered forests of Southern Vietnam, herpetologists uncovered one of the smallest species of horned mountain toads.

ESF lists Top 10 new species for 2017

A spider and an ant whose names are drawn from references in popular modern-day literature, a brilliant pink katydid and an omnivorous rat are among the discoveries identified by the College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) as the Top 10 New Species for 2017.

An 'evolutionary gamble' may be killing Joshua Tree's mother tortoises

Wildlife biologists say an alarming number of female desert tortoise carcasses found earlier this year just outside the southern edge of Joshua Tree National Park may be the result of mothers fighting extinction by exhausting their water and energy to lay eggs, even under stress.

Researchers develop protocol to analyze many cells at once

Rutgers researchers have developed a new way to analyze hundreds of thousands of cells at once, which could lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses of illnesses, including tuberculosis and cancers.

Japanese man held for wildlife smuggling in Indonesia

A Japanese man has been arrested in Indonesia for allegedly trying to smuggle hundreds of reptiles out of the archipelago, including snakes, lizards and turtles, authorities and environmentalists said Friday.

'Drogon' the ant on annual Top 10 list of new species

Drogon the ant joins a pink bush cricket and a freshwater stingray on this year's Top 10 list of new species.

Oil company watches over pregnant polar bear under bridge

A pregnant polar bear seeking to dig her maternity den chose an unlikely spot: a snow drift along a bridge leading to an artificial production island off the north coast of Alaska.


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