Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for May 11, 2017:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Scientists investigate debris disk in a nearby planetary system(Phys.org)—Astronomers have recently presented new results of observations of a nearby planetary system known as 61 Virginis (or 61 Vir for short). The observations were focused on investigating the system's debris disk, which could hold many clues to the nature of planetary formation beyond our solar system. The study is available in a paper published May 4 on the arXiv pre-print repository. |
 | Primitive atmosphere discovered around 'Warm Neptune'A pioneering new study uncovering the 'primitive atmosphere' surrounding a distant world could provide a pivotal breakthrough in the search to how planets form and develop in far-flung galaxies. |
 | Research increases distance at which supernova would spark mass extinctions on EarthIn 2016, researchers published "slam dunk" evidence, based on iron-60 isotopes in ancient seabed, that supernovae buffeted the Earth—one of them about 2.6 million years ago. University of Kansas researcher Adrian Melott, professor of physics and astronomy, supported those findings in Nature with an associated letter, titled "Supernovae in the neighborhood." |
 | China tests 'Lunar Palace' as it eyes moon missionChinese students will live in a laboratory simulating a lunar-like environment for up to 200 days as Beijing prepares for its long-term goal of putting humans on the moon. |
 | Fermi satellite observes billionth gamma ray with LAT instrumentImagine you had superhero vision and could see a whole new world of fascinating phenomena invisible to the human eye. NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope gives astrophysicists analogous powers. It captures images of the universe in gamma rays, the most energetic form of light. |
 | Discovery in the early universe poses black hole growth puzzleQuasars are luminous objects with supermassive black holes at their centers, visible over vast cosmic distances. Infalling matter increases the black hole mass and is also responsible for a quasar's brightness. Now, using the W.M. Keck observatory in Hawaii, astronomers led by Christina Eilers have discovered extremely young quasars with a puzzling property: these quasars have the mass of about a billion suns, yet have been collecting matter for less than 100,000 years. Conventional wisdom says quasars of that mass should have needed to pull in matter a thousand times longer than that – a cosmic conundrum. The results have been published in the May 2 edition of the Astrophysical Journal. |
 | Astronomers pursue renegade supermassive black holeSupermassive holes are generally stationary objects, sitting at the centers of most galaxies. However, using data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes, astronomers recently hunted down what could be a supermassive black hole that may be on the move. |
 | Ancient Mars impacts created tornado-like winds that scoured surfaceIn looking at NASA images of Mars a few years ago, Brown University geologist Peter Schultz noticed sets of strange bright streaks emanating from a few large-impact craters on the planet's surface. The streaks are odd in that they extend much farther from the craters than normal ejecta patterns, and they are only visible in thermal infrared images taken during the Martian night. |
Technology news
 | 3-D-printed 'bionic skin' could give robots the sense of touchEngineering researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a revolutionary process for 3D printing stretchable electronic sensory devices that could give robots the ability to feel their environment. The discovery is also a major step forward in printing electronics on real human skin. |
 | Researchers develop crowdsourcing software to convene rapid, on-demand 'flash organizations'Crowdsourcing has become a popular way of making use of large groups of people to accomplish straightforward tasks—online reviews on Yelp, Wikipedia entries and Stanford University's own Folding@Home, to name a few. A significant downside is that, because these projects usually rely on an inexpert workforce, they need to be built from basic and highly specific tasks that any person can carry out. |
 | Battery-free implantable medical device draws energy directly from human bodyResearchers from UCLA and the University of Connecticut have designed a new biofriendly energy storage system called a biological supercapacitor, which operates using charged particles, or ions, from fluids in the human body. The device is harmless to the body's biological systems, and it could lead to longer-lasting cardiac pacemakers and other implantable medical devices. |
 | What's holding back self-driving cars? Human driversIn just a few years, well-mannered self-driving robotaxis will share the roads with reckless, law-breaking human drivers. The prospect is causing migraines for the people developing the robotaxis. |
 | Robotic 'exoskeleton' prevents elderly falls: studyScientists unveiled a lightweight, robotic, outer "skeleton" Thursday that can detect when someone loses their balance, correct their gait, and prevent their fall. |
 | Microsoft aims at 'mixed reality' with new devicesMicrosoft on Thursday debuted hardware for reaching into virtual worlds powered by its technology as it looked to "mixed reality" as the next big computing platform. |
 | Scale to serve fuller reality check on your body(Tech Xplore)—Ages ago, it seems, people who wanted to lose weight or stay fit thought raw numbers via a bathroom scale were adequate. Times and expectations have changed. People trying to look good, better, or feel great, seek a lot more than weight numbers about their bodies. |
Apple plans $1 billion expansion at data center in NevadaApple announced plans Wednesday for a $1 billion expansion of its massive data center east of Reno, doubling its investment and roughly tripling its workforce at the technology campus where company officials expect to hire 100 additional workers. | |
Hearing in Prague on Russian hacker extradition delayed (Update)An extradition hearing in the Czech Republic for a Russian man who faces charges in the U.S. of hacking computers at American companies has been delayed for procedural reasons. | |
 | Mobile device can accurately and inexpensively monitor air quality using machine learningUCLA researchers have developed a cost-effective mobile device to measure air quality. It works by detecting pollutants and determining their concentration and size using a mobile microscope connected to a smartphone and a machine-learning algorithm that automatically analyzes the images of the pollutants. |
 | 'Switchable' smart windows reduce energy consumption significantlySmart windows that act as blinds in the summer and let all the sunlight through in the winter. That's the idea of the reflective windows Hitesh Khandelwal developed during his doctoral research at TU/e, that are able to reflect invisible infrared light but allow visible light through. In addition these windows can be 'switched on and off'. This new technology cuts the energy consumption for cooling and heating buildings by 12%. Khandelwal will receive his PhD for this innovation, on the basis of organic liquid crystals, on Thursday 11 May at Eindhoven University of Technology. |
What are cell site simulators? And how do they work?The formidable surveillance power of cell site simulators has put them at the forefront of privacy debates in the U.S. and Europe. Now The Associated Press has found evidence that the devices are sending threatening text messages to the soldiers fighting pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. | |
 | Verizon wins bidding war with AT&T for Straight PathVerizon Communications is buying Straight Path Communications for about $3.1 billion, ending a bidding war with AT&T over the wireless licenses company. |
Netflix to hire hundreds for new Amsterdam customer hubStreaming service Netflix says it will hire 400 staff for its new Amsterdam-based European customer service headquarters and plans to announce at least six new original European projects before the end of 2017. | |
 | Snapchat faces harsh reality check after earnings missSnapchat's ambition to become the next big social media platform hit a brutal reality check with the first earnings report from parent company Snap Inc. |
Maryland regulators OK nation's largest offshore wind planMaryland regulators on Thursday approved plans for the nation's first large-scale offshore wind projects, saying the decision will position the state to be a leader in the developing industry. | |
 | Windows 10 update aims to help identify best photos, videosAn upcoming feature in Microsoft's Windows 10 system will automatically identify the best photos and videos to help people create highlights of their experiences. |
 | Efficient and compact voltage converters for the e-mobility sectorThe Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF has developed the world's first half-bridge circuit for the important 600 volt class in which all the electronic components are monolithically integrated on one chip. Monolithically integrated half bridges are key building blocks of compact voltage converters and significantly increase the efficiency of power electronics devices. This is thanks to the use of the novel semiconductor material gallium nitride (GaN). |
Medicine & Health news
 | String quartets become guinea pigs for a social interaction study(Medical Xpress)—The capacity for group behavior affects the success of innumerable species, and it's a notable feature of human behavior. All major human achievements, from lunar exploration to moving a couch up a flight of stairs, depend on complex social interactions, many of which consist of nonverbal information flow. |
 | Trigger for autoimmune disease identifiedResearchers at National Jewish Health have identified a trigger for autoimmune diseases such as lupus, Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis. The findings, published in the April 2017 issue of Journal of Clinical Investigation, help explain why women suffer autoimmune disease more frequently than men, and suggest a therapeutic target to prevent autoimmune disease in humans. |
 | Compiling big data in a human-centric wayWhen a group of researchers in the Undiagnosed Disease Network at Baylor College of Medicine realized they were spending days combing through databases searching for information regarding gene variants, they decided to do something about it. By creating MARRVEL (Model organism Aggregated Resources for Rare Variant ExpLoration) they are now able to help not only their own lab but also researchers everywhere search databases all at once and in a matter of minutes. |
 | Beauty requires thought—study supports philosophical claimDoes the experience of beauty require a person to think? And can sensuous pleasures, like eating or sex, be beautiful? Such questions have long preoccupied philosophers, with Immanuel Kant making the famous claim that beauty requires thought, unlike sensuous pleasure, which, he said, can never be beautiful. Now, researchers reporting in Current Biology on May 11 who have put these philosophical notions to the test in a series of psychological experiments say that Kant was right on one count and wrong on the other. |
 | Cell particles may help spread HIV infection, study suggestsHIV appears to enlist the aid of nano-sized structures released by infected cells to infect new cells, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health. Known as extracellular vesicles (EVs), these bubble-like structures are made by many kinds of cells and, under most circumstances, are thought to ferry molecules from one cell to another, providing a means of communication. NIH scientists discovered that cells infected with HIV appear to produce EVs that manipulate prospective host cells to pass infection to other cells. The study appears in Scientific Reports. |
 | 'Molecular prosthetics' can replace missing proteins to treat diseaseResearchers have demonstrated that a small molecule can transport iron in human cells and live animals when proteins that normally do the same job are missing, a condition that often causes severe anemia in patients. Such "molecular prosthetics" might treat a host of incurable diseases caused by protein deficiencies, such as anemias, cystic fibrosis or certain types of heart disease. |
 | The human sense of smell: It's stronger than we thinkWhen it comes to our sense of smell, we have been led to believe that animals win out over humans: No way can we compete with dogs and rodents, some of the best sniffers in the animal kingdom. |
 | Video imaging reveals how immune cells sense dangerHow do T cells, the beat cops of the immune system, detect signs of disease without the benefit of eyes? Like most cells, they explore their surroundings through direct physical contact, but how T cells feel out intruders rapidly and reliably enough to nip infections and other threats in the bud has remained a mystery to researchers. |
 | Study shows 'walking a mile in their shoes' may be hazardous to your healthWhen it comes to empathy, the idiom that suggests "walking a mile in their shoes" turns out to be problematic advice, according to new research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology. |
 | Hospitals must be prepared for ransomware attacksHospitals need to be prepared for ransomware attacks, warns a doctor in The BMJ today. |
Experts advise against surgery for almost all patients with degenerative knee damageKnee arthroscopy (keyhole surgery to relieve pain and improve movement) should not be performed in almost all patients with degenerative knee disease, say a panel of international experts in The BMJ today. | |
 | Scientists 'carbon date' cancer and unearth secrets about what could help make it deadlyScientists have put precise timings on the history of a patient's cancer for the first time, effectively 'carbon dating' the different stages in the disease's progression. |
 | Tamoxifen protects against obesity-related metabolic disordersTamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, is the gold standard for endocrine treatment of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. Tamoxifen is also known to have metabolic effects. A new study in The American Journal of Pathology reports that the drug also prevents obesity, fatty liver, and insulin resistance in female mice who were fed a high-fat diet and whose ovaries had been removed. The study was also able to pinpoint which estrogen receptors underlie these protective effects, opening up possibilities for new therapies to treat these conditions. |
 | Novel tissue-engineered islet transplant achieves insulin independence in type 1 diabetesScientists from the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have produced the first clinical results demonstrating that pancreatic islet cells transplanted within a tissue-engineered platform can successfully engraft and achieve insulin independence in type 1 diabetes. The findings, published in the May 11 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, are part of an ongoing clinical study to test this novel strategy as an important step toward offering this life-changing cell replacement therapy to millions living with the disease. |
 | Marijuana use tied to poorer school performanceWhen high school students started smoking marijuana regularly they were less likely to get good grades and want to pursue university, according to a new study from the University of Waterloo. |
 | 10-year lifespan gain for some HIV patients: studyThe life expectancy of HIV-infected people in Europe and the United States has been boosted by a decade since anti-AIDS drugs became available in the mid-1990s, researchers said Thursday. |
Rodents with trouble walking reveal potential treatment approach for most common joint diseaseMaintaining the supply of a molecule that helps to nourish cartilage prevented osteoarthritis in animal models of the disease, according to a report published in Nature Communications online May 11. | |
First study of Oncolytic HSV-1 in children and young adults with cancer indicates safety, tolerabilityHSV1716 - an oncolytic herpes simplex virus-1 - has been studied in adults via injection into the brain and superficial tumors. Now, a team of researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have completed the first phase 1 trial of the virus in the pediatric population, published online in Clinical Cancer Research. | |
 | Researchers use CRISPR to develop a Ewing sarcoma stem cell modelA team from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) has optimized a system capable of generating a cellular model of Ewing sarcoma. The technique, based on CRISPR and described in the pages of Stem Cell Reports, makes it possible to generate cellular models to analyse the mechanisms underlying the origin and progression of this and other diseases, as well as the search for new treatments. |
 | Home strep test could save time and moneyMost children who visit a doctor because they have a sore throat are tested for Streptococcus ("strep throat"), a contagious condition that can cause serious complications if not treated. A new study led by MIT and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center researchers suggests that the time spent on these visits could be saved by having parents test their children at home. |
 | Why Facebook may fuel new mothers' insecurityYou haven't showered in a few days, and you haven't brushed your teeth yet this morning. |
 | Challenges of mobility aids and dementia exploredIt seems counterintuitive that the use of a mobility aid, such as a cane or a walker, can actually increase the risk of falls in older adults. Yet in individuals with dementia, that's exactly the case. In fact, people with dementia are three times more likely to suffer a fall when using a mobility aid versus not using one at all. |
 | Looking closer at MCI, the complex forerunner to dementiaResearchers looking at the trajectory of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) say examining specific subtypes is critical in identifying individuals at high risk of developing dementia. |
 | Uncovering the genetic mechanisms driving embryonic developmentA new Northwestern Medicine study, published in Genes and Development, has identified two DNA elements crucial to the activation of a set of genes that drive the early development of embryos, and which also play an important role in the development of cancer cells. |
 | A better view of how tumors form in the eyeThe formation of tumors in the eye can cause blindness. But, for some reason our corneas, the transparent layer that forms the front of our eyes, have a natural ability to prevent it. |
 | Volunteering can reduce dementia risk in seniors, study findsSeniors now have a greater incentive than ever for doing volunteer work in their retirement years, in light of a new study that shows volunteering can substantially reduce the development of dementia. |
 | Prescription history could help GPs diagnose cancer earlierCancer Research UK-funded scientists are to examine whether identifying patterns in medication given to patients before they develop cancer could improve early diagnosis. |
 | Relaxation techniques better for cancer patients than mindfulness therapyNew research has shown that the use of Mindfulness training in cancer patients can produce negative results to their wellbeing compared to using simple relaxation techniques. |
 | Link between heart disease risk factors and depression is biological, not behavioralBiology, rather than personal behavior, may be responsible for the link between depression and risk factors for heart disease, according to a new study from Rice University. |
Beetroot juice may provide benefits to heart disease patientsA new study finds that dietary nitrate—a compound that dilates blood vessels to decrease blood pressure—may reduce overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system that occurs with heart disease. The research team looked specifically at beetroot juice, a source of dietary nitrate, to explore its use as a future targeted treatment option for people with cardiovascular disease. The study, published ahead of print in the American Journal of Physiology—Heart and Circulatory Physiology, is the first to study the effects of nitrate supplementation on sympathetic nerve activity. | |
 | How epigenetics may help us slow down the ageing clockHumankind has a longstanding obsession with eternal youth. Stories about elixirs of life and fountains that quench one's thirst for immortality have stirred our imagination since time immemorial. Different versions of these myths appear on every continent – even Alexander the Great's conquests are sometimes attributed to his search for a restorative river that could heal the devastation of time. |
 | Genetic mutation linked to aortic dissection in the chestResearchers at Umeå University in Sweden have discovered a genetic mutation that can cause dissection of the thoracic aorta, which is the body's main artery. The mutation leads to an impaired function of the smooth muscle cells of the aortic wall and thus an increased predisposition for aortic dissection. |
 | Rare feline genetic disorders identified through whole genome sequencingWhole genome sequencing (WGS), which is the process of determining an organism's complete DNA sequence, can be used to identify DNA anomalies that cause disease. Identifying disease-causing DNA abnormalities allows clinicians to better predict an effective course of treatment for the patient. Now, in a series of recent studies, scientists at the University of Missouri are using whole genome sequencing through the 99 Lives Cat Genome Sequencing Consortium to identify genetic variants that cause rare diseases, such as progressive retinal atrophy and Niemann-Pick type 1, a fatal disorder in domestic cats. Findings from the study could help feline preservationists implement breeding strategies in captivity for rare and endangered species such as the African black-footed cat. |
 | How our gut bacteria affect cancer risk and response to treatmentThe trillions of bacteria living in our gut (called the gut microbiota) can help determine our risk of cancer, as well as how we might respond to cancer treatment. |
 | How the brain changes when we learn to readRight now, you are reading these words without much thought or conscious effort. In lightning-fast bursts, your eyes are darting from left to right across your screen, somehow making meaning from what would otherwise be a series of black squiggles. |
 | Unlike Americans, Australian self-esteem has stayed the same since the 1970sConsider three propositions about how Australians see themselves. |
 | Everyday chemicals may affect brain development, including foetal IQAll vertebrates – from frogs and birds to human beings – require the same thyroid hormone to thrive. Every stage of brain development is modulated by thyroid hormone and, over millions of years, the structure of this critical hormone has remained unchanged. |
 | Gut microbiomes may hold clues to IBD treatment's likelihood of successThe constitution of an IBD patient's microbiome may help predict whether treatment with a therapeutic antibody will prove fruitful, according to an early-stage study. |
 | Study shows dementia-related brain changes are identifiable even before problems are noticeableResearchers at the University of Toronto and Baycrest Rotman Research Institute (RRI) have discovered a potential brain imaging predictor for dementia, which illustrates that changes to the brain's structure may occur years prior to a diagnosis, even before individuals notice their own memory problems. |
 | Drinking heavily is disproportionately harmful for the poorest in society, with a greater risk of dying or becomingDrinking heavily is disproportionately harmful for the poorest in society, with a greater risk of dying or becoming ill due to alcohol consumption. |
 | Chemical stimuli can support growing of stable cartilage cellsCell-based therapies could offer a way to treat cartilage injuries before the ultimate damage of osteoarthritis on articular cartilage. Cartilage-derived chondrocytes can be used for cartilage repair, but the expanded cells quickly lose their cartilage-specific characteristics. Researchers at Umeå University in Sweden show that a cytoskeleton-affecting chemical stimuli by a small molecule can be used to enhance the production of cartilage-specific molecules. |
 | Who in Europe drinks the most?How much do you drink in the course of a week? Where you live, and the alcohol culture of that country, will colour your response. |
 | How harmful is alcohol for the adolescent brain?Under 18, no alcohol. In spite of this slogan, adolescents still have access to alcohol. But how harmful is that one beer for the adolescent brain? Research, including in Leiden, may provide the answer. |
Researchers identify nutrient metabolism that drives breast tumor metastasisA multinational group of scientists, led by professor Sarah-Maria Fendt (VIB-KU Leuven), have discovered that breast cancer cells that have invaded other organs rely on a different nutrient metabolism to produce energy than normal cells and non-metastasizing cancer cells. To demonstrate their findings, the researchers used mouse models to show that inhibiting energy production from this nutrient metabolism reduces the occurrence of metastases by more than 60%. This discovery could result in new breast cancer therapies that prevent metastases by targeting this metabolic process. These groundbreaking insights are published in the leading scientific journal Nature Communications. | |
 | Report predicts growth in stroke rates for UKThe number of strokes across the UK is likely to rise by almost half (44 per cent) in the next 20 years, according to a new report by researchers from King's College London. |
Better a 'no' than no answer at allAfter experiencing social exclusion, a minimum of attention suffices to reduce individuals' negative emotions. Even rejection or unkind comments are better for well-being than being ignored by other people. This finding has important implications for the treatment of applicants during selection processes, report psychologists from the University of Basel and Purdue University in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. | |
 | Dartmouth tuberculosis vaccine passes important milestoneInvestigators at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine announced that two new studies of DAR-901, their investigational vaccine against tuberculosis (TB), have moved it to the forefront of new vaccines in development for global control of this deadly infectious disease. |
 | Certain medical diagnoses may increase hospitalized patients' risk of kidney injuryA new study has uncovered various medical diagnoses that may elevate an individual's risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI) while in the hospital. The study, which appears in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN), also found that hospital-acquired AKI may be largely underestimated. |
Drug used for alcohol dependence might also treat stuttering, suggest researchersBaclofen, a drug that has recently been used to treat alcohol dependence despite not officially being licensed for this condition, might also help stop stuttering, suggest researchers in the journal BMJ Case Reports. | |
 | Low heart rate linked to stalking behaviors in menA low resting heart rate, which has been linked to aggression and violent offending, has been implicated in stalking behavior in males, according to a recent study. |
 | Study and new tool proves 'all is not lost' to dementiaIn marriage, good communication is key to a fulfilling and enduring relationship. For people with dementia, communicating needs, emotions and interacting with others becomes increasingly difficult as communication deteriorates as dementia progresses. Problems in communicating lead to misinterpretations and misunderstandings, which often cause considerable stress for family members, especially the spouse caregivers as well as the patient. |
 | Combining risk scores improves decision-making process for AFib patients and physiciansPhysicians and atrial fibrillation patients must weigh the risks and benefits of using blood thinners to prevent stroke, bleeding, and death—but current guidelines don't do enough to discern a patient's true risk, researchers say. |
 | Believing a cocktail contains an energy drink makes you feel more drunkNew research suggests that simply telling a young man that an energy drink has been added to his alcoholic beverage can make him feel more intoxicated, daring and sexually self-confident. |
 | Zinc acetate lozenges may increase the recovery rate from the common cold by threefoldAccording to a meta-analysis of three randomized controlled trials zinc acetate lozenges may increase the rate of recovery from the common cold three fold. On the fifth day, 70% of the zinc lozenge patients had recovered compared with 27% of the placebo patients. |
 | Positive father-child relationship can moderate negative effects of maternal depressionMaternal depression negatively impacts children's emotional and cognitive development and family life. Studies have shown that a home in which the mother suffers from depression exhibits lower cohesion, warmth, and expressiveness and higher conflict, rigidity, and affectionless control. Since 15-18% of women in industrial societies and up to 30% in developing countries suffer from maternal depression, it is of clinical and public health concern to understand the effects of maternal depression on children's development. |
 | Nigeria meningitis death toll tops 1,000More than 1,000 people have died in an outbreak of meningitis in Nigeria, the Centre for Disease Control said Thursday, but added that the spread of the disease is slowing. |
 | New study identifies biomarker that may indicate risk of atrial fibrillationResearchers have identified a microRNA biomarker that demonstrates a strong association with the incidence of atrial fibrillation, the most common abnormal heart rhythm that affects more than 2.7 million Americans. |
 | Plasma membrane protein may help generate new neurons in the adult hippocampusNew research published online in The FASEB Journal sheds important light on the inner workings of learning and memory. Specifically, scientists show that a plasma membrane protein, called Efr3, regulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor-tropomyosin-related kinase B signaling pathway (BNDF-TrkB) and affects the generation of new neurons in the hippocampus of adult brains. In turn, this generation of new neurons plays a significant role in learning and memory. |
Combining heroin and commonly prescribed non-opioid pain killers leads to a significant rise in overA multi-disciplinary study has shown that the recent substantial increase in prescriptions for two drugs, pregabalin and gabapentin, used widely for a range of neurological disorders is closely correlated with a rise in the number of overdose deaths in England and Wales. These drugs have become drugs of abuse, according to new University of Bristol findings published in Addiction, which highlight that they are especially dangerous when used with heroin or other opioids. | |
 | Cancer metastasis: The unexpected perils of hypoxiaThe low oxygen concentrations that prevail in many tumors enhance their propensity to metastasize to other tissues. Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich led by Professor Heiko Hermeking have now uncovered the molecular mechanism that links the two phenomena. |
 | Dramatic cooperation between two infectious bacteria revealedBrucellosis is an infectious disease of livestock that may be transmitted to farm workers or consumers of unpasteurized dairy products. Easy to spread and hard to detect, the bacteria that cause the illness, Brucella species, are considered potential bioterror weapons. Yet, precisely because Brucella species are so dangerous to handle, research on this important disease-causing agent, or pathogen, has lagged behind that of other infectious diseases. |
Scientists confirm correlation between malignant hyperthermia and exertional heat strokeNew research published online in The FASEB Journal may ultimately help athletes and trainers better understand who may be more at risk for heat stroke. In the report, scientists use animals to show that there is a link between the susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia (MH) and exertional heat stroke. | |
A dual-functional GLP-1 analogue may improve insulin sensitivity and help fight diabetesAccording to research published online in The FASEB Journal, scientists have discovered a dual peptide called "PGLP-1" that promotes insulin secretion and inhibits gluconeogenesis (a metabolic process that produces glucose). A related compound called GLP-1 is currently used in diabetes treatments. This new compound shows the potential to improve glycemic control for patients with type 1 diabetes and ameliorate insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes. | |
Organ signal find raises hopes of immune disorder treatmentsThe discovery of key signals that help tissues repair after injury could pave the way for new treatments for asthma and organ scarring, a study suggests. | |
 | Hepatitis C increasing among pregnant womenHepatitis C infections among pregnant women nearly doubled from 2009-2014, likely a consequence of the country's increasing opioid epidemic that is disproportionately affecting rural areas of states including Tennessee and West Virginia. |
 | TV accentuates traditional women's roles at expense of their needsCollege women who frequently watch television or who believe that the content is real, tend to endorse the gender roles that are portrayed often on TV, says a University of Michigan researcher. |
 | Study looks at the prevalence, challenges of athletes with ADHDA new study from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds athletes with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to compete in team contact sports than individual sports, which could increase their risk of injury. |
 | Heroin epidemic pushing up hepatitis C infections in USThe heroin epidemic is driving up hepatitis C infections, with the biggest increase in people in their 20s, U.S. health officials said Thursday. |
 | Program helps young adults with autism find jobs(HealthDay)—When kids with autism graduate high school, they may need adult services to help them find a job or live on their own. And parents may need a helping hand in navigating the new and confusing system, researchers say. |
 | Treat autism even before symptoms show?(HealthDay)—Treating emerging signs of autism in young babies who are at high risk for the disorder helped improve their attention, language, communication and social skills, preliminary research shows. |
 | Life expectancy with HIV nears normal with treatment(HealthDay)—Young adults with HIV who get treatment are living longer in North America and Europe, a new study finds. |
 | Coming this summer: More ticks and a deadly new tick-borne disease(HealthDay)—Scientists have a double-shot of bad news about ticks: There's a new, and potentially fatal, tick-borne illness called Powassan, and this summer looks like it might be one of the worst on record for an increase in the tick population. |
Fewer U.S. high school students drink, CDC finds(HealthDay)—Drinking among U.S. high school students has plummeted in recent years, a new government report shows. | |
 | Patients satisfied with telehealth primary care visits(HealthDay)—Patients express satisfaction with telehealth primary care video visits, with most reporting interest in continuing use of video visits as an alternative to in-person visits, according to a study published in the May/June issue of the Annals of Family Medicine. |
 | New VTE often occurs during chemo in ovarian cancer(HealthDay)—For patients with ovarian cancer, new diagnosis of venous thromboembolism frequently occurs during neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy, according to a study published in the June issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology. |
 | New hepatitis C treatments more effective, tolerable: FDA(HealthDay)—Hepatitis C can be cured in about three months, allowing people with the viral disease to live longer, healthier lives, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says. |
 | Biomarker ID'd for pregnancy-induced glucose intolerance(HealthDay)—One measurement of plasma glycated CD59 (pGCD59) in pregnancy can predict glucose intolerance, according to a study published online May 3 in Diabetes Care. |
 | Outpatient wait times are longer for Medicaid recipients(HealthDay)—Medicaid patients have slightly longer waits at medical appointments than those with private insurance, according to a report published in the May issue of Health Affairs. |
 | Multidrug-resistant TB set to increase through 2040(HealthDay)—Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis are expected to increase through 2040, according to a study published online May 9 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. |
 | Scientists ID human protein essential for human cytomegalovirus replicationScientists have demonstrated that a human protein known as valosin containing protein (VCP) is essential for replication of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). The findings, published in PLOS Pathogens, identify VCP as a potential new treatment target. |
Magnet study sees otential for MRE in measuring liver fibrosis in childrenResearchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, with collaborators across the nation, have determined that magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) can be an accurate, non-invasive tool to identify liver fibrosis in children. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the most common cause of chronic liver disease in children, and scarring of the liver, known as fibrosis, is a major determinant of clinical outcomes. | |
First spherical nucleic acid drug injected into humans targets brain cancerThe first drug using spherical nucleic acids to be systemically given to humans has been developed by Northwestern University scientists and approved by the Food and Drug Administration as an investigational new drug for an early-stage clinical trial in the deadly brain cancer glioblastoma multiforme. | |
 | Brazil calls off Zika emergencyBrazil's government on Thursday declared an end to a national emergency over the Zika virus which was detected in the Latin American country late in 2015 before becoming a global concern. |
 | ACA exchanges grow thinner with Aetna leaving for 2018While Republicans rewrite the Affordable Care Act in Washington, the immediate future of the law has grown hazier with the nation's third-largest health insurer saying that it will completely divorce itself from state-based insurance exchanges. |
UN confirms 58 cholera cases across YemenThe United Nations on Thursday confirmed 58 cases of cholera and 47 cholera-associated deaths across war-torn Yemen in the past two weeks, the second such outbreak in a year. | |
Scientists show protective effects of suppressing thyroid hormone receptors in retinaNew research published online in The FASEB Journal suggests that the suppression of thyroid hormone receptor activity locally in the retina protects cone photoreceptor cells in mouse models of human retinal degenerative diseases. Cone photoreceptor cells are located in the retina, in the back of the eye, and are responsible for light stimulation and sensation. Thyroid hormone inhibitors could be administered through topical medications or eyedrops. | |
Cilia structure plays a major role in determining susceptibility to neural tube defectsResearch published online in The FASEB Journal shows that the improper methylation of a protein called "Septin2," which regulates the structure of cilia, was associated with an increased risk of having a neural tube defect (NTD) and confirms that cilia are important factors in determining susceptibility of NTDs. | |
Analysis shows increased risk of early stroke with new-onset atrial fibrillation post-TAVRMore than one-third of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) were observed to have atrial fibrillation (AF) either at baseline or new-onset within 30 days after TAVR. Patients with new-onset AF had a >4 fold greater risk of stroke within 30 days. Results from "Effect of bivalirudin versus unfractionated heparin in patients with baseline or new-onset atrial fibrillation in transcatheter aortic valve replacement: From the BRAVO-3 randomized trial" were presented today as a late-breaking clinical trial at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 2017 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans. | |
Interrupting inflammatory signals decreases repeat artery blockagePeripheral artery disease (PAD) patients who were treated with an anti-inflammatory steroid injected directly into the tissue surrounding their leg artery showed a significant reduction in inflammatory biomarkers. Results from the DANCE trial (Dexamethasone Infusion to the Adventitia to Enhance Clinical Efficacy after Femoropopliteal Revascularization) were presented today as a late-breaking clinical trial at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 2017 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans. | |
Stem cell therapy holds promise for treating most severe cases of anginaAn analysis of data from the entire development program consisting of three trials assessing the feasibility of using a stem cell therapy (CD34+ cells) to treat patients with the most severe cases of angina, refractory angina (RA), showed a statistically significant improvement in exercise time as well as a reduction in mortality. Results from "CD34+ Stem Cell Therapy Improves Exercise Time and Mortality in Refractory Angina: A Patient Level Meta-Analysis" were presented today as a late-breaking clinical trial at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 2017 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans. | |
Mannequin, trained actors help physicians learn to diagnose and communicate brain deathOne of the most difficult skills a neurologist must learn is how to diagnosis brain death and communicate the bad news to family members. | |
 | Stop sabotaging your diet(HealthDay)—You could be standing in the way of your own weight loss, eating more calories than you realize. Here's how to keep your head in the game. |
Biology news
 | Antibiotic-resistant microbes date back to 450 million years ago, well before the age of dinosaursLeading hospital "superbugs," known as the enterococci, arose from an ancestor that dates back 450 million years—about the time when animals were first crawling onto land (and well before the age of dinosaurs), according to a new study led by researchers from Massachusetts Eye and Ear, the Harvard-wide Program on Antibiotic Resistance and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Published online today in Cell, the study authors shed light on the evolutionary history of these pathogens, which evolved nearly indestructible properties and have become leading causes of modern antibiotic-resistant infections in hospitals. |
 | Zebrafish study reveals first fine structure of a complete vertebrate brainEvery thought, every feeling, every sensation—and every behavioral illness—ultimately depends on how our brains work. Despite decades of stunning advances in imaging the brain and measuring its activity, though, we still don't understand how even a simple vertebrate brain works. |
 | How thirsty roots go in search of waterScientists from the University of Nottingham, England and Tohoku University, Japan have helped to solve a mystery that has fascinated scientists since Charles Darwin - how plant roots sense water and change direction to find it. In a world where water for agriculture is becoming a global challenge this could lead to improved crop varieties which are better at foraging for water. |
 | Fruit fly study measures genetic variation in learningYou live, you learn—even if you're a larva and especially if there's a little shock involved. |
 | Disentangling chloroplast genetics: Scientists isolate a critical gene for plant healthProper DNA inheritance is essential for healthy cell growth and division. The same goes for the genetic material found in chloroplasts: the energy centers of all plant cells. |
 | Study of worms reveals 'selfish genes' that encode a toxin—and its antidoteA UCLA study has found that a common strain of Caenorhabditis elegans—a type of roundworm frequently used in laboratory research on neural development—has a pair of genes that encode both a poison and its antidote. The new research also revealed that if worms with the two genes mate with wild strains of C. elegans that don't have both genes, their offspring who don't inherit the antidote can't protect themselves from the toxin—which is produced by mother worms—and die while they are still embryos. |
 | First comprehensive map of subcellular localization of proteins reveals new insightsThe first analysis of how proteins are arranged in a cell was published today in Science, revealing that a large portion of human proteins can be found in more than one location in a given cell. |
 | Why one eye-targeting virus could make for a useful gene-delivery toolIn their quest to replicate themselves, viruses have gotten awfully good at tricking human cells into pumping out viral proteins. That's why scientists have been working to use viruses as forces for good: to deliver useful genes to human cells and help patients who lack important proteins or enzymes. |
 | Three new sub-species of snow leopard discoveredA recent research paper in the Journal of Heredity reveals that there are three sub-species of snow leopard. Until now, researchers had assumed this species, Panthera uncia, was monotypic. |
 | Using single-cell RNA sequencing and clever statistical analysis to track stem cells as they matureAdult stem cells have the ability to transform into many types of cells, but tracing the path individual stem cells follow as they mature and identifying the molecules that trigger these fateful decisions are difficult in a living animal. |
 | Australia warns travelers to not bring in hitchhiking toadsAustralian quarantine authorities on Thursday urged travelers through Asia to avoid bringing in hitchhiking amphibians after a passenger arrived at an airport with a dead Indonesian toad in his shoe. |
 | This nasal receptor mediates the appetizing smell of fish foodThe aquatic environment is full of tantalizing chemicals that can guide a fish to mates or meals. Now, scientists in Japan have identified the olfactory receptor and brain circuitry that picks up the scent of adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. Although mostly known for carrying energy within cells, ATP is also a constituent of fish prey such as brine shrimp and plankton. The newly identified receptor is unique to fish and amphibians and is the gateway to initiating foraging behaviors in the zebrafish. |
 | Juniper and cypress varieties hit hard by blightIt's been a tough 2017 so far for juniper and cypress varieties used in landscapes, as pests and diseases make the rounds, causing blight and tree die-offs. |
 | The curious character of cats – and whether they are really more aloofTo some people, cats are the perfect pet. Intelligent, elegant, calming companions, capable of dealing with their own exercise and cleaning. To others, they are frustratingly independent, cool and aloof. So what is the true nature of the domestic cat? |
 | Measuring the impact of a changing climate on threatened Yellowstone grizzly bearsClimate change is altering the environment in Yellowstone National Park and its surrounding region and scientists at the University of California San Diego and Unity College are studying its impacts on the diets of threatened grizzly bears. |
Can crab shells provide a 'green' solution to malaria?A non-toxic mixture of chitin-rich crab shell powder and nanosized silver particles could be an environmentally friendly way of curbing the spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes, and malaria in particular. This is according to a series of experiments led by Jiang-Shiou Hwang of the National Taiwan Ocean University. The findings are published in Springer's journal Hydrobiologia. | |
 | Not survival of the fittest for Tassie devilsFit and healthy Tasmanian devils are being taken down by deadly facial tumors that are attacking the 'best' animals in the population, according to novel research led by Griffith University. |
Scientist identify key locations for spread of pin-tailed whydahsInvasive parasites are a biological oxymoron. And yet, they are in our backyards! This study analyzes the case of a brood parasitic bird, the pin-tailed whydah (Vidua macroura) and its recent spread into the Americas! | |
 | Knowledge of DNA repair mechanisms advances with new paperWe humans like to think our DNA is well-protected in the nucleus of each cell. But it's a hard life for the hard-working genetic code. |
 | Migratory seabird deaths linked to hurricanesStronger and more frequent hurricanes may pose a new threat to the sooty tern, an iconic species of migratory seabird found throughout the Caribbean and Mid-Atlantic, a new Duke University-led study reveals. |
Robotic fish for environmental monitoringA group of researchers from Centre for Automation and Robotics (CAR CSIC-UPM) in collaboration with researchers from University of Florence are designing autonomous underwater vehicles with biosensors to monitor water quality. These robots, which mimic a swimming fish in order to reduce fish stress, can detect in-situ real-time anomalies to control environmental conditions in fish farms. | |
 | Researchers analyze data about the global distribution of sea animals and develop a Web appAn international research team has compared global distribution maps of marine species and has developed recommendations for how to further improve the two extensive databases providing publicly available delineations of marine species occurrence. Information about species' occurrences is the crucial basis for ecological studies as well as for policy decisions required to ensure the survival of endangered species. The researchers also developed a Web app that people can use to overlay the maps from both databases in order to compare them – around 250 species have been recorded in the app. University of Freiburg biologist Dr. Kristin Kaschner was involved in the work that the team published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE. |
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