Science X Newsletter Thursday, Jun 15

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for June 15, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Octopus inspired adhesive patch works under water

Convenience mart on wheels viewed in Shanghai

Changing the color of laser light on the femtosecond time scale

Acoustic emissions from organic martensite analogues

Desert lizards use body oscillations to dive into sand

Scientists explore using photosynthesis to help damaged hearts

China launches its first X-ray space telescope

Lab-created antibody could hold the secret to making stem cell therapy safer

Researchers use optogenetics and mathematical modelling to identify a central molecule in cell mechanics

Consequences of gaps of uprooted or broken trees in Amazonia

Propagating "charge density wave" fluctuations are seen in superconducting copper oxides for the first time

Research finds new gene is key to immune response

Evolutionary hot start, followed by cold shock

Sulforaphane in broccoli sprouts found to improve glucose levels in diabetics

Blocking gene expression to combat deadly fungal infection

Astronomy & Space news

China launches its first X-ray space telescope China successfully launched on Thursday its first X-ray space telescope to study black holes, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts, state media reported.
	Radio astronomers peer deep into the stellar nursery of the Orion Nebula Astronomers have released an image of a vast filament of star-forming gas, 1200 light-years away, in the stellar nursery of the Orion Nebula.
	Astronomers see mysterious nitrogen area in a butterfly-shaped star formation disk An international team of astronomers, led by Dutch scientists, has discovered a region in our Milky Way that contains many nitrogen compounds in the southeast of a butterfly-shaped star formation disk and very little in the north-west. The astronomers suspect that multiple stars-to-be share the same star formation disk, but the precise process is still a puzzle. The article with their findings has been accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics.
	CTA prototype telescope, ASTRI, achieves first light During the nights of 25 and 26 May, the camera of the ASTRI telescope prototype recorded its first ever Cherenkov light while undergoing testing at the astronomical site of Serra La Nave (Mount Etna) in Sicily managed by INAF-Catania. This comes not long after its optical validation was achieved in November 2016. This accomplishment was the first optical demonstration for astronomical telescopes using the novel Schwarzschild Couder dual-mirror design. The ASTRI telescope is a proposed small-sized telescope design for the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA).
	Orion frame work Set to be shipped to the USA around the New Year, ESA's contribution to NASA's Orion spacecraft is taking shape at Airbus in Bremen, Germany. This is no test article: the service module pictured here will fly into space by 2020, past the Moon and farther than any other human-rated spacecraft has ever flown before.
	Kazakh man dies in fire following Russian rocket launch: govt. A Kazakh man died and another was hospitalised after they were caught in a fire on the steppes triggered by falling debris from a Russian space launch, emergency services said on Thursday.
	Aalto-2 no longer responds to commands Astronauts at the International Space Station released Aalto-2 into orbit on 25 May. The first satellite signal was detected from Japan on the same day, and later that evening the satellite had already made contact with the Otaniemi ground station.
	Is life more likely than black holes to be an adaptation for universe replication? Intelligent life is more likely than black holes are to be an adaptation designed by cosmological natural selection, an evolutionist from Brunel University London speculates.
	Icy moons, galaxy clusters, and distant worlds selected targets for Webb Telescope Mission officials for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope announced some of the science targets the telescope will observe following its launch and commissioning. These specific observations are part of a program of Guaranteed Time Observations (GTO), which provides dedicated time to the scientists that helped design and build the telescope's four instruments.

Technology news

	Convenience mart on wheels viewed in Shanghai We know about technology and business models having the power to shake things up for the taxi industry; we know the technology and business model kind of disruption that is shaking things up in the hotel trade; what's up for retail?
'Magic' alloy could spur next generation of solar cells In what could be a major step forward for a new generation of solar cells called "concentrator photovoltaics," University of Michigan researchers have developed a new semiconductor alloy that can capture the near-infrared light located on the leading edge of the visible light spectrum.
	Electrolytes made from liquefied gas enable batteries to run at ultra-low temperatures Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a breakthrough in electrolyte chemistry that enables lithium batteries to run at temperatures as low as -60 degrees Celsius with excellent performance—in comparison, today's lithium-ion batteries stop working at -20 degrees Celsius. The new electrolytes also enable electrochemical capacitors to run as low as -80 degrees Celsius—their current low temperature limit is -40 degrees Celsius. While the technology enables extreme low temperature operation, high performance at room temperature is still maintained. The new electrolyte chemistry could also increase the energy density and improve the safety of lithium batteries and electrochemical capacitors.
	Researchers develop a reliable forward error correction method for digital data Scientists of Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU) have proposed a new channel coding method for the fifth generation of wireless systems (5G).
	Researcher finds Georgia voter records exposed on internet A security researcher disclosed a gaping security hole at the outfit that manages Georgia's election technology, days before the state holds a closely watched congressional runoff vote on June 20.
	Game players face their demons in virtual reality Zombies from the television series "The Walking Dead" and other demons are coming to life for video game players in virtual worlds.
	Archaeologist teams up with computer vision experts to match prehistoric pottery Cutting-edge computer vision technology could help unlock the mystery of how people interacted and traveled in the Southeast more than 1,500 years ago.
	Face recognition system 'K-Eye' Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the key emerging technologies. Global IT companies are competitively launching the newest technologies and competition is heating up more than ever. However, most AI technologies focus on software and their operating speeds are low, making them a poor fit for mobile devices. Therefore, many big companies are investing to develop semiconductor chips for running AI programs with low power requirements but at high speeds.
	Swimming robot to probe damage at Japan nuclear plant A Japanese industrial group unveiled Thursday a swimming robot designed for underwater probes of damage from meltdowns at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear plant after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
	Fall of the roaming empire: EU ends mobile travel fees The EU on Thursday rang in the end of roaming charges for Europeans using mobile phones within the bloc, in what under-pressure Brussels hailed as one of its greatest successes.
	From bleeps of 'Pong' and 'Mario,' game music comes of age The electronic bleeps and squawks of "Tetris," ''Donkey Kong" and other generation-shaping games that you may never have thought of as musical are increasingly likely to be playing at a philharmonic concert hall near you.
BA flight disruption cost estimated £80m: parent company Three days of flight disruption at British Airways due to a massive computer crash last month will cost the airline an estimated £80 million (92 million euros, $102 million), its parent company said on Thursday.
	Old school meets new school: Flight deck Ouija boards go digital The flight decks of aviation-capable vessels like aircraft carriers bustle with noise and danger—screaming jets, snapping steel cables and powerful tractors and forklifts. Planning and orchestrating this high-octane dance requires precision and accuracy from those responsible for directing deck traffic.
	Twitter unveils new look, which users quickly mock Twitter has unveiled a new look, and much like some previous changes the company has made to its short-messaging service, it's not going over so well with the Twitterati.
	Facebook seeks to become 'hostile place' for extremists Facebook on Thursday said it is ramping up the use of artificial intelligence in a push to make the social network "a hostile place" for extremists to spread messages of hate.
TSA is testing 3-D scanners for carry-on luggage Federal officials are screening some carry-on bags with 3-D scanning technology, which they say improves the ability to find bombs.

Medicine & Health news

	Scientists explore using photosynthesis to help damaged hearts In the ongoing hunt to find better treatments for heart disease, the top cause of death globally, new research from Stanford shows promising results using an unusual strategy: photosynthetic bacteria and light.
	Research finds new gene is key to immune response Researchers have identified a new gene which is crucial for the immune system to respond to infection and vaccination.
	Sulforaphane in broccoli sprouts found to improve glucose levels in diabetics A team of researchers from Sweden, the U.S. and Switzerland has found that treating rat liver cells with a compound called sulforaphane, which is found in cruciferous vegetables, reduced production of glucose. In their paper published in Science Translational Medicine, the group outlines the methods they used to isolate the compound and what they found when testing it with liver cells and in human patients.
	Blocking gene expression to combat deadly fungal infection Each year, invasive fungal infections sicken an estimated 2 million people worldwide and kill nearly 800,000 - but a team of international scientists have discovered a new approach for antifungal drug treatments.
	Pre-clinical study suggests Parkinson's could start in gut endocrine cells Recent research on Parkinson's disease has focused on the gut-brain connection, examining patients' gut bacteria, and even how severing the vagus nerve connecting the stomach and brain might protect some people from the debilitating disease.
	Newly discovered cellular pathway may lead to cancer therapies Scientists have discovered a new cellular pathway that can promote and support the growth of cancer cells. In a mouse model of melanoma, blocking this pathway resulted in reduction of tumor growth. The study, which appears in Science, offers a novel opportunity to develop drugs that could potentially inhibit this pathway in human cancer cells and help control their growth.
	Early stress confers lifelong vulnerability causing alterations in a specific brain region Early life stress encodes lifelong susceptibility to stress through long-lasting transcriptional programming in a brain reward region implicated in mood and depression, according to a study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published June 15 in the journal Science.
Hi-res view of protein complex shows how it breaks up protein tangles Misfolded proteins are the culprits behind amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative brain disorders. These distorted proteins are unable to perform their normal functions and cause devastating problems for neurons.
	Mother's obesity boosts risk for major birth defects: study Children of obese women are more likely to be afflicted by major birth defects, including malformations of the heart and genitals, according to a study published on Thursday.
	3-D images show how sperm binds to the egg surface Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have obtained the first 3D snapshots of a sperm protein attached to a complementary egg coat protein at the beginning of fertilisation. The study, which reveals a common egg protein architecture that is involved in the interaction with sperm in both mollusc and mammal, is published in the respected scientific journal Cell.
	Egocentric hearing: Study clarifies how we can tell where a sound is coming from A new UCL and University of Nottingham study has found that most neurons in the brain's auditory cortex detect where a sound is coming from relative to the head, but some are tuned to a sound source's actual position in the world.
VHA initiative significantly reduces MRSA in veterans living centers An initiative led by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) reduced Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections by 89 percent over four years in a Veterans community living center (CLC) in North Carolina, according to research presented at the 44th Annual Conference of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
	Temperature changes make it easier for malaria to climb the Ethiopian highlands The highlands of Ethiopia are home to the majority of the country's population, the cooler climate serving as a natural buffer against malaria transmission. New data now show that increasing temperatures over the past 35 years are eroding this buffer, allowing conditions more favourable for malaria to begin climbing into highland areas.
Sex-specific cardiovascular drug dosages needed to reduce adverse reactions in women Sex-specific cardiovascular drug dosages are needed to reduce adverse reactions in women, according to a position paper from the European Society of Cardiology published today in the June issue of European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy.
Blood cell discovery identifies patients with aggressive prostate cancer Patients who have aggressive prostate cancer could be identified by a highly accurate and simple blood test, according to an early study by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL).
Review: No definitive standard for identifying and treating veterans at risk for suicide A systematic review of basic and clinical science research has revealed no definitive standard for detecting military veterans at risk of suicidal behavior, nor is there a clear standard of treatment to prevent suicide among U.S. veterans.
Tumor PD-L2 expression may predict patient response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy PD-L2 protein expression in human tumors was associated with clinical response to pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, independent of PD-L1 expression, in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
	Music sessions can help millions who struggle to speak to lead a richer life Tailored music sessions could be crucial in transforming the lives of millions of people whose speech is impacted by learning difficulties, strokes, dementia, brain damage and autism, a new study suggests.
Drop in violence associated with smoke-free policy at psychiatric hospital New King's College London research reveals a 39 per cent drop in physical assaults—both between patients and towards staff—following the introduction of a smoke-free policy at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM).
New class drug significantly reduces spine fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis The results of a study presented today at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2017 show that in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, 12 months of treatment with romosozumab is associated with large, rapid reductions in their risk of a vertebral fracture compared to placebo.
Body fat and waist size linked to increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in women The results of a population study presented today at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2017 obesity in women, as defined by body mass index (BMI), abdominal obesity and a higher body fat percentage is associated with a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
New imaging technique may help identify joint inflammation in children earlier The results of a study presented today at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2017 have confirmed that fluorescence optical imaging (FOI), a technique used to visualise inflammation in arthritic joints, is as effective as ultrasound with power doppler (US/PD) at monitoring response to treatment in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). FOI was also found to be more effective than US/PD at detecting inflammation in the absence of symptoms and signs.1
Low complication rates after screening colonoscopy During colonoscopy screening for bowel cancer and in the four weeks after the procedure, the risk for complications is low. This is the finding of a prospective cohort study conducted in the Saarland region, published in the current issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International.
Early therapeutic intervention for pre-RA patients significantly reduces risk of RA The results of a meta-analysis presented today at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2017 press conference has demonstrated that early therapeutic intervention in patients with so-called pre-rheumatoid arthritis (pre-RA) significantly reduces the risk of the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in these patients at 52 weeks or more.
Continuing anti-TNF treatment with CZP for RA during pregnancy: No or negligible placental transfer The results of a pharmacokinetic study presented today at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2017 showed no or negligible placental transfer of the anti-TNF drug certolizumab pegol (CZP) from mothers to infants during pregnancy.
Urogenital infection as a possible cause of male infertility In couples who have not been able to have children, male infertility is the cause in at least half of cases. In 6 to 10 percent, the cause is a urogenital infection. The risk of irreversible infertility associated with urogenital infections in men should not be underestimated, say Hans-Christian Schuppe and coauthors in a review article in the current issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. For this reason, appropriate diagnostic evaluation of infections and inflammation in men should be a component in the basic examination in couples who cannot conceive. In their article, the authors from Justus Liebig University Giessen summarize what is currently known about the possible effects of urogenital infections on male fertility and make recommendations on diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
New tools help early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis The results of two studies presented today at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2017 highlight the use of two new tools that can potentially play a pivotal role in the early diagnosis of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). ,
Previous bacterial infection increases risk of newly-diagnosed Sjogren's syndrome syndrome The results of a study presented today at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2017 have shown a link between newly-diagnosed Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) and previous infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM).
New research could improve the effectiveness of flu vaccines and therapies Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have shown that for the virus that causes the flu, two wrongs can sometimes make a right.
	How research into supply chains will help you take care of yourself Researchers are working with pharmaceutical companies to make improvements across the whole supply chain, from how a pill is made to the moment it is swallowed by the patient.
	Keeping the rhythm in space Space is an inhospitable environment for the human body but we adapt remarkably well. Within hours, the brain adjusts to the lack of an up or down, as if floating is all it has ever known. Now researchers are learning how our internal clock similarly adjusts to the restrictions of space. An ESA-sponsored experiment has found that while you can take the body out of Earth, you can't take an Earth-based rhythm out of the body.
	Epigenetics could help diagnose different types of cleft Cleft lip and/or palate are common birth defects and affect around 15 in every 10,000 births in Europe. New research by the University of Bristol from the largest study of cleft lip and/or palate in the world, the Cleft Collective, has found epigenetics could help diagnose different types of cleft.
Study finds no gender difference in stress as a risk factor for coronary heart disease Stress, especially in women, is increasingly being recognized as a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, a condition in which blood vessels to the heart are blocked by plaque buildup or inflammation.
	Neurotoxin in cigarette smoke worsens pain in spinal cord injuries Researchers have identified a key component in cigarette smoke that worsens pain in people with spinal cord injury, suggesting that a critical element within tobacco is responsible for such pain-inducing effects.
	Inadequate burn treatment common for toddler scalds More than two-thirds of toddlers burned in hot drink accidents are not treated with correct first aid, according to new research.
	Cultural background plays role in patients' decision to have mammograms Clinicians, social workers and medical professionals should be aware of how cultural factors influence whether individuals choose to receive preventative health care measures, according to new research from the University at Buffalo.
	Plant compound more powerful than AZT against HIV A plant found throughout Southeast Asia traditionally used to treat arthritis and rheumatism contains a potent anti-HIV compound more powerful than the drug AZT, according to a new paper published in the Journal of Natural Compounds.
'Human foie gras' whets appetite of drugs giants As obesity expands waistlines in the Western world, a silent killer linked to the condition nicknamed "human foie gras" is spurring a potential bonanza worth billions for drugs giants.
One in five children in developed world in relative poverty: UN One in five children in rich countries lives in relative poverty, according to a UNICEF report published Thursday that put the US and New Zealand among the world's worst performers for youth well-being.
Japan limbers up with monkey bars, radio drills At the stroke of 1:00 pm, a group of Tokyo IT workers spring from their desks for a few minutes of rigorous bending, stretching and thrusting as a voice on the radio instructs them—"ichi, ni, san (one, two, three)".
Older women in Hawaii 57% more likely to live in poverty than older men A new analysis finds that Social Security benefits are especially crucial for older women in Hawaiʻi, who are more likely to live in poverty and less likely to have access to assets or savings in retirement. The report, released by the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, is a first in examining more closely the economic status of older adults in Hawaiʻi by gender and race/ethnicity.
	Global fungus tied to continental drift Cryptococcus, a type of fungi found worldwide that is responsible annually for upwards of 625,000 deaths, was likely originally spread across the globe in conjunction with continental drift, according to a report by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).
	Scientists establish a foot in the door in precision medicine for oesophageal cancer Scientists at the Universities of Aberdeen and Dundee have established a foot in the door in finding new, precision treatments for patients with oesophageal cancer, one of the hardest forms of the disease to treat.
	Racism aggravates treatment-resistant asthma Racial discrimination experienced by African-American children and young adults exacerbates a type of asthma known to be resistant to standard treatment, according to a study headed by researchers at UC San Francisco.
	Elder abuse report ignores impact on people's health The good news is that Australia is doing something positive to improve the lives of our parents and grandparents. The bad news is we can no longer pretend there are golden years awaiting us all in old age.
In vitro method for predicting the biocompatibility of medical implants Researchers at the Universitat Jaume I (UJI), the University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU) and the Centre for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE) have patented a new in vitro method for predicting the biocompatibility of materials to be used in the manufacture of medical implants, such as joint and dental prostheses, valves and stents.
	Gap in health care for Alzheimer´s disease patients who live alone Swedish researchers report in an article published in the Journal of Alzheimer´s Disease that 46 percent of patients who are diagnosed with Alzheimer´s disease in Sweden live alone in their homes, in particular older women.
	Rate of Alzheimer's deaths on the rise The rate of death from Alzheimer's disease in the United States increased by more than 50 percent in the past 15 years, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
	Deaths from Alzheimer's disease in Scotland increase by 31% in one year Deaths from dementia in Scotland have soared by 31 percent in a year, according to new statistics released by the National Records of Scotland today.
	Are maternal hormones different when carrying a boy or a girl? With advances in prenatal testing it's now possible to find out whether a pregnancy will result in a male or female baby as early as eight weeks' gestation.
	Two in five pregnant women don't receive care in the first trimester Around 40% of expectant mothers in New South Wales are delaying important early pregnancy tests and screening, new research has found.
	Why treating breast cancer with less may be more Women with breast cancer have long faced complicated choices about the best course of treatment.
New screening tool helps ID heart surgery patients at risk of malnutrition Patients who are at risk for malnutrition when undergoing heart surgery now can be more quickly and easily identified, leading to intervention and potentially better surgical outcomes, according to a study published online today in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
	What the pupils tells us about language The meaning of a word is enough to trigger a reaction in our pupil: when we read or hear a word with a meaning associated with luminosity ("sun," "shine," etc.), our pupils contract as they would if they were actually exposed to greater luminosity. And the opposite occurs with a word associated with darkness ("night," "gloom," etc.). These results, published on 14 June 2017 in Psychological Science by researchers from the Laboratoire de psychologie cognitive (CNRS/AMU), the Laboratoire parole et langage (CNRS/AMU) and the University of Groningen (Netherlands), open up a new avenue for better understanding how our brain processes language.
	When healthy cells stimulate the migration of tumor cells Estrogens act as a driving force of both healthy and cancerous mammary cell growth by binding to receptors that include a type named GPER, which is generally located in cell membranes. Recent studies have, however, revealed the unusual presence of this receptor in the nuclei of fibroblasts - cells of the connective tissue - surrounding mammary tumor cells. Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, have discovered that this is in fact another version of GPER, a nuclear variant of this receptor, with different properties. The fibroblasts carrying this variant promote the migration of neighboring malignant cells, thus participating in the process of tumor metastasis. This research, which may pave the way to a novel therapeutic strategy, is published in the journal Oncotarget.
	The maths of life and death—the secret weapon in the fight against disease Maths is the language of science. It crops up everywhere from physics to engineering and chemistry – aiding us in understanding the origins of the universe and building bridges that won't collapse in the wind. Perhaps a little more surprisingly, maths is also increasingly integral to biology.
Many childcare services fall short of nutrition recommendations Many Early Childhood Education centres serving food to children do not have menus that meet nutritional guidelines, according to research from the University of Auckland's Centre for Longitudinal Research - He Ara ki Mua.
	Intermediaries may increase recall of correct information in police interviews with vulnerable witnesses, says study The use of intermediaries during police interviews with vulnerable witnesses - such as children - may significantly increase the recall of correct details, according a new study from City, University of London and the University of Winchester.
	Surgeon urges new focus on diabetic ulcers Foot ulcers are a prevalent complication for millions of people with diabetes. Estimates indicate that as many as one-third of people with the disease will develop at least one foot ulcer over the course of their lifetime. These wounds can lead to further complications such as strokes, heart attacks, infections, loss of limbs and premature death.
Researchers call for better quality and consistency of electronic health record studies We need improved quality of recording asthma diagnosis and events if the UK is to effectively use the very considerable potential locked within electronic health records to promote improvements in asthma care and catalyse research.
	Reproducing a retinal disease on a chip Approximately 80% of all sensory input is received via the eyes, so suffering from chronic retinal diseases that lead to blindness causes a significant decrease in the quality of life (QOL). And because retinal diseases are most common among the elderly, developing pathological analyses and treatments for retinal diseases has become an urgent issue in super-aging countries such as Japan.
Persistent pain shows up inefficiency of current psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treatment The results of two studies presented today at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2017 press conference have highlighted limitations in the current treatment of patients with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA).
	Induced Cell Turnover: A proposed modality for in situ tissue regeneration & repair Thursday, July 15, 2017, London, UK: Scientists at the Biogerontology Research Foundation, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University and Swammerdam Institute of Life Sciences at the University of Amsterdam have published a paper on a proposed method of in situ tissue regeneration called Induced Cell Turnover (ICT) in the journal Human Gene Therapy. The proposed therapeutic modality would aim to coordinate the targeted ablation of endogenous cells with the administration of minimally-differentiated, hPSC-derived cells in a gradual and multi-phasic manner so as to extrinsically mediate the turnover and replacement of whole tissues and organs with stem-cell derived cells.
	Diets rich in polyunsaturated fats may alter appetite hormones among millennials New published research shows millennials (ages 18-35) who regularly consume foods that contain polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), such as walnuts, salmon and canola oil, may experience favorable changes in appetite hormones associated with hunger and satiety. Specific hormones in the body help control appetite. Some hormones are responsible for signaling the body to eat, whereas others tell the body it's full, or satiated. Research is exploring how foods may reduce hunger or increase satiety by influencing these hormones. These types of hormonal changes could ultimately play a role in achieving optimal body weight.
Cognitive behavior therapy significantly reduced depression and anxiety in chronic pain patients The results of a study presented today at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2017 has shown that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that focuses on psychological flexibility and behaviour change, provided a significant reduction in self-reported depression and anxiety among patients participating in a pain rehabilitation programme.
New flu test: One drop of blood could save your life Australian researchers have developed a world first test to identify which influenza patients will need urgent, life-saving, medical treatment.
Proof of the transfer of aluminium from menu trays to food The Cook&Chill process is a standard method used in institutional catering facilities, such as children's day care centres, schools, canteens and out-of-house catering. "In view of the aluminium contamination that already exists in the population, the goal should be to minimise every additional source of uptake wherever possible. This applies above all to vulnerable consumer groups, such as small children and elderly people, who may well be eating food that was kept warm in an aluminium tray every day," says BfR President Professor Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel. Aluminium compounds are a natural component of drinking water and many untreated foods, such as fruit and vegetables. Consumers can also ingest aluminium through the inappropriate use of cooking utensils made of aluminium or through aluminium foil and cosmetic products.
Vaccination: Main prevention measure to address hepatitis A outbreaks among MSM 1 173 confirmed hepatitis A cases involving three separate clusters have been reported across 15 countries of the European Union since June 2016. Several EU countries have seen large increases in hepatitis A cases in 2017 compared to previous years, and these are mainly affecting men who have sex with men. In light of these outbreaks and the beginning of Pride period, ECDC stresses the importance of hepatitis A vaccination and the delivery of primary prevention messages as main options to avoid new infections. As several EU/EEA countries experience hepatitis A vaccine shortages, targeting of vaccination to groups at higher risk of infection and advice for safer sex practice are also highlighted.
	Knowing HIV levels are 'undetectable' may affect sexual behavior Understanding and responding to behavioral trends in groups that are at high risk for HIV infection is critical to the development of effective strategies that decrease HIV incidence and improve access to care. New research based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) system are presented in a special supplement to JAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. The journal is published by Wolters Kluwer.
Special efforts are needed to address trauma in refugee youth In a study of children and adolescents referred for mental health services at US trauma treatment sites, there were important differences in the experiences of refugee youth who were displaced by war-related violence relative to immigrants and those born in the United States.
Cardiac stem cells from heart disease patients may be harmful Patients with severe and end-stage heart failure have few treatment options available to them apart from transplants and "miraculous" stem cell therapy. But a new Tel Aviv University study finds that stem cell therapy may, in fact, harm heart disease patients.
Inhibitor drug improves overall survival in older radioiodine resistant thyroid cancer The drug lenvatinib can significantly improve overall survival rates in a group of thyroid cancer patients whose disease is resistant to standard radioiodine treatment, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The study, published today in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, is the first to show lenvatinib has a definitive impact on overall survival (OS). Researchers found OS improves in patients older than 65 years of age and that the drug is well-tolerated.
Giving children a voice in clinical trials Children as young as 8 years old with incurable cancer can reliably characterize the impact an experimental therapy has on their symptoms and quality of life - even at the earliest stages of drug development - making self-reported patient outcomes a potential new clinical trial endpoint, according to a longitudinal validity study led by Children's National Health System researchers.
	Modeling the brain with 'Lego bricks' Researchers from the University of Luxembourg, in cooperation with the University of Strasbourg, have developed a computational method that could be used to guide surgeons during brain surgery.
	Targeting immune cells that help tumors stay hidden could improve immunotherapy Researchers at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC have discovered a clue that could unlock the potential of immunotherapy drugs to successfully treat more cancers. The findings, published in Cell, were made in mice and showed that targeting a sub-population of immune cells called regulatory T cells could be an effective approach to treating cancers. The findings also point to what could be an important mechanism by which current immunotherapy drugs work, providing clues to making them more effective.
	FDA rule improves labeling of medications used during pregnancy and lactation The new U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule should help healthcare providers better explain to pregnant and breastfeeding patients the benefits and risks of taking a specific medication. The new labeling format provides a summary of the evidence-based risks, replacing the previous that were too often misinterpreted, according to an article published in Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology website.
Nurses crucial in improving uptake of potentially life-saving vaccine in vulnerable RMD patients The results of a study presented today at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2017 press conference showed that implementing a vaccination programme run by nursing staff dramatically improves pneumococcal vaccination coverage among vulnerable patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
New blood test detects stroke and heart attack risk in lupus patients with no CVD symptoms The results of a study presented today at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2017 press conference have shown that a specific biomarker detected in the blood of lupus patients with no symptoms of cardiovascular disease (CVD), thought to be at low risk of CVD based on traditional risk factors, is associated with the presence of atherosclerosis .
Low-dose CT scanning improves assessment of ankylosing spondylitis patients The results of a study presented today at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2017 showed that low dose computed tomography (LD-CT) is more sensitive than conventional radiographs (X-rays) in the monitoring of disease progression in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS).
Biological DMARD guidelines associated with a reduced need for knee and hip replacements in RA The results of a Danish study presented today at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) 2017 press conference showed that the incidence of total knee replacements (TKR) carried out on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) started to decrease after the introduction of biological Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (bDMARDs) to national treatment guidelines.
High prevalence of CRE in Washington, D.C. healthcare facilities Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), a family of highly pathogenic antibiotic-resistant organisms, are endemic across Washington, D.C. healthcare facilities, with 5.2% of inpatients testing positive for the bacteria, according to new research published online today in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. This study, determining a regional baseline prevalence of the often-deadly superbug among inpatients, is part of a coordinated regional approach led by the D.C. Department of Health (DOH), D.C. Hospital Association (DCHA), and D.C. Department of Forensic Science-Public Health Lab (DFS-PHL).
	Phone app helps doctors reframe opioid talks with patients A phone app is helping doctors have difficult conversations with patients about lowering doses of opioids.
	Snacks with added fiber a part of Nutrition Facts delay Snack bars, cereals and brownies with added fiber may not appear as filling under a new labeling rule.
Women who focus negatively, magnify chronic pain, more likely to be taking prescribed opioids Female chronic pain sufferers who catastrophize, a psychological condition in which pain is exaggerated or irrationally focused on, not only report greater pain intensity, but are more likely to be taking prescribed opioids than men with the same condition, according to a study published Online First in Anesthesiology, the peer-reviewed medical journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).
	Research on crucial cutting enzyme maps sites of DNA damage in leukemias and other cancers Researchers studying a DNA-cutting enzyme with a crucial role in regulating the structure of genes have discovered a broad role for its cutting activity in driving abnormal genetic rearrangements called translocations that cause cancer, including leukemias and solid tumors.
Study examines facial fractures from recreational activity in adults 55 and older Aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening activities are encouraged for older adults but there are implications for injury patterns and prevention.
	Mistaken antibodies may have led breast cancer research down a 20-year dead end For nearly two decades researchers have sought a way to target an estrogen receptor in the hope they could improve breast cancer survival, but an article published today in Nature Communications contends that the effort may never pan out. The reason? The target receptor does not actually appear to be where they believe it to be.
Program developed to provide free hearing aids to low-income adults An intervention at a free clinic that included comprehensive care for hearing was able to provide recycled, donated hearing aids to low-income adults, according to a study published by JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
	A rusty and sweet side of sepsis Sepsis is a major global healthcare problem that affects over 18 million individuals per year, every single year, corresponding to 1,400 deaths per day. In Europe and the US alone, there are an estimated 135,000 and 215,000 causalities and €7.6 and €17.4 billion related treating costs, respectively.
	Investigation tests drug to activate immune system, help fight cancer On Earth, research into antibody-drug conjugates to treat cancer has been around a while. The research presents a problem, though, because Earth-based laboratories aren't able to mimic the shape of the cancer cell within the body, which can sometimes produce incorrect findings. The International Space Station's unique microgravity environment allows scientists to approach the research from a new, 3-D angle.
19-year-olds as sedentary as 60-year-olds, study suggests Physical activity among children and teens is lower than previously thought, and, in another surprise finding, young adults after the age of 20 show the only increases in activity over the lifespan, suggests a study conducted by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. And, the study found, starting at age 35, activity levels declined through midlife and older adulthood.
	Scientists reveal mechanism behind mosquito-borne-disease 'blocker' used to fight viruses A new study from Indiana University may explain how a bacterium called Wolbachia prevents mosquitoes from transmitting deadly diseases such as dengue fever, West Nile virus and Zika.
	Scientists ID mutations that could allow bird flu strain to spread among humans An international team of scientists has identified several genetic mutations that, should they arise, could potentially allow the avian influenza strain H7N9 to spread between humans. The findings are published in PLOS Pathogens.
	Researchers explore why those with autism avoid eye contact Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often find it difficult to look others in the eyes. This avoidance has typically been interpreted as a sign of social and personal indifference, but reports from people with autism suggests otherwise. Many say that looking others in the eye is uncomfortable or stressful for them - some will even say that "it burns" - all of which points to a neurological cause. Now, a team of investigators based at the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital has shed light on the brain mechanisms involved in this behavior. They reported their findings in a Scientific Reports paper published online this month.
Study suggests NSAIDs improve survival for certain colorectal cancer patients Among long-term colorectal cancer survivors, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, is associated with about a 25 percent reduction in all-cause mortality, according to new research from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to be published June 15 online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
	Replacing saturated fat with healthier fat may lower cholesterol as well as drugs The American Heart Association continues to recommend replacing saturated fats with poly- and mono-unsaturated vegetable oil to help prevent heart disease, according to a new American Heart Association advisory, published in the association's journal Circulation.
Horse, rhythm-and-music therapies may boost recovery after stroke Horseback riding and rhythm-and-music therapies may improve stroke survivors' perception of recovery, gait, balance, grip strength and cognition years after their stroke, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Stroke.
	Medical costs soar for U.S. babies born addicted to opioids (HealthDay)—The number of U.S. newborns hospitalized for opiate withdrawal has spiked sharply in recent years—and so has the cost of treating them, a new study shows.
	Leading U.S. doctors' group takes aim at rising drug prices (HealthDay)—The American Medical Association is calling for more transparency in drug pricing amid skyrocketing costs that are putting some lifesaving medications out of reach for patients and communities.
	When parents focus on smartphones, kids' misbehaving can rise (HealthDay)—Could your smartphone prompt a toddler tantrum? Perhaps, a new study suggests.
	'Couch potatoes' may face higher risk of kidney, bladder cancers (HealthDay)—Add greater risk of kidney and bladder cancer to the long list of why a lifetime of sitting on the sofa isn't good for your health, a new study suggests.
	Are you at risk for metabolic syndrome? (HealthDay)—Scientists have identified a group of specific factors that increase your risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, all of which are severe health threats.
	Good results for zone MPC-based artificial pancreas (HealthDay)—A zone model predictive control (MPC)-based artificial pancreas (AP) system improves glycemic control in a home-use environment, according to a study published online June 5 in Diabetes Care.
	Cutaneous malignancies can mimic seborrheic keratosis (HealthDay)—Of a sample of lesions deemed seborrheic keratoses clinically, 3.1 percent were histologically diagnosed as malignancies, according to research published online June 7 in the Journal of Cutaneous Pathology.
	Many PCI operators performing fewer PCIs than recommended (HealthDay)—Many U.S. percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) operators are performing fewer than the recommended number of PCI procedures, according to a study published in the June 20 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
	Strategies implemented to cut opioid ODs, deaths in maryland (HealthDay)—Strategies are being implemented to reduce opioid overdoses and deaths in Maryland, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
	Novel retinal lesion seen in some ebola survivors (HealthDay)—A small percentage of Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors have a novel retinal lesion, according to research published in the July issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Emerging Infectious Diseases.
	Nomogram predicts survival for adults undergoing CAC scoring (HealthDay)—A simple-to-use nomogram can predict five-, 10-, and 15-year survival among adults undergoing coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS), according to a study published online June 14 in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.
	Risk of HPV-linked second cancers up after anal cancer (HealthDay)—Survivors of squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) have an elevated risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related second primary malignancies (SPMs), according to a study published online June 13 in Cancer.
	Rates of marijuana use, heavy use, and cannabis use disorder depend on where you live Adult marijuana use rose significantly in states that passed loosely regulated medical marijuana laws (MMLs) according to a new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and Columbia University Medical Center. Highest increases were reported among adults ages 26 and over. Little change was found in past-month marijuana use among adolescents or young adults between the ages 18 and 25. The findings are published online in the journal Addiction.
	Transgender actors effective in teaching new doctors to provide respectful care By acting out scenarios commonly seen in the clinic, real-life transgender actors can help residents learn to provide more sensitive care to people with a different gender identity than the one they were assigned at birth. This is the main finding of a study published online June 15 in the Journal of Graduate Medical Education.
	Mathematical models for healing burns Daniël Koppenol, together with Fred Vermolen (both TU Delft), has developed various mathematical models to simulate the healing of wounds, in particular burns, with the aim of improving healing. As Vermolen points out, collaboration between the disciplines of mathematics, biology and medicine is still in its infancy, but it would offer great opportunities. Koppenol has been awarded a PhD for this work at TU Delft on Thursday, 15 June.
	New tool measures resilience in adolescent Syrian refugees Researchers from Yale University, together with partners at universities in Canada, Jordan, and the United Kingdom, have developed a brief and reliable survey tool to measure resilience in children and adolescents who have been displaced by the brutal conflict in Syria.Over 5 million people have been forced to flee the six-year-old conflict in Syria, and over 650,000 Syrians are now rebuilding their lives in neighboring Jordan. Building resilience in people affected by war is a priority for humanitarian workers, but there is no established measure that could help assess the strengths that young people in the Middle East have in adversity. This makes it difficult to assess the nature of resilience and to track changes over time.
	Gov't report: Health care deductibles higher under GOP bill President Donald Trump promised to make health care more affordable but a government report finds that out-of-pocket costs—deductibles and copayments—would average 61 percent higher under the House Republican bill.
	Uncertainty as Nevada aims to launch recreational pot soon Nevada voters legalized recreational marijuana in November, and officials are trying to put rules in place to start selling it on July 1.

Biology news

	Lab-created antibody could hold the secret to making stem cell therapy safer Stem cells have paved the way for a new era in regenerative medicine, but their use is fraught with risk. Now, A*STAR scientists have developed an antibody that could make stem cell therapy safer.
	Researchers use optogenetics and mathematical modelling to identify a central molecule in cell mechanics All cell types continually generate forces in the human body. An interdisciplinary cooperation of biologists and physicists including Heidelberg researcher Prof. Dr Ulrich Schwarz now succeeded in performing high-resolution measurements of cell forces using light to switch them on and off in a controlled manner. The scientists from the universities of Heidelberg and Chicago (USA) used optogenetics and mathematical modelling to identify a central molecule in cellular mechanics. The results of this research were published in the journal Nature Communications.
	Distant fish relatives share looks James Cook University scientists have found evidence that even distantly related Australian fish species have evolved to look and act like each other, which confirms a central tenet of evolutionary theory.
	An alternative hypothesis on the faunal colonization of the Himalayas? Until now, the fauna of the Himalayas was considered to be an "immigration fauna", with species that have immigrated primarily from neighbouring regions to the west and east since the geological formation of this mountain range. Using molecular-genetic methods, a German-Chinese research team has now tested an alternative colonization hypothesis on lazy toads (Pelobatoidea). The findings indicate that this group arose earlier than assumed in southern Tibet, and went on to colonize the Himalayas from there after its formation. The immigration and evolution of many species in the Himalayas might therefore have taken a different course than previously assumed.
	Holes drilled in shells point to bigger predators picking on small prey The drill holes left in fossil shells by hunters such as snails and slugs show marine predators have grown steadily bigger and more powerful over time but stuck to picking off small prey, rather than using their added heft to pursue larger quarry, new research shows.
	Researchers discover new antibiotic effective against drug-resistant bacteria Scientists from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, the biotechnology company NAICONS Srl., and elsewhere have discovered a new antibiotic effective against drug-resistant bacteria: pseudouridimycin. The new antibiotic is produced by a microbe found in a soil sample collected in Italy and was discovered by screening microbes from soil samples. The new antibiotic kills a broad spectrum of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant bacteria in a test tube and cures bacterial infections in mice.
	Video imaging of single molecule DNA replication Almost all life on Earth is based on DNA being copied, or replicated. Now for the first time scientists have been able to watch the replication of a single DNA molecule, with some surprising findings. For one thing, there's a lot more randomness at work than has been thought.
	Dynamic DNA helps ward off gene damage, study reveals Researchers have identified properties in DNA's protective structure that could transform the way scientists think about the human genome.
	New genetic technique could help identify potential drug targets for malaria Scientists have developed a new technique for investigating the effects of gene deletion at later stages in the life cycle of a parasite that causes malaria in rodents, according to a new study in PLOS Pathogens. The novel approach, developed by Upeksha Rathnapala and colleagues at the University of Melbourne, Australia, could enhance research into potential drug targets for malaria treatment.
	Gene transfer keeps bacteria fit Researchers at the University of Basel's Biozentrum have discovered that Bartonella bacteria exchange genes efficiently using a domesticated virus encoded in their genome. As the findings published in Cell Systems demonstrate, the exchange of genetic material only takes place between bacteria with a high level of fitness. The gene transfer between pathogens prevents the accumulation of genetic defects, promotes the spread of beneficial gene mutations and thus keeps the bacteria fit.
Elegant switch controls translation in transition from egg to embryo The transition from an egg to a developing embryo is one of life's most remarkable transformations. Yet little is known about it. Now Whitehead Institute researchers have deciphered how one aspect—control of the all-important translation of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) into proteins—switches as the egg becomes an embryo. That shift is controlled by a beautiful mechanism, which is triggered at a precise moment in development and automatically shuts itself off after a narrow window of 20 to 90 minutes.
	First few millimeters of the leaf margin identify palm species in a new key to Syagrus An incredible amount of information is contained in the very first few millimeters of the leaflet margin of species in the Neotropical palm genus Syagrus.
	Gut bacteria might one day help slow down aging process Slowing down the aging process might be possible one day with supplements derived from gut bacteria. Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston have identified bacterial genes and compounds that extend the life of and also slow down the progression of tumors and the accumulation of amyloid-beta, a compound associated with Alzheimer's disease, in the laboratory worm C. elegans. The study appears in the journal Cell.
Newly identified method of gene regulation challenges accepted science, researchers say Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered an unexpected layer of the regulation of gene expression. The finding will likely disrupt scientists' understanding of how cells regulate their genes to develop, communicate and carry out specific tasks throughout the body.
Biomedical engineering researchers' findings and methodology are game-changers A study by three researchers in VCU's Department of Biomedical Engineering enhances understanding of a cell's response to mechanical cues from its surrounding environment, a key regulator of cell function. "Mechanotransduction Dynamics at the Cell-Matrix Interface" by assistant professor Seth Weinberg, Ph.D., student Devin Mair (pictured above) and associate professor Christopher Lemmon, Ph.D., employs a computational-experimental methodology with implications for further insights into mechanical interactions between cells. The study, which is part of a project funded by a $1.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, appears in the May 2017 issue of Biophysical Journal.
	Southern California mountain lions' genetic connectivity dangerously low If a dangerously inbred puma population in Southern California is to survive in the future, an urgent need for genetic connectivity must be met, according to two scientific papers from a team of researchers coordinated by the University of California, Davis, and involving scientists at the University of Wyoming and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
	Bee antennae offer links between the evolution of social behavior and communication As bees' social behavior evolved, their complex chemical communication systems evolved in concert, according to a study published online by the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

---

This email is a free service of Science X Network
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you no longer want to receive this email use the link below to unsubscribe.
https://sciencex.com/profile/nwletter/
You are subscribed as jmabs1@gmail.com