Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Science X Newsletter Tuesday, Jun 13

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for June 13, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Could your breakfast cloud your judgment?

Researchers determine chemical composition of the stellar cluster Gaia1

Evidence that Jupiter is the oldest planet in the solar system

Researchers create a high-temperature device that produces electricity from industrial waste heat

Neural networks take on quantum entanglement

Mosquito-killing fungi engineered with spider and scorpion toxins could help fight malaria

Autism risk linked to fever during pregnancy

Spying on fish love calls could help protect them from overfishing

Breakthrough in thin electrically conducting sheets paves way for smaller electronic devices

Scientists reverse mechanism of fatty liver disease

Researchers discover what may be earliest stage of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers devise a new way to examine the movement of low-energy electrons

Helium droplets offer new precision to single-molecule laser measurement

Alpha leaders tend to be front-runner candidates

Reductions in phosphorous in lakes in China due to government efforts

Astronomy & Space news

Researchers determine chemical composition of the stellar cluster Gaia1

(Phys.org)—Astronomers have determined chemical abundances of several elements for six giant stars of a recently discovered stellar cluster known as Gaia1. The results, available in a paper published June 5 on arXiv.org, reveal chemical composition of the cluster, providing important hints about its nature and origin.

Evidence that Jupiter is the oldest planet in the solar system

An international group of scientists has found that Jupiter is the oldest planet in our solar system.

Galaxy alignments traced back ten billion years

A new study led by Michael West of Lowell Observatory reveals that the most massive galaxies in the universe have been aligned with their surroundings for the past ten billion years. It is the furthest back in time that this phenomenon has ever been seen.

Researchers devise new strategy to search for ancient black holes

An interdisciplinary team of physicists and astronomers at the University of Amsterdam's GRAPPA Center of Excellence for Gravitation and Astroparticle Physics has devised a new strategy to search for 'primordial' black holes produced in the early universe. Such black holes are possibly responsible for the gravitational wave events observed by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory.

VST captures three-in-one

Two of the sky's more famous residents share the stage with a lesser-known neighbour in this enormous new three gigapixel image from ESO's VLT Survey Telescope (VST). On the right lies Sharpless 2-54, the iconic Eagle Nebula is in the centre, and the Omega Nebula to the left. This cosmic trio makes up just a portion of a vast complex of gas and dust within which new stars are springing to life and illuminating their surroundings.

VLA gives new insight into galaxy cluster's spectacular 'mini-halo'

Astronomers using the National Science Foundation's Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) have discovered new details that are helping them decipher the mystery of how giant radio-emitting structures are formed at the center of a cluster of galaxies.

How to back up life on Earth ahead of any doomsday event

There are ten asteroids that the space organisation NASA said this month have been classified as "potentially hazardous" based on their size and their orbits in our Solar system.

NASA unveils Mars rover concept vehicle

It looks like something out of this world, but that's exactly where it would work. A futuristic Mars rover concept vehicle was recently unveiled at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex with a goal of inspiration and education as NASA continues developing plans for its journey to the Red Planet.

New window improves the view of science on orbiting laboratory

One of the busiest work stations on the International Space Station got a major upgrade recently, and it already has saved dozens of hours on a variety of experiments for crew members aboard the orbiting laboratory.

A&A special issue: The VLA-COSMOS 3 GHz large project

Astronomy & Astrophysics is publishing a series of six articles presenting the results of the VLA-COSMOS 3 GHz Large Project. Led by researchers at the University of Zagreb, the team used the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) telescope to observe a two square degree patch of sky called the COSMOS field, for a duration of 384 hours. The astronomers obtained one of the clearest (highest angular resolution) and deepest (most sensitive) radio images ever produced over such a large region of the sky. In the radio ''skymap'', the team detected nearly 11000 galaxies. The new radio data have been combined with optical, infrared, and X-ray observations from worldwide leading telescopes.

Technology news

Project Sunroof's red dots display neighborhood view on solar installations

Launched in 2015, a Google project has been holding the hands of people interested in going solar in their homes with the how-to and as important the why-to if to save on costs.

A seaweed derivative could be just what lithium-sulfur batteries need

Lithium-sulfur batteries have great potential as a low-cost, high-energy, energy source for both vehicle and grid applications. However, they suffer from significant capacity fading. Now scientists from the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have made a surprising discovery that could fix this problem.

Latvian man extradited to US in alleged hacking scheme

A Latvian man has made an initial appearance in U.S. federal court for his alleged involvement in a hacking scheme that caused internet users to lose millions of dollars.

Raving Rabbids, Mario join forces in new Switch game

Video game giants Ubisoft and Nintendo have teamed up to put their respective stars, Raving Rabbids and Mario, together in a new role-playing adventure.

Experts: Uber must make changes at top to fix culture woes

Uber must get rid of leaders who tolerate bad behavior and hire people who don't—including up to the chief executive—experts say, as the ride-hailing company gets ready to announce significant changes to its culture and management.

UK, France: tougher action on tech firms to fight extremism

Britain and France plan tougher action to tackle online radicalization, as they announced Monday a new joint campaign to stop the internet from being a safe space for terrorists.

'Big Data' resource raises possibility of research revolution

A group of UK scientists involving researchers from the University of Bristol have demonstrated how aggregating image data from laboratories all around the world has the potential to revolutionise scientific research.

Sony fires at Xbox with arsenal of big PS4 games

Sony on Monday showed off rich, action-packed new PlayStation 4 video games, some for virtual reality, as it defended its crown as the top-selling new-generation console.

GM raises output of self-driving Bolts, boosts test fleet

General Motors Co. says it has built 130 self-driving Chevrolet Bolt electric cars at a factory in suburban Detroit, making it among the first automakers to mass produce self-driving vehicles.

Moment of truth at Uber as internal probe results to be released

Uber was to release results Tuesday of an internal investigation into misconduct and ethics, setting the stage for reforms at the ridesharing giant known for its no-holds-barred style of management.

DHS chief hints laptop ban may not be extended right now

It may not be necessary to expand a ban on laptops and other large electronics in the cabins of many international flights into the United States right now, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said Tuesday.

Yahoo signs off, completes sale to Verizon

Internet pioneer Yahoo ended its two-decade run as an independent company on Tuesday, completing the sale of its core online assets to telecom giant Verizon.

When the rubber hits the road: Recycled tires create stronger concrete

UBC engineers have developed a more resilient type of concrete using recycled tires that could be used for concrete structures like buildings, roads, dams and bridges while reducing landfill waste.

Apple sees autonomous cars as 'core' technology

Apple views autonomous driving systems as a "core technology" for the future, chief executive Tim Cook said in an interview aired Tuesday.

Egyptian watchdog says authorities blocking more websites

Egyptian authorities have intensified their blocking of critical websites and expanded their focus to so-called VPN sites that help users bypass such restrictions, a watchdog said.

Finland has the world's most energy-saving supermarket

Under VTT's leadership, Finland has the world's most energy-efficient supermarket, which consumes only 40% of the energy of a normal grocery store. A new solution is saving the retailer around EUR 180,000 in energy costs. The technology is now ready for use on commercial premises in general.

'Fintech' startup SoFi moving into traditional banking

Online lender and financial startup SoFi has taken the first step toward competing with the nation's biggest banks on their home turf: the checking account.

Medicine & Health news

Could your breakfast cloud your judgment?

Will that be eggs or cereal? The decisions people make might be partly based on what they had for breakfast that morning, a preliminary study suggests.

Autism risk linked to fever during pregnancy

Fever during pregnancy may raise the risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the child, according to a study led by scientists at the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII) at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. The effect was most pronounced in the second trimester, raising odds for ASD by 40 percent. Risk of an ASD was increased by over 300 percent for the children of women reporting three or more fevers after the twelfth week of pregnancy.

Scientists reverse mechanism of fatty liver disease

Researchers have identified the mechanism which causes a build-up of fat in the liver in a disease affecting one in five in the UK—and were able to reverse it in a mouse model.

Researchers discover what may be earliest stage of Alzheimer's disease

Older adults with elevated levels of brain-clogging plaques—but otherwise normal cognition—experience faster mental decline suggestive of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study led by the Keck School of Medicine of USC that looked at 10 years of data.

Doctors use magnetic stimulation to 'rewire' the brain for people with depression

Americans spend billions of dollars each year on antidepressants, but the National Institutes of Health estimates that those medications work for only 60 percent to 70 percent of people who take them. In addition, the number of people with depression has increased 18 percent since 2005, according to the World Health Organization, which this year launched a global campaign encouraging people to seek treatment.

Human reproduction likely to be more efficient than previously thought

How difficult is it to conceive? According to a widely-held view, fewer than one in three embryos make it to term, but a new study from a researcher at the University of Cambridge suggests that human embryos are not as susceptible to dying in the first weeks after fertilisation as often claimed.

How the brain hinders individual muscle control

The key to balance is, in part, the ability to overpower your mind. Your brain possesses what some researchers call "common drive." It wants to activate and relax all muscles in synchrony, including the opposing ones. It's probably why you find yourself swaying while trying to balance on one leg. When you start to teeter, your mind drives all the muscles to stiffen at the same time. The problem: This drive contains muscle oscillations, which cause you to sway again and continue the process.

Stress in pregnant disadvantaged women linked to neurodevelopment problems in offspring

(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in the U.S. has found a link between pregnant disadvantaged women and neurodevelopmental problems in their babies. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes their study of serum levels in 1,494 pregnant women participating in the New England Family Study, and what they found.

Scientists discover rare genetic susceptibility to common cold

Scientists have identified a rare genetic mutation that results in a markedly increased susceptibility to infection by human rhinoviruses (HRVs)—the main causes of the common cold. Colds contribute to more than 18 billion upper respiratory infections worldwide each year, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study .

More brain activity is not always better when it comes to memory and attention

Potential new ways of understanding the cause of cognitive impairments, such as problems with memory and attention, in brain disorders including schizophrenia and Alzheimer's are under the spotlight in a new research review.

Muscle growth finding may assist with cancer treatment

Monash University's Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) researchers have collaboratively developed a therapeutic approach that dramatically promotes the growth of muscle mass, which could potentially prevent muscle wasting in diseases including muscular dystrophy and cancer.

How reading makes us move

Right now, while you are reading these typewritten words, your hand muscles are moving imperceptibly, but measurably. These movements would be even greater if the words were handwritten.

Scientists make first crystal model of under-diagnosed autoimmune disease

As a molecular biologist, Kaori Noridomi gets an up-close view of the targets of her investigations. But when she began studying the molecular structures of a rarely diagnosed autoimmune disorder, myasthenia gravis, she decided to step out of the lab for a better view.

New study reveals how RNA splicing errors may spark the development of both ALS and a form of dementia

The most frequent genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)—rare and related neurological disorders marked by progressive deterioration of motor or cognitive abilities—may be due to errors in RNA splicing, an intermediary step for translating genetic instructions into functional proteins.

Major new appetite regulator successfully manipulated in mice

Researchers from Imperial College London and colleagues have found a potential way to target the receptors that specifically control appetite in mouse brains, potentially without causing other side effects.

Altered virus may expand patient recruitment in human gene therapy trials

For many patients, participating in gene therapy clinical trials isn't an option because their immune system recognizes and fights the helpful virus used for treatment. Now, University of Florida Health and University of North Carolina researchers have found a solution that may allow it to evade the body's normal immune response.

Rare genetic disorders: New approach uses RNA in search for genetic triggers

In about half of all patients with rare hereditary disorders, it is still unclear what exact position of the genome is responsible for their condition. One reason for this is the enormous quantity of information encoded in human genes. Scientists from the fields of informatics and medicine have now joined forces to find a solution: A team at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Helmholtz Zentrum München has developed a method that significantly increases the chances of a successful search. The new approach looks not only at DNA, but also at RNA.

3-D-printed patch helps guide growing blood vessels

Ischemia results when narrowed, hardened or blocked blood vessels starve tissue, often resulting in heart attack, stroke, gangrene and other serious conditions. Surgery can correct the problem in large vessels, but treatment is much more complex in vessels that are smaller or damaged by prior treatment. Professor Christopher Chen (BME, MSE) is developing a method using 3D-printed patches infused with cells that offer a promising new approach to growing healthy blood vessels.

A SMARTer way to discover new stroke treatments

A sequential multiple assignment randomized (SMART) trial allows researchers to test two hypotheses at once.

New cancer drug makes commonly prescribed chemo drug more effective when given together

Researchers have found a way to increase the effectiveness of a widely used cancer drug while decreasing the risk of heart-damaging side effects, according to a new study by researchers from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. The findings are currently available in the journal Scientific Reports Nature publishing group.

Study shows pharmacists knew more about penicillin allergy than MDs

If you have gone through life avoiding certain antibiotics because you think you're allergic to penicillin, you'd probably want to know if you're not actually allergic. A new study shows many physicians who treat patients with "penicillin allergy" listed in their charts may not fully understand important facts about penicillin allergy. They may not be aware penicillin allergy can resolve over time and they don't fully understand the importance of allergy testing to make sure a penicillin allergy currently exists.

CT angiography appears better at predicting future risk for patients with chest pain

An analysis of diagnostic test results from the Prospective Multicenter Imaging Study for Evaluation of Chest Pain (PROMISE) trial - in which patients with stable chest pain were randomized to either anatomic or functional testing as an initial diagnostic strategy - showed that the presence and extent of coronary artery disease detected by CT angiography better predicted the risk for future cardiac events than did measures of exercise tolerance or restricted blood flow to the heart muscle. The superiority of CT angiography primarily depended on its ability to reveal nonobstructive coronary artery disease. The report by a team led by Udo Hoffmann, MD, MPH, of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) appears in the June 13 issue of Circulation.

New technology enables effective simultaneous testing for multiple blood-borne pathogens

The emergence of new pathogens like West Nile Virus, Ebola, Dengue, and Zika, threaten human health on a global scale. Identification of these pathogens requires a rapid response from industry to develop new tests and the FDA to assess test safety and efficacy. A report in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics evaluates the new OpenArray system that offers simultaneous detection of multiple viruses, bacteria, and protozoan pathogens in human blood samples. Investigators determined that this system is a promising tool for flexible, fast, and accurate blood screening.

Major study heralds new era in treatment of type 2 diabetes

A drug that lowers blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes has also been revealed to significantly reduce the risk of both cardiovascular and kidney disease.

Uterine fibroid embolization helps restore fertility

A minimally invasive treatment can help restore fertility in women with uterine fibroids, according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology.

Screening for genetic diseases & chromosomal defects with a single biopsy improves pregnancy rates

Couples who are undergoing pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in order to avoid transmission of inherited diseases, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy or cystic fibrosis, should also have their embryos screened for abnormal numbers of chromosomes at the same time, say Italian researchers.

Nearly 10 million U.S. adults suffer from mental illness

(HealthDay)—Nearly 10 million American adults have a serious mental illness, and a similar number have considered suicide during the past year, according to a new government report on the nation's behavioral ills.

Stay safe as summer temps soar

(HealthDay)—As the first major heat wave of the season has much of the eastern United States sizzling, people need to take steps to prevent heat-related illnesses, an emergency doctor says.

Medical students lacking proficiency in BP measurements

(HealthDay)—Medical students frequently do not achieve mastery of the skills necessary for accurate measurement of blood pressure (BP), according to a study published online April 28 in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension.

Several new medications in the pipeline to prevent migraine

(HealthDay)—A host of new medications that appear to prevent migraine headaches are in the final stages of testing and approval in the United States, according to a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Headache Society, held from June 8 to 11 in Boston.

Transcranial direct current stimulation improves mental manipulation of body part imagery

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a method by which a very weak direct current is applied to the head of a subject for 10 to 20 minutes to induce changes in the activities of cranial nerves. It has recently been tested to investigate effects on rehabilitation of people with cerebral apoplexy and for possible depression therapy. Researchers are now investigating whether this method is effective for activating mental imagery of body part manipulation to accelerate exercise learning in rehabilitation.

Researchers repurpose former experimental cancer therapy to treat muscular dystrophy

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) and the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) have demonstrated that a drug originally targeted unsuccessfully to treat cancer may have new life as a potential treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Drones carrying defibrillators could aid heart emergencies

It sounds futuristic: drones carrying heart defibrillators swooping in to help bystanders revive people stricken by cardiac arrest.

Treating nutritional iron-deficiency anemia in children

In a study published by JAMA, Jacquelyn M. Powers, M.D., M.S., of the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, and colleagues compared two medications, ferrous sulfate and iron polysaccharide complex, for the treatment of nutritional iron-deficiency anemia in infants and children.

Ultrasound for children with abdominal trauma

Despite evidence showing that the routine use of sonography in hospital emergency departments can safely improve care for adults when evaluating for possible abdominal trauma injuries, researchers at UC Davis Medical Center could not identify any significant improvements in care for pediatric trauma patients.

Are jokesters screwing up our data on gay teenagers?

Teens are mischievous, not to be trusted. You've probably heard the trope before – maybe you even believe it yourself. But is the stereotype now warping our trust of scientific results?

Psychology's diversity problem

Lack of diversity in psychological research is a serious problem that needs to be addressed, according to an Australian academic.

Mental health prevalence steady, pensions on the rise

The prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) such as depression and anxiety in Australia was fairly stable between 2001 and 2014, but the number of working-age individuals receiving a disability support pension (DSP) for psychiatric conditions increased by about 50% over the same period, according to new research published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

Keep well hydrated to help keep kidney stones away

Each year, more than a million people in the U.S. will seek treatment for mild to severe pain caused by a kidney stone. Overall, one in 11 individuals in the U.S. will be affected by kidney stones at some time in their life. But one of the most common times to form kidney stones is during the summer and autumn months.

Body dysmorphic disorder visual retraining program

A world-first study is aiming to alleviate symptoms of those with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) through a unique visual retraining program. BDD results in an exaggerated perception of aspects of personal appearance.

6 things you need to know about cervical screening

It's Cervical Screening Awareness Week, so we're giving a run-down of what you need to know about cervical screening, also known as the smear test.

The psychology of pride

The Greek philosopher Aristotle described pride as the "crown of the virtues". It's after all an emotion we experience when we've achieved something great, or when someone close to us has. It usually has a recognisable physical expression – a slight smile, the head tilted back, the chest expanded, with arms raised or akimbo. Think Superman after he's defeated a villain.

Three effective methods for encouraging kids to eat their vegetables

Parents should not give up on encouraging their children to eat their greens.

Designing antiviral proteins via computer could help halt the next pandemic

As Bill Gates sees it, there are three main threats to our species: nuclear war, climate change and the next global pandemic.

Using virtual reality—and mom's sewing machine—for stroke rehab

For people recovering from a stroke, even the simplest motions can become a struggle. To lift a hand, for example, requires a signal from the brain that travels all the way down an arm to the hand. That's a lot of moving parts—and when something is damaged, it makes regaining those skills an arduous and slow process.

Researcher studies effects of relationship anxiety

Loves me, loves me not. Turns out that anxiety over that very question may be detrimental to the long-term success of a relationship.

Some private hospitals are safer than others, but we don't know which

The recent jailing of British breast surgeon Ian Paterson after performing multiple unnecessary operations has highlighted the issue of hospital safety.

The understated affection of fathers

Men may not be from Mars, but – compared to women – they do communicate in very different ways.

An extra organ or body part is more common than you think

Doctors thought they were operating on a malignant tumour when they set about removing an unusual oval lump on the right side of a 40-year-old woman's body. What they recovered instead was a perfectly normal and fully functioning extra spleen.

A woman learns to live with dissociative identity disorder

Until she was 40 years old, Melanie Goodwin had no memory of her life before the age of 16. Then, a family tragedy triggered a cataclysmic psychological change. Suddenly she was aware of other identities inside her, and the barriers between them were crumbling. The different identities belonged to her, Melanie felt, but 'her' at different ages, from three years old to 16 and on into adulthood.

Initial successes in treating a hitherto incurable liver disorder

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a currently incurable liver disorder, primarily affecting younger adults aged between 30 and 40. A European multi-centre Phase II study led by MedUni Vienna in close collaboration with MedUni Graz and the Medical University of Hannover has now shown that this disease could be cured using a synthetically manufactured bile acid (active agent: nor-ursodeoxycholic acid/nor-urso).

How the media can help protect people with albinism

Albinism is a rare genetic condition which affects the pigment in the eyes, hair and skin. In the US about 1 person in 17,000 has albinism. In Africa the prevalence is estimated to range between 1 in 1100 to 1 in 15,000. But in Tanzania the rate is much higher – about 1 in every 1,400.

Measles outbreak highlights risk of forgetting medical miracles

At a time when measles seems long forgotten, false information about vaccines directed at vulnerable populations is breeding fear, confusion and even disease. Minnesota is experiencing the largest measles outbreak in 30 years, where dozens of children who were not vaccinated have been infected.

New approach to destroying deadly brain tumors

Dennis Kothmann jots several numbers on a clipboard then pauses, his pen frozen on the last figure. His eyebrows furrow and he quietly mouths a calculation.

Research finds link between spacing out and giving up

People whose minds tend to wander are less likely to stick to their long-term goals, according to new research led by the University of Waterloo.

Pregnancy problems not necessarily tied to Zika viral load or Dengue fever

UCLA-led researchers have found that Zika viral load and the degree of Zika symptoms during pregnancy were not necessarily associated with problems during pregnancy or fetal abnormalities at birth. They also found that the presence of antibodies to previously acquired dengue fever was not necessarily connected to abnormalities during pregnancy or at birth.

Female and male mice suffer, recover from TBI differently

Male mice have much greater brain distress in the week following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) than female mice, including skyrocketing inflammation and nerve cell death, say researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center.

WHO: Maldives, Bhutan have eliminated measles

The World Health Organization said Tuesday that Bhutan and the Maldives have eliminated measles, becoming the first countries in their region to stop the highly contagious disease.

Study finds one in five teenage French girls too thin

Nearly one in five teenage girls in France is underweight, according to a study released Tuesday, a sharp increase that could pose a new worry for health officials even as they focus on rising obesity.

For diabetics, nasal powder fixed severe low blood sugar

(HealthDay)—For many people with diabetes, low blood sugar levels are a serious health risk, but researchers report that a new nasal powder quickly reverses the effects of this dangerous condition.

Who looks obese to you?

(HealthDay)—Whether someone considers you obese may depend on your gender, race and age, a new study finds.

FDA to delay rule requiring new nutrition facts panel

A revamped nutrition facts panel designed to make it easier to see how many calories and added sugars are in packaged foods and drinks is being delayed.

Hope for better lung cancer treatment on horizon

A Melbourne study is set to improve treatment options for patients with the second most common type of lung cancer, lung squamous cell carcinoma, a disease for which new anti-cancer drugs are urgently needed.

Loneliness contributes to self-centeredness for sake of self-preservation

Research conducted over more than a decade indicates that loneliness increases self-centeredness and, to a lesser extent, self-centeredness also increases loneliness.

Taking diabetes medications as prescribed, exercising and managing weight

People with diabetes who took their medications at least 80 percent of the time and people who exercised four or more times per week were at lower risk for poorly controlled blood sugar, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Pharmacy Benefits.

Body contouring is only for the rich and insured

Only a small percentage of obese patients who have undergone bariatric surgery to help them control their weight follow up this procedure with further plastic surgery to reshape their bodies and remove excess rolls of skin. Such body contouring surgery is generally only affordable to patients with adequate insurance and income, says Maria Altieri of Stony Brook University Hospital in the US, lead author of a study in Springer's journal Obesity Surgery.

Study finds Tianjiu therapy improves allergic rhinitis patients' daily life quality

The School of Chinese Medicine (SCM) of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) recently conducted a "Tianjiu therapy for allergic rhinitis: A double-blinded randomised Placebo-controlled clinical trial". It found that Tianjiu therapy helped to alleviate the symptoms of nasal itching suffered by allergic rhinitis patients. Furthermore, it also enhanced patients' quality of life in terms of their everyday activities, including sleeping and general nasal symptoms.

Study replicates tanning response in cultured human skin

Investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) have developed a way of increasing pigmentation in human skin without the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Their study, reported in the June 13 issue of Cell Reports, is a follow-up to a 2006 study that identified the molecular pathways underlying the tanning response and induced tanning in a strain of mouse that normally does not produce the protective, dark form of melanin.

US aid to combat malaria in Africa is associated with reduced risk of childhood mortality

In a study published in PLOS Medicine, Aleksandra Jakubowski of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, US, and colleagues show that funding from the US President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) in 19 sub-Saharan African countries was associated with a 16% reduction in the annual risk of under-five child mortality in the years following introduction of the Initiative.

Genetic variants linked to higher BMI may be protective against Parkinson disease

Genetic variants linked to higher body mass index (BMI) are associated with lower risk of Parkinson disease, according to a study published by Nicholas Wood and colleagues from the University College London, UK, in PLOS Medicine.

Long term exposure to aircraft noise linked to high blood pressure

Long term exposure to aircraft noise, particularly during the night, is linked to an increased risk of developing high blood pressure and possibly heart flutter and stroke as well, suggests research published online in Occupational & Environmental Medicine.

The importance of time and space in brain development and disease

Exactly when and where individual neurons develop is as important to our understanding of brain diseases as the underlying genetics, experts have shown.

The role of vitamin A in diabetes

There has been no known link between diabetes and vitamin A - until now. A new study suggests that the vitamin improves the insulin producing β-cell´s function.

Molecule may help maintain brain's synaptic balance

Many neurological diseases are malfunctions of synapses, or the points of contact between neurons that allow senses and other information to pass from finger to brain. In the brain, there is a careful balance between the excitatory synapses that allow messages to pass, and the inhibitory synapses that dampen the signal. When that balance is off, the brain becomes unable to process information normally, leading to conditions like epilepsy.

Cholera leaves Yemen hospitals in constant code black

At Yemen's Sabaeen Hospital, code black is an understatement: patients sleep three to a bed, on the bare floor or outside in tents as cholera brings a country torn by war to its knees.

Study provides further support for genetic factors underlying addictions

Impairment of a particular gene raises increases susceptibility to opioid addiction liability as well as vulnerability to binge eating according to a new study.

Immuno-PET shows promise for detecting and treating pancreatic tumors

Pancreatic cancer is associated with bleak five-year survival rates and limited treatment options, but new research is offering hope. A first-in-human study presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) demonstrates the feasibility and safety of the novel human monoclonal antibody HuMab-5B1 with highly specific targeting for the cancer antigen (CA) 19-9, which is expressed on pancreatic tumors and a variety of other malignancies, including small cell lung cancer and tumors of the gastrointestinal system.

Gut check: A molecule that balances the immune system in the gut

A healthy gut requires a molecule called gp96 to train the immune system to tolerate food and normal microbes, report researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in the May 19, 2017 issue of Scientific Reports. The study emphasizes the importance of gp96 in maintaining a balanced immune system in the gut.

Study sheds light on determining surgical margins for feline tumors

Researchers at Oregon State University are paving the way for more precision in determining surgical margins for an aggressive tumor common in cats by analyzing tissue contraction at various stages of the post-operative examination process.

Making art activates brain's reward pathway

Your brain's reward pathways become active during art-making activities like doodling, according to a new Drexel University study.

Risky bingeing: Women in Appalachian Ohio report higher rates of alcohol misuse

Appalachia—stretching from the southern tier of New York state to northern Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia—has long experienced deep economic distress and deprivation, and the gamut of accompanying social problems.

Environmental pressures on opportunistic fungal pathogen

With an estimated one million cases diagnosed worldwide each year, the human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, which can cause life-threatening fungal infections in immunocompromised patients, is an important health concern. In a study published today in Genome Research, scientists identified natural genomic variation in C. neoformans that may influence prevalence and disease severity.

Research suggests seal oil could help people with Type 1 diabetes

A research team at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre in Toronto has published a paper that suggests seal oil has the potential to help promote nerve regeneration in patients with Type 1 diabetes.

Detroit research team to expand imaging technology to guide cancer treatment

A team of Wayne State University and Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute researchers recently received funding from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health to expand the use of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in cancer therapy.

Good news for redheads: a tanning drug for the pale-skinned

After 10 years of research, scientists have come up with a drug that could help people tan without exposure to the sun, potentially reducing the risk of skin cancer.

Pediatric nurses miss care more often in poor work environments, study finds

In a new study, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing's Center for Health Outcome and Policy Research and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia examined the factors influencing the likelihood of missed nursing care in a pediatric setting. Their findings indicate that pediatric nurses with poor work environments and higher patient loads are more likely to miss required care.

Bioengineers develop new technologies to drive next-generation therapies for MS

Researchers in the University of Maryland (UMD) Fischell Department of Bioengineering (BIOE) Jewell Laboratory are using quantum dots - tiny semiconductor particles commonly used in nanotechnology - to decipher the features needed to design specific and effective therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune diseases. Their findings were published this week as the cover story of Advanced Functional Materials.

Makeup of vaginal microbiome linked to preterm birth

More than 10 percent of babies in the United States are born prematurely, yet very little is know about the underlying causes. Vaginal infections long have been thought to be related to preterm birth, prompting researchers to look at the mix of microbes in the vagina during pregnancy.

Largest genome-wide study of lung cancer susceptibility identifies new causes

Using the OncoArray genotyping platform developed by multiple cancer consortia, a recent large aggregated genomewide association study identifies new susceptibility loci for lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Although tobacco smoking is the main risk factor, past studies have shown heritability of lung cancer estimated at 18%. Previous genomewide association studies have identified several lung cancer susceptibility loci but most of its heritability remains unexplained. This study undertook additional genotyping of lung cancer cases and controls.

Donor microbes persist 2 years after fecal transplant to treat C. difficile infection

University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers have made the first direct demonstration that fecal donor microbes remained in recipients for months or years after a transplant to treat the diarrhea and colitis caused by recurrent Clostridium difficile infections—a serious and stubborn cause of diarrhea after an antibiotic treatment for some other illness.

Clinical validation results confirm PromarkerD can predict diabetic kidney disease better than any current measure

Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd. has announced results from the clinical validation study showing that its PromarkerD blood test can predict the onset of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) better than any current measure.

Researchers lead clinical trial evaluating potential treatment for PPD

Researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine announced the publication of results from a multi-site phase 2 clinical trial with brexanolone, an investigational medication, in the treatment of severe postpartum depression (PPD).

Protein powerhouses

(HealthDay)—Cutting out fatty and fried sources of protein makes sense when you're trying to cut calories and eat healthy.

Why does an anesthetic make us lose consciousness?

To date, researchers assumed that anesthetics interrupt signal transmission between different areas of the brain and that is why we lose consciousness. Neuroscientists at Goethe University Frankfurt and the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization in Göttingen have now discovered that certain areas of the brain generate less information when under anesthesia. The drop in information transfer often measured when the brain is under anesthesia could be a consequence of this reduced local information generation and not - as was so far assumed - a result of disrupted signal Transmission between brain areas.

S.Africa probes 3 drug giants over cancer meds pricing

South Africa's competition commission said Tuesday it had launched investigations into pharmaceutical giants Roche, Pfizer and Aspen for suspected overpricing of cancer drugs.

Does access to quality playgrounds vary with a child's socioeconomic status & obesity risk?

A study of all 3rd-5th grade youth in one U.S. county examined differences in access to playgrounds and associations between youth weight and playground accessibility and quality. The study, which focused on variations in playground access and quality depending on a child's gender, socioeconomic status (SES), and race/ethnicity, is published in Childhood Obesity, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

European rights court urges UK to keep treating baby with rare condition

The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday ordered the British government to keep providing a baby with a rare genetic disease with "appropriate" treatment after a London High Court ruling that he should be allowed to die with dignity.

Biology news

Mosquito-killing fungi engineered with spider and scorpion toxins could help fight malaria

Malaria kills nearly half a million people every year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In some of the hardest-hit areas in sub-Saharan Africa, the mosquitoes that carry the malaria parasite have become resistant to traditional chemical insecticides, complicating efforts to fight the disease.

Spying on fish love calls could help protect them from overfishing

About a third of the world's fish stocks are being overfished, meaning they're being harvested faster than they can reproduce, and species that spawn seasonally in large groups are especially vulnerable, easy for fishers to locate and plucked from the water often before they've seeded the next generation.

A molecular plaster to repair DNA

All cells are confronted with DNA damage, for example by exposure of the skin to UV rays, chemical byproducts of nerve cells consuming sugar, or immune cells destroying bacteria. If these DNA lesions are not - or badly - repaired, they may initiate tumor formation. Thankfully, cells have evolved an elaborate control system to correct these DNA anomalies. Uli Rass and Nico Thomä at the FMI, together with colleagues at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), have now discovered the key role of a protein called Rif1 in the protection, stabilization and repair of damaged DNA. This study, published in the journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, uncovers a DNA maintenance function likely to be present in all eukaryotes because the region of Rif1 that enables the formation of a protective sheath around DNA lesions is similar in humans and yeast.

E. coli bacteria's defense secret revealed

By tagging a cell's proteins with fluorescent beacons, Cornell researchers have found out how E. coli bacteria defend themselves against antibiotics and other poisons. Probably not good news for the bacteria.

Mitochondria behind blood cell formation

New Northwestern Medicine research published in Nature Cell Biology has shown that mitochondria, traditionally known for their role creating energy in cells, also play an important role in hematopoiesis, the body's process for creating new blood cells.

'Exciting biology' uncovers plants' high-fat diet for fungal benefactors

One of biology's most enduring relationships, credited with helping plants to colonise land more than 400 million years ago, has yielded a fundamental survival secret with implications for agriculture and biotechnology.

Researchers show how a cancer gene protects genome organization

UNC School of Medicine researchers have cracked a long-standing mystery about an important enzyme found in virtually all organisms other than bacteria. The basic science finding may have implications for understanding cancer development and how to halt it.

Charred flowers and the fossil record

One of the main types of fossil used to understand the first flowering plants (angiosperms) are charred flowers. These charcoals were produced in ancient wildfires, and they provide some evidence for the types of plants that grew millions of years ago. However, when fires burn they not only produce charcoal, but they also destroy it.

Researchers discover new structures in bacteria, seek to determine function

Using high magnification imaging, a team of researchers has identified several never before seen structures on bacteria that represent molecular machinery. The research is published this week in the Journal of Bacteriology, published by the American Society for Microbiology.

Coated fabric helps researchers determine freshness of fruit

Scientists have found a quick and reliable way to test the freshness of the fruit in your grocer's produce section. It all starts with a small strip of coated fabric developed at Florida International University.

Improving pig accommodations with mirrors

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are looking for ways to improve housing for farm animals, including pigs. Enhancing the animals' environment can help reduce stress, which in turn can improve growth and efficiency and decrease disease susceptibility.

7 things you didn't know about cicadas

Once they're here, you know summer's here, too: You don't have to live in the desert Southwest for very long to learn that once the first cicadas of the year can be heard broadcasting their piercing buzz from invisible locations in the trees, it's time to kiss spring goodbye and say hello to the blast furnace that is June in much of Arizona.

Germany to welcome two giant pandas

Two long-awaited giant pandas from China will arrive in Germany in two weeks time, with Berlin rolling out the red carpet for the furry ambassadors' arrival.

Panda Watch: Tokyo zoo says new cub in good health

A baby panda whose birth this week delighted Japan and has dominated news coverage ever since appears to be in good health, the zoo said Tuesday.

Bed bug awareness poor among US travelers, but reactions are strong

Most business and leisure travelers in the United States can't identify a bed bug, and yet the tiny pest evokes a stronger response in hotel guests than any other potential room deficiency—putting the hospitality industry in a difficult spot.

Is Palmer amaranth developing traits that make it harder to control?

Palmer amaranth is widely considered to be one of the most damaging and difficult to control agricultural weeds in North America. A lot of time and attention has been devoted to herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth and the significant yield losses it can produce. Research featured in the journal Weed Science, though, shows other "life history" traits may be contributing to crop losses by making Palmer amaranth more aggressive and difficult to control.

Sustainable fishing in one of Malawi's biggest wetlands

The Elephant Marsh is one of the biggest wetlands in Malawi and many of the country's inhabitants rely on it for their small-scale fishing catch. To make their small fisheries sustainable and future-proof, the government has to support the fishing community and not impose too many regulations. This is the finding of PhD candidate Ishmael Kosamu.

Malaysia seizes 300kg of pangolin scales

Malaysian customs officers have seized almost 300 kilograms of pangolin scales being smuggled through the main airport, officials said on Tuesday.

Romania to ban wild animals in circuses

Tigers, lions, bears and other wild animals will be banned from circuses in Romania after the country's parliament passed a bill on Tuesday in a move welcomed by animal rights groups.


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