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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for June 14, 2017:
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Astronomy & Space news
 | Water circling drain experiments offer insight into black holesA small international team of researchers has found that water waves created due to scattering from a spinning vortex can show rotational superradiance—an effect astrophysicists have predicted likely to occur in black holes, but which has never been replicated in a lab experiment. In their paper published in the journal Nature Physics, the group explains how they observed and measured waves propagating on the surface of water near a draining vortex and what they found. |
 | VST captures three-in-oneTwo 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. |
 | Cloudy with a chance of radiation: NASA studies simulated radiationIn each life a little rain must fall, but in space, one of the biggest risks to astronauts' health is radiation "rain". NASA's Human Research Program (HRP) is simulating space radiation on Earth following upgrades to the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory. These upgrades help researchers on Earth learn more about the effects of ionizing space radiation to help keep astronauts safe on a journey to Mars. |
 | New evidence that all stars are born in pairsDid our sun have a twin when it was born 4.5 billion years ago? |
 | SOFIA finds cool dust around energetic active black holesResearchers at the University of Texas San Antonio using observations from NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, SOFIA, found that the dust surrounding active, ravenous black holes is much more compact than previously thought. |
Researchers advocate statistical approach to search for Earth-like planetsA team of astronomers at the University of Chicago and Grinnell College seeks to change the way scientists approach the search for Earth-like planets orbiting stars other than the sun. They favor taking a statistical comparative approach in seeking habitable planets and life beyond the solar system. | |
 | Tides could be source of heat on icy moonsThe icy moons in the outer solar system hold the potential for life, given that they may contain oceans of water. But life also needs a source of energy input to perform essential functions such as growth, reproduction and movement. |
 | Chaotically magnetized cloud is no place to build a star, or is it?For decades, scientists thought that the magnetic field lines coursing around newly forming stars were both powerful and unyielding, working like jail bars to corral star-forming material. More recently, astronomers have found tantalizing evidence that large-scale turbulence far from a nascent star can drag magnetic fields around at will. |
 | Russia launches space freighter to ISSRussia on Wednesday launched an unmanned Progress cargo ship carrying supplies to the International Space Station (ISS) from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. |
 | Elon Musk's vision of a self-sustaining city on Mars published in New SpaceThe Commentary entitled "Making Humans a Multi-Planetary Species presents the vision of Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, for future manned trips to other planets and specifically what will be needed to create a self-sustaining city on Mars. The article, drawn from Mr. Musk's presentation at the 67th International Astronautical Congress, is published in New Space, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the New Space website until July 5, 2017. |
 | Scientists make waves with black hole researchScientists at the University of Nottingham have made a significant leap forward in understanding the workings of one of the mysteries of the universe. They have successfully simulated the conditions around black holes using a specially designed water bath. |
Technology news
 | Researchers create 3-D printed tensegrity objects capable of dramatic shape changeA team of researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology has developed a way to use 3-D printers to create objects capable of expanding dramatically that could someday be used in applications ranging from space missions to biomedical devices. |
 | A little hexacopter shows off acrobatic movesWatching the little machine in action is like watching some proud circus performer vie for full audience attention in making athletic moves on wires and swings. This machine though shows what is humanly possible in making drones move in more agile ways. |
 | Scientists use simple materials to create semi-soft robotsAt the beginning of the decade, George Whitesides helped rewrite the rules of what a machine could be with the development of biologically inspired "soft robots." Now he's poised to rewrite them again, with help from some plastic drinking straws. |
 | Breakthrough technology makes batteries safe and sustainableAs exploding batteries in mobile phones, computers and headphones continue to make headlines, researchers at Swinburne's Centre for Micro-Photonics are one step closer to producing commercially viable, chemical-free, long-lasting, safe batteries. |
 | Clean energy stored in electric vehicles to power buildingsStored energy from electric vehicles (EVs) can be used to power large buildings – creating new possibilities for the future of smart, renewable energy - thanks to ground-breaking battery research from WMG at the University of Warwick. |
 | Printed sensors monitor tire wear in real timeElectrical engineers at Duke University have invented an inexpensive printed sensor that can monitor the tread of car tires in real time, warning drivers when the rubber meeting the road has grown dangerously thin. |
 | Wireless charging of moving electric vehicles overcomes major hurdleIf electric cars could recharge while driving down a highway, it would virtually eliminate concerns about their range and lower their cost, perhaps making electricity the standard fuel for vehicles. |
Major electronic entertainment show offers glimpse of futureE3, the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo, opened Tuesday in Los Angeles with thousands of video game enthusiasts, analysts and industry representatives in attendance to play and show off the latest technology that will soon be hitting store shelves. | |
 | DRCongo seeks joint Chinese-Spanish offer to build damThe Democratic Republic of Congo said Tuesday it has asked Chinese and Spanish bidders of a colossal dam project to join forces and submit a joint bid. |
 | Call it a comeback: Old-school typewriters attract new fansTypewriter enthusiasts gather at an Albuquerque restaurant to experiment with vintage Smith Coronas. Fans in Boston kneel in a city square and type stories about their lives during a pro-immigration demonstration. A documentary on typewriters featuring Tom Hanks and musician John Mayer is set for release this summer. |
 | Cars could soon negotiate smart intersections without ever having to stopSick of waiting at traffic lights? The semi-autonomous driving aids being fitted to many new cars could consign the red light to history, A*STAR researchers report. According to their modeling, a system in which each car crosses the intersection in its own virtual bubble of safe space, modulating its speed using adaptive cruise control, will result in smooth traffic flow in each direction. |
 | A solid-state electrolyte that is able to compete with liquid electrolytes for rechargeable batteriesLiquid lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are dangerous. They can leak or ignite rapidly if they become overheated. So-called solid-state lithium-ion batteries are a way of reducing these risks. However, these batteries have not (yet) reached the performance level of their liquid counterparts. However, researchers at Empa have now developed a solid-state electrolyte that is able to compete with liquid electrolytes. |
 | Internet-in-a-box—connectivity for the rest of the worldIn an era when, for most of us, an Internet connection is typically within a hand's reach to a smartphone, laptop or tablet, it can be hard to believe that 60 percent of the world's population lacks connectivity. The ubiquity of Internet – not just for recreation and communication, but as a requirement in most jobs – is easy to overlook. Hospitals store their records in the cloud, educators rely on online resources to teach their courses, and engineers build models using powerful Internet calculators. Thus, for the unconnected 60 percent, who are predominantly female, low-income, rural, and living in developing countries, lack of access can affect every facet of their lives—from how they communicate with family members, to how well their crops grow, to how long they will live. Our team of Development Practice students traveled to the Dominican Republic in March to explore these issues of Internet connectivity and access to information. |
 | An energy-efficient cleaning robotState-of-the-art solar cells are efficient – but are even more so when they are kept clean. A cleaning robot developed by Norwegian researchers enables solar panels to deliver at full capacity. |
 | 3-D facial recognition technology on brink of commercial breakthroughA 3-D facial recognition system could be used commercially in the UK for the first time as part of a Government-backed project. |
 | New technology will enable properties to share solar energyIN the UK alone, some 1.5 million homes are equipped with solar panels, and it has been estimated that by 2020 the figure could soar to 10 million, with the prospect of lower energy bills for consumers and massive reductions in CO2 emissions. Now, a University of Huddersfield researcher is developing new technologies that could enable clusters of houses to share their solar energy, rather than simply exporting surplus electricity to the national grid. Also, new systems for fault detection will enable householders to monitor and maintain the efficiency of their panels. |
 | New face-aging technique could boost search for missing peopleThe method maps out the key features, such as the shape of the cheek, mouth and forehead, of a face at a certain age. This information is fed to a computer algorithm which then synthesises new features for the face to produce photographic quality images of the face at different ages. |
 | The future of our cities: Engineers test resilient, intelligent infrastructureLike many of today's household devices, modern infrastructure is gaining the ability to collect and exchange valuable data using wireless devices that monitor the health of buildings and bridges, for example, in real time. But wireless systems for underground infrastructure, such as utility pipelines, are much more difficult to test in the field, especially during rare and extreme events such as earthquakes. |
 | Facebook gives bots ability to negotiate, compromiseFacebook's artificial intelligence researchers announced Wednesday they had broken new ground by giving automated programs or "bots" the ability to negotiate, and make compromises. |
US blames North Korea for series of cyberattacksU.S. officials are blaming the North Korean government for a series of cyberattacks dating to 2009 against media, aerospace, financial sectors and infrastructure in the United States and around the world. | |
Foxconn, assembler of iPhones, eyes Wisconsin for plantA Taiwanese company that assembles Apple's iPhones and other electronics is considering building a plant in Wisconsin that could employ thousands of people and give Gov. Scott Walker a huge political boost as he prepares to run for re-election. | |
 | Canada to teach computer coding starting in kindergartenCanadian schoolchildren will soon start learning computer coding and other digital skills from kindergarten through to high school, the government announced Wednesday. |
Medicine & Health news
Early-life exposure to famine increases risk of dyslipidemia in women, but not menExposure to severe famine as a fetus or as an infant significantly increases the chance of having dyslipidemia in adulthood, according to research published in the open access journal BMC Public Health. Dyslipidemia is a risk factor for coronary heart disease and is defined as an abnormal amount of lipid in the blood. | |
 | Study looks at needles in treatment for shoulder painAccording to a new study published online in the journal Radiology, the type of procedure used to treat shoulder calcifications should be tailored to the type of calcification. The results of the study will help interventional radiologists determine whether to use one or two needles for an ultrasound-guided treatment for a common condition called rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy. |
 | New ultrasound 'drill' targets deep vein blood clotsResearchers at North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have developed a new surgical tool that uses low-frequency intravascular ultrasound to break down blood clots that cause deep vein thrombosis. The tool is the first ultrasound "drill" that can be aimed straight ahead, allowing doctors to better target clots—which holds promise for significantly reducing treatment time. To date, the technology has been tested only in synthetic blood vessels. |
 | A docking site per calcium channel clusterA study co-led by Ryuichi Shigemoto and Alain Marty concludes that a single docking site may use a single cluster of calcium channels, and that both the number of docking sites and the number of calcium clusters change in parallel with brain age. This establishes the first clear link between the morphology and function of docking sites. The study was published today in PNAS. |
 | 10-fold speed up for the reconstruction of neuronal networksScientists working in connectomics, a research field occupied with the reconstruction of neuronal networks in the brain, are aiming at completely mapping of the millions or billions of neurons found in mammalian brains. In spite of impressive advances in electron microscopy, the key bottleneck for connectomics is the amount of human labor required for the data analysis. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt, Germany, have now developed reconstruction software that allows researchers to fly through the brain tissue at unprecedented speed. Together with the startup company scalable minds they created webKnossos, which turns researchers into brain pilots, gaining an about 10-fold speedup for data analysis in connectomics. |
 | Dressmakers found to have needle-sharp 3D visionHaute couture can be credited for enhancing more than catwalks and red carpets. New research from UC Berkeley suggests that the 3-D or "stereoscopic" vision of dressmakers is as sharp as their needles. |
 | Online dating study shows too many choices can lead to dissatisfactionCould there be too many fish in the sea? When it comes to online dating, that might be the case, according to researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. |
 | Are left-handed people more gifted than others? Our study suggests it may hold true for mathsThe belief that there is a link between talent and left-handedness has a long history. Leonardo da Vinci was left-handed. So were Mark Twain, Mozart, Marie Curie, Nicola Tesla and Aristotle. It's no different today – former US president Barack Obama is a left-hander, as is business leader Bill Gates and footballer Lionel Messi. |
 | Rules of the neural roads: Traffic control in your synapsesWhile the mechanism of transmission of information at the contact point between two neurons—the famous synapse—has been thoroughly studied, the transportation of this information within the terminal end of the neuron, called pre-synaptic terminal, remains relatively uncharted waters. In this pre-synaptic terminal, neurotransmitters—the molecules transferring the information—are picked up and carried within cellular bubble-like "vehicles". Not so different from a public transport network, these cellular vehicles—called synaptic vesicles—convey the neurotransmitters to their destination. There, the vesicles fuse to the surface of the pre-synaptic terminal and release their passengers—the neurotransmitters—into the synaptic space between the neurons. However, the actual movements and supply of these cellular public buses inside the pre-synaptic terminal remains poorly understood. |
Organs-on-Chips get smart and go electricOrgans-on-Chips (Organ Chips) are emerging as powerful tools that allow researchers to study the physiology of human organs and tissues in ways not possible before. By mimicking normal blood flow, the mechanical microenvironment, and how different tissues physically interface with one another in living organs, they offer a more systematic approach to testing drugs than other in vitro methods that ultimately could help to replace animal testing. | |
 | A surprising new link between inflammation and mental illnessUp to 75 percent of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus—an incurable autoimmune disease commonly known as lupus—experience neuropsychiatric symptoms. But so far, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying lupus' effects on the brain has remained murky. Now, new research from Boston Children's Hospital has shed light on the mystery and points to a potential new drug for protecting the brain from the neuropsychiatric effects of lupus and other central nervous system (CNS) diseases. The team has published its surprising findings in Nature. |
 | Molecular pilot light prepares body's heating system for the coldAs we bask in the summer heat, it is easy to take for granted that humans are also prepared for the cold of winter, with overcoats in the closet and home heating systems ready to be fired up as an added assurance against falling temperatures. Not all warm-blooded animals are this fortunate. Mice, for example, rely on a specialized organ between their shoulder blades to produce heat when confronted with cold temperatures. This organ is composed of special fat cells, called brown adipose tissue, or brown fat for short. This week in Nature, a team from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania detail a molecule that acts as a molecular pilot light required to turn on the brown fat furnace. |
 | New treatment reduces E. coli, may offer alternative to antibioticsUrinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections, and they tend to come back again and again, even when treated. Most UTIs are caused by E. coli that live in the gut and spread to the urinary tract. |
 | Scientists reveal a key link between brain circuits governing hunger and cravingsThe urge to satisfy hunger is a primal one, but - as any dieter knows - choices about when and what to eat can be influenced by cues in the environment, not just how long it's been since breakfast. The fact that food-associated visual cues in television commercials and on highway signs can contribute to overeating is well-documented. But how exactly do these external signals trigger cravings and influence behavior? |
 | Bioengineered human livers mimic natural developmentAn international team of researchers bioengineering human liver tissues uncovered previously unknown networks of genetic-molecular crosstalk that control the organ's developmental processes - greatly advancing efforts to generate healthy and usable human liver tissue from human pluripotent stem cells. |
 | Single dual time-point PET scan identifies dual Alzheimer's biomarkersMore people die of Alzheimer's disease than prostate and breast cancer combined. Identifying the disease before major symptoms arise is critical to preserving brain function and helping patients maintain quality of life. A new study presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) demonstrates that a single dual time-point PET scan could identify important biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease. |
 | 'Overturning established fact' leads to new new target in MLL-rearranged leukemiaThe human gene MLL is named for the mixed lineage leukemia it creates. Specifically, the gene may break apart and fuse with parts from one of a number of other genes on other chromosomes to create cancer-causing translocations. These translocations make new proteins that have never been seen by the cell and can cause cancerous growth. In addition to mixed lineage leukemia which occurs in children, MLL translocations cause about 15 percent of adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML). |
Loss of estrogen a risk factor for disc degeneration and lower back pain"Oh, my aching back!" It's not an uncommon complaint heard from both men and women as they age and experience lumbar disc degeneration. Now a new study out of China suggests that menopause is associated with severity of disc degeneration in the lumbar spine. The study outcomes are being published in an article available online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). | |
Cleaning and sterilization techniques leave ureteroscopes contaminatedThe techniques used to clean and sterilize flexible ureteroscopes leave behind contamination including debris, residue, and bacteria, according to a new study being presented at the 44th Annual Conference of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). Researchers concluded that these failures may result in the use of dirty scopes. | |
The cost of opioid use during pregnancyA new study published today by the scientific journal Addiction reveals that the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome - often caused by mothers using opioids during pregnancy - is increasing in the United States, and carries an enormous burden in terms of hospital days and costs. The number of US hospital admissions involving neonatal abstinence syndrome increased more than fourfold between the years 2003 and 2012. In 2012, neonatal abstinence syndrome cost nearly $316 million in the United States. | |
 | Researchers to address prenatal cannabis and substance use disorderPrenatal cannabis, opioid, and alcohol use is a fast-growing global issue that can have lasting negative effects on fetal and maternal health. In addition, substance use disorders among women, their families, and their children are often left unaddressed, and women who use substances face greater stigmatization globally. |
 | Aspirin increases bleeding risk in older stroke patients: studyLong-term, daily use of aspirin to prevent blood clots in very elderly patients leads to an increased risk of serious or fatal internal bleeding, researchers said Wednesday. |
 | Visiting virtual beach improves patient experiences during dental proceduresImagine walking along a South Devon beach on a lovely day. The waves are lapping on the shore, rabbits are scurrying in the undergrowth, and the bells of the local church are mingling with the calls of the seagulls. Then, as you turn to continue along the coast path feeling calm and relaxed you suddenly hear your dentist say "Fine, all done, you can take the headset off now". For patients at one dental practice in Devon, England, such Virtual Reality encounters are resulting in demonstrably better experiences in the dentist's chair. |
Cancer treatment during childhood linked to cognitive problems later in lifeYoung adults who had chemotherapy as a child have decreased cognitive flexibility and a weaker short-term memory. Their ability to concentrate and long-term memory are largely unaffected. Researchers from KU Leuven (University of Leuven) and University Hospitals Leuven present these findings in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. | |
 | Oxytocin associated with offspring protection response in parents' brainsFrom birds to mammals, from fish to reptiles, the immediate reaction to an impending threat to the animal itself is usually to flee or to stop moving in an attempt to go unnoticed. However, when parents feel threatened in the presence of their young, their reaction is completely different— to protect their offspring. What changes in the brains of parents causing this protective response? |
 | Epigenetic signaling axis regulates proliferation and self-renewal of neural stem/progenitor cellsPolycomb group (PcG) proteins comprise the polycomb complexes PRC1 and PRC2 that regulate gene expression levels through histone modification. Although PRC1 and PRC2 have important roles in cancer stem cells, their functions in neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) are largely unknown. |
 | Cognitive-related neural pattern to activate machinesBrain-machine interfaces represent a solution for people with physical difficulties to communicate with their physical and social environment. In this work, researchers have identified a functional brain pattern in the prefrontal cortex associated with cognitive processes, and have used it to activate an iPad touchscreen. |
Cellular stress increases the probability of developing autoimmune diseasesA team of researchers led by Marc Veldhoen at the Instituto de Medicina Molecular (iMM), Lisboa, has found that cellular stress enhances the activation of immune cells implicated in many chronic inflammatory conditions, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases. | |
The feasibility of injectable versus oral naltrexoneMedications can help people who drink excessive amounts of alcohol. One medication that can reduce alcohol craving and help promote recovery is naltrexone, which is approved for treatment of alcohol dependence by the Food and Drug Administration. It is available in two forms – injectable and oral. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of injectable versus oral naltrexone, administered in a hospital setting to enhance treatment compliance when patients leave the hospital. | |
New collaboration platform to optimise antibiotic useHealthcare needs access to many different antibiotics, but some sorts are no longer profitable for pharmaceutical companies. PLATINEA, the new platform for collaboration, will help identify the gap between needs and available antibiotics. It offers a forum where the relevant stakeholders can meet and work for the long-term goal of optimising antibiotic use, thereby extending the lifespan of existing antibiotics. | |
 | Shape and size of DNA lesions caused by toxic agents affects repair of DNAEvery day our bodies come under a barrage of toxic agents – cigarette smoke, the sun, free radicals and other carcinogenic substances – that create damaging lesions in our DNA that can initiate cancer and other human diseases. |
 | New trial for prosthetic hip joint infectionThe first ever randomised trial to investigate why some patients develop infections after their hip or knee replacement surgery, and which type of surgical revision treatment is best is being run by the University of Bristol and members of the public are being asked to consider taking part. |
 | Spider proteins offer new insight into human heart conditionsProteins found in the muscles of tarantulas are helping scientists to understand how genetic changes can lead to serious heart conditions. |
 | Do poor people eat more junk food than wealthier Americans?Eating fast food is frequently blamed for damaging our health. |
 | Why the South still has such high HIV ratesIncreased funding, targeted prevention efforts and better treatment have helped to slow down the HIV epidemic in the United States. The number of new HIV-positive cases has decreased significantly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with the number of new HIV diagnoses declining by 19 percent from 2005 to 2014. |
 | Dangerous bacteria a true survivorInfectious bacteria E. coli can defend itself and grow in acidic and copper-rich human environments a new University of Queensland study suggests. |
 | Flood study highlights impact of pre–birth stressResearch into the impact of the 2011 Queensland floods on pregnant women and their babies has found stress from natural disasters affects infant development and temperament. |
Sleeping on your back increases the risk of stillbirthNew University of Auckland research has found that women who go to sleep on their back in the last three months of pregnancy are almost four times more likely to experience a stillbirth. | |
 | Characterization of innate lymphoid cells with an advanced cytometric technique yields surprising insightsA family of cells key to the immune system's frontline defenses has been described in greater detail than ever before. A*STAR researchers hope their analysis will help those seeking to target them to treat disease. |
 | A new mutation in kidney diseaseMedullary cystic kidney disease type 1 (MCKD1) is a rare genetic kidney disease. Despite this, because it is an autosomal dominant disease, once the mutation is in a family, many family members are affected. Current diagnostic methods discover the disease late in its development. Osaka University researchers studied one family in which 9 of 26 members were positive for MCKD1 and found a new mutation in the MUC1 gene that may act as an early marker of the disease. |
A new test to detect anti-phospholipid antibody syndromeIn autoimmune diseases, the immune system wrongly produces antibodies that attack the patient's own cells. One of these diseases, anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), is still poorly understood, even though it can have serious consequences. APS is caused by antibodies circulating in the blood plasma that are directed against a protein, which increases the blood's tendency to form clots. This can lead to a range of vascular problems such as venous thromboses, strokes or repeated miscarriages. | |
 | Improved accuracy for cancer drug testingA method to more accurately test anti-cancer drugs has now been developed at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. The method paves the way to much earlier assessment of who benefits from a specific drug and who does not. |
Research highlights risk of Lyme diseaseYou don't have to be deep in the backwoods to be at high risk for Lyme disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects that about 300,000 people are infected with Lyme disease each year, yet only 30,000 incidences are reported. | |
Radiation levels in food predictedFood in Japan will be contaminated by low-level radioactivity for decades following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, but not at a level which poses a serious risk to human health, according to new research. | |
 | Opinion: The social barriers to an active society are being ignoredWarmer weather and longer days can herald feelings of renewed energy and a sense of new beginnings. This year the seasonal change in Britain was pre-empted by a series of official nudges encouraging people to put extra spring into their steps. Move more, sit less and ensure you spend time every day being physically active, goes the advice. |
 | It's common for children to report hearing voices, researchers sayAlthough the way we view and support people with mental health difficulties has improved over the years, experiences such as hearing voices and seeing visions are often still associated with "severe and enduring mental illness". But what is less well-known about these voices and visions is that they are surprisingly common – especially when growing up. |
 | Novel 3-D extracellular matrix for predictive and effective breast cancer treatmentOn average, more than 90 percent of the breast cancer drugs fail in clinical trials with real patients and each failed drug costs 1.4 billion euro. Tekes has now provided a funding of 0.5 million euros for Aalto University and the University of Helsinki to develop and commercialize a novel preclinical model to enhance drug development processes and personalized medicine approaches. |
 | Disappointing outcome of bitopertin treatment for negative symptoms in schizophreniaTwo new phase III clinical trials investigating the efficacy and safety of bitopertin, a glycine uptake inhibitor considered to be a promising new add-on therapy for treating negative symptoms in schizophrenia, failed to show a benefit of the drug over placebo. The findings throw a wrench in the hopeful efforts to find a treatment for negative symptoms of schizophrenia, which account for some of the most debilitating aspects of the disorder and are associated with poorer outcomes in patients. |
 | Diabetes drug trial needs to widen participants to understand full impact of drugsMore work needs to be done to examine the real world effects of the commonly prescribed diabetes drug empagliflozin, new research in the journal Diabetes Therapy finds. |
 | Study finds one in five hospitalized adults suffer side effects from prescribed antibioticsA study examining the impact of antibiotics prescribed for nearly 1500 adult patients admitted to The Johns Hopkins Hospital found that adverse side effects occurred in a fifth of them, and that nearly a fifth of those side effects occurred in patients who didn't need antibiotics in the first place. |
 | Want to feel stronger and thinner? Get some exerciseJust one 30-minute bout of exercise makes women feel stronger and thinner, according to a new UBC study. And the positive effect lasts well beyond the activity itself, which may be good news for women concerned about their body image. |
 | Study finds way to predict treatment effectiveness for adults with autismA collaboration between the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas and the George Washington University created a protocol to predict individual treatment effectiveness for adults on the autism spectrum. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the researchers identified certain brain regions that significantly correlate with an increase in social abilities following a virtual environment based training program. Adults on the autism spectrum who showed greater activity in the social brain network prior to the training improved more in emotion recognition than those who showed less activity. |
 | Discovery improves understanding of cellular aging and cancer developmentA team of researchers led by Dr Dennis Kappei, a Special Fellow from the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), has discovered the role of the protein ZBTB48 in regulating both telomeres and mitochondria, which are key players involved in cellular ageing. The results of the study will contribute to a better understanding of the human ageing process as well as cancer development. |
New magnet technology creates easy blood access for hemodialysis patientsA new, minimally invasive system which uses radiofrequency energy instead of open surgery to create access for patients needing hemodialysis is reliable, with minimal complications, according to data published in the American Journal of Kidney Disease. | |
Bacteria from cystic fibrosis patient could help thwart antibiotic-resistant TBThe number of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) cases is rising globally. But a newly discovered natural antibiotic—produced by bacteria from the lung infection in a cystic fibrosis patient—could help fight these infections. Lab testing reported in the Journal of the American Chemical Society shows that the compound is active against multi-drug resistant strains. | |
Unsaturated fat associated with fatty liver diseaseAs the obesity epidemic continues, new data shed light on which nutrients and what quantity of those nutrients promote health or disease. In the American Gastroenterological Association journal, Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, scientists report on the role of macronutrients in the development of metabolically unhealthy obesity—cases where patients have diseases with obesity as the root cause, specifically nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). | |
 | Massey scientists may have found a new way to halt lung cancer growthThe gene p53 functions normally as a cancer suppressor, but mutated versions of the gene have been implicated in the development and growth of nearly half of all human cancers. Now, for the first time, scientists at VCU Massey Cancer Center have uncovered a mechanism that makes lung cancer cells dependent on mutated versions of the gene, opening the potential for new, more effective treatments. |
Gluten-free beer from Witkop teff grainsFor celiac patients and others on gluten-free diets, it seems like gluten is everywhere—cakes, cookies and breads. It's even in most beers. But now, one team reports in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that beers made with Witkop teff grains may be a good alternative to traditionally brewed barley beers. | |
Indoor tanning still accessible to young people—despite bansDespite legislation prohibiting the use of ultraviolet (UV) indoor tanning facilities by minors, one in every five tanning salons in US states where such bans are in place stated over the phone that they would allow an underaged caller to do so. Many others provide inaccurate health information about indoor tanning, says Leah Ferrucci, of the Yale School of Public Health in the US. She led a study in Springer's journal Translational Behavioral Medicine. | |
 | UK's voluntary pledge to provide calorie content information for alcoholic drinks fails to make significant progressAlcoholic beverage producers and retailers in the UK are failing to provide consumers with information on the calorie content of alcoholic drinks. According to new research reported in Public Health, the voluntary pledge by the UK industry in 2011 to provide information on alcohol calories has not led to any significant provision of this information to consumers. The study found that calorie information only appeared on the labels of around 1% of products examined, it was not present in any of the supermarket branches visited in the study, and it was not routinely provided on supermarkets' websites. |
Online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is effective for militaryCognitive behavioral therapy, which traditionally includes regular, and often weekly, visits to a clinician, is recommended by the American College of Physicians and other organizations for treatment of chronic insomnia. | |
 | Peer-led self-management programs may not help teenagers with asthmaA study from the University of Warwick suggests peer-led self-management programmes have little impact on the quality of life or lung function of adolescents with asthma. |
 | Cancer researchers look at resistance to targeted therapy in mantle cell lymphomaToday some patients suffering with mantle cell lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, can be treated with a pill called Ibrutinib, forgoing conventional chemotherapy. However, many are developing a resistance to this treatment. Research published in Nature Communications by Eduardo Sotomayor, MD, director of the George Washington University Cancer Center and Jianguo Tao, MD, PhD, senior member of the Cancer Biology and Evolution Program at Moffitt Cancer Center, details how lymphoma cells are acquiring their resistance. |
Quality of psychiatric treatment—not number of beds—should be focus of suicide preventionHealth care providers should focus on the overall quality of psychiatric care, depression screening and outpatient services to prevent suicide, not the number of available inpatient psychiatric beds, argue researchers from the University of Chicago and Columbia University in a new statistical analysis. | |
 | Helping your kids cope with your divorce(HealthDay)—Kids react to divorce in different ways. One may be sad and let schoolwork slip. Another might be anxious or angry and act out these feelings. A third might pretend not to have any feelings about it at all. |
 | Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis algorithm performs poorly(HealthDay)—The traditional idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) algorithm performs poorly, with positive predictive value of 42.2 percent and sensitivity of 55.6 percent, according to a study published in the June 1 issue of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. |
 | Retinal ganglion cell + inner plexiform layer loss affects QoL(HealthDay)—For patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, structural macular retinal ganglion cell plus inner plexiform layer (RGC+IPL) loss is associated with vision-related quality of life, according to a study published online June 8 in JAMA Ophthalmology. |
 | Food cravings down with extended calorie restriction(HealthDay)—Extended calorie restriction is associated with a reduction in food cravings, according to a review and meta-analysis published online May 30 in Obesity Reviews. |
 | Sodium intake not linked to multiple sclerosis progression(HealthDay)—There is no association between average 24-hour urine sodium levels and conversion from clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study published online May 26 in the Annals of Neurology. |
 | Olive oil, ibuprofen may have synergistic effects(HealthDay)—The combination of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and ibuprofen at a therapeutic dose is superior to the two compounds used separately, according to an experimental study published online June 7 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases. |
ADA: degludec noninferior for cardiovascular events in T2DM(HealthDay)—Among high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes, degludec is noninferior to glargine in terms of the incidence of cardiovascular events, according to a study published online June 12 in the New England Journal of Medicine. The research was published to coincide with the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association, held from June 9 to 13 in San Diego. | |
 | Case report: hyperammonemia to be considered in cirrhosis setting(HealthDay)—Severe hyperammonemia, resulting from ammonia that accumulates in stored blood products, should be considered in the setting of cirrhosis, according to a case report published online June 13 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. |
 | State medical licensing boards' practices may hurt physician mental healthSharing a history of mental health issues with an employer is difficult for anyone. |
 | Why we get diarrheaResearchers want to know: does diarrhea serve a purpose? Does it actually help clear the bacteria causing a gastrointestinal infection, or is it merely a symptom of disease that should be prevented as much as possible? In a new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital, investigators explore the immune mechanism that drives diarrhea, concluding that it does play a critical role in pathogen clearance in the early stages of infection. The new study, published today in Cell Host and Microbe, also uncovers a previously unrecognized role for interleukin-22, an immune system molecule, in the host's defense against infection. |
Boston Medical Center, Head Start partner to prevent maternal depressionBoston Medical Center (BMC), in partnership with Action for Boston Community Development's (ABCD) Head Start program, has helped mothers experience a 40 percent reduction in the emergence of clinically significant depressive symptom episodes. Among the study's subpopulation whose initial depression screening indicated low depressive symptom levels, they experienced a 61 percent reduction. The five-year study screened more than 2,200 mothers for their depression risk within Head Start locations in the Boston area and was the first to use lay health workers to deliver a depression prevention intervention within a community based agency. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, could also help shape public health policy for improving mental health screening and preventing depression in mothers with young children. | |
Protein network signals found to drive myeloid leukemiasResearchers have uncovered how mutations in a protein network drive several high-risk leukemias, offering new prospects for novel therapies. An existing drug might be repurposed to treat these leukemias, and the new understanding of the molecular mechanisms at work may offer clues to other drugs yet to be developed. | |
 | Dual-agent PET/MR with time of flight detects more cancerSimultaneous injections of the radiopharmaceuticals fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) and 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) followed by quantitative scanning significantly improves image quality and detection of bone metastases at a lower dose, according to research presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). |
2 polio outbreaks in Congo, World Health Organization saysThe World Health Organization says two separate outbreaks of the polio virus have been confirmed in Congo. These are the first cases of polio in the vast Central African nation since 2012. | |
 | Drug design strategy boosts the odds against resistance developmentA new rational drug design technique that uses a powerful computer algorithm to identify molecules that target different receptor sites on key cellular proteins could provide a new weapon in the battle against antibiotic resistance, potentially tipping the odds against the bugs. |
 | Experimental drug shows promiseA collaboration between Saïd M. Sebti, Ph.D., chair of Moffitt Cancer Center's Drug Discovery Department, and Michele Pagano, M.D., chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at New York University's Langone Medical Center, led to the publication of an important study in the latest issue of Nature. The investigation found that the drug, geranylgeranyltransferase inhibitor GGTI-2418 suppresses a new defective PTEN cancer pathway discovered by Pagano's group. |
Free app helps providers treat patients grieving pregnancy loss, newborn deathA group of University of Louisville researchers and engineers has developed a free mobile app designed to help health care providers easily assess and identify women in need of mental health care for intense grief after a pregnancy loss or death of a newborn. | |
Statins may not be used for protection against Parkinson's diseaseUse of statins may speed up the onset of Parkinson's disease symptoms in people who are susceptible to the disease, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers. | |
 | Researchers find key to muscle regenerationSaint Louis University researchers report in Molecular Metabolism new findings that the nuclear receptor REV-ERB appears to play a key role in muscle regeneration, suggesting the receptor may be a good target for new drugs to treat a variety of muscle disorders and injuries. |
 | Creighton physicist's work unveils new ability of immune cellsA major discovery about a set of immune cells, published today in the journal Science Advances, started with a Creighton University physics professor going a little farther on an experiment than was initially planned. |
 | Reckless behavior fuels ongoing stress for some with PTSDResearchers with the National Center for PTSD at the VA Boston Healthcare System found that engaging in risky behavior—itself a symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder—could in turn lead to worse PTSD symptoms. This sets up a pattern of repeated stressful experiences, they say, that could have harmful consequences for those with PTSD. |
 | Marijuana use among college students on rise following Oregon legalization, study findsCollege students attending an Oregon university are using more marijuana now that the drug is legal for recreational use, but the increase is largely among students who also report recent heavy use of alcohol, a new study has found. |
Drugmaker rejects affordable price for Zika vaccine funded by US governmentA French pharmaceutical company developing a Zika vaccine funded with millions of dollars in research grants from the U.S. government has rejected a request from the U.S. Army to set an affordable price for the drug once it becomes available. | |
Medical responses to opioid addiction vary by state, analysis findsLocation, location, location. That mantra may apply even when it comes to how opioid addiction is treated. | |
 | SNMMI Image of the Year: PET and optical imaging for prostate cancer diagnosis and therapyIn the battle against metastatic prostate cancer, the removal of lymph node metastases using image-guided surgery may have a high clinical impact on outcomes. Researchers at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) demonstrated preclinically that dual-labeled PSMA-inhibitors based on PSMA-11 enhance preoperative staging, using PET/CT followed by fluorescence-guided surgery. The combined approach results in more accurate detection of PSMA-positive tumor lesions. |
 | More amyloid in the brain, more cognitive declineA new study from the Center for Vital Longevity at The University of Texas at Dallas has found that the amount of amyloid plaques in a person's brain predicts the rate at which his or her cognition will decline in the next four years. |
Hidden immune cells cause lung transplant failureNorthwestern Medicine scientists have discovered that a subset of immune cells called nonclassical monocytes (NCMs), previously unknown to reside in the lungs, play a key role in driving primary graft dysfunction (PGD), the leading cause of death after lung transplantation. | |
 | For headache, telemedicine may be as effective as in-person visitFor people with headache, seeing the neurologist by video for treatment may be as effective as an in-person visit, according to a study published in the June 14, 2017, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. |
More than a third of heater-cooler devices used in open heart surgery may be contaminated with deadly bacteriaThirty-three of 89 (37 percent) heater-cooler units assessed between July 2015 and December 2016 tested positive for Mycobacterium chimaera (M. chimaera), a bacterium associated with fatal infections in open-heart surgery patients, according to new research presented at the 44th Annual Conference of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). | |
Significant gaps in infection prevention impact long-term care residentsWhile nearly 400,000 residents of long-term care facilities die as a result of healthcare associated infections (HAIs), these facilities continue to lack the resources, including qualified personnel, necessary to implement adequate infection control programs, according to research presented at the 44th Annual Conference of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). | |
Colombian surgeon rebuilds acid victims' livesAngeles Borda ignored the cat calls as she walked past the building site. But she couldn't ignore the nitric acid that her tormentor then threw in her face. | |
 | Cases of legionnaires' disease reported in NYC, las vegas(HealthDay)—Cases of Legionnaires' disease in New York City and Las Vegas are being investigated by health officials. |
 | Hurdles expected for Utah's medical marijuana research lawUtah lawmakers balked again this year at joining more than half of all U.S. states and passing a broad medical marijuana law. |
Biology news
 | Climate change risk for animals living in prime conditionsAnimals living in areas where conditions are ideal for their species have less chance of evolving to cope with climate change, new research suggests. |
 | Researchers pinpoint how detecting social signals may have affected how we see colorsThe arrangement of the photoreceptors in our eyes allows us to detect socially significant color variation better than other types of color vision, a team of researchers has found. Specifically, our color vision is superior at spotting "social signaling," such as blushing or other facial color changes—even when compared to the type of color vision that we design for digital cameras and other photographic devices. |
Muscle fibers alone can't explain sex differences in bird songMale birds tend to be better singers than females—but does the basis for this difference lie in the brain or in the syrinx, the bird equivalent of our larynx? The researchers behind a new study from The Auk: Ornithological Advances analyzed the muscle fibers in the syrinxes of male and female birds from a range of species and found, to their surprise, that the amount of "superfast" muscle wasn't typically related to differences in vocal ability between the sexes. | |
 | Earning a living in a changing climate—the plant perspectiveThere are many ways to make a living in a suitable climate but far fewer in a less suitable one. That may seem obvious for people living under various socio-economic stresses, but new research shows it also applies to the world's plants—many of which are resorting to dramatic 'last-stand' strategies to survive in deteriorating environmental conditions. |
 | Gender dictates camouflage strategy in this newly identified praying mantis groupAdult females and males in a newly identified genus of Latin American praying mantises have evolved sharply different camouflage strategies, according to a Cleveland Museum of Natural History-led study published in the journal ZooKeys. |
 | Anti-malaria drugs: Potential new target identifiedA newly described protein could be an effective target for combatting drug-resistant malaria parasites. The protein, the transcription factor PfAP2-I, regulates a number of genes involved with the parasite's invasion of red blood cells, a critical part of the parasite's complex life cycle that could be targeted by new antimalarial drugs. A paper describing the protein PfAP2-I and its role in the invasion process appears June 14, 2017 in the journal Cell Host & Microbe. |
 | Eyes in the sky reveal extent of gray seal recoveryUsing research drones, thermal cameras and free images from Google Earth, two Duke University-led studies confirm that gray seals are making a comeback off the New England and eastern Canadian coasts. |
 | Designating biosphere reserves improves the life quality of the citizensInitially, protected areas had a single, major aim which was to protect biodiversity; today, by contrast, the promotion human well-being is also an important aim. The relationship between the environmental conservation and its socioeconomic and cultural impact has been fiercely debated. Urdaibai in the Basque Country was designated a biosphere reserve in 1993, and certain activities were banned and resource exploitation was restricted, which has been hotly debated among locals. Many Urdaibai inhabitants do not agree with the restrictions, whereas others feel that the measures do not go far enough to guarantee conservation. |
Simplified DNA barcoding technique enables food authentication with the naked eyeIs the food on the shelf really that what is written on the label? Its DNA would give it away, but the DNA barcoding technology, which can be used for this purpose, is labor-intensive. Now, in the journal Angewandte Chemie, Italian scientists have introduced a simplified assay coined NanoTracer. Combining DNA barcoding with nanotechnology, it requires neither expensive tools nor extremely skilled personnel, but just the naked eye to identify a color change. | |
 | DNA left by ocean animals provides rare glimpse of marine ecosystemsThe ocean might as well be Mars. Like astronomers grasping at ways to identify life on a distant planet, marine scientists have no easy method for detecting sea creatures' presence in the vast watery realm. |
 | Weighing pig personality: Is one sow better than another in group housing?Is one sow better than another in group housing? Piglet #3 is not sure what to make of the empty kiddie pool where she finds herself standing at the UC Davis Swine Research and Teaching Facility. She grunts softly, sniffs at the ribbed-plastic floor, and glances at the humans watching her explore. |
Microbiologist discovers antibacterial properties of insect wingsWhen Elena Ivanova travelled from Russia to Australia in January 2001, she brought with her an international reputation, an impressive publishing record and her unique collection of marine bacteria, amassed over almost two decades. | |
Regulatory protein ensures that egg precursor cells boost their numbers during embryonic developmentFemale babies are born with a full set of egg precursors in their ovaries, yet the molecular mechanism by which these cells proliferate during embryonic development was unclear. Now, using a mouse model created at A*STAR, an international team of researchers has pinpointed the regulatory factors needed for this rapid cell division to occur in the developing female gonad. | |
 | Modern herbaria bring centuries-old science into the digital ageLast month, priceless botanical specimens were destroyed after an apparent miscommunication between scientists and Australian customs officials. |
 | The glue that keeps cells togetherControlled adhesion and division are crucial for our body's cells. This is the case, for instance, when the organs develop in an embryo or when broken skin is repaired during the healing process. |
Polar bears' declining mercury levels likely due to climate-related shiftsTo understand how human activities are affecting the planet, scientists often study the health of animals in the wild. Now a new study, appearing in ACS' journal Environmental Science & Technology, finds that the levels of mercury in some polar bears are declining. But rather than heralding a drop in mercury in the environment, the decrease could indicate how climate change has led the animals to shift foraging habits, which has affected their diets and weight. | |
First CRISPR crop could debut in 2020The gene-editing technique known as CRISPR/Cas9 made a huge splash in the news when it was initially announced. But the first commercial product, expected around 2020, could make it to the market without much fanfare: It's a waxy corn destined to contribute to paper glue and food thickeners. The cover story of Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, explores what else is in the works. | |
 | Promising peas' potential in big sky countryFarmers in Montana, and other parts of the Northern Great Plains, are shifting from cereal mono-cropping to a cereal-dry pea cropping system. This transition is not without its share of unknowns, however. |
Older and wiser: Female elk learn to avoid hunters as they ageFemale elk adapt their behaviour to avoid hunters as they get older, new UAlberta research reveals. | |
 | Brazilian carnivorous mammal-like reptile fossil may be new Aleodon speciesSome Late Triassic Brazilian fossils of mammal-like reptiles, previously identified as Chiniquodon, may in fact be the first Aleodon specimens found outside Africa, according to a study published June 14, 2017 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Agustín Martinelli from the Universidade Federal of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and colleagues. |
 | New tool helps pick puppies most suited to guide dog trainingAnimal behaviour experts at the University of Nottingham have developed a new tool which can be used to predict a young dog's likelihood of successfully completing guide dog training. |
 | Hong Kong launches ivory ban billHong Kong launched a landmark bill to ban its ivory trade Wednesday, describing it as an effort to "eradicate" the illegal poaching of elephants. |
 | Japan kicks off Pacific whaling campaignJapan on Wednesday kicked off a whaling campaign in the northwestern Pacific, in a move sure to anger animal rights activists and others calling for an end to the hunts. |
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