Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Jun 21

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for June 21, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Problem of wheeled suitcases wobbling explained

Chemists create 3-D printed graphene foam

Hubble captures massive dead disk galaxy that challenges theories of galaxy evolution

Mountain lions fear humans, fleeing when they hear our voices, new study reveals

When estimating extinction risk, don't leave out the males

Deceleration of runaway electrons paves the way for fusion power

Bitter or sweet? How taste cells decide what they want to be

Memory for stimulus sequences distinguishes humans from other animals

New gene mutations found in white blood cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Image: NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter views rover climbing Mount Sharp

Neutron scattering clarifies the arrangement of skyrmions in material

New catalyst paves way for carbon neutral fuel

Measuring biological dust in the wind

Boosting quality of patient MRIs could enable large-scale studies of stroke outcome

Ability to perceive perfect pitch is more common than previously thought

Astronomy & Space news

Hubble captures massive dead disk galaxy that challenges theories of galaxy evolution

By combining the power of a "natural lens" in space with the capability of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers made a surprising discovery—the first example of a compact yet massive, fast-spinning, disk-shaped galaxy that stopped making stars only a few billion years after the big bang.

Image: NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter views rover climbing Mount Sharp

Using the most powerful telescope ever sent to Mars, NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter caught a view of the Curiosity rover this month amid rocky mountainside terrain.

NASA completes study of future 'ice giant' mission concepts

A NASA-led and NASA-sponsored study of potential future missions to the mysterious "ice giant" planets Uranus and Neptune has been released—the first in a series of mission studies NASA will conduct in support of the next Planetary Science Decadal Survey. The results of this and future studies will be used as the Decadal Survey deliberates on NASA's planetary science priorities from 2022-2032. The study identifies the scientific questions an ice giant mission should address, and discusses various instruments, spacecraft, flight-paths and technologies that could be used.

Europe okays project to seek alien life

Europe has approved the launch of a deep-space observatory to sniff out habitable planets in other star systems, along with any life forms they may host.

Radioactive elements in Cassiopeia A suggest a neutrino-driven explosion

Stars exploding as supernovae are the main sources of heavy chemical elements in the Universe. In particular, radioactive atomic nuclei are synthesized in the hot, innermost regions during the explosion and can thus serve as probes of the unobservable physical processes that initiate the blast. Using elaborate computer simulations, a team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (MPA) and RIKEN in Japan were able to explain the recently measured spatial distributions of radioactive titanium and nickel in Cassiopeia A, a roughly 340 year old gaseous remnant of a nearby supernova. The computer models yield strong support for the theoretical idea that such stellar death events can be initiated and powered by neutrinos escaping from the neutron star left behind at the origin of the explosion.

A new virtual approach to science in space

When Apollo astronauts on the Moon spoke with Mission Control on Earth, there was a noticeable time gap between a statement from Tranquility Base and its immediate acknowledgment from Houston. The gap lasted almost three seconds, or ten times longer than human reaction times would account for.

PLATO spacecraft to find new Earth-like exoplanets

The planet-hunting and asteroseismology space mission PLATO has reached an important milestone: Today, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced the official adoption of the mission. After a three year definition phase following the mission's selection in 2014, PLATO is now fit for implementation. The launch is scheduled for the end of 2026. In its at least four year lifetime, the spacecraft will search for planets around several hundred thousands of stars; the radii, masses, and ages of many thousands of planetary systems will be precisely determined. The goal is to find habitable worlds and even Earth twins. In close collaboration with many European partners Germany will play a key role in the mission: the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Berlin will head the overall mission; the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) in Göttingen will lead the processing of the observations at the PLATO Data Center.

Assist astronomers' new hunt for Earth-like planets

Last year an international team of astronomers led by Dr Guillem Anglada-Escudé, of Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), discovered a planet around the closest star to our Sun, Proxima Centauri. Details of the observing campaign were made publicly available via the innovative Pale Red Dot campaign.

Image: "Ice Cube" modular experiment blocks bound for ISS

A new European commercial service is allowing researchers, educators, universities and companies to run their experiments on the International Space Station. Dubbed Ice Cubes, budding space researchers can build their experiment in blocks of 10 x 10 x 10 cm that slot into a dedicated rack on ESA's space laboratory Columbus.

Gravitational wave mission selected, planet-hunting mission moves forward

The LISA trio of satellites to detect gravitational waves from space has been selected as the third large-class mission in ESA's Science programme, while the Plato exoplanet hunter moves into development.

Video: Developing landing tech for space

Canyons, craters and cracked ice fields on other worlds might be hiding exciting scientific discoveries. But how do we get spacecraft to land on dangerous, uneven terrain?

Snake robots to assist astronauts

Norwegian researchers are looking into how a snake robot might carry out maintenance work on the International Space Station (ISS), study comets, and explore the possibility of living and working in lava tunnels on the Moon.

Elon Musk releases details of plan to colonise Mars – here's what a planetary expert thinks

Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla, has released new details of his vision to colonise parts of the solar system, including Mars, Jupiter's moon Europa and Saturn's moon Enceladus. His gung ho plans – designed to make humans a multi-planetary species in case civilisation collapses – include launching flights to Mars as early as 2023.

CASIS partnership brings 'organs-on-chips' research to space station

Models of human disease are beneficial for medical research, but have limitations in predicting the way a drug will behave within the human body using data from non-human models because of inherent differences between species. Many medications produce unexpected outcomes in the clinical trial stage using human subjects, despite success in animal models and even 2-D cell culture models using human cells. The "Organs-on-Chips" approach to human physiology research aboard the International Space Station may lead to more reliable and predictable results for drug development and reduce the need for animal testing.

MUSES facility enables investigation opportunities for future users

The Multiple User System for Earth Sensing Facility (MUSES) will inspire and enable numerous branches of research and science through its ability to support many different kinds of investigations and hardware aboard the International Space Station. Providing a platform for payloads such as high-resolution digital cameras and hyperspectral imagers, MUSES provides precision pointing and other accommodations for various kinds of research and science.

Image: Deployment of the space station's roll-out solar array experiment

Over the weekend of June 17-18, 2017, engineers on the ground remotely operated the International Space Station's robotic Canadarm2 to extract the Roll Out Solar Array (ROSA) experiment from the SpaceX Dragon resupply ship. The experiment will remain attached to the Canadarm2 over seven days to test the effectiveness of ROSA, an advanced, flexible solar array that rolls out like a tape measure.

Technology news

Ringing the changes: Dutch bike lock blocks rider's phone

A telecom company in the Netherlands has teamed up with the country's traffic safety authority to develop a bicycle lock that also blocks its mobile network, in a move aimed at protecting young riders who regularly pedal through busy streets while looking at their phone, the developers said Wednesday.

Computing expert finds way of securing Internet of Things

A computing expert has found a way of securing the Internet of Things, a term that encompasses everything connected to the internet from smartphones to smart fridges.

Tensor2Tensor library to speed deep learning work

(Tech Xplore)—Google Brain Team's senior research scientist Lukasz Kaiser had an announcement on Monday, posted on the Google Research Blog, that translates into good news for those engaged in Deep Learning research.

Uber CEO Kalanick resigns under investor pressure

Travis Kalanick, the combative and embattled CEO of ride-hailing giant Uber, has resigned under pressure from investors at a pivotal time for the company.

Toshiba chooses US-Japan bidder for memory chip biz sale

Money-losing Toshiba Corp. said Wednesday that it has chosen a U.S.-Japan consortium as the preferred bidder in the sale of its lucrative memory chip business, but hurdles remain as an American joint-venture partner is opposing the move.

Solar solution brings water to besieged Syria town

Solar panels on wheels make for a strange sight on the streets of Syria's besieged Douma, but the makeshift generator is helping local residents secure water.

Cyber boost: New operating system will improve Navy computing power

With support from the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Dr. Binoy Ravindran, an engineering professor at Virginia Tech, has designed a system that could revolutionize how military and commercial computing systems perform.

Uber CEO Kalanick resigns under pressure (Update)

Uber's embattled chief executive Travis Kalanick has resigned, yielding to pressure from investors seeking to clean up a toxic corporate culture at the fast-growing ridesharing group.

Timeline: Uber's rough year leads to CEO's resignation

Uber has had a rough year, largely of it its own making. There have been lawsuits, allegations of sexual harassment and a profanity-laced outburst by its CEO that was caught on video.

Robots offer the elderly a helping hand

Everybody needs a helping hand when they get older – but in years to come that helping hand may be attached to a robotic arm.

Bug-proof communication with entangled photons

Due to the rapidly growing processing power of computers, conventional encryption of data is becoming increasingly insecure. One solution is coding with entangled photons. Fraunhofer researchers are developing a quantum coding source that allows the transport of entangled photons from satellites, thereby making an important step in the direction of tap-proof communication. In addition to the quantum source, researchers from various Fraunhofer institutes will be presenting other exciting optoelectronic exhibits at the LASER World of Photonics trade fair in Munich from June 26 - 29, 2017.

Apple opens new round in battle with Qualcomm

Apple has expanded its legal battle against Qualcomm, accusing the US chip maker of charging for invalid patents in the latest twist in the clash between the two tech giants.

Fuel of the future

Heavy-duty trucks will soon be driving around in Trondheim, Norway, fuelled by hydrogen created with solar power, and emitting only pure water vapour as exhaust. Not only will hydrogen technology revolutionize road transport, it will also enable ships and trains to run emission-free.

Five ways virtual reality is improving healthcare

Virtual reality is much more than just a new form of entertainment, it is increasingly being used in a wide range of medical applications, from treatments to training. Here are a few of them.

Get in on the ground floor—how apartments can join the solar boom

While there are now more solar panels in Australia than people, the many Australians who live in apartments have largely been locked out of this solar revolution by a minefield of red tape and potentially uninformed strata committees.

Chatbots aren't Terminators—they're just trying to 'optimize outcomes'

Yes, Facebook's chatbots have created their own, non-human language to communicate with each other. No, this doesn't mean they're planning to take over the world.

Political bots are poisoning democracy – so, off with their heads

Propaganda bots posing as people are increasingly being used on social media to sway public opinion around the world. So says new research from the University of Oxford's Internet Institute, which found automated accounts and other forms of social media propaganda are rife in Russia, the US and Germany among other countries.

Carnegie Mellon's RoboTutor advances to Global Learning XPRIZE semifinals

RoboTutor, educational technology developed at Carnegie Mellon University that teaches children basic math and reading skills, has been named a semifinalist in the $15 million Global Learning XPRIZE competition.

All that's cool and quirky at the Paris Air Show

There are flying cars and Concorde's would-be supersonic successor, a company offering to deliver cargo to the Moon—for a mere $1.2 million per kilogram—and the latest in funky futuristic aviation ideas, both big and small.

Airbus and Boeing eye lucrative maintenance market

Airbus and Boeing wheeled out the usual round of order announcements at the Paris Air Show on Wednesday, but alongside the big ticket purchases, the aerospace rivals are also eyeing the lucrative maintenance and servicing market as they seek to boost growth.

Small food makers wonder about Amazon-Whole Foods impact

Among the many questions being asked about Amazon's intended purchase of Whole Foods is one from small and medium-sized food manufacturers: How might this deal affect me?

Kia tops new car quality survey for second straight year

Kia has claimed the top spot in a survey of new vehicle quality for the second straight year.

Is Nike joining the Amazon roster?

Shares a several major sports chains are hitting 52-week lows on word that Nike may soon be selling its gear directly on Amazon.com.

529s make it easier to ask family, friends for college cash

People have used crowdfunding sites to raise money for business ideas, help afford medical emergencies and even to pay for vacations. Now the concept is coming to college savings.

AP Source: Sandberg has no plans to leave Facebook for Uber

At least one well-known person has already taken her name out of the running to be Uber's next CEO.

Uber pushes its founder out as it tries to clean up its act

Under Travis Kalanick's leadership, Uber's "Animal House"-style business plan was to grow as quickly as possible, steamrolling regulators while flouting the rules of workplace conduct.

University of Michigan getting driverless shuttles this fall

Two driverless shuttles will begin operating at the University of Michigan this fall.

Uber searches for a new CEO in wake of Kalanick's departure

Uber seeks a strong manager who can repair a broken image, juggle multiple lawsuits and government investigations, develop and nurture a new corporate culture and lead a successful IPO.

Kalanick, Uber's disruptive driving force

Travis Kalanick was the driving force behind Uber, taking a spur-of-moment idea and turning it into the world's most valuable venture-funded tech startup.

Intelligent underground robot for urban environments

Researchers from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) are leading the implementation of a new kind of autonomous underground robot with intelligent navigation for urban environments. The system, developed within the framework of the European research project BADGER, aims to become a model for excavation technologies because of its high economic and social impact.

Intel signs up as top Olympic sponsor through 2024

The International Olympic Committee says it has signed a deal with technology provider Intel, one week after McDonald's ended its long-standing sponsorship three years early.

Scrutiny intensifies over safety at US nuclear weapons lab

The safety record at the U.S. laboratory that created the atomic bomb is facing intensifying criticism as work ramps up to produce a key component for the nation's nuclear weapons cache.

Medicine & Health news

New gene mutations found in white blood cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Gene mutations accumulating in cells are typical of the development of cancer. Finnish researchers have found that a similar accumulation of mutations occurs also in some patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Boosting quality of patient MRIs could enable large-scale studies of stroke outcome

People who suffer a stroke often undergo a brain scan at the hospital, allowing doctors to determine the location and extent of the damage. Researchers who study the effects of strokes would love to be able to analyze these images, but the resolution is often too low for many analyses.

Untangling the complex puzzle of optic nerve regeneration

The optic nerve is vital for vision—damage to this critical structure can lead to severe and irreversible loss of vision. Fengfeng Bei, PhD, a principal investigator in the Department of Neurosurgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and his colleagues want to understand why the optic nerve—as well as other parts of the central nervous system including the brain and spinal cord—cannot be repaired by the body. In particular, Bei's lab focuses on axons, the long processes of neurons that serve as signaling wires.

Blocking cancer—scientists find new way to combat disease

New findings published in Nature Chemical Biology show promise for finding new solutions to treat lung cancer and other deadly diseases. Kentucky continues to lead the nation in incidence and death rates from lung cancer, and the University of Kentucky is committed to reducing these numbers.

Researchers target gene to treat inflammatory bowel disease

Researchers at the Biocomplexity Institute of Virginia Tech have discovered a new therapeutic target for inflammatory bowel disease—and it's right inside our immune cells.

Extra-virgin olive oil preserves memory and protects brain against Alzheimer's: study

The Mediterranean diet, rich in plant-based foods, is associated with a variety of health benefits, including a lower incidence of dementia. Now, researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (LKSOM) have identified a specific ingredient that protects against cognitive decline: extra-virgin olive oil, a major component of the Mediterranean diet. In a study published online June 21 in the Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, the researchers show that the consumption of extra-virgin olive oil protects memory and learning ability and reduces the formation of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain—classic markers of Alzheimer's disease.

Forgetting can make you smarter

For most people having a good memory means being able to remember more information clearly for long periods of time. For neuroscientists too, the inability to remember was long believed to represent a failure of the brain's mechanisms for storing and retrieving information.

Yarraman flu or horse flu? Words and graphics influence willingness to vaccinate

"Yarraman flu is a virus quickly infecting the U.S. ...." The mock announcement was enough to make readers worry. But when the name of the hypothetical illness was changed to "horse flu", the news elicited a different reaction. Readers were not as concerned, and reported being less motivated to get a vaccine that would prevent them from contracting the illness.

Three ways neuroscience can advance the concussion debate

While concussion awareness has improved over the past decade, understanding the nuances of these sports injuries, their severity, symptoms, and treatment, is still a work in progress. In the June 21 issue of Neuron, UCLA neurologists and neurotraumatologists review the science of concussions and outline several areas where neuroscience and clinical research can help create consensus in the field: definitions of what acute and chronic concussions are, diagnostics, and management and treatment.

Parkinson's is partly an autoimmune disease, study finds

Researchers have found the first direct evidence that autoimmunity—in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues—plays a role in Parkinson's disease, the neurodegenerative movement disorder. The findings raise the possibility that the death of neurons in Parkinson's could be prevented by therapies that dampen the immune response.

Researchers create a 'Rosetta Stone' to decode immune recognition

Scientists from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have developed an algorithm that functions like a Rosetta Stone to help decipher how the immune system recognizes and binds antigens. The research, which appears today as an advance online publication in the journal Nature, should aid development of more personalized cancer immunotherapy and advance diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.

Serotonin improves sociability in mouse model of autism

Scientists at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI) in Japan have linked early serotonin deficiency to several symptoms that occur in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Published in Science Advances, the study examined serotonin levels, brain circuitry, and behavior in a mouse model of ASD. Experiments showed that increasing serotonergic activity in the brain during early development led to more balanced brain activity and improved the abnormal sociability of these mice.

Sleep-wake rhythms vary widely with age as well as amongst individuals of a given age

The sleep rhythms that reflect circadian systems peak later in teenagers than in adults, and vary as much as 10 hours in individuals across at any ages, according to a study published June 21, 2017 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Dorothee Fischer from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, USA, and colleagues.

Adults more influenced by prior knowledge, beliefs than children when first viewing paintings

Adults rely more on top-down processing than children when observing paintings by van Gogh, according to a study published June 21, 2017 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Francesco Walker from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and colleagues.

The brain mechanism behind multitasking

Although "multitasking" is a popular buzzword, research shows that only 2% of the population actually multitasks efficiently. Most of us just shift back and forth between different tasks, a process that requires our brains to refocus time and time again—and reduces overall productivity by a whopping 40%.

Researchers investigate the wisdom of crowds in the realm of visual searches

Your doctor is an expert with many years of experience. So when she tells you, upon reviewing all the fancy tomographic imaging you had done, that the tenderness in your breast is just some minor irritation, you want to believe her and leave it at that.

Common water treatments could damage DNA

Scientists are warning that a water treatment widely used in developing countries could be damaging the DNA of those drinking it.

New statistical method finds shared ancestral gene variants involved in autism's cause

The way you measure things has a lot to do with the value of the results you get. If you want to know how much a blueberry weighs, don't use a bathroom scale; it isn't sensitive enough to register a meaningful result.

When lovers touch, their breathing and heartbeat syncs, pain wanes, study shows

Fathers-to-be, take note: You may be more useful in the labor and delivery room than you realize.

Drug shows promise against vision-robbing disease in seniors

An experimental drug is showing promise against an untreatable eye disease that blinds older adults—and intriguingly, it seems to work in patients who carry a particular gene flaw that fuels the damage to their vision.

Study answers why ketamine helps depression, offers target for safer therapy

UT Southwestern Medical Center scientists have identified a key protein that helps trigger ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects in the brain, a crucial step to developing alternative treatments to the controversial drug being dispensed in a growing number of clinics across the country.

Computer-designed antibodies target toxins associated with Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have designed antibodies that target the protein deposits in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease, and stop their production.

Experts set out plan to tackle 'questionable integrity' of medical evidence

A plan to tackle "serious flaws in the creation, dissemination and implementation of medical evidence" is set out by experts from The BMJ and Oxford University's Centre for Evidence Based Medicine today, ahead of Evidence Live which opens today (21 June 2017).

Fidget spinners named among possible summer hazards for kids

Thinking of getting your kid the wildly popular fidget spinner? A consumer watchdog group is warning parents to think again.

Strategic studying limits the costs of divided attention

Multitasking while studying may impair overall memory for the study material, but your ability to strategically identify and remember the most important information may stay intact, according to new findings published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

Stroke history higher in asymptomatic versus symptomatic atrial fibrillation patients

Newly diagnosed asymptomatic atrial fibrillation patients have a higher rate of previous stroke than those with symptoms, according to results from the GLORIA-AF Registry presented today at EHRA EUROPACE - CARDIOSTIM 2017. The findings highlight the need for screening to identify atrial fibrillation patients with no symptoms so that stroke prevention treatment can be given.

Breast implants may impede ECG and lead to false heart attack diagnosis

Breast implants may impede an electrocardiogram (ECG) and could result in a false heart attack diagnosis, according to research presented today at EHRA EUROPACE - CARDIOSTIM 2017.

Eating fish may reduce arthritis symptoms

In a recent study, individuals with rheumatoid arthritis who consumed fish ?2 times/week had lower disease activity (swollen/tender joint counts along with other assessments) than those who ate fish never to

Could handheld electronic devices contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome?

In a study of 48 university students, intensive users of electronic devices reported more wrist/hand pain than non-intensive users.

Feelings of power change people's non-verbal responses to dominance displays

Feelings of power determine how people respond non-verbally to dominance displays such as a staring gaze, new research led by a psychologist at the University of Kent, UK, has found.

FDA warns diabetics against use of secondhand test strips

(HealthDay)—Millions of Americans with diabetes use glucose meters and test strips to monitor their blood sugar, but affording those supplies can be a challenge.

Group urges tougher limits on chemical in shampoos, cosmetics

(HealthDay)—The germ-fighting chemical triclosan has got to go, an international coalition of scientists claims.

Severe headaches plague vets with traumatic brain injuries

(HealthDay)—U.S. veterans who have suffered traumatic brain injuries may struggle with severe headaches years later, a new study finds.

Could certain hair dyes, relaxers raise breast cancer risk?

(HealthDay)—The safety of hair products has been debated for years. Now, new research suggests that black women who use dark hair dyes face a higher risk of breast cancer, while chemical relaxers and straighteners boost the odds in white women.

Marital status among factors tied to gout Rx adherence

(HealthDay)—For patients with gout, higher levels of belief about medicines, presence of comorbidity, and being married appear to increase urate-lowering therapy adherence, according to a study published online June 15 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.

Support for financial penalties up with emphasis on patient harms

(HealthDay)—Physicians who receive information about patient harms are more likely to support financial penalties targeting inappropriate antibiotic prescribing, according to a research letter published online June 20 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

AUA reports on nonneurogenic chronic urinary retention

(HealthDay)—A white paper has been developed by the American Urological Association Quality Improvement and Patient Safety committee with respect to the diagnosis and management of nonneurogenic chronic urinary retention; the paper was published in the July issue of The Journal of Urology.

Embolic protection device useful post carotid artery stenting

(HealthDay)—For patients with carotid stenosis, use of an embolic protection device is associated with reduced risk for in-hospital stroke or death, major stroke or death, and stroke after carotid artery stenting, according to a study published in the June 26 issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Imaging of pelvis has limited value in hepatocellular cancer

(HealthDay)—For patients with a primary diagnosis of hepatocellular cancer (HCC), imaging of the pelvis rarely provides additional pathologic information, according to a study published online June 14 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Risk of cardiovascular events similar with, without diabetes

(HealthDay)—For patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG), those with and without diabetes without coronary artery disease (CAD) have the same risk of death, cardiac death, and myocardial infarction, according to a study published online June 8 in Diabetes Care.

A new adjustable optical microprobe for the analysis and control of deep brain regions

Researchers from the IIT- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia in Lecce, Italy, and the Harvard Medical School in Boston have developed a new optical microprobe able to control brain electrical activity by projecting light on wide volumes or selected portions of the central nervous system. The study was published in Nature Neuroscience and represents a first step toward minimally invasive devices for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.

Steaming fish better than boiling for eliminating cyanotoxins

A group of researchers from the University of Seville has published a study that shows that steaming freshwater fish for more than two minutes reduces the presence of cylindrospermopsin, a cyanotoxin, by up to 26 percent. However, if boiled, the reduction is smaller, 18 percent, with a corresponding increase in risk for the consumer. Another important conclusion from the research was that these biotoxins pass into the water used for cooking.

Study analyses toddlers' reading and learning habits through electronic books compared to print books

Pediatricians, educators, and parents have always agreed on at least one thing: reading to your toddler – early on in life and regularly – is vital to promote language acquisition and also an enthusiasm for learning.

Combining mental and physical health improves outcomes for primary care patients

It is often thought that primary care clinics are only able to help with physical health challenges, but a new study shows that this may not be the case. In the study, published today in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center found that brief cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered in the primary care setting helped improve not only physical functioning but also symptoms of depression and anxiety in medically ill veterans.

Research identifies how master regulator, bone-building protein can be used for therapy

The WNT1 ligand has previously been identified in bone disease, but its role in bone homeostasis, its cellular source and targets in bone have only just recently been identified. The research, led by Dr. Brendan Lee at Baylor College of Medicine, appears in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Researchers suggest new technologies to identify molecular changes affecting pregnancies

The phrase, "the miracle of life" seems apt when one considers everything that has to go right during conception and pregnancy. Three discrete biological events (embryo implantation, decidualization, and placentation) are necessary for a successful pregnancy. A disruption in any of these complex events can cause complications that researchers believe could be treated if we fully understood-at the molecular level-how pregnancy related problems develop.

Primary care decisions often made without the best evidence

As medicine continues to shift toward evidence-based practice, some primary care providers may have a difficult time finding quality evidence to support their clinical decisions, according to a new study from the University of Georgia.

Fidget spinners are the latest toy craze, but the medical benefits are unclear

Last week, German customs agents in Frankfurt Airport seized 35 metric tons of an imported plastic device, destroying the shipment for public safety purposes before it could infiltrate the country's marketplaces.

One in six women with learning disabilities has attempted suicide

A new study by the University of Toronto found that the lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts was much higher for women who had been diagnosed with learning disabilities (16.6%) compared to women who had not (3.3%). Men with learning disabilities also were more likely to have attempted suicide compared to men without learning disorders (7.7% vs 2.1%).

Researchers discover brain inflammation in people with OCD

A new brain imaging study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) shows for the first time that brain inflammation is significantly elevated - more than 30 per cent higher - in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) than in people without the condition. Published today in JAMA Psychiatry, the study provides compelling evidence for a new potential direction for treating this anxiety disorder, which can be debilitating for people who experience it.

Study examines use, outcomes of valve replacement procedure performed for off-label indications

Approximately 1 in 10 transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures in the U.S. were for an off-label indication, with similar 1-year mortality rates compared to on-label use, suggesting that TAVR may be a possible procedure option for certain patients requiring a heart valve replacement, according to a study published by JAMA Cardiology.

What are trends in emergency department utilization, costs for shingles?

A new article published by JAMA Dermatology uses a nationwide database of emergency department (ED) visits to examine herpes zoster (HZ, shingles)-related ED utilization and costs.

Care system not to blame for increased risk of mental health issues in children

Children in the care system – who are more likely to have mental health difficulties than others in the wider population – are not more at risk due to being in care, according to new research from the University of York.

One in five Medicare patients returns to the hospital after 'observation stays'

As many as one in five older Medicare patients returns to the hospital after an observation stay, or short-term outpatient stay, a Yale-led study found. This high rate of revisit to the hospital points to a hidden vulnerability among these patients, and suggests changes in care might be needed, the researchers said.

Study identifies gene—and drug target—involved in inflammation after injury

During a stroke or organ transplant, patients can suffer an injury due to lack of blood supply to vital organs. The injury—known as ischemia reperfusion—can cause damage to tissues. But a new Yale-led study has identified a previously unknown mechanism leading to the injury, and a potential target for drug treatment.

Marijuana legalization raises the need for more research

At a Paul McCartney concert at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2010, Matthew Springer, PhD, wasn't shocked to be surrounded by a haze of marijuana smoke. He was, however, amazed that the audience tolerated it without complaint.

How legalising cannabis can help society

Leading drug researcher Associate Professor Chris Wilkins from Massey University's SHORE and Whāriki Research Centre is calling for the adoption of a not-for-profit public health model for recreational cannabis. It would allow regulated cannabis products to be sold by philanthropic societies, in an approach similar to the Class 4 gambling regime which was introduced in 2003 to regulate "pokie" trusts in New Zealand.

Soybean consumption may be beneficial for some women with breast cancer

It can be confusing to know what to eat to lower your risk of breast cancer. Research is mixed, for example, on whether women should avoid soy foods, such as tofu and soybeans, or try to eat more of them. The question is even trickier for women who already have breast cancer.

Older adults' lungs remain strong during exercise

Highly active older adults experience no limitations in the lungs' capacity to exchange gases (lung-diffusing capacity) during physical activity, researchers have found. The study is published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

Physical stress is a risk factor for broken heart syndrome

The loss of a loved one, a dispute with your neighbour, infections or a fall – mental and physical stress can be triggers of a broken heart (broken heart syndrome). What is more, physical stress seems to be more dangerous than emotional stress, a study of the German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) shows.

Taxing sugary drinks would boost productivity, not just health

Many studies have looked at the potential benefits of a sugar tax interms of the longer, healthier lives and reduced health expenditure associated with tackling obesity.

Heavy runners risk injury in lightweight running shoes

Minimalist or lightweight running shoes, popularised as a safe alternative to conventional trainers, have been found to cause more harm than good for runners carrying extra weight, reveals research from the University of South Australia's Sansom Institute for Health Research.

Pharmaceutical overload may be putting lives at risk

Uncertainty and confusion over medicine use is affecting thousands of patients and their carers and, potentially, putting lives at risk, warn researchers. 

Is it OK to run in heat of 30C or more?

Most of Britain is experiencing a heatwave, with temperatures reaching up to 32℃. The public health watchdog for England has issued an amber health warning, advising people to take care in the hotter weather. But what does it mean for runners? Is it ever too hot to go for a run?

EU court: Vaccines can be blamed for illnesses without proof

The highest court of the European Union ruled Wednesday that courts can consider whether a vaccination led to someone developing an illness even when there is no scientific proof.

New clues in puzzle over pre-eclampsia and cholesterol regulation

Scientists studying a mystery link between the dangerous pregnancy complication pre-eclampsia and an increased risk of heart disease in later life for both mother and child have uncovered important new clues.

'Protective shield' for beta-cells suggests new option to treat diabetes

The islets of Langerhans in the human pancreas produce and release insulin to regulate blood glucose levels. Insulin, which is specifically produced in b-cells, serves to prompt cells to take up glucose circulating in blood. Thus, insulin release lowers the level of glucose in blood. In diabetes, this cycle is disrupted by the premature death of b-cells. Working with an international team of researchers, Katarzyna Malenczyk from the Department of Molecular Neurosciences at MedUni Vienna's Center for Brain Research showed in the study published in the EMBO Journal today that the loss of a key protein, secretagogin, triggers the death of b-cells and, conversely, that these cells can be protected by increasing the amount of this protein in those suffering from diabetes.

Research says marriage makes men fatter

Being married makes men gain weight, and the early days of fatherhood add to the problem, finds new research from the University of Bath's School of Management.

The dirt and dope that's on your cash

We live in a dirty world. Wherever we go, we are among microbes. Bacteria, fungi and viruses live on our phones, bus seats, door handles and park benches. We pass these tiny organisms to each other when we share a handshake or a seat on the plane.

The bug hunters and the microbiome

Trevor Lawley and Gordon Dougan are bug hunters, albeit not the conventional kind. The bugs they collect are invisible to the naked eye. And even though we're teeming with them, researchers are only beginning to discover how they keep us healthy – and how we could use these bugs as drugs.

To work or not to work: Moms' well being rests on what she wants

The center of a mother's life tends to be her children and her family, but if mom is unhappy about staying home with the kids or about working outside the home then she (and anyone close to her) may suffer, according to new research from Arizona State University.

Could flu during pregnancy raise risk for autism?

Researchers at the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII) at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found no evidence that laboratory-diagnosis alone of maternal influenza during pregnancy is associated with risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the offspring. They did, however, find a trend toward risk in mothers with a laboratory diagnosis of influenza and self-reported symptoms of severe illness. This trend did not achieve statistical significance.

Rare genetic variants found to increase risk for Tourette syndrome

An international research team led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) - along with their facilitating partner the Tourette Association of America - has identified rare mutations in two genes that markedly increase the risk for Tourette syndrome (TS), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by chronic involuntary motor and vocal tics. The report in the June 21 issue of Neuron also describes finding an overall increase in the presence of large, rare, risk-associated copy-number variants - areas of the genome that are either duplicated or deleted - in TS patients, many being observed in just a single patient.

What percentage of ALS is genetic?

Up to 90 percent of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) report that they have no family history of the disease. Now, new research has found approximately 17 percent of such ALS cases may be caused by a gene mutation, according to a study published in the June 21, 2017, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Breastfeeding may reduce a mother's heart attack and stroke risk

Breastfeeding is not only healthy for babies, it may also reduce a mother's risk of having a heart attack or stroke later in life, according to new research published in of the Journal of the American Heart Association, the Open Access Journal of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

First-line immunotherapy treatment can improve survival for subset of lung cancer patients

Findings from a phase III clinical trial for advanced lung cancer patients could help oncologists better predict which patients are likely to receive the most benefit from immunotherapy as a first-line treatment based on the unique molecular characteristics of their tumor, according to a new study reported by a global team led by David Carbone, MD, PhD, of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC - James).

Study settles debate over head position following stroke

A trial involving more than 11,000 patients has revealed sitting up or lying flat after a stroke makes no difference to their recovery.

Call for urgent action to close gap in cancer deaths between rich and poor countries

Over the past 30 years, cancer control measures have led to rising life expectancy in rich populations, but these gains have yet to be seen in poorer populations, finds a study published by The BMJ today.

New approach to teaching music improvisation enhances creativity

As World Music Day is approaching, taking place each year on 21 June, many are looking forward to the musical events in the streets or parks and the atmosphere it brings with it. Watching musicians perform can be impressive, even more so when they improvise. The performers produce their works in real-time and while improvising, they manage several processes simultaneously including generating melodic and rhythmic sequences, coordinating performance with other musicians in an ensemble and evaluating internal and external stimuli. All this is done with the overall goal of creating aesthetically appealing music. It keeps some of us wondering, how they do it and whether this can be learned at all.

German cities traumatized in WWII show distinct psychological resilience today

Pensions will soon be a thing of the past, demographic change is forcing Germany to its knees, and all the refugees will be the downfall of Western Christian civilization. There is a common perception that Germans are fundamentally pessimistic in outlook and suffer from existential anxiety about the future. This view is so widespread that it is frequently referred to in other countries by the term German Angst. Up until now, however, German Angst has not been the subject of scientific study. The first major study examining specific aspects of the German Angst phenomenon has been undertaken by psychologists in the group headed by Martin Obschonka, until recently Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Psychology at Saarland University and currently Associate Professor at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane (Australia), in collaboration with the economist Michael Stützer from the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) in Mannheim (Germany) and researchers from the University of Texas in Austin (USA) and the University of Cambridge (UK).

Researchers shed new light on a key player in brain development

Researchers at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have shed light on how the developing brain ensures that connections between brain cells reach their intended destination but that they are also maintained during life-span.

Provider's preference for pain therapy can affect patient's results, researchers find

A health care provider's beliefs about a particular treatment may have a strong influence on the patient's outcome, according to a new University of Florida stuPdy that evaluated people undergoing treatment for short-term low back pain.

New inhibitor drug shows promise in relapsed leukemia

A new drug shows promise in its ability to target one of the most common and sinister mutations of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), according to researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Penn's Abramson Cancer Center. The Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) gene mutation is a known predictor of AML relapse and is associated with short survival. In a first-in-human study, researchers treated relapsed patients with gilteritinib, an FLT3 inhibitor, and found it was a well-tolerated drug that led to frequent and more-sustained-than-expected clinical responses, almost exclusively in patients with this mutation. They published their findings today in The Lancet Oncology.

Molecular test for common causes of vaginitis receives FDA approval

Johns Hopkins researchers report that a molecular diagnostic test accurately distinguishes among the three most common causes of vaginitis, an inflammation of vaginal tissue they say accounts for millions of visits to medical clinics and offices in the U.S. each year.

New insights into exercise right ventricular pressure may help define a new 'normal'

In individuals with structurally normal hearts, systolic pressure is assumed to be equal in the lung arteries and the part of the heart pumping to them. A difference in pressure between the right ventricle (RV) and pulmonary artery (PA) suggests an obstruction to blood flow (specifically in the right ventricular outflow tract, or RVOT), which is most often seen in patients who have congenital heart defects or sometimes after cardiac surgery or lung transplantation. An RVOT pressure gradient is usually seen as a sign for concern: if the obstruction to the blood flow is severe, it can lead to right heart failure.

New antibody uses 1-2 punch to potentially treat blood cancers

Researchers have developed a two-pronged approach to blood cancer treatment: 1) attacking cancer cells directly and/or 2) driving them from the nurturing bone marrow environment into the peripheral blood streams, where they are more vulnerable (for example, to chemotherapy).

Biological fingerprint of tuberculosis meningitis discovered in children

Children with tuberculosis meningitis - a brain and spinal cord infection that leads to disability and death—have a biological fingerprint that can be used to assess the severity of the condition, help decide the best course of treatment, and provide clues for novel treatments, scientists at the Francis Crick Institute, Imperial College London and the University of Cape Town reveal.

Underused cancer test could improve treatment for thousands

A simple blood test could improve treatment for more than 1 in 6 stage 2 colon cancer patients, suggests new Mayo Clinic research. The researchers also discovered that many patients who could benefit from the test likely aren't receiving it. The findings were published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.

New study examines relationship between emotion regulation and brain connectivity in ASD

Emotional control varies among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and researchers using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for whole brain analysis identified relationships between emotional lability and neuronal activity in two brain regions. They report their findings in the article "The Neural Correlates of Emotional Lability in Children with ASD," published in Brain Connectivity.

Head impact exposure increases as youth football players get older, bigger

Youth football players are exposed to more and more forceful head impacts as they move up in age- and weight-based levels of play, according to researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

A new technique isolates neuronal activity during memory consolidation

A team, led by researchers from the Cajal Institute (Madrid) belonging to the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), have discovered some basic processes underlying memory consolidation in collaboration with colleagues at the National Hospital for Paraplegics in Toledo (Spain) and the University of Szeged (Hungary). The work, which is published in Neuron, identifies some of the electrical events responsible for specific neuronal activity in the hippocampus: a region of the brain with fundamental roles in episodic memory.

What strategies help ethnic minority adolescents cope with racism?

A new study finds that maintaining a strong ethnic identity and high levels of social support can help Latino adolescents in the United States cope with racism. On the other hand, outward expression of anger exacerbated the association between discrimination and adjustment problems.

Is there an alternative to disposable diapers?

You know that disposable diapers are ecologically questionable, but cloth diapers seem too messy for you and your child—is there an alternative?

Flu vaccine ineffective for people 65 and older last winter

The flu vaccine did a poor job protecting older Americans against the illness last winter, even though the vaccine was well-matched to the flu bugs going around.

Researchers recommend specific diabetes medications to protect bone health

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and osteoporosis often coexist in patients, but managing both conditions can be a challenge. A comprehensive review published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism highlights the most effective treatment options for treating these conditions together.

Perceptions about body image linked to increased alcohol, tobacco use for teens

How teenagers perceive their appearance, including their body image, can have significant impacts on health and wellness. Prior body image research has shown that people with negative body image are more likely to develop eating disorders and are more likely to suffer from depression and low self-esteem. Now, Virginia Ramseyer Winter, a body image expert and an assistant professor in the University of Missouri's School of Social Work, found negative body image also is associated with increased tobacco and alcohol use, with implications for both young men and women. Notably, she also found relationships between substance use and perceived attractiveness, with girls who believe they are very good looking being more likely to drink.

Device helps ICU patients by filtering out noise from medical alarms

A team of investigators at Vanderbilt University Medical Center wants to improve patient outcomes in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) settings by silencing audible medical alarms in hospital rooms.

Feeling stressed? Bike to work

New research from Concordia's John Molson School of Business (JMSB) has found that cycling can help reduce stress and improve your work performance.

San Francisco to ban sales of vaping flavored liquid

San Francisco city supervisors unanimously approved a measure Tuesday that bans the sale of flavored nicotine-laced liquid used in electronic cigarettes and flavored tobacco products—with city supervisors saying nicotine masked in cotton candy, banana cream, mint and other flavors entices kids into a lifetime of addiction.

Extreme heat in southwest a deadly threat

(HealthDay)—With temperatures soaring so high that some planes couldn't take off in Phoenix on Tuesday, the heat wave scorching the Southwest for the next week should be taken very seriously, one emergency doctor warns.

Opioid-linked hospitalizations rising fastest for women: study

(HealthDay)—Opioid-related hospitalizations among women in the United States increased far faster than among men between 2005 and 2014, a federal government report says.

Posture pointers for computer jockeys

(HealthDay)—Do you spend most of your day sitting at a computer? Being hunched over your keyboard for long periods can put stress and strain on your whole body.

Diabetic ketoacidosis poses fetal risk during / after event

(HealthDay)—Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) during pregnancy poses risk for the fetus during and after the event, according to research published online June 12 in Diabetes Care.

Education can promote self-management in CVD conditions

(HealthDay)—Therapeutic patient education interventions can promote self-management in selected cardiovascular conditions, according to a scientific statement published online June 19 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

Causes of serious adverse events in nursing homes identified

(HealthDay)—Most serious adverse events in nursing homes are caused by medication errors, falls, delayed or inappropriate interventions, and missed nursing care, according to a study published online June 15 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.

HCC drops beyond five years of entecavir / tenofovir Tx for hepatitis B

(HealthDay)—For Caucasian patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) decreases beyond year five of entecavir/tenofovir therapy, particularly in those with compensated cirrhosis, according to a study published online June 16 in Hepatology.

Strategies compared for cancer medication submission lags

(HealthDay)—For development of oncology drugs in Japan, the global trial (GT) strategy and early-initiation bridging (BG) strategy are associated with shorter submission lag (SL) than late-initiation BG strategy, according to a study published online June 19 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

Polymorphism in rs4343 of ACE gene linked to migraine

(HealthDay)—Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene rs4343 polymorphism is associated with the risk of migraine, according to a letter to the editor published online June 18 in CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics.

Identified brain circuitry bridges neural and behavioral roles in PTSD

Specific cerebral circuitry bridges chemical changes deep in the brain and the more outward behavioral expressions associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which could lead to more objective biomarkers for the disorder, according to a comprehensive review of rapidly changing data published June 22 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Analysis indicates that insurance expansion improves access to care, health, and survival

There is strong evidence that expanding health insurance increases access to care, improves health in a variety of ways, and reduces mortality, according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers who analyzed a decade's worth of evidence on the effects of insurance coverage on health.

Study seeks to improve screening for falls in emergency departments

When individuals visit the emergency department after falling, they may receive a diagnosis reflecting the injury sustained—such as fractures, contusions, etc.—without mention of how the injury came about. A new study found that classifying emergency department visits based not only on diagnosis codes but also chief complaint can help to identify falls.

Addressing refugee and immigrant women's stress

Refugee and undocumented immigrant women may experience unique and ongoing stress following migration, in addition to the pre- and post-migration traumatic events all immigrants may experience. A new study explores ways in which refugee and immigrants develop resilience to cope with these experiences. Many of the women rely on both external strategies, such as reliance on government supports (if eligible), and internal strategies, such as their faith and their positive beliefs about opportunities in the United States.

Fathers' involvement may help prevent childhood obesity

Fathers are becoming more involved with raising children, but limited research has examined their association with childhood obesity. In a recent study, fathers' increased involvement with child caregiving was linked with a decreased likelihood that their children would become obese from age 2 to 4.

Yoga connecting world, says Modi as millions stretch and bend

Yoga has connected the world with India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Wednesday, as he rolled out his mat along with millions of others across the globe to celebrate the ancient practice.

Allen Institute releases new data and visualizations for Allen Brain Observatory

The Allen Institute for Brain Science today announced the release of new data and analysis tools for the Allen Brain Observatory: a highly standardized survey of cellular-level neuronal activity in the mouse visual system. In addition to bringing the total number of cells surveyed to nearly 40,000, the release includes key improvements to algorithms that decrease noise and match cells across experiments, leading to a more robust and usable resource for researchers around the world to study how visual information is processed in the brain.

Study examines opioid use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

A new analysis indicates that the use of opioid pain medications in older US rheumatoid arthritis patients peaked in 2010 and is now declining slightly. By 2014, 41% of rheumatoid arthritis patients were regular opioid users.

Assessment of bone density and fracture history can predict long-term fracture risk

Factors such as low bone density and previous fractures are commonly used to predict an individual's risk of experiencing a fracture over the next 10 years. A new analysis has found that a single bone density measurement and an assessment of fracture history in postmenopausal women can predict fracture risk over a much longer period, up to 25 years.

Physical activity counselling affects parents and gets children to move

Parents can affect their children's physical activity. A unique finding of a recent study conducted at the University of Jyväskylä in 2011–2013 was that parents who have previously provided little support for their children's physical activity can make changes that have a positive effect on the daily physical activity of the children.

Are levels of serum amyloid A in bone sarcomas patients an indicator of tumor malignancy?

In a recent study published in Electrophoresis, University of Malaya's researchers found significant correlation between increased levels of serum amyloid A (SAA) in patients with three different bone sarcomas: pleomorphic sarcoma (PS), osteosarcoma (OS) and chondrosarcoma (CS) and the different degrees of tumor malignancy in PS, OS and CS.

Improving radiotherapy for brain cancers

Dr Ross Carruthers has recently been awarded a CRUK Clinican Scientist Fellowship. A consultant radiation oncologist, now based at the University of Glasgow, he plans to investigate DNA damage response mechanisms in glioblastoma, to better understand why these cancers are particularly resistant to radiotherapy.

Tackling hard-to-treat cancers from every angle

Improving the quality and quantity of research into cancers with the poorest survival rates remains a key priority across all aspects of our research activity – from funding breakthroughs in biology, to growing a sustainable community of world-leading researchers.

Hacking into normality: Gerard Evan

Currently Sir William Dunn Professor at the University of Cambridge, Gerard Evan has focused his research the MYC oncogene. His lab has recently started working on pancreatic and lung cancer, drawn in part by the excellent mouse models available. Here, Gerard discusses a new way of viewing cancer that has major implications for our understanding of the disease, and how to treat it.

Catching cancer earlier—a new frontier for early detection research

In our 2014 Research Strategy we included an intention to facilitate a major shift in early detection and diagnosis research. We made an ambitious commitment to invigorate this field, stimulating research interest, building capacity, forging new partnerships, and actively supporting a community for early detection research.

A surgeon's fight to legalize HIV-to-HIV organ transplants

Peter Stock, MD, PhD, a transplant surgeon at UC San Francisco, considers himself a representative specimen of his profession. "I think we're all typically atypical," he said, by which he means that transplant surgeons thrive on intensity, whether in the operating room or in pursuit of outside interests.

Dairy shown to improve bone health of Kiwi children

New Massey University research shows children drinking milk at school have greater increases in the size and strength of their bones, compared to children who are not involved in the Fonterra Milk for Schools programme.

Researcher uses sophisticated techniques to understand traumatic brain injuries among older adults

After a traumatic brain injury, when do the first indications of possible long-term complications—including dementia—appear and is it possible to stave them off?

Dealing with the pain, and rewards, of pediatric oncology social work

Stephanie Denzer, a May graduate of the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, spent the spring semester doing an internship working with young cancer patients and their families at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Denzer worked at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in community services for two years before coming to UWM to earn her master's degree. The American Cancer Society funded the competitive, for-credit, paid internship, which gives students a foundation in pediatric oncology medical social work.

CHLA launches OncoKids - a comprehensive DNA and RNA pediatric cancer panel

Today, a team of investigators at Children's Hospital Los Angeles launched OncoKidsSM, a next-generation sequencing-based panel specifically designed for pediatric cancers. OncoKids is intended to guide the diagnosis and treatment of a child's cancer based on the genomic alterations specific to the child's tumor. The panel was developed by a team comprised of laboratory geneticists, oncologists and pathologists.

Transportation noise increases risk for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes

Transportation noise increases risk for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. This is shown by the first results of the SiRENE study under the lead of Swiss TPH, which was presented on 20 June 2017 in the framework of the ICBEN Congress (International Commission on Biological Effects of Noise) in Zurich.

Late premature birth increases risk of recurrent hospitalization for respiratory illness

A new study of children up to 2 years of age showed that those born late preterm (34-36 weeks) had a significantly greater risk of recurrent hospitalization due to respiratory illness compared to those who were born full term (>37 weeks). The repeat hospital visits also occurred at an earlier age in the late preterm birth group of children, according to an article in Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology.

Thousands of yogis search for serenity in Times Square

Thousands of yoga aficionados celebrated the summer solstice amid the neon lights and cacophony of Times Square Wednesday, searching for inner peace in the heart of New York on International Yoga Day.

Single fungus amplifies Crohn's disease symptoms

A microscopic fungus called Candida tropicalis triggered gut inflammation and exacerbated symptoms of Crohn's disease, in a recent study conducted at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

ACP's initial review of QPP proposed rule 'encouraging'

The American College of Physicians (ACP) is encouraged that the 2018 proposed rule to implement the Quality Payment Program (QPP), released yesterday by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), continues to take important steps to benefit both clinicians and patients in the delivery of high-quality, high-value care. Some initial highlights include:

War-torn Yemen to get cholera vaccines as death toll mounts

The U.N. health agency and some major partners have agreed to send 1 million doses of cholera vaccine to Yemen to help stanch a spiraling and increasingly deadly caseload in the impoverished country, which is already facing war and the risk of famine.

Biology news

Mountain lions fear humans, fleeing when they hear our voices, new study reveals

"Fraidy cat" isn't the way most people think of mountain lions, but when it comes to encounters with humans, perhaps they should.

When estimating extinction risk, don't leave out the males

Extinction risk for some species could be drastically underestimated because most demographic models of animal populations only analyse the number and fertility of females, dismissing male data as 'noise'.

Bitter or sweet? How taste cells decide what they want to be

Ever burn your tongue so badly that you were unable to taste your food for a few days? Luckily, a unique feature of taste cells is that they continually regenerate every 10 to 14 days. Now, a new study from the Monell Center and collaborating institutions advances understanding of how stem cells on the tongue grow into the different types of mature taste cells that detect either sweet, salty, sour, bitter, or umami.

Memory for stimulus sequences distinguishes humans from other animals

Humans possess many cognitive abilities not seen in other animals, such as a full-blown language capacity as well as reasoning and planning abilities. Despite these differences, however, it has been difficult to identify specific mental capacities that distinguish humans from other animals. Researchers at the City University of New York (CUNY) and Stockholm University have now discovered that humans have a much better memory to recognize and remember sequential information.

Reconstructing chromosomal rearrangements of placental mammals over millions of years

(Phys.org)—A team of researchers from South Korea, the U.K. and the U.S. has used computational methods to follow chromosomal rearrangements in seven genomes. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes the two-step process they followed that allowed them to better understand changes to chromosomal arrangement in certain mammals over time.

How did bird babysitting co-ops evolve?

The common understanding of evolution is that it is a battle for survival: one must either "scrunch or be scrunched," as Nicodemus Boffin, the Dickens' character, famously says.

Newly identified protection mechanism serves as first responder to cellular stress

Researchers at the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute have identified a new type of rapid-response defense mechanism that helps protect cells from environmental stress while giving slower, well-known protection systems time to act.

Wild monkeys use loud calls to assess the relative strength of rivals

Gelada males—a close relative to baboons—pay attention to the loud calls of a rival to gain information about his relative fighting ability compared to themselves, a new study indicated.

Researchers find new mechanism for genome regulation

The same mechanisms that quickly separate mixtures of oil and water are at play when controlling the organization in an unusual part of our DNA called heterochromatin, according to a new study by researchers at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).

Pollinator extinctions alter structure of ecological networks

The absence of a single dominant bumblebee species from an ecosystem disrupts foraging patterns among a broad range of remaining pollinators in the system—from other bees to butterflies, beetles and more, field experiments show.

Birds' feathers reveal their winter diet

Influences outside the breeding season can matter a lot for the population health of migratory birds, but it's tough to track what happens once species scatter across South America for the winter months. A study from The Condor: Ornithological Applications tries a new approach for determining what declining migratory grassland birds called Bobolinks eat after they head south for the winter—analyzing the carbon compounds in their plumage, which are determined by the types of plants the birds consume while growing their feathers during their winter molt.

Open imaging data for biology

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but only if you understand what you are looking at. The life sciences rely increasingly on 2-D, 3-D and 4-D image data, but its staggering heterogeneity and size make it extremely difficult to collate into a central resource, link to other data types and share with the research community.

How phytoplankton rule the oceans

Photosynthesis is a unique biological process that has permitted the colonization of land and sea by plants and phytoplankton respectively. While the mechanisms of photosynthesis in plants are well understood, scientists are only now beginning to elucidate how the process developed in phytoplankton.

Greenland shark expedition returns with new data and spectacular footage

An international team of physiologists including The University of Manchester's Dr Holly Shiels has returned from Greenland, where they battled storms and icebergs to study one of the world's most mysterious sharks.

New online system set to reduce hundreds of chemical tests on animals

Scientists at the University of York and SimOmics Ltd have developed a new online data sharing system which could reduce the need for hundreds of laboratory tests on animals.

Active 24/7 and doing great

Circadian clocks control the day-night cycle of many living beings. But what do the pacemakers do in animals whose activities do not follow this pattern? Scientists from the University of Würzburg have now looked into this question.

The world's largest canary

Biologists at Lund University, together with their colleagues from Portugal and the UK, have now proven that the endangered São Tomé grosbeak is the world's largest canary – 50 per cent larger than the runner-up.

Regional 'hot spot' of Borna disease discovered in upper Austria

Bornaviruses cause a lethal form of encephalitis, called Borna disease, among horses and sheep. To date there have been only a few reported cases in Austria. Recently, however, four horses were afflicted in the same area of Upper Austria within just two years. Tests conducted on local shrews, the only known reservoir host for the virus, confirmed the suspicion of a local viral reservoir. A large proportion of the small mammals investigated by the researchers from Vetmeduni Vienna tested positive for Bornaviruses, which were revealed to be genetically distinct from strains found in neighbouring regions such as Bavaria. The study, conducted in cooperation with the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) and local veterinarians, and published in the journal Emerging Microbes & Infections, documents this rare outbreak of Borna disease in a new endemic area in Austria.

Clear view on stem cell development

Today, tracking the development of individual cells and spotting the associated factors under the microscope is nothing unusual. However, impairments like shadows or changes in the background complicate the interpretation of data. Now, researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Helmholtz Zentrum München have developed a software that corrects images to make hitherto hidden development steps visible.

Chimpanzees modify grooming behavior when near higher ranking members

Research by Dr Nicholas Newton-Fisher from the University of Kent has found chimpanzees modify their interactions with other chimpanzees if higher ranking members of their community are nearby.

Bat biodiversity is in danger on islands worldwide

A new study from the University of Helsinki investigates knowledge gaps among the largely unknown, but greatly threatened, group of island-restricted bats, and leads future research efforts to actual priorities. Island ecosystems, as a consequence of isolation from mainland, have evolved peculiar faunas with a great number of species found nowhere else. They are also some of the most vulnerable habitats in the world due to limited resilience to anthropogenic threats.

Warming temperatures threaten sea turtles

The study by Dr Jacques-Olivier Laloë of the University's College of Science and published in the Global Change Biology journal, argues that warmer temperatures associated with climate change could lead to higher numbers of female sea turtles and increased nest failure, and could impact negatively on the turtle population in some areas of the world.

Behavior study shows piglets prefer new toys

We can't help but be tempted by new things. We see it in a child's eyes when she opens a new toy, and feel it every time a new version of the iPhone is released. It turns out our preference for shiny, new things is pretty universal throughout the animal kingdom. Yes, even piglets prefer new toys.

African leopards revealed: Study documents minute-to-minute behavior of elusive cats

The elusive behavior of the African leopard has been revealed in great detail for the first time as part of a sophisticated study that links the majestic cat's caloric demands and its drive to kill.

Small rodent species may become endangered

A small rodent called the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) is a European Protected Species and is monitored by volunteers at sites in England and Wales for the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme. A recent analysis of data from 400 UK sites between 1993 and 2014 found a 72% decline in dormice over this period, which amounts to an annual rate of decline of 5.8%.

Researchers discover new species of crab within the Qatar Marine Zone

A team at Qatar University has discovered a new species of crab during an exploration trip on the research vessel Janan. The trip aimed to investigate marine benthic biodiversity within the Qatar Marine Zone.

How to stop your dog getting heatstroke – according to science

Summer is a great time to get out and about with your dog. But dogs don't tolerate the heat as well as their owners. When people get hot they start to sweat, but dogs are only able to do this through the pads on their paws. Dogs instead rely on panting as their main method of cooling.

One of Africa's largest wildlife relocations begins

Conservationists have launched what they call one of Africa's biggest wildlife relocations—the transfer of 7,500 animals over three years to a Mozambican park whose wildlife was nearly wiped out by civil war.


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