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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for June 28, 2017:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | New 'hot Jupiter' exoplanet detected by K2 mission(Phys.org)—An international team of astronomers has identified a new extrasolar planet from the data provided by Kepler spacecraft's prolonged mission known as K2. The newly found exoworld, designated EPIC 228735255b, is a so-called "hot Jupiter" on an eccentric orbit around its parent star. The finding is detailed in a paper published June 21 on the arXiv server. |
 | Are asteroids humanity's 'greatest challenge'?Throughout its 4.5-billion-year history, Earth has been repeatedly pummelled by space rocks that have caused anything from an innocuous splash in the ocean to species annihilation. |
 | The stable retrograde orbit of the Bee-Zed asteroid explainedIn our solar system, an asteroid orbits the sun in the opposite direction to the planets. Asteroid 2015 BZ509, also known as Bee-Zed, takes 12 years to make one complete orbit around the sun. This is the same orbital period as that of Jupiter, which shares its orbit but moves in the opposite direction. |
 | Hints of extra dimensions in gravitational waves?Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute/AEI) in Potsdam found that hidden dimensions – as predicted by string theory – could influence gravitational waves. In a recently published paper they study the consequences of extra dimensions on these ripples in space-time, and predict whether their effects could be detected. |
 | 'Pompom' stars may solve quasar puzzleGas filaments surrounding stars like the strands of a pompom may be the answer to a 30-year old mystery: why quasars twinkle. |
 | 'Celestial Sleuth' identifies Lord Byron's stellar inspirationWhat do the moon, Jupiter and the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history have in common? Exactly 200 years ago they all combined to inspire renowned British Romantic poet Lord Byron in writing "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage," the work that made the poet famous. |
 | NASA keeps a close eye on tiny stowawaysWherever you find people, you also find bacteria and other microorganisms. The International Space Station is no exception. |
 | Space farms will feed astronauts and earthlingsCanadian researchers are leading an effort to grow crops in space, paving the way for humanity to live on other worlds and push the frontiers on Earth. |
 | Solar minimum is comingHigh up in the clear blue noontime sky, the sun appears to be much the same day-in, day-out, year after year. |
 | In rural Kentucky, solar eclipse preparation keeps town busy (Update)Cross over the old Louisville & Nashville Railroad in this town remembered for its Civil War encampment and you'll see the first signs—there's fresh anticipation in the rural areas that will be prime viewing locations for the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse to sweep the United States in 99 years. |
Technology news
 | Engineers design a robotic gripper for cleaning up space debrisRight now, about 500,000 pieces of human-made debris are whizzing around space, orbiting our planet at speeds up to 17,500 miles per hour. This debris poses a threat to satellites, space vehicles and astronauts aboard those vehicles. |
 | Cozmo: Kids get programming boost with drag-and-drop interface(Tech Xplore)—Cozmo is a little robot with a big robotic brain. That's how Anki, the team behind Cozmo, describes it. |
 | How artificial intelligence is taking on ransomwareTwice in the space of six weeks, the world has suffered major attacks of ransomware—malicious software that locks up photos and other files stored on your computer, then demands money to release them. |
 | Canada: Top court orders Google to block website search resultsCanada's top court on Wednesday ordered Google to remove a website from its worldwide search results, in what some experts are calling a landmark international copyright protection case. |
 | Facebook to livestream Champions League football gamesFacebook will broadcast Champions League matches for American internet users under a deal with Fox Sports, which will host the livestreams on its pages, the channel said Tuesday. |
Toshiba pushes back closing deal on memory unit saleJapanese electronics and energy giant Toshiba has delayed its deadline for reaching an agreement on selling its lucrative computer memory chip business. | |
 | 'Ransomware' wave seemed aimed at old flaw and UkraineA global wave of cyberattacks exploited an already patched vulnerability in Windows software and appeared to have Ukraine as a primary target, according to computer security specialists. |
Philips buys US cardiac-implant firm for 1.9 bln eurosDutch electronics giant Philips Wednesday announced it was buying for 1.9 billion euros ($2.2 billion) a specialist US company manufacturing ground-breaking treatments for heart and vascular diseases to broaden its health portfolio. | |
 | Firms scramble to recover from wave of cyberattacksThousands of computer users across the globe scrambled on Wednesday to reboot after a wave of ransomware cyberattacks spread from Ukraine and Russia across Europe to the United States. |
 | Screen-printed batteries for renewables on the wayUltra-thin, flexible screen-printed batteries for cheap portable devices and intermittent renewable energy are closer to reality, thanks to a joint UNSW-University of Queensland project to further develop technology by battery energy storage firm Printed Energy and bring it to market. |
 | Poll highlights inequities in how Californians access the internetThe number of Californians with access to high-speed internet at home continues to increase, according to a new poll from UC Berkeley that also found the percentage of residents who connect to broadband only through smartphones has more than doubled in the last two years. |
 | New wheelchair prototype with an innovative propulsion systemA new wheelchair prototype with an innovative propulsion system has been developed by Massey University engineers that attempts to minimise chronic shoulder and wrist problems for self-propelled wheelchair users, while making it easier for users to travel uphill. |
 | Nanoparticles improve the strength of metallic alloysSuperalloys are the wonder materials of metallurgy. By fine-tuning their composition, scientists can increase mechanical strength and improve resistance to corrosion and high-temperature shape changes. A*STAR researchers have shown that adding nanoparticles can make these materials even stronger. |
 | Understanding the real innovation behind the iPhoneWhen the iPhone emerged in 2007, it came with all the promise and pomp of a major Steve Jobs announcement, highlighting its user interface and slick design as key selling points. We know now that the iPhone transformed the mobile phone business, the internet economy and, in many ways, society as a whole. But technically speaking, the iPhone was not very innovative. |
 | Robots to help children with autismNew research involving the University of Portsmouth is aiming to develop robots to help children with autism in ways humans can't. |
 | Why it's important to understand social media's dark historyIt was in April 2016 that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced that the social media platform was providing its nearly two billion users the opportunity to livestream content. The move was viewed as a natural extension of the platform's primary goal: providing a space for the average person to share their daily experiences, from the mundane to the meaningful. |
 | Tech firms want to detect emotions and expressions, but people don't like itAs revealed in a patent filing, Facebook is interested in using webcams and smartphone cameras to read our emotions, and track expressions and reactions. The idea is that by understanding emotional behaviour, Facebook can show us more of what we react positively to in our Facebook news feeds and less of what we do not – whether that's friends' holiday photos, or advertisements. |
 | Cyberattack blocks Maersk terminals, new ordersDanish shipping mammoth Maersk said Wednesday it had shut down some of its computer systems after a global cyberattack disrupted operations at its terminals and hindered it from taking new orders. |
 | As Spotify and Pandora struggle, Apple Music lowers its subscription pricesApple's latest move to corner the music streaming market came quietly but is expected to reverberate quickly. |
When the going got tough, Nintendo and Microsoft decided to go for broke on video-game strategyNintendo was hemmed in on both sides and in deep trouble. | |
Facebook's high-stakes dilemma over suicide videosAmanda Hebert felt powerless as she watched a Facebook video of her 32-year-old friend taking her own life. | |
This year's hot graduation gift: Snapchat geofiltersAnn Beverly had eyed a set of golf clubs as a college graduation gift for her son. In an impulse buy during commencement, though, she just had to tack on something else. | |
Chinese authorities put the brakes on a surge in live streamingIt's becoming a common refrain. A new social networking technology takes China by storm. Its users outsmart the censors, ushering in an era of relative freedom. And then, almost inevitably, the Communist Party begins to feel threatened and shuts it down. | |
Use Google to shop? Here's what you should know after the big EU fineGoogle was levied a record $2.7 billion fine by the European Commission for allegedly favoring its Google Shopping results over other comparison shopping services. | |
 | Who'll be responsible when self-driving car crashes?Fully self-driving cars aren't quite here yet, but they're coming. |
 | US demands more security on international flights to US (Update)The Homeland Security Department is demanding that airlines around the world step up security measures for international flights bound for the United States or face the possibility of a total electronics ban for planes. |
 | NATO says cyber attacks a call to armsNATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned the alliance must step up its defence against cyberattacks, saying they could potentially trigger their Article 5 mutual defence commitment. |
 | Companies, governments assess damage from latest malwareCompanies and governments around the world on Wednesday counted the cost of a software epidemic that has disrupted ports, hospitals and banks. Ukraine, which was hardest hit and where the attack likely originated, said it had secured critical state assets—though everyday life remained affected, with cash machines out of order and airport displays operating manually. |
 | Review: Pico Brew helps bring the craft beer movement to your kitchenI think a lot of us know someone among our extended family and friends who's tried their hand at brewing their own beer. |
 | Patrick May: Google will barely feel multibillion-dollar slap on the wristTake THAT, Google! |
 | Highway safety: National Academies committee recommends implementation improvementsAn estimated 550,000 commercial motor carriers —trucks and buses, employing over 4 million drivers—move freight and passengers across U.S. highways each year, resulting in about 100,000 fatality- or injury-causing crashes. |
Russia scraps plans to ban Telegram messaging appRussia has ditched plans to ban the Telegram messaging app after its owner agreed to register the company in the country, authorities said Wednesday. | |
Man sentenced for money laundering in massive hacking schemeA Pakistani man has been sentenced to four years in prison for laundering nearly $20 million as part of an international computer and telephone hacking scheme. | |
Medicine & Health news
 | Antiviral inhibits epidemic SARS, MERS and animal coronavirusesA new antiviral drug candidate inhibits a broad range of coronaviruses, including the SARS and MERS coronaviruses, a multi-institutional team of investigators reports this week in Science Translational Medicine. The findings support further development of the drug candidate for treating and preventing current coronavirus infections and potential future epidemic outbreaks. |
 | Microneedle patches for flu vaccination prove successful in first human clinical trialDespite the potentially severe consequences of illness and even death, only about 40 percent of adults in the United States receive flu shots each year; however, researchers believe a new self-administered, painless vaccine skin patch containing microscopic needles could significantly increase the number of people who get vaccinated. |
 | Artists and architects think differently compared to other peopleArchitects, painters and sculptors conceive of spaces in different ways from other people and from each other, finds a new study by UCL and Bangor University researchers. |
 | A mouse's view of the world, seen through its whiskersMice, unlike cats and dogs, are able to move their whiskers to map out their surroundings, much as humans use their fingers to build a 3D picture of a darkened room. |
 | Cystic fibrosis alters the structure of mucus in airwaysMucus is important for maintaining healthy lungs. Inhaled particles, including bacteria and viruses, get trapped in mucus and then cilia—tiny hair like projections on the surface of the airway cells—sweep the mucus out of the airway. |
 | Inflammatory bowel disease: Scientists zoom in on genetic culpritsScientists have closed in on specific genes responsible for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) from a list of over 600 genes that were suspects for the disease. The team from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and their collaborators at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and the GIGA Institute of the University of Liège combined efforts to produce a high resolution map to investigate which genetic variants have a causal role in the disease. |
 | No detectable limit to how long people can live: studyEmma Morano passed away last April. At 117 years old, the Italian woman was the oldest known living human being. |
 | Ancient antiviral defense system could revolutionize a new class of RNA-based medicineThe billion-year-old primordial system by which early life forms protected themselves against viral infection can still be found in human cells, despite the presence of the much more sophisticated and powerful defense system that humans overwhelmingly depend on, say researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. That ancient system, as simple as it is, might form the basis of the next era of precision medicine, if scientists can design beneficial viruses to use it to deliver a drug or therapy directly to diseased tissue, the researchers said. |
 | Stem-cell researchers solve mystery of relapse in acute myeloid leukemiaLeukemia researchers led by Dr. John Dick have traced the origins of relapse in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to rare therapy-resistant leukemia stem cells that are already present at diagnosis and before chemotherapy begins. |
 | Study illustrates how the cortex assigns credit for causalityWhen you do something right, you can't learn anything from your success without a system in the brain for assigning credit to whatever action led to the desired outcome. |
 | Now or later: How taste and sound affect when you buyThere's a reason marketers make appeals to our senses; the "snap, crackle and pop" of Rice Krispies makes us want to buy the cereal and eat it. But as savvy as marketers are, they may be missing a key ingredient in their campaigns. |
 | Engineers examine chemo-mechanics of heart defectElastin and collagen serve as the body's building blocks. They provide tensile strength and elasticity for a number of organs, muscles and tissues. Any genetic mutation short-circuiting their function can have a devastating, and often lethal, health impact. |
 | The gene behind follicular lymphomaFollicular lymphoma is an incurable cancer that affects over 200,000 people worldwide every year. A form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, follicular lymphoma develops when the body starts making abnormal B-cells, which are white blood cells that in normal conditions fight infections. This cancer is associated with several alterations of the cell's DNA, but it has been unclear which gene or genes are involved in its development. EPFL scientists have now analyzed the genomes of more than 200 patients with follicular lymphoma, and they discover that a gene, Sestrin1, is frequently missing or malfunctioning in FL patients. The discovery opens to new treatment options and it is now published in Science Translational Medicine. |
 | A new weapon for the war on cancerCancerous tumors are formidable enemies, recruiting blood vessels to aid their voracious growth, damaging nearby tissues, and deploying numerous strategies to evade the body's defense systems. But even more malicious are the circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that tumors release, which travel stealthily through the bloodstream and take up residence in other parts of the body, a process known as metastasis. While dangerous, their presence is also a valuable indicator of the stage of a patient's disease, making CTCs an attractive new approach to cancer diagnostics. Unfortunately, finding the relative handful of CTCs among the trillions of healthy blood cells in the human body is like playing the ultimate game of needle-in-a-haystack: CTCs can make up as few as one in ten thousand of the cells in the blood of a cancer patient. This is made even more difficult by the lack of broad-spectrum CTC capture agents, as the most commonly used antibodies fail to recognize many types of cancer cells. |
 | Study sheds light on immune responses driving obesity-induced liver diseaseNew findings from mouse models reveal that the type of immune response that helps maintain healthy metabolism in fatty tissues, called type 2 immunity, also drives obesity-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The work, led by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, shows that the inflammatory environment in the fatty liver is more complex than previously thought. These insights may inform the development of new NAFLD treatments as well as immune-altering therapies for obesity and related health issues in people with NAFLD. |
 | Facial models suggest less may be more for a successful smileResearch using computer-animated 3D faces suggests that less is more for a successful smile, according to a study published June 28, 2017 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Nathaniel Helwig from the University of Minnesota, US, and colleagues. |
 | The hippocampus underlies the link between slowed walking and mental declineThe connection between slowed walking speed and declining mental acuity appears to arise in the right hippocampus, a finger-shaped region buried deep in the brain at ear-level, according to a 14-year study conducted by scientists at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. |
Technology should be used to boost empathy-based medicineExisting digital technologies must be exploited to enable a paradigm shift in current healthcare delivery which focuses on tests, treatments and targets rather than the therapeutic benefits of empathy. Writing in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, Dr Jeremy Howick and Dr Sian Rees of the Oxford Empathy Programme, say a new paradigm of empathy-based medicine is needed to improve patient outcomes, reduce practitioner burnout and save money. | |
 | At-risk chronic pain patients taper opioids successfully with psychological toolsPsychological support and new coping skills are helping patients at high risk of developing chronic pain and long-term, high-dose opioid use taper their opioids and rebuild their lives with activities that are meaningful and joyful to them. |
 | An infallible hand-held probe to aid cancer surgeryPatients with common widespread forms of cancer will enjoy longer life expectancy and reduced risk of recurrence thanks to a multimodal optical spectroscopy probe developed by Canadian researchers. |
Deadly diet: Thai doctors battle cancer-causing fish dishIt wasn't until he got to medical school that Narong Khuntikeo finally discovered what caused the liver cancer that took both of his parents' lives: their lunch. | |
 | Pre-synaptic cadherin/catenin complexes stablize post-synaptic spines in vivoSynapses are fundamental building blocks of neural circuits. Synapse formation requires complex regulation involving cell adhesion molecules, secreted molecules, transcription factors and so forth. For cell adhesion molecules, a critical unanswered question is whether pre- and post-synaptic partners contribute equally to synaptogenesis, or whether one side is predominant in inducing functional synapse formation and in stabilizing nascent synapses. |
Delaying lymph node biopsy after melanoma diagnosis does not affect survival ratesPostponing lymph node biopsy more than 30 days after melanoma diagnosis doesn't adversely impact long-term clinical outcomes, according to new study findings published online as an "article in press" on the Journal of the American College of Surgeons website ahead of print publication. | |
Study examines use of fat grafting for postmastectomy breast reconstructionThe use of fat grafting as a tool for breast reconstruction following a mastectomy may improve breast satisfaction, psychosocial well-being, and sexual well-being in patients, according to a study published by JAMA Surgery. | |
 | Consensus recommendations on isotretinoin and timing of skin proceduresA new article published by JAMA Dermatology reports on a panel of national experts that was convened and a review of the medical literature that was done to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding the safety of skin procedures performed either concurrently with, or immediately after, treatment with the acne medication isotretinoin. |
 | Researchers visualize early melanoma metastasis and identify new targets for treatmentEarly detection is particularly important in cutaneous melanoma, the most aggressive type of skin cancer. With a thickness of little more than one millimetre, the tumour may begin to spread, sending its cells to colonise other organs. When this occurs, the prognosis is usually poor. Treatments have improved considerably, particularly regarding immunotherapy, but melanoma mortality remains very high. One of the important questions to be answered is how melanomas acquire this inherent potential to metastasize. A technique that makes it possible to follow in vivo and, for the first time, very early stages of melanoma progression in mice, is now allowing researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) to study the process in detail and has even led to the identification of a potential new drug target. The paper is published in the prestigious scientific journal, Nature. |
 | Expert discusses the common misconceptions about obsessive compulsive disorderWhile most people have heard of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), there are many misconceptions about what it truly means to have it. A Baylor College of Medicine expert discusses these common misconceptions and gives her advice on the best treatment options for OCD. |
 | First 'haploid' human stem cells could change the face of medical researchStem cell research holds huge potential for medicine and human health. In particular, human embryonic stem cells (ESCs), with their ability to turn into any cell in the human body, are essential to the future prevention and treatment of disease. |
 | Addiction specialist explains fentanyl threatAs the opioid crisis rages across the United States, people suffering from addiction as well as the first responders, doctors, and counselors trying to help them are facing another deadly challenge: fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 100 times more powerful than heroin and a growing part of the nation's illicit drug supply. |
 | Bullied youth report access to loaded guns more than other youthFor school-aged youth, access to a gun can increase their risk for becoming a victim of or for committing a violent crime, including suicide and homicide. It also increases a child's risk of experiencing an unintentional injury or death. Youth may gain access to guns in school, friends' homes or other settings. No matter the source, gun access can increase the chances of an adolescent being involved in an injury or crime. |
 | Census shows increase in children with disability, but even more are still uncountedThe 2016 Census has revealed an increase in the number of children with disability, up nearly 40,000 since 2011. One explanation is that the census now counts disability differently, which is more in line with the way many children and families view disability. |
 | Study raises doubts about safety of some forms of birth control pillsNew research on how birth control pills affect the level of hormones in women's blood serum has found much higher levels of hormones in women who take birth control pills compared to women who don't. |
 | Study finds new link between omega fatty acids and bowel cancerA study by the University of Aberdeen has found that a higher concentration of the molecules that breakdown omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a higher chance of survival from bowel cancer. |
 | New breathing test could help prevent asthma attacks in childrenResearchers at the University of Aberdeen will study whether using an asthma breathing test can help prevent asthma attacks in children. |
 | Tumour survival tactics tackled by researchersScientists at The University of Nottingham are tackling a tumour survival mechanism that has left experts baffled for more than 50 years. |
 | Why you should be wary of going to work with a hangoverIf you have ever drunk alcohol, there's a good chance you've also had a hangover. As a widely experienced result of alcoholic consumption, hangovers have a broad variety of familiar negative effects: vomiting, fatigue, headache and increased blood pressure are common physical reactions. Psychological symptoms can also include irritability, anxiety and depression. |
 | A different take on differences between men's and women's brainsThere is greater variety in the size of men's brains than of women's. This could help explain why some psychiatric disorders such as ADHD and autism are more prevalent in boys. Leiden brain researcher Lara Wierenga has published an article about this in the international journal Cerebral Cortex. |
 | Researchers gain insights into the growth of liver cancer tumors and their genetic diversityLiver cancer tumors are genetically diverse and therefore difficult to treat, a Singaporean research team reports. The genetic differences found in each patient may one day enable personal, targeted therapies to treat the disease. |
Studying immune response to aluminum salts can explain how these chemicals boost vaccine's efficacyAdjuvants are often included in vaccines to stimulate the immune system and so make a vaccine more effective. Now an A*STAR team, led by Alessandra Mortellaro from the Singapore Immunology Network, has explained a new immune pathway of a commonly used vaccine adjuvant, aluminum salts or 'alum'. | |
 | Genomic copy number variants contribute to cognitive impairment in the UKGenetic alterations of rare deletions or duplications of small DNA segments, called copy number variants (CNVs), have been known to increase risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disability. Now, a new study in Biological Psychiatry reports that even in the absence of a disorder, people carrying a CNV associated with these disorders may have impaired cognition. |
 | Heart attack shown to be 'systemic condition'An acute heart attack should not be viewed in isolation – myocardial infarction is a "systemic" condition with an impact upon the whole body and engenders responses in other organs, such as liver and spleen. That is the main finding of a study conducted by PhD student Matthias Zimmermann under the supervision of Hendrik Jan Ankersmit and Michael Mildner at the Division of Thoracic Surgery at the Departments of Surgery and Dermatology of MedUni Vienna. This study has now been published in the journal Oncotarget. |
Study finds long-term sustained effect of biological psoriasis treatmentBiological treatment of psoriasis shows a good efficacy in clinical trials. Since most analyses have focused on short-term outcomes of single biological agents, little has been known about long-term outcomes in clinical practice, where switching between biological agents is common. A Swedish study that followed 583 individuals for up to 10 years shows a satisfactory long-term effectiveness of biologic treatments. The findings were recently published in the British Journal of Dermatology. | |
 | Barrier proteins in tumors are possible key to immunotherapy successBy comparing variations in protein expression in tumor samples from a single melanoma patient, researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center say their findings have the potential to reveal some of the mechanisms underlying response or resistance to immunotherapy drugs. The "proof of concept" findings, published online Feb. 13, 2017, in Clinical Cancer Research, point to distinct variations not in the genetic code of each tumor sample, but in the expression levels of certain proteins encoded by normal genes. |
 | Bike share improvements could boost minority and low-income ridershipPeople of color and low-income residents of major cities are far less likely to use municipal bike sharing systems than their white and higher-income counterparts. But researchers at Portland State University say that situation could change if cities addressed areas of safety, ridership cost and other factors that keep those groups from using bike sharing. |
 | Researchers find functional change in brains of patients with type 1 diabetesResearchers from the Institute of Neuroscience and the Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS) of the University of Barcelona have identified differences in the pattern of the neurofunctional activation in patients with type 1 diabetes. The study, conducted with neuroimaging techniques, represents an important step towards the understanding of how T1D can affect the brain during the cognitive activity and could have implications in the treatment for people who suffer from this metabolic disease. |
 | Male infertility could be linked to noisy bedrooms, study suggestsCould sleeping next to a noisy street put our future at risk? |
 | Trials show unique stem cells a potential asthma treatmentA study led by scientists at Monash University has shown that a new therapy developed through stem cell technology holds promise as a treatment for chronic asthma. |
 | Study illuminates serotonin contributions to cocaine's allureOnce a hip drug of the '70s and '80s party scene, cocaine is not only making a comeback, it's proving its staying power thanks to its potent allure. In fact, Drug Enforcement Administration officials say that traffickers are producing more cocaine now than at the height of the notorious era of the "cocaine cowboys" in the 1980s. |
 | Aspirin reduces risk of pre-eclampsia in pregnant womenTaking a low-dose aspirin before bed can reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia, which can cause premature birth and, in extreme cases, maternal and foetal death. |
 | Researchers develop new technique to unveil 'matrix' inside tissues and tumoursScientists from the Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC) at the University of Copenhagen have developed a groundbreaking method to reveal the structure of tissues and tumours with unprecedented detail, by completely dissolving away cells and leaving the delicate extracellular matrix intact. |
 | How 'The Gruffalo' helped academics boost youngsters' motor skills and language abilityCombining movement and storytelling activities boosts pre-school children's key motor skills and language ability, according to Coventry University experts who used bestselling book The Gruffalo during their research. |
 | Does religion protect against suicide?Religious participation is linked to lower suicide rates in many parts of the world, including the United States and Russia, but does not protect against the risk of suicide in sections of Europe and Asia, finds new research by a Michigan State University scholar. |
 | Researchers create novel probiotic beer that boosts immunity and improves gut healthBeer lovers may soon have a gut-friendly drink to raise a toast to, thanks to the creation of a novel probiotic sour beer by a team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS). This new specialty beer incorporates the probiotic strain Lactobacillus paracasei L26, which was first isolated from human intestines and has the ability to neutralise toxins and viruses, as well as regulate the immune system. |
 | Africa gets generic version of most effective HIV drugThe generic version of the most advanced drug against HIV has been introduced in Kenya, a first in Africa where more than 25 million have the disease, the NGO Unitaid said Wednesday. |
 | E-cigarettes lead to 'real' smoking by teens: review(HealthDay)—Teens and young adults who use electronic cigarettes—also known as vaping—are almost four times as likely as their non-vaping counterparts to begin smoking traditional cigarettes, a new review suggests. |
Ticks that can make you allergic to red meat are spreadingAs if there weren't enough reasons to avoid ticks, a symptom can develop in which a bite from a certain kind of tick causes an allergic reaction to red meat. | |
 | Study: Overstimulation, not indifference, makes eye contact hard for people with autismAvoiding direct eye contact with others is one of the most common characteristics associated with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Many non-spectrum folks have traditionally assumed it is a sign of social or personal indifference. |
 | Getting kids in the habit of healthy eating(HealthDay)—Want to help your kids make healthy food choices when you're not with them? Make every meal at home a lesson in good nutrition. |
 | Physician attitude important factor in patients switching PCP(HealthDay)—Factors associated with patients switching physicians include physicians' attitude, design and comfort of a facility, and communication, according to an article published in Medical Economics. |
 | New antibody appears to re-activate immune system in cancer therapyAdding an investigational antibody to the chemotherapy rituximab appears to restore its cancer-killing properties in certain leukemia patients with a natural resistance to the drug, according to a small, proof-of-concept study by Duke Cancer Institute researchers. |
 | Designed proteins to treat muscular dystrophyThe cell scaffolding holds muscle fibers together and protects them from damage. Individuals who suffer from muscular dystrophy often lack essential components in this cell scaffold. As a result, their muscles lack strength and become progressively weaker. The research team of Prof. Markus Rüegg at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, has now designed two proteins that stabilize the cell scaffolding link it to the muscle fiber and thereby restore muscle structure and function. Their findings are published in the current issue of Science Translational Medicine. |
Mitochondrial disease has a disproportionate healthcare burden in USMitochondrial diseases are a diverse group of disorders caused by mutated genes that impair energy production in a patient's cells, often with severe effects. When patients with these diseases are hospitalized, they incur high medical costs, and suffer higher-than-typical rates of comorbid diseases and in-hospital mortality. Researchers who analyzed those costs using national databases say their findings underscore the importance of developing preventive strategies and therapies for these illnesses. | |
 | Researchers use supercomputers to design and test new tools for cancer detectionAn important factor in fighting cancer is the speed at which the disease can be identified, diagnosed and treated. |
Hoarding symptoms moderately stable during adolescenceHoarding symptoms are stable during adolescence, mainly due to genetic effects, according to a study published June 28, 2017 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Volen Ivanov from the Karolinska Institutet, Sweden and colleagues. | |
 | Teenage weight gain linked to increased stroke risk as an adultKids who become overweight during their teenage years may be more likely to develop a stroke decades later than kids who did not become overweight during those years, according to a study published in the June 28, 2017, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. |
 | Health insurance expansion linked to fewer sudden cardiac arrestsThe incidence of sudden cardiac arrest, a sudden and usually deadly loss of heart function, declined significantly among previously uninsured adults who acquired health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare," according to a study published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association. |
 | Study of US seniors strengthens link between air pollution and premature deathA new study of 60 million Americans—about 97% of people age 65 and older in the United States—shows that long-term exposure to airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone increases the risk of premature death, even when that exposure is at levels below the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) currently established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. |
 | Scientists identify cause, possible treatment for life-threatening gut conditionInvestigators at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and international colleagues have discovered a genetic cause and potential treatment strategy for a rare immune disorder called CHAPLE disease. Children with the condition can experience severe gastrointestinal distress and deep vein blood clots. No effective treatments are available to ameliorate or prevent these life-threatening symptoms. |
 | Researchers help develop technique for assessing, reducing risk of future strokeOne stroke is dangerous, and a second, even more so. One important risk factor for that perilous second stroke is an irregular heart beat called atrial fibrillation. |
 | Study raises concern over accuracy of melanoma diagnosesConcerns over the accuracy of melanoma diagnoses are raised in a study of US pathologists published by The BMJ today. |
 | Tweaking muscle metabolism prevents obesity and diabetes in miceMildly stressing muscle metabolism boosts levels of a beneficial hormone that prevents obesity and diabetes in mice, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Iowa. |
 | Sleep disturbances predict increased risk for suicidal symptoms, study findsSleep disturbances can warn of worsening suicidal thoughts in young adults, independent of the severity of an individual's depression, a study from the Stanford University School of Medicine has found. |
 | Nearly 60% of pinkeye patients receive antibiotic eye drops, but they're seldom necessaryA new study suggests that most people with acute conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, are getting the wrong treatment. |
Researcher paves way for promising treatment for hot flashesFifteen years ago, Dr. Naomi Rance was at work when she experienced her first hot flash. Rance, a physician and researcher at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, took note. | |
 | Simple CT scanning procedure shows measuring blood flow can predict effectiveness of ovarian cancer treatmentTechnology developed at Western University and Lawson Health Research Institute can provide a new window into whether or not patients are responding to treatment for advanced ovarian cancer. A multi-centre clinical trial has demonstrated that CT Perfusion, which measures blood flow and blood volume to tumours associated with ovarian cancer, can provide an accurate prediction of how well a treatment is working, allowing physicians the opportunity to better plan treatment. Funding for the trial was provided by the US National Cancer Institute through the National Clinical Trials Network including NRG Oncology and ECOG-ACRIN. |
 | Adolescent obesity linked to early mortality from cardiovascular diseasesWhile there is solid evidence that adolescent overweight and obesity are associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, less is known about the association between body mass index (BMI) and rarer cardiovascular diseases. A new large-scale, 45-year Israeli study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that higher BMI as well as BMI in the accepted normal range in late adolescence may be related to a higher risk of death in mid-adulthood from non-coronary non-stroke cardiovascular diseases such as fatal arrhythmia, hypertensive heart disease, cardiomyopathy, arterial disease, heart failure and pulmonary embolism. |
Mildly obese fare better after major heart attackPeople who survive a major heart attack often do better in the years afterward if they're mildly obese, a study by UT Southwestern Medical Center cardiologists showed. | |
 | How family and friends influence breast cancer treatment decisionsWhen a woman walks into the oncologist's office, she's usually not alone. In fact, a new study finds that half of women have at least three people standing behind them, sitting next to them or waiting at home to help. |
Combating chronic kidney disease with exerciseA University of Delaware research team in the College of Health Sciences is combating chronic kidney disease (CKD) with exercise. | |
Decrease in lead exposure in early childhood significantly responsible for drop in crime rateExposure to lead in the preschool years significantly increases the chance that children will be suspended or incarcerated during their school careers, according to research at Princeton University and Brown University. Conversely, a drop in exposure leads to less antisocial behavior and thus may well be a significant factor behind the drop in crime over the past few decades. | |
New technology aims to provide peace and positive stimulation to dementia patientsMany people living with dementia reside in long-term care facilities, where the lack of stimulation can result in behaviors such as hitting, screaming, and wandering. Common measures to avoid such "responsive" behaviors, such as antipsychotic medications and personalized recreational and music therapy programs, can cause adverse health effects in the former case and be difficult for staff to find time to carry out in the latter case. A team of human factors/ergonomics researchers helped to evaluate and refine Ambient Activity (or AA; Ambient Activity Technologies Inc.), interactive tools designed to augment existing programs and activities by alleviating boredom and increasing engagement. | |
 | Mitochondrial flash signals long-term memory at neuronal synapseWhy do some memories last a lifetime while others never persist for more than a few minutes? How are short-term memories converted into long-term memories? |
 | New figures on healthy life expectancyHuge disparities in healthy life expectancy across England reflect massive cuts to public health budgets and a failure to legislate, according to a leading obesity expert. |
France to allow assisted reproduction for lesbian couplesThe French government says it will follow the advice of an ethics panel in favor of allowing single women and lesbian couples to have children through assisted reproduction. | |
 | Longer reproductive years linked to lower cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk in womenA new study has shown that every 1 year increase in reproductive duration—years from menarche to menopause—was associated with a 3% reduction in a woman's risk of angina or stroke. These results, demonstrated in women 60 years of age and older, support a protective role for estrogen, as reported in an article in Journal of Women's Health. |
Suspected diarrhoea kills 38 Sudanese in one month: UNSuspected acute diarrhoea has killed 38 Sudanese in the past month and 317 since August 2016, the UN said Wednesday, warning the outbreak could worsen ahead of the rainy season. | |
 | Researchers see exosomes as way to make 'personalized medicine' easier and more preciseToday, doctors can tailor a drug therapy to your unique genetic profile, giving you the full benefits of a drug while reducing unwanted side effects—all in harmony with the blueprints of your biology. |
Biology news
 | Scientists create better tools to study the processes of lifeScientists have developed a new biological tool for examining molecules - the building blocks of life - which they say could provide new insights and other benefits such as reducing the numbers of animals used in experiments. |
 | Bacteria change a liquid's properties and escape entrapmentA flexible tail allows swimming bacteria to thin the surrounding liquid and to free themselves when trapped along walls or obstacles. This finding could influence how bacterial growth on medical, industrial, and agricultural surfaces is controlled. The new study by researchers at Penn State, published in a recent issue of the Royal Society journal Interface, used mathematical models to understand how bacteria with flagella—a collection of spinning hairs used for propulsion that act together like a tail—overcome forces from the flow of a liquid and navigate complex environments. |
 | Study shows fairy wrens aware that their mating plumage attracts predators(Phys.org)—A team of researchers with Monash University and Australian National University has found that male superb fairy wrens are aware that their seasonal bright plumage attracts predators and take extra precautions because of it. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the group describes experiments they carried out with the birds and what they learned about them. |
 | Human reared wolves found to display signs of attachment and affection towards foster-parents(Phys.org)—A team of researchers affiliated with Eötvös Loránd University of Sciences in Hungary has found that wolves hand-reared by adoptive humans grow to show signs of attachment and affection towards their human foster parents. In their paper published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the researchers describe how they asked a group of volunteers to hand raise wolf puppies and then tested them to see how attached they became. |
 | Palm cockatoos beat drum like Ringo StarrProfessor Rob Heinsohn said while songbirds and whales can belt out a musical tune, few species recognise a beat. |
 | Researchers develop yeast-based tool for worldwide pathogen detectionColumbia University researchers have developed a tool that is likely to revolutionize the way we detect and treat pathogens in everything from human health to agriculture to water. Using only common household baker's yeast, they've created an extremely low-cost, low-maintenance, on-site dipstick test they hope will aid in the surveillance and early detection of fungal pathogens responsible for major human disease, agricultural damage and food spoilage worldwide. |
 | Does symmetry matter for speed? Study finds Usain Bolt may have asymmetrical running gaitA new method for assessing patterns of ground-force application suggests the right and left legs of the world's fastest man may perform differently, defying current scientific assumptions about running speed. |
 | How are long strands of DNA packed into tiny cells?Scientists are a step closer to understanding how DNA, the molecules that carry all of our genetic information, is squeezed into every cell in the body. How DNA is "packaged" in cells influences the activity of our genes and our risk for disease. Elucidating this process will help researchers in all areas of health care, from cancer and heart disease, to muscular dystrophy and osteoarthritis. |
 | Study on human skin microbiome finds archaea abundance associated with ageIt turns out your skin is crawling with single-celled microorganisms—and they're not just bacteria. A study by the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the Medical University of Graz has found that the skin microbiome also contains archaea, a type of extreme-loving microbe, and that the amount of it varies with age. |
 | Cambodia conservationists find rare cache of crocodile eggsWildlife researchers in Cambodia say they've found a clutch of eggs from one of the world's most endangered crocodiles, raising hopes of its continuing survival in the wild. |
New wound healing properties of ficin researchedFicin, an enzyme derived from figs latex, has been found to be active against biofilms formed by Staphylococcus. The project is headed by Senior Research Associate of the Microorganism Genetics Lab Ayrat Kayumov and funded by Russian Science Foundation and Project 5-100. The results have been published in Scientific Reports. | |
 | Tracking bacterial movement between humans, animals key to understanding antibiotic resistanceEcologists frequently tag animals in the wild, monitoring their movements and activities to gain a greater understanding of the species' behaviors and lifestyle. |
 | Discovering the early age immune response in foalsResearchers at the College of Veterinary Medicine have discovered a new method to measure tiny amounts of antibodies in foals, a finding described in the May 16 issue of PLOS ONE. |
 | Valuable substances extracted from conifer stumps and rootsCT The stumps and roots of coniferous trees contain extractives which can be processed into highly valuable products. In his doctoral dissertation on chemistry at the University of Helsinki, Harri Latva-Mäenpää studies methods which could be used to harvest these precious molecules from biomass. |
 | Pets strengthen neighbourhood tiesTalk to any pet owner and you are bound to invoke stories about the joy and companionship of having a pet. But evidence is mounting that the effect of pets extends beyond their owners and can help strengthen the social fabric of local neighbourhoods. Now a cross-national study involving Perth, Australia, and three US cities has lent weight to the observation that pets help build social capital. |
 | Newly established, a national park in Australia unveils a new plant speciesA team of botanists from the US has named a new bush tomato species, based on collections made by their Australian colleagues, during government-funded surveys in a brand new national park. |
 | Scientists describe a well-defined mitochondrial proteome in baker's yeastMitochondria, best known for their role as powerhouses of eukaryotic cells, fulfill numerous vital functions. Knowledge about the precise protein composition as well as the functions of individual proteins is essential to understand fundamental processes of cell biology and diseases that are caused by cellular defects. |
 | High sea surface temperatures may affect immune competence of California sea lionsAnomalously high sea surface temperatures may compromise the immune response of California sea lions, according to a study published June 28, 2017 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Karina Acevedo-Whitehouse from Autonomous University of Queretaro, Mexico, and colleagues. |
 | Researchers develop a model that marries ecology and economics to determine how to protect biodiversityMoney may not grow on trees, but trees themselves and all that they provide have a dollar value nonetheless. |
 | Potentially lethal parasite rat lungworm found throughout FloridaUniversity of Florida researchers have found rat lungworm, a parasitic nematode that can cause meningitis in humans and animals, in five Florida counties. |
 | Scientists identify key locations for spread of Pin-tailed WhydahsInvasive parasites are a biological oxymoron. And yet, they are in our backyards! A new study analyzes the case of a brood parasitic bird, the Pin-tailed Whydah (Vidua macroura), and its recent spread into the Americas. |
 | Soybean rust study will allow breeders to tailor resistant varieties to local pathogensMidwestern growers don't worry much about soybean rust, but the fungal disease has been popping up at the end of the growing season nearly every year since 2006. But because the fungus can't survive winter without a host plant, it's not much of a threat to Midwest crops under current conditions. |
Finding friends: Lonely elephant arrives at Los Angeles ZooThe Los Angeles Zoo has a new elephant—a lonely pachyderm from Fresno. | |
 | Image analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) will change dairy farmingA group of researchers led by Osaka University developed an early detection method for cow lameness (hoof disease), a major disease of dairy cattle, from images of cow gait with an accuracy of 99 percent or higher by applying human gait analysis. This technique allows early detection of lameness from cow gait, which was previously difficult. It is hoped that a revolution in dairy farming can be achieved through detailed observation by AI-powered image analysis. |
 | South Africa approves export of 800 lion skeletons this yearSome 800 skeletons of captive-bred lions can be legally exported from South Africa this year, the government said Wednesday, meeting demand for the bones in parts of Asia while alarming critics who believe the policy threatens Africa's wild lions. |
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