Science X Newsletter Monday, Sep 18

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for September 18, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Physicists guide electromagnetic waves along an infinitesimal line

Storing lightning inside thunder: Researchers are turning optical data into readable soundwaves

X-ray burst spotted in the galactic bulge

Best of Last Week – Cassini crashes into Saturn, a skin patch to treat obesity and reversing damage from marijuana use

Meteorite impact caused the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth's surface

Supraballs offer a new way to color materials

Secrets of bright, rapidly spinning star revealed

Chemists make playdough / Lego-like hybrid to create tiny building blocks

Blood testing via sound waves may replace some tissue biopsies

When radio galaxies collide, supermassive black holes form tightly bound pairs

Ultrafast snapshots of relaxing electrons in solids

Burger robots to appear at 50 locations

Rickshaws to jump start India's all-electric drive

5,000 'Dieselgate' deaths in Europe per year: study

A fat-regulating enzyme could hold the key to obesity, diabetes, cancer, other diseases

Astronomy & Space news

	X-ray burst spotted in the galactic bulge (Phys.org)—Using the JEM-X telescope onboard the INTEGRAL space observatory, astronomers have discovered a new X-ray burst in the galactic bulge. The X-ray burst was detected from the faint unidentified transient source know as IGR J17445-2747. The discovery is reported in a paper published Sept. 8 on arXiv.org.
	Meteorite impact caused the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth's surface An international team of researchers has found evidence of an ancient meteorite colliding with ground rock on Earth, producing the highest temperature ever recorded on the planet's surface. In their paper published in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters, the team describes their findings after studying an impact crater in Canada and how they were able to calculate the temperature for an impact that occurred so many years ago.
	Secrets of bright, rapidly spinning star revealed Almost 50 years after it was first predicted that rapidly rotating stars would emit polarised light, a UNSW Sydney-led team of scientists has succeeded in observing the phenomenon for the first time.
	When radio galaxies collide, supermassive black holes form tightly bound pairs A study using multiple radio telescopes confirms that supermassive black holes found in the centers of galaxies can form gravitationally bound pairs when galaxies merge.
	Image: Hubble catches starbursts in a barred spiral galaxy This Hubble Space Telescope picture shows NGC 5398, a barred spiral galaxy located about 55 million light-years away.
	How Herschel unlocked the secrets of star formation Surveying the sky for almost four years to observe the glow of cold cosmic dust embedded in interstellar clouds of gas, the Herschel Space Observatory has provided astronomers with an unprecedented glimpse into the stellar cradles of our Galaxy. As a result, giant strides have been taken in our understanding of the physical processes that lead to the birth of stars and their planetary systems.
	V745 Sco: Two stars, three dimensions, and oodles of energy For decades, astronomers have known about irregular outbursts from the double star system V745 Sco, which is located about 25,000 light years from Earth. Astronomers were caught by surprise when previous outbursts from this system were seen in 1937 and 1989. When the system erupted on February 6, 2014, however, scientists were ready to observe the event with a suite of telescopes including NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory.
	Mars research crew emerges after 8 months of isolation Six NASA-backed research subjects who have been cooped up in a Mars-like habitat on a remote Hawaii volcano since January emerged from isolation Sunday. They devoured fresh-picked tropical fruits and fluffy egg strata after eating mostly freeze-dried food while in isolation and some vegetables they grew during their mission.
	In the footsteps of SpaceX—a Chinese company eyes development of a reusable launch vehicle A Chinese startups appears to be following in the footsteps of SpaceX as it has lately laid out its own project of reusable space launch system. Link Space, the country's first private rocket company, has recently presented the design of its New Line 1 (Xin Gan Xian 1) launch vehicle, which could compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9 in the future.
	Devilish source of dust in atmosphere of Earth and Mars Swirling columns of sand and dust, known as dust devils, are a feature of desert areas on Mars and on Earth. Now, a study of terrestrial dust devils has shown that around two thirds of the fine particles lifted by these vortices can remain suspended in the atmosphere and be transported around the globe. The findings have implications for the climate and weather of both planets and, potentially, human health here on Earth. Results will be presented by Dr Jan Raack of the Open University at the European Planetary Science Congress (EPSC) 2017 in Riga, Latvia on Monday, 18th September 2017.
	More evidence of water on Mars River deposits exist across the surface of Mars and record a surface environment from over 3.5 billion years ago that was able to support liquid water at the surface. A region of Mars named Aeolis Dorsa contains some of the most spectacular and densely packed river deposits seen on Mars.
	VLA begins huge project of cosmic discovery Astronomers have embarked on the largest observing project in the more than four-decade history of the National Science Foundation's Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA)—a huge survey of the sky that promises a rich scientific payoff over many years.
	Cassini concludes pioneering mission at Saturn The international Cassini mission has concluded its remarkable exploration of the Saturnian system in spectacular style, by plunging into the gas planet's atmosphere.
	Studies of 'Crater Capital' in the Baltics show impactful history Studies of craters in the Baltics (Estonia) are giving insights into the many impacts that have peppered the Earth over its long history. In southeastern Estonia, scientists have dated charcoal from trees destroyed in an impact to prove a common origin for two small craters, named Illumetsa. A third submarine crater located on the seabed in the Gulf of Finland has been measured and dated with with precision. Results will be presented by two teams of researchers at the European Planetary Science Congress (EPSC) 2017 in Riga, Latvia, on Monday, 18th September 2017.
	Microscopic technique for detecting microbial life in Enceladus water plumes A new study has demonstrated the potential to use digital holographic microscopy (DHM) to detect microorganisms and evidence of life in water collected from the plume rising from the surface of Saturn's icy moon Enceladus. The cell detection capabilities of DHM and what may be learned from studying molecules obtained from Enceladus are discussed in articles published in the September issue of Astrobiology. These articles are part of a Special Collection on Enceladus that is available free on the Astrobiology website.

Technology news

	Burger robots to appear at 50 locations (Tech Xplore)—We have been treated to a generous amount of stories announcing new advances in assembly-line robots and home-assistant robots. Smartened up with cameras and artificial intelligence, it looks like time to focus on a new breed of kitchen robots. Reports are in about how they may truly impact the restaurant trade.
	Rickshaws to jump start India's all-electric drive India will roll out nearly 100,000 battery-powered buses and autorickshaws onto its sulphurous city streets in the coming weeks, setting it on the bumpy road to making new vehicle sales all-electric by 2030.
	Virtual reality and the ouch factor: New fields of study (Tech Xplore)—Is virtual reality for pain relief just a headline-grabber or a new frontier? For those who are unaware of the linkage, there are studies now that examine its potential use to augment pain relief.
	Integrated high-speed data and wireless power transfer Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a system that can simultaneously deliver watts of power and transmit data at rates high enough to stream video over the same wireless connection. By integrating power and high-speed data, a true single "wireless" connection can be achieved.
	A solar cell you can put in the wash Scientists from RIKEN and the University of Tokyo have developed a new type of ultra-thin photovoltaic device, coated on both sides with stretchable and waterproof films, which can continue to provide electricity from sunlight even after being soaked in water or being stretched and compressed.
	Step towards better 'beyond lithium' batteries A step towards new "beyond lithium" rechargeable batteries with superior performance has been made by researchers at the University of Bath.
	Intel chips loaded in Waymo self-driving minivans Intel on Monday announced its computing tech is being loaded into Waymo self-driving minivans as the chip giant seeks a leading position on the road to autonomous vehicles.
	New self-powered paper patch could help diabetics measure glucose during exercise A new paper-based sensor patch developed by researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York could allow diabetics to effectively measure glucose levels during exercise.
	Equifax executives step down after major hack (Update) Equifax has replaced two senior executives entrusted with watching over its computers, after the credit reporting agency revealed it suffered a major hack that led to one of the worst-ever breaches of personal data.
	Dubai awards contract for final phase of solar park The Gulf desert emirate of Dubai on Saturday announced the award of a $3.8-billion contract for the final phase of a solar park aimed at generating 5,000 megawatts of electricity by 2030.
	Nike's 'connected jersey' aims to put NBA fans front and center Sporting a favorite player's number can now be more than a declaration of faith, thanks to smart jerseys unveiled this weekend by Nike as part of its new partnership with the NBA.
	Apple, Dell join bid to buy Toshiba's chip business: US fund US tech titans Apple and Dell have joined a bid to buy Toshiba's memory chip business, a deal seen as key to the survival of the cash-stripped Japanese industrial conglomerate, the US investor leading the consortium has said.
	Five trends at the Frankfurt auto show At this year's Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA), automakers are pulling out all the stops to dazzle visitors with cars that are greener, smarter and faster than ever.
	A carbon tax would not cause too much grief at the gas pump A new report from the University of Michigan Energy Survey offers insight into how American consumers would react to a carbon tax.
	EU Commission calls for 'Airbus of batteries' Europe must produce its own batteries for electric cars to avoid crashing out of the race with the United States and China, a senior member of the European Commission warned Monday.
	New study measures human-robot relations A QUT researcher is leading a new study to evaluate human-robot interactions as technology reshapes health care.
	Testing bridges for safety after major hurricanes like Irma After Hurricane Irma hit, there was a major concern about South Florida's bridges, mainly the ones in the Florida Keys. Would the structures be safe to cross for drivers anxious to get back home? Would relief efforts be impaired due to damage caused by massive winds? Fortunately, all 42 bridges that connect the mainland to the Keys were inspected and declared safe by Monroe County officials.
How better data would improve the electricity market The Australian Electricity Regulator is investigating whether wholesale electricity generators in New South Wales are bidding "in good faith" in the electricity market. Good faith means price changes are the result of real problems, such as weather or machinery failure, rather than market manipulation.
	New life for aging scooter batteries What can we do with aging scooter batteries? Instead of scrapping them and recycling their components, the batteries could be left intact and re-used in a solar power storage cabinet. This is precisely what a pilot project by the Swiss Post and with participation of Empa is trying to do.
	'Confusion and resistance' slows down UK smart meter rollout Lack of consumer engagement, insufficient information, and inadequate attention to vulnerability has slowed down the UK roll-out of energy smart meters, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Sussex.
'Smart meters need a rapid rethink,' researchers say The official UK smart meter network was switched on in November 2016 and since then smart meter devices have been installed in millions of homes across the UK. The Government wants one in every household by 2020, but a team of researchers from the University of Bath argue that the meters being installed are not up to measure.
Developing roads that can generate power from passing traffic Researchers are looking at advanced materials for roads and pavements that could generate electricity from passing traffic.
	A simple additive to improve film quality Thin films for use in solar cells are more effective when simple chemicals called glycol ethers are added to the film-forming mix, a KAUST team has found.
	Putting smart weapons to the test In the old days, a slingshot, BB gun, rifle or cannon was only as smart as the marksman taking aim.
	Lighter weights, lower costs in additive manufacturing It's never long before the most advanced technology needs its own innovations. Additive manufacturing, the gold standard for innovative industry production, has reached that point. With its use steadily increasing, there arises the need to fine-tune this production method; to develop a process that makes additive manufacturing a responsible, cost-effective business decision. Mechanical Engineering professor Levent Burak Kara, his Ph.D. student Erva Ulu, and Robotics Institute assistant professor Jim McCann may have found that process.
China detains man for service to evade internet firewall Chinese authorities have detained a software developer for selling computer services that allow internet users to evade China's "Great Firewall," which blocks access to thousands of websites, from Facebook to Twitter to some news outlets, a media report said Monday.
	Snapchat scrubs Al-Jazeera in Saudi Arabia Global image messaging service Snapchat has scrubbed Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera from its app in Saudi Arabia at the request of Saudi authorities, the company said on Monday.
3-D printing materials for wound care and decorative elements Cellulose nanofibrils have properties that can improve the characteristics of bio-based 3-D-printing pastes. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is developing a 3-D wound care product for monitoring wound condition in hospital care. However, the first commercial nanocellulose applications will be seen in indoor decoration elements, textiles and the production of mock-ups.
Fake news more likely to thrive online due to lowered fact-checking The power and proliferation of fake online news stems not only from its apparent ubiquity but also from a sense of the presence of others that social media sites create, according to new research conducted by Gita Johar, the Meyer Feldberg Professor of Business at Columbia Business School, along with doctoral students Rachel Meng and Youjung Jun. The researchers found that when people are presented with claims whose veracity is ambiguous they are less likely to fact-check the claims when the information is consumed in a group setting.
Wisconsin governor signs $3 billion Foxconn bill into law Gov. Scott Walker signed a $3 billion incentive package Monday for Foxconn Technology Group to build a flat-screen plant in southeastern Wisconsin, a deal he says will provide thousands of jobs for generations.

Medicine & Health news

	Parents not confident schools can assist child with chronic disease, mental health If your child had an asthma attack during the school day, would school personnel know how to respond?
	Happiness is not determined by childhood biomarkers Happiness is not determined by childhood biological markers such as height or body fat, according to a team of European researchers involving UCL.
	Researchers find the key to loss of smell with Parkinson's disease University of Auckland research has found an anatomical link for the loss of the sense of smell in Parkinson's disease.
	A new paradigm for treating transcription factor-driven cancers In the current issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from Nationwide Children's Hospital describe a new paradigm for treating transcription factor-driven cancers. The study focuses on Ewing sarcoma and how the EWS/FLI transcription factor drives the malignancy – and suggests ways to disrupt the process.
	Genetically altered mice bear some hallmarks of human bipolar behavior Johns Hopkins researchers report they have genetically engineered mice that display many of the behavioral hallmarks of human bipolar disorder, and that the abnormal behaviors the rodents show can be reversed using well-established drug treatments for bipolar disorder, such as lithium.
	Genomic recycling: Ancestral genes take on new roles One often hears about the multitude of genes we have in common with chimps, birds or other living creatures, but such comparisons are sometimes misleading. The shared percentage usually refers only to genes that encode instructions for making proteins—while overlooking regulatory genes, which nonetheless make up a large part of the genome. "Humans and fish, for instance, share about 70% of their protein-coding genes, but only about 0.5% of an important class of regulatory genes—ones that give rise to so-called long non-coding RNAs, or lncRNAs," says Dr. Igor Ulitsky of the Biological Regulation Department at the Weizmann Institute of Science.
	Cholesterol-like molecules switch off the engine in cancer-targeting 'Natural Killer' cells Scientists have just discovered how the engine that powers cancer-killing cells functions. Crucially, their research also highlights how that engine is fuelled and that cholesterol-like molecules, called oxysterols, act as a "cut-off" switch making it hard for our 'Natural Killer' cells to win the war against cancer.
	Sex and aggression controlled separately in female animal brains, but overlap in male brains Brain structures that control sexual and aggressive behavior in mice are wired differently in females than in males. This the finding of a study led by scientists at NYU School of Medicine and published online Sept. 18 in Nature Neuroscience.
	Learning and unlearning to fear: The two faces of noradrenaline Emotional learning can create strong memories and powerful emotional responses, but flexible behavior demands that these responses be inhibited when they are no longer appropriate. Scientists at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute in Japan have discovered that emotional and flexible learning rely on an important division of labor in the brain. Published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, the study shows that these different learning states require distinct populations of neurons that originate in the locus coeruleus of the brain and transmit signals using noradrenaline.
	Video game boosts sex health IQ and attitudes in minority teens A videogame designed by Yale researchers to promote health and reduce risky behavior in teens improves sexual health knowledge and attitudes among minority youth, according to a new study. The findings validate the value of the videogame as a tool to engage and educate teens at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), said the researchers.
	Why bad sleep doesn't always lead to depression Poor sleep is both a risk factor, and a common symptom, of depression. But not everyone who tosses and turns at night becomes depressed.
	Cognitive scientists find that people can more easily communicate warmer colors than cool ones The human eye can perceive millions of different colors, but the number of categories human languages use to group those colors is much smaller. Some languages use as few as three color categories (words corresponding to black, white, and red), while the languages of industrialized cultures use up to 10 or 12 categories.
	Tug of war between Parkinson's protein and growth factor Alpha-synuclein, a sticky and sometimes toxic protein involved in Parkinson's disease (PD), blocks signals from an important brain growth factor, Emory researchers have discovered.
	Urine output to disease: Study sheds light on the importance of hormone quality control The discovery of a puddle of mouse urine seems like a strange scientific "eureka" moment.
	New assay leads to step toward gene therapy for deaf patients Scientists at Oregon State University have taken an important step toward gene therapy for deaf patients by developing a way to better study a large protein essential for hearing and finding a truncated version of it.
	MicroRNA helps cancer evade immune system The immune system automatically destroys dysfunctional cells such as cancer cells, but cancerous tumors often survive nonetheless. A new study by Salk scientists shows one method by which fast-growing tumors evade anti-tumor immunity.
	Study uncovers markers for severe form of multiple sclerosis Scientists have uncovered two closely related cytokines—molecules involved in cell communication and movement—that may explain why some people develop progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), the most severe form of the disease. The findings, authored by researchers at Yale University, Oregon Health & Science University, and the University of California point the way toward developing a novel treatment to prevent progressive forms of the disease.
High blood pressure reasons differ by gender in teens; young adults There are marked gender differences in what drives blood pressure in middle-age in adulthood, suggesting the need for gender-specific treatments for high blood pressure, according to research presented today at the American Heart Association (AHA) Council on Hypertension, AHA Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease, American Society of Hypertension Joint Scientific Sessions 2017, in San Francisco.
	Adults without partners monitor their blood pressure less frequently Having a lower education level and no partner is associated with a lower frequency of home blood pressure monitoring, according to new research presented at the American Heart Association's Council on Hypertension 2017 Scientific Sessions.
Blood pressure better controlled with 'MAP' for doctors A quality improvement program designed to better control hypertension in primary care practices notably improved hypertension control in six months, according to research presented today at the American Heart Association (AHA) Council on Hypertension, AHA Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease, American Society of Hypertension Joint Scientific Sessions 2017, in San Francisco.
In Algeria, taboos and law deter organ donors By donating one of her kidneys, Nawel gave her husband Boubaker Ziani a new lease on life after he had undergone 16 years of dialysis.
	Teens also at risk for organ damage from high blood pressure Organ damage from high blood pressure doesn't only occur in adults; it can also happen in teenagers, according to research presented today at the American Heart Association (AHA) Council on Hypertension, AHA Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease, American Society of Hypertension Joint Scientific Sessions 2017 in San Francisco.
	People with schizophrenia have threefold risk of dying People with schizophrenia are three times more likely to die, and die younger, than the general population, indicating a need for solutions to narrow this gap, according to research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Vaping doubles risk of smoking cigarettes for teens Teenagers who try e-cigarettes double their risk for smoking tobacco cigarettes, according to a new study.
	A new approach to high insulin levels Diabetes is characterised by a deficiency of insulin. Its opposite is a condition called congenital hyperinsulinism—patients produce the hormone too frequently and in excessive quantities, even if they haven't eaten any carbohydrates. Since the function of insulin is to metabolise sugars, excess production of insulin leads to chronic hypoglycaemia. The brain, which devours vast quantities of energy, is perpetually undernourished as a consequence.
	Scientists are unraveling the mystery of your body's clock – and soon may be able to reset it For people who don't get sleepy until 2 a.m., the buzz of an alarm clock can feel mighty oppressive.
Most private patients are wasting money on costly rehab after major knee surgery Most private patients who have had knee replacement surgery recover just as well with a cheaper form of rehabilitation than many are currently offered, research published today in the Medical Journal of Australia shows.
Inhibiting obesity by increasing an intestinal enzyme NAPEs, a family of lipid molecules, are produced in the intestinal tract after food intake and exert leptin-like effects: they reduce food intake and weight gain.
	Expert claims internet addiction should be recognized as a disorder requiring treatment Pathological internet addiction that triggers deviant behaviour on social networking sites (SNS) should be recognised as a disorder needing treatment, a Flinders University expert says.
Chinese infants not getting measles protection from moms Mothers in China are not passing on protective antibodies against measles to their infants, leaving children under 8 months—the age at which vaccine is first administered—vulnerable to the disease, researchers at the University of Michigan have found.
	Is manuka honey really a 'superfood' for treating colds, allergies and infections? Manuka honey is often touted as a "superfood" that treats many ailments, including allergies, colds and flus, gingivitis, sore throats, staph infections, and numerous types of wounds.
	Want to fix America's health care? First, focus on food The national debate on health care is moving into a new, hopefully bipartisan phase.
	Using AI to determine queer sexuality is misconceived and dangerous How do we know if someone is gay? A recent Stanford University study has claimed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) using a facial recognition algorithm can more accurately guess whether a person is gay or lesbian than human beings can.
	Scientists combine antimalarial drug with light sensitive molecules for promising treatment of cancer Artemisinin, a potent anti-malarial drug, has been widely hailed as a promising alternative cancer treatment. Scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) recently showed that its anti-cancer properties could be enhanced by 10 fold when used in combination with aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a photosensitiser which, upon exposure to light, leads to generation of free radicals that can kill cells.
	Why people who attempt suicide need more than meds Meet Jane. She's 22 years-old. She has a quirky smile and an unconventional sense of humour. She's finished high school and has a young baby. She has been unemployed for a long time.
	Children of convicts transported to Australia grew up taller than their peers in the UK The children of convicts born in the Australian colonies grew up taller than they would have done if their parents had not been sent into exile, our latest study shows.
	New phonics test will do nothing to improve Australian children's literacy Minister Birmingham released a report today recommending that all Year 1 students in Australia complete a phonics test. The panel responsible for the report has recommended that Australia adopt the Year 1 phonics screening check that has been used in England since 2011.
Finnish mobile device for detecting arrhythmia soon available for consumers The VTT spin-off, VitalSignum, is making a small mobile device that detects arrhythmia by measuring the patient's ECG - available to consumers. The first production batch is being completed and will be retailed to consumers in early October.
Study examines counseling experiences of transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals Transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) individuals often encounter discrimination that may compel them to seek mental health services, but some mental health practitioners are inadequately prepared to work with TGNC clients. Researchers have now presented an in-depth examination of the counseling experiences of 13 TGNC individuals to inform mental health practitioners of helpful and effective counseling methods.
	Metabolism can be used to subtype hepatoblastoma tumors Looking at cell metabolism instead of histology, EPFL scientists have identified new biomarkers that could help more accurately classify the two main subtypes of hepatoblastoma, a children liver cancer.
	Women in preterm labour to be offered antibiotics to combat Group B Strep Women who go into labour before 37 weeks of pregnancy should be offered antibiotics to prevent a possible transmission of Group B Streptococcal (GBS), according to updated guidance published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).
	HIV-AIDS: Following your gut Researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM) have discovered a way to slow viral replication in the gastrointestinal tract of people infected by HIV-AIDS.
Hospital design and innovative cleaning can protect patients from resistant bacteria Hospitals should design premises and adapt their infection control routines to a society that no longer has effective antibiotics, and that is vulnerable to fast-spreading global pandemics. This is argued in a new dissertation from Lund University in Sweden.
	Altitude training for cancer-fighting cells Mountain climbers and endurance athletes are not the only ones to benefit from altitude training - that is, learning to perform well under low-oxygen conditions. It turns out that cancer-fighting cells of the immune system can also improve their performance through a cellular version of such a regimen. In a study published in Cell Reports, Weizmann Institute of Science researchers have shown that immune system's killer T cells destroy cancerous tumors much more effectively after being starved for oxygen.
	Cutting the fat from your favorite brews (HealthDay)—Whether it's to get your day going, a way to curb your appetite, or just a taste you love, you might insist on your daily coffee fix.
	Skin cancer prevention strategies needed in work settings (HealthDay)—Solar occupational ultraviolet (UV) exposure is a major determinant of incident squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), according to a study published online Aug. 27 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
	Closed-loop control benefits T1DM in prolonged winter sport (HealthDay)—For adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D), a closed-loop control (CLC) system is associated with improved glycemic control and reduced exposure to hypoglycemia during prolonged exercise, cold temperatures, and high altitude, according to a study published online Aug. 30 in Diabetes Care.
	Lower mortality risk seen with statin use in older men (HealthDay)—Statin use is associated with a significantly lower risk of mortality in older male physicians, and a non-significant lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, according to a study published online Sept. 11 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
	Physicians tweeting about drugs may have conflict of interest (HealthDay)—Most physicians on Twitter with a financial conflict of interest (FCOI) and frequent tweets mention specific drugs for which they have a conflict, according to a study published in the September issue of The Lancet Haematology.
	Two Americas: Seniors are getting healthier but most gains go to high-income whites Older Americans report feeling dramatically healthier than they did 14 years ago but that good health isn't evenly distributed, with much of the gain going to the wealthiest, most highly educated and whites.
	Budget cigarettes linked to higher infant mortality rates in EU countries Scientists already know that high cigarette prices reduce smoking rates, and that levels of smoking affect infant mortality. However until now, there have been no studies to explore the link between cigarette price differentials and infant mortality.
	People with HIV who smoke are more likely to die from lung cancer than from HIV itself People living with HIV who adhere to antiretroviral therapy but smoke cigarettes are around 10 times more likely to die from lung cancer than from HIV itself, according to a study led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). The report, which is being published in JAMA Internal Medicine, suggests that lung cancer prevention through smoking cessation should be a priority in the care of people living with HIV.
Tracing trends could lead to better public health education The educated members of a population are the trailblazers of risky behavior, but they are quicker to change their habits once the consequences of that behavior become better understood, according to new research from Penn State, which could also have implications on how public health education is approached.
	Eight children born after uterus transplants Eight children born - and the first robot-assisted operation performed. These are some of the results of 18 years of research at Sahlgrenska Academy on uterus transplants. In Gothenburg, the elite of the research world in the field are now gathering for their first congress.
Myth debunked that OCD is associated with superior intelligence Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is not associated with a higher intelligence quotient (IQ), a myth popularized by Sigmund Freud, according to researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), Texas State University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Re-interventions are common in long-term survivors of childhood heart operation Among patients who undergo childhood heart surgery for the severe birth defect single-ventricle disease, two-thirds of survivors require a surgical or catheter-based procedure within 20 years. Pediatric cardiology researchers note that doctors should counsel families about the likelihood of re-interventions.
Wireless food stamp transactions tied to healthier shopping New research links the equipping of mobile fruit and vegetable stands with wireless banking devices programmed to accept food stamps to the buying of more healthy foods by people with low incomes.
	New lung cell type discovered A recent study has identified a new lung cell type that is implicated in the body's innate immune defense against the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae—one of the leading causes of pneumonia worldwide.
Gun laws requiring domestic abusers to surrender firearms could save lives The mass shooting in Plano, Texas, this month was the deadliest of 2017. It also fit a pattern: The shooter had targeted his estranged wife and her friends and family—and had a history of intimate partner violence (IPV).
	Toy gun popular with kids can cause serious eye injury, warn doctors A toy gun that is popular with children can cause serious eye injuries, warn doctors in the journal BMJ Case Reports.
	Biologists identify gene involved in kidney-related birth defects A team led by University of Iowa researchers has identified a gene linked to rare, often fatal kidney-related birth defects.
	Beat back mosquitos after hurricane Irma (HealthDay)—As if those who weathered Hurricanes Irma and Harvey don't have enough to worry about, one bug expert warns that the standing water left behind is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
	New link seen between gene fusion and bladder cancer (HealthDay)—The fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) transforming acidic coiled-coil containing protein 3 (TACC3) (FT3) gene fusion recruits endogenous TACC3 away from the mitotic spindle, resulting in errors in chromosome segregation in bladder cancer cells, according to a study published online Aug. 30 in Open Biology.
	Relationship found between HIV risk and individual and community level educational status African-American men who have sex with men (MSM) remain at heightened risk for HIV infection and account for the largest number of African-Americans living with HIV/AIDS. It has long been understood that there is a clear and persistent association between poverty, transactional sex behavior, and HIV risk. A new University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Penn Nursing) study has investigated how educational status relates to HIV risk in this population.
	Beta blockers not needed after heart attack if other medications taken A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill finds beta blockers are not needed after a heart attack if heart-attack survivors are taking ACE inhibitors and statins. The study is the first to challenge the current clinical guideline that heart-attack survivors should take all three drugs - beta blockers, ACE inhibitors and statins - for the rest of their lives.
	CGM use in pregnancy improves neonatal outcomes (HealthDay)—For pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is associated with improved neonatal outcomes, according to a study published online Sept. 15 in The Lancet to coincide with the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, held from Sept. 11 to 15 in Lisbon, Portugal.
American Academy of Pediatrics announces its first recommendations on tattoos, piercings Tattoos and body piercings are an increasingly popular form of self-expression, but it is important for young people to carefully consider the consequences and potential risks associated with body modifications, according to the first clinical report on the topic published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Sexual behavior in Germany A sexual history and consultation in the practice setting can contribute to counteracting the spread of sexually transmitted infections. This is the result of a representative survey that questioned 2524 persons about their sexual practices and sexual contacts outside their main relationships, as well as about contraceptive measures, whose results Julia Haversath and coauthors summarize in the current issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International.
WHO urges Yemen to accept vaccines as cholera crisis deepens The World Health Organization on Monday urged Yemen to approve cholera vaccinations it has offered to help contain an epidemic that could affect nearly a million people by year's end.
UN seeks $10 million as Nigeria cholera outbreak worsens At least 44 people have now died in a cholera outbreak in northeast Nigeria, the United Nations said Monday, calling for nearly $10 million to keep the disease from spreading.
	Controlling movement like a dimmer switch New research published in The Journal of Neuroscience identifies a motor pathway between the forebrain and brainstem that works like a dimmer switch to regulate swimming speed in the sea lamprey - a primitive, jawless fish with an eel-like body studied by neuroscientists as a model of the vertebrate nervous system. Dysfunction of this pathway, which is likely present in mammals potentially including humans, may contribute to the symptoms of movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
	Black babies more likely to have nursing care missed in their NICU stay Everybody wants a healthy life for their baby. Black babies are more likely to be born prematurely, which puts them at risk for death and developmental problems. In fact, a third of all infant deaths are preterm-related. The critical period in preterm babies' lives is when they are just born and are in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The care they receive is vital to a healthy future.
	Baycrest launches study combining music and brain stimulation to improve memory Baycrest will embark on the first study combining music therapy with brain stimulation to improve memory among patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
	New research evaluates depression treatment among individuals with dementia and depression A high prevalence of depression among older individuals with dementia is prompting researchers at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy and Banner Alzheimer's Institute to investigate depression treatment among this population.
	New study shows promise of gene therapy to treat alcoholism Researchers used gene transfer to block the expression of one of the two main enzymes that break down alcohol in the liver, leading to the accumulation in liver cells of acetaldehyde, a metabolic byproduct of ethanol. The inability to metabolize acetaldehyde produces strong effects in people, such as dizziness and palpitations, leading people to avoid alcohol and representing a novel approach to treating alcoholism, as described in an article published in Human Gene Therapy.
Bayer to end non-US sales of Essure, a contested sterilisation implant The pharmaceutical giant Bayer announced Monday that it would end non-US sales of Essure, a sterilisation implant that in news reports has been linked to major side effects.
States ask insurers to prioritize non-opioid pain treatment Attorneys general representing the majority of states are asking the insurance industry to encourage pain treatment through means other than prescriptions for opioid painkillers.

Biology news

	Cells programmed like computers to fight disease Cells can be programmed like a computer to fight cancer, influenza, and other serious conditions – thanks to a breakthrough in synthetic biology by the University of Warwick.
	Researchers find a promising way to outwit mosquitoes Mosquitoes are brilliant at two things – bringing misery to humans and quickly spoiling all efforts to shut them down.
	Understanding the language of cellular communication A team of Caltech scientists has uncovered a molecular code that cells use to communicate with each other. This "language" is thought to be common to many types of cellular communication and has implications for designing future therapies, according to scientists in the laboratory of Michael Elowitz, professor of biology and bioengineering at Caltech and an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
	Life-long blood production depends on hundreds of cells that form prior to birth Like genealogists filling gaps in a family tree, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have determined that life-long blood production relies on hundreds more "ancestor" cells than previously reported. The study focused on the prenatal origins of blood-forming stem cells and appeared today as an advance online publication in the journal Nature Cell Biology.
	RNA discovery could help boost plant heat, drought tolerance Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists have discovered a ribonucleic acid, or RNA, that can increase the thale cress plant's resistance to stress from drought and salt.
	Scientists show molecular basis for ants acting as 'bodyguards' for plants Though you might not think of ants as formidable bodyguards, some do an impressive job protecting plants from enemies. Now, scientists at the University of Toronto (U of T) have determined what makes some better bodyguards than others.
	When it comes to the threat of extinction, size matters Animals in the Goldilocks zone—neither too big, nor too small, but just the right size—face a lower risk of extinction than do those on both ends of the scale, according to an extensive global analysis.
	Deep roots in plants driven by soil hydrology Searching for water, some tree roots probe hundreds of feet deep and many trees send roots through cracks in rocks, according to a new study led by a Rutgers University-New Brunswick professor.
	Scientists edit butterfly wing spots and stripes An international research team working at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama knocked-out a single control gene in the DNA of seven different butterfly species. In the Sept. 18 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences early online edition, they reveal the surprising results of rewiring the WntA gene: a single gene influences the exuberant diversity of butterfly wing patterns in nature.
	Enzyme's worth to biofuels shown in latest research An enzyme discovered at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) proves adept at breaking down cellulose fibers regardless of whether their crystalline structure is simple or highly complex. No other enzyme has shown that ability.
	Researchers unlock potential pathway to treat flesh-eating bacteria Researchers at Houston Methodist have solved a 100-year-old mystery, providing them a possible key to unlock a pathway for treating diseases caused by flesh-eating bacteria. This is timely news, given the current dangers lurking in the debris and destruction left behind by Hurricane Harvey's floodwaters that destroyed tens of thousands of homes in Texas.
	California court reinstates foie gras ban A US court in California on Friday re-instated a ban on foie gras in a move celebrated by animal rights activists who have long opposed the controversial French delicacy made by force-feeding ducks and geese.
	Literally lousy: Parasite plagues world salmon industry Salmon have a lousy problem, and the race to solve it is spanning the globe.
	Warm waters off West Coast has lingering effects for salmon The mass of warm water known as "the blob" that heated up the North Pacific Ocean has dissipated, but scientists are still seeing the lingering effects of those unusually warm sea surface temperatures on Pacific Northwest salmon and steelhead.
	Graceful menace: States take aim at non-native swans With its snow-white plumage and elegant posture, mute swans are exalted in European ballets and fairy tales as symbols of love and beauty. But to many wildlife biologists, they are aggressive and destructive invaders in U.S. habitats and must be wiped out.
	Membrane vesicles released by bacteria may play different roles during infection Bacteria release membrane-derived vesicles (MVs), which are small particles that can transport virulence factors to neighbouring bacteria or to the cells of a mammalian host. This special MV-based system for delivering toxic proteins and nucleic acids in a protected manner to the target cells may have different specific functions depending on whether the bacterium acts as an extracellular or intracellular pathogen. This is according to a doctoral thesis from Umeå University in Sweden.
	Fungal pathogen creates 'zombeetles' As you watch The Walking Dead, consider the possibility that zombies are real and may be in your yard right now.
	Portable DNA sequencers help African farmers fight crop disease Scientists at The University of Western Australia are using new portable DNA sequencing technology for the first time in East Africa to help farmers fight the devastating impact of crop disease.
	Why veterinarians prescribe certain diets for pets Veterinarians must prescribe certain therapeutic diets because, depending on the disease being addressed, these foods may contain levels of nutrients below what is legally allowed to be sold for a healthy pet without that medical condition. If a pet has a health issue that warrants a special diet, it should be closely monitored by a veterinarian, even if that diet contains nutrient levels safe for healthy pets.
	Fierce debate roars to life over grizzly bear hunt cancellation There's no shortage of controversy surrounding the British Columbia government's decision to stop the grizzly bear trophy hunt.
Deadly fish pathogen detected in Australia A dangerous pathogen, which caused devastating losses in the aquaculture industry in the United States, has been detected in wild Australian catfish for the first time.
	Sheep gene study may help breed healthier animals Fresh insights into the genetic code of sheep could aid breeding programmes to improve their health and productivity. Scientists have mapped which genes are turned on and off in the different tissues and organs in a sheep's body. Their findings shed new light on the animal's complex biology, including insight into the function of genes linked to immunity and meat quality.
Welfare of zoo animals set to improve The wellbeing of zoological animals is set to improve following the successful trial of a new welfare assessment grid, a new study in the journal Veterinary Record reports.
	Pearl millet genome sequence provides a resource to improve agronomic traits in extreme environments An international consortium around the biologist Wolfram Weckwerth has published the genome sequence of Pearl millet, a drought resistant crop plant most important in aride regions in Africa and Asia. This plant is important to small and medium farmers who grow the plant without larger irrigation. Pearl millet delivers a good harvest index under drought and heat conditions when rice, maize or wheat already have no grains anymore.
	Six new sponge species and new symbiotic associations from the Indonesian coral triangle Comprising more than 17,000 islands, the Indonesian archipelago is one of the world's most biodiverse places on Earth.
	Dogs' social skills linked to oxytocin sensitivity The tendency of dogs to seek contact with their owners is associated with genetic variations in sensitivity for the hormone oxytocin, according to a new study from Linköping University, Sweden. The results have been published in the scientific journal Hormones and Behavior and contribute to our knowledge of how dogs have changed during their development from wolf to household pet.
To predict how climate change will affect disease, researchers must fuse climate science and biology Predicting how climate change will affect the incidence of infectious diseases would have great public health benefits. But the relationship between climate and disease is extraordinarily complex, making such predictions difficult. Simply identifying correlations and statistical associations between climatic factors and disease won't be enough, said Princeton University researcher Jessica Metcalf. Instead, researchers need new statistical models that incorporate both climate factors and the climate-disease relationship, accounting for uncertainties in both.
	New research indicates the importance of early season control of herbicide-resistant kochia Researchers writing in the latest edition of the journal Weed Science are providing new insights into the control of herbicide-resistant kochia, a weed that competes with both dryland and irrigated crops across the Great Plains states.
	To fight wildlife crime, experts say 'follow the money' In most cases, the conviction of a Thai man trafficking rhino horns through a bizarre scheme that involved hiring prostitutes to pose as trophy hunters would have marked the end of the story.
	Testing kit identifies genetic variations without need for lab analysis Scheme Lab, a biotech startup incubated at the Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Technology (CIETEC), in São Paulo, Brazil, is developing genetic tests that can be used anywhere—in factories, on farms, or even at home—without the need for analysis by specialized laboratories.
	Horses working in therapeutic riding programs do not experience additional stress In the United States, therapeutic horseback riding offers equine-assisted therapy to diverse populations, including children and adults who have anxiety disorders. Veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder often are prescribed this type of therapy in order to cope with anxiety, but little is known about how these programs affect the stress levels in horses. Now, a University of Missouri study has revealed that horses ridden by veterans with PTSD did not have undue physiological stress responses, nor did they exhibit behavioral stress while participating in a veterans' therapy program. This shows that therapeutic horseback riding, also known as THR, may provide a viable repurposing for retired or unwanted horses.

---

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