Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for October 5, 2017:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | The scientific quest to explain Kepler's most enigmatic findSome 1,500 light years from Earth, a mystery of stellar proportions is playing out. A singular star out there captured scientists' and the public's imagination in September 2015 with its strangely fluctuating brightness. Ever since then, the scientific community has been observing this enigmatic character and sifting methodically through the data in search of an answer. Certain explanations are eliminated, while other likely suspects come to the fore. Meanwhile, the world has the chance to watch, as the scientific process and the mystery continue to unfold. |
 | The super-Earth that came home for dinnerIt might be lingering bashfully on the icy outer edges of our solar system, hiding in the dark, but subtly pulling strings behind the scenes: stretching out the orbits of distant bodies, perhaps even tilting the entire solar system to one side. |
 | Examining Mars' moon Phobos in a different lightNASA's longest-lived mission to Mars has gained its first look at the Martian moon Phobos, pursuing a deeper understanding by examining it in infrared wavelengths. |
 | Unexpected phenomenon in a merger of a cluster of galaxiesAn international team of astronomers led by Francesco de Gasperin has witnessed a gas tail of a galaxy that slowly extinguished, but then reignited. It is unclear where the energy for the rejuvenation comes from. The researchers have published their findings in Science Advances. |
 | Ancient asteroid impact exposes the moon's interiorScientists have long assumed that all the planets in our solar system look the same beneath the surface, but a study published in Geology on Oct. 4 tells a different story. |
 | Spacewalkers install new hand on station's robot arm (Update)Spacewalking astronauts gave the International Space Station's big robot arm a new hand Thursday. |
 | New NASA study shows moon once had an atmosphereA new study shows that an atmosphere was produced around the ancient Moon, 3 to 4 billion years ago, when intense volcanic eruptions spewed gases above the surface faster than they could escape to space. The study, supported by NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute, was published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters. |
 | Astrophysicists observe primitive comet 1.5 billion miles from the sunA team of astronomers led by UCLA professor David Jewitt has identified a "special comet" 1.5 billion miles from the sun. No other comet heading toward our sun has ever been seen at such a great distance. |
Astronomers measure new distances to nearby starsAstronomers from the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO), in collaboration with others from the REsearch Consortium On Nearby Stars (RECONS), have determined new distances to a group of faint young stars located within 25 parsecs (pc) of the sun. These measurements, based on parallax observations obtained over periods ranging from nine to twelve years, include new measures of the star known as TRAPPIST-1, which has been recently identified as having a system of up to seven Earth-sized planets orbiting around it. | |
 | Sentinel-5P sealed from viewAs preparations for the launch of Sentinel-5P continue on track, the team at Russia's Plesetsk site has bid farewell to the satellite as it was sealed from view in the Rockot fairing. Liftoff is set for 13 October at 09:27 GMT (11:27 CEST). |
 | Determining the mass of the Milky Way using hypervelocity starsFor centuries, astronomers have been looking beyond our solar system to learn more about the Milky Way galaxy. And yet, there are still many things about it that elude us, such as knowing its precise mass. Determining this is important to understanding the history of galaxy formation and the evolution of our universe. As such, astronomers have attempted various techniques for measuring the true mass of the Milky Way. |
 | OSIRIS-REx cameras and spectrometers tested during Earth flybyOn Sept. 22, OSIRIS-REx soared under the South Pole, coming within 10,600 miles of Earth before using the planet's gravity to slingshot itself onto the path to the asteroid Bennu. |
 | Colourful dunes on wind-swept MarsDunes are prominent indicators of prevailing winds, as can be seen on this crater floor on Mars, imaged by ESA's Mars Express on 16 May. |
 | US spacewalkers begin repair of aging ISS robotic armTwo NASA astronauts embarked on a spacewalk Thursday to repair the International Space Station's aging robotic arm, the US space agency said. |
Technology news
 | A supercomputer tool that can optimize airplane wing design offers improved detail(Tech Xplore)—A team of researchers with the Technical University of Denmark has applied an engineering technique in a new way to the design of the interior of an airplane wing. The resulting design is 2 to 5 percent lighter than conventional designs. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the team describes creating a tool to bring the number-crunching power of a supercomputer to a common engineering problem, and what the results suggest about future engineering endeavors. Matthijs Langelaar with Delft University offers a News & Views perspective piece on the work done by the team in the same journal issue. |
 | New vehicle infotainment systems create increased distractions behind the wheelNew vehicle infotainment systems can take drivers' eyes and attention off the road and hands off the wheel for dangerous periods of time, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Drivers using in-vehicle technologies like voice-based and touch screen features were visually and mentally distracted for more than 40 seconds when completing tasks like programming navigation or sending a text message. Removing eyes from the road for just two seconds doubles the risk for a crash, according to previous research. With one in three U.S. adults using infotainment systems while driving, AAA cautions that using these technologies while behind the wheel can have dangerous consequences. |
 | Ground testing the fuel-efficient Open Rotor engine(Tech Xplore)—The Open Rotor engine developed by France-based Safran is making aviation news this month. |
 | A new way to improve solar cells can improve collision-avoidance systems of autonomous carsWhen a team of engineers went to work in 2015 looking for a new technique to boost the cost-effectiveness of solar cells, they didn't realize they'd end with a bonus – a way to help improve the collision avoidance systems of self-driving cars. |
 | Smart bandage could promote better, faster healingResearchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Harvard Medical School and MIT have designed a smart bandage that could eventually heal chronic wounds or battlefield injuries with every fiber of its being. |
 | Google vies to make even smarter phones, speakers, camerasGoogle's upgrades to its Pixel smartphones and other gadgets are its latest steps toward turning its digital services into your backup brain. |
 | North Korea gets second web connection via Russian firmA state-owned Russian company has opened up a second internet connection for North Korea which could strengthen Pyongyang's cyber capabilities and undermine US efforts to isolate the regime, security experts said. |
Inverter improvement clears way for smaller, more efficient motor drive systems for electric vehiclesA Purdue University professor of electrical and computer engineering and a recent Ph.D. graduate have found a way to make smaller, more efficient motor drive systems for hybrid and electric cars, trucks, trains, ships and aircraft. | |
 | Project reveals benefits of communicating with industry when conducting researchWhen Shreya Dave was an MIT doctoral student working on a new kind of filter for desalination plants, she paid a visit to a working reverse-osmosis desalination plant in Spain. She quickly learned an important lesson that she now says she would likely have missed if she'd stayed in the lab. |
New data structure allows rapid tracking and policing of network dataTo protect networks from malicious threats, cyber-security solutions must track all the data flowing through the network—just like security guards checking travelers in airports. However, it is hard to design a solution that works fast enough to process all the information in real time, and to block threats before they can strike. Now, A*STAR researchers have designed a way to structure data that is robust against cyber-attacks and allows it to be processed in record time. | |
 | Optimum drill geometry for creating deep, narrow holes is determined using a computational modelImproving the design of drills capable of excavating deep holes should increase their performance and longevity. Scientists from A*STAR develop a computational model that can determine the ideal drill design, achieving significant savings. |
 | How the Chinese cyberthreat has evolvedWith more than half of its 1.4 billion people online, the world's most populous country is home to a slew of cyberspies and hackers. Indeed, China has likely stolen more secrets from businesses and governments than any other country. |
 | World War III is being waged in cyberspaceMy introduction to advanced communication technology (i.e. the Internet and World Wide Web) came in 1999. |
 | 3 ways self-driving cars could disrupt industryAre you ready to see more self-driving cars on the road? |
 | Looking inside the basset hornThe internal structure of old musical instruments is of great interest to musicians, restorers, and instrument makers. As part of the MUSICES project, Fraunhofer researchers are using 3-D computed tomography methods to examine historical musical instruments belonging to the collection held by the Germanisches Nationalmuseum (GNM). Based on this experience, they are drawing up guidelines for obtaining the best possible images and measurement results. Until now, there has been no standard for such measurements. The results of the project will be published online. |
 | Safety assistance system warns of dirty bombsThe threat of terrorism in Europe has been on the rise in recent years, with experts and politicians particularly worried that terrorists might make use of dirty bombs. Fraunhofer researchers have developed a new system that will be able to detect possible carriers of radioactive substances, even in large crowds of people. This solution is one of many defensive measures being realized in the REHSTRAIN project, which is focused on security for TGV and ICE high-speed trains in France and Germany. |
 | Do Google and Facebook have an obligation to quash misinformation?Earlier this week, two articles from the online forum 4Chan appeared briefly in Google's "Top Stories" section after a search for the wrongly-named Las Vegas shooter. The articles, which appeared as two of the three top stories on Google's search page, were the result of a deep-web conspiracy theory that had taken hold of several 4Chan message boards. |
 | Could we build a Blade Runner-style 'replicant'?The new Blade Runner sequel will return us to a world where sophisticated androids made with organic body parts can match the strength and emotions of their human creators. As someone who builds biologically inspired robots, I'm interested in whether our own technology will ever come close to matching the "replicants" of Blade Runner 2049. |
 | Watching Netflix' 'Stranger Things' likely to cost you moreNetflix is raising the price for its most popular U.S. video streaming plan by 10 percent— a move aimed at bringing in more money to outbid HBO, Amazon and other rivals for addictive shows such as "Stranger Things." |
 | Paper-based supercapacitor uses metal nanoparticles to boost energy densityUsing a simple layer-by-layer coating technique, researchers from the U.S. and Korea have developed a paper-based flexible supercapacitor that could be used to help power wearable devices. The device uses metallic nanoparticles to coat cellulose fibers in the paper, creating supercapacitor electrodes with high energy and power densities - and the best performance so far in a textile-based supercapacitor. |
 | Facebook 'context' button is latest effort to fight fake newsFacebook said Thursday it was testing a new "button" to allow users to get more context about a news source, in the latest move by the leading social network to curb misinformation. |
 | Scientists enlist supercomputers, machine learning to automatically identify brain tumorsPrimary brain tumors encompass a wide range of tumors depending on the cell type, the aggressiveness, and stage of tumor. Quickly and accurately characterizing the tumor is a critical aspect of treatment planning. It is a task currently reserved for trained radiologists, but in the future, computing, and in particular high-performance computing, will play a supportive role. |
 | New technology uses mouth gestures to interact in virtual realityResearchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York have developed a new technology that allows users to interact in a virtual reality environment using only mouth gestures. |
 | UMass Lowell professor steers ethical debate on self-driving carsShould your self-driving car protect you at all costs? Or should it steer you into a ditch - potentially causing serious injury - to avoid hitting a school bus full of children? |
 | Bain hoping to settle with Western Digital on Toshiba dealThe investment fund heading the consortium that plans to buy Toshiba Corp.'s memory chip business said Thursday it will try to reach a speedy settlement with Western Digital, the U.S. joint venture partner of Toshiba that is opposing the sale. |
 | Researchers eye papermaking improvements through high-performance computingWith the naked eye, a roll of paper towels doesn't seem too complicated. But look closely enough, and you'll see it's made up of layers of fibers with thousands of intricate structures and contact points. These fluffy fibers are squeezed together before they are printed in patterns, and this resulting texture is key to the paper's performance. |
 | How to create a cyber secure homeAs technology becomes more important in our personal lives, so does securing it. Here are some fundamental steps you should always take to help protect yourself and your family. |
Hundreds of stations unable to inspect cars in MassachusettsMassachusetts drivers are struggling to get inspection stickers after hundreds of vehicle inspection stations were unable to transition to new equipment. | |
Medicine & Health news
 | Researchers suggest risk preference should be considered a psychological trait like intelligence(Medical Xpress)—A small team of researchers with the University of Basel in Switzerland has conducted a study of risk preference in people and has found evidence that suggests risk preference should be considered a psychological trait like intelligence. In their paper published on the open access site Science Advances, the group describes the experiments they carried out and what they found when studying their results. |
 | No clear evidence that most new cancer drugs extend or improve lifeEven where drugs did show survival gains over existing treatments, these were often marginal, the results show. |
 | A new CRISPR-engineered cancer model to test therapeuticsOne major challenge in cancer research is developing robust pre-clinical models for new therapies, ones that will accurately reflect a human response to a novel compound. All too often, a potential treatment that initially looked promising in cells or animal models will not have the same effects in a human cancer patient. |
 | First cell-type census of mouse brains: Surprises about structure, male-female differencesNeuroscientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have mobilized advanced imaging and computational methods to comprehensively map - "count" - the total populations of specific types of cells throughout the mouse brain. In a study published today in Cell, they report two highly surprising findings. |
 | More traits associated with your Neandertal DNAAfter humans and Neandertals met many thousands of years ago, the two species began interbreeding. Although Neandertals aren't around anymore, about two percent of the DNA in non-African people living today comes from them. Recent studies have shown that some of those Neandertal genes have contributed to human immunity and modern diseases. Now researchers reporting in the American Journal of Human Genetics on October 5th have found that our Neandertal inheritance has contributed to other characteristics, too, including skin tone, hair color, sleep patterns, mood, and even a person's smoking status. |
 | Brain wiring affects how people perform specific tasksThe way a person's brain is "wired" directly impacts how well they perform simple and complex tasks, according to a new study from researchers at Rice University. |
 | Researchers create molecule that could 'kick and kill' HIVCurrent anti-AIDS drugs are highly effective at making HIV undetectable and allowing people with the virus to live longer, healthier lives. The treatments, a class of medications called antiretroviral therapy, also greatly reduce the chance of transmission from person to person. |
 | Anti-RAS antibodies show poor reliability in recognizing RAS proteinsResearchers from the Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute at UT Health San Antonio co-authored a paper published Sept. 26 in Science Signaling that looks at the reliability of a common research tool to study RAS cancer mutations. |
 | Predicting when a sound will occur relies on the brain's motor systemWhether it is dancing or just tapping one foot to the beat, we all experience how auditory signals like music can induce movement. Now new research suggests that motor signals in the brain actually sharpen sound perception, and this effect is increased when we move in rhythm with the sound. |
 | Scientists find there is something universal about what occurs in the brain when it processes storiesNew brain research by USC scientists shows that reading stories is a universal experience that may result in people feeling greater empathy for each other, regardless of cultural origins and differences. |
 | Nocebo effect: Does a drug's high price tag cause its own side effects?Pricey drugs may make people more vulnerable to perceiving side effects, a new study suggests—and the phenomenon is not just "in their heads." |
 | Study identifies factors linked to dying comfortably for the very oldVery old people are more likely to die comfortably if they die in a care home or at home, compared with dying in a hospital, suggests a new study from the University of Cambridge. Yet while the overwhelming majority of very old people reported symptoms at the end of life such as distress, pain and depression, the study found that these were not always treated effectively. |
 | Multivitamins in pregnancy may be linked to lower autism risk in childrenTaking multivitamins during early pregnancy may be associated with a reduced risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children compared with mothers who do not take multivitamins, finds a study published in The BMJ today. |
Predicting depression and PTSD before deployment could help soldiers copeA set of validated, self-reported questions administered early in a soldier's career could predict mental health problems such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after return from deployment, according to a study published in the open access journal BMC Psychology. | |
 | How much can watching hockey stress your heart?Sporting events often leave people on the edge of their seats, but what does all that excitement do to their hearts? A new study suggests that both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat can have a substantial effect on the cardiovascular system. Investigators took the pulse of fans during a hockey game and found that on average, their heart rate increased by 75% when watching on TV, and by a whopping 110% (more than doubled, equivalent to the cardiac stress with vigorous exercise) when watching in person. Their findings, along with an accompanying editorial, are published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology. |
 | Healthy people are at risk of developing heart disease, expert saysHealthy people who consume high levels of sugar are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. |
'Increased risk' donor organs a tough sell to transplant patientsIncreasingly, transplant surgeons must initiate a tough conversation: explaining to patients what it means to accept an organ from a person who died from a drug overdose. | |
NY State Medicaid expansion widened racial gap in access to high-quality cancer surgeryThe 2001 New York State Medicaid expansion—what is considered a precursor to the Affordable Care (ACA)—widened the racial disparity gap when it came to access to high-quality hospitals for cancer surgery, according to a new study from Georgetown University. | |
 | Mental health concerns in aftermath of Puerto Rico hurricaneLocked out of his home and with nowhere else to go, Wilfredo Ortiz Marrero rode out Hurricane Maria inside a Jeep, which was lifted off its wheels by floodwaters in the parking lot. He then endured days without enough food or running water. |
Preclinical study finds antitumor effects of bispecific antibodyChugai Pharmaceutical announced today that the preclinical study findings on its original bispecific antibody ERY974, a molecule that binds Glypican-3 and CD3 simultaneously, and that is currently under development as a Phase I clinical study for solid tumors, were published in the online edition of Science Translational Medicine on October 4, 2017. | |
 | Natural compounds fight against Zika and Dengue virusesNUS biologists have discovered that many edible plants contain natural compounds that can protect us from Zika and Dengue viruses. |
Study shows low mortality and stroke risks for minimally invasive aortic valve replacementsAn analysis of more than 1,000 minimally invasive aortic valve replacements and more than 400 additional associated procedures over a five-and-a-half year period performed by Dr. Joseph Lamelas, professor and associate chief of cardiac surgery in the division of cardiothoracic surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, showed low stroke rates and high survival rates in all age groups within 30 days of surgery. His report appears in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. | |
Teens and domestic violenceOctober is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness month, and although domestic violence is mostly associated with adults, an expert at Baylor College of Medicine says teens too often experience this type of abuse. | |
Global burden of disease study focuses on liver cancerA new article published by JAMA Oncology reports the results of the Global Burden of Disease 2015 study on primary liver cancer incidence, death and years of healthy life lost in 195 countries or territories from 1990 to 2015. | |
New findings on mechanisms for body temperature regulation by fat tissueNew discoveries about the mechanism responsible for heat generation in the body related to fat tissue oppose classical views in the field and could lead to new ways to fight metabolic disorders associated with obesity, according to a study led by Georgia State University. | |
 | Availability of robotic prostate cancer surgery could be a bigger draw for patients than quality of hospitalProstate cancer patients in England may base their choice of hospital for surgery on the availability of new technology, rather than information on the quality of the hospital, according to a new study. |
 | Research finds communication therapy effective but more studies neededMore research on the effectiveness of augmentative and alternative communication is necessary to guide people who work with adolescents and adults with autism, according to a review a new University of Arkansas faculty member conducted with her colleagues at Pennsylvania State University and Elmhurst College. |
 | Dissociative identity disorder exists and is the result of childhood traumaOnce known as multiple personality disorder, dissociative identity disorder remains one of the most intriguing but poorly understood mental illnesses. Research and clinical experience indicate people diagnosed with the condition have been victims of sexual abuse or other forms of criminal mistreatment. |
 | Lancet Commission advises reforming experimental therapiesA Lancet commission of senior scientists has demanded root and branch reform of the way experimental therapies associated with Regenerative Medicine are carried out. |
 | Low-cost, high-volume services make up big portion of spending on unneeded health careLow-cost, high-volume health services account for a high percentage of unnecessary health spending, adding strain to the health care system, new UCLA-led research suggests. |
 | Asking kids about drugs doesn't prompt drug use, study findsIt is an oft-repeated fear, particularly among parents: that discussing an undesirable behavior, or even an illegal or dangerous one, may encourage kids to try it. |
 | Scientists find gene linked to heightened mucus levels in lung diseaseWhat if researchers could make breathing easier by changing how much mucus is in your lungs? Although healthy individuals have mucus in their lungs, mucus can be a major problem for people with chronic airway conditions, such as asthma, cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In a paper published in Genetics, UNC School of Medicine researchers led by Samir Kelada, PhD, MPH, assistant professor of genetics, showed that the gene Bpifb1 is strongly associated with one of the major mucin proteins (MUC5B) that controls the physical nature of mucus in the lungs. |
Study finds Narcan revived 653 opioid overdose victims in Erie CountyOver a two-year period, more than 650 people who overdosed on opioids in Erie County were revived using the overdose drug naloxone, known more commonly by its brand name Narcan. | |
Removing stigma from the patient-pharmacist relationshipBenita Bamgbade knew what the medical literature said. Pharmacists don't counsel patients with mental illness as often as they counsel others with, say, asthma or diabetes. She also knew the likely causes of this discrepancy: a lack of confidence and comfort in talking to patients with stigmatized mental health disorders. | |
Boosting sarcoma cell deathEwing sarcomas – rare, aggressive childhood cancers – are derived from mesenchymal cells in bone and soft tissues, and children with metastatic disease have poor survival. | |
 | Beyond blue eyes or brown eyes—rethinking geneticsWe often hear that traits are "genetic." And to many of us, that's code for "fate." If both our parents are tall, we think our kids will be too. Or if our grandmother has Alzheimer's disease, we assume that's our future as well. |
 | Calls for malnutrition screening for at-risk elderlyNew Massey University research highlights the importance of screening for risk of malnutrition among older people as a preventative health measure. |
 | Small molecule protects the nervous system's support cells from excessive stimulationGlutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system, in excess it causes cells to become overexcited, which contributes to neuron death in neurodegenerative disease. Now, a study of flies led by Sherry Aw, at the A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, highlights the importance of also curbing glutamate stimulation in glia. Glia are generally considered the nervous system's support cells, although important contributions to brain signaling have also recently been described. |
The babies of women who consume carbohydrate-rich foods during pregnancy have an altered growth trajectoryBabies born to women who have a sugary diet during pregnancy have a higher body mass index, according to a new study by Singaporean researchers. | |
Review study explores causes of physical inactivityA new review of more than 500 studies examines the environmental and physiological causes of physical inactivity and the role it plays in the development of chronic disease. The article is published in Physiological Reviews. | |
 | How to improve the skills of tomorrow's doctorsImagine you're inside an ambulance racing to the emergency room with the lights and sirens blaring. You and your nine-year-old daughter were in a car accident; she is unconscious and bleeding. The paramedic has initiated an IV, placed cardiac monitors and an oxygen mask on her. |
 | Do we lose gains from exercise as our bodies get used to it?Many of us exercise on a regular basis, and we become comfortable with the same exercise routine. But is your standard routine leading to a plateau in fitness gains? Once the body becomes used to running a few kilometres each day, is it basically the same as doing no exercise? |
 | Ischemic stroke patients not receiving life-saving treatment, study findsIschemic stroke patients who do not receive intravelous (IV) alteplase, a clot-dissolving medication, are significantly less likely to survive, according to researchers at Georgia State University. |
Does breast milk boost athletic performance in adults or cure cancer?Does breast milk boost athletic performance in adults or cure cancer? Or is this all just a weird internet fetish? | |
Exercise your right to chooseRemember that one time your friend made you sign up for an early-morning gym class? | |
 | Using computers to aid melanoma detectionThe deadliest skin cancer is melanoma, which will be responsible for over 9,000 deaths in the United States in 2017. Melanoma is unique among cancers in that it arises as a visible and identifiable mark on the surface of the skin – unlike cancers of the breast, lung, or colon that develop hidden from our view. This would suggest that computer vision, which has demonstrated human equivalency in visual recognition tasks such as facial and object identification, would be ideally suited to aid in early detection of melanoma. However, physicians and patients continue to rely upon their naked eye to recognize melanoma. This begs an obvious question: why aren't computers aiding the human eye in melanoma detection? |
 | How parents can improve the car ride home with young athletesThe car door closes, and your adolescent daughter slumps in the seat – a sheen of sweat from the game still lingers on her brow and a scowl emerges on her face. She reaches for her ear buds and avoids eye contact. Clearly, the game didn't go well. |
 | Stealing from the body—how cancer recharges its batteriesNew research published today uncovers how the blood cancer 'steals' parts of surrounding healthy bone marrow cells to thrive, in work that could help form new approaches to cancer treatment in the future. |
 | The ancient clock that rules our lives – and determines our healthOur lives are ruled by time; we use time to tell us what to do. But the alarm clock that wakes us in the morning or the wristwatch that tells us we are late for supper are unnatural clocks. Our biology answers to a profoundly more ancient beat that probably started to tick early in the evolution of all life. |
 | Macho myth busting—working class men aren't all too tough to seek helpMen are bad at looking after their health, or so the received wisdom goes. Indeed, evidence has shown that men have significantly higher death rates than women from cancer due to delays in seeking medical help. |
 | Investing in warmer housing could save the NHS billionsBritish weather isn't much to write home about. The temperate maritime climate makes for summers which are relatively warm and winters which are relatively cold. But despite rarely experiencing extremely cold weather, the UK has a problem with significantly more people dying during the winter compared to the rest of the year. In fact, 2.6m excess winter deaths have occurred since records began in 1950 – that's equivalent to the entire population of Manchester. |
 | Study shines a light to understand the body's balance systemFinding out what's happening in the brains of people with balance disorders, such as vertigo, might be one step closer following new research on the vestibular system, which controls balance and movement. |
 | A need for bananas? Dietary potassium regulates calcification of arteriesBananas and avocados—foods that are rich in potassium—may help protect against pathogenic vascular calcification, also known as hardening of the arteries. |
Simplifying information aids fight against childhood obesity, study findsProviding simplified health information designed for parents with low health literacy helps all families in childhood obesity treatment programs regardless of their ability to understand health information, according to a new study. | |
 | Newborns with CHD show signs of brain impairment even before cardiac surgerySurvival rates have soared for infants born with congenital heart disease (CHD), the most common birth defect, thanks to innovative cardiac surgery that sometimes occurs within hours of birth. However, the neurodevelopmental picture for these infants has remained stubbornly unchanged with more than 50 percent experiencing neurodevelopmental disabilities. |
Discovery of a new fusion gene class may affect the development of cancerA fusion gene occurs when a chromosomal break brings two separate genes together into a new functioning gene. So far, the research has focused on protein-coded fusion genes. However, human genes consist not only of protein-coded components but also of components that lack this ability. The latter have not attracted any interest so far, argues Carlos Rovira, cancer researcher and associate professor of oncology at Lund University. | |
 | Beer brands popular among youth violate code with youth-appealing adsAlcohol brands popular among underage drinkers are more likely to air television advertisements that violate the industry's voluntary code by including youth-appealing content, according to a new study by researchers from Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH). |
 | Largest twin study pins nearly 80 percent of schizophrenia risk on heritabilityIn the largest study of twins in schizophrenia research to date, researchers at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, estimate that as much as 79% of schizophrenia risk may be explained by genetic factors. The estimate indicates that genetics have a substantial influence on risk for the disorder. |
Key component of respiratory center identifiedStar-shaped cells called astrocytes are much more than simple support cells in the brain. In a new study on mice, researchers at Karolinska Institutet demonstrate that they also play a key part in the respiratory centre of the brainstem and release inflammatory molecules that regulate breathing. The results, which are presented in the scientific journal eLife, can provide important clues as to the causes of respiratory disease and the sudden unexpected postnatal collapse of newborn infants (SUPC). | |
 | Germs in the kitchen: Salmonella better known than CampylobacterWhat health risks are consumers aware of? What are they concerned about? The answers to these questions are provided by the BfR Consumer Monitor, a representative population survey conducted regularly by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). On the one hand it reflects the public perception in Germany with regard to consumer health protection topics, while on the other hand it is an essential indicator for recognizing possible false estimations on the part of the general public early on. |
Poll: Adult caregivers overwhelmed and undertrainedAdult caregivers looking after aging relatives and friends have little training for their stressful roles but still find the experience rewarding, according to a poll released Thursday. | |
Study highlights 10 most unnecessary and overused medical tests and treatmentsUnnecessary medication. Tests that don't reveal the problem, or uncover a "problem" that isn't really there. Procedures that have more risk than benefit. A new study by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UM SOM) highlights some of the most egregious examples of medical overuse in America. The goal is not to shame anyone, but to make healthcare more effective and efficient. | |
 | Scientists solve 3-D structure of key defense protein against Parkinson's diseaseScientists at the University of Dundee have identified the structure of a key enzyme that protects the brain against Parkinson's disease. |
Coming a step closer to understanding how gastric bypass worksA study by a team of researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Engineering in Medicine (MGH-CEM) and Shriners Hospital for Children has made a technological advancement toward accelerating the discovery of drug targets for obesity, type II diabetes and other metabolic diseases. The novel experimental and computational workflow involves the first use of rodent gastric bypass models, state-of-the-art mass spectrometry and an array of bioinformatics tools to begin unraveling how gastric bypass surgery leads to weight loss and a resolution of type 2 diabetes. Their report on the impact of the surgery on liver metabolism appeared last month in the journal Technology. | |
 | Simulating a brain-cooling treatment that could one day ease epilepsyUsing computer simulation techniques, scientists have gained new insights into the mechanism by which lowering the temperature of specific brain regions could potentially treat epileptic seizures. The results are published in PLOS Computational Biology. |
 | Researchers analyze cost-effectiveness of guinea worm disease eradicationEradication of guinea worm disease (dracunculiaisis), targeted by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the year 2015, is finally within reach, with only 25 reported human transmissions in 2016. Now, researchers writing in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases have re-asserted the cost-effectiveness of the global Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GWEP), some thirty years after it started. |
Study offers insights on how to decrease the discard rate of donated organsA new study indicates that many donated organs that are discarded might be suitable for transplantation if certain steps are taken to limit damage following donation. The findings appear in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). | |
 | Genomic screening helps doctors target girl's cancerVictoria Thompson, clutching a bag of salt and vinegar potato chips while she watches the TV show "Paw Patrol," is a pint-sized pioneer. She doesn't know it, but this two-year-old girl is part of a national precision medicine trial through MUSC Children's Health for children with high-risk neuroblastoma. |
 | Microbiologists uncover clues to clustering of lethal bacteria in CF patients' lungsIndividuals with cystic fibrosis, or CF, have a high risk of chronic pneumonia because the thick, sticky mucus that builds up in their lungs provides an environment conducive to the growth of pneumonia-causing bacteria. Once chronic pneumonia develops, it is nearly impossible to cure and can become deadly. The most common bacterium responsible for chronic pneumonia in CF patients is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or P. aeruginosa for short |
 | Appetizing imagery puts visual perception on fast forwardPeople rated images containing positive content as fading more smoothly compared with neutral and negative images, even when they faded at the same rate, according to findings published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. |
 | Why can't mTOR inhibitors kill cancer? Study explainsAnti-cancer drugs called mTOR inhibitors slow the growth of cancer cells but show limited ability to cause cancer cell death. New studies explain why. |
Researchers identify genetic drivers of most common form of lymphomaLymphoma is the most common blood cancer, but the diagnosis belies a wildly diverse and little understood genetic foundation for the disease that hampers successful treatment. | |
 | Novel PET tracer identifies most bacterial infectionsStanford University medical scientists have developed a novel imaging agent that could be used to identify most bacterial infections. The study is the featured basic science article in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine's October issue. |
 | Allergy relief do's and don'ts(HealthDay)—As the seasons change, more and more people are sneezing because of allergies. And the numbers are rising, with those in urban areas particularly affected, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. |
 | Addition of DPP4i to AGI reduces HbA1c in T2DM(HealthDay)—For patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), inadequately controlled with alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs), the addition of a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitor (DPP4i) is associated with a greater reduction in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), according to a review published online Sept. 26 in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation. |
 | Helping preemies avoid unnecessary antibiotics(HealthDay)—Researchers say they have identified three criteria that suggest an extremely premature infant has a low risk of developing sepsis, which might allow doctors to spare these babies early exposure to antibiotics. |
 | Urinary [TIMP-2]*[IGFBP7] may predict AKI after heart surgery(HealthDay)—Elevated urinary levels of the proteins TIMP-2 and IGFBP7 are a potentially useful biomarker predicting moderate to severe acute kidney injury (AKI) in the early postoperative period after open heart surgery, according to a study presented Oct. 5 at the 14th Annual Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular and Thoracic Critical Care Conference from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, being held Oct. 5 to 7 in Washington, D.C. |
PFS up with obinutuzumab-based Tx in follicular lymphoma(HealthDay)—For patients with follicular lymphoma, obinutuzumab-based immunochemotherapy is associated with longer progression-free survival than rituximab-based therapy, according to a study published online Oct. 4 in the New England Journal of Medicine. | |
 | Good-guy bacteria may help cancer immunotherapies do their jobIndividuals with certain types of bacteria in their gut may be more likely to respond well to cancer immunotherapy, researchers at the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center found in a study of patients with metastatic melanoma. |
Multiple research approaches are key to pandemic preparedness, NIAID officials sayPreparedness in the face of major disease outbreaks can save thousands of lives: Rapid deployment of effective diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines may even stop the disease from potentially exploding into a pandemic. A new article by Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, and colleagues examines the multifaceted nature of effective preparedness and the particular role that biomedical research plays. Specifically, the article examines three approaches to pandemic preparedness: pathogen-specific work, platform-based technologies, and prototype-pathogen efforts. Using vaccine development as an example, the authors conclude that a combination of all three approaches will lead to the best preparedness for future pandemics. | |
 | Identifying ways to minimize the harm of energy drinksBecause many countries allow the sale of energy drinks to young people, identifying ways to minimize potential harm from energy drinks is critical. A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior provided unique insights into intervention strategies suggested by young people themselves to reduce consumption. In addition to more research and education, these strategies included policy changes targeting energy drink sales, packaging, price, and visibility. |
 | Low serum calcium may increase risk of sudden cardiac arrestSudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is fatal for over 90% of patients, and more than half of men and close to 70% of women who die of SCA have no clinical history of heart disease prior to this cardiac event. It is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and kills more people than any single cancer. Many patients who suffer SCA would not be considered high risk under current guidelines. These sobering facts drive the search for simple and relatively inexpensive ways to identify individuals at higher risk for SCA. In a study in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, researchers found that individuals with lower levels of calcium in the blood, which is easily monitored, are more likely to experience SCA than those with higher calcium levels. |
Second grade handwashing experiment leads to big decrease in bacteria, illnessHow do you get kids to understand the importance of washing their hands? Make it an experiment, suggests one study in which second graders observed that washing or using sanitizer gel reduced the bacteria on their hands by more than 90 percent. Subsequently, the students were far more likely to wash their hands regularly, and there was a significant decrease in illness-related absences, according to the research being presented at IDWeek 2017. | |
 | Study challenges long-standing concept in cancer metabolismScientists at the Children's Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern (CRI) have discovered that lactate provides a fuel for growing tumors, challenging a nearly century-old observation known as the Warburg effect. |
 | Folding of the cerebral cortex—identification of important neuronsFolds in the cerebral cortex in mammals are believed to be indispensable for higher brain functions, but the mechanisms underlying cortical folding remain unknown. By using the latest genome editing tools, researchers have discovered neurons important for fold formation and the importance of the Cdk5 gene in those neurons. Lissencephaly is a condition in which cortical fold formation is impaired. The study may provide clues to diseases including lissencephaly. |
 | UK rejects terminally ill man's request to be killedBritain's High Court has rejected a terminally ill man's request to be killed with medical help. |
 | Mini form of replacement gene can delay degeneration in leber congenital amaurosisA new study demonstrates success in using a shortened form of the CEP290 gene for gene therapy in a mouse model of Leber congenital amaurosis type 10 (LCA10), a retinal degenerative disorder that causes childhood blindness. The large size of the full-length gene has proven difficult to package into the adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivery vectors commonly used in gene therapy, but use of the truncated gene led to significant improvement in photoreceptor survival, morphology, and function, as reported in an article published in Human Gene Therapy. |
Plague closes 2 Madagascan universitiesMadagascan authorities Thursday ordered two universities to close temporarily as efforts intensify to halt a plague outbreak that has killed 33 people and caused widespread panic. | |
 | Cleaning up 'Methadone Mile' and other drug havensA young woman crouches on a dusty strip of grass alongside a busy Boston thoroughfare and plunges a needle into her arm. Around the corner, a couple stands zombie-like in the middle of the sidewalk, oblivious to passing pedestrians on a muggy morning. |
Biology news
 | Tooth root pulp becomes rich source of stem cellsStem cells. Few research discoveries hold as much promise of single-handedly expanding medical treatment options as they do. Miraculously able to act as transformers—either re-creating or morphing into a variety of cell types found within the organisms they originate from—stem cells offer humanity hope for new, more effective therapies against a number of chronic and terminal diseases. And finding them is surprisingly easy. |
 | Genome analysis of early plant lineage sheds light on how plants learned to thrive on landThough it's found around the world, it's easy to overlook the common liverwort - the plant can fit in the palm of one's hand and appears to be comprised of flat, overlapping leaves. Despite their unprepossessing appearance, these plants without roots or vascular tissues for nutrient transport are living links to the transition from the algae that found its way out of the ocean to the established multitude of land plants. |
 | How yellow and blue make green in parrotsWhen it comes to spectacular displays of color, birds are obvious standouts in the natural world. Many brightly colored birds get their pigments from the foods that they eat, but that's not true of parrots. Now, researchers reporting a study of familiar pet store parakeets—also known as budgies—have new evidence to explain how the birds produce their characteristic yellow, blue, and green feathers. |
 | Once declared extinct, Lord Howe Island stick insects really do liveLord Howe Island stick insects were once numerous on the tiny crescent-shaped island off the coast of Australia for which they are named. The insects, which can measure up to 6 inches in length, don't resemble sticks so much as tree lobsters, as they are also known. After ships accidentally introduced rats to the island about a century ago, the Lord Howe Island stick insects quickly disappeared. They were later declared extinct, only to be found again decades later living on Ball's Pyramid, a sheer volcanic stack about 12 miles away. But those newfound insects didn't look quite the same as older museum specimens, raising doubts about the nature of their true identity. |
 | Knotty problems in DNAIf you've ever tried to untangle a pair of earbuds, you'll understand how loops and cords can get twisted up. DNA can get tangled in the same way, and in some cases, has to be cut and reconnected to resolve the knots. Now a team of mathematicians, biologists and computer scientists has unraveled how E. coli bacteria can unlink tangled DNA by a local reconnection process. The math behind the research, recently published in Scientific Reports, could have implications far beyond biology. |
 | Rare songbird may never have existedOne of the world's most elusive species of songbird may be so hard to spot because it never existed in the first place, according to new research from the University of Aberdeen. |
 | New CRISPR tool targets RNA in mammalian cellsResearchers from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have shown that a CRISPR-based editing system can cut and bind RNA in mammalian cells. In a paper out this week in Nature, the team used CRISPR-Cas13, which the researchers had helped discover, to both reduce RNA levels and "tag" RNAs in order to view and track them within cells. The researchers previously used CRISPR-Cas13 to target RNA in bacterial cells, but proving that the system could work safely and effectively in mammalian cells was a critical step toward using the system to study human biology and disease. |
 | Brain study reveals how insects make beeline for homeScientists have discovered how the wiring of bees' brains helps them plot the most direct route back to their hive. |
 | Bee-harming pesticides in 75 percent of honey worldwide: studyTraces of pesticides that act as nerve agents on bees have been found in 75 percent of honey worldwide, raising concern about the survival of these crucial crop pollinators, researchers said Thursday. |
 | Lovelorn koala nabbed after zoo escape in hunt for mateAustralian wildlife staff needed a crane to rescue a lovelorn female koala who escaped from her enclosure at the start of her first mating season, impatient to find a partner. |
 | Scientists take the temperature of dengue fever riskWhen disease-bearing mosquitoes expand into new habitats, public health officials should test the ability of new arrivals to transmit viruses at a variety of temperatures, a new Yale-led study suggests. |
A protein duo ensures that the chromosomes in reproductive cells find their significant otherReproduction is made easier by finding the right partner—and it's no different for the chromosomes inside reproductive cells. Now, an international team of researchers, including A*STAR scientists, has revealed just how chromosomes find their perfect match. | |
 | Establishing a genome-wide map of bacterial genes crucial for colonization of plants by beneficial microbesWorking with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Pseudomonas simiae, researchers have identified 115 genes that negatively affect its ability to colonize a plant root system when mutated. |
 | Study shows way to create common ground about gene-editingIn an increasingly crowded and hungry world, a range of new food production technologies are emerging in an effort to keep up. New gene editing approaches now let scientists hack into genomes to alter foods' characteristics – increasing yields, lengthening shelf-life, or improving disease resistance. |
 | 15 new gecko species discovered in MyanmarWith support from Fauna & Flora International (FFI), 15 karst-adapted gecko species were recently found in Myanmar within the space of just two weeks, highlighting the outstanding biodiversity of limestone ecosystems. |
Nerve study shows how cells adapt to help repair damageGenetic processes that allow cells to transform so they can mend damaged nerves have been identified by scientists. | |
 | MEPs urged to probe Monsanto influence on researchA US firm pursuing a lawsuit against Monsanto is urging the European Parliament to examine its claims that the agro giant has hidden the dangers of its weedkiller, according to a letter obtained by AFP on Thursday. |
Massive wave of butterflies lights up Denver weather radarA lacy, cloud-like pattern drifting across a Denver-area radar screen turned out to be a 70-mile-wide (110-kilometer) wave of butterflies, forecasters say. | |
 | New research on sperm stem cells has implications for male infertility and cancerNew research from scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah and collaborators at University of Utah Health (U of U Health) sheds light on the complex process that occurs in the development of human sperm stem cells. This is the first study to characterize the changes human sperm stem cells undergo as they mature. The results have implications for understanding male infertility as well as cancer development and were published today in the journal Cell Stem Cell. |
 | Faster Salmonella test boosts food safety for humans and animalsA new test allows accurate, rapid testing for Salmonella, a bacteria that is one of the leading causes of food-borne illness across all regions of the world. Salmonella can infect animals as well as people, with commonly reported cases of people falling sick after handling pets and livestock. |
Key plant species may be important for supporting wildflower pollinatorsIncreased agricultural production has likely led to loss, fragmentation, and degradation of flower-rich habitats for pollinators. To counteract these negative effects of modern agricultural practices, efforts to maintain and restore diverse plants in agricultural landscapes—called agri-environmental schemes (AES)—have been implemented in numerous European countries. | |
 | New 'movie' technique reveals bacterial signalling in sharper resolutionThe complex signalling networks bacteria use to adapt to their environments have become clearer following new research. |
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