Science X Newsletter Tuesday, Oct 24

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for October 24, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Passive solar windows heat up in cold weather

Using CRISPR to make warmer, less fatty pigs

Astronomers observe unusual outburst activity of binary star AG Draconis

New type of light interaction with atoms allows for manipulating cloud shape

Scientists write 'traps' for light with tiny ink droplets

A quantum spin liquid: Honeycomb lattice meets elusive standards of the Kitaev model

Single nanoparticle mapping paves the way for better nanotechnology

A little myelin goes a long way to restore nervous system function

3-D printer makes first wearable 'battery'

Understanding how electrons turn to glass

'Intrachip' micro-cooling system for high-performance radar, supercomputers

Researchers use acoustic gravity waves to locate precise time and location that objects hit the sea surface

Dolphin brains show signs of Alzheimer's Disease

Chemists introduce novel method to separate isotopes

Researchers discover fundamental rules for how the brain controls movement

Astronomy & Space news

	Astronomers observe unusual outburst activity of binary star AG Draconis European astronomers have spotted an unusual outburst activity of a binary star system known as AG Draconis. New observations reveal that the recent changes of brightness of this star are slightly different than the changes that occurred during previous outbursts. The findings were presented October 13 in a paper published on arXiv.org.
	Formation of magma oceans on exoplanet Induction heating can completely change the energy budget of an exoplanet and even melt its interior. In a study published by Nature Astronomy an international team led by the Space Research Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences with participation of the University of Vienna explains how magma oceans can form under the surface of exoplanets as a result of induction heating.
	Spots on supergiant star drive spirals in stellar wind A Canadian-led international team of astronomers recently discovered that spots on the surface of a supergiant star are driving huge spiral structures in its stellar wind. Their results are published in a recent edition of Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
	Galileo in place for launch Two more Galileo satellites have reached Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, joining the first pair of navigation satellites and the Ariane 5 rocket due to haul the quartet to orbit this December.
	Image: The grace of Saturn Saturn's graceful lanes of orbiting ice—its iconic rings—wind their way around the planet to pass beyond the horizon in this view from NASA's Cassini spacecraft. And diminutive Pandora, scarcely larger than a pixel here, can be seen orbiting just beyond the F ring in this image.
	Thruster for Mars mission breaks records An advanced space engine in the running to propel humans to Mars has broken the records for operating current, power and thrust for a device of its kind, known as a Hall thruster.
	Project Blue and the quest to photograph exoplanets The world's collective imagination to answer the age-old question, "Are we alone," has been reignited now that we understand exoplanets – planets in orbit around stars other than Earth's Sun – are not uncommon. There's an increased urgency to develop capabilities for directly photographing exoplanets around nearby stars and to characterize their surface conditions and, Alpha Centauri, being the nearest star system to our own, has understandably become a focal point of current scientific study.
	Coated mirrors achieve record-setting far ultraviolet reflectance levels In 2016, scientists at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) produced mirrors with the highest reflectance ever reported in the farultraviolet (FUV) spectral range (100-200 nm). To develop these mirrors, the team developed a new three-step physical vapor deposition process to coat aluminum mirrors with protective magnesium fluoride (MgF²) or lithium fluoride (LiF) films to protect the aluminum from naturally occurring oxidation and boost its reflectance performance in the FUV.
	Juno probe discovers surprising activity in Jupiter's interior NASA's Juno spacecraft has plumbed the depths of Jupiter, revealing that the planet's famous bands of swirling winds extend thousands of kilometres down. The work is the sharpest glimpse yet into Jupiter's interior.
	Stronger tests of Einstein's theory of general relativity with binary neutron stars Einstein's theory of general relativity has withstood 100 years of experimental scrutiny. However, these tests do not constrain how well the very strong gravitational fields produced by merging neutron stars obey this theory. New, more sophisticated techniques can now search for deviations from general relativity with unprecedented sensitivity. Scientists at the Max Planck Institutes for Gravitational Physics and for Radio Astronomy studied two foremost tools for testing the strong-field regime of gravity – pulsar timing and gravitational-wave observations – and demonstrated how combining these methods can put alternative theories of general relativity to the test.

Technology news

	Passive solar windows heat up in cold weather Researchers have developed a way to transform ordinary windows into solar-powered heaters that use the sun's energy to increase the window temperature by up to 8 K (nearly 15 °F) in cold weather. The researchers expect that the new solar thermal surfaces will lead to significant energy savings through reduced heating costs.
	Scientists write 'traps' for light with tiny ink droplets A microscopic 'pen' that is able to write structures small enough to trap and harness light using a commercially available printing technique could be used for sensing, biotechnology, lasers, and studying the interaction between light and matter.
	3-D printer makes first wearable 'battery' Imagine printing off a wristband that charges your smartphone or electric car with cheap supplies from a local hardware store.
	'Intrachip' micro-cooling system for high-performance radar, supercomputers Researchers have developed a new type of cooling system for high-performance radars and supercomputers that circulates a liquid coolant directly into electronic chips through an intricate series of tiny microchannels.
	DNS over TLS might be in Android's future Reports are in that Android's future version might include a feature that supports your wish to hide your browsing history.
	Bloated browser functionality presents unnecessary security, privacy risks Modern website browsers provide an incredibly broad range of features, with more and more capabilities being added every day.
	Singapore to freeze number of cars on its roads Singapore, one of the most expensive places in the world to buy a vehicle, has announced it will freeze the number of private cars on its roads from next year but vowed to expand public transport.
Fact checkers outperform historians when evaluating online information How do expert researchers go about assessing the credibility of information on the internet? Not as skillfully as you might guess – and those who are most effective use a tactic that others tend to overlook, according to scholars at Stanford Graduate School of Education.
	Women are less likely to trust robots who stare at them Research by Dr Chris Stanton, a roboticist at the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, (Western Sydney University) investigated if the same physical elements that made humans trust one another could be applied to robotics.
	Fuel economy worse in fall, winter thanks to higher share of new light trucks sold Fall and winter are a good time to buy a vehicle as dealers clear out inventory from the previous model year but it's also the time of year when average fuel economy of new vehicle sales is at its lowest.
	Fingerprinting to solve crimes is not as robust as you think Police have used fingerprint evidence to catch and convict criminals for more than 100 years. It's a commonly used technique in Australia: more than 10,000 fingerprint matches were made in Victoria alone last year.
	Electricity sector uncertainty calls for new decision-making tools Before it was stayed by the U.S. Supreme Court in February 2016, the Clean Power Plan offered state electric utilities and their regulators a degree of certainty as they confronted a rapidly changing market and technology landscape. Although not all agreed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's approach, the Clean Power Plan's predictable long-term emissions reduction targets provided clear goals to evaluate investments in traditional generation sources like coal and nuclear energy and resources on the rise like natural gas, wind, solar, and distributed generation.
	Mobile on-body devices can be precisely and discreetly controlled using a tiny sensor Mobile devices like the Apple Watch have a drawback: their small screen size makes them difficult to use. Computer scientists at Saarland University have now developed an alternative, which they call "DeformWear." A tiny switch, no larger than the head of a pin, is built into a ring, for example, and worn on the body. It can be moved in all directions, pressed, pinched, and pushed toward the right, left, up, and down.
	For robotics and AI, great power comes with great responsibility Advances in artificial intelligence and robotics stand to make our lives better. Dangerous jobs could be outsourced. Huge datasets could be analyzed instantly. Boring tasks could be automated.
Construction material-based methodology for contingency base selection In an era of global responsiveness, there is a continuing need for agencies and organizations to set up temporary contingency bases (CB) of operations in foreign nations. Examples of such CBs include epidemic hospitals, refugee camps, natural disaster response headquarters, and temporary military installations. The decision whether to import all construction material, to build entirely of local materials, or to purchase a combination of imported and local materials is a strategic decision. The outcome of such a decision will affect construction costs, maintenance costs, security of the facility personnel, and the local sentiment towards the CB occupants. In order to streamline the process, planners often choose to acquire all material and equipment needed to construct CBs in their home nation and then ship it to the deployment site.
	New technology could cut MRI scan times Patients who have to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging scan may be spared the ordeal of having to lie still in the scanner for up to 45 minutes, thanks to new technology patented by Rice University, also known as "compressed sensing" technology.
	US dollar lures investors at the expense of the euro A worldwide shift in the appetite for currency since the 2008 global financial crisis appears to have hurt the Eurozone and helped the United States, according to new research from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Novartis sees bright future for eye unit Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis said Tuesday a strategic review of its eye care unit showed that Alcon can deliver strong growth, but that a possible spin-off or listing is at least two years away.
	France, Ireland ready to discuss tax on Internet giants French President Emmanuel Macron and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar say they are ready to discuss the contentious issue of taxing internet giants after a meeting in Paris.
Delphi acquires self-driving startup nuTonomy for $450m Auto supplier Delphi Automotive said Tuesday it has acquired self-driving software startup nuTonomy Inc. for $450 million in an effort to speed the development of autonomous vehicles.
	Small cyber attack hits Russia and Ukraine A cyber attack Monday hit a Ukrainian international airport and three Russian media outlets just four months after the "NotPetya" malware spread from two countries across the world.
Automatic acoustic gunshot sensor technology may benefit shooting victims A number of U.S. cities have installed acoustic gunshot sensor technology to accurately locate shooting scenes and potential gunshot victims, but the effectiveness of this technology for saving lives had not been studied until surgeons at the University of California, San Francisco-East Bay in Oakland, Calif., found that this sensor technology may benefit shooting victims by helping them get to the emergency room sooner than they may have otherwise.
	Saudi Arabia plans to build futuristic city for innovators Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince on Tuesday announced plans to build a futuristic city run entirely on alternative sources of energy and said the ultraconservative kingdom must return to "moderate Islam."
UK probes Equifax hacking Britain's financial watchdog on Tuesday said it was investigating a massive hack of the US consumer credit rating service Equifax that affected potentially almost 700,000 British customers.
Twitter to disclose info on political ads amid scrutiny Twitter says it will provide more information about political ads on its service, including who is funding them and how they are targeted.

Medicine & Health news

	A little myelin goes a long way to restore nervous system function In the central nervous system of humans and all other mammals, a vital insulating sheath composed of lipids and proteins around nerve fibers helps speed the electrical signals or nerve impulses that direct our bodies to walk, talk, breathe, swallow or perform any routine physical act.
	Dolphin brains show signs of Alzheimer's Disease Study suggests Alzheimer's disease and Type 2 diabetes might both be the price of a longer lifespan, with altered insulin function the common cause.
	Researchers discover fundamental rules for how the brain controls movement The human brain is a mysterious supercomputer. Billions of neurons buzz within an intricate network that controls our every thought, feeling, and movement. And we've only just begun to understand how it all works.
	New combination therapy of registered drugs dramatically shortens therapy for some parasitic diseases Researchers from LSTM's Research Centre for Drugs and Diagnostics have found a way of significantly reducing the treatment required for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis from several weeks to seven days. By targeting Wolbachia, a bacterial symbiont that the filarial parasites need to live, the team has discovered a drug synergy that enables effective treatment over a shorter time.
	Mysterious DNA modification seen in stress response With advances in genomics, scientists are discovering additional components of the DNA alphabet in animals. Do these unusual chemical modifications of DNA have a special meaning, or are they just signs that cellular machines are making mistakes?
	Researchers discover which brain region motivates behavior change Have you ever been stuck in a rut, going through the same motions day in and day out? How do you motivate to change your behavior?
	Identifying the mechanism for a new class of antiviral drugs could hasten their approval New research shows that a new class of antiviral drugs works by causing the virus' replication machinery to pause and backtrack, preventing the virus from efficiently replicating. This discovery, made possible by a high-throughput experimental technique called "magnetic tweezers," could speed the development and approval of related antiviral drugs. A paper describing the research by an international collaboration of scientists from Penn State University, Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, Friedrich-Alexander University in Germany, and the University of Minnesota, appears October 24, 2017 in the journal Cell Reports.
Major changes in balance of gut bacteria occur soon after serious injury/trauma Major changes in the balance and make-up of gut bacteria occur within 72 hours of serious injury/trauma, reveals a small study, published in the online journal Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open.
	Statin use linked to heightened type 2 diabetes risk in susceptible individuals Long term use of statins to lower blood fats and stave off cardiovascular disease is associated with a 30 per cent heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes in susceptible individuals, suggests a large study published in the online journal BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care.
Starting at age 6, children spontaneously practice skills to prepare for the future Deliberate practice is essential for improving a wide range of skills important for everyday life, from tying shoelaces to reading and writing. Yet despite its importance for developing basic skills, academic success, and expertise, we know little about the development of deliberate practice. A new study from Australia found that children spontaneously practice skills to prepare for the future starting at the age of 6.The study, from researchers at the University of Queensland, is published in the journal Child Development.
	New asthma biomarkers identified from lung bacteria While the microbiome has gained significant attention for its impact on digestive health in recent years, its effect on lung disease has largely remained unstudied.
	Researchers test first drug to prevent the onset of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy IDIBELL Researchers of the Neuro-Oncology Unit of Bellvitge University Hospital - Catalan Institute of Oncology, led by Dr. Jordi Bruna, have successfully tested a new molecule capable of preventing the development of peripheral neuropathy induced by chemotherapy in cancer patients, especially in colon cancer cases, the third most common neoplasm in the world. The molecule, which has a completely novel mechanism of action, would be the first treatment against this neurological complication, for which no effective treatment has yet been approved.
Study highlights value of acknowledging adolescents' perspectives Ghana and the United States - when parents acknowledge the perspectives of their adolescent children and encourage them to express themselves, the youths have a stronger sense of self-worth, intrinsic motivation, and engagement, and also have less depression. Yet having the latitude to make decisions appears to function differently in the two cultures, with positive outcomes for youths in the United States but not in Ghana.
Self-esteem mapped in the human brain A team of UCL researchers has devised a mathematical equation that can explain how our self-esteem is shaped by what other people think of us, in a new study published in the scientific journal eLife.
	Mysterious braid-chopping bandits have Kashmiris in panic Hundreds of young men—armed with knives, cricket bats and iron rods—patrol the nighttime streets of India-controlled Kashmir these days, hoping their ad-hoc vigilante groups will deter the mysterious bandits reportedly chopping off women's long, woven hair.
B3 vitamin component fights carcinogen action in human cells, says research Benzo[a]pyrene is a potent carcinogen and mutagen present in cigarette smoke, automotive exhaust, burnt wood fumes, barbecued and smoked meat etc.
Study finds culturally sensitive treatments for chronic pain more effective A Western Sydney University study has found that pain is experienced differently between cultures – and traditional treatment methods for chronic pain may not be effective for people from cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
	Teens' desire for thrills may lead them to smoke Teens are notorious risk takers, but it's hard to predict who will be content to stay home on Friday night and who will be smoking under the bleachers. According to Penn State researchers, it may be the teen "sensation seekers" who are more likely to smoke cigarettes.
	Data-driven malaria early warning system could predict outbreaks months in advance A Johns Hopkins University scientist is part of a team working on a method to predict malaria outbreaks months in advance, potentially giving public health officials a chance to protect people from a disease that poses a risk to nearly half the world's population and kills hundreds of thousands a year.
	How coping mechanisms help autistic people In a recent documentary, naturalist and wildlife presenter, Chris Packham, talked about having Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism. It was a rare snapshot into the life of an adult with Asperger's – and especially so as Packham only realised this in his 40s. Packham said he "spent 30 years on the telly trying [his] best to act normal."
	New perspectives on risk of HIV and hepatitis among injecting drug users Reviews of the global prevalence of injecting drug use and of interventions to prevent the spread of blood-borne viruses among people who inject drugs paint a worrying picture.
	For young black men, HIV prevention program reflects innovations Vanderbilt researchers are building safe spaces to help curb an HIV epidemic among a subpopulation of young black men.
New research on kidney screening strategies shows encouraging signs A new model devised by Canadian business professors is showing promising signs in lowering costs and reducing the likelihood of offering kidneys to patients with severe conditions that make them ineligible for a transplant.
Sleepwalkers are better at automatic walking Sleepwalkers who are awake may have a multi-tasking advantage over non-sleepwalkers, according to recent research that uses virtual realilty.
	Nearly half of young parents struggle to pay for the essentials Over 177,000 young parents across England, aged 25 and under are struggling to cope financially, putting more children at risk of poverty, according to The Next Chapter report released by UK charity, Action for Children today.
	Most kids in northern latitudes don't get enough vitamin D in winter Living in northern latitudes such as New England means not only shorter days and less sunlight during the winter, but also far less vitamin D, the "sunshine" vitamin. And adequate vitamin D intake, which is crucial to bone health, can be difficult for children in particular to achieve through food alone.
	Long-term opioid use does not increase risk of Alzheimer 's disease Opioid use is not associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, shows a recent study from the University of Eastern Finland. Researchers did not find any risk neither for long-term use nor for higher cumulative doses. Opioids are powerful pain relieving drugs that act on the nervous system.
	New hope of a treatment for aggressive T-PLL leukaemia Until now, there has been no adequate treatment available for the rare and highly aggressive malignant blood disease T-PLL leukaemia. By screening blood samples from patients with haematological diseases, a team of doctors and researchers from MedUni Vienna and CeMM, led by haemato-oncologist Philipp Staber, has now shown that the drug venetoclax is a successful treatment for T-PLL leukaemia. The study has recently been published in leading haematology journal Blood.
	How the law is failing to keep up with modern families in the age of IVF The days of nuclear families consisting of mum, dad and 2.5 children are long gone – if they ever really existed. We now see families coming in many shapes and sizes, including with parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and single by choice. Such families are possible due to advances in fertility technology such as IVF and surrogacy.
How we all benefit from the public health system Despite major breakthroughs in antibiotics and vaccinations, infectious disease threats continue to emerge in Canada.
The psychology of the clutch athlete "I don't know. It's unbelievable. It's amazing," said Dodgers outfielder Enrique "Kiké" Hernandez after game 5 of the National League Championship Series, when he became the first Dodger in the team's 134-year history to hit three home runs in a postseason game.
	Why we should test everyone's genes to predict disease If you could take a test that would reveal the diseases you and your family might be more likely to get, would you want to do it?
	Tracking a rare and dangerous breast cancer When you think of breast cancer, you probably picture a telltale lump. Gayathri Devi, PhD, dispels that image with a few photos: a person's chest with what looks like a rash, then a thermographic version of the image showing the heat from elevated blood flow spread throughout the chest. This is inflammatory breast cancer (IBC).
	A pillow for non-contact heart monitoring suitable even for babies is being designed in south ural A team of scientists from the SUSU's Institute of Sport, Tourism and Service is developing modern devices for non-contact ECG monitoring in order to improve its efficiency and expand the possibilities of diagnostics. At present, an innovative device is being tested at an intensive therapy unit of one of the Chelyabinsk hospitals which would allow to perform ECG screening of the condition of bed-case patients and disabled people. The final results of testing will be summarized in the end of October.
	Using radar to make breast surgery easier for women Women who need breast surgery to remove an abnormality that cannot be felt, also known as a non-palpable breast lesion, now may benefit from the convenience and comfort provided by an advanced new tissue locating technology offered at Rush University Medical Center.
	People who work in factories, construction and in housekeeping jobs are the occupational groups that have the highe People who work in factories, construction and in housekeeping jobs are the occupational groups that have the highest mortality rates, according to a new study.
	VR tests show that psychopathic traits may lead to use of greater force for 'greater good' People are prepared to sacrifice one person to save a larger group of people – and the force with which they carry out these actions could be predicted by psychopathic traits according to a new study out today.
	An increase in low density lipoproteins favors insulin resistance A study led by the University of Barcelona has proved that low-density proteins (VLDL) can worsen insulin resistance, a disease that favours the development of type 2 diabetes. According to the researchers, these results, obtained in mice, point that the increase of VLDL, the particles that carry lipids such as triglycerides in the blood, can benefit insulin resistance, thereby increasing the risk of this type of diabetes. The study was published in the scientific journal Diabetologia.
Deaths from the use of heroin have hit a grim milestone Researchers have found that deaths from heroin and morphine use now make up more than half of all reported drug-related deaths.
Study explores the seasonality of hair loss A new British Journal of Dermatology study explores the relationship between seasonality and hair loss at a population level using Google Trends data. Across all eight countries analyzed in the study, summer and fall were associated with greater hair loss.
	A stronger twist to cytotoxic amyloid fibrils Researchers from Amsterdam and Enschede have for the first time performed a structural comparison of two types of amyloid fibrils that have been associated with Parkinson's disease. Using a combination of experimental methods they show that a cytotoxic C-terminal truncated form of the alpha-synuclein protein that is abundant in vivo, aggregates into more strongly twisted fibrils that are more exposed to water. The results have been published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
New study explores dried cranberries' effect on gut health Researchers from the University of Wisconsin - Madison evaluated whether one simple addition to the diet - one handful-a-day of sweetened dried cranberries - could positively influence the gut microbiome. Given the emerging knowledge that many biological functions, including immunity and disease-fighting capabilities, depend on a healthy gut microbiome, the authors of the recently published study in OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology, tested whether dried cranberries could make a difference. After just two weeks and with only 10 subjects, the differences were statistically insignificant but according to the researchers, were moving in the right direction. Thus, the role of dried cranberries in gut health may be worth further exploration.
Standardized ambulatory surgical protocol reduces unplanned postoperative returns SAN DIEGO: Standardizing clinical processes for open inguinal hernia repair reduced patients' postoperative pain and unplanned returns to the emergency room after surgery, according to the results of a study presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2017. The authors, a group from Kaiser Permanente Southern California, reported on the region-wide implementation of an eight-step ambulatory surgery care protocol that spanned preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of care. Key elements included preoperative patient education and preferential use of monitored anesthesia care (MAC).
Yoga can be an effective supportive therapy for people with lung cancer and their caregivers In a feasibility trial of people with advanced lung cancer receiving radiation therapy, and their caregivers, yoga was beneficial to both parties. These findings will be presented at the upcoming 2017 Palliative and Supportive Care in Oncology Symposium in San Diego, California.
People with leukemia and their oncologists have vastly different perceptions of prognosis A study of 100 people with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving chemotherapy found that patient and physician perceptions of treatment risk and the likelihood of a cure varied widely. Overall, patients tended to overestimate both the risk of dying due to treatment and the likelihood of a cure. These findings will be presented at the upcoming 2017 Palliative and Supportive Care in Oncology Symposium in San Diego, California.
Patients prefer doctors not use computers in exam room A new study suggests that people with advanced cancer prefer doctors communicate with them face-to-face with just a notepad in hand rather than repeatedly using a computer. These findings will be presented at the upcoming 2017 Palliative and Supportive Care in Oncology Symposium in San Diego, California.
Noninvasive brain imaging shows readiness of trainees to perform operations While simulation platforms have been used to train surgeons before they enter an actual operating room (OR), few studies have evaluated how well trainees transfer those skills from the simulator to the OR. Now, a study that used noninvasive brain imaging to evaluate brain activity has found that simulator-trained medical students successfully transferred those skills to operating on cadavers and were faster than peers who had no simulator training.
Resilience intervention improves well-being in young patients with cancer A new randomized clinical trial of a pilot program found that a brief in-person intervention can improve psychosocial health in a particularly vulnerable population - adolescents and young adults living with cancer.
Study calls for new approach to studying concussion Understanding the puzzling and complex nature of concussion and how to treat it will take a whole new way of approaching the problem, according to new research led by Portland State University.
'Choosing Wisely' movement: Off to a good start, but change needed for continued success Five years ago, a group of medical organizations did something they'd never done before: give doctors a list of things they shouldn't do for their patients. Their goal: to empower doctors and patients to start a conversation about avoiding unnecessary care.
	Heart failure therapy hope as drug blocks deadly muscle scarring A potential treatment to prevent deadly muscle scarring that contributes to chronic heart failure has been uncovered by scientists.
	Study finds smokers wrongly believe Natural American Spirit cigarettes are healthier In the supermarket, foods labeled "organic" carry premium prices. Consumers generally believe that organic food is healthier, and in many cases they're right. But what does it mean when the word "organic" is on a cigarette pack? Is smoking an organic cigarette better for your health?
Africa-led research to tackle the challenge of infectious diseases Millions of people could benefit from a new study that is seeking novel solutions to the problems of infectious diseases and emerging epidemics in Africa.
Diabetes: New insulin sensitizers discovered A root cause of type 2 diabetes is a condition known as insulin resistance, in which cells stop responding to commands from the hormone that regulates glucose (sugar) storage. Restoring insulin sensitivity can be an effective strategy for preventing and treating diabetes, but the only insulin-sensitizing drugs on the market also stimulate the production of lipids (fats), which can lead to a number of serious side effects.
	Does stem cell therapy offer the best hope for neurodegenerative diseases? As the brain has limited capability for self-repair or regeneration, stem cells may represent the best therapeutic approach for counteracting damage to or degeneration of brain tissue caused by injury, aging, or disease. Although preclinical testing of stem cell therapies has shown promise, results achieved in animals are not necessarily indicative of what will occur in patients, and clinical studies in humans have been limited in size and number. The potential value of stem cells and emerging therapeutic agents in neurodegenerative diseases are the focus of an article published in Rejuvenation Research, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Rejuvenation Research website until November 24, 2017.
	Study provides more clarity on the genetic causes of children's food allergies What role do genes play in egg, milk, and nut allergies? A study published in Nature Communications, led by the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, has found five genetic risk loci that point to the importance of skin and mucous membrane barriers and the immune system in the development of food allergies.
	Brain study suggests mind wandering at work not be as bad as you might think A new study from the Georgia Institute of Technology suggests that daydreaming during meetings isn't necessarily a bad thing. It might be a sign that you're really smart and creative.
	Blood-based epigenetic research may hold clues to autism biology, study suggests Using data from blood and brain tissue, a team led by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that they could gain insights into mechanisms that might help explain autism by analyzing the interplay between genes and chemical tags that control whether genes are used to make a protein, called epigenetic marks.
Prehospital blood transfusion among combat casualties associated with improved survival Among medically evacuated U.S. military combat causalities in Afghanistan, blood product transfusion within minutes of injury or prior to hospitalization was associated with greater 24-hour and 30-day survival than delayed or no transfusion, according to a study published by JAMA.
Robot-assisted surgery for kidney removal not always cost-effective Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery to remove a patient's entire kidney requires slightly longer operating times and results in increased costs compared with the use of traditional laparoscopic surgery, according to a large, multiyear analysis conducted by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
	How to predict high school dropouts Teenagers who do not access healthcare when needed are at greater risk of dropping out of high school say researchers from Lancaster University in the UK.
	There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, new study shows Any amount of alcohol exposure during pregnancy can cause extreme lasting effects on a child, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York.
The problem with being pretty While good-looking people are generally believed to receive more favorable treatment in the hiring process, when it comes to applying for less desirable jobs, such as those with low pay or uninteresting work, attractiveness may be a liability, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.
Researchers advocate for single-cell diagnostics for breast cancer Women diagnosed with breast cancer may benefit from having the molecular subtype of different cells within their tumors identified, argue two researchers in an opinion article published October 24 in the journal Trends in Cancer. While breast cancer is often treated as a whole, they discuss the growing consensus that cancer cells within a tumor can have multiple origins and respond variably to treatment. The authors advocate for the development of more accurate diagnostic tests to capture molecular irregularities between tumor cells.
	Trauma takes a toll on half of U.S. kids (HealthDay)—Nearly half of American children have faced at least one traumatic experience, such as the death of a parent, witnessing a violent crime or living with someone who is suicidal or abuses drugs or alcohol, new research reveals.
	Keeping your driving teen focused on the road (HealthDay)—A 17-year-old Minnesota teen runs a red light, killing a father and his 10-year-old daughter.
Many cancer patients skimp on treatment due to cost (HealthDay)—The high cost of cancer care in the United States has led more than one-quarter of patients to cut back on some part of their treatment, a new survey reveals.
	Get in step with tai chi (HealthDay)—If you're looking for a low-impact exercise that can have a big impact on your quality of life, give Tai Chi a try. This ancient Chinese practice combines slow, flowing movement with meditation and deep breathing.
	Ramucirumab shows promise in care of advanced gastric cancer (HealthDay)—Ramucirumab appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer, according to a study published online Sept. 29 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
	High dietary fiber protects against femoral neck bone loss (HealthDay)—Higher dietary total fiber and fruit fiber is protective against bone loss at the femoral neck in men, according to a study published online Oct. 12 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
	Aerobics may benefit platelet reactivity in menopausal women (HealthDay)—Regular aerobic exercise may improve regulation of platelet reactivity, providing a cardioprotective effect, in pre- and postmenopausal women, according to a small study published online Oct. 12 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
	Tofogliflozin most effective with high baseline insulin (HealthDay)—The sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor tofogliflozin is effective for reducing fasting plasma glucose and body weight, particularly in patients with a high insulin level at baseline, according to a study published online Oct. 15 in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation.
	ASA: opioid-free anesthesia feasible for surgical procedures (HealthDay)—Opioid-free anesthesia is feasible and well-tolerated, and only 36 percent of patients requested oral opioids in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, being held Oct. 21 to 25 in Boston.
	Inverse association seen for coffee drinking, markers of CVD (HealthDay)—There appears to be an inverse association between coffee intake and protein markers linked to cardiovascular disease, according to a study published online Oct. 16 in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
	ASA: botox injections beneficial for migraine in children (HealthDay)—OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) injections are beneficial for pediatric patients with chronic migraine, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, being held Oct. 21 to 25 in Boston.
Tarloxitinib puts tumor-seeking tail on anti-EGFR drug to precisely target lung cancer EGFR is a common genetic target in lung cancer, but not all EGFR mutations are created equal. Patients with a type of EGFR anomaly called an "EGFR exon 20 insertion" often fail to respond to existing drugs targeting EGFR. Previous work shows this is because it simply takes a much higher concentration of anti-EGFR drugs to combat the exon 20 form of the mutation - and at the concentration needed to be effective, these drugs are too toxic to use in human patients.
	Researchers define mechanism that causes kidney cancer to recur New research from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has identified the molecular mechanism that causes kidney cancer to resist drug treatment. The findings were published in the October edition of the journal Nature Communications.
	A quarter of problematic pot users have anxiety disorders, many since childhood About a quarter of adults whose marijuana use is problematic in early adulthood have anxiety disorders in childhood and late adolescence, according to new data from Duke Health researchers.
Gov. Cuomo signs bill banning e-cigarettes in NY workplaces New York has added electronic cigarettes to its indoor smoking ban, making it illegal to use the devices in bars, restaurants and most workplaces.
	US vaccine panel to discuss waning effectiveness, new shots Two years ago, George Green got stabbing pain and bad blisters around his right arm. It was the worst case of shingles his doctor had ever seen.
Nurses' depression tied to increased likelihood of medical errors Depression is common among nurses and is linked to a higher likelihood they'll make medical errors, new research suggests.
Public attitudes are more negative toward policies specific to transgender issues than gay rights policies, study finds Public attitudes are significantly more negative toward transgender people and policies pertaining to them than they are toward gay people and policies of gay rights advocates, according to a study that includes two University of Kansas researchers.
	Animal models in regenerative medicine in upcoming special issue of tissue engineering Novel approaches to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are first evaluated and optimized in animal models before making the leap to clinical testing in human subjects. For many of these innovative new techniques and materials to succeed and advance to the clinic, the selection of an appropriate animal model and design of the experiments to gauge performance and outcomes can determine whether a particular approach, and the field in general, continue to move forward. A special issue devoted to the latest research on using animal models in regenerative medicine research is forthcoming in Tissue Engineering, Part C, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. Select articles from the issue are now available online on the Tissue Engineering website.
Study investigates effects of domestic violence on workplaces—by asking perpetrators Researchers at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto and Western University released a new study today, taking an unconventional approach to understanding the significant effects of domestic violence in the workplace. By seeking the views of the perpetrators of violence, the study found that domestic violence perpetration, like victimization, has costs to the workplace in terms of worker safety and productivity and that most employers lack adequate resources to help perpetrators deal with the issue.
Madagascar plague death toll climbs to 124 The death toll from Madagascar's plague outbreak has reached 124, officials said Tuesday, as they cautiously welcomed a slowdown in infections.
GOP lawmakers propose new conditions on health bill Two top Republicans announced a bill Tuesday restoring federal subsidies to insurers that includes tough conditions sought by the White House. Senate Democrats have enough votes to kill it, but the measure underscores the changes the Trump administration and congressional conservatives say they want in exchange for resuming the payments.

Biology news

	Using CRISPR to make warmer, less fatty pigs A team of researchers with members from several institutions in China and one in the U.K. has used the CRISPR-Cas 9 gene editing technique to cause test pigs to retain less bodyfat. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team describes their gene editing experiment, their success rate and the condition of the genetically modified pigs that were born as part of the experiment.
	Novel histone modifications couple metabolism to gene activity Scientists of Helmholtz Zentrum München and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich (LMU) have discovered that two new classes of histone modifications couple cellular metabolism to gene activity. The study was published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology.
	Tracking a parasite that's ravaging fish In Switzerland – not to mention the rest of Europe and the United States – freshwater fish are falling victim to a deadly disease that is rampant in the summer and dormant in the winter. It is caused by a parasite that thrives in rivers and attacks salmonid fish in particular. Researchers from EPFL, EAWAG and FIWI have come up with a mathematical model for predicting outbreaks as part of a three-year joint research program.
	Saguaro and other towering cacti have a scrambled history Visitors to Mexico and the U.S. Southwest can't help but stand in awe of the solitary and majestic saguaro, the towering clusters of the organ pipe cactus and Baja's cardón, the appropriately named "elephant" cactus. The saguaro alone can grow to a height of more than 75 feet.
	'Wing prints' may identify individual bats as effectively as fingerprints identify people Research by a USDA Forest Service scientist and her partners may solve a longtime problem in bat research by demonstrating that bats' wings are as reliable a method of identifying individual bats as fingerprints are for human beings.
	No magic wand required: Scientists propose way to turn any cell into any other cell type In fairy tales, all it takes to transform a frog into a prince, a servant into a princess or a mouse into a horse is the wave of a magic wand.
	Antibiotics from a 'molecular pencil sharpener' Picture a brand-new, unsharpened pencil. The graphite at its core can't be used for writing until a pencil sharpener chews away its wooden tip.
Researchers study the pathobiology of antibiotic side reactions You get an infection, you are given penicillin—and then you could get hemorrhagic diarrhea. This rare but extremely unpleasant side reaction can be related to the enterotoxin tilivalline produced by a regular intestinal bacterium. Austrian scientists have now scrutinized the toxin's biosynthetic pathway and presented the results in the journal Angewandte Chemie. Their findings give important insights in the pathobiology of antibiotic side reactions and unveil the multifunctionality of bacterial toxins.
War on weeds takes toll on beneficial bacteria in the soil As farmers battle in their above-ground war on weeds, they may inadvertently create underground casualties – unintentionally attacking the beneficial bacteria that help crops guard against enemy fungus, according to Cornell University research.
	Rethinking tourism and its contribution to conservation in New Zealand New Zealand is one of 36 global hotspots for biodiversity. Its unique wildlife is a major draw card for tourists.
	Reintroduced marsupials may pose new threat to ground–dwelling birds Native marsupials reintroduced in south-western Australia are a threat to ground-dwelling birds, a University of Queensland study has found.
Under the sea ice, behold the ancient Arctic jellyfish The doings of creatures under the Arctic sea ice are many, but they are rarely observed by humans; it's pretty hard to get under the ice to look. In recent years, marine biologist Andy Juhl and his colleagues have gotten around this problem by driving snowmobiles several miles from Point Barrow, Alaska, out onto the adjoining frozen Chukchi Sea, drilling holes in the four-foot-plus thick ice, and poking in a video camera attached to an small underwater vehicle.
	Study sheds light on relationship between environment, hormones and evolution Different species of spadefoot toads approach metamorphosis differently, and it's all thanks to the pond they grew up in, according to a team of researchers that includes a University of Michigan scientist.
A new study shows that ants go for the wiser option, even if it means working a bit harder A new study shows that ants go for the wiser option, even if it means working a bit harder.
	Solving how a complex disease threatens oak trees Teamwork between Forest Research, Bangor University and others has for the first time, tracked down the cause of the stem bleeding symptoms of this newly identified threat to the native oak.
A major study finds many planned roads in the tropics shouldn't be built The researchers say many new roads being built or planned today are in high-rainfall tropical and subtropical areas, usually in developing nations.
	EU parliament votes to ban controversial weedkiller by 2022 The European Parliament Tuesday called for the controversial weedkiller glyphosate to be banned by 2022 amid fears it causes cancer, a day before EU states vote on whether to renew its licence.
Study finds increase of herbicide in older adults Among a sample of older adults living in Southern California, average urine levels of the herbicide glyphosate and its metabolite increased between 1993 and 2016, as did the proportion of samples with detectable levels, according to a study published by JAMA.
North Atlantic right whale carcass spotted in Massachusetts Another rare North Atlantic right whale has been found dead, adding to an already unusually high mortality rate this year, according to an animal welfare organization.
	Scientists explore national security implications of gene editing A trio of scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Morgridge Institute for Research participated in an international think tank this month on the intersection of genome editing technology and national security.
	Elephant poaching in Africa falls but ivory seizures up: study Elephant poaching in Africa declined for a fifth straight year in 2016 but seizures of illegal ivory hit records highs, the CITES monitor said Tuesday, calling it a "conflicting phenomena".

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