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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for October 25, 2017:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Unconfirmed exomoon could be unlike any of those in our solar systemRené Heller, a space scientist with the Maxx Planck Institute for Solar System Research has uploaded a paper to the arXiv preprint server offering possible attributes for the still-unconfirmed exomoon Kepler 1625 b-i. He suggests that if the exomoon does truly exist, it is probably unlike any of the moons in our solar system, which suggests that theories about the origins of moons might have to be expanded. |
 | Wave nature of delocalized electrons in defective hydrocarbons at the origin of cosmic infrared emissionA new study in Physical Review Letters reveals that the series of infrared (IR) band peaks, collectively known as the cosmic unidentified IR emission, arises as a consequence of the wavelike behavior of delocalized electrons in hydrocarbon compounds. An essential aspect of these compounds is that they undergo structural transformations triggered by starlight absorption. These transformations described as defects affect the wave motion of delocalized electrons, that is, electrons that move freely across multiple carbon-carbon bonds in aromatic type hydrocarbons. The study suggests that the spectral characteristics of the cosmic emission are explained integrally by describing the motion of delocalized electrons around structural defects. This outcome offers a physical framework able to account for a full range of observational spectral details in this longstanding scientific issue. |
 | Monster image of the Fornax Galaxy ClusterCountless galaxies vie for attention in this monster image of the Fornax Galaxy Cluster, some appearing only as pinpricks of light while others dominate the foreground. One of these is the lenticular galaxy NGC 1316. The turbulent past of this much-studied galaxy has left it with a delicate structure of loops, arcs and rings that astronomers have now imaged in greater detail than ever before with the VLT Survey Telescope. This astonishingly deep image also reveals a myriad of dim objects along with faint intracluster light. |
 | Comet mission reveals 'missing link' in our understanding of planet formationThe missing link in our understanding of planet formation has been revealed by the first ever spacecraft to orbit and land on a comet, say German scientists. The study is published in a recent edition of the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. |
 | Fireworks in space: NASA's twins study explores gene expressionNASA's Twins Study preliminary results have revealed that space travel causes an increase in methylation, the process of turning genes on and off, and additional knowledge in how that process works. |
The Rosetta spacecraft recorded the eruption of jets of dust on 67P/Chruyumov-GerasimenkoThe impressive jets of dust that comets emit into space during their journey around the Sun are not driven solely by the sublimation of frozen water. In some cases further processes augment the outbreaks. Possible scenarios include the release of pressurized gas stored below the surface or the conversion of one kind of frozen water into an energetically more favourable one. These are the findings of a study headed by scientists of the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research who examined a dust jet from Rosetta's comet 67P/Chruyumov-Gerasimenko that occurred last year. | |
 | What is an electric sail? Another exotic way to explore the solar systemWe're all familiar with the idea of solar sails to explore the solar system, using the light pressure from the sun. But there's another propulsion system that could harness the power of the sun, electric sails, and it's a pretty exciting idea. |
 | Sentinel-1 sees through hurricanesThis year's Atlantic hurricane season has been a harsh reminder of the grief and devastation brought by these vast storms. Imaging the top of hurricanes from space is nothing new, but the Sentinel-1 satellites can see right through these towering spinning weather systems, measuring the sea surface below to help predict the storm's path. |
Technology news
 | New RoboBee flies, dives, swims and explodes out the of waterWe've seen RoboBees that can fly, stick to walls, and dive into water. Now, get ready for a hybrid RoboBee that can fly, dive into water, swim, propel itself back out of water, and safely land. |
 | First white-box testing model finds thousands of errors in self-driving carsHow do you find errors in a system that exists in a black box? That is one of the challenges behind perfecting deep learning systems like self-driving cars. Deep learning systems are based on artificial neural networks that are modeled after the human brain, with neurons connected together in layers like a web. This web-like neural structure enables machines to process data with a non-linear approach—essentially teaching itself to analyze information through what is known as training data. |
 | Sony's Aibo seemed tough act to follow but stay tunedRemember Aibo? This was Sony's iconic robot dog that it started selling in 1999. And look who is jumping back into robotics. Sony. With all the advances in artificial intelligence since the, their new entry will be interesting. |
 | Researchers introduce novel catalyst for rechargeable metal-air batteriesResearch in lithium-ion batteries has opened up a plethora of possibilities in the development of next-generation batteries. In particular, the metal-air batteries with significantly greater energy density close to that of gasoline per kilogram, has recently been acknowledged and invested by world's leading companies, like IBM. |
 | Twitter increase ad transparency to foil politics meddlingTwitter on Tuesday announced steps to make it easier to see who is behind political ads and who they are targeting as social media giants try to thwart skullduggery. |
 | Five things to see at the Tokyo Motor ShowFrom a car that wants to be your friend to another that burns off the fat: here are five hot vehicles on display at the Tokyo Motor Show. |
 | Nissan executive bows to apologize for inspections scandalNissan Executive Vice President Daniele Schillaci bowed deeply for several seconds in a Japanese-style apology Wednesday, expressing his remorse for widespread illegal inspections at the automaker. |
Slurp alert: Japanese fork masks noodle-sucking noiseA Japanese firm has created what it claims is a world-first "noise-cancelling" fork to mask the sound made by slurping down noodles, dubbed "noodle harassment" on social media. | |
 | Kaspersky: We uploaded US documents but quickly deleted themSometime in 2014, a group of analysts walked into the office of Eugene Kaspersky, the ebullient founder of Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab, to deliver some sobering news. |
Companies in Ukraine, Russia come under new cyberattackA new strain of malicious software has paralyzed computers at a Ukrainian airport, the Ukrainian capital's subway and at some independent Russian media. | |
New maturation process for lithium-ion batteries increases performance 10-foldSometimes you can find simple solutions to complex problems, as demonstrated by the team of INRS's Dr. Lionel Roué, which cleverly improved the performance of silicon-based electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. It is well known that the robustness of the electrodes in these batteries, which are used in a host of devices, is key to their useful life. According to the team's paper, published in the journal Advanced Energy Materials, electrode performance can be improved by up to 10 times by using a new maturation process. | |
 | Students fortify concrete by adding recycled plasticDiscarded plastic bottles could one day be used to build stronger, more flexible concrete structures, from sidewalks and street barriers, to buildings and bridges, according to a new study. |
 | Old phones get new life in high-powered computer serversWhile most consumers don't pay much attention to the fate of dead smartphones, Princeton University researchers are envisioning a way to breathe new life into them. Instead of tossing old phones in a junk drawer or burying them in a landfill, the researchers want to turn them into high-powered computer servers. |
 | Racial profiling by retailers creates an unwelcome climate for black shoppers, study showsDiscrimination endured by black shoppers forces them to downplay their race or shy away from an activity among the most common and celebrated in American culture, according to new research. |
 | How virtual reality can defuse conflicts over building projectsFun, effective and easy to understand: New digital visualization technologies offer an excellent opportunity to improve communication with citizens on large building projects. Titled "Visualizing Building Projects," the practical guidelines give planners, architects and public agencies advice on how to use virtual reality and similar innovations. The guidelines were developed jointly by Fraunhofer IAO and the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart as part of the VisB+ research project. |
 | Self-driving bus to shuttle Bavarian townsfolkGerman state-owned rail company Deutsche Bahn unveiled its first-ever driverless bus Wednesday, saying the shuttle will bring passengers through a picturesque spa town to the train station. |
 | Researchers develop highly stable perovskite solar cellsA recent study, affiliated with UNIST has presented a highly stable perovskite solar cells (PSCs), using edged-selectively fluorine (F) functionalized graphene nano-platelets (EFGnPs). This breakthrough has gotten much attention as it is made out of fluorine, a low-cost alternative to gold. |
 | New fractal-like concentrating solar power receivers are better at absorbing sunlightSandia National Laboratories engineers have developed new fractal-like, concentrating solar power receivers for small- to medium-scale use that are up to 20 percent more effective at absorbing sunlight than current technology. |
 | Flexible batteries a highlight for smart dental aidsSmart 3D-printed braces that incorporate nontoxic batteries and lights could reduce the time and costs involved in realigning and straightening teeth. |
 | Science walden 'waterless toilet' displayed at DDPRegular medical check-ups from your doctor could be soon replaced by visits to the bathroom, thanks to the smart toilets, designed by Science Walden design team at UNIST. |
 | Design team has revealed new self-charging electric bikeA UNIST design team has revealed its new self-charging electric bike design concept, "Hybrid Module Mobility" at the 67th IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, the world's largest fair for mobility. Depending upon users' requirements, this design concept is capable of converting its forms into six different purposes, including cargo-carrying, child-carrying, driving. |
 | Among 'green' energy, hydropower is the most dangerousMany governments are promoting a move away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources. However, in a study published today, scientists highlight some of the ecological dangers this wave of 'green' energy poses. |
 | New software lets your car tell you what it needsImagine hopping into a ride-share car, glancing at your smartphone, and telling the driver that the car's left front tire needs air, its air filter should be replaced next week, and its engine needs two new spark plugs. |
 | Not at home? Amazon wants to come in and drop off packagesWould you let a stranger in your house to drop off a package? Amazon hopes so. |
 | Trump OKs test program to expand domestic drone flightsSome Americans could see a lot more drones flying around their communities as the result of a Trump administration test program to increase government and commercial use of the unmanned aircraft. |
 | New screenings to start for all US-bound airline passengersAll incoming flights to the United States will be subject to new security screening procedures, including both American citizens and foreigners possibly facing security interviews from airline employees, a U.S. government official said Wednesday. |
 | Researchers unveil tool to debug 'black box' deep learning algorithmsComputers can now beat humans at chess and Go, but it may be a while before people trust their driving. The danger of self-driving cars was highlighted last year when Tesla's autonomous car collided with a truck it mistook for a cloud, killing its passenger. |
 | Secure payment without leaving a trace: Scientists have developed safe protocol to guarantee privacyNo matter whether payment of the public passenger transport ticket is made via a smartphone app or whether a prepaid card is used for the public swimming pool or a bonus card for the supermarket: Many people already open their "electronic purses" every day. However, most of them are not aware of the fact that by doing so, they largely lose privacy. Researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed a secure and anonymous system for daily use. It will be presented at the ACM CCS 2017 conference in the USA. |
 | Can good design be cost-effective: Team builds massive database of mobile-app designsScroll through your smartphone screen and you'll no doubt see a small sea of apps for everything from watching sports to tracking the movements of the stock market. |
 | Clear talk for first respondersFor first responders, such as firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians, a successful outcome to a mission—and perhaps the difference between life and death for them and those they are helping—depends on their communications system. Recognizing this critical need, first responders and emergency management officials have been calling for high-speed, LTE (Long-Term Evolution) cellular devices with three public safety "mission-critical voice" capabilities: "push-to-talk" for an immediate connection, "one-to-many" allowing an individual to broadcast to a large group, and "direct mode" that maintains a walkie-talkie connection when a wireless network is down, blocked or otherwise unavailable. To make this technology work effectively and ensure consistent product quality, the experts have already started developing standards. |
Information re-sharing on social network sites in the age of fake newsRecent research, Information Re-Sharing on Social Network Sites in the Age of Fake News, conducted by Dr. Mehrdad Koohikamali, assistant professor in the School of Business at the University of Redlands, and Dr. Anna Sidorova, associate professor of information technology and decision sciences at University of North Texas, looks at resharing behavior on social network sites (SNS) and how the perception of the three dimensions of information quality—reliability, relevance, and enjoyment—could influence users' intention to re-share the content they see on SNSs. | |
Google's parent sends Internet balloons to reconnect Puerto Rico cell phonesGoogle's parent company Alphabet has dispatched its stratospheric Project Loon balloons to deliver Internet service to remote areas of Puerto Rico where cellphone towers were knocked out by Hurricane Maria. | |
 | In Honolulu, it's not okay to cross the street reading a smartphoneIf you're in laid-back Honolulu, be advised that from Wednesday crossing the street with your nose in a smartphone can cost you up to $35. |
 | Uber rides into credit card market with no-fee cardUber already has a home on your phone. Now it wants a place in your purse or wallet. |
 | Google and Cisco join forces in the cloudGoogle and network equipment maker Cisco on Wednesday partnered to provide businesses services in the internet cloud, joining forces in a market dominated by Amazon and Microsoft. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Blood-thinning drugs appear to protect against dementia as well as stroke in AF patientsBlood-thinning drugs not only reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) but are also associated with a significant reduction in the risk of dementia, according to new research published today (Wednesday) in the European Heart Journal. |
 | US study finds rise in human glyphosate levelsLevels of glyphosate, a controversial chemical found in herbicides, markedly increased in the bodies of a sample population over two decades, a study published Tuesday in a US medical journal said. |
 | How to turn damaged heart tissue back into healthy heart muscle—new details emergeReversing scar tissue after a heart attack to create healthy heart muscle: this would be a game-changer in the field of cardiology and regenerative medicine. In the lab, scientists have shown it's possible to change fibroblasts (scar tissue cells) into cardiomyocytes (heart muscle cells), but sorting out the details of how this happens hasn't been easy, and using this kind of approach in clinics or even other basic research projects has proven elusive. |
 | Study shows routine genomic surveillance of MRSA can detect unsuspected outbreaksGenomic surveillance has revealed the first complete picture of MRSA spread across the east of England. Researchers from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine tracked MRSA-positive people and were able to describe the complete picture of MRSA transmission within and between hospitals, and in GPs surgeries and communities. |
 | Blocking key pathways is a way to defeat cancer stem cellsScientists from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan and international collaborators have found that in humanized mice, a cocktail of drugs blocking certain key pathways is effective in eliminating acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a disease which is estimated to kill more than 250,000 people a year around the world. |
 | Targeting mitochondria in pulmonary hypertensionPulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a debilitating disease of the lung blood vessels that causes heart failure and early death, affecting hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide. Available therapies fail to prolong life, despite costs that may exceed $200,000/patient per year. A team of investigators at the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Canada), and the Imperial College of Medicine (London, UK), reported promising results of an early-phase clinical trial with a novel drug in PAH patients, already under treatment with approved drugs. |
 | Flu forecasting tool uses evolution to make earlier predictionsEach year, public health officials monitor the spread of influenza to identify which flu strains need to go into that year's vaccines and where outbreaks will occur. But it can be difficult to predict how bad a particular flu season will be until people actually start getting sick. |
 | New clinical care guidelines issued for patients with mitochondrial diseasePhysicians who see patients with mitochondrial disease now have a practical new tool—a set of guidelines for managing and caring for those patients. Occurring in at least one in 4,500 individuals, mitochondrial disease is caused by defects in genes affecting the function of mitochondria, crucial energy-producing structures found in every cell. This complex disease can affect nearly every organ or system in the body. |
 | Large declines seen in teen substance abuse, delinquencyMore than a decade of data indicates teens have become far less likely to abuse alcohol, nicotine and illicit drugs, and they also are less likely to engage in delinquent behaviors, such as fighting and stealing, according to results of a national survey analyzed by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. |
Weight loss after bariatric surgery can improve heart healthIn overweight and obese people, fat often gets deposited in the midsection of the body. Large amounts of this belly fat can lead to unhealthy changes in a heart's function and size. But according to new findings presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2017, a bariatric surgical procedure, and the weight loss that follows it, actually allows the heart to return to its natural shape and function. | |
 | Allen Institute shares first open database of live human brain cellsThe Allen Institute for Brain Science has added the first data from human nerve cells to the Allen Cell Types Database: a publicly available tool for researchers to explore and understand the building blocks of the human brain. This first release includes electrical properties from approximately 300 living cortical neurons of different types derived from 36 patients, with accompanying 3D reconstructions of their shape or anatomy for 100 cells, and computer models simulating the electrical behavior of these neurons. The database will also contain gene expression profiles, based on measurements of all genes used by 16,000 individual cells, from three adult human brains. Data from these human cells provide an unparalleled window into the intricate components, circuitry and function of the human neocortex, including features that make our brains unique. |
Proton therapy may be better option for elderly patients with esophageal cancerA study led by Mayo Clinic researchers has found that proton beam therapy, in combination with chemotherapy, prior to surgery, may be a better option than a combination using traditional radiation therapy techniques with chemotherapy when treating elderly patients with esophageal cancer. Standard X-ray radiation therapy techniques include 3-D conformal radiation and intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Results were presented by Scott Lester, M.D., a radiation oncologist at Mayo Clinic, today at the fourth-annual Particle Therapy Cooperative Group—North America Fourth Annual Conference in Chicago. | |
 | Movies and music play with our minds by bending timeMovie directors regularly manipulate the passage of time in films to entertain their audiences, but researchers are trying to unravel the effect this can have on our brains. |
Sanofi sues US company over diabetes drug patent rightsFrench drugmaker Sanofi said it is suing a US pharmaceuticals company for allegedly infringing the patent on its key insulin treatment as sales of its diabetes drugs are falling. | |
 | New way to prevent unfavorable intestinal microbiotaThe trillions of microbes living in a mammal's intestine play an important role in the host's metabolism and immunity. The composition of microbiota is maintained by antimicrobial proteins secreted from intestinal cells. However, unfavorably altered microbiota, also known as dysbiosis, is seen in various diseases, often exacerbating the underlying disease and thus creating a vicious cycle between the host and the microbiota. |
 | APC protein affects colon cancer immunity by preventing pre-cancerous inflammationAdenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is a gene whose mutations are associated with a rare, hereditary form of colorectal cancer known as familial adenomatous polyposis. Research led by scientists at the Institut Pasteur and Inserm have recently demonstrated that mutations to this gene do not only lead to the emergence of colon polyps, they also harm the immune system, leaving it unable to tackle inflammation of the colonic mucosa. This dual impact supports the development of cancer. The finding, published in the journal Cell Reports on October 3rd, 2017, advances scientific knowledge on the development mechanisms of colorectal cancer. |
 | SIDS breakthrough—why babies shouldn't sleep face downInternational research involving the University of Adelaide has uncovered a developmental abnormality in babies – especially in premature babies and in boys – that for the first time has been directly linked to cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). |
 | Genetic test could help fight secondary breast cancerThousands of breast cancer patients at risk of developing aggressive secondary tumours could benefit from a potential new genetic test. |
 | Researchers explore a new way of specific drug delivery using liposomesLiposomes are successful drug delivery vehicles prescribed for several types of cancer but also for treatment of fungal infections or pain management. Now researchers from the Medical University of Vienna show a straightforward method to functionalize liposomes for specific targeting, potentially paving the way to personalized medicine. The study has now been published in Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine. |
 | Households including in-laws have fewer kidsWomen who live with their own mother or their mother-in-law in the same household have, on average, fewer children than women who only live with their spouse. Martin Fieder and colleagues, evolutionary anthropologists from the University of Vienna, report this on the basis of intercultural data of 2.5 million women worldwide. The study appears in the renowned scientific journal Royal Society Open Science. |
 | Depressed patients who are treated with antidepressants do worse in the long runIn the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics a new analysis discloses insights into the long term effects of antidepressant drugs. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is more often chronic or recurrent in clinical than in community samples. For example, perhaps 85 percent of patients but only 35 percent of persons in the community with MDD experience another depressive episode within 15 years. Nonetheless, active treatments including antidepressant medication or cognitive therapy reduce depressive symptoms and delay relapse compared to inactive controls. Follow-ups of treated and untreated persons in clinical trials have rarely exceeded 1-2 years, however. |
 | Opinion: Replacing pharmacists with robots isn't the answer to better productivityReforming pharmacy services and the role of pharmacists is one of the recommendations made in a five-year review of the nation's productivity, released yesterday. The Productivity Commission's report, Shifting the Dial, highlights community-based pharmacy as a "significant unnecessary cost to the nation" and asks whether automated dispensing machines could replace pharmacists. |
Why aren't we curing the world's most curable diseases?Once upon a time, the world suffered. | |
 | What motivates college students to play Pokémon Go?North Carolina State University research on college students who joined the Pokémon Go craze in 2016 found that a desire to exercise or socialize attracted some players, even those who weren't gamers. Results could inform future efforts to get young people moving for public health. |
 | Research finds poor healthcare communication for group care patients with disabilitiesLandmark research on the sharing of health information of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) living in group homes has found their care and safety is threatened due to information silos and a lack of communication, in a study released today. |
FDA approves eculizumab for generalized myasthenia gravisYesterday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved eculizumab as a treatment for adult patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive. | |
 | People will desire something even more if you increase their focus on itThe relationship between desire and attention was long thought to only work in one direction: When a person desires something, they focus their attention on it. |
 | The downside of knowing too much about our genesSelf-knowledge is a goal greatly prized by mystics and philosophers. However, too much knowledge about one's own genes can lead to some adverse psychological consequences, two new Yale-led research projects have found. |
 | Long-term health impacts from wildfire smoke may include cardiac, respiratory effectsAs the deadly wildfires that devastated Northern California this month come under control and residents begin the process of rebuilding, one question that lingers is the longer-term health effects of the smoke. |
 | New findings on the genetic aspects of resilience in depression: insight from the Greek financial crisisIn the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics a study explored the role of genes in depression vulnerability. The financial crisis that has afflicted Greece since 2008 has adversely affected the physical and mental health of the population, with reports pointing to a rise in the prevalence of depression from 3.3 percent prior to the crisis to 12.3 percent in 2013. The stress-diathesis model of depression postulates that individuals exhibit different vulnerability to depression once challenged with varying levels of stress. In psychosomatic practice, when the cumulative exposure to stressors exceeds coping resources, allostatic overload ensues, which may precipitate disease states or otherwise aggravate existing somatic and mental disorders. Evidence indicates that gene-environment interactions and epigenetic mechanisms may influence resilience to stress. Therefore, genetic factors may influence resilience to stress in patients with physical long-term conditions (LTCs) in the context of a financial crisis. |
 | New method of improving breast reconstruction with autologous fatFive thousand women develop breast cancer every year in Austria. Surgical removal of tumours continues to be a crucial part of successful treatment but frequently results in loss of breast tissue, making partial mastectomy necessary in 80 percent of cases. Scientists at MedUni Vienna's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology have now developed a new method for significantly improving breast reconstruction with autologous fat – involving up to two fewer surgical interventions. |
Previous screening results important for decision about smear tests after age 60Being screened again after the age of 60 reduces the risk of cervical cancer in women who have previously had abnormal smear tests and in women who did not have smear tests in their 50s, researchers at Karolinska Institutet show. The study, which is published in PLOS Medicine, is important for setting guidelines on the age at which screening can be discontinued. | |
 | New smartphone app to support fitness among older adultsIf the infomercials are to be believed, older adults want cellphones that are anything but smart. With oversized displays and one-touch medical alert buttons, products like the Jitterbug flip phone are simple by design. |
Study finds molecules present possible biomarkers of HCV-related liver damage progressionHepatitis C virus infection leads to a wide spectrum of liver diseases ranging from mild chronic hepatitis to end-stage cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. An intriguing aspect of the HCV infection is its close connection with lipid metabolism playing an important role in the HCV life cycle and in its pathogenesis. HCV is known to be a hepatotropic virus; however, it can also infect peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). | |
Online consumers want emotional reviews—just not too emotionalOnline reviews play an increasingly important role in consumer behavior as more Americans opt to purchase items online. Previously, studies examining the influence of reviews focused on the length of the reviews and whether they were positive or negative. New research from the University of Missouri is among the first to examine how expressions of emotion impact the helpfulness of a review. Among the findings, researchers observed that although some emotion was important to be persuasive, reviews perceived as being overly emotional often were ignored. | |
 | Immune response to HIV virus linked to cancer mutations"Our findings could change the way we treat cancer," said microbiology professor Linda Chelico. Her research, funded by the federal agency NSERC, was recently published in Nucleic Acids Research and a related project was published in Nature Communications. |
 | Caramel apples stored at room temperature for extended periods can pose riskIt's the time of the year when grocery store shelves are overflowing with Halloween goodies, but there is one treat that consumers should be wary of, according to a food scientist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. |
 | Why Kenya's short-term fixes won't resolve its maize supply crisisThe Kenyan government recently made three policy announcements that are of great importance to maize farmers and consumers. The first was that a subsidy introduced in May 2017 to reduce consumer prices would be discontinued. Before the subsidy, prices had soared to an all-time high on the back of dwindling supplies. |
Yet another reason to tell your kids to go outside and playParents worry about how much time their kids are spending in front of screens, but are they worried for the right reasons? | |
 | Study shows brain structures make some people resilient to Alzheimer's diseaseThe size, shape and number of dendritic spines in the brain may play a major role in whether someone gets Alzheimer's disease, according to new research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dendritic spines are sub-units of neurons that act as the connector to other neurons. |
 | New focus on correcting refractive visionWhile doctors take delight in solving the common issue of refractive vision error by prescribing eye glasses, Flinders University researchers have found that many patients are upset with this solution and claim it affects their quality of life. |
Chinese immigrants who move in childhood have more cardiovascular risk factorsChinese immigrants have more cardiovascular risk factors the younger they move and longer they stay, according to research published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. | |
 | Preclinical study in prostate cancer shows that virus-based drug candidate may improve anticancer vaccinationOne of the most important areas of cancer research today involves efforts to expand the benefits of immunotherapy to more patients. Research conducted by scientists at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in cooperation with Panacela Labs LLC, a subsidiary of Cleveland BioLabs Inc., introduces a new class of immunotherapy and proposes a strategy for increasing the number of patients who are likely to benefit from this new approach. The team's efforts, reported in a study published online ahead of print in the journal Oncogene, involve the innate immunity receptor TLR5. |
 | Genetic variability of Helicobacter pylori complicates efforts to develop a vaccineThe bacterium Helicobacter pylori is responsible for one of the most prevalent infections in humans. The infection can give rise to a number of conditions ranging from gastritis to peptic or duodenal ulcers and ultimately to stomach cancer. Perhaps the most striking feature of Helicobacter is its genetic heterogeneity. Its mutability allows it to continuously adapt to the challenges presented by the acidic nature of its environment, allowing the bacterium to establish a persistent infection which, if untreated, can be lifelong. LMU microbiologist Sebastian Suerbaum and his colleagues have now shown that this genetic variability, which had already been observed in the chronic phase of the infection, actually becomes manifest very early on, although the mutation rate at this stage is no higher than that seen in the later phases of infection. The new findings are reported in the latest issue of the journal Gastroenterology. |
Prompt response to malaria outbreak is critical as risk of disease spreadsA malaria outbreak has killed 26 people in Marsabit in northern Kenya over the past one month. Over 1,000 people have been treated for the disease. | |
New method helps rule out heart valve infectionA risk assessment system developed by researchers at Lund University in Sweden shows which patients, with a certain type of streptococcal bacteria in the blood, need to be examined for a heart valve infection – a serious condition requiring prolonged medical treatment. | |
Triclosan accumulates in toothbrushes, potentially prolonging users' exposureIn September, a ban on triclosan in over-the-counter antiseptic soaps, gels and wipes went into effect in the U.S. But the antibacterial ingredient is still allowed in toothpastes for its reported ability to reduce gum inflammation, plaque and cavities. Now a study in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology has found that triclosan accumulates in toothbrush bristles and elastomer parts, and is readily released when users switch toothpastes, potentially prolonging users' exposure to the compound. | |
Stress, reward & surprises among those who take care of loved ones with dementiaThey don't get pay, recognition, or much of a break. They spend hours a day helping someone who may not even recognize them anymore. | |
Mother's work can be beneficial to child body weight, study findsUp to a certain number of hours, maternal employment is beneficial for children's body weight. This is the key finding by Jianghong Li (WZB Berlin Social Science Center) and her international collaborators who analyzed longitudinal data from the Western Australia Pregnancy Cohort Study ("Raine Study"). The finding contradicts previous research that linked longer working hours to children's higher body mass index (BMI) suggesting that any maternal employment was a risk for child health. | |
 | Anti-cancer drugs could prevent the hardening of blood vessels that cause heart attack and strokeAnti-cancer drugs could prevent the build-up of fatty plaques in blood vessels which cause heart attack and stroke, a new study by the University of Sheffield has shown. |
 | Piloting aviation mental healthcareWith more than 100,000 flights taking off per day, the safety of air travel is a far-reaching issue. |
 | DEA taking back unwanted prescription drugs on oct. 28(HealthDay)—The public is being given its 14th opportunity to safely dispose of pills and patches at collection points operated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and its partners. |
 | Swedish massage may reduce cancer-related fatigue(HealthDay)—Swedish massage therapy (SMT) is associated with clinically significant relief from cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in breast cancer survivors, according to a study published online Oct. 17 in Cancer. |
 | Proper training key for primary care medical assistants(HealthDay)—Qualified medical assistants can help primary care practices become more efficient, reduce patient wait times, and streamline patient processing, but their training may be lacking, according to an article published online Oct. 10 in Medical Economics. |
 | Do tanning salons comply with state laws restricting access to minors?Researchers posed as minors to investigate compliance rates in 42 states and the District of Columbia with laws restricting tanning bed use by minors and they report an overall noncompliance rate of 37 percent, according to an article published by JAMA Dermatology. |
 | Study reveals promising new avenue to explore treatments for Alzheimer's diseaseIn an innovative study, researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) have discovered brain changes linked to memory loss in people with Alzheimer's disease. The discovery provides a new focus for exploring ways to treat or prevent dementia, which currently affects more than 560,000 Canadians. |
 | A rare disease inspires a new way to attack cancerSome of the most promising new treatments for blood cancers, drugs called proteasome inhibitors, have a problem: For reasons that researchers are still working to fully understand, cancer cells can build up a resistance to them. Now, researchers report in ACS Central Science how an investigation into a rare disease known as NGLY1 deficiency has revealed a way to outmaneuver one possible resistance mechanism. |
Pharmacist finds protein that drives gallbladder tumour growthPatients with gallbladder cancer often show few or no symptoms for long periods of time. As a result, the tumours are only detected at a late stage of the disease when treatment is often no longer possible. Working in collaboration with pathologists at the University of Magdeburg, Sonja M. Kessler, a research pharmacist in the group led by Professor Alexandra K. Kiemer at Saarland University, has identified a new pathway that may allow improved prognosis and treatment of the disease. Kessler has discovered a protein that is linked with tumour growth and that functions as a prognostic marker, thus providing an indication of how the cancer may progress. The results have been published in the specialist journal Oncotarget. | |
 | An additional 20 minutes commuting each day lowers job satisfaction equivalent to a 19% pay cutAn additional 20 minutes of commuting each working day is equivalent to a 19 percent annual pay cut when it comes to measuring how satisfied people say they are with their jobs, a new study has found. |
 | Insights from a rare genetic disease may help treat multiple myelomaA new class of drugs for blood cancers such as leukemia and multiple myeloma is showing promise. But it is hobbled by a problem that also plagues other cancer drugs: targeted cells can develop resistance. Now scientists, reporting in ACS Central Science, have found that insights into a rare genetic disease known as NGLY1 deficiency could help scientists understand how that resistance works—and potentially how drugs can outsmart it. |
Hepatitis C care falling short for young opioid users in R.I.As public health officials worry that the increase of opioid use among young adults has helped to spread the hepatitis C virus to a new generation, a study in Rhode Island finds that while screening is common, the follow-up measures needed to stop the spread of the virus are significantly less so. | |
 | Fred Hutch researchers engineer complex immunotherapy that may target relapsing leukemiaOct. 25, 2017 - Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington have developed a novel way to genetically engineer T cells that may be effective for treating and preventing leukemia relapse. |
Proton therapy for prostate cancer is advantageous to imrt according to new studyProton therapy treatment for prostate cancer is associated with higher survival rates and decreased risk of complications compared to intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) according to a new study by researchers at the Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center. The study is being presented at the 4th Annual Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group North-America (PTCOG-NA) Conference on October 25 in Chicago. | |
 | Navigation system of brain cells decodedThe human brain contains roughly 100 billion neurons. Information among them is transmitted via a complex network of nerve fibers. Hardwiring of most of this network takes place before birth according to a genetic blueprint, that is without external influences playing a role. Researchers of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have now found out more about how the navigation system guiding the axons during growth works. This is reported in the eLife magazine. |
 | Pre-clinical study suggests path toward non-addictive painkillersA pre-clinical study led by Indiana University scientists reports a promising step forward in the search for pain relief methods without the addictive side effects behind the country's current opioid addiction crisis. |
 | Why arched backs are attractiveResearchers have provided scientific evidence for what lap dancers and those who twerk probably have known all along - men are captivated by the arched back of a woman. A team led by Farid Pazhoohi of the University of Minho in Portugal used 3D models and eye-tracking technology to show how the subsequent slight thrusting out of a woman's hips can hold a man's gaze. The findings are published in Springer's journal Evolutionary Psychological Science. Studies of animals such as rats, guinea pigs, sheep, cats, ferrets and primates have shown that this so-called lordotic posture, in which the lower spine is curved towards the belly, can signal the readiness of females to mate. According to Pazhoohi, this posture may have also evolved as part of the courting behaviour of humans, and as a signal of a woman willing to be courted by a man. |
The role of the gut microbiome in posttraumatic stress disorder: More than a gut feelingThe bacteria in your gut could hold clues to whether or not you will develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after experiencing a traumatic event. | |
 | Women more likely to die in the first year after a heart attackHeart attacks pose a greater threat to women than to men. A team at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has determined that in the first year after a heart attack women are subject to a significantly higher mortality risk than men with similar case histories. The scientists are urging doctors to provide intensive support to female heart attack patients, above all in the first 365 days after the event. |
Skin found to play a role in controlling blood pressureSkin plays a surprising role in helping regulate blood pressure and heart rate, according to scientists at the University of Cambridge and the Karolinska Institute, Sweden. While this discovery was made in mice, the researchers believe it is likely to be true also in humans. | |
 | Special issue of Journal of Nursing Scholarship confronts climate change and healthA special issue of the Journal of Nursing Scholarship explores climate change, global health, and the role of nursing in addressing environmental changes and protecting vulnerable people and populations. |
 | 'Double decker' antibody technology fights cancerScientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have created a new class of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), using a versatile "double decker" technology that ties antibodies and a drug together to produce highly potent pharmaceuticals for cancer therapy. |
 | Brain tumors share common tricks to surviveDifferent types of brain tumours may use strikingly similar approaches to generate and use energy to survive in the brain, according to a new study published in PLOS ONE today. |
 | Pharma gifts to providers result in more branded, expensive prescriptionsPhysicians and other health care providers who received "gifts" from pharmaceutical companies were much more likely to prescribe a higher number of drugs per patient, including more costly prescriptions for branded medicines, compared to prescriptions written by medical providers who did not accept gifts, according to research published in PLOS ONE. |
Back on ice, but young hockey players' brains still recovering from concussionHockey players in their early teens who have had a concussion may still have brain changes three months later, long after other symptoms have cleared and they are allowed to return to play, according to a study published in the October 25, 2017, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study looked at brain scans of boys who played in Bantam hockey leagues when body checking is first introduced. | |
 | Urologists voice concerns about Opioid dependence in postoperative patientsDrug overdose was the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. in 2015. Although pain management after surgery continues to rely on opioids, there are concerns that ubiquitous use of opioids has led to a growing epidemic of addiction, dependence, and overdose (ODO). In a new study in The Journal of Urology, researchers investigated to what extent patients who had undergone urological surgery later became opioid dependent or overdosed. Although the overall risk was low (0.09%, about 1 in 1,111 patients), several risk factors for ODO were identified. |
 | Anti-pancreatic cancer drug in research focusIntriguing antitumor activity is found in a very promising class of natural compounds: cyclic depsipeptides, which have a challenging structure that makes their investigation difficult. Now, Chinese scientists have established the synthesis of a member compound, which is especially promising in killing pancreatic cancer stem cells. They describe its total synthesis and first test results in the journal Angewandte Chemie; the results point to an unprecedented activity towards one of the deadliest cancers. |
Study examines if timing of IVF to avoid weekend procedures affects pregnancy successIt's unclear whether there is a need to retrieve a woman's eggs on weekends, in connection with in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmatic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatment in couples wishing to conceive. In a recent Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica study, scheduling of eggretrieval and single embryo transfer procedures only on weekdays did not result in reduced live-birth rates; however, delays of two days or longer may be unfavorable in some treatments. | |
 | Study indicates home monitoring effectively detects potentially fatal fetal heart issuesAs reported in the Journal of Perinatology, researchers from Children's Hospital Colorado (Children's Colorado) recently confirmed that it is feasible for at-risk pregnant women to use commercially-available Doppler fetal heart rate monitors for home monitoring to detect heart arrhythmias in their developing fetuses. While commercial Dopplers have been available for years, the research team led by Dr. Bettina Cuneo, director of Fetal Cardiology in the hospital's Colorado Fetal Care Center and professor of Pediatrics and Obstetrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, found them to detect problems in fetuses at risk for a severe rhythm problem called complete atrioventricular block (CAVB). |
The psychological toll of shame in military personnelFeelings of shame may make the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) more severe in current and former members of the Armed Services. | |
 | Immigrant parents, refugees face greater mental health challenges; Kids' learning at riskCanadian immigrant parents, refugees, women and minorities are at greater risk of mental health issues and socioeconomic challenges, with their children more likely to suffer learning setbacks before kindergarten, a pair of studies by researchers at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto have shown. |
Machine learning detects marketing and sale of Opioids on TwitterUsing advanced machine learning, a cross disciplinary team of University of California San Diego researchers developed technology that mined Twitter to identify entities illegally selling prescription opioids online. | |
 | Cells' mechanical memory could hold clues to cancer metastasisIn the body, cells move around to form organs during development; to heal wounds; and when they metastasize from cancerous tumors. A mechanical engineer at Washington University in St. Louis found that cells remember the properties they had in their first environment for several days after they move to another in a process called mechanical memory. |
Study identifies risk and protective factors for depressive symptoms in African-American menAfrican-American men report an average of eight depressive symptoms in a month, with family support, mastery, self-esteem, chronic stressors and discrimination among the factors that are significant to their psychological health, according to a new study led by researchers at Georgia State University. | |
 | Timing could matter to how responsive cancer cells are to treatment, study suggestsDNA damage occurs routinely within your cells due to sun exposure, smoking and sometimes during the normal process of making new DNA. Fortunately, there are "checkpoints" in-place within cells to stop them from making more DNA and dividing before the damaged DNA is repaired. But in the case of cancer, cells may ignore these checkpoints, and go on to divide with damaged DNA. |
Method of accelerating the maturation of stem cells to form neurons discoveredVery little is still known about how neurons can be generated from stem cells. Researchers at the University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have now developed a promising technique that will facilitate the differentiation of stem cells into neurons. This even enables them to accelerate the maturation process. For this purpose, they use a hydrogel to create a stiffness-controlled scaffold for artificial brain tissue that furthermore stimulates the development of neurons. The team subsequently plans to investigate how hydrogel-based biomaterials can be injected into severely damaged brain regions in order to improve brain tissue regeneration. Over the long term it is hoped it will be possible to provide help to stroke victims or those suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. The Mainz-based researchers have recently published their findings in the leading journal Stem Cell Reports. | |
 | Medicare patients in poorest US counties more likely to incur higher out-of-pocket hospitalization expensesWhen Medicare beneficiaries are admitted to the hospital, their care is normally covered by Part A benefits with a fixed deductible. However, when the hospital stay is "for observation," Part B benefits take over, bringing with them cost-sharing and potentially large out-of-pocket expenses. In a study published in The American Journal of Medicine, researchers found that patients in low-income U.S. counties utilized observation care more commonly than those of wealthier counties, potentially exposing them to high out-of-pocket expenses. |
 | Some people with cystic fibrosis might live longer because of genetic mutationsCystic fibrosis is an inherited disorder caused by genetic mutations that disrupt the normal movement of chloride in and out of cells. Among other health problems, cystic fibrosis compromises the lungs' ability to fight infection and breathe efficiently, making it the most lethal genetic disease in the Caucasian population. Patients have an average lifespan of just 30 to 40 years. |
Multi-site study will examine CBT for traumatic brain injury-induced seizuresSeizures are a common result of traumatic brain injury, especially in military veterans. A new study funded by the DOD, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, and conducted in Providence RI and Birmingham AL (at the Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in Providence, RI and Birmingham, AL, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham) hopes to shed new light on the mechanism behind seizures associated with post-traumatic epilepsy and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. | |
Mature B lymphocytes accelerate the healing of diabetic ulcers, other skin injuriesA Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) research team has found a surprising potential solution to a persistent clinical problem - the healing of chronic wounds. In their report published in Wound Repair and Regeneration, the investigators from the MGH Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center (VIC) describe how application of mature B lymphocytes - the immune cells best known for producing antibodies - greatly accelerated the healing of acute and chronic wounds in both diabetic and nondiabetic mice. The treatment also improved the quality of regenerated tissue and reduced scarring. | |
 | Continuous EEG better at identifying oxygen-deprived newborns most at riskContinuously recording the brain's electrical signals and examining how those impulses evolve over time is a more reliable way to identify infants at risk for brain injury, compared with doing snapshot evaluations, according to a prospective cohort study led by Children's National Health System research-clinicians. |
Sexual function concerns not always reflected in prostate cancer treatment choicesPreserving sexual function was important to many men facing treatment for prostate cancer, according to a recent study by University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers. However, this preference was not strongly reflected in the treatment choices of men with low-risk prostate cancer. | |
 | Neuroscientists improve human memory by electrically stimulating brainNeuroscientists at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA have discovered precisely where and how to electrically stimulate the human brain to enhance people's recollection of distinct memories. People with epilepsy who received low-current electrical pulses showed a significant improvement in their ability to recognize specific faces and ignore similar ones. |
Feinstein Institute study looks at impact of a popular pre-heart transplant therapy on the kidneyScientists, nephrologists and cardiac surgeons from The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research and Northwell Health's Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology and Cardio-Thoracic Surgery examined the impact of a popular pre-heart transplant therapy on the kidney in a study published today by The Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Better understanding how this therapy, called left ventricular assist device (LVAD), effects kidney function can improve outcomes and develop new treatment protocols as the device is growing in acceptance as a long-term treatment option. | |
 | Separation of conjoined twins presents surgical and ethical challengesWhen a pair of conjoined twins was brought to MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) for evaluation, the staff was presented with both the technical challenges inherent in what would be a complicated separation procedure and the ethical dilemma of choosing between options that would probably result in the death of either one or both children. How the team met those challenges is described in a "Case Records of the Massachusetts General Hospital" report in the Oct. 26 New England Journal of Medicine. |
Researchers find immune cells help rebuild damaged nervesImmune cells are normally associated with fighting infection but in a new study, scientists have discovered how they also help the nervous system clear debris, clearing the way for nerve regeneration after injury. In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine showed certain immune cells—neutrophils—can clean up nerve debris, while previous models have attributed nerve cell damage control to other cells entirely. | |
Haloperidol as adjunctive therapy superior to placebo for acute gastroparesis symptomsHaloperidol is an effective first-line agent in combination with standard analgesic and antiemetic agents for the treatment of gastroparesis in the emergency department. That is the primary finding of a study to be published in the November 2017 issue of Academic Emergency Medicine (AEM), a journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM). | |
 | Panel recommends new, better shingles shot over old versionA federal panel recommended Wednesday that older people already vaccinated for shingles get a new, better shot. |
 | FDA rejects muscular dystrophy drug, says it doesn't workThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration has rejected an experimental drug for a common type of muscular dystrophy. |
Online 'window shopping' for 2018 health law plans underwayThe Trump administration says consumers can start previewing plans and premiums online Wednesday for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act in 2018. Open enrollment starts Nov. 1. | |
Biology news
 | Like humans, dogs found to have fitful sleep after negative experiencesA team of researchers from several institutions in Hungary has found that dogs, like humans, very often have sleep problems after experiencing emotional difficulties. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the group describes their study of sleeping dogs and what they found. |
 | Researchers extend power of gene editing by developing a new class of DNA base editorsScientists at Harvard University and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have developed a new class of genome editing tool. This new "base editor" can directly repair the type of single-letter changes in the human genome that account for approximately half of human disease-associated point mutations. These mutations are associated with disorders ranging from genetic blindness to sickle-cell anemia to metabolic disorders to cystic fibrosis. |
 | Researchers engineer CRISPR to edit single RNA letters in human cellsThe Broad Institute and MIT scientists who first harnessed CRISPR for mammalian genome editing have engineered a new molecular system for efficiently editing RNA in human cells. RNA editing, which can alter gene products without making changes to the genome, has profound potential as a tool for both research and disease treatment. |
 | Weak social ties a killer for male whalesMale killer whales are more likely to die if they are not at the centre of their social group, new research suggests. |
 | How CRABS CLAW represses TORNADO 2 in plant developmentMany staple foods such as grains and fruits derive from flowering plants. Flowers are formed from groups of dividing stem cells at the ends of shoots, and the division of these cells stops at a particular stage of development once floral components have formed. A new study by scientists at Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) provides new molecular insight into the coordination of these processes by showing the interplay between two genes, CRABS CLAW and TORNADO2. The findings, published in Nature Communications, describe key molecular events that must occur for stem cells to stop growing and transition into the development of reproductive organs. They show that the plant hormone auxin controls the change from cell division to female reproductive development. |
 | Robust jaws and crushing bites allow sea otters to specialize their dietsA sea otter's survival depends on their ability to catch and eat prey. Unlike most marine mammals, sea otters lack a thick layer of blubber to insulate them from the frigid waters of the Pacific Ocean. Instead, they rely on dense fur and a very active metabolism to keep warm. |
 | Sparrow chicks can ID song from opening noteA new University of Nebraska-Lincoln study has shown that golden-crowned sparrow chicks can name their tune in just one note – even before knowing the song. |
 | New genes on "deteriorating" Y chromosomeThe Y chromosome, which is found only in males, is difficult to decode even with the latest sequencing technologies. Among evolutionary biologists, the question as to which genes lie on the male sex chromosome and where they came from is therefore hotly debated. Using an innovative analysis method, a team of population geneticists from Vetmeduni Vienna have now made a crucial breakthrough. They were able to show that genetic material in fruit flies is often transferred to the Y chromosome from the other chromosomes. Although this transfer largely occurs as a result of "accidents," the researchers now demonstrate that some of these transfers create functional genes on the Y chromosome. The findings, published in PNAS, will supply new momentum for the research of the male chromosome in other species. |
 | Scavenging to survive below the seafloorMicroorganisms living in the sediments buried below the seafloor obtain their nutrients by using secreted enzymes to degrade adsorbed detritus. A new study shows that in order to survive for long time scales, microorganisms eat one another after they die. |
 | Geometry plays an important role in how cells behave, researchers reportInspired by how geometry influences physical systems such as soft matter, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have revealed surprising insights into how the physics of molecules within a cell affect how the cell behaves. |
 | Investing in conservation pays off, study findsGovernments and donors have spent billions of dollars since the 1992 Rio Earth Summit attempting to slow the pace of species extinctions around the world. Now, a new paper in Nature provides the first clear evidence that those efforts are working. |
 | Oysters close their shells in response to low-frequency soundsOysters rapidly close their shells in response to low-frequency sounds characteristic of marine noise pollution, according to a study published October 25, 2017 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Jean-Charles Massabuau from University of Bordeaux, France, and colleagues. |
 | Scientists working toward reversible kind of gene editingScientists are altering a powerful gene-editing technology in hopes of one day fighting diseases without making permanent changes to people's DNA. |
 | Translocated hawks thrive in HispaniolaSpecies translocation—capturing animals in one place and releasing them in another—is a widely used conservation method for establishing or reestablishing populations of threatened species. However, translocation projects often fail when the transplanted animals fail to thrive in their new home. A new study from The Condor: Ornithological Applications demonstrates how close monitoring of the animals being released into a new area is helping wildlife managers gauge the success of their effort to save the Ridgway's Hawk of Hispaniola. |
 | Insects can school humans in coping with adversityInsects have to cope with a wide range of environmental factors in order to thrive – disease, drought and habitat changes. Scientists hope that studying insect biology and behaviour could help humans cope with problems from climate change to disease control, shift work and even jet lag. |
 | Developing a 'gravitational theory' for ecologyAn important breakthrough by EPFL researchers could lead to the discovery of a set of general laws applicable to the environmental sciences. |
 | Hacking the bacterial social networkWhenever we use our smartphones to check social media, we face loads of bacteria on the devices—even more than on toilet seats, according to a University of Arizona study. Those bacteria may have their own form of social network that, like Facebook, allows the single-cell creatures to attract and repel one another. |
 | A natural strain of fungus could clean oil spills and return life to Alberta's oilsands"The current methods of restoring these sites are not as cost efficient or energy efficient as they could be, and can cause more environmental disruption," said Susan Kaminskyj, a professor in the Department of Biology. "Our biotech innovation should help to solve this type of problem faster and with less additional disturbance." |
 | Extinction looms for two rare bird species after devastating hurricanesConservation biologist Paul Reillo is torn between two worlds in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria—one of swift action and one of waiting. |
 | Powers of spider venom explored in VR gameThe mention of spider venom is enough to send shivers down the spine of many, but not for a group of researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) researching its ability to ease pain. |
 | A better way to wash pesticides off applesPolishing an apple with your shirt might remove some dust and dirt, but getting rid of pesticide residues could take a little more work. Researchers now report in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, that washing apples with a common household product—baking soda—could do the trick for residues on the surfaces of the fruit. |
 | Want to save 41 percent of the planet's highly threatened vertebrates? Work on islandsNew research discovers that nearly half the Earth's highly threatened vertebrates occur on islands. However, effective management of invasive species, a primary driver of extinctions on islands, could benefit 95 percent of the 1,189 threatened island species identified. |
 | No dog's life for elderly animals in Singapore ZooKima the cheetah lies unconscious on an operating table while blood samples are taken and a monitor beeps in the background, being treated not for the results of a savage attack, but for the ravages of old age. |
 | Czech zoo cheers birth of endangered eastern black rhinoExperts say an eastern black rhinoceros born in a Czech zoo is a small but important step in efforts to save the animals from extinction. |
 | EU delays vote on renewing controversial weedkiller licenceThe EU on Wednesday postponed a vote on proposals to renew the controversial weedkiller glyphosate, which critics say causes cancer and which the European Parliament wants banned in five years' time. |
 | Several forest elephant populations close to collapse in Central AfricaWWF in collaboration with the respective country ministries in charge of wildlife and various partners conducted the censuses between 2014 and 2016. The inventories were carried out in key protected areas (representing 20 per cent of the survey area) and surrounding zones (logging concessions, hunting areas and other land use types) in Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and Gabon. The censuses focused on forest elephants, great apes (chimpanzees and gorillas) and additional data were collected on levels of human activities. |
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