Science X Newsletter Friday, Nov 10

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for November 10, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

New wake-promoting node pinpointed in brain

Researchers identify a key nutrient sensor in the mTOR pathway that links nutrient availability to cell growth

Scientists develop safer, more durable lithium-ion battery that can operate under extreme conditions

Cancer immunotherapy uses melanin against melanoma

New analysis of Chicxulub asteroid suggests it may have struck in vulnerable spot

Research shows ice sheets as large as Greenland's melted fast in a warming climate

Brain chemistry study shows chronic fatigue syndrome, Gulf War illness as unique disorders

Biomarker may predict early Alzheimer's disease

Scientists investigate how different houses and lifestyles affect which bugs live with us

Scientists report chemical basis of the cell division timer, a possible anti-cancer target

Infection mechanism of Rift Valley fever virus identified

Using catalysts like tweezers to select single enantiomer from a mirrored pair

When overhead wires feed energy to trucks in California demo

Observations of a comet's first passage through the solar system reveal unexpected secrets

Discovering a protein's role in gene expression

Astronomy & Space news

	New analysis of Chicxulub asteroid suggests it may have struck in vulnerable spot (Phys.org)—A pair of researchers at Tohoku University has found evidence suggesting that if the asteroid that struck the Earth near Chicxulub 66 million years ago had landed almost anywhere else, it would not have been nearly as destructive. In their paper published in the journal Scientific Reports, Kunio Kaiho and Naga Oshima suggest that had the asteroid struck another part of the planet it is likely the dinosaurs would have survived.
	Observations of a comet's first passage through the solar system reveal unexpected secrets Comets are our most direct link to the earliest stages of the formation and evolution of the solar system. Only every few years is a new comet discovered that is making its first trip to the inner solar system from the Oort Cloud, a zone of icy objects enveloping the solar system. Such opportunities offer astronomers a chance to study a special class of comets.
	The road to Orion's launch NASA's Orion spacecraft aims to send humans further into space than ever before, and ESA's European Service Module will provide the essentials for keeping the astronauts alive and on course.
	Image: Earth as viewed from 10,000 miles On November 9, 1967, the uncrewed Apollo 4 test flight made a great ellipse around Earth as a test of the translunar motors and of the high speed entry required of a crewed flight returning from the Moon.
	Space station getting delivery from Virginia for a change The International Space Station is getting a delivery shipped from Virginia for a change.
	Orbital cargo ship poised for frigid launch An unmanned Cygnus cargo ship operated by Orbital ATK is poised to blast off toward the International Space Station on a frigid Saturday, carrying supplies to the six astronauts living in orbit.

Technology news

	Scientists develop safer, more durable lithium-ion battery that can operate under extreme conditions Lithium-ion batteries have become the energy storage method of choice for consumer electronics and military and aerospace systems alike. But potential safety hazards associated with the organic electrolytes that are used in Li-ion battery cells remain an ongoing concern.
	When overhead wires feed energy to trucks in California demo (Tech Xplore)—Siemens has announced that an electrified highway demo is running on a highway stretch in the United States. Siemens and South Coast Air Quality Management District are keeping watch on the highway near two ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. SCAQMD noted that heavy-duty trucks were the number one source of smog-forming emissions in Southern California.
	Appthority discovers app developers hard coding credentials into mobile applications using Twilio, putting users at risk (Tech Xplore)—A team at Appthority, a threat protection company, has found that many app developers have been hard-coding credentials into products that use Twilio communications services. Doing so, they note makes it relatively easy for hackers to gain access to communication services such as calling and texting. The company has published its findings on its website.
	Huge solar plant aims for brighter Brazil energy output Brazil has lagged far behind in the shift to solar power, but the continent's biggest facility now being built in the south-east aims to give the country its place in the sun.
News Corp reports profit jump to $87 mn US media group News Corp said Thursday it returned to profit in the past quarter, as it saw improvements in digital subscriptions at the Wall Street Journal and other newspapers.
	UK panel rules Uber drivers have rights on wages, time off (Update) Uber lost the latest round in the battle over its operating model Friday, when a British panel ruled that the company's drivers are workers, not independent contractors, in a decision with broad implications for the so-called gig economy.
	Researchers create gallium nitride semiconductors doped with beryllium Physicists at Aalto University have discovered a microscopic mechanism that will allow gallium nitride semiconductors to be used in electronic devices that distribute large amounts of electric power.
	Digital 3-D-fabrication technology for nursing and healthcare 3-D printing technology has important medical applications, such as manufacturing prosthetic parts, implants, and models of human organs. Here, researchers at Keio University in Tokyo, describe the potentially important role of 3-D printing in nursing and long-term care for the elderly. Given Japan's rapidly ageing society, demand for terminal care in hospitals or care facilities will exceed capacity in the near future. Furthermore, there are insufficient visiting nurses to provide in-house care. Therefore, strengthening in-house care is an urgent task for healthcare of the elderly. The introduction of information technology (IT) is an essential strategy from both aspects of work efficiency and providing high quality care.
	Social media key for tracking flu, Zika, depression and more, says new book Search the hashtag "flu" on Twitter and you'll find a free-flowing stream of comments from people across the country. In 140 characters or fewer, they offer threads of information about their symptoms, how long they've been sick, whether they received a flu shot, and more.
Russia named as likely source of Europe radioactivity spike (Update) An apparent accident at a Russian facility is suspected of causing a recent spike in radioactivity in the air over much of Europe, according to a report by France's nuclear safety agency.
	How blockchain technology has medieval roots Blockchain is an emergent technology that may be as transformative as the internet, according to many predictions. But this innovative new technology has a surprising link to the days of medieval treasuries.
UN to host first talks on use of 'killer robots' The United Nations is set to host the first-ever talks on the use of autonomous weapons, but those hoping for a ban on the machines dubbed killer robots will be disappointed, the ambassador leading the discussions said Friday.
'Pokemon Go' creators are making a 'Harry Potter' AR game Accio smartphone! "Harry Potter" fans will soon get a chance to explore the Wizarding World in real life with a new mobile game from "Pokemon Go" creators Niantic.
Apple leadership is more than 80% white and male Apple's leadership remains mostly white and male despite growing pressure on technology companies to diversify their workforces from the board room to the rank-and-file.
	Argonne forms new divisions to focus on computation and data science strengths The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory has formed two new research divisions to focus its lab-wide foundational expertise on computational science and data science activities.
	Offshore wind 'could be a bonanza' for UK, says expert As the world gathers in Bonn for COP23, the UN's annual climate change conference, Professor Mike Barnes, from The University of Manchester's School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, outlines why he thinks offshore wind could be a boom industry for the UK.
Supreme Court takes a technological step forward Surely but slowly, the Supreme Court is entering the 21st century. The court is making new legal filings available online starting Monday, years behind the rest of the federal court system.

Medicine & Health news

	New wake-promoting node pinpointed in brain Scientists have identified an additional group of cells in the brain responsible for keeping us awake: the supramammillary nucleus, part of the caudal hypothalamus.
	Researchers identify a key nutrient sensor in the mTOR pathway that links nutrient availability to cell growth To survive and grow, a cell must properly assess the resources available and couple that with its growth and metabolism—a misstep in that calculus can potentially cause cell death or dysfunction. At the crux of these decisions is the mTOR pathway, a cellular pathway connecting nutrition, metabolism, and disease.
	Cancer immunotherapy uses melanin against melanoma Researchers have developed a melanin-enhanced cancer immunotherapy technique that can also serve as a vaccine, based on early experiments done in a mouse model. The technique is applied via a transdermal patch.
	Brain chemistry study shows chronic fatigue syndrome, Gulf War illness as unique disorders Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have found distinct molecular signatures in two brain disorders long thought to be psychological in origin—chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and Gulf War Illness (GWI).
	Biomarker may predict early Alzheimer's disease Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP) have identified a peptide that could lead to the early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The discovery, published in Nature Communications, may also provide a means of homing drugs to diseased areas of the brain to treat AD, Parkinson's disease, as well as glioblastoma, brain injuries and stroke.
	Infection mechanism of Rift Valley fever virus identified Rift Valley fever virus, transmitted by mosquitoes, is responsible for outbreaks in livestock in Africa and can also be fatal in humans. Scientists from the Institut Pasteur and the CNRS, working with the University of Göttingen, have characterized the mechanism used by the virus to insert one of its envelope proteins into the host cell membrane, thereby enabling it to infect the cell. They have demonstrated that the viral envelope protein has a "pocket" that specifically recognizes a category of lipids in the cell membrane. This pocket is also found in other human pathogenic viruses transmitted by different mosquitoes, such as the Zika and chikungunya viruses. Understanding these interactions should pave the way for the identification of new therapeutic strategies that target viruses transmitted by these mosquitoes.
	Discovering a protein's role in gene expression Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered that a protein called BRWD2/PHIP binds to histone lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation—a key molecular event that influences gene expression—and demonstrated that it does so via a previously uncharacterized protein structural domain.
	That music playing in your head is a real conundrum for scientists Researchers at EPFL can now see what happens in our brains when we hear music in our heads. The researchers hope that in time their findings will be used to help people who have lost the ability to speak.
	Discovery could lead to new treatment for anxiety, addiction New research provides fresh insight into how the brain processes reward and punishment, opening new avenues for developing treatment of conditions ranging from anxiety to addictive behaviors such as drug abuse.
	Study finds donor corneas can be safely preserved for longer period Results from a large, national clinical trial show that corneal donor tissue can be safely stored for 11 days without negatively impacting the success of transplantation surgery to restore vision in people with diseases of the cornea. The cornea is the eye's clear outer covering. Currently, donor corneas are generally not used for surgery in the United States if they have been preserved for longer than seven days. Two reports from the Cornea Preservation Time Study (CPTS), which was funded by the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, appear online Nov. 10 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
	Sleep apnea may increase risk of developing Alzheimer's disease Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may put elderly people at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), according to new research published online in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Obese older adults who survive cardiac surgery may have higher risk for poor functioning More than one-third of Americans are considered obese based on their Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI measures the ratio between your height and weight. A BMI of 30 or above signals obesity. As more and more of us age, we also are likely to see an increase in the number of older people who have a difficult time maintaining a healthy body weight. That's a serious problem, since obesity can impact many parts of our health and daily life. For example, studies show people who are obese have more complications following heart surgery—an increasingly common surgery for older adults—than do people who are considered overweight (but not obese) or who maintain a "normal" weight.
	Ozanimod successful in clinical trials for multiple sclerosis Celgene Corporation recently announced results from two phase 3 trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of the drug ozanimod. Ozanimod was invented by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI). Ozanimod is a novel, oral, selective sphingosine 1-phosphate 1 (S1PR1) and 5 (S1PR5) receptor modulator, and was compared to the first-line treatment, Avonex (interferon beta-1a) (IFN), in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). The findings from the two pivotal phase 3 (SUNBEAM and RADIANCE Part B) trials pave the way for ozanimod to enter the New Drug Approval process with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Nitric oxide: Experimental analysis of its role in brain tissue in simulated ischemia A joint study conducted by scientists at the National Academy of Sciences in Belarus and Kazan Federal University in Russia, looks at the role of nitric oxide (NO) in brain tissue in simulated ischemia in rats.
Bad break: Osteoporosis-related bone fractures linked to air pollution Exposure to air pollution is associated with osteoporosis-related loss of bone mineral density and risk of bone fractures, according to a new study by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. Their findings are published in The Lancet Planetary Health.
	HPV jab means women only need 3 cervical screens in a lifetime Women may only need three cervical screens in their lifetime if they have been given the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Cancer today (Friday).
Common genetic fusion event may be associated with low-risk prostate cancer Establishing the way in which a genetic alteration called a TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion forms in a prostate cancer, rather than the presence of the gene fusion itself, could help identify patients with prostate cancer with a low risk of spreading, which might determine the best course of treatment for the patient.
Exit through the lymphatic system Our brain swims. It is fully immersed in an aqueous liquid known as cerebrospinal fluid. Every day, the human body produces about half a litre of new cerebrospinal fluid in the cerebral ventricles; this liquid originates from the blood. This same quantity then has to exit the cranial cavity again every day. Researchers in the group led by Michael Detmar, Professor of Pharmacogenomics, have now published a study showing that in mice, the cerebrospinal fluid exits the cranial cavity through the lymph vessels. The ETH Zurich researchers have thus identified another central role played by the lymphatic system, and refuted a decades-old dogma. The scientists have published their findings in the latest issue of the scientific journal Nature Communications.
	Understanding the Berlin patient's unexpected cure A decade ago, the medical world was shocked when a patient in Berlin, Germany, had been declared free of HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant to treat cancer. Doctors have repeatedly tried to replicate the result, but this HIV cure has evaded other patients so far.
	Mending hearts in three dimensions The creation of cardiac tissue-like constructs could offer an effective and convenient "woundplast" for repairing myocardial infarction.
Researchers uncover genetic basis of natural variation in aging rate Aging is characterized by a progressive decline in physiological functions and is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders, cancer and diabetes. Previous studies on aging mainly focused on the regulation of longevity, and more than 100 genes and numerous small compounds have been identified that regulate lifespan in organisms from yeast to mammals.
	A class of drugs can harness the power of the body's immune system to fight tumors By stimulating a patient's immune system, a drug already in use to treat a blood disorder can thwart the growth of a variety of solid tumors, find a team at Keio University.
Signs that someone you know may have an eating disorder It is estimated that 30 million people may suffer from an eating disorder at some point, and if these estimates are correct then that number is higher than depression. But what are the signs that someone you know may be struggling with an eating disorder? Baylor College of Medicine's Dr. Asim Shah explains what to watch out for when it comes to anorexia, bulimia and binge eating.
	Consumption of nicotine in adolescence may lead to increased alcohol intake later in life Researchers have long known that there is a link between nicotine and alcohol consumption. But the nature of the connection—how long it lasts, which begets which—remains a mystery.
	The opioid crisis is at its worst in rural areas. Can telemedicine help? Some of the communities hit hardest by the opioid epidemic are in rural America. However, many of those same communities lack access to comprehensive treatment.
	The mystery of a 1918 veteran and the flu pandemic Vaccination is underway for the 2017-2018 seasonal flu, and next year will mark the 100-year anniversary of the 1918 flu pandemic, which killed roughly 40 million people. It is an opportune time to consider the possibility of pandemics – infections that go global and affect many people – and the importance of measures aimed at curbing them.
	Engaging children in math at home equals a boost in more than just math skills Preschool children who engage in math activities at home with their parents not only improve their math skills, but also their general vocabulary, according to research from Purdue University.
	New study shows therapy dogs improve health and wellbeing of older war veterans New research shows that for older war veterans, the love and support they receive from therapy dogs can significantly ease social isolation and help bring back fond memories.
Effective interventions needed to tackle diabetes prevention in Hispanics Hispanics form the largest minority group in the U.S, and are twice as likely to have diabetes compared with non-Hispanic whites—yet a new review highlights that nearly 40% of US Hispanics with diabetes have not been formally diagnosed. Published in Frontiers in Endocrinology ahead of World Diabetes Day on November 14, the study also finds that diabetes prevalence varies widely among different Hispanic heritage groups and in different Latin American countries. The findings indicate that further research and more effective, adaptable interventions are needed to prevent and manage diabetes in Hispanics.
Sleep problem linked to changes in hallmark Alzheimer's protein Researchers in the US have found a link between the sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnoea, and levels of a protein involved in Alzheimer's disease. Their findings are published today in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
HIV outreach and return to care When chronic disease patients let their care lapse and fail to show for clinic appointments, it may behoove clinics to reach out and encourage a return to care.
	Exploring the genetics of glaucoma and retinal development Guillermo Oliver, PhD, the Thomas D. Spies Professor of Lymphatic Metabolism, recently published two studies related to the eye, one on retinal formation and the other on the genetics behind glaucoma.
	Researchers studying use of nitrous oxide for patients hospitalized for suicide risk Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are studying the use of nitrous oxide—laughing gas—as a treatment for patients who are hospitalized due to suicidal thoughts. They are investigating using the gas as a possible treatment to speed up recovery and reduce risk of suicide.
	Biobanding evaluation nets positive results among academy football teams Matching young players according to their developmental or biological age, as opposed to their chronological age, has positive effects in terms of performance, talent identification and injury reduction in football, according to a significant new study.
	Discovery suggests better way to treat certain prostate cancers, lymphomas Certain prostate cancers and lymphomas have a major genetic weakness that doctors can exploit to help save patients' lives, researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have discovered.
	Quantifying Medicaid participation rates among low-income seniors has huge implications Medicare and Medicaid—the federal programs that provide health coverage for more than 100 million Americans—cost $1 trillion annually. That number could, in fact, end up being much higher, because not everyone eligible for the benefits currently participates.
	Can 'brown fat' really help with weight loss? There have been hyped reports of late about "brown fat". Different from the fat we mostly have (white fat), brown fat is capable of burning more energy. So the theory goes: if we have more brown fat, we can lose weight. But selective reporting and misinformation has blurred the lines between fact and fiction.
	Have you ever wondered whether you were exceptionally gifted? When you were in school, did you ever wonder why your grades fell short yet your puzzled teachers insisted that you were intelligent? As an adult, have you struggled to gain recognition for your work, despite making what you feel are creative and valuable contributions? Do you often feel like your mind works more quickly than others do? Could it be that you're exceptionally gifted, yet don't know it?
	Exploring the common gut bacteria bacteroides Probiotic yogurts and pills promise better health, but the bacteria we ingest find a complex and challenging environment when they enter our gut. Food sources shift with every meal we eat, and the threat of pathogens is ever-present. In this competitive landscape, there's a clear winner already on the field: the genus Bacteroides makes up 30 percent of the bacteria in the human gut, the single most abundant genus.
Military veterans turn to adventure as an escape from depression Walking the challenging Kokoda Track, climbing Mt Kosciuszko, and undertaking other adventurous pursuits may help treat depression in military veterans, new research shows.
	Blue lighting is scientifically proven to help us relax faster than white lighting after an argument Researchers from the University of Granada say that blue light accelerates the relaxation process after acute psychosocial stress such as arguing with a friend or when someone pressures you to quickly finish some task
	Mutant gene network in colon cancer identified The principles of the gene network for colon tumorigenesis have been identified by a KAIST research team. The principles will be used to find the molecular target for effective anti-cancer drugs in the future. Further, this research gained attention for using a systems biology approach, which is an integrated research area of IT and BT.
	Life expectancy up 10 years thanks to better lifestyles: OECD Healthier lifestyles and higher incomes have helped increase life expectancy in the 35 OECD nations by 10 years in the past half century, according to a report published Friday.
	The heart risks of a desk job (HealthDay)—Your comfortable recliner and state-of-the-art office chair may be increasing your risk for heart disease. A sedentary lifestyle can raise cholesterol and threaten heart health.
	Eclampsia tied to increased relative risk of seizure disorder (HealthDay)—The relative risk of a seizure disorder after eclampsia is higher than that of women unaffected by eclampsia but remains extremely low, according to a study published online Nov. 7 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Patients use about half of opioids prescribed after hysterectomy (HealthDay)—Gynecologists prescribe about twice the amount of opioids than patients use after hysterectomy for benign, nonobstetric indications, according to a study published online Nov. 7 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Researchers uncover novel mechanism by which tumors evade cancer immunotherapies A Ludwig Cancer Research study led by Benoit Van den Eynde, Director of Ludwig Brussels, has identified a novel mechanism by which tumors of the aggressive skin cancer melanoma can resist cancer immunotherapy. Their paper, which appears in Nature Communications, describes how an immune cell recruited to the tumor induces the programmed suicide, or apoptosis, of the killer T cells harnessed by many immunotherapies. It also identifies the specific molecular interaction responsible for this effect. That interaction—between a protein on T cells known as FAS and its ligand produced by suppressive immune cells—could be disrupted to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies.
	Working to reduce brain injury in newborns Research-clinicians at Children's National Health System led the first study to identify a promising treatment to reduce or prevent brain injury in newborns who have suffered hypoxia-ischemia, a serious complication in which restricted blood flow deprives the brain of oxygen.
	Patients with depression and advanced cancer survive longer with palliative care intervention A new Dartmouth-led study finds that patients with depression and advanced cancer live longer when exposed to palliative care interventions designed to improve quality of life.
	Smell test challenge suggests clinical benefit for some before development of Alzheimer's Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) and the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) may have discovered a way to use a patient's sense of smell to treat Alzheimer's disease before it ever develops. Having an impaired sense of smell is recognized as one of the early signs of cognitive decline, before the clinical onset of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers at CUMC and NYSPI have found a way to use that effect to determine if patients with mild cognitive impairment may respond to cholinesterase inhibitor drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease.
Both obese and anorexic women have low levels of 'feel good' neurosteroid Women at opposite extremes of the weight spectrum have low levels of the neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone, according to new research published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.
Mass. panel reviews cataract surgery adverse events, makes recommendations for prevention A team of specialists in anesthesiology, ophthalmology and patient safety convened in response to a series of injuries to patients receiving cataract surgery has reported its findings regarding factors contributing to those and other adverse events and strategies for preventing patient harm in such procedures. In two papers published online in Anesthesia & Analgesia, investigators from the Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety, a Massachusetts state agency, detail adverse events associated with cataract surgery in the state over a five-year period, pinpoint factors underlying those events and make recommendations for improvements in patient safety. These papers expand on the expert panel report published by the Betsy Lehman Center in May 2016.
Report from groundbreaking 'EndoVators Summit' offers guidance for obesity treatment A recently published white paper from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Association for Bariatric Endoscopy (ABE) breaks new ground in defining the role and value of the latest approaches for obesity management. Based on the proceedings and conclusions of the EndoVators Summit on Obesity convened last November, the paper reports on the scope and impact of the obesity problem as well as the multiple factors and players involved in treating this chronic condition. "ASGE EndoVators Summit: Defining the role and value of endoscopic therapies in obesity management" appears in the November issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. This seminal document was simultaneously published by several other journals within the obesity arena.
Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) lowers 30-day readmission rates The Hospital Elder Life Program, or HELP, is an evidence-based treatment plan developed in the 1990s to prevent hospitalized older adults from developing delirium (the medical term for sudden confusion). Delirium can cause people to be either aggressive and agitated or sleepy and inactive—sometimes even a combination of the two. Delirium is also the most common complication older adults experience after surgery.
	Tearful meeting for pair forever linked by face transplant Standing in a stately Mayo Clinic library, Lilly Ross reached out and touched the face of a stranger, prodding the rosy cheeks and eyeing the hairless gap in a chin she once had known so well.
Sex and violence: the roots of Mexico's teen pregnancy problem Claudia Colimoro still remembers the day she met Rosa, a 12-year-old girl sent to the shelter she runs after being sold into sex slavery twice and getting pregnant for the second time.
WHO wary of 'major setback' on cholera in Yemen amid blockade The World Health Organization warned Friday that a Saudi-led blockade of Yemen was threatening to undo efforts to rein in a cholera epidemic already affecting nearly one million people in the war-ravaged country.
	Medicine scholars develop innovative targeted delivery system for treating osteosarcoma Chinese Medicine scholars at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) have succeeded in developing a novel targeted delivery system for CRISPR/Cas9 to achieve therapeutic genome editing of VEGFA in osteosarcoma (OS). Their research paper entitled "Tumor cell-targeted delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 by aptamer-functionalised lipopolymer for therapeutic genome editing of VEGFA in osteosarcoma" was recently published in the internationally renowned academic journal Biomaterials.
	Does your pet have a weight problem? Here's how to tell (HealthDay)—Cats with diabetes, dogs with cancer, birds with high cholesterol or even rabbits who cannot turn around to clean themselves—what do these animals all have in common?
What is Hashimoto's disease? Your thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ on the front of your neck. Its main function is to produce a thyroid hormone that regulates your metabolism. Hypothyroidism occurs when a person's thyroid function decreases. Hashimoto thyroditis, also known as Hashimoto's disease, is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S.
Emerging from mastectomy When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Margaret Pelikan had two goals: to get rid of the disease and to feel normal afterward. Her team at Mayo Clinic helped her accomplish both.
Uneven growth in US medical and health R&D investments across sectors Total U.S. investment in medical and health R&D in the U.S. grew by 20.6% from 2013 to 2016 led by industry and the federal government, according to U.S. Investments in Medical and Health Research and Development, a new report from Research!America. Industry continues to invest more than any other sector, accounting for 67.4% of total spending in 2016, followed by the federal government at 21.9%. Federal investments increased from 2013 to 2014 and 2015 to 2016, largely due to increases in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget, with a slight decline in NIH and total funding from 2014 to 2015.

Biology news

	Scientists investigate how different houses and lifestyles affect which bugs live with us Humans have lived under the same roof with bugs since we first began building shelters 20,000 years ago. Now, scientists are studying how physical factors of our homes—from the floor plan and the number of windows to even how tidy we are—may play a role in the diversity of the multi-legged communities populating the indoor environment. Researchers from the California Academy of Sciences, North Carolina State University, and the Natural History Museum of Denmark published findings today in Scientific Reports revealing that a greater number of bug species can be found in high-traffic, ground-level, carpeted rooms with many windows and doors. (And a word of comfort for pet owners with messy habits: don't worry, bugs don't really care.)
	Scientists report chemical basis of the cell division timer, a possible anti-cancer target Human cells divide according to a timer—each cell has at least 30 minutes to divide its genetic material between the nuclei of two daughter cells. Researchers at KU Leuven, Belgium, have unraveled how this timer is switched on and off. Their findings open up perspectives for the treatment of cancer, as keeping the timer running would stop cancer cells from dividing.
	Research reveals controversial insecticides are toxic to songbirds "Studies on the risks of neonicotinoids have often focused on bees that have been experiencing population declines. However, it is not just bees that are being affected by these insecticides," said Christy Morrissey, U of S biology professor.
	New study sheds light on how earliest forms of life evolved on Earth A new study led by ANU has shed light on how the earliest forms of life evolved on Earth about four billion years ago.
	Researchers exploit rhythm of DNA replication to kill cancer cells Human cells divide and create new cells throughout life. In this process, a steady—even rhythmic—supply of DNA building blocks is needed to create new DNA. Now researchers from the University of Copenhagen are the first to show exactly how human cells regulate this process so it does not fail and cause illness. The researchers also show how they can manipulate the rhythm and suggest how this can be used in the future to kill cancer cells. The study is published in Science.
	Nature's nastiest beasts on show in London From a hairy-legged Goliath spider to a 2.5-foot (0.7-metre) Komodo dragon, a fear-inducing exhibition opens Friday at London's Natural History Museum showcasing the world's most venomous creatures.
	Snake man's venom habit holds hope for new antidote For nearly 30 years, London-based reptile enthusiast and musician Steve Ludwin has been injecting snake venom—a practice that has almost killed him.
	Colombia—a megadiverse paradise still to be discovered Not so long ago, Colombia was listed as a failed state. People were trapped inside cities because of the high risk of being kidnapped, and for decades armed confrontations affecting civilians happened almost every single day. As a Colombian scientist and field biologist, I learned how to carry out research under those conditions. Countless times I had dangerous encounters with the guerrillas, the paramilitaries and the anti-guerrilla forces. I was detained a few times, had friends kidnapped and even killed, and have personally faced death at very close quarters.
	Genetic engineering mechanism visualized Researchers at Kanazawa University and the University of Tokyo report in Nature Communications the visualization of the dynamics of 'molecular scissors'—the main mechanism of the CRISPR-Cas9 genetic-engineering technique.
	One step closer to crops with twice the yield Scientists from Wageningen University & Research have found natural genetic variation for photosynthesis in plants and are unravelling it to the DNA level. As a result it should be possible to breed crops that use photosynthesis more effectively in the future, increasing their yield and enabling them to capture more CO2 from the air in the soil. This represents a major step on the long road to solving global food challenges and realising the Paris climate agreement.
The pros and cons of large ears for bat species Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have compared how much energy bats use when flying, depending on whether they have large or small ears.
Taking blood using 'push-pull' method gets accurate results with fewer pokes A new study by University of Pennsylvania veterinary researchers has found that blood samples collected from an intravenous catheter using a special "mixing" technique are as accurate as those collected via venipuncture, in which a needle is used to access the vein directly.
	Crunch time for food security Feelings often run high where insects are concerned, with many people even squeamish to look on them, let alone touch or swallow them. And yet insects present a huge nutritional opportunity as an increasing global population seeks sustainable sources of food and feed.
	Trained hawks scare off smaller birds, draw stares in LA A hawk named Riley soars between high-rises in downtown Los Angeles. Smaller birds take notice. And take flight.
Metagenomic analysis software reveals new causes of superbug emergence Researchers from ITMO University and Center of Physical and Chemical Medicine have developed an algorithm capable of tracking the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in gut microbiota DNA and revealed additional evidence of resistance gene transfer between bacterial species. The method can not only contribute to the development of effective therapy schemes, but also curb the spread of superbugs. The results of the research were published in Bioinformatics.
	Researchers generate tomatoes with enhanced antioxidant properties by genetic engineering The School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, the University of Hong Kong (HKU), in collaboration with the Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes (CNRS, Strasbourg, France), has identified a new strategy to simultaneously enhance health-promoting vitamin E by ~6-fold and double both provitamin A and lycopene contents in tomatoes, to significantly boost antioxidant properties.

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