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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for November 3, 2017:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | ALMA discovers cold dust around nearest starThe ALMA Observatory has detected dust around Proxima Centauri. These observations reveal the glow coming from cold dust in a region between one to four times as far from Proxima Centauri as the Earth is from the Sun. The data also hint at the presence of an outer dust belt and may indicate the presence of a planetary system. These structures are similar to the belts in the Solar System and are expected to be made from rock and ice. |
 | The most ancient spiral galaxy confirmedThe most ancient spiral galaxy discovered to date is revealing its secrets to a team of astronomers at Swinburne University of Technology and The Australian National University (ANU), part of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in All Sky Astrophysics in 3-D (ASTRO 3-D). |
 | Return of the comet: 96P spotted by ESA, NASA satellitesThe ESA (European Space Agency) and NASA mission SOHO—short for Solar and Heliospheric Observatory—got a visit from an old friend this week when comet 96P entered its field of view on Oct. 25, 2017. The comet entered the lower right corner of SOHO's view, and skirted up and around the right edge before leaving on Oct. 30. SOHO also spotted comet 96P in 1996, 2002, 2007 and 2012, making it the spacecraft's most frequent cometary visitor. |
 | Shedding light on the mystery of matter accretion in young starsAn international team of researchers from multiple institutions, including INRS, is shedding light on the mystery of matter accretion in young stars. Published in the November 1, 2017 Science Advances online journal, their discovery helps explain how matter accumulates on the surface of a young star and reconciles the theory behind and observations on the accretion process—a matter of debate among astrophysicists because of the limited number of theoretical models and actual observations. |
 | Juno aces eighth science pass of JupiterData returned Tuesday, Oct. 31, indicate that NASA's Juno spacecraft successfully completed its eighth science flyby over Jupiter's mysterious cloud tops on Tuesday, Oct. 24. The confirmation was delayed by several days due to solar conjunction at Jupiter, which affected communications during the days prior to and after the flyby. |
 | Image: Hubble sees nearby asteroids photobombing distant galaxiesPhotobombing asteroids from our solar system have snuck their way into this deep image of the universe taken by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. |
Russia embezzlement probe at rocket firm SoyuzRussian authorities said Friday they had launched an inquiry into alleged embezzlement at the Progress factory which develops Soyuz rockets for the country's space industry. | |
Technology news
 | When is a baseball espresso? Neural network tricked and it is no joke(Tech Xplore)—When you're working on a project where your intended turtle image is taken as a gun— who has been messing around? Turns out a team of researchers have been messing around for serious ends. They found a way to fool neural networks. |
 | Study shows need for adaptive powered knee prosthesis to assist amputeesNew North Carolina State University research into wearable robotics shows how amputees wearing these devices adapted when presented with a real-world challenge: carrying a weighted backpack. The results could assist device manufacturers and clinicians expand the utility of these important devices, and could help researchers develop smarter controllers that adapt to real-world demands. |
 | New techniques for removing carbon from the atmosphereOf the approximately two dozen medical CT scanners scattered throughout Stanford's main campus and medical centers, two can be found nestled in basement labs of the Green Earth Sciences Buildings. |
 | Fluidic transistor ushers the age of liquid computersTransistors, those tiny electrical switches that process signals and data, are the brain power behind every electronic device – from laptops and smartphones to your digital thermostat. As they continue to shrink in size, computers have become smaller, more powerful, and more pervasive. However, as we look to build squishy, human-friendly machines that have the look and feel of soft natural organisms, we need to look beyond the rigid materials used to create electrical switches and circuits. |
 | Can Apple to live up to the hype for the iPhone X?The iPhone X's lush screen, facial-recognition skills and $1,000 price tag are breaking new ground in Apple's marquee product line. |
 | Drones become crime-fighting tool, but perfection is elusiveThe armed robbery suspect hiding out in a camper in rural Michigan heard state troopers closing in, so he dashed into a field and crouched among the 6-foot-tall cornstalks. What he didn't know was that police had eyes on him from above. |
 | Estonia blocks electronic ID cards over identity-theft riskCyber-savvy Estonia said on Thursday it would suspend security certificates for up to 760,000 state-issued electronic ID-cards with faulty chips as of Friday midnight to mitigate the risk of identity theft. |
 | Apple's iPhone X hits Asia stores as profits soarApple's flagship iPhone X hit stores in Asia Friday, as the world's most valuable company predicted bumper sales despite the handset's eye-watering price tag and celebrated a surge in profits. |
 | Outgoing Twitter worker responsible for Trump account outageA Twitter employee on their last day with the company was responsible for taking down Donald Trump's account, the social network said Thursday, as the president resumed tweeting after the 11-minute outage. |
 | Carmakers join forces in Europe to make electrics widespreadA group of major automakers plans to open hundreds of fast-charging stations for electric cars in Europe in coming years and use a common plug technology in what they hope will be a big step toward mass acceptance of battery-powered vehicles. |
 | On-board computers and sensors could stop the next car-based attackIn the wake of car- and truck-based attacks around the world, most recently in New York City, cities are scrambling to protect busy pedestrian areas and popular events. It's extremely difficult to prevent vehicles from being used as weapons, but technology can help. |
 | How farmers can turn trash into energyMention agriculture to many Australians and it conjures up images of mobs of cattle in the dusty outback, or harvesters gobbling up expanses of golden wheat. In reality, much of our high-value agriculture is near the coast, and close to capital cities. Think of the Adelaide Hills, the Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane, Victoria's Gippsland region and Goulburn Valley, and Sydney's Hawkesbury Valley. |
 | Get ready for targeted ads on digital TVOnline ads trying to sell us things we previously searched for are already the norm. But the advent of digital TV means our buying habits could soon influence the ads we see between our favorite television shows too. |
 | AI-enabled Klarity helps companies identify risks in contractsNew software out of MIT uses artificial intelligence to speed up and reduce the cost of contract review for companies. Klarity is taking on nondisclosure agreements first, part of a strategy to build customer trust and expand its offerings. |
Canada: Amazon to add 1,000 jobs in VancouverAmazon announced Friday that it will double its workforce in Canada's western metropolis of Vancouver, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) north of its Seattle headquarters, to 2,000. | |
 | Long queues, protests as Apple's iPhone X hits storesApple's iPhone X hit stores around the world Friday, drawing crowds in many locations and protests in others as the new flagship device hit stores in some 50 markets worldwide. |
 | Largest US port complex passes plan to reach zero emissionsThe largest port complex in the nation has set goals to drastically reduce air pollution over the next several decades. |
 | Inside story: How Russians hacked the Democrats' emailsIt was just before noon in Moscow on March 10, 2016, when the first volley of malicious messages hit the Hillary Clinton campaign. |
 | 'Godfather' of deep learning is reimagining AIGeoffrey Hinton may be the "godfather" of deep learning, a suddenly hot field of artificial intelligence, or AI – but that doesn't mean he's resting on his algorithms. |
 | Broadcom eyes mega-deal for US chip rival Qualcomm: reportsShares of Qualcomm leapt on Friday after unconfirmed media reports said rival computer chip giant Broadcom may make an unsolicited takeover bid. |
 | Smart autopilot promises to keep flying safeIntelligent autopilot and cockpits designed by virtual reality could ease the burden on pilots and make flying safer for Europe's airline passengers. |
 | Autonomous forklift trucks which will work with humans are being developedScientists are working to develop new fleets of autonomous 'self-optimising' forklift trucks which can operate safely and efficiently in warehouses alongside human co-workers, and automatically adapt to changing work demands. |
Equifax says execs unaware of hack when they sold stockEquifax said Friday an internal review found that four executives who sold shares ahead of disclosure of a massive data breach at the credit agency were unaware of the incident ahead of the sale. | |
35 states and DC back bid to collect online sales taxesThirty-five state attorneys general and the District of Columbia this week signed on to support South Dakota's legal bid to collect sales taxes from out-of-state internet retailers. | |
Medicine & Health news
 | Scientists identify mechanism that helps us inhibit unwanted thoughtsScientists have identified a key chemical within the 'memory' region of the brain that allows us to suppress unwanted thoughts, helping explain why people who suffer from disorders such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and schizophrenia often experience persistent intrusive thoughts when these circuits go awry. |
 | Lack of oxygen, not blood flow, delays brain maturation in preterm infantsPremature infants are at risk for a broad spectrum of life-long cognitive and learning disabilities. Historically, these conditions were believed to be the result of lack of blood flow to the brain. However, a new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, finds that while limited blood flow may contribute, major disturbances are actually caused by low oxygen. |
 | Scientists link pancreatic cancer survival to four genesAlterations in four main genes are responsible for how long patients survive with pancreatic cancer, according to a new study in JAMA Oncology. |
 | Flu researchers discover new mechanism for battling influenzaJust as flu season swings into full gear, researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder and University of Texas at Austin have uncovered a previously unknown mechanism by which the human immune system tries to battle the influenza A virus. The discovery sheds new light on how the virus—which kills 12,000 to 56,000 people in the United States annually—often wins, and it could ultimately lead to new treatments. |
 | The battle between cancer and the immune system—who switches the off signals off?Scientists have discovered key new information about how to boost our immune system's fight against cancer. |
 | New evidence shows second dengue infection can be more severe due to antibody levels(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers from the U.S. and Nicaragua has found evidence that suggests people infected a second time by the dengue virus may experience a more severe form of dengue fever if their antibody levels are at a certain level. In their paper published in the journal Science, the team describes their study of the disease in children in Nicaragua over the course of 12 years and what they found. |
 | Testing reveals transfusing young blood into Alzheimer's patients does not reverse disease(Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers with a startup company called Alkahest will be giving a presentation at this year's Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease Conference detailing results of testing blood transfusions on elderly Alzheimer's patients. They are expected to claim that their testing revealed both null and positive results. |
 | Electron microscopy uncovers unexpected connections in fruit fly brainWhat was once thought to be a done-and-dusted map of the fruit fly brain has gotten a second look, and researchers have discovered that it's actually not done at all. |
 | Probability calculations—even babies can master itOne important feature of the brain is its ability to make generalisations based on sparse data. By learning regularities in our environment it can manage to guide our actions. As adults, we have therefore a vague understanding of which events are likely to happen. So far, it was unclear when we begin to estimate likelihood. Scientists at Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences have now shown that even six-month-old babies can probability. |
 | In pursuit of a universal flu vaccine—study shows pros, cons for major strategy to create broadly protective shotFlu shot season is here. But as you head to the doctor's office or pharmacy to get vaccinated, scientists are working to make this yearly ritual a thing of the past. Researchers around the world, including at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), are pursuing a "universal" flu vaccine, one that would protect against most or all seasonal and pandemic strains of the flu virus. |
 | Pitt study provides clues to body's defense against common oral ailmentAn international team, led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, has identified the mechanism by which the immune system first learns that the fungus Candida albicans, which causes oral thrush, has invaded the body. The culprit is a fungal toxin called Candidalysin, which punches holes in cells lining the mouth and is sensed by the immune system, which then begins to mount a defense. |
 | Potential new treatment for Fragile X targets one gene to affect manyIn Fragile X Syndrome—the leading genetic form of intellectual disability and autism—the effects of a single defective gene ripple through a series of chemical pathways, altering signals between brain cells. It's a complex condition, but new research from Rockefeller University finds that inhibiting a regulatory protein alters the intricate signaling chemistry that is responsible for many of the disease's symptoms in animal models. The work, published in Cell, offers insight into how redundant mechanisms control the amount of protein in a cell and provides a path to possible therapeutics for the autism spectrum disorders. |
 | Study refutes using anti-malaria drug to treat diabetes, emphasizes importance of reproducibility in biomedical researchA drug used to treat malaria does not, after all, create new insulin-producing cells, according to a new paper from researchers at the University of California, Davis. The work, published in Cell Metabolism Nov. 2, refutes a study published in Cell in January. |
Retired professional footballers at higher risk of knee osteoarthritisRetired professional footballers are far more prone to develop knee pain and osteoarthritis and face problems with their knees earlier in life than the average person, a study has revealed. | |
 | Combined therapies increase side effects for patients with advanced breast cancerLisbon, Portugal: Patients with advanced breast cancer who are treated with a combination of drugs that target specific molecules important for cancer development and also the hormones that are driving it are at increased risk of suffering adverse side effects. |
 | Patients report worse care experience in GP practices owned by limited companiesNew research published today by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine concludes that patients registered to general practices owned by limited companies, including large organisations, reported worse experiences of their care than other patients. The research examined data for 7,949 general practices in England included in the General Practice Patient Survey 2013-2014. |
 | Biomarkers may provide early warning of lung problems in 9/11 firefightersBlood biomarkers appear to be an early-warning signal for the accelerated loss of lung function and airway obstruction in firefighters who responded to the World Trade Center disaster, according to new research published online in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. |
Unemployment triggers increase in child neglect, according to new researchThe number of reported cases of child neglect in the United States of America increased as a result of the spike in unemployment following the financial crisis of 2007-08, according to new Oxford University research. The first study of its kind suggests that unemployment can cause an increase in child neglect because parents have more limited access to the resources required to provide for a child's basic needs, such as clothing, food and medical care. | |
 | Science confirms you should stop and smell the rosesIs it any wonder that most happiness idioms are associated with nature? Happy as a pig in muck, happy as a clam, happy camper. |
 | Free 'Obamacare' for older, poorer in nearly all countiesOlder people with low incomes nearly everywhere would have access to free "Obamacare" health coverage next year, according to a study Thursday that found the Trump administration's efforts to undercut the Affordable Care Act have broad unintended consequences. |
 | How about a vasectomy? Uganda wants more men to say yesWhen Martin Owor, a father of six, told his wife he was considering having a vasectomy, she told him it was out of the question. How would they live as husband and wife after his surgical sterilization? |
 | Researchers connect two important signalling pathways in cancer and ageing for the first timeThe structure of proteins that protect telomeres (shelterin proteins, from "protective shield") are promising targets to combat cancer, but to date, there has been no effective form for attacking them. In the absence of drugs that destroy telomeres, cancer retains one of its most terrible properties, which is the ability of its cells to divide perpetually. Two years ago, a research group led by Maria A. Blasco at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) hit upon several compounds that caused injury to these protective chromosome structures and now, in a study published in Nature Communications, they show that these drugs achieve this effect by acting on PI3K, a key protein in cancer and ageing. This is the first time that a functional link has been described between this pathway and the telomeres. |
 | New treatment approach for autoimmune disorderResearchers from Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin have been able to improve their understanding of the key mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of a serious autoimmune disease. For the first time, researchers were able to demonstrate a close link between the activation of programmed cell death, complement system activation, and organ damage in patients with systemic inflammation of blood vessels caused by ANCA antibodies. Results from this research have been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. |
 | 'Super T cells' engineered for optimal performance drive new gene-therapy approachResearchers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute have initiated a clinical trial based on a unique two-pronged strategy for arming the immune system to more effectively attack cancer cells. Patients treated through this early-stage clinical trial, which is available only at Roswell Park, will receive one-time injections of their own cells—"super T cells" reprogrammed to make them more effective at targeting tumor cells, and armed with an added element to help them to evade one of cancer's most resilient defenses. |
 | What is the most effective type of hip implant combination for patients undergoing a hip replacement?Researchers from the Bristol Medical School have found that there is no evidence that any of the newer hip implant combinations, such as ceramic or uncemented, are better than the widely used small head metal-on-plastic cemented hip combination, which has been commonly used since the 1960s. |
 | Simple genetic test promises better outcomes in heart stent patientsResearchers in the Division of Cardiology, School of Pharmacy and UNC McAllister Heart Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are part of a national study which found that a quick, precise genetic test, when used to guide medication selection, can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients who receive a coronary stent. The study was conducted by the National Institutes of Health's Implementing Genomics in Practice (IGNITE) network, and published online November 1. |
Troponin linked to increased risk of deathA blood test that measures the presence of heart specific proteins called troponins is used by A&E hospitals to diagnose myocardial infarction in patients with chest pain. But even normal levels of the protein in patients without infarction increase the risk of death, a study from Karolinska Institutet published in the renowned Journal of the American College of Cardiology shows. Patients with measurable troponin levels should therefore be investigated, suggest the researchers. | |
 | Brain's alertness circuitry conserved through evolutionUsing a molecular method likely to become widely adopted by the field, researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health have discovered brain circuitry essential for alertness, or vigilance – and for brain states more generally. Strikingly, the same cell types and circuits are engaged during alertness in zebra fish and mice, species whose evolutionary forebears parted ways hundreds of millions of years ago. This suggests that the human brain is likely similarly wired for this state critical to survival. |
 | Identification of a new gene causing scoliosis and bone malformationsA unique collaboration among Shriners Hospital for Children – Canada, CHU Sainte-Justine and McGill University has enabled researchers to identify genetic mutations involved in a rare disease that causes scoliosis and bone malformations. |
Small improvements can make big differences for tenants, study findsEven minor improvements to new buildings can make a significant difference to tenants' comfort, new research from the University of Otago, Wellington, has found. | |
 | Calorie counts on menus make a differenceOne the most comprehensive pieces of research into the impact of displaying calories on menus reveals it not only influences consumers to make lower calorie choices but also encourages retailers to provide lower calorie options. |
 | Researchers obtain chemical data from cerebral fluid to treat neurodegenerative diseasesResearchers at EPFL have developed a new device and analysis method that let doctors measure the neurochemicals in a patient's brain. The Microsystems Laboratory 4 (LMIS4)'s system involves collecting microdroplets of cerebral fluid and analyzing them to obtain chemical data that can help doctors diagnose and treat neurodegenerative diseases. |
 | More women than men are diagnosed with bowel cancer as an emergency despite extra GP visitsMore than a third (34 percent) of women with bowel cancer in England were diagnosed after an emergency hospital visit compared to less than a third of men (30 percent), despite women having more red flag symptoms and more visits to their GP, according to research presented at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference in Liverpool. |
New cancer drug shows promise in helping patients with blood cancerAn immunology discovery from the laboratories at the University of Southampton has now been shown to improve the outcomes of a common type of blood cancer in patients. | |
Positive results from Alzheimer's drug in Phase 1 clinical trial extensionThe pharmaceutical company Biogen has today announced the results of an extended phase 1b clinical trial of the potential Alzheimer's disease drug, aducanumab. Results from the extended early stage trial, were announced today at Clinical Trials in Alzheimer's Disease (CTAD) conference in Boston. | |
 | Common irregular heart rate condition along with other chronic illness linked to higher death riskYoung or middle aged people with Atrial Fibrillation (AF), the most common heart rhythm abnormality, are at greater risk of death if they have other long term health conditions, according to a new study. |
 | Eye tracking and robots—early interventions for children at risk for autismAsk any new parent what they're most excited about, and they're likely to list getting to see their child achieve their first big milestones – their first step, their first word. |
 | Brain wave activity associated with circadian preferencesA new study from the University of Helsinki, Finland, shows that individual circadian preference is associated with brain activity patterns during the night. |
 | Depression treatment needs overhaulThe way depression is diagnosed and treated needs a major overhaul, say authors of a new review article in the scientific journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. |
 | Is narcissism on the rise? Do millennials really feel more entitled?Are New Zealanders more narcissistic than they used to be? Do millennials really have a stronger sense of entitlement than previous generations? |
 | Surgeons beat heat stress with 'cooling vest' invented by nursing studentAs an operating room nurse, Jill Byrne saw how heat shortened the tempers and focus of stressed, sweating surgeons. |
 | Elucidation of bone regeneration mechanismHow osteoblasts are supplied during bone regeneration has been controversial among bone researchers. According to Atsushi Kawakami, an Associate Professor who specializes in tissue regeneration and led the study, scientists disagree on how these cells are made. |
RNs can play key role in identifying medication issues to improve nursing home careMedication reconciliation is a safety practice to identify medication order discrepancies when patients transition from hospitals to nursing homes. Nurses serve on the front lines of this practice, yet not all nurses have the same education and preparedness to ensure resident safety. Now, nursing care experts from the University of Missouri have found that registered nurses (RNs) are better equipped compared to licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to identify discrepancies that could cause residents harm. | |
 | US rate for gun deaths is up for the second straight yearThe U.S. rate for gun deaths has increased for the second straight year, following 15 years of no real change, a government report shows. |
 | What food gets people's attention? Junk food, by far(HealthDay)—If cookies, pizza and potato chips seem to pull you in, you're not alone. |
 | Working with your school nurse(HealthDay)—Nearly 18 percent of kids have a chronic health condition, such as asthma or allergies. If your child is one of them, working successfully with your school's nurse will help keep him or her safe. |
 | Ready for the time change on Sunday?(HealthDay)—It might sound like a great thing—getting an extra hour of sleep when Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday. |
 | Nursing home often only option for single men after stroke(HealthDay)—It's a frequent occurrence: A single, childless older man without a designated caregiver suffers a debilitating stroke, and is sent to a nursing home for the remainder of his life. |
 | Prescription-strength steroids sold without prescription(HealthDay)—The ability to purchase a product containing a class 3 topical steroid online, without physician authorization, highlights the dangers of prescription-strength medications being acquired as over-the-counter products, according to a research letter published online Nov. 1 in JAMA Dermatology. |
 | Inflammatory biomarkers may impact risk of schizophrenia(HealthDay)—Specific inflammatory biomarkers may impact the risk of developing schizophrenia, with a protective effect noted for C-reactive protein (CRP) and a risk-increasing effect for soluble interleukin-6 receptor (sIL-6R), according to a study published online Nov. 1 in JAMA Psychiatry. |
 | Favorable prognosis for syncope patients discharged from ER(HealthDay)—Most patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a primary diagnosis of syncope are discharged and have a favorable prognosis, and though total costs to care for discharged syncope patients are high, cost per patient is lower compared with hospitalized patients, according to a study published online Nov. 1 in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. |
 | Lead shield reduces radiation exposure during catheterization(HealthDay)—Use of an accessory lead shield placed between the staff member and the patient during cardiac catheterization can reduce radiation exposure among technologists and nurses, according to a study published online Nov. 1 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. |
 | Inexplicable spasms can now be explained with hormonesIn Denmark, as many as 2,000 people - in particular women - suffer from spasms which are similar to epileptic seizures, but which cannot be measured, prevented, treated or explained. Until now, as with the publication of a study from Aarhus University, researchers show that patients with the seizures - which are known as psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) in medical language - have a lower level of the hormone neuropeptide Y (NPY) in their blood. This is a hormone that is associated with an increased resilience for dealing with stress. In the study, the same patients have reported a higher degree of different types of abuse such as sexual abuse, violence, bullying, feelings of abandonment and the experience of reduced quality of life. |
 | Obesity increases incidence, severity, costs of knee dislocationsA new study of more than 19,000 knee dislocation cases in the U.S. between 2000 and 2012 provides a painful indication of how the nation's obesity epidemic is changing the risk, severity and cost of a traumatic injury. |
 | Team discovers new disease that causes kidney failureResearchers at the University of Louisville were part of a group that discovered an insidious new autoimmune disease that causes kidney failure. |
Researchers examine racial and gender disparities in dialysis patientsUniversity of Cincinnati (UC) researchers are examining racial and gender disparities in dialysis patients as well as the impact of poor functional status and pre-dialysis hospitalizations on elderly dialysis patients. Silvi Shah, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Nephrology, Kidney CARE Program at the UC College of Medicine, presented this research at the American Society of Nephrology meetings in New Orleans, Oct. 31-Nov. 5. | |
 | Experts demand better prevention, treatment for children with hepatitisExperts at the second World Hepatitis Summit Friday called for improved preventative measures and treatment for 52 million children suffering from the disease, on the final day of the three-day event in Sao Paulo. |
Scratching the surface of mature monocytes... and coming up with CXCR7New research published online in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology showed for the first time that mature monocytes (a specific type of white blood cell) express the CXCR7 receptor on their surface. This receptor may be a therapeutic target for controlling inflammation in the brain associated with diseases like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and AIDS. | |
 | Are stents really useless after chest pain? Cardiologists not sure(HealthDay)—Heart experts are cautiously embracing the results of a new, landmark clinical trial that questions the value of opening blocked arteries to relieve chest pain. |
 | People tend to overestimate pain from surgery(HealthDay)—Many patients overestimate the amount of pain they'll experience after surgery, resulting in needless anxiety, a new study reports. |
 | Novel artificial pancreas cuts HbA1c, hypoglycemia in T1DM(HealthDay)—A novel adaptive artificial pancreas (AP) can reduce hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D), according to a study published online Oct. 13 in Diabetes Care. |
 | Almost one in four skin biopsies is melanocytic proliferation(HealthDay)—About one-quarter of skin biopsies are diagnosed as melanocytic proliferation, according to a study published online Nov. 1 in JAMA Dermatology. |
 | Current practice not cost-effective for air medical triage(HealthDay)—Current practice is not cost-effective compared with the Air Medical Prehospital Triage (AMPT) score for trauma patients, and the field triage system undertriage rate for patients with severe injuries exceeds 20 percent, according to two studies published online Nov. 1 in JAMA Surgery. |
 | School-based food co-op tied to improved diets in children(HealthDay)—Brighter Bites, a school-based food cooperative program, is effective in improving children's diets, according to a study published online Nov. 2 in Preventing Chronic Disease. |
 | Pricing interventions increase sales, intake of healthy foods(HealthDay)—Pricing interventions seem to improve access to healthy food and beverage options with increases in stocking and sales of these items, according to a review published online Nov. 2 in Preventing Chronic Disease. |
 | Cases of low vision, blindness estimated to double in 30 years(HealthDay)—Prevalence and incidence rates of low vision and blindness demonstrate a growing need for low vision rehabilitation services in the United States, according to a study published online Nov. 2 in JAMA Ophthalmology. |
 | '09 to '15 saw increase in transradial access for STEMI PCI(HealthDay)—Use of transradial access (TRA) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) increased from 2009 to 2015, with considerable geographic, operator, and institutional variation, according to a study published online Nov. 1 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. |
 | CYP2C19-genotype guided antiplatelet tx may be beneficial(HealthDay)—Patients with a CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele have increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) with clopidogrel versus alternative antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), according to a study published online Nov. 1 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. |
Worldwide 52 million children living with viral hepatitisNew data presented at this year's World Hepatitis Summit in Sao Paulo, Brazil (1-3 November) show that 52 million children are living with viral hepatitis worldwide, compared to 2.1 million children living with HIV/AIDS. | |
 | RefEx, a web tool for a comfortable search of reference data for gene expression analysisCurrently, there are many public databases available to everyone in the field of life science, but there are many problems when you try to use them, namely you do not know which to use, how to use and even where to find a necessary one. Especially gene expression data has a complex situation, since there are several measurement methods developed by different research groups and the data accumulated exponentially for the sake of the invention of DNA microarray, which measures the gene expression level not only for the genes of interest but also genome wide area. Researchers need to find a representative gene expression level data set or reference data to start their experiment, but are faced with a bewildering amount of gene expression data. |
Ten-year fall in blood cholesterol of Malaysia heart attack patients suggests statin impactA ten-year decline in the blood cholesterol of heart attack patients in Malaysia suggests that statins are having a positive impact, according to an observational study in nearly 49 000 patients presented at the ASEAN Federation of Cardiology Congress 2017 (AFCC2017). | |
 | Drumming program improves boys' mental health and delinquent behaviourAn innovative, ten-week program that combines hand drumming and therapeutic talking has been found to significantly assist disadvantaged boys' mental health and antisocial behaviour. |
 | Why have female gun homicides in Australia declined significantly since 1996?When Australians think about the 1996 gun reforms that followed the Port Arthur massacre, it is usually the big-ticket changes – like bans and "buybacks" – that get the most attention. But, sometimes, small changes can be the most effective at reducing violence, and these are seldom acknowledged. |
Non-invasive diagnosis of diastolic heart failure without the use of radiationTwo new studies on diastolic heart failure are starting at the German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK). They will investigate whether this form of heart failure can be better diagnosed and its causes clarified with the help of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). | |
 | Livestock-associated MRSAfound among MRSA from humansThe survey results show more frequent detections and geographical dispersion of LA-MRSA in humans in the EU/EEA since 2007, and highlight the public health and veterinary importance of LA-MRSA as a 'One Health' issue. The ECDC advocates for periodic systematic surveys or integrated multi-sectorial surveillance to facilitate control measures. |
 | Caffeine consumption may help kidney disease patients live longerCaffeine consumption may prolong the lives in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2017 October 31-November 5 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. |
| Insomnia linked with early death and kidney dysfunctionInsomnia may have detrimental effects on individuals' kidney health and their overall survival, according to a study that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2017 October 31-November 5 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. |
Non-medical factors affect racial disparities in kidney transplant wait-listingA new study indicates that certain non-medical factors affect racial disparities in wait-listing for a kidney transplant. The findings will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2017 October 31-November 5 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. | |
Nighttime blood pressure may predict risk of kidney failure in childrenMonitoring blood pressure during the night may help identify children with kidney disease who are at risk of progressing to kidney failure, according to a study that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2017 October 31-November 5 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. | |
 | Job numbers reflect rising inclusion of Americans with disabilitiesThe major economic indicators continue to reflect increasing inclusion of Americans with disabilities in the workforce, according to today's National Trends in Disability Employment - Monthly Update (nTIDE), issued by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire's Institute on Disability (UNH-IOD). Results from a new national survey show that many employers have implemented practices and processes for recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining people with disabilities. The 2017 Kessler Foundation National Employment and Disability Survey: Supervisor Perspectives underscores where success is being achieved and reveals opportunities for maximizing inclusion in the workplace. |
Biology news
 | Limits of endurance as marathon stars run out of timeThe Olympic motto is "Faster, Higher, Stronger", but what if we have reached the limits of the human body? |
 | Fish provide insight into the evolution of the immune systemNew research from the University of East Anglia (UEA), UK, and Dalhousie University, Canada, reveals how immune systems can evolve resistance to parasites. |
 | What do piranhas and goldfish have in common?The common goldfish, the tiny minnows, the fish tank favorite tetra, the famous Electric Eel, the enormous Mekong Giant Catfish that weighs in at nearly 700 pounds, the gnashing-teeth piranha, the well-studied zebrafish - all these fish have something in common. Other than possessing special bone structures that transmit sound waves from the swim bladder to the inner ear that give them hearing abilities on par with or even exceeding those of humans, they are members of Ostariophysi, a superorder of bony fishes including more than 10,300 species in 1,100 genera and 70 families. |
 | Agricultural productivity drove Euro-American settlement of UtahOn July 22, 1847, a scouting party from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stood above the Great Salt Lake Valley in modern-day Utah; by 1870, more than 18,000 followers had colonized the valley and surrounding region, displacing Native American populations to establish dispersed farming communities. While historians continue to debate the drivers of this colonization event, a new study from the University of Utah proposes that agricultural productivity drove dispersal patterns in a process that led the current distribution of Utah populations today. |
 | How convincing is a Y-chromosome profile match between suspect and crime scene?David Balding of the University of Melbourne, Australia and Mikkel Andersen of Aalborg University in Denmark have developed new, open-source software that can help understand how many people in a population will match a single Y-chromosome profile detected at a crime scene, which they describe in a new study in PLOS Genetics. |
 | Can environmental toxins disrupt the biological 'clock'?Can environmental toxins disrupt circadian rhythms - the biological "clock" whose disturbance is linked to chronic inflammation and a host of human disorders? Research showing a link between circadian disruption and plankton that have adapted to road salt pollution puts the question squarely on the table. |
 | Hundreds of dead sea turtles found floating off El SalvadorHundreds of dead sea turtles have been found floating off El Salvador's Pacific coast, leaving officials scratching their heads as to what caused the massacre. |
 | It's mostly mothers who pass on mitochondria – and a new theory says it's due to the first sexual conflictEvolutionary interests of males and females do not always coincide. This is known as sexual conflict: male innovations that allow them to reproduce more sometimes hurt females, and vice versa. |
 | Scientists design new molecules capable of overcoming resistance to conventional antibioticsA team led by researchers from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) has made an important breakthrough in the battle against superbugs and their resistance to multiple drugs. Scientists have designed molecules that can break the cellular mechanisms of bacterial resistance conventional antibiotics. The results of this discovery are published in the latest issue of the journal Cell. |
 | Genetic discovery another tool in battle against wheat pestsGreenbug and Hessian fly infestations can significantly reduce wheat yield and quality in Texas and worldwide. Breeding for resistance to these two pests using marker-assisted selection just got a new tool from a Texas A&M AgriLife Research study. |
 | How dogs and cats can get their day in courtIn 2016, the FBI started to track animal cruelty, including neglect, torture and sexual abuse, because of disturbing connections. |
 | Digger wasps and their chemistryThe skin of insects is usually covered by water-repellent hydrocarbons which protect them against desiccation and pathogens. This protective layer is species-specific in the majority of cases, creating a chemically unique profile which allows the members of a species to recognize each other. |
 | Wild grape yeast could be more effective than pesticides in preventing grape moldsResearchers have identified a wild yeast that is more effective than a pesticide at preventing common grape molds. The yeast strain is one of many found on wild grapes, as well as a smaller number found on farmed grapes, that can inhibit common grape molds. The study, published today in open-access journal Frontiers in Microbiology, suggests that wild yeasts could be an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. |
 | Protecting the wild: professor helps to minimize recreation disturbance to wildlifeNature and outdoor enthusiasts seek to enjoy recreational activities such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and camping. However, sometimes appreciating nature's beauty comes at a cost to wildlife. |
Rise of populism affects wildlife management in USResearchers at Colorado State University and The Ohio State University have found that a cultural backlash stemming from the rise of populism may limit opportunities for state fish and wildlife agencies to adapt to changing social values in the United States. The team reached this conclusion by analyzing more than 12,000 surveys from 19 states and studying ballot initiatives related to hunting. | |
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