Science X Newsletter Thursday, Nov 2

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for November 2, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

New white paper maps the very real risks that quantum attacks will pose for Bitcoin

Study with rats suggests drinking alcohol increases risk of addiction to cocaine

Study of W Hydrae suggests condensed aluminum oxide dust plays key role in accelerating stellar wind

Cancer cells destroyed with metal from the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs

A bit of a 'quantum magic trick'—experiment shows how to speed up frequency measurement

Researchers document transformation of graphite into hexagonal diamond

Scientists discover hidden chamber in Egypt's Great Pyramid

How chromosomes 'cheat' for the chance to get into an egg

Metasurface generates new states of light for fundamental research and applications

Dog star: Scientist recalls training Laika for space

Nanoscale 'abacus' uses pulses of light instead of wooden beads to perform calculations

Key to better asparagus identified in evolution of sex chromosomes

New home for 3-D objects eases developer leap into VR/AR environments

Research finds multiple nutrients are required for phytoplankton to thrive

Overlooked treasure—the first evidence of exoplanets

Astronomy & Space news

	Study of W Hydrae suggests condensed aluminum oxide dust plays key role in accelerating stellar wind (Phys.org)—A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in Japan has found evidence showing that condensed aluminum oxide dust surrounding the star W Hydrae plays a key role in accelerating the stellar wind. In their paper published on the open access site Science Advances, the team describes their study of the star and the gases that surround it.
	Dog star: Scientist recalls training Laika for space "I asked her to forgive us and I even cried as I stroked her for the last time," says 90-year-old Russian biologist Adilya Kotovskaya, recalling the day she bid farewell to her charge Laika.
	Overlooked treasure—the first evidence of exoplanets Beneath an elegant office building with a Spanish-style red tiled roof in Pasadena, California, three timeworn storerooms safeguard more than a century of astronomy. Down the stairs and to the right is a basement of wonder. There are countless wooden drawers and boxes, stacked floor to ceiling, with telescope plates, sunspot drawings and other records. A faint ammonia-like smell, reminiscent of old film, fills the air.
	Neutron star merger confirms decades of predictions On Aug. 17, the Laser Interferometry Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) detected the fifth fingerprint of a massive disturbance in spacetime since LIGO began operations in September 2015. Unlike the first four sets of ripples, which reflected collisions between two black holes, the shape of these spacetime distortions suggested a collision between two neutron stars.
	The inner secrets of planets and stars After a five-year, 1.74 billion-mile journey, NASA's Juno spacecraft entered Jupiter's orbit in July 2016, to begin its mission to collect data on the structure, atmosphere, and magnetic and gravitational fields of the mysterious planet.
	Atmospheric beacons guide NASA scientists in search for life Some exoplanets shine brighter than others in the search for life beyond the solar system. New NASA research proposes a novel approach to sniffing out exoplanet atmospheres. It takes advantage of frequent stellar storms—which hurl huge clouds of stellar material and radiation into space—from cool, young dwarf stars to highlight signs of habitable exoplanets.
	Mice, fish and flies: the animals still being sent into space Sixty years after Laika the dog became the first living creature to go into orbit, animals are still being sent into space—though these days much smaller creatures are going up.
	The Noah's Ark of animals sent in to space Three and a half years before Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space, a dog called Laika was in 1957 the first living creature to orbit the Earth.
	Wind satellite vacuum packed With liftoff on the horizon, ESA's Aeolus satellite is going through its last round of tests to make sure that this complex mission will work in orbit. Over the next month, it is sitting in a large chamber that has had all the air sucked out to simulate the vacuum of space.
	Picture this SELFI: NASA advances instrument to study the plumes of Enceladus NASA scientists and engineers have conceived and plan to build an ambitious submillimeter-wave or radio instrument to study the composition of geysers spewing water vapor and icy particles from the south pole of Saturn's small moon, Enceladus.
Telescope permit decision appealed to Hawaii Supreme Court Opponents of a giant telescope planned for a Hawaii mountain are appealing the state land board's approval of the project's construction permit.
	Image: Solar surface from hot to hottest This sequence of images shows the Sun from its surface to its upper atmosphere all taken at about the same time on Oct. 27, 2017. The first shows the surface of the Sun in filtered white light; the other seven images were taken in different wavelengths of extreme ultraviolet light. Note that each wavelength reveals somewhat different features.
	Idaho looking to cash in on starry skies with more tourists The stars are aligning for Idaho—mainly because they're visible.

Technology news

	New home for 3-D objects eases developer leap into VR/AR environments (Tech Xplore)—For developers creating content tools for virtual and augmented reality content, what a nice start to the month. And you can thank Google. November 1 marked the introduction of Poly, where you go to browse, discover and download 3D objects.
	Software algorithm speeds 3-D printing A major drawback to 3-D printing—the slow pace of the work—could be alleviated through a software algorithm developed at the University of Michigan.
	Study finds fringe communities on Reddit and 4chan have high influence on flow of alternative news to Twitter Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Cyprus University of Technology, University College London and Telefonica Research have conducted the first large-scale measurement of how mainstream and alternative news flows through multiple social media platforms.
	Researchers working to mimic giant clams to enhance the production of biofuel Alison Sweeney of the University of Pennsylvania has been studying giant clams since she was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Santa Barbara. These large mollusks, which anchor themselves to coral reefs in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans, can grow to up to three-feet long and weigh hundreds of pounds. But their size isn't the only thing that makes them unique.
Maker of $1,000 'smart' teapot gives up Three years and $12 million were simply not enough time and money to teach the world about the benefits of owning a $1,000 teapot.
The future for defense drones may be under the oceans The next frontier for unmanned military drones may not be solely in the skies. It could be undersea.
	A powerful duo An important aspect of pharmacology is understanding how active drug ingredients cross-react with endogenous molecules. But until now, such reactions could only be determined after the event. The precise details of the interacting factors remained unclear. Fraunhofer researchers have developed a new technology that enables biochemical reactions to be monitored from start to finish at the single-molecule level.
	The grocerant—how smart grocery stores are becoming hybrids Food trends are difficult to follow these days. Just like hip sectors like tech, the food industry is coming up with its own peculiar lingo when describing market shifts.
	Robolution—it's about human skills, not just technology The presence of robots in industry and beyond – factories are far from the only place where machines play a key role – is anything but new. In a July 2017 article written for the World Economic Forum, Jeff Morgan of Trinity College, Dublin, expresses amazement at the concern about new wave of automation. "Robots have been taking our jobs for 50 years, so why are we worried?" he writes.
	AR glasses help surgeons when operating on tumors Malignant tumors often form metastases that spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system. High surgical skills are required to identify the precise location of the affected lymph nodes, enabling them to be completely removed. Fraunhofer researchers have developed a navigation aid that simplifies such interventions. 3-D-ARILE is an augmented reality (AR) system that superimposes a virtual image of the exact position of the lymph nodes using data glasses. The new system will be presented to the public at the Medica trade fair, from November 13 to 16.
	Simple, rapid determination of cable properties Trying to fit all the necessary cables into a car is anything but an easy task. Simulations can be helpful, but the properties of each cable need to be precisely defined up front. The automated MeSOMICS measurement system enables carmakers, for the first time, to define these parameters simply and rapidly, without having to call on outside experts: a solution that saves time and money.
	Stem cell laboratory in a bag Human stem cells are considered a major new hope in the field of medicine. In the future, it is expected that they will make it possible to treat a wide range of ailments such as neurodegenerative diseases. With LabBag, Fraunhofer researchers have developed an all-in-one system in the form of a transparent bag that provides a cheap, fast and sterile way for scientists to grow, differentiate and freeze stem cells. The cell models produced can be used for toxicity tests and drug development. Having successfully tested the system, researchers will present a prototype at the MEDICA trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, from November 13 to 16.
Constructing buildings with re-useable components The Institute for Civil Engineering and Environment (INCEEN) at the University of Luxembourg have signed a "memorandum of understanding" with the Suisse Federal Laboratories of Materials Science and Technology (Empa) of the domain of ETH Zürich to collaborate on research on energy efficiency in the construction sector.
	Google and AutoNation partner on self-driving car program Google is partnering with AutoNation, the country's largest auto dealership chain, in its push to produce self-driving cars for wide use.
Concrete: A hard material engineers hope to make harder For thousands of years, people have built civilizations with concrete made from readily available local materials. Just mix and heat, add some sand, stone and water and put it where you want it. Of course, give it time to harden - that is, after you have left your hand print or initials.
	Television adverts are about to get personal Television viewers could be offered adverts that are a lot more relevant and personal with the help of new technology under development.
Augmented reality furniture and other signs we're living in the future Liked Pokémon Go? Wait till you see what's next.
Integrated technologies to recover metal and plastic from electronic waste VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed a new electronic waste recycling concept that combines a range of technologies and reduces waste. One of the technologies included in the concept is gasification, which is used to recover not only metals and rare-earth elements from the waste but also organic components that can be used to produce energy or products, such as plastic and chemicals. VTT has brought together a group of Finnish partners to promote material-efficient production.
	Researchers achieve 4-D printing of programmable shape-changing structures A new study describes 3D printing of Shape Memory Polymers to produce active meta-materials that can be programmed to form versatile shapes and are then able to recover their original state when heated to above their activation temperatures. This innovative combination of 3D printing, thermoviscoelastic meta-materials, and programmable design to create 4D shape-transforming structures is reported in an article published in 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing.
Students explore immigration through a big data lens Supercomputers have helped scientists discover merging black holes and design new nanomaterials, but can they help solve society's most challenging policy issues?
	Ivory Coast inaugurates huge China-funded dam President Alassane Ouattara on Thursday inaugurated a huge Chinese-funded dam in southern Ivory Coast designed to boost the country's power capacity by nearly 14 percent.
	Ryder adds 125 electric vans to its fleet Truck rental company Ryder Systems Inc. is adding 125 fully electric vans to its fleet.

Medicine & Health news

	Study with rats suggests drinking alcohol increases risk of addiction to cocaine (Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers working at Columbia University has found a possible link between prior use of alcohol and an increased risk of cocaine addiction. In their paper published on the open access site Science Advances, the group describes their study, what they found and why they believe more studies are required to better understand "gateway drugs."
	Autism treatments may restore brain connections Scientists have identified a pair of treatments that may restore brain function to autism patients who lack a gene critical to maintaining connections between neurons, according to a study from the Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
	Penny-wise, pound-foolish decisions explained by neurons' firing The British have a pithy way of describing people who dither over spending 20 cents more for premium ice cream but happily drop an extra $5,000 for a fancier house: penny wise and pound foolish.
	AZD6738 found to slow some types of children's tumor growth in mouse models (Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers from the U.S., Germany and Japan has found that the chemical AZD6738 was able to slow some childhood type tumor growths in mouse models. In their paper published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, the group describes why the application of the chemical represents an entirely new way to treat tumor growth in children.
	Colon cancer breakthrough could lead to prevention – and the foods that can help Colon cancer, Crohn's, and other diseases of the gut could be better treated – or even prevented – thanks to a new link between inflammation and a common cellular process, established by the University of Warwick.
	Team publishes landmark asbestos study A landmark study from The Australian National University (ANU) into the health impacts of living in a house with loose-fill asbestos insulation has been published in the international journal The Lancet Public Health.
	Four-in-one flu shot may mean lifelong protection against the flu A vaccine combining centralized ancestral genes from four major influenza strains appears to provide broad protection against the dangerous ailment, according to new research by a team from the Nebraska Center for Virology.
	How do adult brain circuits regulate new neuron production? Before we are born, the developing brain creates an incredible number of neurons, which migrate to specific parts of the brain to ready us for life. Contrary to popular belief, genesis of new neurons does not stop at birth or even in childhood. In a few select areas of the brain, it can continue throughout adulthood, and is believed to be vitally important for certain forms of learning and memory, and in mood regulation. How neurogenesis is switched on and off is still not well understood, but UNC School of Medicine researchers led by Juan Song, PhD, assistant professor in the department of pharmacology, have just discovered a major clue.
	Novel technology ties brain circuits to alertness Stanford University investigators have for the first time tied several brain circuits to alertness.
	Order in disorder: A key feature of dendritic organization in the brain Neurons are the basic information processing structures in the brain and are composed of three main parts: dendrites, axons, and the soma. Dendrites receive and integrate synaptic inputs that are subsequently processed in the soma and relayed to other neurons via axons. A longstanding question has been to understand how synaptic inputs are arranged on the elaborate dendritic structures of individual neurons in order to better comprehend how dendrites process and transform inputs, ultimately influencing how we perceive the world around us. Recent discoveries in the laboratory of David Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., Scientific Director and CEO at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI), have shed more light on this issue and the universal properties of cortical neurons.
	Bacteria in the gut modulates response to immunotherapy in melanoma Bacteria that live in the human digestive tract can influence how cancer responds to immunotherapy, opening a new avenue for research to improve treatment, a team led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reports in the journal Science
	In autism, too many brain connections may be at root of condition A defective gene linked to autism influences how neurons connect and communicate with each other in the brain, according to a study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Rodents that lack the gene form too many connections between brain neurons and have difficulty learning.
Quality of life deterioration delayed if progression of advanced breast cancer delayed Patients with advanced breast cancer have a better quality of life for longer if the progression of their disease can be delayed, according to new results presented at the Advanced Breast Cancer Fourth International Consensus Conference (ABC 4) in Lisbon today.
	Geneticists explore 30-year old medical case Aimin Liu, Lutcher Brown Distinguished Chair in Biochemistry at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), has published research demystifying a decades-old medical case. The article, which appeared in Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, explores the first confirmed human case of 2,3-dioxygenase deficiency.
Miracle cure costs less than a budget airline flight The revolution in generic drugs means that a 12-week course of drugs to cure hepatitis C can be manufactured for just US$50 - as low as the cost of a plane ticket on many low-cost airlines. Furthermore, new data shows that these generic copies are just as effective as the branded medicines. Yet restrictions and patent issues around the world mean that hardly any patients can access the drugs at these low costs, say experts speaking at the World Hepatitis Summit in Sao Paulo, Brazil (1-3 November).
	'Drug courts,' treatment focus of new White House opioid strategy (HealthDay)—Steering opioid addicts toward treatment programs instead of prisons, while tightening federal policies on opioid prescribing, could curb the opioid epidemic, President Donald Trump's opioid crisis commission said Wednesday.
	Liposuction may ease limb swelling in cancer patients (HealthDay)—Liposuction may help people with lymphedema—a painful, disfiguring swelling of the arms, hands, legs or feet.
	CMS launches initiative to examine impact of regulations (HealthDay)—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched an initiative to examine which provider regulations should be discarded or revamped amid concerns that the regulations are reducing the amount of time that physicians spend with patients, according to an article published in Modern Healthcare.
	PPI-gastric cancer link remains after H. pylori eradication (HealthDay)—Long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use is associated with increased risk of gastric cancer (GC) even after Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication therapy, according to a study published online Oct. 31 in Gut.
	Millennials embrace nursing profession—just in time to replace baby boomers The days are long past when the only career doors that readily opened to young women were those marked teacher, secretary or nurse. Yet young adults who are part of the millennial generation are nearly twice as likely as baby boomers were to choose the nursing profession, according to a recent study.
	Sugar, carbs and cancer links In August of 2016, the New England Journal of Medicine published a striking report on cancer and body fat: Thirteen separate cancers can now be linked to being overweight or obese, among them a number of the most common and deadly cancers of all - colon, thyroid, ovarian, uterine, pancreatic and (in postmenopausal women) breast cancer.
	Pregnant women advised to be tested more than once for the presence of Zika Molecular tests to identify Zika's genetic material in body fluids during the acute phase of infection have been used routinely in prenatal checkups for pregnant women with symptoms of the disease. Now, a new study conducted in Brazil suggests that a single negative test result may not be enough to reassure family members and doctors. The results were published November, 2017 in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
	Researchers study the universality of language acquisition in children How do children learn their first language? This question has been the subject of few studies conducted outside of industrialized countries. At the Laboratoire de sciences cognitives et psycholinguistique (CNRS/ENS/EHESS), specialists in language development in children have studied a traditional population in the Bolivian Amazon, the Tsimane, in partnership with bio-anthropologists from Toulouse 1 Capitole University and the University of California at Santa Barbara. Their study, published on November 2, 2017 in the journal Child Development, shows that, on average, less than one minute per hour is spent talking to children under the age of four. This is up to 10 times less than for children of the same age in industrialized countries. This observation suggests the need for more studies of this kind in various cultures in order to verify if the process of learning a mother tongue is universal.
	Drug could block harmful impact of teen binge drinking, researchers report Alcohol-fueled "schoolies" celebrations marking the end of high school for many Australian students have an unexpected impact: their binge-drinking behaviour as teenagers can lead to problems with alcohol and other drug dependence later on in life.
	Study: Most US adults say today's children have worse health prospects Ask adults of all ages if today's children are healthier than children of their own generation.
	New research reveals meditation can help cure workaholics Meditation sessions can help cure people who are addicted to work, according to a new study by the University of Derby.
	New study on the commercialisation and conflict of interest in the IVF industry An Australian-first study into the commercialisation of IVF treatments has found that some professionals in the artificial reproductive technology (ART) industry believe that there is a conflict of interest between IVF clinics operating as commercial businesses, which is therefore impacting on the way in which they offer and deliver treatment to potentially vulnerable women.
	Kids uniquely vulnerable to sleep disruption from electronics With their brains, sleep patterns and even eyes still developing, children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the sleep-disrupting effects of screen time, according to a sweeping review of the literature published today in the journal Pediatrics.
	How binge-watching a show impacts how well you remember it If you binge-watched Stranger Things 2 this past weekend, you're far from alone. While Netflix doesn't release ratings, the show set a record as the most tweeted-about streaming show, generating 3.7 million tweets in its first three days, according to Variety. Netflix also recently coined the term "binge-racing," which refers to watching a new season of a show within 24 hours of its release, and said more than 8.4 million members have binge-raced shows.
	Childhood obesity levels are highest among South Asians Childhood obesity levels in UK are highest among South Asian children, according to new research that completely changes the current understanding of the link between ethnicity and weight status in young people.
	How caries-causing bacteria can survive in dental plaque Cariogenic bacteria live in biofilm and attack dental enamel by converting sugar and starch into acids that dissolve out calcium from the enamel. This process can cause caries. The dissolution of calcium increases the concentration of calcium locally, creating an environment that is hostile to bacterial life. In their study, the researchers investigated how bacteria manage to survive in dental plaque despite these conditions.
	Epidemiology expert creates modeling framework to better predict outbreaks A mathematical epidemiology expert at Georgia State University School of Public Health has published a new framework for building mathematical models to better predict the trajectory of infectious disease outbreaks.
	A pathogenic mechanism in motoneuron disease Motor neurons are the nerves that send impulses to the muscles to generate movement. Damage of these neurons can cause very diverse diseases, for example spinal muscular atrophy in children or adult amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Bioactive lipids and rheumatoid arthritis Sphingolipids – long-chain fatty acid molecules found in cell membranes – are broken down by sphingomyelinase enzymes into bioactive products such as ceramide. Growing evidence suggests roles for sphingolipid metabolites in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory disease affecting joints.
	Prenatal Medicaid benefits boost health gains across generations The expansion of Medicaid to provide low-income women with prenatal care in the 1980s and 1990s was a success in improving birth outcomes.
Recent forest loss helps predict timing and location of Ebola outbreaks Scientists have identified a time lag of up to two years between forest loss and the emergence of Ebola virus disease along the limits of the West and Central African rainforest.
	Understanding filicide will help prevent it Filicide, the killing of a child by their parent or caregiver, is estimated to account for 18 to 25% of family homicide cases in Australia. Filicide often involves multiple victims and has a devastating effect on both families and communities. Despite this, comparatively little is known about it.
	The potential impact on survival from alternative cancer therapies Patients have the right to decide what treatment, if any, they want to have. But it's incredibly important that the decisions people make are based on accurate information, allowing them to weigh up the pros and cons of the treatment options before them.
	Eating more like our ancestors would improve human health Malnutrition problems can be traced to poor-quality diets lacking in diversity, a recent phenomenon in evolutionary history, according to a new paper from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.
	Women want support managing their weight during pregnancy Australian women want their healthcare providers to actively advise them about weight management during and after pregnancy, a Monash University study reveals.
People who rely on intuition judge situations more harshly, study finds In psychology, intuition, or "gut instinct," is defined as the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for reasoning. A recent University of Missouri study determined that people who strongly trust their gut instincts tend to harshly condemn moral transgressions, and they do not change their point of view even after thinking about the issue. Findings show that people who strongly rely on intuition automatically condemn actions they perceive to be morally wrong, even if there is no actual harm.
Online interventions successfully reduce post-cancer fatigue Severe fatigue is one of the most common complaints after cancer. About 20 to 40 percent of those who have successfully completed cancer treatments struggle with this problem. The 'Fitter na Kanker (fitter after cancer) study shows that two online interventions are proving to be successful in reducing complaints of severe chronic fatigue.
	Foster care damages the health of mothers Spending time in foster care can have serious consequences for the health and well-being of children. But what about their mothers?
	Financial motives drive some doctors' decisions to offer IVF Around one in 25 Australian babies are conceived using assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). These interventions are almost all offered in private fertility clinics, backed by a thriving fertility industry.
	Here's why the 2017 flu season was so bad Australia has recorded 221,853 flu infections so far in 2017, more than any other year. As the flu season comes to an end, we're beginning to understand why it was so bad. And it wasn't because of increased, or more sensitive, testing.
	Researchers find SafeCare parent-training program improves stress biomarkers among caregivers SafeCare, a parenting program focused on reducing child abuse and neglect, has been found to decrease physiological indicators of stress, according to researchers in the Georgia State University School of Public Health.
	Study finds concussed brains take longer, must work harder to tackle memory tasks It's clear what happens during a concussion: First, there's a violent collision that twists the brain inside of the skull. That sends the brain's neurons into chaos, often leaving the victim confused, dizzy and with blurred vision.
Onalespib could be an effective treatment for glioblastoma, preclinical studies show The targeted therapy onalespib has shown effectiveness in preclinical studies of glioblastoma by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).
	Is it safe to use makeup testers in cosmetics stores? A woman in the US is suing a cosmetics store because she claims that she caught herpes from their lipstick tester. In case you're wondering if this is even possible, as a microbiologist, I can tell you that it most certainly is. And it's not just herpes that can lurk in makeup.
	The real reasons why parents struggle with children's portion sizes Parents are repeatedly told to watch what they are feeding their children, but they must also keep a keen eye on how much of it they are serving.
	New insights into the release of molecules involved in inflammatory diseases In a recent study published in Cell Reports, a research team led by Colin Adrain, from the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC, Portugal), discovered the mechanism that controls the release of important molecules that trigger the inflammatory response during the clearance of infections. When this machinery is deregulated it can contribute to important chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and cancer.
	Several reasons why whole grains are healthy When overweight adults exchange refined grain products – such as white bread and pasta – with whole grain varieties, they eat less, they lose weight and the amount of inflammation in their bodies decreases. These are some of the findings of a large Danish study headed by the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark. The study supports the scientific basis for the Danish dietary recommendation to choose whole grains.
	Drug 'melts away' fat inside arteries A new drug being trialled for treating breast cancer and diabetes has been shown to 'melt away' the fat inside arteries that can cause heart attacks and strokes.
	Researchers solve mystery behind red blood cell maturation Red blood cells are formed in the bone marrow from haematopoietic stem cells via a complex process known as erythropoiesis. Towards the end of this process, immature red blood cells also known as reticulocytes (multi-lobular and spherical) undergo dynamic re-arrangements to yield highly deformable biconcave erythrocytes (also known as normocytes), which performs gaseous and nutrient exchange throughout the body. However, molecular mechanisms underpinning these remarkable morphological and bio-mechanical transformations remained largely unknown. Through quantitative profiling of protein composition and imaging, a research team lead by Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) Assistant Professor Rajesh Chandramohanadas is now able to explain this intriguing biological phenomenon.
	Risk of oversharing in conversation increases with age, study says The risk of oversharing in conversation - or providing a listener with too much irrelevant detail - increases as we age, research suggests.
	Should patients be asleep or awake during brain surgery? Deep brain stimulation is a long-established surgical procedure that eases the effects of Parkinson's disease and essential tremor through pulses from tiny electrodes implanted in the brain. Currently, most surgeons around the world conduct this surgery while the patient is awake.
	Is he really that into you? Women who grow up without a caring father, or who even are reminded of painful and disappointing experiences with their father, see more sexual intent in men.
Mexican doctors safely reuse donated pacemakers after sterilisation Mexican doctors have safely reused donated pacemakers after sterilisation, shows a study presented at the 30th Mexican Congress of Cardiology. The findings create the possibility for patients to receive a pacemaker who otherwise could not afford one.
New link found between gut bacteria and age-related conditions A new study shows for the first time that gut bacteria from old mice induce age-related chronic inflammation when transplanted into young mice. Called "inflammaging", this low-grade chronic inflammation is linked to life-limiting conditions such as stroke, dementia and cardiovasuclar disease. The research, published today in open-access journal Frontiers in Immunology, brings the hope of a potentially simple strategy to contribute to healthy ageing, as the composition of bacteria in the gut is, at least in part, controlled by diet.
	New system for treating colorectal cancer can lead to complete cure Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston have developed a new, three-step system that uses nuclear medicine to target and eliminate colorectal cancer. In this study with a mouse model, researchers achieved a 100-percent cure rate—without any treatment-related toxic effects. The study is reported in the November featured article in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
Childhood spankings can lead to adult mental health problems Getting spanked as a child can lead to a host of mental health problems in adulthood, say University of Michigan researchers.
	Navigating the genome to cure deafness A new Tel Aviv University study solves a critical piece of the puzzle of human deafness by identifying the first group of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the auditory system.
	Sleeping through the snoring: Researchers identify neurons that rouse the brain to breathe A common and potentially serious sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea affects at least one quarter of U.S. adults and is linked to increased risk of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. In a paper published today in the journal Neuron, researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) identified specific neural circuitry responsible for rousing the brain of mice in simulated apnea conditions. The findings could lead to potential new drug therapies to help patients with obstructive sleep apnea get more rest.
New pathway identified as a target for precision medicine against a common brain tumor St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have discovered a promising target for precision medicines to block a mechanism that drives several cancers, including about 30 percent of cases of the brain tumor called medulloblastoma. The findings appear online today in the scientific journal Developmental Cell.
More time on social media is not linked to poor mental health There has so far been no evidence supporting the view that the amount of time spent on social media affects mental health in young people, says Chloe Berryman of the University of Central Florida in the US. She is the lead author of a study in Springer's journal Psychiatric Quarterly that found very few links between different aspects of social media use among young adults and possible mental health problems such as loneliness, decreased empathy and social anxiety.
	Team develops new broadly protective vaccines for H3N2 influenza A collaborative research and development partnership between researchers at the University of Georgia and Sanofi Pasteur, the largest influenza vaccine manufacturer in the world, has resulted in the identification of a vaccine candidate that protects against multiple co-circulating strains of H3N2 influenza isolated over five seasons following testing in mouse and ferret models. The team presented its data at the International Society for Vaccines Congress in Paris, France, and the findings are published in the Journal of Virology.
	Hormone replacement therapy may be beneficial for women's memory A type of hormone replacement therapy may protect memory for some women, according to a new USC-led study.
	Shifting bacterial communities in the stomach may influence cancer risk Different changes to the microbial community of the stomach may explain why related conditions are associated with different risk levels and types of gastric tumor, according to a new study in PLOS Pathogens.
	Sugar-sweetened drinks raise risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome Regularly drinking sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda and juice contributes to the development of diabetes, high blood pressure and other endemic health problems, according to a review of epidemiological studies published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
Psoriasis (PsO) patients at higher risk for serious liver disease Compared to controls, patients with psoriasis (PsO) are at higher risk for serious liver disease than patients with rheumatoid arthritis - two autoimmune diseases often treated with similar drugs that can cause liver damage, reports a study this week in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The study is the first population-based study to simultaneously address the risk for liver disease in patients with these inflammatory diseases and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), in a large population of more than 197,000 PsO patients, 12,000 PsA patients, 54,000 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and 1.2 million matched controls.
	Study first to identify the cells driving gecko's ability to re-grow its tail A University of Guelph researcher is the first to discover the type of stem cell that is behind the gecko's ability to re-grow its tail, a finding that has implications for spinal cord treatment in humans.
	Family favoritism: Younger siblings impacted more A new study by BYU School of Family Life assistant professor Alex Jensen revealed that the perception of favoritism may have more effect on a child-parent relationship than was previously considered.
	Removing digital devices from the bedroom can improve sleep for children, teens Removing electronic media from the bedroom and encouraging a calming bedtime routine are among recommendations Penn State researchers outline in a recent manuscript on digital media and sleep in childhood and adolescence.
	How toxic air clouds mental health There is little debate over the link between air pollution and the human respiratory system: Research shows that dirty air can impair breathing and aggravate various lung diseases. Other potential effects are being investigated, too, as scientists examine connections between toxic air and obesity, diabetes and dementia.
	Mindfulness may help mothers cope with stress when their babies have a heart condition Mindfulness may offer an active coping mechanism for mothers faced with the stress of having a newborn diagnosed with congenital heart disease (CHD). Mindfulness, which aims to increase a person's awareness and acceptance of daily experiences, is currently used in a variety of healthcare settings as a potentially effective skill for stress reduction, emotion, affect and attention regulation.
Tanning beds and risky behavior linked—in men Even though men use tanning beds at lower rates than women, men who tan tend to do it in riskier ways, according to a study by researchers at the University of Connecticut. The findings should help public health officials rethink how, and to whom, they're targeting anti-tanning messages.
	Blood-clotting protein prevents repair in the brain Picture a bare wire, without its regular plastic coating. It's exposed to the elements and risks being degraded. And, without insulation, it may not conduct electricity as well as a coated wire. Now, imagine this wire is inside your brain.
Study of heart stents for stable angina highlights potential of placebo effect Coronary artery stents are lifesaving for heart attack patients, but new research suggests that the placebo effect may be larger than previously thought.
	Is gun violence contagious? Is gun violence contagious? According to new findings from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Oxford, the answer is mostly no. Rather, this violence is a chronic issue for particular neighborhoods and requires place-specific solutions.
	Number of EU nurses registering to work in UK plummets The number of European Union nurses and midwives registering to work in Britain fell by almost 90 percent in the 12 months to September, according to the first full-year figures since the U.K. voted to leave the bloc.
	Treeless tropics, more disease-carrying mosquitoes? (HealthDay)—Deforestation doesn't just strip the landscape. In tropical regions, it may also lead to more disease-carrying mosquitoes, University of Florida researchers say.
	Fiber-rich diet boosts survival from colon cancer (HealthDay)—A diet rich in fiber may lessen the chances of dying from colon cancer, a new study suggests.
	Robots may be cleaning your hospital room soon (HealthDay)—Hospitals are jumping on a tech trend, enlisting the help of germ-killing robots to tackle a potentially life-threatening but preventable issue: health care-associated infections.
	Managing anxiety (HealthDay)—A little bit of stress can motivate you, but too much might cause an anxiety disorder that can prevent you from living your life to the fullest.
	GLP-1 may mediate effects of gastric bypass on CNS activation (HealthDay)—The central effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) may mediate the effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on central nervous system (CNS) activation in response to visual and gustatory food cues, according to a study published online Oct. 12 in Diabetes Care.
	Nutritional therapy beneficial in chronic kidney disease (HealthDay)—Nutritional interventions may be beneficial for the management of chronic kidney disease in adults, according to a review article published online Nov. 1 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
	ACE inhibitor, statin no benefit for T1DM, high albumin excretion (HealthDay)—For adolescents with type 1 diabetes and high levels of albumin excretion, neither angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors nor statins change the albumin-to-creatinine ratio over time, according to a study published online Nov. 1 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Connective tissue disease may raise post-abdominoplasty risks (HealthDay)—Patients with autoimmune connective tissue diseases (CTDs) undergoing abdominoplasty have increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) events and need for blood transfusions compared to those without CTDs, according to a research letter published online Nov. 1 in JAMA Surgery.
	Gene replacement tx beneficial in spinal muscular atrophy (HealthDay)—Gene replacement therapy is beneficial in spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1), and nusinersen is beneficial for infants with spinal muscular atrophy, according to two studies published online Nov. 1 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Race a factor in intracranial atherosclerotic disease (HealthDay)—Black men have increased prevalence and frequency of multiple intracranial atherosclerotic plaques, according to a study published online Nov. 1 in JAMA Cardiology.
Like black licorice? It could land you in the hospital, FDA warns Black licorice looks innocent enough.
	Mental health support can help students making tough transition to college On Twitter, hundreds of thousands of people are #TalkingAboutIt.
Computer program helps doctors detect acute kidney injury earlier to save lives Embedding a decision support tool in the hospital electronic health record increases detection of acute kidney injury, reducing its severity and improving survival, according to new research from the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC.
	Brain activity is inherited, may inform treatment for ADHD, autism Every person has a distinct pattern of functional brain connectivity known as a connectotype, or brain fingerprint. A new study conducted at OHSU in Portland, Oregon, concludes that while individually unique, each connectotype demonstrates both familial and heritable relationships. The results published today in Network Neuroscience.
	Fantastic journey: How newborn neurons to find their proper place in the adult brain One of the most hopeful discoveries of modern neuroscience is firm proof that the human brain is not static following birth. Rather, it is continually renewing itself, via a process called postnatal neurogenesis - literally, the birth of new neurons. It begins not long after birth and continues into old age. There is some evidence that when people respond to depression treatment, be it a pill or talk therapy, it has something to do with the wiring up of new neurons.
Sanofi profits hit by falling US sales of diabetes drugs French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi on Thursday posted a drop in third-quarter earnings, hit by a decline in sales of its diabetes drugs in the United States.
First ever state-level primary and secondary syphilis report shows highest cases among MSM Researchers from Emory's Rollins School of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the first ever report of state-level rates of primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis by race/ethnicity among men who have sex with men (MSM). Findings show that black MSM have higher P&S syphilis rates than white MSM with the highest impacted states in the south.
	Using an electronic device to detect cavities early  Imagine if dentists could find clear signs of tooth decay long before dental lesions turn into cavities and without using X-rays. A new device cleared for commercialization this month by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a potential tool for dentists to do just that.
	Precision radiooncology enables women to maintain an active sex life after gynaecological radiotherapy Up until now, gynaecological radiotherapy for cervical, vaginal or vulvar cancer has often been associated with substantial side-effects in the vagina that prevented women from pursuing an active sex life afterwards. Using new medical methods and techniques that allow women to receive personalised and precisely tailored treatment, it is now increasingly possible for women to lead a fulfilling sex life even after undergoing radiotherapy. This point was made by Kathrin Kirchheiner, expert in sexual medicine from the Department of Radiotherapy, speaking on the occasion of the European Gynaecological Oncology Congress (ESGO), which is being held in the Austria Center Vienna from 4 – 7 November, under the aegis of MedUni Vienna.
One year results from the REDUCE trial reported Results from the prospective, multicenter, randomized investigator-initiated REDUCE trial were reported today at the 29th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium. Sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), TCT is the world's premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.
Results from the DAPT STEMI trial reported November 1, 2017 - The first trial to evaluate the safety of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for less than 12 months in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) found six months of DAPT was non-inferior to 12 months of DAPT among patients treated with second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES).
Synergy stent with shorter DAPT is superior to a bare-metal stent in elderly patients Elderly patients undergoing PCI often receive bare-metal stents (BMS) instead of drug-eluting stents (DES) to shorten the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and reduce bleeding risk. However, results from the SENIOR trial found that compared with BMS, shorter DAPT combined with the Synergy bioabsorbable polymer DES leads to less adverse events without increasing bleeding risk.
Noninvasive procedure is superior to steroid injection for painful knee osteoarthritis For patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, a minimally invasive procedure called cooled radiofrequency ablation (CRFA) provides better pain reduction and functional improvement compared to steroid injection of the knee, concludes a study in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.
Exercise can counteract side-effects and improve fitness in advanced breast cancer patients Taking part in regular exercise can reduce fatigue and pain, and improve cardiovascular health and quality of life in women being treated for advanced breast cancer, according to new research presented at the Advanced Breast Cancer Fourth International Consensus Conference (ABC 4).
Listeria found at catering facility for Los Angeles airport American Airlines has suspended use of a caterer at Los Angeles International Airport after listeria was found in the caterer's facility, but Delta Air Lines continues to get meals from the kitchen.
SCAI examines strengths and weaknesses of sham PCI trial This year, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) celebrated the forty-year anniversary of a groundbreaking procedure, now known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), that has saved millions of lives and enhanced the lives of millions more. Four decades of clinical study have confirmed the benefit of PCI for patients with myocardial ischemia (insufficient blood flow to an area of heart muscle). A new study presented today at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) 2017 scientific symposium in Denver questions the value of this revolutionary procedure in some patients.
Researchers identify potential autoantigen in aggressive form of kidney disease New research reveals the presence of abundant levels of a certain protein in the kidneys of patients with fibrillary glomerulonephritis (FGN). In FGN, large amounts of protein become trapped in the millions of filtering units—or glomeruli—that make up the kidney. The findings, which appear in two different studies in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), suggest that the identified protein may be a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for FGN.
UA startup Regulonix licenses non-opioid pain drug candidates that are more effective than morphine Researchers at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson have invented a new class of non-opioid compounds to treat pain. Animal testing has shown the drug candidates are more effective than morphine, non-addictive, and non-toxic at high doses. The UA has licensed the compounds to the startup Regulonix.

Biology news

	How chromosomes 'cheat' for the chance to get into an egg Each of your cells contains two copies of 23 chromosomes, one inherited from your father and one from your mother. Theoretically, when you create a gamete—a sperm or an egg—each copy has a 50-50 shot at being passed on. But the reality isn't so clearcut.
	Key to better asparagus identified in evolution of sex chromosomes Working with an international team of breeders and genome scientists, plant biologists at the University of Georgia have sequenced the genome of garden asparagus as a model for sex chromosome evolution. The work sheds light on longstanding questions about the origin and early evolution of sex chromosomes, and at the same time serves as a foundation for asparagus breeding efforts.
	Researchers develop a gel for growing large quantities of neural stem cells In many ways, stem cells are the divas of the biological world. On the one hand, these natural shapeshifters can transform themselves into virtually any type of cell in the body. In that regard, they hold the promise of being able to cure ills ranging from spinal cord injuries to cancers.
	Scientists create device for ultra-accurate genome sequencing of single human cells An interdisciplinary team of researchers at the University of California San Diego has developed a technology for very accurate sequencing and haplotyping of genomes from single human cells. Their findings were published online in advance of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) print edition.
	Aussie snakes and lizards trace back to Asia 30 million years ago Deadly snakes are among Australia's most iconic animals but a new study led by The Australian National University (ANU) has helped explain how they descended from creatures that have emigrated from Asia over the past 30 million years.
	Scientists decipher mechanisms underlying the biology of aging Understanding the factors that control aging has been one of humanity's endless pursuits, from the mystical fountain of youth to practical healthful regimens to prolong life expectancy.
	Animals' mitochondria defenses discovered in plants Mitochondria are cell organelles that play critical roles in maintaining the cell's health, or homeostasis. One way that mitochondria do this is by harvesting energy though oxidative phosphorylation, where various enzymes in the mitochondria release energy to produce the molecule ATP, the cell's "energy currency" that can be used in other processes. This is why mitochondria are often described as the cell's "powerhouse".
	Preventing a genetic uprising in early life Molecules called endosiRNAs help us avoid genetic chaos, according to a new study from a team at the Babraham Institute. Much of the human genome contains pieces of DNA called transposons, a form of genetic parasite. When active, transposons can damage genes so it is important to keep them inactive. Early in the human life cycle controlling transposons is particularly difficult. This latest research, published today in Cell Stem Cell reveals how endosiRNAs keep our genes safe during this vulnerable stage.
	Anthropologists describe third orangutan species Scientists have long recognized six living species of great ape aside from humans: Sumatran and Bornean orangutans, eastern and western gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos. But researchers reporting in Current Biology on November 2 have now made it seven, based on a collection of evidence showing that an isolated population of orangutans living in Sumatra is actually its own unique species. They've named the new species the Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis).
	Male mammoths more often fell into 'natural traps' and died, DNA evidence suggests Researchers who have sexed 98 woolly mammoth specimens collected from various parts of Siberia have discovered that the fossilized remains more often came from males of the species than females. They speculate that this skewed sex ratio—seven out of every ten specimens examined belonged to males—exists in the fossil record because inexperienced male mammoths more often travelled alone and got themselves killed by falling into natural traps that made their preservation more likely. The findings are reported in Current Biology on November 2.
	Left or right? Like humans, bees have a preference A discovery that bees have individual flying direction preferences could lead to strategies for steering drone aircraft fleets.
	Genomic study reveals clues to wild past of grapes About 22,000 years ago, as the ice sheets that consumed much of North America and Europe began retreating, humans started to consume a fruit that today brings joy to millions of wine drinkers around the world: grapes.
	November weather spells a troublesome time for turtles November is Turtle Month, and according to a Western Sydney University researcher it is also an important time to be on the look-out for our river-dwelling friends.
	Longest living dolphin in captivity dies at Japan aquarium A female bottlenose dolphin has died at a Japanese aquarium only weeks after breaking a national record of more than four decades in captivity, an official said Thursday.
	Big cats in Britain—urban myth or scientific fact? The escape of Lilith the Lynx from a zoo in Wales has focused attention once again on the question of what exotic beasts might be roaming the British countryside.
	Saving rare elephants with tourism snaps A Murdoch University student is investigating whether pictures posted to social media of rare pygmy elephants could help with their management and conservation.
	New study offers insights into a dog's life in families with children Millions of families know how rewarding and enjoyable dog ownership can be – but now a new study has for the first time examined the quality of life for a pet dog owned by a family with children.
	Horses can read our body language, even when they don't know us Horses can tell the difference between dominant and submissive body postures in humans, even when the humans are not familiar to them, according to a new University of Sussex-led study.
	Artificial neural networks could power up curation of natural history collections Millions, if not billions, of specimens reside in the world's natural history collections, but most of these have not been carefully studied, or even looked at, in decades. While containing critical data for many scientific endeavors, most objects are quietly sitting in their own little cabinets of curiosity.
	Explosion of rats, clovers, bedbugs, mosquitoes unintended evolutionary consequence of urbanization The recent uproar about seats on a British Airways flight crawling with bedbugs is only one of the unintended consequences that urbanization worldwide has on evolution, say Marc Johnson, an associate professor of biology at the University of Toronto Mississauga, and Jason Munshi-South, who is an associate professor of biological sciences at Fordham University.
	Researchers find that two distinct ecological mechanisms may provide resilience against invasive species Invasive species are can be hugely detrimental to marine ecosystems. Take Caulerpa taxifolia as an example.
	Malawi turns to British troops in poaching war Under a scorching sun, a team of British soldiers and Malawian rangers sheltered under a tree ready to pounce on their prey: poachers.

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