Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Nov 1

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for November 1, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Physicists make rapid progress in bounding the speed of gravity

Aliens may be more like us than we think

Researchers report a new and better kind of invisible ink

Luck plays a role in how language evolves, study finds

Earth Microbiome Project: Mapping the microbiome of... everything

Physicists describe new dark matter detection strategy

Your bones affect your appetite—and your metabolism

Researchers look for dawn of human information sharing

Scientists mine 'star scar' to unlock space secrets

Sony revives robot pet dog

Marine scientists discover kleptopredation—a new way of catching prey

Engineers develop filters that use nanoparticles to prevent slime build-up

Solving of a decade long mystery could help in fight against tuberculosis

Gut microbiome may make chemo drug toxic to patients

Breast cancer researchers track changes in normal mammary duct cells leading to disease

Astronomy & Space news

	Physicists make rapid progress in bounding the speed of gravity (Phys.org)—Recent gravitational wave detections have allowed physicists to confirm with greater and greater precision what Einstein predicted over 100 years ago in the theory of general relativity: that gravity does not act instantaneously as Newton thought, but instead propagates at the speed of light.
	Aliens may be more like us than we think Hollywood films and science fiction literature fuel the belief that aliens are other-worldly, monster-like beings, who are very different to humans. But new research suggests that we could have more in common with our extra-terrestrial neighbours, than initially thought.
	Scientists mine 'star scar' to unlock space secrets Since early September, the denizens of this normally hushed burg in central France have been serenaded by an industrial drill poking holes around town and pulling up cylinders of rock.
	Kepler data reveals existence of 20 promising exoplanets 'hiding in plain sight' (Phys.org)—A large international team of researchers working with data sent back from NASA's Kepler space telescope has found evidence of 20 previously unknown, promising exoplanets. In their paper uploaded to the arXiv preprint server, the team describes the exoplanets and highlights the ones that appear to be the most likely to fit into the Goldilocks category.
	Martian ridge brings out rover's color talents Color-discerning capabilities that NASA's Curiosity rover has been using on Mars since 2012 are proving particularly helpful on a mountainside ridge the rover is now climbing.
	NASA investigates invisible magnetic bubbles in outer solar system Space may seem empty, but it's actually a dynamic place populated with near-invisible matter, and dominated by forces, in particular those created by magnetic fields. Magnetospheres—the magnetic fields around most planets—exist throughout our solar system. They deflect high-energy, charged particles called cosmic rays that are spewed out by the Sun or come from interstellar space. Along with atmospheres, they happen to protect the planets' surfaces from this harmful radiation.
	How multiple star systems evolve Sirius is not a single star at all, but a binary system of two stars. Polaris, the north star, is actually a system of three stars. And Castor, in the constellation of Gemini, actually consists of a whopping six stars. Current models show stars forming by the fragmentation of massive interstellar gas clouds, spinning themselves by gravity into stardom, in isolation and unaffected by nearby stars. But the plethora of systems in our galaxy that consist of multiple stars now has astronomers wondering why stars so often come in groups.
	DESHIMA sees first light—a step closer to mapping the most distant star systems DESHIMA is a completely new type of astronomical instrument with which researchers hope to construct a 3-D map of the early universe. In early October, Dutch and Japanese researchers installed the DESHIMA measurement instrument under the ASTE telescope in Chile. Last week, DESHIMA achieved first light.
	Image: Learning to spacewalk before heading to space Using a system similar to an overhead bridge crane, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen is suspended over a mock-up of the International Space Station during a microgravity simulation in the Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) at NASA's Johnson Space Center on Oct 24, 2017.
Novel tools to analyse radiation near black holes With the current state of scientific knowledge and equipment, understanding astrophysical black holes invariably requires detailed studies of the observable elements surrounding them. The STRONGGRAVITY project has developed novel analytical tools to do just that, with a focus on radiation.
	New research looks at how 'cosmic web' of filaments alters star formation in galaxies Astronomer Gregory Rudnick sees the universe crisscrossed by something like an interstellar superhighway system. Filaments—the strands of aggregated matter that stretch millions of light years across the universe to connect galaxy clusters—are the freeways.

Technology news

	Sony revives robot pet dog Japanese electronics giant Sony is marking the year of the dog by bringing back to life its robot canine—packed with artificial intelligence and internet capability.
	Engineers develop new material for better lithium-ion batteries The batteries we use every day may soon become cheaper, smaller and lighter. Researchers in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin have discovered a family of anode materials that can double the charge capacity of lithium-ion battery anodes. This means that the batteries that we use in everything from cellphones to large-scale energy storage systems could be more efficient in the future.
	Toothbrush is electricity-free but oh, those brushstrokes (Tech Xplore)—Nobody can deny the very idea of a battery-free toothbrush doing a very efficient job of brushing morning and night does sound like a good idea. Cables, adapters, charging, batteries, begone.
	Technology seeks to preserve fading skill: Braille literacy For nearly a century, the National Braille Press has churned out millions of pages of Braille books and magazines a year, providing a window on the world for generations of blind people.
	Malaysia probes leak of 46 mn phone users' data Malaysia is investigating an attempt to sell details of more than 46 million mobile phone subscribers that were leaked online in a massive data breach, a minister said Wednesday.
China's answer to Kindle raises $1.1 bn for Hong Kong listing Chinese internet giant Tencent's e-book arm has raised US$1.1 billion for a Hong Kong listing next week, reports said Wednesday.
	Mate tea made safer South America's answer to the Brits' builder's brew, their choice pick-me-up is said to have the kick of coffee, the health perks of tea and the delight of chocolate.
Postal Service eyes next-day Sunday delivery for holidays As consumers demand ever-quicker and convenient package delivery, the U.S. Postal Service wants to boost its business this holiday season by offering what few e-commerce retailers can provide: cheap next-day service with packages delivered Sundays to your home.
	Gov't won't pursue talking car mandate The Trump administration has quietly set aside plans to require new cars to be able to wirelessly talk to each other, auto industry officials said, jeopardizing one of the most promising technologies for preventing traffic deaths.
	Law outlawing use of VPNs comes into effect in Russia A law banning the use of virtual private networks, or VPNs, and other internet proxy services has come into effect in Russia.
	Springer Nature blocks access to articles in China Academic publisher Springer Nature said Wednesday it has blocked access to articles within China to comply with demands from the Chinese government, amid a push by Beijing to tighten controls on information from outside the country.
	Fabricating shape-shifting objects with hobbyist 3-D printers Researchers at TU Delft have combined origami techniques and 3-D printing to create flat structures that can fold themselves into 3-D structures like tulips. The structures self-fold according to a pre-planned sequence, with some parts folding sooner than others. Usually, expensive printers and special materials are needed to fabricate such objects. But the TU Delft scientists have created a new technique that requires only a common 3-D printer and ubiquitous material. Among other applications, their research has the potential to greatly improve bone implants.
	Researchers demonstrate a technique to fabricate safer and more compact batteries The lithium-ion batteries that commonly power mobile phones and laptops are ubiquitous and efficient. But they can occasionally explode—as evidenced in the batteries used by Samsung's Galaxy Note 7, which the company recalled last year.
	Smartphones and the internet cited as primary sources of news consumption in Arab world Digital news consumption is high and growing in the Middle East, with more than half of the Arab nationals choosing the internet as their main source of news and more than two-thirds relying on their smartphones for news updates.
	3-D printed sports shoes are more about your wallet than your feet The race is on to bring 3-D printed footwear to market. Adidas, Nike and Under Armour are some of the big names that have been working on delivering bespoke shoes to their customers.
A system that identifies malicious patterns in network traffic The majority of cyber-security solutions that stand between us and increasingly sophisticated malware, target only specific attacks or subsets of attacks, meaning that users may have to buy and install many different products to protect themselves. Now, A*STAR researchers have developed a system that instead gathers evidence across a wide stream of internet traffic, and identifies links and correlations related to suspicious activity.
	New analysis says more jobs safer from automation than previously believed We all want to know how many jobs will be threatened by the rise of robots and technology. You might feel vulnerable if your job is one that could be affected.
	New text-to-speech tool for DIY voiceovers—from soft, sad and sultry to scary The animation world is rich in lovable and memorable characters, each with its own unique voice and personality—and animators, writers, and designers keep coming up with even more new games, film ideas, villains, and heroes. Creating voiceovers for these characters is a time-consuming and expensive process that often involves holding auditions for voice actors, and studio time to record.
	Engineers turn to the sea to reduce the environmental cost of energy production Engineers from Trinity are turning to the sea in an attempt to reduce the environmental cost of energy production. As the global population booms we will need to solve a perplexing equation that requires outputs to soar while dampening the effect our actions have on the environment.
	New report calls for energy regulation reshape to benefit consumers The energy market needs to be better regulated to provide consumers with improved options for managing their electricity, according to a new report.
	SourceData is making data discoverable SourceData from EMBO is an award-winning open platform that allows researchers and publishers to share figures and their underlying data in a machine-readable, searchable format, making research papers discoverable based on their data content. As highlighted in today's paper in Nature Methods, SourceData offers a novel method to describe research data and a suite of tools to generate, validate and use this information, providing scientists with an efficient method to find and re-use published results.
	Apple aims to work its magic with iPhone X With its new iPhone X, Apple is setting the ambitious goal for itself of reinventing the smartphone, again.
	Amid soaring profits, Facebook vows to curb abuse Facebook on Wednesday reported profits leapt on booming revenue from online ads in the third quarter, topping investor forecasts and buoying shares already at record highs.
	Tesla swings to $671m loss on Model 3 delays Electric car maker Tesla Inc. swung to a $671 million loss in the third quarter as it struggled to ramp up production of its new Model 3 small car.
Making your water safer with UV light In Natalie Hull's hometown in rural Kentucky, well water was contaminated by heavy metals from mining, and sewage from pipes emptied into a creek that ran near her house.
	A new breathing monitor signals the coming generation of pervasive healthcare Pervasive healthcare is an approach which addresses the challenge of straining health services with evidence-based, preventative strategies. The increased accessibility of personal monitoring devices is helping breathe life into efforts.
Hilton will pay $700,000 to settle case over data breach Hotel operator Hilton will pay $700,000 to settle an investigation into two separate data breaches that exposed more than 350,000 credit card numbers.

Medicine & Health news

	Your bones affect your appetite—and your metabolism Your skeleton is much more than the structure supporting your muscles and other tissues. It produces hormones, too. And Mathieu Ferron knows a lot about it. The researcher at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM) and professor at Université de Montréal's Faculty of Medicine has spent the last decade studying a hormone called osteocalcin. Produced by our bones, osteocalcin affects how we metabolize sugar and fat.
	Solving of a decade long mystery could help in fight against tuberculosis Scientists have solved a decade-old mystery that could eventually lead to the development of earlier treatments for one of the world's deadliest diseases, which affects up to 2 billion people.
	Gut microbiome may make chemo drug toxic to patients Albert Einstein College of Medicine researchers report that the composition of people's gut bacteria may explain why some of them suffer life-threatening reactions after taking a key drug for treating metastatic colorectal cancer. The findings, described online today in npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, a Nature research journal, could help predict which patients will suffer side effects and prevent complications in susceptible patients.
	Breast cancer researchers track changes in normal mammary duct cells leading to disease Breast cancer researchers have mapped early genetic alterations in normal-looking cells at various distances from primary tumours to show how changes along the lining of mammary ducts can lead to disease.
	Promise seen in possible treatment for autism spectrum disorder Human chromosome 16p11.2 deletion syndrome is caused by the absence of about 27 genes on chromosome 16. This deletion is characterized by intellectual disability; impaired language, communication, and socialization skills; and autism spectrum disorder or ASD.
	'Maturity' molecule helps adolescent brain grow up When it comes to raising teenagers, parents have an ally—laminin alpha 5, a molecule crucial to the maturing of the adolescent brain—a Yale-led study published Oct. 31 in the journal Cell Reports suggests.
	Gene discovery in monkeys could shed light on defense against HIV Vervet monkeys found in Africa and the Caribbean are the most abundant natural hosts of the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), a close relative of HIV/AIDS.
	Babies can use context to look for things, study demonstrates Just six months into the world, babies already have the capacity to learn, remember and use contextual cues in a scene to guide their search for objects of interest, such as faces, a new Brown University study shows.
	Subset of stem cells identified as source for all cells in blood and immune systems Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have identified a specific subset of adult blood stem cells that is exclusively responsible for repopulating the entire blood and immune system after a transplant.
	Study unveils changes in the brain during extended missions in space It's been 55 years since NASA astronaut John Glenn successfully launched into space to complete three orbits aboard the Friendship 7 Mercury spacecraft, becoming the first American to orbit the Earth. The evolution of spaceflight, advancements in science and technologies and the progress of public-private commercial partnerships with companies such as Space X and Blue Horizons have strengthened NASA's goals and the public's confidence to move forward in discovery and human exploration.
	Strength exercise as vital as aerobic, new research finds Push ups and sit ups could add years to your life according to a new study of over 80,000 adults led by the University of Sydney.
	New tissue-engineered blood vessel replacements one step closer to human trials Researchers at the University of Minnesota have created a new lab-grown blood vessel replacement that is composed completely of biological materials, but surprisingly doesn't contain any living cells at implantation. The vessel, that could be used as an "off the shelf" graft for kidney dialysis patients, performed well in a recent study with nonhuman primates.
	Bacterial Fats, not dietary ones, may deserve the blame for heart disease Heart disease and fatty clogs in the arteries go hand in hand. But new evidence suggests the fatty molecules might come not only from what you eat, but from the bacteria in your mouth, report UConn scientists in the 16 August issue of the Journal of Lipid Research. The research may explain why gum disease is associated with heart trouble.
Long-term use of drugs to curb acid reflux linked to doubling in stomach cancer risk The long term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a class of drugs commonly used to treat acid reflux, is linked to a more than doubling in the risk of developing stomach cancer, finds research published online in the journal Gut.
	Less red tape and shorter working hours might help stave off retirement of UK doctors Less red tape and shorter working hours are the two key factors that might persuade older UK doctors to carry on working rather than hanging up their stethoscopes, suggests an analysis of survey responses, published in the online journal BMJ Open.
Many prescription drug users not aware of driving-related risks A large portion of patients taking prescription drugs that could affect driving may not be aware they could potentially be driving impaired, according to research in the November issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
New study links severe hot flashes with greater risk of obstructive sleep apnea Many menopausal women complain about poor sleep. Should the problem be blamed simply on menopause or on a more serious underlying sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? What, if any, is the connection between hot flashes, which can also lead to cardiovascular risk, and OSA? New study results being published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), examine that relationship.
	Only nine countries on track to eliminate hepatitis C New data on hepatitis C released by the Polaris Observatory, and presented today at the World Hepatitis Summit (WHS) in Sao Paulo, Brazil shows that nine countries—Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Georgia, Germany, Iceland, Japan, the Netherlands and Qatar—are on course to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030.
Massage could be used to aid recovery of damaged limbs Massage could increase the regrowth of muscle after muscle loss, according to new research published in The Journal of Physiology. The researchers showed that muscle grew faster after a massage because protein manufacture in cells was improved, and that when one leg was massaged, the other non-massaged leg also grew faster.
Cheaper drug could release more than GBP 13.5 million a year within the next five years for other services Doctors in the north east of England face legal action from two of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies for offering patients with a serious eye condition the choice of a safe, effective but much cheaper drug, reports The BMJ today.
	APA Stress in America survey: US at 'lowest point we can remember' Nearly two-thirds of Americans (63 percent) say the future of the nation is a very or somewhat significant source of stress, slightly more than perennial stressors like money (62 percent) and work (61 percent), according to the American Psychological Association's report, Stress in America: The State of Our Nation.
Time off for good behaviour: Japan firm rewards non-smokers Non-smoking employees at one Japanese firm are getting six additional days' holiday to compensate for the time their colleagues spend puffing away at work.
	Teen childbirth linked to increased risk for heart disease Women who became first-time mothers as teens were significantly more likely than older mothers to have greater risks for heart and blood vessel disease later in life, according to new research in Journal of the American Heart Association, the Open Access Journal of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
	How to detect the risk of dyslexia before learning to read Almost 10 percent of the world's population suffers dyslexia. Establishing an early diagnosis would allow the development of training programs to palliate this disorder. This goal could be closer after a study carried out by the Basque Centre on Cognition, Brain and Language (BCBL) associating auditory processing in children with their reading skills. The results offer a new approach for detecting the risk before children learn to read.
Air pollution associated with cancer mortality beyond lung cancer Air pollution is classified as carcinogenic to humans given its association with lung cancer, but there is little evidence for its association with cancer at other body sites. In a new large-scale prospective study led by the Barcelona Institute of Global Health (ISGlobal), researchers observed an association between certain air pollutants and mortality from kidney, bladder and colorectal cancer.
	Little-known fruits contain powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agents According to a study supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation, five fruit trees native to the Atlantic Rainforest have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Routine mammograms do save lives A recent article published by The Conversation Canada stated routine mammographies do not save lives – and that the harms of screening outweigh the benefits.
	Consumers may not recognize costs, consequences of demand for 'clean' food Eating "clean" is all about avoiding foods with additives, preservatives or other chemicals on the label. Considering the numerous studies linking certain foods with health ailments, clean eating makes sense, right?
	Reviving old drugs could help to stem the rise of drug-resistant gonorrhoea A new study suggests a drug that was used in the past to treat gonorrhoea could help tackle infections that are resistant to current treatments.
	Porn not to blame for public health issues The recent attempt by Conservative MPs to label porn a public health crisis in Canada is part of a web of attacks against gender and sexual minorities—and a diversion from necessary policy debates on ending sexual violence. Luckily, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health didn't go for it.
	Lose fat, preserve muscle—weight training beats cardio for older adults Weight training or cardio? For older adults trying to slim down, pumping iron might be the way to go.
	Throughout our bodies, thousands of genes act differently in men and women Most of us are familiar with the genetic differences between men and women.
	Can you train yourself to develop 'super senses'? Wouldn't it be great to be able to hear what people whispered behind your back? Or to read the bus timetable from across the street? We all differ dramatically in our perceptual abilities – for all our senses. But do we have to accept what we've got when it comes to sensory perception? Or can we actually do something to improve it?
Are some natural environments more psychologically beneficial than others? Spending time in rural and coastal locations is more psychologically beneficial to individuals than time spent in urban green spaces, a new study in the journal Environment & Behavior reports.
	Strength training can have unique health benefits, and it doesn't have to happen in a gym Most of us probably know exercising is associated with a smaller risk of premature death, but a new study has found that doesn't have to happen in a CrossFit box, a ninja warrior studio, or even a gym. Body weight-bearing exercises such as sit-ups and push-ups staved off death just as much as other forms of weight-bearing exercise.
	Brain tumour's 'addiction' to common amino acid could be its weakness Starving a childhood brain tumour of the amino acid glutamine could improve the effect of chemotherapy, according to an early study led by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and funded by Children with Cancer UK and the Medical Research Council.
	The hidden trauma of male infertility There has been a lot of alarm in recent years about the declining fertility rates of Western men and the potential problems this may pose.
With midlife comes sexual wisdom—research shows women's sexuality adapts with aging While women experience changes with the menopausal transition that can negatively affect their sex lives, they often adapt behaviorally and psychologically to these changes, according to a qualitative study by University of Pittsburgh researchers.
New study may improve treatment of intestinal tumours Patients with neuroendocrine tumours that have spread beyond the intestines should not have surgery before they present with abdominal-related symptoms. This is shown in a new study by researchers at Uppsala University, who hope the results will have major significance, especially for the many patients who may run a reduced risk of unnecessary surgeries and complications in the future.
To make surgery safer and less expensive for all, take Michigan's model national, team says Half the dollars spent on health care in America have something to do with a surgical procedure - including post-surgery care to fix problems that could have been prevented.
Two classes of GGAA-microsatellites in a Ewing sarcoma context In a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers describe two types of GGAA-microsatellites and their roles in EWS/FLI binding and gene regulation in Ewing sarcoma. Ewing sarcoma is the second most common pediatric bone malignancy. It is initiated by chromosomal translocation t(11;22)(q24;q12), which creates the fusion protein and oncogenic driver EWS/FLI.
	Inflammation in midlife linked to brain shrinkage later People who show signs of inflammation in middle age are more likely to suffer from brain shrinkage later in life, a possible precursor to dementia or Alzheimer's disease, researchers said Wednesday.
	Phase 1 study shows encouraging data for gene replacement therapy for SMA type I A one-time intravenous infusion of the high dose of gene therapy extended the survival of patients with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1) in a Phase 1 clinical trial, according to a study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study was conducted by Researchers from Nationwide Children's Hospital in collaboration with AveXis, Inc. and The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
	Diagnostic revolution targets tuberculosis, other deadly diseases Skeletal remains dating to the Neolithic era in Egypt bear tell-tale traces of tuberculosis (TB)—a disease that is estimated to have killed a billion people in the last two centuries alone.
	U.S. preemie birth rates rise two years in a row (HealthDay)—After nearly a decade of decline, the preterm birth rate in the United States has risen for the second year in a row, the March of Dimes reports.
	Five ways to eat more veggies (HealthDay)—It's a healthy habit we try to instill in our kids though we don't always do it ourselves—eating more vegetables every day.
	Speed up the 'Cancer Moonshot,' doctors urge (HealthDay)—The Cancer Moonshot Initiative now has a detailed road map designed to cram a decade's worth of medical advancement into half that time.
	Taking four or more prescription meds? Consider scaling back (HealthDay)—More than half of Americans regularly take about four prescription medications, increasing the likelihood that mistakes could occur, according to Consumer Reports.
	Riding the bike to work is just as effective as leisure time exercise Jump on the bike and enjoy the morning ride to work. If you are overweight and inactive you can lose fat mass just as effectively and fast by starting to take the bike to work as by exercising in a fitness centre. This is the conclusion reached by researchers from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen in a study that has just been published in the scientific journal International Journal of Obesity.
	Topical gel made from oral blood pressure drugs shown effective in healing chronic wounds An international team of researchers led by Johns Hopkins has shown that a topical gel made from a class of common blood pressure pills that block inflammation pathways speeds the healing of chronic skin wounds in mice and pigs.
	Study shows azithromycin overprescribed for childhood pneumonia A combination of two antibiotics is often prescribed to treat community-acquired pneumonia in children but a JAMA Pediatrics study is now showing that using just one of the two has the same benefit to patients in most cases.
	New research shows where in the brain the earliest signs of Alzheimer's occur Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have for the first time convincingly shown where in the brain the earliest signs of Alzheimer's occur. The discovery could potentially become significant to future Alzheimer's research while contributing to improved diagnostics.
Almost half of those who resolve a problem with drugs or alcohol do so without assistance A study from the Recovery Research Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has estimated, for the first time, the number of Americans who have overcome serious problems with the use of alcohol or other drugs. More than 9 percent of those responding to their survey of a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults indicated they had previously had such a problem but no longer did, and a little more than half of them reported accomplishing this with some sort of assistance. Only 46 percent of successful respondents considered themselves to be "in recovery."
	Largest ever collection of patient data of inherited epilepsy conditions Researchers from Swansea University Medical School have joined up with five other centres from around the world to compile the biggest recorded collection of families with forms of epilepsy where genetics may play a part in the recurring feature of the condition.
	In the lab and in the clinic, alisertib with TAK-228 excels against solid tumors Two University of Colorado Cancer Center studies were presented this weekend at the AACR-NCI-EORTC Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics Meeting in Philadelphia, PA showing that using the drug alisertib along with the drug TAK-228 is more effective against triple-negative breast cancer and solid tumors than either drug alone. The first study details the scientific work that forms the basis for the second study, which presents results of an ongoing phase 1 dose-escalation clinical trial of this combination in patients with advanced solid tumors.
	Survey findings: Four in ten healthcare professionals work while sick A new study suggests that healthcare professionals (HCPs) should heed to their own advice: stay home when sick.
	Investigating the collateral effects of antibiotics Antibiotics can influence the swimming and swarming ability of multidrug-resistant bacteria, according to a new study in mSphere, an open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology. The study, conducted using multidrug-resistant Salmonella, explored how antibiotics may modulate Salmonella virulence mechanisms.
	Why do some obese people have 'healthier' fat tissue than others? One little understood paradox in the study of obesity is that overweight people who break down fat at a high rate are less healthy than peers who store their fat more effectively.
Infertility linked to higher risk of death among women Women with a history of infertility have a 10 percent increased risk of death compared to those without reported infertility struggles, according to results of a new study from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The study, which examined the association between infertility and mortality as well as specific causes of death, also showed that women with a history of infertility have a 20 percent increased risk of cancer-related mortality. The results of the study were presented this week at the annual American Society of Reproductive Medicine Scientific Congress & Expo in San Antonio, Texas.
Breast cancer patients forego post-surgery treatment due to mistrust, study suggests Nearly one-third of women with breast cancer went against their doctor's advice and chose not to begin or complete the recommended adjuvant anti-cancer therapy to kill residual tumor cells following surgery, according to a study led by a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researcher.
	People with psychotic-like experiences spend less time in healthy brain states Healthy people experiencing subtle symptoms observed in psychotic disorders, such as hallucinations and delusions, have altered brain dynamics, according to a new study published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging. The alterations were found in patterns of brain activity that reoccur, or "states" that the brain moves in and out of over time. The participants who reported the psychotic-like experiences (PLEs)—considered to be at the low end of the psychosis spectrum—spent less time in a brain state reflecting healthier brain network activity.
	With ARDS, doctors should keep ventilator-induced injury in mind (HealthDay)—When applying evidence-based recommendations for mechanical ventilation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), clinicians should be aware of the mechanisms of ventilator-induced lung injury and the rationale behind interventions to mitigate injury, according to a literature review published in the October issue of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
	Dry mouth common medication reaction in older adults (HealthDay)—In older adults, medication use is significantly associated with xerostomia and salivary gland dysfunction, according to a review published online Oct. 26 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
	Hepatitis B viral load, surface antigen may ID liver cancer risk (HealthDay)—Elevated levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are associated with increased risks of liver cancer, according to a study published online Oct. 24 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
	Response to lenalidomide often suboptimal in MDS/MPN-RS-T (HealthDay)—Lenalidomide produces hematologic responses in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) with ring sideroblasts (RS) and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T), although these responses are often suboptimal, according to a research letter published online Oct. 25 in the American Journal of Hematology.
	Two simple tests can ID fibromyalgia in pain patients (HealthDay)—Two simple tests can indicate a probable diagnosis of fibromyalgia (FM) in patients with chronic pain, according to a study published online Oct. 23 in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice.
	Immediate wound closure after laser improves skin tightening (HealthDay)—Significant skin tightening can be achieved by immediate temporary noninvasive wound closure after short pulse Erbium (Er):YAG fractional ablative laser treatment or after mechanically removing skin with a coring needle, according to an animal study published online Oct. 23 in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
	Laser alone or with peel effective for mixed melasma (HealthDay)—Low-fluence Q-switched Nd-YAG laser alone or with modified Jessner's peel are equally effective regimens for mixed melasma hyperpigmentation, according to a study published online Oct. 22 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
	Magnesium, T2DM link seen in poor-carbohydrate-quality diet (HealthDay)—The correlation between higher magnesium intake and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes is stronger in the context of poor-carbohydrate-quality diets, according to a study published online Oct. 4 in Diabetes Care.
Team finds marijuana use associated with cognitive dysfunction in people with HIV Marijuana use is associated with cognitive dysfunction in people with HIV infection who have an alcohol or other drug use disorder, according to a new study from researchers at Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH), Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), and Boston Medical Center (BMC).
	White matter damage linked to chronic musculoskeletal pain in Gulf War veterans A study from the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, has shown that structural damage in the white matter of the brain may be linked to chronic musculoskeletal pain in Gulf War veterans.
New drug enables infants with genetic disorder to live longer, gain motor function Infants with the most severe form of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) were more likely to show gains in motor function and were 47 percent more likely to survive without permanent assisted ventilation support when treated with a new medication, according to a study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. The drug, nusinersen, performed so well that the study was stopped early and the treatment was approved shortly thereafter by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for all patients with this progressive neuromuscular disorder.
	Research documents link between nightmares and self-harm New research from Florida State University finds a link between nightmares and self-injurious behavior, such as cutting or burning oneself.
	Close friends linked to a sharper memory Maintaining positive, warm and trusting friendships might be the key to a slower decline in memory and cognitive functioning, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study.
	Researchers find genetic pathways to individualized treatment for advanced prostate cancer Researchers at Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine have uncovered genetic clues to why tumors resist a specific therapy used for treating advanced prostate cancer. This discovery can guide health care providers to individualized treatments for castration-resistant prostate cancer, a deadly disease that does not respond to standard hormone therapy. Several U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved therapies are available for castration-resistant prostate cancer, but the treatments affect each patient differently.
	Innovative heart device is safe and effective, study finds A new study has found that a pioneering device to repair heart valves is safe and effective, and can reduce the invasiveness and side effects of conventional mitral valve surgery. The Harpoon Mitral Valve Repair System (H-MVRS), an image-guided device based on technology developed at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), is deployed through a small opening between the ribs, and repairs the heart while it continues to beat. The research was presented at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT 2017) symposium in Denver, and simultaneously published in JACC, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
	Co-parenting after the end of a violent marriage: What does the first year look like? Intimate partner violence is not uncommon among divorcing couples. Whether a woman experienced intimate partner violence during marriage—and the kind of violence she experienced—has an impact on how well she and her former partner are able to co-parent after separation.
San Diego reports 20th death from Hepatitis A outbreak San Diego County has reported a 20th person has died from a Hepatitis A outbreak—the worst of its kind in the United States in 20 years.
	Transgender women take triple the number of HIV tests as trans men A new University at Buffalo study has shown that HIV testing among transgender adults was higher in those who identified as female, were African-American or Hispanic, or had a history of incarceration.
PARP inhibitor may be effective against some TNBC lacking BRCA mutations The investigational PARP inhibitor talazoparib caused regression of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) that had BRCA mutations and also those that did not have BRCA mutations but had other alterations in DNA damage-repair pathways.
	Australia currently on track to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030, but challenges remain for hepatitis B New data released at this year's World Hepatitis Summit in Sao Paulo, Brazil (1-3 November) shows that Australia is currently on track to eliminate hepatitis C thanks to its huge efforts to enable population-wide access to treatment. However, the challenge will be to keep annual treatment numbers high enough to eliminate the virus by 2030. For hepatitis B, progress is slower and more challenges remain.
Only half of people in US living with curable cancer-causing disease are aware New data released at this year's World Hepatitis Summit in Sao Paulo, Brazil (1-3 November) show that out of an estimated 2.7 million people now living with hepatitis C in the US, only just over half (55%) are aware, contributing to increasing infection rates and poor treatment outcomes. This means that the US is very unlikely to meet either the WHO hepatitis elimination target or its own national targets set out in the National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan 2017-2020.
	Countries risk 'running out' of hepatitis C patients to treat, says World Hepatitis Alliance The latest data on the global hepatitis C epidemic, released today at the World Hepatitis Summit in Sao Paulo, Brazil (1-3 November) reveal that most countries (especially high-income countries) are running out of patients to treat because of the low diagnosis rates worldwide.
UK elimination of hepatitis C in jeopardy unless more patients found Just one in three people with hepatitis C in the UK have been diagnosed according to the latest estimates released at this year's World Hepatitis Summit in Sao Paulo, Brazil (1-3 November).
Singaporeans with appetite for destruction get 'rage room' relief Bad day at the office? In high-pressured Singapore there is now a solution—a "rage room" that lets stressed-out people take a baseball bat to items ranging from glass bottles to televisions.
	Why physicians recommend 3-D mammograms For women over the age of 40, getting a yearly screening mammogram is an essential part of maintaining their breast health. While most mammograms are normal, occasionally a second screening will need to be performed. Getting a call from your physician asking you to come back in for additional tests can be nerve-racking for any issue, but especially so when it might be breast cancer.
	New database to connect neurodegenerative disease community Researchers studying neurodegenerative disease can now look up cohort studies and make connections through a new online database.
Results from the ABSORB IV trial reported Thirty-day results from ABSORB IV, the largest randomized everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) trial to date, found BVS to be noninferior to a cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stent (CoCr-EES) for target lesion failure (TLF).
TAVR cost-effective compared with SAVR in intermediate risk patients with aortic stenosis Analysis of the PARTNER 2A trial and the SAPIEN-3 Intermediate Risk registry found transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to be highly cost-effective compared with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in intermediate surgical risk patients with aortic stenosis.
Mandated coverage for fertility preservation featured in NEJM This summer, it was announced that Rhode Island became the first state to pass a law explicitly requiring coverage for fertility preservation prior to gonadotoxic medical therapy, treatment that could directly or indirectly cause infertility. A perspective on this mandated coverage in Rhode Island and similar legislation in Connecticut has been published in the October 26, 2017 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.
National study identifies best method for achieving a healthy IVF birth Research presented today at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) by scientists from the University of Colorado and Duke University concludes that fresh donor eggs during in vitro fertilization (IVF) provide a higher chance of implantation when compared with donor eggs that have been cryopreserved. In addition, the study lends credence to the practice of transferring just one embryo during IVF to avoid complications that accompany multiple births, bucking the historically prevalent method of transferring two or more embryos to increase the odds of pregnancy.
	What to look for as 'Obamacare' 2018 enrollment opens A new deadline, rising prices and fewer options for help will greet health insurance shoppers as the Affordable Care Act's main enrollment window opens Wednesday.
	Understanding addiction in the adolescent mind Several studies have provided strong evidence that adolescents—people in their teens to early twenties—have a higher vulnerability than adults to addictive substances like cocaine. To understand the origin of the age effect requires a sensor to effectively measuring how cocaine interacts with different parts of the brain over time.

Biology news

	Earth Microbiome Project: Mapping the microbiome of... everything In the Earth Microbiome Project, an extensive global team co-led by researchers at University of California San Diego, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory collected more than 27,000 samples from numerous, diverse environments around the globe. They analyzed the unique collections of microbes—the microbiomes—living in each sample to generate the first reference database of bacteria colonizing the planet. Thanks to newly standardized protocols, original analytical methods and open data-sharing, the project will continue to grow and improve as new data are added.
	Marine scientists discover kleptopredation—a new way of catching prey When it comes to feeding time sea slugs are the pirates of the underwater world - attacking prey that have just eaten in order to plunder their target's meal, new research has found.
	How songbirds learn a new song For a songbird, learning a new song is akin to a child learning a new language. Zebra finches approach this challenge step by step, and even make a detour in the process - by taking song syllables that they already know and adapting them to the syllables that they have to learn. During this learning phase, the syllable sequence often gets mixed up. The birds then arrange the newly-learned syllables into the correct order in the next learning phase. Researchers led by Richard Hahnloser, a professor at the Institute of Neuroinformatics run by ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, have reported these findings in the latest edition of the journal Nature Communications.
	Researchers find protein that could help fight antibiotic resistance Artificial hip implants, knee implants and catheters are susceptible to infections: bacteria that flow through the blood system can collect on these foreign surfaces and hunker down to proliferate.
	Chimpanzees shown spontaneously 'taking turns' to solve number puzzle A new study from Kyoto and Oxford universities and Indianapolis Zoo has shown chimpanzees spontaneously taking turns to complete a number sequencing task.
	New zooming technique reveals cell electric circuit for first time Cell biologists have used a new super-resolution microscopy technique to be able to observe molecular-level reactions for the first time.
	Researchers find low genetic diversity in domestic ferrets University of Wyoming researchers studied inbred domestic ferrets and determined the mammals have low genetic diversity on a global scale, according to a paper recently published in Evolutionary Applications.
	Do animals think rationally? Researcher suggests rational decision-making doesn't require language Previous research has shown that animals can remember specific events, use tools and solve problems. But exactly what that means - whether they are making rational decisions or simply reacting to their environment through mindless reflex - remains a matter of scientific dispute.
	Study identifies bottlenecks in early seagrass growth Seagrass meadows, key nursery and feeding grounds for many kinds of marine life, are being lost worldwide to nutrient pollution, warming waters, and other ills. A new study by an international research team reveals bottlenecks in the growth of seagrass from seed to seedling, knowledge useful for improving seed-based restoration efforts.
	Scientists develop groundnut resistant to aflatoxin Scientists at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, in St. Louis, MO and their collaborators at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Hyderabad, India, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Louisiana State University have made a significant research breakthrough by suppressing the aflatoxin-producing fungus in groundnut. The discovery has the potential to drastically improve food safety and reduce losses caused by the contamination from the poisonous carcinogen, aflatoxin. The discovery was recently published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal.
	Penguins' calls are influenced by their habitat Birds use vocalizations to attract mates, defend territories, and recognize fellow members of their species. But while we know a lot about how variations in vocalizations play out between populations of songbirds, it's far less clear how this variation affects birds such as penguins in which calls are inherited. A new study from The Auk: Ornithological Advances examines differences in the calls of Little Penguins from four colonies in Australia—nocturnal birds for whom vocalizations are more important that visual signals—and finds that disparities in habitat, rather than geographic isolation or other factors, seem to be the key driver of variation in the sounds these birds use to communicate.
	Mammoth projects to make Norway's fish farms eco-friendly "We could produce five times as much fish by 2050": in a posh hotel in the Norwegian town of Trondheim, a fishing industry representative winds up his presentation on Norway's sky-high fish farming goals.
	Mummies' tummies to reveal digestive evolution Mummified bodies from Egypt and the Canary Islands are having their digestive tracts tested and compared to living people in order to reveal how the bacteria in our guts has changed over the centuries and how it varies between people with different diets.
	Ensuring the survival of elephants in Laos: A matter of economics Asian elephant populations in Laos, which are under a process of commodification, have dropped by half in the last 30 years. According to researchers from CNRS and the French Beauval Nature association for conservation and research, the dynamics of elephant populations depend heavily on the socio-economic practices of the country and elephant owners. The setting-up of a "maternity-leave" system to compensate owners for their losses of income during breeding period would contribute to the species' long-term survival. The findings of this research are published in Scientific Reports on November 1st 2017.
	One-third of all shark species in fin trade are endangered Nearly one-third of the shark species in the global fin trade are at risk of extinction, according to a new study led by FIU marine scientist Demian Chapman.
Researchers uncover how a microtubule-related gene affects neural development The mechanism linking cortical developmental disorders with a gene related to key structural components of cells known as microtubules has been uncovered by A*STAR scientists. The discovery improves our understanding of the pathology of the disorders and expands the range of genes known to be involved in neurodevelopment.
	Synthetic sex in yeast promises safer medicines for people Our old friend Saccharomyces cerevisiae – the yeast that's helped people bake bread and brew beer for millennia – has just had its sex life upgraded.
	Why do shark bites seem to be more deadly in Australia than elsewhere? The first thing to say about shark attack deaths is that they are very rare, with only about two per year in Australia. But still, every year without fail, people die from shark bites, both here and around the world.
	Octopuses stranded on Welsh beach – here are the scientific theories why A beach in Wales recently faced an eight-armed invasion. Over 20 octopuses were reportedly seen crawling up New Quay beach on the west coast of the country, with many later being found dead after failing to make it back to the sea.
	Citizen science may boost engagement and understanding in undergraduate biology classes Citizen science projects, such as ClimateWatch, can boost engagement in undergraduate courses, according to a study published November 1, 2017 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Nicola Mitchell from The University of Western Australia, and colleagues.
	Feral animals pose major threat to Outback, climate change study finds A study of changing rainfall and bushfire patterns over 22 years has found - in addition to a likely decrease in cover of the dominant plant spinifex - feral animals pose a major threat to seed-eating rodents.
	Researchers provide fisheries a solution to overharvesting There are fewer fish in the sea - literally.
	Zebra 'poo science' improves conservation efforts How can Zebra poo tell us what an animal's response to climate change and habitat destruction will be?
	Treatment for dogs alleviates fear of noisy fireworks With Bonfire Night approaching, many dogs suffer anxiety and fear from the loud bangs and explosions of firework displays. A study published by Veterinary Record shows how a medicinal treatment can help alleviate common fear behaviours, such as trembling and whining.
Behind the puppy-dog eyes Eye contact between dingoes and humans reveals clues of the domestication process.
	An early Christmas present: Scientists have unwrapped the reindeer genome With Halloween over, today is traditionally the day that the Christmas decorations come out, so it is appropriate that an iconic animal associated with the festivity is getting a jump on the holiday spirit by joining the list of species to have its genome sequenced. Published today in the open-access journal GigaScience, is an article describing the sequencing and analysis of the reindeer genome. This work, although unlikely to reveal why Santa's reindeer can fly, provides a great resource for gaining greater understanding of the processes of evolution, domestication, animal husbandry, and adaptation to extreme environments.
	Vitamin E discovery in maize could lead to more nutritious crop New research has identified genes that control vitamin E content in maize grain, a finding that could lead to improving the nutritional profile of this staple crop.
Wind farms along mountain ridges may negatively affect bats By attaching miniaturized Global Positioning System tags to cave bats near a mountain ridge in Thailand, researchers have shown that bats repeatedly use mountain slopes to ascend to altitudes of more than 550 m above the ground.

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