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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for November 29, 2017:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | MUSE probes uncharted depths of Hubble Ultra Deep FieldAstronomers using the MUSE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile have conducted the deepest spectroscopic survey ever. They focused on the Hubble Ultra Deep Field, measuring distances and properties of 1600 very faint galaxies including 72 galaxies that have never been detected before. This groundbreaking dataset has already resulted in 10 science papers that are being published in a special issue of Astronomy & Astrophysics. This wealth of new information is giving astronomers insight into star formation in the early Universe. |
 | Why is massive star formation quenched in galaxy centers?The current cosmological model to explain the universe, the "Big Bang" model, aims to describe all observable phenomena, including the evolution of galaxies from earliest times to the present day. One of the major problems in the Standard Model is that it predicts a star formation rate that is far too high. All the star-forming material in galaxies should have coalesced into stars when the universe was only a fraction of its present age of 13.8 billion years. However, over half the galaxies we see, mainly spirals, are actively forming stars right now. This discrepancy between theoretical prediction and observation has forced researchers to look much more closely at star formation quenching processes that can slow down the rate of star formation over the lifetimes of galaxies. Without this quenching, the standard Big Bang model fails to predict the universe as we know it. |
 | NASA builds its next Mars rover missionIn just a few years, NASA's next Mars rover mission will be flying to the Red Planet. |
 | Traces of life on nearest exoplanets may be hidden in equatorial trapNew simulations show that the search for life on other planets may well be more difficult than previously assumed, in research published today in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. The study indicates that unusual air flow patterns could hide atmospheric components from telescopic observations, with direct consequences for formulating the optimal strategy for searching for (oxygen-producing) life such as bacteria or plants on exoplanets. |
 | Faulty satellite? Robot geek squad is on the horizonHundreds of millions of dollars can go into the school bus-sized satellites that blast into orbit above Earth and provide services including broadband internet, broadcasting and military surveillance. |
 | Going green to the Red PlanetESA's ground station in Western Australia routinely communicates with spacecraft at far-away places like Mars. Now, it's using sunlight to generate electricity, significantly reducing energy costs. |
 | Image: Release of the Dellingr CubeSat from the ISSDellingr, a shoebox-sized spacecraft built to show that CubeSat platforms could be cost-effective, reliable and capable of gathering highly robust science, was released from the International Space Station on Nov. 20, 2017. This image shows the release of Dellingr, which NASA specifically developed to provide high-quality science data on a small platform. |
Video: Ariane 6—a reality in KourouAt Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, Ariane 6 is now a reality with the launch zone taking shape. | |
Technology news
 | Artificial intelligence algorithm can determine a neighborhood's political leanings by its carsFrom the understated opulence of a Bentley to the stalwart family minivan to the utilitarian pickup, Americans know that the car you drive is an outward statement of personality. You are what you drive, as the saying goes, and researchers at Stanford have just taken that maxim to a new level. |
 | Toyota showcases humanoid robot that mirrors userJapanese auto giant Toyota Wednesday showcased a humanoid robot that can mirror its user's movements, a product it says has uses as varied as elderly care and disaster response. |
 | Microsoft Learn Chinese for iOS helps beginners, intermediates(Tech Xplore)—What would you say to learning Chinese with the focus on speaking it—and having fun doing so? |
 | Google video demonstrates 'stranger is looking alert' for smartphones(Tech Xplore)—A pair of researchers at Google has released a video on YouTube demonstrating a possible new feature for Android phones—a "stranger is looking" alert that pops up if the phone detects another person behind the user trying to view the screen. Google has not released many details regarding the feature but has announced that two of its team members, Hee Jung Ryu and Florian Schroff, will be presenting their project, which has been named "an electronic screen protector," at the upcoming Neural Information Processing Systems conference. |
 | Flexible impedance sensor can fit inside urinary catheters; monitor and treat biofilmA long-term, interdisciplinary research collaboration at the University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering has made significant progress in detecting and treating bacterial biofilms by developing new chemical compounds, materials, and microsystems that can fight these sources of post-operative infections. |
 | With 'material robotics,' intelligent products won't even look like robotsRobots as inconspicuous as they are ubiquitous represent the vision of researchers in the new and burgeoning field of material robotics. |
 | 90 percent of senior drivers don't make vehicle adjustments that can improve safetyNearly 90 percent of older drivers do not make inexpensive adaptations to their vehicles that can improve safety and extend their time behind the wheel, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Common vehicle adaptations like pedal extensions, seat cushions and steering wheel covers can help to improve safety by reducing a senior driver's crash risk. Seniors aged 65 and over are more than twice as likely as younger drivers to be killed when involved in a crash. AAA urges seniors to consider making the necessary adaptations to their vehicles in order to reduce crash risk and extend the time they can continue to drive. |
 | Trial pitting Waymo against Uber further delayedThe start of the trial in Waymo's suit against Uber over swiped self-driving car secrets was delayed once again Tuesday in the face of potentially troubling new evidence. |
'Hacker-for-hire' pleads guilty to Yahoo breachA Canadian man pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges stemming from a massive breach at Yahoo that authorities say was directed by two Russian intelligence agents and affected at least a half billion user accounts. | |
 | Bubble or brave new world? Bitcoin breaks $10,000 barrierBitcoin broke through the $10,000 barrier for the first time on Wednesday as it continues a stratospheric rise that has delighted investors but sparked fears of a bubble. |
Uber signs partnership with Vietnam's leading e-wallet firmUber Technologies Inc. on Wednesday signed a deal with MoMo, Vietnam's leading financial technology firm, enabling Uber riders to pay for trips using MoMo's e-wallets in a country where most transactions are done in cash. | |
 | Study finds drones more damaging than bird strikes to planesDrones that collide with planes cause more damage than birds of the same size because of their solid motors, batteries and other parts, a study released by the Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday found. |
Supreme Court frets over erosion of privacy in digital ageWorried about the erosion of privacy amid technological advances, the Supreme Court signaled Wednesday it might restrain the government's ability to track Americans' movements through collection of their cellphone information. | |
 | Hackers could get even nastier in 2018: researchersAfter a year marked by devastating cyber attacks and breaches, online attackers are expected to become even more destructive in 2018, security researchers said Wednesday. |
 | Wait-and-see on e-cars is the wrong strategyThe last year has been a good one for electric cars. Their market share has jumped upward, pushed by new models that are affordable and offer longer ranges. Several countries – China, India, France, and the UK – have announced policies aiming for a complete switch from gasoline to electric. |
 | Algorithm leverages Titan supercomputer to create high-performing deep neural networksDeep neural networks—a form of artificial intelligence—have demonstrated mastery of tasks once thought uniquely human. Their triumphs have ranged from identifying animals in images, to recognizing human speech, to winning complex strategy games, among other successes. |
 | Simulated computer network alters reality to mislead hackersThe Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky once postulated that the devil no longer uses fire and brimstone but instead simply tells you what you want to hear. |
 | What is bitcoin? A look at the digital currencyThe price of a single bitcoin has pierced the $10,000 level and some experts say it could rise further. The world's most popular virtual currency allows people to buy goods and services and exchange money without involving banks, credit card issuers or other third parties. |
 | Microsoft plans to rebuild its suburban headquarters (Update)Microsoft is overhauling its longtime headquarters with an 18-building construction project that will make room for another 8,000 workers. |
 | SUVs are main attraction at L.A. Auto ShowThe floor at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show will look a lot like America's roads: full of SUVs. |
 | BuzzFeed to cut jobs, refocus advertisingBuzzFeed said Wednesday it was cutting an estimated 100 jobs as the news and entertainment website reorganizes its advertising efforts in the face of disappointing revenues. |
 | Smartphone market seeing steady growth, as bigger screens ruleThe global smartphone market is expected to see steady if unspectacular growth in the next few years, as consumers turn increasingly to large-screen handsets known as "phablets," a market tracker said Wednesday. |
That's cheating! Video-game companies suing crooked players (Update)Rogue online gamers have designed, sold or used computer code to crush competitors playing the popular "Fortnite" survival video game, spoiling the experience and the creator's profit potential, the game's maker charges in a series of lawsuits. | |
Digital media company BuzzFeed cutting jobs in US, UKDigital media company BuzzFeed is cutting 8 percent of U.S. employees, or 100 jobs, as changes its business model in a bid to boost revenue. | |
 | Facebook to give relief groups data on users' needsFacebook is giving disaster-relief organizations such as the Red Cross access to data on what users need and where they are as part of an expansion of tools available for relief and charitable giving. |
Cyber Monday, fueled by smartphones, sets an online sales record of $6.6 billionCyber Monday delivered as expected. Based on final online sales numbers released at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Cyber Monday became the biggest U.S. online shopping day in history, according to Adobe Analytics Data. The use of mobile devices, especially smartphones, accounted for nearly 40 percent of retail visits and 21.3 percent of revenue. | |
Semiconductor grab: Silicon Valley chip companies making tasty acquisitionsWinter may be on the way, but Silicon Valley chipmakers are having their moment in the sun. | |
Apple Pay, Bitcoin for holiday shopping? 'Cash or check' feels obsoleteCustomers at Linda Files' Winter Park-based The Spice & Tea Exchange have some options: Golden Monkey Tea, 4 Peppercorn spice blend - and Apple Pay. | |
Apple's MacOS High Sierra security bug: Do this nowApple pushed out a fix for a serious security bug in computers running its most recent operating system on Wednesday morning, less than a day after it was first widely reported. | |
 | UW students teach Alexa to have a little chat with usWe all know Amazon's Alexa can turn on your kitchen lights or order new dishwashing detergent. |
Cyber Monday: Adobe says online sales surged higherDid you go to Amazon.com Monday and pick up that Instant Pot countertop pressure cooker that you'd had your eye on for a while? | |
 | Two big Uber investors agree to sell shares in SoftBank dealAt least two big Uber stakeholders have agreed to sell part of their private shares to a group led by Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank in a deal that lets investors cash out at a discount and could bring management stability to the troubled ride-hailing company. |
 | Snapchat seeks to attract more users by redesigning appSnapchat is separating what friends share and what media organizations publish in an attempt to appeal to a broader range of users. |
 | Facebook pledges $50M a year to match relief donationsFacebook is pledging $50 million a year to match disaster-relief donations, part of a bevy of tools and efforts around charitable causes the social media giant announced on Wednesday. |
 | Computer scientists are to explore how children can stay safe and retain their privacy as they engage with IoTComputer scientists are to explore how children can stay safe and retain their privacy as they engage with the 'Internet of Things' (IoT). |
Spanish taxis strike to protest Uber, Cabify servicesSpanish taxis refused to pick up passengers in a one-day strike Wednesday against the increase in cars run by private companies offering cheaper, mobile ride-hailing services. | |
Researchers develop new technique to model transplantation of the human liverA team of scientists, physicians, and engineers from the Center for Engineering in Medicine (CEM) and the Transplant Center of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) at the Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA reported the development of a new technology that enables researchers to better study liver transplantation in a pre-clinical setting. The model specifically examines the reperfusion stage of transplantation, when the liver is surgically implanted into the recipient patient. This reperfusion stage of liver transplantation is particularly important because it causes significant injury to the organ, but it is also the first time the organ begins to function again inside the recipient's body after a period of organ preservation. This model could be of significant value to those that aim to study the effects that organ preservation has on the function of the liver after transplantation, which was previously more difficult to study outside of the clinical setting. The report appears in the December 2017 issue of the journal Technology. | |
Toward safer, longer-lasting batteries for electronics and vehiclesThe rise of lithium-ion batteries over the past 25 years has enabled much of today's technology, but on occasion, they still catch fire. Recognizing this liability, carmakers and other private industry researchers are focusing on developing safer alternatives. Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, explores the latest strides and setbacks in bringing one promising option—solid-state batteries—to the market. | |
 | How to know when it's safe to click 'unsubscribe' on spam emaiI had a reader write in to ask about spam. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Eye contact with your baby helps synchronise your brainwavesMaking eye contact with an infant makes adults' and babies' brainwaves 'get in sync' with each other – which is likely to support communication and learning – according to researchers at the University of Cambridge. |
 | Study of WWII evacuees suggests mental illness may be passed to offspringMental illness associated with early childhood adversity may be passed from generation to generation, according to a study of adults whose parents evacuated Finland as children during World War II. The study was conducted by researchers at the National Institutes of Health, Uppsala University in Sweden, and Helsinki University in Finland. It appears in JAMA Psychiatry. |
 | Brain scans reveal why rewards and punishments don't seem to work on teenagersParents and teachers are painfully aware that it's nearly impossible to get a teenager to focus on what you think is important. Even offering them a bribe or issuing a stern warning will typically fail. There may be many reasons for that, including the teenager's developing sense of independence and social pressure from friends. |
 | An injectable gel that helps heart muscle regenerate after heart attackIn mammals, including humans, the cells that contract the heart muscle and enable it to beat do not regenerate after injury. After a heart attack, there is a dramatic loss of these heart muscle cells and those that survive cannot effectively replicate. With fewer of these contractile cells, known as cardiomyocytes, the heart pumps less blood with each beat, leading to the increased mortality associated with heart disease. |
 | Broader gun restrictions lead to fewer intimate partner homicidesState laws that restrict gun ownership among domestic abusers and others with violent histories appear to significantly reduce intimate partner homicides, indicates a groundbreaking national study led by a Michigan State University researcher. |
Range of opioid prescribers play important role in epidemic, study findsA cross-section of opioid prescribers that typically do not prescribe large volumes of opioids, including primary care physicians, surgeons and non-physician health care providers, frequently prescribe opioids to high-risk patients, according to a new study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The findings suggest that high-volume prescribers, including "pill mill" doctors, should not be the sole focus of public health efforts to curb the opioid abuse epidemic. The study also found that "opioid shoppers," patients who obtain prescriptions from multiple doctors and pharmacies, are much less common than other high-risk patient groups, suggesting why policy solutions focused on these patients have not yielded larger reductions in opioid overdoses. | |
 | Minimally invasive treatment provides relief from back painThe majority of patients were pain free after receiving a new image-guided pulsed radiofrequency treatment for low back pain and sciatica, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). |
 | CT shows enlarged aortas in former pro football playersFormer National Football League (NFL) players are more likely to have enlarged aortas, a condition that may put them at higher risk of aneurysms, according to a study being presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). |
 | Hip steroid injections associated with bone changesOsteoarthritis patients who received a steroid injection in the hip had a significantly greater incidence of bone death and collapse compared with control groups, according to new research presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). |
 | Study finds no evidence that gadolinium causes neurologic harmThere is no evidence that accumulation in the brain of the element gadolinium speeds cognitive decline, according to a new study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). |
 | Novel Omics tool begins new era for biology and personalized medicineMost complex diseases, such as obesity, longevity, and diabetes, are largely influenced by genetic factors. But at the same time, they are also modulated by environmental stimuli, such as diet and physical activity. This interaction between the environment and genetic makeup makes every human unique, and underpins the need for personalized medicine. |
 | Dyslexia—when spelling problems impair writing acquisitionDyslexia is a reading disorder that affects the ability to adopt the automatic reflexes needed to read and write. Several studies have sought to identify the source of the problems experienced by individuals with dyslexia when they read. Little attention, however, has been paid to the mechanisms involved in writing. CNRS Professor Sonia Kandel and her team studied the purely motor aspects of writing in children diagnosed with dyslexia. Their results show that orthographic processing in children with dyslexia is so laborious that it can modify or impair writing skills, despite the absence of dysgraphia in these children. The findings of this study are published in the November 2017 edition of Cognitive Neuropsychology. |
 | Scientists find natural mimetics of anti-cancer, anti-aging drugs metformin and rapamycinResearchers from the Biogerontology Research Foundation, Insilico Medicine, Life Extension and other institutions have published a study in the journal Aging on the identification of natural mimetics of metformin and rapamycin. Metformin, a common type 2 diabetes drug, and rapamycin, a common anti-rejection drug, have both been shown to have substantial anti-aging and anti-cancer effects in a variety of model organisms. However, both compounds have known side effects and are regulated drugs for specific disease indications, factors that problematize their off-label use as healthspan-extending drugs. |
New lipids discovery could reduce deaths from stroke and heart attackResearchers at Cardiff University have discovered a new family of lipids (fats) that plays a key role in controlling clot formation. The new discovery could lead to novel ways of reducing the risk of excess clotting, called thrombosis, potentially preventing deaths from many killer diseases such as heart attacks, strokes and deep vein thrombosis. | |
 | Mindfulness meditation found to relieve the stress of waiting for bad newsPopular music and clichés aren't the only evidence that the waiting is the hardest part. Research backs it up as well; waiting for potentially bad news can be at least as difficult as receiving the news. |
 | Sustained reduction in petrol sniffing after low aromatic fuel rolloutThe rollout of low aromatic fuel has contributed to significant and sustained reduction in petrol sniffing and associated health problems in Indigenous communities, studies have found. |
 | Synthetic cannabinoid reduces sleep apneaA synthetic version of a molecule found in the cannabis plant was safe and effective in treating obstructive sleep apnea in the first large, multi-site study of a drug for the sleep disorder funded by the National Institutes of Health. The study was conducted at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Northwestern Medicine. |
 | What goes on inside a medically supervised injection facility?The Victorian government recently announced a medically-supervised injecting centre for North Richmond, an inner-city area plagued by drug overdoses. While some may argue the establishment of such facilities normalises drug use, the centres offer an essential service to keep people who use drugs and the community safe. |
 | Withdrawing funding for hospitals' mistakes probably won't lead to better patient careThe Commonwealth government has just announced a change in the way they fund hospitals, effectively withholding part payment where patients have avoidable complications. The initiative aims to improve the quality of hospital care and reduce overall costs, but without other measures, this probably won't do much to stop hospital-acquired complications from occurring. |
 | New insights into protein reveal potential therapy for breast cancerNorthwestern Medicine scientists have discovered a new function for a protein called SET1B in the cytoplasm of cells, and demonstrated that targeting its role in regulating cellular metabolism may be able to treat triple-negative breast cancer. |
 | Disability discrimination affects one in seven Australian adultsOne in seven Australian adults with a disability reports experiencing discrimination due to their impairment and this discrimination can affect their health, a new study has found. Rates were higher for those who were younger, unemployed or in low-status jobs. |
 | Men twice as likely to develop oral cancerMen are more than twice as likely as women to develop oral cancer, according to new figures released by Cancer Research UK. |
 | Nurses often cyberbullied by patients and familiesResearch by a Massey University PhD candidate into workplace cyberbullying has found that nurses not only experience bullying by other staff, but also by patients and their families. |
 | Growing pancreatic stem cells for research on diabetesA new cell culture procedure developed by A*STAR will assist the study of diabetes and facilitate better treatments. "Our discovery will enable studies of how the pancreas forms and why certain cells malfunction in diabetes," says Jamie Trott of the A*STAR team. |
 | How head and neck squamous cell carcinomas take over wound-healing processesA*STAR researchers have identified the molecular means by which a common form of cancer hijacks wound-healing processes to help it spread. The team hope their findings could lead to more effective treatments. |
Exercise may help protect smokers from inflammation, muscle damageRegular exercise may protect smokers from some of the negative effects associated with smoking, such as muscle loss and inflammation, according to a new study. The article is published ahead of print in the American Journal of Physiology—Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology. | |
 | Green gaming for the environmentCan computer games influence us to make better environmental choices? Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) are hunting for the answer – and for what kind of games can have a positive impact on our attitudes, habits and environmental choices. |
 | Is it adultery if my spouse doesn't know who I am anymore?In Zoomer magazine's September 2017 issue, there was an enlightening article written by Rev. Dr. Sheila Macgregor addressing contemporary issues that have emerged as a result of what's become known as the longevity revolution. |
Does where you live impact stomach cancer risk?It's estimated that nearly 28,000 new cases of stomach cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2017. The good news is that this incidence rate is significantly lower than it was in the early 1900s. Stomach cancer currently accounts for about four cases diagnosed per 100,000 individuals—an almost tenfold drop from 35 cases per 100,000 individuals in the 1930s. The lower occurrence of this disease in the U.S. is likely due to better refrigeration and improved food handling, with less need for salting and smoking foods to preserve them. | |
 | Eating almonds and dark chocolate lowers bad cholesterolEating nearly one-third a cup of almonds a day—either alone or combined with almost one-quarter cup of dark chocolate and 2 1/3 tablespoons of cocoa a day—may reduce a risk factor for coronary heart disease, according to a new study. |
 | Too many deaf children are still failing to learn to read, says new studyThe British education system is neglecting the needs of severely and profoundly deaf children, many of whom have major reading difficulties, according to new research from City, University of London. |
New website to help families spot bowel cancer risksNew research at the University of Plymouth has led to the creation a new website to help families at a high risk of bowel cancer. | |
Small changes to homes can improve quality of life and relieve pressure on NHS and social careA new report published today finds that making small changes to older people's homes, such as installing handrails, ramps and level-access showers, alongside carrying out simple home repairs, could play a significant role in relieving pressure on the NHS and social care and reduce costs by millions of pounds each year. | |
 | Lack of communication puts older adults at risk of clashes between their medicinesMost older Americans take multiple medicines every day. But a new poll suggests they don't get - or seek - enough help to make sure those medicines actually mix safely. |
 | Viagra to be sold without prescription in BritainBritain is to become the first country in the world where the erectile disfunction drug Viagra can be bought without the need for a doctor's prescription from 2018, its maker Pfizer said. |
 | Scientists take early step to personalized breast cancer careUT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have developed a method to map protein changes that occur in different subtypes of breast cancer cells in response to DNA damage from a new class of chemotherapy drugs. |
Call for workers to rise upA James Cook University study has found nearly three quarters of office workers believe there is a negative relationship between sitting down all day at work and their health - and that bosses are crucial to helping solve the problem. | |
 | Don't be a dumbbell: work out with weights(HealthDay)—Strength training needs to be part of every exercise plan, but you don't have to join a health club to reap its benefits. |
 | Bone treats a dangerous stocking stuffer for dogs(HealthDay)—Even if he's a good boy, don't put bone treats in your dog's stocking this holiday season because they can pose a serious health risk to your pooch, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns. |
 | Measuring plasma PCSK9 may ID resistance to PCSK9 inhibitors(HealthDay)—Plasma levels of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) may help assess apparent resistance to PCSK9 inhibitors, according to a research letter published online Nov. 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. |
Stem cell-derived intestine model mimics innate immune responsesA stem cell-derived in vitro model displays key small intestine characteristics including innate immune responses, according to a study published November 29, 2017 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Ying Chen and David Kaplan from Tufts University, US, and colleagues. | |
 | Simple blood test may predict MRI disease activity in multiple sclerosisA blood test to monitor a nerve protein in the blood of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may help predict whether disease activity is flaring up, according to a study published in the November 29, 2017, online issue of Neurology Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation, an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology. |
Nerve cell findings may aid understanding of movement disordersThe findings relate to a type of cell connection that allows electrical and chemical messages to flow from nerve to muscle cells, enabling motion. | |
 | HPV vaccine is effective, safe 10 years after it's givenA decade of data on hundreds of boys and girls who received the HPV vaccine indicates the vaccine is safe and effective long term in protecting against the most virulent strains of the virus, researchers report. |
 | Employee-job personality match linked with higher incomeAn employee whose personality traits closely match the traits that are ideal for her job is likely to earn more than an employee whose traits are less aligned, according to new research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. |
 | Combinations of certain personality traits may guard against depression and anxietyThough high levels of neuroticism put people at risk for depression and anxiety, if those same individuals are also highly extraverted and conscientious they could have a measure of protection against those disorders, according to the results of a new study by a team of University at Buffalo psychologists. |
 | Combination HIV prevention reduces new infections by 42 percent in Ugandan districtA study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine provides real-world evidence that implementing a combination of proven HIV prevention measures across communities can substantially reduce new HIV infections in a population. |
 | More than half of US children will have obesity as adults if current trends continueIf current trends in child obesity continue, more than 57% of today's children in the U.S. will have obesity at age 35, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. |
 | Male circumcision and antiviral drugs appear to sharply reduce HIV infection rateA steep drop in the local incidence of new HIV infections accompanied the rollout of a U.S.-funded anti-HIV program in a large East-African population, according to a study led by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. |
 | Insufficient evidence to guide recommendations on vitamin D in pregnancyThere is currently insufficient evidence to guide recommendations on the use of vitamin D supplements in pregnancy, conclude researchers in The BMJ today. |
 | Trial suggests way to personalize heart health in diabetesScientists at Joslin Diabetes Center have taken another step toward solving a long-standing puzzle about heart health in type 2 diabetes, with a finding that eventually may point towards more personalized patient care. |
 | California survey finds physicians, pharmacists comply with prescription drug monitoring lawA state law that funded upgrades to California's prescription drug monitoring program and mandated physicians, pharmacists and controlled substance prescribers to register by July 2016 significantly increased registration rates, a new survey of 1,904 California physicians and pharmacists conducted by the UC Davis Violence Prevention Program has found. |
 | Chuck Norris says MRI dye harmed wife's brain, but study finds no link(HealthDay)—Despite recent claims from actor Chuck Norris that a dye commonly used during MRI scans seriously sickened his wife, a new study finds no evidence to support such a link. |
 | Education program builds GP's knowledge of radiation therapy(HealthDay)—Australia's national education program improves general practitioner (GP) knowledge about radiation therapy (RT) and may influence patient referrals for RT, according to a study published online Oct. 28 in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology. |
 | Cord blood improves motor function with cerebral palsy(HealthDay)—Infusion of autologous umbilical cord blood improves whole brain connectivity and motor function in young children with cerebral palsy (CP), according to a study published online Oct. 28 in Stem Cells Translational Medicine. |
 | MRI-based ovarian morphologic measurements can ID PCOS(HealthDay)—For adolescents with suspicion for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-based ovarian morphologic measurements can help with diagnosis, according to a study published in the December issue of Radiology. |
 | Fecal microbial transplant by oral capsule noninferior for CDI(HealthDay)—For patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (RCDI), fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) with oral capsules is noninferior to FMT by colonoscopy, according to a study published in the Nov. 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. |
 | AAFP issues summary of 2018 final medicare fee schedule(HealthDay)—A four-page executive summary of the 2018 final Medicare physician fee schedule that was released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been published by the American Academy of Family Physicians. |
 | Study shows lower lung cancer rates in communities with strong smoke-free lawsA recent study by University of Kentucky BREATHE (Bridging Research Efforts and Advocacy Toward Healthy Environments) researchers shows that fewer new cases of lung cancer were found in communities with strong smoke-free workplace laws. |
 | Can a rude waiter make your food less tasty?Have you ever experienced poor service at a restaurant or hotel? Findings from a new study suggest that for certain people, a rude waiter or clerk can influence how tasty the food seems or how attractive the rooms appear. |
Urban American-Indian, Alaskan natives may have lower survival following invasive cancerCompared with the non-Hispanic white (NHW) population, the urban American-Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) community was more likely to have lower survival rates following invasive prostate and breast cancer. | |
 | Rising HIV infections see Iran challenge notions about sexIn a square in a poor eastern Tehran neighborhood known for its drug addicts and dealers, psychologist Atefeh Azimi draws another drop of blood from a worried passer-by's finger. |
Second Phase 3 study results for LMTX publishedTauRx Therapeutics Ltd today reported the full results from its second Phase 3 clinical study of LMTX, the first tau aggregation inhibitor in Alzheimer's disease, published online in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. | |
Marriage is linked to reduced dementia riskResearchers from University College London have found that people who are single or widowed are at a greater risk of dementia than people who are married. The research, which is a review of 15 existing studies, is being published today in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. | |
| Low vitamin D levels at birth linked to higher autism riskLow vitamin D levels at birth were associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) at the age of 3 years in a recent Journal of Bone and Mineral Research study. |
 | Modifying therapeutic DNA aptamers to keep them in the bloodstream longerDesigning new therapeutic DNA aptamers with diverse side chains can improve their ability to interact with targets, and a new study describes characteristics of these side chains that may determine how long the aptamers remain in the bloodstream. Improving the pharmacokinetic properties of therapeutic aptamers is an important aspect of optimizing their drug-like properties, as discussed in the study published in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics. |
Home-based activity program helps older veterans with dementia maintain functionPeople with dementia often have behavioral symptoms. These include problems with memory, language, and decision-making abilities. People with dementia can also experience changes in mood, such as increased irritability, depression, and anxiety. They often need assistance with their daily activities, such as feeding, dressing, using the toilet, and bathing themselves. These symptoms are often troubling for people with dementia, as well as for their caregivers. | |
Health groups urge Congress not to allow AIDS fight to waneA coalition of nearly 40 advocacy groups said Wednesday they're concerned about the Trump administration's commitment to the global fight against AIDS so they're urging senior members of Congress to make sure money for key prevention programs isn't cut back. | |
 | San Francisco pushes forward with legal marijuana salesSan Francisco leaders have overcome deep divisions about how to regulate legal recreational marijuana in the densely packed city, approving pot-friendly rules that could allow sales to start the first week of January. |
Biology news
 | Lifespan prolonged by inhibiting common enzymeThe lifespans of flies and worms are prolonged by limiting the activity of an enzyme common to all animals, finds a UCL-led study. |
 | Expanding DNA's alphabet lets cells produce novel proteinsScientists are expanding the genetic code of life, using man-made DNA to create a semi-synthetic strain of bacteria—and new research shows those altered microbes actually worked to produce proteins unlike those found in nature. |
 | A new strategy used by Helicobacter pylori to target mitochondriaScientists from the Institut Pasteur and CNRS have recently identified new strategies used by Helicobacter pylori bacteria to infect cells. By specifically targeting mitochondria, these bacteria, despite being extracellular, can optimize infection in the host. These findings pave the way for new strategies to combat H. pylori infection, which is associated with most cases of gastric cancer and several other gastric disorders. The results were published on Nov. 21 in the journal Scientific Reports. |
 | Theory of the evolution of sexes tested with algaeThe varied sex lives of a type of green algae have enabled a University of Adelaide researcher to test a theory of why there are males and females. |
 | Revolutionary microscope and labelling technique maps DNA mutationsA team of scientists working at the University of Bristol have developed a new nanomapping microscope - powered by the laser and optics found in a typical DVD player. |
 | Stem cells that generate fat tissue have circadian clockNew discoveries about the circadian-clock machinery in the precursors to fat cells may explain why shift workers are prone to metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, a Stanford study finds. |
 | Sneaky males adopt female-like brains to fool big brutesIn the ever-competitive mating scene, new University of Otago research has revealed how males of some species revert to deception and disguise in order to lure females. |
 | Study of whooping cranes reveals pairs bond even before reaching mating ageA team of researchers from the U.S. and Germany has found that many whooping cranes pair up even before they are old enough to mate. In their paper published in the journal Animal Behavior, the group describes their study of the rare birds and offers some opinions on why the birds pair up so early and become mates for life. |
 | Jellyfish on the menuSquid, sole, dogfish, herring and cod all feed on baby jellyfish – according to new research from the University of East Anglia and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas). |
 | Bio-computer powered by jellyfish DNA plays Tetris and other retro videogamesAn Imperial alumus has developed a bio-pixel display that can play games such as Tetris, Snake or Pong using the protein that makes jellyfish glow |
 | Largest genetic study of mosquitoes reveals spread of insecticide resistance across AfricaThe largest ever genetic study of mosquitoes reveals the movement of insecticide resistance between different regions of Africa and finds several rapidly evolving insecticide resistance genes. Reported today (29 November) in Nature, this genetic resource will be used to develop new tools for monitoring resistance and managing insecticide use, and for designing novel control methods. |
 | Soccer success is all about skill: studyA new study led by UQ School of Biological Sciences Professor Robbie Wilson used analytic techniques developed in evolutionary biology to determine the impact of a player's skill, athletic ability, and balance on their success during a game. |
 | Study finds dogs are brainier than catsThere's a new twist to the perennial argument about which is smarter, cats or dogs. |
 | Istanbul anglers keep up tradition despite stocks alarmAfter half a century of fishing, 65-year-old Fuat, a retired Turkish civil servant, is nostalgic for the good old days when the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul teemed with fish. |
 | New study, detailing 22-year-long global citizen science project sheds light on enigmatic endangered whale sharksVital scientific information about whale shark behavior, biology and ecology is being uncovered by an unlikely source - ecotourists and other citizens. Thanks to modern advancements in technology and the burgeoning field of "citizen science," new information about gregarious and mysterious whale sharks is being revealed in a study slated to publish on November 29 in BioScience. |
 | Economists develop decision-making method for lionfish managementLionfish are a prime example of damage caused by an invasive species brought into a new environment. With their venomous spines, aggressive behavior, and few natural enemies, these fish have the potential to harm reef ecosystems in the western Atlantic Ocean. |
 | Polar bear blogs reveal dangerous gap between climate change facts and opinionsclimate change discussions on social media are very influential. A new study in BioScience shows that when it comes to iconic topics such as polar bears and retreating sea ice, climate blogs fall into two distinct camps with little or no overlap between deniers and the available scientific facts. The study's first author, NIOO-KNAW researcher Jeff Harvey says, "It's time for scientists to counter the misinformation and engage directly with the public far more." |
 | Wolbachia bacterium density changes seasonally in butterfliesThe survival rate of Wolbachia—a common bacterium—decreases under high temperature in incubators. However, few studies have examined the density of Wolbachia in hosts in the field. |
 | Aberrant hyphae triggered by host immune responses to plant pathogenic fungusAscochyta (Mycosphaerella) pea blight, caused by Mycosphaerella pinodes, is one of the most important diseases of grain legumes worldwide. Despite the economic impact and numerous studies on this disease, little is known about the cytological features during infection, especially in resistant interactions. One reason is the lack of resistant cultivars of pea, as well as the available resources in the Pisum germplasm collection with strong resistance to this disease. |
 | Medaka fish use faces to identify different individualsFor many animals including humans, the ability to identify different individuals among their own kind is an essential ability for everyday living. Faces are the most important body part for individual recognition in many animals, and faces are special in many ways. For example, humans and some other mammals not only look at the parts of a face (such as eyes and nose), but read the face as a whole. When we see an upside-down face, it is more difficult to recognize it because our ability to read the face as a whole is interrupted (Face inversion effect). This special ability only occurs in faces and not in other objects. |
 | First forms of life on Earth unveiled in hot springTerrestrial geothermal systems are like buried treasure when it comes to finding out the origins of life on Earth. |
 | New tools aid hunt for life-extending chemicalsYale researchers have discovered novel chemical compounds that extend the lifespan of a species of yeast by using a new technology that could also hunt for tools to combat aging in other species as well, they report Nov. 28 in the journal Cell Reports. |
Researcher discusses the biological crosstalk between microbes and hostsStavroula Hatzios listens in on dialogues between infectious bacteria and host cells. Trained in chemistry at MIT and Berkeley, she joined West Campus in January 2017 as a faculty member of the Microbial Sciences Institute and the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. Hatzios became interested in infectious disease as a graduate student and decided to focus on microbiology as a Harvard postdoc. Today her lab applies chemical tools to study how dangerous microbes, including the one that causes cholera, interact with the host. What she learns could point the way toward new strategies to fight infection. | |
Higher plant species richness may not be enough to protect ecosystems from the worst impacts of climate extremesStudies on mild fluctuations in weather have provided support for the idea that higher biodiversity results in more stable functioning of ecosystems, but critical appraisal of the evidence from extreme event studies is lacking. | |
 | Fewer crops are feeding more people worldwide – and that's not goodOne day last March I talked with Juliana and Elisa, a mother and daughter who farmed just outside the city of Huánuco, Peru. Although they had only one acre of land in this mountainous landscape, they grew dozens of local varieties of potatoes and corn, along with other crops. And they knew each of their varieties by a common name – mostly in their Quechua language. |
Detector dogs provide hope to save numbatsOur much-loved, cute and furry West Aussie emblem has been fighting a losing battle against feral cats in the wild. But thanks to a group of volunteers, dogs will be trained to sniff out feral cats that are destroying the endangered numbat. | |
 | Manitoba's golden-winged warblers: world's last pure population touched by local and distant conservation problemsManitoba offers a special home to golden-winged warblers and until recently we were thought to have the most genetically pure populations of these striking songbirds. But new research suggests this is changing. |
 | The lichen that changes its reproductive strategy according to the climateSymbiosis between fungi and microalgae gives rise to lichen. Some lichen, however, such as Lobaria scrobiculata, have a unique feature: The fungus establishes a symbiosis with a cyanobacteria, thus requiring water in liquid form to activate photosynthesis. According to a new study, this forces the lichen to concentrate its resources on reproduction in places where water is scarce. For the first time, this study demonstrates the theory of life strategies in fungi. |
 | Drone photos offer faster, cheaper data on key Antarctic speciesScientists in Antarctica have demonstrated a cheaper, faster and simpler way to gauge the condition of leopard seals, which can weigh more than a half ton and reflect the health of the Antarctic ecosystem that they and a variety of commercial fisheries rely on. |
 | Researchers reveal new insights into the control of cellular scaffoldMicrotubule cytoskeleton is a major cellular scaffold that is required for dynamic organization of the cytoplasm, and the cytoskeleton plays a key role in a variety of cellular events, ranging from cell proliferation to morphogenesis. How the organization of microtubule cytoskeleton is controlled in our cells, however, has remained unclear. |
 | Research creates way to protect pigs from PRRS during reproductionIn the words of Kansas State University researcher Raymond "Bob" Rowland, his latest work is helping to eradicate a devastating swine disease. |
US adopts recovery plan for Mexican wolvesAfter decades of legal challenges and political battles that have pitted states against the federal government, U.S. wildlife managers on Wednesday finally adopted a plan to guide the recovery of a wolf that once roamed parts of the American Southwest and northern Mexico. | |
 | Why are there no sea snakes in the Atlantic?Sea snakes are an evolutionary success story. With about 70 species, they're the most diverse reptile group in the ocean, outnumbering sea turtle species 10-to-1. |
 | The function of NIMA-related kinase 6 in the straight growth of plant cellsPlants continuously generate various kinds of organs such as roots, leaves and flowers. The growth morphology of each organ is achieved by the directional growth of plant cells. Prior to cell growth, an intracellular cytoskeleton called a microtubule aligns perpendicularly to the growth axis to determine growth direction of plant cells (Fig. 1). Various proteins have been shown to regulate the dynamic behavior of microtubules, but the mechanism of microtubule alignment remains unresolved. |
Hydrocarbon-degrading fungus yields its secretsThanks to genes acquired from bacteria, a fungus can degrade an environmentally harmful hydrocarbon - and comes under considerable stress in the process. These remarkable research findings, which were published recently, were obtained by a group from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). The results were made possible thanks to the very latest equipment for genome and transcriptome analysis, the use of which is also open to third parties at the BOKU. | |
 | Norway to put up fence to stop reindeer slaughterNorway said Wednesday it would speed up the building of a fence along a railway in the far north of the country after scores of migrating reindeer were mowed down by trains. |
New England shrimp fishing closed for at least one more yearNew England shrimp will be unavailable to seafood consumers for at least another year as the fishery struggles with environmental changes. | |
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