Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Dec 6

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for December 6, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Extreme fieldwork, drones, climate modeling yield new insights about Greenland's melting ice sheet

Try this! Researchers devise better recommendation algorithm

From a spaghetti-like jumble of microfibers and water comes a promising new material

Scientists observe supermassive black hole in infant universe

ALMA finds massive primordial galaxies swimming in vast ocean of dark matter

Biologists say recently discovered fossil shows transition of a reptile from life on land to life in the sea

Nuclear fusion project hails halfway construction milestone

Scientists 'paint' the world's smallest Mona Lisa on the world's largest DNA canvas

Clay minerals on Mars may have formed in primordial steam bath

A 100-fold leap to GigaDalton DNA nanotech

Could ancient bones suggest Santa was real?

First DNA sequence from a single mitochondria

New approach measures early human butchering practices

Google blocks YouTube on Amazon devices in escalating feud

A self-return spacesuit attends to astronaut safety

Astronomy & Space news

	Scientists observe supermassive black hole in infant universe A team of astronomers, including two from MIT, has detected the most distant supermassive black hole ever observed. The black hole sits in the center of an ultrabright quasar, the light of which was emitted just 690 million years after the Big Bang. That light has taken about 13 billion years to reach us—a span of time that is nearly equal to the age of the universe.
	ALMA finds massive primordial galaxies swimming in vast ocean of dark matter Astronomers expect that the first galaxies, those that formed just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang, would share many similarities with some of the dwarf galaxies we see in the nearby universe today. These early agglomerations of a few billion stars would then become the building blocks of the larger galaxies that came to dominate the universe after the first few billion years.
	Clay minerals on Mars may have formed in primordial steam bath Planetary scientists from Brown University have proposed a new scenario for the formation of ancient clay minerals on Mars that, if shown to be true, could rewrite the early history of the red planet.
	First light for ESPRESSO—the next generation planet hunter The Echelle SPectrograph for Rocky Exoplanet and Stable Spectroscopic Observations (ESPRESSO) has successfully made its first observations. Installed on ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile, ESPRESSO will search for exoplanets with unprecedented precision by looking at the minuscule changes in the light of their host stars. For the first time ever, an instrument will be able to sum up the light from all four VLT telescopes and achieve the light collecting power of a 16-meter telescope.
	SuperTIGER balloon flies again to study heavy cosmic particles A science team in Antarctica is preparing to loft a balloon-borne instrument to collect information on cosmic rays, high-energy particles from beyond the solar system that enter Earth's atmosphere every moment of every day. The instrument, called the Super Trans-Iron Galactic Element Recorder (SuperTIGER), is designed to study rare heavy nuclei, which hold clues about where and how cosmic rays attain speeds up to nearly the speed of light.
	Q&A about the toughness of NASA's webb telescope Just how resilient does a space telescope have to be to survive both Earth's environment and the frigid, airless environment of space? Paul Geithner, the deputy project manager – technical for James Webb Space Telescope at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, answered some questions about the design challenges of building the telescope and the gauntlet of tests it has endured in the years leading up to launch. James Webb Space Telescope, or Webb, is NASA's upcoming infrared space observatory, which will launch in 2019.
UAE launches programme to send astronauts into space Dubai's ruler on Wednesday launched the United Arab Emirates' first space programme aimed at sending four Emirati astronauts to the International Space Station within five years.
	NASA's CATS concludes successful mission on space station A spaceborne lidar instrument that fired more laser pulses than any previous orbiting instrument has ended its operations on the International Space Station, after a successful 33-month mission to measure clouds and tiny atmospheric particles that play key roles in Earth's climate and weather.
	Image: Mini-radar chip A prototype transmit/receive module on a single 6x6 mm chip, intended to deliver miniaturised space radar systems for future missions.

Technology news

	Try this! Researchers devise better recommendation algorithm The recommendation systems at websites such as Amazon and Netflix use a technique called "collaborative filtering." To determine what products a given customer might like, they look for other customers who have assigned similar ratings to a similar range of products, and extrapolate from there.
	Google blocks YouTube on Amazon devices in escalating feud Google is pulling its popular YouTube video service from Amazon's Fire TV and Echo Show devices in an escalating feud that has caught consumers in the crossfire.
	A self-return spacesuit attends to astronaut safety (Tech Xplore)—Draper researchers have filed a patent that presents a spacesuit solution for guaranteeing astronauts' safety while on their missions. The last thing they would want is to get lost in space.
	Virtual fur flies as 'CryptoKitties' collar blockchain Never mind Bitcoin mania taking the doyen of virtual currencies into the stratosphere. The real online craze to get with right now is to breed virtual cats.
	Clean energy: Experts outline how governments can successfully invest before it's too late Governments need to give technical experts more autonomy and hold their nerve to provide more long-term stability when investing in clean energy, argue researchers in climate change and innovation policy in a new paper published today.
	Researchers 3-D print lifelike artificial organ models A team of researchers led by the University of Minnesota has 3D printed lifelike artificial organ models that mimic the exact anatomical structure, mechanical properties, and look and feel of real organs. These patient-specific organ models, which include integrated soft sensors, can be used for practice surgeries to improve surgical outcomes in thousands of patients worldwide.
	Lyft puts driverless cars to work in Boston Lyft on Wednesday began rolling out self-driving cars with users of the smartphone-summoned ride service in Boston in a project with technology partner nuTonomy.
	Researchers found a security flaw that had 10 million banking app users at risk Researchers from the University of Birmingham have developed a tool to perform semi-automated security testing of mobile phone apps. After running the tool on a sample of 400 security critical apps, they were able to identify a critical vulnerability in banking apps; including apps from HSBC, NatWest, Co-op and Bank of America Health.
	Amazon claims record-breaking Australia launch Amazon's Australia launch was the company's biggest-ever opening day for orders, the US giant said Wednesday, but some shoppers were underwhelmed by the range of goods and prices on offer.
	Big fines planned for 'revenge porn' in Australia Social media networks face fines of more than Aus$500,000 (US$380,000) under new Australian laws proposed Wednesday cracking down on "revenge porn", with individuals distributing images without consent also risking hefty punishment.
	Delivery robots will need permits to roam San Francisco Delivery robots in San Francisco will need permits before they can roam city sidewalks under legislation approved by city supervisors.
Deadline looms for decision by hacked North Carolina county (Update) Deputies processed arrests by hand and building code officers used paper records Wednesday as one of North Carolina's largest counties considered how to respond to a hacker who froze county servers and is demanding ransom.
Duke Energy vendor's hack may mean stolen customer bank info Nearly 375,000 Duke Energy Corp. customers may have had personal and banking information stolen in a data breach.
	A new tool to help plan for expected growth in electric vehicles More than 82,000 electric vehicles were registered in Southern California between 2011 and 2015. The number of new plug-in electric vehicles registered there in 2015 increased a whopping 992 percent from 2011.
	Apple CEO hopeful banned apps will return to China store Apple's chief executive said Wednesday he's optimistic some apps that fell afoul of China's tight internet laws will eventually be restored after being removed earlier this year.
	Plug-in hybrid vehicles are better than their reputation Hybrid vehicles are often considered the fig leaf of electric mobility. However, plug-in hybrids with a real electric range of about 60 km drive the same number of kilometers electrically as battery electric vehicles. Hence, their carbon dioxide reduction potential also is the same. This is the result of a comparison of battery and plug-in hybrid vehicles in Germany and the US by scientists of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Fraunhofer ISI (Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research), which is now reported in Nature Scientific Reports.
	China dominates top Western economies in patent applications The U.N.'s intellectual property agency says China racked up a record 1.3 million patent applications last year, topping the combined total in the U.S., Japan, Korea and Europe.
	New test procedure for developing quick-charging lithium-ion batteries When lithium-ion batteries are charged too quickly, metallic lithium gets deposited on the anodes. This reduces battery capacity and lifespan and can even destroy the batteries. Scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Forschungszentrum Jülich have now presented a process that, for the first time ever, allows this so-called lithium plating process to be investigated directly. This puts new strategies for quick-charging strategies close at hand.
	Here are your options if YouTube vanishes from Amazon gizmos Attention Fire TV owners: YouTube might soon disappear from your Amazon streaming device. But you'll still have options.
	Ed Sheeran rules Spotify in 2017 English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran dominated Spotify in 2017, with his latest album "Divide" played 3.1 billion times worldwide, the leading streaming service said Tuesday.
	Obama trumps Trump in Twitter Top 10 of 2017 US President Donald Trump is perhaps the world's most famous Twitter user, but the most popular post of 2017 was from... Barack Obama.
	Survey: US firms losing confidence in China business climate U.S. companies in China are seeing their sales improve but are frustrated by policies and regulatory barriers that block better access to the country's lucrative market, according to a survey released Wednesday.
	Greek high court to rule on Russian bitcoin suspect Dec 13 (Update) Russian cybercrime suspect Alexander Vinnik, who is wanted in the United States on charges of laundering billions of dollars' worth of the virtual currency bitcoin, appeared Wednesday before Greece's Supreme Court for a hearing into his extradition to the U.S.
New report: US has lost dominance in highly intense, ultrafast laser technology to Europe and Asia The U.S. is losing ground in a second laser revolution of highly intense, ultrafast lasers that have broad applications in manufacturing, medicine, and national security, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Currently, 80 percent to 90 percent of the high-intensity laser systems are overseas, and all of the highest power research lasers currently in construction or already built are overseas as well. The report makes five recommendations that would improve the nation's position in the field, including for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to create a broad network to support science, applications, and technology of these lasers, as well as for DOE to plan for at least one large-scale, open-access high-intensity laser facility that leverages other major science infrastructures in the DOE complex.
	Student entrepreneurs develop device to combat gender violence As many as one-third of the world's women, says Lena McDonnell '17, a Lehigh University computer science and engineering major, will be the victims of sexual assault at some point during their lives. The regions of the world where sexual violence is most prevalent, she adds, are often the regions where emergency response services are least available.

Medicine & Health news

	First DNA sequence from a single mitochondria DNA sequences between mitochondria within a single cell are vastly different, found researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. This knowledge will help to better illuminate the underlying mechanisms of many disorders that start with accumulated mutations in individual mitochondria and provide clues about how patients might respond to specific therapies. The findings are published in Cell Reports this week.
	Reading on electronic devices may interfere with science reading comprehension People who often read on electronic devices may have a difficult time understanding scientific concepts, according to a team of researchers. They suggest that this finding, among others in the study, could also offer insights on how reading a scientific text differs from casual reading.
	Psychosis incidence highly variable internationally Rates of psychosis can be close to eight times higher in some regions compared to others, finds a new study led by researchers at UCL, King's College London and the University of Cambridge.
	Alzheimer's damage in mice reduced with compound that targets APOE gene People who carry the APOE4 genetic variant face a substantial risk for developing Alzheimer's disease.
	Healthy mitochondria could stop Alzheimer's Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and neurodegeneration worldwide. A major hallmark of the disease is the accumulation of toxic plaques in the brain, formed by the abnormal aggregation of a protein called beta-amyloid inside neurons.
	Glial cells, not neurons, lead the way in brain assembly As the very first neurons come together to form the brain, they need pointers to end up in the right places. Where do these directions come from?
	New genetic models of autism point to cellular roots of disease Researchers at UC San Francisco have developed a new genetic model of autism, using neurons created in the lab from patients' own skin cells. Their experiments suggest that abnormalities in the electrical firing of neurons may lead to behavioral and developmental symptoms in autism, while differences in neuron size and shape result in abnormalities in brain size that often accompany the disorder.
	Study offers new clues about why some parents are against vaccinating their kids (Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers affiliated with multiple institutions in the U.S. has found a possible new explanation of some parents' reluctance to have their children vaccinated. In their paper published in the journal Nature Human Behavior, the group describes their study, what they found and why they believe they may have discovered a new way to change the minds of parents who are reluctant to have their children vaccinated.
	Study suggests giving kids too many toys stifles their creativity (Medical Xpress)—A team of researchers at the University of Toledo in the U.S. has found that children are more creative when they have fewer toys to play with at one time. In their paper published in the journal Infant Behavior and Development, the group describes their observational study of toddlers at play, what they learned and offer some suggestions for parents.
	What's that smell? The advantage of sniffing Researchers led by Takeshi Imai at the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology (CDB) have discovered how the physical and sensory perceptions associated with sniffing are kept separate and why sniffing can help identify odors, two problems that have puzzled scientists for years. Published in Neuron on December 6th, the study used a system in mice that systematically controls airflow and odor delivery to show that odors are coded by precise differences in the timing—or phase—of brain activity during each sniff, a phenomenon known as phase coding.
	Research in mice paves way to teasing out cause and effect between gut microbes and disease Clearing a major hurdle in the field of microbiome research, Harvard Medical School scientists have designed and successfully used a method to tease out cause-and-effect relationships between gut bacteria and disease.
	Dangers of commonly prescribed painkillers highlighted in study Commonly prescribed painkillers need to be given for shorter periods of time to reduce the risk of obesity and sleep deprivation, a new study has revealed.
	New gene therapy transplantation technique could improve treatment of neurodegenerative diseases Immune cells defending the central nervous system (the so-called microglia) have a key role in many neurodegenerative diseases. A study published today in Science Advances shows for the first time the efficacy of a new gene therapy transplantation technique which aims at repopulating the brain with new, genetically engineered immune cells. Such cells are generated by progenitors which are injected directly into brain ventricles - that makes their therapeutic action quicker. The research was performed at San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget) with the collaboration of the Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. The scientists have been guided by Alessandra Biffi, supervisor of a research unit at SR-Tiget and director of the Gene therapy program at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's. The technique has been tested on an experimental model for a metabolic disease and might have future therapeutic applications for other neurodegenerative diseases in which microglia cells play a role.
	Combating eye injuries with a reversible superglue seal When a soldier sustains a traumatic eye injury on the battlefield, any delay in treatment may lead to permanent vision loss. With medical facilities potentially far away and no existing tools to prevent deterioration, medics are in a high-stakes race against the clock.
	CLOCK gene may hold answers to human brain evolution Scientists have long sought to unravel the molecular mysteries that make the human brain special: What processes drove its evolution through the millennia? Which genes are critical to cognitive development?
	Existing cancer medication offers potential to treat Huntington's disease A drug already used to treat certain forms of cancer may also be an effective therapy for Huntington's disease, according to a new study in the latest issue of Science Translational Medicine. The same study also increases our understanding of how this drug, and other medications like it, may offer hope for other neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Parkinson's disease.
	3-D mini brains accelerate research for repairing brain function The Houston Methodist Research Institute is making mini brains from human stem cells that put researchers on a fast track to repair the nervous system after injury or disease of the brain and spinal cord.
Blood test could help predict skin cancer's return Cancer Research UK scientists have discovered that testing skin cancer patients' blood for tumour DNA could help predict the chances of an aggressive cancer returning.
	Brain remaps itself in child with double hand transplant The first child to undergo a successful hand transplant also is the first child in whom scientists have detected massive changes in how sensations from the hands are represented in the brain. The brain reorganization is thought to have begun six years before the transplant, when the child had both hands amputated because of a severe infection during infancy. Notably, after he received transplanted hands, the patient's brain reverted toward a more typical pattern.
Activity matters: How Fitbit can help us understand cancer surgery recovery A new study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine finds that more activity during inpatient recovery predicted lower risk of 30- and 60-day readmission after surgery for metastatic peritoneal cancer. By monitoring patients using Fitbit, researchers found that higher Fitbit steps forecast better patient outcomes.
	'Green' cataract surgery model drastically reduces environmental footprint Transportation and fossil fuel industries typically come to mind as major sources of pollution. Less noticed is the contribution of the healthcare industry, which emits nearly ten percent of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants in the United States, and three percent in the United Kingdom.
	Researchers show that sexual harassment on the job still carries large impact Two University of Texas at Arlington researchers have revisited workplace sexual harassment issues after the initial study was done nearly 20 years ago.
Australia takes GSK, Novartis to court over 'misleading' claims Drug giants GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis are being taken to court by Australia's consumer watchdog over "false or misleading" claims in the marketing of pain relief products, it was announced Wednesday.
	Want to listen better? Lend a right ear Listening is a complicated task. It requires sensitive hearing and the ability to process information into cohesive meaning. Add everyday background noise and constant interruptions by other people, and the ability to comprehend what is heard becomes that much more difficult.
Restless sleep may be an early sign of Parkinson's disease Restless sleep could be a sign of a disorder associated with diseases of the brain. Researchers from Aarhus University conducted a case-control study on the condition of the dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain and cells that participate in the brain's immune system in people suffering from rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (RBD). The study shows that patients suffering from RBD have a risk of developing Parkinson's disease or dementia in the future, because they already suffer from a lack of dopamine in the brain. Parkinson's disease occurs because dopamine-producing brain cells stop working. The findings have just been published in the neurological journal The Lancet Neurology.
	Important tumor suppressor discovered in immune cells A team from Technical University of Munich has discovered an "emergency shut-off switch" in immune system T cells. Their results could lead to new therapies against T cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma triggered by defective immune cells.
	Colored sunscreen protects skin from damage caused by visible light Despite rising worldwide use of sunscreens, the number of cases of skin cancer continues to grow. One of the reasons may be the action of visible light, which is also harmful to skin and is not blocked by conventional sunscreens.
Scientists shed light on a tumor-suppressive protein in metastases A new study conducted at the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology in Belgium has labeled the protein Caveolin-1 as a high-potential target in the fight against cancer. Many research projects have already implicated this protein in both tumor-promotive and suppressive functions, but its exact role remained elusive. By examining macrophages at the sites of metastases, the scientists have now described the anti-metastatic surveillance role of Caveolin-1 for the first time.
	Doctors develop new way to use MRI to predict pregnancy complications UCLA scientists have developed a new way to use magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, to scan the placenta. The noninvasive approach offers valuable insights into how the mother's blood enters the placenta and sustains the fetus with oxygen and nutrients during early pregnancy. The technique breaks new ground because most previous studies on this subject occurred in the laboratory after childbirth.
	Nicotine withdrawal affects the brain's cognitive systems, researchers find Most attempts to stop smoking are unsuccessful in the long term, even with smoking cessation methods such as nicotine replacement therapy. Penn State researchers are looking at how reward processing and working memory may determine why smokers choose to smoke again after trying to quit.
	For children with ADHD, a brief, school-based program can help dramatically with homework problems, study finds Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who took part in a brief, school-based program displayed significant improvements in their homework, organization and planning skills, according to a new study led by a Virginia Commonwealth University professor.
	Study fails to find strong link between sitting and weight gain Sitting is bad for you, but it is unlikely to make you fat, a University of Otago study has found.
	Alarming amounts of noise demand ways to silence noisy hospital environments Spending a night in the hospital is not only stressful, but also loud. The constant beeps, whirrs and alarms ascend to a cacophony that produces anything but a relaxing, restful environment. Ilene Busch-Vishniac, of BeoGrin Consulting in Baltimore, Maryland, will summarize the limited number of studies available on hospital noise and discuss the different approaches health care facilities are taking to bring restful repose to patients across the country.
	Surgery-related opioid doses can drop dramatically without affecting patients' pain Some surgeons might be able to prescribe a third of opioid painkiller pills that they currently give patients, and not affect their level of post-surgery pain control, a new study suggests.
	Scientists observe tremors associated with Parkinson's disease in fruit flies Scientists say they have a better understanding of the tremors commonly associated with Parkinson's disease after observing the movements in fruit flies.
	Role of melanoma-promoting protein revealed In a new study, Yale researchers describe the role of a protein that promotes growth of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
	What's fueling the opioid epidemic, and how can it be stopped? Richard Bonnie, a University of Virginia professor of public policy, law and medicine, this year chaired a National Academies of Science study that provided recommendations for addressing the national opioid crisis. The committee, formed at the request of the Food and Drug Administration, was composed of national experts in public health and pain management.
	Dibenzoazepine found to be effective against resistant hepatitis C Hepatitis C is caused by a highly infectious virus affecting millions across the globe and can lead to a variety of liver ailments. While the hepatitis C virus (HCV) can sometimes be fought off and cleared by the immune system during the first few months of acute infection, up to 80% of those with HCV develop a chronic infection. This can lead to serious liver illnesses, including inflammation, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma—the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide.
	A risk factor for drug-induced skin disease identified DPP-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i) is widely used to treat type 2 diabetes, but increased cases of bullous pemphigoid (BP) have been reported among patients taking the medicine. BP is the most common autoimmune blistering disorder, characterized by itchy reddening of the skin as well as tense blisters over the whole body. Afflicted patients – mostly elderly – suffer from autoimmune attacks on a type of collagen in skin, making it hard to cure and compromising their quality of life. Previously, no risk factor triggering BP in diabetic patients administered with DPP-4i had been identified.
	Spontaneous humor relieves stress in cancer patients Analysis led by Lancaster University researchers suggests that spontaneous humour is used and appreciated by people with cancer and can be a helpful way of dealing with distressing, taboo or embarrassing circumstances.
	New methods of tracking hospital nurses could help make workflow more efficient, study finds Previous studies about nurse workflow have used time-motion study methods, which involve manually observing nurses in person or on video and then clocking how much time they spend on each task. Now, a University of Missouri engineer has developed a method for better tracking how nurses in an intensive care unit (ICU) spend their workday. The method uses a combination of manual observation and non-intrusive tracking sensors that allow researchers to track nurses in real time. Findings could help improve the health care delivery process in the ICU and could also be applied to other health care procedures.
	Treatment of varicose veins "Varicose veins" is a term commonly used to describe visible leg veins. But true varicose veins are dilated and very prominent. Small varicose veins may not be a problem, but as varicose veins worsen they become distended and tortuous (full of twists and turns) and can cause the legs to feel heavy and ache.
	Indoor E-cigarette restrictions increase prenatal smoking Laws that prohibit the use of e-cigarettes in private workplaces, bars and restaurants may increase cigarette use by as much as 30 percent for pregnant women, according to research published in the Journal of Health Economics by Georgia State University economist Michael Pesko.
	New survey reveals Hispanic-Americans' attitudes toward health Hispanic-Americans are less likely to seek health screenings or preventive care compared with their black and white peers, according to a new survey that provides a detailed and ongoing assessment of the Hispanic community's attitudes toward health care.
	Parents' demanding jobs put children's mental health at risk Jobs that are overly demanding at the expense of family time put the mental health of employees' children at risk, a new study led by ANU has found.
	Team decodes neuron signals Did you know that your body is made up of a hundred billion nerve cells, which, like little computers, receive, process and transmit crucial information? These machines are neurons, the foundation of your nervous system. Thanks to neurons, your brain transforms information provided by the retina into images and your mood adapts to the situation you're in.
	How to talk to your doctor about information you find online More and more people are going online to search for information about their health. Though it can be a minefield, where unverified sources abound, searching the internet can help people to understand different health problems, and give them access to emotional and social support.
	Stigma obstructs rights protection of children with HIV/AIDS The World AIDS Day on December 1 has been commemorated for 30 years, yet the children who suffer from HIV/AIDS in Indonesia has yet to receive as much attention as the adults who are infected by the virus.
	New method to identify causal mechanisms in depression People with major depressive disorder have alterations in the activity and connectivity of brain systems underlying reward and memory, according to a new study in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging. The findings provide clues as to which regions of the brain could be at the root of symptoms, such as reduced happiness and pleasure, in depression.
A South American amphibian could potentially hold the key in curing cirrhosis The unique liver function of a South American amphibian, Siphonops annulatus, could pave the way to finding a cure to the devastating liver condition cirrhosis, a new study published in the prestigious Journal of Anatomy reports.
Increasing the dose intensity of chemotherapy may lower the risk of breast cancer recurrence and death Increasing the dose intensity of chemotherapy by either shortening the intervals between the cycles or by sequential administration instead of concurrent administration of the drugs reduced the risk of early-stage breast cancer recurrence and death compared with standard chemotherapy regimens, according to data from an EBCTCG meta-analysis study presented at the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 5–9.
Adjuvant Trastuzumab did not improve outcomes for patients with HER2-low breast cancer Adding trastuzumab (Herceptin) to standard adjuvant chemotherapy did not improve invasive disease–free survival for patients with early-stage breast cancer found to have low levels of HER2, as defined as immunohistochemistry (IHC) 1+ or 2+ and/or in situ hybridization (ISH) negative, according to data from the randomized, phase III NSABP-B-47 clinical trial presented at the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 5–9.
	Short intervention boosts safe-sex skills in teen girls A recent study from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill finds that a 45-minute online sexual health program improved the ability of teen girls to communicate effectively about safe sex.
Seizure study sheds light on lasting brain effects in children Prolonged convulsive seizures in childhood could be linked to the development of other brain conditions, a study suggests.
	What makes a happy working mom? A happy working mom feels competent in interacting with her child, experiences a sense of freedom and choice in her actions, while having a warm and affectionate relationship with her baby. She is also not too hard on herself about how she is faring as a mother. So says Katrijn Brenning of the University of Ghent in Belgium who led research that investigated what affects a working mother's sense of well-being. The study is published in Springer's Journal of Happiness Studies.
	The human race has peaked Humans may have reached their maximum limits for height, lifespan and physical performance. A recent review suggests humans have biological limitations, and that anthropogenic impacts on the environment - including climate change - could have a deleterious effect on these limits. Published in Frontiers in Physiology, this review is the first of its kind spanning 120 years worth of historical information, while considering the effects of both genetic and environmental parameters.
	Breakthroughs in understanding the genetic basis of aggressive prostate cancer The retinoblastoma (RB) susceptibility gene was the first gatekeeper gene discovered for cancer. When it was removed, or damaged, cancers thrived. Over the years, researchers discovered many methods to experimentally remove the RB gene in order to study it, but just how the gene's loss made cancers more aggressive in patients was poorly understood. By studying patient samples, researchers at Thomas Jefferson University and colleagues found how one type of RB removal, but not another, caused large-scale genetic changes that could make cancer both resistant to treatment and more likely to spread.
Children on sex offender registries at greater risk for suicide attempts, study suggests A new study led by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that children who were legally required to register as sex offenders were at greater risk for harm, including suicide attempts and sexual assault, compared to a group of children who engaged in harmful or illegal sexual behavior but who were not required to register.
	Viagra goes generic: Pfizer to launch own little white pill The little blue pill that's helped millions of men in the bedroom is turning white. Drugmaker Pfizer is launching its own cheaper generic version of Viagra rather than lose most sales when the impotence pill gets its first generic competition next week.
	Probiotic gets a boost from breast milk Supplementation with probiotics can improve a person's gut health, but the benefits are often fleeting, and colonization by the probiotic's good microbes usually doesn't last. Breast milk may help sustain those colonies in the long run, say researchers at the University of California, Davis.
	Deadly cryptococcal fungi found in public spaces in South Africa Large populations of potentially deadly cryptococcal fungi have been found on woody debris collected from old trees in two public areas in the centre of Cape Town and the Northern Cape, South Africa.
	Smartphone health apps miss some daily activity of users If you use your smartphone to monitor your physical activity, you're probably more active than it suggests.
	Some video games are good for older adults' brains If you're between 55 and 75 years old, you may want to try playing 3D platform games like Super Mario 64 to stave off mild cognitive impairment and perhaps even prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Diabetes drug metformin inhibits multidrug-resistant breast cancer The drug metformin, typically prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes, keeps breast cancer cells from developing multiple drug resistance (MDR) and can reverse MDR after it¹s appeared, according to a study published December 6, 2017 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Terra Arnason from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, and colleagues.
Can diet help reduce disability, symptoms of multiple sclerosis? For people with multiple sclerosis (MS), eating a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains may be linked to having less disability and fewer symptoms than people whose diet is less healthy, according to a study published in the December 6, 2017, online issue of Neurology.
One-dose gene therapy produces clotting factor, safely stops bleeding in hemophilia B patients A team of gene therapy researchers has reported positive results in a phase 1/2 clinical trial for the inherited bleeding disorder hemophilia B. A single intravenous infusion of a novel bioengineered gene therapy treatment enabled adult participants to safely produce sustained levels of clotting factor that prevented debilitating bleeding episodes. Patients were able to terminate prophylactic treatments—the gene therapy nearly universally eliminated their need for intravenous infusions of manufactured clotting factor.
Clot-busting drugs not recommended for most patients with blood clots Not all patients with blood clots in their legs - a condition known as deep vein thrombosis - need to receive powerful but risky clot-busting drugs, according to results of a large-scale, multicenter clinical trial.
Contrast-enhanced digital mammography comparable to breast MRI after therapy or chemo Contrast-enhanced digital mammography is comparable to breast MRI in evaluating residual breast cancer after neoadjuvant endocrine therapy or chemotherapy, according to the results of a study presented by Mayo Clinic researchers today at the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
	Spinal tap needle type impacts the risk of complications The type of needle used during a lumbar puncture makes a significant difference in the subsequent occurrence of headache, nerve irritation and hearing disturbance in patients, according to a study by Hamilton medical researchers.
	Nobel Prize: Circadian rhythm field poised for medical advances Circadian rhythms affect some of the most crucial functions in the human body, from sleep and mental health to metabolism and defending against deadly diseases such as cancer.
When a common cold may trigger early supportive care Human rhinovirus (HRV), the culprit behind most colds, is the leading cause of hospitalization for premature babies. However, in very preterm children, exactly how HRV causes severe respiratory disease—and which patients may need more intensive observation and treatment—is less well understood.
	Tough flu season ahead: vaccine may only be 10% effective (HealthDay)—There's bad news about this year's flu vaccine.
	Finding long strands of RNA in skin development and disease Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have discovered how unusually long pieces of RNA work in skin cells. The RNA pieces, called "long non-coding RNAs" or "lncRNAs," help skin cells modulate connective tissue proteins, like collagen, and could represent novel therapeutic targets to promote skin repair.
	Parents' reports of children's autism symptoms differ by race, study finds Racial differences in parents' reports of concerns about their child's development to healthcare providers may contribute to delayed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in black children, according to a study led by Georgia State University.
Italy launches pioneering project to identify Alzheimer's risk Italy on Wednesday launched a pioneering programme to identify people with the highest risk of developing Alzheimer's in the hopes of treating them early, as the country waits for a new wave of more effective drugs.
	New breast cancer drug may benefit younger women, too (HealthDay)—Adding a new drug to standard treatment can slow the progression of advanced breast cancer in younger women, a new clinical trial has found.
Ozempic approved for type 2 diabetes (HealthDay)—Ozempic (semaglutide) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a weekly injection to treat type 2 diabetes in adults.
	Cervical mucus removal may improve pregnancy chances (HealthDay)—Cervical mucus removal before intrauterine insemination (IUI) can improve pregnancy outcomes in women with unexplained infertility, according to a study published online Oct. 27 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
	CRP levels potentially useful in chronic spontaneous urticaria (HealthDay)—C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are frequently elevated in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), and these elevations are relevant and potentially useful in management of the condition, according to a study published online Nov. 12 in Allergy.
	Polyethylene glycol deemed less effective for colon prep (HealthDay)—Pulsed irrigation evacuation (PIE) and sodium phosphate are superior to polyethylene glycol (PEG) for colon preparations prior to colonoscopy, according to a study published online Nov. 21 in the Journal of Digestive Diseases.
	Thyroidectomy-specific quality improvement measures ID'd (HealthDay)—For patients undergoing thyroidectomy, hypocalcemia and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury may be useful quality improvement measures, according to a study published online Nov. 29 in JAMA Surgery.
	Program aids quality of life for older adults with T2DM (HealthDay)—A community-based program improves quality of life and self-management in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and comorbidities, according to a study published online Nov. 27 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
	FDA approves ozempic for type 2 diabetes (HealthDay)—A new once-weekly diabetes medication that lowers blood glucose and also helps patients lose weight has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
	In CAD with GI bleeding, higher mortality with triple therapy (HealthDay)—For patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) and coronary artery disease (CAD), triple therapy is associated with increased risk of mortality at 90 days after adjustment for confounding variables, according to a study published online Nov. 20 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
	Guideline-adherent assessment of nonaccidental trauma up (HealthDay)—An improvement methodology can increase guideline-adherent evaluation for patients with provider concern for nonaccidental trauma (NAT) in the pediatric emergency department, according to research published online Dec. 6 in Pediatrics.
Traumatic brain injury causes intestinal damage, study finds University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) researchers have found a two-way link between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and intestinal changes. These interactions may contribute to increased infections in these patients, and may also worsen chronic brain damage.
Study suggests hot flashes could be precursor to diabetes Hot flashes, undoubtedly the most common symptom of menopause, are not just uncomfortable and inconvenient, but numerous studies demonstrate they may increase the risk of serious health problems, including heart disease. A new study suggests that hot flashes (especially when accompanied by night sweats) also may increase the risk of developing diabetes. Results are being published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS).
Researchers examine how opioids affect proteins in the brain other than opioid receptors In a new study, researchers have characterized the effects of a series of opioids on proteins in the brain other than opioid receptors. In the British Journal of Pharmacology study, several synthetic opioids inhibited serotonin and norepinephrine transporters, which may contribute to their analgesic properties but may also increase the risk of serotonin toxicity, a group of symptoms that can include high body temperature, agitation, increased reflexes, tremor, sweating, dilated pupils, and diarrhoea.
US and Norwegian trials compare treatment options for opioid dependence The current opioid epidemic is destroying lives, families, and communities. Medication is widely considered to be the most effective treatment, but far too few people who could benefit are actually treated.
New hope for waitlisted patients addicted to opioids As the opioid crisis continues to escalate, the number of people who need treatment for their dependency on heroin or prescription pain killers far exceeds the capacity of available treatment programs. People seeking treatment can wait months or even years for spots in clinics or with certified doctors—and while they wait, they risk becoming infected with HIV or hepatitis, as well as dying from an overdose.
	Lack of sleep could cause mood disorders in teens Chronic sleep deprivation—which can involve staying up late, and waking up early for work or school—has become a way of life for both kids and adults, especially with the increasing use of phones and tablets late into the night. But this social jet lag poses some serious health and mental health risks: new research finds that for teenagers, even a short period of sleep restriction could, over the long-term, raise their risk for depression and addiction.
Prior exposure to smoking may affect infants' respiratory health In a Pediatric Pulmonology study of children aged 15 months, increasing hair nicotine levels were related to prior parent-reported smoking exposure and were associated with potential increased risks of wheeze and asthma.
Study examines brain activity and anxiety symptoms in youth with autism spectrum disorder The error-related negativity (ERN) is a brain signal response to errors that is thought to reflect threat sensitivity and has been implicated in anxiety disorders in individuals without autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A new Autism Research study has revealed that the ERN is related to social anxiety symptoms—specifically performance fears—in youth with ASD.
Precision medicine test may help detect coronary artery disease In a Journal of the American Geriatrics Society study, a blood-based precision medicine test incorporating age, sex, and gene expression score (ASGES) was helpful in evaluating older outpatients with symptoms suggestive of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).
Amount or intensity? Study examines potential benefits of exercise for patients with heart failure Physical activity can benefit patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, a common condition with no pharmacological treatment, but no clear recommendations exist on the optimal amount or intensity of physical activity for these patients.
	Lifting the red mist with research on aggression For most people a bit of healthy aggression can give them a competitive edge, but in some it can spill over into violence and now scientists are hoping to unravel why.
	UnitedHealth ventures deeper into care with nearly $5B deal The nation's biggest health insurer is spending nearly $5 billion to buy hundreds of clinics, just three days after rival Aetna announced a bigger tie up with CVS Health Corp.
Campaigners incensed at failings in Africa AIDS war Angry AIDS activists are urging western and central Africa to step up the fight against HIV, saying millions of people, especially children, are at risk from complacency and underfunding.
Study examines safety and effectiveness of infliximab biosimilar in patients with inflammatory bowel disease Biosimilars are biologic agents that highly similar to original biomedical medications (originators), but are much cheaper. A new study in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics found no differences in drug levels and disease activity between infliximab originator and an infliximab biosimilar in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, indicating that this biosimilar is indeed safe and effective.
New dissertation on the treatment of malignant melanoma Malignant melanoma is one of the most common causes of cancer deaths among young adults. Although treatment for melanoma has improved in recent years, most patients do not benefit from the treatment, which also often causes side effects. In a new dissertation from Uppsala University, Aglaia Schiza has examined new ways of treating the disease.
	PET tracer gauges effectiveness of promising Alzheimer's treatment In the December featured basic science article in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, Belgian researchers report on the first large-scale longitudinal imaging study to evaluate BACE1 inhibition with micro-PET in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. PET imaging has been established as an excellent identifier of the amyloid plaque and tau tangles that characterize Alzheimer's disease. Now it is proving to be an effective way to gauge treatment effectiveness.
New clinician resource available explains biological impact of aging on immunity The American College of Physicians (ACP), the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), and The Gerontological Society of America (GSA), representing 220,000 clinicians, today released "Aging and Immunity: The Important Role of Vaccines", a new resource highlighting the biological impact of aging on immunity.
LGBQ* women's sexual desire particularly impacted by social and cultural pressures Women's sexual desire is influenced by a host of factors, but one factor is often left out by researchers and clinicians. University of Kentucky researchers homed in on that missing piece—the influence of social and cultural issues on desire. In a study published in Sexuality & Culture, the researchers find that these issues are particularly impactful for LGBQ* women.
	Health law sign-ups seen as falling short though more enroll Americans are signing up in growing numbers for the Affordable Care Act's subsidized health insurance, the government said Wednesday. But with enrollment season cut in half and just over a week to go, experts say the final tally will likely fall short.
	Four steps for healthier nails (HealthDay)—Good nail care is important, but it's possible to overdo it.

Biology news

	Lemurs' gut microbiomes influenced heavily by social circles, study says Social group membership is the most important factor in structuring gut microbiome composition, even when considering shared diet, environment and kinship, according to research on lemurs at The University of Texas at Austin.
	Cooling climate drove evolution of the Tasmanian devil and its relatives A big drop in global temperatures 12-14 million years ago may explain the evolutionary success of Australia's unique marsupial carnivores, a new study has found.
	Uncovering the design principles of cellular compartments Membraneless organelles are tiny droplets inside a single cell, thought to regulate everything from division, to movement, to its very destruction. A better understanding of these mysterious structures could hold the key to unlocking a whole host of medical conditions, including developmental disorders, childhood cancers and age-related diseases.
	Stress test: New study finds seals are stressed-out by sharks While a little added stress may be helpful to flee a dangerous situation, or to meet an approaching deadline, it's no secret that prolonged exposure to the stress hormone cortisol is linked to health problems. So, what effects does stress have on animals in the wild that need to navigate the same waters as the ocean's top predator—great white sharks?
	Invasive 'supervillain' crab can eat through its gills Invasive green shore crabs can "eat" by absorbing nutrients across its gills—the first demonstration of this ability in crustaceans—scientists from the University of Alberta have found.
	Separated since the dinosaurs, bamboo-eating lemurs, pandas share common gut microbes A new study from North Carolina State University, the Smithsonian and Duke University finds that bamboo lemurs, giant pandas and red pandas share 48 gut microbes in common - despite the fact that they are separated by millions of years of evolution.
	Viruses share genes with organisms across the tree of life A new study finds that viruses share some genes exclusively with cells that are not their hosts. The study, reported in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology, adds to the evidence that viruses swap genes with a variety of cellular organisms and are agents of diversity, researchers say.
	Climate change: can hummingbirds take the heat? Extreme heat sometimes forces hummingbirds to seek shade instead of foraging for food, researchers said Wednesday, warning that global warming could test the tiny birds' capacity to adapt.
	Unique field survey yields first big-picture view of deep-sea food webs Deep-sea animals have been systematically studied for over 100 years, yet scientists are still learning about what many of these animals eat. A new paper by MBARI researchers Anela Choy, Steve Haddock, and Bruce Robison documents the first comprehensive study of deep-sea food webs, using hundreds of video observations of animals caught in the act of feeding off the Central California coast. The study shows that deep-sea jellies are key predators, and provides new information on how deep-sea animals interact with life near the ocean surface.
	Caterpillar attacks allow aphids to sneak up on plants A New Phytologist study indicates that plants prioritize the protection of flowers over leaves and that simultaneous attack by aphids, caterpillars and bacteria leaves plants vulnerable to aphids but more protected from caterpillars.
	Timing of migration is changing for songbirds on the Pacific coast Changes in the timing of birds' migration can have serious negative effects if, for example, they throw the birds out of sync with the food resources they depend on. A new study from The Condor: Ornithological Applications uses a long-term dataset from the Pacific coast and shows that the timing of bird migration in the region has shifted by more than two days in both spring and fall over the past two decades.
	Australian dogs trained to sniff out endangered species Australian dogs are being trained to sniff out the droppings of endangered animals in a scheme that offers greater understanding of threatened species through the less-intrusive method of canine tracking.
	Indonesia's selfie-snapping monkey named 'Person of the Year' An Indonesian monkey who shot to fame after it snapped a grinning selfie—and sparked a landmark US copyright case—was named "Person of the Year" Wednesday by the animal rights group that took on the simian's cause.
	Aussie owls fall foul of rat poisons Lethal toxins from commercial rat poisons (rodenticides) have been found in more than 70 per cent of Australia's smallest and most common owl species, the Southern Boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae).
Video: Surviving the onslaught of invasive species No place on the planet is truly isolated anymore, which means invasive species travel as easy as humans, hitchhiking on boats and planes with potentially devastating effects on the ecosystems they land in.
	Birth control for parasites: Researchers reveal new vaccine target for malaria Scientists have identified a protein involved in the life cycle of the malarial parasite, paving the way for a new vaccine to reduce disease spread.
	Marine invertebrates have noisy human neighbors Just like humans, marine life experiences constant stress. They face threats of competition, the fear of predation and a growing list of anthropogenically induced stressors. Humans have contributed to rising ocean temperatures, increases in pollution, ocean acidification and growing pressures from the seafood industry. Similar to the way humans experience elevated levels of stress when exposed to loud or impulsive noise, marine invertebrates are impacted by the rising levels of underwater noise produced by their intrusive human neighbors.
Live 3-D imaging highlights cellular activity during embryonic heart development Live imaging techniques have given Spanish researchers deeper insight into the development of the embryonic heart in mice. Their analysis reveals the coordination that occurs between cardiac progenitor cells – cells similar to stem cells that can change into another specific type of cell during heart development. They found that progenitor cells go through alternate phases of changing into cardiac muscle (differentiation) to initiate early heart function, and contribute to cardiac morphogenesis. The study, which was originally published as a preprint in bioRxiv, appears today in the journal eLife.
	Compound eyes a continuous feature of evolution Dr Brigitte Schoenemann (University of Cologne) and her colleagues Helje Pärnaste (Tallinn, Estonia), and Euan Clarkson (Edinburgh, Scotland) have succeeded in unraveling the structure and functioning of the oldest known compound eye. The researchers used an exceptionally well-preserved fossil trilobite (Schmidtiellus reetae), which is over half a billion years old, showing the cellular structure of a compound eye. It not only shows how this eye was constructed, but also its functioning, its performance, and how it differs from contemporary compound eyes. The results show that modern compound eyes work in ways strikingly similar to those of half a billion years ago. They are very conservative in their structure – and quite successfully so. "The principle of the modern compound eye most likely goes back to before the times of our first fossil records. Half a billion years ago, it was in the early stage of its development, and with our work we have succeeded in uncovering the first visible steps of this extremely successful visual principle," says Schoenemann.
	Sea lions have unique whiskers that help them catch even the fastest fish Astounding footage of Galapagos sea lions hunting was perhaps the highlight of the latest Blue Planet II. For the first time ever, these marine mammals were filmed working as a pack to drive tuna fish in to shallow, rocky waters where they could be caught. Yellowfin tuna are typically able to outswim all predators but the fastest sharks and marlins, yet the much slower sea lions were able to outsmart them thanks to an amazing display of movement and cooperation.
	Breakthrough could help gardeners achieve seed sowing success Researchers from Royal Holloway, University of London, and the University of Osnabrück in Germany have found that common fungi could hold the key to help so-called hard seeds germinate.
	How ribosomes shape the proteome Cells are crowded with macromolecules, which limits the diffusion of proteins, especially in prokaryotic cells without active transport in the cytoplasm. While investigating the relationship between crowding, ionic strength and protein diffusion, University of Groningen biochemists made a fascinating discovery: positively charged proteins stick to the surface of ribosome complexes. This explains why most water-soluble proteins carry an overall negative charge. The discovery will appear soon in the journal eLife.
	It's good to be rare, for some species When most people think of rare species, they think of endangered ones that humans have caused to be rare through habitat loss, poaching, climate change and other disturbances. But some species have always been rare—occurring in small densities throughout their range—throughout their evolutionary history. Yet little is known about the traits that allow for them to be chronically rare and stay rare for long periods of time.
	Citizen scientists discover six new species of beetles in Borneo Scientists estimate that 80% of the world's animal and plant species are still unknown. Although the work of taxonomists (whose job is to describe and name those) is appreciated by the general public, funding for taxonomy is dwindling. Moreover, while the areas hosting most of the unknown biodiversity are under threat, time is running out.
	Satellite tracking provides clues about South Atlantic sea turtles' 'lost years' A University of Central Florida biologist whose groundbreaking work tracking the movements of sea turtle yearlings in the North Atlantic Ocean attracted international attention has completed a similar study in the South Atlantic with surprising results.
	Cambodia seizes shipment of ivory hidden in hollow logs Cambodia has seized nearly a tonne of ivory hidden in hollowed-out logs and discovered inside an abandoned shipping container, an official said Wednesday.
Report identifies ways to rejuvenate Alaska's commercial fishing fleet A new report on Alaska's aging fishing fleet and loss of access to commercial fisheries in rural communities recommends five steps to reverse these troubling trends.
	Tobacco plants as life-savers Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia, is the sole international cooperation partner in an AUD$10.5 million European project to develop new tobacco varieties that can be used as biofactories for pharmaceuticals and vaccines.
	New species discovered in Malaysian rainforest during unprecedented, top-to-bottom survey This fall, the California Academy of Sciences partnered with The Habitat Penang Hill and colleagues to conduct a top-to-bottom rainforest survey unprecedented in its comprehensive approach. On Malaysia's island state of Penang, a 117-member team of scientists documented flora and fauna from the tops of towering trees to the dark reaches of damp caves. Over the course of two weeks the international team discovered several species previously unknown to science—including a new species of scorpion and likely new species of fly, water bear, and bacterium—living just miles from a major metropolis. The expedition also tallied new regional sightings: birds, bats, orchids, mammals, flies, ants, mosquitoes, spiders, and frogs never known to occur in Penang were documented for the first time. Survey results (which included the canopy and not just the forest floor) will advance the understanding of this little-explored rainforest and contribute to its future nomination as a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) biosphere reserve.

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