Science X Newsletter Monday, Feb 5

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for February 5, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Researchers demonstrate graphene as a source of high-speed light pulses

Measuring the temperature of two-dimensional materials at the atomic level

Remarkable spider with a tail found preserved in amber after 100 million years

Researchers solve a materials mystery key to next-generation electronic devices

Research reveals more about TRAPPIST-1 planets, and the possibility of life

Two new inflated 'hot Jupiters' discovered by astronomers

Best of Last Week – Speed of light drops to zero, new Egyptian dinosaur and cardiovascular benefits of sunlight

Automating materials design

Imagining the possibility of life in a universe without the weak force

Study uncovers therapeutic targets for aggressive triple-negative breast cancers

Scientists find massive Mayan society under Guatemala jungle

Record-setting spacewalk ends with antenna in wrong spot

Egypt says 4,400-year-old tomb discovered outside Cairo

Robot makes coffee at new cafe in Japan's capital

Tesla, Australia to turn 50,000 homes into power generators

Astronomy & Space news

	Research reveals more about TRAPPIST-1 planets, and the possibility of life A series of four studies have shed new light on the properties of the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system, currently our most optimal hope for evidence of biological life beyond the Solar system.
	Two new inflated 'hot Jupiters' discovered by astronomers Astronomers have detected "hot Jupiter" exoplanets transiting two distant stars. The newly found alien worlds, designated EPIC 229426032 b and EPIC 246067459 b, appear to be larger than it should be according to theoretical models. The finding is reported January 24 in a paper published on arXiv.org.
	Record-setting spacewalk ends with antenna in wrong spot A record-setting Russian spacewalk ended with a critical antenna in the wrong position Friday outside the International Space Station.
	SpaceX's hot new monster rocket ready for first test flight SpaceX's hot new monster rocket makes its launch debut this week, blasting off from the same pad that hoisted men to the moon a half-century ago.
	Stellar winds behaving unexpectedly ESA's XMM-Newton has spotted surprising changes in the powerful streams of gas from two massive stars, suggesting that colliding stellar winds don't behave as expected.
	SpaceX poised to launch 'world's most powerful rocket' SpaceX is poised for the first test launch Tuesday of its Falcon Heavy, which aims to become the world's most powerful rocket in operation, capable of ferrying people to the Moon or Mars some day.
	UA researchers on winning team in lunar exploration competition Pink Floyd aside, there isn't actually a dark side of the moon—just a side you can't see from Earth. That is, unless you're a researcher like those at the University of Arizona and partnering institutions, who are setting out to investigate meteoritic impact on the far side of the moon.
	Monitoring solar activity Living near a star is risky business, and positioning a spacecraft near the sun is a very good way to observe rapidly changing solar activity and deliver early warning of possibly harmful space weather. ESA is now looking at doing just that.
	Image: The Columbus module Careering around Earth every 90 minutes, 400 km above our heads, is the International Space Station – humanity's orbital outpost.
	Hubble's majestic spiral in Pegasus This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows a spiral galaxy known as NGC 7331. First spotted by the prolific galaxy hunter William Herschel in 1784, NGC 7331 is located about 45 million light-years away in the constellation of Pegasus (the Winged Horse). Facing us partially edge-on, the galaxy showcases its beautiful arms, which swirl like a whirlpool around its bright central region.
	Elon Musk is launching a Tesla into space – here's how SpaceX will do it Elon Musk's SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket is scheduled for launch on February 6, and the entire space industry is watching with anticipation.
	The three surprises of 'Oumuamua One of the defining moments in planetary astronomy in 2017 is that this is the year we discovered the first astronomical object to enter the Solar System from interstellar space. Now known as `Oumuamua (Hawaiian for "scout"), the object was discovered by the Pan-STARRS survey team in Hawaii on October 19th. Over the next three weeks it was in turn classified as a comet, a long-period asteroid and finally, the first of the new class of interstellar objects.
	SpaceX 'Starman' at wheel of sports car flying on new rocket A SpaceX "Starman" is aboard the company's new rocket that's set to make its launch debut from Florida
	SpaceX bucks launch tradition in 1st flight of new rocket SpaceX is bucking decades of launch tradition for the first test flight of its new megarocket.
	The size of a cereal box—ESA's first satellite of 2018 ESA's first mission of the year was launched today: GomX-4B is the Agency's most advanced technology-tester yet, featuring a hyperspectral camera and tiny thrusters to manoeuvre thousands of kilometres from its near-twin to try out their radio link.

Technology news

	Automating materials design For decades, materials scientists have taken inspiration from the natural world. They'll identify a biological material that has some desirable trait—such as the toughness of bones or conch shells—and reverse-engineer it. Then, once they've determined the material's "microstructure," they'll try to approximate it in human-made materials.
	Robot makes coffee at new cafe in Japan's capital Japan has a new cafe where customers can enjoy coffee brewed and served by a robot barista.
	Tesla, Australia to turn 50,000 homes into power generators Some 50,000 homes in South Australia will receive solar panels and Tesla batteries, the state government announced Sunday, in a landmark plan to turn houses into a giant, interconnected power plant.
	Phantom v2640 is showcased for speed, image quality Wayne, N.J.-based Vision Research has announced its high-speed camera, the Phantom v2640.
	Novel metal-oxide magnesium battery for high-density energy storage A multi-institution team of scientists led by Texas A&M University chemist Sarbajit Banerjee has discovered an exceptional metal-oxide magnesium battery cathode material, moving researchers one step closer to delivering batteries that promise higher density of energy storage on top of transformative advances in safety, cost and performance in comparison to their ubiquitous lithium-ion (Li-ion) counterparts.
	YouTube labels state-sponsored news as rules tighten YouTube on Friday began labeling news broadcasts that get government money as it vowed to be stricter about content at the globally popular online video-sharing service.
	A raucous Google-Uber fight is finally heading to trial A Google-bred pioneer in self-driving cars and Uber's beleaguered ride-hailing service are colliding in a courtroom showdown revolving around allegations of deceit, betrayal, espionage and a high-tech heist that tore apart one-time allies.
	EU says 'electroshock' tax plan for internet giants set for March The European Commission will present by the end of March its plan for overhauling tax rules for internet giants, aimed at making them pay up in the countries where they earn their profits, a top official said Sunday.
	Late-year change in income tax rate leads to billions in unexpected profits and losses As politicians tout the merits of U.S. tax reform on personal returns and corporate investment, many companies are scrambling to deal with the law's immediate impact on the value of their deferred tax assets and liabilities and their bottom lines in the fourth quarter.
	Nissan to invest $9.5 billion in China to drive sales Japanese automaker Nissan Motor and its Chinese joint venture partner announced on Monday a $9.5 billion investment plan in China to increase annual sales by one million vehicles and boost electric car production.
	IATA chief warns about rising cost of airport expansion The "skyrocketing" costs of expanding airport infrastructure must be controlled to keep flight tickets affordable, the boss of airline industry group IATA warned Monday.
	China looks to stamp out cryptocurrency trading China plans to stamp out all remaining cryptocurrency trading in the country by blocking access to overseas-based websites and removing related applications from app stores.
	Amazon hammers out tax deal with France US online retailer Amazon said Monday that it had settled a major tax claim in France and would start declaring all its earnings in the country locally, as European officials prepare to tighten the fiscal screws on digital economy giants.
	UK bank bans bitcoin purchases via credit card Lloyds Banking Group on Monday joined major US banks in banning purchases of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies via credit card amid debt and security concerns.
	Porsche to double investment in electric cars German high-end sports car maker Porsche said Monday it would double investments in electrifying its entire range by 2022, as parent company Volkswagen reacts to environmental scandals and new challenges from abroad.
	Broadcom raises hostile bid for Qualcomm to $121 bn (Update) Broadcom raised its bid for rival computer chipmaker Qualcomm on Monday to $121 billion, offering the richest-ever takeover effort in the tech sector in an effort to become the dominant player in the fast-growing market for connected devices.
	New method to manufacture organic solar cells The ability to use cheap materials and simple manufacturing methods are two huge advantages of printed organic solar cells. Olle Inganäs, professor at Linköping University, is head of a research group that has now developed an even simpler method to manufacture solar cell modules. The results have been published in the scientific journal npj Flexible Electronics.
	The benefits of job automation are not likely to be shared equally While companies might reap significant gains in productivity from automating certain jobs, this won't necessarily lead to pay rises for everyone. The evidence suggests businesses might pass on the gains to some workers, but not to all.
	In court clash, Waymo says Uber decided 'to cheat' to get ahead Two tech giants racing for a lead in autonomous driving clashed Monday in court as former Google car unit Waymo's lawyer argued that Uber's boss deliberately chose "to cheat" to get a leg up on competitors.
	Farm sunshine, not cancer: Replacing tobacco fields with solar arrays Although tobacco use is the leading cause of avoidable death globally, farming tobacco continues to provide the primary source of income to many farmers. But two Michigan Technological University researchers contend that converting tobacco fields to solar farms could profitably serve two purposes: Reduce preventable deaths and meet the growing need for solar energy to combat climate change.
	Zuckerberg acknowledges 'mistakes' as Facebook turns 14 Mark Zuckerberg offered fresh self-criticism Monday, acknowledging making numerous mistakes in building the world's biggest social network as Facebook marked its 14th birthday.
	Q&A: Ride-hailing service Lyft's product chief Tali Rapaport Even though it's been in business for just over five years, the Lyft ride-hailing service is still evolving as it moves toward a time when personal car ownership falls and self-driving robotaxis start carrying passengers.
	Third time lucky for another Samsung leader Samsung heir Lee Jae-Yong on Monday became the third generation of his family to benefit from merciful legal treatment, when most of his bribery convictions were set aside and his jail sentence was replaced with a suspended term.
	Alleged UK hacker wins US extradition fight An alleged computer hacker from Britain won a court appeal Monday to block his extradition to the United States, where he faces charges in three states.
	Panasonic upgrades earnings targets on cheap yen Japanese electronics giant Panasonic on Monday upgraded its annual earnings targets thanks to a weak yen and robust demand for its automotive products.
	Alibaba buys stake in Wanda Film for $750 million Troubled Chinese conglomerate Wanda announced Monday that e-commerce giant Alibaba has agreed to buy a stake in its cinema division for around $750 million, the latest sell-off by the heavily-indebted group.
	Israel bourse bullish on blockchain, cagey on crypto The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) is bullish about the potential for blockchain technology but sees involvement in cryptocurrency trading as far away, its chief executive said on Monday.
	Continental teams with NVIDIA on self-driving car system Software maker NVIDIA and German auto parts supplier Continental are teaming to build a self-driving vehicle system that will hit the market in 2021.
	Former Google exec Eric Schmidt named MIT innovation fellow A longtime Google executive is taking on a new role at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
	EU Commission urges carmakers to 'behave more ethically' The European Union on Monday urged carmakers to "behave more ethically" and responsibly, following a scandal over diesel emissions, and revelations of diesel exhaust tests on monkeys and humans.

Medicine & Health news

	Study uncovers therapeutic targets for aggressive triple-negative breast cancers As part of a breast-cancer diagnosis, doctors analyze the tumor to determine which therapies might best attack the malignancy. But for patients whose cancer is triple-negative—that is, lacking receptors for estrogen, progesterone and Her2—the options for treatment dwindle. Triple-negative cancers, or TNBC, also tend to be more aggressive than other cancer subtypes.
	Old drug may have new tricks for fighting cancer In recent years, a powerful suite of drugs known as kinase inhibitors have been developed to treat cancer and other diseases. Primary targets of such drugs include a family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) which protrude from cell surfaces like antennae and can activate cancer-related pathways in virtually all types of cancer when signaling molecules bind with them.
	Meditation has limited role in making you a better person, says study For decades many people have claimed meditation can change how we behave towards others and make us more compassionate.
	Half of all dementias start with damaged 'gatekeeper cells' USC research sheds new light on how a breakdown in the brain's vascular system predates the accumulation of toxic plaques and tangles in the brain that bring about Alzheimer's disease. The research suggests an earlier target for preventing dementia and Alzheimer's.
	Zika brain damage may go undetected in pregnancy Zika virus may cause significant damage to the fetal brain even when the baby's head size is normal, according to a new animal study led by researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.
	The toxic relationship between ALS and frontotemporal dementia ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are two neurodegenerative diseases with a toxic relationship, according to a new USC Stem Cell study published in Nature Medicine.
What makes a good egg? Mouse study could help identify cause in some cases of unexplained infertility In approximately 15 percent of cases where couples are unable to conceive, the underlying cause of infertility is not known. Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and in the Division of Biological Sciences at UC San Diego have identified a protein in mice that must be present in eggs for them to complete normal development. Without the protein, called ZFP36L2 or L2 for short, the eggs appear ordinary, but they cannot be fertilized by sperm. Female mice lacking L2 in their eggs ovulate and are otherwise healthy, but they produce no offspring.
	Research presents new information about the Flint water crisis Based on a detailed statistical analysis of multiple datasets, the Flint Area Community Health and Environment Partnership (FACHEP) research team found that the majority of Legionnaires' disease cases that occurred during the 2014-15 outbreak in Genesee County, Michigan, can be attributed to the change in of the City of Flint's drinking water supply to the Flint River. The researchers also found that the specific strain of Legionella isolated from Flint residences as part of FACHEP's sampling in 2016 is not readily detected by common diagnostic tests for Legionella. These conclusions are part of two peer-reviewed scientific reports authored by FACHEP and recently published in the academic journals Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS) and mBio.
	Aging immune system may explain age-related cancer risk increase Study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests aging immune system plays a larger role in cancer incidence than previously thought. Findings may explain higher likelihood of men developing cancer than women. This epidemiological research could have major implications for global fight against cancer if borne out by further studies.
	Adding crizotinib to radiation therapy may help preserve hearing in patients with NF2 Adding the targeted cancer therapy drug crizotinib to radiation therapy for tumors associated with the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) may reduce the hearing damage that can be exacerbated by radiotherapy. A Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) research team reports that the use of crizotinib to block a specific molecular pathway both enhanced the radiosensitivity of tumors in mouse models of NF2, allowing a reduction in radiation dosage, and inhibited the growth of cultured tumor cells from NF2 patients. Their paper being published online in PNAS Plus also describes creation of a novel mouse model that mimics NF2-associated hearing loss and a better system for culturing tumor cells for NF2 patients.
	Mechanism behind common Parkinson's mutation discovered Northwestern Medicine investigators have discovered how a gene mutation results in buildup of a toxic compound known to cause Parkinson's disease symptoms, defining for the first time the mechanism underlying that aspect of the disease.
	Exposure to Bisphenol A 'hard to avoid' in everyday life 86 per cent of teenagers have traces of Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound used to make plastics, in their body, an Engaged Research public engagement project in collaboration with the University of Exeter has found.
	Dim light may make us dumber Spending too much time in dimly lit rooms and offices may actually change the brain's structure and hurt one's ability to remember and learn, indicates groundbreaking research by Michigan State University neuroscientists.
Researchers identify new target to reduce risk of GVHD Stem cell transplants can cure patients with high-risk leukemia or lymphoma. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a potentially life-threatening side effect that occurs when the donor's immune cells attack the recipient's normal tissues. Moffitt Cancer Center researchers are trying to identify new drug targets to reduce the risk of GVHD. Their new study, published last week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows a drug that targets the protein JAK2 may reduce the risk of GVHD.
	Altering Huntington's patients' skin cells into brain cells sheds light on disease Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have transformed skin cells from patients with Huntington's disease into the type of brain cell affected by the disorder. The resulting mass of neurons serves as a new tool to study the degenerative and eventually fatal neurological condition, according to the researchers.
	How brain's reward system lessened distress over 2016 election results Some people disturbed by the 2016 presidential election have suffered a loss of appetite, trouble sleeping and concentrating, and have become easily annoyed, while others equally disturbed by the election result have not experienced such symptoms of depression. A new study by UCLA psychologists explains the differences between these two groups.
	Extending dosing intervals reduces deadly side effect risk from multiple sclerosis drug A commonly-prescribed multiple sclerosis (MS) infusion medication linked to a rare but serious side effect is safer to use when dosing intervals are extended, according to a new study led by MS specialists NYU Langone Health.
New research on why GPs quit patient care New research has shed light on the reasons driving doctors out of General Practice, following earlier findings that around two out of every five GPs in the South West are planning to leave direct patient care in the next five years.
Penis whitening fad worries surgeons Plastic surgeons raised red flags this week about a penis whitening fad in skin colour-fixated Thailand, dismissing the procedure as a phallic "fashion" with uncertain benefits and many risks.
	Second baby hit by salmonella from Lactalis milk in Spain A baby who drank milk produced by the French dairy giant Lactalis has been diagnosed with salmonella in the Spanish Basque country, taking the number of cases in the country this year to two, authorities said Saturday.
	Parental type 1 diabetes may increase offspring risk for ADHD (HealthDay)—Children whose parents have type 1 diabetes (T1D) have a higher risk of being diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a study published online Jan. 26 in Diabetes Care.
	Persistent respiratory issues in youth may decline lung function (HealthDay)—For young adults, persistent respiratory symptoms are associated with accelerated decline in lung function, according to a study published online Jan. 25 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
	Poor sleep worsens link between PTSD, chronic pain in youth (HealthDay)—Poor sleep worsens the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and chronic pain in youth, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Pain.
	Good deeds soothe stress (HealthDay)—If the constant stream of bad news from around the world gets to you, one psychiatrist suggests that helping others might make you feel better.
	TTFields tied to improved survival in glioblastoma patients (HealthDay)—For patients with glioblastoma, the addition of tumor-treating fields (TTFields) to standard treatment with temozolomide is associated with improved survival without negative effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) other than itchy skin, according to a study published online Feb. 1 in JAMA Oncology.
	Persistent DME more likely with bevacizumab treatment (HealthDay)—For patients with diabetic macular edema (DME), persistence is more likely with bevacizumab than with aflibercept or ranibizumab, according to a study published online Feb. 1 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
	Depression ups mortality risk post aortic valve replacement (HealthDay)—The presence of depressive symptoms among older adults undergoing transcatheter (TAVR) or surgical (SAVR) aortic valve replacement increases the risk of mortality, according to research published online Jan. 17 in JAMA Cardiology.
	Factors identified that impact physicians IT adoption (HealthDay)—Physicians have considerable concerns about the efficacy and evidence base of health information technology (IT), according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
	Multinational companies continue to produce unregulated antibiotics in India Millions of unapproved antibiotics are being sold in India, according to a new study by researchers at Queen Mary University of London and Newcastle University.
Studies reveal looming shortage of rheumatologists Two new articles provide insights on the outlook of rheumatology in the United States, noting that the need for rheumatologists will greatly exceed the projected growth of the rheumatology workforce over the next 15 years. As noted in Arthritis Care & Research, this is due to an increasing aging patient population, a wave of impending baby boomer rheumatologists retiring, and changing practice trends for new rheumatologists. In Arthritis & Rheumatology, experts note that there has been an increase in the number of rheumatology fellowship programs and an increase in the number of fellows being trained in these programs; however, even a doubling of the number of fellows being trained would not meet the projected rheumatology workforce needs in 2030.
	Not just boy and girl; more teens identify as transgender Far more U.S. teens than previously thought are transgender or identify themselves using other nontraditional gender terms, with many rejecting the idea that girl and boy are the only options, new research suggests.
New report details misuse of antipsychotics in nursing homes U.S. nursing homes have significantly reduced the use of powerful antipsychotic drugs among their elderly residents, responding to pressure from many directions. Yet advocacy groups insist that overmedication remains a major problem, and want the pressure to intensify.
	Sanofi rejects refund demand faces Philippine suit over dengue vaccine (Update) French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi on Monday rejected a Philippine government demand to return tens of millions of dollars paid for a dengue vaccine after the programme was suspended over health concerns.
Severe pre-eclampsia often leads to undetected high blood pressure after pregnancy Lingering hypertension is common and may go unnoticed among women who have severe pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension.
An enhanced recovery program reduced total hospital costs and improved patient outcomes A standardized protocol for managing patients immediately before, during, and after colorectal operations not only improved clinical outcomes, it also significantly reduced overall hospital costs. One of the first studies to investigate hospital costs associated with an enhanced recovery pathway for colorectal patients was published online as an "article in press" on the Journal of the American College of Surgeons website in advance of print publication.
Patients with kidney disease with heart defibrillators at greater risk of hospitalization In a study of nearly 6,000 community-based patients with chronic kidney disease and heart failure, the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators was associated with a significantly increased risk of subsequent hospitalization.
	Ridesharing may not reduce number of missed medical appointments, study finds The high number of low-income patients missing medical appointments because of unreliable transportation has led to partnerships between health care systems and ridesharing companies, such as Uber and Lyft, in an effort to ease travel and boost attendance. However, a new study from Penn Medicine researchers published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that offering a free Lyft ride to Medicaid patients for an upcoming medical appointment did not reduce the rate of missed appointments.
	Trains, planes, automobiles and heart disease Noise may disrupt the body on the cellular level in a way that increases the risk of common heart disease risk factors, according to a review topic published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology that examined the underlying mechanisms that may lead to noise-induced heart disease. The review is in response to growing evidence connecting environmental noise, including from road traffic and aircrafts, to the development of heart disease, such as coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension, stroke and heart failure.
	New kind of homing beacon targets cancerous cells and other diseases Leukemia is a deadly cancer in which rogue white blood cells roam the bloodstream, slowly killing the body that gave them life.
	A new path into bipolar disorder comes to light Bipolar disorder (BD) is a multifactorial brain disorder in which patients experience radical shifts in mood and undergo periods of depression followed by periods of mania. It has been known for some time that both environmental and genetic factors play important roles in the disease. For instance, being exposed to high levels of stress for long periods, and especially during childhood, has been associated with the development of BD.
At the molecular level, man and monkey experience surprisingly similar changes during brain development A Skoltech-led team of scientists has peered into the brains of humans, macaques and chimpanzees to discover surprising similarities. In particular, they focused on alternative splicing during various stages of brain development in these three species. The study also provides some interesting insights into the role played by alternative splicing in the context of human evolution.
Mechanical forces may underlie brain's development and some diseases Judging by the few items on her desk – some photographs of brain tissue taken through a microscope, a plastic model of the brain, a plush toy neuron – Ellen Kuhl is by all appearances a neuroscientist, and her current research into the brain's development and diseases backs this up.
	Social isolation health message fails to cut through Social isolation has been shown to pose a greater health threat than smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise – but that message is failing to get through to the community.
	Antioxidant therapy prevents devastating vision loss when added to standard-of-care on rare birth defect A new study led by vision researchers at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo and VA Western New York Healthcare System has demonstrated that the addition of widely available antioxidants to the current standard-of-care prevented vision loss in an animal model of a rare genetic disease.
	Study tracks therapy to slow idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis Investigators in the Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care have launched a pilot study to see if patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) can tolerate the addition of a commonly used antiviral drug to standard IPF treatments. The research team believes the drug may ultimately help slow progression of the chronic and progressive disease or reverse its course.
Study evaluates community-based health efforts A new study from researchers at Vanderbilt and Harvard universities, published this week in the journal Health Affairs, uses federal health survey data to evaluate community-based efforts to address smoking, obesity and other health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
New options for Parkinson's patients Parkinson's disease is a degenerative neurologic condition that affects more than one million people in the United States and 10 million people worldwide. Parkinson's attacks the nerves in the brain, causing tremors, rigid muscles, and other problems so that people gradually lose their ability to move fluidly. There is no cure, but drugs can help reduce the severity of some symptoms.
	Breast cancer death rate down 10% in just five years Breast cancer mortality rates have fallen by 10 percent in five years, according to the latest analysis released by Cancer Research UK ahead of World Cancer Day tomorrow (Sunday).
	Compounds derived from hops show promise for metabolic syndrome patients A group of compounds derived from hops can likely improve cognitive and other functions in people with metabolic syndrome, new research at Oregon State University and Oregon Health & Science University suggests.
A majority of middle-aged people show a high level of mental well-being A recent study at the University of Jyväskylä has found a surprisingly high level of mental well-being among middle-aged individuals.
	MR imaging clarifies ambiguous mammography results A study of around 300 volunteers, conducted in Austria by MedUni Vienna in collaboration with Diagnostic Graz, convincingly shows that Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the best choice for clarifying ambiguous mammography results. "MRI clearly shows whether findings are benign or malignant," explains lead author Claudio Spick from the Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy at MedUni Vienna. MRI scans are therefore an ideal, non-invasive and equivalent alternative to painful breast biopsies. Moreover, in around 5 percent of cases they identify previously undetected malignant tumours.
New research calls for rethink on approach to treating neglected tropical diseases in urban areas New research published today in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, suggests the effectiveness of large-scale distribution of medication (known as Mass Drug Administration or MDA) to treat lymphatic filariasis (LF) in urban areas needs to be re-examined.
	What to know about fasting, aging, dieting and when you should eat Biochemist Valter Longo has devoted decades to discovering connections between nutrition and successful aging. He runs the Longevity Institute at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, where the focus is on extending healthy life spans and finding ways to prevent and treat conditions like cancer and cardiovascular disease that growing older makes us more susceptible to developing. Longo is also a professor of biological science at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
	Hospitals are risky places – but some are better than others One in every nine patients who go into hospital in Australia suffers a complication: when something preventable goes wrong with their care. They might develop an infection from a hygiene breach, for instance, or be given the wrong dose or type of drug.
Global study finds women hold different views of harassment Australian women were less likely to consider wolf-whistling in the street, being asked for sex at a social event and a man overstaying his welcome in their home as unacceptable behaviour than women in other countries, research by Curtin University and Edith Cowan University has found.
	Taking antibiotics during pregnancy is linked to increased risk of child infection, hospitalization A new study by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) has revealed children born to mothers who were prescribed antibiotics during pregnancy may have up to a 20 per cent higher risk of being hospitalised with infection.
	Rapid blood vessel scan tolerated by claustrophobic patients unable to stand longer tests Doctors have developed a new five-minute procedure to scan the blood vessels which offers hope for claustrophobic patients unable to tolerate the conventional longer test. The research is presented today at CMR 2018.
	Protein and vitamins key to healthy vegan, vegetarian diets f you're becoming vegetarian or vegan, know that you'll have to beef up your diet in other ways, says a University of Alberta dietitian.
	Your next hearing aid could be a video game Roughly 15 percent of Americans report some sort of hearing difficulty; trouble understanding conversations in noisy environments is one of the most common complaints. Unfortunately, there's not much doctors or audiologists can do. Hearing aids can amplify things for ears that can't quite pick up certain sounds, but they don't distinguish between the voice of a friend at a party and the music in the background. The problem is not only one of technology, but also of brain wiring.
	Fertility study offers unexpected lead on dwarfism As components of two entirely separate systems in the body, you wouldn't think ovaries have much in common with bones. But it turns out they do – and their commonalities may help explain why dwarfs such as actors Peter Dinklage and David Rappaport are so short, say UConn Health scientists.
	Can England really eliminate hepatitis C by 2025? The World Health Organisation set a goal to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030. The NHS recently announced that it will go one better than that: it will eliminate the disease in England by 2025. In theory, the goal is achievable, but there are still significant challenges to overcome.
	Is the tide turning for kid's fitness? A new study led by the University of South Australia's Dr. Grant Tomkinson has found that although children's cardiorespiratory (CRF) fitness levels declined in the 80s and 90s, they have stabilised since the year 2000.
	Parental enrollment in Medicaid yields increase in preventive health care for children Enrolling in Medicaid may have health benefits not only for low-income parents but also for their children, according to a Johns Hopkins analysis of over 50,000 parent-child pairs.
	Diabetes doubles chance of developing cataract People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop cataract as the general population and the relative risk is highest in those aged between 45 and 54, according to a new study published in the journal Eye.
Premature babies make fewer friends—but not for long Premature babies make fewer friends, feel less accepted by peers and spend less time socialising in early childhood - but this improves when they get to school - according to new research by an international research collaboration, including the University of Warwick, UK.
	Autism might be better detected using new two-minute questionnaire Researchers at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School have developed a two-minute questionnaire for parents that could help pediatricians and other primary care providers detect autism in toddlers, at a time when intervention might be crucial.
Toddler formulas and milks—not recommended by health experts—mislead with health claims Misleading labeling on formulas and milks marketed as "toddler drinks" may confuse parents about their healthfulness or necessity, finds a new study by researchers at the NYU College of Global Public Health and the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at the University of Connecticut.
	Scientists report big improvements in HIV vaccine production Research on HIV over the past decade has led to many promising ideas for vaccines to prevent infection by the AIDS virus, but very few candidate vaccines have been tested in clinical trials. One reason for this is the technical difficulty of manufacturing vaccines based on the envelope proteins of the virus, according to Phil Berman, who led development of a major component of the only vaccine to have shown any efficacy against HIV in a clinical trial.
	Scientists target glioma cancer stem cells, which could improve patient survival Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor and has one of the worst survival rates of all cancers. Despite surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, these tumors virtually always become resistant to therapy and eventually recur. The cancer stem cells within these tumors are thought to be important drivers of resistance and recurrence. Researchers at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center, led by Damian A. Almiron Bonnin, MD-PhD candidate of the Mark Israel laboratory, are devising strategies to target glioma stem cells which could significantly improve patient survival.
Novel genetic variants for ADHD linked to educational attainment A study published in the February 2018 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP) reports that five novel genetic variants associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been identified by exploiting genetic overlap between ADHD and educational attainment.
Weight loss surgery improves microvascular complications in obese diabetic patients In a BJS (British Journal of Surgery) analysis of published studies in obese patients with type 2 diabetes, researchers found that weight loss surgery helps prevent the development of microvascular complications—which affect small blood vessels—better than medical treatment. The analysis was conducted by investigators from the Surgical Department of the University of Heidelberg in cooperation with the Study Center of the German Surgical Society.
Detecting and treating dnDSA early preserves allograft function Development of de novo donor-specific antibodies (dnDSA) is known to cause graft failure. Therefore, a protocol aimed at prospective monitoring and treating dnDSA—before it can cause graft damage—was developed for kidney transplant recipients at Children National Health System. This helped to decrease dnDSA in 76 percent of pediatric patients and prevented graft failure in the first few years, indicates a longitudinal cohort study published online Jan. 22, 2018, in Pediatric Transplantation. However, the benefit of preserving function of transplanted kidneys came at a price: Heightened hospitalization rates for infection.
Long-term usage of inhaled corticosteroids may increase risk of bone fractures in patients with COPD Glenview, IL- A study published in the February journal Chest suggests long-term inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in patients with COPD may increase risk of bone fractures in both men and women. Previous studies have suggested that ICS negatively impacts bone mineral density in a dose-dependent fashion, particularly affecting postmenopausal women, but it has been unclear whether these effects translate to bone fractures.
	How viruses disarm the immune system How do viruses that cause chronic infections, such as HIV or hepatitis c virus, manage to outsmart their hosts' immune systems?
Kitchen hygiene in the spotlight: Do TV cooking shows influence our hygiene behavior? TV shows dealing with all aspects of cooking are popular. They not only convey knowledge and tasty recipes, they also have a high entertainment value. A research project at the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) shows, however, that kitchen hygiene often only plays a minor role on TV. On the occasion of International Green Week, the BfR is presenting the aims, procedure and results of the project today at the BfR Kitchen Hygiene forum in the CityCube Berlin.
Cellular models of fetal intestinal tissue may help combat deadly neonatal disease Cellular models of fetal and adult intestinal tissues generated by investigators from the Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center (MIBRC) at MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) have identified differences in the immune response to natural intestinal bacteria at different developmental ages. The findings, described in a paper published online in Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, support the use of this model to investigate conditions including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a dangerous gastrointestinal disease affecting premature infants.
Loved one's death could spur aggressive measures against breast cancer A woman's memories of a loved one's experience with cancer could play a significant role in how she approaches breast cancer prevention in her own life, a new study has found.
	Melanoma rates rising for boomers, falling among young (HealthDay)—It looks like public health efforts to warn younger Americans about the dangers of tanning beds and sun exposure are paying off.
	If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, report it (HealthDay)—You should alert authorities if you suspect a child is being hurt or is in danger, a child abuse expert says.
	Tips for choosing frozen fruits and veggies (HealthDay)—Fruits and veggies are great ways to get important nutrients, try new tastes, and add low-calorie sides to your meals.
	Health care use down in diabetes patients with high deductibles (HealthDay)—Overall, patients who switch to high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) have a decrease in health care utilization, though high-severity emergency department visit expenditures and hospitalization days increase in members from low-income neighborhoods, according to a study published online Jan. 30 in Diabetes Care.
	Patient, provider characteristics tied to unnecessary antibiotic Rx (HealthDay)—Patient, practice, and provider characteristics are associated with inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing in the outpatient setting, according to a study published online Jan. 30 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
Despite potential for revenue gains, Medicare's annual wellness visit unevenly adopted In 2011, Medicare introduced the annual wellness visit -a yearly check-up for Medicare beneficiaries at no cost to the patient - but many practices have been slow to offer the visits. A new study by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital examines why some practices have adopted these visits while others have not. The team finds overall that practices caring for the underserved had lower rates of adoption. But practices that did offer the visits saw increased revenue and stability of patient assignment - that is, patients were more likely to stay with the practice for a given three-year time period. Their results are published in Health Affairs.
	For world's poorest, vaccines prevent deaths, medical impoverishment Vaccines have enormous impact not just on health, but on keeping people out of poverty, according to a new study led by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. They estimated that increased investments in 10 vaccines administered in low- and middle-income countries over a 15-year period could avert up to 36 million deaths and 24 million cases of medical impoverishment.
	Cascading inflammation associated with Lyme arthritis linked to overactive immune response Every year, more than 300,000 Americans contract Lyme disease, an infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterium transferred during a tick bite. In a small percentage of patients, infection symptoms, including arthritis, persist despite antibiotic treatment.
Love Island TV reality show viewers exposed to millions of tobacco related images Viewers of the popular British reality TV show, Love Island, would have been exposed to millions of tobacco related images, suggests research published online in the journal Tobacco Control.
	Team targets tumor suppressor to treat 'triple-negative' breast cancer A study by scientists at the University of Arizona Cancer Center and Cancer Research UK has found that the loss of a specific tumor suppressor in "triple-negative" breast cancer provides clues about potential new approaches to treatment. The results were published on Jan. 30 in the journal Cell Reports.
	Opioid cessation may be more successful when depression is treated Opioid cessation in non-cancer pain may be more successful when depression is treated to remission, a Saint Louis University study shows.
Health indicators for newborns of breast cancer survivors may vary by cancer type For breast cancer survivors, the risk of giving birth prematurely, and for other health concerns for their newborns, may depend on the type of breast cancer they had, according to a study from University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers.
	New research suggests your immune system can protect against MRSA infections After years of investigation, researchers at Johns Hopkins, the University of California, Davis, and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have discovered how the immune system might protect a person from recurrent bacterial skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (staph). The findings, publishing online this week in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, open new doors to someday developing vaccines to prevent staph skin infections, which account for 14 million outpatient visits, nearly 500,000 hospital admissions and $3 billion to $4 billion in inpatient health care costs in the U.S. per year.
	Uncovering the hidden roles management partners play in ACOs Despite an uncertain political climate and mixed results when it comes to achieving cost savings, the number of accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the United States is steadily increasing, with over 32 million people in the United States now receiving their care through an ACO. ACOs are often discussed and promoted as driven by physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers. Yet, a team of researchers from The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice recently found that 37% of ACOs had a management partner, and two-thirds of these ACOs reported that the partner shared in the financial risks or rewards. In the first study of the role of management partners in ACOs, Dartmouth Institute researchers used data from the National Survey of Accountable Care Organizations to examine the prevalence of non-provider management partner involvement in ACOs, the services these partners provide, and the structure of ACOs that have such partners. They found 37% of ACOs had a management partner, and two-thirds of these ACOs reported that the partner shared in the financial risks or rewards.
	Following treatment guidelines more important than volume for assessing heart failure care Looking at how well hospitals adhere to treatment guidelines for heart failure is more important than comparing patient volumes at hospitals, new research shows.
Risk assessment tool can now better predict pressure injuries in children Pressure-related skin injuries, a nurse-sensitive quality indicator in hospitals, are associated with increased morbidity and higher costs of care. There's been much attention focused on hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) in the adult population. However, while preventable, immobility-related and medical device-related pressure injuries (MDPI) also occur in hospitalized infants and children.
	Opioid high: Painkiller abuse sparks fears for Gabon's young Misuse of a powerful painkiller has spread like wildfire among schools in the west African state of Gabon, where teachers blame it for violent changes in mood among normally placid and motivated teenagers.
Understanding pain exacerbation with opioid use A new study published in JNeurosci advances understanding of how the potent opioid analgesic fentanyl can increase pain sensitivity in animals. These findings could inform the development of treatments for chronic pain that minimize the side effects of these powerful pain-relieving drugs.
	Scientists make white blood cells to alleviate pain during tissue inflammation in mice Researchers at the University of Granada led a novel study in mice that shows that sigma‑1 receptor blockers cause white blood cells or leukocytes to relieve pain when a tissue is inflamed
Treatment for heart attack patients to be debated at Acute Cardiovascular Care 2018 The optimal treatment for heart attack patients will be debated at Acute Cardiovascular Care 2018. The annual congress of the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association (ACCA), a registered branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), will be held 3 to 5 March at the MiCo Milano Congressi in Milan, Italy.
Personal Genome Project Canada study results show promise for health care in Canada First results from the Personal Genome Project Canada, which sequenced the entire personal genomes of 56 healthy participants, suggest whole genome sequencing can benefit health care in Canada, according to results published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
	PSMA PET/CT clearly differentiates prostate cancer from benign tissue Using nuclear medicine, German researchers have found a way to accurately differentiate cancerous tissue from healthy tissue in prostate cancer patients. The research is highlighted in the February issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
New ACIP Adult Immunization Schedule recommends changes to shingles and MMR vaccines The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) released its 2018 Recommended Immunization Schedule for adults with changes to the administration of the herpes zoster and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines. The schedule includes a colorful cover page with references, resources, approved acronyms, and instructions for specific patient populations. The schedule is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Radical new technology prevents 'freezer burn' in cells, tissues Everyone knows that freezing things is an imperfect process. Take frozen food, for example - most have experienced those frozen ice crystals that change the texture and taste of their favourite meal.

Biology news

	Remarkable spider with a tail found preserved in amber after 100 million years An extraordinary new species of arachnid, resembling a spider with a tail, has been discovered in amber from Myanmar (formerly Burma), of mid-Cretaceous age, around 100 million years ago.
	When did flowers originate? Flowering plants likely originated between 149 and 256 million years ago according to new UCL-led research.
	Fruit fly hunger games—taste neurons in control A team of neuroscientists from the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown (CCU), in Lisbon, Portugal, has discovered that specific taste neurons located in the fruit fly's proboscis confer a craving for protein. The results, published in the journal eLife, could represent a step toward preventing the transmission of certain insect-borne human diseases.
	New alien species invasions still rising globally Up to 16% of all species on Earth could qualify as potential alien species and if they invade new regions, impacts will be difficult to predict, according to new research involving UCL.
	Islands in yeast membrane revealed by extreme microscopy University of Groningen microbiologists have visualized tiny islands in the cell membrane of baker's yeast. These membrane compartments appear to store transport proteins before use. The scientists observed that these proteins move extremely slowly in the plasma membrane of the yeast and discovered how they travel through the membrane to reach the islands. They made these observations with state-of-the-art super-resolution optical microscopy. The results were published in Nature Communications on 5 February.
	Rats help each other out just as humans do Rats demonstrate cooperative behaviour similar to human beings, researchers at the University of St Andrews have discovered.
	A clonal crayfish from nature as a model for tumors A genome study has proven that all specimen of Marmorkrebs, or marbled crayfish, originate from a single female. About 30 years ago, the original clone evolved in an aquarium. Ever since, the female animals have been able to spread successfully without any help from males, scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) report in a current publication. The clonal genome evolution of the crayfish may also help explain processes in tumors.
	Workbench for virus design ETH researchers have developed a technology platform that allows them to systematically modify and customise bacteriophages. This technology is a step towards making phage therapies a powerful tool for combating dangerous pathogens.
	The resilience of ray-finned fishes Scientists from the University of Bristol have revealed that ray-finned fishes are perhaps one of Earth's most resilient groups of animals, having survived four mass extinction events that wiped out many other groups.
	Changing weather patterns throwing ecosystems out of whack Day and night will soon align, marking the start of spring. But the timing of nature's calendar is starting to fall out of sync.
	Fish study finds genes that regulate social behaviors Genes in an area of the brain that is relatively similar in fish, humans and all vertebrates appear to regulate how organisms coordinate and shift their behaviors, according to a new Cornell University study.
	Scientists discover a molecular timer based on stalling ribosomes A molecular biologist from Lomonosov Moscow State University and international colleagues discovered a special mechanism of protein synthesis regulation that they called a "molecular timer." It controls the number of protein molecules produced by a cell and prevents the generation of extra molecules. When activated with drugs, such a timer may help efficiently combat cancerous tumors. The study was reported in Nature.
	Sea anemone sting cells could inspire new drug-delivery systems A multi-stage genetic process for the formation of sting cells in sea anemones could inspire a new way of delivering drugs into the human body.
	Conservation stories from the front lines The ups and downs of the research process underlie every scientific publication, yet rarely make it into the final paper. A new collection, "Conservation Stories from the Front Lines," publishing between 5-7 February in the open access journal PLOS Biology, captures the long-neglected human side of science by entering the tragedy, comedy, and (mis)adventures that shape research into the scientific record as peer-reviewed scientific stories. The stories come from scientists working to manage and preserve biodiversity, and offer a new way to engage diverse audiences in today's pressing scientific issues.
	Shark tourism a 'hook' for conservation Cage diving with an apex predator such as a white shark is a high adrenaline experience, but it can also change participants' views on shark conservation once they're back on dry land.
	Bacterial superheroes may save the day for crops The bacterium SA187 has been isolated from the root nodules of an indigenous desert plant that grows in Saudi Arabia. The KAUST team found it has many genes that promote plant growth in stressful environments.
	New genome-editing method 'cuts back' on unwanted genetic mutations Gene therapy is an emerging strategy to treat diseases caused by genetic abnormalities. One form of gene therapy involves the direct repair of a defective gene, using genome-editing technology such as CRISPR-Cas9. Despite its therapeutic potential, genome editing can also introduce unwanted and potentially harmful genetic errors that limit its clinical feasibility. In a study published in Genome Research, researchers centered at Osaka University report the use of a modified version of CRISPR-Cas9 that can edit genes with substantially fewer errors.
	Big strides in the push for affordable, effective antivenoms For city dwellers, especially those in the developed world, the idea of being bitten by a venomous snake seems outlandish. But it is a daily and very real risk for millions around the world – and that includes many people living in African countries.
	What medieval artists teach us about animal sex The prevailing view is that animals mainly have sex to reproduce. Until recently, therefore, scientists assumed that animals were relentlessly heterosexual. This is the message conveyed by countless zoos, wildlife documentaries, books and films. Think March of the Penguins or 2014's controversial Noah. Such representations perpetuate the belief that animals are best seen through the lens of human "norms" of gender, sex and family.
	Small birds have more efficient wing strokes than bats Small birds are more energy-efficient than bats when flying. Researchers previously believed this was due to air resistance created by the bats' ears. However, biologists at Lund University in Sweden have now discovered another reason.
	New 'Tomato Expression Atlas' dives deep into the fruit's flesh From fried green tomatoes to pizza pie, the world savors the tomato across many stages of ripeness, each with its unique qualities. How a fruit ripens has long been an important question for breeders, and the subject of an extensive and fruitful collaboration involving researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI), Cornell University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
New ethics committee aims to help veterinarians navigate complex care situations Advances in veterinary technology provide pet owners with an ever-increasing array of treatment options for their pets. However, more options can lead to complex situations and difficult questions about care goals and quality of life that must be navigated by veterinary caregivers and pet owners. Clinicians and researchers from North Carolina State University and Duke University have developed a first-of-its-kind veterinary medical ethics committee to aid care providers in navigating these situations.
	UF reports 2017 as average year for worldwide shark attacks, deaths With 88 reported unprovoked shark attacks and five fatalities worldwide, 2017 was "just an average year," according to the University of Florida International Shark Attack File.
Soil characteristics may be related to chronic wasting disease persistence, study finds Deer infected with chronic wasting disease are doomed to a slow and certain death, eventually wasting away as they lose the ability to eat and drink. There is no cure and no vaccine, and the number of infected deer continues to rise every year. But University of Illinois scientists recently published a new study that could help explain the movement of the disease across the landscape.
	Controlling fire ants with natural compounds New research published in eNeuro has identified natural, plant-derived that repel fire ants. These compounds, including one found in cinnamon, work by activating a type of ion channel highly expressed in the antennae and leg of one of the world's most invasive insect species.
What does your poo microbiome do? Even if you've been enjoying the solitary confinement of life under a rock, you'll probably still have heard the phrase 'gut microbiome'. You might even be aware that we all have one.
	Healthy chickens for a healthy economy In Georgia, poultry farming isn't just an industry.
	Could this creature hold the future of regenerative medicine? Thanks to a team of Australian scientists, we're a step closer to harnessing the power of stem cells for regenerative medicine.

---

This email is a free service of Science X Network
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you do not wish to receive such emails in the future, please unsubscribe here.
You are subscribed as jmabs1@gmail.com. You may manage your subscription options from your Science X profile