Science X Newsletter Thursday, Feb 15

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for February 15, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Nanoparticles act as surgical blades for improved dental surgery

New CRISPR-Cas9 tool edits both RNA and DNA precisely

Scientists discover the secrets behind the cuttlefish's 3-D 'invisibility cloak'

New form of light: Newly observed optical state could enable quantum computing with photons

CRISPR-based technology can detect viral DNA

Consumer and industrial products now a dominant urban air pollution source

System draws power from daily temperature swings

Hubble sees Neptune's mysterious shrinking storm

Physicists speed up droplet-wrapping process

Study suggests possible link between highly processed foods and cancer

Don't blame hurricanes for most big storm surges in Northeast

Arm's Project Trillium announcement looks at processors for AI

New printing technique uses cells and molecules to recreate biological structures

Maximizing the environmental benefits of autonomous vehicles

Birds and primates share brain cell types linked to intelligence

Astronomy & Space news

	Hubble sees Neptune's mysterious shrinking storm Three billion miles away on the farthest known major planet in our solar system, an ominous, dark storm - once big enough to stretch across the Atlantic Ocean from Boston to Portugal - is shrinking out of existence as seen in pictures of Neptune taken by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
	Kepler scientists discover almost 100 new exoplanets Based on data from NASA's K2 mission, an international team of scientists has confirmed nearly 100 new exoplanets. This brings the total number of new exoplanets found with the K2 mission up to almost 300.
	Supermassive black holes are outgrowing their galaxies The growth of the biggest black holes in the Universe is outrunning the rate of formation of stars in the galaxies they inhabit, according to two new studies using data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and other telescopes and described in our latest press release.
	Russian cargo ship docks at International Space Station An unmanned Russian cargo ship has docked successfully at the International Space Station, delivering a fresh batch of supplies for the crew.
3-D NASA animation displays a surface pit eroded by stars in the Orion nebula When professor Frank Israel graduated at Leiden Observatory some forty years ago, little did he know that one of his theories would be making headlines in 2018—in the form of a 3-D animation on the Internet, no less.
	Image: Vapour trail of the 2013 Chelyabinsk asteroid Vapour cloud trail left by the Chelyabinsk asteroid as seen by M. Ahmetvaleev on 15 February 2013.

Technology news

	System draws power from daily temperature swings Thermoelectric devices, which can generate power when one side of the device is a different temperature from the other, have been the subject of much research in recent years. Now, a team at MIT has come up with a novel way to convert temperature fluctuations into electrical power. Instead of requiring two different temperature inputs at the same time, the new system takes advantage of the swings in ambient temperature that occur during the day-night cycle.
	Arm's Project Trillium announcement looks at processors for AI Arm on Tuesday announced its new direction in "the industry's most scalable, versatile ML compute platform." They are talking up their new platform called Project Trillium. The project involves a new Machine Learning (ML) processor and an Object Detection (OD) processor.
	The uncertain unicycle that taught itself and how it's helping AI make good decisions Cambridge researchers are pioneering a form of machine learning that starts with only a little prior knowledge and continually learns from the world around it.
	What do you get when you cross an airplane with a submarine? Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed the first unmanned, fixed-wing aircraft that is capable of traveling both through the air and under the water – transitioning repeatedly between sky and sea. The EagleRay XAV, which was developed with funding and assistance from Teledyne Scientific, holds promise for use in applications such as tracking and observing wildlife.
	Deep learning neural network used to detect earthquakes A team of researchers with Harvard University and MIT has used neural network technology to detect earthquakes, and found it to be more accurate than current methods. The group has published a paper describing their work on the open access site Science Advances.
	Pyeongchang Olympics showcases Korean self-driving vehicles There's a competition at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics that has nothing to do with sports, and plenty to do with jousting between automakers and tech companies over autonomously driving vehicles.
	Uber CEO aims to pare losses and get 'the love back' Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is focused on cutting the company's massive losses and "getting the love back" after a year of damaging revelations about the ride-hailing service's sometimes heartless treatment of its employees, drivers, regulators and rivals.
	Qualcomm mulls 'next steps' in Broadcom takeover bid Qualcomm said Wednesday its board would "promptly" consider a hostile $121 billion takeover bid by Singapore-based Broadcom following a meeting of top executives of the two computer chipmaking giants.
	Acoustic blockage-detection system could prevent aircraft accidents Pitots, which provide airspeed data, have played a role in several aircraft accidents, including the fatal Air France Flight 447 in 2009. New research by aerospace engineers at the University of Bristol has found that an acoustic blockage-detection system could prevent future accidents by making pilots aware of a blocked Pitot before a situation becomes critical.
	Scientists develop harvesting robots that could revolutionise farming practices Scientists at the University of Plymouth are developing ground-breaking technology which could assist fruit and vegetable growers with the challenges they face in harvesting crops.
Companion robots could help our rural schools Companion robots could be used in rural schools to help motivate students to study science and technology, and to provide comfort, according to University of Auckland research.
	A magnetic method for polishing metals enables mold templates with microscale features Injection molding enables large-scale production of polymer and plastic materials with micrometer-sized features. Now, A*STAR scientists have developed a method for creating mold templates with high precision and few defects.
	Robots and workers of the world, unite! Robots are already changing the way we work—particularly in factories—but worries that they will steal our jobs are only part of the picture, as new technologies are also opening up workplace opportunities for workers and are likely to create new jobs in the future.
	Integrated design strategy lowers the mass and costs of motors that move objects nanometers at a time Probing intricate cells or high-tech microchip components requires 'nanopositioners' that can scan large areas with extremely small steps. Normally, these positioners have separate fine- and coarse-movement stages, but A*STAR researchers have introduced a parallel-actuated system that integrates the two units for improved energy efficiency.
	Smart and comfortable new textiles for high-tech clothing Uncomfortable, rigid, with low air permeability: textile materials capable of conducting electricity can be awkward for day-to-day use. However, researchers at the University of Bayreuth, Donghua University in Shanghai, and Nanjing Forestry University have now developed new nonwoven materials that are electrically conductive as well as flexible and breathable. This paves the way for comfortable high-tech clothes which, for example, convert sunlight to warmth, supply wearable electronic devices with electricity, or contain sensors for fitness training. The scientists have published their findings in the journal npj Flexible Electronics.
	Semitransparent solar cells—a window to the future? Can you see a window as you are reading this article?
	Facebook, Twitter not fully complying with consumer rules: EU (Update) The European Commission said Thursday that US social media giants have made an effort to comply with EU consumer protection rules, but that Facebook and Twitter have not made all the required changes.
	Suspected Austria bitcoin fraud sparks Europe-wide probe Authorities investigating a suspected bitcoin-related scam centred in Austria have asked Interpol to help determine whether there might be perpetrators - and victims - of the scheme across Europe.
	Top telecom regulator faces internal probe: lawmaker The top US telecom regulator is the object of an internal watchdog probe into the handling of rule changes that benefitted a politically sensitive merger of two major broadcast operators, a lawmaker said Thursday.
	How Google Chrome will limit the ads you view Starting Thursday, users of Google's Chrome Web browser might start seeing fewer advertisements.
	Airbus profits soar despite new charge on A400M military plane Airbus said Thursday that increased deliveries, windfall gains from divestments and favourable exchange rates enabled profits to take off last year, even though it booked a "substantial" new charge on its A400M military transporter plane.
	Japan's crypto exchange Coincheck sued after hack Cryptocurrency traders filed a lawsuit Thursday against Japanese exchange firm Coincheck for freezing withdrawals after hackers stole hundreds of millions of dollars in digital assets.
	UK blames Russian military for 'NotPetya' cyber-attack (Update) Britain on Thursday accused the Russian military of being behind last year's "NotPetya" cyber-attack, which started in Ukraine and Russia before spreading globally, affecting thousands of computers.
	Amazon primed to hire 2,000 new employees in France US online shopping giant Amazon said Thursday it plans to create 2,000 permanent full-time jobs in France this year as consumers are making more and more of their purchases via the internet.
	Budget airline Norwegian says profits grounded by fuel, expansion costs Low-cost airline Norwegian Air Shuttle said on Thursday that rising fuel prices and the cost of replacing aircaft and opening up new routes pushed it into the red last year.
	Merge assistant for trucks takes over from the driver Merging on the motorway or changing lanes: this may quite literally become an automatism for truck drivers in the long term. Jan Loof, mechanical engineer at Eindhoven University of Technology, has developed a system that can take over the steering and enable a vehicle to automatically merge in traffic. However, the driver will always exercise control of the steering wheel. First tests on the road show that it feels very natural and that drivers are at ease with it. Loof will be awarded a Ph.D. on Monday 19 February for his research.
	How the new mozzie emoji can create buzz to battle mosquito-borne disease Mosquitoes are coming. The Unicode Consortium has just announced that alongside your smiling face – or perhaps crying face – emoji you'll soon be able to add a mosquito.
	Boeing CEO says talks with Embraer making progress Partnership talks between Boeing and Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer are making progress but there is "still work to do," Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg said Thursday.
Amazon to pay $1.2 million for illegal pesticide sales The Environmental Protection Agency says it has reached a $1.2 million settlement with Amazon over the sale of illegal pesticides.
	US judge sets long sentences for two Russian hackers A US judge sentenced a pair of Russians who led a massive hacking and data breach scheme to lengthy criminal sentences, the US Department of Justice announced Thursday.
	Nobody seems to like the update to Snapchat Is there a filter to best express users' disdain for the latest update to Snapchat?

Medicine & Health news

	Study suggests possible link between highly processed foods and cancer A study published by The BMJ today reports a possible association between intake of highly processed ("ultra-processed") food in the diet and cancer.
	Study of smoking and genetics illuminates complexities of blood pressure Analyzing the genetics and smoking habits of more than half a million people has shed new light on the complexities of controlling blood pressure, according to a study led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
	Induced pluripotent stem cells could serve as cancer vaccine, researchers say Induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells, are a keystone of regenerative medicine. Outside the body, they can be coaxed to become many different types of cells and tissues that can help repair damage due to trauma or disease. Now, a study in mice from the Stanford University School of Medicine suggests another use for iPS cells: training the immune system to attack or even prevent tumors.
	Stem cell vaccine immunizes lab mice against multiple cancers Stanford University researchers report that injecting mice with inactivated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) launched a strong immune response against breast, lung, and skin cancers. The vaccine also prevented relapses in animals that had tumors removed. The work appears in the journal Cell Stem Cell on Feb. 15.
	Specific set of nerve cells controls seizures' spread through brain, study finds Experimental activation of a small set of nerve cells in the brain prevents convulsive seizures in a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy, the most common form of epilepsy among human adults, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
	Team paves the way to the use of immunotherapy to treat aggressive colon tumors In a short space of time, immunotherapy against cancer cells has become a powerful approach to treat cancers such as melanoma and lung cancer. However, to date, most colon tumours appeared to be unresponsive to this kind of therapy. Given this observation, researchers hypothesized that this kind of tumour was simply invisible to the immune system. In a study published today in the journal Nature, a team headed by ICREA researcher Eduard Batlle, at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), explains that the hormone TGF-beta is responsible for the "blindness" of the immune system to colon cancer cells.
	Ketamine found to reduce bursting in brain area reducing depression quickly A team of researchers at Zhejiang University in China has found that the drug ketamine reduces neuronal bursting in the lateral habenula (LHb) brain region, reducing symptoms of depression in rodent models. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the group describes their study of the impact of the drug on depression and why they believe it may lead to a better understanding of the condition.
	Asthma linked to infertility but not among women taking regular asthma preventers Women with asthma who only use short-acting asthma relievers take longer to become pregnant than other women, according to research published in the European Respiratory Journal.
	Higher cigarette taxes may increase use of chewing tobacco and cigars in adolescents Raising cigarette taxes to combat smoking may increase the use of cigars and smokeless tobacco, such as chewing tobacco, in adolescents according to a study published in the open access journal BMC Public Health, involving 499,381 adolescents.
	Eating yogurt may reduce cardiovascular disease risk A new study in the American Journal of Hypertension, published by Oxford University Press, suggests that higher yogurt intake is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk among hypertensive men and women.
Eye exams linked to kids' reading levels Elementary school children who read below grade level may have challenges with their eyesight even if standard tests show they see 20/20, according to a new study from the University of Waterloo.
New drug improves motor function of children with genetic disorder Children with later-onset spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) were more likely to show gains in motor function when treated with a new medication compared to children receiving a sham procedure, according to a study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study demonstrates the impact the drug, nusinersen, can have on older patients with this progressive neuromuscular disorder.
	New research on the brain's backup motor systems could open door to novel stroke therapies New research published in The Journal of Physiology could open the door to new therapies to improve the movement of arms and hands of stroke survivors.
	Being a single dad can shorten your life: study The risk of dying prematurely more than doubles for single fathers compared to single mothers or paired-up dads, according to a study of Canadian families published Thursday.
	Short kids may have higher future stroke risk Being a short kid is associated with increased risk of having a stroke in adulthood, according to Danish research published in Stroke, an American Heart Association journal.
	High percentage of patients with Chagas disease are also infected with the intestinal parasite S. stercoralis In patients with Chagas disease, the odds of being infected by the intestinal worm Strongyloides stercoralis increases two-fold, according to a study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal). The study, published in Plos Neglected Tropical diseases, underlines the potential benefits of performing a combined screening for both infections among Latin American adults living in Europe.
Amyloid protein transmission through neurosurgery Amyloid beta pathology - protein deposits in the brain - might have been transmitted by contaminated neurosurgical instruments, suggests a new UCL-led study.
	First comparison of common breast cancer tests finds varied accuracy of predictions Commercially-available prognostic breast cancer tests show significant variation in their abilities to predict disease recurrence, according to a study led by Queen Mary University of London of nearly 800 postmenopausal women.
	Study finds opportunity to increase opioid dependence treatment in Ontario jails A study from McMaster University suggests more can be done to improve access to and delivery of opioid dependence treatment in adult correctional facilities in Ontario.
	New mutation linked to ovarian cancer can be passed down through dad A newly identified mutation, passed down through the X-chromosome, is linked to earlier onset of ovarian cancer in women and prostate cancer in father and sons. Kunle Odunsi, Kevin H. Eng and colleagues at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York, report these findings February 15th, 2018, in PLOS Genetics.
Immune system simulation shows need for multi-target treatments for sepsis Using a computational model of the human immune system, scientists have shown that efforts to combat sepsis might be more effective if they targeted multiple steps in the molecular processes that drive the illness. This finding is presented in PLOS Computational Biology.
	Antioxidant treatment prevents sexual transmission of Zika in mice The antioxidant drug ebselen can prevent sexual transmission of Zika virus from male to female mice, according to new research published in PLOS Pathogens by Yogy Simanjuntak and colleagues at Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. The results hint at a potential role for ebselen in preventing Zika spread among humans.
	Genetics makes Asians, Europeans susceptible to dengue shock syndrome As globalization and climate change spread tropical diseases around the globe, not all populations are equally susceptible to infection. Gene variants common in people of Asian and European ancestry, for instance, make them more prone than those of African origin to developing severe dengue shock syndrome, according to a new study in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.
	New guideline warns pain benefits of medical cannabis overstated A new medical guideline published today suggests Canada's family physicians should take a sober second thought before prescribing medical cannabis to most patients.
Scientists discover new link between bone cells and blood sugar level Bone cells do not just form new bone, they also influence blood sugar levels. Leuven scientists have now discovered a new mechanism that controls this link. The metabolism of bone cells determines how much sugar they use; if the bone cells consume more sugar than normal, it can lower the glucose level in the blood. This research may contribute to future therapies for conditions such as osteoporosis and diabetes.
	Evidence for myelin sheath remodeling revealed by in vivo imaging Nerve fibers are surrounded by a myelin sheath. Scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now made the first-ever "live" observations of how this protective layer is formed. The team discovered that the characteristic patterns of the myelin layer are determined at an early stage. However, these patterns can be adjusted as needed in a process apparently controlled by the nerve cells themselves.
	Caffeine as a biomarker for Parkinson's disease Researchers at Juntendo University report in Neurology the potential use of blood levels of caffeine and its byproducts as biomarkers for Parkinson's disease. The finding is promising for the development of a method enabling early identification of the disease.
	Access to rare pigs could provide researchers a more effective way to develop treatments for diabetes A unique breed of pig equipped with a heart that mimics a human's heart and has a special genetic mutation could provide researchers and scientists the key to a cure for diabetes and related complications.
MicroRNA could help treat cancer and asthma A microRNA that regulates inflammation shows promise as a treatment for inflammatory diseases such as asthma and cancer, according to research published in Cell Reports.
	GP funding has unfair London bias, finds study New research led by University of Manchester data scientists reveals that primary care funding in England is not distributed according to local health needs.
	Infection outbreaks at hospitals could be reduced by copper-coated uniforms Doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals could soon be wearing uniforms brushed with tiny copper nanoparticles to reduce the spread of bacterial infections and viruses, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), at hospitals.
	New targets revealed for the treatment of inflammatory conditions Research by the University of Bristol has shed light on the way our clotting cells and immune cells control their interactions with each other.
	Evidence shows pets can help people with mental health problems The study of 17 research papers by academics at the Universities of Manchester, Southampton and Liverpool, concludes that pets can help people manage their long-term mental health conditions.
	HIV exports viral protein in cellular packages HIV may be able to affect cells it can't directly infect by packaging a key protein within the host's cellular mail and sending it out into the body, according to a new study out of a University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center laboratory.
	Stem-cell based stroke treatment repairs brain tissue A team of researchers at the University of Georgia's Regenerative Bioscience Center and ArunA Biomedical, a UGA startup company, have developed a new treatment for stroke that reduces brain damage and accelerates the brain's natural healing tendencies in animal models. They published their findings in the journal Translational Stroke Research.
	Making sexual consent matter—one-off courses are unlikely to help In the wake of the findings of the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) 2017 national report on sexual assault and sexual harassment at Australian universities, a number of universities have introduced mandatory courses on sexual consent for new students.
	Traffic deaths considerable compared with leading causes of death When it comes to road crash fatalities, the Northeast may be the safest place in the United States, say University of Michigan researchers.
	Commonly prescribed medication linked to stroke Medication routinely prescribed for common complaints including allergies, heart disease and Parkinson's has been linked to an increased risk of stroke according to new research from the University of Aberdeen.
	Race, insurance status linked to job loss after breast cancer Job loss following early-stage breast cancer diagnosis is associated with race and insurance status, but not with any clinical or treatment-related factors, finds a new study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.
	Keeping an eye on the entire ageing process Medical researchers often only focus on a single disease. As older people often suffer from multiple diseases at the same time, however, we need to rethink this approach, writes Ralph Müller.
	Appetite-controlling molecule could prevent 'rebound' weight gain after dieting Scientists have revealed how mice control their appetite when under stress such as cold temperatures and starvation, according to a new study by Monash University and St Vincent's Institute in Melbourne. The results shed light on the metabolic processes behind why people tend to regain much of their weight after dieting and could lead to treatments to help them keep the weight off for good.
	When should you worry about your child's attachment to comfort items? ,Many parents will feel a twinge of concern if their five-year-old can't sleep without his dummy or their teenager refuses to throw out the tattered blanket she's had since she was a baby. The topic of comfort objects is hotly debated, with some arguing that the attachment to objects from babyhood is childish, unnecessary or even harmful.
	The tip of the CRISPR iceberg If you've ever heard of CRISPR, it has most likely been in the context of human gene editing.
	Researchers find adult endothelial stem cells that can make fully functional blood vessels The proper function of blood vessels is essential to life: blood vessels are responsible for transporting oxygen-rich red blood cells, nutrients, and immune cells throughout the body, to name just a few functions. Defects in blood vessels can correspondingly lead to a variety of life-threatening diseases. Stem cells, which are undifferentiated cells that can generate new tissues, have significant potential in regenerative medicine and treating various disorders. In blood vessels, the existence of tissue-resident stem cells has been intensely debated. A research team centered at Osaka University may now have discovered the elusive stem cell, providing evidence for adult vascular endothelial stem cells (VESCs) capable of generating fully functional blood vessels.
Plant-based foods could save a country billions of euro says new study Billions of euro could be saved from a country's annual health bill if more people can be persuaded to follow a plant-based diet, according to new research published in the Journal of Nutrition. Also society overall will benefit due to less absenteeism from work.
	IFN-mediated immunity to influenza A virus infection influenced by RIPK3 protein Each year, influenza kills half a million people globally with the elderly and very young most often the victims. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 37 children have died in the United States during the current flu season. Aside from getting the flu shot and employing smart hand hygiene, there are no other methods of prevention. However, a team of scientists from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and McGill University, led by Immunologist Dr. Maziar Divangahi, have discovered a protein that could soon help minimize the impact of the influenza season and become a critical player in the fight against lung infections.
	Do probiotics work? Answers to this and other gut-wrenching questions Nowadays, going with your gut has a whole new meaning.
	WHO revises childbirth guidelines to curb caesarean delivery surge The UN health agency said Thursday it has revised a benchmark used by health professionals worldwide in caring for women during childbirth because it has caused a surge in interventions like caesarean sections that could be unnecessary.
	Proper training could prevent common winter sports injuries Watching Olympic athletes zoom down the slopes or tear up the rink can inspire you to get involved in winter sports.
Genetic technique reverses Alzheimer's processes in mice Researchers in the US have used genetic techniques to slow the progression of Alzheimer's in mice that show features of the disease. The study, which centered around a protein called BACE1, was reported today in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.
	How to 'bridge minds' with a child to stimulate brain development A three-year-old boy struggles to thread beads on a string while his older sister watches. She could ignore him or take over the task to get it done quickly. But if she observes him closely, and realizes that he is struggling to hold the string steady, she could offer to hold it for him and praise him for any beads he threads.
	Female hormones may be linked to asthma, study suggests Fluctuations in female sex hormones could play a role in the development of allergies and asthma, a major review of evidence suggests.
	Can our genes help predict how women respond to ovarian cancer treatment? Research has identified gene variants that play a significant role in how women with ovarian cancer process chemotherapy.
	Studies show tool can identify individual needs, supports to help youths with autism, intellectual disabilities To better serve families, University of Kansas researchers are examining the use of standardized assessments of support needs for children with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities. Two recently published studies demonstrated that the Supports Intensity Scale-Children's version— a standardized, norm-referenced measure of support needs originally developed for children with intellectual disabilities—is a valid and reliable tool for children who also have autism spectrum disorders.
	Catching up to brain cancer: Researchers develop accurate model of how aggressive cancer cells move and spread A brief chat at a Faculty Senate meeting put two University of Delaware researchers onto an idea that could be of great value to cancer researchers.
	Fast-acting, readily available gas may mitigate blast-induced brain injury The inert gas has been used for the first time to try and reduce the impact of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) caused by blasts such as those in conflict zones and terror attacks.
Self-sampling identifies twice as many women at risk of cervical cancer Using self-sampling followed by HPV testing, more than twice as many women at risk of developing cervical cancer could be identified and offered preventive treatment. This is shown by researchers at Uppsala University in the first randomised study in the world comparing two ways of identifying cervical cancer, published today in the British Journal of Cancer.
How does it compare? Hospice care at home, at assisted living facility, at nursing home Use of hospice has exploded over the past decades with approximately half of those who die while enrolled in Medicare receiving hospice care. A new study from the Indiana University Center for Aging Research and the Regenstrief Institute compares the quality of hospice services provided for patients living at home, in assisted living facility and in nursing homes as perceived by their family members.
	Not being aware of memory problems predicts onset of Alzheimer's disease Doctors who work with individuals at risk of developing dementia have long suspected that patients who do not realize they experience memory problems are at greater risk of seeing their condition worsen in a short time frame, a suspicion that now has been confirmed by a team of McGill University clinician scientists.
	Alzheimer's drug repairs brain damage after alcohol binges in rodents A drug used to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease could offer clues on how drugs might one day be able to reverse brain changes that affect learning and memory in teens and young adults who binge drink.
	New research highlights how cancer cells repair themselves following proton beam therapy Collaborative research conducted in Liverpool and Oxford, published in The Red Journal, identifies the specific cellular process that helps cancer cells damaged as a result of proton beam therapy, repair themselves.
	Researchers find existing drug effective at preventing onset of type 1 diabetes A drug commonly used to control high blood pressure may also help prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes in up to 60 percent of those at risk for the disease, according to researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the University of Florida in Gainesville.
	What predicts the quality of children's friendships? Study shows cognition, emotion together play Whether children think their peers' intentions are benign or hostile, and how those children experience and express their own emotions, may influence the quality of their friendships, according to a new study from the University of Illinois.
Probe speeds detection of deep lung infections in patients A medical imaging technology under development has enabled doctors to see bacteria deep inside patients' lungs for the first time.
Romantic relationships buffer gay and lesbian youth from emotional distress Lesbian and gay youth showed significantly less psychological distress and were buffered against the negative effects of bullying and victimization when they were in a relationship than when they were not, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study conducted in collaboration with the University of Cincinnati.
	Flu shot only 36 percent effective, making bad year worse (Update) The flu vaccine is doing a poor job protecting older Americans and others against the bug that's causing most illnesses.
	Here's to a healthy pregnancy (HealthDay)—Take good prenatal care of yourself and not only will you have a healthier baby, you'll also lower his or her risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease later in life.
	Laryngovideostroboscopy useful for vocal fold lesion screening (HealthDay)—Laryngovideostroboscopy (LVS) is effective for screening each patient with persistent dysphonia for vocal fold lesions, according to a study published online Jan. 10 in Head & Neck.
	Opioids plus acetaminophen, ketorolac cost-effective post-Sx (HealthDay)—Intravenous acetaminophen with or without ketorolac is associated with reduced opioid consumption and cost of care after scoliosis surgery in adolescents, compared with opioids alone, according to a study published online Jan. 29 in Pediatric Anesthesia.
	Metformin after induction Tx may preserve beta-cell function (HealthDay)—After induction short-term intensive insulin therapy (IIT), metformin is superior to intermittent IIT for maintaining beta-cell function and glycemic control over two years, according to a study published online Jan. 27 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
	Rise in use of antihypertensives in delivery with preeclampsia (HealthDay)—Use of antihypertensive treatments during delivery hospitalizations in women with preeclampsia has increased since 2006, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	AAP, POSNA release 5 pediatric orthopedic recommendations (HealthDay)—As part of the Choosing Wisely campaign, the American Academy of Pediatrics and Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America have released a list of five orthopedic tests and procedures that are commonly ordered but are not always necessary for treatment of children with certain musculoskeletal conditions.
Children's Colorado experts study loss of control eating and bariatric surgery success Recent research led by Thomas H. Inge, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Bariatric Surgery Center at Children's Hospital Colorado (Children's Colorado), examined the impact of eating behaviors on success rates related to bariatric surgery in adolescents. The five-year study involved 242 adolescents, ages 13-19 years, who underwent bariatric surgery at five different centers across the United States from 2007 to 2012.
Rapid pollution increases may be as harmful to the heart as absolute levels Rapid increases in pollution may be as harmful to the heart as sustained high levels, according to research published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, a European Society of Cardiology journal. The authors urgently call for confirmatory studies as even residents of clean air cities could be at risk.
Research compares mouse and human kidney development Three new research articles compare human kidney development with a well-studied mouse model of kidney development to identify shared and novel features. The results, which appear in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), point to new avenues for research into the processes that direct cells to form functional kidney structures. In addition, the findings may help guide emerging stem cell-directed technologies to generate normal kidney structures for studying and treating human kidney disease.
	Hearing loss is common after infant heart surgery Children who have heart surgery as infants are at risk for hearing loss, coupled with associated risks for language, attention and cognitive problems, by age four. In a single-center group of 348 preschoolers who survived cardiac surgery, researchers found hearing loss in about 21 percent, a rate 20 times higher than is found in the general population.
	Flu shot won't make you spread more influenza Getting the flu shot won't make you spread the disease more, doesn't weaken your immune system but it does offer some protection from getting infected, despite misleading claims on social media.
	McDonald's moves cheeseburgers off Happy Meal menu McDonald's is taking cheeseburgers and chocolate milk off its Happy Meal menu in an effort to cut down on the calories, sodium, saturated fat and sugar that kids consume at its restaurants.
	The reasons that university students do sport The University of Seville researcher Carolina Castañeda has carried out a study in which she analyses the relationship between university students and sport and physical activity. It reports the main reasons that students participate in sports, stop participating, or never participate, thus revealing possible differences between these reasons according to gender.
A new target for neuroblastoma Neuroblastoma, a cancer that starts in nerve tissue outside of the brain, is the third most common cancer in children and accounts for about 15 percent of pediatric cancer-related deaths.
	Is wedded bliss the secret to good health? For years, it's seemed like the jury was officially out on marriage being good for your health. But could the changing social landscape mean that's no longer the case?
	Sleep deprivation leads to lazy brains Poor sleep can slow down parts of your brain and make you a bit sluggish, a new study shows.
	Almonds and dark chocolate lower bad cholesterol Almonds and dark chocolate can possibly reduce a risk factor of coronary heart disease, according to a recent study funded by the Hershey Company and the Almond Board of California.
Innovative jobs can help overcome disability and poverty link Adults with intellectual disabilities and high support needs are commonly denied access to employment but their loved ones are playing a key role in finding and keeping them in jobs, a new Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre report says.
New ESC guidelines on syncope and latest science to be released at EHRA 2018 congress New European Society of Cardiology Clinical Practice Guidelines on syncope will be presented and published online for the first time during EHRA 2018, which will be held 18 to 20 March in Barcelona, Spain.
Comprehensive evaluation of patients with concussion-like symptoms following reports of audible phenomena in Cuba A comprehensive evaluation by clinical researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania identified a neurological syndrome that left U.S. government personnel serving in Havana, Cuba with persistent memory and thinking dysfunction, as well as vision and balance problems after hearing unusual noises in their homes or hotel rooms. The team published their findings in JAMA.
	Efforts are needed to help pregnant women with diabetes Researchers who analyzed data from the UK's National Pregnancy in Diabetes Audit found concerning shortcomings in pregnancy preparation and prenatal care for women with diabetes. In addition, significant clinic-to-clinic variation across the England and Wales suggests opportunities for improvement.
	Reducing peanut allergy risks in children—The Nurse Practitioner presents update New prevention and treatment approaches can reduce serious health risks due to peanut allergy in children, according to an article in the March issue of The Nurse Practitioner.
Affordable Care Act lowered uninsured rate for cancer survivors The percentage of cancer survivors without health insurance decreased substantially after implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), reports a study in the March issue of Medical Care.
New report: Labs differ widely in BRCA testing protocols An international survey of genetic testing labs shows that - despite the availability of BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing for more than two decades - global protocols and standards are surprisingly inconsistent when it comes to analyzing cancer susceptibility genes and their many variations.
	From comfort to high-tech: Food a serious quest at Olympics First, U.S. snowboarding star Chloe Kim tweeted about being "down for some ice cream" while competing in Pyeongchang, then about being "hangry" because she hadn't finished her breakfast sandwich.

Biology news

	New CRISPR-Cas9 tool edits both RNA and DNA precisely A tool that has already revolutionized disease research may soon get even better, thanks to an accidental discovery in the bacteria that cause many of the worst cases of meningitis.
	Scientists discover the secrets behind the cuttlefish's 3-D 'invisibility cloak' An international team of scientists has identified the neural circuits that enable cuttlefish to change their appearance in just the blink to eye - and discovered that this is similar to the neural circuit that controls iridescence in squids.
	CRISPR-based technology can detect viral DNA A powerful genome editing tool can be deployed as an ace DNA detective, able to sniff out DNA snippets that signal viral infections, cancer, or even defective genes.
	Birds and primates share brain cell types linked to intelligence Neuronal cell types in the brains of birds linked to goal-directed behaviors and cognition are similar to cells in the mammalian neocortex, the large, layered structure on the outer surface of the brain where most higher-order processing takes place.
	New research identifies plant cell wall sensing mechanism An international collaboration of plant researchers this week reports yet another newly discovered role for the versatile receptor kinase, FERONIA, in the model plant Arabidopsis. The researchers say it acts as a sensor in the plant cell wall to help maintain its integrity and protect the plant from environmental assaults.
	In 16 years, Borneo lost more than 100,000 orangutans Over a 16-year period, about half of the orangutans living on the island of Borneo were lost as a result of changes in land cover. That's according to estimates reported in Current Biology on February 15 showing that more than 100,000 of the island's orangutans disappeared between 1999 and 2015.
	The more kinds of bees, the better for humans, study finds The larger an area, the more species of wild bees are needed to pollinate crops, a Rutgers University study shows.
	Researchers advance CRISPR-based diagnostic tool, develop miniature paper test The team that first unveiled the rapid, inexpensive, highly sensitive CRISPR-based diagnostic tool called SHERLOCK has greatly enhanced the tool's power, and has developed a miniature paper test that allows results to be seen with the naked eye—without the need for expensive equipment.
	Research identifies 'evolutionary rescue' areas for animals threatened by climate change As winters arrive later and snow melts earlier, the worldwide decrease in snow cover already may have dramatic impacts on animals that change coat colors with the seasons. An international scientific team led by University of Montana Professor L. Scott Mills has set out to discover whether adaptive evolution can rescue these animals in the face of rapidly changing climate.
	Rapid evolution of a calcareous microalgae When simulating future environmental conditions, researchers confront a problem: Laboratory experiments are easy to control and to reproduce, but are insufficient to mimic the complexity of natural ecosystems. In contrast, experiments under real conditions in nature are much more complicated and difficult to control. Scientist of the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel have combined both approaches to investigate the response of a major plankton species to increasing ocean acidification. The results have now been published in the international journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.
	Study reveals changes in seabirds' diets dating back 130 years Today, the Monterey Bay Aquarium introduces another "first" – a new Ocean Memory Lab – as part of its scientific research program to protect the global ocean, its ecosystems and wildlife.
	Tissue mechanics essential for cell movement Cells that form facial features need surrounding embryonic tissues to stiffen so they can move and develop, according to new UCL-led research.
	World's most venomous spiders are actually cousins Two groups of highly venomous spiders might be seeing more of each other at family reunions. A new study led by San Diego State University biologist Marshal Hedin has found that two lineages of dangerous arachnids found in Australia—long classified as distantly related in the official taxonomy—are, in fact, relatively close cousins. The findings could help in the development of novel antivenoms, as well as point to new forms of insecticides.
	CRISPR-Cas9 may be a double-edged sword for bacteria A team of researchers with the Catholic University of America has found evidence that suggests a defense mechanism used by bacteria to ward off phage attacks might also be benefiting the phages. In their paper published on the open access site Science Advances, the group describes testing the impact of CRISPR-Cas9 on phages that infect Escherichia coli and what they found.
	Scientists unearth secrets of Sir Alexander Fleming's medical breakthroughs A century after Sir Alexander Fleming made two of the most important medical breakthroughs, scientists have unlocked the secret of how his discoveries may contribute to recurrent patient infections.
	Comes naturally? Using stick insects to study natural selection, predictability of evolution Is evolution predictable? Are changes in a species random or do they happen because of natural selection?
Scientists study effects of wildfire management on bird populations On the tail of California's most destructive and expensive year of firefighting ever, it might seem obvious that vegetation removal would reduce the risk of such a year happening again. But scientists from the University of Arizona and the University of California, Berkeley, are showing that in chaparral, California's iconic shrubland ecosystem, management can devastate wild bird populations and that fire-risk reduction is only temporary.
	China confirms first human case of H7N4 bird flu China has confirmed the first human case of H7N4 bird flu, prompting Hong Kong to issue a health warning for those travelling to the mainland during the busy Lunar New Year holiday.
One big problem with recycling and biofuel Researchers from Karolinska Institutet have developed a quick and non-destructive method to map the carbohydrates of plant matter. By making composition analysis more easy and accessible, this method will help to understand where inefficiencies lie in many processes from paper recycling to the production of biofuel and will eventually lead to less waste and higher quality output.
	Butterfly gardens offer some hope for pollinators Butterflies will use gardens planted to attract them, according to a new study from the University of Georgia. But the researchers cautioned that butterfly gardens can sometimes have a downside by exposing caterpillars to increased threats from predators or disease.
	Kamikaze sperm and four-headed penises – the hidden ways animals win the mating game We all know that individuals fight over potential love interests. Just think of Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) and Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) scuffling – rather impotently – over Bridget Jones in a fountain. But you might be surprised to hear that the fierce rivalry continues behind the scenes – in the form of sperm competition. This is when the sperm of two or more males compete inside the reproductive tract of a female, to fertilise the eggs, something that is widespread in the animal kingdom.
	White nose syndrome is killing millions of bats via a contagious fungus – here's how to stop it A dangerous fungus has been sweeping across North America with devastating consequences. In the past decade, between 5m and 7m bats in the US and Canada have been wiped out as a result of the fungal disease known as white nose syndrome, which alters their behaviour in potentially deadly ways. But the latest research shows there might be hope for researchers trying to battle the disease, following the discovery that UV light appears to destroy the fungus's DNA.
	Ravaged by a poorly studied disease, cacao trees are dying Picture this: It's Valentine's Day, and you head out to buy some pralines. Except you can't find any. No matter which store you visit, gummy bears and hard candy have taken the place on the shelves where the chocolate hearts used to be.
	Working in harmony: New insights into how packages of DNA orchestrate development New research from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) illuminates aspects of how an early embryo, the product of fertilization of a female egg cell by a male sperm cell, can give rise to all the many cell types of the adult animal. Researchers demonstrated that the hundreds of genes important for controlling embryonic development are all packaged in a unique manner in the early embryo - and even as far back as the paternal sperm - and that this packaging helps control how, when, and where different genes are expressed in the embryo. The findings, published today in the journal Cell, have significant implications for understanding how early development is orchestrated, and provides a mechanism for how parental environment might impact the expression of these genes in the offspring.
	Hunting is changing forests, but not as expected When it comes to spreading their seeds, many trees in the rainforest rely on animals, clinging to their fur or hitching a ride within their digestive tract. As the seeds are spread around, the plants' prospects for survival and germination are increased.
	For tropical forest birds, old neighborhoods matter Old, complex tropical forests support a wider diversity of birds than second-growth forests and have irreplaceable value for conservation, according to an Oregon State University-led exhaustive analysis of bird diversity in the mountains of southern Costa Rica.
	At last, butterflies get a bigger, better evolutionary tree For hundreds of years, butterfly collecting has often inspired a special kind of fanaticism, spurring lengthy expeditions, sparking rivalries and prompting some collectors to risk their fortunes and skins in their quest for the next elusive specimen.
	21 dolphins die after washing up on Mexico beach Twenty-one dolphins that were apparently attacked by another species of dolphin have died after washing up on a beach in northern Mexico, authorities said.
	Action plan released to conserve one of Africa's richest sites for biodiversity A team of scientists led by WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) has developed a conservation blueprint to protect one of the most biodiverse regions in Africa: the Albertine Rift, home to mountain and Grauer's gorillas, golden monkeys, chimpanzees, elephants, and 162 vertebrate, and 350 plant species unique to this region.
Underwater video shows marine life growing at wind farm Offshore wind proponents are touting new undersea footage that suggests a vibrant marine habitat is growing around the nation's first offshore wind farm—a five-turbine operation off Rhode Island's waters.

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