Thursday, February 8, 2018

Science X Newsletter Thursday, Feb 8

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for February 8, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Organic vortex lasers could be used in future 3-D displays

Study identifies neurons that fire at the beginning and end of a behavior as it becomes a habit

Researchers help robots think and plan in the abstract

Are you rocky or are you gassy? Astronomers unlock the mysteries of super-Earths

Axing fossil fuel subsidies scant help on climate: study

Mozilla's Things Gateway to help bridge communication gap between home devices

First report in decades of a forgotten crop pathogen calls for critical close monitoring

Researchers uncover how cancer stem cells drive triple-negative breast cancer

Removing fossil fuel subsidies will not reduce CO2 emissions as much as hoped

Toward a better prediction of solar eruptions

Mars on Earth: Simulation tests in remote desert of Oman

Researchers develop the first model to capture crosstalk in social dilemmas

First 3-D imaging of excited quantum dots

Breakthrough in controlling light transmission

Neuroscientists discover a cellular pathway that encodes memories by strengthening specific synapses

Astronomy & Space news

Are you rocky or are you gassy? Astronomers unlock the mysteries of super-Earths

A star about 100 light years away in the Pisces constellation, GJ 9827, hosts what may be one of the most massive and dense super-Earth planets detected to date according to new research led by Carnegie's Johanna Teske. This new information provides evidence to help astronomers better understand the process by which such planets form.

Toward a better prediction of solar eruptions

A single phenomenon may underlie all solar eruptions, according to researchers from the CNRS, École Polytechnique, CEA and INRIA in an article featured on the cover of the February 8 issue of Nature. They have identified the presence of a confining 'cage' in which an entangled magnetic 'rope' forms, causing solar eruptions. It is the resistance of this cage to the attack of the rope that determines the power and type of the upcoming flare. This work has enabled the scientists to develop a model capable of predicting the maximum energy that can be released during a solar flare, which could have potentially devastating consequences for the Earth.

Mars on Earth: Simulation tests in remote desert of Oman

Two scientists in spacesuits, stark white against the auburn terrain of desolate plains and dunes, test a geo-radar built to map Mars by dragging the flat box across the rocky sand.

Tiny crystal shapes get close look from Mars rover

Star-shaped and swallowtail-shaped tiny, dark bumps in fine-layered bright bedrock of a Martian ridge are drawing close inspection by NASA's Curiosity Mars rover.

Creating a hotspot for understanding Venus

A new simulation facility at the Planetary Spectroscopy Laboratory of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) could help revolutionise our understanding of the hot, hidden surface of Venus. The Planetary Spectroscopy Laboratory (PSL) can analyse rock samples similar to those found on the surface of Venus at temperatures up to 1000 degrees Celsius, enabling researchers to interpret accurately data acquired by space missions and ground-based observations.

SpaceX stages an amazing launch – but what about the environmental impact?

SpaceX has now launched the most powerful spacecraft since the Apollo era – the Falcon Heavy rocket – setting the bar for future space launches. The most important thing about this reusable spacecraft is that it can carry a payload equivalent to sending five double-decker London buses into space – which will be invaluable for future manned space exploration or in sending bigger satellites into orbit.

NASA leverages proven technologies to build agency's first planetary wind lidar

NASA scientists have found a way to adapt a handful of recently developed technologies to build a new instrument that could give them what they have yet to obtain: never-before-revealed details about the winds on Mars and ultimately Titan, Saturn's largest moon.

'Pillownauts' help future manned missions to Mars

The 3-day bed rest study is being carried out in Nottingham in parallel to a 60-day bed rest study by the European Space Agency at the MEDES facility in Toulouse, France. Bed rest is a tried and tested way to measure the effects of weightlessness on the human body which include bone and muscle mass loss, cardiovascular decline and impaired carbohydrate metabolism which could be a risk for type 2 diabetes.

Asteroid coming close Friday: Don't worry, we're safe

Another asteroid is headed our way—the second this week—but there's no need to worry.

The principle that governs everything from rocket landings to interest rates

The successful first test flight of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch vehicle Wednesday morning was an amazing technological feat – and fantastic theatre.

Technology news

Researchers help robots think and plan in the abstract

Researchers from Brown University and MIT have developed a method for helping robots plan for multi-step tasks by constructing abstract representations of the world around them. Their study, published in the Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research, is a step toward building robots that can think and act more like people.

Mozilla's Things Gateway to help bridge communication gap between home devices

Want to build your own smart home hub where gadgets actually talk to each other? Mozilla's Project Thing has a devoted group of people who want to help you do that.

Researchers develop the first model to capture crosstalk in social dilemmas

Previous interactions can affect unrelated future decisions: In a line at a coffee shop, a stranger pays for the coffee of the man behind her, who then pays for the next stranger's coffee. He's had no interaction with other customers, and no reason to do them a favor, but he does it anyway. This is an example of crosstalk, in which previous interactions affect unrelated future decisions. And though this notion might seem natural, it had never before been incorporated into simulations of groups engaging in repeated social dilemmas. A new framework developed by computer scientists at IST Austria and their collaborators at Harvard, Yale and Stanford has changed that, and enables the analysis of the effects of crosstalk between games.

Twitter turns first profit ever, but problems remain

Twitter beat Wall Street's cautious expectations with its first quarterly profit in history, but that isn't going to solve the company's broader problems any time soon.

Engineers develop a new method of keeping the lights on if the world turns to 100% clean, renewable energy

Renewable energy solutions are often hindered by the inconsistencies of power produced by wind, water and sunlight and the continuously fluctuating demand for energy. New research by Mark Z. Jacobson, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University, and colleagues at the University of California, Berkeley, and Aalborg University in Denmark finds several solutions to making clean, renewable energy reliable enough to power at least 139 countries.

New '4-D goggles' allow wearers to be 'touched' by approaching objects

A team of researchers at UC San Diego and San Diego State University has developed a pair of "4-D goggles" that allows wearers to be physically "touched" by a movie when they see a looming object on the screen, such as an approaching spacecraft.

Kalanick denies plot to steal secrets in tense courtroom exchange

Former Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick on Wednesday denied conspiring to steal autonomous driving technology in a tense courtroom appearance that could be key to a blockbuster trial over allegedly ill-gotten trade secrets.

Tesla aims to calm fears over Model 3 production

A day after launching one of its cars into space, Tesla moved Wednesday to ease concerns on earth over production delays for its Model 3, the key to future growth for the star electric carmaker.

Nissan slashes profit forecasts after inspection scandal

Japanese car giant Nissan on Thursday slashed its forecast for full-year operating profit after admitting that a damaging inspection scandal last year had "adversely impacted" the firm's performance.

Social robot set to revolutionise workplace experience

Workers at the Fuji Xerox R&D Square in Japan are about to welcome a new workmate who will take on many of their mundane tasks and promote collaboration.

Police mugshots: millions of citizens' faces are now digitised and searchable – but the tech is poor

The steady march of technological progress has finally shone its light into the dingy world of the mugshot – the commonplace name given to the photograph of a police suspect.

How to make healthy buildings in an era of mass migration

Worldwide population growth and mass migrations are putting the infrastructure of many cities under strain. With city governments under pressure to provide more housing and work spaces, people can end up living and working in poorly designed or low quality buildings.

Kale to go: Amazon to roll out delivery at Whole Foods

Amazon is bringing its speedy delivery to Whole Foods.

Google fined in India for abusing dominant position

Google has been fined more than $21 million in India for "search bias" and abuse of its dominant position, competition regulators said Thursday.

Gesture recognition device to fast-track with company's invite to Techstars accelerator

A company founded by a pair of Simon Fraser University alumni has been chosen to fast-track the deployment of its product—a gesture recognition wristband, the next frontier in human-machine interactions—under the mentorship of Techstars, one of North America's biggest startup accelerators.

The doctor's in, but jury is out on new LA Times owner

The struggling Los Angeles Times found a local savior in a biotech billionaire willing to buy the storied newspaper from a corporation half a continent away, but the change of ownership brings its own set of questions and uncertainty.

Mathematics pushes innovation in 4-D printing

Recent advances in digital factory science make it possible to print more compliant objects across a wider range of length-scales than conventional engineering processes. A bottleneck for enabling the next technological progress resides in filling the gap in the comprehension of the unprecedented degree of complexity dominating this novel technology.

Uber drivers aren't employees, French court rules (Update)

Ride-hailing giant Uber has won a case filed by a French driver claiming he should be considered an employee, a ruling that added to legal uncertainty in Europe about how to regulate the company.

NY Times reports more subscribers, posts Q4 loss

The New York Times said Thursday it saw accelerating growth in digital subscribers in the fourth quarter, delivering a lift to share prices for the prestigious newspaper group.

Researchers run first tests of unique system for welding highly irradiated metal alloys

Scientists of the Department of Energy's Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program (LWRS) and partners from the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) have conducted the first weld tests to repair highly irradiated materials at DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Inventors have their own Oscars: The Sci-Tech Awards

Engineers and inventors who create innovations for the movie business have their own Academy Awards.

Twitter shares surge after reporting first profitable quarter

Twitter on Thursday reported its first profitable quarter and a growth in ad sales, but the tech firm is still struggling to attract new users.

Medicine & Health news

Study identifies neurons that fire at the beginning and end of a behavior as it becomes a habit

Our daily lives include hundreds of routine habits. Brushing our teeth, driving to work, or putting away the dishes are just a few of the tasks that our brains have automated to the point that we hardly need to think about them.

Researchers uncover how cancer stem cells drive triple-negative breast cancer

Cleveland Clinic researchers have published findings in Nature Communications on a new stem cell pathway that allows a highly aggressive form of breast cancer - triple-negative breast cancer - to thrive.

Neuroscientists discover a cellular pathway that encodes memories by strengthening specific synapses

MIT neuroscientists have uncovered a cellular pathway that allows specific synapses to become stronger during memory formation. The findings provide the first glimpse of the molecular mechanism by which long-term memories are encoded in a region of the hippocampus called CA3.

Enzyme plays a key role in calories burned both during obesity and dieting

Ever wonder why obese bodies burn less calories or why dieting often leads to a plateau in weight loss? In both cases the body is trying to defend its weight by regulating energy expenditure. Until now, how this happens has been a mystery.

Search for genetically stable bioengineered gut and liver tissue takes step forward

Before medical science can bioengineer human organs in a lab for therapeutic use, two remaining hurdles are ensuring genetic stability—so the organs are free from the risk of tumor growth—and producing organ tissues of sufficient volume and size for viable transplant into people.

Study sheds light on genetic overlap between major psychiatric disorders

Most medical disorders have well-defined physical characteristics seen in tissues, organs and bodily fluids. Psychiatric disorders, in contrast, are not defined by such pathology, but rather by behavior.

Stem cell divisions in the adult brain seen for the first time

Scientists from the University of Zurich have succeeded for the first time in tracking individual stem cells and their neuronal progeny over months within the intact adult brain. This study sheds light on how new neurons are produced throughout life.

Deep-brain exploration with nanomaterial—A less invasive way to stimulate the mouse brain with light

Studying deep brain tissues noninvasively is difficult. Now, RIKEN scientists in Japan have developed a way to send light deep into the brain without invasive optical fibers. The method uses infrared light outside the head to activate upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). When these nanoparticles absorb near-infrared laser light, they emit visible photons to deep areas in the brain, allowing remote optogenetic stimulation or inhibition of neurons in the brain.

A possible way to protect intestinal walls from damage due to chemotherapy

A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh has found a possible way to protect cells in the intestines when subjected to chemotherapy. In their paper published in Science Translational Medicine, the team describes their approach, how well it worked in mice, and obstacles yet to be overcome.

Peptide improves glucose and insulin sensitivity, lowers weight in mice

Treating obese mice with catestatin (CST), a peptide naturally occurring in the body, showed significant improvement in glucose and insulin tolerance and reduced body weight, report University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers.

Single-cell analysis reveals diverse landscape of genetic changes in the brain after a sensory experience

"Nature and nurture is a convenient jingle of words, for it separates under two distinct heads the innumerable elements of which personality is composed. Nature is all that a man brings with himself into the world; nurture is every influence from without that affects him after his birth." - Francis Galton, cousin of Charles Darwin, 1874.

Timing is everything, to our genes

To everything there is a season. This saying applies to many human endeavors, but new research shows it's even true on the molecular level. A Salk Institute study published in the journal Science on February 8, 2018, found that the activity of nearly 80 percent of genes follows a day/night rhythm in many tissue types and brain regions.

New study explains how your brain helps you learn new skills

Even if you haven't ridden your bike in years, you probably remember how to do so without giving it much thought. If you're a skilled piano player, odds are you can easily sit down and play a song you've rehearsed before. And, when you drive to work, you're likely not actively thinking about your movements.

Anti-obesity programs in schools unlikely to halt child obesity epidemic

School based programmes aimed at preventing obesity in children are unlikely to have much impact on the childhood obesity epidemic, suggests a randomised controlled trial published by The BMJ today.

Research suggests vapers are vulnerable to pneumonia

The vapour from e-cigarettes seems to help pneumonia-causing bacteria stick to the cells that line the airways, according to research published in the European Respiratory Journal.

Marketing of lower strength alcohol products may increase drinking

Wines and beers with lower alcohol content aren't being actively marketed as alternatives to regular strength alcohol products and thus may not be promoting healthier drinking habits in consumers, according to a study published in the open access journal BMC Public Health.

Harnessing the power of genomic sequencing augments diagnosis and treatment of lymphoid cancer

A new study published in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics has established that hybrid-capture sequencing is the method of choice for sequencing "actionable" gene mutations across the most common forms of lymphoid cancer. Due to its applicability in routinely acquired formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, this assay can be implemented by clinical laboratories into routine diagnostic workflows. It reliably identifies potentially actionable gene mutations in 91percent of patients. This assay will bring the benefits of precision diagnosis and individualized therapy to patients with lymphoid cancer.

Blood test cuts time to diagnosis for common, deadly yeast infection, national trial shows

A new blood test seems to perform as well as, if not better than, traditional blood cultures at detecting a type of fungal yeast infection that commonly strikes hospital patients, according to an analysis led by UPMC.

New marker could help to identify heart attack patients most at risk

A new study from the University of Sheffield has shown a new blood test could provide a clue as to why some patients are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease risk after suffering a heart attack.

Talking to doctors about your bucket list could help advance care planning

For physicians, asking patients about their bucket lists, or whether they have one, can encourage discussion about making their medical care fit their life plans, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Stroke risk factors unique to women identified

Stroke disproportionately affects more women than men. It is the third leading cause of death in women in the United States, is a leading cause of disability and affects 55,000 more women than men each year. Investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital and their colleagues are exploring the effects of potential risk factors that are unique to women, including hormone levels, hormone therapy, hormonal birth control, pregnancy and time of menarche and menopause. In a paper this week in Stroke as part of a special issue focused on women's health in honor of the American Heart Association's Go Red month, the team highlights risk factors with strong support in the scientific literature as well as important areas where future research needed, including the effects of hormone therapies for transgender people.

Heart health measured with a simple blood test

Researchers have discovered a new indicator that measures the risk of future heart disease. High levels of this substance, called troponin, can identify people at risk.

Prazosin doesn't alleviate distressing dreams in PTSD

(HealthDay)—Prazosin does not alleviate distressing dreams among veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a study published in the Feb. 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Mogamulizumab cuts infected cells in HTLV-1 myelopathy

(HealthDay)—For patients with human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-associated myelopathy-tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM-TSP), treatment with the humanized anti-CCR4 monoclonal antibody that targets infected cells, mogamulizumab, decreases the number of HTLV-1-infected cells, according to a study published in the Feb. 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

An experiment in mice palliates kidney disease caused by diabetes

Diabetes has become a major health problem worldwide; some estimates suggest that in 20 years, there will be around 600 million diabetics. The disease is caused by impaired insulin secretion, which in turn hinders cell glucose uptake; as a result, sugar levels in the bloodstream remain excessively high. One of the most common complications of diabetes is diabetic nephropathy, a disease which affects the ability of the kidneys to eliminate waste matter.

Black patients more likely to be excluded from prostate cancer trials

Clinical trials can offer patients access to cutting-edge treatments with the potential to extend their survival and shape the standard of care in the future. As of last year, more than 400 prostate cancer clinical trials were being conducted to find interventions to extend the lives of patients. Despite the fact that black men face higher rates of prostate cancer and are more at risk of dying from the disease, black patients are underrepresented in clinical trials. A team of investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital studied a potential barrier that may be disproportionately preventing black patients from enrolling in these trials: lab test results. They found that more than half of the studies conducted used laboratory values that varied by race, disproportionately excluding black men.

Study finds only one-third of patients diagnosed with depression start treatment

Despite the wide availability of effective treatments for depression and a growing effort nationwide to detect and begin treating depression during primary care visits, only about one-third of individuals newly diagnosed with depression start treatment, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published today in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Blood sodium levels may affect cognition in older adults

A new study has found that lower level of sodium in the blood—known as hyponatremia—is linked with declines in cognitive function with advancing age. The results, which are described in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN), raising the possibility that addressing sodium levels may help preserve cognition as individuals age.

Deep brain stimulation—A new treatment approach in patients with multiple sclerosis

A pilot study conducted by researchers from Charité's NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence has shown that treatment with deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) significantly reduces symptoms of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Published in the current issue of the journal Neurology: Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation, results from this research suggest that TMS is a safe option for the treatment of patients with MS.

Study identifies how to improve WHO eradication strategy for skin disease

An international research collaboration published in The Lancet has found crucial evidence that could help to improve the current World Health Organization (WHO) strategy to eradicate yaws—a chronic disfiguring and debilitating infectious disease affecting the skin, bones and joints.

Human antibodies undermine parasite sex

Some people develop an immune response following a malaria infection that stops them from infecting other mosquitoes. The antibodies that these people produce are ingested by the mosquito and destroy the malaria parasite in the mosquito's stomach. Researchers from Radboud university medical center discovered that one in 25 malaria patients prevent the disease from spreading in this way. They also unraveled the defense proteins responsible, which could be used to make a vaccine.

Scientists identify potential early biomarker for Alzheimer's disease

One of the first clear signs of the onset of Alzheimer's disease is the loss of short-term memory, the ability to remember recent events. However, scientists believe that changes in the brain begin decades before clinicians notice such signs. 

AHA names top heart disease and stroke research advances of 2017

New medicines to fight heart disease, updated guidelines for strokes and high blood pressure, and research into genome editing are among the top heart disease and stroke advances in 2017, according to the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.

Prevalence of routine breast cancer screening practices among migrant-Australian women

Despite increased awareness of the prevalence of breast cancer and importance of early detection, a Western Sydney University study found that Australian immigrant women are still not getting the message.

Researchers report on victims of unethical 1960s-era study

A final report on the unethical clinical study conducted by Dr. Herbert Green at National Women's Hospital in Auckland from the 1960s to the 1980s, known widely as the "Unfortunate Experiment", has just been published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Switching to vaping not always easy

Smokers attempting to quit the habit by vaping or using e-cigarettes do not always find the process plain sailing, according to new University of Otago research published in the international journal, Tobacco Control.

The connection between a healthy marriage and a healthy heart

For many, marriage signals the beginning of an entwined and, at times, tangled relationship. Spouses often play the role of friend, co-parent, caregiver, financial partner and emotional support system for their significant other. Given the amount of time spouses spend together, it makes sense that the quality of your marriage would correlate with your physical health.

Health departments must plan for changing workforce, study finds

State health departments are lagging in planning for the replacement of retiring employees, according to a survey from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.

Drug shown to reverse brain deficits caused by alcohol

QUT researchers have identified a drug that could potentially help our brains reboot and reverse the damaging impacts of heavy alcohol consumption on regeneration of brain cells.

Antibiotic resistance fight could get a little help from ants

The world is facing an antibiotics crisis. Due to overuse, many once-powerful drugs are now useless against certain strains of serious bacterial infections. So scientists are on the hunt for new ways to attack harmful microbes.

Study reveals genetic basis of quantitative traits and diseases in Japanese population

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are an emerging method for scientists to identify genes involved in human disease. GWAS searches the whole genome region for small variations, called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which occur more frequently in people with a particular disease than in people without. Each study can look at millions of SNPs at the same time. Researchers use data from this type of study to pinpoint genes that may contribute to a person's risk of developing a certain disease.

New app to reduce suicides, alert psychiatrists to concerning social media posts

A current research project in the College of Engineering and Computer Science could help reduce the number of suicides that occur each year by analyzing social media data generated by depressed patients and alerting their caregivers in time to intervene quickly.

Does a sugar tax cause alcohol sales to spike? The research doesn't give a decisive answer

Consuming sugar-sweetened drinks is associated with a range of health issues including weight gain and obesity. These are risk factors for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes and certain cancers.

HDAC6 inhibitors protect against neuronal damage and have therapeutic potential in neurology and oncology

Inhibiting HDAC6 improves the structural stability of cells and protects against neuronal damage. Leuven research uncovered that targeting this mechanism could be a promising therapeutic approach for peripheral neuropathies, whether due to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) or as a side effect of chemotherapy.

Apgar scores in neonates predict risk of CP and epilepsy

An infant's scores on the so-called Apgar scale can predict the risk of a later diagnosis of cerebral palsy or epilepsy. The risk rises with decreasing Apgar score, but even slightly lowered scores can be linked to a higher risk of these diagnoses, according to an extensive observational study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in the esteemed journal the BMJ.

Altering the appearance of macrophages to prevent atherosclerosis

It might be possible to prevent atherosclerosis by changing the appearance of macrophages, cells of the immune system that for example digest foreign substances. In her Ph.D. dissertation, Baoyan Ren examined several ways to do so.

What the joyous solitude of early hermits can teach us about being alone

In today's world, loneliness seems to have reached epidemic proportions. Countless studies have highlighted the serious and negative impact that loneliness has on our health, our sense of well-being, and our ability to thrive in an increasingly chaotic world. Most recently, the urgency of the problem led the U.K. to appoint a minister for loneliness. Here in the U.S., winter is a particularly lonely time for elderly Americans.

How OCD impairs memory and learning in children and adolescents – and what to do about it

Imagine feeling like you're covered in germs that could kill you every time you come home from being in a public space. Before showering, you'd have to get inside without letting anything that's touched the outside world come into contact with your house. The reality of living with obsessive compulsive disorder can be debilitating, and quite different from what people usually mean when they refer to themselves as being "a bit OCD".

What makes the bacteria behind Lyme disease tick?

Connecticut residents are all too familiar with Lyme disease, but the precise mechanisms of how humans become infected are still unclear. Researchers from UConn Health are advancing the understanding of how the causative bacterial agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), survives in ticks and mammals.

Thirdhand smoke lingers in casino months after smoking ban

Decades of smoking in casinos causes the massive buildup of toxic residue on walls, furniture, and in carpets, according to a new study led by scientists at San Diego State University. The researchers found that the residue, known as thirdhand smoke, declined significantly after smoking was banned in a Northern California casino. But even six months later, toxic tobacco smoke residue remained above levels found in hotels or private homes with smoking bans.

Long-lasting dengue prevention method gets go-ahead in Sri Lanka

A self-sustaining program that helps provide long-term protection for communities from dengue has been given the official go ahead in Sri Lanka today.

Smart thermometer improves flu forecasting

When a flu season is more severe than expected—like this year's—the surge of patients can overwhelm clinics, emergency rooms, and hospitals.

From black hat to white hat: Findings tip assumptions about TAK1 in muscle growth

Among researchers exploring the mechanisms of muscle growth and health, there have been certain conceptions about the role of the signaling protein, transforming growth factor-ß-activated kinase 1 (TAK1). Convention was that TAK1 is detrimental to muscle health since it activates pathways associated with muscle wasting.

Could asking one question help us better understand women and infants' health?

"Have you ever been sexually active for a year or more without using contraception and becoming pregnant?" A study by George Mason University's Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, Dr. Germaine M. Buck Louis, and colleagues from the University at Albany and Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) suggests that asking this question could help clinicians better understand women and infants' health.

Gut bacteria: It can be good, and bad, for health

The human microbiome—the trillions of tiny bacteria that live in and on our bodies—is emerging as an increasingly important player in health and wellness. But, our co-existence with these organisms is complex, and scientists are learning that even minor changes in this relationship can lead to big problems with our health.

Therapeutic riding programs help veterans cope with PTSD, study finds

In the United States, military veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often are prescribed therapeutic horseback riding (THR) as a complementary therapy, but little is known about how these programs affect PTSD in military veterans. Now, a University of Missouri study has determined that veterans had a significant decrease in PTSD scores just weeks after THR. Results show that therapeutic horseback riding may be a clinically effective intervention for alleviating PTSD symptoms in military veterans.

Ebola virus infects reproductive organs in monkeys

Ebola virus can infect the reproductive organs of male and female macaques, according to a study published in The American Journal of Pathology, suggesting that humans could be similarly infected. Prior studies of survivors of the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa have revealed sexual transmission of Ebola virus, and that viral RNA (Ebola virus genetic material) can persist in semen following recovery. While little is known about viral persistence in female reproductive tissues, pregnant women with Ebola virus disease have a maternal death rate of more than 80 percent and a fetal death rate of nearly 100 percent.

Researchers develop breakthrough technique to combat cancer drug resistance

The ability for cancer cells to develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs - known as multi-drug resistance - remains a leading cause for tumor recurrence and cancer metastasis, but recent findings offer hope that oncologists could one day direct cancer cells to "turn off" their resistance capabilities.

Scientists take big step toward stopping cancer metastasis

New research from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) may give scientists a chance to target tumors before they metastasize. The study, published recently in the Nature research journal Oncogene, shows that a protein called LTBP3 fuels a chain reaction that leads some early developing tumors to grow new blood vessels. These vessels then act like highways to spread cancer cells throughout the body, seeding metastatic tumors very early on.

Romanian study: Half-day old snow is safe to eat

How safe is it to eat snow? A Romanian university has published the results of just such a study.

Apalutamide delays progression of nonmetastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer

Treatment with an investigational androgen receptor inhibitor significantly delayed the development of metastasis in patients with prostate cancer that had become resistant to standard androgen-deprivation therapy. The results of a multi-institutional, phase 3 clinical trial of apalutamide - led by investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) - are receiving early release publication in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with a presentation today at the American Society for Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers (ASCO-GU) Symposium.

Molecular 'magnets' could improve cancer immunotherapy

Chemicals that attract specialised immune cells toward tumours could be used to develop better immunotherapies for cancer patients, according to new research published in Cell.

Most say health workers shouldn't refuse care on moral grounds: poll

(HealthDay)—Most Americans are not on board with President Donald Trump's recent decision to further protect health care workers who refuse to treat patients on religious or moral grounds, the latest HealthDay/Harris Poll shows.

FDA says U.S. will now produce critical MRI component

(HealthDay)—A long-feared shortage of a substance used in millions of medical imaging procedures each year in the United States appears to have been avoided, federal officials report.

Women fare worse than men after a stroke

(HealthDay)—Women tend to have a tougher time recovering from a stroke than men do, though the reasons aren't completely clear, researchers say.

Sleepy drivers may be causing more crashes than thought

(HealthDay)—Driver fatigue causes many more car accidents in the United States than previously estimated, a new report suggests.

Picking a new primary care doctor

(HealthDay)—There are times in life when you need to pick a new doctor, or primary care provider.

Youth violence in U.S. declines—but the war's not over

(HealthDay)—Far fewer young people are turning up in U.S. emergency rooms with assault injuries, but youth violence remains a serious issue, a new government study shows.

Active surveillance OK for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

(HealthDay)—For patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, active surveillance seems reasonable and cost-effective, according to a study published in the February issue of The Journal of Urology.

NICU family integrated care ups infant, parent outcomes

(HealthDay)—For infants born at 33 weeks' gestation or earlier, Family Integrated Care (FICare) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is associated with improved infant and parent outcomes, according to a study published online Feb. 7 in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.

School program in U.K. shows no significant impact on child BMI

(HealthDay)—A focused school-based healthy lifestyle program intervention does not have a significant impact on body mass index (BMI) z score after 15 or 30 months, according to a study published online Feb. 7 in The BMJ.

Alcohol use disorder registration impacts risk for spouse

(HealthDay)—Among married individuals, first alcohol use disorder (AUD) registration in national medical, criminal, or pharmacy registries is associated with an increased risk of first AUD registration in the spouse, according to a study published online Feb. 7 in JAMA Psychiatry.

ER visit rate 92 per 1,000 for diabetes patients 45 and older

(HealthDay)—In 2015, the rate of diabetes-related visits to the emergency department was 92 per 1,000 persons for those aged 45 and older, according to a February data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.

Students say more basic nursing care learned in clinical settings

(HealthDay)—Nursing students in the Netherlands report learning more about basic nursing care during clinical placement, rather than in a classroom, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.

Breakthrough cancer therapy raises tough questions about drug costs, value

Imagine a drug that, a month after a single intravenous dose, wipes out all evidence of leukemia in 80 percent of deathly ill children who receive it.

New glucagon delivery system reduces episodes of post-bariatric surgery hypoglycemia

A new "smart" glucagon delivery system created by researchers from the Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences may make it possible for people with post-bariatric hypoglycemia to live free from this dangerous complication. The findings are important because the number of bariatric surgeries is going up and physicians do not have adequate tools to treat this condition. The research appears in the February issue of Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics.

Undergraduate student uncovers genes associated with aggressive form of brain cancer

When Leland Dunwoodie, an undergraduate researcher in biochemistry, approached his PI about wanting to start research on "some human stuff" in the spring of 2016, he didn't imagine it would lead to the discovery of 22 genes that are implicated in glioblastoma, the most aggressive type of brain cancer.

Stem cell research provides hope for tasmanian devils with a deadly, transmissible cancer

Morris Animal Foundation-funded researcher Dr. Deanne Whitworth, and her colleagues at the University of Queensland, have taken the first step toward developing an effective treatment for devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), which is decimating Tasmanian devils in the wild. The team's findings were recently published in Stem Cells and Development.

Hearing loss linked to poor nutrition in early childhood, study suggests

Young adults who were undernourished as preschool children were approximately twice as likely to suffer from hearing loss as their better- nourished peers, a new study suggests. The study, led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, analyzed the relationship between the hearing of more than 2,200 young adults in Nepal and their nutritional levels as children 16 years earlier. The findings suggest that nutritional interventions in South Asia could help prevent hearing loss, a condition which currently affects an estimated 116 million young people in the region.

Thousands of lives would be saved if counties met ATS clean air standards

Thousands of lives would be saved each year, and many more serious illnesses avoided, if U.S. counties met standards set by the American Thoracic Society for the two most important air pollutants, according to a new report by the ATS and the Marron Institute of Urban Management at New York University.

Personalised nutrition to serve up a healthy life with a side of living longer

A new tool that uses molecular clues to determine what someone has eaten and a better understanding of how genes affect the way we break down food could pave the way for personalised dietary advice that not only helps people avoid diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, but could also lengthen life.

Production of RNA-based vaccines for safe, efficient and versatile alternative to conventional methods

Production of conventional vaccines, which involves the use of live-attenuated or purified protein subunits of pathogens, is a long and complex process. Nucleic acid vaccines are safer alternatives, and allow easy adjustment of antigen to target specific pathogens. DNA-based vaccines pose the risks of the DNA being incorporated into the genome of cells and anti-DNA antibody generation. Hence, RNA-based vaccines have distinct advantages and are considered safer.

How people document eating disorder recovery on Instagram

When you picture someone with an eating disorder, who do you picture?

How labels like 'addict' and 'junkie' mask class contempt for drug users

Terms such as "drug user," "addict" or the blatantly pejorative "junkie," "dope head" or "stoner," are loaded with moral bias. They suggest that people who consume psychoactive substances are mentally weak and dangerous – when in fact chemically altering the mind (the natural drive for "intoxication") has long been a part of human biology and culture, most of which does not lead to any harm or crime.

West African nation of Guinea reports Lassa fever death

Health authorities in the West African nation of Guinea are reporting the country's first death from Lassa fever in nearly a quarter-century.

Professor studies trans fat consumption in the wake of policy shifts

Trans fat policies have led to a decline in its availability in the global food supply, according to Rutgers School of Public Health professor Shauna Downs and colleagues from universities worldwide. Although all forms of trans fat regulation have proven to be effective, trans fat bans have the potential to make the largest impact on cardiovascular disease rates worldwide.

Veterans health administration outlines recommendations to combat 'crisis' of MDROs

The Veterans Health Administration, the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, is leading efforts to prevent the spread of dangerous multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs), as detailed in a series of articles published in the February issue of Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. The articles, authored by experts in each area, identify gaps in the existing knowledge about MDROs and set a research agenda in four specific areas: transmission dynamics, antimicrobial stewardship, the microbiome, and special populations.

Teleconsulting to bring specialised expertise in rare cancers across Europe

The ESMO Sarcoma & GIST Symposium in Milan, Italy has seen a record attendance of almost 450 international experts gathered to discuss the latest developments in the management of this rare condition, representing less than 1% of all adult solid cancers.

New tool helps physicians estimate survival for patients with cancers that have spread to bone

A simple three-factor tool can help doctors estimate survival time in patients with long bone metastases (LBMs)—advanced cancer that has spread to the bones of the limbs, reports a study in the February 7, 2018, issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. The journal is published in partnership with Wolters Kluwer. Reliable survival estimates in these cases can help prevent overtreatment and undertreatment.

Biology news

First report in decades of a forgotten crop pathogen calls for critical close monitoring

Scientists, breeders, farmers and conservation groups must continue to work in close collaboration to prepare for the potential re-emergence of a forgotten crop pathogen, a new study advises today.

Chimpanzee self-control is related to intelligence, study finds

As is true in humans, chimpanzees' general intelligence is correlated to their ability to exert self-control and delay gratification, according to new research at Georgia State University.

'Spectacular' finding: New 3-D vision discovered in praying mantis

Miniature glasses have revealed a new form of 3D vision in praying mantises that could lead to simpler visual processing for robots.

Walking fish suggests locomotion control evolved much earlier than thought

Cartoons that illustrate evolution depict early vertebrates generating primordial limbs as they move onto land for the first time. But new findings indicate that some of these first ambulatory creatures may have stayed under water, spawning descendants that today exhibit walking behavior on the ocean floor. The results appear February 8 in the journal Cell.

Evolution—and skill—help hefty hummingbirds stay spry

Evolved differences in muscle power and wing size—along with a touch of skill—govern hummingbirds' inflight agility, according to new research in Science.

Hydrothermal vents speed development of deep-sea marine animal eggs

A team of scientists from the University of Rhode Island and the Charles Darwin Research Station exploring the seafloor northwest of the Galapagos Islands in 2015 made an unexpected discovery. Large numbers of egg cases of a deep-sea skate – relatives of sharks and rays – were observed adjacent to the hot water emitted from hydrothermal vents, which the scientists said the skates use to accelerate the development of the embryos.

Dairy calves are natural optimists or pessimists, just like us

Some calves are inherently optimistic or pessimistic, just as humans are, a new University of British Columbia study has found.

Biologists decipher a key piece of the odor-detection puzzle in flies, mosquitoes

Biologists at the University of California, Riverside have discovered surprisingly that the complex odor-detecting machinery of the fruit fly Drosophila is heavily influenced by one specific odor receptor. This same receptor also exists in crop-damaging fly species and disease-carrying mosquitoes, opening the possibility for new chemical cocktails to control pests and render people "invisible" to mosquitoes.

Competing for blood: How ecologists are solving infectious disease mysteries

A study released today from an international team of researchers shines new light on "co-infections," infectious diseases that attack the immune system simultaneously. The findings offer insights for treating malaria and worm infections and can help public health officials disentangle how infectious diseases compete in the human body.

Termites' unique gut 'factory' key to global domination

Termites have achieved ecological dominance and now some of the ingredients for their success have been determined to lie in their unique gut microbiome 'factories' - which enable the creatures to eat wood, soil and other material generally not considered as food sources by other animals but rather as indigestible.

When it comes to genes, lichens embrace sharing economy

University of Colorado Boulder researchers have discovered the first known molecular evidence of obligate symbiosis in lichens, a distinctive co-evolutionary relationship that could shed new light on how and why some multicellular organisms consolidate their genomes in order to co-exist.

Surprise finding points to DNA's role in shaping cells

As a basic unit of life, the cell is one of the most carefully studied components of all living organisms. Yet details on basic processes such as how cells are shaped have remained a mystery. Working at the intersection of biology and physics, scientists at the University of California San Diego have made an unexpected discovery at the root of cell formation.

Brainpower wins over brawn when male hummingbirds display for mates

When male animals compete over mates, it's often a showy affair: think of elk tangling antlers or tom turkeys strutting and gobbling. But for a Costa Rican hummingbird, it seems mental prowess holds the edge over mere physical flamboyance.

Snacking snakes act as 'ecosystem engineers' in seed dispersal

Despite the bad rap snakes often get, they are more central to ecology than most people realize. New research reveals that snakes might even play a key role in dispersing plant seeds.

Galapagos fights temptation of lucrative mass tourism

With its iconic giant tortoises, crested black iguanas, huge ocean manta rays and a veritable menagerie of other cool creatures, the Galapagos Islands are one of the most beautiful places you will probably never visit.

Bird senses can improve drone navigation

South American oilbirds combine echolocation and extremely sensitive vision to find their way through dark caves. Decoding how they do this could help develop autonomous drones.

Migratory birds eye-localized magnetoreception for navigation

Migratory birds use a magnetic compass in their eye for navigation. The involved sensory mechanisms have long remained elusive, but now, researchers have revealed exactly where in the eye avian navigation is situated.

Scientists identify pheromone from insect that transmits citrus greening (HLB)

The Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri is only 2 mm long, yet it strikes terror into the hearts of citrus growers in Brazil, China and the United States. This is because it acts as a vector for the bacteria that causes Huanglongbing (HLB), commonly known as citrus greening. HLB originated in Asia and now affects most citrus groves worldwide. The disease is devastating for the citrus industry because infected trees must be eradicated.

Devoted frog fathers guard their eggs from predators

A study led by Ph.D. candidate Mr K. S. Seshadri from the Department of Biological Sciences at the National University of Singapore's Faculty of Science has revealed that male white-spotted bush frogs (Raochestes chalazodes) dedicatedly guard their fertilised eggs from other cannibalistic male frogs and predators. The study confirmed that the adult male white-spotted bush frogs are the sole caregivers of their offspring, predominantly by attending to and guarding the eggs.

Scientists develop a 'third eye' to examine stem cells

A joint team of scientists from Russia and the United States designed a method for marking dividing stem cells with three different labels. Until now, it was only possible to use two labels simultaneously. The new method will increase the accuracy and speed of stem cell division analysis and reveal new populations of stem cells. In the paper published in Stem Cell Reports, the researchers demonstrated that triple labeling can be used to study the division of stem cells in the brain and other tissues.

World-first genetic analysis reveals Aussie white shark numbers

Of all apex predators, the white shark Carchardon carcharias (commonly known as the great white) is perhaps the most fascinating. The potential danger from (very rare) human interaction has embedded the species in our national consciousness.

It matters who your mother is, even for fish

Tilapia has become a top seafood staple on many dinner tables worldwide. New research shows the Tilapia-industry can produce more of the finest cuts by paying closer attention to maternal breeding factors.

Climate change, urbanization driving opossum's northward march

The headline reads like something from the satirical newspaper The Onion: "Grand Forks opossum slain; body to go to University of Michigan for research."

Alien honeybees could cause plant extinction

New research indicates that introduced 'alien' honeybees are competing for resources with native bees and threatening the survival of plants that rely on interactions with specific pollinators.

Double trouble: Invasive insect species overlooked as a result of a shared name

An invasive leaf-mining moth, feeding on cornelian cherry, has been gradually expanding its distributional range from its native Central Europe northwards for a period likely longer than 60 years. During that period, it has remained under the cover of a taxonomic confusion, while going by a name shared with another species that feeds on common dogwood.

Bacteria-infected mosquitoes might be good thing for Miami

Mosquitoes are a year-round downside to living in subtropical Miami, but millions of bacteria-infected mosquitoes flying in a suburban neighborhood are being hailed as an innovation that may kill off more bugs that spread of Zika and other viruses.

A view from above and below: Hatchery chinook salmon are self-sorting in tanks

Hatchery-raised chinook salmon sort themselves into surface- and bottom-oriented groups in their rearing tanks. This behavior might be due in part to the fish's genes, according to an Oregon State University study.

Gabon fights elephant poachers with hi-tech tracker collars

Ever tried to put a GPS real-time tracking collar on a five-tonne animal?

Keep pot away from pets

If you suspect your pet has ingested marijuana, whether in the form of an "edible" or the plant itself, it's important to be upfront with your veterinarian about what has happened.

How bats help explain the human brain

By measuring the brain activity of bats, scientists are learning how mammals keep track of everyone in their social circles.

Illegal South African abalone flowing into Hong Kong: report

Illegally poached abalone from South Africa is pouring into Hong Kong where the gastronomic gastropods are a traditional and expensive banquet favourite, a new study warned Friday.


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