Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Feb 7

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for February 7, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

What causes ionic wind?

Reduced energy from the sun might occur by mid-century—now, scientists know by how much

Cities of the future may be built with locally available volcanic ash

Large-group living boosts magpie intelligence

Seafloor data point to global volcanism after Chicxulub meteor strike

Thinning ozone layer may have driven Earth's largest mass extinction 252 million years ago

Intense laser experiments provide first evidence that light can stop electrons

Shoals of sticklebacks differ in their collective personalities

Rainforest collapse 307 million years ago impacted the evolution of early land vertebrates

Using shark scales to design better drones, planes, and wind turbines

Study sheds new light on antibiotics produced by ants

DNA shows first modern Briton had dark skin, blue eyes

SpaceX beams cool video of Tesla in space

'Beetlejuice'—it works for real beetles too

Boeing hypersonic aircraft concept unveiled at Florida forum

Astronomy & Space news

	Reduced energy from the sun might occur by mid-century—now, scientists know by how much The sun might emit less radiation by mid-century, giving planet Earth a chance to warm a bit more slowly but not halt the trend of human-induced climate change.
	SpaceX beams cool video of Tesla in space What a fine view of Mother Earth and what a smooth ride.
	Two small asteroids safely pass Earth this week Two small asteroids recently discovered by astronomers at the NASA-funded Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) near Tucson, Arizona, are safely passing by Earth within one lunar distance this week.
	Widespread galactic cannibalism in Stephan's Quintet revealed by CFHT An extremely deep multi-band optical image from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT, Hawaii. USA) casts a new light on the formation process of the famous group of 5 colliding galaxies. The image reveals structures undetected thus far, in particular a very extended red halo composed of old stars, and centered on an elliptical galaxy, NGC 7317, which had been ignored in previous studies on the dynamics of the global collision. These results are published in the Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society by a team from the Observatoire Astronomique de Strasbourg (France), CEA Saclay (France) and the Lund Observatory (Sweden).
	Space sports car now flying toward asteroid belt beyond Mars The world's first space sports car is cruising toward the asteroid belt, well beyond Mars.
	Researchers build alien ocean to test NASA outer space submarine Building a submarine gets tricky when the temperature drops to -300 Fahrenheit and the ocean is made of methane and ethane.
	Elon Musk, visionary Tesla and SpaceX founder From cars to rockets, Elon Musk dreams big.
	SpaceX's big new rocket blasts off, puts sports car in space SpaceX's big new rocket blasted off Tuesday on its first test flight, carrying a red electric sports car aiming for an endless road trip past Mars.
	NASA tests atomic clock for deep space navigation In deep space, accurate timekeeping is vital to navigation, but many spacecraft lack precise timepieces on board. For 20 years, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, has been perfecting a clock. It's not a wristwatch; not something you could buy at a store. It's the Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC), an instrument perfect for deep space exploration.
	The IMAGE satellite's stunning return One-sixty-six, where are you? Oh, there you are.
	Rapid detection and recovery—the science of hunting meteorites At 8:10 p.m. on Jan. 16, hundreds of people in Michigan reported the bright glow of a meteor streaking through the sky, rattling windows as it broke the sound barrier. The meteor then broke apart in the Earth's atmosphere, and its pieces rained quietly to the ground.
	Image: Kubik on Space Station A miniaturised laboratory inside the orbital laboratory that is ESA's Columbus module, this 40 cm cube has been one of its quiet scientific triumphs.
	What's next for SpaceX? In successfully sending the world's most powerful rocket into space, SpaceX founder Elon Musk has pulled off yet another spectacular gamble.

Technology news

	Cities of the future may be built with locally available volcanic ash MIT engineers working with scientists in Kuwait have found that volcanic rocks, when pulverized into a fine ash, can be used as a sustainable additive in concrete structures.
	Boeing hypersonic aircraft concept unveiled at Florida forum Boeing gave us a tantalizing thought as a February opener to the coming weeks to end winter. "...an aircraft that can fly more than five times the speed of sound, jetting across world in one to three hours. If Boeing has any say, it'll be a reality in 10-20 years."
	Engineers create miniature self-sealing 'wound' Biomedical engineers have developed a miniature self-sealing model system for studying bleeding and the clotting of wounds. The researchers envision the device as a drug discovery platform and potential diagnostic tool.
	Crowd workers, AI make conversational agents smarter Conversational agents such as Siri, Alexa and Cortana are great at giving you the weather, but are flummoxed when asked for unusual information, or follow-up questions. By adding humans to the loop, Carnegie Mellon University researchers have created a conversational agent that is tough to stump.
	New process could make wood as strong as titanium alloys but lighter and cheaper Engineers at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) have found a way to make wood more than 10 times times stronger and tougher than before, creating a natural substance that is stronger than many titanium alloys.
	Russian hackers hunt hi-tech secrets, exploiting US weakness Russian cyberspies pursuing the secrets of military drones and other sensitive U.S. defense technology tricked key contract workers into exposing their email to theft, an Associated Press investigation has found.
	Nigerian cryptocurrency craze unfazed by bitcoin plunge While bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have suffered precipitous falls in recent weeks, the units remain popular in Nigeria where they make it easier to do business.
At trial, former Uber CEO seeks to fend off conspiracy talk Former Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick appeared tense and tentative as he took the witness stand Tuesday seeking to counter allegations that his company stole autonomous driving secrets from former Google car unit Waymo.
	Chinese police don high-tech glasses to nab suspects Chinese police are sporting high-tech sunglasses that can spot suspects in a crowded train station, the newest use of facial recognition technology that has drawn concerns among human rights groups.
Swiss mobile data of 800,000 customers is stolen A Swiss mobile phone operator says its data systems were breached late last year and the contact details of about 800,000 customers were compromised.
	The robots will see you now For more than a decade, biomimetic robots have been deployed alongside live animals to better understand the drivers of animal behavior, including social cues, fear, leadership, and even courtship. The encounters have always been unidirectional; the animals observe and respond to the robots. But in the lab of Maurizio Porfiri, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, the robots can now watch back.
	Dive into the world of molecules Brand new technology in the classroom: students immerse themselves in a "mixed reality" and use HoloLens glasses to learn a fundamental principle of proteins.
	3-D printing breakthrough for lightweight syntactic foams could help submarines dive deeper A team of materials scientists at NYU Tandon School of Engineering has developed the first process to 3-D print components of syntactic foam—extremely strong and lightweight composites used in vehicles, airplanes, and ships. Their breakthrough holds particular promise for submarines because it will enable manufacturers to print components with complex shapes capable of surviving stresses at greater depths.
How the digitalisation of everything is making us more lonely The UK government recently appointed its first minister of loneliness. The move came in response to increasing concern of a loneliness epidemic sweeping Western society.
	Smartphone data tracking is more than creepy – here's why you should be worried Smartphones rule our lives. Having information at our fingertips is the height of convenience. They tell us all sorts of things, but the information we see and receive on our smartphones is just a fraction of the data they generate. By tracking and monitoring our behaviour and activities, smartphones build a digital profile of shockingly intimate information about our personal lives.
Got a coastal bridge to retrofit? There's an optimal approach for that Bridges make great metaphors for connection, as in "bridging our differences" and "building bridges." That may be because bridges play such a vital role in connecting people in real life.
	Electric cars have benefits, but likely won't save you money Electric cars have a lot of perks: zero emissions, a quiet ride and instant acceleration. But can they save you money? Probably not.
	Apple HomePod reviews: Amazing sound quality, not much else, iPhone users only A slew of reviews for Apple's new smart speaker HomePod dropped recently, and they all come to the same conclusion: It's good—if you can afford it and only use Apple products such as the iPhone and services such as Apple Music.
Amazon warehouses don't lead to broad job growth in counties, study finds When Amazon discloses its plans to build a new warehouse, the news release is predictable.
Apple Music may soon become the most popular music streaming service in US In the race for global music streaming supremacy, the gap between Spotify and Apple Music is getting smaller.
Gadgets for seniors: Ambitious techies roll out robots, smart gear for their elders For older adults who grew up before the personal computer, iPhones and Amazon Echo became technological mainstays in everyday life, a growing number of startups are working on smart devices with features designed to keep aging minds and bodies healthy.
	Cellphone radiation not hazardous to your health, government scientists say If you spend a lot of time on your mobile phone, you'll be happy to learn that your habit isn't hazardous to your health, according to a new government safety report.
Google Brain founder Andrew Ng creates $175 million AI Fund Silicon Valley is increasingly betting that artificial intelligence will be the next breakthrough technology, and its latest stake is a new venture fund led by a respected AI expert.
	Tesla's losses grow on Model 3 delays The day after Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk blasted his Tesla Roadster into space, his electric car company's mounting losses brought him back to Earth again.
	Streaming platform Hulu could be wild card in Fox-Disney megadeal Walt Disney Co.'s deal for much of the film and television assets of 21st Century Fox could help remake the streaming platform Hulu a legitimate rival to Netflix.
	Team demos new atomic effect for potential isotopic battery A multinational research team led by Army scientists successfully induced a controlled release of stored isotopic energy using a physical effect involving atomic electrons that was proposed more than 40 years ago but never before demonstrated experimentally.
	Engineering professor identifies the progress and untapped potential of wearable sensors When it comes to biometric sensors, human skin isn't an ally.
	Smart home unit Nest is spun back into Google Google is taking back Nest, the smart home unit of parent firm Alphabet, as part of an effort by the tech giant to battle rivals like Amazon and its Alexa digital assistant.
	SoftBank's profits soar on sales growth, Sprint improvement Japanese internet and energy company SoftBank Group Corp. reported Wednesday a more than 11-fold surge in profit for the fiscal third quarter thanks to strong sales and to improved results from U.S. carrier Sprint.
	Japan's SoftBank prepares listing of mobile unit Japanese telecoms giant SoftBank on Wednesday said it had begun preparing to list its mobile unit in a move reports said could raise up to $18 billion, making it one of the country's biggest ever initial public offerings.
	Research finds 52 times more online anti-ad blocking than previously thought The web is only "free" because our attention is sold to the highest bidder via complex real-time auction systems, based on data-mining algorithms, that serve up ads. If you were a fan of the AMC series Mad Men, with its depiction of smartly crafted agents of persuasion, you probably hate the irritating interruptions of today's digital messaging.
	Driverless cars could create new jobs in a welcome boost to Australia's motor industry The race to market for widespread driverless cars may be on, but that doesn't mean we're anywhere near a deployable reality. Much of the initial hype has settled down, and the claims made by manufacturers and startups with regards to timelines have moderated.
	Los Angeles Times sold to local billionaire for $500 million (Update) A billionaire doctor struck a $500 million deal Wednesday to buy the Los Angeles Times, ending the paper's quarrelsome relationship with its Chicago-based corporate overseers and bringing it under local ownership for the first time in 18 years.
	Rail industry says key safety technology not due until 2020 The railroad industry is playing down expectations that a safety technology that could have prevented recent deadly train crashes will be in operation across the United States by the end of the year.
	Harley-Davidson recalls 175,000 bikes on brake safety fears Iconic US motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson is recalling nearly 175,000 bikes in the United States due to fears the brakes could fail, a government regulator announced Wednesday.
36 indicted in global cybercrime ring that stole $530M Thirty-six people were indicted in connection with an international identity theft ring known as a "one-stop shop for cybercriminals" that sold stolen credit card information on the dark web, leading to losses of more than $530 million, U.S. prosecutors said Wednesday.
	Ex-Uber CEO grilled about old texts in high-tech heist case Former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick is back in a San Francisco courtroom to answer questions about discussions he had with an engineer who is accused of stealing Google's self-driving car technology.

Medicine & Health news

	Engineers use natural protein as nanoshuttle for anti-cancer vaccines Cancer fighting nanovaccines have shown significant promise, but clinical application has been hampered by complications in large-scale manufacturing, quality control, and safety. Biomedical engineers at the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) developed a new technology that enables nanovaccines to bind to the albumin protein naturally present in the body. The albumin protein then delivers these nanocomplexes to the lymph nodes, resulting in potent immune activation against multiple tumor types in mouse cancer models. The use of natural albumin as a universal vaccine shuttle is a significant step towards the application of cancer nanovaccine immunotherapy in humans.
	Researcher uses stem cells to attack bacteria and regenerate dental pulp Emi Shimizu's research could someday transform a procedure dental patients dread: the root canal.
	Mechanism behind autoimmune disorder revealed Northwestern Medicine scientists discovered a previously-unknown mechanism of disease behind a specific autoimmune disorder, findings published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	Compound prevents neurological damage, shows cognitive benefits in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease The supplement nicotinamide riboside (NR) – a form of vitamin B3 – prevented neurological damage and improved cognitive and physical function in a new mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The results of the study, conducted by researchers at the National Institute on Aging (NIA) part of the National Institutes of Health, suggest a potential new target for treating Alzheimer's disease. The findings appear in the Feb. 5, 2018, issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	Creation of new brain cells may be limited, mouse study shows It used to be that everyone knew that you are born with all the brain cells you'll ever have. Then UC San Francisco's Arturo Alvarez-Buylla, Ph.D., and other neuroscientists discovered in birds and mice that stem cells in certain parts of the brain do produce new neurons throughout the animal's life.
	Autism study finds de novo mutations associated with motor skill deficiencies A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in the U.S. has found an association between de novo mutations and motor skills in people with autism. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes searching a database of information about people with autism and compared what they found with de novo mutations and the patterns that emerged.
	Study shows how body prevents potentially useful bacteria from causing disease A new study reveals a mechanism by which the immune system may decide whether a bacterial species is a partner in bodily processes or an invader worthy of attack.
	Diet may influence the spread of a deadly type of breast cancer, study finds A single protein building block commonly found in food may hold a key to preventing the spread of an often-deadly type of breast cancer, according to a new multicenter study published today in the medical journal Nature.
	Scientists crack structure of enzyme complex linked to cancer A research team led by a biochemist at the University of California, Riverside has solved the crystal structure for an enzyme that plays a key role in DNA methylation, the process by which methyl groups are added to the DNA molecule.
	New drug therapy could lead to more effective treatment for millions with asthma Rutgers New Jersey Medical School researchers identified a new treatment that could lead to more effective drug therapy for millions of individuals with asthma and other respiratory disorders such as chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD).
Suicides spiked after death of Robin Williams, study finds In the months after Robin Williams committed suicide in 2014, researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health documented a marked 10 percent increase in of suicides. While excess suicides were observed across gender and age groups, males aged 30 to 44 were particularly affected. The data also showed there was a 32 percent increase in suffocation suicides in the five months that followed Williams' death by the same method, compared to a 3 percent rise for all suicides from other methods. The findings are reported online in the journal PLOS ONE.
	Positive attitudes about aging reduce risk of dementia in older adults Research has shown that older persons who have acquired positive beliefs about old age from their surrounding culture are less likely to develop dementia. This protective effect was found for all participants, as well as among those carrying a gene that puts them at higher risk of developing dementia, a new study led by the Yale School of Public Health has found.
	Acute treatment suppresses posttraumatic arthritis in ankle injury A University of Iowa study has identified a method for inhibiting the occurrence of an aggressive form of arthritis that frequently develops following a severe traumatic injury. The preclinical work demonstrates the potential for preventing posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) by targeting very early damage after fractures in an animal model of this type of injury. These types of fractures in a load-bearing joint can lead to arthritis as quickly as two years after injury.
	Polluted air may pollute our morality Exposure to air pollution, even imagining exposure to air pollution, may lead to unethical behavior, according to findings published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. A combination of archival and experimental studies indicates that exposure to air pollution, either physically or mentally, is linked with unethical behavior such as crime and cheating. The experimental findings suggest that this association may be due, at least in part, to increased anxiety.
	Researchers identify potential treatment for diastolic dysfunction in heart failure Researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have identified a potential treatment target for patients with a common type of heart failure.
	Star-like cells may help the brain tune breathing rhythms Traditionally, scientists thought that star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes were steady, quiet supporters of their talkative, wire-like neighbors, called neurons. Now, an NIH study suggests that astrocytes may also have their say. It showed that silencing astrocytes in the brain's breathing center caused rats to breathe at a lower rate and tire out on a treadmill earlier than normal. These were just two examples of changes in breathing caused by manipulating the way astrocytes communicate with neighboring cells.
	Changes in mouse breast tissue after exposure to fracking chemicals In a study released today, environmental scientists led by Laura Vandenberg at the University of Massachusetts Amherst report that they observed changes in mammary gland development of female mice exposed during early development to the chemicals used in unconventional oil and gas (UOG) extraction - including fracking - at levels environmentally relevant to humans.
New study shows female physician bias in ICU admissions A female patient treated by a female physician is less likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) compared to a male patient treated by a male physician, according to researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and Soroka University Medical Center (Soroka).
	Mutations common in pancreatic CA, history of other cancers (HealthDay)—A substantial proportion of individuals with pancreatic cancer and a history of other hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC)- or Lynch syndrome (LS)-related cancers have mutations in a prostate cancer susceptibility gene, according to a study published online Jan. 23 in Cancer.
	Big data methods applied to the fitness landscape of the HIV envelope protein Despite significant advances in medicine, there is still no effective vaccine for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), although recent hope has emerged through the discovery of antibodies capable of neutralizing diverse HIV strains. However, HIV can sometimes evade known broadly neutralizing antibody responses via mutational pathways, which makes it all the more difficult to design an effective solution.
	Reversing severe bone loss A possible first-line treatment for a rare bone loss disease has been identified by a research team led by Tohoku University in Japan. The research findings, published in the journal Molecular Cell, could also provide insight into treating age-related osteoporosis.
	Why kitchen hygiene is not only important in canteens and restaurants but also at home Kitchen hygiene is not only about avoiding relatively minor gastrointestinal illnesses like self-limiting diarrhoea. Among high-risk groups including small children, expectant mothers, very old people or people with weakened immune systems, a food-borne infection can cause lasting damage and even prove fatal under certain circumstances. The improvement of kitchen hygiene is therefore a matter of vital importance for the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).
	Ebola virus exploits host enzyme for efficient entry to target cells Researchers have identified a key process that enables the deadly Ebola virus to infect host cells, providing a novel target for developing antiviral drugs. The Ebola virus incorporates a cellular enzyme into its virus particles, facilitating the infection to the target cells, according to new research published in the journal PLOS Pathogens.
	Solving a big problem, among some of the littlest patients Each year in the U.S. some 200,000 babies, struggling to survive their early days in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), require umbilical cord catheters to take food and medicine. While these tiny tubes serve as a lifeline, they can also be a conduit for harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream. The resulting infection, which affects roughly one in five babies with an umbilical cord catheter, means a longer and more expensive hospital stay and a significantly increased risk of developmental delays, or even death.
	We're not addicted to smartphones, we're addicted to social interaction We all know people who, seemingly incapable of living without the bright screen of their phone for more than a few minutes, are constantly texting and checking out what friends are up to on social media.
	Want to help your partner stress less? Listen from the heart When we feel supported, we feel less stress. But sometimes we think we are being supportive of a romantic partner and we're not. Who hasn't experienced the self-satisfaction of feeling like we're 'helping' only to find we've only made the situation worse.
	Women more likely to suffer sports-related concussions, studies suggest A new comprehensive literature review by University of Virginia faculty members reveals that female athletes could have an increased risk of suffering sports-related concussions.
	Are redheads with blue eyes really going extinct? For every 100 people in the world, only one or two will have red hair.
	One in five older adults experience brain network weakening following knee replacement surgery A new University of Florida study finds that 23 percent of adults age 60 and older who underwent a total knee replacement experienced a decline in activity in at least one region of the brain responsible for specific cognitive functions. Fifteen percent of patients declined across all brain networks the team evaluated.
	Brain stimulation improves word recall in severe epilepsy Researchers have found that electrically stimulating regions of the brain can improve the ability of people's memory. Their findings were reported in the scientific publication Nature Communications.
	How to avoid passing down cavities to your kids Along with genetic traits, parents can also pass on cavities to their babies, says a University of Alberta pediatric dentist.
Study investigates the molecular basis for male predisposition to autism Exposure to androgens (male hormones) during brain development alters genes related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a new study published in Biological Psychiatry. Using male human cells, researchers at the University of Strasbourg, France, identified key genes that are regulated by testosterone and that contribute to the risk for autism, generating important insight into how male hormones might contribute to the increased male susceptibility to ASD.
	Epigenetics study reveals environmental influences can change gene behaviour In a study of pregnant women, a team of Deakin scientists has shown in humans for the first time that pregnancy can induce long-term epigenetic changes to our bodies, with major implications for understanding, preventing and treating disease.
New hip resurfacing implant could lead to better outcomes for patients Surgeons are treating patients with a new type of hip implant that could lead to better outcomes for younger, more active people requiring surgery.
Alternatives to whole liver transplants for children have become safer, study finds In a new Johns Hopkins study of patient and graft survival trends for pediatric liver transplant recipients between 2002 and 2015, researchers found that outcomes for alternatives to whole liver transplantation (WLT), such as splitting a liver for two recipients or using a part of a liver from a living donor, have improved significantly.
	Specific protein may reduce inflammation, improve survival during the flu GM-CSF, a protein that modifies the immune response to the flu, may also help reduce lung inflammation and improve survival during influenza, according to Penn State researchers.
	How childhood experiences contribute to the education-health link The interconnection between education and health is well established.
	Small molecule could make a big difference for arthritis patients Will there come a time when a patient with arthritis can forgo joint replacement surgery in favor of a shot? Keck School of Medicine of USC scientist Denis Evseenko, MD, PhD, has reason to be optimistic.
	Exergaming: workouts that work for all ages (HealthDay)—"Exergaming"—playing video games that get you off the sofa and into the action—has positive fitness benefits that span the generations.
	Fewer Americans are getting herpes (HealthDay)— Herpes infection rates are dropping among young Americans, and safer sex practices may be one reason why.
	It's a century since the 1918 flu pandemic - could it happen again? (HealthDay)—One hundred years ago, the deadliest influenza pandemic of all time made a ravaging march across the globe.
Geography matters: Prescribing patterns for opioids in dermatology A new study suggests that opioid prescribing is not widespread among dermatologists, but opportunities exist in concentrated areas to reduce their use. The study appears online Feb. 7 in JAMA Dermatology.
	First-in-the-US study brings home hospital model to patients A pilot study by investigators at Brigham and Women's Hospital reimagines the best place to care for select, acutely ill adults. The project poses the question: what if, instead of being admitted and receiving care at a hospital, a patient could be cared for at home, and monitored using cutting-edge technology? The study represents the first randomized, controlled clinical trial to test the home hospital model in the U.S. and examined the model's impact on direct cost as well as utilization, safety, quality, and patient experience. Results of the pilot project are reported this week in The Journal of General Internal Medicine.
	Redefined Alzheimer's biology has implications for drug design Despite the 25-year focus on the build-up in brain tissues of one protein, amyloid beta, as the purported origin of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a new study argues that it is likely triggered instead by the failure of a system that clears wastes from the brain - and actually begins decades before memories fade.
	Eye could provide 'window to the brain' after stroke Research into curious bright spots in the eyes on stroke patients' brain images could one day alter the way these individuals are assessed and treated. A team of scientists at the National Institutes of Health found that a chemical routinely given to stroke patients undergoing brain scans can leak into their eyes, highlighting those areas and potentially providing insight into their strokes. The study was published in Neurology.
What happens when women stop MS treatment during pregnancy? Two new studies look at the effects of stopping the newer, stronger drug natalizumab for multiple sclerosis (MS) during pregnancy. Natalizumab is generally prescribed for people with MS who have not responded to or cannot tolerate other treatments for MS as it can have a rare but potentially fatal side effect.
	Simple molecule could prevent, alleviate pre-diabetes Restoring levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ), a key molecule in energy production in cells, could overcome insulin resistance or pre-diabetes—a precursor to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
New technique boosts eyewitness recall New research from a memory expert at James Cook University in Australia shows there may be a simple way to help eyewitnesses of crimes remember more about what they have seen.
	Discovery paves way for treatment to prevent blood vessel damage The discovery of a previously unknown interaction between proteins could provide a breakthrough in the prevention of damage to healthy blood vessels.Led by the University of Bradford, the research shows how the two proteins combine to protect blood vessels from inflammation and damage and could pave the way for treatments to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.
	New analysis proves protein supplements provide significant benefits for weight lifters The debate is over. Dietary protein supplements significantly improve muscle strength and size when taken by healthy adults who lift weights, a determination reached by McMaster scientists who analyzed dozens of research studies.
Inflammation in testes could explain link between obesity and reduced fertility A new study sheds light on how obesity may contribute to male infertility. Published in open-access journal Frontiers in Physiology, the study reports that obese men have increased levels of inflammatory markers in their seminal fluid and lower sperm quality, both of which correlate with their body mass index (BMI). The findings suggest that chronic inflammation in male reproductive organs explains the link between obesity and reduced fertility.
First national studies of quality of VA ministroke care and how best to measure that care The first national study of the quality of the care offered by the Veterans Health Administration to patients following a transient ischemic attack (known as a TIA and sometimes called a ministroke) reports that the largest healthcare system in the United States is providing good quality care but also identifies targets for improvement particularly for those patients discharged from the Emergency Department without being admitted to a VA hospital.
Next plague outbreak in Madagascar could be 'stronger': WHO The World Health Organization chief Wednesday said a deadly plague epidemic appeared to have been brought under control in Madagascar, but warned the next outbreak would likely be stronger.
	Airplane cabins are crawling with germs, study says You don't have to be mysophobic to want to slip on rubber gloves when you enter an airplane cabin.
Brain-implanted devices could lead to medical breakthroughs Fred Foy's hands used to shake and tremble uncontrollably from a nerve disorder known as essential tremor, making it hard for him to do the simplest tasks—from signing his name to eating with utensils.
Drugs, alcohol and suicides contributing to alarming drop in US life expectancy Drugs, alcohol and suicides are contributing to an alarming drop in US life expectancy, particularly among middle-aged white Americans and those living in rural communities, warn experts in The BMJ today.
	High detection rates of high-grade DCIS persist (HealthDay)—High detection rates of high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) persist in consecutive subsequent screening rounds versus the prevalence round, while there are decreases in detection rates of low- and intermediate-grade DCIS, according to a study published in the February issue of Radiology.
	Ketamine + propofol speeds recovery for peds MRI sedation (HealthDay)—Use of ketamine at induction followed by reduced propofol infusion rate for maintenance is associated with shorter recovery times for children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging with deep sedation, according to a study published online Jan. 27 in Pediatric Anesthesia.
	Expenditures rising for treating obesity-related illness in U.S. (HealthDay)—The amount of U.S. health care resources devoted to treating obesity-related illness in U.S. adults rose 29 percent from 2001 to 2015, according to a review published in the January issue of Clinical Chemistry.
	HPV prevalence 4.9 percent in tonsil tissue of healthy adults (HealthDay)—The prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and of high-risk HPV type 16 or 18 is 4.9 and 3.9 percent, respectively, in the tonsil tissue of healthy adults, according to a study published online Jan. 25 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
	Stem cell transplant may be effective for systemic sclerosis (HealthDay)—Stem cell transplant may be an effective treatment for systemic sclerosis (SSc), according to a small study published online Feb. 2 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases.
	Depressed rural HIV patients may benefit from therapy via phone (HealthDay)—Telephone-administered interpersonal psychotherapy (tele-IPT) is associated with longer-term depression relief than usual care in depressed rural people living with HIV (PLHIV), according to a study published online Jan. 25 in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine.
	HSV-1 prevalence 47.8 percent in 14- to 49-year-olds (HealthDay)—The prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 is 47.8 and 11.9 percent, respectively, for individuals aged 14 to 49 years, according to a February data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.
	Insulin quality questions have diabetes experts scrambling Preliminary research suggesting that some diabetes patients may be injecting medicine that has partially disintegrated is causing concern even as serious questions are raised about the research itself.
First-ever questionnaire assesses impact of brachial plexus injury and surgical outcomes After extensive research, investigators at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) have developed the first-ever patient questionnaire to measure the physical and emotional impact of brachial plexus injury (BPI). The survey also seeks to assess patients' expectations and treatment outcomes.
Insight into chromatin therapies for breast cancer could aid personalized medicine Most traditional chemotherapy for cancer has dangerous side effects, but new research is finding ways to develop 'targeted agents' that reduce the side effects and are better tailored to individual patient needs. While these innovations are exciting, a new study shows how certain cancer inhibitors need to be examined more carefully to better understand fine-grained effects and counter-effects, which could yield more effective and safer therapies.
	Recent study in Oregon reveals public considers alcohol more harmful than marijuana As the national conversation about marijuana legalization continues, an important question is how changing marijuana policy may influence use of other substances, such as alcohol. A new study, led by researchers at RTI International, surveyed more than 1,900 adults in Oregon prior to the legalization of marijuana in the state and found that more than half (52.5%) consider alcohol to be more harmful than marijuana while few (7.5%) believe marijuana is more harmful to a person's health.
Alzheimer's disease: Dual mechanism of actions of overactive and cytosolic BRCA1 in neuronal death A new study suggests a dual mechanism of actions of overactive and cytosolic re-localized BRCA1, the major guardian of genomic stability, in neurons death by aberrant DNA damage response and presenilin 1 dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.
	Child development experts discover potential upside to prenatal stress Prenatal stress might not be so bad for babies after all, depending on how they are raised.
	Researchers solving treatment resistance in most common breast cancer At Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, a large team of clinical and laboratory researchers dedicated to understanding treatment resistance in the most common form of breast cancer have identified a new genetic change in the estrogen receptor (ER) that contributes to therapy resistance. ER-positive breast cancer, diagnosed in two-thirds of breast cancer patients, is fueled by the presence of estrogen in the body. Anti-estrogen therapy is usually successful in treating the disease initially, but ER-positive breast cancers will often recur because tumors develop a resistance to treatment.
Cognitive enhancement therapy improves outcomes for adults with autism New collaborative research out of the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work and the Department of Psychiatry signals a potential breakthrough for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Exposure to chemicals used during fracking may cause pre-cancerous lesions in mice Using more than 1,000 different chemicals, unconventional oil and gas (UOG) operations combine directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," to release natural gas from underground rock. Today, researchers at the University of Missouri and the University of Massachusetts released a study that found that female mice exposed to mixtures of chemicals used in UOG operations during prenatal development had abnormal mammary glands in adulthood. Additionally, some of the mice developed pre-cancerous mammary lesions that may suggest they will be more sensitive to chemicals that cause cancer.
Youth consider mobile health units a safe place for sexual health services Mobile health units may offer a viable approach for helping adolescents access sexual and health services, including contraception.
	Study reports use of nutritional ketosis with mobile app intervention could reverse Type 2 diabetes A newly published study has shown that an individualized approach to nutritional ketosis (utilizing fat rather than glucose to fuel the body), combined with remote monitoring via a mobile application, could sustainably and safely reverse Type 2 diabetes.
	Yoga benefits patients with metabolic syndrome In a recent Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports study, one year of yoga training decreased pro-inflammatory adipokines and increased an anti-inflammatory adipokine in adults with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure.
	Back pain is common in highly active older adults In a Journal of the American Geriatrics Society study, many well-functioning and highly active older adults experienced back pain, which was linked with poorer perceived and observed walking endurance.
Acne linked with increased risk of depression In an analysis of one of the largest electronic medical records databases in the world, researchers found that patients with acne had a significantly increased risk of developing major depression, but only in the first 5 years after being diagnosed with acne.
	Re-introducing an 'old' antibiotic may help fight multi-drug resistant bacteria A new study indicates that the drug fosfomycin may be effective for treating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. In most European countries, the oral formulation is only approved as a 3 gram single dose for the treatment of uncomplicated cystitis; however the Pharmacology Research & Perspectives study found that a dosing regimen of 6-12 grams per day divided in 3 doses is required for the treatment of systemic multi-drug-resistant bacterial infections.
More work is needed to determine appropriate drug doses for children Children should not be considered 'small adults' when it comes to prescribing medications, but it can be difficult to determine the right dosage of a particular drug for young patients.
How should biosimilars be used to treat rheumatic diseases? Products that are "biosimilar" or interchangeable with a licensed biological product hold considerable promise for the treatment of a variety of medical conditions such as rheumatic diseases, and possibly at a reduced cost. In Arthritis & Rheumatology, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has published its latest position statement (or Whitepaper) on the rationale for the use of biosimilars in clinical practice.
	Many epilepsy patients take drug combinations that interact In an Epilepsia analysis of 2008-2010 Medicare claims data, one in four older Americans with new-onset epilepsy and more than one-third with prevalent epilepsy received a combination of antiepileptic drugs and non-epilepsy drugs that could interact to alter the effectiveness of the non-epilepsy drugs. Also, more than 1 in 5 patients received a drug combination that could alter the effect of the antiepileptic drugs and potentially cause toxicity.
	Sanofi: No proof that vaccine linked to Philippines deaths Drugmaker Sanofi insists there's no evidence of a link between the world's first dengue vaccine and children's deaths in the Philippines.
	Coping with loss on Valentine's Day Valentine's Day is a special day meant to show those you love most that you care about them, but for some this day could trigger feelings of grief because their loved one has passed away. One Baylor College of Medicine expert discusses how one might cope with these feelings.
	New research collaboratory aims to harness the power of data to improve health Health care professionals have long theorized that medical conditions, like asthma or cancer, are a result of not only genetics but also environmental and lifestyle factors. These theories, however, have been difficult to prove conclusively without the ability to analyze large-scale population health data.
	First human trial of potentially game-changing diabetes treatment set to commence University of Otago researchers are ready to take a significant step in the development of a new natural product that could potentially prevent diabetes.
Researchers design a new intracorneal inlay to correct presbyopia Researchers at the Universitat Politècnica de València, University of Valencia, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe and the companies AJL Ophthalmic SA and Aiken-Tecnología Ocular Preventiva SL have designed a new type of intracorneal inlay to correct presbyopia and farsightedness.
New drug target emerges for a dangerous fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen usually affecting immunocompromised patients, particularly AIDS and organ transplant patients, and is one that can be lethal. Current treatments against cryptococcosis are often not effective. Now a team of researchers led by Stony Brook University scientists Mansa Munshi and Maurizio Del Poeta in the Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, have discovered a novel gene that helps understand the mechanism of survival of this pathogen in various host conditions.
	Suicide isn't just a 'white people thing' As a sociologist and criminologist, I often do community outreach on mental health prevention. I urge organizations and programs to avoid "one size fits all" approaches. There are many ways that mental health issues can impact individuals, depending upon race and ethnicity, gender identity, sexual identity, religion and more.
	Nearly 11.8M enroll for Obama health law in 2018 (Update) Call it the political equivalent of a death-defying escape: former President Barack Obama's health care law pulled in nearly 11.8 million customers for 2018, despite the Republican campaign to erase it from the books.
What is norovirus? Stomach bug hits Winter Games Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, has officials at the Pyeongchang Games scrambling to stop its spread. The bug apparently began spreading when private security workers at the games came down with headaches, stomach pain and diarrhea.
	Norovirus at Olympics has officials scrambling, worried Signs posted around the Olympic venues urge extreme caution. Nine hundred troops stream into the area to help. Worried organizers sequester 1,200 people in their rooms.
	New approach reduces immune response to tissue engineered vascular grafts Using RNA interference (RNAi) technology to silence an immune-stimulating complex in endothelial cells (EC), the main cellular component of blood vessels, researchers have made it possible to use the plentiful supply of donor ECs instead of a patient's own cells to generate tissue engineered vascular grafts for transplantation. This innovative method, in which the treated EC retain their key features and functions, is reported in Tissue Engineering, Part A.
	Which fetal size standard should be used for diagnosing a small- or large-for-gestational-age fetus In this special supplement to the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (AJOG) leading experts describe six fetal growth size standards in current use and discuss their strengths and limitations.
Smallpox vaccine study yields favorable results Officials from Bavarian Nordic yesterday announced the results of a successful Phase 3 clinical trial led by USAMRIID that demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the company's investigational, non-replicating smallpox vaccine, IMVAMUNE.
The American College of Rheumatology recommends biosimilar use in new white paper The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has published a new white paper, "The Science Behind Biosimilars - Entering a New Era of Biologic Therapy," providing a comprehensive overview of the scientific, clinical, economic and prescribing issues pertaining to biosimilar use, including efficacy, competition and drug pricing. The paper encourages providers to incorporate these drugs into treatment plans of patients with rheumatic diseases where appropriate.
US genetics scientist among winners of esteemed Israel prize American genetics scientist Mary-Claire King, credited with connecting a gene mutation with breast cancer, is among the winners of Israel's prestigious Dan David Prize this year.

Biology news

	Large-group living boosts magpie intelligence Growing up in a large social group makes Australian magpies more intelligent, new research shows.
	Shoals of sticklebacks differ in their collective personalities Research from the University of Cambridge has revealed that, among schooling fish, groups can have different collective personalities, with some shoals sticking closer together, being better coordinated, and showing clearer leadership than others.
	Study sheds new light on antibiotics produced by ants Ants, like humans, deal with disease. To deal with the bacteria that cause some of these diseases, some ants produce their own antibiotics. A new comparative study identified some ant species that make use of powerful antimicrobial agents - but found that 40 percent of ant species tested didn't appear to produce antibiotics. The study has applications regarding the search for new antibiotics that can be used in humans.
	'Beetlejuice'—it works for real beetles too In Tim Burton's classic comedy "Beetlejuice", the toxic title character can escape from his inferno only if someone pronounces his name three times in a row.
	Hairy tongues help bats drink up Animals have evolved all manner of adaptations to get the nutrients they need. For nectar-feeding bats, long snouts and tongues let them dip in and out of flowers while hovering in mid-air. To help the cause, their tongues are covered in tiny hairs that serve as miniature spoons to scoop and drag up the tasty sap.
	Starfish on ocean floor found to have well developed eyes A team of researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources has found that starfish living in the dark on the ocean floor have eyes on their arms that are similar to other starfish living near shore. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the group describes their study of the unique sea creatures and what they learned about starfish vision.
	Biotechnologists look to bacteria in extremely cold environments for 'green' detergents Despite subzero temperatures, increased UV radiation, little liquid water, and few available nutrients, bacteria living at Earth's poles thrive. They manage it thanks in part to molecules called biosurfactants, which help them separate the complex substrates they feed on into easy-to-metabolize droplets. On February 7 in the journal Trends in Biotechnology, researchers review the hypothetical uses of these cold-loving molecules for "green" detergents, fuel additives, and other applications.
	Study punctures 'you are what you eat' paradigm for carnivore skull shape From dogs to seals to cats, members of the mammalian order Carnivora can vary greatly from one species to another. But for the most part, their skulls all tend to take on some variant of just a few shapes-a pattern scientists have long attributed to shared diets. New research led by the American Museum of Natural History and the University at Buffalo reveals that the evolution of skull shape in this group is actually much more complex and is influenced by nondietary factors. The study is published today in the journal Science Advances.
	Scientists unlock the molecular secret behind long-lived bat species Scientists have identified part of the molecular mechanism that gives long-lived bat species their extraordinary lifespans compared to other animals. The findings published in the journal Science Advances point to the protective structures at the end of chromosomes, called telomeres.
	Great spotted woodpeckers may recognize each other individually by drumming rhythms The drum rolls of great spotted woodpeckers may be used to identify individuals, according to a study published February 7, 2018 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Michal Budka from Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland, and colleagues.
	Giant viruses may play an intriguing role in evolution of life on Earth We all know viruses cause colds and flu this time of year, but you might be surprised to learn that a virus may have played a key role in the evolution of nearly all life forms on Earth.
	Scientists rearrange 'chaotic' citrus family tree Oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes are all hybrids, mixed and matched from 10 "wild" citrus species descended from a single Asian ancestor some eight million years ago, scientists said Wednesday.
	Fruit bat's echolocation may work like sophisticated surveillance sonar New research from the University of Washington suggests that the Egyptian fruit bat is using similar techniques to those preferred by modern-day military and civil surveillance. The results could inspire new directions for driverless cars and drones.
	'World's loneliest bird' Nigel dies in New Zealand New Zealand wildlife lovers are mourning the death of a gannet named Nigel, dubbed "the loneliest bird in the world" due to the absence of any feathered friends on his island home.
	Mistake in fisheries statistics shows false increase in catches Countries' improvements to their fisheries statistics have been contributing to the false impression that humanity is getting more and more fish from the ocean when, in reality, global marine catches have been declining on average by around 1.2 million tonnes per year since 1996.
	Scientists make it possible to rank the risk of resistance genes A new study published in Nature Communications will help to predict antibiotic resistance evolution and thus guide future drug development. The genes that equip bacteria with resistance to clinically used antibiotics have been found in many natural environments. Nevertheless, a functional overview of the resistance genes found in common human bacterial pathogens has been missing so far.
	Mathematics explains why Crispr-Cas9 sometimes cuts the wrong DNA The discovery of the Cas9 protein has simplified gene editing, and may even make it possible to eliminate many hereditary diseases in the near future. Using Cas9, researchers have the ability to cut DNA in a cell to correct mutated genes, or paste new pieces of genetic material into the newly opened spot. Initially, the Crispr-Cas9 system seemed to be extremely accurate. However, it is now apparent that Cas9 sometimes also cuts other DNA sequences similar to the sequences it was programmed to target. Scientists at Delft University of Technology have developed a mathematical model that explains why Cas9 cuts some DNA sequences while leaving others alone.
	Confirming the risks of pesticide use in Burkina Faso Poor pesticide practices in Burkina Faso pose a threat to human health and the environment. An EPFL thesis has quantified this problem for the first time through an analysis of soil, water, sediment, vegetable and hair samples.
	New life for endangered coastal lupine A rare, coastal flowering plant known as Tidestrom's lupine—threatened by native deer mice that can munch up to three-quarters of its unripe fruits under cover of an invasive beachgrass—has been given a new life with the large-scale removal of that grass, a long-term study shows.
	The Hendra vaccine has no effect on racehorse performance Vaccination against the deadly Hendra virus in horses does not reduce their racing performance, according to new research published in the Australian Veterinary Journal.
	Equipping CRISPR/Cas9 with an enzyme that controls translation of genetic information into protein CRISPR/Cas systems are known as promising "gene scissors," editing the genomes of plants, animals and microorganisms by targeting specific regions in their DNA. They might also be used to correct genetic defects. A team of scientists led by Juliane Behler and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Hess from the University of Freiburg have now identified an enzyme that functions as a pair of RNA scissors involved in CRISPR/Cas systems and the correct regulation of gene expression—it reads genes and translates their information into proteins. The researchers have published their work in the scientific journal Nature Microbiology.
	Touchscreen games for dog brain training Spoiling old dogs in their twilight years by retiring them to the sofa and forgiving them their stubbornness or disobedience, doesn't do our four-legged friends any good. Regular brain training and lifelong learning create positive emotions and can slow down mental deterioration in old age. Physical limitations, however, often do not allow the same sort of training as used in young dogs. In a new study, a team of researchers led by cognitive biologists from Vetmeduni Vienna propose computer interaction as a practical alternative. In the training lab, old dogs responded positively to cognitive training using educational touchscreen games. The aim now is to get the interactive "dog sudoku" ready for home use.
	This is why you won't be able to swat that fly Summer in Australia is defined by sport, but the most-played sport isn't cricket or tennis – it's fly swatting. Have you ever tried to swat a fly? You can swipe, slap, slash or swoosh your hands at these sometimes-annoying backyard pests and almost always miss.
	Why some fireflies become femme fatales in their race for survival Fireflies are the flashy stars of the insect world. At night, you can see them coming because each little bug shines like a lamp – and, appropriately, they belong to the beetle family Lampyridae.
	Five ingenious ways snakes manipulate their bodies to hunt and survive Do a quick search for "snakes" in the news and you'll find people terrified, bitten or, sadly, killed by these creatures. Many of us fear their slithering ways and researchers have found evidence which suggests that humans have evolved a tendency to spot snakes more easily than other animals.
	A genetic trigger adds branches to plants, could boost crop yields When it comes to agriculture from branched plants, such as apple trees, the more branches that bear fruit, the better. But in the real world, there's a limit to the number of branches that plants make—a gene tends to put the brakes on this splitting process called shoot branching. Today in ACS Central Science, researchers reveal a chemical that can reverse this limitation, possibly leading to improved crop production.
Better knowledge of evolution leads to greater acceptance of the concept Prevailing theories about evolution state that belief in the concept is tied only to a person's politics, religion or both. But according to new research out of the University of Pennsylvania published in BioScience, the journal of the American Institute of Biology, whether Americans accept or reject the subject also depends on how well they understand it.
	Recovering population of Zimbabwean African lions show low genetic diversity The lion population of Zimbabwe's Savé Valley Conservancy shows low genetic diversity despite improved numbers, according to a study published February 7, 2018 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Laura Tensen from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, and colleagues based in the Savé Valley Conservancy.
Sick bees eat healthier Dr Lori Lach, Senior Lecturer at JCU, said the study compared the feeding habits of healthy bees to those infected with the gut parasite Nosema ceranae.
	Sweet route to greater yields Three years ago, biotechnologists demonstrated in field trials that they could increase the productivity of maize by introducing a rice gene into the plant that regulated the accumulation of sucrose in kernels and led to more kernels per maize plant.
	Study first to document multiple paternity in nests, hatchlings of threatened sea turtles Who's your daddy? No, it's not a TV clip from "The Jerry Springer Show" to identify who the "real" father is. Rather, it is a groundbreaking study of sea turtle nests and hatchlings using paternity tests to uncover "who are your daddies?"
	New research reveals plant wonderland inside China's caves Exciting new data on cave flora has been published today in PLOS ONE in a paper by researchers from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Guangxi Institute of Botany in China.
	Red pandas rescued in Laos stir fears over exotic pet trade The rescue in Laos of three endangered red pandas trafficked from China has raised fears the rare animals are increasingly being coveted by exotic pet owners.
	From anteaters to zebras: London Zoo counts its creatures Gibbons Jimmy and Yoda, Max the Eurasian eagle owl and Bhanu the lion have stood up to be counted as London Zoo conducts its annual audit of creatures big and small.

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