Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Science X Newsletter Tuesday, May 15

Dear Reader ,

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

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Researchers determine chemical composition of two extremely metal-poor stars

Orbital variations can trigger 'snowball' states in habitable zones around sunlike stars

Astronomers find fastest-growing black hole known in space

Scientists' discovery in Yellowstone 'extremely relevant' to origin of life

Lack of 'happiness' hormone makes rice plants less attractive to insects

Producing beneficial propylene while consuming a major greenhouse gas

DeepMind uses neural network to help explain meta-learning in people

New robot concept uses responsive materials to swim through water

The first wireless flying robotic insect takes off

Making carbon nanotubes as usable as common plastics

High levels of workplace exercise linked to early death

The evolution of language? There's an app for that

Too much sex puts Australia marsupials on endangered list

Chinese volunteers emerge from virtual moon base

Wildfires may cause long-term health problems for endangered orangutans

Astronomy & Space news

Researchers determine chemical composition of two extremely metal-poor stars

A group of scientists led by Avrajit Bandyopadhyay of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, has conducted chemical analysis of two bright, extremely metal-poor stars. The results of the analysis, presented May 6 in a paper published on arXiv.org, provide important insights into the nature of these stars, and could help astronomers better understand their origin.

Orbital variations can trigger 'snowball' states in habitable zones around sunlike stars

Aspects of an otherwise Earthlike planet's tilt and orbital dynamics can severely affect its potential habitability—even triggering abrupt "snowball states" where oceans freeze and surface life is impossible, according to new research from astronomers at the University of Washington.

Astronomers find fastest-growing black hole known in space

Astronomers at ANU have found the fastest-growing black hole known in the Universe, describing it as a monster that devours a mass equivalent to our sun every two days.

Chinese volunteers emerge from virtual moon base

A group of Chinese volunteers has emerged from 110 days of isolation in a virtual "lunar lab", state media reported Tuesday, as the country pursues its ambition to put people on the moon.

Scientists use Dorset, UK, as model to help find traces of life on Mars

Imperial College London scientists have found traces of fatty acids—key building blocks of biological cells—in Dorset's acidic streams. They say that because of the similarity of acidic streams in Dorset and on Mars, their findings hint that life might once have existed on Mars.

Physicist investigates black holes like crime scenes

Nicholas Warner wants to figure out how matter behaves at the most extreme frontier of the universe. Warner, professor of physics and astronomy and mathematics at USC Dornsife, recently received a prestigious grant from the European Research Council to study a problem first revealed by Stephen Hawking—the black hole information paradox.

The disc of the Milky Way is bigger than we thought

A team of researchers at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) and at the National Astronomical Observatories of Beijing (NAOC) have published a paper which suggests that if we could travel at the speed of light it would take us 200,000 years to cross the disc of our galaxy.

Small sats are vital to Australia's space industry – and they won't be space junk

Today the federal government released its response to the review of Australia's Space Capability.

NASA's emerging microgap cooling to be tested aboard reusable launch vehicle

An emerging technology for removing excessive, potentially damaging heat from small, tightly packed instrument electronics and other spaceflight gear will be demonstrated for the first time during an upcoming suborbital flight aboard a reusable launch vehicle.

Europa by the numbers

Galileo Galilei discovered Jupiter's moon Europa in 1610. More than four centuries later, astronomers are still making discoveries about its icy surface. With a diameter of almost 2,000 miles, an orbit equivalent to 3.5 Earth days and a mass about 65 percent of Earth's Moon, Europa is considered by some scientists a likely place to look for present-day environments suitable for life.

Technology news

DeepMind uses neural network to help explain meta-learning in people

A team of researchers led by a group at Google subsidiary DeepMind has developed a theory regarding how human meta-learning works by comparing it to a certain type of deep learning network on computers. In their paper published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, the group suggests key elements in specialized computerized neural networks might be similar to the function of dopamine in the brain during meta-learning.

New robot concept uses responsive materials to swim through water

Engineers at Caltech and ETH Zurich have developed robots capable of self-propulsion without using any motors, servos, or power supply. Instead, these first-of-their-kind devices paddle through water as the material they are constructed from deforms with temperature changes.

The first wireless flying robotic insect takes off

Insect-sized flying robots could help with time-consuming tasks like surveying crop growth on large farms or sniffing out gas leaks. These robots soar by fluttering tiny wings because they are too small to use propellers, like those seen on their larger drone cousins. Small size is advantageous: These robots are cheap to make and can easily slip into tight places that are inaccessible to big drones.

Implantable sensor decomposes when its usefulness ends

A team of researchers based at Stanford University has developed a new kind of implantable strain and pressure sensor that decomposes harmlessly when its usefulness ends. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the group describes developing and testing their sensor. Sung-Geun Choi and Seung-Kyun Kang with Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology offer a News & Views piece on the work done by the team at Stanford in the same journal issue.

Eco-friendly hut in Australia finds inspiration in A-frame tent

One can recognize two kinds of accommodation seekers in 2018: Those who are willing to pay big cash to be in the center of the action (capital cities, research or entertainment industry meccas) versus those paying money to get away from it all—even if that also means off the grid.

Algorithm is 'game-changer' for picking up on insurance fraud

A Queen's University Belfast student has developed software which can detect insurance fraud quickly.

Tesla's Autopilot engaged during Utah crash

The driver of a Tesla electric car had the vehicle's semi-autonomous Autopilot mode engaged when she slammed into the back of a Utah fire truck over the weekend, in the latest crash involving a car with self-driving features.

Struggling Toshiba returns to black, avoids delisting

Struggling Japanese conglomerate Toshiba said Tuesday it had bounced back into the black after a disastrous year and will avoid a humiliating delisting from the Tokyo stock exchange.

Symantec downplays mysterious internal investigation

Symantec shares regained some lost ground Monday as executives downplayed a mysterious internal investigation as an accounting matter not expected to have "material adverse" effect on finances.

EU seeks to protect citizens in data 'jungle': minister

The Facebook scandal has laid bare the urgency of protecting personal information in a digital "jungle," the EU's justice minister said before new European data rules become law.

EU data protection may trigger global ripple effect

The EU's new data protection rules that enter into force later this month are having an impact around the world as firms, including in the United States and China, move to comply.

Kaspersky to transfer infrastructure out of Russia

Russian anti-virus software firm Kaspersky Lab, which is suspected by US authorities of helping the Kremlin's espionage efforts, said Tuesday it was moving its core infrastructure and operations to Switzerland.

From Yahoo to Uber, major hacks of data

The European Union's new data protection rules, which take effect on May 25, will give people more control over the way their personal information is used online.

Platform for mobile networks would bring services up to speeds of 100 Gbps

Even though mobile internet link speeds might soon achieve 100 Gbps, this doesn't necessarily mean network carriers will be free of data-handling challenges that effectively slow down mobile data services, for everything from individual device users to billions of Internet-of-Things connections.

How artificial intelligence is reimagining work

Paul Daugherty, chief technology and innovation officer at Accenture, sees three myths surrounding artificial intelligence: Robots are coming for us, machines will take our jobs, and current approaches to business processes will still apply.

Gender is personal – not computational

Imagine walking down the street and seeing advertising screens change their content based on how you walk, how you talk, or even the shape of your chest. These screens rely on hidden cameras, microphones and computers to guess if you're male or female. This might sound futuristic, but patrons in a Norwegian pizzeria discovered it's exactly what was happening: Women were seeing ads for salad and men were seeing ads for meat options. The software running a digital advertising board spilled the beans when it crashed and displayed its underlying code. The motivation behind using this technology might have been to improve advertising quality or user experience. Nevertheless, many customers were unpleasantly surprised by it.

Uber shifts policy for alleged sexual misconduct on service

Uber's ride-hailing service will give its U.S. passengers and drivers more leeway to pursue claims of sexual misconduct, its latest attempt to shed its reputation for brushing aside bad behavior.

Dutch govt dropping Kaspersky software over spying fears

The Dutch government is phasing out the use of anti-virus software made by Russian firm Kaspersky Lab amid fears of possible spying, despite vehement denials by the Moscow-based cyber security company.

Facebook details policing for sex, terror, hate content

Facebook pulled or slapped warnings on nearly 30 million posts containing sexual or violent images, terrorist propaganda or hate speech in the first three months of 2018, the social media giant said Tuesday.

Global demand for air conditioning to triple by 2050: report

The worldwide demand for air conditioning is expected to triple over the next 30 years, making the pursuit of energy-efficient cooling systems a top priority, the International Energy Agency said Tuesday.

Swiss police investigate fatal crash, fire involving Tesla

Police in southern Switzerland say they are investigating the death of a German man after a Tesla car he was driving crashed into a guardrail and burst into flames last week.

Mexico acknowledges banks were hacked; losses unknown

Mexico established a one-day waiting period on electronic money transfers of over $2,500 in the wake of a hacking attack that may have taken as much as $20 million from several Mexican banks.

Facebook: We're better at policing nudity than hate speech

Getting rid of racist, sexist and other hateful remarks on Facebook is challenging for the company because computer programs have difficulties understanding the nuances of human language, the company said Tuesday.

Facebook shut 583 million fake accounts

Facebook axed 583 million fake accounts in the first three months of 2018, the social media giant said Tuesday, detailing how it enforces "community standards" against sexual or violent images, terrorist propaganda or hate speech.

Tesla chief defends self-driving cars after new crash

Tesla chief Elon Musk defended self-driving car technology on Tuesday after reports about the latest crash involving one of the electric carmaker's vehicles.

Seattle OKs taxing companies like Amazon to aid the homeless

Seattle's largest businesses such as Amazon and Starbucks will have to pay a new tax to help fund homeless services and affordable housing under a measure approved by city leaders.

Vodafone returns to profit, announces CEO departure

British telecoms giant Vodafone on Tuesday announced a return to annual profit, as it revealed that long-serving chief executive Vittorio Colao will step down later this year.

EasyJet says losses narrow on sales boost

British low-cost airline EasyJet slashed its first-half losses as a collapse of rivals boosted passenger numbers, but the performance was weighed down by integration costs from Air Berlin assets.

Using IoT, AI and cloud technologies to advance home-based integrated care

One of the largest growing demographics in the EU is individuals aged 65 and over, and two thirds of this group are in situation of multimorbidity, i.e., perons who suffer from two or more chronic diseases. The ineffective treatment of multimorbidity has been pointed out as an urgent problem to address by the Academy of Medical Sciences in a recently released report. As part of an EU H2020 funded project called ProACT, our team at IBM Research – Ireland is working with partners in academia and industry to find new ways to use IoT, AI and cloud technologies to advance self-management capabilities and home-based integrated care for Persons with Multimorbidity (PwM).

Air France-KLM names interim leaders after CEO's quick exit

Air France-KLM named chief financial officer Frederic Gagey as its interim CEO on Tuesday following Jean-Marc Janaillac's sudden exit in a bitter dispute over salaries in the group's French wing.

Something new to binge-watch: TV's rich history of itself

Diahann Carroll recalls a date with Marlon Brando that yielded a slap and career advice. Robert Adler tells how he co-invented the TV remote control. Walter Cronkite shares his dismay over learning that White House pressure trimmed a CBS report on Watergate.

WTO says EU has failed to stop illegal Airbus subsidies

The European Union has failed to remove its illegal subsidies for Airbus, the World Trade Organization said Tuesday, in a major victory for the United States and its national aviation giant, Boeing.

Texas city of Arlington says it's out of bid for Amazon HQ2

The city of Arlington says it's "no longer moving forward" in the competition to become Amazon's second headquarters, and released details of the incentives it offered the online retailer.

Thoreau's 'Walden' gets new life as a video game

A team at the University of Southern California's Game Innovation Lab has adapted Henry David Thoreau's "Walden" into a video game.

Medicine & Health news

High levels of workplace exercise linked to early death

Men with highly physical jobs appear to have a significantly higher risk of early death compared with men who have largely inactive jobs, suggests a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Joint resolution: A link between Huntington's disease and rheumatoid arthritis

Using new analytic tools, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have decoded the epigenetic landscape for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a common autoimmune disease that affects more than 1.3 million Americans. In unveiling RA's epigenome—the proteins and molecules that decorate DNA and help turn genes on and off—scientists made a surprising discovery: an overlap between the causes of RA and Huntington's disease, a fatal and incurable genetic brain disease.

Researchers find a connection between left-handedness and low birth weight

A team of researchers from Finland, the Netherlands and Japan has found a connection between left-handedness and low baby birth weight. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes their study of two large birth datasets and what they found.

Six years of exercise—or lack of it—may be enough to change heart failure risk

By analyzing reported physical activity levels over time in more than 11,000 American adults, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers conclude that increasing physical activity to recommended levels over as few as six years in middle age is associated with a significantly decreased risk of heart failure, a condition that affects an estimated 5 million to 6 million Americans.

Study finds that different diseases elicit distinct sets of exhausted T cells

The battle between the human immune system and long-term, persisting infections and other chronic diseases such as cancer results in a prolonged stalemate. Over time battle-weary T cells become exhausted, giving germs or tumors an edge. Using data from multiple molecular databases, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have found nine distinct types of exhausted T cells ("Tex"), which could have implications for fighting chronic infections, autoimmunity, and cancer. They published their findings in Immunity this week.

Researchers propose how REM and non-REM sleep may work together to help us solve problems

Sleep is known to be important for creative thinking, but exactly how it helps and what role each sleep stage—REM and non-REM—plays remains unclear. A team of researchers have now developed a hypothesis, outlined in an Opinion published May 15 in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences, to explain how the interleaving of REM and non-REM sleep might facilitate creative problem solving in different but complementary ways.

A high-fiber diet protects mice against the flu virus

Dietary fiber increases survival in influenza-infected mice by setting the immune system at a healthy level of responsiveness, according to a preclinical study published May 15th in the journal Immunity. A high-fiber diet blunts harmful, excessive immune responses in the lungs while boosting antiviral immunity by activating T cells. These dual benefits were mediated by changes in the composition of gut bacteria, leading to an increase in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) through the microbial fermentation of dietary fiber.

National trial: EEG brain tests help patients overcome depression

Imagine millions of depressed Americans getting their brain activity measured and undergoing blood tests to determine which antidepressant would work best. Imagine some of them receiving "brain training" or magnetic stimulation to make their brains more amenable to those treatments.

Wide variety in asthma outcomes across country despite overall improvements in care

Asthma outcomes still vary widely across England and appear to be influenced by region and affluence despite falling rates of asthma deaths, emergency hospital admissions and prevalence, suggests a study published in the journal Thorax.

Understanding vitamin D trends in children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

New research charts vitamin D levels and variations in genes that determine vitamin D status in UK children diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Call for low-cost approach to tackle disease afflicting millions of the world's poorest

Researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) are asking governments in the developing world to adopt a low-cost, community-based approach to prevent acute attacks that occur in patients with a devastating neglected tropical disease.

Move it and use it: Exergaming may help those at risk of Alzheimer's or related dementias

Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), often a precursor to Alzheimer's, showed significant improvement with certain complex thinking and memory skills after exergaming, according to a new study.

The big ethical questions for artificial intelligence in healthcare

AI in healthcare is developing rapidly, with many applications currently in use or in development in the UK and worldwide. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics examines the current and potential applications of AI in healthcare, and the ethical issues arising from its use, in a new briefing note, Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare and research, published today.

Protective protein activated by vitamin K found, inactive, abundant in blacks on dialysis

High levels of a protein activated by vitamin K and associated with cardiovascular disease when it isn't, has been found in the blood of African-Americans on dialysis, investigators report.

Ghana fights malarial chemical resistance with new spray

Bismark Owusu moves food and bowls from a bedroom and covers clothes and furniture with a large sheet before mixing a mosquito-killing chemical with water in his spray pack.

Sex bias kills 240,000 infant girls in India yearly: study

Almost a quarter-of-a-million girls younger than five die in India every year due to neglect resulting from society's preference for sons, a gender discrimination study found on Tuesday.

New agility tests can discriminate between soccer players at different performance levels

Agility—the ability to rapidly and tactically change speed or direction—is an important factor in soccer performance. A new study reports that two new agility tests can successfully discriminate between youth soccer players at under-17 and under-19, with the older players showing enhanced agility. In contrast, other characteristics thought to be associated with agility, such as body dimensions and sprinting abilities, were not significantly different between the two age groups. Published in open-access journal Frontiers in Physiology, the study suggests that specific agility training could pay dividends in enhanced youth soccer player agility and performance.

Snorers suffer from nerve and muscle damage in the palate

People who snore may have extensive tissue damage in the nerves and muscles of the soft palate. This can, in turn, create problems with swallowing and contribute to development of sleep apnea. Treatment strategies aimed at early intervention to stop snoring might have beneficial effects in healing or preventing development of sleep apnea. These findings are explained in a new dissertation at Umeå University, Sweden.

Researchers uncover up to 100 potential drug targets for cancer

Protein researchers from the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research at the University of Copenhagen have used mass spectrometry-based proteomics to uncover a number of proteins that could play a critical role in propagating signals within cells that can lead to uncontrolled cell growth—one of the hallmarks of cancer.

Scientists discover a variation of the genome predisposing to Alzheimer's disease

An article published in Nature Medicine shows that the inheritance of small changes in DNA alters the expression of the PM20D1 gene and is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

A new drug shows preclinical efficacy in Rett syndrome

A new article published in the Cell Reports describes how a new drug is able to reduce the symptoms and activate the dormant neurons characteristic of Rett syndrome in preclinical models. The study was led by Dr. Manel Esteller, Director of the Epigenetics and Cancer Biology Program (PEBC) of the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL).

Better equipped in the fight against lung cancer

Lung cancer is the third-most common type of cancer in Germany, affecting both men and women. However, immunotherapies are successful in only 20 percent of cases. Researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) have now discovered a special mechanism that regulates tumour growth in lung cancer. This opens up new possibilities in the treatment of lung cancer patients. The results were published in the journal Oncoimmunology.

Researchers study 'universal' protective human antibodies

Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have been studying how the immune system succeeds in keeping pathogens in check. For the first time, the researchers have now discovered antibodies that are capable of disarming not only one specific bacterium, but a whole variety of microorganisms at once. The newly discovered antibodies recognize a tiny sugar structure found on the surface of various germs. Thus, a limited number of antibodies is sufficient to control a wide variety of microorganisms.

Strong link between depression and anxiety disorders with chronic thyroid disease

There is a strong link between depression and anxiety disorders and autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT), a chronic thyroid condition affecting approximately 10 percent of the population. Scientists at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) have now proven that special treatment could help many sufferers, especially women.

Raising awareness about asthma is critical, says expert

Millions of people in the United States, regardless of age, gender, race and ethnicity, are impacted by asthma, and the number of asthma sufferers is only projected to grow. To raise awareness about this disease, May is recognized as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.

Bodies transparentized in a virtual environment

A Ph.D. candidate, Ryota Kondo, and Professor Michiteru Kitazaki at Toyohashi University of Technology, and collaborators have found that the visual-motor synchronicity of the hands and feet can induce a sense of illusory ownership over an invisible body interpolated between virtual hands and feet. It can provide the illusory ownership over the invisible body at a distance, or enable the operation of one's own transparentized body in a virtual environment.

Genetic fixer-uppers may predict bladder cancer prognosis

Mutations in genes that help repair damage to DNA may aid in predicting the prognosis of patients with bladder and other related cancers, according to researchers.

Why today's rapid weight loss diets always seem to fail

When it comes to losing weight these days, everyone seems to be in a rush. Some of today's most popular weight loss programs promise significant weight loss in as little as 30 days or less. While many folks will succeed in losing weight initially, sustaining that weight loss over time is a different challenge entirely. UConn professor of pharmacy practice C. Michael White explored some of the research behind these weight loss programs and offers what he believes is a more practical approach to long-term, sustainable weight loss in a new book, "The Part-Time Diet – Conquering the Weight Loss Plateau." White recently sat down with UConn Today to discuss his findings and why today's popular fad diets always seem to fail.

Don't waste the simple test that might save your life

Research reveals many Australians aged 50 and over are putting their lives at risk by not taking part in a simple, painless bowel cancer screening test that is provided free and taken in the privacy of their own homes.

Medicaid expansion leaves more money in recipients' pockets

Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act reduced out-of-pocket medical expenses, allowing the poorest Americans to allocate their money for other life necessities, according to a new University of Michigan study.

Australians may be risking their health by 'practice hopping'

While most Australians have a regular GP and a usual general practice clinic, more than a quarter visit multiple practices, potentially risking their health if important medical information is not passed on, according to new research from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Business School.

Landmark study optimises steroid use in pregnancy

A pioneering research program aiming to optimise steroid use in pregnancy, and minimise potential side effects of excess steroid exposure to both mother and baby, is set to benefit the millions of families worldwide who will have babies born too soon.

Women need to know about the link between the pill and depression

The introduction of the contraceptive pill in the 1960s was a major milestone for female empowerment. It allowed women to separate sex from procreation, and to increase their participation in work outside the home.

If being active is good for your health, why do men in physically active jobs die prematurely?

Men who have physically active occupations are 18% more likely to die prematurely, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The results of this study may surprise many people, given that the health benefits of regular physical activity are well established.

Why getting the new shingles vaccine is a good idea—even if you got the old one

It's a good idea for most Canadians 50 and older to get the newest vaccine to prevent shingles—even if they've already had Zostavax, the only previously available option, says a University of Alberta pharmacist.

Researchers make key discovery about human cancer virus protein

University of Minnesota researchers in the dentistry school-based Institute for Molecular Virology (IMV) have made a key discovery that could have important implications for developing a strategy to stop the spread of a highly infectious virus currently spreading among remote areas of central Australia. Called human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), infection rates are reportedly exceeding 40 percent among adults in those communities. HTLV-1, the first human cancer virus discovered, can cause leukemia and lymphoma.

Unspoken complication of childbirth

Cardiff University doctors are on a mission to improve diagnosis times and treatment for women in Wales who suffer anal sphincter injuries in childbirth.

Attentive adults increase children's ability to empathise

For human beings to function socially, they need to be able to perceive, understand, and talk about others' mental states, such as beliefs, desires and intentions. There is no consensus among researchers as to when children develop this ability. Previous research indicates that it emerges around the age of four, but research at Lund University in Sweden shows that children can demonstrate this ability earlier – within social situations that they experience together with an engaged adult.

Magnetic stimulation dampens brain response to drug cues in addiction

In a study investigating the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for drug addiction, researchers at Medical University of South Carolina are the first to demonstrate that the noninvasive brain stimulation technique can dampen brain activity in response to drug cues in chronic alcohol users and chronic cocaine users. The findings are published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging.

Penicillin's first patient

The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 is often portrayed as a stroke of serendipity falling upon a sloppy worker who had left a bacterial culture plate open on his bench while taking a holiday. The fungus that landed there killed the bacteria – and the lucky Fleming could claim to have saved the world.

How understanding pain could curb opioid addiction

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee unanimously approved a bill in April 2018 designed to address the opioid crisis. The bill called the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 covers much of the same territory as the 138-page report released in November 2017 by a commission appointed by President Donald Trump.

Omega-3, omega-6 in diet alters gene expression in obesity

A new study reveals that essential fats in the diet may play a role in regulating protein secretion in the muscles by changing the way genes associated with secretion act. The study is published ahead of print in Physiological Genomics.

Big data from world's largest citizen science microbiome project serves food for thought

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and collaborators have published the first major results from the American Gut Project, a crowdsourced, global citizen science effort. The project, described May 15 in mSystems, is the largest published study to date of the human microbiome—the unique microbial communities that inhabit our bodies.

Drug companies selling more 'lifestyle,' less 'symptom'

Prescription drug commercials are getting longer and providing less factual information. A study published in the Annals of Family Medicine finds that the majority of these ads focus on lifestyle improvements made post-medication rather than side-effects and the negative emotions associated with certain health issues.

New study sheds light on how we perceive color

When we view natural images the colours we perceive are due to colour information at every local patch of an image, rather than how colours interact when they transition from one point to another, according to a new study from researchers at City, University of London.

How can we help children with brain injuries transition back to school?

Children with brain injuries face significant challenges when transitioning from hospital or home to school where they face issues such as lack of educator understanding and catching up with missed work. In the current issue of NeuroRehabilitation, leading researchers in the field of pediatric brain injury from across the globe identify today's key issues in supporting children and youth with brain injuries as they transition to school or college.

New findings explain how melatonin promotes sleep

An estimated 50 to 70 million Americans have some type of sleep disorder, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some turn to melatonin supplements to help them fall asleep. Melatonin is a hormone known to promote sleep, but its underlying mechanisms are unknown. Now, researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine have discovered how melatonin suppresses neurons in the brain that keeps you awake and alert. These findings could lead to new therapies for those who suffer from insomnia.

Fertility study finds acupuncture ineffective for IVF birth rates

A study of over 800 Australian and New Zealand women undergoing acupuncture treatment during their IVF (in vitro fertilization) cycle has confirmed no significant difference in live birth rates. The findings published today in JAMA support recent guidelines from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and two high-quality meta-analyses.

Study shines light on gut microbiome in colon cancer

Researchers have identified a correlation between gut microbial composition and microRNA expression in human colorectal cancer, according to a recent study published in the journal mSystems. The study is the first to demonstrate that the interaction between microRNA and the gut microbiome may play a role in colorectal cancer.

Gun safety programs do not prevent children from handling firearms, study finds

Children who participate in gun safety programs often ignore what they learned when encountering a real firearm, according to a Rutgers School of Nursing study.

Zebrafish heart development reveals key insight into inherited heart defects

Scientists have shown for the first time that the blueprint for the four chambers of the human heart exists in the humble zebrafish, a study in eLife reports.

Love hurts: Spats with spouse may worsen chronic pain, other symptoms

A fight with a spouse may end in hurt feelings, but for those with chronic conditions like arthritis or diabetes, those arguments may have physical repercussions as well, according to researchers.

Study: Superbug MRSA infections less costly, but still deadly

Staph infections, whether MRSA (resistant to methicillin) or susceptible, are important and deadly. Drug-resistant staph infections continue to be deadlier than those that are not resistant and treatable with traditional antibiotics, but treatment costs surprisingly are the same or slightly less, a new national analysis shows.

Millions try E-cigarettes, but many stop

(HealthDay)—Many folks are trying e-cigarettes, but not everyone is sticking with them, a new survey finds.

Fewer antibiotics for kids, but more ADHD drugs

(HealthDay)—American kids are taking fewer prescription medications these days—but certain drugs are being prescribed more than ever, a new government study finds.

Can fido fetch the fountain of youth?

(HealthDay)—Humanity's search for a fountain of youth stretches back centuries, but modern scientists hope new research in dogs might be barking up the right tree.

America's fittest city: Arlington, Va.

(HealthDay)—Arlington, Va. is the "most fit city in America."

What makes up the American gut?

(HealthDay)—Want a healthy gut? New research suggests you should eat plenty of fruits and veggies, avoid antibiotics and take care of your mental health.

Fewer money worries can pay off in better health

(HealthDay)—It's no secret that money worries can lead to health issues, so reducing monthly bills is a great goal. But it's also important to know that some so-called time-saving conveniences can actually cost you more.

Novel algorithm can help create 3-D human nose prosthesis

(HealthDay)—An algorithm can be used to model and print a three-dimensional (3-D) prosthesis of a human nose, according to a study published online May 10 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

Hyoscyamine helps in A-fib with slow ventricular response

(HealthDay)—Hyoscyamine can prevent pacemaker placement in a patient with symptoms caused by a slow ventricular response during atrial fibrillation, according to a case study published online May 15 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Early post-op APAP exposure may cut AKI risk in peds cardiac Sx

(HealthDay)—For pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery, early postoperative acetaminophen exposure may be associated with a reduced rate of acute kidney injury (AKI), according to a study published online May 14 in JAMA Pediatrics.

Peripheral neuropathy common in childhood cancer survivors

(HealthDay)—Childhood cancer survivors frequently have clinical abnormalities attributable to peripheral neuropathy, according to a study published online May 14 in JAMA Neurology.

Shower cream, body lotion combo improves atopic dry skin

(HealthDay)—A shower cream and a body lotion with physiological lipids are effective in improving skin hydration in patients with dry skin, according to a study published online May 10 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

Assisted reproduction may up risk of placental anomalies

(HealthDay)—Among singleton pregnancies, assisted reproductive technology (ART) is associated with an increased risk of placental anomalies, according to a review published online May 8 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

Randomized trial finds ibuprofen not a safe alternative to antibiotics for UTIs

Ibuprofen, given instead of antibiotics to women with uncomplicated urinary tract infection, (cystitis), leads to longer duration of symptoms and more serious adverse events related to the spread of the primary infection, according to a new study in PLOS Medicine by Ingvild Vik and colleagues from the University of Oslo, Norway.

High civilian mortality rates during the liberation of Mosul from ISIS

Mortality rates were higher during the 9 months of military liberation of Mosul, Iraq, than during the 29 months of exclusive Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) control, according to a study published this week in PLOS Medicine. The population-based survey, conducted by Gilbert Burnham from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Riyadh Lafta from Al Mustansiriya University in Baghdad, and Maha A. Al-Nuaimi from the National Center for Research and Treatment of Blood Diseases in Baghdad, demonstrated that high mortality rates resulted from the military offensive despite the use of modern precision-targeted ordnance.

VA health care successfully reduces 'rush to treatment' rates for low-risk prostate cancer

Record numbers of American veterans diagnosed with non-aggressive prostate cancer are heeding the advice of international medical experts and opting out of immediate surgery or radiation to treat their cancer.

Gonorrhoea surveillance study maps antibiotic resistance across Europe

The first European-wide genomic survey of gonorrhoea has mapped antibiotic resistance in this sexually transmitted disease throughout the continent. Researchers at The Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance (CGPS), the Wellcome Sanger Institute, European Centre for Disease Control, and their collaborators also showed that using DNA sequencing data they could accurately determine antibiotic resistance and identify incorrect laboratory test results. This genomic approach could one day help doctors prescribe the most effective antibiotics for each region.

Study shows targeted biopsy for prostate cancer more effective than traditional method

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) have found that MRI fusion biopsy—coupling MRI and ultrasound to visualize suspicious lesions in the prostate gland and targeting the biopsy to that particular area—outperformed standard prostate biopsy in patients with a prior negative prostate biopsy.

Keeping kids with asthma out of the hospital

Pediatric asthma takes a heavy toll on patients and families alike. Affecting more than 7 million children in the U.S., it's the most common nonsurgical diagnosis for pediatric hospital admission, with costs of more than $570 million annually. Understanding how to care for these young patients has significantly improved in the last several decades, leading the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to issue evidence-based guidelines on pediatric asthma in 1990. Despite knowing more about this respiratory ailment, overall morbidity—measured by attack rates, pediatric emergency department visits or hospitalizations—has not decreased over the last decade.

Some calories more harmful than others

While calories from any food have the potential to increase the risk of obesity and other cardiometabolic diseases, 22 nutrition researchers agree that sugar-sweetened beverages play a unique role in chronic health problems. The disease risk increases even when the beverages are consumed within diets that do not result in weight gain.

Researchers identify method to overcome false positives in CT imaging for lung cancer

A team of researchers including investigators from Mayo Clinic has identified a technology to address the problem of false positives in CT-based lung cancer screening. The team's findings are published in the current issue of PLOS One.

Bringing MomTech to life: Engineering professor designs a gadget to help moms breastfeed

Breast milk has many known health benefits, but breastfeeding is not always an option for moms, and many turn to pumping as an alternative. Katherine Hornbostel, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, wanted to make this often cumbersome process easier. She decided to tackle the antiquated design of modern breast pumps and create a clever attachment that would make pumping more like nursing.

An energy dense diet changes the brain and increases urge to eat

Research by Stephanie Borgland at the University of Calgary shows that giving rats unrestricted access to unhealthy foods for extended periods not only leads to obesity, but also to brain changes that makes food more attractive to them, even when their hunger should be satisfied. Specifically, Dr. Borgland's research identified modifications in endocannabinoid signalling in a brain region called the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) of these obese rats. These unpublished results were presented at the 2018 Canadian Neuroscience Meeting, in Vancouver, May 15th, 2018.

Colon polyp type may be key to cancer risk

(HealthDay)—The type of colon polyp that's spotted during a colonoscopy may help predict the likelihood of colon cancer, new research shows.

Heart transplant survivor shakes off sheltered childhood to enjoy life

Kendra Plumley didn't spend her childhood running around with other kids on her street, having friends over for sleepovers, or spending lazy summer days by the pool. Instead, she spent most of her time indoors. It wasn't a choice. She had to protect her new heart.

'BioSimilar' drug approved to treat certain types of anemia

(HealthDay)—Retacrit (epoetin alfa-epbx) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the first "biosimilar" to the anemia drugs Epogen and Procrit.

Researchers identify the most accurate risk prediction models for selecting whom to screen for lung cancer

Four risk prediction models have been shown to be most accurate for selecting the highest risk ever-smokers for lung cancer screening. Researchers suggest that this data can be used to inform future lung cancer screening guidelines. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Gender discrimination results in the deaths of extra 239,000 girls per year in India

A new study has found that there is an average of 239,000 excess deaths per year of girls under the age of five in India, or 2.4 million in a decade, and excess female child mortality is found in 90 percent of districts in the country.

Gender and NCDs—benign neglect in the face of a gaping window of opportunity

NCDs are finally having their moment. Diabetes is very much in the public eye from Dhaka to Dakar, the global 'epidemic' of obesity is currently the subject of numerous television shows, the row over sugar sweetened beverage taxes and alcohol unit taxes the stuff of parliamentary debates and public information and misinformation battles. Quickly and surprisingly terms such as the commercial determinants of NCDs entered the public health lexicon. And almost overnight public regulatory approaches, for example to marketing junk food to children or reformulating the salt content of unhealthy foods, are being seen as not only policy options but necessary to stem the social, health and economic costs associated with the rise of NCDs. NCDs are finally not only on the agenda, but on the top of many.

Wherever you are, time is running out for treating gonorrhoea

Mark King has had the clap so many times he's renamed it 'the applause'. The first time King had gonorrhoea, he was a teenager in the late 1970s, growing up with his five siblings in Louisiana.

Study reveals a new indicator of survival outcome after cardiac arrest

Research carried out by the University of Luxembourg, the National Rescue Services, the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg and the Luxembourg Institute of Health has found that brain-body communication predicts survival after cardiac arrest.

Expert consensus finds that higher protein intake benefits adult bone health

A new expert consensus endorsed by the European Society for Clinical and Economical Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) and the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) has reviewed the benefits and safety of dietary protein for bone health, based on analyses of major research studies. The review, published in Osteoporosis International, found that a protein-rich diet, provided there is adequate calcium intake, is in fact beneficial for adult bone health. It also found no evidence that acid load due to higher dietary protein intakes, whether of animal or vegetable origin, is damaging to bone health.

Researchers call for transgender-inclusive healthcare providers

More should be done to take care of the mental health of transgender people in the US, a new survey carried out in Colorado indicates. The survey results show that four in every ten respondents suffered from depression, while one in every ten tried to commit suicide in the year prior to the survey being conducted. Lead author Robin Christian of the University of Colorado School of Medicine in the US summarized and analyzed the survey results in a study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine which is the official journal of the Society of General Internal Medicine and is published by Springer.

Prenatal testing of the fetal rhesus factor: Test is reliable, but benefit is unclear

If the blood of a pregnant woman is rhesus-negative (Rh-negative) and the blood of the foetus is rhesus-positive (Rh-positive), the woman may develop antibodies, which can cause severe harm to subsequent children in particular. In order to prevent this effect called sensitization, all Rh-negative pregnant women in Germany currently receive a prophylaxis. A new type of test using a blood sample of the pregnant woman can determine the child's rhesus factor already before birth, however. Provided the test is sufficiently reliable, many women might not need the prophylaxis. Currently, the blood of the newborn baby is tested directly after birth.

LGBTQ teens experiencing high levels of stress, says national survey

A survey of LGBTQ teenagers across the nation reveals in detail the persistent challenges many of them face going about their daily lives at home, at school, and in their communities.

6 US states accuse opioid maker Purdue of fueling overdoses

Six U.S. states on Tuesday sued the maker of the opioid OxyContin of using deceptive marketing to boost drug sales that fueled opioid overdose deaths.

Biology news

Scientists' discovery in Yellowstone 'extremely relevant' to origin of life

Montana State University scientists have found a new lineage of microbes living in Yellowstone National Park's thermal features that sheds light on the origin of life, the evolution of archaeal life and the importance of iron in early life.

Lack of 'happiness' hormone makes rice plants less attractive to insects

Inhibiting the production of the 'happiness' hormone – serotonin – in rice plants, increases their resistance to two of the world's most destructive and costly insect pests, new research has shown.

Too much sex puts Australia marsupials on endangered list

Two marsupial species whose males die after marathon sex sessions have been put on Australia's endangered list, with scientists warning Tuesday they are racing against the clock to save them.

Scientists develop method to tweak tiny 'antenna' on cells

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine and the National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan say they have found a fast way to manipulate a cell's cilia, the tiny, fingerlike protrusions that "feel" and sense their microscopic environment. The experiments, performed in mouse cells, may advance scientists' efforts to not only understand how the nanosized antennae work, but also how to repair them.

Taming random gene changes as our bodies start to form

Scientists exploring how to tame random gene fluctuations as the embryos that become our bodies start to form have identified a control switch in the vertebrate segmentation clock of developing zebrafish. The researchers report in Cell Reports their findings could uncover methods for modulating genetic signals to prevent birth defects or cancers rooted at the earliest stages of development.

New research shows that wasps drum to alert one another of food nearby

Have you ever had to shout to call your family to the dinner table?

Scientists crack how primordial life on Earth might have replicated itself

Scientists have created a new type of genetic replication system which demonstrates how the first life on Earth—in the form of RNA—could have replicated itself. The scientists from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology say the new RNA utilises a system of genetic replication unlike any known to naturally occur on Earth today.

Researchers find new way to stimulate cellular recycling process

Brown University researchers studying the biology of aging have demonstrated a new strategy for stimulating autophagy, the process by which cells rebuild themselves by recycling their own worn-out parts.

Mapping movements of ocean creatures great and small

A whale and a turtle differ in size, shape and lifestyle but their patterns of movement are surprisingly similar, reveals the largest collection of movement data for a diverse group of large marine vertebrates.

Ecological systems research: What do disturbances in the system result in?

The effects of disturbances on an ecosystem such as flooding or increasing drought have been difficult to predict in the past. UFZ researchers have demonstrated the complexity with which even simple model ecosystems respond to disturbances and have uncovered underlying mechanisms that may play a role in natural ecosystems. The study was recently published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Rhino horn used to comfort the terminally ill in Vietnam

The horns of endangered wild rhinoceroses are widely used as a folk cure-all in parts of Asia. A new Danish-Vietnamese study from the University of Copenhagen uncovers new reasons that Vietnamese consumers buy illegal rhino horn. This knowledge can now be used in campaigns to save endangered rhinoceroses.

American kestrels provide important 'ecosystem services'

America's smallest raptor, the American kestrel, can boost economies in Michigan and other fruit-growing states, new research shows. It's the first study to measure regional job creation aided by the activity of native predators.

Bamboo-eating Bale monkeys could still be saved from extinction

There are fewer than 10,000 surviving Bale monkeys in Ethiopia, and they prefer to eat only bamboo – but the bamboo forests are shrinking, and local farmers harass or kill monkeys when they try to eat cultivated foods. This part sounds like a recipe for a species at high risk, but new research shows that the Bale monkeys can still be saved from extinction.

Why Iceland is set to resume whaling despite international opposition

After a two-year pause in the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) hunt, Icelandic whaling company Hvalur hf. will resume whaling this summer, with a government-issued quota.

437 million tons of fish, $560 billion wasted due to destructive fishing operations

Industrial fisheries that rely on bottom trawling wasted 437 million tonnes of fish and missed out on $560 billion in revenue over the past 65 years, new UBC research has found.

Traditional knowledge sheds light on changing East Greenland climate and polar bear hunt

Inuit polar bear subsistence hunters from two East Greenland regions, Tasiilaq and Ittoqqortoormiit, report changes to their hunting patterns as well as polar bear distribution and behavior due to decreasing sea ice and the introduction of hunting quotas in 2006. The hunters have observed large climate changes in their hunting areas—including warmer weather, less sea ice and disappearing glaciers—which the majority say have affected the polar bear hunt. More hunters are now using boats than dog sledges due to loss of sea ice. The hunters also note that more polar bears are coming into their communities looking for food, and that the bears are eating more seal parts than previously. Published in Frontiers in Marine Science, the study is the first in nearly 20 years to document traditional knowledge on polar bear catches and ecology in East Greenland—providing a valuable baseline for monitoring future changes as well as the polar bear population.

Savanna chimpanzees suffer from heat stress

During their evolutionary history hominins underwent physiological and behavioral changes to cope with and adapt to more open and hotter environments. These changes include increased sweat capacity and loss of hair coverage, but are difficult to pinpoint using the fossil record as such changes do not fossilize. Even bipedalism, the defining hominid characteristic, has been argued by some to be linked with the transition into savanna environments. In a paper, the researchers demonstrate that a group of savanna-dwelling chimpanzees showed significant physiological difficulty when temperatures were high and water was scarce.

Biologists find mechanisms that control where transcription factors bind

A team of biologists has determined how transcription factors (TFs), which guide gene regulation, function differently in embryonic development. The results help illuminate how cells acquire distinct functions as the embryo matures.

Measuring the hardness of living tissues without damage

When a fertilized egg is developing into a fetus, cell populations forming tissues are in a fluid state, and thus, the tissue can be easily deformed. Cells also generate mechanical forces during development that contribute to the shaping of the tissues and organs. An important question is how organisms secure/proceed with proper tissue and organ formation in these conditions. In order to understand the process of tissue and organ formations, it is essential to understand how physical characteristics of tissues responding to mechanical stresses influence the process of organogenesis.

Heat shock system helps bug come back to life after drying up

Heat shock factor, which exists in a single form in invertebrates but multiple forms in vertebrates, is an essential part of the ability of living cells to survive stressful conditions such as heat, cold, radiation, and, it turns out, desiccation.

How the waterwheel plant snaps

The midrib of the leaf (which has been transformed into a snap trap) bends slightly downwards in a flash, the trap halves fold in, and the water flea can no longer escape – as part of an interdisciplinary team Anna Westermeier, Dr. Simon Poppinga and Prof. Dr. Thomas Speck from the Plant Biomechanics Group at the Botanic Garden of the University of Freiburg have discovered how this snapping mechanism, with which the carnivorous waterwheel (Aldrovanda vesiculosa) catches its prey, works in detail. The study was carried out in the Collaborative Research Centre "Biological Design and Integrative Structures: Analysis, Simulation and Implementation in Architecture." In addition to the Freiburg biologists, experts from the Institute of Structural Analysis and Structural Dynamics (IBB) at the University of Stuttgart and from the Institute of Botany at the Czech Academy of Sciences were also involved. The team has published its results in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

Impact of weather and well-timed cultural management techniques on organic weed control

Weed management can be a tough challenge in organic cropping systems since growers don't have herbicides in their weed control arsenal. New research published in the journal Weed Science, though, shows that weather conditions and well-timed cultural management techniques can help fill the void by making crops more competitive.


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