Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Science X Newsletter Tuesday, May 8

Dear Reader ,

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

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Issues still to be addressed for Breakthrough Starshot project

'Orbital-selective pairing' theory applied to first 'heavy fermion' superconductor

Research team uncovers mechanism of action for a class of bacterial toxins

Scientists train spider to jump on demand to discover secrets of animal movement

The apparent inner calm of quantum materials

Powerful hurricanes strengthen faster now than 30 years ago

Researchers discover cellular messengers communicate with bacteria in the mouth

Sharks can acquire a taste for jazz music

Are conservatives more sceptical of climate change? It depends

Drug may reverse imbalance linked to autism symptoms

Sea turtles like it local

Unexpected behaviour of atom clouds challenges existing theories

CRISPR-guided proximity labeling—dissecting gene transcription's proteomic choreography

Research duo finds way to predict shifts in watersheds as climate changes

Easy-to-measure grip strength test could help predict major disease risk

Astronomy & Space news

Dutch astronomers photograph possible toddler planet by chance

An international team of astronomers headed by Dutch researchers from Leiden University has coincidently found a small companion around the young double star CS Cha. The astronomers examined the dust disc of the binary, while they stumbled upon the companion. The researchers suspect that it is a planet in his toddler years that is still growing. The astronomers used the SPHERE instrument on the European Very Large Telescope in Chile. They will soon publish their findings in an article that is accepted by the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.

Why does the Sun's corona sizzle at one million degrees F? Team of physicists is unearthing clues

The Sun's corona, invisible to the human eye except when it appears briefly as a fiery halo of plasma during a solar eclipse, remains a puzzle even to scientists who study it closely. Located 1,300 miles from the star's surface, it is more than a hundred times hotter than lower layers much closer to the fusion reactor at the Sun's core.

ESA selects three new mission concepts for study

A high-energy survey of the early Universe, an infrared observatory to study the formation of stars, planets and galaxies, and a Venus orbiter are to be considered for ESA's fifth medium class mission in its Cosmic Vision science programme, with a planned launch date in 2032.

The latest from Juno as Jupiter appears bright in the night sky

Now is a great time to see Jupiter in the night sky, as the planet reaches opposition on Wednesday, May 9.

Breakthrough Listen begins survey of the plane of the Milky Way at Parkes

Breakthrough Listen – the initiative to find signs of intelligent life in the universe – announced today that a survey of millions of stars located in the plane of our galaxy, using the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope ("Parkes") in New South Wales, Australia, has commenced. Listen observations at Parkes began in November 2016, targeting a sample consisting mostly of stars within a few light years of Earth. Now, observations have expanded to cover a huge swath of the Milky Way visible from the site.

Antennas for lighter, more economic communications satellites

A telecommunications engineer at the NUP/UPNA-Public University of Navarre has designed two antenna prototypes for communications satellites; they offer more lightweight solutions, are less bulky than the ones used conventionally and constitute considerable savings for the space industry, which has already expressed an interest in them. The ESA-European Space Agency, among others, has collaborated in her work.

Video: Horizons mission

"Horizons" is the name of ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst's second mission to the International Space Station.

Technology news

MRI 'glove' provides new look at hand anatomy

A new kind of MRI component in the shape of a glove delivers the first clear images of bones, tendons and ligaments moving together, a new study finds.

Google showcases AI advances at its big conference

Google put the spotlight on its artificial intelligence smarts at its annual developers conference Tuesday, where it announced new features and services imbued with machine learning.

Uber shows off its vision for future 'flying taxi'

It's not a bird, nor a plane. But Uber's new prototype vehicle unveiled Tuesday shows off its vision of the future of transportation—a "flying taxi" that aims to alleviate urban congestion.

Google to showcase AI advances at its big conference

Google is likely to again put artificial intelligence in the spotlight at its annual developers conference Thursday.

Japan's Takeda to buy Shire in record $62.5 bn deal

Drug giant Takeda on Tuesday said it would buy Irish pharmaceuticals firm Shire in a deal worth $62.5 billion, the biggest foreign takeover ever by a Japanese firm.

Novel solution to a GPS blind spot for safer and smarter driving experience in multilevel road networks

Multilevel road networks such as flyovers and overpasses are built in large cities to solve traffic congestion. Rapid, accurate identification of the road level in a multilevel road network is important to make driving safer and more comfortable.

Researchers teach robots to touch

Touching and grasping objects are surprisingly complex processes, an area where contemporary robots are still clumsy. Principal investigator Jukka Häkkinen, Ph.D., and post-doctoral researcher Jussi Hakala, D.Sc. (Tech), have developed an imaging method for measuring human touch.

Optimised hearing devices featuring fibre-optic technology

Groundbreaking technology for the transmission of acoustic signals, designed for use in fully implantable hearing aids, has been successfully tested for the first time. The technology is based on completely contact-free fibre-optic technology, which senses the tiniest ossicle movements and uses them to stimulate the acoustic nerves. A joint Austrian-Serbian team including Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Austria, has now successfully tested this new innovation. The tests produced important findings on future use of the technology on humans. The results were published in the international journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics.

Taking air travel to the streets, or just above them

There was a time when people and goods were moved through the crowded city on the ground, restricted to the busy street surfaces by necessity and gravity.

Renewable energy jobs surge above 10 million: agency

The growing renewable energy industry created 500,000 new jobs globally last year, surpassing the 10 million-mark for the first time, an Abu Dhabi-based agency said on Tuesday.

Tweet all about it – people in parks feel more positive

People in parks are more positive, and around areas like major transport hubs more negative, according to our analysis of 2.2 million tweets in Melbourne.

Computer-controlled 'greenhouses' in kitchens grow fresher, healthier produce

A Purdue University-affiliated startup that seeks to redefine "farm-to-table" when it comes to garden vegetables by delivering its first orders of an appliance that fits under a kitchen counter and grows produce year-round.

Cryptojacking spreads across the web

Right now, your computer might be using its memory and processor power – and your electricity – to generate money for someone else, without you ever knowing. It's called "cryptojacking," and it is an offshoot of the rising popularity of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin.

Synchronizing cochlear signals stimulates brain to 'hear' in stereo

Using both ears to hear increases speech recognition and improves sound localization. In essence, it helps you to identify a friend's voice so you can follow her amusing anecdote over the din of a cocktail party. Ruth Litovsky, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, wants to bring this advantage to people who use cochlear implants.

Will automated vehicles take the stress out of driving? Research says 'don't count on it'

The expectation that automated vehicles will make drivers' jobs easier, especially if they've been behind the wheel for an extended period, may be more than a little flawed, according to a study by human factors/ergonomics researchers at Texas Tech University.

Researchers improve textile composite manufacturing

While wearing a crisply ironed, wrinkle-free shirt makes a good impression, researchers at UBC's Okanagan campus are working to solve the issue of wrinkling when it comes to making textile composites.

In latest diesel woes, Audi flags new emissions 'irregularities' (Update)

German luxury carmaker Audi on Tuesday said it had detected "irregularities" in the emissions controls of recent A6/A7 models, prompting it to halt deliveries in the latest twist in the "dieselgate" scandal dogging parent company Volkswagen.

Disney seeks new frontiers as more people watch video online

Disney is seeking new frontiers.

Gates, Zuckerberg team up on new education initiative

Tech moguls Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg said Tuesday they will team up to help develop new technologies for kids with trouble learning—an effort that will include dabbling into child brain science.

Google pitches artificial intelligence to help unplug

Google on Tuesday unveiled an artificial intelligence tool capable of handling routine tasks—such as making restaurant bookings—as a way to help people disconnect from their smartphone screens.

At a glance: How new Google features tap digital smarts

Google showcased its plans for the next several months as it kicked off its annual developers' conference Tuesday. Many of the new features center on the use of artificial intelligence to help save time.

States await election security reviews as primaries heat up

With the midterm congressional primaries about to go into full swing, the Department of Homeland Security has completed security reviews of election systems in only about half the states that have requested them so far.

Deutsche Post digs deep to master parcel boom

German logistics group Deutsche Post DHL confirmed its annual forecasts Tuesday, showing confidence although first-quarter profits slipped in the midst of a package boom spurred by online shopping.

3-D printing of weapons threatens security on global, national and personal level

While advances in additive manufacturing offer potential breakthroughs in prosthetic arms or jet engine parts, 3D printing, as it is known, may also accelerate weapons proliferation.

Sun protection without blinds

Summer. Blue sky. Sunshine. But you don't notice much of it in the office or in your home, because the blinds block the view so that the heat stays outside. This scenario could soon be a thing of the past: EPFL researchers are working with Empa on a window glass that keeps out the heat in summer and at the same time allows a clear view of the outside world.

Facebook bans foreign ads targeting Irish abortion referendum

Facebook said on Tuesday it will block foreign adverts aimed at Ireland's referendum on abortion later this month.

TAP Air Portugal profits take off after years in the red

Portugal's flagship TAP Air carrier returned to profit in 2017 after years in the red that had investors wondering whether it could even survive, results published on the group's website showed.

University of California nurses, medical workers join strike

Tens of thousands of University of California nurses, pharmacists and radiologists joined a three-day strike Tuesday in support of university service workers who are demanding higher wages.

Canada newspaper La Presse to become a non-profit

The Montreal daily La Presse, after ending its 134 year-old print edition and going digital, said on Tuesday it will become a non-profit entity reliant on donations and government support.

Georgia governor vetoes cybercrime legislation

Georgia's governor has vetoed a bill that would have criminalized unauthorized computer access after receiving blowback from the state's booming cybersecurity industry.

US environmental groups slam Ford over clean fuel stance

Environmental groups on Tuesday targeted Ford Motor Co. over its stance on the US clean fuel standard, delivering a petition with 250,000 signatures urging the automaker to drop support for weaker emission rules.

Medicine & Health news

Researchers discover cellular messengers communicate with bacteria in the mouth

A new UCLA-led study provides clear evidence that cellular messengers in saliva may be able to regulate the growth of oral bacteria responsible for diseases, such as periodontitis and meningitis.

Drug may reverse imbalance linked to autism symptoms

An FDA-approved drug can reverse an ionic imbalance in neurons that leads to hyper-excitability in mice modeling an autism-related genetic disorder, according to a Northwestern Medicine study published in Molecular Psychiatry.

Easy-to-measure grip strength test could help predict major disease risk

Measuring grip strength – a clinical test that is both cheap and easy to perform – could be an important way to identify people who are at high risk for a wide range of diseases.

Cellular reprogramming approach promotes muscle regeneration in injured mice

Scientists in the United States have developed a simple and robust approach for directly reprogramming mature skin cells into immature muscle cells. By combining transient expression of a protein called MyoD and treatment with three small molecules, the researchers converted mouse skin cells into induced myogenic progenitor cells (iMPCs). These cells propagated extensively and shared key molecular and functional properties with skeletal muscle stem cells. When transplanted into mice with leg injuries, the iMPCs engrafted in the damaged tissue and contributed to sustained muscle regeneration. The work appears May 8 in the journal Stem Cell Reports.

Tissue-engineered human pancreatic cells successfully treat diabetic mice

Researchers tissue-engineered human pancreatic islets in a laboratory that develop a circulatory system, secrete hormones like insulin and successfully treat sudden-onset type 1 diabetes in transplanted mice.

Fringe benefits: Drug side effects could treat human hair loss

A new drug could ease the distress of men and women who suffer from baldness, according to researchers from The University of Manchester's Centre for Dermatology Research.

Scientists discover a new way to battle multiple sclerosis

Ridiculous. That's how Andrew Caprariello says his colleagues described his theory about multiple sclerosis (MS) back when he was doing his PhD in Ohio.

Genes linked with sunburn, skin cancer risk

Certain genes can determine which people are more at risk of getting sunburnt, and possibly develop skin cancer as a result, scientists said Tuesday.

Researchers use 'League of Legends' to gain insights into mental models

Psychology researchers have used the game League of Legends to advance our understanding of how people build "mental models—the mental tools that allow people to make use of complex systems. The researchers found that mental models are developed in three distinct stages—findings that have the potential to inform everything from workplace training to video-game development.

A new machine learning tool could flag dangerous bacteria before they cause an outbreak

A new machine learning tool that can detect whether emerging strains of the bacterium, Salmonella are more likely to cause dangerous bloodstream infections rather than food poisoning has been developed. The tool, created by a scientist at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and her collaborators at the University of Otago, New Zealand and the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, a site of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Germany, greatly speeds up the process for identifying the genetic changes underlying new invasive types of Salmonella that are of public health concern.

Scientists investigate new strategy to treat spinal muscular atrophy in infants

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease that can leave infants with weak muscles and trouble breathing. Many with the disease die before age two. To help these patients, doctors need therapies that target the genetic mutation and stop its progression.

Study links breast cancer to the body's internal clock

For years, doctors have associated the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations with an increased risk of breast cancer.

Metastasis enablers: Findings could unlock new ovarian cancer treatments

In order to spread their destruction, ovarian cancer cells must break free from their tumor home, travel through the fluid in the peritoneal cavity and attach to the outside of the abdominal organs—surfaces that are, by necessity, not sticky.

Uterine cancer survivors are more likely to have cardiovascular problems

A new study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicates that survivors of uterine cancer are more likely to experience cardiovascular problems years after treatment.

New biomarker identified for early diagnosis of lung cancer

High levels of cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 (CKAP4) have been identified in the blood of patients with lung cancer. In a novel study in The American Journal of Pathology investigators found that CKAP4 levels were significantly higher in patients with lung cancer than in healthy individuals. They further determined that CKAP4 levels are already elevated in the blood of patients with stage I disease, making it a potential noninvasive diagnostic marker that could change current practices in the diagnosis and treatment of some types of lung cancer, including non-small-cell lung cancer and squamous cell carcinoma, and improve patient outcomes.

Vigorous exercise reduces tiredness in testicular cancer survivors

High intensity interval training reduces tiredness and improves self-esteem for testicular cancer survivors, according to a study published in the British Journal of Cancer today.

A new approach to patient safety proactively addresses common health care system successes

Clinical researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital have published one of the first health care studies to examine how behavior aligned with Safety II concepts impacts patient safety. Safety II is a novel approach to patient safety that focuses on why processes perform correctly in high-performing units, as opposed to its predecessor, Safety I, which focuses on why processes fail.

New pulmonary hypertension treatment target in the bull's-eye

A new and early target for treating pulmonary hypertension appears to be an enzyme that's normally key to energy production but destructive in the face of this high blood pressure inside your lungs.

Molecule that supports blood-cell production under dietary stress is identified

Researchers at Kanazawa University report in Cell Stem Cell how the Spred1 molecule is involved in hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal. Experiments with mouse models show that under normal conditions, Spred1 acts as a negative regulator, while under diet-induced stress, it protects hematopoietic homeostasis.

New insights into blood vessel growth

How new blood vessels form in mammals, for example, during development or after injury, is imperfectly understood. Scientists at Goethe University have now shed light on this process, showing that single cells in the innermost layer of blood vessels proliferate after injury, and in so doing, make a significant contribution to the formation of new vessels.

Team invents universal antibody drug for HIV-1 prevention and immunotherapy

A research team led by scientists at AIDS Institute and Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) invents a universal antibody drug against HIV/AIDS. By engineering a tandem bi-specific broadly neutralizing antibody, the team found that this novel antibody drug is universally effective not only against all genetically divergent global HIV-1 strains tested but also promoting the elimination of latently infected cells in a humanized mouse model. The new findings are now published in the April issue of Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Kidney cells from amniotic fluid obtained from cesarean section at delivery

Amniotic fluid can be routinely obtained without harming the mother or the fetus. Researchers have previously demonstrated that amniotic fluid contains mesenchymal stem cells with great differentiation and regenerative potential. Importantly, amniotic fluid stem cells are immune privileged, non-carcinogenic and their potential clinical applications such as cell-replacement therapies to treat bone defects, ischemic stroke, bladder dysfunction and pulmonary disease have been described. However, the origin of amniotic fluid stem cells is not understood.

Physicists link specific iron forms to Alzheimer's

There have been indications for decades that there is a link between increased iron levels in the brain and Alzheimer's disease. Leiden physicists now report a distinction between different forms of iron, identifying specific iron forms that increase in Alzheimer's patients. The research is published in Scientific Reports.

Moderate red wine consumption has a slightly protective effect against prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the commonest form of cancer in the Western world. Between 15 to 20 percent of men are affected by it at some time in their lives and 2.6 percent die from prostate cancer. That equates to 1,000 deaths a year in Austria. Apart from genetic factors, environmental (epigenetic) risk factors also play a role in the development of prostate cancer: proven factors include e.g. smoking, high sugar intake or high consumption of red meat. An international research team led by Shahrokh Shariat, Head of MedUni Vienna's Department of Urology, has now conducted a meta-analysis of the risk factor of wine consumption – with a somewhat surprising result: moderate wine consumption does not generally increase the risk significantly. And: drinking a moderate amount of red wine even has a slightly protective effect.

Helping the terminally ill check travel off their bucket list

Researchers from Edith Cowan University (ECU) have begun a research project into the challenges and benefits faced by terminally ill persons hoping to travel.

How the formation of myelin sheaths is regulated by protein molecules

According to the Deutsche Multiple Sklerose Gesellschaft (German Multiple Sclerosis Society), around 200,000 people in Germany suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS), a serious neurological condition that has no known cure. Although the causes are unknown, researchers do know that the the immune system erroneously attacks the protective sheaths around nerve fibres. In conjunction with researchers from Münster, Germany, a team of scientists at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) led by Prof. Dr. Michael Wegner have now discovered how the formation of myelin sheaths is regulated by protein molecules. This knowledge could be used to stimulate the formation of new myelin sheaths after a relapse.

Lying on the beach not the best way to refresh, says wellness tourism expert

Relaxing on the beach may seem like the ideal summer trip, but a Purdue University expert on wellness tourism said there's a better recipe for a refreshing vacation.

Records point to drug-drug interaction

Daptomycin is an antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections. Statins are drugs prescribed on a long-term basis to prevent or reduce cardiovascular disease by lowering LDL-cholesterol.

New device could mean end of the jab for people living with diabetes

Researchers from The University of Western Australia are testing the effectiveness of a device in the long-term treatment of the low blood glucose form of diabetes and are in need of community participants for the study.

Children living in green neighbourhoods are less likely to develop asthma

Since the pioneering work of architecture professor Roger Ulrich, who found that patients with a view of a natural scene recovered more quickly from surgery, research has shown that exposure to the natural environment is associated with a wide range of health benefits.

How fish may reduce your child's breast cancer risk

Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly found in plant and seafood sources. If you don't have high enough levels of omega-3s in your diet, it's a leading risk factor for death globally, contributing to the development of chronic diseases like cancer.

Three everyday groceries that can harm you

Little things found in your pantry can harm you in unexpected ways.

Conditions like back pain and arthritis must have global health response

International experts, led by Curtin University, are calling for global action from health authorities to address the huge burden of musculoskeletal conditions, which affect about one in three people worldwide, including younger people.

Americans say they are more anxious than a year ago; baby boomers report greatest increase in anxiety

Americans' anxiety levels experienced sharp increases in the past year, according to new national poll released today by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

Americans overwhelmingly see gun violence as a public health issue

Americans are more united than divided when it comes to guns – they see gun safety as an issue and they want to see actions to prevent gun violence. The majority of Americans (87 percent) see gun violence as a public health threat, including 77 percent of Republicans and 96 percent of Democrats, according to a new national poll released today by the American Psychiatric Association, (APA).

Nearly one in three people know someone addicted to opioids

The opioid crisis continues to weigh heavily on the minds of Americans, according to a new national poll released today by the American Psychiatric Association, (APA). Nearly a third of Americans say they know someone who is or has been addicted to opioids or prescription painkillers. Nearly half feel it is extremely or somewhat easy to access opioids for illicit use. Americans strongly favor improving access to treatment over imposing stricter punishments to address the problem.

Age, marital status, BMI and sleep associated with risk for dementia

Could your age, marital status, BMI (body mass index) and amount of sleep impact your risk for dementia?

Amplification of key cellular organizer may initiate cancer, study suggests

Cells begin to accumulate centrosomes—organelles that play a vital role during cell division—before they transform into cancer cells, according to a new study of patients with Barrett's esophagus condition, which is associated with esophageal cancer. The research, which will be published May 8 in the Journal of Cell Biology, suggests that similar cases of centrosome amplification may contribute to the initiation and progression of a variety of human cancers.

Simple post-surgery step reduces bladder cancer recurrence

Flushing the bladder with a common chemotherapy drug immediately after surgery significantly reduces the chances of bladder cancer returning, according to a major study by SWOG, an international clinical trials network funded by the National Cancer Institute.

New study provides insight into blood signatures of inflammation

A new study from Boston University Schools of Medicine (BUSM) and Public Health (BUSPH) identifies a pattern of inflammation associated with cardio-metabolic risks among participants in the Black Women's Health Study, as well as two independent groups of vulnerable women. These findings could help underserved patients benefit from precision medicine and personalized profiles of disease risk.

Living in better neighborhood may protect health of kids in poverty

While poverty has long been linked with poor health, a study from UC San Francisco has found that simply living in a more desirable neighborhood may act as a health booster for low-income children.

Patients and families who experience delirium report more distress than those who do not

Researchers from Hebrew SeniorLife's Institute for Aging Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Brown University, and Yale School of Nursing have reported that patients who develop delirium (an acute decline of cognitive functioning) during or after a hospital stay report more distress than those who do not. The same goes for family members of patients who have experienced delirium - they also report more distress than family members of patients who have not experienced delirium.

Five brain-boosting reasons to take up martial arts – at any age

We are all aware that exercise generally has many benefits, such as improving physical fitness and strength. But what do we know about the effects of specific types of exercise? Researchers have already shown that jogging can increase life expectancy, for example, while yoga makes us happy. However, there is one activity that goes beyond enhancing physical and mental health – martial arts can boost your brain's cognition too.

Five problematic sex messages perpetuated by advice manuals

I can't recommend reading over 60 sex advice manuals. I spent several months doing this and it results in a particular combination of sadness, anger and frustration that I'd rather never repeat.

Fancy gyms aren't always best – here's why

If you want to get stronger and feel better after exercising – which is important because it encourages you to keep exercising – you don't need a fancy gym, our recent study shows.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis lessened with simple changes to the diet

One gram of fish oil a day could help reduce the pain of patients with osteoarthritis, a new study in Rheumatology reports.

A new mechanism for neurodegeneration in a form of dementia

A new study in Biological Psychiatry reports that dementia-related and psychiatric-related proteins cluster together to form aggregates in the brain, leading to abnormal cell function and behavior. Aggregation of the protein TDP-43 is a hallmark of a pathological process that leads to dementia called frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). The study showed that as TDP-43 accumulates in the brain of patients with FTLD, it ropes in DISC1, an important protein in the pathology of many mental conditions.

Heartbeat out of sync

Life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias often occur after a heart attack, as the scar tissue can interfere with the spread of electrical impulses that activate the heart. An international research team under the leadership of the University Hospital Bonn in collaboration with colleagues from the Cornell University and the University of Pittsburgh has now developed a method to improve electrical transmission in the heart by transferring a single gene, connexin43, to cells that form the infarct scar. The results are now published in Scientific Reports.

Reading and singing to preemies helps parents feel comfortable with their fragile babies

One out of 10 babies is born prematurely in the United States. These babies typically are cared for in neonatal intensive care units, often called NICUs.

Prolonged exposure to air pollution leads to genetic changes in rat brains, study finds

Prolonged exposure to particulate matter in air pollution in the Los Angeles Basin triggered inflammation and the appearance of cancer-related genes in the brains of rats, a Cedars-Sinai study has found.

Swaddle, rock, whoosh: Putting babies to sleep in the Snoo

"I don't even call it a bed. I kind of think of it as your grandmother."

Cell phones at summer camp: Research explores the effects

Summer camp often conjures up images of wooded retreats with lakes and cabins, camping under the stars and making new friendships over campfires and outdoor adventures.

Agile Implementation: Reengineering dissemination of healthcare in the US

In a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, clinician-researchers and implementation scientists from the Regenstrief Institute, Eskenazi Health, and Indiana University address the escalating need for faster implementation of healthcare innovation. The authors present Agile Implementation, a simple new methodology which they designed, developed, embedded and tested. Agile Implementation enables fast, efficient, scalable, sustainable and effective dissemination of evidence-based healthcare solutions.

Impaired brain pathways may cause attention problems after stroke

Damage to some of the pathways that carry information throughout the brain may be responsible for attention deficit in patients who have had a subcortical stroke in the brain's right hemisphere, according to a study published online in the journal Radiology. Researchers hope the findings may provide a measure for selecting suitable patients for early interventions aimed at reducing cognitive decline following stroke.

Researchers use emojis to develop a modern face scale for product testing

A recent study by sensory researchers at Kansas State University's Olathe campus finds that emojis are a viable alternative to words when it comes to accurately measuring how kids feel about food, products and other experiences.

Despite mutations in makona Ebola virus, disease consistent in mice, monkeys

Early during the recent Ebola epidemic in West Africa, scientists speculated that the genetic diversity of the circulating Makona strain of virus (EBOV-Makona) would result in more severe disease and more transmissibility than prior strains. However, using two different animal models, National Institutes of Health scientists have determined that certain mutations stabilized early during the epidemic and did not alter Ebola disease presentation or outcome. Their work, published in Cell Reports, offers further evidence to support previous findings from molecular sequencing that the diversity of EBOV-Makona did not significantly impact the course of disease.

Duped patients crowdfund for bogus medical care, study says

They're the tech-age version of donor jars at the diner: crowdfunding websites that aim to link ailing people with strangers willing to help pay for medical treatment. But new research suggests duped patients sometimes crowdfund to pay for bogus stem cell treatments.

Expert panel highlights patient choice for prostate cancer screen (Update)

(HealthDay)—More men could receive PSA blood tests for prostate cancer under revised guidelines released Tuesday by the nation's leading panel on preventive medicine.

Is integrative medicine right for you?

(HealthDay)—Any approach that differs from conventional—or Western—medicine is typically considered complementary and alternative, or CAM.

Financial strain has major impact on patients' health care decisions

Financial strain is the single most important factor in making health care decisions for low-income individuals, who often forgo care in favor of basic needs like food and rent, researchers in UT Southwestern's Center for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) found.

Drinking more water does not slow decline of kidney function for kidney disease patients

A new study, published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) by researchers at Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University, found that coaching patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to drink more water does not slow down the decline of their kidney function.

Regulation of the Hoxb gene cluster maintains blood-forming cells and inhibits leukemia

Scientists have known for decades that the Hox family of transcription factors are key regulators in the formation of blood cells and the development of leukemia. Exactly how this large family of genes, which are distributed in four separate chromosomal clusters named A through D, is regulated has been less clear. Now, new research from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research reveals that a DNA regulatory element within the Hoxb cluster globally mediates signals to the majority of Hoxb genes to control their expression in blood-forming stem cells.

Congo health ministry confirms 2 Ebola cases in new outbreak

Congo's government on Tuesday declared a new outbreak of Ebola in the country's rural northwest, after two cases of the deadly virus were confirmed in Bikoro.

More americans DOA from gun, knife wounds

(HealthDay)—Victims of gunshots or stabbings are much more likely to die before arriving at U.S. trauma centers than 10 years ago. This suggests the intensity of violence is increasing, a new study contends.

Type 2 diabetes ups risk of renal cancer in women, but not men

(HealthDay)—Type 2 diabetes is independently associated with a greater risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in women, but not in men, according to a study published online April 20 in Diabetes Care.

Teen sexting linked to intimate partner violence, sexual abuse

(HealthDay)—Teen sexting is associated with sexual abuse, with higher victimization in girls and intimate partner violence perpetration in boys, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies, held from May 5 to 8 in Toronto.

Primary, secondary implant equal for fibula free tissue transfer

(HealthDay)—For patients with a fibula free tissue transfer (FFTT) for osteoradionecrosis (ORN) and osteonecrosis (ON) of the mandible, the rate of complications is similar for patients undergoing primary and secondary dental implantation, according to a study published online May 3 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.

After-school activities beneficial for children with ADHD

(HealthDay)—For children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), participation in after-school activities (ASA) is associated with reduced odds of moderate-to-severe ADHD and having seven or more missed school days, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies, held from May 5 to 8 in Toronto.

Some gut bacteria may protect against intestinal infection

Scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have for the first time found evidence that the presence of a key species in the human gut microbiome is associated with protection from infection with typhoid fever. If the research is borne out, it could offer an exciting new way to reduce intestinal infections from microbes.

Invasive procedures should be reserved for a sub-group of acid reflux patients, study says

As the number of Americans with acid reflux grows, a study by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus says invasive procedures to treat those who don't respond to medication should be done for select patients.

For women with history of pregnancy loss, walking may aid chance of becoming pregnant

Results of a recent study to better understand modifiable factors such as physical activity that may affect a woman's ability to conceive a child suggest that walking may help women to improve their chances of becoming pregnant.

Blocking the molecular source of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of the most challenging and frustrating diseases that pulmonologists face.

Study reveals that people who travel by car are four times more likely to be injured than people who travel by city bus

Taking the bus is a whole lot safer than taking the car - and it's also safer for cyclists and pedestrians who take the same routes, according to a new study led by the Université de Montréal Public Health Research Institute (IRSPUM).

Novel techniques for three-dimensional visualization of microscopic structures in the human brain

A team of scientists from the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Imperial College London has made a breakthrough in the visualisation of human brain tissue at the microscopic level. The findings are now published in the latest issue of Nature Communications.

Application of human induced pluripotent stem cells in precision medicine for hereditary diseases

Researchers at Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong (HKU) have successfully demonstrated the use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from patients' skin cells for therapeutic drug testing. The success of the research implies that scientists are one step closer to applying stem cells in precision medicine in treating patients suffering from rare hereditary diseases.

Scientists have improved the cell incubator for human organs

TSU has patented a new incubator made of thin filaments of titanium nickelide (TiNi) for introducing cells into the injured human body. It is designed to compensate for functions damaged by trauma or disease. Thanks to the new production method, the incubator has become more durable and now accommodates more cellular structures, which makes it 150 percent more efficient.

Racism and rough handling of patients uncovered in report

A report behind studying increases in rheumatic fever in Māori and Pacific people has uncovered claims of racism and 'rough handling' of patients suffering from the disease.

How coffee shop racism harms black patients

A couple of weeks ago, two black men entered the Philadelphia Starbucks store to meet a friend, and have a conversation, just like many of us usually do. Unlike many of us, however, they were arrested for trespassing – after minutes of taking their seats. A phone call – that lasted only 30 seconds – led to an arrest of these young individuals, and a national conversation on race relations in the United States in the ensuing days.

Ending sexual assault in youth detention centers

Rampant violence and civil rights abuses in juvenile prisons are prompting calls to shut them down.

Valeant, a new business model and now, a new name

Valeant Pharmaceuticals, which fell under withering scrutiny after acquiring the rights to drugs and then drastically raising their prices, is changing its name.

Doctors' strike hits Portuguese hospitals

A doctors' strike severely disrupted Portuguese hospitals Tuesday as they pressed their case for increased pay and more staff.

Ultrasound helmet would make live images, brain-machine interface possible

Ultrasound technology for the brain could mean real-time images during surgery, a better idea of which areas get stimulated by certain feelings or actions and, ultimately, an effective way for people to control software and robotics by thinking about it.

Study looks at barriers to getting treatment for substance use disorders

For patients with substance use disorders seen in the emergency department or doctor's office, locating and accessing appropriate treatment all too often poses difficult challenges. Healthcare providers and treatment facility administrators share their views on delays and obstacles to prompt receipt of substance use disorder treatment after referral in a study in the Journal of Addiction Medicine.

Biology news

Research team uncovers mechanism of action for a class of bacterial toxins

Pore-forming toxins are common bacterial poisons. They attack organisms by introducing holes in cell membranes. A team of scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has now unraveled the mechanism of action for one of these toxins. The findings could help combat associated diseases and advance crop protection.

Scientists train spider to jump on demand to discover secrets of animal movement

Scientists have unlocked the secrets of how some predatory spiders catch their prey whilst hunting by successfully training one to jump different distances and heights for the first time.

Sharks can acquire a taste for jazz music

While for many people sharks bring to mind the Jaws theme music, it seems sharks themselves prefer jazz.

Sea turtles like it local

New research has revealed how an endangered turtle capable of traversing big distances to find a mate may not do so due to seasonal ocean currents.

CRISPR-guided proximity labeling—dissecting gene transcription's proteomic choreography

More powerful than previous methods, a new approach for tagging and harvesting DNA-associated proteins from cells could open deeper insights into transcription control.

Researchers identify 15 new species of stealthy cuckoo bees

Cuckoo bees sneakily lay their eggs in the nests of other bee species, after which their newly hatched prodigies kill the host egg or larva, and then feed on the stored pollen. The host, a solitary bee, never knows anything is awry. Nine new species of these clandestine bees have been found hiding in collections and museums across North America by York University PhD Candidate Thomas Onuferko, as well as another six unpublished in a decades old academic thesis.

New shrew species discovered on 'sky island' in Philippines

The Philippines teems with biodiversity: 657 bird species roam and fly throughout the country's 7,641 islands, and over 2,000 fish species swim in the surrounding seas. But beyond these beaked and scaly creatures, the Philippines is also home to the world's greatest concentration per square mile of unique mammal species.

Watch how a T cell passes HIV sexually to a new host

While it's well known that HIV is transmitted sexually, how the virus crosses genital mucus membranes to reach its targets in the immune system is less well understood. Previous research has looked at biochemical measurements or morphology at various points during HIV transmission to investigate this process, but in a study published May 8 in the journal Cell Reports, researchers in France constructed an in vitro model of urethral mucosa in order to view it from start to finish.

Bridgehead effect found to be a major driver for invasive species infestations

A team of researchers from Switzerland, France and New Zealand has found evidence suggesting that the bridgehead effect is a major driver for invasive species infections. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes their study of global alien ant spread and how they believe it has come about.

Migratory animals carry more parasites, says study

Every year, billions of animals migrate across the globe, carrying parasites with them and encountering parasites through their travels. Now, a team of researchers at the University of Georgia's Odum School of Ecology discovered that animals known to migrate long distances are infected by a greater number of parasite species than animals that do not migrate.

Traumatised bears, wolves find solace at Greek sanctuary

Orphaned as an infant, three-year-old Patrick takes a wary view of visitors. He crouches low, licks his claws and starts humming—a bear's equivalent of thumb-sucking.

Malaria parasite accumulates undetected in bone marrow

A Plasmodium vivax infection is like an iceberg: It's dangerous, in part, because much of it hides out of view. A new study published this week in mBio shows how researchers are revealing more of this parasite's biology.

No sex means longer life for female stick insects

Promiscuity is a bad idea for female stick insects, in fact their smartest option is to have no sex at all.

Exploring the best tactics to combat fall armyworm outbreaks in Africa

Cereal farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing heavy losses due to the devastation by an invasive pest: the Fall army worm - Spodoptera frugiperda. In Africa it has caused huge losses to staple cereals, especially maize and sorghum, affecting food security and trade. Damage to maize alone is estimated to be between USD$ 2.5—6.2 billion per year.

An inordinate fondness for bone-eating worms

On February 6, 2002, MBARI marine biologist Robert Vrijenhoek went looking for deep-sea clams in Monterey Canyon. Little did he know that he would stumble upon something that would change the direction of his scientific career. It was a dead whale, sprawled out on the seafloor. The dead whale was interesting, but what really got Vrijenhoek's attention was what looked like red shag carpeting covering the whale bones. It turned out that the "shag carpeting" consisted of thousands of slimy, eyeless worms, lurking in the ocean depths and devouring the bones of dead animals.

Using AI to manage Canada's invasive species

New University of Alberta research on managing aquatic invasive species in Canada combines the power of machine learning with expertise in biology and statistics to build a simple, easy-to-use tool for environmental managers.

Why exceptionally fertile termite queens have long lives

Usually the rule in the animal kingdom is that a lot of progeny means a short life – if you are less fertile, you live longer. However, it seems that social insects can escape this fate. How they do this has been revealed by a research team from the Institute of Zoology at the University of Freiburg, taking the termite species Macrotermes bellicosus as its model.

Why steam burns are particularly vicious

Even if the wound looks superficially harmless, steam burns must be cooled persistently. Empa researchers have now been able to show for the first time how hot steam achieves its vicious effect: It penetrates the upper skin layer and can cause severe burns in the lower skin layers—initially almost invisible.

Can chimpanzee vocalizations reveal the origins of human language?

It's very difficult to determine when, how and why human language began. While fossil primates provide important clues about human evolution, the sounds they made and the soft tissue involved in making those sounds weren't preserved.

Scientists dive into museum collections to reveal the invasion route of a small crustacean

Biological invasions are widely recognised as one of the most significant components of global change. Far-reaching and fast-spreading, they often have harmful effects on biodiversity.

New research unveils bird migration strategies

Using weather surveillance radar and citizen-science data, researchers are learning how migratory birds return to their breeding grounds in North America each spring with near-pinpoint accuracy. The research focuses on the Central Flyway that runs north-south through the middle of North America—an aerial superhighway carrying billions of birds northward each spring.

Hunting dogs may benefit from antioxidant boost in diet

Free radicals, those DNA-damaging single-oxygen atoms, are produced in spades during exercise. Dogs that exercise a lot, like hunting dogs, may need to consume more antioxidants than their less-active counterparts to protect against this damage. But what diet formulation best meets the needs of these furry athletes? A new University of Illinois study provides some answers in a real-world scenario.

Earth observations show Europe's natural wealth in steep decline

In March 2018, French scientists reported a steep decline in the country's bird populations, primarily as a result of agricultural activity. Causes include the increase in monoculture, detrimental land-use policies and, perhaps most importantly, the growth in the use of powerful pesticides such as neonicotinoids, which, by killing off insects, reduces the bird population by reducing the food available to them.

Team discovers important interaction between land use and climate change in driving species distribution shifts

Climate change is altering where species live all over the planet. With global warming, species are moving towards the poles and up elevation where temperature is lower. However, along with global climate change, the world is also experiencing massive changes in land-use which may also impact where species live. Could both of these forces be influencing current changes in species distributions?

What happens when a dolphin holds its breath?

When dolphins dive deep to search for prey, their respiration stops. Their heartbeat slows. Yet they are still able to power all of the functions they need to hunt. No one is entirely sure how they do it, because no one has ever been able to measure their blood oxygenation levels during these deep dives. It's a logistically complex challenge; how do you attach a sensor to a massive sea-dwelling creature without doing harm? The rudimentary data that researchers have gathered so far has come from heart rate monitors bound to dolphins' bodies with thick, wide neoprene straps—dolphin girdles, essentially.

New tool to identify endangered ecosystems

A team of researchers from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, University Centre for Digital Art and Technology and Universidad Francisco de Vitoria has developed a new tool of visualization of bipartite biological networks, like the visualization between pollinators and plants or between diseases and genes, which identify their interactions and anticipate corrective measures.

Overpopulation of free-roaming cats drives hunt for better contraceptive

While the true number of free-roaming cats in the United States is unknown, experts believe the population may rival that of pet cats, with estimates ranging from 70 million to 90 million. This staggering number contributes substantially to cat overpopulation and the estimated 1.4 million cats euthanized each year in this country alone.


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