Science X Newsletter Wednesday, May 30

Dear Reader ,

Webinar: The Basics of COMSOL Multiphysics in 18 Minutes
>> Live Presentation - Tuesday, June 5 at 11:30AM EDT

Learn about the basics of COMSOL Multiphysics with this short presentation where you will see a live demo of how to set up and run your own model in just 18 minutes. Register here: https://goo.gl/MffpqQ

---

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for May 30, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Activity simulator could teach robots tasks like making coffee or setting the table

Waves have variable impact on sea ice in the Southern Ocean, study finds

Comet C/2016 R2 (Pan-STARRS) is rich in carbon monoxide and depleted in hydrogen cyanide, study finds

Scientists use a photonic quantum simulator to make virtual movies of molecules vibrating

Nuclear scientists calculate value of key property that drives neutron decay

Life recovered rapidly at impact site of dino-killing asteroid

Even a shark's electrical 'sixth sense' may be tuned to attack

The mother of all lizards found in Italian Alps

Surgical technique improves sensation, control of prosthetic limb

Does some dark matter carry an electric charge?

First 3D-printed human corneas

New study finds parasites affect flight ability of wild seabirds

Recycled electrical products lead to hazardous chemicals appearing in everyday items

XENON1T experimental data establishes most stringent limit on dark matter

What happens to plasmalogens, the phospholipids nobody likes to think about

Astronomy & Space news

	Comet C/2016 R2 (Pan-STARRS) is rich in carbon monoxide and depleted in hydrogen cyanide, study finds C/2016 R2 (Pan-STARRS) is a comet abundant in carbon monoxide and lacking hydrogen cyanide, according to a new study conducted by researchers from the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, Florida. The finding is detailed in a paper published May 17 on the arXiv pre-print repository.
	Does some dark matter carry an electric charge? Astronomers have proposed a new model for the invisible material that makes up most of the matter in the Universe. They have studied whether a fraction of dark matter particles may have a tiny electrical charge.
	Tarantula Nebula: A crowded neighborhood Taking advantage of the capacities of the VLT Survey Telescope (VST) at ESO's Paranal Observatory in Chile, astronomers captured this very detailed new image of the Tarantula Nebula and its numerous neighbouring nebulae and star clusters. The Tarantula, which is also known as 30 Doradus, is the brightest and most energetic star-forming region in the Local Group of galaxies.
	Sentinel-1 warns of refugee island flood risk In what the UN describes as the world's fastest growing refugee crisis, almost
	Red Planet rover set for extreme environment workout A representative model of the ExoMars rover that will land on Mars in 2021 is beginning a demanding test campaign that will ensure it can survive the rigours of launch and landing, as well as operations under the environmental conditions of Mars.
	Here's what really happened to that camera that melted during a rocket launch NASA photographers have always understood that taking pictures of space launches is a risky business. No one is more familiar with this than Bill Ingalls, a NASA photographer who has taking pictures for the agency for the past 30 years. Both within the agency and without, his creativity and efforts are well known, as his ability to always know exactly where to set up his cameras to get the perfect shots.
	The International Space Station goes under the microscope A Cardiff University academic has spent two years embedded with the teams working on the International Space Station (ISS) programme to compile the most comprehensive study of its work.
	Two sides of the same star If you've ever heard of the phrase two sides of the same coin, you know it means two things that at first appear to be unrelated are actually parts of the same thing. Now, a fundamental example can be found in the deep recesses of space in the form of a neutron star.
	Image: ESA's Cheops satellite ESA's Cheops satellite – seen here at Airbus in Madrid – will measure the sizes of known exoplanets by detecting tiny fluctuations in the light of their parent stars. Due to be ready for launch at the end of this year, Cheops, or 'CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite' is only 1.5 m by 1.4 m by 1.5 m in size. It weighs in at about 300 kg fully fuelled – less than a large motorbike.
	Image: Our sputtering sun An active region rotated into view and sputtered with numerous small flares and towering magnetic field lines that stretched out many times the diameter of Earth (May 23-25, 2018).

Technology news

	Activity simulator could teach robots tasks like making coffee or setting the table For many people, household chores are a dreaded, inescapable part of life that we often put off or do with little care—but what if a robot maid could help lighten the load?
	Headset viewers can expect film changes according to how they feel Imagine, watching a movie that you can control, story threads and all. The idea is to do so, as a viewer, if wearing an electroencephalogram (EEG) headset. Rachel Metz wrote about it in MIT Technology Review.
	Global electric car sales up over 50 percent in 2017: IEA Electric car sales around the world rose by 54 percent in 2017, taking global stock across the three-million threshold, the International Energy Agency said in a report Wednesday.
	Iimproved integration of living muscles into robots The new field of biohybrid robotics involves the use of living tissue within robots, rather than just metal and plastic. Muscle is one potential key component of such robots, providing the driving force for movement and function. However, in efforts to integrate living muscle into these machines, there have been problems with the force these muscles can exert and the amount of time before they start to shrink and lose their function.
	Researchers develop one-step, 3-D printing for multimaterial projects Similar to the advance from black and white to color printing, a Washington State University research team for the first time has used 3-D printing technology in a one-step process to print structures made of two different materials.
	New 3-D printing technique enables faster, better, and cheaper models of patient-specific medical data What if you could hold a physical model of your own brain in your hands, accurate down to its every unique fold? That's just a normal part of life for Steven Keating, Ph.D., who had a baseball-sized tumor removed from his brain at age 26 while he was a graduate student in the MIT Media Lab's Mediated Matter group. Curious to see what his brain actually looked like before the tumor was removed, and with the goal of better understanding his diagnosis and treatment options, Keating collected his medical data and began 3-D printing his MRI and CT scans, but was frustrated that existing methods were prohibitively time-intensive, cumbersome, and failed to accurately reveal important features of interest. Keating reached out to some of his group's collaborators, including members of the Wyss Institute at Harvard University, who were exploring a new method for 3-D printing biological samples.
	Germany clings to diesel, even as first driving bans hit Hamburg will on Thursday become the first German city to ban older diesel vehicles from some highly polluted stretches of road, as public confidence in the once-loved technology goes up in smoke.
	Papua New Guinea mulls 'temporary' ban on Facebook Papua New Guinea said Wednesday it was mulling a temporary shutdown of Facebook to uncover false accounts and block fake news in the Pacific nation, which hosts a major global summit later this year.
	Tesla in Autopilot mode crashes into California police car Authorities say a Tesla sedan in Autopilot mode has crashed into a parked police cruiser in Southern California.
	Singapore Airlines to launch world's longest flight Singapore Airlines said on Wednesday that it will relaunch the world's longest commercial flight in October, a journey of almost 19 hours from the city-state to New York, but it will not be available to economy travellers.
	New technique for additive manufacturing design A Sandia National Laboratories team built a telescope to demonstrate how to design for additive manufacturing, familiarly known as 3-D printing, to take advantage of the technique's strengths and weaknesses.
	The deadliest stage in self-driving development Last week, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report into the Uber self-driving crash that killed a woman in March.
	Self-driving cars must reduce traffic fatalities by at least 75 percent to stay on the roads The race is on for companies to present their driverless cars to the public, but recent collisions involving autonomous vehicles developed by Uber Technologies Inc. and Tesla Inc. have led consumers to questions whether these vehicles can alleviate traffic issues and increase safety. A new study published in Risk Analysis examined the question "How safe is safe enough for self-driving vehicles (SDVs)?"
	Consumer Reports recommends 'buy' for Tesla Model 3 A wireless update of antilock braking software improved the stopping distance of Tesla's electric Model 3, prompting Consumer Reports to reverse course and give the car its "Recommended Buy" rating.
	US commerce chief warns of disruption from EU privacy rules US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross warned Wednesday that the new EU privacy rules in effect since last week could lead to serious problems for business, medical research and law enforcement on both sides of the Atlantic.
	Operator of world's top internet hub sues German spy agency The operator of the world's largest internet hub challenged the legality of sweeping telecoms surveillance by Germany's spy agency, a German court heard Wednesday.
	Q&A: Should you reboot your router like the FBI says? Last week, the FBI recommended rebooting home and small office routers that could have been infected with disruptive malware, allegedly by sophisticated state-backed Russian hackers . An estimated half million routers and network-attached storage devices have been infected.
Electric vehicle startup SF Motors takes over Indiana plant An electric vehicle startup announced Wednesday that it is retooling an Indiana factory and hopes to conduct trial runs for two new lines of vehicles by the end of the year.
	US judge rejects Kaspersky suit against govt ban on its products A Washington judge on Wednesday rejected a lawsuit by Russian computer security company Kaspersky Lab against the ban on use of its anti-virus software by government agencies.
	AirAsia shares hit as India probes Fernandes Shares of budget carrier AirAsia fell to a six-month low Wednesday after Indian authorities raided the airline's local offices and accused its boss Tony Fernandes of illegally obtaining operating licences.
	New technology could revolutionize testing, tracking of brain performance A UTA engineering researcher has led the development of computer tests and games, that are both web-based and contained in a cell phone application, that show and track individual human brain functioning.
	Construction waste to be turned into gas masks and sports equipment Huge volumes of waste building materials that are discarded every year could be recycled into new products such as gas masks and sports equipment following research being conducted by scientists and recycling firms.
	Smartphone to help farmers test for poultry infection Chicken farmers in the Philippines will soon test their birds for deadly pathogens with a new hand-held device and smartphone app they can use on their own farms.
	Flexible and dynamic transport solution for future 5G communications developed A consortium of 20 industry-leading companies and organizations has announced the successful completion of the European research project 5G-Crosshaul, coordinated by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M). The three-year effort has delivered what is now the de-facto concept for an integrated 5G transport network, a crucial step towards the real-world implementation of the future 5G communications system.
	Uber says 'committed' to Turkey after new rules, fines Ride-sharing company Uber on Wednesday said it was committed to its business in Turkey despite being hit with tough new regulations there.
	Spanish consumer group to sue Facebook over data sharing A Spanish consumer group said Wednesday it will sue Facebook over the alleged misuse of the personal data of 26 million users of the social network in Spain.
	Malaysia to build island in waters near Singapore Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Wednesday he wants to develop an island on a cluster of rocks previously disputed with Singapore, a move that could anger its neighbour.
	Fox sets shareholder vote on Disney tie-up July 10 Media-entertainment giant 21st Century Fox said Wednesday it called a shareholder meeting July 10 to vote on the sale of key television and film operations to Walt Disney Co.

Medicine & Health news

	Surgical technique improves sensation, control of prosthetic limb Humans can accurately sense the position, speed, and torque of their limbs, even with their eyes shut. This sense, known as proprioception, allows humans to precisely control their body movements.
	First 3D-printed human corneas The first human corneas have been 3-D printed by scientists at Newcastle University, UK.
	Insomnia is a likely long-term side effect of stroke Stroke patients experience sustained problems with insomnia potentially reducing their ability to relearn key skills and putting them at increased risk of depression, a new study in the journal Scientific Reports finds.
	Some blood stem cells are better than others In your body, blood stem cells produce approximately 10 billion new white blood cells, which are also known as immune cells, each and every day. Even more remarkably, if some of these blood stem cells fail to do their part, then other blood stem cells pick up their slack and overproduce whichever specific type of immune cell is lacking, according to a new USC Stem Cell study published in the journal EMBO Reports.
	New drugs could also be deployed against lung and pancreatic cancers A new anti-cancer drug may be effective against a wider range of cancers than previously thought. Using a mouse model and samples taken from cancer patients, a team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has shown that a new class of drugs known as SHP2 inhibitors is also effective against aggressive, hard-to-treat tumors such as lung and pancreatic cancers. Clinical trials currently underway had previously excluded patients with these cancers.
	Study suggests a link between needing eyeglasses and higher intelligence A large international team of researchers has found a link between intelligence and eyesight, longevity and hypertension. In their paper published in the journal Nature Communications, the group describes their study of genetic and cognitive data obtained from other studies and what they found.
	Defects in tissue trigger disease-like transformation of cells Homeowners know that one little termite can lead to big problems: while termites are efficient at gnawing away at wood, they can do even more damage if the wood is already broken or has another defect.
	Looking beyond mutations, researchers take a new approach to an old oncogene KRAS is one of the most commonly mutated and widely studied genes in cancer; a quick PubMed search for KRAS and cancer turns up more than 9,000 entries. The vast majority of studies examining the gene's cancerous role focus on its mutated state. But there is more than one way for a gene to be an oncogene.
	Genes found related to the reduction of proteins that contribute to Alzheimer's onset In the ongoing quest for a successful treatment for Alzheimer's disease, a team of scientists from several leading research institutions have created a map of the molecular network in the aging brain. Molecular networks are cellular and subcellular structures in an organism and the structures' physical interaction between molecules, RNA, or proteins.
	'Hidden' driver discovered that helps prime the anti-tumor immune response Like exposing a crime boss whose authority has gone undetected, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have identified a hidden driver that influences production of the T cells that fight cancer and infections. The study appears today as an advance online publication in the journal Nature.
	How to build a brain—discovery answers evolutionary mystery Researchers at King's College London have discovered a fundamental process by which brains are built, which may have profound implications for understanding neurodevelopmental conditions like autism and epilepsy.
	Two-pronged antibodies draw immune killers directly to cancer cells Our immune system's arsenal of defenses usually protects us from cancer. But sometimes, cancer cells overwhelm or evade this elaborate defense system.
	Sweet tooth? Brain-tinkering study makes sugar taste vile Have you ever been on a diet and wished that spinach excited your tastebuds? Or that chocolate left you cold?
	Chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient goes into remission thanks to single CAR T cell The doctors who have spent years studying the case call it "a series of fortunate events." What began as a remarkable response to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is now providing evidence about the human genome and immune response that could help turn gene therapy non-responders into responders. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center say a patient treated for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in 2013 went into remission because of a single CAR T cell and the cells it produced as it multiplied, and has stayed cancer free in the five years since, with CAR T cells still present in his immune system. The findings, published today in Nature, show the response is tied to where the CAR gene inserted itself into the patient's T cell DNA, a key factor that may help improve response rates to the therapy.
	Mouse study links triclosan, a common antimicrobial, to colonic inflammation A large research team led by senior author Guodong Zhang at the University of Massachusetts Amherst reports that the antimicrobial ingredient triclosan, found in hand soaps and toothpastes among other products, could have adverse effects on colonic inflammation and colon cancer by altering gut microbiota, the microbes found in our intestines.
	Researchers determine exercise dose linked to improved cognition in older adults Staying mentally sharp—that's aging Americans' highest priority, according to the National Council on Aging. While thousands of clinical trials suggest that exercising the body can protect or improve brain health as we age, few studies provide practical prescriptive guidance for how much and what kind of exercise.
	Baby teeth give clues to autism's origins, detection A close examination of baby teeth is giving new insight into the roots of autism—and ways to spot it early.
	Cellular recycling process is key to longer, healthier life Building on two decades of research, investigators at UT Southwestern have determined that "cellular housekeeping" can extend the lifespan and healthspan of mammals.
	Cognitive training reduces depression, rebuilds injured brain structure and connectivity after traumatic brain injury New research from the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas shows that certain cognitive training exercises can help reduce depression and improve brain health in individuals years after they have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
	Soy lecithin NSAID combo drug protects against cancer with fewer side effects When scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) applied a chemical found in soybeans to a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), they increased its anticancer properties and reduced its side effects. Findings of the preclinical study of phosphatidylcholine, also called lecithin, appear in the journal Oncology Letters.
	Smoking, lack of exercise linked to early death after divorce A growing body of research links divorce to a wide range of poor health outcomes, including greater risk for early death. However, the reason for the connection is not well understood.
	Promise of faster, more accessible schizophrenia diagnosis, study shows A portable device common in optometrists' offices may hold the key to faster diagnosis of schizophrenia, predicting relapse and symptom severity and assessing treatment effectiveness, a Rutgers University study finds.
	Smoking: a rundown on lighting up Every minute, smokers get through nearly 11 million cigarettes and 10 die from the habit, experts say, in an industry that generates billions of dollars.
	Adults with high blood pressure face higher healthcare costs Adults with high blood pressure face $1,920 higher healthcare costs each year compared to those without high blood pressure, according to new research in Journal of the American Heart Association, the Open Access Journal of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
Exposure of European children to electromagnetic fields is below the maximum levels Children in Europe are exposed to higher levels of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) in cities, but the total average exposure remains well below the limit reference values. These are the main conclusions of a study led by the Barcelona Institute of Global Health (ISGlobal), an institution supported by "la Caixa" Foundation and published in Environment International.
	Anticancer drug doubles lifetime of sick animals A research team from NUST MISIS and Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (RNRMU) has successfully conducted preclinical trials of a new anticancer drug based on magnetite nanoparticles. In the test results, the drug doubled the lifespan of sick mice. The research results have been published in Nanomedicine.
	Researchers identify the electrophysiological sign of cerebral infarction Researchers have analyzed the underlying electrophysiological indicators of subarachnoid hemorrhage, the second most common type of brain hemorrhage that can lead to ischemic stroke within a matter of days. Their findings, which have been published in the journal Brain, may lay the foundations for new stroke treatments.
	Fighting cancer with a famous poison "Some of the most potent cancer drugs ever made include metals and other inorganic compounds."
	Trial to test new treatment combination for children and adults with leukaemia A clinical trial testing a new treatment combination in patients with leukaemia launches through the Combinations Alliance, a joint initiative between Cancer Research UK and the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres (ECMC) Network.
	Six tips to spot cancer 'fake news' Cancer is a popular topic for the media, as people care and worry about it in equal measure.
	Shared meals important for well-being How, where and when we eat are key issues for human health and well-being. A multidisciplinary research network at Uppsala University aims to deepen knowledge about what meals signify.
	On a mission – 'mood' apps to combat depression Four years ago, a team of Monash psychologists began working on a smartphone app to help combat the growing spectre of anxiety and depression. Now there are two such apps, with one the winner of multiple awards. That app – MoodMission – has been downloaded 50,000 times with no paid marketing.
	Researchers develop new technology to manage cancer pain As cancer patients become increasingly ill toward the end of their lives, their pain often intensifies and increases in frequency. This is distressing not only to the patient, but also to the patient's caregivers, often a spouse or partner.
	Growth hormone may provide new hope for stroke survivors Less fatigue and better recovery of cognitive abilities such as learning and memory. These may be the results of growth hormone treatment after a stroke, an experimental study of mice published in the journal Stroke suggests.
	Key molecule for flu infection identified After decades of research, a research team has discovered the key receptor molecule that enhances the infection of the influenza A virus, providing a novel target for anti-flu drug development.
	Organs-on-chips: Tiny technology helping bring safe new drugs to patients faster Getting a new pharmaceutical from an idea in the chemistry lab to market takes many years and billions of dollars. Each year just several dozen new drugs are approved for use in the United States.
	The bugs we carry and how our immune system fights them Human beings are large, complex, multicellular, multi-organ systems. We reproduce slowly and rely on a breadth of mechanisms that allow us to control the myriad of rapidly replicating, simple life forms that have evolved to live in or on us.
	Coke has promised less sugar, but less is still too much At last count, 28 countries and seven large cities in the USA had moved to introduce a tax on sugary drinks. Potential benefits are clear and include reducing costs from obesity and health-care spending, as well as the potential to increase a healthy life. Health groups in Australia have long called for the same to be done here.
	Researchers use sound and visuals to simulate blood-flow patterns of brain aneurysms Researchers in the University of Toronto's Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering are combining audio and art to provide better, standardized ways of simulating and understanding medical imaging of brain aneurysms.
	Report says school violence on the rise against LGBT students A new report from University of Oregon researchers shows bias-based bullying and violence is on the rise in Oregon schools, especially aimed at LGBT students, who experience twice as much verbal, physical, psychological and sexual violence as their peers.
Study shows that gun purchase delays can reduce suicide rates On average, 36 firearm-related homicides occur every day and an additional 60 individuals die from firearm-related suicides, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that purchase delay reduces firearm-related suicides between 2 and 5 percent.
	Link between HPV and cancer after kidney transplant The European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute at Cardiff University has shed light on the link between skin cancer development and kidney transplants, highlighting the importance for clinicians to monitor transplant patients for these virus-induced cancers.
	U.S. fertility is dropping. Here's why some experts saw it coming The Centers for Disease Control reported this month that the number of births in the U.S. is down 2 percent – "the lowest number in 30 years."
	Prevalence of eating disorders taken from largest sample in the US Biological Psychiatry has published a new study revising the outdated estimates of the prevalence of eating disorders in the United States (US). The new estimates were based on a nationally-representative sample of 36,309 adults—the largest national sample of US adults ever studied. The findings estimate that 0.80 percent of US adults will be affected by anorexia nervosa in their lifetime; 0.28 percent will be affected by bulimia nervosa; and 0.85 percent will be affected by binge eating disorder.
	A new method measures the immune cell response within minutes T cells fight pathogens and tumors: Researchers from the Universities of Tübingen and Lübeck present a simple and fast method to rapidly assess their function.
	Sensory-based food education encourages children to eat vegetables, berries and fruit Sensory-based food education given to 3–5 year-old children in the kindergarten increases their willingness to choose vegetables, berries and fruit, according to a new study from the University of Eastern Finland. Sensory-based food education offers new tools for promoting healthy dietary habits in early childhood education and care. The findings were published in Public Health Nutrition.
	Pregnancy temporarily lowers a woman's voice – new study Whether we are aware of it or not, our voices say a lot about us. Relying on only the average pitch of a person's voice, we can instantly tell if they are a child or adult, a man or woman. This is because voice pitch is highly sexually dimorphic – it is almost twice as low in men as in women. This sex difference emerges during puberty following a surge of testosterone in males that lengthens their vocal folds, causing voice pitch to drop off sharply, and marks sexual maturation in adolescent boys.
	For anxiety, single intervention is not enough No matter which treatment they get, only 20 percent of young people diagnosed with anxiety will stay well over the long term, UConn Health researchers report in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
	Poll: Half of older adults don't use health provider's secure patient communication site These days, Americans can manage many facets of their lives through the Internet. But a new poll suggests that many older adults still aren't using online systems to communicate with the doctors and other health care providers they rely on—despite the widespread availability of such systems.
	Research finds pain expectation is pain reality for children So much for, "See? That wasn't so bad."
Study of 'SuperAgers' offers genetic clues to performance All humans experience some cognitive decline as they age. But how is it that some people in their 80s and beyond still have memory capacity of those 30 or more years younger?
	Prediction method for epileptic seizures developed Epileptic seizures strike with little warning and nearly one third of people living with epilepsy are resistant to treatment that controls these attacks. More than 65 million people worldwide are living with epilepsy.
Swabbing cesarean-born babies with vaginal fluids potentially unsafe and unnecessary The increasingly popular practice of 'vaginal seeding'—in which cesarean-delivered babies are immediately swabbed with the mother's vaginal fluids—is declared unjustified and potentially unsafe in a new critical review of scientific literature. Differences between the bacteria and other microorganisms (microbiome) in cesarean- and vaginally born babies are thought to account for the greater risk of health problems suffered by cesarean-born babies in later life. However as outlined in the study, published in Frontiers in Medicine, this difference is most likely caused by antibiotics administered to mothers delivering by C-section rather than not being exposure to vaginal microbes. Breastfeeding duration, maternal obesity and age at birth can also account for microbiome differences.
	New cooking training significantly decreases sodium levels in Chinese take-out meals While Chinese dishes are known to have one of the highest salt contents of all food categories, new research finds that a cooking training for Chinese take-out chefs and restaurant owners can result in substantial reductions in sodium in the foods they serve with no substantial loss of taste. This study was published today in Public Health Reports.
	Igniting the rheumatoid arthritis flame through a cellular cascade Chronic inflammatory disorders, including autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, involve the action of various inflammatory molecules (cytokines) produced by cells of the immune system. One such cytokine, IL-17, is produced by Th17 cells, which are white blood cells that provide host defense against pathogens, as well as mediating inflammatory reactions. Although Th17 cells are lead players in autoimmune disease, the way in which they control other inflammatory cells had been unclear.
	Body knows best: A natural healing mechanism for inflammatory bowel disease Treating inflammatory diseases of the bowel is extremely challenging: Genes, gut microbes and disrupted immune function all contribute. Weizmann Institute of Science researchers are proposing a way around this complexity. In a study in mice, published in Cell Reports, they have found a way to trigger a natural defense mechanism that prompts the body itself to alleviate intestinal inflammation.
	New study shows evidence that health information exchanges improve care, reduce costs An updated systematic review of recent studies of health information exchanges found evidence the exchanges reduced both the cost of health care and its use. That contrasts with an assessment published three years ago that found little such evidence.
	Stories to help children cope An educational psychologist has created stories to help children deal with issues such as anxiety and depression.
	Older men with higher levels of sex hormones could be less religious The level of sex hormones such as testosterone in a man's body could influence his religiosity. A new study by Aniruddha Das of McGill University in Canada in Springer's journal Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology now adds to the growing body of evidence that religiosity is not only influenced by upbringing or psychological makeup, but physiological factors could also play a role.
American Cancer Society updates colorectal cancer screening guideline An updated American Cancer Society guideline says colorectal cancer screening should begin at age 45 for people at average risk, based in part on data showing rates of colorectal cancer are increasing in young and middle-aged populations.
	Medical detectives team up on selenoprotein1/EPT1 The baby looked healthy at first. But within two hours, he was having severe seizures.
	Having an abortion does not lead to depression Having an abortion does not increase a woman's risk for depression, according to a new study of nearly 400,000 women published today in JAMA Psychiatry. While previous research has found abortion does not harm women's mental health, studies claiming that it does continue to be published and state policies that restrict access to abortion in the United States have been justified by claims that abortion causes women psychological harm.
As colorectal cancer rises in young people, new guidelines recommend screening start at 45 The American Cancer Society (ACS) and other preventive guideline organizations recommend that screening for colorectal cancer start for people of average risk at age 50. However, new data showing rising colorectal cancer incidence in people younger than 50—and in some cases much younger than 50—may argue for an earlier start to screening. A study published today the journal Cancer adds this new data to the model used as a basis for the ACS guidelines, showing what it calls a "favorable balance between screening benefits and burden" with screening starting at age 45, five years younger than currently recommended for both men and women of all races and ethnicities.
New Omega-3 trial for secondary liver cancer surgery A new clinical trial from the University of Leeds is testing omega-3 capsules in patients who have bowel cancer which has spread to the liver, to see if it can stop the cancer returning after surgery.
Free tax services in pediatrics clinics yield high returns During its first two years, StreetCred, a free tax preparation program developed at Boston Medical Center (BMC), helped 753 clients in pediatric clinics receive over $1.6 million in federal tax returns. Results from surveys of clients and staff, published in Pediatrics, showed that StreetCred was associated with a significant improvement in tax filings and a significant increase in client knowledge about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which helps lift families out of poverty.
Researchers find leukemia and lymphoma drug may benefit glioblastoma patients New Cleveland Clinic research shows for the first time that ibrutinib, an FDA-approved drug for lymphoma and leukemia, may also help treat the most common—and deadliest—type of brain tumor. The findings, published in Science Translational Medicine, offer hope that the drug may one day be used in patients with glioblastoma and improve poor survival rates.
	Insufficient vitamin D linked to miscarriage among women with prior pregnancy loss Among women planning to conceive after a pregnancy loss, those who had sufficient levels of vitamin D were more likely to become pregnant and have a live birth, compared to women with insufficient levels of the vitamin, according to an analysis by researchers at the National Institutes of Health. This study appears in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
Death of Indian soldier renews fears over rare virus A Indian soldier has died in West Bengal state of suspected infection by the Nipah virus, an official said Wednesday, heightening fears the rare disease may be spreading.
	Wise words on women's health (HealthDay)—May is Women's Health Month.
	The ER or urgent care? (HealthDay)—Urgent care centers are popping up across the country as an option for medical treatment. But it's important to know the differences between these facilities and your local hospital emergency department.
	Seniors slow to embrace online access to doctors (HealthDay)—Many doctors have internet portals to help patients manage their care. But that doesn't mean older folks will use them.
	Artificial sweeteners won't affect your blood sugar: study (HealthDay)—Can an artificially sweetened drink or food really satisfy your sweet tooth without raising your blood sugar levels?
	Children typically have 14 simple infections by age 3 years (HealthDay)—Children experience a median of 14 infections during their first three years of life, though there is large variation in incidence, according to a study published online May 24 in Pediatrics.
	Reduced-dose anticoagulants feasible for extended VTE Tx (HealthDay)—For an extended duration, reduced-dose direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) may be as effective as full-dose treatment for preventing recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE), according to a review published online May 17 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
	Insomnia found to be common but mild in older adults (HealthDay)—Insomnia is common in older community-dwelling adults, but usually mild, according to a study published online May 21 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
	New hypertension guideline discussed for older adults (HealthDay)—Clinicians caring for older adults with hypertension should be mindful of the specific blood pressure (BP) goals proven to reduce cardiovascular disease events, while adopting the new 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) hypertension guideline, according to an article published online May 20 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
	Mini-dose glucagon may halt post-exercise hypoglycemia (HealthDay)—Mini-dose glucagon (MDG) is an effective approach for preventing exercise-induced hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes, according to a study published online May 18 in Diabetes Care.
	Most premature infants receive early antibiotics (HealthDay)—Most premature infants receive empirical antibiotic therapy, according to a study published online May 25 in JAMA Network Open.
Scientists show how tularemia bacteria trick cells to cause disease Francisella tularensis is the bacterium that causes tularemia, a life-threatening disease spread to humans via contact with an infected animal or through mosquito, tick or deer fly bites. As few as 10 viable bacteria can cause the disease, which has a death rate of up to 60 percent. Scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases—part of the National Institutes of Health—have unraveled the process by which the bacteria cause disease. They found that F. tularensis tricks host cell mitochondria, which produce energy for the cell, in two different phases of infection. In the first eight hours of infection, the bacteria increase mitochondria function, which inhibits cell death and prevents the cell from mounting an inflammatory response to avoid an immune system attack. In the 24 hours after, the bacteria impair mitochondrial function, undergo explosive replication and spread. These basic science findings could play a role in developing effective treatment strategies, according to the researchers.
	CDC: Outpatient rehab rates suboptimal for stroke survivors (HealthDay)—In 2015, 35.5 percent of adult stroke survivors used outpatient rehabilitation, up from 31.2 percent in 2013, according to research published in the May 25 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
	Babies of adolescents in CPS care more likely to be taken into care (HealthDay)—Teen mothers who are in the care of child protection services (CPS) when they gave birth have more than a seven times higher likelihood that their child will be taken into care before age 2 years, compared to teen mothers not in CPS, according to a study published online May 29 in Pediatrics.
	Parents have concerns over food allergy precautions at schools (HealthDay)—A substantial portion of parents whose children have food allergies have concerns over the safety of their child at school, according to a study published online May 12 in BMC Pediatrics.
	Prediction tool helps tailor lung cancer screening to patients (HealthDay)—Personalizing the harm-benefit assessment of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for lung cancer can inform patient-centered screening decisions, according to a study published online May 29 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Senior CA patients also benefit from palliative radiotherapy (HealthDay)—All patients with painful bone metastasis should be referred for palliative radiotherapy to relieve the pain, regardless of age, according to a study published online May 23 in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology.
	Elevated HbA1c usually leads to prompt Tx start, intensification (HealthDay)—Most patients are newly initiated on antidiabetic therapy or have antidiabetic therapy intensified within six months of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) elevation, according to a study published online May 24 in Diabetes Care.
	Price competition for generic drugs linked to increase in manufacturing-related recalls Researchers from three universities have found that extreme price competition in the generic pharmaceutical market—designed to make medications more affordable—may be putting more patients at serious health risk, as evidenced by a higher number of product recalls caused by manufacturing-related problems.
Another judge blocks feds from ending teen pregnancy grant A federal judge in Seattle on Tuesday became the latest to block President Donald Trump's administration from prematurely cutting off funding for science-based programs aimed at reducing teen pregnancy.
Young women at high genetic risk of breast cancer—plastic surgeons play key role in treatment With available testing for breast cancer risk genes, some women are learning at young ages that they are at high lifetime risk of breast cancer. Plastic surgeons play a key role in counseling and managing this group of high-risk young adults, according to a special topic paper in the June issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Screening for colorectal cancer in under-55-year-olds with family history—benefit unclear Between the age of 50 and 54 years, all statutory health insurance fund members in Germany are entitled to immunological faecal occult blood testing and, in the case of a suspicious result, to a colonoscopy. From the age of 55 years onwards, members of the health insurance funds can choose between faecal occult blood testing every two years or two colonoscopies at least ten years apart.
Hormone therapy may lead to improved cognitive function Hormones affect just about everything that goes on in a woman's body, from reproductive function and sexual libido to weight gain and overall mood. A new study shows how, in the right dosage and combination, hormones also may slow cognitive decline in postmenopausal women as they age. The study is being published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS).
	New review highlights benefits of plant-based diets for heart health Vegetarian, especially vegan, diets are associated with better cardiovascular health, according to a new review published in the journal Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases.
New guidance on treating diabetes in elderly and frail adults New guidance has been published on managing diabetes in the elderly, including for the first time how to manage treatment for the particularly frail.
Using telemedicine to bring genetic counseling to community cancer care Genetic counseling for cancer patients has become standard of care at academic medical centers, but patients cared for at community-based medical practices across the United States may not have access to these resources. Video and phone sessions can close that gap and bring genetic counseling to patients who would not otherwise have the chance to receive it, according to a new study from the Basser Center for BRCA at the University of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center.
Packaging error leads to birth control pill recall in US Allergan is voluntarily recalling packs of its birth control pills in the U.S. because of a packaging error with placebos, increasing the possibility of unintended pregnancy.
	Retired electrician saved by CPR, jolts from AED As a retired electrician, David Paschal knows a thing or two about electrical currents. He did everything he could to avoid the unpleasant feeling of getting shocked, especially since it also carried the risk of being electrocuted.
Judge blocked California law on life-ending drugs. Now what? A judge has thrown out a 2016 California law allowing terminally ill people to end their lives after finding that the Legislature unconstitutionally approved it during a special session.

Biology news

	Even a shark's electrical 'sixth sense' may be tuned to attack Imagine having superhuman hearing. You're at a noisy, cocktail party and yet your ears can detect normally inaudible sounds made by your friends' muscles as they lean in to dish the latest gossip. But, unlike normal hearing, each of these sounds causes your ears to react in the same way. There is no difference between the quietest and loudest movements. To your superhuman ears, they all sound loud, like honking horns. According to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health, that may be how a shark's electrosensing organ reacts when it detects teensy, tiny electrical fields emanating from nearby prey.
	New study finds parasites affect flight ability of wild seabirds A study led by the University of Liverpool and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) has found that parasites affect flight ability of wild seabirds, which may make it harder for them to raise chicks.
	What do animals want? Team unpacks behavioral strategies using machine learning Scientists have developed a new approach to understanding animal preferences, and the findings could provide greater insight into decision-making in humans.
	New machine learning approach could accelerate bioengineering Scientists from the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have developed a way to use machine learning to dramatically accelerate the design of microbes that produce biofuel.
	Huddling for survival—monkeys with more social partners can winter Wild monkeys which have more social partners form larger huddles in adverse weather and have a better chance of surviving winter, new research has found.
	Researchers devise new way to discern what microbes eat A new technique devised by researchers from North Carolina State University and the University of Calgary provides a more in-depth look at the metabolism and physiology within microbial communities—the microscopic life such as bacteria, viruses and other tiny forms of life within our bodies and throughout nature. Specifically, the new technique provides a more direct way to determine what food source, or substrate, a certain microbe has consumed.
	Details that look sharp to people may be blurry to their pets Compared with many animals, human eyes aren't particularly adept at distinguishing colors or seeing in dim light. But by one measure at least—something called visual acuity—human eyes can see fine details that most animals can't, Duke University researchers say.
	Getting conservationists and fishers on the same page Historically, fisheries and the conservation community have struggled to find common ground. The tension between one's desire to turn a profit and the other's to preserve endangered or protected marine species that can be killed as bycatch has made it difficult to find solutions that satisfy both. Now, a new online tool developed by researchers at San Diego State University in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other universities could win support from both groups. EcoCast, developed with funding from the NASA Applied Sciences Ecological Forecasting Program, provides computer-generated maps to help fishermen target productive fishing spots while alerting them to areas likely to harbor protected species.
	Disease-causing stomach bug attacks energy generation in host cells Researchers report in a new study that the bacterium Helicobacter pylori - a major contributor to gastritis, ulcers and stomach cancer—resists the body's immune defenses by shutting down energy production within the cells of the stomach lining that serve as a barrier to infection.
	Galapagos iguanas transferred due to overpopulation Six land iguanas, endemic to the Galapagos Islands, have been relocated within the Pacific archipelago due to food shortages and overpopulation on the islet where they lived, Ecuador's Galapagos National Park said Tuesday.
	New insights into the inner clock of the fruit fly Several months ago, professors Jeffrey Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael Young received the Nobel Prize for their work on deciphering the mechanisms of the biological clock. Many other scientists around the world are also investigating this topic, including the group of researchers headed by Prof Ralf Stanewsky (a former trainee in Jeffrey Hall's lab) at the University of Münster, Germany. Although scientists have discovered a diverse array of basic mechanisms, many unanswered questions about chronobiology remain. In two papers recently published in the journal Current Biology, a team of Münster biologists has now presented new findings on the inner workings of circadian clocks in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster). The researchers have found evidence that indicates that light and temperature stimuli play a mutual role in their synchronisation. Furthermore, they also identified yet unobserved molecular pathways in the photoreceptors, which also affect the fruit fly's circadian rhythm.
	Blame the mother's gene: Discovery for a blinding canine eye disease A gene for canine congenital eye disease has been identified by a collaborative research led by Professor Hannes Lohi's research group in the University of Helsinki. Defective RBP4 leads to vitamin A deficiency and abnormal eye development during pregnancy. The study defines a novel recessive mode of maternal inheritance, which may underlie other types of birth defects.
	Fruit flies fear lion feces A new doctoral thesis from Lund University in Sweden shows how fruit flies use their sense of smell and humidity to find food, avoid dehydration and discover the best place to lay their eggs—in overripe marula fruits. Faeces from herbivores are also suitable, but the flies reject carnivore excrement.
	Ocean-migrating trout adapt to freshwater environment in 120 years Steelhead trout, a member of the salmon family that live and grow in the Pacific Ocean, genetically adapted to the freshwater environment of Lake Michigan in less than 120 years.
	Ants provide clues to why biodiversity is higher in the tropics It's a puzzle that has confounded biologists for centuries: the earth's tropical regions are home to an enormous variety of plant and animal species, but as you travel north or south, away from the equator, the level of diversity dwindles.
	Whiskered auklets lack wanderlust, are homebodies instead A new study from The Auk: Ornithological Advances presents some of the best evidence that Whiskered Auklets are an outlier in the auklet family by not migrating and instead staying close to "home" (their breeding colonies) year-round. Most migratory birds lead two opposite lifestyles in the same year. During the breeding season a bird's location is constrained and their habits are repetitive given a nest full of chicks that require food, warmth, and protection. For some birds it is the only time they congregate or otherwise come together. Comparatively, during the non-breeding season their only true task is to survive. Whether migratory or residential, as long as the bird makes it back to the breeding grounds to reproduce, they can go almost wherever they want. Whiskered Auklets are consistent through the year though and don't wander far at all.
	Bees adjust to seasons with nutrients in flowers and 'dirty water' Researchers at Tufts University have discovered that honey bees alter their diet of nutrients according to the season, particularly as winter approaches. A spike in calcium consumption in the fall, and high intake of potassium, help prepare the bees for colder months when they likely need those minerals to generate warmth through rapid muscle contractions. A careful inventory of the bees' nutrient intake revealed shifting sources (from flowers to mineral rich 'dirty water') and how limitations in nutrient availability from these sources can have implications for the health of both managed and wild colonies.
	Rare white bison born at Belgrade Zoo One of the world's rarest animals—a white bison—has been born at Belgrade zoo, officials said.
	Grey gold: Ivory Coast cashes in on the cashew Famous for its cocoa and coffee, the Ivory Coast has drawn up an ambitious five-year plan for the cashew industry, seeking to modernise production in a sector where it is already the world's number-one exporter.
	How do local behavioural ecology studies compare globally? South African researchers contribute more than 3% of the global literature on mammalian behavioural ecology, with a strong focus on the broader themes of mating, social and foraging behaviour.
Pigs digest fiber efficiently even at high inclusion rates, study finds The use of high-fiber feed ingredients in swine diets is on the rise due to their wide availability and relatively low cost. However, because pigs lack enzymes needed to digest dietary fiber, the energy available to pigs from these ingredients is less than lower-fiber ingredients. Researchers at the University of Illinois are helping to determine the contribution that high-fiber feed ingredients make to the energy content of swine diets.
	Shark fins found in Singapore Airlines shipment to Hong Kong Environmental campaigners said Wednesday a hidden shipment of shark fins including some from endangered species had been shipped to Hong Kong via Singapore Airlines, despite a ban by the carrier.

---

This email is a free service of Science X Network
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you do not wish to receive such emails in the future, please unsubscribe here.
You are subscribed as jmabs1@gmail.com. You may manage your subscription options from your Science X profile