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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for June 18, 2018:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Observations identify three different activity periods in the quasar 3C 279An international team of astronomers has conducted multi-wavelength photometric and spectropolarimetric observations of the quasar 3C 279, which revealed three different activity periods in this object. The finding is reported in a paper published June 5 on the arXiv pre-print repository. |
 | Researchers capture best ever evidence of rare black holeESA's XMM-Newton observatory has discovered the best-ever candidate for a very rare and elusive type of cosmic phenomenon: a medium-weight black hole in the process of tearing apart and feasting on a nearby star. |
 | Explosive volcanoes spawned mysterious Martian rock formationExplosive volcanic eruptions that shot jets of hot ash, rock and gas skyward are the likely source of a mysterious Martian rock formation, a new study finds. The new finding could add to scientists' understanding of Mars's interior and its past potential for habitability, according to the study's authors. |
 | Proposed CAESAR mission to return a sample from comet 67P/Churyumov–GerasimenkoA proposed space mission known as the Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Return (CAESAR) could expand the knowledge of the origin and history of the comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. If selected by NASA, it will return a sample from this comet to Earth, enabling scientists to study the leftover material from the formation of our Solar System. |
 | A meteoroid smashed into the side of a crater on Mars and then started a landslideIn 2006, NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) established orbit around the Red Planet. Using an advanced suite of scientific instruments – which include cameras, spectrometers, and radar – this spacecraft has been analyzing landforms, geology, minerals and ice on Mars for years and assisting with other missions. While the mission was only meant to last two years, the orbiter has remained in operation for the past twelve. |
 | Image: Juice thermal development model and the sun simulatorA view of the Juice thermal development model inside the Large Space Simulator at ESA's technical heart in the Netherlands. |
 | White House aims to reduce satellite clutter in spaceThe White House is establishing a new policy for reducing satellite clutter in space. |
 | Trumps wants to dominate space, Moon and Mars (Update)President Donald Trump boasted Monday of the US commercial space industry's deep wallet and enterprising spirit, and vowed US dominance in exploration of the Moon and Mars, as well as any future space race. |
Technology news
 | Engineers build smart power outletHave you ever plugged in a vacuum cleaner, only to have it turn off without warning before the job is done? Or perhaps your desk lamp works fine, until you turn on the air conditioner that's plugged into the same power strip. |
 | Like 'Star Trek': voice shopping seen as new frontierHey, Google, order a large pizza! Alexa, I need vitamins! |
 | Volvo likes what its self-driving weavers see in LuminarSelf-driving car news for June would not be complete without mention of Volvo. Luminar has rolled out a beefy development platform and has struck a relationship with Volvo—being that the Swedish carmaker chose Luminar to equip its self-driving cars with lidar. |
 | Algorithm makes the process of comparing 3-D scans up to 1,000 times fasterMedical image registration is a common technique that involves overlaying two images, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, to compare and analyze anatomical differences in great detail. If a patient has a brain tumor, for instance, doctors can overlap a brain scan from several months ago onto a more recent scan to analyze small changes in the tumor's progress. |
 | Optical scanning technology used to restore wax recordings of indigenous languagesA team of researchers at UC Berkeley has embarked on a project to save wax recordings made a century ago using modern technology—they are calling it the "Documenting Endangered Languages" initiative. As they describe in a post they have made on the UC Berkeley Library website, the group has plans to use optical scanning technology to retrieve the recordings and then to save them in digital format. |
 | DeepCube solver approach might go beyond cube into other researchUnleashing ways for a machine to solve the Rubik's Cube? Numerous teams can stand up and say been there, done that. We have seen lots of headlines, too, on how they clocked in to set time records. So what's the big deal about the latest machine-solving-cube story? |
 | 360 degrees, 180 seconds: New technique speeds analysis of crop traitsA potted nine-leaf corn plant sits on a Frisbee-sized plate. The tandem begins rotating like the centerpiece atop a giant music box, three degrees per second, and after two minutes the plant has pirouetted to its original position. |
 | Purdue phoneme project creates new haptic communications futureCommunication could step beyond reading a cellular phone screen with a new technique by Purdue College of Engineering researchers to learn and read messages through a person's sense of touch. |
 | Radio reporter regains a voice with new technologyTwo years ago, longtime radio reporter Jamie Dupree encountered what others in his profession might see as an insurmountable challenge: He lost his voice. |
 | Former Theranos biotech star indicted on fraud chargesElizabeth Holmes, the founder of blood-testing startup Theranos and a onetime Silicon Valley star, has been hit with criminal charges accusing her of defrauding investors and others, prosecutors announced Friday. |
Uber Eats has grown into Texas' most-used food delivery appMaybe it's the same simplicity as found in its flagship ride-hailing app, or maybe it's the brand recognition. Whatever it is, Uber Eats' share within the food delivery industry is overtaking competitors. | |
 | Ford: Detroit train station key to autonomous vehicle plansBill Ford looks past the tons of paint, plaster and steel needed to remake Detroit's blighted Michigan Central train station and sees more than just an iconic building in desperate need of a makeover. |
 | GE facing millions in penalities over French job pledgeUS conglomerate General Electric will have to pay millions of euros in penalties in France if it fails to uphold its pledge to create 1,000 new jobs by year end, a government official said Sunday. |
Autonomous Waymo vehicle involved in 5-car crash in ArizonaPolice in a Phoenix suburb say a self-driving Waymo vehicle was among five cars involved in a collision, but no serious injuries were reported. | |
 | France air traffic responsible for third of Europe delays: reportHindered by strikes and outdated equipment, French air traffic control is responsible for a third of aviation delays in Europe, Le Parisien said Monday, citing a senate finance committee report. |
 | Google to invest $550 million in China e-commerce giant JD.comGoogle will invest more than half a billion dollars in China's second-largest e-commerce company JD.com as part of a move to expand retail services around the world, the companies said Monday. |
Google's new principles on AI need to be better at protecting human rightsThere are growing concerns about the potential risks of AI – and mounting criticism of technology giants. In the wake of what has been called an AI backlash or "techlash", states and businesses are waking up to the fact that the design and development of AI have to be ethical, benefit society and protect human rights. | |
 | Audi boss arrested in diesel probe (Update)Audi chief executive Rupert Stadler was arrested Monday in connection with parent company Volkswagen's "dieselgate" emissions cheating scandal, with prosecutors saying they feared he might try to destroy evidence. |
 | Rising tide: Floating device one step closer to generating green powerAn ocean energy technology project that will harness tidal power has successfully produced electricity during towing tests. |
 | Apple sets up iPhones to relay location for 911 callsApple is trying to drag the U.S.'s antiquated system for handling 911 calls into the 21st century. |
 | An exoskeleton for paraplegicsRobotic devices are increasingly being used to assist patients with impaired motor functions. Through a novel adaptable exoskeleton, the Symbitron project hopes to revolutionise rehabilitation of patients. |
 | Holistic approach increases safety for two-wheeled vehiclesIf we are to make the best use of urban transport, we need to increase safety for the most vulnerable users – especially those on two wheels. As well as new vehicle technology, this also needs improvements to rider behaviour and protective equipment. |
 | Control unit motor system for human-powered bikesA new initiative to fill the gap between bicycle and car is taking shape in the form of a super bike that offers several advantages to users. The technology can also be applied to scooters and skateboards. |
 | Bringing the heat out of the cityHeat waves are increasing worldwide—and that includes Switzerland. Cities in particular suffer as a result: the temperature difference between city and countryside can amount to several degrees. A new water tunnel at Empa could help to alleviate these urban heat islands in the future—for example by cities ensuring lower temperatures locally through vegetation, water surfaces and brighter materials and creating space for wind to aerate cities better. |
 | Insightful research illuminates the newly possible in the realm of natural and synthetic imagesA pair of groundbreaking papers in computer vision open new vistas on possibilities in the realms of creating very real-looking natural images and synthesizing realistic, identity-preserving facial images. In CVAE-GAN: Fine-Grained Image Generation through Asymmetric Training, presented this past October at ICCV 2017 in Venice, the team of researchers from Microsoft and the University of Science and Technology of China came up with a model for image generation based on a variational autoencoder generative adversarial network capable of synthesizing natural images in what are known as fine-grained categories. Fine-grained categories would include faces of specific individuals, say of celebrities, or real-world objects such as specific types of flowers or birds. |
 | Theranos collapse offers three big lessons for companiesLess than three months after being charged by the US Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC) with "massive fraud" and barred from being the CEO of a public company for ten years, entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes is reportedly on the hunt for investors for a new company. |
 | Bitcoin could 'bring internet to a halt': BISThe Bank for International Settlements in a report warned digital currencies like bitcoin could overwhelm and break the internet if they continue to grow. |
 | New approach in VR redirected walking presentedIn the burgeoning world of virtual reality (VR) technology, it remains a challenge to provide users with a realistic perception of infinite space and natural walking capabilities in the virtual environment. A team of computer scientists has introduced a new approach to address this problem by leveraging a natural human phenomenon: eye blinks. |
 | Top US court to rule in Apple case over app monopoly (Update)The US Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear a case on whether Apple can be sued under antitrust law for monopolizing the distribution of mobile applications on its App Store. |
Small businesses vulnerable to cyberattacks, then don't actSmall businesses suffered a barrage of computer invasions last year but most took no action to shore up their security afterward, according to a survey by insurer Hiscox. | |
 | Amazon to create more than 1,000 new jobs in IrelandAmazon will create more than 1,000 more jobs in Ireland over the next two years, it said Monday, vastly increasing its presence in the eurozone country. |
 | Peek at the future: Electric plane cruises skies over NorwayNorway's transportation minister and the head of the Scandinavian country's airport operator took off Monday for a short flight ... aboard a Slovenian-made two-seater electric airplane. |
 | UK debit cards overtake cash for first time: studyCash is no longer king in Britain—and has been usurped by debit cards, thanks to rapid changes in technology and consumer behaviour, new research showed Monday. |
 | YouTube extends music streaming service to EuropeYouTube extended its music streaming service to Europe Monday a month after it launched in North America and parts of Asia. |
 | Biotech billionaire takes over at Los Angeles Times, new editor namedBiotech billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong took over Monday as the new owner of the Los Angeles Times and immediately named respected journalist Norman Pearlstine as top editor. |
 | A new, digitised era for European manufacturingManufacturing in the EU is heading to another level that will make it more competitive than ever, thanks to better service models and to innovations such as digitisation, Big Data and the Internet of Things. |
 | Everything you need to know about SnapchatIf you have tweens or teens, you know about Snapchat. And if you can't figure out how it works, you're probably over 25. One of the most popular social media apps out there, Snapchat gives kids and teens what they really want: a simple way to share everyday moments while simultaneously making them look awesome. And unlike Facebook and Twitter, which record and broadcast everything you do, Snapchat uses messages that are meant to disappear (learn more about how they actually don't). Like so many social media apps, Snapchat is a mixed bag, so it's a good idea to understand how it works, how your kids use it and how much time they spend on it so you can make sure their experiences are positive. |
'Uber for lawn care' launches in Kansas City, connects homeowners and landscapersNeed a ride at the drop of a hat or a late-night bite? Uber's got you. Wag! can walk your dog. | |
 | Five things to know about VW's 'dieselgate' scandalVolkswagen's emissions cheating scandal, for which Audi chief executive Rupert Stadler was arrested on Monday, has had repercussions for the car industry around the world. |
 | After brief wait, Beyonce, Jay-Z take album to SpotifyBeyonce and Jay-Z on Monday brought their surprise joint album to all platforms including Spotify after a wait of little more than a day, relenting on keeping an exclusive for their fledgling Tidal service. |
 | Tesla shares up despite viral video of sedan on fireTesla Motors was under another round of scrutiny on Monday after a homemade video of a Tesla sedan on fire went viral but the incident did not weigh on shares. |
 | Power starved Nigeria on the brink after six plants closedNigerian officials were working Monday to prevent the "collapse" of the electric grid after they had to close down six power plants following a pipeline failure and "technical issues" at Shell gas wells. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Electrically stimulating the brain may restore movement after strokeUC San Francisco scientists have improved mobility in rats that had experienced debilitating strokes by using electrical stimulation to restore a distinctive pattern of brain cell activity associated with efficient movement. The researchers say they plan to use the new findings to help develop brain implants that might one day restore motor function in human stroke patients. |
 | Silence is golden when it comes to how our brains workIt's the comparative silence between the firing spikes of neurons that tells what they are really up to, scientists report. |
 | Gut microbes may contribute to depression and anxiety in obesityLike everyone, people with type 2 diabetes and obesity suffer from depression and anxiety, but even more so. Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center now have demonstrated a surprising potential contributor to these negative feelings—and that is the bacteria in the gut or gut microbiome, as it is known. |
 | New 3-D imaging analysis technique could lead to improved arthritis treatmentAn algorithm to monitor the joints of patients with arthritis, which could change the way that the severity of the condition is assessed, has been developed by a team of engineers, physicians and radiologists led by the University of Cambridge. |
 | Genomics offers new treatment options for infants with range of soft tissue tumorsThe genetic causes of a group of related infant cancers have been discovered by scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Wuerzburg and their collaborators. Whole genome sequencing of tumours revealed mutations which are targetable by existing drugs used to treat lung cancer and melanoma. |
 | First human test of robotic eye surgery a successResearchers from the University of Oxford have completed the first successful trial of robot-assisted retinal surgery. |
 | Compulsive video-game playing could be mental health problemObsessive video gamers know how to anticipate dangers in virtual worlds. The World Health Organization says they now should be on guard for a danger in the real world: spending too much time playing. |
 | Changing room playlist could give World Cup teams the edgeBlasting out Rihanna or Kanye West could give World Cup squads that crucial psychological edge over rival teams, suggests research from Brunel University London. |
 | Study suggests well-known growth suppressor actually fuels lethal brain cancersScientists report finding a potentially promising treatment target for aggressive and deadly high-grade brain cancers like glioblastoma. But they also say the current lack of a drug that hits the molecular target keeps it from being advanced for testing as a therapeutic strategy for patients with few treatment options. |
 | Scientists learn more about how gene linked to autism affects brainNew preclinical research shows a gene already linked to a subset of people with autism spectrum disorder is critical to healthy neuronal connections in the developing brain, and its loss can harm those connections to help fuel the complex developmental condition. |
 | Microglia protect sensory cells needed for vision after retinal detachmentA research team at Massachusetts Eye and Ear has shown that microglia, the primary immune cells of the brain and retina, play a protective role in response to retinal detachment. Retinal detachment and subsequent degeneration of the retina can lead to progressive visual decline due to photoreceptor cell death, the major light-sensing cell in the eye. In a report published online today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the researchers describe, for the first time, the beneficial role of microglial cells in the eye after retinal detachment—migrating to the site of injury to protect photoreceptors and to regulate local inflammation. |
 | How the brain plays a role in rheumatoid arthritis inflammationIn patients with chronic inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, there has been limited understanding of how this inflammation affects the brain. |
Researchers create novel combination as potential therapy for high-risk neuroblastomaResearchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center in Richmond, Virginia, have identified a promising target to reverse the development of high-risk neuroblastoma and potentially inform the creation of novel combination therapies for the disease. | |
 | Neuroscientists map brain's response to cold touchCarnegie Mellon University neuroscientists have mapped the feeling of cool touch to the brain's insula in a mouse model. The findings, published in the June 15 issue of Journal of Comparative Neurology, provide an experimental model that will advance research into conditions like pain and hypersensitivity to cold and help researchers to continue to unravel the multifaceted ways touch is represented in the brain. |
 | Targeting the engine room of the cancer cellResearchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) have developed a highly innovative computational framework that can support personalized cancer treatment by matching individual tumors with the drugs or drug combinations that are most likely to kill them. |
 | Often overlooked glial cell is key to learning and memoryGlial cells surround neurons and provide support—not unlike hospital staff and nurses supporting doctors to keep operations running smoothly. These often-overlooked cells, which include oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, are the most abundant cell types in the central nervous system. |
 | BPA can induce multigenerational effects on ability to communicatePast studies have shown that biparental care of offspring can be affected negatively when females and males are exposed to bisphenol A (BPA); however, previous studies have not characterized how long-term effects of BPA exposure in grandmothers and grandfathers might affect offspring communication ability. In a study published today in the journal PLOS One, researchers at the University of Missouri found that mice pups whose grandparents had been exposed to BPA, had different vocalization patterns. This, in turn, could also affect the amount of parental care they received. Scientists believe results could have important relevance to humans. |
 | California moves to declare coffee safe from cancer riskCalifornia officials bucked a recent court ruling Friday and offered reassurance to concerned coffee drinkers that their fix won't give them cancer. |
Opioid prescribing guidelines frustrate cancer doctors as well as their patientsOpioids are a mainstay of pain relief for cancer patients, so it may not be surprising that many feel victimized by efforts to curb the nation's opioid addiction epidemic by limiting access to prescription painkillers. | |
UK changes course, allows cannabis oil for epileptic boyThe British government on Saturday changed course over a case concerning the use of cannabis oil, saying an epileptic boy can be treated with it after his mother said he needed it to survive severe seizures. | |
 | Childhood sibling dynamics may predict differences in college educationThe effects of sibling relationships may go beyond childhood bickering and bonding, according to Penn State researchers who found that these relationships may predict similarities and differences in siblings' education later in life. |
 | Researchers find a promising new approach for treating liver cirrhosisIncreased pressure in the veins leading to the liver, known as portal hypertension (PH), accounts for the majority of medical complications and deaths associated with cirrhosis. Therefore, a tremendous need exists to find drugs that simultaneously treat the multiple pathologies associated with chronic PH. In a study in The American Journal of Pathology, investigators report that treatment with aleglitazar, a dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha/gamma (PPARα/γ) agonist, reduced inflammation, vasoconstriction, angiogenesis, mucosal disruption, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α overproduction in cirrhotic rats with PH. This suggests a promising new approach for treating liver cirrhosis. |
 | Valuing gluten-free foods relates to health behaviors in young adultsIn a new study featured in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, researchers found that among young adults valuing gluten-free foods could be indicative of an overall interest in health or nutrition. These young adults were more likely to engage in healthier behaviors including better dietary intake and also valued food production practices (e.g., organic, non-GMO, locally sourced). Of concern, they were also more likely to engage in unhealthy weight control behaviors and over-concern about weight. |
Study finds a pesticide-free way to combat mosquitos and West NileResearchers at the University of Waterloo may have discovered a new, pesticide-free way to limit mosquito populations in some area and reduce the spread of the West Nile virus. | |
Diabetes may be an early manifestation of pancreatic cancerA new study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, published by Oxford University Press, indicates that recent-onset type 2 diabetes may be early expression of pancreatic cancer. Diabetes was associated with a more than twofold higher risk of pancreatic cancer in African Americans and Latinos, but recent-onset diabetes was associated with a 2.3-fold greater increase in risk of pancreatic cancer than long-standing diabetes. | |
When it comes to weight loss in overweight and obese adults with knee osteoarthritis, more is betterResearchers previously showed that overweight and obese individuals with knee osteoarthritis can reduce pain by 50% and significantly improve function and mobility with a 10% or more weight loss over an 18-month period. The investigators' latest findings, which are published in Arthritis Care & Research, reveal that a 20% or more weight loss has the added benefit of continued improvement in physical health-related quality of life along with an additional 25% reduction in pain and improvement in function. | |
 | One in five parents did not talk to kids about what to do if they got lost at an amusement parkParents headed to an amusement park or carnival with their kids this summer may be equipped with sunscreen and snacks but they should prepare for safety issues as well. Emergency rooms saw 30,000 injuries linked to amusement parks and carnivals across the country in 2016, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. |
Sensitive new assay finds abnormalities in tumor cells that other techniques may missRNA-Seq is a new next-generation assay that can detect gene fusions in solid tumor cells with high accuracy and excellent reproducibility. According to a new report in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, the assay detected 93 percent of gene fusions identified by currently available methods with no false positives. Importantly, gene fusions missed by other techniques were found, including 18 that had never been described before. This study paves the way for clinical use of the assay to advance the diagnosis and treatment of solid tumors. | |
 | Puerto Rico struggles with jump in asthma cases post-MariaShortly after he turned 2, Yadriel Hernandez started struggling to breathe. His doctor prescribed an inhaler and an allergy pill for asthma, and his symptoms were mostly under control. |
Studying heart disease after death can help the livingAutopsy is often an overlooked source of medical insight which may be hindering advances in cardiovascular medicine, according to new research published in a special issue of the American Heart Association's journal Circulation. | |
Gene editing technology may improve accuracy of predicting individuals' heart disease riskScientists may now be able to predict whether carrying a specific genetic variant increases a person's risk for disease using gene editing and stem cell technologies, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation. | |
Intravenous acetaminophen has limited benefit for colectomy patients, study findsIntravenous (IV) acetaminophen is no more effective than oral acetaminophen for patients undergoing colorectal procedures, Mount Sinai researchers report in a first-of-its-kind study. These findings suggest that eliminating use of IV acetaminophen, which is much more expensive than its oral counterpart, may result in very significant cost savings for hospitals with no impact on the patient experience or outcomes. | |
 | Screening for aortic aneurysms in older men questionedScreening programs for aortic aneurysms in the abdomen is now being questioned in a study published in The Lancet. As the condition becomes less common, general ultrasound scans for 65-year-old men may do more harm than good, the researchers assert. |
Genomic testing for the causes of stillbirth should be considered for routine useMiscarriage and stillbirth are devastating events, and today, around 25 percent of these perinatal deaths are unexplained despite autopsy. Discovering the cause of such a loss is of great importance for the bereaved parents, both in providing an explanation and in helping them to understand the likelihood of a recurrence in future pregnancies. Researchers in Australia have used state of the art genetic testing in order to to help provide answers in such cases. | |
To share or not to share? Physiological and social determinants of children's sharing behaviorWhen are primary school children willing to share valuable resources with others and when are they not? A team of researchers from the University of Vienna led by cognitive biologist Lisa Horn investigated this question in a controlled behavioural experiment. The motivation to share seems to be influenced by group dynamical and physiological factors, whereas friendship between the children seems to be largely irrelevant. The results of their study have been published in the journal Scientific Reports. | |
Whole genome sequencing helps diagnosis and reduces healthcare costs for newborns in intensive careChildren who are born severely ill or who develop serious illness in the first few weeks of life are often difficult to diagnose, with considerable implications for their short and longer-term care. Whole genome sequencing carried out quickly has the potential to provide an early diagnosis, and thus improve the clinical care of these infants as well as reducing its cost, the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics will hear tomorrow (Sunday). | |
Individual access to genomic disease risk factors has a beneficial impact on lifestylesGiving personal genomic information to individuals can have a major, long-term effect on their lifestyle, researchers have found. The Finnish GeneRISK study, providing information on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) based on their genome and traditional risk factors to 7,328 people inspired changes for the better in areas such as weight loss and smoking cessation. Nearly 90 percent of them said the information had made them take better care of their health, the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics will hear today (Saturday). | |
 | Survey of oncologists finds knowledge gap on medical marijuanaAs more states legalize medical marijuana, two key groups—researchers whose job is it to understand its benefits and drawbacks, and physicians charged with advising potential users—are struggling to catch up with policymakers. |
 | Breast cancer researcher warns against online genetic testsWe have never been so fascinated by the secrets inside our cells. |
 | Preventing burnout in medical careSenior, influential and experienced doctors must lead action to protect their younger colleagues from debilitating burnout, say the authors of a Perspective published in the Medical Journal of Australia. |
Scientists identify bacteria likely to cause bowel cancerNew Zealand scientists have identified a toxic bacteria they believe may cause bowel cancer and could lead to a life-saving vaccine or early detection test for the too-often deadly disease. | |
 | Renewed calls for sugar, tobacco and alcohol taxesA Massey University professor is among an international group drawn from academia and international agencies, including the World Bank, United Nations (UN) and World Health Organisation (WHO), calling for taxes on sugar, tobacco and alcohol in order to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. |
 | 'You are getting very sleepy': When hypnotism came to AmericaIn the early 19th century, American factory workers often labored for 12-hour shifts, six days a week, and weaver Cynthia Gleason was having trouble sleeping. That is, until Dr. Charles Poyen "mesmerized" the textile worker to sleep through the night and wake up at a specific time the next morning. No one could wake her until she woke up herself at 8 a.m. |
 | Technology is both a weapon and a shield for those experiencing domestic violenceWith growing recognition that domestic violence can be perpetuated using technology, there has been a an increase of news stories that focus on how abusers use it to coerce and control victims. |
 | Helicopter parenting may negatively affect children's emotional well-being, behaviorIt's natural for parents to do whatever they can to keep their children safe and healthy, but children need space to learn and grow on their own, without Mom or Dad hovering over them, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association. The study, published in the journal Developmental Psychology, found that overcontrolling parenting can negatively affect a child's ability to manage his or her emotions and behavior. |
 | Recent clinical trial finds tamsulosin not effective in kidney stone passageThe latest research into finding medications to aid the passage of ureteral or kidney stones has shown that tamsulosin is not effective for patients across the board. Previously approved to help men experiencing enlarged prostates, tamsulosin is an Alpha-1 blocker that, in small studies, had been found to be a promising aid to passing kidney stones. |
 | Use of alternative medicines has doubled among kids, especially teensA new study published in JAMA Pediatrics shows that since 2003, the use of alternative medicines, such as herbal products and nutraceuticals, among children has doubled. The University of Illinois at Chicago researchers who conducted the study cite an increased use of Omega-3 fatty acids and melatonin among adolescents ages 13 to 18 as the primary driver of the change, despite clinical recommendations against use of such supplements in children. |
 | Graphic warning labels linked to reduced sugary drink purchasesWarning labels that include photos linking sugary drink consumption with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and tooth decay, may reduce purchases of the drinks, according to a new study by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Business School. In a field study conducted in a hospital cafeteria, researchers found that graphic warning labels reduced sugary beverage purchases by 14.8%, while text warning labels and calorie labels had no effect. |
 | Higher weight gain in first-time pregnant moms could boost chance for dangerous conditionHigher weight gain during pregnancy increases the risk of preeclampsia in women giving birth for the first time, new research shows. |
 | Should healthy people take probiotic supplements?A visit to the supermarket these days can feel more like walking through a pharmacy, with an ever-expanding range of milks, yoghurts, pills, powders and speciality foods promoting their "probiotic" prowess. |
 | Why all Canadian infants need a hepatitis B vaccinationIn Canada, around 230,000 people are currently infected with hepatitis B, and a further 250,000 with hepatitis C. |
 | Why you should eat popcorn with chopsticks – and other psychological tricks to make life more enjoyableIt happens fast. You crack open a bottle of your favorite drink and put it to your lips. The delicious flavor is nearly overwhelming. But a minute later, you're barely noticing the taste as you drink it. |
 | Chip identifies rhinoviruses as cause of asthmaMedUni Vienna has developed a method that can be used to identify individual rhinovirus strains ("cold viruses") as a cause of asthma. A "chip" is used to clearly identify certain virus strains by means of a blood test in the event of an asthma attack. This paves the way for developing a new vaccine which should protect against these particularly dangerous viruses. |
 | Standard myelofibrosis drug can awaken 'dormant' lymphomaMost patients with myelofibrosis, a rare chronic disorder of the haematopoietic cells of the bone marrow, benefit from drugs from the JAK2 inhibitor class: symptoms are relieved, survival extended and general quality-of-life enhanced. However, two or three years after the start of treatment, some patients develop an aggressive B-cell lymphoma. In a close collaboration between researchers from MedUni Vienna and Vetmeduni Vienna, it has now been shown for the first time that JAK2 inhibitors awaken "dormant" lymphomas in the bone marrow and hence cancer. |
 | iReadMore app improves reading ability of stroke patientsA new smart app designed to improve the reading ability of people who have suffered a stroke provides 'significant' improvements, a UCL study has found. |
 | Drug shortages pose a public health crisis in the USOn June 12, the American Medical Association announced that drug shortages pose an urgent public health crisis. This crisis should be of concern to all Americans. |
 | Pediatricians say no to spanking(HealthDay)—Most U.S. pediatricians say spanking is a bad way to discipline children. |
 | Exercise options that double as stress-busters(HealthDay)—Exercise is a known stress buster, and different disciplines relax and tone you in a variety of ways. So, you can pick and choose from many types of exercise to go beyond physical fitness to better mental health. |
 | Resistant A. baumannii rose in children from 1999 to 2012(HealthDay)—Between 1999 and 2012, Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) antibiotic resistance increased in children, though there was a decreasing trend after 2008, according to a study published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. |
 | Doctors want substantial improvements in EHRs(HealthDay)—Although primary care physicians (PCPs) see value in electronic health records (EHRs), they want substantial improvements, and generally agree on what these improvements should be, according to research from Stanford Medicine, conducted with The Harris Poll. |
 | Portable music player use linked to hearing loss in children(HealthDay)—Portable music player (PMP) use may be associated with high-frequency hearing loss in children, according to a study published online June 14 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. |
 | FDA approves first generic under-the-tongue suboxone(HealthDay)—The first generic version of an under-the-tongue film to treat opioid addiction has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. |
 | Adolescent binge drinking disrupts mouse memory in adulthoodExcessive drinking during adolescence may interfere with the activity of brain cells needed for sustaining short term memory, according to new research in adolescent male mice published in JNeurosci. The study could help scientists better understand the development of alcohol use disorders in adults. |
 | Deaths from cardiac arrest are misclassified, overestimatedForty percent of deaths attributed to cardiac arrest are not sudden or unexpected, and nearly half of the remainder are not arrhythmic—the only situation in which CPR and defibrillators are effective—according to an analysis by researchers at UC San Francisco and the City and County of San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. |
 | Diagnosing diabetes from a single blood sampleDiagnosing type 2 diabetes in clinical practice may require only a single blood sample, according to a study led by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. |
 | Virtual reality headsets significantly reduce children's fear of needlesThe scenario is all too familiar for the majority of parents. The crying, the screaming and the tantrums as they try to coax their children into the doctor's office for routine immunizations. After all, who can't relate to being fearful and anxious about needles? |
 | Research finds new way to determine protection of Men B vaccine against different strainsResearchers at the University of Leicester and Meningococcal Reference Unit have developed a new approach to assess the effectiveness of the Men B vaccine, Bexsero, against different strains that cause meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. |
 | Researchers find increased risk of birth defects in babies after first-trimester exposure to lithiumResearchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai found an elevated risk of major congenital malformations in fetuses after first-trimester exposure to lithium, in the largest study ever to examine the risk of birth defects in lithium-exposed babies. |
Trojan Horse: How a killer fungus unleashes meningitis and brain infectionPublished today in The American Journal of Pathology, the study was led by a team from the Westmead Institute for Medical Research and the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Disease and Biosecurity of the University of Sydney. | |
 | Nature programmes could put a spring in your stepNew research shows that watching TV programmes such as the BBC's Springwatch and Countryfile might actually be good for you. |
 | Want to control that 'hangry' feeling you sometimes get? UNC researchers explore howIf my 3-year-old goes more than two hours without a snack, he turns into a screaming, hangry monster. And if we're being honest, so do I. |
Researchers develop decision-making tool to benefit patients with HCVAn estimated 3.5 million people in the United States have chronic hepatitis C (HCV), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is the most common cause for cirrhosis and liver cancer in the United States and the leading indication for liver transplantation. While recently developed direct anti-viral agents (DAAs) have proven to be a highly effective treatment option for many patients with HCV, those with decompensated HCV cirrhosis or liver failure may experience little to no improvement in liver function following eradication of HCV. | |
New study suggests ovarian hormone may make drug withdrawal symptoms worse for womenNew research published in the journal Neuroscience Letters suggests women may have more difficulty than men in withdrawing from and staying off methamphetamine. The study by Dickinson College neuroscientists looked at the interaction of estradiol—a naturally occurring form of estrogen and the major female sex hormone—and methamphetamine in female mice. Researchers found estradiol could contribute to anxiety-like behavior in the mice as they withdrew from the drug. These observations indicate the hormone may contribute to drug relapse in women by worsening anxiety-related symptoms during withdrawal. | |
Rare mutation of gene carried by Quebec family gives insight into how the brain is wiredThe study of a Quebec family with an unusual gene provides novel insight into how our brain is built and, according to the McGill led team of scientists, offers a better understanding of psychiatric disorders such as depression, addictions and schizophrenia. | |
 | Daily fasting works for weight lossDaily fasting is an effective tool to reduce weight and lower blood pressure, according to a new study published by University of Illinois at Chicago researchers in the journal Nutrition and Healthy Aging. |
 | Reducing the risk of dementia through lifestyle changesThere is no treatment yet for dementia; but one day, a family doctor could prescribe a specific diet, an exercise regime, music or language lessons, or documentary discussion groups as treatments to ward off the disease. |
 | Canada lawmakers vote to legalize cannabisThe Canadian parliament passed a bill Monday to legalize cannabis that would make Canada the first G7 country to allow free consumption of the mind-altering drug. |
 | Congo's Ebola outbreak poses challenges for bush meatFor 25 years, Patrick Matondo has earned a living buying and selling monkeys, bats and other animals popularly known as bush meat along the Congo River. Standing on the riverbank in Mbandaka, a city affected by the deadly new outbreak of the Ebola virus, the father of five said that for the first time he's worried he won't be able to support his family. |
Americans view child abuse and neglect as a serious public health problemA strong majority of Americans view child abuse and neglect as a public health problem in the United States, a sentiment shared across populations with 81% of Hispanics, 76% of non-Hispanic whites, 74% of African-Americans and 67% of Asians in agreement, according to a new survey commissioned by Research!America and the National Foundation to End Child Abuse and Neglect (EndCAN). | |
 | Discovery of hybrid cancer cells reveals how disease spreadsScientists studying skin and breast cancer in genetically modified mice have spotted hybrid cancer cells that combine the properties of different cell types, a discovery that could help understand how cancer spreads in the body and provide a new target for treatment. |
 | Transgender kids get their own health-care guidelinesToday the first guidelines specific to the health-care needs of transgender and gender diverse children and adolescents have been released in the Medical Journal of Australia. |
Thrombectomy in acute stroke therapy feasible for very old patients, but not without risksMechanical thrombectomy is an increasingly important therapy for acute stroke that can also benefit the very old – assuming a careful selection of patients and risk assessment. This is a finding of a Portuguese study presented at the 4th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) in Lisbon. | |
Brain disorders and treatment gaps—non-treatment carries the greatest cost burdenUp to eight out of 10 people living with a brain disorder remain untreated or inadequately treated, even though effective therapies exist. What are the barriers to optimal treatment? Is it really unaffordable to grant people with brain disorders access to the best medical and psychosocial care? These questions were at the heart of the Value of Treatment study of the European Brain Council (EBC) which has been under discussion at the 4th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) in Lisbon. | |
Reliable assessment and improvement of consciousness disorders after serious brain injuriesAn increasing number of individuals survive the coma that follows severe brain injury and open their eyes. However, it is extremely difficult to determine their level of consciousness. Prof Steven Laureys, neurologist and head of the Coma Science Group at Liège University Hospital, emphasised the following point while speaking at the 4th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) in Lisbon: "Assessing disorders of consciousness after a brain injury correctly is a huge challenge for neurologists. Our decisions are often a matter of life and death, so it is essential that they be scientifically reliable." | |
 | As Venezuela's public health system collapses, mosquito-borne viruses re-emergeThe ability to predict which virus will cause the next epidemic is a science, an art and a gamble. We have learned through our work in Venezuela that it's always a good idea to pay attention to the cryptic viruses. |
'Be personal and appreciative': Research shows effective responses to online feedbackAs more patients leave feedback on online platforms including social media, research shows how health and social care organisations can offer value in their response. | |
 | Violence against women significantly more likely after high-risk sexA study of the victimization of women who were living in areas of high poverty and HIV prevalence in multiple cities across the U.S. has shown that high-risk-sex, characterized by one or more HIV risk factors, was associated with a significantly greater likelihood of physical violence against the female participant within the subsequent 6 months. Detailed results of this study, its broader significance in light of the larger problem of violence against women, and implications of these findings for HIV prevention initiatives are discussed in an article published in Journal of Women's Health. |
New method to preserve boy cancer patient fertility being developedBen-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and Soroka University Medical Center researchers in Beer-Sheva, Israel are developing a cell culture system that for the first time can change testicular stem cells into sperm-like cells that may enable future fertility for boys with prepubertal cancer. | |
Risky opioid prescriptions linked to higher chance of deathWhen patients are prescribed opioids in risky ways, their chance of dying increases and their odds of death go higher as the number of risky opioid prescriptions increase, according to a new RAND Corporation study. | |
Plant-based diets improve cardiometabolic risk factors in diabetes patientsPlant-based diets improve glycemic control, lead to weight loss, and improve cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes, according to a new review published in the journal Clinical Nutrition. | |
Biology news
 | New DNA synthesis technique promises rapid, high-fidelity DNA printingScientists at the University of California, Berkeley, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have invented a new way to synthesize DNA that promises to be easier and faster, does not require the use of toxic chemicals and is potentially more accurate. |
 | Biologists identify a genetic mechanism in the evolution of novel traitsThere has long been a debate among biologists over whether the evolution of new traits requires new genes to evolve or whether they can arise simply from the recruitment of existing genetic pathways, says developmental biologist Craig Albertson at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. |
 | Life in the fast lane: Ecologists say dispersal ability linked to plants' life cyclesThough mostly rooted in the ground, plants have a number of innovative ways to disperse their seeds and get on with the business of propagation. They drop seeds or release them to the wind. Or they fling seeds with a dramatic mechanical detonation. Or they rely on seed transport by water or hitching a ride on a traveling animal (including humans). |
 | Research shows diet shift of beluga whales in Alaska inletBeluga whales in Alaska's Cook Inlet may have changed their diet over five decades from saltwater prey to fish and crustaceans influenced by freshwater, according to a study by University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers. |
 | Scientist launches hunt for Loch Ness 'monster DNA'Tales of a giant creature lurking beneath the murky waves of Loch Ness have been around for more than 1,500 years—and one academic hopes the marvels of modern science can finally unravel the mystery. |
 | Odors are perceived the same way by hunter-gatherers and WesternersPrevious research has shown the hunter-gatherer Jahai are much better at naming odors than Westerners. They even have a more elaborate lexicon for it. New research by language scientist Asifa Majid of Radboud University shows that despite these linguistic differences, the Jahai and Dutch find the same odors pleasant and unpleasant. |
 | Bolder targets needed to protect nature for people's sakeUniversity of Queensland (UQ) and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) researchers argue that the world needs more diverse, ambitious and area-specific targets for retaining important natural systems to safeguard humanity. The findings are published in Nature Ecology and Evolution. |
 | Pancreatic cell size linked to mammalian lifespan, finds zoo animal analysisMore than two thousand years ago, Greek philosopher Aristotle observed that larger animals tend to live longer than smaller ones. On June 18 in the journal Developmental Cell, scientists report that it's cell size, not body size, that intrinsically correlates with and perhaps affects lifespan. By examining the pancreases of 24 mammalian species—including shrews, humans, and tigers—researchers in Israel, Canada, and Germany found that animals with larger pancreatic cells tend to age faster, while smaller cells seem to go hand in hand with longer lifespans. |
 | Great white sharks dive deep into warm-water whirlpools in the AtlanticIt's always good to know where great white sharks are likely to be swimming. That's true if you're a nervous beachgoer, a fishing boat trying to avoid illegal bycatch, or a marine biologist hoping to conserve this vulnerable species. |
 | Study finds 'hidden harvest' in world's inland fisheriesA new study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences says we are dramatically underestimating the role inland fisheries play in global food security. |
 | Rewiring plant defence genes to reduce crop wastePlants can be genetically rewired to resist the devastating effects of disease—significantly reducing crop waste worldwide—according to new research into synthetic biology by the University of Warwick. |
 | Researchers explore whether smarter animals are bigger troublemakersYou have probably encountered a raccoon raiding the trash in your neighborhood, seen a rat scurrying through the subway or tried to shoo away birds from your picnic. But have you ever wondered what makes these animals so good at living in suburbs and cities, and whether these same traits also make them such a nuisance? |
 | In South Africa, plans for a refuge for pangolins in perilMonitored by a conservationist, a young pangolin slurped ants with a long tongue near a veterinary hospital that became a temporary home after the animal was found near the body of its mother, killed by a jolt from an electric fence. The six-month-old scaly anteater foraged on a hillside, building up strength in a tiny step for a campaign to save one of the world's most heavily trafficked mammals. |
 | Investigators say DNA database can be goldmine for old casesA microscopic thread of DNA evidence in a public genealogy database led California authorities to declare this spring they had caught the Golden State Killer, the rapist and murderer who had eluded authorities for decades. |
 | New York puts its rats on iceA snout and two little black eyes pop out from the hole, too late: A foot already covers them and the hole will be quickly filled with dry ice. |
 | Rising sea temperatures threaten survival of juvenile albatrossEcologists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the US and the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) studied a population of black-browed albatross at Kerguelen Island, part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, where 200 breeding pairs have been monitored annually since 1979. |
Bumblebee blues: Pacific Northwest pollinator in troubleHundreds of citizen scientists have begun buzzing through locations across the Pacific Northwest seeking a better understanding about nearly 30 bumblebee species. | |
 | Constructing new tissue shapes with lightConstructing biological tissues, such as skin, muscle, or bone, in customized shapes is now one step closer. Researchers at EMBL have succeeded in guiding the folding and thus shape of tissues with optogenetics: a technique to control protein activity with light. Nature Communications publishes their results, with implications for regenerative medicine, on 18 June. |
 | Why reducing antibiotics in farm animals isn't as easy as it seemsThe use of antibiotics in meat production is a rapidly emerging issue in food discourse. The conversation around meat, eggs and dairy has focused on animal welfare over much of the past five years, but it's now moving to other elements of production. |
 | Volgograd—how a dam on the mighty Volga almost killed off the caviar fishThe floodlights will soon be turned on at the newly built Volgograd Arena for the first World Cup match to be held there, between England and Tunisia. |
 | Bees get stressed at work too (and it might be causing colony collapse)Ever been overworked, tired and felt muddle-headed? Research now shows honey bees suffer from the same thing – and we understand why. |
 | Japan, SKorea ban Canadian wheat imports over bioengineered plantsThe world's sixth largest wheat producer sought to reassure trading partners on Monday that genetically modified wheat plants discovered on an Alberta farm were few and posed no food safety risks, after Japan and South Korea halted Canadian wheat imports. |
 | The privacy problem with camera traps: you don't know who else could be watchingWe use remotely activated cameras – known as camera traps – to study the ecology and population responses of wildlife and pest species in management programs across Australia. |
 | Addgene keeps flow of CRISPR plasmids fast and affordableAs a key global enabler of the revolutionary genome editing technology known as CRISPR, the nonprofit organization Addgene has made available more than 100,000 CRISPR plasmids (circular DNA fragments) to 3,400 laboratories worldwide. The origins, goals, global reach, and success of Addgene in democratizing CRISPR, which his dramatically changing medical research, are described in a Perspective article published in The CRISPR Journal. |
 | Unique immune-focused AI model creates largest library of inter-cellular communicationsNew data published in Nature Biotechnology, represents the largest ever analysis of immune cell signaling research, mapping more than 3,000 previously unlisted cellular interactions, and yielding the first ever immune-centric modular classification of diseases. These data serve to rewrite the reference book on immune-focused inter-cellular communications and disease relationships. |
 | Tests confirm mystery animal shot in Montana was a wolfThe mystery is over: Wildlife officials have confirmed that an unusual-looking animal shot in central Montana was a gray wolf. |
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