Science X Newsletter Monday, Jun 25

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for June 25, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Researchers create world's smallest 'computer'

'Electrogeochemistry' captures carbon, produces fuel, offsets ocean acidification

CRISPR editing reduces repetitive behavior in mice with a form of autism

Why life on Earth first got big

Uncovering a missing link from methane to methanol

Neanderthals hunted in bands and speared prey up close: study

How music lessons can improve language skills

How your brain decides between knowledge and ignorance

Delivering insulin in a pill—Technique could replace daily injections for diabetics

Inability to recognize faces linked to broader visual recognition problems

Creature feature: Twisting cracks impart superhero toughness to animals

Researchers create one of the smallest nanoparticle stabilized nanoemulsions with new technique

PV, wind, batteries: Energy outlook research

Non-invasive malaria test wins Africa engineering prize

Plaster which sticks inside the mouth could improve treatment of oral conditions

Astronomy & Space news

	Planetary nebula lasers Astronomical masers (the radio wavelength analogs of lasers) were first identified in space over fifty years ago and have since been seen in many locations; astronomical lasers have since been seen as well. Some of the most spectacular masers are found in regions of active star formation; in one case the region radiates as much energy in a single spectral line as does our Sun in its entire visible spectrum. Typically the maser radiation comes from molecules like water or OH that are excited by collisions and the radiation environment around young stars. In 1989, maser emission from atoms of atomic hydrogen gas was discovered around the star MWC349.
	Climbing the ladder to life detection In the past two decades, NASA spacecraft have identified potentially habitable environments throughout the solar system and beyond. Spacecraft on Mars have found evidence that lakes and streams once covered the planet, protected by a long-gone thick atmosphere. At Saturn's moon Enceladus, the Cassini spacecraft sniffed plumes of water jetting out of Enceladus's icy shell—detecting chemistry akin to that occurring in certain places on Earth's seafloor, where seawater chemically reacts with rock (and where living creatures thrive). The upcoming Europa Clipper mission could do the same at Jupiter's moon Europa, where scientists have spotted more plumes. Even beyond the solar system, some of the thousands of planets now known to orbit other stars may harbor surface oceans.
	The recipe for star clusters: Take one gas cloud 500 light years in diameter, add 5 million years, process for one month Clusters of stars across the vast reaches of time and space of the entire universe were all created the same way, researchers at McMaster University have determined.
	James Webb Space Telescope to target Jupiter's Great Red Spot NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, the most ambitious and complex space observatory ever built, will use its unparalleled infrared capabilities to study Jupiter's Great Red Spot, shedding new light on the enigmatic storm and building upon data returned from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and other observatories.
	Could you help build a galaxy? Have you ever wanted to help build a galaxy? Now's your chance.
	Image: Dance of the asteroids As if this Hubble Space Telescope picture isn't cluttered enough with myriad galaxies, nearby asteroids photobomb the image, their trails sometimes mimicking background astronomical phenomena.
	Image: Chaotic clouds of Jupiter This image captures swirling cloud belts and tumultuous vortices within Jupiter's northern hemisphere.
	Hubble sees galaxy with 3 supernovas In astronomy, the devil is in the details—as this image, taken by the NASA/ESA (European Space Agency) Hubble Space Telescope's Advanced Camera for Surveys and Wide-Field Camera 3, demonstrates.
	3, 2, 1...liftoff! The science of launching rockets from Australia Australia's space agency will officially commence operations on July 1 2018.
	Citizen scientists developing expertise on galaxy images Two researchers from the University of Gothenburg have studied large amounts of data in a citizen science project that turns to volunteers for help classifying images of galaxies.
New head of 'space nation' aims for the stars It sounds appealing given the state of politics on Earth: a plan to launch a utopian "space nation" with the aim of transcending earthly divisions.
	After years of searching, scientists can finally account for all the normal matter in the universe Astronomers using a powerful quasar to study an enormous invisible tendril full of superheated gas say they may have finally discovered the universe's 'missing' detectable matter.
	Rocket development gets a 'colossal' boost The University of California San Diego's chapter of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) conducted a successful live fire test of its static rocket engine test stand, Colossus, in the Mojave Desert on June 16.
	The tools humanity will need for living in the year 1 trillion Since the 1990s, astrophysicists have known that for the past few billion years, the Universe has been experiencing an accelerated rate of expansion. This gave rise to the theory that the Universe is permeated by a mysterious invisible energy known as "dark energy", which acts against gravity and is pushing the cosmos apart. In time, this energy will become the dominant force in the Universe, causing all stars and galaxies to spread beyond the cosmic horizon.

Technology news

	Researchers create world's smallest 'computer' IBM's announcement that they had produced the world's smallest computer back in March raised a few eyebrows at the University of Michigan, home of the previous champion of tiny computing.
	PV, wind, batteries: Energy outlook research Check out the latest energy stats as we face our renewable energy future. These facts and figures come from a Bloomberg report.
	Photo fakery nabbed via outsmarting techniques Adobe Research has been getting busy nailing down how to spot image manipulations by unleashing AI on the case. In doing so, they may be achieving real headway in the field of image forensics.
	E-whiskers may be touchstone for future of e-skin Those cute little whiskers you see on your pet do more than just twitch adorably. The long, protruding hairs are actually touch receptors, sending vital information about the surroundings to the brain and helping the animals make sense of their environment.
	Closing the loop for robotic grasping Roboticists at QUT have developed a faster and more accurate way for robots to grasp objects, including in cluttered and changing environments, which has the potential to improve their usefulness in both industrial and domestic settings.
	How to train your robot: Research provides new approaches If your friend is sad, you can say something to help cheer them up. If you ask your co-worker to make coffee, they know the steps to complete this task.
	'Workhorse' lithium battery could be more powerful thanks to new design Cornell University chemical engineering professor Lynden Archer believes there needs to be a battery technology "revolution—and thinks that his lab has fired one of the first shots.
	Xiaomi seeks to raise up to $6 billion in Hong Kong IPO Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp. plans to raise up to $6 billion in one of the biggest global stock market debuts in recent years as it tries to become a worldwide hardware-and-services brand alongside Apple, Google and Amazon.
	Online sellers consider how to comply with sales tax ruling While a Supreme Court ruling on sales taxes will create more obligations and expenses for many small online retailers, owners are already thinking about how they'll comply.
	As Facebook ages, teens look elsewhere to connect Manon, 17, has a Facebook account but to connect with her friends she turns to other social networks like Instagram or Snapchat.
	Australian cities are lagging behind in greening up their buildings Covering roofs and walls of buildings with vegetation is a good way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And these green roofs and walls make cities look nicer. Toronto's central business district adopted a policy of establishing green roofs on around half of all city buildings in 2009. Research shows this could reduce maximum city temperatures by up to 5℃.
	Engineers turn to Argonne's Mira supercomputer to study supersonic turbulence Aviation's frontier is supersonic. The military is seeking ever-faster aircraft, planes that can fly five times the speed of sound. Fifteen years after the Concorde's last transatlantic flight, Japan Airlines and the Virgin Group are investing in jets that could slash overseas travel time by more than half.
	Striking the right balance between wind energy and biodiversity EPFL researchers have developed a simulator that can calculate the performance of wind farms over 30 years while also factoring in the need to preserve local biodiversity. Tested at a site in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania, the simulator could be applied to the Swiss Jura region, which has a similar landscape.
	Improved forecasting of sunlight could help increase solar energy generation The Sun is becoming an increasingly important source of clean electricity. Accurate sunlight forecasts being developed by A*STAR researchers could greatly improve the performance of solar energy plants, making it a viable alternative to carbon-based sources of power.
	Uber argues it should remain in business in London Uber argued Monday that is should be allowed to keep driving on the streets of London, telling a court that the ride-hailing app has made significant changes since a regulator refused to renew the company's operating license last year.
	China's Didi steps up challenge to Uber with Australia push Chinese ride-sharing giant Didi has intensified its drive for global business, launching in Melbourne Monday as it joins rivals Uber, Taxify and Ola in Australia's taxi market.
	China's online service giant Meituan plans massive IPO Chinese online services giant Meituan-Dianping filed for an initial public offering in Hong Kong on Monday, in what could become one of the the biggest IPOs of the year.
Government reforms could deter foreign investment Proposals to extend the role played by politicians in scrutinising mergers and investments in the UK could discourage foreign investment, according to new research from the University of East Anglia (UEA).
	Uber claims U-turn in bid to restore London licence Uber claimed Monday to have mended its ways as the ride-hailing app started its appeal against being stripped of its licence to operate in London.
Amazon Prime discount coming to all Whole Foods Coming to a Whole Foods near you: Discounts, if you're an Amazon Prime member that is.
	Facebook has 'no plans' to listen in on your conversations (for now), but the creepy stories mount California technology analyst Brian Solis was having a conversation with a friend while the two were driving through Texas. His friend was buying a ranch in Texas but was having trouble with the financing because it was considered a "barndominium." Solis had never heard the term before nor had he ever researched it online.
	Want access to your Facebook group? In the future, you may have to pay Want access to your Facebook group? In the future, you may have to pay.
	Ikea bets big on India but keeps meatballs off the menu Furniture giant Ikea is set to open its first store and restaurant in India after years of trying but arguably its most famous item is off the menu—Swedish meatballs.
	Georgia malware, cybersecurity research helps make internet safer The internet has made many things easier.

Medicine & Health news

	CRISPR editing reduces repetitive behavior in mice with a form of autism Scientists have used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to lessen some autism symptoms in mice with a form of fragile X syndrome, the most common known single-gene cause of autism spectrum disorder.
	How music lessons can improve language skills Many studies have shown that musical training can enhance language skills. However, it was unknown whether music lessons improve general cognitive ability, leading to better language proficiency, or if the effect of music is more specific to language processing.
	How your brain decides between knowledge and ignorance We have a 'thirst for knowledge' but sometime 'ignorance is bliss', so how do we choose between these two mind states at any given time?
	Delivering insulin in a pill—Technique could replace daily injections for diabetics Given the choice of taking a pill or injecting oneself with a needle, most of us would opt to regulate a chronic health condition by swallowing a pill. But for millions of people living with type 1 diabetes, a painful needle prick once or twice daily is the only option for delivering the insulin that their bodies cannot produce on their own.
	Inability to recognize faces linked to broader visual recognition problems Imagine that you're supposed to meet colleagues for dinner, only you can't remember what their faces look like. For some, this is a reality, as people with face blindness or developmental prosopagnosia (DP) have severe difficulties recognizing faces, including those of family and friends, despite having no history of brain damage (e.g., brain trauma, head injuries). A Dartmouth study finds that developmental prosopagnosia often occurs as a result of a neurobiological problem in the brain, which affects visual recognition broadly. The findings are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
	Non-invasive malaria test wins Africa engineering prize Languishing with fever and frustrated by delays in diagnosing his illness, Brian Gitta came up with a bright idea: a malaria test that would not need blood samples or specialized laboratory technicians.
	Can the kids wait? Today's youngsters able to delay gratification longer than those of the 1960s Some 50 years since the original "marshmallow test" in which most preschoolers gobbled up one treat immediately rather than wait several minutes to get two, today's youngsters may be able to delay gratification significantly longer to get that extra reward. This was the key finding of a new study published by the American Psychological Association.
	Gut bacteria markers could be a 'smoking gun' for liver disease Chemical compounds produced by the bacteria in our gut could be used to spot the early stages of liver disease, according to new research.
	Cholera spread tracked at household level For the first time, the transmission of cholera has been tracked at the household level across Dhaka, Bangladesh, a city with a 'hyper-endemic' level of the disease. Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and their collaborators found that nearly 80 per cent of the cholera transmission in Dhaka occurred between people who shared a household.
	Immune profile for successful cancer immunotherapy discovered In a new study published online June 25, 2018 in Nature Medicine, UC San Francisco researchers have identified a key biological pathway in human cancer patients that appears to prime the immune system for a successful response to immunotherapy drugs known as checkpoint inhibitors. The findings, including initial observations from human tumor samples, mechanistic studies in mouse models, then confirmation in additional patient samples, could better enable clinicians to predict which patients will naturally benefit from these promising new treatments, and potentially to modify the immune response in other patients to allow more people to benefit from these therapies.
	A new tactic for starving tumors A tumor's goal is simple: to grow, grow, grow, by making more cancer cells. But that often means growing so fast that the oxygen supply gets scarce, at which point cells within the tumor start to suffocate. Without oxygen, these ever-dividing cells struggle to make enough aspartate, a crucial ingredient in many cellular processes.
	'Embattled' breast cancer drugs could be revived by new discovery More than 60 percent of breast cancer cases involve defects in the same biochemical chain of events within cancer cells—known as the PI3 kinase (PI3K) pathway—but efforts to develop therapies targeting this pathway have met with little success after hundreds of mostly failed clinical trials. And researchers still don't understand why.
	Women sitting ducks for frailty Women who spend more time sitting down as they age are at higher risk of becoming frail, a University of Queensland study has found.
	Discovery of kidney structure challenges current understanding of renal physiology New research by the University of Bristol has found that the microscopic structure of human kidney is different to what was previously known.
	Watching the immune system in action reveals what happens when things goes wrong Scientists are unveiling how our immune system works – and malfunctions – thanks to an innovative technology that tracks immune cells.
	Pain relief at a lower opioid dose A team of researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that activating nerve cell receptors along two chemical pathways—one that has previously been linked to how the brain senses "itch"—may improve pain relief when combined with conventional ways to blunt pain using opioid drugs, such as morphine. The study results, published in the June 19 issue of Science Signaling, describes experiments in mice that suggest using chemical compounds to jointly activate these receptors may reduce the risk of opioid tolerance and side effects, a problem common to highly addictive painkillers, by reducing the amount of opioids needed overall.
	Scientists found means to inhibit capillary leakage in sepsis Leakage from the blood capillaries is a key mechanism leading to septic shock and multiorgan failure, which affect millions of patients annually worldwide. However, there is no effective way to inhibit the vessel leakiness. A new study by scientists at the University of Helsinki and Wihuri Research Institute demonstrates that vascular leakage can be inhibited by targeting vascular integrins.
	Two diabetes medications don't slow progression of type 2 diabetes in youth In youth with impaired glucose tolerance or recent-onset type 2 diabetes, neither initial treatment with long-acting insulin followed by the drug metformin, nor metformin alone preserved the body's ability to make insulin, according to results published online June 25 in Diabetes Care. The publication is concurrent to a presentation of the results at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida.
	Nature creates its own plaster to protect wounds from infection New research has identified the way nature creates its own plaster to try and prevent bacteria and other micro-organisms from penetrating open wounds.
	Looking to mosquitos for a way to develop painless microneedles A mosquito can insert a needle-like probe into your skin and draw blood for several minutes without you even noticing.
	New mutation in amyloid diseases discovered Researchers have identified a one-of-a kind mutation in the DNA of a patient who died of transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis, a progressive condition characterized by the buildup of abnormal deposits of a misfolded protein called amyloid in the body's organs and tissues.
	Proteins found in semen increase the spread of Ebola virus infection Protein fragments, called amyloid fibrils, in human semen significantly increase Ebola virus infection and protect the virus against harsh environmental conditions such as heat and dehydration. Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania report these findings in a study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
	In Togo, hi-tech orthopaedic care goes through crucial test In a consulting room in Togo's capital, Lome, Geraldo Emmanuel—handicapped since birth six years ago—waits patiently on a bed while a digital scan is taken of his right leg.
Venezuela urged to stop spread of measles, diphtheria The Pan American Health Organization on Friday painted a bleak picture of Venezuela's healthcare system, calling for urgent action to stop the transmission of measles and diphtheria amid an intensifying crisis that has seen an exodus of doctors.
	Trump carried counties with high opioid use: study (HealthDay)—U.S. counties with high rates of prescription painkiller use voted heavily in favor of Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election, a new study finds.
	Native American teens at higher risk for substance abuse (HealthDay)—Native American teens are at greater risk of alcohol and drug abuse than other American teens, a new study finds.
	Smoking becoming a no-no on college campuses (HealthDay)—Smoking continues to fall out of favor at colleges and universities across America, a new study finds.
	Outpatient care less efficient for neonatal abstinence syndrome (HealthDay)—In infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) outpatient pharmacotherapy is associated with longer length of therapy and higher rates of emergency department utilization than exclusive inpatient treatment, according to a study published online May 10 in The Journal of Pediatrics.
	Effect of shock wave treatment for erectile dysfunction wanes (HealthDay)—Low-intensity shock wave treatment is effective for short-term treatment of erectile dysfunction, but its efficacy declines after two years, particularly in those with initial severe dysfunction, according to a study published in the July issue of The Journal of Urology.
	Post-endoscopic infection more common than previously thought (HealthDay)—The rates of post-endoscopic infection within seven days vary from 1.1 per 1,000 procedures for screening colonoscopy to 3 per 1,000 procedures for osophagogastroduodenoscopies (OGDs), according to a study published online May 31 in Gut.
	Long-term risk of anastomotic ulceration after RYGB (HealthDay)—There is a significant long-term risk of anastomotic ulceration (AU) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), which increases over time and with history of tobacco use, according to a research letter published online June 20 in JAMA Surgery.
	Allergic rhinitis has negative impact on QOL in teens (HealthDay)—For adolescents, allergic rhinitis (AR) has a negative impact, affecting quality of life, daily functioning, and sleep, according to a review published online recently in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
	Most teens, young adults with type 1 diabetes report stigma (HealthDay)—Stigma is common in teens with type 1 diabetes and is associated with poor glycemic control, according to a study published recently in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
	Vertigo may worsen odds of recovery in sudden hearing loss (HealthDay)—For patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), vertigo may be negatively associated with recovery of hearing, according to a review published online June 21 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
	Palliative care reduces odds of suicide in lung cancer patients (HealthDay)—Patients with advanced lung cancer have increased incidence of suicide, which is reduced in association with receipt of palliative care, according to a study which was presented recently at the annual meeting of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, held from April 28 to May 1 in San Diego.
	Presence of nurse practitioners growing in primary care (HealthDay)—Nurse practitioners (NPs) are a growing segment of the primary care workforce, according to a study published in the June issue of Health Affairs.
	Periodontal inflammation a risk with tongue piercing (HealthDay)—There is an association between tongue piercings and periodontal inflammation, according to two studies presented at EuroPeri9, the annual meeting of the European Federation of Periodontology, held from June 20 to 23 in Amsterdam.
South Africa's battle to resuscitate cancer care South African electrician Phiwankosi Mkhize was diagnosed with lung cancer in May last year and told by the hospital to come back for a scan in 15 months.
	Clostridium difficile infections have decreased 36 percent in Canadian hospitals Rates of C. difficile infections have decreased 36% in hospitals across Canada, although the virulent NAP1 strain associated with severe illness and deaths is the most common strain, according to research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal)
	New drugs are improving survival times for patients with aggressive type of blood cancer, study finds Survival times for a highly aggressive type of blood cancer have nearly doubled over the last decade due to the introduction of new targeted drugs, a Yorkshire study has shown.
	Researchers identify brain cells responsible for removing damaged neurons after injury Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have discovered that microglia, specialized immune cells in the brain, play a key role in clearing dead material after brain injury. The study, which will be published June 25 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, reveals that microglia gobble up the remnants of injured neurons, which could prevent the damage from spreading to neighboring neurons and causing more extensive neurodegeneration.
	Good administration essential to care of cancer patients Good administration is one of the most important factors in cancer patients' overall experience of care, according to a new study by UCL and the University of Exeter.
	Low vitamin D levels impair stamina and performance over time It's generally accepted that most adults in the U.S. don't get enough Vitamin D, but how that impacts their muscle mass and function over the long term is not well understood.
	World-first brain imaging study to understand mind blindness To determine why some people cannot create visual images of people, places and things in their mind's eye, UNSW scientists are planning to conduct a world-first brain imaging study of people with this baffling condition, known as congenital aphantasia.
	The 'right' age to start school varies for each child It's that time of year again, when the noticeboard outside your local primary school is likely to read "Enrol your child for kindergarten/prep now". But how do you know what the "right" age to start school is?
	Why some people being treated with anti-psychotics gain weight Anti-psychotic medication is one of the most common ways of treating people with mental health problems such as schizophrenia. In fact, more than 12.5m people use anti-psychotics in the United States alone. But while these drugs are effective, their use can lead to other health issues and a lower life expectancy too.
Cannabis oil for epilepsy – what you need to know Epilepsy drugs don't work well, or at all, for about one-third of people with the condition. Unfortunately, these hard-to-treat epilepsies are associated with an increased risk of premature death.
	Health Check: should you weigh yourself regularly? For some, jumping on the scales is a daily or weekly ritual; while others haven't seen a set of scales for years. Some may still be scarred by memories of being weighed in public with results broadcast to all.
Getting a heart check early can prevent heart attack and stroke in Indigenous Australians Most heart attacks and strokes can be prevented with appropriate treatment. Yet heart disease, including heart attacks, causes 13% of deaths among Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and is a major contributor to the gap in life expectancy with non-Indigenous Australians.
	The damage we're doing to our children and ourselves Thirteen Reasons Why is a Netflix drama that examines the consequences of violence and neglect on our children. Season 1 follows Hanna, a teenager who commits suicide as a consequence of the violence. Season 2 follows Tyler, a young man so relentlessly bullied that he shows up to school with a duffel bag of weapons.
	Hearing-related problems common among preschool teachers Seven out of ten female preschool teachers suffer from sound-induced auditory fatigue, one out of two has difficulty understanding speech and four out of ten become hypersensitive to sound. This is a considerably higher share than among women in general and also higher than in occupational groups exposed to noise, according to research at Sahlgrenska Academy, Sweden.
Cancer increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and vascular occlusions It is well known that pre-existing cancer is a significant risk factor for venous thrombosis. What was hitherto unclear was whether cancer also has a negative impact upon the risk of heart attacks, strokes or occlusions of peripheral arteries. A study conducted at MedUni Vienna's Division of Hematology and Hemastasology within its Department of Medicine I and recently published in leading journal Haematologica, shows for the first time that the risk of these arterial thromboses and their consequences is also higher in patients with cancer.
	Thin evidence behind 'revolutionary' blood sugar diet: scientists A new "personalised" diet based on your blood sugar level is being promoted by a team of scientists from the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports at the University of Copenhagen.
	Study identifies gene expression patterns associated with fatty liver disease A fatty liver disease known as NASH—non-alcoholic steatohepatitis—is the nation's major cause of chronic liver disease, and is projected to become the most common indicator for liver transplants.
	Survey finds anxious drivers rule on NZ roads Two thirds of New Zealand drivers experience mild to severe anxiety when they are behind the wheel – with fear of road rage from others among the causes, a Massey University study has found.
	Abird's eye view for improved diagnosis An effective method of screening patients for closed-angle glaucoma has been developed by A*STAR researchers.
	New understanding of the way chikungunya virus protects mice against malaria could lead to improved patient care Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection may reduce the severity of malaria, according to a discovery by A*STAR scientists, which could lead to the development of new malaria treatments.
	In the brain, dislike and dehumanization are not the same thing During the past week, the news has brought us difficult images and sounds: Migrant and refugee children huddled in steel cages. Children and parents wailing as they are torn apart by American agents. Detention buses filled with infant car seats.
Children with existing allergies should be screened for an emerging, severe chronic food allergy Children with known skin, food and respiratory allergies should be screened for an emerging, chronic food allergy called eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a painful inflammation of the esophagus, the food tube between the mouth and stomach. Pediatric allergists who analyzed a very large group of children from birth to adolescence say that EoE should be considered a later component of the "allergic march"— the natural history in which many children successively develop a series of allergies.
	Govt, farmers failed in Dutch egg scandal: report Poultry farmers, the Dutch food safety board and the government all failed in their duties during a tainted egg scandal which spread to 45 countries causing millions in damage, a scathing report found Monday.
	Even if cannabis is legal, please don't toke and drive: expert A variety of conditions affect our ability to drive, including poor sleep, some prescription medications and alcohol. Cannabis is another.
	Lethal prostate cancer treatment may benefit from combination immunotherapy Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and the Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (BKI) released a study investigating the use of combination checkpoint immunotherapy in the treatment of a lethal form of advanced prostate cancer. The study suggested a genetic subset of prostate cancer may benefit from this form of immunotherapy.
	Lipid-based nanoparticles enable improved therapy for cystic fibrosis patients Researchers at Oregon State University and Oregon Health & Science University are working on a treatment that holds great promise for improving the lives of cystic fibrosis patients.
Virtual reality technology transforming cardiovascular medicine Rapid advancements in the field of virtual reality are leading to new developments in cardiovascular treatment and improved outcomes for patients, according to a review paper published today in JACC: Basic to Translational Science. Extended reality applications in cardiac care include education and training, pre-procedural planning, visualization during a procedure and rehabilitation in post-stroke patients.
	Researchers find answers to growing typhoid problem in the Pacific University of Otago researchers have been key partners in a study which has found poor sanitation facilities appear to be a major source of Salmonella Typhi, the cause of typhoid fever, in Fiji.
Concern over low vitamin D intakes among UK South Asians Public health strategies are urgently required to tackle low intakes of vitamin D in the UK South-Asian population, finds a new study in the journal Public Health Nutrition.
	Medical milestone: US OKs marijuana-based drug for seizures U.S. health regulators on Monday approved the first prescription drug made from marijuana, a milestone that could spur more research into a drug that remains illegal under federal law, despite growing legalization for recreational and medical use.
	Researchers find prostate cancer drug byproduct can fuel cancer cells A genetic anomaly in certain men with prostate cancer may impact their response to common drugs used to treat the disease, according to new research at Cleveland Clinic. The findings may provide important information for identifying which patients potentially fare better when treated with an alternate therapy.
Most commonly used HIV drug worldwide not associated with increased risk for suicide in Uganda A multinational collaboration of researchers found that efavirenz, the key component of the most commonly used HIV cocktail in the world, was not associated with increased risk for depression or suicide in patients living with HIV in Uganda. These findings conflict with previous reports from the United States and Europe linking efavirenz with adverse psychiatric side effects. The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Corporate interests may have influenced key public health declaration Corporate interests may have influenced a key public health declaration, intended to promote integrity and transparency at the interface of science and policy-making, warn a trio of leading academics in an analysis published online in the journal Tobacco Control.
You don't need to believe in free will to be a nice person, shows new research Contrary to a widely-held view in psychology and other fields of research, belief in free will appears to be unrelated to moral behavior. Social psychologist Damien Crone from the University of Melbourne and Philosophy professor Neil Levy of Macquarie University and the University of Oxford conducted a series of studies of 921 of people and found that a person's moral behavior is not tied to their beliefs in free will. The results will appear in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science this month.
	Mom's diabetes may be tied to baby's autism risk: study (HealthDay)—Pregnant women who have any form of diabetes may face higher odds that their child could develop autism, a new study suggests.
	Heavy teens are less likely now to try and lose weight (HealthDay)—The obesity epidemic among American teens is being fed by a waning desire to lose weight, a new report suggests.
	Race can affect many skin conditions (HealthDay)—Skin conditions are significantly impacted by your skin color, a dermatologist says.
	Kids are overdosing on med meant to fight opioid addiction (HealthDay)—Young American children are being sickened—and even dying—after being poisoned by a drug used to fight opioid addiction, a new report contends.
	Can a daily cup of tea do a heart good? The latest study on the coffee alternative suggests at least a cup a day may help your body cling to heart-helping "good cholesterol" as you age.
	Many childhood cancer survivors in denial about future health risks (HealthDay)—Many adult survivors of childhood cancer don't worry about their future health and may skip crucial screenings and lifestyle changes, a new study shows.
	Sound advice for a sound sleep (HealthDay)—Insomnia affects up to 15 percent of Americans, but sleeping pills aren't the only—or the best—answer. A good sleep routine, exercise and mindfulness are all options to get the restorative sleep you need.
	Aspirin use doesn't cut cancer incidence in older T2DM patients (HealthDay)—For Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, low-dose aspirin is not associated with reduced cancer incidence, except in those younger than 65 years, according to a study published online June 16 in Diabetes Care.
	Stress echo safe for ER triage of patients with chest pain (HealthDay)—For patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain, a smaller proportion are hospitalized after undergoing stress echocardiography (SE) versus coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), according to a study published online June 13 in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.
	Poison control center data detail peds exposure to buprenorphine (HealthDay)—Pediatric exposure to buprenorphine can result in serious adverse outcomes, especially among children aged younger than 6 years, according to a study published online June 25 in Pediatrics.
	Awake VATS can be safe option for some lung cancer patients (HealthDay)—Awake video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (AVATS) is a safe and feasible technique for patients with poor lung function and lung cancer, according to a study presented recently at the annual meeting of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, held from April 28 to May 1 in San Diego.
	Corneal abnormalities seen with down syndrome (HealthDay)—Patients with Down syndrome (DS) have steeper and thinner corneas and more corneal aberrations than patients without DS, according to a study published online June 21 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
	Many childhood CA survivors not concerned about future health (HealthDay)—A substantial number of adult childhood cancer survivors are unconcerned about their future health and subsequent cancer risks, according to a study published online June 25 in Cancer.
	Increased adiposity tied to lower premenopausal breast CA risk (HealthDay)—Across body mass index (BMI) distribution, increased BMI is associated with reduced risk of premenopausal breast cancer, according to a study published online June 21 in JAMA Oncology.
	Vertical mergers could be challenging for primary care (HealthDay)—Vertical level mergers, which incorporate not just health care providers, but also insurers, retailers, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), could pose challenges in primary care, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
	Coverage policies compared for back pain medications (HealthDay)—There are opportunities for recalibrating the role of opioids in pain care, including expanding access to opioid alternatives through coverage and reimbursement policies, according to a study published online June 22 in JAMA Network Open.
	Smart probe detecting cancer cells may improve survival rates A new Tel Aviv University study explores a novel smart probe for image-guided surgery that may dramatically improve post-surgical outcomes for cancer patients.
Disparities in opioid abuse treatment increased among Medicaid recipients, study finds The number of Medicaid recipients receiving medication to treat opioid abuse increased sharply in the years after approval of a new drug, but the increase was smaller in poorer counties and areas with larger populations of black and Hispanic residents, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
Clinical outcomes and patient experiences vastly improved with hospital at home A new study to be published online June 25 in JAMA Internal Medicine reports that hospital at home (HaH) care provides a shorter length of stay; reductions in hospital readmissions, emergency department visits, and transfers to skilled nursing facilities; and, improved patient experience versus traditional inpatient care. The study, which spans nearly three years, includes patients with the broadest set of admitting diagnoses ever to be researched, thus strengthening the evidence base for hospital at home care.
	Maximal running shoes may increase injury risk to some runners Lower leg pain and injuries have long been a problem for runners, but research at Oregon State University-Cascades has shown that one type of running shoe may increase such risks for some runners.
In melanoma, radiosurgery may combine well with immunotherapy, especially PD-1 inhibitors Doctors often treat melanoma with drugs that unblind the immune system to cancer. And brain metastases associated with melanoma are often treated with precisely targeted radiation known as radiosurgery. Now a University of Colorado Cancer Center study published in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology shows a potential advantage of combining these two techniques: Of 38 melanoma patients treated with immunotherapy and radiosurgery between 2012 and 2017, median overall survival was not reached, meaning that so many of these patients (who historically have had very poor prognosis) were still alive when data was analyzed that it was impossible to predict how long a patient treated in this way would be expected to live. Importantly, the study also shows a significant difference in cancer control depending on the type of immunotherapy used. In melanoma, brain metastases are a major cause of mortality. Patients treated with anti-CTLA4 immunotherapies saw the development of new brain metastases at median 3.1 months, whereas the median was not reached for patients treated with anti-PD-1 immunotherapies.
	Cost, coverage and more drive hearing aid inequality Hearing loss seems like one of the great equalizers of old age, striking people of all kinds as their ears gradually lose the ability to pick out sounds or hear certain pitches.
	Buyer beware: Inexpensive health plans often not what they seem The Trump administration approved new insurance rules this week that will make it easier for people to buy skimpy health plans—and possibly wind up with insurance that falls short of their expectations.
	Researchers discover a new type of lung cancer Researchers have discovered a new kind of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). The discovery paves the way for developing personalized medicine approaches to target this previously unnoticed form of the disease.
	Understanding immune response to flu virus key to developing new treatments This past flu season in Maine was the worst in at least five years, according to the Centers for Disease Control, with 9,018 reported cases, 82 deaths and 1,750 hospitalizations.
Rejecting vaccines as a way to fit in? Vaccines have saved millions of lives around the world, but many parents still choose not to vaccinate. Could this phenomenon have something to do with people's social interactions?
The 3,600 mile experiment: Parkinson's disease on the ocean A crew are rowing across the Indian Ocean to shake up our understanding of Parkinson's disease—and break a world record while they're at it.
	Nicotine alters neurotransmission in habit-forming brain region A study of rat brain slices published in JNeurosci demonstrates how nicotine interacts with cells that regulate the output of a brain region involved in habit formation. The research could inform efforts to help people quit smoking and avoid relapse.
	Mind over matter: Amygdala circuit counteracts pain-driven emotion Two pathways in the brain converging at the amygdala regulate the anxiety and depression that often accompanies chronic pain, suggests research in male rats published in JNeurosci. One of these pathways may represent a top-down mechanism that controls negative emotion under stress.
	New target for treating alcoholism Activation of a receptor with no known function in the brain reduces excessive alcohol use and the pain of withdrawal, according to preclinical research in male rats. The study, published in eNeuro, suggests a new approach towards the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
	Glia and axons: A match made in evolution The evolutionary prerequisites of myelin—the fatty substance that insulates axons and enables rapid communication between cells of the nervous system in jawed vertebrates—are described in new research in fish published in JNeurosci.
	Improved PSMA-targeting agent more effective for prostate cancer diagnosis/therapy in mice Research presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) demonstrates a potentially more effective method of imaging and treating prostate cancer that modifies a prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand by adding an albumin-binding Evans blue (an azo dye) derivative.
	Novel PET tracer successfully images cardiovascular infections A novel positron emission tomography (PET) tracer has been developed that can accurately image cardiovascular infections, which are extremely dangerous and have a high fatality rate. The research was presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).
	Combining targeted radionuclide therapy and immunotherapy could improve melanoma survival Research presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) shows that combining targeted radionuclide therapy with immunotherapy could improve the survival of patients with metastatic melanoma.
	Novel nuclear medicine probe will help assess new drugs for neurodegenerative diseases New nuclear medicine tracers could help medical researchers find a cure for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. The research was presented today at the SNMMI 2018 Annual Meeting, June 23-26 in Philadelphia.
	Novel nuclear medicine approach shows promise for treating wide array of cancerous tumors A novel nuclear medicine approach is showing great promise for precision treatment of solid tumors in many types of cancer—including lung, breast, pancreas and ovarian in adults and glioma, neuroblastoma and sarcoma in children. The research was presented today at the SNMMI 2018 Annual Meeting, June 23-26 in Philadelphia.
	Long-lasting radionuclide therapy for advanced neuroendocrine tumors proves effective A first-in-human study presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) demonstrates the benefits and safety of a new, long-lasting type of radionuclide therapy for patients with advanced, metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).
	New nuclear medicine technique could help tackle brain disease A new molecular imaging method can monitor the success of gene therapy in all areas of the brain, potentially allowing physicians to more effectively tackle brain conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. The research was presented today at the SNMMI 2018 Annual Meeting, June 23-26 in Philadelphia.
	New theranostic strategy developed for precise tumor diagnosis and therapy A novel, intelligent theranostic agent for precise tumor diagnosis and therapy has been developed that remains as small molecules while circulating in the bloodstream, can then self-assemble into larger nanostructures in the tumor, and be activated by the tumor microenvironment for therapy guided by photoacoustic imaging. The research was presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI).

Biology news

	Why life on Earth first got big Some of the earliest complex organisms on Earth—possibly some of the earliest animals to exist—got big not to compete for food, but to spread their offspring as far as possible.
	Australian feral cats kill a million reptiles a day: study Feral cats kill more than one million reptiles every day in Australia, a new study showed Monday, with the staggering slaughter threatening many species.
	Men's testosterone levels largely determined by where they grow up Men's testosterone levels are largely determined by their environment during childhood, according to new research.
	Monarchs ride west coast winds: Proof of butterfly migration gathered After five years and nearly 15,000 tagged butterflies, scientists now have proof that Monarch butterflies migrate from the Pacific Northwest to California in late summer and fall, a journey averaging nearly 500 miles.
	Microbiologists and plant scientists find secret to tackling cholera While cholera rages across many regions of the world, a team of microbiologists and plant scientists has pinpointed a genetic weakness in the pandemic's armor, which could lead to future treatments.
	Eye-in-the-sky to save olive trees A new airborne remote-imaging method that scans entire orchards can identify olive trees infected by a devastating bacterium before visible symptoms appear, according to new research.
	Dozens of last blue macaws to be reintroduced to Brazil About 50 of the last Spix's macaws, the blue parrot made famous in the hit animation movie "Rio," will be reintroduced to the wild in Brazil from captivity in Europe, officials said Saturday.
	Revolutionizing the jet fuel industry with biofuel made from oilseed The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner roared down the runway before sailing serenely up into the skies over Los Angeles International Airport. The recent Qantas flight, heading for Melbourne, Australia, seemed like any other leaving LAX, except for the fact that this plane was partially powered by biojet fuel, making for a reduced carbon footprint.
	New wasps named after Crocodile Dundee and Toblerone amongst 17 new genera and 29 species A total of 17 new genera and 29 new species of parasitoid wasps were identified following a study into the material deposited at major natural history collections around the globe in an attempt to further uncover the megadiverse fauna of the group of microgastrine wasps.
	National Zoo closes panda habitat for possible pregnancy Paws are crossed at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, where a panda baby watch is underway.

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