Science X Newsletter Monday, Jul 16

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for July 16, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Hybrid device harvests both mechanical and magnetic energy

Brown dwarf detected in the CoRoT-20 system

A new machine learning strategy that could enhance computer vision

New materials improve delivery of therapeutic messenger RNA

Sound waves reveal diamond cache deep in Earth's interior

Making solar hydrogen generation more efficient in microgravity

Molecular clock could greatly improve smartphone navigation

New study again proves Einstein right: Most thorough test to date finds no Lorentz violation in high-energy neutrinos

Single-celled architects inspire new nanotechnology

In borophene, boundaries are no barrier—researchers make and test atom-thick boron's unique domains

Microscopic trampoline may help create networks of quantum computers

Study finds deep subterranean connection between two Japan volcanoes

Microsoft urges regulation of face-recognizing tech

NASA Juno data indicate another possible volcano on Jupiter moon Io

Archaeologists in Egypt discover mummification workshop

Astronomy & Space news

	Brown dwarf detected in the CoRoT-20 system An international group of astronomers has discovered a new substellar object in the planetary system CoRoT-20. The newly identified object was classified as a brown dwarf due to its mass, which is greater than that of the heaviest gas giant planets. The finding is reported in a paper published July 3 on arXiv.org.
	NASA Juno data indicate another possible volcano on Jupiter moon Io Data collected by NASA's Juno spacecraft using its Jovian InfraRed Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) instrument point to a new heat source close to the south pole of Io that could indicate a previously undiscovered volcano on the small moon of Jupiter. The infrared data were collected on Dec. 16, 2017, when Juno was about 290,000 miles (470,000 kilometers) away from the moon.
	How glacial biomarkers can hone the search for extraterrestrial life Detecting biomarkers in glacial lakes on Earth could pave the way for astrobiologists to detect evidence for life on other worlds, and also unravel the properties of the environments in which that life lived.
	One of the densest clusters of galaxies in the universe is revealed A study published recently in the journal Nature Astronomy and which questions current models of structure formation in the universe is based on data obtained with the Gran Telescopio Canarias and among its authors is a team of researchers from the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC).
	Scotland chosen as site for first British space port The UK Space agency said Sunday that it had chosen a peninsula on Scotland's north coast as the site of the country's first space port.
	Image: Jamming with the 'spiders' from Mars This image from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, acquired May 13, 2018 during winter at the South Pole of Mars, shows a carbon dioxide ice cap covering the region and as the sun returns in the spring, "spiders" begin to emerge from the landscape.
	ATLAS telescope pinpoints meteorite impact prediction A multinational team of scientists has just found the first fragments of the small asteroid 2018 LA, which exploded harmlessly high above Africa on June 2. The University of Hawaiʻi's Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope took the final images of 2018 LA before it entered Earth's atmosphere and exploded.
	Image: The Herschel Astrophysical Terahertz Large Area Survey At first glance this frame is flooded with salt-and-pepper static. Rather than being tiny grains or pixels of TV noise, every single point of light in this image is actually a distant galaxy as observed by ESA's Herschel Space Observatory. Each of these minute marks represents the 'heat' emanating from dust grains lying between the stars of each galaxy. This radiation has taken many billions of years to reach us, and in most cases was emitted well before the Solar System and the Earth had even formed.
	Disruption tolerant networking to demonstrate internet in space NASA's Human Exploration and Operations and Science Mission Directorates are collaborating to make interplanetary internet a reality.
	Researchers develop new solar sailing technology for NASA Spacecraft outfitted with sails and propelled by the sun are no longer the stuff of science fiction or theoretical space missions. Now, a Rochester Institute of Technology researcher is taking solar sailing to the next level with advanced photonic materials.

Technology news

	A new machine learning strategy that could enhance computer vision Researchers from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona and Carnegie Mellon University have developed a technique that could allow deep learning algorithms to learn the visual features of images in a self-supervised fashion, without the need for annotations by human researchers.
	Molecular clock could greatly improve smartphone navigation MIT researchers have developed the first molecular clock on a chip, which uses the constant, measurable rotation of molecules—when exposed to a certain frequency of electromagnetic radiation—to keep time. The chip could one day significantly improve the accuracy and performance of navigation on smartphones and other consumer devices.
	Microsoft urges regulation of face-recognizing tech Microsoft's chief legal officer on Friday called for regulation of facial recognition technology due to the risk to privacy and human rights.
	Norwegian researchers hit silicon jackpot for top battery solution Steve Hanley certainly wrote what we are all thinking—groan, not another story about a battery "breakthrough." So many blares from a trumpet begin to fall on deaf ears, but the bleats go on. So what and who are we to take very seriously?
	Behavior-influencing policies are critical for mass market success of low carbon vehicles Policies to entice consumers away from fossil-fuel powered vehicles and normalize low-carbon alternatives such as electric vehicles are vital if the world is to significantly reduce transport sector carbon emissions, according to new research.
	Forget joysticks—use your torso to pilot drones Imagine piloting a drone using the movements of your torso only and leaving your head free to look around, much like a bird. EPFL research has just shown that using your torso to pilot flying machines is indeed more immersive—and more effective—than using the long-established joystick. The results are published in today's issue of PNAS.
	What's causing the voltage fade in lithium-rich NMC cathode materials? Researchers led by a University of California San Diego team have published work in the journal Nature Energy that explains what's causing the performance-reducing "voltage fade" that currently plagues a promising class of cathode materials called Lithium-rich NMC (nickel magnesium cobalt) layered oxides.
	Robot prototype will let you feel how it's 'feeling' In 1872, Charles Darwin published his third major work on evolutionary theory, "The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals," which explores the biological aspects of emotional life.
	Study suggests buried Internet infrastructure at risk as sea levels rise Thousands of miles of buried fiber optic cable in densely populated coastal regions of the United States may soon be inundated by rising seas, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Oregon.
	How awesome is that: A 3D-printed underwater jetpack What do we know about jetpacks. For one, we can easily think about sci-fi movies where Tony Stark needs to get at villains fast without the cumbersome aid of space vessels, and we see him flying over to crime scenes asap. Now consider underwater jetpacks. That gets even more rewarding for flights of imagination. Entertaining, check. Exhilarating, check. Means of search and rescue attempts. Check.
	Fake news: algorithms in the dock At the heart of the spread of fake news are the algorithms used by search engines, websites and social media which are often accused of pushing false or manipulated information regardless of the consequences.
	Silicon Valley eyes Africa as new tech frontier With its colourful hammocks and table tennis table, a new tech hub in the Lagos metropolis wouldn't look out of place among the start-ups on the other side of the world in Silicon Valley.
	US cyberthreat at 'critical point': US intelligence chief The threat of cyberattacks against the US is at a "critical point," the country's intelligence chief has warned, branding Russia the most "aggressive foreign actor" ahead of President Donald Trump's meeting with Vladimir Putin.
	Germany opens Opel probe in 'dieselgate' scandal German authorities are investigating carmaker Opel as part of an inquiry into the "dieselgate" scandal that saw major manufacturers such as Volkswagen fined billions of euros for cheating emissions tests, the transport ministry said Saturday.
	How quantum computers could steal your bitcoin Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin have recently captured the public's imagination because they offer an exciting alternative to traditional monetary systems.
	Four ways the electric system can better integrate microgrids The U.S. electric system is adapting to a new wave of distributed energy resources, such as solar panels and energy storage. Some of these work together in localized networks known as microgrids—nearly 2,000 are now operating or planned across the country, according to one estimate.
	New algorithm limits bias in machine learning Machine learning—a form of artificial intelligence based on the idea that computers can learn from data and make determinations with little help from humans—has the potential to improve our lives in countless ways. From self-driving cars to mammogram scans that can read themselves, machine learning is transforming modern life.
	How your social network could save you from a natural disaster In early November 2017, Brooks Fisher's neighbor in Sonoma, California, pounded on his door at 2 a.m., rang the doorbell and shouted, "There's a fire coming and you need to get out now! I can hear trees exploding!"
	Do I want an always-on digital assistant listening in all the time? The smart device market is exploding. Smart home kits for retrofitting "non-smart" houses have become cheaper.Earlier this year, Apple released the HomePod speaker, the company's response to dominant smart devices Google Home and Amazon Echo. Amazon, too, is expanding its lineup. Recently, it debuted the Amazon Echo Look, promising to make users more stylish.
	Researcher develops algorithm to improve information security tools Cryptography is a science of data encryption providing its confidentiality and integrity. After cryptographic transformations (the basis of encryption algorithms) are applied, only users that possess a relevant key can have access to the initial text.
	EU says VW repairs most cars with cheating devices German auto giant Volkswagen has fixed millions of cars found with emissions cheating software since a 2015 scandal, but must do more to satisfy consumers, the EU said Monday.
	Regulator unveils plan to monitor cryptocurrency threat A financial regulator on Monday unveiled a strategy to monitor whether cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin pose a threat to world economic stability.
	Renault scores new sales record driven by emerging markets French car giant Renault on Monday reported a nearly 10 percent surge in sales in the first half of 2018, scoring a new 2.1 million vehicle sales record driven by gains in Russia, Argentina and Brazil.
	EU warns Airbnb to obey rules or risk fines The European Union on Monday warned holiday rental site Airbnb to bring consumer terms in line with the bloc's rules or risk financial penalties.
	AI-based framework creates realistic textures in the virtual world Many designers for the virtual world find it challenging to design efficiently believable complex textures or patterns on a large scale. Indeed, so-called "texture synthesis," the design of accurate textures such as water ripples in a river, concrete walls, or patterns of leaves, remains a difficult task for artists. A plethora of non-stationary textures in the "real world" could be re-created in gaming or virtual worlds, but the existing techniques are tedious and time-consuming.
	Tesla shares tumble after Musk tweet controversy Tesla shares stumbled Monday as chief executive Elon Musk faced criticism over a public spat with a British diver who worked on the Thai soccer team rescue.
	Strikes in Europe on Amazon's Prime Day Workers in Spain, Germany and Poland plan to walk off the job on Tuesday as online retailing giant Amazon carries out its major summer sales event called Prime Day.
	When fake news sparks violence: India grapples with online rumours India has been shaken by a spate of mob killings sparked by a hoax about child kidnappers spread on WhatsApp.
	Irish Silk Road suspect extradited to US: prosecutors A 30-year-old Irish man accused of working for now defunct "dark web" marketplace Silk Road has been extradited to the United States to face charges in New York, four years after his arrest, prosecutors announced Friday.
	Aviation giants fly into Farnborough under Brexit cloud Top global plane makers land at the Farnborough airshow in England next week, hoping to pick up speed on demand for passenger jets while charting a path through Brexit and trade war turbulence.
	Some manufacturers feeling trade war pinch: survey Some US manufacturers are delaying investments and raising prices as President Donald Trump escalates trade wars with key US economic partners but most companies report no change, according to a survey released Monday.
	Digital age 'desperately' needs ethical and legal guidelines Digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics, 'desperately' need an institutional framework and system of values to help regulate the industry, an ethics expert has told leading scientists and policymakers.
	Embraer sells United Airlines 25 jets valued at $1.1 billion American carrier United Airlines has ordered 25 jets from Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer, valued at $1.1 billion, the aircraft maker said Monday.
	US investigates possible gender bias at Uber Uber is facing a federal investigation on alleged discrimination against women working at the smartphone-summoned ride service, a source familiar with the matter said Monday.
FCC head has 'serious concerns' with Sinclair-Tribune deal The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is raising "serious concerns" about Sinclair's $3.9 billion deal for Tribune's television stations.

Medicine & Health news

	WHO recognises 'compulsive sexual behaviour' as mental disorder The World Health Organization has recognised "compulsive sexual behaviour" as a mental disorder, but said Saturday it remained unclear if it was an addiction on a par with gambling or drug abuse.
	New platform poised to be next generation of genetic medicines A City of Hope scientist has discovered a gene-editing technology that could efficiently and accurately correct the genetic defects that underlie certain diseases, positioning the new tool as the basis for the next generation of genetic therapies.
	New ALS therapy in clinical trials—drug extends survival, reverses some neuromuscular damage in animals About 20,000 people in the United States are living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The invariably fatal disease kills the nerve cells that control walking, eating and breathing. Few people survive more than three years after diagnosis.
	Researchers map 'family trees' of acute myeloid leukemia For the first time, a team of international researchers has mapped the family trees of cancer cells in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) to understand how this blood cancer responds to a new drug, enasidenib. The work also explains what happens when a patient stops responding to the treatment, providing important clues about how to combine enasidenib with other anti-cancer drugs to produce longer-lasting remissions and to prevent relapse.
	Scientists find malformations and lower survival rates in zebrafish embryos exposed to cannabinoids Exposure to the main chemical components of cannabis has a detrimental effects on developing zebrafish embryos, according to a new study conducted by University of Alberta biologists.
	Synapse-specific plasticity governs the identity of overlapping memory traces Memories are formed through long-term changes in synaptic efficacy, a process known as synaptic plasticity, and are stored in the brain in specific neuronal ensembles called engram cells, which are activated during corresponding events. When two memories are associated, cell ensembles corresponding to each memory overlap. However, each memory has its own identity. How the brain stores and defines a specific memory identity when two memories interact and are encoded in the shared ensemble was elusive. Now, a research team led by Dr. Kaoru Inokuchi at the University of Toyama shows that synapse-specific plasticity represents specific memory entities, and that synaptic plasticity between specific engram assemblies is both sufficient and crucial for information storage.
	Convergence of synaptic signals is mediated by a protein critical for learning and memory Inside the brain, is a complex symphony of perfectly coordinated signaling. Hundreds of different molecules amplify, modify and carry information from tiny synaptic compartments all the way through the entire length of a neuron. The precise interplay of these proteins is critical for normal neuronal function; ultimately allowing the brain to achieve feats like cognition, decision making, and sensory perception.
	AI accurately predicts effects of genetic mutations in biological dark matter A new machine learning framework, dubbed ExPecto, can predict the effects of genetic mutations in the so-called "dark matter" regions of the human genome. ExPecto pinpoints how specific mutations can disrupt the way genes turn on and off throughout your body. Such disruptions in gene expression can sometimes have fatal consequences.
	Researchers suggest new treatment for rare inherited cancers Studying two rare inherited cancer syndromes, Yale Cancer Center (YCC) scientists have found the cancers are driven by a breakdown in how cells repair their DNA. The discovery, published today in Nature Genetics, suggests a promising strategy for treatment with drugs recently approved for other forms of cancer, said the researchers.
	Yale-developed test for Alzheimer's disease directly measures synaptic loss Yale researchers have tested a new method for directly measuring synaptic loss in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. The method, which uses PET imaging technology to scan for a specific protein in the brain linked to synapses, has the potential to accelerate research for new Alzheimer's treatments, the researchers said.
	Overcoming a major barrier to developing liquid biopsies The idea of testing blood or urine to find markers that help diagnose or treat disease holds great promise. But as technology has improved to allow researchers to examine tiny fragments of RNA, one major problem has led to limited success.
	Genetic marker for drug risk in multiple sclerosis offers path toward precision medicine A team of researchers has uncovered a specific gene variant associated with an adverse drug reaction resulting in liver injury in a people with multiple sclerosis (MS). It is the first time researchers have been able to establish a validated genetic marker for a drug-induced harm in people with MS.
	Magnetized wire could be used to detect cancer in people, scientists report A magnetic wire used to snag scarce and hard-to-capture tumor cells could prove to be a swift and effective tactic for early cancer detection, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
Routine, coordinated treatment of opioid abuse can stem national epidemic To help stem the nationwide opioid epidemic and related increases in HIV, hepatitis C and other infections, health care providers should routinely screen and treat patients for opioid abuse when they come to clinics and hospitals seeking other services.
By sending tests in the mail, researchers boost colorectal cancer screening Mailing colorectal cancer screening tests to patients insured by Medicaid increased screening rates for this population, report researchers at the University of North Carolina Comprehensive Cancer Center.
	FDA OKs 1st drug to treat smallpox, in case of terror attack U.S. regulators Friday approved the first treatment for smallpox—a deadly disease that was wiped out four decades ago—in case the virus is used in a terror attack.
	Nursing notes can help indicate whether ICU patients will survive Researchers at the University of Waterloo have found that sentiments in the nursing notes of health care providers are good indicators of whether intensive care unit (ICU) patients will survive.
	From the lab to the real world: program to improve elderly mobility feasible in community Immobility in old age can lead to lower independence and quality of life and increased risk for falls and chronic disease. In the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) study, a large multicenter clinical trial, researchers found that a regular program of structured physical activity performed in the clinical setting could reduce mobility loss in older adults. Could this program work in a real-world environment?
Death rates from heart failure higher for women than men Death rates from heart failure are higher for women than men, and hospitalization rates have increased in women while declining in men, found a study from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
	Traumatic brain injury biomarker shows promise to support rapid damage evaluation and predict outcomes A new study in The American Journal of Pathology found that a brain lipid molecule, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), was significantly increased after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a preclinical animal model. They also found that it was elevated in areas associated with cell death and axonal injury, both major hallmarks of moderate and severe TBI. This strengthens the evidence that LPA could be used as a biomarker of TBI through blood testing, potentially providing a prognostic indicator of injury and outcome.
	A constellation of symptoms presages first definitive signs of multiple sclerosis During the five years before people develop the first clinically recognized signs of multiple sclerosis (MS), they are up to four times more likely to be treated for nervous system disorders such as pain or sleep problems, and are 50 per cent more likely to visit a psychiatrist, according to new research from the University of British Columbia.
Study shows painful eczema symptoms negatively impact quality of life If you've never suffered from eczema, also known as Atopic Dermatitis, you probably aren't aware of the negative impact it can have on quality of life. The severe itching, redness and excessively dry skin all make life miserable for those who suffer from the allergic disease.
	Self-control and obesity: Gender matters in children A toddler's self-regulation—the ability to change behavior in different social situations—may predict whether he or she will be obese come kindergarten, but the connection appears to be much different for girls than for boys.
Life-extending immunotherapy approved on NHS for children with neuroblastoma Children in England with high-risk neuroblastoma will now be offered a cancer drug that could extend their life.
	Virus-targeting white blood cells in tumors offer intriguing insights into responsiveness to immunotherapy Bystander cells present in human lung and colorectal tumors could indicate how well a patient will respond to immunotherapy, an A*STAR-led study finds.
Using non-invasive brain recordings to characterize activity in deep structures Many neurophysiological processes, such as memory, sensory perception and emotion, as well as diseases including Alzheimer's, depression and autism, are mediated by brain regions located deep beneath the cerebral cortex. Techniques to non-invasively image millisecond-scale activity in these deep brain regions are limited. Now, an international team including A*STAR researchers has shown that magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG) can be used to characterize fast timescale activity in these deep brain structures.
Study shows women's emotional distress is not associated with poor infertility treatment outcomes Infertility treatments, such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF), are stressful experiences for women that can take large emotional tolls, especially when the treatment fails. At a time when extra support is needed, infertile women often report that family and friends urge them to "just relax" so they can conceive, causing women to feel as if their mental state is to blame for treatment failures. But a new study reveals evidence that women's emotional state does not have a strong connection with the success of infertility treatment.
	To help seniors stay active for longer, physicians take new approach to healthy aging It's 11 A.M., and patient Carlton "Carty" Spencer is holding court with family members in his room at Keck Hospital of USC. When another visitor arrives, he bounds out of bed to greet him. "Sit here," he motions, clearing a spot on his blankets. He is almost as excited to talk about his operation as he is to change out of his hospital gown and go home in a few minutes.
	The past and present of mental health care Stories about the issues surrounding mental health care are seeing a greater prominence in the media as policy-makers, politicians and activists raise questions about the quality of care and treatment being delivered in the province and across the country.
	How protein fragments could help to tackle the cause of hay fever Imperial researchers are looking to protein fragments to help people build up resistance to grass pollen.
	Games boost student nutrition in Nigerian schools The worsening of dietary habits among youth appears to have no geographical bounds. And improving dietary behaviour has become a critical public health challenge around the globe.
	Deadly, animal-borne viruses like Nipah on the rise, researcher warns Infections like Nipah virus and Ebola have begun to appear more rapidly among human populations over the past twenty years, but experts have yet to conclude why this may be the case.
How to cut calories in your favourite summertime foods Hot weather means picnics, barbecues—and lots of extra calories. But a few tweaks can help lower the calorie count to keep our favourite summertime foods on the menu.
	Fragility fractures – a global cause for concern Matt Costa, Professor of Orthopaedic Trauma at the University of Oxford and President elect of the Fragility Fracture Network (FFN), explains the need for global action to provide better care for people suffering from hip fractures and other fractures that result from increased fragility.
Weight loss surgery may affect the risk of cancer A new analysis published in the British Journal of Surgery indicates that weight loss surgery may affect an individual's risk of developing cancer.
	Researchers crack the code of the final blood group system Ever since the blood type was discovered in 1962, no one has been able to explain why some people become Xga positive while others are Xga negative. But now, researchers at Lund University in Sweden have finally solved the mystery, and their study is being published in the scientific journal Blood.
	Rhesus monkeys sense isochrony in rhythm, but not the beat Although monkeys seem to notice regularity in rhythmic sounds, they are not able to detect the actual beat. This is the finding of a new study by researchers from the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). The study, published on 16 July in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience, lends further evidence to the hypothesis that beat perception is omnipresent in humans but only gradually developed in primates.
	High-tech dentures—fighting bacteria with nanotechnology Vasodilating stents, "labs-on-chips" for analysis on smallest areas, 3-D cell culturing systems for tissue reconstruction: microtechnology is gaining importance in the medical sector. It also opens up new potentials in the area of implantology. Scientists of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), together with experts for dental implants, have now developed a nanostructured surface to accelerate wound healing after implantation and to better protect it against the attack of bacteria.
Researchers call for cheaper, better screening for brain-threatening newborn condition Babies may be missing out on treatment for a common, brain-threatening condition and others receiving unnecessary treatment due to the wide use of a screening test known to be unsuitable.
	Rehabilitating the mind could improve outcomes after spinal cord injury A study led by Heriot-Watt University has explored how individuals with spinal cord injuries perceive the space around them. The findings suggest additions are needed to the rehabilitation programmes adopted post-injury to allow the whole person to be treated, not just the physical body.
	Having a baby in the U.S. is costly and confusing, even for a health policy expert It is hard to believe that it has been just over since five months since our second son, Lukas, was born on Feb. 3. His mother, Hollyanne, is doing well, which is something to be thankful for, given the excessive maternal mortality rates in the U.S. Lukas is also healthy and growing, albeit sleeping little at night. What is unbelievable is the fact that I am still receiving bills for his birth.
	How summer and diet damage your DNA, and what you can do Today, your body will accumulate quadrillions of new injuries in your DNA. The constant onslaught of many forms of damage, some of which permanently mutates your genes, could initiate cancer and prove fatal. Yet all is not doomed: The lives we lead determine how well our cells can handle this daily molecular erosion.
	Loneliness is contagious – and here's how to beat it Loneliness is a common condition affecting around one in three adults. It damages your brain, immune system, and can lead to depression and suicide. Loneliness can also increase your risk of dying prematurely as much as smoking can – and even more so than obesity. If you feel lonely, you tend to feel more stressed in situations that others cope better in, and even though you might get sufficient sleep, you don't feel rested during the day.
	One step closer to finding a cure for brain diseases A research team led by Professor Jaewon Ko and Ji Won Um from Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences identified a new principle of formation of brain synapses through synaptic binding protein complexes.
	Study describes enzyme's key role in immune response to Chagas disease parasite In an article published recently in the journal Nature Communications, researchers affiliated with the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil describe the central role played by an enzyme called phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase gamma (PI3Kγ) in regulating the immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease.
	Football training may preserve bone health in prostate cancer patients Androgen deprivation therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer can lead to loss of muscle and bone mass. In a recent Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sport study of elderly patients undergoing the treatment, playing football—or what's known as soccer in the United States—over a 5-year period was linked with preserved bone mineral density (BMD) in the neck of the leg's femur. No associations were seen on body composition, fitness, and physical functioning.
Fetal gene therapy prevents fatal neurodegenerative disease A fatal neurodegenerative condition known as Gaucher disease can be prevented in mice following fetal gene therapy, finds a new study led by UCL, the KK Women's and Children's Hospital and National University Health System in Singapore.
	'Concussion pill' shows promise in pre-clinical pilot study In 2016, funded by a $16 million grant from Scythian, the multidisciplinary Miller School team embarked on a five-year study to examine the effects of combining CBD (a cannabinoid derivative of hemp) with an NMDA antagonist (an anesthetic used in animals and humans) for the treatment of traumatic brain injury and concussion. The researchers believed the combination could reduce post-injury brain cell inflammation, headache, pain and other symptoms associated with concussion.
Surveys of patients about health care providers are likely of little use For anyone who has ever taken a survey after a medical appointment and wondered whether the effort was worthwhile, the answer is probably "No," says a Baylor University psychologist and researcher.
	Early puberty in white adolescent boys increases substance use risk White adolescent boys experiencing early puberty are at higher risk for substance use than later developing boys, a new Purdue University study finds.
Early treatment with nusinersen can mean better outcomes for babies Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease that affects motor neurons in the spinal cord, resulting in muscle atrophy and widespread weakness that eventually impair swallowing and breathing. A new study in the Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases finds that children with SMA type 1 can achieve improvements in motor function after six months of treatment with the drug nusinersen, particularly when treatment began before seven months of age. These findings highlight the importance of early detection of SMA through newborn screening.
	Virtual counseling helps lower blood pressure People with high blood pressure who get on the information highway can avoid roadblocks in their cardiovascular health, according to new research.
	On-the-job stress relief (HealthDay)—You've probably heard the health warning: Sitting is the new smoking.
	Opioids given too easily to children: study (HealthDay)—Many children are prescribed powerful opioid painkillers they don't really need, putting them and those around them at risk, a new study shows.
	When does your child's headache call for a doctor visit? (HealthDay)—Headaches are common in children and teens, but many parents aren't sure when to seek professional help for their child, a new survey finds.
	Compassion training may up resilience to others' suffering (HealthDay)—Compassion meditation can increase the visual preference for suffering while attenuating neural responses in regions of the brain associated with valence and empathic distress, according to a study published recently in Frontiers in Psychology.
	eCare Plan set to improve doctor/pharmacist relationship (HealthDay)—The Pharmacist eCare Plan is designed to improve communication between pharmacists and physicians by allowing documentation to be available via electronic health records (EHRs), according to an article published online in Drug Topics.
	PM2.5 contributes to burden of diabetes mellitus globally (HealthDay)—Particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (PM2.5) makes a substantial contribution to the burden of diabetes, according to a study published in the July issue of The Lancet Planetary Health.
	Quadrivalent HPV vaccine not tied to spontaneous abortion (HealthDay)—The quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (4vHPV) is not associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion when inadvertently given before or during pregnancy, according to a study published in the July issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Inappropriate prescribing of abx high in urgent care centers (HealthDay)—There is considerable variability in the proportion of visits at which antibiotics are prescribed among traditional medical and retail clinic settings, according to a research letter published online July 16 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
	Temple study calls into question IVC filter effectiveness in DVT patients undergoing CDT Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common medical condition in which blood clots develop in the deep veins of the body, often in the legs, thigh or pelvis. These clots can break loose and travel to the lungs and can cause a life-threatening pulmonary embolism (PE). Proximal DVT, which refers to a clot in the thigh or pelvis, has been shown to be associated with a higher risk for post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), a painful condition characterized by swelling, redness and sores on the legs.
Cholera outbreak kills 6 in Cameroon Six people have died in Cameroon from a cholera outbreak that has infected 43 people since May, the health ministry said.
Stroke patients now able to boost brain activity at home UniSA researchers have adopted a novel approach to help stroke victims recover greater use of their paralysed limbs, giving patients the chance to re-train their brains at home.
How microchips could help detect prostate cancer Professor of Electronic Engineering Andrew Flewitt is working with researchers at the Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Cambridge Centre on a more accurate PSA blood test to detect prostate cancer.
The BMJ launches special collection on research for health in the Americas Collection seeks to shape the research agenda and help fulfil the promise of high quality health for all
Childhood infections may have lasting effects on school performance Severe infections leading to hospitalizations during childhood are associated with lower school achievement in adolescence,reports a study in the July issue of The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal (PIDJ).
Increased communication between hospitals improves patient care and survival rates Well more than a million patients are transferred between hospitals each year in the U.S. This process is challenging both for hospitals and patients and breakdowns in communication are common.
Implications of unmet promise of a miracle drug for Alzheimer's disease In an editorial entitled "The Unmet Promise of a Miracle Drug for Alzheimer's Disease: Implications for Practice, Policy, and Research," Malaz Boustani, MD, MPH, a Regenstrief Institute research scientist and the founding director of the Indiana University Center for Health Innovation and Implementation Science, and co-authors Philip D. Sloane, MD, MPH and Sheryl Zimmerman, Ph.D., of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, lament the unmet promise of a miracle drug for Alzheimer disease (AD) but are heartened by what they see as encouraging improvements in care for a growing population of older adults, many with dementia.
AASM publishes clinical practice guideline on use of actigraphy for sleep disorders Actigraphy can be a useful clinical tool for the evaluation of adult and pediatric patients with suspected sleep disorders, including circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, according to a clinical practice guideline from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
Plant-based products are not lowering blood pressure In the high-pressure world of lowering hypertension, a surprising favorite isn't standing up too well in clinical trials.
Researchers identify model for reducing binge drinking in college students Researchers found the secret to getting college students to drink responsibly is convincing them it will quickly improve their health, relationships and grades. However, sustaining responsible drinking behavior takes a comprehensive set of supports, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
	Seeing through the eyes of a crab—new research provides insight into the visual world of a crustacean Crabs combine the input from their two eyes early on in their brain's visual pathway to track a moving object, finds new research published in JNeurosci. This study of adult male crabs from Argentina's Atlantic coast provides insight into the visual world of a crustacean.
	Plastic chemical linked to smaller prefrontal cortex, reduced cognitive ability in rats Adult rats that had been exposed before birth and during nursing to a mixture of chemicals found in a wide range of consumer products have a smaller medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and perform worse on an attention-switching task than rats not exposed to the chemicals early in life. These findings, published in JNeurosci, demonstrate a long-term influence of endocrine-disrupting compounds on brain development.

Biology news

	Genome damage from CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing higher than thought Scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute have discovered that CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing can cause greater genetic damage in cells than was previously thought. These results create safety implications for gene therapies using CRISPR/Cas9 in the future as the unexpected damage could lead to dangerous changes in some cells.
	Crowdsourcing friendly bacteria helps superbug cause infection Antimicrobial resistant pathogens crowdsource friendly bacteria to survive in immune cells and cause disease, a new study by the University of Sheffield has revealed.
	Maternal signals regulate embryo development in plants While pregnancy in humans and seed development in plants look very different, parallels exist—not least that the embryo develops in close connection with the mother. In animals, a whole network of signals from the mother is known to influence embryo development. In plants, it has been clear for a while that maternal signals regulate embryo development. However, the signal itself was unknown—until now. Plant scientists at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC) and the University of Freiburg have now found that a plant hormone called auxin from the mother is one of the signals that pattern the plant embryo. Their study is published today in Nature Plants.
	High-stakes cellular process critical to small intestine development More than 40 percent of our small intestine develops before we are even born. In adulthood, the organ stretches more than three times the length of our bodies.
	Friendlier fish may be quicker to take the bait The bluegill on your dinner plate might have been more social than the rest of its group, according to a new study from the University of Illinois, and its removal from the lake could mean major changes for the remaining population.
	Researchers find hidden signals in RNAs that regulate protein synthesis Scientists have long known that RNA encodes instructions to make proteins. The building blocks that comprise RNA—A, U, C, and Gs—form a blueprint for the protein-making machinery in cells. To make proteins, the machinery latches on RNA at one end and then scans along the RNA until it reaches an AUG string, which is the signal to start translating the genetic code into a protein.
	New development in 3-D super-resolution imaging gives insight on Alzheimer's disease Recent studies show that 40 percent of Americans over the age of 85 have Alzheimer's disease, and that the disease begins 10 to 20 years before people show up at the doctor's office with memory problems.
	Researchers engineer bacteria to create fertilizer out of thin air In the future, plants will be able to create their own fertilizer. Farmers will no longer need to buy and spread fertilizer for their crops, and increased food production will benefit billions of people around the world, who might otherwise go hungry.
	Shoots for the stars: Briton grows microgreens for top French chefs Fuchsia-coloured lights glow over a miniature garden where tiny plants pack a wealth of flavour and nutrients headed for the tables of Michelin-starred French chefs.
	Big petroleum projects in Argentina face tiny challenge: a lizard A tiny but critically endangered lizard found in Argentina's extensive Vaca Muerta petroleum field could pose a major challenge to companies planning multimillion-dollar investments in the area.
	Outrage as Iceland fishermen kill rare whale Is it a blue whale or not? The slaughter in Iceland of what is claimed was a member of the endangered species has triggered outrage and left experts puzzled about its true identity.
	Australia has a new venomous snake – and it may already be threatened The ink has not yet dried on a scientific paper describing a new species of snake, yet the reptile may already be in danger of extinction due to mining.
	KAIST to introduce enhanced PDT to cure cancer with fewer side effects A KAIST research team developed near-infrared fluorophores-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) that reduced the downside of existing PDTs.
Sea turtle found dead with beach chair string around neck An endangered sea turtle has been found dead on an Alabama beach with a beach chair string tangled around its neck.
	Mangroves to mudflats and not back again Over one-third of Earth's population lives with 100 km of a coastline and depend on the services that coastal ecosystems provide. With the intensity and impact of hurricanes expected to increase in the future, there is a need to understand how coastal ecosystems will be impacted by and recover from hurricanes, and how these changes will influence human well-being.

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