Science X Newsletter Tuesday, Jul 10

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for July 10, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Giant dinosaur bones get paleontologists rethinking Triassic period

Researchers develop model of toxoplasmosis evolution

Genetic study suggests there are variants that can increase chances of success in life

Quantum dots found to reduce fibrils in Parkinson's mouse models

Bale monkeys living in different areas have very different DNA

Grasslands more reliable carbon sink than trees

Study sheds light on composition of dust carried by rainwater across Texas

Rising carbon dioxide levels pose a previously unrecognized threat to monarch butterflies

Finding a weak link in the frightful parasite Schistosoma

Stop antibiotics before resistance 'tipping point'

Russian cargo ship makes fastest-ever trip to space station (Update)

Vitamin D no defence against dementia

Altered gene regulation is more widespread in cancer than expected

Newly discovered properties of ferroelectric crystal shed light on branch of materials

Extreme heat and reduced cognitive performance in adults in non-air-conditioned buildings

Astronomy & Space news

	Russian cargo ship makes fastest-ever trip to space station (Update) A Russian cargo ship delivered a fresh load of fuel, food, and other supplies for the International Space Station on Tuesday, making it in record time.
	Sound of electromagnetic energy moving between Saturn, Enceladus New research from NASA's Cassini spacecraft's up-close Grand Finale orbits shows a surprisingly powerful and dynamic interaction of plasma waves moving from Saturn to its rings and its moon Enceladus. The observations show for the first time that the waves travel on magnetic field lines connecting Saturn directly to Enceladus. The field lines are like an electrical circuit between the two bodies, with energy flowing back and forth.
	Rocky planet neighbor looks familiar, but is not Earth's twin Last autumn, the world was excited by the discovery of an exoplanet called Ross 128 b, which is just 11 light years away from Earth. New work from a team led by Diogo Souto of Brazil's Observatório Nacional and including Carnegie's Johanna Teske has for the first time determined detailed chemical abundances of the planet's host star, Ross 128.
	Israel plans its first moon launch in December An Israeli organisation announced plans Tuesday to launch the country's first spacecraft to the moon in December, with hopes of burnishing Israel's reputation as a small nation with otherworldly high-tech ambitions.
	Full steam ahead for Aeolus launch Having set sail from France on 15 June—Global Wind Day, ESA's Aeolus wind satellite has arrived safe and sound at the launch site in French Guiana.
	ICESat-2 lasers pass final ground test On June 23, ICESat-2 engineers at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California successfully finished the final ground-based test of the lasers, which are part of the satellite's sole instrument called the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS). ICESat-2 is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg on Sept. 12, 2018.
	Researchers find organic material in the Antennae Galaxies A study led by the researcher of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) Ana Monreal Ibero proves the presence of probable organic molecules in galaxies beyond the Milky Way.
	First global maps of Pluto and Charon from NASA's New Horizons mission published Until 2015, it was not known whether Pluto or its largest moon, Charon, had mountains or valleys or even impact craters. After the spectacular success of New Horizons in July 2015, scientists were amazed at the towering peaks and deep valleys that were revealed in the returned data. Now, thanks to the efforts of the New Horizons team, the first official validated global map and topographic maps of these two bodies have been published and are available to all. The maps and the process of creating them are described in two new research articles published in the journal Icarus.
Zimbabwe launches space agency Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa Tuesday launched a space agency, hailing it as a "milestone" as he campaigns ahead of elections at the end of the month.
	Image: The integrated Cheops satellite The Cheops satellite in the cleanroom of Airbus Defence and Space Spain in Madrid.
	Image: A closer view of the moon Posted to Twitter by @Astro_Alex, European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst, this image shows our planet's Moon as seen from the International Space Station. As he said in the tweet, "By orbiting the Earth almost 16 times per day, the #ISS crew travel the distance to the Moon and back – every day. #Horizons"
	Image: Tricorder This gadget looks like a precursor to the devices medical officers use to scan patients in science fiction, and it is not far off. The MyotonPRO tests muscle tension and stiffness.

Technology news

	How Nantes team's 3-D printing may alter shape of homes to come For some months now, a 3D printed house in Nantes has drawn lots of attention, not just because a printer was involved but also because it went up from start to finish so quickly (54 hours to print, then add some more time for the windows and roof). Interesting Engineering said it took some more time to add the roof, windows and doors.
	Artificial intelligence helps researchers predict drug combinations' side effects Last month alone, 23 percent of Americans took two or more prescription drugs, according to one CDC estimate, and 39 percent over age 65 take five or more, a number that's increased three-fold in the last several decades. And if that isn't surprising enough, try this one: in many cases, doctors have no idea what side effects might arise from adding another drug to a patient's personal pharmacy.
	YouTube aims to crack down on fake news, support journalism Google's YouTube says it is taking several steps to ensure the veracity of news on its service by cracking down on misinformation and supporting news organizations.
Management shift begins at US nuclear weapons lab The U.S. government on Monday cleared the way for a new management team to begin taking over one of the nation's top nuclear weapons laboratories as it looks to rebuild its reputation.
	SoftBank raises stake in Yahoo Japan in purchase from Altaba Japanese internet company SoftBank Corp. is investing about $2 billion to raise its stake in Yahoo Japan through an acquisition from U.S. investment company Altaba Inc.
	Elon Musk says in Thailand with mini-sub American space entrepreneur Elon Musk tweeted that he was in Thailand on Tuesday with a prototype mini-sub, at the flooded cave where five members of a youth football team remained trapped.
	How Apple's app store changed our world A decade ago, Apple opened a store peddling iPhone apps, unlocking the creativity of software developers and letting users truly make their mobile devices their own.
BMW to make electric MINIs in China with Great Wall Motor BMW Group and China's biggest SUV brand, Great Wall Motor, have announced a partnership to produce electric MINI vehicles in China.
	Court orders Ryanair to comply with Dutch law A Dutch appeals court has ruled that employees of the Irish budget carrier Ryanair who are based in the Netherlands are covered by Dutch law, in a decision made public Tuesday.
	WhatsApp offers tips to spot fake news after India murders WhatsApp took out full-page advertisements in Indian newspapers Tuesday offering "easy tips" to identify fact from fiction after a slew of recent murders spurred by hoaxes shared on its platform.
	Singapore's Temasek reports record $235 bn portfolio Singapore investment giant Temasek Holdings said Tuesday the value of its global portfolio reached a record high last year but will temper investments this year owing to brewing trade and geopolitical tensions.
	Printing a house from a novel peat material Scientists from the University of Tartu and the Estonian University of Life Sciences have created a construction material consisting primarily of peat and oil shale ash that could reduce the construction costs of a private house nearly tenfold. The aim was to create a self-supporting construction material based on local natural resources and waste that could be used to 3-D print houses up to two-storeys high directly at the construction site.
	New, real-time milk and feed measurement system helps optimise dairy production VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) are together developing a new, smart, competitive technology platform for improving the profitability of dairy farms and for introducing commercial products through the contributions of business partners.
What if your car spied on you? Driverless cars are set to change many aspects of everyday life, including an area you may not have thought of: privacy.
	Capacitor-based architecture for AI hardware accelerators IBM is reaching beyond digital technologies with a capacitor-based cross-point array for analog neural networks, exhibiting potential orders of magnitude improvements in deep learning computations. Analog computing architectures exploit the storage capability and physical attributes of certain memory devices not just to store information, but also to perform computations. This has the potential to greatly reduce the time and energy required by computers because data doesn't need to be shuttled between the memory and processor. The drawback could be a reduction in computational accuracy, but for systems that do not require high accuracy, it is the right trade-off.
	Space IoT takes off We know that current networks are not equipped to deal with the Internet of Things and the exponential growth in connected devices it entails. Whilst Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies will be crucial to cope with future needs, experts increasingly look towards satellites as a complementary solution, especially for scarcely populated areas. The IoTEE project is proposing a receiver/emitter device to make space-based IoT a reality.
	Tesla announces deal for Shanghai factory Electric car producer Tesla will build its first factory outside the United States in Shanghai under an agreement signed Tuesday, becoming the first wholly foreign-owned automaker in China.
Indian IT giant TCS's profits soar 24 percent India's largest IT services firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) reported on Tuesday a 24 percent rise in quarterly earnings thanks to strong growth in its banking and financial services division.

Medicine & Health news

	Vitamin D no defence against dementia New research from South Australian scientists has shown that vitamin D (also commonly known as the sunshine vitamin) is unlikely to protect individuals from multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease or other brain-related disorders.
	Altered gene regulation is more widespread in cancer than expected A large-scale study provides new insights into the mechanisms that can lead to cancer. It can happen when genes mutate, but cancer also can occur when the genetic regions involved in regulating gene expression change. In this study, the researchers used whole genome sequencing data to analyze all the genes of 1,448 cancers of 18 different types looking to identify genes whose expression was altered, not by mutation but as a result of changes in the genetic regions that regulate them. The study appears in the journal Cell Reports.
	Extreme heat and reduced cognitive performance in adults in non-air-conditioned buildings Students who lived in dormitories without air conditioning (AC) during a heat wave performed worse on a series of cognitive tests compared with students who lived in air-conditioned dorms, according to new research led by Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health. The field study, the first to demonstrate the detrimental cognitive effects of indoor temperatures during a heat wave in a group of young healthy individuals, highlights the need for sustainable design solutions in mitigating the health impacts of extreme heat.
	Scientists create a complete atlas of lung tumor cells Researchers from VIB, Leuven University and University Hospital Leuven studied thousands of healthy and cancerous lung cells to create the first comprehensive atlas of lung tumor cells. Their results reveal that tumors are much more complex than previously appreciated, distinguishing 52 different types of cells. This new information can be used to identify new research lines for treatment. The results of the study will be published in the leading journal Nature Medicine.
	Mitochondrial DNA in exosomes is the alarm that initiates the antiviral response Researchers at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC) have provided valuable information about the defense mechanisms of the immune system during the early stages of the response to pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. The research findings, published today in Nature Communications, contribute to the understanding of the cellular processes initiated at early stages and explain how the distinct cell populations of the immune system communicate to mount an effective response against pathogens.
	Typical mutation in brain cancer cells stifles immune response The exchange of a single amino acid building block in a metabolic enzyme can lead to cancer. In addition, it can impair the immune system, according to scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the University Hospitals in Mannheim and Heidelberg, and the German Cancer Consortium. It thus blocks the body's immune response in the battle against the mutant molecule and also impedes immunotherapy against brain cancer. This finding opens new insights into cancer development and progression and it also suggests that rethinking antitumor immunotherapy is required.
	Early life exposure to famine can lead to depression New research from the University of Georgia reveals that exposure to famine during specific moments in early life is associated with depression later in life.
	Antibody identifier could speed development of therapies for cancer, other diseases A research team led by a UCLA bioengineer has developed a model to predict the extent to which new laboratory-designed antibodies will be able to combat specific human diseases. This is the first time that a comprehensive model has accounted for the many ways that antibodies communicate with other parts of the immune system and could speed up research and development of new therapies for cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders.
	15 minutes of exercise creates optimal brain state for mastering new motor skills If you want to learn to walk a tightrope, it's a good idea to go for a short run after each practice session. That's because a recent study in NeuroImage demonstrates that exercise performed immediately after practicing a new motor skill improves its long-term retention. More specifically, the research shows, for the first time, that as little as a single fifteen-minute bout of cardiovascular exercise increases brain connectivity and efficiency. It's a discovery that could, in principle, accelerate recovery of motor skills in patients who have suffered a stroke or who face mobility problems following an injury.
	What separates the strong from weak among connections in the brain To work at all, the nervous system needs its cells, or neurons, to connect and converse in a language of electrical impulses and chemical neurotransmitters. For the brain to be able to learn and adapt, it needs the connections, called synapses, to be able to strengthen or weaken. A new study by neuroscientists at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory helps to explain why strong synapses are stronger, and how they get that way.
	Study shows how HIV is shielded from immune attack Scientists from UNSW Sydney and the UK have discovered that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) hijacks a small molecule from the host cell to protect itself from being destroyed by the host's immune system.
	Brain arousal compound noradrenaline plays critical role in sensory perception Being aware of our surroundings is a fundamental aspect of our existence. But what in our biological makeup determines how we access and interpret the endless stream of information around us?
	Biologists discover process that neutralizes tumors Researchers from the University of California San Diego have identified an unexpected mechanism that could help determine whether a cancer patient will respond to immunotherapy.
	Study clarifies dual role of protein that watches for cellular threats and repairs damage One reason we're supposed to eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables is because they contain nutritious compounds called antioxidants. These molecules counteract the damage to our bodies from harmful products of normal cells called reactive oxygen species (ROS).
	As brain extracts meaning from vision, study tracks progression of processing Here's the neuroscience of a neglected banana (and a lot of other things in daily life): whenever you look at its color—green in the store, then yellow, and eventually brown on your countertop—your mind categorizes it as unripe, ripe, and then spoiled. A new study that tracked how the brain turns simple sensory inputs, such as "green," into meaningful categories, such as "unripe," shows that the information follows a progression through many regions of the cortex, and not exactly in the way many neuroscientists would predict.
	Longer hours on social media may increase teens' risk of cyberbullying Cyberbullying may be linked to higher use of social network sites by school children aged 14-17 years, rather than to simply having a social network profile, according to a study published in the open access journal BMC Public Health, which examined data from several European countries.
	Survey paints mixed view of New Yorkers' health New Yorkers are getting heavier. And, like people across the country, many have difficulty sleeping and are suffering from depression. Diabetes rates in NYC remain high and racial and ethnic disparities persist. Blood levels of lead and mercury have also dropped with increased awareness and less environmental exposure.
	Teen crash risk highest during first three months after getting driver's license Teenage drivers are eight times more likely to be involved in a collision or near miss during the first three months after getting a driver's license, compared to the previous three months on a learner's permit, suggests a study led by the National Institutes of Health. Teens are also four times more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as rapid acceleration, sudden braking and hard turns, during this period. In contrast, teens on a learner's permit drove more safely, with their crash/near crash and risky driving rates similar to those of adults. The study appears in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
	Sterilised mosquito trial slashes dengue-spreading population More than 80 percent of a dengue fever-spreading mosquito has been wiped out in an Australian town during a landmark trial scientists said Tuesday offered hope for combating the dangerous pest globally.
World Trade Center response crews may face higher heart attack, stroke risk Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may increase the long-term risk for stroke and heart attack in blue-collar clean-up crews who worked in the aftermath of The World Trade Center plane attack on September 11, 2001, according to new research in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart Association journal.
	Multivitamins do not promote cardiovascular health Taking multivitamin and mineral supplements does not prevent heart attacks, strokes or cardiovascular death, according to a new analysis of 18 studies published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, an American Heart Association journal.
	Testosterone prescriptions have sharply dropped in the past few years Testosterone use in the United States tripled between 2001 and 2011, mostly in men without a clear indication for it. This new study shows, however, that testosterone use dropped significantly after testosterone use was reported to be linked to heart attacks and strokes.
	Mobile health devices diagnose hidden heart condition in at-risk populations Wearable mobile health devices improved the rate of diagnosis of a dangerous and often hidden heart condition called atrial fibrillation (AFib), according to a first of its kind, home-based clinical study conducted in part by researchers at the Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI).
	Scientists trigger hot flashes in female and male mice By activating a single type of neuron, scientists triggered hot-flash-like symptoms in mice. In the July 10 issue of Cell Reports, researchers show that so-called Kiss1 neurons in the hypothalamus that project to a brain region controlling body temperature may be the link between sex hormone fluctuations and the hot flashes that plague many menopausal women.
	Study examines safety and efficacy of TPA in mild stroke cases While the gold standard for stroke care is the use of IV tissue plasminogen activator (tPA, or product name Alteplase) to dissolve clots and mechanical thrombectomy to remove clots in severe to moderate strokes, researchers and clinicians have found it more difficult to align on a standard of treatment for mild strokes.
	Suppressing negative emotions during health scare may whip up spiral of fear Trying to suppress worries during a health scare, like the recent Zika outbreak, may lead to an ever-intensifying cycle of emotional suppression and fear, according to a team of researchers.
	Pancreatic cancer: Mutable cancer cells are more dangerous Pancreatic cancer often spreads, forming metastases in the liver or lungs. The prognosis is better for patients with metastases in the lungs. However, the cancer cells' ability to alter their characteristics and shape influences which organ is affected, as a research team at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has discovered.
	Blood flow in the heart revealed in a flash Researchers at Linköping University have for the first time been able to use information from computer tomography images to simulate the heart function of an individual patient. Some of the modeling methods they use were developed in the motor industry. The results of their study have been published in Radiology.
	Researchers cure type 2 diabetes and obesity in mice using gene therapy A research team from the UAB led by Professor Fatima Bosch has managed to cure obesity and type 2 diabetes in mice using gene therapy.
	Certain antibodies against a sugar are associated with malaria protection Certain type of antibodies against α-Gal, a carbohydrate expressed by many organisms including the malaria parasite, could protect against malaria, according to a new study led by ISGlobal, an institution supported by "la Caixa" Foundation. The results, published in Scientific Reports, indicate that a-Gal is an interesting candidate to include in future vaccines against malaria and other infectious diseases.
	Training program for dealing with behavioral problems is available as iPhone application If you watch a child with autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or even a typical child engaging in disruptive behavior, would you know how – and when – to intervene effectively?
	Game-changer for Parkinson's disease outcomes A unique gaming system called 'OrbIT' will play a lead role in the fight to improve life for individuals living with Parkinson's disease, thanks to funding from the Estate of the late Olga Mabel Woolger.
Combination of blood test and imaging improves detection of prostate cancer New research from Karolinska Institutet shows that the blood test Stockholm3 together with magnetic resonance imaging and targeted prostate biopsies may lead to a significant decrease in the number of biopsy procedures and diagnoses of harmless disease. The study is published in European Urology.
At the intersection of work and family, how do we define our identities? Jamie Ladge has spent her career studying how working professionals view their identities in the office and at home—and how these identities often intersect.
	Existential spirituality can foster happiness, study finds Existential spirituality may improve health-related quality of life among adults who suffer from neurological illness, according to a new study published in the journal Geriatrics. The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine researchers who led the study say the results can inform best practices for healthy aging.
	Clinical trials show promise in leukemia Two drugs that target different mutations showed encouraging results in treating leukemia, according to recent clinical trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) and The Lancet Oncology.
	Helping babies avoid getting a flat head All that physiotherapist Liz Williams wants is for baby pumpkins to be able to move their heads on their own. If that sounds odd, it's because Mrs Williams likens young babies' heads to pumpkins because that's how many new parents treat them – as inanimate objects.
	Thinking you're 'on a diet' is half the problem – here's how to be a mindful eater Adult obesity rates began to increase dramatically in Western society in the 1980s, due to an increase in the popularity and consumption of high-energy convenience foods. Alongside this, a new trend in dieting occurred, with many people trying new and often unsuccessful ways to restrict their food intake and lose weight.
	Protecting your kids from failure isn't helpful—here's how to build their resilience In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to protect children from failure in order to safeguard their fragile self-esteem. This seems logical – failure is unpleasant. It tends to make you look bad, you have negative feelings of disappointment and frustration, and you often have to start again.
	Gut microbes are tiny sensors of your general health The number of studies that have found a link between a disease and a specific gut microbiome composition seems to be ever increasing. Until recently, though, almost all these studies have looked at single diseases in isolation. But most people tend to have more than one health complaint at a time – "comorbidities", in medical parlance.
Pets offer therapeutic aid for people with borderline personality disorder People living with borderline personality disorder may enjoy a better quality of life by owning a pet, new research led by Curtin University has found.
	Battling culture of toughness in hockey part of challenge in preventing head injuries In January 1907, Montreal police arrested Alf and Harry Smith along with Baldy Spittal, all members of the Ottawa Silver Seven hockey team, in connection with a violent on-ice stick attack carried out against three players of the Montreal Wanderers.
	First human scanned with next-generation 3-D colour medical scanner The first human has been scanned with a revolutionary new 3D colour medical scanner invented in New Zealand by father and son scientists from the Universities of Canterbury and Otago.
Air pollution levels linked to 'spikes' in hospital and GP visits Air pollution has been clearly linked to spikes in breathing problem-related admissions to hospitals and visits to GPs in a research project conducted at the University of Dundee.
	Giving your baby solid food early won't help them sleep better New research claims that giving babies solid foods at just three months old will help them sleep. Though this may sound appealing to exhausted new parents, unfortunately there is a large gulf between the headlines and the data.
	Big Data analysis identifies new cancer risk genes Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona have developed a new method to identify genes contributing to heritable cancer risk. Their work, which is published in Nature Communications, is a success story for data sharing and openness in science. The three researchers identified new cancer genes using only publicly available data.
	Every person has a unique brain anatomy The fingerprint is unique in every individual: As no two fingerprints are the same, they have become the go-to method of identity verification for police, immigration authorities and smartphone producers alike. But what about the central switchboard inside our heads? Is it possible to find out who a brain belongs to from certain anatomical features? This is the question posed by the group working with Lutz Jäncke, UZH professor of neuropsychology. In earlier studies, Jäncke had already been able to demonstrate that individual experiences and life circumstances influence the anatomy of the brain.
	Immune cells can switch from 'gang members' to 'police officers' When the immune system overreacts, as in an allergic reaction, cells causing trouble can change into cells that dampen the reaction.
	Focussed ultrasound used to improve effects of cancer drugs Researchers have made a breakthrough in more precisely targeting drugs to cancers. Using ultrasound and lipid drug carriers (liposomes), a multi-disciplinary team of biomedical engineers, oncologists, radiologists and anaesthetists at the University of Oxford have developed a new way to improve the targeting of cancer drugs to tumours.
	Could mental health apps lead to overdiagnosis? There are tens of thousands of commercially available mental health apps on the market, many hugely popular. But how do these apps portray mental health and how does this suggest mental health problems should be managed?
	Want an expensive engagement ring? Looks count Men are willing to purchase more showy, expensive engagement rings when they imagine themselves with an attractive woman rather than a woman with average looks. Appearance also plays a role for women but, in contrast to men, they are more likely to select an expensive ring with a big stone when they are partnered with a less attractive man. The research, in Springer's journal Evolutionary Psychological Science, was conducted by Jaime Cloud and Madalyn Taylor of Western Oregon University in the US.
	Breakthrough discovery will change treatment for COPD patients Permanent lung damage caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) starts much earlier than previously thought, even before patients are showing symptoms.
	Immune discovery should help develop improved vaccines for infants and newborns Scientists have just identified a class of 'danger signals' that are highly efficient at triggering an immune response in infants and newborns. They believe their discovery may have the potential to reduce both the age of vaccine administration and the need for multiple booster injections in infants and newborns, whose immune systems operate differently to those of adults.
Aspirin desensitization improves alcohol-induced allergies in patients with underlying respiratory disease Patients who suffer from Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD) often experience an additional allergic reaction when drinking alcohol, including nasal congestion, wheezing, and a runny nose. Now a new study led by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania finds a common treatment for AERD—aspirin desensitization—can also help alleviate the alcohol-induced symptoms of the condition. The researchers, led by John V. Bosso, MD, director of the Otorhinolaryngology Allergy Clinic and medical director of the Penn AERD Center, published their findings in the journal International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology today.
	Researchers discover the reasons why some people get dizzy when hearing certain sounds For some people, certain sounds like a trumpet blowing a particular tone can make them dizzy, and it's not because they're giddy from a Wynton Marsalis melody.
	Drug's impact on amino acid transporter may offer non-small cell lung cancer patients new hope An amino acid transporter named xCT may affect the growth and progression of non-small cell lung cancer, a discovery that may predict the five-year survival rate of patients suffering from this cancer, now at 16 percent, researchers at Georgia State University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center have concluded.
	How Mycobacterium tuberculosis escapes death in macrophages The bacteria that cause the devastating disease tuberculosis have the ability to escape destruction and grow after they are engulfed by lung macrophages, the immune cells that are supposed to destroy pathogens. Now researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have described key biochemical steps between the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the macrophage responsible for that ability.
	Mind-over-matter to curtail calories (HealthDay)—Your surroundings can play a big role when it comes to overeating. Learning how you respond in various circumstances can help you curb the calories.
	High rates of Salmonella contamination ID'd in kratom (HealthDay)—High rates of Salmonella contamination have been identified in kratom products collected and tested since February 2018, according to a statement published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
	CDC: wildfire smoke poses health risks (HealthDay)—Wildfire activity continues to increase throughout the western states, as well as in Alaska, Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas, but there are steps those living in wild fire areas can take to minimize smoke exposure.
	FDA drops Zika testing for blood donors (HealthDay)—Individual blood donations will no longer need to be tested for the Zika virus, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
	Red Cross issues nationwide call for blood donations (HealthDay)—Following a blood shortage triggered by the Fourth of July holiday week, the American Red Cross has called for donations of all blood types, but especially type O.
Video game trains people to better discern truth from lies—and how to spot deceptive behavior All liars have classic tells: the lack of eye contact, the fidgeting, the overly elaborate stories. Except when they don't.
Brain metastases common and difficult to treat in ROS1 lung cancer Increasingly, doctors are treating lung cancer based on the genetic rearrangements driving the disease. For example, cancers that are driven by changes in the genes ALK, EGFR, and ROS1 can now all be paired with drugs that target these specific changes. However, these cancers are not only dangerous in the lung where they appear, but can become especially dangerous if they are able to metastasize to the brain—a common cause of death from lung cancer. And some targeted treatments work better than others against cancer that has spread to the brain.
What is the role of the physician when a patient discloses intimate partner violence perpetration? Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent and has lasting impacts on the health and well-being of the entire family involved. Unfortunately, very little research and guidance about how to address perpetration of IPV in the health care setting, especially among primary care physicians who are in a role to potentially intervene has been available until now.
Want to be an elite weightlifter? It takes a strong pair of knees Researchers from China's Ningbo University have discovered what makes the critical difference between an elite snatch style weightlifter and a sub-elite one, according to a new study published in the journal Heliyon. In the Olympic sport of snatch style weightlifting, athletes squat, take hold of a barbell on the ground, and then lift it with outstretched arms overhead, using one continuous motion. Findings show that the success of this maneuver comes down to the strength of a part of the body that might not seem immediately obvious: the knees.
	Alternative splicing is crucial to muscle mass maintenance Despite the importance that changes in muscle mass have in aging, overall body metabolism and in chronic disease, we still don't fully understand the mechanisms that contribute to the maintenance of adult muscle mass.
Male couples report as much domestic violence as straight couples Nearly half of all men in a new study about intimate partner violence in male couples report being victims of abuse.
	Mapping the genetic controllers in heart disease Researchers have developed a 3-D map of the gene interactions that play a key role in cardiovascular disease, a study in eLife reports.
Developmental screening and surveillance rates remain low, new study suggests Only about one-third of young children in the U.S. receive recommended screenings or surveillance designed to catch developmental delays. Findings reveal wide variations in rates across states, with as few as 17 percent of children under three years old receiving developmental screening in the lowest performing state. The study was led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, with colleagues at the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau and Oregon Health & Sciences University.
	Unique brain 'fingerprint' can predict drug effectiveness Personalized medicine—delivering therapies specially tailored to a patient's unique physiology—has been a goal of researchers and doctors for a long time. New research provides a way of delivering personalized treatments to patients with neurological disease.
New discovery could mean improved immunity against reinfections For years, researchers have had an established viewpoint of the function of a unique protein in the body called purinergic receptor P2RX7 that triggers the innate immune response. It was considered a "bad thing" and therefore blocked. Now, University of Minnesota researchers have discovered a connection between the body's memory cells and this protein, influencing the body's long-term immune system.
	Wearable, at-home patch could spot your A-fib early (HealthDay)—The common but dangerous heart rhythm disorder known as atrial fibrillation—or a-fib—can go undetected for years.
	Recent years have seen U.S. military reinventing trauma care (HealthDay)—The U.S. military has reinvented trauma care, offering hope for changing approaches to health care, according to a blog post published online July 3 in Health Affairs.
	Error rate 7.4 percent in speech recognition-assisted notes (HealthDay)—The error rate in speech recognition (SR)-assisted documentation is 7.4 percent, according to a study published online July 6 in JAMA Network Open.
	Patient interest fairly high for melanoma genetic risk testing (HealthDay)—There is moderately high interest in genetic testing for melanoma risk among the general population, according to a study published in the June issue of JAMA Dermatology.
	Any opioid use tied to involvement in criminal justice system (HealthDay)—Any opioid use is associated with involvement in the criminal justice system in the past year, according to a study published online July 6 in JAMA Network Open.
	Programs can lower diabetes distress in adults with T1DM (HealthDay)—Both education/behavioral and emotion-focused approaches can effectively reduce diabetes distress (DD) among patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), according to a study published online July 5 in Diabetes Care.
	Researchers preparing for quick radiation diagnostic test in case of a nuclear disaster Researchers at the University of Arizona College of Medicine—Phoenix are attempting to create a better diagnostic test for radiation exposure that potentially could save thousands of lives.
	Promising clinical trial results of tucatinib with T-DM1 against HER2+ breast cancer Phase 1b clinical trial results published in JAMA Oncology show promise for the combination of tucatinib (formerly ONT-380) with T-DM1 against heavily pretreated HER2-positive breast cancer. Of 57 patients treated, 48 percent responded to the combination, with cancer control of median 8.2 months. Importantly, tucatinib acted against brain metastases stemming from HER2+ breast cancer, a major cause of mortality from the disease.
	The 'Big Bang' of Alzheimer's: Scientists ID genesis of disease, focus efforts on shape-shifting tau Scientists have discovered a "Big Bang" of Alzheimer's disease – the precise point at which a healthy protein becomes toxic but has not yet formed deadly tangles in the brain.
Differences in the mouths of youth born with HIV may increase their risk of dental decay A team of scientists from The Forsyth Institute, a global leader in oral health research, in collaboration with the NIH-funded Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS), has published the results of a new study indicating that differences in the mouth bacteria of youth born with HIV may increase their risk of cavities. The researchers found that HIV-infected youth, compared with uninfected youth, had lower numbers of Corynebacterium, a microbe that is abundant in dental plaque of healthy individuals.
	Patients with early kidney cancer benefit from robotic partial nephrectomy For patients with early kidney cancer, removing part of the kidney instead of the whole kidney is often a preferred treatment because the procedure can effectively remove tumors while preserving kidney function. But when it comes to the best surgical approach—robotic, laparoscopic or open—for this type of surgery, known as partial nephrectomy, the choice has been less clear. A comprehensive study by the Keck School of Medicine of USC, which has found that robotic partial nephrectomy offers significantly better patient outcomes, may help inform those decisions.
	Living in areas with less sun may increase your risk of OCD Living at higher latitudes, where there is also less sunlight, could result in a higher prevalence rate of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), according to new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York.
Researchers prevent, reverse renal injury by inhibiting immune-regulating molecule Special cells called podocytes aid the kidneys as they clean the blood and balance the body's fluid levels. Podocytes filter blood as it passes through the cells' foot-like projections they are named for, interwoven like the fingers of clasped hands. Podocyte damage—indicated by proteinuria or abnormal proteins in the urine—is a common symptom of diseases including the autoimmune disorder lupus and non-immune diseases and can result in kidney failure requiring dialysis or organ transplant.
	How to use sunscreens the right way (HealthDay)—Stick or spray-on sunscreens are essential tools against skin cancer, but it's important to use them the right way, a dermatologist says.
	Sanofi shuts down factory over toxic waste outcry French pharmaceuticals group Sanofi announced late Monday an immediate halt in production at a chemical factory in southwest France, in the wake of media reports that toxic waste emissions exceeded the norms.
	Small daily struggles make LGBT people feel like they have to hide A summer of Pride is well and truly underway in the UK. More and more cities are organising and embracing Pride events, with all the rainbow flags, glitter and defiant political messages that entails. But more than 50 years after homosexuality was decriminalised in the UK, LGBT people still do not feel that they can totally be themselves.
	How not to go viral The spread of the viral disease Ebola is a major worldwide health concern. Recent outbreaks in Africa have ultimately been well controlled, but a new emergence could occur and cause significant loss of life not only to those local to the epidemic but across the globe as the disease can spread so quickly with international air travel.
	New approaches for drug-based kidney disease therapy Whilst most scientific attention in the fight against kidney disease is currently focused on stem cells, the EVESTIMINJURY project has been investigating the extracellular vesicles being released by these stem cells. The resulting treatment could provide an excellent alternative to cell-based therapy.
	Over 1,500 assaults on paramedics a year – but new law won't stop the violence Paramedics face violence on a daily basis so a new law which will bring in tougher sentences for those who attack emergency workers when they are on duty is most welcome. It is hoped it will act as a deterrent because offenders currently escape what many would see as meaningful justice (attackers are charged with common assault resulting in a maximum sentence of six months). The new law will double this with an option for a longer sentence, dependant on the seriousness of the case. But will this toughening up of sentencing powers actually have any impact on the front line?
	New technology for early detection of type 1 diabetes Researchers are developing early detection technology for Type 1 diabetes that can accurately predict if a child is at risk of the chronic disease.
	Removing barriers to advance care planning for cancer patients and their family caregivers Thinking about death and discussing emotionally challenging topics such as end-of-life preparations are difficult for most people. Patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers face especially challenging physical and psychological experiences as they navigate a terminal disease and accompanying treatments.
American Cancer Society outlines blueprint for cancer control in the 21st century The American Cancer Society is outlining its vision for cancer control in the decades ahead in a series of articles that begins publishing today. The series of articles forms the basis of a national cancer control plan; a blueprint toward the control of cancer and a mortality reduction goal for the year 2035.
Novel approach to making therapeutic proteins at point of care A team of researchers led by UMBC have developed a novel approach to making therapeutic proteins available at the point of care.
Admitting community college students to med school can increase and diversify workforce With both a growing demand for primary care physicians and declining medical student interest in the field, a new study offers a possible pathway to meeting the United States' primary care workforce needs.
Physician views of self-monitoring blood glucose in patients not on insulin Physicians continue to recommend routine self-monitoring of blood glucose for patients with non-insulin treated type 2 diabetes, in spite of its lack of effectiveness, because they believe it drives the lifestyle change needed to improve glycemic control.
Scribes may be more financially viable under capitated payment Team documentation (i.e., the use of scribes) has the potential to improve primary care clinician satisfaction and efficiency, yet little has been known about the financial and time use implications.
Warm handoffs do not improve attendance at behavioral health intake appointments In programs that integrate behavioral health services into primary care, "warm handoffs," in which primary care clinicians introduce patients to behavioral health professionals, are commonly used.
Restaurant closed after 39 cases of suspected salmonella A Massachusetts restaurant has been shut down until further notice after nearly 40 people reported getting sick during a suspected salmonella outbreak.

Biology news

	Researchers develop model of toxoplasmosis evolution Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the spread of Toxoplasma gondii, a parasitic alveolite with an interesting life cycle. It exists in three forms. First, oocysts are produced in cats and passed in feces or urine. The oocytes can then be transmitted to humans and other intermediate hosts, including house mice. Toxoplasma gondii then develops into tachyzoites, which rapidly multiply before localizing to muscle tissues and the central nervous system; at this point, they develop into cysts called bradyzoites. These can then be transmitted by consumption—for instance, when a domestic cat eats a mouse.
	Bale monkeys living in different areas have very different DNA Bale monkey's that live in continuous bamboo forests have different mitochondrial DNA to Bale monkeys living in fragmented forests, according to a study published in the open access journal, BMC Evolutionary Biology.
	Rising carbon dioxide levels pose a previously unrecognized threat to monarch butterflies A new study conducted at the University of Michigan reveals a previously unrecognized threat to monarch butterflies: Mounting levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide reduce the medicinal properties of milkweed plants that protect the iconic insects from disease.
	Finding a weak link in the frightful parasite Schistosoma The parasitic disease schistosomiasis is one of the developing world's worst public health scourges, affecting hundreds of millions of people, yet only a single, limited treatment exists to combat the disease.
	Stop antibiotics before resistance 'tipping point' Treatments using antibiotics should stop as soon as possible to prevent patients passing the "tipping point" of becoming resistant to their effects, new research has shown.
	The surprising cellular diversity of the sea anemone Despite its apparent simplicity, a tube-like body topped with tentacles, the sea anemone is actually a highly complex creature. Scientists from the Institut Pasteur, in collaboration with the CNRS, have just discovered over 100 cell types in this small marine invertebrate as well as incredible neuronal diversity. This surprising complexity was revealed when the researchers built a real cell atlas of the animal. Their findings, which will add to discussions on how cells have diversified and developed into organs during evolution, have been published in the journal Cell.
	Sleeping sickness parasites camouflage themselves with sugar It has long been known that the pathogens causing sleeping sickness evade the immune system by exchanging their surface proteins. But now scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have found an additional parasite strategy to escape the immune system: They confuse the defense system with sugar. The sugar chains on the coat protein prevent the binding of protective antibodies and thus increase the pathogenic properties of the unicellular pathogens.
	Discovery of a new on/off switch affecting cell-to-cell communications Cellular functions rely on several communications networks that allow cells to respond to signals affecting the organism. A new study published in Molecular Cell has revealed a mechanism that shuts down a major cell-to-cell communications pathway implicated in a number of diseases. INRS professor Nicolas Doucet and his research team contributed to the discovery of this new molecular switch, shedding new light on the role of receptor tyrosine kinases, a well-known protein family whose function is still being explored.
	Keeping up with lipids on the move—a new molecular tracking method In one of the older Star Wars movies, Jedi master Yoda instructs his apprentice, Luke, on the ways of the Force in a series of now-iconic scenes. The Force, Yoda says, is an energy field that penetrates us, that surrounds us, that binds us.
	Reesearchers confine mature cells to turn them into stem cells Stem cells are the blank slate on which all specialised cells in our bodies are built and they are the foundation for every organ and tissue in the body.
	New 'scaly' snails species group following striking discoveries from Malaysian Borneo Six new species of unique land snails whose shells are covered with what look like scales have been described from the biodiversity hotspot of Malaysian Borneo by scientists Mohd Zacaery Khalik, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kasper Hendriks, University of Groningen, Jaap Vermeulen, JK Art & Science, and Prof Menno Schilthuizen, Naturalis Biodiversity Center. Their paper is published in the open access journal ZooKeys.
	Cyprus clifftop villas raise fears for endangered seals In a string of caves along the coast of Cyprus, a colony of monk seals—the most endangered mammals in the Mediterranean—has found refuge.
	Win for wildlife as krill fishing restricted in Antarctica Five major krill fishing firms Tuesday agreed to halt operations across huge swathes of the Antarctic to help protect wildlife in a move hailed as "bold and progressive" by conservationists.
As trial opens, man dying of cancer blames Monsanto's Roundup A lawyer for a California groundskeeper dying of cancer took aim at Monsanto Monday as a jury began hearing the lawsuit accusing the chemical giant of ignoring health risks of its top-selling weed killer Roundup.
	The mechanisms of genetic diversification in Candida albicans Candida albicans is one of the most formidable fungal species infecting humans. Investigating the structure and reproduction methods of pathogenic populations can reveal how they emerge and spread. A team of scientists has sequenced and analyzed the genomes of 182 strains of C. albicans from around the world. They confirmed the clonal reproduction of this C. albicans, and also showed that parasexual reproduction, previously only observed in a laboratory setting, contributes to its genetic diversity, and therefore also to its ability to adapt to new environments and rid itself of deleterious mutations.
	How cells build different antennae to sense their surroundings Cells communicate with each other and with the environment using tiny antennae, called cilia, that emit and receive signals, including sound, smell and light information. Some of these antennae can also move, and are altered in several diseases leading to infertility, loss of vision, obesity, and other symptoms. Interestingly, some patients may have all of these symptoms, while others may have only one type of defect. It has not been well understood how cells can make antennae with such different functions. A team from the Gulbenkian Institute of Science has now discovered that the foundations of these antennae are diverse, contributing to the assembly of antennae with such different functions.
	Seal serum offers protection from inflammation Seal lungs can take a terrible pounding when one of the mammals leaves the surface. When the lungs collapse during deep descents in order to protect the animal, the delicate tissues incur damage as they are crushed, then suffer blood and oxygen flooding back when the animals return to the surface. In addition, the fragile tissues could suffer inflammation, which is usually triggered to heal any damage.
	Lab studies the social interaction of yeast Yeast don't have much of a social life; they're single-celled fungi, after all. But yeast are, indeed, social.
Scientists flip molecular switches on building blocks of life A team of researchers at Yale is expanding our understanding of how bacteria continue to evolve and adapt at the molecular level.
	Rock 'n' roll is noise pollution – with ecological implications that can spread through a food web Despite being one of the best-selling albums of all time, ideology from AC/DC's "Back in Black" album has gone unchallenged for nearly 40 years. The album's closing track posited a testable hypothesis, asserting with rock-star confidence that "Rock 'n' roll ain't noise pollution." Opinions may vary from person to person, but little scientific evidence has been evaluated to determine if rock music is noise pollution … until now.
	Cellular 'garbage disposal' has another job Johns Hopkins researchers have found that the cellular "garbage disposal," known to scientists as proteasomes, may not only be responsible for the removal of cellular waste, but actually work on some of the most important proteins to neuronal development.
	Ladybug, where have you gone? Aphid fighters tend to roam To some casual observers, ladybugs (or lady beetles) are colorful symbols of good luck—harbingers of fortune and fame. Gardeners value them for their utility as ravenous insects that prey upon plant pests. They buy them by the hundreds online or from garden centers, and then free them to hunt.
	Australian rangers trap big crocodile near tourist gorge Wildlife rangers said Tuesday that they had trapped a 4.7-meter (15-foot) saltwater crocodile, the largest they had ever caught in the northern Australian Katherine River and in an upstream region popular with tourists that is thought relatively safe from the killer predators.
Meningococcal bacterial aggregates form a thick honey-like liquid that flows through blood vessels The Inserm team led by Guillaume Duménil at the Institut Pasteur, in collaboration with several teams of physicists, has unraveled a key stage in infection by Neisseria meningitidis, a human pathogen responsible for meningitis in infants and young adults. Bacterial aggregates in blood vessels appear to facilitate the progression of the disease. Even if treatment is administered rapidly, the mortality rate due to meningococcal infections remains very high.
	Transmission of NDM bacteria between dogs and humans established In 2015, a New Delhi-metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM) Escherichia coli bacteria was discovered in two Finnish dogs. An article recently published in the journal Eurosurveillance reveals that the dogs' owner also carried the bacterium. This is presumably the first time that the transmission of NDM-bacteria between a dog and a human has been reported.
	New research study could improve dog welfare Academics from the University of Bristol's School of Veterinary Sciences are asking for dog owners to take part in a new research study that could help to improve dog welfare.
	Towards winning the war on feral wild rabbits New research shows how two biological control agents have been effective in reducing the numbers of feral rabbits in Australia. Using data from the largest wild rabbit study in the world, scientists have examined the long-term interaction of myxoma and rabbit haemorrhagic disease viruses.
	Evolution does repeat itself after all For every two species of mammal there is one species of cichlid fish, which goes to show that biodiversity is distributed rather unevenly among animals. But why? And to what extent can evolution be predicted? A variety of "internal" as well as ecological factors play a role. One decisive factor could be ecological conditions, i.e. the number of different habitats and the similarity of ecological niches available. That is one reason for why there are so many species in the tropics. The demographic history of a population can also influence biological diversity: Is the level of genetic variation in a population sufficient to allow it to adapt to ecological niches? Did the population have enough time to do so? Quantifying all potential factors that contribute to biological diversity, even for only one group of animals, is not easy, not to mention that comparing mammals with a group of fish would be like comparing apples and oranges.
	Genes – way weirder than you thought Pretty much everyone, at least in societies with access to public education or exposure to media in its various forms, has been introduced to the idea of the gene, but "exposure does not equate to understanding" (see Lanie et al., 2004). Here I will argue that part of the problem is that instruction in genetics (or in more modern terms, the molecular biology of the gene and its role in biological processes) has not kept up with the advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying biological processes (Gayon, 2016).
Wolves in Chernobyl could spread to other areas, help support other populations The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) is a 1,660 square mile area surrounding the remains of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which exploded on April 25, 1986, and released large amounts of radiation into the area. Living in the zone remains prohibited 32 years later, and the resulting lack of human presence has led some to call the zone a de-facto nature reserve. In particular, the gray wolf population in the zone has flourished, with the population density estimated to be up to seven times larger than in other nature reserves in the region. Now, for the first time, a researcher at the University of Missouri has tracked a wolf moving far outside the zone for an extended period of time, demonstrating that young wolves inside the CEZ are moving beyond it and potentially interacting with other wolf populations.
	Fighting ticks with a few taps of the phone Summer has arrived and so, unfortunately, have the ticks. On top of this, warmer temperatures throughout the US have opened entirely new areas for them to flourish.
American Association of Feline Practitioners releases new feline anesthesia guidelines The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) today released the first feline-specific anesthesia guidelines to the veterinary community, which are published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. General anesthesia is an essential component of felinepractice, without which surgery and certain other treatment modalities and diagnostic procedures would be impossible. These feline-focused Guidelines are vital to cat health. Due to their unique physiology and small size, cats undergoing anesthesia are at a relatively greater risk of complications and mortality than many other species. Empirical evidence shows that cats undergoing anesthesia have a higher mortality rate compared with dogs.1,2
	Illegal ivory openly sold across Europe: study Traders are selling illegal ivory openly across the European Union through a loophole allowing trade in "antique" items, the campaign group Avaaz charged Tuesday.
Judge: Experts can testify that Roundup linked to cancer Evidence that Roundup weed killer can cause cancer seems "weak," but experts can still make that claim at trial, a U.S. judge ruled Tuesday.

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