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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for July 11, 2018:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Researchers investigate two ultraluminous X-ray sources in the galaxy NGC 925European researchers have investigated two ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) located in the barred spiral galaxy NGC 925. The study provides hints on the real nature of these two sources and could be helpful in improving our general understanding of ULXs. The research is detailed in a paper published June 29 on the arXiv pre-print server. |
 | Could gravitational waves reveal how fast our universe is expanding?Since it first exploded into existence 13.8 billion years ago, the universe has been expanding, dragging along with it hundreds of billions of galaxies and stars, much like raisins in a rapidly rising dough. |
 | Colorful celestial landscapeNew observations with ESO's Very Large Telescope show the star cluster RCW 38 in all its glory. This image was taken during testing of the HAWK-I camera with the GRAAL adaptive optics system. It shows RCW 38 and its surrounding clouds of brightly glowing gas in exquisite detail, with dark tendrils of dust threading through the bright core of this young gathering of stars. |
 | Scientists discover 'ghost dunes' on MarsScientists have discovered hundreds of crescent-shaped pits on Mars where sand dunes the size of the U.S. Capitol stood billions of years ago. The curves of these ancient dune impressions record the direction of prevailing winds on the Red Planet, providing potential clues to Mars's past climate, and may hold evidence of ancient life, according to a new study detailing the findings in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, a publication of the American Geophysical Union. |
 | James Webb Space Telescope to inspect atmospheres of gas giant exoplanetsIn April 2018, NASA launched the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Its main goal is to locate Earth-sized planets and larger "super-Earths" orbiting nearby stars for further study. One of the most powerful tools that will examine the atmospheres of some planets that TESS discovers will be NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. Since observing small exoplanets with thin atmospheres like Earth will be challenging for Webb, astronomers will target easier, gas giant exoplanets first. |
 | Method of making oxygen from water in zero gravity raises hope for long-distance space travelSpace agencies and private companies already have advanced plans to send humans to Mars in the next few years – ultimately colonising it. And with a growing number of discoveries of Earth-like planets around nearby stars, long-distance space travel has never seemed more exciting. |
 | NASA is looking for new ways to deal with trash on deep space missionsLife aboard the International Space Station is characterized by careful work and efficiency measures. Not only do astronauts rely on an average of 12 metric tons of supplies a year – which is shipped to the station from Earth – they also produce a few metric tons of garbage. This garbage must be carefully stored so that it doesn't accumulate, and is then sent back to the surface on commercial supply vehicles. |
 | Report: NASA needs backup plan as US crew launches slipNASA needs a backup plan for getting astronauts to space, given additional delays on the horizon for new commercial crew capsules. |
 | Rare meteorite recovery in Botswana can help reveal secrets of outer spaceA meteorite has been recovered from a remote area of Botswana. The event is one of a kind as the meteor was identified before entering the atmosphere, and its fall and retrieval documented. It's only the second time this has happened. The Conversation Africa's Moina Spooner spoke to Fulvio Franchi and Alexander Proyer about their mission to retrieve the meteorite and why it matters. |
 | Galileo satellites viewed in smartphone appAn augmented reality view of Galileo satellites in the sky close to ESA's technical centre in the Netherlands. It comes from a Galileo-focused satnav app for Android smartphones, developed by ESA engineers. |
Technology news
 | Scottish company proposes hydro storage facility near Loch NessIntelligent Land Investments (ILI), a Scottish company, has proposed building a hydro storage facility near the famous Loch Ness. The company has announced the plan on its website, explaining its benefits. |
 | Google parent 'graduates' moonshot projects Loon, WingGoogle parent Alphabet announced Tuesday it was raising the profile of two "moonshot" projects—one for drone delivery and the other for global internet connectivity with balloons. |
 | Researcher blogged about workaround for Apple OS update's USB Restricted ModeThe iOS 11.4.1 update carries the USB Restricted Mode. But could law enforcement work around it? That dominated news about the feature on Tuesday. Let's see what the feature is all about and how it has been, of sorts, outsmarted. |
 | A new brain-inspired computer takes us one step closer to simulating brain neural networks in real-timeA computer built to mimic the brain's neural networks produces similar results to that of the best brain-simulation supercomputer software currently used for neural-signaling research, finds a new study published in the open-access journal Frontiers in Neuroscience. Tested for accuracy, speed and energy efficiency, this custom-built computer named SpiNNaker, has the potential to overcome the speed and power consumption problems of conventional supercomputers. The aim is to advance our knowledge of neural processing in the brain, to include learning and disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. |
 | Facebook faces Australia data breach compensation claimFacebook could face a hefty compensation bill in Australia after a leading litigation funder lodged a complaint with the country's privacy regulator over users' personal data shared with a British political consultancy. |
 | Britain to fine Facebook over data breach (Update)Britain's data regulator said Wednesday it will fine Facebook half a million pounds for failing to protect user data, as part of its investigation into whether personal information was misused ahead of the Brexit referendum. |
 | Departing Apple engineer stole autonomous car tech: FBIAn ex-Apple engineer on Monday was charged with stealing secrets from a hush-hush self-driving car technology project days before he quit to go to a Chinese startup. |
 | Improving disaster response through Twitter dataTwitter data could give disaster relief teams real-time information to provide aid and save lives, thanks to a new algorithm developed by an international team of researchers. |
 | Multi-face tracking to help AI follow the actionAt the recent 2018 Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, I presented a new algorithm for multi-face tracking, an essential component in understanding video. To understand visual sequences involving people, AI systems must be able to track multiple individuals across scenes, despite changing camera angles, lighting, and appearances. The new algorithm enables AI systems to accomplish this task. |
 | Sweating for a cooler SingaporeStudents from the Institute of Landscape Architecture are planning some natural ways to cool the heat-afflicted metropolis of Singapore. Their testing ground is a disused railway line reclaimed by nature and converted into a tropical recreation area. |
 | Can airships take scenic flights back to the future?Massey University School of Aviation assistant lecturer Isaac Henderson has always been fascinated by airships, so he embarked on a master's thesis to find out if they could be brought back into the mainstream. |
 | Social Science One set to release massive trove of Facebook data for research purposesIt seems Christmas is coming early this year for social scientists. |
 | Disney to put live 'Overwatch' eSports matches on TVFans of the "Overwatch" video game will soon be able to watch competitions on television under a deal announced Wednesday by Activision Blizzard and Walt Disney Co. |
 | Twitter sweeps 'locked' accounts from follower tallyTwitter said Wednesday users are likely to see "follower" numbers drop as the service stops adding in potentially dubious or fraudulent accounts. |
Dutch city to unveil world's first 3D-printed housing complexThe southern Dutch city of Eindhoven plans to unveil the world's first 3-D-printed housing complex next year, which its inventors believe could revolutionise the building industry by speeding up and customising construction. | |
 | Do iPhones and Androids eavesdrop on us? Lawmakers want to knowLawmakers are asking Apple CEO Tim Cook and Alphabet CEO Larry Page how our smartphones may be tracking us without our knowledge. |
Google's human-like speaking AI will soon start booking restaurant, hair salon reservationsAfter generating buzz and controversy with its unveiling, Google's human-like speaking assistant Duplex will be released to select users and businesses this summer, the company announced recently. | |
 | Airbus to sell 60 smaller planes to JetBlueAirbus announced Tuesday a deal to sell US airline JetBlue 60 airplanes that were formerly part of Canadian manufacturer Bombardier's C series. |
Murdoch's 21st Century Fox ups Sky bid to beat rival ComcastMedia mogul Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox increased Wednesday its bid to take full control of lucrative European pay TV service Sky in a prolonged battle with U.S. rival Comcast. | |
 | US firm: Chinese hackers infiltrated Cambodia's politicsLast month, the daughter of a jailed Cambodian opposition party leader received an email from a well-seeming activist at a reputed Cambodian non-profit. For weeks, the sender nudged Monovithya Kem to open an attachment described as containing interview questions. |
 | India's Vistara places $3.1 bn order with Airbus, BoeingIndia's newest airline Vistara said on Wednesday it had ordered 19 jets from Boeing and Airbus for a combined $3.1 billion as it prepares to launch international flights. |
 | How to improve recovery of electrical and electronic equipment wasteBetter recycled critical raw materials will be given a new life thanks to an EU project. This initiative could contribute to a circular economy, promoting the efficient use of scarce and expensive resources. |
Amazon will give you $10 to spend if you shop at Whole Foods before Prime DayAmazon will give you $10 if you're a Prime member and go shopping at Whole Foods starting Wednesday, one of the many deals it's offering in the lead up to its Prime Day sale, which starts Monday. | |
$16 per month streaming service Philo expands to Amazon Fire and Apple TVOne of the newest broadband TV services, Philo, is expanding its reach. | |
Medicine & Health news
 | Children with better coordination more likely to achieve at schoolYoung children with better eye-to-hand co-ordination were more likely to achieve higher scores for reading, writing and maths according to new research—raising the possibility schools could provide extra support to children who are clumsy. |
 | How a Mediterranean diet could reduce osteoporosisEating a Mediterranean-type diet could reduce bone loss in people with osteoporosis—according to new research from the University of East Anglia. |
 | Footwear habits influence child and adolescent motor skill developmentNew research finds that children and adolescents who spend most of their time barefoot develop motor skills differently from those who habitually wear shoes. Published in Frontiers in Pediatrics, this is the first study to assess the relevance of growing up shod vs. barefoot on jumping, balancing and sprinting motor performance during different stages of childhood and adolescence. The study shows that habitually barefoot children are noticeably better at jumping and balancing compared to habitually shod children, particularly from 6-10 years of age. While these beneficial barefoot effects diminished in older adolescents, the research nevertheless highlights the importance of barefoot exercise for motor development as children grow and mature. |
 | Hepatitis C vaccine could dramatically reduce transmission in people who inject drugsAmong the most serious consequences of the opioid epidemic is the spread of hepatitis C among injecting drug users. |
 | DNA marks in adults tracked back to changes in earliest days of lifeScientists have gained a glimpse of how marks on our genes that could be linked to adverse health outcomes in later life behave differently in the first few days after conception, according to new research published in Science Advances. |
 | Autism spectrum disorder linked to shape of brain's cerebellumStructural differences in the cerebellum may be linked to some aspects of autism spectrum disorder, according to a neuroimaging study from Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC). |
 | Engineered cancer cells can fight primary and metastatic cancerWhat if cancer cells could be re-engineered to turn against their own kind? A new study led by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital leverages the power of gene editing to take a critical step toward using cancer cells to kill cancer. The team reports promising results in preclinical models across multiple types of cancer cells, establishing a potential roadmap toward clinical translation for treating primary, recurrent and metastatic cancer. Results are published in Science Translational Medicine. |
 | Spanish researchers develop five-strain Ebola vaccineSpanish researchers are working on a vaccine against all five strains of the killer Ebola virus in what would be a world first, Madrid's October 12 Hospital said Wednesday. |
 | Rise of the clones—study identifies inherited and acquired mutations that drive precancerous blood conditionA new study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has identified some of the first known inherited genetic variants that significantly raise a person's likelihood of developing clonal hematopoiesis, an age-related white blood cell condition linked with higher risk of certain blood cancers and cardiovascular disease. |
 | Scientists create 3-D structure of 1918 influenza virus-like particlesVirus-like particles (VLPs) are protein-based structures that mimic viruses and bind to antibodies. Because VLPs are not infectious, they show considerable promise as vaccine platforms for many viral diseases, including influenza. Realizing that fine details about influenza VLPs were scant, a team of researchers who specialize in visualizing molecular structures developed a 3-D model based on the 1918 H1 pandemic influenza virus. They say their research, which appears online in Scientific Reports, could benefit VLP vaccine projects, targeting a range of viruses from HIV to Ebola and SARS coronavirus. The research was conducted by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. |
 | Why are neuron axons long and spindly? Study shows they're optimizing signaling efficiencyA team of bioengineers at UC San Diego has answered a question that has long puzzled neuroscientists, and may hold a key to better understanding the complexities of neurological disorders: Why are axons, the spindly arms extending from neurons that transmit information from neuron to neuron in the brain, designed the way they are? |
Researchers design delivery system to treat premature infants with NECMost of the time, we think biofilms are bad news. And when pathogenic microbes form biofilms, they are. The biofilms created by pathogenic microbes create fortresses that make them resistant to attack by the immune system and to current antimicrobial treatments. These fortresses make eradicating infections difficult. | |
 | Brain tumour chemotherapy now available to even more NHS patientsScience can be a painstakingly slow process. It can take years of tweaking, refining and rethinking to get solid, reliable evidence. And when it comes to developing new cancer treatments, the layers of research needed go even deeper. |
 | 7,000 strokes prevented as GPs improve diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillationAround 7,000 strokes each year are being prevented thanks to GPs more than doubling the number of patients at high risk being prescribed with drugs to prevent blood clotting, University of Birmingham researchers have found. |
 | Researchers clarify role of mutations in glioblastomaResearchers from the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered how different mutations in a specific gene help drive glioblastoma, the most lethal form of brain cancer. |
 | A plan to distribute insecticide-treated bed nets annually to children in schoolsInsecticide-treated bed nets—a crucial part of malaria protection throughout sub-Saharan Africa and regions of Asia—have long been distributed to people who need them through mass campaigns conducted every three years. |
 | Wellness across different dimensions shown to facilitate independence in older adultsMaintaining wellness across different dimensions contributes to older adults' sense of independence, according to a University of Maine research team. |
 | Teen regular drinkers more likely to battle alcohol as adultsAdolescents who drink weekly before age 17 are two to three times more likely to binge drink, drink drive, and be dependent on alcohol in adulthood compared with peers who don't drink, a study of 9000 adolescents across Australia and New Zealand has found. |
Most black adults have high blood pressure before age 55Approximately 75 percent of black and men women are likely to develop high blood pressure by the age of 55, compared to 55 percent of white men and 40 percent of white women in the same age range, according to new research in Journal of the American Heart Association, the Open Access Journal of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. | |
 | Preclinical study points to potential treatment targets for aggressive pediatric leukemiaWhen a dangerous defect on chromosome 11q23 disrupts the genetic programming of blood cells, it causes an aggressive and deadly blood cancer called acute myeloid leukemia (AML). With a dismal survival rate of 20-40 percent and desperate need for better treatments, scientists at Cincinnati Children's report finding a potential therapeutic target for AML in preclinical laboratory tests on donated human cells and mice. |
 | New protocol produces large numbers of mature human podocytes, enabling kidney disease modeling, drug discoveryHuman stem cells are of great interest in the fields of regenerative medicine and medical research because they reproduce indefinitely and can differentiate into every other cell type found in the body. While stem cells naturally occur in very few places in the adult body, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) can be produced directly from adult cells, and offer the potential for a patient to one day have a limitless source of personalized cells to replace those lost to damage or disease. |
 | Ebola survivors suffer from severe neurological problemsResearchers have shed new light on the psychiatric and neurological problems that Ebola survivors can suffer from, and call for more specialist support for the most severely affected patients. |
 | Hepatitis B—stopping a silent killerEvery year, hepatitis B kills more than 780,000 people around the world, and is the single most serious liver infection, according to the World Health Organization. |
 | Type 2 diabetes—is it what you eat, or how much?Type 2 diabetes is a growing concern. Already, two million Australians and almost half a billion people worldwide have diabetes. |
 | Will a nutritional supplement help you run better?Whether you jog to keep fit or compete in marathons, the physically demanding sport of running can deplete the body of essential nutrients. |
 | Measuring the effects of drugs on cancer cellsA new approach established at the University of Zurich sheds light on the effects of anti-cancer drugs and the defense mechanisms of cancer cells. The method makes it possible to quickly test various drugs and treatment combinations at the cellular level. |
 | How sleep affects infants' ability to develop cognitive and language skillsInfants who sleep less may have lower cognitive and language skills by age two, but early intervention to reduce risk factors could help avoid more serious behavioural, cognitive and emotional problems down the road, new University of Alberta research has found. |
 | Repurposed drugs may halt the spread of cancer cellsFor cancer cells to spread to other places in the body—or metastasize—they need to communicate with one another. One way they do this is through chemical messages delivered in exosomes, the molecules that carry information from cell to cell. |
 | Putting the brakes on the gene driveA biological switch that could potentially regulate gene drive technology has been created by researchers from Cardiff University. |
 | The psychology of roller coastersRoller coasters may seem like a very modern type of entertainment – constantly getting bigger, faster and scarier thanks to advances in technology. But they actually date back to the mid-1800s. Gravity-propelled railways built to transport coal from up in the mountains down to the town in Pennsylvania, US, were hired out at weekends by fare-paying passengers riding purely for the fun of it. |
 | Meet the foodies who are changing the way Americans eatAs residents of idyllic Eugene, Oregon, with its culture of local food, we might be forgiven for assuming all Americans are "locavores." |
 | Is shrinking penis syndrome a delusion or a real thing?In the 19th century, the Dutch, who ruled over the then Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia), encountered curious phenomena known as amok, latah and koro. |
Uncovering the evolutionary history of IBD-associated colorectal cancerA team of researchers from Queen Mary University of London have reported the genetic events involved in the early development of bowel cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). | |
 | New therapeutic targets for tumours associated with chronic inflammationScientists headed by ICREA researcher Angel R. Nebreda at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) report a new mechanism that contributes to the development of inflammation-associated colon cancer and points to new therapeutic targets. The study has been published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine. |
Gastrointestinal flora the cause of severe lung damage after blood transfusionKnowledge that the gastrointestinal flora affects both healthy physiological processes and various disease mechanisms has increased in recent years. A study conducted at Lund University is now published in Blood Advances, and reveals a previously unknown link between the bacteria in the gut and acute lung injury after blood transfusions. | |
 | Triclosan, often maligned, may have a good side—treating cystic fibrosis infectionsMaybe you've had the experience of wading in a stream and struggling to keep your balance on the slick rocks, or forgetting to brush your teeth in the morning and feeling a slimy coating in your mouth. These are examples of bacterial biofilms that are found anywhere a surface is exposed to bacteria in a moist environment. |
 | Soccer headers may be linked to balance problemsSoccer players who head the ball more often may be more likely to have balance problems than players who do not head the ball as often, according to a preliminary study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's Sports Concussion Conference in Indianapolis July 20 to 22, 2018. |
 | Higher blood pressure may be linked to brain disease, Alzheimer'sOlder people who have higher blood pressure may have more signs of brain disease, specifically brain lesions, according to a study published in the July 11, 2018, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Researchers also found a link between higher blood pressure and more markers of Alzheimer's disease, tangles in the brain. |
Men who sexually harass subordinates fear being judged as incompetentThe numerous high-profile men who have recently been accused of sexual harassment may not have been simply exercising their power. Instead their behaviour could be related to feeling insecure and believing that others find them ill-suited to or undeserving of their dominant position. This is according to new research in Springer's journal Sex Roles, which was led by Leah Halper of Ohio University and The Ohio State University, and Kimberly Rios, also of Ohio University in the US. The findings indicate that sexual harassment is not always about sexual gratification; sometimes it is about trying to look more competent and in control in the eyes of others. | |
Database analysis more reliable than animal testing for toxic chemicalsAdvanced algorithms working from large chemical databases can predict a new chemical's toxicity better than standard animal tests, suggests a study led by scientists at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. | |
Developmental disabilities reported in HIV-positive children in South AfricaHIV-positive children in South Africa are more likely to have developmental disabilities compared to children who are HIV negative, according to researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. HIV-positive children ages 4 to 6 had nearly four times the odds of delays in sitting, standing, walking, and speaking, and more than twice the odds of a hearing disability and cognitive delay compared to HIV-negative children. The findings are published online in the journal PLOS ONE. | |
New research provides insight into why US residents seek abortion medication onlineSeeking abortion medications online can be a response to clinic access barriers in states with and without restrictive abortion laws and can occur when self-managed abortion is preferred over clinical care, according to new research from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. Researchers also found that online options offer either information or medications, but not both, and lack of trusted online options can delay care and lead to consideration of ineffective or unsafe alternatives. | |
Researchers identify cost-cutting option in treating nail fungus with nanotechnologyOnychomycosis, a nail fungus that causes nail disfigurement, pain, and increased risk of soft tissue infection, impacts millions of people worldwide. There are several topical antifungal treatments currently available; however, treatment failure remains high due to a number of factors. | |
 | The relationship between alcohol outlets and traffic crashesA new study by the Prevention Research Center of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation examines the relationship between the number and location of alcohol outlets (such as bars or liquor stores or other places where alcohol is sold) and traffic crashes. Much research supports the general principle that the easier it is to obtain alcohol, the more alcohol problems occur. But, the relationship between the location and density of alcohol outlets and alcohol-related traffic crashes is complicated. |
 | Here's why it's important to support your breastfeeding co-workersSupport from female co-workers may be even more important to new moms who are breastfeeding than getting encouragement from their significant others, close friends and relatives, says a new study. |
 | Youth report improved wellbeing as result of tailored mental health servicesIn a new study from Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University, researchers partnered with youth receiving care at the First Episode Mood and Anxiety Program (FEMAP) at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) to better understand personal perspectives on care and treatment outcomes. The study found that patients experienced lasting improvements in managing their symptoms and improvements in academics, work performance and relationships, and they reported that these benefits involved being empowered by feelings of self-acceptance. |
ACA credited with earlier diagnosis of gynecologic cancers in young womenThe gains in insurance coverage with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) have already translated into improved health for young women with gynecologic cancers, who are getting diagnosed at earlier stages of their disease because of ACA benefits. That's the conclusion of a new study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine, who looked at nationwide trends in gynecologic cancer diagnosis in a large population of women before and after the ACA's implementation in 2010. | |
Robotic surgery as effective as open surgery for bladder cancerRobotic surgery is as effective as traditional open surgery in treating bladder cancer, according to a landmark study published in the journal Lancet. | |
 | Study analyzes opioid overdose risk during and after pregnancy among Massachusetts womenA study of women giving birth in Massachusetts found a higher level of opioid use disorder than have studies conducted in other states. In a paper published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, the research team—consisting of investigators from the Mass. Department of Public Health (DPH) and several academic medical centers, led by a MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) physician—found that opioid overdose events decreased during pregnancy, reaching their lowest level during the third trimester, but then increased during the postpartum period, becoming significantly higher during the second six months after delivery. |
 | New guidelines label millions more people as having high blood pressureAdopting new guidelines for high blood pressure (hypertension) would dramatically increase the number of people labeled as having the condition and being recommended for drug treatment, finds a study published by The BMJ today. |
 | Stress affects people with schizophrenia differently, study showsStressful situations affect the brain and body differently in people with schizophrenia compared to people without the mental illness or individuals at high risk for developing psychosis, a new CAMH study shows. The relationship between two chemicals released when people experienced stress—one released in the brain and the other in saliva—differs in people with schizophrenia. The discovery, recently published in the journal Brain, may provide clues into how to act early to prevent schizophrenia. |
 | Three ways to promote healthier eating(HealthDay)—Eating a healthful diet is easier when nutritious foods are more accessible. But it's not enough to simply buy better choices. |
 | FDA slaps stronger warnings on potent class of antibiotics(HealthDay)—A powerful class of antibiotics will now come with stronger safety warnings about dangerous drops in blood sugar and neurological side effects that can include delirium and memory problems, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday. |
 | Circadian system, misalignment have distinct impact on insulin(HealthDay)—The endogenous circadian system, behavioral cycle, and circadian misalignment have distinct effects on insulin sensitivity and β-cell function, according to a study published online June 4 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. |
 | CDC: Nearly one-third of injury deaths occur at home(HealthDay)—Just under one-third of deaths from all causes of injury occur in the person's home, according to a QuickStats report published in the July 6 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. |
 | EHR tools improve medication reconciliation in hypertension(HealthDay)—Use of electronic health record (EHR) tools in isolation improves medication reconciliation but does not improve systolic blood pressure among patients with hypertension, according to a study published online July 9 in JAMA Internal Medicine. |
 | Unhealthy food behaviors may signal eating disorder in teen(HealthDay)—Almost 3 percent of teenagers aged 13 to 18 years have food, weight, and body image issues severe enough to constitute an eating disorder, according to a behavioral health resource posted by The Family Institute at Northwestern University. |
 | Healthier hearts equal healthier gutsIt turns out that exercise can do more than slim down your waistline and boost heart health. It might also make what's inside your gut healthier, according to a new study by San Francisco State University. |
Intimate partner violence doesn't end with the relationshipViolence that occurs between intimate partners does not end with the relationship's conclusion, yet few resources exist to help survivors move beyond the betrayal of abusive relationships in order to begin new, healthy relationships. | |
 | Why randomized trials for proton therapy are difficult to complete (and what we can do about it)Randomized clinical trials are the gold standard of cancer research and can shed light on whether innovative, new therapies with great potential actually have clear benefits over usual care for patients. However, the seven randomized trials funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to test proton therapy are enrolling more slowly than expected. Commercial insurance medical policies that do not cover treatment with proton therapy can make it difficult for patients to participate in randomized clinical trials funded by the NCI, part of the National Institutes of Health, that are evaluating the therapy. That's the message from an expert at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and colleagues at the NCI who are calling attention to what the authors say is a major barrier these trials face. The authors publish their commentary, and proposed solutions, this week in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. |
 | Report warns of dog illness that can spread to owners(HealthDay)—A bacteria carried by dogs that haven't been neutered can produce flu symptoms in humans and potentially jeopardize a pregnancy, a new study suggests. |
 | New informatics tool makes the most of genomic dataThe rise of genomics, the shift from considering genes singly to collectively, is adding a new dimension to medical care; biomedical researchers hope to use the information contained in human genomes to make better predictions about individual health, including responses to therapeutic drugs. A new computational tool developed through a collaboration between the University of Illinois and the Mayo Clinic combines multiple types of genomic information to make stronger predictions about what genomic features are associated with specific drug responses. |
 | Late-life high blood pressure may harm the brain, study saysDecades ago, hundreds of nuns and priests made an extraordinary decision: They agreed to donate their brains upon death to science, hoping to help solve mysteries about Alzheimer's and other diseases. Now, a study that used their gifts is giving some clues. It reveals that high blood pressure late in life might harm the brain. |
Postmenopausal smokers now have one less excuse not to quitSmokers give lots of reasons for not quitting smoking, with fear of weight gain ranking as one of the most favored, but a new study that followed smokers from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) confirms that even modest increases in physical activity can minimize weight gain in postmenopausal women after they have quit smoking. Results are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). | |
New report says individual research results should be shared with participants more oftenWhen conducting research involving the testing of human biospecimens, investigators and their institutions should routinely consider whether and how to return individual research results on a study-specific basis through an informed decision-making process, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Decisions on whether to return individual research results will vary depending on the characteristics of the research, the nature of the results, and the interests of participants. | |
 | Test DNA of migrant kids only as last resort, ethicists sayThe Trump administration's use of DNA testing to match migrant children separated from their parents is justifiable as a last resort, medical experts say, but raises a host of ethical problems. |
Video: Can CRISPR/Cas9 help cure Angelman syndrome?We all have a gene called UBE3A, and when the copy we inherit from our mother works normally, our brain develops properly. | |
 | Military-related factors affecting survival of veterans with motor neuron diseaseMilitary veterans may have higher rates of death from the progressive neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease, than non-veterans. However, few studies have examined what might be behind this association. The authors of a PLOS ONE study evaluated the relationship between various military-related factors and ALS survival among U.S. veterans. |
Improving nursing home care has easy solution—hire advanced nursesNursing homes hoping to provide the best care to their residents need to budget for hiring advance practice registered nurses (APRNs) to work full time. Continued research from a team of nursing experts at the University of Missouri has resulted in significant evidence that APRNs have a positive effect on improving outcomes for nursing home residents. | |
 | Startup developing novel treatment for life-threatening lung conditionA Purdue University-affiliated startup developing a novel treatment for a life-threatening lung condition known as acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS, is taking part in a prestigious startup accelerator program where about $2 million in funding is available. |
 | Pfizer reorganizes to handle aging consumers and patentsThe drugmaker Pfizer, facing an aging population and shifting risks from the loss of patents, is reshaping its structure into three businesses. |
 | Doctor makes lifesaving house call in his own homeStephanie and Matt Austin went to a Philadelphia Phillies game one Saturday night, then headed to their new beach house, eager to sleep late the next morning. |
 | New clinical trial to explore effects of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D in type 1 diabetesScientists from the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine today announced the launch of a new clinical trial that will assess the impact of high-dose omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D supplementation on halting the progression of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The DRI has received FDA IND clearance to proceed with the Phase I/IIa trial, named the POSEIDON Study (Pilot study of Omega-3 and Vitamin D High Doses in T1D), to compare the effects of the proposed intervention in children and adults newly diagnosed and in those with longer-standing T1D to evaluate any benefit of early and late interventions. |
Legalizing same-sex marriage increased health care access for gay menVanderbilt researchers have documented evidence that legalizing same-sex marriage has improved access to health care for gay men in a study released as a National Bureau of Economic Research working paper this week. This is one of the first studies to examine the effect legal marriage has on the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals. | |
New research could banish guilty feeling for consuming whole dairy productsEnjoying full-fat milk, yogurt, cheese and butter is unlikely to send people to an early grave, according to new research by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). | |
Biology news
 | Deep in the fly brain, a clue to how evolution changes mindsFor lovers throughout the animal kingdom, finding a suitable mate requires the right chemistry. Now, scientists at The Rockefeller University have been able to map an unexpected path in which evolution arranged for animals to choose the correct partner. |
 | LED lights reduce seabird death toll from fishing by 85 percent, research showsIlluminating fishing nets with low-cost lights could reduce the terrible impact they have on seabirds and marine-dwellers by more than 85 per cent, new research has shown. |
 | Primates adjust grooming to their social environmentWorking together and exchanging services for the benefit of everyone involved is crucial for humans and partly responsible for our success as a species. In order to achieve a goal, we need to choose the best possible cooperation partners. Yet who qualifies as the best possible partner depends on the task at hand, the abilities of all available candidates, and on our social relationships with them. Like humans, many non-human primates live in close-knit social groups. Individuals cooperate with each other to their mutual benefit, and often by exchanging services. |
 | Biochemists discover cause of genome editing failures with hyped CRISPR systemResearchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago are the first to describe why CRISPR gene editing sometimes fails to work, and how the process can be made to be much more efficient. |
 | Peering deep into the cell to reveal essential components in cell divisionThe cell is the basic biological unit of all known living organisms, and the core of the cell is the nucleus, which contains the majority of the cell's genetic material. The largest structure in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells is the nucleolus. It is best known as the site of production of ribosome—the "factory" for protein production. The nucleolus also plays a role in the cell's response to stress and is tightly connected to cell cycle progression. |
 | Study finds shape not size matters in male miceMale mice exposed to other male competitors have thicker penis bones according to a new study by researchers at The University of Western Australia, published today in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. |
 | Humans evolved in partially isolated populations scattered across AfricaA scientific consortium led by Dr. Eleanor Scerri, British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Oxford and researcher at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, has found that human ancestors were scattered across Africa, and largely kept apart by a combination of diverse habitats and shifting environmental boundaries, such as forests and deserts. Millennia of separation gave rise to a staggering diversity of human forms, whose mixing ultimately shaped our species. |
 | New study in electric fish reveals brain mechanisms for distinguishing self from otherThe brain's remarkable ability to perceive the outside world relies almost entirely on its capacity to tune out noise generated by the body's own actions, according to a first-of-its-kind study in electric fish led by scientists at Columbia University. |
 | T cell engineering breakthrough sidesteps need for viruses in gene-editingIn an achievement that has significant implications for research, medicine, and industry, UC San Francisco scientists have genetically reprogrammed the human immune cells known as T cells without using viruses to insert DNA. The researchers said they expect their technique—a rapid, versatile, and economical approach employing CRISPR gene-editing technology—to be widely adopted in the burgeoning field of cell therapy, accelerating the development of new and safer treatments for cancer, autoimmunity, and other diseases, including rare inherited disorders. |
 | Pitch of baby cries found to be predictor of vocal pitch at age fiveA combined team of researchers from the University of Lyon/Saint-Etienne in France and the University of Sussex in the U.K. has found that the pitch of a baby's cries can be an indicator of voice pitch at age five. In their paper published in the journal Biology Letters, the group outlines their study and what they found. |
 | Sketching out a transcription factor code—binding patterns reflect factors' gene expression rolesThe sites where transcription factors bind within regulatory DNA fall into six distinct patterns that overlap with the factors' functions, Broad scientists find, helping advance a goal of regulatory genomics. |
 | Surprising find in Gila monster studyBaby Gila monsters procrastinate till food's ready—a finding bolstered by a contractor's surprise find in the foothills outside Tucson. |
 | Salamanders show more resistance to global warming than previously believedThe plethora of salamanders living in the southern Appalachian Mountains might be in less danger from the effects of global warming than previously believed, according to new research published Wednesday in Science Advances. |
 | Worker bees select royal (sub)family members, not their own supersisters, to be new queensWhen honey bees need a new emergency queen, they forego the chance to promote members of their own worker subfamilies, opting instead to nurture larvae of "royal" subfamilies, according to a study published July 11 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by James Withrow and David Tarpy of North Carolina State University in Raleigh. |
 | New evidence of two subspecies of American pikas in Rocky Mountain National ParkRocky Mountain National Park provides habitat for not one, but two subspecies of the American pika, a species thought to be closely connected with climate change, according to a new study. |
 | Research shows pesticides influence bee learning and memoryA large-scale study published by researchers from Royal Holloway University of London has drawn together the findings of a decade of agrochemical research to confirm that pesticides used in crop protection have a significant negative impact on the learning and memory abilities of bees. Their findings are published on 11 July in the Journal of Applied Ecology. |
 | Revealing the mechanism behind animals' proprioceptionAn international team of researcher, led by Professor Kyuhyung Kim from Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences identified the motor mechanism of the proprioception sense that detects and controls the movement of the body. |
 | Coffee and conservation: Mozambique tries both on a mountainAt Mozambique's Mount Gorongosa—where farmers are being encouraged to grow coffee in the shade of hardwood trees, both to improve their own lot and to restore the forest—there is a point beyond which visitors are told not to go. |
 | Success of conservation efforts for important Caribbean Reef fish hinges on climate changeFor more than 20 years, conservationists have been working to protect one of the most recognizable reef fish in the Caribbean, the endangered and iconic Nassau grouper, and thanks to those efforts, populations of this critical reef fish have stabilized in some areas. But in a new paper, published in the journal Diversity and Distributions, marine scientists said climate change might severely hinder those efforts by the end of this century. |
 | If you build it, the birds will come—if it meets their criteriaA study published in The Condor: Ornithological Applications presents a case study on how bird surveys can better inform conservation and vegetation restoration efforts. Previous conservation methods have emphasized plants as the key to recreating habitat preferred by a sensitive animal. However, this study shows that there's more to the coastal sagebrush habitat of California Gnatcatchers than just having the right plants present. Abiotic components such as topography and soil are important drivers of the biotic components, including plants, which pair together to make the complete ecosystem these birds need. Given this more complete perspective, future conservation efforts would be wise to consider all of the variables that make up an animal's habitat. |
 | Rainy weather predicts bird distribution—but climate change could disrupt itUnderstanding what environmental cues birds use to time their annual migrations and decide where to settle is crucial for predicting how they'll be affected by a shifting climate. A new study from The Auk: Ornithological Advances shows that for two species of flycatcher, one of the key factors is rain—the more precipitation an area receives, the more likely the birds are to be there during the non-breeding season. |
 | Giant, recently extinct seabird also inhabited JapanScientists report that a large, extinct seabird called the spectacled cormorant, Phalacrocorax perspicillatus—originally thought to be restricted to Bering Island, far to the north—also resided in Japan nearly 120,000 years ago. |
New chemical probes provide greater insight on cellular activityResearchers have developed a novel set of chemical probes to improve real-time imaging of the activity that takes place inside individual cells. | |
 | New approach to treating infectious diseases as an alternative to antibioticsOsaka University-led researchers clarified how pathogenic E. coli bacteria attached to the host intestinal epithelium. They revealed that type IV pili on the surface of the bacteria were not sufficient for adherence to intestinal epithelial cells and that proteins secreted by E.coli were also necessary. It was found that this attachment mechanism might be a common feature in many enteropathogens such as Vibrio cholera and constitutes a novel therapeutic target against such bacterial pathogens. |
 | Could human cancer treatments be the key to saving sea turtles from a disfiguring tumor disease?Sea turtles' reality is very different than the fun-loving, playful way they're depicted in popular movies such as "Finding Nemo." Far from being carefree, sea turtles across the globe are heavily burdened by debilitating soft-tissue tumors. All seven species of sea turtle found in the Earth's oceans are classified as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered – and they're all affected by these tumors. They inhibit the animals' vision, feeding and movement. Combined with other human-caused environmental problems, the growths threaten sea turtles' very existence. |
 | Snorts indicate positive emotions in horsesNew evidence that horses reliably produce more snorts in favorable situations could improve animal welfare practices, according to a study published July 11 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Mathilde Stomp of the Université de Rennes, France, and colleagues. |
 | The secret life of lobster (trade): Could we be in hot water?In a paper published in Frontiers in Marine Science, researchers, including lead author Joshua Stoll of the University of Maine School of Marine Sciences and the Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, map the global trade routes for lobster and quantify the effect they have on obscuring the relation between those who catch the valuable crustacean and those who ultimately eat it. |
Drones survey African wildlifeA new technique developed by Swiss researchers enables fast and accurate counting of gnu, oryx and other large mammals living in wildlife reserves. Drones are used to remotely photograph wilderness areas, and the images are then analysed using object recognition software and verified by humans. The work is reported in a paper published in the journal Remote Sensing of Environment. | |
 | Eight wolf cubs the star attraction at Mexico City zooEight Mexican wolf cubs—a jumbo-size litter—have delighted conservationists fretting over the endangered species once common along the US-Mexico border. |
 | Baker's yeast helps biologists to understand drug resistance in fungiMSU-based biologists have reported new understanding of fungal drug resistance mechanisms. To study them, the scientists used baker's yeast expressing fluorescent proteins fused with the membrane transporters. Fungi activate the protection mechanisms in response to accumulation of toxic compounds in their cells. The study showed that the resistance of yeast (and possibly pathogenic fungi) to antimycotic agents is more complex than it was previously thought. Its results were published in the Scientific Reports journal. |
 | Developments in 2,3-butanediol production from biomassRehap has been developing 2,3-butanediol (BDO) production from two biomasses in the project, bark and poplar, and here are some of their most recent advances. |
 | Warming oceans are changing Australia's fishing industryA new United Nations report on fisheries and climate change shows that Australian marine systems are undergoing rapid environmental change, with some of the largest climate-driven changes in the Southern Hemisphere. |
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