Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Jul 18

Dear Reader ,

Webinar: Modeling Cable Systems in COMSOL
>> Live Presentation - Thursday, July 26 | 2:00 PM EDT

Learn about cable modeling using the COMSOL Multiphysics software during this free webinar featuring a live demo and Q&A session. Register here: https://goo.gl/PAG5c2


Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for July 18, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Light-controlled polymers can switch between sturdy and soft

Atlantic circulation is not collapsing—but as it shifts gears, warming will reaccelerate

An underwater pokeball for capturing sea creatures

A possibly better way to measure our own galaxy speed moving through space

Team creates high-fidelity images of Sun's atmosphere

X-ray data may be first evidence of a star devouring a planet

Metal too 'gummy' to cut? Draw on it with a Sharpie or glue stick, science says

Omega 3 supplements have little or no heart or vascular health benefit: review

Forty percent of people have a fictional first memory, says study

Research on British teeth unlocks potential for new insights into ancient diets

Concentrated wealth in agricultural populations may account for the decline of polygyny

No more zigzags: Scientists uncover mechanism that stabilizes fusion plasmas

Materials processing tricks enable engineers to create new laser material

Beef jerky and other processed meats associated with manic episodes

Artificial intelligence technology could help protect water supplies

Astronomy & Space news

Team creates high-fidelity images of Sun's atmosphere

In 1610, Galileo redesigned the telescope and discovered Jupiter's four largest moons. Nearly 400 years later, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope used its powerful optics to look deep into space—enabling scientists to pin down the age of the universe.

X-ray data may be first evidence of a star devouring a planet

For nearly a century, astronomers have puzzled over the curious variability of young stars residing in the Taurus-Auriga constellation some 450 light years from Earth. One star in particular has drawn astronomers' attention. Every few decades, the star's light has faded briefly before brightening again.

Supersharp images from new VLT adaptive optics

ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) has achieved first light with a new adaptive optics mode called laser tomography—and has captured remarkably sharp test images of the planet Neptune and other objects. The MUSE instrument working with the GALACSI adaptive optics module, can now use this new technique to correct for turbulence at different altitudes in the atmosphere. It is now possible to capture images from the ground at visible wavelengths that are sharper than those from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.

NASA's new mini satellite will study Milky Way's halo

Astronomers keep coming up short when they survey "normal" matter, the material that makes up galaxies, stars and planets. A new NASA-sponsored CubeSat mission called HaloSat, deployed from the International Space Station on July 13, will help scientists search for the universe's missing matter by studying X-rays from hot gas surrounding our Milky Way galaxy.

Martian atmosphere behaves as one

New research using a decade of data from ESA's Mars Express has found clear signs of the complex martian atmosphere acting as a single, interconnected system, with processes occurring at low and mid levels significantly affecting those seen higher up.

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin launches spacecraft higher than ever

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket company shot a capsule higher into space Wednesday than it's ever done before.

How does the sun's rotational cycle influence lightning activity on earth?

A collaborative research team in Japan has taken the first steps to understanding how the sun's rotational cycle influences lightning activity. They found answers in an unusual source—diaries dating back to the 1700s.

From an almost perfect universe to the best of both worlds

It was 21 March 2013. The world's scientific press had either gathered in ESA's Paris headquarters or logged in online, along with a multitude of scientists around the globe, to witness the moment when ESA's Planck mission revealed its 'image' of the cosmos. This image was taken not with visible light but with microwaves.

Princeton's McComas will lead IMAP, a NASA mission to study the heliosphere

Princeton astrophysicist David McComas will be the principal investigator for a science mission to sample, analyze and map particles streaming to Earth from the sun and from the edges of interstellar space. He is presenting the mission's goals and status at the international Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) meeting today in Pasadena, California.

Technology news

An underwater pokeball for capturing sea creatures

The open ocean is the largest and least explored environment on Earth, estimated to hold up to a million species that have yet to be described. However, many of those organisms are soft-bodied—like jellyfish, squid, and octopuses—and are difficult to capture for study with existing underwater tools, which all too frequently damage or destroy them. Now, a new device developed by researchers at Harvard University's Wyss Institute, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), and Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study safely traps delicate sea creatures inside a folding polyhedral enclosure and lets them go without harm using a novel, origami-inspired design. The research is reported in Science Robotics.

Artificial intelligence technology could help protect water supplies

Progress on new artificial intelligence (AI) technology could make monitoring at water treatment plants cheaper and easier and help safeguard public health.

In China, yellow robots deliver snacks to your home

Along a quiet residential street on the outer edges of Beijing, a yellow and black cube about the size of a small washing machine trundles leisurely to its destination.

Engineer teaching humanoid robots to use their hands to stop themselves from falling

A famous viral video about the DARPA Robotics Challenge shows all sorts of humanoid robots clumsily falling down. Bipedal movement is rather unstable, which is not only a problem for a robot trying to complete its task, but also because falling can damage a very expensive piece of machinery.

Google braces for huge EU fine over Android

Google prepared Wednesday to be hit with huge EU fine for freezing out rivals of its Android mobile phone system in a ruling that could spark new tensions between Brussels and Washington.

Despite digital revolution, distance still matters

Even when people have well-connected social networks beyond their home cities and across state lines, they are still most frequently interacting with people who are very geographically near.

New creepy, crawly search and rescue robot developed

A new highly maneuverable search and rescue robot that can creep, crawl and climb over rough terrain and through tight spaces has been developed by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers.

50 years after Concorde, US start-up eyes supersonic future

Luxury air travel faster than the speed of sound: A US start-up is aiming to revive commercial supersonic flight 50 years after the ill-fated Concorde first took to the skies.

Airbus unveils pioneering solar-powered drone

European air giant Airbus on Wednesday unveiled a solar-powered drone called Zephyr that will fly at a high altitude and fulfil the same functions as a satellite.

Comma.ai punctuating self-driving vision with tests, software update

What do you know about comma.ai? Self-driving car watchers know them for sure and are watching with interest in test drives that explore how far they have come along in their own visions of self-driving car capabilities. This is the startup that Engadget dubbed "digital chauffeur for joe sixpack" in its video.

Texas Instruments' new CEO loses job for personal misconduct

Texas Instruments has dumped CEO Brian Crutcher for personal misconduct less than two months after he took over the job, ruining the chip maker's hopes for a smooth transition to new leadership.

Android software puts Google at heart of mobile life

The Google Android operating system, the target of a long-running EU antitrust investigation, powers the vast majority of the world's smartphones and firmly rules the mobile world.

Legal battle over rights to Olympic founder's name

A Dutch branding company, a global sports organisation and the name of a French aristocrat who has been dead for 80 years might not seem like the ingredients for a high-stakes legal battle.

U.S. citizens can now publish models of 3-D printed firearms online. What does it mean for us?

A landmark case in the United States has been settled out of court, giving gun rights advocate Cody Wilson the right to publish instructions on the web that explain how to 3-D print firearms.

Microprocessor designers realize security must be a primary concern

Computers' amazing abilities to entertain people, help them work, and even respond to voice commands are, at their heart, the results of decades of technological development and innovation in microprocessor design. Under constant pressure to extract more computing performance from smaller and more energy-efficient components, chip architects have invented a dizzying array of tricks and gadgets that make computers faster. But 50 years after the founding of Intel, engineers have begun to second-guess many of the chip-making industry's design techniques.

Using camera fingerprints to catch cybercriminals

A technique that can match images and video to the device that took them, is being used to investigate cybercrimes.

Electric scooters on collision course with pedestrians and lawmakers

Electric scooters are appearing in many major cities across the country, bringing fun to riders, profits to scooter makers – and lots of potential risks to walkers and riders.

Tech leaders sign global pledge against autonomous weapons

A who's who of CEOs, engineers and scientists from the technology industry—including Google DeepMind, the XPRIZE Foundation and Elon Musk—have signed a pledge to "neither participate in nor support the development, manufacture, trade, or use of lethal autonomous weapons".

EU antitrust fines: Google pips Google to top spot

The EU hit Google on Wednesday with the biggest fine ever against a company for abuse of a dominant market position—surpassing a previous record also held by Google.

WhatsApp seeks to stem fake news ahead of Pakistan election

The hugely popular WhatsApp messaging service began a week-long publicity campaign in Pakistan Wednesday offering tips to spot fake news, days before the country holds a general election.

Researchers develop DIY field imaging system

Farmers and plant breeders can now build their own automated field camera track system to collect data on dynamic plant traits, such as crop lodging and movement, as it's happening in the field to help reduce losses in crop yield.

Rising microchip-maker demand boosts ASML profits

Dutch global hi-tech bellwether ASML Wednesday posted a huge hike in second quarter profits, after the technology industry snapped up more of its sophisticated microchip-making machines than expected.

Europe urged to tackle airspace bottlenecks as delays soar

The world airline body on Wednesday urged European governments to urgently fix the region's airspace bottlenecks, saying that delays had more than doubled during the first half of the year.

Tesla Model 3 buyers lose patience and maybe tax credits

In March of 2016, Keith Reynolds flew from California to Atlanta so he could claim his spot in line at 4 a.m., and get a three-hour head start on his West Coast competitors.

Tiny electronic chip provides big boost to treat hundreds of millions with brain and central nervous system disorders

Purdue University researchers have created an electronic chip that may provide improved support for the hundreds of millions of people worldwide the World Health Organization says are affected by neurological disorders.

Ocean Resort Casino joins New Jersey internet betting market

New Jersey's thriving internet gambling market continues to grow.

Searching for wind for the future

The first quantification of wind energy in Saudi Arabia points to high wind power potential for many decades to come.

Comprehensive report on private- and public-sector Big Data policies affecting transport

Researchers have published a comprehensive report on private- and public-sector Big Data policies affecting transport in EU countries and abroad.

Largest-ever UK study into body shapes and sizes

Every year, 50 percent of online clothes shoppers return fashion items they purchased online, much of this due to incorrect fit and sizing. For the first time in nearly 20 years this is being addressed by an ambitious new nationwide survey profiling 30,000 adults.

Ryanair strike hits 600 flights, 100,000 passengers

Ryanair on Wednesday said it had cancelled 600 flights in Europe on July 25 and 26 due to cabin crew strikes in Spain, Portugal and Belgium.

Medicine & Health news

Omega 3 supplements have little or no heart or vascular health benefit: review

New evidence published today shows there is little or no effect of omega 3 supplements on our risk of experiencing heart disease, stroke or death.

Forty percent of people have a fictional first memory, says study

Researchers have conducted one of the largest surveys of people's first memories, finding that nearly 40 per cent of people had a first memory which is fictional.

Beef jerky and other processed meats associated with manic episodes

An analysis of more than 1,000 people with and without psychiatric disorders has shown that nitrates—chemicals used to cure meats such as beef jerky, salami, hot dogs and other processed meat snacks—may contribute to mania, an abnormal mood state. Mania is characterized by hyperactivity, euphoria and insomnia.

Scientists develop 'world first' melanoma blood test

Australian researchers said Wednesday they have developed a blood test for melanoma in its early stages, calling it a "world first" breakthrough that could save many lives.

Researchers develop novel bioengineering technique for personalized bone grafts

Scientists from the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute have developed a new bone engineering technique called Segmental Additive Tissue Engineering (SATE). The technique, described in a paper published online today in Scientific Reports, allows researchers to combine segments of bone engineered from stem cells to create large scale, personalized grafts that will enhance treatment for those suffering from bone disease or injury through regenerative medicine.

Thymic tuft cells play key role in preventing autoimmunity, mouse experiments show

UC San Francisco researchers were recently surprised to discover fully formed gut and skin cells in the thymus, a lemon-sized organ that sits in front of the heart and is responsible for training the T cells of the immune system not to attack the body's own tissues. The finding, based on studies conducted in mice, could lead to better understanding of the drivers of autoimmune problems in humans, the authors say.

Scientists discover a mechanism of drug resistance in breast and ovarian cancer

There is a highly sophisticated way to treat some breast and ovarian cancers—a class of drugs called PARP inhibitors, designed to exploit the very defects that make tumors with certain mutations especially deadly. Yet this targeted approach to cancer therapy sometimes fails, and scientists have anxiously sought to understand why.

Researchers solve mystery of how ALL enters the central nervous system

A deadly feature of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is its invasion of the central nervous system.

Novel botulinum toxin compound relieves chronic pain

A modified form of botulinum toxin gives long-lasting pain relief in mice without adverse effects and, in time, could replace opioid drugs as a safe and effective way of treating chronic pain, according to research by UCL, the University of Sheffield and the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.

Study finds melanoma biomarkers predicting checkpoint blocker response

Scientists at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center (DF/BWCC) have identified biomarkers in melanoma that could help tailor immunotherapy treatments to maximize the benefits for patients while reducing the likelihood of severe side effects.

Childhood stress leaves lasting mark on genes

Kids who experience severe stress are more likely to develop a host of physical and mental health problems by the time they reach adulthood, including anxiety, depression and mood disorders. But how does early life stress put children at risk when they grow up?

Eating iron-fortified grain improves students' attention, memory

Adolescent students in a rural school in India who consumed an iron-biofortified version of the grain pearl millet exhibited improved attention and memory compared to those who consumed conventional pearl millet, according to Penn State researchers.

New retinal ganglion cell subtypes emerge from single-cell RNA sequencing

Single-cell sequencing technologies are filling in fine details in the catalog of life. Researchers at the University of Connecticut Health Center (UConn Health) and The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) have identified 40 subtypes of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) along with the genetic markers and transcription factors that differentiate them.

Link found between bitter-taste sensitivity and cancer risk

High bitter-taste sensitivity is associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer in older British women, according to researchers who conducted a unique study of 5,500 women whose diet, lifestyle and health has been tracked for about 20 years.

Neurons can carry more than one signal at a time

Back in the early days of telecommunications, engineers devised a clever way to send multiple telephone calls through a single wire at the same time. Called time-division multiplexing, this technique rapidly switches between sending pieces of each message.

A bad mood may help your brain with everyday tasks

New research found that being in a bad mood can help some people's executive functioning, such as their ability to focus attention, manage time and prioritize tasks. The same study found that a good mood has a negative effect on it in some cases.

Scientists uncover DNA 'shield' with crucial roles in normal cell division

Scientists have made a major discovery about how cells repair broken strands of DNA that could have huge implications for the treatment of cancer.

End-of-life care across England not prioritized, despite aging population

Research by King's College London has found that local authorities across England have failed to prioritise palliative and end of life care, despite the health care challenges posed by a rapidly ageing population.

Celebrating positives improves classroom behavior and mental health

Training teachers to focus their attention on positive conduct and to avoid jumping to correct minor disruption improves child behaviour, concentration and mental health.

Heart attack risk on the rise for pregnant women and death rate remains high

The risk of having a heart attack while pregnant, giving birth, or during the two months after delivery, continues to increase for American women, a new study finds.

New target protein for colon cancer identified

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have identified a new potential target protein (c-Cbl) they believe can help further the understanding of colon cancer and ultimately survival of patients with the disease.

CT scans may increase the risk of brain cancer

A new study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that CT scans, commonly used in medical imaging, may increase the risk of brain tumors.

Poor air quality does not offset exercise's heart benefits

Even in areas with moderate-to-high levels of traffic pollution, regular physical activity reduced the risk of first and recurrent heart attack, according to new research in Journal of the American Heart Association, the Open Access Journal of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

Cancer patients may experience delayed skin effects of anti-PD-1 therapy

Cancer patients receiving anti-PD-1 therapies who develop lesions, eczema, psoriasis, or other forms of auto-immune diseases affecting the skin may experience those adverse reactions on a delay—sometimes even after treatment has concluded. In a study that provides guidance for physicians and has implications for patient counseling—dermatologists in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found patients developed skin disease a median of four months after starting treatment, though in one case, the effects were not observed until more than three years later. They published their findings in JAMA Dermatology today.

People who tan in gyms tan more often, and more addictively, than others, new research shows

Gyms are places people go to get healthier. But nearly half the gyms in the U.S. contain a potentially addictive carcinogen—tanning beds, report UConn researchers in the July 18 issue of JAMA Dermatology.

Researchers report protein kinase as the switch controlling obesity and diabetes

One of the research lines targeting the worldwide obesity epidemic is the manipulation of brown adipose tissue, a 'good' type of fat that burns lipids to maintain an appropriate body temperature. Researchers at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC) have now uncovered the mechanism by which brown fat cells are activated to generate heat and eliminate excess fat. The results, published in PLoS Biology, have potential clinical implications for the treatment of obesity and related diseases like diabetes.

Fatty liver disease pandemic needs 'gold standard' human-relevant research

A new study by scientists from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel calls for a new gold standard in research to treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), an obesity-linked chronic liver disease impacting millions of people of all ages worldwide, which can progress to liver cancer if untreated. The study, published today in Pharmacological Research, proposes a human-specific roadmap to better understand the biological mechanisms behind NASH, a crucial missing link in the effort to develop effective and urgently needed treatments for the disease. 

Early supper associated with lower risk of breast and prostate cancer

Having an early supper or leaving an interval of at least two hours before going to bed are both associated with a lower risk of breast and prostate cancer. Specifically, people who take their evening meal before 9 p.m. or wait at least two hours before going to sleep have an approximate 20 percent lower risk of those types of cancer compared to people who have supper after 10 p.m. or those who eat and go to bed with little interval, respectively. These were the main conclusions of a new study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by the "la Caixa" Banking Foundation. The study is the first to analyse the association between cancer risk and the timing of meals and sleep.

Voluntary medical male circumcision may cost-effectively prevent HIV in Zimbabwe

Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) could impact Zimbabwe's HIV epidemic in the coming years, and this investment may save costs in the longer term. These findings were reported by Jessica McGillen of Imperial College London and colleagues on July 18th in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.

Pregnancy history may be tied to Alzheimer's disease

A woman's history of pregnancy may affect her risk of Alzheimer's disease decades later, according to a study published in the July 18, 2018, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study found that women who give birth to five or more children may be more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease than women who have fewer births. The study also showed that women who have had an incomplete pregnancy, whether through miscarriage or abortion, are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease in the future than women who have never had an incomplete pregnancy.

Lowering hospitals' Medicare costs proves difficult

A payment system that provides financial incentives for hospitals that reduce health-care costs for Medicare patients did not lower costs as intended, according to a new study led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Depression during pregnancy rises in a generation

Anxiety and depressive symptoms during pregnancy have risen by 51 per cent within a generation according to findings from a major study by the University of Bristol published last week [Friday 13 July].

Study shows wingspan has a correlation to athletic prowess in the NBA, MMA

For decades, boxing coaches and analysts have concerned themselves with "the tale of the tape," using a competitor's measurements—height, weight and reach—to determine their advantage in an upcoming bout. Now, new research out of UC Berkeley suggests that the relative length of an athlete's arms to their height might be even more important than previously believed.

Sleep disturbances linked to increased dementia risk

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden report that sleep disturbances in midlife or in late life are associated with a higher risk for developing dementia in old age. The results are published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.

Obesity and inflammation – a deadly combination for prostate cancer

Inflammation and evasion of the immune system have been reported to be some of the new hallmarks of cancer. Notably, a high-fat diet (HFD) causes obesity and chronic inflammation, and studies conducted on mice have shown that HFD could be associated with progression and survival of prostate cancer. In human studies, inflammation and immune cells are also linked to prostate cancer.

Stopping the spread of ovarian cancer

Molecules that are important for a developing fetus have also been shown to drive the spread of ovarian cancer in adult women, according to Sydney researchers.

A new blood test could detect early stage melanoma in more than 80% of patients

Melanoma kills more than 1,700 Australians every year, which is more than the national road toll. But the good news is it's treatable if caught early enough. And a new blood test might be able to help with faster and easier diagnosis.

From Love Island to HD brows, what you need to know about narcissism

The TV show of the summer, Love Island, is fascinating for many viewers – but especially so for personality psychologists. Mainly because the programme is a parade of rampant narcissism. Even if you can't quite define it, you can sense it in several contestants' preened, "perfected" and often utterly artificial appearances (think Megan) and their roaming, self-interested, and "gaslighting" romantic behaviours (think Adam).

The trouble with edibles

On Oct. 17, smoking cannabis will become legal in Canada. As for cannabis edibles, they will take a bit longer: Cannabis-infused food products will be legal in a little less than a year's time.

So your child refuses to go to school? Here's how to respond

Have you had to deal with grumbling kids who don't want to go back to school after the winter holidays?

Visual illusion proves effective in relieving knee pain for people with osteoarthritis

In a new study published in the journal Peer J this week, researchers at UniSA's Body in Mind Research Group have found people suffering osteoarthritis in the knees reported reduced pain when exposed to visual illusions that altered the size of their knees.

Probiotics and prebiotics – is it safe to use them to treat disease?

The link between gut microbes and health is now well established. As a result, researchers have been investigating the effects of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics on various diseases. Worryingly, though, they haven't been reporting on the safety of these treatments – as one would for a drug trial.

Sugar improves memory in over-60s, helping them work smarter

Sugar improves memory in older adults – and makes them more motivated to perform difficult tasks at full capacity – according to new research by the University of Warwick.

Would a longer lifespan make us happier? A philosopher's take

One of the biggest questions in ageing research is whether there is a ceiling on how long human beings can live. A recent study, published in Science, suggests there isn't. The study measured the survival probabilities of 3,896 people in Italy aged 105 and older. It found that, while we are much more likely to die at 75 than at 55, once we reach about 105, the odds of death remain about the same each year of life.

Dementia could be detected via routinely collected data, new research shows

Improving dementia care through increased and timely diagnosis is an NHS priority, yet around half of those living with dementia live with the condition unaware.

Compound identified that protects against neurodegeneration

Researchers from the University of Liverpool have identified a new compound that protects against neurodegeneration in nematode worms. The discovery may enable novel treatments for human neurodegenerative diseases to be developed in the future.

UN warns of AIDS rebound risk as flat funding threatens gains

Great strides in preventing AIDS deaths and new infections risk being halted, even reversed, if funding and focus continues to dwindle, the UN warned Wednesday.

Novartis holds off on drug price hikes in US amid Trump pressure

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis said Wednesday it would not hike drug prices in the United States this year, following a similar decision by rival Pfizer amid pressure from the White House.

HIV infection doubles risk of heart disease, global study finds

People infected with HIV are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease, research has found.

Research identifies new breast cancer therapeutic target

Research led by Suresh Alahari, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, has shown for the first time that a tiny piece of RNA deregulates energy metabolism, an emerging hallmark of cancer. The finding identifies a new target for therapeutic intervention in breast cancer. The research is published in Molecular Cancer.

PCI patients discharged against medical advice twice as likely to be readmitted

In a new study, researchers found discharge against medical advice as the strongest predictor of 30-day unplanned readmissions in heart attack patients. While only a small number of patients choose to discharge against medical advice following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), these patients are twice as likely to be readmitted to the hospital, according to the study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Autism risk determined by health of mom's gut, research reveals

The risk of developing autism-spectrum disorders is determined by the mother's microbiome—the collection of microorganisms that naturally live inside us—during pregnancy, new research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine suggests. The work raises the possibility that preventing forms of autism could be as simple as an expectant mom modifying her diet or taking custom probiotics.

Record three in five HIV-carriers now have access to drugs: UN

Almost three in five people infected with HIV, or 21.7 million globally, took antiretroviral therapy in 2017—a new record for anti-AIDS drug access, the UN's HIV/AIDS agency said Wednesday.

Chinese firm recalls heart drug as US, EU raise concerns

The Chinese manufacturer of a widely used blood pressure medication said it had launched a global recall after US and European regulators warned of contamination by a cancer-causing impurity.

Asian-Americans face barriers to healthy aging

Older Asian-American immigrants are healthier and happier if they are socially active, connected to their families and communities and are able to maintain their cultural values while adapting to western culture, according to a new Rutgers study.

New law in Baltimore bars sodas from kids' menus

Restaurants in Baltimore are now officially barred from including sodas and other sugary drinks on kids' menus, according to a city ordinance that went into effect Wednesday.

Alternative payment models should include precision medicine

(HealthDay)—The American Medical Association has committed to working to integrate precision medicine into alternative payment models (APMs), according to an article published in the association's AMA Wire.

Problem solving helps prevent depression in low-income moms

(HealthDay)—Problem-solving education (PSE) is effective at preventing depressive symptoms among low-income mothers, according to a study published online June 29 in JAMA Network Open.

Trials supporting FDA approval of breakthrough drugs examined

(HealthDay)—Pivotal trials supporting U.S. Food and Drug Administration approvals granted Breakthrough Therapy designation often lack randomization, double-blinding, and control groups, according to a research letter published in the July 17 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

It's called kombucha. But is it good for you?

(HealthDay)—Fizzy, fermented kombucha tea is the hot new health drink.

The latest on chronic fatigue syndrome

(HealthDay)—Illnesses that lack exact testing methods can be difficult to diagnose, treat and live with, both physically and emotionally. Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is one such disease. Until recently, it was very poorly understood or even acknowledged.

Vaping tied to blood clots—in mice

A new study involving mice raises another concern about the danger of e-cigarettes in humans after experiments showed that short-term exposure to the device's vapors appeared to increase the risk of clot formation.

Resetting e-prescriptions for opioids helps curb use: study

(HealthDay)—Lowering the default number of opioid painkillers in electronic prescription systems reduced overall use of the drugs, a new study finds.

Risk of sensory deficits drops with rising gestational age

(HealthDay)—Compared to full-term children, there is an increased incidence of hearing loss and visual impairment among moderately- and late-preterm infants, according to a study published online July 17 in Pediatrics.

Mobility plan can neutralize the harms of bedrest in the hospital

(HealthDay)—Having a mobility plan can prevent the functional decline associated with lack of mobility among hospitalized patients, according to a study published online July 17 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

No outcome differences based on anesthesia team make-up

(HealthDay)—Anesthesia care team composition is not associated with surgical outcomes, according to a study recently published in Anesthesiology.

Basal insulin analogues similar for glucose lowering

(HealthDay)—Basal insulin analogues for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) do not substantially differ in their glucose-lowering effect, according to a review published online July 10 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

CDC: 'Tips' campaign has helped a number of smokers quit

(HealthDay)—The ongoing Tips from Former Smokers (Tips) campaign, which features stories of former smokers living with smoking-related diseases and disabilities, has had a considerable impact, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Risk of cochlear disorders up with history of migraine

(HealthDay)—The risk of cochlear disorders, especially tinnitus, is increased among patients with a history of migraine, according to a study published online July 12 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

Risk of CRC, non-CRC death up with positive fecal Hb test

(HealthDay)—Individuals with a positive fecal hemoglobin (f-Hb) test result have an increased risk of dying from colorectal cancer (CRC) and non-CRC causes, according to a study published online July 16 in Gut.

Five-year stroke rates lower after PCI versus CABG

(HealthDay)—Stroke rates are lower at 30 days and five years after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) than after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), according to a study published in the July 24 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Switching to certain antidiabetic drugs linked to increased risk of major complications

For people with type 2 diabetes, switching to sulfonylurea drugs to control blood sugar levels is associated with an increased risk of complications compared with staying on the drug metformin, finds a study in The BMJ today.

Physicians who visit patients post-hospitalization give more comprehensive discharge plans

When resident physicians visit the homes of their former hospital patients they are better able to assess patient needs and understand the important role that community services and agencies play in keeping them at home and out of the hospital, according to a new study by Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM).

Researchers identify characteristics of over the counter skin lightening users

The desire for unblemished, clear skin permeates all cultures and societies, making the practice of skin lightening to minimize spots and even a skin tone quite common worldwide. Internationally, the use of creams to lighten skin is widespread and widely studied. In the U.S. however, information about use of these creams is sparse.

Study finds therapy dogs effective in reducing symptoms of ADHD

In a first of its kind randomized trial, researchers from the UCI School of Medicine found therapy dogs to be effective in reducing the symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The study's main outcomes were recently published by the American Psychological Association in the Society of Counseling Psychology's Human-Animal Interaction Bulletin (HAIB). Additional new findings were presented at the International Society for Anthrozoology 2018 Conference held July 2-5 in Sydney, Australia.

Study shows DNA methylation related to liver disease among obese patients

DNA methylation is a molecular process that helps enable our bodies to repair themselves, fight infection, get rid of environmental toxins, and even to think. But sometimes this process goes awry.

Which strategies help cut consumption of sugary beverages in young children?

An Obesity Reviews analysis of published studies reveals strategies that can successfully reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in young children.

Study reveals benefits of yoga for pregnant women

New research in pregnant women suggests that practicing yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system (which is responsible for bodily functions when at rest) during the third trimester, improves sleep at night, and decreases α-amylase levels, indicating reduced stress.

Low-dose ketamine may be an effective alternative to opioids

Opioids are commonly prescribed in the emergency department (ED) for the treatment of acute pain, but due to the epidemic of opioid misuse, analgesic alternatives are being explored. A new Academic Emergency Medicine analysis of relevant studies found that low-dose ketamine is as effective as opioids for the control of acute pain in the ED.

Mediterranean diet may improve academic performance by affecting sleep

A new Acta Paediatrica study indicates that following the Mediterranean diet may improve adolescents' academic performance, and the effect may relate to sleep quality.

Study results may lead to improved diagnostics for breast cancer

A study in Molecular Oncology indicates that examining the protein and RNA in leftover materials from routine diagnostic tests for breast cancer may lead to more accurate diagnoses.

Breath tests may allow for earlier detection of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer carries a very poor prognosis as most patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Now a new BJS (British Journal of Surgery) study indicates that breath analyses may help detect pancreatic cancer earlier, when curative treatments may be possible.

Study finds high health burdens of very high risk drinking

In an Addiction Biology study, the estimated prevalence of very high risk drinking level (VHRDL, defined as drinking >100 g of ethanol per day) in 13 European Union countries was 0.74-0.85 percent, with a risk of disease or injury of 13.5 per 100 people with VHRDL per year.

Cannabinoids may have a vast array of anti-cancer effects

Previous research has shown that cannabinoids can help lessen side effects of anti-cancer therapies. Now a new British Journal of Pharmacology review has examined their potential for the direct treatment of cancer.

Fish consumption may prolong life

Consumption of fish and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids was associated with lower risks of early death in a Journal of Internal Medicine study.

When should emergency departments order imaging tests for epileptic seizures?

Patients who go to the emergency department (ED) with seizures often undergo neuroimaging, usually CT scans. Such imaging in adults presenting with new onset ('index') seizures leads to a change in care for 9-17% of patients, but it's unclear if such changes are made following imaging in the ED for seizures in adults with known seizure disorders ('non-index' seizures).

Study offers strategies to prevent death by suicide in patients with cancer

In addition to focusing on curing or prolonging the life of patients with cancer, it is important to also address mental health aspects of cancer care, especially because there is an elevated incidence of death by suicide in this patient population. A new Psycho-Oncology analysis uncovers opportunities to mitigate the risk of death by suicide among patients with cancer.

Moderate alcohol consumption may boost male fertility

The question of whether alcohol intake affects male reproductive function is controversial. In a new Andrology study, moderate alcohol intake was linked with higher semen volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm count.

Artery hardening and thickness not affected by stopping hormone therapy

Heart disease is still the number one killer of US women, and hormone therapy remains a top treatment for menopause symptoms. A new study connects these two facts to demonstrate little effect of hormone therapy on artery thickness as a precursor to heart disease. Study results are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS).

Japan OKs first anti-smoking law, but seen as lax and partial

Japan on Wednesday approved its first national legislation banning smoking inside of public facilities, but the watered-down measure excludes many restaurants and bars and is seen as toothless.

Social media can help with recovery for those who self-injure, prof finds

Positive messaging through social media could be a powerful tool to help people overcome non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), according to a new University of Guelph study.

Poison parsnip causes severe burns, blisters on woman's legs

A woman was left with severe burns and blisters on her legs after encountering an invasive species of plant in Vermont.

UA clinical trial to repurpose ketamine for Parkinson's patients

The best-known treatment for Parkinson's disease isn't perfect. Named levodopa, the drug can treat the stiffness and slowness of movement associated with the debilitating disease.

Prolonged opioid use before knee or hip replacement surgery increases risk of poor outcomes

Patients who take prescription opioids for more than 60 days before total knee or hip replacement surgery are at significantly higher risk of being readmitted to the hospital and of undergoing repeat joint-replacement surgery, compared to patients with no preoperative opioid use, reports a study in the July 18 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.

Brazil reports at least 744 infected with measles

Brazil's Health Ministry says at least 744 people have been infected with measles in a growing outbreak linked to cases imported from neighboring Venezuela.

Biology news

Bacterial armor could be a new target for antibiotics

For over a century, scientists have studied E. coli, one of the bacteria that cause food poisoning, as a model for fighting infections. Such research has led to a variety of antibiotics that penetrate the protective cell walls of bacteria to kill them.

For one tropical tree, effective seed dispersal relies especially on elephants

Deer, bears, gibbons, but especially elephants, play an important role in seed dispersal for a large-fruited tree in the forests of Thailand, according to a new study publishing July 18 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Kim McConkey of the National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bangalore and colleagues from BIOTEC, Thailand. The data illustrate the complexity of forest ecology and hint that, at least for this one species, changes have occurred that have diminished its overall reproductive success.

Study first to confirm where baby white sharks 'hang out' in the North Atlantic

Using cutting-edge satellite and acoustic technology, a researcher from Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute is among a team of scientists who are the first to confirm the movement patterns and seasonal migrations of baby white sharks in the north Atlantic Ocean. Until now, there has been little information on their habitat during this vulnerable early stage of life.

Glowing bacteria on deep-sea fish shed light on evolution, 'third type' of symbiosis

You may recognize the anglerfish from its dramatic appearance in the hit animated film Finding Nemo, as it was very nearly the demise of clownfish Marlin and blue-tang fish Dory. It lives most of its life in total darkness more than 1,000 meters below the ocean surface. Female anglerfish sport a glowing lure on top of their foreheads, basically a pole with a light bulb on its end, where bioluminescent bacteria live. The light-emitting lure attracts both prey and potential mates to the fish.

Team studies complexities of biodiversity, disease transmission

Biodiversity is disappearing at an alarming rate as infectious diseases increasingly spill over from wildlife to humans. Disease ecologists fervently debate whether biodiversity loss leads to an increased disease risk. Now, a University of Montana researcher has published a new study with some answers.

Green sea turtle digging its own watery grave due to invasion of non-native seagrass

A seagrass species from the Red Sea is outcompeting the native seagrass species in the Caribbean, where the green sea turtle lives. These iconic turtles are seeing their grazing areas decline, because they have little interest in the foreign seagrass. Wageningen researchers and colleagues from other research institutions discovered how these large underwater grazers seem to dig their watery grave with their own eating behaviour. The Journal of Ecology for this week reports on the topic.

Feeding plants to this algae could fuel your car

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory and partner institutions provided today the first published report of algae using raw plants as a carbon energy source. The research shows that a freshwater production strain of microalgae, Auxenochlorella protothecoides, is capable of directly degrading and utilizing non-food plant substrates, such as switchgrass, for improved cell growth and lipid productivity, useful for boosting the algae's potential value as a biofuel.

Lateral gene transfer enables chemical protection of beetles against antagonistic fungi

Like all other living organisms, animals face the challenge of fending off enemies. Using chemical weaponry can be an effective strategy to stay alive. Instead of taking over this task themselves, many marine and terrestrial animals associate with microbial symbionts that can provide such protection. An international team of researchers led by scientists of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology in Jena has discovered that bacteria associated to Lagria villosa beetles can produce an antifungal substance very similar to one found in tunicates living in the marine environment. The researchers revealed that this commonality is likely explained by the transfer of genes between unrelated microorganisms.

Novel approach studies whale shark ages the best way—while they are swimming

Already the world's largest shark species, male whale sharks can swim around the ocean for up to 130 years, according to a recently published study by scientists at Nova Southeastern University's (NSU) Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI) and collaborators from the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme.

The rollercoaster of exploding pollen

When I think about reading peer-reviewed natural history papers—including contemporary articles in a Natural History Miscellany Note or the Scientific Naturalist section—I imagine them mostly as a classic throwback—just a scientist, a hand lens, and a notebook. I generally do not think about employing $50,000 of high-speed video recording equipment to test dueling hypotheses about pollination modes from the 1860s. I'm clearly missing out.

Effort to preserve lory population shows success

A long-term plan to preserve the Rimatara lorikeet by restoring an extirpated population of the species on a neighboring island that is free of predatory ship rats is demonstrating the importance of this kind of protective program for the sustainability of endangered bird species. A case study published in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) report Global Reintroduction Perspectives: 2018—Case Studies from Around the Globe sums up the results of an effort that began in 2000.


This email is a free service of Science X Network
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you do not wish to receive such emails in the future, please unsubscribe here.
You are subscribed as jmabs1@gmail.com. You may manage your subscription options from your Science X profile

ga

No comments: