Thursday, August 16, 2018

Science X Newsletter Thursday, Aug 16

Dear Reader ,

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

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Gravitational wave detectors to search for dark matter

Neural net activations are aligned with gamma band activity of the human visual cortex

Flexible color displays with microfluidics

New imaging technique can spot tuberculosis infection in an hour

Presence of 'mean' robot found to improve human concentration

Sprawling galaxy cluster found hiding in plain sight

Physicists fight laser chaos with quantum chaos to improve laser performance

Nematode can rebuild muscle and neurons after complete degradation

Under pressure, hydrogen offers a reflection of giant planet interiors

More workers working might not get more work done, ants (and robots) show

Twisted electronics open the door to tunable 2-D materials

Astronomers identify some of the oldest galaxies in the universe

Prehistoric mummy reveals ancient Egyptian embalming 'recipe' was around for millennia

First biomarker evidence of DDT-autism link

Math shows how human behavior spreads infectious diseases

Astronomy & Space news

Sprawling galaxy cluster found hiding in plain sight

MIT scientists have uncovered a sprawling new galaxy cluster hiding in plain sight. The cluster, which sits a mere 2.4 billion light years from Earth, is made up of hundreds of individual galaxies and surrounds an extremely active supermassive black hole, or quasar.

Astronomers identify some of the oldest galaxies in the universe

Astronomers have identified some of the earliest galaxies in the Universe.

Hubble paints picture of the evolving universe

Astronomers using the ultraviolet vision of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have captured one of the largest panoramic views of the fire and fury of star birth in the distant universe. The field features approximately 15,000 galaxies, about 12,000 of which are forming stars. Hubble's ultraviolet vision opens a new window on the evolving universe, tracking the birth of stars over the last 11 billion years back to the cosmos' busiest star-forming period, which happened about 3 billion years after the big bang.

Tiny ASTERIA satellite achieves a first for CubeSats

A miniature satellite called ASTERIA (Arcsecond Space Telescope Enabling Research in Astrophysics) has measured the transit of a previously-discovered super-Earth exoplanet, 55 Cancri e. This finding shows that miniature satellites, like ASTERIA, are capable of making of sensitive detections of exoplanets via the transit method.

Image: DLR's Rollin' Justin robot

This Friday 17 August, ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst will be directing this humanoid robot Rollin' Justin – based in the DLR German Aerospace Center establishment in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany – from aboard the International Space Station, flying at 28 800 km/h and 400 km above Earth.

Aboriginal traditions describe the complex motions of planets, the 'wandering stars' of the sky

(Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story may contain images and voices of people who have died.)

Former 'Mars czar' reviews latest news on the red planet

Since June, we've heard major news about two indicators of possible life on Mars and become absorbed with the fate of the rover Opportunity, shrouded in one of the planet's global dust storms. We've also looked back on rover Curiosity's mission and forward to how humans may someday step foot on Mars. This flurry of activity has generated increased attention for Mars, and questions about where the latest news fits among all that we've learned about the planet.

Donald Trump's Space Force plans analysed by a sci-fi expert

The US leadership has plans to introduce a "US Space Force" by 2020. Already announced by president Donald Trump in June, US vice president Mike Pence outlined further details of the plan at a press conference on August 9. The Space Force, he said, would consist of an elite corps of soldiers trained to fight in space, and a space command that would design military strategies for warfare beyond the atmosphere.

Image: Australian antenna ready to hear Aeolus' first words

Measuring 4.5 metres across, this relatively small antenna in Australia, dubbed NNO-2, will be the first to hear from the soon-to-be-launched Aeolus satellite, the first ever to measure winds on Earth from Space.

Oort clouds around other stars should be visible in the cosmic microwave background

For decades, scientists have theorized that beyond the edge of the solar system, at a distance of up to 50,000 AU (0.79 ly) from the sun, there lies a massive cloud of icy planetesimals known as the Oort Cloud. Named in honor of Dutch astronomer Jan Oort, this cloud is believed to be where long-term comets originate from. However, to date, no direct evidence has been provided to confirm the Oort Cloud's existence.

Image: Aurora observed from orbit

Ever wondered what auroras look like from space? Astronaut Alexander Gerst, also known as @Astro_Alex, gives us his bird's-eye view from aboard the International Space Station, tweeting that the experience is "[m]ind-blowing, every single time."

Technology news

Neural net activations are aligned with gamma band activity of the human visual cortex

Researchers at the University of Tartu's Computational Neuroscience Lab, in Estonia, have discovered that activations of deep convolutional neural networks are aligned with the gamma band activity of the human visual cortex. Their study, published in Communications Biology, further highlights the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to broaden understanding of the human brain.

Presence of 'mean' robot found to improve human concentration

A team of researchers from institutions in France and Switzerland has found that people asked to do a concentration test performed better when a "mean" robot was watching them. In their paper published in the journal Science Robotics, the group describes experiments they carried out with human volunteers and robots and what they found.

These tags turn everyday objects into smart, connected devices

Engineers have developed printable metal tags that could be attached to everyday objects and turn them into "smart" Internet of Things devices.

ShareBackup could keep data in the fast lane

Anyone who has ever cursed a computer network as it slowed to a crawl will appreciate the remedy offered by scientists at Rice University.

Google clarifies location-tracking policy

Google has revised a help page that erroneously described how its "Location History" setting works, clarifying for users that it still tracks their location even if they turn the setting off.

Lenovo posts first-quarter profit as recovery continues

Chinese technology giant Lenovo Thursday recorded a sharp rise in first quarter net profit as the company's turnaround gathered pace.

Australia telecom giant Telstra flags tough times as profit slides

Australia's dominant telecommunications company Telstra Thursday warned of "enormous challenges" ahead as it posted an 8.9 percent slump in annual profit.

Bridge in Italy had unusual design, required constant work (Update)

The bridge that collapsed in the Italian port city of Genoa was considered a feat of engineering innovation when it was built five decades ago, but it came to require constant maintenance over the years. Its design is now being investigated as a possible contributor to its stunning collapse.

Walmart tried to make sustainability affordable—here's what happened

What a difference the birth of a granddaughter can make.

How a drone can soar without using GPS

Drones use GPS to find their way without a pilot. But GPS signals can be easily blocked by tall skyscrapers or trees—leaving drones lost.

How virtual reality is giving the world's roller coasters a new twist

Roller coasters have been a popular attraction at theme and amusement parks around the world for more than a century. Whether it's at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, in the US or the now-defunct Ratanga Junction in Cape Town, South Africa, these behemoths have a way of drawing the crowds.

Breaking down the barriers of human-computer communication

Many of us regularly ask our smartphones for directions or to play music without giving much thought to the technology that makes it all possible – we just want a quick, accurate response to our voice commands.

Internet of Things technology can boost classroom learning and bridge gender divide

The use of Internet of Things devices in the classroom can have major educational benefits and appeal to both genders if designed and used in the right way.

Video-on-demand and the myth of 'endless choice'

If you like independent, art-house films or other specialised movies, you may have heard of the Romanian comedy-drama Sieranevada, which was released in 2016. The film was formally premiered as part of the main competition programme of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and was subsequently shown at other international film festivals, including Toronto, New York and London.

Kroger rolls out driverless cars for grocery deliveries (Update)

At a time when big-box retailers are trying to offer the same conveniences as their online competitors, the biggest U.S. grocery chain is testing the use of driverless cars to deliver groceries in a Phoenix suburb.

Elon Musk proposes Los Angeles tunnel to Dodger Stadium

Traffic-weary baseball fans could someday travel to and from Dodger Stadium on a public transportation system underneath Los Angeles—if Elon Musk's latest bold plan comes to fruition.

Can Twitter change its 'core' and remain Twitter?

After long resisting change, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey wants to revamp the "core" of the service to fight rampant abuse and misinformation. But it's not clear if changing that essence—how it rewards interactions and values popularity—would even work.

How the world came to be in the computer

For the world to be managed and organised using computers, it has to follow the digital logic of machines. Historian David Gugerli tells the story of this thrilling process of adaptation with marvellously entertaining flair.

AI for code encourages collaborative, open scientific discovery

We have seen significant recent progress in pattern analysis and machine intelligence applied to images, audio and video signals, and natural language text, but not as much applied to another artifact produced by people: computer program source code. In a paper to be presented at the FEED Workshop at KDD 2018, we showcase a system that makes progress towards the semantic analysis of code. By doing so, we provide the foundation for machines to truly reason about program code and learn from it.

Bayer presses on with Monsanto integration as stock suffers

German chemicals and pharmaceuticals giant Bayer said Thursday it would finally begin integrating US seeds and pesticides maker Monsanto into its business, after meeting competition authorities' final conditions for the merger.

Tesla files lawsuit against Ontario government

Electric car maker Tesla Motors said Thursday it is suing Ontario's new government, claiming it was treated unfairly in the cancellation of a program providing rebates to residents who bought electric vehicles.

Medicine & Health news

New imaging technique can spot tuberculosis infection in an hour

Guided by glowing bacteria, researchers have devised an imaging technique that can diagnose live tuberculosis in an hour and help monitor the efficacy of treatments. That's particularly critical because many TB strains have evolved defenses against standard treatments.

First biomarker evidence of DDT-autism link

A study of more than 1 million pregnancies in Finland reports that elevated levels of a metabolite of the banned insecticide DDT in the blood of pregnant women are linked to increased risk for autism in the offspring. An international research team led by investigators at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and the Department of Psychiatry published these results in the American Journal of Psychiatry. The study, conducted in collaboration with investigators at the University of Turku and the National Institute of Health and Welfare in Finland, is the first to connect an insecticide with risk for autism using maternal biomarkers of exposure.

Officials remove special rules for gene therapy experiments

U.S. health officials are eliminating special regulations for gene therapy experiments, saying that what was once exotic science is quickly becoming an established form of medical care with no extraordinary risks.

Newly identified role for inhibition in cerebellar plasticity and behavior

Almost everyone is familiar with the unique mixture of surprise and confusion that occurs after making a mistake during an everyday movement. It's a fairly startling experience—stumbling on a step or accidentally missing your mouth when taking a drink. These actions are so ingrained that any mishap is almost always followed by the question "Why in the world did I just do that?" This momentary bewilderment is due to the fact that our brains have an extraordinary capacity for learning skilled movements. So much so that our routine actions, such as climbing stairs, become second nature. For the most part we don't even consciously think about them...that is until we make a mistake.

Phantom odors: One American in 15 smells odors that aren't there, study finds

Imagine the foul smell of an ash tray or burning hair. Now imagine if these kinds of smells were present in your life, but without a source. A new study finds that 1 in 15 Americans (or 6.5 percent) over the age of 40 experiences phantom odors. The study, published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, is the first in the U.S. to use nationally representative data to examine the prevalence of and risk factors for phantom odor perception. The study could inform future research aiming to unlock the mysteries of phantom odors.

How people use, and lose, preexisting biases to make decisions

From love and politics to health and finances, humans can sometimes make decisions that appear irrational, or dictated by an existing bias or belief. But a new study from Columbia University neuroscientists uncovers a surprisingly rational feature of the human brain: A previously held bias can be set aside so that the brain can apply logical, mathematical reasoning to the decision at hand. These findings highlight the importance that the brain places on the accumulation of evidence during decision-making, as well as how prior knowledge is assessed and updated as the brain incorporates new evidence over time.

Men and women show surprising differences in seeing motion

Researchers reporting in the journal Current Biology on August 16 have found an unexpected difference between men and women. On average, their studies show, men pick up on visual motion significantly faster than women do.

Researchers uncover immune cell dysfunction linked to photosensitivity

Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) have discovered that a type of immune cell known as Langerhans appears to play an important role in photosensitivity, an immune system reaction to sunlight that can trigger severe skin rashes.

Expecting to learn: Language acquisition in toddlers improved by predictable situations

The first few years of a child's life are crucial for learning language, and though scientists know the "when," the "how" is still up for debate. The sheer number of words a child hears is important; that number predicts school performance. In an upcoming study in Current Biology, published online August 16, researchers at the Arizona State University Department of Psychology report an additional factor that is important for language: the predictability of the learning environment.

Autism linked to egg cells' difficulty creating large proteins

New work from Carnegie's Ethan Greenblatt and Allan Spradling reveals that the genetic factors underlying fragile X syndrome, and potentially other autism-related disorders, stem from defects in the cell's ability to create unusually large protein structures. Their findings are published in Science.

Tibetan sheep highly susceptible to human plague, originates from marmots

In the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, one of the region's highest risk areas for human plague, Himalayan marmots are the primary carriers of the infectious bacterium Y. pestis. Y. pestis infection can be transmitted to humans and other animals by the marmots' parasitic fleas. In a new study recently published with PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, researchers determine that Tibetan sheep, who make up about one-third of China's total sheep population, also carry this disease and can transmit it to humans.

It's okay when you're not okay: Study re-evaluates resilience in adults

Adversity is part of life: Loved ones die. Soldiers deploy to war. Patients receive terminal diagnoses.

Brain response study upends thinking about why practice speeds up motor reaction times

Researchers in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Johns Hopkins Medicine report that a computerized study of 36 healthy adult volunteers asked to repeat the same movement over and over became significantly faster when asked to repeat that movement on demand—a result that occurred not because they anticipated the movement, but because of an as yet unknown mechanism that prepared their brains to replicate the same action.

Opt-out organ donation register unlikely to increase number of donations

An opt-out organ donation register is unlikely to increase the number of donations, according to a new study from Queen Mary University of London.

Childhood exposure to secondhand smoke may increase risk of adult lung disease death

A new study suggests that long-term exposure to secondhand smoke during childhood increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) death in adulthood. The study also suggests secondhand smoke exposure as an adult increases the risk of death not only from COPD but also several other conditions.

Individuals shot by police exhibit distinct patterns of recent prior hospitalizations and arrests

A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that more than 50 percent of people with assault-related or legal intervention (LI) firearm injuries due to law enforcement actions and over 25 percent of individuals with self-inflicted or unintentional firearm injuries were arrested, hospitalized, or both in the two years prior to being shot. While LI firearm injuries are comparatively rare, they are on the rise, increasing 10 percent nationally in the United States over the last decade. The study's findings contribute important evidence that can be used to reduce and prevent these injuries and deaths.

War and Ebola: A double nightmare in eastern DR Congo

First came the war, which developed into a brutal, bloody tussle between militias who abused civilians or killed them.

Researchers reveal miscarriage cause, key cellular targets of potential drugs

Tragic miscarriages for a couple have led to a discovery with potentially broad implications for future disease treatments, according to a team of researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. They identified a previously undiscovered gene mutation underlying hydrops fetalis—a fatal condition to fetuses due to fluid buildup in the space between organs. The proteins at the center of this finding have already been implicated in a number of diseases, opening avenues of potential drug discovery related to migraines, diabetes, osteoporosis, and other conditions.

YouTube is source of misinformation on plastic surgery, study finds

In the first study to evaluate YouTube videos on facial plastic surgery procedures, Rutgers University researchers found that most are misleading marketing campaigns posted by non-qualified medical professionals.

Researchers report mechanism that affects multiplication of dengue virus lineage

A lineage of type 1 dengue virus found in Brazil is able to prevail over another, even though it it is less prolific in vector mosquitoes and infected human cells. This discovery involved several Brazilian institutions as well as a university in the United States.

Social position determines pregnant women's exposure to air pollution

Socio-economic position determines the environmental hazards such as air pollution and noise to which pregnant women are exposed in urban areas, although the nature of the association varies from city to city. This was the main conclusion of a new study conducted with the participation of the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal).

People with autism may not have trouble focusing on people in photos

While people with autism may avoid eye contact in one-on-one conversations, they may not avoid looking at people in photos, according to Penn State researchers.

New robotic technology may provide more insight into neurological diseases, which affect about one-third of Americans

Purdue University researchers are a step closer to answering one of the critical questions about the brain – how neural networks in the organ perform the computations necessary for higher-level brain functions.

Discovery of a key protein involved in the development of autism

Most individuals with autism spectrum disorder cannot be distinguished by physical traits or by severe neurological symptoms. In fact, these cases can be identified only on the basis of certain behaviours, namely their obsessive focus on certain activities and difficulties with social communication and interactions. Recent years have brought about important breakthroughs in autism research through the genetic analysis of thousands of these individuals. Researchers have been able to find correlations between defects in the expression and/or function of about 200 genes and susceptibility to autism. However, the bases underlying the dysregulation of these genes in subjects with autism were unknown.

Dominant men make decisions faster

Hierarchies exist across all human and animal societies, organized by what behavioral scientists refer to as dominance. Dominant individuals tend to climb higher up the hierarchy ladder of their particular society, earning priority access to resources.

Simple solution to threat posed by prolonged sitting

Get off your bum and move around for two minutes every half hour, for the good of your health.

First mouse model to mimic lung disease could speed discovery of more effective treatments

The biggest hurdle to finding effective therapies for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) – a life-threatening condition in which the lungs become scarred and breathing is increasingly difficult – has been the inability to fully model the disease in animals, limiting the ability to observe and understand the disease. Now, a team of researchers from Penn Medicine has developed the first mouse model with an IPF-associated mutation, which induces scarring and other damage similar to what is observed in humans suffering from the condition. The findings are published this week in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Prenatal exposure to violence leads to increased toddler aggression toward mothers, study finds

Babies whose mothers experience interpersonal violence during pregnancy are more likely to exhibit aggression and defiance toward their mothers in toddlerhood, according to new research by Laura Miller-Graff, assistant professor of psychology and peace studies, and Jennifer Burke Lefever, managing director of the William J. Shaw Center for Children and Families, both at the University of Notre Dame.

The real promise of LSD, MDMA and mushrooms for medical science

Psychedelic science is making a comeback.

Dronedarone promotes cardiac repair after a heart attack

An article published in Experimental Biology and Medicine reports that the antiarrhythmic drug, dronedarone, promotes cardiac repair after a heart attack. The study, led by Dr. Uwe Lendeckel, Professor for Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University Medicine Greifswald, provides mechanistic explanations for the reduced infarct size that has been observed in response to dronedarone treatment in numerous animal models.

Societies release updated guideline for treating adult congenital heart disease patients

The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Associated today released an updated guideline for the management of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients.

Reliable point-of-care blood test can help prevent toxoplasmosis

A recent study, performed in Chicago and Rabat, Morocco, found that a novel finger-prick test for infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy—and many other potential applications—is 100 percent sensitive and 100 percent specific for detecting the presence of this life-damaging microorganism.

New AI system will help us discover the most effective behaviour change strategies

Changing people's behaviour is key to tackling the world's health, social and environmental problems, such as obesity, sustainable living and cybersecurity. To change behaviour, though, we need to know what works, for whom, where and how. But research is generated far faster than humans can access and use it.

Pregnant? Eating broccoli sprouts may reduce child's chances of breast cancer later in life

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have found that a plant-based diet is more effective in preventing breast cancer later in life for the child if the mother consumed broccoli while pregnant. The 2018 study out of the UAB College of Arts and Sciences and Comprehensive Cancer Center used epigenetics — the study of biological mechanisms that will switch genes on and off—as a mechanism to identify ways we can change human gene expressions in fatal diseases, including breast cancer.

Is beer good for you?

A recent Daily Mail article announced that: "Beer is officially good for you". The article claimed that beer "reduces heart risk" and "improves brain health". Even if "heart risk" sounds a bit vague, the news sounds good.

One year later: The impact of Hurricane Harvey on mental health

This August will mark one year since Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area, and even now, many people are still feeling the toll the storm has taken on their mental health. Baylor College of Medicine expert Dr. Asim Shah discusses mental health one year after the storm.

Letting PTSD patients choose method of treatment improves their health, quality of life: new research

Letting people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) choose between treatment methods improves their quality of life and reduces the disorder's symptoms, according to new research from Case Western Reserve University.

Blood test may identify gestational diabetes risk in first trimester

A blood test conducted as early as the 10th week of pregnancy may help identify women at risk for gestational diabetes, a pregnancy-related condition that poses potentially serious health risks for mothers and infants, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions. The study appears in Scientific Reports.

Why most people follow routines

Former US president Barack Obama famously had a wardrobe full of identical suits. As a world leader, life presents more than enough big decisions – Obama's reasoning was that it made sense to minimise the complexity of the small decisions.

Exercise shown to improve symptoms of patients with chronic kidney disease

Just 12 weeks of aerobic and strength-based exercise reduces symptoms and levels of fatigue in patients with chronic kidney disease, a study in Leicester has found.

Stress during pregnancy increases risk of mood disorders for female offspring

High maternal levels of the stress hormone cortisol during pregnancy increase anxious and depressive-like behaviors in female offspring at the age of 2, reports a new study in Biological Psychiatry. The effect of elevated maternal cortisol on the negative offspring behavior appeared to result from patterns of stronger communication between brain regions important for sensory and emotion processing. The findings emphasize the importance of prenatal conditions for susceptibility of later mental health problems in offspring.

Cardiovascular disease related to type 2 diabetes can be reduced significantly

Properly composed treatment and refraining from cigarette consumption can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease resulting from type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. In some cases, the increased risks could theoretically be eliminated.

Working memory might be more flexible than previously thought

Breaking with the long-held idea that working memory has fixed limits, a new study by researchers at Uppsala University and New York University suggests that these limits adapt themselves to the task that one is performing. The results are presented in the scientific journal eLife.

There's no place like home—study finds home care effective for patients with blood clots

A new study by researchers at Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City has found that patients with low-risk blood clots may be better off receiving treatment at home versus being admitted to the hospital.

Why friendships matter

(HealthDay)—Your calendar might be filled with play-dates for your kids, but it's important to ink in some get-togethers of your own.

Health professionals have role in warning about impaired driving

(HealthDay)—Physicians, pharmacists, and public health officials play an important role in educating individuals about the risks of impaired driving caused by marijuana or opioids, according to a report from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) funded by the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility.

Retinoic acid may improve immune response against melanoma

Immunotherapies use the immune system to fight cancer. But cancers like melanoma have found ways to turn off the immune system, allowing them to resist treatments and often leading to recurrence. Now University of Colorado Cancer Center clinical trial results published today in the journal International Immunopharmacology describe a promising strategy to remove one of melanoma's most powerful defenses: By adding retinoic acid to standard-of-care treatment, researchers were able to turn off myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) that turn off the immune system, leading to more immune system activity directed at melanoma.

DNR orders linked to increased mortality in older adults

(HealthDay)—For hospitalized older patients, the presence of a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order is associated with poor short-term clinical outcomes, including mortality, according to a study recently published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

US drug overdose deaths surge amid fentanyl scourge

US drug overdose deaths surged to nearly 72,000 last year, as addicts increasingly turn to extremely powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl as the supply of prescription painkillers has tightened.

Using mushrooms as a prebiotic may help improve glucose regulation

Eating white button mushrooms can create subtle shifts in the microbial community in the gut, which could improve the regulation of glucose in the liver, according to a team of researchers. They also suggest that better understanding this connection between mushrooms and gut microbes in mice could one day pave the way for new diabetes treatments and prevention strategies for people.

Patients with healthcare-associated infections suffer social, emotional pain

The consequences of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) reach well beyond patients' physical health, souring social relationships, and leading some healthcare providers (HCP) to distance themselves from affected patients, according to a qualitative, systematic review published in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), the journal of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

The eyes may have it, an early sign of Parkinson's disease

The eyes may be a window to the brain for people with early Parkinson's disease. People with the disease gradually lose brain cells that produce dopamine, a substance that helps control movement. Now a new study has found that the thinning of the retina, the lining of nerve cells in the back of the eye, is linked to the loss of such brain cells. The study is published in the August 15, 2018, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

New aid to help identify and manage patients with diabetes at increased risk of fracture

Fragility fractures are a serious yet neglected complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, with increased risk of fragility fractures in people with diabetes extending across the life span.

More protein after weight loss may reduce fatty liver disease

Increasing the amount of protein in the diet may reduce the liver's fat content and lower the risk of diabetes in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The study is published ahead of print in the American Journal of Physiology—Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Autoimmunity plays role in development of COPD, study finds

Autoimmunity plays a role in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study led by Georgia State University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center that analyzed human genome information stored in Vanderbilt's DNA biobank.

Obesity, infertility and oxidative stress in mouse egg cells

Excessive body fat is associated with negative effects on female fertility and pregnancy. In mice, maternal obesity impairs proper development of egg precursor cells called oocytes. In a recent paper published in Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, Qiang Wang and colleagues at the State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine in China describe the link between poor oocyte development and oxidative stress in mice.

Scientists identify nearly 200 potential tuberculosis drug targets

Tuberculosis is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. Nearly 2 million people die every year from this infectious disease, and an estimated 2 billion people are chronically infected. The only vaccine, developed almost 100 years ago, offers limited protection and patients are becoming increasingly resistant to available drugs.

US approves first generic competitor to Mylan's EpiPen

US regulators Thursday approved the first generic alternative for the EpiPen, a life-saving emergency allergy medicine, two years after soaring prices for the original version owned by Mylan stoked controversy.

Sleep in your contacts, risk serious eye damage: CDC

(HealthDay)—A 59-year-old man was in the shower, wiping his eyes with a towel, when he heard a popping sound and felt pain shoot through his left eye.

1 in 4 in U.S. has a disability, CDC reports

(HealthDay)—One in four American adults (61 million people) has a significant physical or mental disability, the federal government reported Thursday. And these disabilities are more prevalent among women, people in the South, and those living in poverty.

Are eggs good for you or not?

The egg is standard breakfast fare, but many people may be wondering whether eggs are healthy.

Steps provided for discharging patient from practice

(HealthDay)—Certain steps should be taken when discharging a patient for failure or inability to meet financial obligations, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.

Counseling needed for pediatric patients with impaired fertility

(HealthDay)—Counseling about impaired fertility and sexual function for at-risk pediatric populations in developmentally appropriate ways is essential, according to a clinical report published in the August issue of Pediatrics.

Patient portals don't appear to have much traction

(HealthDay)—Patient portals have not taken off as expected, according to an article published in Medical Economics.

Liposomal bupivacaine block no aid for cesarean pain

(HealthDay)—A liposomal bupivacaine incisional block at the time of cesarean delivery does not improve pain scores in the first 48 hours postoperatively, according to a study published in the July issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Two strategies for preventing diabetes in minority patients

(HealthDay)—Recognizing the barriers to care for minority patients with type 2 diabetes could reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes nationwide, according to an article published by the American Medical Association's AMA Wire.

Vit D independently, inversely tied to cholesterol in children

(HealthDay)—Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is independently and inversely associated with total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in children, according to a study published in the July issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Opioid dependence more common before spine surgery

(HealthDay)—Opioid dependence is more likely to occur in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) before surgery than afterward, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine.

ACA coverage gains include workers without insurance

(HealthDay)—After the expanded coverage provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) were implemented in 2014, self-employed individuals and wage earners without employer-sponsored health coverage offers had coverage gains equal to or greater than those of people not employed, according to a report published in the August issue of Health Affairs.

Study shows much work remains to ensure e-health record safety

Four years after their publication by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), voluntary guidelines designed to increase the safety of e-health records have yet to be implemented fully, according to a survey led by a researcher at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). Findings appeared recently in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.

Florida urges vaccinations after 3 measles cases reported

Health officials are urging parents to make sure their children are vaccinated against measles after three cases of the disease were reported in a Florida county, among more than 100 cases throughout the U.S. this year.

Scientists discover why some people with brain markers of Alzheimer's have no dementia

A new study from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has uncovered why some people that have brain markers of Alzheimer's never develop the classic dementia that others do. The study is now available in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

Researchers publish review article on developing vaccines for human parasites

Helminthic parasites, like hookworm and liver flukes (schistosomiasis), affect an estimated 1 billion people worldwide. Infection from hookworm and schistosomiasis result in a combined loss of as much as 92 million disability-adjusted life years annually. Little progress has been made to relieve this global burden and eradicate these parasites until now.

NIH begins clinical trial of live, attenuated Zika vaccine

Vaccinations have begun in a first-in-human trial of an experimental live, attenuated Zika virus vaccine developed by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. The trial will enroll a total of 28 healthy, non-pregnant adults ages 18 to 50 at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Immunization Research in Baltimore, Maryland, and at the Vaccine Testing Center at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont in Burlington. NIAID is sponsoring the trial.

UTA professor leads federal advisory group on the prevention of acute, chronic pain

A University of Texas at Arlington professor led a federal advisory group that has published its recommendations on the prevention of acute and chronic pain to the Federal Research Pain Strategy, an interagency committee that oversees the government's long-term strategic plan to support pain research.

Biology news

Nematode can rebuild muscle and neurons after complete degradation

What can scientists learn about human neurodegenerative disease from a major soybean pest? It's not a trick question; the answer lies in the soybean cyst nematode, one of two classes of microscopic roundworms known to lose and then regain mobility as part of their life cycle. A new study from the University of Illinois explains how it works.

Scientists show that cells adapt to brief stressors by boosting antioxidants and energy production longer term

We've all heard the expression: "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Now, research led by a Salk Institute scientist suggests why, at a cellular level, this might be true. The team reports that brief exposures to stressors can be beneficial by prompting the cell to trigger sustained production of antioxidants, molecules that help get rid of toxic cellular buildup related to normal metabolism.

99-million-year-old beetle trapped in amber served as pollinator to evergreen cycads

Flowering plants are well known for their special relationship to the insects and other animals that serve as their pollinators. But, before the rise of angiosperms, another group of unusual evergreen gymnosperms, known as cycads, may have been the first insect-pollinated plants. Now, researchers reporting in the journal Current Biology on August 16 have uncovered the earliest definitive fossil evidence of that intimate relationship between cycads and insects.

'Traffic wardens' of cells can be counterproductive

A research team led by Raquel Oliveira (IGC) and Rui Gonçalo Martinho (CBMR/ UAlg), found that a mechanism of cell division control can be associated with an increase of errors in chromosome distribution. This process can influence the development of diseases such as cancer, infertility and some congenital disorders. The study will be published on the 16th of August in Current Biology.

A way to get green revolution crops to be productive without needing so much nitrogen

A team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences in China and the University of Oxford in the U.K. has found a way to grow green revolution crops using less nitrogen with no reduction in yield. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the group describes their research efforts and the results they found when planting newly developed plant varieties. Fanmiao Wang and Makoto Matsuoka with Nagoya University offer a News & Views piece on the work done by the team in the same journal issue.

The wheat code is finally cracked

Today in the international journal Science, the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) published a detailed description of the genome of bread wheat, the world's most widely cultivated crop. This work will pave the way for the production of wheat varieties better adapted to climate challenges, with higher yields, enhanced nutritional quality and improved sustainability.

How an herbivore hijacks a nutrient uptake strategy of its host plant

Maize plants release secondary metabolites into the soil that bind to iron and thereby facilitate its uptake by the plant. The Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera), the most economically important maize pest worldwide, is attracted by these complexes, extracts the bound iron from the maize plant and uses it for its own nutrition. With these insights, researchers have provided a new explanation for the extraordinary success of the Western corn rootworm as a global maize pest. The study was published in the journal Science.

Scientists create new technology and solve a key puzzle for cellular memory

With a new groundbreaking technique, researchers from University of Copenhagen have managed to identify a protein that is responsible for cellular memory transmission when cells divide. The finding is crucial for understanding development from one cell to a whole body.

New CRISPR technique skips over portions of genes that can cause disease

In a new study in cells, University of Illinois researchers have adapted CRISPR gene-editing technology to cause the cell's internal machinery to skip over a small portion of a gene when transcribing it into a template for protein building. This gives researchers a way not only to eliminate a mutated gene sequence, but to influence how the gene is expressed and regulated.

Endangered Green, Loggerhead turtles make comeback in Cyprus

For these ancient reptiles, a stretch of beach on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus has been their home for thousands of years.

Meadow spittlebugs declining rapidly along the California coastline

Meadow spittlebugs, once very abundant on plants along the California coastline, are declining rapidly or vanishing from their previous habitats, according to ecologists Richard Karban and Mikaela Huntzinger of the University of California, Davis, co-authors of newly published research in the journal Ecology.

Tasmanian devils under new threat from cancer, research finds

A new study has shown that the Tasmanian devil is under severe threat from a newly emerged contagious cancer, Devil Facial Tumour 2 (DFT2), which could jeopardise its future in the wild.

Similarities between the two gap phases of the cell cycle indicate a default biochemical program in living cells

The two 'gap' phases of the cell cycle were long thought to be under different regulatory control circuits, but a new study from A*STAR overturns this idea.

Researchers discover key mechanism of DNA replication

Researchers from Osaka University in Japan have uncovered a key control mechanism of DNA replication with potential implications for better understanding how cells maintain genetic information to prevent diseases or cancer.

Pioneering study predicts true impact of roadkill on wildlife

A new tool that predicts which animal species are most at risk of dying on roads, and in which areas, could aid efforts to preserve global biodiversity.

There isn't one kind of 'good sperm' – it depends on other qualities in the male

In a study published in Behavioral Ecology researchers from Uppsala University show that the same type of sperm is not always the best for all male birds. Depending on how attractive or dominant you are you might be more successful with longer or shorter sperm.

Rubbish-collecting crows a star attraction at French theme park

Visitors to a theme park in western France this week have a new attraction to enjoy: six crows that have been specially trained to pick up cigarette ends and rubbish.

What lonely snails can tell us about the effects of stress on memory

In numerous different animals, cognitive ability, including learning and memory, is often negatively affected by stress. But not all individuals of a particular species are equally good at cognitive tasks to begin with, and they respond to the effects of stress in different ways.

Bird communities dwindle on New Mexico's Pajarito Plateau

Researchers have found declines in the number and diversity of bird populations at nine sites surveyed in northern New Mexico, where eight species vanished over time while others had considerably dropped.

Logging site slash removal may be boon for wild bees in managed forests

New research suggests the removal of timber harvest residue during harvesting may be a boon for wild bees, an important step toward better understanding the planet's top group of pollinators.

Female mosquitoes get choosy quickly to offset invasions

Certain female mosquitoes quickly evolve more selective mating behavior when faced with existential threats from other invasive mosquito species, with concurrent changes to certain genetic regions, according to new research from North Carolina State University. The findings shed light on the genetics behind insect mating behavior and could have implications for controlling mosquito pests that plague humans.

Most Americans accept genetic engineering of animals that benefits human health: study

Americans' views of possible uses of genetic engineering in animals vary depending on the mechanism and intended purpose of the technology, particularly the extent to which it would bring health benefits to humans, according to a new study released today by Pew Research Center.

Was a great white shark to blame for Cape Cod attack?

On a windswept dune overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, hastily erected signs warned Cape Cod beachgoers to stay out of the water on Thursday, a day after a New York man became the first person to be attacked by a shark off the coast of Massachusetts since 2012.

Researcher discovers genetic differences in trees untouched by mountain pine beetles

A University of Montana researcher has discovered that mountain pine beetles may avoid certain trees within a population they normally would kill due to genetics in the trees.


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: