Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Science X Newsletter Tuesday, Oct 2

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for October 2, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Evaluating linear and rotational microhydraulic actuators driven by electrowetting

Building a better brain-computer interface

Laser pioneers win Nobel Physics Prize

New extremely distant solar system object found during hunt for Planet X

Possible explanation for excess of electron neutrinos detected by IceCube Neutrino Observatory

Cyanobacteria found living 600 meters underground without sunlight

Black holes ruled out as universe's missing dark matter

New simulation sheds light on spiraling supermassive black holes

Child abuse could leave 'molecular scars' on its victims

Researchers publish discoveries on antibiotic resistance

Computer model may help scientists split up, reassemble proteins on command

Text messages quickly track health care use during Ebola outbreak

Giraffe babies inherit spot patterns from their mothers

Single atoms break carbon's strongest bond

Eco-friendly nanoparticles for artificial photosynthesis

Astronomy & Space news

New extremely distant solar system object found during hunt for Planet X

Carnegie's Scott Sheppard and his colleagues—Northern Arizona University's Chad Trujillo, and the University of Hawaii's David Tholen—are once again redefining our Solar System's edge. They discovered a new extremely distant object far beyond Pluto with an orbit that supports the presence of an even-farther-out, Super-Earth or larger Planet X.

New simulation sheds light on spiraling supermassive black holes

A new model is bringing scientists a step closer to understanding the kinds of light signals produced when two supermassive black holes, which are millions to billions of times the mass of the Sun, spiral toward a collision. For the first time, a new computer simulation that fully incorporates the physical effects of Einstein's general theory of relativity shows that gas in such systems will glow predominantly in ultraviolet and X-ray light.

Kepler put into sleep mode as telescope's pointing performance degrades

NASA's Kepler team has received data showing that the spacecraft's ability to point precisely has degraded. In order to preserve high-value science data collected during its latest observation campaign, the Kepler team has placed the spacecraft in a stable, no-fuel-use sleep mode.

Gaia spots stars flying between galaxies

A team of Leiden astronomers used the latest set of data from ESA's Gaia mission to look for high-velocity stars being kicked out of the Milky Way, but were surprised to find stars instead sprinting inwards – perhaps from another galaxy.

NASA's OSIRIS-REx Executes First Asteroid Approach Maneuver

NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft executed its first Asteroid Approach Maneuver (AAM-1) today putting it on course for its scheduled arrival at the asteroid Bennu in December. The spacecraft's main engine thrusters fired in a braking maneuver designed to slow the spacecraft's speed relative to Bennu from approximately 1,100 mph (491 m/sec) to 313 mph (140 m/sec). The mission team will continue to examine telemetry and tracking data as they become available and will have more information on the results of the maneuver over the next week.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe swinging by Venus on way to sun

NASA's Parker Solar Probe is swinging by Venus on its unprecedented journey to the sun.

Russia finds ISS hole made deliberately: space chief

Russian investigators looking into the origin of a hole that caused an oxygen leak on the International Space Station have said it was caused deliberately, the space agency chief said.

Astrophysicists study the 'profile' of coma in Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner

Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) scientists, together with astrophysicists from all over the world, are observing as the Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner approaches the Earth. The favorable weather conditions in September in Primorsky Krai, Russia, made it possible to receive the quality images of the object. The scientists are currently preparing an article for publication.

Technology news

Evaluating linear and rotational microhydraulic actuators driven by electrowetting

Microhydraulic actuators are designed to convert electrical power into mechanical power on a microscale with more power density and higher efficiency. Essentially, these new actuators work by combining the surface tension force derived from a large number of droplets that are distorted by electrowetting electrodes.

Torii makes botnet watchers look twice and think plenty about IoT security

A botnet of a special nature is alive and well. Type of damage? Exfiltration of information; commands and executables via "multiple layers of encrypted communication."

Smart mud to smooth the way for drilling wells

A model that simulates how drilling fluids, or muds, behave and influence the stability of oil wells has been developed by KAUST researchers. Their findings could inform new safety protocols and the design of novel drilling muds.

Supersizing solar cells—researchers print module six times bigger than previous largest

A perovskite solar module the size of an A4 sheet of paper, which is nearly six times bigger than 10x10 cm2 modules of that type reported before, has been developed by Swansea University researchers, by using simple and low-cost printing techniques.

Robot masters human balancing act

When walking in a crowded place, humans typically aren't thinking about how we avoid bumping into one another. We are built to use a gamut of complex skill sets required to execute these types of seemingly simple motions.

Google's first urban development raises data concerns

Heated streets will melt ice and snow on contact. Sensors will monitor traffic and protect pedestrians. Driverless shuttles will carry people to their doors.

New algorithm efficiently finds antibiotic candidates

If you're looking for a needle in a haystack, it's best to know what hay looks like. An international team of researchers has applied this idea to the search for new pharmaceuticals, developing a technique that reduces the chances of simply rediscovering known compounds.

The most dangerous celebrity online is revealed

Ruby Rose has played some dangerous characters, like an inmate in "Orange Is the New Black" and a scientist battling a prehistoric shark in "The Meg." But the actress herself is now officially dangerous.

DOJ's lawsuit may delay California's new net neutrality law

A U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit could delay the rollout of California's toughest-in-the country net neutrality law, which is set to take effect Jan. 1.

Germany to present plan for polluting diesel cars

The German government will Tuesday present its compromise on the way forward for millions of people with older, more polluting diesel cars, with manufacturers potentially facing a steep bill for the crisis precipitated by an emissions cheating scandal.

Google teams with Ubisoft to test video game streaming

Google on Monday announced that it will test a video game streaming platform with the release of "Assassin's Creed Odyssey" by Ubisoft this week.

Carmakers brace for shocks as electrified future looms

Auto industry executives gathering this week for the Paris Motor Show will be rubbing shoulders with unusual company: dozens of tech experts eager to tackle what many consider the ultimate connected device.

Daimler chief says company can't be a 'behemoth'

Daimler chief executive Dieter Zetsche hinted Tuesday that the German carmaker must downsize under its new boss if it is to stay competitive in an industry that is shifting gears fast.

EU warns Facebook not to lose control of data security

The EU's top data privacy enforcer expressed worry Tuesday that Facebook had lost control of data security after a vast privacy breach that she said affected five million Europeans.

New emissions tests slash German car sales in September

Sales of new cars in Germany plunged in September, official data showed Tuesday, as updated EU emissions tests turned into a bottleneck for many manufacturers.

Why do women and obese passengers suffer the worst car-crash injuries?

Until recently, diversity was not a critical priority for highway safety engineers.

Facebook hack reveals the perils of using a single account to log in to other services

Facebook announced on Friday that its engineering team had discovered a security issue affecting almost 50 million accounts. Due to a flaw in Facebook's code, hackers were able to take over an account and use it in the same way you would if you had logged into the account with a password.

Supercomputing for better commuting—in pursuit of fuel economy and mobility

In a project leveraging computer vision, machine learning, and sensors, Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists are working with private company GRIDSMART Technologies, Inc. to demonstrate how stop lights can be programmed to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions while facilitating the smooth flow of traffic.

Research team's energy-saving solution for frozen-food storage could mean big cost savings

Sometimes something sweet requires serious smarts.

Safe, efficient self-driving cars could block walkable, livable communities

Almost exactly a decade ago, I was cycling in a bike lane when a car hit me from behind. Luckily, I suffered only a couple bruised ribs and some road rash. But ever since, I have felt my pulse rise when I hear a car coming up behind my bike.

Why we're training the next generation of lawyers in big data

Artificial intelligence is transforming the traditional delivery of legal services.

Can we trust digital forensic evidence?

Research carried out at the University of York has suggested that more work is needed to show that digital forensic methods are robust enough to stand-up to interrogation in a court of law.

Climate goals mean Europe will overtake US in electric cars

European carmakers are rolling out electric vehicles like the ones on view this week at the Paris Motor Show to burnish their reputations as technology leaders and to compete with Tesla. But also because EU regulations don't leave them much choice.

Wave of worries takes shine off Paris Motor Show

Cutting-edge concept cars and promises of self-driving "lounges" painted the picture of a bright future as the Paris Motor Show got under way Tuesday, but that's not the message being sent by industry chiefs.

China's Tencent music files for big US share offering

Tencent Music, the largest Chinese streaming platform, filed for a US share offering Tuesday seeking to raise at least $1 billion in what could be among the largest tech share offerings to date.

Facebook adds new tools to stem online bullying

Facebook on Tuesday stepped up ways to battle bullying and harassment at the leading social network.

Musk to workers: Perform for profit, prove 'naysayers wrong'

Tesla founder Elon Musk is telling his employees to work hard on the last day of the quarter to prove "the naysayers wrong."

Amazon jumps out ahead of its rivals and raises wages to $15

Amazon, the business that upended the retailing industry and transformed the way we shop for just about everything, is jumping out ahead of the pack again, announcing a minimum wage of $15 an hour for its U.S. employees that could force other big companies to raise their pay.

Danish low cost airline Primera folds wings

Danish low cost airline Primera, which was offering transatlantic flights for under $100, announced Tuesday it was ceasing operations after difficulties including delays to a new fuel-effecient Airbus aircraft.

Volkswagen drops Audi chief accused of diesel fraud

German car giant Volkswagen said Tuesday it was removing Rupert Stadler, the chief executive of subsidiary Audi who has been jailed in an emissions fraud probe since June, from his post and the parent group's board.

Emergency alert test going out to mobile phones nationwide

About 225 million electronic devices across the United States will wail and buzz Wednesday afternoon as the Federal Emergency Management Agency conducts an emergency alert test.

Trump seeks gathering with Big Tech firms this months

President Donald Trump has called for a meeting this month at the White House with major US technology companies as well as some critics of Silicon Valley, economic advisor Larry Kudlow said Tuesday.

GM, US car sales slump but Fiat Chrysler surges

General Motors reported Tuesday an 11-percent plunge in auto sales for the third quarter of 2018, confirming analyst expectations that North American car buyers were tapping the breaks after a robust first half of the year.

Tesla meets Model 3 target, bemoans China tariffs

Tesla Motors said Tuesday it was accelerating plans to open a Shanghai factory in light of the ongoing US-China trade fight, saying new tariffs put its vehicles at a disadvantage on the Chinese market.

India-led solar alliance will outshine OPEC: PM Modi

An India-led coalition to harness solar energy will eventually replace the OPEC oil cartel, India's premier predicted Tuesday, as he opened the International Solar Alliance's first assembly with UN chief Antonio Guterres.

TIM wins 5G licenses in Italy

Italy's TIM telecommunication company on Tuesday was awarded new national broadcast licenses for 5G frequencies for a total of 1.73 million euros ($1.99 million), the company said.

Medicine & Health news

Building a better brain-computer interface

Brain-computer interfaces, or BCIs, represent relatively recent advances in neurotechnology that allow computer systems to interact directly with human or animal brains. This technology is particularly promising for use in cases of spinal cord injury or paralysis. In these situations, patients may be able to use neural decoders that access part of their brain to operate a prosthetic limb or even to re-animate a paralyzed limb through functional electrical stimulation (FES).

Child abuse could leave 'molecular scars' on its victims

Children who are abused might carry the imprint of that trauma in their cells—a biochemical marking that is detectable years later, according to new research from the University of British Columbia and Harvard University.

Text messages quickly track health care use during Ebola outbreak

Text messages aren't just a way to chat with family and friends—they are a viable method for rapidly gathering information during a public health crisis.

Diet affects the breast microbiome in mammals

Diet influences the composition of microbial populations in the mammary glands of nonhuman primates, researchers report October 2 in the journal Cell Reports. Specifically, a Mediterranean diet increased the abundance of probiotic bacteria previously shown to inhibit tumor growth in animals.

A new model takes oxidative stress to heart

Oxidative stress—the molecular wear and tear that reactive oxygen species can exert on molecules and cells—has been linked to a range of human diseases, including heart failure and Alzheimer's disease. But the results of many clinical trials that tested the effects of combatting oxidative stress with simple remedies—such as vitamin supplements or blueberries—have painted a more complicated picture. For many years, researchers have been trying to tease out the nuances of the connections between oxidative stress and disease. But the diseases associated with oxidative stress typically involve multiple pathways in the body, and it has been challenging to define the specific roles of oxidative stress in disease progression at a molecular level. Investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a robust new method for examining oxidative stress in the hearts of rodents in vivo to better understand the development and treatment of heart failure. Results of their novel methodology, applying a cutting-edge approach known as "chemogenetics," are published this week in Nature Communications.

Immune system's balancing act keeps bowel disease in check

Australian researchers have uncovered clues in the immune system that reveal how the balance of 'good' gut bacteria is maintained. The information could help in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Total diet replacement programmes are effective for treating obesity

Replacing food with a diet of soups, shakes and bars starting at 810 calories per day alongside regular sessions with a counsellor is a safe and clinically effective way to treat obesity in primary care, finds a study from Oxford University researchers.

Single cell analysis paves the way for better treatments for IBD

Researchers at MRC HIU examined the large intestine using sophisticated single cell technology, in work that paves the way for better treatments for IBD.

Study offers insight into how people judge good from bad

New research published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE sheds light on how people decide whether behavior is moral or immoral. The findings could serve as a framework for informing the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies.

New knowledge on how neurons talk to muscles

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have discovered a new way in which nerve cells can control movement. In a study on zebrafish published in the journal PNAS they show that the contact between neurons and muscles is more dynamic than previously thought. The results can open up new avenues to treating spinal cord injury and certain neurological diseases.

Studies show connection between diet, cognitive function

We've all experienced a "gut feeling"—when we know deep down inside that something is true. That phenomenon and others, aptly describe what scientists have now demonstrated: that the gut and the brain are more closely connected than we once thought, and in fact the health of one can affect the other.

Researchers discover how to slow aging

Previous research published earlier this year in Nature Medicine involving University of Minnesota Medical School faculty Paul D. Robbins and Laura J. Niedernhofer and Mayo Clinic investigators James L. Kirkland and Tamara Tchkonia, showed it was possible to reduce the burden of damaged cells, termed senescent cells, and extend lifespan and improve health, even when treatment was initiated late in life. They now have shown that treatment of aged mice with the natural product Fisetin, found in many fruits and vegetables, also has significant positive effects on health and lifespan.

New study shows reading is a team-lift as different brain parts work together to predict proficiency

Here's a sentence. Got it? You just involuntarily transformed symbols on a screen into sounds in your head. Or to put it another way, you read it. That seems simple enough, but moving from what letters look like to what they sound like is a complex multisensory task that requires cooperation among brain areas specialized for visual and auditory processing.

One more year of high school may shape waistlines later in life

What a difference a year of high school can make—for long-term health.

Aggressive breast cancer cells hijack natural stress protector to thrive

A member of a protein family known for protecting our cells also protects cancer cells in aggressive, metastatic breast cancer, scientists report.

Studies in healthy older people aim to prevent Alzheimer's

It may be too late to stop Alzheimer's in people who already have some mental decline. But what if a treatment could target the very earliest brain changes while memory and thinking skills are still intact, in hope of preventing the disease? Two big studies are going all out to try.

Taste is key in promoting insect-based food

A new study finds that promoting insect-based food as pleasurable, rather than healthy or environmentally friendly, could be the most effective marketing strategy for these currently taboo or unappealing foods. Published in Frontiers in Nutrition as part of a special research collection on food systems, the study is the first to compare promotional methods for insect-based food. Promoting insects as tasty, or even as a luxurious and exotic delicacy, could help to change attitudes and achieve more sustainable food production and healthier diets.

Albiglutide reduces cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes and existing cardiovascular disease

New research presented at this year's annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and published in The Lancet shows that treatment with albiglutide (a type of drug called a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist) results in fewer cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes and existing cardiovascular disease than treatment with placebo.

A web-based program is as effective as group counseling for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Lifestyle changes are the cornerstone of preventing and treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Scientists report success in using web-based intervention to manage lifestyle changes in patients with NAFLD in a new six-year single-center study comparing group-based and web-based interventions. Their results are published in the Journal of Hepatology.

Determinations of air flow behaviors in the human upper airway by visualizing flowing air directly

Researchers in the Capital Medical University, Beijing, China, have successfully developed a unique method to visualize streamlines of air directly in in-vitro models, and reveal the complex airflow behaviors in a normal pharyngeal airway.

Could personalised 'food passports' help to boost health and tackle obesity?

Combining AI technology, personal data and culinary know-how could help to keep the population healthier for longer.

Sex-linked differences in cancer may identify gender-specific genetic drivers and predict responses to treatment

Analysis of male- and female-derived tumor samples revealed differences in prognostic biomarkers, genes that drive cancer, and in regulation of key pathways that may predict responses to treatment, according to results published in two studies in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

Understanding environmental factors helps researchers detect cancer earlier

Cancer epidemiologist Lifang Hou's father was a lifelong smoker, and she urged him to quit all through her medical training. He insisted that because his parents smoked for decades and died of natural causes, he was not at risk of cancer. But sure enough, Hou's father was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1995 and died two years later.

Young cancer survivors at greater risk of mental health disorders

A new study by UNSW Sydney medical researchers has shown that young cancer survivors struggle to imagine their future lives in detailed ways – one of the factors putting them at increased risk for mental health disorders later in life.

Promising new therapy spares muscle loss in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

A promising therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) developed by University at Buffalo researchers is moving closer to use in humans.

Youth who use vaping products are more likely to smoke cigarettes, increase use of both

Adolescents who use vaping products are not only more likely to smoke cigarettes but are also likely to increase their use of both products over time, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

Age-related changes in skin structure and lymphatic system promote melanoma metastasis

Changes in the structure of the skin and the lymphatic system that occur with the natural aging process create permissive conditions for melanoma metastasis, according to two studies by The Wistar Institute. These changes are caused by loss of the HAPLN1 protein, which is part of the extracellular matrix, during aging. The studies were published back-to-back in Cancer Discovery.

Abdominal aortic calcification may signal future heart attack

Computed tomography (CT)-based measures of calcification in the abdominal aorta are strong predictors of heart attacks and other adverse cardiovascular events—stronger even than the widely used Framingham risk score, according to a new study published in the journal Radiology.

Alarming increase in Indigenous suicide rates demands new ways of working

A prominent researcher in Indigenous health from The University of Western Australia has called for a new approach to suicide prevention programs, following figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) that show a 21 per cent increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander suicide rates over the past decade.

Testing new cancer treatment which could banish chemotherapy

Current treatment for head and neck cancer can have debilitating side-effects, but new research combining robotics, nanoparticles, ultrasound and lasers could treat it without chemo- or radiotherapy.

True burden of stillbirths in Europe vastly underestimated

The burden of stillbirth has been underestimated by at least a third because of recommendations to report only stillbirths from 28 weeks' gestation in international comparisons, according to an observational study of 2.5 million babies in 19 European countries published in The Lancet.

Thermal imaging improves diabetes-related foot ulcer assessment

Thermal imaging can better predict a diabetes related foot ulcer's size and the healing trajectory than conventional methods, Melbourne-led research has found. It could also possibly save money through better targeted treatment.

E-cigarettes such as Juul are popular among teenagers—are they harmful?

E-cigarettes are electronic devices that heat a liquid to produce an aerosol that can be inhaled. Such e-liquid usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that an estimated two million U.S. middle and high school students used e-cigarettes in the past thirty days. The percentage of high school students who reported using e-cigarettes in the previous month has increased from 1.5 percent 2011 to 11.7 percent in 2017. The U.S. Surgeon General issued a report saying that e-cigarette use among the young is a "public health concern."

Researchers use endoscope to deliver gene therapy in animal study

Fixing or replacing faulty genes has emerged as a key to unlocking cures for numerous devastating diseases. But if the new, engineered genes can't find their way into the patient's genomic sequence, they won't help.

Why some people get depressed and some don't—clues from the "winter blues"

Depression is notoriously hard to study, but what if you could switch depression on and off and look at the biological differences between when people are depressed and when they are not? Now a study of seasonal depression, SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), suggests that some people, and especially women, can avoid depression by maintaining or even increasing levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin throughout the year, even though they carry a gene which would normally cause winter blues. This work is published in the October issue of the peer-reviewed journal European Neuropsychopharmacology.

Study finds more belly fat, less muscle after crash dieting

Extreme dieting causes short-term body changes that may have long-term health consequences, according to a new study. The findings will be presented today at the American Physiological Society's (APS) Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Diseases: Sex-Specific Implications for Physiology conference in Knoxville, Tenn.

To make SNAP healthier and save costs: Offer food incentives and disincentives

Poor eating is a major cause of illness, especially from cardiometabolic conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. These diseases generate large economic burdens for both government and private insurance programs. For individuals and their families, additional burdens come in the form of personal illness, out-of-pocket costs, reduced quality of life, and a shortened lifespan. These diet-related diseases and costs disproportionately affect low-income families in the United States.

Could less deadly therapies be a better way to keep cancer in check?

While many cancer therapies initially can be very successful, tumors often return and spread when remaining cancer cells develop resistance to treatment. To combat this tendency, Frédéric Thomas of the French National Centre for Scientific Research proposes that cancer researchers take a lesson from our own immune system and explore "natural adaptive therapies." Such an approach would mimic the immune system's more restrained way of keeping cancer in check by gradually killing off cancerous cells. Ideally, these therapies would remove the evolutionary pressure that often leads to the spread of resistant tumors.

How two 1990s discoveries have led to (some) cured cancers, and a Nobel Prize

This year's award of the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine to James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo, for their work in the early 1990s on immune checkpoint proteins CTLA4 and PD1, is a fitting recognition of how their work has led to a seismic shift in the way we treat cancer.

Management's 'overt lack of concern' for employee health and safety puts non-union casino hotel workers at risk

Non-union Las Vegas casino resort workers face increased health and safety risks due in large part to management's lack of concern for and vigilance surrounding employee work conditions.

Nearly 14 million additional adolescents need HPV vaccination to reach public health goal

Nearly 14 million additional adolescents (11-12 years of age) beyond those who will be vaccinated based on current rates will need to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine between now and 2026 to reach the American Cancer Society's goal of an 80% vaccination rate by that year. The figure comes from a new report from American Cancer Society investigators looking to guide HPV cancer control efforts in the wake of recent goal-setting. The report appears early online in Cancer.

Weight gain from adolescence linked to higher risk of type 2 diabetes

New research presented at this year's annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Berlin, Germany, reveals that weight gain between the age of 10 and adulthood is associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk that is independent of body mass index (BMI).

Phantosmia—when you smell smells that aren't there

Have you ever smelled odours other people can't smell? If you have, you may have experienced phantosmia – the medical name for a smell hallucination.

Trauma therapy for police officers dealing with child pornography, cyberdeviance

Children are victimized every day in child pornography cases, but hidden behind the societal outcry to protect them are the law enforcement investigators forced to shuffle through sometimes thousands of illegal images.

WHO launches second cholera vaccine drive in Yemen as cases surge

The World Health Organization said Tuesday it was helping Yemeni authorities with a second round of vaccination against cholera in three hard-hit districts, as cases surged across the war-ravaged country.

For pain relief, why not try drug-free alternatives

(HealthDay)—Pain sends more people to the doctor than any other ailment. But if you don't want relief from a medicine bottle—or when that relief isn't enough—consider complementary and integrative health approaches for their emotional as well as physical benefits.

Human hair cells from a test tube

Researchers from the University of Bern and Bern University Hospital have managed for the first time to differentiate human inner ear cells in a laboratory from somatic progenitors and to investigate their origin. This will make it possible to develop new treatment methods for hearing impairment in the future.

Antibiotic effective in breast cancer clinical trial

Scientists fighting cancer have carried out the first successful trial of the effects of the antibiotic Doxycycline on cancer recurrence in patients after surgery.

Why vitamin E effect is often a matter of luck

Vitamin E's positive effects often fail to manifest themselves as strongly as expected, but sometimes administering vitamin E actually has detrimental effects. An international team has now found a possible cause for this. It has shown that the effect of vitamin E, which is taken as a tablet or capsule, is not based on the vitamin itself, but rather on the effect of a metabolite. This so-called alpha-carboxychromanol has e. g. a promising anti-inflammatory effect.

The immune system of the alpaca reveals a potential treatment for cancer

The natural world often provides the answer to unsolved medical problems. On this occasion, the solution to a challenge posed by cancer has come about from the immune system of camelids. A study headed by the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), in Belgium, describes a number of therapeutic tools that have the capacity to block the activity of EGF, a growth factor that is dysregulated in cancer cells.

'Silent' high cholesterol more common than thought, warns leading global report

Improving the knowledge of a genetic condition which causes cholesterol levels to soar could lead to fewer people dying from heart disease.

Most men do not perpetrate sexual violence against women

With at least three women accusing Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct, and the 81-year-old comedian Bill Cosby sentenced Sept. 25 to three to 10 years in prison for sexual assault, it might seem like predatory men are everywhere we turn. As a trauma psychologist, I applaud the #MeToo movement and hope it continues to hold perpetrators accountable, and elevate, validate and support survivors' voices. Survivors deserve that and more.

A sea change in CBD drug policy?

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced a shift Friday that clears the way for the first prescription drug derived from the marijuana plant to make its way to market where it will provide treatment for severe forms of childhood epilepsy.

What kind of sex do German men have at 45?

In a study by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), 12,354 men at the age of 45 spoke about sex. The study makes some discrepancies statistically tangible for the first time: for example, about 10 percent of gay men have had sex with a woman in the last three months. About 6 percent were "hidden homosexuals," who saw themselves as homosexual, but had sex only with women and were often married.

Study finds gene variant predisposes people to both Type 2 diabetes and low body weight

A research team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Gillings School of Global Public Health found that a well-known gene variant linked to Type 2 diabetes, called transcription Factor-7 like 2 gene, may also predispose someone to being leaner, or having a lower body weight.

Sleep research uncovers dire consequences to deprivation

Researchers at Michigan State University conducted the largest experimentally controlled study on sleep deprivation to date, revealing just how detrimental operating without sleep can be in everything from bakers adding too much salt to cookies to surgeons botching surgeries.

Comparing nocturnal and diurnal rodents helps scientists understand a human eye disease

Light-sensitive cells in the retina come in two main types: rods and cones. Rods are used for vision at low light and cones for color and bright light. A study in the September issue of the Journal of Lipid Research found an unexpected difference in the membranes of these cells by comparing different animals.

Making mice a tiny bit more human to study preterm birth

Preterm birth remains a global epidemic linked to a lifetime of potential health complications. It also is difficult to study in living creatures—especially the uniquely precise biology of preterm birth in humans.

Whole-brain connectome maps teach artificial intelligence to predict epilepsy outcomes

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) neurologists have developed a new method based on artificial intelligence that may eventually help both patients and doctors weigh the pros and cons of using brain surgery to treat debilitating seizures caused by epilepsy. This study, which focused on mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), was published in the September 2018 issue of Epilepsia. Beyond the clinical implications of incorporating this analytical method into clinicians' decision making processes, this work also highlights how artificial intelligence is driving change in the medical field.

Natural killer cells may open lifesaving cancer treatements to more patients

Immunotherapy is making headlines for saving the lives of hundreds of cancer patients including former President Jimmy Carter. But many of these therapies, only work for a small portion of people who have a specific molecule called PDL1 in their cancer makeup.

Insomnia therapy may slow or reverse cortical gray matter atrophy in fibromyalgia

Preliminary findings from a pilot study suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) may slow or even reverse the atrophy of cortical gray matter in patients who have co-morbid fibromyalgia.

Early PSA testing could help predict prostate cancer among black men

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men. But black men bear a disproportionate burden of its effects. It's more common—and more than twice as deadly—among black men compared to their white counterparts. Yet the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for prostate cancer screening do not differentiate for race, leaving it to physicians and patients, ages 55 to 69, to reach an individual decision on whether and when to screen.

Analysis of published studies links processed meat consumption to breast cancer risk

Studies on red and processed meat consumption with breast cancer risk have generated inconsistent results. An International Journal of Cancer analysis has now examined all published studies on the topic.

Liver transplant, weight-loss surgery combination benefits obese patients in long term

Obese patients who underwent a life-saving liver transplant and weight-loss surgery at the same time were better able to keep the weight off long term and had fewer metabolic complications than those who lost weight on their own before undergoing a liver transplant, Mayo Clinic research shows. The findings were recently published in Hepatology.

Study finds human milk components in amniotic fluid

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are complex carbohydrates that are highly abundant and unique to human milk. Accumulating evidence indicates that exposure to HMOs in the postnatal period has both immediate and long-term benefits to infant health and development. Previous studies have shown that HMOs are present in maternal urine and blood during pregnancy, as early as the first trimester, but researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine report for the first time that HMOs are also present in amniotic fluid.

PepsiCo joins Coca-Cola in exploring cannabis drinks

PepsiCo on Tuesday joined the growing list of big companies to confirm potential interest in making drinks with cannabis.

'Southern' diet blamed for black Americans' health woes

(HealthDay)—Black Americans are at greater risk of high blood pressure than whites, and a new study suggests the "Southern" diet bears much of the blame.

ER staffers under assault. Blame the opioid crisis.

(HealthDay)—Emergency departments are becoming increasingly violent places as doctors bear the brunt of fallout from the opioid epidemic, a new survey shows.

Lung scans of COPD patients can reveal heart disease—and death risk

TUESDAY, Oct. 2, 2018 (American Heart Association)—People with the chronic lung disease known as COPD often get chest CT scans so that doctors can look inside their lungs.

Diabetes, dementia can be deadly combination

(HealthDay)—The risk of death from dangerously low blood sugar is much higher among seniors who have both diabetes and dementia than those with diabetes alone, a new study finds.

Interviews can help ensure physician candidates fit culture

(HealthDay)—In preparing to interview to hire a new physician, practices must understand their own cultures, according to an article published in Medical Economics.

Blacks less likely to receive guideline-based NSTEMI therapy

(HealthDay)—Black patients have a lower likelihood of receiving guideline-based therapies for non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), according to a study published online Sept. 20 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Ondansetron in pregnancy not linked to most birth defects

(HealthDay)—Use of ondansetron for the treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy does not appear to be associated with birth defects, according to research published in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Negligible drop in neoplastic lesion Dx after first round of FIT

(HealthDay)—After the first round of a fecal immunochemical test (FIT)-based, multiple-round, long-term screening program, there is a negligible reduction in detection rates for neoplastic lesions in the proximal versus the distal colon, according to a study published online Oct. 2 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Alternative medicines may aid in the treatment of psoriasis

(HealthDay)—Some complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) may be helpful in the treatment of psoriasis, according to a review published online Sept. 5 in JAMA Dermatology.

Hyperbaric oxygen + standard Tx benefits sudden hearing loss

(HealthDay)—Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) added to standard medical therapy (MT) seems beneficial for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), according to a review published online Sept. 27 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

Telemedicine RTI visits shorter when antibiotic prescribed

(HealthDay)—In a direct-to-consumer (DTC) telemedicine setting, respiratory tract infection (RTI) encounters in which antibiotics are prescribed are shorter than other encounters, according to a research letter published online Oct. 2 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Scientists use nanoparticles to improve chemotherapy response and boost anti-tumor immunity in breast cancer

Scientists at the University of Toronto's Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy have seen remarkable success combining tumor modulating nanoparticles with doxorubicin to enhance chemotherapy response in pre-clinical model breast cancer. This combination approach also appears to boost anti-tumor immunity, contributing to the growing excitement surrounding immunotherapy as an avenue to treat cancer. Chemotherapy is a first-line treatment for many cancers; however, the makeup of tumor microenvironments is often a key barrier to the effectiveness of treatment, requiring that patients receive higher doses in order to get the desired result. The adverse effects of repeated high-dose chemotherapy can have significant detrimental effects on a patient's health, such as damaging healthy tissues and organs, which can themselves be fatal.

Weekday mornings are no longer peak times for sudden cardiac arrest

Heart experts have long believed that weekday mornings—and especially Mondays—were the danger zones for unexpected deaths from sudden cardiac arrests. But a new Cedars-Sinai study shows those peak times have disappeared and now, sudden cardiac arrests are more likely to happen on any day at any time.

Editorial praises childhood obesity study that finds 'genes are not destiny'

University at Buffalo childhood obesity experts are praising a study published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics that rigorously assessed how the home environments of young children who are genetically at high risk for obesity can influence whether they become overweight or obese.

Stage four sarcomatoid kidney cancer patient first to show complete response to immunotherapy

"You see this place on the image? That's where your kidney was," says VCU Massey Cancer Center medical oncologist Asit Paul, M.D., Ph.D., to 69-year-old Thomas Bland. "And the tumors we saw in your lung and other places still have not returned. I'm happy to say you've been disease-free for more than two-and-a-half years."

Pathology test uses AI to predict prostate cancer progression following surgery

A pathology test that applies artificial intelligence (AI) to characterize tissue samples can accurately predict clinically significant prostate cancer disease progression following surgery, according to a study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published in Nature Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases. The Precise MD post-op test automates the Gleason score (a grading system that has been used since the 1960s to establish the prognosis for a prostate cancer) through the application of an algorithm that integrates image analysis with protein biomarkers. Precise MD is a pathology platform that uses artificial intelligence and complex algorithms to translate data into clinical knowledge.

Chronic kidney disease outcomes can be improved by expanding specialist care

Providing specialized medical care and coordination to patients whose kidneys are failing before they need dialysis treatment could save the U.S. health care system more than $1 billion annually, according to a new RAND Corporation analysis.

Shorter physician encounters associated with antibiotic prescribing

Patients who received antibiotics for respiratory tract infections had significantly shorter telemedicine encounters than those in which nonantibiotics were prescribed. A brief research report is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Suspected cholera cases soar in Yemen's Hodeida: charity

Suspected cholera cases have nearly tripled in the past three months in Hodeida, the Yemeni port city on the front line between a pro-government alliance and rebels, Save the Children said Tuesday.

Bhutanese conjoined twins in Australia for separation

Conjoined 14-month-old twins Nima and Dawa from Bhutan arrived on Tuesday in the Australian city of Melbourne where doctors are planning complex surgery to separate them.

Canada's first 'state of the nation' report on children's physical literacy

The results from a large national research project led by the Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group (HALO) at the CHEO Research Institute shows that about two-thirds of Canadian children haven't achieved an acceptable level of physical literacy. Physical literacy is more than just fitness or motor skill; it includes the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life.

Tissue engineering is no quick fix for kidney disease, but early intervention can help

Recent advances in kidney research have yielded dramatic headlines touting scientists' ability to grow kidneys in the lab. But some experts worry that hype about tissue engineering is excessively raising patients' hopes.

High-fat, high-sugar diet may impair future fertility in females

The differences in the way males and females respond to a high-fat, high-sugar diet may include impairment of female fertility, new research suggests. The findings will be presented today at the American Physiological Society's (APS) Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Diseases: Sex-Specific Implications for Physiology conference in Knoxville, Tenn.

Can nanotechnology help diagnose Alzheimer's?

Exosomes are natural nanoscopic particles released by most cell types, and are currently the focus of research because they represent a possible tool for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's. These particles are not so easy to isolate, and nanotechnology may help in this process.

Professor, MSD high school senior collaborate on homicide trends

The vast majority of homicides in the United States are attributable to firearms. The rate of homicide due to guns is about 25 times higher in the U.S. than many other high-income countries. In the U.S., there are approximately 357 million guns among a population of about 323 million. Guns are present in about 1 in 3 households. In addition, gun-related suicide rates in the U.S. are about eight times higher than other high-income countries.

A diagnostic tool to save lives and prevent brain damage

A new study confirms the efficacy of a new diagnostic tool that utilises ultrasound to measure intracranial pressure following accidents. The technology will now be provided with artificial intelligence so that ambulance personnel can carry out examinations at accident scenes.

Children and smokers face pesticide danger

Pesticides used in food, tobacco and marijuana production are placing children and smokers in potential risk, a study has found.

E-cigarette explosion and burn injuries have been underestimated by federal agencies

Electronic cigarettes (or e-cigarettes) are devices commonly powered by a battery that aerosolize liquid and chemical flavorants. These products have become popular among people of all ages, especially youth. Some users may think of e-cigarettes as a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes. However, according to the CDC, the aerosol that e-cigarette consumers breathe in and exhale includes addictive as well as harmful substances such as nicotine, ultrafine particles, chemical flavorants linked to serious lung disease, volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and cancer causing agents. In addition, e-cigarettes powered by lithium-ion batteries have been documented to ignite and/or explode. These explosions have resulted in severe injuries, including third degree burns, lacerations, loss of body parts (including eye, tongue, and teeth), and death.

Assessment of ED threat perceptions identifies patients at risk for cardiac-induced PTSD

A brief tool assessing emergency department (ED) threat perceptions has clinical utility for providers to identify patients at risk for developing cardiac-induced PTSD and is critical to inform research on whether threat may be modified in-ED to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) incidence. That is the finding of a study to be published in the October 2018 issue of Academic Emergency Medicine (AEM), a journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM).

Study examines the effect of alcohol consumption on survival in non-alcoholic fatty liver

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), which is not caused by significant alcohol consumption, has become the most common liver disease in the United States and comprises more than two thirds of patients with chronic liver disease.

New report on mobility has experts moving toward consensus on care as we age

Experts at the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) today unveiled a list of recommendations to help health systems prioritize a vital function for us all as we age: mobility. Mobility refers to our ability to move freely and easily (on our own or with assistance). Published today in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS), the AGS white paper focuses on assessing mobility for hospitalized older adults, offering a roadmap for shifting health care's focus away from negative markers of mobility loss and toward a deeper appreciation of ways mobility can be proactively assessed—and often preserved—to promote high-quality, person-centered care.

Biology news

Researchers publish discoveries on antibiotic resistance

University of Montana researchers recently published their new insights into how pathogenic bacteria resist antibiotic treatment in Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Sciences.

Giraffe babies inherit spot patterns from their mothers

Some features of a giraffe's spot pattern are passed on from mother to baby, according to a new study led by researchers from Penn State. The study also reveals that survival of young giraffes is related to spot pattern, which may help provide camouflage from predators. The new study, published October 2 in the journal PeerJ, confirms a 49-year-old hypothesis about the inheritance of giraffe spots and highlights a new toolset that can be used to study the markings of wild animals.

Researchers report nitrate respiration of an enteropathogen

The human pathogen Vibrio cholerae has stumped scientists since its discovery 150 years ago. Experts who studied the bacterium were puzzled that the bacterium was unable to grow under anaerobic conditions although it was equipped with active metabolic machinery to breathe nitrate instead of oxygen, conditions that typically exist in the gastrointestinal tract. The common opinion was that the bacteria accumulates the intermediate product nitrite, which inhibits further growth. The research group of Felipe Cava at the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden has now studied this bacteria under low-oxygen and varied pH-conditions. Together with their colleagues in Boston, U.S., the scientists at Umeå University discovered an elegant pH-dependent metabolic mechanism that permits the pathogen to switch to a resting mode with preserved viability. The strategy provides a competitive advantage against commensal bacteria to better colonize and infect the intestine. The group have published their results in Nature Microbiology.

Pioneering biologists create a new crop through genome editing

Crops such as wheat and maize have undergone a breeding process lasting thousands of years, in the course of which mankind has gradually modified the properties of wild plants into highly cultivated variants. One motive was higher yields. A side effect of this breeding has been a reduction in genetic diversity and the loss of useful properties. This is demonstrated by an increased susceptibility to diseases, a lack of flavor or reduced vitamin and nutrient content in modern varieties. Now, for the first time, researchers from Brazil, the U.S. and Germany have created a new crop from a wild plant within a single generation using CRISPR-Cas9, a modern genome editing process. Starting with a wild tomato, they introduced a variety of crop features without losing the valuable genetic properties of the wild plant. The results have been published in the current issue of Nature Biotechnology.

How the African elephant cracked its skin to cool off

An intricate network of minuscule crevices adorns the skin surface of the African bush elephant. By retaining water and mud, these micrometer-wide channels greatly help elephants in regulating their body temperature and protecting their skin against parasites and intense solar radiation. Today, researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, and the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB) report in the journal Nature Communications that African elephant skin channels are true fractures of the brittle and desquamation-deficient outermost skin layer. The scientists show that the elephant's hyperkeratinised skin grows on a lattice of millimetric elevations, causing fractures due to local mechanical stress from bending.

Nematodes found to positively influence dung beetle larval microbiomes

A team of researchers at Indiana University has found that a type of nematode offers a positive influence on the dung beetle larval microbiome. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Cristina Ledón-Rettig, Armin Moczek and Erik Ragsdale describe their study of the relationship between the nematode Diplogastrellus monhysteroide and dung beetles.

Engineering plants for a sustainable future

In the search for sustainable materials, the day-to-day structures of plants could help replace polluting materials and plastics with ones that are less detrimental to our environment.

Weak magnetic fields affect cells via a protein involved in bird migration

Beneficial effects, and possible harm, of exposure to weak pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) may be mediated by a protein related to one that helps birds migrate, according to a study publishing on October 2 in the open access journal PLOS Biology by Margaret Ahmad of Xavier University in Cincinnati and colleagues. The discovery provides a potential mechanism for the benefits of PEMF-based therapies, used to treat depression and Parkinson's disease, and may accelerate development of magnetic stimulation for other applications.

High-tech breakthrough in snakebite antivenom

An experimental antivenom has been developed against dendrotoxins from the world's most feared venomous snake, the black mamba, which can be found in Africa. The experiments were carried out in collaboration between DTU and Instituto Clodomiro Picado in Costa Rica, and IONTAS in Cambridge, U.K., and the findings were recently published in the journal Nature Communications.

Commandeering microbes pave way for synthetic biology in military environments

A team of scientists from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed and demonstrated a pioneering synthetic biology tool to deliver DNA programming into a broad range of bacteria.

Revealed: a central signal sorting hub in plants

Plants growing in the wild constantly sense and respond to a multitude of signals by suitably coordinating biological processes.

Biologists find new genetic interdependence between mothers and their offspring

A team of biologists has discovered that the distinctive genetic processes of early development help explain patterns of animal development in nature and across the evolutionary tree. Its findings point to a largely overlooked dynamic between the genome of mothers and their developing progeny—and one that underscores this genetic interaction as a primary influence on evolution.

New species of hummingbird identified in Ecuador

A team of ornithologists in Ecuador has identified a new species of hummingbird: a lovely blue-green creature that lives in a cold, barren highland area and is danger of extinction.

Decline in native fish species—invasive species on the increase

The majority of Bavaria's watercourses are in poor ecological condition. A team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has now conducted the first systematic analysis of long-term data on fish stocks in the Upper Danube, Elbe and Main rivers. The team concluded that native fish species are on the verge of extinction, while the populations of some invasive species are increasing.

Dormant genes brought to life in new generations

The genetic differences in phytoplankton living in close geographic proximity can be great, which has long intrigued researchers. Now, new research shows that the ability of phytoplankton to generate resting stages can be an important part of the explanation.

Study links decline in Ozarks lizard population to fire suppression

Eastern collared lizards, once plentiful in the Ozark Mountains, are now listed as a "species of greatest conservation need." What does their decline say about habitat degradation in the Ozarks?

A crucial gene controls stem juiciness in sorghum and beyond

Perhaps you've never tasted sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), the fifth most popular crop in the world, but you probably will soon. This ancient grain is a common source of food in developing countries and is also used to make Baijiu, one of the world's most popular spirits.

Scientists develop new way to track swift parrots

Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) could be a step closer to saving the critically endangered swift parrot, after showing it's possible to predict where the parrots will settle to breed.

Channel Island foxes make a comeback

Visitors of Southern California's Santa Catalina Island in recent years have likely caught sight of what first may appear to be small dogs or half-grown housecats. The docile creatures, sporting bushy salt-and-pepper tails, charcoal and brown camouflage coats and outsized ears, seem ready to overrun the island.

How the house sparrows came to be

House sparrows are closely associated with humans and are found in most parts of the world. By investigating the DNA of several species of sparrows, researchers have shown that the house sparrow diverged from a sparrow in the Middle East – and started to digest starch-rich foods – when humans developed agriculture some 11,000 years ago.

Wild suburbia—more mammals than expected live near people

It's a jungle out there in the suburbs, where many wild mammals are thriving near humans. That's the conclusion of a large-scale study using camera trap images from hundreds of citizen scientists in Washington, D.C., and Raleigh, North Carolina.

The first drywood termite known to use snapping stick-like mandibles to defend its colony

Tasked to defend the colony from attackers, the specialised soldier caste in some termite species has evolved various impressive mechanisms, including plug-like heads—meant to block intruding ants trying to invade their lairs, and mouthparts designed to bite and pierce.

Cobra cannibalism more prevalent than previously thought

Last spring, researchers in South Africa's Kalahari Desert found a large male cape cobra devouring another smaller male of the same species. Surprised by the thought-to-be-rare event, they decided to investigate how common and widespread cannibalism was in cobras.

Biofilm reactor promises to cut production costs on vitamin K

In an innovative study that promises to reduce production costs for the most potent form of vitamin K—Menaquinone-7, Penn State researchers have developed a novel method to enhance the fermentation process that creates the supplement by agitated liquid fermentation in a biofilm reactor.

Being smart about illegal wildlife trade—why local communities matter

Illegal wildlife trade is having a devastating impact on elephants, tigers and rhinos, pushing these iconic animals – and less well-known species such as sturgeon, geckos, pangolins and hornbills – to the brink of extinction. This month, the UK government is hosting an international conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade, bringing together global leaders to help eradicate this threat. One of the London conference's main priorities will be to strengthen 'end-to-end enforcement' – in other words, tackling the entire supply chain from poacher to end user.

How big data is changing science

"This is when I start feeling my age," says Anne Corcoran. She's a scientist at the Babraham Institute, a human biology research centre in Cambridge, UK. Corcoran leads a group that looks at how our genomes – the DNA coiled in almost every cell in our bodies – relate to our immune systems, and specifically to the antibodies we make to defend against infection.

Imaging the zebrafish, one cell at a time

A new imaging project at the Morgridge Institute for Research might be the biology equivalent of a 19th century expressionist painting. Think Van Gogh's "Starry Night," a constellation of tiny lines of color combining into a powerful image.


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