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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for October 3, 2018:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Blazar LBQS 1319+0039 detected in hard X-raysAn international team of astronomers reports the detection of the blazar LBQS 1319+0039 in hard X-rays using NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) space telescope. The finding, updating knowledge about this object, is available in a paper published September 26 on the arXiv pre-print repository. |
 | Mountaintop observatory sees gamma rays from exotic Milky Way objectThe night sky seems serene, but telescopes tell us that the universe is filled with collisions and explosions. Distant, violent events signal their presence by spewing light and particles in all directions. When these messengers reach Earth, scientists can use them to map out the action-packed sky, helping to better understand the volatile processes happening deep within space. |
 | Astronomers find first compelling evidence for a moon outside our solar systemA pair of Columbia University astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and Kepler Space Telescope have assembled compelling evidence for the existence of a moon orbiting a gas-giant planet 8,000 light-years away. |
 | Touchdown! Japan space probe lands new robot on asteroidA Japanese probe landed a new observation robot on an asteroid on Wednesday as it pursues a mission to shed light on the origins of the solar system. |
 | The faint glow of cosmic hydrogenA study published recently in Nature has revealed the presence of a hitherto undetected component of the universe—large masses of gas surrounding distant galaxies. An international team from some 10 scientific institutions has shown that almost the whole of the early universe shows a faint glow in the Lyman-alpha line. This line is one of the key "fingerprints" of hydrogen. This detection reveals the existence of extensive masses of gas around primitive galaxies. The results of this study are based on observations made with the MUSE spectrograph on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) of the European Southern Observatory, Cerro Paranal, Chile. |
 | Protoplanetary disk material found to be too sparse to form planet populationsA trio of researchers with the European Southern Observatory and Université Côte d'Azur has found evidence showing that the gas and dust disks that form around early stars systems do not contain enough material to form the planets that develop. In their paper published in the journal Astronomy Astrophysics, Carlo Manara, A. Morbidelli and T. Guillot describe their study of data from the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile and what they found. |
 | New tool helps scientists better target the search for alien lifeCould there be another planet in the universe with a society at the same stage of technological advancement as ours? To find out, EPFL scientist Claudio Grimaldi, working in association with the University of California, Berkeley, has developed a statistical model that gives researchers a new tool in the search for the kind of signals that an extraterrestrial society might emit. His method, described in an article appearing today in PNAS, could also make the search cheaper and more efficient. |
Strange sights, sounds could herald California rocket returnThe Air Force is warning residents on California's central coast to be prepared for unusual sights and sounds this weekend as SpaceX attempts its first return of a rocket to launch site on the West Coast. | |
 | NASA skeptical on sabotage theory after mystery ISS leakNASA expressed doubts Wednesday over a theory floated in Russia that a tiny hole that caused an air leak on the International Space Station was the result of sabotage. |
 | 50 years old, '2001: A Space Odyssey' still offers insight about the futureWatching a 50th anniversary screening of "2001: A Space Odyssey," I found myself, a mathematician and computer scientist whose research includes work related to artificial intelligence, comparing the story's vision of the future with the world today. |
Technology news
 | A new convolutional neural network model to detect abuse and incivility on TwitterResearchers at Northwestern University, McGill University, and the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur have recently developed a character level convolutional neural network (CNN) model that could help to detect abusive posts on Twitter. This model was found to outperform several baseline methods, achieving an accuracy of 93.3 percent. |
 | Experimental release of Robot Operating System for Windows poses attractive pathway for developersHow serious is Microsoft in earning a place in the frontlines of support for developers playing with robotics? |
 | No more Iron Man—submarines now have soft, robotic armsThe human arm can perform a wide range of extremely delicate and coordinated movements, from turning a key in a lock to gently stroking a puppy's fur. The robotic "arms" on underwater research submarines, however, are hard, jerky, and lack the finesse to be able to reach and interact with creatures like jellyfish or octopuses without damaging them. Previously, the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and collaborators developed a range of soft robotic grippers to more safely handle delicate sea life, but those gripping devices still relied on hard, robotic submarine arms that made it difficult to maneuver them into various positions in the water. |
 | Light multiplication for stable improvement of solar cellsNow that solar cells based on silicon technology have nearly reached their efficiency limits, researchers from all over the world are looking for alternative technologies to further improve solar cell efficiency. Physicists from AMOLF and Cambridge University have used modeling techniques to compare two such promising technologies: singlet fission photon multipliers and tandem solar cells. While the potential efficiency improvement is almost equal, the singlet fission photon multiplier turned out to be more stable under varying weather conditions. Also, the singlet fission photon multiplier does not require modifications to the silicon technology, which means it could even be used to improve existing solar cells. The researchers have published their findings in ACS Energy Letters. |
 | Emissions-free energy system saves heat from the summer sun for winterA research group from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, has made great strides toward the development of a specially designed molecule which can store solar energy for later use. These advances have been presented in four scientific articles, the most recent appearing in Energy & Environmental Science. |
 | New electric car charger is more efficient, 10 times smaller than current techResearchers at North Carolina State University have built an electric vehicle fast charger that is at least 10 times smaller than existing systems and wastes 60 percent less power during the charging process, without sacrificing the charging time. The team is now building a version that is capable of charging vehicles more quickly, while also charging multiple vehicles at the same time. |
 | New research could lead to more energy-efficient computingComputers in the future could be more energy-efficient, thanks to new research from Binghamton University, State University at New York. |
 | New 3D-printed cement paste gets stronger when it cracks—just like structures in natureWhat if the inherent weaknesses of a material actually made houses and buildings stronger during wildfires and earthquakes? |
 | Apple chief says firm guards data privacy in ChinaApple chief executive Tim Cook on Tuesday said the company is devoted to protecting people's privacy, with data encrypted and locked away on servers even in China. |
 | Facebook says no sign recent hack spread to other appsFacebook on Tuesday said hackers who stole digital keys to tens of millions of accounts appear not to have tampered with third-party applications linked to the social network. |
 | Amazon bets big on Europe as it takes on NetflixAmazon is firing a new salvo in its global battle with Netflix for the booming online streaming market—and it features Julia Roberts and descendants of Russia's tsars. |
 | Scientists develop smart technology for synchronized 3-D printing of concreteScientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a technology whereby two robots can work in unison to 3-D-print a concrete structure. This method of concurrent 3-D printing, known as swarm printing, paves the way for a team of mobile robots to print even bigger structures in the future. Developed by Assistant Professor Pham Quang Cuong and his team at NTU's Singapore Centre for 3-D Printing, this new multi-robot technology is reported in Automation in Construction. The NTU scientist was also behind the Ikea Bot project earlier this year, in which two robots assembled an Ikea chair in about nine minutes. |
 | Mark Zuckerberg and team take heat for massive data breach, Facebook 'not well managed'Mark Zuckerberg is facing a major public reckoning following the massive Facebook data breach as a cascade of crises catch up with the social media giant. |
 | California sued by DOJ after governor signs 'model' net neutrality billCalifornia now has the strongest net neutrality rules in the nation, after Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill during a last-minute flurry of bill signings and vetoes Sunday. A little over an hour after the announcement, the Department of Justice sued the state. |
 | Elite N.Korean hacker group tied to bank attacks: researchersAn elite group of North Korean hackers has been identified as the source of a wave of cyberattacks on global banks that has netted "hundreds of millions" of dollars, security researchers said Wednesday. |
 | Meet the farmers of the future: RobotsBrandon Alexander would like to introduce you to Angus, the farmer of the future. He's heavyset, weighing in at nearly 1,000 pounds, not to mention a bit slow. But he's strong enough to hoist 800-pound pallets of maturing vegetables and can move them from place to place on his own. |
 | City of Seattle fighting federal government's new 5G rulesThe city of Seattle will appeal rules set last week by the federal government that seek to set a countrywide standard for how much cities can charge telecom providers to set up 5G technology for ultrafast cellular connectivity. |
 | Why your online data isn't safeUntil recently, the presumptive targets for massive data theft were considered to be companies that lacked sophisticated cybersecurity or didn't take the issue seriously enough. |
 | AI's first pop album ushers in a new musical eraLast December, the world ushered in a new era of popular music: human and artificial intelligence (AI) collaboration. |
 | Finding the sweet spot for transparency and control in music recommendationsIn music recommender systems, it's important to design user controls that hit the sweet spot between the perceived quality of recommendations and acceptable cognitive load, concludes TU Delft researcher Nava Tintarev. Together with colleagues from KU Leuven, and research with the Spotify API, she will present these findings at the ACM Conference on Recommender Systems in Vancouver, on Wednesday October 3rd. |
 | Child experts file FTC complaint against Facebook kids' appChildren's and public health advocacy groups say Facebook's kid-centric messaging app violates federal law by collecting kids' personal information without getting verifiable consent from their parents. |
 | EU lawmakers want to cut car emissions by 40 percent by 2030The European Parliament wants to cut CO2 emissions from new cars and vans by 40 percent by 2030 and will try to convince the European Union's 28 nations to back the idea despite objections from the powerful car industry. |
 | EU, Germany to fund Ivory Coast solar power stationGerman and EU cash will be used to finance the first solar power station in Ivory Coast, Germany's embassy in Abidjan said Wednesday, as the West African country attempts to boost its use of renewable energy. |
 | Security failure at Facebook—what we knowThe security breach revealed on September 28 by Facebook affected tens of millions of accounts at the social network, which boasts more than 2.2 billion monthly users. |
 | Irish data authority probing Facebook over breach of 50 mn accountsIreland's data protection authority launched an investigation into Facebook Wednesday, bringing stringent new European privacy laws to bear on the tech titan after a security breach exposed 50 million accounts. |
 | 007 carmaker Aston Martin stalls in glitzy £4.3bn London IPO (Update)James Bond's favourite carmaker Aston Martin stalled Wednesday after making a glitzy £4.3-billion ($5.6-billion, 4.9-billion-euro) debut on the London stock market. |
 | California law on company boards spotlights deep challengesCalifornia's new law requiring companies to include women on their boards of directors may not survive widely expected legal challenges but it has already spotlighted the entrenched practices and barriers that have helped keep women out of boardrooms. |
 | Honda joins forces with GM's Cruise to develop autonomous vehiclesJapanese carmaker Honda has joined forces with the General Motors tech startup Cruise to develop autonomous vehicles as the race to market self-driving cars heats up, the companies announced Wednesday. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Engineering teratoma-derived fibroblasts to enhance osteogenesisMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising cell source, easy to harvest and differentiate into a variety of mesodermal tissues including fat, bone and cartilage in regenerative medicine. However, for in vivo implantation, a large quantity of stem cells is required with extensive in vitro cell culture to ensure the success of cell-based therapies. As a result, the potential to transfer cell-based strategies from the lab to the clinic is limited. In bone research, immortalized osteoblast cell lines can be used to test novel therapeutic agents and biomaterials as preclinical models of osteogenesis in vitro. In bone tissue engineering, several strategies can be combined to heal and restore large bone defects, including bone graft substitution, stimulation with bone growth factors and suitable progenitor stem cell introduction to induce osteogenesis in vivo. |
 | In tiny worms, researchers find spiking neurons—and clues about brain computationContrary to popular belief, the brain is not a computer. However brains do, in their own way, compute. They integrate informational inputs to generate outputs, including behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. |
 | Anti-integrin therapy effect on intestinal immune system in HIV-infected patientsIn a study published today in Science Translational Medicine, Mount Sinai researchers describe for the first time a mechanism that may shrink collections of immune cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, called lymphoid aggregates, where HIV may lay sequestered. These findings may be of interest to scientists who are involved in researching the cure for HIV infection in light of the strong role that the intestines play in it. |
 | Hugs may help protect against conflict-related distressReceiving hugs may buffer against deleterious changes in mood associated with interpersonal conflict, according to a study published October 3rd in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Michael Murphy of Carnegie Mellon University, along with co-authors Denise Janicki-Deverts and Sheldon Cohen. |
 | T cell bispecific antibody for the immune-mediated killing of HER2+ breast cancer cellsNot so long ago, immunotherapy against cancer was positioned as an emerging or even promising treatment, but not one with a proven track record. Today however, novel immunotherapeutics across different tumor types, either as mono therapy or in combination, are increasingly becoming one of the most innovative and powerful anti-cancer strategies. |
 | Scientists identify genetic causes of mitochondrial diseasesAn international team of scientists led by researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine have identified previously unknown genetic causes of mitochondrial diseases. |
 | Combination therapy targets latent reservoir of HIVWith more than 35 million people worldwide living with the virus and nearly 2 million new cases each year, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a major global epidemic. Existing antiretroviral drugs do not cure HIV infection because of the virus's ability to become dormant, remaining present but silent in immune cells. Known as the latent reservoir, these infected cells—where HIV remains hidden despite antiretroviral therapy (ART) - can become active again at any time. |
 | Reducing mutant Huntington disease protein can restore cognitive function in miceNew research from the University of British Columbia suggests that reducing mutated Huntington disease protein in the brain can restore cognitive and psychiatric impairments in mice. |
 | ReFRAME drug repurposing collection yields hope for treating diseases that kill millionsEach year, millions of people worldwide suffer from potentially fatal infectious diseases that often leave survivors facing a lifetime of related health problems. But what if drugs against such diseases already existed but nobody knew it? |
 | A novel molecule could spur new class of drugs for breast cancerResearchers at Stevens Institute of Technology and colleagues have designed and developed a new class of molecules that use a never-before-known mechanism that may halt or destroy breast cancer tumors, particularly for patients with drug-resistant or dangerously metastatic stages of the disease. |
Non-VA healthcare providers are uncertain how to care for veteransA study published in Family Practice indicates that healthcare providers outside of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department are uncertain how to address veterans' needs. The study says that this is due to limited knowledge of resources and coordination problems. | |
 | Teen cannabis use is not without risk to cognitive developmentAlthough studies have shown that alcohol and cannabis misuse are related to impaired cognition in youth, previous studies were not designed to understand this relationship and differentiate whether cannabis use was causal or consequential to cognitive impairment. A new study by researchers at CHU Sainte-Justine and Université de Montréal, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, shows that beyond the role of cognition in vulnerability to substance use, the concurrent and lasting effects of adolescent cannabis use can be observed on important cognitive functions and appear to be more pronounced than those observed for alcohol. |
 | Primary care strategies to improve health of chronic disease patientsImproving primary care for patients with chronic illness is critical to improving healthcare quality, value and patient experience. Primary care providers are participating in several new payment models that emphasize quality and value. However, little is known about whether and how participation in these programs affects care delivery, specifically for patients with chronic needs. |
Sexual harassment and assault take long-term toll on women's healthThe #MeToo Movement, in addition to raising awareness, has provided people with a voice to speak out when they've been wronged, harassed, or assaulted. A new study shows that not only are sexual harassment and assault highly prevalent today, but they may also have negative health consequences. Study results will be presented during The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in San Diego, October 3-6, 2018. | |
 | Exercise reduces stress, improves cellular health in family caregiversExercising at least three times a week for six months reduced stress in a group of family caregivers and even appeared to lengthen a small section of their chromosomes that is believed to slow cellular aging, new UBC research has found. |
 | JUUL: e-cigarette dominates the market—and fears of parentsIn just three years, electronic cigarette maker JUUL has come to dominate the American market with its vaping devices that look like thumb drives, a business success that has brought a public health dilemma for authorities in the US, and elsewhere. |
Smokers with peripheral artery disease need more help to kick the habitWhile many people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) smoke, few receive proven smoking cessation strategies from their doctor, according to new research in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the Open Access Journal of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. | |
 | Type 2 diabetes tied to raised risk of tumors, cancer deaths(HealthDay)—Type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of developing cancer and dying from certain forms of the disease, a new study suggests. |
 | Severe infections rising among Americans with diabetes(HealthDay)—The number of Americans with diabetes who wind up in hospitals with serious infections, or who develop them while in the hospital, is on the rise. |
 | Preventable cardiovascular events are big economic burden(HealthDay)—Preventable cardiovascular events place a considerable health and economic burden on the United States, according to research published in the Sept. 7 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. |
 | For employer-based plans, spending across services steady(HealthDay)—Despite large health policy changes, the distribution of spending across service areas has remained fairly consistent over the past 10 years for those enrolled in employer-sponsored insurance, according to a study published in the October issue of Health Affairs. |
 | Voluntary recall of robaxin 750 mg due to dosage misprint(HealthDay)—Endo Pharmaceuticals is voluntarily recalling two lots of Robaxin (methocarbamol tablets) 750 mg tablets (100-count bottles) due to incorrect dosage information. |
 | What's one of the most Googled medical issues? It's dark, and it's green, officials sayA recent study revealed what medical symptoms were the most commonly searched on Google, state by state across the U.S. |
 | Cyclic peptides for cancer therapy and prognosis assessmentNUS biologists have developed cyclic peptides that can trigger cancer cell death without affecting healthy cells. |
 | Q&A: Treatment for Hurthle cell thyroid cancerDear Mayo Clinic: Is it common to only have a partial thyroidectomy to remove Hurthle cells? My doctor is recommending this procedure, but I wonder if I should have my entire thyroid removed instead to eliminate the risk of the cancer coming back. Would it be better to have a total thyroidectomy? |
 | Making the right connectionsResearchers at VIB and KU Leuven have uncovered a new molecular interaction that governs the formation of specific functional connections between two types of neurons. It gives an important clue as to how unique interactions give shape to precisely organized neuronal networks in the brain. |
 | Midwifery linked to lower odds of birth complications for low-income womenNew research from the University of British Columbia and the University of Saskatchewan is adding new evidence in support of midwives as a safe option for prenatal care, especially for women who have low socioeconomic status. |
 | Sexual harassment and assault linked to worse physical/mental health among midlife womenA new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine suggests that experiences of sexual harassment and sexual assault could have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of midlife women. Study results, published today in JAMA Internal Medicine, also will be presented at the North American Menopause Society meeting on Friday, Oct 5 2018 in San Diego, CA. |
Nursing homes increasingly pushing patients into rehab at end-of-lifeA new study reveals a growing trend of potentially unnecessary—and harmful—high intensity rehabilitation services for residents of nursing homes. The study finds that this trend, which may be driven by a desire to maximize reimbursement rates, is on the rise for patients in the last 30 days of life, indicating that these services may be interfering with appropriate end-of-life care. | |
 | What did americans eat today? A third would say fast food(HealthDay)—Americans' love affair with fast food continues, with 1 in every 3 adults chowing down on the fare on any given day. |
 | Best way to assess obstetrics programs? Measure outcomes for both mom, babyMothers and babies are dying due to birth-associated complications at higher rates now than a decade ago. In a new study appearing online in Birth, Katherine Campbell, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the Yale School of Medicine, and her team found that that jointly considering morbidity outcomes for mom and baby is the best way to measure the quality of a hospital's obstetrics program. |
 | Study shows cigarillo flavors enhanced by high-intensity sweetenersIn a new study, Yale researchers found that popular brands of cigarillos are flavored with high-intensity sweeteners, potentially reducing the aversive sensation of smoking and making cigarillos more palatable. The concern is that these sweeteners encourage young people to smoke cigarillos. |
 | New book explores the unlikely origins of food and drink regulation in the U.S.Milk may seem as wholesome a drink as there is, but it was not always so. |
 | Discharged mental health patients 'at greater risk of dying'Mental health patients are at much greater risk of dying from unnatural causes following their first discharge from inpatient care than the rest of the population, according to new research. |
 | Better food labels could reduce food allergy-related anaphylaxisResearchers want food labelling regulations tightened after their study found that some people with allergies had anaphylactic reactions to packaged foods. |
 | Newly discovered compounds shed fresh light on whole grain health benefitsScientists have discovered new compounds that may explain whole grain health benefits, reports a new study led by the University of Eastern Finland. A high intake of whole grains increased the levels of betaine compounds in the body which, in turn, was associated with improved glucose metabolism, among other things. The findings shed new light on the cell level effects of a whole grain-rich diet, and can help in the development of increasingly healthy food products. |
 | Dynamic headrest helps wheelchair usersA dynamic headrest will soon reduce pain and other discomforts for wheelchair users. Anoek Geers constructed the prototype of this new head support within the framework of the University of Twente's PDEng programme. She is hoping to obtain a doctoral degree with the final design. Anoek is the 50th PDEng trainee to receive her diploma at the University of Twente. |
 | What a widely attacked experiment got right on the harmful effects of prisonsThe Stanford Prison Experiment is one of the few scientific studies to enter the public consciousness through mainstream news, documentaries, popular books, a TED talk and a major motion picture. |
 | How theatre training can boost your doctor's empathyI teach improvisational theatre to health scientists and trainee doctors. When I tell people this, they are often confused because theatre and medicine appear to be separate fields. |
 | Study finds physical, emotional abuse can dampen young adults' earningsExperiencing physical or emotional abuse in childhood can measurably reduce the wages of young adults, according to a study conducted in South Africa by an international research team, including Dr. Xiangming Fang of the School of Public Health at Georgia State University. |
 | How humour can reduce workplace stressResearch from ANU has found a bit of humour at work can help employees deal with workplace aggression and stressful situations. |
 | Could beetroot juice alleviate obesity-related health implications?Beetroot juice is believed to help with cognitive function, lower blood pressure and improve stamina during exercise because of the nitrates in the vegetable that aid the body in better utilizing oxygen. A new study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is recruiting participants for a study that looks at beetroot juice components, dietary nitrate and antioxidants, and their independent effects on exercise tolerance and health benefits in individuals with obesity. |
 | Five things you didn't know about psychopathsIn the hit BBC TV show, Killing Eve, Villanelle, a psychopathic assassin, tells Eve, a security service operative, "You should never call a psychopath a psychopath. It upsets them." She then pouts her lip in an imitation of someone feeling upset. |
 | Breathlessness: the hidden health problem leaving millions struggling"It just stops your life, stops you from living. " This quote from an anonymous patient sums up the experience of millions of sufferers of a health problem that's rarely recognised or even discussed, yet has a major impact on their lives. Simply put, these people can't catch their breath. And when the problem gets worse it can lead to a crisis situation. In fact, it may be responsible for as many as 20% of ambulance trips to the hospital. |
Scientists uncover possible new causes of Tourette syndromeAn international team that includes multiple Rutgers scientists has made significant progress in understanding the genetic causes of Tourette syndrome. They estimate that over 400 singular or combined mutated genes could pose a risk for Tourette syndrome, suggesting the disorder is as complex as autism, epilepsy, and intellectual disability. | |
 | Inadequate evidence to guide caffeine intake for breastfeeding mothers, review findsA systematic review of the literature into the effects of caffeine on breastfed infants has concluded that there is no robust evidence for positive or negative effects of maternal caffeine consumption during breastfeeding on a breastfed child—according to Dr. Yen-Fu Chen and graduate-entry medical student Aimee McCreedy of the Warwick Medical School. |
 | Changes in meal times can reduce body fatDuring a 10-week study on 'time-restricted feeding' (a form of intermittent fasting), researchers, led by Dr. Jonathan Johnston, investigated the impact changing meal times had on dietary intake, body composition and blood risk markers for diabetes and heart disease. |
 | A grape constituent protects against cancerLung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer in the world, and 80 percent of death are related to smoking. In addition to tobacco control, effective chemoprevention strategies are therefore needed. A team of scientists from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, studied a well-known natural product, resveratrol, which is found in grapes and in red wine. While its chemopreventive properties against cancers affecting the digestive tract have been documented by previous studies, resveratrol has so far shown no effect on lung cancers. Thanks to nasal administration, the UNIGE team obtained very promising results in a study conducted in mice and described in the journal Scientific Reports. |
 | High-risk HPV linked to improved survival in cervical cancerThe presence of the human high-risk papillomavirus (hrHPV) in the diagnosis of invasive cervical cancer is linked to a greatly improved prognosis compared to cases in which hrHPV cannot be identified in the tumour, according to researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, who have published their results in the scientific journal PLOS Medicine. The researchers believe that high-risk HPV can be another important prognostic marker that can inform the choice of therapeutic strategy. |
 | Even light drinking increases risk of deathDrinking a daily glass of wine for health reasons may not be so healthy after all, suggests a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. |
 | Wraparound services hold great promise for reducing health costs and improving outcomesWhen Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis began offering on-site dietetics, social work and other wraparound services at its clinics, it did more than improve patient outcomes. It potentially saved millions of dollars in hospitalization costs. |
 | Fly protein has protective effect on dopaminergic neuronsParkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects dopamine-producing or dopaminergic neurons. The progressive loss of these neurons is what leads to impairment in movement coordination in those suffering from the illness. |
 | It's a beautiful game, but how you see it is all in the mind...Scientists have scanned the brains of die-hard football fans to find out why supporters of rival teams often have very different views on the same match. |
 | Social class determines whether buying experiences or things brings greater happinessWhat is the best way to spend money to increase your happiness? It may depend, in part, on how wealthy you are, according to findings published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. |
 | Low self-esteem connected to greater risk for opioid useHealth, family and romance problems appear to be the particular life stressors most associated with increased risk for using opioids to cope, and individuals with low self-esteem appear to be at risk for these connections, according to a new paper including researchers at Binghamton University, State University at New York. |
 | Does less-invasive surgery make sense for you?(HealthDay)—Among the most significant advances in surgery has been the development of laparoscopic—or minimally invasive—procedures. |
 | Family history linked to early-onset A-fib in minorities(HealthDay)—Probands of African or Hispanic/Latino descent with early-onset atrial fibrillation (EOAF) are more likely than European Americans to have a first-degree relative with AF, according to a study published online Sept. 21 in JAMA Network Open. |
 | Uninsured rate at 8.8 percent in first quarter of 2018(HealthDay)—In the first quarter of 2018, the uninsured rate was 8.8 percent, not significantly different from a year earlier, according to a report released Aug. 29 by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). |
 | Opioid-related hospital use up in elderly adults(HealthDay)—Rates of opioid-related prescriptions and health care utilization are rising among seniors, according to two September statistical briefs released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The reports relied on data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. |
 | High HbA1c after T1DM diagnosis predicts psychiatric comorbidity(HealthDay)—High average glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels during the first two years after type 1 diabetes onset predict higher risk for psychiatric diagnoses, according to a study published online Sept. 29 in Diabetes Care. |
Yale approach bases decision-making on older adults' own health prioritiesIn a pilot project, researchers at Yale, New York University School of Medicine and Baylor College of Medicine have shown that an innovative approach to health care for older adults with complex health needs can be integrated into a real-world clinical practice. Known as patient priorities care, the approach helps patients and clinicians focus decision-making and health care on what matters most—namely patients' own health priorities. | |
 | New nuclear medicine tracer will help study the aging brainA new PET imaging radiotracer could help researchers understand neurodegenerative disease and the aging brain. The study is featured in the October issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. |
Phage therapy draws renewed interest to combat drug-resistant microbesThe married professors were spending their Thanksgiving holiday in Egypt when the husband, Thomas L. Patterson, Ph.D., got very sick very quickly, experiencing fever, nausea and a racing heartbeat. By the time Patterson was accurately diagnosed with a highly multi-drug resistant bacterial infection, he was near death. His wife, Steffanie Strathdee, Ph.D., promised to "leave no stone unturned.'" | |
Sleeping too much or too little may affect stroke risk differently based on raceHow many hours people sleep at night may affect their risk of stroke differently based on race, according to a study published in the October 3, 2018, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. | |
First large study details cognitive outcomes among older breast cancer patientsThe first large U.S. study of cognition in older breast cancer patients found that within the first two years after diagnosis and treatment, most women do not experience cancer-related cognitive problems. | |
Kidney care conflicts of interest: Experts call for transparency on joint-venture dialysis clinicsPenn Medicine experts in nephrology and health policy call for more transparency about joint-venture ownership of dialysis clinics to better understand what impact these arrangements may have on patient referrals and clinical outcomes. Currently, physicians who enter into these ventures, in which they share in the management, profit, and losses of a dialysis facility, are not required to disclose the relationship nor discuss it with patients. And no information about dialysis clinic joint-venture arrangements is publicly available. The lack of transparency poses a major barrier for evidence-based health care policy research and deprives patients of critical information, the researchers write in a new Perspective published in the New England Journal of Medicine. | |
 | Funder involved in all aspects of most industry-funded clinical trialsIn most industry funded trials reported in high impact medical journals, all aspects of the trial involved the industry funder, finds a study published by The BMJ today. |
 | Opioid overdoses, depression linkedThe link between mental health disorders and substance abuse is well-documented. Nearly one in 12 adults in the U.S is depressed, and opioid-related deaths are skyrocketing. As these numbers continue to climb, some mental health professionals have started to wonder if there's a link between the two. |
 | ALS drug may help treat prostate cancerResearchers have discovered a new use for an old drug as a potential treatment for prostate cancer. The findings are published in the journal The Prostate. |
 | Cataracts linked to higher risks of osteoporosis and fractureA new Journal of the American Geriatrics Society study has evaluated the potential impacts of cataracts and cataract surgery on the risks of osteoporosis and bone fractures. |
Crossing new frontiers in melanoma researchIn a Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research article, world-leading experts identify emerging frontiers in skin cancer and pigment diseases. | |
Interferential current offers solution to painful sexInsufficient estrogen creates an array of physical changes in women, some of which limit the ability to enjoy sex. A new study offers hope, however, by demonstrating the effectiveness of interferential current in improving lubrication, pain, orgasm, and overall satisfaction for women with premature ovarian insufficiency who are taking hormones. Study results will be presented during The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in San Diego, October 3-6, 2018. | |
Study sheds light on atypical periprosthetic femoral fracturesFollowing surgery, some patients experience a broken bone around the implants of a total hip replacement—called a periprosthetic femoral fracture. In a study of such patients published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, investigators found that 8.3% of patients had atypical femoral fractures, which are a rare type of femoral stress fracture. The researchers also found a strong association between use of bisphosphonates and risk of atypical femoral fractures. | |
New information for women faced with infertilityA new Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research study offers infertile women new information regarding their expected probabilities of becoming pregnant and may help them select the optimal treatment based on their various risk factors. | |
How has the gluten-free industry affected individuals with celiac disease?A new Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics study has investigated how the recent proliferation of the gluten-free industry has affected individuals living with celiac disease. | |
 | Study examines care for knee replacement patients at physical therapy facilitiesIn an analysis of 112 records from 30 physical therapy (PT) sites regarding care for patients who had undergone total knee replacement (TKR) surgery, investigators found that the content and amount of specific exercises varied widely. The Arthritis Care & Research study also revealed that the specific details of PT interventions—including kinds of exercise, intensity, and dosage—may be important determinants of the functional outcomes of patients. |
 | Low vitamin D linked to earlier death in Thai menPrevious studies on the association between blood levels of vitamin D and survival have come from high-income countries. A new Geriatrics & Gerontology International study has now found that vitamin D insufficiency is linked with earlier death in community-dwelling Thai older men. |
Novel inhibitor of vascular calcification tested in trial of haemodialysis patientsCardiovascular calcification is a major health concern in patients with kidney failure undergoing haemodialysis. A first-time-in-human clinical trial of an investigational calcification inhibitor has generated promising results in terms of safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics. The findings are published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. | |
New technique uses umbilical cord stem cells for early repair of cleft palateA technique using umbilical cord blood stem cells could be a promising new approach for repair of cleft palate in infants, reports a paper in The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery. | |
 | Who needs genetic testing for breast cancer?Advances are regularly being made in cancer genetics. But, if patients aren't screened and diagnosed early enough, the advances can't save lives. A presentation at The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in San Diego, October 3-6, will review the various genetic testing options for breast cancer, as well as profile those who should be tested. |
 | Understanding why women may age slower than menWhy do women typically live longer than men? The Keynote Address at The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in San Diego, October 3-6, reviews some old and provides some new answers, highlighting the latest studies on the protective effects of sex hormones and estrogen, as well as other tips for slowing the aging process by improving telomere health. |
Options for making sex more enjoyable at any ageWomen at any age should be able to enjoy sex. Unfortunately, sexual function and comfort often decreases for women during the menopause transition. A presentation at The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in San Diego, October 3-6, will highlight the many nonhormone and also hormone therapy options currently available to help women stay sexually active, even if they suffer from genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). | |
Shedding light on new treatment options for perimenopausal depression and sleep problemsLight therapy has long been a recognized treatment option for depression. But can it help perimenopausal women struggling with depression and sleep problems as the result of hormone changes? A new study from the University of California suggests that it can by altering a woman's natural sleep/wake cycle. Preliminary study results will be presented during The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in San Diego, October 3-6, 2018. | |
Taking control of stress and menopause symptomsIt's another one of those chicken-or-the-egg dilemmas...do bothersome menopause symptoms create stress or does stress bring on menopause symptoms? The correct answer might not matter since a new study suggests that higher mindfulness may lower stress and the impact of menopause-related symptoms such as hot flashes. Study results will be presented during The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in San Diego, October 3-6, 2018. | |
 | Getting women in the mood for sexEven before ancient Egyptians, the search was on for aphrodisiacs that stimulated sexual desire and pleasure. Today, although we better understand the science behind desire, there is still much to be learned. The Presidential Symposium at The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in San Diego, October 3-6, will provide a historical world-wide tour of the search for aphrodisiacs, ending with current evidence-based pharmacologic treatments for hypoactive sexual desire disorder. |
Pregnancy disorders may lead to more hot flashesWhat occurs during pregnancy could have longer-term health effects than originally thought. A new study suggests that women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes may experience a greater burden of hot flashes during the menopause transition. Study results will be presented during The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in San Diego, October 3-6, 2018. | |
 | Time to rethink how we diagnose Alzheimer's diseaseWith all the focus on Alzheimer disease in recent years as a result of the aging population, what have we learned? A symposium at The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting in San Diego, October 3-6, will not only review conflicting evidence regarding the best way to diagnose the disease, but also the latest thinking on the neurodegeneration that often begins during the menopause transition. |
 | After years of debate Australia scraps 'tampon tax'After almost two decades of political wrangling Australia on Wednesday finally agreed to scrap its so-called "tampon tax". |
How lixisenatide slows or prevents damage to the kidneys in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseaseNew research presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) and published simultaneously in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology shows how the glucose-lowering drug lixisenatide can slow or prevent damage to the kidneys in macro-albuminuric patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease. The study is presented by Dr. Marcel Muskiet, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location VUMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and colleagues. The study will be published online by The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology at the embargo time. | |
Closed-loop 'artificial pancreas' insulin delivery system offers better glucose control, reduced risk of hypoglycaemiaNew research presented at this year's annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Berlin, Germany, and published in The Lancet, shows that use of a hybrid day-night closed-loop insulin delivery system is better than sensor-augmented pump therapy for blood sugar control in poorly controlled type 1 diabetes. The study, funded by JDRF, is by Dr. Roman Hovorka, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK, and colleagues. | |
Zimbabwe in huge cholera vaccination drive after 49 deathsZimbabwe has embarked on a massive vaccination drive as it battles a cholera outbreak that has killed at least 49 people. | |
 | An upper-class woman with higher education: The profile of the homeopathy user in SpainA new study identifies the typical pattern of homeopathy consumers in Spain, based on data from the CIS (Centre for Sociological Research) barometer, published last February. The results show that the profile is that of a middle- or upper-class woman of about 46, with higher education and a progressive political ideology. |
Hormone therapy for 'low T' may not be safe for all menBoosting testosterone levels with hormone supplements may not be safe or appropriate for all men with low testosterone (low T), according to new research. Recent 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. | |
 | UK sandwich chain changes labelling after allergy deathBritish sandwich shop chain Pret a Manger said Wednesday it would list all ingredients, including allergens, on its products after a teenage girl died in 2016 from an allergic reaction. |
What do animal brains have in common with a swarm of robots? Maybe more than you think.A group of scientists at Johns Hopkins has proposed a new study to understand the similarities—if any exist—between brain cells and robots in an autonomous swarm. | |
 | Survey: Companies continue to pass health costs to workersIf your employer is sticking you with a bigger share of the medical bill before health insurance kicks in, you may have to get used to it. |
Gastric banding as effective as metformin in slowing progression of prediabetes, type 2 diabetesPeople with prediabetes or new-onset type 2 diabetes who had gastric banding, a type of bariatric surgery for weight loss, had similar stabilization of their disease to those who took metformin alone, according to a study supported by the National Institutes of Health. These findings were published on October 3 in Diabetes Care, coinciding with a presentation during the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting in Berlin. | |
 | Pathomechanisms deciphered for the two most common age-related eye disordersPopulation aging is a global phenomenon with profound medical implications. Tissue dysfunction associated with aging affects all vital organs, including the eyes. Various ocular structures are affected by aging, such as the macula, the functional center of the retina responsible for precise central vision. |
 | Privatized education did not lead to more doctors in TanzaniaMany are trained, few employed, fewer still remain in the medical profession in rural areas. This is the result of a major healthcare reform in Tanzania, where private sector assistance was provided to train and retain healthcare professionals. This is the result of a doctoral thesis completed at Umeå University, Sweden. |
Physical therapy is highly effective for infants with congenital muscular torticollisCongenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is a common postural deformity in infants, and one that can be effectively treated by physical therapy., A set of updated, evidence-based recommendations for physical therapy management of CMT is presented in the October issue of Pediatric Physical Therapy. | |
 | Expert roundtable discusses impact of thyroid autoimmune testing on women's healthA group of expert panelists gathered to discuss "Thyroid Immune Testing—Guidelines, Testing Platforms, and Clinical Impact on Women's Health." The informative and enlightening results of the Roundtable discussion are presented in an article published with Journal of Women's Health, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. Click here to read the expert panel discussion. |
 | Missouri down to 1 abortion clinic amid legal battleMissouri is down to one clinic providing abortions Wednesday, after the only other clinic in the state that performs the procedure failed to adhere to new state requirements. |
More than 500 lawsuits against acne drug maker are dismissedThe maker of an acne drug that caused some patients to develop a gastrointestinal disease provided adequate warnings about the drug's side effects, New Jersey's Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in dismissing more than 500 lawsuits against the company. | |
FDA: 38 sick from tainted eggs from AlabamaThe government says 38 people in seven states have gotten sick from eggs produced by an Alabama poultry farm. | |
Study reveals large regional variations on future trends of diabetes dependent on if obesity rates are tackledNew research presented at this year's annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Berlin looks into the rising prevalence of both obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) around the world and estimates the population that will likely be affected by both conditions over the coming decades. | |
Domestic refrigerators may pose risk to insulin qualityNew research being presented at this year's European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting in Berlin, Germany (1-5 October), suggests that insulin is often stored at the wrong temperature in patients' fridges at home, which could affect its potency. | |
Potential mechanism by which BCG vaccine lowers blood sugar levels to near normal in type 1 diabetes discoveredPrevious research has shown that the bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine, used to prevent tuberculosis, can reduce blood sugar levels in people with advanced type 1 diabetes in the long term. New research being presented at this year's European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting in Berlin, Germany (1-5 October) reveals the mechanism through which the vaccine can make durable, beneficial changes to the immune system and lower blood sugars. | |
Cardiovascular admissions more common among most deprivedPeople with diabetes from deprived backgrounds in England are twice as likely to end up in hospital with a major cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke as those from more affluent communities, according to new research being presented at this year's European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting in Berlin, Germany (1-5 October). | |
Biology news
 | City-dwelling blue tits may lay bigger eggs because of what they eatBlue tit eggs that were laid in urban parkland were 5% larger than eggs laid in a nearby forest, which could be due to differences in the amount of calcium available to birds in urban and forest environments, a study published in Frontiers in Zoology has found. |
 | Genome of sea lettuce that spawns massive 'green tides' decodedSea lettuce, a fast-growing seaweed that spawns massive "green tides," is a prolific thief, according to research that for the first time sequenced the genome of a green seaweed. |
 | Tropical frogs found to coexist with deadly fungusAmphibian biologists from around the world watched in horror in 2004, as the frogs of El Copé, Panama, began dying by the thousands. The culprit: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a deadly fungus more commonly known as chytrid fungus. Within months, roughly half of the frog species native to the area went locally extinct. |
 | Couples showing off: Songbirds are more passionate in front of an audienceBoth sexes of a songbird called the blue-capped cordon-bleu intensify courtship performances that involve singing and dancing in the presence of an audience, especially if it is a member of the opposite sex, an international team of researchers has discovered. |
 | Stem cells organize themselves into pseudo-embryosThe definitive architecture of the mammalian body is established shortly after implantation of the embryo in the uterus. The antero-posterior, dorso-ventral and medio-lateral axes of the body become organized under the control of gene networks that coordinate the transcription of DNA in various regions of the embryo. Researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), the University of Cambridge, UK, and the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) now report the ability of mouse stem cells to produce pseudo-embryos that display similar capacities. |
 | Evolution: Genetics doesn't matter much in forming societyGenetics isn't as important as once thought for the evolution of altruistic social behavior in some organisms, according to a new insight into a decade-long debate. This is the first empirical evidence that suggests social behavior in eusocial species—organisms that are highly organized, with divisions of infertile workers—is only mildly attributed to how related these organisms are to each other. |
 | New study shows cells produce specialised protein factories under stressPrevailing dogma in biological research holds that the cell's protein factories, the ribosomes, function the same way in all cells and in all conditions. In an international study with participation from Weill Cornell Medicine and Uppsala University, published today in the journal Cell Reports, the researchers show that this is a truth that seems to not hold true. |
 | Complex factors can drive the emergence and evolution of plant pathogensFor many of us, bumper crops of zucchinis and cucumbers conjure up the sweltering days of summer, while pumpkins and gourds decorate our holiday tables throughout the fall. However, these iconic fruits and vegetables—known collectively as cucurbits—can also help us understand the spread of plant diseases that pose a significant risk to crops. |
 | Female guppy fish choose sperm from preferred malesResearchers from The University of Western Australia have found that female guppy fish are highly selective when it comes to choosing the father of their babies. |
 | Fresh insights help unlock mysteries of the first stages of lifeKey insights into how sperm and egg cells are formed have been discovered by scientists, shedding light on the earliest stages of their development. |
 | Wheat that pumps iron, naturallyIs biofortification the best thing since sliced bread? Well, biofortified wheat could certainly make it easier to help some humans get proper nutrition. |
 | Researchers report proteins that escort a key enzyme to DNA for cell differentiationThe development of an adult organism starts with a fertilized egg that differentiates into hundreds of specialized cell types comprising tissues and organs. How these cell fate changes happen is a subject of research interest. All cells contain the same genetic information, and development therefore involves the selective regulation of genes contained in the DNA. The proteins that turn these genes on or off are called transcription factors. Similar mechanisms operate when a stem cell in the adult body, such as the blood stem cell, specializes into cell types needed for different functions. To ensure correct gene regulation, additional kinds of proteins are required, such as enzymes that modify proteins that wrap around the DNA or even the DNA itself, thus fine tuning this complex process. Interestingly, alterations of these proteins due to mutations leads to aberrant gene regulation and often results in the formation of cancer. |
 | Lilly pilly fossils reveal snowless Snowy MountainsLeaf fossils discovered high in Australia's Snowy Mountains have revealed a past history of warmer rainforest vegetation and a lack of snow, in contrast with the alpine vegetation and winter snow-covered slopes of today. |
 | More big companies commit to addressing environmental impactsSome of the world's biggest private sector companies are committing to address their environmental impacts and factoring biodiversity into their sustainability reports, according to new Oxford University research. |
 | Scientists seek a deeper understanding of how silver kills bacteriaSilver has been used for centuries as an antimicrobial to kill harmful bacteria. Ancient civilizations applied the metal to open wounds. Ship captains tossed silver coins into storage barrels to keep drinking water fresh. |
 | Rare video captured of 'white' southern right whales as researchers examine the resurgent speciesA University of Otago research team led by Professor Steve Dawson and Dr Will Rayment, have recently returned from a month-long expedition to the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands where they have been collecting data on a recovering population of southern right whales. |
Research paper reveals conservation 'winners'A group of academics, including Associate Professor Nicola Nelson from Victoria University of Wellington's School of Biological Sciences, has today published a paper showcasing New Zealand's success in conservation over the past 30 years. The paper, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, uses seven case studies to explore successful species conservation in New Zealand. | |
Family of rodents may explain how some groups of animals become so diverseHow did a single species of rodent invade South America and then quickly branch off into 350 new species? | |
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