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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for December 7, 2018:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | InSight lander 'hears' Martian windsNASA's Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport InSight lander, which touched down on Mars just 10 days ago, has provided the first ever "sounds" of Martian winds on the Red Planet. A media teleconference about these sounds will be held today at 12:30 p.m. EST (9:30 a.m. PST). |
 | China prepares mission to land spacecraft on moon's far sideChina was preparing to launch a ground-breaking mission early Saturday to soft-land a spacecraft on the largely unexplored far side of the moon, demonstrating its growing ambitions as a space power to rival Russia, the European Union and U.S. |
 | NASA's Mars InSight flexes its armNew images from NASA's Mars InSight lander show its robotic arm is ready to do some lifting. |
 | China launches rover for first far side of the moon landingChina launched a rover early Saturday destined to land on the far side of the moon, a global first that would boost Beijing's ambitions to become a space superpower, state media said. |
 | Earth's magnetic poles could start to flip. What happens then?As Earth's magnetic shield fails, so do its satellites. First, our communications satellites in the highest orbits go down. Next, astronauts in low-Earth orbit can no longer phone home. And finally, cosmic rays start to bombard every human on Earth. |
 | Water plumes on Europa: Tasting an extraterrestrial oceanComputer simulations of the plumes of liquid water that stream out of Jupiter's moon Europa show that the forthcoming space mission JUICE may offer an answer to the question as to whether the Jovian moon's subsurface ocean could harbour life. Hans Huybrighs comes to this conclusion in the doctoral thesis he has recently completed at the Max-Planck Institute of Solar System Physics and the Technical University Braunschweig, Germany, in collaboration with the Swedish Institute of Space Physics in Kiruna. |
 | Planetary defense: The Bennu experimentOn Dec. 3, after traveling billions of kilometers from Earth, NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft reached its target, Bennu, and kicked off a nearly two-year, up-close investigation of the asteroid. It will inspect nearly every square inch of this ancient clump of rubble left over from the formation of our solar system. Ultimately, the spacecraft will pick up a sample of pebbles and dust from Bennu's surface and deliver it to Earth in 2023. |
 | Learning from lunar lightsEvery few hours observing the moon, ESA's 'NELIOTA' project discovers a brilliant flash of light across its surface – the result of an object hurtling through space and striking our unprotected rocky neighbour at vast speed. Based at the Kryoneri telescope of the National Observatory of Athens, this important project is now being extended to January 2021. |
Technology news
 | Computer vision in the dark using recurrent CNNsOver the past few years, classical convolutional neural networks (cCNNs) have led to remarkable advances in computer vision. Many of these algorithms can now categorize objects in good quality images with high accuracy. |
 | AlphaZero AI system able to teach itself how to play games, play at highest levelsA team of researchers with the DeepMind group and University College, both in the U.K., has developed an AI system capable of teaching itself how to play and master three difficult board games. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes their new system and explain why they believe it represents another big step forward in AI systems development. Murray Campbell with the T.J Watson Research Center in the U.S. offers a Perspective piece on the work done by the team in the same journal issue. |
 | Researchers develop 'soft' valves to make entirely soft robotsIn recent years, an entirely new class of robot—inspired by natural forms and built using soft, flexible elastomers—has taken the field by storm, with designs capable of gripping objects, walking, and even jumping. |
 | Google launches AI-driven audio news feedGoogle said Thursday it was launching a radio-style, on-demand audio news feed available on smart speakers, personalized with the help of artificial intelligence. |
 | Microsoft unveils facial recognition principles, urges new lawsMicrosoft said Thursday it was adopting a set of principles for deployment of facial recognition technology, calling on industry rivals to follow suit and for new laws to avert a dystopian future. |
 | The privacy risks of compiling mobility dataA new study by MIT researchers finds that the growing practice of compiling massive, anonymized datasets about people's movement patterns is a double-edged sword: While it can provide deep insights into human behavior for research, it could also put people's private data at risk. |
 | Researchers devise 3-D printer that can make energetic materials safer, more environmentally friendlyPurdue University researchers have devised a method of 3-D printing that can produce energetic materials with fine geometric features faster and with less expense than traditional methods, while also being safer and more environmentally friendly. |
 | Patent talk: Apple concept features earbuds that can be worn interchangeablyAre we about to see Apple reaching an even newer gold standard in ear buds? Apple has a patent for AirPods with built in biometrics. It's being called "universal" because the idea calls for ear pods that can be worn in either ear. That would mean no more left-right business. |
 | Cuba finally rolls out mobile 3G, though too costly for mostCuba became one of the last countries in the world to get 3G mobile internet services on Thursday, though most citizens on the communist-run island won't be able to afford it. |
 | Google moves to curb gender bias in translationGoogle said Thursday it was tweaking its translation application with the goal of reducing gender bias. |
 | Fiat Chrysler to open new plant in Detroit: reportFiat Chrysler will open a new car factory in Detroit, adding up to 400 jobs to produce a popular SUV, according to a news report. |
 | Revisions eyed for rushed Australia encryption lawAustralia's top legal body on Friday warned of police and intelligence "overreach" after Canberra rushed through parliament controversial laws allowing authorities to circumvent encrypted communications. |
 | Nissan to recall 150,000 cars due to improper checksNissan Friday announced plans to recall approximately 150,000 vehicles owing to improper tests on new units, dealing a fresh blow to the Japanese car giant following the shock arrest of former chairman Carlos Ghosn. |
 | Under fire Huawei agrees to UK security demands: reportEmbattled Chinese telecoms giant Huawei has agreed to British intelligence demands over its equipment and software as it seeks to be part of the country's 5G network plans, the FT reported Friday. |
 | New model for assessing the effect of ionizing radiation on microelectronic devicesThe main trend in the development of hardware components for digital and analog electronic equipment is to reduce the size of the active regions of diode and transistor structures. This can be achieved by improving the performance characteristics of micro- and nanoelectronics devices (increasing their speed and memory, increasing operating frequencies and power, noise reduction, etc.) while keeping production costs at the same level or even reducing them. Similar processes (with a certain time lag) also take place in the development of specialized hardware elements designed for use in space systems. |
 | Geckos filmed to find out how they walk on waterAnyone who's seen a gecko will likely know they can climb walls. But these common lizards can also run across water nearly as fast as they can move on solid ground. Yet while we know how geckos scale smooth vertical surfaces using countless tiny hairs on their feet called setae, how they manage to avoid sinking into the water has been something of a mystery – until now. My colleagues and I recently completed research that explains how geckos use a combination of techniques to perform this amazing feat. |
 | A solution to fracture for durable solar cellsMicro cracks in solar cells are a frequent challenge for manufacturers of solar photovoltaic modules. EU-funded researchers introduced an innovative pre-stressing technique to retard the growth of cracks and make durable solar cells. |
 | Innovative steering system meets the needs of the disabled and autonomous drivingCurrent adaptable systems that enable people with physical disabilities to drive compare poorly with conventional vehicle controls like steering wheels. An EU initiative has addressed this challenge. |
 | At DFW Airport, your face could someday replace your boarding passOn a recent weekday morning, hundreds of passengers lined up at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to board Japan Airlines Flight 11 to Tokyo. |
 | Qualcomm touts 5G in 2019, launches new processor for flagship smartphonesQualcomm said Tuesday that another milestone has been hit in efforts to bring ultra-fast 5G wireless devices to consumers next year when a smartphone using its latest modem chip operated on a 5G network at an event in Hawaii. |
 | Quora reports data breach affecting 100 million usersQuora, a question-and-answer website, has reported a data breach affecting about 100 million users. |
 | Facebook struck deals over data and burnt rivals, say British lawmakersInternal emails at Facebook Inc., including those involving Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg, were published online by a committee of U.K. lawmakers investigating social media's role in the spread of fake news. |
 | Apple watch monitors falls, track heart rhythmsFor more than a decade, the latest Apple products have been the annual must-have holiday gift for the tech-savvy. That raises the question: Is the newest Apple Watch on your list—either to give or receive—this year? |
 | Three ways Facebook and other social media companies could clean up their acts – if they wanted toFacebook is in crisis mode, but the company can take major steps to fix itself – and the global community it says it wants to promote. Facebook founder, CEO and majority shareholder Mark Zuckerberg need not wait for governments to impose regulations. If he and other industry leaders wanted to, they could make meaningful changes fairly quickly. |
 | Apple Watch ECG feature to detect irregular heart beat launches: I tried itHow big is Apple's focus on health tech? |
'Fortnite' survey shows kids are playing in class. So what can parents do?If getting the kids and teens in your home to disconnect from "Fortnite" feels like a battle royal, take just a little bit of comfort. Parents, you are not alone. | |
 | Italy fines Facebook for selling users' dataItaly's competition authority has fined Facebook 10 million euros ($11.3 million) for selling users' data without informing them and "aggressively" discouraging users from trying to limit how the company shares their data. |
 | EU ministers raise privacy concerns in e-evidence billEU ministers raised concerns Friday about whether citizens' rights are protected in a bill aimed at speeding up investigators' access to email and other digital evidence in cross-border terrorism cases. |
 | Australia anti-encryption law rushed to passageA newly enacted law rushed through Australia's parliament will compel technology companies such as Apple, Facebook and Google to disable encryption protections so police can better pursue terrorists and other criminals. |
 | Japan to indict Nissan as well as Ghosn: reportTokyo prosecutors have decided to indict Nissan as well as its former chairman Carlos Ghosn and another executive as early as next week over alleged financial misconduct, a report said Friday. |
 | Tailoring nonlinearity with time domain metasurface for wireless communicationElectromagnetic and optical nonlinear effects provide an important platform in a broad spectrum of technologies, including high harmonic generation, sum and difference frequency conversions, self-focusing, optical solitons, and multi-photon absorption. When illuminated by high light intensity, the material properties are modified depending on the applied electromagnetic field amplitudes, and the nonlinear process is greatly enhanced during the interaction between light and materials, giving rise to spectral components at new frequencies. Although tremendous advances for nonlinear manipulations have been achieved in recent years, the overall efficiency of the frequency conversion still remains very low. |
 | Why Tumblr's ban on adult content is bad for LGBTQ youthAs of Dec. 17, Tumblr will no longer allow "adult content," defined as that which shows "real-life human genitals or female-presenting nipples, and any content —including photos, videos, GIFs and illustrations —that depicts sex acts." |
 | Sexual subcultures are collateral damage in Tumblr's ban on adult contentThe social networking and microblogging site Tumblr announced on Monday that from December 17 it will no longer host adult content on its platform. The Washington Post reported that the policy "removes one of the last major refuges for pornography on social media." |
The Game Awards: the highlights, premieres and winners at the video game industry's big night"Red Dead Redemption 2" made an early impact on The Game Award's fifth annual event in Los Angeles. But "God of War" prevailed in the end. | |
Cutting the cord: Which cable TV alternatives make the gradeWhen the average cost of a cable or satellite bill is $85 to $100 a month, is it any wonder that so many are cutting the cord? | |
Medicine & Health news
 | Eliminating the latent reservoir of HIVA new study suggests that a genetic switch that causes latent HIV inside cells to begin to replicate can be manipulated to completely eradicate the virus from the human body. Cells harboring latent HIV are "invisible" to the natural defenses of the immune system. |
 | Study may offer doctors a more effective way to treat neuroblastomaA very large team of researchers, mostly from multiple institutions across Germany, has found what might be a better way to treat patients with neuroblastoma, a type of cancer. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes their genetic study of patients with neuroblastoma, what they found, and their hope that their discovery might soon be used to better treat patients with the ailment. |
 | Internet therapy apps reduce depression symptoms, study findsIn a sweeping new study, Indiana University psychologists have found that a series of self-guided, internet-based therapy platforms effectively reduce depression. |
 | Gender bias sways how we perceive competence in facesFaces that are seen as competent are also perceived as more masculine, according to research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. |
 | Pot withdrawal eased for dependent usersA new drug can help people diagnosed with cannabis use disorder reduce withdrawal symptoms and marijuana use, a new Yale-led study published Dec. 6 in the journal Lancet Psychiatry shows. |
Computers can 'spot the difference' between healthy brains and the brains of people with DIDMachine-learning and neuroimaging techniques have been used to accurately distinguish between individuals with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and healthy individuals, on the basis of their brain structure, in new research part funded by the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre and published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. | |
 | Disability among India's elderly much higher than census estimatesNew estimates of disability among India's elderly population, based on the ability to carry out three basic living activities—walking, dressing, and toileting—show that the scale of the problem is much larger than suggested by the Indian national census. |
 | Vitamin C may reduce harm to infants' lungs caused by smoking during pregnancyVitamin C may reduce the harm done to lungs in infants born to mothers who smoke during their pregnancy, according to a randomized, controlled trial published online in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. |
In times of low unemployment, nursing home quality suffersThe low unemployment rate in the U.S.—which fell to a 49 year-low in September and October—is good news to many people, but perhaps not to residents of nursing homes. A Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) study found that quality of care in nursing homes improves during periods of recession and worsens when the economy is good. | |
 | Targeted cognitive training benefits patients with severe schizophreniaSchizophrenia is among the most difficult mental illnesses to treat, in part because it is characterized by a wide range of dysfunction, from hallucinations and mood disorders to cognitive impairment, especially verbal and working memory, which can be explained in part by abnormalities in early auditory information processing. |
 | Exploring the science of inspirationHave you ever struggled with a problem that appeared to have no solution, and after turning your attention elsewhere, suddenly received a spark of inspiration? |
 | Ebola spreads to major Congo city as vaccines a concernThe second-largest Ebola outbreak in history has spread to a major city in eastern Congo, as health experts worry whether the stock of an experimental vaccine will stand up to the demands of an epidemic with no end in sight. |
Nearly two-thirds of people at high risk of heart disease and stroke have excess belly fatNearly two-thirds of people at high risk of heart disease and stroke have excess belly fat, according to results of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) EUROASPIRE V survey presented today at the World Congress of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Health in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.1 | |
 | Some people uncomfortable discontinuing cancer screening even when benefit is lowGet screened. Screening saves lives. It's a simple message, but as screening recommendations become more complicated, what happens when the message becomes "maybe get screened" or even "stop screening"? |
 | Increasing statins dose and patient adherence could save more livesThousands of heart attacks and deaths from cardiovascular disease could be prevented by patients taking higher doses of statins and taking the drugs as advised by doctors. |
Exercise performed during adjuvant breast cancer treatment may improve cardio functionWomen who underwent a supervised program of cardiovascular exercise during adjuvant breast cancer treatment experienced better cardiovascular function than those who were not part of the exercise program, according to results of the EBBA-II trial presented at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 4-8. | |
Choice of surgery may affect quality of life for young breast cancer survivorsYounger breast cancer patients who underwent mastectomy reported lower breast satisfaction and poorer psychosocial and sexual well-being compared with those who underwent breast-conserving surgery, according to results of a trial presented at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 4-8. | |
 | Expert calls for strong, sustainable action to make world roadways saferAccording to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) report on road safety, more than 1.3 million people die on the world's roadways each year—and millions more are injured or disabled. Yet despite the huge cost to families from New York to Mumbai, that death toll has not changed much in the last decade. |
 | Glutamate receptor affects the development of brain cells after birthWhenever we learn or save information, the so-called ionotropic glutamate receptors play a crucial role in the brain. These receptors are proteins that are located in the membrane of nerve cells and bind the neurotransmitter glutamate. This causes excitation of the cell, which in turn transmits the signals to its neighbours. A subgroup of glutamate receptors are kainate receptors. They had been traditionally known for aiding the regulation of neuronal networks. Now, researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) have discovered that they also affect the way nerve cells develop immediately after birth. |
 | Gay men who use crystal meth need integrated careThe use of cheap and potent crystal methamphetamine (meth) is reaching a "crisis point in Canada" and globally, replacing opioids as the drug of choice in some areas. |
 | Men get postnatal depression too, and as the mother's main support, they need helpEngland's National Health Service (NHS) this week announced it will offer mental health screening and treatment for new and expectant fathers whose partners are suffering from mental illness. The NHS described this as a "radical action to support families", and it certainly is an unusual step. |
 | Statins overprescribed for primary preventionTaking cholesterol-lowering drugs, or statins, as a preventive measure can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. A study by the University of Zurich now shows that this measure is recommended too often, as current guidelines fail to take into account the risks of side effects. |
 | A population health approach to dramatically reduce heart disease riskResearchers at the UNC School of Medicine and the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health created a state-wide network of health care professionals in urban, suburban, and rural areas who work in small primary care practices and used existing electronic health records to determine that tens of thousands of people across North Carolina were at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease who had not been identified as high risk before. Primary care doctors across the state then used this analysis to proactively engage patients to reduce their risk. |
 | Babies recognize faces from profile view in the second half of the first year of lifeBabies younger than six months of age do not recognize their mothers watching their mobile phones. Babies recognize a face from profile view after 6 months of age. |
 | HIV can be treated, but stigma killsThree decades ago, receiving an HIV diagnosis was comparable to being handed a death sentence. But today, this is no longer the case. |
 | Neuronal activity in the brain permits prediction of intuitive decisionsBased on the neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, it is possible to predict what action will be chosen next: If the activity of specific neurons remains low, a risk will be taken again at the next opportunity. However, if the activity of these nerve cells increases dramatically, the safe option will be chosen next time around. These are the central findings of researchers from the Center for Brain Research and the Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Intelligent Systems at the MedUni Vienna, and the NYU School of Medicine in New York, which were recently published in the specialist journal Neuron. |
 | Five ways to reduce the risk of stillbirthSix Australian babies are stillborn each day. This equates to more than 2,000 babies each year. |
 | Oxygen promotes deep, restorative sleep, study showsExposure to high levels of oxygen encourages the brain to remain in deep, restorative sleep, according to a new study by University of Alberta neuroscientists. |
 | Tea infusions of wormwood plant cured schistosomiasis faster than commonly used drug in clinical trialTea infusions made from two species of the wormwood plant cured the tropical disease schistosomiasis significantly faster than the drug most commonly used against the ailment—and with no adverse side effects—in a large clinical trial conducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The study's authors, including a professor and two research associates at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), say the treatment should be considered for implementation on a global scale. |
 | Developing a vaccine in the middle of an outbreak – the case for coordination and preparednessThe first research showing that VSV-ZEBOV vaccine could help protect against Ebola brought sighs of relief. It was an incredible and humbling achievement that had only been possible due to the global collaboration of researchers, NGOs, governments, industry and funders – all working towards a unified goal. |
 | Why alcohol makes some people violentHeavier drinkers are much more likely to be involved in violence if they have suffered high levels of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), according to a new study. |
 | Dentist develops new filling for root canal treatmentsIn a recently published article in PLOS ONE, findings from a pilot study outlined the potential effectiveness of a new therapeutic gel filling for root canals that releases nitric oxide and antibiotics into the treated tooth canal, instead of the standard blood clotting that is typically used to fill the empty canal post-procedure. |
 | Autistic individuals are less vulnerable to cyber phishing attacks than othersAn interdisciplinary research study led by the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Department of Computer Science noted that the detailed-oriented nature of individuals with autism spectrum disorder may make them better equipped to combat phishing attacks. |
 | A photonic band aid using the healing power of blue lightA smart dressing that uses blue-light therapy for wound healing and which can also monitor and treat infections has been developed by an EU-funded consortium. |
 | Focus on working memoryWorking memory (WM) capacity helps hold information necessary for everyday life performance. This stupendous task requires filtering of the huge amount of data available so relevant information is fresh in the mind. |
 | Youth sports injuries can turn into chronic problems, doctors warnLeo Anderson was in the middle of a baseball game when he threw a ball he had just caught, heard a crunch in his elbow and fell to the ground. |
 | Sleep disorders may affect women's health earlier than men'sSleep disorders are more frequently diagnosed in men, but women with the same problems may be at greater risk of health problems than previously thought. |
 | Q&A: Work with your doctor to weigh pros, cons of treatment options for hyperthyroidismDear Mayo Clinic: I have had hyperthyroidism for just over one year, and medication does not seem to keep it in check. I do not want to have my thyroid removed. But I'm nervous about radioactive iodine treatment, which is what was recommended. Is it safe? What are the risks? |
 | Early spatial attention deployment toward and away from aggressive voicesSight and hearing are the two main sensory modalities allowing us to interact with our environment. But what happens within the brain when it perceives a threatening signal, such as an aggressive voice? How does it distinguish a threatening voice from the surrounding noise? How does it process this information? |
 | Are kids' playgrounds really safe?(HealthDay)—The numbers are alarming. |
 | Beware of natural supplements for sex gain and weight lossMany consumers consider dietary supplements to be natural and, therefore, safe. In fact, the Council for Responsible Nutrition reported in 2017 that 87 percent of U.S. consumers have confidence that dietary supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, oils, microbiome bacteria and amino acids, are safe and effective. Unfortunately, their confidence may be misplaced when it comes to supplements for male sexual dysfunction and weight loss. |
 | Quinn on nutrition: To supplement or notI often get asked, "What supplements should I take?" My pat answer: Tell me first what you eat. |
 | Online CBT helps children with stomach painsCognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) online can be useful in treating gastrointestinal disorders in children when no physical cause can be found. This is the viewpoint of researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden that is described in a new study published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. |
 | Very low calorie diets trialled by NHS to tackle diabetesHundreds of thousands of people will receive NHS help to battle obesity and type 2 diabetes under radical action set out by Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England. |
 | Review recommends empowering neglected mental health patients – but changes may not go far enoughPatients with serious mental health problems who are being detained in hospital have long been let down by the law – in many cases being treated without consent. Now the UK Mental Health Act Review – chaired by psychiatrist Simon Wessely from King's College London – has delivered its final report, concluding that the act must be overhauled to protect patients' rights. |
 | Since 1999, uterine cancer incidence, mortality up(HealthDay)—The incidence of uterine cancer and uterine cancer deaths has increased since 1999, according to research published in the Dec. 7 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. |
 | Safety first when running outdoors(HealthDay)—Between the fresh air and the interesting scenery, running outdoors can be invigorating. But there are safety precautions to take when you leave a protected indoor environment. |
 | Researchers explore what's behind Mediterranean diet and lower cardiovascular riskA new study by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health offers insights from a cohort study of women in the U.S. who reported consuming a Mediterranean-type diet. Researchers found a 25 percent reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease among study participants who consumed a diet rich in plants and olive oil and low in meats and sweets. The team also explored why and how a Mediterranean diet might mitigate risk of heart disease and stroke by examining a panel of 40 biomarkers, representing new and established biological contributors to heart disease. The team's results are published in JAMA Network Open. |
 | Inflammatory bowel disease linked to prostate cancerMen with inflammatory bowel disease have four to five times higher risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer, reports a 20-year study from Northwestern Medicine. |
 | Graphic warnings snuff out cigarettes' appeal to kidsNew research from Cornell University suggests graphic warning labels on cigarette ads have the same anti-smoking effect as similar warning labels on cigarette packs. |
 | New generation of therapeutics based on understanding of aging biology show promise for Alzheimer's diseaseA scientific strategy that explores therapeutic targets based on the biology of aging is gaining ground as an effective approach to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease, according to research published in the December 7, 2018 online issue of Neurology. |
Black women have worse breast cancer outcomes despite receiving similar treatment as white womenEven with equivalent treatments in women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, black women had significantly higher breast cancer recurrence and increased overall mortality compared to white women in a large phase III clinical trial, TAILORx, according to data presented at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 4-8. | |
Oxybutynin decreased frequency of hot flashes, improved QOL for breast cancer survivorsTreatment with oxybutynin helped reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes for women who could not take hormone replacement, including breast cancer survivors, according to results of a trial presented at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 4-8. | |
Lifestyle intervention helped breast cancer survivors lose weightSurvivors of early-stage breast cancer who participated in a lifestyle intervention on healthy habits lost weight and experienced higher rates of disease-free survival if they completed the program, according to results presented at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held Dec. 4-8. | |
 | Research shows potential new way to treat brain cancerResearch conducted at Victoria University of Wellington and the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research has suggested a potential new way of treating glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. |
 | Next-generation asthma inhalersIn Europe alone, there are almost 30 million people who suffer from asthma. The myAirCoach project provides an innovative smart inhaler device along with integrated mobile Health (mHealth) personalised asthma monitoring services for empowering and guiding patients with asthma to manage their own health on a daily basis. |
 | Marlboro maker places $1.8 billion bet on marijuanaOne of the world's biggest tobacco companies is diving into the cannabis market with a $1.8 billion buy-in. |
Closer look at TAILORx confirms lack of chemo benefit regardless of race or ethnicityAn analysis of race and ethnicity data from the TAILORx clinical trial was presented at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The new study confirms that women of all races and ethnicities can safely follow the TAILORx findings. However, the study also found that after nine years of follow-up, 83.1 percent of white women were alive and cancer-free, compared to 78.9 percent of black women. It found that the type and duration of chemotherapy and hormone therapy treatments were similar among black and white women and other races as well as between Hispanic and non-Hispanic women. Pathologic characteristics of the tumors were no different as well. | |
Study confirms: Multigene test is a useful decision making tool in breast cancer treatmentMultigene tests have been used in breast cancer treatment to assess the risk of metastasis for several years. A team at the Breast Cancer Center at the Technical University of Munich's (TUM) Klinikum rechts der Isar has now presented results based on data collected in its routine clinical work. These results show that the multigene test used at the university hospital is indeed helpful in making more targeted use of chemotherapy treatments and thus improves prognosis of breast cancer patients. | |
 | Risk Analysis releases special issue on communicating about Zika virusToday, Risk Analysis, an International Journal, published a special issue, "Communicating About Zika," which features several articles that were originally presented as works-in-progress at the Zika Communication Summit convened in March 2017 by the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. This special issue provides theoretical and practical insights for public health officials, risk communication researchers and risk communication practitioners, and may serve as a template for guiding and studying the dissemination of rapidly evolving health information for future and re-emerging diseases. |
 | Modest increases indicate ongoing job growth for Americans with disabilitiesAmericans with disabilities saw modest job gains in November, indicating the continuation of an upward trend, according to today's National Trends in Disability Employment—Monthly Update (nTIDE), issued by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire's Institute on Disability (UNH-IOD). These gains extend the upward trend that resumed in August 2018, following a brief downturn. |
 | Researchers evaluate pMSCs sheets for engineered repair and regeneration of heart tissueThe placenta offers an abundant source of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (pMSCs), which a new study has shown can readily form cell sheets that could be implanted in children with congenital heart defects and offer benefits for heart repair and regeneration compared to commonly used synthetic material-based scaffolds. Congenital heart disease is the leading cause of birth-defect-related illness and death. The placenta can be readily collected at birth and the cells harvested for pediatric reparative procedures, as described in the study published in Tissue Engineering, Part A. |
A look at where companies stand on marijuana businessWhen Canada legalized recreational marijuana in October, it emerged as the world leader in the industry—and U.S. companies are scrambling to get in on the action. Uruguay may have been the first country to legalize pot, but the South American country's market is dwarfed by Canada's. And while a majority of U.S. states have legalized marijuana to varying degrees, contradictory federal laws have U.S. companies reluctant to invest here. So they are sending their money north. | |
Biology news
 | Bacterial 'sleeper cells' evade antibiotics and weaken defence against infectionNew research from scientists at Imperial College London unravels how so-called bacterial persister cells manipulate our immune cells. |
 | A new molecular player involved in T cell activationWhen bacteria or viruses enter the body, proteins on their surfaces are recognized and processed to activate T cells, white blood cells with critical roles in fighting infections. During T-cell activation, a molecular complex known as the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) moves to a central location on the surface of the T-cell. Microtubules have several important functions, including determining cell shape and cell division. Thus, MTOC repositioning plays a critical role in the immune response initiated by activated T cells. |
 | Fish at home on subsea oil and gas pipelinesA research project carried out by The University of Western Australia on a BHP subsea oil and gas pipeline off the north-west coast of Australia has found the pipeline has two to three times more the commercial value of fish than surrounding areas in deep waters. |
 | Opening Pandora's Box: Gene editing and its consequencesToday, the scientific community is aghast at the prospect of gene editing to create "designer" humans. Gene editing may be of greater consequence than climate change, or even the consequences of unleashing the energy of the atom. |
 | Perth's brief abalone season is a time of delicacies and dangerStarting on December 8, recreational abalone fishing will be allowed in Perth. Fishing will be limited to one hour on four Saturday mornings between December and February. The maximum catch is still 15 per person per day. A complete ban on abalone fishing between Geraldton and the Northern Territory border will remain in place. |
 | Determining fish age using inner ear structuresBiologists in Japan have identified four distinct zones in the otolith, a calcium carbonate structure in the inner ear, which can be used to determine age in fish. |
 | Why biodiversity is key to our survivalDiversity, be it genetic, morphological, behavioural or ecological, is at the heart of many controversies. It fascinates us or worries us, depending on the context. But what is biological diversity? How useful is it, how is it generated and what are the foreseeable consequences of reducing it? |
 | How to mass-produce flies the right wayAs flies increasingly make the buzz, a consortium of EU researchers studied their biology and ecological features to improve artificial and mass rearing practices. |
 | Penguin foraging behaviour monitoredAccelerometers, video cameras and GPS recorders are providing a new glimpse into penguin foraging behaviour and revealing how they react to changes in their environment. |
 | I used facial recognition technology on birdsAs a birder, I had heard that if you paid careful attention to the head feathers on the downy woodpeckers that visited your bird feeders, you could begin to recognize individual birds. This intrigued me. I even went so far as to try sketching birds at my own feeders and had found this to be true, up to a point. |
 | Hummingbirds thrive at innovative Mexico gardensIn a dimly lit corner of a bustling market in Mexico City, vendors of amulets, voodoo dolls and other mystical objects sell tiny, taxidermied hummingbirds as charms to bring luck in love. |
 | Study: Damning evidence of dam's impacts on rainforest birdsA study by an international team of conservation scientists found that a dam built in Thailand 31 years ago has caused the local bird population to collapse. |
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