Monday, December 17, 2018

Science X Newsletter Monday, Dec 17

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for December 17, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Sub-picosecond photon-efficient imaging using single-photon sensors

A new approach for comparative document summarization via classification

Next-generation of GPS satellites are headed to space

New discovery pushes origin of feathers back by 70 million years

Measuring speed of mental replay of movies gives new insight into accessing memories

Mobius kaleidocycles: Sensational structures with potential applications

Best of Last Week: Reversing the climate clock, impact of screen time on children, and how red meat impacts gut bacteria

Researchers demonstrate teleportation using on-demand photons from quantum dots

The full story on climate change requires the long view

Nature's sweets: Borrowing a natural recipe for sugar synthesis

New RNA sequencing strategy provides insight into microbiomes

'Treasure trove' of dinosaur footprints found in southern England

Patent application looks at smart doorbell sniffing, ACLU reacts

New research finds tornadoes form from the ground up, contrary to popular thought

Gently stroking babies before medical procedures may reduce pain processing

Astronomy & Space news

Next-generation of GPS satellites are headed to space

After months of delays, the U.S. Air Force is about to launch the first of a new generation of GPS satellites, designed to be more accurate, secure and versatile.

Alien imposters: Planets with oxygen don't necessarily have life

In their search for life in solar systems near and far, researchers have often accepted the presence of oxygen in a planet's atmosphere as the surest sign that life may be present there. A new Johns Hopkins study, however, recommends a reconsideration of that rule of thumb.

Outer solar system experts find 'far out there' dwarf planet

A team of astronomers has discovered the most-distant body ever observed in our Solar System. It is the first known Solar System object that has been detected at a distance that is more than 100 times farther than Earth is from the Sun.

NASA research reveals Saturn is losing its rings at 'worst-case-scenario' rate

New NASA research confirms that Saturn is losing its iconic rings at the maximum rate estimated from Voyager 1 & 2 observations made decades ago. The rings are being pulled into Saturn by gravity as a dusty rain of ice particles under the influence of Saturn's magnetic field.

Israeli spacecraft gets special passenger before moon journey

Israeli scientists making final preparations to launch the country's first spacecraft to the moon added a special passenger on Monday that will accompany the journey.

Narrowing the universe in the search for life

Humankind's exploration of space has for years pondered one central question: Is there another world somewhere in the universe where human beings could survive?

First private Israeli lunar mission will launch in February

An Israeli nonprofit on Monday said it has pushed back the launch of what it hopes will be the first private spacecraft to land on the moon until February.

Technology news

A new approach for comparative document summarization via classification

Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) have recently carried out a study exploring extractive summarization in comparative settings. The term 'extractive summarization' defines the task of selecting a few highly representative articles from a large collection of documents.

Patent application looks at smart doorbell sniffing, ACLU reacts

Facial recognition tech added to video-laden doorbells to track "suspicious" people? Sounds like a thorny concept, as people are still reeling over privacy and the lack thereof in very recent times. "Face" it, facial recognition emotionally are words that are the current opposites of mom and apple pie. And now this: CNET reported that Amazon's Ring was taking heat in the corridors of opinion for even considering facial recognition for its video doorbells.

Seawater to freshwater through solar energy: A new low-cost technology

According to FAO estimates, by 2025 nearly 2 billion people may not have enough drinking water to satisfy their daily needs. One of the possible solutions to this problem is desalination, namely treating seawater to make it drinkable. However, removing salt from seawater requires 10 to 1000 times more energy than traditional methods of freshwater supply, namely pumping water from rivers or wells.

Google parent co. Alphabet announces $1 bn NYC real-estate expansion

Google's parent company Alphabet said Monday it was investing over $1 billion in capital improvements to establish a new campus in New York City.

France to push ahead with digital tax starting January 1

France will push ahead with its own tax on large internet and technology companies from January 1, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Monday, as the European Union struggles to finalise a new EU-wide levy.

Paradigm shift needed for designing tsunami-resistant bridges

Researchers, including two Oregon State University scientists, argue in a new study that a paradigm shift is needed for assessing bridges' tsunami risk.

Google joins tech move east, to invest $1 bn in New York campus

Google became the latest US tech giant to announce a major expansion plan, unveiling a $1 billion investment Monday to create a new campus that could double its New York City workforce to 14,000.

ICYMI: California withdraws 'text tax' after FCC ruling

California regulators have canceled a plan to charge a fee for text messaging on mobile phones.

To settle a beach violation, Napster founder creates YourCoast app

When a seaside property owner blocks beach access with a gate, the California Coastal Commission can order it removed.

In pursuit of new Austin campus, Apple took the un-Amazon path

Fifteen months ago, online retailer Amazon set off the biggest economic development competition in U.S. history, igniting a media firestorm when it opened public bidding for its $5 billion second headquarters project, dubbed HQ2. Amazon invited every North American city to submit a proposal, and in January the company—in almost reality TV-style fashion—chopped the list of contenders to 20 finalists.

Czech warning over Huawei, ZTE security 'threat'

A Czech cyber-security agency on Monday warned against using the software and hardware of China's Huawei and ZTE companies, saying they posed a threat to state security.

Internet sales tax collection laws gradually taking effect

As 2019 approaches, many online retailers are either collecting or preparing to collect sales tax from out-of-state-customers for the first time.

How a personality trait puts you at risk for cybercrime

Impulse online shopping, downloading music and compulsive email use are all signs of a certain personality trait that make you a target for malware attacks. New research from Michigan State University examines the behaviors—both obvious and subtle—that lead someone to fall victim to cybercrime involving Trojans, viruses, and malware.

Nissan meets to replace Ghosn, as tensions with Renault grow

The board of automaker Nissan was meeting Monday to discuss a replacement for former chairman Carlos Ghosn after his arrest for financial misconduct, as tensions grow in the firm's alliance with Renault.

Hitachi to buy majority stake in ABB's power grid arm for $6.4 bn

Japan's Hitachi on Monday announced plans to buy a majority stake in the power grid business of Swiss-Swedish engineering giant ABB for $6.4 billion, in what would be its biggest ever buyout.

Medicine & Health news

Measuring speed of mental replay of movies gives new insight into accessing memories

Researchers have discovered that 'fully detailed' memories are stored in the /, but people access this information at different speeds and levels of detail, with people accessing memories 'forward' that is recalling older information first.

Gently stroking babies before medical procedures may reduce pain processing

Researchers found that gently stroking a baby seems to reduce activity in the infant brain associated with painful experiences. Their results, appearing December 17 in the journal Current Biology, suggest that lightly brushing an infant at a certain speed—of approximately 3 centimeters per second—could provide effective pain relief before clinically necessary medical procedures.

Neurons with good housekeeping are protected from Alzheimer's

Some neurons in the brain protect themselves from Alzheimer's with a cellular cleaning system that sweeps away toxic proteins associated with the disease, according to a new study from Columbia University and the University of Cambridge.

Tuning arousal to boost information transmission in the brain

Columbia neural engineers discover a mechanism by which the locus coeruleus modulates information processing in the thalamus; their findings of how sensory information is encoded in the healthy brain may lead to new treatments of neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, epilepsy, and depression.

Probiotic gives long-standing protection against childhood eczema, study finds

Giving a probiotic supplement to pregnant mothers and their infants significantly reduces the chances of a child developing eczema for the first 11 years of their life, researchers have shown.

Protein police keep the immune system in check

Our immune systems defend our bodies against dangerous invaders and help clean up when damage is done. But if our bold protectors are left unsupervised, they sometimes do their jobs too well and end up harming healthy tissues. Researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) have now described how a specific transcription factor, which modulates gene expression, plays a critical role in keeping the immune system in line in mice.

New, rapid and robust method for single cell profiling

Many of the cell types in our bodies work in obscure ways that science does not yet fully understand. That also goes for immune cells, which are vital for protecting us against serious diseases.

Using light to stop itch

Itch is easily one of the most annoying sensations. For chronic skin diseases like eczema, it's a major symptom. Although it gives temporary relief, scratching only makes things worse because it can cause skin damage, additional inflammation and even more itch. EMBL researchers have now found a way to stop itch with light in mice. Nature Biomedical Engineering publishes their results on 17 December 2018.

Green leafy vegetables may prevent liver steatosis

A larger portion of green leafy vegetables in the diet may reduce the risk of developing liver steatosis, or fatty liver. In a study published in PNAS researchers from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden show how a larger intake of inorganic nitrate, which occurs naturally in many types of vegetables, reduces accumulation of fat in the liver. There is currently no approved treatment for the disease, which can deteriorate into life-threatening conditions such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Folate deficiency creates hitherto unknown problems in connection with cell division

Folate deficiency creates more problems in connection with DNA replication than researchers had hitherto assumed, researchers from the University of Copenhagen show in a new study. Once a person lacks folate, the damage caused by this cannot be reversed. The researchers therefore encourage people to be more aware of the level of folate in the blood.

A role for microRNAs in social behavior

The recent discovery of microRNAs as key regulators of biological processes has fueled an explosion of research activity into their function in health and disease. Researchers have now uncovered a microRNA cluster that regulates synaptic strength and is involved in the control of social behaviour in mammals. The researchers presume that their discovery may point to new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of social deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder or schizophrenia. The research is published today in EMBO Reports.

Injection improves vision in a form of childhood blindness

A new treatment for patients with a form of congenital retinal blindness has shown success in improving vision, according to results published today in Nature Medicine led by researchers at the Scheie Eye Institute in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Tiny implantable device short-circuits hunger pangs, aids weight loss

More than 700 million adults and children worldwide are obese, according to a 2017 study that called the growing number and weight-related health problems a "rising pandemic."

Medical emergency department visits can indicate increased suicide risk among teens and young adults

A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine provides detailed insights on the increased risk of self-directed violence that patients aged 15-29 years visiting the emergency department (ED) for medical complaints subsequently experience. This underscores the importance of EDs in suicide prevention. The broad number of physical health conditions associated with an increased risk of self-directed violence may serve to support expanded or broader screening among teens and young adults.

School-based nutritional programs reduce student obesity

In-school nutrition policies and programs that promote healthier eating habits among middle school students limit increases in body mass index (BMI), a new study led by the Yale School of Public Health finds.

Survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma face high long-term risk of solid cancers

New research refines existing evidence that survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma face an elevated risk of developing various types of solid tumors many years later. In addition, certain subgroups of patients have an especially high risk. Published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings may help refine guidelines for cancer screening in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors.

Front and center: Food labels have effects on consumption and product formulation

Over the past two decades, labels such as the U.S. Nutrition Facts Panel on packaged foods, calorie counts on national restaurant menus, front-of-pack labels encouraging healthier eating, and "low-sodium" or "fat-free" identifiers have been developed in order to promote healthier choices. But do they work?

Study finds increasing use, and misuse, of benzodiazepines

More than one in eight U.S. adults (12.6 percent) used benzodiazepines in the past year, up from previous reports. Misuse of the prescription drugs accounted for more than 17 percent of overall use, according to a study published online today in Psychiatric Services in Advance. The researchers defined misuse as any way a doctor did not direct, including using the drug without a prescription or more often or longer than prescribed. Misuse was highest among young adults 18 to 25 (5.6 percent) and was as common as prescribed use.

Teens using vaping devices in record numbers

America's teens report a dramatic increase in their use of vaping devices in just a single year, with 37.3 percent of 12th graders reporting "any vaping" in the past 12 months, compared to just 27.8 percent in 2017. These findings come from the 2018 Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey of a nationally representative sample of eighth, 10th and 12th graders in schools nationwide, funded by a government grant to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The annual results were announced today by the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, along with the scientists who lead the research team.

One in four parents not prepared for 'parenting hangovers' this holiday season

Parents may plan for transportation and childcare ahead of holiday gatherings but are they prepared for a potential, day-after "parenting hangover?"

One year later, barbershop intervention continues to lower blood pressure

African-American men participating in a blood pressure reduction program implemented in barbershops continued to have significant improvements in their blood pressure in a twelve-month follow-up study, according to research published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation.

Patients with heart failure have lower risk of death if seen by physician in first 7 days after ED discharge

For patients who receive emergency department care for heart failure, early follow-up by a physician within 7 days after emergency department discharge is associated with lower rates of death or admissions to hospital, according to research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Looking on bright side may reduce anxiety, especially when money is tight

Trying to find something good in a bad situation appears to be particularly effective in reducing anxiety the less money a person makes, possibly because people with low incomes have less control over their environment, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

Unpacking pain: what causes it and why it's hard to measure

Pain is difficult to measure. Unlike using a thermometer to measure body temperature, a blood test to measure blood glucose, or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to detect a tumour, there are no instruments or tests that objectively measure pain.

Higher average potency cannabis may increase risk for first disorder symptom

Recreational cannabis is legal in 10 states and Washington, D.C., but regulations regarding potency do not exist. The results of a new study, led by an Iowa State University researcher, may prompt states to reconsider.

10-year follow-up after negative colonoscopies linked to lower colorectal cancer risk

Ten years after a negative colonoscopy, Kaiser Permanente members had 46 percent lower risk of being diagnosed with and were 88 percent less likely to die from colorectal cancer compared with those who did not undergo colorectal cancer screening, according to a study published today in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Can your heart grow three sizes? A doctor reads 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'

At the beginning of Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," the green, pot-bellied, feline-faced Grinch is a bitter, foul-tempered misanthrope whose heart is "two sizes too small." In the middle of the story, he plots to steal all the Christmas gifts in Whoville and toss them from a cliff. At the end, having learned that stealing the presents does not destroy the Whos' fellowship and joy, he begins to see the deeper meaning of the holiday. He has a change of heart, and when he returns their gifts, his heart grows three sizes.

Could cancer anti-sickness drug end the misery for IBS patients?

Could a commonly-prescribed anti-sickness drug be the answer for the 1.3 million people in the UK who suffer the pain and misery of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea (IBS-D)?

Healthy holiday sleep for kids: a how to

Christmas, summer holidays, family gatherings – excitement and anticipation abound in young children's lives this time of year as do late nights and early rising with the sun – all potential sleep disruptors.

Growing a brain: Two-step control mechanism identified in mouse stem cells

Scientists have identified two distinct control mechanisms in the developmental transition of undifferentiated stem cells into healthy brain cells. This fundamental research using mice may inform regenerative medicine treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord injuries, in the future.

How Paraguay dumps billions of illicit cigarettes on the global market

On Sep. 25, 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products entered into force. According to the WHO, illicit trade refers to "any practice or conduct prohibited by law and which relates to production, shipment, receipt, possession, distribution, sale or purchase, including any practice or conduct intended to facilitate such activity."

Ten ways to indulge and stay healthy this holiday season

Before the holidays ruin your wellness plan and make you turn as green as the Grinch, try these 10 ways to help you stay on track and keep your festive spirit.

Children's health hit for six as industry fails to regulate alcohol ads

Australia is kicking off another summer of cricket. And if watching the series is a family affair, you may be concerned with the alcohol advertisements your children are being exposed to.

Discovery of novel mechanisms that cause migraines

Researchers at CNRS, Université Côte d'Azur and Inserm have demonstrated a new mechanism related to the onset of migraine. They found how a mutation that causes dysfunction in a protein which inhibits neuronal electrical activity induces migraines. These results, published in Neuron on December 17, 2018, open a new path for the development of anti-migraine medicines.

Practice patience for a happier, healthier you

(HealthDay)—You've no doubt heard the expression "patience is a virtue." Now researchers are learning that this virtue can be good for your health and well-being.

Fast facts for men (and women) about high cholesterol

(HealthDay)—High cholesterol, a serious risk factor for heart disease, can affect both men and women, and it's common for cholesterol levels to rise with age. But it's often a problem for men earlier in life than for women.

Father-son talks about condoms pay health dividends

(HealthDay)—Here's some straight talk about the value of "the talk."

Docs should screen for depression during, after pregnancy

(HealthDay)—Doctors should screen women for depression during and after pregnancy, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says in an updated policy statement.

Health care sector roils after ACA court ruling

The health care sector is getting punished before the opening bell after a federal judge in Texas ruled Friday that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional.

How marijuana may damage teenage brains in study using genetically vulnerable mice

In a study of adolescent mice with a version of a gene linked to serious human mental illnesses, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers say they have uncovered a possible explanation for how marijuana may damage the brains of some human teens.

Research suggests path to vaccine or drug for late-onset Alzheimer's

UT Southwestern researchers have succeeded in neutralizing what they believe is a primary factor in late-onset Alzheimer's disease, opening the door to development of a drug that could be administered before age 40, and taken for life, to potentially prevent the disease in 50 to 80 percent of at-risk adults.

Treatment for underdiagnosed cause of debilitating chest pain

Patients who arrive at the hospital with heart-attack-like symptoms have had little recourse for their chest pain if scans came back clear, with no signs of blocked coronary arteries. Some of these cases are caused by a little-known phenomenon called coronary slow flow. Now, researchers at Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University), have demonstrated for the first time a simple technique to effectively treat this under-recognized condition. They published their findings in the Journal of Invasive Cardiology on December 15.

Malnutrition in children with Crohn's Disease increases risk for post-operative complication

Results of a medical records study of children with Crohn's disease by Johns Hopkins researchers have added substantial evidence for a strong and direct link between malnutrition and increased risk of surgical complications and poor outcomes.

UK general practitioners skeptical that artificial intelligence could replace them

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to disrupt the world of work. In a UK-wide survey published in the journal PLOS ONE, Charlotte Blease, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Fulbright Scholar at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), and colleagues investigated primary care physicians' views on AI's looming impact on health professions. When it came to predictions about the future of medicine, British GPs were generally skeptical that they could be entirely replaced by AI.

Unrelated events are linked in memory when they happen close together

When two events occur within a brief window of time they become linked in memory, such that calling forth memory of one helps retrieve memory for the other event, according to research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. This happens even when temporal proximity is the only feature that the two events share.

Study affirms geographic discrimination in allocating lungs for transplant

Results of a medical records study of more than 7,000 patients awaiting a lung transplant in the United States affirm the basis of a court filing in 2017 that called the organ allocation system geographically "rigged" in some regions of the nation.

Sutimlimab shows promise for hard-to-treat, rare blood disorder

In a first-in-human clinical trial reported today in Blood, the investigational drug sutimlimab appeared to be effective in treating cold agglutinin disease, a rare chronic blood disorder for which there are currently no approved treatments.

Strong committed relationships can buffer military suicides

Can being in a strong committed relationship reduce the risk of suicide? Researchers at Michigan State University believe so, especially among members of the National Guard.

Boys with good motor skills excel at problem-solving, too

Boys with good motor skills are better problem-solvers than their less skilful peers, a new study from Finland shows. In contrast to previous studies, the researchers found no association between aerobic fitness or overweight and obesity with cognitive function in boys. The results are based on the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) Study conducted at the University of Eastern Finland, and they were published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

Study makes significant findings related to traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is often referred to as the "invisible injury—while on the surface everything seems normal with brain structure, symptoms may present themselves in the behavior of the injured and cannot be explained.

New approach will help geneticists identify genes responsible for complex traits

In biomedical research, plant breeding, and countless other endeavors, geneticists are on the hunt for the specific genes responsible for disease susceptibility, yield, and other traits of interest. Essentially, they're looking for needles in the enormous haystack that is the genome of an organism.

Researchers develop first ever model for patient-specific treatment of appendix cancer

Scientists at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) have recently developed a process that may change the way cancer of the appendix is treated in the future.

Study reveals best tools for measuring severity of delirium

A study published today in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals the best assessment tools available to establish the severity of diagnosed delirium in hospitalized patients. Delirium is a common, serious, and often preventable complication among older adult patients. This is an important step in the management of delirium in older adults because the ability to quantify severity of the condition beyond merely rating delirium as present or not will help clinicians develop and monitor more effective treatments. The quality of the tools available to measure delirium severity has been recognized as highly important for tracking prognosis, monitoring response to treatment, and estimating burden of care both during and after hospitalization.

New strains of hepatitis C found in Africa

The largest population study of hepatitis C in Africa has found three new strains of the virus circulating in the general population in sub-Saharan Africa. The research from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research and collaborators suggested that certain antiviral drugs currently used in the West may not be as effective against the new strains and that clinical trials of patients in sub-Saharan Africa are urgently needed to assess optimal treatment strategies in this region.

Plain packaging sparked tobacco price rises, new study finds

The introduction of plain tobacco packaging led to an increase in the price of leading products, according to new research from the University of Stirling.

Scientists report CRISPR restores effectiveness of lung cancer treatment

The CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system may be able to restore the effectiveness of first-line chemotherapies used to treat lung cancer by deleting or "knocking out" a gene in cancer tumors that helps the tumors develop resistance to the drugs. That was the conclusion of a new study published today in the journal Molecular Therapy Oncolytics by scientists from The Gene Editing Institute of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute at Christiana Care Health System.

Monitoring lung function at home in teens with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Heart and lung complications are responsible for much of the morbidity and mortality associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Although regular monitoring of pulmonary function is recommended in order to detect deterioration, compliance with routine testing, such as hospital-based spirometry, is frequently poor. A new study in the Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases describes the at-home use of a child-compatible, hand-held device (HHD) that makes monitoring pulmonary function in teens more convenient and provides the data needed for better disease management.

Passive exposure alone can enhance the learning of foreign speech sounds

Ability to understand and subsequently speak a new language requires the ability to accurately discriminate speech sounds of a given language. When we start to learn a new language the differences between speech sounds can be very difficult to perceive. With enough active practice the ability to discriminate the speech sounds enhances.

End-of-life care quality remains a problem—nurses may be a solution

Everyone wants a dignified death—yet few actually experience one. Despite preferring to remain at home, most older adults spend their final days in hospitals, where they often undergo medical care that neither improves survival nor quality of life.

One type of brain cell may invite Alzheimer's

Better tactics for detecting, preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease depend on a clearer understanding of cellular-level changes in the minds of patients, and a new study has uncovered novel details about the vulnerability of one type of brain cell.

Study suggests promising new Rx target for obesity and diabetes

Research led by Suresh Alahari, Ph.D., Fred Brazda Professor of Biochemistry and Microbiology at LSU Health New Orleans, suggests a novel protein may be a promising therapeutic target to treat or prevent metabolic disorders. The study also reported for the first time metabolic distinctions between male and female mice. The findings are published in the December 2018, issue of the International Journal of Obesity.

New epigenetic cervical cancer test has 100 per cent detection rate

A new test for cervical cancer was found to detect all of the cancers in a randomised clinical screening trial of 15,744 women, outperforming both the current Pap smear and human papillomavirus (HPV) test at a reduced cost, according to a study led by Queen Mary University of London.

Health insurance on demand? Some are betting on it

A startup is trying to shake up health insurance by letting customers buy some of their coverage only when they need it.

Child abuse climbs after Friday report cards, study says

Child abuse increases the day after school report cards are released—but only when kids get their grades on a Friday, a study in Florida suggests.

Discovery of a novel way synapses can regulate neuronal circuits

The fundamental process of information transfer from neuron to neuron occurs through a relay of electrical and chemical signaling at the synapse, the junction between neurons. Electrical signals, called action potentials, cause voltage-gated calcium channels on the presynaptic neuron to open. The influx of calcium through the channels triggers the release of neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers), which travel across the synapse to the next neuron in the relay, passing along the information.

Vaccine using microneedle patch with RSV virus, immune-stimulating compound is effective against RSV

Skin vaccination using a microneedle patch that contains the inactivated respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and a compound that stimulates immune responses to the virus has been found to enhance protection against this serious disease and reduce inflammation in the body after exposure to the virus, according to a study led by Georgia State University.

Biodegradable, edible film kills pathogens on seafood

A biodegradable, edible film made with plant starch and antimicrobial compounds may control the growth of foodborne pathogens on seafood, according to a group of international researchers.

Depression, anxiety may take same toll on health as smoking and obesity

An annual physical typically involves a weight check and questions about unhealthy habits like smoking, but a new study from UC San Francisco suggests health care providers may be overlooking a critical question: Are you depressed or anxious?

New study finds that surgeons under stress make more mistakes in the operating room

A new study reveals that during stressful moments in the operating room, surgeons make up to 66 percent more mistakes on patients. Using a technology that captured the electrical activity of a surgeon's heart, researchers found that during intervals of short-term stress, which can be triggered by a negative thought or a loud noise in the operating room, surgeons are much more prone to make mistakes that can cause bleeding, torn tissue, or burns.

Study suggests CBD may worsen glaucoma, raise eye pressure

One of the most commonly proposed uses of medical marijuana is to treat glaucoma. But a study from researchers at Indiana University has found that a major chemical component in the substance appears to worsen the primary underpinning of the disease: a rise in pressure inside the eye.

Unraveling the link between obesity and sleep

One night of sleep loss can increase the desirability of junk foods, finds a study of healthy weight young men published in JNeurosci.

Microglia transmit pain to the brain during stress

Research in male mice published in JNeurosci demonstrates activation of microglia in the spinal cord is responsible for increased pain sensitivity in response to stress.

Real-time feedback tames Parkinson's brainwaves

A neurofeedback system enables Parkinson's disease patients to voluntarily control brainwaves associated with symptoms of the disorder, according to new research published in eNeuro. It remains to be determined whether such a system can provide symptom relief.

The gift of cooking: Five fun and healthy recipe books for kids

When we think about the holidays we often think about all of the great food that we will get to enjoy —your father's famous stuffing or your grandma's homemade cookies. Food brings us together, reminds us of loved ones and represents tradition.

Biology news

New RNA sequencing strategy provides insight into microbiomes

Researchers from the University of Chicago have developed a high-throughput RNA sequencing strategy to study the activity of the gut microbiome.

International consortium offers guidelines, best practices for characterizing uncultivated viruses

Microbes in, on and around the planet are said to outnumber the stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. The total number of viruses is expected to vastly exceed even that calculation.

Conservation success depends on habits and history

The ghosts of harvesting can haunt today's conservation efforts.

When a fish becomes fluid

Zebrafish aren't just surrounded by liquid, but turn liquid—in part—during their development. As the zebrafish embryo develops from a ball of cells to a fully-formed fish, a region of the embryo switches its phase from viscous to liquid in a process known as fluidity transition. Such fluidity transition has long been speculated to exist in living matter, but is described for the first time to occur in a living organism in a study published today in Nature Cell Biology. The study was carried out by the group of Carl-Philipp Heisenberg at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria, with first author and Postdoc Nicoletta Petridou, together with the groups of Guillaume Salbreux at The Francis Crick Institute and Edouard Hannezo, also at IST Austria.

Plants don't like touch: Green thumb myth dispelled

La Trobe University-led research has found that plants are extremely sensitive to touch and that repeated touching can significantly retard growth.

Researchers observe a defense mechanism for caterpillars can attract unwanted attention

When a caterpillar disguises itself as a snake to ward off potential predators, it should probably expect to be treated like one.

Species at the extremes of the food chain evolve faster, study says

Reef fish species at the extremes of the food chain—those that are strict herbivores or strict fish predators—evolve faster than fish species in the middle of the food chain with a more varied diet, according to a new study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution.

Baboon sexes differ in how social status gets 'under the skin'

A growing body of evidence shows that those at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder are more likely to die prematurely than those at the top. The pattern isn't unique to humans: Across many social animals, the lower an individual's social status, the worse its health.

Plant biologists identify mechanism behind transition from insect to wind pollination

New research by scientists at the University of Toronto (U of T) offers novel insights into why and how wind-pollinated plants have evolved from insect-pollinated ancestors.

Drones can detect protected nightjar nests

Thermal-sensing cameras mounted on drones may offer a safer and more cost-effective way to locate nests of the elusive European nightjar in forestry work and construction areas, according to new research presented at the British Ecological Society's annual meeting in Birmingham today.

The exocyst dynamo

The exocyst is a protein complex essential for life, that is comprised of eight subunits and is a crucial component in vesicle trafficking.

New computer model uses decades of data to help producers predict wheat forage success

A new, pioneering forage wheat model could provide a valuable technique to researchers exploring the potential of biomass production for cool-season annual forage grasses, according to model developers.

The gene helping submerged plants

Climate change threatens plants as the risks of flooding increase. A new study from Stockholm University shows that special genes are key to keeping plants from withering, remaining healthy and resistant to a lack of oxygen when they are underwater for a period of long time. Developing tolerant plant varieties that have this gene will increase harvests and will be increasingly important as the changing climate leads to more rainfall.

Scientists find Mexican endemic fish never identified in US

Texas A&M University's Dr. Kevin Conway, Dr. Joshuah Perkin and their team have located an extremely rare find within the waters of the Rio Grande along the U.S. and Mexico border.

A method to monitor indoor crop health no matter what planet you're on

As the world urbanizes and technologies such as LED grow lights bring down costs, indoor farming is becoming an increasingly important part of the food supply. Eventually, indoor farming techniques could help humans maintain a healthy diet in space. However, because of the completely closed systems in which indoor crops are grown, imbalances in soil nutrients, salinity, temperature, and other factors must be caught quickly to avoid losing a whole crop. In work published in a recent issue of Applications in Plant Sciences, Dr. Robert Ferl and colleagues at the University of Florida Space Plants Lab developed a light-based tool to assess plant health quickly, accurately, and inexpensively.

Hen harriers and red grouse: Finding common ground in a persistent conflict

A conflict between those working to conserve numbers of hen harriers and those maintaining commercial shooting of red grouse in the English uplands has existed for decades with little sign of progress.

Dutch to ban raw ivory sales from 2019

The Netherlands said Monday it will ban all raw ivory sales from next year, as it unveiled the results of a major operation to combat trafficking in endangered animals and plants.


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