Friday, January 25, 2019

Science X Newsletter Friday, Jan 25

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for January 25, 2019:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

A new vehicle search system for video surveillance networks

Testing Hawking radiation in laboratory black hole analogues

Panel calls for more timely access to public genomic datasets

'GO dough' makes graphene easy to shape and mold

Self-assembling nanomaterial offers pathway to more efficient, affordable harnessing of solar power

Lines, bars tell pedestrians where the car wants to go

Muscle memory discovery ends 'use it or lose it' dogma

Fault lines are no barrier to safe storage of CO2 below ground

Researchers report new class of polyethylene catalyst

The hitchhiker's guide to defeating glioblastoma

Neanderthal hunting spears could kill at a distance

Common pain reliever can improve survival in head and neck cancer

Anti-flu antibodies can inhibit two different viral proteins, study reveals

Nanotechnology enables engineers to weld previously un-weldable aluminum alloy

New theory sends temperatures to new lows

Astronomy & Space news

Moon rock recovered by astronauts likely originated on Earth

In findings published overnight in science journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters, a sample collected during the 1971 Apollo 14 lunar mission was found to contain traces of minerals with a chemical composition common to Earth and very unusual for the moon.

New Horizons' newest and best-yet view of Ultima Thule

The wonders – and mysteries – of Kuiper Belt object 2014 MU69 continue to multiply as NASA's New Horizons spacecraft beams home new images of its New Year's Day 2019 flyby target.

Study presents surprising explanation for differences in Southern and Northern Lights

For many years, scientists assumed the aurora seen around the north pole was identical to the aurora seen around the south pole. The poles are connected by magnetic field lines and auroral displays are caused by charged particles streaming along these field lines. Because the charged particles follow these field lines, it would make sense that the auroras would be mirror images of each other.

India launches pint-sized satellite designed by students

A lightweight satellite designed by students that can be held in the palm of the hand has been launched by Indian scientists, burnishing the country's credentials in miniature design technology.

Scientists explain formation of lunar dust clouds

Physicists from the Higher School of Economics and Space Research Institute have identified a mechanism explaining the appearance of two dusty plasma clouds resulting from a meteoroid that impacted the surface of the moon. The study was published in JETP Letters.

Environmental protection in outer space

Should regulations for environmental protection be valid beyond our solar system? Currently, extra-terrestrial forms of life are only deemed worth protecting if they can be scientifically investigated. But what about the numerous, presumably lifeless planets whose oxygen atmospheres open up the possibility of settlement by terrestrial life forms? Theoretical physicist Claudius Gros from Goethe University has taken a closer look at this issue.

At Sundance, a fresh look at man's first walk on the Moon

It's easy to think that 50 years on, we know everything there is to know about the Apollo 11 mission and man's legendary first footsteps on the Moon.

Technology news

A new vehicle search system for video surveillance networks

A team of researchers at JD AI Research and Beijing University have recently developed a progressive vehicle search system for video surveillance networks, called PVSS. Their system, presented in a paper pre-published on arXiv, can effectively search for a specific vehicle that appeared in surveillance footage.

Lines, bars tell pedestrians where the car wants to go

A self-driving car system has been developed by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) to project the direction of travel onto the road, so that pedestrians can figure out what the car is going to do next.

Identifying artificial intelligence 'blind spots'

A novel model developed by MIT and Microsoft researchers identifies instances in which autonomous systems have "learned" from training examples that don't match what's actually happening in the real world. Engineers could use this model to improve the safety of artificial intelligence systems, such as driverless vehicles and autonomous robots.

Researchers say Amazon face-detection technology shows bias

Facial-detection technology that Amazon is marketing to law enforcement often misidentifies women, particularly those with darker skin, according to researchers from MIT and the University of Toronto.

Microsoft 'waiting to find out' why Bing went offline in China

Microsoft is still trying to figure out why its Bing search engine temporarily went offline in China, the company's president said following speculation that it could have been blocked by censors.

'World's cheapest car' nears end of the road in India

It was billed as the world's cheapest car and shaped like a jelly bean—but after a bumpy 10-year ride India's Tata Nano is nearing the end of the road.

Netflix, Instagram team up for easier sharing of binge-watching recommendations

Passing along your binge-watching favorites just got easier.

Spotify rolls out feature that allows users to mute artists they don't want to hear

There are a variety of reasons people might not like a certain musician. Perhaps they aren't fans of the sound of an artists songs, or the artist has been involved in controversial activity.

To protect us from the risks of advanced artificial intelligence, we need to act now

Artificial intelligence can play chess, drive a car and diagnose medical issues. Examples include Google DeepMind's AlphaGo, Tesla's self-driving vehicles, and IBM's Watson.

How growing cities can support at-home electric vehicle charging

Rapid urban population growth is driving many cities around the world to reduce their carbon footprints. In Canada, two major policy agendas are designed to achieve this: boosting urban density and promoting low-carbon transportation such as electric vehicles (EVs).

The first tendril-like soft robot able to climb

Researchers at IIT-Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia created the first soft robot mimicking plant tendrils. It is able to curl and climb using the same physical principles determining water transport in plants. The research team is led by Barbara Mazzolai, and results have been published in Nature Communications. In the future, this tendril-like soft robot could inspire the development of wearable devices such as soft braces that actively morph their shape.

Boeing pilotless air taxi lifts off the ground, but there is no rush to catch a ride

Boeing offered a glance at a futuristic alternative to crowded freeways when its prototype autonomous air taxi—essentially a flying car with no driver—lifted off the ground for the first time on a test takeoff.

Flood of complaints to EU countries since data law adopted

More than 95,000 complaints have been filed with EU countries since the bloc's flagship data protection laws took effect eight months ago, the executive European Commission said Friday.

IBM launches commercial quantum computing – we're not ready for what comes next

IBM recently unveiled what it claimed was the world's first commercial quantum computer. While the announcement of the Q System One wasn't scientifically groundbreaking, the fact that IBM sees this as a commercial product that organisations (if not individuals) will want to use is an important breakthrough.

Facebook getting its messaging apps to be friends

Facebook said Friday it is trying to get its messaging apps to be friends, allowing encrypted missives be exchanged no matter which of its services are used.

YouTube demotes flat-earthers, conspiracy theorists

YouTube said Friday it will stop recommending specious videos such as those claiming the earth is flat or promoting bogus theories about the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Memos: Facebook allowed 'friendly fraud' to profit from kids

Newly released court documents reveal that Facebook allowed children to ring up huge bills on digital games while the company rejected recommendations on addressing what it dubbed "friendly fraud."

Nissan-Renault on smoother road but speed bumps loom: analysts

Renault's appointment of a new leadership duo to replace the detained Carlos Ghosn should ease tensions with Japanese partner Nissan, analysts say, although the French state's close involvement remains a brake on ties.

Embraer signs agreement to sell commercial division to Boeing

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer on Thursday signed an agreement for the sale of its commercial divison to Boeing—and set the date for a shareholders meeting to approve the tie-up on February 26.

Google says Nest security camera terror warning from North Korea was hoax, not a hack

For one Northern California family it was a terrifying experience: an emergency warning that came through a Nest surveillance camera of three intercontinental ballistic missiles, apparently from North Korea, headed straight to Los Angeles, Chicago and Ohio.

Target stores to accept mobile payment including Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay

It'll soon be getting much easier to pay with your smartphone at Target. The retailer, which had been a major holdout, announced in a blog post Tuesday that it will soon accept Apple Pay, Google Play, Samsung Pay as well as "contactless cards" from Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover in all of its stores.

Medicine & Health news

Muscle memory discovery ends 'use it or lose it' dogma

The old adage "use it or lose it" tells us: if you stop using your muscles, they'll shrink. Until recently, scientists thought this meant that nuclei—the cell control centers that build and maintain muscle fibers—are also lost to sloth.

The hitchhiker's guide to defeating glioblastoma

In cancer therapeutics research, microRNAs—tiny strings of nucleotides that get churned out inside cells—have been a source of both excitement and disappointment. While preclinical studies have found that microRNAs play an important role in cancer and other diseases, two cancer clinical trials to date using microRNAs showed little response and significant toxicity. A team of investigators at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School has begun looking at these molecules in an entirely new way. Rather than modulating just one, they grouped together multiple microRNAs that naturally occur in the brain by encoding them in a small, artificial gene, and co-opted cancer cells' molecular machinery to overproduce these groups of molecules to weaken the cells. Their approach has shown promising results in preclinical models, increasing survival in a murine model of glioblastoma by five-fold when combined with chemotherapy. The team's results are published in Nature Communications.

Common pain reliever can improve survival in head and neck cancer

Regular use of a common type of medication, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, significantly improves survival for a third or more patients with head and neck cancer, a new study led by UC San Francisco has found.

Anti-flu antibodies can inhibit two different viral proteins, study reveals

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health have discovered that antibodies that may form the basis of a universal flu vaccine inhibit a second viral protein in addition to the one that they bind. The study, to be published January 25 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, reveals that antibodies that recognize the viral surface protein hemagglutinin can also inhibit the viral neuraminidase, and that this enhances antibody neutralization of the virus and the activation of innate immune cells with anti-viral activity.

3-D human epidermal equivalent created using math

Scientists have successfully constructed a three-dimensional human epidermis based on predictions made by their mathematical model of epidermal homeostasis, providing a new tool for basic research and drug development.

Autism and theory of mind

Suppose you are helping your friend search for their missing phone and while they are looking around another room, you find it behind some cushions. When they return, you seize the opportunity to play a prank on them and pretend the phone is still missing. You are able to envision this prank because you know that their understanding of the world is separate from what you know to be true. This is an example of theory of mind: the ability to understand other people's beliefs, preferences, and intentions as distinct from one's own.

Important signaling pathway in breast cancer revealed

Researchers at Kanazawa University report in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) that a particular signaling pathway in breast cancer tumors causes cancer cells to divide symmetrically, expanding the tumor. Inhibiting the pathway with drugs could become a strategy for eliminating the cancer cells.

Untangling tau—researchers find a 'druggable target' for treating Alzheimer's disease

The accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and tangles of a protein called tau in the brain are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Much effort has focused on the former, with many attempts made to prevent, slow or even reverse the presence of Aβ, and thus ameliorate the development of AD. To date, results have been mixed.

Study reveals that when it comes to brain connectivity, cell location matters most

A University of California, Irvine-led study reveals that connectivity within the brain appears to be largely dictated by spatial architecture rather than cell type-specific cues. The study was published this month in Cell Reports.

New therapeutic target for graft-vs-host disease could make bone marrow transplant safer

Bone marrow transplant (BMT) offers patients with leukemia and lymphoma a potentially curative treatment. Bone marrow from the donor contains healthy immune cells (T cells and B cells), whose mission is to protect the body from invaders. These immune cells can target the recipient's cancer cells, helping protect against tumor relapse.

In myasthenia gravis, surgery to remove thymus gland provides benefits even years later

Surgery to remove the thymus gland in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare autoimmune disease affecting neuromuscular function, provides significant clinical benefits for as long as five years after the procedure, according to a paper published on Jan. 25 in The Lancet Neurology.

Study shows FGL2 protein may be an effective target for glioblastoma

Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered an immune regulator that appears to dictate glioblastoma (GBM) progression by shutting down immune surveillance, indicating a potential new area of therapeutic investigation.

Health research project required advice or approval from 89 different people to get the green light

Which health research projects involving humans are ethically justified, safe and legal? Who decides whether they should get the green light to proceed? In one case study, researchers at the Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge, found that 89 different people were involved in approving a single small scale health research study for ethics and governance purposes.

How do children draw themselves? It depends who's looking

It's the archetypal child's drawing—family, pet, maybe a house and garden, and the child themselves. Yet how do children represent themselves in their drawings, and does this representation alter according to who will look at the picture?

Fish oil does not appear to improve asthma control in teens, young adults

Fish oil does not appear to improve asthma control in adolescents and young adults with uncontrolled asthma who are overweight or obese, according to new research published online in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

Interferon regulatory factor six mutations implicated in neural tube defects, including spina bifida

Mutations in a gene known as interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) that cause cleft lip and palate also are implicated in neural tube defects such as spina bifida, suggests research by an international study team published online Jan. 25, 2019, in Human Molecular Genetics.

Cancer patients can quit smoking through lengthened medication time, counseling support

Quitting smoking can significantly improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, yet almost half of cancer patients continue to smoke after they've been diagnosed.

'Enhanced recovery' protocol reduces opioid use in spinal surgery patients

A novel "Enhanced Recovery After Surgery" (ERAS) protocol developed by Penn Medicine for patients undergoing spinal and peripheral nerve surgery significantly reduced opioid use. A new study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine showed that when an ERAS protocol was employed—which optimizes patients' surgical care before, during, and after surgery, including patient education, post-operative medications, and recovery plans—fewer patients needed pain medications one month after surgery.

Study details promising method for estimating rural intravenous drug use

A study published today in the American Journal of Public Health estimates that 1,857 people injected drugs in the last six months in Cabell County, W.Va., a rural county with a population of 94,958. This estimate is based on an innovative survey technique that public health officials can now use in their own rural communities to address the opioid epidemic.

Cystic fibrosis drug combo found safe and effective for 2- to 5-year-olds

An open label Phase 3 study conducted at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and other centers established that a combination of cystic fibrosis drugs lumacaftor and ivacaftor is safe and effective in children aged 2-5 years, whose disease is caused by two copies of F508del-CFTR gene mutation—the most common and severe form of cystic fibrosis. These data, published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine, were the basis for the Food and Drug Administration's extended approval for this treatment to include children 2 years and older. Previously, the drug combination was approved for patients 6 years and older.

Smoking cessation strategies targeting stress reduction may be more successful in women

Gender matters when it comes to smoking cessation.

Investigational monoclonal antibody to treat Ebola is safe in adults

The investigational Ebola treatment mAb114 is safe, well-tolerated, and easy to administer, according to findings from an early-stage clinical trial published in The Lancet. Eighteen healthy adults received the monoclonal antibody as part of a Phase 1 clinical trial that began in May 2018 at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Vaccine Research Center (VRC), part of NIH, developed the investigational treatment and conducted and sponsored the clinical trial.

Early treatment, baseline mental health are predictors of quality of life following radiosurgery for brain metastasis

Clinical researchers who study tumors that have metastasized to the brain have frequently asked, "How long do our patients live?" A newly published study asks a different question: "How well do our patients live?"

Genetically modified virus injection into tumor can treat metastatic melanoma

Injection of a genetically modified virus that induces the body's own immune cells to attack metastatic melanoma effectively treated almost 40 percent of patients with tumors that could not be surgically removed, according to researchers from three prominent cancer centers in a study published as an "article in press" on the Journal of the American College of Surgeons website in advance of print publication.

Tachycardia in cancer patients may signal increased mortality risk

Cancer patients who experienced tachycardia within one year of cancer diagnosis had higher mortality rates up to 10 years after diagnosis of tachycardia, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's Advancing the Cardiovascular Care of the Oncology Patient conference. The course convenes in Washington on Jan. 25-27, 2019, bringing together top experts in both cardiology and oncology to review new and relevant science in this rapidly evolving field.

Leg brace with a kickstand could alleviate discomfort for those healing from leg injuries

A comforting innovation for those suffering from a lower-body injury is moving to the market all because one Purdue student wanted to alleviate his mother's discomfort as she recovered from a leg injury.

Does the KonMari method work for clinical hoarders?

Australia is the sixth-largest contributor of household waste per capita in the world. We spend more than $A10.5 billion annually on goods and services that are never or rarely used.

Is label literacy a key to healthier food choices?

Health-related factors have a significant impact on the foods people buy. With the seemingly overwhelming number of products on shelves, a new survey offers insights into which information on food labels is most influential—and on how additional information might lead to healthier dietary choices.

Is interval training really a superior exercise?

If your New Year's resolutions included more exercise, you're not alone. Every January, gyms and weight rooms across the country are flooded with people determined to improve their health through exercise. Recently, more and more are including high-intensity interval training, or HIIT, as part of their plan to get fit.

Live in the moment, don't selfie or snap it, study suggests

If you're attending a destination wedding, taking a tour or simply celebrating the birthday of someone dear, a study by a group of researchers involving Washington University in St. Louis came to both a new scientific conclusion and a kernel of everyday advice:

Early parent-child conflicts predict trouble charting life path

Children who have more conflict in relationships with their mothers during early years of elementary school may find it more difficult to find a sense of purpose in life as they reach adulthood, suggests new research from Washington University in St. Louis.

Perilous ruptures described in a multiple sclerosis model

The permanent neurological deficits of multiple sclerosis patients largely depend on the extent of degeneration of long nerve fibers. The latter is initiated by ruptures in the cell membrane and the resulting influx of calcium ions.

Researchers uncover brain pathway linked to impulsive behaviours

Researchers from Singapore and South Korea have uncovered new details of a brain pathway that can cause impulsive behaviours.

Quarter of American teens misperceive their weight and often have unhealthy habits

Nearly a fourth of American teenagers misjudge their weight and they often avoid a healthy diet and physical activity based on weight misperceptions, says a new study from Ball State University.

Too many children with autism are let down by schools and end up in prison

For many young people, school can be a difficult place. And for some, it can be just about impossible. Negative experiences in school can have harmful long-term effects on pupils with autism spectrum conditions.

Scientists find link between inflammation and cancer

Severe inflammation in tissues is often associated with the occurrence of cancer. The mechanism linking both these conditions is not clearly understood. Furthermore, inflamed and cancerous tissues contain a heterogenous mix of damaged and protective cells. This makes it very difficult to isolate the primary damaged cells and study them further. Researchers at Kanazawa University have recently developed a technique to make this possible.

Why people born between 1966 and 1994 are at greater risk of measles – and what to do about it

Australia was declared free of measles in 2014. Yet this summer we've seen nine cases of measles in New South Wales, and others in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.

Is it safe to get the flu shot while pregnant?

When pregnant, women are more susceptible to contracting different viruses like the flu or the common cold and cough as a result of a lowered immune system. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone over the age of 6 months get a flu shot, there is confusion about the safety and efficacy of the flu shot during pregnancy, how the flu shot may impact an unborn baby, and more.

Genetic risk for ADHD manifests in brain structure in childhood

There is only scant scientific evidence available on whether the genetic risk for developing specific psychiatric disorders or cognitive traits is manifest in brain structure from childhood, and to date, studies have focused primarily on adult populations. The question remains unanswered. New evidence has now been provided by a study led by a researcher from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health using data from a large paediatric sample.

Nature versus nurture and addiction

The progressive understanding of addiction as a disease rather than a choice has opened the door to better treatment and research, but there are aspects of addiction that make it uniquely difficult to treat.

Poor mental health can lead to physical ailments

When she was 14 years old, Diana Chao began having migraines. She often felt dizzy as she walked. Sunlight seemed to pierce her skull.

Ebola death toll surges in DR Congo

The number of people killed in an Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo has risen to 443, health authorities have announced, as new President Felix Tshisekedi began his first full day in office on Friday.

CDC: Proportion of increased-risk deceased organ donors on rise

(HealthDay)—Among deceased organ donors, there has been an increase in the proportion at increased risk for transmitting hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV to recipients, according to research published in the Jan. 25 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Children shape their learning environment—the case of language acquisition in children with ASD

A close collaboration between University of Connecticut and Interacting Minds at Aarhus University researchers is exploring how parents and children influence each other when they interact, and the longer term impact this has on language acquisition.

Loss of muscle and weight associated with disability after stroke

Loss of muscle and body weight is associated with disability after stroke, reports a study presented today at Heart & Stroke 2019, a meeting of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Council on Stroke, and published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle.1

How to pick a fitness tracker that's right for you

(HealthDay)—When it comes to monitoring physical activity, we've come a long way from pedometers that only counted steps.

Helping kids develop good study habits

(HealthDay)—While one in five kids may have a learning disability that requires one-on-one intervention, others may simply need to develop good study habits to improve their grades.

Scientists identify the causes of cortisone induced side effects

Patients undergoing long-term treatment with steroids may suffer from metabolic side effects. Researchers at the Helmholtz Zentrum München and the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich (LMU), partners in the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), have now pinpointed a mechanism that leads to so-called steroid diabetes. Their findings have been published in Nature Communications.

Tobacco use during adolescence is associated with paranoia, largely due to shared genetic influences

Paranoia is associated with regular tobacco smoking in adolescents after accounting for other factors like cannabis use, sleep disturbances and stressful life events, reports a study recently published to the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP). The study also provides novel insights about the underlying causes of the association.

Understanding the emergence of leukemia

Acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia is a rare type of blood cancer that affects mostly children. This blood cancer appears from the precursor cells that produce T lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells). A new study from Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC), conducted in mice, shows that leukemia can emerge as a consequence of prolonging the presence of precursor cells in the thymus. This work was now published in the Journal of Immunology.

Gym break won't mean you lose muscle mass

Our muscles grow as a result of regular exercise and can waste away when not frequently or strenuously used, leading to the popular maxim: "Use it or lose it." But a new review of what we know about muscles during periods of regular exercise or disuse casts doubt over long-held beliefs about how our muscles grow and adapt.

New research will improve diagnosis of antenatal anxiety

A landmark study by experts at the University of Stirling will help health professionals improve the identification of severe and problematic anxiety in pregnant women.

Medications could fill treatment gap for adolescents with obesity

Twelve independent pediatric obesity medicine and surgery specialists, led by experts at Boston Medical Center (BMC), outline an urgent need for evidence-based guidance on the use of obesity pharmacotherapy for adolescents in the Obesity research journal. With almost one of five youth struggling with obesity, weight loss medications could be effective options to treat adolescent obesity that has not improved with other measures.

Researchers refine the ability to predict atrial fibrillation-related stroke

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is associated with a 5-fold increased risk of stroke. Nearly 3 million Americans are living with AFib. For years, researchers have been looking for ways to reduce the risk of stroke for this patient population. In a recent article published in Circulation, Lin Yee Chen, MD, MS, Associate Professor with tenure, Cardiovascular Division, in the Department of Medicine with the University of Minnesota Medical School demonstrates how to improve the prediction of stroke in patients with AFib.

Asthma controller step down yardstick—Treatment guidance for when asthma improves

When asthma symptoms improve, there's reason for celebration by both allergist and patient. But once symptoms are better, how do health care practitioners go about stepping down asthma medication to make sure a patient's needs are still met? The Asthma Controller Step Down Yardstick, a new guideline from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), offers an "operation manual". It helps health care professionals understand how to identify when a patient is ready to step down their treatment, and what the process might involve.

Psychologists find that adults take girls' pain less seriously

Gender stereotypes can hurt children—quite literally. When asked to assess how much pain a child is experiencing based on the observation of identical reactions to a finger-stick, American adults believe boys to be in more pain than girls, according to a new Yale study in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology. The researchers attribute this downgrading of the pain of girls and/or upgrading of the pain of boys to culturally ingrained, and scientifically unproven, myths like "boys are more stoic" or "girls are more emotive."

Researchers design new anti-influenza drugs

Researchers at LSTM and Imperial College London have designed drugs which could help combat any potential new flu pandemic, by targeting the receptors of the cells by which the virus gains entry to the human body.

Measles outbreak grows in northwest US, 30 cases reported

The number of confirmed measles cases near Portland grew from 25 to 30 on Friday, with nine additional cases suspected—an outbreak boosted by lower-than-normal vaccination rates in what's been identified as an anti-vaccination U.S. "hot spot."

Emergency rooms the destination for many electric scooter users

(HealthDay)—Rented electric scooters have become all the rage in getting around cities, but they are also accidents waiting to happen, a new study reveals.

What can the ability to balance reveal about brain health?

Stand on one leg. Can you stay that way for 20 seconds?

Improved genetic risk score aids type 1 diabetes classification

(HealthDay)—An improved type 1 diabetes (T1D) genetic risk score (GRS), the T1D GRS2, is highly useful for classifying adult incident diabetes type and improving newborn screening, according to a study published in the February issue of Diabetes Care.

Report IDs areas lacking good practice in health tech assessment

(HealthDay)—In a report published in the January issue of Value in Health, an ISPOR—The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research working group indicates the lack of good practices in three areas of health technology assessment (HTA).

2003 to 2015 saw increase in outpatient benzodiazepine use

(HealthDay)—Outpatient benzodiazepine use increased from 2003 to 2015, according to a study published online Jan. 25 in JAMA Network Open.

Americans used less eye care in 2014 versus 2008

(HealthDay)—Americans were less likely to use eye care in 2014 versus 2008 but had decreased difficulty affording eyeglasses from 2014 onward, according to a study published online Jan. 24 in JAMA Ophthalmology.

Could hacking the immune system cure allergies?

Scientists are redesigning natural allergens to help the immune system defend against them, in a move that could eliminate the side effects and lifelong medication of treating allergies—the most common chronic condition in Europe.

Scientists present an effective drug toxicity prediction method

Researchers from Skoltech (Maxim Fedorov's group, CDISE) and the German Research Center for Environmental Health, Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU; Igor Tetko's group) have developed an enhanced drug candidate toxicity prediction technology based on multi-task machine learning algorithms and analysis of various types of toxicity data. The new approach accurately predicts adverse effects of medicinal compounds. The results of the study were published in the Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling.

Quinn on Nutrition: Managing multiple nutrition conditions

Q: My husband was recently diagnosed with kidney stones (lots of them!) and has been advised to limit high oxalate foods. He was also treated for prostate cancer a while back and also has been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Trying to come up with a mostly vegetarian diet that manages these three conditions seems to be impossible. Is this something you can address?"

Measles outbreak prompts public emergency in Washington state

(HealthDay)—An ongoing measles outbreak has led to a public health emergency being declared in Clark County, Washington.

Feeling icky? Then stay home and don't share it with the rest of us

While millions of Americans return to work and school after the weekend, others will still be at home.

Harvard researchers report positive trial results with artificial pancreas smartphone app

The results of a new clinical trial have shown the safety and efficacy of the interoperable Artificial Pancreas System smartphone app (iAPS), which can interface wirelessly with leading continuous glucose monitors (CGM), insulin pump devices, and decision-making algorithms. The clinical trial and the app, which runs on an unlocked smartphone, are described in an article published in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics (DTT).

Giving children the skills they need to tackle life's toughest challenges

Mental health and suicide are not just adult issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates have tripled over the last 15 years among girls 10 to 14 years of age in the United States. More detailed analyses of the data only paint a bleaker picture for some minority populations. Asian American and Pacific Islanders, 15 to 24 years old, are the only racial/ethnic group in which suicide is the number one cause of death. "As a mother of two daughters in their pre-teens, these are alarming statistics that cannot be ignored," says pediatrician and researcher Joyce Javier, MD, MPH, MS, of Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Biology news

Panel calls for more timely access to public genomic datasets

A large panel of scientists has published a Public Forum piece in the journal Science calling for the scientific community to provide better access to public genomic datasets. They suggest the current system allows restrictions by researchers to slow or prevent access to such data, hindering research by others.

Why biodiversity among marine mammals and birds generally rises in cold, temperate waters

In ecology, the diversity of species generally increases as you move toward the warmer latitudes of the tropics.

Scientists nail down important plant compound pathway

Purdue University plant molecular biochemist Natalia Dudareva and colleagues have described a complete second pathway used by plants to produce phenylalanine, a compound important for all living organisms.

Researchers re-create retinal microenvironment in a dish with human stem cells

IUPUI biologists, growing human pluripotent stem cell-derived retinal ganglion cells in the lab, have developed a way to create more-mature models that better mimic the environment in the human retina. By introducing hPSC-RGCs to astrocytes, researchers can create cells that are more analogous to human RGCs and can be further used to study diseases such as glaucoma. These results are published online in Stem Cell Reports.

Researchers discover record-breaking salamander

Researchers at UT have discovered the largest individual of any cave salamander in North America, a 9.3-inch specimen of Berry Cave salamander. The finding was published in Subterranean Biology.

First confirmed cases of rabbit virus found in UK hares

Collaborative research led by the University of East Anglia has identified one of the causes of recent deaths in UK European brown hare populations.Working together with diagnostic laboratories in England, Scotland and Germany, the first UK cases of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2) have been detected in dead hares found in two locations—Essex and Dorset. Researchers from UEA joined forces with Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex Wildlife Trusts, the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the APHA Surveillance Intelligence Unit to investigate the cause of hare deaths following reports of sick and dead hares from members of the public.Lead researcher Dr. Diana Bell, from UEA's School of Biological Sciences, said: "RHDV2 normally affects rabbits, but the disease is known to have jumped to European brown hares in Italy, Spain, France and Australia.

An entire botanical garden of genomes

An article published today in the Open-Access journal GigaScience provides data that effectively triples the number of plant species with available genome data. This mammoth amount of work comes on the back of the growing efforts of the scientific community to sequence more plant genomes to aid in understanding their complex evolution and provide practical information for improving agricultural yield. To date, around 350 land plant genomes have been sequenced. The desire for more plant genome sequences has recently been highlighted with the announcement of the 10KP project, which aims to ultimately sequence 10,000 plant genomes to resolve the evolution of all the major branches of the plant tree of life. The work here provides images, raw sequencing data, assembled chloroplast genomes, and preliminary nuclear genome assemblies- all freely available. Effectively this work is a digital representation of an entire botanical garden.

Rare pangolins languish in China wildlife rescue system

When Chinese police found them in the trunk of a smuggler's car, 33 of the trafficked pangolins—endangered scaly mammals from southern China—were still alive, wrapped in plastic bags soaked with their own urine.

Tiny killer threatens giant clam, aquatic emblem of the Med

With wing-shaped shells lined with iridescent mother-of-pearl and producing the fibres of rare and delicate sea silk, the noble pen shell clam is one of the most emblematic species in the Mediterranean and a bellwether for marine environmental health.

Ecologists create a new model to predict extinction risk

A new population viability model, with an accompanying web app, is helping scientists to better forecast population changes and extinction risk for imperiled species. The method was developed by ecologists at the University of Georgia River Basin Center with support from NASA and the help of federal, state and nonprofit fish and wildlife personnel.

How friendly mice can affect their lonely cagemates

From the second we are born, humans start to develop social relationships with individuals and groups starting with parents, family and friends. Similarly, mice are social animals just like us.

Flash photography doesn't harm seahorses – but don't touch

We all enjoy watching animals, whether they're our own pets, birds in the garden, or elephants on a safari during our holidays. People take pictures during many of these wildlife encounters, but not all of these photographic episodes are harmless.

An integrative approach to studying lipid biology

The proteins that manage lipids in the cell are notoriously hard to study. Combining structural, biochemical, and computational studies, scientists at EPFL and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have now discovered how a lipid-binding protein can access, select, and move a lipid "cargo" during the biosynthesis of the important coenzyme Q.

Live cargo: How scientists pack butterflies, frogs and sea turtles for safe travels

Scientists who work with live organisms often have to move them between locations. This requires knowing what conditions creatures can tolerate well, and also can involve some unusual packing challenges. Here three researchers explain how they transport butterflies, sea turtles and endangered frogs safely between labs and the outdoors.

Drier mountains pose a double whammy for cold-adapted amphibians

A species of frog endemic to the Pacific Northwest faces a 50 per cent increase in the probability of extinction by the 2080s due to climate change, according to a new study published by SFU researchers in the Ecological Society of America.

Liberia wrestles with poverty and ecology in bid to protect sharks

George Toe reflects on the good old days, when catching a couple of sharks helped fill a fisherman's pocket and fed a hungry family.


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