Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for February 5, 2019:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Highly collimated jet spotted from the Red Square NebulaAstronomers have detected a highly collimated, bipolar jet from the so-called Red Square Nebula (RSN) surrounding the B[e]-type star MWC 922. The newly discovered jet could reveal more insights into the nature of the RSN and its emission. The finding is detailed in a paper published January 24 on the arXiv pre-print repository. |
 | Giant impacts caused by interplanetary collisionsAstronomers have found fresh evidence for significant planetary diversity within a single exoplanet system, suggesting that giant high-speed collisions are partly responsible for planetary evolution. |
 | Retreating snow line reveals organic molecules around young starAstronomers using ALMA have detected complex organic molecules around the young star V883 Ori. A sudden outburst from this star is releasing molecules from the icy compounds in the planet-forming disk. The chemical composition of the disk is similar to that of comets in the modern solar system. Sensitive ALMA observations enable astronomers to reconstruct the evolution of organic molecules from the birth of the solar system to the objects we see today. |
 | Beyond Mars, the mini MarCO spacecraft fall silentBefore the pair of briefcase-sized spacecraft known collectively as MarCO launched last year, their success was measured by survival: If they were able to operate in deep space at all, they would be pushing the limits of experimental technology. |
 | Scientists study organization of life on a planetary scaleWhen we think of life on Earth, we might think of individual examples ranging from animals to bacteria. When astrobiologists study life, however, they have to consider not only individual organisms, but also ecosystems, and the biosphere as a whole. |
Technology news
 | A framework to estimate and control leg trajectories of a quadrupedal microrobotA team of researchers at Harvard University and Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering has recently developed a computationally efficient framework for the estimation and control of leg trajectories on a quadrupedal microrobot. Their approach, outlined in a paper pre-published on arXiv, achieved accurate position estimation and control, and the robot moved across a wide range of stride frequencies (10-50Hz). |
 | A new approach for fast estimation of the solar energy potential in urban environmentsTU Delft researchers have developed a new approach for quickly and accurately calculating the solar energy potential of surfaces in the urban environment. Via the new approach, architects and urban planners can more easily incorporate photovoltaic technology in their designs. The findings were presented on Monday 4 February in Nature Energy. |
 | Android phone becomes tool for conversations live between deaf and hearing peopleCustomer: "Hello." Barista: "Hello. What can I get you?" Customer: "I would like tea." For many, this is the most mundane, forgettable exchange between two humans. For those who know limitations confronting the deaf and hard of hearing, the exchange is quite something out of the ordinary. |
 | FX chief says Netflix exaggerates viewership numbersSomeone is standing up to television's Goliath, with a prominent competitor saying Monday that Netflix is deceiving the public about what is a hit and what isn't. |
 | Learning to talk again: life without internet in TongaA two-week cyber blackout caused financial headache and social heartache in remote Tonga, but it also forced residents of the Pacific island kingdom to rediscover the art of offline communication. |
 | Google sets April 2 closing date for Google+, download your photos and content before thenGoogle has an official closing date for its troubled Google+ social network: April 2. |
 | Apple reaches 500-mln-euro tax settlement with FranceApple said Tuesday that it had reached an agreement with French authorities to settle 10 years of back taxes, becoming the latest US company to make a deal with France, which has led a European push for higher taxes on tech giants. |
 | Detecting and blocking cyberbullyingBullying is as old as humanity, but in today's world of ubiquitous and always-connected devices, there is a whole realm of bullying that can take place out of sight but be just as devastating to its victims – cyberbullying. Detecting and so having the opportunity to prevent cyberbullying in open online forums and social networking sites, for instance, requires technology that can automatically detect trollish and thuggish behaviour. Once detected, the problems that victims face might be addressed but more importantly, the cyberbullies might be shut down or otherwise punished. |
 | Learning transistor mimics the brainA new transistor based on organic materials has been developed by scientists at Linköping University. It has the ability to learn, and is equipped with both short-term and long-term memory. The work is a major step on the way to creating technology that mimics the human brain. |
 | Facebook lets senders undo sent Messenger missivesFacebook on Tuesday added a Messenger feature for anyone who has fired off a comment they regretted—a way to take it back. |
 | Unblocking naked Venus: Facebook OKs museum nudes after allIt seems Facebook can be friends with a topless Venus after all. |
 | Don't let Huawei help set up 5G, US warns EU nationsUS officials are fanning out across Europe to warn about the security risks of allowing Chinese telecoms giant Huawei to help build 5G mobile networks, a US diplomat said Tuesday. |
Self-driving cars and geospatial data: Who holds the keys?As self-driving cars continue to develop, there will be plenty of data amassed through cars' navigational technologies. Questions regarding privacy, ownership, cybersecurity and public safety arise, as heavily guarded mapping data is collected and leveraged by companies. The geospatial data can be used to draw new maps identifying the spaces where we live and travel. That information is currently housed in technological and corporate black boxes. Given the social relevance and impacts of such information, these black boxes require greater transparency, according to a Dartmouth study posted in Cartographic Perspectives. | |
 | Bitcoin exchange president's death puts millions out of reachA Canadian cryptocurrency exchange was granted bankruptcy protection on Monday after its president took passwords for accounts containing Can$180 million ($137 million US) to his grave when he died suddenly. |
 | Emerging economies catching up in smartphone adoption: surveySmartphone use has become the norm in most developed nations, while many emerging economies are showing sharp gains, a global survey showed Tuesday. |
 | Amazon adds Starbucks executive Rosalind Brewer to boardAmazon says it has named Starbucks executive Rosalind Brewer to its board, making her the second black woman to ever sit on the online retailer's board of directors. |
 | Germania airline says filed for bankruptcy, cancels all flightsBerlin on Tuesday ruled out any state aid for airline Germania, after the firm declared bankruptcy and cancelled all flights with immediate effect. |
 | Nissan taps new Renault boss to replace Ghosn on boardJapan's Nissan said Tuesday that its board has nominated the new boss of Renault to replace Carlos Ghosn, who is in detention facing charges of financial misconduct. |
 | Canadian group rescues UK music retailer HMVCanadian company Sunrise Records has agreed to buy ailing British music retailer HMV, safeguarding around three-quarters of jobs, administrators KPMG announced Tuesday. |
McCormick will use IBM artificial intelligence to develop flavors, productsMcCormick & Co. Inc. plans to use artificial intelligence to create new flavors and products through a research collaboration with IBM, the spice maker said Monday. | |
 | UK car sales hit skids again: dataBritish new car sales slid in January from a year earlier, as weak demand for high-polluting diesel overshadowed a surge for electric-powered vehicles, industry data showed Tuesday. |
 | Skyfall: Another budget airline goes down as sector strugglesBudget airline Germania filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday, becoming the latest low-cost carrier to go under after the highly competitive industry suffered from rising fuel prices last year. |
 | Qatar, Exxon Mobil to build $10 bn LNG plant in TexasQatar Petroleum and Exxon Mobil announced Tuesday a final decision to build a natural gas export facility in Texas, giving the official green light to a long-discussed project. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Research shows key function of specialized cells in peripheral nerve repairNew research led by the University of Plymouth has shed light on the science behind peripheral nerve repair, by highlighting the novel function of a cell called a macrophage. |
 | Weight loss surgery changes the way our bodies sense foodHow bariatric surgery helps people with obesity and diabetes is related to changes in the way the gut senses food and nutrients after the operation, researchers report February 5 in the journal Cell Reports. They found that following surgery, altered patterns of digestion and absorption lower in the gut trigger production of higher levels of gut hormones, especially glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which in turn causes higher insulin production. |
 | Study reveals how immune cells target different tissuesFor the first time, researchers have revealed the different molecular identities of important immune cells, called T regulatory cells, using single cell genomics, in both mouse and human peripheral non-lymphoid tissues such as skin and colon. The researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and their collaborators revealed that T regulatory cells have tissue-specific receptors and other adaptations, which allow them to move to and remain in the correct location in the body. In future, this could allow us to understand how to target therapeutic cells to specific places in the body, for targeted treatments of autoimmune diseases for example. |
 | Less anesthesia during surgery doesn't prevent post-op deliriumMany older adults who have major surgery experience postoperative delirium in the days after their operations. Previous research has suggested that closely monitoring the brain during surgery and making adjustments to protect the brain from too much anesthesia could reduce risk of postoperative delirium. |
 | Large-scale study reveals genetic risk of diabetes in the Japanese populationThe genetic and genomic revolutions have led to an abundance of data about the genetic factors that confer a predisposition to type 2 diabetes (T2D), alongside environmental and lifestyle-related causes. However, most of the studies were based on individuals of European descent, meaning that the findings, and any treatments based on them, may not be optimal for other ethnic groups. |
 | Word order predicts a native speakers' working memorySeveral studies have investigated how humans store and retrieve memories under different conditions. Typically, stimuli presented at the beginning and at the end of a list are recalled better than stimuli from the middle. But are these findings universal and generalizable across languages and cultures? An international research team led by Federica Amici from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, has recently investigated this question. |
 | More light needed on medical 'shadow' records, 'black box' toolsEvery American has official medical records, locked away in the computers and file cabinets of their doctors' offices and hospitals, and protected by strict privacy laws. |
 | Gasp! First audio map of oohs, aahs and uh-ohs spans 24 emotionsOoh, surprise! Those spontaneous sounds we make to express everything from elation (woohoo) to embarrassment (oops) say a lot more about what we're feeling than previously understood, according to new UC Berkeley research. |
 | Scientists identify reversible molecular defect underlying rheumatoid arthritisIn rheumatoid arthritis, immune cells called helper T cells behave differently from their counterparts in healthy cells and in other autoimmune diseases. Stanford scientists have learned why. |
 | Research on chickenpox virus paves way for promising HIV vaccineA study led by researchers at the University of Toronto and the University of Manitoba has brought science one step closer to using the chickenpox virus to develop a vaccine against HIV. |
 | Discovery helps researchers better understand immune systemA team of researchers have answered one of the most long-standing questions about how the immune system fights viruses and the discovery could help improve vaccine design. |
 | Researchers one step closer to growing made-to-order human kidneysIn a study with significant implications for human organ transplantation, researchers have successfully grown functional mouse kidneys inside rats from just a few donor stem cells. |
 | Origins of depression brought into focus in large-scale gene studyHundreds of genes have been newly linked to depression, shedding light on the origins of the condition and highlighting personality types that could be at risk. |
 | A new culprit of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's diseaseIt has long been known that patients with Alzheimer's disease have abnormalities in the vast network of blood vessels in the brain. Some of these alterations may also contribute to age-related cognitive decline in people without dementia. However, the ways in which such vascular pathologies contribute to cognitive dysfunction have largely remained a mystery. Until now, that is. |
 | Traffic fatalities on a high after cannabis legalisationMonash University research examined the effect of recreational cannabis sales (RCS) on traffic fatalities in three US states where it was legalised—Colorado (legalised 2014), Washington (2014), and Oregon (2015), and nine neighbouring jurisdictions from 2009-2016. |
 | Study links psoriasis treatment and improvement in heart artery diseaseResearchers have found that treating psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease, with biologic drugs that target immune system activity can reduce the early plaque buildup that clogs arteries, restricts blood flow, and leads to heart attacks and stroke. The findings highlight how immunotherapies that treat inflammatory conditions might play a role in the reduction of cardiovascular disease risks. The study, funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, appears online today in the journal Cardiovascular Research. |
Flaxseed fiber ferments in gut to improve health, reduce obesityResearch in mice suggests that fermentation of flaxseed fibers in the gut changes the microbiota to improve metabolic health and protect against diet-induced obesity. The study, published ahead of print in the American Journal of Physiology—Endocrinology and Metabolism, was chosen as an APSselect article for February. | |
Pharmacy in the 21st century: Transformational change aheadMedications improve health and saves lives, but they are not risk-free. The modern pharmacist is largely responsible for helping patients navigate an increasingly complex and costly health care system, particularly with respect to medications. And with significant changes in population demographics, technology, and the upsurge in the use of health services across the sector, a group of pharmacist-researchers from the Ontario Pharmacy Evidence Network is calling for the profession to make fundamental changes to effectively and safely meet society's health care needs. | |
 | Healthy diet can ease symptoms of depressionAn analysis of data from almost 46,000 people has found that weight loss, nutrient boosting and fat reduction diets can all reduce the symptoms of depression. |
 | How a golf swing can lead to early lumbar degenerationIn the article "Golf: a contact sport. Repetitive traumatic discopathy may be the driver of early lumbar degeneration in modern-era golfers" published today in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, Drs. Corey T. Walker, Juan S. Uribe, and Randall W. Porter from Barrow Neurological Institute describe the biomechanics of modern-era golf and its clinical consequences. |
 | An institutional effort to reduce the amount of opioids prescribed following lumbar surgeryAs we all know, opioid addiction in the US has reached epidemic proportions. In 2017 alone, opioids were involved in the overdose deaths of 47,600 people. Many victims of opioid abuse began their journey with physician-prescribed medications that initially were provided for the management of acute or chronic pain. Often the source of this pain is damage to the lumbar spine or a temporary side effect of lumbar spine surgery. |
 | New study shows sitting, watching TV linked to colorectal cancer risk before age 50A new study in JNCI Cancer Spectrum has identified a connection between prolonged time spent sitting while watching TV and increased risk of colorectal cancer for younger Americans. |
Research pushes back on benefits of compounded topical pain creamsIn an effort to reduce chronic pain, many people look for hope by paying $20 to thousands of dollars for a tube of prescription topical pain cream or gel. Now, results of a rigorous federally funded study mandated by Congress shows no statist significant statistically significant difference between relief offered by these creams and placebos, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. A report of the study is published in the Feb. 5 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine. | |
Researchers are worried that people with chronic disease are not being active enoughThe George Institute for Global Health at the University of Oxford measured the duration and intensity of physical activity levels over seven days and compared those participants with, and those without, chronic disease. They found that those with chronic disease, even those conditions that don't directly limit capacity for exercise, spent less time active. | |
 | Brain hand 'map' is maintained in amputees with and without phantom limb sensationsResearchers have found that the brain stores detailed information of a missing hand decades after amputation, regardless of whether amputees still experience phantom hand sensations. |
 | Radiologists can help identify victims of domestic violenceRadiologists may play a crucial role in identifying signs of intimate partner violence, a type of domestic violence, according to a study published in the journal Radiology. Radiologists can identify potential violence-related patterns of injury and work closely with referring providers to provide care for the victims. |
Government payment policies tied to hospital performance fail to improve patient safetyValue-based incentive programs (VBIPs) aim to drive improvements in quality and reduce costs by linking financial incentives or penalties to hospital performance. However, a new study has found no evidence these programs had any measurable association with changes in catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rates in U.S. hospitals. This is the first study to look at how these federal payment programs impact healthcare-associated infections. | |
Tonsillectomy in children: Update to guidelines for treating and managing careThe American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation published the Clinical Practice Guideline: Tonsillectomy in Children (Update) today in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. The update to the 2011 publication, which includes a large amount of new information that applies to a child considered for tonsillectomy, emphasizes education, counseling, and pain management with several tables and handouts that are user-friendly and helpful to caregivers. | |
 | Masculine fitness program improves physical activity of European menGender-sensitized lifestyle programs delivered in professional football clubs have shown promise in increasing physical activity in Europe and could play an important public health role in engaging underserved men, according to a study published February 5 in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine by Sally Wyke of the University of Glasgow, and colleagues. The findings add to previous evidence that suggests engaging men in physical activity through programs that work with existing constructs of masculinity is a promising route for promoting men's health. |
 | Study finds no association between trazodone and reduced dementia riskIn a large UK population-based study, Ian Wong and colleagues at the University of Hong Kong and University College London, UK, found no statistically significant association between the antidepressant trazodone and a reduced risk of dementia when compared to other antidepressants. Their findings were published this week in PLOS Medicine. |
 | Educational intervention cuts unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions in ChinaAn educational intervention aimed at rural Chinese primary care doctors reduced antibiotic prescriptions for childhood upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) by 36%, even a year after the intervention ended, according to a study published this week in PLOS Medicine by Xiaolin Wei from Dalla Lana School of Public Health of the University of Toronto in Canada, Qiang Sun from School of Health Care Management of the Shandong University in China, and colleagues. |
 | Molecule silences barrel, bullet pointed at transplanted organA powerful immune molecule helps protect transplanted organs from rejection by putting a silencer on two other immune molecules that converge to take a direct shot at the organ, scientists report. |
 | New study explores why women use marijuana during pregnancyMarijuana use during pregnancy has doubled in the last decade to become the illicit substance most commonly used by pregnant women. A new study from the University of Pittsburgh explores the attitudes of marijuana-using mothers-to-be. |
 | A study reveals that a large part of the population is not able to breathe properlyMuscle co-contraction is a strategy used commonly in elderly people to increase their stability. Co-contraction involves the simultaneous contraction of pairs of muscles from opposing groups to lock a joint and provide stability. |
 | Researchers discover key genomic 'management' partners in brain developmentResearchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered how two proteins interact to control hundreds of genes that build the developing human brain. The scientists found that the proteins UTX and 53BP1 link to activate the program by which the genes control the development of immature pluripotent stem cells into functioning neurons and brain structures. |
 | Study finds ensemble music programs positively affect students' character, competenceA study performed by FIU's Community-Based Research Institute (CBRI) at Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work has found that ensemble-based musical instruction in an after school program positively affects the behavior and development of school-aged children. |
Researchers explore ways PrEP users can remember their daily doseConsistent daily use of pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, can reduce the risk of HIV infection by 92 percent, but the drug becomes much less effective when taken inconsistently. | |
 | A review has found only a third of cases with severe illness in pregnancy were managed appropriatelyA new study shows approximately one third of cases of pregnant women admitted to intensive care units and high dependency units in New Zealand had potentially preventable severe illnesses (often referred to as severe maternal morbidity or SMM). |
 | The first dexterous and sentient hand prosthesis has been successfully implantedA female Swedish patient with hand amputation has become the first recipient of an osseo-neuromuscular implant to control a dexterous hand prosthesis. In a pioneering surgery, titanium implants were placed in the two forearm bones (radius and ulnar), from which electrodes to nerves and muscle were extended to extract signals to control a robotic hand and to provide tactile sensations. This makes it the first clinically viable, dexterous and sentient prosthetic hand usable in real life. The breakthrough is part of the European project DeTOP. |
 | The path forward for making electronic health records more usableOver the past decade both clinicians and researchers have increasingly discovered that electronic health records are not always user friendly and may result in unintended consequences that compromise patient safety. In a recently published paper in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and their collaborators suggest a five-point action plan to improve the usability and safety of health information technology moving forward. |
 | Adolescents with celiac disease are at higher risk of eating disordersCeliac disease (CD) is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation and atrophy of the small intestine. It affects roughly 1 in 100 people, and a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet is the only remedy. A new Tel Aviv University study finds a link between CD and a higher incidence of disordered eating behavior during adolescence and young adulthood. |
 | Expanded recall of warfarin level monitoring test strips(HealthDay)—Certain lots of Roche Diagnostics test strips should not be used with CoaguChek test meter devices to check levels of the blood thinner warfarin because patients may get inaccurate results and be at risk for serious injury or death, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says in an updated recall notice. |
 | Early tau deposition elevated for women versus men(HealthDay)—For older adults on the Alzheimer disease trajectory, women have elevated early tau deposition compared with men, according to a study published online Feb. 4 in JAMA Neurology. |
 | Updated ACIP immunization schedule released for adults(HealthDay)—The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has released its updated adult immunization schedule for 2019; the schedule was published online Feb. 5 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. |
 | A reservoir of bacteria—sink drains next to toilets in patient rooms may harbor dangerous organismsSinks situated next to patient toilets in hospital rooms may be reservoirs for Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), increasing the risk of dangerous germ transmission, according to new research published in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), the journal of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. |
 | The science of why so many people believe in psychic powersMind reading and the ability to predict the future are not skills people generally associate with the human race. Yet, research shows many people genuinely believe in the existence of psychic powers. |
 | New study sheds light on community-based approach to diabetes prevention in BangladeshNew research funded by the MRC highlights the success of a novel community-based approach to diabetes prevention in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). The scientists behind the research say their study is the largest worldwide to assess how to prevent diabetes in a general adult population of 125,000 people. |
 | Walking with PokemonAugmented reality is when apps and games overlay a real-time camera feed with images, characters and data to provide all kinds of interactive experiences. Pokémon GO is a very popular augmented reality game and University of Tokyo researchers revealed for the first time how the game positively impacted the physical activity in players over 40. They hope the findings will inform urban planners and game designers to inspire people to be more active. |
 | Rethinking blood pressure readings(HealthDay)—"140/90" had long been the line in the sand for getting high blood pressure under control. But in 2017, leading medical organizations lowered the definitions of normal, elevated and high blood pressure with the idea that starting treatment at lower "high" levels can better reduce heart attacks and strokes. |
 | Measles outbreaks are backIn 2000, the United States declared that measles had been eliminated from the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that means measles is no longer endemic—or constantly present—and there has been no continuous disease transmission for 12 months or more. |
 | Researchers committed to open-science effortsPlacing collaboration above competition, Western researchers are giving 300 labs around the world the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the mouse brain in hopes of unlocking the secrets Alzheimer's disease and other disorders in humans. Led by BrainsCAN, this is the latest and largest project undertaken by the neuroscience initiative in a push for open-science research. |
 | Update dietary guidelines for a healthier you(HealthDay)—Every five years, the U.S. government updates its dietary guidelines based in part on new research, but always with the goal of disease prevention. |
 | Study ties heart disease, diabetes to cannabis exposure in uteroJust because it's legal, doesn't mean it's safe. |
 | In Illinois, medical marijuana can now replace opioidsAn old photo popped up on Tashena Altman's Facebook profile recently, showing her a memory from three years ago. |
 | New scan technique reveals brain inflammation associated with post-treatment Lyme disease syndromeMore than 1 in 10 people successfully treated with antibiotics for Lyme disease go on to develop chronic, sometimes debilitating, and poorly understood symptoms of fatigue and brain fog that may last for years after their initial infection has cleared up. Now, in a small study, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers report they have used an advanced form of brain scan to show that 12 people with documented post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) all show elevation of a chemical marker of widespread brain inflammation, compared with 19 healthy controls. |
 | In vitro grafts increase blood flow in infarcted rat heartsAdvances in stem cell research offer hope for treatments that could help patients regrow heart muscle tissue after heart attacks, a key to achieving more complete recovery. |
 | HIV-1 protein suppresses immune response more broadly than thoughtScientists have revealed how a protein produced by HIV-1 plays a broader role in suppressing the immune system's response to infection than previously thought. |
 | New research debunks importance of eye contactRemember that magical moment when you first locked eyes with your partner and felt an instant connection? |
Practices related to fluid volume that are important for dialysis patients' healthA new study highlights the importance of regular and careful assessment of dry or target weight and fluid balance in patients undergoing hemodialysis. The study appears in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). | |
 | Ovarian cysts should be 'watched' rather than removed: studyWomen may not need to undergo surgery for non-cancerous ovarian cysts, avoiding potential surgical complications. |
 | In the US, dreams of a 'Big Bang' for health insuranceHaving a health insurance card in America is no guarantee of medical care without the risk of financial ruin. |
Yoga regimen reduces severity of rheumatoid arthritis symptomsAccording a study published in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, eight weeks of intensive yoga practice significantly decreases the severity of physical and psychological symptoms in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a debilitating chronic auto-immune inflammatory disease. Marked improvements were seen in the levels of certain inflammatory biomarkers and assessments of functional status and disease activity in patients studied, demonstrating yoga's promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative potential for achieving optimal health. | |
 | Educational outreach, public policy changes needed to reduce health hazards at nail salonsThe nail salon industry has seen rapid growth within the last 20 years, becoming increasingly popular among women of all ages who like to get their nails professionally done. For the technicians in those salons—many of whom are non-native English speakers—this beauty comes with a cost: an exposure to potentially unsafe chemicals and other health hazards in the workplace. A new study by Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health found that educational outreach and change in public policy are needed to help reduce these hazards for salon employees and owners. |
 | Experts propose revising the criteria for diagnosis of Parkinson's diseaseIn the past 25 years it has become clear that some symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) occur decades before the development of motor symptoms and clinical diagnosis, and that monitoring these emerging symptoms may provide important insights into the origin and development of the disease. Understanding this "prodromal" phase, along with the development of new treatments, may enable earlier treatment to prevent the disease from developing, according to experts writing in a supplement to the Journal of Parkinson's Disease. |
 | How lung tissue forms immune cell hubs in times of needImmunology researchers at the Babraham Institute have discovered how lung tissue in mice is remodelled in response to infection with influenza in order to support an immune system response. A key result of this tissue remodelling is the production of antibodies with the ability to provide protection against a wider range of related viruses. If the research findings can be applied to the development of the seasonal influenza vaccination, the result would be more robust protection against multiple influenza strains, not just the strain for which the vaccine is optimised against based on global epidemiology predictions. The research is published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine today. |
Community activities could help tackle depression in low-income countriesGetting people involved in community activities like playing games and social events could be a low-cost way to tackle depression in the developing world, according to a study in the Journal of Affective Disorders. | |
Researchers publish largest description of ST3GAL5 (GM3 Synthase) deficiencyResearchers have combined the largest description of ST3GAL5 (GM3 synthase) deficiency using detailed natural history data from 104 individuals of Amish ancestry born between 1986 and 2017 with a definite or probable diagnosis of ST3GAL5 deficiency. The study examined objective measures of biochemistry, auditory function, brain development, and caregiver burden. GM3 synthase is encoded by ST3GAL5, and is essential for synthesis of the most biologically relevant gangliosides in mammals. | |
 | Hearts and minds: fruit and veg boost well-beingConsuming more fruit and vegetables can improve your mental well-being, according to a new study, 'Lettuce be happy.' |
Blacks with high socioeconomic status less likely to seek mental health careThe rate of unmet need for mental health care is significant among Blacks, reducing quality of life and causing disability. Sirry Alang, assistant professor of sociology and health, medicine and society at Lehigh University says unmet healthcare needs should be seen as a threat to society. "It increases health care expenditures through emergency room visits and substance use disorders. It reduces productivity; and it burdens other systems such as child services, criminal justice and law enforcement." | |
Doctors dramatically reduce racial disparities in early-stage lung cancer treatmentResults from a study published in the journal Cancer Medicine show that a pragmatic system-based intervention within cancer treatment centers can eliminate existing disparities in treatment and outcomes for black patients with early-stage lung cancer across the U.S. The treatment rates before this three-part intervention were 78 percent for white patients versus 69 percent for black patients. With the intervention in place, treatment rates climbed to 95 percent for white patients and 96.5 percent for black patients. | |
 | Cannabinoid compounds may inhibit growth of colon cancer cellsMedical marijuana has gained attention in recent years for its potential to relieve pain and short-term anxiety and depression. Now, Penn State College of Medicine researchers say some cannabinoid compounds may actually inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells in the lab. |
 | High blood pressure top risk factor for stroke in young adultsStrokes do not discriminate by age. |
 | Post-stroke depression common among black, hispanic survivorsFor the nearly 800,000 people who experience a stroke each year in the United States, the aftereffects are likely to be life-changing. |
 | Eight questions helpful for assessing IBD in primary care(HealthDay)—The CalproQuest, an eight-item questionnaire, is a feasible instrument for assessing patients for inflammatory bowel disease in primary care settings, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice. |
 | Siberian indigenous people tolerate tick-borne infections more easilyTomsk scientists have conducted a study to identify the characteristics of the course of tick-borne infections and their consequences among residents of several Siberian regions. The findings suggest that the indigenous peoples of the North, and the sixth- and eighth-generation descendants of Siberians more easily tolerate, and recover more quickly from, infection with tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), tick-borne borreliosis (Lyme disease), and human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). |
Researchers gauge the availability of substance use disorder services in NY community health centersIn 2010 a national survey of behavioral health services offered by Federally Qualified Health Center organizations found relatively high rates of mental health but lower rates for substance use disorder services. Given that New York rates of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use closely mirror national rates, CUNY SPH Assistant Professor Sean Haley and his team were interested in whether the availability of substance use disorder (SUD) services in New York Federally Qualified Health centers (FQHC) would mirror national availability. The results were published in the Journal of Substance Use. | |
Group B streptococcus test for pregnant women: advantage of universal screening unclearSerological group B streptococci (GBS) are common bacteria, which usually remain unnoticed. This is also the case for the almost 20% of pregnant women with vaginal or anal colonization of GBS. The bacteria pose a risk for the babies, however: In the worst case, an infection at birth can cause sepsis or meningitis in the newborn. To prevent these complications, pregnant women with certain risk factors receive antibiotics shortly before birth (risk strategy). However, there is also a test on the market that could be offered to all pregnant women (testing strategy). This test could detect also those pregnant women who have no risk factor, but still carry GBS. | |
Depression increases risk of death in older adultsAs we age, we become more likely to experience symptoms of depression. Research shows that depression's symptoms can be linked to a higher risk for death. Yet often, older adults' symptoms of depression may be missed by healthcare professionals. | |
 | AAP releases 2019 childhood immunization schedules(HealthDay)—The 2019 recommended childhood and adolescent immunization schedules have been issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics and published online Feb. 5 in Pediatrics. |
Biology news
 | Scientists find new and smaller CRISPR gene editor: CasXIn a mere seven years, Cas9 has shown itself to be a formidable gene editor, employed in humans, plants, animals and bacteria to quickly and accurately cut and splice DNA, transforming biology and opening new avenues for treating disease. |
 | A better way to measure cell survivalMeasuring the toxic effects of chemical compounds on different types of cells is critical for developing cancer drugs, which must be able to kill their target cells. Analyzing cell survival is also an important task in fields such as environmental regulation, to test industrial and agricultural chemicals for possible harmful effects on healthy cells. |
 | Dung beetles navigate better under a full moonOf all nocturnal animals, only dung beetles can hold their course using polarized moonlight. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have now shown that beetles can use polarized light when its signal strength is weak, which may allow them to find their bearings when artificial light from cities swamps natural moonlight. |
 | Centuries-old population movements revealed in fine-scale genetic map of the Iberian PeninsulaA new study into the genetic makeup of over 1,400 individuals from across Spain has shown that the genetic patterns in modern individuals were shaped by population movements over the past 1,000 years. It also showed that in some regions, there are discernible patterns of genetic differences even between individuals living as close as 10km apart. |
 | Protein production efficiency can be predicted by gene sequenceToday, thousands of databases with biological data are publicly available. They include data on gene and protein sequences and detailed measurements of different cellular parameters, such as the exact quantities of all proteins produced and degraded by a given cell in various experimental conditions. Brazilian researchers explored mRNA and protein public databases and found out how gene sequence choice can predict different aspects of protein synthesis, such as protein production efficiency. The study, published in Nucleic Acids Research, could help the development of new biotechnological applications of genes and proteins. |
 | Tree of life: Poplar studies yield human cancer insightsWhile studying the genes in poplar trees that control callus formation, scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have uncovered genetic networks at the root of tumor formation in several human cancers. |
 | New islands, happy feet: Study reveals island formation a key driver of penguin speciationEver since Darwin first set foot on the Galapagos, evolutionary biologists have long known that the geographic isolation of archipelogos has helped spur the formation of new species. |
 | Time-lapse microscopy helps reveal brake mechanism in Streptomyces lifecycleStreptomyces are soil-dwelling bacteria that produce approximately two-thirds of the antibiotics in current clinical use. |
 | Leaves are nature's most sophisticated environment sensorsNew research confirms that leaves are nature's most sophisticated environment sensors. We can therefore use leaves to tell us about the management of the land they are growing in. |
 | Deaf moth evolves sound-production as a warning to outwit its predatorA genus of deaf moth has evolved to develop an extraordinary sound-producing structure in its wings to evade its primary predator the bat. The finding, made by researchers from the University of Bristol and Natural History Museum, is described in Scientific Reports today. |
 | Researchers identify sour taste receptor in fruit fliesTaste is so familiar a sensation that you might think scientists had long ago sorted out how the sense works. Yet such research is far from settled. |
 | How men continually produce sperm—and how that discovery could help treat infertilityThe production of sperm—otherwise known as spermatogenesis—generates more than 1,000 sperm per second in normal males. This productivity comes, in part, from a special cell type called the spermatogonial stem cell. The staying power of this stem cell has allowed many celebrities, including Robert DeNiro and Pablo Picasso, to father children after the age of 65. |
 | Could germs in your gut send you into depression?Certain bacteria dwelling in the human gut might feed depression, according to a new study that adds evidence to the theory. |
 | 'Eavesdropping' technology used to protect one of New Zealand's rarest birdsRemote recording devices used to 'eavesdrop' on a reintroduced population of one of New Zealand's rarest birds have been heralded as a breakthrough for conservation. |
 | Male killer whales hunt more than femalesIt's hard to tell just how imperilled killer whales are. With several different forms—some of which may even be different species—it's unclear which are at serious risk and which are less vulnerable. But one group is definitely in jeopardy. 'The southern resident killer whale population was listed as endangered in the United States in 2005', says Jennifer Tennessen from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), USA and the decline of Chinook salmon in the Pacific Northwest—which are consumed by the population of ~75 whales—is believed to be one of the causes. While shipping also poses a risk to the animals, NOAA has been monitoring them for a decade and one of the scientists' main goals was to estimate how much fish the charismatic whales capture. But, with the majority of pursuits occurring beneath the waves, Tennessen and her colleagues needed to develop a technique based on the animals' manoeuvres that would allow them to identify when the mammals were successful. They publish their discovery that killer whale hunts are not always successful and that male killer whales hunt more than females in Journal of Experimental Biology. |
 | Biologists discover migratory patterns of two North American grassland bird speciesStudying birds that nest in grasslands on the firing ranges and runways of active military installations is not for the faint of heart, but it proved to be a successful strategy for solving some vexing migration mysteries. Fundamental questions regarding the timing and choice of migration routes, and what that means for conservation of grassland bird populations have been surprisingly difficult to answer—until now. A new paper published in Ecology and Evolution sheds light on the annual movements of two grassland bird species and yields surprising results that may help transform the way we manage grassland bird populations, both across international borders and throughout their annual cycle. |
 | Critically endangered grey nurse shark mapped for the first time in landmark studyA study mapping the eastern Australian grey nurse shark population has found it has declined rapidly over the last few decades, with only 400 breeding sharks left, too few to maintain a healthy population. |
 | Scheme launched to improve health of french bulldogs, pugs and bulldogsA new screening scheme aims to provide breeders of French bulldogs, pugs and bulldogs with more information about the health of their dogs, helping them reduce the risk of breeding puppies with potentially serious breathing problems. |
 | Scientists urged to fight GMO fake newsScientists must speak out about the benefits of new genetic technologies such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and gene editing, according to The University of Queensland's new Director of Crop Science, Professor Ian Godwin. |
 | EU project identifies obstacles to transnational research access to large prospective cohortsBBMRI-LPC (Biobanking and Biomolecular Research Infrastructure—Large Prospective Cohorts) EU infrastructure project was implemented during the years 2013-2017. The main findings of this work have now been published in the New Biotechnology journal. |
 | Where do the best strawberries grow?Agricultural production benefits enormously from flower-visiting bees and other flower-visiting insects. Because of their supply of flowering plants and opportunities for nesting, hedgerows and the edges of forests represent important habitats for pollinators. A team from the departments of Functional Agrobiodiversity and Agroecology at the University of Göttingen has investigated whether hedgerows and their proximity to forests might have a positive effect on the pollination of strawberries. It was found that both the weight and the quality of strawberries increased when strawberry plants were placed at hedgerows or at hedgerows next to forests. The results of the study were published in the journal Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. |
 | Biotechnology to the rescue of Brussels sproutsFrom Brussels, China or Milan. "Surnames" aside, cabbages are grown nowadays all over the world. Like them, many other plants from the Brassicaceae family such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and even mustard... yes, strange as it may seem and though their tastes are very different, a Brussels sprout and a mustard seed belong to the same family...have a common enemy. The enemy is white rust, or at least one kind of white rust. Specifically, cabbages are threatened by a disease caused by a pathogen called Albugo candida, which acts exactly like a fungus, though it is not actually a fungus. That is to say, it spreads under the right conditions of humidity and temperature and eats up the nutrients of the plants it attacks. |
 | The global burden of pathogens and pests on food cropsCrop pathogens and pests reduce the yield of agricultural production, causing substantial economic losses and reducing food security. Yet, their global burden and their variation over time and among different agroecosystems remains poorly quantified. New research, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, by a collaboration between the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), Cornell University, Penn State University, University of California, Davis and the University of Twente has documented the losses associated with 137 pathogens and pests in five major food crops—wheat, rice, maize, potato and soybean—worldwide. |
 | Our 'bee-eye camera' helps us support bees, grow food and protect the environmentWalking through our gardens in Australia, we may not realise that buzzing around us is one of our greatest natural resources. Bees are responsible for pollinating about a third of food for human consumption, and data on crop production suggests that bees contribute more than US$235 billion to the global economy each year. |
 | A dreadful discovery about the crown-of-thorns starfish contains a silver lining for the Great Barrier ReefJonathan Allen has good news and bad news for Australians regarding the crown-of-thorns sea star. |
 | Special $6,000 sensors will keep daily diaries of blacktip sharks off South Florida coastThe migration of blacktip sharks to South Florida is a well-documented pulse of wintertime energy as schools of the streamlined predators prowl their way south to warmer climes. |
 | Think Pink: Texas A&M student aids in discovery of fluorescent pink flying squirrelThe North American flying squirrel fluoresces pink at night under ultraviolet light, but the purpose of the pink color is still a mystery to researchers. |
 | Over 800 new genome regions possibly relevant to human evolution identifiedA study by the research group Bioinformatics of Genome Diversity at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), published in the journal Nucleic Acids Research, increases by 40% the total number of signals of natural selection detected in the human genome to date. Researchers were able to add a total of 873 new regions of the human genome as firm candidates to have been the target of natural selection at some point, from the emergence of our species to the present. These are in addition to the 1986 regions that had already been detected, providing a very valuable set of data to help answer the question: What makes us humans? |
 | When managing birdfeeders, think bird health and safetyFeeding birds in winter is one of the nation's most popular wildlife-watching activities, yet many ornithologists say it's often more rewarding for people than for birds. And it might even put wild birds at risk. |
 | Ice Age survivors or stranded travellers? A new subterranean species discovered in CanadaThe discovery of a new to science species of rare and primitive arthropod from the depths of a cave that was covered by a thick ice sheet until recently is certain to raise questions. In their study, published in the open-access journal Subterranean Biology, entomologist Alberto Sendra and local caver Craig Wagnell describe a new species of cave-dwelling, insect-like campodeid dipluran from the island of Vancouver (Canada) and discuss its origin. |
 | Researchers work to find the giraffe in the bushesGiraffe are the tallest animal on earth, so naturally scientists have turned to big data solutions for giraffe conservation. Researchers from the Penn State and Wild Nature Institute are conducting one of the biggest large mammal studies ever undertaken by studying births, deaths, and movements of more than 3,000 giraffes across a 4,000 square kilometre landscape in the Tarangire Ecosystem of northern Tanzania, East Africa. |
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