Science X Newsletter Monday, Aug 19

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for August 19, 2019:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Holography and criticality in matchgate tensor networks

A framework for depth estimation and relative localization in ground robots

Unraveling the stripe order mystery

Humans migrated to Mongolia much earlier than previously believed

Scientists detect a black hole swallowing a neutron star

Lighting up proteins with Immuno-SABER

Researchers find hurricanes drive the evolution of more aggressive spiders

Wired for sound: A third wave emerges in integrated circuits

Eight new repeating fast radio bursts detected

Chemical and physical origins of friction on surfaces with atomic steps

Variation in the shape of speech organs influences language evolution

Lab-based dark energy experiment narrows search options for elusive force

Potential treatments for citrus greening

New model agrees with old: Nuclear war between US and Russia would result in nuclear winter

Online brain games can extend in-game 'cognitive youth' into old age, study says

Astronomy & Space news

	Scientists detect a black hole swallowing a neutron star Scientists, including from The Australian National University (ANU), say they have detected a black hole swallowing a neutron star for the first time.
	Eight new repeating fast radio bursts detected Using the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) telescope, astronomers have identified eight new repeating fast radio burst (FRB) sources. The finding, reported in a paper published August 9 on arXiv.org, could shed new light on the origin and nature of these mysterious phenomena.
	Spotting merging galaxies Over 30 years ago, the Infrared Astronomy Satellite discovered that the universe contained many extremely luminous galaxies, some more than a thousand times brighter than our own Milky Way, but which are practically invisible at optical wavelengths. These galaxies are powered by bursts of star formation buried deep within clouds of dust and gas. The dust absorbs the ultraviolet light while radiating at infrared wavelengths. In many cases the hyperactivity was triggered by a collisional encounter between galaxies that facilitated the collapse of interstellar gas into new stars.
	New planet discovered in orbit of young Milky Way star A second planet has been discovered circling Beta Pictoris, a fledgling star in our own galaxy offering astronomers a rare glimpse of a planetary system in the making, according to a study published Monday.
	NASA picks Alabama's 'Rocket City' for lunar lander job NASA picked Alabama's "Rocket City" on Friday to lead development of the next moon lander for astronauts.
Video: Moving on Mars The ExoMars mission will see Rosalind Franklin the rover and its surface platform Kazachok land on the Red Planet in 2021. From fine-grained soil to large boulders and slopes, the rover has to be able to move across many types of terrain, collect samples with a 2 m-long drill and analyze them with instruments in its onboard laboratory.
	Robotic tool operations bring in-space refueling closer to reality NASA's Robotic Refueling Mission 3 (RRM3) completed an initial set of tool operations, bringing the idea of using water ice or methane from other worlds as fuel for spacecraft one step closer to reality. The ability to store and transfer cryogens (super-cold hydrogen, oxygen and methane) will help spacecraft journey father into our solar system and beyond.
	Scientists complete LSST's digital sensor array After 16 years of dedicated planning and engineering, scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory have completed a 3.2 gigapixel sensor array for the camera that will be used in the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), a massive telescope that will observe the universe like never before.
	How NASA is becoming more business friendly A new case study demonstrates the steps being taken by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) to make it easier for small businesses and entrepreneurs to understand its needs and do business with it. The detailed case study, which provides insights on the design, results, and lessons learned from these efforts, is published in New Space: The Journal of Space Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Technology news

	A framework for depth estimation and relative localization in ground robots Researchers at the University of Porto in Portugal and KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden have recently developed a framework that can estimate the depth and relative pose of two ground robots that are collaborating on a given task. Their framework, outlined in a paper pre-published on arXiv, could help to enhance the performance of multiple robots in tasks that involve exploration, manipulation, coverage, sampling and patrolling, as well as in search and rescue missions.
	Move over, Paris. Sartorial hacking is le dernier cri Not fashion chic; it is fashion cheek.
	Specification vulnerability in devices that speak Bluetooth is addressed The discovery of a flaw in Bluetooth specification that could enable an attack to spy on your information made news this week; the attacker could be able to weaken the encryption of Bluetooth devices and snoop on communications or send falsified ones to take over a device, said The Verge.
	New tool makes web browsing easier for the visually impaired Researchers have developed a new voice assistant that allows people with visual impairments to get web content as quickly and as effortlessly as possible from smart speakers and similar devices.
	New discipline proposed: Macro-energy systems—the science of the energy transition In a perspective published in Joule on August 14, a group of researchers led by Stanford University propose a new academic discipline, 'macro-energy systems,' as the science of the energy transition.
	How ergonomic is your warehouse job? Soon, an app might be able to tell you In 2017 there were nearly 350,000 incidents of workers taking sick leave due to injuries affecting muscles, nerves, ligaments or tendons—like carpal tunnel syndrome—according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Among the workers with the highest number of incidents: people who work in factories and warehouses.
	Better video streaming when WiFi is scarce In an era when the average U.S. household has five internet-connected devices, web surfers may often feel like they're always fighting over scraps of WiFi. How can a whole family all binge their favorite shows without somebody's connection slowing to a crawl?
	Trump says Apple will spend 'vast sums' in US Donald Trump said Friday that tech giant Apple would be spending "vast sums" of money in the US in a tweet ahead of a dinner meeting with its CEO Tim Cook.
	Drone buzzes above vineyard helping Luxembourg winegrower Buzzing like a giant insect over the verdant Moselle Valley, a drone sprays fungicide over rows of vines.
	A cyberattack could wreak destruction comparable to a nuclear weapon People around the world may be worried about nuclear tensions rising, but I think they're missing the fact that a major cyberattack could be just as damaging—and hackers are already laying the groundwork.
	How AI and robots will help safeguard our offshore energy infrastructure in the future The modern world depends on the smooth provision of vital services such as energy, transportation, telecommunications, food, water and healthcare. But the systems underpinning these sectors are increasingly complex and interdependent, interacting at a global scale—which makes them susceptible to potentially catastrophic failures when they come under stress.
	Researchers turn plastic water bottles into prosthetic limbs Artificial limbs made out of plastic water bottles could save healthcare providers millions of pounds and help tackle pollution at the same time.
	Bring on the technology bans In mid-July 2019, Oakland, California, became the third U.S. city to ban municipal departments from using facial recognition technology. Meanwhile, Congress began hearings on whether and how to regulate it on a national level. In a surprising moment of bipartisan consensus, the only thing lawmakers fought about was how extensive restrictions ought to be.
	US gives Huawei 90 day reprieve on ban The Trump administration gave Huawei Technologies a 90-day reprieve Monday from a ban on doing business with US companies, as high-stakes trade talks between Washington and Beijing struggle to show gains.
	Innovative valve train saves 20% more fuel The valve train is the "respiratory organ" of combustion engines: it manages the aspiration of fresh air and the discharge of exhaust gases, which is referred to as "gas exchange." Today, only mechanically driven camshafts are used in series production for this purpose, often equipped with an additional mechanism, some of which are quite complex. This allows to modify a valve movement pattern given by the camshaft, which is not possible without an increase in friction. At the same time, flexibility is not given to the desired extent. What is in demand—among other things for adaptation to changing fuel properties—are fast valve movements even at low speeds, stroke adaptations and cylinder-selective widely variable valve timing.
	International launch set for Disney+ streaming service The Walt Disney Company said on Monday its streaming television service will debut in November in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands.
	Lufthansa offers climate-friendly fuel, but at a price German airline Lufthansa is launching a website that allows customers to buy climate-friendly plane fuel to compensate for the emissions caused by their flight.
	Where'd all the stocks go? Nasdaq's CEO on shrinking market The stock market is a much less crowded party than it used to be.
	European cross-border bus and train travel made simple Imagine crossing borders on a bus or train in Europe with journey information in the language of your choice and without having to shop for the best price or worrying about payment or inspection. Picture also being able to control your own data using chip cards, smartphones or printed paper tickets that involve different interconnected national systems. traveling with such ease and trust simply on the basis of your account is now made possible by a technology developed under an EU-funded project.
	'Nuclear-powered' missile accident in Russia: What really happened? A missile engine exploded at a naval test range, west of the city of Severodvinsk on Russia's northern coast at 9am on August 8. At least five people were killed and several others injured. As it is associated with Russia's defense program, the incident is shrouded in mystery. But shortly after the explosion the state weather monitoring agency, Roshydromet, reported a spike in radiation 40 km away.
	Twitter shuts Chinese accounts targeting Hong Kong protests Twitter said Monday it has suspended more than 200,000 accounts that it believes were part of a Chinese government influence campaign targeting the protest movement in Hong Kong.

Medicine & Health news

	Online brain games can extend in-game 'cognitive youth' into old age, study says A University of California, Irvine-led study has found that online brain game exercises can enable people in their 70s and even 80s to multitask cognitively as well as individuals 50 years their junior. This is an increasingly valuable skill, given today's daily information onslaught, which can divide attention and be particularly taxing for older adults.
	Prescription omega-3 fatty acid medications effectively lower high triglycerides Prescription omega-3 fatty acid medication reduces triglyceride levels by 20-30% among the majority of people who require treatment for high triglyceride levels, according to a science advisory from the American Heart Association.
	New molecule could help improve heart attack recovery Reparative medicine scientists at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute discovered a new compound that could shield heart tissue before a heart attack, as well as preserve healthy cells when administered after a heart attack. The findings are in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
	Don't miss a beat: Computer simulations may treat most common heart rhythm disorder Scientists at Johns Hopkins have successfully created personalized digital replicas of the upper chambers of the heart and used them to guide the precise treatment of patients suffering from persistent irregular heartbeats. These simulations accurately identified where clinicians need to destroy tissue to restore the heart's normal rhythm.
	New clues on stem cell transplant rejection revealed in study In 2006, scientists discovered a way to "reprogram" mature cells—adult skin cells, for example—into stem cells that could, in principle, give rise to any tissue or organ in the body. Many assumed it was only a matter of time until this groundbreaking technique found its way into the clinic and ushered in a regenerative medicine revolution.
	Increased risk of psychiatric disorders in children with inflammatory bowel disease Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) run a greater risk of psychiatric disorders, according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in JAMA Pediatrics. The researchers claim that more psychological support and longer follow-up is needed for the children affected and their parents.
	Researchers enhance neuron recovery in rats after blood flow stalls Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine report in a new study that they found a way to help rats recover neurons in the brain's center of learning and memory. They accomplished the feat by blocking a molecule that controls how efficiently genetic instructions are used to build proteins.
	Study in mice identifies type of brain cell involved in stuttering Researchers believe that stuttering—a potentially lifelong and debilitating speech disorder—stems from problems with the circuits in the brain that control speech, but precisely how and where these problems occur is unknown. Using a mouse model of stuttering, scientists report that a loss of cells in the brain called astrocytes are associated with stuttering. The mice had been engineered with a human gene mutation previously linked to stuttering. The study, which appeared online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, offers insights into the neurological deficits associated with stuttering.
	New lipid signaling target may improve T cell immunotherapy The immune system surveils our body looking for things that don't belong, often bacteria and viruses. While cancer cells are abnormal cells that undergo unregulated cell growth, they are good at evading detection by the immune system. T cell immunotherapy uses the body's own T cells but reprograms them to target cancer cells. Three different signaling pathways are known to be important for regulating T cell function: the cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) promotes a central memory-like T cell (Tcm) phenotype that can kill unwanted cells, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) pushes T cells to differentiate into T regulatory cells (Tregs), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) regulates lipid metabolism, which is important for providing energy to T cells. The mechanism by which these pathways determine T cell function, however, remains unknown.
	Aggressive brain tumor could be diagnosed with simple blood test in future New research by Sussex scientists could be the first step towards developing a blood test to diagnose the most aggressive type of brain tumour, known as glioblastoma.
	Could fluoride be bad for your baby during pregnancy? Fluoride exposure from drinking water during pregnancy could be making children less intelligent, a new Canadian study argues.
	Blocking inflammatory pathway key to preventing brain metastasis from melanoma Brain metastases are among the deadliest tumor metastases, with a median survival period of less than one year, and the incidence of brain metastasis is rising.
	A map of the brain can tell what you're reading Too busy or lazy to read Melville's Moby Dick or Tolstoy's Anna Karenina? That's OK. Whether you read the classics, or listen to them instead, the same cognitive and emotional parts of the brain are likely to be stimulated. And now, there's a map to prove it.
	Need a mental break? Avoid your cellphone, researchers say Using a cellphone to take a break during mentally challenging tasks does not allow the brain to recharge effectively and may result in poorer performance, Rutgers researchers found.
	Are attitudes contagious? If you were to meet two new people, and others seem to be more friendly toward one of those individuals, would that lead you to like that individual more than the other?
	Biochemists discover new insights into what may go awry in brains of Alzheimer's patients More than three decades of research on Alzheimer's disease have not produced any major treatment advances for those with the disorder, according to a UCLA expert who has studied the biochemistry of the brain and Alzheimer's for nearly 30 years. "Nothing has worked," said Steven Clarke, a distinguished professor of chemistry and biochemistry. "We're ready for new ideas." Now, Clarke and UCLA colleagues have reported new insights that may lead to progress in fighting the devastating disease.
	Scientists find evidence of blood vessels turning into bone-like particles A researcher at The University of Texas at Arlington has found that blood vessels within bone marrow may progressively convert into bone with advancing age.
	Huntington's disease triggered by genetic instability in brain cells, study finds Huntington's disease is triggered by genetic instability of a particular DNA sequence in brain cells, according to a new study of the lethal neurodegenerative disorder.
	Study reveals how stress can curb the desire to eat in an animal model Eating disorder researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) have discovered a neurocircuit in mice that, when activated, increased their stress levels while decreasing their desire to eat. Findings appear in Nature Communications.
	Victim-blamers have empathy, but it's mostly for perpetrators You may have seen it among your own friends: a high-profile #MeToo case triggers responses that assign some or all the blame on a victim of sexual harassment, with men more likely than women to side with an accused male.
	Should doctors accept unvaccinated children as patients? Four in 10 parents say they are very or somewhat likely to move their child to a different provider if their doctor sees families who refuse all childhood vaccines, according to a new national poll.
Scarcity of scientific studies on interventions to reduce health inequities in LGBTQ youth There is a dearth of scientifically investigated, evidence-based interventions to address substance use, mental health conditions and violence victimization in sexual and gender minority youth, according to a research review led by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and published today in the journal Pediatrics.
Gastroesophageal reflux associated with chronic pain in temporomandibular joint Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is associated with chronic, painful temporomandibular disorder—pain in the temporomandibular joint—and anxiety and poor sleep contribute to this association, according to a study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
	Insomnia tied to higher risk of heart disease and stroke People suffering from insomnia may have an increased risk of coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.
	Increasing blood pressure medications at hospital discharge may pose serious risk Increasing medications for blood pressure when discharging older patients from the hospital may pose a greater risk of falls, fainting and acute kidney injury that outweighs the potential benefits, according to a study by researchers at UC San Francisco and the affiliated San Francisco VA Health Care System.
	Why are people still dying from Legionnaires' disease? In the nearly 50 years since epidemiologists first discovered Legionnaires' disease, we have learned how to test for it, treat it and prevent it. So why are people still dying from it and why are more and more people becoming sick with it every single year?
	Sexual abuse survivors who aren't believed are at higher risk of poor mental health Survivors of sexual assault who encounter negative responses from family members when they disclose their abuse are at higher risk of poor mental health later in life, a new study by UNSW medical researchers has shown.
	Pancreatic cancer clue Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a predisposing condition for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common and deadly cancer of the pancreas. However, the link between CP and PDAC is not known.
	Host-microbe interactions in the gut Although the mutually beneficial relationship between human beings and gut microbes is clear, how we—the host—affect the functions of gut microbial communities remains poorly understood.
	Protein's role in inflammation-related cancer studied It's well established that chronic inflammation can lead to colon cancer, but the molecular mechanisms behind this association aren't fully understood. Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center into the role that the signaling protein SMAD4 plays in this process has received funding from the National Cancer Institute.
	When liver disease affects the brain Scientists have demonstrated how chronic liver diseases cause molecular changes in the brain. They carried out their research using the 9.4 Tesla high-magnetic-field MRI machine at the Center for Biomedical Imaging (CIBM) at EPFL.
	Today's generation shocked they might have to care for their parents The Western world is aging, and someone is going to have to care for all those old folks. But who?
	Global health still mimics colonial ways: Here's how to break the pattern Imagine this scenario. A couple of newly minted Master of Public Health graduates from an African university, say in Rwanda, land in Washington DC for a 2-week visit. They visit a few hospitals, speak to a few health care workers and policymakers, read a few reports, and write up a nice assessment of the US health system with several recommendations on how to fix the issues they saw. They submit their manuscript to the American Journal of Public Health.
	Why it's proving hard to eliminate the eye disease trachoma by 2020 Trachoma is a disease that can cause blindness and visual impairment in about 1.9 million people every year. Poor communities in rural areas of countries in Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Australia and the Middle East are most affected.
	Insomnia treatment linked to faster recovery from concussion in kids Active kids sustain injuries. It is estimated that every year more than 100,000 Canadian children and adolescents get a concussion while participating in normal childhood activities, like sports and play.
	How many people have eating disorders? Last week, federal health minister Greg Hunt announced that more than 60,000 Australians will be asked about their mental health and well-being as part of the Intergenerational Health and Mental Health Study.
	Investigating the role a high-fiber diet can play in controlling high blood pressure One hundred million micro-organisms live within our gut, influencing our metabolism, our immune system and possibly even our mental health.
	Shedding light on how the human eye perceives brightness Japanese scientists are shedding new light on the importance of light-sensing cells in the retina that process visual information. The researchers isolated the functions of melanopsin cells and demonstrated their crucial role in the perception of the visual environment. This ushers in a new understanding of the biology of the eye and how visual information is processed.
	UK to pressure social media companies to fight anti-vax info Britain's government plans to call a summit of social media companies to discuss what more they can do to fight online misinformation about vaccines following a spike in measles cases.
	More U.K. pharmacies giving patients pill organizers Pharmacies in the United Kingdom are giving out twice as many pill organizers as they were 10 years ago, according to a study published online July 27 in Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy.
	Intensive blood pressure therapy not beneficial in nursing home residents Long-term nursing home residents with hypertension do not experience significant benefits from more intensive antihypertensive treatment, according to a study published online July 22 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
	Cases of severe lung injury after vaping reported in three states Four cases of severe lung injury possibly linked with vaping in Minnesota are similar to dozens of cases in Wisconsin and Illinois. The patients had symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and chest pain, and some were hospitalized for "multiple weeks, with some patients being admitted to the intensive care unit," according to a Minnesota Department of Health statement, CNN reported.
	Recognizing when your parents need help Sometimes it's obvious when older parents need outside help—like when they're having difficulty managing numerous chronic illnesses or losing mobility and unable to maneuver well even at home. But mental problems may not be as easy to spot.
	The 4 keys to emotional well-being If you're satisfied with your life, you probably have emotional well-being.
	Deep learning model detects diabetic eye diseases accurately According to the research findings published in Scientific Reports, the deep learning model detects the severity grade of diabetic retinopathy and macular edema accurately. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common comorbidities of diabetes that, if untreated, may lead to severe vision loss. Macular edema refers to swelling under a specific part of the retina caused by diabetic retinopathy.
	Ultrasound app would allow expert analysis of medical images from anywhere A University of Alberta spinoff company is hoping its new technology to analyze ultrasound images will make diagnosing health problems possible even from remote locations.
	Your biopsy tissue could be helping important cancer research If you've ever had a tumor removed or biopsy taken, you may have contributed to life-saving research. Though you probably won't have been told exactly what research your cells would be used for, tissue samples like these are vital for helping us understand and improve diagnosis and treatment of a whole range of illnesses and diseases. But once they're removed, how are these tissue samples used exactly? How do they go from patient to project?
	Traumas change perception in the long term People with maltreatment experiences in their childhood have a changed perception of social stimuli later as adults. This is what scientists from the Division of Medical Psychology at the University of Bonn have discovered. Traumatized people found touch stimuli less comforting than people without trauma. They also maintained a greater social distance toward strangers. In addition, the researchers discovered changes in the activation of certain brain areas. The results may open up options for new therapies and are now published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
	Genetic risk is associated with differences in gut microbiome Children with a high genetic risk of developing type 1 diabetes have different gut microbiomes than children with a low risk, according to a new study from Linköping University in Sweden and the University of Florida in the U.S. The results published in the scientific journal Nature Communications suggest that genetic risk can shape an individual's response to environmental factors in the development of autoimmune diseases.
	Concussion risk is higher in female athletes With schools starting back for the year, many young athletes are returning to sports—and with that comes the possibility of injuries, including concussions.
	New study examines breast cancer survivors' experiences managing cancer and work A new study by University of Kentucky researchers examines breast cancer survivors' experiences with communicating with their oncology team about employment and work issues.
'Hidden' data exacerbates rural public health inequities Differences in the health of rural residents compared to their urban neighbors are startling. In Washington, for instance, rural residents are one-third more likely to die from intentional self-harm or 13 percent more likely to die from heart disease.
	Interregional differences in somatic genetic landscape diversify prognosis in glioblastoma Researchers from Osaka University, in cooperation with the Institute for Clinical Research and medical institutes participating in the Kansai Molecular Diagnosis Network for CNS Tumors (KNBTG), conducted the largest-ever retrospective cohort study for Japanese patients with glioblastoma (GBM), proposing an underlying prognosis biomarker responsible for the survival difference between two cohorts: an original Japanese cohort and a dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Their research results were published in Acta Neuropathologica Communications.
	A novel T-cell subset associated with type 1 diabetes A study conducted at the University of Eastern Finland demonstrated that a recently described T-cell subset, so-called peripheral T helper cells, may have a role in the development of type 1 diabetes. The frequency of circulating peripheral T helper cells was observed to be increased both in children with recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes and in healthy children who later progressed to type 1 diabetes. The study was published in the journal Diabetologia.
	Religion associated with HPV vaccination rate for college women It's been more than a decade since a vaccine was introduced to prevent contraction of human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends patients start receiving the vaccine between ages 11 and 12, with catch-up vaccination recommended for certain groups through age 26. However, a new study conducted at the University of South Florida (USF) found many female college students have not been inoculated and religion may be a contributing factor.
	Laboratory studies identify a potential way to treat human cancers with ARID1A mutations A new study shows that tumor cells depleted of ARID1A—a protein that acts as a cancer suppressor—become highly sensitive to anticancer poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor drugs after radiation treatment. The research, led by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center researchers, could advance efforts to treat many human cancers with loss of ARID1A that are resistant to current standard treatments, the study team suggests.
	Targeting cell division in pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with patients surviving on average less than a year once the disease has spread. There is an urgent need to evaluate more therapeutic targets. The chemotherapeutic agent abemaciclib is effective in treating breast cancer, but there is limited preclinical evaluation of this targeted therapy in treating pancreatic cancer. New research from Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center—Jefferson Health (SKCC) provides evidence supporting the use of abemaciclib for pancreatic cancer, and suggests new targets that could improve the efficacy of the drug and break a common problem of drug resistance in this disease. The study was published in Molecular Cancer Research on August 5.
Study indicates negative outcomes for Native American children who are spanked Some people may believe that if you live in a community with different cultural values, spanking might not be harmful—an assumption that does not appear to be correct, according to a new University of Michigan study.
	Binge drinking may be more damaging to women Alcohol consumption is a major cause of chronic liver disease in the United States, and binge drinking is emerging as a significant contributor to liver injury. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in six U.S. adults binge drink four times per month. In a recently published study examining the effects of binge drinking on rats, researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine discovered that female rats who were of equal age and weight to male rats were more sensitive to alcohol and experienced alcoholic liver injury at a higher rate than male rats.
	Why do women get statins less frequently than men? Women are less likely than men to be treated with cholesterol-lowering statins—or get them prescribed at guideline-recommended intensity levels when they do, according to a new study that also looked at reasons behind the discrepancies.
	Parent-targeted intervention can up communication with teens (HealthDay)—A parent-targeted intervention can increase adolescent-reported frequency of parent-adolescent communication (PAC) about sexual and alcohol use behaviors, according to a study published online Aug. 16 in JAMA Network Open.
	Mechanical, oral antibiotic bowel prep yields no benefit for colectomy (HealthDay)—Mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation (MOABP) does not reduce surgical site infections (SSIs) or the overall morbidity of colon surgery versus no bowel preparation (NBP), according to a study published online Aug. 8 in The Lancet.
	Blood pressure outside of clinic may better predict outcomes in black patients (HealthDay)—Among African-Americans, higher daytime and nighttime systolic blood pressure (SBP) is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and all-cause mortality independent of blood pressure (BP) levels measured in the clinic, according to a study published online Aug. 14 in JAMA Cardiology.
	Mass shootings have changed how 1 in 4 adults live, poll finds It is no surprise that Tiffany Burris was distraught Wednesday. Her 3-year-old son, Tyaan, was among those confined to the Precious Babies day care center in North Philadelphia for hours while a gunman was locked in a standoff with police nearby.
	Dengue fever outbreak hits Latin America and Caribbean region The Pan American Health Organization is warning against a deadly spike in dengue fever in Latin America and the Caribbean, and is calling on communities to eliminate mosquito breeding sites to combat the virus.
	Football scores a health hat-trick for 55-70-year-old women with prediabetes Physical fitness is a strong mortality predictor and exercise training is now considered a cornerstone in the non-pharmacological prevention and treatment of lifestyle diseases, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis.
	Gender affirmation surgery primer for radiologists An ahead-of-print article published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR) provides a much needed overview of gender affirmation surgical therapies encountered in diagnostic imaging, defining normal postsurgical anatomy and describing select complications using a multidisciplinary, multimodality approach.
	Dacomitinib in advanced lung cancer: Disadvantages outweigh survival advantage Since its approval in April 2019, dacomitinib has been available for the first-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-activating mutations. The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) now examined in an early benefit assessment whether this drug offers an added benefit for patients in comparison with the appropriate comparator therapy. The result: While overall survival is longer under dacomitinib treatment, side effects, including severe events, are more frequent. Also, the patients' symptoms worsen earlier and more often than under the comparator treatment, and their health-related quality of life is worse. Overall, an added benefit in comparison with the appropriate comparator therapy is therefore not proven.
	Treat cancer with cold plasma? Aerospace engineer helps bring first clinical trial Cold atmospheric plasma technology, currently the only way to remove microscopic cancer tumors remaining from surgery, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for first-ever use in a clinical trial.
	Research shows TCOM and osteopathic approach making a difference Osteopathic medicine's emphasis on physician empathy and understanding leads to higher patient satisfaction, a study by researchers at UNTHSC's Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine indicates.
	Malaria expert warns of need for malaria drug to treat severe cases in US Each year there are more than 200 million cases of malaria worldwide, a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite that brings on fever and body aches and, in some cases, more serious conditions such as coma and death. While the vast majority of these cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, the U.S. each year sees more than 1,500 cases, and currently there is limited access to an intravenously-administered (IV) drug needed for the more serious cases, according to a top malaria researcher at the University of Maryland School Medicine (UMSOM).
	Researchers discover possible new treatment strategy for lung cancer Lung cancer is the second most common cancer found in both men and women. It is estimated there will be roughly 228,000 new lung cancer cases this year, and nearly 30% of those patients will have mutations in the KRAS pathway. This type of mutation makes the cancer more aggressive and difficult to treat. Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center are hoping to change that. In a new study published in Cancer Research, the team discovered a new treatment approach that may help this group of patients.
	Brand-name drug prices rising at slower pace, lower amounts Drug companies are still raising prices for brand-name prescription medicines, just not as often or by as much as they used to, according to an Associated Press analysis.
	Grower: 5,000 in Louisiana medical marijuana program so far Two weeks after Louisiana patients began receiving medical marijuana, the program is humming along without supply disruption and with thousands of people receiving the drug for medical use, regulatory officials and the head of one growing operation said Monday.
Officials: More kids in Mass. ingesting marijuana products Massachusetts health care officials say there has been an increase in calls to the state's poison control center about toddlers ingesting marijuana products.
	Doctors say new rule will mean sicker immigrants Diabetics skipping regular checkups. Young asthmatics not getting preventive care. A surge in expensive emergency room visits.
Measles kill more people in DR Congo than Ebola: NGO Measles has killed 2,758 people in the DR Congo since January, more than the Ebola epidemic in a year, medical NGO Doctors Without Borders said, and called Saturday for a "massive mobilisation of funds."
	Engaging educational videos elicit similar brain activity in students The most engaging educational videos are correlated with similar brain activity across learners, according to research in young adults recently published in eNeuro.
	Transgender, transhuman: Technological advances offer increased choices but also create new prejudices In the 2019 TV series Years and Years, a young girl dissatisfied with her life reveals to her parents she is "trans." Her parents readily express their acceptance and support for their daughter's supposed desire to have a sex change. But then she tells them she is not "transgender" but "transhuman," and wishes to leave her physical body behind to become data. Her parents are shocked—and then furious.
	Board game launched to help health professionals support victims of domestic violence A new and novel training aid has been developed by a University of Sheffield academic to help healthcare professionals support victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA).
Microgravity changes brain connectivity An international team of Russian and Belgian researchers, including scientists from HSE University, has found out that space travel has a significant impact on the brain: they discovered that cosmonauts demonstrate changes in brain connectivity related to perception and movement. Some areas, such as regions in the insular and parietal cortices, work more synchronously with other brain areas after space flight. On the other hand, connectivity of some other regions, such as the cerebellum and vestibular nuclei, decreases. The results of the study were published in Frontiers in Physiology.
	Challenging the totipotency of a zygote Although the literature describes the mammalian zygote as a totipotent cell, one researcher challenges this view and has proposed a revised alternative model of mammalian cellular totipotency. The basis for this new model and its implications and potential applications are presented in an article published in Stem Cells and Development.
	Regulating blood supply to limbs improves stroke recovery Cutting off and then restoring blood supply to a limb following a stroke reduces tissue damage and swelling and improves functional recovery, according to a new study in mice published in JNeurosci. The simple, noninvasive technique could be developed into a treatment for stroke patients of varying severity.
	Ebola kills boy aged 7 in DR Congo's South Kivu A child has died from Ebola in DR Congo's South Kivu, health authorities said Monday, the second person to succumb to the virus since the epidemic spread to the eastern province.
Congo to use second vaccine to fight Ebola The head of Congo's Ebola response says another vaccine will be used to fight the outbreak that has killed more than 1,800 people in a year.

Biology news

	Lighting up proteins with Immuno-SABER To better understand how tissues and organs develop, fail to function, and regenerate over time, researchers would like to visualize their constituent cells' repertoires of molecules within 3-D space. Ambitious efforts like the "Human BioMolecular Atlas Program", the "Human Cell Atlas Project", and several brain atlas projects are underway to map the presence and abundance of many proteins—the products of gene expression—in organs and tissues of the human body at the scale of single cells. However, existing imaging methods are typically limited in various aspects of their performance, their accessibility to researchers, or both.
	Researchers find hurricanes drive the evolution of more aggressive spiders Researchers at McMaster University who rush in after storms to study the behaviour of spiders have found that extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones may have an evolutionary impact on populations living in storm-prone regions, where aggressive spiders have the best odds of survival.
	Variation in the shape of speech organs influences language evolution Why do languages sound so different when people across the world have roughly the same speech organs (mouth, lips, tongue and jaw)? Does the shape of our vocal tract explain some of the variation in speech sounds? In extreme individual cases, it clearly does: When children are born with a cleft palate, the roof of the mouth is not formed properly, which affects their speech. However, it is unclear whether subtle anatomical differences between normal speakers play a role.
	Potential treatments for citrus greening Over the course of 40 years, biologist Sharon Long has become an expert in symbiotic bacteria that help alfalfa grow. She has published over 150 papers on this one topic but when she realized her lab's decades of highly focused research could contribute to a solution for citrus greening—a disease that devastates citrus crops—she was inspired to go in a new direction.
	From the tiny testes of flies, new insight into how genes arise In the battle of the sexes, males appear to have the innovative edge—from a genetic standpoint, at least. Scientists are finding that the testes are more than mere factories for sperm; these organs also serve as hotspots for the emergence of new genes, the raw material for the evolution of species.
	In the Amazon, it takes a village: Community structure in rainforests revealed to be highly coordinated Relationships are complex, and species living in Amazonian rainforests are no exception.
	These migratory birds will risk their lives for a good nap When driving across country, people can only make it so far before stopping off to rest. Likewise, most migratory songbirds must make stops during their long-distance journeys to sleep along the way. Now, researchers have evidence that songbirds tuck themselves in differently depending on just how worn out they really are.
	Smart interaction between proteins Very little was known till now about DNA repair by homologous recombination, which is fundamental for human health. Now an ETH research group has for the first time isolated and studied all the key proteins involved in this process, laying the foundation for investigating many diseases.
	Gene regulation behind the choice of the correct receptor for olfaction Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) have uncovered the genetics behind two distinct types of olfactory sensory neurons; the so-called class I olfactory neurons, conserved from aquatic to terrestrial animals, and class II olfactory neurons that only terrestrial animals possess. But how does the olfactory sensory neuron know which class of OR to express?
	National livestock movement bans may prove economically damaging New research from the University of Warwick has pioneered an economic perspective on controlling livestock diseases. Focusing on Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), bovine TB (bTB) and bluetongue virus (BTV), the researchers draw striking conclusions about the role of movement bans in controlling an outbreak.
	Global change is triggering an identity switch in grasslands Since the first Homo sapiens emerged in Africa roughly 300,000 years ago, grasslands have sustained humanity and thousands of other species. But today, those grasslands are shifting beneath our feet. Global change—which includes climate change, pollution and other widespread environmental alterations—is transforming the plant species growing in them, and not always in the ways scientists expected, a new study published Monday revealed.
	Common origin identified could bring tooth regeneration potential closer A common origin shared by teeth and taste buds in a fish that has regenerative abilities has been identified by a team of researchers from the UK and the States. Regulated by the BMP signalling pathway, the results suggest that the oral organs have surprising regenerative capabilities and can be manipulated to express characteristics of different tissue types.
	Scientists uncover mystery of DNA methylation All species mark their DNA with methyl groups. This is done to regulate gene expression, distinguish indigenous DNA from foreign DNA, or to mark old DNA strands during replication. Methylation is carried out by certain enzymes called methyltransferases, which decorate DNA with methyl groups in certain patterns to create an epigenetic layer on top of DNA.
	Research using mechanics and physics could predict diseases that 'stress out' cells Researchers at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering have discovered a new way to identify the state of individual cells by bringing principles of mechanical engineering and physics to bear on processes that are now well understood at the macro level, but not yet at the cellular level: how stressors such as injury and disease force an organism into a new level of equilibrium—a biological process of finding a "new normal" called allostasis. The researchers' findings carry major implications for the diagnosis and staging of chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes.
	Researchers discover compound that speeds sexual development and decline Every day, people are exposed to myriad chemicals, both natural and synthetic. Some of these compounds may affect human physical development, but testing them directly on people would be grossly unethical.
	Beloved baby dugong 'Mariam' dies in Thailand with plastic in stomach A sick baby dugong whose fight for recovery won hearts in Thailand and cast a spotlight on ocean conservation has died from an infection exacerbated by bits of plastic lining her stomach, officials said Saturday.
	Wildlife summit mulls trade rules to counter 'unprecedented' species declines Conservationists warned of "unprecedented" species declines Saturday as countries met in Geneva to tighten rules on trade in elephant ivory and products from other endangered animal and plants.
	Florida's iconic palm trees threatened by invasive disease Florida's iconic palm trees are under attack from a fatal disease that turns them to dried crisps in months, with no chance for recovery once they become ill.
	What happens to flowers and birds when we massacre mosquitoes with modern traps? If you believe the advertisements, there are electronic mosquito killers that can eliminate these insects over an area of several thousand square meters.
	Tiny GPS backpacks uncover the secret life of desert bats A new study from the University of Helsinki using miniaturized satellite-based tags revealed that during drier periods desert bats must fly further and longer to fulfill their nightly needs. According to researchers this signals their struggle in facing dry periods.
	Physiological mechanisms leading to enterovirus opening revealed Enteroviruses are one of the most common human pathogens leading to high number of acute and chronic infections worldwide. The physiological events leading to successful enterovirus infection are still poorly understood. Researchers at the Nanoscience Center at the University of Jyväskylä and at the University of Helsinki have found significant new information concerning the role of Albumin and ions in host cell vesicles that promote genome release and efficient infection. The results may yield targets for therapeutic development. The research was published in the Journal of Virology in August.
	Ghana's pact with China to explore bauxite threatens a unique forest Ghana's Atewa forest is one of the most beautiful and scenic landscapes in the country. It is seen as the better of only two Upland Evergreen forests left intact in the country, forming part of the six dominant vegetation zones of Ghana based on different climates zones.
	Could duckweed feed the world? Climate change is threatening the world's food supply and the risk of supply disruptions is expected to grow as temperatures rise, according to a new United Nations report co-authored by Rutgers human ecology professor Pamela McElwee. So, how would we feed everyone if the Earth's population hits 9.7 billion in 2050 as projected?
	Philippines: Still-unknown disease prompts culling of pigs The Philippine agriculture chief said Monday that an unspecified number of pigs has died or been culled in backyard farms in recent weeks and a crisis team has been established to try to contain the still-unidentified disease causing the swine deaths.
	Decoding the scent of a plant The plant and animal kingdoms are rich in odors that function as key communication modules. Specifically, the interactions between plants and insects come with a plethora of odor exchanges. While some scents help attract pollinators, others act as defense signals. The latter chemicals are typically used to protect against insects that infest plants.
	Researchers study the microbiome of ciliates A microbiome is a community of microorganisms that inhabit an ecological niche. Microbiomes exist in environmental biotopes, for example, a water body or forest soil, as well as in living multicellular host organisms such as humans, animals or plants. A microbiome may be composed of bacteria, archaea, and unicellular eukaryotes like protists and fungi.
	Powerful online tool will help researchers make new genomic discoveries University of Waterloo researchers have developed a powerful new online tool that allows users to navigate through an interactive microbial tree of life, and to generate new scientific hypotheses and discoveries.
	Animal diseases: Mating behavior and movement patterns influence dynamics Swine fever, rabies, bird flu—outbreaks of diseases in wildlife populations often also affect farm animals and humans. However, their causes and the dynamics of their spread are often complex and not well understood. A team of scientists led by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) has now carried out an analysis of long-term data of an outbreak of classical swine fever in wild boars in the German federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern that occurred between 1993 and 2000. The results suggest that non-infected regions have a higher risk of infection due to changes in movement patterns, particularly during the mast and rutting seasons (autumn and winter), and thus highlighting the importance for focusing intervention efforts on specific individuals, seasons and areas in the event of future outbreaks. The findings are published in the Journal of Animal Ecology.
	Researchers develop tools to help manage seagrass survival A new QUT-led study has developed a statistical toolbox to help avoid seagrass loss which provides shelter, food and oxygen to fish and at-risk species like dugongs and green turtles.
	Outer Banks wild horses let big white birds ride them for a good reason, expert says The wild horses roaming North Carolina's Outer Banks are known for being unpredictable and even dangerous—and this reputation only adds to the mystery why they're often seen patiently giving rides to big, gawky birds.
	Dog down: Effort helps emergency medical staff treat law enforcement K-9s Recognizing a gap in care for law enforcement K-9s injured on the job, a team of veterinarians, emergency medical services experts and canine handlers has developed protocols for emergency medical service personnel who may be called upon to help treat and transport the injured dogs.
	Japan under pressure over past hunting of endangered whales Japan insisted Friday it no longer hunts endangered sei whales in international waters, but faced accusations of still violating a wildlife treaty by allowing commercialisation of meat from past catches.
	From tusks to tails, nations eye trade in endangered species From guitars to traditional medicines and from tusk to tail, mankind's exploitation of the planet's fauna and flora is putting some of them at risk of extinction. Representatives of some 180 nations are meeting in Geneva to agree on protections for vulnerable species, taking up issues including the trade in ivory and the demand for shark fin soup.
	Conservationists, EU MPs urge ban on trophy hunting of endangered species Dozens of European parliamentarians and conservation groups called Sunday on the regulator of global wildlife trade to ban all trophy hunting of rhinos, elephants and other endangered animals.
	Ban on sending wild elephants to zoos a step closer The regulator of global wildlife trade will likely ban sending African elephants captured from the wild to zoos after countries supported the move Sunday, in what conservationists hailed as a "historic win".
	Tips for keeping rats out of home and garden Seeing rats in the backyard or, worse yet, in the house, can send people into panic mode, and for good reason.
	Where will evolution take us in the Fourth Industrial Revolution? The study of evolution allows us to reconstruct the past and to understand how life evolved from simple to complex organisms. Evolutionary reasoning can help us make sense of the biggest questions in science, from the origin of the universe to the inner workings of the human brain.
	Scientists aim to solve 'male-killing' evolutionary puzzle in insects Researchers at the University of Liverpool are leading a new international project to investigate the curious phenomenon of 'male-killing' microbes in insects.
New lawsuit seeks protection zone for Northwest orcas A new U.S. lawsuit filed Monday seeks to establish a whale protection zone for endangered orcas in the Pacific Northwest.

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