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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for August 27, 2019:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Mysterious cloud 'absorbers' seen to drive Venusian albedo, climateAs planets in our solar system go, Venus is one for the textbooks. |
 | WISE J0720−0846 hosts a massive T dwarf, observations confirmBy combining high-precision astrometry and adaptive optics-resolved imaging, astronomers have found that the binary system WISE J0720−0846, better known as Scholz's star, hosts a T dwarf, confirming previous assumptions. The finding is reported in a paper published August 19 on arXiv.org. |
 | The dark sides of extrasolar planets share surprisingly similar temperaturesA new study by McGill University astronomers has found that the temperature on the nightsides of different hot Jupiters is surprisingly uniform, suggesting the dark side of these massive gaseous planets have clouds made of minerals and rocks. |
 | Russian humanoid robot boards space station after delayIt was second time lucky on Tuesday as an unmanned spacecraft carrying Russia's first humanoid robot docked at the International Space Station following a failed attempt over the weekend. |
 | Video: The latest look at 'first light' from ChandraNASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has captured many spectacular images of cosmic phenomena over its two decades of operations, but perhaps its most iconic is the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A. |
 | Astronomers find a golden glow from a distant stellar collisionOn August 17, 2017, scientists made history with the first direct observation of a merger between two neutron stars. It was the first cosmic event detected in both gravitational waves and the entire spectrum of light, from gamma rays to radio emissions. |
 | Newly discovered giant planet slingshots around its starAstronomers have discovered a planet three times the mass of Jupiter that travels on a long, egg-shaped path around its star. If this planet were somehow placed into our own solar system, it would swing from within our asteroid belt to out beyond Neptune. Other giant planets with highly elliptical orbits have been found around other stars, but none of those worlds were located at the very outer reaches of their star systems like this one. |
 | NASA activates Deep Space Atomic ClockAn atomic clock that could pave the way for autonomous deep space travel was successfully activated last week and is ready to begin its year-long tech demo, the mission team confirmed on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. Launched in June, NASA's Deep Space Atomic Clock is a critical step toward enabling spacecraft to safely navigate themselves in deep space rather than rely on the time-consuming process of receiving directions from Earth. |
 | An exoplanet within arm's reach: The EarthExobiology is an exciting discipline. It is based simultaneously on the latest data from astrophysics, planetary geology and the origins of life on Earth, all of which are evolving as we continue to study them. It could be said that exobiology is essentially Earth-oriented, as it's based primarily on knowledge learned here that we try to apply to other possible or observed situations. |
 | Streaks in aurora found to map features in earth's radiation environmentA special kind of streaked aurora has been found to track disturbances in near-Earth space from the ground. Known as structured diffuse aurora, it was recently discovered, with the help of NASA spacecraft and instruments, that these faint lights in the night sky can map the edges of the Van Allen radiation belts—hazardous concentric bands of charged particles encircling Earth. |
 | NASA dangles $7 billion carrot for next moon landingThe agency that sent humans to the moon 50 years ago is offering $7 billion to take the first steps for a U.S. return to the lunar surface within five years. |
Technology news
 | How people's stance on a topic can be inferred from their online activityAs proven by some recent extreme, controversial incidents, such as the Facebook and Cambridge Analytica scandal, social media can be a real goldmine for user information. In fact, most social researchers and analytics companies perceive social media as one of the most valuable resources for understanding public opinion and how individuals react to specific events. |
 | Researchers develop a better way to harness the power of solar panelsResearchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a way to better harness the volume of energy collected by solar panels. |
 | Researchers flip how electrical signals move liquid dropletsWhen medical laboratories analyze blood samples for signs of disease, they sometimes use instruments that rely on a technology called digital microfluidics. The technique uses electric signals to pull tiny droplets of the sample across a surface so they can be analyzed. |
 | Using Wi-Fi-like sonar to measure speed and distance of indoor movementResearchers from North Carolina State University have developed a technique for measuring speed and distance in indoor environments, which could be used to improve navigation technologies for robots, drones—or pedestrians trying to find their way around an airport. The technique uses a novel combination of Wi-Fi signals and accelerometer technology to track devices in near-real time. |
 | Sony, Yamaha entertainment cart goes big on monitors, sensorsSony and Yamaha have collaborated to bring out an autonomous vehicle that goes big on carrying the fruits of Sony's imaging technologies. This vehicle was officially announced as a joint development with Yamaha Motor Co. The vehicle is called the SC-1 Sociable Cart, promoted as wheeling out "a new mobility experience" for audiences. |
 | US, France reach agreement on digital taxesFrench President Emmanuel Macron said Monday G7 members had reached an agreement on the taxation of tech giants, a long-standing subject of friction between France and the US which has threatened to retaliate with tariffs on French wines. |
 | Using a smartphone to detect norovirusA little bit of norovirus—the highly infectious microbe that causes about 20 million cases of food poisoning in the United States each year—goes a long way. Just 10 particles of the virus can cause illness in humans. A team of University of Arizona researchers has created a simple, portable and inexpensive method for detecting extremely low levels of norovirus. |
 | Russian client sues Boeing to cancel 737 MAX orderA Russian aircraft leasing company confirmed Tuesday that it has filed the first US lawsuit to cancel an order for 35 Boeing 737 MAX jets. |
 | Building computers the way our brains workWe are approaching the limit for how much more microprocessors can be developed. Gunnar Tufte proposes building computers in a completely new way, inspired by the human brain and nanotechnology. |
 | Examining a video's changes over time helps flag deepfakesIt used to be that only Hollywood production companies with deep pockets and teams of skilled artists and technicians could make deepfake videos, realistic fabrications appearing to show people doing and saying things they never actually did or said. Not anymore—software freely available online lets anyone with a computer and some time on their hands create convincing fake videos. |
 | How a simple change can protect crowdfunding backers from fraudBudding entrepreneurs with a business idea inevitably face the problem of finding financing. With the advent of crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter or Indiegogo—where the entrepreneur appeals to the masses to support the business venture—raising funds to get projects off the ground is getting easier. |
 | Energy-efficient power electronics: Gallium oxide power transistors with record valuesThe Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) has achieved a breakthrough with transistors based on gallium oxide (ß-Ga2O3). The newly developed ß-Ga2O3-MOSFETs (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor) provide a high breakdown voltage combined with high current conductivity. |
 | Giant Taiwan Apple supplier TSMC faces infringement claimsTaiwanese chipmaker giant TSMC, a key Apple supplier, vowed Tuesday to "fight vigorously" against patent infringement claims filed by US rival GlobalFoundries. |
 | Virtual reality helps Israeli soldiers enter new worldAn Israeli soldier carefully eyes the narrow, damp tunnel carved from surrounding rock through a tightly strapped black headset. |
 | Women are beautiful, men rationalMen are typically described by words that refer to behavior, while adjectives ascribed to women tend to be associated with physical appearance. This, according to a group of computer scientists from the University of Copenhagen and other universities that deployed machine learning to analyze 3.5 million books. |
 | Ex-Google engineer charged in Uber self-driving theft caseA former Google engineer was charged Tuesday with stealing self-driving car technology from the company shortly before he joined Uber's efforts to catch up in the high-stakes race to build robotic vehicles. |
 | Facebook wants to keep you 'in-the-know' about emergencies, active shooters in your areaWhile Facebook isn't an actual news organization, its flexing its ability to reach users faster than local news channels in some time-sensitive cases. |
 | Sprint launches 5G in major markets with more areas coveredIf you've heard the hype about the new 5G wireless networks, it comes to this: "blazing fast" super speeds, way faster than what we see now on 4G. |
 | Snapchat launches new tools for developers, making AR filter creation easier for beginnersSnapchat is launching a new tool for developers that will enable them to create filters so you can change your hair color and try on curated makeup in augmented reality. |
 | Sensitive data from a US anti-terror program was easily available for years, records showThe Department of Homeland Security stored sensitive data from the nation's bioterrorism defense program on an insecure website where it was vulnerable to attacks by hackers for over a decade, according to government documents reviewed by the Los Angeles Times. |
Volvo's Polestar opens China factory to export to Europe, USVolvo Cars' performance electric car brand, Polestar, has opened a factory in western China to produce a gasoline-electric hybrid for export to Europe and the United States. | |
 | US tech industry group denounces Trump deal on France digital taxA US trade group representing major technology firms on Tuesday denounced an agreement on France's digital tax announced by Presidents Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron that leaves the levy in place until a new international taxation plan takes effect. |
 | How Uber's quest for self-driving tech led to criminal caseA self-driving vehicle pioneer who used to work for Google has been charged with stealing secrets from the company before he joined Uber's efforts to build robotic vehicles. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Noninvasive monitoring of chronic kidney disease (CKD) using pH and perfusion imagingChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a feature of inherited metabolic disorders such as methylmalonic acidimia (MMA), which can cause impaired growth and low metabolic activity to delay the diagnosis and management of renal disease. In a new report now published on Science Advances, KowsalyaDevi Pavuluri and colleagues at the interdisciplinary departments of Radiology and Radiological Science, Functional Brain Imaging, Metabolic Genetics and Pediatrics in the U.S., designed an alternative strategy to monitor renal function. The research team based the protocol on administering a pH sensitive MRI agent to assess disease progression in a mouse model of MMA. The study successfully facilitated the use of MRI for early detection and monitoring of CKD. |
 | Individualised approach to identify 'fertile windows' could benefit many womenMenstrual cycles are considerably varied with only 13% of women having cycles that last 28 days, according to a new study led by UCL and Natural Cycles, a contraceptive app. |
 | High-fat diet in utero protects against Alzheimer's later, study shows in miceA high-fat diet can carry health risks, but for mothers-to-be, it may make all the difference when it comes to Alzheimer's disease prevention for their children. In a report published online August 26 in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University show for the first time in animals that high maternal fat consumption during gestation protects offspring against changes in the brain that are characteristic of late-onset Alzheimer's disease. |
 | Dodge dementia with healthy lifestyleSeniors, here's a recipe for preventing dementia: eat well, exercise and don't smoke. |
 | Clinical trial shows alternate-day fasting a safe alternative to caloric restrictionIn recent years there has been a surge in studies looking at the biologic effects of different kinds of fasting diets in both animal models and humans. These diets include continuous calorie restriction, intermittent fasting, and alternate-day fasting (ADF). Now the largest study of its kind to look at the effects of strict ADF in healthy people has shown a number of health benefits. The participants alternated 36 hours of zero-calorie intake with 12 hours of unlimited eating. The findings are reported August 27 in the journal Cell Metabolism. |
 | Total heart disease deaths on the riseTotal deaths from heart disease, stroke, diabetes and hypertension—known collectively as cardiometabolic disease—have been increasing since 2011, a new Northwestern Medicine study shows. Cardiometabolic disease is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. |
 | How texture deceives the moving fingerThe perceived speed of a surface moving across the skin depends on texture, with some textures fooling us into thinking that an object is moving faster than it is, according to a study published August 27 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Sliman Bensmaia of the University of Chicago, and colleagues. The researchers explore the basis for this tactile illusion and show that texture-dependent speed perception is determined by the responses of a specific type of nerve fiber in the skin. |
 | Researchers investigate how important intelligence and practice are in chessWhat is more important for success—intelligence or practice? And how do these factors complement one another? When it comes to the chess, up until now, experts have held different opinions. Researchers from the University of Graz, ETH Zurich, Northumbria University and Oxford University have just discovered that intelligence and practice are equally important in chess, and this applies no matter the age of the player. At the same time, they have shown that more intelligent people benefit more from regular practice. The results were published in PNAS. |
 | Wearable device can predict aggressive outbursts in people with autism a minute in advanceWhat would you do if you could predict the future a minute in advance? That might not seem like a long time, but for caretakers of people with autism, knowing what will happen 60 seconds from now could be enough time to prevent an aggressive outburst. |
 | Possible treatment on the horizon for severe dengue diseaseResearchers led by Duke-NUS Medical School have discovered that tryptase, an enzyme in human cells that acts like scissors to cut up nearby proteins, is responsible for blood vessel leakage in severe dengue hemorrhagic fever. The finding suggests a possible new treatment strategy using the tryptase inhibitor, nafamostat mesylate, for severe dengue disease—a potentially fatal condition for which no targeted treatment is currently available. |
 | PET imaging shows if PD-1 cancer immunotherapy is workingPD-1 is a protein on our T cells that normally keeps these immune cells from running amok. A growing number of cancer drugs are designed to inhibit PD-1, enabling patients' T-cells to attack and kill cancerous cells. PD-1 blockers such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda) have been helpful in treating several cancers including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and head and neck cancers. |
 | Changing partners doesn't change relationship dynamics, study showsThink your new romance will be much different from your last one? According to new University of Alberta research, it's not likely. |
 | Researchers engineer antibodies that unlock body's regenerative potentialOur body makes antibodies to fight infections. But the synthetic versions of these molecules could hold the key to stimulating the body's ability to regenerate. |
 | Turbocharging the body's natural killer cells to defeat cancerNatural Killer (NK) cells have long been the soldiers of the immune system that prevents the growth and spread of cancers, and subduing this army of cells is one of the key ways that tumours take hold. |
 | Study finds cellular processes controlling the formation of lymphatic valvesLymphedema, resulting from a damaged lymphatic system, can be a debilitating disease in which excess protein-rich fluid (lymph) collects in soft tissues and causes swelling—most often in the arms or legs. Symptom severity varies, but the chronic swelling can lead to pain, thickened skin, disfigurement, loss of mobility in affected limbs, and recurrent infections. |
 | Gene linked to autism undergoes changes in men's sperm after pot useA specific gene associated with autism appears to undergo changes in the sperm of men who use marijuana, according to new research from Duke Health. |
 | Prenatal pesticide exposure linked to changes in teen's brain activityOrganophosphates are among the most commonly used classes of pesticides in the United States, despite mounting evidence linking prenatal exposure to the chemicals to poorer cognition and behavior problems in children. |
 | Neurological brain markers might detect risk for psychotic disordersHelp may be on the way for people who might lose contact with reality through a psychotic disorder, such as schizophrenia. |
 | Novel therapy studied for inherited breast cancerUT Health San Antonio researchers have discovered a novel way to kill cancers that are caused by an inherited mutation in BRCA1, the type of cancer for which actress Angelina Jolie had preventive double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in 2013. |
 | Early improvements in preschoolers' skills help explain long-term benefits of interventionCurrent research findings are mixed as to whether preschool programs can improve individuals' outcomes in the long term, with some studies pointing to benefits years later and others showing a fadeout of cognitive gains as early as elementary school. A new longitudinal study explored the long-term impacts of a preschool quality improvement program for low-income children on their self-regulation and academic skills in high school. |
 | Adolescents' fun seeking predicts both risk taking and prosocial behaviorResearch shows that risk-taking behaviors, such as binge drinking, may increase throughout adolescence. At the same time, so can prosocial behaviors (behaviors that involve doing good to benefit others). A new longitudinal study from the Netherlands sought to determine if these behaviors are related and whether certain brain regions can predict them. The study found that the two behaviors may be related and that both behaviors may be motivated by teenagers' efforts to have fun. |
Scientists identify potential cause of statin-related muscle painAn international team of BHF-funded researchers may have discovered why some people experience muscle pain after taking statins. The research, published in JACC: Basic to Translational Science, could help doctors prevent a known side effect of statins and ensure people are able to reap the benefits of the life-saving drugs. | |
Artificial intelligence could use EKG data to measure patient's overall health statusIn the near future, doctors may be able to apply artificial intelligence to electrocardiogram data in order to measure overall health status, according to new research published in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, a journal of the American Heart Association. | |
Greater left ventricular mass increases risk of heart failureElevated left ventricular mass, known as left-ventricular hypertrophy, is a stronger predictor of coronary artery disease-related death and heart failure than coronary artery calcium score, according to a new study published in the journal Radiology. | |
 | Study: Kids who participate in team-based extracurricular activities have better mental healthExtracurricular activities that nurture a sense of belonging with peers appear to bolster preteen's mental health, new research from the University of British Columbia suggests. |
 | E-cigarette, Juul and vaping devices addicting youthYou might be curious to find that many of the products that look like school supplies in a student's backpack could in fact be e-cigarette devices designed for addiction. While we have seen a decrease in cigarette smoking across the United States, emerging products such as e-cigarettes have taken over and are cause for immediate concern. |
 | Sex education: Why school and parents should work togetherThere is an ongoing debate in society about sex education. Now a study funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation suggests that the best approach is a combination of parents and school. And that using friends and the internet as main sources of information on sexuality can cause problems. |
 | How to cope with fear of public places after mass shootingsWith the rise of mass shootings happening at night clubs, music festivals, schools and even grocery stores, it seems nowhere is safe anymore. In the wake of these tragic events, many people have developed a heightened awareness of potential danger in public places. |
 | Children can be exposed to sexual predators online, so how can parents teach them to be safe?Many teenagers use mobile phones and social media almost constantly. And children are gaining access to these devices and platforms at increasingly younger ages. |
 | How often should I get my teeth cleaned?If you went to your dentist for a check-up and dental clean in the last year, give yourself a pat on the back. Not everyone loves the dentist, but research shows people who visit at least once a year for preventative care are happier with their smile. |
 | Women with chronic physical conditions more likely to experience mental illness in pregnancyA new study led by a University of Toronto researcher has found that women with chronic physical conditions are more likely to experience mental illness during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth. |
 | Retina-on-a-chip provides powerful tool for studying eye diseaseThe development of a retina-on-a-chip, which combines living human cells with an artificial tissue-like system, has been described today in the open-access journal eLife. |
 | How can algorithms help doctors have better conversations with dying patients?One afternoon in the summer of 2018, Bob Gramling dropped by the small suite that serves as his lab in the basement of the University of Vermont's medical school. There, in a gray lounge chair, an undergrad research assistant named Brigitte Durieux was doing her summer job, earphones plugged into a laptop. Everything normal, thought Bob. |
 | Why do bones fail?Can analytical methods from materials science help researchers better understand human bones? A team at Empa in Thun is pursuing precisely this approach. |
 | Hormone regulation may protect female elite athletes from risk factors of heart diseaseA review of more than 100 studies suggests that balancing hormone levels may reverse factors that increase heart disease risk in some female athletes. The review is published ahead of print in the American Journal of Physiology—Heart and Circulatory Physiology. |
 | Is your forgetfulness reason for concern?Do others tell you that you're forgetful? Do you have a hard time remembering names? |
 | What treatments work best to prevent suicide?If you or someone you love is thinking about suicide, a new review points to effective treatments that can reduce suicide risk. |
 | Guidelines developed for reducing suicide in veteransIn clinical guidelines published online Aug. 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, recommendations are presented related to screening, treatment, and management strategies for reducing suicide among veterans. |
 | FDA: Men should be included in breast cancer clinical trialsMen should be included in clinical trials of new breast cancer treatments, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. |
 | 'Synthetic pot' laced with rat poison lands people in the ERUsing "synthetic pot" is rolling the dice with your health, experts warn, pointing to a healthy 26-year-old woman who ended up in the ER after smoking a batch laced with rat poison. |
 | Report: Every sudden infant death deserves a closer lookWhenever a healthy infant dies suddenly, that death should be investigated to determine if abuse or neglect was the cause. |
 | Researchers take aim at circadian clock in deadly brain cancerScientists at USC and UC San Diego have discovered a potential novel target for treating glioblastoma, the deadly brain cancer that took the life of Sen. John McCain and kills 15,000 Americans a year. |
 | Staying optimistic might lengthen your life, study showsAn upbeat view of life may increase your odds for living to a ripe old age, new research suggests. |
 | Gene mutations coordinate to drive malignancy in lung cancerScientists have shown exactly how mutations in two different genes coordinate to drive the development of malignant lung tumors, according to a new report in the open-access journal eLife. |
 | New drug combination shows promising activity in non-small cell lung cancer patientsPatients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) now have more improved treatment options compared to standard of care with the addition of several new agents called immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Despite these changes, many patients still develop progressive disease after ICI treatment. In a new study published in Clinical Cancer Research, Moffitt Cancer Center researchers describe promising results from an early clinical trial that may offer patients who progress after ICI an additional treatment option. |
 | Review: Biofeedback could help treat a number of conditionsA literature review by a team at the VA Portland Health Care System and Oregon Health & Science University found evidence that biofeedback can be a helpful treatment for several conditions. Studies show that biofeedback can reduce headache pain, improve both urinary and fecal incontinence, and aid in stroke recovery. |
 | Cancer cells' immune weak spot revealedScientists have found a vulnerability in cancer cells that could make them more susceptible to being destroyed by the immune system, according to a new report in eLife. |
 | Excess body fat increases the risk of depressionCarrying ten kilograms of excess body fat increases the risk of depression by seventeen per cent. The more fat, the greater the probability of developing depression. This is the main conclusion of a new study carried out by researchers from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. |
 | High fat diet during pregnancy slows learning in offspring, rat study suggestsIn a bid to further explore how a mother-to-be's diet might affect her offspring's brain health, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have found that pregnant and nursing rats fed high fat diets have offspring that grow up to be slower than expected learners and that have persistently abnormal levels of the components needed for healthy brain development and metabolism. |
 | New e-book highlights profound, diverse effects of nature on learningChildren are losing their connection to nature. |
 | Interactions discovered in cells insulating nerve pathwaysSchwann cells form a protective sheath around nerve fibres and ensure that nerve impulses are transmitted rapidly. If these cells are missing or damaged, severe neurological diseases may occur as a result. Researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) have succeeded in demonstrating a complex interaction within Schwann cells which plays an important role for correct cell maturation. They have recently published their findings in the journal Nature Communications. |
 | Kids from disadvantaged neighborhoods more likely to be obese as adultsChildren who grow up in disadvantaged neighborhoods are nearly one-third more likely to experience obesity as adults, according to new research from Cornell University. |
Intimate partner violence against women creates economic hardship, study findsWomen who experience intimate partner violence, including physical, emotional, and controlling abuse, are more likely to suffer material hardship—the inability to purchase food, housing, utilities, medical care or other needs for a healthy life, according to a Rutgers-led study. | |
 | Not in Gotham anymore: Bioethics of treating a torturer's PTSD explored in comic book formThose who study and treat disorders of the mind—such as neuroscientists, psychiatrists and therapists—are in a position of influence. Their decisions and actions have the potential to impact individuals at the deepest levels by affecting our memories and even how we see ourselves. Such professionals "...occupy positions of intellectual authority" as neuroscientist and artist Ann E. Fink writes. Their choices can have profound consequences. |
 | Better seizure control with ketogenic diet in infants with genetic epilepsyInfants and young children with epilepsy due to a confirmed genetic abnormality had a better response to treatment with ketogenic diet compared to patients with other types of epilepsy, according to a review of 10-year experience at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Results were published in Scientific Reports. |
 | Researchers discover a new form of immunotherapyA new form of immunotherapy that has so far been tested on mice makes it probable that oncologists in the future may be able to treat some of the patients who are not responding to existing types of immunotherapy. Instead of attacking the cancer cells directly, the new technique targets and removes a subtype of immune cells known as macrophages, after which the immune system itself begins to attack the cancer. |
 | Psoriasis independently linked to increased mortality risk(HealthDay)—Psoriasis is significantly associated with an increased mortality risk, according to a study published online Aug. 12 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. |
 | Understanding connection between poverty, childhood trauma and heart diseaseTraumatic childhood experiences among the poor and uninsured are associated with higher cardiovascular risk, according to new research. |
 | Smaller and larger infarctions may escalate later cognitive decline(HealthDay)—The combination of smaller and larger infarctions detected in stroke-free individuals in middle age is associated with substantial cognitive decline later in life, according to a study published online Aug. 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. |
Second woman dies in Spain listeria outbreakA woman died Tuesday after eating tainted meat in Spain, the second fatality in a listeria outbreak that has seen more than 200 people infected with the potentially fatal food-borne bacteria, authorities said. | |
 | Social media stress can lead to social media addictionSocial network users risk becoming more and more addicted to social media platforms even as they experience stress from their use. |
Magic mushrooms for better health? Psychedelic drugs are having a moment across USTucker Max tried to drown his childhood sadness in booze and sex. That didn't work, although it netted him a best-selling book and a movie based on his story. As he got older, he tried working out, and got fit but still felt lousy. He also tried business, co-founding publishing house Scribe Media, but his mind still struggled. | |
 | Venezuela nurses turn to side jobs to survive economic crisisEdgar Fernandez keeps a mariachi suit in a rusty wardrobe at the public hospital in Caracas where he works as a nurse, donning it for performances that augment his meager salary. |
J&J ordered to pay $572 million for opioid addiction crisisAn Oklahoma judge on Monday ordered US health care giant Johnson & Johnson to pay $572 million in damages for its role in fostering the state's opioid addiction crisis. | |
 | How to make a richer, healthier chocolate dessertCreamy chocolate pudding is major comfort food, but most store-bought and even homemade versions have loads of sugar and little nutrition. Yet it is possible to make a super chocolatey pudding that's also good for you. |
 | Tourist with measles visited Southern California attractionsPeople who were at Disneyland and other Southern California tourist attractions earlier this month may have been exposed to measles by a tourist from New Zealand, say health officials from Los Angeles and Orange counties. |
Cardiology compensation continues to rise; first heart failure compensation data reportedMedAxiom, an American College of Cardiology Company, the nation's leading cardiovascular health care performance community and top cardiovascular-specific consulting firm, has released its seventh annual Cardiovascular Provider Compensation and Production Survey. The report reveals trends that help cardiovascular organizations navigate an evolving health care industry and ultimately advance heart health. | |
 | New Jersey court ruling lets assisted suicide go aheadNew Jersey can move ahead with a new law allowing terminally ill patients to seek life-ending drugs, a state appeals court ruled Tuesday, overturning a lower court's temporary hold on the law. |
 | North Carolina prosecutor expands fight against youth vapingNorth Carolina's top prosecutor expanded his efforts to halt e-cigarette sales to teens on Tuesday by suing eight more manufacturers and sellers of vaping products. |
 | Federal judge blocks Missouri's 8-week abortion banA new Missouri ban on abortions at or after eight weeks of pregnancy won't take effect Wednesday after a federal judge temporarily blocked it from being implemented. |
 | Utah investigates 21 cases of lung disease linked to vapingUtah health officials say they are investigating 21 cases of a severe lung disease linked to vaping. |
Biology news
 | These albino lizards are the world's first gene-edited reptilesMeet the world's first gene-edited reptiles: albino lizards roughly the size of your index finger. Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 to make the lizards, providing a technique for gene editing outside of major animal models. In their study, publishing August 27 in the journal Cell Reports, the researchers also show that the lizards can successfully pass gene-edited alleles for albinism to their offspring. |
 | Wild ground-nesting bees might be exposed to lethal levels of neonics in soilIn a first-ever study investigating the risk of neonicotinoid insecticides to ground-nesting bees, University of Guelph researchers have discovered at least one species is being exposed to lethal levels of the chemicals in the soil. |
 | Japanese trees synchronize allergic pollen release over immense distancesComplaints of allergic rhinitis (hayfever) are common worldwide, affecting around 17 percent of the Japanese population in spring and summer (around 20 million people). In Japan, the main tree species causing hayfever are Japanese cedar and Japanese cypress, with a combined land area of over 7 million hectares. Their pollen is dispersed between February and May and causes a range of symptoms from itchy eyes and runny noses through to severe respiratory disorders. |
 | Crows consciously control their callsCrows can voluntarily control the release and onset of their calls, suggesting that songbird vocalizations are under cognitive control, according to a study published August 27 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Katharina Brecht of the University of Tübingen, and colleagues. |
 | Researchers describe a new fireworm bioluminescence systemA collaborative effort by an international team of scientists has led to to the discovery of a new luciferin from fireworm. The characterization of three key low-molecular-weight components of its bioluminescence system, presented in an article published in PNAS, further enables the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of bioluminescence of this organism. |
 | A new signaling pathway for mTor-dependent cell growthThe activation of mTor complex 1 in the cell is central to many vital processes in the body such as cell growth and metabolism. Overactivity of this signaling pathway can result in diseases such as in diabetic insulin resistance and cancer. A team led by the scientist Volker Haucke (Leibniz—Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie and Freie Universität Berlin) has now discovered how inactivation of a certain lipid kinase promotes mTor complex 1 activity, and may therefore constitute a new point of attack for the treatment of diabetes and cancer. The results have just been published in the renowned journal Nature Cell Biology. |
 | Research team finds that population density is key to evolutionA multiuniversity research team including a Florida State scientist has found that a lack of predators creates an environment that is key to evolutionary changes found in guppies. |
 | Orangutans hold the key to human speechNew research, led by scientists from the University of St Andrews and Indianapolis Zoo, shows that great apes can control their voice in a similar way to humans, giving a unique insight into the evolution of human language. |
 | Native approaches to fire management could revitalize communities, researchers findIt costs more than a new iPhone XS, and it's made out of hazelnut shrub stems. Traditional baby baskets of Northern California's Yurok and Karuk tribes come at a premium not only because they are handcrafted by skilled weavers, but because the stems required to make them are found only in forest understory areas experiencing a type of controlled burn once practiced by the tribes but suppressed for more than a century. |
 | The making of 'Fancy Mouse'For the past few hundred years, the colorful hair and unique patterns of the so-called "Fancy Mouse" have made them the stars of pet shows in Japan and beyond. Now, scientists have finally revealed the true cause of the genetic mutation responsible for the iconic black pigmentation in the popular East Asian pet. |
 | New biosensor provides insight into the stress behaviour of plantsThey are tiny signalling molecules that play important roles in many processes in living organisms. However, the exact function of these substances is often still unknown, which is why scientists are constantly on the lookout for new methods with which they can further investigate them. Researchers at the Universities of Münster (Germany) and Nanjing (China) have developed such a method for an important messenger substance in plants, called phosphatidic acid. |
 | How to tell if you've found Mr. or Mrs. Right? For lemurs, it's in their B.O.Many people turn to the Internet to find a Mr. or Ms. Right. But lemurs don't have to cyberstalk potential love interests to find a good match—they just give them a sniff. |
 | Technique combats widespread passion fruit diseasePassion fruit woodiness caused by cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV), the disease that most affects passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) grown in Brazil, can be treated with a relatively simple technique, according to a study published in the journal Plant Pathology. It shows that systematic eradication of plants with symptoms of the disease preserves the crop as a whole and keeps plants producing for at least 25 months. |
 | Finding new ways to beef up cattleCarbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere continue to increase and while that stimulates plant growth, it also means plants have less nitrogen, which is a key nutrient. |
 | Laser scarecrows successful at keeping birds from eating sweetcornFarmers have had long-running battles trying to keep birds of many varieties from eating their sweetcorn. They've used propane cannons, visual deterrents and even shotguns, but none succeed for very long. |
 | How bees live with bacteriaMore than 90 percent of all bee species are not organized in colonies, but fight their way through life alone. They are also threatened. Scientists from Würzburg demand more research on the ecology of these insects. |
 | New genomics approaches to nomura's jellyfish sheds light on early evolution of active predationA recent study, affiliated with South Korea's Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has analyzed the genetic map of Nomura's jellyfish, scientifically known as Nemopilema nomurai, for the first time. |
 | Why dogs really are a person's best friendResearchers from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College have highlighted the positive links between dog ownership and higher levels of physical activity in middle-aged and older adults. |
 | Mitochondrial unfolded protein response signals imminent dangerMisfolded proteins must be promptly eliminated as they can form toxic aggregates in cells. LMU biologists have studied how this process is triggered in mitochondria and identified a general alarm signal that activates it. |
 | Cilia: Cell's long-overlooked antenna that can drive cancer—or stop it in its tracksYou might know that our lungs are lined with hair-like projections called motile cilia. These are tiny microtubule structures that appear on the surface of some cells or tissues. They can be found lining your nose and respiratory tract too, and along the fallopian tubes and vas deferens in the female and male reproductive tracts. They move from side to side to sweep away any micro-organisms, fluids, and dead cells in the respiratory system, and to help transport the sperm and egg in the reproductive system. |
 | Birds around airports may be deaf and more aggressiveBirds around airports are more aggressive and sing as if they have hearing loss. Collaboration between researchers of Manchester Metropolitan University and the Institute of Biology Leiden has led to surprising new findings about the impact of anthropogenic noise on birds around airports. Publication in Journal of Animal Ecology. |
 | Microorganisms protect iron sheet piling against degradationA natural biofilm of oxygen-free microorganisms protects iron sheet piling against corrosion by depositing minerals on the wall. That is what researchers at the Radboud University, the Dutch Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) and Deltares have published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology. |
 | Czech zoo hopes to spawn endangered South American frogsA type of critically endangered frog that is the main ingredient in a smoothie-type health drink in Peru is being saved from extinction with help from a zoo in the Czech Republic. |
 | Berlin expects: Zoo's panda pregnant, birth expected soonBerlin's zoo is hoping to hear the patter of tiny panda paws soon. |
 | Near-total ban on sending wild elephants to zoos agreedThe regulator of global wildlife trade decided Tuesday to impose a near-total ban on sending African elephants captured from the wild to zoos, in a decision hailed by conservationists as "momentous". |
 | Fat pumps generate electrical powerA previously unknown electrical current develops in the body's cells when the vital fat pump function of the flippases transfers ("flips") lipids from the outer to the inner layer of the body's cell membranes. This electrical current may be important for a range of other cell mechanisms, and in this way also for human well-being and health. |
 | How worms snare their hostsAcanthocephala are parasitic worms that reproduce in the intestines of various animals, including fish. However, only certain species of fish are suitable as hosts. A study by the University of Bonn now shows how the parasites succeed in preferably infecting these types. The results will be published in the journal Behaviour, but are already available online. |
 | Biologists discover and name new fireworm species in Hong Kong watersA group of biologists from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) have discovered a new fireworm species in Hong Kong waters and named it Chloeia bimaculata. It is the fourth named species to be added to the fireworm genus Chloeia during the last century. The team also identified Chloeia parva as the fireworm species that caused the outbreak in Hong Kong last year. The discovery shows how little people know about the biodiversity of this group of animals. |
 | New information on regulation of sense of smell with the help of nematodesPIM kinases are enzymes that are evolutionarily well conserved in both humans and nematodes. Led by Dr. Päivi Koskinen, a research group from the Department of Biology of the University of Turku in Finland has previously proven that PIM kinases promote the motility and survival of cancer cells, but now the group has shown that these enzymes also regulate the sense of smell. |
 | Mediating the trade-off—how plants decide between growth or defenseGrow or defend yourself—a decision plants need to make on a daily basis, due to their inability to do both simultaneously. For a long time, it was thought that the reason for the growth-defence trade-off might be a question of energy resources. When a plant is defending itself against pathogens, energy could simply be limited for the plant to be growing at the same time, and vice versa. A recent paper published in Cell Reports shines a new light on the poorly understood mechanisms of the trade-off, clarifying that the actual underlying reasons is the incompatibility of the molecular pathways regulating plant growth and defence. |
Land-use program fosters white-tailed deer populations in USAA land-use program piloted in the United States is having a long-term positive impact on populations of white-tailed deer, according to new research by University of Alberta biologists. | |
 | The genealogy of important broiler ancestor revealedA new study examines the historical and genetic origins of the White Plymouth Rock chicken, an important contributor to today's meat chickens (broilers). Researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden, The Livestock Conservancy and Virginia Tech in the USA have used genomics to study breed formation and the roots of modern broilers. |
 | A new species of Canadian gall mite challenges current classification of a major lineageA new species of gall mites (Setoptus tsugivagus) associated with the Western hemlock (a common coniferous tree at the west coast of North America) has been described by a group of scientists from Russia, Serbia and the U.S. The researchers believe that the current classification of the Setoptus mites and other groups should be reconsidered, because species that were previously considered as closely related do not have a common ancestor. The results of the study were published in Systematic and Applied Acarology. |
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