Thursday, September 12, 2019

Science X Newsletter Thursday, Sep 12

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for September 12, 2019:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Estimating people's age using convolutional neural networks

Study introduces new nanoscale vacuum channel transistors

Unexpected periodic flares may shed light on black hole accretion

Breakthrough stem cell platform could shed light on mysteries of early human development

Bone, not adrenaline, drives fight or flight response

The rare molecule weighing in on the birth of planets

JILA's novel atomic clock design offers 'tweezer' control

Gem-like nanoparticles of precious metals shine as catalysts

Device generates light from the cold night sky

Dynamic charge density fluctuations pervading the phase diagram of a Cu-based high-Tc superconductor

Engineers develop multimaterial fiber 'ink' for 3-D-printed devices

Researchers produce synthetic Hall Effect to achieve one-way radio transmission

The newly discovered architecture of a copper-nitrenoid complex could revolutionize chemical synthesis

Hide and squeak: scientists reveal the playful lives of rats

Study finds the universe might be 2 billion years younger

Astronomy & Space news

Unexpected periodic flares may shed light on black hole accretion

ESA's X-ray space telescope XMM-Newton has detected never-before-seen periodic flares of X-ray radiation coming from a distant galaxy that could help explain some enigmatic behaviours of active black holes.

The rare molecule weighing in on the birth of planets

Astronomers using one of the most advanced radio telescopes have discovered a rare molecule in the dust and gas disc around a young star—and it may provide an answer to one of the conundrums facing astronomers.

Study finds the universe might be 2 billion years younger

The universe is looking younger every day, it seems.

Saturn's rings shine in Hubble's latest portrait

Saturn is so beautiful that astronomers cannot resist using the Hubble Space Telescope to take yearly snapshots of the ringed world when it is at its closest distance to Earth.

A new journey into Earth for space exploration

Six astronauts, five space agencies and a fresh start into underground worlds to help prepare for living on other planets. ESA's latest training adventure will equip an international crew with skills to explore uncharted terrains on the Moon and Mars, this time with a focus on the search for water.

How astronomers detected water on a potentially habitable exoplanet for the first time

With more than 4,000 exoplanets—planets orbiting stars other than our sun—discovered so far, it may seem like we are on the cusp of finding out whether we are alone in the universe. Sadly though, we don't know much about these planets—in most cases just their mass and their radius.

First Earth observation satellite with AI ready for launch

A few months from now will see the launch of the first European satellite to demonstrate how onboard artificial intelligence can improve the efficiency of sending Earth observation data back to Earth. Dubbed ΙΈ-Sat, or PhiSat, this revolutionary artificial intelligence technology will fly on one of the two CubeSats that make up the FSSCat mission—a Copernicus Masters winning idea.

First 'overtones' heard in the ringing of a black hole

When two black holes collide, they merge into one bigger black hole and ring like a struck bell, sending out ripples in space and time called gravitational waves. Embedded in these gravitational waves are specific frequencies, or tones, which are akin to individual notes in a musical chord.

Image: Avalanche season on Mars

Every spring, the sun shines on the side of the stack of layers at the North Pole of Mars known as the north polar layered deposits. The warmth destabilizes the ice and blocks break loose.

Researcher calculates optimal trajectories to Mars and Mercury for a spacecraft with electric propulsion

RUDN University mathematician has proposed a method for calculating the optimal trajectory of spacecraft with electric propulsion, whose thrust is thousands times less than chemical one has, but it is able to work for years. These motors are best suited for interplanetary missions. Mathematicians calculated the flight parameters of the space probe with such motor to Mars and Mercury. The paper is published in the journal Cosmic Research.

Technology news

Estimating people's age using convolutional neural networks

Over the past few years, researchers have created a growing number of machine learning (ML)-based face recognition techniques, which could have numerous interesting applications, for instance, enhancing surveillance monitoring, security control, and potentially even forensic art. In addition to face recognition, advancements in ML have also enabled the development of tools to predict or estimate specific qualities (e.g., gender or age) of a person by analyzing images of their faces.

Device generates light from the cold night sky

An inexpensive thermoelectric device harnesses the cold of space without active heat input, generating electricity that powers an LED at night, researchers report September 12 in the journal Joule.

Engineers develop multimaterial fiber 'ink' for 3-D-printed devices

A new method developed by MIT researchers uses standard 3-D printers to produce functioning devices with the electronics already embedded inside. The devices are made of fibers containing multiple interconnected materials, which can light up, sense their surroundings, store energy, or perform other actions.

GymCam tracks exercises that wearable monitors can't

Wearable sensors such as smartwatches have become a popular motivational tool for fitness enthusiasts, but gadgets do not sense all exercises equally. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have found that a stationary camera is a better choice for gym exercises.

Semiconducting material more affected by defects than previously thought

A promising semiconductor material could be improved if flaws previously thought irrelevant to performance are reduced, according to research published today in Nature Communications. A group of researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and other universities has shown that a specific defect impacts the ability of halide perovskite to hold energy derived from light in the form of electrons.

Research team introduces 'phyjama,' a physiological sensing pajama

Scientists expect that in the future, electronically active garments containing unobtrusive, portable devices for monitoring heart rate and respiratory rhythm during sleep, for example, will prove clinically useful in health care. Now researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed physiological-sensing textiles that can be woven or stitched into sleep garments they have dubbed "phyjamas."

Uber vows to keep fighting sweeping California labor bill

California lawmakers confronting the changing definition of work approved sweeping legislation Wednesday designed to give many contract workers new pay and benefit protections, but tech giants Uber and Lyft vowed to keep fighting the changes, possibly by bankrolling an expensive fight on the 2020 ballot.

At NY Fashion Week, robotic dresses take on a life of their own

Fashion and technology have often gone hand in hand, improving supply chains and bringing the world's runways to the masses, but at this week's shows in New York, robotic designs took center stage.

California law on rideshare drivers may hurt 'gig economy'

Labor activists Wednesday were celebrating California's move to have drivers treated as employees by rideshare firms even as it fueled concerns it will hurt digital platforms depending on the so-called "gig economy."

From Death Stranding to Olympic Mario at Tokyo Game Show

Gamers got a sneak peek on Thursday at everything from the hyper-realistic, much anticipated Death Stranding to an Olympic-themed Mario edition at this year's Tokyo Game Show.

Netflix, Apple cross swords in Indian streaming market

Competition in India's booming streaming market is heating up as Netflix joins forces with a director of Bollywood feel-good blockbusters and Apple launches its TV platform for 99 rupees ($1.39) a month.

France will block development of Facebook Libra cryptocurrency

France warned Thursday it will block development of Facebook's planned Libra cryptocurrency in Europe because it threatens the "monetary sovereignty" of governments.

Predictable eSports: Amateurs and professionals have different sitting postures

A group of scientists from Skoltech's Computational and Data-Intensive Science and Engineering Center (CDISE) have used artificial intelligence to find a connection between an eSports player's movements and skill level. Their research findings show that machine learning methods can accurately predict a player's skill level in 77 percent of cases.

World's first metal 3-D-printed bridge enters test phase

The Netherlands will be testing the first metal 3-D-printed bridge in the world. Plans are to insert this bridge in its permanent location in Amsterdam at the start of 2020. The Dutch company MX3D produced the bridge after a design by Joris Laarman Lab in collaboration with lead engineer Arup. They used ground-breaking robot technology for 3-D printing. The bridge is remarkable thanks to both the revolutionary production method and its innovative design process. University of Twente, together with Imperial College London, will carry out the final construction tests. The bridge arrived by special transport at the UT campus and is placed near the de Horst building.

Turbo-charging pharmaceutical biotechnology simulations

New simulation technology developed by TU Graz is designed to make the production of biopharmaceuticals more efficient, cost-effective and comprehensible for manufacturers.

The election's on: Canadians should watch out for dumbfakes and deepfakes

Dumbfakes and deepfakes are edited or altered videos. In just the past few years, the capability to produce and share these videos has increased exponentially due, in part, to artificial intelligence.

Can San Diego's Brain Corp. become the Microsoft of self-driving robots?

Ten years ago computational neuroscientist Dr. Eugene Izhikevich walked away from a successful career in academia to co-found Brain Corp. with the ambitious goal of building artificial brains for robots.

Google pays France over $1 billion to settle tax case

Tech giant Google said Thursday it has paid over one billion dollars to French authorities to settle a years-long dispute over allegations of tax fraud.

Tracking coordinated disinformation campaigns online made easier with new BotSlayer tool

Indiana University's Observatory on Social Media has launched a new tool in the fight against online disinformation: BotSlayer.

A robot with a firm yet gentle grasp

Human hands are remarkably skilled at manipulating a range of objects. We can pick up an egg or a strawberry without smashing it. We can hammer a nail.

Machine learning in agriculture: Scientists are teaching computers to diagnose soybean stress

Iowa State University scientists are working toward a future in which farmers can use unmanned aircraft to spot, and even predict, disease and stress in their crops. Their vision relies on machine learning, an automated process in which technology can help farmers respond to plant stress more efficiently.

Researchers design roadmap for hydrogen supply network

Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in British Columbia. Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a hydrogen supply chain model that can enable the adoption of zero-emission, hydrogen-powered cars—transforming them from a novelty into everyday transportation in just 30 years.

Facebook expands new tool aiming to shrink 'news deserts'

Facebook is trying to coax "news deserts" into bloom with the second major expansion of a tool that exposes people to more local news and information. But the social network confesses that it still has a lot to learn.

Yahoo Japan to acquire online fashion firm Zozo

Yahoo Japan said Thursday it will acquire a majority stake in the online fashion retailer Zozo founded by billionaire Yusaku Maezawa, known for buying pricey art and his space travel plans.

Google advertising practices targeted in antitrust probe

State attorneys general investigating whether Google is engaged in monopolistic behavior are planning to take a deep look into the tech giant's advertising business.

A finger on the pulse of sensor developments

Once upon a time, fingerprint sensors were only associated with law enforcement and corporate security. Now, they've become so commonplace that they are even used in mobile phones. The biometric technologies found in such sensors are mostly based on optical or silicon devices. However, these are hampered by various limitations. Optical sensors are bulky, inflexible and costly. While not as expensive, silicon sensors are also inflexible and have a small acquisition surface.

New solution to end struggle with lofted beds

College life requires sacrifices. In the name of space, many residence hall rooms across the country use lofted beds. Those setups can pose challenges for students in climbing up and down from the top bed, especially when a desk is placed nearby to help maximize room space.

AI can help us fight climate change. But it has an energy problem, too

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology can help us fight climate change—but it also comes at a cost to the planet. To truly benefit from the technology's climate solutions, we also need a better understanding of AI's growing carbon footprint, say researchers.

Prototype of a high-temperature heat pump for recovering industrial waste heat

Scientists from the Thermal and Energy Systems Engineering research group (Istener) at the Universitat Jaume I, in collaboration with the company Rank, have developed the first functional prototype of a high-temperature heat pump for the recovery of industrial waste heat in Spain. The first experimental results of this prototype have been published in the journal Applied Energy. Results were also presented last week at the 25th IIR International Refrigeration Congress held in Montreal (Canada).

Lyft to add more safety features for riders and drivers

After facing lawsuits and criticisms related to the safety of its riders, Lyft said it will implement new measures designed to improve the security of its customers and its drivers.

Poland to launch cyberspace defence force

NATO member Poland will launch a cyberspace defence force by 2024 made up of around 2,000 soldiers qualified in cybersecurity, the defence minister said on Thursday after formally approving it.

Google settles with labor board over employee speech

Google has reached a settlement over employees' ability to speak out about workplace issues after a former worker filed a complaint.

Ukrainian man pleads guilty to hacking, wire fraud charges

A member of a sophisticated international hacking group that authorities say targeted businesses in 47 states to steal credit and debit card records pleaded guilty to hacking and wire fraud charges in Seattle.

Medicine & Health news

Scientists discover new breakthrough in treatment for cancer hair loss

Scientists have determined a new way to protect the hair follicle from chemotherapy in an effort to prevent hair loss as a result of cancer treatments.

How relapse happens: Opiates reduce the brain's ability to form, maintain synapses

Exposure to heroin sharply reduces levels of the protein necessary for developing and maintaining the brain's synapses, a preclinical study by University at Buffalo researchers has found. The development of addiction relapse is directly related to the impact that reductions in this protein, called drebrin, have on specific cells involved in the brain's pleasure-seeking/reward pathways.

Solving long-sought protein structure opens new avenues for treating disease

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys have identified the long-sought structure of an essential blood protein: vitronectin. Knowing the protein's structure—an advance that enables rational drug design—could lead to medicines that kill multi-drug-resistant bacteria, halt cancer metastasis, treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and more. The study was published in Science Advances. 

Knotty problem of cell reprogramming solved

USC scientists have surmounted a big roadblock in regenerative medicine that has so far constrained the ability to use repurposed cells to treat diseases.

Bone marrow may be the missing piece of the fertility puzzle

A woman's bone marrow may determine her ability to start and sustain a pregnancy, report Yale researchers in PLOS Biology. The study shows that when an egg is fertilized, stem cells leave the bone marrow and travel via the bloodstream to the uterus, where they help transform the uterine lining for implantation. If the lining fails to go through this essential transformation, the embryo cannot implant, and the body terminates the pregnancy.

Nervous system discovery overturns previous theory

It appears that when the nervous system is developing, only the most viable neurons survive, while immature neurons are weeded out and die. This is shown in a groundbreaking discovery by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The results indicate that the longstanding neurotrophic theory, which states that chance determines which cells will form the nervous system, needs to be revised.

Hellblade: The science that built the Pict warrior fighting her inner demons

Senua, the central character in the award-winning video game Hellblade, is troubled by voices in her head. A unique collaboration between games developers, a Cambridge psychiatrist and people who live with hearing voices helped bring these hallucinations to life.

Detecting patients' pain levels via their brain signals

Researchers from MIT and elsewhere have developed a system that measures a patient's pain level by analyzing brain activity from a portable neuroimaging device. The system could help doctors diagnose and treat pain in unconscious and noncommunicative patients, which could reduce the risk of chronic pain that can occur after surgery.

Research reveals potential treatments for deadly tropical disease

Melioidosis is a tropical disease that claims an estimated 90,000 lives worldwide each year. There is no vaccine, and current treatments are hampered by the ability of the bacterium that causes the disease to resist even the strongest antibiotics.

Algorithm able to accurately see differences between cancerous lung tumors

A team of researchers affiliated with a large number of institutions in Germany has tested several machine-learning algorithms to see how well they can identify the differences between lung tumors associated with head and neck cancers. In their paper published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, the group describes the algorithms and how well they worked when tested.

Scientists reveal early behaviors that best predict child's language ability

How often babies babble while making eye contact is the best predictor of how many words they will use as a toddler, a new study by the University of Sheffield has found.

New drug target discovered for the lung disease PAH

Scientists have identified a molecular pathway that contributes to the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a severe, often fatal condition that has no cure.

Study details how exosomes, released by the breast tumor, tricks cells in the blood-brain barrier into taking them up

Metastasizing breast cancers typically seek out the bones, lung, and brain. Brain metastases are especially dangerous; many women survive for less than a year after diagnosis. How is the cancer able to get past the blood brain barrier? And can it be blocked?

Victims of physical or sexual assault should have better access to medical services

Victims of sexual and physical attacks should have greater access to specialist medical forensic examinations, even if they have not reported the offence to police, according to new research published in peer-reviewed journal Forensic Sciences Research.

Study finds genetic analysis can aid treatment of eosinophilic Esophagitis

Personalized medicine—where the proper medicine and proper dose are used for the individual patient—moved a step closer to reality for children suffering from eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an inflammation of the food pipe often caused by an allergic reaction to certain foods. The study, led by researchers from Nemours Children's Health System and published today in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, suggests that a simple genetic test from a saliva sample may greatly boost response rates in children with eosinophilic esophagitis who are treated with a class of medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which are commonly prescribed to treat acid-related conditions.

Talking receptors may affect relaxin at work

Fibrosis, the damaging build-up of hardened or scarred tissue in the body, is a hallmark of various diseases and can lead to the dysfunction and failure of organs such as the heart and kidney. Fibrosis-related diseases in various organs contribute to around 45 per cent of deaths in developed countries.

Infant with deadly leukemia saved by drug for adult liver cancer

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals have successfully treated a months-old infant with a rare childhood leukemia using a targeted therapy approved for adults with inoperable liver cancer and advanced kidney cancer.

Electrical-first cardioversion strategy for AFib results in shorter ED length of stay

A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial confirms that both chemical-first and electrical-first approaches are effective strategies for acute atrial fibrillation; however, an electrical-first strategy results in a significantly shorter emergency department (ED) length of stay. The study findings are published in the September 2019 issue of Academic Emergency Medicine (AEM), a journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM).

Enhancing the way epilepsy is managed by engaging community pharmacists

The University of Washington's School of Pharmacy announced on Thursday, Sept. 12, a collaboration with global biopharmaceutical company UCB to improve access to care for people living with epilepsy. This interdisciplinary project will explore ways in which community pharmacists can better support people living with this neurological disorder.

UK improves cancer survival, but is still behind other high-income countries

Cancer survival in the UK has improved since 1995, although it still lags behind other high-income countries, according to new analysis by the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP), which is managed by Cancer Research UK.

Gene therapy helps functional recovery after stroke

A new gene therapy turns glial cells—abundant support cells in the brain—into neurons, repairing damage that results from stroke and significantly improving motor function in mice. A paper describing the new therapy, which uses the NeuroD1 gene, appears online in the journal Molecular Therapy. Once further developed, this NeuroD1-based gene therapy could potentially be used to treat stroke, which is a leading cause of disability in the U.S., with 800,000 new stroke patients every year.

Heart attack patients take longer to call emergency when symptoms are gradual

Heart attack symptoms can be gradual or abrupt and both situations are a medical emergency. That's the main message of research published today in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

Mint, menthol: Vape industry has dug heels in on flavor bans

Efforts to ban flavored e-cigarettes and reduce their appeal to youngsters have sputtered under industry pressure in over a half-dozen states this year even as one state, Michigan, moves ahead with its own restrictions and President Donald Trump promises federal ones.

Four things to know about vaping

The Trump administration has announced it will soon ban flavored e-cigarette products to deter an ever growing number of young users.

Advanced MRI brain scan may help predict stroke-related dementia

An advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) brain scan analysis in patients with stroke-related, small vessel disease helped predict problems with thinking, memory and even dementia, according to new research published in Stroke, a journal of the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

Emerging practice of precision medicine could one day improve care for many heart failure patients

The emerging practice of precision medicine could one day personalize heart failure care by identifying groups of patients more likely to develop heart failure and tailoring which medications and other therapies could be most effective for them, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association, published in the journal Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine.

FDA phase 1 trial shows hydrogel to repair heart is safe to inject in humans—a first

Ventrix, a University of California San Diego spin-off company, has successfully conducted a first-in-human, FDA-approved Phase 1 clinical trial of an injectable hydrogel that aims to repair damage and restore cardiac function in heart failure patients who previously suffered a heart attack.

Anesthetic drug sevoflurane improves sepsis outcomes, animal study reveals

Patients with sepsis often require surgery or imaging procedures under general anesthesia, yet there is no standard regimen for anesthetizing septic patients. Of volatile (inhaled) anesthetics, sevoflurane and isoflurane are the most commonly used drugs, despite their undetermined mechanisms of action. A novel study in The FASEB Journal suggests that the type of drug used in general anesthesia could be critical to the survival of patients with sepsis.

Hepatitis C-infected kidneys function as well as uninfected organs after transplant

Kidneys from donors who were infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) function just as well as uninfected kidneys throughout the first year following transplantation, according to a new Penn Medicine study. The analysis of kidney transplant recipients across the United States, published today in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, also revealed a threefold increase in the number of transplant centers using HCV-infected kidneys and a major change in how the organs are allocated.

New study on omega-3 fatty acid supplements and preterm birth prevention

Taking a higher than recommended dose of omega-3 fatty acids does not reduce the risk of preterm births but may still be helpful for women with low levels of the fatty acid in their blood, according to South Australian researchers.

Putting the squeeze on red blood cells

For the first time, researchers at the University of Bristol's Blood and Transplant Research Unit, and the French National Institute for Blood Transfusion, have captured the moment a red blood cell is "squeezed" while recording the changes that allow it to deform and subsequently recover its shape.

Transgender adults who experience discrimination more likely to attempt suicide

A new UCLA-led analysis of data from the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey found that more than half of respondents, 51.2 percent, who had experienced four types of anti-transgender discrimination and violence—losing a job, eviction, homelessness and physical attack—in the past year reported attempting suicide in that year. And 97.7 percent of them had seriously thought about suicide.

Stress and blood vessel problems

Emory University School of Medicine researchers have uncovered an important risk pathway for cardiovascular disease (CVD) by utilizing an oft-cited fear—public speaking—to measure how stress changes the lining of blood vessels in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Applying the tools of economics to medical decision-making

Following a medical scare in which he found himself in an Israeli hospital with a chart marked FUO, or "fever of unknown origin," Charles Manski began digging into medical decision-making. 

Menthol restrictions may hike cigarette costs, reduce health disparities

Restricting the sale of menthol cigarettes to tobacco specialty shops may reduce the number of retailers and increase the cost of smoking, according to new research from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.

Study finds crop fungus not linked to malnutrition in Timor-Leste

A global team including researchers from The University of Western Australia has assessed the impact of fungal contamination in maize and peanuts on the health of women and children in Timor-Leste and found that it was unlikely to cause stunting in children.

Air pollution unequally affects people in Tampa, study says

New data recently released shows that people of color are more exposed to air pollutants from Tampa Bay's busy roadways.

Researchers discover widespread flaw in global childhood development data

It was a pattern that many researchers had noticed—children in developing countries born at certain times of the year are taller for their age than others. William Masters, a professor at the Friedman School, wanted to know more, specifically how stress in utero affects children later in life. What he and his colleagues found instead was a widespread flaw in the data that researchers have relied on for two decades to understand childhood malnutrition.

Study shows that drinking tea improves brain health

A recent study led by researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) revealed that regular tea drinkers have better organized brain regions—and this is associated with healthy cognitive function—compared to non-tea drinkers. The research team made this discovery after examining neuroimaging data of 36 older adults.

Small Data approaches provide nuance and context to health datasets

The trend of tracking health and well-being using digital technologies has permeated mainstream culture. The real-time monitoring capabilities, interactive decision-support algorithms and diagnostic testing features of digital health devices have drawn the interest of users everywhere, including the Global South.

We must rethink health care to include social and environmental costs of treatment

Modern health care has led to enormous gains in life expectancy and quality of life. However, rising health-care costs, increasing rates of chronic diseases, aging populations and the effects of advancing climate change are placing increasing pressures on our health-care systems.

How your meat-free favorites could be tricking you

They might be plant-based, gluten-free, organic and vegan, but many meat-free alternative products are highly processed and packed with salt, making them more stealthy than healthy.

Young transplant recipient gets 3-D models of his damaged heart

When Mason Thomas needed a heart transplant at age six, he asked to see his damaged heart so he could understand what was wrong with it, but the old organ was discarded after the surgery.

Rates of type 2 diabetes seem to be dropping, but does that really mean we're healthier?

Prevention strategies could be contributing to a recent fall in the number of people developing type 2 diabetes in some high income countries, suggests a review of the evidence published by the BMJ today.

First frailty map highlights service need

An online interactive map, which shows for the first time where Australia's frail and pre-frail people live today and in the future, will help plan services for healthy aging.

Cause of congenital nystagmus found

Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience researchers have overturned the long held view that congenital nystagmus, a condition in which eyes make repetitive involuntary movements, is a brain disorder, showing that its cause is actually retinal. Deficits in just a few proteins involved in one of the retina's earliest light-signal processing steps result in the eye sending an erroneous movement signal to the brain rhythmically. Each time the brain receives a movement "pulse," it initiates an eye movement to compensate for the motion signaled. In this way, mutations in just a handful of proteins at the very first steps of vision lead to the oscillating side-to-side eye movements that characterize many forms of congenital nystagmus. The study appears in PLOS Biology on 12 September.

Financial incentives for breastfeeding offer tax-payer good value for money, study suggests

Offering new mothers financial incentives to breastfeed their babies provides the tax-payer with good value for money, a new study has shown.

Two studies show promise, safety of proton therapy in the brain in children with cancer

From improving outcomes in children with brain cancer to lowering the risk of damage to the brainstem in children with central nervous system tumors, a pair of new studies published today add to the growing body of research showing the potential benefits of proton therapy. The first study, published in Pediatric Blood and Cancer, found that very young children who received proton therapy for medulloblastoma had higher rates of overall survival and recurrence free survival compared to patients who received intense chemotherapy without radiotherapy. The second study, published in Acta Oncologica, showed children with central nervous system tumors who received proton therapy with a newer technique called pencil beam scanning experienced a significantly lower rate of brainstem damage than patients treated with older proton techniques. Both studies were led by Christine Hill-Kayser, MD, an associate professor of Radiation Oncology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, a member of Penn's Abramson Cancer Center, and a pediatric oncologist in the Cancer Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

Promising new lead in Crohn's disease

QIMR Berghofer researchers have identified a key driver of the aggressive gut disorder, Crohn's disease, a finding that could eventually lead to new treatments for the often-debilitating condition.

Visualizing the pain away: VR for childbirth

Water, medication, music—pregnant women use a wide range of methods to manage pain while giving birth.

Popular mobile games can be used to detect signs of cognitive decline

New Kent-led research shows that popular mobile phone games could provide a new tool to help doctors spot early signs of cognitive decline, some of which may indicate the onset of serious conditions like dementia.

Vaccines: Trends, mistrust and consequences

Vaccines have saved tens of millions of lives but immunization rates have stagnated in recent years due in part to fake news stories claiming vaccinations can cause measles, autism or sterility.

Risk for long-term opioid use up in hidradenitis suppurativa

Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) have an increased risk for long-term opioid use, according to a study published online Sept. 11 in JAMA Dermatology.

How your genes affect the number on your scale

Could your genes be keeping you from losing weight?

New cardiac fibrosis study identifies key proteins that translate into heart disease

Using cutting-edge technologies, researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, have developed the first genome-wide dataset on protein translation during fibroblast activation, revealing a network of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that play a key role in the formation of disease-causing fibrous tissue in the heart. Their findings, published in the journal Circulation, could help in the search for treatments for this condition.

Distractions distort what's real, study suggests

We live in a world of distractions. We multitask our way through our days. We wear watches that alert us to text messages. We carry phones that buzz with breaking news.

Academics call for structured drug monitoring in care homes

Professor Sue Jordan from the University's College of Human and Health Sciences led the research which is newly published in the PLOS ONE journal. The study showed how care home residents' adverse side effects were picked up more effectively by their nurses and carers when a structured monitoring system was used alongside administration of mental health medicines.

What multilingual nuns can tell us about dementia

A strong ability in languages may help reduce the risk of developing dementia, says a new University of Waterloo study.

NZ children see more than 40 ads for unhealthy products each day

Unhealthy products—including junk food, alcohol and gambling—are leading causes of cancer, obesity, diabetes, mental illness and many social harms. In New Zealand, alcohol alone contributes to an estimated 800 deaths and costs the economy approximately NZ$7.85 billion each year.

New insights into how astrocytes help the brain process information

A collaboration between the laboratories of Vincent Bonin (NERF, empowered by VIB, imec and KU Leuven) and Matthew Holt (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research) reveals that noradrenaline plays a key role in how astrocytes—star-shaped cells in the brain closely associated with neurons—track distinct information during behavior. The researchers found that astrocytes can integrate information on arousal state and sensory experience. The results are published in Current Biology.

A high-precision instrument for ophthalmologists

EPFL scientists have helped develop a microscopic glass device that doctors could use to inject medicine into retinal veins with unprecedented accuracy. Their instrument meets an important need in eye surgery, delivering exceptional stability and precision.

Routine sparring in boxing can affect brain performance

Routine sparring in boxing can cause short-term impairments in brain-to-muscle communication and decreased memory performance, according to new research.

Heart rate and blood pressure changes during pregnancy are less dramatic than previously thought

New analysis from over 36,000 healthy women in 20 countries suggests that physiological changes during pregnancy may not be as dramatic as traditionally taught. However, average blood pressures do appear to be increasing year on year.

Concussions and school-age children: What parents need to know

"Jamal" is a 16-year-old boy who sustained a concussion in a skateboarding accident in July. He was diagnosed in the emergency room. Jamal initially had headaches, nausea and sensitivity to light and noise, but he appeared symptom-free within two weeks.

Monitoring the mentally ill: History of mental illness and stigma provides insights

In the wake of the latest mass shooting in Texas, news agencies, politicians and pundits searched for explanations and solutions.

Patients diagnosed with cancer after skipping appointment more likely to die within a year

Cancer patients who miss an urgent referral appointment for their symptoms are 12% more likely to die within 12 months of diagnosis, a major new study has found.

Humans more unique than expected when it comes to digesting fatty meals

People have very individualized inflammatory responses to eating a high-fat meal.

Standardized medical residency exam may reduce pool of diverse and qualified candidates

A standardized medical school exam, often used as a criterion for medical residency programs, may reduce the diversity of applicants in radiation oncology. The discovery represents a call to action for medical societies to reduce the barriers and biases in competitive medical fields.

Infectious diseases A-Z: Who is at risk of histoplasmosis infection?

Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by a fungus or mold that often affects the lungs. In the U.S., it is most common in the Ohio and Mississippi river valley areas.

New study sheds light on how a midbrain region helps us pay attention

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have identified how a key midbrain region plays a vital role in attention in humans, using advanced imaging and modelling techniques.

New study finds SkinVision detects 95% of skin cancer

An international group of researchers working with Erasmus University Medical Center (Erasmus MC) in the Netherlands determined that SkinVision—the first CE-marked skin cancer application based on extensive clinical trials—has a sensitivity of 95.1% in detecting the most common forms of skin cancer.

Repeated periods of poverty accelerate the ageing process

Genetics, lifestyle and environment are all factors that somehow influence when and how we all age. But the financial situation is also important. Now, researchers from the Center for Healthy Aging and the Department of Public Health have found that four or more years with an income below the relative poverty threshold during adult life make a significant difference as to when the body begins to show signs of ageing.

Exercising at home has a positive effect on Parkinson's patients

In a large double-blind study, Radboud university medical center researchers show that patients in the early stages of Parkinson's disease can exercise regularly at home for 6 months. This regular exercise has a positive effect on their motor disability comparable to the effect of conventional Parkinson's medication.

Innovative treatment to prevent common brain infection could save NHS 7 million pounds per year

An innovative solution used to prevent common brain infections in patients having surgery for hydrocephalus has been found to significantly reduce infection rates according to a report published in The Lancet today.

Polysubstance use in young adults—are there predictable patterns?

In a Lancet Psychiatry commentary, Drs. Morgan M. Philbin and Pia M. Mauro, assistant professors at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, offer their insights on the non-medical use of prescription drugs among U.S. young adults, and specifically on a study published by a team of researchers at the University of Michigan. The Michigan investigators, led by Dr. Sean McCabe, explored patterns and drivers of young adults' non-medical use of prescription drugs— including prescription sedatives, opioids, or stimulants—and their association with substance use disorder symptoms at age 35. These trajectories of prescription drug use were based on age of peak use and ranged from "rare misuse", the most prevalent trajectory, to peak use at age 27-28, which was most strongly associated with substance use disorder symptoms at age 35.

Expert feedback improves antibiotic prescribing decisions in paediatrics

An interdisciplinary study led by Professor Daniel Wiesen from the University of Cologne's Department of Business Administration and Health Care Management showed that expert feedback leads to more appropriate antibiotic therapy decisions. A central result of the study is that physicians in an early stage of their career especially benefit from expert feedback. The study, which uses a controlled experiment to investigate the causal effect of expert feedback on individual physicians' antibiotic prescribing decisions, has been published in the journal Medical Decision Making.

H. pylori treatment may reduce gastric cancer incidence, death

(HealthDay)—Helicobacter pylori treatment, vitamin supplementation, and garlic supplementation are associated with a reduced risk for gastric cancer mortality, according to a study published online Sept. 11 in The BMJ.

Allergy immunotherapy may decrease asthma progression

(HealthDay)—Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is associated with a decreased risk for asthma progression, particularly in younger patients, according to a study published online Aug. 13 in Allergy.

Intrauterine device use may reduce incidence of ovarian cancer

(HealthDay)—Intrauterine device (IUD) use among reproductive women is associated with a decreased incidence of ovarian cancer, according to a review published online Sept. 10 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Is your state one of the 'most obese' in America?

(HealthDay)—The number of U.S. states with adult obesity rates above 35% reached an all-time high of nine in 2018, a new report says.

Lung cancer screening can detect other smoking ills

(HealthDay)—CT lung cancer screening can detect other serious smoking-related conditions, such as heart disease, osteoporosis and emphysema, researchers say.

Unique gene activity discovered in people with both stroke and cancer

Not all strokes have a clear-cut cause like high blood pressure or smoking. For those so-called cryptogenic strokes, new research suggests cancer might be the trigger—a finding that could potentially lead to earlier diagnosis of cancer.

Researchers pinpoint why HIV patients are more likely to develop tuberculosis

Tuberculosis and HIV—two of the world's deadliest infectious diseases—are far worse when they occur together. Now, Texas Biomedical Research Institute researchers have pinpointed an important mechanism at work in this troubling health problem. And, their discovery could lead to a new mode of treatment for people at risk. The results were published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, a top-tier venue for critical advances in biomedical research.

'Time-outs' not associated with long-term negative effects in children

It's an age-old debate: are time-outs bad for kids?

A promising treatment for an incurable, deadly kidney disease

A potential treatment for polycystic kidney disease—a genetic disorder that causes the kidneys to swell with multiple cysts and can eventually lead to organ failure—has shown promising results in animal testing.

100-year-old scientific mystery solved: Researchers discover role of nuclear glycogen in non-small cell lung cancers

Researchers at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center have made a breakthrough discovery that solves a mystery long forgotten by science and have identified a potentially novel avenue in pre-clinical models to treat non-small cell lung cancers.

Researchers release new findings in groundbreaking gambling study

New findings released Sept. 12 from a groundbreaking gambling study by a University of Massachusetts Amherst research team show that out-of-state casino gambling among Massachusetts residents decreased significantly after the Commonwealth's first slot parlor, Plainridge Park Casino, opened in Plainville in the summer of 2015.

Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer harboring certain BRAF mutations may respond to anti-EGFR

Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer harboring a subset of non-V600 mutations in the BRAF gene, known as class 3 BRAF mutations, were more likely to respond to anti-EGFR treatment.

Some states say they'll keep fighting Purdue Pharma in court

Courtroom showdowns still face OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and the family that owns it, the Sacklers.

Author JK Rowling makes huge gift for MS research

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has made a substantial donation for research into the treatment of multiple sclerosis at a center named after her late mother.

BAT stubs out 2,300 jobs, as vaping casts cloud

British American Tobacco on Thursday said it planned to cut 2,300 jobs globally by January as its new boss seeks to drive revenues in controversial e-cigarettes.

Four reasons to focus on family health and fitness

Many people think about ways to stay physically fit as individuals. But what about creating a health and fitness plan for the entire family?

Dementia deaths in Scotland rise nearly 6% year on year

Alzheimer's Research UK, the UK's leading dementia research charity, is calling for a government commitment to fund more dementia research than ever before following new figures from National Records of Scotland released today.

EPA to phase out chemical testing on mammals

The eventual elimination of chemical testing on mammals was announced Tuesday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

New Delhi killer superbug hits Tuscan tourist paradise

Authorities in Tuscany, home to some of Italy's most visited tourist attractions, have stepped up hospital controls after a deadly outbreak of the New Delhi superbug.

Improving care for an aging population

In her brief but prolific nursing career, Briana Hodson has witnessed a lack of understanding for the geriatric population, resulting in less-than-ideal outcomes for patients. To address this challenge, she believes gerontology nursing must be approached holistically.

Biology news

Breakthrough stem cell platform could shed light on mysteries of early human development

A new method for making stem cell colonies that mimic parts of early human development could help investigate important questions in maternal and child health, such as: What chemicals pose risks to developing embryos, and what causes certain birth defects and multiple miscarriages?

Bone, not adrenaline, drives fight or flight response

When faced with a predator or sudden danger, the heart rate goes up, breathing becomes more rapid, and fuel in the form of glucose is pumped throughout the body to prepare an animal to fight or flee.

Hide and squeak: scientists reveal the playful lives of rats

The next time you come across a rat darting furtively for cover, consider this: It might just want to have a playful game of hide-and-seek.

Stem cell researchers reactivate 'back-up genes' in the lab

Biomedical scientists at KU Leuven have unraveled parts of a mechanism that may one day help to treat Rett syndrome and other genetic disorders linked to the X chromosome.

Female gorillas must balance the reproductive costs of staying with or leaving an older male

When a gorilla group's silverback is close to the end of his reproductive years, females face a dilemma: Should they stay with him until he dies or leave him for another male? A team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology has now found that both strategies bear its costs: females face reproductive costs of staying with an older male as well as costs when they transfer to a new silverback.

It takes a 'consortium': Researchers develop metabolic engineering technique

For years, scientists have explored ways to alter the cells of microorganisms in efforts to improve how a wide range of products are made—including medicines, fuels, and even beer. By tapping into the world of metabolic engineering, researchers have also developed techniques to create "smart" bacteria capable of carrying out a multitude of functions that impact processes involved in drug delivery, digestion, and even water decontamination.

Finding (microbial) pillars of the bioenergy community

Stems, leaves, flowers and fruits make up the biggest chunk of potential living space for microbes in the environment, but ecologists still don't know a lot about how the microorganisms that reside there establish and maintain themselves over the course of a growing season.

Diet impacts the sensitivity of gut microbiome to antibiotics, mouse study finds

Antibiotics save countless lives each year from harmful bacterial infections—but the community of beneficial bacteria that live in human intestines, known as the microbiome, frequently suffers collateral damage.

Controversial insecticides shown to threaten survival of wild birds

New research at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) shows how the world's most widely used insecticides could be partly responsible for a dramatic decline in songbird populations.

English Channel dolphins carry 'toxic cocktail' of chemicals

Bottlenose dolphins in the English Channel harbor a "toxic cocktail" of chemicals, some of which have been banned for decades and which may be harming the rare marine mammals' health, scientists said Thursday.

There's no place like home: Butterflies stick to their burbs

Birthplace exerts a lifelong influence on butterflies as well as humans, new research reveals.

Why is Earth so biologically diverse? Mountains hold the answer

What determines global patterns of biodiversity has been a puzzle for scientists since the days of von Humboldt, Darwin, and Wallace. Yet, despite two centuries of research, this question remains unanswered. The global pattern of mountain biodiversity, and the extraordinarily high richness in tropical mountains in particular, is documented in two companion Science review papers this week. The papers focus on the fact that the high level of biodiversity found on mountains is far beyond what would be expected from prevailing hypotheses.

Why do birds migrate at night?

It was a puzzle about birds.

Researchers explore how a carbon-fixing organelle forms via phase separation

Plants, algae and other photosynthetic organisms remove carbon dioxide from the air, incorporating it into starches in a process known as carbon fixation. In green algae, which contribute up to a third of global carbon fixation, this activity is greatly enhanced by an organelle called the pyrenoid. A new paper by Princeton researcher Martin Jonikas, assistant professor of molecular biology, and colleagues, which appeared online in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on August 27, 2019, investigates a gene important for regulating pyrenoid shape and number, and enhances our understanding of this essential component of the global carbon cycle.

Molecular biologists reveal new insights into tumor progression

University of Delaware molecular biologist Mona Batish and collaborators at Harvard Medical School and University of California, Los Angeles, have identified a new circular ribonucleic acid (RNA) that increases tumor activity in soft tissue and connective tissue tumors.

Simple model captures almost 100 years of measles dynamics in London

A simple epidemiological model accurately captures long-term measles transmission dynamics in London, including major perturbations triggered by historical events. Alexander Becker of Princeton University in New Jersey, U.S., and colleagues present these findings in PLOS Computational Biology.

Where does altruism come from? Discovery of 'greenbeard' genes could hold the answer

Nature is full of animals helping each other out. A classic example is meerkat cooperation. When the group is foraging for food, one individual will head to a vantage point and keep watch for predators. This selfless individual gives up valuable feeding time for the good of others, an example of what biologists call altruism.

Researchers work to understand bacteria killing citrus trees

A team of biologists has put on their detective hats to investigate the complicated bacterium behind citrus greening, a problematic plant disease that has felled citrus orchards across Florida and threatened the Sunshine State's once prosperous orange crop production.

The Amazon's new tallest tree is 50% taller than previous tallest tree

Sometimes even the largest natural wonders can remain hidden from human view for centuries. The Amazon is a dense place, full of life with new species of flora and fauna being discovered every other day. Now, using the same technology that takes driverless cars from A to B, we—led by Eric Gorgens and Diego Armando da Silva, and along with colleagues from Brazil, Swansea, Oxford and Cambridge—have discovered the tallest tree in the rainforest.

45 reasons the Great Barrier Reef is in trouble

When the managers of the Great Barrier Reef recently rated its outlook as very poor, a few well-known threats dominated the headlines. But delve deeper into the report and you'll find that this global icon is threatened by a whopping 45 risks.

Decline in tiger shark population defies expectations

New Griffith University research has revealed a 71 percent decline in tiger sharks across Queensland's coastline.

Madagascar's unique dugongs in danger

Scientists have used historic DNA to discover some of the highest-risk populations of the endangered dugong are so genetically distinct, losing them would be the equivalent of losing a species of elephant.

New findings in plant root and fungal interaction help to resolve the complexity of soil carbon cycling

Two new scientific papers accentuate the role of microorganisms in organic matter accumulation and add a new piece in the puzzle of understanding the soil carbon cycle. New findings contribute to improved process understanding that is needed to create better soil carbon models and more reliable climate scenarios.

Researchers grow citrus disease bacteria in the lab

Washington State University researchers have for the first time grown the bacteria in a laboratory that causes Citrus Greening Disease, considered the world's most harmful citrus disease.

The 'pathobiome'—a new understanding of disease

Cefas and University of Exeter scientists have presented a novel concept describing the complex microbial interactions that lead to disease in plants, animals and humans.

Conservation of a Central American region is critical for migrating birds

Many of North America's migratory birds are declining, but the mysteries about when and how birds migrate must to be solved to effectively protect them. A new paper in The Auk: Ornithological Advances, published by Oxford University Press, identifies a previously overlooked area that is critical for conservation: the region between southern Mexico and Guatemala where songbirds fuel up for a grueling flight across the Gulf of Mexico.

Elaborate Komodo dragon armor defends against other dragons

Just beneath their scales, Komodo dragons wear a suit of armor made of tiny bones. These bones cover the dragons from head to tail, creating a "chain mail" that protects the giant predators. However, the armor raises a question: What does the world's largest lizard—the dominant predator in its natural habitat—need protection from?

Animal research: It's time to be more open

Veterinarians and technicians who care for animals used in medical and veterinary research overwhelmingly believe scientific institutions should be more open about their use of animals. A survey of more than 150 people working in animal care has found that 87 percent believe research institutions in Australia and New Zealand should be more open about their research involving animals.

Scientists update soybean genome to golden reference

Soybean is one of the most important crops worldwide. A high-quality reference genome will facilitate its functional analysis and molecular breeding. Previously, biologists from China (Chinese Academy of Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Berry Genomics Corporation) de novo assembled a high-quality Chinese soybean genome—Gmax_ZH13 (Shen et al., 2018). However, due to technical limitations, a large number of small contigs were not anchored onto chromosomes.

Early detection is key: Screening test could improve lives of cats with heart disease

A new, two-minute screening technique could help save cats from dying prematurely of heart disease. Morris Animal Foundation-funded researchers at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University recently developed a focused cardiac ultrasound (FCU) protocol for use by veterinarians in general practice to increase detection of cardiac issues in cats that aren't outwardly showing signs of disease. The team published their study in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.


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