Science X Newsletter Thursday, Sep 19

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

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Key similarities discovered between human and archaea chromosomes

Study: Even short-lived solar panels can be economically viable

New study finds US and Canada have lost more than 1 in 4 birds in the past 50 years

Investments to address climate change are good business

Division by subtraction: Extinction of large mammal species likely drove survivors apart

The brain may actively forget during dream sleep

Grains in the rain: New study opens the door to flood resistant crops

Nano bulb lights novel path: Engineers create tunable, nanoscale, incandescent light source

The design, construction and characterization of new nanovibrational bioreactors for osteogenesis

Physicists discover topological behavior of electrons in 3-D magnetic material

Study estimates more than 100,000 cancer cases could stem from contaminants in tap water

Cellular hitchhikers may hold a key to understanding ALS

Scientists develop new methodology to genetically modify lab mice and human cells

For gut microbes, not all types of fiber are created equal

First glimpse at what ancient Denisovans may have looked like, using DNA methylation data

Astronomy & Space news

Pulsating gamma rays from neutron star rotating 707 times a second An international research team led by the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute; AEI) in Hannover has discovered that the radio pulsar J0952-0607 also emits pulsed gamma radiation. J0952-0607 spins 707 times in one second and is second in the list of rapidly rotating neutron stars. By analyzing about 8.5 years worth of data from NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, LOFAR radio observations from the past two years, observations from two large optical telescopes, and gravitational-wave data from the LIGO detectors, the team used a multi-messenger approach to study the binary system of the pulsar and its lightweight companion in detail. Their study published in the Astrophysical Journal shows that extreme pulsar systems are hiding in the Fermi catalogs and motivates further searches. Despite being very extensive, the analysis also raises new unanswered questions about this system.

Deadline closing for names to fly on NASA's next Mars rover It's the final boarding call for you to stow your name on NASA's Mars 2020 rover before it launches to the Red Planet. The Sept. 30 deadline for NASA's "Send Your Name to Mars" campaign gives the mission enough time to stencil the submitted names—over 9.4 million so far—on a chip that will be affixed to the Mars 2020 rover.

Technology news

	Study: Even short-lived solar panels can be economically viable A new study shows that, contrary to widespread belief within the solar power industry, new kinds of solar cells and panels don't necessarily have to last for 25 to 30 years in order to be economically viable in today's market.
	AI: Agents show surprising behavior in hide and seek game Researchers have made news in letting their AI ambitions play out a formidable game of hide and seek with formidable results. The agents' environment had walls and movable boxes for a challenge where some were the hiders and others, seekers. Much happened along the way, with surprises.
	Engineers create ways to keep stone waste out of landfills Using polymers and natural stone slurry waste, UBC Okanagan researchers are manufacturing environmentally friendly stone composites.
	Apple Arcade could boost ranks of video game players Apple's entry into online games with a low-cost subscription plan is expected to bring a fresh set of consumers into gaming and potentially reshape the multibillion-dollar market.
	Huawei in public test as it unveils sanction-hit phone Chinese tech giant Huawei launches its latest high-end smartphone in Munich on Thursday, the first that could be void of popular Google apps because of US sanctions.
	Lighting the path to renewable energy Solar power offers a promising, renewable alternative to fossil fuels. But solar power production is complicated and influenced by ever-changing factors like cloud coverage, the time of day, and even dust particles in the air.
How do supercharged racing yachts go so fast? An engineer explains Sailing used to be considered as a rather sedate pastime. But in the past few years, the world of yacht racing has been revolutionised by the arrival of hydrofoil-supported catamarans, known as "foilers". These vessels, more akin to high-performance aircraft than yachts, combine the laws of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics to create vessels capable of speeds of up to 50 knots, which is far faster than the wind propelling them.
	Amazon pledges to be carbon neutral by 2040 Amazon chief Jeff Bezos pledged Thursday to make the US technology and retail giant carbon neutral by 2040 and encourage other firms to do likewise, in a bid to help meet the goals of the Paris climate accord 10 years early.
	Airbnb says it will go public in 2020 Airbnb Inc. said Thursday it plans to go public in 2020, a long-awaited move by the home-sharing company that is both loved and reviled for its disruption of the accommodation sector.
	AI helps reduce Amazon hydropower dams' carbon footprint A team of scientists has developed a computational model that uses artificial intelligence to find sites for hydropower dams in order to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
	FedEx, Walgreens team with Wing for drone delivery test Drone deliveries are coming soon, at least for one Virginia community, as part of a pilot project announced Thursday by Wing, the unit spun out of a "moonshot" lab at Google parent Alphabet.
	Facebook making ads more playful Facebook said Thursday it will let advertisers pack more fun into marketing messages with augmented reality, games and playful polls to prompt interactions.
	Special algorithm for Twitter can reveal the satisfaction of air passengers Scientists of South Ural State University have developed an algorithm that allows researchers to distinguish between positive and negative feedback from air travelers' tweets using machine learning methods. The innovation represents a program for processing preliminary data in combination with a trained convolutional neural network. The development is intended to increase the satisfaction of airline customers; the results of the study were published in the Journal of Big Data.
	Sensors made this company a world leader in tool production A small machining company in Norway is the first in the world to use digitalized tools for advanced turning. The technology enables the prevention of damage to complex and expensive parts used in the aircraft and gas industries.
FPL to install 1,000 electric car charging stations Florida Power & Light plans to install 1,000 electric-charging stations at 100 locations across the state.
	Germany targets Airbus in military spying probe German authorities on Thursday were looking into how Airbus employees came to see confidential military documents, the latest in a series of scandals to hit the aerospace giant.
	Ryanair hit by investor revolt over executive pay Irish low-cost airline Ryanair flew into a shareholder revolt on Thursday, as almost half of its investors voted against its remuneration of senior staff amid ongoing pilot strikes over pay.
	Highest efficiency of flexible CZTSSe thin-film solar cell achieved DGIST announced last week that Dr. Jin-Kyu Kang's research team in Division of Energy Technology achieved 11.4% for the photoelectric conversion efficiency of flexible CZTSSe thin-film solar cell, the highest in the world. This research is expected to contribute to the development of future solar power technology and the next generation thin-film solar cell industry.
	After years of testing, Seattle nanotech firm Modumental poised for billion-dollar market After nearly a decade of field trials and demonstrations, a Seattle-born nanomaterial that is 30 times more corrosion-resistant than traditional galvanized steel is poised to go mass market.
	Facebook CEO visits lawmakers amid push for tech oversight Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg visited lawmakers Thursday to discuss potential regulation of the tech industry, particularly when it comes to the collection of users' personal data on their platforms.
	Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier parks allow e-bikes National Park Service officials say motorized electric bicycles are now allowed in Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Glacier national parks, along with Wyoming's National Elk Refuge.

Medicine & Health news

	The brain may actively forget during dream sleep Rapid eye movement, or REM, sleep is a fascinating period when most of our dreams are made. Now, in a study of mice, a team of Japanese and U.S. researchers show that it may also be a time when the brain actively forgets. Their results suggest that forgetting during sleep may be controlled by neurons found deep inside the brain that were previously known for making an appetite stimulating hormone. The study was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health.
	Cellular hitchhikers may hold a key to understanding ALS For long-distance transportation within the cell, RNA molecules rely on hitchhiking.
	Scientists develop new methodology to genetically modify lab mice and human cells A team led by Cedars-Sinai has designed a rapid method to genetically alter laboratory mice and then used this method to produce personalized animal models of pediatric glioma, an aggressive type of malignant brain cancer in children.
	For gut microbes, not all types of fiber are created equal Certain human gut microbes with links to health thrive when fed specific types of ingredients in dietary fibers, according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
	Alcohol-producing gut bacteria could cause liver damage even in people who don't drink Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the build-up of fat in the liver due to factors other than alcohol. It affects about a quarter of the adult population globally, but its cause remains unknown. Now, researchers have linked NAFLD to gut bacteria that produce a large amount of alcohol in the body, finding these bacteria in over 60% of non-alcoholic fatty liver patients. Their findings, publishing September 19 in the journal Cell Metabolism, could help develop a screening method for early diagnosis and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver.
	Perception of musical pitch varies across cultures People who are accustomed to listening to Western music, which is based on a system of notes organized in octaves, can usually perceive the similarity between notes that are same but played in different registers—say, high C and middle C. However, a longstanding question is whether this a universal phenomenon or one that has been ingrained by musical exposure.
	Study finds hub linking movement and motivation in the brain Our everyday lives rely on planned movement through the environment to achieve goals. A new study by MIT neuroscientists at The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory identifies a well-connected brain region as a crucial link between circuits guiding goal-directed movement and motivated behavior.
	Researchers hone in on the elusive receptor for sour taste Sour is the taste of summer, a taste that evokes lemonade stands and vine-ripe tomatoes. Among the five basic tastes—the others being bitter, sweet, salty and umami—it is arguably the most subtle. In small amounts, it adds a critical tang to an otherwise bland dish. At higher concentrations and on its own, it's unpleasant or even painful.
	Cross-clade immune responses reported in South African RV144 HIV vaccine regimen Despite major breakthroughs in HIV prevention and treatment, there were an estimated 1.8 million people newly infected with HIV in 2018, and an estimated 5,000 new HIV infections around the world every day. The pursuit for a safe, effective and scalable HIV vaccine, although a challenging endeavor, is a global imperative.
	Brain implant restores visual perception to the blind Seven years ago, Jason Esterhuizen was in a horrific car crash that destroyed his eyes, plunging him into total darkness. Today, he's regained visual perception and more independence, thanks to an experimental device implanted in his brain by researchers at UCLA Health.
	Study eyes 'silent' stroke threat after surgery Seniors who suffered a 'silent stroke' after surgery faced double the risk of dementia or further strokes than those patients who did not have a stroke, according to a recent Western-led international study. These findings open the door to revolutionizing stroke care and prevention for millions of patients.
	Poor diet may affect long-term spatial memory, study finds UNSW researchers have found links between junk food consumption and loss of spatial memory in a recent animal study.
	Antidepressants may reduce anxiety more than depressive symptoms One of the most common antidepressants, sertraline, leads to an early reduction in anxiety symptoms, commonly found in depression, several weeks before any improvement in depressive symptoms, a UCL-led clinical trial has found.
	Neurological signals from the spinal cord surprise scientists With a study of the network between nerve and muscle cells in turtles, researchers from the University of Copenhagen have gained new insight into the way in which movements are generated and maintained. In the long term, the new knowledge may have an impact on the treatment of, for example, ALS and spinal cord injuries.
	No bones about it, this protein slows down fracture-healing Broken bones are a bigger deal the older you are: even after they've healed, the bones of older people are weaker and more likely to re-fracture. And since more than 6 million Americans break a bone each year, figuring out how to help people heal better would make a big difference.
	Scientists discover new way fat harms your arteries Scientists may have found a way that obesity directly damages the arteries and contributes to heart disease—a discovery that they say could eventually lead to new treatments.
	Researchers create new protocol to improve gene therapy tool production A method to create a faster and lower cost alternative for a gene therapy tool has been developed by Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) researchers.
	When is a child an adult? When does childhood end? That's the question international researchers are asking as they chart age cut-offs for paediatric services around the world.
	Teen e-cigarette use doubles since 2017 Data from the 2019 Monitoring the Future Survey of eighth, 10th and 12th graders show alarmingly high rates of e-cigarette use compared to just a year ago, with rates doubling in the past two years. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, scientists who coordinate and evaluate the survey released the data early to The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) to notify public health officials working to reduce vaping by teens. The survey is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health.
	For people with pre-existing liver disease, toxic algae may be more dangerous Toxins produced during harmful algal blooms may be more harmful to people than previously known.
	Medical education does not equip students to provide high quality nutritional care to patients Worldwide, nutrition is insufficiently incorporated into medical education, meaning that medical students lack the confidence, skills and knowledge to provide nutritional care to patients, according to a systematic review of 24 studies published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal.
	Protective effect of breastfeeding on childhood obesity risk linked to leptin gene modification Breastfed children have a lower risk of obesity, which may be linked to reduced expression of the hormone, leptin; according to research presented today at the 58th Annual European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Meeting. The study reported that genetic modifications known to suppress leptin levels were more common in breastfed babies than formula-fed, and that these differences may play a role in the development of obesity. Understanding the link between genetic modification of leptin and obesity risk could advance strategies to prevent and treat childhood obesity and, its complications, in the future; as prevention is better than cure.
	Researchers identify new target regulating mitochondria during stress Like an emergency response team that is called into action to save lives, stress response proteins in the heart are activated during a heart attack to help prevent cell death. As part of this process, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University researchers show for the first time that one of these specialized emergency responder proteins, known as MCUB, temporarily decreases harmful levels of calcium transport into mitochondria, the energy-generating batteries of cells.
	Medications underused in treating opioid addiction, expert says Though research shows that medication-assisted treatment can help people who are addicted to opioids, the three drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are underused, according to a review of current medical data on opioid addiction in the U.S. This review appears in the October issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
	Antibody 'road block' enables fine-tuning for cardiac recovery More than one million Americans per year experience myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, as well as the healing and rebuilding phase that begins shortly thereafter—a complicated process which involves remodeling and repairing the heart.
	Endocannabinoid system may be involved in human testis physiology The endocannabinoid system (ECS) may be directly involved in the regulation of the physiology of the human testis, including the development of sperm cells, according to a study in tissue samples from 15 patients published in Scientific Reports.
	Opioid prescriptions filled after eye surgery doubled from 2000 to 2014 From 2000 to 2014, rates of filled opioid prescriptions after eye surgery rose considerably, despite reduced invasiveness of these procedures, according to a new study by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The results are published today in JAMA Ophthalmology.
	Early palliative care for advanced lung cancer increases survival Early palliative care is associated with better survival in patients with advanced lung cancer, according to a study by VA Portland Health Care System and Oregon Health and Science University researchers.
	Clinically silent relapsing malaria may still pose a threat Nonhuman primates with clinically undetectable Plasmodium relapse infections still harbor parasitic gametocytes that may be infectious to mosquitoes, according to a study published September 19 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by F. Eun-Hyung Lee and Mary R. Galinski of Emory University, Tracey J. Lamb of the University of Utah, and colleagues. The study has important epidemiological implications relevant to malaria elimination strategies.
IGF1 gene is essential to adult tendon growth, animal study shows Tendon injuries are among the most common injuries seen in athletes at all levels, from weekend warriors to professional basketball players. For those who rupture their tendons, returning to the same level of physical activity they enjoyed before the injury is rare.
	Mother or baby die in child birth every 11 seconds: UN Global child and maternal deaths have fallen sharply in recent decades, but new UN statistics released Thursday show unequal progress, with more than five childbirths a minute ending in tragedy.
	Philippines hit by first polio case since 2001 The Philippines has detected its first case of polio since 2001, officials said Thursday, putting some of the blame on mistrust stoked by a dengue fever vaccine scandal.
	Collagen in your coffee? A scientist says forget it Collagen products are popping up everywhere. While collagen is probably most well known for its touted skin care benefits and as a major component of lip enhancers and injections, some celebrities, like Kourtney Kardashian, are suggesting that people drink it. Products derived from collagen are not just in skin creams and dietary supplements but even in pillow covers and clothing. Kardashian is even selling collagen supplements.
	New research could help detect damage earlier and prevent the development of heart disease Diabetes causes subtle structural changes to the heart, according to new British Heart Foundation-funded research. One of the earliest signs of heart disease in people with diabetes may be that all four chambers of the heart become smaller.
	How cancer breaks down your muscles A solid tumor can cause muscle cells in the body to self-destruct. Many cancer patients die from the consequences. Now researchers are discovering more about how cancer cells in a tumor can take control of muscle cell wasting and trigger a chronic, serious condition.
	Half of content in physicians' notes may be inaccurate, study finds An examination of how closely emergency department doctors' medical documentation aligned with the actual care they provided to patients found that half the content in the notes that go into the patient's electronic medical records was inaccurate.
	Engineering lymphatic vessels as a therapeutic to heal the heart The cardiovascular system is a complex network of veins, arteries and capillaries. Within that network, lymphatic vessels are critical to the heart's ability to heal in the event of a heart attack. When they're functional, lymphatic vessels drain excess fluid that can cause swelling, and carry immune cells that can regulate inflammation and fight infection—each of which are a potential complication following a heart attack. And yet, lymphatic vessels have a history of being overlooked in cardiovascular research, becoming more prominent only in the last 10 years.
	Misused and overprescribed: Issues with anxiety drug persist despite 2017 policy A national policy to curb inappropriate use and prescribing of anxiety drug alprazolam—more commonly known as Xanax—has not had the desired effect, a team of researchers led by UNSW Medicine's Centre for Big Data Research in Health has found.
	Don't stay silent on suicide Suicide can be difficult to talk about due to the cultural stigma surrounding it and the devastating and lasting impact it has on people, families and communities. But it's important to do so.
	Parents play a key role in fostering children's love of reading Learning to read is one of the most important developmental achievements of childhood, and it sets the stage for later school and life success. But learning to read is not straightforward. As child development researchers, parents often ask us how they can help their children to become good readers.
	Brain scans reveal benefits of a cardio workout for stroke survivors A world-first Australian study funded by the Heart Foundation is using brain imaging to understand how exercise can repair brain function after a stroke.
	Drug target for Alzheimer's disease has dual action Researchers have discovered a potential drug target for Alzheimer's disease—an enzyme which has effects on both the immune and nervous systems.
	Discovery of tanycytic TSPO inhibition as a potential therapeutic target for obesity treatment Professor Eun-Kyoung Kim (director of Neurometabolomic Research Center) has discovered new targets to prevent and treat high-fat diet-induced obesity. This research achievement is expected to propose a new direction for developing obesity treatment.
	Circulating molecules in blood may be stepping stone for early prediction of type 1 diabetes Researchers from the Turku Bioscience Centre in Finland have found changes in molecules in the blood that might be new markers of type 1 diabetes. New findings may help understand the early pathogenesis of the disease.
	New mechanism for dysfunctional insulin release identified In a new study, researchers at Uppsala University have identified a previously unknown mechanism that regulates release of insulin, a hormone that lowers blood glucose levels, from the β-cells (beta cells) of the pancreas. This mechanism is disrupted in type 2 diabetes. The scientists hope this finding will be used to develop new treatments against the disease.
	Persistent headache or back pain 'twice as likely' in the presence of the other People with persistent back pain or persistent headaches are twice as likely to suffer from both disorders, a new study from the University of Warwick has revealed.
	Bloodstream infections in central Africa caused by strains of Salmonella resistant to nearly all drugs The first extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains of Salmonella Typhimurium, a pathogen which is responsible for millions of bloodstream infections per year in sub-Saharan Africa, have been identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Drug-resistance has increased in successive groups of S. Typhimurium over time. These new strains are resistant to all but one of the commonly available drugs in the DRC, with one sample showing reduced susceptibility to this final antibiotic.
	Study signals new era of precision medicine for children with cancer A new study has shown the power of genetic testing to pick out the best drugs for children with cancer to extend and improve their lives—signaling a new era of precision medicine for young patients.
	Junk food diet may predict future depression symptoms in teens An innovative study finds that sodium and potassium levels—reflections of a person's typical diet—may be predictors of future depression in teens. The first-of-its-kind study is published in Physiological Reports.
	Stem cells with 'dual identity' linked to loss of smell from sinus inflammation In experiments with mice and human tissue samples, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers report evidence that neuronal stem cells in the part of the nose responsible for the sense of smell transform themselves to perpetuate the long-term inflammation in chronic sinusitis. Results of the study, they say, suggest that the stem cells' ability to switch their identity to join in the immune response may serve as a protective mechanism, while preserving the potential to regenerate the sense of smell tissue once the inflammation resolves.
Innovative research finds HIV patients at higher risk for blood clots Decades of research and treatment advances have helped extend the lives of many people living with HIV, but while these patients live longer, their risk of developing dangerous blood clots increases as much as tenfold. Blood clots—also known as thrombi—can wreak havoc on the body, causing events such as debilitating strokes and heart attacks.
	From smoking to vaping: Why do we abuse our lungs? Today's growing toll of deaths and serious illnesses associated with vaping represents just the latest variation on an age-old theme: our propensity to willfully inhale substances that damage our lungs.
	We're increasingly bombarded with choices – and it's stressing us out Log onto Netflix, and you'll be presented with a menu of nearly 6,000 titles. Create an OkCupid account, and you'll have the chance to connect with 5 million other active users. Search for a new toothbrush on Amazon, and you'll be bombarded with over 20,000 options, ranging from manual to mechanical, from packs of three to packs of 12.
Food as medicine: UTHealth and partners fill prescriptions for food insecurity The answer to food insecurity could be as simple as a prescription for healthy food from your health care provider and the means to obtain it, particularly in food deserts, said researchers led by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health.
	Minorities more likely to have diabetes at lower weights Being overweight or obese is commonly associated with diabetes, but a new Kaiser Permanente study finds the connection differs widely by race or ethnicity. Members of racial and ethnic minority groups were much more likely to have diabetes or prediabetes at lower weights—even at normal or below-normal body mass index (BMI), according to research published in Diabetes Care.
	World unprepared for global pandemic that could wipe out 80 million people in less than 36 hours, WHO report says The world is unprepared for a global pandemic that could wipe out 80 million people in less than 36 hours along with 5% of the global GDP, a new report from the World Health Organization says.
	Research targets metformin as breast cancer prescription Research conducted by Suresh Alahari, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry and Genetics at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, has found that metformin, a commonly prescribed drug for Type 2 Diabetes, may be effective in treating cancers that lack a protein called Nischarin. The findings are published online in the International Journal of Cancer.
	12.6 million in U.S. could benefit from therapy to prevent active TB (HealthDay)—An estimated 12.6 million persons in the United States could benefit from treatment to prevent active tuberculosis (TB), according to a report published in the October issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
	Can you still be healthy if you're overweight? (HealthDay)—If you're overweight but have dodged chronic health issues like high cholesterol and high blood pressure, you might not think that losing weight is a priority. But an analysis of five years of records on 3.5 million people—underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese—has found reason for concern.
	Q&A: Bone marrow transplants save lives but more donors are needed Dear Mayo Clinic: Who can be a bone marrow donor? What's the process for becoming one?
	Genetic variants with possible positive implications for lifestyle A German and British research team lead by Technical University of Munich (TUM) has examined the interplay between genetics, cardiovascular disease and educational attainment in a major population study. Genetic variants which had been linked to educational attainment in other studies were observed in the subjects. The researchers found that these variants also had implications for a more health-conscious lifestyle and thus a lower risk of cardiovascular disease—in some cases regardless of the level of education.
	Increasing DTP3 coverage tied to drop in diphtheria cases in under 15s (HealthDay)—The proportion of diphtheria case-patients younger than 15 years of age decreased as diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) 3 coverage increased, according to a study published in the October issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
	Few trauma patients assessed for effects of PTSD, acute stress (HealthDay)—Few trauma patients are assessed for or educated about the potential effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or acute stress disorder (ASD), according to a study published in the September/October issue of the Journal of Trauma Nursing.
	Frailty assessment may aid liver transplant evaluation (HealthDay)—A frailty assessment as part of liver transplant evaluation may help identify transplant candidates at higher risk for death, according to a study published online Sept. 11 in JAMA Surgery.
	Signing a contract with yourself helps keep you on track with health goals A researcher from Brunel University London asked participants of a free, council-run slimming club to sign a contract committing themselves to turn up for 11 weeks and meet their weight loss goals. They found that those who signed the 'commitment device' were more likely to attend regularly and to complete the programme than those who did not. The findings can be used to tackle attitudes and behaviours that might not deliver long-term health and wellbeing.
	Novel regulator of mitochondrial cell death reveals a promising target for cancer therapy Researchers at The Wistar Institute have described the role of mitochondrial fission factor (MFF) in controlling survival of cancer cells, suggesting the protein could represent a promising therapeutic target. They also found that expression of MFF is regulated by Myc, a ubiquitous mediator of cell proliferation that contributes to development of many cancer types. These results were published online in the journal EBioMedicine.
	Kindness is a top priority in a long-term partner according to a new international study One of the top qualities that we look for in a long-term partner is kindness, according to new research by Swansea University.
	Just 2 weeks on the couch starts to damage your body (HealthDay)—A new study proves that the old adage "use it or lose it" is definitely true when it comes to fitness.
	CV risk lower with metformin in T2DM and reduced kidney function (HealthDay)—Treatment with metformin versus sulfonylureas is associated with a reduced risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) among patients with type 2 diabetes and reduced kidney function, according to a study published online Sept. 19 in the Journal of the American Medical Association to coincide with the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, held from Sept. 16 to 20 in Barcelona, Spain.
	Linagliptin noninferior for CV risk in early type 2 diabetes (HealthDay)—Linagliptin is noninferior to glimepiride for adults with relatively early type 2 diabetes and elevated cardiovascular risk, according to a study published online Sept. 19 in the Journal of the American Medical Association to coincide with the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, held from Sept. 16 to 20 in Barcelona, Spain.
	Vaping-related illness sickens over 500 in US More than 500 people have been sickened in an outbreak of vaping-related illness in the United States, health authorities said Thursday, as Los Angeles became the latest city to take steps to ban flavored e-cigarettes.
	Study examines how people with psychopathic traits control their 'dark impulses' People with psychopathic traits are predisposed toward antisocial behavior that can result in "unsuccessful" outcomes such as incarceration. However, many individuals with psychopathic traits are able to control their antisocial tendencies and avoid committing the antagonistic acts that can result.
	Sudan cholera cases surge to 124 Sudan said on Thursday that the number of cases of cholera reported in the country have surged to 124, most of them in the war-torn state of Blue Nile.
	Religious hospitals often fail to supply adequate family planning training Nearly half of all Catholic and other religious hospitals fail to comply with required abortion and family planning training for obstetrics and gynecology residents, putting women at potential risk, according to a new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
	Scientists identify a possible new treatment for diabetic retinopathy About one in three diabetic patients develops diabetic retinopathy (DR), which can impair vision and lead to blindness. A new study in The American Journal of Pathology, published by Elsevier, provides clear evidence that high glucose increases the levels of enzymatic precursor—lysyl oxidase propeptide (LOX-PP)—that promotes cell death, which was verified in an animal model of diabetes. These findings may help develop novel DR treatments by targeting LOX-PP or its metabolites.
	Team successfully integrates spirituality and religion with mental health treatment In a paper published in the latest issue of the American Journal of Psychotherapy, McLean Hospital clinicians describe the success of the hospital's Spiritual Psychotherapy for Inpatient, Residential & Intensive Treatment (SPIRIT) program. The clinicians drew their conclusions from a sample of nearly 1,500 patients.
	Descendants of early Europeans and Africans in US carry Native American genetic legacy Many people in the U.S. do not belong to Native American communities but still carry bits of Native American DNA, inherited from European and African ancestors who had children with indigenous individuals during colonization and settlement. In a new study published 19th September in PLOS Genetics, Andrew Conley of the Georgia Institute of Technology and colleagues investigate this genetic legacy and what it can tell us about how non-natives migrated across the U.S.
	Poor diabetes control costs the NHS in England 3 billion a year in potentially avoidable hospital treatment Poor diabetes control was responsible for £3 billion in potentially avoidable hospital treatment in England in the operational year 2017-2018, according to new research comparing the costs of hospital care for 58 million people with and without diabetes.
	Underweight babies more likely to develop type 2 diabetes more than a year earlier Previous research has shown that people born weighing 2.7 kg (6 lbs) or less face an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) as adults. New research being presented at this year's European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting in Barcelona, Spain (16-20 September) is the first study to show that babies born underweight are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes at a younger age (by more than one year) and have less severe obesity at the time of diabetes diagnosis with higher concentrations of HDL cholesterol (known as good cholesterol).
Patients with high blood sugar variability much more likely to die than those with stable visit-to-visit readings New research presented at this year's Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Barcelona, Spain (16-20 Sept) shows that patients with the highest variability in their blood sugar control are more than twice as likely to die as those with the most stable blood sugar measurements. The study is by Professor Ewan Pearson, University of Dundee, UK and Dr. Sheyu Li, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China, and University of Dundee, UK, and colleagues.
Large meta-analysis links IVF to higher gestational diabetes risk Women who give birth to singleton babies following assisted reproductive technologies including vitro fertilisation (IVF) are at greater risk of developing gestational diabetes than those who conceive naturally, according to a meta-analysis involving over almost 2 million singleton pregnancies.
Child's gluten intake during infancy linked to increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes New research presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Barcelona, Spain (16-20 September) shows that a child's intake of gluten at age 18 months is associated with a 46% increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes for each extra 10g of gluten consumed. There was no association found between the mother's intake of gluten during pregnancy and type 1 diabetes in her child, conclude the authors who include Dr. Nicolai Lund-Blix, Oslo University Hospital, and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
	Living kidney donors face higher risk of hypertension Compared with non-donors, living kidney donors face a higher risk of developing hypertension, which may have negative effects on their kidney function. The findings, which appear in an upcoming issue of CJASN, indicate the importance of preventing and managing hypertension in individuals who are kidney donors.
	Certain genetic variants predispose patients with diabetes to kidney disease In an unprecedented scale, researchers have begun to unravel the genetics that may predispose some individuals to develop kidney disease once they have diabetes, independent of the degree of blood sugar control. The findings appear in an upcoming issue of JASN.
	A rough childhood could stunt your brain's growth U.S. researchers say kids who have had adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as abuse or neglect, during their preschool years, can have stunted growth of some brain structures by the time they reach adolescence.
New research shows dapagliflozin used to treat diabetes can also Dapagliflozin, a drug that is already used to successfully treat type 2 diabetes (T2D) and prevent development of heart failure, can also be used to treat pre-existing heart failure, even in patients without T2D.
WHO welcomes Indian electronic cigarette ban The World Health Organization congratulated India on Thursday for its ban on electronic cigarettes, the latest evidence of a global backlash against a technology touted as safer than regular smoking.
	Foods that will make you feel full faster (HealthDay)—When you get the urge for a snack, you might not think that a slice of turkey can have the same lip-smacking effect as a handful of chips. But scientists have known for some time that protein is the most efficient nutrient for not only quickly satisfying hunger, but also for keeping you feeling satisfied longer than other foods.
	Nancy Pelosi unveils an ambitious plan to lower drug prices Putting her stamp on the health care issue that worries consumers the most, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday unveiled an ambitious plan to lower drug prices for seniors on Medicare and younger people with private insurance.
	US awards $3M to fill gaps in medical marijuana research The U.S. government will spend $3 million to find out if marijuana can relieve pain, but none of the money will be used to study the part of the plant that gets people high.
	Mast cell expansion from blood Mast cells are critically involved in immunity and immune disorders. However, they are rarely cultured ex vivo for experimental manipulation because of the difficulty in isolating useful numbers and limitations related to 2-D culture. A new study reports the successful development of authenticated mast cells by culturing hematopoietic stem cells in an engineered 3-D connective tissue matrix. The work is published in Tissue Engineering.
LGBT+ women face barriers to healthcare LGBT+ women face barriers when accessing healthcare, according to a review published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
	These diets helped women with diabetes cut heart attack, stroke risk Eating patterns similar to the Mediterranean diet and the blood pressure-lowering DASH may help older women with Type 2 diabetes ward off heart attacks, strokes and related problems, new research suggests.
	How to successfully recruit minority adolescents for STI/HIV prevention research Disparities in rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV between Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino adolescents and their white counterparts are well documented. Culturally and developmentally appropriate efforts targeted to help these youth establish healthy practices to lower their risk of sexually transmitted infections are warranted. However, such interventions present unique challenges in recruiting and retaining research participants.
University of Minnesota discovery is now a first-in-human clinical trial for leukemia The discovery of tri-specific natural killer engagers (TriKE), a combination protein that bridges an immune cell and a tumor cell to drive tumor cell killing power exponentially, has led to a new Phase I, first-in-human study to treat leukemia. The study is opening exclusively at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, and is being sponsored by GT Biopharma, Inc.
	Researchers relate neuropsychological tests with real-life activity in multiple sclerosis A recent review by Kessler Foundation researchers explored the relationship between neuropsychological assessment and predictability of performance of everyday life activities among people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The article, "Beyond cognitive dysfunction: Relevance of ecological validity of neuropsychological tests in multiple sclerosis," was epublished on August 30, 2019 by the Multiple Sclerosis Journal in a special issue on rehabilitation.

Biology news

	Key similarities discovered between human and archaea chromosomes A study led by researchers at Indiana University is the first to find similarities between the organization of chromosomes in humans and archaea. The discovery could support the use of archaea in research to understand human diseases related to errors in cellular gene expression, such as cancer.
	New study finds US and Canada have lost more than 1 in 4 birds in the past 50 years A study published today in the journal Science reveals that since 1970, bird populations in the United States and Canada have declined by 29 percent, or almost 3 billion birds, signaling a widespread ecological crisis. The results show tremendous losses across diverse groups of birds and habitats—from iconic songsters such as meadowlarks to long-distance migrants such as swallows and backyard birds including sparrows.
	Division by subtraction: Extinction of large mammal species likely drove survivors apart When a series of large mammal species began going extinct roughly 12,000 years ago, many surviving species began going their separate ways, says new research led by Macquarie University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
	Grains in the rain: New study opens the door to flood resistant crops Of the major food crops, only rice is currently able to survive flooding. Thanks to new research, that could soon change—good news for a world in which rains are increasing in both frequency and intensity.
	The design, construction and characterization of new nanovibrational bioreactors for osteogenesis In regenerative medicine, scientists aim to significantly advance techniques that can control stem cell lineage commitment. For example, mechanical stimulation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) at the nanoscale can activate mechanotransduction pathways to stimulate osteogenesis (bone development) in 2-D and 3-D culture. Such work can revolutionize bone graft procedures by creating graft material from autologous or allogenic sources of MSCs without chemically inducing the phenomenon. Due to increasing biomedical interest in such mechanical stimulation of cells for clinical use, both researchers and clinicians require a scalable bioreactor system to provide consistently reproducible results. In a new study now published on Scientific Reports, Paul Campsie and a team of multidisciplinary researchers at the departments of biomedical engineering, computing, physics, and molecular, cell and systems biology engineered a new bioreactor system to meet the existing requirements.
	Fish DNA in lake sediment can help determine native species, study shows A new technique developed by University of Alberta biologists can determine whether certain fish populations are native to lakes in national parks.
	Study reveals the intertwined response of pathogen and host during fungal infections A study published in the journal Nature Communications reveals that cells of a fungal pathogen and cells from the host's immune system engage in a tightly coordinated dance of gene expression as the fungus seeks to launch an infection and the host endeavors to protect itself. This never before observed coordination may point the way to new tools for studying fungal diseases and provide new clues into how to treat fungal infections, including sometimes deadly systemic infections.
	Antimicrobial resistance is rising drastically: study The world is experiencing unprecedented economic growth in low- and middle-income countries. An increasing number of people in India, China, Latin America and Africa have become wealthier, and this is reflected in their consumption of meat and dairy products. In Africa, meat consumption has risen by more than half; in Asia and Latin America it is up by two-thirds.
	Over 1,600 scientists call for conservation funding to solve the biodiversity crisis The journal Science has published a letter titled "Solve the biodiversity crisis with funding," coauthored by scientists at Defenders of Wildlife and universities across the country. More than 1,600 scientists have so far endorsed the letter, calling on Congress to fully fund conservation programs that protect biodiversity from severe and growing threats.
	Wild animals' immune systems decline with age, sheep study finds It is well established that weakened immune systems in old age affect people's health and fitness, but a study suggests that it is also an issue for wild animals.
	How to construct a protein factory Cells consist of a multitude of molecular structures, some of them exhibiting a staggering complexity. Ribosomes, the protein factories of the cell, belong to the biggest and most sophisticated complexes and are made up of RNA as well as a large number of proteins. They exist in every living being and are considered as one of the cellular machines that has changed the least through all stages of the evolution. But there are exceptions: In mitochondria, cellular organelles that serve as power plants, ribosomes look considerably different.
	Biologists untangle growth and defense in maize, define key antibiotic pathways In order to meet the demands of growing human populations, agricultural production must double within the next 30 years. Yet the health of today's crops and the promise of their yield face a rising slate of threats—from pests to chaotic weather events—leading to an urgent need to identify effective, natural plant defense strategies.
	Cable ties probably won't stop magpie attacks Every spring in Australia is heralded by reports of magpies swooping at people. While it is of little comfort to those at the receiving end of a surprise attack, such events are actually quite rare when one considers the number of magpies across Australia, and the fact that they love to share our urban habitat with us.
	Reimagining eggshells and other everyday items to grow human tissues and organs Imagine you wanted to grow a blood vessel or kidney or liver outside the body. How would you get all the cells to stick together and form the correct three-dimensional structure?
	Researchers explore secret lives of world's most trafficked mammal For the first-time ever, scientists have deployed animal-borne cameras on pangolins—the world's most trafficked wild mammal.
	Learning how to restore deep-sea coral communities The deep, cold waters off the rocky coast of Point Sur, California, are home to an unexpected community of organisms that most people associate with tropical settings—corals. Scientist Charlie Boch and his colleagues recently compared different methods to restore deep-sea coral by transplanting live coral fragments and measuring their survival rates. The experiment was conducted on Sur Ridge, 60 kilometers (37 miles) offshore and 800 to 1,300 meters (2,624 to 4,265 feet) below the ocean's surface.
	First-ever estimate of commercial fishing gear lost in the world's oceans Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear or 'ghost gear' contributes substantially to global marine pollution responsible for wide-reaching environmental and socioeconomic impacts.
	Research team discovers new microbe in wheat stem sawfly A team of researchers in Montana State University's College of Agriculture has discovered a previously unidentified microbe that lives symbiotically with the wheat stem sawfly, a pest that causes hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to wheat crops each year. The discovery, the result of a years-long project, provides the basis for future research that could be vital to combating losses due to wheat stem sawflies in Montana and beyond.
	Genes identified in early land plant descendant also found in modern crops Since they first arrived on land, plants have likely been using the same genetic tools to regulate whether they grow bigger or reproduce. The discovery was made using liverwort, one descendant of the first plants to move out of the ancient oceans and onto land.
	Overweight Danes are more likely to have overweight dogs according to new research A new study from the University of Copenhagen reports that the prevalence of overweight dogs is markedly larger among overweight owners than among normal weight owners. Part of the explanation lies in whether treats are used as training tools or "hygge-snacks." It is the first major study on canine obesity in Denmark.
	Thousands of dead fish wash up on drought-stricken Greek lake Thousands of fish washed up dead on the shores of Lake Koroneia in northern Greece on Thursday as a result of high temperatures and declining water levels, authorities said.
	Feds seek expanded habitat protection as salmon, orcas battle climate change, habitat degradation Most of the outer coast of Washington, Oregon and California would become protected habitat for southern resident orcas under a federal proposal released Wednesday.
	New research shows that European hedgehogs in Denmark carry a secret Most people consider the hedgehog a welcome guest in the garden. But a newly published study reveals that the Danish hedgehogs carry a secret. Through a research collaboration between Institute of Biology at University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Naturama and Statens Serum Institut, scientists have discovered that Danish hedgehogs carry mecC-MRSA in their snouts.
	A revolutionary technology to study cell nanomechanics Researchers at Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) and MIT's Laser Biomedical Research Center (LBRC) have developed a new way to study cells, paving the way for a better understanding of how cancers spread and become killers.
Wild African buffalo provide key insights into the genetics of TB resistance Morris Animal Foundation-funded researchers at Oregon State University discovered areas in the African buffalo genome linked to risk for TB infection. Their finding also demonstrates the complex interplay between host immune responses and spread of infectious disease.
	'This situation brings me to despair': Reef scientists share their climate grief Few feel the pain of the Great Barrier Reef's decline more acutely than the scientists trying to save it. Ahead of next week's UN climate summit, two researchers write of their grief, and hope.
Quality control in cells A protective protein that can detect newly-made incomplete and hence potentially toxic protein chains in higher cells is found to have a relative in bacteria. There, the protein also plays a central role in quality control which ensures that defective proteins are degraded. The functional mechanism of these evolutionarily related Rqc2 proteins thus acts as key quality control component and must therefore have already existed several billion years ago in the so-called last universal common ancestor. Scientists at the Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH) have reached this conclusion based on their experimental study of the function of the bacterial Rqc2 relative.

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