Science X Newsletter Tuesday, Sep 10

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for September 10, 2019:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

A soft phototactic swimming robot built using a self-sustained hydrogel oscillator

Introducing quantum convolutional neural networks

Stretchy plastic electrolytes could enable new lithium-ion battery design

Foot painters' toes mapped like fingers in the brain

Objects can now change colors like a chameleon

Astronomers investigate an unusual massive gas-rich galaxy

Getting a look under the hood of topological insulators

Experiments at temperature of sun offer solutions to solar model problems

Dietary supplement may help with schizophrenia

New flying reptile species was one of largest ever flying animals

How we make decisions depends on how uncertain we are

Genetic mutation linked to flu-related heart complications

Following Neanderthals' footsteps to learn how they lived

Do we tend to centre our Instagram selfies on our left eye?

Buzzkill? Male honeybees inject queens with blinding toxins during sex

Astronomy & Space news

	Astronomers investigate an unusual massive gas-rich galaxy Russian astronomers have observed UGC 1378—an unusual, massive gas-rich galaxy with extended gaseous and low-surface brightness stellar discs. Results of the new research, presented in a paper published August 29, provide more insights into the nature of this rare type of galaxy.
	Mid-mass black hole hurls star across the Milky Way An international team of astronomers has pinpointed the origin of a runaway high-velocity star named PG 1610+062 and determined that it was likely ejected from its birth cluster with the help of a mid-mass black hole (MMBH).
	Are black holes made of dark energy? Two University of Hawaii at Manoa researchers have identified and corrected a subtle error that was made when applying Einstein's equations to model the growth of the universe.
	India locates missing Moon lander Indian space scientists were desperately trying Tuesday to establish communication with their broken Moon lander, having located the probe that went silent moments before it was due to make a historic soft landing.
	Gravitational wave detectors might be able to detect dark matter particles colliding with their mirrors The field of astronomy has been revolutionized, thanks to the first-ever detection of gravitational waves (GWs). Since the initial detection was made in February of 2016 by scientists at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), multiple gravitational events have been detected. These have provided insight into a phenomenon that was predicted over a century ago by Albert Einstein.

Technology news

	A soft phototactic swimming robot built using a self-sustained hydrogel oscillator Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the California NanoSystems Institute in Los Angeles have recently developed a soft swimming robot based on a self-sustained hydrogel oscillator. This robot, presented in a paper published in Science Robotics, operates under constant light input without the need for a battery.
	Objects can now change colors like a chameleon The color-changing capabilities of chameleons have long bewildered willing observers. The philosopher Aristotle himself was long mystified by these adaptive creatures. But while humans can't yet camouflage much beyond a green outfit to match grass, inanimate objects are another story.
	Interest rates are a decisive factor for competitive renewables Renewable energy has become competitive—and one often-overlooked reason is the reduced cost of financing. Researchers from ETH Zurich and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) have modeled different scenarios in order to investigate the impact of rising interest rates on renewable energy.
	Computer model aims to turn film scripts into animations Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a computer model that can translate text describing physical movements directly into simple computer-generated animations, a first step toward someday generating movies directly from scripts.
	Apple unveils a cheaper iPhone and pricing for streaming TV Apple unveiled new iPhones that are largely unchanged from previous models and accompanied by an unexpected price cut for the cheapest model, underscoring the company's efforts to counteract a sales slump of its flagship product.
	New iPhones to share limelight as Apple revs up services Along with its new iPhones, Apple is stepping up on content and services for its devices for its big media event Tuesday.
	With little change, iPhones may get upstaged by streaming Apple is expected to unveil three new iPhone models that are so similar to last year's lineup, they may be upstaged by details about the company's upcoming video service.
	Climate change, trade woes reshape Frankfurt auto show The headwinds buffeting the auto industry are making themselves felt at the Frankfurt Motor Show, with companies confronting a slowdown in sales due to global trade uncertainty and pressure from governments to lower emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases.
	Big Tech backlash kicks into gear with antitrust moves The backlash against Big Tech moved into a new phase Monday as officials from nearly all US states announced an antitrust investigation into the dominance of internet giant Google.
	In electrification race, VW launches mammoth bet at IAA car show With a new electric car and range sporting a spruced-up logo, German car giant Volkswagen enters the Frankfurt IAA car show hoping bets worth tens of billions of euros will pay off.
	A prosthetic leg with 'feeling' improves mobility A breakthrough device unveiled Monday makes it possible for someone amputated above the knee to "feel" a prosthetic leg, resulting is greater stamina, stability and mobility.
	Israeli high-tech looks to future—whoever wins vote Inside a sleek, gleaming building with views over the Mediterranean, the co-founder of the navigation app Waze appears on a life-sized screen with words of advice on his red T-shirt.
	New era at Alibaba as Jack Ma rides into the sunset Jack Ma steps aside on Tuesday as chairman of Alibaba, ending a spectacularly successful 20-year run during which the charismatic former English teacher's e-commerce company left a profound impact on China's economy.
	Big Tech faces a new set of foes: nearly all 50 US states Big tech companies have long rebuffed attempts by the U.S. federal government to scrutinize or scale back their market power. Now they face a scrappy new coalition as well: prosecutors from nearly all 50 states.
	One person's waste glass becomes another person's treasure In a bid to preserve the world's second most used natural resource—sand—University of Queensland Ph.D. candidate Danish Kazmi has developed a sustainable solution that could reduce its use in the construction industry.
	The internet will always have enough space for all our devices It seems that every five years, news emerges that the digital sky is falling in. Back in 2010 and 2015, rumours spread that the internet would soon run out of IP addresses. Now, the regulator of Europe's internet domains has predicted that the region's 1.91m remaining addressees will most likely run out before 2020.
	It's not about self-driving cars, it's about more people in fewer vehicles This year alone, there are about 276 million vehicles operating on roads throughout the United States. Despite the current fascination with the concept of self-driving cars and their potential to reduce traffic congestion, a researcher at Florida Atlantic University says that may not be a solution. It now appears that pooled-ride services like car-pooling, public transit, ride-splitting and vanpooling are much more important than automation for sustainability and reducing traffic congestion. The idea is simple: put more people in fewer vehicles.
	Boeing doesn't expect testing issue to delay 777X Boeing said Tuesday it does not expect a problem that came up during testing of its new long-haul 777X aircraft to significantly affect aircraft design or timetable.
	Facebook defends tracking your every move—even if the app isn't on Anticipating questions from users about why they're being tracked by Facebook as Google (Android) and Apple (iOS) release new operating systems, the social network took to a blog post Monday to explain its thinking.
	The Latest: Analyst calls Apple TV Plus price 'show stopper' The Latest on Apple product event (all times local):
	FBI and Nigeria step-up cyber-crime investigations The FBI and Nigeria's anti-graft agency said Tuesday they have intensified a joint investigation into cyber criminal networks, weeks after the US government released a wanted list of 77 Nigerian cyber fraud suspects.
	Big Tech's 'nemesis' in EU gets new term—and more power The European Union's competition chief is getting a new term - with expanded powers - in a move that underlines how the bloc's battle to regulate big tech companies is only just beginning.
	Apple sets launch of streaming, gaming services Apple set launch dates Tuesday for its original video offering, Apple TV+, and its game subscription service as the tech giant ramped up efforts to reduce its dependence on the iPhone.
	Nissan seeks clean slate with CEO exit, but challenges remain Crisis-hit Japanese automaker Nissan hopes the resignation of its embattled chief executive will help turn the page on the tumult unleashed by the arrest of former chief Carlos Ghosn.
	14 bids emerge for stricken French airline, but none 'feasible' France's Aigle Azur airline has received 14 takeover bids as it seeks to stave off a collapse that would put its 1,150 employees out of work, but it said all would have to be improved because they aren't "feasible" for now.
	British Airways pilots' strike enters second day A landmark strike by British Airways pilots entered its second day on Tuesday with more travel chaos—and no end in sight to the long-running dispute over pay.
	Antitrust probe against Google launched by nearly all US states The top prosecutors for 50 U.S. states and territories on Monday launched an official investigation into Google, as the tech giant faces claims that it violates antitrust law and engages in monopolistic practices.
	Boeing deliveries fall again in August Boeing experienced another big drop in plane deliveries in August, the company reported Tuesday, as the months-long grounding of the 737 MAX continues to hit the aerospace giant.
	Spain's Telefonica offers voluntary redundancy to 5,000 staff Spanish telecoms giant Telefonica said Tuesday it had offered a voluntary redundancy plan for roughly 5,000 workers in Spain over 53 years old—one fifth of its staff there.

Medicine & Health news

	Foot painters' toes mapped like fingers in the brain Using your feet like hands can cause organised 'hand-like' maps of the toes in the brain, never before documented in people, finds a new UCL-led study of two professional foot painters.
	Dietary supplement may help with schizophrenia A dietary supplement, sarcosine, may help with schizophrenia as part of a holistic approach complementing antipsychotic medication, according to a UCL researcher.
	How we make decisions depends on how uncertain we are A new Dartmouth study on how we use reward information for making choices shows how humans and monkeys adopt their decision-making strategies depending on the uncertainty of information present. The results of this study illustrated that for a simple gamble to obtain a reward, when the magnitude or amount of the reward is known but the probability of the reward is unknown and must be learned, both species will switch their strategy from combining reward information in a multiplicative way (in which functions of reward probability and magnitude are multiplied to obtain the so-called subjective value) to comparing the attributes in an additive way to make a decision.
	Genetic mutation linked to flu-related heart complications People with severe flu sometimes develop life-threatening heart problems, even when their hearts have been previously healthy, but the reason for that has been poorly understood.
	Do we tend to centre our Instagram selfies on our left eye? Do we tend to centre our Instagram selfies on our left eye?
	Acute periodontal disease bacteria love colon and dirt microbes True or false? Bacteria living in the same space, like the mouth, have evolved collaborations so generous that they are not possible with outside bacteria. That was long held to be true, but in a new, large-scale study of microbial interactions, the resounding answer was "false."
	Scientists discover hidden differences among cells that may help them evade drug therapy University of Maryland researchers have discovered that seemingly identical cells can use different protein molecules to carry out the same function in an important cellular process. The scientists named this newly discovered variability "functional mosaicism," and it has significant implications for the development of therapeutic treatments, which are often designed to target a specific molecule, or a gene that produces a specific molecule.
	Brain regions found to respond differently to the presence of background noise In a busy coffee shop, our eardrums are inundated with sound waves—people chatting, the clatter of cups, music playing—yet our brains somehow manage to untangle relevant sounds, like a barista announcing that our coffee is ready, from insignificant noise. A new McGovern Institute for Brain Research study sheds light on how the brain accomplishes the task of extracting meaningful sounds from background noise—findings that could one day help to build artificial hearing systems and aid development of targeted hearing prosthetics.
	A small nucleus in the brain has large effects on learning and memory in old age The locus coeruleus, literally the "blue spot," is a tiny region in the brainstem. As the main source of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, it has a great influence on whether our memory continues to work well in old age. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and novel analysis methods, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and the University of Southern California have been able to show that a healthier locus coeruleus is associated with better memory performance in later adulthood. Their findings have been published in Nature Human Behaviour.
	Two therapies cure rare genetic disease in mice Most babies who are born with arginase deficiency—a rare genetic disease that leads to the accumulation of the amino acid arginine in the blood—don't have symptoms at first. By the time they're toddlers, however, their muscles stiffen. Seizures, tremors and developmental delays appear next, and over time the disease can lead to severe intellectual disabilities.
	An overactive cerebellum causes issues across the brain The cerebellum, located in the lower back of the skull, plays a key role in regulating voluntary movement like balance, motor learning and speech.
	Invention makes biopsies less invasive and more informative A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has developed a novel technology that could sensitively and accurately detect and classify cancer cells, as well as determine the disease aggressiveness from the least invasive biopsies. With this new technology called STAMP (Sequence-Topology Assembly for Multiplexed Profiling), comprehensive disease information can be obtained faster, at a much earlier stage of the clinical workflow, allowing doctors to decide and administer treatments earlier and more effectively.
	E-cadherin promotes metastasis in the most common type of breast cancer Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center discovered that a cell adhesion protein, E-cadherin, allows breast cancer cells to survive as they travel through the body and form new tumors, a process termed metastasis. Their conclusions, obtained through laboratory experiments and in mouse models, help explain how metastasis works in the most common form of breast cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma. E-cadherin appears to limit molecular stresses within the cancer cells and allow them to survive long enough to form new tumors. The finding, published online in the Sept. 4 issue of Nature, could lead to new ways to prevent breast cancers from recurring in patients.
	Candida auris infection: Patient in New York loses an eye to panophthalmitis A team of doctors at Lenox Hill Hospital has reported that a patient at their facility lost an eye due to panophthalmitis, which was caused by a Candida auris infection. In their report published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the group describes the patient, his symptoms and treatment.
	Gene coding error found in rare, inherited gene cof lung-scarring disorder linked to short telomeres By combing through the entire genetic sequences of a person with a lung scarring disease and 13 of the person's relatives, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers say they have found a coding error in a single gene that is likely responsible for a rare form of the disease and the abnormally short protective DNA caps on chromosomes long associated with it.
	Researchers suggest new way to target third most common oncogene, TERT Healthy cells have a built-in self-destruct mechanism: Strands of DNA called "telomeres" act as protective caps on the ends of your chromosomes. Each time a cell replicates, telomeres get a little shorter. Think of it like filing your nails with an Emory board—after enough filing, you hit your fingertip—ouch! In the case of healthy cells, after enough replications, telomeres are "filed" away, leaving bare ends of the chromosomes exposed. At that point, healthy cells are inactivated or die. The eventual loss of telomeres is a major reason you are not immortal. This cellular mortality is also a major way your body fights cancer.
	Experimental 'blood test' accurately screens for PTSD An artificial intelligence tool—which analyzed 28 physical and molecular measures, all but one from blood samples—confirmed with 77 percent accuracy a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in male combat veterans, according to a new study.
	Caregiver stress: The crucial, often unrecognized byproduct of chronic disease There is growing evidence that caregivers of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are vulnerable to developing their own poor cardiovascular health. Investigators report in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, published by Elsevier, on a proof-of-concept couples-based intervention in a cardiac rehabilitation setting. This intervention has shown potential for reducing caregiver distress, and future studies are evaluating its impact on both caregivers' and patients' cardiovascular health.
	Study: Adults' actions, successes, failures, and words affect young children's persistence Children's persistence in the face of challenges is key to learning and academic success. However, we know little about how parents and educators can help foster persistent behavior in children before they begin formal schooling. A new U.S. study looked at the interactions of preschool-age children with adults to determine how they affected the children's persistence. It found that the efforts adults put into their actions, successes and failures, and words affected children's persistent behavior to differing degrees.
	Researchers propose the 'Alzheimer's Disease Exposome' to address environmental risks Against a backdrop of disappointing Alzheimer's disease clinical trial outcomes, two researchers are proposing a new approach for future study of the disease.
ADHD medication: How much is too much for a hyperactive child? When children with ADHD don't respond well to Methylphenidate (MPH, also known as Ritalin) doctors often increase the dose. Now a new review shows that increasing the dose may not always be the best option, as it may have no effect on some of the functional impairments associated with ADHD. The researchers caution against increasing the doses is based on findings that this effect may only be observed for behavioral factors (such as reduction in attention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity) and not for the child's ability to control their impulses. This work is presented at the ECNP Conference in Copenhagen.
	Success of gene therapy for a form of inherited blindness depends on timing Nearly two decades ago, a gene therapy restored vision to Lancelot, a Briard dog who was born with a blinding disease. This ushered in a period of hope and progress for the field of gene therapy aimed at curing blindness, which culminated in the 2017 approval of a gene therapy that improved vision in people with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a rare, inherited form of blindness closely related to the condition seen in Lancelot. It represents the first FDA-approved gene therapy for an inherited genetic disease.
	Five scientists honored for cancer therapy, immune system work Five scientists have won prestigious medical awards for creating an innovative breast cancer treatment and discovering key players of the disease-fighting immune system.
	What is dengue, and why is it so widespread this year? Dubbed "breakbone fever", dengue is one of the world's leading mosquito-borne illnesses and infects tens of millions across the globe annually.
	NASA pioneers malaria-predicting tech in Myanmar NASA is developing a new technique to forecast malaria outbreaks in Myanmar from space, as the emergence of new drug-resistant strains in Southeast Asia threatens efforts to wipe out the deadly disease globally.
	Mosquito trials raise hopes of defeating dengue Hundreds dead in the Philippines; a threefold increase of cases in Vietnam; hospitals overrun in Malaysia, Myanmar and Cambodia—dengue is ravaging Southeast Asia this year due in part to rising temperatures and low immunity to new strains.
	The diet-microbiome connection in inflammatory bowel disease Much remains mysterious about the factors influencing human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but one aspect that has emerged as a key contributor is the gut microbiome, the collection of microorganisms dwelling in the intestines.
Diabetes nearly double for Japanese-Americans A new study found that Japanese-American adults who are not obese have a much higher prevalence of diabetes than non-obese non-Hispanic white Americans (8.0% vs. 4.5%). The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Victoria, University of Toronto, and University at Albany, SUNY.
	Two commonly used uveitis drugs perform similarly in clinical trial Methotrexate and the more expensive mycophenolate mofetil performed similarly in a head-to-head clinical trial that compared the two drugs for treating noninfectious uveitis, an eye disease that accounts for up to 15% of blindness in the U. S. In cases of more severe disease, posterior uveitis and panuveitis, the international trial showed that methotrexate was more effective in controlling inflammation. Investigators published results from the trial today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, funded the trial.
	New bacterial strain linked to scarlet fever, sore throat and sepsis A team of scientists led by Imperial College London have discovered a new strain of group A streptococcus bacteria.
	Compound offers prospects for preventing acute kidney failure Russian researchers from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, the Institute of Cell Biophysics, and elsewhere have shown an antioxidant compound known as peroxiredoxin to be effective in treating kidney injury in mice. The study in Cell and Tissue Research reports tripled survival rates in test animals treated with the chemical prior to sustaining an ischemia reperfusion injury. The team says peroxiredoxin also offers prospects for longer kidney transplant storage.
	Parents of premature babies want more information Parents with children in the neonatal intensive care unit want more information, supervision and advice to meet their children's needs, according to results from a new Ph.D. dissertation.
	Tackling zinc deficiency with a new approach to urine testing Imperial College London researchers have developed a new urine test that looks to chemical fingerprints for more precise zinc testing.
	Decreasing the maternal mortality rate in Ghana This past summer, students from the College of Life Sciences Department of Public Health worked to lower the maternal mortality rate in Ghana by developing a new app that connects pregnant women with their healthcare worker, tracks their pregnancy schedule, and provides information on prenatal and postnatal care.
	Scientists identify bombali ebolavirus in bats in Guinea The sixth ebolavirus, Bombali virus, has been detected in insect-eating bats in Guinea. In addition to findings reported by researchers earlier this month, scientists from the University of California, Davis, detected the virus in Angolan free-tailed bats roosting inside people's houses in Guéckedou and Kissidougou.
	Commonly used antibiotics may lead to heart problems Scientists have shown for the first time a link between two types of heart problems and one of the most commonly prescribed classes of antibiotics.
	Grocery shop like a cardiologist Grocery shopping can be overwhelming given the number of choices down every aisle and deciding between what is healthy or not can add to that challenge. It is possible to stick to a healthy meal plan—you just have to plan ahead.
	Smokers concealing cigarette packs' graphic warnings, study finds Smokers are less likely to display packs of cigarettes and tobacco on tables at cafés and bars now that standardized packs with larger graphic health warnings have been introduced, according to a new study.
	Those with autism make good social psychologists Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by the inability of individuals to gauge the emotions and mental states of other people. However, if the lens is widened to include the behavior of people in general, those with ASD traits are as good or even slightly better social psychologists than people who do not have traits of autism, Yale researchers report Sept. 9 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	Study finds flavors play a role in initiation, addiction to e-cigarette use Flavors motivate individuals to start using electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and are also associated with a stronger perception of being addicted to e-cigarettes, according to new research from the Tobacco Center for Regulatory Science of the American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives.
	Introvert? You may just be bad at recognizing faces Although most of us can distinguish between and remember hundreds of different faces, some people are better at it than others. "Super-recognizers" can accurately identify faces even when they have only seen them briefly previously. At the other extreme, "developmental prosopagnosics" are significantly impaired at recognizing faces in many everyday situations.
	Here's what you can eat and avoid to reduce your risk of bowel cancer Australia has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world. In 2017, bowel cancer was the second most common cancer in Australia and rates are increasing in people under 50.
	Gut microbes could be used to predict likelihood of developing cancer The makeup of the bacterial community that lives in the gut has been identified as a risk factor for bowel cancer.
	Chronic enteroviral infection modifies broadly pancreatic cellular functions Enteroviral infections are common viral infections with usually rather few symptoms, and they are also believed to be linked to the onset of type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a disorder in which the pancreatic insulin-producing beta-cells are destroyed, and it is more common in Finland than anywhere else in the world. A new study by the University of Turku and Tampere University supports the link between enteroviral infections and type 1 diabetes.
	Study links certain personality traits to an increased risk of mobile phone addiction A study by the University of Granada (UGR) has identified the personality traits that increase or decrease the degree of vulnerability to so-called "nomophobia," defined as the fear of being out of the range of mobile phone contact—a modern-age phobia.
	Studying vision in pitch darkness shines light on how a mammal's brain drives behavior New work from Finland has been able to link mammalian behavior to its underlying neural code. The work examined how mammals' brains interpret signals from the eyes at low light levels.
	New AI neural network approach detects heart failure from a single heartbeat with 100% accuracy Researchers have developed a neural network approach that can accurately identify congestive heart failure with 100 percent accuracy through analysis of just one raw electrocardiogram (ECG) heartbeat, a new study reports.
	Team develops donor screening for vaginal microbiota transplantation Researchers at Johns Hopkins have taken the first step towards trials of vaginal microbiota transplantation (VMT).
	Study suggests many perceive pregnancy as predetermined In the attempt to gauge need for contraception or reproductive health services, researchers and clinicians often query women about pregnancy intentions, to determine if a pregnancy is wanted (or, in retrospect, was wanted or mistimed). But formative research indicates that is not necessarily how most people think about and approach pregnancy.
	Researchers develop affordable new test for dengue University of Alberta researchers have developed a user-friendly dengue test that could help diagnose the growing tropical disease more quickly and efficiently.
	When should NHS contact patients over faulty genes? The NHS and health services worldwide need to develop policies on when patients should be "re-contacted" about faulty genes, as the current lack of guidance creates a dilemma for health services, experts have warned.
	Pain relief without opioids The United States has approximately 5 percent of the world's population, but accounts for 99 percent of the world's consumption of hydrocodone, an opioid used to treat long-term pain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that prescription opioids continue to contribute to the epidemic with more than 35 percent of all opioid overdose deaths. On average, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
	Undiagnosed diseases program finds novel genetic variant The Undiagnosed Diseases Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham recently found a previously unknown genetic variant that is believed to account for a severe movement disorder in a young woman. In a case study published in the Sept. 9, 2019 issue of Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, the research team reports on the discovery of the variant, and describes the steps taken to unlock this medical mystery.
	Study suggests PTSD associated with cognitive impairment onset in 911 responders Cognitive impairment with the potential for early onset dementia in 911 World Trade Center responders is continuing to be investigated by researchers monitoring the health of thousands of responders. A new study led by Stony Brook University that includes 1,800 responders reveals that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is strongly associated with onset of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The study, published early online in Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment, and Disease Monitoring, also found that longer duration exposures working at Ground Zero results in an increased risk of cognitive impairment in individuals who carry a specific gene associated with dementia.
	'Yo-yo' dieting may provide metabolic health benefits Repeatedly losing and regaining weight may lead to improved insulin levels and lower body fat percentages in the long term, even during weight regain phases. The first-of-its-kind study, published ahead of print in the American Journal of Physiology—Endocrinology and Metabolism, was chosen as an APSselect article for September.
	High levels of sexism fuel poor mental health among women One in five women report sex discrimination and these women are more likely to develop poorer mental health after the sexist experience, according to a new UCL study investigating links between sexism and mental health and wellbeing.
	Benefits of extreme temperature workouts: Not as great as you might think First there were heated fitness studios, now the latest trend is working out in frigid temperatures. Although there are some health benefits associated with each of these regimes, there are also some risks. Here's what you need to know.
	Using statistics to prevent the loss of blood donors The Sanquin blood bank gathers data on every donation. Around 720,000 donations are made every year. "That generates a mountain of highly valuable data," says Leiden Ph.D. candidate Marieke Vinkenoog.
	Deadly infections on the increase: Urgent need for new antibiotics Globally, the number of deaths from infections is on the rise as more bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. New classes are desperately needed. A promising resistance inhibitor is now being developed by the research group of Nathaniel Martin, Professor of Biological Chemistry. Inaugural speech on 13 September.
	Medicinal products receiving expedited approval in Europe may not provide intended clinical benefit The majority of marketing authorizations granted through two expedited assessment pathways in Europe are based on non-validated surrogate endpoints rather than clinical outcomes, according to a study published September 10 in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine by Patricia McGettigan of Queen Mary University of London, and colleagues.
	An oral splint that can reduce Tourette syndrome tics Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by vocal and motor tics, which can contribute to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Researchers in Japan have developed a removable dental appliance that can reduce these tics in both children and adults with Tourette syndrome. The ability to ameliorate tics could positively impact the everyday lives of individuals with Tourette syndrome.
	Link between gut microbes and muscle growth suggests future approach to tackle muscle loss The microorganisms living in the intestines could help with muscle growth and function, opening new doors to interventions for age-related skeletal muscle loss, an international research team led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has found.
	Research shows 80% drop in ICU bloodstream infections Bloodstream infections acquired in UK Intensive Care Units (ICUs) reduced by 80% between 2007 and 2012, according to research funded by the NIHR Guy's and St Thomas' Biomedical Research Centre.
	Studies look at E-cigarette use linked to pulmonary illness (HealthDay)—Electronic cigarette use has been associated with severe pulmonary illness, according to three studies published online Sept. 6 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and the New England Journal of Medicine.
	How to fight hidden causes of inflammation (HealthDay)—Tamping down inflammation is a must for people with a chronic inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. But you can be exposed to damaging inflammation without having a specific medical condition.
	Survey shows many primary care doctors are unprepared to help patients avoid diabetes Which of these is not a risk factor for prediabetes?
	Women pediatricians earn less than men and work more at home, study finds Female pediatricians not only get paid less than their male counterparts, but they're more likely to have prime responsibility for housework and caring for their own children, according to new research.
	Scientists rethink Alzheimer's, diversifying the drug search When researchers at the University of Kentucky compare brains donated from people who died with dementia, very rarely do they find one that bears only Alzheimer's trademark plaques and tangles—no other damage.
	Brain circuit controls individual responses to temptation in rats Differences in a key brain circuit may suggest why some individuals are less able than others to resist tempting cues, according to a study in rats published today in eLife.
	New blood test for prostate cancer is highly-accurate and avoids invasive biopsies A new and simple blood test has been found to efficiently and accurately detect the presence of aggressive prostate cancer, according to research by Queen Mary University of London.
	How pipeline programs can increase diversity in dentistry The field of dentistry has a diversity problem. Despite calls for a more diverse workforce, only 15.2 percent of dental school applicants in 2016 were underrepresented minorities, according to the American Dental Education Association.
	Researchers pinpoint animal model proteins important in study of human disease Heart disease remains the most common cause of death in the western world, and cardiac defects are the most prevalent form of birth defect in the United States and Europe. Yet little is known about the proteins and cellular pathways that lead to the formation of the human heart or the roles various proteins and pathways might play in cardiac disease. Now, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Princeton University scientists have found that unique sets of proteins and pathways present in specific animal models commonly used in research are also present and mutated in human disease.
	Multicomponent home-based treatments improve mobility in older adults after hip fracture Each year more than 260,000 older Americans are hospitalized for hip fractures, a debilitating injury that can severely and permanently impact mobility. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) studied two types of home-based interventions and discovered that these treatments are effective in helping individuals regain their ability to walk, but not enough to do every day functions like crossing the street.
	How to fix a Flint neighborhood? 'Come at it from all sides' A music production studio, boxing lessons, employment programs, and health and wellness projects—just some of the elements it takes to reinvigorate a community.
	Cancer patients turning to crowdfunding to help pay medical costs (HealthDay)—Cancer takes a huge emotional toll on patients, but a new study finds the financial costs are also so high that many are resorting to crowdfunding to help pay their medical bills and related costs.
	Scientists establish link between prenatal HIV exposure and decreased infant immunity In the August 16 edition of Nature Scientific Reports, scientists at the University of Rhode Island provide concrete evidence linking the specific immune responses in HIV-negative babies to the HIV-positive status of their mothers. The work was carried out in the laboratory of Barbara Lohman-Payne, associate research professor with URI's Institute for Immunology and Informatics within its Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Nairobi, the University of Washington and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.
	Peripheral artery disease risk hinges on health factors and demographics, including race The lifetime risk of lower-extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD), in which leg arteries narrow abnormally, is about 30 percent for black men and 28 percent for black women, with lower but still-substantial risks for Hispanics and whites, according to a study led by scientists at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
	Slowing brain rhythms can serve as a marker for delirium and its clinical outcomes An EEG (electroencephalogram) can provide a valuable biomarker for detecting delirium, a serious mental disturbance that is often underrecognized, as well as predicting poor clinical outcomes, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have found. In a paper published in Neurology, the team reported that the generalized slowing of brain rhythms, shown as abnormal theta or delta waveforms on a routine clinical EEG, were associated with longer patient hospitalizations, worse functional outcomes and increased mortality.
	A novel approach to determine when patients with tibial fractures can bear weight Until now, there's never been a tool that could determine how long it will take a patient to heal from a tibial fracture.
	How babies absorb calcium could be key to treating osteoporosis in seniors New research reveals the mechanism that allows breastfeeding babies to absorb large amounts of calcium and build healthy bones—a discovery that could lead to treatment for osteoporosis and other bone diseases later in life.
Telemedicine engages newly postpartum women in cardiovascular monitoring America has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world, and it's getting worse. Since cardiovascular disease is the primary cause, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) created a blood pressure home-monitoring program to rapidly detect concerning trends in postpartum women before their situation becomes critical.
	Researchers find key to help treat different cancers Yale Cancer Center (YCC) scientists have uncovered the workings of a metabolic pathway or "gauge" that lets cancer cells detect when they have enough nutrients around them to grow. The researchers hope that drugs designed to turn down the gauge may eventually aid in treating many forms of cancer. Their findings were published in the journal Oncogene.
	How the eyes might be windows to the risk of Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (AD) begins to alter and damage the brain years—even decades—before symptoms appear, making early identification of AD risk paramount to slowing its progression.
	Existing drug could treat aggressive brain cancer A research team from the University of Georgia's Regenerative Bioscience Center has found that a compound molecule used for drug delivery of insulin could be used to treat glioblastoma, an aggressive, usually fatal form of brain cancer.
Why don't the drugs work? Controlling inflammation can make antidepressants more effective Research shows that controlling inflammation may be key to helping the brain develop the flexibility to respond to antidepressant drugs, potentially opening the way for treatment for many millions of people who do not respond to the drugs. This is experimental work on mice, and has not yet been confirmed in humans. It is presented together for the first time at the ECNP Congress in Copenhagen, after a series of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Patients taking nivolumab experience five-fold increase in overall survival compared to chemotherapy Pooled data on two clinical trials demonstrate patients taking nivolumab realized a greater than five-fold increase in five-year overall survival rate compared with the chemotherapy docetaxel. The presentation was made today by Dr. Scott Gettinger of Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, New Haven, Conn., at the IASLC 2019 World Conference on Lung Cancer, hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.
	Europeans face significant challenges to participate in lung cancer clinical trials A survey of patients with lung cancer in several European countries revealed that half did not know what a cancer clinical trial is, and 22 percent had never heard of a cancer clinical trial. The research was reported by Dr. A.M. Baird, on behalf of Lung Cancer Europe, today at the IASLC 2019 World Conference on Lung Cancer hosted by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.
Final overall survival results of carboplatin + nab-paclitaxel ± atezolizumab in advanced squamous NSCLC Patients with Stage IV squamous non-small cell lung cancer enrolled in clinical trial to test the immunotherapy atezolizumab and chemotherapy against chemotherapy alone experienced a longer survival rate, among a subgroup of patients with high PD-LI.
Nurse led follow-up service aids patients with respected early stage lung cancer, improves clinic efficiency The presence of the specialist nurse within thoracic surgical centers in the United Kingdom increased clinic capacity and efficiency, reduced waiting time for appointments, promoted junior medical training and ensured continuity of care for the patients, according to an analysis reported today by Jenny Mitchell from Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in Oxford, United Kingdom.
	Alabama investigates 5 cases of lung disease tied to vaping The Alabama Department of Public Health says it's investigating five reports of potentially severe lung disease associated with electronic cigarettes or vaping.
	Delaware probes 3 possible cases of vape-related lung issues Delaware health officials are investigating three possible cases of severe lung disease related to the use of electronic cigarettes and vaping.
Harms and benefits of estrogen therapy among women with a hysterectomy appear to depend on age when therapy was started Patients who started estrogen over the age of 60 did not derive a mortality benefit and experienced more adverse effects particularly among those 70 and older, regardless of whether they had their ovaries removed.
	Unexpected hope for DNA damage-related diseases DNA damage in cells can lead to genetic diseases and a variety of cancers. To repair any damage, a process in our bodies flags repair proteins and recruits them to the damaged site. This process is called ADP-ribosylation (ADPr), and understanding it is vital for the development of better treatments for DNA damage-related diseases such as cancer. However, until recently, scientists have encountered difficulties in their efforts to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms involved.
	Fast prep steps for healthier salads (HealthDay)—Make the most of your farmers market bounty with fast salads that highlight end-of-summer's best produce, like a filling Cobb salad with tomatoes, corn, and green and red lettuces.
	Adolescents with high levels of physical activity perform better in school over two years Adolescents with higher levels of physical activity performed better in school during transition from primary school to lower secondary school than their physically inactive peers, a new study from Finland shows. However, the researchers, from the University of Jyväskylä, found that increased physical activity did not necessarily result in improved academic performance.
	Trial seeks to reduce neuropathy, improve outcomes for black women with breast cancer Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have launched a new, unique study recruiting black women with breast cancer designed to better understand and treat neuropathy, a side effect from chemotherapy. The National Cancer Institute-sponsored clinical trial, EAZ171, is led by Bryan P. Schneider, MD, professor of medicine and medical and molecular genetics and the Vera Bradley Chair of Oncology at IU School of Medicine.
	Thailand first in Asia to roll out plain cigarette packaging Thailand rolled out plain cigarette packaging on Tuesday, the first country in Asia to introduce what activists say is an effective way to reduce the appeal of smoking.
	Sudan reports cholera in war-torn Blue Nile state Sudan reported four confirmed cases of cholera in Blue Nile Tuesday and said three people had also died of acute diarrhoea in the war-torn state.
	Third baby born after uterus transplant at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, a part of Baylor Scott & White Health, today announces that a third family has welcomed a baby after the mother participated in a landmark uterus transplant clinical trial.
	Share of uninsured Americans rises for 1st time in a decade The proportion of Americans without health insurance edged up in 2018—the first evidence from the government that coverage gains under President Barack Obama's health care law might be eroding under President Donald Trump.
	US billionaire Bloomberg pledges $160m to fight vaping Billionaire and former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg on Tuesday announced a $160 million campaign to ban flavored e-cigarettes in the United States following a spike in vaping deaths.
	Kansas confirms state's first death linked to vaping Kansas health officials have confirmed the first death in the state related to an outbreak of a lung disease linked to vaping.

Biology news

	Buzzkill? Male honeybees inject queens with blinding toxins during sex They say love is blind, but if you're a queen honeybee it could mean true loss of sight.
	Ash tree species likely will survive emerald ash borer beetles, but just barely "Lingering ash." That's what the U.S. Forest Service calls the relatively few green and white ash trees that survive the emerald ash borer onslaught. Those trees do not survive by accident, and that may save the species, according to Penn State researchers, who conducted a six-year study of ash decline and mortality.
	Scientists find biology's optimal 'molecular alphabet' may be preordained An international and interdisciplinary team working at the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) at the Tokyo Institute of Technology has modeled the evolution of one of biology's most fundamental sets of building blocks and found that it may have special properties that helped bootstrap itself into its modern form.
	Wild mountain gorillas found to play in water like humans A team of researchers from Kyoto University, Primate Cognition Research Group and Conservation through Public Health, has found that wild mountain gorillas living in Uganda play very much like humans when having fun in the water. In their paper published in the journal Primates, the group describes three episodes they observed of solitary gorillas splashing around in water.
	A new species of electric eel produces the highest voltage discharge of any known animal There are at least three species of electric eels (Electrophorus spp.), not just one as previously believed. Two new species have recently been described with São Paulo Research Foundation—FAPESP's support by a group of researchers affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic Society, among other institutions. One of the new species can discharge up to 860 volts, the strongest of any known animal.
	Single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy used to study T cell receptor complex A team of researchers from the Harbin Institute of Technology and Peking University has used single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy to study the human T cell receptor complex. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the group describes their study and what they learned from it.
	Study explores role of mediator protein complex in transcription and gene expression Did you know that the DNA in any cell of the human body—or any organism for that matter—contains the genetic information required to develop every possible type of cell within that organism? Yet cell types differ markedly from each other both structurally and functionally. This is manifest through the production of different proteins encoded in the genetic information of the cell.
	Raising a glass to grapes' surprising genetic diversity Here's a discovery well worth toasting: A research team led by Professor Brandon Gaut with the University of California, Irvine and Professor Dario Cantu with the University of California, Davis has deciphered the genome of the Chardonnay grape. By doing so, they have uncovered something fascinating: grapes inherit different numbers of genes from their mothers and fathers. Their paper has just been published in Nature Plants.
	New insights help to explain why same-sex sexual interactions are so important for female bonobos Among our two closest phylogenetic relatives, chimpanzees remain by far the more thoroughly-studied and widely-recognized species, known for their high levels of cooperation especially among males, which includes sharing food, supporting each other in aggressive conflicts and defending their territories against other communities. In contrast, insights into the social dynamics of wild bonobos are available from only a small number of long-term field sites, and bonobos are probably best known for their diverse sexual behavior, which together with their proposed peacefulness between communities and co-dominance between the sexes, has led to their nickname as the 'hippie apes."
	Study shows how salamanders harness limb regeneration to buffer selves from climate change Looking like a cross between a frog and a lizard, the gray cheek salamander has thin, smooth skin and no lungs. The amphibian breathes through its skin, and to survive it must keep its skin moist. As environmental conditions grow hotter or drier, scientists want to know whether and how these animals can acclimate.
Scientists spot six near-extinct vaquita marinas Scientists said Monday they have spotted six vaquita marinas, one of the most endangered animals on Earth, off the coast of Mexico, reviving hopes for the survival of the world's smallest porpoise.
	Warning signs in a poisonous Papuan songbird Bright colors and conspicuous markings are often used in nature to warn off would-be predators. While we are used to seeing such markings—termed aposematic signals—in plants, caterpillars and snakes, we do not usually think of colorful bird plumage as conveying the same message. However, members of the New Guinea songbird genus Pitohui use their plumage to warn predators that they are toxic.
	Date palms picky about bacterial partners Bacterial DNA sequencing analyses show date palms that are cultivated over a vast stretch of the Tunisian Sahara Desert consistently attract two types of growth-promoting bacteria to their roots, regardless of the location. This finding could help with improving crop cultivation in a warming climate.
	Rare pictures uncover diverse marine life at Ningaloo Reef Researchers at The University of Western Australia have collected rare imagery revealing rich marine biodiversity at Ningaloo Reef, after deploying baited underwater cameras to analyze various fish species.
	To save honey bees we need to design them new hives Honey bees are under extreme pressure. The number of honey bee colonies in the US has been declining at an average rate of almost 40% since 2010. The biggest contributor to this decline is viruses spread by a parasite, Varroa Destructor. But this isn't a natural situation. The parasite is spread by beekeeping practices, including keeping the bees in conditions that are very different from their natural abode of tree hollows.
	Effects of environmental changes in the Holocene on megaherbivores An international team involving Hervé Bocherens of the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment at the University of Tübingen has studied the effects of environmental changes in the Holocene on the megaherbivores, i.e., European bison, moose, and aurochs. The researchers concluded that the aurochs was unable to adapt to the altered conditions—the increasing spread of forests and humans—and therefore went extinct. The study was recently published in the scientific journal Global Change Biology.
	Breeders release new flaxseed cultivar with higher yield The small but mighty flaxseed has many health benefits for humans, as well as other important uses. Yield, and therefore profits, are important for the few farmers who grow it in the United States.
	Global trade of tree seeds can introduce harmful pests The trade of forest tree seeds is, on a global scale, not as safe as previously believed. Researchers from CABI and, among other institutions, the Swiss Federal Institute WSL, revealed that insect pests and fungal pathogens associated with seeds pose a great risk to trees and forest ecosystems worldwide.
	Chicken study reveals that environmental factors, not just chance, could drive species evolution In the version of evolutionary theory most of us are familiar with, randomly occurring variation in traits, caused by mutations in our DNA, can be fixed in a population through natural selection. However, writing in Epigenetics journal, a team of Swedish researchers from Linköping University suggests that mutations that can be caused by environmental changes, not just random chance, might be responsible for species diversity.
	Mathematical model could help correct bias in measuring bacterial communities Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a mathematical model that shows how bias distorts results when measuring bacterial communities through metagenomic sequencing. The proof-of-concept model could be the first step toward developing calibration methods that could make metagenomic measurements more accurate.
Bulgaria, Romania struggle with swine fever outbreaks When Vanya Dimitrova received the Bulgarian veterinary services' notice to kill her pigs because of African swine fever, she was shocked.
US expands hunting and fishing at national wildlife refuges The Trump administration is expanding hunting and fishing in 77 national wildlife refuges in what it says is a bonus for hunters and anglers but what critics contend is deferring management to states with potential harm to wildlife.

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