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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for September 11, 2019:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Towering balloon-like structures discovered near center of the Milky WayAn international team of astronomers, including Northwestern University's Farhad Yusef-Zadeh, has discovered one of the largest structures ever observed in the Milky Way. A newly spotted pair of radio-emitting bubbles reach hundreds of light-years tall, dwarfing all other structures in the central region of the galaxy. |
 | Multiple stellar populations found in the cluster NGC 1866Astronomers have performed a comprehensive study of stellar populations in the young globular cluster NGC 1866. The new study confirms that the cluster hosts multiple stellar populations, which could have implications for our understanding of young clusters in general. The research is detailed in a paper published September 4 on arXiv.org. |
 | Research redefines lower limit for planet size habitabilityIn The Little Prince, the classic novella by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the titular prince lives on a house-sized asteroid so small that he can watch the sunset any time of day by moving his chair a few steps. |
 | First water detected on potentially 'habitable' planetK2-18b, which is eight times the mass of Earth, is now the only planet orbiting a star outside the Solar System, or 'exoplanet', known to have both water and temperatures that could support life. |
 | Black hole at the center of our galaxy appears to be getting hungrierThe enormous black hole at the center of our galaxy is having an unusually large meal of interstellar gas and dust, and researchers don't yet understand why. |
 | Graphene sets the stage for the next generation of THz astronomy detectorsResearchers from Chalmers University of Technology have demonstrated a detector made from graphene that could revolutionize the sensors used in next-generation space telescopes. The findings were recently published in the scientific journal Nature Astronomy. |
 | Fire forces Japan to cancel rocket launch to ISSA pre-dawn fire on Wednesday forced Japan's space agency to cancel the launch of an unnamed rocket meant to deliver supplies to the International Space Station, the operator said. |
 | Recipe for planetsIt's not every day that clues about the origin of our solar system fall from the sky, but one Victoria University of Wellington researcher has found just that—in a meteorite that collided with Earth 50 years ago. |
 | Image: Space bubbleThings got heated on the International Space Station this week after the Multiscale Boiling experiment, known as Rubi, was successfully switched on. |
 | iLocater achieves first light, giving scientists clearer picture of nearby planetsScientists are one step closer to discovering life on other planets. |
 | Why do astronomers believe in dark matter?Dark matter, by its very nature, is unseen. We cannot observe it with telescopes, and nor have particle physicists had any luck detecting it via experiments. |
 | Russia terminates robot Fedor after space odysseyIt's mission over for a robot called Fedor that Russia blasted to the International Space Station, the developers said Wednesday, admitting he could not replace astronauts on space walks. |
 | Fulfilling a dream: To study Earth from spaceDuring her childhood in northern Maine, Jessica Meir often stared at the night sky and wondered what it would be like to observe earth from space. |
Technology news
 | Investigating the self-attention mechanism behind BERT-based architecturesBERT, a transformer-based model characterized by a unique self-attention mechanism, has so far proved to be a valid alternative to recurrent neural networks (RNNs) in tackling natural language processing (NLP) tasks. Despite their advantages, so far, very few researchers have studied these BERT-based architectures in depth, or tried to understand the reasons behind the effectiveness of their self-attention mechanism. |
 | 'Flying fish' robot can propel itself out of water and glide through the airA bio-inspired bot uses water from the environment to create a gas and launch itself from the water's surface. |
 | Apple takes on Netflix with a $5-a-month streaming serviceApple is finally taking on Netflix with its own streaming television service and, uncharacteristically for the company, offering it at a bargain price—$5 a month beginning on Nov. 1. |
 | A smart artificial hand for amputees merges user and robotic controlEPFL scientists are developing new approaches for improved control of robotic hands—in particular for amputees—that combines individual finger control and automation for improved grasping and manipulation. This interdisciplinary proof of concept between neuroengineering and robotics was successfully tested on three amputees and seven healthy subjects. The results are published in today's issue of Nature Machine Intelligence. |
 | Nerve-like 'optical lace' gives robots a human touchA new synthetic material that creates a linked sensory network similar to a biological nervous system could enable soft robots to sense how they interact with their environment and adjust their actions accordingly. |
 | From phone to fridge: A mini-darkroom on the tableTaking digital photos is one thing; the next-level of happiness is making real photos to have and hold. At least, that is the reasoning of the kinds of enthusiasts who will be drawn to an item called Polaroid Lab. |
 | Motorbike taxi apps jostle for trade on crowded Lagos roadsBanker Yemi Adegbola used to leave his home in Lagos before 4 am each day, but would still arrive late to work because of the notorious traffic in Nigeria's biggest city. |
 | Amazon bets big on India with mega-officeWith 49 elevators moving a floor per second and zumba classes for its more than 15,000 employees, Amazon's new Indian headquarters, its biggest building globally, matches its ambitions in a vast but challenging market. |
 | Uber trims more staff as it seeks a route to profitUber on Tuesday said it was laying off about eight percent of its product and engineering teams as the smartphone-summoned ride service tries to map a route to profitability. |
 | Danish justice system rocked by flawed phone location evidenceThe use of mobile phone location data to solve crimes has come under scrutiny in Denmark after a glitch that has thrown thousands of cases into question and led to the release of more than 30 detainees. |
 | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 at center of game rumors, guesstimatesThe rumors on what's next for gamers from Nvidia held sway over news headlines this week. Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super on its way? What's the big deal? Nvidia planning to debut GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Graphics Card? What's the big deal? |
 | Cloud-based tool provides clear communication for disaster situationsWhen a manmade or natural disaster, such as a tornado or hurricane, hits a populated area, communication devices such as cell phones are often impacted, leading to a reduction or inability to communicate for the first responders deployed in the immediate aftermath. A collaboration of researchers at the University of Missouri is hoping to provide better communication to first responders during that crucial time. |
 | Using artificial intelligence to automate sea-ice chartingReliable maps of sea-ice conditions and forecasts are of vital importance for maritime safety, safe navigation and planning. The continued retreating and thinning of Arctic sea ice calls for a more effective way of producing detailed and timely ice information—which is where artificial intelligence comes in. |
 | Machine learning looks for useful data in U.S. thunderstorm reportsBill Gallus has been known to chase a summer storm or two. But he didn't have to go after this one. |
 | Photovoltaics could cool our homes with the power of the sunThe International Energy Agency has dubbed increased global cooling demand as one of the most critical blind spots in today's energy debate. A new study titled "Meeting Increased Global Cooling Demand with Photovoltaics during the 21st Century" yields critical new insight to a fundamental question: What is the required photovoltaic (PV) capacity to power the world sustainably? |
 | How big data can affect your bank accountMustafa loves good coffee. In his free time, he often browses high-end coffee machines that he cannot currently afford but is saving for. One day, traveling to a friend's wedding abroad, he gets to sit next to another friend on the plane. When Mustafa complains about how much he paid for his ticket, it turns out that his friend paid less than half of what he paid, even though they booked around the same time. |
 | Turkish high court to review Wikipedia appeal against banTurkey's highest court on Wednesday began considering an appeal by Wikipedia aiming to reverse the Turkish government's more than two-year ban on the online encyclopedia. |
 | That muffled voice on the other side of the McDonald's drive-thru could be replaced by a robotMcDonald's on Tuesday announced plans to acquire a voice technology company to help speed up ordering at the drive thru, the latest in a series of high-tech investments by the fast-food chain as it strives to improve wait times and draw customers to its restaurants. |
 | Momentum grows for a digital watchdog to regulate tech giantsWith Big Tech accused of everything from decimating industries to abusing privacy, calls are growing for the creation of a federal regulator. |
 | Rumi matches individuals who have a disability with compatible caregiver-roommateBlake Elliott, 38, has worked in disability services for 10 years, but his training began earlier. In 2003, his then 16-year-old brother suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car crash and has required 24-hour care since. He's received that care in-home but Elliott knows that most people with disabilities—whether they require minor daily supervision or full-time care—aren't that lucky. So Elliott, of Minneapolis, developed a technology service, Rumi, that matches individuals who have a disability waiver with a compatible caregiver-roommate who provides a designated level of care. Elliott, vice president of operations for Rumi's parent company, Bridges MN, explains why he feels the timing is right for Rumi. |
 | AI to help drive engine efficiencies on the roadResearchers at Argonne are developing the deep learning framework MaLTESE (Machine Learning Tool for Engine Simulations and Experiments) to meet ever-increasing demands to deliver better engine performance, fuel economy and reduced emissions. |
 | Report reveals growing threat of cyberattacks to food safetyA new report by University of Minnesota researchers indicates cyberattacks pose a rising threat to food production and safety. |
 | iPhone 11: Get ready to see 'Slofies' all over the internetPrepare to see more slo-mo videos on your Instagram and Facebook timelines in the coming months. |
 | IPhone 11: Are Apple's latest iPhones worth the money?Now that Apple has unveiled the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, the most obvious question is whether Tim Cook & Co. have done enough to convince you to buy the latest handsets when they hit stores on Sept. 20. |
 | Cell-mostly internet users place privacy burden on themselvesA new report from the Media, Inequality and Change (MIC) Center—a joint project of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania and the School of Communication and Information at Rutgers University—details the kinds of online privacy tradeoffs that disproportionately impact cell-mostly internet users, who are likely to be Black, Hispanic, and/or low-income. |
 | Control of snake-like robots for high mobility and dexteritySnake-like articulated mobile robots can enter narrow spaces and climb obstacles using their long and thin bodies, and are effective for inspection of narrow spaces and search-and-rescue operation on disaster sites. However, it is difficult to control their precise movements because they have so many actuators. |
 | Research gives robots a second chance at first impressionsUnderestimate robots at your peril. |
 | Hong Kong Stock Exchange unveils shock £32bn bid for London rivalThe Hong Kong Stock Exchange has bid almost £32 billion for its London rival in a shock move Wednesday to bring together two of the world's largest financial hubs in Asia and Europe. |
 | New iPhone? No thanks. These older-model 5S owners don't need or want oneApple may be set to introduce new models of iPhones, but Bill Hudgins has no interest. |
 | Boeing CEO: 737 MAX could be 'phased' back into service by regulatorsBoeing's 737 MAX could be brought back into service gradually by government regulators but is still on track to be cleared to fly again in 2019, the company's CEO said Wednesday. |
 | Strike-hit British Airways flying into turbulenceBritish Airways, which likes to call itself the world's favourite airline, flew into turbulence this week as pilots staged a costly and historic two-day strike, tarnishing its global reputation, analysts said on Wednesday. |
 | Bill giving protections to Uber drivers, others moves aheadCalifornia lawmakers sent the governor a bill Wednesday that would give new wage and benefit protections to workers at so-called gig economy companies such as Uber and Lyft where people pick up jobs on their own schedule. |
 | Swiss say Facebook's digital currency plan will face hurdlesFacebook and its partners have asked financial authorities in Switzerland to evaluate their plan to create a new digital currency to be called Libra. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Scientists discover a direct link from the brain's emotion circuit to the movement circuitDuring high stress situations such as making a goal in soccer, some athletes experience a rapid decline in performance under pressure, known as "choking." Now, Salk Institute researchers have uncovered what might be behind the phenomenon: one-way signals from the brain's emotion circuit to the movement circuit. The study, which was published online on September 6, 2019, in eLife, could lead to new strategies for treating disorders with disrupted movement, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression, along with aiding in recovery from spinal cord injuries or physical performance under pressure. |
 | CAR T-cell therapy may be harnessed to treat heart diseaseCAR T-cell therapy, a rapidly emerging form of immunotherapy using patients' own cells to treat certain types of cancers, may be a viable treatment option for another life-threatening condition: heart disease. In a first-of-its-kind study, published today in Nature, researchers at Penn Medicine used genetically modified T cells to target and remove activated fibroblasts that contribute to the development of cardiac fibrosis—a scarring process found in most forms of heart disease that results in heart stiffness and decreased function of the heart. The team found the approach significantly reduced cardiac fibrosis and restored heart function in mice with heart disease caused by high blood pressure. |
 | Can a DNA construction kit replace expensive antibody medication?Researchers at KU Leuven in Belgium have developed a technique to make sheep produce new antibodies simply by injecting the DNA building blocks. This approach is much cheaper and more efficient than producing antibodies industrially and administering them afterwards. The study in animals with a similar size as humans brings us a step closer to the clinical use of antibody gene therapy. |
 | Cancer research: The genetic context is crucialA team at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich has uncovered a mechanism behind the variability in the clinical course of Ewing sarcoma. The interaction between the acquired driver mutation and the germline genetic context in which it occurs determines the course of the disease. |
 | New study finds compassion is at the heart of loveBeneath those carefully crafted profiles on dating sites there are traits that evolution has crafted that drive what we look for in a partner, now new research has shed light on which traits are most important to people when looking for love and revealed it's compassion that sets hearts racing. |
 | Study shows Mediterranean diet associated with better cognitive function in older adultsAdherence to a Mediterranean diet has been associated with less cognitive decline over five years in older adults in the United States, according to a new study led by University of Maine and the University of South Australia researchers. |
 | Social media use by adolescents linked to internalizing behaviorsA new study from researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media are more likely to report high levels of internalizing behaviors compared to adolescents who do not use social media at all. |
 | Scientists identify gene as master regulator in schizophreniaUsing computational tools to investigate gene transcription networks in large collections of brain tissues, a scientific team has identified a gene that acts as a master regulator of schizophrenia during early human brain development. The findings may lay the groundwork for future treatments for the highly complex neuropsychiatric disorder. |
 | A diabetes drug promotes brain repair—but it only works in femalesMales are straightforward while females are complicated. This false dichotomy prompted a decades-long exclusion of female animals from research out of fear that their fluctuating hormone levels will muddle the data. But now a new study by Toronto scientists shows that a female sex hormone plays a key role in promoting brain repair and opens the door to the development of more effective treatments. |
 | Cancer drugs don't always work as intended, researchers warnScientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have identified 10 cancer drugs currently in clinical trials that do not work how clinicians thought they would. In identifying what went wrong, experts can now work to improve drug discovery and personalized medicine. |
 | Scientists find cause of debilitating eye diseaseScientists at the Lowy Medical Research Institute (LMRI) have discovered one cause of a progressive, debilitating eye disease called macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel). The work, using genetic, clinical and biochemical studies has implications for other retinal eye diseases, as well as peripheral neuropathies. |
 | How your DNA takes shape makes a big difference in your healthThe more we learn about our genome, the more mysteries arise. For example, how can people with the same disease-causing mutation have different disease progression and symptoms? And despite the fact that it's been more than 15 years since the human genome was sequenced, why can't we explain the significance of the vast majority of genomic variations that occur in noncoding, or "junk," elements of the genome? |
 | The brain: How to optimize decision making?UNIGE researchers demonstrate that our brains do not make decisions based on their inherent value but for what they offer above and beyond other possible propositions. |
 | New study points to universal code in our brains for what we find beautifulUsing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor subjects' brain activity as they were shown images of art, architecture or natural landscapes, the team found that in the visual parts of the brain, these different types of images led to very different patterns of activity, even across images all judged by subjects to be aesthetically pleasing. |
 | Papillomaviruses may be able to be spread by bloodPapillomavirus has traditionally been considered strictly a sexually transmitted disease, but a recent study found that rabbit and mouse papillomaviruses could be transferred by blood to their respective hosts. |
 | Bioengineers explore cardiac tissue remodeling after aortic valve replacement proceduresUniversity of Colorado Boulder engineers and faculty from the Consortium for Fibrosis Research & Translation (CFReT) at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have teamed up to develop biomaterial-based "mimics" of heart tissues to measure patients' responses to an aortic valve replacement procedure, offering new insight into the ways that cardiac tissue re-shapes itself post-surgery. |
 | Meet the molecule that helps stressed cells decide between life and deathSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have identified a molecule that plays a pivotal role in determining the fate of cells under stress, much like a Roman emperor deciding the fate of gladiators in the coliseum. The findings appear today in the journal Nature and suggest a possible new approach for treatment of autoinflammatory and other diseases. |
 | Research discovers inhibitor to reverse toxic DUX4 effectsAbout one in 8,000 people have facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, according to a 2014 study, which is relatively common in the world of genetic diseases. New University of Minnesota Medical School research identifies an inhibitor that protects cells from toxic effects associated with this disease in cells and mice. |
 | Teens with opioid use disorder may benefit from medication treatmentAlthough the effectiveness of medications to treat adults with opioid use disorder has been well established, there has been little research about how—or even if—such treatment works in adolescents. |
 | Only a fraction of the costs of excessive drinking are paid for by alcohol taxesThe total harm caused by excessive alcohol consumption is a staggering $2.05 per drink in the United States, and, of this, the government ends up paying about 80 cents per drink. However, the federal government and states only bring in about 21 cents per drink on average in alcohol taxes, according to new research in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. This leaves the majority of the cost of alcohol's harms borne by those who don't drink excessively or who don't drink at all. |
New biomarker for dementia improves risk predictionIdentifying individuals who are at risk for developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is critical for the development of new therapies and interventions to slow or reverse cognitive symptoms. But current strategies are limited, both in terms of accuracy and the ability to incorporate them into routine practice. Unlike cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers that require a spinal tap, plasma biomarkers can be extracted from the blood, making their collection much less invasive and much more appealing. In a new study led by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital, researchers have measured circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2), a potential biomarker for dementia. In a paper published in Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, the team reports that IGFBP-2 levels were associated with an increased risk of both all-cause dementia and Alzheimer's disease dementia. When added to a model of traditional risk factors for dementia, IGFBP-2 significantly improved dementia risk classification, suggesting that it may be a useful biomarker for predicting dementia risk. | |
 | Why young females with obesity are at early risk for cardiovascular diseaseIn the face of obesity, the sex hormone progesterone that helps females get and stay pregnant appears to also put them at increased, early risk for cardiovascular disease, investigators report. |
 | Why a plan to lower prescription drug prices should not be piecemealDemand for prescription medications in the U.S. is at an all time high, given that 50% of adults have at least one chronic condition, and 25% have two or more. Sixty percent of the population, and 90% of Medicare beneficiaries have taken at least one prescription medication in the past month. |
 | Lethal brain tumour shields itself from immune attackOne of the deadliest brain tumours forms a genetic force field around itself to protect it from attack by the immune system, scientists have discovered. |
 | Suicide is preventable: How can we help our teens?Every October, after school starts—and each May, as it ends—there is a spike in the number of teenagers who go to the Yale New Haven Children's Hospital (YNHCH) emergency department because they are thinking about attempting suicide. They may or may not have struggled with a mental health issue before. But they often have a story: Bullies are harassing them, their parents are divorcing, the academic pressure is crushing them. For some, it's gender concerns—they have come out as trans or non-binary, and their peers are shutting them out. |
 | Chronic traumatic encephalopathy isn't only for football playersWith football season underway, media and news outlets are sure to publish articles discussing the head injury epidemic that has loomed over the sport for decades. However, while many may believe that brain injuries like Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) are exclusively a football problem, researchers at the University of South Florida say that isn't the case and explain media framing is to blame for that overwhelming public perception. |
 | Biological mechanisms behind skillful piano fingeringDr. Masato Hirano of Sony Computer Science Laboratories and his colleagues have discovered a sensorimotor function integration mechanism that enables skillful fingering by pianists. |
 | A curiosity-driven genetic discovery that should impact cancer treatmentsA team of geneticists with a desire to understand the inner workings of genes implicated in cellular identity has discovered new biological targets that may help devise alternative therapies for cancers that are becoming resistant to existing drugs. |
 | Syudy: Vitamin D may reduce risk of pre‐eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and moreWhen a woman becomes pregnant, among the many items to typically buy is vitamins. Studies have shown that vitamin supplements during pregnancy are key to the fetus' development. |
 | Dynamic reorganization of brain circuit with post-stroke rehabilitationNagoya City University (NCU) researchers have revealed an interaction between cortico-brainstem pathways during training-induced recovery in stroke model rats, providing valuable insights for improving rehabilitation methods. |
 | Herd protection against oral HPV infections seen among menIn unvaccinated men aged 18 to 59 years, the prevalence of vaccine-type oral human papillomavirus (HPV) decreased between 2009 to 2010 and 2015 to 2016, according to a research letter published in the Sept. 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. |
 | We need to stop perpetuating the myth that children grow out of autismAround 1% of the population has an autism spectrum disorder, with estimates ranging from one in 150 to one in 70. |
 | A liquid biopsy test can identify patients who may respond to immune checkpoint blockadeA new liquid biopsy test could detect microsatellite instability (MSI) and tumor mutational burden (TMB), indicating that it could help determine which patients are likely to respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors, according to results published in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. |
 | Study finds two minutes of exercise may reduce dementia riskPeople aged over 60 can reduce the risk of age related illnesses such as dementia through just two minutes of exercise per week, according to research from Abertay University. |
 | Scientists call for population-wide BRCA testing for higher risk groupFollowing a Queen Mary University of London study, researchers are calling for population wide BRCA testing in the Jewish community after finding it to be more effective than current approaches, cost effective and had a high satisfaction rate with those undergoing testing. |
 | A room with a view provides visual relief for a work-weary brainA computer screen, a blank wall and no window. That's the uninspiring reality for millions of Australian office workers and students every day—and the perfect recipe for mental fatigue. |
 | Study: Poor motor skills predict long-term language impairments for children with autismFine motor skills—used for eating, writing and buttoning clothing—may be a strong predictor for identifying whether children with autism are at risk for long-term language disabilities, according to a Rutgers-led study. |
 | Air pollution linked to increases in violent criminal behaviorExposure to high levels of air pollution is known to cause asthma attacks, cardiovascular disease and other health problems in people. New research from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and Colorado State University shows that breathing dirty air—even for just a day—likely causes people to become more aggressive and violent. Their findings were recently published in the journal Epidemiology. |
 | Could a toilet seat prevent hospital readmissions? |
Research tracks narcissism from young adulthood to middle ageThe belief that one is smarter, better looking, more successful and more deserving than others – a personality trait known as narcissism – tends to wane as a person matures, a new study confirms. But not for everyone, and not to the same extent. | |
 | Perceived workload contributes to cabin crew fatigueNew research from Massey University's Sleep/Wake Research Centre shows that airline cabin crew who perceive they have higher workloads also feel more sleepy and fatigued, and perform more poorly on a reaction time test conducted in flight. |
 | Calcium channel blockers may be effective in treating memory loss associated with Alzheimer'sAlzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia but the changes in brain cell function underlying memory loss remains poorly understood. Researchers at the University of Bristol have identified that calcium channel blockers may be effective in treating memory loss. |
 | Type 2 diabetes is not just about insulinIn Switzerland, more than 400,000 people suffer from type 2 diabetes, a serious metabolic disorder that is constantly increasing. Obesity, by promoting the resistance to the action of insulin—one of the hormones that regulate blood sugar levels—is a major risk factor. However, insulin imbalance may not be the only cause of the onset of diabetes. Indeed, researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) have highlighted another mechanism: indeed, the liver appears to have the ability to produce a significant amount of glucose outside of any hormonal signal. In patients with excess liver fat, this overproduction of glucose could lead to type 2 diabetes, regardless of hormonal circuits. These results, published by the Journal of Biological Chemistry, highlight a novel re-reading of the origin of diabetes in overweight patients. |
 | Why fidgeting could be good for your child's healthFidgeting is usually considered as a sign of boredom or lack of attention which can be distracting to others. Parents and teachers often demand that their children and pupils stop doing it. But fidgeting could actually be good for their health. Research suggests it might help protect against obesity, improve cardiovascular health, and even save lives. |
 | Art, science and the paradoxes of perceptionPerception is utterly baffling. We can precisely describe the biological structure of eyes and brains. We can measure the electrochemical impulses and electrical fields generated by neurons. But reason fails us when we attempt to explain how these physical processes cause all the vivid colours, textures and objects that appear in visual perception. In fact, perception is so perplexing that we can find ourselves pushed to the edge of rational thought—and beyond—when we try to understand it. |
 | Scale of suicides by pesticide poisoning revealedAround 15 million people worldwide might have died by suicide from pesticide poisoning since 1960, a study shows. |
 | Brain changes may help track dementia, even before diagnosisEven before a dementia diagnosis, people with mild cognitive impairment may have different changes in the brain depending on what type of dementia they have, according to a study published in the September 11, 2019, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. |
 | Supporting menstruating girls: Are we making progress?Attention to menstruation and its relationship to girls' schooling is gaining ground, yet many challenges remain. Interventions have often focused on developing WASH —water, sanitation and hygiene—infrastructure and menstrual hygiene products which may not be sufficient. New research conducted by Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and colleagues at the University of Edmonton and Real Medicine Foundation Pakistan looks at the root causes of poorly maintained WASH infrastructure in Pakistan where there has been little evidence to date. The study is among the first to identify the social and institutional structures and processes that lead to poorly maintained WASH infrastructure in schools in Pakistan. The results are online in the Journal of Adolescence. |
 | Insulin pump therapy use has increased since 1995(HealthDay)—Insulin pump usage has increased since 1995, especially among patients aged younger than 15 years, according to a study published online Sept. 5 in Diabetes Care. |
 | Supine, non-left-sided sleep not linked to pregnancy outcomes(HealthDay)—Supine or non-left-sided sleep through 30 weeks of gestation is not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, according to a study published online Sept. 10 in Obstetrics & Gynecology. |
 | New tool measures patients' perceptions of stroke care(HealthDay)—The STROKE Perception Report is a valid and reliable measure of patients' and family surrogates' perceptions of the quality of acute stroke hospital services, according to a study published in the October issue of the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing. |
 | Serum biomarker linked to brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis(HealthDay)—Serum neurofilament light chain (sNFL) levels are significantly associated with clinical and neuroimaging outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study published online Aug. 12 in JAMA Neurology. |
 | Full chemo doses may improve survival in breast cancer(HealthDay)—Maintaining full doses of chemotherapy, especially early in the treatment course, is important for survival of intermediate or high-risk breast cancer patients, according to a study published in the August issue of the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. |
 | Deaths of 9/11 first responders from Ground Zero-related illnesses are on the riseLike most first responders, former New York City detective Tom Frey is a master of understatement—even when it comes to talking about the World Trade Center terror attacks on 9/11, the most devastating assignment of his life. |
 | The music therapy that helped Gabby Giffords speak again is getting dementia patients movingMany of us know of music therapy as a way to soothe the troubled and stressed or to activate memories of favorite songs embedded deeply in the minds of people with dementia. |
 | Understanding gut bacteria—forces for good (and sometimes evil)Back in 2015, an interdisciplinary group of research scientists made their case during a business pitch competition: They want to create a subscription-based service, much like 23andMe, through which people could send in samples for detailed analyses. The researchers would crunch that big data fast, using a speedy algorithm, and would send the consumer a detailed report. |
 | Reducing the risk of post-incarceration opioid overdose in womenMore than 75 percent of incarcerated women in Oregon's state prison system require treatment for a substance use disorder. Further, according to Elizabeth Needham Waddell, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, opioid overdose is a leading cause of death following prison release. |
 | Exercising while restricting calories could be bad for bone healthA new study published today in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research shows how bones in mammals are negatively impacted by calorie restriction, and particularly by the combination of exercise and calorie restriction. Maya Styner, MD, associate professor of medicine at the UNC School of Medicine, is the senior author on the study. |
Our evolving palate—professors examine what influences healthy, sustainable food choices"We eat first with our eyes." | |
 | Study shows cost savings from same-day long-acting reversible contraceptionAccording to a new study by Indiana University School of Medicine doctors, providing adolescents seeking birth control the ability to obtain a long-acting reversible contraceptive on the same day as their clinic visit could lead to significant cost savings for insurance providers. |
 | Gene mutation, tissue location, signaling networks drive cancer incidence and severityThe KRAS gene is one of the commonly mutated genes in cancer. More than 40 percent of colorectal cancers have a mutated KRAS gene, or oncogene, that is at least partially responsible for cancer development. Mutated KRAS genes are commonly found in other cancers as well, including pancreatic, lung, myeloma and endometrial, and not all KRAS mutations in the same organ tissue cause the same disease severity, according to three new studies from researchers at the Cancer Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC). Using mouse models of cancer, the research shows for the first time that cancer disease incidence and severity are influenced by both the specific type of KRAS mutation as well as by the tissue in which the mutation is located. These findings were recently published in Cancer Discovery, Cell Reports, and Cell Systems. |
 | US to ban flavored vaping products as lung disease cases surgeDonald Trump's administration on Wednesday announced it would soon ban flavored vaping products, amid a growing outbreak of severe lung disease linked to e-cigarette use that has claimed six lives. |
 | Study: Are kids hardwired for revenge?Peter Blake, a Boston University associate professor of psychological and brain sciences and director of BU's Social Development and Learning Lab, set out to better understand how and when positive direct reciprocity—paying back a kindness to a specific individual—develops in young children. The findings, published in Psychological Science, suggest that for children, retribution comes before gratitude. |
 | Veterans with PTSD, anxiety turn to beekeeping for reliefGently lifting a wooden frame containing dozens of Italian honeybees, Vince Ylitalo seemed transfixed as he and several other veterans inspected the buzzing insects. |
 | Scientists explore genetic engineering to treat Parkinson's diseaseResearchers of Sechenov University and University of Pittsburgh have described the most promising strategies in applying genetic engineering for studying and treating Parkinson's disease. This method could reveal the role of various cellular processes in progression of the disease, lead to new drugs and therapies, and determine their efficacy using animal disease models. The study was published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine. |
 | Child mortality intervention helps close poverty gap in GhanaGiving people access to nurses in their own communities is reducing the child mortality rate in Ghana, offsetting the health disadvantage amongst poor and uneducated mothers, according to a study in SSM—Population Health. Researchers from the University of Ghana, Columbia University in the US, and the Navrongo Health Research Centre in northern Ghana, were recently presented with the Atlas Award at a special ceremony to recognize the impact the study's findings is having on people's lives across Africa. |
 | Dutch court clears doctor in landmark euthanasia trialA Dutch doctor was acquitted Wednesday in a landmark trial that prosecutors and physicians hope will help clarify how the country's 2002 euthanasia law can be applied to people with severe dementia. |
 | Millions of diabetes patients are missing out on Medicare's nutrition helpLouis Rocco has lived with diabetes for decades but, until he met with a registered dietitian in August, he didn't know eating too much bread was dangerous for him. |
 | An antenna for detecting breast cancerBreast cancer is a common illness around the world. It is the most common invasive of cancers in women and affects around one in eight and represents about a quarter of all invasive cancers. |
 | Mentally ill avatarsMedical students at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) will have the opportunity to conduct psychiatric interviews with avatars in future. "This will enable them to practise with patients presenting the full range of symptoms and degrees of severity and to broaden the panorama," explains project manager, Associate Professor Paraskevi Mavrogiorgou from the clinic for psychiatry, psychotherapy and preventive medicine. Students wearing a virtual reality headset (VR headset) will be able to meet those avatars in a three-dimensional space—or, as experts call it, "exploration." The clinic is planning to start using avatars in the summer semester 2020. |
Public health deworming programmes for soil-transmitted helminths in children living in endemic areasShould global government and philanthropic aid be invested in large public health deworming programmes in low- and middle-income countries? Doctors know intestinal helminths can be unpleasant, but should we be on a mission to "deworm the world"? Will this really help people living in these poor areas, in terms of weight gain, increases in blood haemoglobin, and better attendance and performance at school? | |
 | Database to support infectious disease researchA new database PathoPhenoDB facilitates the search for associations between infectious diseases, the pathogens that cause them, the resulting clinical signs and symptoms, and the drugs that can treat them. It also contains information on the proteins and genetic changes that can make pathogens resistant to treatment with certain drugs. |
Trump administration's public charge rule presents threat to health, conclude scholarsThe Trump administration's "public charge" rule, which would subject legal immigrants to a public charge determination if they use public health, nutrition and housing benefits for which they are eligible, represents a major threat to health, according to a "friend of the court" brief filed Sept. 10. The brief is signed by the American Public Health Association, American Academy of Nursing, and more than 60 deans and scholars from 27 schools of public health, public policy, nursing and medicine. The amicus brief has been presented to courts in multiple legal challenges to the rule now pending in federal courts in New York and California. The deans and scholars are urging the courts to block the rule from taking effect. | |
 | Study of newly homeless ED patients finds multiple contributors to homelessnessA qualitative study of recently homeless emergency department (ED) patients found multiple contributors to homelessness that can inform future homelessness prevention interventions. The study findings are published in the September 2019 issue of Academic Emergency Medicine (AEM), a journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM). |
 | She had a stroke at 21; so did her co-workerWhile in the hospital recovering from a stroke, 21-year-old Alex Leary was trying to make sense of what happened when she got a text message from a co-worker she barely knew. |
 | Increasing number of adolescents receive depression diagnosisThe proportion of young people in Finland diagnosed with depression in specialised services is increasing, showed a study based on an extensive set of national data. An increasing number of adolescents seek and get help, but the increase in service use burdens specialised services. The study was conducted by the Research Centre for Child Psychiatry at the University of Turku in Finland. |
 | Healthcare groups send letter to congress urging prior authorization reform in medicare advantageThe American College of Rheumatology (ACR), along with 369 other leading patient, physician, and healthcare professional organizations, sent a letter to Congress urging passage of the Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2019 (H.R. 3107), a bipartisan bill to protect Medicare Advantage beneficiaries from prior authorization requirements that needlessly delay or deny access to medically necessary care. |
 | OxyContin maker reaches tentative opioid-crisis settlementOxyContin maker Purdue Pharma reached a tentative deal Wednesday with about half the states and thousands of local governments over its role in the nation's deadly opioid epidemic, but criticism by several state attorneys general clouded prospects for an end to litigation against the company and the family that owns it. |
Biology news
 | Long before other fish, ancient sharks found an alternative way to feedResearchers from the University of Chicago have used tools developed to explore 3-D movements and mechanics of modern-day fish jaws to analyze a fossil fish for the first time. Combined with CT imaging technology able to capture images of the fossil while it is still encased in rock, the results reveal that the 335-million-year-old shark had sophisticated jaws capable of the kind of suction feeding common to bony fishes like bass, perch, carp and also modern-day nurse sharks. |
 | Mathematical modeling shows why animals see at nightNocturnal and diurnal mammals see the same—but only for a brief time. When mice are born, the chromatin in the cells of their eyes has a diurnal structure. Day by day, the layout of this chromatin slowly inverts, allowing the mice to see at night. How this change happens was a mystery. |
 | Every time the small cabbage white butterfly flaps its wings it has us to thankThe caterpillar form of an unassuming, small, white butterfly is among the world's most invasive pests affecting agricultural crops, and a newly published paper by a consortium of scientists documents how humans have helped it spread for thousands of years. |
 | Burying beetle larvae know the best time to beg for foodIt's easy to imagine an adult bird standing over youngsters whose mouths are open wide for a pre-mashed meal. It's more difficult to picture a beetle doing the same thing, but the burying beetle Nicrophorus quadripunctatus feeds its young by the same mouth-to-mouth regurgitation technique. In a study published in iScience on September 11, researchers found that burying beetle larvae can sense when the mother beetles emit a pheromone, 2-phenoxyethanol, when they are ready to feed their young. The aromatic compound not only incites the larvae to beg, but also is antimicrobial. |
 | All of YouTube in a single teaspoon: Storing information in DNAResearchers at the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa and the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya have demonstrated a significant improvement in the efficiency of the process needed to store digital information in DNA. |
 | Swapping pollinators reduces species diversity, study findsUniversity of Kansas plant biologists Carolyn Wessinger and Lena Hileman appreciate the sheer beauty of a field of colorful wildflowers as much as the next person. But what really gets their adrenaline pumping is understanding the evolutionary forces that render Earth's blooms in such a stunning array of shapes and hues. |
 | Transgenic mosquitoes pass on genes to native speciesTransgenic mosquitoes released in Brazil in an effort to reduce the population of disease-bearing insects have successfully bred and passed on genes to the native mosquito population, a new Yale research study published Sept. 10 in the journal Scientific Reports has found. |
 | Public support for gene drives in agriculture tied to limitsThe first national survey inquiring about American attitudes toward agricultural gene drives—genetic modification techniques that can be used to "drive" a genetic trait or characteristic through a given insect pest population to help commercial crop production by squelching harmful pest effects—shows more support for systems that are limited in scope and aimed at non-native insects. |
 | Study shows bee brains process positive and negative experiences differentlyA team of researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has found that when bees experience positive versus negative events, their brains process and remember the events differently. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the group describes their study of bee brain processing and memory retention and what they found. |
 | Scientists create embryos to save northern white rhinosConservationists have successfully created two northern white rhino embryos in a key step towards pulling the species back from the brink of extinction, scientists in Italy said Wednesday. |
 | Ghost crabs found to gnash teeth inside their stomach to ward off predatorsA team of researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the University of California has found that ghost crabs have a secondary means of communication—gnashing teeth inside their stomachs when threatened. In their paper published in Proceeding of the Royal Society B, the group describes their study of the crab and how they discovered the source of a secondary noise it made. |
 | Weka: Sandwich-stealing scallywags or ecosystem managers?Weka are often portrayed as little more than sandwich-stealing scallywags. The large, brown flightless bird's tendency to be curious and gobble any food available (whether it be an unwatched biscuit, penguin egg or endangered gecko) also makes them troublesome for conservationists. However, a new study by University of Canterbury and Department of Conservation researchers has found that these charismatic birds also perform important services for Aotearoa New Zealand forests. |
 | Cable bacteria: Living electrical wires with record conductivityA team of scientists from the University of Antwerp (Belgium), Delft University of Technology (Netherlands) and the University of Hasselt (Belgium) have reported on bacteria that power themselves using electricity and can send electrical currents over long distances through highly conductive power lines. Centimeter-long bacteria from the seafloor contain a conductive fiber network that operates in a way comparable to the copper wiring that used to transport electricity. The highly conductive fibers enable a completely new interface between biology and electronics, providing a prospect for new materials and technology. |
 | Soil scientist researches nature versus nurture in microorganismsA West Virginia University researcher used science and data to solve the timeless argument of nature versus nurture—at least when it comes to microorganisms. |
 | Scientists identify rare evolutionary intermediates to understand the origin of eukaryotesA new study by Yale scientists provides a key insight into a milestone event in the early evolution of life on Earth—the origin of the cell nucleus and complex cells called eukaryotes. |
 | It's all a blur—why stripes hide moving preyScientists at Newcastle University have shown that patterns—particularly stripes which are easy to spot when an animal is still—can also help conceal speeding prey. |
 | Scientists solve lingering mystery of poorly understood frogAn international team of scientists, led by researchers at McMaster University, has solved a centuries-old mystery of 'Fraser's Clawed Frog', an unusual and elusive species found in West Africa. |
 | Corn one step closer to bacterial leaf streak resistanceBacterial leaf streak, a foliar disease in corn, has only been in the United States for a handful of years, but Tiffany Jamann says it's a major problem in the Western Corn Belt. |
 | Biology of bat wings may hold lessons for cold-weather work, exerciseA new study finds that the muscles in bats' wings operate at a significantly lower temperature than their bodies, especially during flight. |
 | How long does a whale feed? New data gives insight into blue and fin whale behaviorResearchers using electronic tags were able to monitor blue and fin whales off the coast of Southern California over multiple weeks, providing new insight into the feeding behaviors of the two largest whale species. The researchers also found evidence of differences in the feeding intensity and habitat use of males and females of both species. |
EPA to scale back use of animals to test chemical toxicityThe Environmental Protection Agency is aiming to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of mammals to test the toxicity of chemicals, a move backed by animal rights groups but criticized as irresponsible by a leading environmental organization. | |
 | Using machine learning for rewildingThere may not be an obvious connection between rewilding and machine learning, but as highlighted today at ESA's ɸ-week, a project in the Netherlands uses satellite data and new digital technology to understand how a nature reserve responds to the pressure of being grazed by herbivores. |
 | Protecting our plantsTongariro National Park is not just centrally located—it's a central part of New Zealand culture. |
 | Advanced breeding paves the way for disease-resistant beansETH researchers are involved in the development and implementation of a method to efficiently breed for disease-resistant beans in different regions of the world. Their work will help to improve the livelihood and food security of smallholders in developing countries. |
 | Nine black rhinos from S.Africa relocated to TanzaniaNine black rhinos from South Africa have arrived in the Serengeti as part of efforts to repopulate the park with the critically endangered species, Tanzanian authorities said Tuesday. |
 | Coral restoration research shows baby sea urchins boost coral survival rateNew research into co-culturing—raising juvenile sea urchins alongside lab-spawned corals—has found the technique produces an eight-times-higher survival rate in young corals, and could have major implications for the restoration of damaged reefs around the world. |
 | Mako shark tracking off west coast reveals 'impressive' memory and navigationThe largest effort ever to tag and track shortfin mako sharks off the West Coast has found that they can travel nearly 12,000 miles in a year. The sharks range far offshore, but regularly return to productive waters off Southern California, an important feeding and nursery area for the species. |
Conserving rare species for the maintenance of Mediterranean forestsA study led by researchers from the Department of Plant Biology and Ecology at the University of Seville has shown the importance of conserving rare species for the maintenance of complex ecosystems like Mediterranean forests. Therefore, for these species, it becomes essential to understand the factors that make conservation successful. This research has been published in the review Forest Ecology and Management, an important publication in the field of forestry management. | |
 | Invasion of the Japanese stiltgrass: WVU biologist targets plant that wreaks havocTo the casual observer, Japanese stiltgrass appears as a harmless, leafy green plant that blends into the majestic scenery of your weekend hike through the woods. |
 | Digital records of preserved plants and animals change how scientists explore the worldThere's a whole world behind the scenes at natural history museums that most people never see. Museum collections house millions upon millions of dinosaur bones, pickled sharks, dried leaves, and every other part of the natural world you can think of—more than could ever be put on display. Instead, these specimens are used in research by scientists trying to understand how different kinds of life evolved and how we can protect them. And a new study in PLOS ONE delves into how scientists are using digital records of all these specimens. |
 | Hoary bat numbers declining at rate that suggests species in jeopardy in Pacific NorthwestThe hoary bat, the species of bat most frequently found dead at wind power facilities, is declining at a rate that threatens its long-term future in the Pacific Northwest, according to a novel and comprehensive research collaboration based at Oregon State University—Cascades. |
New study examines how species colonize habitats opened by anthropogenic land cover changeAs plants expand into new open habitats, geographical and climatic factors may matter more than species-specific traits, according to a study published September 11, 2019 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Miki Nomura of the University of Otago in New Zealand, and colleagues. | |
 | Topography could save sensitive saguaros as climate changesThe iconic saguaros on Tumamoc Hill served as harbingers in new research which sought to predict how the desert species will fare in the hotter, drier climate of the future and how topography might mitigate the effects of climate change. |
 | What happens underground influences global nutrient cyclesThrough the Facilities Integrating Collaborations for User Science (FICUS) program, two Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national user facilities—the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) and the DOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI)—have selected 11 proposals for support from 53 received through a joint research call. Submitted proposals addressed one of the following focus topic areas: Biofuels and bioproducts, Biogeochemistry, and Inter-organismal interactions. |
 | 5 new cases of mysterious disease found in dogs in NorwayNorwegian authorities says five more cases have appeared of an unexplained disease that has affected dozens of dogs and killed at least 26 animals across the country. |
 | China to boost pork output as swine fever drives up pricesChina is launching a nationwide initiative to boost pork production following a price spike blamed on a devastating outbreak of African swine fever. |
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