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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for January 28, 2020:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Two new outbursts detected from the magnetar 1E 1048.1−5937Using NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, astronomers have identified two new outbursts from the magnetar 1E 1048.1−5937. The newly detected events could shed more light on the nature of this source. The finding is detailed in a paper published January 17 on arXiv.org. |
 | 'Curious and curiouser!' Meteorite chunk contains unexpected evidence of presolar grainsAn unusual chunk in a meteorite may contain a surprising bit of space history, based on new research from Washington University in St. Louis. |
 | Image: Spacewalk to service the Alpha Magnetic SpectrometerESA astronaut Luca Parmitano (middle) and NASA astronaut Drew Morgan (left) work on get-ahead tasks during the fourth spacewalk to service the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS). |
 | AI could deceive us as much as the human eye does in the search for extraterrestrialsAn artificial neural network has identified a square structure within a triangular one in a crater on the dwarf planet Ceres, with several people agreeing on this perception. The result of this intriguing visual experiment, carried out by a Spanish neuropsychologist, calls into question the application of artificial intelligence to the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence (SETI). |
 | Astronaut craves salsa and surf after record 11 months aloftAfter nearly 11 months in orbit, the astronaut holding the record for the longest spaceflight by a woman can't wait to dig into some salsa and chips, and swim and surf in the Gulf of Mexico. |
 | NASA's Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe mission enters design phaseA mission to study the interaction of the solar wind with the ancient cast-off winds of other stars, and the fundamental process of particle acceleration in space, has completed a critical NASA review and is now moving closer toward a scheduled launch in 2024. Southwest Research Institute is playing a major role in the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) spacecraft, managing the payload office and providing a scientific instrument and other technology for the mission. |
 | Stalking Starlink's 'black sheep' DarkSatBy now, you've no doubt heard of (or seen) Starlink. SpaceX's mega-satellite constellation has become a permanent fixture in our skies as of late, with several routine passes on any given week. But have you seen the supposed 'black sheep' of the flock, DarkSat? |
Technology news
 | LiftTiles: Actuator-based building blocks for shape-changing interfacesLarge-scale interfaces that change shape could be used to create interactive displays or environments that can be adapted to meet the needs human users. Despite their potential, creating these systems has so far proved challenging, as they can be expensive to build and require a space big enough to allow different configurations. |
 | Shlayer macOS malware unleashes ads, involves fake Flash trapsThe macOS traditionally has been considered to be a relatively secure bet and Apple users are the first to say that in the presence of their Windows-owning companions. |
 | Instant hydrogen production for powering fuel cellsSince the Industrial Revolution, the environmental impacts of energy have posed a concern. Recently, this has driven researchers to search for viable options for clean and renewable energy sources. |
 | New artificial intelligence inspired by the functioning of the human brainInspired by the functioning of the human brain and based on a biological mechanism called neuromodulation, it allows intelligent agents to adapt to unknown situations |
 | Facebook rolls out tool globally to clear third-party dataFacebook said Tuesday a new tool allowing users of the social network to view and delete data it collects from third parties is rolling out to the estimated two billion members of the leading social network worldwide. |
 | Airbus strikes anti-corruption deals with France, UK, USEuropean aerospace giant Airbus said Tuesday that it has reached an "agreement in principle" with French, British and US authorities over corruption investigations, which might help it avoid expensive litigation. |
 | UK to allow Huawei in 5G networks but not in 'core' partsBritain decided Tuesday to give Huawei limited access to build parts of its new high-speed mobile network, in a setback for the U.S., which has been pushing allies to ban the Chinese company. |
 | Through-the-wall radar on tiny chip has a single transmitter, three receiversA through-the-wall radar, built on a chip smaller than a grain of rice, has been developed by a team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), led by Gaurab Banerjee, Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical Communication Engineering. |
 | Study evaluates effects of race, age, sex on face recognition softwareHow accurately do face recognition software tools identify people of varied sex, age and racial background? According to a new study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the answer depends on the algorithm at the heart of the system, the application that uses it and the data it's fed—but the majority of face recognition algorithms exhibit demographic differentials. A differential means that an algorithm's ability to match two images of the same person varies from one demographic group to another. |
 | Wildland Data Logistics Network: Always there with delaySince 2000, an average of 72,000 wildfires per year have cleared seven million acres of land in the United States. 2015 was the largest wildfire year in recorded American history, with more than 10 million acres of land burned and 30,000 firefighters mobilized in response. As climates become warmer and drier, wildfires are expected to increase, along with the demand for firefighting services. Many wildfires take hold in remote, hard-to-reach areas where firefighters cannot easily transmit and receive the critical data that helps them make life and property-saving decisions. |
 | How sensors and big data can help cut food wasteModern farming has evolved by adopting technical advances such as machines for ploughing and harvesting, controlled irrigation, fertilisers, pesticides, crop breeding and genetics research. These have helped farmers to produce large crops of a good quality in a fairly predictable way. |
 | Byte, video app from creator of Vine, is here and it's overrun with spam commentsThe six-second video messaging app Vine has officially risen from the ashes under a new name: Byte. And it got off to a rocky start over the weekend. |
 | Hey Google, are my housemates using my smart speaker?Surveys show that consumers are worried that smart speakers are eavesdropping on their conversations and day-to-day lives. Now University of British Columbia researchers have found that people are also concerned about something else: friends, family and others who may have access to these devices. |
 | Facebook 'supreme court' for disputes ready in monthsFacebook said Tuesday its "supreme court," designed to be the final word in content removal disputes, should be in operation in a few months, as it named a British human rights activist to a key post. |
 | Google aims AI at whales, words and well-beingGoogle on Tuesday provided a look at efforts to put artificial intelligence to use for good, from protecting whales to breaking language barriers. |
 | Renault names ex-Seat chief De Meo as CEO for post-Ghosn eraFrench auto giant Renault on Tuesday named former Volkswagen director Luca de Meo its chief executive as it seeks to regain its footing after a year of turmoil sparked by the arrest of Carlos Ghosn. |
 | Understanding emerging blockchain identity management systemsTraditional identity management has typically involved the storing of user credentials (e.g., passwords) by organizations and third parties, which often results in concerns over interoperability, security, and privacy. However, a possible solution has emerged through the use of blockchain technology to create novel identity management approaches with built-in control and consent mechanisms. This can potentially transform data governance and ownership models by enabling users to control their data and share select personal information, while helping businesses streamline operations by relying on verified user information without having to maintain the infrastructure themselves. |
 | Airbus to set aside 3.6 bn euros to settle corruption probeEuropean aerospace giant Airbus said Tuesday it has agreed to set aside up to 3.6 billion euros to settle a corruption probe by authorities in France, Britain and the United States. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Weighing more than your twin at birth may predict better achievement at schoolResearch has shown that children who are born at a low birthweight are less likely to do well in school and more likely to live in lower-income neighborhoods as adults. A new study of twins looked at the effect of birthweight on children's cognitive and socioemotional outcomes at 4 years old, taking into account families' socioeconomic status (SES). The study showed that weighing more than your twin before starting school may help with achievement. It also found that socioeconomic status accentuates the effects of birthweight on early development. |
 | An old plant virus inspires the design of a modern vaccine to fight against malariaScientists from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research have demonstrated that a novel, second-generation malaria vaccine candidate based on the tobacco mosaic virus may offer protection against Plasmodium falciparum malaria in the upcoming issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. |
 | Discovery could help slow down progression of Parkinson's diseaseA collaboration between scientists at Rutgers University and Scripps Research led to the discovery of a small molecule that may slow down or stop the progression of Parkinson's disease. |
 | AI can jump-start radiation therapy for cancer patientsArtificial intelligence can help cancer patients start their radiation therapy sooner—and thereby decrease the odds of the cancer spreading—by instantly translating complex clinical data into an optimal plan of attack. |
 | Novel insight into chromosome 21 and its effect on Down syndromeA UCL-led research team has, for the first time, identified specific regions of chromosome 21, which cause memory and decision-making problems in mice with Down syndrome, a finding that provides valuable new insight into the condition in humans. |
 | New gene correction therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophyDuchenne type muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common hereditary muscular disease among children, leaving them wheelchair-bound before the age of 12 and reducing life expectancy. Researchers at Technical University of Munich (TUM), Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) and the German Research Center for Environmental Health (Helmholtz Zentrum München) have developed a gene therapy that may provide permanent relief for those suffering from DMD. |
 | Thyroid cancer, genetic variations and cell phones linked in studyRadiation from cell phones is associated with higher rates of thyroid cancer among people with genetic variations in specific genes, a new study led by the Yale School of Public Health finds. |
 | Decoding sickle cell diseaseWhen Lamarcus Jean visits the Hematology Clinic at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, he makes himself right at home. The 6-year-old, whom his mom, Stephanie, describes as "wise beyond his years," has been a patient here since he was born. |
 | Technology used in space experiments could reveal key information about human healthIn an article published recently in Microgravity, a Nature journal, researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute demonstrate a unique method for studying the mechanisms behind the formation of amyloid fibrils associated with diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. |
 | Gene responsible for controlling activity of T follicular cells identifiedA team of researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center has identified the gene responsible for controlling the activity of T follicular helper (TFH) cells. In their paper published in the journal Science Immunology, the group describes their study of the gene Prkd2 and what they learned about its role in autoimmune diseases. |
 | Second DNA-sensing pathway in humans discoveredA team of researchers at Washington State University has discovered a second DNA-sensing pathway that initiates an antiviral response to foreign genetic material in human cells. In their paper published in the journal Science Immunology, the group describes their study of the protein kinase and what they found. |
 | Researchers develop ultasensitive blood test to predict recurrence of gastric cancersResearchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center in Baltimore, working with colleagues in the Netherlands, developed a blood test that can predict recurrence of gastric cancer in patients after surgery. A description of their test, which is still experimental, was published online Jan. 27 in the journal Nature Communications. |
 | New knowledge on how different brain cell types contribute to our movementsResearchers at Karolinska Institutet have mapped how different nerve cells in the brain area striatum process information to plan and execute our movements at just the right time and with the right vigour. The results, presented in the journal Cell Reports, show that different cell types in the striatum receive signals from completely different parts of the cerebral cortex and thus respond to different types of information. |
 | Artificial intelligence predicts treatment outcome for diabetes-related vision lossA new approach that uses artificial intelligence to analyze retinal images could one day help doctors select the best treatment for patients with vision loss from diabetic macular edema. This diabetes complication is a major cause of vision loss among working-age adults. |
 | Six patients with rare blood disease are doing well after gene therapy clinical trialUCLA researchers are part of an international team that reported the use of a stem cell gene therapy to treat nine people with the rare, inherited blood disease known as X-linked chronic granulomatous disease, or X-CGD. Six of those patients are now in remission and have stopped other treatments. Before now, people with X-CGD—which causes recurrent infections, prolonged hospitalizations for treatment, and a shortened lifespan—had to rely on bone marrow donations for a chance at remission. |
 | Smoking ban in cars carrying kids linked to 72% fall in teens' tobacco smoke exposure in EnglandThe law, banning smoking in cars carrying children, has seen the proportion of teens exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke fall by 72% in England, suggests an analysis of survey data, published online in the journal Thorax. |
 | Synthesis considers how being smart helps you at school and school helps you become smarterAcademic achievement plays an important role in children's development because academic skills, especially in reading and math, affect many outcomes, including educational attainment, performance and income at work, health, and longevity. A new synthesis looked at the relation between academic achievement (reading, math) and cognitive abilities (working memory, reasoning, executive function), and offered suggestions on how to improve educational and cognitive outcomes. |
 | New study highlights prevalence of PTSD among obstetricians and gynaecologistsA new University of Liverpool led study, published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology today, has revealed the prevalence of work-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among obstetricians and gynaecologists. |
Mayo medical student jump-starts curriculum to identify human traffickingHuman trafficking is a growing international public health concern. An estimated 400,000 people in the U.S. are affected, with as many as 88% of victims having seen a health care professional while they were being trafficked. | |
Shortness of breath and cough increase as first symptom of lung cancerGPs are being urged to consider shortness of breath and cough as potential predictors of lung cancer, after a study found they were becoming more common as the first symptom in diagnosis. | |
Better primary care needed to help young stroke survivors return to workThe role of primary care needs to be improved to help young stroke survivors return to work, according to a new study from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Cambridge. | |
 | Research leads to life changing improvement for some people living with depressionBeth MacKay knew at a young age that she saw the world differently than many of her friends and family. She thought her pessimism and cynicism were rooted in realism, a proud reminder of her Scottish roots, and not a sign of an underlying medical condition. But, that understanding of herself changed when at the age of 17, she attempted suicide. |
 | Connecting dots between higher blood pressure early in life and dementiaWhether elevated blood pressure early in life translates to increased risk of dementia is a question scientists are working to answer. |
 | Antianxiety and antidepressant effects from a single dose of psychedelic drug persist years later in cancer patientsFollowing up on their landmark 2016 study, researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine found that a one-time, single-dose treatment of psilocybin, a compound found in psychedelic mushrooms, combined with psychotherapy appears to be associated with significant improvements in emotional and existential distress in cancer patients. These effects persisted nearly five years after the drug was administered. |
NHS staff shortages mean patients miss out on early bowel cancer diagnosisAround 1,100 people in England could miss out on the chance of an early stage bowel cancer diagnosis through screening each year because of NHS staff shortages, according to new calculations released by Cancer Research UK today. | |
 | Study examines prostate cancer treatment decisionsA five-year follow-up study of more than 2,000 U.S. men who received prostate cancer treatment is creating a road map for future patients regarding long-term bowel, bladder and sexual function in order to clarify expectations and enable men to make informed choices about care. |
 | A way to look younger is right under your nose, study findsFrom face-lifts to facials and fillers, there's no shortage of ways to reduce the inevitable signs of aging. But there's one cosmetic procedure that most people don't think about as a tool that can make women look years younger. |
 | Hundreds of UCLA students publish encyclopedia of 1,000 genes linked to organ developmentA team of 245 UCLA undergraduates and 31 high school students has published an encyclopedia of more than 1,000 genes, including 421 genes whose functions were previously unknown. The research was conducted in fruit flies, and the genes the researchers describe in the analysis may be associated with the development of the brain, eye, lymph gland and wings. |
 | Discriminatory redlining practices in the 1930s associated with present-day rates of ED visits due to asthmaCurrent rates of emergency department visits due to asthma are around 2.4 times higher in areas that were redlined—deprioritised for mortgage investment—in the 1930s, than in areas rated as the least risky investments (63.5 versus 26.5 visits per 10,000 residents per year), according to an observational study from eight Californian cities, published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal. |
 | AI-analyzed blood test can predict the progression of neurodegenerative diseaseEvaluating the effectiveness of therapies for neurodegenerative diseases is often difficult because each patient's progression is different. A new study shows artificial intelligence (AI) analysis of blood samples can predict and explain disease progression, which could one day help doctors choose more appropriate and effective treatments for patients. |
 | China virus death toll tops 100 as contagion spreads abroadChina on Tuesday urged its citizens to postpone foreign travel to curb a viral outbreak that has killed 106 people, as the first cases of human-to-human contagion were detected abroad. |
 | Millions quarantined as China scrambles to halt virusChina has quarantined millions of people and urged its citizens to delay overseas travel as it scrambles to stop a deadly coronavirus epidemic from spreading further. |
 | Experts say China virus outbreak will last months at leastThe deadly new coronavirus that has broken out in China, 2019-nCoV, will afflict a minimum of tens of thousands of people and will last at least several months, researchers estimate based on the first available data. |
 | China counts 106 virus deaths as US, others move to evacuateChina's death toll from a new viral disease that is causing mounting global concern rose by 25 to at least 106 on Tuesday as the United States and other governments prepared to fly their citizens out of the locked-down city at center of the outbreak. |
The Daily Mile programme can be part of schools' work on childhood obesity preventionA study evaluating the effectiveness of the widely used 'Daily Mile' intervention in schools to tackle childhood obesity has found that the benefits are small, and may be greater in girls than boys. | |
 | Walnuts may slow cognitive decline in at-risk elderlyEating walnuts may help slow cognitive decline in at-risk groups of the elderly population, according to a study conducted by researchers in California and Spain. |
 | Nanotherapy reduces plaque buildup in mouse arteriesA drug-coated nanoparticle reduces plaque buildup in mouse arteries without causing harmful side effects, Stanford School of Medicine researchers have found. |
 | Weight loss surgery improves breathing issues in obese patientsBariatric surgery and weight loss appear to reverse some of the negative effects of obesity on the respiratory system, according to a study published in the journal Radiology. |
 | Abnormal imaging findings key to EVALI diagnosis in vapersPulmonary imaging is important in the diagnosis of the acute lung injury associated with vaping, known as electronic cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), according to a special review article published in the journal Radiology. The report outlines what is currently known about this condition and discusses remaining questions. |
 | Presence of blood clot associated with rapid aortic aneurysm growthThe presence of a blood clot on the wall of the aorta in people with abdominal aortic aneurysms is associated with more rapid, potentially dangerous growth in the aneurysm, according to a major study published in the journal Radiology. Researchers said the findings could help identify which patients need more aggressive treatment and more frequent follow-up imaging after their initial diagnosis. |
 | Kidney paired donation is an excellent option for transplant candidatesRecipients of kidney paired donation through a national program, also called kidney exchange, experience equivalent outcomes when compared with all other living donor kidney transplant recipients, according to a recent analysis. The findings, which appear in an upcoming issue of CJASN, are reassuring that a national kidney paired donation program is a safe and effective way to treat patients with incompatible living donors. |
| Germany confirms first human transmission of China virusA German man who contracted the novel strain of coronavirus was infected by a colleague visiting from China, officials said on Tuesday, in what appeared to be the first human-to-human transmission in Europe. |
 | Asian nations try to shield against deadly outbreakAsian nations were ramping up defences against a deadly viral epidemic Tuesday, sealing borders, shuttering public places and clamping down on visitors from China. |
WHO says China virus evacuations not needed: reportEvacuating foreign nationals from the epicentre of China's deadly virus outbreak is unnecessary, the World Health Organisation said Tuesday according to state media. | |
Japan confirms virus in man who had not been to ChinaJapanese authorities said Tuesday a man with no recent travel to China has contracted the novel strain of coronavirus—apparently after driving tourists visiting from Wuhan, where a deadly outbreak began. | |
 | Fig leaf or first defence? Deploying flimsy masks against virusAs fears of a deadly virus sweep the globe, panicked members of the public are depending on a flimsy first line of defence—surgical masks that are coveted, but in short supply and of limited use. |
 | Unhealthy and unhappy: The mental toll of troubled relationshipsSome forms of domestic violence double victims' risk of depression and anxiety disorders later in life, according to University of Queensland research. |
 | What you need to know about coronavirusThe latest strain of coronavirus, a respiratory illness associated with the common cold and pneumonia, has recently spread from China to the United States and Europe. As of Jan. 26, five travel-related cases in the United States have been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
 | New study reveals top factors for specialist doctor trainee job satisfactionSpecialist doctor trainee satisfaction is most strongly linked to good supervision by specialists, enough study time, and overall healthiness, new research by UNSW medical researchers has shown. |
 | Easy wheezy: A straightforward path to asthma controlResearchers at Swinburne have created a device that lets users assess and track their own respiratory condition. The device is currently in clinical trials in hospitals in Melbourne, Sydney and the UK. |
 | Coronavirus outbreak: WHO's decision to not declare a global emergency explainedThe World Health Organization's decision to not declare the novel coronavirus outbreak in China a public health emergency of international concern, or PHEIC, will surprise many. The number of reported cases and deaths is doubling every couple of days, and patients have now been reported from many Asian countries, as well as the Middle East, Europe, Australia and the US. |
 | Everything we think we know about drinking water may be wrongDo you get up from your desk at work to refill your water bottle every time it runs out—even if you're not thirsty? |
 | Gender differences in autismTools used for screening autism may play a part in the failure to detect autism in girls and women, researchers at Bournemouth University have found. |
 | Zinc lozenges do not shorten the duration of coldsAdministration of zinc acetate lozenges to common cold patients did not shorten colds in a randomized trial published in BMJ Open. |
 | Explainer: A history of the measles virus and why it's so tenaciousThe measles virus has been a part of human life for thousands of years. A recent study suggests that it appeared about 4,000 years ago, originating from a virus affecting livestock. That was also the time when cities were reaching population sizes above 250,000—enough to keep the virus spreading even though people who have had measles don't ever get it again. |
 | Messages about male circumcision aren't clear, and that's dangerousIn March 2007, international experts endorsed voluntary medical male circumcision as a partial but effective way to reduce the risk of HIV infection in men. According to the World Health Organisation, medical male circumcision can reduce a man's risk of acquiring HIV from a female sexual partner by about 60%. |
 | What we know suggests the economic impact of Wuhan coronavirus will be limitedThe Wuhan coronavirus has had a significant human toll. More than 100 people have died and nearly 3,000 are known to be infected, including some in Australia. The number actually infected will be higher. People experiencing only mild symptoms often don't report them. |
 | How contagious is the Wuhan coronavirus and can you spread it before symptoms start?Cases of the Wuhan coronavirus have increased dramatically over the past week, prompting concerns about how contagious the virus is and how it spreads. |
 | Initiative helps increase breast cancer screeningA new study has found that using a community-codesign approach can massively increase mammography screening rates among Italian and Arabic-speaking women. |
 | Emerging aerospace technologies applied to prosthetic sensorsSensors that have the potential to make aircraft safer could also be used to improve the lives of diabetics and those who rely on prosthetics. |
 | Strokes on a plane? On-board facial paralysis wasn't what it seemedAlan J. Hunter from Oregon Health & Science University was a passenger on a recent airline flight when he responded to a flight attendant's request for a "doctor on board." The flight attendant suspected that a young male passenger was having a stroke, which would require an emergency landing. However, upon examination, the physician made an unusual diagnosis. The case report is published in Annals of Internal Medicine. |
 | Treating depression important after stroke, but caution may be neededRecognising and managing depression is an important part of post-stroke treatment, but some treatments should be used with caution until more is known about the risks, according to new evidence published in the Cochrane Library today. |
 | More studies needed on use of acetaminophen prior to pregnancy, researchers sayUsing the popular painkiller acetaminophen just before pregnancy could lead to babies born smaller than usual for their gestational age or with a lower birth weight, a new study by University of Toronto researchers suggests. |
 | Making cancer risks clear boosts public support for higher alcohol pricesPeople who learn alcohol is a carcinogen—fewer than 25 percent of Canadians who consume alcohol are aware it can cause cancer—are almost two times more likely to support policies that raise the price of beer, wine and spirits. |
 | Community-based diabetes screening feasible in barbershopsCommunity-based diabetes screening in barbershops owned by black individuals is feasible and can identify undiagnosed diabetes, according to a research letter published online Jan. 27 in JAMA Internal Medicine. |
 | Unmet need for physician care not improving with more insuredMost measures of unmet need for physician services in the United States have not improved since 1998 despite gains in health insurance coverage, according to a study published online Jan. 27 in JAMA Internal Medicine. |
 | Call for FDA to withdraw preterm birth drug divides doctors and insurersDoctors fear that the only drug approved to prevent preterm birth, the nation's leading cause of infant mortality and disability, will no longer be available to expectant mothers. |
 | Survey: Nearly two-thirds of adults report feeling lonelyAmericans are feeling increasingly isolated, and health-care officials are warning that can lead to an increased risk of death. |
 | Prehospital epinephrine aids out-of-hospital pediatric cardiac arrestsPrehospital administration of epinephrine may aid pediatric patients following out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs), according to a study published in the Jan. 21 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. |
 | These doctors want to write 'farmacy' prescriptionsDoctors are used to writing prescriptions for medicine. But three Boston-area cardiologists are working on a federal program that would focus on writing prescriptions for food. |
 | Gut feelings: Gut bacteria are linked to our personalitiesSociable people have a higher abundance of certain types of gut bacteria and also more diverse bacteria, an Oxford University study has found. |
 | One minute of weekly exercise enough to provide health benefits to elderlyJust one minute of exercise per week is enough to provide health benefits to people over the age of 65, according to new research. |
 | 'Technoference': Why we should be worried about parents' screen timeMany young people spend significantly more time using screens than is recommended by health professionals. Excessive screen time has been blamed for several ills, including obesity and poor mental health. To mitigate these negative effects, we need to understand the things that encourage children to spend lots of time in front of a screen. |
 | Could psychedelics help us resolve the climate crisis?In recent years there has been a resurgent scientific interest in the psychological effects of psychedelic drugs. Consider the example of recent trials in which psilocybin was administered to people diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression. Those involved reported significantly positive responses even six months later. |
 | Study reveals 'identical' survival for kidney dialysis patients using different treatmentsResearch carried out at University of Limerick has shown that life expectancy outcomes for two of the most common forms of kidney dialysis treatment are "virtually identical". |
 | Study analyses potential global spread of new coronavirusExperts in population mapping at the University of Southampton have identified cities and provinces within mainland China, and cities and countries worldwide, which are at high-risk from the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). |
 | Researchers bid to slow down heart failureA new research project funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) at the University of Manchester aims to find a way to slow down the progression of heart failure. |
A secret reason Rx drugs cost so much: A global web of patent laws protects Big PharmaThe high price of insulin, which has reached as much as US$450 per month, has raised outrage across the country. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has called it a national embarrassment, wondering why U.S. residents should have to drive to Canada to buy cheaper insulin. | |
When will there be a coronavirus vaccine? 5 questions answeredThe coronavirus that started in Wuhan has sickened more than 4,000 people and killed at least 100 in China as of Jan. 27, 2020. Thailand and Hong Kong each have reported eight confirmed cases, and five people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with the illness. People are hoping for a vaccine to slow the spread of the disease. | |
As coronavirus outbreak evolves, key questions remainAs the Chinese government increases efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus in Wuhan, one of the country's central cities and the epicenter of the outbreak, the death toll and infection rate of the disease continues to climb. | |
 | Non-invasive electrostimulation leads to improved memory in miceResearchers at UPF are testing a new non-invasive method of stimulating the vagus nerve in mice that improves their memory. They have shown for the first time that electrostimulation in the ear of intellectual disability rodent models leads to a cognitive improvement. The study is the result of collaboration between research groups at the Department of Experimental and Health Sciences (DCEXS) and the Department of Information and Communication Technologies (DTIC). It has been coordinated by the researcher Andrés Ozaita, principal investigator at the Neuropharmacology Laboratory-NeuroPhar, and is published in the journal Brain Stimulation. |
 | Clinical features ID'd for first 2019 novel coronavirus patients(HealthDay)—As of Jan. 2, 2020, 41 patients were admitted with laboratory-confirmed 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), all of whom had pneumonia, according to a study published online Jan. 24 in The Lancet. |
 | TAVR increasingly being used in young adults despite uncertainty(HealthDay)—For young adults undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR), use of transcatheter AVR (TAVR) has increased even though open heart surgery currently is considered the best option, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, held from Jan. 25 to 28 in New Orleans. |
 | Disparities seen in outcomes for young adults with CRC(HealthDay)—Worse outcomes are seen for young adult (YA) patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) living in the lowest income and education areas, according to a study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, held from Jan. 23 to 25 in San Francisco. |
 | Can I get coronavirus from a package delivered from China?Residents at the epicenter of China's mysterious viral outbreak are quarantined. But their mailed shipments are not. Does that pose a risk? |
 | Stopping sperm in its tracks: Latest progress in the hunt for a male contraceptiveResearchers at the University of Dundee have developed an unrivalled, fully automated robotic screening system which allows them to rapidly test the effect of drugs and other chemicals on human sperm. |
 | China health threats likely to increase due to heatwavesCurrent health issues in China could be dwarfed by the future impacts of severe and frequent heatwaves caused by climate change, scientists are warning. |
 | NICU babies have greater risk of mental health issuesChildren who spend time in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at birth have a higher risk of mental health issues later, regardless of their birth weight, say McMaster University researchers. |
 | Study examines genetic testing in diverse young breast cancer patients over a decadeBreast cancer patients diagnosed under age 50 represent 18 percent of new invasive breast cancer cases in the United States. Compared to postmenopausal women, younger women are more likely to develop aggressive subtypes of breast cancer, have a worse prognosis with increased risk of recurrence, and have higher overall mortality. Young breast cancer patients also are more likely to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, which is associated with a higher frequency of BRCA1 genetic mutations. |
 | Eating disorders linked to exercise addictionNew research shows that exercise addiction is nearly four times more common amongst people with an eating disorder. |
 | US developing vaccine against deadly China virus: officialsThe United States said Tuesday it was developing a vaccine against a deadly virus that originated in China, and urged Beijing to step up its cooperation with international health authorities. |
 | More than a knee injury: ACL tears cause harmful changes in our brain structureIt's known that some joint function is often permanently lost after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and re-injury is common even with intensive physical therapy, but it's unclear why. |
 | Coronavirus outbreak could peak in ten days: Chinese expertA viral outbreak that has killed 106 people in China could reach its peak in around 10 days, a top Chinese government expert said Tuesday. |
 | Towards better anti-cancer drugs: New insights into CDK8, an important human oncogeneMost cancers are caused by a large variety of factors that vary from one person to another. To unravel this complexity, genes that contribute to the development of a respective cancer must be identified. Such genes are called oncogenes. A good example of an oncogene is CDK8: Cyclin-dependent kinase 8. Misregulated CDK8 is an important factor in the development of colon, breast and skin cancer. Hence, in recent years considerable efforts have been undertaken to develop drugs that specifically target CDK8 and that do not affect other molecules that are closely related to CDK8, but are essential for the survival of human cells. A research team at the University of Bayreuth led by biochemist Dr. Claus-D. Kuhn has now discovered how CDK8 is activated in healthy humans. The research results are published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences U.S.A. Apart from novel basic biochemical insights, the presented results suggest a new method by which CDK8-specific inhibitors could be developed in future. |
 | Novel molecules display potent and selective action against ovarian tumor cellsA group led by a researcher affiliated with the University of São Paulo's São Carlos Chemistry Institute (IQSC-USP) in Brazil has developed a novel palladium compound that acts against ovarian tumor cells without affecting healthy tissues. Palladium is a silvery white metal belonging to the same group as platinum. |
 | Biomarkers of brain function may lead to clinical tests for hidden hearing lossA pair of biomarkers of brain function—one that represents "listening effort," and another that measures ability to process rapid changes in frequencies—may help to explain why a person with normal hearing may struggle to follow conversations in noisy environments, according to a new study led by Massachusetts Eye and Ear researchers. Published online last week in the scientific journal eLife, the study could inform the design of next-generation clinical testing for hidden hearing loss, a condition that cannot currently be measured using standard hearing exams. |
 | Research offers promise for treating schizophreniaResearch by a University of Georgia psychologist shows that targeting one particular symptom of schizophrenia has a positive effect on other symptoms, offering significant promise for treating an aspect of schizophrenia that currently has no pharmaceutical options. |
 | Virtual assistants provide disappointing advice when asked for first aid, emergency infoVirtual assistants don't yet live up to their considerable potential when it comes to providing users with reliable and relevant information on medical emergencies, according to a new study from University of Alberta researchers. |
 | Fact Check: Novel coronavirus breeds global false claimsA deadly novel coronavirus outbreak, which has infected more than 4,500 people and spread to 15 countries since emerging in China, has also spawned many false claims on social media. |
 | Best urban design for reducing road injuriesCity design combining more public transport and rail networks with smaller, low speed blocks are the best to reduce road transport injuries, according to a new global study co-authored by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The findings are published in The Lancet Planetary Health. |
 | Pneumonia recovery reprograms immune cells of the lungResearchers have determined that after lungs recover from infection, alveolar macrophages (immune cells that live in the lungs and help protect the lungs against infection) are different in multiple ways and those differences persist indefinitely. |
 | US beefs up screening of travelers for new virus from ChinaU.S. health officials are expanding their checks of international travelers for signs of a worrisome new virus from China, even as they say the risk to Americans so far is very low. |
 | The future of human healing lies in the brain of a starfishThe incredible benefits of stem cell therapy have been widely known for decades. It can alleviate the pain of arthritis, and help patients heal exponentially faster after surgery. But stem cell therapies are prohibitively expensive—to the tune of $100,000 to $200,000 per patient. Because of the exorbitant cost, these life-changing treatments are far out of range of the vast majority of those who need them. But thanks to Chemical Engineering Professor Kris Noel Dahl and Veronica Hinman, head of CMU's Department of Biological Sciences, stem cell therapy is about to get a whole lot cheaper. And the key to it all lies in the incredible regenerative powers of starfish. |
 | Critically injured soldiers have high rates of mental health disordersU.S. combat soldiers who suffered a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are more likely than soldiers with other serious injuries to experience a range of mental health disorders, according to a new retrospective study by University of Massachusetts Amherst health services researchers. |
 | Bad to the bone: Specific gut bacterium impairs normal skeletal growth and maturationMicrobes are often seen as pathogens that cause disease, but the picture is actually more complex than that limited view. The gut microbiome, which is the collection of microorganisms that colonize the healthy gut, is considered a supporting organ that can regulate host biological functions, including skeletal health. Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) who study osteoimmunology, the interface of the skeletal and immune systems, have examined the impact of a specific microorganism, segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), on post-pubertal skeletal development. Their results, published online on Jan. 10 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research Plus, showed that SFB elevated the response of specific immune cells in the gut and liver. This response led to increased osteoclast activity and decreased osteoblast activity, cumulatively impairing bone mass accrual. |
 | Team examines the link between cognition and hearing or vision lossThere is a long-established and widely recognized link between declines in sensory acuity—particularly hearing and vision—and cognition. Data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), involving tens of thousands of participants across the country aged 45 to 85, backs this up. |
 | 100 years after the advent of TB vaccines, formulations vary widelyEach year, more than 100 million newborns around the world receive vaccinations against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, or TB, which infects about one-quarter of the world's population. Facilities across the world produce several different formulations of these vaccines, known as Bacille Calmette Guérin (BCG) vaccines. These are given interchangeably, yet new research from the Precision Vaccines Program at Boston Children's Hospital calls that practice into question. |
 | Number of German coronavirus patients jumps to fourGermany now has four confirmed cases of the coronavirus sweeping China, health officials said Tuesday, all of them employees at a Bavarian firm recently visited by a Chinese colleague. |
US attorney announces $145M settlement in opioid caseA San Francisco-based health information technology company will pay $145 million to resolve criminal and civil charges that it helped set up an electronic health records system that encouraged physicians to prescribe opioids to patients who might not need them, federal prosecutors in Vermont said Monday. | |
Nurse home visits after hospitalization for heart failure improve patient outcomes at a reasonable costCompared to usual care, transitional care services, such as nurse home visits, can improve health outcomes and reduce readmissions for a reasonable cost after hospitalization for heart failure. The authors suggest that transitional care services should become the standard of care for post-discharge management of patients with heart failure. Findings from a microsimulation study are published in Annals of Internal Medicine. | |
 | Mercury can attenuate the beneficial health effects of fishHigher serum long-chain omega-3 fatty acid concentration, a marker for fish consumption, was beneficially associated with cardiac performance in middle-aged and older men from eastern Finland. However, methylmercury exposure, mainly through certain fish species, attenuated these associations, according to a new Ph.D. thesis from the University of Eastern Finland. |
 | Artificial nerve cells could cure chronic diseasesWith its promise to bring new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of conditions as varied as cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, bioelectronic medicine is now in the spotlight. Bringing together various fields like biochemistry, molecular medicine, neuroscience, immunology, electrical and mechanical engineering, computer science and mathematics, bioelectronic medicine focuses on electrical signaling in the nervous system. |
| China's coronavirus: rising death toll, global impactA new virus that China announced in late December has killed more than 100 people, infected more than 4,000 and spread to around 15 countries. |
 | US, others prepare evacuations as virus spreads from ChinaThe United States and several other nations prepared Tuesday to airlift citizens out of a Chinese city at the center of a virus outbreak that has killed more than 100 people. |
 | High school basketball player saved by CPR helps win championshipWhen 17-year-old Ben Blankenhorn received his CPR certification as part of his lifeguard training, the lessons carried added resonance. |
| Judging the gravity of the coronavirus outbreakHow serious is the coronavirus outbreak? What are its symptoms and how contagious is it? Experts studying the new virus, still have key questions to answer before they can assess its danger. |
Biology news
 | Beating the heat in the living wings of butterfliesA new study from Columbia Engineering and Harvard identified the critical physiological importance of suitable temperatures for butterfly wings to function properly, and discovered that the insects exquisitely regulate their wing temperatures through both structural and behavioral adaptations. |
 | Humans not always to blame for genetic diversity loss in wildlifeConservationists should be wary of assuming that genetic diversity loss in wildlife is always caused by humans, as new research published today by international conservation charity ZSL (Zoological Society of London) reveals that, in the case of a population of southern African lions (Panthera leo), it's likely caused by ecological rather than human factors. |
 | Scientists short-circuit maturity in insects, opening new paths to disease preventionNew research from UC Riverside shows scientists may soon be able to prevent disease-spreading mosquitoes from maturing. Using the same gene-altering techniques, they may also be able help boost reproduction in beneficial bumblebees. |
 | How do men and women store fat differently? Ask the fruit flyWhen it comes to determining how women and men store fat differently, it turns out fruit flies may hold the key. |
 | Scientists zero in on endgame for nasty bacteriaMedications were once discovered by finding active ingredients in traditional remedies or by serendipitous discovery. A relatively new approach is to understand how disease and infection are controlled at the molecular level, designing new therapies based on this knowledge. |
 | In search for keys to regeneration, scientists ask a lot of the axolotlThe type of salamander called axolotl, with its frilly gills and widely spaced eyes, looks like an alien and has other-worldly powers of regeneration. Lose a limb, part of the heart or even a large portion of its brain? No problem: They grow back. |
 | Squid brains approach those of dogsWe are closer to understanding the incredible ability of squid to instantly camouflage themselves thanks to research from The University of Queensland. |
 | Mouse brain region processes sound and motion at the same timeNew insight on how information relating to sound and movement is processed in the brain has been published today in the open-access journal eLife. |
 | Rethinking land conservation to protect species that will need to move with climate changeAll plants and animals need suitable conditions to survive. That means a certain amount of light, a tolerable temperature range, and access to sources of food, water and shelter. |
 | Hungry for hutia? Our taste for Bahamas' 'most peaceable rodent' shaped its diversityThe Bahamian hutia, a large Caribbean rodent with a blissed-out disposition, presents a curious case study in how human food preferences can drive biodiversity, sometimes shaping it over 1,000 years. |
 | Glass frogs reappear in Bolivia after 18 yearsA rare species of frog native to the eastern slopes of the Bolivian Andes has been spotted in the South American country for the first time in 18 years, the investigation team that made the discovery told AFP. |
 | Pulling out weeds is the best thing you can do to help nature recover from fireMany Australians feel compelled to help our damaged wildlife after this season's terrible bushfires. Suggested actions have included donating money, leaving water out for thirsty animals, and learning how to help the injured. But there is an equally, if not more, important way to assist: weeding. |
 | Feral horses are destroying fragile post-fire habitat in the Australian AlpsOn Friday I flew in a helicopter over the fire-ravaged Kosciuszko National Park. I was devastated by what I saw. Cherished wildlife species are at grave risk of extinction: those populations the bushfires haven't already wiped out are threatened by thousands of feral horses trampling the land. |
 | It's time to start using ecological forecasts to manage ecosystemsDrastic interventions in an ecosystem, like deciding whether to eradicate an unwanted species, can have unforeseen, and sometimes even undesirable, consequences on the rest of the species present in that ecosystem. |
 | Studying the geometry of a common skin diseaseIn a recent study from Hiroshima University, researchers turned to mathematics to predict hive patterns in humans. |
 | Second of its kind 'sharpshooter' leafhopper from Brazil 'strikes' with its colourationWhen, in 2014, Brazilian researchers stumbled across a never-before-seen red-eyed leafhopper feeding inside the rosettes of bromeliads, growing in the restingas of southeastern Brazil, they were certain it was a one-of-a-kind discovery. Described as new-to-science species, as well as genus (Cavichiana bromelicola) and added to the sharpshooter tribe Cicadellini, it became the first known case of a leafhopper feeding on otherwise nutrition-poor bromeliads in their natural habitat. |
 | New study identifies bumble bees' favorite flowers to aid bee conservationMany species of North American bumble bees have seen significant declines in recent decades. Bumble bees are essential pollinators for both native and agricultural plants, and their ability to fly in colder temperatures make them especially important pollinators at high elevation. Bumble bee declines have been attributed to a handful of factors, including lack of flowers. Not all flowers are used equally by bumble bees, and determining which flowers bumble bees use can aid bumble bee conservation by identifying the specific plants they need to thrive. |
 | 'Scrambled' cells fix themselvesHuman cells have a defense mechanism that protects them from microbial attacks, a Canadian-led team of international researchers has discovered. |
 | Harrington Seed Destructor kills nearly 100 percent of US agronomic weed seeds in lab studyIn the battle against herbicide-resistant weeds, farmers are increasingly eager to add non-chemical control methods to their management toolbox. Impact mills, which destroy weed seeds picked up by a combine, have been shown to kill 70-99% of weed seeds in soybeans, wheat, and other small-statured cropping systems. And a recent Weed Science study from the University of Illinois shows even seeds that appear unscathed after impact milling don't germinate the following spring. |
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