Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Jan 8

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for January 8, 2020:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Intrinsic quantized anomalous Hall effect in a moiré heterostructure

The Milky Way's impending galactic collision is already birthing new stars

Double-checking the science: Ocean acidification does not impair the behavior of coral reef fishes

Sea-ice-free Arctic makes permafrost vulnerable to thawing

3-D movies reveal how cuttlefish determine distance when striking at prey

Black hole transient GRS 1716−249 investigated in hard and intermediate states

Planet WASP-12b is on a death spiral, say scientists

Experiments into amorphous carbon monolayer lend new evidence to physics debate

People view rationality and reasonableness as distinct principles of judgment

Discoveries detail role of stem cell in deadly gastric cancer

Bacterial link in celiac disease

Intel, Lenovo spread foldable computer fever at CES

Early humans revealed to have engineered optimized stone tools at Olduvai Gorge

Urban health scare: E-scooters show alarming spike in injuries

Findings on education, malnutrition 'deeply disturbing'

Astronomy & Space news

	The Milky Way's impending galactic collision is already birthing new stars The outskirts of the Milky Way are home to the galaxy's oldest stars. But astronomers have spotted something unexpected in this celestial retirement community: a flock of young stars.
	Black hole transient GRS 1716−249 investigated in hard and intermediate states Astronomers have investigated a black hole transient known as GRS 1716−249 with NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR). The new study provides crucial insights into properties of the source in its hard and intermediate spectral states. Results of the research were published December 31 on arXiv.org.
	Planet WASP-12b is on a death spiral, say scientists Earth is doomed—but not for 5 billion years. Our planet will be roasted as our sun expands and becomes a red giant, but the exoplanet WASP-12b, located 600 light-years away in the constellation Auriga, has less than a thousandth of that time left: a comparatively paltry 3 million years.
	Virgin Galactic's next spaceship reaches build milestone Virgin Galactic's next passenger spaceship has reached a major construction milestone, the company said Wednesday.

Technology news

	Intel, Lenovo spread foldable computer fever at CES Will more foldable and dual-screen PCs be more like the norm rather than the novelty? CES 2020 has shown promising signs that good things are coming down the pike.
	Skin-like sensors bring a human touch to wearable tech University of Toronto Engineering researchers have developed a super-stretchy, transparent and self-powering sensor that records the complex sensations of human skin.
	Can sea star movement inspire better robots? Have you ever seen a sea star move? To many of us, sea star seem motionless, like a rock on the ocean's floor, but in actuality, they have hundreds of tube feet attached to their underbelly. These feet stretch and contract to attach to rough terrain, hold on to prey and, of course, move.
	AI for #MeToo: Training algorithms to spot online trolls Researchers at Caltech have demonstrated that machine-learning algorithms can monitor online social media conversations as they evolve, which could one day lead to an effective and automated way to spot online trolling.
	China facial-recognition case puts Big Brother on trial Facial-recognition technology has become embedded in China, from airports to hotels, e-commerce sites and even public toilets, but a law professor had enough when asked to scan his face at a safari park.
	Sex tech from women-led startups pops up at CES gadget show Sex tech is gracing the CES gadget show in Las Vegas this week, a year after organizers took fire for revoking an innovation award to a sex device company led by a female founder.
	Report: Ransomware takes down online currency exchange A week after a malicious virus infected its network, the London-based foreign currency exchange company Travelex had yet to restore digital sales and was reported infected with ransomware by hackers threatening to release personal data unless it pays a $3 million ransom.
	Samsung Electronics flags one-third drop in Q4 operating profit Samsung Electronics' operating profits fell by more than a third in the fourth quarter, the world's biggest manufacturer of smartphones and memory chips estimated Wednesday.
	Koenigsegg, a supercar challenging Swedish stereotypes For a quarter century, Koenigsegg has been making supercars for a niche market typically reserved for Italian luxury brands, while challenging perceptions of Swedish modesty.
	AI-powered avatar at tech show touted as 'artificial human' Avatars touted as "artificial humans" created a buzz Tuesday at the Consumer Electronics Show even as debate swirled on what exactly the digital entities were.
	A simplified way to turn food waste into hydrogen energy Americans discard as much as 40 percent of their food, worth about $200 billion a year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A simple new method from Purdue University scientists could help cut down that amount of waste—and provide another renewable source of clean energy.
	Batteries made with sulfur could be cheaper, greener and hold more energy Lithium-ion batteries have changed the world. Without the ability to store meaningful amounts of energy in a rechargeable, portable format we would have no smartphones or other personal electronic devices. The pioneers of the technology were awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize for chemistry.
	Why media education in schools needs to be about much more than 'fake news' The 2019 general election is already being remembered as the one where misinformation went mainstream. It was, of course, already on the political agenda after the 2016 referendum and US election, with growing numbers of academics and parliament sounding the alarm over foreign actors using so-called "fake news" to disrupt the democratic processes.
	Deepfakes: Informed digital citizens are the best defense against online manipulation More than a decade ago, Internet analyst and new media scholar Clay Shirky said: "The only real way to end spam is to shut down e-mail communication." Will shutting down the Internet be the only way to end deepfake propaganda in 2020?
	Reports: Regulatory coordination key to optimizing cross-border electricity trade in South Asia South Asia is one of the fastest growing regions in the world, possessing substantial generation potential yet nevertheless plagued by electricity supply shortages. Open electricity trading across borders can help, but poor regulatory alignment between neighboring countries can stand in the way of success.
	Top automotive tech at CES 2020 Automakers use the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to get creative. Sometimes the results can seem a little too creative—we don't expect to see connected streetlights or adaptive sidewalks, as some companies have pitched in years past, anytime soon.
	AI can now read emotions—but should it? In its annual report, the AI Now Institute, an interdisciplinary research center studying the societal implications of artificial intelligence, called for a ban on technology designed to recognize people's emotions in certain cases. Specifically, the researchers said affect recognition technology, also called emotion recognition technology, should not be used in decisions that "impact people's lives and access to opportunities," such as hiring decisions or pain assessments, because it is not sufficiently accurate and can lead to biased decisions.
	Data ownership is a recipe for better living in the city Today, both public enterprises and private companies in the major cities collect large quantities of data about the citizens living in those cities, and most people derive little benefit from this. However, if the citizens own and control their own data, life in the city can be much better.
	The future of social media: What we can learn from why people leave Facebook The number of active users of Facebook (those people who have logged onto the site in the previous month) has reached an historic high of 2.45 billion. To put this in some context, approximately 32% of the global population now use the social media platform, and the trend line of participation is still going up.
	Virtual reality, real injuries: Study shows how to reduce physical risk in VR Carpal tunnel, stiff shoulders, eye-strain headaches—these are all well-known side effects of prolonged computer use. But what happens when you step away from the desktop and into virtual reality?
	A sensor to detect human body conditions in real-time DGIST announced that Professor Hyuk-Jun Kwon in the Department of Information and Communication Engineering developed a 'patch-based health diagnosis sensor system' that is easily attached to skin in association with Professor Sunkook Kim's research team at Sungkyunkwan University. This sensor is attached to skin as if attaching a band-aid and collects various health information in real-time by monitoring biosignals and certain movements, leading to expectations for diverse applications.
	Decrappifying brain images with deep learning Textbook descriptions of brain cells make neurons look simple: a long spine-like central axon with branching dendrites. Taken individually, these might be easy to identify and map, but in an actual brain, they're more like a knotty pile of octopi, with hundreds of limbs intertwined. This makes understanding how they behave and interact a major challenge for neuroscientists.
	Hollywood-backed Quibi thinks you'll pay for its video bites A startup heavily backed by Hollywood is wagering that you're ready to set aside YouTube and TikTok to watch star-studded short videos on your phone—for a price.
New US autonomous vehicle plan lets industry regulate itself The Trump administration on Wednesday unveiled its most recent round of guidelines for autonomous vehicle makers that still rely on the industry to police itself despite calls for specific regulations.
	Ivanka Trump's appearance at CES tech show draws criticism The nation's largest consumer electronics show hosted Ivanka Trump as a keynote speaker—a choice that drew scorn from many women in technology.
	Planes, trains and bills: Britain's big projects dilemma A high-speed train that won't start. An overcrowded airport that can't expand. A new subway line that never runs.
	Algorithms help to find minimum energy paths and saddle points more effectively Olli-Pekka Koistinen, doctoral candidate at Aalto University, developed machine-learning algorithms based on Gaussian process regression to enhance searches of minimum energy paths and saddle points, and tested how well the algorithms work.
	Croydon-based robot maker Macron Dynamics needs workers Even this deep into the national economic boom, little Macron Dynamics in scuffed-up Croydon plans to double its plant capacity and hire 20 more people. That is, if it can find the right building and workers for its $18-an-hour entry-level manufacturing jobs.
	'Sex tech' aims to rise above negative image Sex toys are for relaxation. For education. For healing after childbirth. For long-term or long-distance relationships. For women's emancipation.

Medicine & Health news

	Discoveries detail role of stem cell in deadly gastric cancer A Cornell study provides important new insights into a common and deadly type of gastric cancer.
	Bacterial link in celiac disease Bacterial exposure has been identified as a potential environmental risk factor in developing coeliac disease, a hereditary autoimmune-like condition that affects about one in 70 Australians.
	Urban health scare: E-scooters show alarming spike in injuries Electric scooters are increasingly part of the crowded urban landscape, but a UC San Francisco study has found a major surge of injuries related to scooters, particularly among young adults.
	Cellular clock regulating human spine development More than 20 years ago, the lab of developmental biologist Olivier Pourquié discovered a sort of cellular clock in chicken embryos where each "tick" stimulates the formation of a structure called a somite that ultimately becomes a vertebra.
	Research in mice shows antibodies derived from mom's gut microbes protect newborns from E. coli infection Mother's milk has been long touted for its salutary effects on the newborn and its ability to shield infants from certain infections.
	Disorderly DNA helps cancer cells evade treatment Each cell in the human body holds a full two meters of DNA. In order for that DNA to fit into the cell nucleus—a cozy space just one hundredth of a millimeter of space—it needs to be packed extremely tight.
	Cigarette smoke damages mental health, too For decades, doctors have warned about the health risks of smoking. However, their warnings focused on the physical risks that cigarettes pose to health, such as lung cancer, heart disease, low birth weight and high blood pressure, among others. Now, Professor Hagai Levine at Hebrew University of Jerusalem's-Hadasssah Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine has published findings related to the mental health risks related to smoking.
	Study: Human body temperature has decreased in the US since the 19th century Since the 19th century, the average human body temperature in the United States has dropped, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
	Persistence of gut microbial strains in twins, living apart after cohabitating for decades Your fingerprints stay the same all your life. But what about the "fingerprint" of microbial strains that are shared in the guts of childhood twins?
	Scientists discover how tuberculosis puts the brakes on immune engines Scientists from Trinity have discovered both how TB puts the brakes on our immune engines and how we can kick-start those engines back into gear—providing hope that improved treatment options could soon be on the horizon.
	Cystic fibrosis carriers are at increased risk for cystic fibrosis-related conditions Conventional wisdom says that having just one mutated copy of the cystic fibrosis gene has no effects on a person's health—the disease occurs when both copies of the gene are mutated. But a new study from the University of Iowa suggests that may not be the case.
	How dying cells prevent dangerous immune reactions Dying cells in the body can keep the immune system in check, thus preventing unwanted immune responses against the body's own tissues. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center have now identified a receptor on murine immune cells that activates this protective mechanism and can thus prevent dangerous autoimmune reactions in which the immune system attacks the patient's own body tissues.
	Next generation wound gel treats and prevents infections Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have developed a new hydrogel based on the body's natural peptide defense. It has been shown to prevent and treat infections in wounds. The formulation kills multi-resistant bacteria, something that is increasing in importance with antibiotic resistance growing globally.
	Plant-derived SVC112 hits cancer stem cells, leaves healthy cells alone The red, tube-shaped flowers of the firecracker bush (Bouvardia ternifolia), native to Mexico and the American Southwest, attract hummingbirds. The bush also provides the chemical bouvardin, which the lab of University of Colorado Cancer Center and CU Boulder researcher, Tin Tin Su, Ph.D., and others have shown to slow a cancer's ability to make proteins that tell cancer cells to grow and spread. Now a paper based on nearly half a decade of work, published in the journal Cancer Research, shows that the molecule SVC112, based on bouvardin and synthesized by Su's Colorado-based pharmaceutical startup, SuviCa, Inc. acts specifically against head and neck cancer stem cells (CSCs), resulting in better tumor control with less toxicity to healthy cells than existing, FDA-approved protein synthesis inhibitors. The group hopes these promising preclinical results will lay the groundwork for human clinical trials of SVC112 in head and neck cancer patients.
	Could pancreatitis be a stress hormone deficiency? In work that could have clinical implications, UT Southwestern researchers find that humans and mice with pancreatitis are deficient in a stress hormone called FGF21. Normally, FGF21 is more abundant in the pancreas than in any other organ in the body. They also show that replacement therapy reverses the condition in mouse models in about 24 hours and may even prevent it.
	Neurons' energy organelle protected from damage linked to ALS, Alzheimer's A sophisticated new screening platform developed by scientists at Scripps Research has enabled them to discover a set of drug-like compounds, including an ingredient found in sore throat lozenges, that may powerfully protect brain cells from dangerous stresses found in Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
	Drowning death rates 3 to 4 times lower in US states that regulate open water swim sites Rates of drowning deaths in US states that more comprehensively regulate open water swim sites are three to four times lower than in states without any such policies, reveals research published online in the journal Injury Prevention.
	Sweet success—sugar levels drop in UK yogurts A survey of yogurt ingredients show that sugar levels have significantly decreased in the last two years, but concerns about overall nutritional content remain.
	Lifestyle choices could slow familial frontotemporal dementia A physically and mentally active lifestyle confers resilience to frontotemporal dementia (FTD), even in people whose genetic profile makes the eventual development of the disease virtually inevitable, according to new research by scientists at the UC San Francisco Memory and Aging Center.
	Genetic differences help distinguish type 1 diabetes in children from 'type 1.5' in adults A multi-center team of researchers led by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has discovered a genetic signature that could help distinguish an adult-onset form of diabetes sharing many type 1 diabetes (T1D) characteristics from pediatric-onset T1D, opening the door to potentially more straightforward diagnostic tests for the adult condition and improving responses by ensuring patients receive the most appropriate treatment.
	New Yorkers are initiating treatment earlier after HIV infection, study shows The most effective way to reduce HIV-related deaths and prevent onward transmission is to diagnose and treat all persons as soon as possible after HIV infection. According to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, New Yorkers living with HIV are being treated sooner after infection. The time to treatment initiation was reduced in tandem with expanded HIV testing and treatment efforts in New York City.
	Heart transplants from donors with hepatitis C may be safe and could help decrease organ shortage One-year survival was similar for adults with severe heart failure who received a heart transplant from a donor with hepatitis C compared to those who received hearts from donors who did not have hepatitis C, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the open access journal of the American Heart Association.
	Cancer mortality continues steady decline, driven by progress against lung cancer The cancer death rate declined by 29% from 1991 to 2017, including a 2.2% drop from 2016 to 2017, the largest single-year drop in cancer mortality ever reported. The news comes from Cancer Statistics, 2020, the latest edition of the American Cancer Society's annual report on cancer rates and trends.
	Pancreatic cancer cells secrete signal that sabotages immune attack on tumors A key immune signal has a previously unknown role in turning off the immune system's attack on pancreatic cancer cells, a new study finds.
	Study shows protein inhibitor as potential treatment approach for common mutations found in non-Hodgkin lymphomas A study at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated a potential new approach to treating two of the most common subtypes of lymphoma through manipulation of molecular programs controlled by the cAMP-response element binding protein (CREBBP). Mutations of CREBBP are frequently found in follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL), and allow malignant cells to hide from the immune system.
	BMI over time beats genetics in predicting future obesity The promise of genetic testing is charming doctors and patients who are eager to finally make a dent in rising obesity rates. After all, weighing too much is a risk factor for lots of chronic diseases and greatly affects quality of life, but knowing this hasn't made it easier to reverse the growing tide of obesity around the world.
	Genetic testing provides insights to sudden unexplained deaths in Amish community Researchers used post-mortem genetic testing to find the underlying cause of multiple sudden deaths in young people and sudden cardiac arrests in two large Amish families.
	Palliative care in hospitals linked to decrease in use of ICU; treatment intensity A new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that implementing hospital-based palliative care services in New York State reduces treatment intensity at the end of life for hospitalized patients. Findings are online in JAMA Network Open.
	Despite effective therapy, US rate of breast conservation lower than other countries Neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) can shrink tumors in breast cancer patients and in some cases allow for breast conserving therapy (lumpectomy) who would otherwise require a mastectomy. Yet, in the United States, about 55 percent of patients who become eligible for breast conserving therapy after NST underwent breast conserving therapy compared to 80 percent in Europe and Asia, a new study led by investigators at Brigham and Women's Hospital shows. In JAMA Surgery, the team reports their findings, including that patients treated in Europe or Asia were 2.6 times as likely to undergo breast conserving therapy rather than a mastectomy compared to those treated in North America when adjusted for clinically significant factors.
	Sleep deprived? Study finds losing a night of sleep may increase Alzheimer's biomarker A preliminary study has found that when young, healthy men were deprived of just one night of sleep, they had higher levels of tau, a biomarker for Alzheimer's disease, in their blood than when they had a full, uninterrupted night of rest. The study is published in the January 8, 2020, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
South Korea reports 1st possible case of viral pneumonia South Korea has put a 36-year-old Chinese woman under isolated treatment amid concerns that she brought back a form of viral pneumonia that has sickened dozens in mainland China and Hong Kong in recent weeks.
	A molecular switch for stomach disease Infectious diseases triggered by bacteria and other microbes are the most frequent cause of human mortality around the globe. Roughly half of the world's population carries the stomach-infecting bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori), which is known to be the most significant risk factor for ulcers, MALT lymphoma and adenocarcinoma in the stomach. The rapid spread of pathogens resistant to antibiotics is making it increasingly difficult to treat infections like these using antimicrobial therapies. A research team from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) has now revealed a new mechanism that controls the causes of infection with H. pylori. These findings could eventually lead to new therapies. The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.
	Teen perceptions about e-cigarette health risks vary by socioeconomics and personal demographics Teenagers' gender, sexual orientation, household income and their parents' level of education are among factors that impact whether they believe that nicotine, toxins and other chemicals in e-cigarette and vaping products are harmful to their health, according to new research conducted by the Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science of the American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives. The study was published today in the journal Health Promotion Practice, a journal of the Society for Public Health Education.
	Australia's obesity epidemic leading to increased risk of cardiovascular disease Researchers from The University of Western Australia and the Royal Perth Hospital Medical Research Foundation are warning that Australia's obesity epidemic is undermining expert attempts to reduce cardiovascular disease.
	The dark side of supportive relationships Imagine that you've had a heated argument with a co-worker, and you call up your husband or wife to talk about it. Your partner can react in one of two ways.
	The gene responsible for cognitive defects in Down syndrome Learning and memory impairments in a Down syndrome mouse model were reversed by correcting expression of a gene that influences the generation of new neurons in the brain. The finding could pave the way to treat the cognitive impairment associated with the syndrome in humans.
	Diet soda may be hurting your diet Artificial sweeteners are everywhere, but the jury is still out on whether these chemicals are harmless. Also called non-nutritive sweeteners, these can be synthetic—such as saccharin and aspartame—or naturally derived, such as steviol, which comes from the Stevia plant. To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved six types of artificial and two types of natural non-nutritive sweeteners for use in food.
	New treatment for muscular dystrophy wins US regulatory approval Research led by Professor Steve Wilton and Professor Sue Fletcher and licensed to Sarepta Therapeutics has delivered a second treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, with the drug gaining accelerated approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
	Eight deaths in Germany blamed on shrew-borne disease Eight cases of the Borna virus, transmitted by shrews, have been identified in encephalitis patients who died between 1999 and 2019, researchers said Wednesday.
	Patients push limits for clues to chronic fatigue syndrome Researchers hooked Zach Ault to medical monitors as he slowly climbed onto a gym bike. An invisible disease is sidelining this once avid athlete and he knew the simple exercise would wipe him out—but Ault was pedaling for science.
	Smoking may leave a legacy of increased pain, even after quitting Former daily smokers report higher levels of pain than people who have never smoked daily, and their pain levels are similar to people who currently smoke daily, according to a new UCL study.
	Novel approach to treating tactile hypersensitivity in patients with autism-spectrum disorders Harvard University and Deerfield Management announced today the selection of a first project for funding under the Lab1636 R&D alliance that aims to advance promising innovations from labs across the University toward the clinical development of novel therapeutics.
	Music does give your workout a boost Gymgoers who've accidentally left their headphones at home might be all too familiar with this frustrating feeling: Exercising without music is a much harder go.
	Physical activity and dietary behavior parallel each other from childhood to adulthood Consumption of fruits and vegetables is higher and more frequent in individuals who are physically active when compared to their less-active peers. Persistent leisure-time physical activity from childhood to adulthood as well as increasing activity are associated with higher fruit and vegetable consumption.
Team uncovers largest US outbreak of neurologic disease to date The Lancet Infectious Diseases recently published the results of an observational study led by researchers on Children's Hospital Colorado Infectious Disease and Neurology teams, along with counterparts at the Centers for Disease Control and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The study was conducted from March 1 to November 30, 2018, and led to a discovery of the largest outbreak of enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) in the United States.
	Just don't eat it: Play Doh, dry pasta show little gluten transfer when used for play Parents who worry their child with celiac disease may be exposed to gluten at school might be able to strike two common school substances—Play Doh and dry, uncooked pasta—from the exposure risk list, as long as children don't consume them. A study from Children's National Hospital published in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition found no significant gluten transfer on hands or surfaces after children used these items for classroom and sensory play.
	Ethnic groups have higher risk of developing a physical disability Men and women from a South Asian background are more likely to develop a physical disability and struggle with day-to-day physical activities throughout adulthood compared with their White British counterparts, new research published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences reports.
	Hundreds of novel viruses discovered in insects New viruses which cause diseases often come from animals. Well-known examples of this are the Zika virus transmitted by mosquitoes, bird flu viruses, as well as the MERS virus which is associated with camels. In order to identify new viral diseases quickly and prevent possible epidemics, DZIF scientists at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin are targeting their search at viruses in animals. In a current study, they have now discovered hundreds of novel viruses in insects. The results have been published in PLOS Pathogens.
	How does your body respond to feelings of moral outrage? It depends on your politics When you see someone being unfair, disloyal or uncaring toward others, do you feel a sense of moral outrage in the form of a twisting stomach, pounding heart or flushing face? And is it possible that your body's response depends on your political affiliation?
	Healthy habits in middle age linked to longer life free from disease Sticking to a healthy lifestyle including not smoking, not being overweight, and exercising regularly, is associated with a longer life expectancy at age 50 free of major diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, finds a study in The BMJ today.
	What matters more for obesity risk, genes or lifestyle? (HealthDay)—A new study suggests that genetics is not destiny when it comes to your odds of becoming obese.
	Are some antidepressants less risky for pregnant women? About one in ten women in Québec will suffer from depression during pregnancy. Without treatment, the illness carries risks for both mother and child. Yet antidepressants are not without consequences for fetal development. The team of professor Cathy Vaillancourt at the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) is studying the effects of these drugs in order to identify the least harmful ones.
	Women's wellness: The morning-after pill The morning-after pill is a type of emergency birth control (contraception). Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy for women who've had unprotected sex or whose birth control method has failed.
	Artificial intelligence has come to medicine. Are patients being put at risk? Health products powered by artificial intelligence, or AI, are streaming into our lives, from virtual doctor apps to wearable sensors and drugstore chatbots.
	Two drugs used in combination prove to be effective against most aggressive asbestos cancer in mice Exposure to asbestos is the major risk factor for malignant mesothelioma, a type of aggressive cancer that mostly affects the pleura—the tissue that lines the lungs—and the peritoneum—the tissue that lines the abdomen. This has been known for decades, yet the molecular characterisation of mesothelioma is barely known and treatment options are scarce. A study carried out by researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) on key molecular processes in this type of cancer identified two drugs that, used in combination, could be effective against the most aggressive type of mesothelioma. The compounds are already being used in clinical trials for other tumours, a fact that might help speed up studies on mesothelioma patients.
	Less-than-perfect kidneys can be successfully used for transplants, study shows A new Johns Hopkins Medicine-led study provides the strongest evidence to date that hundreds of deceased donor kidneys, discarded each year after being deemed not suitable under current medical criteria, can be transplanted safely and effectively.
	Directly measuring function in tiny hearts The amount of blood that the heart pumps in one minute (cardiac output) can be directly measured safely in newborns by monitoring changes in blood velocity after injecting saline, indicates a paper published online Dec. 17, 2019 in the Journal of Pediatrics and Neonatal Medicine. The research, conducted by Children's National Hospital faculty, is believed to be the first clinical study of direct cardiac output measurement in newborns.
	Patient step counts predict lung cancer treatment outcomes, study finds Numerous studies have shown that monitoring physical activity promotes better health—from reducing body mass index to watching for signs of hypertension, for example. A new study suggests step counters could play yet another role: predicting outcomes for people undergoing chemoradiation therapy for lung cancer.
	Online patient tool is associated with increased likelihood of receiving kidney transplant Taking a more active role in one's own health is known to promote better outcomes, but it is especially critical for patients who are waiting for a kidney transplant. Patients with kidney failure who actively used an online patient portal to track the status of their health care improved their chances of getting a kidney transplant and shortened their wait times for an operation, according to an "article in press" published on the website of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons ahead of print.
Study: Early intervention of hyperkalemia cuts mortality in half In a new study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, Adam Singer, MD, et al reported that quickly correcting high potassium levels, a condition known as hyperkalemia, in emergency department patients cut mortality in that population by half.
	Certain steps help lead to healthy pregnancies in women with rheumatoid arthritis For women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), taking certain steps to ensure that they have a healthy pregnancy leads to a reduced risk of complicated birth or miscarriage, according to a study in Arthritis Care & Research.
Study examines childhood weight and obesity in adolescence Excess weight at age 3 years was associated with a higher risk of being overweight or obese at age 15 years in a study of adolescents in Japan.
ACR and Arthritis foundation release updated treatment guideline for OA Today, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation (AF), released the 2019 ACR/AF Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip and Knee. The ACR periodically updates guidelines to reflect any advances in management added to the literature since the last publication, which in this case was 2012.
	Study reveals sex differences in the global burden of glaucoma Worldwide, the burden of glaucoma—quantified as health loss—is higher in men than in women, according to a recent analysis published in Acta Ophthalmologica.
	Study examines opioid involvement in US drug overdoses Fatal overdoses involving stimulants (cocaine and other psychostimulants, primarily methamphetamine) have been increasing over the past few years. A recent analysis published in Addiction found that in 2016, 27% of overdose visits to U.S. emergency departments involving cocaine and 14% involving psychostimulants also involved an opioid. Also, in 2017, almost 75% of overdose deaths involving cocaine and half involving psychostimulants involved at least one opioid.
	Alcohol-related deaths have increased in the United States An analysis of death certificates suggests that the number of alcohol-related deaths doubled in the United States between 1999-2017.
	Does inflammatory bowel disease carry certain risks during pregnancy? Pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are more likely to undergo delivery by Caesarean section and face certain risks during pregnancy, according to an analysis of published studies.
	Study reveals long-term benefits of weight loss surgery in adults with obesity and diabetes Researchers recently conducted the largest study to date to evaluate the effectiveness of weight loss surgery in a Chinese population of individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
	Study examines the benefits of childbirth education classes during pregnancy Participating in childbirth classes may help women have normal vaginal deliveries, according to a study published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics.
	Antipsychotic medications linked to brain injuries in individuals with Alzheimer's disease Use of antipsychotic medications was associated with an increased risk of head injuries in a study of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. The findings are published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
	Overweight and obesity linked to higher cancer risks in large Danish study Overweight and obesity were associated with higher risks of several common cancers in a 40-year, nationwide Danish study.
	Future patient care at risk unless health research protected and boosted: report Health research faces a crisis that could impact on patient care, says a new report led by 10 prominent figures in the NHS and academia.
	I'm an OB/GYN who attended thousands of deliveries before wondering why Americans give birth in bed A few years ago I visited Dar a Luz, the only free-standing birth center in New Mexico. It looks nothing like the towering urban hospitals I have spent my career working in. Nestled into a valley at the outskirts of Albuquerque, Dar a Luz is more like an earthy homestead. At the perimeter, a wood fence surrounds a sun-drenched courtyard with a rock garden and a footpath that expecting mothers pace while in labor.
Many in LA jails could be diverted into mental health treatment More than 3,300 people in the mental health population of the Los Angeles County jail are appropriate candidates for diversion into programs where they would receive community-based clinical services rather than incarceration, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
	Relation between physical violence and not having adequate check-ups during pregnancy Women who fail to have adequate check-ups during pregnancy are more likely to be suffering physical violence at the hands of their partners.
	Study finds celebrity disclosures increase discussion of miscarriage on Twitter A new Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) study characterizes how Twitter users discuss miscarriage and preterm birth. Published in Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, the study finds that miscarriage disclosures by Michelle Obama and other public figures prompted spikes in discussion, and in other people sharing their own experiences of miscarriage. The study also gathered thousands of individuals' tweeted experiences with miscarriage, showing gaps in knowledge and support.

Biology news

	Double-checking the science: Ocean acidification does not impair the behavior of coral reef fishes Sometimes it helps to check the facts. You may be surprised what you find.
	3-D movies reveal how cuttlefish determine distance when striking at prey While cuttlefish wearing glasses is an unexpected sight, a University of Minnesota-led research team built an underwater theater and equipped the cephalopods with specialized 3-D glasses to investigate how cuttlefish determine the best distance to strike moving prey. Their research revealed cuttlefish use stereopsis to perceive depth when hunting a moving target.
	The perfect tempo within the cells to develop vertebrae Timing is everything when it comes to the embryonic development of pre-vertebrae divisions along the body of an embryo, according to researchers in Japan. A new live-imaging technique in mouse cells suggests a specific clock gene, Hes7, oscillates at a time delay to give rise to the vertebrae, spinal column and occipital bone in vertebrates. The research, published in the journal Nature, sheds light on how cells' internal communication is controlled and timed in normal development, and which compounds are involved.
	Researchers find that organisms grow more brain cells in predator-heavy environments Research by Trinity College Professor of Biology Kent Dunlap and two of his former students was published last month in one of the world's oldest scientific journals, the London-based Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
	How many parasites can a bird carry? A breakthrough by ecologists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography has implications for multiple fields of biology.
	New study shows 'organic' wounds improve produce Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists found benefits of insect leaf-wounding in fruit and vegetable production. Stress responses created in the fruits and vegetables initiated an increase in antioxidant compounds prior to harvest, making them healthier for human consumption.
	Mapping the body, speck by speck PNNL chemists, biologists, and data analysts have teamed to create one of the most in-depth portraits ever taken of protein populations across tissue sections that are vanishingly small, each tinier than a speck of dust just visible on a computer screen.
	Human immune cells produced in a dish in world first One day the advance could lead to a patient's own skin cells being used to produce new cells for cancer immunotherapy or to test autoimmune disease interventions.
	Chinese paddlefish declared extinct A team of researchers at the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences in Wuhan, China has declared the Chinese paddlefish (Psephurus gladius) as extinct. In their paper published in the journal Science of The Total Environment, the group describes their study of the large fish and outline why they believe it has gone extinct.
	Researcher helps fill in the family tree of the shy mountain beaver The long-held notion that today's muskrat-sized mountain beavers are primitive and look like their ancestors is wrong, says the University of Oregon's Samantha Hopkins.
	Scientists improve yield predictions based on seedling data A doctor diagnosing a 50-year-old patient based on a blood test taken during the patient's infancy would be unthinkable.
	Outbreak science: Infectious disease research leads to outbreak predictions Infectious diseases have a substantially growing impact on the health of communities around the world and pressure to both predict and prevent such diseases is ever-growing. LSU Assistant Professor of Biological Science Tad Dallas and colleagues developed a simple approach to accurately predict disease outbreaks by combining novel statistical techniques and a large dataset on pathogen biogeography.
	How do corals make the most of their symbiotic algae? Corals depend on their symbiotic relationships with the algae that they host. But how do they keep algal population growth in check? The answer to this fundamental question could help reefs survive in a changing climate.
	LED lighting in greenhouses helps but standards are needed While LED lighting can enhance plant growth in greenhouses, standards are needed to determine the optimal intensity and colors of light, according to Rutgers research that could help improve the energy efficiency of horticultural lighting products.
	The tricks animals use to survive Australia's bushfires Have you ever wondered how our native wildlife manage to stay alive when an inferno is ripping through their homes, and afterwards when there is little to eat and nowhere to hide? The answer is adaptation and old-fashioned ingenuity.
	A season in hell: Bushfires push at least 20 threatened species closer to extinction Images of desperate, singed koalas in blackened landscapes have come to symbolize the damage to nature this bushfire season. Such imagery has catalyzed global concern, but the toll on biodiversity is much more pervasive.
	The start of biological spring in Africa is linked to the quantity of hours of sunshine Experts from the University of Seville have published a recent study in which they determine that the start of the increase in the verdure of vegetation (equivalent to the start of spring) in Africa is directly connected to the amount of hours of sunshine a day—that is to say, it would be the "photoperiod" which controls this process and not the arrival of the first rains, as was believed until now. This work has been published in Communications Biology, a new review from the Nature group.
	A response key for survival of Mycoplasma genitalium in the urogenital tract uncovered Metals (iron, zinc, nickel, cobalt, etc.) participate in numerous enzymatic reactions and are essential nutrients for bacteria. Inside our organism, but these metals are scarcely available, because they are bound to proteins which preserve and transport them to the cells and tissues where they will be used.
	Fish species benefit from marine protection to varying extents Marine protected areas reduce fish mortality by limiting harvesting and reducing habitat destruction. They are often designed and implemented to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable fisheries. New research shows these conservation efforts lead not only to an increase in the total number of fishes (individuals) in general, but protected areas in the northern Mediterranean Sea also harbour a higher number of common fish species, and significant positive network effects accumulate between individual reserves. This was found by a team of researchers from multiple institutions including the German Centre of Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Tel Aviv University, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ). Their results have been published in the Journal of Applied Ecology and shed new light onto how fish communities respond to protection.
	How the rice blast fungus 'eats' its own cell wall to launch an attack All living organisms respond and adapt to changes in their environment. These responses are sometimes so significant that they cause alterations in the internal metabolic cycles of the organism—a process called "metabolic switching." For example, rice blast fungus—a pathogenic fungal species that causes the "rice blast" infection in rice crops—switches to the "glyoxylate cycle" when the nutrient source starts to deplete. Another response to environmental change is called "cell differentiation," where cells switch to another type altogether. In rice blast fungus, for example, the fungal cells differentiate and generate a large amount of pressure on the cell wall, causing the fungus to develop a specialized structure called "appressorium," which ultimately facilitates the infection. Such methods of adaptation have been seen across various organisms, but exactly how they occur is not very clear yet.
	Fish switch: Identity of mystery invader in Florida waters corrected after 20 years Sometimes scientists make mistakes. Case in point is the chanchita, a South American freshwater fish that has been swimming in Florida's waters for at least two decades, all the while identified by experts as another invader, the black acara.
	New discovery will help fight lethal oilseed rape disease Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire have found a way to improve the resilience of oilseed rape and reduce the estimated £100m annual loss to phoma stem canker, one of the most important winter diseases of oilseed rape in the UK.
	Indian authorities admit to flaws in tiger counts after criticism The National Tiger Conservation of India (NTCA) has proposed a revamp of their tiger monitoring program, after strong criticism from both independent scientists and media.
	The calm of the deer "Humans can have strong effects on the behaviour of wild animals and even influence their day and night rhythm," said conservation biologist Dr. Marco Heurich from the University of Freiburg. A team headed by Nadège C. Bonnot of the The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) has now investigated how the targeted reintroduction of lynx throughout Europe has affected the behavior of deer—the lynx's favorite food—and the role of human activities in the changes. Bonnot, Heurich and the other researchers involved have published their results in the Journal of Animal Ecology.
	In the face of extreme climate events, ASU professor to link network of groups developing nature-based solutions Extreme climate events are severely affecting communities in the U.S. and around the world. The examples are plenty. Australia is currently burning on a scale never seen before—14.5 million acres scorched, half a billion animals killed and hundreds of thousands of people displaced. Hundreds of fires are still burning out of control.

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