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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for May 24, 2016:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Scientist suggests possible link between primordial black holes and dark matterDark matter is a mysterious substance composing most of the material universe, now widely thought to be some form of massive exotic particle. An intriguing alternative view is that dark matter is made of black holes formed during the first second of our universe's existence, known as primordial black holes. Now a scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, suggests that this interpretation aligns with our knowledge of cosmic infrared and X-ray background glows and may explain the unexpectedly high masses of merging black holes detected last year. |
 | Potential habitats for early life on MarsRecently discovered evidence of carbonates beneath the surface of Mars points to a warmer and wetter environment in that planet's past. The presence of liquid water could have fostered the emergence of life. |
 | Are mystery Mars plumes caused by space weather?Mysterious high-rise clouds seen appearing suddenly in the martian atmosphere on a handful of occasions may be linked to space weather, say Mars Express scientists. |
 | Astrophysicists detect most luminous diffuse gamma-ray emission from Arp 220A University of Oklahoma team has detected for the first time the most luminous gamma-ray emission from a galaxy—the merging galaxy Arp 220 is the nearest ultraluminous infrared galaxy to Earth, and it reveals the hidden extreme energetic processes in galaxies. The first gamma-ray detection of an ultraluminous infrafred galaxy occurs when the most energetic cosmic rays collide with the interstellar medium causing these galaxies to glow—expanding observations of these galaxies to the highest energy ranges. Luminous infrared galaxies and ultraluminous infrared galaxies—many of them the product of mergers between galaxies—are the most luminous of all galaxies. |
 | Hubble finds clues to the birth of supermassive black holesAstrophysicists have taken a major step forward in understanding how supermassive black holes formed. Using data from Hubble and two other space telescopes, Italian researchers have found the best evidence yet for the seeds that ultimately grow into these cosmic giants. |
 | India successfully tests small space shuttleIndia has successfully tested its first small space shuttle as part of its efforts to make low-cost reusable spacecraft. |
 | The dark side of the diffuse galaxiesA team of International astronomers, led by members of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, has measured for the first time the mass of an ultra-diffuse galaxy using the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS (GTC). |
 | Europe launches fresh satellite pair for sat-nav systemEurope's Galileo sat-nav system, a rival to America's GPS, took a step closer to becoming operational Tuesday with the launch of a fresh pair of satellites to join a dozen already in space. |
 | Image: Stellar association Vulpecula OB1New stars are the lifeblood of our Galaxy, and there is enough material revealed by this Herschel infrared image to build stars for millions of years to come. |
 | Astronomer explores universe through remote-controlled telescopeAccess by the astronomers at The University of Alabama to the Jacobus Kapteyn Telescope in the Canary Islands will benefit both research and students at UA. |
 | NASA begins launch preparations for the first US asteroid sampling missionNASA's first spacecraft designed to return a piece of an asteroid to Earth arrived Friday, May 20, at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and has begun final preparations in advance of its September launch. |
 | CALIFA galaxy study releases dataset onlineThe Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area Survey (CALIFA) has released all of the data assembled over six years of study. The data of more than 600 galaxies is accessible at http://califa.caha.es/DR3. The archive is the largest dataset of spatially resolved properties of galaxies ever assembled. |
Technology news
 | System converts solar heat into usable light, increasing solar cell's overall efficiencyA team of MIT researchers has for the first time demonstrated a device based on a method that enables solar cells to break through a theoretically predicted ceiling on how much sunlight they can convert into electricity. |
 | Shortened URLs may open a window on your lifeIt may be convenient to shrink a long, convoluted web address into just a few characters that will fit into a tweet, but the trend of using shortened URLs offers a new opportunity for hackers to invade your privacy, Cornell Tech researchers warn. |
 | People power crucial for low-carbon future, new research showsPolicy makers must harness the power of ordinary people if society is to transition to a low-carbon energy future, argues a leading technology historian. |
 | Coming soon to Twitter: More room to tweet (Update)Twitter is making some big changes, at least in the context of 140 characters or fewer. |
 | Google Science Journal adds meat to bone for hungry science seekers(Tech Xplore)—One way that younger learners can take notes, observe, interpret and predict: Google has announced a Science Journal. This is designed to be a digital science notebook for Android devices. What might be a 20-minute classroom talk can turn into a structured experiment using this app called Science Journal. |
 | Google Maps directions may soon lead you to ... more adsYou might start seeing more ads when getting directions from Google's popular mapping service. |
 | Solar Impulse plane postpones Ohio departure (Update)A solar-powered plane set to fly from Ohio to Pennsylvania on Tuesday delayed its departure to inspect possible damage due to a mishap, organizers said. |
 | Facebook makes changes to avoid political biasFacebook on Monday said it was making changes aimed at keeping political bias out of its "trending" stories list even though an internal investigation revealed no evidence it was happening. |
Smaller cities across US opening high-tech crime centersMichelle Plante scoured a surveillance video for clues, trying to identify the man seen shooting at someone in a Hartford playground recently in broad daylight. Luckily, no children were there, and the man fled into a nearby house after missing his target. | |
Microsoft's Minecraft is heading to China"Minecraft," the popular Microsoft-owned, world-building video game, is heading to China. | |
California's tech industry is headed toward a new frontierCalifornia technology companies are poised to take the lead in developing new anti-drone and gun safety tools for the federal government - adding another layer of complexity to the West Coast industry's relationship with East Coast intelligence agencies. | |
 | Can 'scrubbing' your online identity save your reputation?What happens when you Google yourself? For those worried about less than favorable search results or news stories, "scrubbing" has emerged as a popular approach to improving a poor online reputation. From celebrities and large corporations to universities and organizations, there is a growing appetite to boost the online image of their brand. One way to do that is to hire experts to clean up and literally wipe negative mentions of them from the Internet. Here, David Choffnes, professor in the College of Computer and Information Science, weighs in on whether scrubbing is an effective and realistic way to manage and improve an online reputation. |
 | Most drivers still want to retain at least some control of automated carsDespite greater coverage of driverless technology advancements the past couple of years, most Americans still prefer to drive themselves—at least partially, say University of Michigan researchers. |
 | It's easier to defend against ransomware than you might thinkRansomware – malicious software that sneaks onto your computer, encrypts your data so you can't access it and demands payment for unlocking the information – has become an emerging cyberthreat. Several reports in the past few years document the diversity of ransomware attacks and their increasingly sophisticated methods. Recently, high-profile ransomware attacks on large enterprises such as hospitals and police departments have demonstrated that large organizations of all types are at risk of significant real-world consequences if they don't protect themselves properly against this type of cyberthreat. |
 | We need to know the algorithms the government uses to make important decisions about usIn criminal justice systems, credit markets, employment arenas, higher education admissions processes and even social media networks, data-driven algorithms now drive decision-making in ways that touch our economic, social and civic lives. These software systems rank, classify, associate or filter information, using human-crafted or data-induced rules that allow for consistent treatment across large populations. |
 | New multiphoton microscope and endoscope could speed up disease diagnosisTwo new optical devices could reduce the need to take tissue samples during medical examinations and operations and to then send them for testing – potentially speeding up diagnosis and treatment and cutting healthcare costs. |
 | Outdated systems placing maritime vessels at risk of cyber-attack, study suggestsMaritime vessels are under significant threat of cyber-attack because many are carrying outdated software and were not designed with cyber security in mind, according to new research. |
 | French tax police raid Google's Paris officesFrench investigators swarmed Google's Paris offices on Tuesday as part of a tax fraud investigation, with the US Internet giant saying it is "cooperating fully" with the probe. |
 | China's Huawei sues Samsung over wireless patentsChinese technology titan Huawei said Tuesday it filed suit in the United States against Samsung, claiming its South Korean rival has infringed on patents on wireless connectivity for mobile devices. |
 | Best Buy offers weak profit view, says CFO stepping downBest Buy Co. on Tuesday offered a disappointing profit outlook for the current quarter, weighed in part by a recent earthquake in Japan that hurt the availability of some highly profitable products. |
 | Google ex-boss Schmidt reveals he has an iPhoneTech industry titans Tim Cook and Eric Schmidt took their battle for corporate domination to the heart of Europe on Tuesday seeking to win over new startups and IT enthusiasts. |
 | Toyota to invest in ride-hailing app UberToyota said Tuesday it is investing in Uber, making it the latest car company to put money in a ride-hailing app. |
High performance golf club comes with annoying soundIn 2007, a new type of golf club hit the market. The distribution of mass in the club head made it less likely to twist, making an off-center hit less likely to send the ball veering off course. It did have one drawback: a loud noise when it struck the ball, piercing through the tranquility of a golf course. The club never grew popular among players, with many saying they disliked the noise. | |
 | An open source toolbox for pure mathematicsThe field of pure mathematics has always depended on computers to make tables, prove theorems and explore new theories. Today, computer aided experiments and the use of databases relying on computer calculations are part of the pure mathematician's standard toolbox. In fact, these tools have become so important that some areas of mathematics are now completely dependent on them. |
 | Researchers examine the wake-up times of German Twitter usersFor many people, the alarm clock rings much too early on Mondays. These people suffer from a mismatch between their social obligations and natural human circadian rhythms that are dictated by the biological clock, which is normally set by the sun. Chronobiologists call the difference in mid sleep time on work and free days "social jetlag". Researchers at the University of Potsdam and the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences recently studied whether posts on social media can be used as a new data source for understanding sleep and wake activity. |
 | Perception research with motion simulatorsIn the Cyberneum at the Tübingen-based Max Planck Campus, people are transported into virtual worlds in order to investigate how our brain processes impressions. A motion simulator - a cable robot - has recently been developed that makes entirely new experiments possible, says Heinrich Bülthoff, head of the Research Department. We interviewed him about the underlying research interest, the conscious and entirely real deception of human senses and cooperation with the aviation and automotive industries. |
 | Rigid water pipes, fit for the futureAt IFAT 2016 Fraunhofer presents a modern, intelligent and sustainable water energy transition concept for urban areas. It will be implemented during the next three years in the city of Lünen, Westphalia. Visitors of the booth will be able to experience the project results via a digital game platform. At May 31 and June 2, 2016 the presentation of the results and the serious game will take place at 4.00 p.m. at the booth (hall A5, booth 217/316). |
 | Algerian authorities destroy mountain of pirated CDs, DVDsPower shovels and a bulldozer have destroyed a huge mound of 2 million illegally copied CDs and DVDs outside Algeria's Culture Ministry, as part of a government pledge to crack down on long-rampant digital piracy. |
 | Microsoft opens wallet to extend Internet in remote areasMicrosoft has joined other tech giants working to deliver the Internet in remote parts of the world, although it's taking a smaller-scale approach than some of its rivals. |
 | Nuclear foes renew push to shut plant near ManhattanEnvironmentalists urged US nuclear regulators Tuesday to shut down a nuclear plant near New York after inspections showed an unusually high number of degraded bolts in a reactor. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Researchers identify genes linked to the effects of mood and stress on longevityThe visible impacts of depression and stress that can be seen in a person's face—and contribute to shorter lives—can also be found in alterations in genetic activity, according to newly published research. |
 | One hormone shot put diabetic mice into long-term remission, study saysIn research that may point the way to new treatments for Type 2 diabetes, obese and diabetic mice who got a single shot of a growth-promoting peptide directly into their brains experienced lasting remission from the disease without any sustained changes to their diet or their weight. |
 | Research points to possible new prevention strategies for ovarian cancerResearch revealing early changes at epigenetic level points to possible new prevention strategies for ovarian cancer |
 | New method gives scientists a better look at how HIV infects and takes over its host cellsViruses attack cells and commandeer their machinery in a complex and carefully orchestrated invasion. Scientists have longed probed this process for insights into biology and disease, but essential details still remain out of reach. |
 | Research sheds new light on mental health risks to children of older fathersThe increased risk of mental illness in children of older fathers is unlikely to result from men's genes mutating with age, according to new research from The University of Queensland. |
 | New way to grow blood vessels could boost regenerative medicineGrowing tissues and organs in the lab for transplantation into patients could become easier after scientists discovered an effective way to produce three-dimensional networks of blood vessels, vital for tissue survival yet a current stumbling block in regenerative medicine. |
 | New targets for vaccines identified on the surface of the malaria parasiteDozens of potential new protein targets for malaria vaccines have been identified and characterized on the surface of the transmitted sporozoite stage of the malaria parasite. The research also demonstrates for the first time that some proteins on the surface of the parasite have sugar additions that could cloak them from the human immune system. A paper describing the research by a collaboration of scientists from Johns Hopkins University; the Center for Infectious Disease Research in Seattle, Washington; the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, Washington; Harvard Medical School; and Penn State University, is available online in the April 29, 2016 issue of the journal PLOS Pathogens. |
 | Money really does matter in relationships: studyOur romantic choices are not just based on feelings and emotions, but how rich we feel compared to others, a new study published in Frontiers in Psychology has found. |
 | Genetic variants isolated that lead to enhanced PD-L1 protein production in cancer cells(Medical Xpress)—A large team of researchers from a host of research facilities across Japan has found some genetic variants in some cancer cells that lead to enhanced PD-L1 protein production—which results in increased protection against attacks by the immune system. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the team describes their sequencing study involving adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma cases, what they found and the possibility that such variants could be used as identifying markers in cancer patients. |
 | New study surveys genetic changes linked with Parkinson's diseaseAfter Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease (PD) is the leading neurodegenerative disorder, affecting close to a million Americans, with 50,000 new cases diagnosed every year. A progressive disorder of the nervous system affecting movement, PD typically strikes adults in mid-life. In many cases, the spread of the disease to other brain areas leads to Parkinson's disease dementia, characterized by deterioration of memory, reason, attention and planning. |
 | New study of high-risk teens reveals a biological pathway for depressionA long line of research links poverty and depression. Now, a study by Duke University scientists shows how biology might underlie the depression experienced by high-risk adolescents whose families are socio-economically disadvantaged. |
 | Kicking the habit: Adult smoking rate in US is falling fastThe nation seems to be kicking its smoking habit faster than ever before. |
Exposure to common flame retardant chemicals may increase thyroid problems in womenWomen with elevated levels of common types of flame retardant chemicals in their blood may be at a higher risk for thyroid disease—and the risk may be significantly higher among post-menopausal women, according to a new study from researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. | |
Study uncovers early genetic changes in premalignant colorectal tissueResearchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered mutations that may fuel early cancer growth in precancerous colorectal tissue from high-risk patients. | |
 | Smoking during pregnancy associated with increased risk of schizophrenia in offspringA study by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC), New York State Psychiatric Institute and colleagues in Finland reports an association between smoking during pregnancy and increased risk for schizophrenia in children. The paper evaluated nearly 1,000 cases of schizophrenia and matched controls among offspring born in Finland from 1983-1998 who were ascertained from the country's national registry. Results showed that a higher maternal nicotine level in the mother's blood was associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia among their offspring. The findings persisted after adjusting for important confounding factors including maternal and parental psychiatric history, socioeconomic status, and maternal age. The study provides the most definitive evidence to date that smoking during pregnancy is associated with schizophrenia. |
 | Teenage pregnancies hit record low, reflecting efforts of England's strategy to reduce under-18 conceptionsRates of teenage pregnancy in England have halved since the implementation of the Government's Teenage Pregnancy Strategy (TPS) in 1999, and the greatest effect is seen in areas of high deprivation and areas that received the most TPS funding, according to research published in The Lancet. |
 | Exercise, future anticancer therapy?At age 70, Alfred Roberts plays hockey twice a week. Nothing special, right? Except that for three years he has had advanced prostate cancer, which has spread to his bones. "I've always been active. Hockey keeps me in shape and keeps my mind off things. I've got friends that have played until age 80, and my goal is to beat them!" said the veteran stick handler. |
New disease gene will lead to better screening for pediatric heart diseaseCardiomyopathy, or a deterioration of the ability of the heart muscle to contract, generally leads to progressive heart failure. It is frequently inherited, and, because approximately 40% of children born with it are likely to die within five years of diagnosis, being able to identify its genetic basis is particularly important. Now, an international team of researchers has identified a new disease gene which is implicated in the development of severe paediatric cardiomyopathies. The gene is probably also involved in a milder, adult-onset form of the condition. | |
One in four patients develop heart failure within four years of first heart attackOne in four patients develop heart failure within four years of a first heart attack, according to a study in nearly 25 000 patients presented today at Heart Failure 2016 and the 3rd World Congress on Acute Heart Failure by Dr Johannes Gho, a cardiology resident at the University Medical Center Utrecht, in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Risk factors included older age, greater socioeconomic deprivation, and comorbidities such as diabetes. | |
 | As Zika spreads, Florida town a study in bug-borne illnessA summer flu seemed to be sweeping through Rachel Heid's riverfront neighborhood. Pale and shaky, she left work with a fever. Neighbors had the same symptoms, and a contractor at her home felt so sick he went to the hospital. |
Long-term antibiotic use for some with COPDDear Mayo Clinic: I have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and my doctor is recommending an antibiotic drug long term. Why is this needed? | |
 | Epigenetic modification increases susceptibility to obesity and predicts fatty liverScientists of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), led by the German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE), have demonstrated that the epigenetic modification of the Igfbp2 gene observed in young mice precedes fatty liver in adulthood. In addition, young animals with this modification exhibit impaired glucose metabolism and are significantly more prone to morbid obesity. Annette Schürmann of DIfE said, "In morbidly obese people with incipient diabetes, we were able to demonstrate this modification in the corresponding gene. In the future, it may potentially be used as a risk marker." |
Targeted treatment for liver cancer underwayResearchers at the University of Eastern Finland and Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen have discovered a new molecular mechanism that can be used to inhibit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma, which is the most common liver cancer. The findings were published in Nature Medicine. | |
 | Survey reveals few GPs use alternatives to face-to-face consultationsDespite policy pressure on GPs to offer consultations by email or internet video programmes such as Skype, few GPs do and most have no plans to introduce them in future, according to a new study. |
 | Touch creates a healing bond in health careIn contemporary health care, touch – contact between a doctor's hand and a patient – appears to be on its way out. The expanding role of CT and MRI imaging is decreasing reliance on touch as a way of making diagnoses. Pressures to move patients through the system more quickly leave health professionals with fewer opportunities to make contact. Our experience suggests that when doctors spend fewer minutes with patients, less time is available for touch. |
Wearable fitness monitors don't motivate exercise, says studyThe results of a new study on physical activity have researchers asking what in the world will it take to get people moving. | |
 | Study finds childhood fitness reduces long-term cardiovascular risks of childhood obesityA new study from a group of international researchers has identified a potentially effective tool to reduce the long-term health risks of childhood obesity-aerobic exercise. |
Oncologists need to better discuss patient life expectancyDespite their nearness to death, a sizeable proportion of advanced cancer patients remain unaware of basic information about their illness or its treatment, researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine report. Reviewing test results with their oncologist not only improves patients' understanding of the fatal nature of their illness, but also helps to inform their decisions about care. | |
 | Closer to the source of the itchPsoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that affects some 125 million people worldwide. It is characterized by itchy, scaly skin plaques. The exact cause of psoriasis is unclear. But mounting evidence implicates the immune system in the overproduction of cell-signalling molecules called cytokines, which stimulate skin cells called keratinocytes to express genes that maintain an inflammatory microenvironment. Now, scientists at Hokkaido University in Japan have found more evidence that a cytokine called IL-17A is especially critical in this process. |
 | Relationships key to mental health recovery, says new studyMental health service users saw the relationships with their care coordinators as being central to their recovery and felt that care plans were largely irrelevant, according to mental health researchers at City University London, Swansea University and Cardiff University. |
High level of HIV diagnoses in New Zealand persists in 2015224 people were diagnosed with HIV in New Zealand in 2015—a similarly high figure to last year—according to data released today by the AIDS Epidemiology Group based at the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine at the University of Otago. | |
 | Better outcomes for stroke patientsStroke care and patient outcomes are set to improve after Monash Health received a Stroke Clinical Registry Initiative Grant. |
 | Cannabis use linked to gene mutationScientists from The University of Western Australia have identified how using cannabis can alter a person's DNA structure, causing mutations which can expose them to serious illnesses, and be passed on to their children and several future generations. |
 | How our modular brain pieces the world togetherPicture a close friend. Imagine their face, the sound of their voice, their height, what they normally wear. You might be surprised to learn you have just used a host of different brain regions to recall this information. |
 | Breakthrough could help sufferers of fatal lung diseasePioneering research conducted by the University of Sheffield is paving the way for new treatments which could benefit patients suffering from the fatal lung disease pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). |
 | How neural circuits implement natural visionAt any given moment, the neuronal circuits in the brain receive and process sensory information that permits us to perceive and interact with the environment. Yet it remains unclear how the visual brain processes natural stimuli. Together with an international team of researchers from the Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in Marseille, the CNRS in Gif-Sur-Yvette, and New York State University, neuroscientists Jens Kremkow and Ad Aertsen from the Bernstein Center Freiburg have developed a new computational model that simulates how neurons in the visual cortex process sensory stimuli. This model may help neuroscientists to better understand how neuronal networks in the visual system process natural stimuli. The study has now been published in the journal Frontiers in Neural Circuits. |
Facebooking your doctor's appointmentTelemedicine, which allows doctors to communicate, diagnose and even treat their patients remotely is on the rise thanks to advances in information technology. It allows healthcare workers to securely monitor patients in inaccessible parts of the world as well as providing more timely responses for patients in many situations. New research published in the International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics suggests that the well-known social networking site, Facebook, and smart phone use could make telemedicine even more common and useful in healthcare. | |
 | Discovery of new heart attack risk factor could save lives, research findsScreening diabetes patients for damage to the blood vessels in their eyes, kidneys or nerves, could help doctors predict their risk of having a heart attack or stroke, new research has found. |
Vitamin A may help improve pancreatic cancer chemotherapyThe addition of high doses of a form of vitamin A could help make chemotherapy more successful in treating pancreatic cancer, according to an early study by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). The promising initial results have led to the potential treatment being tested in a new clinical trial. | |
Zika conspiracy theories on social media putting vulnerable people at riskConspiracy theories and pseudoscientific claims refuting the facts around Zika virus vaccines could be putting vulnerable people at risk, according to a new study published in Vaccine. By analyzing social media in real time, researchers were able to identify conversations about Zika virus vaccines and pinpoint the conspiracy theories being discussed. | |
May repairs full of mistakes develop into cancer?A group of researchers at Osaka University found that if DNA damage response (DDR) does not work when DNA is damaged by radiation, proteins which should be removed remain instead, and a loss of genetic information can be incited, which, when repaired incorrectly, will lead to the tumor formation. | |
Current screening methods miss worrisome number of persons with mild cognitive impairmentMild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a slight but noticeable and measurable decline in cognitive abilities, such as remembering names or a list of items. While changes may not be severe enough to disrupt daily life, a clinical diagnosis of MCI indicates an increased risk of eventually developing Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia. | |
 | Opinion: More accountability needed in how drugs are priced and reimbursedApproving new medicines that hit the market is the responsibility of the EU, but it is left up to individual member states to decide which ones they wish to subsidise. New prescription medicines can be very expensive and few patients could afford novel drugs for cancer and especially rare conditions if they had to pay out of their own pockets. But, thanks to state subsides, what most EU patients pay is only a fraction of the original price, be it in the form of a flat prescription fee (as happens in England) or various levels of patient co-payment depending on the patient and the medicine (as happens in Poland). |
More than a myth: Drink spiking happensGoogle the term "spiked drink," and you'll get more than 11 million hits, directing you to pages that describe being slipped a mickey, tips on how to avoid becoming a victim and even kits to test drinks for illicit drugs. So is drink spiking a growing problem or are these tales of people who just drank too much? Or is this phenomenon merely an urban legend? | |
 | Even light drinkers should watch for fatty liver diseasePeople who have reduced enzyme activity to breakdown active aldehyde, i.e., those who become easily inebriated, are more likely to develop fatty liver disease even if they do not drink alcohol. This discovery was made by a clinical research team from Kumamoto University in Japan. |
Couples study ties anger to heart problems, stonewalling to back painIf you rage with frustration during a marital spat, watch your blood pressure. If you keep a stiff upper lip, watch your back. | |
Obesity rising in least walkable Ontario neighborhoodsObesity rates in Southern Ontario cities have remained stable for more than a decade in highly walkable neighborhoods but continued to rise in less walkable ones, a new study has found. Neighbourhoods that were designed to be more walking-friendly also experienced a fall in the rate of new cases of diabetes. | |
Higher salt intake may increase risk of CVD among patients with chronic kidney diseaseIn a study appearing in the May 24/31 issue of JAMA, Jiang He, M.D., Ph.D., of the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, and colleagues evaluated more than 3,500 participants with chronic kidney disease (CKD), examining the association between urinary sodium excretion and clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. The study is being released to coincide with its presentation at the 53rd European Renal Association - European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Congress. | |
 | Alcohol exposure during adolescence leads to chronic stress vulnerabilityDrinking during early to mid-adolescence can lead to vulnerability to chronic stress, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York. |
Does discrimination contribute to lower rates of flu vaccination in racial/ethnic minorities?Yearly flu shots are strongly recommended for adults with certain chronic illnesses, but patients of racial/ethnic minority groups are less likely to receive them. Perceived discrimination may be a contributing factor, but can't completely explain the racial/ethnic disparity, reports a study in the June issue of Medical Care. | |
 | Can telehealth fill gap in autism services?Parents struggling to find and afford therapy for their child with autism may eventually be able to provide that therapy themselves with the help of telehealth training. |
Study into whether Chinese herbal medicine could be alternative treatment to antibioticsThe double blind, randomised, placebo controlled feasibility RUTI trial, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), is now underway in the primary care setting, where patients recruited to the trial via their GPs will be offered one of two treatment paths. | |
 | Babies fed directly from breast may be at less risk for ear infectionsFeeding at the breast may be healthier than feeding pumped milk from a bottle for reducing the risk of ear infection, and feeding breast milk compared with formula may reduce the risk of diarrhea, according to a recent study by researchers at The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital. |
Clinical trial demonstrates success of low FODMAP dietA change in diet can improve the lives of those diagnosed with a common, but hard-to-treat gut disorder. | |
One in three deaths in EU avoidable if optimal care was availableThe European Union's statistical agency says that one out of three deaths in the 28-nation bloc would be avoidable if optimal health care was available. | |
 | Consider obesity surgery more often for diabetes: guidelinesNew guidelines say weight-loss surgery should become a more routine treatment option for diabetes, even for some patients who are mildly obese. |
 | What really works to help baby sleep(HealthDay)—Common techniques for helping babies—and parents—sleep at night seem to carry no long-term harms, a small trial finds. |
 | As more states legalize marijuana, adolescents' problems with pot declineA survey of more than 216,000 adolescents from all 50 states indicates the number of teens with marijuana-related problems is declining. Similarly, the rates of marijuana use by young people are falling despite the fact more U.S. states are legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana use and the number of adults using the drug has increased. |
Lipid testing underutilized in adults taking antipsychotic medicationsToo few adults taking antipsychotic medications are being screened for abnormalities in lipids, which include cholesterol and triglycerides, new research from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus finds. | |
Closing the evidence gap on public attitudes toward genetic data handlingThe Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) and the Wellcome Genome Campus have launched a new project to explore global public attitudes and beliefs around the sharing of genetic information. This has become increasingly urgent as we enter a new era of genomic medicine in which unique ethical and moral questions arise, at both the personal and political levels. It also raises questions about the commercial use of people's genetic information. | |
Sugar substitutes may cut calories, but no health benefits for individuals with obesityArtificial sweeteners help individuals with obesity to cut calories and lose weight but may have negative health effects, according to researchers at York University's Faculty of Health. | |
Putting the brakes on cell's 'engine' could give flu and other vaccines a boostA relatively unknown molecule that regulates metabolism could be the key to boosting an individual's immunity to the flu - and potentially other viruses - according to research reported today in the journal Immunity. | |
Crowdsourcing contest using data from people, dogs advances epileptic seizure forecastingIt might sound like a riddle: What do you get when you combine one online contest, two patients, five dogs and 654 data scientists? | |
Depression lowers women's chances of pregnancy, study findsWomen with severe depressive symptoms have a decreased chance of becoming pregnant, while the use of psychotropic medications does not appear to harm fertility, a study by researchers from the Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine shows. | |
 | Study shows which new moms post the most on FacebookA study shows which psychological characteristics of some new mothers may affect how they use Facebook to show off their baby. |
 | Air pollution exposure may raise heart disease riskExposure to air pollution can worsen blood sugar levels, cholesterol and other risk factors for heart disease, particularly in people with diabetes, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. |
Low hormone levels linked to obesity in teensObese teenagers already show signs of hormonal differences from normal-weight peers that may make them prone to weight gain, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. | |
 | Study shows how bacteria evolve in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patientsThe bacterium Burkholderia multivorans evolves and adapts in bursts to survive in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients, according to a study published this week in mSystems, an open access journal from the American Society for Microbiology. The work, believed to be the first retrospective look at the evolution of this microorganism, indicates that B. multivorans directly or indirectly targets adherence, metabolism and changes to the cell 'envelope' to stick around and evade antibiotics. |
 | Study shows how air pollution fosters heart diseaseLong-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, but the biological process has not been understood. A major, decade-long study of thousands of Americans found that people living in areas with more outdoor pollution—even at lower levels common in the United States—accumulate deposits in the arteries that supply the heart faster than do people living in less polluted areas. |
Acupuncture used in clinical settings reduced symptoms of menopauseAcupuncture treatments can reduce the number of hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause by as much as 36 percent, according to researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. The findings are published in the June issue of the journal Menopause. | |
 | Can't resist temptation? That may not be a bad thingResearchers from the University of Rochester suggest that children raised in poverty may have been mistakenly labeled as "maladapted" for what appears to be a lack of self-control. The new study finds that what looks like selfishness may actually be beneficial behavior that's based on a child's environmental context—that is to say, from being raised in a resource-poor environment. |
 | Time to drop the 'no-eating rule' before colonoscopy?(HealthDay)—New research suggests that the grueling process of preparing for a colonoscopy may not have to be endured on an empty stomach. |
 | Overall survival in mantle cell lymphoma up with deferred Tx(HealthDay)—For patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), deferred therapy seems safe and is an independent predictor of overall survival, according to a study published online May 6 in Cancer. |
 | Metformin combats adipose tissue expansion via AMPK(HealthDay)—AMPK activation by metformin is associated with inhibition of interstitial fibrosis and suppression of transforming growth factor β-1 (TGF-β1), according to a study published online May 13 in Diabetes. |
 | Lip cancer risk up for some solid organ transplant recipients(HealthDay)—For solid organ transplant recipients, azathioprine dose and duration of immunosuppression are associated with increased risk of lip cancer, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. |
 | Review: Hatha yoga beneficial for reducing anxiety(HealthDay)—Hatha yoga is effective for reducing anxiety, and efficacy increases with increasing number of practice hours, according to a meta-analysis published online May 20 in the Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine. |
 | Early renal replacement therapy ups survival in severe AKI(HealthDay)—For patients with severe acute kidney injury (AKI), early initiation of renal replacement therapy (RRT) is associated with reduced mortality at 90 days, according to a study published online May 22 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The research was published to coincide with its presentation at the 53rd European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association Congress, held from May 21 to 24 in Vienna. |
 | Chemo, radiation, surgery combo boosts survival for pancreatic cancer patientsIn roughly one-third of pancreatic cancer patients, tumors have grown around the pancreas to encompass critical blood vessels. Conventional wisdom has long held that surgery to remove the tumors is rarely an option, and life expectancies are usually measured in months. Mayo Clinic, teaming oncologists, gastrointestinal and vascular surgeons and others, is finding that many of these patients actually are candidates for surgery. Mayo has been fine-tuning a protocol to treat them, and in two studies, found survival now stretching into years. |
Wire bristles from barbecue brushes can cause serious injuriesWhile many people view Memorial Day weekend as the unofficial start of the summer grilling season, they may not be aware of the dangers of eating food cooked on grills cleaned with wire-bristle brushes. A new study conducted at the University of Missouri School of Medicine identified more than 1,600 injuries from wire-bristle grill brushes reported in emergency rooms since 2002. Loose bristles can fall off the brush during cleaning and end up in the grilled food, which, if consumed, can lead to injuries in the mouth, throat and tonsils. Researchers advise individuals to inspect their food carefully after grilling or consider alternative grill-cleaning methods. | |
 | Once-a-week text messages to Kenyan women greatly improved likelihood of getting HIV testA newly published, Canadian government funded study documents how a simple, inexpensive effort to send short, informative text messages regularly to young women's phones could help significantly reduce the ongoing scourge of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Africa. |
New Joint European Cardiovascular Prevention Guidelines launched todayThe highly anticipated document gives the latest advice on prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in individuals and populations. It is published in European Heart Journal, the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology and other specialty journals, and presented in a dedicated session at Heart Failure 2016 and the 3rd World Congress on Acute Heart Failure in Florence, Italy. | |
Stopping the next Ebola outbreakWhen the West African Ebola outbreak was at its peak in 2014, NECSI advocated for a community-level containment strategy. Unprecedented transmission levels within dense urban centers had overwhelmed traditional responses. Other studies at the time were projecting millions dead, but community responses stopped them at a few thousand. Last week, the paper showing NECSI was right was published in PLoS Currents Outbreaks. | |
Hospitals not learning from measuring infectionsSuffering from an infection during a hospital stay is a common care-related injury. To prevent spreading and to work preventively, all hospitals measure the occurrence of care-related infections. But the time-consuming measurements are not followed up on. One reason is that the staff has no faith in the results, as shown in one of the studies in a thesis on patient safety from Linköping University. | |
Despite pressing need, survey finds most americans unlikely to enroll in clinical trialsThe lack of participation in clinical research may be the Achilles' heel of today's cancer community. According to a new survey of more than 1,500 consumers and nearly 600 physicians conducted on behalf of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), only 35 percent of Americans indicated that they were "likely" to enroll in a clinical trial. Other studies have shown that only 4 percent of cancer patients enroll in clinical trials nationally each year. | |
 | Effective protection for non-smokers could prevent 30% of all cancer deathsEvery year, lung cancer causes around 1.6 million deaths worldwide. 70% of all lung cancer patients throughout the world are smokers or ex-smokers and, in Central Europe, this figure is higher than 80%. Smoking is therefore regarded as the central risk factor for this disease. On occasion of World No Tobacco Day (31st May 2016) Robert Pirker, cancer expert from the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) at MedUni Vienna and Vienna General Hospital, is therefore calling for improved protection for non-smokers and redoubled efforts in the area of smoking prevention. |
Innovations in neuroimaging lead to important medical applications to aid cliniciansThe current special issue of Technology and Innovation, Journal of the National Academy of Inventors, Volume 18, Number 1 (all open access), is devoted to the evolution of neuroimaging technology, with seven articles chronicling the latest advances in this critical area. In addition, the journal's regular features include the article by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), which discusses the key pillars of patent quality, and the NAI Fellow Profile, which focuses on biochemical engineer Dr. Frances Arnold (California Institute of Technology) and her important work in innovation, invention, and teaching. | |
Antidepressants commonly and increasingly prescribed for nondepressive indicationsIn a study appearing in the May 24/31 issue of JAMA, Jenna Wong, M.Sc., of McGill University, Montreal, Canada, and colleagues analyzed treatment indications for antidepressants and assessed trends in antidepressant prescribing for depression. | |
PET imaging with special tracer can detect and diagnose early Alzheimer's diseaseThe effort to find ways to detect and diagnose preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) has taken a big step forward with the use of positron emission tomography (PET), a "nuclear medicine" for imaging processes in the body, when PET is used with a special 'tracer' that binds to the amyloid plaques in the brain that are a characteristic cause of AD. | |
Low to moderate risk of locally transmitted cases of Zika in parts of EuropeECDC has updated its rapid risk assessment on the Zika epidemic that continues to evolve in the Americas and the Caribbean. | |
Novel immunotherapy trial for lymphoma offers hope to patientsResearchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine are testing a novel cellular immunotherapy approach to treating patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who have failed standard therapy. This investigational anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy, known as KTE-C19, is being studied in a Phase II clinical trial for patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Sylvester is the first cancer center in South Florida to treat patients using this new approach. | |
Swallowable, gas-filled balloons aid fight against obesityPeople with obesity who are struggling to control their weight might soon have a new treatment option—swallowing gas-filled balloons that help them eat less, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2016, the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. | |
Canadian military personnel more likely than civilians to think about suicide but also to seek helpCanadian military personnel have higher rates of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts, but they are also more likely to access mental health support than civilians, found new research in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) | |
Gaps in vaccine coverage highlighted with new report and online toolAs the 69th World Health Assembly discusses progress on the Global Vaccine Action Plan, a new data visualization platform—from the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH)—provides stark numbers on where shortfalls exist in vaccine introduction and coverage. | |
Colorectal cancer rate rising among younger peopleA new study shows the rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to increase in individuals under 50 years old, despite the fact that the overall rate of the disease has been declining in recent years. Following examination of more than 1 million CRC patient records over 10 years, researchers suggested that health-care providers should be more vigilant about detecting symptoms in younger patients. The findings were presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2016, the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. | |
Internet addiction and school burnout feed into each otherExcessive internet use contributes to the development of school burnout. School burnout, in turn, may lead to excessive internet use or digital addiction. Mind the Gap, a longitudinal research project funded by the Academy of Finland, has established a link between digital addiction and school burnout in both comprehensive school and upper secondary school students. The results of the Finnish study were published in May 2016 in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence. | |
African Zika cases under control on Cape Verde: health chiefThe only African cases of the Zika virus strain linked to surging cases of neurological disorders and birth defects are under control on Cape Verde, the Atlantic island's health chief has said. | |
Washington, California sue over pelvic mesh implantsWashington state and California are suing Johnson & Johnson, saying for more than a decade the company misrepresented the risks of vaginal mesh implants it sold. | |
 | Human trials of cancer drug PAC-1 continue with new investmentClinical trials of the anti-cancer agent PAC-1 are continuing to expand, thanks to a $7 million angel investment from an anonymous contributor who originally invested $4 million to help get the compound this far in the drug-approval pipeline. |
Biology news
 | Great apes communicate cooperativelyHuman language is a fundamentally cooperative enterprise, embodying fast-paced interactions. It has been suggested that it evolved as part of a larger adaptation of humans' unique forms of cooperation. In a cross-species comparison of bonobos and chimpanzees, scientists from the Humboldt Research Group of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen now showed that communicative exchanges of our closest living relatives, the great apes resemble cooperative turn-taking sequences in human conversation. |
 | Evolution influenced by temporary microbesLife on Earth often depends on symbiotic relationships between microbes and other forms of life. A new theory suggests that researchers should consider how symbiotic microbes can influence the evolution of life on Earth, and possibly beyond. |
 | Silencing cholera's social mediaBacteria use a form of "social media" communication called quorum sensing to monitor how many of their fellow species are in the neighborhood, allowing them to detect changes in density and respond with changes in collective behavior. Because of the importance of quorum sensing to the behavior of disease-causing bacteria like Vibrio cholerae, the cause of the deadly disease cholera, understanding how it works has the potential to allow us to disrupt it for therapeutic purposes. |
Cell Labelling via Photobleaching: A precious ally for scientific research(University of Montreal) A multidisciplinary team of researchers gives birth to a unique method that enables instant, specific labeling of individual cells, Cell Labelling via Photobleaching (CLaP). This method will become a precious ally in a wide range of scientific research, with particular applications for genomics. | |
Drones detect sharks in coastal waters as part of ongoing studyResearchers from Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill are testing the ability of drones to detect sharks in coastal waterways. | |
 | Fish ladders reconnect stream habitatRoads and highways connect people to one another, much like rivers and stream connect fish populations. However, the culverts that allow water to flow under roadways can become obstacles for small-bodied fish, like minnows, darters and madtoms. |
 | Scientists claim fishers catch more marine mammals, not just fishReports last week of serious under-reporting of fish catches in New Zealand fisheries and lack of prosecution of alleged perpetrators is mirrored in reporting of marine mammals bycatch, say University of Otago marine mammal experts. |
 | Developing biological micro-factoriesMicroalgae consist of single cells but are capable of producing everything from food to fuel with the help of tailor-made LED lighting. |
 | How dolphins listen to their mothersAs far as a healthy parent/child relationship goes recognising each other is pretty important, despite whether the individuals are in the human or animal kingdom. Recently, UWA Oceans Institute researcher Stephanie King forayed into the underexplored area of dolphin vocal calls and how offspring learn how to identify their mum based on their 'signature whistle'. |
 | Study documents African monkeys eating batsAlthough Cercopithecus monkeys, a widely distributed genus in Africa, usually have a discerning palate for fruits and leaves, they are opportunistic omnivores that sometimes consume lizards, snakes, birds and mice. These forest-dwelling primates share habitat and food resources with bats, which are known reservoirs for zoonotic diseases such as Ebola, Marburg and Henipa viruses as well as bacteria and parasites that can be spread between animals and humans. This has led researchers to hypothesize that primate consumption of fruits contaminated with an infected bat's saliva or feces facilitates zoonotic disease transmission. Scientists estimate that more than six out of every 10 infectious diseases in humans are spread from animals. |
The flower breeders who sold X-ray lilies and atomic marigoldsThe Chelsea Flower Show, one of the biggest and best known horticultural shows in the world, is now open. In the coming days, some 150,000 visitors will make their way to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, expecting to be wowed by innovative garden designs and especially by gorgeous flowers. Among other things, show-goers will have a chance to learn the winner of the Royal Horticultural Society's Plant of the Year award. This annual prize goes to the "most inspiring new plant" on display at the show – a high honour indeed given the number and range of varieties introduced each year. | |
 | Don't feed the monkeys—why your generosity is harming their healthTourists who feed wild monkeys in Morocco are risking the health of an endangered species by making them larger, more susceptible to disease, and more stressed, according to new research. |
Study of fungi-insect relationships may lead to new evolutionary discoveriesZombie ants are only one of the fungi-insect relationships studied by a team of Penn State biologists in a newly compiled database of insect fungi interactions. | |
Mucus may play vital role in dolphin echolocationA dolphin chasing a tasty fish will produce a stream of rapid-fire echolocation clicks that help it track the speed, direction and distance to its prey. Now researchers have developed a model that could yield new insights into how the charismatic marine mammals make these clicks - and it turns out snot may play an important role. | |
 | Colombia peace could reveal jungle species' secretsCountless rare insects and flowers are said to inhabit the jungles of Colombia, but decades of war have stopped naturalists from discovering them—until now. |
 | Newly synthesised molecules turn back biological clockScientists in Japan have designed new molecules that modify the circadian rhythm, opening the way to the possibility of managing jet lag and improving treatments for sleep disorders. |
 | Is ecotourism an effective conservation tool?Nature is in trouble. Across the globe, degradation and loss of habitat, over-exploitation of natural resources, and human-induced changes in climate are causing species to decline at an unprecedented speed. As the rate of global biodiversity loss is increasing, there are a growing number of species that need investment in conservation programs. However, the amount of available funding falls well below what is required to halt the global conservation crisis. With restrictions in financial support limiting the action that can be taken to prevent biodiversity loss, ecotourism is becoming an increasingly important source of revenue for conservation efforts. |
 | Fishermen, scientists collaborate to collect climate dataFishermen plying the waters off the southern New England coast have noticed significant changes in recent years. Though generations of commercial fishermen have made their livings on these highly productive waters, now, they say, they are experiencing the impacts of climate change. |
 | Bayer-Monsanto tie-up fuels anti-GM debate in GermanyA proposed tie-up between Bayer and Monsanto may still face numerous hurdles but it has already inflamed opinion in Germany where most people oppose genetically modified foods. |
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