Monday, August 15, 2016

Science X Newsletter Monday, Aug 15

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for August 15, 2016:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Best of Last Week – Confirming the proton radius puzzle, chemtrails not real and a physics engine in the brain

Tiny device grabs more solar energy to disinfect water faster

Electric vehicles can meet drivers' needs enough to replace 90 percent of vehicles now on the road

Nanoribbons in solutions mimic nature

Physicists confirm possible discovery of fifth force of nature

SpaceX lands Falcon 9 rocket after launching Japanese satellite

More radar, triple-camera system for next Autopilot version?

Resolving the planetesimal belt around HR8799

Nanomaterial safety screening could become faster, cheaper with new laboratory test

New methods make smartwatches easier to use

Scientists capture neon in an organic environment for the first time

A new method simplifies blood biomarker discovery and analysis

Hubble spots a lopsided Lynx

DNA analysis suggests colugos are part of a primate sister group

Disk drive trick allows hackers to transmit data covertly from an air-gap computer

Astronomy & Space news

SpaceX lands Falcon 9 rocket after launching Japanese satellite

SpaceX successfully landed a reusable Falcon 9 rocket on a floating drone ship at sea early Sunday after the vehicle had sent a Japanese communications satellite into orbit.

Resolving the planetesimal belt around HR8799

Planets develop from the dusty placental disk of material that surrounds a star after it begins to shine. The dust in that disk, according to most models, starts to stick to itself until clumps develop large enough to attract other clumps gravitationally. Astronomers believe the process of building planets and dissipating the disk takes about ten million years. Many mysteries remain, however, including the tendency of dust not to stick together, and the likelihood that colliding clumps could break apart rather than agglomerate. Recent discoveries of exoplanets have begun to overlap with studies of planetesimal disks, and enable astronomers to probe the development and evolution of a star's system of planets and their interactions with the disk.

Hubble spots a lopsided Lynx

This galaxy, known as NGC 2337, resides 25 million light-years away in the constellation of Lynx. NGC 2337 is an irregular galaxy, meaning that it—along with a quarter of all galaxies in the universe—lacks a distinct, regular appearance. The galaxy was discovered in 1877 by the French astronomer Édouard Stephan who, in the same year, discovered the galactic group Stephan's Quintet (heic0910i).

Brown dwarfs reveal exoplanets' secrets

Brown dwarfs are smaller than stars, but more massive than giant planets. As such, they provide a natural link between astronomy and planetary science. However, they also show incredible variation when it comes to size, temperature, chemistry, and more, which makes them difficult to understand, too.

Van Allen probes catch rare glimpse of supercharged radiation belt

Our planet is nestled in the center of two immense, concentric doughnuts of powerful radiation: the Van Allen radiation belts, which harbor swarms of charged particles that are trapped by Earth's magnetic field. On March 17, 2015, an interplanetary shock - a shockwave created by the driving force of a coronal mass ejection, or CME, from the sun - struck Earth's magnetic field, called the magnetosphere, triggering the greatest geomagnetic storm of the preceding decade. And NASA's Van Allen Probes were there to watch the effects on the radiation belts.

Director: New Mexico spaceport positioned for next frontier

At what was once a remote desert outpost with spotty cell service and little infrastructure other than the shell of a quarter-billion-dollar futuristic hangar, Christine Anderson has watched the transformation of Spaceport America from her office window.

Earth-like planet around Proxima Centauri discovered

The hunt for exoplanets has been heating up in recent years. Since it began its mission in 2009, over four thousand exoplanet candidates have been discovered by the Kepler mission, several hundred of which have been confirmed to be "Earth-like" (i.e. terrestrial). And of these, some 216 planets have been shown to be both terrestrial and located within their parent star's habitable zone (aka. "Goldilocks zone").

It's all in the rotation: Exploring planets orbiting distant stars

The first of a two part series that looks at what astronomers can find out about the planets that are discovered orbiting other stars in our galaxy.

NASA mulls Russian idea to cut staff at space station

NASA is weighing a Moscow proposal to cut the number of Russian cosmonauts at the International Space Station from three to two, particularly its potential risk to the crew, an official said Monday.

Technology news

Electric vehicles can meet drivers' needs enough to replace 90 percent of vehicles now on the road

Could existing electric vehicles (EVs), despite their limited driving range, bring about a meaningful reduction in the greenhouse-gas emissions that are causing global climate change? Researchers at MIT have just completed the most comprehensive study yet to address this hotly debated question, and have reached a clear conclusion: Yes, they can.

More radar, triple-camera system for next Autopilot version?

Causing lots of conversation this week has been word of a coming update to the Tesla Motors Autopilot system. News sites made reference to a recent article in Electrek, which talked about a coming "Tesla Autopilot 2.0" as the next-gen Autopilot. (The Autopilot is Tesla's assisted driving program. Features include Autosteer, Autopark, and Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, said Electrek.)

New methods make smartwatches easier to use

A new system for making smartwatches and fitness-trackers easier to use, created by computer scientists at the University of St Andrews, could transform the technology for users without the need to buy new hardware.

Disk drive trick allows hackers to transmit data covertly from an air-gap computer

(Tech Xplore)—A small team of researchers at Ben-Gurion University in Israel has found a way to hack an air-gap computer using the sounds made by a hard drive actuator. They describe the technique and possible ways it might be used in a paper they have uploaded to the preprint server arXiv.

Unearthing trackers of the past: Computer scientists reveal history of third-party web tracking

For over two decades, consumers have used the internet to research, shop, make friends, find dates and learn about the world with the click of a mouse or a few keystrokes. But as we've surfed and tweeted, third-party watchers have also been watching—and learning—about us.

Google, where are you taking Fuchsia and should Android care?

(Tech Xplore)—Projects or experiments at big technology companies go either way. Either they fail to materialize into actual products but turn up some interesting lessons learned for company developers and architects.

Pokemon hunt leads to glory for Google-born Niantic

Born in Google's shadow, Niantic strode into the spotlight with a mobile internet spin on hunting Pokemon but can the obsession with the game lead to long-term financial success?

Hacker posts personal info of House Democrats and staff

After receiving a deluge of obscene voicemails and text messages, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi informed her fellow Democrats on Saturday of "an electronic Watergate break-in" and warned them not to allow family members to answer their phones or read incoming texts.

VW: Fix gets OK for 460,000 more cars with cheating software

German automaker Volkswagen says it's received approval from the country's motor vehicle authority for technical fixes for another 460,000 cars equipped with software to help them cheat emissions tests.

Maiden flight of giant helium-filled airship postponed

The makers of a blimp-shaped, helium-filled airship billed as the world's biggest aircraft postponed its maiden flight at the last minute on Sunday.

Pokemon No: Can a place declare the game off-limits?

The global Pokemon Go craze has prompted a slew of complaints, from memorial sites arguing it's disrespectful to play there to whole countries imposing a ban on the smartphone game.

Russian man faces US trial in lucrative hacking scheme

Prosecutors describe Roman Seleznev, the son of a Russian lawmaker, as a master hacker who orchestrated an international scheme that resulted in about $170 million in fraudulent credit card purchases.

IBM researchers use grocery scanner data to speed investigations during early foodborne illness outbreaks

Foodborne illnesses, like salmonella, E. Coli and norovirus infections, are a major public health concern affecting more than one out of six Americans each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). During a foodborne illness outbreak, rapidly identifying the contaminated food source is vital to minimizing illness, loss and impact on society.

Millions of cars at risk of theft due to flaw in the development of keyless entry systems

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have found that millions of cars could be vulnerable to theft, due to a flaw in keyless entry systems in many models.

How we evolved a winning strategy for the RoboCup competition by imitating nature

"In football everything is complicated by the presence of the opposite team." This observation by the French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre has been cited in multiple contexts, ranging from tactical planning in team sports, to game-theoretic modelling of microeconomics, to full-blown robotic warfare.

Hotels in 10 states and DC may have been hit by hackers

An undisclosed number of people who used credit cards at 20 Hyatt, Sheraton, Marriott, Westin and other hotels in 10 states and the District of Columbia may have had their cards compromised as a result of hack of the hotels' payment system.

Germany warns on risks of playing 'Pokemon Go' at airports

Police and the airport operators' association in Germany are warning of the potential dangers of playing "Pokemon Go" in some airport areas. They say so-called Pokestops beyond security controls should be deleted to prevent possible incidents.

Tesla: Removal of 'Autopilot' from Chinese site a mistake

Tesla said Monday that the term "Autopilot" was mistakenly removed from the electric car maker's website for China, but it has been restored.

New residential water heater concept promises high efficiency, lower cost

A team of scientists from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Florida has developed a novel method that could yield lower-cost, higher-efficiency systems for water heating in residential buildings.

Gaming camera could aid MS treatment

A commonly used device found in living rooms around the world could be a cheap and effective means of evaluating the walking difficulties of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

Wiring reconfiguration saves millions for Trinity supercomputer

A moment of inspiration during a wiring diagram review has saved more than $2 million in material and labor costs for the Trinity supercomputer at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Twitter shares jump on talk of Apple TV tie-up

Shares in US social media giant Twitter jumped Monday, lifted by news reports of discussions to make its streaming broadcasts available on Apple TV.

Carnegie Mellon professor creates software to improve data sharing in research and academia

John Kitchin, professor of chemical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, has developed an open source software designed to improve data sharing in applications such as engineering education and scientific publishing. The software, called scimax, was created out of Kitchin's own frustration with using clunky word processing and text editing software to write scientific papers.

Buffett's company adds to stakes in Apple and Phillips 66

Warren Buffett's company is taking an even bigger bite of Apple stock and adding to its sizeable stake in Phillips 66.

Syrian refugees invent app for Germany's bureaucracy maze

Interminable queues, impenetrable paperwork, unpronounceable German words—the hurdles for any newcomer to Europe's top economy can be daunting but now there's an app for that, says a team of enterprising Syrian refugees.

Purdue startup developing six-axis control system for students to gain hands-on experience in automation, robotics

A Purdue-related startup is commercializing a six-axis, open source controller and teaching pendant that could allow technology college students an affordable way to gain real-world, hands-on experience in automation and robotics, making them more marketable to future employers.

Medicine & Health news

Heading for a fall: Neuroscientists reveal how overconfidence can lead to poor decision making

The link between overconfidence and poor decision making is under the spotlight in an international study by scientists from Monash University and the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig.

This is your brain on sentences

Researchers at the University of Rochester have, for the first time, decoded and predicted the brain activity patterns of word meanings within sentences, and successfully predicted what the brain patterns would be for new sentences.

How antiviral antibodies become part of immune memory

Weapons production first, research later. During wartime, governments follow these priorities, and so does the immune system.

Defect in process that controls gene expression may contribute to Huntington's disease

A protein complex called Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), which plays a critical role in forming specific classes of nerve cells in the brain during development, also plays an important role in the adult brain where it may contribute to Huntington's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, according to a study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published August 15 in the journal Nature Neuroscience.

'Bursts' of chromosome changes fuel breast cancer tumor growth

As with most cancers, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells have abnormal amounts of chromosomes or DNA copy number aberrations (CNAs) in their genomes. A new study used single cell sequencing technology to provide previously unknown details about how and when CNAs impact tumor formation and growth, information that may have significant implications for diagnosis and treatment.

Expanded role of PARP proteins opens the door to explore therapeutic targets in cancer

Using technology they developed, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have identified a previously unknown role of a certain class of proteins: as regulators of gene activity and RNA processing.

Researchers pinpoint key regulatory role of noncoding genes in prostate cancer development

Prostate cancer researchers studying genetic variations have pinpointed 45 genes associated with disease development and progression.

CRISPR gene editing reveals new therapeutic approach for blood disorders

An international team of scientists led by researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has found a way to use CRISPR gene editing to help fix sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia in blood cells isolated from patients. The study, which appears online today in Nature Medicine, provides proof-of-principle for a new approach to treat common blood disorders by genome editing.

No blue light, please, I'm tired—light color determines sleepiness versus arousal in mice

Light affects sleep. A study in mice published in Open Access journal PLOS Biology shows that the actual color of light matters; blue light keeps mice awake longer while green light puts them to sleep easily. An accompanying Primer provides accessible context information and discusses open questions and potential implications for "designing the lighting of the future".

Scientists find the brain's generosity center

Scientists from Oxford University and UCL have identified part of our brain that helps us learn to be good to other people. The discovery could help understanding of conditions like psychopathy where people's behaviour is extremely antisocial.

Time of day influences our susceptibility to infection, study finds

We are more susceptible to infection at certain times of the day as our body clock affects the ability of viruses to replicate and spread between cells, suggests new research from the University of Cambridge. The findings, published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may help explain why shift workers, whose body clocks are routinely disrupted, are more prone to health problems, including infections and chronic disease.

New insights into how the mind influences the body

Neuroscientists at the University of Pittsburgh have identified the neural networks that connect the cerebral cortex to the adrenal medulla, which is responsible for the body's rapid response in stressful situations. These findings, reported in the online Early Edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), provide evidence for the neural basis of a mind-body connection.

Signs of pure altruism converge in the brain and increase with age

Combining insights from psychology, behavioral economics and neuroscience, University of Oregon researchers have found converging signs of pure altruism and behavior that increase with age in the brain.

Don't scan so close to me: Researcher scans Sting's musical brain

What does the 1960s Beatles hit "Girl" have in common with Astor Piazolla's evocative tango composition "Libertango"?

Brazil launches first dengue vaccine campaign: drug maker

Brazil on Saturday launched the first public immunisation programme in the Americas against dengue fever, with 500,000 people to be injected with the world's first authorized vaccine against the disease, French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi said.

Replacing just one sugary drink with water could significantly improve health

Think one little sugary soda won't make a difference on your waistline? Think again.

Cancer overtakes heart disease as the main cause of death in 12 European countries

Although diseases of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease, CVD) kill more people worldwide than anything else, with 17.3 million deaths globally, cancer has now overtaken CVD as the main cause of death in 12 European countries.

Blood pressure diet may help prevent gout flares

New research indicates that a healthy diet can effectively lower blood levels of uric acid, a known trigger of gout. The findings are published in Arthritis & Rheumatology, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

Depression a strong predictor of heart disease in black, but not white, adults

Symptoms of depression lead to a greater risk of heart disease in older black adults, but not in white adults, reports a new study from the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research (ISR).

Household insecticides pose exposure risk for small children

Calls to a poisons hotline have revealed a disproportionate number of young children referred to hospital following suspected exposure to a household bug and spider spray.

What's that bruise on Michael Phelps' shoulder?

Beyond his gold standard accomplishments in the pool, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps has garnered widespread attention in recent days for the dark circular markings on his shoulders and back.

People prefer explanations that refer to a more fundamental science, study says

Why do some science news stories catch our eye, even if they use exaggerated, irrelevant or inaccurate information?

Venetoclax safe, shows promise in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia

Patients whose acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) had relapsed or was resistant to chemotherapy and those who were deemed unable to tolerate chemotherapy experienced responses to the selective BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax (Venclexta), with complete remissions in some, according to phase II clinical trial data published in Cancer Discovery, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

Get tested, get treated, Hep C researchers urge

Up to 70 per cent of Victorians with suspected hepatitis C may not have received follow-up testing, putting them at risk of chronic liver disease and even cancer, University of Melbourne researchers say.

Virtual world improves communication following stroke, says study

A virtual reality world called EVA Park can improve the communication of those who have impaired speech and language following a stroke, according to research by academics at City University London.

Can protein plus exercise improve type 2 diabetes?

Exercise has been shown to improve the health of people with type 2 diabetes. But the benefits of exercise vary greatly between people, meaning some benefit more than others. Now, researchers from Massey University's School of Sport and Exercise believe they may have discovered why.

Cricket's famous 'legover' moment and why getting the giggles is so contagious

It is 25 years since cricket commentators Brian Johnston and Jonathan Agnew famously got the uncontrollable giggles on live radio, while reporting on that day's Test Match between England and the West Indies. The pair were commentating on the wicket of England's Ian Botham, when he stumbled on to his stumps and, as Agnew put it: "Didn't get his leg over".

Inside an Olympian's testosterone ordeal (Update)

The young athlete, now competing at the Rio Games, always considered herself to be a girl just like the others, a girl who loved to run. Then the governing body of track and field told her she was different, so different that her track career could be over.

Study confirms gene link to brain disorders

Brain scans have revealed how a genetic mutation linked to major psychiatric disorders affects the structure, function and chemistry of the brain.

Homesickness and empty nest syndrome—coping with separation

Homesickness is not uncommon among young people heading off to their freshman year in college, and they might not be the only family members dealing with some separation anxiety. For many parents, empty nest syndrome is a significant problem.

Hopes pinned on genetically gifted among cookie-cutter athletes

Humans are constantly evolving but a lack of progress in track and field athletics has a WA sports science expert asking why we're not getting any better as the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro enters its second week.

Undermining host-cell defences

Ludwig Maximilian University researchers have discovered that a protein which is well known for its role as a tumor suppressor is also required for inhibition of the replication of the coronavirus that causes SARS.

Researchers develop new strategy to limit side effects of stem cell transplants

Scientists in Germany have developed a new approach that may prevent leukemia and lymphoma patients from developing graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) after therapeutic bone marrow transplants. The researchers describe the successful application of their strategy in mice in "Exogenous TNFR2 activation protects from acute GvHD via host T reg cell expansion," which will be published online August 15 ahead of issue in The Journal of Experimental Medicine.

Racial inequity, violence climb list of child health concerns for black adults

Black adults rate school violence and racial inequities higher on their list of children's health concerns than other groups, a new national poll says.

Cancer in context: 37 years of painstakingly collected data

Prostate and lung cancer have been the No. 1 and 2 cancers among men. Stomach cancer, the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, has been on a steady decline among Koreans and Japanese. Black men had the highest overall rates of cancer. Thyroid cancer—which is relatively treatable—has been on the rise, and women are about three times more likely to contract it than men.

Mindfulness combats depression for disadvantaged black women

African-American women with lower socio-economic status have an increased risk of depressive disorders, yet they rarely seek out antidepressants or psychotherapy because of negative attitudes and stigma associated with conventional mental health treatments.

New study explains why MRSA 'superbug' kills influenza patients

Researchers have discovered that secondary infection with the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacterium (or "superbug") often kills influenza patients because the flu virus alters the antibacterial response of white blood cells, causing them to damage the patients' lungs instead of destroying the bacterium. The study, which will be published online August 15 ahead of issue in The Journal of Experimental Medicine, suggests that inhibiting this response may help treat patients infected with both the flu virus and MRSA.

Indoor tanning: Women say no to total ban, yes to stricter policies

Most young adult women who regularly visit indoor tanning salons support the introduction of policies to make it safer, but are against a total ban. This is according to a study led by Darren Mays of Georgetown University Medical Center in the US, in the journal Translational Behavioral Medicine: Practice, Policy, Research, published by Springer. The findings are good news for regulators who are finalizing stricter regulations aimed at highlighting the skin cancer risks associated with artificial tanning.

Does longer walking distance to buy cigarettes increase quitting among smokers?

Walking one-third of a mile longer from home to the nearest tobacco shop to buy cigarettes was associated with increased odds that smokers would quit the habit in an analysis of data in Finnish studies, according to an article published online by JAMA Internal Medicine.

Study of Chinese teens examines nonmedical use of Rx and suicidal behaviors

The nonmedical use of prescription drugs and the misuse of sedatives and opioids were associated with subsequent suicidal thoughts or attempts in a study of Chinese adolescents, according to an article published online by JAMA Pediatrics.

Is acetaminophen use when pregnant associated with kids' behavioral problems?

Using the common pain-relieving medication acetaminophen during pregnancy was associated with increased risk for multiple behavioral problems in children, according to an article published online by JAMA Pediatrics.

Stubborn inequities in heart health persist for some African Americans in the South

Though mortality from heart disease is decreasing, some groups are at increased risk for developing heart disease, including African Americans in the southeastern U.S. Nearly 44 percent of all African American men, and 48 percent of African American women have some form of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease or stroke.

High expression of short gene appears to contribute to destructive eye pressures in glaucoma

Scientists have found a variation of the miR-182 gene in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma that results in this overexpression, said Dr. Yutao Liu, vision scientist and human geneticist in the Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.

Work productivity is key factor in assessing recovery of depressed patients

While medications can quickly reduce depressive symptoms, monitoring work productivity can provide unique insight into whether a patient will require additional treatments to achieve long-term remission, a new study through the Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute finds.

Physician incentive program to improve care for complex patients did not result in improvements

Incentive payments to primary care physicians for the provision of care for patients with complex health conditions did not improve primary care or decrease hospitalizations in British Columbia, found a study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Many life-saving defibrillators behind locked doors during off-hours, study finds

When a person suffers cardiac arrest, there is a one in five chance a potentially life-saving Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is nearby. But up to 30 per cent of the time, the device is locked inside a closed building, according to a study led by U of T Engineering researchers, published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

China facing epidemic of heart disease, stroke

A 20-year rise in cardiovascular disease (CVD) in China appears to have been spurred largely by increases in high blood pressure, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Increasing body mass index (BMI), decreasing physical activity, a high prevalence of smoking, and unhealthy diet have also contributed to the growing burden of CVD—now the leading cause of death in China.

Long-lived parents could mean a healthier heart into your 70s

The longer our parents lived, the longer we are likely to live ourselves, and the more likely we are to stay healthy in our sixties and seventies. Having longer-lived parents means we have with much lower rates of a range of heart conditions and some cancers.

Incentive payments increased quit rates among low-income smokers in Switzerland

Paying smokers to quit with payments that increased with the length of abstinence led one third of participants in a study to stop smoking for six months, according to research published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. While a large group relapsed after payments ended, abstinence rates a full year after the last incentive were almost 6 percentage points higher among smokers who received financial incentives compared to those who did not.

Beta-blockers following angioplasty show little benefit for some older patients

Following coronary angioplasty, beta-blockers did not significantly improve mortality rates or reduce the number of future cardiovascular incidents for older patients with stable angina but no history of heart attack or heart failure, according to a study published today in the JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Chronic kidney disease may cause diabetes

A team from the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM) has discovered a novel link between chronic kidney disease and diabetes. When kidneys fail, urea that builds up in the blood can cause diabetes, concludes a study published today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Sedentary time may raise heart disease risk—sit less, move more

Being sedentary is not just a lack of exercise, it is a potentially independent risk factor for heart disease and stroke, according to a science advisory from the American Heart Association.

Study finds one in three former ICU patients shows symptoms of depression

A so-called meta-analysis of reports on more than 4,000 patients suggests that almost one in three people discharged from hospital intensive care units (ICUs) has clinically important and persistent symptoms of depression, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine. In some patients, the symptoms can last for a year or more, and they are notably more likely in people with a history of psychological distress before an ICU stay, the investigators say.

Babies often put to sleep in unsafe positions

(HealthDay)—Despite decades of warnings from the "Back to Sleep" campaign, many parents are still putting their babies to sleep in ways that raise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), a new study finds.

One-third of patients don't retain important warfarin info

(HealthDay)—Just over two-thirds of patients retain an "acceptable" amount of key information following warfarin counseling, according to a small study published online Aug. 6 in the Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research.

Rosacea tied to higher risk of GI diseases

(HealthDay)—Rosacea is associated with increased risk of some gastrointestinal diseases, according to a study published online Aug. 8 in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Considerable health care system burden for undiagnosed COPD

(HealthDay)—The overall health system burden of exacerbations in patients with undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is considerable, according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Hand hygiene program improves hygiene compliance

(HealthDay)—Implementation of a hand hygiene program can improve compliance with hand hygiene and reduce health-care-associated infections (HAIs), according to a study published online Aug. 10 in Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Grapefruit-midazolam interaction varies with juice characteristics

(HealthDay)—The interaction between grapefruit juice and midazolam varies based on grapefruit juice-related characteristics such as the amount of furanocoumarin, according to a study published online Aug. 9 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

Topical iodine can cause overestimation of blood glucose

(HealthDay)—Use of topical iodine can cause overestimation of blood glucose (BG) readings, according to a case report published online Aug. 8 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.

Review links anxiety disorders to risk of cardiovascular events

(HealthDay)—Anxiety disorders are associated with a range of cardiovascular events, according to a meta-analysis published in the Aug. 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.

RSV found in aerosol particles surrounding infants with RSV

(HealthDay)—Infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-positive bronchiolitis produce large numbers of aerosol particles containing RSV that remain infectious for a significant length of time, according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Onsite tests have high specificity for bacteriuria

(HealthDay)—Onsite tests have high specificity for detecting asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women, but sensitivity is lower, according to a review published in the September issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Providers face cultural challenges when evaluating refugee children

Numerous challenges face providers who are administering developmental screenings for refugee children, including differences in cultural and religious beliefs, language barriers, and disparate education levels, according to new research from the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) published in the journal Pediatrics.

New research sheds light on the role of proteins and how synapses work

Synapses are the power junctions that allow living creatures to function. Popularly associated with learning and memory, they play a more fundamental role in our existence by regulating everything from breathing, sleeping and waking and other bodily functions.

Automating genetic analysis helps keep up with rapid discovery of new diseases, study finds

When Shayla Haddock was born in 1997, her parents immediately realized something was wrong. The sixth of seven children, Shayla had unusual facial features. She had club feet and shorter-than-normal limbs. She was smaller than most newborns. Hearing tests showed she was deaf.

New charts provide picture of drug use in the United States

An extensive and easy-to-use collection of charts that present findings from decades of government survey data of drug use in the United States is now available on the website of Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Pulmonary complications in adult survivors of childhood cancer

A team of researchers from nine leading academic hospitals and research centers have published a paper in the early online edition of the journal Cancer that describes pulmonary outcomes among childhood cancer survivors. The study also evaluates the impact of complications such as asthma, chronic cough, emphysema and recurrent pneumonia on daily activities.

Biomarker breakthrough could improve Parkinson's treatment

A new, non-invasive way to track the progression of Parkinson's disease could help evaluate experimental treatments to slow or stop the disease's progression.

Lack of fresh food choices linked to signs of early heart disease

A lack of access to nearby stores selling fresh food may increase residents' risk of developing the signs of early heart disease, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.

Flu nasal spray provides similar protection against influenza as flu shot, study finds

A study led by McMaster University researchers has found that, contrary to recent reports, flu nasal sprays provide similar protection against influenza as standard flu shots.

Season and region of birth linked to heightened childhood celiac disease risk

Circulating viral infections may help explain the temporal and geographical patterns associated with the risk of developing childhood coeliac disease, conclude Swedish researchers in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.

US declares Zika public health emergency in Puerto Rico

US health authorities on Friday declared a public health emergency in Puerto Rico due to the outbreak of Zika, which has now infected more than 10,000 people.

Novartis Korea executives charged for bribing doctors

Prosecutors have indicted the former chief executive of the South Korean unit of Novartis and five other former and current managers over allegations they illegally paid doctors 2.6 billion won ($2.3 million) in return for prescribing the company's drugs.

Access is central to Maryland medical marijuana program

Plenty of states have rolled out medical marijuana operations before Maryland, but as the state prepares to announce its top candidates for licenses to grow and process the drug, it's determined not to repeat the mistakes of others.

New Jersey proposal expands infertility coverage to lesbians

A federal lawsuit brought by a New Jersey lesbian couple who want to have a baby may mean insurance coverage for women who currently don't meet the state's definition of infertile.

Curing blindness by repairing corneas with invisible films

A patented treatment could restore eyesight for millions of sufferers of corneal disease.

Treating diabetes with data, alum's app, software gain international acclaim

Like many good ideas, the idea behind Ed Deng's diabetes management app began at home.

Study examines 'weekend effect' in emergency surgery patients

Research has pointed to a 'weekend effect' in which patients admitted to the hospital on Saturdays or Sundays are more likely to die than those admitted on week days. A new study has now assessed whether a weekend effect exists in a specified population: patients admitted for emergency general surgery.

Leptomeningeal metastases are more common in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations

Leptomeningeal metastases (LM), a devastating complication and predictor of poor survival in lung cancer patients, was found to be more prevalent in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting EGFR mutations had a longer overall survival (OS) than those who did not receive TKIs, demonstrating the effectiveness of TKIs for LM therapy.

New DCIS consensus guideline could curb unnecessary breast surgery and reduce health system costs

Three leading national cancer organizations today issued a consensus guideline for physicians treating women who have ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) treated with breast-conserving surgery with whole breast irradiation. The new guideline has the potential to save many women from unnecessary surgeries while reducing costs to the health care system.

Strong evidence lacking to compare management strategies for renal artery stenosis

Researchers found a lack of strong evidence to compare the benefits and harms of revascularization using percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty with stent placement (PTRAS) versus medical therapy alone for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS). The report is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Colorado voters to consider suicide drugs for terminally ill

Colorado voters this fall will decide whether terminally ill people should be allowed to receive prescriptions for drugs to end their own lives.

Biology news

A new method simplifies blood biomarker discovery and analysis

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet in collaboration with Estonian Competence Centre on Health Technologies have developed a new gene expression analysis method to widen the usage of blood in biomarker discovery and analysis. Their paper is published in the journal Scientific Reports.

DNA analysis suggests colugos are part of a primate sister group

(Phys.org)—An international team of researchers has found genetic evidence that suggests that colugos are part of a primate sister group. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the team describes how they obtained tissue samples of the gliding mammals, performed genetic testing on them and found a surprising relationship between them and primates.

Fish camouflage sends mixed messages to aggro males

Colour-changing fish have only one skin, but they use it to communicate social status, attract mates, avoid predators and more. So what happens when those functions collide?

Researchers sequence genome of 'gluttonous' tobacco hornworm

An international team of researchers has sequenced the genome of the tobacco hornworm—a caterpillar species used in many research laboratories for studies of insect biology.

Mate choices of barn swallows tied to diverging appearances

If you are a male barn swallow in the United States or the Mediterranean with dark red breast feathers, you're apt to wow potential mates. But if you have long outer tail feathers in the United States, or short ones in the Mediterranean, the females may not be so impressed.

New family of bacterial cell wall builders: Discovery overturns dogma, revealing potential target

Harvard Medical School scientists have identified a new family of proteins that virtually all bacteria use to build and maintain their cell walls.

New genome sequences target next generation of yeasts with improved biotech uses

Yeasts are physically hard to distinguish, and it is easy to think they are all the same. Metabolically, genetically and biochemically, however, yeasts are highly diverse. So far industry has only harnessed a fraction of the diversity available for biotechnological applications, including biofuel production. In the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a team led by DOE Joint Genome Institute researchers aims to help boost the use of a wider range of yeasts.

How mechanical force triggers blood clotting at the molecular scale

Using a unique single-molecule force measurement tool, a research team has developed a clearer understanding of how platelets sense the mechanical forces they encounter during bleeding to initiate the cascading process that leads to blood clotting.

Scientists take big step toward recreating primordial 'RNA world' of 4 billion years ago

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have taken a big step toward the laboratory re-creation of the "RNA world," which is generally believed to have preceded modern life forms based on DNA and proteins.

Researchers discover that DNA naturally fluoresces

A Northwestern University team recently caught DNA doing something that has never been seen before: it blinked.

Luna moth's long tail could confuse bat sonar through its twist

The long hindwing tails sported by many moths have long been suspected as a strategy to confound predators. The moths are active mainly at night, so they don't need a visual disguise. They need to avoid nocturnal hunters that navigate by sound.

Webcam whale research buoyed by viewers around the world

The underwater webcam attached to Hayley Shephard's boat captures what at first appear to be green glowing orbs as she motors through an estuary in remote Canada. Then the orbs come into focus, revealing some of the more than 3,000 beluga whales that gather in the waters in and around Hudson Bay each summer.

Brewing Vegemite beer for science

Is Vegemite more than a spread? Or can it be used to brew beer? University of Queensland researchers have put the theory to the test.

New discovery increases understanding of how plants and bacteria see light

Plants, bacteria and fungi react to light with light-sensitive proteins. Scientists from the University of Gothenburg and their Finnish colleagues from University of Jyväskylä have now determined the inner workings of one of these proteins. The results have been published in the most recent issue of Science Advances.

Gold rush! First evidence of spawning migration of football-size goldfish

Murdoch researchers have discovered for the first time football-sized goldfish are travelling hundreds of kilometres each year through WA waterways.

Cold is the best way to catch crabs

Fishermen have been thrown a line with new Griffith University research that has found they can catch more spanner crab in cooler waters.

Research backs up ongoing efforts to protect the enigmatic Nautilus

Biologists at the University of Washington hope September will bring welcome news for a dazzling array of sea creatures that have long been victims of human aesthetic fascination.

Bangladesh tries to move stranded elephant to safari park

A fully grown Indian elephant that washed up in a swamp in Bangladesh after being caught up in raging floodwaters has become a jumbo problem for wildlife officials on both sides of the border.

Rice cultivation in Southeast Asia: Five years of lessons learned by LEGATO

Five years of irrigated rice cultivation research reached its pinnacle at the Final LEGATO Conference, which took place from 6 to 11 August 2016 in Banaue, Philippines. LEGATO is a BMBF (German Federal Ministry of Education and Research) funded project, coordinated by the Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Germany.

SC regulators warn against eating bass from two upstate lakes

People should only eat limited amounts of bass from two upstate lakes because of mercury found in the tissue of those species, state regulators cautioned Monday in their annual fish consumption advisory.


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