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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for November 2, 2016:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Astrophysicists conduct very high energy studies of a highly extended pulsar wind nebula(Phys.org)—Astrophysicists from Germany and France have recently performed very high energy studies of the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) designated HESS J1825−137. The findings, presented in a paper published Oct. 27 on arXiv.org, provide new insights on the changing nature of this highly extended nebula. |
 | Japan rocket with manga art launches satellite into spaceA Japanese rocket that fired a weather satellite into space on Wednesday was decked out in colourful manga in a bid to raise awareness among kids about the wonders of the universe. |
 | New study reveals relationships between chemicals found on cometsA new study has revealed similarities and relationships between certain types of chemicals found on 30 different comets, which vary widely in their overall composition compared to one another. The research is part of ongoing investigations into these primordial bodies, which contain material largely unchanged from the birth of the solar system some 4.6 billion years ago. |
 | Pillars of destruction: Colourful Carina Nebula blasted by brilliant nearby starsSpectacular new observations of vast pillar-like structures within the Carina Nebula have been made using the MUSE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope. The different pillars analysed by an international team seem to be pillars of destruction—in contrast to the name of the iconic Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula, which are of similar nature. |
 | NASA completes Webb Telescope Center of Curvature pre-testEngineers and technicians working on the James Webb Space Telescope successfully completed the first important optical measurement of Webb's fully assembled primary mirror, called a Center of Curvature test. |
 | Altered bacterial behavior in space may result from reduced extracellular transportReduced extracellular transport of molecules may explain changes in bacterial behavior in space, according to a study published November 2, 2016 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Luis Zea from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and colleagues. |
 | Close galactic encounter leaves 'nearly naked' supermassive black holeAstronomers using the super-sharp radio vision of the National Science Foundation's Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) have found the shredded remains of a galaxy that passed through a larger galaxy, leaving only the smaller galaxy's nearly-naked supermassive black hole to emerge and speed away at more than 2,000 miles per second. |
 | Prototype capture system, mock asteroid help simulate mission sequenceA prototype of the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) robotic capture module system is tested with a mock asteroid boulder in its clutches at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The robotic portion of ARM is targeted for launch in 2021. |
 | The cosmic crime-scene hunt for clues on how galaxies are formedHow did large galaxies, like our own Milky Way and the nearby Andromeda Galaxy, emerge from the featureless soup that existed after the birth of our universe? |
 | Pure metal asteroid has mysterious water depositsWater has been showing up in all sorts of unexpected places in our solar system, such as the Moon, Mercury and Saturn's moon Ganymede. Add one more place to the list: Asteroid 16 Psyche. This metal-rich asteroid may have traces of water molecules on its surface that shouldn't be there, researchers say. |
 | Curiosity finds a melted space metal meteorite on the surface of MarsSince it landed on the surface of the Red Planet in 2012, the Curiosity rover has made some rather surprising finds. In the past, this has included evidence that liquid water once filled the Gale Crater, the presence of methane and organic molecules today, curious sedimentary formations, and even a strange ball-shaped rock. |
Technology news
 | High-resolution 3-D images of shoeprints, tire tracks in snow and soil for crime-scene forensicsResearchers are developing a new type of portable crime-scene forensics technology designed to take precise high-resolution 3-D images of shoeprints and tire tread marks in snow and soil. |
 | Making high-performance batteries from junkyard scrapsTake some metal scraps from the junkyard; put them in a glass jar with a common household chemical; and, voilà, you have a high-performance battery. |
 | New 'digital life' initiative aims to create 3-D models of all living creaturesScientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst led by biologist Duncan Irschick who created the Beastcam Array, a rapid-capture, field portable tabletop system for making high-resolution, full-color 3D models of living organisms, now plan to use it in an ambitious effort to create 3D models of all living organisms. |
 | US average fuel economy at record high of 24.8 mpgU.S. vehicles are losing weight, and it's helping them use less fuel. |
 | Good news for Chrome users comes in the form of speed boost(Tech Xplore)—Speed is an important factor in choosing a browser favorite. The latest news is that Chrome on Windows will see a speed boost. This is apt to strengthen Chrome all the more, as one of today's easiest, most popular browser choices. |
 | Fuel from sewage is the future—and it's closer than you thinkIt may sound like science fiction, but wastewater treatment plants across the United States may one day turn ordinary sewage into biocrude oil, thanks to new research at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. |
 | Lisbon dreams of Europe's Silicon Valley tagLisbon is betting that hosting the Web Summit, Europe's largest tech event, will spur the growth of startups and draw foreign investors, helping it compete with the continent's main innovation hubs. |
Transforming, self-learning software could help save the planetArtificially intelligent computer software that can learn, adapt and rebuild itself in real-time could help combat climate change. | |
Aviation professor expects boost in fliers for the holidaysIncreases in summer airline travel could be an indicator of things to come for flying during the holiday season. | |
Researchers uncover hidden censorship on Chinese live-streaming appsResearchers at the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab are publishing a report today that reveals hidden keyword blacklists that are used to censor chats on three popular Chinese live streaming applications, YY, 9158, and Sina Show. Contrary to prior research and assumptions that Internet censorship in China operates under a uniform set of guidelines, the researchers found uneven implementation of censorship on the live streaming apps they studied. | |
 | How do children use the internet? We asked thousands of kids around the worldThe internet has reached almost every corner of the globe, but most research on how it is used, particularly among children, focuses on the US and Europe. This is a problem, because according to best estimates one in three children around the world now uses the internet – most of them outside the West. An increasingly global internet requires increasingly international policy decisions – which must rely on global evidence. |
 | 3-D printing customized insoles for diabetes patientsIn the past, insoles for patients with diabetes were hand-made by orthopedic shoemakers. In the future, these specialist shoemakers will be able to produce insoles more cost-effectively thanks to new software and the use of 3-D printers. This approach means the mechanical properties of each insole can be assessed scientifically and more effectively. |
 | Machine learning to help physiciansPhysicians have long used visual judgment of medical images to determine the course of cancer treatment. A new program package from Fraunhofer researchers reveals changes in images and facilitates this task using deep learning. The experts will demonstrate this software in Chicago from November 27 to December 2 at RSNA, the world's largest radiology meeting. |
US safety agency closes Nissan air bag probe without recallU.S. auto safety regulators have closed an investigation into Nissan Rogue air bags without seeking a recall. | |
 | LinkedIn, Glassdoor add tools to reveal your pay potentialMoney isn't everything, but it counts for a lot at work. That's why work-related websites like LinkedIn and Glassdoor are adding new online tools to help professionals understand their salary potential. |
 | Make America tweet againWe know how Donald Trump feels about everyone through Twitter, but how do Twitter users feel about Donald Trump? |
Volvo replaces stodgy S80 with sleek S90 luxury sedanVolvo has replaced its stodgy S80 sedan with the sleek, elegant and quiet S90, which has industry-first safety features designed to reduce or mitigate collisions with deer and other large animals. | |
 | Uber takes its app down new road with redesignUber is taking its ride-hailing app down a new road in an effort to make it smarter, simpler and more fun to use. |
 | NY Times sees digital gains, but profit evaporatesThe New York Times Co. saw profits evaporate in the third quarter due to one-time costs and a steep drop in print advertising revenues, results showed Wednesday. |
 | Microsoft adds new chat-based service for workersTaking a cue from competing online services like Slack, which let workers chat and share information on the job, Microsoft is adding a new program called "Teams" to its Office 365 suite of internet productivity software. |
 | New US Robotics Roadmap calls for increased regulations, education and researchA new U.S. Robotics Roadmap released Oct. 31 calls for better policy frameworks to safely integrate new technologies, such as self-driving cars and commercial drones, into everyday life. The document also advocates for increased research efforts in the field of human-robot interaction to develop intelligent machines that will empower people to stay in their homes as they age. It calls for increased education efforts in the STEM fields from elementary school to adult learners |
 | Facebook gold streak continues in 3Q, thanks partly to videoWhether it's a video clip of your friend's dog or a live stream of the presidential debates, you are likely watching more videos on Facebook than ever. And that means you're also more likely to see video ads. |
 | Alibaba sales growth soars into the cloudChinese e-commerce giant Alibaba's sales soared 55 percent in the last quarter, thanks in part to a more than doubling of revenue from cloud computing, the company said Wednesday. |
 | Facebook quarterly profit soars, lifted by mobile adsFacebook on Wednesday reported its profit more than doubled in the recently ended quarter, lifted by strong growth in mobile ad revenues. |
 | Modern-day tools help probe our distant pastComputers are better than humans at carrying out mathematical operations, a facility that extends to the organization and retrieval of digital data. Electronic and digital sensors are better than humans at perceiving and recording many of the qualities of the physical environment, especially when it comes to measurement. Since the measurement, recording, and organization of data are the primary goals of the process of archaeological documentation, why not turn this over to computers? What do humans have to offer to this process? |
 | The energy-saving data glassesData glasses mirror information to the eye without interfering with the wearer's vision. However, the battery runs down quickly, because the electronics consume a great amount of electricity while playing back the images. Fraunhofer researchers have developed an energy-saving display that reduces the power consumption to a fraction. The new display will be presented at the electronica trade fair in Munich from November 08-11, 2016. |
Chip maker Broadcom in $5.9 bn deal to buy BrocadeChip maker Broadcom on Wednesday announced a $5.9 billion deal to buy computer network company Brocade Communications Systems as consolidation continued in the semiconductor industry. | |
 | Safety chief: Honda must do more to fix dangerous air bagsHonda must do more to track down owners of 300,000 cars with highly dangerous Takata air bag inflators and make sure they are repaired, the nation's top auto safety regulator said Wednesday. |
 | Gawker's shell settles with Hulk Hogan for $31 millionThe shell of Gawker has settled with Hulk Hogan for $31 million, ending a years-long fight that led to the media company's bankruptcy, the shutdown of Gawker.com and the sale of Gawker's other sites to Spanish-language broadcaster Univision. |
Medicine & Health news
Trimming the spare tire: Canola oil may cut belly fatIncluding canola oil in a healthy diet may help reduce abdominal fat in as little as four weeks, according to health researchers. | |
 | Study develops prediction model for lung cancer risk in never smokersResearchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new personalized assessment tool that could better predict lung cancer risk in never, light and heavy smokers using a large Taiwanese prospective cohort study. By incorporating risk factors in addition to smoking history, this tool could better classify those in greatest need of lung cancer screening and reduce false positives. The study, published online today in Nature's Scientific Reports, is the first to develop a tool for personalized risk assessment in never smokers in a large prospective cohort design. |
 | Well-being linked with when and how people manage emotionsReframing how we think about a situation is a common strategy for managing our emotions, but a new study suggests that using this reappraisal strategy in situations we actually have control over may be associated with lower well-being. The findings are published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. |
 | Muscles more sensitive to stretch than previously thoughtAlmost 50 years after Nobel prize-winner Andrew Huxley published his seminal findings about muscle contraction, scientists from the University of Bristol have retraced Huxley's steps. Their findings, published today in the Biophysical Journal, could change our understanding of the response of muscles to changes in length during physical activity. |
 | Measuring DNA repair capability can reveal tumors' sensitivity to drugsMany chemotherapy drugs work by damaging cancer cells' DNA so severely that the cells are forced to commit cellular suicide. However, these drugs don't work for all patients: If cells can repair the DNA damage, they may survive treatment. |
 | Cells of origin for breast tumours identifiedBreast cancer is the most common cancer type in women in Sweden and worldwide. It has long been known that not all breast cancers are similar: Luminal tumours consist mostly of cells that are similar to those found in the inner lining of the breast ducts (luminal mammary gland cells), whereas others can have cells more similar to the outer layer of the breast epithelium (basal cells). It is believed that this diversity originates from mutations in different stem cells or progenitor cells. The identities of these peculiar progenitor cell populations and their tumour forming capabilities are incompletely understood. |
 | The wiring of fly brains—mapping cell-to-cell connectionsBiologists at Caltech have developed a new system for visualizing connections between individual cells in fly brains. The finding may ultimately lead to "wiring diagrams" of fly and other animal brains, which would help researchers understand how neurons are connected. |
 | Earlier Alzheimer's diagnosis may be possible with new imaging compoundBy the time unambiguous signs of memory loss and cognitive decline appear in people with Alzheimer's disease, their brains already are significantly damaged, dotted with clumps of a destructive protein known as amyloid beta. For years, scientists have sought methods and clues to help identify brain changes associated with Alzheimer's earlier in the disease process, so they can try to stop or even reverse the changes before they severely affect people's lives. |
 | Single mutation in recessive gene increases risk of earlier onset Parkinson's diseaseA collaboration of 32 researchers in seven countries, led by scientists at Mayo Clinic's campus in Florida, has found a genetic mutation they say confers a risk for development of Parkinson's disease earlier than usual. |
 | Researchers map neurological process of learning, decidingScientists at The University of Texas at Austin can now map what happens neurologically when new information influences a person to change his or her mind, a finding that offers more insight into the mechanics of learning. |
 | Technology brings new precision to study of circadian rhythm in individual cellsAn interdisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Georgia has developed a new technology that may help scientists better understand how an individual cell synchronizes its biological clock with other cells. |
 | Cause of inflammation in diabetes identifiedInflammation is one of the main reasons why people with diabetes experience heart attacks, strokes, kidney problems and other, related complications. Now, in a surprise finding, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a possible trigger of chronic inflammation. |
 | Researchers identify first two genes regulating sleep in mice using genetic screeningResearchers have identified the first two core genes that regulate the amount of deep sleep and dreaming, a key development they believe will lead to the discovery of a network of related genes controlling sleep. |
 | Single-cell analysis supports a role for cancer stem cells in brain tumor growthA study analyzing brain tumor genomics on a single-cell level has found evidence that cancer stem cells fuel the growth of oligodendrogliomas, a slow-growing but incurable form of brain cancer. In their paper receiving advance online publication in Nature, a team led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard identifies for the first time cancer stem cells and their differentiated progeny in human brain tumor samples. |
 | Heart disease, leukemia linked to dysfunction in nucleusWe put things into a container to keep them organized and safe. In cells, the nucleus has a similar role: keeping DNA protected and intact within an enveloping membrane. But a new study by Salk Institute scientists, detailed in the November 2 issue of Genes & Development, reveals that this cellular container acts on its contents to influence gene expression. |
 | New research uncovers pattern in global flu outbreaksAs cold winter weather approaches, millions of people look for remedies to avoid the flu. Yet influenza outbreaks equally affect those living in warm, tropical regions where there is no direct link to seasonal temperature changes. This lack of a seasonal connection between flu outbreaks in tropical and temperate climates has made studying the environmental factors that drive the flu challenging. |
Opium smoker develops lead poisoningA 46-year-old man of Iranian origin developed lead poisoning from smoking contaminated opium, doctors write in the journal BMJ Case Reports. | |
Miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy may trigger post-traumatic stress disorderWomen may be at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder following a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, suggests a new study. | |
Women experience marked decline in sexual function immediately before and after menopauseWomen experience a notable decline in sexual function approximately 20 months before and one year after their last menstrual period, and that decrease continues, though at a somewhat slower rate, over the following five years, according to a study led by a researcher at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. | |
 | Sleep deprivation may cause people to eat more caloriesSleep deprivation may result in people consuming more calories during the following day, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis led by researchers at King's College London. |
Childhood obesity and overweight rates rise during summer break, not during school yearIncreases in overweight and obesity rates among young children occur during summer vacations, not during the school year, according to new research from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. | |
Infections during infancy more closely associated with childhood obesity riskInfections during infancy - rather than antibiotic use, as previously suspected - were associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity in a Kaiser Permanente study of more than 260,000 infants over 16 years. The findings were published today in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. | |
Most breast and cervical cancer deaths occur in developing countries, yet many could be preventedEvery year 800000 women die of cervical and breast cancer, but where a woman lives will largely determine her chance of survival. Two thirds of breast cancer deaths and 9 out of 10 deaths from cervical cancer occur in low- and middle income countries (LMICs). While some diagnostic and treatment services like mammography and radiotherapy are likely unaffordable, several proven, high-impact, cost-effective interventions exist to tackle these common cancers and have the potential to prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths every year, yet are often not available. | |
Pakistan low breastfeeding rates lead to stunted growth 'crisis'Mother-of-seven Mah Pari lives in a fertile region of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province—but her two-year-old son, Gul Mir, is crying from hunger as she cradles him in her arms. | |
 | Ovarian transplantation might be possible in futureApproximately 1% of women worldwide suffer from premature ovarian failure. This can have many different causes: chemotherapy administered for a malignant disease might irreversibly damage the ovaries and, because of the advances in modern cancer therapy, the number of young women surviving cancer is on the increase. The women, some of whom are still very young, prematurely enter menopause. Genetic diseases can also trigger early menopause but, in most cases, no specific cause can be identified. Now, for the first time, an international team of researchers led by MedUni Vienna has successfully transplanted an ovary from one individual to another, even managing to restore a monthly cycle. |
Expert offers tips on how to manage election season stressBetween worrying about which candidate will win and what changes they may implement, the months leading up to Election Day can be stressful. One Baylor College of Medicine expert warns that this can lead to election stress disorder and offers tips on how to manage election season stress. | |
Program improves adult immunization rates at primary care officesA University of Pittsburgh-developed program successfully boosts vaccination rates in adult patients seen at primary care offices, two recent studies demonstrated. | |
 | Amyloid study pinpoints protein culpritsA five-year trial at a Brisbane Hospital has increased the accuracy of diagnosing patients with amyloidosis, a group of rare and incurable diseases caused by abnormal protein deposits in tissues and organs. |
 | Experts launch online child-sleep improvement tool for parentsParents of children who don't sleep well have a new resource to help them develop better sleep habits and routines for their child. |
 | New cancer treatment strategy discovered for acute myeloid leukemiaUniversity of Hawai'i Cancer Center researchers have discovered a novel therapeutic target and treatment strategy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that normally requires prompt and aggressive treatment. |
Childhood obesity epidemic could be tackled by expectant mothers adjusting their dietResearch in Singapore finds that babies have lower abdominal fat when their mothers' diet is relatively protein-rich and low in carbohydrate and fat during pregnancy. A*STAR researcher Mary Chong says this revelation may offer a new strategy for very early intervention to tackle the growing problem of obesity in childhood and later life. | |
 | How just one little metaphor can fire up our emotionsThere's never been a US presidential candidate quite like Donald Trump – and one of his most distinctive traits is the way he uses vivid, jumbled metaphors. His speaking style is shot through with figurative imagery – a sort of language that we know is particularly effective at rousing people's feelings. |
Viewing images of vulva diversity could strengthen women's genital self-imageLooking at pictures of natural vulvas in a range of shapes and sizes could help improve women's satisfaction with their own genitalia, even those with a relatively positive genital self-image, according to new research published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology. | |
 | Berry wine, minus the alcohol, may offer help for those with diabetesBlueberries, and berries in general, are among foods labeled as "diabetes superfoods" by the American Association of Diabetes. Food science researchers at the University of Illinois have found that fermenting berries may improve their antidiabetic potential even more. |
 | Science deconstructs humor—what makes some things funny?Think of the most hilarious video you've ever seen on the internet. Why is it so funny? |
 | Overcoming language loss long after a strokeKelly O'Day has no recollection of suffering a stroke in January 2014, or of the months on life support that followed. She does know that when she was discharged from the hospital, she "couldn't say much other than pleasantries," she says. "I knew exactly what I wanted to say; I couldn't get it out. I felt stuck." |
 | Noninvasive tool to make voice therapy simpler–and more scientificWhen Meghan Graham was an undergraduate at Ithaca College, her speech pathology professor pulled her aside after class, but not to discuss homework. "This may be personal," she said, "but do you smoke?" |
 | New research suggests 50 million patients suffer complications after surgery each yearThree hundred and ten million patients undergo surgery worldwide each year, but while global initiatives are increasing access to surgical treatment, little data has been compiled about complication rates after surgery. |
 | Discovery of potential treatment for aggressive form of breast cancerA new drug could be used to treat one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer, a research centre based at University College Dublin and St Vincent's Hospital has discovered. |
Forgotten fitness guidelines mean future health risks for mostFewer than a third of adults in Scotland are doing enough physical activity to develop the muscle, balance and coordination needed for a healthy later life. | |
Men welcome revolutionary male contraceptiveA new study has found that men have positive attitudes towards an innovative male contraceptive, Vasalgel. The landmark study, published in Cogent Medicine, is the first insight into how men perceive the new contraceptive and gives promising signs that Vasalgel may revolutionise approaches to reproductive health. | |
 | How subtle changes in our bodies affect conscious awareness and decision confidenceHow do we become aware of our own thoughts and feelings? And what enables us to know when we've made a good or bad decision? Every day we are confronted with ambiguous situations. If we want to learn from our mistakes, it is important that we sometimes reflect on our decisions. Did I make the right choice when I leveraged my house mortgage against the market? Was that stop light green or red? Did I really hear a footstep in the attic, or was it just the wind? |
 | New self-help guide for kids could stop fear of the dentistThe number of children with phobias of the dentist could be reduced as experts create the first self-help guide designed to encourage young children to face their fears. |
 | Biologists identify the switch for Neuroglobin gene—a new target for Alzheimer's diseaseA study led by Dr K.C. Tan-Un and her team at the School of Biological Sciences, the University of Hong Kong (HKU), in collaboration with Professor Richard Festenstein at the Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, and Professor Sjaak Phillipsen at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, have discovered a crucial part of the genetic machinery that switches on the Neuroglobin gene. This discovery opens up a new opportunity in treating Alzheimer's disease (AD), such with the development of gene therapy. The study was published recently in the journal Nucleic Acids Research. |
 | New research on the muscles of elite athletes: When quality is better than quantityWe can all recognise that feeling of muscle fatigue after taking a brisk walk, cycling, running or playing football. |
 | 'Corkscrew' shape of blood flow in heart's upper chamber may signal lower stroke riskUsing specialized CT scans of a healthy heart and one with heart disease, a team of Johns Hopkins cardiologists and biomedical engineers say they've created computer models of the "shape" of blood flow through the heart's upper left chamber that someday may help predict stroke risk. |
New model developed to study inflammatory bowel disease in human biopsy samplesInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex condition that requires a lifetime of care and increases a person's cancer risk. But its origins are still a mystery. Now, a team of researchers have created a new culture model of the human intestine where living tissue from a patient biopsy can be preserved and studied for days. | |
 | Cooking temperature may hold clues to heart disease rates, scientists sayFood cooked at high heat may carry toxic chemicals that raise risk of heart disease, researchers have warned. |
Connection between brain inflammation and CTE identifiedFor the first time, researchers have shown that inflammation in the brain may have direct involvement in the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). In addition, they found that the number of years one plays contact sports may predict the occurrence of CTE and that this association is partly due to increased inflammation in the brain. | |
What are costs, consequences associated with misdiagnosed cellulitis?Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection and a new study published online by JAMA Dermatology suggests misdiagnosis of the condition is associated with unnecessary hospitalizations and antibiotic use, as well as avoidable health care spending. | |
 | Is a marker of preclinical Alzheimer's disease associated with loneliness?A new article published online by JAMA Psychiatry used data from a study of 79 cognitively normal adults to examine whether cortical amyloid levels in the brain, a marker of preclinical Alzheimer disease, was associated with self-reported loneliness. |
Significant decrease seen in prostate biopsy, radical prostatectomy procedures following recommendationsIn a study published online by JAMA Surgery, Jim C. Hu, M.D., M.P.H., Joshua A. Halpern, M.D., M.S., of Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, and colleagues examined effects on practice patterns in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment following the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation against prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in 2012. | |
New study confirms link between early menopause and higher risk of fractureIf you're in menopause before the age of 40, you have a higher fracture risk. That fact has already been proven by the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) clinical trials. Now a new study evaluating the same WHI data further concludes that, even with calcium and vitamin D supplements, your risk of fracture is still higher. The study is being published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). | |
A lot of blood, for no reason? Review shows that common, costly clot test has few benefitsA half billion dollars - at least—gets spent each year on blood tests to see which hospital patients have a genetic quirk that makes their blood more likely to form dangerous clots. | |
 | Anal cancer rates rising in many parts of the world(HealthDay)—Anal cancer rates are on the rise in many countries. But vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV)—a virus linked to the development of anal cancer—may help curb rates of the disease, a new study suggests. |
 | Incidence of statin-associated T2DM relatively low(HealthDay)—For patients without diabetes, the incidence of statin-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is relatively low, according to research published in the Nov. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology. |
 | Impact of HbA1c, BMI changes on lipids varies as children age(HealthDay)—As children age, the impact of changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and body mass index (BMI) on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol levels increases, according to a study published online Oct. 20 in Diabetes Care. |
 | Transient topical corticosteroids of limited use in acne(HealthDay)—Transient addition of topical corticosteroids (TCS) to topical retinoids is not associated with meeting the primary end points of improvement in acne severity and mitigation of medication-induced irritation, according to a study published online Oct. 27 in the British Journal of Dermatology. |
 | Outcomes similar for rx dosing protocols in ectopic pregnancy(HealthDay)—For ectopic pregnancy, outcomes are similar with a single- and double-dose methotrexate protocol, according to a study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. |
 | In-hospital mortality down with video-assisted thoracoscopic Sx(HealthDay)—Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy is associated with lower in-hospital mortality and shorter length of hospital stay versus open thoracotomy, according to a study published online Oct. 25 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. |
 | Community pharmacists play role in providing preventive care(HealthDay)—Community pharmacists are well suited to provide clinical preventive services, including education, screenings, and making referrals, according to a report published in the Oct. 27 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Preventing Chronic Disease. |
 | Patient age linked to survival in papillary thyroid cancer(HealthDay)—For patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), patient age is associated with death in a linear fashion, with no apparent age cut point demarcating survival difference, according to a study published online Oct. 28 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. |
 | ASCO updates guidelines on integration of palliative care(HealthDay)—The American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline on the integration of palliative care into standard oncology care has been updated. The update was published online Oct. 28 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. |
 | Porous implant has potential to extend life of hip replacements by mimicking quality of real bonesSome potentially good news for aging Baby Boomers: researchers believe that they have developed a hip replacement that will last longer and create fewer problems for the people who receive them than those currently in use. The secret? An implant that "tricks" the host bone into remaining alive by mimicking the varying porosity of real bones. |
 | The calling card of aggressive thyroid cancerA new discovery from University of Alberta scientists represents an important milestone in the fight against thyroid cancer. In a study published in EBioMedicine and recently presented at the American Thyroid Association annual meeting, the team has identified a marker of aggressive disease for papillary thyroid cancer, which comprises about 90 per cent of all thyroid cancers. The marker—a protein known as Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor Alpha, or PDGFRA—could also be used as a therapeutic target for future treatments. |
WHO Trauma Care Checklist improves care for injured patientsInjury is responsible for more than 10 percent of the global burden of disease, killing more people each year than HIV, malaria and tuberculosis combined. More than 90 percent of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Injury is also the leading cause of death in adolescents globally. | |
Lack of brain shrinkage may help predict who develops dementia with Lewy bodiesDementia with Lewy bodies is a progressive disease that causes hallucinations, decline in mental abilities, rigid muscles, slow movement and tremors. With symptoms similar to Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, a correct diagnosis can be difficult. | |
 | Research connects first-time kidney stone formers and chronic kidney diseaseMayo Clinic nephrologists have uncovered a connection between first-time kidney stone formers and chronic kidney disease. In a paper published today in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, researchers announce a persistent decline in kidney functioning following an individual's first case of kidney stones. |
 | Brain volume predicts successful weight loss in the elderlyIf you're trying to lose weight, what are your chances of success? Your brain may hold the key. |
 | Mental health spending nets return by reducing jail populationEach dollar a state spends on mental health care cuts roughly 25 cents off its jail expenditures by reducing its inmate population, a new study shows. |
Neurocognitive deficits may be a red flag for psychosisWhile schizophrenia is best known for episodes of psychosis - a break with reality during which an individual may experience delusions and hallucinations - it is also marked by chronic neurocognitive deficits, such as problems with memory and attention. A multi-site cognition study led by psychologists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) found that these neurocognitive symptoms are evident prior to the onset of psychosis in a high-risk stage of the disorder called the prodromal phase. Published today online in advance of print in JAMA Psychiatry, the findings suggest that these impairments may serve as early warning signs of schizophrenia, as well as potential targets for intervention that could mitigate the onset of the psychotic disorder and significantly improve cognitive function. | |
Bolivia reports first three Zika-linked microcephaly casesBolivia has detected its first three cases of microcephaly caused by the Zika virus, local media reported Wednesday, citing health authorities. | |
Official: Fourth-largest city in Russia has HIV epidemicRussian health officials say one in 50 people in the country's fourth-largest city is carrying the HIV virus as Russia struggles to deal with a rapidly rising number of infections. | |
Testing if Pap smears offer early peek at birth defect riskA simple Pap smear may one day offer a way to screen for birth defects a little earlier in pregnancy than today's prenatal tests. | |
Alcohol's cancer toll revealedAlcohol consumption caused more than 700,000 new cancer cases and around 366,000 cancer deaths in 2012, mainly in rich countries, according to data reported Wednesday to the World Cancer Congress in Paris. | |
Kids should be part of treatment for moms fighting substance useMothers in therapy for drug and alcohol use recover faster if their children take part in their treatment sessions, according to a first-of-its-kind study. | |
Gene mutations may increase adverse event risk in older adults taking multiple medsGene mutations that affect drug metabolism may explain higher hospitalization rates for some older adults taking multiple medications, according to researchers from Columbia University. | |
Safety concerns linger for generic oncology drugs in developing countriesAlthough generic oncology drugs can reduce patient costs and improve treatment access, the safety of these drugs in developing countries is uncertain, according to an international research team led by Dr. Charles Bennett, Josie M. Fletcher professor and chairman of the S.C. SmartState Center in Medication Safety and Efficacy at the College of Pharmacy at the University of South Carolina. | |
Some immune-boosting cancer drugs may pose rare heart risksDoctors have found a disturbing downside to some powerful new drugs that harness the immune system to fight cancer: In rare cases, they may cause potentially fatal heart damage, especially when used together. | |
 | Ballot could add legal marijuana to Las Vegas' list of vicesNevada already has legal brothels, round-the-clock casinos and a coy catchphrase declaring that "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." If voters approve, the state could soon add another vice in the form of recreational marijuana. |
 | High-protein diets reduce liver fatAccording to a new nutritional study conducted by the German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE) on individuals with type 2 diabetes, high-protein diets reduced liver fat by up to 48 percent within six weeks. It did not matter whether the diet was mainly based on plant or animal protein. The team of scientists led by Mariya Markova, Olga Pivovarova, Silke Hornemann and Andreas F. H. Pfeiffer of DIfE, a partner of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), has now published its findings in the journal Gastroenterology. |
Results from the AMULET OBSERVATIONAL STUDY reportedInitial results from the largest, prospective evaluation of a percutaneous transcatheter left atrial appendage (LAA) closure device (Amplatzer Amulet) for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation show that the device has a high implant success rate and low major adverse events. | |
 | How to choose the right amount for your FSA in 2017November is typically open enrollment time for millions who get health insurance, disability insurance and other benefits from an employer. If you're one of them, among your important choices is whether you want a flexible spending account and how much money to deposit. |
 | Researchers identify group of brain structural networks linked to loss of cognitive functionThe decreased expression of some structural covariance networks (SCNs) in the brain is associated with advancing age, whereas other networks are less affected by age, and a new study now points to the independent effects of cerebral small vessel disease on SCNs. SCNs may be an important indicator of diminished cognitive functioning in older persons, according to an article published in Brain Connectivity. |
Report released on Affordable Care Act implementation in LouisvilleFindings from a recent study on health care utilization in Metro Louisville indicate the uninsured rate decreased by more than half in just one year, from almost 17 percent in 2013 to just under 8 percent in 2014. | |
Cempra shares plummet ahead of FDA meeting on antibioticShares of drugmaker Cempra Inc. plunged Wednesday after federal regulators raised concerns about potential liver toxicity risks with its closely watched experimental antibiotic. | |
Biology news
 | Support from family and friends significantly reduces stress in wild chimpanzeesIn humans and other social animals stress is associated with poor health and high mortality. These negative effects can be buffered by receiving social support from relatives or friends. However, the mechanisms responsible for this effect remain largely unknown. A team led by Roman Wittig, Catherine Crockford and Tobias Deschner from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, has studied how wild chimpanzees cope with stressful and non-stressful situations when a close bond partner is present or absent. They measured the animals' urinary stress hormone levels during episodes of intergroup conflict, grooming and resting and found that the support of a friend significantly reduced the chimpanzees' stress hormone levels, especially in situations of conflict. But even during affiliative activities with the bond partner stress levels were generally lower. Daily supportive actions by friends and family maybe key to regulating stress hormone activity, and thus the negative effects of stress, a finding with potential medical implications for humans. |
 | One hormone to rule them allIdentifying stress hormones in insects can be a step towards environmentally friendly pesticides. Researchers from Stockholm University have discovered that one hormone coordinates the responses to stress in fruit flies. Their study is recently published in the Royal Society journal Open Biology. |
 | Birds with bigger brains found to be less likely to get shot(Phys.org)—A pair of researchers has found that birds with bigger brains are less likely to get shot by hunters than birds with smaller brains. In their paper published in the journal Biology Letters, Anders Pape Møller, with Université Paris-Sud in France and Johannes Erritzøe with House of Bird Research, in Denmark describe a study they carried out on bird brain comparisons in hunted prey. |
 | Sailfish found to use group hunting technique to capture more sardines(Phys.org)—An international team of researchers has found that sailfish use a unique form of group hunting to improve the catch for all involved. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the group describes their adventures studying the hunting behavior of the fish off the coast of Mexico and why they believe the behavior might be an example of social engagement that could lead to more complex cooperative strategies in other groups of animals. |
 | Gatekeeping proteins to aberrant RNA—'You shall not pass'They found that RNA-binding proteins are regulated such that gateway proteins can recognize and block aberrant strands of genetic code from exiting the nucleus. Unused messenger RNA (mRNA) strands that cannot exit the nucleus would eventually disintegrate. |
 | Supercomputers capture the crush in biological cellsUsing the largest computer in Japan - one of the most powerful in the world - research led by an MSU scientist has achieved breakthroughs in understanding how proteins are affected by realistic biological environments. The work, published in the current issue of eLife, is a significant step forward in simulating biology in a computer. |
 | Tricking moths into revealing the computational underpinnings of sensory integrationOur nervous systems are remarkable translators, channeling information from many sources and initiating appropriate behavioral responses. |
 | How the African striped mouse got its stripesA gene called Alx3 blocks the differentiation of pigment-producing cells in the skin of the African striped mouse, thus generating the mouse's characteristic light-colored stripes, a new study shows. The same gene also determines the stripe pattern of North American chipmunks, and the similar stripe patterns evolved independently in these two groups of animals, researchers report in this week's issue of Nature. |
 | Study reveals previously unknown component of whale songsResearchers have known for decades that whales create elaborate songs, sometimes projecting their calls for miles underwater. A new study from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), however, has revealed a previously unknown element of whale songs that could aid this mode of communication, and may play a pivotal role in locating other whales in open ocean. |
 | Researchers shed light on process of programmed mitochondrial cell deathEmploying a novel sensor made of graphene - a one-atom-thin layer of carbon - University of California, Irvine researchers have gained new insight into the process of programmed cell death in mitochondria, possibly opening the door to new ways of forcing cancer cells to self-destruct. They also hit a scientific jackpot of sorts by finding that an accepted paradigm of how cells create energy is only half-right. |
First genome sequence of Amur leopard highlights the drawback of a meat only dietThe first whole genome sequence of the Far Eastern Amur leopard is published in the open access journal Genome Biology, providing new insight into carnivory and how it impacts on genetic diversity and population size. | |
 | Natural pigments and useful raw materials from autumn leaves for industryAutumn leaves contain a range of interesting substances such as pigments, carbohydrates, proteins and compounds that inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is developing leaf-processing technologies, which could be used by the cosmetics, textile and feed and food industries. |
 | Looking for dangerous pathogens in rural MongoliaThe fortified Toyota Land Cruiser slipped and bounced in the muddy hollows of the rain-drenched Mongolian steppe. The driver, a native Mongolian man named Inka who spoke little English, slowly engineered the vehicle along what just two days earlier was a dusty pair of dirt tracks. |
Controlling plant regeneration systems may drive the future of agricultureThe ability to self-repair damaged tissue is one of the key features that define living organisms. Plants in particular are regeneration champions, a quality that has been used for centuries in horticultural techniques such as grafting. Belgian scientists from VIB and Ghent University have now discovered a key protein complex that controls plant tissue repair. Understanding this mechanism is of great agricultural importance: crops and edible plants might be cultivated more efficiently and made more resistant to parasitic plants. The results are published in the leading journal Nature Plants. | |
 | Study highlights a new threat to bees worldwideA recent study published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports highlights a newly identified virus—named Moku after the Hawaiian Island from which it was isolated—in the invasive wasp, Vespula pensylvanica. The research also warns that transmission of these kinds of viruses, especially from invasive species which can spread viruses to new locations, is a threat to pollinator health worldwide. |
Venerable elm tree finally succumbs to Dutch elm diseaseA venerable old elm tree that's believed to be the largest of its kind in New England has finally succumbed to Dutch elm disease in the Vermont town of Charlotte. | |
Lighting type affects ground beef colorGround beef is a very popular protein option at the grocery store. In fact, in terms of volume, 64% of total beef purchased is ground beef. When choosing a package of ground beef from the retail case, consumers rely heavily on the color of the meat to make their decision. The most desirable color is bright, cherry red. Once the meat changes to a brownish color, consumers tend to leave it, resulting in discounted meat and a total loss to retail stores of over $1 billion dollars annually. | |
 | New research will create a 21st-century tally of biodiversity in Southwest PacificThe Solomon Islands in the southwest Pacific are best known as a locale for some of the most intense fighting of the Second World War, including the bloody Battle of Guadalcanal. But for nearly a century, the rich biodiversity of the islands has been instrumental to the study of evolution, including research by noted scientists Ernst Mayr and Jared Diamond. |
Deer and elk farmers on the front lines of battle against chronic wasting diseaseThe effort to manage a fatal brain disease in deer and elk is taking significant steps forward thanks to a partnership between researchers, government experts, and American deer and elk farmers. | |
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