Science X Newsletter Monday, Aug 28

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for August 28, 2017:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Self-driving vehicles at the microscale

Astronomers discover two 'warm Jupiter' exoplanets orbiting distant stars

Best of Last Week – Hyperentanglement across roof tops, diamond rain and dancing to slow aging

Using four-dimensional electron microscopy to track diffusion of nanoparticles in a liquid

Rhesus monkeys found to see faces in inanimate objects too

Creating garments with Sewbot: Watch for changes in the business of clothing

Forty years on, Voyager still hurtles through space

Face scans, robot baggage handlers—airports of the future

Scientists in the Netherlands swing into action on thorium molten salt reactor experiments

Higher coffee consumption associated with lower risk of death

16-year study suggests air temperature is external trigger for heart attack

A first: Drug lowers heart risks by curbing inflammation

Proposed astrophysics mission to conduct the first infrared spectral survey of the entire sky

Chromosome mechanics guide nuclear assembly

Galaxy clusters offer clues to dark matter and dark energy

Astronomy & Space news

	Astronomers discover two 'warm Jupiter' exoplanets orbiting distant stars Astronomers have detected two new so-called "warm Jupiter" exoplanets orbiting stars located more than 1,300 light years away from the Earth. The newly found alien worlds are similar in size to Jupiter but much hotter than our solar system's gas giant. The findings were presented Aug. 23 in a paper published on arXiv.org.
	Forty years on, Voyager still hurtles through space Are we alone? Forty years ago, NASA rocket scientists sought to answer this question by launching the Voyager spacecraft, twin unmanned spaceships that would travel further than any human-made object in history.
	Proposed astrophysics mission to conduct the first infrared spectral survey of the entire sky NASA has recently chosen six proposed astrophysics mission for concept studies. Among them is the Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer, or SPHEREx, which aims to unlock the mysteries of the universe by performing the first all-sky spectral survey.
	Galaxy clusters offer clues to dark matter and dark energy It's a cosmic irony: the biggest things in the universe can also be the hardest to find.
	Astronomers let gaseous disks tilt and shrink in virtual wind tunnel A team of Dutch astronomers, led by Thomas Wijnen from Radboud University, has managed to tilt and shrink gaseous disks, in which planets form, in a virtual wind tunnel. The research helps in finding an explanation for the tilted planetary orbits in our own solar system, for example. Wijnen and his colleagues publish their findings in two articles in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
	VLA reveals distant galaxy's magnetic field With the help of a gigantic cosmic lens, astronomers have measured the magnetic field of a galaxy nearly five billion light-years away. The achievement is giving them important new clues about a problem at the frontiers of cosmology—the nature and origin of the magnetic fields that play an important role in how galaxies develop over time.
	Black hole models contradicted by hands-on tests at Sandia's Z machine A long-standing but unproven assumption about the X-ray spectra of black holes in space has been contradicted by hands-on experiments performed at Sandia National Laboratories' Z machine.
	Big dishes band together Earlier this month, radio dishes from three deep-space networks combined to catch faint 'survival' whispers from one of ESA's Mars orbiters, underlining the value of international collaboration for exploring the Red Planet.
	A clockwork rover for venus A good watch can take a beating and keep on ticking. With the right parts, can a rover do the same on a planet like Venus?
	Image: Hurricane Harvey viewed from the cupola of the International Space Station On August 25, 2017, NASA astronaut Jack Fischer photographed Hurricane Harvey from the cupola module aboard the International Space Station as it intensified on its way toward the Texas coast.
	Image: Hubble's dwarf-sized, double-named galaxy The galaxy NGC 178 may be small, but it packs quite a punch. Measuring around 40,000 light-years across, its diameter is less than half that of the Milky Way, and it is accordingly classified as a dwarf galaxy. Despite its diminutive size, NGC 178 is busy forming new stars. On average, the galaxy forms stars totaling around half the mass of the Sun per year—enough to label it a starburst galaxy.
	NASA's asteroid sample return mission successfully adjusts course NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft fired its thrusters to position itself on the correct course for its upcoming Earth flyby. The spacecraft, which is on a two-year outbound journey to asteroid Bennu, successfully performed a precision course adjustment on Wednesday to prepare for the gravity slingshot on Sept. 22.
Astronomers take first radio look for habitability of distant planets UWM astronomer David Kaplan and colleagues have begun a radio search for the magnetic fields of planets orbiting distant stars.
	Is the "alien megastructure" around Tabby's Star actually a ringed gas giant? KIC 8462852 (aka. Tabby's Star) continues to be a source of both fascination and controversy. Ever since it was first seen to be undergoing strange and sudden dips in brightness (in October of 2015) astronomers have been speculating as to what could be causing this. Since that time, various explanations have been offered, including large asteroids, a large planet, a debris disc or even an alien megastructure.

Technology news

	Creating garments with Sewbot: Watch for changes in the business of clothing (Tech Xplore)—Robotics and high speed computer vision are going to change the apparel industry and it is already evident that change is under way. SoftWear Automation, an Atlanta-based robotic sewing company, is in the frontline of automation change.
	Face scans, robot baggage handlers—airports of the future Passengers' baggage is collected by robots, they relax in a luxurious waiting area complete with an indoor garden before getting a face scan and swiftly passing through security and immigration—this could be the airport of the future.
	Scientists in the Netherlands swing into action on thorium molten salt reactor experiments (Tech Xplore)—Researchers at the Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG) in the Netherlands have begun experiments for the first time in many years to test thorium molten salt reactors. The experiments, in Petten, mark the first of its kind in over 45 years.
	Is Tesla electric truck to have a range of 200 to 300 miles? With self-driving technology on the horizon, cars are not the only items of interest. From manufacturers to fleet operators to consumers, interest is keen on what the prognosis looks like for lending self-driving capabilities for trucks.
	A low-cost method for solar-thermal conversion that's simpler and greener August 28, 2017—Researchers led by Yuan Yang, assistant professor of materials science and engineering at Columbia Engineering, along with colleagues at the Department of Chemistry at Columbia University and at Stanford University, have developed a new, scalable, and low-cost "dip and dry" method for fabricating a highly efficient selective solar absorber (SSA) that can harness and convert sunlight to heat for use in a wide range of energy-related applications, from heating water and generating steam to residential heating.
	Electricity consumption in Europe will shift under climate change Rising temperatures due to greenhouse gas emissions will fundamentally change electricity consumption patterns in Europe. A team of scientists from Germany and the United States now analyzed what unchecked future warming means for Europe's electricity demand: daily peak loads in Southern Europe will likely increase and overall consumption will shift from Northern Europe to the South. Further, the majority of countries will see a shift of temperature-driven annual peak demand from winter to summer by the end of this century. This would put additional strain on European power grids, the study now published in the renowned US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) suggests.
Uber to resume Philippine service 'soon' after fine Uber said Saturday it expects to resume operations in the Philippines "soon" after regulators agreed to lift a ban slapped against the American ride-sharing giant in exchange for a fine.
	ESports hopefuls dare to dream big at Germany's Gamescom As hundreds of thousands of gamers surge through the halls of Cologne's Gamescom trade fair, a select band ducks out of the throng into roped-off lounges and VIP sections to talk tactics and prize money—the professional eSports players.
	Iranians up in arms as Apple removes top apps Iranians were joined by two ministers Saturday in protesting after Apple removed popular apps from its store, a move the American company says was made to comply with US sanctions.
Israelis log out of high-tech jobs for a life offline Former technology executive Dotan Goshen carefully arranges some melons at the bottom of a crate, followed by courgettes, tomatoes and lettuce.
Drones deployed to monitor New York State Fair traffic Drones will be monitoring weekend traffic conditions at the New York State Fair for the first time.
	The benefits of waste-to-energy technologies Instead of hauling food waste to landfills, we might want to use that organic waste to power garbage trucks, your car, truck or SUV while at the same time potentially helping the environment.
	A drone to rescue fawns Using a thermal camera mounted on a drone, an EPFL student has found a way to spot fawns before the harvester passes through. He does not charge for this service, which effectively eliminates the risk of animals being accidentally killed in the fields.
	Artificial intelligence cyber attacks are coming – but what does that mean? The next major cyberattack could involve artificial intelligence systems. It could even happen soon: At a recent cybersecurity conference, 62 industry professionals, out of the 100 questioned, said they thought the first AI-enhanced cyberattack could come in the next 12 months.
	How robots could bridge the elder-care gap Despite innovations that make it easier for seniors to keep living on their own rather than moving into special facilities, most elderly people eventually need a hand with chores and other everyday activities.
	Solving AI's moving-target search problem As we look to get from point A to point B, people increasingly have options that go beyond the typical bus or taxi. Various flavours of ride and car sharing are now available in cities worldwide, making getting around more convenient than ever. Yet, as anyone that uses such services knows, it can be difficult for a driver to find you using GPS alone. And, of course, you have to stay put until they do—even if plans change.
	Expedia chief Dara Khosrowshahi named to lead Uber: report Expedia chief Dara Khosrowshahi has been chosen to replace ousted Travis Kalanick as the next CEO at Uber, The New York Times reported Sunday, as the ride-hailing giant looks to move past a rough patch.
Oldest white supremacist site shut down after complaint The founder of the internet's oldest white supremacist site said he was trying to get back online Monday after a company revoked its domain name following complaints that it promotes hatred and is linked to dozens of murders.
	Mark Zuckerberg welcomes second daughter in Facebook post Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife welcomed their second daughter—August—to the world on Monday with a post on the leading social network.

Medicine & Health news

	Higher coffee consumption associated with lower risk of death Higher coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of death, according to research presented today at ESC Congress. The observational study in nearly 20 000 participants suggests that coffee can be part of a healthy diet in healthy people.
	16-year study suggests air temperature is external trigger for heart attack A 16 year study in more than 280 000 patients has suggested that air temperature is an external trigger for heart attack. The findings are presented today at ESC Congress.
	A first: Drug lowers heart risks by curbing inflammation For the first time, a drug has helped prevent heart attacks by curbing inflammation, a new and very different approach than lowering cholesterol, the focus for many years.
	Searching for the brain cells that control our breathing We take roughly 20,000 breaths a day, mostly without thinking, but exactly how our breathing is controlled is a puzzle that has perplexed thinkers from Aristotle to Galen to modern physiologists.
	Men, women and risk of developing Alzheimer disease: Is there a difference? Are female carriers of the apolipoprotein E ?4 allele, the main genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer disease, at greater risk of developing the disease than men? A new article published by JAMA Neurology examines that question.
	Americans' risk of needing nursing home care is higher than previously estimated The average American's lifetime risk of using a nursing home is substantially greater than previous research has suggested, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
	Single-nucleus RNA sequencing, droplet by droplet Last year Broad researchers described a single-nucleus RNA sequencing method called sNuc-Seq. This system enabled researchers to study the gene expression profiles of difficult-to-isolate cell types as well as cells from archived tissues. Now a Broad-led team has overcome a key stumbling block to sNuc-Seq's widespread use: scale.
	Boosting immune cell memory to improve vaccines and cancer immunotherapy Vaccines and cancer immunotherapies do essentially the same thing: They boost a person's immune system, better enabling it to fight an offender, be it microbe or malignancy. Both approaches focus on CD8+ T cells, a type of immune cell that can either kill immediately or commit the offender to "memory," providing long-term protection. In mouse experiments, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have discovered that drugs that activate the cells' proteasome, or recycling center, tip the balance in favor of memory CD8+ T cells. This approach could be used to improve how well vaccines and immunotherapies work and how long they last.
	Bone marrow protein may be target for improving stem cell transplants Bone marrow contains hematopoetic stem cells, the precursors to every blood cell type. These cells spring into action following bone marrow transplants, bone marrow injury and during systemic infection, creating new blood cells, including immune cells, in a process known as hematopoiesis.
ESC Guidelines on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction published today European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines on the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients with ST-segment elevation are published online today in European Heart Journal, and on the ESC website.
ESC/EACTS Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease published today European Society of Cardiology (ESC) / European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease are published online today in European Heart Journal and on the ESC website.
ESC Guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral arterial diseases published today European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Diseases, developed in collaboration with the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS), are published online today in European Heart Journal,European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, and the ESC website.
	New therapeutic targets for osteoarthritis pain A new review by David A. Walsh and Joanne Stocks in the September 2017 issue of SLAS Discovery (formerly the Journal of Biomolecular Screening) explores evolving treatments and future therapies for osteoarthritis (OA) pain.
ESC focused update on dual antiplatelet therapy in coronary artery disease published today The first ESC Focused Update on Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Coronary Artery Disease is published online today in European Heart Journal, and on the ESC website. The document was developed in collaboration with the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS).
	Women less likely to receive recommended statin doses to prevent cardiovascular events Women at high risk of cardiovascular events are less likely to receive recommended statin doses for secondary prevention, according to results from the DYSIS study presented today at ESC Congress.
Implanted cardiac monitors indicate incidence of undiagnosed AFib may be substantial in high-risk patients With the use of implanted cardiac monitors researchers found a substantial incidence (nearly 30 percent) of previously undiagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) after 18 months in patients at high risk of both AF and stroke, according to a study published by JAMA Cardiology. The study is being released to coincide with its presentation at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2017.
Underweight associated with highest mortality and costs after cardiac catheterisation Being underweight, and not overweight, has the highest mortality, cost, length of stay, and readmission rate for those undergoing cardiac catheterisation, according to an analysis of more than one million patients presented at ESC Congress today.
Gender gap in death from heart attack reduces particularly in younger women The gender gap in death from heart attack has reduced over the past two decades particularly in younger women, according to research presented today at ESC Congress. The study in over 50 000 patients found that overall in-hospital mortality for heart attack patients was halved during the 20 year period.
High salt intake associated with doubled risk of heart failure "High salt (sodium chloride) intake is one of the major causes of high blood pressure and an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke," said Prof Pekka Jousilahti, research professor at the National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland. "In addition to CHD and stroke, heart failure is one of the major cardiovascular diseases in Europe and globally but the role of high salt intake in its development is unknown."
	Researchers find combination therapy works best for heart diseases A major international study has found that the combination of two drugs - rivaroxaban and aspirin—is superior to aspirin alone in preventing further heart complications in people with vascular disease.
Studies reveal how shingles vaccine should be used in arthritis patients New research indicates that the live varicella-zoster vaccine—which is given to protect against shingles—elicits robust immune responses in patients when administered several weeks prior to the start of treatment with the arthritis drug tofacitinib. The Arthritis & Rheumatology findings are encouraging because patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a higher risk of developing shingles than other adults, and tofacitinib and certain other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are thought to further increase this risk. Importantly, however, the virus should not be given to patients who have not had the chicken pox in the past.
	Shedding consistent pounds each week linked to long-term weight loss When it comes to losing weight, it's not necessarily slow, but steady, that wins the race, according to new research from Drexel University.
Infants' race influences quality of hospital care in California, study finds Infants' racial and ethnic identities influence the quality of medical care they receive in California's neonatal intensive care units, a study from the Stanford University School of Medicine has found.
	Catheter ablation better than traditional drug therapies for treating atrial fibrillation Every year millions of people around the world are diagnosed with heart failure, a chronic, progressive condition where the heart is unable to pump enough oxygenated blood throughout the body. Researchers at the University of Utah Health and Klinikum Coburg, Germany co-led a clinical trial that showed radiofrequency catheter ablation lowered hospitalization and mortality rates by 47 and 44 percent respectively in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), a contributing factor to heart failure. The findings were presented on August 27 at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Barcelona, Spain.
	80-year-olds as street-savvy as 18-year-olds Our gut instinct about whether a stranger poses a threat is as good when we're 80 as when we're 18, according to new research.
When two is better than three: Dual antithrombotic therapy cuts bleeding risk Using just two anticlotting medicines for patients who have atrial fibrillation and have had a stent placed in a heart artery is safer than using the current standard treatment of three medications, according to a new study presented by Brigham and Women's Hospital cardiologist Christopher Cannon, MD, at the European Society of Cardiology and published simultaneously in The New England Journal of Medicine. The RE-DUAL PCI trial, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, found that using the anticoagulant dabigatran along with a second anticlotting drug (clopidogrel or ticagrelor) could reduce risk of major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding compared to using warfarin with aspirin and clopidogrel or ticagrelor. The research team tested two dosages of dabigatran. The risk of bleeding was cut by half for patients who received the 110-mg dose and by one-quarter for those who received the 150-mg dose of dabigatran, compared to warfarin. No increase in cardiac events related to clotting were seen.
Study confirms safety of rapid algorithm to rule-out and rule-in myocardial infarction Patients with symptoms suggestive of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) account for about 10% of all emergency department consultations. Rapid identification of AMI, which may be life-threatening, allows the early initiation of evidence-based therapy. Rapid and safe rule-out of AMI allows the timely detection and treatment of alternative causes of acute chest pain—many of which are benign, in which case patients can be reassured and sent home.
PCSK9 is a co-activator of platelet function beyond its role in cholesterol homeostasis PCSK9 is a co-activator of platelet function beyond its role in cholesterol homeostasis, according to research presented at ESC Congress today. The findings suggest that PCSK9 inhibitors, a new class of cholesterol lowering treatments, may also reduce thrombosis by interfering with platelet activation.
	Maternal suicide in pre-and postnatal periods in Ontario One of every 19 deaths in pregnant and new mothers in Ontario is due to suicide, highlighting the need for stronger mental health supports during and after pregnancy, according to a new study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal. The study also found that women who died by suicide during the perinatal period (i.e., during pregnancy and within one year after birth) used more lethal methods, such as hanging or jumping, rather than drug overdose, the most common means of suicide for nonperinatal women.
Automatic external defibrillators save lives in amateur sports and fitness centers Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) save lives in amateur sports and fitness centres, according to research presented at ESC Congress today. The 18 year study found that survival from cardiac arrest reached 93% in centres equipped with an AED.
Breakthrough discovery presents hope for treating fibrotic diseases that cause organ impairment A breakthrough discovery in the field of cardiovascular fibrosis research made at Duke-NUS Medical School (Duke-NUS) and National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) has been licensed to a newly launched company Enleofen Bio Pte Ltd, a Singapore-funded biotechnology start-up.
	Inflammation reduction could cut risk of heart attack, stroke A significant reduction in risk of recurrent heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death was found among people who received a targeted anti-inflammatory drug that lowered inflammation but had no effects on cholesterol, according to a team from Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH).
	You can tell if someone is attracted to you by their voice We've heard of the physical effects on our body when we are talking to someone we are attracted to, like pupils getting larger or butterflies in our stomach.
	Patient plays saxophone while surgeons remove brain tumor Music is not only a major part of Dan Fabbio's life, as a music teacher it is his livelihood. So when doctors discovered a tumor located in the part of his brain responsible for music function, he began a long journey that involved a team of physicians, scientists, and a music professor and culminated with him awake and playing a saxophone as surgeons operated on his brain.
The opioid epidemic is finally a national emergency – eight years too late "It has been many long, hard, agonizing battles for the last few years and you fought like a warrior every step of the way. Addiction, however, won the war. To the person who doesn't understand addiction, she is just another statistic who chose to make a bad decision."
Improving the recognition of anxiety and depression in rheumatoid arthritis A study conducted by Keele University shows that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are also suffering with anxiety or depression may avoid talking to their GP about their mental health symptoms.
Popularity outranks strategy in supply chain integration decisions Aalto University Professor Katri Kauppi together with Master's thesis writer Emma Nermes and University College Dublin Professor Virpi Turkulainen examined supplier integration in manufacturing plants and the background factors that affect its different forms. In the study, supplier integration referred to information sharing, supplier development, long-term commitment, conflict resolution and integrated information technology. In total, 261 plants from the electronics, machinery, and transportation industry from 9 countries, including Finland, took part in the survey.
	Research shows the importance of parents reading with children – even after children can read Margaret Kristin Merga, Murdoch University
	What is a bunion and do I need to get mine treated? While most people don't like the sight of bunions, they're much more than a cosmetic issue. A bunion can cause pain and impact physical function, as well as affecting general health, mental health and social function. Limitations on what footwear can be comfortably worn due to bunions reduces social activities and physical activities.
	How neuroscience helps to advance machine learning While building artificial systems does not necessarily require copying nature—after all, airplanes fly without flapping their wings like birds—the history of AI and machine learning convincingly demonstrates that drawing inspirations from neuroscience and psychology can lead to significant breakthroughs, with deep neural networks and reinforcement learning being perhaps the two most prominent examples.
Risk factor driven upstream atrial fibrillation therapy improves sinus rhythm maintenance Risk factor driven upstream rhythm control is effective, feasible and safe in improving maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with early short lasting atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure, according to late-breaking results from the RACE 3 trial presented today in a Hot Line – LBCT Session at ESC Congress. The novel therapy included meticulous treatment of risk factors and change of lifestyle and was superior to conventional guideline recommended rhythm control.
Apixaban lowers stroke risk in atrial fibrillation patients undergoing cardioversion Apixaban lowers the risk of stroke compared to warfarin in anticoagulation-naïve patients with atrial fibrillation scheduled for elective cardioversion, according to late-breaking results from the EMANATE trial presented today in a Hot Line LBCT Session at ESC Congress. Rates of bleeding were similar between the two groups.
Renal denervation lowers blood pressure in hypertensive patients not taking medication Renal denervation lowers blood pressure in hypertensive patients not taking medication, according to late-breaking results from the SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED study presented today in a Hot Line LBCT Session at ESC Congress and published in The Lancet.
Oxygen therapy does not improve survival in patients with heart attack symptoms Oxygen therapy does not improve survival in patients with heart attack symptoms, according to late-breaking research presented today in a Hot Line LBCT Session at ESC Congress and published in the NEJM.
Study suggests statins associated with lower rates of breast cancer and mortality A 14 year study in more than one million people has found that women with high cholesterol have significantly lower rates of breast cancer and improved mortality. The research, presented today at ESC Congress, suggests that statins are associated with lower rates of breast cancer and subsequent mortality.
	Screening for vascular disease saves one life for every 169 patients assessed A novel screening programme for vascular disease saves one life for every 169 men assessed, according to late-breaking results from the VIVA trial presented today in a Hot Line LBCT Session at ESC Congress and published in the Lancet. The combined screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral artery disease, and hypertension gained more living years for lower costs than European cancer screening programmes.
Education and feedback improve use of stroke prevention drugs in atrial fibrillation Education of healthcare providers and patients with atrial fibrillation has led to a 9 percent absolute increase in the use of anticoagulation therapies to reduce stroke, according to late-breaking results from the IMPACT-AF trial presented today in a Hot Line LBCT Session at ESC Congress and published in The Lancet.
	Innate lymphoid cells play an important role in regulation of intestinal inflammation The intestine contains an extensive and diverse microbial biome, a population that includes potential pathogens and dietary antigens that need to be tolerated. Dysregulation of mucosal responses may cause a loss of tolerance, leading to harmful intestinal inflammation such as human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
	Researchers propose new strategy to treat cancer Whenever an organism is damaged, the cells surrounding the wound receive signals to proliferate more intensely to regenerate the injured tissue. The same thing happens with cancer—tumor cells may be all but eliminated by radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy, only to return even more aggressively some time later.
Although cases of toxic shock syndrome have declined, it remains a life-threatening illness Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a life-threatening illness mediated by toxins secreted in the blood by either Staphylococcus aureus or group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria. When poisonous toxins are released into the bloodstream, they can damage tissue skin and harm vital organ functions, such as lung, liver and renal.
	Worm infection reveals cross-talk in the lymph nodes By studying a worm infection, EPFL scientists have discovered how lymphatic vessels grow within lymph nodes, with major implications for cancer and inflammation.
Married patients with heart disease have better survival rates Marriage is a vital factor affecting the survival of patients who have had a heart attack, as well as the survival of patients with the most important risk factors, according to research presented today at ESC Congress.
How low should LDL cholesterol go? New analysis shows that in a high-risk population, achieving ultra-low LDL cholesterol levels, down to
	Transcatheter aortic valve implantation safe and effective in nonagenarians Aug. 28 2017: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is safe and effective in nonagenarians, according to research presented at ESC Congress today.1 The observational study found that nonagenarians who underwent TAVI had worse short-term outcomes but similar one-year outcomes as patients younger than 90 years.
US opioid epidemic reaches new level of crisis in overdoses, hospitalizations and cost A new study of the growing United States opioid epidemic reveals that deaths from overdoses have nearly doubled over the past seven years, while increasing acute care costs and hospitalizations are taxing health care systems.
Concurrent treatment with OX40- and PD1-targeted cancer immunotherapies may be detrimental Concurrent administration of the T-cell stimulating anti-OX40 antibody and the immune checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD1 antibody attenuated the effect of anti-OX40 and resulted in poor treatment outcomes in mice.
	In new leap for AI: computer chips that can smell Nigerian neuroscientist Oshiorenoya Agabi may have found a way to solve one of life's puzzling dilemmas: how to make air travel pleasant again.
Do estrogen therapies affect sexual function in early postmenopause? Transdermal estrogen therapy delivered through the skin modestly improved sexual function in early postmenopausal women, according to an article published by JAMA Internal Medicine.
	Gene therapy using 'junk DNA' could lower risk for heart disease Scientists from UCLA and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute successfully used a gene that suppresses cholesterol levels as part of a treatment to reduce plaque in mice with a disorder called familial hypercholesterolemia. In a preclinical study, researchers found that the gene, LeXis, lowered cholesterol and blockages in the arteries, and the treatment appeared to reduce the build-up of fat in liver cells.
Inclisiran lowers 'bad' cholesterol for up to 1 year Inclisiran lowers low-density lipoprotein (LLD "bad" cholesterol for up to one year in patients with high cardiovascular risk and elevated LDL cholesterol, according to late-breaking results from the ORION 1 trial presented today in a Hot Line LBCT Session at ESC Congress.
	Is telomere length associated with the cognitive response to a lifestyle intervention? A new study from the FINGER trial team shows that participants with shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) had more pronounced benefits on cognition following the multidomain lifestyle intervention.
Sildenafil should be avoided in valve disease with residual pulmonary hypertension Sildenafil should not be used to treat residual hypertension in patients with valvular heart disease, according to late-breaking results from the SIOVAC trial presented today in a Hot Line LBCT Session at ESC Congress. The off-label use of the drug led to worse clinical outcomes including a doubled risk of hospitalisation compared to placebo.
Ibuprofen associated with blood pressure rise in arthritis patients at cardiovascular risk Ibuprofen is associated with increased blood pressure and hypertension compared to celecoxib in patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to late-breaking results from the PRECISION-ABPM study presented today in a Hot Line Session at ESC Congress and published in EHJ.
	Closure of left atrial appendage during heart surgery protects the brain Closure of the left atrial appendage during heart surgery protects the brain, according to late-breaking research presented today in a Hot Line LBCT Session at ESC Congress. The results suggest that closure should be routinely added to open heart surgery.
PATHWAY-2 uncovers main cause of drug-resistant hypertension, finds old drugs work best Salt retention is the main culprit behind drug-resistant hypertension (RHTN), with older diuretic medications being the most effective treatment, according to new results from the PATHWAY-2 study.
NIPPON follow-up: Shorter dual antiplatelet therapy stands the test of time 2Three year follow-up of patients who received dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after placement of a drug-eluting stent (DES) shows that a short course of the therapy continues to be as beneficial as a longer course.
Atrial fibrillation and blood pressure: More than just a number New research presented at ESC Congress today shows, for the first time, that blood pressure control is pivotal in reducing major bleeding and stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
Anti-aldosterones save lives in STEMI heart attack patients: ALBATROSS, REMINDER Certain heart attack patients who have ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are significantly more likely to survive if they are treated immediately with anti-aldosterone-type drugs in addition to standard therapy, according to new research presented at ESC Congress today.
	Anti-inflammatory therapy cuts risk of lung cancer In most clinical trials for cancer therapy, investigators test treatments in patients with advanced disease. But a recent cardiovascular secondary prevention study has given researchers a unique opportunity: to explore the effectiveness of giving a drug to patients before cancer emerges. At the European Society of Cardiology meeting, Paul M. Ridker, MD, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at BWH, and colleagues presented findings from CANTOS (Canakinumab Anti-inflammatory Thrombosis Outcomes Study). In addition to their cardiovascular results, Ridker and colleagues shared that patients who received the anti-inflammatory therapy canakinumab had a marked reduction in the incidence of lung cancer and lung cancer mortality. In this high-risk population, death from cancer was reduced by half in the group of people who received the highest dosage of the drug. These findings are detailed in a paper published simultaneously in The Lancet.
	Eating triggers endorphin release in the brain Finnish researchers have revealed how eating stimulates brain's endogenous opioid system to signal pleasure and satiety.
	Size matters when innovating dairy products Imagine low-fat cream that's easier to whip, cold butter that's more spreadable, and dairy cream powders that can be tailored for a range of products from milk to cheese to yoghurts.
Study finds the burdens of spousal caregiving alleviated by appreciation The fact that spouses often become caregivers for their ailing partners is quite common in American life - and few roles are more stressful.
	Bag-mask ventilation fails to improve on endotracheal intubation in cardiac arrest Bag-mask ventilation fails to improve on endotracheal intubation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients, according to late-breaking results from the CAAM trial presented today in a Hot Line LBCT Session at ESC Congress.
New analysis examines how low cholesterol can safely go Very aggressive reduction of LDL-cholesterol to ultra-low levels was associated with progressively fewer cardiovascular events and appears to pose no safety concerns in patients with stable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease over 2.2 years of follow-up, according to a new analysis of the FOURIER trial.
	Brain changes linked to physical, mental health in functional neurological disorder An imaging study by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators has identified differences in key brain structures of individuals whose physical or mental health has been most seriously impaired by a common but poorly understood condition called functional neurological disorder (FND). In their report published online in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, the research team describes reductions in the size of a portion of the insula in FND patients with the most severe physical symptoms and relative volume increases in the amygdala among those most affected by mental health symptoms.
	Study corrects the record on the relative risk of Alzheimer's between men and women White women whose genetic makeup puts them at higher risk for Alzheimer's disease are more likely than white men to develop the disease during a critical 10-year span in their lives, according to a study headed by Keck School of Medicine of USC researchers.
	Combination of conventional and new drugs enhances tumor cell death Cancer is one of the major causes of death worldwide affecting 8.2 million of people per year, and in the US, the number of new cases will achieve 1.6 million in 2017. The global impact of this disease costs a trillion of dollars, which makes critical the development of new drugs and treatment against it.
	Clinical trial uses nicotine patches to treat chronic lung disease Doctors believe there is some good to be found in nicotine, the highly addictive drug in tobacco products. Lung experts at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center are testing whether nicotine can help people with a chronic inflammatory lung disease called sarcoidosis.
	Coronary artery bypass surgery effective in patients with type 1 diabetes Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) is the best method of treating artherosclerotic coronary arteries in diabetes patients with multivessel disease, even in the presence of type 1 diabetes, a new study from Karolinska Institutet reports, clearing up a question in the current recommendation. The study is published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).
	Researchers unlock regenerative potential of cells in the mouse retina Cells within an injured mouse eye can be coaxed into regenerating neurons and those new neurons appear to integrate themselves into the eye's circuitry, new research shows. The findings potentially open the door to new treatments for eye trauma and retinal disease. The study appears in the July 26 issue of Nature, and was funded in part by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health.
	Study identifies methods for preventing overcrowding in emergency rooms No single solution exists for alleviating crowding in emergency rooms, but a new study identifies four key strategies that have reduced the problem.
Medical treatment may prevent, alleviate mitral valve damage after a heart attack A research team led by investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and collaborators has shown, for the first time, that it may be possible to nonsurgically treat or even prevent the damage to a major heart valve that often occurs after a heart attack. In their report published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the investigators—including co-senior authors at Boston Children's Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital - describe how treatment with the antihypertension drug losartan reduced mitral valve damage in an animal model of heart attack. This sort of damage typically occurs in 25 percent of heart attack patients and can lead to heart failure and an increased risk of death.
Researchers identify strategies to optimize statin treatment for muscle symptoms Statins are highly effective for preventing heart attacks by reducing low-density lipoprotein or "bad" cholesterol. However, 10 to 20 percent of patients taking statins report muscle-related symptoms including aches, pains and cramps that prevent the use of recommended doses. Patients who have difficulty taking statins have a high risk of cardiovascular events, resulting in higher health care costs.
	Serious reactions to vaccines rarely recur: review (HealthDay)—When a child has a serious reaction to a vaccine, the chances of it happening again are slim, a new analysis suggests.
	Vaccination 101: make sure kids are up to date (HealthDay)—As the new school year begins, make sure your child is up to date on all vaccinations.
	The benefits of a weekly diet plan (HealthDay)—Day-to-day diet planning can be a hassle and fall by the wayside if you get into a time crunch. To keep weight-loss efforts on track, take a few minutes every weekend to get organized for the following week.
	Computed tomography useful for staging head, neck melanoma (HealthDay)—Patients with head and neck melanoma benefit from the introduction of initial staging using computed tomography (CT), according to research published online Aug. 21 in Head & Neck.
	CO2 laser + platelet-rich plasma promising treatment for vitiligo (HealthDay)—Combination of fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection is a promising treatment for vitiligo, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
	Less than half of seniors with A-fib receive anticoagulants (HealthDay)—Less than 45 percent of older adults with atrial fibrillation (AF) admitted to the hospital are prescribed an anticoagulant, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
	Increases in IgE, eosinophils, mast cells can ID IgG4-RD (HealthDay)—Most patients with immunoglobulin G subclass 4-related disease (IgG4-RD) have increased levels of IgE, eosinophils, and mast cells, according to research published in the September issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
	Community consumption comprises most antibacterial use (HealthDay)—Community antibacterial consumption comprises about 85 to 95 percent of total antibacterial consumption, according to a study published online Aug. 18 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
	Tidal CO2 prognostic for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary HTN (HealthDay)—End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) levels are prognostic for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), according to a letter to the editor published online Aug. 14 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
	Fatty acid remodeling seen in T2DM remission post bariatric sx (HealthDay)—Remission of type 2 diabetes (T2D) following biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (DS) is associated with increased disposal of triglycerides (TG) and acylcarnitine production during lipid overload, according to a study published online Aug. 23 in Diabetes.
	Using donor stem cells to treat spinal cord injury A new study in mice published in The Journal of Neuroscience details a potential therapeutic strategy that uses stem cells to promote recovery of motor activity after spinal cord injury.
Team reports first response of central nervous system tumor to CAR T-cells In a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine, a Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) research team reports a remarkable treatment response in a patient participating in a clinical trial of a novel immune-system-based cancer therapy. Treatment with an investigational CAR T-cell therapy induced complete remission of a brain metastasis of the difficult-to-treat tumor diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), which had become resistant to chemotherapy—the first report of a response to CAR T-cells in a central nervous system lymphoma.
	New app uses smartphone selfies to screen for pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer has one of the worst prognoses—with a five-year survival rate of 9 percent—in part because there are no telltale symptoms or non-invasive screening tools to catch a tumor before it spreads.
	Young adults, especially men, fall behind in high blood pressure treatment and control Young adults, particularly men, lag behind middle-aged and older adults in awareness and treatment of high blood pressure, putting this population at an increased risk for heart attack and stroke, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension.
	Undergraduates develop tools to diagnose Alzheimer's disease before patients show symptoms A team of seven University of Maryland A. James Clark School of Engineering undergraduates earned the top prize in this year's National Institutes of Health (NIH) Design by Biomedical Undergraduate Teams (DEBUT) challenge for their efforts to develop low-cost tools to diagnose Alzheimer's disease before patients show symptoms.
Self-identifying as disabled and developing pride in disability aid overall well-being Experiencing stigma, the severity of a disability and a person's age and income level help determine whether someone with an impairment considers themselves to be a person with a disability, and experiencing stigma predicts whether those individuals will ultimately develop disability pride, new research from Oregon State University shows.
	It's not a rat's race for human stem cells grafted to repair spinal cord injuries More than one-and-a-half years after implantation, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and the San Diego Veterans Administration Medical Center report that human neural stem cells (NSCs) grafted into spinal cord injuries in laboratory rats displayed continued growth and maturity, with functional recovery beginning one year after grafting.
Study finds romance and affection top most popular sexual behaviors Researchers at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington and the Center for Sexual Health Promotion have published a new U.S. nationally representative study of sexual behavior, the first of its kind to capture a wide range of diverse sexual behaviors not previously examined in the general population.
Study estimates number of births, population prevalence of Down syndrome in nine states A new study estimates, for the first time, both the numbers of children born annually with Down syndrome in nine U.S. states and the prevalence of Down syndrome in each of those states' populations. Published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part A, the study is a follow up to the same team's previous investigations of how the numbers of people with Down syndrome in the U.S. changed over a period of 60 years and the number of births and pregnancy terminations with Down syndrome in Massachusetts since the beginning of the 20th century.
SPRINT post-hoc analysis: Food for thought on defining the ideal blood pressure target Adding to the debate on optimal blood pressure control, new findings presented at ESC Congress today suggest there may be variations in the ideal target depending on baseline pressure and overall cardiovascular risk.
	Flooded Texas faces higher risk of disease, experts warn Sewage-laden floodwaters dumped on Texas by Hurricane Harvey bring a higher risk of disease, such as bacterial infections and mosquito-borne illnesses, and the fallout may linger for years, experts warn.

Biology news

	Rhesus monkeys found to see faces in inanimate objects too A team of researchers at the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health has found that rhesus monkeys, like humans, recognize face-like traits in inanimate objects. In their study published in the journal Current Biology, the researchers describe experiments they carried out with monkeys looking at photographs and what they learned from them.
	Chromosome mechanics guide nuclear assembly Every one of our cells stores its genome within the nucleus – the quintessential subcellular structure that distinguishes eukaryotic cells from bacteria. When animal cells divide, they disassemble their nucleus, releasing individual chromosomes for proper segregation to daughter cells. At the end of cell division, the daughter cells reassemble a single nucleus around a complete set of chromosomes. The formation of a single nucleus is critical for the maintenance of genomic integrity. Individual chromosomes packaged into separate, small nuclei are prone to massive DNA damage, leading to mutations as well as chromosome rearrangement and loss. Cancer cells often contain small, multiple nuclei, which may drive genome disruption as well as disease progression. Nonetheless, how cells package their genome into just one nucleus has been a mystery.
	New study provides high-resolution insights into plants' light harvesting process under low light Photosynthesis is a biological process mediating the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy. Oxygenic photosynthesis performed by plants, algae and cyanobacteria is one of the most amazing chemical reactions on the planet. It provides food and energy for nearly all living organisms, and also contributes to the formation of the atmosphere and maintenance of the carbon-oxygen balance on the earth.
	Repetitive elements shape embryonic chromatin landscape Retrotransposons are repetitive elements that form almost half of the mammalian genome. Even though they are so common, they have previously been considered to be fairly insignificant. Together with colleagues from the USA, scientists from the Helmholtz Zentrum München have now shown in Nature Genetics that retrotransposons play an important role in embryonic development.
	Researchers develop simple device to recreate complex birdsongs Researchers at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a simple device that mimics complex birdsongs. The device, developed by the group of L. Mahadevan, the Lola England de Valpine Professor of Applied Mathematics, of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, and of Physics, uses air blown through a stretched rubber tube to recreate birdsongs found in nature, including the songs of Zebra and Bengalese finches.
	Fruit fly protein dual duties may make it model for studies of protein function in context An essential fruit fly protein called CLAMP may help biologists answer the key question of how the same protein can manage to coordinate two completely different processes on distinct chromosomes in the same cell.
	Study of bee health finds no natural medicine in once-promising compound A new study of possible self-medicating behavior in bumble bees conducted by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst reports that a once-promising finding was not supported by further experiments and analysis.
	Palm oil kills orangutans in Indonesia peat swamp It's been called the orangutan capital of the world, but the great apes in Indonesia's Tripa peat forest on the island of Sumatra are under threat by palm oil plantations that have gobbled up thousands of acres of land to make room for trees that produce the most consumed vegetable oil on the planet.
	Sharks rattle nerves on Cape Cod, but attacks on humans rare You can't blame beachgoers on Cape Cod for being jittery after a spate of recent shark sightings, some just a bit too close for comfort but all part of a natural ecosystem that scientists say humans must accept.
	Beetle's best friend: Trained dogs most efficient in monitoring hermit beetle larvae Hermit beetles (Osmoderma eremita) are considered at risk, but in order to be effectively protected, they first need to be identified and consistently monitored.
	Keeping pandas off endangered list ledge Things aren't all black and white for giant pandas.
Pet-friendly China acupuncturist gets tails wagging again Looking like a furry brown pincushion, eight-month-old French bulldog "Dan Jiao" whimpers nervously as he waits for the end of a Chinese acupuncture session aimed at curing partial paralysis caused by a puppyhood injury.

---

This email is a free service of Science X Network
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you no longer want to receive this email use the link below to unsubscribe.
https://sciencex.com/profile/nwletter/
You are subscribed as jmabs1@gmail.com