Science X Newsletter Monday, Oct 22

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for October 22, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

BinaryGAN: a generative adversarial network with binary neurons

HD 87240 is a chemically peculiar star with an overabundance of heavy elements, study suggests

Monitoring electromagnetic signals in the brain with MRI

Overspending on defense arsenal bankrupts a plant's economy

Mystery of how black widow spiders create steel-strength silk webs further unravelled

Secondary building units (SBUs)—the turning point in the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)

Researchers switch material from one state to another with a single flash of light

Origami, 3-D printing merge to make complex structures in one shot

Origami cushions protect drones from collisions

Mars likely to have enough oxygen to support life: study

A new way to measure nearly nothing: Ultracold trapped atoms to measure pressure

Americans lose confidence they can sniff out social media bots

Merging mathematical and physical models toward building a more perfect flying vehicle

Scientists identify critical cancer immunity genes using new genetic barcoding technology

Patent talk shows Samsung's ideas for future phone design

Astronomy & Space news

	HD 87240 is a chemically peculiar star with an overabundance of heavy elements, study suggests European astronomers have conducted a chemical study of the star HD 87240, a member of the open cluster NGC 3114. The new research, which determined the abundances of several elements in HD 87240's atmosphere, suggests that the object is a chemically peculiar star showcasing an overabundance of heavy elements. The finding is reported in a paper published October 10 on arXiv.org.
	Mars likely to have enough oxygen to support life: study Salty water just below the surface of Mars could hold enough oxygen to support the kind of microbial life that emerged and flourished on Earth billions of years ago, researchers reported Monday.
	'Oumuamua one year later One year ago this week astronomers discovered an unusual object moving through space not too far from the Earth's orbit. In just a few days they realized it could not be a normal asteroid or comet – its path showed that it was not gravitationally bound to the solar system. It was, therefore, the first interstellar body ever discovered in our solar system that originated from outside it. It was given the Hawaiian name 'Oumuamua, "scout."
	Kes 75—Milky Way's youngest pulsar exposes secrets of star's demise Scientists have confirmed the identity of the youngest known pulsar in the Milky Way galaxy using data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. This result could provide astronomers new information about how some stars end their lives.
	Astronomers propose a new method for detecting black holes A stellar mass black hole is a compact object with a mass greater than three solar masses. It is so dense and has such a powerful force of attraction that not even light can escape from it. They cannot be observed directly, but only via secondary effects—for instance, in the case of a black hole feeding on a companion star. In general, when matter falls onto a black hole it does so "quietly" by way of an accretion disc. However, there are periods when this infall is violent and bursts, producing a strong outburst of X-ray brightness.
	Gravitational waves could shed light on dark matter The forthcoming Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will be a huge instrument allowing astronomers to study phenomena including black holes colliding and gravitational waves moving through space-time. Researchers from the University of Zurich have now found that LISA could also shed light on the elusive dark matter particle.
	Scientist explores a better way to predict space weather Findings recently published by a Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) space scientist shed new light on predicting the thermodynamics of solar flares and other "space weather" events involving hot, fast-moving plasmas.
	Gravitational waves could soon provide measure of universe's expansion Twenty years ago, scientists were shocked to realize that our universe is not only expanding, but that it's expanding fasterover time.
	NASA calls for instruments, technologies for delivery to the moon NASA has announced a call for Lunar Surface Instrument and Technology Payloads that will fly to the Moon on commercial lunar landers as early as next year or 2020. The agency is working with U.S. industry and international partners to expand human exploration from the Moon to Mars. It all starts with robotic missions on the lunar surface, as well as a gateway for astronauts in space orbiting the Moon.
	European-Japanese mission to investigate the smallest planet in the Solar System The European-Japanese planetary mission BepiColombo lifted off from the European spaceport in French Guiana at 03:45 Central European Summer time on 20 October 2018 (22:45 on 19 October local time), on board an Ariane 5 launch vehicle. "Not only is the mission designed to investigate the planet Mercury, it will also deliver new insights into the Solar System," explains Walther Pelzer, Executive Board Member for the Space Administration at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR). "Once again, by rising to this immense challenge, Japan is proving to be a dependable aerospace partner for Europe." The spacecraft's cosmic journey through the inner Solar System will last approximately seven years.
	How mission delays hurt young astronomers Back in Ye Olden Times, the job of astronomer was a pretty exclusive club. Either you needed to be so rich and so bored that you could design, build, and operate your own private observatory, or you needed to have a rich and bored friend who could finance your cosmic curiosity for you. By contrast, today's modern observatories are much more democratic, offering of a wealth of juicy scientific info for researchers across the globe. But that ease of access comes with its own price: you don't get the instrument all to yourself, and that's a challenge for young scientists and their research.

Technology news

	BinaryGAN: a generative adversarial network with binary neurons Researchers at the Research Center for IT Innovation of Academia Sinica, in Taiwan, have recently developed a novel generative adversarial network (GAN) that has binary neurons at the output layer of the generator. This model, presented in a paper pre-published on arXiv, can directly generate binary-valued predictions at test time.
	Monitoring electromagnetic signals in the brain with MRI Researchers commonly study brain function by monitoring two types of electromagnetism—electric fields and light. However, most methods for measuring these phenomena in the brain are very invasive.
	Origami, 3-D printing merge to make complex structures in one shot By merging the ancient art of origami with 21st century technology, researchers have created a one-step approach to fabricating complex origami structures whose light weight, expandability, and strength could have applications in everything from biomedical devices to equipment used in space exploration. Until now, making such structures has involved multiple steps, more than one material, and assembly from smaller parts.
	Origami cushions protect drones from collisions To protect flying robots without hindering their flight, Imperial experts found answers in the ancient art of origami.
	Americans lose confidence they can sniff out social media bots How times have changed. Just a few years ago, Americans were uncomfortably amused at the presence of social bots but were confident they could tell tofu from prime rib.
	Patent talk shows Samsung's ideas for future phone design Look what Samsung's future phones might look like, if patent talk is anything to go by. A Samsung patent filed with WIPO for a "Biometric sensor and device including the same" was published October 18.
	3-D bioprinting technique could create artificial blood vessels, organ tissue University of Colorado Boulder engineers have developed a 3-D printing technique that allows for localized control of an object's firmness, opening up new biomedical avenues that could one day include artificial arteries and organ tissue.
Samsung 7nm EUV LPP spells out new day for its chip-making future The wraps are off Samsung's 7nm LPP EUV process, which has been years in development. The news is that Samsung has now swung into the next stage of producing chips using that process.
	Artificial intelligence—parking a car with only 12 neurons Computer scientists at TU Wien (Vienna) are improving artificial intelligence by drawing inspiration from biology. The new approaches achieve amazing results with surprisingly little effort.
	Musk says LA Hyperloop tunnel to be unveiled December 10 Elon Musk's Hyperloop ultra high-speed transport system will be unveiled in Los Angeles in early December with free test rides to the public, the entrepreneur announced.
	Germany urges global minimum tax for digital giants German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said in an interview for publication Sunday he backed a global minimum fiscal regime for multinationals as Europe looks to levy tax notably on US tech giants.
	Offshore wind farms to test business in deep water As wind turbines become increasingly familiar sights along shorelines, developers of offshore floating platforms, which harness the powerful winds further out to sea, are seeking to establish their technologies as a major viable source of clean energy.
	Japan orders Facebook to improve data protection The Japanese government on Monday ordered Facebook to improve protection of users' personal information following data breaches affecting tens of millions of people worldwide.
	Japan firms fined $3.4 million over maglev bid-rigging Two major construction companies were Monday ordered to pay fines totalling more than $3 million for colluding to win contracts on Japan's multi-billion-dollar maglev project.
	Some cybersecurity apps could be worse for privacy than nothing at all It's been a busy few weeks for cybersecurity researchers and reporters. There was the Facebook hack, the Google plus data breach, and allegations that the Chinese government implanted spying chips in hardware components.
	Turning 'big brother' surveillance into a helping hand to the homeless Surveillance evokes fear of a "big brother" state watching our every move. The proliferation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in our cities and the emergence of big data have only deepened this fear. Marginalised groups such as people sleeping rough feel the impact most acutely, as their lack of shelter exposes them to constant surveillance.
	Industrial robots increase wages for employees In addition to increasing productivity, the introduction of industrial robots has increased wages for the employees. At the same time, industrial robots have also changed the labour market by increasing the number of job opportunities for highly skilled employees, while opportunities for low-skilled employees are declining.
	Netflix to borrow another $2B to pay its programming bills Netflix plans to borrow another $2 billion to help pay for the exclusive series and movies that its management credits for helping its video streaming service reel in millions of new subscribers during the past five years.
	Oculus co-founder Brendan Iribe joins exodus from Facebook A co-founder of Facebook's virtual-reality division is joining the exodus of executives to leave the company after striking it rich in lucrative sales of their startups.
	Ryanair first-half profits fall 7% after widespread strikes Ryanair's first half to September profits fell seven percent to €1.2 billion, the low-cost airline announced Monday, after widespread strike action by pilots and cabin crew disrupted operations.
Electronics giant Philips posts mixed results in Q3 Dutch electronics giant Philips, which is focusing its business on medical equipment and services, on Monday posted higher third quarter sales but profits dipped due to currency headwinds.
	Fiat sells auto parts unit to Japan's Calsonic for 6.2 bn euros Fiat Chrysler said Monday it was selling its Italian auto parts unit Magneti Marelli to Japan's Calsonic Kansei (CK) in a deal worth 6.2 billion euros.
	AI and human creativity go hand in hand What does AI look like? You might say it looks like a robot, or flashing LEDs, or a waveform on a screen. But what would AI say AI looks like? To find out, IBM Research asked AI to draw us a picture… of itself. AI's self-portrait was published in The New York Times today and, looking at the image, I am amazed not only with the result, but also the journey we took to get there.
	Ryanair's Dutch-based cabin crews to strike Tuesday Ryanair's Dutch-based cabin crews Monday announced a last minute 24-hour strike to protest the Irish budget airline's decision to close its base in the southern city of Eindhoven.

Medicine & Health news

	Scientists identify critical cancer immunity genes using new genetic barcoding technology Scientists at Mount Sinai have developed a novel technology for simultaneously analyzing the functions of hundreds of genes with resolution reaching the single cell level. The technology relies on a barcoding approach using a novel protein described in a paper published in the journal Cell.
	First immunotherapy success for triple-negative breast cancer There is new hope for people with an aggressive type of breast cancer, as an immunotherapy trial shows for the first time that lives can be extended in people with triple-negative breast cancer.
	Moderate exercise before conception resulted in lower body weight, increased insulin sensitivity of offspring Men who want to have children in the near future should consider hitting the gym.
	Consuming caffeine from coffee reduces incident rosacea (HealthDay)—Caffeine intake from coffee is inversely associated with the risk for incident rosacea, according to a study published online Oct. 17 in JAMA Dermatology.
	New tool gives deeper understanding of glioblastoma Researchers in the lab of Charles Danko at the Baker Institute for Animal Health have developed a new tool to study genetic "switches" active in glioblastoma tumors that drive growth of the cancer. In a new paper in Nature Genetics, they identified key switches in different types of tumors, including switches linked to how long a patient survives.
	Losing control of gene activity in Alzheimer's disease Pioneering research into the mechanisms controlling gene activity in the brain could hold the key to understanding Alzheimer's disease and might help identify effective treatments in the future.
	RNA thought to spread cancer shows ability to suppress breast cancer metastasis Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered that a form of RNA called metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) appears to suppress breast cancer metastasis in mice, suggesting a potential new area of therapeutic investigation. The findings, published in the Oct. 22 online issue of Nature Genetics, were surprising given that MALAT1, a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), previously was described as a metastasis promoter.
	Study gives new insight into how our brain perceives places Nearly 30 years ago, scientists demonstrated that visually recognizing an object, such as a cup, and performing a visually guided action, such as picking the cup up, involved distinct neural processes, located in different areas of the brain. A new study shows that the same is true for how the brain perceives our environment—it has two distinct systems, one for recognizing a place and another for navigating through it.
	Targeting a hunger hormone to treat obesity About 64 per cent of Canadian adults are overweight or obese, according to Health Canada. That's a problem, because obesity promotes the emergence of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.
	First impressions count, new speech research confirms Human beings make similar judgements of the trustworthiness and dominance of an unfamiliar speaker after hearing just a single word, new research shows, suggesting the old saying that 'first impressions count' might well be correct.
	A topical gel that can prevent nerve damage due to spraying crops with pesticides A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in India has developed a topical get that can be used by farmers to prevent nerve damage due to chemical crop spraying. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the group describes how they made the gel and how well it worked when tested on rats.
	Machine learning uncovers dementia subtypes with implication for drug trials Machine learning could help to find new treatments for dementia, according to researchers at UCL.
	Researchers discover drug cocktail that increases lifespan A team of researchers led by Principal Investigator Dr. Jan Gruber from Yale-NUS College has discovered a combination of pharmaceutical drugs that not only increases healthy lifespan in the microscopic worm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), but also delays the rate of ageing in them, a finding that could someday mean longer, healthier lives for humans.
	Revealing the molecular mystery of human liver cells A map of the cells in the human liver has been created by University Health Network Transplant Program and University of Toronto researchers, revealing for the first time differences between individual cells at the molecular level which can have a profound impact on their behaviour in tissue, tumours and disease.
	When you are unhappy in a relationship, why do you stay? The answer may surprise you Why do people stay in unsatisfying romantic relationships? A new study suggests it may be because they view leaving as bad for their partner.
	AI doctor could boost chance of survival for sepsis patients Scientists have created an artificial intelligence system that could help treat patients with sepsis.
	Would you zap your brain to improve your memory? Using a few wires and sponges, in ordinary homes around the world, people are trying to hack their own minds. Thanks to a 2002 study that found a link between brain transcranial direct current stimulation and better motor task performance, "do-it-yourself" brain stimulation has become a growing movement among those who want to improve a whole host of cognitive and psychological functions, including language skills, mood and memory.
	'Game changer' tuberculosis drug cures 9 in 10 A new treatment for a drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis can cure more than 90 percent of sufferers, according to a trial hailed Monday as a "game changer" in the fight against the global killer.
	Brain wave device enhances memory function The entrainment of theta brain waves with a commercially available device not only enhances theta wave activity, but also boosts memory performance. That's according to new research from the Center for Neuroscience at the University of California, Davis, published recently in the journal Cognitive Neuroscience.
	Love organic foods? Your odds for some cancers may fall Paying extra for those pricey organic fruits and vegetables might pay off: New research suggests eating them might help you dodge a cancer diagnosis.
	Immunotherapy is safe and feasible in cancer patients treated for HIV, study suggests Immunotherapy has been a major breakthrough in oncology, with registered drugs now approved for use in an increasing number of tumour types—but little is known about its safety for HIV-positive cancer patients. A study to be presented at the ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich has now provided data to suggest that treatment with PD-1/PD-L-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors, which target the very system affected by the HIV virus, is feasible in this patient population for whom cancer is currently one of the principal cause of mortality.
	Pregnancy possible after chemotherapy for breast cancer patients, but many no longer wish Chemotherapy is known to have a negative impact on the reproductive potential of young breast cancer patients. Its effects on women's post-treatment fertility, however, are still poorly understood. A stud to be presented at the ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich, has confirmed that natural pregnancies are possible after chemotherapy but that survivors' desire to have children decreases greatly after treatment, calling into question the need for systematic recourse to fertility preservation measures.
	Validating a new definition for respiratory failure in children According to a first-of-its-kind international study, a new definition of Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (PARDS) results in a more accurate diagnosis of many more children with the rapidly progressive disease than the widely used adult definition.
Social vulnerability and medical skepticism top factors limiting adherence to screening Social vulnerability showed to be a major limitation to participation in cancer screening for four tumors types—breast, cervical, colorectal and lung—according to the French nationwide observational survey, EDIFICE 6. Also, a disbelief in cancer test efficacy among target populations was highlighted as new indicator of the non-uptake of screening, according to results to be presented at the ESMO 2018 Congress.
	New research shows benefits of exercise for first time in advanced lung cancer Most people with lung cancer are unaware of the benefits of regular exercise, yet new data show it can significantly reduce fatigue and improve well being. Results of two studies to be presented at the ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich underline the value of exercise, including in patients with advanced or metastatic lung cancer.
	Regular exercise should be part of cancer care for all patients Including exercise or sport as part of cancer care can significantly improve symptom management, quality of life and fitness during and after treatment, French researchers have concluded in two presentations to be reported at the ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich. Even among patients at highest risk of poor quality of life, exercise can make a difference.
Electronic medical records show promise in reducing unnecessary testing Upon implementing electronic medical record-based interventions, Boston Medical Center reduced unnecessary diagnostic testing and increased the use of postoperative order sets, two markers of providing high-value medical care. The data from the hospital's efforts demonstrates the impact of deploying multiple interventions simultaneously within the electronic medical record as a way to deliver high-value care, which is defined as delivering the best possible care while simultaneously reducing unnecessary healthcare costs. This study was published in the Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety.
	Healthy diets linked to better outcomes in colorectal cancer Colorectal cancer patients who followed healthy diets had a lower risk of death from colorectal cancer and all causes, even those who improved their diets after being diagnosed, according to a new American Cancer Society study.
US craze for DNA 'heritage' tests may bolster racism, critics warn Millions of Americans are using DNA test kits sold online to research their ancestry, either out of simple curiosity or to find answers about their identity.
Immune therapy generates promising results in hard-to-treat ankylosing spondylitis Results from a phase 3 clinical trial indicate that patients who have not benefited from standard therapy for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by back pain and sacroiliac-joint damage, may have another treatment option in the biologic drug ixekizumab. The findings will be presented at the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting in Chicago (October 20-24, 2018) and simultaneously published in the ACR journal, Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Barriers to early clinical trial access for adolescents and young adults still exist Young cancer patients at the crossroads of childhood and adulthood seem to be stuck in a treatment impasse. A study to be presented at the ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich, has highlighted the existence of barriers to the inclusion of 12 to 25-year-olds in both adult and paediatric early phase clinical trials, suggesting a need for more tailored approaches to give this patient population better access to therapeutic innovation.
Bioelectronic medicine treatment effective for lupus, pilot clinical trial shows A bioelectronic medicine device was effective in reducing pain and fatigue in patients with lupus, according to Feinstein Institute for Medical Research Professor Cynthia Aranow, MD, who will present pilot clinical trial results Tuesday at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Professional's (ACR/ARHP) Annual Meeting. These initial results offer promise to the 5 million people who battle the chronic and potentially fatal autoimmune disease around the world.
	Heart patients advised to move around every 20 minutes to prolong life Heart patients are being advised to move around every 20 minutes in a bid to prolong life following a study presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress (CCC) 2018.
	New, large sequence panel enables population genetics research in Africa Geneticists have assembled the largest sets of African genomic data available to date, creating a resource that will help researchers understand the genetic structure of Africa as well as the effects of genetic variation on protein function and disease. The findings underscore the importance of including globally diverse participant cohorts in genetics research, and were presented in a plenary session at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2018 Annual Meeting in San Diego, Calif.
	Genetic study improves lifespan predictions and scientific understanding of aging By studying the effect of genetic variations on lifespan across the human genome, researchers have devised a way to estimate whether an individual can expect to live longer or shorter than average, and have advanced scientific understanding of the diseases and cellular pathways involved in aging. Their findings were presented at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2018 Annual Meeting in San Diego, Calif.
France investigates spike in babies born with arm defects France's health minister on Sunday announced a new investigation into the births of several babies with upper limb defects in various parts of the country in recent years, saying it was "unacceptable" no cause had been found.
HIV-infected Hispanic adults face higher risks of HPV-related cancers A new study reveals that Hispanic HIV-infected adults in the United States are at a higher risk of developing cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) than Hispanics from the general population. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings highlight the need for continued efforts to develop and implement appropriate HPV-vaccination and cancer screening programs for individuals with HIV, and for additional research that explains the causes of racial/ethnic disparities in HPV-related cancer occurrences.
	Home-based biofeedback therapy is effective option for tough-to-treat constipation Biofeedback therapy used at home is about 70 percent effective at helping patients learn how to coordinate and relax bowel muscles and relieve one of the most difficult-to-treat types of constipation, investigators report.
Study shows childhood obesity the major risk factor for serious hip disease New research suggests that rising childhood obesity rates are causing more adolescents to develop a debilitating hip disease requiring urgent surgery.
Low-income obesity patients lose weight in new study With the help of a free phone app, low-income obese patients with signs of cardiovascular risk lost a clinically meaningful amount of weight, finds new research from Duke University.
Parent educational tools on pain relief help reduce babies' vaccination distress Information provided to new parents in hospital about how to alleviate pain for their babies during vaccination resulted in more frequent use of pain interventions at future infant vaccinations, reports a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Effects of smoked marijuana on lung health unknown—more research is needed Despite the legalization of marijuana on October 17, the long-term effects of smoked cannabis on lung health are unknown and more research is needed, argue authors in a commentary in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
	Cannabis improves symptoms of Crohn's disease despite having no effect on gut inflammation In the first study of its kind, cannabis oil has been shown to significantly improve the symptoms of Crohn's disease and the quality of life of sufferers but, contrary to previous medical thinking, has no effect on gut inflammation.
New treatment approach for advanced anal cancer A new approach to treating advanced anal cancer is safer and more effective than the most widely used current treatment, according to the first ever randomised clinical trial in this group of patients.
	'Obamacare' shapes opioid grant spending With Republicans and Democrats joining forces again in a bipartisan effort to target the U.S. opioid crisis, an Associated Press analysis of the first wave of emergency money from Congress finds that states are taking very different approaches to spending it.
	Poor oral health linked to higher blood pressure, worse blood pressure control People with high blood pressure taking medication for their condition are more likely to benefit from the therapy if they have good oral health, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Hypertension.
	Zika outbreak in northern India state exceeds 100 cases The number of Zika virus cases has crossed 100 in Rajasthan, a state in northern India where palaces and forts draw large numbers of tourists each year.
Common use of antipsychotics shown ineffective for delirium in intensive care patients Critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) did not benefit from two antipsychotic drugs used to treat delirium, according to a large clinical trial funded by the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health. The multi-site team that conducted the trial found no evidence that treatment with antipsychotic medicines—haloperidol or ziprasidone—affected delirium, survival, length of ICU or hospital stay or safety. The findings from the Modifying the Incidence of Delirium USA (MIND USA) study were published online Oct. 22, 2018 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Community health workers can reduce hospitalizations by 65 percent and double patient satisfaction with primary care Community health workers—trusted laypeople from local communities who help high-risk patients to address social issues like food and housing insecurity—can help reduce hospital stays by 65 percent and double the rate of patient satisfaction with primary care, according to new study results published in JAMA Internal Medicine. The study, conducted by researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, focused on chronically-ill low-income patients and U.S. veterans, and is the first multi-center randomized controlled trial to demonstrate these kinds of improvements resulting from a health system-based social intervention.
	Zoledronic acid improves disease-free survival in premenopausal HR+ early breast cancer Adjuvant treatment with the bone sparing drug zoledronic acid plus hormonal therapy with the aromatase inhibitor letrozole significantly increases disease-free survival compared to tamoxifen in premenopausal women with hormone receptor positive (HR+) early breast cancer, according to results reported at ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich. It is the first study to assess this specific combination in premenopausal breast cancer and adds to previous observations with zoledronic acid and anastrozole in premenopausal women receiving ovarian suppression.
	Epigenetic therapy worth pursuing in hormone receptor positive advanced breast cancer Epigenetic therapy with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors is worth pursuing in hormone receptor positive advanced breast cancer, suggests a phase III trial reported today at the ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich.
	Multi-strain probiotic reduces chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea A high concentration of multi-strain probiotic helps to reduce mild to moderate episodes of chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea (CID) in cancer patients, according to results of a phase II/III study in India.
	Immunotherapy medicine proves effective against ocular inflammation A team of researchers from the UCH CEU's Biomedical Sciences Institute has tested the efficiency of Bevacizumab, medicine used against cancer and in opthalmology, to treat uveítis, thus stopping the inflammation from spreading.
	Immunotherapy may become new first line treatment in some metastatic colorectal cancers Immunotherapy with nivolumab and low-dose ipilimumab could become a new first line treatment in patients with some metastatic colorectal cancers following late-breaking results from the CheckMate-142 trial reported at the ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich. The drug combination shrank tumours and had beneficial effects on survival in patients with microsatellite instabiliy (MSI)-high metastatic colorectal cancer.
	Avelumab plus axitinib significantly improve progression-free survival in untreated renal cell carcinoma A combination of the immune checkpoint blocker, avelumab, plus the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), axitinib, significantly improves progression-free survival (PFS) in previously untreated patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in a phase 3 study, according to results presented at ESMO 2018 Congress.
	Erlotinib improves progression-free survival in early mutated non-small cell lung cancer Neoadjuvant erlotinib benefits selected epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated patients who undergo complete resection of stage IIIA-N2 stage non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC), shows a randomised study comparing erlotinib with gemcitabine plus cisplatin as neoadjuvant treatment, presented at the ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich.
	Journalism study evaluates emotions on the job A QUT journalism academic says the current freelancer-heavy market for media professionals could be preventing photographers and video journalists who report on traumatic news events from accessing the support they need.
	A guide to Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), the rare, polio-like illness making young children sick A fast-acting, polio-like illness has sickened 62 young children, with an average age of 4, in 22 U.S. states so far this fall.
	Deep brain stimulation not effective for treating early Alzheimer's A new study from Johns Hopkins shows that individuals with early onset Alzheimer's disease—those under the age of 65—don't benefit from deep brain stimulation, a treatment already proven to be effective for easing motor symptoms of people with Parkinson's disease.
	Heroin addiction treatment and opioid misuse Michael Fendrich is associate dean for research and a professor in the UConn School of Social Work, whose research focuses on policies, services, interventions, and risk factors related to substance misuse and mental health. He recently published a paper about heroin addiction treatment and how it relates to previous opioid misuse history.
	Landmark study sheds light on how our brains age Two studies from a landmark 20-year Melbourne research project have shed more light on how the brain ages and what can affect the process. The results have led experts to encourage women to watch their cholesterol and blood pressure.
	Cancer trial shows treating the prostate with radiotherapy improves survival Treating the prostate with radiotherapy alongside standard treatment led to an 11 per cent increase in survival for some men with advanced prostate cancer, show the results from a study carried out in collaboration with the University of Birmingham and funded by Cancer Research UK.
	The five stages of grief don't come in fixed steps – everyone feels differently Grief can seem desolate for those in the thick of it who often feel unable to imagine a way out of their suffering. But, as time passes, the pain usually dampens or becomes more fleeting.
	How much physical activity is enough in older age? We all know making physical activity a regular habit is important for health and well-being. But health promotion messages are often aimed at children and young people, with less focus on the importance of physical activity for older people. However, older age is a crucial time for being active every day.
	Severely unsettled one-year-olds risk poor mental health, experts caution Severely unsettled babies with sleeping, crying and feeding problems at the age of one are ten times more likely to have mental health problems during childhood, a new Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) study has found.
	Heart patients advised to move around every 20 minutes to prolong life Heart patients are being advised to move around every 20 minutes in a bid to prolong life following a study presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress (CCC) 2018.
	HER2+ early breast cancers where shorter-course trastuzumab could be an option Women with HER2-positive early breast cancer with small tumours have similar disease-free survival and lower risk of cardiac toxicity with a nine-week course of adjuvant trastuzumab compared to those treated for one year, according to a subgroup analysis of the Short-HER trial reported at ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich.
	Major trial shows targeted drug extends breast cancer survival Combining a targeted drug with hormone therapy substantially extends survival for women with advanced breast cancer, a major clinical trial has found.
	Smartphones blurring the lines between the personal and the professional sphere TU Wien and the Lower Austria Chamber of Labour have conducted a study into smartphone use. The lines between work time and free time are often blurred.
	Scientists in Sweden may have figured out one way acne bacteria defies treatment Researchers in Sweden have discovered how acne-causing bacteria feed off their human hosts. The study, which was performed at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, could make it possible to find effective ways to treat severe acne.
	Carve the pumpkin, not your hand (HealthDay)—Jack-o'-lanterns can be scary, but they shouldn't be dangerous.
	Physical therapy an option for nonobstructive meniscal tears (HealthDay)—Physical therapy (PT) is non-inferior to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) for patients with nonobstructive meniscal tears, according to a study published in the Oct. 2 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
	CDC: Vaccination rates more than 95 percent for kindergartners (HealthDay)—Overall vaccination coverage is high among the nation's kindergarten students, according to research published in the Oct. 12 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
	Variability in geographic availability of new antibiotics (HealthDay)—There is considerable variability in the geographic availability of antibiotics, according to a study published online Oct. 16 in PLOS ONE.
	CDC: First U.S. case of rat-borne Andes virus diagnosed (HealthDay)—The first confirmed U.S. case of a virus carried by South American rodents occurred earlier this year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
	Study unearths Britain's first speech therapists On International Stammering Awareness Day (22 October), a new study reveals that Britain's first speech therapists emerged at least a century earlier than previously thought.
	Is climate change causing a rise in the number of mosquito and tick-borne diseases? Life in a single-family home in suburban America, one with a quiet and spacious backyard, surrounded by natural habitats, lush green vegetation, where beautiful birds, squirrels and other small mammals come and go, is the American dream. Now, however, this once-cherished dream is being threatened by invading tick and mosquito species that are carrying emerging pathogens.
Social stigma contributes to poor mental health in the autistic community Stress related to social stigma may be the reason why autistic people experience more mental health problems than the general population, dispelling past theories that the condition itself is the origin of such distress.
	Major response to immunotherapy in early-stage mismatch repair deficient colon cancer Pre-operative treatment with a combination of the immune checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and ipilimumab achieves major pathological responses in 100 percent of early-stage colon cancers with mismatch repair deficiencies, according to results reported at ESMO 2018 from the first exploratory phase II trial to investigate this approach.
	Growing evidence that noise is bad for your health The World Health Organisation recently published its latest noise pollution guidelines for Europe. The guidelines recommend outdoor noise levels that should not be exceeded for aircraft, road and rail noise and two new sources: wind turbine and leisure noise.
	E-cigarettes are good or bad depending on the study – so what's the truth? The number of adults currently using e-cigarettes in the UK is close to 2.9m, many of whom will have turned to the devices to quit smoking. While certainly they may help people kick the habit, there is a big problem with e-cigarettes: we don't actually know for certain whether they are safe or not.
	Aspirin alone a good clot buster after knee surgery When it comes to preventing blood clots after a knee replacement, good old aspirin may be just as effective as newer, more expensive drugs.
	New option for women with advanced breast cancer resistant to hormone therapy Treatment with the cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor palbociclib achieves a clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival in patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+) human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer that has relapsed or progressed on hormonal therapy, according to the final analysis of overall survival results from the PALOMA-3 study reported at ESMO 2018.
	Future fertility: Giving hope to men who received childhood cancer treatment Researchers have discovered a way to grow human stem cells destined to become mature sperm in an effort to provide fertility options later in life to males who are diagnosed with cancer and undergo chemotherapy and radiation as children. The findings are published today in Nature Communications from a team led by Sandra Ryeom, Ph.D., an associate professor of Cancer Biology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and co-leader of the Tumor Biology Program at the Abramson Cancer Center.
	Treatment of aggressive breast cancer improved by immunotherapy-chemotherapy combination Patients with an aggressive form of advanced breast cancer can benefit from immunotherapy when used in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment, according to the results of a large international Phase III clinical trial published today in the New England Journal of Medicine and led by a researcher at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Doctors find 122 nails in Ethiopian's stomach Ethiopian doctors extracted over a hundred iron nails and other sharp objects from the stomach of a patient in the capital Addis Ababa at the weekend.
	Keep to yourself! Don't offer co-workers help unless asked If you thought that proactively offering help to your co-workers was a good thing, think again. New workplace research from Michigan State University found that when it comes to offering your expertise, it's better to keep to yourself or wait until you're asked.
Immunotherapy effective as first-line treatment for advanced head and neck cancer Immunotherapy on its own is better than aggressive chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for advanced head and neck cancer, according to surprising new data from a major phase III clinical trial.
	New drug combination destroys chemo-resistant blood cancer Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa have developed a promising targeted strategy to treat chemotherapy-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and a diagnostic test to determine which AML patients would most likely benefit from this treatment. In a mouse model, the experimental treatment eliminated all signs of disease (complete remission) in 100 percent of animals, while those that received the standard treatment all died. The results are published in the leading cancer journal Cancer Discovery.
	Modern conflict: Screen time vs. nature Even rural kids today spend more time in front of screens and less time outdoors, according to a new study of middle-school students in South Carolina.
	Protein found in patients with severe asthma can help identify who would benefit from targeted drugs In a novel study, researchers succeeded in identifying patients with a form of severe asthma (type 2 endotype) by measuring periostin concentrations in their airways. These patients with the type 2 (T2) endotype may benefit from newly developed targeted treatments that have the potential to transform their quality of life, report researchers in the journal CHEST.
	Refugee girls gain from effort to teach life skills A yearlong program for adolescent girl refugees in Sub-Saharan Africa successfully promoted healthy transitions to adulthood within the evaluation period, according to the results of randomized controlled trials in Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The studies, which appear in BMJ: Global Health, were led by researchers in the Program on Forced Migration and Health at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.
More than one in ten heavy cannabis users experience withdrawal after quitting cannabis As the number of Americans who regularly use cannabis has climbed, so too has the number of those experiencing cannabis withdrawal symptoms. A new study by researchers at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Columbia University Irving Medical Center finds that 12 percent of frequent marijuana smokers experienced Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome (CWS), which includes emotional, behavioral and physical symptoms. The study is published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
Poor access to trauma center linked to higher death rates in more than half of US states States with poor access to a comprehensive trauma center have more deaths occurring before injured patients' arrival at a hospital, compared with states that have better access. Furthermore, this frequency of prehospital deaths contributes to higher overall trauma-related mortality, according to new research findings presented today at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2018. Overall, more than half (28 states) have an above-average prehospital death burden, reported researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston.
New approach to neonatal sepsis in developing nations could save thousands of lives Sepsis is a major cause of preventable death among newborn children in tropical countries. Now the antibiotic ceftriaxone, which has been available only as an injectable, can be administered through rectal delivery. This method could annually save the lives of several hundred thousand newborns with sepsis. The research is published in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.
Researchers find common genetic link in lung ailments An international research team led by members of the University of Colorado School of Medicine faculty has identified a genetic connection between rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
	For the brokenhearted, grief can lead to death Grief can cause inflammation that can kill, according to new research from Rice University.
	In kids with autism, short questionnaire may detect GI disorders Anger, aggression, and other troubling behavior problems in kids with autism are often treated as psychological issues, but in many cases the problems can be traced to gastrointestinal distress.
Liver transplant survival rate sees improvement among older adults An increasing number of older adults are diagnosed with end-stage liver disease. End-stage liver disease is a life-threatening condition in which the liver stops working normally. It can be caused by hepatitis, alcoholism, cancer, and other conditions. A liver transplant is the only treatment for end-stage liver disease.
	Researchers uncover new target of alcohol in the brain When alcohol enters the brain, it causes neurons in a specialized region called the ventral tegmental area, or VTA—also known as the "pleasure center"—to release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that produces those feel-good sensations, and tells the brain that whatever it just experienced is worth getting more of.
	Pancreatic cancer genetic marker may predict outcomes with radiation therapy Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat and is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Now, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center—Jefferson Health and Lankenau Institute for Medical Research scientists find that a gene involved in the immune system called IDO2 plays a significant role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of pancreatic cancer. The discovery may help physicians provide better treatment options for patients.
	Study shows volunteering benefits those with lupus Conventional wisdom has it that volunteering is good for you, and a study at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) shows that to be true for people with lupus volunteering in a peer support and education program.
	Tapping into telehealth (HealthDay)—With the national shortage of primary care doctors and—in certain areas—specialists, and with a quarter of the population living in rural areas without easy access to care, telehealth has stepped in to help fill the gap.
	Pregnancy complications down for women with lupus (HealthDay)—Deaths and complications among pregnant women with lupus have declined in the United States over the past two decades, a new study finds.
	Stroke after heart attack: danger may persist for months (HealthDay)—After a heart attack, your risk for a stroke is elevated longer than previously believed, preliminary results of a new study suggest.
	1 in 4 college students really stressed out by 2016 election: survey (HealthDay)—For some college students in the United States, the 2016 presidential election triggered significant distress symptoms, a new survey suggests.
	Glucose dysregulation seen years before diabetes diagnosis (HealthDay)—Individuals who develop diabetes or prediabetes have elevated fasting plasma glucose (FPG) at least 10 years before diagnosis, according to an observational study recently published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
	Guidelines outlined to ease peds transition to adult health care (HealthDay)—Guidelines have been updated to support the health care transition from adolescence to adulthood, according to a clinical report published online Oct. 22 in Pediatrics.
	Restrictive abortion laws in Northern Ireland affect women's health, study shows Despite a policy change to provide free abortion services for women traveling from Northern Ireland to clinics in Great Britain, Northern Irish women still experience multiple barriers to accessing care, according to new research from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. The study also found that some women preferred to use medication from online telemedicine services to self-manage their abortions at home, but that the experience is dominated by fear and isolation due to the risk of prosecution.
	How we remember what we read The results of two human experiments published in eNeuro reveal patterns of brain activity associated with successful memory of a just-read text. The research provides new insight into the memory processes involved in natural reading.
	Nose breathing enhances memory consolidation Breathing through the nose may improve the transfer of experience to long-term memory, finds a study of human adults published in JNeurosci. The findings add to growing evidence for the influence of respiration on human perception and cognition.
	Mouse study supports stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy Neural stem cells can repair damaged parts of the brain and restore motor impairments in mice that display features of cerebral palsy, according to new research published in eNeuro. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using stem cells to address the underlying brain injuries responsible for this group of common movement disorders.
	Oncologists demand more education on the use of biosimilars. ESMO takes action Biological medicines are responsible for some of the most promising innovations in cancer treatment, including immunotherapy, targeted drugs and vaccines – but they are also expensive.
	Advantages of DNA immunization platform for eliciting monoclonal antibodies in multiple species Researchers have taken advantage of the benefits of DNA immunization over traditional protein-based immunization to elicit monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against challenging targets in three species – mouse, rabbit, and human models. They describe their use of DNA immunization as a new mAb development platform in an article published in a special issue on DNA Vaccines in Human Gene Therapy.
	Large regional differences in endoscopic sinus surgery in Finland Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common disease that is usually treated with intranasal medication and nasal saline lavage. Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is considered when CRS is difficult to treat. The surgery aims to restore ventilation of paranasal sinuses and reduce inflammation.
	Drugs for treating breast cancer in women are effective and well tolerated in men There is growing evidence that drugs approved for the treatment of breast cancer in women are also effective and well tolerated in men, according to the largest real-life study yet to investigate treatment and outcomes in men with breast cancer and two further studies to be reported at ESMO 2018 (2,3).
PROs indicate brachytherapy alone is the superior treatment Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) from the NRG Oncology trial RTOG 0232 comparing a combined treatment of external beam therapy and brachytherapy (EBT+B) to transperineal interstitial permanent brachytherapy (B) alone indicate a significantly different clinician and patientreported late toxicity profile between arms despite similarities in progression-free survival results. This abstract was presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting and was awarded as a Best of ASTRO presentation for 2018.
Data supports interaction of pretreatment immune inflammatory state of patient outcomes following radiotherapy Data from a validation study of NRG-RTOG 0521 suggeststhat, while there is no association between an elevated level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and disease-free survival (DFS); higher levels of pretreatment interleukin 10 (IL-10) were linked to lower rates of DFS. These results were recently presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
	Olaparib maintenance extends PFS by estimated three years in advanced ovarian cancer Two-year maintenance therapy with olaparib, a PARP (poly ADP ribose polymerase) inhibitor, olaparib, led to a substantial, unprecedented improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) in newly diagnosed patients with advanced ovarian cancer and a BRCA1 or 2 mutation, results from the phase 3 SOLO-1 trial show.
Local radiotherapy improves survival in metastatic prostate cancer with low disease burden Radiotherapy to the prostate improves overall survival in men newly diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer who have a low metastatic disease burden but not in those with higher burden of disease, according to results from a pre-planned analysis of a large comparison study reported at ESMO 2018.
Radiation therapy cuts low risk of recurrence in half for patients with 'good risk' breast cancer A subset of patients with low-risk breast cancer is highly unlikely to see cancer return following breast conservation surgery but can lower that risk even further with radiationtherapy, finds a new long-term clinical trial report. These 12-year follow-up data from the only prospective, randomized trial to compare recurrence outcomes after treatment for low-risk ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) will be presented today at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
	Some patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer live longer with immunotherapy Immunotherapy improves survival in some patients with metastatic triple negative breast cancer, according to late-breaking results from the IMpassion130 trial reported at the ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich.
	Targeting specific genomic mutation in breast cancer improves outcomes, first study shows Targeting a common mutation in patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+) HER2 negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer with the alpha-specific phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor alpelisib significantly improves progression-free survival, according to late-breaking results reported at ESMO 2018.
	Participation in group prenatal care may improve birth outcomes A recent retrospective matched cohort study of more than 9,000 pregnant women found that women who received group prenatal care had a significantly lower risk of having a preterm birth or a low birth weight baby compared with women who received individual care only, after adjusting for number of individual care visits. Women who attended five or more group prenatal care sessions experienced even greater reductions in risk for preterm birth and low birth weight, as reported in an article published in Journal of Women's Health.
	Patients with HPV-positive oropharynx cancer should receive chemoradiation Patients with human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive throat cancer should receive chemoradiotherapy rather than cetuximab with radiotherapy, according to late-breaking research reported at the ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich.
Short-term ADT with RT improves survival over RT alone up to 10 years The long-term follow up of the NRG Oncology trial RTOG 9408, studying the addition of short-term androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) to radiotherapy (RT) for men with early, localized prostate adenocarcinoma, indicated that RT combined with ADT is superior to RT alone for overall survival (OS) up to 10.4 years following treatment. However, when researchers assessed these results up to 18 years, the benefits of adding ADT to RT dissipated. The results were presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX on October 22, 2018 during the Genitourinary 2: Long-Term Updates of Prospective Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials session. The study was also awarded a "Best of ASTRO" designation.
More than just anatomy—sex differences in the lower urinary tract The biological differences between women and men go beyond basic anatomy. Researchers must consider sex differences down to the cellular level in order to discover crucial information about the varied development, function, and biology between women and men.
	Preliminary evidence for use of board games to improve knowledge in health outcomes Board games can engage patients in play and fantasy, and by enabling face-to-face interaction, can help educate patients on health-related knowledge and behaviors. A new systemic review and meta-analysis of trials assessing the outcomes achieved using board games in children through older adults is published in Games for Health.
Men with low-/intermediate-risk prostate cancer benefit from fewer, higher-dose radiation treatments Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a safe and effective treatment for men with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer, according to a long-term, multi-institutional study. The study clears the way for patients who may wish to shorten their course of treatment without fear of increasing their risk for severe, adverse side effects. Findings will be presented today at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
Pelvic lymph node radiation provides significant benefit for prostate cancer patients The first report of a large international clinical trial shows that, for men who show signs of prostate cancer after surgical removal of their prostates, extending radiation therapy to the pelvic lymph nodes combined with adding short-term hormone therapy to standard treatment can extend the amount of time before their cancer spreads. The findings, presented today at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), were so encouraging —exceeding rigorous threshold criteria—that the results were released by the research team ahead of schedule.
High-dose, high-precision radiation therapy safe, effective for solitary kidney cancer patients with only one kidney Treatment of renal cell carcinoma with stereotactic radiation therapy is as safe and effective for patients with one kidney as it is for those who have two, according to an analysis of the largest-ever, international dataset of solitary kidney patients to receive this emerging treatment. The findings will be presented today at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
	Immunotherapy improves survival in metastatic or recurrent head and neck cancer Immunotherapy with pembrolizumab improves survival in patients with head and neck cancer that has recurred or metastasised, according to late-breaking results from the KEYNOTE-048 study reported at the ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich.
Radiation therapy outcomes better for African-American than Caucasian prostate cancer patients While popular beliefs and population data suggest that African-American men are at higher risk of dying from prostate cancer than Caucasian men, a new analysis of genetic data from a large prospective registry and clinical data from several randomized trials indicates that African-American patients may have comparatively higher cure rates when treated with radiation therapy. The study, which is the first report demonstrating improved prostate cancer outcomes for African-American men, will be presented today at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
	Medtronic co-founder who created wearable pacemaker dies Earl Bakken, an electronics repairman who created the first wearable external pacemaker and co-founded one of the world's largest medical device companies, Medtronic, has died. He was 94.
Radiation/cisplatin combination established as standard of care for HPV+ oral cancer Combinations of radiation and chemotherapy drugs have been shown to cure HPV-related head and neck cancer with a high success rate. A new phase III trial has now determined that cisplatin chemotherapy, combined with radiation therapy, produces the best results and should be considered the standard of care. Findings will be presented today at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).
Salk scientists advance ultrasound technology for neurological therapy The emerging technology of sonogenetics—a technique where cells are controlled by sound—offers the potential to one day replace pharmaceutical drugs or invasive surgical treatments for neurological conditions like epilepsy, Parkinson's disease or posttraumatic stress disorder.
	The heart problem this stroke, bypass surgery survivor wasn't expecting When Tom Broussard came out of quadruple heart bypass surgery, the then-59-year-old was just glad to have avoided a heart attack. So he didn't give much thought to the heart valve that surgeons replaced at the same time.

Biology news

	Overspending on defense arsenal bankrupts a plant's economy Defend or grow? Can plants do both at the same time? Michigan State University scientists might be inching closer to answering these questions. The answers matter. They could someday help us understand natural ecosystems or help farmers increase yields, without increasing dependence on chemicals to resist pests.
	New protein sequencing method could transform biological research A team of researchers at The University of Texas at Austin has demonstrated a new way to sequence proteins that is much more sensitive than existing technology, identifying individual protein molecules rather than requiring millions of molecules at a time. The advance could have a major impact in biomedical research, making it easier to reveal new biomarkers for the diagnosis of cancer and other diseases, as well as enhance our understanding of how healthy cells function.
	Structure of spherical viruses aren't as perfect as we thought Determining the structure of a virus is an important step in understanding and treating viral disease. For decades, structural biologists have been using cryo-electron microscopy to create increasingly accurate pictures of biomolecules, but one of the assumptions they've been relying on could be wrong.
	Heredity matters: Ancestral protease functions as protein import motor in chloroplasts Over 1 billion years ago, a relationship began between the ancestor of all living plants and a type of bacterium that paved the way for the evolution of life as we know it. The single-celled algal ancestor engulfed, but crucially, did not destroy, a cyanobacterium-like organism with which it established a mutually beneficial bond. This symbiotic relationship provided energy in the form of sugars derived from photosynthesis (whereby sunlight is converted into chemical energy) from the cyanobacterium to its host.
	Understanding architecture of cancer-linked BAF protein complexes provides insight into disease In 2013, Broad Institute member Cigall Kadoch, then a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University, discovered that approximately 20 percent of all human cancers involve mutations in a group of proteins called BAF, a complex that is also linked to intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders. However, little has been known about the structure of these complexes, and how they contribute to disease.
	New technique reveals limb control in flies—and maybe robots A new neural recording technique developed by EPFL bioengineers enables for the first time the comprehensive measurement of neural circuits that control limb movement. Tested on the fruit fly, results from the technique may inspire the development of more sophisticated robotic control approaches.
	Cells that change jobs to fight diabetes Diabetes is characterized by persistent high blood sugar levels that occur when certain cells in the pancreas—the insulin-producing β cells—are destroyed or are no longer able to secrete insulin. Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) have succeeded in showing how part of the pancreatic α and δ cells, which usually produce other hormones, can take over from the damaged β cells by starting to produce insulin. By observing how these cells manage to modify their function by partially changing their identity, the researchers discovered a phenomenon of cell plasticity unknown until now. Furthermore, beyond the pancreas, such processes might characterize many other cell types in the body. These results, to be read in Nature Cell Biology, lead to envision entirely new therapeutic strategies that could harness the body's own regenerative capacities.
	Cellular trash cans reveal the roles of proteins in disease If we really want to know how our body's cells work—or don't work, in the case of disease—we might need to look beyond their genes and even beyond the proteins they are made of. We may need to start going through the cellular "trash." The group of Dr. Yifat Merbl of the Weizmann Institute of Science developed a system to do just that, finding that "cellular dumpster-diving" contains information about the cell's function that is not otherwise seen. The group applied their new approach to profiling the immune cells of patients with an autoimmune disorder and discovered distinct evidence for a signature pattern that offers a new thinking about the underlying causes of this disease and in the future, may lead to better diagnostic techniques.
	Spotlighting differences in closely-related species There are millions of fungal species, and those few hundred found in the Aspergillus genus play important roles in areas ranging from industrial production to agricultural plant pathogens. Reported October 22, 2018, in Nature Genetics, a team led by scientists at the Technical University of Denmark, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI), a DOE Office of Science User Facility, and the Joint Bioenergy Institute (JBEI), a DOE Bioenergy Research Center, present the first large analysis of an Aspergillus fungal subgroup, section Nigri.
	'Himalayan Viagra' under threat from climate change: researchers A prized caterpillar fungus that is more valuable than gold and is nicknamed "Himalayan Viagra" in Asia, where it is seen as a wonder drug, is becoming harder to find due to climate change, researchers said Monday.
	Researchers find genomic evidence of rapid adaptation of invasive Burmese pythons in Florida Florida has become a haven for invasive species in the United States, but perhaps the most well-known of the State's alien residents is the Burmese python. These giant snakes, native to Southeast Asia, have become well-established over the past few decades and even flourish in their new environment.
	Albatrosses to spy out illegal fishing Fishermen illegally trawling the Indian Ocean might soon find they have more to worry about than the proverbial albatross around their neck—real bad luck might now lurk in the form of one of the birds spying on them from the sky.
	China-backed hydro dam threatens world's rarest orangutan A billion-dollar hydroelectric dam development in Indonesia that threatens the habitat of the world's rarest great ape has sparked fresh concerns about the impact of China's globe-spanning infrastructure drive.
Labrador retrievers at risk of various health problems Labrador retrievers, the second most popular dog breed in the UK, are vulnerable to a number of health conditions, according to a study published in the open access journal Canine Genetics and Epidemiology.
	Itchy Dog Project extended to all breeds of dog A popular University of Nottingham veterinary survey into the problem of itchy skin allergies in dogs is being extended to include all breeds of dog after some interesting initial results.
	Does your dog have a bacterial infection? This test could tell you in two minutes. Want to know which bacteria are making your dog or cat sick? Northeastern professor Edgar Goluch has started a company to get that answer in minutes, instead of days.
	How this researcher's risky idea could mean big things for regenerative medicine Every cell in your body contains thousands of different proteins. These complicated molecules regulate chemical reactions, bind to invading bacteria or viruses, carry signals in and between cells, and much more. They are vital to your existence.
Modern slavery and climate change are in a vicious cycle of degradation, according to experts The relationship between climate change, environmental degradation and modern slavery needs to be better understood in order for the interconnected crisis to be tackled, according to a new report.
	Asian elephants could be the maths kings of the jungle Asian elephants demonstrate numeric ability which is closer to that observed in humans rather than in other animals. This is according to lead author Naoko Irie of SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) in Japan. In a study published in the Springer-branded Journal of Ethology, Irie and her colleagues found that an Asian elephants' sense of numbers is not affected by distance, magnitude or ratios of presented numerosities, and therefore provides initial experimental evidence that non-human animals have cognitive characteristics similar to human counting.
	Hurricane Michael could sour Florida's tupelo honey harvest Hurricane Michael toppled beehives and stripped flowering plants across Florida's Panhandle, threatening tupelo honey production in a tiny community that is the primary source of the sweet delicacy.
	Giant mice threaten rare seabirds on remote British island Mice brought to a remote South Atlantic island by sailors in the 19th century are threatening seabirds including the critically endangered Tristan albatross, a British charity said on Monday.
	Two rhinos die in Chad after being relocated from S.Africa Two of six critically endangered black rhinos have died of unknown causes five months after being flown from South Africa to Chad in a pioneering project to re-introduce the animals, officials said Sunday.
	Can schools of fish be identified without human intervention? Researchers are developing an autonomous system to monitor coastal and deep waters for fish stock. Their technology could enhance marine environment protection.

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