Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for October 23, 2018:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | NASA's First Image of Mars from a CubeSatNASA's MarCO mission was designed to find out if briefcase-sized spacecraft called CubeSats could survive the journey to deep space. Now, MarCO—which stands for Mars Cube One—has Mars in sight. |
 | Russian physicists postulate the existence of dark matter-based Bose starsResearchers developed a mathematical model describing motion of dark matter particles inside the smallest galaxy halos. They observed that over time, dark matter may form spherical droplets of quantum condensate. Previously, this was considered impossible, as fluctuations of the gravity field produced by dark matter particles were ignored. The study is published in Physical Review Letters. |
 | Student discovers slowest ever pulsar starAn approximately 14 million year old pulsar star that is the "slowest-spinning" of its kind ever identified has been discovered by a Ph.D. student from The University of Manchester. |
 | Image: Cloudlets swarm around our local supermassive black holeThis image from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) shows the area surrounding Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole that lurks at the centre of the Milky Way—highlighted here with a small circle. New research has revealed exciting evidence of interstellar gas and dust orbiting the black hole at high speeds. |
 | Ultra-close stars discovered inside a planetary nebulaAn international team of astronomers have discovered two stars in a binary pair that complete an orbit around each other in a little over three hours, residing in the planetary nebula M3-1. Remarkably, the stars could drive a nova explosion, an entirely unexpected event based on our current understanding of binary star evolution. The team, led by David Jones of the Instituto Astrofisica de Canarias and the Universidad de La Laguna, report their findings in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters. |
 | ALMA maps Europa's temperatureJupiter's icy moon Europa has a chaotic surface terrain that is fractured and cracked, suggesting a long-standing history of geologic activity. |
 | Plan developed to characterize and identify ocean worldsStrategies to identify and explore ocean worlds in our Solar System should focus on a range of targets, including confirmed and unconfirmed ocean worlds, according to a new paper by a team led by Planetary Science Institute Senior Scientist Amanda R. Hendrix. |
 | Europa plume sites lack expected heat signaturesThe study of two potential plume sites on Jupiter's moon Europa has shown a lack of expected hotspot signatures, unlike Enceladus where plumes have a very clear and obvious temperature signature, research by Planetary Science Institute Senior Scientist Julie Rathbun shows. |
 | Hubble moving closer to normal science operationsNASA took great strides last week to press into service a Hubble Space Telescope backup gyroscope (gyro) that was incorrectly returning extremely high rotation rates. The backup gyro was turned on after the spacecraft entered safe mode due to a failed gyro on Friday, Oct. 5. The rotation rates produced by the backup gyro have since reduced and are now within an expected range. Additional tests will be performed to ensure Hubble can return to science operations with this gyro. |
 | Sponges from Mars? Study suggests water on the red planet could support lifeMars has long been thought of as dry and barren – unable to harbour life. But research over the past few years indicates that there is most likely some briny water present there today, including a possible subsurface lake. This has led to new hopes that there could actually be life on the red planet after all, depending on what the conditions are like in the water. |
 | Trump's 'Space Force' to be built in stages by 2020A new US "Space Force" will soon take shape but will at least initially be a step below the proposed sixth branch of the military envisioned by President Donald Trump, his vice president said Tuesday. |
Technology news
 | Redirect2Own: A new approach to protect the intellectual property of user-uploaded contentEvery day, millions of users upload content on social media media platforms, including text, pictures and videos. While the creators of this content typically retain intellectual property (IP) rights once it is shared online, they often grant services hosting the content a broad license to use it, possibly in undesirable ways. |
 | iPhone XR makes the right trade-offs for a cheaper priceApple offers you a simple trade-off with its new iPhone XR, the middlebrow cousin to the top-of-the-line iPhone XS. |
 | Optimizing winglets for minimum drag, more efficient flightAlthough, winglets have been around since the mid-1970s, there is still a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and angles. |
 | Malaysia team is focused on a digital smell futureThe very idea of "multisensory" communication is provocative enough, but gets all the more interesting in the context of our digital futures. Can you not only view and hear the scene but smell it too? |
New technology encodes and processes video orders of magnitude faster than current methodsComputer scientists at the University of California San Diego have developed a new technology that can encode, transform and edit video faster—several orders of magnitude faster—than the current state of the art. | |
 | China opens mega-bridge linking Hong Kong to mainlandChina on Tuesday opened the world's longest sea-crossing bridge linking Hong Kong to the mainland, a feat of engineering carrying immense economic and political significance. |
 | Rise, fall and suspense: bitcoin's wild first decadeFrom its birth in an anonymous, academic style paper to one of the world's most volatile and closely watched financial instruments, bitcoin has lived through a tumultuous first 10 years. |
 | Moscow cryptocurrency 'boutique' in legal grey areaFirst you ring, then push through heavy doors past a suspicious security guard before arriving at Moscow's pioneering cryptocurrency store—a physical portal to the virtual realm of bitcoin. |
 | Cryptocurrency bitcoin marks 10 yearsOctober 31, 2008 marked the birth of bitcoin. Ten years on, the world's first cryptocurrency is at the forefront of a complex financial system viewed warily by markets and investors. |
 | Wall Street greets bitcoin with interest and worryBitcoin may be the fraud of the century, depending on whom you believe, or it could be a gold mine for early adopters. |
 | Q&A: What is bitcoin?Bitcoin has carved out a name for itself as the world's most popular cryptocurrency since arriving on the scene ten years ago. |
Snapcrap app steps in to take on public poopA freshly launched Snapcrap app is out to turn San Francisco smartphone users into poop-spotters. | |
 | Dyson to build electric car in Singapore, aiming at ChinaDyson, the British company best known for vacuum cleaners and prized hair dryers, said Tuesday it will build its new electric car in Singapore as it joins the increasingly crowded race to create the next generation of clean vehicles. |
 | Google Maps for iOS will now allow you to share real-time updates with friendsGoogle Maps for the iPhone is about to get a little bit better. |
Tim Cook wants retraction of Chinese spy-chip story that named Apple, SupermicroApple CEO Tim Cook has taken the unusual step of going on the record to deny a news story, and is further asking the news agency that published it for a retraction. | |
 | Battle of the video speakers: Amazon Echo Show vs. Google Home HubThe battle of the video speakers begins in earnest today. |
Hey Portal, Facebook might want to cut the losses now on the video deviceImagine the politician who gets caught in a scandal, breaching the public's trust, whether that be of a sexual nature, misspending taxpayer money or just doing something dumb. | |
 | BMW recalls over 1 mn cars over exhaust system fire riskGerman high-end carmaker BMW said Tuesday it would recall more than one million additional diesel cars, citing a problem with the exhaust system that "in extreme cases can cause a fire". |
 | Record-setting transfer of 1 petabyte of dataUsing a 5,000-mile network loop operated by ESnet, researchers at the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC) and Zettar Inc. recently transferred 1 petabyte in 29 hours, with encryption and checksumming, beating last year's record by 5 hours, an almost 15 percent improvement. |
 | Uber plans pollution levy on London faresUber will levy a "clean air fee" on London journeys from early 2019 to help tackle pollution and part-fund electric cars for its drivers, the pioneer ride-sharing app said Tuesday. |
 | Artificial intelligence will make you smarterThe future won't be made by either humans or machines alone – but by both, working together. Technologies modeled on how human brains work are already augmenting people's abilities, and will only get more influential as society gets used to these increasingly capable machines. |
 | Is that new doll spying on your kids?What if strangers are using one of your child's toys to spy on them? In the new world of connected toys, truth can be spookier than fiction. |
 | Electric cars are a hazard for blind peopleElectric cars are good for the environment – but not for people who cannot see. They have problems detecting the silent vehicles. However, Norwegian research scientists are working on a solution. |
 | Apple offers a range of iPhones, from $450 to $1,100Apple's new iPhone XR has most of the features found in the top-of-the-line iPhone XS Max, but not its $1,100 price tag. The XR offers the right trade-offs for just $750. |
 | MoviePass to be jettisoned by parent companyMoviePass, the struggling discount movie ticket subscription service, is being spun off by the company that owns it. |
 | Yahoo to pay $50M, other costs for massive security breachYahoo has agreed to pay $50 million in damages and provide two years of free credit-monitoring services to 200 million people whose email addresses and other personal information were stolen as part of the biggest security breach in history. |
 | Facebook beyond Facebook? Instagram, Messenger step upWhen Facebook bought Instagram for $1 billion in 2012, it seemed like a big gamble for an unproven little app. Six years later, that little app—along with Messenger and WhatsApp—are serving as Facebook's safety net for a future that could find its flagship service on the sidelines. |
 | Facebook closes 'spam' pages, accounts helping Brazil presidential candidateSocial media platform Facebook has closed 68 pages and 43 accounts linked to a marketing group believed to be promoting the chances of Brazilian right-wing presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro. |
 | Macron urges Apple chief to boost investment in FranceFrench President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday urged Apple's chief executive Tim Cook to invest more in his country, even as Paris pursues a new EU tax on the revenues of technology giants. |
 | Walmart makes improvements to third-party marketplaceWalmart says it will work with third-party sellers to make millions of items available for free two-day shipping on orders over $35. |
 | Facebook report shows backers of US political adsFacebook on Tuesday released the first of what it promised will be routine reports showing who is behind US political ads seen at the social network or its Instagram service. |
Medicine & Health news
 | New study finds 'timing cells' in the brain may underlie an animal's inner clockAre you taking your time when feeding your pet? Fluffy and Fido are on to you—and they can tell when you are dawdling. |
 | New kind of compound shows early promise against prostate cancerA new type of molecule blocks the action of genes that drive the growth of therapy-resistant prostate cancer, a new study finds. |
 | Collaboration yields possible treatment for rare neurodegenerative disorderSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators have developed a new class of compounds that extended the lives and eased symptoms of mice with a progressive neurodegenerative human disorder. The findings appear today in the journal Nature Communications. |
 | The smell of lavender is relaxing, science confirmsLavender works its relaxing magic all around us: from garden borders to bath bombs to fabric softener. But why not in our hospitals and clinics? And what is the science behind the magic? |
 | Mutation in common protein triggers tangles, chaos inside brain cellsA pioneer in the study of neural cells revealed today (Oct. 23, 2018) how a single mutation affecting the most common protein in a supporting brain cell produces devastating, fibrous globs. These, in turn, disturb the location of cellular processing units, harm the flow of energy and signals through the brain, and reduce the formation of myelin, an essential insulator for neurons. |
 | Covert tactics used by bacteria to trick human immune systemMcMaster University researchers have found a new way bacteria evade the human immune system and promote infection. |
 | Scientists reveal new details of how a naturally occurring hormone can boost memory in aging miceA Columbia study in mice has revealed new details of how a naturally occurring bone hormone reverses memory loss in the aging brain. These findings about the hormone, called osteocalcin, stand to spur further investigations into the molecular machinery that underlies memory—and how that machinery can be manipulated to improve it. The research also lends new insight into how lifestyle changes that affect the body, such as exercise, could positively affect the brain. |
 | Closing the gender gap in competitiveness with a psychological trickWomen are still disadvantaged in society, particularly professionally. They are frequently paid less than men and find it more difficult to have a successful career. One reason for this may be the fact that women are observed to shy away from competition more often than men. In one experiment, scientists have now demonstrated that this difference can be overcome using "priming." With this simple psychological technique, personal experiences are retrieved in the memory. |
 | Brain training app helps reduce OCD symptoms, study findsA 'brain training' app developed at the University of Cambridge could help people who suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) manage their symptoms, which may typically include excessive handwashing and contamination fears. |
 | Experts caution study on plastics in humans is prematureScientists in Austria say they've detected tiny bits of plastic in people's stool for the first time, but experts caution the study is too small and premature to draw any credible conclusion. |
 | Researchers find mice lacking gene for PTPRD self-administer less cocaineA team with members affiliated with several institutions in the U.S. has found that disabling the gene responsible for the production of the protein tyrosine phosphatase D (PTPRD) caused test mice to self-administer less cocaine when allowed to take as much as they wanted. In their paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes their study and what they found when administering a drug to test mice that mimicked disabling the same gene. |
 | Machine learning tool predicts the potential of peptides as immune activatorsThe immune system keeps T cells under control by regulating precisely when they can respond to a pathogen. For instance, helper T cells only turn "on" if other immune cells, such as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) present bacterial peptides (protein fragments) on their surface in a protein complex called MHC class II (MHC II). |
 | Nerve-on-a-chip platform makes neuroprosthetics more effectiveEPFL scientists have developed a miniaturized electronic platform for the stimulation and recording of peripheral nerve fibers on a chip. By modulating and rapidly recording nerve activity with a high signal-to-noise ratio, the platform paves the way to using chips to improve neuroprosthetic designs. |
 | Is big-city living eroding our nice instinct?A new study by University of Miami psychology researchers of anonymous interactions suggests that humans switch off their automatic inclination to share in dealings with strangers. |
 | Neurons reliably respond to straight linesSingle neurons in the brain's primary visual cortex can reliably detect straight lines, even though the cellular makeup of the neurons is constantly changing, according to a new study by Carnegie Mellon University neuroscientists, led by Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Sandra Kuhlman. The study's findings, published in Scientific Reports on Oct. 16, lay the groundwork for future studies into how the sensory system reacts and adapts to changes. |
 | Schadenfreude sheds light on darker side of humanitySchadenfreude, the sense of pleasure people derive from the misfortune of others, is a familiar feeling to many—perhaps especially during these times of pervasive social media. |
 | Week 34 of pregnancy reduces breast cancer risk: studyWomen's bodies undergo a "striking" change during a specific week of pregnancy that can significantly reduce their risk of developing breast cancer later in life, scientists said Tuesday. |
 | ACR: walking each day may cut risk for TKA over five years(HealthDay)—For individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA), replacing time not walking with walking at moderate-to-vigorous intensity is associated with reduced risk for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) over five years, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, held from Oct. 19 to 24 in Chicago. |
Motion sickness vs. cybersickness: Two different problems or the same condition?Contrary to previous research, severe motion sickness and cybersickness—a type of motion sickness that stems from exposure to virtual reality—may be considered the same clinical condition, according to researchers. The findings, the first to study both conditions in the same group of people, are published ahead of print in the Journal of Applied Physiology. | |
Microplastics discovered in human stools across the globe in 'first study of its kind'Microplastics have been found in the human food chain as particles made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) and others were detected in human stools, research presented today at the 26th UEG Week in Vienna reveals. | |
 | Philip Morris woos puff-happy Japan for post-smoking eraPhilip Morris, maker of Marlboro and other major cigarette brands, is maneuvering to keep itself in business in a post-smoking world with an advertising blitz in puff-happy Japan and other tobacco-loving markets. |
 | Gut microbiota of infants predicts obesity in childrenEvaluating the gut microbiota of infants may help identify children who are at risk for becoming overweight or obese, according to results from a recent study published in mBio. The research revealed that gut microbiota composition at 2 years of life is associated with body mass index (BMI) at age 12. In addition, the BMI at age 2 was not significantly higher in children who later became overweight/obese, indicating that gut microbiota composition may be the earliest warning sign for detecting obesity. |
 | The reward system in the brain affects our judgmentsWe make judgements quite rationally or "by the gut." Not only experience and relevant information play an important role, but also our preferences. A study by the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research in Cologne shows how the reward system in the brain conveys judgements affected by one's own desires. |
 | Genetic flaw causes problems for many with hypothyroidismWith an estimated 120 million prescriptions filled each year, the thyroid medicine levothyroxine (marketed as Synthroid ) is one of the most popular prescription medicines in the United States. Most patients who suffer from hypothyroidism—a shortage of thyroid hormone, usually caused by a damaged or missing thyroid gland—respond favorably to treatment with this drug. |
Biomarkers can predict whether women with endometriosis will respond to the first-line treatmentBiomarkers can predict whether women will respond to the first-line treatment for endometriosis, an extremely painful condition in which the tissue usually found inside the uterus grows in places it shouldn't, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. | |
 | High-dose influenza vaccine linked with lower hospitalization rates in dialysis patientsResults from a new study suggest that high-dose influenza vaccine is associated with lower risk for hospitalizations in kidney failure patients on dialysis. The findings appear in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN). |
A warning about costume contactsThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers about the risks of Halloween costume contacts. | |
Three tips to avoid Halloween hand injuriesThere are plenty of frights to go around on Halloween, but a hand injury probably isn't one you'd expect. | |
Primary care doctors 'not doing enough' to curb STDsJulie Lopez, 21, has been tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases since she was a teenager. But when Lopez first asked her primary care doctor about screening, he reacted with surprise, she said. | |
As AFM illness strikes dozens of children, doctors say CDC is being too cautiousLaMay Axton watched in horror as her granddaughter Cambria stumbled and toppled over as she ran into the kitchen of their house. The 2-year-old tried to stand back up, but couldn't. | |
 | Flavoured capsule cigarettes pose a threat to smokefree goalsNew research from ASPIRE2025, a University of Otago research theme, challenges tobacco companies' claims they are working towards a smokefree world and suggests young people are vulnerable to tobacco companies' product innovations. |
 | Stimulating deeper insights into brain functionModeling changes in brain activity over time provides deeper insights into learning and behavioral responses. Observing the brain's response to repeated stimuli has helped KAUST researchers develop a method for modeling connectivity patterns in neural networks. Mapping connectivity patterns will help to better understand brain function, ultimately improving diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases and mental disorders. |
 | Young children with heart disease and their families may have poorer quality of life than the general populationA study by medical researchers from UNSW Sydney and the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network has shown that young children with heart disease and their families may have poorer quality of life than the general population, leading to calls for routine screening to enable early intervention and better outcomes. |
 | Antibodies linked to heart attacksLevels of antiphospholipid antibodies, which are associated with rheumatic diseases, are also elevated in myocardial infarction without any autoimmune co-morbidity, a study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in Annals of Internal Medicine reports. |
France clears use of anti-spasm drug to treat alcoholismFrench health authorities said Tuesday they have approved the use of a muscle relaxant to help treat people addicted to alcohol. | |
 | New dental adhesive prevents tooth decay around orthodontic bracketsResearchers at Queen Mary University of London have produced a new orthodontic bracket bonding adhesive that protects the tooth surfaces around the brackets from decay. This decay is often referred to as white spot lesions which affects, according to a 2015 meta-analysis, nearly 70 per cent of people fitted with orthodontic braces. |
 | Digital diagnosis: How your smartphone or wearable device could forecast illnessWhat if you could forecast sickness, before you even had any symptoms? Your smartphone and digital data might be able to help. |
 | Much-needed new antibiotic shows great promise for treating gum diseaseA new antibiotic being developed at the University of Virginia School of Medicine appears ideal for battling periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, according to dental researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University led by Richard T. Marconi. |
 | Urban and rural rates of childhood cancer survival the same, study findsChildhood and adolescent cancer survival in the United States does not vary by rural/urban residence at the time of diagnosis, finds a new study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. |
 | How to avoid sleep deprivation: Make these simple lifestyle changesIf your mental or physical health is suffering, a lack of sleep may be to blame. Are you getting enough shuteye? |
 | Advancing gene therapy for skin cancerOne of the deadliest skin cancers, melanoma may be caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or artificial sources such as tanning beds and sunlamps. The Melanoma Network of Canada reports that lifetime risk for developing melanoma has increased to one in 63 people today—up from one in 1,500 in the 1930s. |
 | Knowing the potential risks of hormonal birth control can help college women make informed choices for their well-beingThere is a Bermuda triangle of sorts for college women—the convergence of several factors that can be a detriment to their educational careers. And the points on that triangle are alarmingly common. |
 | Rethinking Alzheimer's disease therapeutic targets using gene-based testsAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating condition with no known cure. Existing drugs only alleviate symptoms. Given repeated and costly drug failures, CUNY SPH Professor Mary Schooling and colleagues assessed systematically whether approved and investigational AD drugs are targeting products of genes strongly associated with AD and whether these genes are targeted by existing drugs for other indications which could be re-purposed. |
 | Researchers discovered a new mechanism of action in a first-line drug for diabetesFor decades, metformin has been the first-line drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, lowering blood glucose levels by inhibiting glucose production in the liver. Metformin also improves glucose uptake and use by muscle tissue. |
 | Marker found for condition that causes numerous tumorsUT Southwestern researchers have made a major advance in uncovering the biology of how thousands of disfiguring skin tumors occur in patients troubled by a genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). This scientific advance could slow the development of these tumors. |
HPV blood test shows promise for tracking head and neck cancer after treatmentA new blood test developed by University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers shows promise for tracking HPV-linked head and neck cancer patients to ensure they remain cancer-free after treatment. | |
 | Kidneys aren't harmed when significantly lowering blood pressureUsing a novel biomarker panel to track and measure kidney function, researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and University of California San Francisco School of Medicine report that lowering systolic blood pressure to less than 120 mm Hg does not damage the kidney organ itself. Instead, any negative changes to clinical results are more likely due to decreased blood flow. |
 | Why did the flu kill 80,000 Americans last year?The 2017-2018 flu season was historically severe. Public health officials estimate that 900,000 Americans were hospitalized and 80,000 died from the flu and its complications. For comparison, the previous worst season from the past decade, 2010-2011, saw 56,000 deaths. In a typical season, 30,000 Americans die. |
 | Climate change and African trypanosomiasis vector populations in Zimbabwe's Zambezi ValleyLSTM's Dr. Jennifer Lord is first author on a paper looking at the impact of climate change on the vectors of sleeping sickness in Africa. |
 | In touch with reality?When faced with ambiguous information we apparently trust our fingertips more than our eyes. Philosophers at LMU are investigating the special status of touch. |
 | Intensive care survival not linked to calorie intakeIncreasing the calorie intake for an intensive care patient does not improve their chances of survival, according to a new Australian study. |
 | Two Native American geneticists interpret Elizabeth Warren's DNA testDr. Carlos Bustamante, a prominent population geneticist, recently concluded that Senator Elizabeth Warren had "a Native American ancestor." While geneticists agree on the validity of the test, which is based on established statistical models of DNA inheritance, we as two Native American geneticists find the interpretation to be problematic. |
 | How innovation can help end the AIDS epidemic by 2030A United Nations initiative backed by global experts has set its sights on an ambitious programme to bring an end to the AIDS epidemic by 2030. |
 | Blood type, Pioppi, gluten-free and Mediterranean – which popular diets are fads?Each year, new weight loss diets appear that promise to reveal the ultimate secret of success – if only you buy the book, pills or potions. |
 | New wireless device can aid recovery of breast cancer patientsPatient studies of a new sensing device have proved it can provide early warning of the potential failure of breast reconstruction surgery, making it easier to take effective remedial action. |
 | Overweight or smoking mums cause 'worrying changes' to unborn children's thyroidSmoking or being overweight during pregnancy causes 'worrying changes' to the development of the unborn baby's thyroids, and could predispose them to disease after birth, according to a new study from the University of Aberdeen. |
| Heated tobacco product claims by tobacco industry scrutinized by researchersClaims by the tobacco industry that heated tobacco products (HTPs) are safer than conventional cigarettes are not supported by the industry's own data and are likely to be misunderstood by consumers, according to research published in a special issue of Tobacco Control. |
 | Diagnostic strategy can rule out PE in pregnant women(HealthDay)—A diagnostic strategy based on pretest clinical probability assessment, high-sensitivity D-dimer testing, bilateral lower-limb compression ultrasonography (CUS), and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) can safely rule out pulmonary embolism (PE) in pregnant women, according to a study published online Oct. 23 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. |
 | Exploring fitness workshops and fairs(HealthDay)—One of the more popular fitness trends are education programs designed for consumers. Fitness buffs and weekend warriors alike can explore new ideas and techniques, and learn from professionals in various fields. |
 | Don't become a flu statistic. Get vaccinated(HealthDay)—With flu season imminent, U.S. health officials urge everyone 6 months and older to get a flu shot. |
Bad boss? You may be making things better—or worseDisagreeable, dishonest and careless bosses can mean bad outcomes for organizations and work groups. However, new research highlights that the employees they work with also play a major role in this. Employee anxiety, self-esteem and how leadership behavior is perceived can all affect the leader's influence on outcomes—and both followers and leaders can buffer against the effects of certain undesirable traits. Published in Frontiers in Psychology as a special article collection on the 'dark side' of leadership, the research can help organizations identify potentially problematic leaders or followers to reduce their negative effects. | |
Vaccine shows promise against widespread chicken diseaseA new vaccine strategy could offer protection to millions of chickens threatened by a serious respiratory disease, research shows. | |
 | Desperate & duped? GoFundMe means big bucks for dubious carePeople seeking dubious, potentially harmful treatment for cancer and other ailments raised nearly $7 million over two years from crowdfunding sites, a study found. |
Study sheds light on differences between male and female fat tissue, and healthNew research from York University on fat tissue is providing an important clue as to how females stay healthier than males, even as their body fat increases. | |
 | New study finds harmful pesticides lurking in NYS homesDespite the existence of chemical-free methods to eradicate pests, Americans use more than a billion pounds of pesticides per year. These chemicals are mostly out of sight and out of mind to unsuspecting homeowners, who are typically unaware of how to prevent potential harm—something new Cornell University research is addressing. |
Study analyzes complex causes of premature and low-birthweight babies in IndiaWomen in India who spend more time fetching water, use a shared latrine, and endure harassment from others are more apt to give birth to a pre-term or low-birthweight baby, according to a new study from the University of Iowa. | |
 | New radiation treatment for brain cancer offers better preservation of cognitive functionWhen it comes to radiation therapy to treat brain cancer, hippocampal-avoidance whole-brain radiotherapy in conjunction with the drug memantine better preserved patients' cognitive function and demonstrated similar cancer control outcomes, compared to traditional whole-brain radiotherapy with memantine. |
Racial differences in colorectal cancer incidence not due to biologyA systematic review and meta-analysis from the Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Medicine has found that, in spite of the higher incidence and death rate of colorectal cancer in blacks, no difference exists in the overall prevalence of advanced, precancerous polyps between average-risk blacks and whites who underwent a screening colonoscopy. These findings suggest that the age at which to begin screening need not differ based on race, provided all other factors—access to screening, in particular—are similar. | |
 | New combination treatment flips the switch on melanoma cellsThink of the protein BH3 like a finger that turns off a cancer cell survival switch. The problem is that most cancer cells have found ways to remove this "finger—commonly, by breaking the action of a gene called p53 that puts the BH3 finger in motion. Now think of Bcl-2 as the switch itself. When cancer breaks p53, the BH3 finger never moves, and the Bcl-2 survival switch remains on. Despite thousands of published studies, researchers haven't had much luck directly protecting the action of p53. But, BH3 is another story. Drugs exist that mimic the action of BH3, collectively called (creatively...) "BH3 mimetics." For example, the drug venetoclax is a BH3 mimetic that has earned FDA approval against the blood cancer CLL and shows promise against the related blood cancer, ALL. |
Trauma researchers identify characteristics of communities where mass shootings occurA trauma research team has developed a profile of commonalities among communities where mass shootings have occurred. It includes a shortage of mental health professionals, a relative lack of socialization opportunities, higher rates of income inequality, and relatively high housing costs, according to findings presented today at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2018. | |
 | Heart health's impact on brain may begin in childhoodA child's blood pressure could indicate cognition problems into adulthood, according to a new study suggesting the cardiovascular connection to cognitive decline could begin much earlier in life than previously believed. |
 | ACS: accepting liver from older donor better than waiting(HealthDay)—Accepting a liver from an older liver donor (OLD) is associated with long-term survival benefit, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Surgeons, held from Oct. 21 to 25 in Boston. |
 | Unrestricted diet OK more than one day before colonoscopy(HealthDay)—Unrestricted diets are acceptable more than one day before colonoscopy among patients using a split-dose bowel regimen, according to a study published in the October issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. |
 | ACS: opiate-free surgery feasible for elective colectomy(HealthDay)—Opiate-free surgery is feasible for patients undergoing elective colon resections with anastomosis, with shorter length of stay for patients not receiving narcotics, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Surgeons, held from Oct. 21 to 25 in Boston. |
Home care for knee replacement patients aids in recoveryA team of physical therapy researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine have conducted one of the first full-scale studies to assess the effectiveness of in-home physical therapy care for patients who have had knee replacement surgery. | |
Family acceptance of LGBT identity linked to reduced stressOhio University Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Peggy Zoccola has determined that those who identify as LGBT and have come out to their family carry less stress hormones than those who have not come out, which may ultimately benefit their health. | |
 | Football players' concussions linked to dyslexia geneA gene associated with dyslexia, a learning disorder, may make some athletes less susceptible to concussions, reports a new study from Penn State University and Northwestern Medicine. |
 | First study of its kind identifies differences in pediatric mortality after MVCsA child seriously injured in a motor vehicle collision (MVC) may not have the same chance of survival as one injured in a different state, or even a neighboring county, where there is a closer proximity to available trauma centers and quicker emergency response times, according to new research findings. The first study to map the incidence of motor vehicle collisions resulting in deaths of children at the local level has identified wide variations in mortality across the country and even between neighboring counties, according to researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW), Dallas, who are analyzing the factors that contribute to these differences. The investigators identified proximity and availability of trauma centers and emergency response times as key factors in their analysis. They presented their findings at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2018. |
 | Scientists create device to deliver immunotherapy without side effectsHouston Methodist scientists have developed a nanodevice to deliver immunotherapy without side effects to treat triple-negative breast cancer. Inserted straight into a tumor, this nanofluidic seed makes it possible to deliver a one-time, sustained-release dose that would eliminate the need for patients to undergo several IV treatments over time. |
 | Study explores infant body position and learningA developmental psychologist at the University of California, Riverside, has completed a study that is the first to measure how often infants spend time in different body positions over the first year of life. |
 | Does putting the brakes on outrage bottle up social change?While outrage is often generally considered a hurdle in the path to civil discourse, a team of psychologists suggest outrage—specifically, moral outrage—may have beneficial outcomes, such as inspiring people to take part in long-term collective action. |
Does gut microbiota hold the key to improved diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer?Oesophageal microbiota may help to improve the diagnosis and management of oesophageal cancer, according to the results of a study presented today. Researchers from Italy directed by Professor Cammarota have found a unique pattern of microbes living in the oesophagus of people with oesophageal cancer or Barrett's oesophagus, which could potentially be used to identify at-risk individuals and pave the way for new types of treatment in the future. | |
 | Science Says: Sex and gender aren't the sameAnatomy at birth may prompt a check in the "male" or "female" box on the birth certificate—but to doctors and scientists, sex and gender aren't always the same thing. |
 | How substance use affects adherence to PrEP among gay and bisexual menResearch has shown that drug and alcohol use interferes with anti-retroviral medication adherence among gay and bisexual men (GBM) living with HIV. There is limited parallel examination of whether the same holds true for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adherence among HIV-negative GBM. |
 | Optoelectronic interface for stimulating neural networks in the brainIn the past few decades, research aimed at finding approaches to restoring brain function has increased exponentially. An interdisciplinary approach to the task of brain function restoration combines complementary approaches and methods of regenerative medicine on the one hand, and those proposed by neuroengineering on the other. Biological approaches are based on activating the regenerative capacity of the brain and on cell transplantation, whereas engineering strategies include methods of neuromodulation, creating replacement or bridge neuroprostheses or developing brain-machine interfaces. The engineering approach is to create a biohybrid architecture that somehow connects the artificial control device with the brain: it hinders neuronal activity or, on the contrary, initiates this activity. |
 | How to avoid Lyme disease while ticks are hungry in the fallFall has arrived. This is the season that transforms our forests with a beautiful display of colour and fills our kitchens with the smell of pumpkin pie and apple cider. It also brings something far less pleasant to our forests and hiking trails—blacklegged ticks. |
 | Inactive people with arthritis benefit from tailored exercise workoutsInactive people living with arthritis are more likely to benefit from, and adhere to, a regular fitness regimen if the exercise is specifically tailored. |
 | County lines: The dark realities of life for teenage drug runners"County lines" is a term used by the police to describe a growing practice among criminal gangs: when demand for drugs fails to meet the supply in major cities, gangs travel to remote rural areas, market towns or coastal locations in search of new customers. |
 | Transgender and non-binary people face health care discrimination every day in the USMany people may experience anxiety when seeking medical treatment. They might worry about wait times, insurance coverage or how far they must travel to access care. |
 | Study confirms association between breastfeeding and lower risk of maternal hypertensionA new systematic review of the literature not only confirmed that breastfeeding for as short as 1-4 months can have a protective affect against high blood pressure in women, but that lactation also can protect women across an extended follow-up of years to decades. Among 15 studies reviewed that had longer-term follow-up, 67% of those evaluated for elevated blood pressure—and 100% of the studies that assessed for an outcome of hypertension—showed a protective association with lactation, as reported in an article published in Breastfeeding Medicine. |
SBRT considered safe treatment option for patients with multiple (2-4) metastasesThe NRG Oncology clinical trial BR001 tested the hypothesis that stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) could be used safely in oligometastatic patients with multiple metastases. Results from the trial indicate that utilizing SBRT is safe as treatment for patients with 2 metastases in close proximity or 3-4 metastases regardless of proximity, in the following anatomic locations: peripheral lung, central lung, abdomen/pelvic, bone/osseous, spinal/paraspinal, cervical and liver. This abstract was presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting and recognized as a "Best of ASTRO" presentation for 2018. | |
Biomarker blood test confirms remission in patients with HPV+ oral cancerA highly sensitive blood test that detects minute traces of cancer-specific DNA has been shown to accurately determine whether patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) are free from cancer following radiation therapy. Findings will be presented today at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). | |
 | What are the determinants associated with fasting hyperglucagonemia in type 2 diabetes?A new study examined the relationship between fasting hyperglucagonemia—which can negatively affect glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D)—and several biochemical and glycemic factors in subjects with T2D or in a nondiabetic control group. The study results, which help to elucidate the mechanisms that underlie fasting hyperglucagonemia, are published in Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders. |
About 15,000 strike at University of California hospitalsAbout 15,000 medical workers on Tuesday started a three-day strike at five University of California medical centers amid a dispute over pay raises and job security, forcing the cancellation and rescheduling of thousands of surgeries and outpatient appointments, officials said. | |
 | US health chief says overdose deaths beginning to level offThe number of U.S. drug overdose deaths has begun to level off after years of relentless increases driven by the opioid epidemic, health secretary Alex Azar said Tuesday, cautioning it's too soon to declare victory. |
Biology news
 | Breakthrough test screens for all known bacterial infectionsScientists at the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII) in the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health have developed the first diagnostic platform that can simultaneously screen for all known human pathogenic bacteria as well as markers for virulence and antibiotic resistance. A study in the journal mBio provides details on the performance of the BacCapSeq platform. |
 | Researchers have discovered a new cell structureA new structure in human cells has been discovered by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden in collaboration with colleagues in the U.K. The structure is a new type of protein complex that the cell uses to attach to its surroundings and proves to play a key part in cell division. The study is published in the journal Nature Cell Biology. |
 | The role of the Atg2 protein in tethering pre-autophagosomal membranes to the endoplasmic reticulumPostdoctoral Researcher Tetsuya Kotani, Associate Professor Hitoshi Nakatogawa, Honorary Professor Yoshinori Ohsumi and colleagues at Tokyo Institute of Technology have analyzed the Atg protein Atg2, whose function was previously unknown, and have discovered that Atg2 tethers the pre-autophagosomal membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum during autophagosome formation. |
 | Study suggests over $1 billion needed annually to save Africa's lion parksA team of researchers with members from several African countries, the U.S., Indonesia, the U.K and Australia has found that many areas in Africa meant to protect lions are failing due to lack of funds. In their paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes their study of protected areas in Africa and why they believe it would take an infusion of over $1 billion annually to save them. |
 | Studying the hotbed of horizontal gene transfersFor over 200,000 years, humans and their gut microbiomes have coevolved into some of the most complex collections of living organisms on the planet. But as human lifestyles vary from the urban to rural, so do the bacterial diversities of gut microbiomes. |
 | New technique promises more accurate genomesUniversity of Adelaide researchers have developed a new technique that will aid in a more accurate reconstruction of human genomes by determining the exact sections of the genome that come from each parent. |
 | Scientists warn of insect pest outbreaks and reduced wheat yieldsClimate-warming affects farmlands by increasing pests but not their natural predators, resulting in reduced crop yields, new research has revealed. |
 | Judge slashes award but upholds verdict in Monsanto cancer trialA San Francisco judge on Monday upheld a jury verdict that found Monsanto liable for not warning a groundskeeper that its weed killer product Roundup might cause cancer, but slashed the damages award. |
 | First-ever atlas of big-game migrationsThe first-ever atlas of ungulate migration was released this week, detailing the ecology and conservation of migratory big-game species including mule deer, elk and pronghorn in Wyoming, the greater Yellowstone ecosystem and adjacent Western states. |
 | A nutty idea—a little stress could be good for walnutsWhen it comes to watering walnuts, most California growers believe you need to start early to keep trees healthy and productive throughout the long, hot summer. But according to striking results from a long-term experiment in a walnut orchard in Red Bluff, California, growers can improve crop production if they hold off irrigation until later in the season and directly measure their trees' water needs. |
 | Avian neuroscientists identify new stress response component in poultry brainAvian neuroscientists at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture probing the neural pathways for stress response have identitifed a new structure of neurons in the poultry brain. |
 | Revolutionising the Nile tilapia breeding program using DNATilapia, a tropical fish, is an important aquaculture species farmed in more than 100 countries, and after carp is the second most important aquaculture species in the world accounting for 7.4 percent of global production in 2015. |
 | Bonobo: great ape with a tiny voiceAlthough bonobos and chimpanzees are similar in size, bonobo calls sound an octave higher than chimpanzee calls. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, explain this discrepancy with the fact that the vocal folds of bonobos are only half as long as those of chimpanzees of the same age. Whether or not other factors have contributed to this discrepancy is subject to further research. |
 | Genomic analysis helps in discovery of unusual new bird species from IndonesiaA joint research team from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Indonesian Institute of Science has described an unusual new songbird species. The bird was named the Rote Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus rotiensis after the island of Rote where it is found. The discovery was published in the journal Scientific Reports on 23 October 2018. |
 | More in depth data is required to reveal the true global footprint of fishingThere has been a lot of debate recently on the extent of the global fishing footprint. A recent paper claimed that fishing affects 55% of the world's oceans. Given that many people in the developing world rely on fish as their main source of protein, and the increasing preference for luxury fish products in countries such as China, such statistics might seem plausible. |
 | Edible crabs won't cope with the effects of climate change on seawater – new studyWe are only just beginning to learn how aquatic organisms will respond to climate change, and the effect that this will have on their communities and ecosystems. One way to find out more is to look at whether species will be able to compensate for changes in their environment. Particularly if they can survive any immediate fluctuations in temperature, and reductions in ocean pH brought about by increasing levels of atmospheric CO₂. |
 | Cancer-causing toxicants found in a tributary of South Africa's second largest riverA new study has established that sharptooth catfish found in the Klip River which feeds into the Vaal River, South Africa's second largest river, contains banned pesticides which can cause cancer when consumed by humans. |
 | 'Soil probiotics' promise bigger, healthier crops, but there's a downsideMore than half the world's plant-derived energy intake comes from just three crops: rice, wheat and maize. These crops, like most land plants, live in an evolutionarily ancient partnership with a certain type of fungus, called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. |
 | Non-native plants in homeowners' yards endanger wildlife, researchers reportHuman-dominated landscapes are one of the most rapidly expanding and least-understood ecosystems on Earth. Historically, in urban areas, landowners convert native plant communities into habitats dominated by non-native species. While less susceptible to pest damage and demanding less maintenance, non-native plants are extremely poor at supporting insects—critical food for higher order consumers like birds. |
 | How can we reduce the environmental cost of cement?Look around you and you will likely see cement in use. That is, unless you are reading this on a mobile device out in an entirely natural landscape – in which case, stop and enjoy your surroundings! |
 | Wildlife on the highway to hell: Roadkill in the largest wetland, Pantanal region, BrazilHaving systematically monitored wild animals killed on the Brazilian federal highway BR-262, which passes through the Pantanal region, a research team from the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, published their data concerning birds and reptiles in the open access journal Check List. |
 | Invasive species in an ecosystem harm native organisms but aid other invasive speciesThe presence of an invasive species in an ecosystem makes native organisms more susceptible to pollutants and may encourage the spread of additional invasive species, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University at New York. |
Predicting how native plants return to abandoned farm fieldsMovement is one of the most common processes in all biology—mice forage for food and geese migrate with the seasons. While plants may be rooted in one spot for most of their lives, movement also plays a key role in their ecology—especially when it comes to seeds. | |
 | Sockeye carcasses tossed on shore over two decades spur tree growthHansen Creek, a small stream in southwest Alaska, is hard to pick out on a map. It's just over a mile long and about 4 inches deep. Crossing from one bank to the other takes about five big steps. |
Tsetse fly out of Zimbabwe's hot Zambezi valleyThe tsetse fly—an insect that transmits trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness—could soon die out in Zimbabwe's Zambezi Valley due to rising temperatures, a study said Tuesday. | |
 | More antimicrobial resistance in pigs than in broiler chickens in EuropeIn the largest metagenomics study of production animals to date, the Technical University of Denmark has found more antimicrobial resistance in pigs than in broiler chickens, but a greater diversity of resistance genes in broilers. |
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