Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Oct 24

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for October 24, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

A new method to automate the synthesis of stochastic computing circuits

Bible helps researchers perfect translation algorithms

Astronomers spot signs of supermassive black hole mergers

Study reveals how the brain overcomes its own limitations

New CRISPR tool opens up more of the genome for editing

How should autonomous vehicles be programmed?

Crater that killed the dinosaurs reveals how broken rocks can flow like liquid

A first 'snapshot' of the complete spectrum of neutrinos emitted by the sun

Study finds taller people more likely to get certain cancers due to cell numbers

Elephants form joints with trunk to pick up small objects to eat

Small flying robots haul heavy loads

Birds startled by moving sticks

Chimpanzees sniff out strangers and family members

Study provides new insight into why galaxies stop forming stars

Researchers design 'smart' surfaces to repel everything but targeted beneficial exceptions

Astronomy & Space news

	Astronomers spot signs of supermassive black hole mergers New research, published today in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, has found evidence for a large number of double supermassive black holes, likely precursors of gigantic black hole merging events. This confirms the current understanding of cosmological evolution—that galaxies and their associated black holes merge over time, forming bigger and bigger galaxies and black holes.
	Study provides new insight into why galaxies stop forming stars Galaxy clusters are rare regions of the universe consisting of hundreds of galaxies containing trillions of stars, as well as hot gas and dark matter.
	NASA's hobbled Hubble telescope is near normal again NASA's famed Hubble Space Telescope is nearly back to normal after a failed orienting tool forced engineers to put it in safe mode earlier this month, the US space agency said.
	Image: Newborn stars blow bubbles in the Cat's Paw Nebula This image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows the Cat's Paw Nebula, so named for the large, round features that create the impression of a feline footprint. The nebula is a star-forming region in the Milky Way galaxy, located in the constellation Scorpius. Estimates of its distance from Earth range from about 4,200 to about 5,500 light-years.
	Electricity in Martian dust storms helps to form perchlorates The zip of electricity in Martian dust storms helps to form the huge amounts of perchlorate found in the planet's soils, according to new research from Washington University in St. Louis.
	The pirate of the southern skies FORS2, an instrument mounted on ESO's Very Large Telescope, has observed the active star-forming region NGC 2467—sometimes referred to as the Skull and Crossbones Nebula. The image was captured as part of the ESO Cosmic Gems Programme, which makes use of the rare occasions when observing conditions are not suitable for gathering scientific data. Instead of sitting idle, the ESO Cosmic Gems Programme allows ESO's telescopes to be used to capture visually stunning images of the southern skies.
	NASA's Juno mission detects Jupiter wave trains Massive structures of moving air that appear like waves in Jupiter's atmosphere were first detected by NASA's Voyager missions during their flybys of the gas-giant world in 1979. The JunoCam camera aboard NASA's Juno mission to Jupiter has also imaged the atmosphere. JunoCam data has detected atmospheric wave trains, towering atmospheric structures that trail one after the other as they roam the planet, with most concentrated near Jupiter's equator.
	Some planetary systems just aren't into heavy metal Small planetary systems with multiple planets are not fans of heavy metal—think iron, not Iron Maiden—according to a new Yale University study.
	Parker solar probe looks back at home On Sept. 25, 2018, Parker Solar Probe captured a view of Earth as it sped toward the first Venus gravity assist of the mission. Earth is the bright, round object visible in the right side of the image.
	Team makes breakthroughs studying Pluto orbiter mission A Southwest Research Institute team using internal research funds has made several discoveries that expand the range and value of a future Pluto orbiter mission. The breakthroughs define a fuel-saving orbital tour and demonstrate that an orbiter can continue exploration in the Kuiper Belt after surveying Pluto. These and other results from the study will be reported this week at a workshop on future Pluto and Kuiper Belt exploration at the American Astronomical Society's Division for Planetary Sciences meeting in Knoxville, Tennessee.
	Rare blue asteroid responsible for Geminid meteor shower reveals itself during fly-by Blue asteroids are rare, and blue comets are almost unheard of. An international team led by Teddy Kareta, a graduate student at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, investigated (3200) Phaethon, a bizarre asteroid that sometimes behaves like a comet, and found it even more enigmatic than previously thought.
	Minerals of the world, unite! Imagine you are on Mars and you stumble upon an interesting rock. The colours, the shape of the crystals and the place where you find it all tell you: there is more to it than meets the eye. Tool in hand, you analyse how light scatters through it. Seconds later you read the following description on the screen:
	Dellingr: the little CubeSat that could Zipping through the sky 250 miles up is a shoebox-sized bundle of detectors and electronics named Dellingr. The namesake of the mythological Norse god of the dawn, Dellingr is among a new breed of spacecraft known as a CubeSat. These small satellites, measured in standardized 10-by-10-by-10 cubic centimeter units, weigh no more than a few pounds—bearing little resemblance to the larger, van-sized spacecraft such as the Hubble Telescope for which NASA is known. But SmallSats—which encompass a wide range of sizes, including CubeSats—are an increasingly valuable tool in the space scientist's arsenal.
	This is how NASA releases almost a half-million gallons of water in 60 seconds As rockets become more and more powerful, the systems that protect them need to keep pace. NASA will use almost a half-million gallons of water to keep the Space Launch System (SLS) safe and stable enough to launch successfully. The system that delivers all that water is called the Ignition Overpressure Protection and Sound Suppression (IOP/SS) water deluge system, and seeing it in action is very impressive.

Technology news

	A new method to automate the synthesis of stochastic computing circuits Researchers at the University of Washington have recently developed a new technique to automate the synthesis of stochastic computing (SC) circuits. Their method, presented in a paper pre-published on arXiv, is based on stochastic synthesis, which is traditionally a program synthesis technique.
	Bible helps researchers perfect translation algorithms In search of inspiration for improving computer-based text translators, researchers at Dartmouth College turned to the Bible for guidance. The result is an algorithm trained on various versions of the sacred texts that can convert written works into different styles for different audiences.
	How should autonomous vehicles be programmed? A massive new survey developed by MIT researchers reveals some distinct global preferences concerning the ethics of autonomous vehicles, as well as some regional variations in those preferences.
	Small flying robots haul heavy loads A closed door is just one of many obstacles that poses no barrier to a new type of flying, micro, tugging robot called a FlyCroTug. Outfitted with advanced gripping technologies and the ability to move and pull on objects around it, two FlyCroTugs can jointly lasso the door handle and heave the door open.
	Driverless hover-taxis to take off in Singapore Test flights of a driverless hover-taxi will take place in Singapore next year, a German aviation firm said, the latest innovation to offer an escape from Asia's monster traffic jams.
	Snapdragon 675 has optimizations, triple camera support Reports have been coming in about the just announced Snapdragon 675, a mobile chipset from Qualcomm —this will be your ticket for enjoying high-end features on mid-range devices. AI? Check. Fast gaming? Check. Camera magic? Check.
	Computers use social media data to predict crime In a study published in the EPJ Data Science journal, the team of RMIT researchers show how location and activity data from users of the Foursquare app, when coupled with recommendation algorithms, allows us to predict crimes more accurately than ever before.
	New tool streamlines the creation of moving pictures It's often easy to imagine balloons soaring or butterflies fluttering across a still image, but realizing this vision through computer animation is easier said than done. Now, a team of researchers has developed a new tool that makes animating such images much simpler.
	An NJIT vision therapy team wins 'most innovative' in worldwide VR competition An NJIT-led team of engineers, game designers, artists and clinicians won two major international awards for its vision therapy platform, including "most innovative breakthrough," at the 2018 Augmented World Expo Europe (AWE EU), the leading industry conference for augmented reality technology.
	Tesla shares surge as stock short-seller goes long Tesla shares surged on Tuesday after a high-profile stock short-seller shifted gears to say the electric car maker is "destroying the competition."
	US tech giants split over corporate tax to help homeless Taxing San Francisco's wealthiest companies to rein in the city's homelessness problem makes sense to local campaigners—but the local tech giants aren't all so sure.
	Apple CEO backs privacy laws, warns data being 'weaponized' The head of Apple on Wednesday endorsed tough privacy laws for both Europe and the U.S. and renewed the technology giant's commitment to protecting personal data, which he warned was being "weaponized" against users.
	FLOURISH: User-focused driverless car project releases latest research findings The West-of-England-based FLOURISH driverless car research and development project has today released its mid-project trials report detailing its latest findings and what they mean for the future deployment of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) on the UK road network.
	Memory steel—a new material for the strengthening of buildings A new building material called memory steel, developed at Empa is about to be launched on the market. The material can be used to reinforce new and existing concrete structures. When the material is heated (one-time), prestressing occurs automatically.
	Crisis informatics lab tracks extreme weather on social media With the growth of online and mobile technologies, social media has emerged as a powerful tool for sharing information during extreme weather events.
	More rules for the intelligent household While a mobile phone or PC is traditionally controlled by only one user, many players come together in a networked household, some of whom even want to control devices simultaneously. Researchers from the Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, together with colleagues from the University of Chicago and the University of Washington, have investigated what access control for internet-connected household appliances should ideally be like. They interviewed 425 users in the USA about their preferences and derived suggestions for access management from these.
	Using AI to create new fragrances Skilled perfumers bring art and science together to design new fragrances, a talent that takes ten or more years to develop. Crafting a fragrance that leaves an impression is one of the most important components a consumer considers when forming a positive or negative opinion about everyday products like laundry detergent, deodorant, air freshener and, of course, cologne and perfume. What if artificial intelligence (AI) could learn from these professionals to augment the process of developing new fragrances or identify completely novel creative pathways? With this in mind, my team at IBM Research, together with Symrise, one of the top global producers of flavors and fragrances, created an AI system that can learn about formulas, raw materials, historical success data and industry trends.
	Making 'smart headlights' with machine learning It's a common scene for anybody driving at night on a dark road. Zipping around corners and over hills, the car's high beams are on to improve vision while the driver's hand remains poised to turn them off at a moment's notice, lest they blind oncoming traffic and cause an accident.
	New technology advances protection of critical systems from insider-assisted attacks Here's a scary yet realistic scenario: Attackers sponsored by a rogue organization or radical state gain access to the control system of a nuclear reactor, a chemical reactor or a similar critical system.
	Virtual reality brings dog's anatomy to life for veterinary students Sara Farthing, a first-year student in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, needed a mental picture.
	Entropy and search engines Entropy, a term loosely referring to the disorder of a physical system and infamously associated with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, wherein we know that it ultimately increases in any closed system, might be used to gauge something altogether different in the digital world – search engine optimisation.
	Let's store solar and wind energy – by using compressed air Electricity generated by fossil fuels is increasingly unsustainable and a shift towards renewable energy – principally from the sun and wind – is vital. Renewable generation is already less expensive per unit than its polluting counterparts, but the fact the sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow presents an obstacle to a serious takeover of the energy sector.
	Here's how to design cities where people and nature can both flourish Urban nature has a critical role to play in the future liveability of cities. An emerging body of research reveals that bringing nature back into our cities can deliver a truly impressive array of benefits, ranging from health and well-being to climate change adaptation and mitigation. Aside from benefits for people, cities are often hotspots for threatened species and are justifiable locations for serious investment in nature conservation for its own sake.
	Germany wants automakers to pay up as more diesel bans loom The German government is putting pressure on the country's automakers to fix their diesel cars that have excessive emissions, in a bid to placate drivers angered by the prospect of diesel driving bans in major cities.
	At least 57 negative impacts from cyber-attacks Cyber-security researchers have identified a total of at least 57 different ways in which cyber-attacks can have a negative impact on individuals, businesses and even nations, ranging from threats to life, causing depression, regulatory fines or disrupting daily activities
	US brands falter in Consumer Reports auto reliability survey U.S. auto companies such as General Motors, Tesla and Ford faltered this year in Consumer Reports' reliability rankings as readers reported more mechanical trouble with their vehicles.
	Cathay Pacific hit by data leak affecting 9.4m passengers  Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific said Wednesday it had suffered a major data leak affecting up to 9.4 million passengers.
	Lab develops world's first 3-D volumetric circuit Raymond C. Rumpf, Ph.D., and his EM Lab team are motivated by extreme challenges that others may consider to be impossible.
Amazon officials pitched their facial recognition software to ICE Amazon officials earlier this year pitched the company's controversial facial recognition software to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, according to documents uncovered by the Project on Government Oversight.
	From dating contestants to grieving widows, Facebook bets heavily on entertainment, but will people watch? A steady stream of photos began appearing on the website in September, as widows shared stories of their dead husbands, almost like a never-ending digital memorial. Mark died of a heart attack. Death took Cory while he slept. Colon cancer killed Chris.
When drones light up the night, will they replace fireworks? In the night sky near Interstate 75 in northern Oakland County, Mich., 60 drones moved with precision.
Google abandons planned Berlin office hub Campaigners in a bohemian district of Berlin celebrated Wednesday after Internet giant Google abandoned strongly-opposed plans to open a large campus there.
	Air traffic to double by 2037: IATA The number of people travelling by air should double to 8.2 billion a year by 2037, with Asia and the Pacific leading the way, sector federation IATA forecast on Wednesday.
	Lead-free bearings for greener large-bore engines Lead-free bearings are one of the missing pieces in the technological shift that will eventually allow large-bore engine manufacturers to reduce their emissions, while not compromising on reliability and lifespan. Research and development under the BeLEADFREE project could be the breakthrough they expected.
	Boeing profits surge after tax settlement, raises earnings estimate Boeing raised its full-year profit and revenue forecasts Wednesday following a better-than-expected third quarter as demand for commercial and defense aircraft stayed robust.

Medicine & Health news

	Study reveals how the brain overcomes its own limitations Imagine trying to write your name so that it can be read in a mirror. Your brain has all of the visual information you need, and you're a pro at writing your own name. Still, this task is very difficult for most people. That's because it requires the brain to perform a mental transformation that it's not familiar with: using what it sees in the mirror to accurately guide your hand to write backward.
	Study finds taller people more likely to get certain cancers due to cell numbers A researcher at the University of California's Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology has found evidence that taller people are more prone to getting cancer due to their larger number of cells. In his paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Leonard Nunney describes his study, involving comparing height with cancer risk and factoring in the total number of cells in the body.
	To see what's right in front of you, your brain may need some rewiring Life-changing moments are also brain-changing moments: everything from a first kiss to a last goodbye modifies cells within the skull. The capacity to learn and remember, however, extends beyond the profound experiences that we lament or treasure. In fact, a new study led by Rockefeller scientist Charles D. Gilbert suggests that even when we're not consciously forming new memories, our brains can change in important ways, altering how we interpret and interact with the world.
	Insulin discovery a game-changer for improving diabetes treatments An international collaboration co-led by researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute has made a discovery that could make therapeutic insulins more effective by better mimicking the way insulin works in the body. The findings could improve treatments for diabetes, a disease that impacts the lives of millions of people worldwide.
	Helping blood cells regenerate after radiation therapy Patients with blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma are often treated by irradiating their bone marrow to destroy the diseased cells. After the treatment, patients are vulnerable to infection and fatigue until new blood cells grow back.
	Salmonella loves hydrogen peroxide – and helps your body make more of it Salmonella is a nasty little bacterium. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that it sickens one in six Americans each year, with illnesses ranging from mild to fatal. Part of the reason that Salmonella is so effective in making us sick is that it is able to turn the body's defense mechanism to its advantage. Now, new research from NC State describes just how Salmonella does what it does.
	Scientists discover a new lead for mechanism of action of diabetes drug metformin Canadian and British researchers have discovered how the frontline Type 2 diabetes drug metformin may work to help cells better take up and use glucose. Their study, published today in the prestigious journal Cell, may also explain other potential beneficial effects of metformin for prevention of a variety of chronic diseases, including cancers.
	A new model for how working memory gets you through the day Important because it is mundane, working memory gets us through every day by allowing us, for instance, to follow the receptionist's directions to find the doctor's office, or to sort through the costs and benefits of one set of tires vs. another at the dealership. It's also profoundly debilitating when it is diminished by disorders such as schizophrenia or autism. But MIT neuroscientist Earl Miller also sees a grandeur in working memory. It's a system for our minds to exert our will over sensory information.
	Suppression of DKK3 protein thwarts pancreatic tumor progression and prolongs survival Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have shed new light on why pancreatic tumors are so resistant to therapy. The answer may lie in treating a protein found in the scar-type tissue called stroma which often surrounds the tumors.
	Study finds three distinct stages in infant microbiome development In the largest clinical microbiome study in infants reported to date, a team led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine explored the sequence of microbial colonization in the infant gut through age 4 and found distinct stages of development in the microbiome that were associated with early life exposures. Published in the journal Nature, their report and an accompanying report led by the Broad Institute are the result of extensive analysis of data collected from a cohort of participants involved in the TEDDY diabetes study.
	Skeletal stem cells regress when tasked with extensive regeneration Adult mouse skeletal stem cells in the jaw revert to a more developmentally flexible state when called upon to regenerate large portions of bone and tissue, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
	Cancer Gene Census paves the way for improvements in personalised medicine Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute have created the first comprehensive summary of all genes known to be involved in human cancer, the Cancer Gene Census. Describing all genes strongly implicated in causing cancer, the Census also describes how they function across all forms of this disease. Reported in Nature Reviews Cancer, the resource catalogues over 700 genes, to help scientists understand the causes of cancers, find drug targets and design treatments.
	Flipped cells cause blood vessels to leak in diabetes and other diseases An enzyme activated in diabetics has been found to cause previously aligned cells in a blood vessel to reverse their orientation, creating misalignments that allow veins and arteries to leak three times more blood proteins than normally constructed blood vessels. Controlling the enzyme could ease symptoms of swelling, nerve pain, localized low blood pressure, and risk of infection in diabetes, other diseases that cause blood vessels to leak, and smoking.
	Bacterial imaging probe is safe for patient use, study finds Imaging technology that detects deadly pneumonia infections in under 60 seconds is safe and practical for clinical use, a study has found.
	US approves first new type of flu drug in 2 decades U.S. health regulators have approved the first new type of flu drug in two decades.
	Cluster of factors could help predict Clostridioides difficile A cluster of factors may help predict which patients are likely to develop Clostridioides difficile, a potentially life-threatening disease commonly known as C. difficile or C. diff, a new study has found.
	Encouraging new public health approaches to promote the health benefits of muscle-strengthening exercise According to a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, almost 75 percent of US adults do not comply with public health guidelines recommending two or more muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) sessions a week, with nearly 60 percent of the population doing no MSE at all. Using the data from a nationally representative sample of US adults, the investigators also linked low-to-moderately frequent MSE with fewer reported health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and cancer.
	How to help protect yourself from vaccine administration injury A study by researchers at the University of Waterloo reiterates the need for health care professionals, including pharmacists, to take certain precautions to minimize the risk of their patients suffering shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA).
	Managing high blood pressure in diabetics may prevent life-threatening organ damage The most effective way to prevent life-threatening complications of extreme hypertension in African-Americans with diabetes is to better control their blood pressure, according to a Rutgers study, the largest of its kind.
'Holy plant': Cannabis legalisation delights South African users A bucket containing a soupy green mixture sits under a table in Nduna Ewrong-Nxumalo's consultation room in downtown Johannesburg, South Africa's economic hub.
Lead accumulation in shin bone may be associated with resistant high blood pressure Accumulations of low levels of lead in the shin bone of men were associated with treatment-resistant high blood pressure, according to new research in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the Open Access Journal of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
Sensitive tests suggest low risk of drug resistance with dapivirine ring A monthly vaginal ring that slowly releases an antiretroviral (ARV) drug called dapivirine is currently undergoing regulatory review. If approved, the dapivirine ring would be the first biomedical HIV prevention method developed specifically for women. Importantly, it would also provide women with another option besides oral PrEP, which involves daily use of a tablet called Truvada. Oral PrEP is already approved and being rolled out in many countries.
	Actin cytoskeleton remodeling protects tumor cells against immune attack Cancer cells have evolved multiple escape strategies to circumvent the body's immune defenses, such as the attack by natural killer (NK) cells that normally kill abnormal cells by releasing cytotoxic products. While studying breast cancer cell lines, Dr. Clément Thomas' research team at the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that leaves tumor cells unharmed by NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
	Painkillers during pregnancy lead to early puberty in girls The more weeks a woman takes pain-reliving medication during pregnancy, the earlier their daughters enter puberty. This is shown by a new study from Aarhus University.
	Earlier puberty linked to mother's smoking during pregnancy If a mother smokes during pregnancy, there is a risk of her children starting puberty earlier. This is shown by a major study from Aarhus University, which has just been published in the international journal American Journal of Epidemiology.
	Why washing your hands well is so important to protect your family from the flu During my second year of graduate school, I moved in with my sister's family to save money. "You must get the flu shot if you are going to live here," my sister declared. Both of my nieces were under the age of 5, putting them at a high risk of flu complications; therefore, it was critical that I do my part in, first, getting vaccinated to minimize my risk of getting the flu, and second, not passing the flu to a vulnerable population. A key part of this was, and still is, washing my hands regularly.
	New research shines light on sexual violence at Australian music festivals As the weather warms up, it can only mean one thing for young music enthusiasts: the Australian summer music festival season is here. For many young people, this is a time of great anticipation, excitement and meticulous planning of outfits.
	Myo-inositol unlikely to reduce risk of eye complication in preterm infants Contrary to results from earlier studies, the vitamin-like substance myo-inositol does not appear to prevent a potentially blinding complication of preterm birth and may even reduce rates of survival among preterm infants, suggests a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. The study was conducted by researchers in the Neonatal Research Network, a network funded by NIH's Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Eye Institute, and National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. It appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
	Digital device overload linked to how first impressions are formed Beware, media multitaskers: New research from Rice University researchers has found a link between spending too much time on digital devices and how first impression are formed.
	New device could help tackle gaming addiction Confiscating games, hiding the remote control and unplugging the TV could be a thing of the past for parents wanting to limit the amount of time their children play video games, thanks to new technology developed by a University of Bath graduate.
	Do chatbots have a role to play in suicide prevention? Australia's first suicide prevention chatbot for the family and friends of those in crisis was launched last week by Lifeline, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to crisis support and suicide prevention.
	Studying cellular fats reveals how to protect cells from the common cold As temperatures drop and the sniffles start, take hope; research published this summer suggests a new approach to protect ourselves from the common cold. By analysing changes to the make-up and types of cellular fat molecules in cells as they are infected by the cold virus, the research identified three chemicals that point to those that could be developed into a new type of anti-cold drug that could actually stop the infection in its tracks.
	Mucus, cough and chronic lung disease: New discoveries As a cold ends, a severe mucus cough starts. Sound familiar? Two studies now give explanations: First, crucial mechanisms of the mucus in both diseased and healthy airways; second, what happens in such chronic lung diseases as cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
	Smartphone app prevents disease outbreaks in low-resource settings A pilot study in which healthcare workers in the Central African Republic used a smartphone app to transmit public health disease reports to health authorities demonstrates that this technique contributes to early detection and prevention of infectious diseases and outbreaks. The study, which is an international cooperation project with researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and others, is published in the scientific journal Conflict and Health.
	British state betrayed its children – these countries can teach us how to set things right Children are the UK's most precious resource. More older people are living longer, and it is today's children who will provide the wealth to support them. So, from an economic perspective, the UK needs healthy, educated, creative, resilient and happy children. Those who can should be able to develop the life skills to become confident adults and parents.
	What causes multiple sclerosis? What we know, don't know and suspect U.S. actress Selma Blair announced on the weekend she has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. "I have probably had this incurable disease for 15 years at least," she wrote. "And I am relieved to at least know."
	Air pollution leads to millions of ER visits for asthma attacks worldwide Nine to 33 million visits to the emergency room (ER) for asthma worldwide may be triggered by breathing in air polluted by ozone or fine particulate matter—pollutants that can enter the lung's deep airways, according to a study published today.
	Stressed out? Study suggests it may affect memory, brain size in middle age Middle-aged people with high levels of a hormone called cortisol in their blood have impaired memory when compared to those with average levels of the hormone, even before symptoms of memory loss started to show, according to a study published in the October 24, 2018, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. People with high levels of the hormone also had lower brain volume than those with regular cortisol levels.
Complementary approaches such as meditation help patients manage chronic pain Complementary practices such as meditation and mindful breathing helped patients manage chronic pain and in some cases reduced the need for medication such as opioids, according to a study at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City.
	Study reveals no benefit to costly and risky brain cooling after brain injury The study, published today, in the Journal of the American Medical Association and presented at the same time at the Congress of European Society of Intensive Care Medicine in Paris by lead authors, Professors Jamie Cooper and Alistair Nichol, looked at the outcomes for 511 patients across six countries who had traumatic brain injury (TBI).
	Research finds savvy savers are less likely to become impulsive spenders People who have greater self-control and stronger saving habits are more likely to save money and not make impulsive decisions, research led by Curtin University has found.
	Leave the job at work to ensure better health and sleep Feeling tired, sluggish and sleep-deprived? The culprit could be work-creep, according to new research from the University of South Australia released today.
	Ten things women worry about when breastfeeding – expert advice We know breastfeeding protects infant and maternal health, saves the economy money, and, once it's going smoothly, can be simpler, easier and cheaper than having to prepare formula. But getting to a place where it feels "smooth and easier" can be tough. Although many women start off breastfeeding many drop off from doing it after six weeks. Unfortunately the vast majority of women who do stop are not ready to do so, leaving them feeling demoralised, feeling guilty, and even at an increased risk of postnatal depression.
	Why cows are getting a bad rap in lab-grown meat debate A battle royal is brewing over what to call animal cells grown in cell culture for food. Should it be in-vitro meat, cellular meat, cultured meat or fermented meat? What about animal-free meat, slaughter-free meat, artificial meat, synthetic meat, zombie meat, lab-grown meat, non-meat or artificial muscle proteins?
	Defibrillation for sudden cardiac death—it all comes down to the programming Sudden cardiac death is a common cause of death in patients with congenital or acquired heart disease. An implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD) can effectively put a stop to any underlying cardiac arrhythmia. In a long-term observational study involving 1,500 patients, researchers from MedUni Vienna's Department of Medicine II (Division of Cardiology) have now shown that the programming selected for the implanted defibrillators (ICDs) plays a major role. It was found that the most "defensive" possible procedure is safe and, at the same time, significantly reduces inappropriate therapy.
	Study highlights racism, sexual assault as contributors to college mental health challenges A text mining analysis of academic and news articles related to mental health issues in higher education finds that racism, violence and sexual assault are key contributors to mental health challenges for students. The research also highlights the need for mental health services, and outlines some ways that mobile technologies may be able to help address these needs.
	What kind of support do breast cancer patients want? Food, rides and prayer For 31 days every October, pink ribbons and #BCAM hashtags flood our social media timelines with information about breast cancer. That's because key cancer and medical groups declared October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month over 30 years ago to raise awareness about the disease and to push for increased funding for research.
	Nonprofit drugmaker Civica Rx aims to cure a health care system ailment Several years ago, drug shortages became headline news when supplies of three different drugs used to treat childhood cancers were running low in major hospitals. Sometimes shortages like those are resolved before patients are harmed. Sometimes they are not.
	Innovation in health education helping children ride ups and downs of life, study shows A new study by the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) into work going on in Gloucestershire schools shows that young people are becoming more responsible for looking after their own health.
	Are generics as good as brand-name drugs? (HealthDay)—Generics make up 80 percent of drug prescriptions filled in the United States and are a big cost savings for consumers.
Complex and rapidly changing payment models challenge physician practices, study finds Physician payment models are becoming more complex and the pace of change is increasing, creating challenges for physician practices that might hamper their ability to improve the quality and efficiency of care despite their willingness to change, according to a new joint study by the RAND Corporation and the American Medical Association.
	Free online casino games linked with higher risks of gambling problems for young people Type "slots" into a search engine, and free online games and apps will appear, easily accessible on a phone or computer. A new CAMH study shows that free gambling-themed games may be a gateway to paid gambling for young people, and gameplay is linked with a higher risk of gambling problems among some adolescents.
Research supports the ump, distance to a close play is critical in making the right call The game of baseball unfolds slowly, over nine innings and over the course of three hours or more and yet it can reach a critical junction in a blink of an eye. A player's foot hits the base just as the sound of a ball hitting a mitt. The ump yells "Yer out!" And fans everywhere in the stands, watching on TV begin to question the umps judgement.
	Women's birth canals in Kenya, Korea, Kansas not the same: study The size and shape of women's birth canals vary depending on what part of the world they live in but most medical textbooks are based on a European body type, scientists said Wednesday, warning of health risks.
	Poll: Young people back single-payer health care Large majorities of young Americans want to see an expansion of government services, including a single-payer health care program, according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and MTV.
	USPSTF recommends screening women for partner violence (HealthDay)—Clinicians should screen women of reproductive age for intimate partner violence (IPV) and refer women to ongoing support services if necessary, according to a U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) final recommendation statement published in the Oct. 23/30 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
	Thermal ablation acceptable for early lung cancer (HealthDay)—Thermal ablation (TA) is a safe, effective treatment for stage 1 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to a study recently published in Radiology.
	Normal function of ALS and dementia linked gene determined for the first time The normal function of a gene associated with the neurodegenerative diseases amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) has been determined for the first time by University of Bath scientists.
	New clinical protocol after general surgery cuts opioid prescribing in half In recent years deaths from opioid overdoses have become one of the most common injury-related deaths in North America. The continent also has the highest per capita rate of opioid prescription in the world.
	The HPV vaccine: Why parents really choose to refuse A new study of survey data finds that only a minority of parents choose not to immunize their children against the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) due to concerns that vaccination would encourage or support youth sexual activity, a reason frequently cited by doctors as a barrier to advocating for this vaccine. Instead, the results show, parental concerns that steer young people away from vaccination tend to focus on safety worries, lack of necessity, knowledge about HPV and absence of physician recommendation, according to Johns Hopkins researchers who led the investigation.
	Fighting mutant influenza Another flu season is here, which means another chance for viruses to mutate. Already, most influenza A viruses contain a mutation that confers resistance against one class of antiviral medications, and the bugs are steadily gaining resistance against another class. Scientists report in ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters a series of experiments designed to develop new medications that could potentially fight off the resistant and sensitive types of influenza A.
Spanish-speakers experience barriers when receiving dense breast notifications Spanish-speaking women encounter unique challenges when receiving notifications regarding their mammogram results and breast density.
Augmented reality may assist cardiologists plan and perform complex procedures Augmented reality (AR), a technology that superimposes computer-generated information on a user's view of the real world, offers a new platform to help physicians better visualize complex medical data, particularly before and during medical procedures. A new self-contained AR device aims to provide an immersive AR experience in which surgeons can interactively explore data in three dimensions.
	New nurses with bachelor's degrees feel better prepared than nurses with associate degrees Nurses with bachelor's degrees report being very prepared in more quality and safety measures than do their peers with associate degrees, finds a new study by researchers at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing.
	Researchers find low resilience puts men at risk for depression Men who lack resilience are exponentially more vulnerable to becoming severely depressed after their spouse dies, according to a new study from Florida State University researchers.
New genetic pathways linked to severe lung disease in preemies Scientists from Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and colleagues identified promising new genetic pathways associated with severe lung disease in extremely premature infants, as well as pathways linked to faster recovery from lung disease in this population. The study is the largest to date to perform whole exome sequencing—or examine all the genes that code for proteins—in relation to respiratory outcomes of prematurity. This method is considered to be an efficient way to establish direct links between genetic changes and disease. Their findings were published in BMC Genetics.
New guidance recommends minimal oxygen use for most people in hospital Routine oxygen therapy is not recommended for hospital patients because the benefit is uncertain and there are clear harms, say a panel of international experts in The BMJ today.
	US advisory group urges hepatitis A shots for homeless For the first time, a U.S. advisory committee is recommending a routine vaccination for homeless people, voting Wednesday to urge hepatitis A shots to prevent future outbreaks of the contagious liver disease.
	Researchers develop new devices to test retinal cells Researchers at Utah State University have developed new devices to mechanically stress human cells in the lab.
	Can eating organic food lower your cancer risk? Hard to prove A new, much-ballyhooed study showing that the most avid consumers of organic food had fewer cancers than those who never eat such products illustrates the difficulty of establishing cause and effect when evaluating diet and health.
	What is the virus that has killed 7 children in New Jersey? (HealthDay)—New Jersey health officials on Wednesday confirmed the deaths of seven children following infection with an adenovirus—a member of the same viral family that causes the common cold.
	Cold, windy days can strain the heart (HealthDay)—Brisk autumn winds and chilly winter temperatures may make you more vulnerable to heart trouble, a new study suggests.
	Obesity a painful reality for 1 in 6 U.S. youths (HealthDay)—One in six American kids struggles with obesity, and minorities struggle the most, a new report shows.
	Music helped this young stroke survivor stay strong WEDNESDAY, Oct. 24, 2018 (American Heart Association)—Toni Hickman and her boyfriend were visiting New Orleans in 2007 to celebrate a hip-hop music project she was wrapping up. The singer, poet and songwriter had already achieved some success singing and rapping her own tunes at clubs and had recorded in studios for music labels.
	Deep neural network improves detection of wrist fractures (HealthDay)—Deep learning methods allow senior medical specialists to deliver their expertise to emergency medicine clinicians via use of a deep neural network, which is associated with considerable improvement in sensitivity and specificity of detecting fractures in wrist radiographs, according to a study published online Oct. 22 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	Midwifery care cuts poor birth outcomes versus physician care (HealthDay)—Compared with physician models of care, midwifery care is associated with lower odds of poor birth outcomes for low-income women, according to a study published in the October issue of BMJ Open.
	Health enterprise zone initiative cut hospitalizations, costs (HealthDay)—Maryland's Health Enterprise Zone Initiative reduced hospitalizations and led to net cost savings, according to a study published in the October issue of Health Affairs.
	Prevalence of pediatric metabolic, bariatric surgery examined (HealthDay)—From 2005 through 2014, an estimated 14,178 metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) procedures were performed among pediatric patients aged 20 years and younger with severe obesity, according to a research letter published online Oct. 22 in JAMA Pediatrics.
	New test measures men's fertility At a time when more than half of male infertility cannot be explained by current methods, a new test developed by Androvia LifeSciences is able to measure male fertility. The proprietary Cap-Score Male Fertility Assay is based on research patented by the Travis lab at the Baker Institute for Animal Health and Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine and was recently the subject of a study that appeared Sept. 24 in the journal Molecular Reproduction and Development.
	MRI tool watches how electrical stimulation could cure digestive disorders More than 60 million people in the U.S. suffer from disorders in the gastrointestinal tract that could be cured by electrical stimulation, but scientists don't fully understand the therapy's effects on a critical organ: the stomach.
	Cannabis pain relief without the 'high' In the wake of cannabis legalization, a team of scientists at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and McGill University have delivered encouraging news for chronic pain sufferers by pinpointing the effective dose of marijuana plant extract cannabidiol (CBD) for safe pain relief without the typical "high" or euphoria produced by the THC. The findings of their study have been published in the journal PAIN (The Journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain).
	Serotonin neurons contribute to fail-safe mechanism that ensures recovery from interrupted breathing Scientists trying to identify the roots of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the leading cause of death in U.S. infants between 1 month and 1 year old, have increasingly turned their attention to the neurotransmitter serotonin and the brain cells that produce it.
	Science Says: Fatal outbreak germ a threat to frail patients A common virus blamed for a deadly outbreak at a New Jersey children's rehabilitation center usually poses little risk for healthy people but can lead to dangerous pneumonia in already frail patients.
Amgen slashes price of $14,000-a-year cholesterol drug The maker of an expensive cholesterol drug is slashing the list price, which should make it more affordable for patients.
	Bullying and harassment in the NHS could be costing billions Bullying and harassment in the NHS in England could be costing the organization over £2 billion per year, according to new research published in Public Money & Management.
First trial of dapivirine ring with both ARV and contraceptive finds no safety concerns In the first clinical study of a vaginal ring that releases the antiretroviral drug dapivirine as well as a contraceptive hormone, there were no safety concerns and the ring was well-tolerated, researchers from the National Institutes of Health-funded Microbicide Trials Network (MTN) reported today at the HIV Research for Prevention conference (HIVR4P 2018) in Madrid.
Bioengineered human cardiac models spur disruptive innovation in disease research Thrombosis-on-a-chip, vasculature-on-a-chip and engineered models of human cardiac fibrosis are just a few of the new technologies revolutionizing research into human cardiovascular disease—a condition responsible for 17 million deaths per annum globally. A new study entitled Cardiovascular Disease Models: A Game Changing Paradigm in Drug Discovery and Screening, published this week in the journal Biomaterials by bioengineering scientists from the University of Toronto, proposes a new paradigm for research into cardiovascular diseases. The new paradigm is rooted in a human-specific understanding of disease mechanisms, coupled with application of novel microphysiological and computational tools based on human biology to create more predictive laboratory models of the human disease.
Child death toll hits 7 in viral outbreak at rehab center Another child has died following a severe viral outbreak at a New Jersey rehabilitation center for "medically fragile children," bringing the death toll to seven, the facility said Wednesday.
	Health insurance sign-ups begin: Some assistance recommended It's time to think health insurance.

Biology news

	New CRISPR tool opens up more of the genome for editing The genome editing system CRISPR has become a hugely important tool in medical research, and could ultimately have a significant impact in fields such as agriculture, bioenergy, and food security.
	Elephants form joints with trunk to pick up small objects to eat A team of researchers with members from the Georgia Institute of Technology, the Atlanta Zoo and the Rochester Institute of Technology has uncovered the means by which elephants are able to quickly and easily grab and very quickly eat small objects. In their paper published in Journal of the Royal Society Interface, the group describes their study and what they found.
	Birds startled by moving sticks Do animals—like humans—divide the world into things that move and things that don't? Are they surprised if an apparently inanimate object jumps to life?
	Chimpanzees sniff out strangers and family members Chemical communication is widely used in the animal kingdom to convey social information. For example, animals use olfactory cues to recognize group or family members, or to choose genetically suitable mates. In contrast to most other mammals, however, primates have traditionally been regarded as "microsmatic—having a poor sense of smell. Although research on olfaction in some primate species has increased in recent years, non-human great apes have been greatly neglected in these studies. Researchers from the University of Leipzig and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology as well as Durham University have now conducted one of the first studies investigating the signaling function of social odors in non-human great apes.
	New research cracks illegal wildlife trade Scientists have developed a revolutionary way to determine if animals are being illegally trafficked.
	The composition of gut bacteria almost recovers after antibiotics The use of antibiotics has long been linked to deprivation of gut bacteria. Now, a new study from University of Copenhagen shows that the composition and function of gut bacteria can recover after antibiotic treatment in healthy people. But after six months, the gut still lacks nine common beneficial bacterial species.
	Research sheds light on genetic processes underlying meningitis and gastroenteritis Innovative computer software developed by University of Leicester scientists is shedding new light on the genetic makeup of deadly pathogens responsible for meningitis and gastroenteritis
	Male humpback whales change their songs when human noise is present Male humpback whales reduce or cease their songs in reaction to human-generated shipping noise, according to a study published October 24, 2018 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Koki Tsujii from Ogasawara Whale Watching Association and Hokkaido University, Japan, and colleagues.
	Gene network lets plant roots handle nitrogen With robotics, computers and advanced genetics, researchers at the University of California, Davis and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory are unraveling how plant roots take up and metabolize nitrogen, the key to plant growth and crop yield. Their latest work is published Oct. 24 in the journal Nature.
	Study reveals how gene activity shapes immunity across species By sequencing genes from over a quarter of a million cells across six mammalian species, researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute and collaborators, have shown how genes in the immune response have varied activity between cells and species.
	New Caledonian crows can create tools from multiple parts An international team of scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology and the University of Oxford has revealed that New Caledonian crows are able to create tools by combining two or more otherwise non-functional elements, an ability so far observed only in humans and great apes.
	Mathematicians propose new hunting model to save rhinos and whales from extinction Mathematicians have created a new model—of a variety commonly found in the world of finance—to show how to harvest a species at an optimal rate, while making sure that the animals do not get wiped out by chance.
	Growing noise in the ocean can cause dolphins to change their calls Noise levels in the world's oceans are on the rise, but little is known about its impact on marine mammals like dolphins that rely on sound for communication. Researchers from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science laid underwater microphones on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean to find out more about the ambient noise levels in the area off the coast of Maryland. They found that dolphins are simplifying their calls to be heard over noise from recreational boats and other vessels in nearby shipping lanes.
	Cacao analysis dates the dawn of domesticated chocolate trees to 3,600 years ago Researchers analyzing the genomes of cultivated cacao trees have traced their origin to a "single domestication event" some 3,600 years ago. The discovery opens a new front in a long-running argument regarding when and where humans started growing the source of chocolate.
	Research shows spider eyes work together to track stimuli Using a specially designed eye-tracker for use with spiders, biologists Elizabeth Jakob, Skye Long and Adam Porter at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, along with colleagues in New York and New Zealand, report in a new paper that their tests in jumping spiders show a secondary set of eyes is crucial to the principal eyes' ability to track moving stimuli.
	Monsanto weed killer ruling is 1st step in long legal battle With its stock dropping and more lawsuits expected, Monsanto vowed Tuesday to press on with a nationwide legal defense of its best-selling weed killer Roundup after a San Francisco judge upheld a verdict alleging it causes cancer.
	Rewilding landscapes can solve multiple problems Urbanisation, biodiversity loss, climate change: just some of the worldwide problems 'rewilding' - i.e. restoring food chains by returning 'missing' species to the landscape—can help tackle. Researcher Liesbeth Bakker (NIOO-KNAW) has edited a theme issue of the world's oldest life sciences journal, Phil Trans B, on rewilding, together with a Danish expert. The issue is now available online.
	Tortoise evolution: How did they become so big? The evolution of giant tortoises might not be linked to islands, as has previously been thought. In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers from Argentina and Germany have presented the most comprehensive family tree of extinct and extant tortoises so far. Analysing genetic and osteological data from living species and fossil tortoises, they have revised the evolution of tortoise—their gigantism evolved on multiple occasions on the mainland. The findings will appear in the next issue of Cladistics.
	African fires wipe out endangered rhino's favorite foods Fires in the African savannah – planned by national park staff to regenerate the preferred grasses of grazers such as wildebeests and zebras – are killing the few foods that endangered black rhinos love to eat.
	Tweaking just a few genes in wild plants can create new food crops – but let's get the regulation right The crops we rely on today have been bred over thousands of years to enhance certain characteristics. For example, sweetcorn started life as a wild grass called teosinte.
	Mythbusting the story of the STI-carrying cannibal ladybirds A long, hot summer has brought swarms of ladybirds into British homes, and recent reports that these colourful beetles are STI-carrying cannibals may well have worried homeowners. Yet despite their unusually large numbers, both experts and organisations say that the beetles gathering in homes are nothing to be alarmed about. In fact, the simple explanation for their behaviour is that it's just ladybirds being ladybirds.
	Homebody tendencies put Hawaiian gallinules at risk The Hawaiian Islands are home to a range of unique, endangered bird species. Many waterbirds such as the Hawaiian Coot and Hawaiian Gallinule have been recovering in recent decades thanks to intensive wetland management, but past declines have left them with reduced genetic diversity. A new study from The Condor: Ornithological Applications looks at what the birds' genes can tell us about their behavior today and finds that one species' lack of wanderlust may be putting it at greater risk.
	Electric shocks kill bacteria Low temperatures and an acidic environment create the ideal conditions for an effective method of inactivating Listeria (and other germs) in the processing of whey protein solutions – without destroying valuable nutrients. A team from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) made this discovery in collaboration with an international food company, and they have now published their findings. The harmful bacteria are inactivated by means of electroporation, a process that does not require drastic temperature increases, in contrast to conventional thermal preservation methods, which in turn contributes to more effective conservation of nutrients. The conditions identified by the BOKU researchers will pave the way for the preservation of whey-protein solutions without significant loss of nutrients.
	Marine algae bloom-derived biotoxins alter the development of zooplankton and the ocean food web Researchers from the University of Barcelona in collaboration with a team from the Zoological Station Anton Dohrn (Italy) have analysed the impact of diatom algae in the development of Oikopleura dioica (O. Dioica), a type of marine zooplankton invertebrate that plays an important role in the global dynamics of the marine food webs and the biosphere carbon cycle. The results, published in Communications Biology, show that biotoxins that are produced by these algae at the end of the blooms can affect embryonic development, and therefore the reproduction of O. Dioica, with severe ecological consequences.
	Discovered: New species of African crocodile While studying the critically endangered slender-snouted crocodile, researchers made a startling discovery—what they thought was one species is actually two. The discovery raises concerns about whether current conservation practices are enough to protect them.
	Breeding beans that resist weevils Beans are awesome. They are packed with nutrients and are high in protein. They can grow in many different environments. They help replenish soil nitrogen levels. They are a vital crop for food security in many parts of the world.
	How people power can track alien species: study New research published in the Nature journal Scientific Data shows how the public can play a vital role in helping to track invasive species.
	Golf course managers challenged by fungicide-resistant turf grass disease Dollar spot—the most common, troublesome and damaging turfgrass disease plaguing golf courses—is becoming increasingly resistant to fungicides applied to manage it, according to Penn State researchers.
	Study finds glyphosate in cat and dog food Got glyphosate? Your pet's breakfast might.
	Antibiotic explorers: The intricate quest to discover where tetracyclines go in human cells We know that antibiotics treat bacterial infections. We also know why they work. Tetracycline antibiotics, for example, stop bacteria from making protein. Like a boot on a wheel, the drugs bind to the bacterial cell's ribosome—where protein is made—and prevent it from working. Without protein, the bacteria weaken and die.
	Baby orangutan Java unveiled at Paris zoo France's oldest zoo on Wednesday welcomed its youngest member: Java, an eight-day old baby orangutan.

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