Science X Newsletter Monday, Dec 10

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for December 10, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Using machine learning to detect unreliable Facebook pages

Topological matters: Toward a new kind of transistor

Team finds evidence for carbon-rich surface on Ceres

How catnip makes the chemical that causes cats to go crazy

Frog sex in the city: Urban tungara frogs are sexier than forest frogs

Compelling evidence for small drops of perfect fluid

Strep bacteria compete for 'ownership' of human tissue

Cataclysmic variable ES Ceti has an accretion disk, study suggests

Engineers produce smallest 3-D transistor yet

Ocean fertilization by unusual microbes extends to frigid waters of Arctic Ocean

Bioenergy crops could be as bad for biodiversity as climate change

'Dropout' rate for academic scientists has risen sharply in past 50 years, study finds

Regrowing damaged nerves hinges on shutting down key genes

Humans may be reversing the climate clock, by 50 million years

Brainwaves suppress obvious ideas to help us think more creatively

Astronomy & Space news

	Team finds evidence for carbon-rich surface on Ceres A team led by Southwest Research Institute has concluded that the surface of dwarf planet Ceres is rich in organic matter. Data from NASA's Dawn spacecraft indicate that Ceres's surface may contain several times the concentration of carbon than is present in the most carbon-rich, primitive meteorites found on Earth.
	Cataclysmic variable ES Ceti has an accretion disk, study suggests Astronomers have conducted spectroscopic observations of the cataclysmic variable ES Ceti, which resulted in uncovering important insights about gas emission from this object. The new findings, presented in a paper published November 29 on the arXiv pre-print server, suggest the presence of an accretion disk in this system.
	NASA's Voyager 2 probe enters interstellar space For the second time in history, a human-made object has reached the space between the stars. NASA's Voyager 2 probe now has exited the heliosphere – the protective bubble of particles and magnetic fields created by the Sun.
	SpaceX Christmas delivery arrives at space station A SpaceX delivery full of Christmas goodies arrived at the International Space Station on Saturday, following a slight delay caused by a communication drop-out.
	Solar activity research provides insight into sun's past, future Andrés Muñoz-Jaramillo of Southwest Research Institute and José Manuel Vaquero of the University of Extremadura have developed a new technique for looking at historic solar data to distinguish trustworthy observations from those that should be used with care. This work is critical to understanding the Sun's past and future as well as whether solar activity plays a role in climate change.
	OSIRIS-REx discovers water on asteroid, confirms Bennu as excellent mission target From August through early December, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft aimed three of its science instruments toward Bennu and began making the mission's first observations of the asteroid. During this period, the spacecraft traveled the last 1.4 million miles (2.2 million km) of its outbound journey to arrive at a spot 12 miles (19 km) from Bennu on Dec. 3. The science obtained from these initial observations confirmed many of the mission team's ground-based observations of Bennu and revealed several new surprises.
	SpaceX Christmas delivery delayed by communication problem A communication drop-out has delayed a Christmas delivery at the International Space Station.
	Image: Dione and Rhea appear as one Sometimes it's all about perspective. This very convincing image of a conjoined moon masquerading as a snowman is actually two separate Saturnian moons – Dione and Rhea – taken from such an angle by the international Cassini spacecraft that they appear as one.

Technology news

	Using machine learning to detect unreliable Facebook pages A growing number of companies and individuals worldwide are creating Facebook pages for marketing and advertising purposes. This is because Facebook offers the possibility to communicate to potential or existing customers free of charge, advertising new products, offers or services.
	Shape-shifting origami could help antenna systems adapt on the fly Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have devised a method for using an origami-based structure to create radio frequency filters that have adjustable dimensions, enabling the devices to change which signals they block throughout a large range of frequencies.
	Uber filed paperwork for IPO: report Ride-share company Uber quietly filed paperwork this week for its initial public offering, the Wall Street Journal reported late Friday.
	Qualcomm fires up Snapdragon announcements, courts business PCs Qualcomm has made several announcements. Ron Amadeo, Reviews Editor, Ars Technica: "Qualcomm's biggest strength in the SoC market is its modem technology and intellectual property, as it's one of the few players that can build a CPU, GPU, and modem all in a single chip."
	How to plan your smart home—and weigh privacy risks You might have heard of lights that turn off with an app or voice command. Or window shades that magically rise every morning.
	China court bans iPhone sales in patent dispute: Qualcomm A Chinese court ordered a ban in the country on iPhone sales in a patent dispute, US chipmaking giant Qualcomm said Monday.
	Update for Files by Google carries USB-OTG support Newer adds for Files by Google are in the news. Well, that was fast, said a number of Google watchers: "Roughly a month after it picked up its new branding, Files by Google has gotten an update with some features added," wrote Ben Schoon in 9to5Google.
	New bug prompts earlier end to Google+ social network Google said Monday it will close the consumer version of its online social network sooner than originally planned due to the discovery of a new software bug.
	GM plant closing not expected to stall Detroit's rebound General Motors' planned shutdown of its Detroit-Hamtramck plant would leave only one auto assembly factory in the city known for "putting America on wheels," but the closure and job losses are not expected to stall-out Detroit's comeback since its 2014 bankruptcy exit.
	In Mauritius, sugar cane means money, renewable energy Far out into the Indian Ocean where it is forced to be self-reliant, the island nation of Mauritius is weaning itself off fossil fuels by turning to its main cash-crop sugar cane, for electricity.
	SoftBank aims to raise $23bn on Japan mobile unit IPO Telecoms giant and technology investor SoftBank Group aims to raise over $23 billion by listing its Japanese mobile unit next week in one of the biggest tech IPOs in years.
	Reserve your driving time to reduce traffic congestion For his thesis, EPFL Ph.D. student Raphaël Lamotte studied rush-hour traffic congestion. He suggests implementing a system whereby commuters reserve time on a special traffic lane – like booking a seat on a flight – to help cities accommodate a growing number of car-sharing programs and, eventually, self-driving cars.
	Big shareholder at Yelp wants a board reshuffle Saying it's lost patience with missteps and earnings shortfalls, a large shareholder at Yelp is seeking a board reshuffle at the online review site.
	How new media platforms have become powerful across Africa Online platforms have become an important site for political and social engagement. On the one hand they have been praised for their progressive characteristics. This is because they offer great organising potential, enhance political accountability and disrupt old media practices that tend to exclude less powerful voices from important social and political discussions.
	Could AI take control of human birth? Instead of looking up at the sky to see whether you need an umbrella, people increasingly ask virtual assistants such as Alexa. And they may be wise to do so. AI methods are powerful – capable of anything from analysing astrophysical data to detecting tumours or helping to manage diabetes. An algorithm that analyses shopping patterns recently detected that a teenage girl was pregnant, earlier than her father did. So could childbirth be next for Al?
	Online platform for carbon dioxide-free deliveries City centres are becoming increasingly congested by traffic, many of which are delivery vehicles. An EU-funded project has developed a solution for delivering packages that reduces traffic and eliminates carbon dioxide (CO2) and other harmful emissions.
	NIST's antenna evaluation method could help boost 5G network capacity and cut costs Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a method for evaluating and selecting optimal antenna designs for future fifth-generation (5G) cellphones, other wireless devices and base stations.
	Social media tops print as news source for Americans: study Social media has overtaken print newspapers as a news source for Americans, researchers said Monday, highlighting the growing importance of services such as Facebook and Twitter as well as the troubled state of legacy news organizations.
	Verizon cuts 10,000 workers through buyouts as part of restructuring US telecomm group Verizon announced Monday it would slash its workforce through a voluntary buyout plan as the company strives to better position itself for the coming of new cellular technology.
	GM fights government to retain tax credit for electric cars General Motors is fighting to retain a valuable tax credit for electric vehicles as the nation's largest automaker tries to deal with the political fallout triggered by its plans to shutter several U.S. factories and shed thousands of workers.
	Tesla CEO Elon Musk taunts US financial regulatory agency Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, openly derided the US Securities and Exchange Commission in an interview aired Sunday, having settled fraud charges with the regulatory agency over an errant tweet.
	Amazon touted as big win for NY, but math is more complex New York officials say their deal to land a new Amazon headquarters is a big win for the city—but the math is a little more complicated than government projections indicate.
	Ex-Nissan chief Ghosn charged, served with fresh arrest warrant Japanese prosecutors Monday formally charged Carlos Ghosn with financial misconduct for under-reporting his salary and also served him a fresh warrant on separate allegations, meaning the tycoon will likely spend Christmas in a cell.
	Hydrokinetic energy from running water cleanly charges electrical vehicles Lif-E-Buoy takes advantage of the natural hydrokinetic energy of running water—abundantly available in most river-based urban centres—to generate clean energy for electric vehicles and infrastructure.
	Brazil court overturns suspension of Boeing-Embraer tie-up An appeals court in Brazil on Monday overturned an order blocking a proposed $4.75 billion tie-up between US aerospace giant Boeing and the civilian business of Brazilian plane-maker Embraer.
	Tariffs prompt GoPro to pull manufacturing from China GoPro on Monday announced plans to pull production of US-bound cameras out of China to avoid tariffs that could push up its prices in a fiercely competitive market.

Medicine & Health news

	Regrowing damaged nerves hinges on shutting down key genes Neurons in the brain and spinal cord don't grow back after injury, unlike those in the rest of the body. Cut your finger, and you'll probably be back to using it in days or weeks; slice through your spinal cord, and you likely will never walk again.
	Brainwaves suppress obvious ideas to help us think more creatively The human brain needs to suppress obvious ideas in order to reach the most creative ones, according to scientists at Queen Mary University of London and Goldsmiths, University of London.
	How to survive on 'Game of Thrones': Switch allegiances Characters in the Game of Thrones TV series are more likely to die if they do not switch allegiance, and are male, according to an article published in the open access journal Injury Epidemiology.
	Researchers explore new way of killing malaria in the liver In the ongoing hunt for more effective weapons against malaria, international researchers said Thursday they are exploring a pathway that has until now been little studied—killing parasites in the liver, before the illness emerges.
	Heavy screen time appears to impact childrens' brains: study Researchers have found "different patterns" in brain scans among children who record heavy smart device and video game use, according to initial data from a major ongoing US study.
	Big datasets pinpoint new regions to explore the genome for disease Imagine rain falling on a square of sidewalk. While the raindrops appear to land randomly, over time a patch of sidewalk somehow remains dry. The emerging pattern suggests something special about this region. This analogy is akin to a new method devised by researchers at University of Utah Health. They explored more than 100,000 healthy humans to identify regions of our genes that are intolerant to change. They believe that DNA mutations in these "constrained" regions may cause severe pediatric diseases.
	Studies reveal role of red meat in gut bacteria, heart disease development In concurrent studies, Cleveland Clinic researchers have uncovered new mechanisms that demonstrate why and how regularly eating red meat can increase the risk of heart disease, and the role gut bacteria play in that process.
	A code for reprogramming immune sentinels For the first time, a research team at Lund University in Sweden has successfully reprogrammed mouse and human skin cells into immune cells called dendritic cells. The process is quick and effective, representing a pioneering contribution for applying direct reprogramming for inducing immunity. Importantly, the finding opens up the possibility of developing novel dendritic cell-based immunotherapies against cancer.
	Team seeks to create genetic map of worm's nervous system How do you build a brain? What "rules" govern where neurons end up, how they connect to each other, and which functions they perform?
	Genetic changes associated with physical activity reported Time spent sitting, sleeping and moving is determined in part by our genes, University of Oxford researchers have shown. In one of the most detailed projects of its kind, the scientists studied the activity of 91,105 UK Biobank participants who had previously worn an activity monitor on their wrist for a week. The scientists taught machines to identify active and sedentary behavior from the huge amounts of activity monitor data.
	When scientists push people to their tipping point You probably overestimate just how far someone can push you before you reach your tipping point, new research suggests.
	Hair colour gene study sheds new light on roots of redheads' locks Scientists have discovered eight genes linked to red hair, helping to solve a mystery of how redheads inherit their flaming locks.
	Predicting leaky heart valves with 3-D printing More than one in eight people aged 75 and older in the United States develop moderate-to-severe blockage of the aortic valve in their hearts, usually caused by calcified deposits that build up on the valve's leaflets and prevent them from fully opening and closing. Many of these older patients are not healthy enough to undergo open heart surgeries; instead, they have artificial valves implanted into their hearts using a procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), which deploys the valve via a catheter inserted into the aorta. There are challenges with this procedure, however, including the need to choose the perfect-sized heart valve without ever actually looking at the patient's heart: too small, and the valve can dislodge or leak around the edges; too large, and the valve can rip through the heart, carrying a risk of death. Like Goldilocks, cardiologists are looking for a TAVR valve size that is "just right".
	Early career choices appear to influence personality, study finds In the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, 16-year-old students in middle-track schools decide whether to stay in school to pursue an academic career or enroll in a vocational training program. A new study offers evidence that the path they choose influences their personality years later.
	Editing consciousness: How bereaved people control their thoughts without knowing it People who are grieving a major loss, such as the death of a spouse or a child, use different coping mechanisms to carry on with their lives. Psychologists have been able to track different approaches, which can reflect different clinical outcomes. One approach that is not usually successful is avoidant grief, a state in which people suffering from grief show marked, effortful, repeated, and often unsuccessful attempts to stop themselves from thinking about their loss. While researchers have shown that avoidant grievers consciously monitor their external environment in order to avoid reminders of their loss, no one has yet been able to show whether these grievers also monitor their mental state unconsciously, trying to block any thoughts of loss from rising to their conscious state.
	Two compounds in coffee may team up to fight Parkinson's Rutgers scientists have found a compound in coffee that may team up with caffeine to fight Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia—two progressive and currently incurable diseases associated with brain degeneration.
	Dopamine's yin-yang personality: It's an upper and a downer For decades, psychologists have viewed the neurotransmitter dopamine as a double-edged sword: released in the brain as a reward to train us to seek out pleasurable experiences, but also a "drug" the constant pursuit of which leads to addiction.
	Some brain tumors may respond to immunotherapy, new study suggests Immunotherapy has proved effective in treating a number of cancers, but brain tumors have remained stubbornly resistant. Now, a new study suggests that a slow-growing brain tumor arising in patients affected by neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) may be vulnerable to immunotherapy, which gives the immune system a boost in fighting cancer.
	Potential seen for tailoring treatment for acute myeloid leukemia Advances in rapid screening of leukemia cells for drug susceptibility and resistance are bringing scientists closer to patient-tailored treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
	Break a sweat over the holidays, but do it safely (HealthDay)—It's great to get exercise during the holidays, as long as you take steps to avoid injuries, a sports medicine expert says.
	Lack of peds preventive care ups unplanned hospital admissions (HealthDay)—A lack of preventive care in infants and children is associated with an increased rate of unplanned hospital admissions, according to a study recently published in BMC Medicine.
	Pregnant women commonly refuse vaccines (HealthDay)—Pregnant women commonly refuse vaccines, including influenza vaccine and tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine, according to research published online Dec. 4 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Rural residence, poverty are risk factors for COPD (HealthDay)—Rural residence and poverty are risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
	Fear impacts quality of life for young adults with type 1 diabetes (HealthDay)—Fear of complications and frustration at the amount of time required to manage type 1 diabetes impact the quality of life of young adults with the disease, according to a study published in the December issue of The Diabetes Educator.
	Secondhand smoke exposure saw big drop from 1988 to 2014 (HealthDay)—Secondhand smoke exposure declined substantially among U.S. nonsmokers from 1988 through 2014, according to research published in the Dec. 7 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
	Ultrarestrictive opioid Rx protocol cuts postoperative opioid use (HealthDay)—An ultrarestrictive opioid prescription protocol (UROPP) can reduce the number of opioids prescribed to patients after gynecologic and abdominal surgery without negative health consequences, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in JAMA Network Open.
	Lower RN staffing linked to increased in-hospital mortality (HealthDay)—The risk for in-hospital mortality is increased with lower registered nurse (RN) staffing and higher levels of admissions per RN, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in BMJ Quality & Safety.
	Middle aged men in lyrca on the rise but 'Mamils' confined to weekends, affluent suburb The number of middle-aged Australian men who cycle on weekends has doubled in recent years, but the rise of the so-called 'Mamils' (middle aged men in lyrca) is confined to men in more affluent suburbs, says research in today's Medical Journal of Australia.
	Increased cervical cancer risk in women with positive HPV, but no cellular abnormalities Researchers have uncovered an increased risk of cervical cancer in women whose cervical cells test positive for certain high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types but do not show any signs of cellular abnormalities. Published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings may help refine guidelines for cervical cancer screening.
First Nations children and youth experiencing more pain than non-First Nations children First Nations children and youth are experiencing more pain than non-First Nations children, but do not access specialist or mental health services at the same rate as their non-First Nations peers, found new research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Breast cancer screening: New emphasis on shared decision-making between women and their doctors An updated guideline on screening for breast cancer emphasizes shared decision-making between women and their doctors, supporting women to make an informed decision based on personal preferences when the balance between benefits and harms is uncertain. The guideline, released by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, is published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Researchers improve diabetes remission predictors in bariatric surgery Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers have improved a standard bariatric surgery clinical scoring system (DiaRem) to extend the prediction time for diabetic remission following bariatric (weight-loss) surgery.
Statins have low risk of side effects The cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins have demonstrated substantial benefits in reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes caused by blood clots (ischemic strokes) in at-risk patients. Since statins are associated with a low risk of side effects, the benefits of taking them outweigh the risks, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association that reviewed multiple studies evaluating the safety and potential side effects of these drugs. It is published in the Association's journal Circulation: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.
	Regular flu shots may save heart failure patients' lives Getting an annual flu shot can save heart failure patients' lives, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.
	Study shows key enzyme linked to therapy resistance in deadly lung cancer Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a link between an enzyme tied to cancer formation and therapy resistance in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They believe two existing therapies may hold promise for clinical studies for this deadly and common lung cancer for which relapse often occurs within one year following treatment.
	Siblings of children with autism or ADHD are at elevated risk for both disorders Later-born siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at elevated risk for both disorders, a new study led by Meghan Miller, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and at the UC Davis MIND Institute, has concluded. The findings appear today in JAMA Pediatrics.
	Faulty sensing: Cellular energy sensor linked to the progression of chronic kidney disease Chronic kidney disease (CKD), an affliction characterized by progressive loss of kidney function, affects millions of people worldwide and is associated with multi-organ damage, cardiovascular disease and muscle wasting. Just like engines, living cells require energy to run, thus the combined millions of cells in an organ have huge energy requirements. Although the heart has the highest energy needs of all human organs, the kidneys come a close second. Energy depletion can result in kidney damage and the build-up of toxic compounds in the body, contributing to the progression of CKD. Currently, there is no effective treatment to halt this progression.
Team uses gene editing to personalize clinical care for family with cardiomyopathy A little over a year ago, a 65-year-old woman with severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy—a condition in which the heart's muscle becomes abnormally thick, potentially causing dangerous irregular heartbeats—had her genes sequenced before her first visit to the Penn Center for Inherited Cardiac Disease. In the sequence, the patient's care team identified a variant in a gene called TNNT2, which is associated with this type of heart disease. This type of disorder runs in families. However, analysis of the patient's genetic screen showed conflicting interpretations of how the TNNT2 gene variant might be affecting her health.
New study finds bias against women and girls when intellectual ability is sought A new study finds bias against both women and girls for jobs or activities requiring intellectual ability. The research underscores the pervasiveness of gender bias, held even among females, in both adults and young children.
	Licence to Swill: James Bond's drinking over six decades He may be licensed to kill but fictional British secret service agent James Bond has a severe alcohol use disorder, according to an analysis of his drinking behaviour published in the Medical Journal of Australia's Christmas issue.
	Study tests new vaccine for precancerous cervical cells Vanderbilt University Medical Center is participating in an international study to determine the effectiveness of a new therapeutic vaccine for treating women with precancerous changes on the cervix.
	Team spots clue to rare lung and kidney diseases Pulmonary-renal syndrome (PRS) refers to a group of rare but potentially fatal conditions that nearly always are caused by a misguided attack by the body's immune system on the lungs and kidneys. Coughing up blood and blood in the urine are telltale signs.
	Even among the insured, cost of illness can be devastating, Harvard-backed poll finds Despite the Affordable Care Act's much-touted expansion of health coverage in the U.S., a first-ever poll of America's seriously ill demonstrates that insurance alone isn't enough to protect against the high cost of care.
	New tool delivers swifter picture of cognitive deficit A new tool, developed by researchers from the University of Adelaide, will assist clinicians to assess people suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD).
	To ease out the policy of population salt reduction is dangerous and scientifically unjustified The journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Disease (NMCD), has published an important and authoritative statement of the ESAN (European Salt Action Network), a Working group established under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO) which includes expert representatives from 39 countries and academic centres, supporting the implementation of population programmes of reduction of salt consumption to prevent cardiovascular disease as recommended by the WHO.
	Dancing 'in the zone' lasts a lifetime for professionals Dancers often report achieving transcendent states of consciousness during peak performance, and a University of Queensland study has shown these 'in the zone' states continue into later life.
	National pharmacopoeia for available, affordable meds The solution to a widespread shortage of certain antibiotics, painkillers and anesthetics is to declare a 'national pharmacopoeia' an issue of national security, says the editor-in-chief of the Canadian Journal of Surgery.
	Report shows tragic patterns in domestic homicides A new report from the Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative with Vulnerable Populations (CDHPIVP) is a painful reminder that domestic violence is a major social, criminal and public health issue that affects thousands of Canadians every day.
	How researchers assess whether medications work Ear infections, or "otitis media," can cause of a lot of pain and discomfort in youngsters. In some children, persistent infections result in hearing loss.
	Study finds higher risk of breast cancer for women after giving birth Younger women who have recently had a child may have a higher risk of breast cancer than their peers of the same age who do not have children, according to a large-scale analysis co-led by a University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researcher.
	Young age associated with worse prognosis in specific breast cancer subtype Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center are rapidly advancing the understanding of biological factors, including hormones, as predictors of longer disease-free survival for certain subtypes of breast cancer. The implications for treatment—especially among younger women—can be profound, but uncertainties remain and decision-making by patients and their physicians can be complicated.
	Study highlights correlations between violent death and substance use A group of researchers at the University of São Paulo's Medical School (FM-USP) in Brazil recently published the results of a study on the links between alcohol and drug use and the occurrence of violent deaths.
	Genetic study of epilepsy points to potential new therapies The largest study of its kind, led by international researchers including scientists at RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland), has discovered 11 new genes associated with epilepsy.
	Cancer cells distinguished by artificial intelligence-based system In cancer patients, there can be tremendous variation in the types of cancer cells from one patient to another, even within the same disease. Identification of the particular cell types present can be very useful when choosing the treatment that would be most effective, but the methods of doing this are time-consuming and often hampered by human error and the limits of human sight.
	Tenacious and flexible goal pursuit gets older people on the move Tenacious goal pursuit and flexible goal adjustment have been shown to help maintain psychological well-being despite age related challenges and losses. A recent study demonstrates that tenacity and flexibility are beneficial for out-of-home mobility as well.
	Stop blaming PrEP for the rise in STIs – the picture is more complex than that The UK recently celebrated two landmark achievements in the ongoing fight against HIV. It is now the seventh country to reach the United Nations target of 90-90-90: that 90% of people living with HIV know their status, of whom 90% are on antiretroviral treatment, and of whom 90% are unable to transmit the virus to others.
	The surprising role of childhood trauma in athletic success The story of Canadian speed skater and cyclist Clara Hughes, the first ever Olympian to win multiple medals in both the summer and winter games, is a story of triumph over adversity. Before she was hard into endurance sports, she was hard into drinking and drugs —a teenaged attempt to escape life at home with her father and his alcoholism.
	Predicting disease emergence from forest fragmentation A Massey University team has developed new ways of predicting disease-hot spots, created by humans changing the environment, to help identify where and how society can mitigate the risk of infectious disease emergence, such as Ebola Virus Disease in Africa.
	How imagination can help people overcome fear and anxiety Almost everyone has something they fear – maybe it's spiders, enclosed spaces, or heights. When we encounter these "threats," our hearts might begin to race, or our hands may become sweaty. This is called a threat fear response, and it exists to help us avoid potential pain.
	Memory tests predict brain atrophy and Alzheimer's disease Mild cognitive impairment is a heterogeneous condition; it may may be reversible or permanent. but it is also associated with a higher risk of dementia, Alzheimer's disease in particular. Mild cognitive impairment refers to impairment of memory or other cognitive domains in a situation where the individual remains capable of independently conducting daily activities and not fulfilling the criteria of dementia.
	For many women, tracking their fertility can be an emotional whirlwind Have you ever used a health app to track your personal data, such as diet, exercise, or menstrual cycle? Did seeing the data make you feel excited and empowered? Or stressed and frustrated?
	Brain-eating amoebas kill woman who rinsed her sinuses with tap water. Doctor warns this could happen again When a 69-year-old Seattle woman underwent brain surgery earlier this year at Swedish Medical Center, her doctors were stumped.
	New connected device makes injectable insulin easier to monitor for diabetes type 1 patients The number of diabetics in the world, both insulin dependent and not insulin dependent, is 415 million and it is expected to grow to 600 million in 2040. If their treatment fails, there is high risk of complications related to vascular and nerve affection and even death. The EU's INSULCLOCK project is putting forward a solution to help diabetics manage their disease.
	Dialysis patients at risk of progressive brain injury Kidney dialysis can cause short-term 'cerebral stunning' and may be associated with progressive brain injury in those who receive the treatment for many years. For many patients with kidney failure awaiting a kidney transplant or those not suitable for a transplant, dialysis is a life-saving treatment.
	The farm-milk effect on trial Erika von Mutius studies the impact of environmental factors in early childhood on allergy and asthma risk. She is now planning a large-scale trial of the beneficial role of unprocessed milk, which will involve thousands of children.
	Using inkjet printers to build a new biosensor for less invasive breast cancer detection NIBIB-funded researchers have created a novel, low-cost biosensor to detect HER-2, a breast cancer biomarker in the blood, allowing for a far less invasive diagnostic test than the current practice, a needle biopsy. Scientists at the Universities of Hartford and Connecticut and funded in part by NIBIB, combined microfluidic technology with diagnostics, including electrochemical sensors and biomarkers, into a powerful package that can give results in about 15 minutes.
	Does smoking marijuana cause teen behavior problems or vice versa? As dozens of states move toward legalizing marijuana—for both medical and recreational purposes—scientists and parents have asked what the impact might be on children. Will more teens use pot? Will doing so cause behavioral problems? Will they develop a substance-use disorder?
	No cash, no heart. Transplant centers require proof of payment When Patrick Mannion heard about the Michigan woman denied a heart transplant because she couldn't afford the anti-rejection drugs, he knew what she was up against.
	Opioids exact another toll on newborns: Smaller heads (HealthDay)—Infants born addicted to opioids may be more likely to have smaller heads that might hinder their development, new research suggests.
	Nagging low back pain? Try mindfulness (HealthDay)—Almost no one is immune to occasional low back pain. But when it's chronic, when simple movement seems impossible, it can keep you from enjoying life. And painkillers aren't always the answer.
	To track carbs, tap into the glycemic index and its cousin (HealthDay)—Rather than just counting carbs, you might want to get familiar with the glycemic index and the glycemic load, numeric weighting systems that rank carb-based foods based on how much they raise blood sugar.
	Obesity, risk of cognitive dysfunction? Consider high-intensity interval exercise It's fast-paced, takes less time to do, and burns a lot of calories. High-intensity interval exercise is widely recognized as the most time-efficient and effective way to exercise. In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers from Florida Atlantic University have discovered another important health benefit of these short bursts of intense exercise with rest intervals. It could also be an effective strategy to prevent and combat cognitive dysfunction in obese individuals.
	How does cancer spread? Researchers pinpoint a gene that affects cell-to-cell communication leading to the disease How does cancer spread? While studying human brain tumour cells, a team of scientists at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) found some answers to this crucial, yet so far unanswered question. They looked at a gene called EGFRvIII, which is present in patients with glioblastoma—a highly aggressive form of brain cancer that spreads quickly and that is difficult to treat.
	Artificial dyes fading, but food will still get color boosts Many companies including McDonald's and Kellogg are purging artificial colors from their foods, but don't expect your cheeseburgers or cereal to look much different.
Addressing sleep disorders after traumatic brain injury Disorders of sleep are some of the most common problems experienced by patients after traumatic brain injury (TBI). It is important to recognize and treat these problems early to allow for optimal cognitive recovery, but because they are so common, the importance of treating them is often underestimated. In this special issue of NeuroRehabilitation scientists address the interplay of sleep and TBI with the aim of improving both diagnosis and treatment of these problems.
	Golf is most common among older male surgeons In the US, most doctors who play golf are men, particularly those in the surgical specialities, finds a study in the Christmas issue of The BMJ.
'Doc, sometimes I'm in pain!': How do patients want to discuss symptoms with clinicians? Sleep, pain, anxiety, depression, and low energy/fatigue (known collectively as SPADE for short) symptoms are extremely common, but often unrecognized and undertreated by primary care physicians. A new Regenstrief Institute study has found that patients want to tell their doctors about their symptoms and would be willing to do so via a formal reporting system, but patients are reluctant to report symptoms if they perceive busy clinicians will not use that information to improve care.
	Ezogabine treatment shown to reduce motor neuron excitability in ALS patients Brian Wainger, MD, Ph.D., of the Healey Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) presented initial, top-level results of a recently completed phase 2 clinical trial of ezogabine (also called retigabine) on December 9 at the Motor Neurone Disease Association annual meeting in Glasgow, Scotland. The trial met its primary goal of measuring a reduction in motor neuron excitability in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) following treatment.
	Researchers develop personalized medicine tool for inherited colorectal cancer syndrome An international team of researchers led by Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) has developed, calibrated, and validated a novel tool for identifying the genetic changes in Lynch syndrome genes that are likely to be responsible for causing symptoms of the disease. The results were published this week in the journal Genetics in Medicine.
Providers show interest in prescribing therapeutic cannabinoids The cannabis plant and its derivatives have been used in medicinal treatments for millennia. With the recent legalization of medical marijuana in 33 states across the country, as well as Washington, D.C., several specialties are weighing the possibilities of integrating cannabinoids into patient therapies, including dermatology.
	Reducing variations in feeding practices and fortifying breast milk helps micro-preemies grow Standardizing feeding practices, including the timing for fortifying breast milk and formula with essential elements like zinc and protein, improves growth trends for the tiniest preterm infants, according to Children's research presented during the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) 2018 Scientific Symposium. The symposium is held in conjunction with the IHI National Forum on Quality Improvement in Health Care.
	Study points to optimal blood pressure treatment for stroke patients Aggressive treatment of hypertension in stroke patients could do more harm than good in the long term, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Georgia.
	Your brain on imagination: It's a lot like reality, study shows Imagine a barking dog, a furry spider or another perceived threat and your brain and body respond much like they would if you experienced the real thing. Imagine it repeatedly in a safe environment and soon your phobia—and your brain's response to it—subsides.
	Millions of low-risk people with diabetes may be testing their blood sugar too often For people with Type 2 diabetes, the task of testing their blood sugar with a fingertip prick and a drop of blood on a special strip of paper becomes part of everyday life.
	Coping skills program for disaster survivors tested with children living in chronic poverty An emotional coping skills program developed for natural disaster survivors appears to help young children deal with the traumatic experiences associated with living in chronic poverty, a new study found.
	Record count reported for mysterious paralyzing illness This year has seen a record number of cases of a mysterious paralyzing illness in children, U.S. health officials said Monday.
	Sleep apnea may double odds for high blood pressure in blacks Black adults with high blood pressure that defies standard prescription treatments might want to get screened for sleep apnea, new research suggests.
	2012 to 2016 saw increase in syphilis among pregnant women (HealthDay)—From 2012 to 2016, there was a 61 percent increase in syphilis cases among pregnant women, with no traditional behavioral risk factors reported among half of these women, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Smaller heads related to opioid-related neonatal abstinence syndrome (HealthDay)—Chronic opioid use during pregnancy that causes neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is associated with smaller neonatal head circumference (HC), according to a study published online Dec. 10 in Pediatrics.
	PM2.5 exposure linked to asthma rescue medication use (HealthDay)—For individuals with asthma, increased fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure is associated with increased weekly rescue inhaler use, according to a study published online Nov. 26 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	Less than one hour of resistance training weekly tied to lower CVD risk (HealthDay)—Less than an hour a week of resistance exercise (RE) is associated with decreased risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related events and all-cause mortality, independent of aerobic exercise, according to a study recently published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
	Smoking linked to cognitive dysfunction in fibromyalgia (HealthDay)—Smoking tobacco is a risk factor for cognitive dysfunction in patients with fibromyalgia (FM), according to a study presented at the 17th Annual Pain Medicine Meeting, a meeting of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, held from Nov. 15 to 17 in San Antonio.
	Cemented metal-on-polyethylene implants best for seniors (HealthDay)—For older patients, small-head cemented metal-on-polyethylene implants are the cost-effective choice for total hip replacements, according to a study recently published in Value in Health.
Activating parts of the brain could help alleviate opioid-related social isolation One of the many painful and challenging aspects of the US opioid crisis is that people abusing opioids often isolate themselves from family and friends, making it difficult for loved ones to help people on a path towards recovery.
Why feeling empathy could lead former drug users to relapse Empathy, the awareness of another's feelings and emotions, is a key feature in normal social interactions. But new research from the University of Minnesota suggests that empathy can have detrimental effects on an individual—and can push former drug users to relapse.
	Buridan's donkey: Neuroscience resolves medieveal decision-making conundrum The brain updates its preferences in real-time in order to choose between two equally attractive options, reveals a human neuroimaging and eye-tracking study published in JNeurosci. The research shows how we avoid becoming paralyzed by indecision like the starving donkey in a famous thought experiment.
	Successful bladder repair using silk fibroid scaffolds A team of researchers developed a novel model of partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO) in female swine and used this model to show that even after inducing severe urinary outlet resistance and damage to the bladder, they could achieve significant improvements in bladder capacity through bladder reconstruction using acellular bi-layer silk fibroin (BLSF) grafts. The BLSF matrices supported the growth of new tissue with contractile properties, as described in a study published in Tissue Engineering, Part A.
	Romania hospital says 39 babies now diagnosed with superbug The number of babies diagnosed with a drug-resistant superbug at a maternity hospital in Romania's capital has risen to 39, authorities said Monday.

Biology news

	Frog sex in the city: Urban tungara frogs are sexier than forest frogs By 2050, almost 70 percent of the world's population will live in urban environments, according to the United Nations. But as cities spread, wild animals will also have to adapt. In Nature Ecology and Evolution, researchers working at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) report that male tungara frogs in Panama City put on sexier mating displays than frogs living in nearby tropical forests.
	Strep bacteria compete for 'ownership' of human tissue A well-accepted principle in the animal kingdom—from wasps to deer—is that creatures already occupying a habitat nearly always prevail over competitors from the same species that arrive later. Such infighting for the same territory may be deemed "wasteful" by nature.
	Physicists create tiny sensors to assist in cancer detection A physicist in the College of Arts and Sciences at Syracuse University hopes to improve cancer detection with a new and novel class of nanomaterials.
	DNA find: Tiny wallaby the last living link to extinct giant kangaroos A QUT-led collaboration with University of Adelaide reveals that Australia's pint-sized banded hare-wallaby is the closest living relative of the giant short-faced kangaroos which roamed the continent for millions of years, but died out about 40,000 years ago.
	Key players in the marine nitrogen cycle use cyanate and urea The ammonia oxidizing archaea, or Thaumarchaeota, are among the most abundant marine microorganisms. Yet, scientists are still discovering which factors allow them to thrive in the ocean. A research team from the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen and the University of Vienna was now able to show that marine Thaumarchaeota have a broader metabolism than previously thought. The results are published in the journal Nature Microbiology.
	Smelling the forest not the trees: Why animals are better at sniffing complex smells Animals are much better at smelling a complex "soup" of odorants rather than a single pure ingredient, a new study by the University of Sussex has revealed.
	Banned toxins passed from mother to young in European dolphins Dolphins in the northern Adriatic contain high levels of PCBs – highly toxic chemicals banned in the 1970s and 1980s – and are passing the pollutant to their young, according to new research led by a marine scientist at the University of St Andrews.
	Scientists discover how birds and dinosaurs evolved to dazzle with colourful displays Iridescence is responsible for some of the most striking visual displays in the animal kingdom. Now, thanks to a new study of feathers from almost 100 modern bird species, scientists have gained new insights into how this colour diversity evolved.
	New light on blocking Shiga and ricin toxins—And on an iconic biological process Min Dong, Ph.D., and his lab are world experts in toxins and how to combat them. They've figured out how Clostridium difficile's most potent toxin gets into cells and zeroed in on the first new botulinum toxin identified since 1969. Now, setting their sights on Shiga and ricin toxins, they've not only identified new potential lines of defense, but also shed new light on a fundamental part of cell biology: glycosylation.
	Rapid genetic evolution linked to lighter skin pigmentation in a southern African population Populations of indigenous people in southern Africa carry a gene that causes lighter skin, and scientists have now identified the rapid evolution of this gene in recent human history.
	News about a plant hormone Jasmonic acid gives the plant Jasminum grandiflorum its characteristic odor and is used in the cosmetics and perfume industries. Plants wounded by things like chewing herbivores produce jasmonic acid as a defense signal, as a phytohormone to mount their defense responses—this includes the formation of toxic substances. They even employ volatile derivatives of jasmonic acid to warn their neighbors to fight the rising threat in time.
	Increasing seal population will not harm largest fish stocks in the Baltic It has long been debated whether the seal predation of fish plays a major role in the fish decline in the Baltic Sea compared to human fishing. The debate has escalated worldwide since conservation efforts to protect seals and fish-eating birds resulted in increased populations.
	A model system for perennial grasses Researchers have developed a genomic model to study drought tolerance in perennial grasses using Panicum hallii (Hall's panicgrass), by generating two complete genomes from varieties that diverged over a million years ago. The hallii variety thrives in desert environments, while the filipes variety is less drought tolerant and is found in river and coastal environments.
	How the absence of blow flies overturned a wrongful conviction On Jan. 2, 2018, Kirstin Blaise Lobato, who was charged and convicted of murder, walked free from a Nevada prison due entirely to forensic entomology.
	Fraser River chinook critical to orcas are in steep decline, new research shows Fraser River chinook, one of the most important food sources for southern resident killer whales, are in steep decline and should be listed for protection as an endangered species, a Canadian independent science committee said.
	'Carp cowboys' round up invasive Asian carp as Illinois, federal officials debate measures to protect Lake Michigan On a bleak and biting December morning, a team of state-contracted commercial fishermen at Starved Rock Marina slipped into their waders, salted down their johnboats to protect against ice and launched onto the Illinois River.
	Invasive species and habitat loss our biggest biodiversity threats Invasive species and habitat loss are the biggest threats to Australian biodiversity, according to new research by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub in partnership with The University of Queensland.
	How will the winds of climate change affect migratory birds? Under future climate scenarios, changing winds may make it harder for North American birds to migrate southward in the autumn, but make it easier for them to come back north in the spring. Researchers from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology came to this conclusion using data from 143 weather radar stations to estimate the altitude, density, and direction birds took during spring and autumn migrations over several years. They also extracted wind data from 28 different climate change projections in the most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Their findings were published today in the journal Global Change Biology.

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