Science X Newsletter Thursday, Dec 13

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for December 13, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Building a self-sustainable robot from e-scrap using renewable energy

Enhanced osteogenic activity of pre-osteoblasts on surface-modified 3-D printed scaffolds

Law professor suggests a way to validate and integrate deep learning medical systems

Faster test for Ebola shows promising results in field trials

Researchers uncover molecular mechanisms linked to autism and schizophrenia

New study says scientific basis for EPA's Endangerment Finding is stronger than ever

Scientists overhaul corn domestication story with multidisciplinary analysis

Team invents method to shrink objects to the nanoscale

Tangled magnetic fields power cosmic particle accelerators

Data use draining your battery? Tiny device to speed up memory while also saving power

Hubble finds far-away planet vanishing at record speed

New device could help answer fundamental questions about quantum physics

Ritalin drives greater connection between brain areas key to memory, attention

Barely scratching the surface: A new way to make robust membranes

Researchers design technology that sees nerve cells fire

Astronomy & Space news

	Hubble finds far-away planet vanishing at record speed The speed and distance at which planets orbit their respective blazing stars can determine each planet's fate—whether the planet remains a longstanding part of its solar system or evaporates into the universe's dark graveyard more quickly.
	Photos from Japan space rovers show rocky asteroid surface Japan's space agency says more than 200 photos taken by two small rovers on an asteroid show no signs of a smooth area for the planned touchdown of a spacecraft early next year.
	Preparing for discovery with NASA's Parker Solar Probe Weeks after Parker Solar Probe made the closest-ever approach to a star, the science data from the first solar encounter is just making its way into the hands of the mission's scientists. It's a moment many in the field have been anticipating for years, thinking about what they'll do with such never-before-seen data, which has the potential to shed new light on the physics of our star, the Sun.
	Virgin Galactic tourism rocket ship reaches space in test Virgin Galactic's tourism spaceship climbed more than 50 miles high above California's Mojave Desert on Thursday, reaching for the first time what the company considers the boundary of space.
	We have a Christmas comet: How to spot interplanetary comet 46P/Wirtanen We're in for a pre-Christmas treat this weekend, as the cosmos entertains us with two equally exciting gifts: the Geminid meteor shower and the interplanetary comet 46P/Wirtanen.
	Four NASA-sponsored experiments set to launch on Virgin Galactic spacecraft A winged spacecraft will soon take off with four NASA-supported technology experiments onboard. Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo will separate from the WhiteKnightTwo twin-fuselage carrier aircraft and continue its rocket-powered test flight.
	Living on Mars: Team to lead simulation facility mission The air may be breathable and the location is on planet Earth, but for two weeks a multidisciplinary team of Purdue students and alumni will eat, sleep, work and live like they're on Mars.
	After a 1.2 billion-mile journey, a reward: There is water on the asteroid Bennu Nineteen years ago, scientists discovered an asteroid oscillating between the orbits of Earth and Mars. In 2013, they mapped it, creating a model of what they thought it looked like. And on Monday, that model come to life.
	An astronaut returns to Earth ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst will return to Earth alongside NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor and Russian cosmonaut Sergei Prokopiev on 20 December. After more than six months living and working on the International Space Station, their Soyuz is expected to touch down in Kazakhstan at around 05:06 GMT (06:06 CET).
	NASA's Webb Telescope will provide census of fledgling stars in stellar nursery The dazzling glow of young stars dominates images of the giant stellar nursery NGC 346, in the neighboring dwarf galaxy called the Small Magellanic Cloud. But this photogenic beauty is more than just a "pretty face."

Technology news

	Building a self-sustainable robot from e-scrap using renewable energy Electrical and electronic scrap (e-scrap) is now one of the fastest growing types of waste. E-scrap includes a wide array of old electronic devices that includes large household appliances such as refrigerators or air-conditioning systems, smartphones, computers and other consumer electronics.
	Electronic pill can relay diagnostic information or release drugs in response to smartphone commands Researchers at MIT, Draper, and Brigham and Women's Hospital have designed an ingestible capsule that can be controlled using Bluetooth wireless technology. The capsule, which can be customized to deliver drugs, sense environmental conditions, or both, can reside in the stomach for at least a month, transmitting information and responding to instructions from a user's smartphone.
	An energy-efficient way to stay warm: Sew high-tech heating patches to your clothes What if, instead of turning up the thermostat, you could warm up with high-tech, flexible patches sewn into your clothes—while significantly reducing your electric bill and carbon footprint?
	Pushing lithium ion batteries to the next performance level Conventional lithium ion batteries, such as those widely used in smartphones and notebooks, have reached performance limits. Materials chemist Freddy Kleitz from the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Vienna and international scientists have developed a new nanostructured anode material for lithium ion batteries, which extends the capacity and cycle life of the batteries. Based on a mesoporous mixed metal oxide in combination with graphene, the material could provide a new approach how to make better use of batteries in large devices such as electric or hybrid vehicles. The study has now been published as cover story of the current issue of Advanced Energy Materials.
	Survey of trends in artificial intelligence finds advances in working with human languages, global reach For the past two years, a Stanford-led group has surveyed developments in artificial intelligence research to keep track of trends in the fast-paced field. In their second AI Index Report, published December 12, the group reported that the field has increasingly focused attention on language processing – how AI learns and understands human languages – and has expanded its global reach. The group also took the first snapshot of diversity in AI with an eye to tracking those metrics over time.
	Flea-sized solar panels embedded in clothes can charge a mobile phone Clothing embedded with tiny solar cells the size of a flea can allow wearers to generate electricity on the move and charge items like mobile phones and smartwatches.
	Researchers discover computer chip vulnerabilities A Washington State University research team has uncovered significant and previously unknown vulnerabilities in high-performance computer chips that could lead to failures in modern electronics.
	Siemens wins Canada train contract over Bombardier German manufacturer Siemens saw off Canadian rival Bombardier to clinch a Can$989 million contract to produce 32 trains, Canada's state-subsidized passenger rail company announced Wednesday.
	Japan plans tighter regulation of tech giants Japan is planning to tighten regulation of tech giants like Google and Facebook after an expert panel called for better oversight on competition and privacy, an official said Thursday.
	Apple unveils plan for $1 bn campus in Texas, US expansion Apple unveiled plans Thursday for a $1 billion campus in Texas that will create jobs for the tech giant outside Silicon Valley, a move made without the fanfare of the recent Amazon headquarters bidding war.
	EU court rejects 'excessively high' diesel emissions limits An EU court on Thursday rejected the "excessively high" diesel emissions limits Brussels set just after the scandal in which German carmaker Volkswagen cheated on emissions tests.
	Development of world's first vertical gallium oxide transistor through ion implantation doping Researchers at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT) demonstrate a vertical Ga2O3 metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) that adopts an all-ion-implanted process for both n-type and p-type doping, paving the way for new generations of low-cost and highly manufacturable Ga2O3 power electronic devices.
	The next great leap forward? Combining robots with the Internet of Things The Internet of Things is a popular vision of objects with internet connections sending information back and forth to make our lives easier and more comfortable. It's emerging in our homes, through everything from voice-controlled speakers to smart temperature sensors. To improve our fitness, smart watches and Fitbits are telling online apps how much we're moving around. And across entire cities, interconnected devices are doing everything from increasing the efficiency of transport to flood detection.
	Scientists explore the potential for a truly decentralised energy system Writing in the journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Heriot-Watt University scientists have published one of the first unbiased, major comprehensive reviews of blockchain technology.
	How big data has created a big crisis in science There's an increasing concern among scholars that, in many areas of science, famous published results tend to be impossible to reproduce.
	Researchers shine new light on disease-spreading mosquitoes When the West Nile virus (WNV) was initially isolated in two patients at a Queens, N.Y., hospital in the summer of 1999, it would have been hard to anticipate how quickly one common species of house mosquito, Culex pipiens, would help begin to spread the virus throughout the western hemisphere.
	Study scrutinizes hidden marketing relationships on social media Federal regulators require social media personalities to alert their viewers to promotional payments for products and gadgets shown on their channels, but an analysis by Princeton University researchers shows that such disclosures are rare.
	The world's first culturally sensitive robots for elderly care Researchers have developed revolutionary new robots that adapt to the culture and customs of the elderly people they assist.
	Image: Space chips etched in silicon Multiple integrated circuits destined to serve as the brains of Europe's future space missions are etched together onto single pieces of silicon.
	Apple to build new Austin hub, expand in other tech hotbeds Apple plans to build a $1 billion campus in Austin, Texas, that will create at least 5,000 jobs ranging from engineers to call-center agents while adding more luster to a Southwestern city that has already become a bustling tech hub.
	Renault board maintains Ghosn as CEO, says pay was legal The board of the French automaker Renault said Thursday that it was keeping Carlos Ghosn as its chief executive, after an internal review of his pay package found that it had conformed with French law.
	Ford accused of 'treachery' in France over factory closure French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire accused Ford of "treachery" and "cowardice" on Thursday in a furious reaction to the US automaker's decision to shutter a factory near Bordeaux and snub a potential buyer.
	NY sues Walmart, Target for selling toys with high lead levels New York state authorities on Thursday announced a lawsuit against retail giants Walmart and Target for selling Chinese-made toys that had up to 10 times the legal limit of lead.

Medicine & Health news

	Law professor suggests a way to validate and integrate deep learning medical systems University of Michigan professor W. Nicholson Price, who also has affiliations with Harvard Law School and the University of Copenhagen Faculty of Law, suggests in a Focus piece published in Science Translational Medicine, that the time has come to set up a way to validate and integrate deep learning medical systems. He claims that the medical community is already facing serious questions of properly implementing the new kind of technology.
	Faster test for Ebola shows promising results in field trials A team of researchers with members from the U.S., Senegal and Guinea, in cooperation with Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), has developed a faster test for the Ebola virus than those currently in use. In their paper published in Science Translational Medicine, the group describes how the device works, and its results when tested on animals and humans in field tests.
	Researchers uncover molecular mechanisms linked to autism and schizophrenia Since the completion of the groundbreaking Human Genome Project in 2003, researchers have discovered changes to hundreds of places in the DNA, called genetic variants, associated with psychiatric diseases such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Now, new findings from a major study has linked many of these changes in DNA to their molecular effect in the brain, revealing new mechanisms of diseases.
	Ritalin drives greater connection between brain areas key to memory, attention There's a reason so many children are prescribed methylphenidate, better known by the trade name Ritalin: it helps kids quell attention and hyperactivity problems and sit still enough to focus on a school lesson.
	New method for studying ALS more effectively The neurodegenerative disease ALS causes motor neuron death and paralysis. However, long before the cells die, they lose contact with muscles as their axons atrophy. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have now devised a method that radically improves the ability to study axons and thus to better understand the pathological development of ALS. The method is described in the scientific journal Stem Cell Reports.
	Video game players frequently exposed to graphic content may see world differently People who frequently play violent video games are more immune to disturbing images than non-players, a UNSW-led study into the phenomenon of emotion-induced blindness has shown.
	Researchers discover an immune response associated with the development of idiopathic scoliosis (IS) in zebrafish Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is a complex genetic disorder that affects approximately 4 per cent of children worldwide, yet its underlying biological cause remains unknown.
	Urbanisation and air travel leading to growing risk of pandemic Increased arrivals by air and urbanisation are the two main factors leading to a growing vulnerability to pandemics in our cities, a University of Sydney research team has found.
	Pain: Perception and motor impulses arise in brain independently of one another Pain is a negative sensation that we want to get rid of as soon as possible. In order to protect our bodies, we react by withdrawing the hand from heat, for example. This action is usually understood as the consequence of the perception of pain. A team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has now shown that perception, the impulse to act and provision of energy to do so, take place in the brain simultaneously, and not, as was expected, one after the other.
	Researchers identify pathway that drives sustained pain following injury A toddler puts her hand on a hot stove and swiftly withdraws it. Alas, it's too late—the child's finger has sustained a minor burn. To soothe the pain, she puts the burned finger in her mouth.
	Drug targets for Ebola, Dengue, and Zika viruses found in lab study No drugs are currently available to treat Ebola, Dengue, or Zika viruses, which infect millions of people every year and result in severe illness, birth defects, and even death. New research from the Gladstone Institutes and UC San Francisco may finally change that. Scientists identified key ways the three viruses hijack the body's cells, and they found at least one potential drug that can disrupt this process in human cells. What's more, they discovered how the Zika virus might cause microcephaly in infants, the first step in developing a way to stop the disease.
	Exercise-induced hormone irisin triggers bone remodeling in mice Exercise has been touted to build bone mass, but exactly how it actually accomplishes this is a matter of debate. Now, researchers show that an exercise-induced hormone activates cells that are critical for bone remodeling in mice.
	Study confirms role of brain's support cells in Huntington's, points to new therapies New research gives scientists a clearer picture of what is happening in the brains of people with Huntington's disease and lays out a potential path for treatment. The study, which appears today in the journal Cell Stem Cell, shows that support cells in the brain are key contributors to the disease.
	Amyloid pathology transmission in lab mice and historic medical treatments A UCL-led study has confirmed that some vials of a hormone used in discontinued medical treatments contained seeds of a protein implicated in Alzheimer's disease, and are able to seed amyloid pathology in mice.
	How the brain tells you to scratch that itch It's a maddening cycle that has affected us all: it starts with an itch that triggers scratching, but scratching only makes the itchiness worse. Now, researchers have revealed the brain mechanism driving this uncontrollable itch-scratching feedback loop. In a study publishing on December 13 in the journal Neuron, the researchers showed that the activity of a small subset of neurons, located in a deep brain region called the periaqueductal gray, tracks itch-evoked scratching behavior in mice.
	New genetic clues to early-onset form of dementia Unlike the more common Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia tends to afflict young people. It accounts for an estimated 20 percent of all cases of early-onset dementia. Patients with the illness typically begin to suffer memory loss by their early 60s, but it can affect some people as young as their 40s, and there are no effective treatments.
	In the developing brain, scientists find roots of neuropsychiatric diseases The most comprehensive genomic analysis of the human brain ever undertaken has revealed new insights into the changes it undergoes through development, how it varies among individuals, and the roots of neuropsychiatric illnesses such as autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia.
	Noncoding mutations contribute to autism risk A whole-genome sequencing study of nearly 2,000 families has implicated mutations in 'promoter regions' of the genome—regions that precede the start of a gene—in autism. The study, which appears in the December 14 issue of Science, is the first genome-wide analysis to uncover a role for mutations in the noncoding portion of the genome in any human condition.
	Researchers discover abundant source for neuronal cells USC researchers seeking a way to study genetic activity associated with psychiatric disorders have discovered an abundant source of human cells—the nose.
	CRISPR joins battle of the bulge, fights obesity without edits to genome A weighty new study shows that CRISPR therapies can cut fat without cutting DNA. In a paper published Dec. 13, 2018, in the journal Science, UC San Francisco researchers describe how a modified version of CRISPR was used to ramp up the activity of certain genes and prevent severe obesity in mice with genetic mutations that predispose them to extreme weight gain. Importantly, the researchers achieved long-lasting weight control without making a single edit to the genome.
	Researchers find the cause of and cure for brain injury associated with gut condition Using a mouse model of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)—a potentially fatal condition that causes a premature infant's gut to suddenly die—researchers at Johns Hopkins say they have uncovered the molecular causes of the condition and its associated brain injury. The discovery enabled the team to combine efforts with colleagues studying brain inflammation and to identify potential drugs that reverse the brain injury in mice.
	New drug seeks receptors in sarcoma cells, attacks tumors in animal trials A new compound that targets a receptor within sarcoma cancer cells shrank tumors and hampered their ability to spread in mice and pigs, a study from researchers at the University of Illinois reports.
	The 'greying' of T cells: Scientists pinpoint metabolic pathway behind age-related immunity loss The elderly suffer more serious complications from infections and benefit less from vaccination than the general population. Scientists have long known that a weakened immune system is to blame but the exact mechanisms behind this lagging immunity have remained largely unknown.
	Parents' brain activity 'echoes' their infant's brain activity when they play together When infants are playing with objects, their early attempts to pay attention to things are accompanied by bursts of high-frequency activity in their brain. But what happens when parents play together with them? New research, publishing December 13 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology, by Dr. Sam Wass of the University of East London in collaboration with Dr. Victoria Leong (Cambridge University and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore) and colleagues, shows for the first time that when adults are engaged in joint play together with their infant, their own brains show similar bursts of high-frequency activity. Intriguingly, these bursts of activity are linked to their baby's attention patterns and not their own.
	Large restaurant portions a global problem, study finds A new multi-country study finds that large, high-calorie portion sizes in fast food and full service restaurants is not a problem unique to the United States. An international team of researchers found that 94 percent of full service meals and 72 percent of fast food meals studied in five countries contained 600 calories or more.
	Vaccine could help address the opioid epidemic Synthetic psychoactive drugs have become a serious public health threat in recent years. This is particularly true of the fentanyls, a large family of synthetic opioids, which can be up to 10,000 times more potent than morphine. Synthetic opioids are highly addictive and, because of their potency, often prove fatal: among the roughly 72,000 drug overdose deaths in the US in 2017, some 30,000 were related to synthetic opioids.
	Driving with dementia—New guidance for doctors New guidance on when people living with dementia should stop driving has been published to support doctors and other health care professionals.
Blood test could lead to cystic fibrosis treatment tailored to each patient Researchers at Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and colleagues, used a blood test and microarray technology to identify distinct molecular signatures in children with cystic fibrosis. These patterns of gene expression ultimately could help predict disease severity and treatment response, and lead to therapies tailored to each patient's precise biology. Findings were published in Physiological Genomics.
Inability to perform basic activities delays mental health patients' discharge Mental health patients who have difficulty performing daily living tasks are four times more likely to experience discharge delays than someone who can perform those tasks independently.
	New research suggests how parents protect children from the long-term effects of stress When young children experience violence or poverty, the effect can last well into adulthood. But new research from the Emory School of Medicine suggests that a strong parental relationship could override some of these effects, by changing how children perceive the environmental cues that help them distinguish between what's safe or dangerous.
Changing the legal drink-driving limit alone does not improve road traffic accident outcomes Researchers say that changing the legal drink-driving limit without enhancing enforcement and sufficiently publicising the change does not reduce road traffic accidents.
	Probiotics could help millions of patients suffering from bipolar disorder About 3 million people in the US are diagnosed every year with bipolar disorder, a psychiatric condition characterized by dramatic shifts in mood from depression to mania. Currently, the standard treatment includes a combination of psychotherapy and prescription medications such as mood stabilizers and antipsychotics.
	Employers are vital to promoting mental health, new report says Training managers to empower their teams to take care of their mental health, while recognizing the signs of mental health disorders, is critically important to workplace well-being, according to a new report, titled Mental Health: A Workforce Crisis. The American Heart Association CEO Roundtable commissioned the report, which was conducted by the Association's Center for Workplace Health Research and Evaluation.
	Physical activity in the evening does not cause sleep problems Contrary to popular belief, there is no reason to avoid exercising in the evening, an analysis of the scientific literature has revealed.
	Surgery unnecessary for many prostate cancer patients Otherwise healthy men with advanced prostate cancer may benefit greatly from surgery, but many with this diagnosis have no need for it. These conclusions were reached by researchers after following a large group of Scandinavian men with prostate cancer for 29 years. The results are now published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
	More women opting to give birth outside of a hospital, research finds An increasing number of women in the United States are choosing to give birth outside of hospitals and the demand for nontraditional delivery options is likely higher than current data shows, according to new research from the Maryland Population Research Center (MPRC). Published in the December 11 edition of Birth, the research finds that one out of every 62 births (1.61 percent) in the United States in 2017 took place at a home or in a birth center—the most ever recorded in the 30 years of national birth certificate data available.
	Simple 'speed read' app can identify concussion in football A simple, fast and effective test to identify concussion in Australian Rules footballers has been investigated in a collaboration between Australian and international researchers.
	CHSP brings together experts to 'connect the dots' on neonatal abstinence syndrome "When people hear a baby crying, they say, 'We have to do something.' Yes, we do."
	Can (and should) a doctor tell my biological relative my genetic results without my consent? A woman recently sued a London hospital for doctors not disclosing that her father had the genetic mutation that causes Huntington disease – a neurodegenerative disorder. The woman was pregnant at the time. She argues doctors should have told her about her risk of also having the mutation and passing it on to her unborn child.
	Faecal transplants, 'robotic guts' and the fight against deadly gut bugs A simple compound found in our gut could help to stop dangerous bacteria behind severe, and sometimes fatal, hospital infections.
	New two-in-one powder aerosol to upgrade fight against deadly superbugs in lungs Purdue University researchers have developed a new approach to treating the fourth-leading cause of death worldwide – lower respiratory infections.
	Think you're getting less sleep? You're not alone More Americans are getting fewer hours of sleep, according to a new study published in the journal Sleep. Researchers from USC, Arizona State University and the University of South Carolina found more Americans reporting inadequate sleep over time, with the sharpest increases among African-American and Hispanic adults.
	Scientists create most accurate tool yet developed to predict asthma in young children Scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have created and tested a decision tool that appears to be the most accurate, non-invasive method yet developed to predict asthma in young children.
	New transmission route discovered for malignant pleural mesothelioma Malignant pleural mesothelioma is divided into three subtypes, one of which is particularly aggressive. Researchers from the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) of MedUni Vienna and Vienna General Hospital have now managed to discover a mechanism that contributes to this aggressive behaviour: The tumour cells of this subtype are able to assume special characteristics that promote migration and therefore spread of the cancer. This is possible because the cells receive the requisite signals for this spread from certain messenger substances, namely the two growth factors FGF2 and EGF. By blockading these signals, it might be possible to develop new approaches for treating this subtype of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
	How to support a friend facing a medical crisis Cynthia Perlis, author of "Bedside Manners: What to say and what not to say when someone is ill," shares her most important takeaways from 30 years of listening to cancer patients at UCSF.
	How to prevent and treat a cold Stuffy or runny noses and sore throats are common signs of a cold and can make us feel miserable, but are there effective ways to treat a cold or even prevent catching one? Baylor College of Medicine's Isabel Valdez offers her tips.
	Intimacy: The elusive fountain of youth? (HealthDay)—People seeking more satisfaction in their later years might find sex is the spice of life, new research suggests.
	The right way to fuel up before workouts (HealthDay)—Mom was right when she said no swimming for an hour after lunch. Even though it takes energy to work out, it's important that exercise doesn't interfere with digestion.
	Surmounting that fitness plateau (HealthDay)—Just as there are diet plateaus, you can hit the wall with exercise, too—no longer seeing results from your efforts and then losing motivation.
	Recalled kotex tampons can unravel inside body (HealthDay)—Certain Kotex tampons are being recalled by Kimberly-Clark because they can unravel and leave pieces inside women's bodies.
	Sleep length, quality linked to risk for falls, fractures (HealthDay)—Both short and long sleep duration and poor sleep quality are associated with increased odds of recurrent falls in women, according to a study published online Nov. 21 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
	An intellectually active lifestyle protects against neurodegeneration in Huntington's Researchers from the Cognition and Brain Plasticity research group of the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and the University of Barcelona (UB), in collaboration with several hospitals, have discovered that an intellectually active lifestyle confers protection against neurodegeneration in people with Huntington's disease, delaying the onset of symptoms and loss of grey matter in the brain. The research, led by Dr. Estela Càmara and doctoral researcher Clara García Gorro, helps to understand the factors related to the differences in symptoms among patients with this disease and to decipher the cerebral mechanisms responsible for such differences.
	New research by criminologist shows a significant connection between psychopathy and homicides Can you predict if someone will kill?
	New transmission route discovered for malignant pleural mesothelioma Malignant pleural mesothelioma is divided into three subtypes, one of which is particularly aggressive. Researchers from the Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) of MedUni Vienna and Vienna General Hospital have now managed to discover a mechanism that contributes to this aggressive behaviour: The tumour cells of this subtype are able to assume special characteristics that promote migration and therefore spread of the cancer. This is possible because the cells receive the requisite signals for this spread from certain messenger substances, namely the two growth factors FGF2 and EGF. By blockading these signals, it might be possible to develop new approaches for treating this subtype of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
	Vegan diets are adding to malnutrition in wealthy countries Hidden hunger affects over two billion people, globally. The cause is a chronic lack of essential micronutrients in the diet, such as vitamins and minerals. The effects of these nutritional deficiencies may not be seen immediately, but the consequences can be severe. They include lower resistance to disease, mental impairment and even death.
	Ebola in the DRC: Expert sets out critical lessons learned in Liberia Ebola in the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) has now spread to urban areas. The Conversation Africa's Moina Spooner spoke to Mosoka Fallah who was head of case detection during Liberia's ebola outbreak in 2014 and 2015 about his experience, and what lessons that experience offers.
'People are ready for it': Seattle-area couples test birth control for men It takes two people to make a baby. But to prevent pregnancy, the burden has almost always fallen on the woman.
	Exercise research could help rural school kids eat healthier Many people feel better in that window of time after exercise, but new research suggests that exercise results in better choices about what we actually eat, an idea UO researchers are exploring to improve health for kids.
	A tiny button that can save you from sunburn: Northwestern researchers release a next-wave UV sensor Things your phone probably reminds you of: Your mother's birthday. Your kid's doctor appointment. That thing Beyonce said on Twitter. The new episode of "The Romanoffs." Email. News headlines.
	Washington University will open second proton center for cancer treatment as others shut down Proton beam therapy, which has struggled to live up to its promise for treating cancer, is poised for a resurgence in St. Louis.
	Would these new proposals help keep e-cigarettes away from Kentucky kids? Would prohibiting the sale of flavored liquids for e-cigarettes help curb the onslaught of addiction among Kentucky teens? What about raising the minimum age for purchase from 18 to 21?
Study: Genetic testing guidelines for breast cancer are outdated Genetic testing guidelines for breast cancer are out-of-date and miss nearly half of patients diagnosed with the malignancy, doctors found in a new analysis of who gets tested and who doesn't.
	Study links slowed brainwaves to early signs of dementia To turn back the clock on Alzheimer's disease, many researchers are seeking ways to effectively diagnose the neurodegenerative disorder earlier.
	Researchers predict areas of mosquito-borne disease risk in Brazil Tracking human demographic, climate, and environmental data may help scientists predict and prioritize areas with high risk for mosquito-borne diseases, according to new research.
	Your aging brain: Is it 'use it or lose it'? Yes, your brain is like a muscle: If you don't strengthen and stretch its capacities, it will not deliver high performance.
	Think teens need the sex talk? Older adults may need it even more Humans are sexual beings. This urge does not stop when the clock strikes 60. Or even 90.
	Multitasking between devices is associated with poorer attention and memory—expert explains why How many times have you sat down to watch TV or a movie, only to immediately shift your attention to your smartphone or tablet? Known as "media multitasking", this phenomenon is so common that an estimated 178m US adults regularly use another device while watching TV. While some might assume that frequently shifting your attention between different information streams is good brain training for improving memory and attention, studies have found the opposite to be true.
Researchers identify widespread brain alterations in children with callousness Children with elevated levels of callous traits—such as a lack of remorse and disregard for other people's feelings—show widespread differences in brain structure compared with children with lower levels of the traits, according to a new study published in Biological Psychiatry. The differences, which included large- and small-scale structural alterations, support the idea of callous traits as a neurodevelopmental condition.
	Potential range for new invasive tick covers much of eastern US Since the arrival of the Asian longhorned tick in North America was first reported in New Jersey in early 2018, it has been found in eight other states in the U.S. And, by the looks of a new study comparing North American habitat with the invasive tick's native territory, it shouldn't be a surprise if it shows up in many more.
Researchers give new insight to muscular dystrophy patients New research by University of Minnesota scientists has revealed the three-dimensional structure of the DUX4 protein, which is responsible for the disease, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Unlike the majority of genetic diseases, FSHD is not caused by a protein that is missing or not functioning properly. Rather it is caused when a functioning, normal, protein shows up in a place where it doesn't belong (in muscles).
	Researchers discover new interactions between Ebola virus and human proteins Several new connections have been discovered between the proteins of the Ebola virus and human host cells, a finding that provides insight on ways to prevent the deadly Ebola virus from reproducing and could lead to novel ways to fight these lethal viral infections, according to a study led by Georgia State University, the University of California, San Francisco, and the Gladstone Institutes.
	Control HIV by treating schistosomiasis, new study suggests Of the 34 million people worldwide with HIV, and the 200 million with schistosomiasis, the majority live in Africa— where millions of people are simultaneously infected with both diseases. Now, researchers reporting in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases have shown that schistosomiasis infections are associated with increased HIV onward transmission, HIV acquisition in HIV negative women with urogenital schistosomiasis, and progression to death in HIV positive women.
	Whether a urinary tract infection recurs may depend on the bacterial strain Genetically diverse bacterial strains that cause urinary tract infections differ in their ability to trigger protective immune responses in mice, potentially explaining why these infections frequently recur in many patients, according to a study published December 13 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by Thomas Hannan and Scott Hultgren of Washington University School of Medicine, and colleagues. As noted by the authors, the study suggests that the development of a broad-spectrum vaccine should take into account the genetically diverse pathogens that women encounter in the community.
New study investigates treatments for prurigo nodularis Prurigo nodularis is a disabling chronic skin condition characterized by severely itchy, crusty, firm papules and nodules that often occur on the arms and legs, but can appear diffusely on the body. The pathogenesis of prurigo nodularis is poorly understood, as this condition has been associated with a broad array of primary skin and underlying medical diseases affecting the liver, kidneys, and blood.
	Regular trips out guard against depression in old age Regular visits to the cinema, theatre or to museums could dramatically reduce the chances of becoming depressed in older age a new study has found.
Study shows prevention, treatment of ICU acquired delirium requires personalized approach A population heath study from the Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University Center for Aging Research has determined that haloperidol, the drug most commonly used to treat delirium in hospital medical and surgical intensive care units (ICUs), did not benefit elective thoracic surgery ICU patients when given prophylactically, with the possible exception of those who have had surgery to remove their esophagus. The study results indicate the need for a personalized approach to delirium in the ICU.
	How teens deal with stress may affect their blood pressure, immune system Most teens get stressed out by their families from time to time, but whether they bottle those emotions up or put a positive spin on things may affect certain processes in the body, including blood pressure and how immune cells respond to bacterial invaders, according to Penn State researchers.
New study: Average outpatient visit in US approaching $500 The average outpatient visit in the United States costs nearly $500, according to a new scientific study.
	Study shows massage helps ease arthritis pain, improve mobility Patients with arthritis in their knees experienced significant improvement in pain and mobility after undergoing a weekly, whole-body massage for two months, according to a study led by researchers at Duke Health.
	Impairment rating of injured workers depends on the when and where of assessment If you experience an injury at work, the amount of compensation you receive depends on which impairment rating system is used, according to research from McMaster University and the Netherlands.
Face masks may protect hog farm workers and their household members from staph bacteria Face masks appear to provide important protection against drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria for hog farm workers and for household members to whom they might otherwise transmit the bacteria, according to a study led by scientists at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Fitness instructors' comments shape women's body satisfaction Exercise has been called a double-edged sword for women when it comes to body image as some types of exercise seem to improve body esteem, whereas others have the potential to lower it.
	Study compares dialysis reimbursement around the globe A new study has examined how countries around the world compare in providing reimbursement for dialysis care received by patients with kidney failure. The findings, which appear in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN), may help government officials make dialysis reimbursement more equitable and sustainable.
Renewed battle over using fetal tissue in medical research Lawmakers clashed over science, ethics and politics at a House hearing Thursday on using fetal tissue in critically important medical research, as the Trump administration reviews the government's ongoing support for such studies.
	Loss of tight junction protein promotes development of precancerous cells Tight junctions are multi-protein complexes that serve as barriers in epithelial tissues such as the skin or lining of the gut. Loss of a specific tight junction barrier protein, claudin 18, occurs in the majority of gastric cancer patients and is correlated with poor prognosis in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Understanding how claudin 18 loss occurs and what pathways it regulates may provide new strategies to inhibit neoplastic progression in human gastric cancer patients.
	With OK from Congress, US hemp market set to boom (Update) Hemp is about to get the nod from the federal government that marijuana, its cannabis plant cousin, craves.
	Worried about traveling with your kids over the holidays? Read this first A little preparation can spare parents who travel with their children – and those around them – from feeling the blues this holiday season.
	Is there any safe way to eat cookie dough? Your baking-safety questions answered Taking away one of the small joys of baking, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is once again reminding families not to eat raw cookie dough. Its warning to "Say No to Raw Dough" comes as families prepare to bake in kitchens during the holiday season. The agency warns that eating or tasting unbaked products, such as dough or batter, can lead to illness—and kids can get sick from even handling raw dough.
The influence of probiotics on the intestinal flora of premature infants According to our current understanding, intestinal microflora has a considerable effect upon health. The initial colonization with bacteria directly after birth could be of significant importance for the development of the intestinal flora, which then accompanies us throughout our entire lives. Can the administration of probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium during the first month of life have a positive effect on the intestinal flora of newborn infants? This is the pivotal question of a new, Germany-wide clinical study headed by Professor Stephan Gehring from the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at the Mainz University Medical Center. An affirmative answer may pave the way to enable premature babies in particular a better start into a healthy life. The project is being funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) with EUR 400,000 over a time period of four years.
How to discontinue antidepressants There has been a lot of attention to problems patients face in discontinuing antidepressant drugs. However, there appear to be few indications, particularly in guidelines and reviews. In an article in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Giovanni Fava, MD and Carlotta Belaise, Ph.D., analyse data that can guide antidepressant discontinuation.
Legal system may lead many UK parents abroad to find a surrogate As more and more parents travel overseas to find a surrogate, a new study published in Human Fertility is the first to compare the experiences of those who carry out surrogacy in the UK with those who go abroad. The research highlights important problems faced by parents, which could influence UK surrogacy law.
Cancer patients face higher risk for shingles, new vaccines hold promise for prevention People newly diagnosed with cancer, particularly blood cancers, and those treated with chemotherapy have a greater risk of developing shingles, according to a new study in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The findings may help guide efforts to prevent the often painful skin condition in cancer patients through the use of new vaccines. The large prospective study expands on previous research by examining the risk of shingles before and after a new cancer diagnosis and across a range of cancer types among approximately 240,000 adults in Australia from 2006 to 2015.
	First line immunotherapy combination fails to improve overall survival in lung cancer First line immunotherapy with durvalumab or the combination of durvalumab and tremelimumab does not improve overall survival in unselected patients with lung cancer, according to late breaking results from the MYSTIC trial presented at the ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congress.
	New findings on concussion in football's youngest players New research from Seattle Children's Research Institute and UW Medicine's Sports Health and Safety Institute found concussion rates among football players ages 5-14 were higher than previously reported, with five out of every 100 youth, or 5%, sustaining a football-related concussion each season.
5 convicted in meningitis outbreak case; 1 acquitted Four former employees and an owner of the Massachusetts facility responsible for a nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak that killed 76 people and sickened hundreds were convicted Thursday of fraud and other offenses.
The home healthcare frontier: new study explores nurses' knowledge attitudes toward infection control Home healthcare workers' beliefs about infection prevention influence whether they comply with prevention protocols more than their actual knowledge of how to comply, according to new research published in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), the journal of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
	Researchers uncover genetic marker, predictor of early relapse in pediatric ALL Nova Southeastern University (NSU) researchers recently discovered that by testing the level of NER (nucleotide excision repair) gene expression, pediatric oncologists can determine the likelihood of early relapse (less than three years) in their acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. This is a critical finding because NER gene expression levels can now help guide doctors in their rationale for appropriate treatment targeted to each patient's disease.
	US traces lettuce outbreak to at least 1 California farm U.S. health officials have traced a dangerous bacterial outbreak in romaine lettuce to at least one farm in central California.

Biology news

	Scientists overhaul corn domestication story with multidisciplinary analysis Smithsonian scientists and collaborators are revising the history of one of the world's most important crops. Drawing on genetic and archaeological evidence, researchers have found that a predecessor of today's corn plants still bearing many features of its wild ancestor was likely brought to South America from Mexico more than 6,500 years ago. Farmers in Mexico and the southwestern Amazon continued to improve the crop over thousands of years until it was fully domesticated in each region.
	Scientists study genes misidentified as 'non-protein coding' The human genome contains regions that "code" for proteins, which means they have instructions to make protein molecules with specific functions in the body. But Yale researchers have discovered several protein-coding genes that were misidentified as non-protein-coding, and one in particular that plays a key role in the immune system.
	Biologists shed new light on the diversity of natural selection For nearly 100 years, biologists have argued about how exactly natural selection can possibly work. If nature selects the individuals with the best genes, then why aren't all organisms the same? What maintains the genetic variation that natural selection acts upon, the genetic variation that has ultimately led to the spectacular diversity of life on Earth today? Recent findings made at Uppsala University suggest that the answer could be sex.
	It's in the genes – there may be hope for pikas hit by climate change, researchers find As the climate changes, animals that can only survive in certain temperature ranges are being forced to relocate or perish. Pikas – small, arguably adorable mountain mammals that look like a cross between a rabbit and a gerbil – are the poster child of climate indicator species due to their severe sensitivity to heat.
	Tumor cells conquer territory from their neighbors using a newly discovered mechanism Despite decades of cancer research, the early phases of tumour progression that connect the appearance of few abnormal cells to the formation of a clinically detectable tumour mass remains poorly understood. It was previously proposed that certain mutations could give a competitive advantage to a subset of cells that would enable them to kill and replace their neighbours, thereby initiating a cancerous tumour. Yet, the mechanisms surrounding the basis of such competition were not clear. Researchers from the Institut Pasteur and the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, have just discovered a new mechanism that may explain how tumoural cells can eliminate their neighbours and spread throughout the body.
	Researchers capture 'key' to deadly malaria infection An international team led by Institute researchers has visualised the unique molecular 'key' used by the world's deadliest malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, to enter and infect human blood cells.
	Neandertal genes shed light on unique aspects of the modern human brain A characteristic feature of modern humans is the unusually round skull and brain, in contrast to the elongated shape seen in other human species. By studying Neandertal DNA fragments found in the genomes of living Europeans, scientists have now discovered genes that influence this globular shape. An interdisciplinary research team, led by the Max Planck Institutes for Psycholinguistics and Evolutionary Anthropology, brought together fossil skull data, brain imaging and genomics, as reported in Current Biology.
	New techniques better determine how ancient viral DNA influences human genes New laboratory techniques can identify which of our genes are influenced by DNA snippets that are left behind in our genetic code by viruses, a new study finds.
	Biologists turn eavesdropping viruses into bacterial assassins Princeton molecular biologist Bonnie Bassler and graduate student Justin Silpe have identified a virus, VP882, that can listen in on bacterial conversations—and then, in a twist like something out of a spy novel, they found a way to use that to make it attack bacterial diseases like E. coli and cholera.
	Scientists crack the CRISPR code for precise human genome editing Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute have discovered a set of simple rules that determine the precision of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in human cells. These rules, published in Molecular Cell, could help to improve the efficiency and safety of genome editing in both the lab and the clinic.
	New technology paints in-depth picture of organisms' response to climate change Revolutionary new technology created at the University of Plymouth could fill a major gap in our understanding of how organisms' early development will be impacted by climate change.
	Research team discovers oldest known plant virus at ancient settlement Researchers studying ancient corncobs found at a Native American archeological site have recovered a 1,000-year-old virus, the oldest plant virus ever reported.
	Neuroscientists uncover sensory switches controlling infanticide and parental behavior Many species of mammals have evolved what appear to be paradoxical behaviours towards their young. Like humans, most exhibit nurturing, protective behaviours, and in some circumstances even act as surrogate parents. However, virgin males often engage in infanticide as a strategy to propagate their own genes. How are these conflicting social behaviours controlled?
	Plants' defense against insects is a bouquet Michigan State University scholar Andrea Glassmire and her colleagues have revealed how the mixture of chemical weapons deployed by plants keeps marauding insects off base better than a one-note defense. This insight goes beyond the ecological convention of studying a single chemical compound a plant is packing and offers new ways to approach agricultural pest management. The research was published in today's Ecology Letters.
	Unpredictable food sources drive some bats to cooperatively search for food Humans aren't the only species that have dinner parties. Scientists have observed many animals, including bats, eating in groups. However, little was known about whether bats actively help each other find food, a process known as social foraging.
	To repair DNA damage, plants need good contractors When a building is damaged, a general contractor often oversees various subcontractors—framers, electricians, plumbers and drywall hangers—to ensure repairs are done in the correct order and on time.
	How chickens became the ultimate symbol of the Anthropocene We are living on the planet of the chickens. The broiler (meat) chicken now outweighs all wild birds put together by three to one. It is the most numerous vertebrate (not just bird) species on land, with 23 billion alive at any one time. Across the world, chicken is the most commonly eaten meat. This has made it a vivid symbol of the Anthropocene – the proposed new geological epoch that marks the overwhelming impact of humans on the Earth's surface geological processes. The modern bird is now so changed from its ancestors, that its distinctive bones will undoubtedly become fossilised markers of the time when humans reigned the planet.
	Scientists identify 66 alien species that pose greatest threat to European biodiversity Scientists have identified 66 alien plant and animal species, not yet established in the European Union, that pose the greatest potential threat to biodiversity and ecosystems in the region.
	Study reveals striking decline of Vermont's bumble bees A new study examining 100 years of bumble bee records reveals that almost half of Vermont's species, which are vital pollinators, have either vanished or are in serious decline.
	Study confirms rise in megaesophagus cases in dogs was linked to pet food A new report has found that the increase in megaesophagus cases in Australia in 2017 and 2018 can be linked to Advance Dermocare pet food.
	Whale experts call for rethink of global shipping routes to stop marine giants becoming 'roadkill' In a new report, researchers from Macquarie University are calling for a rethink of global shipping routes, to protect whales and sharks from becoming marine 'roadkill'.
	Fifty years of decline in Queensland's coastal sharks Queensland's coastal shark numbers are continuing a 50-year decline, in sharp contradiction of suggestions of 'exploding' shark populations, according to an analysis of Queensland Shark Control Program data.
	Monitoring the environment with artificial intelligence Microorganisms perform key functions in ecosystems, and their diversity reflects the health of their environment. However, they are still largely under-exploited in current biomonitoring programs because they are difficult to identify. Researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, have recently developed an approach combining two cutting edge technologies to fill this gap. They used genomic tools to sequence the DNA of microorganisms in samples, and then exploited this considerable amount of data with artificial intelligence. They built predictive models capable of establishing a diagnosis of the health of ecosystems on a large scale, and identified species that perform important functions. This new approach, published in the journal Trends in Microbiology, will significantly increase the observation capacity of large ecosystems and reduce the time of analysis for very efficient routine biomonitoring programs.
	Humpback whales linger in Sitka Sound The Allen Marine tour boat pushed off the dock at the Sitka Crescent Harbor on a clear crisp October afternoon with University of Alaska Southeast researchers, alumni and supporters of the university in search of humpback whales. It didn't take long to find them.
	The key to our humanity isn't genetic, it's microbial What if the key to perfecting the human species were actually … yogurt?
	Scientists discover new, frightening-looking creature in Florida, of course It's as long as a snake, is spotted like a leopard, has two small arms with gills sticking out of its body and it lives in the swamps of Florida's panhandle. What is it?
	Five new species of sea slugs found in the ocean depths When you think of sea slugs, you might envision dark, slimy relatives of the slugs you see in your garden. But one group of sea slugs, the nudibranchs (pronounced "nood-i-branks"), are gaudy, fascinating creatures. They come in a wide array of bright colors and psychedelic patterns. Many have gills that stick up from their backs like clumps of water balloons, shag carpets, or Mohawk hair-dos.
Septin proteins act as cellular police to identify, imprison and kill 'superbug' Shigella Using state-of-the art technologies to image human cells and study infection at the level of a single bacterial cell, the research team, led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, has uncovered the strongest evidence yet that septins take Shigella prisoner.
	Swarming behavior discovered in fish-dwelling parasite Johns Hopkins researchers have observed a previously unrecognized behavior in a single-celled parasite called Spironucleus vortens, which infects ornamental fish such as angelfish: The protozoans swarm.
	Ebola-fighting protein discovered in human cells Researchers have discovered a human protein that helps fight the Ebola virus and could one day lead to an effective therapy against the deadly disease, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study.
	Record number of Mexican gray wolves found dead in 2018 Wildlife managers have confirmed a record number of Mexican gray wolves have been reported dead this year, fueling concerns about the decades-long effort to return the endangered predator to the southwestern U.S.
	Genetically modified pigs resist infection with the classical swine fever virus Researchers have developed genetically modified pigs that are protected from classical swine fever virus (CSFV), according to a study published December 13 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by Hongsheng Ouyang of Jilin University, and colleagues. As noted by the authors, these pigs offer potential benefits over commercial vaccination and could reduce economic losses related to classical swine fever.
	Protein involved in nematode stress response identified When humans experience stress, their inner turmoil may not be apparent to an outside observer. But many animals deal with stressful circumstances—overcrowded conditions, not enough food—by completely remodeling their bodies. These stress-induced forms, whether they offer a protective covering or more camouflaged coloration, can better withstand the challenge and help the animal survive until conditions improve.
	Local conditions shape plant communities The local environment plays a key role in determining what kinds of plants grow there, according to a new study that could change how threatened species are managed.
Study calls for stricter regulation of elusive rabbit breeding industry Rabbits are one of the most popular pets in the UK and yet little is known about where these very cute and appealing animals come from. Now a new study by researchers at the Universities of Nottingham and Winchester has shed light on this elusive industry, calling for more to be done to regulate and improve the breeding of rabbits as pets.
How to save endangered freshwater pearl mussel? The multilateral and complex relationships of freshwater pearl mussel (FPM), salmonids and other co-infectants can influence potentially in the conservation of FPM. The human impacts – habitats degradation, loss of host fish, siltation, pollution, and overexploitation affect a considerable decline of this species.
	Improved faunal status at the soft bottom in Skagerrak Reductions of nutrients have led to a greater species richness at the seafloor in the Skagerrak after 1990. But warmer winter temperatures and increased river runoff might be the new challenges for the animal life at the soft bottom.
Marine mammal experts gather to identify solutions to save threatened dolphins and porpoises Thirty-seven experts from 14 countries are gathering at the Cistercian Monastery in Heilsbronn—Nuremberg from December 14 to 18 to discuss conservation options for coastal and riverine species of dolphins that are experiencing significant population declines and could be facing extinction in the foreseeable future. The group of scientists, conservationists, veterinarians and managers will be discussing whether, and how, in-situ conservation (conservation in natural habitats) recovery plans for small cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) at risk of extinction, could be enhanced with ex-situ conservation (conservation outside of natural habitats) options. "In today's world we are facing what many experts are calling an extinction crisis." said Douglas DeMaster, member of the workshop steering committee and

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