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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for March 6, 2019:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Moon shot: Toyota, Japan space agency plan lunar missionToyota is teaming up with Japan's space agency on a planned mission to the Moon, with the Japanese auto giant expected to develop a lunar rover, officials and local media said Wednesday. |
 | Physicists analyze rotational dynamics of galaxies and influence of the photon massThe rotation of stars in galaxies such as the Milky Way is puzzling. The orbital speeds of stars should decrease with their distance from the center of the galaxy, but in fact, stars in the middle and outer regions of galaxies have the same rotational speed. This may be due to the gravitational effect of matter that we can't see. But although researchers have been seeking it for decades, the existence of dark matter has yet to be definitively proven and we still don't know what it might be made of. With this in mind, the physicists Dmitri Ryutov, Dmitry Budker and Victor Flambaum have suggested that the rotational dynamics of galaxies might be explained by other factors. They hypothesize that the mass of photons, which are particles of light, might be responsible. |
 | Researchers suggest LISA should be able to see ultralight bosons near supermassive black holesAn international team of researchers has found evidence that suggests the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) should be able to "see" ultralight bosons if they exist. In their paper published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the group describes calculations they made to assess whether ultralight boson clouds forming outside of the event horizons of black holes could be detected by LISA, and what they found. |
 | Key instrument on NASA's InSight lander is stuck. A Martian rock may be to blameNASA's Mars InSight mission has hit a snag: Its heat probe appears to have struck an obstacle just below the surface of the red planet. |
 | New surprises from Jupiter and SaturnThe latest data sent back by the Juno and Cassini spacecraft from giant gas planets Jupiter and Saturn have challenged a lot of current theories about how planets in our solar system form and behave. |
 | Scientists tackle major challenges to sending astronauts to search for life on MarsAn international team of researchers, which includes scientists from McMaster's School of Geography & Earth Sciences, NASA, and others, is tackling one of the biggest problems of space travel to Mars: what happens when we get there? |
 | The science circling above us on the Space StationThe International Space Station orbits Earth, 400 km above our heads, running scientific experiments that cannot be done anywhere else. Read on for our bi-weekly update on European science in space. |
 | ESA's space weather mission to be protected against stormy sunESA is planning Earth's first dedicated space weather observatory to warn of potentially harmful turbulence in our parent star. Like a referee at a sports game, the Lagrange spacecraft will be able to observe both the sun and Earth as well as the space in between – but will itself be in the space weather line of fire. |
 | Researchers outline goals for collecting and studying samples from MarsReturning samples from the surface of Mars has been a high-priority goal of the international Mars exploration community for many years. Although randomly collected samples would be potentially interesting, they would not be sufficient to answer the big questions that have motivated Mars exploration for decades. |
 | Image: Aurora AustralisMany people hope to catch a glimpse of these reddish-green swirls of colour floating in the polar skies. Few are as lucky as ESA astronaut Tim Peake, who captured this dazzling display of the aurora Australis from the International Space Station during his mission in 2016. |
Video: What does space have to do with the 5G revolution?Everybody is talking about 5G, the new generation of wireless communication. We are at the start of a revolution in connectivity for everything, everywhere, at all times. | |
Video: Satellites and the modern economySatellites bring immense benefits to everyone on Earth. From monitoring our changing planet and increasingly severe natural disasters, to providing resilient telecom networks and delivering services such as precise navigation that help economies grow and humans in need, satellites are the 'eyes and ears' in space that help us to help ourselves. | |
 | Simulated extravehicular activity science operations for Mars explorationA new study describes the Science Operations component and new results from NASA's Biologic Analog Science Associated with Lava Terrains (BASALT). The goal of BASALT was to provide evidence-based recommendations for future planetary extravehicular activity (EVA), simulating in particular the conditions associated with conducting human scientific exploration on Mars. The article appears in a Special Issue on BASALT led by Guest Editor Darlene Lim, Ph.D., NASA Ames Research Center and published in Astrobiology. |
Technology news
 | CruzAffect: a feature-rich approach to characterize happinessA team of researchers at UC Santa Cruz have recently developed a new machine learning approach to characterize happiness, called CruzAffect. Their approach, presented in a paper pre-published on arXiv, can be applied to different models for affective content classification, including both traditional classifiers and deep learning convolutional neural networks (CNN). |
 | FIDO, W3C show strong and simple are not opposites for user authenticationFile under New and Official. After you check out this week's headlines for WebAuthn and W3C. The latter stands for Worldwide Web Consortium. The WebAuthn is now an official web standard. Backers say the specification marks a major step forward in making the web more secure and usable around the world. |
 | Engineers develop inexpensive, smart stop sign to improve driver safetyIt's dark on the backroad as a motorist speeds toward the intersection. Up ahead, the stop sign blends with the night and in seconds a deadly crash occurs. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than half of all roadway fatalities occur on rural roads. Now engineers at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) are building and testing a low-cost, self-powered thermal system that will detect vehicles, improve the visibility of stop signs and prevent deaths. |
 | Europe's electric grid will still work even as the world crumbles: studyScientists at Aarhus University in Denmark studying the effects of climate change on weather-dependent electricity systems have found a silver lining in Earth's otherwise fraught future outlook. Temperatures may climb and seas may rise, but the lights (and, undoubtedly, the air conditioning) will still be on in nations with high capacities for wind and solar energy. The research, published March 6 in the journal Joule, suggests that these electricity systems should work almost equally well in both historical and future European climates despite changing weather patterns. |
 | Improving solar cell efficiency with a bucket of waterLooking at your cell phone, you realize the battery is low, which means you have to make another long walk into town to pay money to charge the device. By the time you get home, it's getting dark. You light the kerosene lamp that casts a dim glow across the room. A significant amount of your income is burned by the lamp, and it emits noxious gases. Breathing the same air as your burning lamp can be equivalent to smoking several packs of cigarettes a day. |
 | 'Sharing economy' goes mainstream as IPOs loomThe "sharing economy" is becoming mainstream with the anticipated stock listings from services such as Uber, Lyft and Airbnb, signs that the trend is gaining momentum and impacting multiple sectors. |
 | France tries to set trend with internet tax billFrance will introduce a bill Wednesday to tax internet and technology giants on their digital sales, and thus curb efforts to pay global levies in countries with lower tax rates. |
 | Ride-hailing firm Grab secures $1.5 billion in fundingSoutheast Asian ride-hailing firm Grab said on Wednesday it has secured $1.5 billion in fresh financing from a fund run by Japan's SoftBank and will use a significant portion of it to expand in Indonesia. |
 | China's Hainan province to end fossil fuel car sales in 2030China's southern Hainan island will end sales of fossil fuel-only cars in 2030, officials said, becoming the first province to announce a target end date for a transition away from gas guzzlers. |
 | France unveils new tax for global internet giantsFrance is set to unveil legislation Wednesday to increase taxes on global internet giants such as Google and Facebook, putting it among a vanguard of countries seeking to force the companies to pay more in the markets where they operate. |
 | Individuals with visual impairment can 'see' through device that turns digital images into physical sensationsDavid Schwarte, an assistive technology specialist on the Innovative Learning Team at Purdue University, knows what it is like to learn in a classroom when challenged with a visual impairment. |
 | Secret to lab-on-a-chip breakthrough: Matte black nail polishBYU electrical engineering students have stumbled upon a very unconventional method that could speed up lab-on-a-chip disease diagnosis. |
 | Robot 3-D prints replacement bracket on headlampIn a world first, Swinburne's Repairbot project has achieved a major milestone, using a robot to successfully 3-D print a replacement lug on an automotive headlamp assembly. |
 | Receiving a login code via SMS and email isn't secure. Here's what to use insteadWhen it comes to personal cybersecurity, you might think you're doing all right. Maybe you've got multi-factor authentication set up on your phone so that you have to enter a code sent to you by SMS before you can log in to your email or bank account from a new device. |
 | A process that improves repair of carbon fiber airplane componentsA team from A*STAR is helping Singapore companies that specialize in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of airplanes to deepen their understanding of a technology for repairing high-tech carbon fiber components. |
 | Fingerprint and face scanners aren't as secure as we think they areDespite what every spy movie in the past 30 years would have you think, fingerprint and face scanners used to unlock your smartphone or other devices aren't nearly as secure as they're made out to be. |
 | Could robots protect us in the surf?Imagine there's a flock of aerial robots searching for a lost hiker. They have to cover a large area of remote bush and a central commander won't work because they're so spread out. |
 | Research sparks calls for tougher enforcement on social media companiesResearch into the use of Russian-linked social media accounts following the 2017 UK terrorist attacks has led to calls for greater regulation of technology companies. |
 | These robots are small, shape-shifting, and they adapt to their surroundingsWith its low ceiling draped in soft, green netting, Jianguo Zhao's lab at the Colorado State University Powerhouse Energy Campus is hard to miss. Watch the lab's walking, grasping, flying, perching, shape-shifting robots in motion, and the reason for the netting becomes all too clear. |
 | Bugs or dust? New method quickly reveals whether a surface is truly cleanAalto University researchers have developed a real-time optical technique for identifying dirt and bacteria on surfaces. The AutoDet method, which stands for automatic biological contamination detection, can be used in healthcare and public spaces to ensure the cleanliness of facilities during norovirus outbreaks or flu season or that operating tools are sterile before an operation begins. |
 | Elon Musk firm pitched to build transit system in Las VegasEntrepreneur Elon Musk's dream of an express tunnel transit system could finally become a reality in Las Vegas after major setbacks in other cities. |
 | Tesla's Chinese rival NIO scraps factory plan after lossesChinese electric vehicle start-up NIO has abandoned plans to build a manufacturing plant in Shanghai after net losses doubled to $1.4 billion last year. |
 | US zooms past Europe in electric car salesThe United States overtook Europe to become the world's second largest market for electric cars last year, according to a report Wednesday that accused EU carmakers of holding back sales ahead of new emissions rules. |
 | Building an energy corridor along the border instead of just a wallInstead of a wall, build a first-of-its-kind energy park that spans the 1,954 miles of the border between the United States and Mexico to bring energy, water, jobs and border security to the region. |
 | New 3-in-1 furniture option for urban living, restaurants, open officesAnyone who has tried to live the urban lifestyle knows living space can be a scarce resource. The average size of a new apartment in the U.S. in 2018 is 941 square feet, 5 percent smaller than 10 years ago, according to RENTCafe Blog, and in Seattle, Manhattan and Chicago they are substantially smaller, leaving little space beyond a bed and kitchen table. |
 | iPhone sales are falling, and Apple's app fees might be next (Update)As iPhone sales slip , Apple has been positioning its booming digital-services business as its new profit engine. But there could be a snag in that plan. |
 | Waymo to sell its self-driving tech to outside firmsWaymo, the former Google car division developing self-driving technology, said Wednesday it would sell a key innovation to companies that don't compete with its autonomous cars. |
 | Internet, intuition can help businesses spot next big thingWhen small business owners want to divine what consumer spending trends will be months from now, their methods can be as sophisticated as internet analytics or as basic as plain old intuition. |
 | Democrats unveil bill to restore US 'net neutrality'Democratic US lawmakers Wednesday unveiled legislation to restore so-called "net neutrality" rules requiring internet providers to treat all online traffic equally. |
 | Zuckerberg promises a privacy-friendly Facebook, sort of (Update)Mark Zuckerberg said Facebook will start to emphasize new privacy-shielding messaging services, a shift apparently intended to blunt both criticism of the company's data handling and potential antitrust action. |
 | Chinese carmakers show goods in Geneva as sales tank at homeChinese carmakers have flocked to this year's Geneva International Motor Show, eager to present new electric models to a global crowd as traditional car sales slip at home. |
 | France unveils new tax for global internet giantsFrance on Wednesday introduced a bill to tax internet and technology giants such as Google and Facebook on their digital sales, putting it among a vanguard of countries seeking to force the companies to pay more in the markets where they operate. |
 | China's Huawei steps up charm offensive, rejects security fearsChinese telecom giant Huawei insisted on Wednesday its products feature no security "backdoors" for the government, as the normally secretive company gave foreign media a peek inside its state-of-the-art facilities. |
 | A scholar's book uncovers new material about the effects of the infamous Chernobyl meltdownNot long after midnight on April 26, 1986, the world's worst nuclear power accident began. Workers were conducting a test at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Ukraine when their operations spun out of control. Unthinkably, the core of the plant's reactor No. 4 exploded, first blowing off its giant concrete lid, then letting a massive stream of radiation into the air. |
 | Spain's Cabify to return to Barcelona despite restrictionsSpanish ride-hailing service Cabify said Wednesday it will return to Barcelona, a month after it suspended its services in Spain's second-largest city due to strict new regulations. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Our brains reveal our choices before we're even aware of them, study findsA new UNSW study suggests we have less control over our personal choices than we think, and that unconscious brain activity determines our choices well before we are aware of them. |
 | Diabetes' sworn enemy could ultimately be a valuable allyWhen people talk about diabetes, they usually also talk about insulin. Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of people around the world; insulin is a hormone that helps control this disease. Now a third term could soon be joining the conversation: glucagon. |
 | More than just memories—a new role for the hippocampus during learningAvid hikers know to be cautious of plants with leaves made up of three leaflets if they are red in the spring or fall. Parents worldwide know the precarious relationship between proximity to bedtime and roughhousing with their children. |
 | Reducing B cells with CAR T cells is effective treatment of experimental lupusDepleting the number of harmful B cells with a novel immunotherapy that employs modified T cells may offer an effective strategy to treat lupus, according to a new study funded by the Lupus Research Alliance. These findings offer a renewed optimism for the elimination of B cells to provide a therapeutic option in lupus and pave the way for clinical research to test this new approach. |
 | People track when talkers say 'uh' to predict what comes nextSpontaneous conversation is riddled with disfluencies such as pauses and 'uhm's: On average, people produce 6 disfluencies every 100 words. But disfluencies do not occur randomly. Instead, 'uh' typically occurs before 'hard-to-name' low-frequency words ('uh... automobile'). Previous experiments led by Hans Rutger Bosker from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics have shown that people can use disfluencies to predict upcoming low-frequency words. But Bosker and his colleagues went one step further. They tested whether listeners would actively track the occurrence of 'uh', even when it appeared in unexpected places. |
 | Old drugs bring new hope to a cancer that lacks precision therapyAn estimated 15 to 20 percent of all breast cancer patients are "triple negative." These unfortunate women lack three crucial treatment targets—the estrogen receptor, the progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Because they lack these targets, most triple negative patients are treated with standard chemotherapy, rather than the preferred targeted drugs. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) also disproportionately affects younger women, women of African descent and women with mutations in the BRCA1 gene. |
 | Cancer most frequently spreads to the liver; here's whyWhen cancer spreads to another organ, it most commonly moves to the liver, and now researchers at the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania say they know why. A new study, published today in Nature, shows hepatocytes—the chief functional cells of the liver—are at the center of a chain reaction that makes it particularly susceptible to cancer cells. These hepatocytes respond to inflammation by activating a protein called STAT3, which in turn increases their production of other proteins called SAA, which then remodel the liver and create the "soil" needed for cancer cells to "seed." The researchers show that stopping this process by using antibodies that block IL-6—the inflammatory signal that drives this chain reaction—can limit the potential of cancer to spread to the liver. |
 | Researchers determine structures of elusive innate immunity proteinUT Southwestern researchers used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to determine the near-atomic structure of the smallest membrane protein solved to date. Their work could lead to better immunotherapies in cancer and improved treatments for autoimmune diseases like lupus. |
 | Small molecule inhibitors show treatment potential for EBV-associated cancersResearchers at The Wistar Institute have created a drug candidate for cancers associated with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis. In a study published in Science Translational Medicine, they described inhibitors of an EBV protein called Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA1), showing efficacy in preclinical models. |
 | Study provides new insights into the role of aging in heart failureA team led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators has found that activity of an important signaling pathway increases with aging and with heart failure. In their report published in Science Translational Medicine, they describe evidence from both humans and animal models that increased activin type II receptor (ActRII) activity correlates with worsening heart failure and that inhibiting ActRII can improve cardiac function in mouse models. |
 | Potential new therapy for Crohn's, colitis identifiedPeople with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) live with frequent, miserable episodes of abdominal pain, diarrhea and in severe cases, rectal bleeding. Standard treatments are aimed at directly suppressing inflammation, but many patients find little relief from such an approach. |
 | Electrifying wound care: Better bandages to destroy bacteriaBandages infused with electricity can help heal wounds faster than typical bandages or antibiotics—but for years, researchers have not really understood why. |
 | Scientists identify genetic factors that may cause some people to become obeseObesity is a major public-health problem in the United States and around the world, with an estimated 650 million people suffering from the condition. One of the biggest challenges of this ever-worsening condition is figuring out why people become obese in the first place, and why some people are more vulnerable to obesity than others. |
 | Alzheimer's-like symptoms reversed in mice, researchers sayA diet containing compounds found in green tea and carrots reversed Alzheimer's-like symptoms in mice genetically programmed to develop the disease, USC researchers say. |
 | A groove is better with rhythm and harmony, new research showsIt takes King Curtis less than half a minute into "Memphis Soul Stew," his best-remembered song, to really get a groove going. When it does, it doesn't let go. |
 | Over half of ED visits for nonmedical prescription drug use are patients under 35Nonmedical prescription drug use is a common cause of emergency department (ED) visits in the United States for medication-related harm, but data on effects of nonmedical use of pharmaceuticals are limited. Using nationally representative public health surveillance data to characterize US ED visits for harm caused by nonmedical prescription drug use, investigators at CDC and FDA report in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine that over half these visits are by young adults under 35, and over 40 percent of patients arrive unconscious or after cardiorespiratory failure. They include recommendations to guide prevention efforts. |
Common chest infection puts babies at risk of hospitalization for asthma in preschool yearsInfants who are admitted to hospital with the common infection bronchiolitis are at increased risk of further emergency hospital admissions for asthma, wheezing and respiratory illness in the first five years of their life. | |
 | FDA allows treatment of depression with club drug's cousinA mind-altering medication related to the club drug Special K won U.S. approval Tuesday for patients with hard-to-treat depression, the first in a series of long-overlooked substances being reconsidered for severe forms of mental illness. |
Many patients with atopic dermatitis experience symptoms of anxiety and depressionA British Journal of Dermatology study has found substantially higher rates of anxiety and depression among US adults with atopic dermatitis, compared to those without. The study also found that anxiety and depression often go undiagnosed in these individuals. | |
 | The grassroots revolution making it normal for children to 'play out' againIn the 1970s and 80s it was normal for children to 'play out' on the street in British towns and cities. However nowadays young people are far more likely to spend their time indoors, inactive and isolated. |
 | Social anxiety disorder may increase risk of alcoholismNew research published in Depression and Anxiety indicates that, unlike other anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder may have a direct effect on alcoholism. |
 | Bedtime protein for bigger gains? Here's the scoopDrinking a casein shake just before overnight sleep increases gains in muscle mass and strength in response to resistance exercise. But to date, no study has directly addressed whether this effect is due to increased total protein intake only, or if a bedtime beverage is better. |
 | Study finds grasping motions lead by visuo-haptic signals are most effectiveNYU Abu Dhabi researchers have found that the availability of both visual and haptic information for a target object significantly improves reach-to-grasp actions, demonstrating that the nervous system utilizes both types of information to optimize movement execution. The findings are featured in the journal Scientific Reports. |
 | Old age care crisis: Are migrant care workers a suitable solution for state and families?Germany is facing an old age care crisis. Old age care structures in this country have for too long been starved of cash and personnel, and there is still no evidence of improvement. In fact, the contrary seems to be the case: As the numbers of old people in need of care are increasing, there are more individuals who would like to receive care at home. Many families feel a moral obligation to take care of family members at home even though many are not in the position to manage this on their own. A certain amount of support can be obtained by employing foreign care staff. However, this arrangement can be problematic for various reasons. Immigrant nurses often do not have sufficient training and need to be available around the clock, but at the same time they earn less than the minimum wage. A research team at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) has been looking at such care arrangements and is planning to hold an international conference on the subject of the care crisis on March 11-12, 2019. |
 | Trends in women's reproductive events reflect major social and lifestyle changesAn international study has revealed the age at which women experience major reproductive events, such as their first period or giving birth, has changed significantly over time. |
 | Study finds a lack of adequate hydration among the elderlyDrinking enough water is a concern for everyone, but the elderly are particularly prone to underhydration and dehydration. A new UCLA School of Nursing study shows that these conditions are likely to be under-recognized, bringing on health problems ranging from urinary tract infections to frequent falls. |
 | The climate change within—missing microbes and the evolution of the microbiomeThe human microbiome – that invisible world of bacteria, viruses and fungi in and on our bodies – has been relatively unstudied even though scientists have known about it for centuries. But thanks to researchers like Martin Blaser, the world of science and medicine is starting to pay closer attention. |
 | New research finds flaws in veterans' claims systemA new study by Stanford scholars and their colleagues shines a stark spotlight on governance issues that have plagued a cornerstone of the nation's administrative system for years: rampant errors and a backlog of appeals cases involving veterans' benefits. |
 | Proper use of wearable technology is considered the 'wild, wild west'If you're out sweating with your Fitbit aiming for 10,000 steps, Kinesiology's Dr. Reed Ferber, Ph.D., wants you to know you don't need to feel guilty if you don't hit that goal. |
 | Single gene linked to host of abnormalities during neurodevelopmentYale researchers have shown that mutations of a gene associated with autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and epilepsy cause some of the same structural and behavioral abnormalities that characterize those neurodevelopmental disorders, they report March 5 in the journal Cell Reports. |
 | Molecular clock influences immune cell responsesScientists have recently recognized that cells of the same type can behave differently in response to stimulation. In a new study, Yale researchers have shown how these varied responses are due in part to a desynchronized molecular "clock" within cell populations. |
 | Diagnostic uncertainty in children with fever impacts NHS resourcesThe management of febrile illness (fever) in children has a substantial impact on National Health Services resources, predominantly due to diagnostic uncertainty resulting from a lack of accurate tests to distinguish between viral and bacterial illness, a new study reports. |
 | Metabolic remodeling during regenerationA healthy liver has a significant capacity to regenerate after injury or disease, but little was known about the accompanying detailed changes in cell metabolism. An international research team, that includes scientists from four A*STAR institutes, has led an extensive study to uncover key aspects of the 'metabolic remodelling' that occurs as a liver regenerates. |
 | Staying awake during spine surgery is cutting recovery time in halfThe spinal surgery David B. underwent in November wasn't his first – but it was the first time he was awake for a procedure. |
 | Do we really need to take 10,000 steps a day?Regular walking produces many health benefits, including reducing our risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and depression. |
 | Australian tradies exposed to excess noise levels at work, study findsAlmost one in five Australian working men experienced noise above the recommended occupational limit on their most recent working day, new research led by Curtin University has found. |
 | Why your tourist brain may try to drown youDuring the mid-winter break, many vacationers head south to sandy beaches and turquoise waters. But in their efforts to unwind —and warm up —they often put themselves at risk of drowning by committing a simple cognitive error referred to as "tourist brain." |
 | Blue-enriched white light to wake you up in the morningHere is good news for those who have difficulty with morning alertness. A KAIST research team has proposed that a blue-enriched LED light can effectively help people overcome morning drowsiness. This study will provide the basis for major changes in future lighting strategies and thereby help create better indoor environments. |
 | AAP: Social media companies must curb spread of vaccine myths(HealthDay)—Google, Facebook, and Pinterest need to take more action against the growing threat to children posed by online misinformation about vaccines, the American Academy of Pediatrics said in a letter sent to the social media companies. |
 | Camel antibodies provide surprising hope for seasonal allergy sufferersOne in three people is plagued by an allergy triggered by food, fungi, house dust mites or on a seasonal basis due to pollen. The latter group is the largest: Around 800 million people worldwide suffer from some form of allergy to pollen, with symptoms of runny nose, cough and severe breathing problems. One in five Austrians is allergic to pollen. MedUni Vienna researchers have now set themselves the task of immunising camels with pollen allergens to obtain heavy single-chain antibodies for the passive treatment of pollen allergies. |
 | 3-D simulation of bone densitometry better predicts the risk of fracture due to osteoporosisOsteoporosis is a skeletal disease in which there is a decrease in bone mass density. The bones become more porous and fragile making them more susceptible to fracture. This disease reduces bone density and weakens the bone. The weakening of the bone increases the risk of fracture. |
 | Tips for a heart-healthy sandwichPacking a healthy lunch seems like an easy task, but sometimes all the sandwich choices may seem daunting. Many deli, or processed meats, are packed with preservatives, nitrates and sodium that could raise your risk of heart disease and other health issues. So is there a better choice to build a lunch you'll love and feel good about? Katherine Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic registered dietitian nutritionist, says what you pack with your lunch may help balance what you pack in your sandwich. |
 | Low-carb diets linked to higher odds for A-fib(HealthDay)—Keto, Paleo, Atkins—there's no shortage of low-carb diets to try, but new research suggests that over time, living low-carb can raise your risk of a heart condition called atrial fibrillation, or a-fib. |
 | NFL players' enlarged hearts may harm health for decades(HealthDay)—"Athlete's heart"—an enlarged heart created by intense physical training—is a common and often brushed-off condition within elite and professional sports. |
 | Remote blood pressure monitoring via smartphone app shows promisePeople with both diabetes and uncontrolled high blood pressure who used a smartphone app to monitor their blood pressure remotely, get tips on healthful living and connect with a health coach saw significant declines in their blood pressure within six weeks, according to research being presented at the American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session. |
 | High-intensity interval training helps trim belly fat in cardiac rehabA popular exercise routine that alternates intense bursts of activity with short recovery periods to rapidly enhance exercise performance is now finding its way into programs to strengthen the heart after a heart attack. The regimen, known as high-intensity interval training (HIIT), showed significant benefits over a more moderate exercise program among patients in a cardiac rehabilitation program, according to research being presented at the American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session. |
 | App uses smartphone camera, flashlight to detect diabetesType 2 diabetes is among the strongest risk factors for heart disease, yet up to 1 in 3 people living with diabetes don't know they have it and go untreated. But soon there may be an app for that. New research being presented at the American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session shows a popular smartphone application that measures heart rate using the phone's built-in camera may help detect diabetes and encourage further testing by a health care provider. |
 | Want a healthy heart? Turn off the TV and eat a good breakfastThe small lifestyle choices we make each day add up when it comes to heart health. In a new two-pronged study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session, people who spent less time watching TV and regularly ate an energy-rich breakfast showed significantly less plaque and stiffness in their arteries, indicating a lower chance of developing heart disease or suffering a stroke. |
 | Higher fitness level can determine longer lifespan after age 70Researchers have uncovered one more reason to get off the couch and start exercising, especially if you're approaching your golden years. Among people over age 70, physical fitness was found to be a much better predictor of survival than the number of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session. |
 | Study reveals a new target for developing treatments for depressionA new CAMH study shows for the first time that people experiencing clinical depression have higher levels of a brain protein called MAO-B. The finding—published online today in JAMA Psychiatry - opens the door to a new area of exploration for developing depression treatments. Depression affects an estimated 15 per cent of people over their lifetime, and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. |
 | Bone fractures increasing as seniors walk dogs to stay activeWhile walking a dog provides older Americans with a valuable outlet for regular, physical activity, a Penn Medicine study has shown that fractures related to these walks have more than doubled between 2004 and 2017 in patients 65 and older. In this population, 78 percent of the fractures occurred in women, with hip and upper extremity breaks being the most common. This study was published today in JAMA Surgery. |
 | New hepatitis C cases down by almost 70 percent in HIV-positive men in LondonThe researchers behind the study believe that regular screening and improved access to new treatments have contributed to greatly reducing the transmission of the infection. They also believe that if this progress can be maintained London will be on track to achieve the targets set out by the British HIV Association to eliminate Hepatitis C in HIV patients by 2021. |
 | Adding high-quality plant-based foods to diet decreases risk of deaths from heart diseaseAs long as you don't count French fries and soda as healthy choices, it's never too late to increase your longevity and cut your risk of heart disease death by adding fruits and vegetables to your diet, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2019, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in population based cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians. |
 | High number of depression symptoms linked to increased risk of strokePeople who report an elevated number of depression symptoms may be more likely to have a stroke years later than people with no depression symptoms or a low number of depression symptoms, according to a preliminary study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 71st Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, May 4 to 10, 2019. |
 | Improving physical fitness strongly linked to lower absenteeism for New York City middle schoolersIncreasing physical fitness among middle-school children attending schools in New York City was associated with decreasing absenteeism from school, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2019, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in population-based cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians. |
 | Inflammation in the brain enhances the side-effects of hypnotic medicationIn a study recently published in the European Journal of Pharmacology researchers at Okayama University show how the presence of inflammation in the brain can increase its sensitivity to benzodiazepines. |
 | Overcoming cardiovascular disease with a magnetically-steerable guidewire microrobotA DGIST research team has developed a microrobot that can accurately reach the location of cardiovascular problems such as chronic total occlusion by moving and steering toward a desired direction inside blood vessels. This research is expected to increase the success rate of treatment and shorten the time of cardiovascular disease surgery. |
 | The right way to cook high-antioxidant veggies(HealthDay)—Foods high in antioxidants—like kale, broccoli and blueberries—could be your ticket to better health, as long as you don't cook the nutrition out of them. |
 | How to stay close as a couple now that baby is here(HealthDay)—There's no doubt that a first baby changes the dynamic between spouses. Here are steps you can take to stay close. |
 | Another side effect of the opioid crisis: Heart infections(HealthDay)—New research uncovers more damage wrought by the opioid epidemic: Cases of a dangerous heart infection linked to injection drug use have spiked in recent years at an Ohio medical center. |
 | Study urges seniors to get moving to live longer(HealthDay)—Can you tell how long you'll live? For seniors, how fit you are may offer a clearer forecast of life span than traditional markers such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking, a new study suggests. |
 | Opioid crisis shows partnering with industry can be bad for public health"Show me the bodies!" someone demanded at the end of my lecture a few years ago. |
How to distinguish a psychopath from a 'shy-chopath'What makes a criminal a psychopath? | |
 | The shutdown brought people who rely on SNAP an extra helping of economic hardshipMillions of the poorest Americans are probably feeling the aftershocks of the partial government shutdown weeks after it ended. |
AI study of risk factors in type 1 diabetesIn combination with conventional statistical methods, artificial intelligence (AI) has now been used in a study of risk factors in type 1 diabetes. The objective was to identify the most important indicators of elevated risk for cardiovascular disease and death. | |
Cancer death rate higher for patients with mental health historyCancer patients who have been hospitalised for mental health problems prior to their cancer diagnosis were 73% more likely to die from their cancer compared to those who had never had psychiatric help, according to new research published in the British Journal of Cancer. | |
Weight loss can put type 2 diabetes into remission for at least two yearsMore than a third (36 percent) of people with type 2 diabetes who took part in a weight management programme delivered in NHS primary care are in remission two years later, the latest findings of the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT) have revealed. | |
 | Researchers discover mechanism by which bacteria attack white blood cellsA research team led by Prof. Dr. Winfried Römer and Dr. Elias Hobeika from the University of Freiburg and the University Medical Center in Ulm has discovered a mechanism by which bacteria activate white blood cells and attack an organism's immune system. The scientists recently published the results in the journal Science Signaling. |
 | Low-cost 'cancer probe' could spot deadly melanoma earlyMelanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is diagnosed in more than 130,000 people globally every year. Now, work is being done on a tool to help in its early detection: a simple, compact laser probe that can distinguish between harmless moles and cancerous ones—in a matter of seconds. |
 | Anti-inflammatory drug is the key to boosting cardiac reprogrammingOnce damaged, the human heart does a poor job of repairing itself, and is thus a key priority for treating heart failure. One way of restoring cardiac function is to reprogram non-cardiac body cells such as fibroblasts into heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) using a collection of cardiac transcription factors. |
 | Autism: Brain activity as a biomarkerResearchers from Jülich, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, and the U.K. have discovered specific activity patterns in the brains of people with autism. These consistent patterns of functional connectivity might be used in the long term as therapeutic biomarkers. The idea behind this is that in future, doctors would be able to investigate whether certain treatments can shift brain patterns in the direction of healthy patterns, potentially achieving an improved state of health. The results of the study, which included more than 800 patients with autism in four cohorts, were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. |
 | Gut microbiota helps to maintain core body temperature under cold exposureThe gut microbiome has been shown to have diverse impacts on human and animal physiology and health. Now, a research group led by Prof. John R. Speakman from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has revealed the important role of gut microbiota in thermoregulation—the way animals respond to cold exposure. |
 | ECG rhythm and airway management make all the difference during a heart attackIn cardiac arrest, the speed and type of treatment can literally mean life or death in the immediate term, but can also affect health outcomes after successful resuscitation. |
Breast cancer patients weigh in on addressing financial burdensA qualitative study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health yielded nine patient-driven recommendations across circumstances that include changes to insurance, supportive services and financial assistance to reduce long-term, breast cancer-related economic burden. | |
States with strict gun laws see more homicides when they border states with lax onesGun-related homicide rates in states with strict gun laws increase when neighboring states have less restrictive laws as a result of gun trafficking across state lines, suggests a new study from Penn Medicine. A review of gun tracing data also revealed that 65 percent of the guns recovered in the most restrictive states originated from other states. The findings are published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. | |
 | Study: Mediterranean diet boosts endurance exercise within daysResearchers at Saint Louis University have found that eating a Mediterranean diet can improve athletes' endurance exercise performance after just four days. |
 | Eating healthy on a limited budget is possible: studyThe affordability of healthy food is often cited as a barrier to low-income families eating nutritious meals. A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that with menu planning and access to stores selling items in bulk, the average daily cost for serving healthy meals to a family of four was $25 in 2010 dollars. This cost was consistent with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) low-income cost of food meal plan, but higher than the cost of the USDA Thrifty Food Plan. The Thrifty Food Plan is the meal plan used by the USDA to determine food assistance benefits. |
 | Longer shifts do not create chronic sleep loss in first-year doctors or reduce safety for patientsWhen medical residents were permitted to work shifts longer than 16 hours, patient mortality was not affected and the doctors themselves did not experience chronic sleep loss, according to a pair of papers published today in the New England Journal of Medicine by a team of researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Johns Hopkins University, and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Massachusetts. The study that resulted in the papers follows a 2011 change imposed by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) to limit the amount of hours first-year residents could work in a single shift—a cap of 16 hours per day and 80 hours per week—which came in response to concerns about the potential for mistakes to be made by young doctors working long shifts. The results from these studies suggest that those well-intentioned policies were not necessary to protect patients. |
 | Higher rates of mass shootings in US states with more relaxed gun control lawsUS states with more relaxed gun control laws and higher rates of gun ownership have higher rates of mass shootings, reveals a time trends analysis, published today in The BMJ. |
 | Fake warnings on e-cigarette ads distract kids from truthWhen it comes to marketing electronic cigarettes to young people, fake news appears to stick. |
 | FDA issues asbestos warning about some Claire's cosmetic products(HealthDay)—Consumers should avoid certain Claire's cosmetic products that may contain potentially cancer-causing asbestos because the company has refused to recall the items, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Tuesday. |
 | Opioid meds pose danger to kidney disease patientsMedication options can be limited for people with chronic kidney disease, which is why they often get prescribed opioids to help manage pain. But new research finds that opioids could increase the risk of hospitalization and even death. |
 | Mental health symptoms common after mild brain injury(HealthDay)—Approximately one in five individuals may develop mental health symptoms up to six months after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), according to a study recently published in JAMA Psychiatry. |
 | Electronic order set may reduce inappropriate ECG monitoring(HealthDay)—Use of electronic order sets is a safe and effective way to enhance appropriate electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring of hospitalized patients, according to a study published in the March issue of the American Journal of Critical Care. |
 | Behavioral intervention ups physical activity in T2DM(HealthDay)—A behavioral intervention results in a sustained increase in physical activity and decrease in sedentary time among patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the March 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. |
 | Blood test offers early warning for kidney transplant rejection(HealthDay)—A gene expression signature can identify T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR) ahead of time in kidney transplant recipients, according to a study published online March 1 in EBioMedicine. |
 | Heart-healthy diets in early adulthood linked to better brain function in middle ageEating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, moderate in nuts, fish and alcohol and low in meat and full-fat dairy is associated with better cognitive performance in middle age, according to a study published in the March 6, 2019, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Cognitive abilities include thinking and memory skills. |
Hawaii opens medical marijuana registration to visitorsHawaii is allowing visitors who are qualified to receive medical marijuana elsewhere in the U.S. to register and buy it from dispensaries in the state. | |
 | Resistance training may help prevent type 2 diabetesA new study published in Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews points to the benefits of exercise, especially resistance training (RT), for preventing type 2 diabetes. |
 | Study examines which schoolchildren are most likely to skip breakfastSkipping breakfast was common in an observational study of schoolchildren in Greece, and children who skipped breakfast tended to have an unhealthy lifestyle profile. The Nutrition & Dietetics findings may be useful for developing policies designed to increase breakfast consumption in children. |
 | Knee pain not linked with activity levels in adults with knee osteoarthritisKnee pain was not associated with daily walking levels in an Arthritis Care & Research study of individuals with mild-to-moderate, symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. |
 | Timing of Medicare loss may affect long-term success of kidney transplantationKidney transplant recipients under 65 years of age qualify for Medicare coverage following transplantation, but coverage ends after three years. A new American Journal of Transplantation study found that failure of the transplanted kidney was 990 percent to 1630 percent higher for recipients who lost Medicare coverage before this three-year time point compared with recipients who lost Medicare on time. Those who lost coverage after this point had a lesser, but still marked, increased risk of kidney failure. |
 | New findings may help guide treatment of patients with asthmaAsthma patients often undergo tests involving inhaled methacholine, a drug that can cause narrowing of the airways, similar to what occurs in asthma. In a Respirology analysis of data on patients undergoing such tests, obesity and older age were linked with higher risks of airway closure. |
Study reveals disparities in osteoporosis treatment by sex and race/ethnicityNew research indicates that elderly men are significantly undertreated for osteoporosis compared with elderly women, and blacks have the lowest treatment rates among racial/ethnic groups. The findings are published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research. | |
Statins linked to higher diabetes riskIndividuals who take cholesterol-lowering statins may be at higher risk for developing high blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, and eventually type 2 diabetes, according to an analysis published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. | |
Does cognitive function affect oral health during aging?In a Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology study, poor cognitive function in older adults was associated with poorer oral health and higher risk of tooth loss in later life. | |
 | Preparing for the outbreak: helping research swing into action in central AfricaWhen an outbreak strikes, speed is critical. Health workers must act quickly not only to contain and treat an emerging or re-emerging disease, but also to use this window to evaluate potential treatments and vaccines. And the challenge becomes even greater in sub-Saharan Africa when you're trying to develop new approaches in the face of multiple emerging diseases. |
 | Heat alerts may come too late in northern states(HealthDay)—Hospital admissions for heat-related health problems increase in northern states long before heat alerts are issued, and these higher admission rates occur at lower temperatures than in the South, where people are more used to heat, the Associated Press reported. |
Opioid use associated with dramatic rise in dangerous heart infectionHospital admissions for a dangerous heart infection related to intravenous drug use increased by 436 percent from 2012-2017 at a medical center in a region hit hard by the nation's opioid crisis, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session. | |
CT scans offer clues to preventing heart problems after cancer treatmentAn imaging procedure commonly performed before starting cancer treatment can provide valuable clues about a patient's risk for heart problems in the months and years after treatment. However, this information is not always reported and is rarely acted upon in current practice, according to research being presented at the American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session. | |
Hypertension-related changes may occur earlier in young women with family historyNew research suggests that young women with a family history of high blood pressure (hypertension) have decreased baroreflex function, which may increase their risk for hypertension later in life. The article, published ahead of print in the Journal of Neurophysiology (JNP), was chosen as an APSselect article for March. | |
Better regulation of the immune system may minimize preeclampsia symptomsBoosting the body's levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4)—an immune system protein that controls inflammation—may help manage the pregnancy complication preeclampsia, according to a new rodent study. The research, published in the American Journal of Physiology—Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, was chosen as an APSselect article for March. | |
 | Passengers, crew on Virgin flight quarantined in UKVirgin Atlantic said Wednesday that all passengers and crew on a charter flight from Barbados to London were briefly put into quarantine because of widespread illness on board. |
Women of childbearing age have staggeringly low rates of lipid screeningEight out of 10 women of childbearing age have never had their cholesterol levels checked, despite clear guidelines to get a first lipid blood test early in adulthood, according to research being presented at the American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session. | |
Preliminary estimation of undesired substances in diapersThe report "Sécurité des couches pour bébé", published by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), deals with hazardous substances in disposable panty diapers. In the following paragraphs, the BfR provides a preliminary estimation of the levels of contaminants and aromatic substances measured in the diapers. The BfR cannot currently make a detailed estimation of the other substances mentioned in the report for which ANSES has prepared a health assessment. | |
Menopause symptoms nearly double the risk of chronic painIn addition to the other health conditions affected by estrogen, it has also been shown to affect pain sensitivity. This finding was the basis of a study of more than 200,000 records from the Veterans Health Administration that demonstrated a link between menopause symptoms and chronic pain. Study results are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). | |
 | Effects of spaceflight on heart cell formation from stem cellsResearchers used time-lapse imaging to show that mouse induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) grown during spaceflight differentiated into cardiomyocytes significantly faster than similar cells grown at Earth's gravity. The robust cardiomyocyte formation at microgravity, which lasted for 10 days, is described in an article published in Stem Cells and Development. |
Biology news
 | Scientists find worms that recently evolved the ability to regrow a complete headAn international group of researchers including biologists from the University of Maryland found that at least four species of marine ribbon worms independently evolved the ability to regrow a head after amputation. |
 | Mighty mites give scrawny beetles the edge over bigger rivalsSmaller beetles who consistently lose fights over resources can gain a competitive advantage over their larger rivals by teaming up with another species. |
 | Climate change forces Arctic animals to shift feeding habits: studySeals and whales in the Arctic are shifting their feeding patterns as climate change alters their habitats, and the way they do so may determine whether they survive, a new study has found. |
 | Scientists identify gene partnerships that promote spinal cord regenerationResearchers are one step closer to solving the mystery of why some vertebrates can regenerate their spinal cords while others, including humans, create scar tissue after spinal cord injury, leading to lifelong damage. |
 | The secret of a squid's ability to change colors may lie in an unexpected sparkle on its skinIn the blink of an eye, squid can change from sandy brown to vibrant red or ripple with bright metallic rainbows. Their color-changing abilities (and those of their fellow cephalopods, octopus and cuttlefish) are more sophisticated than any found in the animal kingdom. |
 | Study shows that many who experience trauma of war become increasingly religiousIt's been said that there are no atheists in foxholes, but a new study led by Joseph Henrich has shown that the impact of war on religion extends well beyond the front lines. |
 | How do insects feel the heat?Every year, nearly 700 million people contract mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria, dengue, West Nile virus or yellow fever. |
 | The secret behind maximum plant height—waterPhysiological coordination between plant height and xylem hydraulic traits is aligned with habitat water availability across Earth's terrestrial biomes, according to a new study. Ecologists from the South China Botanical Garden (SCBG), Chinese Academy of Sciences, conclude that such coordination plays an important role in determining global sorting of plant species, and can be useful in predicting future species distribution under climate change scenarios. |
 | Molecular connection between nutrient availability and embryonic growth identifiedThe union of an ovule and a spermatozoon initiates a complex cell division process that will ultimately yield a new living being. In fact, all the body's cells come from embryonic stem cells that must divide in a controlled and exact fashion to give rise to proper organ and tissue formation in the embryo. However, phenomena as yet understood by science include the way that stem cells manage to control this accelerated division process without losing control, as occurs with tumour cells, and how division speed is adapted to energy and molecular supplies. |
 | Molecular puzzle reveals unknown stages of fetal developmentBy applying gene analysis to individual cells from early mouse embryos, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have discovered previously unknown cellular stages of fetal development from fertilised egg to living being. The study is published in the scientific journal Cell Reports. |
 | Impact of urbanization on wild bees underestimatedWild bees are indispensable pollinators, supporting both agricultural productivity and the diversity of flowering plants worldwide. |
 | Project reveals genome of celebrity cat Lil BUBLil BUB has drawn millions of followers across the internet for her cute appearance. Behind the celebrity cat's unique features is a combination of two rare genetic variants, three molecular biologists from Germany and the US report. The results of their crowdfunded project "LilBUBome" are now available on the preprint server bioRxiv. |
 | Dust affects tooth wear and chewing efficiency in chimpanzeesIn a new study, Leipzig researchers collected feces from chimpanzees living at Taï National Park, Ivory Coast, and analyzed chewing efficiency during dry and rainy periods. They found that increased dust loads during dry periods result in decreased chewing efficiency. Moreover, dust affects tooth wear (surface texture) of the chimpanzees. The researchers found that consumption of dust-covered foods created micrometer-scale surface texture features (e.g. fine furrows and dales) on cheek teeth, while at the same time, chewing was less intensive, resulting in a lower number of chews per quantity ingested, and subsequently in larger mean fecal particle sizes. |
 | Most microbes in hummingbird feeders do not pose health hazardMany people set up hummingbird feeders in their yards to nurture and watch these high-energy pollinators. But could the sugar water they provide be impacting these tiny feathered friends? |
 | Scientists find method to boost CRISPR efficiencyScientists have developed a method to boost the efficiency of CRISPR gene editing in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), according to a study that could have implications for optimizing gene therapies for other diseases. |
 | Diet may be an important factor for Influenza A virus exposure in wild African mammalsGiven the importance and wide distribution of Influenza A viruses, it is surprising how little is known about infections of wild mammals. A new study led by Alex D. Greenwood and Gábor Á. Czirják of the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) in Berlin sheds light on which species are commonly infected and why. The scientists detected virus exposure among wild African mammals in Namibia and demonstrated that the most important factor for influenza A virus diversity and prevalence is a diet containing birds. Species relationship or sociality play surprisingly small roles. The results have been published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases. |
 | Mercury exposure found to alter the migration behavior of birdsMercury pollution is a global problem caused by coal combustion, gold mining, and other human activities, and has myriad adverse impacts to biodiversity. A new study by researchers at the Great Hollow Nature Preserve & Ecological Research Center (New Fairfield, CT, USA) and Western University (London, ON, Canada) has shown for the first time that exposure to methylmercury – the highly toxic form of mercury that most readily bioaccumulates up food webs – significantly alters the migration behavior of birds. |
 | New technologies could help conservationists keep better track of Serengeti wildebeest herdsNew methods of counting wildlife could provide conservationists with fast and accurate methods for estimating the abundance of natural populations. |
 | Swifts are born to eat and sleep in the air"They eat and sleep while they are airborne. This is something that researchers have believed since the 1950s, and now we can show that it's true", says Anders Hedenström, professor at the Department of Biology at Lund University. |
 | Are viruses the best weapon for fighting superbugs?Antibiotics won the battle against resistant bacteria, but they may not win the war. |
 | Biological diversity stabilizes species interactionsThe decline in biodiversity and the associated loss of plant species are greatly affecting ecosystems. Thus far, this has been shown by studies in the so-called grasslands, i.e. in areas that are not covered by buildings or are dominated by woody vegetation. A team of biologists from the University of Freiburg has now been able to show that the loss of tree species in forests destabilizes insect communities and their interactions with each other and with plants. Tree diversity in forests is therefore important for stabilizing the insects' food webs. They present their results in the current issue of the international journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. |
 | The evolution of grain yieldA high grain yield is undoubtedly a desirable trait in cereal crops. Floret fertility is a key factor that determines the number of grains per inflorescence of cereals such as bread, wheat or barley. Nonetheless, until recently, little was known about its genetic basis. While investigating floret fertility, a group of researchers from Japan, Germany and Israel have now discovered the locus Grain Number Increase 1 (GNI1), an important contributor to floret fertility. |
 | Disrupting wolf movement may be more effective at protecting caribouWoodland caribou populations have been dwindling towards local extinction across much of their range and scientists believe that predators, and specifically wolves, are a leading cause of the decline. Wolf populations are thought to have increased and expanded into caribou range due to the expansion of linear features, such as pipelines and roads, resulting from oil, gas and forestry development. |
 | Translocation of bighorn sheep in Arizona has positive genetic outcomesTranslocation is an important management tool that has been used for more than 50 years to increase bighorn sheep population numbers in Arizona and to restore herds to suitable habitat throughout their historical range. Yet, translocation also can alter the underlying genetic diversity and spatial structure of managed wildlife species in both beneficial and detrimental ways. |
 | Mexico says only 22 vaquita porpoises remain (Update)Experts said Wednesday that only 22 vaquitas remain in the Gulf of California, where a grim, increasingly violent battle is playing out between emboldened fishermen and the last line of defense for the smallest and most endangered porpoise in the world. |
 | US plans end to wolf protections, critics say it's prematureU.S. wildlife officials plan to lift protections for gray wolves across the Lower 48 states, re-igniting the legal battle over a predator that's run into conflicts with farmers and ranchers after rebounding in some regions, an official told The Associated Press. |
 | Gabon seizes haul of 'sacred' wood: NGOCustoms officers have seized a major haul of kevazingo, a precious wood whose exploitation is banned in Gabon where it is considered sacred, a report said Wednesday. |
Getting more mileage from microsatellitesThey say you only find what you're looking for, and that applies in population genetics as well as in life. Population genetic studies rely on scoring known, characterized variation in DNA in order to decipher the history of different populations. However, this known variation may not be sufficient to give a properly resolved picture in every species. In research presented in a recent issue of Applications in Plant Sciences, Dr. Juan Viruel and colleagues used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify additional variation in DNA markers of the carob tree, Ceratonia siliqua. This study shows that increasingly affordable NGS technologies can reveal the history of this important tree in higher resolution than possible with traditional methods. | |
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