Science X Newsletter Friday, Apr 12

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for April 12, 2019:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

A snake robot controlled by biomimetic CPGs

Study confirms the precise nature of fractional crystallization in hard sphere mixtures

Largest, fastest array of microscopic 'traffic cops' for optical communications

Earliest life may have arisen in ponds, not oceans

We now know how insects and bacteria control ice

Unique oil-eating bacteria found in world's deepest ocean trench

Molecules that curb errant proteins of AL amyloidosis point to new type of therapy

Anesthesia sends neurons down the wrong path in unborn rat babies

AI agent offers rationales using everyday language to explain its actions

New dynamic model better portrays how plant roots forage and adapt to resource fluctuation

SpaceX launches mega rocket, lands all three boosters

Israeli spacecraft crashes in attempt to land on moon

Recycling robot can use sense of touch to sort through the trash

Research provides speed boost to quantum computers

New smart material works better under pressure

Astronomy & Space news

	SpaceX launches mega rocket, lands all three boosters SpaceX launched its second supersized rocket and for the first time landed all three boosters Thursday, a year after sending up a sports car on the initial test flight.
	Israeli spacecraft crashes in attempt to land on moon An Israeli spacecraft crashed into the moon just moments before touchdown, failing in an ambitious attempt to make history Thursday as the first privately funded lunar landing.
	Curiosity tastes first sample in 'clay-bearing unit' Scientists working with NASA's Curiosity Mars rover have been excited to explore a region called "the clay-bearing unit" since before the spacecraft launched. Now, the rover has finally tasted its first sample from this part of Mount Sharp. Curiosity drilled a piece of bedrock nicknamed "Aberlady" on Saturday, April 6 (the 2,370th Martian day, or sol, of the mission), and delivered the sample to its internal mineralogy lab on Wednesday, April 10 (Sol 2374).
	Hubble peers at cosmic blue bauble Globular clusters are inherently beautiful objects, but the subject of this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image, Messier 3, is commonly acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful of them all.
	NASA's 'Twins Study,' landmark research for an eventual Mars mission A NASA study of a US astronaut who spent a year in space while his twin brother remained on Earth is providing valuable insights into the effects of extended spaceflight on the human body, a key to planning a future manned mission to Mars, researchers said Thursday.
	Doing up the deep dish ESA's 35-metre radio antenna in Malargüe, Argentina, has had a major refurbishment. Extenstive modifications made will now allow the ESTRACK network to support future missions like Euclid, launching in 2022, and to transfer data at much higher rates.
	Tests for the InSight 'Mole' A blue box, a cubic metre of Mars-like sand, a rock, a fully-functional model of the Mars 'Mole' and a seismometer – these are the main components with which the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) is simulating the current situation on Mars. After its first hammering operation on 28 February 2019, the DLR Heat and Physical Properties Package (HP³), the Mars Mole, was only able to drive itself about 30 centimetres into the Martian subsurface. DLR planetary researchers and engineers are now analysing how this could have happened and looking into what measures could be taken to remedy the situation. "We are investigating and testing various possible scenarios to find out what led to the 'Mole' stopping," explains Torben Wippermann, Test Leader at the DLR Institute of Space Systems in Bremen. The basis for the scientists' work: some images, temperature data, data from the radiometer and recordings made by the French Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure (SEIS) during a brief hammering test conducted on 26 March 2019.
	10 things you should know about planetary defense 1. Why Asteroids Impact Earth
	Rocket break-up provides rare chance to test debris formation The discarded 'upper stage' from a rocket launched almost ten years ago has recently crumbled to pieces.
	Israeli team assesses what went wrong with lunar landing The team behind the Israeli spacecraft that crashed into the moon moments before touchdown was working Friday to try and piece together what derailed the ambitious mission, which sought to make history as the first privately funded lunar landing.
	Trump's Space Force collides with skeptical Congress The Space Force that President Donald Trump wants to launch ran headlong on Thursday into skeptical lawmakers who questioned the need for a stand-alone military wing.

Technology news

	A snake robot controlled by biomimetic CPGs In recent years, a growing number of studies has been aimed at developing robots inspired by nature, particularly by certain species of animals. In a study published in Atlantis Press' Journal of Robotics, Networking and Artificial Life, a team of researchers at the University of Bordeaux and the University of Tokyo have created a robot that resembles a snake in both its shape and movements.
	AI agent offers rationales using everyday language to explain its actions Georgia Institute of Technology researchers, in collaboration with Cornell University and University of Kentucky, have developed an artificially intelligent (AI) agent that can automatically generate natural language explanations in real-time to convey the motivations behind its actions. The work is designed to give humans engaging with AI agents or robots confidence that the agent is performing the task correctly and can explain a mistake or errant behavior.
	Recycling robot can use sense of touch to sort through the trash MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) is developing a robot that sorts for recycling. Fundamentally, the squad's robot arm has soft grippers ad the robot can take objects from a conveyor belt and identify what they are made from— by touch.
	U.S. energy use rises to highest level ever Americans used more energy in 2018 than in any other year, according to the most recent energy flow charts released by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Overall total energy consumption rose to 101.2 quadrillion BTU (or "quads"). The prior record, set in 2007, was 101.0 quads. Energy use went up by 3.6 percent from 2017, which also is the largest annual increase since 2010.
	Warning issued on industrial plants as 'Triton' hack resurfaces Security researchers this week confirmed that they spotted new activity by hackers using "Triton" malware capable of doing real-world damage to oil, gas or water plants.
	Disney+ streaming service sets November launch Disney announced Thursday that its video streaming service would launch in the US in November, spotlighting its blockbuster-making studios as it takes on powerhouse Netflix.
	Uber sets IPO in motion, seeks to 'ignite opportunity' Uber filed documents Thursday for its much-anticipated public share offering expected to be the largest in the tech sector in years, and a bellwether for other venture-backed startups eyeing Wall Street listing.
	WikiLeaks set 21st century model for cyber-leak journalism Using cryptography and virtual drop boxes, Julian Assange's WikiLeaks created a revolutionary new model for media to lure massive digitized leaks from whistleblowers, exposing everything from US military secrets to wealthy tax-dodgers' illicit offshore accounts.
	Boeing to meet with US airlines over 737 MAX The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Thursday it would meet with American commercial airlines that use the Boeing 737 MAX, which has been grounded worldwide since mid-March following two accidents that killed 346 people.
	Don't trust the environmental hype about electric vehicles? The economic benefits might convince you With electric cars back in the headlines, it's time to remember why we should bother making the transition away from oil.
	Flying cars could cut emissions, replace planes, and free up roads – but not soon enough When Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was released 50 years ago, flying cars were a flight of fancy. Now, these futuristic vehicles are entering the outer fringes of reality. According to a new study published in Nature, for some journeys flying cars could eventually be greener than even electric road cars, cutting emissions while also reducing traffic on increasingly busy roads.
	Hey Siri! Why are food retailers so slow to embrace technology? Your own voice will likely become the most significant focus for food retailers and restaurants over the next little while. Voice searches are increasingly becoming the norm. A recent study suggests that more than 50 per cent of all online searches will be voice-activated by 2020.
	Better city bike maps are made by volunteers Not all bike routes are equal. Some places that are marked as bike routes on a map feel precarious when traversed on two wheels, including shoulders covered in debris and places where you can feel the wind from speeding cars.
	A user's guide to self-driving cars You may remember the cute Google self-driving car. In 2014, the tech giant announced their brand-new prototype of what the future of transportation might one day look like. If you wish you could drive one today, you are out of luck. The design was unfortunately scrapped in 2017. But don't worry, what happened didn't make a dent in the plan of introducing the world to self-driving cars, I mean autonomous cars, driverless cars, automated vehicles or … robot cars?
	$1,000 for a smartphone? How about $100? The Samsung Galaxy J phone won't win any critics awards.
	Dell adds to market share in weakening global PC market As worldwide PC shipments decline, the top three vendors—Lenovo, HP Inc. and Dell Technologies—boosted their share of the global PC market in the first quarter of 2019, according to new industry data.
	Amazon reveals what typical U.S. worker makes after its minimum-wage bump The median pay of Amazon employees in the U.S. was just over $35,000 last year, the company disclosed for the first time in its 2019 proxy statement Thursday.
	FCC to hold big 5G auction, spend $20B for rural internet The U.S. communications regulator will hold a massive auction to bolster 5G service, the next generation of mobile networks, and will spend $20 billion for rural internet.
	As cashless stores grow, so does the backlash Hembert Figueroa just wanted a taco.
	How not to break the bank on streaming services With more TV streaming services than ever before, from newcomers like Disney Plus to stalwarts like Netflix, consumers may feel the ideal viewing experience is finally at hand.
	Tesla to stop selling $35,000 Model 3 online Tesla has pulled the plug on Internet sales of its cheapest Model 3 sedan in the latest shift to the company's retail strategy.
	This new invention can generate power from the softest breeze A patent was issued to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Tuesday for a novel generator that buzzes in a light breeze.
	Journalism or not? WikiLeaks' status in media world complex After the arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in London, his lawyer was quick to characterize it as an assault against the rights of journalists all over the world who seek to uncover secrets.
	Amazon, Walmart trade barbs on taxes, wages The Amazon-Walmart battle for retail supremacy veered into a trash-talk phase on Thursday over worker pay and alleged tax shirking.
	Microsoft's work with Chinese military university raises eyebrows Microsoft has been collaborating with researchers linked to a Chinese military-backed university on artificial intelligence, elevating concerns that US firms are contributing to China's high-tech surveillance and censorship apparatus.
	Indian IT giants Infosys, TCS see profits soar India's biggest software exporters reported a surge in net profits on Friday thanks to strong revenue growth and a slew of big new deals.
	Apple on the environment: Doing right for the planet is good for business Apple is all in on addressing climate change.
	German price platform sues Google over search results A German price-comparison platform says it has filed suit against Alphabet Inc.'s Google search business, saying that Google has abused its dominant position by favoring its own price-comparison service in search results.
GM to reveal next generate Corvette in July It's enough to rev up Corvette fans—a new rendition of the classic sports car is coming.
Foxconn buys building across street from Wisconsin Capitol Foxconn Technology Group announced Friday it was buying a six-story office building across the street from Wisconsin's state Capitol to house an off-campus research center it will run as part of a partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
	Southwest doesn't plan to use Boeing Max jets until August Southwest Airlines customers relaxing on Thursday evening got an email that may mean their summer vacation could be more stressful and expensive than they planned.

Medicine & Health news

	Anesthesia sends neurons down the wrong path in unborn rat babies While there has long been discussion whether exposure to anesthesia affects brain development, new Rush University Medical Center research published in the journal Cerebral Cortex describes how prenatal anesthesia in rats seems to disrupt the "precisely choreographed" and timed migration of neurons to the area of the developing brain where thinking, memory and language occur.
	SRC-1 gene variants linked to human obesity Maintaining a healthy body weight is no simple matter. A better understanding of how the body regulates appetite could help tip the scale toward the healthy side. Contributing toward this goal, a team led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Cambridge reports in the journal Nature Communications that the gene SRC-1 affects body weight control by regulating the function of neurons in the hypothalamus—the appetite center of the brain.
	A future 'human brain/cloud interface' will give people instant access to vast knowledge via thought alone Imagine a future technology that would provide instant access to the world's knowledge and artificial intelligence, simply by thinking about a specific topic or question. Communications, education, work, and the world as we know it would be transformed.
	Immune system is potential culprit in causing cavities, damaging fillings A new study by researchers at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Dentistry provides the first evidence that the body's own defence system could be a major contributor to tooth decay and filling failure.
	Research finds new Rx target for childhood cancer Research led by Michael Lan, Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics and Genetics at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, found that a compound named 5'-iodotubercidin (5'-IT) suppresses the growth of neuroblastoma cells and identified a potential new therapeutic approach for the disease. The paper, currently available online here, will be published in the April 12, 2019, issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
	Want to learn a new skill? Take some short breaks In a study of healthy volunteers, National Institutes of Health researchers found that our brains may solidify the memories of new skills we just practiced a few seconds earlier by taking a short rest. The results highlight the critically important role rest may play in learning.
	Artificial intelligence singles out neurons faster than a human can Biomedical engineers at Duke University have developed an automated process that can trace the shapes of active neurons as accurately as human researchers can, but in a fraction of the time.
Living transplant donors need long-term monitoring, too While organ transplant recipients receive continual care as the end-stage treatment to their condition, attention also should be given to living donors, who can suffer from hypertension, diabetes and other disorders after donation, according to a study by researchers at UC San Francisco.
	Diesel exhaust filtered of its tiny particles may worsen allergy-induced lung impairment Air pollution from diesel engines may worsen allergy-induced lung impairment more when tiny particles are filtered from the exhaust than when they are not, according to new research published online in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
	Despite years of progress, many african countries have wide variation in vaccine coverage Many African nations have made substantial progress in vaccinating children against life-threatening diseases, however, within countries wide discrepancies remain, according to a new scientific study.
	Privacy curtains could be reservoir of deadly bacteria: study Hard-to-clean privacy curtains in hospitals and nursing homes worldwide may be contaminated with deadly drug-resistant bugs, according to findings to be presented Saturday at an infectious diseases conference.
	Immune responses in Ebola survivors 2 years after infection provide clues for vaccine development Scientists have discovered that 2 years after infection, West African Ebola survivors exhibit memory immune responses—including specific T cells against Ebola virus. They believe their discovery opens up the possibility of improving Ebola vaccines by boosting key immune cells needed for long-lasting protective immunity.
	Inappropriate pain management after surgery is a major cause of the opioid crisis Targets to eliminate pain after surgery have driven increases in the use of opioids, and are a major cause of the opioid crisis in the USA, Canada and other countries. For the first time, a new Series of three papers, published in The Lancet, brings together global evidence detailing the role of surgery in the opioids crisis.
	Increase in foreign body ingestions among young children Young children explore the world by putting things in their mouths. While many of these items are relatively harmless, some can cause serious injuries and require immediate medical attention. A new study from researchers in the Center for Injury Research and Policy and the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Nationwide Children's Hospital analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) for children younger than six years who were treated in a U.S. emergency department due to concern of a foreign body ingestion from 1995 through 2015.
	Want to quit smoking? Partner up Kicking the habit works best in pairs. That's the main message of a study presented today at EuroPrevent 2019, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
	Ability to lift weights quickly can mean a longer life Prolong your life by increasing your muscle power. That's the main message of a study presented today at EuroPrevent 2019, a congress of the European Society of Cardiology.
	App predicts risk of developing hernia following abdominal surgery A new app can predict the likelihood that a patient will develop an incisional hernia following abdominal surgery, using big data to potentially help address a problem effects one out of every eight of these surgical patients. Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania developed the app utilizing electronic health records (EHR) to identify the most common risk factors for patients, as well as which surgeries most commonly result in incisional hernias across multiple specialties. They validated the app based on data from almost 30,000 patients. John P. Fischer, MD, MPH, FACS, an assistant professor of Plastic Surgery, will present the app and its development today at the 139th American Surgical Association Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas.
	Population health: A rapidly evolving discipline in US academic medicine Leaders from department-level initiatives across the U.S. weigh in on how academic medicine is embracing population health and the opportunities med schools have to make an impact, according to a new analysis published in JAMA Network Open.
	Medicaid could save $2.6 billion within a year if just 1% of recipients quit smoking Reducing smoking, and its associated health effects, among Medicaid recipients in each state by just 1 percent would result in $2.6 billion in total Medicaid savings the following year, according to new research by UC San Francisco.
	Move more to live longer Improving fitness doesn't require doing activities you don't like. That's the main message of research presented today at EuroPrevent 2019. The largest study to date of cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy people found that moving more is linked to living longer, regardless of age, sex, and starting fitness level.
	Biophotonic therapy eliminates bacteria and viruses from organs before transplantation A new technique for the decontamination of organs before transplantation using ultraviolet and red light irradiation has been developed by Brazilian and Canadian researchers and is described in an article titled "Inactivating hepatitis C virus in donor lungs using light therapies during normothermic ex vivo lung perfusion," published in the journal Nature Communications. The research was partially conducted at the Optics and Photonics Research Center (CEPOF), hosted by the University of São Paulo (USP) at São Carlos in São Paulo State (Brazil).
	Five ways to move more at work and make it count With the recent news that even small bouts of exercise lead to significant health benefits, the American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives, is urging adults to move more and make it count where they spend most of their time—at work.
	Improved procedure for cancer-related erectile dysfunction Melbourne surgeons have modified a minimally invasive technique to help men regain erectile function lost after prostate cancer surgery. The surgery had a 71 per cent success rate with two participants achieving their first erection in 12 years.
	If you're coming off antidepressants, withdrawals and setbacks may be part of the process Depression is a common mental disorder affecting over 300 million people across the world. It's estimated that one in ten people in Australia (10.4%) suffer from depression.
	Mutation behind incurable disease mapped Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have mapped the genetic mutation behind the incurable disease systemic mastocytosis. The results give insights into the origin of the disease, and the researchers also discovered a protein with potential to improve disease diagnosis. The results are published in the journal EBioMedicine.
	Landmark study compiles data on pregnant women in prisons As an expert in reproductive health care for incarcerated women, Carolyn Sufrin kept running up against a troubling obstacle: She needed prisons to provide hard data that simply didn't exist.
	Researchers succeed at removing some types of pancreatic cancer in animal models Researchers from the Experimental Oncology Group, led by Mariano Barbacid at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), have published in Cancer Cell the results of a study that shows full regression of advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) upon combined inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and c-RAF kinase. This research project was funded by the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) as part of its Stable Coordinated Groups system.
	A vascular fountain of youth Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States among men and women, and the number one risk factor is age. In large part, this is because of the damage that occurs in our blood vessels as we grow older. But what if you could turn back your circulatory system's clock?
	Discovering hallucinogenic mushrooms in Mexico Before being qualified as "magic" and becoming the global phenomenon they are today, certain mushrooms were considered as sacred by the Mesoamerican peoples of Mexico. In the Nahuatl language the word teonanacatl, literally means "the flesh of God". In the 16th century, with the conquest of Mexico and its colonisation by the Spaniards, the evangelising monks considered the mushrooms to be the work of the Devil. Over nearly 400 years, the ritual use of hallucinogenic mushrooms was thus systematically condemned… until it was discovered, in the 1950s, that the rites were still alive.
	Chronic diseases restrict the mobility of older people—often unconsciously Chronic diseases are a key factor limiting the mobility of older people. Usually, individuals are conscious of their condition, as in the case of an acute musculoskeletal disorder that causes pain or functional limitations. However, if the condition has progressed slowly, the gradual restriction of mobility often goes unnoticed.
	CDC: Superbug fungus has sickened 600 Americans (HealthDay)—The United States has had more than 600 cases of infection with a type of fungus called a "serious global health threat" by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
	A dollar a day could help keep the doctor away—or bring them closer Cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes, is the leading cause of disease-related death in the world. Eighty percent of cardiovascular deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
	Gold nanoparticle delivery of microRNA impairs metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer Weill Cornell Medicine researchers have shown that giving mice with triple-negative breast cancer therapeutic microRNA (miRNA) in a protective gold nanoparticle results in significantly less spreading of cancer to the lung. Triple-negative breast cancer is a highly aggressive, difficult-to-treat form of the disease, with a high rate of metastatic recurrence. miR-708 is a non-coding microRNA that can block expression of genes that are crucial in metastasis.
	UNM researcher identifies the key to emotional stability for youth living in poverty We already know that having the support of warm, caring parents is vital for many aspects of a child's development, particularly those from low-income families who face additional health and education disadvantages. Until now it hasn't been clear what effect maternal warmth has on a child's empathy, their moral codes, and their tendency to help, or want to help others.
	Research informs best outcomes on type 2 diabetes treatment New research updates guidance to clinicians on how best to treat patients with type 2 diabetes who do not respond to glucose-lowering medication.
	Mindfulness yoga aids patients with Parkinson's disease (HealthDay)—Mindfulness yoga is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with mild-to-moderate Parkinson disease to help them manage stress and symptoms, according to a study published online April 8 in JAMA Neurology.
	Cyclone Idai is over, but its health effects will be felt for a long time People in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have started trying to rebuild their lives after the devastation wrought by Cyclone Idai. Southern Malawi and Mozambique were already reeling when the cyclone hit: these areas were flooded in the days before Idai made landfall.
	'Alarming' amount of new drugs on dark web, study finds Australians have access to mass amounts of potent drugs online, equivalent to "billions of doses" every day, according to a new study from the Australian National University (ANU).
	Experts provide new guidelines to athletes on protein intake A review led by a sports scientist at the University of Stirling has set out new international guidelines for protein intake in track and field athletes.
	Hyperhidrosis: The excessive sweating condition that could ruin your life Most people sweat when they exercise or the weather is hot. But some people sweat far more than this. Hyperhidrosis – excessive sweating – can be a devastating condition that has a huge impact on quality of life, and even prevent those who have it from carrying out everyday tasks. For some it has affected their relationships. Others are so embarrassed by their sweating that they feel unable to leave their house.
	Is 75 the new 65? Wealthy countries need to rethink what it means to be old In 1950, men and women at age 65 could expect to live about 11 years more on average.
	Why the HPV vaccine is more important than ever (HealthDay)—HPV, the human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, with 14 million new cases each year.
Fishy diagnostics for food allergy testing James Cook University scientists in Australia have found material commonly used for fish allergy testing is unreliable—potentially putting lives at risk.
	Home remedies: The bad breath battle There are many causes of bad breath, also called halitosis. Your mouth may be the source. The breakdown of food particles and other debris by bacteria in and around your teeth can cause a foul odor. If your mouth becomes dry, such as during sleep or after smoking, dead cells can accumulate and decompose on your tongue, gums and cheeks, causing odor. Eating foods containing oils with strong odor such as onions and garlic, can lead to bad breath. Foul-smelling breath also may be a symptom of illness, such as lung disease, diabetes or liver failure.
	Bigger portions lead to preschoolers eating more over time Preschoolers may not be as good at resisting large portions of everyday foods as was previously thought, according to Penn State researchers.
New studies can inform programs to prevent sexual violence among teens locally, globally Across cultures and geographic locations, the teen years are a time of growth, development and exploration into adult interactions—and romantic and sexual relationships are often some of the most critical interactions that many teenagers navigate.
	FDA orders label warning on alcohol use with 'female viagra' (HealthDay)—A drug touted as a "female Viagra" can cause severe low blood pressure and fainting when used with alcohol, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
	Is yoga heart-healthy? It's no stretch to see benefits, science suggests For years, aerobic exercise has been touted for its numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, better mood, increased energy, and stronger bones and muscles. But there's another form of physical activity that's grabbing headlines—yoga.
	Morbidity low with focal laser ablation of prostate cancer (HealthDay)—Focal laser ablation (FLA) of low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer is associated with low morbidity and good oncologic outcomes, according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.
	Prevalence of extragenital STDs high in men who have sex with men (HealthDay)—Extragenital (rectal and pharyngeal) chlamydia and gonorrhea are prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM), according to research published in the April 12 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
	Complementary, alternative medicine use high in cancer patients (HealthDay)—One-third of patients with cancer and cancer survivors report using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and many do not disclose use to physicians, according to a research letter published online April 11 in JAMA Oncology.
	In pregnancy, buprenorphine use up, methadone use down (HealthDay)—From 2009 to 2015, the prevalence of methadone use decreased and buprenorphine use increased among Medicaid-enrolled pregnant women with opioid use disorder, and the 4Ps Plus and Substance Use Risk Profile-Pregnancy (SURP-P) scale are sensitive for identifying illicit drug use, according to two studies published online April 5 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
	Operator-directed sedation seems safe in peds cardiac cath (HealthDay)—For carefully selected pediatric patients, operator-directed sedation (ODS) for congenital cardiac catheterization procedures is not associated with an increased risk for adverse events and may reduce case time and charges, according to a study published online April 10 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
	Fibrosis, steatosis of the liver observed in some young adults (HealthDay)—A considerable proportion of young adults have fibrosis and steatosis of the liver, according to a study presented at The International Liver Congress 2019, held from April 10 to 19 in Vienna.
	Mother of 3-DNA baby praises new fertility treatment The Greek mother of the first baby born using DNA from three people on Friday praised the revolutionary technique that helped her conceive—and thanked the mystery woman who donated her egg.
Columbia experience could help reduce UK knife crime and street violence A leading public health expert says the UK should learn lessons from systematic violence reduction work in Cali, Columbia to tackle rising rates of knife crime on British streets. The work in Columbia resulted in significant reductions in homicides between 1995 and 2018.
Researchers call for rethink of external NHS inspections amid questions of effectiveness Researchers at the University of York have shown that costly external NHS hospital inspections are not associated with improvements in quality of care.
	Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir is effective and well tolerated in individuals with hepatitis C Two large 'real-world' studies conducted in Germany and the USA have confirmed the high rates of sustained virological response (SVR) observed in controlled clinical studies of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) involving individuals with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Across the two studies, which were presented today at The International Liver Congress 2019 in Vienna, Austria, a range of treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced individuals received G/P therapy, including those who are usually underrepresented in clinical trials such as patients receiving opioid substitution therapy, those with alcohol and/or active drug abuse, and those with psychiatric conditions and/or HIV coinfection.
	Study suggests the majority of tourniquets used in medical procedures are contaminated New research presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Amsterdam, Netherlands (13-16 April) shows that a majority of tourniquets inspected contained microbes which could put patient safety and care quality at risk.
UK study shows most patients with suspected UTI and treated with antibiotics actually lack evidence of this infection New research presented at this week's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Amsterdam, Netherlands (13-16 April) shows that only one third of patients that enter the emergency department with suspected urinary tract infection (UTI) actually have evidence of this infection, yet almost all are treated with antibiotics, unnecessarily driving the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The study is by Dr. Laura Shallcross, University College London, UK and colleagues.
	Antibiotics legitimately available in over-counter throat medications could contribute to increased resistance New research presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Amsterdam, Netherlands (13-16 April) shows that the inappropriate of use of antibiotics legitimately available in over-the-counter (OTC) throat medications could be contributing to antibiotic resistance, thereby going against World Health Organisation (WHO) goals.
	Web-based parent training intervention for childhood disruptive behaviour successful in primary health care Transferring an evidence-based treatment to practice is not self-evident but requires extensive work. The study published in the open access Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) examined how evidence-based digital parent training intervention with telephone coaching can be put into practice in primary health care.
	Rewiring the brains of stroke patients Neuroscientist and physical therapist Andrew Butler, professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and associate dean for research at the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing & Health Professions, discusses how he is mobilizing the healing power of brain plasticity.
	Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 predicts advanced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis AKR1B10 is a useful serum biomarker for advanced liver fibrosis in Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and combined with serum WFA(+)-M2BP, it can predict hepatocellular carcinoma development, gastroesophageal varix formation, and poor prognosis.
	UN says Congo's Ebola outbreak not yet a global emergency The ongoing Ebola outbreak in Congo does not yet warrant being declared a global emergency but is of "deep concern," the World Health Organization said Friday.
	Faith-based fitness programs: What's in it for you? (HealthDay)—Faith-based fitness is on the rise, according to trend-watchers at the American Council on Exercise, with many churches, mosques, synagogues and temples developing programs that promote health and wellness.
Ebola death toll in DRC passes 750: WHO The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed more than 750 people, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday, ahead of a key review on the severity of the epidemic.
New Jersey enacts law on assisted suicide for terminally ill Gov. Phil Murphy on Friday signed legislation making New Jersey the seventh state to enact a law permitting terminally ill patients to seek life-ending medication.

Biology news

	New dynamic model better portrays how plant roots forage and adapt to resource fluctuation If you've ever tended a garden or potted a plant, you know a few simple truths about green things—they require water and nutrients to survive and their roots are good indicators of their overall health. So we water on a regular schedule, provide for root growth and add nutrient-rich soils to ensure a balanced diet.
	Evolutionary biologists demonstrate that male fruit flies manipulate their female partners During mating, both males and females sometimes evolve creative strategies to pursue their interests. Researchers from Münster (Germany) and Lausanne (Switzerland) now report that male flies manipulate their partners primarily in order to increase their own chances in reproductive competition. The study was published in the journal PNAS.
	Interplay of pollinators and pests influences plant evolution Brassica rapa plants pollinated by bumblebees evolve more attractive flowers. But this evolution is compromised if caterpillars attack the plant at the same time. As bees pollinate them less effectively, the plants increasingly self-pollinate. In a greenhouse evolution experiment, scientists at the University of Zurich have shown just how much the effects of pollinators and pests influence each other.
	Genome research platform expands use of lab technique to visualise DNA in cells Researchers at Karolinska Institutet present a publicly available resource that can accelerate the use of so-called FISH techniques for studying how the genome is spatially organised in the cell nucleus. The new platform, which enables more cost-effective analyses for both research and diagnostic labs, is described in the scientific journal Nature Communications.
	Plant immune system detects bacteria through small fatty acid molecules Like humans and animals, plants defend themselves against pathogens with the help of their immune system. But how do they activate their cellular defenses? Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now discovered that receptors in plant cells identify bacteria through simple molecular building blocks.
	Knowing how cells grow and divide can lead to more robust and productive plants A large portion of a plant is hidden below the ground. This buried root system is essential for the plant: it provides stability, water, and food. In contrast to mammals, where the body plan is final at birth, the formation of new root branches ensures that the root system keeps growing throughout a plant's life. The labs of Prof. Ive De Smet and Prof. Tom Beeckman (VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology), together with researchers from the University of Nottingham (UK), Heidelberg University (Germany) and the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) identified a novel component that controls the development of root branches supporting plants. Their findings will be published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
	New microscopy technique peers deep into the brain In order to understand the brain, scientists must be able to see the brain—cell by cell, and moment by moment. However, because brains comprise billions of microscopic moving parts, faithfully recording their activity comes with many challenges. In dense mammalian brains, for example, it is difficult to track rapid cellular changes across multiple brain structures—particularly when those structures are located deep within the brain.
	Clear sight in the data fog with PAGA Experimental molecular assays with single-cell resolution generate big and complex data. Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München and the Technical University of Munich are now presenting their computer algorithm PAGA. They create data-driven, easily interpretable maps that reveal cellular processes and fates in complex contexts. Their paper has been published in Genome Biology.
	A study on zebrafish reveals how sexual rivalry can affect sperm function and quality The presence of a rival male affects sperm quality, according to a research study led by the University of Alicante and the University of Upsala (Sweden). The work was carried out with adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) and reveals that male spermatozoa exposed to high competition (two males and a single female) present dramatic changes in phenotype resulting in faster and more competitive spermatozoa. However, this phenotypic plasticity may incur a cost in the next generation as it has negative effects on DNA integrity.
NOAA: Bryde's whales in Gulf of Mexico are endangered Federal scientists say a tiny group of Bryde's whales in the Gulf of Mexico is endangered, with threats including oil and gas exploration and development.
	Climate change will redistribute tuna The increase in skipjack and yellowfin tuna in the tropical area, and the movement of the rest of the species (albacore, Atlantic bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna and southern bluefin tuna) towards colder waters are the main conclusions of the research led by AZTI, which has analysed the impact of climate change on the most important tuna species.
	Turtle-friendly plastic? A crafty solution to pollution, poaching and poverty Every year thousands of turtles come ashore along the beaches of the south Pacific coast of Nicaragua to lay their eggs. The female turtles return to the beaches on which they were born to lay an average of 100 ping-pong ball shaped eggs into nest holes dug out of the sand. The beaches in this region are of global importance for nesting turtles, including endangered olive ridley turtles, and critically endangered Pacific leatherback and hawksbill turtles.
	Genetic variant linked to cucumber fruit length The cucumber is among the top five vegetable crops grown in the world. Cucumbers are most commonly eaten fresh or preserved as pickles. An important attribute of the cucumber is fruit length. Cucumbers range in size from 5 to 60 cm, depending on the cultivar.

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