Science X Newsletter Monday, Apr 1

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for April 1, 2019:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Selecting the best features for phishing attack detection algorithms

Hydrogel 3-D printing and patterning liquids with the capacitor edge effect (PLEEC)

Using QMC simulations to examine the dynamic spin structure of planar coupled spin ladders

Astronomers take a closer look at a nearby dwarf active galactic nucleus

Can technology improve even though people don't understand what they are doing?

How the brain fights off fears that return to haunt us

Skyrmions could provide next generation data storage

Scientists find likely source of methane on Mars

New 'blue-green' solution for recycling world's batteries

'Featherweight oxygen' discovery opens window on nuclear symmetry

Engineers discover novel role of water in production of renewable fuels

Scientists construct new family tree for perching birds

Building blocks of DNA and RNA could have appeared together before life began on Earth

Rise of religion pre-dates Incas at Lake Titicaca

New evidence about why clear margins in breast cancer surgery are such good news

Astronomy & Space news

	Astronomers take a closer look at a nearby dwarf active galactic nucleus An international team of astronomers has conducted optical and spectroscopic observations of the dwarf galaxy NGC 4395 that contains an active galactic nucleus (AGN). The observations, described in a paper published March 19 on arXiv.org, allowed the researchers to take a closer look at this dwarf AGN, what could provide essential insights into the nature of this object.
	Star formation in galactic centers Stars form from the gas and dust in molecular clouds via a series of complex processes that are currently only partly understood, and the evolution of these clouds drives the evolution of the stellar populations in the universe. Astronomers studying the formation of stars have, over the past decades, concentrated on a few select regions of active star formation: the solar neighborhood, the disc of the Milky Way, and the neighboring Magellanic Cloud galaxies. This range of environments is limited, however, and not representative of the conditions under which most stars in the Universe formed. For instance, the densities, pressures, and motions of the gas in these local environments are considerably lower than those thought to be present during the time of peak cosmic star formation about ten billion years ago. Moreover the disparate conditions make it difficult to untangle evolutionary effects.
	Researcher calculates temperature inside moon to help reveal its inner structure Little is known about the inner structure of the Moon, but a major step forward was made by a University of Rhode Island scientist who conducted experiments that enabled her to determine the temperature at the boundary of the Moon's core and mantle.
	Exoplanet satellite ready ESA's Characterising Exoplanet Satellite, Cheops, was recently declared ready to fly after completing a series of final spacecraft tests.
	Video: Building spaceships How do you build a spaceship? It's not easy – because space is hard. It's endless vacuum, hot and cold at the same time, streaked with radiation – and you have to fly at eight kilometres per second just to get there.

Technology news

	Selecting the best features for phishing attack detection algorithms In recent decades, phishing attacks have become increasingly common. These attacks allow attackers to obtain sensitive user data, such as passwords, usernames, credit card details, etc., by tricking people into disclosing personal information. The most common type of phishing attack is email scams in which users are led to believe that they need to give their details to an established or trusted entity, while they are, in fact, sharing this data with someone else.
	New 'blue-green' solution for recycling world's batteries Rice University researchers literally have a solution to deal with the glut of used lithium-ion batteries left behind by the ever-increasing demand for electric vehicles, cellphones and other electronic devices.
	Toyota robot can't slam dunk but shoots a mean 3-pointer It can't dribble, let alone slam dunk, yet Toyota's basketball robot hardly ever misses a free throw or 3-pointer.
	'Smart' pajamas could monitor and help improve sleep If you've ever dreamed about getting a good night's sleep, your answer may someday lie in data generated by your sleepwear. Researchers have developed pajamas embedded with self-powered sensors that provide unobtrusive and continuous monitoring of heartbeat, breathing and sleep posture—all factors that play a role in how well a person slumbers. The "smart" garments could give ordinary people, as well as clinicians, useful information to help improve sleep patterns.
	MIT and NASA engineers demonstrate a new kind of airplane wing A team of engineers has built and tested a radically new kind of airplane wing, assembled from hundreds of tiny identical pieces. The wing can change shape to control the plane's flight, and could provide a significant boost in aircraft production, flight, and maintenance efficiency, the researchers say.
	British startup looking to build 18-seat bioelectric hybrid airplane British startup Faradair Aerospace has unveiled plans to build and sell an 18-seat bioelectric hybrid airplane for use as both a passenger and cargo air transport. The company is calling its plane the Bio Electric Hybrid Aircraft (BEHA). The current model is the M1H, and the plans include a triple box wing configuration to give it exceptional lift.
	Post 'net neutrality' internet needs new measurement tools, Princeton experts tell policymakers For much of the past decade, fierce political battles over the internet have involved concerns that the fastest access would go only to those with the greatest ability to pay. In testimony last week in Washington, however, a Princeton professor said measuring such performance is no longer so simple. On the internet, speed no longer rules.
	Tiny sensors, big potential The electrical energy from batteries powers not only the ignition system that turns the engine and moves electric vehicles but also powers almost every sensing feature of today's automobiles. Electricity turns on the car headlights for night travel, rolls the windows up and down, senses numerous actions within the car to keep drivers aware and alert to their environment.
	New tools in the battle against online data misuse Advances in digital technology are challenging our concept of privacy. In today's world, huge volumes of data are being collected, shared and stored in unprecedented ways and at tremendous speeds. Everything we do with our connected devices generates data that can be used or misused without our knowledge. Controlling when and how our personal data is used by others seems impossible, especially since sharing this information is an integral part of our participation in today's society.
	Virtual tests for autonomous driving systems Sensors in autonomous vehicles have to be extremely reliable, since in the future motorists will no longer constantly monitor traffic while underway. In the past these sensors were subjected to arduous road tests. The new ATRIUM testing device from Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques FHR now makes it possible to move a large portion of these road tests to the laboratory. ATRIUM puts on a show for the vehicle's radar sensor, generating artificial scenery that comes very close to the actual conditions encountered in street traffic.
	Project delivers low-cost future network architecture for mobile operators The 4-year TIGRE5-CM project, coordinated by IMDEA Networks Institute in Madrid, delivers an architecture designed for future mobile networks, based on the SDN (Software Defined Networking) paradigm. TIGRE5-CM simplifies deployment, configuration and management in both the access and core networks, integrating cutting-edge technologies.
	Greater comfort for cyclists Cycling is healthy, keeps the body supple, exercises the joints and strengthens the back. A company that places great value on comfort is Ergon International GmbH, which manufactures ergonomic bicycle accessories. Handlebar grips play an important role in cycling comfort. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF are working with the Koblenz-based company on methods and tools for accelerating and digitalizing the development process for ergonomic bicycle grips.
	Ethiopian Airlines crash report due Monday: foreign ministry A preliminary report from the fatal crash of a Boeing 737 Max in which 157 people died in Ethiopia will be released on Monday, the foreign ministry said.
	Data glitch delays flights at several US carriers Major US airlines experienced delays on Monday following a glitch to a data system used in flight planning.
	In a first, electric cars outsell traditional ones in Norway In a symbolic first, electric cars outsold fossil fuel-powered ones in Norway last month.
	Facebook's call for global internet regulation sparks debate Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg's call for "globally harmonized" online regulation raises questions about how internet platforms can deal with concerns about misinformation and abusive content while remaining open to free speech.
	Artificial intelligence automatically detects disturbances in power supply grids The grid is changing as the big, centralized providers of the past are replaced by smaller, distributed suppliers. Keeping such complex networks running stable requires high-resolution sensor technology – AI provides a way to make accurate predictions and automatically detect any disturbances or anomalies in real time. Here is how Fraunhofer researchers developed the compression techniques, algorithms and neural networks to make a power supply fit for the future.
	Personalized skin cream from a mini beauty plant Throughout the day, our skin is exposed to a range of hostile elements: wind, rain, sunlight, central heating, vehicle emissions... It is vital therefore to ensure it receives proper care. Most importantly, this means choosing a skincare product that is suitable for your type of skin. Fraunhofer researchers have now come up with a commercially viable method of producing a facial skincare product that is precisely tailored to the actual condition of your skin. What's more, it contains nothing but essential ingredients.
	Germany doubtful about Facebook chief's reform pledge Germany's justice minister voiced scepticism Monday about Facebook's willingness to reform, speaking after a Berlin meeting with its founder Mark Zuckerberg.
Why you should love robo-advisers Robo-advisers have been around long enough that the question is no longer whether you should turn your investment decisions over to a computer. Now the question is: Why wouldn't you?

Medicine & Health news

	How the brain fights off fears that return to haunt us Neuroscientists at The University of Texas at Austin have discovered a group of cells in the brain that are responsible when a frightening memory re-emerges unexpectedly, like Michael Myers in every "Halloween" movie. The finding could lead to new recommendations about when and how often certain therapies are deployed for the treatment of anxiety, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
	New evidence about why clear margins in breast cancer surgery are such good news When a breast cancer tumor is removed with no signs of cancer left behind, it's great news for patients, and now scientists have more evidence of why.
	Biopsy alternative: 'Wearable' device captures cancer cells from blood A prototype wearable device, tested in animal models, can continuously collect live cancer cells directly from a patient's blood.
	'Jumping genes' drive many cancers Mistakes in DNA are known to drive cancer growth. But a new study, from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, heavily implicates a genetic phenomenon commonly known as "jumping genes" in the growth of tumors.
	Teenage psychotic experiences more common in areas with high air pollution Research from King's College London provides the first evidence of an association between air pollution and psychotic experiences in adolescence.
	Global microbial signatures for colorectal cancer established Cancers have long been known to arise due to environmental exposures such as unhealthy diet or smoking. Lately, the microbes living in and on our body have entered the stage as key players: while stomach cancer can be caused by a single bacterial species, Helicobacter pylori, the role that gut microbes play in the development of colorectal cancer—the third most common cancer worldwide—is less clear. To determine their influence, association studies aim to map how the microbes colonizing the gut of colorectal cancer patients are different from those that inhabit healthy subjects.
	Study shows how light therapy might help premature babies avoid vision problems Scientists discovered a light-dependent molecular pathway that regulates how blood vessels develop in the eye. The findings in Nature Cell Biology suggest it may be possible to use light therapy to help premature infants whose eyes are still developing avoid vision problems, according to researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
	Sugar could be sweet solution to respiratory disease Restriction or inhalation of common sugar could one day treat a range of respiratory diseases, according to new research led by University of Manchester biologists.
	New therapeutic strategy to prevent gastrointestinal disease Food allergies, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diarrhea and other gastrointestinal diseases have something in common: all have been linked to epithelial barrier loss. The gut epithelial barrier—that critical lining of cells in the gut that must allow nutrients into the body while keeping food-borne microbes out—can be compromised during intestinal inflammation and cause disease. While many of the molecular mechanisms that trigger gastrointestinal diseases remain a mystery, previous research has found that one enzyme, known as myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), plays a critical role. However, MLCK is also essential for critical functions in gut epithelia and other cell types. This makes direct inhibition of MLCK impossible, as it would result in many toxic and systemic side effects.
	New therapy targets cause of adult-onset muscular dystrophy People diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy type 1 have difficulty unclenching muscles due to a genetic defect that generates toxic material within their cells. There is currently no treatment. In a new report published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on Monday, a group at Scripps Research in Florida reports making a potential drug that targets its key disease-causing RNA. In mouse and cellular models of myotonic dystrophy type 1, it improved the muscle defects with no apparent side-effects.
	Key brain region for navigating familiar places identified UCL scientists have discovered the key brain region for navigating well-known places, helping explain why brain damage seen in early stages of Alzheimer's disease can cause such severe disorientation.
	Research reveals how immune cells help tumors escape body's defenses New research from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center sheds light on how tumors use the body's regulators of immunity for their own benefit. Published today in Nature Immunology, the findings could be used to develop the next generation of immune therapies to fight various cancers.
	Awake lumbar interbody fusion As one can infer from the article title, "Endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion without general anesthesia: operative and clinical outcomes in 100 consecutive patients with a minimum 1-year follow-up," by John Paul G. Kolcun et al. (published today in Neurosurgical Focus, provides the reader with a glimpse of how effective lumbar surgery in select patients can be when performed without general anesthesia, open surgery, or a long convalescence in the hospital.
	Just an hour of weekly walking staves off disability Just one hour a week of brisk walking—as if you are late to an appointment or trying to make a train—staves off disability in older adults with arthritis pain, or aching or stiffness in a knee, hip, ankle or foot, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study.
Cesarean delivery associated with higher risk of severe complications for the mother Cesarean delivery is associated with a higher risk of severe complications for the mother compared with vaginal delivery, especially in women aged 35 and older, according to new research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
	China to regulate all fentanyl drugs as controlled substance China said Monday it would begin regulating all fentanyl-related drugs as a class of controlled substances, in a change U.S. officials had long advocated as a way to stem the flow of lethal opioids from China.
Compression-only CPR increases survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest A Swedish review of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest data shows rates of bystander CPR nearly doubled; compression-only (or Hands-Only CPR) increased six-fold over an 18 year period; and the chance of survival was doubled for any form of CPR compared with no CPR, according to new research in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.
	New evidence on the association of shortened sleep time and OSA with sleepiness and cardiometabolic risk factors A new study appearing in the journal CHEST may change the way we think about sleep disorders. In this study led by Dr. Luciano F. Drager, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and short sleep duration (SSD) were compared with excessive daytime sleepiness; anxiety/depressive symptoms; and several cardiometabolic risk factors including obesity, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Using a large sample of adults, investigators found that SSD, but not OSA, was independently associated with daytime sleepiness. In contrast, OSA, but not SSD, was independently associated with obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Neither was independently associated with anxiety or depression.
	Research may predict outcomes for newborns with rare disease Babies born with congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) are at risk of suffering from permanent brain damage and life-long disability.
	A simple new blood test for tuberculosis Testing for tuberculosis is fairly straightforward in most cases, but existing tests don't work for everyone because they require something not everyone, especially kids and people with HIV/AIDS, can do: cough up fluid from their lungs.
	Gabapentin and pregabalin become class C drugs An expert in mental health and addiction at the University of York comments on the Government's move to make gabapentin and pregabalin a class C drug.
	The mystery of touch and how we feel about it The mechanism of tactile sensation has not yet been solved, though it is a fundamental sense for humans. NITech scientists investigated its mechanism and found the important cues in touch could be different for each person. When evaluating roughness, different individuals weigh skin vibration information, spatial information, and other mechanical properties differently. The goal is to establish an estimation model of perceptual roughness ratings involving individual differences in the cognitive weights.
	Study links insurance coverage to access to hospital care Compared to privately insured patients, individuals who lack insurance or use Medicaid are more likely to be transferred to another hospital after receiving initial treatment in the emergency department (ED). The uninsured are also at greater risk of being discharged from an ED and not admitted to the hospital. These findings reveal disparities in access to hospital care linked to insurance coverage, said Yale researchers.
	Chronic kidney disease of undetermined causes described originally in Central America and Sri Lanka Chronic kidney disease of undetermined causes (CKDu), initially reported among agricultural communities in Central America and Sri Lanka, is also present in India, particularly in Southern rural areas, and could be common in other tropical and subtropical rural settings. These are the main conclusions of a new study published in BMJ Open.
	Fee for service psychology no answer to mental health The Better Access Program, a scheme providing Medicare access to psychology services, has fundamental failures, according to research from The Australian National University (ANU).
	What should our maximum heart rate be during exercise? You have your runners on, your FitBit is charged, but now what?
	It's time to lift the restrictions on medical abortion in Australia Over the past thirteen years, many Australian women have used the drug mifepristone (RU486) to bring about a medical abortion.
	Escaping the vicious circle of going paycheque to paycheque Many Canadians are stressed out about money and feel it would be difficult to meet their financial obligations if their paycheque was delayed by even one week.
	How DNA ancestry testing can change our ideas of who we are Have you ever wondered who you are or where you come from?
	Clustering helps unlock secrets of the human brain Environmental science and neuroscience may seem poles apart as research endeavors, but both are underpinned by the need to analyze and interpret enormous datasets capturing complex spatio-temporal processes.
	Breakthrough implant brings dexterity and sense of touch to prosthetic hand There have been significant technological developments in prosthetics in recent years. However, artificial replacements provide limited value in performing everyday tasks where their sensory feedback offers poor functionality. Thanks to the EU-funded DeTOP project, scientists have developed a new implant system enabling the use of a clinically viable, dexterous and sentient prosthetic hand in real life.
	Two new genes discovered in the developmental defects of canine enamel In addition to humans, hereditary disorders of enamel development occur in dogs, greatly impacting their dental health and wellbeing. A recent study reveals canine enamel disorders similar to those found in humans, linking them with ENAM and ACP4, two genes previously described in humans.
	Mental health disorders rife in post-conflict areas A new study has found that 58% of people displaced following the civil war in Sri Lanka have suffered mental health problems.
	Neuroscientist casts doubt on benefit of using electric currents to improve memory The effectiveness of applying electrical currents to the brain to improve memory and enhance cognitive ability – often used to treat Alzheimer's patients and children with developmental disorders – has been thrown into question by a neuroscientist at Kingston University.
	Blocking platelets: A possible option to prevent fatty liver disease and liver cancer Blood platelets that interact with liver cells and immune cells play a major role in the development of fatty liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver inflammation and liver cancer, scientists from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg and from Zurich University and University Hospital have now shown in a publication. The researchers have also worked out new approaches for using drugs to keep the development of fatty liver disease in check, thus preventing liver cancer in the long term.
	Gilteritinib improves survival for patients with acute myeloid leukemia Treatment with the FLT3-targeted therapeutic gilteritinib (Xospata) improved survival for patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) harboring a FLT3 mutation compared with standard chemotherapy regimens, according to results from the ADMIRAL phase III clinical trial presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2019, March 29–April 3.
	Baby-led weaning or spoon feeding? The difference it makes to your child's eating habits is actually very small When it comes to avoiding picky eating and meal time tantrums, parents are usually ready to try any method that promises their child will become a better and less fussy eater. This is in part why methods of giving solid food to infants have received a lot of attention in the last few years. Some think that the way babies are introduced to solids can change their attitudes to food into childhood or even for life.
	British government's failure to offer HPV catch-up vaccinations to older boys discriminatory, says health economist Professor Giampiero Favato is a health economist and director of doctoral programmes at Kingston University's Business School. His research assessing the cost and benefits of a gender-neutral human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination programme contributed to the decision by health ministers in England, Scotland and Wales to offer the vaccine to 13 year old boys from September this year. Professor Favato outlines below why he believes this is not enough – and how the omission of older boys poses serious risks.
	'Brain scanners are bringing about a revolution in neurolinguistics' Brain scanners have radically changed neurolinguistics. They are increasing our understanding of how the brain processes language. Professor Niels Schiller has produced a standard work on this.
	Neonatal DNA tests could save young lives, expert says A few months ago, Lisa Diller saw a family for a consultation in her cancer clinic. Their story is one of tragedy, and of hope.
	Mega study confirms pregnant women can reduce risk of stillbirth by sleeping on their side A New Zealand-led international study published today provides the strongest evidence yet that women can more than halve their risk of stillbirth by going to sleep on either side during the last three months of pregnancy.
	Natural gene therapy for intractable skin disease discovered Pathogenic gene mutations causing a type of intractable skin disease can be eliminated from some parts of patients' skin as they age, according to Hokkaido University researchers and their collaborators in Japan. This represents a form of natural gene therapy.
	Should measles vaccinations be compulsory? Following a measles outbreak in Rockland County in New York State, authorities there have declared a state of emergency, with unvaccinated children barred from public spaces, raising important questions about the responsibilities of the state and of individuals when it comes to public health.
	The unique vulnerabilities and needs of teen survivors of mass shootings The tragic deaths of Sydney Aiello and Calvin Desir, teen survivors of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, remind us that for too many survivors, the pain and suffering endure and do not diminish. Instead, they are left reeling in the aftermath with no sense of closure. This is especially true of teens.
Single agent umbralisib effective for relapsed slow-growing lymphoma A study at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center revealed the investigational drug umbralisib as an effective treatment for patients with relapsed marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). Findings from the Phase II trial were presented by study co-lead Nathan Fowler, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, at the AACR Annual Meeting 2019 in Atlanta.
	Researchers discover how tumor-killing immune cells attack lymphomas in living mice In a study that will be published April 1 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, researchers from the Institut Pasteur and INSERM reveal that chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells can induce tumor regression by directly targeting and killing cancer cells, uncovering new details of how these immune cells work and how their effectiveness could be improved in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and other B cell cancers.
Cancer preventive vaccine showed promising results in preclinical model of Lynch syndrome Vaccination with as few as four tumor antigens generated antigen-specific responses, reduced intestinal tumors, and improved survival in a mouse model of Lynch syndrome, suggesting that it may be possible to develop a cancer preventive vaccine for patients with Lynch syndrome, according to data presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2019, March 29-April 3.
	First total-body PET/CT studies show potential for better, faster, lower-dose images Case studies from the first total-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanner reveal multiple benefits of the novel imaging technology, providing a solid groundwork upon which to build its clinical utility. Published in the March issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, the case studies showed enhanced image quality, reduced scan time, a longer time window to perform the scan, reduced dose and total-body dynamic imaging. In a "Discussions with Leaders" column published in the same issue, Simon Cherry elaborates on how this new technology came about.
Data from two KEYNOTE trials show pembrolizumab benefited patients with advanced SCLC The anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab (Keytruda) showed promising antitumor activity with durable responses in patients with pretreated, advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC), according to results from a pooled analysis of the two clinical trials, the phase 1b KEYNOTE-028 and the phase II KEYNOTE-158, presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2019, March 29-April 3.
	Measles count in US this year already more than all of 2018 The number of U.S. measles cases through the first three months of this year have surpassed the count for all of 2018, health officials say.
Germany debates 'presumed consent' to boost organ donations Germany's health minister Monday pushed an initiative to boost the availability of transplant organs by making everyone a potential donor after death unless they have expressly objected.
HDAC inhibition may combat resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy in patients with melanoma A combination of the experimental histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor entinostat with the anti-PD-1 therapeutic pembrolizumab (Keytruda) showed clinical responses in patients with melanoma that had progressed on prior anti-PD-1 treatment, according to results from the ENCORE 601 phase Ib/II clinical trial presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2019, March 29-April 3.
	Estrogen byproducts linked to survival in breast cancer patients Researchers from the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center found preliminary evidence that measuring byproducts of the hormone estrogen can help them predict survival for women with breast cancer.
	Pregnant women with long commutes to work at increased risk for adverse birth outcomes In a study published in Economics & Human Biology researchers from Lehigh University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that pregnant women who commute long-distance to work have an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes, including having babies born at a low-birth weight. The study is the first to examine the impact of long-distance commuting during pregnancy on infant health.
	When your partner has erectile dysfunction (HealthDay)—Men often have a hard time acknowledging erectile dysfunction, or ED. But it can leave their partner feeling confused or even blaming themselves for something not within their control.
	Foods to lower your cholesterol count (HealthDay)—It's not always possible to lower cholesterol through diet alone—sometimes there's no way to override your DNA, and medication becomes a must.
	Most parents want age limits on football tackling (HealthDay)—With concern over concussion dangers rising, most U.S. parents now say that they would support bans on tackling in youth football, a new survey shows.
	Questions remain about safety of Parkinson disease psychosis drug (HealthDay)—There are many unanswered questions about the safety and effectiveness of a drug used to combat hallucinations and delusions in Parkinson disease patients, says a report from a drug safety group. The nonprofit Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) called for Nuplazid to have stronger warnings on its label for patients and their families, CNN reported.
	Colorado drug takes aim at cancer metastasis Many cancers are relatively harmless at their site of origin, and it is only when they metastasize to sites like the brain, bones, lungs, and liver that they become especially dangerous. And so, in addition to stopping the growth of cancer at its primary site, an ongoing goal of cancer research is to keep cancer contained—to stop its ability to travel through the body. A University of Colorado Cancer Center study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2019 offers another step in an ongoing line of research aimed at exactly that.
	Counties with more trees and shrubs spend less on Medicare, study finds A new study finds that Medicare costs tend to be lower in counties with more forests and shrublands than in counties dominated by other types of land cover. The relationship persists even when accounting for economic, geographic or other factors that might independently influence health care costs, researchers report.
	Ethical questions raised on body donation after medically assisted death The legalization of medical assistance in dying (MAID) in Canada has resulted in some people choosing to donate their bodies to anatomy programs, but it has raised profound ethical issues, says McMaster University's head of anatomy.
	Tarloxotinib promising against NRG1-fusion cancers A study by University of Colorado Cancer Center and Rain Therapeutics, Inc. presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2019 shows that the clinical-stage drug, tarloxotinib, is active against NRG1-fusion cancers, in addition to the HER2/EGFR cancers for which the drug was originally designed. Though tumors with NRG1 alterations represent only 0.2 percent of all cancers, laboratory results suggest the drug's action is consistent across cancer sites, representing approximately 3,500 new cases per year.
Women dominate ob/gyn field but make less money than male counterparts While women outnumber men as Ob/Gyn practitioners, they still make significantly less money and the pay gap extends to subspecialties like reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI), according to researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
	More than one in ten Canadians want to be in an open relationship A sizeable number of Canadian adults are either in or would like to be in an open relationship, suggests new research from the University of British Columbia.
HIV infection increases the risk of death associated with depressive symptoms In a new study to investigate the relationship among depressive disorders or symptoms, HIV status and mortality, researchers report that symptoms of depression are moderately associated with death among Veterans with HIV but not among those without HIV infection.
Adavosertib speeds cancer cells into the wall of mitotic catastrophe A cancer cell is like a racecar, speeding through the process of cellular replication. But it has to stop at the G2M cell cycle checkpoint, where a race inspector called Wee1 checks it over for damage—cells with intact DNA can continue, while cells with damaged DNA have to stick around for repairs. The wait is worth it—there are curves ahead, and beyond the G2M checkpoint, cells with damaged DNA explode against the wall of "mitotic catastrophe." But the thing is, we want cancer cells to explode; we would rather they speed through the G2M checkpoint without a Wee1 inspection and hit the wall of mitotic catastrophe.
Tobacco use makes precancerous cells that fertilize cancer growth Tobacco use causes a field of precancerous cells, increasing the risk of developing head & neck cancer. But exactly how this precancerous field influences cancer has been often overlooked. Now a University of Colorado Cancer Center study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2019 offers an exciting idea: Maybe these precancerous cells "fertilize" nearby cells with cancerous changes to grow and resist therapy.
	Federal study gives new options for people with rare cancers People with rare cancers have been out of luck—not only do most lack good treatments but drug companies also don't pursue them because of small potential sales. Now, a federal study that pools these folks gives them strength in numbers and new options.
	Brain growth inhibited by heavy alcohol use Heavy use of alcohol among adolescents and young adults is not only dangerous in its own right, but new research in nonhuman primates shows that it can actually slow the rate of growth in developing brains.
	Special journal issue highlights shift work science, solutions Shift work and non-standard work schedules are increasingly common as employers strive to meet the demands of a 24/7 society. It's estimated that up to a quarter of the workforce in developed countries has non-standard working times. While these types of work schedules provide clear economic benefits, they also come with issues related to insufficient sleep, misalignment of the biological clock, and other factors that influence the safety, health and well-being of workers.
LOXO-195 promising against tumors with acquired resistance to first-generation therapeutics The investigational anticancer therapeutic LOXO-195 (now known as BAY 2731954), which targets a family of proteins called TRKs, was safe, tolerable, and showed signs of clinical activity in patients who had solid tumors that harbored NTRK gene fusions and had become resistant to other TRK-targeted therapeutics, according to results from patients enrolled in a phase I clinical trial and a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded access program, which were presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2019, March 29-April 3.
	Adults with mental health, substance disorders more likely subject to Medicaid work rules A new research study has found that Medicaid enrollees with behavioral health and other chronic conditions are less likely to be working part or full time than those without these conditions, making it less likely they will meet new or proposed work requirements for Medicaid that have been implemented or proposed in some states.
Study finds Medicare Advantage networks are broad and getting broader Share of Medicare Advantage plans with broad networks increased from 80.1 percent in 2011 to 82.5 percent in 2015, and enrollment in broad-network plans grew from 54.1 percent to 64.9 percent.
	Despite risk of birth defects, HIV drug should be considered for women in South Africa Although a woman's use of the HIV drug dolutegravir at conception may increase the risk of often-fatal neural tube defects in her child, a new study suggests that the risk may be offset by the drug's ability to decrease deaths among women and prevent HIV transmission to their children and sexual partners. The report, led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), is being published online in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Higher circulating sex hormone regulator (SHBG) levels linked to lower asthma risk Higher circulating levels of the sex hormone regulator, SHBG, seem to be causally linked to a lower risk of asthma-at least in women-suggests the first study of its kind, published online in the journal Thorax.
	Kids with high blood pressure need smooth transition to adult care A child diagnosed with high blood pressure should continue seeking treatment when he or she becomes an adult—and a newly published review looks at the medical guidelines that can help with the transition.
	Changes to WIC food program tied to reversal in obesity trends (HealthDay)—The 2009 changes to the U.S. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) was associated with a change in the trend of obesity prevalence among 2- to 4-year-old children, according to a study published online April 1 in Pediatrics.
	Liquid meal replacements cut cardiometabolic risk factors (HealthDay)—Liquid meal replacements in weight loss diets lead to modest reductions in cardiometabolic risk factors for overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a review published online March 28 in Diabetes Care.
	Vitamins, carotenoids associated with lower risk for cataract (HealthDay)—Higher consumption of certain vitamins and carotenoids is associated with a significantly decreased risk for age-related cataract (ARC) in cohort studies, according to a meta-analysis published in the January issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
	Largest study of childhood cancer after IVF In the past three decades, in vitro fertilization (IVF) has gone from an experimental procedure to being more common. Pregnancies enabled by IVF frequently have more difficulties, with children born earlier and smaller even among singleton births.
	Evidence for link between 'leaky gut' and autoantibody production in HIV-positive patients Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, attacks the immune system, making affected individuals more susceptible to infections. When patients with HIV are treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART), their immune system can recover, but some of them produce self-destructive proteins, or autoantibodies.
	Medicaid work requirements: Is there a path forward that could help the poor, not harm them? Just days after the 9-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, the Obama administration's defining accomplishments continues to dominate American politics.
	How common are advanced care planning conversations with hospitalized, older patients? As the U.S. population ages, hospitals and health systems around the country have been grappling with how to integrate advance care planning (ACP) into routine practice. In 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began paying physicians for ACP by introducing two new billing codes which allowed them to bill for up to 60 minutes of advance care planning conversations with their patients. At the time, some lawmakers expressed concern that the ACP billing codes could be overused and become a burden to the Medicare program. A team of researchers from The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice investigated the early uptake of the ACP billing codes by analyzing billing for seriously ill, hospitalized adults over 65 who were treated by a large national physician practice. They found that despite the fact that physicians employed by the practice received ACP training and small financial incentives for ACP documentation, the rate of billed ACP conversations was very low and that there was wide variation among physicians and practice sites.
	Panvigilance—a strategy to integrate biomarkers in clinical trials to enhance drug safety Modern medicines have positively contributed to public health and changed the ways human diseases are prevented and treated. Yet, most drugs are not without side effects. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) rank among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The current paradigm of drug development can detect only the most common ADRs in clinical trials.
Mental health stigma, fueled by religious belief, may prevent latinos from seeking help Religious and cultural beliefs may discourage many Latinos in the United States from seeking treatment for depression and other mental health disorders, a Rutgers University-New Brunswick study finds.
	Mozambique races to contain 1,000 cholera cases Mozambican and international health workers raced Monday to contain a cholera outbreak in the cyclone-hit city of Beira and surrounding areas, where the number of cases has jumped to more than 1,000.
	UC San Diego Health treats first cancer patient with stem-cell derived natural killer cells After 10 years in remission, Derek Ruff's cancer returned, this time as stage IV colon cancer. Despite aggressive rounds of chemotherapy, palliative radiotherapy and immunotherapy, his disease progressed. In February 2019, as part of a phase I clinical trial at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, Ruff became the first patient in the world to be treated for cancer with a human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell therapy called FT500.

Biology news

	Scientists construct new family tree for perching birds Scientists have reconstructed the tree of life for all major lineages of perching birds, also known as passerines, a large and diverse group of more than 6,000 species that includes familiar birds like cardinals, warblers, jays and sparrows. Louisiana State University (LSU) researchers led the massive project using 221 bird specimens from 48 countries, including 56 tissue samples from the LSU Museum of Natural Science's Collection of Genetic Resources. Using these samples, they extracted and sequenced DNA representing all passerine families, and they used these sequence data to understand how passerine species are related and to study when and how passerines diversified in relation to Earth's history.
	Artificial intelligence sheds new light on cell developmental dynamics What happens inside a cell when it is activated, changing, or responding to variations in its environment? Researchers from the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research have developed a method to best model these cellular dynamics. Their work not only highlights the outstanding challenges of tracking cells throughout their growth and lifetime, but also pioneers new ways of evaluating computational biology methods that aim to do this.
	Edible antibodies to treat and prevent gastrointestinal disorders Therapeutic antibodies are increasingly being used in the clinic for the treatment of diseases. Yet, oral to gut targeting of antibodies remains a challenge due to their inability to survive digestion and reach gastrointestinal tissues. Now, scientists have developed a new antibody technology that combines the advantages of antibody-based therapies with the convenience of oral drug administration.
	First bacterial genome created entirely with a computer All the genome sequences of organisms known throughout the world are stored in a database belonging to the National Center for Biotechnology Information in the United States. As of today, the database has an additional entry: Caulobacter ethensis-2.0. It is the world's first fully computer-generated genome of a living organism, developed by scientists at ETH Zurich. However, it must be emphasised that although the genome for C. ethensis-2.0 was physically produced in the form of a very large DNA molecule, a corresponding organism does not yet exist.
	Medicinal plants may be a key to understanding other cultures A new methodology for comparing herbal medicine across societies can also be used to understand the transfer of cultural traditions.
	Anti-evolvability drugs could slow antibiotic resistance in bacteria The failure of existing antibiotics to combat infections is a major health threat worldwide. While the traditional strategy for tackling drug resistance has been to develop new antibiotics, a more sustainable long-term approach may be preventing bacteria from evolving it in the first place. Until now, one major hurdle to this approach is that it has not been clear how antibiotics induce new mutations.
	Biologists show new insights into chromosome evolution, venom regulation in snakes How do snake genomes direct the production of deadly venom toxins and other key extreme features of snakes?
	Chicago tops list of most dangerous cities for migrating birds An estimated 600 million birds die from building collisions every year in the U.S., and research from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology offers one explanation for it.
Juice plant pathogen could be treated with newly identified antibacterial agent There's nothing like a glass of orange juice to start the morning off right, but prices have soared as the Florida citrus industry fights an epidemic that has reduced its yield by about half in the last 15 years. Citrus greening disease has been wreaking havoc, drying out juice oranges and reducing crop yield. The disease has no cure, but researchers report that they have now identified a fungal compound that may inhibit the causative bacteria.
	Understanding circadian rhythms in algae and fungi Fungi, algae, and cyanobacteria might not complain about jet lag. But like humans, their physiologies adhere to a roughly 24-hour cycle of behavioral patterns in the absence of external cues. Organisms that experience recurring day and night cycles have evolved a biochemical oscillator or circadian clock. This clock determines which activities, from sleep to cellular metabolism, occur at biologically advantageous times.
	Feeding red squirrels peanuts may make natural diet a tough nut to crack New research suggests a population of red squirrels on the Lancashire coast may have developed weaker bites after snacking on peanuts.
	New plant breeding technologies for food security An international team, including researchers from the University of Göttingen, argues in a perspective article recently published in Science that new plant breeding technologies can contribute significantly to food security and sustainable development. Genome editing techniques in particular, such as CRISPR/Cas, could make agriculture more productive and environmentally friendly. The researchers advocate the responsible use and support of these new technologies.
	A new accurate computational method designed to enhance drug target stability Scientists from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech), and the University of Southern California (USC) have developed a new computational method for the design of thermally stable G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) that are of great help in creating new drugs. The method has already proved useful in obtaining the structures of several principal human receptors. An overview of the new method was published in Current Opinion on Structural Biology.
	Microbes that live in fishes' slimy mucus coating could lead chemists to new antibiotic drugs One day in the future, you may take a pill to treat an illness – and owe your recovery to the tiny microbes that flourish in the slippery layer of mucus that coats fishes.
	Climate change threat to dolphins' survival An unprecedented marine heatwave had long-lasting negative impacts on both survival and birth rates for the iconic dolphin population in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Researchers at UZH have now documented that climate change may have more far-reaching consequences for the conservation of marine mammals than previously thought.
	How do species adapt to their surroundings? Several fish species can change sex as needed. Other species adapt to their surroundings by living long lives, or by living shorter lives and having lots of offspring. The ability of animals and plants to change can sometimes manifest in apparently extreme ways.
	New online tool and community to support bees A new online tool and community, called Beescape, enables beekeepers, or anyone interested in bees, to understand the specific stressors to which the bees in their managed hives, home gardens or farms are exposed, according to researchers at Penn State.
	Tiger geckos in Vietnam could be the next species sold into extinction, shows a new survey While proper information about the conservation status of tiger gecko species is largely missing, these Asian lizards are already particularly vulnerable to extinction, as most of them have extremely restricted distribution. Furthermore, they have been facing severe declines over the last two decades, mostly due to overcollection for the international exotic pet market. Such is the case of the Cat Ba Tiger Gecko, whose tiny populations can only be found on Cat Ba Island and a few islands in the Ha Long Bay (Vietnam).
Research connects big data marketing tools, land conservation The same data used by digital marketers to sell products can also help inspire conservation behaviors, according to new research from the University of Montana.
Sleepovers reduce stress in shelter dogs Of the estimated more than 4 million dogs that end up in animal shelters each year, about half a million are euthanized. To increase the number of shelter dogs that are adopted, Arizona State University's Canine Science Collaboratory studies what happens in animal shelters and how it affects dogs.
	Invasive round gobies may be poised to decimate endangered French Creek mussels The round goby—a small, extremely prolific, invasive fish from Europe—poses a threat to endangered freshwater mussels in northwestern Pennsylvania's French Creek, one of the last strongholds for two species of mussels, according to researchers.
	UK's only female giant panda artificially inseminated at zoo Britain's only female giant panda has been artificially inseminated in a bid to produce a cub.
	Marine protected reserves do more than restore fish In a new analysis of the effectiveness of marine protected areas worldwide, University of Massachusetts Amherst marine ecologist Brian Cheng and colleagues report that reserves not only replenish target fish populations, they also restore ecological functioning. However, not all reserves performed equally well.

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