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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for April 30, 2019:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | AX J1949.8+2534 is a supergiant fast X-ray transient, observations confirmBased on the results from a set of telescopes, astronomers detected X-ray variability of the source AX J1949.8+2534 and confirmed that the object is a supergiant fast X-ray transient (SFXT). The finding is reported in a paper published April 22 on the arXiv pre-print repository. |
 | The space rock that hit the moon at 61,000 kilometers an hourObservers watching January's total eclipse of the Moon saw a rare event, a short-lived flash as a meteorite hit the lunar surface. Spanish astronomers now think the space rock collided with the Moon at 61,000 kilometres an hour, excavating a crater 10 to 15 metres across. Prof Jose Maria Madiedo of the University of Huelva, and Dr. Jose L. Ortiz of the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia, publish their results in a new paper in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. |
 | What if an asteroid was about to hit Earth? Scientists ponder questionHere's a hypothetical: a telescope detects an asteroid between 100 and 300 meters in diameter racing through our solar system at 14 kilometers per second, 57 million kilometers from Earth. |
 | Dark matter exists: Observations disprove alternate explanationsAs fascinating as it is mysterious, dark matter is one of the greatest enigmas of astrophysics and cosmology. It is thought to account for 90 percent of the matter in the universe, but its existence has been demonstrated only indirectly, and has recently been called into question. New research conducted by SISSA removes the recent doubts on the presence of dark matter within galaxies, disproving the empirical relations in support of alternative theories. The study, published in the Astrophysical Journal, also offers new insights into understanding the nature of dark matter and its relationship with ordinary matter. |
 | Astronomers discover 2,000-year-old remnant of a novaFor the first time, a European research team involving the University of Göttingen has discovered the remains of a nova in a galactic globular cluster. The remnant is located near the centre of the globular cluster Messier 22 and has recently been observed using modern instruments. The results will be published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. |
 | Chemical evidence shows how a dwarf galaxy contributes to growth of the Milky WaySmall stellar systems like dwarf galaxies are thought to be the main building blocks of the Milky Way. However, it is unclear how many and what kind of stars in our galaxy originated from satellite dwarf galaxies. |
 | New research takes deeper look at Venus's cloudsVenus is known for its clouds of sulfuric acid covering the entire planet and its super-fast winds moving at hundreds of kilometers per hour, but our neighboring planet's thick clouds make it difficult for scientists to peer deep inside its atmosphere. |
 | Space station power shortage delays SpaceX supply runA major power shortage at the International Space Station has delayed this week's SpaceX supply run. |
 | How we found a white dwarf – a stellar corpse – by accidentOne of the great things about science is that, when you start to observe a new object in space, you can never be sure quite what you'll find. |
 | Professor leads science study for new space-based observatory conceptAfter two years of intensive work, led by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) Space Science Division, the design for a conceptual space-based observatory is headed to the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine's Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics, which establishes the astronomy community's priorities for the next decade. |
Technology news
 | Next-gen software aims to lift personal computer into Aware stateWhat do you think about if someone asks you to reel off examples of smart tech? You probably list smartphones, tablets, TVs, cars, speakers, watches, doorbells, light-bulbs, refrigerators, microwaves… and you are right. "Smart is artificial intuition. Smart is knowing what we are going to do before we get there, and adapting behavior, insights and interactions to meet the need." That is from a company blog. |
 | Record solar hydrogen production with concentrated sunlightHydrogen will play a key role in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. It can be sustainably produced by using solar energy to split water molecules. The resulting clean energy can be stored, used to fuel cars or converted into electricity on demand. But making it reliably on a large scale and at an affordable cost is a challenge for researchers. Efficient solar hydrogen production requires rare and expensive materials—for both the solar cells and the catalyst—in order to collect energy and then convert it. |
 | 3-D printing of metallic micro-objects3-D printing has become an increasingly important production method. Researchers at ETH have now developed a new 3-D printing technique by which micrometre-sized objects made of several metals can be produced with high spatial resolution. |
 | Bots exploiting blockchains for profitBlockchains have been hailed as fair and open, constructed so a single user can't falsify or alter records because they're all part of a transparent network. |
 | Match me if you can: Cryptographic breakthrough helps spies to shake handsWhen spies meet, they use secret handshakes to confirm their identities, ensuring they are who they say they are. Now, researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology, and colleagues, have solved a 15-year-old problem that allows handshake-style encryption to be used for time-delayed digital communications such as email—a challenge once thought to be impossible. |
 | Slowing digital-ad growth could force change on GoogleWhile Google has dominated the online ad market for almost the entirety of its existence, its first quarter earnings report suggests that competitors may be nipping at its heels. |
 | Samsung Electronics hit with quarterly profit slumpSamsung Electronics, the world's biggest smartphone and memory chip maker, reported a slump in first-quarter net profits Tuesday, in the face of a weakening chip market and rising competition. |
 | Samsung denies new Galaxy phone burnt from malfunctioningSamsung on Tuesday stood by its new Galaxy S10 5G model after a South Korean smartphone owner posted pictures online of a charred handset claiming it had mysteriously "burnt". |
 | Galaxy Fold review: Should you pay $2,000 for Samsung's delayed folding phone tablet?Samsung's new $1,980 Galaxy Fold has been making waves over the last two weeks, not necessarily for all the right reasons. |
 | Bio-based chemicals could reduce fossil fuel usePetrochemicals, the oil- and gas-derived compounds that serve as the molecular backbones for much of modern commerce, commanded a $539.3 billion market value in 2018. |
 | EU court advisor sides with Airbnb in row in FranceThe legal advisor to the EU's top court sided with Airbnb on Tuesday as the home-sharing giant faces legal action in France aimed at restricting its services. |
 | Zuckerberg to explain how Facebook gets 'privacy focused'Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will kick off the company's annual F8 developer conference Tuesday with what are expected to be more details about his new "privacy-focused" vision for the social network—part of his strategy for batting away Facebook's growing array of critics, emboldened regulators and competitors. |
 | Team develops system to legally test GPS spoofing vulnerabilities in automated vehiclesSouthwest Research Institute has developed a cyber security system to test for vulnerabilities in automated vehicles and other technologies that use GPS receivers for positioning, navigation and timing. |
 | Computer scientists develop novel software to smartly balance data processing load in supercomputersThe modern-age adage "work smarter, not harder" stresses the importance of not only working to produce, but also making efficient use of resources. |
 | In revamp, Facebook bets on small-scale connections, and romanceGot a crush on another Facebook user? The social network will help you connect, as part of a revamp unveiled Tuesday that aims to foster real-world relationships and make the platform a more intimate place for small groups of friends. |
 | Apple rallies as new services offset slump in iPhone salesApple said Tuesday that profits in the past quarter dropped amid falling iPhone sales, but the results were above Wall Street expectations and sent shares sharply higher. |
 | Dreams of ubiquitous social robots still aren't coming trueHopes that the tech industry was on the cusp of rolling personal robots into homes are dimming now that several once-promising consumer robotics companies have shut down. |
 | Virgin Australia delays Boeing 737 MAX orderVirgin Australia said on Tuesday it had delayed delivery of its order of 48 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft over safety concerns, following two deadly crashes. |
 | High fuel costs drive Lufthansa deeper into red in Q1German airline group Lufthansa plunged deeper into the red in the first quarter, it said Tuesday, blaming the rising price of fuel and intense competition in Europe but sticking to annual targets. |
 | Airbus profits plunge, blames scrapping of A380European aerospace giant Airbus announced Tuesday its net profit fell sharply in the first quarter, blaming in part its decision to stop building the loss-making A380 super-jumbo. |
 | Drone used to aid 3-D remake of Japanese internment campA University of Denver team is using drone images to create a 3D reconstruction of a World War II-era Japanese internment camp in southern Colorado. |
 | Nasdaq extends acceptance period for Norway exchangeUS stock market operator Nasdaq said Tuesday it was giving Oslo Stock Exchange shareholders more time to accept its near-700 million euro takeover bid, as it battles Euronext for control of the Norway bourse. |
 | SAS cancels more flights as pilot strike continuesScandinavian air carrier SAS said Tuesday it had to cancel another 504 flights on Wednesday, affecting 47,000 passengers, as a pilot strike continued into its fifth day. |
 | Twitter expanding video programming and working with NFL, MTV, Univision and othersTwitter is expanding its lineup of live and on-demand premium video programming across sports, gaming, entertainment and news. |
 | New research to explore technology needed for peer-to-peer 'free trade' in excess energyHouseholds and businesses that generate their own power through micro-renewables, such as solar panels and wind turbines, may soon be able to decide where to distribute their extra energy thanks to funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). |
 | General Electric tops profit estimates, calls 737 MAX 'new risk'General Electric reported better-than-expected quarterly profits on Tuesday, lifting hopes over its turnaround, even as it signaled a potential hit tied to the Boeing 737 MAX grounding for which it provides engines. |
 | GM reports lower sales in China, North AmericaUS automaker General Motors saw profits more than double in the first quarter, but said Tuesday that lower sales in China and North America ate into total revenues. |
 | UK car output to collapse on no-deal Brexit: industryBritain's car output under a no-deal Brexit could collapse to a level last seen in "the dark days of the 1980s", the nation's industry body forecast on Tuesday. |
 | Cable firm Altice USA scoops up streaming news site CheddarCable-broadband operator Altice USA said Tuesday it was acquiring the youth-focused streaming news group Cheddar for $200 million. |
US searches of phones, laptops at airports rising, suit saysU.S. government searches of travelers' cellphones and laptops at airports and border crossings nearly quadrupled since 2015 and are being conducted for reasons beyond customs and immigration enforcement, according to papers filed Tuesday in a federal lawsuit that claims going through electronic devices without a warrant is unconstitutional. | |
Medicine & Health news
 | For better deep neural network vision, just add feedback (loops)Your ability to recognize objects is remarkable. If you see a cup under unusual lighting or from unexpected directions, there's a good chance that your brain will still compute that it is a cup. Such precise object recognition is one holy grail for artificial intelligence developers, such as those improving self-driving car navigation. |
 | New screening approach helps identify sources of rare genetic diseases in childrenScientists at the Children's Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern (CRI) are using a new approach to pinpoint the causes of rare genetic diseases in children and identify treatment options faster than with traditional methods. The new approach combines DNA sequencing and a chemical analysis called metabolomics to identify mutant genes that cause defective metabolic pathways in patients. |
 | More in-depth tumor analysis presents new therapeutic options for patients with advanced cancerAn international clinical trial, published in Nature Medicine, revealed that combining RNA and DNA profiling gives a far more precise indication of the active biological elements within a tumor, enabling clinicians to more accurately determine which targeted therapies could improve survival among patients with advanced cancer. This marks the first clinical trial in cancer to add gene expression on top of DNA aberration. The Segal Cancer Centre at the Jewish General Hospital (JGH) was the only Canadian site in this pioneering effort undertaken by the Worldwide Innovative Networking in Personalized Cancer Medicine (WIN Consortium), of which the Segal Cancer Centre is a founding member. |
 | New technique may improve detection and treatment of advanced brain cancerIn a new study, Yale Cancer Center scientists have demonstrated a powerful method to analyze how tumor cells are altered as they metastasize, or spread, to the brain. The research, published in the journal Cell Reports, may eventually improve early diagnosis and treatment of metastatic brain cancer, whose incidence is climbing and whose treatments are typically limited. |
 | Possible link between autism and antidepressants use during pregnancyAn international team led by Duke-NUS Medical School has found a potential link between autistic-like behaviour in adult mice and exposure to a common antidepressant in the womb. They also identified a treatment that helped improve memory loss and social interactions, according to the new study published in the journal Molecular Brain. |
 | Don't even think about it: Why thought control is so difficultWhatever you do, don't think about a red apple. |
 | When is Alzheimer's not Alzheimer's? Researchers characterize a different form of dementiaA recently recognized brain disorder that mimics clinical features of Alzheimer's disease has for the first time been defined with recommended diagnostic criteria and other guidelines for advancing and catalyzing future research. Scientists from several National Institutes of Health-funded institutions, in collaboration with international peers, described the newly-named pathway to dementia, Limbic-predominant Age-related TDP-43 Encephalopathy, or LATE, in a report published on April 30, 2019, in the journal Brain. |
 | First human germline gene editing was deeply flawed science, Chinese experts argueThe first reported instance of germline gene editing in humans was bad science as well as bad ethics, according to a commentary publishing April 30 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Haoyi Wang of the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Hui Yang of the Institutes of Neuroscience, CAS, both well-known experts in gene editing. |
 | Circadian rhythm disruption tips the cell-cycle balance toward tumor growthDisrupting normal circadian rhythms promotes tumor growth and suppresses the effects of a tumor-fighting drug, according to a new study publishing April 30 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Yool Lee, Amita Sehgal, and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania. The results provide mechanistic support for "chronotherapy," the delivery of cancer drugs timed to the endogenous circadian rhythm. |
 | What can be done to prevent another CRISPR crisis?The public announcement last fall from China regarding gene editing on human embryos, conducted without the benefit of scientific review or ethical debate, was met with worldwide disdain. It also has raised global concerns that more rigorous standards must be established to guide further research efforts in germline gene therapy, according to a new article publishing on April 30 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by medical ethicist Arthur L. Caplan, Ph.D., founding director of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU School of Medicine. |
 | Designer drugs to inhibit hepatitis A virusStructure-based drug design revealed that a compound previously investigated for the treatment of head-and-neck cancer could function as a lead compound for the development of drugs to treat hepatitis A virus infection, according to a study publishing April 30 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Dan Su of Sichuan University, Zihe Rao of Tsinghua University, Xiangxi Wang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and colleagues. |
 | Scientists create a model for the neural basis of expectationIt is known that sensory stimuli – especially powerful ones like taste – are affected by expectation, which is a trigger to improving stimuli detection, distinction and reaction. Yet, scientists know little about how expectation shapes the cortical processes of sensory information. Now Alfredo Fontanini, PhD, and Giancarlo La Camera, PhD, of the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, together with their postdoctoral fellow, Luca Mazzucato (now at the University of Oregon), have developed a theoretical model of how the primary gustatory cortex can mediate the expectation of receiving a taste. |
 | Study reveals how glial cells may play key epilepsy roleA new study provides potential new targets for treating epilepsy and new fundamental insights into the relationship between neurons and their glial "helper" cells. In eLife, scientists at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory report finding a key sequence of molecular events in which the genetic mutation in a fruit fly model of epilepsy leaves neurons vulnerable to becoming hyper activated by stress, leading to seizures. |
 | Put down the protein shake: Variety of protein better for healthAmino acids have long been touted by the fitness and bodybuilding communities for their muscle building benefits. From ultra-bulk protein powders to lean mass-promoting snack bars, there's no shortage of products available for those seeking a muscle boost. |
 | Fat cell discovery could help combat obesity-related health issuesResearchers have discovered differences in fat cells that could potentially identify people predisposed to metabolic diseases such as diabetes and fatty liver disease. |
 | From genes to receptors to perception: olfaction unraveledSeveral years ago the internet was captivated by the enigma of "the dress—specifically, was the dress black and blue, or was it white and gold? No matter what you saw, the viral debate served to highlight that humans differ remarkably in how we each perceive our personal sensory world. |
 | Alcohol ads in sport fuel drinking cultureRepeated exposure to alcohol advertising in sport—either at venues or during media coverage of matches—can have long-term effects on drinking attitudes, according to a new international study. |
 | Study reveals hip and knee replacement performance in England and WalesThe performance of different prosthetic implant combinations used in patients undergoing hip and knee replacements in England and Wales over the last 14 years have, for the first time, been directly compared in two new studies. The University of Bristol findings, published in the BMJ Open today, reveal substantial variability in the performance of different joint replacements, and the number of patients requiring a second surgery. |
 | A promising new treatment for infants with Noonan syndromeNoonan Syndrome (NS) is a rare genetic syndrome typically evident at birth and often linked to early-onset severe heart disease. NS is part of a group of diseases termed RASopathies that are caused by activating mutations of proteins belonging to the Ras and mitogen-activated protein kinase families. |
 | Study links exam stress with junk food cravings, snacking, and eating less fruit and vegIncreased stress during university examinations is associated with eating a poorer quality diet including less fruit and vegetables and more fast food, according to an observational study being presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Glasgow, UK (28 April-1 May). |
 | Readmission penalties for safety net hospitals drop under new rulesReadmission penalties against hospitals providing care to socioeconomically disadvantaged patients have dropped 14 percentage points under new rules adopted in 2019 that more equitably account for low-income populations being served, according to a new analysis led by UT Southwestern Medical Center and Harvard researchers. |
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder prevalence is very high in susceptible groups worldwideA major new review of the world literature has found that Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is 10 to 40 times higher in certain susceptible groups than the general population. These groups include children in care, people in correctional services or special education services, Aboriginal populations, and people using specialized clinical services. | |
Surgery shown to improve walking for children with cerebral palsyChildren with cerebral palsy will now be able to have a surgical procedure that can improve their ability to walk, after analysis by the NIHR Guy's and St Thomas' Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and King's College London showed it to be effective. | |
Study suggests no direct link between drinking sugar sweetened drinks and higher energy consumption or BMI in childrenA nationally representative UK survey of children (aged 4-10 years old) has found no strong/direct link between drinking sugar sweetened beverages and greater energy consumption or higher BMI. | |
Study confirms breastfeeding protects against child obesity, however levels of breastfeeding across Europe are well off-New research from WHO published at this month's European Congress on Obesity shows that babies who are never or only partially breast fed have an increased risk of becoming obese as children compared to babies who are exclusively breastfed. This WHO Europe research study was led Dr. Ana Rito and Dr. Ricardo of the National Institute of Health, Lisbon, Portugal, and colleagues. | |
 | Study scrutinizes credibility of weight management blogs by mostWeight management discussions on social media are very influential. But a new study assessing the underlying nutrition and weight management information provided by key UK social media influencers suggests that their blogs are not credible/trustworthy sources of advice.The findings, being presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Glasgow, UK (28 April-1 May), reveal that just one out of the nine most popular UK bloggers studied met the criteria for transparency, evidence-based references, trustworthiness and adherence to nutritional guidance, and bias. |
 | Test allows doctors to determine most effective treatment for women with breast cancerA breast cancer test has been found that helps doctors make treatment decisions for some breast cancer patients, following research carried out at Queen Mary University of London and funded by Cancer Research UK. |
 | How the olfactory system affects memoryHow sensory perception in the brain affects learning and memory processes is far from fully understood. Two neuroscientists at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) have discovered a new aspect of how the processing of odours impacts memory centres. They showed that the piriform cortex—a part of the olfactory brain—has a direct influence on information storage in our most important memory structure, the hippocampus. Dr. Christina Strauch and Professor Denise Manahan-Vaughan report about their findings in the online edition of the magazine Cerebral Cortex on 9 April 2019. |
 | Somatosensory experiment sheds light on brain functionAfter a series of studies, researchers at Lund University in Sweden, together with colleagues in Italy, have shown that not only one part, but most parts of the brain can be involved in processing the signals that arise from touch. The results open the way for a new understanding of how the brain's network of neurons processes information, and thereby the mechanisms by which the brain works. |
 | Governments urged to adopt compensation for rare vaccine injuryResearch led by The University of Western Australia has found that that most countries with mandatory childhood vaccination policies don't have no-fault vaccine injury compensation schemes to care for rare victims of vaccines. |
 | Microscopic worms could provide key to repairing injured nervesA tiny worm's ability to repair damaged nerves could one day help people with nerve injuries such as paralysis, according to University of Queensland research. |
 | Rare form of breast cancer getting increased attentionShe first noticed the odd rash in February and figured it probably had something to do with her clothing. |
 | Can the effects of the ketogenic diet help prevent epilepsy after traumatic brain injury?Neuroscientists led by Chris Dulla at Tufts University School of Medicine prevented the development of epileptic activity in mice after traumatic brain injury by using a drug that mimics the metabolic effects of the ketogenic diet. An advance copy of the study is published today in JCI Insight. |
 | Cannabis-based medicine may reduce seizures for children with difficult-to-treat epilepsyTaking a pharmaceutical formulation of cannabidiol, a cannabis-based medicine, cut seizures nearly in half for children with a rare and severe type of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome, according to a phase 3 study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 71st Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, May 4 to 10, 2019. Dravet syndrome, which starts in infancy, can lead to intellectual disability and frequent, prolonged seizures. Cannabidiol is derived from marijuana that does not include the psychoactive part of the plant that creates a "high." |
 | Musculoskeletal conditions now second global cause of years lived with disabilityMusculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, which affect the body's joints, bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments, now rank as the second leading global cause of years lived with a disability, reveals an analysis of international data, published online in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. |
 | Susceptibility to disease develops during childhoodThe human immune system forms during childhood. The "hygiene hypothesis" provides a widely regarded perspective on this. It postulates that improved hygiene, changes in agriculture and urbanization have caused our immune systems to come in contact with certain microbes less often or later in life than before. It is presumed that these developments have adversely resulted in an increased incidence of chronic inflammatory diseases, allergies and mental disorders such as depression. |
 | A platform for rapidly profiling mutations and gene expression offers valuable insights into cancer biologyA tumor can contain remarkable diversity, where even neighboring cells may differ greatly in terms of the mutations they contain. A device that can overcome this heterogeneity by enabling efficient analysis of both DNA and RNA in individual cancer cells has been developed by researchers led by Say Li Kong and Axel Hillmer of the A*STAR Genome Institute of Singapore. |
 | Explainer: What is Sjögren's syndrome, the condition Venus Williams lives with?Sjögren's syndrome hit the headlines when US tennis player Venus Williams declared she was suffering from it. |
 | Study links patrolling monocytes to lupus-related kidney diseaseA study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has found evidence suggesting that patrolling monocytes may drive glomerulonephritis, inflammation of the kidneys, in patients with lupus. The findings overturn the previously held notion that lupus is solely the result of B cell dysfunction. The work appears as an advance online publication today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. |
 | Evolution and ecology inspire clinical research in infections and antimicrobial resistanceTaking an evolutionary view can inspire new ideas in clinical microbiology. For example, evolutionary studies can reveal why some antimicrobial dosing regimens are better than others in preventing the development of drug resistance. Looking at microbial communities, rather than just pathogenic micro-organisms, can also lead to new insights. That is why clinicians, bioinformaticians analysing pathogens, and evolutionary biologists should all work together. These are the conclusions of a diverse group of scientists led by University of Groningen microbiologist Marjon de Vos, in a short review published by The Lancet Infectious Diseases on 30 April. |
 | Gene defends against onset of acute leukaemiaInstitute scientists have revealed that a gene called PHF6 plays a powerful role in protecting against blood cancer. The study showed how a breakdown in the gene's function could accelerate the development of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL). |
 | Poor olfaction tied to elevated long-term mortality in seniors(HealthDay)—Among older adults, poor olfaction is associated with elevated long-term mortality, according to a study published online April 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. |
 | Rehabilitating kneesA tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in a knee isn't just painful in the moment—the injury also increases a patient's risk of developing osteoarthritis later. |
 | Malawi is testing a new malaria vaccine. But it's still early daysMalaria is a leading cause of death and illness around the world. Over 200 million cases are reported every year, and more than 400 000 people die. More than 90% of cases are reported in sub-Saharan Africa. Scientists have spent decades searching for an effective vaccine. Hence the recent excitement when Malawi's government announced it had launched a pilot programme for the world's first malaria vaccine, RTS,S (also known as Mosquirix), produced by the pharmaceutical company, GSK. It's the first vaccine to demonstrate significant reduction in malaria in children. The Conversation Africa's Ina Skosana asked immunologist Faith Osier about RTS,S. |
 | Breast cancer diagnosis by AI now as good as human expertsBreast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. It accounts for 15% of all new cases in the country, and about one in eight women will be diagnosed with it during their lifetime. In the NHS, breast cancer screening routinely includes a mammogram, which is essentially an X-ray of the breast. |
 | Keep pets away from gardens to prevent food-borne illnessAnimal waste tainting fresh produce is one of the major causes of food-borne ailments. So farmers markets and pick-your-own growers who fear fecal contamination are increasingly guarded about tolerating pets near their edibles. |
 | A third of type 1 diabetes is misdiagnosed in the over 30sMore than a third of people over the age of 30 who are initially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes actually have type 1, meaning they are not receiving the right treatment, new research has revealed. |
 | Keeping fit is more than physical—it's a state of mindAccording to a new study differences in what motivates individuals and how they self-regulate behavior influence how they keep fit. The study appearing in the journal Heliyon, published by Elsevier, associates personal characteristics with whether people are likely to prefer solo or group exercise activities, CrossFit training, resistance training, or team sports, how frequently they work out, and if they are likely to stick to their routine. |
 | At molecular level, cancer mutations echo Darwin's observationsThere are more than 100 mutations of the protein behind the deadly brain cancer, glioblastoma, however an international research team has discovered something these mutations have in common. The new understanding could lead to more effective treatment of different kinds of cancer. |
 | Fetal heart rate monitoring during labour in low-resource countriesWorldwide, there are over 3 million stillbirths and approximately 3 million newborn deaths each year, most in low-resource countries. About 2 million of these deaths are due to intrapartum hypoxia. There is a strong association between abnormal fetal heart rate and intrapartum-related deaths, therefore optimal fetal heart rate monitoring can help health workers identify at risk fetuses and take appropriate action to save lives. |
 | New research offers insight into the proteins in the brain that detect cannabisResearchers at the University of Bristol have made new progress in understanding how cannabinoid receptors (CB1Rs), the proteins that detect the active components of marijuana, are controlled in the brain. |
 | Oral contraceptives may protect against serious knee injuries in womenOral contraceptives may lower the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in women, according to a large observational study involving over 165,000 female patients (aged 15-49), published in The Physician and Sportsmedicine journal. |
 | Only some people get one health benefit from social supportScientists have long known that the support of friends and family plays a key role in protecting people's physical health. |
 | Watchful waiting reasonable for patients with diabetic macular edema and good visionPeople with good vision despite having center-involved diabetic macular edema can safely forego immediate treatment of their eye condition as long as they are closely monitored, and treatment begins promptly if vision worsens, according to clinical trial results. The findings are published online today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. |
 | The new 'runner's high'? MJ users often mix weed, workoutsEight out of 10 marijuana users in states where cannabis is legal say they partake in the drug shortly before or after exercise, and most report that it motivates them to work out, helps them enjoy exercise more and improves their recovery, according to surprising new University of Colorado Boulder research. |
 | Anti-stress brain chemical is related to PTSD resilience after traumaFewer receptors for the anti-stress brain chemical nociceptin is associated with less severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in college women who have experienced sexual violence, according to a study in Biological Psychiatry, published by Elsevier. The relationship between nociceptin receptor density and PTSD severity was present in women with recent PTSD symptoms but not those with past symptoms, suggesting a role for the receptors in recovery after sexual violence. |
 | Innovative treatment restores sight in patientInnovative treatment has improved the vision of a patient suffering from a rare cancer-related syndrome affecting the eye, new research in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology reports. |
 | Food packaging claims mislead consumers with ideas of healthResearchers have found that the type of healthy claim on certain food products can be completely uncorrelated with actual nutritional quality. Yet these messages directly influence consumers' expectations of taste, healthiness and fattening consequences of their food, as well as food choices. |
 | Just 16 minutes of sleep loss can harm work concentration the next dayHave you had a less-than-stellar performance review lately? Do you daydream, or are you making bad decisions? |
 | What predicts college students' drinking habits? How much they think others are drinking.Students' perception of how much their peers are drinking is one of the most important predictors of whether their alcohol use will increase in college—even more so than the actual drinking habits of their randomly assigned roommate, according to a new study by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University. |
Researchers identify causes and mechanisms of polycystic ovary syndrome using family-based genetic analysisA first-of-its-kind study using family-based genetic analysis has confirmed a gene involved in male hormone production, DENND1A, plays a major role in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The discovery will enable personalized medicine approaches to PCOS, including better disease prediction. The findings are available online in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. | |
 | Antibiotics may treat endometriosisResearchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found, in mice, that treatment with an antibiotic reduces the size of lesions caused by endometriosis. |
 | Ghana becomes second country to launch vital malaria vaccineGhana on Tuesday rolled out the world's only proven malaria vaccine for infants as part of a landmark campaign against the deadly mosquito-borne disease, one week after Malawi became the first country to do so. |
'Seeing the light' behind radiation therapyDelivering just the right dose of radiation for cancer patients is a delicate balance in their treatment regime. However, in a new study from UBC Okanagan and Duke University, researchers have developed a system they say may improve the ability to maximize radiation doses to cancer tissues while minimizing exposure to healthy ones. | |
 | Crisis and suicide prevention services struggle with demand after celebrity suicidesThe United States may lack the resources needed to meet increases in demand for suicide prevention services that occur after celebrity suicides, according to a recent study of crisis mental health services. The study, conducted by a team of researchers, which included scientists from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health, highlights the need for suicide prevention hotlines to procure additional funds, allocate existing funds more efficiently, and develop contingency plans to accommodate increases in call volumes, particularly for the first two days after a celebrity suicide. The findings appear in the journal Psychiatric Services. |
 | Sleep and exercise affect new moms differently than new dadsSleep and exercise are vital to the wellbeing of new parents, but these essentials affect new moms differently than new dads, according to researchers. |
 | Lines blurring between human herpes simplex virusesThe line between the human herpes simplex viruses—HSV-1 and HSV-2—is blurrier than previously thought, according to a new study published this week in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. |
 | Study: Health care providers split on who should prescribe HIV prevention drugHealth care practitioners are split when it comes to opinions on which provider should take the lead in prescribing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which is administered to people at high risk for HIV. |
 | Psychologists release results of survey of 'Maria generation' kidsPsychologists from the Medical University of South Carolina have just published one of the largest post-disaster screening projects in U.S. history. The report, available online through JAMA Network Open, measured the magnitude of Hurricane Maria's impact on the mental health of children in Puerto Rico. |
 | Gender impacts brain activity in alcoholicsCompared to alcoholic women, alcoholic men have more diminished brain activity in areas responsible for emotional processing (limbic regions including the amygdala and hippocampus), as well as memory and social processing (cortical regions including the superior frontal and supramarginal regions) among other functions. |
 | Chatterbox parents may boost tots' intelligenceResearchers have found that young children who are exposed to large amounts of adult speech tend to have better cognitive skills. |
 | Research decodes one way cancer survives treatment, proposes a way to prevent itCancer cells have various tricks up their metaphorical sleeves to survive in the face of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other cancer treatments. Now researchers at Mayo have decoded one of those tricks using cell lines and patient-derived cancer cells, and proposed a way to resensitize breast cancer cells to treatment. |
 | Pregnancy shifts the daily schedule forwardAdd this to the list of what to expect: Getting up earlier, at least in the first trimester. |
 | Brain signaling proteins hit the road runningSurprisingly complex movements in an important neurotransmitter receptor may help explain the brain's unpredictable response to drugs, according to a new study. New research from an international team, published this week in the journal Neuron, has revealed that the resting state of signaling proteins are much more dynamic than previously thought. |
 | Can stress in the womb lead to mental resilience later in life?Maternal stress during or after pregnancy has been repeatedly associated with subsequent psychiatric problems and non-coding 'epigenetic' DNA changes during childhood. Animal studies, however, suggest that prenatal stress leads to behavioral changes in offspring that could be adaptive in threatful environments. |
 | To boldly go or anxiously hang back?UC San Francisco research has identified a particular group of nerve cells in the brain that play an important role in anxiety's influence over behavior. The researchers have found that turning off signaling from this small population of neurons in the front of the mouse brain can act as sort of a "chill pill," reducing the likelihood of anxious behavior driven by signals from another brain region called the hippocampus. |
 | New study identifies drug that can reverse hyperactivity induced by parasitic infectionWhen rodents get infected by Toxoplasma gondii, the single-celled brain parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, they become hyperactive risk-takers. In findings published this week in mBio, researchers show for the first time that it's possible to reverse that behavioral change. Surprisingly, the study also showed that the restoration of normal behavior resulted from reducing inflammation—and not from reducing the amount of parasites in the brain. |
 | Adopted children should undergo comprehensive health evaluation(HealthDay)—Children who join families through the process of adoption should undergo a comprehensive health evaluation shortly after placement in an adoptive home, according to a clinical report published online April 29 in Pediatrics. |
 | Maternal comorbidity higher for women with congenital heart defects(HealthDay)—Pregnant women with congenital heart defects (CHDs) are more likely to have comorbidities and experience adverse events during delivery, according to a study published in the May 7 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. |
 | Combo nicotine replacement Tx ups success in quitting smoking(HealthDay)—People who use combination nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) are more likely to successfully quit smoking than people who use a single form of NRT, according to a review published online April 18 in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. |
 | Diabetes drug could help smokers kick the habitPhillip Robinson has gone from 10 cigarettes a day to one or two every other day after enrolling in a smoking cessation clinical trial launched by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). To help smokers quit, researchers are using a drug known more for helping people with diabetes control their blood sugar. |
 | Keto diet has potential in military, researchers sayA new study has researchers hopeful that a ketogenic diet could prove useful in the military, where obesity is an ongoing challenge, both in terms of recruiting soldiers and keeping them fit for service. |
 | Patients find video primary care visits convenient(HealthDay)—Primary care video visits are convenient and may improve the patient-provider relationship, according to a research letter published online April 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. |
 | FDA puts tough warning label on ambien, lunesta, other sleep aids(HealthDay)—Many Americans use prescription sleep meds such as Ambien, Lunesta and Sonata to get good shut-eye. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday slapped a tough new warning label on this class of drugs, due to dangers from daytime drowsiness the day after their use. |
 | Confidence in asthma inhaler technique doesn't match actual skillsMany children with asthma think they are using their asthma inhaler medications correctly when they are not. This makes it very difficult to keep their asthma under control. A new study in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) finds African American school children, along with their parents, had misplaced confidence in their asthma inhaler technique. |
EGLN inhibitor protects normal tissue and enables RT in mouse model of pancreatic cancerAdministration of the EGLN inhibitor FG-4592 prior to ablative radiotherapy provided protection against fatal gastrointestinal bleeding and improved survival in a mouse model of unresectable pancreatic cancer. | |
 | Breast cancer in young women: Good outcomes with advised therapyBreast cancer in young women is characterised by more aggressive biological features as compared to those arising in older patients but outcomes are good when guideline-recommended treatments are given, according to ESMO Spokesperson Dr. Matteo Lambertini from IRCCS Policlinico San Martino Hospital—University of Genoa, Italy, commenting on results of two studies presented during the ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2019, 2-4 May 2019 in Berlin, Germany. |
 | Global HER2 testing survey raises questions about priorities for breast cancer resourcesA global survey of HER2 testing has raised questions about how resources should be spent on potentially lifesaving HER2 targeted therapies for breast cancer, especially in poorer countries. The results were presented at the ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2019, Berlin, 2-4 May 2019. |
 | Continuous chemotherapy improves outcomes and quality of life in advanced breast cancerContinuous chemotherapy shows greater benefit in patients with advanced breast cancer by both improving survival and maintaining quality of life compared to intermittent scheduling, according to analyses of the Stop&Go study presented at the ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2019, 2-4 May, Berlin, Germany. |
Researchers identify ways to predict and avoid radiotherapy side effectsLatest results from a project to discover what makes a cancer patient more likely to suffer adverse side-effects after radiotherapy have shown that a combination of biological markers and certain genetic changes can predict radiation sensitivity. | |
Memory could be better protected in kids with brain tumors if treated with proton therapyA comparison of three types of radiotherapy for children's brain tumours suggests that a type of proton therapy called pencil beam scanning offers the best hope of preserving cognitive functions. | |
Ohio collaborative improves care of opioid-exposed infantsA statewide quality improvement initiative in Ohio has had a major impact on the care of opioid-exposed infants. | |
Systematic review shows risk of a child developing overweight or obesity is more than trebled by maternal obesity priorNew research presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Glasgow, Scotland (28 April-1 May) reveals that the risk of a child becoming overweight or obese is more than trebled by maternal obesity prior to getting pregnant. The study is by Dr. Nicola Heslehurst, Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, UK, and colleagues. | |
 | New WHO research reveals wide gradient of severe child obesity across EuropeNew research from WHO Europe presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity in Glasgow, UK (28 April-1 May) shows there is a wide gradient of severe child obesity across Europe, with countries in Southern Europe generally having the highest rates. The paper is led by Dr. Angela Spinelli, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy and colleagues across Europe.The research paper is part of the WHO Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) led by Dr. João Breda, Head of the WHO European Office for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, Moscow, Russia and his team. |
UK opens inquiry into tainted-blood scandal that killed 2400A long-awaited inquiry opened Tuesday in Britain into how contaminated blood was used to treat thousands of people in the 1970s and '80s, killing at least 2,400. | |
 | Record 26 Ebola deaths in DRCongo in a single dayTwenty-six people died of Ebola in a single day in the Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province, the highest daily toll since its outbreak nearly nine months ago, the health ministry said Tuesday. |
 | Moral injury: Violating your ethical code can damage mental health – new researchShould a soldier shoot the child who is pointing a gun at them and their colleague? Should a photographer film the aftermath of a terrorist attack or help the injured? Many situations present professionals with ethical dilemmas – and the decisions made can have profound psychological consequences. |
 | Merck 1Q net quadruples as cancer drug, vaccine sales soarSurging sales of vaccines and the cancer immunotherapy drug Keytruda led to a quadrupling of profit at Merck during the first quarter as it blew past Wall Street expectations. |
 | How to tame morning chaos(HealthDay)—Are your mornings always chaotic? Between making breakfast, packing lunches, getting everyone dressed and hunting for homework assignments, it's easy to feel like you've put in a day's worth of work before 9 a.m. |
 | Four strategies to cope with a food craving(HealthDay)—Sticking with a diet starts with having a plan that maps out meals and snacks based on foods that help you feel full longer. After all, if you feel satisfied, you'll be less likely to rummage through your kitchen cabinets looking for treats. |
 | Alzheimer's in minibrainsIn the majority of cases, dementia can be traced back to Alzheimer's disease. Its causes are not really understood yet. What is known is that plaques form from misfolded proteins and that there is an increase in neuronal cell death levels in the brain. However, the plaques don't necessarily go hand in hand with any symptoms. Dr. Thorsten Müller, Head of the research group Cell Signalling at the Chair of Molecular Biochemistry at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB), suspects other deposits to cause the disease, namely ones that form in the nuclei. He intends to verify this hypothesis using tissue that resembles that of the brain. Rubin, the RUB's science magazine, published a report on his research. |
 | Nuclear medicine therapy shows long-term effectiveness for malignant neuroendocrine tumorsA 12-year retrospective clinical study of patients who received peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) for malignant neuroendocrine tumors demonstrates the long-term effectiveness of this treatment, which also allows patients to maintain a high quality of life. The study is featured in the April issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine. |
Low income is a risk factor for 'catastrophic' amputation after knee joint replacementAbove-knee amputation (AKA) is a rare but severe complication of deep infection after knee replacement surgery. Low-income patients are at increased risk of this catastrophic complication, reports a study in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research (CORR), a publication of The Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons. | |
 | New York City bans alcohol ads on city propertyNew York City banned alcohol advertising on city property on Tuesday, citing health risks posed by excessive drinking. |
 | Study helps chaplains provide proactive care to families in crisesA new model developed and implemented by the Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University Health provides chaplains with a framework to deliver better care to families and surrogate decision makers during health emergencies. |
 | US sales OK'd for cigarette alternative that heats tobaccoU.S. health officials on Tuesday said Philip Morris can sell a cigarette alternative that heats tobacco without burning it, opening the door for the company's effort to shift smokers toward newer products. |
 | A father's death at 37 reveals a hidden history of cholesterolCarl Korfmacher was 9 years old when his father, Ron, returned from the Mayo Clinic for a checkup in the early 1970s. |
French cheese recalled in Germany over E.coli scareTwo types of French cheese have been recalled in Germany over fears they could be contaminated with E.coli, just a few days after a similar scare in France, the German food safety authority announced on Tuesday. | |
Biology news
 | Pesticide exposure causes bumblebee flight to fall shortBees exposed to a neonicotinoid pesticide fly only a third of the distance that unexposed bees are able to achieve. |
 | Breakthrough in high-yield drought-resilient chickpeasA global study led by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and involving scientists from The University of Western Australia has identified genes that can be used to develop drought and heat tolerant chickpeas. |
 | European eel found to spawn across 2000 km wide region of the North Atlantic OceanA team of researchers with members from Japan, Sweden, Denmark and Germany has found evidence showing that European eel spawn across a 2000 km wide region of the North Atlantic Ocean. In their paper published in the journal Biology Letters, the group describes their study of recently hatched eel larvae in the North Atlantic Ocean, and what they found. |
 | Human ancestors were 'grounded,' new analysis showsAfrican apes adapted to living on the ground, a finding that indicates human evolved from an ancestor not limited to tree or other elevated habitats. The analysis adds a new chapter to evolution, shedding additional light on what preceded human bipedalism. |
 | Deadly box jellyfish antidote discovered using CRISPR genome editingResearchers at the University of Sydney have discovered an antidote to the deadly sting delivered by the most venomous creature on earth—the Australian box jellyfish. |
 | Breaking open the gates of antibiotic resistanceAntibiotic resistance is a major health threat, with about two million people in the US getting an antibiotic-resistant infection per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Gram negative bacteria, including types like E.coli and Salmonella, are often more difficult to kill because of their two-pronged defenses—they have two membranes rather than one, and also have numerous toxin pumps embedded in the membranes to expel any antibiotic that may have made it through. Now Jefferson researchers have uncovered how to target both of these defenses with one hit, which could help make antibiotics more effective. |
 | Disease-causing nibbling amoeba hides by displaying proteins from host cellsA parasitic amoeba that causes severe gut disease in humans protects itself from attack by biting off pieces of host cells and putting their proteins on its own surface, according to a study by microbiologists at the University of California, Davis. |
 | Warmer water linked to higher proportion of male flounderIf southern flounder live in warmer water during a critical window of early development, a higher percentage become male—more than 90 percent in some cases—research from North Carolina State University found. Having a high proportion of adult males over the long term could threaten both wild populations and the valuable commercial fishing industry, which depends on larger female flounder. |
 | Destructive plant pest thwarted by two native fungiCornell University-led research reports that two local fungal pathogens could potentially curb an invasive insect that has New York vineyard owners on edge. |
 | Can sweet potatoes save the world?Some foods are known as seasonal wonders, making an appearance only once or twice a year when families gather for holiday feasts. Cranberry sauce, pecan pie, eggnog. Sweet potatoes, typically with tiny marshmallows roasted on top, were once on that list. But sweet potatoes are on the rise. They have become increasingly recognized as a superfood packed with essential vitamins and nutrients, and are now enjoyed throughout the year—in upscale restaurants, as a healthier alternative to French fries, and in products as varied as vodka, sausage and muffins. |
 | Why jackals thrive where humans dominateAs humans put nature under the plow, asphalt, and concrete, some creatures thrive through an "enemy of my enemy is my friend" approach, embracing our disruption of the natural order, and rushing to fill the void created by hunting and habitat change. |
 | Researchers design a new method to probe tissues in living organismsThe formation of the embryo, from its very early stages of development, is a complex choreography that is still a mystery to science. How each cell forms, and how tissues develop correctly are processes ruled by biochemical signals, but also by mechanical signals. |
 | New computational tool improves identification of genes of potential clinical significanceLike finding a needle in a haystack, identifying genes that are involved in particular diseases can be an arduous and time consuming process. Looking to improve this process, a team led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine has developed a new bioinformatics tool that analyzes CRISPR pooled screen data and identifies candidates for potentially relevant genes with greater sensitivity and accuracy than other existing methods. The new analytical web-based tool also is quicker and more user friendly as it does not require bioinformatics training to use it. The study appears in the journal Genome Research. |
 | Bonobos and chimps equally love meatIn an African forest where leopards and poisonous mamba dwell, a University of Oregon team once had to flee charging boar. But it was a brief detour in research that adds to the idea that bonobos are neither hippies nor vegans. |
Researchers obtain first-ever underwater ultrasound scans of wild reef manta raysA team of researchers from the University of Cambridge and the Manta Trust has successfully scanned a pregnant wild reef manta ray underwater to obtain clear ultrasound images of her foetus, using the world's first contactless underwater ultrasound scanner. | |
New DNA test stops illegal shipment of endangered eelsResearchers have developed a new method to identify illegally trafficked European eels, and it has already led to the arrest and prosecution of smugglers in Hong Kong. | |
Amid genomic data explosion, scientists find proliferating errorsWashington State University researchers found a troubling number of errors in publicly available genomic data as they conducted a large-scale analysis of protein sequences. | |
 | New three-dimensional imaging and visualization technique provides detailed views of muscle architectureA new three-dimensional model of the skeletal muscles responsible for bird flight provides the most comprehensive and detailed picture of anatomy to date. |
 | Scientists develop new model to describe how bacteria spread in different formsA new model describing how bacteria spread when moving in two different ways has been published today in the open-access journal eLife. |
 | Evolving alongside viruses impacts susceptibility to future infectionsResearchers have shown that when fruit flies co-evolve with viruses, different genetic changes occur to those caused by encountering a virus for the first time, altering the insects' susceptibility to future infection. |
 | Isle Royale winter study: 13 new wolves, 20 radio-collared mooseMichigan Technological University's 2019 Isle Royale Winter Study focuses on the implications of newly introduced wolves and the movements of newly collared moose. |
Biologists warn of peril from biological invasions as White House proposes to halve fundingAs the Trump Administration prepares to cut in half the budget for the National Invasive Species Council, a group of invasive species experts led by a University of Rhode Island professor has issued a warning about the growing peril of biological invasions and the increasing threat they pose to the economy, environment, public health and national security. | |
 | Genetic testing has a data problem. New software can help.In recent years, the market for direct-to-consumer genetic testing has exploded. The number of people who used at-home DNA tests more than doubled in 2017, most of them in the U.S. About 1 in 25 American adults now know where their ancestors came from, thanks to companies like AncestryDNA and 23andMe. |
 | EPA reaffirms glyphosate safe for users as court cases growThe Environmental Protection Agency reaffirmed Tuesday that a popular weed killer is safe for people, as legal claims mount from Americans who blame the herbicide for their cancer. |
 | Why your veterinarian may refuse to euthanise your petVets often grapple with the moral dilemma of when a client wants to kill an inconvenient pet. Clients might, for instance, hint that caring for the pet has become too much trouble, or that it interferes with their lifestyle or living situation. This is called "convenience euthanasia". |
 | Despite its green image, NZ has world's highest proportion of species at riskA recent update on the state of New Zealand's environment paints a particularly bleak picture about the loss of native ecosystems and the plants and animals within them. |
 | 'Russian spy whale': the disturbing history of military marine mammalsNorwegian fishermen were reportedly approached by a beluga whale wearing a Russian harness, complete with GoPro camera holder, sparking speculation that the animal had been trained to gather intelligence by the Russian Navy. While this theory has not been confirmed, it is entirely plausible: armed forces around the world have a long and disturbing history of exploiting marine mammals. |
 | Several small steps: Elephant calves caught on camera in CambodiaFirst, the good news. Footage from the 46 camera traps deployed by Fauna & Flora International (FFI) in Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains is giving us a privileged insight into the lives of the Asian elephants that roam through in one of the continent's last remaining forest wildernesses. |
 | US cities host more regionally unique species than previously thoughtScientists are analyzing a rare snapshot in time of urban plants and animals. To better understand whether rapidly growing cities are hosting the same species, a concept known as urban homogenization, a team from the California Academy of Sciences analyzed an immense volume of data gathered by citizen scientists during the four-day global City Nature Challenge. The 14 U.S. cities included in the study amassed more than 65,000 wildlife observations identified to species level through the mobile app iNaturalist. Study findings suggest that despite similarities across cities, urban biodiversity still strongly reflects the species that are native to a region. However, observations of shared "cosmopolitan" species like pigeons, white-tailed deer, and dandelions were more numerous than locally occurring species. The study, published today in the journal PeerJ: Life & Environment, highlights the value of citizen science data in addressing complex questions about rapid changes in urban ecology. |
 | Enigmatic Beluga whale off Norway so tame people can pet itA beluga whale found in Arctic Norway wearing a harness that suggests links to a military facility in Russia is so tame that residents can pet the mammal on its nose. |
 | Advanced detection tool to limit the spread of devastating tree pathogensSeeking to prevent the introduction and spread of quarantine tree pathogens, the EU Horizon 2020-funded project HOMED (HOlistic Management of Emerging forest pests and Diseases) supports the development of an innovative tool for on-site detection of pathogens. The tool was developed by a team of scientists from the Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (IPSP-CNR) and the Department of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences (DISPAA), University of Florence and is described in an open access paper, published in the journal AMB Express. |
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