Science X Newsletter Thursday, May 2

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for May 2, 2019:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Phonon-mediated quantum state transfer and remote qubit entanglement

New reading of Mesha Stele could have far-reaching consequences for biblical history

Genetic study of yams adds more evidence of the Niger River Basin serving as a cradle of agriculture

Study shows skin microbiome imbalance likely behind eczema flareups

Nanofiber-hydrogel composite allows soft tissue to regenerate

What makes a planet habitable

Sculpting super-fast light pulses: Nanopillars shape light precisely for practical applications

SpaceX capsule was destroyed in 'anomaly': lawmaker

Removal of gene prevents development of pancreatic cancer in mice

ClimaCell's weather watch makes use of wireless signals

New approach could accelerate efforts to catalogue vast numbers of cells

Experiments and analyses show how electrons and protons get together on an electrode surface

Promising material could lead to faster, cheaper computer memory

Scientists explore the evolution of animal homosexuality

Arsenic-breathing life discovered in the tropical Pacific Ocean

Astronomy & Space news

	What makes a planet habitable Which of Earth's features were essential for the origin and sustenance of life? And how do scientists identify those features on other worlds?
	SpaceX capsule was destroyed in 'anomaly': lawmaker A space capsule suspected to have exploded last month in an incident characterized by manufacturer SpaceX as an "anomaly" was in fact completely destroyed, a US Senator confirmed Wednesday.
	Pinpointing Gaia to enable the most accurate map ever of more than a billion stars Gaia, operated by the European Space Agency (ESA, surveys the sky from orbit to create the largest, most precise, three-dimensional map of our Galaxy. One year ago, the Gaia mission produced its much-awaited second data release, which included high-precision measurements—positions, distance and proper motions—of more than one billion stars in our Milky Way galaxy. This catalogue has enabled transformational studies in many fields of astronomy, addressing the structure, origin and evolution the Milky Way and generating more than 1700 scientific publications since its launch in 2013.
	Astronomer helps create 'history book' image of the universe Astronomers have assembled a mosaic of nearly 7,500 images of one part of the sky, creating the largest and most comprehensive history book of the universe.
	Two neutron stars collided near the solar system billions of years ago Astrophysicists Szabolcs Marka at Columbia University and Imre Bartos at the University of Florida, have identified a violent collision of two neutron stars 4.6 billion years ago as the likely source of some of the most coveted matter on Earth.
	InSight captures sunrise and sunset on Mars NASA's InSight lander captured a series of sunrise and sunset images.
	FRIPON camera atop ESTEC Asteroid researcher Kristiane Schmidt and ESA data technician Andrea Toni inspect a camera fixed to the five-storey-high rooftop of ESA's technical heart in the Netherlands, keeping a constant watch for fireballs – very bright meteors burning up in the atmosphere.
	How did the Earth get its water? Asteroid sample gives a surprising answer Water is essential for life on Earth and is one of our most precious natural resources. But considering how our planet formed, it is quite surprising how much water we still have. The Earth aggregated from a cloud of gas and dust – a protoplanetary disk – and was incandescently hot for the first few million years. Its surface was kept molten by impacts from comets and asteroids. Earth's interior was also (and still is) kept liquid by a combination of gravitational heating and the decay of radioactive isotopes.
	LIGO and Virgo detect neutron star smash-ups On April 25, 2019, the National Science Foundation's Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) and the European-based Virgo detector registered gravitational waves from what appears likely to be a crash between two neutron stars—the dense remnants of massive stars that previously exploded. One day later, on April 26, the LIGO-Virgo network spotted another candidate source with a potentially interesting twist: it may in fact have resulted from the collision of a neutron star and black hole, an event never before witnessed.
	State-of-the-art imaging uncovers the exciting life history of an unusual Mars meteorite With human and sample-return missions to Mars still on the drawing board, geologists wishing to study the red planet rely on robotic helpers to collect and analyse samples. Earlier this year we said goodbye to NASA's Opportunity rover, but Insight landed in November 2018, and several space agencies have Mars rover missions on their books for the next few years. But while we're working on ways to bring samples back from Mars, geologists can study Martian meteorites that have been delivered to us by the forces at play in the Solar System. Earth is bombarded by tonnes of extraterrestrial material every day. Most of it comes from Jupiter Family Comets and the asteroid belt, and much of it burns up in the atmosphere or lands in the oceans, but meteorites from the Moon and Mars do make it to Earth's surface. In research published in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, scientists used a battery of synchrotron techniques to investigate a very unusual Martian meteorite, whose eventful life story offers some insights to the geological history of Mars.
Space station back to full power, SpaceX launch early Friday The International Space Station is back up at full power, after the successful replacement of a failed electrical box.
	Building better life support systems for future space travel Astronauts on future long-duration spaceflight missions to the Moon and Mars could rely on microalgae to supply essentials including food, water and oxygen. A new investigation aboard the International Space Station tests using the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris as a biological component of a hybrid life support system (LSS).
	SpaceX confirms crew capsule destroyed in ground test SpaceX finally confirmed Thursday its crew capsule was destroyed in ground testing two weeks ago and conceded that the accident is "not great news" for the company's effort to launch astronauts this year.

Technology news

	ClimaCell's weather watch makes use of wireless signals A Boston-based startup is setting out to show the use of phones for better weather forecasting.
	New chip stops attacks before they start A new computer processor architecture developed at the University of Michigan could usher in a future where computers proactively defend against threats, rendering the current electronic security model of bugs and patches obsolete.
	Self-powered wearable tech For emerging wearable tech to advance, it needs improved power sources. Now researchers from Michigan State University have provided a potential solution via crumpled carbon nanotube forests, or CNT forests.
	Researchers make soft, actuated objects using commercial knitting machines Carnegie Mellon University researchers have used computationally controlled knitting machines to create plush toys and other knitted objects that are actuated by tendons. It's an approach they say might someday be used to cost-effectively make soft robots and wearable technologies.
	Design flaws create security vulnerabilities for 'smart home' internet-of-things devices Researchers at North Carolina State University have identified design flaws in "smart home" Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices that allow third parties to prevent devices from sharing information. The flaws can be used to prevent security systems from signaling that there has been a break-in or uploading video of intruders.
	Car-sharing apps' popularity drives debate about taxes When Chris Williamson was in the market for a new family car, a timely ad and conversations with a co-worker convinced him to try something out of the ordinary. He bought a BMW 3 Series convertible and covers the payments by renting it to strangers on a peer-to-peer car sharing app called Turo.
	Judge rules Lyft must follow New York rules for driver minimum wage Ride-hailing company Lyft must abide by a new rule in New York guaranteeing the equivalent of a minimum wage to drivers, a judge ruled Wednesday.
	Hulu reports growing user base, new shows, with Disney in control Hulu announced Wednesday that its user base has grown to some 28 million as the streaming video platform now controlled by Walt Disney gears up to take on Netflix.
	AI project on machine learning wants computers to anticipate what data users want     Large flooding across Nebraska this year created a desperate need for relief efforts, with various calls for help and supplies coming in from all across the 77,000-square-mile state.
	Should we turn the Sahara Desert into a huge solar farm? Whenever I visit the Sahara I am struck by how sunny and hot it is and how clear the sky can be. Aside from a few oases there is little vegetation, and most of the world's largest desert is covered with rocks, sand and sand dunes. The Saharan sun is powerful enough to provide Earth with significant solar energy.
	Study finds virtual assistants play different roles when users seek health info Conversing through voice, compared to text, enhances the connection users have with a virtual assistant. This can lead to better attitudes toward the technology, according to a study by Penn State graduate student Eugene Cho.
	Startup aims to clean up the lithium-ion battery supply chain Li-Cycle was little more than a drawing on the back of a napkin in a Yorkville coffee shop three years ago. Today, the startup founded by University of Toronto alumni is on the verge of an international expansion that its backers believe could fundamentally alter the way that lithium-ion batteries are recycled.
	Predator and prey in cyber stasis In the world of cybersecurity, just as in nature, there are predators and there is prey. The predators are the hunters, the ones that seek out the weak and the vulnerable on which to prey, that applies whether we are talking cat and mouse or hacker and computer system.
	High-speed experiments improve hypersonic flight predictions When traveling at five times the speed of sound or faster, the tiniest bit of turbulence is more than a bump in the road, said the Sandia National Laboratories aerospace engineer who for the first time characterized the vibrational effect of the pressure field beneath one of these tiny hypersonic turbulent spots.
	Virtual human body models supplement crash-test dummies Countless people die every year in road accidents. To improve the safety of vehicle occupants, it has been customary for decades to carry out crash-tests using dummies. These crash-test dummies are increasingly getting virtual support in the form of computer models that simulate the defensive behavior of humans before a collision. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut, EMI are among those using virtual human-body models in crash simulations, which yield more realistic conclusions about the injury risk. In their calculations, the researchers focus especially on muscle stiffness, which has not been taken into account in previous investigations.
	Asia in charge of electric car battery production Global production of batteries for electric cars is concentrated in Asia, with Chinese, Japanese and South Korean firms dominating the sector and building factories in Europe to conserve their supremacy.
	Apple removing or restricting apps for controlling screen time Apple's removal of nearly a dozen apps that help users manage screen time raises questions about the company's dominance and its commitment to helping people stay off their iPhones amid concerns about the negative effects of smartphones, including on children, according to a new report.
	Augmented writing technology: a writer's friend or foe? As a self-proclaimed skeptic of HR technology, Aubrey Blanche was reluctant to compose job posts using artificial intelligence that generates text.
	Dynamic checklist developed for web designers to work more efficiently, creatively According to the Checklist Manifesto, the New York Times bestseller by Atul Gawande, professionals who do highly technical work such as surgeons, airplane pilots, and architects use checklists to help guard against making avoidable mistakes.
	Researchers make organic solar cells immune to the ravages of water, air and light The market for organic solar cells is expected to grow more than 20% between 2017 and 2020, driven by advantages over traditional silicon solar cells: they can be mass produced at scale using roll-to-roll processing; the materials comprising them can be easily found in the earth and could be applied to solar cells through green chemistry; they can be semitransparent and therefore less visually intrusive—meaning they can be mounted on windows or screens and are ideal for mobile devices; they are ultra-flexible and can stretch; and they can be ultra-lightweight.
	New tools could provide ironclad certainty that computer bugs are a thing of the past It's bad enough losing an hour's work when your computer crashes—but in settings like healthcare and aviation, software glitches can have far more serious consequences. In one notorious case, a computer bug caused cancer patients to receive lethal overdoses from a radiation therapy machine; in more recent headlines, flawed software was blamed for airplane crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia.
	US lawmakers: social media answers on extremist content too vague Two US lawmakers berated social media firms Thursday for failing to provide specific information on their efforts to root out extremist content on their platforms.
	Obstacles to overcome before operating fleets of drones becomes reality Search and rescue crews are already using drones to locate missing hikers. Farmers are flying them over fields to survey crops. And delivery companies will soon use drones to drop packages at your doorstep.
	Beyond Meat raises $241 mn amid growing appetite for vegan food Vegan burger upstart Beyond Meat, whose backers include Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio and Microsoft founder Bill Gates, has raised $241 million from its initial public offering, valuing the firm at about $1.5 billion as it surfs a wave of flexitarianism.
	European alliance to invest up to 6 bn euros in electric car batteries European governments and companies will form an alliance for developing next-generation batteries for electric vehicles, investing five to six billion euros ($5.6 to $6.7 billion) in the project, the French and German finance ministers said Thursday.
	States race to regulate car-sharing apps as industry revs up When Chris Williamson was in the market for a new family car, a timely ad and conversations with a co-worker convinced him to try something out of the ordinary. He bought a BMW 3 Series convertible and covers the payments by renting it to strangers on a peer-to-peer car sharing app called Turo.
Parents, would you let your kid ride an Uber or Lyft by themselves? May 1—Having grown up riding the New York City subways by herself at age 11 or 12, suburban New Jersey mom Kasia Bardi was fine the first time her 12-year old boy Fabrizio rode an Uber alone to an "important soccer game."
Google workers protest 'culture of retaliation' with sit-in Google employees staged a sit-in Wednesday to protest what they call a "culture of retaliation" at the company—the latest in a series of demonstrations by tech industry workers.
British cyber expert pleads guilty to creating malware A British cybersecurity researcher credited with stopping a worldwide computer virus in 2017 has pleaded guilty in Wisconsin federal court to developing malware to steal banking information.
	Uber riders can buy transit tickets on app for Denver Riders in Denver will soon be able to buy tickets for public transportation using the Uber app, the latest step on the ride-hailing company's mission to become a one-stop shop for transportation.
	Grounded Max jets could contribute to higher summer fares The grounding of Boeing 737 Max jets likely means that fare increases this summer will be larger than already expected and airlines will struggle to handle disruptions such as storms that shut down hub airports.
	Facebook bans conspiracy theorists, controversial black activist Facebook on Thursday banned prominent conspiracy theorists including Infowars founder Alex Jones and the controversial black activist Louis Farrakhan in its latest push to crack down on hate content at the leading social network.

Medicine & Health news

	Study shows skin microbiome imbalance likely behind eczema flareups A team of researchers affiliated with multiple institutions across the U.S. has found a connection between a skin microbiome imbalance and eczema flareups. In their paper published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, the group describes their study of the skin microbiome and the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, which has been associated with eczema.
	Nanofiber-hydrogel composite allows soft tissue to regenerate A team of researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine has developed a gel that, when injected into test animals, allowed new soft tissue to grow—replacing lost tissue. In their paper published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, the group describes their work developing the gel and how well it worked in test rats and rabbits.
	Removal of gene prevents development of pancreatic cancer in mice The action of a gene called ATDC is required for the development of pancreatic cancer, a new study finds.
	How the brain learns new skills The human brain is "plastic": it can adapt and rewire itself, often more easily when learning new things related to familiar skills. For example, it is probably easier for a professional tennis player to learn to play badminton than soccer.
	Novel nanoparticle enhances radiation tumor killing Radiation kills tumors by creating oxygen free radicals that damage the tumor DNA. However, the lack of oxygen in the center of tumors blocks the production of free radicals, inhibiting radiation killing. NIBIB researchers have now designed a nanoparticle that generates radiation-induced oxygen free radicals even in the low-oxygen center of tumors, dramatically increasing the success of radiation therapy.
	Computer program reveals what neurons in the visual cortex prefer to look at Why do our eyes tend to be drawn to certain shapes, colors and silhouettes more than others? For more than half a century, researchers have known that neurons in the brain's visual system respond more to some images than others—a feature that is critical for the ability to recognize, understand and interpret the multitude of visual clues surrounding us. For example, specific populations of visual neurons in an area of the brain known as the inferior temporal cortex fire more when people or other primates—animals with highly attuned and visual systems—look at faces, places, objects or text.
	These trippy images were designed by AI to super-stimulate monkey neurons To find out which sights specific neurons in monkeys "like" best, researchers designed an algorithm, called XDREAM, that generated images that made neurons fire more than any natural images the researchers tested. As the images evolved, they started to look like distorted versions of real-world stimuli. The work appears May 2 in the journal Cell.
	Study shows that artificial neural networks can be used to drive brain activity MIT neuroscientists have performed the most rigorous testing yet of computational models that mimic the brain's visual cortex.
	Study identifies viral peptides critical to natural HIV control Investigators at the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard have used a novel approach to identify specific amino acids in the protein structure of HIV that appear critical to the ability of the virus to function and replicate. They also have found that the immune systems of individuals naturally able to control HIV infection target these amino acids with pathogen-killing CD8 T cells, an ability seen even in controllers who do not carry versions of the HLA-B protein previously associated with HIV control. The report appears in the May 3 issue of Science and could guide the development of broadly protective vaccines to prevent and suppress HIV infection.
	Bioengineers clear major hurdle on path to 3-D printing replacement organs Bioengineers have cleared a major hurdle on the path to 3-D printing replacement organs with a breakthrough technique for bioprinting tissues.
	Synthetic biology used to target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, study reports Synthetic proteins engineered to recognize overly active biological pathways can kill cancer cells while sparing their healthy peers, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
	Research on Reddit identifies opioid addiction self-treatment risks Using advanced machine-learning techniques, Georgia Tech researchers have examined nearly 1.5 million Reddit posts to identify risks associated with several of the most common alternative—and unproven—treatments" for opioid addiction.
	Scientists discover how superbugs hide from their host New research led by the University of Sheffield has discovered how a hospital superbug evades the immune system to cause infection – paving the way for new treatments.
	Medical costs create hardships for more than half of Americans A new study by American Cancer Society researchers finds medical financial hardship is very common among people in the United States, with more than half reporting problems with affordability, stress, or delaying care because of cost. The study, appearing early online in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, estimates more than 100 million people in the U.S. experience medical financial hardship.
	Premature birth linked to increased risk of chronic kidney disease into later life Preterm and early term birth are strong risk factors for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) from childhood into mid-adulthood, suggests a study from Sweden published by The BMJ today.
Vaccine shows lasting effects against fentanyl addiction in rats A vaccine that combines a fentanyl antigen with a tetanus toxoid has been shown to reduce fentanyl choices and increase food choices with effects lasting several months in rats. These results suggest that the vaccine may not only decrease dangerous drug-taking behavior, but can also increase behaviors maintained by healthier non-drug alternatives. The findings are presented in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.
	Teaching happiness to dementia caregivers reduces their depression, anxiety Caring for family members with dementia—which is on the rise in the U.S.—causes significant emotional and physical stress that increases caregivers' risk of depression, anxiety and death.
	Snoring causes injuries and prevention of healing in the upper airways The recurrent vibrations caused by snoring can lead to injuries in the upper airways of people who snore heavily. This, in turn, can cause swallowing dysfunction and render individuals more vulnerable for developing the severe condition obstructive sleep apnea. These findings are reported by researchers at Umeå University, Sweden. Their ongoing research focuses on the processes behind vibratory damage and healing of the upper airway tract. The data generated will help to identify people at high risk of developing sleep apnea and to find novel treatment strategies.
	Primary findings from first-in-human immunotherapy trial show promise in treating neuroblastoma Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid cancer in children, and patients with high-risk disease are challenging to treat. In a promising development, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine released initial findings from the first two patients treated in a Phase 1, first-in-human clinical trial of a new form of immunotherapy to treat neuroblastoma using genetically engineered natural killer T cells (NKTs). The findings were presented today at the annual American Society of Cell & Gene Therapy (ASGCT) Meeting.
	Researchers find family discussions of menstruation lacking In mainstream media and pop culture, periods have gone from something that should be hidden to something that should be celebrated.
	Eek – a tick! What now? This online tool will help You may have noted that with the first signs of spring come an abundance of media messages reminding you that this is also the beginning of tick season.
	Looking for solutions to physician burnout in other professions In light of the fact that many doctors report experiencing burnout, Stanford researchers interviewed people in other professions to see how they and their organizations foster professional wellness on the job.
	Researchers study connection of adolescent caffeine consumption and substance abuse It's not uncommon for teenagers to grab an energy drink for an after-school pick-me-up or pop through the drive-through at Starbucks for a morning Frappuccino.
	A better way to classify young women's heart attacks Women age 55 and younger are less likely to exhibit the classic symptoms and underlying mechanisms of a heart attack commonly observed in men. This can leave women undiagnosed and at great risk.
	How psychotherapy changes the brain in panic disorder and social anxiety A new investigation published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics disclosed important brain mechanisms for the action of psychotherapy in panic disorder. Patients with panic disorder (PD) and agoraphobia (AG) often suffer from other mental disorders especially social anxiety disorder. Neurally, both disorders exhibit substantial neurofunctional overlap within the defensive system network. Those networks might be crucial in social anxiety due to the high relevance of detecting social cues.
	Reasons for delay in pelvic organ prolapse treatment revealed Many women do not seek early treatment for pelvic organ prolapse due to confusion and a lack of awareness around the condition's symptoms – and feelings of shame and embarrassment – according to new research.
	Brain imaging lie detector can be beaten with simple techniques, research shows People have certain physical 'tells' when they conceal information – and studies show that good liars can prevent these 'tells' being detected by displaying physical red herrings of their own.
	Pregnant women and babies can be vegans but careful nutrition planning is essential As more Australians opt for meat-free diets, some are cutting out animal products altogether and going vegan. But is this safe for pregnant women and babies?
	Furtive looks, nervousness, hesitation: How nonverbal communication influences the justice system Pauses in answers, body movements, elusive or angry looks, confusion, anxiety —the facial expressions and gestures made by witnesses matter in court. Conclusions about the credibility of witnesses can hang on their nonverbal behaviour.
	A little nudge goes a long way in increasing organ donor registrations Each year, hundreds of Canadians die waiting for organ transplants. At the end of 2017, for example, 4,333 people were waiting for transplants; 242 of them died.
	Children and teens who drink low-calorie sweetened beverages do not save calories U.S. children and teens who consumed low-calorie or zero-calorie sweetened beverages took in about 200 extra calories on a given day compared to those who drank water, and they took in about the same number of calories as youth who consumed sugary beverages, according to a study published today.
	Tumor cells' drug addiction may be their downfall Blocking the processes that drive cancer cell growth is at the heart of many new anti-cancer therapies. Unfortunately, after initial success, cancer cells are generally able to develop workarounds to reactivate the pathways that promote growth. Work by researchers at the Babraham Institute in partnership with the global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca shows that this workaround strategy proves fatal for the cancer cells once the treatment compound is withdrawn. The research is published today in the journal Nature Communications.
	Researchers ready B cells for novel cell therapy Scientists at Seattle Children's Research Institute are paving the way to use gene-edited B cells—a type of white blood cell in the immune system—to treat a wide range of potential diseases that affect children, including hemophilia and other protein deficiency disorders, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. If successful, their research would open the door to offering this experimental cell therapy as the first-of-its-kind in clinical trials at Seattle Children's in as soon as five years.
Suicidal thoughts? Therapy-oriented website can help Mental health researchers behind the website nowmattersnow.org have demonstrated that the site could be beneficial in decreasing suicidal thoughts.
	Yes, a box encourages a child's imagination, research confirms Every parent can attest to the phenomenon of watching a child play with a cardboard box while an expensive toy sits on the shelf.
	Researchers discover how to prevent kidney damage in patients with multiple myeloma Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have discovered a way to prevent kidney failure from occurring in people with multiple myeloma.
	Three moral reasons why parents need to get their children vaccinated against measles and other diseases The U.S. hit a terrible and entirely preventable milestone this week: Measles cases are at a 25-year high.
	University of North Carolina at Charlotte shooting has these things in common with other campus shootings The April 30 shooting at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte follows a familiar pattern of mass shootings at college campuses in the United States.
	Want to become a better person? Travelling more might be the answer Travelling offers new experiences and can open people's minds. It allows you to get out of your daily groove –- of work, commuting, housework and cooking – to think about the things that really matter and enjoy some quality time in a different place.
	Fabella – and other examples of how some bodies contain mysterious variations Scientists in the UK recently reported that a bone that was thought to be lost to evolution is making a comeback. The little bone, known as the fabella (little bean), is found at the back of the knee – if it is found at all. The scientists discovered that people were nearly three-and-a-half times more likely to have the bone in 2000 than in 1900. Its exact purpose, however, remains a mystery.
	Newly discovered gene mutation reduces fear and anxiety, increases social interaction Finnish researchers at the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Oulu have discovered of a new type of gene mutation that reduces fear and anxiety, and increases social interaction. The researchers employed gene manipulation technology to remove the P4h-tm gene from the mouse genome and found an unexpected change in mouse behaviour. P4h-tm knockout mice showed striking courage and a lack of learned helplessness compared to congenic wild-type mice with a functional P4h-tm gene. The results were published in Neuropharmacology.
	Tackling side effects in head and neck cancer treatment – the end of the road for hyperbaric oxygen? Some side effects appear years after cancer treatment. That's the case for one side effect of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, called osteoradionecrosis.
	Women no more likely to have stillbirth just because their mother had one Women are no more likely to have a stillbirth just because their mother may have had one, according to new research from the University of Aberdeen.
	New chemical probe for visualising brain immune cells Researchers in South Korea and Singapore have, for the first time, developed a chemical probe that enables live-imaging of a type of immune cells in the brain, known as microglia, in a live animal brain. This discovery, led by the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), South Korea; the Singapore Bioimaging Consortium (SBIC) and Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR); and Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, will enable critical imaging studies to help scientists understand the development of brain diseases, such as stroke, autism, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease.
	Boosting nutrients in crops to beat 'hidden hunger' of poor diet More than two billion children and adults globally are estimated to suffer from deficiencies of crucial vitamins and minerals due to poor diet.
	Gene therapy may help fight tough-to-treat blood cancer (HealthDay)—A gene therapy that tweaks the immune system might offer hope to people with blood cancer that has resisted standard treatments, a new preliminary trial suggests.
	An expert's guide to healthier grocery shopping (HealthDay)—Living well starts at the grocery store: When you choose the right foods, it's easy to cook and eat healthfully.
	Could you be short on vitamin B12? (HealthDay)—In the ABCs of vitamins, B12 is often overlooked. But it's essential for the making of nerve and red blood cells, as well as DNA along with many other body processes. Adults and teens need just 2.4 micrograms a day, but you can fall short even on this small amount.
	AHA news: Director John Singleton's fatal stroke spotlights black Americans' hypertension risk Filmmaker John Singleton was hailed for his ability to portray black Americans' lives on screen. His death drew attention to one of the biggest threats posed to those lives.
	'Vampire facials' at new mexico spa linked to HIV infections (HealthDay)—Two people may have contracted HIV after undergoing so-called "vampire facials" at a New Mexico spa, state health officials say.
	For children, depression increases hospital use and mortality, study finds Children with depression admitted to the hospital for other illnesses like pneumonia, appendicitis or seizure disorders, stay longer, pay more and are at greater risk of death, a Rutgers New Jersey Medical School study finds.
Novel healthcare program for former prisoners reduces recidivism A healthcare program tailored to the needs of recently released prisoners can significantly reduce recidivism, according to a new study led by a Yale researcher. The findings show how an approach that provides community-based primary care can play a role in the nationwide effort to decrease prison populations.
	New study finds high rates of formula use with low-income infants, recommends changes The World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. However, new research led by George Mason University's College of Health and Human Services found high rates of mixed breastfeeding and early introduction of formula among their sample of low-income, predominately Hispanic immigrant women participating in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) federal food assistance program.
Perseverance toward life goals can fend off depression, anxiety, panic disorders People who don't give up on their goals (or who get better over time at not giving up on their goals) and who have a positive outlook appear to have less anxiety and depression and fewer panic attacks, according to a study of thousands of Americans over the course of 18 years. Surprisingly, a sense of control did not have an effect on the mental health of participants across time.
	Semenya case: A clash over ensuring an even playing field A court ruling requiring Olympic running sensation Caster Semenya to lower her testosterone levels goes to the heart of a dilemma facing the sports world: How to avoid discrimination against intersex or transgender athletes while ensuring that competitions are fair.
	Mayo Clinic Q&A: Vitamin D—too much or too little can lead to health problems Dear Mayo Clinic: I have heard different recommendations from different sources regarding vitamin D. One doctor told my husband that everyone living in the Northern Hemisphere should take a vitamin D supplement every day, even in the summer. What do you recommend?
	Mayo Clinic Q&A: Effectively treating a separated shoulder can get you back to your active life Dear Mayo Clinic: A few weeks ago, I was snowboarding and dislodged my collarbone. I was told I have anywhere from a grade 3 to grade 5 separation. I've had my arm in a sling for three weeks, as was recommended, but it's still painful. Does this type of injury ever heal on its own, or will I need surgery? I am 20 and don't want to have shoulder pain for the rest of my life.
	Study shows why stomach pathogen is so tough to eradicate The stomach-dwelling bacteria Helicobacter pylori survives in the stomach—a hellish, churning vat of hydrochloric acid—by holing up inside that organ's pitlike glands and establishing squatter's rights. Once the germ has set up shop, Stanford University School of Medicine investigators have learned, even competing strains of the same species can't displace it, or even share its hideout.
	Opportunistic cancer cells 'slip through the gaps' to spread through blood vessels Cancer cells may rely on opportunism, as well as chemical signalling, to spread through the body, according to new findings by mathematicians at the University of Birmingham.
	Topical cream found as less-toxic therapy to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis Paromomysin-based topical treatments were shown to be effective in curing cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), according to a randomized, double blind study conducted in Panama and published with PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.
	Genetics suggest beverage preferences hinge on psychoactive effects Why do you swig bitter, dark roast coffee or hoppy beer while your coworker guzzles sweet cola?
New prognostic test could enable personalised treatment of inflammatory bowel disease Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a new test that can reliably predict the future course of inflammatory bowel disease in individuals, transforming treatments for patients and paving the way for a personalised approach.
	Mobile prenatal app shown to reduce in-person visits during pregnancy Using the mobile app Babyscripts reduced in-person prenatal care visits while maintaining patient and provider satisfaction, according to research published in JMIR mHealth and uHealth by physician researchers from the George Washington University (GW).
	Sexuality continues to change and develop well into adulthood, finds study A new study has shown that traditional labels of 'gay', 'bisexual' and 'straight' do not capture the full range of human sexuality, and whether a person is attracted to the same, or opposite sex can change over time.
	AIDS in America—Back in the headlines at long last President Trump's recent call to end the HIV epidemic in the United States has turned attention to a domestic public health crisis that has been absent from the headlines for quite some time.
	Researchers investigate differences in coatings of drug-coated balloon catheters Drug-coated balloon catheters to open narrowed blood vessels and to deliver drugs to the impacted sites are used frequently for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease. Scientists believe improvement of the coatings could lead to better designs and improved outcomes. Now for the first time, researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have examined these coatings at microscopic levels in hopes of producing more efficient alternatives for treating arterial disease.
	Open heart surgery outperforms stents in patients with multivessel disease Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery may be the best treatment option for most patients with more than one blocked heart artery, according to research published today in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, published by Elsevier.
	Seeking better detection for chronic malaria In people with chronic malaria, certain metabolic systems in the blood change to support a long-term host-parasite relationship, a finding that is key to eventually developing better detection, treatment and eradication of the disease, according to research published today in the Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight.
Patients satisfied with oral sedation for cataract surgery (HealthDay)—Using oral sedation during cataract surgery does not negatively impact patient satisfaction compared with using an intravenous (IV) sedative, according to a study published online April 16 in Ophthalmology.
	Few U.S. adults use USB-shaped electronic vapor products (HealthDay)—About 7.9 percent of U.S. adults reported ever use of electronic vapor products (EVPs) shaped like universal serial bus (USB) flash drives in 2018, according to a study published online April 25 in Tobacco Control.
	Psoriasis symptoms, quality of life tied to disease severity (HealthDay)—Patient-reported symptoms of psoriasis, quality of life, and work productivity worsen with increasing disease severity, as measured by two established clinician assessment tools, according to a study published online April 20 in BMJ Open.
Aging baby boomers push sky high incidence of shingles of the eye More Americans are being diagnosed with eye complications of shingles, but older adults can call the shots on whether they are protected from the painful rash that can cost them their eyesight.
Biomarker may predict if immunotherapy is right choice for colorectal cancer patients Foundational research by a City of Hope physician-scientist and his colleagues could one day help metastatic colorectal cancer patients decide whether to choose immunotherapy or chemotherapy as their first treatment option.
	Researchers find gene for urethral obstruction Even before birth, an obstructed urethra can cause a variety of issues in the unborn child, ranging from mild urinary problems to kidney failure. This highly variable disease is called LUTO (lower urinary tract obstruction). Especially boys are affected. An international team of researchers led by the University of Bonn has now discovered a first gene involved in this rare disease. The results are now published in the American Journal of Human Genetics.
Two die from measles in Switzerland as cases rise Switzerland has registered two deaths from measles this year, health authorities said Thursday, stressing the importance of vaccinating against the highly contagious disease.
	Less-invasive mastectomy safe for more breast cancer patients, study finds A less-invasive mastectomy that leaves the surface of the breast intact has become a safe option for more patients, including those whose breast cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or who have risk factors for surgical complications, a Mayo Clinic study shows. In the procedure, known as a nipple-sparing mastectomy, surgeons remove breast tissue, leaving the skin, nipple and areola, and immediately rebuild the breasts. The findings are being presented at the American Society of Breast Surgeons annual meeting.
	New study targets breast cancer 'double jeopardy' An Australian study is set to deliver a world-first model of care to reduce cardiovascular disease in breast cancer survivors.
	Cocaine deaths up in US, and opioids are a big part of it U.S. health officials say cocaine overdose deaths have been rising.
Emergency room patients acuity levels not always considered when within wait time target New research from the UBC Sauder School of Business reveals that Metro Vancouver emergency patient acuity levels sometimes come second to wait time targets, largely due to doctors being unclear around existing emergency room prioritization guidelines. The study found that patient acuity levels are considered more seriously once wait time targets have passed.
	New cancer therapy target found in mitochondria for potential treatment of blood cancers A study at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center identified a new therapeutic target in cancer cells and explains how new anti-cancer drugs called imipridones work by inducing cancer cell death in blood cancers, such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and mantle cell lymphoma.
	Pathogens find safe harbor deep in the gastric glands Scientists have long tried to understand how pathogenic bacteria like Helicobacter pylori, a risk factor for stomach ulcers and cancer, survive in the harsh environment of the stomach. In a new study publishing May 2 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology, researchers led by Connie Fung and Manuel Amieva at Stanford University propose that H. pylori exploit a specialized niche that provides safe harbor deep in the gastric glands to maintain lifelong colonization.
	Researchers putting the brakes on lethal childhood cancer Malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) is one of the most aggressive and lethal childhood cancers.
	Fifteen years of mosquito data implicate species most likely to transmit West Nile virus in Iowa A recently published study from Iowa State University medical entomologists found transmission of West Nile virus most often occurs in Iowa's western counties, where the data also found the heaviest concentrations of the mosquito species most often identified as the vector of disease transmission.
	New study tracks perils of water polo head injuries Water polo athletes take note: A new study by University of California, Irvine researchers maps out the frequency of head injuries in the sport and reveals which positions are the most vulnerable.
Scientology cruise ship quarantined in Caribbean after measles case A cruise ship owned by the Church of Scientology has been quarantined in the Caribbean port of Saint Lucia for two days because of a measles case, health authorities said Thursday.
	Breast implants tied to rare cancer to remain on US market U.S. health authorities will allow a type of breast implant linked to a rare form of cancer to stay on the market, saying its risks do not warrant a national ban.
Hearing loss weakens skills that young cancer survivors need to master reading Researchers have identified factors that explain why severe hearing loss sets up pediatric brain tumor survivors for reading difficulties with far-reaching consequences. The findings lay the foundation for developing interventions to help survivors become better readers.
Blood pressure drug shows no benefit in Parkinson's disease A study of a blood pressure drug does not show any benefit for people with Parkinson's disease, according to findings released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 71st Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, May 4 to 10, 2019.
	Access to medical cannabis must be improved, argue top doctor and mother of Alfie Dingley Despite a change in the law last year, access to medical cannabis in the UK has been much slower than patients and parents had hoped, warns an expert in The BMJ today.
	Teen bonfires can cause serious injuries, burn surgeon warns Building a bonfire has become a popular activity among teenagers, but a big fire can result in serious burn injuries, cautions Loyola Medicine burn surgeon Arthur Sanford, MD.
	News attorneys: Opioid distribution data should be public Attorneys for news organizations argued Thursday that the U.S. public should be allowed to see federal data about how prescription opioids were distributed as the nation's overdose crisis was worsening.
The foods that schools wanted exempt from whole-grain rule The Trump administration recently rolled back a rule that said foods like bread and pasta have to be made with whole grains. Before the rule was relaxed, schools needed temporary waivers to serve foods like white rice, which have a finer texture but also less fiber.
US approves dengue vaccine Dengvaxia US health authorities have given their approval to dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, the controversial first treatment designed to protect against the deadly mosquito-borne virus.

Biology news

	Genetic study of yams adds more evidence of the Niger River Basin serving as a cradle of agriculture An international team of researchers has found more evidence to support the theory that the Niger River Basin was an early cradle of agriculture. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the group describes their genetic analysis of yams and what they found.
	New approach could accelerate efforts to catalogue vast numbers of cells Artistic sketches can be used to capture details of a scene in a simpler image. MIT researchers are now bringing that concept to computational biology, with a novel method that extracts comprehensive samples—called "sketches"—of massive cell datasets that are easier to analyze for biological and medical studies.
	Scientists explore the evolution of animal homosexuality Imperial researchers are using a new approach to understand why same-sex behaviour is so common across the animal kingdom.
	Mathematician's breakthrough on non-toxic pest control that doesn't harm bees A University of Sussex mathematician, Dr. Konstantin Blyuss, working with biologists at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, has developed a chemical-free way to precisely target a parasitic worm that destroys wheat crops.
	Researchers identify drugs that block CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing The discovery of the first small-molecule inhibitors of the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) protein could enable more precise control over CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing, researchers report May 2nd in the journal Cell.
	How genetics, resources and a long-distant relative helped killifish adapt to extreme pollution The combination of a big population, good genes and luck helps explain how a species of fish in Texas' Houston Ship Channel was able to adapt to what normally would be lethal levels of toxins for most other species, according to a study to be published May 3 in the journal Science.
	The quiet loss of knowledge threatens indigenous communities Most of the knowledge that indigenous communities in South America have about plants is not written down. Now, ecologists at the University of Zurich have analyzed comprehensive information about the services provided by palm trees from multiple regions and made it accessible via a network approach. What they also discovered in the process was that the simultaneous loss of biodiversity and knowledge represents a key threat to the survival of indigenous peoples.
	A model to decipher the complexity of gene regulation How, where and when genes are expressed determine individual phenotypes. If gene expression is controlled by many regulatory elements, what, ultimately, controls them? And how does genetic variation affect them? The SysGenetiX project, led by the University of Geneva (UNIGE) in collaboration with the University of Lausanne (UNIL), Switzerland, sought to investigate these regulatory elements, as well as the manifold interactions between them and with genes, with the ultimate goal of understanding the mechanisms that render some people more predisposed to manifesting particular diseases than others.
	Running may have made dinosaurs' wings flap before they evolved to fly Before they evolved the ability to fly, two-legged dinosaurs may have begun to flap their wings as a passive effect of running along the ground, according to new research by Jing-Shan Zhao of Tsinghua University, Beijing, and his colleagues.
	Discovery of RNA transfer through royal jelly could aid development of honey bee vaccines Researchers have discovered that honey bees are able to share immunity with other bees and to their offspring in a hive by transmitting RNA 'vaccines' through royal jelly and worker jelly. The jelly is the bee equivalent of mother's milk: a secretion used to provide nutrition to worker and queen bee larvae.
	Make room on the couch: Worms suffer from PTSD, too The ability to anticipate the future is key to the survival of all living things. Like humans, worms are capable of forming associative memories—that is, memories that associate a certain sound or smell or tone of voice with a particular outcome.
	Chemical modifiers tag-team to regulate essential mechanism of life Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have made a key observation about one of the most fundamental biological processes: gene transcription.
	Study reveals link between starch digestion gene, gut bacteria A newly discovered relationship between genetic variation and the gut microbiome could help nutritionists personalize their recommendations.
	When apple trees blossom, worker bees rock In an apple orchard outside Paris, a constant hum among the blossoming trees bears witness to thousands of worker bees pollinating millions of flowers in just three weeks.
	Vaccination may help protect bats from deadly disease A new study shows that vaccination may reduce the impact of white-nose syndrome in bats, marking a milestone in the international fight against one of the most destructive wildlife diseases in modern times.
	Study shows birds use social cues to make decisions A new study in The Auk: Ornithological Advances suggests that some birds prioritize social information over visual evidence when making breeding choices.
	Dealing with the absurdity of human existence in the face of converging catastrophes Homo sapiens means wise human, but the name no longer suits us. As an evolutionary biologist who writes about Darwinian interpretations of human motivations and cultures, I propose that at some point we became what we are today: Homo absurdus, a human that spends its whole life trying to convince itself that its existence is not absurd.
	Bats evolved diverse skull shapes due to echolocation, diet Humans may be forgiven for overlooking bats. After all, many bat species are out and about when we're turning in. And generations of Dracula lore may have made us a little wary.
	Spider venom is a dangerous cocktail Spider venom does not only consist of neurotoxins but also of a multitude of dangerous constituents. Researchers of the University of Bern present a summary of many years of spider venom research in a new study and show how various substances present in spider venom interact with each other and thus effectively render the spider's prey defenseless.
	A genomic tour-de-force reveals the last 5,000 years of horse history Each year on the first Saturday in May, Thoroughbred horses reach speeds of over 40 miles per hour as they compete to win the Kentucky Derby. But the domestic horse wasn't always bred for speed. In fact, an international team now has evidence to suggest that the modern horse is genetically quite different from the horses of even just a few hundred years ago.
	Specialized plant cells regain stem-cell features to heal wounds If plants are injured, cells adjacent to the wound fill the gaps with their daughter cells. However, which cells divide to do the healing and how they manage to produce cells that match the cell type of the missing tissue has been unclear. Scientists from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria) have now shown that to correctly replace dead cells, neighbors to the inside of the wound re-activate their stem cell programs.
	Species conservation: some success, many failures With as many as a million species threatened with extinction due to mankind's destruction of the planet, there have been scant conservation successes in recent years.
Why can't we all get along like Namibia's pastoralists and wildlife? Conflicts between humans and wildlife are escalating worldwide due to human population growth, urbanization, growth of agricultural and industrial activities, and, in certain areas, increasing wildlife populations.
	Study explores the possible benefits of cooperative polyandry Acorn Woodpeckers live in close-knit family groups and have one of the most complex breeding systems of any bird in the world. In about 20 percent of family groups, up to 3 related females may lay eggs in the same nest. They raise the chicks cooperatively with one or more related males. This behavior is known as joint nesting or "cooperative polyandry." Only five other species of birds worldwide are known to do this. The reasons that may be driving the behavior are outlined in a study recently published in The American Naturalist.
	This hawk likes crab for dinner Red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus) feed primarily on mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates, the majority of which are insects and crustaceans, with the latter represented to date only by crayfish.
	For giant pandas, bamboo is vegetarian 'meat' Giant pandas are extremely specialised herbivores that feed almost exclusively on highly fibrous bamboo, despite descending from primarily flesh-eating carnivores.
	Young frogs that were stressed as tadpoles move less on land, putting their survival at risk New Oregon State University research shows that juvenile northern red-legged frogs that have experienced climate-related stress as tadpoles are less likely to move on land, putting their survival at risk.
Another protective zone for whales created off New England The federal government is creating a new vessel speed restriction zone off Massachusetts to try to protect rare whales.

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