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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for May 8, 2019:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | New space race to bring satellite internet to the worldAnxiety has set in across the space industry ever since the world's richest man, Jeff Bezos, revealed Project Kuiper: a plan to put 3,236 satellites in orbit to provide high-speed internet across the globe. |
 | Scientists investigate dwarf planet's ringDiscovered in 2004, Haumea is a dwarf planet located beyond Pluto's orbit in a region of the solar system called the Kuiper Belt. Pluto was demoted from the category of fully fledged planets in 2006 because of the discovery of Haumea and other dwarf planets. |
 | Explosions of universe's first stars spewed powerful jetsSeveral hundred million years after the Big Bang, the very first stars flared into the universe as massively bright accumulations of hydrogen and helium gas. Within the cores of these first stars, extreme, thermonuclear reactions forged the first heavier elements, including carbon, iron, and zinc. |
 | Tissue chip headed to International Space Station for osteoarthritis studyOn May 4, a National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)-supported tissue-chip system with direct clinical applications to health conditions here on Earth was launched on the SpaceX CRS 17/Falcon 9 rocket. |
 | Jets and winds from galaxy cores appear to share a common causeAstronomers have a rough understanding of how galaxies emit jets from their cores. Galaxy cores also blow out winds of ionized gas, for which researchers lack a general explanation. SRON astronomers have now found a correlation between jets and winds, suggesting magnetic fields as a common cause. The study is published in Astronomy & Astrophysics. |
 | Exobiology in a boxThe International Space Station is the platform to study a variety of fields without gravity getting in the way. A new experiment is furthering the Station's capabilities for investigating exobiology, or the study of life in space. |
 | Image: Anchor antennaThis patch antenna under test at ESA's technical heart is designed to maintain a radio link between the two satellites making up the Proba-3 mission, allowing the pair to fly in formation to maintain an artificial eclipse of the sun. |
Technology news
 | A multi-scale body-part mask guided attention network for person re-identificationPerson re-identification entails the automated identification of the same person in multiple images from different cameras and with different backgrounds, angles or positions. Despite recent advances in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), person re-identification remains a highly challenging task, particularly due to the many variations in a person's pose, as well as other differences associated with lighting, occlusion, misalignment and background clutter. |
 | Clean fuel cells could be cheap enough to replace gas engines in vehiclesAdvancements in zero-emission fuel cells could make the technology cheap enough to replace traditional gasoline engines in vehicles, according to researchers at the University of Waterloo. |
 | Researchers make transformational AI seem 'unremarkable'Physicians making life-and-death decisions about organ transplants, cancer treatments or heart surgeries typically don't give much thought to how artificial intelligence might help them. And that's how researchers at Carnegie Mellon University say clinical AI tools should be designed—so doctors don't need to think about them. |
 | Google bucks soaring smartphone prices with new PixelGoogle bucked the soaring smartphone price trend Tuesday, unveiling a high-performance Pixel handset aimed at the middle of the market as part of a wide-ranging pitch to developers of its new hardware, software and privacy efforts. |
 | Wireless movement-tracking system could collect health and behavioral dataWe live in a world of wireless signals flowing around us and bouncing off our bodies. MIT researchers are now leveraging those signal reflections to provide scientists and caregivers with valuable insights into people's behavior and health. |
 | Using AI to predict breast cancer and personalize careDespite major advances in genetics and modern imaging, the diagnosis catches most breast cancer patients by surprise. For some, it comes too late. Later diagnosis means aggressive treatments, uncertain outcomes, and more medical expenses. As a result, identifying patients has been a central pillar of breast cancer research and effective early detection. |
 | VisiBlends, a new approach to disrupt visual messagingVisual blends, which join two objects in an unusual, eye-catching way, are an advanced graphic design technique used in advertising, marketing, and the media to draw attention to a specific message. These visual marriages are designed to precipitate an "aha!" moment in the viewer who grasps one idea from the union of two images. For instance, blending an image of an orange with an image of the sun could convey a beverage with Vitamin C. |
 | Road test proves adaptive cruise control can add to traffic jam problemA new, open-road test of adaptive cruise control demonstrated that the feature, designed to make driving easier by continuously adjusting a vehicle's speed in response to the car ahead, doesn't yet solve the problem of phantom traffic jams. |
 | Making a case for robotic objects as anger outletsCoochi coo. Robots have undergone impressive designs and engineering for social use, manifested in puppy-like robots with expressive, blinking eyes, to little space robots. These little pals and helpers appeal to the home-confined elderly and children. These are social robots designed to understand and respond to cues. |
 | Ridesharing companies worsened congestion in San Francisco: studyOne of the early promises of the ride-hailing era ushered in by Uber and Lyft was that the new entrants would complement public transit, reduce car ownership, and help alleviate urban congestion. |
 | Toyota annual net profit drops by a quarterProfits at Japanese car giant Toyota hit the skids despite record sales, the company admitted Wednesday, although it said it expected to accelerate out of trouble in the year ahead. |
 | Lyft loss widens to $1.1 bn, unveils Waymo partnershipLyft said Tuesday its loss in the past quarter widened to $1.1 billion in the ride-hailing giant's first financial report as a public company, as it announced it was teaming up with former Google car unit Waymo on autonomous taxis. |
 | Passenger planes need enough cabin crew to operate all the exits in an emergencyThe crash of Aeroflot flight SU1492 in Moscow raises concerns about cabin safety in terms of the number of crew needed in an emergency. |
 | How highly sexualised imagery is shaping 'influence' on Instagram—and harassment is rifeAustralians are some of the most active social media users in the world and Instagram is particularly popular. One in three of us have an account, with more than 9,000,000 monthly active users. The rise of Instagram reflects our increasingly visual culture, with 45% of Australians having taken a selfie and uploaded it to social media. |
 | Location and brand affect people's trust in cloud servicesPeople's stereotypes regarding different locations around the world influence whether they feel secure in storing their data in cloud service centers in those locations, according to researchers at Penn State, who also found that stereotypes regarding brand authority influence people's trust in cloud services. |
 | Tech-saavy people more likely to trust digital doctorsWould you trust a robot to diagnose your cancer? According to researchers at Penn State, people with high confidence in machine performance and also in their own technological capabilities are more likely to accept and use digital healthcare services and providers. |
 | Electricity grid cybersecurity will be expensive – who will pay, and how much?Recently, a neighbor asked one of us whether Russia, China, North Korea and Iran really are capable of hacking into the computers that control the U.S. electricity grid. The answer, based on available evidence, is "Yes." The follow-up question was, "How expensive will it be to prevent, and who will end up paying for it?" |
 | Expert discusses the traffic impacts of Uber, LyftWhen John Zimmer took a city planning course in college, he had an epiphany: We've built our communities entirely around cars. As a result, we have more traffic and pollution and fewer green spaces, sidewalks and parks. Determined to revolutionize public transportation, Zimmer became co-founder and president of Lyft, a popular transportation network company (TNC). |
 | Study finds Wi-Fi location affects online privacy behaviorDoes sitting in a coffee shop versus at home influence a person's willingness to disclose private information online? Does the on-screen appearance of a public location's online "terms and conditions" have an effect? According to researchers at Penn State, the answer to both questions is "yes," especially if the user has a tendency to instinctively distrust public wireless networks. |
 | Cities can follow Stanford's energy makeover to cut emissions of carbon dioxide affordably, new study findsOver the past several years, Stanford transformed its energy infrastructure by electrifying its heating system, replacing its gas-fired power plant with grid power, creating a unique system to recover heat, building massive tanks to store hot and cold water, and building a solar power plant. The Stanford Energy System Innovations project cut the campus's total greenhouse gas emissions 68 percent and is lowering the system's operating costs by $425 million over 35 years. |
 | Uber, Lyft drivers protest across the US, overseasSome drivers for ride-hailing giants Uber and Lyft turned off their apps Wednesday to protest what they say are declining wages at a time when both companies are raking in billions of dollars from investors. |
 | Facebook picks London for WhatsApp payment baseFacebook has chosen London as its base for a payment system on WhatsApp, its mobile messaging service confirmed Wednesday, highlighting the capital's attractiveness as a fintech hub despite Brexit strains. |
 | AMD's tech to power new supercomputer for Department of EnergyAdvanced Micro Devices announced Tuesday that its technology will help power a new supercomputer at Tennessee-based Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2021. |
US shuts down illegal web marketplace; 2 Israelis chargedThe FBI has shut down a website it says was a gateway to illegal marketplaces on the darknet and announced the arrest of its two alleged Israeli operators. They are accused of making millions of dollars in kickbacks for their services. | |
 | Siemens on track for 2019 ahead of power and gas spinoffGerman industrial conglomerate Siemens said Wednesday it was sticking to its targets for 2018-19 after a steady second quarter, having announced the spinoff of its historic power and gas unit a day before. |
 | US regulators under scrutiny as they look to punish FacebookFederal privacy regulators are under scrutiny in Congress as they negotiate a record fine with Facebook to punish the company for alleged violations of its users' privacy. |
 | Australia regulator blocks massive TPG-Vodafone mergerAustralian regulators on Wednesday blocked the multi-billion-dollar merger between Vodafone Hutchison Australia and TPG Telecom, in a surprise announcement that sent shares in the two firms plunging. |
 | New York Times adds more digital subscribers, shares climbShares of the company that owns The New York Times rose Wednesday after the publisher reported that it grew digital subscribers again in its latest quarter. |
 | Superjet flights cancelled following Russian plane disasterRussian national carrier Aeroflot cancelled four flights that normally use the Sukhoi Superjet aircraft Wednesday, days after a deadly crash-landing in Moscow where 41 people died in a fire. |
 | Singapore passes 'fake news' law despite fierce criticismSingapore's parliament Wednesday passed laws to combat "fake news" that will allow authorities to order the removal of online content despite fierce criticism from tech giants and rights groups. |
 | GM unveils $700 mn Ohio investment, plans to sell shuttered plantGeneral Motors Wednesday announced plans to invest $700 million in Ohio and to sell a shuttered plant to a company that makes electric trucks, drawing cheers from President Donald Trump who has assailed the US automaker for cutting American jobs. |
Medicine & Health news
 | New approach to drug discovery could lead to personalized treatment of neuropsychiatric disordersResearchers have developed a method that could drastically accelerate the search for new drugs to treat mental health disorders such as schizophrenia. |
 | Doctors eye deep brain stimulation to treat opioid addictionPatient Number One is a thin man, with a scabby face and bouncy knees. His head, shaved in preparation for surgery, is wrapped in a clean, white cloth. |
 | Contracts give Coca-Cola power to 'quash' health research, study suggestsA study of over 87,000 documents obtained through Freedom of Information requests has revealed a contract mechanism that could allow Coca-Cola to "quash" findings from some of the health research it funds at public universities in the US and Canada. |
 | Research boosts the yield of insulin-producing cells for diabetes therapyA team of researchers led by Harvard University scientists has improved the laboratory process of converting stem cells into insulin-producing beta cells, using biological and physical separation methods to enrich the proportion of beta cells in a sample. Their findings, published in the journal Nature, may be used to improve beta cell transplants for patients with type 1 diabetes. |
 | Obesity rising faster in rural areas than citiesObesity is increasing more rapidly in the world's rural areas than in cities, according to a new study of global trends in body-mass index (BMI). |
 | Study shows how big data can be used for personal healthScientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine and their collaborators followed a cohort of more than 100 people over several years, tracking the biology of what makes them them. Now, after collecting extensive data on the group's genetic and molecular makeup, the researchers are piecing together a new understanding of what it means to be healthy and how deviations from an individual's norm can flag early signs of disease. |
 | Phage therapy treats patient with drug-resistant bacterial infectionThe patient, a 15-year-old girl, had come to London's Great Ormond Street Hospital for a double lung transplant. It was the summer of 2017, and her lungs were struggling to reach even a third of their normal function. She had cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that clogs lungs with mucus and plagues patients with persistent infections. For eight years, she had been taking antibiotics to control two stubborn bacterial strains. |
 | Research clarifies role of posterior parietal cortex in decision-makingResearchers at the Institute of Neuroscience of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have provided new insights into the functional role of the PPC in decision-making. They report compelling evidence showing that the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) plays an essential role in decision-making under critical conditions that were largely ignored in previous studies. |
 | Broccoli sprout compound may restore brain chemistry imbalance linked to schizophreniaIn a series of recently published studies using animals and people, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers say they have further characterized a set of chemical imbalances in the brains of people with schizophrenia related to the chemical glutamate. And they figured out how to tweak the level using a compound derived from broccoli sprouts. |
 | Genetic therapy heals damage caused by heart attackResearchers from King's College London have found that therapy that can induce heart cells to regenerate after a heart attack. |
 | A new culprit for multiple sclerosis relapsesA molecule that helps blood clot may also play a role in multiple sclerosis relapses, researchers report in the May 6 issue of PNAS. The new research may help answer the mystery of why remissions happen, as well as find early markers of the disease. |
 | Study shows new drug effective in overcoming ibrutinib resistance in mantle cell lymphonaA study at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated how a small molecule drug discovered at the institution may help overcome resistance to treatment with ibrutinib in patients with mantle cell lymphoma. |
 | Physical and mental health of seniors linked to optimism, wisdom and lonelinessTen thousand Baby Boomers turn 65 every day. By 2029, the entire generation born between 1946 and 1964 will be at least that old. What happens next concerns millions of Americans. |
 | A step toward better understanding brain anatomy of autism spectrum disorderIndividuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often lumped into a single catch-all group, despite significant differences in symptom profile and severity. Further muddying the waters when trying to understand and treat ASD, many previous studies show significant variability in findings. |
 | HIV epidemic stubbornly persists despite proven tool to prevent spreadThe nation's HIV epidemic remains stubbornly persistent, with almost 40,000 new infections annually in the United States. That's despite the fact that physicians have a proven tool to prevent the spread of the virus among high-risk individuals. The question is: Why isn't pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, more widely prescribed? |
 | Targets to reduce harmful alcohol use are likely to be missed as global alcohol intake increasesIncreasing rates of alcohol use suggest that the world is not on track to achieve targets against harmful alcohol use, according to a study of 189 countries' alcohol intake between 1990-2017 and estimated intake up to 2030, published in The Lancet. |
 | Could sleep molecules lead to a blood test for Alzheimer's disease?A new study published today in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, has found that a particular class of molecules may help with diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease. |
 | Lentils will help you run faster: Communicating food benefits gets kids to eat healthierCommunicating food benefits to children that they can relate to may get them to eat healthier. |
 | Cancer risk tools underused in general practice, research showsPotentially life-saving cancer risk assessment tools are being widely underused by general practices across the UK, according to new research. |
Researchers discover new pathway for improving metabolic healthBlocking the action of an enzyme involved in protein digestion may improve metabolic health, according to a new study published ahead of print in the American Journal of Physiology—Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology. The paper was chosen as an APSselect article for May. | |
 | Proposed tobacco ban sparks fiery debate in Beverly HillsA fiery debate is breaking out across Beverly Hills as people at tony hair salons, gas stations and stores weigh in on whether the city of the rich and famous should become the first in the U.S. to outlaw the sale of tobacco products everywhere except a few cigar lounges. |
 | Stark racial, financial divides found in opioid addiction treatmentEscaping the grip of opioid addiction doesn't come easily for anyone. But a new study reveals sharp racial and financial divides in which Americans receive effective treatments for opioid addiction. |
 | What makes athletes report or hide concussion symptoms?Whether or not an NCAA Division I athlete is likely to report concussion symptoms depends on factors including their vested interests, their understanding of health implications, and their team culture and societal influences drawn from narratives of performance circulating in media, according to a study published May 8, 2019 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Steven Corman of Arizona State University, USA, and colleagues. |
 | Study finds biomarker of CTE in some former athletes with multiple concussionsIn a group of former professional athletes who experienced multiple concussions, a new study has found that approximately half the group had higher than normal levels of a protein called tau in their cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid surrounding the brain and spine. The study is published in the May 8, 2019, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. |
 | Chronic kidney disease epidemic may be result of high heat, toxinsA mysterious epidemic of chronic kidney disease among agricultural workers and manual laborers may be caused by a combination of increasingly hot temperatures, toxins and infections, according to researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. |
 | Researcher advocates for hearing screenings for infantsParents can have their newborns' hearing tested quickly and easily—in fact, the screening can happen moments after birth, as soon as the baby's ears are cleared. It's something that might not be on the radar for new parents, but this preventative step can significantly improve communication outcomes for little ones. |
 | Novel device opens new doors for Parkinson's disease diagnosticsCurrently, there are no disease-modifying therapies for the treatment of Parkinson's disease; however, one potential strategy for treatment is to prevent α-synuclein aggregation. As a first step, researchers at Osaka University have developed a device that can assess the degree of α-synuclein aggregation in the brain. |
 | Australian doctors overprescribing flu antiviralsAustralian doctors are prescribing antivirals for people with the flu who may not benefit, putting patients at risk of unnecessary side effects and potentially increasing the risk of antimicrobial resistance to these medications, researchers from the University of Adelaide have found. |
 | Baby talk is similar all over the worldThere are vast differences in early child-rearing environments across cultures. For example, the popular French documentary Babies, which documents the life of infants in five different cultures, depicts the multitude of ways infants can be raised across different ecological and cultural contexts. |
 | Why cheese may help control your blood sugarMmmm, cheese – a food as nutritious as it is delicious. Or is it? |
 | 3-D printed baby dummy for better resuscitation trainingTU/e researcher Mark Thielen (Industrial Design) developed a 3-D printed baby dummy, based on an MRI scan of a real newborn baby, which could improve the training of the reanimation procedure. |
 | New strategy for untreatable kidney disease: targeting cell energyThe best hope for people with an inherited form of kidney disease that causes kidney failure is dialysis or a kidney transplant. But a study led by Yale researchers reveals a potential strategy for developing new drug therapies for these patients. |
 | Team identifies the cause of sepsis-induced lung injuryA KAIST research team succeeded in visualizing pulmonary microcirculation and circulating cells in vivo with a custom-built 3-D intravital lung microscopic imaging system. They found a type of leukocyte called a neutrophil aggregate inside the capillaries during sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI), leading to disturbances and dead space in blood microcirculation. |
 | Team develops palm-sized 3-D ultrasound imaging system for scoliosis mass screeningScoliosis conditions can be detected early and monitored frequently, thanks to the portable imaging system developed by PolyU's experts in scoliosis research. The first-of-its-kind palm-sized 3-D ultrasound imaging system for radiation-free scoliosis assessment, named Scolioscan Air makes possible accurate, safe and cost-efficient mass screening. |
 | Genome editing helps decipher a congenital liver diseaseCongenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is a rare genetic disease that causes malformation and fibrosis (scarring) of the liver. Occurring in roughly one out of every 20,000 births, CHF can lead to an enlarged liver, impaired blood flow to the intestines (portal hypertension), infection of the bile ducts and liver failure. In severe cases, a liver transplant is usually needed to treat the disease. In a study published in the Journal of Hepatology, researchers centered at Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) describe a new experimental model of CHF, which allowed them to uncover molecular players that may contribute to the illness. |
 | Obesity linked to psychological distressNew research, published in the research journal Obesity, has found that people on lower incomes may be more likely to have obesity due to psychological distress that gives rise to emotional eating to cope. |
 | Research paves the way for further understanding of traumatic brain injuryUnderstanding how the brain reacts to acceleration is essential to designing more effective protective equipment and strategies for preventing traumatic brain injury, or TBI. |
 | Adolescent self-harmers misjudge bodily sensationsAdolescents who self-harm experience heightened sensations across their skin and misjudge bodily cues such as hunger and headaches, University of Queensland-led research has found. |
 | Health check: Why do we get motion sickness and what's the best way to treat it?Motion sickness can be mild, but in some people it's debilitating, and takes the fun out of a holiday. |
 | Suicide rates are rising with or without 13 Reasons Why. Let's use it as a chance to talk13 Reasons Why, the controversial Netflix programme that broaches the topic of adolescent suicide, has drawn further criticism after new research showed a potential link to a rise in suicide rates coinciding with the show's release. |
 | Drugs for invasive breast cancer 'could treat earliest stages of the disease'Drugs used to target HER2-positive invasive breast cancer may also be successful in treating women in the first stages of the disease, researchers at The University of Nottingham have discovered. |
 | System grading doctors is inefficient, needs revisionsA system created to grade doctors and empower patients to make better decisions falls short of its goal of providing information useful to consumers, according to a study by University of Michigan researchers. |
 | Researchers identify previously unknown bacterial strainClinicians at the Department of Neurology of MedUni Vienna/Vienna General Hospital identified muscle weakness and severe fatigue in a previously healthy patient, to the extent that he was soon confined to a wheelchair. These symptoms were indicative of the autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis. However, the treating neurologist, Matthias Tomschik, found other symptoms, which were not typical of this condition: "Laboratory tests revealed raised inflammation and liver values and the patient had a fever. These results pointed to an infection, so we had to look at this case more closely." Two experts contributed, Inga Koneczny from the Institute of Neurology and Mateusz Markowicz from the Institute of Hygiene and Applied Immunology, undertaking more detailed investigations. |
 | Genetic cause identified in familial sarcoidosisSarcoidosis is a disease in which nodules of immune cells form, primarily in the lungs but also in the skin or in the heart. While the lung symptoms are similar to those of tuberculosis, the etiology of the disease is unknown. It is currently assumed that causation is multifactorial, whereby certain environmental impacts and bacterial pathogens trigger sarcoidosis in genetically predisposed individuals. For example, there was a rise in the number of cases of sarcoidosis among firemen who were deployed during 9/11, due to the enormous dust burden to which they were exposed. Also, the bacterium responsible for causing acne is found in the pulmonary granulomas of many patients. |
 | ADHD: Could dogs be the answer?UCI Health child development specialist Sabrina E.B. Schuck—long concerned about the lack of treatments for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—decided to seek therapies besides medications to calm and help them focus. |
 | Psychology behind why your mom may be the mother of all heroesEach May, the United States celebrates Mother's Day, and for good reason. According to surveys I've conducted, over 25% of Americans cite their mother as their number one hero. Fathers come in a distant second at 16%. |
 | Inhibition of ribosome biogenesis as a novel approach for multi-stage cancer treatmentNearly 90 percent of all cancer patient deaths are due to metastasis. A study from Uppsala University shows that a process that allows the cells to metastasise is aided by the synthesis of new ribosomes, the cell components in which proteins are produced. The results open the possibility for new treatment strategies for advanced cancers. The study is published in Nature Communications. |
Food insecurity associated with increased obesity among Latino youthIn the United States, food insecurity is associated with overweight and obesity, likely because food insecure populations have limited time and resources to engage in healthy eating or exercise. | |
 | Nipah virus: Age and breathing difficulties increase the risk of disease spreadNipah virus, a bat-borne paramyxovirus found throughout South and South East Asia, has been identified by WHO as an emerging infectious disease that may cause severe epidemics in the near future. Infections in humans result in severe respiratory and neurological disease with a high case fatality. With no available treatment or vaccine, the control of Nipah virus outbreaks must rely on a detailed understanding of factors that may facilitate inter-human transmission. |
New data shows it's tough to have lung diseasePeople with asthma have the lowest overall health literacy according to a first-of-its-kind national health survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The survey uses a survey tool developed by Swinburne's Distinguished Professor of Health Sciences Richard Osborne. | |
 | Tracing the history of aggrecan gene mutationsOn Sunday, April 28, a team of researchers received the 2019 Human Growth Award at the Pediatric Endocrine Society's Annual Meeting for their abstract, entitled "Clinical Characterization and Trial of Growth Hormone in Patients with Aggrecan Deficiency: 6 Month Data," and presented this at the PES Presidential Poster Session. |
Diabetes complications soar in the US, but not Canada, as teenagers become young adultsHospitalizations for a feared complication of diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), rise sharply as adolescents transition to adulthood in the U.S, but not in Canada, according to a new study published May 8 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. DKA can generally be prevented with regular use of insulin. The increased DKA rate in the U.S. occurs around age 18, a time when many adolescents change or lose insurance coverage, a disruption that places them at risk for skipping medical visits or being unable to afford insulin. | |
 | Research reveals new insights into how brain functionsFor most native English-speakers, learning the Mandarin Chinese language from scratch is no easy task. |
 | TV pitches for prescription drugs will have to include priceTV pitches for prescription drugs will soon include the price, giving consumers more information upfront as they make medication choices at a time when new drugs can carry anxiety-inducing prices. |
 | Do adults need a measles booster shot?(HealthDay)—New York's ongoing measles epidemic alarmed midtown Manhattan resident Deb Ivanhoe, who couldn't remember whether she'd ever been vaccinated as a child. |
 | Weight-loss surgery boosts success of procedure to fix A-fib(HealthDay)—Profoundly obese people are prone to an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation, but new research suggests that weight-loss surgery can improve the odds that a procedure to restore a normal heart rhythm will work. |
 | Americans' prescription med use is declining(HealthDay)—Bucking a longstanding upward trend, new data shows that the percentage of Americans taking any prescription drug has fallen slightly over the past decade. |
 | U.S. improves emergency readiness, but gaps persist(HealthDay)—The United States' ability to deal with major health emergencies quickly has improved significantly in recent years, researchers say. |
 | Airport scanners OK for people with implanted heart devices: study(HealthDay)—It appears to be safe for people with implantable heart devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators to go through body scanners at airport security checkpoints, researchers say. |
 | STDs: A serious health threat at every age(HealthDay)—If you're back on the dating scene after being in a monogamous relationship, know that STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases, aren't just a concern for teens and people in their 20s. STD rates are rising in older adults. |
Statewide initiative doubles survival rates after severe TBIThe implementation of a massive, statewide public health initiative led by University of Arizona researchers and involving 21,000 prehospital care patients has doubled the survival rate of severe traumatic brain injury victims and tripled the survival rate among those who were intubated. | |
 | Progesterone could increase births in women with early pregnancy bleeding and previous miscarriageResearch led by the University of Birmingham suggests that giving progesterone to pregnant women with early pregnancy bleeding and a history of miscarriage could increase their chances of having a baby. |
 | FDA approves ruzurgi for children with rare autoimmune disorder(HealthDay)—Ruzurgi (amifampridine) tablets are now approved to treat Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) in children aged 6 to 17 years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced yesterday. |
 | Oral aspirin does not up FIT test sensitivity for ID'ing CRC(HealthDay)—Administration of a single dose of oral aspirin prior to fecal immunochemical testing does not increase test sensitivity for detecting advanced colorectal neoplasms, according to a study published in the May 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. |
 | Burden of heart failure-related CVD mortality higher in blacks(HealthDay)—The burden of heart failure-related cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality is increased among young and middle-aged blacks, according to a research letter published in the May 14 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. |
 | China, India boost global booze binge: studyThe world consumed ten percent more alcohol per adult in 2017 than in 1990, due in large part to heavier and more widespread drinking in China and India, researchers said Wednesday. |
FDA grapples with 'living' medical devicesImagine a not-too-distant future when medical devices powered by artificial intelligence continuously adapt to new symptoms presented by patients and learn how to make accurate diagnoses much like a well-trained physician would. | |
 | Advanced alcohol-related liver disease on rise in US, study findsThe most deadly forms of alcohol-related liver disease appear to be on the rise in the U.S., a new study finds. |
Study: Some skin cancer doctors cut moreA new study shows that some surgeons cut away significantly more tissue than their peers when removing skin cancer lesions. | |
 | More than a third of all cancers affecting Canadians can be prevented by combination of policymaking, health educationWe know that there are many ways in which cancer can be prevented, but how many cancers can we prevent? And what do we have to do to really have an impact on reducing the burden of this disease? A special issue of Preventive Medicine responds to these questions, showcasing results from the Canadian Population Attributable Risk of Cancer (ComPARe) project—the most comprehensive, up-to-date estimate of the preventable burden of cancer in Canada. |
 | Stress in early life could make people more likely to develop depressionNew research by the University of Bristol has found that early life adversity could make an individual more at risk of developing negative thinking, which could lead to major depressive disorder (MDD). The findings provide biological and psychological evidence to support work first proposed in the 1960s. |
 | Stroke almost took gospel star's life—then taught her about livingSinging in church as a young girl in New Jersey, Stefanie Minatee had a feeling that she was destined to do great things. And, indeed, her faith lifted her. |
 | CDC: Prevalence of arthritis 22.8 percent in U.S. adults in 2017(HealthDay)—The prevalence of arthritis was 22.8 percent in U.S. adults in 2017, with statewide variation in prevalence and in the prevalence of severe joint pain and physical inactivity among those with arthritis, according to research published in the May 3 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. |
 | Patent foramen ovale ups ischemic stroke in those with PE(HealthDay)—For patients with symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE), the frequency of recent ischemic stroke is higher in those with patent foramen ovale (PFO), according to a study published online May 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. |
 | Avocados, as a substitution for carbohydrates, can suppress hunger without adding caloriesA new study released by the Center for Nutrition Research at Illinois Institute of Technology suggests that meals that include fresh avocado as a substitute for refined carbohydrates can significantly suppress hunger and increase meal satisfaction in overweight and obese adults. |
 | 'Good enough' parenting is good enough, new research saysWhat really matters in caring for babies may be different than commonly thought, says Lehigh University researcher Susan S. Woodhouse, an expert on infant attachment. In new research, she finds that caregivers need only "get it right" 50 percent of the time when responding to babies' need for attachment to have a positive impact on a baby. Securely attached infants are more likely to have better outcomes in childhood and adulthood, and based on Woodhouse's potentially paradigm-shifting work, there is more than one way to get there, particularly for low socioeconomic-status families. |
 | Research could lead to more precise diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancerOncologists may soon have an accurate and inexpensive way of differentiating between types of ovarian cancer that will improve how patients are treated, thanks to findings from a national research study co-led out of the University of Alberta. |
 | Caution: Grapefruit juice may impose risk on patients with long QT syndromeGrapefruit juice is already listed as a substance to avoid when taking QT-prolonging medications because it increases the toxicity of many drugs. Investigators have now confirmed the QT-prolonging effects of grapefruit juice in a new study and call for a stronger warning to patients who are taking QT-prolonging drugs or who have long QT syndrome because of the potential risk. They report their findings in Heart Rhythm, the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society and the Cardiac Electrophysiology Society. |
 | Intelligence can link to health and agingFor over 100 years, scientists have sought to understand what links a person's general intelligence, health and aging. In a new study, a University of Missouri scientist suggests a model where mitochondria, or small energy producing parts of cells, could form the basis of this link. This insight could provide valuable information to researchers studying various genetic and environmental influences and alternative therapies for age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. |
 | Identifying therapeutic targets in sepsis' cellular videogameSepsis is a medical condition that few patients have heard of and most doctors dread. The body's response to attack by bacteria can trigger a cascade of cellular self-destruction that inadvertently causes blood clots, multi-organ failure, and death. |
 | Why creative experts may be better at imagining the futureHumans use imagination a lot, whether it be thinking about what's for dinner later tonight or trying to imagine what someone else on the other side of the world may be experiencing after reading the news. As situations become farther away from reality and more distal, imagining a situation becomes more difficult. The limits to distal imagination are known to lead to many biases, such as empathy gaps for people unlike us and difficulty saving money for a future that feels very far away. Yet, new work from a collaborative study led by Dartmouth College and Princeton University researchers finds that creativity may help us surmount these barriers to distal imagination. The results demonstrate that people with creative expertise are better at imagining distant experiences than others with otherwise similar demographics (age, education level, etc). The study also found that creative experts switch on a different neural system when imagining situations far beyond the present, which may help explain why they are better at stretching their imagination. The findings are published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. |
 | Significant unmet mental health care needs exist in current and former smokers with COPDResearchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have published new information that stresses the need for increased mental health care for current and former smokers, especially those who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. |
 | Survey: New moms often overlook critical postpartum care during 'fourth trimester'The three trimesters of pregnancy are filled with doctor's appointments, preparations and careful surveillance of the health of both mom and baby. However, in the months after their baby is born, known as the fourth trimester, priorities often shift for new moms, and their own health can fall to the bottom of their to-do lists. A new national survey by Orlando Health found more than a quarter of mothers did not have a plan to manage their health after giving birth, while more than 40 percent say they felt anxious, overwhelmed or depressed. |
No developmental differences in children conceived via assisted reproductive technologyParents with children conceived via IVF, IUI or using infertility medication can rest assured that treatment has no impact on childhood development. | |
 | dnDSA and ethnicity linked with thickening of blood vessels after kidney transplantChildren who developed anti-human leukocyte antibodies against their donor kidney, known as de novo donor-specific antibodies (dnDSA), after kidney transplant were more likely to experience carotid intima-media thickening (CIMT) than those without these antibodies, according to preliminary research presented May 7, 2019, during the 10th Congress of the International Pediatric Transplant Association. |
 | When doctors and nurses can disclose and discuss errors, hospital mortality rates declineThe diffusion of a culture of openness in hospitals is associated with lower hospital mortality, according to a study conducted among 137 acute trusts in England by Veronica Toffolutti (Bocconi University and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) and David Stuckler (Bocconi University) published in Health Affairs. |
Otago ethicist shines light on lack of discussion about body donation after euthanasiaAs New Zealand considers a bill looking to legalise euthanasia, an Otago University ethicist considers it's time to shine the light on the ethical complications surrounding body donation and assisted dying. | |
 | Study identifies factors affecting active and productive aging among older SingaporeansResearchers at Duke-NUS Medical School's Centre for Aging Research and Education (CARE) conducted a longitudinal study between 2016-2017 looking at factors influencing health, well-being, activity and productivity levels in older Singaporeans. The Transitions in Health, Employment, Social Engagement, and Intergenerational Transfers in Singapore Study (THE SIGNS) was conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH). |
 | Talking the impact of stressful commutes with UMNOn average, commuters in the U.S. spend more than 25 minutes commuting to work. Add in construction season or missing their bus, and the commute can become particularly unpleasant. |
 | Canada's west coast surf culture downplays concussion riskNikolaus Dean suffered a debilitating concussion playing varsity lacrosse during his first year of university. His post-concussion symptoms persisted for a year before doctors cleared him to return to the sport he loved. After his first practice back, he decided the risk wasn't worth it and walked away. |
 | Health claim rejected? Some steps to appeal a denialPatients are often shocked when their insurance company denies coverage for a procedure or treatment, especially if that leads to a bigger-than-expected bill. |
 | Crunch-free work for well-defined abs(HealthDay)—You don't have to do hundreds of sit-ups and all manner of crunches to see abdominal muscle definition. The following moves are done standing and holding a weight, such as a 5-pound ball with an easy-to-grip handle. |
Fibro-adipose vascular anomaly: Old wine or new cocktail?Unique clinico-radiological features of a provisionally unclassified vascular anomaly can assist radiologists in identifying this uncommon distinct entity, according to a study to be presented at the ARRS 2019 Annual Meeting, set for May 5-10 in Honolulu, HI. | |
Management of radial scars diagnosed on core biopsy during transition to tomosynthesisIt may be safe to follow-up pure radial scars (RSs) diagnosed on core needle biopsy (CNB) instead of surgical excision, according to a study to be presented at the ARRS 2019 Annual Meeting, set for May 5-10 in Honolulu, HI. | |
 | Researchers develop biomarkers, blood test that shows MS patients in relapseDr. Horea Rus is an expert in diagnosing and treating patients with multiple sclerosis, and his research laboratory at the University of Maryland is producing new tools for treating the disease that attacks the central nervous system. |
UN shifts response as Ebola outbreak in DR Congo drags onThe United Nations is stepping up its response to the deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, now in its 10th month, and needs additional resources, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday. | |
Biology news
 | Paper wasps capable of behavior that resembles logical reasoningA new University of Michigan study provides the first evidence of transitive inference, the ability to use known relationships to infer unknown relationships, in a nonvertebrate animal: the lowly paper wasp. |
 | Research team finds new ways to generate stem cells more efficientlyInduced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are among the most important tools in modern biomedical research, leading to new and promising possibilities in precision medicine. To create them requires transforming a cell of one type, such as skin, into something of a blank slate, so it has the potential to become virtually any other kind of cell in the body, useful for regenerative therapies for everything from heart disease to diabetes. |
 | How do you find a virus that's completely unknown? Study says, look to the genomeViruses, the most abundant biological entities on earth, are a scourge on humanity, causing both chronic infections and global pandemics that can kill millions. Yet, the true extent of viruses that infect humans remains completely unknown. Some newly discovered viruses are recognized because of the sudden appearance of a new disease, such as SARS in 2003, or even HIV/AIDS in the early 1980s. New techniques, however, now enable scientists to identify viruses by directly studying RNA or DNA sequences in genetic material associated with humans, enabling detection of whole populations of viruses—termed the virome—including those that may not cause acutely recognizable disease. However, identifying novel types of viruses is difficult as their genetic sequences may have little in common with already known viral genomes that are available in reference databases. |
 | Amino acid in fruit fly intestines found to regulate sleepA team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in China has found that an amino acid made in fruit fly intestines plays a key role in regulating their sleep. In their paper published in the journal Nature Communications, the group describes their study of D-serine in Drosophila melanogaster and what they found. |
 | Creating a global map of the protein shape universeProteins can provide a detailed look inside the human body and how it protects itself from many diseases. Proteins, which make up about 15% of body mass, are the most abundant solid substances in the human body. They are important working molecules of the immune system, metabolism, brain function, body motion, and any physically and chemically functional parts in a body. Each protein has a specific function under the direction of its own gene. |
 | Study shows cell's cytoskeleton does more than hold up a cell, it transfers energyDysfunctions and malformations in the scaffold of a cell are thought to contribute to heart muscle weakness, neurodegenerative disease and even deafness. Now biophysics research at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has taken a closer look at a cell's cytoskeleton and found a new purpose: It aids in energy transfer and information processing within neurons. |
 | Dehesa health starts from the ground upHolm oak decline threatens dehesa sustainability. Though the pseudofungus oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomiserĂa is thought to be the main cause of holm oak decline, climate conditions have been shown to influence it, as well. Even so, this puzzle has yet to be solved. |
 | Threatened sturgeon learns for the fitnessAn international team led by IGB is providing one of the first proofs of the complex learning behaviour of fish in a recent study. The Atlantic sturgeon is considered extinct in Germany. The IGB is coordinating the reintroduction of these up to five meter large river giants and is investigating whether sturgeon training can increase their fitness for the wild. An important fitness factor is their feeding behavior. Already a two-week "learning lead" made the search for food more efficient. In addition, the increased formation of the transcription factor neurod1 - an important neuronal component of learning - could be demonstrated in the brain of the trained sturgeons. |
 | The secrets of secretion—isolating eucalyptus genes for oils, biofuelClose genetic analysis of 480 blue mallee eucalyptus plants provides clues to modify cultivars for greater yield, whether for essential oils or jet fuel. |
 | Damselflies should choose their friends wisely, in order to cope with the cold Scottish climateDamselflies are more likely to be able to withstand the cold Scottish climate if they are part of the 'right social group', according to scientists from the University of Aberdeen. |
 | Medicinal mushroom newly reported from Thailand helps reveal optimum growth conditionsA species of globally recognised medicinal mushroom was recorded for the first time in Thailand. Commonly referred to as lingzhi, the fungus (Ganoderma tropicum) was collected from the base of a living tree in Chiang Rai Province, Northern Thailand. Additionally, the study reports the first assessment of the optimum conditions needed for the species to grow its mycelia (the vegetative part of a fungus consisting of a branching network of fine, thread-like structures) and spread its colony. |
Basking sharks are back on West Coast, and researchers fish for answersRyan Lawler saw the dorsal fin in the distance, swaying slowly side to side, and assumed it was a great white shark. As his boat got closer, he saw the massive fish's snout sticking out of the water, its mouth wide open. | |
 | California to ban pesticide said to harm child developmentThe nation's most productive agricultural state will ban a widely used pesticide blamed for harming brain development in babies, California officials said Wednesday. |
 | Analysis of historical specimens determines single origin of Australian potato pestPotato cyst nematodes (PCN) are quarantine soilborne pests that damage potatoes around the world, stunting plants and reducing yields. PCN results in losses of 9% of total potato production in Europe and can cause total losses in other regions of the world. |
 | Jerusalem's dilemma over hordes of stray catsA dozen cats wake up in cages stacked on top of one another, a pungent odour in the air, while in a room next door two vets work diligently. |
 | Essential tool for precision farming: New method for photochemical reflectance index measurementPrecision farming, which relies on spatially heterogeneous application of fertilizers, biologically active compounds, pesticides, etc., is one of the leading trends in modern agricultural science. |
 | "Classical ways of conserving nature are insufficient"Earlier this week, the Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services was been published by IPBES, the science-policy platform that serves under the flag of the United Nations. In the assessment major concerns are raised on the state and trends of biodiversity. The way currently deal with the loss of nature will not suffice in turning the tide, the researchers state. But what should be done? Wieteke Willemen, who is an associate professor at the ITC Faculty of Geo-information Science and Earth Observation of the University of Twente, reflects on the global decline in biodiversity. |
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