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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for June 25, 2019:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Tidal tails detected around dwarf galaxy DDO 44By conducting deep, wide-area imaging survey of the galaxy NGC 2403 and its environment, including the dwarf satellite galaxy DDO 44, astronomers have detected tidal tails emanating from the dwarf. The finding, presented in a paper published June 19, could shed more light on the interactions between galaxies and their satellites. |
 | Hubble finds tiny 'electric soccer balls' in space, helps solve interstellar mysteryScientists using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have confirmed the presence of electrically-charged molecules in space shaped like soccer balls, shedding light on the mysterious contents of the interstellar medium (ISM) - the gas and dust that fills interstellar space. |
 | Russian, North American astronauts return to earthThe first crew to blast off to the International Space Station following a launch accident that deepened doubts over Russia's space programme returned to earth safely on Tuesday. |
 | Study shows how icy outer solar system satellites may have formedUsing sophisticated computer simulations and observations, a team led by researchers from the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) at Tokyo Institute of Technology has shown how the so-called trans-Neptunian objects (or TNOs) may have formed. TNOs, which include the dwarf planet Pluto, are a group of icy and rocky small bodies—smaller than planets, but larger than comets—that orbit the solar system beyond the planet Neptune. TNOs likely formed at the same time as the solar system, and understanding their origin could provide important clues as to how the entire solar system originated. |
 | Research resets timeline for life on MarsWestern researchers, leading an international team, have shown that the first 'real chance' of Mars developing life started early, 4.48 billion years ago, when giant, life-inhibiting meteorites stopped striking the Red Planet. The findings not only clarify possibilities for Earth's nearest neighbour, but may reset the timeline for life on our home planet, as well. |
 | Santorini volcano, a new terrestrial analogue of MarsThe Greek island of Santorini is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean, but 3,600 years ago it suffered one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history. Among the material that was exposed, scientists have now found rocks similar to those of Mars. |
 | Scientist develops novel algorithm to aid search for exoplanetsInspired by movie streaming services such as Netflix or Hulu, a Southwest Research Institute scientist developed a technique to look for stars likely to host giant, Jupiter-sized planets outside of our solar system. She developed an algorithm to identify stars likely to host giant exoplanets, based on the composition of stars known to have planets. |
 | Research team studies binaries to make heads or tails of planet formationA Southwest Research Institute-led team studied the orientation of distant solar system bodies to bolster the "streaming instability" theory of planet formation. |
 | MUSE reveals a glowing ring of light in the distant universeThe MUSE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile has revealed very detailed halos of neutral hydrogen around distant galaxies. A new result zooms on a few such halos, one of them forming a large, almost-complete ring of light. This result will be presented by Adélaïde Claeyssens (Centre de Recherche Astrophysique de Lyon—CRAL UMR5574) at the annual meeting of the European Astronomical Society (EWASS2019) in Lyon, on 25 June. |
 | SpaceX launches hefty rocket with 24 satellites, experimentsSpaceX launched its heftiest rocket with 24 research satellites Tuesday, a middle-of-the-night rideshare featuring a deep space atomic clock, solar sail, a clean and green rocket fuel testbed, and even human ashes. |
 | Researchers model how octopus arms make decisionsResearchers studying the behavior and neuroscience of octopuses have long suspected that the animals' arms may have minds of their own. |
 | Payloads deployed by SpaceX to study space weather and spacecraft propulsionU.S. Naval Research Laboratory researchers designed and built two science payloads that went up with SpaceX's Falcon 9 Heavy rocket launch on June 25. |
 | Israel's SpaceIL says it won't try second moonshotSpaceIL, the Israeli company that attempted but failed to put an unmanned craft on the moon earlier this year, says it will not try a second moonshot. |
 | Countdown to NATO space strategyNATO will launch its first strategy for space this week as the alliance heads beyond the skies to defend against the likes of China and Russia. |
Technology news
 | Hacker used Raspberry Pi computer to steal restricted NASA dataA hacker used a tiny Raspberry Pi computer to infiltrate NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory network, stealing sensitive data and forcing the temporary disconnection of space-flight systems, the agency has revealed. |
 | Fake news 'vaccine' works: 'Pre-bunking' game reduces susceptibility to disinformationAn online game in which people play the role of propaganda producers to help them identify real world disinformation has been shown to increase "psychological resistance" to fake news, according to a study of 15,000 participants. |
 | Which climates are best for passive cooling technologies?A group of University of California, San Diego researchers set out to gain a better understanding of the thermal balance of power plants and surfaces, like heliostat mirrors or solar panels, when exposed to both solar (shortwave) and atmospheric (longwave) radiation. They quickly realized that they would first need to determine what roles cloud cover and relative humidity play in the transparency of the atmosphere to radiation at temperatures common on Earth. |
 | Little Raspberry Pi 4 debut marks big upgradeThat credit card-sized computer that has been a standout learning experience for students and hobbyists at affordable cost just stole the show, again. The new Raspberry Pi, announced Monday, "packs significant upgrades that could let it finally pass as an incredibly cheap desktop computer," said Gizmodo's Andrew Liszewski. |
 | Report: Hackers using telecoms like 'global spy system'An ambitious group of suspected state-backed hackers has been burrowing into telecommunications companies in order to spy on high-profile targets across the world, a U.S. cybersecurity firm said in a report published Tuesday . |
 | For less than $200, engineering students built a realistic robotic fishMechanical engineering students challenged themselves to make a robotic fish that not only swims like a real fish, but looks the part too, demonstrating the possibilities inherent to soft robotics. |
 | Autonomous diaper sensor better detects urinary tract infectionUrinary tract infections are the second most common type of infection in children, with ear infections taking first place. |
 | How Libra could hasten Facebook's demiseWhen Mark Zuckerberg was five years old in 1989, two dominant players in telecommunications made a big announcement. |
 | It's easier to trust automated vehicles when we know what they plan to do ahead of timeWhen it comes to automated vehicles, humans continue to have difficulty trusting that the cars will make the right driving decisions to get them where they want to go and do it safely. |
 | What is surveillance capitalism and how does it shape our economy?I recently purchased a bedroom bundle (mattress, bed base, pillows and sheets) from a well known Australian startup for my son, who has flown the nest. Now I'm swamped with Google and Facebook ads for beds and bedding. The week before it was puffer jackets. |
 | Identifying a fake picture online is harder than you might thinkIt can be hard to tell whether a picture is real. Consider, as the participants in our recent research did, these two images and see whether you think neither, either or both of them has been doctored. |
 | BMW vows to rev up electric car rolloutGerman high-end carmaker BMW said Tuesday it would accelerate plans to introduce new electric models, as the whole industry comes under pressure to meet strict emissions regulations. |
 | Analyzing the tweets of Republicans and DemocratsNew Stanford linguistics research has analyzed how Republicans and Democrats use different language when discussing mass shootings on social media and found that Republicans talk more about the shooter and Democrats focus more on the victims. |
 | Setting the standard for machine learningThe microcomputer revolution of the 1970s triggered a Wild West-like expansion of personal computers in the 1980s. Over the course of the decade, dozens of personal computing devices, from Atari to Xerox Alto, flooded into the market. CPUs and microprocessors advanced rapidly, with new generations coming out on a monthly basis. |
 | Virtual reality faces—animating precise, lifelike avatars for VR in real-timeComputer scientists are focused on adding enhanced functionality to make the "reality" in virtual reality (VR) environments highly believable. A key aspect of VR is to enable remote social interactions and the possibility of making it more immersive than any prior telecommunication media. Researchers from Facebook Reality Labs (FRL) have developed a revolutionary system called Codec Avatars that gives VR users the ability to interact with others while representing themselves with lifelike avatars precisely animated in real-time. The researchers aim to build the future of connection within virtual reality, and eventually, augmented reality by delivering the most socially engaged experience possible for users in the VR world. |
 | Cryptocurrencies need close scrutiny, monitor warnsAn international financial monitor warned world leaders Tuesday that wider use by retail shoppers of cryptocurrencies like Libra, unveiled last week by Facebook, would need "close scrutiny" by regulators. |
 | Apple launches iOS 13 public beta: 10 reasons to get the software now if you're feeling braveApple will unveil new iPhones in September, assuming the company sticks to its usual playbook. The fall timeframe is also when Apple officially releases the latest flavor of iOS, the software that will not only be at the core of whatever new handsets Apple introduces, but that will also add fresh features to the iPhones already out in the wild, likely including the phone in your pocket. |
 | Instagram chief insists it doesn't spy on usersInstagram doesn't snoop on private conversations as part of its advertising targeting strategy, the head of the popular social media site said in an interview Tuesday. |
 | US Fed to look 'carefully' at Facebook virtual coin LibraFederal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell said Tuesday the US central bank will be closely scrutinizing Facebook's newly announced cryptocurrency Libra with an eye toward potentially regulating the virtual coin. |
 | Nissan shareholders to vote on governance overhaulNissan shareholders began a fractious annual meeting Tuesday to discuss revamping operations at the crisis-hit Japanese automaker after the Carlos Ghosn scandal, amid lingering tension with French partner Renault. |
 | Drone sightings disrupt Singapore flights for second timeDrone sightings have disrupted flights at Singapore's main airport for the second time in a week, authorities said, as the devices increasingly cause havoc for air traffic worldwide. |
 | UK car sector warns of £70m daily cost on Brexit no-dealA no-deal Brexit could cost UK-based carmakers up to £70 million ($89 million, 78 million euros) daily through delays to production, the country's auto sector warned Tuesday. |
 | Bombardier sells regional jet division to Mitsubishi for $550 mnCanadian aerospace firm Bombardier is effectively exiting the commercial airline manufacturing sector with the sale of its CRJ Series regional jet program. |
 | Wearable robot 'WalkON Suit' off to Cybathlon 2020Standing upright and walking alone are very simple but noble motions that separate humans from many other creatures. Wearable and prosthetic technologies have emerged to augment human function in locomotion and manipulation. However, advances in wearable robot technology have been especially momentous to Byoung-Wook Kim, a triplegic for 22 years following a devastating car accident. |
 | Protecting emergency personnel: Platform shows potential of AI in hazardous environmentsWhether it's at rescue and firefighting operations or deep-sea inspections, mobile robots finding their way around unknown situations with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) can effectively support people in carrying out activities in hazardous environments. The potential as well as the concrete benefits of AI in this field are illustrated in a current report from Plattform Lernende Systeme, Germany's Platform for Artificial Intelligence, using two application scenarios. The report was presented today at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) where scientists are involved in the platform. The authors also identify technical and social challenges, as well as conditions that need to be created for the reliable and economic use of AI in life-hostile environments. |
 | When is Amazon Prime Day? The date is out—and it's just around the cornerAmazon Prime Day, when the e-commerce giant offers a Black Friday-like sale in the middle of summer, will take place on July 15 and 16, the company says. |
GM to upgrade assembly plants ahead of new pickup, SUV linesGeneral Motors Co. has announced it's investing more than $4.2 billion in assembly plants in Indiana, Michigan and Texas to prepare for the launch of its next generation of pickups and SUVs. | |
 | FedEx sues US government over export rules in Huawei caseA lawsuit filed by FedEx against the U.S. government over export rules follows a dispute over diverted shipments that were intended for Huawei Technologies, the Chinese telecommunications-equipment giant. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Scientists closer to unraveling mechanisms of speech processing in the brainIn the 1860s, French physician Paul Broca published his findings that the brain's speech production center was located in the left hemisphere. Though scientists have largely accepted since then that the left half of the brain dominates language processing, the reasons behind this lateralization have remained unclear. |
 | Seizures in Alzheimer's mouse model disrupt adult neurogenesisMemory impairment and mood changes are typically observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease but what disturbs these neuronal functions is unclear. Some researchers have proposed that alterations in the production of new neurons in the brain, or neurogenesis, may be involved; however, whether neurogenesis happens in humans, much less those with Alzheimer's disease, has been debated. A discovery published today in the journal Cell Reports provides a possible explanation for this debate and may shed light on what happens in Alzheimer's disease. |
 | How the brain helps us make good decisions—and bad onesA prevailing theory in neuroscience holds that people make decisions based on integrated global calculations that occur within the frontal cortex of the brain. |
 | More years of childhood education may reduce adult heart disease riskState policies requiring children to attend additional years of school may result in a reduced risk for heart disease and improvements in several cardiovascular risk factors in adulthood, according to a study by researchers at UC San Francisco and Stanford University. |
 | New target for drug intervention in Alzheimer's disease identifiedScientists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have identified an enzyme in the brain that may be an intriguing target for interventions against Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. |
 | New blood test for detecting Alzheimer's diseaseResearchers from Lund University, together with the Roche pharmaceutical company, have developed a method to create a new blood marker capable of detecting whether or not a person has Alzheimer's disease. If the method is approved for clinical use, the researchers hope eventually to see it used as a diagnostic tool in primary healthcare. This autumn, they will start a trial in primary healthcare to test the technique. |
 | Scientists track brain tumor turncoats with advanced imagingGlioblastomas, the deadliest type of brain tumor in adults, attract "turncoats." These are macrophages, a type of immune cell, which promote tumor progression and mask tumors from the immune system's scrutiny. To better understand the cells that brain tumors recruit, scientists led by Dolores Hambardzumyan, Ph.D., developed advanced imaging techniques to visualize macrophages found in the brain tumors of living mice. |
 | Discovery may help kick-start ageing immune systemThe thymus is the powerhouse producing the immune system's T cells, which combat infection in our body. Yet this vital organ is one of the first to diminish in function as we age, resulting in a gradual loss of T cell production and eventually increased susceptibility to infections and cancer in the elderly. |
 | Studies uncover new approaches to combat hair loss in men and womenTwo recent studies highlight novel ways to combat pattern hair loss in men and women using small molecules such as JAK inhibitors that reawaken dormant hair follicles, as well as stem cell therapies aimed at growing new follicles. |
 | These neurons affect how much you do, or don't, want to eatLike a symphony, multiple brain regions work in concert to regulate the need to eat. University of Arizona researchers believe they have identified a symphony conductor—a brain region that regulates appetite suppression and activation—tucked within the amygdala, the brain's emotional hub. |
 | Better care needed for people displaying first symptoms of bipolar disorderBetter care and more research into treatments for people experiencing a first manic episode are urgently needed, according to researchers at the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre. |
 | Study finds link between hypertension and air pollutionA new study soon to appear in the Journal of Public Health suggests that air pollution and living in apartment buildings may be associated with an increased risk for dangerous conditions like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. |
Shorter rotations in intensive care units mitigate burnout among physiciansShortening the length of rotations in a medical intensive care unit (MICU) from the traditional 14-consecutive day schedule to only seven days helps mitigate burnout among critical care physicians, according to a new Penn Medicine pilot study. The study, published today in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, is the first to validate the efficacy of a truncated rotation in reducing the rate of burnout among critical care physicians. | |
 | New immune checkpoint explored for head and neck cancerA checkpoint may delay travelers but it can help give cancer free rein by suppressing the natural immune response that should destroy it, researchers say. |
 | Patient data shows association between statins and type 2 diabetesA study of thousands of patients' health records found that those who were prescribed cholesterol-lowering statins had at least double the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. |
 | Babies can learn link between language and ethnicity, study suggestsEleven-month-old infants can learn to associate the language they hear with ethnicity, recent research from the University of British Columbia suggests. |
 | Increased walking activity associated with long-term health benefitsShort term pedometer-based walking interventions can have long-term health benefits for adults and older adults, according to new research published in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine on 25 June. Tess Harris and colleagues from St George's University of London, UK and other institutions, conducted two trials of walking interventions which aimed to increase step count and physical activity. Not only did the investigators see sustained increases in physical activity at 3-4 years in the intervention group participants, they also noted fewer cardiovascular events and fractures. |
Global surgical guidelines drive cut in post-surgery deaths—studyThe English National Health Service (NHS) reduced post-operative deaths by 37.2% following the introduction of globally recognised surgical guidelines—paving the way for life-saving action in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), a new study reveals. | |
 | How preschools can do more to support children living with HIVThanks to antiretroviral therapy, children living with HIV are likely to live much longer than they would without treatment. They will go to school like other children and develop in much the same way. But how much do their teachers and peers need to know about their HIV-positive status? And what is the best way of managing their particular health needs at preschool level? |
 | You can't get influenza from a flu shotInfluenza is a moving target for vaccines. Each year, up to four different strains circulate, and they are constantly evolving to escape our immune system. |
 | Lifelong ill-health after exposure to chemical weaponsPeople exposed to chemical warfare agents (CWAs) often incur chronic damage to their lungs, skin and eyes, for example. They also frequently succumb to depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. This is shown by research on survivors from the 1988 gas attacks against Kurdish Halabja in Iraq. |
 | Stem cells and more: How dentists of the future may fix your teethThe next time you lose a tooth, could your dentist just grow you a new one? Not yet, but research at USC brings dentists a step closer. Here are a few ways Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC scientists could revolutionize dental care. |
 | Too much screen time hurts toddlers' social skills, new study showsToddlers who spend too much time watching television or using devices like tablets have been shown to have underdeveloped social skills, according to the latest University of Alberta research gauging the effects screen time has on early childhood development. |
 | Melanoma patient outcomes predicted by computational biologyWalter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have used computational biology to discover a "gene signature" that identifies a group of melanoma patients with improved rates of survival. |
 | Evaluating the effect of spin in health care newsHealth care news stories represent an important source of information for patients. However, some evidence suggests that many news stories do not adequately explain research results and could mislead readers with spin, defined as "the presentation of information in a particular way, a slant, especially a favorable one." The danger of spin is that it can, for example, convince patients that treatments are more promising than they actually are or minimize their risks. |
 | Criteria for bariatric surgery should consider more than just patient's weightExperts at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and 45 worldwide scientific and medical societies are pushing to change national guidelines that would allow more patients with the chronic diseases of obesity and diabetes to be eligible for bariatric surgery. |
 | New Ebola transmission model predicted latest Uganda casesA new risk assessment model for the transmission of Ebola accurately predicted its spread into the Republic of Uganda, according to the Kansas State University researchers who developed it. |
 | Intelligent testing could save lives by defusing ticking time bomb of liver diseaseA new way of detecting liver disease decades before it can become fatal has been developed by a team of scientists at the University of Dundee and NHS Tayside. |
 | Exercise an effective protection against life-threatening cerebral hemorrhageA Finnish study demonstrates that as little as a half-hour of light exercise per week effectively protects against subarachnoid hemorrhage. Among such disorders of cerebral circulation, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is the most lethal, with as many as half of those affected dying within three months. As the related mortality rate is high, a search for predisposing factors has been underway around the globe for the past few decades. Previously, smoking and high blood pressure have been observed to heighten the risk of an SAH hemorrhage, but evidence of the effects of exercise has remained scarce. |
 | Researcher looks for ways to detect deadly ovarian cancer before it developsOut of the 22,240 women in the United States who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year, only about 47 percent survive longer than five years. |
 | Can improvisation bring audiences back to classical music?When classical musicians improvise, audiences' brainwaves reveal they are more engaged and rate the performances higher. |
 | Health care price transparency: Fool's gold, or real money in your pocket?The news is full of stories about monumental surprise hospital bills, sky-high drug prices and patients going bankrupt. The government's approach to addressing this, via an executive order that President Trump signed June 24, 2019, is to make hospitals post their list prices online so that patients supposedly can comparison shop. But this is fool's gold—information that doesn't address the real question about why these prices are so high in the first place. |
 | New website helps people avoid swimmer's itchPeople wondering about catching swimmer's itch can get in the know with a University of Alberta website before heading to the lake this summer. |
 | Study: Alzheimer's disease not linked to type 2 diabetes or high blood pressureIf you want to reduce your risk of getting Alzheimer's disease, there is no end of advice on the internet telling you how to do it: keep your blood pressure and blood sugar in check, lose weight, exercise more, avoid getting type 2 diabetes. Of course, doing these things is good for your general health, but our latest study shows they probably do nothing to reduce your risk of getting Alzheimer's. |
 | Researchers look to defuse cardiac 'time bomb'They have been called the "time bomb" of cardiology—ascending aortic aneurysms. |
 | To protect us all, babies travelling overseas may need the measles shot at 6 months instead of 12This year, we've seen a resurgence of measles around the globe. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recorded more than 230,000 cases in the first five months of 2019, compared to 160,000 in a similar period in 2018. |
 | Fake drugs that could kill are on the rise in Western countriesFake medicines—illegal and substandard pharmaceuticals—have until now largely been a problem in low and middle-income countries. Ranging from lifestyle products to lifesaving medicines, such products are now also on the rise in the Western world. The spread is concerning, as fake medicines can be completely ineffective or extremely toxic. |
 | Network analysis applied to the study of cerebral macroanatomyThe CENIEH researcher Emiliano Bruner has led a study which uses networks to investigate the geometric relationship among the principal regions of the cerebral cortex. |
 | Making sense of mammography guidelinesExperts agree that detecting breast cancer early offers a better outlook, but when to start screenings and how often to have them has changed repeatedly. |
 | Is your child depressed or suicidal? Here are the warning signsMany parents think it couldn't happen to their kids, but the number of children and teens admitted to children's hospitals for thoughts of self-harm or suicide is alarming. |
 | Changes in blood flow tell heart cells to regenerateAltered blood flow resulting from heart injury switches on a communication cascade that reprograms heart cells and leads to heart regeneration in zebrafish, says a new study in eLife. |
 | Researchers improve classification of pancreatic cancer to better predict patient outcomesResearchers at the University of Toronto and University Health Network have found that standard pathology grading for the most common type of pancreatic cancer can be improved to better predict patient outcomes. |
 | 'Doublet' immune cells are much more common—and more important in disease—than previously thoughtSorting through individual immune cells is a handy way to see how the body responds to disease. For years, researchers around the world have used a technique called flow cytometry to separate different types of immune cells, such as T cells, B cells and monocytes. But occasionally they'd see two cells stuck together as a "doublet." Many regarded doublets as an artefact of the flow cytometry process, and it was common place to "dump" those conjoined cells before gathering data. |
 | Artificial intelligence could be 'game changer' in detecting, managing Alzheimer's diseaseWorldwide, about 44 million people are living with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or a related form of dementia. Although 82 percent of seniors in the United States say it's important to have their thinking or memory checked, only 16 percent say they receive regular cognitive assessments. |
 | Workers who are unpaid caregivers of older relatives struggle with unmet workplace needsPeople who care for their elderly parents outside of their full-time jobs—and are unpaid for their help—experience considerable disruption of their workplace routines. Many are not getting employer support because it is not offered or because they do not feel able to use it, even if it is available, according to a Baylor University researcher. |
 | Blood test predicts stroke risk in patients with diabetesHaving diabetes is a risk factor for many other health conditions, including stroke. |
 | Mice with a human immune system help research into cancer and infectionsResearchers from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital have succeeded in using mice with a transplanted human immune system to study functions in the immune system which are otherwise particularly difficult to study. The method could turn out to be important in further research into cancer, HIV and autoimmune diseases. |
 | Sugary drink taxes reduce consumption, major review showsA 10 per cent tax on sugary drinks has cut the purchase and consumption of sugary drinks by an average of 10 per cent in places it has been introduced, a just published major review has found. |
 | Sometimes, a non-invasive procedure will sufficeWhen a patient complains about chest pain, diagnosis will usually involve catheter angiography to evaluate the adequacy of blood supply to the heart. Researchers from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have now established that, in certain cases, the diagnostic reliability of non-invasive coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography is as good as that of coronary angiography—thereby dispensing with the need for invasive procedures. Results from this research have been published in BMJ. |
 | Researchers discover mechanisms underlying early life stress and irritable bowel syndromeResearchers from the School of Chinese Medicine (SCM) at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) have found that the abnormal rise of a soluble protein called Nerve Growth Factor is a key factor linking early life stress to the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The study, which is the first to demonstrate the link between traumatic psychological events occurring in childhood and lifelong health repercussions, could lead to the development of new treatments for gastrointestinal diseases. |
 | Exposure to air pollution in India is associated with more hypertension in womenLong-term exposure to air pollution has been previously associated with a higher risk of hypertension in high-income countries, where air pollution levels are generally lower than in low- and middle-income countries. A team led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), an institution supported by "la Caixa," set out to study this association in India, a lower middle-income country where burdens of air pollution and hypertension are projected to increase. The results show that women exposed to higher levels of air pollution at residence have a higher hypertension prevalence. |
 | Distinct clinical profiles of Huntington's disease can be associated with two specific neural signatureResearchers from the Cognition and Brain plasticity group of Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and the Institute of Neurosciences of the University of Barcelona (UBNeuro), with the collaboration of Radboud University in the Netherlands, have identified two specific patterns of cerebral disorders underlying two clinical profiles of Huntington's disease. The study, published in Neuroimage: Clinical, can help develop specific biomarkers and personalized treatments for each profile of this rare disease. |
Artificial intelligence improves heart attack risk assessmentWhen used with a common heart scan, machine learning (ML), a type of artificial intelligence, does better than conventional risk models at predicting heart attacks and other cardiac events, according to a study published in the journal Radiology. | |
Study identifies pathway linking socioeconomic status to cardiovascular riskA biological pathway previously found to contribute to the impact of stress on the risk of cardiovascular disease also may underlie the increased incidence of such disease experienced by individuals with lower socioeconomic status. The report from investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), published online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, is a follow-up to a 2017 Lancet paper by some of the same authors that, for the first time in humans, linked activity of the stress-responsive brain structure the amygdala to elevated risk of events such as heart attack and stroke. | |
 | Study supports optimal threshold for diagnosing COPDA new study provides evidence to support a simple measurement for diagnosing clinically significant airflow obstruction, the key characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. The study found that a 70% ratio of two indicators of lung function proved as or more accurate than other thresholds for predicting COPD-related hospitalizations and deaths. |
 | First in vivo proof-of-concept in Steinert's myotonic dystrophyAna Buj Bello's team, a researcher in an Inserm unit at Genethon, the AFM-Telethon laboratory, has made the proof-of-concept of a CRISPR-Cas9 approach in a mouse model of Steinert's myotonic dystrophy, the most common neuromuscular disease in adults. Indeed, thanks to this genome editing approach, the expanded CTG triplet repeat in the DMPK gene, which is responsible for the disease, was "cut" and removed from the gene, and the number of toxic RNA aggregates was decreased in the muscle cells of the tested models. Based on these encouraging results, published in the June 5 issue of Molecular Therapy, the researchers are currently investigating whole body treatment. |
 | Researchers study healthy ALS neurons as way to understand resistance to the diseaseAlthough largely paralyzed, ALS patients can communicate through eye-tracking devices because they retain eye movement until the disease's late stages. Yet, how some motor neurons resist ALS to allow for this movement has been a mystery. |
 | Laser light detects tumorsCancer—this diagnosis affects almost every second German at some point in their life. It is the second most frequent cause of death in Germany. But the earlier the disease is diagnosed, the greater are the chances of surviving it. A team of researchers from Jena will present a groundbreaking new method for the rapid, gentle and reliable detection of tumors with laser light at the leading trade fair "Laser World of Photonics" from 24 to 27 June 2019 in Munich. For the first time, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz IPHT) will present a compact device for rapid cancer diagnosis during surgery. The optical method will help surgeons to remove tumors more precisely and could make cancer operations possible without a scalpel. |
 | Multiresistant intestinal bacteria spread widely in Vietnamese hospitalsAround half of patients admitted to hospital in Vietnam are carriers of multiresistant intestinal bacteria, which are resistant to carbapenems, a group of broad-spectrum antibiotics. This is the conclusion of a study by Swedish and Vietnamese scientists led by Linköping University, published in the Journal of Infection. |
 | Adding clinical variables improves accuracy of lung allocation scoreImplemented back in 2005, the lung allocation score is used to prioritize patients awaiting lung transplants in the United States. Sicker transplant candidates have a higher calculated score and are placed at the top of the list. But a recent study led by Maryam Valapour, M.D., MPP, director of Lung Transplant Outcomes in Cleveland Clinic's Respiratory Institute, found including new clinical variables helped to better identify the sickest cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients awaiting transplants. |
 | Anesthesia tied to neurocognitive impairment in childhood ALL survivors(HealthDay)—Multiple exposures to general anesthesia may be associated with neurocognitive impairment and brain imaging abnormalities in long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), according to a study published online June 20 in JAMA Oncology. |
 | Zero-calorie sweeteners on trial againAs a sugar substitute, zero-calorie sweeteners may reduce tooth decay and blood sugar spikes. Seven are approved worldwide and safe for humans—but does this mean they're healthy? |
 | Spending two hours per week in nature brings bountiful benefits, study findsTurns out taking in a lungful—120 minutes' worth—of fresh air could actually be the main key to health and well-being, a new study says. |
 | Changing EHR systems may up operating times for eye surgery(HealthDay)—Changing electronic health record (EHR) systems may cause longer operation times for eye surgeries, according to a study published online June 20 in JAMA Ophthalmology. |
 | Voxelotor improves hemoglobin levels in sickle cell disease(HealthDay)—For individuals with sickle cell disease, 1,500 mg of voxelotor increases hemoglobin levels and reduces the incidence of worsening anemia compared with placebo, according to a study published in the June 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. |
 | Experts want doctors to add vaping to youth prevention pitch(HealthDay)—Doctors should add electronic cigarettes to their efforts to prevent young people from using tobacco, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says. |
 | Genetics may help predict the right blood pressure drug for youMedication can play a huge role in reducing high blood pressure, a leading cause of stroke, heart attack and other serious health problems. Yet given the wide selection of drugs for doctors to choose from, figuring out which drug works best for someone is difficult. |
 | Money worries around food may spur migraines(HealthDay)— It's a link that few might consider, but new research suggests young adults who worry about affording groceries may be more likely to suffer migraines. |
How human genetic data is helping dogs fight cancerSome of what we learn through the compassionate treatment of dogs with cancer goes on to help human patients. Now a study by researchers at University of Colorado Cancer Center and Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center returns the favor: We know so many of the genetic changes that cause human cancer—the current study, recently published in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, sequences 33 canine cancer cell lines to identify "human" genetic changes could be driving these canine cancers, possibly helping veterinary oncologists use more human medicines to cure cancer in dogs. | |
 | Investigating the impact of drug addiction and pollution on behaviour in humans and wildlifeScientists from the University of Portsmouth are helping to develop new technology that will aid our understanding of drug and alcohol addiction in humans and the impact of drug pollution on wildlife. |
 | De-escalating breast cancer therapy—can some patients be spared chemotherapy?About one of every five breast cancers presents with high levels of HER2 proteins. Known as HER2-positive breast cancer, these tumors typically show an aggressive behavior—a greater likelihood of metastasis and relapse and decreased patient survival than HER2 negative types—and are physiologically dependent on the abundance of HER2. These findings prompted the question, if we take HER2 away from 'HER2-addicted' cancers, would cancer slow down? |
Repeat ER users changed how they used ERs after gaining medicaid coverageThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded health insurance coverage, including eligibility for Medicaid, the public insurance program for low-income Americans. Under the ACA, states can decide whether to expand eligibility for Medicaid coverage. As of earlier this year, 36 states and the District of Columbia had adopted Medicaid expansion, and other states are still debating whether to do so. | |
 | Shot could remove side effects from late-stage head and neck cancer therapyFor advanced stages of head and neck cancer, one of the best treatments is so aggressive that it could bring tooth decay, speech loss, constant nausea or all of the above. |
 | Does hypertension pose a health risk to older adults who wish to donate a kidney?In an analysis of clinical information on older living kidney donors, hypertension was linked with a higher risk of developing kidney failure. The study, which is published in an upcoming issue of CJASN, provides new information that may help inform discussions with older individuals when they consider donating a kidney. |
 | Wearable technology to personalize Lu-177-DOTATATE therapy for NETsResearchers at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, are developing a user-friendly (worn at home) vest with technology that collects data to tailor personalized therapy for patients with metastatic, somatostatin-receptor-2 positive neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). The study was presented at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI). |
European pregnancy rates from IVF and ICSI 'appear to have reached a peak'The latest annual data collected by ESHRE from European national registries (for 2016) show another rise in the cumulative use of IVF in the treatment of infertility, although success rates after IVF or ICSI appear to have reached a peak, with pregnancy rates per started treatment calculated at 27.1% after IVF and 24.3% after ICSI. The figures, although indicative of a slight decline in pregnancy rate, continue a recent trend of conventional IVF cycles performing better than ICSI. | |
 | Robotic, flexible needle for more effective cancer treatmentWood wasps use their stingers to drill into wood and lay their eggs inside trees. The resulting damage to wood that may end up as furniture and other structures in our homes might lead most of us to think of them as pests. Not so for the medical field, for which wood wasps are an inspiration. In their quest for safer surgical procedures, scientists have created probes that mimic the way this insect's stinger burrows into wood. |
 | Pain relief without opioids? Yes, it's possibleAre opioid medications the only way to fight pain? Experts at USC say no, as growing research shows that non-opioid pain medicine and other tools can help people reduce or even avoid the use of narcotics. |
 | AbbVie makes $63B bid for Botox maker AllerganFacing competition for the world's top-selling drug, AbbVie is jumping on this year's pharmaceutical merger bandwagon with a $63 billion bid for Botox maker Allergan that's meant to spur future growth. |
 | Researchers explore social cognitive deficits in progressive multiple sclerosisA recent study by Kessler Foundation researchers provided new findings about the nature of social cognitive deficits in the population with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). The article, "Cognitive but Not Affective Theory of Mind Deficits in Progressive MS", was epublished on June 10, 2019 by the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society. The authors are Katie Lancaster, Ph.D., Eric M. Stone, and Helen Genova, Ph.D., of Kessler Foundation. |
 | Healthy work lunches are hard to come by(HealthDay)—If you struggle to eat a healthy lunch during your workday, a new survey suggests you're far from alone. |
 | Measles outbreak in Dutch 'Bible Belt' villageDutch health authorities said Tuesday they are dealing with a measles outbreak in a devout Protestant fishing village where vaccination rates are among the lowest in the country. |
 | Women exposed to common antibacterial chemical more likely to break a boneWomen exposed to triclosan are more likely to develop osteoporosis, according to a study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. |
 | Preconceptional and prenatal exposure to paternal smoking affects semen quality of adult sonsThe adverse effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy is well established and associated with several negative neonatal outcomes (such as low birth weight and preterm birth). It is also evident in some studies that the semen quality of men exposed to prenatal maternal smoking is generally more impaired than that of unexposed men. However, there is little known about the effect of paternal smoking in the time leading up to and during pregnancy. |
 | NIH launches large TB prevention trial for people exposed to multidrug-resistant TBA large clinical trial to assess treatments for preventing people at high risk from developing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has begun. The study is comparing the safety and efficacy of a new MDR-TB drug, delamanid, with the decades-old TB drug isoniazid for preventing active MDR-TB disease in children, adolescents and adults at high risk who are exposed to adult household members with MDR-TB. Study participants are at high risk for MDR-TB because they either have latent TB infection, immune systems suppressed by HIV or other factors, or are younger than age 5 years and therefore have a weak immune system. |
 | Nuclear medicine PSMA-targeted study offers new options for cancer theranostics worldwideResearch presented at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) describes a new class of radiopharmaceuticals, named radiohybrids (rh), that offer a fresh perspective on cancer imaging and radioligand therapy (theranostics). In addition, the technology encompasses a highly innovative and efficient isotopic labelling method to facilitate broad application. |
 | New osteoporosis therapy's dual effects on bone tissueSclerostin is a protein produced by osteocytes in the bone that inhibits bone formation. A recent analysis of results from a clinical trial reveals the beneficial effects of romosozumab, an antibody therapy that targets sclerostin, on bone tissue in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The findings are published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. |
Air pollution found to affect marker of female fertility in real-life studyOvarian reserve, a term widely adopted to reflect the number of resting follicles in the ovary and thus a marker of potential female fertility, has been found in a large-scale study to be adversely affected by high levels of air pollution. | |
 | New combination therapy established as safe and effective for prostate cancerA novel therapy using two targeted treatments for prostate cancer has been shown to maximize efficacy while reducing side effects according to research presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) 2019 Annual Meeting. |
 | Ultrasmall nanoclusters and carbon quantum dots show promise for acute kidney injuryAcute kidney injury (AKI) often complicates the treatment outcomes of hospitalized patients, resulting in dangerous levels of toxic chemicals accumulating in the blood and causing numerous deaths annually. Currently, only supportive treatment is available for AKI, but two related research studies presented at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging offer hope for effective treatment and prevention. |
 | Predictors of cognitive recovery following mild to severe traumatic brain injuryResearchers have shown that higher intelligence and younger age are predictors of greater cognitive recovery 2-5 years post-mild to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). In contrast, injury severity, as measured by the duration of post-traumatic amnesia, was not associated with greater or worse long-term cognitive recovery, as supported by a study published in Journal of Neurotrauma. |
 | Lawyers pause plan to divide any national opioid settlementState and local governments suing over the toll of a nationwide opioid crisis agree that companies in the drug industry should be held accountable, but they have differences on who should have the power to strike any settlement, and how it should work. |
 | Molecular imaging suggests smokers may have impaired neuroimmune functionResearch presented at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNM MI) shows preliminary evidence that tobacco smokers may have reduced neuroimmune function compared with nonsmokers. |
Biology news
 | Ant farmers boost plant nutritionHumans began cultivating crops about 12,000 years ago. Ants have been at it rather longer. Leafcutter ants, the best-known insect farmers, belong to a lineage of insects that have been running fungus farms based on chopped-up vegetable matter for over 50 million years. The ant farming of flowering plants, however, started more recently, about 3 million years ago in the Fiji Islands. |
 | Tapping into the way cells communicateA new technology discovered by UConn School of Dental Medicine researchers records cellular communication in real time—providing a closer look into the dynamics of cell secretion and a greater understanding of how cells repair tissue. |
 | Researchers identify genes linked to sex differentiation in giant Amazon fishBrazilian and German scientists have completed a collaborative project to sequence and analyze the whole genome of Arapaima gigas, a giant freshwater fish known in Brazil as pirarucu and elsewhere as arapaima or paiche. Its growth rate is the fastest among known freshwater fish species. Its natural distribution covers most of the Amazon River basin in Peru and Brazil. |
 | New rapid test diagnoses pneumonia and other lower respiratory infectionsScientists at UEA and the Quadram Institute have developed a new, rapid way of diagnosing lower respiratory tract infections that could improve patient care and control the spread of antimicrobial resistance. |
 | Dung beetles use wind compass when the sun is highResearchers have shown for the first time that an animal uses different directional sensors to achieve the highest possible navigational precision in different conditions. When the sun is high, dung beetles navigate using the wind. |
 | Stem cells moonlight to protect the stomach from bacterial invadersOur mucosal surfaces are constantly exposed to numerous bacterial species, some of which can induce DNA damage in host cells. Normally this remains inconsequential, as the rapid turnover of the mucosa means damaged cells are shed within days. However, if the long-lived stem cells that continually give rise to new replacement cells receive damage it could lead to the development of cancer. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology and the Charité-Universitätsmedizin in Berlin have now revealed that the gastric stem cell pool does do not merely divide to generate new daughter cells, but that they can secrete antimicrobial molecules to actively defend the stem cell niche against bacteria. |
 | Genome study reveals history of European potatoA team of researchers from Germany, Peru, the U.K. and Spain has sequenced a large number of potato varieties to learn more about the history of the modern European potato. In their paper published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, the group describes their study of the history of the potato and what they found. |
 | Biochip advances enable next-generation sequencing technologiesBiochips are essentially tiny laboratories designed to function inside living organisms, and they are driving next-generation DNA sequencing technologies. This powerful combination is capable of solving unique and important biological problems, such as single-cell, rare-cell or rare-molecule analysis, which next-generation sequencing can't do on its own. |
 | Crop pests more widespread than previously knownInsects and diseases that damage crops are probably present in many places thought to be free of them, new research shows. |
 | Playing 'tag': Tracking movement of young oystersA new publication in the journal Estuaries and Coasts investigates the use of a fluorescent dye to track movements of young oysters. The publication, "Field mark-recapture of calcein-stained larval oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in a freshwater-dominated estuary", provides new knowledge on methods for tracking oysters in low salinity environments common to coastal waters, particularly in the northern Gulf of Mexico. This information is important to understand where oysters settle and grow compared to locations of parent stocks and to guide management practices of oysters or any marine species with larval stages that live in the water column. |
 | Short-term effects of hurricanes Irma and Maria on Puerto Rico's forest birdsIn September of 2017, hurricanes Irma and Maria delivered a devastating one-two punch to Puerto Rico, causing significant defoliation of the island's forests. While the detrimental effects of these storms on human populations was well-documented, little was known about how the island's bird populations were affected - until now. A new paper published in PLOS ONE by Vermont Center for Ecostudies (VCE) and colleagues compares occupancy of birds in forested areas across Puerto Rico during a winter before (2015) and shortly after (2018) the passage of these hurricanes. Using dynamic community models analyzed within a Bayesian framework, the authors find significant changes in species detectability, with some species becoming more readily detected after the storms and others becoming more difficult to detect. |
 | In search of an undersea kelp forest's missing nitrogenPlants need nutrients to grow. So scientists were surprised to learn that giant kelp maintains its impressive growth rates year-round, even in summer and early fall when ocean currents along the California coast stop delivering nutrients. Clearly something else is nourishing the kelp, but what? |
 | How the dragon got its frillThe frilled dragon exhibits a distinctive large erectile ruff. This lizard usually keeps the frill folded back against its body, but can spread it as a spectacular display to scare off predators. Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, and the SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics report in the journal eLife that an ancestral embryonic gill of the dragon embryo turns into a neck pocket that expands and folds, forming the frill. The researchers then demonstrate that this robust folding pattern emerges from mechanical forces during the homogeneous growth of the frill skin due to the tensions resulting from its attachment to the neck and head. |
 | Bad weather causing 'catastrophic' French honey harvestAlarmed French beekeepers and farming groups warned Tuesday of a "catastrophic" honey harvest this year due to adverse weather. |
 | Video games offer clues to help curb animal disease outbreaksStrengthening biosecurity is widely considered the best strategy to reduce the devastating impact of disease outbreaks in the multi-billion-dollar global swine industry, but successfully doing so all comes down to human decision-making, a University of Vermont study shows. |
 | Symbiotic upcycling: Turning 'low value' compounds into biomassPlants use light energy from the sun for photosynthesis to turn carbon dioxide (CO2) into biomass. Animals can't do that. Therefore, some of them have teamed up with bacteria that carry out a process called chemosynthesis. It works almost like photosynthesis, only that it uses chemical energy instead of light energy. Many animals rely on chemosynthetic bacteria to supply them with food. The symbionts turn CO2 into biomass and are subsequently digested by their host. Kentron, a bacterium nourishing the ciliate Kentrophoros, was thought to be 'just another' chemosynthetic symbiont. However, recent results indicate that it is not. |
 | Milk: Best drink to reduce burn from chili peppersPeople who order their Buffalo wings especially spicy and sometimes find them to be too "hot," should choose milk to reduce the burn, according to Penn State researchers, who also suggest it does not matter if it is whole or skim. |
 | California's mighty predator, the mountain lion, faces 'extinction vortex'As the mountain lions of Southern California approach what some experts call an "extinction vortex," environmentalists are demanding that state officials grant the big cats protective status—a move that could potentially ban development on thousands of acres of prime real estate. |
 | Radioactive tadpoles reveal contamination cluesTadpoles can be used to measure the amount of radiocesium, a radioactive material, in aquatic environments, according to new research from University of Georgia scientists. |
 | Puppy love: Choosing the perfect pooch poses challenges similar to datingPsychologists at Indiana University who study how people pick their spouses have turned their attention to another important relationship: choosing a canine companion. |
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