Dear Reader ,
Be an ACS Industry Insider: https://connect.acspubs.org/Insider?LS=SciX
Sign-up and get free, monthly access to articles that cover exciting, cutting edge discoveries in Energy, Environmental Science and Agriculture.
Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for June 4, 2019:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Gamma-ray pulsations detected from the pulsar J0952−0607An international team of astronomers reports the detection of gamma-ray pulsations from the millisecond pulsar (MSP) known as PSR J0952−0607. The finding, available in a paper published May 27 on arXiv.org, sheds more light on the properties of this pulsar and could be helpful in improving our understanding of MSPs in general. |
 | Solving the sun's super-heating mystery with Parker Solar ProbeIt's one of the greatest and longest-running mysteries surrounding, quite literally, our sun—why is its outer atmosphere hotter than its fiery surface? |
 | Physicists discover new clue to planet formationAn international study led by the Monash School of Physics and Astronomy has discovered the first observational evidence for the existence of circumplanetary discs. |
 | Exomoons may be home to extra-terrestrial lifeMoons orbiting planets outside our solar system could offer another clue about the pool of worlds that may be home to extra-terrestrial life, according to an astrophysicist at the University of Lincoln. |
 | Small particles can have big consequences for electronics in space missionsSeveral space missions planned by the European Space Agency and NASA have their target set on Jupiter and its moons. The extraordinarily harsh radiation environments in the Jovian system will set some strict requirements for the electronics inside the spacecraft. To ensure the proper function of the spacecraft, it is important to understand and quantify the physical mechanisms causing the errors in the electronics, specifically by electrons. In her dissertation at University of Jyväskylä Maris Tali proved that single light particles, like electrons and low energy protons are capable of inducing effects in electronics that are usually not considered. |
 | Observing Gaia from Earth to improve its star mapsWhile ESA's Gaia mission has been surveying more than one billion stars from space, astronomers have been regularly monitoring the satellite's position in the sky with telescopes across the world, including the European Southern Observatory in Chile, to further refine Gaia's orbit and ultimately improve the accuracy of its stellar census. |
 | Inexpensive chip-size satellites orbit EarthA decade ago, while still a Ph.D. student at Cornell University, Zac Manchester imagined building chip-scale satellites that might work together to study Earth or explore space. On June 3, as NASA Ames Research Center announces the successful deployment of the largest swarm of ChipSats in history, Manchester, now an assistant professor at Stanford, is already envisioning the future of this technology. |
 | A brief history of Ariane 5 launches with science missions onboardIf it wasn't for launch capabilities we would never have delved deep into the echo of the Big Bang nor lived out the adventures of Rosetta and Philae at Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Nor would we have captured some of the Universe's most energetic phenomena, or be on our way to the innermost planet of the solar system. Some of ESA's biggest science missions only got off the ground—literally—thanks to the mighty Ariane 5, one of the most reliable launchers that gives access to space from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. |
Technology news
 | Using sensors to improve the interaction between humans and robots walking togetherResearchers at the BioRobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant"Anna, Co-Robotics srl and Sheffield Hallam University have recently proposed a new approach to improve interactions between humans and robots as they are walking together. Their paper, published in MDPI's Robotics journal, proposes the use of wearable sensors as a means to improve the collaboration between a human and a robot that are moving around in a shared environment. |
 | Apple iTunes to play last songApple on Monday announced the demise of its groundbreaking iTunes platform in favor of three more tailored apps, as it refines its offerings to be a stage for digital music, films, podcasts and more. |
 | Agent Unicorn headset for ADHD children may make understanding easierThe quest for a better understanding among scientists of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) goes on. |
 | A 3-D printer powered by machine vision and artificial intelligenceObjects made with 3-D printing can be lighter, stronger, and more complex than those produced through traditional manufacturing methods. But several technical challenges must be overcome before 3-D printing transforms the production of most devices. |
 | New approach optimizes use of future wave electricity generators during disasterWhen hurricanes strike, loss of electricity ranks as one of the top concerns for relief workers. Blackouts lasting a week or more can hamper recovery efforts, shutter hospitals, threaten public health and disrupt transportation. The monthslong effort to restore power to Puerto Rico following the 2017 hurricane season has led to renewed interest in finding innovative ways to get affected power grids back online. |
 | Everything will connect to the internet someday, and this biobattery could helpIn the future, small paper and plastic devices will be able to connect to the internet for a short duration, providing information on everything from healthcare to consumer products, before they are thrown away. Researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York have developed a micro biobattery that could power these disposable sensors. |
 | Floating power plantsPaper, tin cans, glass—the world recycles as much as possible. So why not declare the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) a recycling product as well? Liquid fuels based on carbon will continue to play an important role in the future—despite international efforts to reduce them. So it seems sensible to recover the CO2 exhaust from the environment and use it again. |
 | Renault to decide on merger talks with Fiat ChryslerThe board of French car giant Renault is expected to decide Tuesday to begin merger talks with Fiat Chrysler which could create a new global giant spanning the United States, Europe and Japan. |
 | Top Australian university reports vast, 'sophisticated' hackA top Australian university with close ties to the country's government and security services on Tuesday said it had been the victim of a vast hack by a "sophisticated operator" who gained access to 19 years of sensitive data. |
 | US gears up for antitrust battles with Big TechThe US administration is stepping up scrutiny of Big Tech firms, which could result in a series of drawn-out legal battles aimed at reining in—and potentially breaking up—giants such as Google, Amazon and Facebook. |
 | Security and privacy rarely considered before buying IoT devicesIn today's often-precarious security and privacy landscape, you'd think consumers would be taking security and privacy risks into serious consideration when purchasing new IoT devices. And you'd be wrong. |
 | Facebook still wants your dataHave you noticed your Facebook feed looks different lately? |
 | Tracking security staff at large-scale eventsSpectacular fireworks, a large crowd, and music with a driving beat—on the first weekend in May the Rhine in Flames event will set the large parks along the Rhine in Bonn topsy-turvy. In 2019, a team of researchers from Fraunhofer FIT provided innovative support for the security staff: they set up a new tracking system that displayed, in real time, the locations of all police officers, firefighters, emergency care assistants, and stewards involved in the event in a digital situation map in the command center. |
 | Pilots sleeping in the cockpit could improve airline safetyAirline pilots are often exhausted. An extreme example happened in 2008, when a pilot and a co-pilot both fell asleep at the controls, missing their landing in Hawaii—earning pilot's license suspensions as well as getting fired. More recently, overtired pilots came very close to landing on top of another airplane at San Francisco International Airport in 2017. |
 | Big tech surveillance could damage democracyData is often called the oil of the 21st century. |
 | Apple WWDC 2019: iTunes is yesterday; today's all about swifter new iOS featuresWhen word leaked over the weekend that Apple was planning to shut down iTunes in the next version of its desktop software, there was an outcry and talk of an end of an era. |
 | Can computers make decisions like humans? A new study may have the answerA team of British researchers has developed a method that enables computers to make decisions in a way that is more similar to humans. Specifically, the method mimics the complex process of how humans make decisions by enabling the computers to render several acceptable decisions to one specific problem. The research was published in the May issue of IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica (JAS). |
 | It's alive! Researchers create innovative 'living' bridgeEngineers at the University of New Hampshire have designed a unique living laboratory on a heavily traveled iconic bridge which could change the way infrastructure is viewed. The Memorial Bridge, which links Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Kittery, Maine, has been outfitted with data sensors that have transformed it into a self-diagnosing, self-reporting "smart" bridge that captures a range of information from the health of the span to the environment around it. |
 | Watchdog says FBI has access to about 640M photographsA government watchdog says the FBI has access to about 640 million photographs—including from driver's licenses, passports and mugshots—that can be searched using facial recognition technology. |
 | iOS13: Here's what you need to know about Apple's new iPhone operating systemGoodbye iTunes, it's been a great 18-year ride. |
 | Apple's new Photos app for iOS 13 may just be the tool you've been waiting forWe take more and more photos every year on our new and improved smartphones, but finding them is probably the greatest pain point consumers face. |
 | Developers sue Apple over app store feesA lawsuit filed Tuesday by developers alleges Apple is abusing its monopoly position in its online marketplace to extract excessive fees from those creating iPhone applications. |
 | Air Canada gets into drone delivery businessCanada's flagship airline is getting into the business of delivering cargo by drones, announcing on Tuesday a sales agreement with Drone Delivery Canada to market its services across the country. |
 | German car sales shake off emissions-test bluesNew car registrations in Germany jumped sharply in May, official data showed Tuesday, suggesting the powerhouse sector for Europe's top economy was recovering from a months-long bout of the blues. |
 | India's Airtel seeks $750m from Africa unit's IPOIndia's debt-laden telecoms giant Bharti Airtel hopes to raise $750 million when it lists its African unit on the London Stock Exchange, the company said Tuesday. |
 | Top Russian internet firm reportedly under pressure on dataRussia's leading internet company said Tuesday that it's committed to data privacy as it responded to reports that the national intelligence agency is pressuring it into handing over encryption keys. |
 | California maintains life science dominance, report findsCalifornia retains the crown as the nation's top recipient of federal life science funding, signifying the industry's dynamism, according to a new report from Biocom, a California life science trade group. |
 | Renault interested in Fiat Chrysler merger but to hold new meetingFrench carmaker Renault on Tuesday said it was studying "with interest" an offer for a merger with Fiat Chrysler (FCA) after a crunch management meeting but added its board would meet again for further deliberations. |
 | France to ban destroying unsold goods, targeting Amazon, luxury brandsFrance's prime minister on Tuesday announced a crackdown on the destruction of unsold or returned consumer products, a move that will affect online retailers such as Amazon and luxury goods brands. |
 | Renault ex-boss linked to 11mn euros of suspicious spending: boardAn internal audit conducted by carmakers Renault and Nissan identified 11 million euros of questionable expenses at their Dutch subsidiary linked to Carlos Ghosn, the ousted boss of the French-Japanese group, the Renault board said Tuesday. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Beta blockers can block the effects of stress and anger in patients prone to emotion-triggered atrial fibrillationIndividuals who are prone to emotion-triggered atrial fibrillation (AF) may benefit from taking beta blockers. A new study shows that beta blockers can block the effects of psychological stress and anger in individuals prone to AF, reports HeartRhythm, the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society and the Cardiac Electrophysiology Society. |
 | Red and white meats are equally bad for cholesterolContrary to popular belief, consuming red meat and white meat such as poultry, have equal effects on blood cholesterol levels, according to a study published today in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. |
 | Could boosting the gut microbiome be the secret to healthier older age?Faecal transplants from young to aged mice can stimulate the gut microbiome and revive the gut immune system, a study by immunologists at the Babraham Institute, Cambridge, has shown. The research is published in the journal Nature Communications today. |
 | Children's brains reorganize after epilepsy surgery to retain visual perceptionChildren can keep full visual perception—the ability to process and understand visual information—after brain surgery for severe epilepsy, according to a study funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health. While brain surgery can halt seizures, it carries significant risks, including an impairment in visual perception. However, a new report by Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, researchers from a study of children who had undergone epilepsy surgery suggests that the lasting effects on visual perception can be minimal, even among children who lost tissue in the brain's visual centers. |
 | Researchers find synapse-boosting factors in young bloodA team of researchers at Stanford University has found synapse-boosting factors in the blood of young mice. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes their study of the rejuvenating impact of blood from young mice when transfused into older mice, and what they learned about it. |
 | Exercise eases autism spectrum disorder in mouse modelA mouse model of autism has revealed how exercise changes the structure of the brain by eliminating the excess connections between neurons characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). After one month of voluntary running on a wheel, behavioral differences disappeared and structural differences in ASD model mice's brains were reduced. |
 | 'Only the stressed die young': The trade-off between stress resilience and longevityThe survival and fitness of multicellular organisms is tightly associated with their capacity to renew their tissues. This is particularly important for tissues that are permanently exposed to and challenged by the external environment, such as the epithelium, which lines the digestive tract. Researchers led by Professor Dr. Mirka Uhlirova from CECAD, the Cluster of Excellence for Aging Research at the University of Cologne collaborated with the laboratory of Dr. Tony Southall from Imperial College London to identify the transcription factor Ets21c as a vital regulator of the regenerative programme in the adult intestine of the fruit fly Drosophila. Moreover, their work highlighted the existence of trade-off mechanisms between stress resilience and longevity. The results have now been published in the journal Cell Reports. |
 | Novel insights into cholesterol regulation may lead to new therapies for heart diseaseIn a landmark study, scientists at Houston Methodist Research Institute discovered what makes white blood cell counts spike in individuals who have high cholesterol, possibly leading to new therapies for heart disease. |
 | Study: Cholesterol in eggs tied to cardiac disease, deathThe risk of heart disease and death increases with the number of eggs an individual consumes, according to a UMass Lowell nutrition expert who has studied the issue. |
 | Zebrafish capture a 'window' on the cancer processCancer-related inflammation impacts significantly on cancer development and progression. New research has observed in zebrafish, for the first time, that inflammatory cells use weak spots or micro-perforations in the extracellular matrix barrier layer to access skin cancer cells. |
 | Should STEMI patients recover in the ICU?A trip to an intensive care unit can be more than twice as costly as a stay in a non-ICU hospital room, but a new study finds intensive care is still the right option for some vulnerable patients after a severe heart attack. |
Cataract treatment inventor Dr. Patricia Bath dies at 76Dr. Patricia Bath, a pioneering ophthalmologist who became the first African American female doctor to receive a medical patent after she invented a more precise treatment of cataracts, has died. She was 76. | |
Video GP surgeries could curb need for face-to-face visitsPatients consulting their doctor by video link could reduce the need for GP visits but it is not suitable for everyone, a pilot study has found. | |
Immunotherapy better than aggressive chemo as first-line treatment in head and neck cancerImmunotherapy used with chemotherapy or on its own is a better first-line treatment for people with head and neck cancer that has returned than standard aggressive chemotherapy, new clinical trial results show. | |
 | Smartphone relaxation app helps some manage migraineMigraine sufferers who used a smartphone-based relaxation technique at least twice a week experienced on average four fewer headache days per month, a new study shows. |
 | Choosing the right drug to fight cancerCanadian researchers have discovered a molecular indicator of a mechanism that drives cancer progression, giving doctors the possibility of using precision medicine, that is, choosing which patients will respond to a particular anticancer drug. |
 | For many, friends and family, not doctors, serve as a gateway to opioid misuseIn a common narrative of the path to opioid misuse, people become addicted to painkillers after a doctor prescribed them pills to treat an injury and then, later, switch to harder drugs, such as heroin. However, nonmedical opioid users were more likely to say they began abusing opioids after friends and family members offered them the drugs, according to researchers. |
 | Researchers explore augmented ACL reconstruction procedureAn innovative procedure that explores the use of amnion, bone marrow concentrate and suture tape in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction may result in earlier return to play protocols for athletes, suggests a new Marshall University study published in the May 6, 2019, edition of Arthroscopy Techniques, a companion to Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery. |
 | Sticking to sports can help kids adjustThinking of getting your child to take up a sport that involves a coach or instructor? Good news: a new study finds that children who engage in organized physical activity at a young age are less likely to have emotional difficulties by the time they turn 12. |
 | Opioid analgesics increase the risk of pneumonia among persons with Alzheimer's diseaseOpioid analgesics were associated with a 30 percent increase in the risk of pneumonia in persons with Alzheimer's disease, a recent study from the University of Eastern Finland shows. The risk was most pronounced in the first two months of use. This is the first study to investigate the association between opioids and pneumonia in this population. The results were published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. |
 | Race could be a determinant in physician-patient interactions and pain treatment in cancer, study findsA 62-year-old with stage IV lung cancer that has spread to his bones, causing unspeakable pain, is trying to convince his physician to prescribe pain medicine. What happens next? |
 | Experience matters when it comes to pilot controlFear of flying might seem an odd impetus for a scholarly study, but it was just the push Psychology Ph.D. candidate Hiten Dave needed. |
 | How a common viral infection can lead to autoimmunityResearchers in Dr. Leona Gilbert's research group at the University of Jyväskylä have proposed a novel mechanism for how a common viral infection could lead to an autoimmune disease. Dr. Gilbert's team demonstrated for the first time how viral components triggered cellular and ultimately tissue damage in mice, thus, providing an answer to a missing link between an infection and autoimmunity. The research article was published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases in May. |
 | You survived a heart attack. Now what about the depression?Heart attack patients with prolonged depression or anxiety are at a higher risk of death. That's the finding of research published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). |
 | Opioids are not sleep aids, and can actually worsen sleep, research findsEvidence that taking opioids will help people with chronic pain to sleep better is limited and of poor quality, according to an interdisciplinary team of psychologists and medics from the University of Warwick in partnership with Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland. |
 | Studying implications of policy and law for treatment of substance use disordersPeople who suffer from substance use disorder need effective treatments, however, 90 percent of those who need treatment do not receive it. One Penn State professor and his team are looking into the legal and financial barriers to treatment and how the law can be used to break down or build pathways through those barriers. |
 | In the long run, funny women satisfy men moreYes, women expect men who are courting them to make them laugh. But a woman who can make her partner laugh is equally, if not more, important to the guy's long-term happiness in the relationship. |
 | Physical inactivity risky for children and pre-teensCardio-respiratory capacity in children has dropped by 25 percent in 20 years, according to a study by the University of Adelaide in Australia. There are multiple reasons for this, from the social environment and the decreasing number of play areas to a more academic approach towards teaching physical education and the spread of new technologies. But at what age do children lose the desire to exercise? Researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, followed 1,200 Geneva pupils, aged eight to 12, for two years. The team found out that from the age of 9, the positive reasons for exercising—it's fun and good for your health—begin to be replaced by more displaced incentives: to get a good mark or improve your image with others. These results, which are published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise, call for a more detailed analysis of how PE is taught in schools to counter physical inactivity leading to a sedentary lifestyle from an early age. |
 | A prescription for exerciseRichard Carpenter, 75, was going through the mail one day last year when he saw a postcard from UCI seeking participants for a study on whether exercise can help with age-related memory loss. |
 | No increased risk of birth defects in children of fathers treated for testicular cancerNew research has found no increased risk of congenital malformations associated with treatment with radiotherapy or chemotherapy in children of fathers with testicular cancer. The study, by Yahia Al-Jebari of Lund University, Sweden and colleagues, is published in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine on June 4, 2019. It followed 4,207 children of 2,380 fathers and finds that those conceived after treatment were not at a greater risk of congenital malformations than those conceived before. |
 | AI gives reliable coma outcome predictionAfter cardiac arrest and resuscitation, some patients will still be in a coma and treated at an intensive care unit. Their prospects are uncertain. Clinicians seek a reliable method to predict their outcomes. Researchers of the University of Twente and the Medisch Spectrum Twente hospital have developed a learning network that is capable of interpreting EEG patterns. Artificial intelligence (AI) can give a reliable outcome prediction, providing a valuable extra source of information for decision-making. The researchers present their approach in Critical Care Medicine. |
 | Most people don't know how to get out of a sinking vehicleHow to get out of a submerging vehicle isn't common knowledge according to a recent report in Injury Epidemiology. |
 | Lowering the risk of heart disease after pre-eclampsia in pregnancyPre-eclampsia is a serious condition triggered by pregnancy that starts with an increase in blood pressure and the detection of protein in the woman's urine. |
 | App to improve communication for aphasia diagnosis, treatmentAn app being developed by Media School assistant professor John Velez and a team from Texas Tech University will help people with a communication impairment better understand their diagnosis and the treatment needed. |
 | Researchers find gene reduces benefit of exercise in preventing Alzheimer'sIn the first study of its kind, neuroscience researchers at Rutgers University–Newark's Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience (CMBN) have found that an important genetic variation associated with Alzheimer's disease regulates the ability of physical fitness to help ward off the condition in African Americans, who are twice as likely to suffer from the disease as white Americans. The results of this Externalnew study, funded by a five-year grant to Professor Mark A. Gluck from the National Institute of Health's National Institute on Aging (NIA), was recently published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. |
 | Research improves understanding of dementia in former football and rugby playersResults of the largest study to date of the pathology of dementia in former footballers and rugby players have been revealed. |
 | Most older adults would have to liquidate assets for home care(HealthDay)—The oldest and sickest Americans are least likely to be able to afford home care, according to a study published online June 3 in Health Affairs. |
Study shows distinct appearance bias among reviewers for radiology residenciesReviewers selecting candidates for residencies in medical school radiology programs discriminated against applicants who were obese or facially unattractive, according to a study from Duke Health researchers. | |
 | Researchers develop world's first pocket guide for youth soccer coaches to prevent, treat asthma attacksUniversity of Alberta researchers and Edmonton's youth soccer association are teaming up to keep kids with asthma safe while they play. |
 | Vulnerability to Ebola and Lassa fever can now be properly assessedIdentifying vulnerabilities to outbreaks of Ebola and Lassa fever is possible following new research from the University of Surrey and University of Cambridge. This will aid government agencies and health organisations in evaluating a country's vulnerability to outbreaks, and inform decisions on strategic investments and plans. |
 | Cheaper versions of the most expensive drugs may be coming, but monopolies will likely remainIn May, the Food and Drug Administration issued much-anticipated guidance that could revolutionize the pricing of some of the most expensive drugs on the market in the U.S. and, possibly, globally. |
 | Killing the unkillable cancer cellsCountless people are affected by the battle against cancer. Modern treatments can be quite efficient at shrinking the tumor, but too often, they can't kill all the cells, and the cancer may return. With some aggressive types of cancer, the problem is so great that there is very little that can be done for the patients. |
Researchers study surveillance MRI in breast cancer survivorsThe addition of breast MRI to mammography in screening breast cancer survivors for new cancers results in higher cancer detection rates, but also more biopsies that are benign, according to a large study published in the journal Radiology. | |
 | A 5-minute recipe for stress relief(HealthDay)—Whether it comes from demands at home, a slow commute or monthly bills, it's hard to escape stress. Beyond affecting your mood, it can play havoc with your health, from lost sleep and stress-eating to weight gain and heart disease. |
 | Peripherally inserted central catheters often used in CKD(HealthDay)—Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are frequently used in hospitalized patients with stage 3b or greater chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], |
 | Functional limitations persist one year after mild TBI(HealthDay)—Many patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) report persistent functional limitations one year after injury, according to a study published online June 3 in JAMA Neurology. |
 | Breakthrough as heart patches set for human trialsResearchers funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have shown that heart 'patches' grown in the lab are safe to move on to trials in people with hearts damaged after a heart attack, in research presented at the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) Conference in Manchester today. |
Postcode lottery for UK heart failure patientsThe UK is not consistently meeting recommended standards in heart failure care, according to a new survey presented at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference in Manchester today. | |
 | New test could lead to more accurate diagnosis of heart failureA new blood test for better diagnosis of heart failure at a far earlier stage will be proposed in research presented at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference in Manchester today. |
 | New device sheds light on mechanism, efficacy of arthritis treatmentThe debate over how one of the most popular osteoarthritis treatments should be federally regulated could change, thanks to a Cornell University study and a new device that provides a better understanding of the science behind hyaluronic acid (HA) injections. |
 | Vitamin D could help cancer patients live longerMichigan State University physicians have found that vitamin D, if taken for at least three years, could help cancer patients live longer. |
Many kids with pneumonia get unnecessary antibiotics, chest X-raysPreschool children with community-acquired pneumonia often receive unnecessary tests and treatment at outpatient clinics and emergency departments, according to a nationally representative study led by Todd Florin, MD, MSCE, from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. While most cases of community-acquired pneumonia in young children are caused by viruses, for which antibiotics provide no benefit, antibiotics were prescribed in nearly 74 percent of outpatient visits. Chest x-rays were obtained in 43 percent of visits, despite guidelines against routine use for young children with pneumonia in an outpatient setting. Findings were published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. | |
 | Sleepless nights linked to high blood pressureA bad night's sleep may result in a spike in blood pressure that night and the following day, according to new research led by the University of Arizona. |
 | How chronic inflammation may drive down dopamine and motivationGrowing evidence shows that the brain's dopamine system, which drives motivation, is directly affected by chronic, low-grade inflammation. A new paper proposes that this connection between dopamine, effort and the inflammatory response is an adaptive mechanism to help the body conserve energy. |
 | Best practices of nucleic acid amplification tests for the diagnosis of clostridioides (clostridium)A new review looks at the challenges of testing for Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection (CDI) and recommendations for newer diagnostic tests. Accurate diagnosis of CDI is critical for effective patient management and implementation of infection control measures to prevent transmission. The research is published this week in the Clinical Microbiology Reviews. |
 | Deaths from falls among older Americans are on the riseNew research shows fatal falls have nearly tripled in older Americans in recent years, rising to more than 25,000 deaths yearly. |
 | Common supplement ingredient could harm fetus, FDA warns(HealthDay)—Vinpocetine, a compound found in many dietary supplements, may pose a risk to women of childbearing age, U.S. health officials warn. |
 | Researchers and doctor collaborate on ovarian cancer screening toolA team of researchers from Clemson University and Prisma Health-Upstate are working to create a screening process to catch ovarian cancer in the early or pre-cancerous stages. |
 | For LGBTQ patients, discrimination can become barrier to medical careIn recent years, medical experts have been awakening to the specialized needs of LGBTQ people. But one of the most significant barriers to their care can sometimes be right in their doctor's office. |
 | Policy changes proposed to meet projected need for palliative care(HealthDay)—Policies to support team-based palliative care are urgently needed to meet the growing demand for specialty palliative care, according to a study published in the June issue of Health Affairs. |
 | Costs, complications up for minorities in cleft palate repair(HealthDay)—Racial-minority populations incur higher costs and experience higher rates of complications in cleft palate repair, according to a study published in the June issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. |
 | AI model based on deep learning detects ACL tears on knee MRI(HealthDay)—An artifical intelligence system based on deep learning is feasible for detecting full-thickness anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears within the knee joint on magnetic resonance (MR) images, according to a study published online May 8 in Radiology: Artificial Intelligence. |
 | Allo-HCT with unrelated donor tied to better outcomes in AML(HealthDay)—Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) with an unrelated donor (UD) results in better transplantation outcomes than cord blood transplantation (CBT) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with active disease, according to a study recently published in the Blood Cancer Journal. |
 | Zerbaxa approved for hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia(HealthDay)—Zerbaxa (ceftolozane and tazobactam) has been approved for a new indication to treat hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP) in patients aged 18 years and older, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced yesterday. |
 | Nonsuicidal self-injury rate up in sexual-minority youth(HealthDay)—The prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI; i.e., intentional self-harm without wanting to die) is higher among sexual-minority youth than heterosexual youth, according to a research letter published online June 3 in JAMA Pediatrics. |
 | Female cannabis users underrepresented in health research, study revealsResearch at the University of York has shown that women are underrepresented in research into links between cannabis and psychosis, which could limit understanding of the impact of the drug. |
A wake-up call on data-collecting smart beds and sleep appsYour bed could be watching you. | |
 | Young male adults have lower cancer burden than women(HealthDay)—For young adults, there have been some notable findings for overall cancer incidence rates and death rates, according to a study published online May 30 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. |
 | Would you eat genetically modified food if you understood the science behind it?Jonathon McPhetres, a newly minted Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Rochester, admits he's "personally amazed" what we can do with genes, specifically genetically modified food—such as saving papayas from extinction. |
 | At stores and online, health care moves closer to customersHealth care is moving closer to patients. |
Labels of US probiotic products lacking, researchers findWhen it comes to buying probiotics, many product labels do not give consumers enough information to make an informed decision, according to a research team led by Georgetown University Medical Center. | |
 | Researchers first to develop comprehensive models of 'seeds and soil' as a means to combat breast cancer metastasisScientists at VCU Massey Cancer Center have identified key biological pathways that regulate the spread of tumor cells to vital organs. These findings may have a significant influence on the development of new therapies that slow or prevent breast cancer metastasis. |
Lymphoma trial finds combination targeted therapy effective prior to chemotherapyResults of a Phase II clinical trial conducted at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center revealed that combination targeted therapy, consisting of rituximab, lenalidomide and ibrutinib (RLI), had an 84.6 percent overall response rate (ORR) and 38.5 percent complete response rate (CRR) when given prior to any chemotherapy for newly diagnosed patients with a specific type of diffuse large b-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). | |
 | Do images of food on kids' clothes influence eating behavior?Frosted cupcakes, sprinkled donuts and chocolate chip cookies—all on the list of foods that pediatrician Megan Pesch suddenly found difficult to avoid. |
 | Home exercise program reduces rate of falling in at-risk seniorsAn in-home exercise program reduced subsequent falls in high-risk seniors by 36 per cent, according the results of a 12-month clinical trial published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. |
 | Falls a 'major epidemic' for older AmericansFrom late-night tumbles on the way to the bathroom to accidents outdoors, more and more elderly Americans are dying after a fall, with the risk doubling since 2000, according to a study published Tuesday. |
 | San Francisco eyes forced treatment for mentally ill addictsSan Francisco supervisors were expected to consider a proposal Tuesday that could force drug addicts with serious mental illnesses into treatment. |
 | Anonymous essay says sometimes 'choice' is a lieAn anonymous essay published in Annals of Internal Medicine says that sometimes choice is just a lie. The author vividly describes caring for a pregnant woman who would be forced to carry a baby to term that would soon be born without a skull or brain. While the baby's condition was certainly fatal, state laws prohibited caregivers from ending the pregnancy. |
ACP issues ethical guidance for responding to physician impairmentThe American College of Physicians (ACP) has released a position paper published in Annals of Internal Medicine that examines the professional duties and principles that should guide the response of colleagues and the profession to physician impairment. | |
 | Young, pregnant urged to take blood tests for lead after Notre-Dame fireThe Paris health authorities have urged children and pregnant women living around Notre-Dame cathedral to have the levels of lead in their blood checked amid concerns over the impact of the fire. |
 | Ebola cases in DR Congo break 2,000 markDR Congo's health ministry said it had recorded more than 2,000 cases of Ebola, two-thirds of which had been fatal, since the disease broke out in the country's east 10 months ago. |
 | Genetic test for breast cancer helps women decide if preventive cancer treatment is right for themA new study by University of Manitoba, CancerCare Manitoba and Mayo Clinic researchers has found that when women at high risk are provided with the results of genetic testing, they are more likely to take preventive medications to reduce their chances of developing breast cancer. |
 | Sweet, healthier treats from your stand mixer(HealthDay)—Are you in the mood to mix up something sinful, but don't want to wreck your healthy eating plans? Use a stand mixer to do the heavy blending and whipping for three better-for-you treats. |
 | Glyphosate in tampons? No indication of residues of any health significanceJust like other feminine hygiene products, tampons consist mainly of cotton. As cotton is treated with plant protection products, pesticide residues cannot be completely excluded. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has no data on how high the percentage of tampons on the German market is which could possibly contain residues of glyphosate. |
 | More states sue opioid maker alleging deceptive marketingCalifornia, Hawaii, Maine and the District of Columbia filed lawsuits Monday against the maker of OxyContin and the company's former president, alleging the firm falsely promoted the drug by downplaying the risk of addiction while it emerged as one of the most widely abused opioids in the U.S. |
 | For Latinos with diabetes, new study looks at ways to improve medication adherenceLatino adults have higher diabetes rates than non-Latinos, yet research shows they are less likely to correctly follow medication instructions provided by their doctors. Furthermore, diabetes can set off a cascade of medical complications, requiring multiple medications that often create a challenging daily regimen. In a new study coming out of the Keck School of Medicine of USC, student researchers have identified several potential approaches for improving medication adherence among Latinos. |
Biology news
 | Researchers discover cells that change their identity during normal developmentA new study by researchers at the University of Virginia and other institutions has discovered a type of pigment cell in zebrafish that can transform after development into another cell type. |
 | Gene-edited chicken cells resist bird flu virus in the labScientists have used gene-editing techniques to stop the bird flu virus from spreading in chicken cells grown in the lab. |
 | Plant lineage points to different evolutionary playbook for temperate speciesAn ancient, cosmopolitan lineage of plants is shaking up scientists' understanding of how quickly species evolve in temperate ecosystems and why. |
 | Fear of 'killer shrimps' could pose major threat to European riversThe fear of invasive 'killer shrimps' can intimidate native organisms to such a degree that they are incapable of performing their vital role in river systems, a new study suggests. |
 | Gene mutation evolved to cope with modern high-sugar dietsThe gene variant became more common in humans after cooking and farming became widespread, and might now help people avoid diabetes, according to the findings published in eLife. |
 | New research explores the mechanics of how birds flockWildlife researchers have long tried to understand why birds fly in flocks and how different types of flocks work. A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill explores the mechanics and benefits of the underlying flock structure used by four types of shorebirds. Understanding more about how these birds flock moves researchers a step closer to understanding why they flock. |
 | Tolerance to stress is a 'trade-off' as fruit flies ageThe consequences of aging are damage and degeneration of cells, which leads to loss of function, vulnerability to disease, and eventually, death. A hallmark of the aging process is the progressive decline of the nervous system, including both motor and cognitive functions. To complicate matters, natural variation in aging populations makes it difficult to study the factors that contribute to behavioral decline. Because the human aging process is typically slow, elucidating aging biomarkers and predicting individual differences has proven to be very challenging. |
 | Salmon get a major athletic boost via a single enzymeSalmon species, known for undertaking arduous upstream migrations, appear to owe a good deal of their athletic ability to the presence of a single enzyme. |
 | Early lives of Alaska sockeye salmon accelerating with climate changeAn ample buffet of freshwater food, brought on by climate change, is altering the life history of one of the world's most important salmon species. |
 | Despite culls, import bans, swine fever to hit pork market for yearsMillions of pigs have been culled as African Swine Fever cuts through China and beyond, devastating global food chains, with pork prices expected to soar from the food markets of Hong Kong to American dinner tables. |
 | How genes interact to build tissues and organismsAlthough the knowledge we have about human cells and tissues has steadily increased over recent decades, many things remain unknown. For instance, cells exist in transient, dynamic states and understanding them is fundamental to decipher diseases and find cures. Classic techniques used in the lab to study cell types faced limitations and did not enable a finely detailed profile of cell function. |
 | Snapshots of the flu virus replication machine in actionResearchers from EMBL Grenoble have, for the first time, observed different functional states of the influenza virus polymerase as it is actively transcribing. These results, published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, provide valuable information for the next generation of anti-influenza drugs. |
 | Painstaking veterinary forensics to combat animal abuseMany people have seen dramatizations of forensics on shows likes Bones and CSI. Forensics is the application of scientific principles and methods to criminal investigations at crimes scenes and in labs. |
 | Ancient human polymorphisms linked to modern-day health concerns for Native AmericansScientists report that ancient variations in the proteins that metabolize omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in humans may have consequences for the health of modern-day Native American communities. |
 | New genes out of nothingOne key question in evolutionary biology is how novel genes arise and develop. Swedish researchers now show how new genes and functions that are advantageous to bacteria can be selected from random DNA sequences. The results are presented in the scientific journal mBio. |
 | Using population genetics, scientists confirm origins of root rot in Michigan ornamentalsFloriculture, the growing of flowering and ornamental plants for gardens and floristry, is an economically important industry in Michigan, which ranks third in the United States for the wholesale value of floriculture products. The health of these crops is threatened by many diseases, including Pythium ultimum, a water mold that infects the roots of popular plants including poinsettia and geranium. The mold results in plant stunting, reduced plant quality, and root and crown rot. Despite educated efforts to improve control of this pathogen, root rot occurs annually for many growers. |
 | A combination of insecticides and mites weakens honeybeesToday, scientists at the Institute of Bee Health of the University of Bern and the honeybee research association COLOSS have published an article in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Reports that shows a synergistic time-lag interaction between the parasitic mite Varroa destructor and neonicotinoid insecticides reducing survival of winter honeybees, Apis mellifera. This article emphasizes the need to develop sustainable agricultural and apicultural schemes. |
 | 'Citizen scientists' help track foxes, coyotes in urban areasAs foxes and coyotes adapt to urban landscapes, the potential for encounters with humans necessarily goes up. A team of scientists is taking advantage of this fact to enlist the eyeballs and fingertips of humans—getting them to report online what they see in their own neighborhoods and parks. |
 | Frogs find refuge in elephant tracksFrogs need elephants. That's what a new WCS-led study says that looked at the role of water-filled elephant tracks in providing predator-free breeding grounds and pathways connecting frog populations. |
 | Ant reactions to habitat disruptions inform a result of evolutionA Concordia biology professor is calling on ant experts to develop a set of common principles that influence the way the insects respond when their habitat undergoes severe disruption. |
 | Marine life is disappearing, imperiling San Diego's futureJust as scientists are starting to understand the life forms and landscape of the ocean, they are also coming to grips with the threat of mass extinctions, speakers said at a marine biodiversity forum last week. |
 | Feds declare emergency as gray whale deaths reach highest level in nearly 20 yearsAlarmed by the high number of gray whales that have been washing up dead on West Coast beaches this spring, the federal government on Friday declared the troubling trend a wildlife emergency. |
 | Sea turtles start nesting season with 'unheard-of' numbers on one NC island, town saysEach day from May through August, volunteers walk and survey the 26 miles of coastline on North Carolina's Topsail Island looking for the tell-tale tracks of sea turtles coming onto the beach. |
 | Bad teeth revealed as biggest problem for pet greyhoundsDental disease is the most common health issue facing pet greyhounds, according to the largest ever study of greyhounds treated in first opinion veterinary clinics. The research, led by the Royal Veterinary College's (RVC) VetCompassTM programme in collaboration with the University of Bristol Vet School, reveals that 39 percent of greyhounds suffer from dental problems, which is a far higher percentage than for any other dog breed. |
 | New orca calf reported in southern resident J podA new calf has been born to J pod, Canadian whale-watch companies were reporting Friday. |
This email is a free service of Science X Network
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you do not wish to receive such emails in the future, please unsubscribe here.
You are subscribed as jmabs1@gmail.com. You may manage your subscription options from your Science X profile
No comments:
Post a Comment