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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for July 3, 2019:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Black hole brings down curtain on jellyfish galaxy's star turnThe role of an excited black hole in the death of an exotic 'jellyfish' galaxy will be presented today (3 July) by Callum Bellhouse of the University of Birmingham at the RAS National Astronomy Meeting in Lancaster. The supermassive black hole at the centre of jellyfish galaxy JO201 is stripping away gas and throwing it out into space, accelerating suppression of star formation and effectively 'killing' the galaxy. |
 | The highest-energy gamma rays discovered by the Tibet ASgamma experimentThe Tibet ASgamma experiment, a China-Japan joint research project, has discovered the highest energy cosmic gamma rays ever observed from an astrophysical source—in this case, the Crab Nebula. The experiment detected gamma rays ranging from > 100 Teraelectron volts (TeV) (Fig.1) to an estimated 450 TeV. Previously, the highest gamma-ray energy ever observed was 75 TeV by the HEGRA Cherenkov telescope. |
 | Detection of spike-like structures near the front of a shock-driven solar radio burstType II solar radio bursts are the result of energetic electrons accelerated by a shock. This kind of burst appears on dynamic spectra as lanes drifting slowly from higher to lower frequencies. Often, scientists observe a fundamental harmonic structure, which sometimes exhibits a division on each band called band split. |
 | Artificial gravity breaks free from science fictionArtificial gravity has long been the stuff of science fiction. Picture the wheel-shaped ships from films like 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Martian, imaginary craft that generate their own gravity by spinning around in space. |
 | Binary stars with unexplainable dimming patternA team of researchers from the U.S., Denmark and the U.K., working with a group at NASA's Ames Research Center, has found a binary star system that dims unpredictably. They have written a paper describing their findings and have posted it on the arXiv preprint server and also on Oxford's Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. |
 | X-rays spot spinning black holes across cosmic seaLike whirlpools in the ocean, spinning black holes in space create a swirling torrent around them. However, black holes do not create eddies of wind or water. Rather, they generate disks of gas and dust heated to hundreds of millions of degrees that glow in X-ray light. |
 | Details of UK-led solar science mission revealedNamed after a Celtic goddess of the Sun, SULIS is a UK-led solar science mission, designed to answer fundamental questions about the physics of solar storms. The mission consists of a cluster of small satellites and will carefully monitor solar storms using state-of-the-art UK technology, as well as demonstrating new technologies in space. Lead Investigator on the project, Dr. Eamon Scullion of Northumbria University, will reveal plans for the mission on Wednesday, 3 July at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting in Lancaster. |
 | Scientists scramble to build payload for 2021 moon landingScavenging spare parts and grabbing off-the-shelf hardware, University of California, Berkeley, space scientists are in a sprint to build scientific instruments that will land on the moon in a mere two years. |
 | Four surprising technological innovations that came out of the Apollo moon landingsNASA's Apollo programme was one of the most challenging technological achievements in the 20th century. Beyond the space race and exploration, it contributed to several inventions and innovations that are still having an impact on our lives. But at the same time, there are several myths regarding what technologies actually came out of it. |
 | SpaceX has lost contact with three of its Starlink satellitesOn May 23rd, 2019, SpaceX launched the first batch of its Starlink constellation, a fleet of satellites that will fulfill Elon Musk's promise to provide broadband satellite-internet access to the entire planet. The deployment of these 60 satellites was the first in a series of six planned launches that would see around 720 satellites orbiting at an operational altitude of 550 km (340 mi). |
 | 'Titans in a jar' could answer key questions ahead of NASA's space explorationResearchers from Southern Methodist University (SMU) could help determine if Saturn's icy moon—Titan—has ever been home to life long before NASA completes an exploratory visit to its surface by a drone helicopter. |
 | How scientists used NASA data to predict appearance of July 2 eclipseAs sunset drew near on July 2, 2019, thousands along a ribbon of land stretching across Chile and Argentina looked to the skies, waiting for the Moon's shadow to cast them into momentary darkness. They knew a total solar eclipse was coming, and counted down the seconds. |
 | Orange fireball lighting Florida sky was Chinese space junkConspiracy theorists took to social media in a flurry of excitement Wednesday after a mysterious flying object resembling an orange fireball streaked across the Florida sky. |
 | Image: Radio frequency model of Europe's future Meteosat Third Generation Imager (MTG-I) satelliteThis mesh-based model of Europe's future Meteosat Third Generation Imager (MTG-I) satellite has helped select the optimal location of the radio frequency antennas used to send it commands and downlink mission telemetry. |
Technology news
 | A new genetic algorithm for traffic control optimizationResearchers at the University of Technology Sydney and DATA61 have recently developed a new method for optimizing the timing of signals in urban environments under severe traffic conditions. Their approach, presented in a paper pre-published on arXiv, entails the use of genetic algorithms (GAs), a popular computer science technique for solving optimization problems. |
 | Experiments show dramatic increase in solar cell outputIn any conventional silicon-based solar cell, there is an absolute limit on overall efficiency, based partly on the fact that each photon of light can only knock loose a single electron, even if that photon carried twice the energy needed to do so. But now, researchers have demonstrated a method for getting high-energy photons striking silicon to kick out two electrons instead of one, opening the door for a new kind of solar cell with greater efficiency than was thought possible. |
 | With little training, machine-learning algorithms can uncover hidden scientific knowledgeSure, computers can be used to play grandmaster-level chess (chess_computer), but can they make scientific discoveries? Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have shown that an algorithm with no training in materials science can scan the text of millions of papers and uncover new scientific knowledge. |
 | A tiny soft robot that mimics jellyfishA team of researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems has developed a soft robot that effectively mimics a tiny jellyfish. In their paper published in the journal Nature Communications, the group describes the robot and its capabilities. |
 | AI-designed heat pumps consume less energyIn Switzerland, 50 to 60 percent of new homes are equipped with heat pumps. These systems draw in thermal energy from the surrounding environment—such as from the ground, air, or a nearby lake or river—and turn it into heat for buildings. |
 | A new, more user-friendly language for programming supercomputersDecades ago, computers were costly, complex and rare. |
 | Robot uses photonic sensors to pick strawberries in gee-whiz numbersRobots engineered for picking delicate, soft fruits have not made out very well, for several reasons. Tricky business. Squashed fruit was one drawback and the other was the machine not being smart enough to discern which berry was ripe and which was rotten. |
 | Tesla's car deliveries rebound, but challenges still aboundTesla delivered more electric cars in the second quarter than any three-month period in its history, alleviating concerns that demand is waning for its stylish vehicles as tax incentives in its main U.S. market begin to phase out. |
 | Automated forklifts elevate firms' profit hopesA forklift winds its way through the cavernous warehouse in search of a pallet, which it then ferries to a truck, crossing along its way other forklifts and then the driver ... oh wait, there is no driver. |
 | Samsung could end up in French court over ethics pledges: NGOsSamsung Electronics could find itself in the dock in France for not abiding by its own ethics pledges, such as a ban on under-age labour and dangerous working conditions at its factories, two NGOs said on Wednesday. |
 | Picturing access to energy for all in sub-Saharan AfricaThe U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all populations by 2030. Access to electricity services is, of course, a key priority under this goal, particularly due to the strong interconnections it has with other development objectives. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region with the largest electricity access deficit in the world, with a projected nine out of 10 people living without electricity in 2030, despite progress. Planning for expanding electricity infrastructure and prioritizing financial support in sub-Saharan Africa requires up-to-date information on the status of electricity access and use at sub-national scales. Official statistics for tracking and monitoring developmental indicators, however, usually only tell a very limited story, and care is needed to interpret them. Achieving this ambitious goal globally therefore presents significant challenges. |
 | How big data can help you choose better health insuranceThere are plenty of easy consumer choices. Paper clips: easy. Dish sponges: easy. Those products sit at one end of the spectrum. At the other end, impossibly distant, is health insurance. |
 | Code in Chinese surveillance app analysedComputer security researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB), in collaboration with the association of investigative journalists from NDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), have analysed the Chinese surveillance app that travellers must install on their phones when crossing the border from Kyrgyzstan to China. The researchers report that the app scans the phone for approximately 73,000 specific files. Moreover, it compiles a report for border officials, including, for example, the most recent phone activities, contacts, SMS and social media accounts. The researchers have published their findings online. In the media, the investigation results were reported on 2 July 2019. |
 | Smartphone network helps uncover hundreds of anti-cancer molecules in foodA crowdsourcing project which uses thousands of idling smartphones has helped to uncover anti-cancer properties of everyday foods and medicines. |
 | Brain Corp., maker of robot janitors for Walmart, moving into European marketBrain Corp., which recently nearly tripled its orders from Walmart for self-driving, floor-scrubbing robots, is now making its first foray into Europe by opening a satellite office in the Netherlands. |
 | Cool new wearable devices can do miracles for your healthFrom a small light-up pad that makes your bruise fade faster to a strip of gel that minimizes scars, new innovations to improve your health needs are on their way. |
 | Outage hits Facebook services worldwideFacebook acknowledged Wednesday an outage affecting users in various parts of the world and said it was working on a fix. |
 | US auto industry legend Lee Iacocca dies age 94Automobile industry legend Lee Iaococca, who is credited with creating the iconic Ford Mustang and saving Chrysler from bankruptcy, died Tuesday at the age of 94, US media reported. |
 | Germany is EU's Eldorado for cash machine raiders"Search for black Audi after attempt to blow up a cash machine", "Neighbours hear loud bang, perpetrators flee in Audi", "Car chase through three federal states": headlines like these have become commonplace around Germany as raids on cash machines have increased in number. |
 | Total starts production at French biofuel refineryTotal on Wednesday said it had begun producing biofuel at a refinery in southern France, a project that has sparked an outcry from environmentalists and farmers over its plans to import palm oil. |
 | Edmunds weighs pros and cons of in-car personal assistantsIn the near future, get ready to do a lot more talking to your car. Smartphone personal assistants, such as Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa and Google's Assistant, can be used for a variety of tasks. And thanks to greater availability of the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration systems—just about every new vehicle you shop for in 2019 will offer them—these features can be used in your vehicle for voice commands and personal assistant tasks. |
 | Clickety clack, let's look back: Typewriters returnFor most of us, the clickety clack of a manual typewriter—or the gentler tapping of the IBM Selectric—are but memories, if we've heard them at all. |
 | US media sector braces for brutal year for jobsThe struggling US media industry is facing its worst year for job layoffs in a decade as news organizations continue to cut staff and close shop, according to a new survey. |
 | The energy system of the future and Power-to-XIn a joint research project of five Swiss competence centres for energy research, scientists of the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and colleagues have prepared a white paper on "Power-to-X" for consideration by the Swiss Federal Energy Research Commission (CORE). The goal of the white paper is to gather together the most important insights available on Power-to-X technologies. Among other things, the study sheds light on contributions that could be made to Switzerland's energy strategy by different technologies based on conversion and storage of various forms of energy. The experts are presenting the findings of this study on July 8th at ETH Zurich. |
 | Embattled Boeing to give $100 mn to 737 MAX crash victims' familiesBoeing, under scrutiny after two crashes that claimed 346 lives, announced Wednesday it would give $100 million to communities and families affected by the 737 MAX disasters. |
 | Uber Eats bows to fans and removes green from Marseille shirt logoUber Eats has changed the colour of the logo that will appear on Marseille shirts next season to placate the club's fans. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Study reveals a short bout of exercise enhances brain functionMost people know that regular exercise is good for your health. New research shows it may make you smarter, too. |
 | Determined DNA hunt reveals schizophrenia clueAn 18-year study using the DNA of thousands of people in India has identified a new clue in the quest for causes of schizophrenia, and for potential treatments. |
 | Optimized gene-editing tool prevents hearing loss in mice with hereditary deafness without detectable off-target effectsScientists at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital have used a novel gene-editing approach to salvage the hearing of mice with genetic hearing loss and succeeded in doing so without any apparent off-target effects as a result of the treatment. |
 | How aerobic exercise and resistance training preserves muscle mass in obese older adultsAs obesity increases in aging Western populations, frailty—which is exacerbated by obesity—is becoming a greater health concern and a major healthcare cost. Now, researchers report July 3 in the journal Cell Metabolism that combining aerobic exercise and resistance training helps elderly obese individuals preserve muscle mass and reverse frailty as they work to lose weight. Based on a small clinical trial, the study showed that patients who completed these exercises had increased muscle protein synthesis and preserved muscle quality compared to control groups. |
 | Bacteria engineered as Trojan horse for cancer immunotherapyThe emerging field of synthetic biology—designing new biological components and systems—is revolutionizing medicine. Through the genetic programming of living cells, researchers are creating engineered systems that intelligently sense and respond to diverse environments, leading to more specific and effective solutions in comparison to current molecular-based therapeutics. |
 | Researchers uncover protective factor in diabetic eye diseaseResearchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have shown that a protein found in the eye can protect against and potentially treat diabetic eye disease. At high enough levels, Retinol Binding Protein 3 (or RBP3) prevents the development of diabetic retinopathy. If introduced early enough in the development of the disease, RBP3 was shown to reverse the effects of the complication in rodent models of diabetes. These results are reported today in Science Translational Medicine. |
 | Immune-boosting compound makes immunotherapy effective against pancreatic cancerPancreatic cancer is especially challenging to treat—only eight percent of patients are still alive five years after diagnosis. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are of limited benefit, and even immunotherapy—which revolutionized treatment for other kinds of cancer by activating the body's immune system to attack cancer cells—has been largely ineffective because pancreatic tumors have ways to dampen the immune assault. |
 | Immune cells invade aging brains, disrupt new nerve cell formationA study by Stanford University School of Medicine investigators has revealed that immune cells infiltrate the rare newborn nerve-cell nurseries of the aging brain. There's every reason to think those interlopers are up to no good. Experiments in a dish and in living animals indicate they're secreting a substance that chokes off new nerve cell production. |
 | Ovarian and breast cancer research finds new ways BRCA1 gene functionsResearch led by the University of Birmingham has found important new ways that the BRCA1 gene functions which could help develop our understanding of the development of ovarian and breast cancers. |
 | Abnormal binding of proteins impedes creation of crystalline enamel structure, which can lead to bad teethScientists have shown how a tiny flaw in a protein results in damaged enamel that is prone to decay, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. |
 | Pain signaling in humans more rapid than previously knownPain signals can travel as fast as touch signals, according to a new study from researchers at Linköping University in Sweden, Liverpool John Moores University in the U.K., and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the U.S. The discovery of a rapid pain signaling system challenges our current understanding of pain. The study is published in the scientific journal Science Advances. |
 | New modeling technique discovers surprising 'liquid-crystal' organization of liver tissueThe currently used simplified model of mammalian liver tissue can only show in a limited way how liver tissue is structured and formed. Almost 70 years later, researchers at the Max Planck Institutes of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics as well as for the Physics of Complex Systems together with the TU Dresden took advantage of novel microscopy developments, computer-aided image analysis, and 3-D tissue reconstruction and created a new realistic 3-D model of liver organization. Remarkably, they discovered that the liver features an organized structure, similar to liquid crystals. |
 | In new study, researchers controlled behavior in a mouse's brain with single-cell precisionFor the first time, a team of neuroscientists from Columbia University have controlled a visual behavior of a mouse by activating a few neurons in its visual cortex. |
 | Protein-linked sugars are crucial for the uptake of proteins linked to Parkinson's diseaseParkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 6 million people worldwide, is caused by the buildup of alpha-synuclein proteins in the brain. The biological function of alpha-synuclein is still not well understood, but because of its role in neurodegenerative diseases, researchers are actively studying this protein to understand the mechanisms of the disease and to look for new treatment strategies. |
 | Few US higher education campuses have gone completely smoke and/or tobacco-freeJust one in six accredited US colleges and universities have gone completely smoke and/or tobacco free, reveals the first study of its kind, published in the journal Tobacco Control. |
 | Obese people outnumber smokers two to oneNew figures from Cancer Research UK show that people who are obese now outnumber people who smoke two to one in the UK, and excess weight causes more cases of certain cancers than smoking, as the charity urges Government action to tackle obesity. |
How to sell labriculture: Less lab, more cultureIn the near future, we will be able to mass-produce meat directly from animal cells. | |
 | New study showing drug prolongs life for patients with ovarian cancerWomen with ovarian cancer who have undergone four or more rounds of chemotherapy typically haven't had much hope that another treatment option will lengthen their lives in a meaningful way. However, a new research study shows tremendous promise for a drug called niraparib to extend life when all options have been exhausted. |
 | Using machine learning models to better predict bladder cancer stagesThe invasive and expensive diagnosis process of bladder cancer, which is one of the most common and aggressive cancers in the United States, may be soon helped by a novel non-invasive diagnostic method thanks to advances in machine learning research at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), Moores Cancer Center, and CureMatch Incorporated. |
 | Scientists link genetics to risk of high blood pressure among blacksVariants in the gene ARMC5 may be associated with high blood pressure among blacks, according to a National Institutes of Health study led by researchers at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The study team identified 17 variants in the ARMC5 gene that were associated with high blood pressure by analyzing genetic research databases that include those of African descent. The study is published in the July 3, 2019, issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association. |
 | The costs of cancer in 2015: 8.7 million years of life and $94 billion in lost earningsCancer took more than 8.7 million years of life and $94.4 billion in lost earnings among people ages 16 to 84 in the United States in 2015. The calculation comes from a new report by American Cancer Society researchers that appears early online in JAMA Oncology. |
 | After concussion, biomarkers in the blood may help predict recovery timeA study of high school and college football players suggests that biomarkers in the blood may have potential use in identifying which players are more likely to need a longer recovery time after concussion, according to a study published in the July 3, 2019, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. |
 | CFTR inhibition: The key to treating bile acid diarrhea?Estimates are that roughly 1 percent of people in Western countries may have bile acid diarrhea, including patients with Crohn's disease, ileal resection, diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), and chronic functional diarrhea. Current management for bile acid diarrhea has demonstrated limited efficacy, with some therapies producing significant side effects. A recent study published in The FASEB Journal explored the efficacy of CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) inhibition to reduce excessive secretion in the colon due to bile acids. |
 | During first year of university, poor diet and weight gain greater in male studentsIn students' first year of university, poor diet is linked to unhealthy weight gain with males affected more than females. The research publishing July 3 in the open access journal PLOS ONE by Kayleigh Beaudry and colleagues at Brock University, Canada also suggests that sex-specific strategies and interventions could improve dietary habits during the move to university. |
 | Substantial increase in body weight since 1960s due to interplay between genes and environmentPeople with a genetic predisposition to obesity are not only at greater risk of excess weight, their genes interact with an increasingly "obesogenic" environment, resulting in higher body mass index (BMI) in recent decades, finds a study from Norway published by The BMJ today. |
 | Neurosciences unlock the secret of the first abstract engravingsLong before Lascaux paintings, humans engraved abstract motifs on stones, shells or egg shells. the earliest are 540,000 years old. For the archaeologists who discovered these objects, the question is whether they are the result of unpurposeful behaviour—the simple desire of imitating nature—or endowed with meaning. |
 | How might Medicare for All reshape health care in the U.S.?A recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll indicates that support for a single-payer health system is increasing among American consumers, but many people are confused about how a program like "Medicare for All" would actually affect them. University of Illinois professor emeritus of community health Thomas W. O"Rourke, an expert on health policy analysis, spoke with News Bureau research editor Sharita Forrest. |
 | Moral science confirms people behave better when they think they're being watchedIf there exists one moral code that can be shared and agreed by almost all cultures and religions, then it must be the concept of "never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself." This has come to be known as "the golden rule". |
 | Resilient people have lessons to offer, and researchers are listeningWhat is resilience? And why can trauma and stress leave one person reeling, while someone else may coast through the same troubles with just a shrug and a smile? |
 | Infants 10 to 16 months old prefer those who yield in conflicts, study findsSocial status matters, even to infants between 10 and 16 months old, according to a new study by two University of California, Irvine cognitive scientists. Published online in Current Biology, the research found that in staged confrontations between two puppets, babies preferred the one who deferred. |
 | A simple text could make the difference between life and deathA Ph.D. researcher from the University of South Australia is testing whether smartphone text messages can encourage cancer patients to take their oral medication and improve their chances of survival. |
 | Validating medical information on social mediaMedical information and healthcare advice abound on the internet, both genuine, science-based information as well as spurious and fake. Research published in the International Journal of Web Engineering and Technology, looks to using a crowd-sourcing approach to the validation of medication information on one particular niche of the internet – the well-known microblogging platform known as Twitter. |
 | Researchers ID cause and potential treatment for deadly inherited arrhythmiaLeading a global network of 28 healthcare institutes, researchers at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Wexner Medical Center and Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute have discovered key genetic and molecular connections that explain the beginning of an inherited, life-threatening form of heart disease and point toward a way to treat it. Their research just published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation. |
 | Work capability assessments: Making them more consistentOn behalf of social security institutions, psychiatrists assess to what extent people with mental health problems are still able to work. However, the work capability assessments tend to be far too dissimilar. A new training course, conducted within the scope of an SNSF-funded study, has helped to reduce the differences. |
 | Safe practices around fireworksFrom Memorial Day through Labor Day, summer celebrations offer plenty of excuses to light up the night sky. From fireworks at wedding receptions and Independence Day celebrations to graduation bonfires and simple sparklers at weekend cookouts, Americans love playing with fire. |
 | Zambian teens can't talk about sex or contraception, even with their friendsBecoming pregnant constitutes a threat to young girls' health. That's because they have a higher risk of maternal complications than adult women. |
 | When it's easier to get meds than therapy: How poverty makes it hard to escape mental illnessThe poorer people are, the higher their chances of contending with domestic violence, crime, social conflict, homelessness and unemployment. |
 | In defense of 'ultra-processed' foodsUltra-processed foods, a label coined in research by a Brazilian pediatrician, have been targeted as a menace to society for quite some time, mostly by environmental advocates and health professionals. |
 | How to think yourself into a fit personMany of us, aware of the benefits of exercise, try to stick to a routine, only to find our sneakers at the back of the closet when the weather doesn't co-operate, our routine is disrupted or we are short of time. |
 | Anti-vaccine movement a 'man-made' health crisis, scientists warnThe anti-vaccination movement is now a global crisis, an international panel of scientists say, and everyone must do more to combat it. |
 | Research shows smoking triples deaths from heart diseaseSmoking is killing at least 17 Australians a day from preventable heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular conditions, new research led by The Australian National University (ANU) has found. |
 | Seven ways restaurants can nudge people to eat more healthilyHere are the seven most effective "nudges" that restaurants and grocery stores can use to help tackle the obesity crisis while remaining in business and preserving our right as consumers to splurge if we want to. |
 | Adequate intake of milk and dairy products in different life stages helps prevent chronic diseasesAn adequate consumption of milk and dairy products at different life stages can help prevent various chronic diseases. For example, there is a positive link between moderate intake of milk during pregnancy and birth weight, length and bone mineral content during childhood. In addition, daily intake of milk and dairy products among elderly people may reduce the risk of frailty and sarcopenia. |
 | How to avoid information overloadBeing able to go online offers a wealth of knowledge, keeps you connected to loved ones and makes all sorts of transactions more convenient. But there's a downside. |
 | Vermont places 92 percent tax on E-cigarettesA 92 percent tax on electronic cigarettes took effect in Vermont on Monday as the state tries to reduce young people's use of the devices. |
 | Reacting against a 'too clean' world, some parents go too far the other waySomewhere between the mom who obsessively wipes down every knob and toy her child might touch, and the Dad who thinks rolling in the dirt is "good" for kids, there's a healthy medium, British experts say. |
 | Quorn protein builds muscle better than milk proteinA study from the University of Exeter has found that mycoprotein, the protein-rich food source that is unique to Quorn products, stimulates post-exercise muscle building to a greater extent than milk protein. |
 | Taking to the treadmill can ease period painA treadmill exercise regime can reduce period pain and improve long-term quality of life, according to a new study published in the journal Contemporary Clinical Trials. |
 | Blood pressure drug linked with increased risk of bowel conditionThis condition causes small bulges or pouches to appear in the lining of the intestine. Particularly affecting the elderly (as many as 65 per cent of over 85s may be affected), diverticulosis can in some cases can lead to a medical emergency if the pouches become infected or burst. |
 | Researchers find targeted treatment that reduces symptoms of psychosisTreatment for individuals who experience psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions as a result of a psychiatric illness, can be targeted to a specific structural mutation, according to a study published by researchers from McLean Hospital and other institutions in the journal Biological Psychiatry. |
 | First time human-on-a-chip predicts in vivo results based on in vitro modelHesperos Inc., pioneers of the "human-on-a-chip" in vitro system has announced the use of its innovative multi-organ model to successfully measure the concentration and metabolism of two known cardiotoxic small molecules over time, to accurately describe the drug behavior and toxic effects in vivo. The findings further support the potential of body-on-a-chip systems to transform the drug discovery process. |
 | Up to 30% of children carry a gene variant that may increase susceptibility to methylmercuryPrenatal exposure to low levels of methylmercury does not affect child cognition, but certain gene variants may increase susceptibility. These are the main conclusions of a study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), an institution supported by "la Caixa," in collaboration with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the University of Bristol. |
 | Pediatric cancers: Towards more targeted therapyIn Belgium, there are 70,000 new adult cases of cancer every year, compared to 350 in children. Owing to lack of interest from pharmaceutical groups, treatments for pediatric cancers are developing much less rapidly than those for adults. The chemotherapy recommended for most childhood cancers is just as toxic as it was 20 years ago. In addition, it has significant consequences for the child: infertility, deafness, and premature ageing. After chemotherapy sessions, the child suffers a loss of stem cells, which are crucial to the healing and regeneration of tissues. The cured child has an entire life to live, yet the capacity of his or her tissues to regenerate has diminished. |
 | Doctors shrugged off athlete's gasping, until one heart surgeon listenedBack in her office after the New Year's holiday, Cat Oyler, then 45, struggled to catch her breath. |
 | Tanezumab improves scores for pain, function in osteoarthritis(HealthDay)—For patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee or hip, tanezumab is associated with significant improvements in pain and physical function versus placebo, according to a study published in the July 2 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. |
 | Measles vaccine takes effect within weeks, also safeguards health of othersDear Mayo Clinic: How long does it take to become immune from measles once one has gotten the measles vaccine? And given the current outbreak, would it be beneficial for me to get a booster vaccine even though I was vaccinated against measles as a child? |
 | A common chemical in these household items linked to osteoporosis, study saysThere are a few household products we use everyday, but they could increase your osteoporosis risk, according to a new report. |
 | 'We know better than this': As Ebola outbreak rages, the world just watchesThe Ebola outbreak raging through Congo has sickened thousands of people and killed more than 1,500—and the number of new victims continues to climb. |
 | Hospitals address opioid crisis via stewardship with strong pharmacist involvementAs hospitals look for ways to stem the opioid crisis, a survey of health-system pharmacy directors released today found that most large health systems have active stewardship programs to prevent the misuse of opioids—with pharmacists playing a key role in detecting drug diversion and identifying strategies to encourage appropriate opioid prescribing. The findings are part of the National Survey of Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Settings, published in the AJHP, the journal of ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists). The survey also explores the expanding role of hospital and health-system pharmacists in drug therapy monitoring and providing care in outpatient clinics. |
 | New high blood pressure guidelines could increase detection of gestational hypertensionGestational hypertension—high blood pressure during pregnancy—can have persisting adverse effects on the health of mothers and their infants. In 2017, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) released clinical guidelines for hypertension in non-pregnant adults, which lowered the blood pressure threshold to diagnose hypertension, compared to previously established ones. However, the new ACC/AHA guidelines have not been adapted or applied to pregnant women. Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital and colleagues conducted the first-ever study to evaluate the impact these guidelines could have on detecting gestational hypertension. The results of the retrospective cohort study were published today in the journal Circulation Research. |
Exercise improves anxiety and mood in older adults undergoing chemotherapyAlthough we know that exercise improves anxiety and mood problems in younger people with cancer, few studies have looked at the effects of exercise on older adults with cancer. Since most new cancer cases occur in adults aged 60 or older, a team of researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center and other institutions designed a study to learn more. | |
 | Looks like guys are more prone to pack on the 'Freshman 15'(HealthDay)—When a high school senior becomes a university freshman, change is the name of the game. A new school. New friendships. Even new ways of eating. |
 | Are opioids being inappropriately prescribed to treat gout?Although there are effective treatments for gout, the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, a new Arthritis Care & Research study found that opioids are commonly prescribed to patients with gout who seek treatment at emergency departments. |
| Active sexual life may benefit men with early Parkinson's diseaseNew research published in the European Journal of Neurology indicates that an active sexual life is linked with lower disability and better quality of life in men with early Parkinson's disease. |
 | Does marital status affect prognosis after breast cancer diagnosis?In a Cancer Medicine study of 298,434 patients diagnosed with breast cancer between 2004 and 2012, married patients had a better prognosis than patients who were single, who in turn had a better prognosis than those who were divorced, separated, or widowed. |
 | Study provides insights into depression in people with inflammatory bowel diseaseDepression is common in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but the actual causes of depression in this group are unknown. In a Neurogastroenterology & Motility study, depression was linked with more severe IBD symptoms, and a less positive cognitive bias in emotional recognition (a reduced ability to recognize basic emotions in others) was involved in this association. |
 | Pre-eclampsia may carry long-term heart risks for womenPre-eclampsia is a potentially dangerous condition characterized by high blood pressure that arises in some pregnant women, but a review of published studies indicates that its effects on cardiovascular health can persist well after pregnancy. |
 | Timing of exercise may be key to successful weight lossIn a study of 375 adults who have successfully maintained weight loss and who engage in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity, most reported consistency in the time of day that they exercised, with early morning being the most common time. |
 | Depression is common and linked with early death in patients with blood cancersIn a Psycho-Oncology study of patients newly diagnosed with lymphoma or multiple myeloma, one-third of participants reported depressive symptoms around the time of diagnosis, and depressive symptoms were linked with shorter survival. Shorter survival was observed in both patients who remained depressed and patients who recovered from depressive symptoms. |
Respiratory symptoms predict life expectancy in older adultsNew research published in Respirology suggests that some respiratory symptoms may predict an earlier death in older adults. Also, such predictions differ by smoking status. | |
Medication linked to increased risk of inflammatory bowel diseaseMedications that target tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), a protein involved in inflammation, have revolutionized the management of certain autoimmune diseases, but paradoxically, these agents might provoke the development of other autoimmune conditions. | |
The global prevalence of erectile dysfunctionA review of published studies found that estimates for the global prevalence of erectile dysfunction vary widely, ranging from 3% to 76.5%. The findings are published in BJU International. | |
 | Diet quality may affect risk of frailty in older adultsPoorer overall diet quality was linked with an increased risk of becoming frail in a study of U.S. community-dwelling older adults, published in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society. The quality of the overall diet appeared to be more important than protein intake for a lower risk of frailty. |
 | HIV infection may increase heart failure and stroke riskA Journal of the American Heart Association analysis of information from a large health insurance database reveals that people living with HIV have an elevated risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly heart failure and stroke. The findings indicate that increased efforts to protect patients' cardiovascular health are needed. |
 | Adults with type 2 diabetes face high risk of dying from cancerCancer has overtaken cardiovascular disease as the most common cause of death in Scottish adults with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation. |
 | Flesh-eating bacteria claims life of Florida womanA Florida woman died late last week from flesh-eating bacteria two weeks after cutting her leg while walking along the coast. |
| Ebola case reported near S.Sudan border: health officialSouth Sudan has stepped up surveillance along its porous southern border after an Ebola case was detected just inside DR Congo, an health official in Juba told AFP Wednesday. |
 | Superbug virulence regulatory mechanism revealed: Paving the way for developing new antibioticsAs antibiotic resistance is growing and posing a threat to public health, developing new antibiotics has become more urgent than ever. Researchers at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) have recently revealed the virulence regulatory mechanism in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a superbug which is common in patients with a weak immune system and is resistant to many antibiotics. The findings pave the way for identifying good antibiotic targets for new drug development. |
 | A tasty way to get your omega-3s(HealthDay)—It's well known that omega-3 fatty acids, or omega-3s for short, are important anti-inflammatory nutrients that, along with many other functions, reduce heart disease risk. What's unclear is whether you can get these benefits from a capsule. Studies involving supplements have recently been called into question. |
Biology news
 | Molecular thumb drives: Researchers store digital images in metabolite moleculesDNA molecules are well known as carriers of huge amounts of biological information, and there is growing interest in using DNA in engineered data storage devices that can hold vastly more data than our current hard drives. But new research shows that DNA isn't the only game in town when it comes to molecular data storage. |
 | First complete wiring diagram of an animal's nervous systemIn a study published online today in Nature, researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine describe the first complete wiring diagram of the nervous system of an animal, the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, used by scientists worldwide as a model organism. The study includes adults of both sexes and reveals substantial differences between them. |
 | It's dog eat dog on the canine social ladderClimbing the social ladder is a ruff business for dogs, new research shows. |
 | It's not an antibody, it's a frankenbody: A new tool for live-cell imagingAntibodies are the biomolecules our immune systems deploy to find, tag and destroy invading pathogens. They work by binding to specific targets, called epitopes, on the surfaces of antigens—like locks to keys. |
 | Plants don't think, they grow: The case against plant consciousnessIf a tree falls, and no one's there to hear it, does it feel pain and loneliness? No, experts argue in an opinion article publishing on July 3rd in the journal Trends in Plant Science. They draw this conclusion from the research of Todd Feinberg and Jon Mallatt, which explores the evolution of consciousness through comparative studies of simple and complex animal brains. |
 | Neutral evolution shapes lifespan and agingDifferent African killifish species vary extensively in their lifespans—from just a few months to several years. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing in Cologne investigated how different lifespans have evolved in nature and discovered a fundamental mechanism by which detrimental mutations accumulate in the genome causing fish to age fast and become short-lived. In humans, mutations accumulate mainly in the genes that are active in old age. |
 | New study unravels protection mechanism in bacteriaScientists at the University of Birmingham have shed fresh light on the mechanism used by certain types of bacteria to protect themselves against attack. |
 | Super-resolution microscopy illuminates associations between chromosomesThanks to super-resolution microscopy, scientists have now been able to unambiguously identify physical associations between human chromosomes. The findings have brought to light a new understanding to a curious observation first made more than 50 years ago. |
 | Perfect timing: Making the 'switch' from juvenile to adultVery little is known about how the onset of puberty is controlled in humans, but the discovery of a new gene in the roundworm C. elegans could be the "missing link" that determines when it's time to make this juvenile-to-adult transition. Two genes, LIN28 and MKRN3, are known to be associated with precocious puberty in humans, where juveniles as young as six may start developing adult features. These genes are found in all animals, including C. elegans, in which they also control the juvenile-to-adult transition. Until the new discovery, it was unclear how these two genes are connected. |
 | From a lake high in Madagascar, Africa's own caviarMadagascar, renowned for its unique wildlife and vanilla production, has a new claim to fame—the island nation is Africa's first and only source of caviar. |
 | Every dog has its day, but it's not the Fourth of JulyThe Fourth of July can be a miserable day for dogs. The fireworks make scaredy-cats out of many canines. |
 | Lunar and solar eclipses make animals do strange thingsFor most animals, the structure of their day—and indeed their year—depends on the light-dark cycle. These regular and rhythmic cycles in the length of days tell animals when they should be foraging, when they should be asleep, when it's time to migrate and when it's time to breed. Animals can tell all this from how many hours of daylight they experience, but the moon's cycles also strongly influence their behavior. |
 | How anglers are changing the catchability of fishFor many outdoor enthusiasts, fishing borders on an obsession—the thrill of the chase may be just as rewarding as landing a big catch. |
 | Researchers selectively eliminate cells that express the oncogene RASThe RAS oncogene is activated in 30 percent of human cancers, and results in the proliferation and transformation of tumor cells. No effective inhibitor has been found for this protein to date. |
 | Old-growth forest may provide valuable biodiversity refuge in areas at risk of severe fireNew findings show that old-growth forests, a critical nesting habitat for threatened northern spotted owls, are less likely to experience high-severity fire than young-growth forests during wildfires. This suggests that old-growth forest could be leveraged to provide valuable fire refuges that support forest biodiversity and buffer the extreme effects of climate change on fire regimes in the Pacific Northwest. |
 | Two new species of parasitic wasps described from an altitude of over 3,400 m in TibetSpecimens kept in the collection of the Institute of Beneficial Insects at the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU, China) revealed the existence of two previously unknown species of endoparasitoid wasps. Originally collected in 2013, the insects are known to inhabit prairies and bushes at above 3,400 m, which is quite an unusual altitude for this group of wasps. |
Scientists sound alarm after 6 rare whale deaths in a monthA half-dozen North Atlantic right whales have died in the past month, leading scientists, government officials and conservationists to call for a swift response to protect the endangered species. | |
Judge to reassess $80 million award in Monsanto cancer caseA federal judge will reconsider a jury's $80 million damage award to a cancer victim who used Monsanto's Roundup weed-killer. | |
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