Dear Reader ,
Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for November 11, 2019:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Astronomers investigate a curious case of a supernova connected with gamma-ray burstUsing a set of space and ground-based telescopes, an international team of astronomers has conducted a detailed study of the supernova SN 2017htp associated with the gamma-ray burst GRB 171010A. Results of the study, presented in a paper published October 26 on arXiv.org, could shed more light on the nature of such phenomena. |
 | Small satellite to study resources needed for sustained lunar presenceAs we venture forward to the Moon and establish a sustained lunar presence, finding and understanding water on the lunar surface becomes increasingly important. Lunar water is largely in the form of, but not necessarily limited to, water ice. Astronauts on the Moon could use this ice for various crew needs, potentially including rocket fuel. The Lunar IceCube mission, led by Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky, will study water distribution and interaction on the Moon. The mission will carry a NASA instrument called Broadband InfraRed Compact High-Resolution Exploration Spectrometer (BIRCHES) to investigate the distribution of water and other organic volatiles. NASA scientists will use this data to understand where the water is on the Moon, its origins and how we can use it. |
 | Image: Hubble touts a team of starsWithin a galaxy hosting around 300 billion stars, here the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured a mere handful or two—just about enough to form a single football team. These stellar "teammates" play under the banner of NGC 1333, the cloud of gas and dust that formed them and that they continue to call home. |
 | SpaceX launches 60 more mini satellites for global internetSpaceX launched 60 mini satellites Monday, the second batch of an orbiting network meant to provide global internet coverage. |
 | Mini Mercury skips across sun's vast glare in rare transitMini Mercury skipped across the vast, glaring face of the sun Monday in a rare celestial transit. |
 | Luca to lead most challenging spacewalks since Hubble repairsThe date is set for ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano's first spacewalk of his Beyond mission. Friday 15 November marks the start of a series of complex spacewalks to service the cosmic-particle-hunting Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02). |
 | Near-Earth asteroid pairs offer clues to composition, dynamics and environmental conditions of early solar systemNear Earth Objects (NEOs) are small solar system bodies whose orbits sometimes bring them close to the Earth, making them potential collision threats. NEOs also offer clues to the composition, dynamics and environmental conditions of the early solar system and its evolution, and because they are relatively close to the Earth they lend themselves to astronomical measurements. Most NEOs are discovered in optical searches, but one crucial NEO parameter, its size, usually cannot be determined from optical detections alone. This is because an NEO's optical light is reflected sunlight, and an object can be bright either because it is large or because it has a high reflectivity. A CfA team has been using the IRAC infrared camera on Spitzer to measure NEO infrared emission signals which provide an independent measure of its size. |
 | How to see stars and tackle light pollution in your own backyardThe dark skies of the great outdoors help people to see the wonders of space, either with the naked eye or using telescopes. That's why observatories are usually placed in high altitudes or remote locations, where there's often outstanding natural beauty and little light pollution. |
 | Stingray-inspired spacecraft aims to explore dark side of VenusVenus is Earth's neighbor, yet scientists' understanding of the planet is relatively limited, especially on the so-called "dark side." |
Technology news
 | A deep learning technique to generate real-time lip sync for live 2-D animationLive 2-D animation is a fairly new and powerful form of communication that allows human performers to control cartoon characters in real time while interacting and improvising with other actors or members of an audience. Recent examples include Stephen Colbert interviewing cartoon guests on The Late Show, Homer answering live phone-in questions from viewers during a segment of The Simpsons, Archer talking to a live audience at ComicCon, and the stars of Disney's Star vs. The Forces of Evil and My Little Pony hosting live chat sessions with fans via YouTube or Facebook Live. |
 | New tool highlights what generative models leave out when reconstructing a sceneAnyone who has spent time on social media has probably noticed that GANs, or generative adversarial networks, have become remarkably good at drawing faces. They can predict what you'll look like when you're old and what you'd look like as a celebrity. But ask a GAN to draw scenes from the larger world and things get weird. |
 | Teachable Machine 2.0 expands machine learning experienceWhat, it's that easy to grasp machine learning basics? Good news from Google's Teachable Machine crew. Previously, the Teachable Machine provided lessons on how AI works but a new 2.0 puts you to work in making your machine learning model come to life in apps, websites and more. |
 | Cube-shaped magnetic building blocks for soft robotics applicationsETH scientists have developed cube-shaped magnetic building blocks that can be assembled into two-dimensional shapes and controlled by an external magnetic field. They can be used for soft robotics applications. |
 | Stress testing the healthcare systemScientists at the Complexity Science Hub Vienna (CSH) have developed a stress test to determine the resilience of regional health care in real time. They used a 1:1 computer model of the Austrian primary health care system in the form of patient flows in regional physician networks as a basis. The innovative model provides concrete answers to questions: How important is a certain doctor for the functioning of primary care in my region? How many and which doctors' retirements can the system absorb? At what point can primary health care no longer be guaranteed for everyone in a region? |
 | Large-scale integrated circuits produced in printing pressResearchers at Linköping University and RISE, Campus Norrköping, have shown for the first time that it is possible to print complete integrated circuits with more than 100 organic electrochemical transistors. The result has been published in Nature Communications. |
 | A patch that simultaneously measures six health-related biomarkers by analyzing sweatA team of researchers from Tsinghua University and Northwest University, both in China, has developed a patch that can be used to measure six health-related biomarkers by analyzing sweat. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the group describes their patch and how well it worked when tested. |
 | Scientists develop sensor to save children, pets left in vehiclesA small, inexpensive sensor could save lives by triggering an alarm when children or pets are left alone in vehicles. |
 | Chinese e-commerce giants report booming Singles Day salesChinese e-commerce giants Alibaba and JD.com reported a total of more than $50 billion in sales on Monday in the first half of Singles Day, an annual marketing event that is the world's busiest online shopping day. |
'New T-Mobile' announces budget plan for $15 monthly and 5G coming Dec. 6T-Mobile plans to light up its 5G network on Dec. 6 and, with it, is making long-term commitments to low-income families and first responders. | |
 | Alexa as your new bestie: Can an AI robot or voice assistant help you feel less lonely?You: "Alexa, I'm lonely." |
 | Team of 'white hat' hackers found bugs in Amazon Echo and Galaxy S10A team of leading security researchers was recently crowned top hackers after finding vulnerabilities across multiple devices including an Alexa-powered Amazon Echo and a Samsung Galaxy S10. |
 | Hackers are now targeting councils and governments, threatening to leak citizen dataIn recent weeks, Johannesburg's computer network was held for ransom by a hacker group called Shadow Kill Hackers. This was the second time in three months a ransomware attack has hit South Africa's largest city. This time, however, hackers didn't pose the usual threat. |
 | Smart tech systems cut congestion for a fraction of what new roads costThe new transport projects governments are constantly announcing are expensive. In the recent New South Wales and Victorian elections, the returned state governments' transport infrastructure promises added up to A$165 billion. What's mostly missing from the promised transport solutions is smart technology that provides higher benefits at a fraction of the cost—when retrofitting existing roads in particular. The benefit-to-cost ratio can be more than a dozen times greater than for a new road. |
 | Indonesia's first scientific data bank is a step toward strengthening 'open data' practicesA large number of researchers among Indonesia's scientific community have been known to perform unethical data tampering. |
 | The transition from fossils to renewables and its impact on consumer pricesThe transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energies is a global pursuit. But it's faster and more intensive in some countries than others. Take the case of South Africa. Heavily dependent on coal, the country is proceeding with a more intense transition in which renewable energies are set to play a growing role. |
 | Social media design that seeks to mitigate polarization could increase ideological distanceIn a study by Matti Nelimarkka and his colleagues, interviewees brought up the fact that content recommendation models on social media may be poor solutions for reducing polarization in discussions. In another recently published article, Nelimarkka looks into how political science and HCI researchers could move toward an improved trading zone. |
 | Why's that an emoji? The ethos and birthing process behind the icons we use to communicateIf you have a smartphone, or use the internet at all in 2019, you probably know emoji—those small pictures that seem to punctuate nearly every written exchange today. (Some of you are probably even thinking your responses in emoji right now.) |
 | Will 'Death Stranding,' a mysterious game about building connections, connect with gamers?Mysterious. Surreal. Empowering. And boring? |
 | Civil servants, solar panels, and patronage: A Ghanaian case studyElectricity is a hot political issue in Ghana. Ghanaians demand access to the electricity grid as a right of citizenship. And, when not connected, they have threatened in the past to boycott national elections with slogans such as: "No light, no vote!" |
 | What slowdown? Chinese shoppers set new 'Singles' Day' spending recordChinese consumers spent a record amount on Alibaba platforms Monday during the annual "Singles' Day" buying spree, the world's biggest 24-hour shopping event, which kicked off this year with a glitzy show by US singer Taylor Swift. |
 | A Whole New World: Disney streaming debuts with hit brandsDisney will sprinkle its pixie dust on the streaming arena Tuesday, as its Disney Plus service debuts with an arsenal of marquee franchises including Marvel and Star Wars, original series with a built-in fan base and a cheap price to boot. |
 | Boeing says 737 MAX expected to resume flying in JanuaryBoeing on Monday said it expects the 737 MAX airplane, which was grounded after two crashes killed 346 people, to resume flying in January, delaying its return by one month. |
 | Is Spotify the new Tinder? It is for this coupleSwipe right. Then left, another left, then left again. That's the typical movement your thumb might go through if you're trying to find "the one" on any dating app. In some circles, it's becoming more common to hear friends say they met their significant other via dating apps Tinder, Bumble or Hinge, but what about Spotify? |
 | Redditor creates a massive, working AirPod replica that's pretty impossible to loseIt's no secret that Apple's tiny AirPods earbuds get lost—a lot. |
 | World's deadliest inventor: Mikhail Kalashnikov and his AK-47What is the deadliest weapon of the 20th century? |
 | Making ceramic tile production greener with reused heatWith its wide range of applications from construction to consumer goods, industrial processes and cutting-edge technologies, the ceramics industry is an integral part of EU manufacturing. A key component of energy-intensive industries (EIIs) that include sectors like iron, steel, cement, chemicals, pulp and paper, ceramics also have a climate footprint and their production processes involve high costs. |
 | Black Facebook employees complain racism, discrimination has gotten worseAn anonymous memo alleging Facebook still has a black people problem is circulating inside the company one year after a former employee complained of racism and discrimination there. |
 | Transition to electric vehicles puts heavy pressure on production of critical metalsThe current production of a number of critical metals is insufficient for the large-scale transition to electric vehicles. This is the conclusion of a report by environmental scientists Benjamin Sprecher and organisations Copper8 and Metabolic. As a solution, they advocate more electric car-sharing, cars with a smaller battery and improved recycling. |
 | Adidas shifts German, US smart factories to AsiaSportswear maker Adidas announced Monday it was closing two niche but flagship factories in Germany and the United States that use robots and 4D printing to make sneakers, shifting the manufacturing to cheaper Asian factories instead. |
 | Safety officials probing records of work on Southwest jetsFederal regulators have threatened to ground dozens of Southwest Airlines jets if the airline can't confirm that the planes, which it bought used from foreign operators, meet all safety standards. |
 | Canadian legion asks Fortnite gamers for pause to honor war deadNo bullets, no bombs. Players of the hugely popular online game Fortnite were encouraged to pause for a moment of silence Monday to commemorate the armistice that ended the First World War. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Cracking the mystery of a rare bleeding disorder—and pursuing 'off-the-shelf' drugs to treat itConsider for a moment that your life is dominated by spontaneous nosebleeds, chronic stomach hemorrhaging, persistent anemia and a complex constellation of other manifestations, some potentially life-threatening. |
 | Specific neurons that map memories now identified in the human brainAn important aspect of human memory is our ability to conjure specific moments from the vast array of experiences that have occurred in any given setting. For example, if asked to recommend a tourist itinerary for a city you have visited many times, your brain somehow enables you to selectively recall and distinguish specific memories from your different trips to provide an answer. |
 | Beauty is in the hand and not the eyes of the beholderIn our daily lives, we engage in various activities involving different body movements. We inspect products and advertisements with our eyes, but test products or browse through websites with our hands. Consider two types of ads, both featuring a model: One is a print ad that mostly aims to capture the visual attention of the consumer without further involvement; the other is a banner ad that encourages the consumer to move her hand to click on it. Alternatively, imagine a shelf where the consumer looks at a product versus when she needs to reach for the product. Does the difference between looking and reaching mean that the decision processes are also different? According to new research recently published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, the answer is yes. |
 | Anticoagulant benefits for atrial fibrillation decrease with ageThe net clinical benefit of anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation (AF)—one of the most important causes of irregular heartbeats and a leading cause of stroke—decreases with age, as the risk of death from other factors diminishes their benefit in older patients, according to a study led by researchers at UC San Francisco. |
 | Lasting tumor regression of leukemia and lymphoma in mouse models achieved by U-M compoundFor decades, a transcription factor known as STAT3 has been a major therapeutic target in the treatment of cancer. But STAT3 has largely been considered "undruggable" due to the difficulty of developing compounds to effectively inhibit its activity. |
 | Research finds potential target for tumor-causing conditionUniversity of Cincinnati researchers have found additional ways to target the molecular processes involved in activating a certain protein complex to potentially develop new therapies for a tumor-causing disorder. |
 | Study: Links between teenage anxiety and later harmful drinkingResearchers at the University of Bristol have found evidence of an association between generalized anxiety disorder at age 18 and harmful drinking three years later, thanks to the long-term health study Children of the 90s. |
 | Injectable, flexible electrode could replace rigid nerve-stimulating implantsBy electrically stimulating nerves, neuromodulation therapies can reduce epileptic seizures, soothe chronic pain, and treat depression and a host of other health conditions without the use of conventional drugs like opioids. |
 | Researchers discover potential new Rx target for AMD and Alzheimer'sResearch led by Nicolas Bazan, MD, Ph.D., Boyd Professor and Director of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, found a new mechanism by which a class of molecules his lab discovered may protect brain and retinal cells against neurodegenerative diseases like age-related macular degeneration and Alzheimer's. Results, published online in PNAS, identify elovanoids as a potential new therapeutic approach for these devastating conditions. |
 | Salmonella—how the body fights backNew research from the University of East Anglia shows how the human body powers its emergency response to salmonella infection. |
 | Team plucks needle from genomic haystack, finding essential transcription factor binding sitesUsing CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screens a multi-institutional research team systematically interrogated the essentiality of more than 10,000 forkhead box protein A1 (FOXA1) and CTCF binding sites in breast and prostate cancer cells, plucking useful needles from a massive genomic haystack that contains millions of transcription factor binding sites. They found that essential FOXA1 binding sites act as enhancers to orchestrate the expression of nearby essential genes, the team reports Nov. 11, 2019, in PNAS. |
 | New drug combos may prevent resistance to melanoma treatmentsA Michigan State University study led by a physiology graduate student in the College of Human Medicine has found that new drug combinations may prevent melanoma, an often deadly form of skin cancer, from becoming resistant to treatment. |
 | Scientists discover mood-altering brain receptorInternational research has uncovered a receptor believed to be linked to negative moods, in a part of the brain that is little-understood. The discovery published in Science could lead to more targeted medications. |
 | Forecasting dengue: Challenges and a way forwardAn international team has been improving dengue infection outbreak predictions, highlighting the challenges researchers face when attempting to build successful forecasting models. |
 | Frequent pot smokers face twice the odds for stroke(HealthDay)—Smoking pot doesn't do your heart or your brain any favors, a pair of new studies shows. |
 | The pathway to Parkinson's takes a surprising twistIn neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease, a specific group of neurons start to die one by one, causing movement problems and other symptoms. Scientists have long focused on finding out why these neurons die. Now it turns out, they might not even be dead. |
 | New way of measuring white blood cell function offers better insights to help patients with sepsisCaring for a patient with sepsis requires walking a treatment tightrope. Clinicians must identify the pathogen that is causing a patient's infection, carefully monitor the patient's response to antibiotics and supportive measures and race against the clock to prevent potential organ failure and death. Most of the time, physicians can control the infection itself. What ultimately leads to multi-organ system injury and fatality is the patient's immune system's over-exuberant response. Current testing and bedside diagnostics do not provide clinicians with precise and timely information needed to rapidly change their therapeutic approach. To address this unmet need, investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital, in collaboration with colleagues at MIT, have developed a technology advance to enable measurement of the activation and function of white blood cells—the immune system's sentinels—from a small aliquot of blood from patients with sepsis. The team's new approach, results and clinical implications are detailed in a paper published in Nature Biomedical Engineering. |
 | How meditation can help you make fewer mistakesIf you are forgetful or make mistakes when in a hurry, a new study from Michigan State University—the largest of its kind to-date—found that meditation could help you to become less error prone. |
 | The gut may be the ticket to reducing chemo's side effectsIn a new study, scientists observed several simultaneous reactions in mice given a common chemotherapy drug: Their gut bacteria and tissue changed, their blood and brains showed signs of inflammation, and their behaviors suggested they were fatigued and cognitively impaired. |
The Affordable Care Act's impact on insurance coverage and treatment in patients with HIV and cancerA recent study reveals that, for people living with both HIV and cancer (PLWHC), implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) improved insurance coverage, both in states that expanded Medicaid coverage and those that did not. Lack of insurance is still common in non-expansion states, however, and patients who are minorities or have low income are most likely to live in these states. The findings are published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. | |
Age is not a barrier to the benefits of weight-loss surgeryWhile weight-loss surgeries are not usually performed in people above the age of 65, a new study shows that these procedures can lead to successful weight loss and better diabetes control in older adults. The study, presented at the Society for Endocrinology annual conference in Brighton, UK, indicates that elderly patients treated with bariatric surgery (gastric bypass or gastric sleeve) can recover well and have a reduced risk of obesity-related complications, including heart disease and diabetes. | |
Impaired liver function during pregnancy may increase risk of childhood obesityImpaired liver function during pregnancy may alter gut bacteria composition and increase the risk of obesity in children, according to results presented at The Society for Endocrinology Annual Conference. In a rodent of model of the most common liver disease in pregnancy, the composition of gut bacteria in offspring was altered and liver function impaired, particularly when they were fed a Western-style, high-fat diet. These findings suggest that children at risk should maintain a healthy diet and that interventions to alter gut bacteria may help reduce childhood obesity rates in the future. | |
 | Brand drug discount cards increase private insurer costs by 46%Discount cards for brand-name drugs provided to patients increased private insurer costs by 46% and varied in their impact on out-of-pocket payments by patients, found new research in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). |
Arts 'crucial' to reducing poor health and inequalityEngaging in artistic activities such as singing and dancing from a young age can reduce social inequalities and encourage healthy behaviours, according to a new report from UCL and the World Health Organisation (WHO). | |
 | Weekend sudden cardiac arrests are more deadlyPeople who experience cardiac arrests over the weekend are less likely to survive long enough to be admitted to a hospital, compared to those who had the same medical event on a weekday, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium 2019—November 16-17 in Philadelphia. |
Teaching preschool caregivers healthy behaviors may promote healthier habits in high-risk groupsA unique study conducted in a multi-ethnic, underserved community in New York City shows if young adults are properly taught about heart healthy behaviors and strictly adhere to specific interventions, they may see significant benefits to their cardiovascular health when compared to those who do not have any health education intervention, according to Mount Sinai researchers. Their findings also suggest that showing young adults ultrasound images of plaque in their arteries can provide helpful information to improve their cardiovascular health and their future lifestyle. | |
 | Strong link found between level of depression and heart disease, strokeThe severity of a person's depression may increase their odds of having heart disease or stroke, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. |
 | Too much ultra-processed foods linked to lower heart healthUltra-processed foods, which account for more than half of an average American's daily calories, are linked to lower measures of cardiovascular health, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia.. |
 | Specific jobs linked to poor heart health for womenFemale social workers, nurses, health aides and retail cashiers had poorer heart health than women in other jobs, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. The Association's Scientific Sessions is an annual, premier global exchange of the latest advances in cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians. |
 | To live longer after a heart attack, keep movingMen who walk at least 30 minutes a day after a heart attack live longer than those who are less physically active following a heart attack, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. |
 | Clearing up the confusion over red meat recommendationsMeaty subjects have been in the news recently, with a series of studies questioning dietary recommendations that we eat less of the red stuff, even as plant-based substitutes have moved into the spotlight with fast-food breakthroughs. A new generation of faux burgers, such as Impossible Burgers and Beyond Meat, which more closely replicate the experience of eating the real thing (they even "bleed"), have been popping up on the menus of chains like Burger King, Subway, and KFC. Scientists re-examining the dietary role of red meat, meanwhile, turned the nation's nutrition landscape on its head in early October by casting doubt on the conventional wisdom that generally Americans need to eat less of it. Those findings drew a rapid and negative reaction from several quarters, including the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and scientists such as Frank Hu, chairman of the Nutrition Department at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Hu discussed the shifting landscape with the Gazette. |
 | How to fake a medical record in order to mitigate privacy risksIn machine learning, generative adversarial networks (GANs) involve two artificial neural networks squaring off, one, the generator, trying to delude the other, the discriminator, into accepting synthetic data as real. Beyond their science and engineering applications, GANs can generate utterly convincing "photographs" of people who do not exist. |
 | Endotoxin shock protectorThe bacterial toxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is one of the most potent virulence factors of Gram-negative bacteria that cause sepsis. Exposure to even tiny amounts can trigger a systemic—and potentially lethal—inflammatory response known as endotoxin shock. |
 | Clarity needed on vapingSince August 2019, the number of reported cases of severe pulmonary disease due to vaping has exploded. 1600+ possible cases in 49 states and 34 deaths have brought this issue to the forefront, but what can physicians and physician-scientists do? How should they approach the topic of vaping with their patients? How big of a problem is vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI)? |
 | High birth number may harm cardiovascular health in women(HealthDay)—Multiparity is associated with poorer cardiovascular health, especially among women with five or more live births, according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. |
 | Project to answer last wishes spreads successfullyNew research led by McMaster University researchers has found a program that honours dying patients by fulfilling end of life wishes can be powerful, affordable and sustainable in many settings. |
Australian women turning to cannabis to treat endometriosis symptomsA new study published today in Journal of Obstetrics Gynaecology Canada has found one in eight Australian women with endometriosis use cannabis to alleviate pain and other symptoms, rating the plant based medicine as the most effective way to self-manage the disorder. | |
 | Scientists are gaining against tuberculosis, but knowledge gaps remainImportant gains have been made in the global fight against tuberculosis (TB). Each year, fewer people are being diagnosed with the disease. The recent World Health Organisation (WHO) global TB report, which gathers data from 202 countries and territories, shows a 6.3% reduction in the number of new TB infections between 2015 and 2018. This trend of decreasing incidence is also evident in Africa, where it fell from 275 per 100 000 people in 2015 to 231 per 100 000 in 2018. |
 | We may one day grow babies outside the womb, but there are many things to consider firstThe idea of growing babies outside the body has inspired novels and movies for decades. |
 | 3-parent IVF could prevent illness in many childrenMitochondrial donation is an assisted reproductive technology sometimes described as "three-parent IVF". It's designed for women at high risk of passing on faulty mitochondrial DNA and having a child with severe mitochondrial disease. |
 | Are we overestimating lifetime cancer risks?The method employed in Australia to calculate the lifetime risks of cancer diagnosis and mortality overestimates these risks, especially for men, according to the authors of research published online today by the Medical Journal of Australia. |
 | Researchers discover potential therapeutic approach to treat chronic fatigue syndromeResearchers have discovered the pharmacological drug, Naltrexone, significantly restored the function of faulty receptors associated with myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). |
 | Spending time in nature can improve children's confidenceFour out of five children say they feel more confident in themselves after spending time participating in outdoor activities, according to new UCL research. |
 | Study: E-cigarettes may be more harmful to heart health than tobaccoA new study from researchers at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai shows that electronic nicotine delivery systems, including devices such as e-cigarettes, may be just as harmful to the heart, if not more, than traditional cigarettes. The findings were presented today at the annual American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2019. |
 | Millennial health is deteriorating faster than older generations—at a steep economic costThe health of millennials is deteriorating more rapidly than older generations' did, and that could have a devastating effect on the economy, according to a new report by Moody's Analytics and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. |
 | Aging in good health: The inequalities are wideningUNIGE researchers have been analyzing the rise in healthy life expectancy in Switzerland since 1990 and measuring the differences based on an individual's level of education. |
 | Researchers developing maps on Zika virus infection riskThe spread of infectious diseases such as Zika depends on many different factors. Environmental factors play a role, as do socioeconomic factors. Recently, several attempts have be made to predict the transmission risk of the Zika virus at a global and local level, but the spatial and temporal patterns of transmission are still not well understood. Researchers from Goethe University and the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research in Frankfurt were now able to generate reliable maps for the transmission risk of the Zika virus in South America. The results have been published in the scientific journal PeerJ. Based on the models for South America, they will use the method to determine the Zika risk for Europe as well. |
 | What do we know about the gut microbiota in Parkinson's disease?Since the discovery that the gut microbiome may play a role in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD), this fresh scientific approach has produced varying results. In this review published in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease scientists compare results of current research and provide recommendations to increase the comparability and utility of these studies with a view towards improving patient outcomes. |
 | Nusinersen improves motor function in adults with spinal muscular atrophyA study published in the Journal of Neuromuscular Diseases presents the first evidence of mild improvement or stabilization of motor and respiratory function in adults with spinal muscular atrophy type 3 (SMA3) treated with Nusinersen, which was the case even in patients who have had the disease for 20 years or more. These findings prove the efficacy of Nusinersen beyond types and age groups, paving the way for adult treatment. |
 | How an Alzheimer's-related protein forms plaquesNeurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease are characterised by aggregates of protein in the brain. The connection of these aggregates to the disease itself is unclear. Martina Huber, Enrico Zurlo and colleagues published a new method to monitor the formation of these aggregates. |
Exercise programme could improve breathlessness and quality of life for those with rare pulmonary hypertensionA new exercise rehabilitation programme developed at Warwick Medical School and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust could have the potential to improve fitness and quality of life for people living with pulmonary hypertension. | |
 | How a simple scan helped children suffering with hidden heart diseases in South AfricaThe polite, well-behaved ten-year-old girl lying patiently in the makeshift clinic in her school in Cape Town, South Africa, is exactly like all her friends—active and smiley. Also like her friends, she's under strict instructions from her teachers to put "jokes in your pockets, smiles on your faces". But the ultrasound waves bouncing back from her heart during an echocardiography scan show that she is different: she has congenital heart disease, which means her heart did not develop properly in the womb, and it makes each heart beat less efficient. |
Wearable tracker study links insufficient sleep to biological aging and cardiovascular disease riskGetting a good night's sleep is important, and insufficient sleep has been linked to poor health in many studies. Analysing data collected from wearable trackers, researchers from the SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine (PRISM) and the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) recently demonstrated that chronic sleep deprivation is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk markers and accelerated biological aging. Their findings have been published in the journal Communications Biology. | |
 | Pioneering new 'smart needle' could revolutionize cancer diagnosisScientists have developed a pioneering new technique that can detect and diagnose one of the most common types of cancer within seconds—using light. |
 | For older adults, new hepatitis C treatments are safe and effectiveViral hepatitis is a disease that causes inflammation of the liver. There are three viruses responsible for most cases of the disease: hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis A is typically caused by consuming contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B and C usually occur when someone comes in contact with infected bodily fluids, such as blood. The severity of hepatitis can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness. |
 | The on-again, off-again weight-loss diet(HealthDay)—Being on a weight-loss diet day in and day out for months on end can be challenging and even discouraging. |
 | Evening meals could harm the female heart, study shows(HealthDay)—Late dinners and heavy evening snacking do no favors for women's hearts, a new study suggests. |
 | Think vaping is heathier for your heart than smoking? Think again(HealthDay)—Vaping isn't necessarily better for your heart health than smoking tobacco, a pair of new studies argue. |
Middle-aged muscle mass linked to future heart disease riskThe amount of lean muscle a healthy person has in middle age is linked to their future risk of heart disease, suggests research in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. | |
Men who receive home care from spouse more likely to feel burdensome than womenA spouse requiring caregiving for chronic illness or a disability can create a stressful environment for married couples. | |
Scientists explain the origin of brain mapping diversity for eye dominanceThe human visual brain devotes most of its neuronal resources to process the part of the visual scene that we see with both eyes. To achieve this goal, afferents from the two eyes representing the same binocular point in visual space become close neighbors in the primary visual cortex, the first cortical recipient of visual input. In turn, the primary visual cortex carefully allocates its neuronal resources to represent stimuli within each binocular point as efficiently as possible. The primary visual cortex of different species achieve this goal using different strategies. In humans and macaques, the cortex splits the map of visual space in intercalated pairs of stripes for the left and right eyes forming a Zebra pattern. In carnivores, the cortex splits the map in blobs forming a Dalmatian pattern. In rodents and lagomorphs, the afferents from the two eyes mix and do not form any specific pattern. For decades, the origin of these diverse ocular cortical patterns remained a controversial puzzle. | |
A 'metaphor menu' for cancer patients launched by researchersThe first manual of expressions describing cancer has been developed by researchers to help patients make sense of their disease. | |
 | Is my kid too young for contact sports? Advice still unclearNew guidance on concussions shows there isn't enough solid evidence to answer some of parents' most burning questions about contact sports. That includes what age is safest to start playing them. |
 | Europe gives go ahead to market Ebola vaccineThe European Union authorised the marketing of a vaccine against Ebola on Monday, permitting the first wider commercial use of a protection that has helped stem an outbreak in DR Congo. |
Growth of contraceptive use highest in African countries: reportThe number of women and girls in poor countries embracing modern contraception has leapt by tens of millions with Africa recording the biggest gains, the organisation Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) said Monday. | |
 | Cholesterol levels in American adults declining since 2013 guideline releaseThe implementation of the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guideline on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol has led to improved overall cholesterol levels for American adults, especially those on cholesterol lowering medications, according to a study published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology that examined the impact of the highly anticipated guideline several years after release. |
 | Australia unprepared to move future Alzheimer's treatment into rapid clinical useAs in other countries, the Australian health care system has limited capacity to rapidly move a future treatment for Alzheimer's disease from approval into wide clinical use, which could leave thousands of older people without access to transformative care if such a breakthrough occurs, according to a new study by RAND Australia. |
 | Infant home visiting program linked to less child abuseFamily Connects, a program where nurses conduct home visits for newborns and their families, is linked to substantial reductions in child maltreatment investigations in children's earliest years, according to new research from Duke University. |
More than half of males with lupus report feeling depressed, receive little supportA national survey of male patients with lupus finds the illness has a significant impact on their physical and emotional health, yet they often do not receive support that could help them cope. | |
Wide-ranging gender disparities remain in pediatricsThree commonly argued justifications for the persistent discrimination and gender bias that prevent women from rising to leadership positions in the field of pediatric medicine have been debunked by a Drexel University College of Medicine researcher and colleagues in a special article published in the November 2019 issue of the journal Pediatrics. The article goes a step further, arguing that gender equity can be fostered by employing the same basic scientific principles used in solving other problems in medicine. | |
 | Late talkers twice as likely to have severe, frequent temper tantrumsToddler speech delays and temper tantrums have long been assumed to go hand in hand, but no large-scale research had successfully backed up that assumption with data. |
 | Biomarker blood test could reveal high risk heart patients in need of treatmentWithout occasionally looking under the hood, it's difficult to predict whether expensive car repairs lie ahead. In a similar way, preventive cardiologists are looking for ways to detect early stage heart disease in people who aren't currently in treatment. |
Government should address climate change, health and taxes as one issueProtecting our climate will protect health, and implementing evidence-based policies that consider action to meet targets on global warming, the economy, taxes and health together should be a priority for Canada's government, argues an editorial in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). | |
 | Citizen responder CPR and defibrillation programs may improve survival and outcomes from cardiac arrestsImplementing citizen responder programs to answer calls for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests may increase bystander defibrillation in private homes, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium 2019—November 16-17 in Philadelphia. |
 | Opioid-related cardiac arrest patients differ from other cardiac arrestsOne recent study found that opioid overdose victims who suffer cardiac arrest are distinctly different from other cardiac arrest patients, yet they may be more likely than others to survive long enough to be admitted to a hospital, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium 2019—November 16-17 in Philadelphia. |
 | E-cigarettes take serious toll on heart health, not safer than traditional cigarettesE-cigarette use takes a serious toll on heart health—a big concern given the high prevalence of e-cigarettes and perception of e-cigarettes as a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes, according to new research that will be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. |
 | Artificial Intelligence examining ECGs predicts irregular heartbeat, death riskArtificial intelligence can examine electrocardiogram (ECG) test results, a common medical test, to pinpoint patients at higher risk of developing a potentially dangerous irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or of dying within the next year, according to two preliminary studies to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. |
Heart-healthy lifestyle and nutrition during pregnancy helps kids develop healthy heartsWhat a woman eats and how she cares for her heart health while pregnant may influence the child's overall cardiovascular health and body weight years later, according to two preliminary studies to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. | |
 | Evening eating linked to poorer heart health for womenWomen who consumed a higher proportion of their daily calories later in the evening were more likely to be at greater risk for cardiovascular disease than women who did not, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. |
 | Studies explore potential benefits and costs of increased treatment to achieve lower blood pressureTwo studies examining the benefits and costs of treating high blood pressure more intensively, by aiming for lower blood pressure measures, will be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. |
Legal risk of not performing CPR higher than providing lifesaving assistanceWhile some bystanders may fail to attempt CPR because they fear legal liability, the likelihood of facing litigation is higher for delaying or failing to intervene, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium 2019—November 16-17 in Philadelphia. | |
 | Heart disease and cancer risk may be linkedHeart attack survivors may have an increased risk of developing cancer compared to people without cardiovascular disease, according to research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. |
Racial bias and discrimination may negatively impact heart disease care, risk factorsRacial and ethnic minorities are often disproportionately affected by heart disease and stroke. Subtle racial bias may creep into the decision-making process for approving black patients with heart failure for a heart transplant and African immigrants who have experienced discrimination are more likely to have three or more heart disease and stroke risk factors, according to two studies to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. | |
Social support may reduce heart, stroke effects of discrimination in transgender and gender conformingHigher levels of social support may help offset increased heart disease and stroke risk factors triggered by discrimination and gender expectations among transgender and gender non-conforming adults, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. | |
Early menopause may raise the risk of several heart conditionsWomen who experience menopause before age 40 are at higher risk for several heart conditions, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. | |
 | Flu shots help prevent illness, death in heart disease patientsAn annual flu vaccination is inexpensive, easy and proven to prevent illness and death in people with heart disease, however, almost 1 in 3 patients skip the flu shot, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. |
Cannabis may be linked to strokes and heart rhythm disturbances in young peopleFrequent cannabis (marijuana) use among young people was linked to an increased risk of stroke and people diagnosed with cannabis use disorder were more likely to be hospitalized for heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias), according to two new preliminary studies to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16 -18 in Philadelphia. The Association's Scientific Sessions is an annual, premier global exchange of the latest advances in cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians. In addition, the study linking cannabis use disorder to an increased risk of stroke (Oral Presentation 333) will be published in Stroke, a Journal of the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association. | |
NIH funding for cardiac arrest research low compared to funding for other leading causes of death, disabilityThe National Institutes of Health (NIH) invests less money in cardiac arrest research compared to other leading causes of death and disability in the United States, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium 2019—November 16-17 in Philadelphia. | |
Psychological stress may increase risk for a serious cardiovascular event in women with heart diseaseThe way women with heart disease respond to psychological stress puts them at increased risk for heart attacks and other cardiovascular events, yet the same doesn't appear to be true for men, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. | |
Weight-reduction surgery may prevent strokes, lengthen livesObese patients who undergo weight-reduction surgery live longer and are less likely to experience a clot-caused stroke than those who do not, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. | |
Successful collaboration of community—and state-based heart disease prevention programs focused onA consortium that coordinates the efforts of local and regional cardiovascular disease prevention programs helped states achieve major goals for eliminating health disparities, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. | |
 | Youth with abnormal heart rhythms more likely to have ADHD, anxiety, depressionChildren and teens with abnormal heart rhythms (cardiac arrhythmias) are more likely to have depression, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared with those of similar ages without chronic medical conditions or with certain select chronic childhood diseases, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. |
 | Decline in ideal heart health begins early for teen girlsHeart health deteriorates as early as adolescence, with black girls experiencing greater rates of decline than white girls, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. The Association's Scientific Sessions is an annual, premier global exchange of the latest advances in cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians. |
Sensitivity to bitter tastes may be why some people eat fewer vegetablesA specific gene makes certain compounds taste bitter, which may make it harder for some people to add heart-healthy vegetables to their diet, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. | |
 | PTSD linked to increased heart disease risk among female veteransFemale veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have more heart disease risk factors, including obesity, at younger ages than female veterans without PTSD, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. |
Stopping meth helps reverse drug-induced heart failureHeart failure is more severe when it stems from using methamphetamine, but heart failure patients who get proper medical treatment and are able to stop using meth can improve just as much as patients who never used meth, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2019—November 16-18 in Philadelphia. | |
 | Fetal nicotine exposure harms breathing in infantsExposure to nicotine during development inhibits the function of neurons controlling the tongue, according to research in newborn rats recently published in eNeuro. This impairment may be a factor in sudden infant death syndrome in humans. |
 | Burn units need to cater to Indigenous kidsAboriginal health workers in burn units, and greater cultural competence in clinicians and health services, are urgently needed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander burns patients who have the highest burn injury rates of all Australians. |
 | Exercise tweaks to revitalize your workout regimen(HealthDay)—Is your workout routine in a slump? To keep challenging your body, it's important to tweak your regimen every three months or each season. By aligning these changes to seasonal changes, you can also start the right prep for the next season's sports, such as training for skiing in the fall and hiking in the spring. To begin, grab a calendar and chart out your key dates and activities. |
Vaping-related lung transplant performed at Detroit hospitalDoctors at a Detroit hospital have performed a double lung transplant on a man whose lungs were damaged from vaping. | |
Biology news
 | Hot town, springtime in the city: Urbanization delays spring plant growth in warm regionsThe first appearance of bright green leaves heralds the start of spring, nudging insects, birds and other animals into a whirlwind of action. But a new study shows that urbanization shifts this seasonal cue in nuanced ways, with cities in cold climates triggering earlier spring plant growth and cities in warm climates delaying it. |
 | What's the story, morning glory? Taxonomy, evolution and sweet potatoesThis indicates that the storage root was an already-existing trait that predisposed the plant for cultivation and not solely the result of human domestication, as previously thought. This discovery, published today in Nature Plants, is part of a comprehensive monographic study of the morning glories, the biggest study of this group of plants to date, which also contributes important insights to the taxonomy and evolution of this megadiverse group of plants. |
 | Study reveals how two strains of one bacterium combine to cause flesh-eating infectionIn recent years, scientists have found that serious infections that progress rapidly and resist treatment are often caused by multiple microbes interacting with one another. Very little is known about these so-called polymicrobial infections, but traditional diagnostic methods often misidentify them as monomicrobial, or single-microbe, infections. |
 | New research explains how HIV avoids getting ZAPpedHumans have evolved dynamic defense mechanisms against the viruses that seek to infect our bodies—proteins that specialize in identifying, capturing and destroying the genetic material that viruses try to sneak into our cells. |
 | Prey-size plastics are invading larval fish nurseriesNew research shows that many larval fish species from different ocean habitats are ingesting plastics in their preferred nursery habitat. |
 | Vietnam deer rediscovered after nearly 30 yearsA very rare species of small, deer-like animal thought to be on the verge of extinction has been spotted in the northwestern jungle of Vietnam for the first time in nearly 30 years. |
 | Gimme shelter: Seven new leech species call freshwater mussels homeThe frequent presence of leeches with a hidden lifestyle in the mantle cavity of freshwater mussels has been recorded since the second half of the 19th century. Yet this was, until now, regarded as an accidental phenomenon. Recent research not only reveals seven mussel-associated leech species new to science, but also shows that their association evolved over millions of years. |
 | Finding Nemo's cousinsThe fish made famous in Finding Nemo can see ultraviolet (UV) light and may use it as a 'secret channel' to find both friends and food, according to researchers. |
 | Wasps as an effective pest control for agricultureCommon wasp species could be valuable at sustainably managing crop pests, finds a new UCL-led experimental study in Brazil. |
 | First adult molars are 'living fossils' that hold a health record dating back to the wombResearchers at McMaster University have found that a person's first permanent molars carry a life-long record of health information dating back to the womb, storing vital information that can connect maternal health to a child's health, even hundreds of years later. |
 | Evolutionary diversity is associated with Amazon forest productivityAn international team of researchers led by the University of Leeds have revealed for the first time that Amazon forests with the greatest evolutionary diversity are the most productive. |
 | DNA SOS: Understanding DNA signaling pathwaysWhen cells suffer DNA damage, they send out an SOS signal. When the repair crew arrives, the emergency signal is cancelled as it is no longer needed. This two-stage process is an important one in many different diseases, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. ADP-ribosylation is one of the DNA damage response mechanisms used by cells to send out an SOS signal; and the ARH family of enzymes is involved in canceling the signal. In work recently published in Cell Chemical Biology, researchers from the University of Oxford's DNA Damage Response Lab investigated the structure of two ADP-(ribosyl)hydrolases (ARHs). Their results provide important insights into the differences between these two proteins and offer useful tools for targeted drug design. |
 | Drones used to release sterile insects to disrupt orchard pestsChris Adams and Larry Gut, entomologists in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University, are using large drones to release sterile insects as a more sustainable and cost-effective way to disrupt reproduction of codling moths, or CM, in apple orchards. |
 | Light exposure key for growing successful houseplantsGardeners hear it often enough: right plant, right place. |
 | Too much sugar doesn't put the brakes on turbocharged cropsPlants make sugars to form leaves to grow and produce grains and fruits through the process of photosynthesis, but sugar accumulation can also slow down photosynthesis. Researching how sugars in plants control photosynthesis is therefore an important part of finding new ways of improving crop production. |
 | Mosquito nets: Are they catching more fishes than insects?Mosquito nets designed to prevent malaria transmission are used for fishing which may devastate tropical coastal ecosystems, according to a new scientific study. The researchers found that most of the fish caught using mosquito nets were smaller than a finger and potentially collect hundreds of individuals. |
 | Drought-hit Zimbabwe to transfer thousands of animalsZimbabwe's wildlife agency said Monday it would move hundreds of elephants and other animals in a dramatic bid to save them from a lethal drought. |
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