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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for November 20, 2019:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Astronomers investigate stellar content of the open cluster NGC 330Using the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) at the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile, astronomers have conducted a spectroscopic study of the young open cluster NGC 330. Results of the research, published on arXiv.org, provide more details about the cluster's stellar content. |
 | First detection of the cosmic monster explosions with ground-based gamma-ray telescopesThe strongest explosions in the universe produce even more energetic radiation than previously known: Using specialized telescopes, two international teams have registered the highest energy gamma rays ever measured from so-called gamma-ray bursts, reaching about 100 billion times as much energy as visible light. The scientists of the H.E.S.S. and MAGIC telescopes present their observations in independent publications in the journal Nature. These are the first detections of gamma-ray bursts with ground-based gamma-ray telescopes. DESY plays a major role in both observatories, which are operated under the leadership of the Max Planck Society. |
 | TESS helps astronomers study red-giant stars, examine a too-close planetNASA's planet-hunting TESS Mission keeps giving astronomers new realities to examine and explain. |
 | Caught in the act: MeerKAT telescope spies stellar flareScientists using the MeerKAT radio telescope have discovered a unique and previously-unseen flare of radio emission from a binary star in our galaxy. |
 | Outback telescope captures Milky Way center, discovers remnants of dead starsA radio telescope in the Western Australian outback has captured a spectacular new view of the center of the Milky Way galaxy. The image from the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) telescope shows what our galaxy would look like if human eyes could see radio waves. |
 | NASA applying AI technologies to problems in space scienceCould the same computer algorithms that teach autonomous cars to drive safely help identify nearby asteroids or discover life in the universe? NASA scientists are trying to figure that out by partnering with pioneers in artificial intelligence (AI)—companies such as Intel, IBM and Google—to apply advanced computer algorithms to problems in space science. |
 | Historic climate change on Mars might be detectableHistorical instances of extreme climate change on Mars could be detected through the measurement of subsurface temperatures, according to a new University of Stirling study. |
 | The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope could find more of Earth's transient moonsIt is a well-known astronomical convention that Earth has only one natural satellite, which is known (somewhat uncreatively) as "the moon." However, astronomers have known for a little over a decade that Earth also has a population of what are known as "transient moons." These are a subset of near-Earth objects (NEOs) that are temporarily scooped up by Earth's gravity and assume orbits around our planet. |
 | Spain has permits to build giant telescope blocked in HawaiiThe director of a Spanish research center said Wednesday that a giant telescope, costing $1.4 billion, is one step nearer to being built on the Canary Islands in the event an international consortium gives up its plans to build it in Hawaii. |
 | Breaking the limits: Discovery of the highest-energy photons from a gamma-ray burstGamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are brief and extremely powerful cosmic explosions, suddenly appearing in the sky, about once per day. They are thought to result from the collapse of massive stars or the merging of neutron stars in distant galaxies. They commence with an initial, very bright flash, called the prompt emission, with a duration ranging from a fraction of a second to hundreds of seconds. The prompt emission is accompanied by the so-called afterglow, a less brighter but longer-lasting emission over a broad range of wavelengths that fades with time. The first GRB detected by the MAGIC telescopes, known as GRB 190114C, reveals for the first time the highest energy photons measured from these objects. |
 | Possible meteor outburst this week worth a look upScientists are predicting a rare meteor outburst this week that may be brief but incredibly intense. |
 | Hubble studies gamma-ray burst with the highest energy ever seenNew observations from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have investigated the nature of the gamma-ray burst GRB 190114C. |
Technology news
 | Hourglass-shaped silicon photodiodes with an enhanced near-infrared photoresponseSilicon photodiodes are semiconductor devices commonly used to detect visible light and measure its intensity, color and position. The fact that these devices are made of silicon has both advantages and disadvantages. |
 | Bot can beat humans in multiplayer hidden-role gamesMIT researchers have developed a bot equipped with artificial intelligence that can beat human players in tricky online multiplayer games where player roles and motives are kept secret. |
 | 'Epidermal VR' gives technology a human touchImagine holding hands with a loved one on the other side of the world. Or feeling a pat on the back from a teammate in the online game "Fortnite." |
 | New hybrid device can both capture and store solar energyResearchers from the University of Houston have reported a new device that can both efficiently capture solar energy and store it until it is needed, offering promise for applications ranging from power generation to distillation and desalination. |
 | New analytical tool locates shooters using smartphone videoResearchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a system that can accurately locate a shooter based on video recordings from as few as three smartphones. |
 | Team saw how an attacker could hijack Android camera for spyfestAndroid camera security threat, disclosed and since addressed, had spy vulnerabilities. These were fixed by Google and Samsung with a patch rolled out for Pixel and Samsung devices The recent headlines surrounding the flaw on Android devices teased a discomforting thought in the latest of numerous discomforting thoughts about security risks in the Android ecosystem. |
 | This humidity digester breathes in atmospheric water and exhales energyIntegrating a super moisture-absorbent gel with light-active materials, researchers in Singapore have developed a humidity digester to dry the ambient air while generating energy. The method, presented November 20 in the journal Joule, is a green alternative to air conditioners with a trick—pulling water out of thin air. |
 | Wind more effective than cold air at cooling rooms naturallyThe effectiveness of non-mechanical, low-energy methods for moderating temperature and humidity has been evaluated in a series of experiments by researchers from the University of Cambridge. |
 | Alibaba eyes $12.9 bn Hong Kong IPO after setting priceChinese online retail titan Alibaba said Wednesday it could raise almost $13 billion in Hong Kong's biggest IPO for nearly a decade after announcing the pricing of its shares for the mega sale. |
 | New SUVs and electric vehicles highlight L.A. Auto ShowNew electric vehicles, several new small SUVs, a redesigned compact car, a plug-in version of Toyota's top-selling vehicle and a futuristic electric station wagon concept car from Volkswagen are among the new models on display this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. |
 | Robochef: Sony cooks up new AI unit for food revolutionCooking robots and tastier recipes: Japanese electronics giant Sony on Wednesday launched a new artificial intelligence unit they hope will change the way we cook and eat. |
 | Digital battleground looms large for 2020 electionPresident Donald Trump has been on a social media ad spending spree for his 2020 re-election campaign, but he's about to endure a massive digital counterattack. |
 | Multiple helical magnetic soft robots carry us closer to understanding collective behaviorsMagnetic soft robots are a promising option for contactless control in confined environments via external magnetic stimuli. Magneto-induced motions, i.e., magnetomotility, are driven by local deformation of a robot whereby particle alignments and alternating polar distributions are programmed into the body. Attempts to program magnetic anisotropy into the soft robots have been performed through direct laser printing (DLP), stereolithography (SLA) and fused filament fabrication (FDM) combined with multi-axial manipulation of electromagnets. |
 | Mobile mapping more accurate with a novel algorithmA novel algorithm developed by University of Twente Ph.D. candidate Phillipp Fanta-Jende improves the accuracy of surveyed mobile mapping imaging products. It can compensate for measurement errors introduced from erroneous satellite-based positioning usually occurring in urban areas. The novel technique is cost-efficient compared to traditional labor-intensive methods while enabling a comparable accuracy in the low-decimeter range. |
 | Muted launch for Google's game-streaming service StadiaGoogle's new game-streaming service Stadia demonstrates the possibilities of gaming from the cloud, but experts say it's hindered by a lack of compelling video games and a convoluted pricing scheme. |
 | Aston Martin unveils first SUV, eyes luxury buyers in ChinaBritish carmaker Aston Martin unveiled its first-ever sports utility vehicle (SUV) Wednesday at events in Beijing and Los Angeles, signalling it was banking on China's growing appetite for luxury to prop up sales. |
 | Forget 5G: Founder wants Boost Mobile back to keep prices for budget customers lowDon't get sucked into the whole 5G marketing bubble—that's the message Peter Adderton, founder of Boost Mobile, has for wireless customers on a budget. Why? It's no revolution, he says, calling it merely an evolution of wireless technology. |
 | Qualcomm CEO's strategy through thick and thin: To win with better technology, led by 5GFor Qualcomm Chief Executive Steve Mollenkopf, an already nasty, two-year legal fight with Apple became even uglier this past January. |
 | Rechargeable batteries in your favorite devices can ignite and burn down your houseWe're all playing Russian roulette with devices powered by lithium ion batteries. |
 | Harvesting energy from walking human bodyA research team led by Professor Wei-Hsin Liao from the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has developed a lightweight smart materials-based energy harvester for scavenging energy from human motion, generating inexhaustible and sustainable power supply just from walking. |
 | Spain court orders Ryanair to cancel cabin bag feeA Spanish court has ordered Ryanair to refund a customer who was charged for taking a carry-on bag without a special ticket, and told the airline to remove the clause from its terms and conditions. |
 | Uber to let users record audio of rides in Brazil, MexicoUber will allow passengers and drivers in Brazil and Mexico to record audio of their rides as it attempts to improve its safety record and image. |
 | Soft skin-like robots you can put in your pocketStretchable skin-like robots that can be rolled up and put in your pocket have been developed by a University of Bristol team using a new way of embedding artificial muscles and electrical adhesion into soft materials. |
 | Disney Plus blames past hacks for user accounts sold onlineDisney says Disney Plus account passwords being sold in underground hacking forums are coming from previous breaches at other companies, predating last week's launch of its streaming service. |
 | French media launch copyright case against GoogleFrench media organisations lodged a complaint against Google to the country's competition authority Wednesday over the US internet giant's refusal to pay for displaying their content. |
 | US probe faults Uber, human error in self-driving car crashA US investigation into the death of a pedestrian struck by a self-driving Uber car faulted driver inattention along with "inadequate" safety measures implemented by the company. |
 | Road-safety regulator rapped over regulating autonomous carsThe nation's road-safety regulator is under fire again for what critics call lax oversight of tests involving autonomous vehicles. |
 | US authorizes 'several' firms to sell to Huawei amid sanctionsUS officials said Wednesday they have agreed to grant licenses to "several" firms to provide components to Chinese tech giant Huawei, which faces sanctions imposed over national security concerns. |
 | Smart buildings face challenges but have plenty of potentialWe often hear the word "smart" applied to everyday objects: smartphones, smart TVs, smart appliances—and now, smart buildings. |
 | 'Revenge porn,' leaked selfies: sextortion spreads in IraqThe threat came by anonymous Instagram message one late Iraqi evening, making Hala's blood run cold: "I've got all your pictures and recordings. Shall I send them to your dad?" |
 | Emirates opts for 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in revised dealThe Middle East's biggest carrier, the Dubai-based Emirates, announced on Wednesday a firm order for 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in a deal valued at $8.8 billion. |
 | Protesters urge Twitter to ban white supremacists from platformMembers of advocacy groups converged on Twitter headquarters in San Francisco on Tuesday, bearing signs reading #StopRacistTwitter as they urged the company to ban white supremacists. |
 | Review: 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare' succeeds by going back to basics"Call of Duty" has seesawed between different eras. It's been to the future. It went back to World War II. It explored the concept of zombies and a dystopian global crisis. |
Gadgets: Wireless earbuds and accessories for those on the goTrue wireless earbuds are the rage for many but I often hear others who are skeptical simply from the fear of having them fall out. | |
 | Reimagined thermionic energy technology to help reduce electricity costsEnergy technology can be costly and inconvenient for commercial usage due to operational expenses. Atlas Energy Systems, a Purdue University-affiliated startup, is working to create a more robust form of energy technology. |
 | French hotels protest 'outrageous' Airbnb-Olympics dealFrench hotel owners assailed Airbnb on Wednesday over its new partnership with the International Olympic Committee, warning they would stop working on the planning for the Paris 2024 summer Games to protest against what they call an unfair competitor. |
 | Li-ion battery components to be printed on an inkjet printerScientists from Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU) are developing a technology for printing the electrodes for miniature li-ion batteries using an inkjet printer. The ongoing research may help to create power supplies for biosensors, wearable electronics, and other miniature devices. The results of the study are published in one of the leading scientific journals Energy Technology. The research was carried out with the financial support of the National Technological Initiative center of SPbPU and two Russian science foundation grants. |
 | General Motors sues Fiat Chrysler over bribes to auto unionGeneral Motors is suing Fiat Chrysler, alleging its rival benefitted from bribes to auto union officials that gave FCA an unfair benefit in labor talks, GM announced Wednesday. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Omega-3 fish oil as effective for attention as ADHD drugs for some childrenResearchers from King's College London and China Medical University in Taichung, Taiwan, have found omega-3 fish oil supplements improve attention among children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but only among those with low levels of omega-3 in their blood. |
 | Skipping breakfast linked to lower GCSE gradesStudents who rarely ate breakfast on school days achieved lower GCSE grades than those who ate breakfast frequently, according to a new study in Yorkshire. |
 | Researchers uncover new molecular drivers of Parkinson's diseaseScientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have uncovered new molecular drivers of Parkinson's disease using a sophisticated statistical technique called multiscale gene network analysis (MGNA). The team was also able to determine how these molecular drivers impact the functions of genes involved in the disease. The results, which may point to potential new treatments, were published today in Nature Communications. |
 | The ever-changing brain: Shining a light on synaptic plasticitySynapses allow neurons to communicate with one another. In the synapse, one neuron emits chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, and an adjacent neuron receives them using tiny structures called receptors. A specific type of receptor, the AMPA receptor, plays a crucial role in learning and memory processes. However, scientists don't yet fully understand how these AMPA receptors form and work. |
 | Pregnant women with eating disorders and their children run higher risk of complicationsPregnant women with eating disorders should undergo extended pregnancy screenings considering their increased risk of complications. That is the conclusion from a study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. The researchers were, for example, able to show that children to mothers with eating disorders had an increased risk of premature birth and being born with a small head circumference. |
 | DDT linked to higher risk of diabetes among Asian Indian immigrants to USPrevious exposure to the pollutant DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) may contribute to the risk of diabetes among Asian Indian immigrants to the United States, according to a study from the University of California, Davis. |
 | Vicious circles: Ring-shaped DNA provides cancer cells with a malignant twistDeoxyribonucleic acid or DNA encodes information, not only in its sequence but also in its shape. Building upon previous revelatory work, a team of scientists, led by researchers at University of California San Diego, the UC San Diego branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Stanford University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, report that in cancer, distinct doughnut-shaped circles of extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) are found abundantly in human tumor cells; change how cancer-related oncogenes are expressed; promote aggressive malignant behavior; and play a key role in the ability of tumors to evolve quickly and resist threats, such as chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments. |
 | Cancer patients say ask before using medical records for researchOncology patients would prefer to be asked for their consent before deidentified data from their medical records is used for research, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. |
 | Early results of CRISPR gene-editing treatment shows promise in first human trialsOfficials from Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics have announced that preliminary results from testing CRISPR gene-editing treatment in human patients with blood disorders show promise thus far. The joint project between the two firms is taking place at one location in Europe and another in the United States. The results have been posted on the Vertex Pharmaceuticals web site. |
 | How the brain detects the rhythms of speechNeuroscientists at UC San Francisco have discovered how the listening brain scans speech to break it down into syllables. The findings provide for the first time a neural basis for the fundamental atoms of language and insights into our perception of the rhythmic poetry of speech. |
 | Creating viral targets can weaken HIV vaccinationVaccination against HIV can backfire if the vaccine induces the wrong kind of immune response. Scientists at Emory University's Yerkes National Primate Research Center have evidence—gleaned from several nonhuman primate studies conducted with HIV's relative, SIV—that creating too many soft targets can weaken vaccination that would otherwise provide protection against viral infection. |
 | Predicting treatment outcome for leishmaniasisFor patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, a skin infection transmitted by a sand fly that can in some cases lead to painful and disfiguring ulcers, treatment can be grueling. The first-line therapy offered to many requires daily infusions of the metalloid pentavalent antimony for three weeks, and half of patients don't respond to just one round of therapy. Some fail two or even three courses. And the side effects of therapy can range from mere irritation to far more serious conditions. |
 | Inflammatory processes drive progression of Alzheimer's and other brain diseasesInflammation drives the progression of neurodegenerative brain diseases and plays a major role in the accumulation of tau proteins within neurons. An international research team led by the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and the University of Bonn comes to this conclusion in the journal Nature. The findings are based on the analyses of human brain tissue and further lab studies. In the particular case of Alzheimer's the results reveal a hitherto unknown connection between Abeta and tau pathology. Furthermore, the results indicate that inflammatory processes represent a potential target for future therapies. |
 | Scientists find promising drug combination against lethal childhood brain cancersResearchers have devised a new plan of attack against a group of deadly childhood brain cancers collectively called diffuse midline gliomas (DMG), including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), thalamic glioma and spinal cord glioma. Scientists at the National Institutes of Health, Stanford University, California, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, identified a drug pair that worked together to both kill cancer cells and counter the effects of a genetic mutation that causes the diseases. |
 | Exposure to PM 2.5 pollution linked to brain atrophy, memory declineWomen in their 70s and 80s who were exposed to higher levels of air pollution experienced greater declines in memory and more Alzheimer's-like brain atrophy than their counterparts who breathed cleaner air, according to USC researchers. |
 | Experimental HIV vaccine successfully elicits broadly neutralizing antibodies to the virusAn experimental HIV vaccine developed by scientists at Scripps Research and the nonprofit vaccine research organization IAVI has reached an important milestone by eliciting antibodies that can neutralize a wide variety of HIV strains. |
 | Lack of economic support hinders cognitive abilities of children of single mothers: UK studyOver the last 60 years, the percentage of children in the United Kingdom living in homes headed by a single mother has risen steadily. A new study examined how the impact of single motherhood on children's verbal cognitive abilities has changed and how the age of children when their parents separate affects those abilities. The study concluded that children who lived with a single mother before age 11 had lower verbal cognitive ability even after considering mothers' education and their age at the time of the child's birth. |
 | Young children can learn math skills from intelligent virtual characters: studyU.S. children lag behind their international peers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills, which has led to calls for an integrated math curriculum for 3- to 6-year-olds. A new study examined whether young children's verbal engagement with an onscreen interactive media character could boost their math skills. The study concluded that children's parasocial (that is, one-sided) emotional relationships with the intelligent character and their parasocial interactions (in this case, talking about math with the character) led to quicker, more accurate math responses during virtual game play. |
 | Menopause isn't the only reason for low libido in older womenA qualitative study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that women in their 60s report various reasons behind why they lack libido. |
Study finds associations between rheumatoid arthritis, other diseases before and after diagnosisA Mayo Clinic-led study involving 3,276 patients has found that people with inflammatory bowel disease, Type 1 diabetes or blood clots may be at increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. The study, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, also found that people who have rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of developing heart disease, blood clots and sleep apnea. | |
 | Breast cancer recurrence score has different implications for menThe TAILORx study published last year offered good news for women with early-stage ER-positive breast cancer who scored at intermediate risk for recurrence according to a genetic assay test. The study indicated that chemotherapy after surgery provided little advantage in overall survival for these women, so they could forgo the treatment. |
Digital sepsis monitoring system helps save lives and improves careThe introduction of a digital alert system to monitor patients with sepsis has led to a reduction in deaths and hospital stays. | |
 | Chewing sugar-free gum could help reduce tooth decay, a new review findsA systematic review by King's College London has found some evidence that chewing sugar-free gum could help to reduce the further development of dental caries (cavities) in adults and children. |
 | A novel, non-invasive MRI-based functional liver imaging score (FLIS) for investigating chronic liver diseaseAn interdisciplinary MedUni Vienna team has shown that important information about the stage and prognosis of chronic liver diseases can be gotten by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Lying in a tube-like machine, contrast agent is injected into a patient's arm vein. Within an hour, images of the liver are generated, all without any radiation. This is much simpler and safer than the current method of sticking a large needle in the liver to take a tissue sample or measure portal vein pressure to diagnose portal vein hypertension. |
 | Physical activity target needs updating for mental healthGlobal physical activity guidelines should be extended to ensure they have the best impact on mental as well as physical health, according to new research involving researchers from Victoria University of Wellington. |
 | Successful study of Swedish vaccine candidate against diarrheaUniversity of Gothenburg researchers have reported the first successful results of an oral, inactivated vaccine candidate ETVAX against enterotoxigenic E. coli diarrhea in a placebo-controlled phase I/II study in infants and children from six months to five years of age in Bangladesh. |
 | If weight loss is your only goal for exercise, it's time to rethink your prioritiesAs an aesthetic society, we often demonize body fat and stigmatize people with lots of it. There's often an assumption that people carrying excess weight don't exercise and must be unhealthy. |
 | Scientists discover new drugs with potential to treat stubborn cancersResearchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a new class of drugs with the potential to make cancer treatment safer and more effective by preventing cancer cells from repairing themselves. |
 | Children in childcare are not getting enough moderate to vigorous intensity physical activityMany children are now enrolled in some type of childcare while their parents work, many for multiple hours a day, several days a week. |
Ensembling improves machine learning model performanceEnsembles created using models submitted to the RSNA Pediatric Bone Age Machine Learning Challenge convincingly outperformed single-model prediction of bone age, according to a study published in the journal Radiology: Artificial Intelligence. | |
Ultrasound treatment for essential tremor may be effective up to three years laterPeople with tremors in their hands, head or voice may find some relief for up to three years from a treatment using ultrasound waves to destroy the area of the brain causing the tremor, according to a study published in the November 20, 2019, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The treatment is used for people whose tremors do not improve with medication. | |
 | Immune 'checkpoint switch-off' enables destruction of cancer cellsA collaboration between the Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery (GRIDD) and multiple clinical research institutes has led to an exciting discovery in cancer research. |
 | New cancer treatment not as toxic as othersA QIMR Berghofer study has identified how a newly approved blood cancer drug works and found the treatment is better than other drugs at targeting cancer stem cells while causing minimal damage to healthy cells. |
 | Beauty in the biased eye of the beholderWhen we pass through an art gallery, what determines our idea of beauty? A University of Sydney study of how people rate the aesthetics of each artwork shows part of our aesthetic assessment is due to the painting you saw a few moments before. |
 | Abortion does not increase a woman's risk of attempting suicidePolicies based on the notion that undergoing an abortion causes or increases women's risk of suicide attempts are misinformed, according to the results of a 17-year-long observational study including more than half a million 18 to 36-year-old Danish women who had a first, first-trimester abortion, published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal. The study is the first to compare the risk of women attempting suicide before and after an abortion. |
 | Doctors find a cure for rare uncontrollable laughter conditionLaughter is the best medicine, except when it is actually the symptom of an illness. Medical residents at the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) helped to find relief for a man who suffered from nearly a lifelong affliction that caused him to laugh with no control over when or why he did. |
 | Steep rise in young people reporting anxiety in Ireland, report findsThere has been a significant rise in the number of teenagers suffering anxiety, according to the largest ever study of mental health among young people in Ireland. |
 | Whole-genome sequencing analysis to find more exact biomarkersA new study from Uppsala University shows that whole-genome sequencing increases the precision of genetic studies, which in turn can improve our understanding of how to use biomarkers to discover disease. The results are published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports. |
 | Researchers recommend increased medical sideline coverage for high school football gamesThe past 25 years have seen a significant increase in student participation in high school athletics. Studies have revealed that 2 million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations occur each year among high school athletes. This has led to strong recommendations from the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Association for physician sideline coverage at high school games and practices. |
 | Startup seeks to hold doctors, hospitals accountable on patient record requestsWhen Kelly Shanahan had her OB-GYN practice in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., she was meticulous about providing medical records promptly to all patients who requested them, she said. |
 | Trial suggests inducing labor over 'wait and see' approach for late term pregnanciesInducing labour at 41 weeks in low risk pregnancies is associated with a lower risk of newborn death compared with expectant management (a "wait and see" approach) until 42 weeks, suggests a trial published by The BMJ. |
 | Photoinitiators detected in human breast milkPhotoinitators (PIs) are compounds used in the ink of many types of food packaging. The substances have been shown to migrate into food and, when consumed, show up in human blood serum. Now, for the first time, researchers report they have detected PIs in human breast milk, although they say the levels consumed by breastfeeding infants are unlikely to be a health concern. The report appears in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology Letters. |
 | Asking if behavior can be changed on climate crisisOne of the more complex problems facing social psychologists today is whether any intervention can move people to change their behavior about climate change and protecting the environment for the sake of future generations. |
 | Some family doctors ditch insurance for simpler approachDr. Emilie Scott was only a few months into her first job when she started hearing the complaint: She was spending too much time with each patient. |
 | Walking changes visionHow do we perceive our environment? What is the influence of sensory stimuli on the peripheral nervous system and what on the brain? Science has an interest in this question for many reasons. In the long term, insights from this research could contribute to a better understanding of diseases such as ADHD and Parkinson's disease. |
 | Researchers find long-term benefits of nurse home visits for new mothers and infantsHome visits by nurses to check on infants and first-time mothers offer learning benefits for the children and savings in the cost of public welfare programs, according to new research published in December 2019 issue of the journal Pediatrics. |
 | Suicides reduced by 17 per cent in new collaborative prevention programmeA new suicide prevention programme which includes swift access to specialist care and 12 months of telephone follow-ups has shown to reduce deaths by 17 per cent. |
 | College students may get health benefits from less than one extra hour of sleepCollege life can be rigorous and exhausting, but new research suggests that just one extra hour of sleep a night is not only possible, but can also have significant health benefits for college students. |
 | Infection likely cause of one in eight stillbirths(HealthDay)—Most cases of infection-related stillbirth may be due to bacterial pathogens, according to a study published online Nov. 4 in Obstetrics & Gynecology. |
 | Cancer yield similar for dense breast ultrasound after DM, DBT(HealthDay)—There is no significant difference in breast cancer detection rates with dense breast ultrasound screening following digital mammography (DM) versus digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Roentgenology. |
 | Prenatal antidepressant use may up risk for gestational diabetes(HealthDay)—Taking certain antidepressants while pregnant can increase the risk for developing gestational diabetes, according to a study recently published in The BMJ. |
 | Weight loss tied to loss of hip bone density in older adults(HealthDay)—Obese and overweight older individuals who lose weight have lower bone mineral density (BMD) in their hips, according to a study published in the November issue of Obesity. |
 | CDC: 63.5 percent of 3- to 5-year-olds have had vision tested(HealthDay)—Overall, 63.5 percent of children aged 3 to 5 years have ever had their vision tested, according to a November data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics. |
 | Doctors' group calls for ban on most vaping products(HealthDay)—The American Medical Association (AMA) is calling for a ban on all e-cigarettes and vaping products not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help people quit smoking tobacco cigarettes. |
 | Gunshot survivors may struggle with emotional aftermath for years(HealthDay)—Even years after a gunshot wound heals, shooting survivors may be at greater risk of alcohol abuse, drug abuse and unemployment, new research finds. |
 | Eating mindfully through the holidays—and all yearSlow down before plowing through the holiday hors d'oeuvres or finishing off that overfilled plate of comfort food. An approach called mindful eating could just help you enjoy it even more and increase well-being. |
 | HIV could increase risk of death from heart failureAfter a heart failure diagnosis, people who are HIV-positive are more likely to be hospitalized or die of any cause than those not infected with HIV, new research shows. |
 | Study examines Appalachian Kentucky's breast cancer care disparitiesIt is estimated that nearly 40 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer will require a mastectomy. For those patients, breast reconstruction surgery is a valuable part of comprehensive breast cancer care as studies show it improves quality of life, self-esteem and sexuality. |
 | Researcher examines traumatic brain injury in survivors of intimate partner violenceWhile the diagnoses and treatment of sport-related concussion have well-established guidelines and protocols, a new study from UBC's Okanagan campus is looking at what has previously been an understudied group—women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). |
 | Faith community events for children: Good for the soul but lack nutritionChildhood obesity affects about 13.7 million children and adolescents in the United States and has been increasing for more than four decades. It is a serious problem that puts children at risk for poor health and chronic disease. Unlike foods served in public schools, which must typically adhere to U.S. Department of Agriculture food guidelines to enable meal reimbursement, most faith-based and private schools and associated afterschool programs operate independently without dietary requirements. |
 | Researchers, policymakers outline new framework for opioid use disorder treatmentEvery day, more than 100 Americans lose their lives to the opioid crisis, and researchers from across the nation are racing to find solutions. One of the latest strategies—a cascade of care model for the State of Rhode Island—was developed collaboratively by a diverse group of stakeholders, including experts from Brown University, state agency leaders and community advocates. |
 | How people trick themselves into thinking something is heavier than it really isIn a recent study published in PLOS One researchers from Hiroshima University and Nagoya Institute of Technology found that if you hold your car steering wheel at certain angles (1, 4, or 5 on the clock) then it's likely you're over or underestimating how much force you need to use to steer the car. |
 | Many patients with anorexia nervosa get better, but complete recovery is elusive to mostThree in four patients with anorexia nervosa—including many with challenging illness—make a partial recovery. But just 21 percent make a full recovery, a milestone that is most likely to signal permanent remission. |
 | Researchers develop new database of druggable fusion targetsWhen sections from two separate genes merge due to various factors, such as translocation or splicing, the hybrid that is formed is called a gene fusion. In recent years, it has been discovered that these fusion events play a vital role in the development of cancers and other complex diseases. However, there are very few resources which collate all this information and make it available in one place. By analysing over a million nucleic acid sequences from publicly available data, a team led by Dr. Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern, of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine at Bar-Ilan University, has identified 111,582 fusions in eight species (human, mouse, rat, fruit-fly, wild boar, zebrafish, yeast and cattle). |
 | Researchers identify new gene mutation in familial thyroid cancersResearchers from Penn State College of Medicine identified a new gene mutation that may cause a type of familial thyroid cancer. Dr. Darrin Bann, an otolaryngology resident at the College of Medicine and lead author of the study, said that this mutation is the first and only mutation associated with familial thyroid cancer to be identified in a gene that is primarily expressed in the thyroid gland. |
 | A new link between migraines, opioid overuse may be key to treating painAbout 10% of the world population suffers from migraine headaches, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. To alleviate migraine pain, people are commonly treated with opioids. But, while opioid treatment can provide temporary pain relief for episodic migraines, prolonged use can increase the frequency and severity of painful migraines. |
 | Probing the role of an inflammation resolution sensor in obesity and heart failureAfter heart attack injury, several fatty-acid-derived bioactive molecules—including one called resolvin D1—play an essential signaling role to safely clear inflammation and help repair heart muscle. The mechanism of how this resolution occurs is not well-understood. |
 | Engineering research deepens understanding of glucose-insulin interactionWhen insulin is secreted from beta cells in the pancreas to control glucose levels in the blood stream, GABA is also released from the cells to calm them so that the cells can prepare for the next pulse of insulin secretion. Having a stable insulin level is key to the functioning of a healthy pancreas. Impairment to beta cell GABA biosynthesis or release of GABA from the cell could leave islet tissue vulnerable to dysfunction or inflammation associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. |
 | New opioid library unveiled to help address epidemicA new curated library, activated today, provides a centralized toolkit for policymakers, patients and health care professionals working to address the nation's opioid epidemic. |
 | Legumes boost heart health, according to new review studyConsuming beans, lentils, peas, and other legumes reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and high blood pressure, according to a review published in Advances in Nutrition. |
 | Could sphingolipids help solve a racial paradox in heart disease?When it comes to cholesterol, we've come to accept a simple narrative. Our risk of heart disease is lower when we have more "good cholesterol," or high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and less "bad cholesterol," or low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and triglycerides. |
 | How do gliomas evolve?The Glioma Longitudinal Analysis (GLASS) Consortium characterized diffuse glioma cells both before and after therapy to characterize how they change and why this form of malignant brain cancer is so difficult to treat. The findings provide a foundation for further research and the opportunity for the clinical community to predict the effectiveness of newly developed treatments. |
 | Severe pregnancy-related depression may be rooted in inflammationA runaway, inflammatory immune response may be responsible for triggering severe depression during and after pregnancy, according to a new study published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity. |
 | Philippine police say will arrest anyone flouting vaping banPhilippine police were ordered Wednesday to arrest anyone caught vaping in public, just hours after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced he would ban e-cigarettes. |
 | Oxy sales in China driven by misleading addiction claimsThousands of lawsuits across the United States have accused a drug company owned by the billionaire Sackler family of using false claims to push highly addictive opioids on an unsuspecting nation, fueling the deadliest drug epidemic in U.S. history. |
 | In science, it's better to be curious than correctI'm a geneticist. I study the connection between information and biology—essentially what makes a fly a fly and a human a human. Interestingly, we're not that different. I've been a professional geneticist since the early 1990s. I'm reasonably good at this, and my research group has done some really good work over the years. |
 | Teams publish in vivo Alzheimer's disease treatment dataOligomerix, Inc., a privately held company pioneering the development of tau oligomer inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related neurodegenerative disorders, and the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research announced today the publication of preclinical data demonstrating that an oral small molecule drug inhibits the formation of neurotoxic tau oligomers in an animal model of tau aggregation most relevant to AD. The study showed that the compound blocked tau self-association, which is the earliest step in the toxic tau aggregation cascade, and inhibited the downstream events that lead to tau fibril formation. |
Condoms recalled in Uganda over quality concerns: charityGlobal health charity Marie Stopes said Wednesday it had recalled hundreds of thousands of faulty condoms on sale in Uganda, where HIV rates are among the highest in the world. | |
 | Depression and anxiety rates 'alarmingly high' among LGBTQ Southerners, survey saysDepression and anxiety rates are "alarmingly high" among LGBTQ Southerners, a new survey says. |
 | Support grows nationwide for medical device to improve communication in Parkinson's diseaseA growing number of people with Parkinson's disease are finding the ability to communicate with a wearable device developed by a Purdue University speech-language researcher and entrepreneur. |
Living in ethnic enclaves may improve pregnancy outcomes for Asian/Pacific islandersAmong Asian/Pacific Islander women living in the United States, those who reside in ethnic enclaves—areas with a high concentration of residents of a similar ancestry—are less likely to have pregnancy or birth complications than those living in other areas, suggests a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions. The findings appear in the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. | |
Children's Hospital Colorado breakthrough therapy approved for people with cystic fibrosisResearchers at the Children's Hospital Colorado Breathing Institute, one of the largest cystic fibrosis (CF) clinical care centers in the U.S., are part of a Therapeutics Development Network that oversaw clinical trials leading to FDA approval of TRIKAFTA, a new, highly-effective CF treatment for people with CF 12 years of age and older. The team, led by Drs. Scott Sagel and Edith Zemanick and in partnership with the University of Colorado School of Medicine, are currently involved in trials of TRIKAFTA in children ages 6-11 years. Eventually researchers hope the treatment will be approved for use beginning in early infancy, which could prevent the devastating lung damage and disease progression that commonly occurs in CF. TRIKAFTA will help approximately 90% of people living with CF. | |
 | New position paper offers practical guidance for osteoporosis managementIn 2018 the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO) published the updated European guidance for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Now, the newly published position paper, "Algorithm for the management of patients at low, high and very high risk of osteoporotic fractures" summarizes the guidance in an international setting, with a focus on the categorisation of risk as a strategy to target therapeutic interventions. |
Angola hit by polio outbreak after years without casesAngola recorded an outbreak of polio this week after almost a decade without cases of the paralysing viral disease, the government said. | |
 | Addressing challenges in inter-rater reliability in Traditional Chinese MedicineDiagnostic agreement between practitioners is an ongoing challenge in the evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and other healthcare systems that rely on constitutional types. The topic is the subject of a Special Focus Issue on Challenges in Inter-Rater Reliability in Traditional Chinese Medicine that is published as the November 2019 issue of JACM, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. |
 | Study shows that African eye worm threatens elimination of river blindnessEfforts to eliminate river blindness, a debilitating disease affecting millions in Africa, will be hampered by another parasitic infection known as Loiasis, or 'African eye worm,' according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. |
 | Seventy percent of teens surveyed engaged with food and beverage brands on social media in 2017Seventy percent of teens surveyed report engaging with food and beverage brands on social media and 35 percent engaged with at least five brands, according to a new study from the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity published in the journal Appetite. The study, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, found that 93 percent of the brands that teens reported engaging with on social media were fast food, unhealthy snack foods, candy, and sugary drinks, which are primarily the brands that target them with traditional forms of advertising. |
 | Behavioral sciences in the promotion of oral health2019 marks the Centennial of the Journal of Dental Research (JDR). Over the last century the JDR has been dedicated to the dissemination of new knowledge and information on all sciences relevant to dentistry and to the oral cavity and associated structures in health and disease. To celebrate, the JDR is featuring a yearlong, commemorative article and podcast series that highlights topics that have transformed dental, oral and craniofacial research over the past 100 years. |
Biology news
 | To navigate, flies make flexible mental maps of the worldIn a circular arena, a fruit fly navigates a virtual landscape illuminated by black and blue lights. The fly is tethered in place, able to flap its wings but not move its head. Images on the wall rotate to give the illusion of movement. |
 | New fossils shed light on how snakes got their bite and lost their legsNew fossils of an ancient legged snake, called Najash, shed light on the origin of the slithering reptiles. |
 | A decade after the predators have gone, Galapagos Island finches are still being spookedOn some of the Galapagos Islands where human-introduced predators of Darwin's finches were eradicated over a decade ago, the finches are still acting as though they are in danger, according to research published today in the Journal of Animal Ecology. |
 | Manmade noise a 'major global pollutant': studyIt is well known that human hubbub can have a negative impact on some animals, but a new study Wednesday says the noise we make should be treated as a "major global pollutant". |
 | Leadership's in the blood for tiny fishLeadership during cooperation runs in the family for tiny fish called Trinidadian guppies, new research shows. |
 | Researchers discover molecular light switch in photoreceptor cellsHow our eyes detect and respond to changes in light intensity is determined by specialized cells in the eye called photoreceptors. In addition to converting light into electrical signals, effectively allowing us to see, rod-shaped photoreceptors adapt to changes in light intensity to protect the eye from damage caused by excessive light exposure. However, in conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa, these cells do not work properly, leading to progressive vision loss. Now, researchers from Japan's Osaka University have identified the protein responsible for the "switch" between light and dark adaptation. |
 | Machine-learning approach helps discover new ways of controlling spatial organization of induced pluripotent stem cellsModel organs grown from patients' own cells may one day revolutionize how diseases are treated. A person's cells, coaxed into heart, lung, liver, or kidney in the lab, could be used to better understand their disease or test whether drugs are likely to help them. But this future relies on scientists' ability to form complex tissues from stem cells, a challenging undertaking. |
 | Manta rays and whale sharks consuming massive amounts of plastics near IndonesiaA team of researchers from Australia, the U.S., Indonesia and New Zealand has measured the amount of plastics that manta rays and whale sharks are ingesting off the coast of Indonesia. In their paper published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, the group describes how they measured the ingestion of plastics by the marine animals. |
 | A ligand-independent origin of abscisic acid perceptionNecessity is the mother of all invention, the saying goes, and that includes the process of evolution. |
 | Genetic discovery holds implications for better immunity, longer lifeWrinkles on the skin of a microscopic worm might provide the key to a longer, healthier life for humans. |
 | 3-D maps of gene activityA three-dimensional computer model enables scientists to quickly determine which genes are active in which cells, and their precise location within an organ. A team led by Nikolaus Rajewsky, Berlin, and Nir Friedman, Jerusalem, has published the new method and their insights gained from this in Nature. |
 | A third of Africa's tropical flora threatened with extinction: studyA third of the species of tropical plants in Africa are potentially threatened with extinction, according to a preliminary estimate published Wednesday by the journal Science Advances. |
 | Only eat oysters in months with an 'r'? Rule of thumb is at least 4,000 years oldFoodie tradition dictates only eating wild oysters in months with the letter "r"—from September to April—to avoid watery shellfish, or worse, a nasty bout of food poisoning. Now, a new study suggests people have been following this practice for at least 4,000 years. |
 | Bursting the bubble: Revealing tasty genetic secrets of gigantic single-celled creaturesOkinawan cuisine is known for its many delicacies—from squid ink soup to rafute pork belly. But one of the most famous delicacies served in restaurants across Okinawa is a type of seaweed, which is renowned for its pleasing texture and taste. Instead of leaves, this seaweed has bundles of little green bubbles that burst in the mouth, releasing the salty-sweet flavor of the ocean. |
 | Dog and sheep bones help injured pigeons fly againSheep and dog bones can be whittled into orthopedic pins that stabilize pigeons' fractured wings, helping the fractures to heal properly without follow-up surgery. Researchers describe the treatment, which is cheaper and more efficient than using metal pins for pigeon rehabilitative surgeries, November 20th in the journal Heliyon. |
 | Beavers brought in to beat flooding in BritainBeavers are to be reintroduced in two parts of Britain as part of plans to help control flooding, the National Trust announced on Wednesday. |
 | Hip dysplasia in cats is hereditary and more common in bigger individualsMillions of cats in the world likely suffer from hip dysplasia, but this cat health problem has rarely been studied. In a newly published study with a focus on the "gentle giant" Maine Coon breed, SLU researchers conclude that the condition is heritable and is more common in large cats. The study also showed that the Swedish health program has been effective in reducing the incidence of hip dysplasia in the breed through selective breeding. The finding that larger cats are more likely to have hip dysplasia suggests breeding for the large body type carries with it the additional risk of hip dysplasia. |
 | In the Great Lakes' most productive fishing grounds, dead zones are eroding livelihoodsFrom his lakefront dock in Crystal Rock, 70 miles west of Cleveland, Dean Koch still gleefully reminisces on his career as a commercial fisherman in the heyday. |
 | Slowing down: Is aging caused by decreased cellular metabolism?Throughout history, humans have been obsessed with finding a way to prevent aging and prolong life. Although the mechanisms have long eluded us, modern science is revealing more and more about the aging process. Now, researchers from Japan have uncovered new information about the genetic processes that may trigger age-related disorders, including low energy production and low cellular growth. |
 | Innovative hearing protection may protect military working dogsMilitary working dogs played a vital role in the recent raid and death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi; however, temporary and permanent hearing loss due to high-decibel noise in training, transport and operations put these animals at risk. Now, thanks to an Army small business innovation program, canines may have new gear to protect their ears. |
 | Yeasts in nectar can stimulate the growth of bee coloniesResearchers from KU Leuven have found that the presence of yeasts can alter the chemical composition and thus the nutritional value of nectar for pollinators such as bees. Moreover, the study found that yeasts can even boost bee health and colony fitness. "Research into the role of microbes in our ecosystem is of vital importance to safeguard bees." |
 | Hormone clue to snail shells' spiralAn enzyme that makes the male sex hormones has unravelled a fresh clue about how snail shells come to be curly. |
 | Melanin-producing Streptomyces are more likely to colonize plantsPlant growth-promoting Streptomyces assemble into the internal, root endophytic compartments of a wide variety of plants around the world. These bacteria are well-known for their ability to produce a huge array of secondary metabolites and also protect against pests. |
 | Botanists scour aging orchards for long-lost apple varietiesThe apple tree stands alone near the top of a steep hill, wind whipping through its branches as a perfect sunset paints its leaves a vibrant gold. |
Two insect species classified as threatened as glaciers meltFederal wildlife officials say the continued existence of two species of insects is in doubt because the glaciers and year-round snowfields they depend on are melting away. | |
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