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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for December 2, 2019:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | Researchers identify a minimoon fireballA team of researchers at Curtin University studying data from Australia's Desert Fireball Network has identified a minimoon fireball. In their paper published in The Astronomical Journal, the group describes how they found the fireball and the methods they used to show that it had come from a minimoon. |
 | Image: Hubble detects dynamic galactic duoSome galaxies are closer friends than others. While many live their own separate, solitary lives, others stray a little too close to a near neighbor and take their friendship even deeper. |
 | Solar Wind Around Pluto instrument confirms solar wind slows farther away from the sunMeasurements taken by the Solar Wind Around Pluto (SWAP) instrument aboard NASA's New Horizons spacecraft are providing important new insights from some of the farthest reaches of space ever explored. In a paper recently published in the Astrophysical Journal, a team led by Southwest Research Institute shows how the solar wind—the supersonic stream of charged particles blown out by the Sun—evolves at increasing distances from the Sun. |
 | Scientist leads international team to crack 60-year-old mystery of Sun's magnetic wavesA Queen's University Belfast scientist has led an international team to the ground-breaking discovery of why the Sun's magnetic waves strengthen and grow as they emerge from its surface, which could help to solve the mystery of how the corona of the Sun maintains its multi-million degree temperatures. |
 | Spacewalking astronauts add new pumps to cosmic detectorSpacewalking astronauts installed new pumps on a cosmic ray detector outside the International Space Station on Monday in a bid to extend its scientific life. |
 | Black hole or newborn stars? SOFIA finds galactic puzzleUniversities Space Research Association (USRA) today announced that scientists on NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) found a strange black hole that is changing its galactic surroundings in a way that is usually associated with newborn stars. |
 | NASA shares mid-sized robotic lunar lander concept with industryAs NASA presses forward with the agency's mission to the Moon, Mars and beyond, the development of top-tier technology is critical to success. With emphasis on lunar exploration and scientific investigation, the desire to deliver a wide variety of payloads to the Moon has increased. |
 | Astronaut Luca feeling the force, to advance rover controlESA astronaut Luca Parmitano has made robotics history, reaching out from the International Space Station in orbit around Earth at 8 km/s, to control an Earth-based rover, equipped with an advanced gripper possessing the equivalent mobility and dexterity of a human hand. |
 | When space travel is a blurCanadian scientists are working on a new way to measure the mechanics of the human eye to better identify astronauts at risk of developing ocular damage before they go into space. Collaborating with the Canadian Space Agency and NASA, Université de Montréal researchers Santiago Costantino and Mark Lesk hope to use their expertise in measuring ocular rigidity to protect astronauts from the adverse impacts that space travel can have on their vision. |
 | Mercury transit observed at Cerro Tololo Inter-American ObservatoryAbout 13 times per century, fleeting Mercury can be seen passing directly in front of the Sun in what is called a transit. The most recent Mercury transit occurred on November 11, 2019. |
Technology news
 | Kaolin: The first comprehensive library for 3-D deep learning researchAs most real-world environments are three-dimensional, deep learning models designed to analyze videos or complete tasks in real-world environments should ideally be trained on 3-D data. Technological tools such as robots, self-driving vehicles, smartphones, and other devices are currently generating a growing amount of 3-D data that could eventually be processed by deep learning algorithms. |
 | Helping machines perceive some laws of physicsHumans have an early understanding of the laws of physical reality. Infants, for instance, hold expectations for how objects should move and interact with each other, and will show surprise when they do something unexpected, such as disappearing in a sleight-of-hand magic trick. |
 | A Moonshot robot is earning marks for sorting trashIdea hatchers at the Moonshot Factory, Alphabet X, have been busy on an Everyday Robot project and its goal is quite simple. They are keen on "building a robot that can learn to operate in many different situations." |
 | Carpentry Compiler helps woodworkers design objects that they can actually makeAs the holidays approach, people might be thinking of neat do-it-yourself woodworking projects to give as gifts. But there's often a disconnect between designing an object and coming up with the best way to make it. |
 | New framework brings accuracy, efficiency to identifying stop wordsA research team led by Northwestern Engineering's Luis Amaral has developed an algorithmic approach for data analysis that automatically recognizes uninformative words—known as stop words—in a large collection of text. The findings could dramatically save time during natural language processing as well as reduce its energy footprint. |
 | 'Black Friday' becoming a shadow of its former self in USThe US holiday shopping season officially opened with a deluge of "Black Friday" promotions but the frenzied crowds of the past have thinned out with the rise of e-commerce. |
 | China bans 'fake news' created with AI, botsChina has issued new rules banning online video and audio providers from using artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality technologies to produce "fake news." |
 | Tokyo's main Olympic stadium ready to fight heatConstruction of the $1.4 billion main Tokyo Olympic venue has officially completed, constructors said on Saturday, and is set to fight excessive heat with a nature-inspired design. |
 | Twitter won't be removing inactive accounts after backlash over profiles of dead usersTwitter is rethinking its plans to purge inactive accounts, including those started by users who have died. |
 | Apple says to 'carefully' examine Crimea map controversyApple said on Saturday it was going to "carefully" examine its controversial decision to show the annexed Crimea peninsula as part of Russia on maps and weather apps which has caused an outcry in Ukraine. |
 | Fiat Chrysler and union reach tentative contract deal in USFiat Chrysler and the United Auto Workers union have reached a tentative labor agreement calling for billions in new investments and thousands of new jobs, the UAW announced Saturday. |
 | US online Black Friday sales hit record $7.4 bnOnline sales on Black Friday in the United States hit a record $7.4 billion this year, with a jump in the number of transactions made from smartphones, according to data released Saturday by Adobe Analytics. |
 | China's Trip.com chief on journey to boost working mothersThe head of Chinese travel giant Trip.com, Jane Sun, is on a mission to propel women through her workforce, spearheading novel approaches such as encouraging babies on business trips and free egg freezing. |
 | Still on top: Cyber Monday sales on track to hit recordCyber Monday is still holding up as the biggest online shopping day of the year, even though many of the same deals have been available online for weeks and the name harks back to the days of dial-up modems. |
 | AI could be a force for good – but we're currently heading for a darker futureArtificial Intelligence (AI) is already re-configuring the world in conspicuous ways. Data drives our global digital ecosystem, and AI technologies reveal patterns in data. Smartphones, smart homes, and smart cities influence how we live and interact, and AI systems are increasingly involved in recruitment decisions, medical diagnoses, and judicial verdicts. Whether this scenario is utopian or dystopian depends on your perspective. |
 | Researchers develop generator that uses substance to convert waste heat into clean electricityUT Dallas researchers have developed a generator prototype that uses liquid metal to convert waste heat into clean electricity. From left: Electrical engineering doctoral students Tianyu Chen and Mahshid Khoshlessan, and Dr. Babak Fahimi, Distinguished Chair in Engineering and professor of electrical engineering, monitor the performance of a smart variable speed motor, which can follow commands wirelessly. |
 | For hydrogen to be truly 'clean' it must be made with renewables, not coalUsing hydrogen as a clean fuel is an idea whose time may be coming. For Australia, producing hydrogen is alluring: it could create a lucrative new domestic industry and help the world achieve a carbon-free future. |
 | Cultural differences account for global gap in online regulation: studyDifferences in cultural values have led some countries to tackle the spectre of cyber-attacks with increased internet regulation, whilst others have taken a 'hands-off' approach to online security—a new study shows. |
 | Significant developments in gamut mapping for the film industryParticularly in the film industry, the rapid development of display technologies has created an urgent need to develop fast, automatic gamut mapping algorithms. An article published on 14 November in the advanced online edition of the IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence presents significant progress in this area. |
 | 'Hundreds of millions of people' may have had their text messages exposed online, researchers saySome of your text messages may have been left exposed on the internet for the world to see. |
 | Facebook tests tool to move photos to Google, other rivalsFacebook started testing a tool on Monday that lets users move their images more easily to other online services, as it faces pressure from regulators to loosen its grip on data. |
 | Mass English lawsuit over VW 'dieselgate' reaches courtVolkswagen faced its first mass lawsuit in the English courts on Monday over the "dieselgate" emissions scandal, with around 90,000 drivers demanding compensation from the German auto giant. |
 | UK probes Google's Looker purchase over competition concernsBritain's competition watchdog says it's investigating Google's purchase of cloud data analytics company Looker Data Sciences, adding to the regulatory pressures the U.S. tech giant is facing. |
 | EU to check how Facebook, Google use data: spokeswomanThe European Commission said Monday it had begun a "preliminary investigation" into how Facebook and Google collect personal data and what they do with it. |
 | T-Mobile launches 5G service across UST-Mobile said Monday it became the first to launch 5G wireless service across the United States, although it will be slower than some expect for the new generation of connectivity. |
 | Berlin airport to open in 2020 after nine-year delayBerlin's new international airport is set to open on October 31, 2020, its operating company said Friday, after an embarrassing nine-year delay owing to structural problems and corruption. |
 | Zablit chosen as Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi secretary generalA French-Lebanese engineer has been chosen as secretary general of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi auto alliance, part of a new business framework announced a year after former boss Carlos Ghosn was arrested. |
 | From armchairs to iPhones, India's millennials rent it allAt 29, Spandan Sharma doesn't own a flat, a car, or even a chair—one of a growing number of Indian millennials bucking traditional norms and instead opting to rent everything from furniture to iPhones. |
 | No clear flight plan for Alitalia after rescue stallsEfforts to save loss-making Alitalia have reached an impasse after months of unsuccessful negotiations with potential buyers, leaving Italy's government undecided on the next move. |
 | Five key opportunities identified for hydrogen industry growthA new report from the national science agency, CSIRO, maps the critical research steps Australia must follow to realise a potential 7,600 jobs and $11 billion per year by 2050 from the burgeoning hydrogen industry. |
 | New streaming technology will change computer gamingStreaming services, such as Netflix or Amazon Prime, are widely used. But the next wave of digital media is imminent: cloud gaming. This technology is similar to video-on-demand services. A computer game is run on a server in the cloud. The players access the server via an internet connection and receive an audio/video stream on their personal device. Players no longer have to own a powerful gaming device; instead, they just need a fast internet connection, capable of streaming large amounts of data from the cloud with low latency. |
 | Facebook, Apple TV+ or 5G: Which tops the list of Tech Turkeys for 2019Thanksgiving is behind us, but there's one more serving on the menu: our annual look back at the tech turkeys of 2019. |
 | Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg says the social network should not be 'censoring politicians'Facebook CEO and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg on Monday reiterated his refusal to take down political advertisements on the social network even if the ads contain false information. |
 | New higher-speed Florida train has highest US death rateAfter Richard Branson announced his Virgin Group would partner with Brightline, Florida's new higher-speed passenger rail service, a train whisked the British billionaire, VIPs and journalists from Miami to West Palm Beach in just over an hour and then back, with no problems. |
 | Amazon pulls Auschwitz 'Christmas ornaments' after protestAmazon said Monday it has removed "Christmas ornaments" and other merchandise bearing the images of Auschwitz that had been available on its online site. |
 | EU loses bid to overturn WTO Airbus rulingA World Trade Organization panel found Monday the EU had failed to remove the illegal subsidies to Airbus that are at the centre of a bitter dispute between Washington and Brussels. |
 | France says US pulling back on digital tax dealFrench Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Monday that US officials no longer wanted a global deal on taxing multinational technology giants, and that Washington might be preparing penalities over a digital tax implemented by France this year. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Study identifies brain networks that play crucial role in suicide riskAn international team of researchers has identified key networks within the brain which they say interact to increase the risk that an individual will think about—or attempt—suicide. Writing today in Molecular Psychiatry, the researchers say that their review of existing literature highlights how little research has been done into one of the world's major killers, particularly among the most vulnerable groups. |
 | Facial deformity in royal dynasty was linked to inbreeding, scientists confirmThe "Habsburg jaw", a facial condition of the Habsburg dynasty of Spanish and Austrian kings and their wives, can be attributed to inbreeding, according to new results published in the Annals of Human Biology. |
 | New technique visually depicts how cancer cells grow and spread in colon tissueDuke Cancer Institute researchers have observed how stem cell mutations quietly arise and spread throughout a widening field of the colon until they eventually predominate and become a malignancy. |
 | Mapping the relay networks of our brainA team of scientists led by Karl Farrow at NeuroElectronics Research Flanders (NERF, empowered by imec, KU Leuven and VIB) is unraveling how our brain processes visual information. They identified specific roles for distinct neuronal cell types in passing on information from the eye to downstream brain regions that guide behavior. Such knowledge is essential to understand how sensory information guides our actions and decisions. |
 | New principle for activation of cancer genes discoveredResearchers have long known that some genes can cause cancer when overactive, but exactly what happens inside the cell nucleus when the cancer grows has so far remained enigmatic. Now, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have found a new mechanism that renders one canonical driver of cancer overactive. The findings, published in Nature Genetics, create conditions for brand new strategies to fight cancer. |
 | A lifeline for leaky lung cellsLeaky lungs are a very common side effect of heart failure, but all currently available drugs do is reduce the amount of fluid in the body, rather than plug the leak itself. A new gene therapy created at the Wyss Institute and Boston Children's Hospital and tested in human Lung Chips blocks the mechanical function of a channel protein implicated in lung leakage while leaving its chemical functions intact, offering a new potential clinical target for pulmonary edema with minimal toxicity. |
 | New treatment could ease the passage of kidney stonesEvery year, more than half a million Americans visit the emergency room for kidney stone problems. In most cases, the stones eventually pass out of the body on their own, but the process can be excruciatingly painful. |
 | Study highlights potential for 'liquid health check' to predict disease riskProteins in our blood could in future help provide a comprehensive 'liquid health check', assessing our health and predicting the likelihood that we will we will develop a range of diseases, according to research published today in Nature Medicine. |
 | Unexpected viral behavior linked to type 1 diabetes in high-risk childrenNew results from The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study show an association between prolonged enterovirus infection and the development of autoimmunity to the insulin-producing pancreatic beta-cells that precedes type 1 diabetes (T1D). Notably, researchers also found that early adenovirus C infection seemed to confer protection from autoimmunity. The full findings were published Dec. 2 in Nature Medicine. |
 | Brain receptor that regulates body heat may also help accelerate weight lossThe brain mechanism that enables us to maintain a constant body temperature may also be the key to rapid weight loss, a new study finds. In experiments involving mice that were given a calorie-restricted diet, scientists at Scripps Research discovered that blocking a brain receptor that normally regulates body heat resulted in significant weight reductions. |
 | Endometriosis could be treated with cancer drug, study suggestsThe painful symptoms of endometriosis—a chronic condition which affects millions of women—could potentially be reduced with a drug that had previously been investigated as a cancer treatment. |
 | Researchers study how altered protein degradation contributes to the development of tumorsTo understand the molecular bases of cancer, it is imperative to determine the genetic alterations responsible for the development and spread of this condition and to identify the mechanisms through which healthy cells become malignant. |
 | Percentage of African ancestry affects gene expressionThe percentage of African ancestry in a person's genome determines the level that certain genes are expressed, called mRNA, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study. The discovery could offer insight into the different risk of diseases as well as a different response to medications in African Americans. |
 | Human behaviour follows probabilistic inference patternsHow do human beings perceive their environment and make their decisions? To successfully interact with the immediate environment, for human beings it is not enough to have basic evidence of the world around them. This information by itself is insufficient because it is inherently ambiguous and requires integrating into a particular context to minimize the uncertainty of sensory perception. But, at the same time, the context is ambiguous. For example, am I in a safe or a dangerous place? |
 | Decision-making process becomes visible in the brainWithout hardly noticing, we make countless decisions: to turn left or right on the bus? To wait or to accelerate? To look or to ignore? In the run-up to these decisions the brain evaluates sensory information and only then does it generate a behavior. For the first time, scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology were able to follow such a decision-making process throughout an entire vertebrate brain. Their new approach shows how and where the zebrafish brain transforms the movement of the environment into a decision that causes the fish to swim in a specific direction. |
 | High androgen levels during pregnancy increase the risk of PCOS for several generationsDaughters of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are five times more likely to be diagnosed with PCOS as adults, and the generational transmission is driven by high androgen levels during pregnancy, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden report. Their results, which are based on register-based and clinical studies as well as transgenerational animal studies, are published in Nature Medicine. |
 | Revealed: The deadly superbugs lurking in more than nine in ten make-up bagsThe vast majority of in-use make-up products such as beauty blenders, mascara and lip gloss are contaminated with potentially life threatening superbugs, new research from Aston University published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology has revealed. |
 | New clues about the origins of familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosisA team led by Brazilian researcher Elis Eleutherio, professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, in partnership with Tiago Outeiro, at University of Goettingen, Germany, made important progress in understanding the conformation and accumulation of certain proteins involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). |
 | Researchers find protein promotes cancer, suppresses anti-tumor immunityResearchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have found that a protein involved in immune response to microbes also can fuel cancer development and suppress immune response to the disease. |
 | Taste-related protein provides target for drugs to treat neurological disordersUnderstanding how the brain processes sweet, bitter and umami tastes may one day help researchers design more effective drugs for neurological disorders. |
 | 'Cultured' meat could create more problems than it solvesCultured or in vitro meat, also called "clean meat" by its supporters, is meat produced in a laboratory using bioengineering techniques. |
 | Bill allowing pharmacists to give kids the flu shot at riskThe contentious debate about whether Connecticut lawmakers should scrap a religious exemption for certain childhood vaccinations could inadvertently end up sinking efforts to make the flu vaccine more accessible to children. |
 | Opioid overdose risk is high after medical treatment ends, study findsPeople with opioid addiction face a high risk of overdose after ending treatment with the medication buprenorphine, even when treated for 18 months, a new study by researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons has found. |
 | Chronic opioid treatment may increase PTSD riskLong-term (chronic) treatment with opioids, such as morphine, prior to trauma enhances fear learning in mice, according to a study published in Neuropsychopharmacology. The findings, which link chronic opioid treatment before a traumatic event with responses to subsequent stressful events, may suggest a possible mechanism underlying the frequent co-occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and opioid dependence. |
 | Brush your teeth to protect the heartBrushing teeth frequently is linked with lower risks of atrial fibrillation and heart failure, according to a study published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). |
 | How safe are e-cigarettes?Earlier this year vaping hit the headlines with reports of deaths in the United States linked to the use of e-cigarettes. |
 | Travelling is a risky business when health is overlookedAustralians heading overseas are ignoring potential health risks out of a desire to escape reality through travel, according to University of Queensland-led research. |
 | Why people with intellectual disability experience lower life expectancy: studyResearchers have shown why people with intellectual disability experience lower life expectancy and suggest better public health could improve outcomes. |
 | Mental disorders more frequent in children known to protection servicesChildhood-onset mental disorders are almost three times more frequent in children known to child protection services during early childhood, according to a new study. |
 | Dopamine fasting: an expert reviews the latest craze in Silicon ValleyIt's the latest fad in Silicon Valley. By reducing the brain's feel-good chemical known as dopamine—cutting back on things like food, sex, alcohol, social media and technology – followers believe that they can "reset" the brain to be more effective and appreciate simple things more easily. Some even go so far as avoiding all social activities, and even eye contact. |
 | Study prompts re-think of lifting with a straight backNew Curtin University research has found no evidence to suggest that lifting with a rounded, flexed back caused an increased risk of low back pain. |
 | Think you are allergic to penicillin? There is a 90 per cent chance you may not be anymoreOver 90% of people recorded as having a penicillin allergy may not actually be allergic. Experts Misha Devchand and Dr. Jason Trubiano from Austin Health in Melbourne review the new Australian guidelines on antibiotics in the latest edition of Australian Prescriber. These recommend checking if the penicillin allergy is real. |
 | New recommendations for paracetamol poisoningRecent evidence has prompted a change in the management of paracetamol poisoning, according the authors of the updated guideline summary published online today by the Medical Journal of Australia. |
 | First studies reveal occurrence of 'chew and spit' eating behaviourThe prevalence of the disordered eating behaviour known as 'chew and spit' among teenagers has been determined for the first time, thanks to a large-scale study analysed by psychologists at the University of Sydney. |
 | Caesarean twin births triple over the last 30 yearsThe proportion of twins born by caesarean delivery in Victoria increased threefold, from 24% to 71% of all twin births, during 1983–2015, despite high-level evidence that routine caesarean delivery of twins does not benefit mothers or babies, according to the authors of research published online today by the Medical Journal of Australia. |
 | Novel MRI-guided ultrasound treatment destroys prostate cancerA novel MRI-guided procedure that uses therapeutic ultrasound effectively treats prostate cancer with minimal side effects, according to a new study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Researchers said the incision-free technique could also be used to treat benign enlargement of the prostate gland. |
 | An estimated 1 in 4 children and young people have problematic smartphone usageA study by researchers at King's College London has estimated that one in four children and young people use their smartphones in a way that is consistent with a behavioural addiction. The research was published today in BMC Psychiatry. |
 | Researchers develop 'clever drugs for slimy bugs' in fight against staph infectionsEradicating deadly staph using a new breed of antibiotics has revealed promising results in research released by QUT, to help overcome one of the biggest modern medical challenges. |
 | Researchers find common measures of immune status, inflammation can predict mortalityA new collaborative study led by Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals has found that commonly used clinical indicators of immune status and inflammation can predict mortality in the general population. |
 | Exposure to e-cigarette vapor fails to induce pneumonia in mouse modelsExposure to e-cigarette vapor containing nicotine had no impact on the ability of Streptococcus pneumoniae strain TIGR4 to infect mouse models. The research is published December 2nd in Applied and Environmental Microbiology. |
 | Avoid ice baths for repairing or building muscle after exerciseSuccessful athletes such as Andy Murray and Jessica Ennis-Hill are known for using ice baths after exercise, however new research has thrown cold water on this strategy. New research suggests that ice baths aren't helpful for repairing and building muscle over time, because they decrease the generation of protein in muscles. That's according to new research published in the Journal of Physiology today. |
 | Not yesterday's cocaine: Death toll rising from tainted drugA pain pill prescription for nerve damage revived Gwendolyn Barton's long-dormant addiction last year, awakening fears she would slip back into smoking crack cocaine. |
 | Smart knee bandage for relief of arthrosis patients"Anthrokinemat," a smart knee bandage, is intended to support arthrosis patients in determining the right amount of daily exercise. All relevant data on the strains of the joints are collected and transferred to the patient's mobile phone. Development of the bandage is based on the work of sports scientists at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), which was funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and University Energy (BMWi) over the past three years. Project partners are the University of Bremen, the bandage manufacturer Bauerfeind, and the sensor technology company ITP. Within a follow-up research project, a prototype will be developed. |
 | Case report: Stem cells a step toward improving motor, sensory function after spinal cord injuryStem cells derived from a patient's own fat offer a step toward improving—not just stabilizing—motor and sensory function of people with spinal cord injuries, according to early research from Mayo Clinic. |
 | Disclaimers on retouched photos don't solve problem of negative body imageLabels that warn an image has been altered or enhanced do nothing to mitigate women's negative perceptions of their appearance, according to a study published in Body Image this week. More importantly, some disclaimers heightened and even harmed body dissatisfaction in at-risk women, the study showed. |
 | Bushmeat may breed deadly bacteriaPeople who eat wildebeests, wart hogs and other wild African animals may be at risk for contracting potentially life-threatening diseases, according to an international team of researchers. The team analyzed samples of bushmeat—meat derived from wildlife—in the Western Serengeti in Tanzania and identified several groups of bacteria, many of which contain the species that cause diseases such as anthrax, brucellosis and Q fever. |
 | Researchers study the risk of false positives in colon cancer screeningColorectal cancer can develop for months without producing any symptoms and, as soon as the first ones appear, sometimes the disease is already in an advanced stage. Screening programs allow to detect the disease when it is in its initial stages and, thus, to be able to treat it in time and increase the chances of cure. But, despite its clear benefits, there may be a small group of patients who suffer the consequences of a 'false positive.' This means that the blood found in the stool may be due to benign pathologies such as (hemorrhoids or polyps) and not from cancer and, therefore, a colonoscopy should be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Therefore, reducing the possibility of a 'false positive' result is very important to improve the risk-benefit balance of screening programs. |
 | Australian GPs widely offering placebos, new study findsMost Australian GPs have used a placebo in practice at least once, with active placebos (active treatments used primarily to generate positive expectations) more commonly used than inert placebos, according to a new study. |
 | Researchers may have discovered where HIV takes refuge during antiretroviral treatmentAn international team led by Professor Jerome Estaquier from Universite Laval's Faculty of Medicine and the CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval Research Center may have discovered where in the body HIV takes refuge during antiretroviral treatment. Research conducted using an animal model indicates that the virus may hide in lymph nodes in the spleen and gut. The researchers believe those lymph nodes are the staging ground from which the virus prepares to relaunch the infection after treatment has stopped, according to the study published in Mucosal Immunology. |
 | New treatment triggers self-destruction of pancreatic cancer cellsPancreatic cancer is resistant to all current treatments. Patients have extremely poor chances of surviving for five years after being diagnosed. |
 | People with depression experience suicidal thoughts despite treatmentOne in five people with depression have suicidal thoughts despite treatment with antidepressants. This is demonstrated in a new study from iPSYCH. The results can be used to examine whether more targeted treatment could be provided for patients where medication does not have a sufficient effect. |
 | Mechanism that triggers the inflammatory process by Mayaro virus is discoveredThe mechanism by which defense cells respond to infection by the Mayaro virus has been described by a team affiliated with the Center for Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CRID) in an article published in the journal PLOS Pathogens. |
 | Dietary supplements may delay aging in animal modelsWe are getting older and older, but some diseases mean that the patients age far too early and therefore live significantly shorter than the average. One of these types of diseases is Werner Syndrome. Patients with Werner Syndrome have early signs of aging, such as grey hair, wrinkled skin, increased incidence of cancer and type 2 diabetes. On average, they die at the age of 45. The underlying mechanisms of the disease are unknown, and therefore no treatment is yet available. |
| Study pinpoints barriers to preventive care for people at high risk for HIVMany high-risk people eligible for medication to prevent HIV infection face barriers to obtaining a prescription, according to research by University of Massachusetts Amherst psychologist Avy Skolnik. |
 | Smoking may cause white scars on the brainIt's quite possible that you are one of those people with white spots on the brain. Healthy people aren't spared them, but sick individuals may be more vulnerable. If you smoke, the risk increases even more. |
 | Developing a new AI breast cancer diagnostic toolScientists are developing a new way to identify the unique chemical 'fingerprints' for different types of breast cancers. |
 | Pharmacy service will save NHS £651 millionA research team from the Universities of Manchester, Nottingham, and UCL evaluating a service delivered by pharmacists since 2011 have calculated it will save the English NHS around £651 million. |
 | Researchers investigate the effects of eye movements when reading texts in different languagesThe existence of language universality has been a key issue in psychology and linguistics, since the understanding of universals is crucial for the development of information perception models. |
 | Pot while pregnant: medicine doctors urge cautionDaily marijuana use during pregnancy may lead to an increased risk of low birth weight, low resistance to infection, decreased oxygen levels and other negative fetal health outcomes, according to a new study from a team of UNLV Medicine doctors. |
 | A nimbler way to track alcohol use—by mining Twitter and Google searchesCollecting rigorous public health data through large survey-based studies is a slow, expensive process. New research from Boston Children's Hospital shows that mining people's alcohol-related tweets and online searches offers a more immediate, localized information source to complement traditional methods, offering public health professionals the opportunity to spot emerging trends and measure the effects of alcohol-related interventions. Findings appear December 2 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. |
 | Face mask can help combat mild cases of sleep conditionA night time face mask can improve energy levels and vitality in people who suffer from the condition sleep apnoea, which is associated with snoring and breathing problems at night. |
 | A new therapeutic target against diseases caused by lipid accumulation in cellsResearchers from the University of Barcelona (UB) and the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS) found a new molecular mechanism involved in the regulation of cholesterol movement in cells, an essential process for proper cell functioning. |
 | Researchers find a way to collect elusive blood stem cells from zebrafishHematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are multipotent cells that can develop into every type of blood cell in the body. They can also be used in medical research to understand and treat blood-based diseases. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are used to study HSCs, particularly in the field of developmental biology, but the research in the adult animal is often limited because stem cells are difficult to purify in this species. Researchers at Kanazawa University and their collaborators now describe a purification scheme that allows these elusive zebrafish HSCs to be collected. |
 | Investigational drugs reduce risk of death from Ebola virus diseaseThe investigational therapeutics mAb114 and REGN-EB3 offer patients a greater chance of surviving Ebola virus disease (EVD) compared to the investigational treatment ZMapp, according to published results from a clinical trial conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The new report also shows that early diagnosis and treatment are associated with an increased likelihood of survival from EVD. |
 | Current statin use may lower risk for lethal prostate cancer(HealthDay)—Current statin use is inversely associated with the risk for lethal prostate cancer, according to a study published online Nov. 21 in Clinical Cancer Research. |
 | General fertility rate declined in United States in 2018(HealthDay)—The general fertility rate declined to 59.1 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44 years in 2018 in the United States, according to a study published online Nov. 27 in the National Health Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
 | Federal, state background check laws together cut teen gun carrying(HealthDay)—The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) together with the universal background check (U/BC) significantly reduces gun carrying among adolescents, according to a study published online Dec. 2 in Pediatrics. |
 | Holding intubated infants in ICU found to be safe, beneficial(HealthDay)—Holding intubated infants in the intensive care unit is well tolerated and does not increase adverse events, according to a study published in the December issue of Critical Care Nurse. |
 | End-stage renal disease patients at higher risk for syphilis(HealthDay)—End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients are at a higher risk for contracting syphilis, according to a study recently published in the Clinical Kidney Journal. |
 | Could mammograms screen for heart disease?By screening for breast cancer, mammography has helped save hundreds of thousands of lives. Using the test to also screen for heart disease might someday help save many thousands more. |
 | 1 in 18 U.S. teens carries a gun to school: Study(HealthDay)—Fifteen million kids attend high school in the United States, and around 1 in 18 goes armed with a gun, a new study finds. |
 | Reflecting on photos helps young cancer survivors regain confidenceYoung cancer survivors face unique medical and psychosocial challenges that can hinder their ability to move on mentally and socially, even years after their final treatment. Lingering feelings of isolation and loss can contribute to a lack of confidence and self-efficacy, or the sense that they will be able to handle whatever arises in the future. But new research suggests survivors who retell their story through photography can significantly increase their self-esteem and self-efficacy. |
 | Researchers compare nutritional value of infant and toddler foodsInfant and toddler foods sold in pouches have lower nutritional value than foods sold in jars and other packaging, according to a new study led by researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. |
 | Researchers identify a process responsible for therapeutic resistance in breast cancerResearchers at the Lady Davis Institute have identified a key protein that is required for resistance to chemotherapy in the most aggressive form of breast cancer. This holds the promise of opening the door to new therapies for overcoming drug resistance. |
 | Study suggests new strategies against bone metastases from prostate cancerWhen prostate cancer spreads, it most often spreads to bone. And while the 5-year survival rate for prostate cancer that has not spread is nearly 100 percent, once the disease reaches bone, the 5-year survival rate is only 29 percent. Now a University of Colorado Cancer Center study published in the Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer suggests a new approach, or, possibly two new approaches against these bone metastases: While targeted therapies and anti-cancer immunotherapies have not been especially successful against primary prostate cancers, the study suggests that both these approaches may be effective against the bone metastases that grow from primary prostate cancers, and, in fact, the type of bone metastasis may dictate which targeted therapies and immunotherapies work best. |
 | Earthquake risk perception: A picture is worth a thousand statsRealistic images can be more effective than statistical data for persuading people to take action in support of seismic upgrades to schools, new University of British Columbia research suggests. |
Program to address opioid prescribing for lung, head and neck cancer patientsThe University of Illinois at Chicago has received a grant from the Coleman Foundation to develop a screening process for prescribing opioids and managing opioid use disorders in cancer patients who receive care at UI Health, UIC's clinical health enterprise. | |
 | Model probes possible treatments for neonatal infection, a common cause of infant deathExtremely premature infants are at risk for life-threatening infections that spread into their bodies from the intestine. Infections after the first three days of life are called late-onset sepsis, or LOS. |
 | Mental health information in rural areas is best delivered face-to-face, study showsMental health is a concern in rural areas, as farmers cope with stress and uncertainty due to economic and environmental conditions. Often, there are no mental health providers in the local community. Public health programs can help, but what are the best ways to reach farm populations with those programs? That's the topic of a new study conducted by a University of Illinois researcher. |
 | Study finds common cold virus can infect the placentaResearchers have shown that a common cold virus can infect cells derived from human placentas, suggesting that it may be possible for the infection to pass from expectant mothers to their unborn children. |
 | Researchers find clue to preventing addiction relapseWith any addiction in which a user has successfully resisted a chemical, activity or substance, relapse is vexing. And with opioids, it's often deadly. Fatal overdoses following relapse from an opioid addiction is reaching epidemic proportions. |
HIV campaign tackles sex taboos in S.SudanIn Andrew Makech's home village near Rumbek in central South Sudan, few have ever heard of a condom, and broaching the topic of its use would be considered taboo. | |
Mountain village embraces its legacy as cure center for TBTuberculosis put Saranac Lake on the map. | |
19 people report illness on cruise ship in CaliforniaAuthorities say 19 people aboard a cruise ship reported flu-like illnesses as they reached a Southern California port. | |
 | 50 children killed by measles in Samoa as outbreak worsensSamoa's government said Monday that another five children had died within the past day from a measles outbreak, bringing the death toll from the epidemic to more than 50 as authorities race to vaccinate the entire population. |
 | New report exposes 'pink and pretty' alcohol marketing tactics to womenA new report has uncovered the tactics the alcohol industry is using to make their products more appealing to women and calls on the Australian Government to introduce stronger controls on alcohol marketing, independent of the alcohol industry. |
 | Why stress doesn't always cause depressionRats susceptible to anhedonia, a core symptom of depression, possess more serotonin neurons after being exposed to chronic stress, but the effect can be reversed through amygdala activation, according to new research in the Journal of Neuroscience. |
 | The neurobiological basis of gender dysphoriaA new theory of gender dysphoria argues the symptoms of the condition are due to changes in network activity, rather than incorrect brain sex, according to work recently published in eNeuro. |
 | Eliminating food deserts won't help poorer Americans eat healthierIn the U.S., rich people tend to eat a lot healthier than poor people. |
Is it sore throat or strep throat?A sore throat is a common symptom of an upper respiratory infection such as a cold or flu. It's also a symptom of a bacterial infection commonly referred to as strep throat. How can you tell if your child's sore throat is caused by a viral or bacterial infection? Mayo Clinic family medicine specialist Dr. Tina Ardon helps make the distinction. | |
 | Supermarkets and child nutrition in AfricaHunger and undernutrition are still widespread problems in Africa. At the same time, overweight, obesity, and related chronic diseases are also on the rise. Recent research suggested that the growth of supermarkets contributes to obesity in Africa, because supermarkets tend to sell more processed foods than traditional markets. However, previous studies only looked at data from adults. New research shows that supermarkets are not linked to obesity in children, but that they instead contribute to reducing child undernutrition. The results were recently published in the journal Global Food Security. |
 | Improving tuberculosis screening in remote areasTuberculosis (TB) is the number one infectious disease killer worldwide. Particularly in hard-to-reach populations, diagnosis and treatment of TB remains very challenging. In high-burden areas, one third of patients are never diagnosed. To find, diagnose and treat these patients, several countries have adopted active TB case finding campaigns. During such campaigns, people are asked about symptoms suggestive of TB and, if positive, will be tested with a molecular sputum test, the Xpert MTB/RIF. |
 | Study shows link between precipitation, climate zone and invasive cancer rates in the USIn a new study, researchers provide conclusive evidence of a statistical relationship between the incidence rates of invasive cancer in a given area in the U.S. and the amount of precipitation and climate type (which combines the temperature and moisture level in an area). The researchers recommend additional studies to understand how environmental factors such as precipitation and temperature are linked to cancer rates. The current study is published in Environmental Engineering Science. |
 | NIH study reports more than half of US office-based physicians recommend CHAA new study has shown that more than half (53.1%) of office-based physicians in the U.S., across specialty areas, recommended at least one complementary health approach (CHA) to their patients during the previous 12 months, with female physicians (63.2%) more likely to recommend a CHA than male physicians (49.3%). This unique study, which found physician's sex, race, specialty, and U.S. region to be significant predictors of CHA recommendation, is published in JACM, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. |
Biology news
 | Researchers reveal unexpected versatility of an ancient DNA repair factorIf a bone breaks or a tendon snaps, you know to seek treatment immediately. But your most fragile and precious cellular commodity, chromosomal DNA, breaks with astounding frequency—some estimate as many as 10,000 times a day per cell—usually without consequence. That's because legions of DNA repair proteins prevent genomic catastrophe by repairing DNA damaged by chemical or physical mutagens or just normal cellular wear and tear. Proteins dedicated to these tasks are common to all species. In fact, life as we (or bacteria) know it cannot exist without proteins dedicated to DNA repair. |
 | A new way to control microbial metabolismMicrobes can be engineered to produce a variety of useful compounds, including plastics, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals. However, in many cases, these products compete with the metabolic pathways that the cells need to fuel themselves and grow. |
 | When reefs die, parrotfish thriveIn contrast to most other species, reef-dwelling parrotfish populations boom in the wake of severe coral bleaching. |
 | New evolutionary insights into the early development of songbirdsAn international team led by Alexander Suh at Uppsala University has sequenced a chromosome in zebra finches called the germline-restricted chromosome (GRC). This chromosome is only found in germline cells, the cells that hold genetic information which is passed on to the next generation. The researchers found that the GRC is tens of millions of years old and plays a key role in songbird biology, having collected genes used for embryonic development. |
 | Harnessing the power of CRISPR in space and timeResearchers in Vienna from Ulrich Elling's laboratory at IMBA—Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences—in collaboration with the Vienna BioCenter Core Facilities have developed a revolutionary CRISPR technology called "CRISPR-Switch," which enables unprecedented control of the CRISPR technique in both space and time. |
 | Potential harm of new viruses predicted by studyThe threat to global human health posed by newly emerging viruses such as Ebola, SARS and the Zika virus can be predicted, a study has found. |
 | Whaling and climate change led to 100 years of feast or famine for Antarctic penguinsNew research reveals how penguins have dealt with more than a century of human impacts in Antarctica and why some species are winners or losers in this rapidly changing ecosystem. |
 | Scientists build a 'Hubble Space Telescope' to study multiple genome sequencesA new tool that simultaneously compares 1.4 million genetic sequences can classify how species are related to each other at far larger scales than previously possible. Described today in Nature Biotechnology by researchers from the Centre for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona, the technology can reconstruct how life has evolved over hundreds of millions of years and makes important inroads for the ambition to understand the code of life for every living species on Earth. |
 | Fighting fruit flies: Aggressive behavior influenced by previous interactionsOnce a bully, always a bully? |
 | Global levels of biodiversity could be lower than we think, new study warnsBiodiversity across the globe could be in a worse state than previously thought as current biodiversity assessments fail to take into account the long-lasting impact of abrupt land changes, a new study has warned. |
 | Malaria deaths could be reduced thanks to Warwick engineersThe resurgence of Malaria in high risk areas calls for new methods to combat the potentially dangerous situation. A collaboration between researchers at the University of Warwick and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine have found adding a barrier above a bednet can significantly improve the bednet's performance, reduce the quantity of insecticide while expanding the range of insecticides that can be safely delivered via a bednet. |
 | Cell-free synthetic biology comes of ageIf you ask Northwestern Engineering's Michael Jewett, the potential of cell-free gene expression has always made sense. Rip off the wall of the cell, collect its insides, and teach the cell catalyst to produce new kinds of molecules and biological processes without the evolutionary constraints of using intact living cells. |
 | Cats' faces hard to read, except for 'cat whisperers,' research findsCats have a reputation for being hard to read, but new research from the University of Guelph has found that some people are veritable "cat whisperers" who excel at deciphering subtle differences in cats' faces that reveal mood. |
 | Unexpected pattern of fish species richness found in the Amazon BasinThe Amazon Basin contains the largest number of scientifically described freshwater fish species in the world: 2,257 or 15% of the total number of known freshwater species. According to a new study, however, this vast biodiversity is unevenly distributed and follows a completely unexpected pattern. |
 | Researchers discover a potential window for managing insects without chemicalsThe world's insects are headed down the path of extinction with more than 40 percent of insect species in decline according to the first global scientific review, published in early 2019. Intensive agriculture is the main driver, particularly the heavy use of pesticides. |
 | 1940s blood samples reveal historical spread of malariaDNA from 75-year old eradicated European malaria parasites uncovers the historical spread of one of the two most common forms of the disease, Plasmodium vivax, from Europe to the Americas during the colonial period, finds a new study co-led by UCL. |
 | Sweet potato uses a single odor to warn its neighbors of insect attackSweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are becoming more and more popular: Whether in soup or as fries, they increasingly compete with "regular" potatoes which, surprisingly, are only distantly related. Although economically not as important as the potato world-wide, the sweet potato has a higher nutritional value and is richer in vitamins. Particularly in Asia, the crop is an important source of nutrients. |
 | Oat pathogen defence discovery marks an important milestoneResearchers have identified the critical last pieces of a genetic defence system that gives oats resistance to soil pathogens. |
 | Monkeys inform group members about threats, following principles of cooperationCooperation—working together or exchanging services for the benefit of everyone involved—is a vital part of human life and contributes to our success as a species. Often, rather than helping specific others, we work for the good of the community, because this helps our friends and family who are part of the group, or because we share in the benefits with everyone else. However, even though the whole group can benefit when people work together, not everyone may be willing to contribute equally. One way for humans to cooperate is by exchanging information: from gossiping and storytelling to teaching and news reporting, we rely on some individuals possessing knowledge and sharing this knowledge for the greater good. |
 | (Almost) nothing can stop bacterium decimating Florida's orangesPeter Spyke has two types of oranges in his groves: those that are the color orange—and those that are green, unsaleable and responsible for the collapse of Florida's orange crop over the past 15 years. |
 | Lobster catch headed for decline, not crash, scientists sayA pair of studies by Maine-based scientists suggest the U.S. lobster industry is headed for a period of decline, but likely not a crash. |
 | A matchmaker for microbiomesMicrobiomes play essential roles in the natural processes that keep the planet and our bodies healthy, so it's not surprising that scientists' investigations into these diverse microbial communities are leading to advances in medicine, sustainable agriculture, cheap water purification methods, and environmental cleanup technology, just to name a few. However, trying to determine which microbes contribute to an important geochemical or physiological reaction is both incredibly challenging and slow-going, because the task involves analyzing enormous datasets of genetic and metabolic information to match the compounds mediating a process to the microbes that produced them. |
 | Australia's got mussels (but it could be a problem)One of the world's most notorious invasive species has established itself on Australia's coastlines, according to research from The University of Queensland. |
 | Zebra finches survive Australian heatwaves by predicting high temperaturesThe survival habits of a native Australian bird have given Curtin University researchers vital clues that may help understand how wildlife can withstand harsh heatwaves that may prove fatal. |
 | Protein defect leaves sperm chasing their tailsA team led by researchers from Osaka University identify a protein required for electrical signal sensing, which, when defective, causes sperm to swim in circles. |
 | Anthracnose alert: How bacteria prime fifth-biggest global grain crop against deadly fungusAnthracnose of Sorghum bicolor devastates crops of the drought- and heat-resistant cereal worldwide. Priming with rhizobacteria can boost the plants' resistance and tolerance against a wide range of adverse conditions such as microbial attacks. |
 | Ears all round: World's first acoustic observatoryYou won't see stars at the Australian Acoustic Observatory but you will "see" a galaxy of sounds from around Australia. |
 | Using electronics to solve common biological problemsWhat do an electrical engineer, an organic chemist, a materials scientist and a cell biologist all have in common? They invent and improve applications at the interface of biology and electronics. |
 | What we found about bacteria that resist antibiotics in seafoodIt's important to gain a deeper understanding about the various ways in which humans and animals have been exposed to antibiotics, and the rise in bacteria found in food that's resistant to the drugs. This explains why there has been a big increase in research into the sharp rise in bacteria found in food, or food sources, that are resistant to antibiotics. |
 | Christmas tree shopping is harder than ever, thanks to climate change and demographicsIf you're shopping for a live Christmas tree this year, you may have to search harder than in the past. Over the last five years Christmas tree shortages have been reported in many parts of the U.S. |
 | Scientists re-counted Australia's extinct species, and the result is devastatingIt's well established that unsustainable human activity is damaging the health of the planet. The way we use Earth threatens our future and that of many animals and plants. Species extinction is an inevitable end point. |
 | Red tide is back in Florida and rare egrets are at riskA lethal Gulf Coast red tide that littered beaches with dead wildlife in 2018 is back and this time around, it's claiming one of North America's rarest bird species. |
 | Advancement made in the visualization of large, complex datasetsAn improvement to the premier data visualization tool t-distributed Stochastic Neighborhood Embedding (t-SNE), called optimized-t-SNE (opt-SNE), shines new light on researchers' ability to view exactly what is in their datasets. |
 | Testing barley's salt tolerance is a numbers gamePlant scientists are striving to cultivate crops that can cope with saline soils in the hope that this may help feed the world's growing population, particularly in the face of climate change. Now, KAUST researchers have applied a newly developed robust statistical technique to examine how different barley plant traits affect yields grown in saline and nonsaline conditions. |
 | In hunted rainforests, termites lose their dominanceA tiny termite might see an elephant's foot as its biggest threat. But when elephants and other large herbivores are lost to hunting, the termite's troubles are just beginning. |
 | New research highlights an integrated approach for managing aquatic invasive species in CaliforniaThough small and somewhat nondescript, quagga and zebra mussels pose a huge threat to local rivers, lakes and estuaries. Thanks to aggressive measures to prevent contamination, Santa Barbara County's waters have so far been clear of the invasive mollusks, but stewards of local waterways, reservoirs and water recreation areas remain vigilant to the possibility of infestation by these and other non-native organisms. |
 | First action plan in 25 years aims to save Australia's snakes and lizards from extinctionThe status of Australian snakes and lizards has deteriorated significantly over the past two decades, with the number of species assessed as threatened nearly doubling from 1993 to 2017. |
 | Alternative leather from fungiAnimal skin is an excellent material, but the tanning process of leather causes significant chromium emissions that are damaging to the environment and human health. Synthetic leathers also burden the environment and fail to match the quality and durability of animal leather. Therefore, new bio-based replacement materials are sought for leather. VTT is using fungal mycelium to produce skinlike material that would be suited for industrial production. |
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