Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Dec 4

Dear Reader ,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for December 4, 2019:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

Researchers achieve quantum control of an oscillator using a Josephson circuit

A multi-objective optimization approach for socially aware robot navigation

Unusual X-ray spectral variability observed in NGC 1313 X-1

Researchers discover stress in early life extends lifespan

Parker Solar Probe traces solar wind to its source on sun's surface: coronal holes

First giant planet around white dwarf found

Atmospheric river storms create $1 billion-a-year flood damage

Monthly birth control pill could replace daily doses

Freeze frame: Scientists capture atomic-scale snapshots of artificial proteins

Adding copper strengthens 3-D-printed titanium

Global carbon emissions growth slows, but hits record high

Sleep helps memory, right? Not for eyewitnesses

Permanent hair dye and straighteners may increase breast cancer risk

A common drug could help restore limb function after spinal cord injury

New screening method identifies potential anticancer compounds that reawaken T cells

Astronomy & Space news

	Unusual X-ray spectral variability observed in NGC 1313 X-1 An ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) in the NGC 1313 galaxy, known as NGC 1313 X-1, showcases an unusual X-ray spectral variability, according to a new study recently conducted by an international team of astronomers. The finding is reported in a paper published November 21 on arXiv.org.
	Parker Solar Probe traces solar wind to its source on sun's surface: coronal holes A year ago, NASA's Parker Solar Probe flew closer to the sun than any satellite in history, collecting a spectacular trove of data from the very edge of the sun's million-degree corona.
	First giant planet around white dwarf found Researchers using ESO's Very Large Telescope have, for the first time, found evidence of a giant planet associated with a white dwarf star. The planet orbits the hot white dwarf, the remnant of a Sun-like star, at close range, causing its atmosphere to be stripped away and form a disc of gas around the star. This unique system hints at what our own Solar System might look like in the distant future.
	Star-quake vibrations lead to new estimate for Milky Way age Data gathered by NASA's now defunct Kepler telescope provides a solution to an astronomical mystery.
	New study finds the mix that makes Titan's lakes spew nitrogen bubbles New research explains how bubbles erupt in frigid hydrocarbon lakes on Saturn's largest moon Titan, potentially creating fizz intense enough to form geologic features on the moon.
	NASA launching RiTS 'robot hotel' to International Space Station Sometimes robots need a place to stay in space, too. NASA is attaching a "robot hotel" to the outside of the International Space Station with the upcoming launch of the Robotic Tool Stowage (RiTS), a protective storage unit for critical robotic tools.
	NASA's OSIRIS-REx in the midst of site selection NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission is just days away from selecting the site where the spacecraft will snag a sample from asteroid Bennu. After a lengthy and challenging process, the team is finally ready to down-select from the four candidate sites to a primary and backup site.
	Looking for exoplanet life in all the right spectra A Cornell senior has come up with a way to discern life on exoplanets loitering in other cosmic neighborhoods: a spectral field guide.
	Image: A cloudy martian night through the eyes of a supercomputer As NASA's Curiosity rover makes its way over the surface of Mars, it's sometimes accompanied by clouds drifting by in the sky above. Like Earth, the Red Planet has a water cycle, with water molecules moving between the surface and the air, traveling through the atmosphere and coming together to form clouds. The behavior of water-ice clouds on Mars plays a big role in its climate, and this computer simulation shows them forming and dispersing over the course of a Martian day.
	Extent of the challenge to clean up space debris revealed Current levels of space activity may not be sustainable, even without the introduction of so-called 'mega-constellations,' a new study from the University of Southampton has shown.
	Scientists have found out why photons from other galaxies do not reach Earth An international group of scientists, including Andrey Savelyev, associate professor of the Institute of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Information Technologies of the IKBFU, has improved a computer program that helps simulate the behavior of photons when interacting with hydrogen spilled in intergalactic space. Results are published in the scientific journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
	Mexican students launch a small satellite to the International Space Station The first satellite built by students in Mexico for launch from the International Space Station is smaller than a shoebox but represents a big step for its builders.
	NASA's Parker Solar Probe sheds new light on the sun In August 2018, NASA's Parker Solar Probe launched to space, soon becoming the closest-ever spacecraft to the Sun. With cutting-edge scientific instruments to measure the environment around the spacecraft, Parker Solar Probe has completed three of 24 planned passes through never-before-explored parts of the Sun's atmosphere, the corona. On Dec. 4, 2019, four new papers in the journal Nature describe what scientists have learned from this unprecedented exploration of our star—and what they look forward to learning next.
	Sun's close-up reveals atmosphere hopping with highly energetic particles Outbursts of energetic particles that hurtle out from the sun and can disrupt space communications may be even more varied and numerous than previously thought, according to results from the closest-ever flyby of the sun.
	SpaceX delays space station delivery due to high wind SpaceX has delayed its delivery to the International Space Station because of dangerous wind gusts.

Technology news

	A multi-objective optimization approach for socially aware robot navigation Mobile robots are gradually making their way into a number of human-populated environments, including hospitals, malls and people's homes. In order for these robots to interact with humans in their surroundings, they should respect a number of unspoken social norms that are associated with sharing a given environment with others.
	Amazon launches Transcribe Medical for doctors to dictate speech to text Amazon is wasting no time in pursuing the opportunity to apply their voice technology expertise to the medical sector, which indeed has a need for voice to text transcriptions. With Amazon's service, the doctor can dictate clinical notes and speech into accurate text, resulting in transcriptions real time.
	Tencent, Nintendo to launch Switch console in China Chinese internet giant Tencent and gaming titan Nintendo on Wednesday announced plans to launch the Japanese company's popular Switch console in China from next week.
	Google co-founders step down as Pichai named Alphabet CEO Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin are stepping down from their roles at the helm of parent firm Alphabet and handing the reins to current Google CEO Sundar Pichai, the company said Tuesday.
	United Airlines orders 50 Airbus aircraft to replace Boeing 757s United Airlines said Tuesday it had ordered 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, worth an estimated $6.5 billion, to replace an existing fleet of aging Boeings.
	Green-sky thinking for propulsion and power We're seeing a transformational change in the propulsion and power sectors. Aviation and power generation have brought huge benefits—connecting people across the world and providing safe, reliable electricity to billions—but reducing their carbon emissions is now urgently needed.
	The tricky ethics of Google's Project Nightingale, an effort to learn from millions of health records The nation's second-largest health system, Ascension, has agreed to allow the software behemoth Google access to tens of millions of patient records. The partnership, called Project Nightingale, aims to improve how information is used for patient care. Specifically, Ascension and Google are trying to build tools, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, "to make health records more useful, more accessible and more searchable" for doctors.
	Machine learning research may aid many industries Spam emails, bank fraud, diabetes, workers quitting their jobs. What do these topics have in common? The answer can be found in machine learning research at Binghamton University.
	Pros and cons of outgoing car model vs. redesign The end of the calendar year can be an exciting time for new-car buyers. Many vehicles have been redesigned and are packed with the latest technology. However, the outgoing models are still on dealer lots and likely to be discounted steeply by automakers and dealers looking to meet year-end sales goals.
	Portland plans to propose first facial recognition ban affecting private companies The city of Portland, Oregon, is considering a unique ban on facial recognition software that could limit how private companies use it.
Robotics researchers have a duty to prevent autonomous weapons Robotics is rapidly being transformed by advances in artificial intelligence. And the benefits are widespread: We are seeing safer vehicles with the ability to automatically brake in an emergency, robotic arms transforming factory lines that were once offshored and new robots that can do everything from shop for groceries to deliver prescription drugs to people who have trouble doing it themselves.
	Growth in data breaches shows need for government regulations Do you remember when 40 million was a large number? Forty million dollars in sales, 40 million customers, 40 million Twitter followers, 40 million protesters —all once conveyed something substantial.
	New 'hyper glue' formula developed With many of the products we use every day held together by adhesives, researchers from UBC's Okanagan campus and the University of Victoria hope to make everything from protective clothing to medical implants and residential plumbing stronger and more corrosion resistant thanks to a newly-developed 'hyper glue' formula.
	Travel giant Expedia sends CEO packing after weak results Online travel giant Expedia announced the immediate departures Wednesday of chief executive Mark Okerstrom and chief financial officer Alan Pickerill after what the company termed "disappointing" third quarter results.
	Holidays bring phishing scam surge aimed at small business The email looked legitimate, so Danielle Radin clicked on the link it contained, expecting to have her products included in a holiday gift guide.
	Sundar Pichai steps into huge role as Alphabet CEO Taking the reins as chief executive of Google parent Alphabet, the soft-spoken, Indian-born Sundar Pichai faces a host of challenges at one of the world's most valuable companies, which has become besieged by activists and political leaders.
	Instagram to require birth dates in move to block underage use Instagram said Wednesday it would require new users to verify they are at least 13 when they join the visually focused, Facebook-owned social network.
California cuts electric-car rebates, drops luxury models California's rebate program to entice more drivers to purchase electric vehicles has gotten less generous, especially for residents looking to buy luxury models.
	TikTok sued in US over alleged China data transfer A university student in California has filed a class-action lawsuit against video app TikTok, which she accuses of harvesting large amounts of user data and storing it in China.
	TikTok drops 'blunt' cyberbullying policy TikTok has dropped a "blunt" cyberbullying policy, the Chinese-owned video sharing app said Wednesday after a report it hid posts by disabled, gay and overweight people.
	Suitable energy mix for smaller communities Solar thermal, geothermal, photovoltaic—what form of energy supply is most suitable for a particular municipality? Representatives of smaller communities are overwhelmed by a huge amount of information, which tends to exacerbate existing uncertainty. A new online tool from Fraunhofer is now helping to clarify this confusion. The tool calculates the optimal energy mix for each individual case, including funding possibilities available.
	How to build a smart city: Innovation diplomacy, transparency, trust and... conflict? Turning smart city ambitions into partnerships and investment plans is a challenging path. Three people with hands-on experience in inspiring and guiding cities in this process are Muriel Pels and Inge van de Klundert from Municipality of Utrecht and Carolien van Hemel of Utrecht Sustainability Institute.
	Google bans political ads in Singapore as elections loom Google has banned political ads in Singapore ahead of elections, an opposition party said Wednesday, sparking accusations the tech giant was "kowtowing" to the tightly-controlled city's government.
	Tips to help small business owners avoid phishing scam Phishing scams that infect a computer and potentially allow hackers to invade bank and other accounts are highly preventable—but it takes eternal vigilance on the part of computer users.
	Microsoft shareholders defeat 2 activist proposals Microsoft's shareholders have defeated two proposals by activist investors calling for the company to add a rank-and-file employee on its board of directors and report on gender disparities in company salaries.
	Big United order shows Airbus opportunity as Boeing reels United Airlines' order for 50 new mid-range aircraft from Airbus not only hands the European giant a huge win, it exposes a gap in Boeing's portfolio exacerbated by the 737 MAX crisis.

Medicine & Health news

	Monthly birth control pill could replace daily doses Oral contraceptives are one of the most popular forms of birth control: In the United States, about 12 percent of women between 15 and 49 use them. However, their effectiveness depends on being taken every day, and it is estimated that about 9 percent of women taking birth control pills become pregnant each year.
	Sleep helps memory, right? Not for eyewitnesses New research investigating the effect of sleep on eyewitness memory has found that having a period of sleep, compared to a period of wake, does not improve eyewitness identification accuracy.
	Permanent hair dye and straighteners may increase breast cancer risk Scientists at the National Institutes of Health found that women who use permanent hair dye and chemical hair straighteners have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who don't use these products. The study published online Dec. 4 in the International Journal of Cancer and suggests that breast cancer risk increased with more frequent use of these chemical hair products.
	A common drug could help restore limb function after spinal cord injury Long-term treatment with gabapentin, a commonly prescribed drug for nerve pain, could help restore upper limb function after a spinal cord injury, new research in mice suggests.
	New screening method identifies potential anticancer compounds that reawaken T cells Scientists at Scripps Research have developed a method for rapidly discovering potential cancer-treating compounds that work by resurrecting anti-tumor activity in immune cells called T cells.
	Respiration key to increase oxygen in the brain Contrary to accepted knowledge, blood can bring more oxygen to mice brains when they exercise because the increased respiration packs more oxygen into the hemoglobin, according to an international team of researchers who believe that this holds true for all mammals.
	Coffee, nicotine and amphetamines activate 'hot spots' in the fetal brain If pregnant women take significant amounts of the psychostimulants coffee, nicotine and amphetamine during pregnancy, their children have a higher risk of developing neurological and psychiatric problems later in life. Researchers at MedUni Vienna's Center for Brain Research have now successfully identified the regions of the brain that act as "hot spots" for psychostimulants and discovered that the mother's reactions to these substances are substantially different from those of their baby. This study has now been published in the multidisciplinary journal PNAS.
	Air pollution in Taiwan boosts risk of ischemic stroke Long-term exposure to hydrocarbons in the air may be a risk factor for ischemic stroke development, according to a study published December 4, 2019 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Han-Wei Zhang of China Medical University, Taiwan, and colleagues.
	A common insulin signaling pathway across cancer and diabetes An oncology researcher has made an unexpected contribution to the understanding of type 2 diabetes. In results published in Science Advances, Patrick Hu, M.D., associate professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, found a protein that modulates a signaling pathway often targeted by cancer therapies is also required for insulin biogenesis.
	Study finds 'frozen' fear response may underlie PTSD Learned fear responses enable animals—including humans—to flee or freeze in the face of a perceived threat. But if these behaviors persist after the danger lifts, they can become paralyzing and disabling. That's a key element of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
	The gut may be involved in the development of multiple sclerosis The gut has long been suspected to play a role in autoimmune disease. A research team has now identified evidence of a potential mechanism.
	New, non-hormonal target identified for advanced prostate cancer Hormone therapies for prostate cancer have greatly prolonged the lives of patients, but the drugs eventually become ineffective and the disease grows lethal.
	Drugs that quell brain inflammation reverse dementia Drugs that tamp down inflammation in the brain could slow or even reverse the cognitive decline that comes with age.
	How a protein in your brain could protect against Alzheimer's disease New research has found that the most common version of a protein called CD33 plays a crucial role in regulating white blood cells in the human brain, which could have important implications in the fight against Alzheimer's disease.
	Study highlights protein variability in neurodegenerative diseases A new University of Toronto study sheds light on how protein strains vary in the brains of those affected by progressive neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's, suggesting the need for patient-specific medicines.
	Scientists find a possible mechanism determining human pregnancy success Many pregnancies fail early in human embryo development, with 40 to 60 percent of the losses occurring just prior to or during implantation, a process that is initiated on days six and seven post-fertilization, when the conceptus is a blastocyst, and which continues until the placenta is established a couple of weeks later. However, our understanding of the circumstances that lead to pregnancy failure—and conversely, what underpins success—is quite rudimentary. Without that knowledge, our ability to mitigate early pregnancy failure is limited.
	Molecular bodyguards against Parkinson's disease Chaperone proteins in human cells dynamically interact with the protein α-Synuclein, which is strongly associated with Parkinson's disease. A disturbed relationship to these "bodyguards" leads to cell damage and the formation of Lewy bodies typical for Parkinson's disease. The findings by researchers from the University of Basel's Biozentrum have been published in Nature.
	Controlling attention with brain waves Having trouble paying attention? MIT neuroscientists may have a solution for you: Turn down your alpha brain waves. In a new study, the researchers found that people can enhance their attention by controlling their own alpha brain waves based on neurofeedback they receive as they perform a particular task.
	Machine learning helps scientists measure important inflammation process Inflammation is a hallmark of many health conditions, but quantifying how the underlying biology of inflammation contributes to specific diseases has been difficult. For the first time, UNC School of Medicine researchers and colleagues now report the development of a new technology to identify white blood cells called neutrophils that are primed to eject inflammatory DNA into the circulation via a process called NETosis.
	First donation after circulatory death heart transplant performed in the U.S. A team of doctors at Duke University has carried out the first donation after circulatory (or cardiac) death (DCD) heart transplant in the U.S. Members of the surgical team have spoken with the press giving some details of the procedure.
	A week in the dark rewires brain cell networks and changes hearing in adult mice Scientists have known that depriving adult mice of vision can increase the sensitivity of individual neurons in the part of the brain devoted to hearing. New research from biologists at the University of Maryland revealed that sight deprivation also changes the way brain cells interact with one another, altering neuronal networks and shifting the mice's sensitivity to different frequencies. The research was published in the November 11, 2019 issue of the journal eNeuro.
	Scientists create 'epigenetic couch potato' mouse Why is it that some people love to exercise, and others hate it? Most people would assume it's all due to genetics, but a new Baylor College of Medicine led study in mice shows for the first time that a different molecular level of regulation—epigenetics—plays a key role in determining one's innate drive to exercise. Epigenetics refers to molecular mechanisms that determine which genes are turned on or off in different cell types. Since epigenetic mechanisms are inherently more malleable than genetics, the findings suggest a potential way to help 'program' people to enjoy being more physically active.
	25-fold surge in vitamin D supplement prescriptions for kids in UK primary care The number of vitamin D supplement prescriptions written for children in primary care in the UK has surged 25-fold in under 10 years, reveals an analysis of family doctor (GP) prescribing data, published in the online journal BMJ Open.
	Teens must 'get smart' about social media New research indicates that social media is leading young adolescent girls and boys down a worrying path towards developing body image issues and eating disorder behaviours—even though they are smartphone savvy.
	Medical marijuana cards often sought by existing heavy users Young adults who seek enrollment in state medical marijuana programs are often those who already use heavily rather than those with mental or physical issues that could be addressed by the drug. That's according to new results published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
	Introducing peanuts and eggs early can prevent food allergies in high risk infants Research undertaken by King's College London and St George's, University of London has found that introducing certain foods early to infants can prevent them from developing an allergy despite low adherence to an introduction regime.
	A quarter of cancer patients experience avoidable delay to diagnosis One in four cancer patients experienced a delay to their diagnosis that could have been avoided, according to a new study by Cancer Research UK published today.
General and pediatric 'Treat All' policies lead to increased ART initiation among youth A new study published as "Editor's Choice" in The Journal of Infectious Diseases found that expansion of HIV treatment eligibility to include those under age 15 led to large and significant increases in initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) within 30 days of enrollment in care among 10- to 14-year-olds living with HIV.
	Common heart drugs linked with less heart damage from cancer therapy Cancer patients receiving common heart drugs have less heart damage from cancer therapy, according to research presented today at EuroEcho 2019, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). For every ten patients with breast or haematological cancer treated with heart drugs, one case of cardiotoxicity could be avoided.
	Early cholesterol treatment lowers heart disease risk: study Treating younger people with high cholesterol levels may help reduce their risk of heart attack or stroke in later life, a major study showed Wednesday.
	Brachytherapy proves effective in treating skin cancer The use of high-dose-rate brachytherapy to treat elderly patients with common skin cancers offers excellent cure rates and cosmetic outcomes, according to a new study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
	Mobile stroke units could expedite treatment and improve patient outcomes in urban areas Mobile Stroke Units (MSUs), vehicles equipped to provide stroke treatment before reaching a hospital, provided lifesaving care to stroke patients in Manhattan approximately 30 minutes faster, compared to patients transported to hospitals in traditional ambulances and who did not receive stroke treatment until arriving at the hospital, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the open access journal of the American Heart Association.
	Study finds key brain region smaller in birth control pill users Researchers studying the brain found that women taking oral contraceptives, commonly known as birth control pills, had significantly smaller hypothalamus volume, compared to women not taking the pill, according to a new study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
	Sleep, but not too much, to boost your heart health Even if you are a non-smoker who exercises and has no genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease, skimping on sleep—or getting too much of it—can boost your risk of heart attack, according to a new CU Boulder study of nearly a half-million people.
	Beta blocker use identified as hospitalization risk factor in 'stiff heart' heart failure Nearly six million Americans have heart failure, a leading driver of health care costs in the United States. The "stiff heart" heart failure variant accounts for about half of all cases and the vast majority of such patients take beta-blocker medications despite unclear benefit from their regular use. A new publication in JAMA Network Open links use of beta-blockers to heart failure hospitalizations among those with this common "stiff heart" heart failure subtype.
	Why children really believe in Santa: The surprising psychology behind tradition Many of us tell our children about a rotund, bearded man in red, who lives in the icy tundra at the top of the world. He is tasked with judging the moral worth of children everywhere. He has a list. He has checked it twice. And there is no court of appeals.
	Human genetic enhancement might soon be possible—but where do we draw the line? The first genetically edited children were born in China in late 2018. Twins Lulu and Nana had a particular gene—known as CCR5—modified during embryonic development. The aim was to make them (and their descendants) resistant to HIV. By some definitions, this would be an example of human enhancement.
Lower number of people covered leads to higher U.S. rural health insurance premiums, study finds Small risk pools may contribute to the challenges faced by private insurance plans in rural areas, in which case risk reinsurance, or insurance for the insurer, is a potential policy solution, finds a new study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.
	New diagnostic techniques and drug may slow and even reverse cognitive decline from aging A groundbreaking clinical approach has been developed combining new diagnostic techniques to detect a leaking blood-brain barrier (BBB) with a new anti-inflammatory drug that for the first time slows or reverses age-related cognitive decline.
	Digital health interventions: Predicting individual success using machine learning Health apps could be better tailored to the individual needs of patients. A new statistical technique from the field of machine learning is now making it possible to predict the success of smartphone-based interventions more accurately. These are the findings of an international research team led by the University of Basel and reported in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
	Tooth loss increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases A clear link between periodontis, calcification of the carotid artery and heart disease has been identified by Malmö University researchers.
	Men prone to negative emotions are less physically active during leisure time Fundamental and early-appearing dispositions of feeling and reacting, also known as temperament, are reflected in the amount of physical activity in midlife. High perceptual and associative sensitivity is associated with more frequent physical activity in both women and men. Men who are prone to feeling negative affects, such as frustration or discomfort, are less physically active. Recognizing one's own response style can help in finding the most suitable pace and way to be physically active.
	Researchers unravel how the brain remembers FIU doctoral student Maanasa Jayachandran is working to unravel the mystery of how the brain recalls memories in the correct order.
	Time to end drug company distortion of medical evidence While there's much to celebrate in medicine, it's now beyond doubt that we have too much of it. Too many tests, diagnoses, pills and procedures are wasting resources that could be better spent meeting genuine need.
	New math model could lead to more personalized cancer therapies Researchers have found a new way to use math to better treat cancer and prevent its relapse.
	When to get help for your kid's tantrums and withdrawal Remember anxiously waiting for your child to take their first steps or speak their first words? It's exhilarating when they reach a new stage in their development.
	Conceiving within six months of giving birth does not increase risk of diabetes Curtin University researchers have found insufficient evidence to suggest that falling pregnant again within six months of giving birth is associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes.
	Dangers of second-hand drinking: Teen drinkers at high risk of assault and sexual harassment More than 70 percent of teenage girls who are risky drinkers report unwanted sexual attention from other drinkers—just one of a multitude of harms young people experience from 'second-hand drinking', according to new Australian research.
	Low enrollment stymies completion of rare disease clinical trials Rare diseases are anything but rare when taken together. In the United States alone, they affect nearly 30 million people. Yet clinical trials for rare diseases are frequently incomplete or go unpublished in the medical literature, finds a study published today in the journal PLOS Medicine.
	Calls to curb infant formula's carbon footprint Urgent action is needed to protect breastfeeding and reduce formula's carbon footprint—especially for "unnecessary" toddler milks, according to an expert at The Australian National University (ANU).
	Living in poor communities, dying from heart disease Communities in the United States that experienced the most economic distress in the wake of the Great Recession saw a significant increase in death rates from heart disease and strokes among middle-aged people, according to a new multi-institution study led by researchers at Penn Medicine. While the death rates remained nearly unchanged in counties with the least economic distress (62.6 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2010; 61.5 in 2015), areas experiencing worsening economic trends—such as high unemployment, lower median incomes and lack of affordable housing—saw a sharp increase, from 122 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2010 to 127.6 deaths in 2015.
	New federal program provides free HIV prevention drugs to uninsured A new program to provide free HIV prevention drugs to people who cannot afford them because they do not have health insurance was announced Tuesday by the U.S. government.
	eBay bans infant inclined sleepers, other companies urged to do same eBay's decision to ban infant inclined sleepers from its platform, including nonrecalled sleepers, was welcomed by Consumer Reports, which urged other companies to do the same.
	Study finds 'virtual biopsy' allows doctors to accurately diagnose precancerous pancreatic cysts Research from doctors at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds a new "virtual biopsy" allows them to definitively diagnose cysts in the pancreas with unprecedented accuracy. This means they can eliminate precancerous cysts and potentially save lives.
	A new study reveals the function of corpora amylacea to remove brain waste substances An article published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) describes a new pathway in the central nervous system to expel waste substances from the brain through the creation of corpora amylacea (CA), aggregates formed by glucose polymers amassing waste products.
	By imaging the brain, scientists can predict a person's aptitude for training People with specific brain attributes are more likely than others to benefit from targeted cognitive interventions designed to enhance fluid intelligence, scientists report in a new study. Fluid intelligence is a measure of one's ability to adapt to new situations and solve never-before-seen problems.
	Why your generic drugs may not be safe and the FDA may be too lax Generic prescription drugs have saved the U.S. about US$1.7 trillion over the past decade. The Food and Drug Administration approved a record 781 new generics in 2018 alone, including generic versions of Cialis, Levitra and Lyrica. They join generic versions of blockbusters from yesteryear, like Lipitor, Nexium, Prozac and Xanax.
	Misleading allergy labelling puts lives at risk Failing to declare allergens on food labels is a breach of regulations and can put lives at risk. The law relating to allergen labels was changed recently to reduce the risks to consumers. But recent cases of flawed and misleading food labelling, sometimes involving major supermarkets, have called into question the effectiveness of allergen labelling laws.
	Stricter alcohol policies related to lower risk of cancer In a new study, researchers at Boston Medical Center and Boston University have uncovered a new association between more restrictive alcohol policies and lower rates of cancer mortality.
	Nearly one-third of participants drop out of psychosocial substance use disorder treatments People who abuse cigarettes, alcohol and/or heroin are less likely to drop out of a substance use disorder treatment than those who are addicted to cocaine, according to a new study led by a researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
	Typhoid vaccine over 81% effective in tackling disease in Nepal Caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, typhoid is a major cause of fever in children in low- and middle-income countries and is responsible for nearly 11 million cases and more than 116,000 deaths a year worldwide.
	Diabetes before or during pregnancy linked to early heart disease in children Children of mothers with diabetes have increased rates of early onset cardiovascular disease or CVD (conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels) from childhood up to the age of 40, finds a study from Denmark published by The BMJ today.
	Adults not living in metro areas have reduced access to care (HealthDay)—Adults not living in metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) are more likely to have reduced access to or use of health care services, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the National Health Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
	Physician depressive symptoms tied to higher risk for medical errors (HealthDay)—Physicians showing depressive symptoms are at higher risk for medical errors, according to a review published Nov. 27 in JAMA Network Open.
	About one in three in ED for low back pain receive imaging (HealthDay)—Imaging is obtained for about one in three patients with emergency department visits for low back pain, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in the American Journal of Roentgenology.
	Another downside to vaping: higher odds for depression (HealthDay)—Vaping, already linked to lung damage, may also have harmful psychological effects, a new study suggests.
	Mindfulness training may help lower blood pressure, new study shows As the leading cause of death in both the United States and the world, heart disease claims nearly 18 million lives every year, according to the World Health Organization.
	Getting to the 'art' of dementia: Researchers highlight benefits of art intervention University of Canberra researchers have shown that art gallery programs can improve the wellbeing of people living with dementia—and they've backed it up by testing study participants' saliva.
	Bullying others increases the risk of developing mental health problems and vice versa A new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health suggests there is a two-way relationship between bullying perpetration and mental health problems among youth in the U.S. Researchers report that bullying perpetration increased the risk of developing internalizing problems, and having internalizing problems increased the probability of bullying others. While previous research has focused on the causes and consequences of bullying victimization, this is the first study to comprehensively explore the time sequence between bullying perpetration and mental health problems. The results are published online in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
	Single dose of ketamine plus talk therapy may reduce alcohol use A single infusion of ketamine, combined with outpatient behavioral therapy, helped alcohol-dependent individuals abstain from drinking for a few weeks after the treatment, researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York State Psychiatric Institute have found. The findings could lead to a new approach to the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
	Depression affects one-third of lung cancer patients About one-third of patients newly diagnosed with the most common form of lung cancer have moderate to severe symptoms of depression, a new study suggests.
	Online therapy helped cardiovascular disease patients with depression Researchers at Linköping University have developed a treatment for depression among people with cardiovascular disease. The results, recently published in JMIR Mental Health, show that cardiovascular disease patients who underwent internet-based therapy for their depression became less depressed and gained a better quality of life.
	Rural women at higher risk of life-threatening pregnancy complications Women in rural communities experience higher rates of life-threatening complications during or after childbirth than mothers in urban cities, a new study finds.
	New study provides insight into chronic kidney disease Researchers have further analyzed a known signaling pathway they believe brings them one step closer to understanding the complex physiology of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), which might provide a path to new treatment options.
	Reprogramming inner ear to regrow hair cells promising target for hearing loss treatments A new discovery from a team led by Massachusetts Eye and Ear researchers may bring scientists a step closer to developing treatments that regrow the missing cells that cause hearing loss.
A big step toward curbing graft-vs.-host disease after bone marrow transplant A drug used for rheumatoid arthritis has moved a step closer to FDA approval for a desperately needed new use. The drug, abatacept, has gained FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for preventing acute, severe graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in patients receiving bone marrow transplants. That could help fast-track the drug to the clinic.
	Lung images of twins with asthma add to understanding of the disease Two lung imaging studies from Western University, including one performed in non-identical twin patients with life-long asthma, have shown that airway defects in the lungs of asthmatic patients are like thumbprints—they have a unique pattern and maintain that pattern over time.
WFIRM scientists push bioprinting capability forward Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) scientists are the first to report using bioprinting to print a tracheal tissue construct comprised of multiple different functional materials. They printed different designs of smooth muscle and cartilage regions in artificial tracheal substitutes showing similar mechanical properties to human tracheal tissue.
	Cellular repair response to treadmill test can predict cardiac outcomes Future cardiac outcomes can be predicted by signs of cardiac stress that appear in the blood in response to exercise, Emory cardiologists report.
	Drug decreases gut leakiness associated with ulcerative colitis A research team led by biomedical scientists at the University of California, Riverside, has found that a drug approved by the FDA to treat rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis can repair permeability defects in the gut's epithelium.
	Studies examine potential link between traffic-related air pollution and obesity in Mexican-Americans Exposure to traffic pollution was associated with a higher risk of obesity in Mexican American women, but not in men. The findings are published in Obesity.
	Are women getting adequate nutrition during preconception and pregnancy? In a Maternal & Child Nutrition analysis of published studies on the dietary habits of women who were trying to conceive or were pregnant, most studies indicated that women do not meet nutritional recommendations for vegetable, cereal grain, or folate intake. Pregnant women did not meet iron or calcium intake requirements in 91% and 55% of studies, respectively, and also exceeded fat intake recommendations in 55% of studies. Higher level education was associated with improved adherence to dietary guidelines in pregnant women, and older age and non-smoking status were associated with greater guideline adherence in both preconceptual and pregnant women.
Study examines sex differences in potential link between psoriasis and metabolic disorders An analysis published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology revealed considerable sex differences when considering links between psoriasis and metabolic disorders.
	Cooking practices during pregnancy may affect hyperactivity in children In pregnant women, exposure to cooking fumes was related to an increased risk of their children having hyperactivity behaviors at the age of 3 years. The findings come from an Indoor Air study of 45,518 mothers of children who were newly enrolled in school in Shenzhen, China from 2015 to 2017.
	Probiotic may help treat colic in infants Probiotics—or "good bacteria"—have been used to treat infant colic with varying success. In a new trial published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, investigators have shown that drops containing a particular probiotic strain (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12) reduced the duration of daily crying by more than 50% in 80% of the 40 infants who received the probiotic once daily for 28 days, with beneficial effects on sleep duration and on stool frequency and consistency. This compared with only 32.5% of the 40 infants who received placebo.
Study finds young women in UK face unnecessary surgery for suspected appendicitis Appendicitis is the most common general surgical emergency worldwide, but its diagnosis remains challenging. A new BJS study examined whether existing risk prediction models can reliably identify which UK patients with a low risk of appendicitis presenting to hospitals with acute right abdominal pain have appendicitis.
	Patients' perspectives of clinical consultations related to weight A recent review in Clinical Obesity assessed patients' reactions to consultations with physicians in which excess weight could have been or was discussed. In the review of 21 qualitative studies interviewing people who were overweight or obese who had consulted a primary care clinician, participants had only occasional interactions with clinicians about their weight, and the most important and most commonly reported were negative experiences.
	The influence of alcohol consumption among cohabitating partners Research has linked a partner's or spouse's drinking with changes in alcohol-related behaviours, but few studies have considered only cohabiting relationships. A new study published in Drug & Alcohol Review sought to determine if a cohabiting partner's drinking habits are influenced by their partner's consumption.
	Does weight loss surgery affect colorectal cancer risk? Although colorectal cancer is associated with obesity, it is unclear if weight loss surgery impacts the incidence of these tumors. Results from a new study published in the International Journal of Cancer suggest that the risk of colon cancer may be increased in individuals who have undergone such surgery.
	Trends in Alzheimer's disease diagnoses across the United States A recent analysis offers estimates of the changes in incidence of Alzheimer's disease in the United States, confirming previous reports of a declining trend. The analysis, which is published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, also highlights considerable geographic variation in incidence rates across the country.
	Which exercise regimen protects bone health in older adults with obesity? Successful weight loss approaches in older adults with obesity can unfortunately lead to bone loss and an increased risk of fractures. A recent Journal of Bone and Mineral Research study examined which forms of exercise might help reduce such bone loss.
Exposure to smoking in early childhood linked to hyperactivity and conduct problems In a recent study, children exposed to smoking in the first 4 years of life were more likely to exhibit symptoms of hyperactivity and conduct problems. The study, which is published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, found that the association remained even after controlling for family poverty level, parental education, parental history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, hostility, depression, caregiver IQ, and obstetric complications.
	Impact of lifestyle behaviors in early childhood on obesity Adhering to a healthy lifestyle at age 4 years is associated with a decreased risk of overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity at 7 years, according to a study published in Pediatric Obesity.
	Ultrasound techniques give warning signs of preterm births Ultrasound can be used to examine cervix tissue and improve diagnostics, which is essential for predicting preterm births. Ultrasound data is used to compare two techniques for evaluating changes in cervical tissue throughout pregnancy.
	Differences in replacement level fertility point to inequalities The percentage of the world's population that is above or below the "replacement level of fertility" has long been used as a measure of demographic development. A new study revisited how this metric is calculated and how useful it really is in terms of informing policy decisions.
	NOTCH1 signaling in oral squamous cell carcinoma via a TEL2/SERPINE1 axis In this study, the research team investigated NOTCH1 mutations in keratinocyte lines derived from OSCC biopsies that had been subjected to whole exome sequencing.
New cell models for ocular drug discovery Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland have developed two new cell models that can open up new avenues for ocular drug discovery. The new cell models are continuously growing retinal pigment epithelial cells, which have many benefits over the models currently used by researchers and pharmaceutical companies. The models were developed by Professor Arto Urtti's Ocular Drug Delivery group at the University of Eastern Finland.
	Targeted therapy better for repeat kidney cancer patients than FDA-approved counterpart Kidney cancer patients who had already tried two or three different treatments had improved chances of preventing cancer progression with an experimental drug called tivozanib compared to an alternative approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to a City of Hope-led study.
	Finnish children's motor skills at the top in Europe Data gathered in Finland, Belgium and Portugal reveal that Finnish children are ahead of their European peers in motor skills at ages 6 to 10 years. Differences in motor skills increase with age and independently of the remarkable differences in overweight across the countries.
	He got a new heart, then cancer, then another heart When Trenton Cary was 11 months old, mom Valerie could tell he didn't feel well, so she scheduled a doctor's appointment.
	Dual residence works well when children have a close relationship with both parents Dual residence, where children live approximately equally with each parent after separation or divorce, works best if the child has influence over the living arrangement and has good and close relationships with each parent. A new doctoral thesis from the University of Gothenburg identifies several aspects important to the way children and young people experience their family model.
	Technology that unblocks children's airways A new technology to unblock and remove secretions from the respiratory tract of children has been developed as part of a collaboration between researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and its affiliated Soroka University Medical Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and the University of Cincinnati (UC).
	A mouse model of prostate cancer bone metastasis in a syngeneic immunocompetent host The Research Team reports the establishment of B6Ca P, an allograft tumor line from a Hi-Myc transgenic mouse that had been backcrossed onto C57BL/6J background.
	Deep biomarkers of aging and longevity: From research to applications The deep age predictors can help advance aging research by establishing causal relationships in nonlinear systems.
Bone and muscle health can 'make or break' care as we age Experts at a prestigious medical conference hosted by the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) and funded by the National Institutes of Health's (NIH's) National Institute on Aging (NIA) hope their work—reported this week in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS)—can help yield hard evidence to address the range of "soft tissue" and bone disorders that contribute to falls, fractures, and muscle loss as we age.
	Hundreds of environmental health professionals in US report challenges, research needs Hundreds of environmental health professionals across the nation report challenges and research needs in six areas—drinking water quality, wastewater management, healthy homes, food safety, public health pests and emerging issues such as disaster risk reduction and new facility types for body art and cannabis-infused products—in research from Baylor University and partners.
	Study to investigate surrogate decision challenges for LGBT patients with Alzheimer's Facing Alzheimer's disease in a loved one is challenging under any circumstances but may be even more challenging when the patient is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT).
ACR and EULAR release new classification criteria for IgG4-related disease The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) released the 2019 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria for IgG4-Related Disease. It is the first criteria developed specifically for this recently recognized disease.
Minnesota sues e-cigarette maker Juul over youth vaping rise Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sued Juul Labs on Wednesday, accusing the e-cigarette maker of unlawfully targeting young people with its products to get a new generation addicted to nicotine.

Biology news

	Researchers discover stress in early life extends lifespan Some stress at a young age could actually lead to a longer life, new research shows.
	Untangling the branches in the mammal tree of life The mammal tree of life is a real leaner. Some branches are weighed down with thousands of species—we're looking at you, rodents and bats—while others hold just a few species.
	Big data toolkit to mine the dark genome for precision medicine EPFL researchers have developed Big Data tools for identifying new gene functions. The work identifies millions of connections between genes and their functions, and can facilitate the development of precision medicine.
	Migratory birds shrinking as climate warms, new analysis of four-decade record shows North American migratory birds have been getting smaller over the past four decades, and their wings have gotten a bit longer. Both changes appear to be responses to a warming climate.
	Sexually transmitted diseases reduce the willingness of female baboons to mate Sexually transmitted diseases are widespread among animals and humans. Humans, however, know a multitude of protective and hygienic measures to protect themselves from infection. An international research team led by scientists at the German Primate Center (DPZ)-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research has investigated whether primates change their sexual behavior to minimize the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
	Dogs found able to perceive slight changes in human spoken words A team of researchers with the University of Sussex, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and the University of Lyon, has found that dogs are able to detect minor differences in spoken human words. In their paper published in the journal Biology Letters, the group describes experiments they carried out with pet dogs and what they learned about their ability to hear slight differences in human language.
	Giant tortoises found to be trainable and to have long memories A trio of researchers with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, the Hebrew University and Tiergarten Schönbrunn, Maxingstrasse, has found that giant tortoises are not only trainable, but have long memories. In their paper published in the journal Animal Cognition, Tamar Gutnick, Anton Weissenbacher and Michael Kuba describe training exercises they carried out with the huge tortoises and what they learned from them.
	New treatment to tackle drug-resistant strains of TB could now be possible New drugs to treat strains of TB which have become resistant to treatment are now a possibility following a ground breaking discovery from the University of Surrey.
	Record-size sex chromosome found in two bird species Researchers in Sweden and the UK have discovered the largest known avian sex chromosome. The giant chromosome was created when four chromosomes fused together into one, and has been found in two species of lark.
	Asia-wide genome mapping project reveals insights into Asian ancestry and genetic diversity After a global genetic comparison, a team of international scientists has discovered that Asia has at least ten ancestral lineages, whereas northern Europe has a single ancestral lineage.
	First experimental genetic evidence of the human self-domestication hypothesis A new University of Barcelona study reveals the first empirical genetic evidence of human self-domestication, a hypothesis that humans have evolved to be friendlier and more cooperative by selecting their companions depending on their behaviour. Researchers identified a genetic network involved in the unique evolutionary trajectory of the modern human face and prosociality, which is absent in the Neanderthal genome. The experiment is based on Williams Syndrome cells, a rare disease.
	Scientists detail how chromosomes reorganize after cell division Researchers have discovered key mechanisms and structural details of a fundamental biological process—how a cell nucleus and its chromosomal material reorganizes itself after cell division. The new findings in chromosomal architecture and function may offer important insights into human health and disease.
	How plants harness 'bad' molecules for good ends When most people think of a plant, they picture stems, leaves, flowers, and all the parts that are visible above ground. But Duke biologist Philip Benfey is more interested in the hidden half of the plant that is buried beneath the soil. Roots: they may be out of sight, Benfey says, but they play critical roles, anchoring the plant and taking up water and nutrients.
	How a Manuka honey 'sandwich' could be the key to fighting infections Layering minute amounts of Manuka honey between layers of surgical mesh acts as a natural antibiotic that could prevent infection following an operation, new research has shown.
	Study finds native bees turning to polystyrene for nesting places New Curtin University research has found that polystyrene can serve as a nesting place for native bees, which are able to exploit the man-made material for their own benefit.
	Tiny red handfish hatchlings a lifeline for world's rarest fish Fifty newborn red handfish are giving IMAS scientists an opportunity to help save the last known populations of the world's rarest fish.
	Road salt is taking its toll on insects in Toronto area, researchers find It may help keep your car on the road in the winter, but research from the University of Toronto suggests that road salt is creating problems for wildlife.
	Inequity takes a toll on your gut microbes, too People worry about having access to clean water, power, health care and healthy foods because they are essential for survival. But do they ever think about their access to microbes?
	Call for cooperation as 'blue boats' rob Pacific reefs A flotilla of Vietnamese fishing boats with crews suffering in harsh conditions is stripping Pacific coral reefs of seafood as the poaching escalates to become an international human rights and security issue.
	Springy bamboo poles help villagers carry more than their own body weight Southeast Asia is a riot of colour and biodiversity. Boasting luxuriant rainforest and thousands of insects and mammals, the region is ripe for a biologist in search of inspiration. But when James Croft, then at Edith Cowan University, Australia, went travelling, it wasn't the flora and fauna that caught his eye: it was the villagers carrying massive loads, sometimes more than their own body weight, on a bouncy bamboo pole slung across a shoulder. "I was curious how that evolved,' says Croft, adding, "I wondered if the springiness of the poles allowed them to transport the load more efficiently.' However, he also knew that the benefits of carrying loads on flexible poles was a bone of contention; some studies suggested the poles are beneficial, while others did not. Croft realised that many of the previous investigations had been carried out with pole-carrying novices, whereas the villagers that he had observed were true professionals, sometimes with decades of experience. After discussing the problem with John Bertram from the University of Calgary, Canada, Croft decided to return to Vietnam to find out whether experienced flexible pole carriers adapt the way they walk to help them carry heavy loads. The team publishes their discovery that villagers carrying a heavy load on a flexible pole could use 20% less energy than when using a rigid pole in Journal of Experimental Biology.
	Deer and elk can help young Douglas-fir trees under some conditions Long considered pests by forest managers, deer and elk can help Douglas-fir seedlings thrive under certain vegetation management conditions, a five-year study by Oregon State University shows.
	Researchers decipher small Dead Sea mammal's vocal communication In nature social living is strongly connected to the ability to communicate with others. Maintaining social ties and coordinating with group mates require frequent communication. Therefore, complex social systems are usually associated with well-developed communication abilities. The apex of communication complexity is undoubtedly human language. However, intensive and informationally rich communication comes at a cost in terms of time spent transmitting information and muscular effort invested in articulating signals.
	Silverswords may be gone with the wind Silversword plants of Hawai'i—known by their Hawai'ian name 'ahinahina which translates to very grey—are unique to the Maui's Haleakalā volcano summit area and to the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes on the Big Island. Each volcanic mountain has its own unique type of silversword. The Haleakalā species is highly threated and is considered by many to be the most beautiful. But they are growing rarer due to drought, especially at lower elevations on the volcano slopes.
	A new gene involved in strawberry fruiting time is identified Their great taste and their health benefits have made them one of the most popular fruits. The world market for strawberries, rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, was greater than 9 millon tons in 2016. According to the latest report by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Spain is the top producer of this food within the European Union, while China and the U.S. are the largest producers worldwide.
Researchers uncover early adherence step in intestinal transit of Shigella The bacterial pathogen Shigella, often spread through contaminated food or water, is a leading cause of mortality in both children and older adults in the developing world. Although scientists have been studying Shigella for decades, no effective vaccine has been developed, and the pathogen has acquired resistance to many antibiotics. The recent discovery of an early adherence step in the infection cycle by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) could provide a new therapeutic target or even a new method for vaccine development.
	Living at the edges Resembling an overgrown house cat with black-tipped ears and a stubby tail, the Canada lynx, a native of North America, teeters on the brink of extinction in the U.S. The few lynx that now roam parts of Washington and the mountainous Northwest survive largely because of a network of protected landscapes that crosses the U.S.-Canada border.
	How do world's smallest sea turtles become stranded in Cape Cod? A computational analysis has surfaced new insights into the wind and water conditions that cause Kemp's ridley sea turtles to become stranded on beaches in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Xiaojian Liu of Wuhan University, China, and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on December 4, 2019.
	France bans two US pesticides, citing risk to bees French authorities on Wednesday banned two US pesticides which ecologists deem harmful to bees.
	Study reveals climate change impact on Antarctic penguins Antarctic penguins have been on the forefront of climate change, experiencing massive changes to their natural habitat as the world's temperatures and human activity in the region have increased. Now, new research has revealed 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.
	Fecal pellets and food remains reveal what ghost bats eat in the Pilbara UWA, Curtin university and Perth zoo researchers have discovered that Australian endangered ghost bats in the Pilbara (WA) eat over 46 different species.
	African swine fever kills more than 20 wild boar in Poland An outbreak of African swine fever in Poland near the German border has killed 21 wild boar, the agriculture minister said Wednesday.
	Trump's border wall threatens an Arizona oasis with a long, diverse history A few hundred yards from the Mexican border in southern Arizona lies a quiet pond, about the size of two football fields, called Quitobaquito. About 10 miles to the east, heavy machinery grinds up the earth and removes vegetation as construction of President Trump's vaunted border wall advances toward the oasis.
	The wellbeing connection Soya and beef from South America, timber from Russia, fish from China—in an era of globalisation, central Europe has become a market for animal and plant products from all over the world. But in addition to these tangible goods, faraway ecosystems also supply intangible or cultural services that do not appear in any trade balance sheet. For example, they provide habitats for species whose existence is of interest to many Europeans.
	National Park Service scientists: Does aircraft noise make birds more vocal? National Park Service scientists analyzed nearly 1 million 10-second audio recording samples from national parks across the country and discovered a small increase in bird sound detection when an aircraft sound is also detected.

---

This email is a free service of Science X Network
You received this email because you subscribed to our list.
If you do not wish to receive such emails in the future, please unsubscribe here.
You are subscribed as jmabs1@gmail.com. You may manage your subscription options from your Science X profile