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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for January 13, 2020:
Spotlight Stories Headlines
Astronomy & Space news
 | TESS dates an ancient collision with our galaxyA single bright star in the constellation of Indus, visible from the southern hemisphere, has revealed new insights on an ancient collision that our galaxy the Milky Way underwent with another smaller galaxy called Gaia-Enceladus early in its history. |
 | How the solar system got its 'Great Divide,' and why it matters for life on EarthScientists, including those from the University of Colorado Boulder, have finally scaled the solar system's equivalent of the Rocky Mountain range. |
 | Another state change of the variable gamma-ray pulsar PSR J2021+4026 observed by astronomersUsing NASA's Fermi telescope, astronomers have detected a state change of the gamma-ray emission and spin-down rate of the variable radio-quiet gamma-ray pulsar PSR J2021+4026. Such behavior was first observed in this pulsar in 2011, and the new detection could shed light on the mechanism of state switching in gamma-ray pulsars. The finding is detailed in a paper published January 2 on arXiv.org. |
 | The interiors of starsThe interiors of stars are largely mysterious regions because they are so difficult to observe directly. Our lack of understanding about the physical processes there, like rotation and the mixing of hot gas, introduces considerable ambiguity about how stars shine and how they evolve. Stellar oscillations, detected through brightness fluctuations, offer one way to probe these subsurface regions. In the Sun, these vibrations are due to pressure waves generated by turbulence in its upper layers (the layers dominated by convective gas motions). Helioseismology is the name given to the study of these oscillations in the Sun, and astroseismology is the term used for other stars. |
 | Virtual Telescope Project confirms 2020 AV2— the first asteroid found to move entirely inside the orbit of VenusGianluca Masi, an astrophysicist working on the Virtual Telescope Project,which he founded, has announced the confirmation of 2020 AV2—the first asteroid orbiting entirely within the orbit of Venus. Masi describes on the Virtual Telescope Project web page the discovery by a team at the Zwicky Transient Facility and his confirmation of its orbit. |
 | Rippling ice and storms at Mars' north poleESA's Mars Express has captured beautiful images of the icy cap sitting at Mars' north pole, complete with bright swathes of ice, dark troughs and depressions, and signs of strong winds and stormy activity. |
 | Stars need a partner to spin universe's brightest explosionsWhen it comes to the biggest and brightest explosions seen in the Universe, University of Warwick astronomers have found that it takes two stars to make a gamma-ray burst. |
'Space unites us': First Iranian-American astronaut reaches for starsJasmin "Jaws" Moghbeli earned her fierce nickname during her time as a decorated helicopter gunship pilot who flew more than 150 missions in Afghanistan. | |
 | Oxygen line opens new perspective on the far universeA team of astronomers of Leiden University and the University of Texas (Austin, United States) has discovered a new way to map distant galaxies. They did so by observing the fingerprint of oxygen in a distant galaxy, something that is usually not possible from Earth. The researchers will publish their findings in the journal the Astrophysical Journal Letters. |
 | Could invisible aliens really exist among us? An astrobiologist explainsLife is pretty easy to recognise. It moves, it grows, it eats, it excretes, it reproduces. Simple. In biology, researchers often use the acronym "MRSGREN" to describe it. It stands for movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion and nutrition. |
 | Wanted: Girlfriend to fly to the Moon with Japanese billionaireA Japanese billionaire has launched an online wanted ad for a girlfriend who will fly around the Moon with him on a SpaceX rocket. |
Technology news
 | Team builds the first living robotsA book is made of wood. But it is not a tree. The dead cells have been repurposed to serve another need. |
 | Glasses talk, ears focus, in OrCam's tech showcaseOrCam Technologies at this year's CES made a name for itself as solutions bearer for wearable assistive technology. They have developed wearable aides for hearing and for reading. These make use of computer vision and machine learning technologies. |
 | Samsung's home helper shaped like ball and rolled to CESSamsung at CES showed its ball-shaped rolling robot that follows you around, beeps and performs tasks as your personal assistant. The company posted a video showing just how Ballie would help out in your home. |
 | Cybercriminals: Things are about to get a lot more confusing for youThere are three boxes on a table. Two are made of cardboard and sealed with packaging tape. The third is made of steel with a series of locks blocking entry. Obviously, you think, as an imaginary criminal, the goods are in the steel box. After successfully picking the locks, you realize there's nothing inside. As you stare into the empty box, authorities grab your arms from behind and, all of a sudden, you're in handcuffs. |
 | 'Holy Grail' digital effects rewinding the clock for actorsWith Martin Scorsese's "The Irishman" expected to battle "Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood" and "1917" for the best picture Oscar in February, all eyes are on the special effects team that made the sprawling crime epic possible. |
 | Jack Ma, Grab eye opportunities in Singapore digital bank battleSingapore is opening up its banking industry to digital lenders in a reform that could shake up the sector across Southeast Asia, with Chinese billionaire Jack Ma and ride-hailer Grab among those seeking licences. |
 | Spanish delivery firm Glovo out to conquer the worldWith an ambitious 27-year-old boss and a growing army of computer engineers, Spanish start-up Glovo is chasing international growth by expanding beyond food deliveries, despite criticism of the working conditions of its drivers. |
 | Abu Dhabi-based agency calls for clean energy investments to doubleAn international agency promoting clean energy called Sunday for investments in renewable energy projects to be more than doubled, redirecting funds from fossil fuels. |
 | Pioneering tool to manage media industry's digital carbon footprintA collaboration between computer scientists at the University of Bristol and nine major media companies, including ITV and BBC, will help the media industry understand and manage the significant carbon impacts of digital content. |
 | Hate speech countered by detecting, highlighting 'help speech'Complete the following sentence: Rohingya refugees should go to ... — |
 | A low-power, highly responsive and reusable sweat pH monitorSweat, which contains a wide range of biochemical markers, can tell us a lot about our health. Variations in sweat pH (i.e. acidity or alkalinity), for instance, can tell us whether our body is dehydrated and can aid the diagnosis of skin conditions such as dermatitis, acne and other skin infections. In diabetic patients, sweat pH may serve as a good indicator of other life-threatening conditions, for instance, a high sweat pH during excessive sweating and night sweating may have been caused by a prolonged period of low blood glucose that warrants medical intervention. |
 | A green battery for home use in rural AfricaEPFL startup hiLyte has developed an eco-friendly battery that will allow people in Sub-Saharan Africa to light their homes and charge their cell phones. The technology is currently being tested by families in Tanzania. |
 | First 3-D-printed, sensor-operated prosthetic arm for toddlers prototypedA prototype for the first 3-D-printed, sensor-operated prosthetic arm designed for toddlers under two years-old has been developed by UK engineers. |
 | Cyberspace is the next front in Iran-US conflict – and private companies may bear the bruntIran and other nations have waged a stealth cyberwar against the United States for at least the past decade, largely targeting not the government itself but, rather, critical infrastructure companies. This threat to the private sector will get much worse before it gets better and businesses need to be prepared to deal with it. |
 | Corvette wins car of year award, Kia Telluride takes top SUVThe new mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette won the North American Car of the Year award on Monday. |
 | Microsoft ends free Windows 7 security updates on TuesdayIf you're still using Microsoft's Windows 7, your computer might soon be at risk. |
 | Chat logs, emails show cavalier attitude by Boeing employeesInternal documents reveal that Boeing employees were aware of problems with the Max 737 jet ahead of two deadly crashes, and that the company emphasized speed over safety during the approval process with the Federal Aviation Administration. |
 | Boeing says no severance package for ousted CEO MuilenburgFormer Boeing Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg, who was criticized for his handling of the 737 MAX crisis, will receive no severance package, the company disclosed Friday. |
 | New CEO tells staff Boeing must be 'transparent'New Boeing Chief Executive David Calhoun told employees on Monday the company must strengthen its culture, focus on "integrity" and be "transparent," according to an email sent to staff. |
Medicine & Health news
 | Common foods can help 'landscape' the jungle of our gut microbiomeResearchers at San Diego State University have found a new way to harness food as medicine, which has far reaching implications to control harmful microbes in our gut while balancing microbial diversity by fostering the growth of beneficial bacteria. |
 | Investigational drugs block bone loss in mice receiving chemotherapyBone loss that can lead to osteoporosis and fractures is a major problem for cancer patients who receive chemotherapy and radiation. Since the hormone estrogen plays an important role in maintaining bone health, bone loss is especially pronounced among postmenopausal women with breast cancer who are treated using therapies aimed at eliminating estrogen. |
 | Circular RNA limits skin cancer spreadA mysterious piece of genetic material restrains the spread of skin cancer cells, but is frequently lost as they mature, a new study finds. |
 | Research identifies new route for tackling drug resistance in skin cancer cellsResearchers have found that melanoma cells fight anti-cancer drugs by changing their internal skeleton (cytoskeleton) - opening up a new therapeutic route for combatting skin and other cancers that develop resistance to treatment. |
 | Experimental therapy may offer hope for rare genetic disordersResearchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have developed a new way to alleviate problems caused by dysfunctional mitochondria, which are the "powerhouses" that produce energy in cells. Their discovery, reported in the journal Nature Biotechnology on January 13, could lead to a new treatment for rare diseases caused by "broken" mitochondria, but could also be used to develop novel therapies for more common age-associated disorders. |
 | Study sheds light on link between cannabis, anxiety and stressA molecule produced by the brain that activates the same receptors as marijuana is protective against stress by reducing anxiety-causing connections between two brain regions, Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers report. |
 | Global diets are converging, with benefits and problemsResearch carried out by the University of Kent has shown that diets are changing in complex ways worldwide. International food supply patterns are supporting healthier diets in parts of the world, but causing underweight and obesity elsewhere. They are also having important effects on environmental sustainability, with potentially worrying consequences. |
 | Boost to lung immunity following infectionThe strength of the immune system in response to respiratory infections is constantly changing, depending on the history of previous, unrelated infections, according to new research from the Crick. |
 | Rising temperatures may cause over 2,000 fatal injuries per year in the US, predict researchersA 2 degrees Celsius rise in temperatures could result in around 2,100 additional deaths from injuries every year in the United States. |
 | Team discovers new genetic disease and defines underlying mechanismStudies that started in zebrafish have now pointed to a role for collagen secretion in a wide variety of clinical symptoms—and in a newly identified genetic syndrome. |
 | Study finds tiny 'nano' capsules effective in treating type two diabetesCurtin University researchers have developed tiny capsules that are able to effectively target the liver and pancreas reducing the inflammatory effects of type two diabetes. |
 | Neutrophils equipped with a 'disarmament' program that prevents the immune system going out of controlScientists at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) have discovered a 'disarmament' mechanism that protects against the uncontrolled activity of the immune system. This newly identified immune control system is located in one of the most important cell types of the immune system, the neutrophil. The findings, published in Nature Immunology, could have major implications for the understanding and treatment of conditions such as myocardial infarction, stroke and acute inflammation. |
 | Artificial muscle sheets transform stem cells into boneSpecifically programmed materials can, under specific conditions, encourage stem cells to transform into bone cells—as revealed by a German research team under the leadership of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Centre for Materials and Coastal Research. To do this, the scientists implemented a so-called shape-memory polymer in stem cell research. The study was published today in the renowned journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. |
 | AI can detect low glucose levels via ECG without fingerprick testA new technology for detecting low glucose levels via ECG using a non-invasive wearable sensor, which with the latest artificial intelligence can detect hypoglycaemic events from raw ECG signals has been made by researchers from the University of Warwick. |
 | 'Ageotypes' provide window into how individuals age, study reportsWhat's your type? |
 | Study identifies genetic anomaly associated with poor response to common asthma treatmentA new Cleveland Clinic study has uncovered a genetic anomaly associated with poor response to a common asthma treatment. The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that asthmatic patients with the gene variant are less likely to respond to glucocorticoids and often develop severe asthma. |
 | Clinical trial reveals new subtypes of advanced pancreatic cancerResearchers at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) and the University Health Network (UHN) have discovered detailed new information about the subtypes of pancreatic cancer. A better understanding of the disease groups may lead to new treatment options and improved clinical outcomes for this lethal disease. |
 | Risk of lead exposure linked to decreased brain volume in adolescentsThough leaded gas and lead-based paint were banned decades ago, the risk of lead exposure is far from gone. A new study led by Elizabeth Sowell, Ph.D., shows that living in neighborhoods with high risk of lead exposure is associated with differences in brain structure and cognitive performance in some children. Her findings, published by Nature Medicine, also show a deeper trend—children in lower income families may be at increased risk. |
 | Vitamin B6, leukemia's deadly addictionScientists have discovered that Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) grows by taking advantage of the B6 vitamin to accelerate cell division. The research team from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) suggest they could halt the growth of this cancer by limiting its ability to manipulate the enzyme that pushes B6 to make proteins essential for cell division. It's an approach to attacking cancer without harming healthy cells, which need the B6 vitamin to survive. |
 | Calculated surprise leads to groundbreaking discovery in cognitive control researchHumans control their behavior in numerous ways, from stopping the urge pick at a scab to resisting the impulse to eat an entire box of chocolates. Suppressing undesired behavior, referred to as "cognitive control," traditionally has been linked to the functioning of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) in the front of the brain. Activity in dACC is observed across a variety of contexts, yet its function remains intensely debated in the field of cognitive neuroscience. |
 | Long-term memory performance depends upon gating system, study findsStoring and retrieving memories is among the most important tasks our intricate brains must perform, yet how that happens at a molecular level remains incompletely understood. A new study from the lab of Neuroscience Professor Ronald Davis, Ph.D., at Scripps Research, Florida, sheds light on one element of that memory storage process, namely the storage and retrieval of a type of hardwired long-term memory. |
China reports first death from mystery pneumonia outbreakA 61-year-old man has become the first person to die in China from a respiratory illness believed caused by a new virus from the same family as SARS, which claimed hundreds of lives more than a decade ago, authorities said. | |
 | HPV status may affect risk of early death in patients with oropharynx cancerNew research indicates that there is a higher risk of early death among patients with oropharynx cancer when not caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), than those whose tumors are HPV-positive. The findings are published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. |
 | Amount of sugar sold in soft drinks drops by 29% in the UKLead researcher Lauren Bandy and her colleagues looked at the nutritional information of a range of soft drinks in the UK, including carbonated drinks, concentrates, 100% juice, juice drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks and bottled water, and combined this with sales data from 2015-2018. There has been considerable pressure on industry to reduce the sugar content of soft drinks and in April 2018, the British government introduced the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) to help tackle childhood obesity. |
 | Five years after abortion, study finds nearly all women say it was the right decisionFive years after having an abortion, over 95 percent of the women in a landmark UC San Francisco study said it was the right decision for them. |
Lower levels of lymphocyte blood cells may indicate increased risk of deathLower levels of lymphocyte blood cells—a condition called lymphopenia—could be an early warning for future illness, as low counts were associated with a 60% increase in death from any cause, found a Danish study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) | |
 | When pregnant moms are stressed out, babies' brains sufferKnowing that your unborn fetus has congenital heart disease causes such pronounced maternal stress, anxiety and depression that these women's fetuses end up with impaired development in key brain regions before they are born, according to research published online Jan. 13, 2020, in JAMA Pediatrics. |
 | Program proves effective in preventing dating violence with middle school studentsCoaching Boys Into Men, a program that seeks to prevent dating violence and sexual assault, reduces abusive behaviors among middle school male athletes toward their female peers, according to clinical trial results published today in JAMA Pediatrics. |
 | Social scientist uncovers patterns of opioid misusePsychology professor Kaston Anderson-Carpenter, a behavioral and social scientist at Michigan State University, is uncovering an alarming pattern of prescription opioid misuse among certain groups of underrepresented veterans. |
 | Thinking of menopausal hormone therapy? Here's what you can expect from your GPWe have seen increasingly dramatic headlines over the years on the risks of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), also known as hormone replacement therapy. |
 | New estimates show 14.8 million children globally are HIV-exposed but uninfectedIn many countries with a high HIV prevalence, at least 95% of children born to mothers living with HIV remain HIV-uninfected. This is due to the success of wide-scale provision of antiretroviral therapy to mothers with HIV to prevent transmission to their children during pregnancy, labour or breastfeeding. |
 | Radiotherapy for hard-to-treat bladder cancerMore targeted forms of radiotherapy can effectively treat bladder cancer which has spread to the lymph nodes of the pelvis, according to a new clinical trial. |
 | Facial recognition: research reveals new abilities of 'super-recognisers'Do you never forget a face? Are you one of those people who can spot the same nameless extras across different TV programmes and adverts? Are you the family member always called on to identify or match faces in old photographs? If so, you may be a "super-recogniser"—the term science uses to describe people with an exceptional ability to recognise faces. |
First case of mystery virus found outside China (Update)A new virus from the same family as the deadly SARS disease has spread beyond China's borders for the first time with a case emerging in Thailand, UN and Thai officials said on Monday. | |
Finding the genes that turn on Japanese encephalitisInvestigators have identified the specific genes that become overactive as a result of nerve cell infection with Japanese encephalitis virus. The genes activate cell receptors and signaling proteins that attract immune cells to the brain. The finding suggests that nerve cells may play a significant immune role against the virus, but may also be involved in exacerbating the brain inflammation that is characteristic of the infection. | |
 | New treatment hope for those affected by muscle lossNew research from the University of Aberdeen has identified the genes responsible for muscle mass |
Project aims to improve diagnosis and treatment for patients with anaemiaAmbulatory care specialists at the University of Birmingham, with support from Vifor Pharma UK Limited (VPUK), are working to develop and implement a population based anaemia diagnosis and treatment decision support service for routine healthcare delivery. | |
 | Tracking genes to fight breast cancerPh.D. student Esmee Koedoot studied the underlying processes responsible for metastases in a dangerous type of breast cancer. She hopes to find new possibilities to fight the disease. In December 2019 she obtained her doctorate cum laude. |
 | Lithium monitor could improve lives of people suffering from bipolarIt is estimated that bipolar disorder affects one in 100 people and lithium remains the most effective long-term therapy for the condition. It is incredibly important to monitor lithium intake as it has a narrow therapeutic range and can be toxic once levels elevate above it. |
 | Shaming, blaming and ignorance about obesity block millions from getting effective careBias, misinformation and a lack of understanding of how easy it is to relapse into obesity are preventing millions of Canadians from getting appropriate care, according to new research. |
 | Protein associated with ovarian cancer exacerbates neurodegeneration in Alzheimer'sHouston Methodist scientists identified a protein found in ovarian cancer that may contribute to declining brain function and Alzheimer's disease, by combining computational methods and lab research. |
 | Study finds novel molecular therapeutic target for colon cancerResearchers have found a way to help make chemotherapy more effective in treating colon cancer. They identified a new pathway (RICTOR/mTORC2) as a biological target for the disease. Targeted inhibition of RICTOR or the mTORC2 pathway could be used as a distinctive therapeutic opportunity with chemotherapy for treating colon cancer. |
 | Higher rates of post-natal depression among autistic mothersAutistic mothers are more likely to report post-natal depression compared to non-autistic mothers, according to a new study of mothers of autistic children carried out by researchers at the University of Cambridge. A better understanding of the experiences of autistic mothers during pregnancy and the post-natal period is critical to improving wellbeing. The results are published in Molecular Autism. |
 | Study finds potential new treatment for preventing PTSDResearch led by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation points to a groundbreaking discovery about a new potential treatment and prevention for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). |
 | Truvada should remain first choice for HIV prevention, experts sayIn October 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a second medication for use as HIV preexposure prophylaxis, also known as PrEP, sparking controversy about which drug should be prescribed. Gilead Sciences, which manufactures both approved drugs, has argued that the new drug is safer and more effective than the old drug. But these claims are overstated, say a team of clinical and public health experts. Their commentary, "Tenofovir Alafenamide for HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis—What Can We DISCOVER About Its True Value?", appears in the January 14 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine. |
 | Connecting the dots in the migraine brainA neuroimaging study recently published in the journal Cephalalgia, the official journal of the International Headache Society, shared more evidence of structural changes in the brain of migraine patients. The study, entitled "Structural connectivity alterations in chronic and episodic migraine: A diffusion magnetic resonance imaging connectomics study", was conducted by a multidisciplinary team of neurologists and bioengineers, coordinated by Dr. Ángel Luis Guerrero, from the Headache Unit, Department of Neurology, University of Valladolid, Spain. |
 | Knee replacement timing is all wrong for most patientsThe timing of knee replacement surgery is critical to optimize its benefit. But 90% of patients with knee osteoarthritis who would potentially benefit from knee replacement are waiting too long to have it and getting less benefit. In addition, about 25% of patients who don't need it are having it prematurely when the benefit is minimal, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study. |
 | Brain pressure controls eye pressure, revealing new avenues for glaucoma treatmentResearchers at the University of South Florida (USF) have discovered a novel feedback pathway from the brain to the eye that modulates eye pressure—a significant advancement in the effort to diagnose and treat glaucoma. Glaucoma is associated with increased pressure in the eye due to a reduce ability of the eye to maintain proper fluid drainage. The heightened pressure applies mechanical strain to the optic nerve as the nerve exits the eye, resulting in vision loss and potential blindness. |
 | Innovative CareView app provides patient data on 7 conditions related to 40% of ED visitsDoctors at Indiana University Health hospitals now have faster, easier access to information about the patients they are treating in the emergency department. The CareView app, created in a partnership among Regenstrief Institute, Indiana Health Information Exchange (IHIE), IU Health and Indiana University School of Medicine, provides clinicians with only the most relevant information from a patient's medical history related to the complaint that brought them to the hospital. |
 | Researchers find minimally invasive procedure to treat chronic Achilles tendon disorderA minimally invasive procedure to treat a common foot and ankle disorder can reduce pain, recovery time, and postsurgery complications while improving functional outcomes, according to a report published in the journal Foot and Ankle Surgery. |
 | New mechanism may safely prevent and reverse obesityObesity, a global epidemic, is a known contributor to several cancers, including breast, colon, and pancreatic. Stopping the obesity epidemic could be a critical aid in preventing and treating numerous cancers. Researchers with the laboratory of Craig Tomlinson, Ph.D., at Dartmouth's and Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Norris Cotton Cancer Center have found a critical target in this cause. The team discovered that a receptor found in almost all cells, called AHR, and known primarily to combat exposures to environmental chemicals, also plays a big role in the body's metabolism. Blocking AHR not only prevented, but reversed obesity in study mice. The team's findings, "Reversal of obesity and liver steatosis in mice via inhibition of aryl hydrocarbon receptor and altered gene expression of CYP1B1, PPARα, SCD1, and osteopontin," are newly published in the International Journal of Obesity. |
 | Online educational videos boost cancer knowledgeOnline health videos can be an important source of cancer education, according to Rutgers researchers. Their review, published in the Journal of Cancer Education, analyzed existing research to see how people obtained their cancer knowledge and how educational videos they watched prompted a change in their behavior. |
 | Can pot bring on psychosis in young users? It may be happening, experts say(HealthDay)—The idea of marijuana causing a psychotic breakdown sounds like something out of the camp film classic "Reefer Madness," but many experts argue it's not that far-fetched. |
 | Black and Latina mothers face higher rates of severe maternal morbidity(HealthDay)—Within the same New York City hospital, black and Latina women are at higher risk for severe maternal morbidity than white women, according to a study published online Jan. 9 in Obstetrics & Gynecology. |
 | Mandatory vaccination ups prevalence of vaccine coverage(HealthDay)—Mandatory vaccination is associated with increased vaccination coverage for measles and pertussis as well as reduced measles incidence in Europe, according to a study published online Jan. 13 in Pediatrics. |
 | Guidance issued for hepatic, mesenteric circulation disorders(HealthDay)—In a clinical guideline from the American College of Gastroenterology, published in the January issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology, recommendations are presented for management of disorders of the hepatic and mesenteric circulation. |
 | Could your morning coffee be a weight-loss tool?(HealthDay)—If losing weight sits high atop your New Year's resolution list, you might want to reach for a piping-hot cup of joe. |
 | Telemedicine visits comparable for glycemic control in T1DM(HealthDay)—Among patients with type 1 diabetes and suboptimal glycemic control, replacement of an intermediate face-to-face visit with a telemedicine session did not affect outcomes, according to a study published online Jan. 6 in Diabetes Care. |
 | College students use more marijuana in states where it's legal, but they binge drink lessMarijuana use among college students has been trending upward for years, but in states that have legalized recreational marijuana, use has jumped even higher. |
 | Study suggests biological clock is key to reducing heart damage from radiation therapyTreatment for breast cancer commonly includes radiation therapy, which offers good chances of success but comes with a serious long-term side effect: toxicity due to radiation that reaches the heart, causing DNA damage in healthy heart cells. Over time, this can lead to heart disease and eventually heart failure. |
 | Using light to learn: Environmental light triggers production of memory proteins in fruit fliesMaintaining long-term memories requires environmental light, according to research in fruit flies recently published in JNeurosci. |
 | Life without diabetes – pioneering researcher's new bookOne of the world's leading experts who developed revolutionary science demonstrating that type 2 diabetes is a reversible condition has launched his new book. |
 | It's taking too long to treat rural Aussies who have a strokeAddressing inequity between metropolitan and regional acute stroke care requires attention to each component of regional workflow, according to the authors of a Perspective published in the Medical Journal of Australia. |
 | Babies and toddlers might not know there's a fire but disasters still take their tollThousands of families with babies and toddlers have been affected by Australia's bushfire disaster. This includes children whose homes have been under direct threat or impacted by severe smoke pollution, or where their parents volunteer or work as fire fighters. |
Barriers to healthcare for deaf communities in WalesDeaf people in Wales face serious challenges in getting the health care information and services that they need, according to a recently published report. (Health and Wellbeing for Deaf Communities in Wales: Scoping for a Wales-Wide Survey). | |
"I want them to know me as a human being" – new report on pregnancy in prison publishedPregnant women's experiences of maternity care in English prisons have left many feeling 'degraded' and 'inhuman," according to a report published by Dr. Laura Abbott, senior midwifery lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire. | |
 | Using caffeine as a tool to study information processingResearchers are using caffeine to study how the brain processes information, and a new study shows the effectiveness of this approach. A placebo-controlled study in adults, which uses a simple Go/NoGo task, is published in Journal of Caffeine and Adenosine Research. |
 | Study questions routine troponin testing for ACS in geriatric patients with NSCsThe results of a study conducted by researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine may not support troponin testing for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in selected elderly patients with nonspecific complaints (NCSs). The study findings will be published in the January 2020 issue of Academic Emergency Medicine (AEM), a journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM). |
 | Prolonged ECG monitoring of ED patients with syncope is safe alternative to hospitalizationProlonged cardiac rhythm monitoring will improve arrhythmia diagnostic yield among non-low-risk emergency department patients with syncope. That is the finding of a study published in the January 2020 issue of Academic Emergency Medicine (AEM), a journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM). |
 | Implementing post-genomic personalized medicine: The rise of glycan biomarkersAn in-depth look at the science of glycobiology and glycan diagnostics, and their promise in personalized medicine in the current post-genomic era are featured in a special issue of OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology. |
Biology news
 | Global database of all bird species shows how body shape predicts lifestyleA database of 10,000 bird species shows how measurements of wings, beaks and tails can predict a species' role in an ecosystem. |
 | How do X-ray images helped reveal insects' physiological responses to gravity?Imagine you are flipped upside down and standing on your head. After a few seconds, you would feel pressure in your head due to an increased blood flow. Humans and other vertebrates are known to have physiological reactions to gravity with reactions increasing with body size. |
 | A protein called Sestrin might be responsible for many of the benefits of a good workoutWhether it be a brisk walk around the park or high intensity training at the gym, exercise does a body good. But what if you could harness the benefits of a good workout without ever moving a muscle? |
 | A new model of metabolism draws from thermodynamics and 'omics'All living things are made of carbon, and sugars like glucose are a very common source of it. Consequently, most cells are good at eating sugars, using enzymes to digest them through a series of chemical reactions that transform the initial sugar into a variety of cell components, including amino acids, DNA building blocks and fats. Because they help these sugar-metabolism reactions run efficiently, the enzymes are called biocatalysts. |
 | Specific insulin-like peptide regulates how beetle 'weapons' growA scientist from Tokyo Metropolitan University and coworkers have discovered that a specific insulin-like peptide called ILP2 regulates the size of the mandibles in Gnatocerus cornutus beetles in different nutritional environments. They found diminished mandible size when expression of the peptide was suppressed, and that it was specifically expressed in the fat body, where beetles store nutrients. This has important implications for understanding how striking growth occurs in different environments for different organisms. |
 | Device keeps human livers alive for one week outside of the bodyResearchers from the University Hospital Zurich, ETH Zurich, Wyss Zurich and the University of Zurich have developed a machine that repairs injured human livers and keeps them alive outside the body for one week. This breakthrough may increase the number of available organs for transplantation, saving many lives of patients with severe liver diseases or cancer. |
 | Research identifies possible on/off switch for plant growthNew research from UC Riverside identifies a protein that controls plant growth— good news for an era in which crops can get crushed by climate change. |
 | Inside story on cassowary evolutionOne of the largest living birds, the Southern Cassowary, has a simple throat structure similar to the fellow Australian emu. Now new research confirms a common link between the cassowary and small flighted South American tinamou—and even the extinct large New Zealand moa. |
 | Fisheries management is actually working, global analysis showsNearly half of the fish caught worldwide are from stocks that are scientifically monitored and, on average, are increasing in abundance. Effective management appears to be the main reason these stocks are at sustainable levels or successfully rebuilding. |
 | High temperatures due to global warming will be dramatic even for tardigradesGlobal warming, a major aspect of climate change, is already causing a wide range of negative impacts on many habitats of our planet. It is thus of the utmost importance to understand how rising temperatures may affect animal health and welfare. A research group from the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen has just shown that tardigrades are very vulnerable to long-term high temperature exposures. Animals, which in their desiccated state are best known for their extraordinary tolerance to extreme environments. |
 | Directed evolution of endogenous genes opens door to rapid agronomic trait improvementA research team led by Profs. Gao Caixia and LI Jiayang from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have engineered five saturated targeted endogenous mutagenesis editors (STEMEs) and generated de novo mutations to facilitate the directed evolution of plant genes. Their study was published in Nature Biotechnology on Jan. 13. |
 | A single gene for scent reception separates two species of orchid beesA male orchid bee zips around the rainforest, a flash of iridescent green against an equally emerald background. The bee stops at various flowers, fungi and dead trees, collecting fragrant particles and storing them in pockets in its hind legs. Then, it perches on a tree trunk. But the bee doesn't rest. Instead, it flitters about, using its wings to disperse a bouquet of perfumes into the air. |
 | Historic German island is nursery for North Sea sealsThe birthplace of Germany's national anthem and a practice bombing range for British airmen after World War II, Helgoland island in the North Sea turns cuddly at the turn of the year as grey seals arrive to give birth. |
 | Species-saving Galapagos giant tortoise Diego can take a restJob done, prolific Galapagos giant tortoise Diego is being released back into the wild after being credited by authorities with almost single-handedly saving his species from extinction. |
 | Plea for New Zealand to house fire-threatened koalasThousands of people have signed a petition for koalas to be introduced to New Zealand to escape Australia's devastating bush fires, but the proposal has been given the thumbs down by officials. |
 | Herpes simplex viruses: new relationships between epidemiology and historyAn Italian research team has refined the history and origins of two extremely common pathogens in human populations, herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2. |
 | Climate change unlikely to drive sugar maples northClimate is an important factor in determining a plant species' growing zone. Some studies suggest that by the turn of the next century, climate change will have caused some species to spread several dozen kilometres north of their current distribution areas. |
 | Predicting non-native invasions in AntarcticaA new study identifies the non-native species most likely to invade the Antarctic Peninsula region over the next decade. It provides a baseline for all operators in the region to look at mitigation measures. The study is published in the journal Global Change Biology. |
 | Making real a biotechnology dream: nitrogen-fixing cereal cropsAs food demand rises due to growing and changing populations around the world, increasing crop production has been a vital target for agriculture and food systems researchers who are working to ensure there is enough food to meet global need in the coming years. One MIT research group mobilizing around this challenge is the Voigt lab in the Department of Biological Engineering, led by Christopher Voigt, the Daniel I.C. Wang Professor of Advanced Biotechnology at MIT. |
 | NOAA finds new liquified natural gas pipeline in Oregon will not jeopardize speciesNOAA Fisheries has issued a final biological opinion on construction and operation of the Jordan Cove terminal in Coos Bay, Oregon, and the associated 229-mile long Pacific Connector Liquid Natural Gas pipeline. After conducting a thorough review, NOAA scientists determined that the proposed action does not jeopardize protected species or adversely modify their critical habitat. |
 | Arriving early in the breeding area is crucial for successful reproduction in non-migratory birdsIn birds, timing of arrival in a breeding area influences who ends up breeding and who does not. This aspect of behaviour, well-known in migratory birds, has now been studied for the first time in a non-migratory species, the blue tit. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Germany found that arrival time in the breeding area was an individual-specific and fitness-relevant trait for this resident bird species, as early-arriving individuals were more likely to breed in that year. The study suggests that it might be worthwhile to consider migration on different scales, not only as movements over thousands of kilometres to wintering grounds, but also more generally as movements between breeding and non-breeding sites. |
 | First robust cell culture model for the hepatitis E virusEven though hepatitis E causes over 3 million infections and about 70,000 deaths each year, the virus has been little studied. Now, a research team from Bochum and Hanover has developed a robust cell model of the pathogen. It produces about 100 times more infectious virus particles than previous models. "As a result, we are finally able to study the virus in depth," says Professor Eike Steinmann, head of the Department for Molecular & Medical Virology at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB). The researchers published their results in the journal PNAS on 2 January 2020. |
 | Broadest study to date of Bornean elephants yields insight into their habitat selectionAccording to the World Wildlife Fund, there are only an estimated 1,500 Bornean elephants in the wild, with populations mostly concentrated in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo—a region that has historically experienced unprecedentedly high rates of deforestation. Due to the conversion of Bornean forests for agriculture, elephants were forced from their natural habitats into human-dominated landscapes, increasing incidences of conflicts between people and elephants, such as ivory poaching and crop raids. These conflicts have resulted in rising elephant deaths, cementing this vulnerable species' Endangered status on the IUCN Red List. |
 | Cell growth: Intricate network of potential new regulatory mechanisms has been decodedWhether a cell grows, divides or dies is controlled, among other things, by receptors that messenger substances bind to externally. A research team from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) and Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) worked together with partners from the University of Bonn to study the important EGF receptor in more detail. They succeeded in uncovering more information on an interface about which so far very little was known. |
 | Study aims to prevent adverse drug reactions in dogsIf not identified before surgery, a rare genetic mutation could result in your dog being exposed to dangerously high levels of anesthetic agents. |
 | Study: Humanity's footprint is squashing world's wildlifeA new study says that the planet's wildlife is increasingly under the boot of humanity. |
 | High anxiety: Proposed US hemp rules worry industryHemp growers and entrepreneurs who were joyous a year ago after U.S. lawmakers reclassified the plant as a legal agricultural crop now are worried their businesses could be crippled if federal policymakers move ahead with draft regulations. |
Blue mussels' ability to buffer climate-induced stress could benefit aquacultureBlue mussels can change patterns of gene expression to make more proteins that help with heat stress and facilitate energy production. | |
 | Researchers report brief treatment window for controlling aggressive bacteriaEvery year in the United States, more than 35,000 people die and 2.8 million get sick from antibiotic-resistant infections. Now, a team led by Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU)'s Professor Nathalie Balaban and Shaarei Zedek Medical Center's Dr. Maskit Bar-Meir has shown that resilient bacteria may be treatable with currently-available therapies. In a study published in Science magazine, the researchers show that aggressive bacteria can be controlled—but only if doctors administer treatment within a short window of opportunity. |
Many rescue dog owners think they are imported (wrongly) into UK via Pet Travel SchemeMany owners of rescue dogs imported into the UK believe they arrive through the European Union (EU) Pet Travel Scheme, which has less stringent requirements than the EU Balai Directive, which should be applied for these animals, find the results of a large survey, published in Vet Record. | |
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