Science X Newsletter Friday, Jun 12

Dear Mahesh Sagar Khanal,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for June 12, 2020:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

A reconfigurable ferroelectric field-effect transistor for frequency multiplication

Physicists publish worldwide consensus of muon magnetic moment calculation

Ingredients for life appear in stellar nurseries long before stars are born

Scientists close in on 12-billion-year-old signal from the end of the universe's 'dark age'

Artificial intelligence makes blurry faces look more than 60 times sharper

Plug-and-play bug exposes millions of network devices

Innovative model provides insight into the behavior of the black hole at the center of our galaxy

Half the Earth relatively intact from global human influence

Type III interferons: Protective or harmful in COVID-19?

Stiffer roadways could improve truck fuel efficiency

In light of COVID-19, study looks at tradeoffs between economic value and public health

New approach to DNA data storage makes system more dynamic, scalable

Adding noise for completely secure communication

Unlocking PNA's superpowers for self-assembling nanostructures

Brain organoids with the potential to predict drug permeability

Nanotechnology news

	Unlocking PNA's superpowers for self-assembling nanostructures Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a method for self-assembling nanostructures with gamma-modified peptide nucleic acid (γPNA), a synthetic mimic of DNA. The process has the potential to impact nanomanufacturing as well as future biomedical technologies like targeted diagnostics and drug delivery.
	Hot holes are key in a plasmon-induced reaction of oxygen molecules on silver surfaces Chemists at RIKEN have discovered why shining light on silver nanoparticles causes oxygen molecules attached to their surfaces to break off. This insight will help researchers design new catalysts that harness light energy.
	Twisted microfiber's network responses to water vapor Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) graduate student Kulisara Budpud, Assoc. Prof. Kosuke Okeyoshi, Dr. Maiko Okajima and, Prof. Tatsuo Kaneko reveal a unique polysaccharide fiber in a twisted structure forming under a drying process which showed spring-like behavior. The spring-like behavior of twisted structures is practically used as a reinforced structure in a vapor-sensitive film with millisecond-scale response time. This work is published in Small in a paper titled "Vapor-Sensitive Materials from Polysaccharide Fibers with Self-Assembling Twisted Microstructures."

Physics news

	Physicists publish worldwide consensus of muon magnetic moment calculation For decades, scientists studying the muon have been puzzled by a strange pattern in the way muons rotate in magnetic fields, one that left physicists wondering if it can be explained by the Standard Model—the best tool physicists have to understand the universe.
	Adding noise for completely secure communication How can we protect communications against eavesdropping if we don't trust the devices used in the process? This is one of the main questions in quantum cryptography research. Researchers at the University of Basel and ETH Zurich have succeeded in laying the theoretical groundwork for a communication protocol that guarantees 100% privacy.
	Scientists propose data encoding method for the 6G standard Researchers around the world are working on methods to transfer data in the terahertz (THz) range, which would make it possible to send and receive information more quickly than today's technology. But it is much more difficult to encode data in the THz range than in the GHz range currently used by 5G technology. A group of scientists from ITMO University has demonstrated the possibility of modifying terahertz pulses in order to use them for data transmission. They have published their results in Scientific Reports.
	Quantum effect observed in 'large' metal In the world of materials science, sometimes main discoveries can be found in unexpected places. While working on the resistivity of a type of delafossite—PdCoO2—researchers at EPFL's Laboratory of Quantum Materials discovered that the electrons in their sample did not behave entirely as expected. When a magnetic field was applied, the electrons retained signatures of their wave-like nature, which could be observed even under relatively high temperature conditions and appeared in relatively large sizes. These surprising results, obtained in collaboration with several research institutions, could prove useful, for example in the quest for quantum computing. The research will be published today in the prestigious journal Science.
	ATLAS Experiment searches for rare Higgs boson decays into a photon and a Z boson The Higgs boson was discovered by the ATLAS and CMS Collaborations at CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in 2012 through its decays into pairs of photons, W bosons and Z bosons. Since then, physicists at these experiments have gained great insight into the properties of the Higgs boson through the study of its different production and decay processes. Decays to pairs of tau leptons and bottom quarks were established, as was the coupling to top quarks. However, the question remains whether the Higgs boson may also interact with yet-unknown particles or forces.
	Study shows optical fields can modify electrons in metal Pittsburgh research coauthored by team from the Department of Physics and Astronomy reveals that optical fields have the ability to modify electronic properties of a solid.

Earth news

	Half the Earth relatively intact from global human influence Roughly half of Earth's ice-free land remains without significant human influence, according to a study from a team of international researchers led by the National Geographic Society and the University of California, Davis.
	Research shows that submerged vegetation helps to offset Chesapeake Bay acidification For many years, the world's oceans have suffered from absorbing human-made carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which has led to the decreasing pH of saltwater, known as ocean acidification, and threatened the health of marine organisms and ecosystems. While this process has been well documented, the acidification process is complicated and poorly understood in coastal waters.
	Remixed mantle suggests early start of plate tectonics New Curtin University research on the remixing of Earth's stratified deep interior suggests that global plate tectonic processes, which played a pivotal role in the existence of life on Earth, started to operate at least 3.2 billion years ago.
	Using GIE to map deforestation in the Amazon rainforest As deforestation continues to rise in the Amazon rainforest, efforts are ongoing to identify ways to reverse the trend of tree loss in this valuable ecosystem.
	Fuel walking and cycling with low carbon diets, researchers say Walking and cycling have many benefits and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but researchers say we need to think about what people eat to fuel their walking and cycling.
	Temperature spike: Earth ties record high heat May reading Earth's temperature spiked to tie a record high for May, U.S. meteorologists reported Friday.
	New efficient ships won't be enough to curb shipping sector's environmental damage New climate research has stated that urgent action on emissions from existing ships is the key to tackling shipping's impact on climate change.
	India's 50-year drying period and subsequent reversal—battle between natural and anthropogenic variability A billion people rely on rainfall from the Indian summer monsoon (ISM). Its variability may produce impacts both locally and globally. Understanding the variability is essential to make effective adaptation planning for future events.
	An El Niño hit this banana prawn fishery hard. Here's what we can learn from their experience Prawns are a staple of many Australian barbecues, and we're fortunate to have wild-caught prawns from sustainably-managed fisheries that boast best management practice.
	How cities can add accessible green space in a post-coronavirus world The COVID-19 pandemic has forced governments to weigh the benefits of keeping green spaces open against the public health concerns that come from their use. During the pandemic, playgrounds have been taped off, parks locked and access to outdoor spaces for recreation cut off.
	Scientists call for long-term research on ozone source apportionment Tropospheric ozone is produced via the photochemical reaction of volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight. Over the past 20 years, serious ozone pollution has been found in the most highly populated and industrialized city clusters in China, such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, and Sichuan Basin regions.
	From tiny shards to tons in the sea, plastic pollution presents a challenge to labs, beaches and society Love-hate relationships are tricky. They're vexing. They're complicated.
	Nitrogen in permafrost soils may exert great feedbacks on climate change What nitrogen is getting up to in permafrost soils may be much more interesting than researchers have long believed—with potentially significant consequences for our management of climate change.
	Brazilian Amazon deforestation hits new record in May Deforestation continued to surge in the Brazilian Amazon last month, according to official figures released Friday, showing it was the worst May and worst first five months of the year on record.
	Reduce food waste to save money With the COVID-19 pandemic causing disruptions in the food supply chain, it's more important than ever to reduce food waste, says a University of Missouri Extension food safety specialist.
	COVID-19 compels new food safety norms in Asia Food safety practices in Asia-Pacific countries got a boost from COVID-19 concerns as lockdowns and restrictions start easing up in the region, a webinar held on 3 June heard.
	Image: Barcelona, Spain The Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission takes us over Barcelona—the second largest city in Spain.
	Analysing the effects two decades after a mining spill A group of experts from the University of Seville has carried out a comparative study of the concentrations—both totals as well as fractions—of the metals found in sediment in the River Guadiamar in 2002 with those present in the same area in 2018. After this study, the researchers state that there has been an important fall in the total concentrations, and evolution of the metal fraction towards their more innocuous forms, so the environmental risk is much reduced.
	NASA catches development of Tropical Cyclone Nuri in South China Sea A low-pressure system that developed in the Philippine Sea and tracked over the central Philippines has moved into the South China Sea and become a depression. NASA's Terra satellite provided an image of the newly formed storm.
	Ukraine scientists see signs of hope after huge Chernobyl fires Ukrainian scientist Oleksandr Borsuk looks bitterly at the charred trunks of old pine trees as the acrid smell of burnt wood hangs in the air.

Astronomy and Space news

	Ingredients for life appear in stellar nurseries long before stars are born https://uanews.arizona.edu/story/ingredients-life-appear-stellar-nurseries-long-stars-are-born
	Scientists close in on 12-billion-year-old signal from the end of the universe's 'dark age' Today, stars fill the night sky. But when the universe was in its infancy, it contained no stars at all. And an international team of scientists is closer than ever to detecting, measuring and studying a signal from this era that has been traveling through the cosmos ever since that starless era ended some 13 billion years ago.
	Innovative model provides insight into the behavior of the black hole at the center of our galaxy Like most galaxies, the Milky Way hosts a supermassive black hole at its center. Called Sagittarius A*, the object has captured astronomers' curiosity for decades. And now there is an effort to image it directly.
	NASA selects Astrobotic to fly water-hunting rover to the moon NASA has awarded Astrobotic of Pittsburgh $199.5 million to deliver NASA's Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) to the moon's South Pole in late 2023.
	New Horizons conducts the first interstellar parallax experiment For the first time, a spacecraft has sent back pictures of the sky from so far away that some stars appear to be in different positions than we'd see from Earth.
	NASA's IBEX charts 11 years of change at the boundary to interstellar space Far beyond the orbits of the planets are the hazy outlines of the heliosphere, the magnetic bubble in space that we call home. This flexible cosmic bubble stretches and shrinks in response to the sun's gasps and sighs.
	Pandemic shuts Earth's eyes on the skies It's as if the Earth has closed its eyes, some scientists say: the coronavirus pandemic has forced astronomers in northern Chile to shut down the world's most powerful telescopes, running the risk of missing out on supernovas and other spectacles in space.
	Once Starship prototypes stop exploding, we could see an orbital launch this year SpaceX has had a lot of ups and downs lately. On Saturday, May 30, the company made history when their Crew Dragon spacecraft took off from the NASA Kennedy Space Center, carrying two astronauts to space. But just a day before, SpaceX engineers and ground crews watched their fourth Starship prototype (SN4) explode on its testbed during a static fire test, making it the fourth prototype in a row to be lost.
	Have you got what it takes to become an astronaut in the new era of human spaceflight? Millions of people watched breathlessly as astronauts for the first time successfully travelled to the International Space Station (ISS) in a privately funded spacecraft, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule, on May 30. The historic launch, which marks a new chapter in human spaceflight, is likely to lead to renewed interest in spaceflight.
	Image: Hubble glimpses a galaxy among many Looking deep into the universe, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope catches a passing glimpse of the numerous arm-like structures that sweep around this barred spiral galaxy, known as NGC 2608. Appearing as a slightly stretched, smaller version of our Milky Way, the peppered blue and red spiral arms are anchored together by the prominent horizontal central bar of the galaxy.
	ESAIL maritime satellite ready for launch The ESAIL microsatellite for tracking ships worldwide—developed under an ESA Partnership Project—has completed its accommodation on Vega's new dispenser for small satellites and is ready for launch.
	NASA names first woman to head human spaceflight The NASA official who managed the inaugural private crewed flight into space last month has been promoted to become the first female head of human spaceflight, the agency said Friday, as it prepares to return people to the Moon in 2024.
	NASA's Mars rover drivers need your help You may be able to help NASA's Curiosity rover drivers better navigate Mars. Using the online tool AI4Mars to label terrain features in pictures downloaded from the Red Planet, you can train an artificial intelligence algorithm to automatically read the landscape.

Technology news

	A reconfigurable ferroelectric field-effect transistor for frequency multiplication Frequency multipliers, circuits that can produce signals with multiple frequencies, are essential components for a number of technological tools, particularly wireless communications systems. Most existing multipliers, however, are built using filtering and amplification circuits that are bulky and rapidly drain a lot of power.
	Artificial intelligence makes blurry faces look more than 60 times sharper Duke University researchers have developed an AI tool that can turn blurry, unrecognizable pictures of people's faces into eerily convincing computer-generated portraits, in finer detail than ever before.
	Plug-and-play bug exposes millions of network devices A bug in a protocol used by virtually all Internet of Things devices exposes millions of users to potential attack, a researcher reported Monday. The fault centers on the Universal Plug and Play protocol, a 12-year-old implementation that simplifies connections among network devices such as computers, printers, mobile devices and Wi-Fi access points.
	Stiffer roadways could improve truck fuel efficiency Every time you hear a deep rumble and feel your house shake when a big truck roars by, that's partly because the weight of heavy vehicles causes a slight deflection in the road surface under them. It's enough of a dip to make a difference to the trucks' overall fuel efficiency.
	New approach to DNA data storage makes system more dynamic, scalable Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a fundamentally new approach to DNA data storage systems, giving users the ability to read or modify data files without destroying them and making the systems easier to scale up for practical use.
	Platform developed to help users control their personal data The trove of digital data we generate in our daily lives can potentially make us more efficient, increase sustainability and improve our health, among other benefits, but it also poses threats to privacy.
	Web inventor: Closing digital divide must be top priority World Wide Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee said Thursday the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates "the gross inequality" of a world where almost half the population is unable to connect to the internet.
	Sony pulls back curtain on PlayStation 5 console Sony on Thursday gave the world the first look at its upcoming PlayStation 5, along with a glimpse at action-packed games being tailored for the next-generation consoles.
	Finding privacy choices on websites is hard for average users—but experts also find it difficult In a study published last year, a group of CyLab researchers found that many websites make it difficult for people to find privacy settings or opt out of targeted advertising. Those findings were based on expert opinion, so the researchers wondered how hard it might be for actual users to access these choices.
	Improving the operation and performance of Wi-Fi networks for the 5G/6G ecosystem An article published in the advanced online edition of the journal Computer Communications shows that machine learning can improve the operation and performance of the future Wi-Fi networks of the 5G/6G ecosystem. The research was conducted by Marc Carrascosa and Boris Bellalta, researchers with the Wireless Networking Research Group at the UPF Department of Information and Communication Technologies (DTIC).
	TikTok rival Zynn blames Google Play removal on 'isolated incident' Video app Zynn on Friday blamed its removal from Google Play Store on an "isolated incident" that should soon be resolved following accusations that stolen content appeared on the Chinese-made TikTok rival.
	UK regulators investigate Facebook's purchase of Giphy British regulators have opened an investigation into Facebook's recent purchase of Giphy over concerns that it will stifle competition.
	PlayStation 5: These were the 10 biggest game announcements Thursday Video game fans finally got their first look at the PlayStation 5.
	Airbnb reaches settlement with New York on host data Airbnb and New York City officials announced an agreement Friday settling a long-running dispute over a municipal requirement that the home-sharing platform disclose data on hosts.
	Japan court backs Karpeles conviction for data manipulation A Japanese high court on Thursday upheld a lower court's decision that the French head of Mt. Gox, a Tokyo-based bitcoin exchange that went bankrupt after a massive hacking attack, was guilty of manipulating electronic data but not embezzlement.
	Cyber attack shuts Australia's biggest brewer just as pubs reopen A ransomware attack has shut down the biggest brewer in Australia and New Zealand, cutting supplies to pubs and restaurants just as the countries emerge from coronavirus lockdown, the company said Friday.
	Airlines launch legal action against UK over quarantine British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair said on Friday they have launched legal action against the UK government over what they said was a "flawed" coronavirus quarantine system.
	Twitter deletes Chinese 'state-linked' disinformation network Twitter said Friday it had deleted more than 170,000 accounts linked to a Chinese government disinformation campaign that targeted Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement and sought to discredit the United States.
	Apple unveils WWDC schedule, including opening keynote on June 22 Apple released new details about its upcoming online Worldwide Developers Conference this month, which sheds light on new features coming to the iPhone.
	'You're crazy if you're not using LinkedIn': How to master the business social network You may be using Twitter and Facebook to promote your business, and that's fine, says David Cancel, who runs a Boston-based software company. But "you're crazy if you're not using LinkedIn," he says.
	Possible leaked PlayStation 5 price would set new high mark, but it's likely not real Video game enthusiasts may have felt a tremor in their wallets when a potential price for the upcoming PlayStation 5 console showed up online Wednesday.

Chemistry news

	Precise magnets 3-D printed from special stainless steel It looks quite inconspicuous to the casual beholder, hardly like groundbreaking innovation: a small metallic chessboard, four millimeters long on either side. At first glance, it shines like polished steel; at second glance, minute differences in color are visible: The tiny chessboard has 16 squares, eight appear slightly darker, the other eight a bit lighter.
	Radioactive cloud over Europe had civilian background A mysterious cloud containing radioactive ruthenium-106, which moved across Europe in autumn 2017, is still bothering Europe's radiation protection entities. Although the activity concentrations were innocuous, they reached up to 100 times the levels of what had been detected over Europe in the aftermath of the Fukushima accident. Since no government had assumed responsibility, a military background could not be ruled out.
	Creating a non-toxic alternative to colored smoke Colored smoke is increasingly employed as an element of spectacle in a broad spectrum of public events. However, the chemicals used for this purpose give rise to toxic by-products. LMU chemists have now developed a safe alternative.
	Minimizing thermal conductivity of crystalline material with optimal nanostructure Professor Junichiro Shiomi et al. from the University of Tokyo aimed to reduce the thermal conductivity of semiconductor materials by reducing the internal nanostructure. The researchers successfully minimized thermal conductivity by designing, fabricating and evaluating the optimal nanostructure-multilayer materials through materials informatics (MI), which combines machine learning and molecular simulation. In 2017, this research group developed a method to design an optimal structure that minimizes or maximizes thermal conductivity via MI based on computational science. However, it had not been experimentally demonstrated, and preparation of nano-scale structures and realization of an optimal structure based on property measurements were desired.
	Scientists report heavy ion transfer in charged vdW cluster for the first time Since the discovery of the double helix form of DNA and the hypothesis of DNA mutation induced by proton transfer more than 50 years ago, it has been recognized that proton transfer is crucial to many chemical and biological processes.
	Printed perovskite LEDs Microelectronics utilize various functional materials whose properties make them suitable for specific applications. For example, transistors and data storage devices are made of silicon, and most photovoltaic cells used for generating electricity from sunlight are also currently made of this semiconductor material. In contrast, compound semiconductors such as gallium nitride are used to generate light in optoelectronic elements such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The manufacturing processes also different for the various classes of materials.
	Dalian Coherent Light Source reveals new dissociation channels in ethane photochemistry Understanding and exploiting the environment of extraterrestrial bodies is a central objective of planetary science. The gas giants, such as Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, are rich in molecular chemistry and remain the target of prolonged scientific study.
	Scientists develop low-cost, high power density vanadium flow battery stack The development of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy is limited by their inherently random and intermittent nature. However, vanadium flow batteries (VFBs) comprise a cost- and energy-efficient, long-life energy storage technology that can store and smoothly output power from renewable energy sources.

Biology news

	New machine learning model predicts which base editor performs best to repair thousands of disease-causing mutations Gene editing technology is getting better and growing faster than ever before. New and improved base editors—an especially efficient and precise kind of genetic corrector—inch the tech closer to treating genetic diseases in humans. But, the base editor boom comes with a new challenge: Like a massive key ring with no guide, scientists can sink huge amounts of time into searching for the best tool to solve genetic malfunctions like those that cause sickle cell anemia or progeria (a rapid aging disease). For patients, time is too important to waste.
	Researchers identify new approach to turning on the heat in energy-burning fat cells Researchers have discovered a new set of signals that cells send and receive to prompt one type of fat cell to convert fat into heat. The signaling pathway, discovered in mice, has potential implications for activating this same type of thermogenic fat in humans.
	From bacteria to you: The biological reactions that sustain our rhythms Every second of every day, countless biochemical reactions take place in our bodies' cells. The organization of this complex system is the result of billions of years of evolution, fine-tuning our functions since the first primordial organisms.
	Single enzyme responsible for gender-based plumage color differences in canaries A team of researchers affiliated with multiple institutions in Portugal and the U.S. has found that a single enzyme is responsible for gender-based plumage color differences in mosaic canaries. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes narrowing their search for the factors involved in gender-based color differences in canaries and what they found. In the same journal issue, Nancy Chen with the University of Rochester has published a Perspective piece detailing the history of the study of gender-based color differences in birds, and outlines the work by the team in this new effort.
	Using light to speed up CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing A team of researchers at Johns Hopkins University has developed a way to speed up the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing process by using light-sensitive nucleotides. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes their process and its precision. Darpan Medhi and Maria Jasin with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have published a Perspective piece in the same journal issue outlining the evolution of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and giving an overview of the work done by the team in Baltimore.
	Environmental DNA shows promise in estimating sport fish populations Anglers often lament how hard it can be to land a fish for dinner, but the tougher job usually falls to fisheries managers, who have set sustainable catch limits for the fishes we love to harvest.
	The best plant parents: Genetically as divergent as possible with similar preferences A team of researchers led by IPK Gatersleben has succeeded in providing answers to a long unsolved question in the breeding of plant hybrids. Their conclusions: the more diverse in genetics, than better, but only in cases of similar preferences.
	Statistical analyses of plant metabolites allow solid testing of plant defense theories Do plants attacked by herbivores produce substances that are most effective against attackers in a targeted manner, or are herbivore-induced changes in a plant metabolism random, which could thwart the performance of herbivores?
	Did a shark clash with large squid and live to tell the tale? Underwater photographer Deron Verbeck was diving off the coast of Kona, Hawaii when he spotted an oceanic whitetip shark with strange scarring across its head and back. He snapped a photo of the shark with its scarring pattern of circles and dots that didn't look like teeth marks.
	Pangolin released into wild under China's new protections Activists in China have released a pangolin into the wild to celebrate new protections for the armadillo-like animal whose numbers in the country have dropped to near extinction levels.
	Could these 'salt-loving' edible sea vegetables be the new kale? Three species of vegetables from the sea could just be the new kale with the added benefit of a salty flavor. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute recently completed a 10-week study to determine the optimal growing conditions for three species of sea vegetables: sea asparagus (Salicornia bigelovii), sea purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum) and saltwort (Batis maritima). These sea vegetables are eaten in Europe, Asia and Hawaii and could soon be a great addition to salads, soups, pasta, rice and other dishes in the continental United States.
	The coastal banksia has its roots in ancient Gondwana If you fondly remember May Gibbs's Gumnut Baby stories about the adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, you may also remember the villainous Big Bad Banksia Men (perhaps you're still having nightmares about them).
	Chinese conservationists battle to save pangolins from poachers Rescued from a farmer's fishpond, a young pangolin's release back into China's wilderness this week was hailed as a small victory in the battle to save the critically endangered animal.
	Controlling invasive milfoil with lake-wide herbicide could do more harm than good to native plants Invasive Eurasian water milfoil is flourishing in Wisconsin's lakes, sometimes outcompeting native plants and creating floating mats that cause problems for people, boats and property values. But new research shows that the benefits of using one type of historical lake-wide herbicide treatment may be outweighed by the costs to native aquatic plants.
	Versatile symbionts: Reed beetles benefit from bacterial helpers through all life stages Insects that feed only on plants have a number of challenges to overcome. But they also have some active helpers to assist them with the supply of important nutrients. So-called symbiotic microorganisms make essential amino acids, vitamins, and enzymes available and in this way supplement and enrich the limited diet of their host insects. Reed beetles with their semi-aquatic lifestyle also have such helpers that extend their range of available nutrients. Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) in collaboration with researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena and partners in Hamburg and Japan have investigated the contributions that the symbiotic bacteria make to the unusual life cycle and diet of reed beetles. "Thanks to their symbiotic bacteria, reed beetles have been able to access new ecological niches. Although this means that the symbionts promote the ecological potential of their hosts, what is even more interesting is the fact that they can also restrict their adaptability," explained Professor Martin Kaltenpoth, head of the Department of Evolutionary Ecology at JGU.
	Study reveals impacts of climate change on migrating mule deer When drought reshuffles the green-up of habitats that mule deer migrate across, it dramatically shortens the annual foraging bonanza they rely on.
	Water bacteria have a green thumb The sheer endless expanses of the oceans are hostile deserts—at least from the perspective of a bacterium living in water. Tiny as it is, its chances of finding sufficient nutrients in the great mass of water would seem to be vanishingly small. However, as in other deserts, there are life-saving oases in the sea: for example, microorganisms find everything they need to live on the surfaces of aquatic plants and algae. Here, very different species can grow within the community of a biofilm, as it is called, where they exchange information and offer each other protection.
	Protecting scientific diversity: Building an inclusive scientific community In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists are facing great challenges because they have to reorient, interrupt or even cancel research and teaching. A team of international scientists with participation from the University of Göttingen published an international appeal which highlights the precarious situation of many scientists and calls for a collective effort by the entire scientific community, especially those in leadership positions, to protect decades of effort to build an inclusive scientific community. Their letter appeared in Nature Ecology and Evolution.
	Study proposes "Microbial Noah's Ark" pilot project A new study finds that proposal to create a "microbial Noah's ark" to protect the long-term health of humanity is feasible and should move forward into a pilot project phase, that would include installing infrastructure to store microbes in a site such as Norway or Switzerland and a collaboration for collecting samples all over the world. The Rutgers University's initiative will give an important contribute to the health of future generations, safeguarding microbe's diversity. Karina Xavier and Luís Teixeira, principal investigators at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, integrate the scientific experts panel and will promote the collaboration with Portuguese-Speaking countries in the sample collection process.
	Staph's activation of blood clotting Acute bacterial endocarditis—infection of the inner lining of the heart—is most often caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus ("staph") and has up to a 40% mortality rate.
	New spider species named after Greta Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg can add to her list of personal accolades, including TIME magazine's Person of the Year, a group of spiders named after her.
	Where have the swans gone? Nearly 13 kilometers per year: that is the rate at which the wintering area of Bewick's swans has shifted east over the past 50 years. It's a discovery with consequences for the conservation of this migratory species, writes a team of researchers led by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) in Global Change Biology.
	Bird feeding helps females more than males A new study from Lund University in Sweden shows that female birds benefit more from extra food in the winter. If females receive additional food, they do not need to reduce their body temperature as much as they would have otherwise, and the chances of surviving cold nights increase.
	Lockdowns are no problem for whale sharks in Tanzania Global lockdowns pose few problems for whale sharks off Tanzania. New research shows that these gigantic fish prefer to stay in the bay they call home.
	Potential beginning of life simulated in lab Did life originate underground? Scientists at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) have substantiated their theory that life could have begun deep in the Earth's crust. In their experiments, structures that were inanimate developed survival strategies within a short time.
Could China's strategic pork reserve be a model for the US? During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, we became accustomed to face-masked shoppers, social distancing and one-way aisles at the grocery store. But most shocking was the scene at the supermarket meat case.

Medicine and Health news

	Type III interferons: Protective or harmful in COVID-19? Interferons and other cytokines produced by the immune system are important defenses against viral infections, but as we have seen in COVID-19, they can also contribute to damaging, potentially life-threatening lung inflammation. Recent evidence suggests that one type of interferon, known as type III interferon or interferon lambda (λ), can fight viral infection while limiting this inflammatory damage. That has led to clinical trials to test type III interferon as a treatment for COVID-19.
	Brain organoids with the potential to predict drug permeability The human brain is bathed in a supportive fluid called the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that provides nutrients and is required for proper brain function. The composition of human CSF and how it is made are poorly understood due to a lack of experimental access. Madeline Lancaster's group in the LMB's Cell Biology Division has now developed a new brain organoid that produces CSF and has the potential to predict whether drugs can access the brain.
	Study identifies mechanism affecting X chromosome that could lead to novel therapies for rare and common diseases Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have identified a key mechanism in X chromosome inactivation, a phenomenon that may hold clues that lead to treatments for certain rare congenital disorders. Their findings, published in the journal Developmental Cell on June 11, 2020, may also aid in the creation of novel medicines for certain cancers.
	Research links personality traits to toilet paper stockpiling People who feel more threatened by COVID-19 and rank highly on scales of emotionality and conscientiousness were most likely to stockpile toilet paper in March 2020, according to a new study published June 12, 2020 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Lisa Garbe (University of Saint Gallen, Switzerland), Richard Rau (Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat Munster, Germany), and Theo Toppe (the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany).
	Scientists uncover immune cells that may lower airway allergy and asthma risk The world is full of house dust mites. Do some cleaning, and you'll probably stir some up. While everyone has immune cells capable of reacting to common allergens like house dust mites, most of us have no allergic symptoms.
	Silicones may lead to cell death Silicone molecules from breast implants can initiate processes in human cells that lead to cell death. Researchers from Radboud University have demonstrated this in a new study published on 12 June in Scientific Reports. "However, there are still many questions about what this could mean for the health effects of silicone breast implants. More research is therefore urgently needed," says Ger Pruijn, professor of Biomolecular Chemistry at Radboud University.
	Atypical myosin plays a key role in neuron branching RIKEN scientists have used a new approach combining molecular genetics, cell imaging and artificial learning to make the unexpected finding that Myosin6, a well-known actin motor protein, plays a key role in neuron branching. This discovery could one day make it possible to help neurons recover after damage.
	Inhibitory interneurons in hippocampus excite the developing brain Brain function depends on inhibitory cells that balance or 'brake' excitation. These neurons allow the brain to process information and also prevent runaway seizures. A new study from the George Washington University (GW), however, reports that in some critical structures of the developing brain, the inhibitory neurons cause excitation rather than suppression of brain activity. The findings, published in Science Advances, could have implications for the treatment of neonatal seizures.
	Heart attack in a dish: a 3-D model In the U.S., someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds, and yet researchers have not had a model that fully mimics what occurs in the human heart after a heart attack.
	More young Americans are going without sex Sex, and lots of it, has long been the primary preoccupation of young adults, but more of them are now going months and years without any intimate encounters.
	Face masks critical in preventing spread of COVID-19 A study by a team of researchers led by a Texas A&M University professor has found that not wearing a face mask dramatically increases a person's chances of being infected by the COVID-19 virus.
	Monitoring RNA hotspots reveals target in cancer tumor cells A new University of California, Irvine-led study reveals a protein responsible for genetic changes resulting in a variety of cancers, may also be the key to more effective, targeted cancer therapy.
	New algorithm uses artificial intelligence to help manage type 1 diabetes Researchers and physicians at Oregon Health & Science University, using artificial intelligence and automated monitoring, have designed a method to help people with type 1 diabetes better manage their glucose levels.
Keep moving to prevent major mobility disability Having trouble getting around on your own—such as difficulty walking, climbing steps, or being able to get in and out of a chair—can lead to physical disability and losing your independence.
	An aspirin a day keeps the bowel doctor away A regular dose of aspirin to reduce the risk of inherited bowel cancer lasts at least 10 years after stopping treatment, research has revealed.
	Researchers reveal neural mechanisms underlying opioid analgesia A new study published in eLife by researchers from Dr. Sun Yangang's Lab at the Institute of Neuroscience, Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has revealed the neural mechanisms underlying opioid analgesia.
	Call for urgent action as COVID-19 mental health crisis exposed New data from two of South Australia's preeminent mental health research institutes indicates the COVID-19 pandemic and associated social restrictions are having a greater impact on mental health than was first feared.
	Strange physical symptoms? Blame the chronic stress of life during the COVID-19 pandemic During the current COVID-19 pandemic have you been wondering why you're getting headaches more often? Or stomach aches? Or feeling itchy or getting pimples? Or why your periods are irregular or more painful than usual? Exciting recent science suggests that the answers may lie in our body's biological reactions to stress.
	Cytokine implicated in HLH treatment resistance Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals and Baylor College of Medicine are investigating how to best treat hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a rare immune disorder. Their work, appearing as an advance online publication today in Blood, details how combining two drugs may be a good treatment for HLH.
	Group testing could screen entire US, research suggests A group testing approach proposed by a Cornell researcher, in which samples of COVID-19 tests are pooled and analyzed collectively, could potentially curtail the virus's spread through weekly testing of every household in the U.S., a simulation showed.
	ModGraProDep: Artificial intelligence and probabilistic modeling in clinical oncology Improving the prediction of survival indicators in patients with breast cancer using tools from artificial intelligence and probabilistic modeling is the aim of ModGraProDep, an innovative system presented in a study led by Ramon Clèries, lecturer at the Department of Clinical Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the University of Barcelona and member of the Oncology Master Plan/ICO-IDIBELL. The study has been published in the journal Artificial Intelligence in Medicine.
	Heart fat captures researchers' attention Everyone has it. It's been known about for hundreds of years. But only recently have scientists begun to unravel its mysteries.
Strength training benefits patients with cirrhosis Three hours of weekly strength training combined with protein supplements leads to both bigger and stronger muscles in patients with cirrhosis. This is shown by a new study from Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital.
	Mental disorders in the family affect the treatment of people with bipolar disorder Patients with bipolar disorder who have multiple family members with severe mental disorders are more difficult to treat and require more medicine. But if they receive an intensive course of treatment, the effect is just as good as for patients who do not have a family history of severe mental disorders.
	Genetics could help diagnose diabetes in Indians, study shows A new way of using genetics to diagnose diabetes could pave the way for better diagnosis and treatment in Indians, new research has concluded.
	Stigma prevalent toward sex workers and people who inject drugs, according to new study Priority groups at risk of blood borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections still likely to experience negative behaviour from the general public and in healthcare settings.
Antihypotensive agent disrupts the immune system in sepsis Patients who go into septic shock are treated with the antihypotensive agent norepinephrine. Researchers from Radboud University Medical Center published results in today's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine revealing that its use is not without drawbacks: The drug disrupts the immune system and increases susceptibility to infections. This may have negative consequences for patients. Research into alternatives is therefore justified.
	New biomaterial has potential to repair damaged bone with lower risk of inflammation Scientists at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences have developed a new biomaterial that has the potential to accelerate bone regeneration by promoting an immune response that encourages repair and lowers the risk of inflammation.
	Bacteria in Chinese pickles can prevent cavities Can a probiotic derived from Chinese pickles prevent cavities? That seems to be the case, according to a study by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Chengdu University in China.
	Together they stay alive longer: Tuberculosis bacteria persist longer in groups The tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis can protect itself better when combined and thus stay alive longer in the air. This was the result of a study by the Leibniz Research Alliance INFECTIONS, which was published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports on Monday.
	Transient increase in blood pressure promotes some blood vessel growth Blood vessels are the body's transportation system, carrying oxygen and nutrients to cells and whisking away waste. But this vital mission can also be co-opted by tumors or break down as a result of disease, and this process has been poorly understood. An international collaborative team led by a scientist at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT) in Japan has discovered a mechanism by which the growth of these vessels' inner liner is stimulated, which may lead to therapeutics that could cut vessels off from tumors or help rebuild vessels in degenerative diseases.
	New findings redefine organisation of the claustrum Researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore have found that the claustrum is organized into functional connectivity modules rather than a hub-like structure, which up until now, was the prevailing idea. The study was recently published in Current Biology.
	Considerable national costs attributed to cancer medical care (HealthDay)—The national costs attributed to medical care for cancer are considerable and are projected to increase 34 percent by 2030 based on population growth, according to a study published online June 10 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
	Male veterans less likely to have excellent, good hearing (HealthDay)—Male veterans are significantly less likely to have excellent or good hearing and are significantly more likely to have a little or moderate trouble hearing, have a lot of trouble hearing, or be deaf compared with nonveterans, according to research published online June 12 in the National Health Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
	Sleep apnea in patients with T2DM ups risk for comorbidities (HealthDay)—Patients with type 2 diabetes who develop obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other diabetes-related complications, according to a study recently published in Diabetes Care.
	Self-swabbing tests for COVID-19 accurate and safe, study reports Test samples collected by people who swabbed their own nasal passages yielded results for the COVID-19 virus that were as accurate as samples collected by a health care worker, according to a small study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
	Case series: Teriflunomide therapy in COVID-19 patients with multiple sclerosis During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their clinicians have had questions and concerns about whether immunotherapies for MS could influence risk for infection or lead to an unfavorable outcome.
	Study links elevated levels of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) with breast cancer risk Hollings Cancer Center researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and colleagues assessed the connection between dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and breast cancer risk in a study first published online March 2020 in Cancer Prevention Research.
	How helpful are support dogs for kids with autism? (HealthDay)—Therapy dogs may help some children with autism improve their social skills, but this approach doesn't work in all cases, a new study finds.
	Presence of parasite infection closely linked to the make-up of the gastrointestinal microbiome Parasite infections are a constant presence for many people who live in tropical regions, particularly in less industrialized areas. These often chronic conditions are at best unpleasant; more seriously, children with parasite diseases that cause diarrhea can die of malnutrition or dehydration.
A creative way to expand the geriatrics workforce Geriatrics is the field of health care focused on care for older adults. Experts suggest that our current geriatrics workforce needs better preparation to care for the 5.7 million people living with dementia in this country. To help meet this challenge, the Institute of Medicine has called for enhancing educational and training programs for improving the competence of the workforce, and to ensure that our workforce reaches the level needed to serve the growing population of older adults with dementia.
	Camelina sativa oil and fatty fish have positive effects on lipid metabolism Camelina sativa oil and fatty fish are rich in polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, but their health benefits seem to differ. A new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows that camelina sativa oil reduces the formation of fatty acid derivatives that may be harmful to cardiovascular health. Camelina sativa oil also seems to protect against oxidative stress. Fatty fish, on the other hand, increases the circulatory concentration of fatty acid derivatives that alleviate inflammation.
	Visual method helps with learning language rules One of two children per class finds it difficult to recognize patterns in spoken language. Imme Lammertink (University of Amsterdam) has demonstrated that these children with a developmental language disorder (DLD) do, however, recognize similar patterns in pictures.
	Social exclusion could lead to increase in alcohol use disorder in LGBTQ Gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals continue to face social challenges, discrimination and adversity despite recent legalization of same-sex marriage and other legal protections. Researching and understanding existing challenges helps government, social and educational institutions create and refine solutions.
	BMI an inconsistent measure of obesity for Maori and Pacific people BMI (body mass index) is likely to be an inconsistent measure of obesity in Māori and Pacific patients, new University of Otago research reveals.
	Addressing the drug problem in health and social care will produce better outcomes The prevalence of drug use has increased for decades all around the world despite the strict measures taken. As the traditional prohibitionist drug policy has created social injustice, public health problems, and high social costs, decriminalization of drug use has emerged as a response.
Clinical trial leads to practice changing milestone for advanced anal cancer Results from the first ever randomized clinical trial in advanced anal cancer patients, led and supported by The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Cancer Research UK, in collaboration with colleagues in the US, Norway and Australia, has led to a practice changing milestone with a new approach to treatment which is safer and more effective than previously recommended treatments for this group of patients.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

	'Llama magic': How antibodies from llamas may lead to COVID-19 treatment Rocky and Marley are used to the company of scientists. Like many other members of their species, the two llamas, living in pastures in rural Massachusetts, have for many years participated in research aimed to harness the wonders of their immune system. Today, however, the stately creatures are facing an unprecedented level of international attention: scientists hope the special antibodies that llamas make can be directed against SARS-CoV-2 to help find our way out of the pandemic.
	Researchers suggest oral polio vaccine be tested to see if it might help against SARS-CoV-2 In a Perspective piece published in the journal Science, a small international team of researchers is suggesting that the oral polio vaccine be tested to see if it might protect people from infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In their paper, Konstantin Chumakov, Christine Benn, Peter Aaby, Shyamasundaran Kottili and Robert Gallo suggest the vaccine has been found to provide some protection against other viral infections, and point out that it has been proven to be safe over many years.
	Up to 45 percent of SARS-CoV-2 infections may be asymptomatic An extraordinary percentage of people infected by the virus behind the ongoing deadly COVID-19 pandemic never show symptoms of the disease, according to the results of a Scripps Research analysis of public datasets on asymptomatic infections.
	Researchers ask if survivor plasma could prevent coronavirus Survivors of COVID-19 are donating their blood plasma in droves in hopes it helps other patients recover from the coronavirus. And while the jury's still out, now scientists are testing if the donations might also prevent infection in the first place.
	Questions over virus models that prompted lockdowns When the novel coronavirus began to circulate globally at the beginning of March, scientists turned to statistical models to predict the severity of the pandemic. The news was stark.
	Q&A: What it will take to produce a COVID-19 vaccine Immunology and infectious disease expert Joel Ernst, M.D., addresses key questions about how vaccine development works and why vaccines are especially important in the case of COVID-19.
	Individualized treatment for COVID-19 patients should be based on three disease phases A new review details three distinct phases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, and urges medical professionals to consider an individualized treatment approach based on the disease phases and each patient's symptoms. The review is published ahead of print in Physiological Reviews.
	Wearing a mask on public transport reduces COVID-19 risk even for the healthy As restrictions ease, many Australians will be wondering if it's worth wearing a mask on the bus, train or tram to reduce their risk of being infected with coronavirus.
	Fast smartphone self-test for COVID-19 developed By depositing a saliva sample on a tiny device attached to your smartphone, you could find out in five minutes if you're infected, say pharmacists at Université de Montréal. The researchers are working on a technique to screen for COVID-19 using a smartphone.
	Hoping to avoid ticks this summer? There's an app for that Summer is back and so are ticks—and the potential to get Lyme disease. With more people eager to be out in the woods after months at home, a Michigan State University researcher, who helped develop The Tick App, warns of the possible increased risk for getting Lyme disease.
	NIST airflow model could help reduce indoor exposure to aerosols carrying coronavirus Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have built an online tool that could help decrease the concentration of aerosols containing the novel coronavirus in the hospital rooms of COVID-19 patients and other spaces such as offices, retail stores and residences, potentially reducing the likelihood of building occupants becoming infected.
	Blood protein predicts poor COVID-19 outcomes Low levels of the blood protein renalase predict poor outcomes in patients with COVID-19, Yale researchers report. They are planning to ask for expedited approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to investigate whether the protein, which fights inflammation, might improve outcomes of patients with severe cases of the disease.
	COVID-19 in Geneva: less than 11% have been infected A study carried out among 2,766 people by the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), the Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, and the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, reveals that, at the time of the decline of the Coronavirus pandemic, only 10.8% of the Geneva population had been infected with COVID-19. Moreover, compared to adults between 20 and 50 years of age, children between five and nine years of age are three times less likely to be infected and those over 65 years of age half as likely. These results were published in The Lancet.
	Patient registry provides a connection between heart failure and COVID-19 Targeted public health interventions are essential to confront the coronavirus. Physicians at Yale New Haven Health created a registry to help identify which patients are most susceptible to the virus.
	Foster care and child well-being: Insights in the time of coronavirus Children placed in foster care in Michigan are less likely to be abused or neglected in the future, have higher school attendance rates and perform better on standardized math tests than other vulnerable children who are not placed, a recent study found.
	Vaccine or no vaccine, there's no returning to the pre-COVID-19 world, biosecurity expert says It has been described as a once-in-a-century pandemic, but COVID-19 will cause a permanent shift in the way the world operates at the social, political and economic level.
	Decoding COVID-19: What can genetics reveal about the coronavirus pandemic? Why do some people fall ill from SARS-CoV-2 while others infected with the virus experience no symptoms?
	An alternative for the "brain tickler?" Scientists explore saliva testing for COVID-19 "It's like having your brain tickled through your nose." "Longest five seconds of my life." "Not for the faint-hearted."
	Tracking COVID-19 spread faster, and more accurately With an approach that combines big data, network science and stochastic systems, a Michigan Engineering professor is working to develop algorithms that can quickly and accurately identify COVID-19 "patient zero" as the virus spreads to new places or resurges, and reconstruct its spread with limited information.
	Coronavirus: why we're investigating the long-term impact on hearing While the pace of research on the novel coronavirus has been impressively rapid, there remains a lot we still don't know about the wily pathogen. One of those unknowns is the potential long-term health implications for people who have had the disease.
	Am I immune to COVID-19 if I have antibodies? Perhaps the most important question now about COVID-19 is the degree to which a prior infection protects from a second infection by the new coronavirus. This affects vaccine development and herd immunity and is something for each of us to consider as antibody tests are now available.
	Coronavirus: the psychological impact of 'shielding' indoors – and how to move on For the last three months, around two million people have "shielded" themselves against the novel coronavirus by staying indoors, on recommendation of the UK government. On May 31, however, the guidelines were updated to enable those who are clinically vulnerable to go outdoors if they wish. But they must remain vigilant and won't be able to visit their loved ones under new plans to ease restrictions by creating "support bubbles".
	Elastomeric masks provide a more durable, less costly option for health care workers A cost-effective strategy for health care systems to offset N95 mask shortages due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is to switch to reusable elastomeric respirator masks, according to new study results. These long-lasting masks, often used in industry and construction, cost at least 10 times less per month than disinfecting and reusing N95 masks meant to be for single use, say authors of the study, published as an "article in press" on the Journal of the American College of Surgeons website in advance of print.
	COVID-19 may trigger new diabetes, experts warn Emerging evidence suggests that COVID-19 may actually trigger the onset of diabetes in healthy people and also cause severe complications of pre-existing diabetes.
	Home alone: will pandemic's changes harm kids' mental health long-term? (HealthDay)—The isolation of the coronavirus pandemic might be stunting the social growth of young children, experts say.
	Cesarean delivery tied to clinical deterioration in SARS-CoV-2 (HealthDay)—Cesarean birth is associated with clinical deterioration in women with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and with an increased risk for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, according to a research letter published online June 8 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
	US presses on with reopening, but virus first wave lingers More than a dozen US states are reporting their highest daily tolls of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began, but President Donald Trump and many local officials are showing no signs of worry and have ruled out new lockdown measures.
	CDC posts long-awaited tips for minimizing everyday risk Take the stairs, not the elevator, down from your hotel room. Encourage people to bring their own food and drinks to your cookout. Use hand sanitizer after banking at an ATM. Call ahead to restaurants and nail salons to make sure staff are wearing face coverings. And no high-fives—or even elbow bumps—at the gym.
	WHO says COVID-positive mothers should breastfeed New mothers infected with COVID-19 should generally continue breastfeeding and should not be separated from their babies, the World Health Organization said Friday, stressing that the benefits outweighed the risks.
	Egypt to reopen tourist destinations less hard-hit by virus Egypt will reopen select tourist destinations to international charter flights starting July 1, the Cabinet said Thursday, allowing travelers from around the world to return to parts of the country less hard-hit by the coronavirus.
	LatAm virus cases top 1.5mn as markets fear second wave A worrying social crisis is brewing in Latin America where the coronavirus pandemic is spiralling, experts are warning, as fears of a second wave in the United States sent shivers through global markets.
	'Ticking time bomb:' Lack of beds slows Delhi's virus fight In New Delhi, a sprawling capital region of 46 million and home to some of India's highest concentration of hospitals, a pregnant woman's death after a frantic hunt for a sickbed was a worrying sign about the country's ability to cope with a wave of new coronavirus cases.
	Puerto Rico to reopen beaches, gyms after 3-month lockdown Puerto Rico's governor announced Thursday that she will lift nearly all restrictions aimed at curbing coronavirus cases, which means beaches, churches and businesses including movie theaters and gyms across the U.S. territory will reopen after three months.
	Face masks with windows mean more than smiles to deaf people Michael Conley felt especially isolated these past few months: A deaf man, he was prevented from reading lips by the masks people wore to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
	Pack swimsuit, mask, California welcomes back tourists There will be no packed double-decker safari buses with tour guides rolling through the San Diego Zoo, nor animal shows that draw crowds—nor breakfast buffets at hotels.
	Cuba plans cautious reopening to tourists Cuba is planning to welcome tourists with COVID-19 tests and limit their contact with locals as part of a raft of measures designed to get its vital tourism industry back up and running.
	More than 900 die in US of COVID-19 in 24 hours: Johns Hopkins The United States has recorded another 941 coronavirus-related fatalities in the last 24 hours, bringing the country's death toll so far to 113,774, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
	Brazil virus deaths top 40,000 as Europe prepares to reopen borders More than 1.5 million COVID-19 cases have been identified in Latin America, a region now threatened by a food crisis, while global markets plunged Thursday anticipating a long road to economic recovery.
	Italy enters new deconfinement phase Italy will Monday enter a new deconfinement phase as it rolls backs remaining coronavirus restrictions, an official source said Friday.
	Aid groups 'alarmed' by little US coronavirus assistance More than two dozen international aid groups have told the U.S. government they are "increasingly alarmed" that "little to no U.S. humanitarian assistance has reached those on the front lines" of the coronavirus pandemic, as the number of new cases picks up speed in some of the world's most fragile regions.
	Calls grow for Iranians to wear masks to stop virus Iran reported 75 deaths and more than 2,000 new cases of novel coronavirus on Friday as calls mounted for all people to wear masks in public.
	Delhi coronavirus deaths twice as high, say authorities Deaths from coronavirus in New Delhi are almost twice as high as official figures show, a city leader said, as India overtook Britain with the fourth-highest number of cases worldwide.
	New virus cases raise fears in Chinese capital, markets closed Beijing closed two markets on Friday and delayed the return of primary school students after three fresh coronavirus cases emerged in the capital—the first after two months of no infections in the city.
	COVID-19 and the need for expanding research on calcium homeostasis breakdown The prevention and therapy of virus infections are often confounded by the high mutation rates and there is an increasing attention to know how this viral invasion impacts on human cells/organs. "Disruption of calcium homeostasis could be the infection and survival strategy of Coronavirus & it warrants expanding research on calcium channel drug targets" says Dr. M. Balasubramanyam, Disease-Biologist, Dean of Research & Senior Scientist from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), Chennai, India.
	Spain's Galicia will be first region exiting lockdown Galicia will become the first of Spain's 17 regions to exit the lockdown next week and enter the "new normality" when all restrictions on movement are lifted, officials said on Friday.
	Norway to open borders to most neighbours Norway said it will reopen its borders on Monday to its neighbours with the exception of much of Sweden, which is still battling the coronavirus outbreak.
	Comparing COVID-19 data worldwide with a click of the mouse There is no lack of data on global corona developments. But if you want to actively compare countries yourself and relate case and death figures across countries, you can now get a quick overview with just a few clicks—and gain surprising insights in the process.
	Poll: Americans maintain virus precautions as states reopen Most Americans say they are wearing masks. They are still by and large avoiding restaurants. And the vast majority are still staying at least six feet from others when out and about.
	Turkey reports daily rise in virus cases to over 1,000 Turkey on Friday reported a higher daily number of new coronavirus cases some two weeks after the government relaxed many of the restrictions it put in place to reduce infections.
	Mexico City prepares for reopening amid pandemic Mexico City on Friday announced a plan for reopening that would begin next week by dropping driving restrictions and allowing manufacturing and neighborhood businesses to reopen if they meet health standards.

Other Sciences news

	In light of COVID-19, study looks at tradeoffs between economic value and public health Banks and bookstores. Gyms and juice bars. Dental offices and department stores. The COVID-19 crisis has shuttered some kinds of businesses, while others have stayed open. But which places represent the best and worst tradeoffs, in terms of the economic benefits and health risks?
	Cash me outside: Transfers to the poor linked to eco-benefits In a new study, researchers recently discovered that Indonesia's national anti-poverty program reduced deforestation by about 30%.
	Unexpected mammal provides insight into the lives of ancient hominins For decades, anthropologists have attempted to solve the mystery of what hominins—early ancestors of humans—ate to survive. The answer to this question can be found etched into the bones and teeth of hominins, but the conclusion is not always obvious.
	Discovery of oldest bow and arrow technology in Eurasia The origins of human innovation have traditionally been sought in the grasslands and coasts of Africa or the temperate environments of Europe. More extreme environments, such as the tropical rainforests of Asia, have been largely overlooked, despite their deep history of human occupation. A new study provides the earliest evidence for bow-and-arrow use, and perhaps the making of clothes, outside of Africa ~48-45,000 years ago, in the tropics of Sri Lanka.
	Mixture and migration brought food production to sub-Saharan Africa A new interdisciplinary study published in the journal Science Advances reports on 20 newly sequenced ancient genomes from sub-Saharan Africa, including the first genomes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Botswana, and Uganda. The study documents the coexistence, movements, interactions and admixture of diverse human groups during the spread of food production in sub-Saharan Africa.
	Reindeer were domesticated much earlier than previously thought, new study suggests A University of Alberta anthropologist has found what might be the earliest evidence for domestication of reindeer in the Eurasian Arctic.
	State-level R&D tax credits spur growth of new businesses: study Here's some good news for U.S. states trying to spur an economic recovery in the years ahead: The R&D tax credit has a significant effect on entrepreneurship, according to a new study led by an MIT professor.
	Effective communication between politicians and constituents vital for political participation, experts say The way politicians communicate with constituents has never been more important than during the COVID-19 pandemic, say experts.
	Lives saved or deaths postponed? Calculating the cost of lockdowns While lockdowns undoubtedly avoided large numbers of deaths from the new coronavirus, the repercussions of the pandemic response are expected to blight economies and health systems long after restrictions are lifted.
	Q&A: Protecting essential farm workers during COVID-19 State and federal executive orders have deemed seasonal and migrant farmworkers "essential." Yet, few protections have been granted to this population, which may be at higher risk of exposure to coronavirus, according to a policy brief by researchers at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
	Study: CEOs who invest less in corporate social responsibility undermine their organization's resilience Organizations led by more greedy CEOs—that is, CEOs that are driven by the pursuit of excessive or extraordinary material wealth—before the global financial crisis of 2008 suffered more severe consequences of that systemic shock. That is one of the main conclusions by a team of organization scientists from Antwerp and Tilburg based on a recent study that will be published in the Journal of Management.
	Poll shows social networks strong in response to COVID-19 crisis In a time of a documented decline of community and social connections, a large number of people who have needed assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic have found that help through community organizations, the government and their family, friends and neighbors, according to a newly released poll from the University of Rhode Island's Social Science Institute for Research, Education, and Policy.
	Coronavirus recovery: why local markets are key to reviving our locked down town centres During the early weeks of coronavirus in the UK, there was an obsessive focus on supermarkets and how they were handling the pandemic. It was as if traditional retail markets and small shops didn't exist. Many markets and traders, however, continued to provide essential goods and services during the lockdown, sometimes responding quicker and in more creative ways than larger stores.
	COVID-19: Relationship between social media use and prejudice against Chinese Americans The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that originated in China has claimed an estimated 100,000 lives in the United States, while a different sort of pandemic is spreading online against Asian Americans, particularly of Chinese descent. A study published in Frontiers in Communication suggests there is a strong relationship between social media use and prejudice.
	Study warns of poverty surge to over 1 billion due to virus Global poverty is set to rise above 1 billion people once again as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which is reducing the income of the world's poorest by $500 million a day, according to new research published Friday.
	Survey reveals COVID-19's impact on small business, nonprofits A survey of small businesses by Florida State University researchers has found that 15.2 percent of those studied have closed their doors permanently as a result of the COVID-19 shutdown.
	Why the calls for defunding police? It's an idea that sounds radical and impractical to many who hear it: We should defund, dismantle or even abolish the police. But it quickly entered mainstream discussion following the death of George Floyd in the custody of Minneapolis police. A. Naomi Paik is a professor of Asian American studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who studies police and prisons, and co-edited a history journal issue on policing that went online last week. Paik spoke with News Bureau social sciences editor Craig Chamberlain.
	Cave divers search depths for the bones of the Ice Age For thousands of years, the massive pelvis lay undisturbed at the bottom of the watery black pit. Approximately four feet across and weighing an estimated 80 pounds, it had once belonged to a giant ground sloth, an elephant-sized animal that roamed the ancient Americas alongside the saber-tooth cat and the woolly mammoth.
	School may be the key to improvement for children in social care Children in social care have poorer mental health and perform worse in school than other children. But they have trust in the school staff and perform better after individual assessment at school. These are findings in a doctoral thesis from Linköping University.
	Steering new mobility in the right direction Advances in transportation technology—e-scooters and bike share, Lyft & Uber, and autonomous vehicles—are beginning to have profound impacts on cities. New mobility is changing not only how we travel, but also urban form and development itself. In the near future, we can expect differences in what public transit looks like, the layout of cities, and the places we spend our time. In turn, these changes will likely have additional effects on land use, street design, parking, housing, equity, and municipal finance. Will cities be ready to meet these changes? Rather than be swept along in the wake of change, how can communities intelligently guide urban density, sprawl, vitality, economics and sustainability?
	I redesigned a school playground for my PhD – and the children got better marks learning outside The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the education of at least 1.5 billion school students. That's more than 90% of the world's children. Although many schools in the west, along with private schools in the developing world, have continued some school activities online, more than 50% of learners worldwide do not have a household computer. The absence of face-to-face learning and opportunities for playing with friends will have hugely impacted child mental health.
	High-tech surveillance amplifies police bias and overreach Video of police in riot gear clashing with unarmed protesters in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has filled social media feeds. Meanwhile, police surveillance of protesters has remained largely out of sight.
University students facing food insecurity due to pandemic A collaboration of universities in the U.K. and U.S. surveyed students on their levels of food insecurity during April, after universities in both nations ceased campus-based teaching.
The rise of the 'liberaltarian' Political economists Neil Malhotra and David Broockman have documented a new species of political animal: the liberaltarian.
	New insights on the role of trade unions in struggles for rights Trade unions are crucial in advancing workers' rights, but it is unhelpful to consider their leaders as representatives of the working class as a whole when analysing labour relations and government policies, a new paper from the University of Warwick Department of Sociology argues.
	Health profession: Social interdependence in active learning evaluated by Delphi procedure Physicians must be competent collaborators with team members in order to practice medicine effectively. Health professional students have limited opportunities to work and learn together during the course of their medical education. Not only is it important for students to acquire prodigious knowledge, they must also learn how to collaborate well, and the results of their efforts must be evaluated fairly to measure the effectiveness of this collaborative, active learning.

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