Science X Newsletter Tuesday, Jul 7

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for July 7, 2020:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

DIGIT: A high-resolution tactile sensor to enhance robot in-hand manipulation skills

Experiments confirm light-squeezing 2-D exciton-polaritons can exist

Emission from the blazar 1ES 1218+304 explored with NASA space telescopes

Mysterious spinning neutron star detected in the Milky Way proves to be an extremely rare discovery

'Light squeezer' reduces quantum noise in lasers, could enhance quantum computing and gravitational-wave detection

Chemists resolve origin of perovskite instability

Four-dimensional physiologically adaptive cardiac patch

Chrome tweak stems battery drain

New room-temperature liquid-metal battery could be the path to powering the future

Microplastic pollution harms lobster larvae, study finds

Multisample technique to analyze cell adhesion

Newer solar power equipment ages better than older units

Among older adults, statin use tied to decreased risk of death

A key gene modifies regulatory T cells to fine-tune the immune response

Protein linked to cancer acts as a viscous glue in cell division

Nanotechnology news

	Experiments confirm light-squeezing 2-D exciton-polaritons can exist Measurements of the optical response of 2-D transition-metal dichalcogenides have now pinpointed real material systems in which a hypothesized light-squeezing quasiparticle can form. The 2-D exciton-polariton, which couples light to bound electron-hole pairs in the form of excitons in an unusual way, can confine light to dimensions orders of magnitude below the diffraction limit. Confining light to such a high degree may affect more than the resolving power of imaging devices and detector sensitivity. Recent studies of cavity modes have suggested that highly confined light could also alter the inherent properties of materials.
	Scientists use nanoparticle-delivered gene therapy to inhibit blinding eye disease in rodents In experiments in rats and mice, two Johns Hopkins scientists—an engineer and an ophthalmologist—report the successful use of nanoparticles to deliver gene therapy for blinding eye disease. A uniquely engineered large molecule allows researchers to compact large bundles of therapeutic DNA to be delivered into the cells of the eye.
	Custom nanoparticle regresses tumors when exposed to light A unique nanoparticle to deliver a localized cancer treatment inhibits tumor growth in mice, according to a team of Penn State researchers.

Physics news

	'Light squeezer' reduces quantum noise in lasers, could enhance quantum computing and gravitational-wave detection Physicists at MIT have designed a quantum "light squeezer" that reduces quantum noise in an incoming laser beam by 15 percent. It is the first system of its kind to work at room temperature, making it amenable to a compact, portable setup that may be added to high-precision experiments to improve laser measurements where quantum noise is a limiting factor.
	Cooling mechanism increases solar energy harvesting for self-powered outdoor sensors Sensors placed in the environment spend long periods of time outdoors through all weather conditions, and they must continuously power themselves in order to collect data. Many, like photovoltaic cells, use the sun to produce electricity, but powering outdoor sensors at night is a challenge.
	Scientists create new device to light up the way for quantum technologies Researchers at CRANN and Trinity's School of Physics have created an innovative new device that will emit single particles of light, or photons, from quantum dots that are the key to practical quantum computers, quantum communications, and other quantum devices.
	Physics team observes extremely fast electronic changes in real time in a special material class In physics, they are currently the subject of intensive research; in electronics, they could enable completely new functions. So-called topological materials are characterized by special electronic properties, which are also very robust against external perturbations. This material group also includes tungsten ditelluride. In this material, such a topologically protected state can be "broken up" using special laser pulses within a few trillionths of a second ("picoseconds") and thus change its properties. This could be a key requirement for realizing extremely fast, optoelectronic switches.
	Scientists introduce new method for machine learning classifications in quantum computing Quantum information scientists have introduced a new method for machine-learning classifications in quantum computing. The non-linear quantum kernels in a quantum binary classifier provide new insights for improving the accuracy of quantum machine learning, deemed able to outperform the current AI technology.
	Physicist optimizes DNA microscopy technique to improve imaging speed, add color Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy can be used to visualize structures smaller than 200 nanometers, i.e., below the diffraction limit of light. One of the microscopy techniques, called DNA-PAINT, was developed by Ralf Jungmann, research group leader at the MPI of Biochemistry and Professor for Experimental Physics at LMU, together with colleagues. The technique uses short 'imagers', dye-labeled DNA strands that temporarily bind to their target molecules in a complementary manner to produce the necessary "blinking" for super-resolution reconstruction of the images.
	Shock-dissipating fractal cubes could forge high-tech armor Tiny, 3-D printed cubes of plastic, with intricate fractal voids built into them, have proven to be effective at dissipating shockwaves, potentially leading to new types of lightweight armor and structural materials effective against explosions and impacts.
	Liquid crystal integrated metalens for versatile color focus The development of metasurfaces opened a horizon for the advance of planar optics. Among metadevices, the metalens has attracted widespread attention for practical applications in imaging and spectroscopy, as it provides multifunctional wavefront manipulations for improved focus.
	Microscopy images in a flash Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have built a novel microscope that provides a "chemical lens" for viewing biological systems including cell membranes and biofilms. The tool could advance the understanding of complex biological interactions, such as those between microbes and plants.
	Contest between superconductivity and insulating states in 'magic angle' graphene If you stack two layers of graphene one on top of the other, and rotate them at an angle of 1.1º (no more and no less) from each other—the so-called 'magic-angle,' experiments have proven that the material can behave like an insulator, where no electrical current can flow, and at the same can also behave like a superconductor, where electrical currents can flow without resistance.
	Examining trapped ion technology for next generation quantum computers Quantum computers (QC) are poised to drive important advances in several domains, including medicine, material science and internet security. While current QC systems are small, several industry and academic efforts are underway to build large systems with many hundred qubits.
	On-chip spin-Hall nanograting for simultaneously detecting phase and polarization singularities A plasmonic spin-Hall nanograting structure that simultaneously detects both the polarization and phase singularities of the incident beam is reported. The nanograting is symmetry-breaking with different periods for the upper and lower parts, which enables the unidirectional excitation of the SPP depending on the topological charge of the incident beam. Additionally, spin-Hall meta-slits are integrated onto the grating so that the structure has a chiral response for polarization detection.

Earth news

	Microplastic pollution harms lobster larvae, study finds Microplastic fiber pollution in the ocean impacts larval lobsters at each stage of their development, according to new research. A study published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin reports that the fibers affect the animals' feeding and respiration, and they could even prevent some larvae from reaching adulthood.
	Increases in greenhouse gas, particulate pollution emissions drive regional drying around the globe Despite devastating impacts of drought on human and natural systems, the reasons why long-term regional drying occurs remain poorly understood.
	A quarter of the world's lowland population depends critically on mountain water resources Global water consumption has increased almost fourfold in the past 100 years, and many regions can only meet their water demand thanks to essential contributions from mountain regions. By the middle of this century, 1.5 billion people, almost a quarter of the world's lowland population, will strongly depend on runoff from mountain regions. Only sustainable development can ensure the important function of mountains areas as Earth's "water towers" in the future.
	Tree rings show unprecedented rise in extreme weather in South America Scientists have filled a gaping hole in the world's climate records by reconstructing 600 years of soil-moisture swings across southern and central South America. Along with documenting the mechanisms behind natural changes, the new South American Drought Atlas reveals that unprecedented widespread, intense droughts and unusually wet periods have been on the rise since the mid-20th century. It suggests that the increased volatility could be due in part to global warming, along with earlier pollution of the atmosphere by ozone-depleting chemicals. The atlas was published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	Climate change may cause extreme waves in Arctic Extreme ocean surface waves with a devastating impact on coastal communities and infrastructure in the Arctic may become larger due to climate change, according to a new study.
	Tie for warmest June globally, Siberia sizzles: EU Temperatures soared 10 degrees Celsius above average in June across much of permafrost-laden Siberia, with last month in a dead heat for the warmest June on record globally, the European Union's climate monitoring network said Tuesday.
	Engineers use electricity to clean up toxic water A team of engineers may be one step closer to cleaning up heavily contaminated industrial wastewater streams.
	Intensive farming is eating up the Australian continent, but there's another way Last week we learned woody vegetation in New South Wales is being cleared at more than double the rate of the previous decade—and agriculture was responsible for more than half the destruction.
	Marine life found in ancient Antarctica ice helps solve a carbon dioxide puzzle from the ice age Evidence of minute amounts of marine life in an ancient Antarctic ice sheet helps explain a longstanding puzzle of why rising carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels stalled for hundreds of years as Earth warmed from the last ice age.
	Future hurricanes: Fast like Ike or slow like Harvey? Climate change will intensify winds that steer hurricanes north over Texas in the final 25 years of this century, increasing the odds for fast-moving storms like 2008's Ike, compared with slow-movers like 2017's Harvey, according to new research.
	Study reveals many Great Lakes state parks impacted by record-high water levels Every summer millions of people visit parks and protected areas along the shorelines of the Great Lakes to camp, hike, swim and explore nature's beauty.
	Predicting fire risk Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a method that uses machine learning to predict seasonal fire risk in Africa, where half of the world's wildfire-related carbon emissions originate.
	Using sound to study underwater volcanoes Imagine placing a rock on a piece of suspended cardboard. If the cardboard is strong and hearty, like the cover of a hardback book, the rock can sit there for a long time and the board will barely flex due to the weight of the rock. But if the cardboard is flimsy, more like poster board, it will start to give beneath the weight of the rock, distorting in shape and structure.
	Heat will stay stuck on extra high for July in most of US The heat is on. And for most of America it'll stay on through the rest of the month and maybe longer, meteorologists say.
	How to tackle climate change, food security and land degradation How can some of world's biggest problems—climate change, food security and land degradation—be tackled simultaneously?
	Scientists offer roadmap for studying link between climate and armed conflict Climate change—from rising temperatures and more severe heavy rain, to drought—is increasing risks for economies, human security, and conflict globally. Scientists at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science are leading an effort to better assess the climate-conflict link to help societies manage the complex risks of increased violence from a changing climate.
	Deep undersea earthquake widely felt in Indonesia, no damage A deep undersea earthquake hit off the coast of Indonesia's main island of Java on Tuesday, but no injuries or serious damage were reported.
	50 dead in Japan floods as rescuers 'race against time' Emergency services in western Japan were "racing against time" Tuesday to rescue people stranded by devastating floods and landslides that have killed at least 50, as the country braced for more torrential downpours.
	Edouard now post-tropical in NASA-NOAA satellite imagery When NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite passed over the western North Atlantic Ocean on July 6, it provided forecasters with a visible image of Edouard after it transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone.
	NASA finds powerful storm's around Tropical Storm Cristina's center A low-pressure area strengthened quickly and became Tropical Storm Cristina in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and infrared imagery from NASA revealed the powerful thunderstorms fueling that intensification.
	A chemical cocktail of air pollution in Beijing, China during COVID-19 outbreak The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spreads rapidly around the world, and has limited people's outdoor activities substantially. Air quality is therefore expected to be improved due to reduced anthropogenic emissions. However, in some megacities it has not been improved as expected and severe haze episodes still occurred during the COVID-19 lockdown.
	Agriculture: A climate villain? Maybe not! The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) claims that agriculture is one of the main sources of greenhouse gases, and is thus by many observers considered as a climate villain. This conclusion, however, is based on a paradigm that can be questioned, writes Per Frankelius, Linkoping University, in an article in Agronomy Journal.
	Conservation agriculture increases carbon sequestration in extensive crops Agricultural activity is responsible for about 12% of the total emissions of greenhouse gases in Spain. Nevertheless, adopting good agricultural practices can help reverse this situation, by increasing the sequestration of organic carbon in soil. With the goal of compensating for CO2 emissions produced by agricultural activity by means of fixing organic carbon in soil, the 4perMille initiative came about, in the framework of the Paris Climate Agreement (adopted at the COP21 in 2015).

Astronomy and Space news

	Emission from the blazar 1ES 1218+304 explored with NASA space telescopes Using three NASA space observatories, astronomers have conducted a multiwavelength study of emission from a blazar known as 1ES 1218+304. Results of the investigation, presented in a paper published June 29 on arXiv.org, deliver more insights into the properties of this high-energy source.
	Mysterious spinning neutron star detected in the Milky Way proves to be an extremely rare discovery On March 12th 2020 a space telescope called Swift detected a burst of radiation from halfway across the Milky Way. Within a week, the newly discovered X-ray source, named Swift J1818.0–1607, was found to be a magnetar, a rare type of slowly rotating neutron star with one of the most powerful magnetic fields in the universe.
	The collective power of the solar system's dark, icy bodies The outermost reaches of our solar system are a strange place—filled with dark and icy bodies with nicknames like Sedna, Biden and The Goblin, each of which span several hundred miles across.
	The cosmic commute towards star and planet formation The molecular gas in galaxies is organized into a hierarchy of structures. The molecular material in giant molecular gas clouds travels along intricate networks of filamentary gas lanes towards the congested centers of gas and dust where it is compressed into stars and planets, much like the millions of people commuting to cities for work around the world.
	New collection of stars, not born in our galaxy, discovered in Milky Way Astronomers can go their whole career without finding a new object in the sky. But for Lina Necib, a postdoctoral scholar in theoretical physics at Caltech, the discovery of a cluster of stars in the Milky Way, but not born of the Milky Way, came early—with a little help from supercomputers, the Gaia space observatory, and new deep learning methods.
	Curiosity Mars rover's summer road trip has begun NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has started a road trip that will continue through the summer across roughly a mile (1.6 kilometers) of terrain. By trip's end, the rover will be able to ascend to the next section of the 3-mile-tall Martian (5-kilometer-tall) mountain it's been exploring since 2014, searching for conditions that may have supported ancient microbial life.
	Building NASA's Psyche: design done, now full speed ahead on hardware Psyche, the NASA mission to explore a metal-rock asteroid of the same name, recently passed a crucial milestone that brings it closer to its August 2022 launch date. Now the mission is moving from planning and designing to high-gear manufacturing of the spacecraft hardware that will fly to its target in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
	NASA's InSight flexes its arm while its 'mole' hits pause NASA's InSight lander has been using its robotic arm to help the heat probe known as the "mole" burrow into Mars. The mission is providing the first look at the Red Planet's deep interior to reveal details about the formation of Mars and, ultimately, all rocky planets, including Earth.
	5000 eyes on the skies: Scientists choreograph robots to observe distant galaxies Since 2005, scientists have been scanning the night sky to create a three-dimensional map of our universe with the purpose of shedding light on one of the biggest mysteries in physics: the nature and identity of dark energy and dark matter. That effort is about to get a massive upgrade with the successful installation and testing of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, or DESI.

Technology news

	DIGIT: A high-resolution tactile sensor to enhance robot in-hand manipulation skills To assist humans in completing manual chores or tasks, robots must efficiently grasp and manipulate objects in their surroundings. While in recent years robotics researchers have developed a growing number of techniques that allow robots to pick up and handle objects, most of these only proved to be effective when tackling very basic tasks, such as picking up an object or moving it from one place to another.
	Chrome tweak stems battery drain Google's Chromium browser team has come up with a simple fix to address heavy battery drain.
	New room-temperature liquid-metal battery could be the path to powering the future Researchers in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin have built a new type of battery that combines the many benefits of existing options while eliminating their key shortcomings and saving energy.
	Newer solar power equipment ages better than older units Utility-scale photovoltaics, ground-mounted projects larger than 5 megawatts of alternating current, are the largest sector of the overall solar market within the U.S. and the fastest-growing form of renewable power generation.
	Samsung Electronics forecasts profits jump despite virus Samsung Electronics forecast a 23-percent rise in second-quarter operating profit Tuesday, with strong demand for memory chips and displays overcoming the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on smartphone sales.
	TikTok to leave Hong Kong as security law raises questions TikTok said Tuesday it will stop operations in Hong Kong, joining other social media companies in warily eyeing ramifications of a sweeping national security law that took effect last week.
	Will the Facebook advertising boycott force the social media giant to change? Not likely Hundreds of advertisers say they won't spend money on Facebook in July or beyond over concerns the social media company isn't doing enough to stop hate speech. But the exodus of spenders may not be enough to push CEO Mark Zuckerberg to make the level of change that critics are demanding.
	Apple would like to store your passport and other IDs in an iPhone In the next edition of Apple's iOS operating system, Apple is enticing us with the possibility of using the iPhone to turn on and off cars.
	Deutsche Bank teams up with Google in cloud services Deutsche Bank said Tuesday it is planning a partnership with Google where the US technology giant will provide cloud computing capabilities to Germany's largest lender, a market in which Europe is struggling to establish a foothold.
	New method helps keep an eye on electromagnetic coils degradation Electromagnetic coils are widely used components in many applications and systems, including solenoids, motors and transformers. However, coil insulation systems are failure-prone, especially under excessive thermal stresses, leading to unexpected machine shutdown.
	Researcher: New Zealand needs to prepare for the arrival of medical AI Robotic doctors and other artificial intelligence tools are coming to New Zealand's healthcare system and we need to be ready for the ethical and legal challenges they will bring, warns a University of Canterbury (UC) Ph.D. student.
	Digital contact tracing's mixed record abroad spells trouble for US efforts to rein in COVID-19 Two public health measures—testing, to identify those infected, and contact tracing, to identify those who may have encountered an infected person—have become essential as countries around the world reopen their economies and fresh surges of COVID-19 infections appear.
	How drones and aerial vehicles could change cities Drones, personal flying vehicles and air taxis may be part of our everyday life in the very near future. Drones and air taxis will create new means of mobility and transport routes. Drones will be used for surveillance, delivery and in the construction sector as it moves towards automation.
	Electrons in the fast lane: Microscopic structures could improve perovskite solar cells Solar cells based on perovskite compounds could soon make electricity generation from sunlight even more efficient and cheaper. The laboratory efficiency of these perovskite solar cells already exceeds that of the well-known silicon solar cells. An international team led by Stefan Weber from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz has found microscopic structures in perovskite crystals that can guide the charge transport in the solar cell. Clever alignment of these electron highways could make perovskite solar cells even more powerful.
	Uber launches grocery delivery, starting in Canada, Latin America Uber unveiled plans Tuesday to launch grocery delivery through its recently acquired subsidiary Cornershop.
	Context reduces racial bias in hate speech detection algorithms Understanding what makes something harmful or offensive can be hard enough for humans, never mind artificial intelligence systems.
	Data-mining firm Palantir files for stealth public offering The Silicon Valley data-mining firm Palantir Technologies confidentially filed to go public, setting up what could be the biggest stock offering from a technology company since Uber's debut last year.
	Facebook ad boycott organizers cite no progress on hate speech Organizers of the Facebook ad boycott vowed Tuesday to continue their campaign, saying the social network's top executives had failed to offer meaningful action on curbing hateful content.
	China censors Hong Kong internet, US tech giants resist China has unveiled new powers to censor Hong Kong's internet and access user data using its feared national security law—but US tech giants have put up some resistance citing rights concerns.
	Split the fee with a friend or switch to Sling: Readers respond to YouTube TV's price hike Last week, YouTube announced a 30% price hike for its cable TV alternative service, going from $35—when first announced in 2017—to $65 monthly beginning July 31.
	Need access to Wi-Fi? There are more options than ever Julin Jean parks her car in front of the local library in Port O'Connor, Texas, every day and gets out to work.
	New process enables lithium mining in Germany Whether grid energy storage, electromobility or wearable electronics—lithium-ion batteries have become an integral part of our lives. Millions of tons of lithium are mined in places far away from Germany to produce them every year. However, an invention made by scientists at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) might now also enable economic mining in this country. The plan is to extract lithium using a minimally invasive process from the deep waters in geothermal plants of the Upper Rhine Trench.
	Facebook pledges more action on toxic content ahead of meeting Facebook on Tuesday pledged to take further steps to remove toxic and hateful content from the leading social network as its top executives were set to meet with organizers of a mushrooming ad boycott.
	How Europe's city façades and pavements are being used to harvest clean energy Building façades and pavements in Dutch and Italian cities are being turned into smart, energy-harvesting surfaces and equipped with sensors to power, heat and cool spaces and even monitor roads.
	US nuclear lab investigates breach at plutonium facility Officials at one of the nation's premier nuclear labs are investigating the potential exposure of employees to plutonium.
	Amazon plans to open more grocery stores across U.S. Amazon is preparing to open its second automated-checkout grocery store in a Seattle suburb and is hiring managers for a third store in the nation's capitol.

Chemistry news

	Chemists resolve origin of perovskite instability Researchers in the Cava Group at the Princeton University Department of Chemistry have demystified the reasons for instability in an inorganic perovskite that has attracted wide attention for its potential in creating highly efficient solar cells.
	Multisample technique to analyze cell adhesion King Abdullah University of Science and Technology researchers have developed a robust and efficient method of examining the interactions between cells using fluorescent tagging, simultaneously analyzing multiple cell populations, and speeding up a once tedious and limiting process. The new assay also has applications in studying cellular processes in inflammation or cancer cell metastasis and in assessing potential treatments.
	Organized chaos in the enzyme complex—surprising insights and new perspectives For protein molecules that contribute to metabolism, interactions with other components of their metabolic pathway can be crucial. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Tübingen have now investigated a natural enzyme complex that comprises 10 enzymes with five distinct activities. They found that the molecular architecture is surprisingly compact, yet offers individual enzymes maximum free moving space, which opens up novel perspectives for drug discovery. The scientists have published their results in Nature Chemical Biology.
	A new understanding of protein movement Many of the most promising medicines under development are proteins, often antibodies, to help patients fight disease. These proteins must be purified as part of the manufacturing process—a task that can be tricky and result in costly waste.
	Boron nitride destroys 'forever' chemicals PFOA, GenX Rice University chemical engineers found an efficient catalyst for destroying PFAS "forever" chemicals where they least expected.
	Study reveals science behind traditional mezcal-making technique Artisanal makers of mezcal have a tried and true way to tell when the drink has been distilled to the right alcohol level. They squirt some into a small container and look for little bubbles, known as pearls. If the alcohol content is too high or too low, the bubbles burst quickly. But if they linger for 30 seconds or so, the alcohol level is perfect and the mezcal is ready to drink.
	Scientists reveal mechanism of dioxygen activation Metalloenzyme can couple dioxygen activation to substrate functionalization, which often exhibits unrivaled efficiency, even at ambient conditions.
	Researchers develop injectable extracellular-matrix-based biomaterials for meniscus repair The meniscus is a thin layer of connective tissue in human knees that helps to maintain the stability of joints and conduct mechanical loads. Meniscus injuries, especially those in the avascular inner zone, have poor healing capability and are associated with the development of osteoarthritis.
	Toward improved wound healing: Chemical synthesis of a trefoil factor peptide The fascinating family of trefoil factor peptides brings hope to both research and industry to improve the treatment of chronic disorders such as Crohn's disease. For the first time, a team led by ERC awardee Markus Muttenthaler from the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Vienna succeeded in the synthesis and folding of the peptide TFF1, a key player in mucosal protection and repair. Chemical synthesis of these gastrointestinal peptides is an important step towards a better understanding of their mode of action and therapeutic potential. The study was published in Chemical Communications.
	'Growing' active sites on quantum dots for robust hydrogen photogeneration Very recently, Chinese researchers had achieved site- and spatial- selective integration of earth-abundant metal ions (e.g., Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+) in semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) for efficient and robust photocatalytic H2 evolution from water.
	For cleaner air, water, and soil The air around us is getting more and more polluted. No wonder many scientists strive to find a way to purify it. Thanks to the work of an international team led by prof. Juan Carlos Colmenares from the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, we are a big step closer to achieving this goal. The team found a way to make an efficient reactive adsorbent able to purify air from various toxic compounds, cheaply, and effectively.
	Scientists observe catalyst during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis for the first time Suitable catalysts are of great importance for efficient power-to-X applications—but the molecular processes occurring during their use have not yet been fully understood. Using X-rays from a synchrotron particle accelerator, scientists of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have now been able to observe for the first time a catalyst during the Fischer-Tropsch reaction that facilitates the production of synthetic fuels under industrial conditions. The test results are intended to use for the development of bespoke power-to-X catalysts. The team has published the results in the scientific journal Reaction & Chemical Engineering.

Biology news

	Protein linked to cancer acts as a viscous glue in cell division An over-abundance of the protein PRC1, which is essential to cell division, is a telltale sign in many cancer types, including prostate, ovarian, and breast cancer. New research, published online today in Developmental Cell, shows that PRC1 acts as a "viscous glue" during cell division, precisely controlling the speed at which two sets of DNA are separated as a single cell divides. The finding could explain why too much or too little PRC1 disrupts that process and causes genome errors linked to cancer.
	Making a list of all creatures, great and small A paper published July 7, 2020 in the open access journal PLOS Biology outlines a roadmap for creating, for the first time, an agreed list of all the world's species, from mammals and birds to plants, fungi and microbes.
	New global study reveals 'time tree' of Earth's flowering plants New research published today in Nature Ecology & Evolution by scientists from Australia and Mexico reveals the world's first complete angiosperm "time tree"—a reconstruction of the evolution of the Earth's flowering plants through time.
	The impact of climate change on marmot survival differs between seasons Many animals have evolved life cycles and strategies (patterns of survival and reproduction) in line with predictable seasonal variation in environmental conditions. Short and mild summers produce bursts of vegetation and food, the perfect time to give birth to young. Long, harsh winters when food is scarce have shaped animals to largely depend on fat reserves for energy, and in extreme cases, to hibernate or migrate.
	Community science birding data does not yet capture global bird trends Binoculars in hand, birders around the world contribute every day to a massive database of bird sightings worldwide. But while community science observations of birds can be useful data, it may not be enough to fill the data gaps in developing countries where professional bird surveys are insufficient or absent.
	Learning about penguin's diet may save marine life The waters of south-eastern Australia are a climate change hotspot, warming at four times the global average. Understanding how to future-proof the prey of little penguins in these challenging conditions is essential for their long-term survival and may well benefit the health of the whole marine system.
	Understanding sea larvae is key to managing marine systems An international study led by Monash University scientists has found that the distance traveled by marine larvae is dictated by both biological and physical constraints—contradicting previous hypotheses based on biology or physics alone.
	Study shows human-dominated areas are highly lethal to bears until they learn to adapt to people A team of researchers affiliated with multiple institutions in Canada has found that bears living with people are at high risk of dying until they learn to adapt. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes their study of data on grizzly bears in British Columbia over a 41-year period and what they learned from it.
	Evolution makes the world less ragged How does evolution impact ecological patterns? It helps smooth out the rough edges, says UConn Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Professor Mark Urban. Urban led an international team of researchers through a review of the history of ecological and evolutionary research to establish a framework to better understand evolution's impact on ecosystem patterns. The research is published as a perspective in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
	RNA key in helping stem cells know what to become Look deep inside our cells, and you'll find that each has an identical genome -a complete set of genes that provides the instructions for our cells' form and function.
	Nematode has potential to reduce cotton yields by 50 percent The reniform nematode is one of the most commonly found pests of cotton, with the ability to cause severe economic damage. In order to assess exactly how much damage the reniform nematode can cause, plant pathologists at Auburn University conducted a field trial comparing a clean field to a reniform-infested field.
	Endangered gorilla in New Orleans expecting 1st baby One of the critically endangered gorillas in the New Orleans' zoo is expecting her first baby, and already is being trained with a "doll" to hold her future offspring.
	New study sparks fresh call for seagrass preservation An increase in carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to 5 million cars a year has been caused by the loss of seagrass meadows around the Australian coastline since the 1950s.
	Team discovers first effective treatment for citrus-destroying disease UC Riverside scientists have found the first substance capable of controlling Citrus Greening Disease, which has devastated citrus farms in Florida and also threatens California.
	Nutrients in microalgae: An environmentally friendly alternative to fish Microalgae could provide an alternative source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids for humans while also being more environmentally friendly to produce than popular fish species. This is the result of a new study by scientists from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU). The study was recently published in the Journal of Applied Phycology and offers an initial indication of the environmental effects of producing microalgae in Germany.
	Speciation genomics identifies candidate genomic regions responsible for reproductive isolation in chestnut trees Chinese chestnut trees are thought to be critical for resurrecting wild American chestnut and European chestnut trees. Knowledge of speciation genomics may be of great value to the chestnut forest restoration in Europe and America.
	New study analyses multiple-tailed lizards Ph.D. Candidate James Barr, from Curtin University's School of Molecular and Life Sciences, said while the phenomena of multiple-tailed lizards are widely known to occur, documented events were generally limited to opportunistic, single observations of one in its natural environment.
	Heat-detecting drones are a cheaper, more efficient way to find koalas Last summer's catastrophic bushfires burnt about one quarter of New South Wales' best koala habitat. On the state's mid-north coast, an estimated 30% of koalas were killed.
	Northern fish are tough, but climate change is causing some to dwindle Summer has finally arrived in the northern reaches of Canada and Alaska, liberating hundreds of thousands of northern stream fish from their wintering habitats.
	Can a human drug stop life-threatening bleeding in dogs with traumatic injuries? Sean Majoy, V06, VG13, was far too familiar with the toll that traumatic bleeding can take on dogs before he joined Cummings School as an emergency and critical care veterinarian and clinical assistant professor. Majoy served on active duty in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps from 2006 to 2017, and one of his jobs was caring for military working dogs returning injured from Iraq and Afghanistan.
	Bores' lasting effect on landscape Artificial watering points in rangelands are posing an increasing threat to surrounding biodiversity long after the removal of livestock, according to University of Queensland research.
	Research reveals regulatory features of maize genome during early reproductive development Growth and development of all organisms depends on coordinated regulation of gene expression in time and space, and this is largely controlled by non-coding sequences in the genome. A major challenge in genomics-enabled crop improvement is functional annotation of cis-regulatory elements in crop genomes and the ability to harness these sequences, either through breeding or biotechnology, to fine-tune target pathways with minimal disruption to the complex networks in which they reside.
	High-throughput sequencing tracks historical spread of grapevine viruses Grapevine is infected by more than 90 viruses, with new viral species discovered yearly as a result of the newer technology introduced by High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS). Within the last decade, HTS is used for virome identification (the assemblage of viral genomes), which in turn helps plant pathologists with future research.
	To protect threatened beetle, entomologists hope new colony takes hold As thousands of hopeful coronavirus shut-ins look forward to heading to Atlantic beaches for the July 4 holiday, University of Massachusetts Amherst entomologist Rodger Gwiazdowski and colleagues are also heading to the beach—but they'll visit the last quiet natural one protected by the National Park Service at Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
	The limitations of super-resolution microscopy overcome With high-resolution microscopy, it is theoretically possible to image cell structures with a resolution of a few nanometres. However, this has not yet been possible in practice.
	Strange bedfellows: How butterfly caterpillars sustain their association with cocktail ants The spectacular leaps of gazelles, group living in deer and monkeys, and fast flight in many insects are all linked by a common phenomenon—predation. In its various forms, predation has driven the evolution of a plethora of specialized structures (morphology) and behaviors among organisms. Insects, being especially vulnerable because of their small size, have evolved various strategies to avoid predators. For example, butterflies may either accumulate toxins (aposematism), mimic other toxic species (mimicry), avoid detection by predators by remaining inconspicuous (crypsis or camouflage), or look like inedible plant parts (masquerade) to escape predators.
	Aggressive seaweed smothers one of world's most remote reefs Researchers say a recently discovered species of seaweed is killing large patches of coral on once-pristine reefs and is rapidly spreading across one of the most remote and protected ocean environments on earth.
	Puppies & burnout: The impact of the coronavirus on veterinarians At a superficial glance, becoming a veterinarian seems like the realization of an animal lover's childhood dream—devoting a career to the care of animals.
	Researchers design new antibacterial agent against Escherichia coli bacteria Researchers at the University of Alicante (UA) have designed a new antibacterial agent against Escherichia coli (E.coli), a bacterium present in the microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract of people and animals, responsible for infectious diseases such as traveler's diarrhea, hemorrhagic diarrhea and even kidney failure. The technology consists of two molecules—called Poll-N and UK-C—with specific antimicrobial properties against E.coli bacteria.
	The study of lysosomal function during cell division and chromosomal instability A team from the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and the University of Barcelona (UB), in collaboration with a researcher from the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota, have described that lysosomes and autophagy processes are active during mitosis and are necessary for a correct cell division. Lysosomes and autophagy eliminate and recycle damaged cellular components; thus, lysosomal activity sustains the correct cell function and its dysregulation is associated to several diseases including cancer, neurodegeneration, and disorders associated with aging.
	Dozens of endangered dorcas gazelles killed by poachers in Niger Around 40 dorcas gazelles, an endangered species, have been slaughtered by poachers in one of Africa's largest nature reserves, environmental authorities said Tuesday.
	Bad E. coli we know, but good E. coli? Typically, there aren't a lot of positive thoughts when E. coli, generally found in animal and human intestines, is mentioned. It's been blamed for closing beaches and swimming pools and shuttering restaurants because of contamination in salad bars, meats or other food items.

Medicine and Health news

	Four-dimensional physiologically adaptive cardiac patch Bioengineers have considerably advanced cardiac scaffold engineering techniques to treat myocardial infarction, a form of cardiovascular disease and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, it is still challenging to replicate structural specificity and variability of cardiac tissues with traditional bioengineering processes. In a new report on Science Advances, Haitao Cui and an interdisciplinary research team at the National Institute of Health, University of Maryland, and the George Washington University, U.S. developed a four-dimensional (4-D) cardiac patch with physiological adaptability. They used beam scanning stereolithography to print the construct and combined 4-D self-morphing with expandable microstructures to improve their biomechanical properties to integrate within the beating heart. The results showed improved vascularization and maturation of cardiomyocytes under physiologically relevant mechanical stimulation. The constructs were suited for use in a mouse model of chronic myocardial infarction (MI) with improved cell engraftment and vascular supply. The work provides an effective treatment strategy for MI and a cutting-edge bioengineering method to improve the structural design of complex tissues for organ regeneration.
	Among older adults, statin use tied to decreased risk of death Study after study has shown that statins can prevent heart attacks, strokes and death in middle-aged adults. But in 28 major clinical trials of statins, only 2 percent of participants have been 75 years or older. This means that even though older adults are at greater risk of heart disease and death, there is scant data on whether statins should be prescribed for them.
	A key gene modifies regulatory T cells to fine-tune the immune response The human immune system is a finely-tuned machine, balancing when to release a cellular army to deal with pathogens, with when to rein in that army, stopping an onslaught from attacking the body itself. Now, Salk researchers have discovered a way to control regulatory T cells, immune cells that act as a cease-fire signal, telling the immune system when to stand down.
Sensory neurons outside the brain drive autistic social behaviors, study suggests A new study from Penn Medicine lends further evidence that the social behaviors tied to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) emerge from abnormal function of sensory neurons outside the brain. It's an important finding, published today in the journal Cell Reports, because peripheral sensory systems—which determine how we perceive the environment around us —makes for more accessible therapeutic targets to treat ASD-related symptoms, rather than the central brain itself.
	Blocking cholesterol storage could stop growth of pancreatic tumors Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have found that they can stop the growth of pancreatic cancer cells by interfering with the way the cells store cholesterol. Their findings in mice and lab-grown pancreas models point toward a new strategy for treating the deadly disease.
	Researchers develop new approach to study the genetics of human disease Many heritable immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and blood-cell related traits derive from critical proteins not being made or not functioning correctly. But exactly how a person's genes, the regulation of these genes and how the resulting proteins interact to cause disease is not widely understood.
	The gut microbiome of Irish Travellers gives a timely public health lesson Investigators at APC Microbiome Ireland SFI Research Center in Cork were stunned by the findings of the first microbiome study of Irish Travelers which challenges the concept of a "normal" or "healthy" microbiome and asks: "what is a normal or desirable microbiome in an ethnically diverse society?" The findings have global implications and will be published in the prestigious journal Nature Medicine.
	Improved cancer immunotherapies require radical CAR overhaul CAR-T cell therapy is a new and revolutionary weapon against cancer: T cells are isolated from the patient's blood for genetic modification and then infused back into the patient to attack cancer cells. Researchers from the Medical University of Vienna have now determined why CAR-T cells do not destroy tumor cells that express tumor antigens in small numbers. Their study, published in Nature Immunology, shows that CAR-T cells fail to initiate adequate intracellular signaling when facing low antigen densities, even though they bind the antigen in a highly efficient manner.
	Drug screens and CRISPR combine to help make better cancer drugs A new study has created the most comprehensive analysis for understanding how cancer drugs work at a molecular level. Scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) and AstraZeneca combined drug response data with CRISPR genetic screens across hundreds of cancer cell lines to better understand precisely how drugs target cancer cells.
	Multiple Purkinje cell types: A new logic of cerebellar organization in zebrafish In a study published in PNAS, researchers from Karolinska Institutet, the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Nagoya University, and Technische Universität Braunschweig show an undiscovered heterogeneity of adult zebrafish Purkinje cells, revealing the existence of anatomically and functionally distinct cell types.
	Types of flu people encounter in childhood may affect susceptibility to different flu strains later in life A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico y Referencia, Nicaragua, and the University of Michigan has found that the strains of influenza virus that infect people when they are young may influence their susceptibility to other influenza strains later in life. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes their study of influenza strains in ferrets and human blood samples and what they found.
	Study shows harmful elements prevalent in suicide posts on social media while protective elements are rare A trio of researchers, two with Facebook, the other the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has found that posts that feature elements considered harmful to people at risk of committing suicide are prevalent on shared social media sites, but those with protective elements are rare. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (and on Facebook's research page), Moira Burke, Farshad Kooti and Steven Sumner describe their study of suicidal content on social media sites and what they learned about it.
	Women's egg quality dependent on metabolic factors Increasing the levels of a chemical found in all human cells could boost a woman's fertility and help select the best eggs for IVF, according to University of Queensland research.
	Artificial tones in perception experiments could be missing the mark, research Researchers at McMaster University who study how the brain processes sound have discovered the common practice of using artificial tones in perception experiments could mean scientists are overlooking important and interesting discoveries in the field of brain research.
	Neurons show distinct styles as they interact with the same muscle partner A new study by MIT neuroscientists into how seemingly similar neuronal subtypes drive locomotion in the fruit fly revealed an unexpected diversity as the brain's commands were relayed to muscle fibers. A sequence of experiments revealed a dramatic difference between the two nerve cells—one neuron scrambled to adjust to different changes by the other, but received no requital in response when circumstances were reversed.
	New study looks at opioid use and driving outcomes among older adults A new study from faculty at the Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus looks at the relationship between opioid use and driving among older adults.
	Measuring tape is a critical tool for following Zika virus-exposed children A simple measuring tape could be the key to identifying which children could developneurological and developmental abnormalities from Zika virus exposure during gestation.This is according to an invited commentary published July 7 in JAMA Network Open andwritten by Sarah Mulkey, M.D., Ph.D., prenatal-neonatal neurologist in the Division ofPrenatal Pediatrics at Children's National Hospital.
The risk of cerebral palsy linked to IVF has more than halved in the past two decades Fifteen years ago a large population study from Denmark found a significantly increased risk of cerebral palsy in infants born as a result of assisted reproduction. Although the absolute risk was small, such studies at this time made cerebral palsy the greatest developmental birth defect risk associated with IVF, and a concern in its overall safety profile.
	Fighting E. coli with E. coli According to findings published this week in mBio, Nissle, a strain of Escherichia coli, is harmless to intestinal tissue and may protect the gut from enterohemorrhagic E. coli, a pathogen that produces Shiga toxin.
	Targeted taxes and school lunch policies benefit low-income populations Targeted taxes on sweetened beverages and policies that strengthen nutritional standards for meals and beverages at schools may be effective tools for decreasing the purchase of sweetened drinks and reducing obesity among children living in poverty, according to two studies led by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
	When thinking about reopening schools, the rate of community transmission is a key factor We are all tired of the pandemic. We'd like to wake up one day and have life returned to normal. A big step towards normalcy would be allowing schools to open in the fall. Schools provide education, social environments, and meals to their students. Schools also provide a chance for parents to have free time for work or relaxation. However, schools are an optimal place for the virus to spread: a daily mass gathering. Following John Harte's great piece on mass gatherings, we would like to discuss important considerations for reopening schools, and what to look for over the next couple of months to better understand the risks.
	Q&A: Loud pyrotechnics trigger stress, hyperarousal, and combat flashbacks in vets with PTSD 2020 has been a year of complicated emotions for many. The rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with a surge in civil unrest, have led to unprecedented levels of anxiety. For veterans, particularly those dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the past months have been particularly difficult. In response, the staff at The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic are rising to the occasion with an increased emphasis on telemedicine and outreach, yet there are some challenges that require cooperation from the community at large.
	One million epilepsy patients in China missing out on beneficial surgery In 2010, Professor Patrick Kwan from Monash University's Department of Neuroscience, led an international team researching the causes and outcomes of epilepsy in rural China.
	Blood test can guide treatment for most aggressive prostate cancer Scientists have developed a simple blood test that can show which men with the most aggressive type of prostate cancer should respond to conventional therapy, and those who need other options.
	People who use drugs face unique challenges under hard lockdown, and the government's support is vital The "hard lockdown" of nine public housing towers in Melbourne has no doubt brought an array of challenges for the thousands of residents.
	Innovative machine learning approaches used to create a comprehensive view of breast cancer risk factors A recently published article from University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital reports new innovative use of machine learning to help understand the interplay of genetic and other breast cancer risk factors.
	As teens delay driver licensing, they miss key safety instruction Teens are getting licensed to drive later than they used to and missing critical safety training as a result, according to Yale researchers.
	Think pink: Getting a good night's sleep in difficult times White noise is a popular solution for drowning out unwanted sounds, but there is actually an entire rainbow of sounds. New research from Penn State suggests that "pink noise" might enhance the quality of a person's sleep.
	Antioxidants in corn line could aid human IBD protection, therapy Flavonoids from a specific line of corn act as anti-inflammatory agents in the guts of mice with an inflammatory-bowel-disease-like condition, according to a team of researchers who said flavonoid-rich corn should be studied to determine its potential to provide a protective effect on human health.
	Desk-based jobs may offer protection against poor cognition in later life People who work in jobs that require less physical activity—typically office and desk-based jobs—are at a lower risk of subsequent poor cognition than those whose work is more physically active, suggests new research from the University of Cambridge.
	Here's why guns increase the risk of suicide–especially in stressful times People who own a handgun are almost four times more likely to die by suicide than those who don't have guns, according to new research by Matt Miller, a professor of health sciences and epidemiology at Northeastern.
	Coughing visualization illustrates the benefits of wearing a good mask Coupling function with fashion, cloth and home-sewn face masks are available in a variety of forms and fabrics. While experts underscore that wearing a mask is effective in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19, not all masks—or the materials with which they're made—contain virus particles equally.
	Machine learning helps grow artificial organs Researchers from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Ivannikov Institute for System Programming, and the Harvard Medical School-affiliated Schepens Eye Research Institute have developed a neural network capable of recognizing retinal tissues during the process of their differentiation in a dish. Unlike humans, the algorithm achieves this without the need to modify cells, making the method suitable for growing retinal tissue for developing cell replacement therapies to treat blindness and conducting research into new drugs. The study was published in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience.
	Remdesivir can save more lives where ICUs are overwhelmed Amid news that the United States has bought up virtually the entire global supply of remdesivir, a new Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) study outlines how the drug could save lives in countries with less hospital capacity, such as South Africa, where COVID-19 is beginning to overwhelm intensive care units (ICUs).
	Social media can identify fathers at risk of postpartum depression Fathers' prepartum social media posts can predict their risk of postpartum depression. A predictive model based on machine learning is described in the peer-reviewed journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. Click here to read the article now.
	Engineered killer immune cells target tumours and their immunosuppressive allies Scientists have engineered natural killer immune cells that not only kill head and neck tumor cells in mice but also reduce the immune-suppressing myeloid cells that allow tumors to evade the immune response, according to a new study in eLife.
	Regenerating the body from within using biomaterials Successful tissue regeneration can have major benefits in healing injuries or replacing portions of diseased or damaged tissue in bone, skin, the nervous system and in organs such as the muscle, kidney, liver, lung and heart. But the effectiveness of the body's own system for repairing such damage can vary greatly, depending on the kind of tissue involved and its location. Tissue engineers have been working to address these limitations by creating substances called biomaterials, which can be used in various ways to boost the body's ability to heal. In a recent publication in Nature Reviews Materials, Ali Khademhosseini, Ph.D., Director and CEO of the Terasaki Institute, and colleagues discuss the use of biomaterials for tissue regeneration.
	Long-acting injectable form of HIV prevention outperforms daily pill in NIH study A pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) regimen containing an investigational long-acting form of the HIV drug cabotegravir injected once every 8 weeks was more effective than daily oral Truvada at preventing HIV acquisition among cisgender men who have sex with men and transgender women who have sex with men in a clinical trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. While both methods were highly effective for HIV prevention in the study population, the final data analysis indicated that cabotegravir had a superior protective effect. Findings from the Phase 2b/3 study, called HPTN 083, will be discussed in an online press conference and oral presentations during the 23rd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2020: Virtual).
	Parents' pandemic-induced stress can do long-term harm to children, says expert The COVID-19 pandemic, which has accentuated long-standing challenges many families face, has put additional stress on parents that could harm the development of their children, according to a new brief from Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.
	7 in 10 respondents worry poor health will limit their life experiences Seven in 10 U.S. adults worry poor health will prevent them from doing all the things they'd like to do in life, according to a new survey from the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association.
	Brain structural elements in psychiatric disorders Researchers have previously identified brain structural signatures associated with individual neurological diseases using techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In a new study, a team of scientists based in Germany has compared data from multiple studies to find brain structural abnormalities shared between four different neuropsychiatric conditions. The researchers also found brain signatures that were unique to individual conditions.
	Higher manganese levels in early pregnancy linked to lower preeclampsia risk An analysis of data from more than 1,300 women followed prospectively through pregnancy found that women with lower levels of the essential mineral manganese in early pregnancy were more likely to develop the serious high blood pressure syndrome called preeclampsia in late pregnancy, according to a new study led by researchers from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
	A novel active photonic wireless system to power medical implants Over the past few decades, medical technology has seen various advances in terms of the scope and efficiency of implantable devices. For example, developments in medical research have led to the emergence of electronic implants, such as pacemakers, to regulate the heart rate; and cerebral spinal shunts to control the flow of spinal fluid. Most of these medical devices, including the pacemaker, require a constant source of energy to operate. Naturally, this causes some limitations: batteries, which provide an energy source for the implants, have a finite lifespan. Once the battery power gets exhausted, there is no other option but to perform invasive surgery to replace the battery, which poses a risk of surgical complications, such as bruising, infections, and other adverse events.
	Insufficient sleep harms children's mental health In a new study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Candice Alfano, University of Houston professor of psychology and director of the Sleep and Anxiety Center of Houston, reports the results from an innovative, experimental study showing inadequate nighttime sleep alters several aspects of children's emotional health.
	Childhood obesity linked to poor heart health signs at 11-12 years Toddlers who were obese or overweight show concerning signs of cardiovascular disease at 11-12 years of age, according to a new study led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI).
	Flu in early life determines our susceptibility to future infections Early infections of influenza A can help predict how the virus will affect people across different ages in the future and could impact the effectiveness of flu vaccines, says a new study published today in eLife.
	Less than half of schools have robust sun hat policies in place to protect children Despite schools being encouraged to implement sun protective hat wearing policy to reduce children's future risk of skin cancer, less than half participating in a University of Otago study had robust policy in place.
	Feeling insecure about your relationship? Your biology may play a role Imagine tracking your feelings during daily interactions with your romantic partner. What would you learn? That's what approximately 100 heterosexual couples in Montreal did each day for 3 weeks during a study run by researchers from McGill University. They were interested in whether a fairly common genetic variant in the opioid system, seen in about a quarter of the population, was associated with feelings of insecurity in romantic relationships. Their results, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, suggest that, in some cases, there may indeed be a link.
	Understanding how pandemic conditions affect individuals with mood disorders A collaborative study between Swinburne and University of Melbourne researchers has found that individuals with a pre-existing mood disorder reported higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress during the early stages of the COVID-19 situation when compared to individuals with no mental disorder. The study, which was conducted by researchers from Swinburne's Center for Mental Health and the Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Center as part of the COVID-19 and you: mental health in Australia now survey (COLLATE), has been published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
	Iodine exposure in the NICU may lead to decrease in thyroid function, study suggests Exposure to iodine used for medical procedures in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may increase an infant's risk for congenital hypothyroidism (loss of thyroid function), suggests a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and other institutions. The authors found that infants diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism following a NICU stay had higher blood iodine levels on average than infants who had a NICU stay but had normal thyroid function. Their study appears in the Journal of Nutrition.
	Soy and wheat proteins helpful for building aging muscles, but not as potent as animal protein On a gram for gram basis, animal proteins are more effective than plant proteins in supporting the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass with advancing age, shows research presented this week at The Physiological Society's virtual early career conference Future Physiology 2020.
	Our animal inheritance: Humans 'prick up their ears,' too, when they hear interesting sounds Many animals, including dogs, cats and various species of monkeys, will move their ears to better focus their attention on a novel sound. That humans also have this capability was not known until now. A research team based in Saarland has demonstrated for the first time that we make minute, unconscious movements of our ears that are directed towards the sound want to focus our attention on. The team discovered this ability by measuring electrical signals in the muscles of the vestigial motor system in the human ear. The results have now been published in the journal eLife.
	Medicare's race, ethnic data often undercounts minority populations, study finds The information critical to a nationwide priority of reducing health care disparities among minorities is incomplete and inaccurate, according to a new Rutgers study.
	A novel therapeutic target for recovery after stroke Researchers at the Center for Cognition and Sociality, within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), and Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have discovered a new mechanism to explain the effects of subcortical strokes and a new possible therapeutic approach.
	Metabolomics meets genomics to improve patient diagnosis A patient and family walk into a doctor's office. They hope that the latest tests will reveal what is causing the patient's illness and end the diagnostic odyssey they have been going through for years. Having an accurate diagnosis also means that maybe there is a treatment that at least can alleviate the patient's condition.
	Gut Piezo1 regulates gut and bone homeostasis via RNA sensing Gut enterochromaffin cells regulate gut and bone homeostasis via serotonin production. A recent report suggested that gut microbes regulate serotonin levels, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are unexplored. Here, Piezo1 is reported to be crucial for serotonin production from gut. Researchers discovered that bacterial derived RNA could activate Piezo1, leading to the production of serotonin from enterochromaffin cells, and that the RNA-Piezo1 axis could be an important target for treatment of bone and gut disorders.
	Better treatment for people with inflammatory bowel disease Finding the right treatment for people living with chronic intestinal inflammation, also known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), might soon be getting easier. World IBD Day happens on 19 May each year, with the goal to raise awareness about the disease and urge action.
	Unique tool paves the way for more individualized cancer treatments Making the latest research results available to doctors increases the opportunities for finding better individualized cancer treatment. For a few years, researchers at Karolinska Insititutet and several other universities have been working on building a digital tool which will make global genomic data easily available as support for treatment decisions.
	Policies fall short on expanding access to birth control Federal and state policies to expand access to birth control have included increasing access to preventative and emergency hormonal contraception at retail pharmacies for women and girls of all ages without a physician's prescription.
	As REM sleep declines, life span suffers Deep sleep is essential for good health, and too little of it may shorten your life, a new study suggests.
	Targeting bacterial biofilm lynchpin prevents, treats recalcitrant biofilm-mediated infections Chronic and recurrent bacterial diseases are treatment-resistant due to the ability of the pathogens to establish biofilms, which act as fortresses built of extracellular DNA and proteins to protect populations of the bacteria.
	Oral corticosteroid bursts carry risk for severe adverse events (HealthDay)—Prescriptions for oral steroid bursts are associated with a 1.8- to 2.4-fold increased risk for severe adverse events within the first month after initiation of drug therapy, according to a study published online July 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Researchers advise annual low-dose CT lung screening for high-risk individuals (HealthDay)—The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for people aged 50 to 80 years at high lung cancer risk due to smoking history. These recommendations form the basis of a draft recommendation statement, published online July 7 by the USPSTF.
	Report finds rising trend of viruses jumping from animal hosts to humans The world is seeing a rise in diseases caused by viruses that have jumped from animal hosts to the human population, with COVID-19 just one example, a group of experts said in a report released on Monday.
	Nurse misreads symptoms of her own heart attack At her new job as a nurse at a college in St. Louis, Roslyn Harvey spent most of her day sitting at a desk. So, when she felt breathless walking across campus or climbing stairs, she figured she was out of shape.
	Proposed study would test at-home screening for HPV and cervical cancer With a tiny brush, briefly swab the vagina to collect cells. Then slide the swab into a screening kit and drop it into the mail.
	A dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria may now lurk in U.S. water, soil (HealthDay)—A potentially deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria could be hiding in the dirt and water of the southernmost U.S. states, warns a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
	Welcome, Robin the AI robot "Hi! Do you want to sing a song with me?"
	Early screening may reduce breast cancer deaths by more than half in childhood cancer survivors Early initiation (at ages 25 to 30) of annual breast cancer screening with breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with or without mammography, might reduce breast cancer mortality by half or more in female survivors of childhood cancer previously exposed to chest radiation. These findings highlight the importance of MRI in reducing deaths from breast cancer in this population. A comparative modeling study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
	How to navigate epilepsy care Despite the development of several new anti-seizure medications or anti-epileptic drugs over the past couple of decades, approximately 30 to 40% of epilepsy patients remain refractory—or resistant to medical treatment. In addition to the burden of having seizures, mortality in epilepsy is a major public health concern. A recent study found a clear benefit of the care provided by a neurologist specializing in epilepsy, also referred to as an epileptologist, in relation to mortality outcomes.
	The parenting myth revealed by lockdown On Thursday, March 26 this year, working parents faced a dilemma—how were they going to work and care for their children during lockdown? The restrictions meant schools, early childcare centres, and kindergartens were closed. Grandma and her newfound medical vulnerability status made her off-limits.
Treatment with methotrexate and risk of lung disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often suffer from what is referred to as interstitial lung disease (ILD). For years, standard medication with Methotrexate (MTX) has been suspected of either increasing the risk of, or worsening, this aspect of rheumatoid arthritis. This suspicion is now refuted by two current studies. The results have been presented at the annual conference of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR 2020).
	Health panel may open lung cancer screening to more smokers A U.S. health panel wants to widen the number of Americans offered yearly scans for lung cancer by opening the screening to less-heavy smokers.
	Troubling connection between workplace pregnancy discrimination and health of mothers, babies Perceived pregnancy discrimination indirectly relates to increased levels of postpartum depressive symptoms for mothers and lower birth weights, lower gestational ages and increased numbers of doctor visits for babies, according to a management study led by Baylor University.
	Great expectations: Patients overestimate success in IVF Couples embarking on IVF to treat their infertility tend to overestimate their chance of success, according to a prospective study of 69 couples having at least their second treatment attempt. Such over-optimism, suggest the authors, may be a source of distress or even a reason to discontinue their IVF treatment.
Russia urges against marmot hunt over plague fears Russian authorities have warned residents of regions near Mongolia against hunting marmots but stressed there was no risk of bubonic plague spreading across the country.
	Working off your quarantine weight gain (HealthDay)—Life in lockdown has led many to overeat and gain weight, a phenomenon referred to as the "COVID-15."
	Study explores if insurance is keeping pace with trends in targeted cancer therapy New research from the University of California, San Francisco (USCF) and City of Hope in the July 2020 issue of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network examines coverage trends for circulating tumor DNA testing, also known as gene sequencing of ctDNA or "liquid biopsies." CtDNA is formed when tumor cells shed cell-free DNA fragments containing valuable information for detecting the tumor's genetic attributes into the bloodstream. Clinicians can use that genetic information to determine the optimal course of treatment. In the first-ever study to analyze insurance coverage for ctDNA-based panel tests, researchers found public and private coverage of liquid biopsy tests has grown rapidly in recent years, but some significant limitations remain.
	Two studies look at COVID-19 in patients who have received kidney transplants or are undergoing dialysis Two new studies examine the health and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 who have undergone kidney transplantation or are receiving hemodialysis. The findings appear in an upcoming issue of CJASN.
	Twins joined at head separated at Vatican pediatric hospital Doctors at the Vatican's pediatric hospital said Tuesday they have successfully separated conjoined twins whose skulls were fused back-to-back, an exceedingly rare surgery for an equally rare congenital defect.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

	Doctors say experimental treatment may have rid man of HIV A Brazilian man infected with the AIDS virus has shown no sign of it for more than a year since he stopped HIV medicines after an intense experimental drug therapy aimed at purging hidden, dormant virus from his body, doctors reported Tuesday.
	Mental health benefits of parks dimmed by safety concerns No matter how close parks are to home, perceptions of park-centered crime may keep New Yorkers from using them.
	Beijing reports zero virus cases for first time since new outbreak Beijing on Tuesday reported zero new coronavirus cases for the first time since the emergence of a cluster in the Chinese capital in June that prompted fears of a domestic second wave.
	Info-metrics for modeling and inference with complex and uncertain pandemic information As the world faces the possibility of recurring waves of the current novel coronavirus pandemic, it is critical to identify patterns and dynamics that could be leveraged to decrease future transmission, infection, and death rates. At this stage in the pandemic, data on disease patterns and dynamics are emerging from almost all countries in the world. Variations across countries with respect to coronavirus infection rates, public health policies, social structure, norms, health conditions, environmental policy, climate, and other factors provide us with the data to investigate the impact of different underlying factors and governmental policies on COVID-19 transmission, infection, and death rates.
	Texans' concerns about COVID-19 declined as pandemic worsened As the number of reported cases of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations was increasing in June, Texans expressed less concern about the threat of the virus than they did in April and were much less likely to stay home because of the pandemic, according to polling by the Texas Politics Project at The University of Texas at Austin.
	The best (and worst) materials for masks It's intuitive and scientifically shown that wearing a face covering can help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. But not all masks are created equal, according to new University of Arizona-led research.
	Is the airborne route a major source of coronavirus transmission? As the world continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, one question that keeps coming up is whether COVID-19 can be transmitted through the air.
	3 ways to teach kids storytelling, a skill that matters during coronavirus isolation and always During this unprecedented era of separation and isolation due to coronavirus, all people, particularly children, urgently need to build relationships, connect with community and foster a sense of self.
	What makes a 'wave' of disease? An epidemiologist explains Panic about a second wave of coronavirus cases is "overblown," Vice President Mike Pence wrote in June, implying the U.S. has COVID-19 under control. On the other hand, Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warns that the U.S. is still firmly within a first wave of cases.
	Retractions and controversies over coronavirus research show that the process of science is working as it should Several high-profile papers on COVID-19 research have come under fire from people in the scientific community in recent weeks. Two articles addressing the safety of certain drugs when taken by COVID-19 patients were retracted, and researchers are calling for the retraction of a third paper that evaluated behaviors that mitigate coronavirus transmission.
	Social isolation: The COVID-19 pandemic's hidden health risk for older adults, and how to manage it As coronavirus cases rise again, it can be hard for older adults to see any end to the need for social isolation and the loneliness that can come with it.
	Type III interferon in COVID-19: Protective or harmful? Our immune system makes interferons and other cytokines to help us fight viruses. But in COVID-19, we've learned that they can also contribute to damaging, potentially life-threatening lung inflammation. New work published yesterday in the journal Science helps tease out the good from the bad for one interferon of interest: type III.
	Early face mask policies curbed COVID-19's spread, according to 198-country analysis Why have some countries, such as Italy and the United States, faced major public health crises with COVID-19 cases and related deaths, while others seem to have watched the pandemic come and go as merely a blip on the radar? A new study led by Virginia Commonwealth University's Christopher Leffler, M.D., currently in the peer review process, indicates that when governmental face mask requirements were put in place is a big factor.
	Your mask cuts own risk by 65 percent Scientific evidence is clear: Social distancing and wearing masks help prevent people from spreading COVID-19, and masks also protect those who wear them, two UC Davis Health experts said on UC Davis LIVE: COVID-19.
	Why realism is the key to wellbeing—new research Life coaches and motivational speakers often treat positive thinking as the key to happiness. Self-help books tend to promote a similar message, with Norman Vincent Peale's bestseller The Power of Positive Thinking claiming: "When you expect the best, you release a magnetic force in your mind which by a law of attraction tends to bring the best to you."
	Is the COVID-19 pandemic cure really worse than the disease? Here's what our research found The coronavirus pandemic catapulted the country into one of the deepest recessions in U.S. history, leaving millions of Americans without jobs or health insurance. There is a lot of evidence that economic hardship is associated with poor health and can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, mental health problems, cognitive dysfunction and early death.
	COVID-19 brain complications found around the globe Cases of brain disease linked to COVID-19 are occurring across the globe, a new review by University of Liverpool researchers has shown.
	Rare neurological disorder, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, linked to COVID-19 The patient in the case report (let's call him Tom) was 54 and in good health. For two days in May, he felt unwell and was too weak to get out of bed. When his family finally brought him to the hospital, doctors found that he had a fever and signs of a severe infection, or sepsis. He tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 infection. In addition to symptoms of COVID-19, he was also too weak to move his legs.
	US awards $1.6 billion to Novavax for COVID-19 vaccine The US on Tuesday announced it was providing $1.6 billion in funding for the development and manufacture of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate produced by biotech firm Novavax, the largest amount awarded under Operation Warp Speed.
	Brazil to become testing ground for coronavirus vaccine Brazil may be struggling in its battle against the coronavirus, but it is on the cutting edge of vaccine development with large-scale trials and the production of millions of doses on the horizon.
	Surgical delay associated with increased risk in some gastrointestinal malignancies Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, widespread cancelations of electively-scheduled or 'non-emergency' operations were implemented to free up hospital beds and conserve protective equipment for health care workers. For some conditions, including cancer, timely surgery is critical for patients' survival. In a new study published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, a team of investigators at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) examined the effects of delaying surgery for gastrointestinal cancers.
	WHO: 'emerging evidence' on airborne coronavirus transmission The WHO pointed Tuesday to "emerging evidence" that the coronavirus might spread by air further than previously thought, and warned the pandemic was still accelerating.
	Researchers create air filter that can kill the coronavirus Researchers from the University of Houston, in collaboration with others, have designed a "catch and kill" air filter that can trap the virus responsible for COVID-19, killing it instantly.
	Chilblains in recent case series not tied to COVID-19 infection (HealthDay)—In a case series of 31 patients, published online June 25 in JAMA Dermatology, chilblains did not appear to be directly associated with COVID-19.
	Repurposing public health systems to decode COVID-19 Existing public health monitoring systems in the UK, could improve understanding of the risk factors associated with severe COVID-19.
	Australia's second-biggest city under new virus lockdown Five million Melbourne residents were ordered back into lockdown after coronavirus cases surged in Australia's second-biggest city Tuesday.
	Mumbai opens new hospitals as India virus deaths top 20,000 India's financial capital Mumbai opened four new coronavirus field hospitals on Tuesday—including one at a horseracing track—as the nationwide death toll jumped past 20,000.
	View mask refusers like drink drivers: leading scientist People who refuse to wear face masks during the coronavirus pandemic should be stigmatised the same as drink drivers, the head of the prestigious Royal Society science journal said Tuesday.
	Reducing COVID-19 home-based transmission: An illustrated video summary If someone in your home has symptoms of COVID-19, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of infection in yourself and others.
	Lessons from the 1918 pandemic: A U.S. city's past may hold clues Coronavirus infection rates continue to rise, with the number of new cases climbing in dozens of states and the U.S. reporting record numbers of cases on individual days. Hospitalization across the U.S. has dramatically jumped; some cities are seeing surges that threaten to overwhelm their health care systems.
	COVID-19: As offices reopen, here's what to expect if you're worried about getting sick on the job If you're among the tens of millions of people returning to work or preparing to do so after months sheltering in place, you may be worried it will put you and your family at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19.
	Coronavirus: misinformation is leading to 'fake news' anxieties in Dutch refugee communities The coronavirus pandemic has led to a crisis among asylum seekers and refugees in the Netherlands. According to our research, the start of the pandemic saw an information vacuum within this community, leading to a general atmosphere of confusion and anxiety and the spread of fake news.
	Melbourne's lockdown came too late. It's time to consider moving infected people outside the home From midnight Wednesday, all of Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will return to Stage 3 lockdown for six weeks. There are only four reasons for residents to leave their homes: shopping for essentials, care-giving, exercise, and work and study if it can't be done from home.
	New healthcare codes released, including terms used internationally to track coronavirus LOINC, created and maintained by the Regenstrief Institute, is amplifying its global work to help track the coronavirus by releasing new standardized codes for healthcare systems' laboratory tests, clinical observations and other data.
	Europe coronavirus deaths top 200,000 More than 200,000 people have now died from the novel coronavirus in Europe, according to an AFP tally based on official sources as of 1310 GMT Tuesday.
	Australia locks down millions as US struggles to contain virus Australia on Tuesday ordered millions of people locked down in its second-biggest city to combat a surge in coronavirus cases, as nations across the planet scrambled to stop the rampaging pandemic.
	Protective gear for medical workers begins to run low again The personal protective gear that was in dangerously short supply during the early weeks of the coronavirus crisis in the U.S. is running low again as the virus resumes its rapid spread and the number of hospitalized patients climbs.
	The importance of epidemiological modeling As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, epidemiological models continue to provide vital information for lawmakers, public health officials, and individuals trying to slow the spread of the virus.
	Existing osteoporosis drug shows potential for treating COVID-19 An EU-backed high-performance computing platform has tested the impact of known molecules against the genomic structure of coronavirus and identified an already-registered generic medication's efficacy.
	New York requires visitors from 3 more states to quarantine New York is now requiring people from three additional states to quarantine for 14 days as more individuals are testing positive for COVID-19 nationwide.
	Catalonia wants to toughen mask-wearing rules Regional officials in Catalonia said Tuesday they want to toughen the existing rules to make wearing masks compulsory in public, to stem a rising number of coronavirus cases.
	Iran reports record one-day coronavirus death toll of 200 Iran announced on Tuesday 200 more deaths from the coronavirus, the most in a single day since the Middle East's deadliest outbreak began in February.
	Serbia to reintroduce virus lockdown after new case spike Serbia's president announced the reintroduction of a lockdown after the Balkan country reported its highest single-day death toll from the coronavirus Tuesday.
	US announces free COVID-19 testing in three southern hotspots The United States on Tuesday announced it was offering free COVID-19 testing to people without symptoms to stem a surge of cases in three southern hotspots.
	U.S. coronavirus cases near 3 million as hospitals in Sun Belt fill up with patients (HealthDay)—With the number of coronavirus cases in the United States approaching 3 million on Monday, hospitals across the Sun Belt continued to be flooded with COVID-19 patients.
	Social distancing effective for mitigating COVID-19 spread (HealthDay)—Social distancing is one of the main measures to combat COVID-19 spread, according to a study published online July 1 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
	COVID-19 outbreaks at meat processing plants are hitting minorities hard (HealthDay)—Workers from ethnic and minority groups make up nearly all meatpacking employees who've been infected during COVID-19 outbreaks at their facilities, a new government study reveals.
Chile tops 300,000 virus cases, plans to lift lockdown Chile surpassed 300,000 coronavirus cases on Tuesday after reporting more than 2,400 new infections over the last 24 hours, prompting the South American country to move ahead with easing its lockdown.

Other Sciences news

	Seeking ancestral commonalities with modern human body type, researchers find stockier answer An ancestor to modern humans had a stockier build than previously thought—one that is quite different from today's human body—a team of paleoanthropologists has discovered. This newly established distinction suggests that the modern human body evolved more recently than once believed.
	Famous 'Jurassic Park' dinosaur is less lizard, more bird From movies to museum exhibits, the dinosaur Dilophosaurus is no stranger to pop culture. Many probably remember it best from the movie "Jurassic Park," where it's depicted as a venom-spitting beast with a rattling frill around its neck and two paddle-like crests on its head.
	New evidence helps form digital reconstruction of most important medieval shrine The shrine of Saint Thomas Becket, the most important pilgrimage destination in medieval England—visited for hundreds of years by pilgrims seeking miraculous healing—has been digitally reconstructed for the public, according to how experts believe it appeared before its destruction.
	Incoming CEOs with premium pay packages perform accordingly, study shows The average pay package for CEOs at top U.S. companies surpassed $12 million last year, according to the latest Associated Press survey, as boards attempted to keep pace in the labor market for CEO talent.
	New study finds that Miami English is its own unique dialect Many in Miami first come to realize they speak 'Miami English' when they, well, leave Miami.
	Overcoming the bystander effect in chemical ethics For PNNL chemist and Air Force veteran Kabrena Rodda, living by an honor code is second nature. Her time at the Air Force Academy as both a cadet and later an instructor, instilled in her the value—and possibility—of a community that joins to uphold a standard of ideals, honesty, and responsibility.
	Research reveals which types of leaders are more likely to burn out Being everything to everyone or being too hands-off are leadership styles that are more likely to lead to burnout in managers, according to a University of Alberta business study.
	Big data analytics shows how America's individualism complicates coronavirus response To understand America's response to the coronavirus pandemic, researchers started with data from more than 200 years ago—at the American frontier.
Evidence for rapid growth of 'orthodox' Anglican churches in sub Saharan Africa questioned New research published by an Aberdeen academic has drawn into question claims that churches in the global south have experienced a growth in new converts as a result of their 'orthodoxy', particularly when it comes to the LGBTQ movement.
	Interplay of impact, moral goals influences charitable giving to different causes Charitable giving is a nearly half-trillion-dollar sector of the U.S. economy, but what accounts for why some individuals, foundations and corporations give locally while others give to charities on the other side of the globe? According to a new paper co-written by a University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign expert in consumer behavior and global marketing, the dynamic interplay between the accessibility of local impact versus more global goals can influence charitable behaviors between donors and recipients.
	First time buyer? You'll get the best treatment if you have a British or French accent If you're a first time buyer with a British or French accent then the chances are you will be treated to the highest level of customer service by estate agents, according to a new, mystery shopping-style study from researchers at the University of Sheffield.
	Forbidden herbs? The effects of cannabis were a controversial topic 250 years ago Should cannabis be legalized for medicinal purposes or will it remain an illegal drug? This has been discussed in many countries for years—and has been a point of contention for much longer than expected: Already in Mexico in the 18th century, priest and scientist José Antonio Alzate y Ramírez campaigned for the healing effects of the controversial plant—against the position of the Spanish Crown and the Inquisition. The historian Dr. Laura Dierksmeier from the Collaborative Research Center Resource Cultures at the University of Tübingen examines the public debate at that time in Mexico. Her study "Forbidden herbs: Alzate's defense of pipiltzintzintlis" was published on July 7th in the journal Colonial Latin American Review.
	Early childhood education centers can boost parents' engagement at home COVID-19 has temporarily shuttered many early childhood education centers across the country, shifting full-time child care and teaching responsibilities largely to parents.
	New rules: Foreign pupils must leave US if classes go online International students will be forced to leave the U.S. or transfer to another college if their schools offer classes entirely online this fall, under new guidelines issued Monday by federal immigration authorities.
	How to build a better Canada after COVID-19: The power of everyday actions can bring about change I teach in gender studies, where I spend time with university students discussing critical issues that shape our society —power, violence, racism and colonialism. My students learn that histories are complicated and alive in the present.
	COVID-19 demonstrates why wealth matters While COVID-19 has impacted all individuals, the impact has not been equal. In a new national Socioeconomic Impact of COVID-19 survey, the Social Policy Institute (SPI) at Washington University in St. Louis found that liquid assets increased the likelihood that an individual could practice social distancing. However, Black individuals were least likely to afford social distancing.
	Does voting by mail increase the risk of voter fraud? We are living in the midst of a global pandemic. And there is a bitter partisan debate unfolding on whether more Americans should cast their votes through the mail during a time when going out may be hazardous to peoples' health.
	Report reveals the technology behind bank card gambling blockers works, but millions do not have access A new review of the availability, uptake, and effectiveness of bank card gambling blockers in the UK has found an estimated 28 million personal current accounts do not have the option to block gambling expenditure.
	Video: How COVID-19 is affecting support for mail-in voting How will opinions change as cases across the country fluctuate—particularly in states, such as Arizona or Florida, where cases are rising sharply? .
	Should architecturally significant low-income housing be preserved? This past January, in Buffalo, New York, the second phase of demolition for a low-income housing complex called Shoreline Apartments commenced.
	Colleges that emphasize activism have more civically engaged students Students tend to be more engaged in activism if the school that they attend emphasizes social and political issues, according to new research featuring faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York.
	COVID-related discrimination disproportionately impacts racial minorities Discrimination by someone who perceives you to be infected with coronavirus is an experience nearly a quarter of all U.S. residents have in common—particularly racial minorities.
	Why nature, history and American culture all make social isolation difficult As politicians consider ways to stem the rising number of COVID-19 cases, public spaces have become battlegrounds for those tired of the closures.

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