Deep-CEE: The AI deep learning tool helping astronomers explore deep space

Galaxy clusters are some of the most massive structures in the cosmos, but despite being millions of lightyears across, they can still be hard to spot. Researchers at Lancaster University have turned to artificial intelligence for assistance, developing "Deep-CEE" (Deep Learning for Galaxy Cluster Extraction and Evaluation), a novel deep learning technique to speed up the process of finding them. Matthew Chan, a Ph.D. student at Lancaster University, is presenting this work at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy meeting on 4 July at 3:45pm in the Machine Learning in Astrophysics session.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/deep-cee-the-ai-deep-learning-tool-helping-astronomers-explore-deep-space

Collision course: Amateur astronomers play a part in efforts to keep space safe

Heavy traffic is commonplace on Earth but now congestion is becoming an increasing problem in space. With over 22,000 artificial satellites in orbit it is essential to keep track of their positions in order to avoid unexpected collisions. Amateur astronomers from the Basingstoke Astronomical Society have been helping the Ministry of Defence explore what is possible using high-end consumer equipment to track objects in space.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/collision-course-amateur-astronomers-play-a-part-in-efforts-to-keep-space-safe

Substantial increase in body weight since 1960s due to interplay between genes and environment

People with a genetic predisposition to obesity are not only at greater risk of excess weight, their genes interact with an increasingly "obesogenic" environment, resulting in higher body mass index (BMI) in recent decades, finds a study from Norway published by The BMJ today.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/substantial-increase-in-body-weight-since-1960s-due-to-interplay-between-genes-and-environment

A tasty way to get your omega-3s

(HealthDay)—It's well known that omega-3 fatty acids, or omega-3s for short, are important anti-inflammatory nutrients that, along with many other functions, reduce heart disease risk. What's unclear is whether you can get these benefits from a capsule. Studies involving supplements have recently been called into question.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/a-tasty-way-to-get-your-omega-3s

'We know better than this': As Ebola outbreak rages, the world just watches

The Ebola outbreak raging through Congo has sickened thousands of people and killed more than 1,500—and the number of new victims continues to climb.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/we-know-better-than-this-as-ebola-outbreak-rages-the-world-just-watches

Toxic algae increases in Florida's Lake Okeechobee

Recent tests results show that toxic amounts of blue-green algae have surfaced in Lake Okeechobee, according to data released by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/toxic-algae-increases-in-floridas-lake-okeechobee

Team discovers control of cell signaling using a cobalt (III)-nitrosyl complex

Two professors' joint research team has discovered how to synthesize new materials to deliver nitric oxide, which controls the cell activation signal. The cell signaling control is expected to contribute positively to the development of treatment for cardiovascular diseases.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/team-discovers-control-of-cell-signaling-using-a-cobalt-iii-nitrosyl-complex

New high blood pressure guidelines could increase detection of gestational hypertension

Gestational hypertension—high blood pressure during pregnancy—can have persisting adverse effects on the health of mothers and their infants. In 2017, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) released clinical guidelines for hypertension in non-pregnant adults, which lowered the blood pressure threshold to diagnose hypertension, compared to previously established ones. However, the new ACC/AHA guidelines have not been adapted or applied to pregnant women. Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital and colleagues conducted the first-ever study to evaluate the impact these guidelines could have on detecting gestational hypertension. The results of the retrospective cohort study were published today in the journal Circulation Research.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/new-high-blood-pressure-guidelines-could-increase-detection-of-gestational-hypertension

Physicists develop model that describes length growth in biological systems

"Grandmother, why do you have such big ears?" is one of the most well-known questions in literature, posed of course by Red Riding Hood as she hesitantly observes the wolf dressed in her Grandmother's clothes. Had Red Riding Hood been a physicist, she might well have asked: "Grandmother, why are your two ears exactly the same length?"

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/physicists-develop-model-that-describes-length-growth-in-biological-systems

Activity of fuel cell catalysts doubled

An interdisciplinary research team at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has built platinum nanoparticles for catalysis in fuel cells: The new size-optimized catalysts are twice as potent as the best process commercially available today.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/activity-of-fuel-cell-catalysts-doubled

Cool new wearable devices can do miracles for your health

From a small light-up pad that makes your bruise fade faster to a strip of gel that minimizes scars, new innovations to improve your health needs are on their way.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/cool-new-wearable-devices-can-do-miracles-for-your-health

Hospitals address opioid crisis via stewardship with strong pharmacist involvement

As hospitals look for ways to stem the opioid crisis, a survey of health-system pharmacy directors released today found that most large health systems have active stewardship programs to prevent the misuse of opioids—with pharmacists playing a key role in detecting drug diversion and identifying strategies to encourage appropriate opioid prescribing. The findings are part of the National Survey of Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Settings, published in the AJHP, the journal of ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists). The survey also explores the expanding role of hospital and health-system pharmacists in drug therapy monitoring and providing care in outpatient clinics.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/hospitals-address-opioid-crisis-via-stewardship-with-strong-pharmacist-involvement

Black (nano)gold to combat climate change

Global warming is a serious threat to the planet and living beings. One of the main causes of global warming is the increase in the atmospheric CO2 level. The main source of this CO2 is from the burning of fossil fuels in our daily lives (electricity, vehicles, industry and many more).

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/black-nanogold-to-combat-climate-change

Measles vaccine takes effect within weeks, also safeguards health of others

Dear Mayo Clinic: How long does it take to become immune from measles once one has gotten the measles vaccine? And given the current outbreak, would it be beneficial for me to get a booster vaccine even though I was vaccinated against measles as a child?

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/measles-vaccine-takes-effect-within-weeks-also-safeguards-health-of-others

U.N. chief heads back to Caribbean to raise the alarm about climate change, hurricanes

Almost two years after he visited the Caribbean to see for himself the devastation left by hurricanes Irma and Maria in Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is back—this time to meet with leaders of the 15-member Caribbean Community, Caricom, in St. Lucia.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/u-n-chief-heads-back-to-caribbean-to-raise-the-alarm-about-climate-change-hurricanes

Brain Corp., maker of robot janitors for Walmart, moving into European market

Brain Corp., which recently nearly tripled its orders from Walmart for self-driving, floor-scrubbing robots, is now making its first foray into Europe by opening a satellite office in the Netherlands.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/brain-corp-maker-of-robot-janitors-for-walmart-moving-into-european-market

NASA peers into hurricane Barbara's heavy rainfall

The Global Precipitation Measurement mission or GPM core satellite passed over the storm and measured the rate in which rain was falling throughout it.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/nasa-peers-into-hurricane-barbaras-heavy-rainfall

Perfect timing: Making the 'switch' from juvenile to adult

Very little is known about how the onset of puberty is controlled in humans, but the discovery of a new gene in the roundworm C. elegans could be the "missing link" that determines when it's time to make this juvenile-to-adult transition. Two genes, LIN28 and MKRN3, are known to be associated with precocious puberty in humans, where juveniles as young as six may start developing adult features. These genes are found in all animals, including C. elegans, in which they also control the juvenile-to-adult transition. Until the new discovery, it was unclear how these two genes are connected.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/perfect-timing-making-the-switch-from-juvenile-to-adult

Inspired by snails, researchers invent a reversible adhesive strong enough to hold a person

Superglue is incredibly useful—right until you end up attached to your craft project. But a new adhesive invented by University of Pennsylvania scientists is just as strong as standard superglue, and far more forgiving. The adhesive, based on snail slime, can be unattached and reattached over and over without losing its strength, and may save manufacturers from costly mistakes.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/inspired-by-snails-researchers-invent-a-reversible-adhesive-strong-enough-to-hold-a-person

A common chemical in these household items linked to osteoporosis, study says

There are a few household products we use everyday, but they could increase your osteoporosis risk, according to a new report.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/a-common-chemical-in-these-household-items-linked-to-osteoporosis-study-says

Superbug virulence regulatory mechanism revealed: Paving the way for developing new antibiotics

As antibiotic resistance is growing and posing a threat to public health, developing new antibiotics has become more urgent than ever. Researchers at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) have recently revealed the virulence regulatory mechanism in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a superbug which is common in patients with a weak immune system and is resistant to many antibiotics. The findings pave the way for identifying good antibiotic targets for new drug development.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/superbug-virulence-regulatory-mechanism-revealed-paving-the-way-for-developing-new-antibiotics

Tanezumab improves scores for pain, function in osteoarthritis

(HealthDay)—For patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee or hip, tanezumab is associated with significant improvements in pain and physical function versus placebo, according to a study published in the July 2 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/tanezumab-improves-scores-for-pain-function-in-osteoarthritis

Doctors shrugged off athlete's gasping, until one heart surgeon listened

Back in her office after the New Year's holiday, Cat Oyler, then 45, struggled to catch her breath.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/doctors-shrugged-off-athletes-gasping-until-one-heart-surgeon-listened

US waste driving global garbage glut: study

The United States is driving a worldwide waste boom that poses a severe risk to human health, the environment and the economy, according to anew study of global garbage trends published Wednesday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/us-waste-driving-global-garbage-glut-study

3-D printing recreates ancient sculpture destroyed by ISIS

A figure of a roaring lion, about the size of a loaf of bread, is the latest step in the fight to preserve culture from conflict.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/3-d-printing-recreates-ancient-sculpture-destroyed-by-isis

Boeing to give $100 mn to 737 MAX crash victims' families, communities

Boeing announced Wednesday it would give $100 million to communities and families affected by two crashes on its 737 MAX planes that claimed 346 lives.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/boeing-to-give-100-mn-to-737-max-crash-victims-families-communities

Inhibition of HER2 on tumor cells by molecularly imprinted nanoparticles

A particularly aggressive, metastasizing form of cancer, HER2-positive breast cancer, may be treated with nanoscopic particles "imprinted" with specific binding sites for the receptor molecule HER2. As reported by Chinese researchers in the journal Angewandte Chemie, the selective binding of the nanoparticles to HER2 significantly inhibits multiplication of the tumor cells.

* This article was originally published here

Using artificial intelligence to better predict severe weather

When forecasting weather, meteorologists use a number of models and data sources to track shapes and movements of clouds that could indicate severe storms. However, with increasingly expanding weather data sets and looming deadlines, it is nearly impossible for them to monitor all storm formations—especially smaller-scale ones—in real time.

* This article was originally published here

Depression is common and linked with early death in patients with blood cancers

In a Psycho-Oncology study of patients newly diagnosed with lymphoma or multiple myeloma, one-third of participants reported depressive symptoms around the time of diagnosis, and depressive symptoms were linked with shorter survival. Shorter survival was observed in both patients who remained depressed and patients who recovered from depressive symptoms.

* This article was originally published here

Robot arm tastes with engineered bacteria

A robotic gripping arm that uses engineered bacteria to "taste" for a specific chemical has been developed by engineers at the University of California, Davis, and Carnegie Mellon University. The gripper is a proof-of-concept for biologically-based soft robotics.

* This article was originally published here