US Covid-19 cases hit record for third day, topping 127,000: monitor

The United States has set a third straight daily record for new COVID-19 infections, notching more than 127,000 cases, John Hopkins University reported Friday.

FDA panel urges rejection of experimental Alzheimer's drug

Government health advisers sharply criticized a closely watched Alzheimer's drug on Friday, concluding there wasn't enough evidence that the experimental drug slowed the brain-destroying disease.

Six countries reported coronavirus on mink farms, WHO says

Denmark and the United States are among six countries that have reported new coronavirus cases linked to mink farms, the World Health Organization said.

Physical distancing polices not enough to protect lower-income people

A new Boston University School of Public Health study of the first four months of America's coronavirus epidemic, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, shows that physical distancing (also called "social distancing") policies had little effect on lower income people still needing to leave their homes to go to work—but does show them staying home when they could.

New findings for viral research on bicycle crashes at railroad crossings

New research by Professor Chris Cherry follows his previous research that drew worldwide attention to the frequency of bicycle crashes at a railway crossing near his UT office.

Coming out as bisexual associated with increased risk of smoking: study

For many years, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other non-heterosexual (LGB+) folks have been known to be more likely to smoke than their straight counterparts.

Reducing dementia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The incidence of dementia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is lower in patients receiving biologic or targeted synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) than in patients who receive conventional synthetic DMARDs, according to a new study. The study was presented at the virtual annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

Underinsurance is growing, but HSAs aren't keeping up: study

High deductible health plans (HDHPs) have become much more common among all racial/ethnic and income groups, but the health savings accounts (HSAs) that make these plans potentially workable are far less common among Black, Hispanic, and lower-income enrollees—and the gap is growing.

Storm Eta leaves 150 dead or missing in Guatemala

About 150 people have died or remain unaccounted for in Guatemala due to mudslides caused by powerful storm Eta, which devastated an indigenous village in the country's north, President Alejandro Giammattei said Friday.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-storm-eta-dead-guatemala.html

How cell processes round up and dump damaged proteins

In a new paper with results that senior author Eric Strieter at the University of Massachusetts Amherst calls "incredibly surprising," he and his chemistry lab group report that they have discovered how an enzyme known as UCH37 regulates a cell's waste management system.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-cell-dump-proteins.html

Mystery of glacial lake floods solved

A long-standing mystery in the study of glaciers was recently —- and serendipitously—solved by a team led by University of Hawai'i at Mānoa astrobiologist and earth scientist Eric Gaidos. Their findings were published this week in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-mystery-glacial-lake.html

Migration and molt affect how birds change their colors

In late summer and autumn, millions of birds fly above our heads, often at night, winging their way toward their wintering grounds.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-migration-molt-affect-birds.html

Study projects more rainfall in Florida during flooding season

A new study by researchers at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science projects an increase in Florida's late summertime rainfall with rising Atlantic Ocean temperatures.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-rainfall-florida-season.html

Why consumers think pretty food is healthier

A researcher from University of Southern California published a new paper in the Journal of Marketing that explores whether attractive food might seem healthier to consumers. The study forthcoming in the Journal of Marketing is titled "Pretty Healthy Food: How and When Aesthetics Enhance Perceived Healthiness" and is authored by Linda Hagen.

source https://phys.org/news/2020-11-consumers-pretty-food-healthier.html