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Background: Period tracking applications (apps) allow women to track their menstrual cycles and receive a prediction for their period dates. The majority of apps also provide predictions of ovulation day and the fertile window. Research indicates apps are basing predictions on assuming women undergo a textbook 28-day cycle with ovulation occurring on day 14 and a fertile window between days 10 and 16. Objective: To determine how the information period tracker apps give women on their period dates, ovulation day and fertile window compares to expected results from big data. Methods: Five women’s profiles for 6 menstrual cycles were created and entered into 10 apps. Cycle length and ovulation day for the sixth cycle were Woman 1—Constant 28 day cycle length, ovulation day 16; Woman 2—Average 23 day cycle length, ovulation day 13; Woman 3—Average 28 day cycle length, ovulation day 17; Woman 4—Average 33 day cycle length, ovulation day 20; and Woman 5—Irregular, average 31 day cycle length, ovulation day 14. Results: The 10 period tracker apps examined gave conflicting information on period dates, ovulation day and the fertile window. For cycle length, the apps all predicted woman 1’s cycles correctly but for women 2–5, the apps predicted 0 to 8 days shorter or longer than expected. For day of ovulation, for women 1–4, of the 36 predictions, 3 (8%) were exactly correct, 9 predicted 1 day too early (25%) and 67% of predictions were 2–9 days early. For woman 5, most of the apps predicted a later day of ovulation. Conclusion: Period tracker apps should ensure they only give women accurate information, especially for the day of ovulation and the fertile window which can only be predicted if using a marker of ovulation, such as basal body temperature, ovulation sticks or cervical mucus.

Treatment with molecularly-targeted therapy has revolutionized cancer care, including BRAF/MEK-targeted melanoma therapy. However responses are heterogenous and frequently not long-lasting. Novel strategies to target resistance are needed. We studied a cohort of patients with resectable metastatic melanoma treated with neoadjuvant BRAF/MEK-targeted therapy (n=52) and noted a strong sexual dimorphism in response to treatment, with female patients demonstrating significantly higher rates of a major pathologic response (MPR) (p=0.0001). RNA sequencing of tumors demonstrated enrichment of androgen-related genes in those failing to achieve MPR. Pre-clinical studies validated these findings, with significantly increased tumor growth in male vs female mice treated with BRAF/MEK inhibitors (BRAF/MEKi) (p=0.0005). Androgen receptor (AR) expression was upregulated in tumors of BRAF/MEKi-treated mice, and modulation of AR signaling via AR-blockade or castration was associated with significantly slower tumor growth (p=0.0001 and p=0.00004, respectively). Together, these results have important implications in the context of treatment with BRAF/MEKi-targeted therapy.

Study question What are the underlying reasons for low male engagement in fertility and reproductive health discussions and decision-making? Summary answer The perception of women's primacy in fertility and reproductive health limits the extent to which men believe their engagement is important. What is known already Active participation of men in the process of informed decision-making regarding childbearing is beneficial for mother, father, and child. However, in research studies in these areas, little attention has been given to men. Additionally, there is poor engagement by men, as well as a dearth of information from, and on, the male perspective. Study design size duration In total, 35 semi-structured telephone and face-to-face interviews were conducted in an office setting with three groups: 13 lay women, 13 lay men, and 9 (2 male and 7 female) healthcare professionals. Interviews took place between October 2016 and February 2017. Participants/materials setting methods Participants were men and women of reproductive age from the general population and healthcare professionals who had completed an online fertility awareness survey and agreed to follow-up interviews. Interviews were audio recorded and lasted ~1 hour, during which participants were asked to provide their views on childbearing decision-making, and male and female representation in fertility and reproductive health. Data was transcribed verbatim and analysed qualitatively via framework analysis. Main results and the role of chance Both men and women saw fertility as a woman's issue, but from different viewpoints. Women saw it from the perspective of societal stereotypes regarding male and female roles, whereas men tended to defer to the woman's primacy in reproductive decisions. Men generally wanted to be involved in childbearing discussions and improve their fertility knowledge. However, they felt they did not have a voice on the topic because discussions have traditionally focused on women. The notion that men are not expected to be interested and engaged thus becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Healthcare professionals agreed that fertility was perceived as the woman's domain, but also highlighted that poor male involvement is typically observed across healthcare needs and is not necessarily unique to fertility and reproductive health. Limitations reasons for caution Due to the online recruitment method, there is a potential bias towards respondents of higher, rather than lower, socioeconomic status within the general population. Wider implications of the findings Fertility tends to be seen as a private topic. Additional concerted effort by reproductive health researchers, charity organisations, educators, healthcare service providers, and policy makers is needed to proactively encourage male involvement in reproductive decision-making. This can be achieved through normalising and breaking taboos around the topic, male-friendly research study design approaches, male-inclusive reproductive healthcare services, implementation of health policies that recognise the needs of men, encouraging male research staff representation, and age-appropriate educational programmes on sexual and reproductive health, which include boys and adolescents from a young age. Study funding/competing interests Research funding was received from SPD Development Co. Ltd. B.G. and S.J. are employed by SPD Development Co. Ltd. None of the other authors have any conflict of interest related to the discussed topic. Trial registration number Not applicable.

INTRODUCTION:Home ovulation tests are a convenient method to maximize chances of becoming pregnant naturally. This study examined intercourse patterns in women using tests and likelihood of pregnancy in relation to timing.METHODS:Women seeking to conceive used Clearblue Advanced digital ovulation te

Robotic balloons, also known as aerobots, have become candidates for collecting atmospheric data and detailed surface observations of Venus, Mars, and Titan. A mission to Venus over a decade ago used two of them. Their inclusion last year in attempts by a balloonist to circumnavigate the Earth aptly demonstrated their utility for remote sensing and in situ observations of planetary atmospheres. To simulate aspects of an aerobot mission, a small payload to measure local atmospheric conditions and balloon position and velocity was included on Solo Spirit “Round the World” flights during January and August of last year. These missions, flown in Roziere balloons, were attempts by Steve Fossett to become the first person to circumnavigate the globe in a balloon without stopping. Neither attempt was successful, but the aerobot came through with flying colors.