Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for April 21, 2013


New immune cells hint at eczema cause

Researchers have identified a new type of immune cell in the skin that plays a role in fighting parasitic invaders and could be linked to eczema. The discovery sheds light on the causes of allergic skin diseases and offers new hope for treating hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

SourceCentenary Institute·JournalNature Immunology·DateApr 21, 2013

Starting with 2 health behaviors may be better than 1

The study found that delivering physical activity and dietary interventions simultaneously may result in the most positive sustained outcomes across two important health behaviors. Participants who received simultaneous advice successfully increased both their dietary and physical activity levels to national recommendations by 12 months.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateApr 21, 2013

A check on tension

Researchers Arshad Desai and Christopher Campbell found that Aurora B kinase congregates on microtubules instead of the centromere, ensuring required tension is achieved on chromosomes. This discovery challenges prevailing model for how dividing cells monitor chromosome distribution.

Hundreds of alterations and potential drug targets to starve tumors identified

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have identified hundreds of metabolic expression changes and potential drug targets to cut off a tumor's fuel supply. The study, published in Nature Biotechnology, provides a comprehensive view of diverse metabolic alterations in cancer, shedding light on how tumors adapt their metaboli...

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 21, 2013