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Science News for June 10, 2013


New Loyola study on hepatitis C virus entry factor

Researchers at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine identified the disruption of iron uptake receptor TfR1 in Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected cells. The study shows that TfR1 mediates HCV entry and contributes to hepatic iron overload, a common complication in chronic HCV infections.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 10, 2013

Study reveals leakage of carbon from land to rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal regions

A new study found that human activities are increasing the movement of carbon from land to rivers, estuaries, and coastal regions, with a significant fraction stored in aquatic systems. This discovery affects current estimates of carbon storage on land, highlighting the need for accurate assessments of the 'land-ocean aquatic continuum'.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJun 10, 2013

How cells get a skeleton

A study found that high levels of contractile stress in animal cells can lead to the formation of a condensed layer of filaments beneath the cell membrane. This new understanding provides insight into the cortical layer's structure and function.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJun 10, 2013

Flowering at the right age

Researchers from Max Planck Institute find that Alpine rock cress measures age based on miR156 concentration, which decreases over time. This allows the plant to synchronize growth and flowering with environmental cues like vernalisation.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateJun 10, 2013

World Stem Cell Summit to be presented by Genetics Policy Institute, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., and Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News

The 2013 World Stem Cell Report will be published as a special supplement to the peer-reviewed journal Stem Cells and Development. The report delivers an orbital and unique viewpoint on regenerative medicine, featuring content from leading policy-makers, regulators, and experts.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateJun 10, 2013

The dance of the atoms

Scientists at the Vienna University of Technology have observed and explained the dance of atoms on iron-oxide surfaces. They found that carbon monoxide is the partner responsible for rapid motion, which leads to clustering and reduces the effectiveness of catalysts. A hydroxyl coating of the surface can suppress this effect.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 10, 2013

JCI early table of contents for June 10, 2013

Researchers found that HDAC3 is essential for DNA replication in hematopoietic progenitor cells and plays a critical role in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis by binding to the cellular protein FCγRIIb, which activates cell stress and death pathways. The study also identified a link between FCγRIIb and memory impairment in AD patients.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 10, 2013

Molecular imaging improves care for children with brain cancer

A new molecular imaging technique, F-18 FET, has been shown to be highly effective in detecting and differentiating brain lesions in children, with an accuracy rate of 94%. This study improves the clinical management of pediatric brain cancer patients by providing more accurate information about tumor progression and treatment.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJun 10, 2013

Quality-of-life issues need to be addressed for CML patients, Moffitt researchers say

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center found that chronic myeloid leukemia patients taking tyrosine kinase inhibitors experience distressing side effects such as depression, fatigue, nausea, and changes in appearance. These issues can significantly impact patients' quality of life for the rest of their treatment period.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalSupportive Care in Cancer·DateJun 10, 2013

Reputation can trump money

A study by Harvard researchers shows that making participation observable can significantly increase sign-ups for a California blackout prevention program, with a three-fold increase compared to using cash incentives alone. Observability puts people's reputation at stake, encouraging those who might not otherwise sign up to do so.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 10, 2013

To germinate, or not to germinate, that is the question…

Researchers at the University of York have identified a key regulator gene called SPATULA that controls the expression of five other genes affecting seed germination. The study, using the model plant Arabidopsis, reveals how different varieties respond to environmental stimuli, which could lead to the development of better quality seed...

SourceUniversity of York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 10, 2013

Women with severe morning sickness who take antihistamines more likely to experience bad outcomes

A UCLA study found that women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) who take antihistamines are more likely to experience bad outcomes, including low birth weight babies and premature births. The study also showed that these medications are not effective in treating HG symptoms

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalEuropean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology·DateJun 10, 2013

Suicide risk factors mapped

A landmark study of the Swedish population found depression (32-fold risk for suicide), anxiety (15-fold risk), COPD (3.05-fold risk) and poor social networks to be significant risk factors. The study also showed that unemployment was a stronger social risk factor among women, while being single was a stronger risk factor among men.

SourceLund University·JournalPsychological Medicine·DateJun 10, 2013

The diabetes 'breathalyzer'

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a sensor technology that can detect and monitor diabetes through breath analysis alone. The sensor uses a combination of titanium dioxide and carbon nanotubes to measure acetone vapors in breath, offering a potential alternative to current blood glucose monitoring methods.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 10, 2013

Partial livers from deceased donors saving the lives of infants

Researchers found that partial livers from deceased adult and teen donors have become less risky for infants, saving their lives. The study's findings suggest that the use of partial grafts from deceased donors has increased significantly over time, accounting for up to 32% of liver transplants in children.

SourceWiley·JournalLiver Transplantation·DateJun 10, 2013

Cost-effective: Universal HIV testing in India

A new study suggests that universal HIV testing in India could be a cost-effective strategy to save millions of lives. The study found that testing every five years would be the most cost-effective option, with a price tag of $1,900 per year of life saved in the general population and $1,300 per YLS among high-risk groups.

SourceBrown University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 10, 2013

High rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia found in small community hospitals

A new study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology reveals that small community hospitals experience a higher rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia than larger hospitals. The study found that patients on ventilators had long hospital stays and high mortality rates, suggesting that these under-resourced settings may ...

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateJun 10, 2013

Designated drivers don't always abstain, UF study finds

A University of Florida study found that 35% of designated drivers had consumed alcohol and had blood-alcohol levels high enough to impair their driving. The researchers also discovered that most designated drivers were not always chosen by those who had previously driven sober, which is a concerning trend.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·DateJun 10, 2013

2-D electronics take a step forward

Researchers at Rice University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have advanced on the goal of two-dimensional electronics by controlling the growth of uniform atomic layers of molybdenum disulfide. The material is a semiconductor, one of three needed to make functioning 2-D electronic components.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 10, 2013

Testing artificial photosynthesis

Researchers have developed a fully integrated microfluidic test-bed to evaluate and optimize solar-driven electrochemical energy conversion systems. The system has been used to study schemes for photovoltaic electrolysis of water and can be adapted to study artificial photosynthesis and fuel cell technologies.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateJun 10, 2013

Epigenetic factor likely plays a key role in fueling most common childhood cancer

A study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that epigenetic changes, such as cytosine methylation, are unique to each child with ALL and may be as important as genetic alterations in causing the disease. The research suggests that epigenetic targeted therapies could be developed for patients with ALL.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 10, 2013

Medicare beneficiaries substantially more likely to use brand-name drugs than VA patients

A nationwide study found Medicare beneficiaries are two to three times more likely to use brand-name drugs for diabetes and other conditions compared to VA patients. This difference in prescribing habits resulted in an estimated $1.4 billion savings in Medicare Part D spending if generic use matched the VA's approach.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 10, 2013

How Archaea might find their food

A German-American research team identified a sensor protein called MsmS in the microorganism Methanosarcina acetivorans. MsmS may serve as a 'food sensor' to detect energy sources, similar to bacteria but with potential differences in signal transduction systems.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJun 10, 2013

Catching individual molecules in a million with optical antennas inside nano-boxes

Researchers design and fabricate a tiny optical device called an 'antenna-in-box' that can detect and sense individual biomolecules at concentrations similar to those found in the cellular context. The device allows for enhanced single-molecule analysis and has potential applications in early disease diagnosis and molecular visualization.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 10, 2013