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Science News Archive May 2013 - Page 27


Page 27 of 30

Genome sequencing provides unprecedented insight into causes of pneumococcal disease

A study using genome sequencing technology revealed that pneumococcal bacteria population shifted from targeted vaccine strains to rare, pre-existing types, explaining the vaccine's effectiveness. This breakthrough enables real-time surveillance of bacterial populations, improving understanding of vaccination effectiveness and future d...

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 5, 2013

Discovery helps show how breast cancer spreads

Researchers have discovered that breast cancer patients with dense breasts are more likely to develop aggressive tumors. A protein called DDR2 plays a key role in this process, facilitating the spread of cancer cells by activating a multistep pathway.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateMay 5, 2013

A new cost-effective genome assembly process

A new cost-effective genome assembly process has been developed by a collaboration between DOE/JGI, Pacific Biosciences, and the University of Washington. The HGAP method produces final assemblies with >99.999% accuracy using single molecule real-time DNA sequencing, eliminating the need for circular consensus sequencing.

SourceDOE/Joint Genome Institute·JournalNature Methods·DateMay 5, 2013

Unusual comparison nets new sleep loss marker

Scientists have identified a human gene, ITGA5, that becomes more active after sleep deprivation, offering a potential new marker for detecting sleep loss. The discovery was made through cross-translational research with fruit flies, which allowed the researchers to identify genes in humans and then test them in flies.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 3, 2013

'Going negative' pays for nanotubes

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to create liquid crystals from negatively charged carbon nanotubes, allowing for easier functionalization and potentially leading to stronger, more conductive fibers. This breakthrough could significantly improve the creation of macro materials out of microscopic nanotubes.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateMay 3, 2013

$1 million for smart energy solutions

Concordia University's NSERC Smart Net-zero Energy Buildings Strategic Network has received $1 million in new funding from Natural Resources Canada. This grant will support research and testing of progressive technologies to create net-zero energy homes and commercial buildings.

Monkey math

A study with zoo baboons found that they can accurately discriminate between different quantities, relying on a cognitive approach known as the analog system. This ability is shared by humans and children who have not yet learned to count, suggesting a fundamental talent for making approximate quantity judgments.

New mouse model confirms how type 2 diabetes develops

Researchers created a new mouse model to study the development of type 2 diabetes, using middle-aged mice fed fatty food until old age. The study confirmed that inflammation in pancreatic islets leads to the disease, while DPP-4 inhibitors maintain good insulin production and prevent inflammation.

SourceLund University·JournalDiabetologia·DateMay 3, 2013

Telling time on Saturn

A University of Iowa undergraduate student has discovered that Saturn's magnetosphere changes with the seasons, helping to clarify the planet's day length. The findings may alter our understanding of the Earth's magnetosphere and Van Allen radiation belts.

New mechanism discovered in meiosis

Researchers have identified a new mechanism governing critical processes in sexual reproduction during meiosis. The discovery reveals that a step-2 enzyme is modified by SUMO proteins, altering its function and working together with an unaltered enzyme to form SUMO chains.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMay 3, 2013

Anesthesia selection impacts outcomes in patients with sleep apnea undergoing joint replacement

Using regional anesthesia instead of general anesthesia decreases major complications in patients with sleep apnea undergoing total joint replacement. This study found that neuraxial anesthesia improves outcomes, reducing pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and infectious complications, as well as acute renal failure and hospital length of stay.

SourceHospital for Special Surgery·JournalRegional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine·DateMay 3, 2013

Birth of a black hole

Astronomers may witness the birth of a black hole for the first time using a new analysis that predicts a distinct burst of light just before the black hole forms. The study suggests that this signature light burst could be detectable in nearby galaxies and provide valuable insights into black-hole formation.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 3, 2013

The risks of H7N9 infection mapped

A study maps H7N9 risk in eastern China by analyzing bird migration patterns and poultry distribution. The model predicts future infection risks across central and western China, aiding surveillance and control of H7N9 infections.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalInfectious Diseases of Poverty·DateMay 3, 2013

Kids with brains that under-react to painful images

Researchers found that children with conduct problems show reduced brain activity in response to others' pain, potentially indicating early vulnerability to psychopathy. The study suggests tailoring interventions to individual profiles of atypical processing may help prevent future antisocial behavior.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 2, 2013

Researchers estimate a cost for universal access to energy

Universal access to modern energy could be achieved with an estimated investment of $65-86 billion per year up until 2030. The proposed investments equate to just 3-4% of current global energy system investments. Improved access to clean-cooking fuels and stoves could avert between 0.6 and 1.8 million premature deaths in 2030.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMay 2, 2013

Unethical advertising at launch of antidepressants

A recent Lund University study analyzed antidepressant ads in the Swedish Medical Journal between 1994 and 2003, finding that 34% were deemed misleading by industry self-regulation. The review process was criticized for being ineffective, with only 0.009% of sales revenue fined for unethical marketing.

SourceLund University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 2, 2013