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Science News Archive May 2013 - Page 29


Page 29 of 30

Making cancer less cancerous

A Johns Hopkins study found that suppressing a key gene, HMGA1, in tumor cells reduces their aggression and growth. The researchers hope to develop a new therapy based on this principle to treat tumors resistant to current drugs.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 2, 2013

Ebola's secret weapon revealed

Scientists at UTMB discovered that Ebola short-circuits the immune system using proteins that shut down cellular signaling related to interferon, preventing dendritic cell maturation and generating an ineffective adaptive immune response. The researchers found that specific regions of two different proteins are crucial for this mechanism.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalJournal of Virology·DateMay 2, 2013

JCI early table of contents for May 1, 2013

Researchers identified a specific pattern of DNA modifications dependent on HPV presence that correlates with improved survival in patients with OPSCC. A new combination therapy for PEL was found to reactivate virus-induced cell lysis and induce cancer cell death, increasing mouse lifespan.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 1, 2013

Gentle touch and the bionic eye

Researchers suggest using haptic devices early in children fitted with visual prosthetics and for older congenitally blind and late-blind individuals. Haptics provide supplementary information that helps train the brain to understand electrical input from prosthetics, leading to improved outcomes.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Autonomous and Adaptive Communications Systems·DateMay 1, 2013

Genetic cause for migraines found

A recent study published in Science Translational Medicine has identified a genetic mutation that makes people more susceptible to migraine headaches. This finding is significant because it represents the first demonstration of a genetic cause for migraines, which could lead to new research avenues and potential treatments.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 1, 2013

Riders take load off horses

A study by Patricia de Cocq and colleagues found that 'rising trot' reduces the force exerted on a horse's back, decreasing the risk of injury. By analyzing data from experienced dressage riders using both techniques, they showed that rising trot significantly reduced the load on horses' backs.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMay 1, 2013

Study shows growing gap between teens' materialism and desire to work hard

Researchers found a growing gap between materialism and the desire to work hard among recent high school graduates. Materialism peaked in the 80s and 90s with Generation X, but has continued to stay high. In contrast, work ethic declined, with 39% of students admitting they didn't want to work hard in 2005-07 compared to 25% in 1976-78.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMay 1, 2013

The biology behind binge eating

A study by Michigan State University scientists discovered sex differences in binge eating rates among female and male rats, suggesting biological factors contribute to eating disorder prevalence. The study's findings have implications for understanding risk factors and mechanisms in humans.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·DateMay 1, 2013

Proper cleat choice gives turf injuries the boot

A literature review highlights the evolution of synthetic playing surfaces and their association with injuries, particularly to the foot, ankle, toe, and knee. The study suggests that optimal shoe-playing surface conditions are level and sport-specific, and further research is needed to improve playing conditions for all athletes.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateMay 1, 2013

Searching for therapeutic synergy in primary effusion lymphoma

Researchers found that a Bortezomib/Vorinostat combination therapy reactivated virus-induced cell lysis and induced PEL cell death, increasing the lifespan of mice with PEL tumors. This treatment combination could potentially be beneficial for immunocompromised patients with KSHV-associated malignancies.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 1, 2013

New genetic clues to breast and ovarian cancer

A major international study has found that sequence differences in a gene crucial to chromosome integrity predispose individuals to certain cancers. The study, published in Nature Genetics, identified variations in the TERT gene as influencing telomere length and breast and ovarian cancer risk.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 1, 2013

Vitamin D: More may not be better

New research from Johns Hopkins finds that high doses of vitamin D supplements do not confer additional benefits on cardiovascular health or longevity in healthy adults. However, elderly individuals, postmenopausal women, and those with kidney disease may still benefit from higher blood levels of the sunshine vitamin.

Gastric bypass findings could lead to diabetes treatment

A recent study at Lund University has discovered a key factor behind gastric bypass surgery's ability to rapidly send type 2 diabetes into remission. The researchers found that insulin levels and intestinal hormones increase significantly after the procedure, suggesting a new potential treatment avenue for diabetes patients.

SourceLund University·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMay 1, 2013

Brain region may hold key to aging

Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have found that the hypothalamus controls aging throughout the body, opening up new avenues for treating age-related diseases. Activating specific pathways can accelerate or slow down aging, and blocking them may increase longevity by up to 20 percent.

Reflections on chevaline

A recent horse meat detection incident in European food products led to concerns in the US. The incident involved tiny amounts of horse meat mistakenly added to beef products due to equipment issues. The American Chemical Society discusses the issue and its implications for the US market.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMay 1, 2013

Bug's view inspires new digital camera's unique imaging capabilities

Researchers have created a digital camera with a design inspired by the arthropod eye, offering exceptionally wide-angle fields of view and low aberrations. The camera uses large arrays of tiny focusing lenses and miniaturized detectors in hemispherical layouts, providing unmatched field of view and other powerful capabilities in imaging.