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Science News Archive April 2014 - Page 23


Page 23 of 32

The motion of the medium matters for self-assembling particles, Penn research shows

Researchers attach DNA-coated building blocks to form structures, but simulations predicted defects. They found hydrodynamic effects play a critical role in the structures' formation, making some patterns more likely than others. This discovery improves our understanding of particle assemblies and has implications for various systems.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 9, 2014

Butterfly larvae mimic queen ant to avoid detection

Parasitic butterfly larvae may use acoustic signals to infiltrate ant colonies, according to a study published in PLOS ONE. The larvae's sound patterns were found to be more similar to those of the queen ant than worker ants, suggesting a potential strategy for infiltration and exploitation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 9, 2014

Location matters when it comes to deal-making, says new study

A new study using the U.S. Senate Chamber as its laboratory found that co-sponsorship of bills is more likely to come from those sitting near each other, highlighting the importance of location in deal-making. The study's findings also showed that more senior senators rely on personal connections rather than their location for support.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalStrategic Management Journal·DateApr 8, 2014

Are Southern death-row inmates more polite?

A new study published in SAGE Open found that Southern death-row offenders are more likely to apologize for their crimes, with two times the frequency of non-Southerners. However, the degree of remorse shown by Southerners and non-Southerners did not differ.

SourceSAGE·JournalSAGE Open·DateApr 8, 2014

New epidemiology model combines multiple genomic data

A new epidemiology model developed by Brown University researcher Yen-Tsung Huang integrates genomic data from SNPs, gene expression, and methylation to find significant associations with diseases like asthma and brain cancer. The model improves performance and validity across different subjects, paving the way for further applications.

SourceBrown University·JournalBiostatistics·DateApr 8, 2014

More insights from tissue samples

A team of researchers has demonstrated the advantages of the HOPE fixation strategy, which preserves tissue structure while allowing modern analysis techniques like proteomics and phospho-proteomics. This breakthrough enables personalized medicine and opens up new opportunities for disease research and therapy.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Infection Research·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateApr 8, 2014

Poor neighborhoods create misfortune, ill health

Residents of poorer Chicago neighborhoods face more life-changing negative events and experience a range of serious health issues due to the complex interplay between traumatic events and lack of resources. The study's findings highlight the need for addressing poverty and providing support for vulnerable populations.

SourceDuke University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 8, 2014

Expanding particles to engineer defects

Adding an impurity to a two-dimensional lattice structure can create defects that settle into harmony, restoring order and creating a 'screen' to protect the rest of the material. This finding could lead to new ways of engineering materials with unique properties.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 8, 2014

Synthetic gene circuits pump up cell signals

Researchers at Rice University have designed a sophisticated synthetic genetic circuit that signals increases in the degradation of proteins by the cell's ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). The Deg-On circuit produces a green fluorescent signal linked to UPS degradation, allowing researchers to monitor proteasomal activity.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 8, 2014

Unexpected results in cancer drug trial

Researchers at the University of Southampton found that a combination of cetuximab and chemotherapy was not effective in treating advanced bowel cancer that had spread to the liver. The study, published in The Lancet Oncology, suggests that this treatment approach may even accelerate cancer progression in some cases.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateApr 8, 2014