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Science News for December 30, 2014


Bats are a possible source of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa

A study published in EMBO Molecular Medicine suggests that contact between humans and virus-infected bats may have originated the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The researchers found no evidence of larger wildlife being the source of infection, expanding the range of possible Ebola virus sources to insectivorous free-tailed bats.

SourceEMBO·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateDec 30, 2014

Malaria combination drug therapy for children

Researchers found that a new malaria treatment combination of artemisinin-naphthoquine was non-inferior to existing therapy for uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, but more effective against another species. The study suggests this regimen could be considered for children in settings with multiple parasite species.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 30, 2014

Nature, nurture and time

A new study reveals that genetic factors influencing obesity vary depending on the era of birth and when the research is conducted. Researchers found a stronger association between the FTO gene variant and obesity for individuals born after 1942 compared to those born before 1942.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 30, 2014

A simulation of the universe with realistic galaxies

A team of astronomers developed a simulation that produces galaxies with characteristics similar to observed ones, including mass, size, and age. The strong galactic winds in the EAGLE-simulation lead to lighter and younger galaxies with less star formation, mirroring real galaxy observations.

SourceDurham University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateDec 30, 2014

A repulsive material

Researchers develop new hydrogel with electrostatic repulsion properties, inspired by articular cartilage and maglev trains. The material easily deforms under shear forces but resists compressive forces.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature·DateDec 30, 2014

Neonatal HBV vaccine reduces liver cancer risk

A 30-year study found that neonatal HBV vaccination significantly reduced the risk of primary liver cancer and other liver diseases in young adults. The study's results show that vaccination led to a 84% reduction in liver cancer incidence, highlighting the importance of early intervention.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 30, 2014

New treatment strategy allows lower doses of toxic tuberculosis drug without compromising potency

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new treatment strategy that allows lower doses of the toxic tuberculosis drug bedaquiline to retain potency while reducing side effects. This approach, which combines bedaquiline with verapamil, has shown promising results in mouse studies and is poised for clinical trials.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateDec 30, 2014

Gift-wrapped gas molecules

Researchers have successfully created metal-organic frameworks that can stably store and slowly release nitric oxide, a key player in biological signaling pathways. This breakthrough could lead to new approaches for treating infections and heart conditions, as well as potential applications in medical therapies.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Materials·DateDec 30, 2014