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Science News Archive February 2014 - Page 23


Page 23 of 30

Against thirst and drought

The MARSOL project aims to address water shortage in the Mediterranean region by storing excess water in aquifers, reducing crop losses and mitigating droughts. Eight field sites across Greece, Portugal, Spain, Malta, Italy, and Israel are being studied for their specific approaches to water storage.

Researchers at UGent and VIB, discovered potential novel treatment against septic shock

Researchers at VIB and UGent have discovered a potential novel treatment for sepsis by neutralizing two harmful cytokines in the blood circulation. This approach may benefit from existing anti-cytokine treatments already in clinical use, offering renewed hope for combating this life-threatening disease.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateFeb 7, 2014

New method developed for ranking disease-causal mutations within whole genome sequences

Researchers have developed a new method to rank disease-causal mutations within whole genome sequences, providing a more comprehensive approach to identifying genetic variants linked to disease. The Combined Annotation-Dependent Depletion (CADD) method assigns scores to mutations across the entire genome, not just protein-coding regions.

SourceHudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology·JournalNature Genetics·DateFeb 7, 2014

Diaphragm pacing in spinal cord injury successful in weaning patients from ventilators

A new study published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery finds that diaphragm pacing stimulation is effective in weaning patients with spinal cord injuries from mechanical ventilators. The treatment can also bridge patients to independent respiration, allowing them to breathe on their own without assistance.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalJournal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery·DateFeb 7, 2014

Bottom-up insight into crowd dynamics

Researchers developed a procedure for comparing different crowd models and evaluating their accuracy using real-world data. A bottom-up model focused on individual behavior was found to best match real-world evacuation data, providing insights into safety planning and crowd dynamics.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateFeb 7, 2014

New plant species a microcosm of biodiversity

Biologists discovered a new plant species, Piper kelleyi, that is home to an estimated 40-50 insect species, most of which are entirely dependent on the plant for survival. The study highlights the importance of unique plant compounds in driving evolution and biodiversity.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalPhytoKeys·DateFeb 7, 2014

Intervention in first 1,000 days vital to fulfilling childhood potential

The special issue emphasizes the importance of combining intervention strategies focusing on both nutrition and early learning to support healthy development. The research reveals that 200 million children under five are not reaching their developmental potential due to poverty, nutritional deficiencies, and lack of responsive caregiving.

SourceWiley·JournalAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2014

DNA reveals new clues: Why did mammoths die out?

A new DNA study suggests that the drastic change in vegetation from protein-rich herbs to less nutritious grass may be behind the demise of mammoths and other large mammals. The study shows that the mammoth steppe was dominated by herbs during the last ice age, which may have led to a decline in animal populations.

SourceLund University·JournalNature·DateFeb 6, 2014

Histones may hold the key to the generation of totipotent stem cells

Researchers from RIKEN in Japan have identified a duo of histone proteins, TH2A and TH2B, that dramatically enhance the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The study demonstrates that these proteins function as substitutes for two Yamanaka factors and increase iPSC cell generation by twentyfold and speed up the process.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateFeb 6, 2014

Toxin in seafood causes kidney damage in mice at levels considered safe for consumption

A study by American Society of Nephrology reveals domoic acid, a neurotoxin found in seafood, can harm kidneys even at levels considered safe for consumption. The toxin damages kidneys at concentrations 100 times lower than what causes neurological effects, raising concerns about potential kidney failure and dialysis.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 6, 2014

Early treatment with AED reduces duration of febrile seizures

A new study published in Epilepsia found that early treatment with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) significantly reduces the duration of febrile seizures. The research suggests that a standard Emergency Medical Services (EMS) treatment protocol is needed in the US to improve outcomes for children with prolonged seizures. A total of 199 pedi...

SourceWiley·JournalEpilepsia·DateFeb 6, 2014

Avian flu variant stalks Egypt

A new study tracks the spread of an H5N1 variant in Egypt using phylogeography, a technique that combines viral sequence data and geographical information. The study aims to enhance efforts by public health officials to identify viral outbreaks, limit their spread, and inform the public of risks.

SourceArizona State University·JournalBMC Genomics·DateFeb 6, 2014

Two sides of a safety switch

A team of researchers has found a link between chloracne and a molecular switch called Nrf2, which causes skin changes similar to those in dioxin victims. The study suggests that therapeutic targeting of Nrf2 may be problematic due to its role in detoxification.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateFeb 6, 2014

First large-scale study of whole-genome testing helps identify best treatment for women with advanced breast cancer

A large-scale study of whole-genome testing has identified a unique treatment approach for women with advanced breast cancer, targeting genomic alterations in their tumors. The study found that around half of patients had targetable genomic alterations, and 39% had rare alterations, many of which no treatments currently exist.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateFeb 6, 2014