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Science News for January 15, 2014


Resisting the flu

Researchers at McGill University have identified the cIAP2 enzyme as a key player in resisting flu infections by protecting lung tissue from damage. By enhancing body resistance to the virus, this discovery opens up new possibilities for controlling and treating influenza.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJan 15, 2014

Ramularia and the 4 Rs

Scientists confirm that the mlo gene, which provides resistance to powdery mildew, also increases susceptibility to Ramularia leaf spot. The research found that this trade-off is most significant in spring barley and can be mitigated by breeding lines resistant to both diseases.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJan 15, 2014

Popular blood type diet debunked

Researchers at the University of Toronto found that the popular blood type diet theory is not valid, as associations between diets and health markers are independent of an individual's blood type. The study suggests that adherence to a sensible vegetarian or low-carbohydrate diet is key to improving health, regardless of blood type.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 15, 2014

Ray of hope for magazines in digital era

Research from the University of Toronto Scarborough finds that print magazines with online presence can charge more for their advertising space due to attracting a homogeneous, targeted audience. This study suggests that magazines need to integrate their print products with digital platforms to remain competitive.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalManagement Science·DateJan 15, 2014

Megafloods: What they leave behind

Researchers suggest that megafloods created the unique amphitheater-headed canyons in Idaho and on Mars, replacing traditional theories of groundwater sapping. The team analyzed rock samples and scour marks to support their claims, pointing to much larger water discharges and shorter flow durations.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2014

Low national funding for LGBT health research contributes to inequities, analysis finds

A study analyzing NIH-funded studies between 1989 and 2011 found that only 0.5% of funded studies focused on LGBT health, with significant gaps in representation and research areas. The authors recommend increasing funding for evidence-based interventions to reduce health inequities among LGBT populations.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJan 15, 2014

Joslin finds metabolic clues to diabetic kidney failure

A recent study by Joslin Diabetes Center researchers has identified key metabolic factors that may contribute to diabetic kidney failure. The study found increased levels of uremic solutes and myo-inositol in patients who developed end-stage renal disease, suggesting a potential link between tubular injury and kidney failure.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalKidney International·DateJan 15, 2014

Hugging hemes help electrons hop

Bacteria use molecular groups called hemes to transfer electrons through tiny protein-based wires. The researchers found that evolution has set the protein up so that when electrons have a strong drive to hop, heme stepping stones are less tightly connected, and when the drive is low, they are more closely connected.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2014

Global warming's biggest offenders

A new study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals the US and China are among the 7 countries most accountable for global warming. The study assigns a temperature change value to each country reflecting its contribution to observed global warming, with the US responsible for a significant 20% of the observed warming.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJan 15, 2014

Brain regions 'tune' activity to enable attention

Researchers discovered that brain regions synchronize their activity to make it possible for people to pay attention, with the process likened to tuning multiple walkie-talkies to the same frequency. The findings have implications for understanding attention deficits in brain injuries or strokes.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2014

IU study: Copycats pave the way to problem-solving success

A new IU study explores social learning dynamics and finds that being surrounded by copycats can lead to better problem-solving success. The researchers created a virtual problem landscape using a computer game and found that imitators often make their own improvements, which are then adopted and improved upon by others.

SourceIndiana University·JournalCognitive Science·DateJan 15, 2014

'Barcode' profiling enables analysis of hundreds of tumor marker proteins at once

Researchers have developed a novel DNA-barcoded antibody sensing approach to analyze hundreds of cancer-related protein markers from miniscule patient samples. This technology enables comprehensive analysis of protein expression patterns in single cells, revealing significant differences between tumors and predicting treatment response.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 15, 2014

Researchers discover that coevolution between humans and bacteria reduces gastric cancer risk

Researchers found that coevolution between humans and H. pylori bacteria reduced gastric cancer risk in people of African descent, but not in Amerindian descent. The study suggests that the interaction between H. pylori and human ancestry influenced disease risk, with high African-strain infection leading to worse outcomes.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2014

Wayne State discovers potential treatment for better heart health in hemodialysis patients

Researchers at Wayne State University have discovered a potential way to improve lipid profiles in hemodialysis patients, which may prevent cardiovascular disease. Vitamin E supplements improved patients' triglycerides and HDL cholesterol levels compared to placebo groups.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalVascular Health and Risk Management·DateJan 15, 2014

The internal clock and feeding rhythm set the pace of the liver

The liver's protein production and release are influenced by both the internal clock and feeding behaviors, according to a recent study published in PNAS. The researchers found that the circadian clock does not solely regulate protein production but also affects the storage and release of proteins into the body.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2014