Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive July 2014 - Page 11


Page 11 of 34

New method for reducing tumorigenicity in induced pluripotent stem-cell based therapies

Mayo Clinic researchers discover a strategy to significantly reduce the risk of tumor development using pretreatment with genotoxic etoposide. This approach establishes an adjunctive therapy to harness the clinical value of iPSC-derived cardiac regeneration, providing a promising breakthrough for heart disease treatment.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateJul 23, 2014

The birth of topological spintronics

Researchers at Penn State and Cornell University have discovered a new material combination that can control magnetic memory or logic 10 times more efficiently than current methods. The discovery uses topological insulators to manipulate spin orientation, overcoming a key challenge in developing spintronics technology.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateJul 23, 2014

Climate change and the soil

A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that long-term warming has little effect on the storage of carbon in tropical forest soils. The research suggests that warmer temperatures stimulate an increase in leaf litter and underground sources of carbon, offsetting any potential losses in soil carbon.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJul 23, 2014

A crystal wedding in the nanocosmos

Scientists successfully integrated compound semiconductor crystals made of indium arsenide into silicon nanowires, overcoming a major obstacle in chip technology. The production method, which involves ion implantation and heat treatment, enables the creation of 'hetero-nanowires' with improved performance.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNano Research·DateJul 23, 2014

Intestinal parasites are 'old friends,' researchers argue

A new review argues that most intestinal parasite infections have no negative impact in well-nourished people with low overall parasite loads. In some cases, parasite infections could activate the immune system and prevent disorders caused by inflammation of the intestines.

SourceCIFAR·JournalTrends in Parasitology·DateJul 23, 2014

Minimizing drag to maximize results

Researchers from Monash University studied how riders' drag is affected by the relative position of multiple cyclists in a breakaway group. They found that drafting can significantly reduce drag, with up to 49% drop for trailing riders and 5% for lead riders.

SourceMonash University·JournalProcedia Engineering·DateJul 23, 2014

UI study finds potential genetic link between epilepsy and neurodegenerative disorders

A new study at the University of Iowa has identified a potential genetic link between epilepsy and neurodegenerative disorders, revealing a novel pathway involved in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. The researchers found that mutations in prickle genes cause seizures in flies, leading to epilepsy-like behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2014

Are state Medicaid policies sentencing people with mental illnesses to prison?

Researchers found that tighter Medicaid policies governing antipsychotic drugs were associated with higher shares of inmates with psychotic symptoms and a 22% increase in the likelihood of imprisonment. The study suggests that limiting access to effective therapy may have unintended consequences, including more people in prisons.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·DateJul 22, 2014

Why do challenging tasks make consumers believe drugs wear off faster?

A new study by Veronika Ilyuk and colleagues found that consumers tend to overestimate the duration of pharmacological products' effectiveness. In five studies, participants who engaged in more difficult tasks consumed medications or energy drinks more frequently than those in easier conditions. Brands can use these findings to improve...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 22, 2014

Anti-cancer drug kicks HIV out of hiding

Researchers have found that an anti-cancer drug can activate hidden HIV in the body, increasing viral load and potentially allowing killer T-cells to destroy infected cells. The discovery could be a step towards developing a treatment for HIV by combining activation of the virus with a vaccine.

Supermaterial gives rejected drugs a new chance

Researchers at Uppsala University discovered that Upsalite, a highly porous magnesium carbonate, can improve the solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. By using Upsalite, about 40% of newly marketed drugs with poor solubility may have their therapeutic efficacy enhanced.

SourceUppsala University·JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutics·DateJul 22, 2014

How children categorize living things

A study by Northwestern University found that children's understanding of the natural world is influenced by their cultural background and experience with nature. Children from different communities were asked to name all living things they could think of, revealing convergences and differences in their responses.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Cognition and Culture·DateJul 22, 2014

Somatosensory stimulation inhibits excitability of pyramidal cells in rat hippocampal CA1

Researchers found that somatosensory stimulation decreases the firing of pyramidal cells and increases interneuron activity, suggesting a suppressive effect on neuronal hyperexcitability. This study provides insights into signal processing in the hippocampus and explores potential therapeutic applications for brain disorders.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateJul 22, 2014

A new multi-bit 'spin' for MRAM storage

A France-US research team reports a new multi-bit MRAM storage paradigm that can store up to 4 bits per cell, rivaling flash memory in terms of storage density. The technology uses Crocus Technology's proprietary Magnetic Logic Unit (MLU) technology to remotely control a sensor to probe magnetic configurations.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 22, 2014

The 92 percent clean plate club

A new study by Cornell University reveals that the average adult eats 92% of whatever they put on their plate, with similar results in eight developed countries. In contrast, children under 18 years old only eat 59% of what they serve themselves, likely due to uncertainty about food preferences.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·DateJul 22, 2014

Boosting the force of empty space

A team of researchers from Weizmann Institute and Vienna University of Technology proposed a method to amplify vacuum fluctuations by several orders of magnitude using a transmission line. This could lead to enhanced understanding of Casimir- and Van der Waals forces, with potential applications in quantum information processing.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2014

Creating optical cables out of thin air

Scientists at the University of Maryland have successfully created air waveguides that can guide light beams over long distances without loss of power. This breakthrough has significant implications for various applications, including long-range laser communications, pollution detection, and topographic mapping.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalOptica·DateJul 22, 2014