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Science News Archive June 2014 - Page 20


Page 20 of 33

Researchers uncover new insights into developing rapid-acting antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that blocking NMDA receptors with ketamine can elicit rapid antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The study suggests that this fundamental difference between ketamine and memantine could lead to a new class of drugs with fewer side effects.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 12, 2014

Tiny plants ride on the coattails of migratory birds

A team of researchers found that migratory birds carry small plant fragments, including mosses and spores, on their feathers, which can be used to establish new plant populations. This discovery suggests that birds may play a role in the long-distance dispersal of plants.

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ·DateJun 12, 2014

Blood product sterilization taken too far?

International study reveals blood product sterilization processes can prevent platelets from carrying out their functions correctly, potentially leading to hemorrhages. The processes alter the genetic material of pathogen-reducing treatments, depleting platelets of RNA and impairing their ability to synthesize essential proteins.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalPlatelets·DateJun 12, 2014

Severe scoliosis linked to rare mutations

Children with rare mutations in fibrillin-1 and fibrillin-2 genes are four times more likely to develop severe scoliosis than peers with normal versions. Drugs blocking a major growth pathway may prevent scoliosis in affected children.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateJun 12, 2014

Long-range tunneling of quantum particles

A team of scientists at the University of Innsbruck has directly observed long-range tunneling of quantum particles through up to five potential barriers. The researchers used a gas of Cesium atoms in an engineered optical lattice, where they applied a directed force to initiate tunneling motion.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScience·DateJun 12, 2014

Does food addiction exist?

Women with weight problems exhibited impulsive behavior when presented with images of food, suggesting a possible predisposition to binge eating. The study found that these individuals lacked contemplative will power and were more stimulated by food images.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJun 12, 2014

Hereditary disease genes found throughout the human body

A study published in PLOS Computational Biology reveals that hereditary disease genes are found throughout the human body. This discovery highlights tissue-specific protein interactions and provides a powerful tool for identifying new therapeutic targets.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 12, 2014

A picture's worth a thousand words

Researchers developed a non-invasive imaging technique to track beta cell status in type 1 diabetes patients. The PET scan detects the amount of radiotracer in the pancreas, indicating the overall amount or volume of active beta cells present.

SourceJDRF·JournalDiabetes·DateJun 12, 2014

Study IDs 'master' protein in pulmonary fibrosis

A study has identified chitinase 3-like-1 (CHI3L1) as the master regulator of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a devastating lung disease. CHI3L1 plays a dual role in promoting tissue repair and reducing cell death, but its chronic elevation contributes to excessive scarring and tissue dysfunction.

SourceBrown University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 11, 2014

Peer pressure is weaker for kids to quit smoking

A study of adolescent friendship networks and smoking use over time found that friends exert influence on both starting and quitting smoking, but the influence to start is stronger. Nonsmoking friends are unlikely to provide resources needed to help their smoking peers quit, making peer pressure a significant barrier to cessation.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·DateJun 11, 2014