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Science News for March 19, 2014


Catching the early spread of breast cancer

Researchers have developed a new technology that uses 'nano-flares' to detect metastatic breast cancer cells in blood samples, which could lead to earlier diagnosis and improved treatment options. The technology has shown promising results in animal tests and is currently being experimented with human samples.

Gut bacteria can cause life-threatening infections in preterm babies

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found three types of potentially harmful gut microbes in preterm babies who developed late-onset sepsis: E. coli, group B strep, and S. marcescens. These findings suggest new strategies to detect and prevent severe bloodstream infections in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateMar 19, 2014

New, noninvasive, stool-based colorectal cancer screening test

A new stool-based screening test, Cologuard, detected 92% of colorectal cancer and 42% of advanced pre-cancerous lesions, outperforming a commercial occult blood fecal immunochemical test. The non-invasive test allows patients to collect samples at home, increasing the potential for higher cancer screening rates.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 19, 2014

Understanding binge eating and obesity

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a novel method to objectively measure a person's desire to eat, which could lead to more effective anti-obesity treatments. The method uses brain activity tracking and hand-grip intensity to assess motivation for food rewards, providing a more accurate reflection of true hunger.

SourceThe Journal of Visualized Experiments·JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments·DateMar 19, 2014

Social groups alleviate depression

Patients who joined a social group and developed a stronger connection with its members experienced reduced symptoms of depression. The study suggests that the 'group' aspect of social interaction is critical in alleviating depression.

SourceCIFAR·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·DateMar 19, 2014

Football displays fractal dynamics

Researchers found fractal nature in football dynamics, with ball and player positions exhibiting self-similarity. The study suggests the superiority of one team persists for only 30 seconds before changing hands.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateMar 19, 2014

Patients enjoy good quality of life 10 years after esophagectomy and gastric pull-up

A new study from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine found that long-term survivors of esophagectomy with gastric pull-up can enjoy a satisfying meal and good quality of life. The study concluded that pessimism about the long-term quality of life after esophagectomy is unwarranted.

SourceAmerican Association for Thoracic Surgery·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateMar 19, 2014

Improved pavement markings can save lives

A Concordia University study found that snowplows are the main culprit in erasing roadway markings, which can lead to traffic accidents. To address this issue, researchers suggest using more expensive and durable epoxy paint, which could save lives in the long run.

SourceConcordia University·JournalStructure and Infrastructure Engineering·DateMar 19, 2014

Ottawa researchers find new pathway connected to type 2 diabetes

Researchers at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute found a new cellular pathway that helps keep blood sugar levels low in obese or pre-diabetic people, which may prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes. The discovery could lead to new targets for improving beta cell functionality and treating type 2 diabetes.

TGen study identifies gene fusion as likely cause of rare type of thyroid cancer

Researchers at TGen identified the ALK-EML4 gene fusion as the genetic driver of an aggressive type of thyroid cancer. The study's findings suggest that this fusion can be targeted with existing drug crizotinib, offering a new treatment option for patients with radioiodine-resistant aggressive papillary thyroid cancer.

SourceThe Translational Genomics Research Institute·JournalWorld Journal of Surgery·DateMar 19, 2014

Protein 'rescues' stuck cellular factories

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine used a powerful data-crunching technique to understand how the protein Dom34 keeps defective genetic material from disrupting cellular functions. The study found that Dom34 'rescues' protein-making factories called ribosomes when they get stuck obeying defective genetic instructions.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell·DateMar 19, 2014

The aging brain needs REST

A new study reveals that REST, a gene regulator active during fetal brain development, switches back on later in life to protect aging neurons from various stresses. The researchers also showed that REST is lost in critical brain regions of people with Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateMar 19, 2014

A 'chicken from hell' dinosaur

The newly discovered Anzu wyliei was an omnivore that roamed the Dakotas with T. rex 66 million years ago and stood over 10 feet tall. The dinosaur's fossil discovery sheds light on a previously limited category of oviraptorosaur theropod dinosaurs.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 19, 2014

Future heat waves pose threat to global food supply

A new study estimates that future heat waves could double crop yield losses, particularly for maize, and offset positive CO2 fertilisation effects on wheat and soybean yields. Climate mitigation policies can help reduce risks of negative impacts on global food supply.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMar 19, 2014

Multidisciplinary research team led by Tufts CTSI proposes new model for clinical trials

A multidisciplinary research team has developed a new approach, E2E Clinical Trials, which aims to improve the accuracy of treatment selection by seamlessly transitioning from controlled efficacy trials to real-world effectiveness trials. This continuum will provide better understanding of treatment effects on diverse patient populations.

Comeback of an abandoned antibiotic

Researchers find trimethoprim to be an effective antibiotic against streptococcal infections in some regions, with a lower frequency of resistance than previously believed. The study also identifies three causes for rapid spread of resistance, highlighting the need for responsible antibiotic use.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Infection Research·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateMar 19, 2014

The scientific legacy of colonialism in Africa

A study by researchers at the University of Lomé suggests that African nations with a British colonial legacy have superior enrolment levels in higher education, leading to increased scientific productivity. The analysis also highlights the impact of language on scientific achievements, with English being a key factor.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Education Economics and Development·DateMar 19, 2014

North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute doctors' editorial published

A recent German study on a new drug therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. North Shore-LIJ Cancer Institute doctors highlight that most CLL patients are elderly with coexisting health issues, and the study found that subjects receiving obinutuzumab-chlorambucil had an a...

SourceNorthwell Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 19, 2014

Tiny transistors for extreme environs

Researchers at the University of Utah created the smallest plasma transistors that can operate in extreme environments, including nuclear reactors. These devices have the potential to enable innovative applications such as medical X-ray imaging and real-time air quality monitoring, and could be used to control robots in nuclear reactors.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalIEEE Electron Device Letters·DateMar 19, 2014

Miscarriage clues identified in new DNA test according to researchers at Montefiore and Einstein

Researchers have developed a new DNA test that can identify chromosomal variants and abnormalities in nearly 50% of miscarriage samples. The rescue karyotyping technique allows physicians to obtain genetic information from archived tissue, providing valuable insights into the causes of miscarriage.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalReproductive Biology and Endocrinology·DateMar 19, 2014

NIH grantees sharpen understanding of antibodies that may cut risk of HIV infection

Two studies found that only one subclass of V1V2-directed IgG antibodies, the IgG3 subclass, is associated with antiviral responses linked to the reduced risk of HIV infection seen in the RV144 trial. More research is needed to determine whether these antibodies protected some vaccinees from HIV infection.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 19, 2014

Research reveals true value of cover crops to farmers, environment

A study published in Agricultural Systems found that planting cover crops increases eight of eleven ecosystem services, including carbon and nitrogen retention, erosion prevention, and weed suppression. The research highlights the importance of considering temporal dynamics when assessing management system effects on ecosystem services.

SourcePenn State·JournalAgricultural Systems·DateMar 19, 2014