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Science News Archive March 2014 - Page 34


Page 34 of 34

Mount Sinai study points to new biological mechanisms, treatment paradigm for kidney disease

Researchers discovered abnormal molecular signaling pathways that promote chronic kidney disease progression, targeting endothelial mitochondrial oxidative stress and glomerular filtration barrier. New therapeutic targets may prevent or reverse disease, providing hope for millions of Americans affected by kidney disease.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 3, 2014

Immune system-based therapy produces lasting remissions in melanoma patients

A new study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Johns Hopkins University found that an immune system-based therapy called nivolumab can produce lasting remissions in melanoma patients, with some patients remaining alive after two years without treatment. The therapy has been shown to block PD-1, a protein that restrains the immune syst...

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateMar 3, 2014

Every step you take

Researchers have identified two intermediate steps in water oxidation reactions using an Earth-abundant solid catalyst, cobalt oxide. This discovery provides a better understanding of the individual events in the four-electron cycle and enables the design of improvements to boost efficiency.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMar 3, 2014

Postcode lottery for race relations

Researchers found that levels of racial prejudice among white people drop significantly when they live in ethnically mixed communities. Positive contact between people belonging to different ethnic groups leads to more tolerant societies overall.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2014

Transparent, color solar cells fuse energy, beauty

Researchers at the University of Michigan have created semi-transparent, colored photovoltaics that can generate electricity while maintaining their color. The cells are 10 times thinner than traditional solar cells and have a nearly 100% quantum efficiency, making them suitable for use indoors and in densely populated cities.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 3, 2014

Global warming felt to deepest reaches of ocean

A study by McGill University researchers shows that climate change has led to a decrease in ocean salinity, creating a freshwater lid that prevents mixing with warm waters underneath. This has resulted in the suppression of naturally rare events like the Antarctic polynya and contributed to the shrinking of Antarctic Bottom Water.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMar 2, 2014

Plants convert energy at lightning speed

Scientists from Queen Mary University of London developed a novel method to quantify plant tolerance to high light intensity. The study found that plants grown without quick responses to high light had reduced capacity to protect themselves from damage.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateMar 2, 2014