Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive October 2014 - Page 2


Page 2 of 35

Making lab-grown tissues stronger

Researchers at UC Davis have developed a method to toughen up engineered cartilage and keep natural tissues strong outside the body. By depriving native or engineered cartilage of oxygen and using an enzyme called lysyl oxidase, they found that cross-linking occurs, making the material stronger.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 30, 2014

Doubt cast over air pollution link between childhood leukemia and power lines

A new study published in Journal of Radiological Protection found little evidence to support the 'corona-ion hypothesis', which suggests a possible link between air pollution from power lines and childhood leukemia. Researchers used data from over 7,000 children born near high-voltage overhead power lines and found no increased risk of...

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalJournal of Radiological Protection·DateOct 30, 2014

Biology meets geometry

Researchers describe the Terasaki ramps in the endoplasmic reticulum as spiral structures that connect parallel sheets, allowing for high density of ribosomes. This geometry is stable and minimizes energy, consistent with the laminar structure of the stacks.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 30, 2014

Independent safety investigation needed in the NHS

A new agency would investigate major failures and provide public explanation, improving system-wide learning. The NHS lacks a consistent approach to investigating safety issues, relying on costly one-off inquiries.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateOct 30, 2014

Genetic factors behind surviving or dying from Ebola shown in mouse study

A new mouse model reveals that genetic factors play a significant role in the severity of Ebola disease. Research suggests that certain genetic lines of mice are more resistant to the virus, while others are highly susceptible to severe illness and death. The findings could lead to rapid development of candidate therapeutics and vaccines.

Four new dragon millipedes found in China

A team of speleobiologists has described four new species of dragon millipedes from southern China, highlighting their distinctive spiky bodies. The discovery sheds light on the genetic diversity of these bizarre creatures, with China holding the highest recorded number of species in the genus Desmoxytes.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateOct 30, 2014

Air quality and unconventional oil and gas sites

A community-based study found air pollutants released by unconventional oil and gas production exceed recommended levels in the US, with hazardous chemicals like benzene, hydrogen sulfide, and formaldehyde detected. The study highlights the need for improved air-quality monitoring programs near these sites.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalEnvironmental Health·DateOct 30, 2014

Ion adsorption matter in biology

A new systematic study of lipid membrane-electrolyte interactions provides insights into biological cell function and potential applications in medical diagnostics. The research uses liposomes to model biological membranes and demonstrates the role of ion adsorption in modulating membrane electrical characteristics.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateOct 30, 2014

Seeing dinosaur feathers in a new light

Dinosaurs had highly developed color vision, including the ability to see ultraviolet light, which likely contributed to the evolution of feathers. This discovery sheds new light on the origin of feathers and their role in dinosaur communication and mating.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalScience·DateOct 30, 2014

Why scratching makes you itch more

Research from scientists at Washington University School of Medicine found that scratching causes the brain to release serotonin, which intensifies itch sensation. Blocking serotonin's communication with nerve cells may help break the itch-scratch cycle.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNeuron·DateOct 30, 2014

Frailty increases kidney transplant recipients' risk of dying prematurely

A new study published in the American Journal of Transplantation found that frailty significantly increases the risk of premature death in kidney transplant recipients. The study analyzed data from 537 patients and found that those who were classified as frail had a mortality rate twice that of non-frail patients.

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateOct 30, 2014

Screening patients at high-risk for lung cancer more likely when prmary care provider is familiar with guidelines

Research shows that primary care providers who know guideline recommendations for low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening are more likely to order LDCT for high-risk individuals. This knowledge gap is highlighted by a survey of over 200 primary care providers, which found that 48% knew three or more guideline components.

Identifying the source of stem cells

Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that a specific gene, Sox2, plays a crucial role in determining the source of stem cells in mammals. By studying mouse embryos, the team found that Sox2 appears to be acting ahead of other genes traditionally identified as playing critical roles in stem cell formation.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateOct 30, 2014

How 'trained immunity' mediates BCG therapy of bladder cancer

Researchers found that autophagy plays a central role in mediating the non-specific immune effects of BCG, leading to trained immunity. Monocytes from individuals with specific variants of the ATG2B gene respond with trained immunity, supporting the hypothesis that autophagy is clinically relevant.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateOct 30, 2014

Lord of the microrings

Scientists at Berkeley Lab have developed a unique microring laser cavity that can produce single-mode lasing even from conventional multi-mode laser cavities. This breakthrough holds implications for optical metrology, interferometry, data storage, spectroscopy, and communications.