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Science News for September 24, 2014


New EEG electrode set for fast and easy measurement of brain function abnormalities

A new, easy-to-use EEG electrode set was developed to quickly attach on patients, reducing electromagnetic interference and allowing rapid diagnosis of severe brain function abnormalities. The set consists of 16 hydrogel-coated electrodes placed on hair-free areas, making it suitable for emergency care and field conditions.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalJournal of Neuroscience Methods·DateSep 24, 2014

Taking advantage of graphene defects

Researchers discovered graphene's ability to rectify electric current using artificial triangular holes, offering a new approach for security screening detectors. The study provides an analytical framework for estimating the ratchet effect, which could lead to terahertz radiation detection.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateSep 24, 2014

Good news for young patients with a leukemia subtype associated with a poor prognosis

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that adjusting treatment based on early response to chemotherapy significantly boosts the survival of young patients with a poor-prognosis leukemia subtype associated with the Philadelphia chromosome-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The study included 344 children and adolesc...

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateSep 24, 2014

NCI/FDA lung cancer workshop leads to the innovatively designed clinical trials

The NCI/FDA workshop resulted in the development of two innovative clinical trials, Lung-MAP and ALCHEMIST, which employ a 'Master Protocol' approach to improve patient outcomes. These trials aim to accelerate the development of targeted therapies for lung cancer by integrating multiple sub-studies based on genomic profiles.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateSep 24, 2014

A wriggly solution to a first-world problem

Australian researchers successfully treated 12 participants with celiac disease using hookworms, increasing gluten tolerance by a factor of 60. The study suggests a potential new treatment for inflammatory diseases, including asthma and Crohn's disease.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateSep 24, 2014

Modest acute changes in cardiac biomarkers and electrocardiogram findings following thoracic radiation therapy

Researchers found modest acute changes in cardiac biomarkers and electrocardiogram findings following thoracic radiation therapy, but no clinically significant cardiac events. The study suggests that longer follow-up and increased dose range may reveal the impact of radiation on late RT-related toxicity.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateSep 24, 2014

Evolution of snake courtship and combat behavior

Researchers identified patterns in courtship and male-to-male combat behaviors across 70 snake species, revealing evolutionary relationships between behaviors. The study found that different clades developed unique behaviors, such as coiling without neck-raising and body-bridging, which replaced earlier toppling behavior.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 24, 2014

'Funnel' attracts bonding partners to biomolecule

A team of scientists has found that water molecules form a 'funnel' around proteins, guiding them to potential binding partners. This collective water movement assists binding and supports the mutual recognition of biomolecules, allowing them to select or reject certain partners.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 24, 2014

First mouse model for ALS dementia

Researchers at Northwestern University have created the first mouse model for ALS dementia, allowing scientists to directly view the brains of living mice under anesthesia. This breakthrough enables rapid testing and real-time monitoring of test drugs, paving the way for accelerated development of effective therapies.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 24, 2014

Cardiorespiratory fitness is often misdiagnosed

Researchers from University of Eastern Finland propose a new method for measuring cardiorespiratory fitness by scaling maximal oxygen uptake and maximal workload by lean mass. This approach can avoid confounding effects of body adiposity, leading to more accurate assessments of an individual's functional capacity.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalClinical Physiology and Functional Imaging·DateSep 24, 2014

Realizing the promise of education

The University of Miami's Linda Ray Intervention Program demonstrates positive outcomes for children with developmental delays, cognitive improvements, and reduced need for special education services. Children who received 25 hours of services per week made significant strides in cognitive, language, and behavior.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalJuvenile and Family Court Journal·DateSep 24, 2014

When David beats Goliath

Research by Queen's University biologist Paul Martin found that smaller bird species can overcome size disadvantages when interacting with distantly related species. The study examined 23,362 aggressive interactions among 246 bird species pairs and identified specific traits that enhance small species' abilities in conflicts.

SourceQueen's University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 24, 2014

Solar explosions inside a computer

Researchers have developed a model that uses self-organised criticality and fluid dynamics to predict the occurrence of solar flares. The model has shown to be consistent with observations in a quantitative sense, enabling scientists to better understand and prepare for these powerful events.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 24, 2014

NIH announces network to accelerate medicines for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus

The National Institutes of Health has established an Accelerating Medicines Partnership in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus (AMP RA/Lupus) Network to transform the current model for identifying promising biological targets for new drugs and diagnostics. The network will analyze interplay among biological pathways, including at the single...

Scientists create new 'designer proteins' in fight against Alzheimer's and cancer

Researchers at the University of Leicester have developed a breakthrough technique to generate synthetic amino acids and designer proteins, which can be used to develop innovative new protein drugs for cancer and Alzheimer's disease treatment. The discovery opens up new avenues for drug discovery with potentially highly potent drugs an...

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalOrganic & Biomolecular Chemistry·DateSep 24, 2014

Pitt drug discovery researchers receive $5.8 million federal grant to build 3-D liver model

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine are developing a state-of-the-art 3D liver model to better predict organ physiology, assess drug toxicity and build disease models. The project aims to improve ways of predicting drug safety and effectiveness through collaboration with researchers from 11 institutions.

Grant to help find why people reveal information online

Penn State researchers are teaming up to study how certain cues on mobile and web devices inspire mental shortcuts that predict user trust in online sites and social networks. The study aims to promote better interface design and educate users about mental shortcuts that compromise their privacy when online.

Buffet pricing surprise

A study by Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that lower buffet prices lead to less taste satisfaction. Diners who paid more for the same food rated it as being 11% tastier and enjoyed the experience more.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJournal of Sensory Studies·DateSep 24, 2014

Identification of genetic risk factors for stroke

A new study has identified two genes, FOXC1 and PITX2, that underlie the development of cerebral small-vessel disease (CSVD), a risk factor for stroke. The study found that patients with mutations in these genes exhibited signs of CSVD, while zebrafish models with reduced Foxc1 levels mimicked symptoms of CSVD.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 24, 2014

Less costly to screen for and treat early-stage lung than to treat late-stage lung cancer

A new study found that high-risk individuals screened for early-stage lung cancer using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) can reduce treatment costs by up to 85%, resulting in a significant reduction in mortality rates and improved patient outcomes. The average cost per-person for LDCT screening was $453, while the mean cost for diag...

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateSep 24, 2014

Immune activity shortly after surgery holds big clue to recovery rate, Stanford team finds

A study published in Science Translational Medicine found that immune cell activity within the first 24 hours after surgery can predict a patient's recovery time. The researchers used single-cell mass cytometry to analyze blood samples from patients undergoing hip-replacement procedures, revealing a unique pattern of immune response.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 24, 2014

2-D materials' crystalline defects key to new properties

Scientists have found that defects in a 2D material called tungsten disulphide can create unusual characteristics, making it useful for electronic devices and hydrogen gas liberation. The researchers used an advanced microscope to visualize the defects, revealing a low-energy barrier that allows them to be easily displaced.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 24, 2014