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Science News for April 22, 2015


NEJM perspective: 'Patient CARE Act' Medicaid block grant likely unconstitutional

Two legal experts argue that the proposed Medicaid block grant in the Patient CARE Act would be unconstitutional as it violates the Tenth Amendment. The block grant's fixed sum allocation and limited growth rate would coerce states into accepting a reduced financing structure, similar to the 2012 NFIB v. Sebelius ruling.

Penn researcher advises translational med hubs best place for clinical phenotyping efforts

The article highlights the importance of clinical phenotyping in precision medicine, with Penn researcher Garret FitzGerald advocating for translational med hubs to be equipped with the necessary resources. The NIH's Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) program is seen as a key driver of this effort.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 22, 2015

Invasion of the earthworms, mapped and analyzed

Researchers use statistical analysis to predict the spread of invasive European earthworm species Dendrobaena octaedra into Canada's boreal forest, forecasting it will expand from 3% to 39% of the forest floor by 2056. The worms are entering the forest via roadways, altering soil pH and decomposition rates.

SourceOhio State University·JournalComputational Statistics & Data Analysis·DateApr 22, 2015

Cloth masks -- dangerous to your health?

A new study suggests that cloth masks used by healthcare workers in Vietnam increased their risk of contracting respiratory illnesses. The trial found that cloth masks allowed almost 97% of particles to pass through, compared to medical masks with 44%. Experts warn against the use of cloth masks in healthcare settings.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalBMJ Open·DateApr 22, 2015

UNH researchers discover new method to detect most common bacteria contaminating oysters

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have discovered a new method to detect Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a bacterium that has contaminated oyster beds and sickened consumers in the Northeast. The detection platform uses genome sequencing and analysis to identify specific genes found only in the invasive strain.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalJournal of Clinical Microbiology·DateApr 22, 2015

Flameproof falcons and hawks

A Cooper's hawk in Greater Vancouver has been found with the highest levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) ever recorded, significantly higher than levels in California or China.

SourceMcGill University·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateApr 22, 2015

Testosterone key to new bird bang theory

Researchers discovered that birds with complex courtship displays have muscles sensitive to testosterone, enabling them to perform impressive acrobatics. This groundbreaking study sheds light on how hormones control social behavior in birds, paving the way for further research into the evolution of bird brawn.

SourceWake Forest University·JournalFunctional Ecology·DateApr 22, 2015

Cloud security reaches silicon

The new chip features a data structure known as a tree, where every address is randomly assigned to a path through the tree -- a sequence of nodes stretching from the top of the tree to the bottom, with no backtracking. This approach improves efficiency by minimizing extra data needed between the chip and memory.

Boosting the malaria battle-line

Researchers discovered that combining artemisinins with a low dose of an anti-cancer drug can increase the effectiveness of anti-malarial drugs and overcome the parasite's defences. This finding has the potential to combat resistant malaria parasites, which are currently spreading globally.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 22, 2015

Personalized cancer treatment

A new implantable device can carry small doses of multiple drugs to treat cancer, allowing researchers to measure their effectiveness in a tumor. The device was tested on mice with human prostate, breast, and melanoma tumors, showing promise in identifying the most effective treatment for each patient.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 22, 2015

Look mom, no eardrums!

The eardrum evolved independently in mammals and diapsids, depending on lower jaw formation in mammals and upper jaw development in diapsids. The study used developmental biology techniques to overcome the lack of fossil evidence for eardrum evolution.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 22, 2015

Decoding the cell's genetic filing system

Scientists have developed a method to introduce non-native chromatin into cells, allowing them to systematically interrogate transcriptional signaling pathways. This approach enables researchers to propose mechanistic pathways and validate hypotheses in vivo, paving the way for potential therapeutic applications.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 22, 2015

Phonons, arise!

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have found a way to alter the thermal conductivity of widely used material PZT using a small electric voltage. This breakthrough could lead to new technologies where controlling phonons is necessary, and has potential applications in computing, global communications, and other fields.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 22, 2015

New finding could help develop test for kidney disease

Scientists at the University of Manchester have made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to an early test for kidney disease. They found significant differences in protein composition and structure between mice with different genetic backgrounds and sexes, which may contribute to susceptibility to kidney disease.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 22, 2015

First guidelines from the American Thyroid Associationn: Managing thyroid nodules and cancer in children

The new guidelines provide a broader scope of therapeutic options for pediatric patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, aiming to limit aggressive therapy when it's unlikely to offer benefit. The guidelines specifically address the differences in biological behavior and management of these entities in children.

Tau Ceti: The next Earth? Probably not

A team of researchers from Arizona State University found that Tau Ceti, a popular candidate for supporting life, is unlikely to have planets in the habitable zone. The star's high magnesium-to-silicon ratio could lead to unique planetary compositions and potentially habitable worlds with different geological processes.

A recipe for long-lasting livers

Researchers at RIKEN have developed a novel method for preserving donor livers, significantly extending their viability and improving transplant outcomes. By cooling organs to 22°C and supplementing with red blood cells, the team achieved remarkable success rates, even with organs obtained after cardiac arrest.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 22, 2015

Updates in liver disease research: Do you want the good or bad news?

Recent studies confirm that NAFLD worsens heart disease and increases serum levels of cardiovascular risk markers. Additionally, a large population sample found a significant association between psychological distress and liver disease mortality. Meanwhile, inpatient mortality for cirrhosis patients has decreased by 41% in the U.S., at...

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateApr 22, 2015

Children with ADHD at risk for binge eating, study shows

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to develop loss of control eating syndrome (LOC-ES), which can lead to obesity and other health problems. The study found that odds of having LOC-ES were 12 times higher for children with ADHD, suggesting a common biological mechanism linking the two disorders.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·DateApr 22, 2015

Stressed-out parasites: Overcoming drug-resistant malaria

Researchers discover that artemisinin treatment can be effective against resistant malaria parasites by extending treatment duration or using proteasome inhibitors, which cause cellular stress and damage protein degradation. The study provides new hope for preventing the spread of drug resistance in Southeast Asia.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 22, 2015

Sexing Stegosaurus

A recent study by Evan Saitta found that Stegosaurus had two types of plates: tall and wide. Contrary to previous claims, these were not separate species or ages, but rather males and females. The plates likely played a role in attracting mates and displaying sex.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 22, 2015