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Science News Archive April 2015 - Page 13


Page 13 of 36

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

Printing silicon on paper, with lasers

A new fabrication technique allows for direct production of polycrystalline silicon on flexible surfaces, enabling the creation of wearable electronics and other applications. The method bypasses a traditional thermal annealing step, making it more suitable for use with flexible substrates.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 21, 2015

BMC develops protocol for preserving forensic evidence after a terrorist attack

The BMC protocol provides a set of predetermined guidelines for processing and preserving forensic evidence in surgical specimens after a terrorist attack. Key findings include the importance of identifying a team to handle all surgical specimens, obtaining labeled photographs and x-rays, and storing forensic evidence securely.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalArchives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine·DateApr 21, 2015

Zip me up!

Researchers have identified the specific molecules involved in skin fusion during wound healing, using fruit fly embryos as a model system. The study reveals a complex process involving molecular machines and cellular components that work together to fuse the skin, with microtubules playing a crucial role in this process.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateApr 21, 2015