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Science News Archive February 2015 - Page 30


Page 30 of 31

Confidence in government linked to willingness to vaccinate

A study by Ohio State University suggests that confidence in government is a key factor in public willingness to vaccinate. People with high trust in the government were more likely to take the swine flu vaccine, while those with low trust had lower vaccination rates. The research also found that individuals who watched more news and h...

SourceOhio State University·JournalHealth Promotion International·DateFeb 2, 2015

UI researchers link smoke from fires to tornado intensity

Researchers found that smoke from spring fires in Central America intensified conditions leading to severe tornadoes in the US. The study's results suggest a novel mechanism by which smoke affects tornado severity, and highlight the importance of considering atmospheric particles in weather prediction models.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 2, 2015

First sensor for 'crowd control' in cells

University of Groningen scientists have created a molecular sensor to measure crowding in living cells, allowing for the quantification of macromolecule concentrations. The sensor uses Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to detect changes in protein-protein interactions and provides valuable insights into cellular function.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Methods·DateFeb 2, 2015

Safe production in Industry 4.0

The Fraunhofer Institute's IT Security Laboratory provides a secured test environment to assess the security of industrial automation systems and develop new defense strategies. Real-time requirements in production facilities necessitate unique IT security measures.

Discovery of a gene responsible for familial scoliosis

A variation in the POC5 gene was found to be associated with familial scoliosis in a large French family study. The gene encodes for a centrosomal protein involved in microtubule-organising centres and cellular polarity, leading to rotational deformations similar to those observed in scoliosis patients.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 2, 2015

Getting yeast to pump up the protein production

Scientists at Northwestern University have found a way to harvest industrially useful protein from yeast in greater quantities without increasing its production. By genetically knocking out proteins responsible for reabsorption, the team increased protein yields by two- to three-fold.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalBiotechnology and Bioengineering·DateFeb 2, 2015

Sleep problems may impact bone health

Recent research suggests sleep apnea impacts bone metabolism through sleep duration and quality disruptions. Daily rhythms play a crucial role in maintaining normal bone health.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateFeb 2, 2015

Possible cause of IVF failure in some women identified

Researchers at the University of Manchester have identified a possible cause of IVF failure in some women, which may be treated with therapies targeting microRNA-145 and its effects on IGF1R. The study's findings suggest that manipulating this biological process could lead to improved rates of embryo attachment during implantation.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Cell Science·DateFeb 2, 2015

Protein threshold linked to Parkinson's disease

A new study by University of Cambridge researchers identified a critical threshold in alpha-synuclein protein levels that increases the chances of aggregation and neurodegeneration. The findings provide a mechanistic description of the initial molecular events leading to Parkinson's disease.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateFeb 2, 2015

Skin based immunity secrets revealed

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which immune cells in the skin function as the body's 'border control'. This finding could improve how we fight some infections, allergies and auto-immune diseases. The discovery of CD1a molecule reveals how it interacts with lipid molecules to identify foreign invaders.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Immunology·DateFeb 2, 2015

New reset button discovered for circadian clock

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered a new reset button for the brain's master biological clock, which can be stimulated using light to alter sleep patterns. This finding has the potential to lead to new treatments for conditions like seasonal affective disorder and reduce adverse health effects of night shifts.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 2, 2015

Mining the moon becomes a serious prospect

Texas-based Shackleton Energy Company plans to mine lunar water ice and convert it into rocket propellant, with Moon Express also interested in using the resource as fuel. Meanwhile, China is making headway in mining rare-earth elements on the Moon, sparking interest in establishing a human settlement.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysics World·DateFeb 2, 2015

Babies can follow complex social situations

Infants as young as 13 months old can comprehend complex social scenarios, taking into account who knows what about whom. They are able to make inferences about others' behavior based on the information they have learned, indicating that they are developing essential skills for assessing social situations and making relevant judgments.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 2, 2015

Penn professor shows how 'spontaneous' social norms emerge

A new study led by Penn's Damon Centola reveals that social conventions can emerge spontaneously, with no centralized leader or media source, through the normal interactions of people in social networks. The research used a web-based game to test how large populations come to consensus, and found that random mixing allowed for the emer...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2015

BU study finds occupational link in kidney disease epidemic in Central America

A new BU study finds a decline in kidney function among Nicaraguan sugarcane workers, suggesting heat stress and dehydration may play a role in the high rates of chronic kidney disease. The research team recruited 284 workers performing different tasks and found that those with longer employment duration had worse kidney function.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalInternational Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health·DateFeb 2, 2015

Risk for autism increases for abandoned children placed in institutions

A recent study published in JAACAP found that abandoned children placed in institutions have an increased risk for behaviors similar to those seen in children with autism. However, when moved into child-centered foster family care at a young age, their social behaviors improved significantly.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateFeb 2, 2015

Moffitt researchers discover biological markers associated with high-risk pancreatic lesions

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center discovered six microRNAs that can distinguish between high-risk and low-risk pancreatic lesions, offering a promising biomarker for early detection. This finding may lead to the development of a microRNA-based blood test to aid in predicting disease severity and foster new prevention strategies.

Physician guidelines for Googling patients need revisions

A Penn State College of Medicine researcher proposes updating professional medical society guidelines to address when it is ethically justified to Google a patient. The proposed guidelines would help healthcare providers navigate the use of search engines in patient care.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateFeb 2, 2015