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Science News for July 21, 2015


Elderberry benefits air travelers

A clinical trial conducted by Griffith University found that an elderberry supplement can provide some protection from cold and flu-like symptoms following long-haul flights. The study involved 312 economy class passengers who completed a daily diary and surveys before, during, and after travel.

The medical odyssey of an undiagnosed child

A recent breakthrough by Tel Aviv University and Antwerp University researchers has identified the mutation of a neuroprotective protein as the probable cause of ADNP-related autism syndrome. This discovery provides new insights into the condition and offers potential avenues for diagnosis and treatment, ultimately improving the lives ...

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalJournal of Molecular Neuroscience·DateJul 21, 2015

Sweet revenge against superbugs

Researchers have discovered a potential new class of antibiotics inspired by sugar molecules produced by bacteria, offering a new hope in the fight against drug-resistant superbugs. The modified sugar molecules target a crucial part of the bacterial cell wall, killing the bacteria without developing resistance.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 21, 2015

PNAS: Evolution not just mutation drives development of cancer

A new model suggests that evolutionary pressures from healthy tissue keep cells with cancerous mutations in check. The study proposes that the ecosystem of a healthy tissue landscape allows healthy cells to outcompete those with cancerous mutations, but when this balance changes due to aging or stressors, cancer cells can thrive.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 21, 2015

Rock paper fungus

Researchers adapted rock imaging methods to study fungi on paper, revealing that fungi grow similarly to mushrooms and can be embedded within paper fibers. This new insight enables conservators to develop effective conservation strategies for paper artefacts.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalJournal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry·DateJul 21, 2015

Biomarkers in blood shown to be highly selective indicators of brain damage

Researchers have identified two proteins in blood and cerebrospinal fluid that increase significantly after traumatic brain injury, suggesting they could be used to detect trauma-related brain damage. These biomarkers, UCH-L1 and GFAP, correlate with direct evidence of brain damage and may aid in assessing brain injury following TBI.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·DateJul 21, 2015

Researchers at Einstein and Montefiore present at Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2015

Researchers at Einstein College of Medicine presented multiple studies on risk factors and predictors of aMCI and dementia in older adults, including the impact of perceived stress, diet, and coping mechanisms. The findings suggest that early detection of cognitive decline is crucial for implementing effective preventive interventions.

Low birth weight combined with unhealthy adult lifestyle may increase type 2 diabetes risk

A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that low birth weight combined with an unhealthy adult lifestyle can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The researchers analyzed data from over 149,000 healthy men and women and found that 18% of cases were attributable to the combined effect of low birth weig...

Questionnaire beats blood test in identifying at-risk drinking among ER patients

A 10-point questionnaire, known as the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), is more effective than measuring blood alcohol level in detecting patients with at-risk drinking behaviors. The study found that up to 50% of trauma patients have alcohol in their bloodstream, and brief interventions can lead to a 50% reduction in...

SourceAmerican Osteopathic Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Osteopathic Association·DateJul 21, 2015

Why we live on Earth and not Venus

A new study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that Earth's first crust was torn from the planet and lost to space due to asteroid bombardment, leading to the evolution of its plate tectonics, magnetic field and climate. This phenomenon, known as impact erosion, helps explain why Earth is habitable while Venus is not.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJul 21, 2015

Genetic data informs how Native American ancestors entered Americas

Ancient and modern genetic data reveal that Native American ancestors entered the Americas as a single wave approximately 23,000 years ago. The research also shows that ancestral Native Americans split off into two branches around 13,000 years ago, coinciding with glacier melt and the opening of routes into North America's interior.

Early antiretroviral therapy prevents non-AIDS outcomes in HIV-infected people, study

A new study found that starting antiretroviral therapy early reduces the risk of both serious AIDS-related events and serious non-AIDS-related events, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and death. The study shows a significant benefit of early treatment regardless of age, sex, or geographic region.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 21, 2015

Manipulating molecule in the brain improves stress response, new target for depression treatment

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that increasing cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in brain cells can improve stress response and potentially treat depression. The study's findings suggest a new therapeutic target for depression treatment, offering hope for patients who have not responded to existing therapies.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 21, 2015

Regular consumption of sugary drinks associated with type 2 diabetes

A recent study published in The BMJ found that regular consumption of sugary drinks is positively associated with type 2 diabetes, independent of obesity status. The study estimated that two million new-onset type 2 diabetes events in the US and 80,000 in the UK could be related to sugar sweetened beverage consumption over 10 years.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJul 21, 2015

American History 201

A recent genetic study has uncovered a previously unknown wave of migration to the Americas, linking Native Americans in the Amazon to indigenous people in Australasia. The research suggests that Population Y, an ancestral group from the ice sheets, contributed to the DNA of today's Amazonians.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateJul 21, 2015

How do fireflies glow? (video)

Researchers have recreated firefly bioluminescence in the lab using a chemical reaction between luciferin and oxygen. The discovery could lead to new applications in medicine, such as more efficient light therapy for patients with certain diseases.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 21, 2015

Drawing a line between quantum and classical world

Researchers at University of Rochester find that a classical beam of light can fail Bell's Inequality test if entangled, suggesting that the boundary between quantum and classical worlds is not as clear-cut as thought. The study reveals that some features of the real world require entanglement, a key ingredient of quantum physics.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalOptica·DateJul 21, 2015

Fatherhood makes men fat

A study by Northwestern University found that new fathers experience significant weight gain, averaging 3.5 to 4.5 pounds, which can lead to increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Pediatricians are in a unique position to counsel dads on maintaining their health due to the lack of personal physicians among new fathers.

Universal flu vaccine in the works

Researchers create a virus-like particle vaccine cocktail that expresses different subtypes of the hemagglutinin protein, providing cross-protective immunity against multiple subtypes. The study shows that 95% of mice vaccinated with the investigational cocktail were protected against eight different influenza strains.

An easy, scalable and direct method for synthesizing graphene in silicon microelectronics

Researchers from Korea University have developed an easy and microelectronics-compatible method to grow graphene, allowing for the synthesis of high-quality, multi-layer graphene on silicon substrates. The technique involves ion implantation and activation annealing, enabling controllable and scalable production of large-area graphene.

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

Fertile corals discovered in deeper waters off US Virgin Islands

A new study found that mountainous star corals at depths of nearly 140 feet can produce one trillion more eggs per square kilometer than shallow-water counterparts. This discovery has significant implications for the future of coral reefs worldwide, as it suggests that deeper waters may offer reproductive refuge to threatened species.

Making Europe sweat

A new study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that latent heat release in ascending air masses plays a crucial role in the formation and perpetuation of stable high-pressure systems, also known as 'blocking', which can lead to extreme weather conditions. The research team analyzed massive amounts of climate data from around the wo...

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJul 21, 2015