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Science News for July 29, 2015


Seniors get mental health drugs at twice the rate of other adults, see psychiatrists less

A new study by Michigan Medicine reveals that seniors receive prescriptions for mental health medications at more than twice the rate of younger adults. However, they are much less likely to be getting their mental health care from a psychiatrist, raising concerns about potential interactions with other medications.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJul 29, 2015

Blocking a gene reduces fat

Researchers at the University of Montreal successfully block apoC-III gene expression, demonstrating significant decreases in triglyceride levels. This breakthrough could lead to precise interventions for severe hypertriglyceridemia, reducing cardiovascular risks.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 29, 2015

Type 1 diabetes patients have lower blood levels of 4 proteins that protect against immune attack

Researchers found that type 1 diabetes patients have significantly lower levels of four proteins (IL8, IL-1Ra, MCP-1, and MIP-1β) that help protect against immune attack. These findings suggest a potential protein cocktail that could aid in disease diagnosis and management, as well as new therapeutic strategies.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJul 29, 2015

New pig model will provide insights into early detection, new treatments of cancers

Researchers have created a genetically engineered pig model that allows them to induce the development of human-like tumors, reflecting gene pathways and mutations most often observed in human cancer. The 'oncopig' model holds great promise for early detection and treatment of cancers such as pancreatic, liver, lung, and bladder cancers.

York scientists unlock secrets of stars through aluminium

Researchers at the University of York have revealed a new understanding of nucleosynthesis in stars, providing insight into massive star evolution and the origins of the Solar System. By studying radioactive aluminium production, scientists can now better understand gamma radiation maps of the galaxy and simulate star behavior.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 29, 2015

Yarn from slaughterhouse waste

A new method for producing high-quality yarn from gelatine has been developed by Philipp Stössel and his team. The process involves spinning the protein-rich material into fine fibers that can be woven into textiles with improved insulation and water resistance compared to traditional wool-based fabrics.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalBiomacromolecules·DateJul 29, 2015

Stressed out plants send animal-like signals

Researchers have discovered that plants bind GABA in a similar way to animals, resulting in electrical signals that regulate plant growth when exposed to stressful environments. This finding opens up new possibilities for breeding more stress resilient crops to fight food insecurity.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2015

Alcohol laws have a preventive effect on young men

A study of over 5,700 young Swiss men found that stricter alcohol laws, such as minimum legal drinking age and advertising restrictions, lead to lower rates of hazardous drinking. However, these measures had limited impact on individuals with a high risk of substance abuse due to their personality or antisocial behavior.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalAddiction·DateJul 29, 2015

Antibiotics increase risk of hearing loss in patients with deadly bacterial infections

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University found that aminoglycoside antibiotics increase susceptibility to hearing impairment due to inflammation from bacterial infections. The study suggests that targeted alternatives are needed to treat life-threatening infections without sacrificing patients' ability to hear.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 29, 2015

Prostate cancer is 5 different diseases

Researchers have identified five distinct types of prostate cancer with unique genetic fingerprints, which could help doctors predict the aggressiveness of tumors and choose the best course of treatment. This breakthrough discovery has important implications for how prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated in the future.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalEBioMedicine·DateJul 29, 2015

Milkweed, monarchs, men, and madness

Researchers from UC Davis and University of Guam studied monarch butterflies on Guam to understand their migration patterns and impact of pesticides. The study found that the lack of pesticide use on the island has led to an increase in milkweed population, which is essential for the monarchs' survival.

First detection of lithium from an exploding star

Researchers have detected lithium in material ejected by a nova, resolving a long-standing puzzle about its abundance in young stars. The finding sheds light on the chemical evolution of the Milky Way and could inform models of the Big Bang.

SourceESO·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 29, 2015

Playing 'tag' with pollution lets scientists see who's 'it'

Researchers use climate model to tag soot sources and track its impact on the Tibetan Plateau, finding that soot from wildfires in India warms the region more than greenhouse gases. The study suggests that cutting emissions from central Asia's fossil fuel burning can have a significant impact on reducing soot levels on the plateau.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateJul 29, 2015

Detecting small metallic contaminants in food via magnetization

Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have developed a practical magnetic metallic contaminant detector using three high-Tc RF superconducting quantum interference devices for food inspection. The detection technique is based on recording the remnant magnetic field of a contaminant, providing a safe and high-resolution method.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity·DateJul 29, 2015

Intracellular microlasers could allow precise labeling of a trillion individual cells

Researchers have induced structures within cells to produce laser light, emitting specific wavelengths that allow for precise labeling and measurement of individual cells. This technology has the potential to tag up to a trillion cells, matching the estimated number of human body cells, enabling applications in basic research and disea...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 29, 2015

Early prosocial behavior good predictor of kids' future

A nearly 20-year study found that kindergarteners' social-emotional skills are a significant predictor of their future success. Students demonstrating better prosocial behavior were more likely to graduate from college, be gainfully employed, and avoid arrest.

SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 29, 2015

Could a sugar tax help combat obesity?

Experts weigh in on whether a sugar tax can help combat obesity, with some arguing it's a necessary step to reduce consumption and others claiming it would be economically ineffective. A sugar tax on all products may stimulate reformulated products, while taxes on specific food categories could change diets and improve health.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJul 29, 2015

Can we restart the heart?

San Diego State University researchers have developed a way to use biotechnology to rejuvenate cardiac progenitor cells, which replicate indefinitely into new heart cells. By overexpressing an enzyme associated with cancer cell growth, they've shown promise in increasing cell proliferation and lifespan in mice, as well as human tissue.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalBiological Chemistry·DateJul 29, 2015

Shoring up Tor

Researchers at MIT and QCRI demonstrate a vulnerability in Tor's design, allowing an adversary to infer a hidden server's location or the source of information reaching a user. However, they also propose defenses, which are being evaluated for inclusion in future versions of the Tor software, to prevent such attacks.

People walk slower, swerve when texting while distracted

A study found that adults who text while being cognitively distracted exhibit a more cautious gait, including increased obstacle clearance and decreased ability to walk in a straight line. The researchers suggest this adaptation may help prevent accidents when faced with cognitive challenges.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 29, 2015

Real-time imaging of lung lesions during surgery helps localize tumors and improve precision

A new study reports that a targeted molecular contrast agent can be used to cause lung adenocarcinomas to fluoresce during pulmonary surgery, enabling real-time optical imaging and precise visualization of tumor margins. The technique showed promise in localizing tumors and detecting metastatic cancer cells with high accuracy.

SourceAmerican Association for Thoracic Surgery·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateJul 29, 2015

Aquariums deliver health and wellbeing benefits

New research published in Environment & Behavior found that watching aquariums and fish tanks can improve physical and mental wellbeing. The study showed noticeable reductions in blood pressure and heart rate, with higher numbers of fish helping to maintain attention for longer.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEnvironment and Behavior·DateJul 29, 2015

Just say 'No' to drugs -- in water

A 16-year-old scientist has created a solution to remove pharmaceutical drugs from contaminated water, using a plastic adsorbent that can capture the chemicals. The innovative technique, tested over six years, shows promise for scaling up and applying it in real-world water treatment.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateJul 29, 2015

Experts recommend tumor removal as first-line treatment for Cushing's syndrome

The Endocrine Society recommends tumor removal as the first-line treatment for endogenous Cushing's syndrome. This approach is optimal because it preserves the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is crucial for the body's central stress response. Other treatment options include medication and radiation therapy.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJul 29, 2015

Failed stars host powerful aurora displays

Researchers discovered that brown dwarf stars, which are difficult to detect and classify, host powerful auroras similar to Earth's display. The study used radio and optical telescopes to observe a brown dwarf 20 light years away, providing evidence that these stars act like supersized planets.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalNature·DateJul 29, 2015

An imbalance of cellular bioenergetics in pancreatic beta-cells links to type 2 diabetes

Research demonstrates impaired activation of mitochondrial energy metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes, leading to decreased insulin secretion. A novel fluorescence microscopic assay reveals a subtle disharmony between bioenergetic supply and demand pathways, suggesting a shift towards systems-level approaches to fight the disease.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalEndocrinology·DateJul 29, 2015