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Science News Archive July 2015 - Page 25


Page 25 of 34

Towards an HIV vaccine

Researchers characterize immune proteins that recognize and eliminate virus, providing insight into developing a potent Nab response against different HIV subtypes. Studies examine the efficacy of Nabs in blocking direct cell-to-cell transmission of HIV, highlighting the importance of controlling virus replication via this pathway.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJul 9, 2015

Blood pressure levels and prevalence among US children and adolescents declined in past decade

A recent study published in the American Journal of Hypertension revealed a decline in blood pressure levels among US children and adolescents over the past decade. The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999-2012, finding that mean blood pressure levels, as well as the prevalence of elev...

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalAmerican Journal of Hypertension·DateJul 9, 2015

A precocious black hole

A team of researchers discovered a massive black hole with nearly 7 billion solar masses in an otherwise normal, distant galaxy called CID-947. The finding contradicts previous theories on the co-evolution of galaxies and their central black holes.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2015

Why not build houses the environmentally friendly way?

A comprehensive review of studies on green buildings found that occupants experience better indoor air quality, reduced exposure to allergens and pollutants, and improved physical and mental health. Green buildings also improve productivity, reduce absenteeism, and enhance patient care in hospitals.

SourceSpringer·JournalCurrent Environmental Health Reports·DateJul 9, 2015

Where does water go when it doesn't flow?

A new study by University of Utah researchers shows that two-thirds of the remaining water after rainfall is released by plants, while more than a quarter lands on leaves and evaporates. The study also found that only 38% of water entering groundwater interacts with soil before reaching streams and groundwater.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2015

Managing mining of the deep seabed

The International Seabed Authority is poised to set the groundwork for future deep-sea environmental protection and mining regulations. Researchers recommend establishing networks of Marine Protected Areas to balance economic interests with conservation benefits, potentially benefiting both mining and biodiversity interests.

SourceCenter for Ocean Solutions·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2015

Modeling a nervous pathway involved in touch-induced behavior

Researchers Ache and Dürr develop a computational model of a descending mechanosensory pathway involved in active tactile sensing, capturing key properties of diverse neurons. The model is validated against real neuron coding properties and provides a common framework for modeling diverse neuron types.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJul 9, 2015

Where iron and water mix

A new study reveals that chemical-laden plumes from hydrothermal vents can be traced across the Pacific for over 4,000 kilometers and impact global ocean chemistry. The iron transported by these plumes has the potential to serve as a key life-sustaining micro-nutrient in the surface oceans of Antarctica.

Gene therapy restores hearing in deaf mice

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School used gene therapy to restore hearing in mice with genetic deafness. The treatment successfully restored the ability of sensory hair cells to respond to sound and partially restored actual hearing in deaf mice.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 8, 2015

Ludwig Cancer Research and the Cancer Research Institute evaluate immunotherapeutic strategies for brain cancer and other types of solid tumors

Ludwig Cancer Research and the Cancer Research Institute launched clinical trials to evaluate immunotherapeutic strategies for brain cancer and various solid tumors. The trials will test MedImmune's checkpoint blockade antibody durvalumab in patients with glioblastoma multiforme, a deadly form of adult brain cancer.

Probiotics -- for plants

Researchers have discovered beneficial bacteria that live inside plant tissue, improving nitrogen use efficiency and plant growth. This breakthrough has potential benefits for sustainable agriculture with minimum environmental impacts.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateJul 8, 2015