Energy drinks raise resting blood pressure
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that energy drinks increase resting blood pressure, particularly in caffeine-naive individuals, doubling their blood pressure compared to a placebo.
Science News for March 13, 2015
Presentation is key in antenatal information, research suggests
A study published in Patient Education and Counseling journal found that the title and font of participant information sheets can significantly influence pregnant women's perceptions of written information. Pregnant women perceived a program as less complex and easier to understand when presented with an easy-to-read font, while traine...
Penn and ExxonMobil address long-standing mysteries behind anti-wear motor oil additive
Engineers from Penn and ExxonMobil have uncovered the molecular mechanisms behind a common anti-wear additive used in motor oil. The study reveals that the additive forms a 'tribofilm' through stress-activated growth, providing a cushion effect against wear and tear.
Tropical Cyclone Nathan crawling in NASA satellite imagery
Tropical Cyclone Nathan is moving east and will track over warm water, leading to intensification in the next two days. The cyclone has slowed down and continued hugging the eastern coast of Queensland's Cape York Peninsula.
New technology may double radio frequency data capacity
Columbia engineers invent nanoscale IC that enables simultaneous transmission and reception at the same frequency in a wireless radio, doubling data capacity. The technology, known as full-duplex radio integrated circuits (ICs), cancels transmitter echo and enables conversations to take half the amount of time.
Nearly 70 percent of evangelicals do not view religion, science as being in conflict
New research from Rice University reveals that nearly 70 percent of evangelical Christians do not view the intersection of science and religion as being in conflict. A recent study found that only 21 percent of evangelicals see science and religion as entirely independent, while nearly half view them as complementary. The study's findi...
Researchers uncover a mechanism linking inhaled diesel pollution and respiratory distress
Researchers have discovered a mechanism linking inhaled diesel pollution to respiratory distress by activating airway sensory nerves. The study found that diesel particles activate the TRPA1 channel, leading to increased oxidative stress and exacerbating respiratory conditions such as asthma.
New quality measures approved for childhood sleep apnea
The new quality measures aim to improve detection and treatment of childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by tracking the quality of services provided by clinicians. The measures, endorsed by the American Association of Sleep Medicine, focus on five desirable processes for pediatric patients with suspected OSA.
SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateMar 13, 2015
The Lancet: International experts call for an end to preventable deaths from acute kidney injury by 2025
Acute kidney injury affects 13 million people annually and contributes to 1.7 million deaths. Experts believe it can be nearly eliminated in 10 years with current treatments costing $150 per patient. The Lancet Commission proposes a three-pronged strategy to raise awareness, improve diagnosis, and invest in sustainable infrastructure.
Prolonged shortened sleep increases blood pressure at night
Researchers found significant increases in blood pressure during nighttime hours among participants exposed to prolonged periods of shortened sleep. The study, conducted at Mayo Clinic, used a controlled protocol to mimic the effects of sleep loss on the body.
NASA spacecraft in Earth's orbit, preparing to study magnetic reconnection
The MMS mission will provide the first three-dimensional views of reconnection occurring in Earth's magnetosphere, releasing bursts of energy that can reach billions of megatons of TNT. Scientists expect the mission to help them better understand magnetic reconnection and its impact on modern technological systems.
Enhanced flu protection: Four beats three
A new flu vaccine that includes four strains of inactivated influenza has been found to be more protective than a similar vaccine containing only three strains. The addition of the fourth strain increases the chance the vaccine will match the circulating flu B strains without compromising protection against other strains.
NCCN publishes new guidelines for smoking cessation
The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology provide evidence-based recommendations for smoking cessation in patients with cancer. Combining pharmacologic therapy and counseling is the most effective approach, leading to improved cancer treatment effectiveness and decreased recurrence.
Blood pressure drug protects against symptoms of multiple sclerosis in animal models
A study found that guanabenz, a blood pressure medication, enhances an innate cellular protective response and prevents myelin loss in animal models of multiple sclerosis. The drug's unique mechanism provides protection against MS by reducing inflammation and preserving myelin levels.
Publication of sleep medicine quality measures promotes value-based care
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine published new quality measures for five common sleep disorders, promoting high-quality, patient-centered care. The measures aim to aid in evaluating the quality of care for conditions like restless legs syndrome, insomnia, and obstructive sleep apnea.
MARC travel awards announced for: The 2015 ASCI/AAP Joint Meeting
The FASEB MARC Program conferred $1,850 to 1 student and postdoctoral awardee from underrepresented groups, aiming to increase their engagement in biomedical research. The program seeks to promote diversity and inclusion in the scientific community.
Big toe's big foot holds evolutionary key
An interdisciplinary team has developed a new method to analyze the structure of long bones, providing insights into human evolution and functional morphology. The study focused on the big toe's impact on gait and locomotion, revealing structural differences between humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas.
Bond and bond alike
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have made a groundbreaking discovery by bonding positively charged phosphorus atoms with positively charged hydrogen ones. This finding may revolutionize our understanding of how biologically important molecules like DNA and proteins form properly.
SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateMar 13, 2015
MARC Travel Awards announcement for: The West Coast SDB Regional Meeting
The FASEB MARC Program awarded Crystal Rogers from the California Institute of Technology $1,000 to attend the West Coast SDB Regional Meeting. The program aims to increase diversity in biomedical research by supporting underrepresented groups.
Tropical Cyclone Olwyn landfalls as NASA's Terra satellite flies overhead
Tropical Cyclone Olwyn made landfall near Cape Cuvier in Western Australia, with NASA's Terra satellite capturing an image of the storm shortly after landfall. The cyclone was located about 43.5 miles southeast of Denham, moving south-southeast at 16 mph.
Environmental tobacco smoke is associated with periodontitis in US non-smokers
A cross-sectional analysis of 3,255 US non-smokers found a significant association between environmental tobacco smoke exposure and an increased risk of moderate/severe periodontitis. Serum cotinine levels were used to classify participants as exposed to ETS, with results showing a higher odds ratio among exposed individuals.
Nodal alone does not produce anti-cancer effects
Researchers found that Nodal protein promotes melanoma cell growth and survival, leading to improved treatment outcomes with anti-Nodal antibody combinations. The study provides hope for patients with metastatic melanoma, a disease with limited treatment options.
SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalMolecular Cancer Research·DateMar 13, 2015
Invasive species use landmarking to find love in a hopeless place
A new study reveals that invasive species like Asian carp use landmarking to find mates by congregating at easily identifiable locations. This strategy allows them to reproduce even when population densities are low, posing a significant threat to conservation efforts.
Analysis of worm neurons suggests how a single stimulus can trigger different responses
Researchers studied a simple three-cell network within the roundworm brain and found that the collective state of the neurons determines the likelihood of movement towards an odor. The study suggests that nervous systems have internal patterns of activity that are as important as external signals in generating behaviors.
Female mice do not avoid mating with unhealthy males
A recent study found that female mice are more attracted to the odor of healthy males than unhealthy males. However, they also choose to mate with unhealthy males, defying expectations and suggesting alternative factors at play in their mating behavior.
SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateMar 13, 2015
Birth weight and pregnancy complications associated with the enamel defects
A cross-sectional study of 1,309 children found a significant association between low birth weight and the development of enamel defects. The study suggests that prenatal hypertension and prematurity may also contribute to the severity of these defects.
York scientists question tropical protected areas' role under climate change
New research highlights poor connectivity of protected area networks in Southeast Asia, preventing lowland species from responding to climate change. Many low-lying PAs are isolated and not well connected to cooler forested areas at higher elevation.
Tropical Storm Bavi moving through Northwestern Pacific Ocean
NASA's Aqua satellite captures image of Tropical Storm Bavi showing strong thunderstorms and a thick band of storms north of the center. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecasts strengthening to hurricane-force on March 16 after passing over Guam.
Genetically engineered immunotoxin shows early promise in patients with B-cell malignancies
A genetically engineered immunotoxin called DT2219 has shown safety and clinical effectiveness in a phase I trial for patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell malignancies. Two patients achieved durable objective responses, highlighting the potential of this new treatment approach.
New antibody therapy dramatically improves psoriasis symptoms in clinical trial
Researchers report significant recovery after a single dose of an experimental treatment targeting interleukin-23, a key immune signaling protein in psoriasis. The study found nearly all patients experienced dramatic improvement in their symptoms, with an average 80% reduction in skin lesions.
New Mercury surface composition maps illuminate the planet's history
Scientists have created global-scale maps of Mercury's surface chemistry, revealing previously unrecognized geochemical terranes with distinct compositions. The presence of these terranes has important implications for the planet's history and evolution.
The Lancet: More than 2 million people die prematurely every year because treatment for kidney failure is unavailable
A new study reveals that at least 2.3 million people may have died prematurely from kidney failure in 2010 due to lack of access to life-saving treatment. The researchers predict that the number of patients needing dialysis or transplantation will more than double to 5.4 million by 2030.
INRS professor François Légaré wins the 2015 Herzberg Medal
François Légaré, an INRS researcher, has been awarded the 2015 Herzberg Medal for his work in ultrafast molecular imaging. His research team made significant breakthroughs in dynamic imaging, capturing images of molecular reactions at unprecedented resolution.
Expanding blood pressure screenings beyond primary care can improve hypertension detection
A Kaiser Permanente study found that expanding blood pressure screenings to non-primary care settings can help identify more patients with high blood pressure and improve management. The study reported that patients identified with hypertension in non-primary care settings were more likely to be older, male, and non-Hispanic white.
Novel monitoring tools tackle chemical surface waters pollution
The European technical report presents aquatic effect-based monitoring tools to address chemical pollution in surface waters, including bioassays and biomarkers for detecting toxic effects. These tools support the Water Framework Directive's goal of achieving a 'good status' for all Europe's surface waters by 2015.
NASA sees major Tropical Cyclone Pam near Vanuatu
Tropical Cyclone Pam is a powerful storm in the Southern Pacific Ocean, with hurricane-force winds affecting several provinces in Vanuatu. The storm's eye was captured by NASA's Aqua satellite, showing a 15 nautical mile wide eye just east of Vanuatu.
The Blue13 strain of the fungus responsible for potato blight is detected in Spain
Scientists identified Blue13 genotype for the first time in Spain, indicating more aggressive and resistant strains of Phytophthora infestans. The detection has significant implications for potato producers, who must adapt to evolving disease patterns and develop new blight-resistant varieties.
NIH awards $2.4 million to image cerebral cortex function and development
Researchers at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience will investigate a newly discovered circuit in the visual cortex using novel imaging technologies. The project aims to understand how this circuit processes visual information and interacts with other neural circuits.
OSKM stoichiometry determines iPS cell reprogramming
Researchers have found that the length of Klf4 mRNA affects iPS cell reprogramming, with shorter forms leading to incomplete reprogramming. Longer forms result in more complete reprogramming and higher protein expression levels.
SourceCenter for iPS Cell Research and Application - Kyoto University·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateMar 13, 2015
Fusion researchers make breakthrough on ELMs mitigation
Researchers from General Atomics and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory made a major breakthrough in controlling heat bursts in fusion reactors. They found that tiny magnetic fields can create two distinct responses, allowing more heat to leak out and preventing intense heat bursts.
Common herpes medication reduces HIV-1 levels, independent of herpes infection
Researchers discovered that Valacyclovir can reduce HIV-1 levels independently of herpes infection, promising new avenues for drug development. The study's findings suggest the potential for a broader range of HIV-fighting drugs and could inform the design of new agents based on Valacyclovir's molecular structure.
Chitin, a structural molecule associated with allergy response, is identified in vertebrates
Researchers at Benaroya Research Institute have discovered that chitin, previously thought to be absent in vertebrates, is endogenously produced in fishes and amphibians. This finding challenges longstanding biological assumptions and opens up new avenues for biomedical applications.
Bariatric surgery appears to cut risks for serious asthma-related events
A study led by Massachusetts General Hospital investigators suggests that bariatric surgery can significantly reduce the risk of asthma attacks in obese patients. Significant weight reduction after surgery resulted in a half reduction in serious asthma-associated events, including emergency department visits and hospitalizations.
SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateMar 13, 2015
UA researchers unlock the mysteries of wound healing
Researchers at the University of Arizona discovered how cells know to rush to a wound and heal it, shedding light on mechanisms of cell migration. They found that biomechanical stress and biochemical signaling orchestrate this process, which can be regulated and manipulated to create new tissues.
Listening to classical music modulates genes that are responsible for brain functions
A study found that listening to classical music enhances gene activity related to learning, memory, and synaptic function, while down-regulating genes associated with neurodegeneration. Musically experienced participants showed the most significant effects, suggesting familiarity plays a key role in music-induced changes.
River algae affecting mercury pollution at Superfund site, Dartmouth-led study shows
Researchers found that periphyton, a community of algae and bacteria, helps transform mercury pollution from a Superfund site along the Androscoggin River into a more toxic form of mercury. Lower-than-expected levels of methylmercury were also detected in crayfish and small fish downstream from the site.
NASA sees fading rare south Atlantic storm 90Q, one of three since 2004
The southern Atlantic Ocean's sub-tropical storm 90Q has fizzled out, marking the third such storm in the region since 2004. The storm formed on March 11 and was captured by NASA's Aqua satellite on March 12, showing a lack of convection and fragmented thunderstorms.
Organisms can keep gene expression in check: York U biologist
Researchers at York University found that Tup1 protein is regulated by Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO) to prevent over-expression of active genes. This discovery may help understand the uncontrolled gene expression found in many cancers.