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Science News for March 9, 2015


How blood group O protects against malaria

Researchers from Karolinska Institutet identified the key role of RIFIN protein in protecting blood type O individuals from severe malaria. The protein binds strongly to A blood cells but weakly to O, explaining why O individuals are less susceptible to the disease.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Medicine·DateMar 9, 2015

Most information in drug development is lost

A McGill University study reveals that only 37% of registered drug trials in cancer, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases were published between 2005 and 2009. The findings highlight the importance of sharing information from stalled drug trials to improve care, protect patients, and discover better drugs.

Johns Hopkins researchers engineer custom blood cells

Scientists have made a breakthrough in treating patients with sickle cell disease by engineering custom blood cells that can evade the immune system. Lab-grown stem cells were reprogrammed and edited using CRISPR to replace the defective gene, resulting in healthy red blood cells that function just as well as those from unaffected donors.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalStem Cells·DateMar 9, 2015

Seeing tiny twins

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have made a groundbreaking discovery in the study of nanomaterials, revealing that tiny tungsten crystals can exhibit deformation twinning, which affects their strength and function. This phenomenon has significant implications for the development of nanostructured metals and alloys.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 9, 2015

Interdependence explained

A UCSB ecologist examines how human disturbance affects landscape and wildlife, revealing links between conservation and human health. She finds that land-use change increases plague transmission by moving rodents closer to human habitats, while environmental conditions affect flea infestations.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateMar 9, 2015

Vaccinate against measles

A recent study examines reasons people refuse vaccines and highlights the importance of vaccination in preventing measles outbreaks. The study found that vaccine refusal can lead to unnecessary risk to children, with cases reporting complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis.

SourceWiley·JournalAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health·DateMar 9, 2015

Assumptions of equality lead to poorer group decisions

New research from University College London suggests that people with differing competence give each other's views equal weight, preventing optimal group decisions. This 'equality bias' affects decision-making processes in various contexts, including everyday situations and high-level policy decisions.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2015

Viagra in combination with new drugs can have anti-cancer, antibacterial, and therapeutic effects

A Review article discusses how existing drugs like Viagra can reduce the activity of a specific chaperone protein, HSPA5/Dna K, which may lead to anti-tumor and anti-Alzheimer's disease effects. The study also reveals potential applications in treating antibiotic-resistant infections and chemotherapy-resistant cancers.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalDNA and Cell Biology·DateMar 9, 2015

Innovative light therapy reaches deep tumors

Researchers have developed a new light therapy that can reach deep tumors using nanoparticles and FDG, producing different kinds of free radicals that overwhelm tumor cells. This treatment shows promise in reducing cancer growth and increasing survival rates with minimal toxic side effects.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 9, 2015

CEO bonuses could cost companies in the long term

A new study published in the Review of Financial Studies suggests that regulating CEO payments and performance bonuses can lead to more profitable companies in the long term. The research found that relying on bonuses can encourage CEOs to pursue short-term gains, leading to poor strategic decisions.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalReview of Financial Studies·DateMar 9, 2015

Traffic light food labels strengthen self-control

Researchers at the University of Bonn found that traffic light labels are more effective in helping consumers resist high-calorie foods than traditional nutrition labels. The study participants were willing to pay significantly more for healthy products with green labels and less for unhealthy products with red labels.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalObesity·DateMar 9, 2015

'Exercise hormone' irisin may be a myth

Recent research suggests that irisin, believed to travel from muscle to fat tissue after exercise, may not exist in humans. New tests used in previous studies found antibodies were poorly vetted and nonspecific, leading to false positive results.

SourceDuke University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 9, 2015

Preterm babies continue to receive inhaled nitric oxide

A study published in Pediatrics found that the rate of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) utilization in American NICUs increased by 23% between 2009 and 2013, with nearly half of all iNO users being preterm neonates. This trend has significant economic implications, estimated to be $153 million in 2013.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateMar 9, 2015

DeuteRx's novel approach to chiral switching for racemic drugs

DeuteRx has discovered a method for in vivo stabilization and differentiation of thalidomide analogs, improving anti-inflammatory and antitumorigenic properties. The company's 'deuterium-enabled chiral switching' platform enables the testing and development of single enantiomers with improved therapeutic properties.

SourceMacDougall Biomedical Communications, Inc.·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2015

How parents may help create their own little narcissists

Researchers surveyed parents and children to identify factors leading to inflated views of self. Overvaluing parents were associated with higher levels of child narcissism, while parental warmth predicted children's self-esteem. Parental overvaluation was linked to narcissism even after accounting for the children's narcissism levels.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2015

Novel tool visualizes whole body SIV replication

Researchers developed a non-invasive method to image SIV replication in real-time, allowing capture of viral dynamics and identification of novel sites of replication. The approach has broad application to studying immunodeficiency virus pathogenesis and potential use in human patients to identify viral reservoirs.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNature Methods·DateMar 9, 2015

Widening rural-urban disparities in youth suicides

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that rural youth suicide rates are significantly higher than urban rates, with firearm deaths being the leading cause of death in both sexes. The study analyzed national mortality data from 1996 to 2010 and found that rural areas had nearly twice the number of suicides as urban areas.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateMar 9, 2015

Toward Methuselah -- long-living lighting devices

Researchers at the University of Basel have made significant advancements in developing next-generation lighting technologies. The team has successfully created light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) with remarkable lifetimes exceeding 2500 hours, paving the way for a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional LEDs.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalChemical Science·DateMar 9, 2015

Early herders' grassy route through Africa

Researchers found that early herders from northern Africa could travel past Lake Victoria on their way to southern Africa due to the area's grassy landscape, not a tsetse fly-infested environment. This new discovery sheds light on the migration route of early human populations.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2015

Fifteen new breast cancer genetic risk 'hot-spots' revealed

Scientists have identified 15 new genetic 'hot-spots' linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, with some women having multiple variations that double their risk and others being three times more likely to develop the disease. The discovery could help identify high-risk women and improve cancer screening and prevention.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalNature Genetics·DateMar 9, 2015

Online health information -- keep it simple!

A study by Deakin University found that many Australian online health information is too difficult to read, leading to potential misinterpretation and inappropriate healthcare decisions. The researchers suggest that websites need to be assessed for readability and changes made to improve accessibility.

SourceWiley·JournalAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health·DateMar 9, 2015

Sexism -- it's in his smile

A study by Jin Goh and Judith Hall found that men who display benevolent sexism are perceived as more approachable, warmer, and friendlier, while those with hostile sexism are less friendly. The researchers also discovered that men with benevolent sexism use positive emotional words and are more patient, despite appearing harmless.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateMar 9, 2015