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Science News Archive November 2015 - Page 35


Page 35 of 35

Molecular 'brake' stifles human lung cancer

Scientists at the Salk Institute have discovered a molecule called EphA2 that stifles aggressive growth of common and deadly type of lung cancer in humans. The enzyme normally polices tissue growth but when mutated, cellular systems can run amok, leading to tumors.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2015

Study suggests increased sleep duration and chronic short sleep duration linked to increased diabetes risk in middle-aged and older women

Chronic short sleep duration of 6 hours or less increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and older women. Increasing sleep duration by 2 hours or more also associated with a modest increased risk of diabetes, even after adjusting for other factors such as diet and physical activity.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateNov 2, 2015

Cleveland Clinic: New policies would expand pediatric lung transplant access, study shows

A study published in the American Journal of Transplantation shows that new policies could increase pediatric lung transplants by twice as much. The research team tested alternative allocation models to improve pediatric access to donor lungs and found two models resulted in significantly more transplants for pediatric patients.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateNov 2, 2015

Living alone can dent healthy diets

Research by Queensland University of Technology found that people living alone are more likely to have poor dieting habits due to inadequate cooking skills and lack of motivation. The study also found a gender disparity in healthy eating practices, with men living alone having poorer diets than women.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalNutrition Reviews·DateNov 2, 2015

Engineers design magnetic cell sensors

Researchers have created genetically encoded magnetic protein nanoparticles that can be produced within cells, allowing for non-invasive tracking and monitoring of cell signals. This technology has the potential to observe communication between neurons, activation of immune cells, and stem cell differentiation, among other phenomena.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 2, 2015

Risk assessment, for the birds

Researchers studied three species of songbirds crossing the Gulf of Mexico, finding they use weather and body fat to assess migration risk. The findings can help protect migrating birds by identifying high-quality habitats along their routes.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2015

Off-label prescription drug use and adverse drug events

A study of Canadian patients found that off-label prescription drug use was associated with a higher incidence of adverse drug events (ADEs), particularly when the use lacked strong scientific evidence. The study also found that patients using multiple medications had a significantly increased risk for ADEs.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateNov 2, 2015

Skin cancer-causing fusion gene identified

A novel fusion gene NUP160-SLC43A3 has been identified in skin cancer cells, leading to rapid tumor progression and a significantly shorter duration between symptoms onset and hospital visit. This discovery has potential implications for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for angiosarcoma.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalCancer Research·DateNov 1, 2015

Earthquakes recorded through fossils

Researchers found stratigraphic evidence of subsidence during large earthquakes beneath salt marshes in California's Humboldt Bay. Microfossil data analysis enabled more accurate estimates of subsidence, refining earthquake models that match observed measurements. New plant macrofossils provide tighter constraints on past earthquake ti...

Signs of acid fog found on Mars

Planetary scientist Shoshanna Cole discovered signs of acid fog on Mars, which formed when acidic vapors dissolved minerals and created gel-like cement. The phenomenon was observed in the Watchtower Class outcrops on Husband Hill, indicating a change in the environment billions of years ago.