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Science News for September 17, 2015


Making mini-makers

Students from Drexel and KAIST will collaborate on nanofabrication and energy storage projects using latest materials and instrumentation. The FIRST Nano2 Co-op Center aims to foster global partnerships in 21st-century technological challenges.

Sponge cells build skeletons with pole-and-beam structure

Researchers discovered that sponges construct their skeletons through a complex process involving dynamic transport and cementation of spicules. The findings reveal a fundamentally new mechanism of forming animal body shape and may inspire interdisciplinary studies in fields like bioengineering and architecture.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 17, 2015

There is strength in diversity!

A new study by researchers from Linnaeus University demonstrates that a higher degree of individual variation is beneficial to populations and species. The findings suggest that more variable populations are less vulnerable to environmental changes, show decreased fluctuations in population size, have superior establishment success, la...

SourceSwedish Research Council·JournalEcography·DateSep 17, 2015

Not all organs age alike

Researchers used integrated 'omics' approaches to analyze changes in proteins across different organs in young and old rats. They found that aging affects organs in strikingly different ways, with specific protein patterns related to the organ's unique cellular properties or function. The study suggests that aging is an organ-specific ...

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Systems·DateSep 17, 2015

Ages apart

Researchers at EMBL, Salk Institute, and UC Berkeley measured how ageing affects brain and liver cells in rats. They found that age-related changes in brain cells often involve the loss of molecules helping neurons communicate, while liver cells show changes in metabolic processes.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalCell Systems·DateSep 17, 2015

Elite emphasize efficiency over equality when distributing resources, study suggests

A recent study by Raymond Fisman et al. reveals that the wealthy and educated elite tend to be less fair-minded and more inclined towards efficiency when distributing resources. The research found that those who prefer efficiency are more likely to work in the corporate sector, which may contribute to the muted policy response to incre...

Apes know a good thriller when they see one

Researchers found that great apes can remember and anticipate memorable events from a single viewing of a movie, using anticipatory looks to track impending events. The study used eye-tracking technology to test the apes' ability to recall and anticipate events in two different films.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 17, 2015

Seen once, never forgotten

Researchers adapted eye-tracking technology for apes, showing they could recall video clips after a 24-hour delay and anticipate what came next. The study suggests great apes can use their memories to avoid danger, interact socially, and navigate complex environments.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 17, 2015

Down syndrome research untangles therapeutic possibilities for Alzheimer's

A study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience has confirmed the pathogenic role of beta amyloid in dementia, both in Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that people with Down syndrome develop abnormal protein at twice the rate, providing insights into how Alzheimer's naturally progresses.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateSep 17, 2015

A barrier against brain stem cell aging

Scientists at the University of Zurich discovered a novel mechanism that helps neural stem cells resist aging-induced damage. A diffusion barrier in the endoplasmic reticulum regulates the sorting of damaged proteins, allowing for rejuvenation and longer lifespan.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience·DateSep 17, 2015

Sure as the wind blows

A recent study published in Renewable Energy predicts that the Midwest region will experience a 2% increase in wind energy density by 2038-2070 due to climate change. This is expected to provide additional power for residents, with some counties projected to gain enough energy to run multiple appliances continuously.

SourceWake Forest University·JournalRenewable Energy·DateSep 17, 2015

New prostate cancer screening review article advocates for active surveillance

Active surveillance can reduce overtreatment by almost 50 percent at 15 years, according to a new review article. The approach involves monitoring and testing patients with regular intervals, rather than immediate treatment. The authors found that this strategy can balance the risk of overdiagnosis and overtreatment in prostate cancer.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalSurgical Clinics of North America·DateSep 17, 2015

Can DNA evidence fill gaps in our history books?

Researchers used DNA to reconstruct past events that brought European populations together, shedding light on the lives of 'regular people.' The study found evidence of multiple migrations, including from Central Asia to Europe and from West Africa to the Mediterranean.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 17, 2015

Molecular imaging study reveals improved detection of early recurrent prostate cancer

A new imaging agent, Ga-68 PSMA, significantly improved detection of early recurrent prostate cancer in a study published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. The agent was found to detect sites of possible recurrence in 50% of patients with low PSA levels, compared to only 12.5% for another widely used agent.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateSep 17, 2015