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Science News for September 18, 2015


Maternal protein deficiency during pregnancy 'memorized' by fetal muscle cells

A study found that inadequate protein intake during pregnancy activates a genetic pathway leading to muscle atrophy and autophagy in the fetus. This can result in low birth weight and stunted growth in male offspring, increasing the risk of chronic health problems such as cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalBritish Journal Of Nutrition·DateSep 18, 2015

Captain Trevor Greene partners with SFU to walk again

Trevor Greene, a former Canadian soldier who survived a debilitating brain injury in Afghanistan, has recovered his ability to walk again with the help of a customized exoskeleton. Dr. Ryan D'Arcy's research team discovered that physical functions can be recovered through rehabilitation even six years after an injury.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalJournal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation·DateSep 18, 2015

Repairing the brain

Research led by Duke-NUS scientists has linked abnormal behavior of BDNF and DTNBP1 genes to the underlying cause of schizophrenia. By understanding how these genes interact, researchers have identified potential treatments that could rescue signalling balance in the brain, offering new hope for schizophrenia patients.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateSep 18, 2015

Western University hopes to use artificial intelligence to improve breast cancer patient outcomes

Western University researchers have developed an artificial intelligence-powered tool that can predict a patient's response to paclitaxel and gemcitabine chemotherapy medications. The tool uses genetic analysis of tumours to identify the genetic signatures most important for determining resistance and remission for each medication. Wit...

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·JournalMolecular Oncology·DateSep 18, 2015

Southern Ocean: Reconstructing environmental conditions over the past 30,000 years

Researchers reconstruct environmental conditions in the Southern Ocean over the past 30,000 years, showing that seasonal sea-ice zones had significant influences on ecosystems and carbon cycling. The study reveals that nutrient-rich waters allowed phytoplankton to store CO2, contributing to global cooling during ice ages.

AFL, NRL, and cricket promoting alcohol to children

New research from Monash University finds that Australian children and adolescents receive millions of exposures to alcohol advertising during daytime TV viewing of AFL, NRL, and Cricket. The study suggests removing a clause allowing alcohol advertising during daytime in sport could halve children's exposure.

SourceMonash University·JournalDrug and Alcohol Review·DateSep 18, 2015

58,046 fruit flies shed light on 100-year old evolutionary question

Researchers found that artificial breeding created extreme wing shape and size relationships in fruit flies, but natural selection corrected these changes within just 15 generations. This study suggests that evolution is constrained by fundamental biological processes, such as developmental links between traits.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 18, 2015

In-hospital nocturnal dialysis may be good for the heart

A new study suggests that in-hospital nocturnal dialysis may be beneficial for patients' hearts as well as their kidneys. The procedure was found to reduce left ventricular mass by a significant margin after one year, which is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, heart attack, and stroke.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·DateSep 18, 2015

'Tree of life' for 2.3 million species released

The 'Tree of Life' for 2.3 million species has been released, depicting relationships among living things over time. The collaborative effort combines smaller trees from various sources, with the goal of creating a comprehensive and editable online resource.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 18, 2015

One size doesn't fit all

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that patients with metastatic cancer are at high risk of venous thromboembolism after surgery, and a personalized approach to anticoagulation therapy is needed. The study suggests that the primary type of cancer may play a role in determining the risk for blood clots.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateSep 18, 2015

Teens with bulimia recover faster when parents are included in treatment

Involving parents in the treatment of adolescents with bulimia nervosa is more effective than treating the patient individually. Family-based therapy achieved higher abstinence rates from bingeing and purging compared to cognitive behavioral therapy, according to a randomized clinical trial.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateSep 18, 2015

Surfing over simulated ripples in graphene

Scientists from India developed a theory governing curved graphene using a quantum simulator based on an optical lattice. The findings could lead to novel graphene-based sensors with controlled deformation.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateSep 18, 2015

Personal profile, not neighborhood factors, determines who calls EMS for stroke

A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that neighborhood characteristics have a lesser impact on EMS activation for stroke than stroke severity or individual factors. Most patients arrived at the ER within 3 hours, but only about half used EMS, with lower stroke severity and younger age being key determinants.

SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateSep 18, 2015