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Science News Archive September 2015 - Page 13


Page 13 of 35

A whale of a tale

Scientists have discovered that the gut microbiome of right whales and other baleen species shares traits with both cows and meat-eating predators. This dual microbial community enables whales to digest not only copepods but also their chitin-rich shells, providing a significant nutritional benefit.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 22, 2015

New weapon against the reef eaters

Researchers at James Cook University have developed a new method using household vinegar to kill the Crown of Thorns Starfish, a major contributor to coral reef decline. The treatment shows a 100% kill rate and is significantly cheaper than existing methods.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalCoral Reefs·DateSep 22, 2015

New sports technology provides a GPS alternative

SABEL Sense technology offers an alternative to GPS for tracking running speeds and distances, presenting a viable solution for improved athlete assessment techniques. The technology has been found to be highly accurate for running speeds, with potential benefits in monitoring training and game workloads.

SourceGriffith University·JournalSensors·DateSep 22, 2015

Building a biofuel-boosting Swiss Army knife

A team of researchers at Michigan State University has created a synthetic protein that improves the assembly of carbon-fixing factories in cyanobacteria, enabling more efficient biofuel production. The new protein also provides a proof of concept for improving plant photosynthesis or installing new metabolic pathways in bacteria.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateSep 21, 2015

Could aspirin treat breast cancer?

A randomized trial will recruit 3,000 women with Stage II and III breast cancer to receive either aspirin or a placebo. The study aims to determine if aspirin can prevent breast cancer recurrence and death, with potential benefits including enhanced survival and reduced costs in developing nations.

Scientists sequence genome of worm that can regrow body parts, seeking stem cell insights

Researchers have sequenced the genome of Macrostomum lignano, a flatworm that can regrow its body parts, to gain insights into its regenerative abilities and advance stem cell biology. The genome's complex structure holds promise for studying developmental pathways and gene expression involved in regeneration.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2015

Changing clinical practice: Too fast or too slow?

A Mayo Clinic study examines the adoption and cessation of calcium magnesium (CaMg) use for oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy, highlighting the challenges of translating research into clinical practice. The study reveals a decade-long cycle of rapid changes in treatment, driven by emerging evidence and public perception.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateSep 21, 2015

Sex does not increase heart attack risk

Research suggests that sexual activity does not increase the risk of heart attack and can be resumed after a heart attack. Most patients are safe to engage in sex again, with less than half of men and one-third of women receiving information on this topic from their doctors.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 21, 2015