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Science News Archive April 2016 - Page 15


Page 15 of 39

Building a CRISPR rainbow

Researchers have developed a new technology using CRISPR/Cas9 to label and track up to seven different genomic locations in live cells. This allows for real-time study of chromosome dynamics and gene expression, enabling better understanding of biological processes and health outcomes.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 20, 2016

New tool calculates economic costs of methane leak detection

A new tool, FEAST, calculates economic costs of different methane leak detection technologies and identifies the most cost-effective methods. The study found that selectively targeting super-emitters can help mitigate methane leakage at lower costs, while expensive instruments can be used if leak detection is performed rapidly.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateApr 20, 2016

Antiviral protein linked to depressed mood in mice

A study in mice reveals how antiviral immune response alters brain activity, impairing neuronal firing in the hippocampus and causing depressive-like behavior. The CXCL10/CXCR3 signaling pathway acts as a bridge between rising interferon levels and changes in neuronal activity, explaining mood changes.

SourceCell Press·JournalImmunity·DateApr 19, 2016

Cracking the Zika mystery

A recent study by Duke-NUS Medical School scientists has revealed the Zika virus structure and identified potential sites to target with therapeutics. The findings suggest that destabilizing the virus's structure may help reduce disease severity or limit transmission.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalNature·DateApr 19, 2016

DNA sat nav uncovers ancient Ashkenaz

Researchers used a DNA tool to pinpoint the origin of Yiddish, suggesting it was invented by Iranian and Ashkenazic Jews as they traded on the Silk Road. The language is thought to have acquired new words from other cultures while retaining its Slavic grammar.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·DateApr 19, 2016

Nursing home ownership

The article examines the association between for-profit nursing home ownership and care quality, concluding that the precautionary principle should be applied. Observational studies show that publicly funded care in for-profit facilities is inferior to public or non-profit facilities.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateApr 19, 2016

Researchers find a fast road out of poverty

A new study by researchers at the University of Oxford and the University of Toronto has found that upgrading roads and joining them to the city grid can dramatically increase land and property prices, leading to improved financial security for poor households. This infrastructure project in the Mexican city of Acayucan resulted in a 7...

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalThe Review of Economics and Statistics·DateApr 19, 2016

Using data to explore poetic sound

A researcher from Michigan State University is using a fellowship to study the role of sound in modern South Asian poetry, exploring rhyme, stress and patterns of repetition. The project aims to develop best practices for encoding linguistic data and preserve cultural forms in the region.

Scientists describe new model to enhance Zika virus research

A new mouse model developed by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine enables the study of Zika virus infection and its effects on the brain. The model, which lacks key immune system components, allows for the testing of vaccines and antivirals against the virus.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateApr 19, 2016

New class of small molecule drug, SI-2, has potential for improving cancer treatment

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine developed a new class of small molecule drug SI-2 that accelerates the destruction of cancer signaling molecule SRC-3, leading to slower cell proliferation and migration. The study suggests SI-2 has potential for improving cancer treatment with low toxicity to normal cells and animals.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 19, 2016

From lighting screens to lighting homes

Researchers at Kyung Hee University propose a model to recycle lithium ion batteries into energy storage units for solar-powered LED lamps, reducing e-waste and providing job opportunities. The system can light up a room for about five hours each day, lasting approximately three years without maintenance.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateApr 19, 2016

How much do we really see?

A study published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences suggests that our visual perception may be limited to the 'big picture', capturing details but not specifics. This challenge to the notion of rich visual experience highlights the complexities of consciousness and perception.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateApr 19, 2016