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Science News for August 10, 2016


First report on efficient reprogramming of diabetic foot ulcer cells to create therapeutic stem cell

Scientists have developed a technique to convert diabetic foot ulcer cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can be used to study new therapeutic approaches and develop disease models. This breakthrough has significant implications for the treatment of non-healing chronic wounds.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalCellular Reprogramming·DateAug 10, 2016

Climate change already accelerating sea level rise, study finds

A new study reveals that greenhouse gases are already accelerating sea level rise, but the impact was initially masked by the massive 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption. The study finds that removing the eruption's cooling effect from satellite records shows a clear acceleration in sea level rise over time.

A spoonful of fat makes the medicine go down

Researchers at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science have developed a patented technology that allows orally administered drugs to by-pass the liver. This innovation utilizes a natural nano-scale lipid transport system to deliver drugs directly into the bloodstream, increasing absorption rates and efficacy.

SourceTania Ewing and Associates·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 10, 2016

Probing RNA function with 10,000 mutants

Researchers at OIST Graduate University have developed an efficient approach to study ribozyme mutants, revealing key findings about the structure and properties of these RNA molecules. The study found that ribozymes are highly robust against mutations, potentially explaining their widespread presence across different forms of life.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 10, 2016

Case workers need more holistic approach to identifying chronic child neglect

A new study suggests that Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers may need to use a more all-encompassing approach to improve how they respond to cases of chronic neglect. The researchers found that families with chronic neglect often have multiple significant stressors, including extreme poverty and parental substance abuse. A mor...

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalChildren and Youth Services Review·DateAug 10, 2016

Engineering a better biofuel

A team from Washington University in St. Louis has developed a new method to produce biofuels in E. coli bacteria, boosting BCFA manufacture to 80 percent of all fuel products, and opening up potential applications for pharmaceuticals and other useful products.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalMetabolic Engineering·DateAug 10, 2016

Improved knowledge of shelf life of food

A recent study from Aarhus University found that Danes' knowledge of shelf life labels has improved, with 70% correctly identifying the difference between labels. However, many consumers throw away food after the 'best before' date without checking its edibility, highlighting a need for greater awareness and education.

Oral immunotherapy is safe, effective for peanut-allergic preschoolers, study suggests

A clinical trial found that oral immunotherapy is safe and effective for peanut-allergic preschool children, with over 80% successfully introducing peanut into their diets. The treatment involved gradually increasing amounts of peanut protein daily and was comparable in effectiveness between low-dose and high-dose regimens.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateAug 10, 2016

How mouth microbes may worsen colorectal cancer

Researchers discovered that oral microbes like fusobacteria travel through the bloodstream to reach colorectal tumors, where they proliferate and accelerate cancer. The study sheds light on how these bacteria home in on tumors using a protein called Fap2.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateAug 10, 2016

Unraveling the jaw-dropping goblin shark

Researchers at Hokkaido University analyzed footage of goblin sharks capturing prey using a high-speed jaw projection, called 'slingshot feeding', which propels the jaws at speeds of up to 3.1 meters per second. This adaptation allows the shark to compensate for its slow swimming speed in deep-sea environments where food is scarce.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 10, 2016

How climate change will hurt humanity's closest cousins

A new Concordia study reveals that climate change may be one of the biggest emerging threats to primates, with 419 species expected to experience 10% more warming than the global average. The researchers identified hotspots of primate vulnerability in Central America, the Amazon, and Southeast Asia.

SourceConcordia University·JournalInternational Journal of Primatology·DateAug 10, 2016

In search of a golden age

Linguistic anthropologist Piers Kelly argues that the Philippines' 'golden age' war treasure myth is rooted in local folklore, not WWII-era plunder. The tale of hidden riches thrives during times of crisis to boost morale and challenge economic inequality.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalJournal of Folklore Research·DateAug 10, 2016

New hope for shock patients in intensive care

A new medical device that combines laser spectroscopy and precise flow measurement has shown promise in improving care for shock patients. The device, which fits into a standard ventilation tube, allows doctors to monitor oxygen consumption in real-time, potentially leading to more effective treatment.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 10, 2016

Loophole for cancer cells

Cancer cells use DR6 to kill endothelial cells, allowing them to slip through the vascular wall and form metastases. This process is known as necroptosis, which enables cancer cells to overcome an endothelial cell layer in the laboratory and in living organisms.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateAug 10, 2016

How incivility spreads in the workplace

A study by Michigan State University found that incivility spreads through condescending comments and put-downs, reducing employees' self-control and leading to uncivil behavior. Workplace incivility has a significant impact on employees and companies, with an estimated $14,000 annual loss per employee.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateAug 10, 2016

New method helps stabilize materials with elusive magnetism

Researchers introduce two approaches to stabilize itinerant ferromagnetic state in quantum gases, allowing for experimental detection and study of this elusive physical state. By imposing moderate optical lattices or studying cloud evolution, the methods reduce three-body recombination rates, enabling longer-lived ferromagnetic domains.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateAug 10, 2016