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Science News for December 1, 2016


Breaking the backbone

Researchers have developed a method to produce degradable polymers through chemical vapor deposition (CVD), allowing for the creation of biodegradable implants and coatings. The new polymers can be tailored to degrade at specific rates, making them suitable for various medical applications.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 1, 2016

Single dose of hallucinogenic drug psilocybin relieves anxiety and depression in patients with advanced cancer

A clinical trial led by NYU Langone Health found that psilocybin significantly reduces mental anguish in distressed cancer patients for months. The study showed that one-time treatment with psilocybin quickly brought relief from distress that then lasted for over six months in 80% of the participants.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology·DateDec 1, 2016

Four weeks to prepare cancer patients for surgery

A four-week prehabilitation program has shown promising results in preparing cancer patients for surgery by improving their physical fitness and reducing recovery time. The study involved 116 colorectal cancer patients who underwent the program before undergoing surgery.

SourceMcGill University·JournalSupportive Care in Cancer·DateDec 1, 2016

New in the Hastings Center Report

The Hastings Center Report examines the ethics of crowdfunding for medical care, citing concerns over fraud, misinformation, and health inequities. The article proposes reducing the number of clinical trials to improve their quality and provide evidence-based decision-making.

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalHastings Center Report·DateDec 1, 2016

Antibody test gauges mosquito exposure

Researchers developed a blood test to assess human exposure to Aedes mosquitoes by measuring antibodies against one individual peptide from Aedes saliva. The test showed decreased human exposure to mosquito bites after a vector control program, with 88% of people having a positive antibody reaction before the intervention.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateDec 1, 2016

Plasma-zapping process could yield trans fat-free soybean oil product

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a hydrogenation process that uses high-voltage atmospheric cold plasma (HVACP) to solidify soybean oil for food processing without creating trans fats. The new process is more efficient and environmentally friendly, with the potential to produce safe plant oils on a large scale.

SourcePurdue University·JournalInnovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies·DateDec 1, 2016

Dabigatran superior to warfarin when anticoagulation is resumed after bleeding

A new analysis found that restarting dabigatran after a major bleeding event leads to lower recurrent hemorrhage risk compared to warfarin. Resuming anticoagulation therapy also reduced the likelihood of stroke-free survival, with dabigatran associated with nearly half the risk of another major bleeding event within one year.

The tree of life has its roots in Jena

Ernst Haeckel's groundbreaking work in 1866 introduced the concept of monophyly and natural selection in speciation, illustrating the evolutionary history of organisms as a tree of life. This innovative method has remained unchanged for over 150 years, with its principle being widely adopted to represent biodiversity.

US public divided over food science

A new survey by Pew Research Center reveals a divide among Americans regarding the health effects of organic produce, genetically modified foods, and eating healthy. While some believe organics are healthier, others see no difference or consider GM foods worse for health.

Bitumen from Middle East discovered in 7th century buried ship in UK

Researchers have identified bitumen from the Middle East in a 7th century ship buried at Sutton Hoo in the UK, indicating a previously unknown trade route. The presence of this rare material suggests that it was deliberately included in the burial chamber, possibly as an ornamental or prestigious raw material.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 1, 2016

Correlates of overweight and obesity among adolescents with bipolar disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey -- Adolescent Supplement

A recent study published in JAACAP found that obesity among adolescents with bipolar disorder is associated with increased illness severity, including more suicide attempts and psychiatric hospitalizations. However, the study also found that overweight adolescents with bipolar disorder are not more common than their peers.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateDec 1, 2016

Gut microbe movements regulate host circadian rhythms

Research in mice reveals that gut microbe movements can influence a host animal's circadian rhythms by exposing different microbes and their metabolites as the day goes by. The study shows profound effects on host physiology, including changes in liver function and gene expression.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateDec 1, 2016

Autism-linked protein crucial for feeling pain

A recent study by Duke University researchers has identified a crucial link between autism and pain sensation, suggesting that the SHANK3 protein plays a key role in transmitting pain signals. The findings have significant implications for understanding autism-related sensory problems and developing effective treatments.

SourceDuke University·JournalNeuron·DateDec 1, 2016

Unique strains of Brazilian leishmaniasis set apart by genetics

A recent study by Guimarães et al. found that patients with atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in northeast Brazil have distinct genetic variations and higher levels of inflammatory cytokines. ACL is characterized by longer disease duration, more lesions above the waist, and reduced effectiveness of antimony treatment.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateDec 1, 2016

How Zika infects the growing brain

Researchers at Harvard University and Novartis have discovered that Zika virus can infect neural progenitor cells by grabbing onto a specific protein called AXL on the cell surface. This finding contradicts previous studies suggesting that targeting the AXL protein alone could defend against the virus.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateDec 1, 2016

Psychological well-being and physical activity in older adults

A study published by Chapman University researchers found that higher psychological well-being is associated with greater levels of physical activity in older adults. The study, which followed 9,986 English adults over 11 years, suggests that boosting mental health may encourage physical activity and improve overall well-being.

SourceChapman University·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateDec 1, 2016

How it takes just 6 seconds to hack a credit card

Researchers at Newcastle University found that hackers can hack a credit card account in as little as 6 seconds by guessing the card number, expiry date, and CVV. The 'Distributed Guessing Attack' method allows hackers to circumvent security features and validate card details across multiple websites.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalIEEE Security & Privacy·DateDec 1, 2016

New chemistry of life

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt discovered a new ubiquitination mechanism in Legionella bacteria that affects cellular processes and causes cell death. This mechanism reveals a broader role of ubiquitin in regulating life processes and may lead to new strategies for developing antibacterial agents.

A friend of a friend is ... a dense network

A new theoretical model shows that dense networks evolve differently depending on the rate of second-neighbor connections. Networks with high copying probabilities exhibit densifying behavior, growing faster than themselves, and an unlimited number of growth transitions related to copying are discovered.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 1, 2016

How do children hear anger?

A team of researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and acoustic analysis to study how children's brains respond to emotional speech cues. They found that lower frequency characteristics in voice spectra may play a significant role in understanding brain activity and differentiating emotional processing.

CRISPR editing in pancreatic cells reduced cell death and increased insulin secretion

Researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 to remove an enzyme that regulates the diabetes-associated TXNIP gene, leading to reduced cell death and increased insulin production in genetically modified pancreatic beta cells. The study also found that histone acetyltransferases play a crucial role in regulating the TXNIP gene.

SourceLund University·JournalThe International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology·DateDec 1, 2016

A&A special issue: GREGOR first results

The GREGOR solar telescope has demonstrated its potential with high precision measurements of magnetic fields and material motion. High spatial resolution imaging data have also provided unprecedented details of the Sun's photosphere, revealing features smaller than 100 km in sunspot light bridges.

SourceAstronomy & Astrophysics·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateDec 1, 2016

New evidence on the formation of the solar system

A new study published in Nature Communications presents evidence suggesting that a low-mass supernova played a crucial role in the formation of our solar system. The research team analyzed short-lived radioactive nuclei found in meteorites and discovered unique 'fingerprints' that point to a low-mass supernova as the trigger.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 1, 2016

China's pristine parks get more merit

A large-scale study found China's smaller parks in warmer regions were more heavily modified, while larger parks in colder areas remained pristinely untouched. The research provides valuable insights into the conservation value of protected areas and will aid in achieving international recognition for China's conservation efforts.

SourceGriffith University·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateDec 1, 2016

'Bickering' flies make evolutionary point

Rice University biologist Julia Saltz found that fruit flies' genotypes and behaviors affect their social environments. In experiments, she observed that males in preferred groups were more aggressive than those in nonpreferred groups, while losing an encounter made them less aggressive.

SourceRice University·JournalHeredity·DateDec 1, 2016

Concerns over bodybuilders injecting natural oils

A young bodybuilder's use of non-prescribed injections, including coconut oil and insulin, led to severe complications, including a ruptured triceps and multiple cysts. The case highlights the risks of self-administered natural oils and steroids used to achieve a desired body image.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Case Reports·DateDec 1, 2016

IPM's ring study results published in New England Journal of Medicine

A Phase III study published in NEJM shows the dapivirine ring safely reduced HIV infection by 31 percent overall among all women in the trial. The risk of HIV infection was reduced by at least 56 percent among women who used the ring consistently, with subgroup analyses suggesting a 75 percent or more reduction with near-perfect use.

SourceInternational Partnership for Microbicides (IPM)·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 1, 2016

Use your words: Written prisoner interactions predict whether they'll clean up their acts

Research at Ohio State University found that prisoners' written communication changes are linked to reduced reoffending rates in substance-abuse programs. The study analyzed tens of thousands of messages exchanged between participants and found that those who showed greater language change were less likely to return to prison.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Substance Abuse Treatment·DateDec 1, 2016