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Science News for December 16, 2016


New diagnostic test kit offers easy identification of virulent pathogens in remote locations

A new battery-powered detection system can identify 16 virulent pathogens with high sensitivity and provides positive identification from as few as 10 DNA sequences. The device is designed for use in remote locations where laboratory resources are lacking, addressing the lack of timely diagnosis and effective treatment.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateDec 16, 2016

A potential pharmaceutical intervention for co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorder

A randomized controlled pilot trial found that N-acetylcysteine combined with group cognitive behavioral therapy reduced PTSD symptoms, cravings, and depression significantly more than CBT alone. The treatment showed promising results for a difficult-to-treat population of veterans with co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorder.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateDec 16, 2016

Internet data could boost conservation

Researchers used internet data to track public interest in conservation over time, finding sudden spikes linked to media coverage and seasonal events. The study suggests harnessing these peaks to aid protection efforts, using methods that are relatively cheap and produce huge sample sizes.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBiological Conservation·DateDec 16, 2016

AMP issues joint guideline to standardize interpretation and reporting of sequence variants in cancer

The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) has published a joint guideline to standardize the interpretation and reporting of sequence variants in cancer. The guidelines aim to improve patient care by establishing standardized classification, annotation, interpretation, and reporting conventions for somatic sequence variants.

SourceAssociation for Molecular Pathology·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateDec 16, 2016

New bioinformatics tool tests methods for finding mutant genes that 'drive' cancer

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new bioinformatics tool to evaluate the accuracy of current methods for identifying cancer-promoting mutations. The study found that existing methods need improvement and shared their methodology publicly to aid others in developing more precise ways to target tumor growth.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 16, 2016

Carbon dots dash toward 'green' recycling role

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a simple way to recycle waste carbon dioxide into valuable fuel using nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots. The dots proved nearly as efficient as copper in converting CO2 into small batches of ethylene and ethanol, with the ability to keep their catalytic activity for a long time.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 16, 2016

Graffiti for science

Researchers from GFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam developed a new method called 'erosion painting' to visualize erosion rates. By applying paint patterns on rock surfaces and monitoring their removal over time, scientists can analyze the spatial distribution and intensity of erosive processes.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalEarth Surface Dynamics·DateDec 16, 2016