Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive December 2016 - Page 2


Page 2 of 32

Predicting and preventing violence against criminal justice officials

A scoring system, known as Dr. Logan's triage tool, can help law enforcement identify high-risk individuals who may pose a threat to criminal justice officials. The tool assesses danger-related factors such as rule breaking, violence at a young age, and substance abuse to predict attacks against police, judges, and other officials.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalViolence and Gender·DateDec 28, 2016

Jawing away: Bahama pupfish study identifies candidate genes driving food-niches

A recent study on Bahama pupfish has identified 12 million single DNA mutations associated with jaw size differences and specialized diets. The researchers found novel candidate genes linked to large jaws and small jaws, highlighting the complexity of ecological specialization in this species.

Stability without junctions

Researchers discovered that cadherin clusters prevent cortical deformation by acting as structural anchors in the cell membrane. This new function of non-junctional cadherin clusters regulates cortical movement and stability, allowing for essential processes like cytokinesis to occur without dramatic changes.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 27, 2016

Out of gas and low on sperm?

Researchers at Kyoto University found that the Myc gene regulates stem cell self-renewal in mice, leading to a slower rate of proliferation and impaired energy production. This discovery may lead to new treatments for infertility by stimulating sperm cell metabolism.

SourceKyoto University·JournalGenes & Development·DateDec 27, 2016

Study finds hospital ICU overused

A study by LA BioMed and UCLA researchers found that over 50% of hospital ICU admissions could have been cared for in less expensive settings. Nearly 65% of ICU days were allocated to discretionary monitoring, which is not necessary for patients who are too well or too sick.

SourceLA BioMed·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateDec 27, 2016

Endometrial cancer driver mutations detectable in uterine lavage fluid

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that mutations driving endometrial cancer can be detected in uterine lavage fluid of pre- and post-menopausal women, regardless of their cancer status. The presence of these mutations was positively associated with age and post-menopause, highlighting the potential for non-invasive screening met...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 27, 2016

How much money is spent on health care for kids, where does it go?

Healthcare spending on children in the US grew from $149.6 billion in 1996 to $233.5 billion in 2013, with the highest expenditures on well-newborn care, ADHD treatment, and dental care. The study highlights the need to analyze driving factors behind increased healthcare spending to determine its impact on processes and outcomes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateDec 27, 2016

Dental implants with antibacterial activity

Scientists at the University of the Basque Country have created coatings for dental implants that can prevent bacterial colonization and adhesion. The new coatings were developed using sol-gel synthesis and added antibacterial agents, achieving successful results in preventing osseointegration problems and infections.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalJournal of Non-Crystalline Solids·DateDec 26, 2016

Sprinting towards extinction? Cheetah numbers crash globally

The cheetah is sprinting towards extinction with only 7,100 individuals remaining, highlighting the need for landscape-wide conservation efforts. The species' dramatic decline is driven by habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal trafficking, requiring a paradigm shift in conservation approaches.

SourcePanthera·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 26, 2016

Study: Hospital readmission rates decrease after passage of ACA financial penalties

A new analysis found that hospitals with high readmission rates for Medicare patients with certain health conditions saw significant decreases after the passage of the Affordable Care Act's Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. The poorest performing hospitals achieved the greatest reductions in readmission rates, suggesting that fi...

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 26, 2016

Naturally occurring mechanism of cancer drug-resistance may itself be a treatment target

A new study reveals that cancer cells can develop resistance to proteasome inhibitors by suppressing the expression of proteasome subunits, leading to a broadly altered cell state with unique vulnerabilities. This finding may expose opportunities for targeted therapies that can be effective against diverse cancers.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 26, 2016

Biology's 'breadboard'

Researchers have developed a novel GAL4-UAS system for C. elegans, allowing for systematic perturbation of the nervous system and creation of a database linking neural activity to behaviors. This 'breadboard' system enables precise control of neural activity, simplifying the study of nervous system function.

SourceNew York Institute of Technology·JournalNature Methods·DateDec 26, 2016