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Science News Archive December 2016 - Page 32


Page 32 of 32

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