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Science News Archive January 2016


Page 1 of 31

Do asthma and COPD truly exist?

A new perspective article suggests a shift towards precision medicine, identifying 'treatable traits' in each patient to tailor management. This approach aims to improve patient outcomes by recognizing the clinical and biological complexity of airway diseases.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateJan 31, 2016

Australian cancer drug licensed in $730M deal

A promising new cancer drug developed by CSIRO's Cancer Therapeutics CRC has been licensed to US pharmaceutical company Merck in a $730 million deal. The drug targets the protein PRMT5, associated with various cancers, and may also provide disease-modifying treatment options for blood disorders.

Laboratory-bred corals reproduce in the wild

Researchers have raised laboratory-bred colonies of a threatened Caribbean coral species to sexual maturity, reproducing simultaneously with their natural population. This breakthrough technique increases genetic diversity and provides new hope for the recovery of dwindling elkhorn coral populations.

SourceSECORE International·JournalBulletin of Marine Science·DateJan 29, 2016

From mother to child, passing on disease

Two vector-borne diseases, Chagas' disease and Leishmaniasis, can be transmitted from mother to child through the placenta, posing a significant risk to newborns. Research highlights the importance of healthcare workers remembering these diseases when examining sick children whose mothers have traveled from affected areas.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJan 29, 2016

The strain allows to control the magnetic properties of individual iron atom

Researchers from the University of Warsaw have discovered a way to tailor the energy spectrum of an iron atom to obtain a doubly degenerate ground state with non-zero magnetic moment. This achievement enables the storage and processing of quantum information, making it suitable for applications in spintronics and solotronics.

SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 29, 2016

Moon's tidal forces affect amount of rainfall on Earth

New University of Washington research shows that the lunar forces affect the amount of rain on Earth, though very slightly, with a change of about 1 percent of total rainfall variation. The effect is due to the moon's gravitational tug causing higher air pressure and increasing temperature, making it less favorable for precipitation.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 29, 2016

Study assesses how to avoid unnecessary acute admission to hospital

A study has identified a series of innovations that can help hospitals reduce unnecessary acute admissions. The research found that early patient assessment by senior staff played a central role in reducing admissions, with different approaches used across four hospitals in the south west of England. Patients were generally happy with ...

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalHealth Services and Delivery Research·DateJan 29, 2016

Spotlight on both old, difficult issues and humanitarian visions that drive new patents

A recent issue of Technology & Innovation explores old issues in health-related environmental research and new trends. Researchers found significant asbestos exposure risks from motorcycle riding on contaminated soils, while studies on organic vs conventional foods concluded there's no scientific basis for a preference.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalJournal of Technology and Innovation·DateJan 29, 2016

Effects of European earthworms in North America will be studied

A new ERC Starting Grant will fund the first systematic study on the impact of European earthworms on plant communities and soil food webs in North America. The research aims to examine the effects of higher temperatures and reduced summer rainfall on earthworm invasions, shedding light on biodiversity loss and ecosystem functioning.

Discovered: How to unlock inaccessible genes

A team of international scientists has identified a mechanism for chromatin-remodeller enzymes to regulate gene expression in embryonic stem cells. By mapping the location of these enzymes across the genome, researchers found that they bind to specific nucleosomes before gene sequences, controlling access to critical DNA regions.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateJan 29, 2016

New biomarker to assess stem cells developed

A team of scientists at UCL has discovered a way to fast-track the screening of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using DNA methylation as a biomarker. This new approach can help identify 'good' and 'bad' cell lines, which is crucial for laboratory research and potential cell replacement therapies.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 29, 2016

Fat injection for breast reconstruction doesn't increase risk of recurrent breast cancer

A new study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that lipofilling, a technique using the patient's own fat cells for breast reconstruction, does not increase the risk of recurrent breast cancer. The study analyzed over 1,000 cases and compared rates of recurrent or new breast cancers with and without lipofilling.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateJan 29, 2016