Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for July 13, 2016


Researchers uncover new light harvesting potentials

A quantum-confined bandgap narrowing mechanism has been found to extend UV absorption into the visible light range, enabling design of high-efficiency paintable solar cells and water purification using sunlight. The researchers mixed TiO2 particles with graphene quantum dots, resulting in a composite that absorbs visible light.

SourceGriffith University·JournalChemical Communications·DateJul 13, 2016

Study finds first evidence that PD-1 antibody could help men with metastatic prostate cancer

Researchers at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute have reported promising results from a Phase II clinical trial of pembrolizumab, a PD-1 antibody, in men with metastatic prostate cancer. Three out of ten participants showed significant responses to treatment, including rapid decreases in PSA levels and tumor shrinkage.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalOncoTargets and Therapy·DateJul 13, 2016

What free will looks like in the brain

Johns Hopkins researchers track brain activity as participants make choices entirely on their own, pinpointing the parietal lobe's role in attention switching and frontal cortex involvement in deliberation. The findings shed light on the neural mechanisms underlying human volition and decision-making.

Ravens learn best from their affiliates

Researchers found that networks based on affiliative behaviors, like preening and sharing food, play a major role in transmitting information among ravens. These social connections, especially between siblings, emphasize the importance of family ties in learning.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJul 13, 2016

Stand-up comics more likely to die prematurely than film comedians and dramatic actors

A landmark study published in the International Journal of Cardiology found that stand-up comedians are more likely to die prematurely compared to comedy actors and dramatic actors. The study revealed a pattern of premature mortality among elite stand-up comedians, with those at the top being more likely to die at a younger age.

SourceAustralian Catholic University·JournalInternational Journal of Cardiology·DateJul 13, 2016

ALMA makes first sighting of water snow line around young star

A team led by Lucas Cieza has made the first resolved observations of a water snow line in a protoplanetary disc using ALMA's long baselines. The discovery pushes the water snow line out to a distance of around 40 au, significantly impacting our understanding of planetary formation models.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateJul 13, 2016

Hungry parents may feed their kids more, UF study finds

A study of 29 mother-child pairs found that mothers who were overweight or obese served larger portions to their children when they perceived their own hunger as higher. The researchers suggest that parents can intervene by providing objective guidelines and allowing children to have control over their portion sizes.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics·DateJul 13, 2016

New method can identify chemical warfare agents more easily

A new method for extracting, enriching and identifying chemical warfare agents from oils and organic liquids has been developed, using nanoparticles to capture the chemicals. The method can identify agents at low concentrations, overcomes challenges of detecting water-repellent agents, and has potential to save lives.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Chromatography A·DateJul 13, 2016

Think a gasoline-direct injection engine is the green choice? Maybe not

A new study from University of Toronto researchers reveals that gasoline-direct injection (GDI) engines, touted for their fuel efficiency, may actually emit more climate-warming black carbon and toxic pollutants than conventional engines. The study found that GDI engines ranked in the 73rd percentile for black carbon emissions, while v...

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJul 13, 2016

Hidden moss chloroplast 'wall' discovered

Researchers visualize peptidoglycan 'wall' in moss chloroplasts for the first time, overturning traditional understanding of chloroplast structure. The discovery has significant implications for our knowledge of plant cell biology and the origins of photosynthesis.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateJul 13, 2016

Doubling up to fight pain

Researchers at Queen's University have found that combining pregabalin with duloxetine improves fibromyalgia symptoms, offering a new treatment option for patients. The study suggests that this combination can safely improve pain relief, physical function, and overall quality of life.

SourceQueen's University·JournalPain·DateJul 13, 2016

Penn preclinical study outlines cardiovascular side effects of breast cancer drug

Researchers at Penn Medicine discovered that breast cancer drug trastuzumab affects the development of blood vessels in the heart, leading to potential cardiovascular side effects. The study highlights a new role for ErbB2 protein in blood vessel formation and provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these side effects.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 13, 2016

A 'key' to metastasis formation

Researchers at Hokkaido University found that biglycan molecule attracts tumor cells to blood vessel walls, facilitating metastasis formation. High biglycan expression linked to poor prognosis in breast, lung, and colorectal cancer patients.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 13, 2016

Moffitt Cancer Center awarded $3.2 million grant to study bone metastasis in prostate cancer

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center will investigate prostate cancer metastasis using a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates molecular, cellular and clinical information into mathematical models. The goal is to better understand the key factors driving disease progression and identify new therapeutic targets for prevention.

Drug-use may hamper moral judgment

Research suggests that prolonged drug use can damage the brains of cocaine and methamphetamine users, leading to difficulty with moral decision making. The study found abnormal neural activity in the frontal lobes and limbic regions of their brains during moral processing.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychopharmacology·DateJul 13, 2016

Polypharamocological drugs in the treatment of epilepsy: The comprehensive review of marketed and new emerging molecules

Researchers reviewed polypharmacological drugs for their role in treating epilepsy, highlighting their potential as broad-spectrum anticonvulsants. These medications have been shown to reduce seizure episodes and improve quality of life by targeting multiple pathways involved in the disorder.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Design·DateJul 13, 2016

Cyclic opioid peptides

Researchers explore cyclic opioid peptides with constrained topographical structure, offering improved affinities and selectivities at target receptors. The benefits of cyclization have been enhanced through the generation of polycyclic peptides, promoting increased stability and therapeutic potential for novel therapeutics.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Medicinal Chemistry·DateJul 13, 2016

Calculus I factors women out of STEM degrees

A new study by Colorado State University researchers suggests that women's decision to leave a STEM path after Calculus I is largely driven by confidence in their math abilities, rather than ability itself. If the same percentage of women as men stuck with STEM after Calc I, the percentage of women entering the STEM workforce could be ...

SourceColorado State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 13, 2016

Tiny 'racetracks' show how bacteria get organized

When bacteria are confined to millimeter-sized, fluid-filled oval tracks, they quickly organize into a collective motion, with individuals moving in opposite directions. The research, published in the New Journal of Physics, shows that mechanical interactions between bacteria and their surroundings drive this complex behavior.

SourceBrown University·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateJul 13, 2016

To save water on lawns, throw some shade

A University of Utah study found that traditional lawn watering recommendations are often inaccurate for urban conditions in Los Angeles. By measuring evapotranspiration in shaded areas, researchers developed a new approach to adjust watering rates and achieved higher accuracy than existing models.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Arid Environments·DateJul 13, 2016

Upstream trenches, downstream nitrogen

Researchers are using bioreactors to intercept nitrogen-rich drainage water from tile-drained fields, neutralizing the nutrient that causes problems for aquatic ecosystems. The trenches enhance a natural process, converting nitrogen into benign gas, and have shown promise in improving water quality.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateJul 13, 2016

Microalgae -- a promising future resource?

Microalgae have tremendous potential in industrial biotechnology due to their applications in food, medications, and environmental biotechnology. The University of Cologne's new method using Porous Substrate Bioreactors (PSBR) reduces liquid consumption by up to 100 times, making it more cost-efficient and energy-saving.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·DateJul 13, 2016

New study shows differences in blood pressure variation across ethnicity

A recent study by Binghamton University found significant ethnic differences in circadian blood pressure variation among African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, and European American women. The research suggests that genetic and cultural factors contribute to these variations, which can inform personalized treatment approa...

SourceBinghamton University·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Biology·DateJul 13, 2016

Tendon, heal thyself!

A new study from TSRI researchers reveals the role of a gene called Mkx in maintaining and strengthening tendons in animal models. The findings may bring doctors closer to using gene therapies to grow and repair tendons.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2016

Lack of paternal information on birth certificate may increase a child's obesity risk

A new study found that children born to unmarried mothers with no father listed on their birth certificate are more likely to experience weight-related issues. The research suggests that paternal involvement may play a crucial role in influencing childhood obesity outcomes, particularly in terms of feeding practices and prenatal care.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalBMC Public Health·DateJul 13, 2016

Detecting melanoma early, without a biopsy

Colorado State University researcher Jesse Wilson is developing a new microscope that can distinguish between benign and malignant pigmented skin lesions without a biopsy. The pump-probe technology uses a simpler laser source that's already widely used in telecommunications applications, making it more realistic for melanoma applications.