Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive July 2016 - Page 13


Page 13 of 36

Breastfeeding alters maternal metabolism and protects against diabetes

A recent study found that breastfeeding for over three months postpartum alters maternal metabolism, producing lower concentrations of branched-chain amino acids and phospholipids. This change in metabolites is linked to reduced insulin resistance and a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Cancer stem cells in 'robbers cave' may explain poor prognosis for obese patients

Researchers discovered leukemia stem cells in fatty tissue of obese patients were more resistant to chemotherapy, using fatty acids as their energy source and actively signaling fat for lipolysis. This adaptation could help explain poorer outcomes in obese patients, potentially shedding light on new strategies to target cancer stem cells.

Gaining a better understanding of the way we taste

A team of Japanese researchers made a groundbreaking discovery about the way we taste by studying the structure changes of taste receptor proteins when they bind to taste substances. This change is thought to transmit information from outside the cell, enabling precise analysis of taste substance binding and related processes.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 20, 2016

Quantum drag

Researchers found that a magnetic current flowing through one iron sheet can create quantized spin waves in another separate sheet, without physical connection. This phenomenon has potential benefits for emerging spintronics technology.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 20, 2016

Study examines opioid agonist therapy use in Medicare patients

A recent study examined opioid agonist therapy (OAT) use among Medicare Part D beneficiaries. The analysis found that only approximately 81,000 patients received buprenorphine-naloxone therapy, despite an estimated 300,000 patients struggling with opioid use disorder and over 200,000 requiring hospitalization for opioid-related issues.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJul 20, 2016

Single camera can capture high quality facial performance

A single camera can capture high-quality facial performance using a new method developed by Disney Research, which takes into account the underlying facial anatomy and skin thickness. This approach allows for robust and accurate tracking of facial expressions without requiring multiple cameras or extensive pre-computed facial motions.

Study finds differences in older adults who fall indoors versus outdoors

A new study by NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that patients who fell indoors had more chronic health conditions and were less likely to recover at home, whereas outdoor fallers were younger and healthier. The findings can inform targeted initiatives to lower the risk of falls in older adults.

SourceNew York University·JournalGeriatrics and Gerontology International·DateJul 20, 2016

A chair for getting fit and trim

Researchers at Bielefeld University developed an active chair as part of the KogniHome project, which uses a virtual avatar to lead family members in fitness exercises. The chair measures physical parameters like respiration and heart rate while monitoring healthy posture.

Making parenting a national priority

A new National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report calls for a national framework to uniformly expand access to best-in-class support programs for struggling parents. The report, co-authored by Eric Dearing, aims to provide a comprehensive approach to supporting parents of young children.