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Science News for June 2, 2016


Walnuts may improve your colon health

Eating walnuts changes the gut microbiome in a way that suppresses colon cancer, with male mice developing 2.3 times fewer tumors when fed walnuts as part of a Western diet. This effect is likely due to walnut's anti-inflammatory properties and ability to promote a diverse gut flora.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalCancer Prevention Research·DateJun 2, 2016

Current apps on weight management have not been certified by health authorities and there are no published data on their effectiveness

Only 17 weight management apps have been developed by certified health organisations or universities, with no published data on their effectiveness. Researchers recommend transferring professionally-designed online materials into app form to ensure content-quality and evidence-based weight control.

Low risk of dengue infection predicted for foreign visitors to Rio Olympics

Researchers predict a low risk of dengue infection among foreign visitors to the Rio Olympics, with estimates suggesting as few as three symptomatic cases and potentially no asymptomatic infections at all. The predictions are based on sophisticated mathematical modeling techniques and data from Brazil's Health Ministry.

Highly tuned catalytic controls

Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a new process that triggers targeted reactions using red or near-infrared light or a tiny dose of an enzyme. This breakthrough has significant implications for medicine and engineering, particularly in drug delivery and tissue engineering.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 2, 2016

Nanotubes' 'stuffing' as is

A scientist at Lomonosov Moscow State University studied the influence of carbon nanotube 'stuffing' on their electronic properties. The researcher identified four main reasons why this method is promising for tailoring electronic properties.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalProgress in Materials Science·DateJun 2, 2016

Genetic code of red blood cells discovered

The study found that only four genes are necessary to reprogram skin cells into producing red blood cells, offering a potential solution for blood transfusions and anaemia treatment. This breakthrough could lead to personalized red blood cells for patients with rare blood types.

SourceLund University·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 2, 2016

New in the Hastings Center Report

The article explores the negative effects of medical industry gifts on physicians, arguing that well-intentioned actions can be perniciously infected by industry presence. It also examines Medicare's new policy on advance planning and its limitations, as well as the quarantine controversy surrounding Ebola nurse Kaci Hickox's case.

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalHastings Center Report·DateJun 2, 2016

Reading between the genes

Researchers at TUM and MPI have developed a method to identify active regulatory DNA regions controlling genes. This breakthrough enables scientists to study how genes are controlled in different cell types, shedding light on gene regulation and its role in diseases.

How to organize a cell: Novel insight from a fungus

Researchers have found that random distribution of organelles in cells is an energy-dependent activity, utilizing ATP to transport organelles along cytoskeleton fibers. This study has implications for understanding human disorders, such as Zellweger syndrome, and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 2, 2016

Brain power

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have pinpointed a specific long non-coding RNA that regulates neural development and drives human brain expansion. The lncRNA, called lncND, binds to microRNAs and regulates the expression of Notch proteins, which are critical for cell differentiation and development.

Study of UK diabetic patients suggests obesity surgery could save National Health Service almost £100,000 per patient

A small study suggests that obese UK diabetics who undergo bariatric surgery can save the NHS around £95,000 over their lifetime due to reduced medication costs. The study found that 44 patients with type 2 diabetes who no longer required treatment after surgery resulted in significant outpatient and inpatient savings.

FTIR and microarrays: Enabling more information from less sample

By combining FTIR spectroscopy with microarrays, researchers can extract detailed information about protein structures and bonding, allowing for precise quantification and analysis of proteins in minute amounts. This breakthrough enables label-free detection and high-throughput analysis of hundreds of proteins in a few minutes.

SourceIOS Press·JournalBiomedical Spectroscopy and Imaging·DateJun 2, 2016

Detecting an early biomarker for pancreatic cancer in blood

Researchers identify human satellite II (HSATII) RNA as a promising early detection method for pancreatic cancer, with significantly higher levels found in patients' blood serum. A pilot study validated the test's ability to detect pancreatic cancer and a precancerous lesion in two cohorts of patients.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJCI Insight·DateJun 2, 2016

$10 million endowment for health disparities work

San Diego State University has received a $10 million endowment from the National Institutes of Health to improve its research infrastructure and support population health and health disparities research. The funding will enable researchers to collaborate across disciplines and institutions, fostering innovations in research programs w...

Use of neighborhood environment can help overweight adolescents increase physical activity

A pilot study at Massachusetts General Hospital found that using everyday environments to increase physical activity led to significant gains in daily activity. Adolescents who participated in the program showed a 7.7-minute increase in moderate-to-vigorous activity, compared to half a minute for control group participants.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateJun 2, 2016

A new energy source within the cells

Researchers at Center for Genomic Regulation discover a new pathway generating energy in the cell nucleus to deal with stressful situations and high levels of DNA damage. The key enzyme NUDIX5 is identified as crucial for nuclear ATP synthesis, which could lead to targeted cancer medicine and biomarker development.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalScience·DateJun 2, 2016

New free web service for deep study of cell functions

GAM is a free web service that identifies links between changes in metabolism and genes, enabling better understanding of complex biological processes. The program can analyze entire maps of metabolic pathways in cells, revealing mechanisms of tumor growth and shedding light on autoimmune pathologies.

SourceITMO University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJun 2, 2016

Two-drug immunotherapy deemed safe for lung cancer patients, Moffitt study shows

A Moffitt Cancer Center study found that combining nivolumab and ipilimumab is an active treatment option for small cell lung cancer patients who have failed initial therapy. The two-drug immunotherapy regimen resulted in responses that lasted longer than many other investigational agents, with 20% of patients showing a response.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateJun 2, 2016