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Science News Archive March 2016 - Page 15


Page 15 of 41

Survival of the hardest working

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis created a quality-control tool called PopQC to ensure hard-working cells dominate in microbial fermentation processes, resulting in threefold enhanced production of free fatty acid and tyrosine. This innovation addresses the universal problem of biological noise, which affects the work ...

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMar 21, 2016

Yellow as the sunrise

Researchers from the University of Vienna have successfully characterised aurone synthase, a catechol oxidase with hydroxylase activity. The study provides insights into the mechanism of plant polyphenol oxidases and has potential applications in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 21, 2016

Lighting up disease-carrying mosquitoes

Researchers have developed a technique called QUASR that can detect RNA from West Nile and chikungunya virus in mosquito samples in under half an hour, speeding up disease diagnosis. The method amplifies the positive signal up to 10 times brighter than a negative one, allowing for simultaneous screening of multiple targets.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateMar 21, 2016

Mothers and daughters

Researchers at EMBL have observed the elimination of centrioles from starfish egg cells, a process essential for viable embryo development. The study reveals the role of appendages in directing centriole expulsion and provides insights into the molecular logic underlying this mechanism.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateMar 21, 2016

Sleep suppresses brain rebalancing

A recent study published in Cell reveals that sleep suppresses brain rebalancing, a mechanism crucial for neural activity regulation. This finding contradicts previous theories on the role of sleep in memory consolidation and homeostatic plasticity.

SourceBrandeis University·JournalCell·DateMar 21, 2016

Tracing the scent of fear

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have identified a tiny area of the mouse brain responsible for the innate fear response triggered by predator odors. This region, known as AmPir, is located in the olfactory cortex and plays a crucial role in perceiving smells, including those associated with fear.

For older adults with dementia, transitions in care can increase risk for serious problems

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that transitions in care for older adults with dementia are linked to medication errors, hospital readmissions, and increased risk of death. Receiving coordinated care and a long-term care plan can help reduce unnecessary transitions.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateMar 21, 2016

Psychiatric diagnoses in young transgender women

A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that nearly 41% of young transgender women had one or more mental health or substance use disorders. The study also revealed a significant increase in depression, anxiety, and substance abuse among Latina young transgender women.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateMar 21, 2016

Child and adolescent perceptions of oral health: Life course perspectives

Researchers conducted focus groups with children (8-12 years) and adolescents (13-17 years) to elicit perceptions of oral health. Three themes emerged: maintaining good oral health for longevity, positive associations between oral health and relationships, and benefits of orthodontic treatment. These findings inform the development of ...

Antibiotics for appendicitis -- yes and no

A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials suggests that antibiotics can be used as primary treatment for mild appendicitis, reducing surgeries by 92% within the first month. However, recurrence rates remain high at 23% and long-term follow-up is needed to determine effectiveness.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalBJS·DateMar 18, 2016

Dissecting the animal diet, past and present

The study highlights the importance of time context in diet reconstructions, which can lead to conflicting results. By considering different time scales for dietary proxies, scientists can gain a more accurate understanding of an animal's eating habits.

SourceYale University·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateMar 18, 2016

Turning mortal enemies into allies? Ants can.

A new study by University of Florida researchers found that victorious ant colonies recruit members of losing colonies to help defend their territory. After analyzing DNA from nearly 800 ants, the team discovered that fighting changes the genetic makeup of victorious colonies, allowing them to form lasting truces with former foes.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalBehavioral Ecology·DateMar 18, 2016

Speeding up accuracy of flood risk assessment

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a faster and more accurate flood risk assessment method that relies on an algorithm to extract key causative events driving major floods. This new approach reduces the time taken for modeling while maintaining high accuracy, potentially saving properties and lives.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalJournal of Hydrology·DateMar 18, 2016

Google glass meets organs-on-chips

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a wearable device to monitor and control organs-on-chips, a platform for testing drug compounds. The system uses Google Glass for hands-free control and monitoring, enabling high-accuracy predictions of physiological responses.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 18, 2016

New effects of ketamine abuse uncovered

Research by University of York scientists shows how ketamine causes inflammation and cell death in the bladder, leading to cystitis. The studies found that direct contact with urinary ketamine is critical to the toxicity, ruling out systemic factors.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateMar 18, 2016