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Science News Archive May 2016 - Page 7


Page 7 of 38

Closer to the source of the itch

Researchers found that IL-17A stimulates skin cells to express genes maintaining an inflammatory microenvironment, leading to psoriasis. The study identified NFKBIZ gene as playing a significant role in the IL-17A pathway.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalInternational Immunology·DateMay 25, 2016

DNA sequencing enables treatment for some types of intellectual disability

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that genome-wide sequencing can diagnose genetic conditions leading to intellectual disability, enabling targeted treatments. Researchers discovered new disease genes and described physical traits associated with known diseases, offering hope for personalized medicine.

SourceChild & Family Research Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 25, 2016

Wayne State aims to improve imaging and chemical sensing of disease biomarkers

A Wayne State University researcher aims to improve upconversion nanocrystals' composition and atomic structure to expand the library of bright and multicolor emitters. The project is expected to lead to better diagnosing and treatment plans for numerous health issues by enhancing imaging and chemical sensing of disease biomarkers.

Richard Benton and Ben Lehner awarded EMBO Gold Medal 2016

Researchers Richard Benton and Ben Lehner received the 2016 EMBO Gold Medal for their groundbreaking work on insect olfaction and developmental biology. They discovered novel genes in odorant receptors, shedding light on the evolution of scent perception, and revealed stochastic variances in gene expression driving phenotypic diversity.

SourceEMBO·DateMay 25, 2016

MD Anderson study uncovers early genetic changes in premalignant colorectal tissue

Researchers identified 2,314 genetic changes in polyps and adjacent mucosa, revealing potential drug targets for colorectal cancer prevention. The study also found similarities between premalignant and cancerous tissue, suggesting that polyps with more genetic changes may be more likely to develop into CRC.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalCancer Prevention Research·DateMay 24, 2016

Great apes communicate cooperatively

Research on great ape communication reveals cooperative turn-taking sequences in both bonobos and chimpanzees, differing in their styles of gaze-based and signal-pause response based interactions. These findings suggest that cooperative communication may have arisen to coordinate collaborative activities more efficiently.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 24, 2016

Money really does matter in relationships

Researchers found that wealthy men prioritize physical attractiveness and engage in short-term mating, while committed women may adopt more consistent strategies due to reproductive costs. The study suggests evolutionary psychology principles influence mate selection across cultures.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateMay 24, 2016

Gigantic ultrafast spin currents

Researchers from TU Wien have proposed a new method to create gigantic spin currents in a very small period of time using ultra short laser pulses. The spin current is injected into silicon without creating a charge current due to a spin-selective effect, leading to extremely strong spin-polarization.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 24, 2016

More than a myth: Drink spiking happens

A study by the American Psychological Association found that 7.8% of college students reported being drugged, with women more likely to be victims and experience negative consequences. The research highlights the need for interventions targeting those who engage in drink spiking, focusing on consent and the dangers of overdosing.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychology of Violence·DateMay 24, 2016

Money back guarantees for non-reproducible results?

An editorial published by The BMJ argues that money back guarantees are not the answer to improving data reproducibility in research. Instead, it advocates for open science and open data as key solutions. This approach would involve making all protocols, hypotheses, raw data, methods, and analyses publicly available.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMay 24, 2016

Urine tests not reliable for dehydration in older adults

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that urine tests are not reliable for detecting dehydration in older adults. The researchers tested 383 participants over 65 and found that urine tests were too low to be useful, missing some dehydrated individuals and incorrectly identifying others.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMay 24, 2016

New tools to manipulate biology

Researchers at Université de Genève have developed new tools to manipulate biology, including a novel co-factor that enables proteins to perform tasks previously thought impossible. Meanwhile, another team has created a method to visualize mRNA in live animals, providing real-time insights into cellular processes.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalACS Central Science·DateMay 24, 2016