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Science News for November 24, 2016


VIB scientists develop diagnostic tool for familial Mediterranean fever

Researchers at VIB and Ghent University have developed a diagnostic tool for Familial Mediterranean Fever, which can accurately diagnose the disease and prevent kidney failure. The tool detects changes in the body's immune reaction to pyrin, a protein mutated in FMF, and has been validated in 13 patients.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 24, 2016

Major ALS research funding announced

Researchers at McGill University's Montreal Neurological Institute will study motor neurons and astrocytes created from people with different forms of ALS via stem cell technology. The project aims to develop a potential screening mechanism for therapeutics and create new zebrafish models of the disease.

Bringing silicon to life

Researchers at Caltech use directed evolution to persuade bacteria to create silicon-carbon bonds, which are found in pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, and computer screens. The new process has the potential to be more environmentally friendly and less expensive than current methods.

Quantum particles form droplets

Researchers have demonstrated a new type of quantum liquid or quantum droplet state where atoms preserve their form in absence of external confinement due to quantum effects. The discovery opens up a new research area in ultracold quantum gases and may contribute to increasing our knowledge of superfluidity.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review X·DateNov 24, 2016

First steps to neutralizing Zika

Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have discovered how the human antibody C10 prevents Zika infection by locking proteins into place, preventing viral DNA entry. Disrupting fusion with C10 may be more effective than targeting docking in preventing Zika infection.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 24, 2016

Promoting parasites

Researchers have identified four new species of parasites infecting an invasive freshwater fish in Japan. The discovery sheds light on the role of parasites in natural ecosystems and their potential impact on native species.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalSpecies Diversity·DateNov 24, 2016