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Science News for October 17, 2016


Why is skin thick on the soles of the feet?

Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a new method for capturing high-resolution, three-dimensional images of the deep structure of skin in living mice. The study reveals that basal cells divide obliquely in thicker skin and parallel in thinner skin, contributing to the maintenance of epidermis thickness

SourceHokkaido University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 17, 2016

Adapting to the heat

Researchers have identified a critical survival mechanism that allows animals to quickly respond to and escape from noxious thermal landscapes. The study found that thermosensory neurons in the brain are responsible for sensing the rate of temperature change, with a fast response triggered by rapid increases in temperature.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 17, 2016

Bait worms are a valuable marine resource

The annual global weight extracted is estimated at 120,000 tonnes of bait worms, with extraction having significant physical impacts on shore sediment and wading bird populations. The researchers encourage sustainable management to minimize environmental impacts.

SourceWiley·JournalFish and Fisheries·DateOct 17, 2016

Talking to terminally ill adolescents about progressing disease

A review article explores the ethics of discussing disease prognosis with terminally ill adolescents, emphasizing the importance of gentle but persistent conversation. Clinicians are advised to engage patients directly, allowing time for exploration of values and goals, while balancing the need for truth-telling with emotional distress.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateOct 17, 2016

Bacteria: Third RNA binding protein identified

Scientists at University of Würzburg have discovered a third RNA binding protein, ProQ, which controls gene activity and allows bacteria to quickly adapt to changing conditions. ProQ binds to nearly 100 regulatory RNAs in Salmonella enterica, influencing their activities.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2016

New breakthrough for IBS patients

A new study has found that faecal bacterial profiles can be used to predict which IBS patients are most likely to benefit from a low-FODMAP diet. The research identified differences in gut bacteria composition between those who responded and did not respond to the diet.

UMD biologists first to observe direct inheritance of gene-silencing RNA

Researchers from the University of Maryland have observed molecules of double-stranded RNA being passed directly from parent to offspring in Caenorhabditis elegans, suggesting a key mechanism for non-genetic inheritance. The study reveals that dsRNA can silence genes in offspring even if it doesn't match the parent's genes.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2016

Cold medicine could stop cancer spread

Researchers at Hokkaido University discovered that a nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug used for treating colds can suppress the spread of bladder cancers and reduce chemoresistance in mice. The study identified the metabolic enzyme aldo-keto reductase 1C1 (AKR1C1) as a key player in cancer progression.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 17, 2016

Exercising the elderly heart: No value in overexertion

A study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that frequent participation in multiple types of leisure activities reduces heart-related deaths among seniors. Engaging in low-intensity daily physical activity can provide cardiovascular protection.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateOct 17, 2016

A better battery: One-time pollutant may become valued product to aid wind, solar energy

Researchers at Oregon State University have found that organic compounds traditionally known as pollutants can function as a low-cost, long-lasting cathode in dual-ion batteries. The discovery has promising characteristics for storing electricity from wind and solar energy, addressing a key constraint to wider use of clean energy systems.

SourceOregon State University·JournalACS Energy Letters·DateOct 17, 2016

Yearly exposure to chemicals dangerous to hormone function burdens Americans with hundreds of billions in health care costs and lost earnings

Annual exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals has a significant impact on the US healthcare system, causing over 2.3% of the country's GDP to be lost. The estimated disease burden from these chemicals is valued at $340 billion annually, with specific effects including neurological damage, infertility, and certain cancers.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateOct 17, 2016

NIH scientists uncover genetic explanation for frustrating syndrome

Researchers discovered a genetic link between high tryptase levels, multiple copies of the alpha tryptase gene, and a range of symptoms including dizziness, skin flushing, and gastrointestinal issues. The study provides new insights into the cause of this frustrating syndrome and potential strategies for diagnosis and treatment.

How will salmon survive in a flooded future?

New research from Alaska analyzed 800 watersheds and found that intact flood plains can mitigate the impacts of a warmer, wetter future on salmon spawning habitat. The study predicts up to 16% loss of coho salmon spawning habitat by the 2080s in narrower, steeper streams.

SourceWild Salmon Center·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateOct 17, 2016