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Science News Archive October 2016 - Page 39


Page 39 of 44

'Connectosomes' create gateway for improved chemo delivery, fewer side effects

Engineering researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new method for delivering chemotherapy directly and efficiently to individual cells using nanoparticles called 'connectosomes.' This approach has been shown to reduce the dose required to kill cancer cells by up to 10 times, potentially decreasing side effects.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 4, 2016

Disease-causing gut bacteria common in children

A study found that disease-causing gut bacteria, Enteroaggregative E. coli, are prevalent in 14% of children, even in industrialized countries with mild symptoms. The researchers hope to investigate factors contributing to diarrheal disease and explore probiotic agents for maintaining gut balance.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·DateOct 4, 2016

Novel 3-in-1 'Rheo-Raman' microscope enables interconnected studies of soft materials

The novel 'Rheo-Raman' microscope allows for interconnected studies of soft materials by correlating their microstructure, composition, and flow behavior. This enables the understanding of how structural make-up dictates macroscopic properties like strength, hardness, or electrical conductivity.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateOct 4, 2016

The effectiveness of activity trackers and rewards to encourage physical activity

A study from Duke-NUS Medical School found that activity trackers alone or with rewards did not increase physical activity levels. However, those who received cash rewards showed significant increases in activity. The benefits of tracking were short-lived, and participants returned to their previous activity levels after the incentives...

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateOct 4, 2016

A breakthrough in the study of how things break, bend and deform

Researchers at Drexel University have made a breakthrough in the study of how things break, bend and deform. They discovered that layered materials form internal buckles, or ripples, as they deform under stress, dubbed 'ripplocation'. This new paradigm explains non-linear elastic behavior within the constraints of dislocation theory.

SourceDrexel University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 4, 2016

Canine hyperactivity reflected in the blood count

Researchers found significant links between hyperactivity, lower blood phospholipid levels, and a negative correlation with tryptophan metabolites in hyperactive dogs. This study suggests that intestinal health impacts canine behavior and provides new clues for studying behavioral disorders.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalBehavioral and Brain Functions·DateOct 4, 2016

Overlooked plants defy drought

Scientists have discovered that certain plants resistant to a hormone called abscisic acid (ABA) can grow better than normal neighbors during droughts. ABA-resistant varieties may hold the key to breeding 'stay green' traits in crops, which could help them retain their leaves and continue to produce food and other essential resources.

SourceeLife·DateOct 4, 2016

Understanding chromatin's cancer connection

A new imaging technique enables researchers to visualize chromatin's dynamic processes in live cells, revealing its organization and response to stimuli. This breakthrough offers insights into the complex relationship between chromatin and gene expression, with potential implications for understanding cancer development.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2016

The first urban park butterfly study in HK: HKU ecologists reveal causes of butterfly diversity

Researchers found that environmental factors like plant cover and floral density determine common urban butterfly species, while spatial properties influence rare species. Urban park design can encourage or discourage certain species, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of surrounding landscape and disturbance features.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalLandscape Ecology·DateOct 4, 2016