Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive October 2016 - Page 42


Page 42 of 44

Pitt team receives $2.5 million in DOD funds for first retrievable vascular stent

The Pitt team has received a $2.5 million contract from the US Department of Defense to further develop a retrievable stent for treating life-threatening hemorrhages in servicemen and civilian gunshot victims. The device can be rapidly placed by non-vascular physicians with minimal training, simplifying treatment in emergency situations.

Human stem cells treat spinal cord injury side effects in mice

Researchers used human embryonic stem cells to treat spinal cord injuries in mice, finding that the cells produced GABA, reduced neuropathic pain and bladder dysfunction, and improved voiding ability. The study suggests a new approach for treating chronic pain and bladder issues in spinal cord injury patients.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateOct 3, 2016

Nighttime hot flashes may spark mild depression

A new study found that women who experience frequent nighttime hot flashes and sleep disruption are more likely to exhibit mild symptoms of depression. The researchers suggest menopausal women should be screened for mood disturbances, incorporating efforts to address sleep and nighttime hot flashes.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateOct 3, 2016

University of Illinois researchers quantify drug delivery from nanoparticles inside a cell

University of Illinois researchers have developed a method to quantify drug delivery from nanoparticles inside a cell, providing new insights into the efficacy of therapy and mechanisms underlying cellular uptake. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments by controlling and manipulating drug release.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateOct 3, 2016

Trophy hunting of lions can conserve the species

Researchers from the University of Kent's Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology found that trophy hunting is sustainable when companies are given long-term land management rights, thereby maintaining habitat for threatened lions. Sustainable land management helps to fill the shortfall of large areas needed by lions to thrive.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 3, 2016

How human genes affect the microbiome

A new study has associated genetic loci with bacterial species and metabolic signatures, revealing that human genes affect the microbiome. The study found associations between lactase variants and Bifidobacterium presence, as well as C-type lectin gene variants with immune system function.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Genetics·DateOct 3, 2016

Experts: One size should not fit all when it comes to our out-of-pocket health care costs

A pair of experts, Mark Fendrick and Michael Chernew, propose altering consumer cost-sharing in health insurance plans to make services more affordable based on individual patient and provider factors. They suggest changes to IRS rules, Medicare plan design, and encouraging value-based cost-sharing to promote high-value clinical services.

New technique for finding weakness in Earth's crust

Scientists developed a method to estimate weakness in the Earth's outer layers, allowing for more accurate predictions of volcanic activity and earthquakes. The new model uses surface-based electromagnetic imaging techniques to estimate viscosity variations, which can be used to understand processes driving tectonic plate deformation.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalScience·DateOct 3, 2016

Brain diseases manifest in the retina of the eye

Researchers from University of Eastern Finland discovered that retinal changes can be detected earlier than brain changes in CNS diseases. Functional abnormalities were found in three genetically engineered mouse models of human CNS diseases, suggesting eye examinations could be used as a noninvasive screening tool.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateOct 3, 2016

Study reveals new earthquake hazard in Afghanistan-Pakistan border region

Researchers have discovered a new earthquake hazard in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region, revealing that the Ghazaband fault is accumulating more than half of the relative motion between tectonic plates. This increases the potential for a high-magnitude earthquake and poses a significant threat to cities like Quetta.

Why midshipman fish only hum at night

Researchers found that midshipman fish rely on a light-driven internal clock and the hormone melatonin to determine when to sing. The study shows that melatonin acts directly on the vocal circuitry in the midshipman's brain, causing them to hum at night.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 3, 2016

Scientists discover mechanisms of shape-shifting sea cucumbers

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have discovered the mechanism behind shape-shifting sea cucumbers' ability to rapidly change their stiffness. This unique property is controlled by a protein-rich interfibrillar matrix that can be altered by the nervous system, making it useful for developing novel biomaterials.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 3, 2016

Coastal wildlife more vulnerable to microplastics than expected

A new study by the University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory reveals that coastal-dwelling marine wildlife are more vulnerable to harmful plastic pollution than previously thought. The research found that animals living in waters near densely-populated coastlines are at risk of coming into direct contact with microplastics.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateOct 3, 2016

Experts recommend continuous glucose monitors for adults with type 1 diabetes

The Endocrine Society recommends continuous glucose monitors as the gold standard of care for adults with Type 1 diabetes, enabling better blood sugar control and reducing hypoglycemic events. The guideline also suggests using insulin pumps and emerging technologies like artificial pancreas devices to manage blood sugar levels.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateOct 3, 2016

Researchers find stem cells in normal and Fuchs corneal endothelium

For the first time, researchers have identified rapidly proliferating cells in the corneal endothelium of specimens from normal corneas and those with Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD). This discovery holds promise for new therapies to be developed using these cells to return normal clearing abilities to patients with FECD.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateOct 3, 2016

Water vapor sets some oxides aflutter

Researchers have discovered a phenomenon where certain oxides oscillate when exposed to water vapor, generating oxygen gas and exhibiting flexibility unlike expected. The exact frequency of the oscillations can be precisely tuned, which could have practical applications in battery materials and water-splitting devices.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateOct 3, 2016

A simple antidote for shame

A new study suggests that drinking cold water can reduce feelings of shame and regret by regulating emotions and temperature. Researchers found that people in warm environments tend to feel more regret after making mistakes, but consuming cold drinks or being exposed to cold temperatures can help alleviate these emotions.

SourceSociety for Consumer Psychology·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateOct 3, 2016