A biophysical smoking gun
Scientists discover tau protein can form compact droplets with RNA, creating conditions for aggregation. The novel state highly concentrates tau and makes it vulnerable to fibril formation.
Science News Archive 2017 - Page 227
Browse by Month - 2017
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NASA measures Tropical Cyclone Nanmadol's Japan rainfall rates
Tropical Storm Nanmadol caused severe flooding and one death in southwestern Japan. The GPM satellite measured intense precipitation bands, with rain falling at a rate of over 3.3 inches per hour in an area near the Korea Strait.
Birds' migration genes are conditioned by geography
A new study found that willow warblers' genetic make-up determines their migration patterns depending on where they breed in the summer. The researchers discovered significant differences in over 200 genes between birds breeding in southern and northern Sweden, Finland, and the Baltic States.
Photo-responsive protein hydrogels as agent for controlled stem cell/protein release
Researchers from HKUST created a B12-dependent light-sensing hydrogel by covalently stitching together photoreceptor proteins, enabling rapid gel-sol transition on light exposure. This allows for controlled release of stem cells and proteins with high spatiotemporal precision.
SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2017
A newly identified complex of Tau and RNA suggests a path to aggregation
A novel property of tau protein has been identified, which may reveal a new step in the formation of pathological tau aggregates. The protein can condense into a compact droplet in a complex with RNA, retaining its liquid properties and creating conditions for vulnerability to aggregation.
New genetic syndrome identified; may offer some answers for puzzled parents
Researchers have identified a rare genetic syndrome characterized by intellectual disability, seizures, and distinctive facial features. The study, led by Matthew A. Deardorff, describes WDR26 haploinsufficiency syndrome and provides initial information for counseling patients and families.
UK's Farman is co-author of important wheat disease study
A UK plant pathologist has uncovered an important genetic link to the devastating wheat blast fungus. The research found that a mutation in a key gene allows the fungus to escape wheat resistance, compromising crop yields and sparking global efforts to breed blast-resistant wheat.
Researchers publish new findings on influence of high-fat diet on colorectal cancer
Researchers identify JAK2-STAT3 cellular signaling pathway as key link between high-fat diet and tumor growth in the colon. The study provides insight into how diet influences cancer stem cell populations, potentially leading to new therapeutics.
Life in the fast lane requires carpooling
A study in Jakarta found that ending a carpooling policy increased morning rush-hour travel times by 46%, while evening travel times surged by 87%. The research suggests the policy helped reduce overall cars on the road, but had negative effects on traffic flow.
Regenstrief & IU to offer unique public and population health informatics training program
The Indiana Training Program in Public and Population Health Informatics prepares graduate students and post-doctoral fellows to work in healthcare, academia, and public health departments. The program aims to fill the growing need for informaticians who can design solutions key to human health.
A future without fakes thanks to quantum technology
Researchers at Lancaster University showcase a new smartphone app that can verify product authenticity using graphene-based digital fingerprints. The technology has the potential to eradicate product counterfeiting and forgery, two of the costliest crimes in the world.
Late teen years are key period for bone growth
The late adolescent years are a critical period for bone growth, with 10% of bone mass continuing to accumulate after adult height is reached. A study found that bone mineral density develops at different rates in different parts of the skeleton, highlighting the importance of considering growth trajectories when interpreting data.
Lymph node metastases may not always be the source of cancer's spread to other organs
Researchers have found that lymph node metastases are not always the source of cancer's spread to other organs, and instead, distant metastases can originate directly from the primary tumor. In most cases (65%), both lymph node and distant metastases originated from the same cell type in the primary tumor, indicating independent origins.
New material may help cut battery costs for electric cars, cellphones
Researchers have developed a new manganese and sodium-ion-based material that could potentially lower battery costs and improve ecofriendliness. The new material uses sodium instead of lithium, which is more abundant but has some drawbacks, such as lower energy density.
NIH awards $8.6 million for bold bid to transform lung transplantation
Researchers at UVA are receiving $8.6 million in federal grants to support cutting-edge projects that could dramatically increase the number of lungs available for transplant and save lives. The funding supports efforts to detect post-transplant complications, prevent IR injury, and better understand its causes.
Study finds Earth's magnetic field 'simpler than we thought'
Scientists have identified patterns in the Earth's magnetic field that evolve on a 1,000-year timescale, allowing for finer resolution of past changes. This discovery enables researchers to study the planet's history with greater precision using a 'geomagnetic fingerprint'.
Researchers show how to make your own supernova
Scientists at the University of Oxford are recreating supernovae in a laboratory using lasers, allowing them to study the properties of these explosive events. This research is helping scientists better understand the origins of our universe and the formation of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium.
Single molecule microRNA technology proves useful for liver toxicity detection
A new study published in PLOS ONE demonstrates a single molecule microRNA technology that can detect liver toxicity with high accuracy and specificity. The method, developed by Quanterix, uses a PCR-free approach to measure miR-122, a promising biomarker for drug-induced liver injury.
Immune system cell clones created before birth may last for decades
Researchers found that identical twins share more T-cell clone receptors than expected due to potential exchange of T cells through cord blood before birth. This phenomenon suggests that some immune system cell clones created before birth can persist for about 40 years, shedding light on the diversity of T cell receptors in adults.
Antioxidants against sepsis
Korean scientists report that ceria-zirconia nanoparticles act as effective scavengers of oxygen radicals, promoting a greatly enhanced surviving rate in sepsis model organisms. The nanoparticles accumulate in organs where severe immune responses occur and successfully eradicate reactive oxygen species.
Falls lead to declines in seniors
A recent study found that elderly patients who visit emergency departments due to falls are at risk for adverse events, including additional falls, hospitalization, and death within 6 months. The study highlights the importance of educating patients on how to prevent falls after discharge from the emergency department.
Nearly half of China cancer deaths attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors
A new report finds that nearly half of all cancer deaths in China are attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors. The study reveals that effective public health interventions can have a significant impact on reducing the cancer burden in China.
Virus-derived expression vectors as gene therapy vehicles
Researchers have developed virus-derived expression vectors as a potential gene therapy vehicle for treating various diseases. These vectors use viral sequences to silence specific genes or induce RNA interference, effectively downregulating viral replication and expressing therapeutic proteins.
Mothers often distracted during breast and bottle feeding
A new study found that distractions occurred in almost half of feedings, with technology-based distractions being the most common. Mothers enrolled in WIC reported better feeding interactions, but frequent engagement in distractions was predicted by having more children or certain infant characteristics.
Two significant warming intervals in southern China since 1850
Scientists reconstructed annual temperature anomaly in southern China from 1850-2009 using high-resolution temperature proxies. The results show robust centennial warming and a first rapid cooling followed by significant warming intervals, with the most recent being from 1970, featuring unprecedented warmth rates.
SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJul 6, 2017
A computer that reads body language
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a computer that can understand body poses and movements of multiple people in real-time, including finger poses, using a single camera and laptop. This enables new ways for people and machines to interact, such as more natural communication with computers by pointing at objects.
Flexible and cost-effective fabrication of nature inspired structural colors
Researchers developed a cost-effective method to produce biomimetic structural colors, overcoming previous limitations and enabling large-scale and flexible fabrication. The technique uses quasi-ordered scattering and can be fine-tuned by controlling synthesis conditions.
SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJul 6, 2017
Steroids may do more harm than good in some cases of severe asthma
Researchers have discovered that corticosteroids, a main treatment for asthma, can actually exacerbate the disease in certain cases. The study found that high levels of inflammatory protein CXCL10 and interferon-gamma are linked to poor lung function and worsening symptoms.
Controlling memory by triggering specific brain waves during sleep
Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science used optogenetics to manipulate thalamic spindles in mice, affecting their ability to recall memories. The study found that artificial spindles administered at specific timing enhanced memory consolidation, while reduced spindles impaired recall.
Finding what's right with children who grow up in high-stress environments
A new research article proposes that stress-adapted children's traits, such as heightened vigilance and empathic accuracy, should be leveraged to enhance learning and intervention outcomes. These skills may allow at-risk children to perform better than peers from low-risk backgrounds when faced with uncertainty and stress.
Role of cooperativity in hydrophobic interactions revealed in real-time monitoring
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery using real-time monitoring to quantify cooperativity in hydrophobic interactions, demonstrating its critical role in stabilizing macromolecular assembly. The study's innovative microfluidic device enables precise tracking of solute molecule aggregation at sub-microsecond timescales.
'Weedy' fish species to take over our future oceans
Researchers found that small 'weedy' species will thrive in high CO2 environments, dominating marine biodiversity. The study suggests that reducing overfishing of intermediate predators could delay biodiversity loss and ecosystem change.
Sorting complicated knots
Researchers from IBS Center for Geometry and Physics introduce a new mathematical operation to catalog Legendrian singular knots, crucial for understanding complex 3D spaces like our universe. The study aims to explore the fascinating possibilities of 3D spaces and provide a tentative list of all possible shapes.
Study: Without HOV policies, urban traffic gets much, much worse
A new study by MIT economists reveals that eliminating High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) policies in Jakarta, Indonesia, led to a significant increase in urban traffic congestion. The study found that travel delays became 46% worse during the morning rush hour and 87% worse during the evening rush hour after the policy was discontinued.
Hospital discharge program improves patient experience leaving the hospital
A standardized discharge planning program called Project ReEngineered Discharge (RED) improves patient experience by providing a clear plan for self-care at home. The study found patients who received the RED intervention were more likely to feel comfortable caring for themselves, with higher satisfaction rates.
Highly nitrogen and sulfur dual-doped carbon microspheres for supercapacitors
Researchers developed a facile synthetic route to fabricate N/S co-doped carbon microspheres, achieving high capacitance and capacitance retention. The optimized material shows promising performance for practical applications of supercapacitors.
Fern fossil data clarifies origination and extinction of species
A new study from the University of Turku reveals that ferns' survival during mass extinctions is linked to environmental changes, while species origination is driven by factors such as low diversity levels after major events. This finding clarifies the contrasting views on biodiversity regulation.
Common insurance plans leave care at America's top cancer hospitals out of reach
Common insurance plans leave access to top cancer hospitals at risk due to narrow network exclusions. Researchers call for greater transparency and more patient access.
SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJul 6, 2017
Climate change threatens domestic bee species
Researchers found that temporal mismatches between bees and plant species lead to negative consequences, including reduced plant pollination. Bees develop species-specific strategies to mitigate the impact, but these are not sufficient to prevent severe fitness loss.
Exposing newborn mice to general anesthetic disrupts brain development
Researchers expose newborn mice to isoflurane, a widely used anesthetic agent, and find chronic activation of the mTOR pathway, which affects normal brain development. The study reveals abnormal neuron structure and impaired learning abilities in mice exposed to isoflurane.
Entasis Therapeutics and the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP) to develop a new treatment for drug-resistant gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a growing global health crisis with over 60% of countries reporting resistance to last-resort treatments. Gardp and Entasis partner on zoliflodacin, a novel first-in-class oral antibiotic with potent activity against drug-resistant strains.
Kinky biology
Using supercomputer simulations, researchers have discovered that kinks in DNA can significantly reduce energy and pressure, allowing it to fit into a micron-sized space. The findings provide new insights into how cells pack DNA and could lead to advances in understanding biological phenomena.
SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalJournal of Computational Chemistry·DateJul 6, 2017
Anti-gravity treadmills get patients running again after knee surgery
A new report from the University of Kent shows how anti-gravity treadmills help knee surgery patients return to running, reducing fears and increasing self-belief. The devices use adjustable air pressure to reduce joint load and facilitate a safe transition back to sports.
Traumatic brain injury in veterans -- differences from civilians may affect long-term care
Research from the VA TBI Model System reveals differences in characteristics and outcomes between military and civilian traumatic brain injury patients. These findings have important implications for treatment and long-term care of veterans with TBI.
Terminal cancer patients can be unwilling to face prognosis
A recent study found that nearly 10% of terminal cancer patients are unwilling to face their prognosis, hindering them from making informed end-of-life plans. Healthcare professionals should assess patients' readiness for prognostic information and provide sensitive coaching to cultivate accurate awareness.
Changes in conservation planning can benefit vulnerable mammals
A new study by Colorado State University researchers provides the first biological map of priority areas that capture multiple dimensions of mammalian biodiversity. This approach can help safeguard vulnerable mammals and ensure their evolutionary potential to adapt in a rapidly changing world.
SourceColorado State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2017
California projected to get wetter through this century
UC Riverside researchers predict California will see a 12% increase in precipitation by 2100, with northern and central regions experiencing the largest increases. The study attributes this change to a southeastward shift of the jet stream, encouraged by warming sea surface temperatures.
Into the quantum world with a tennis racket
Researchers have discovered a novel approach to controlling quanta using the tennis racket effect, which can visualize fault-tolerant manipulation of quanta. This breakthrough enables faster and more efficient quantum computing, with potential applications in secure networks and ultrafast quantum computers.
Heart of matter studies resonate with award winner
Raul Briceno receives Kenneth G. Wilson Award for his groundbreaking contributions to lattice field theory, enabling research on nuclear matter resonances using lattice Quantum Chromodynamics.
A cosmic barbecue: Researchers spot 60 new 'hot Jupiter' candidates
Researchers at Yale University have discovered 60 new potential 'hot Jupiters,' gas giant planets that orbit extremely close to their stars. The discovery was made possible by a novel application of machine learning algorithms and the analysis of more than 140,000 star observations from NASA's Kepler mission.
Keeping the beat
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has renewed funding for the University of Pittsburgh's Cardiovascular Bioengineering Training Program, which educates students in cardiovascular research and prepares them for careers in basic and translational cardiovascular research. The program focuses on three areas: understanding native and ...
Mice lacking a sense of smell stay thin
Researchers found that mice lacking a sense of smell lose an average of 16% body weight, with most weight loss coming from fat. The team discovered a link between the loss of smell and increased burning of brown fat, which helps with weight regulation.
Spinning around: A room temperature field-effect transistor using graphene's electron spin
Researchers have successfully created a room temperature field-effect transistor using graphene's electron spin, enabling the integration of spintronic logic and memory devices. This breakthrough could lead to more versatile devices with reduced power consumption, crucial for future handheld mobile computing.
CHLA Conducts satisfaction survey in the pediatric emergency department
A recent study by CHLA found that caregivers are generally more satisfied with actual care than expected in pediatric emergency departments. Effective communication between physicians and families can improve expectations and health knowledge.
Even light oiling is like flying with a ball and chain for birds
Researchers found that even small amounts of oil can significantly increase the energy expenditure of migratory birds during flight. The study, published in Journal of Experimental Biology, reveals that light oiling can dramatically increase the 'flight costs' of migrating birds by 20% and 45%.
Worldwide health authorities urged to rethink vitamin D guidelines
Researchers from the University of Surrey investigated the nutritional value of vitamin D2 and D3, finding that D3 is twice as effective in raising levels in the body. Vitamin D3 was found to be more effective than D2 in increasing levels by 75% compared to those given D2.
Combo immunotherapy may herald new standard of care for kidney cancer
A new combination immunotherapy has significantly improved response rates for kidney cancer patients, with 40% experiencing prolonged responses. This treatment approach has the potential to set a new standard of care for kidney cancer patients, offering durable and reversible side effects compared to current therapies.
Cutting the cost of ethanol, other biofuels and gasoline
Experts at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Michigan State University have designed a way to reduce enzyme use in biofuels production. The new approach enables the recycling of enzymes, lowering production costs and making biofuels more affordable.
Fertility treatment does not increase the risk of divorce
A large nationwide study involving over 40,000 women found that fertility treatment does not increase the risk of divorce. The study, which followed couples for 16 years, revealed that the majority of couples had children with their baseline partners and around one-fifth ended up separated or divorced.
Brain changes accompany development of metamemory from childhood to adolescence
A new study reveals how metamemory improves from childhood through adolescence, with accompanying brain structure changes. The ability to reflect on memories continuously improves into adolescence, predicting increases in IQ.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 5, 2017