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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 438


Page 438 of 461

Choreographing the microRNA-target dance

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have uncovered a new phosphorylation mechanism involved in controlling microRNA-target interactions, allowing microRNAs to efficiently regulate large sets of target messenger RNAs. This discovery sheds new light on the microRNA pathway and its role in human disease regulation.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNature·DateJan 23, 2017

Experiment resolves mystery about wind flows on Jupiter

Researchers create swirling winds in laboratory using spinning table and massive garbage can, demonstrating that Jupiter's jets likely extend into its gaseous interior. The team's analog model mimics the planet's rapid rotation and turbulence conditions necessary for jet formation.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Physics·DateJan 23, 2017

The discrepancy between the results of a system of biological interest is resolved

A study by the UPV/EHU and University of Bologna has resolved a discrepancy in a biological system through accurate characterization using microwave spectroscopy. The research targets the 2-hydroxypyridine/2-pyridone model system, where different structures coexist under the same molecular formula.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·DateJan 23, 2017

Engineers eat away at Ms. Pac-Man score with artificial player

Researchers at Cornell University developed an artificial Ms. Pac-Man player that achieved a laboratory score of 43,720, surpassing the existing high score for computerized play. The player uses a decision-tree approach and demonstrates accuracy in predicting ghost movements with 94.6-percent accuracy.

SourceCornell University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Computational Intelligence and AI in Games·DateJan 23, 2017

Improving birthing deliveries with less physical trauma to mom and baby

The SAFE PASSAGES program has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of perineal trauma and Cesarean sections while also improving overall childbirth outcomes. By implementing specific interventions such as eliminating midline episiotomies, the program has demonstrated a reduction in severe perineal lacerations by over 300%.

SourceSociety for Maternal-Fetal Medicine·DateJan 23, 2017

Spanish scientists create a 3-D bioprinter to print human skin

Researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid develop innovative 3D bioprinting technology to produce living human skin, which can be used for transplantation and product testing. The breakthrough technology replicates natural skin structure and uses human cells, eliminating animal-derived collagen.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalBiofabrication·DateJan 23, 2017

A new model for activation of the immune system

A team of scientists has redefined the activation mechanism of the complement protein C1, a crucial part of the innate immune system. The study reveals that C1 is activated when two proteins are in close proximity, contradicting previous theories.

SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2017

How race consciousness influences your likelihood of getting a flu shot

Research by University of Maryland Professor Sandra Crouse Quinn explores how race influences flu vaccine attitudes and behaviors. African Americans exhibit lower confidence in the vaccine safety process, lower trust, and skepticism, which hinder vaccination rates despite public health efforts.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalVaccine·DateJan 23, 2017

New metamaterial can switch from hard to soft -- and back again

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a novel metamaterial that can switch between being hard and soft, maintaining its properties despite repeated changes. This breakthrough enables potential applications in various fields, including car safety and rocket technology.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 23, 2017

Mammal testing could be cut by moth larvae

A £12,000 grant from the NC3Rs CRACK IT Solutions scheme will support a partnership with contract research organisation Envigo to assess whether moth larvae can reduce mammal use for toxic chemical testing. The larvae have already helped scientists reduce their mammal usage by up to 80%, according to Dr Olivia Champion.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·DateJan 23, 2017

Microscopic submarines for your stomach

Scientists developed micromotors that speed independently through the stomach, neutralizing acid and releasing drugs at precise pH levels. This approach avoids common side effects associated with traditional treatments, making it a promising method for treating stomach diseases.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 23, 2017

Switching off the brain

A new optogenetic tool has been developed to inhibit neural activity in the Drosophila model, allowing researchers to study the relationship between neural circuits and behavior. This breakthrough could accelerate the development of therapies for neurological and psychiatric disorders.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalNature Methods·DateJan 23, 2017

Today's rare meteorites were once common

Researchers discovered most modern meteorites are rare, while many rare ones existed before a massive asteroid collision. Analyzing ancient micrometeorites and meteorites, the study found distinct differences in their composition.

SourceField Museum·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 23, 2017

Getting closer to treatment for Parkinson's

A Norwegian study from the University of Bergen has identified key mechanisms behind Parkinson's disease, which may lead to future treatments. The research suggests that mitochondrial DNA damage is a primary cause of the disease, and that healthy brain cells can compensate for this damage by producing more DNA.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 23, 2017

CU Boulder research targets cookstove pollution using supercomputers and NASA satellites

A new study investigates how cookstove emissions contribute to both indoor air quality issues and global climate change. The research reveals that reducing cookstove use in certain countries, such as Azerbaijan and Ukraine, could have the largest positive impact on climate change, despite not being major users of residential cookstoves.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2017

Rare meteorites challenge our understanding of the solar system

Researchers discovered minerals from 43 ancient meteorites, including rare and unknown types. This finding suggests a dramatically different solar system history, requiring a revision of current understanding. The study's results confirm a hypothesis presented last summer and show that the solar system is not stable over time.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 23, 2017

Enhancing health care

Indigenous patients with diabetes in Canada face culturally unsafe care, leading to poorer health outcomes. A study found that negative experiences with healthcare systems can trigger traumatic memories and disengage patients from care.

SourceQueen's University·JournalCMAJ Open·DateJan 23, 2017

Breaking the optical bandwidth record of stable pulsed lasers

Researchers at INRS have developed a new pulsed laser with an ultra-narrow spectral width of 105 MHz, breaking the optical bandwidth record. The compact architecture enables full-spectrum resolution in the radio frequency domain, opening up opportunities for on-chip integration and novel sensing applications.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalNature Photonics·DateJan 23, 2017

How plant cells regulate growth shown for the first time

Researchers have mapped how plant cells determine size and adjust growth to achieve homogeneous cell sizes over time. This breakthrough overturns previous theories in the field, providing insights into factors determining plant size and fruit production.

SourceLund University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2017

Nurse practitioners step in to fill growing need for house calls

Nurse practitioners have surpassed doctors in providing house calls, with over 1.13 million visits in 2013, according to a new study. However, regulations in many states are limiting the profession's growth and increasing demand for in-home care.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJan 23, 2017

Hormone can enhance brain activity associated with love and sex

A recent study found that kisspeptin stimulates the release of reproductive hormones and boosts brain activity linked to sexual arousal and romance. The researchers believe this may help treat psychosexual disorders and improve conception rates for infertile couples.

SourceImperial College London·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 23, 2017

Skin closure options for cesarean delivery: Glue vs. subcuticular sutures

Researchers compared skin closure methods using glue (Dermabond) versus sutures in a randomized controlled trial. No significant differences were found in wound complications or scar healing between the two groups, suggesting both methods can be safe and successful for skin closure after cesarean delivery.

SourceSociety for Maternal-Fetal Medicine·DateJan 23, 2017

Diabetes medication adherence, language, glycemic control in Latino patients

A study of nearly 31,000 insured patients in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California health care system reports that nonadherence to newly prescribed diabetes medications was greater among Latino than white patients. Meanwhile, another study found a 10 percent increase in glycemic control for Latino patients who switched from languag...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJan 23, 2017

Coral reefs grow faster and healthier when parrotfish are abundant

A new study reveals that parrotfish play a vital role in maintaining healthy coral reefs. When parrotfish were more abundant, the reef grew faster and remained healthier due to their algae-eating habits. The research suggests that conserving parrotfish populations is essential for protecting corals.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 23, 2017

Research helps explain how B cell metabolism is controlled

Scientists have discovered that GSK3 plays a crucial role in controlling B cell metabolism, adapting to varying energy needs. The study found that GSK3 limits metabolic activity in circulating B cells while slowing glycolysis and production of mitochondria in proliferating B cells in germinal centers.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalNature Immunology·DateJan 23, 2017

Catalyst adds fluorine-containing groups to make new compounds

Researchers at MIT and Boston College developed a new type of catalyst that can incorporate trifluoromethyl groups into various organic molecules. This breakthrough enables the rapid generation of potential new fluorinated drugs, including antibiotics and anticancer agents.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJan 23, 2017

Engaging fathers in parenting intervention improves outcomes for both kids and fathers

A NYU study found that a parenting program where fathers engage with their children through reading improves parents' skills and enhances preschoolers' school readiness and behavior. Fathers from low-income communities saw significant improvements in discipline approaches and language development, with a moderate effect on child langua...

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology·DateJan 23, 2017

Where belief in free will is linked to happiness

Researchers find a positive correlation between belief in free will and happiness among Chinese teenagers, contrasting with previous Western studies. The study suggests that believing in free will may lead to increased perceived autonomy, self-control, and deliberate effort to achieve goals, ultimately contributing to happiness.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJan 23, 2017

Manipulating gene expression precisely using light

Researchers at Hokkaido University have created a new technology that can precisely control gene expression by light illumination, overcoming existing limitations. The method uses ultraviolet and blue light to start and stop protein production in embryos, enabling precise timing and duration of gene expression.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalACS Chemical Biology·DateJan 23, 2017

Scientists spin artificial silk from whey protein

Researchers produced artificial silk fibres with tailored properties by self-assembling nanofibrils formed from cow's whey protein under heat and acid. The fibre's strength depends on the balance between nanostructure and fibril entanglement, with curved nanofibrils forming stronger fibres than straight ones.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2017

UNIST researchers get green light to commercialize metal-air batteries

A team of UNIST researchers has developed a new method to enhance the catalytic activity of provskite, a potential substitute for platinum in metal-air batteries. By physically mixing provskite with polypyrrole, they were able to achieve a synergistic effect that rivals that of platinum.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateJan 23, 2017

Blacks experience more family member deaths than whites, on average

A study by the University of Texas at Austin found that blacks are more likely to lose a parent during childhood and experience multiple family member deaths by mid-life. This trend is expected to have long-term damaging effects on black Americans' health.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2017

Insects and umami receptors

University of California Riverside researchers identify amino acid taste receptor Ir76b playing key role in insect identification of umami taste. The discovery sheds light on insect food choice and potential targets for controlling insect populations.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 23, 2017

Arctic melt ponds form when meltwater clogs ice pores

Researchers at the University of Utah discovered how Arctic melt ponds form by clogging ice pores with freshwater. This process lowers permeability, allowing meltwater to pool on top of the ice, which affects climate modeling and sea ice dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Utah·DateJan 23, 2017

Researcher finds potential way to reduce drug cravings

A new preclinical study suggests that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy could help people overcome drug addiction by teaching them new behaviors. VNS was found to reduce drug cravings in addicted rats, with the animals pressing the lever less frequently over time.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalLearning & Memory·DateJan 23, 2017

New steps in the meiosis chromosome dance

Researchers at UC Davis have made significant discoveries about the complex process of meiosis, where chromosomes undergo a intricate dance to produce sperm and eggs. The team found that SUMO and ubiquitin proteins play a crucial role in selecting crossover sites, allowing for accurate chromosome distribution.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScience·DateJan 23, 2017

Study found brain abnormalities in fetuses exposed to Zika

Researchers discovered a reduction in brain tissue and increased fluid accumulation in the upper brain of Zika-infected fetuses. The study, which included 7 cases, found a significant difference in total brain volume and intracranial volume between Zika-exposed fetuses and healthy controls.

SourceSociety for Maternal-Fetal Medicine·DateJan 23, 2017

Post-concussion, peripheral vision reaction times substantially impaired

Researchers found that concussion patients exhibit significantly slowed central and peripheral vision reaction times, with PVRT being disproportionately prolonged. This study suggests a useful diagnostic method to objectively assess concussion symptoms, providing potential benefits for patient recovery and athlete safety.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalClinical Journal of Sport Medicine·DateJan 23, 2017

Noninvasive ultrasound pulses used to precisely tweak rat brain activity

Biomedical engineers at Johns Hopkins create a method to deliver and release concentrated amounts of drugs to the brain using ultrasound pulses. The technique has the potential to advance many therapies and research studies, minimizing side effects and potentially bringing new treatments to humans within a year or two.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 23, 2017

Comparing skin closure options for cesarean delivery

Researchers compared two suture types for cesarean wound closure and found that poliglecaprone reduces wound complications. The study involved 550 patients and found a significantly lower rate of complications with monocryl suture compared to vicryl suture.

SourceSociety for Maternal-Fetal Medicine·DateJan 23, 2017

Big Brother will have some difficulty 'watching you' in future

Scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand have made a groundbreaking discovery that allows for real-time error correction in quantum communications. By utilizing classical entangled light, they can establish secure quantum links over long distances, paving the way for major advances in data transfer and encryption.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalNature Physics·DateJan 23, 2017

Limiting gestational weight gain did not improve pregnancy complications

A new study published in the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting found that a weight loss intervention did not improve pregnancy outcomes despite reducing maternal weight gain. The study, MOMFIT, tested an intensive lifestyle behavioral intervention to help overweight and obese women limit gestational weight gain.

SourceSociety for Maternal-Fetal Medicine·DateJan 23, 2017