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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 454


Page 454 of 461

For viral predators of bacteria, sensitivity can be contagious

Researchers discovered that phages can invade bacteria by transferring attachment molecules via membrane vesicles, facilitating horizontal gene transfer and expansion of the phage host range. This mechanism enables phages to deliver DNA into new species, promoting attachment to non-host species and potentially transmitting antibiotic r...

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalCell·DateJan 10, 2017

The problem and potential solution of combining drugs

Scientists found that models with only two variables work best in combining drugs, reducing the risk of overfitting. The algorithm can be used to optimize various types of drug combinations, including those with multiple biological molecules.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateJan 10, 2017

New approach to managing warfarin patients improves care, cuts costs

Researchers developed new performance measures to improve warfarin management, resulting in better clinical outcomes and cost savings. The study, published in Annals of Pharmacotherapy, found that these measures could prevent 48 strokes and 68 major bleeding events annually, with a potential annual savings of over $4 million.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAnnals of Pharmacotherapy·DateJan 10, 2017

Cultural differences may leave their mark on DNA

A recent study has identified signatures of ethnicity in the genome that reflect shared culture and environment rather than genetic ancestry. The researchers found that only three-quarters of epigenetic differences between Mexican and Puerto Rican children could be accounted for by genetic ancestry, suggesting a biological stamp made b...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·DateJan 10, 2017

Bacterial communities of female genital tract impact HIV infection risk

A study found that women with diverse vaginal bacterial communities were four times more likely to acquire HIV than those with Lactobacillus-dominant microbiomes. The researchers identified specific high-risk bacteria associated with increased HIV acquisition risk and a direct link between these bacteria and HIV susceptibility.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalImmunity·DateJan 10, 2017

UTA researcher shows computer users are overconfident when dealing with junk emails

A new study by UTA researchers reveals that people's confidence in judging phishing emails exceeds their actual ability, leading to incorrect judgments. To address this issue, businesses may benefit from implementing feedback mechanisms to regulate employees' confidence and improve detection accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalJournal of the Association for Information Systems·DateJan 10, 2017

What does it take for an AIDS virus to infect a person?

A Penn study identifies specific biological properties of HIV-1 strains that facilitate infection, including increased infectivity and resistance to interferons. This research may aid in the development of vaccines against HIV-1 by targeting these key characteristics.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 10, 2017

'Goldilocks' drug prevents chronic kidney disease in primates

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital developed a new monoclonal antibody that binds to CD11b/CD18 receptor molecules, preventing ischemia/reperfusion injury and halting fibrotic kidney failure. The treatment has shown promise in cynomolgus monkeys and may also be useful in treating heart attack, stroke, and organ transplants.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 10, 2017

Scrapping excessive neural connection helps build new connections

Researchers at Osaka University discovered that retraction of early thalamocortical connections, driven by cannabinoids, can help form L4-L2/3 connections. This finding may contribute to understanding neuronal circuit mechanisms and prevention of cannabis abuse.

SourceOsaka University·JournalEuropean Journal of Neuroscience·DateJan 10, 2017

New research sheds light on why plants change sex

A four-year study by researchers at the University of Lincoln found that high-light environments trigger sex change in gynodioecious plants. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary mechanisms behind this phenomenon, which has significant implications for our understanding of plant breeding systems.

SourceUniversity of Lincoln·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateJan 10, 2017

Low-cost salt-reduction policy would save millions of lives worldwide

A government-backed policy to reduce salt intake by 10% over 10 years is projected to avert approximately 5.8 million disability-adjusted life years per year globally. The estimated average cost effectiveness ratio of the 10-year intervention is around $204 per DALY saved, comparable to many drugs used to prevent cardiovascular disease.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJan 10, 2017

Giving investors a say on CEO pay limits excesses

A new study by Maria Guadalupe of INSEAD found that say-on-pay policies lead to improved firm performance, including higher return on assets and reduced overheads. Shareholder value increases by about 5 percent, as the policy aligns management closer to shareholders and gives them an equal voice.

SourceINSEAD·JournalReview of Finance·DateJan 10, 2017

Tucatinib (ONT-380) progressing in pivotal trial against HER2+ breast cancer

A Phase 1 clinical trial found that tucatinib significantly improved outcomes in heavily pretreated patients with HER2+ breast cancer. The drug demonstrated stable disease at 24 weeks or more in 27% of patients, showcasing its potential as a game-changing treatment option.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJan 10, 2017

3-D printing and nanotechnology, a mighty alliance to detect toxic liquids

Researchers at Polytechnique Montréal developed a novel material that combines 3D printing and nanotechnology to detect toxic liquids in real time. The material, made from thermoplastic and carbon nanotubes, can identify the nature of a liquid upon contact, making it an advantage for heavy industries.

SourcePolytechnique Montréal·JournalSmall·DateJan 10, 2017

Case Western receives $2.5 million Helmsley grant for 'smart' insulin development

The university will explore a 'molecular diversity' of potential glucose-responsive insulin analogs to develop rapid-acting, glucose-responsive insulins that become active when blood sugar is high and inactive when low. The goal is to mitigate the risk of blood sugar levels being too high or too low for patients with type 1 diabetes.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateJan 9, 2017

How a moon slows the decay of Pluto's atmosphere

A new study from Georgia Institute of Technology reveals that Charon, Pluto's largest moon, significantly reduces the stripping of Pluto's atmosphere by solar wind when positioned between the sun and Pluto. This barrier creates a more acute angle of Pluto's bow shock, slowing down atmospheric loss.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalIcarus·DateJan 9, 2017

Breakthrough in MS treatment

Ocrelizumab has been shown to significantly reduce new attacks in patients with relapsing MS, slow symptom progression in primary progressive MS, and decrease brain lesions. The drug also demonstrated lower rates of disability progression and fewer infusion-related reactions compared to placebo.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 9, 2017

CDC guidelines for HIV prevention regimen may not go far enough, study suggests

A new study from UCLA suggests modifying federal health guidelines to use a risk calculator that takes into account more factors, potentially increasing effectiveness of PrEP in preventing HIV transmission. The calculator uses real-world data and is expected to be useful for gay and bisexual men who have sex with men.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalSexually Transmitted Diseases·DateJan 9, 2017

Breast cancer screening associated with substantial overdiagnosis

A Danish cohort study found that breast cancer screening was not associated with a reduction in advanced tumors, but rather an increase in nonadvanced tumors and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The study estimates that approximately 1 in 3 invasive tumors diagnosed in screened women represent overdiagnosis.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 9, 2017

Anthropogenic groundwater extraction impacts climate

Groundwater exploitation causes drying in deep soil layers but wetting in upper layers, leading to unsustainable terrestrial water storage. The atmosphere responds with cooling over certain regions and increased precipitation due to evapotranspiration from groundwater irrigation.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Climate·DateJan 9, 2017

Pediatric tuberculosis in Canada: A guide for physicians

Pediatric tuberculosis remains a concern in Canada, particularly among Aboriginal communities and children from endemic countries. Effective treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach, including clinicians, nurses, and social workers.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJan 9, 2017

Do weekend warriors reap any health benefits?

A recent study found that people who engage in physical activity on weekends have significantly lower all-cause mortality rates compared to those who are inactive. The research suggests that even short periods of moderate-intensity exercise can have health benefits, especially for individuals with busy weekday schedules. Experts recomm...

SourceGeorge Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJan 9, 2017

NASA spots short-lived Tropical Depression 01W

Tropical Depression 01W formed near Mindanao on January 8, 2017, and quickly weakened due to wind shear. The depression moved west through Mindanao towards the South China Sea, bringing moderate to heavy rains and rough seas to the region.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 9, 2017

Heartburn pills in pregnancy may be linked to childhood asthma

A recent study found that children born to mothers who took acid-blocking drugs during pregnancy were at least one third more likely to visit a doctor for asthma symptoms. The researchers emphasize the need for further studies to confirm this association and determine whether the medicines cause asthma in children.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJan 9, 2017

UTSA study shows how phishing scams thrive on overconfidence

A new UTSA study examines how phishing e-mails thrive on overconfidence, finding that self-efficacy is a major factor. The researchers created experimental surveys with subjects choosing between genuine and phishing emails, revealing why certain tactics appeal to different people.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalJournal of the Association for Information Systems·DateJan 9, 2017

The science of baby's first sight

Researchers at UNC School of Medicine found that mice reared in darkness show degraded dorsal stream responses, highlighting the importance of early visual experience for proper development. This discovery has implications for understanding vision restoration and recovery from bilateral cataracts.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 9, 2017

Common viruses prove dangerous in long-term care facility

A widespread outbreak of RSV and HMPV in a long-term dementia care ward infected 73% of patients, emphasizing the need for improved protocols to protect vulnerable residents. The facility has since implemented active screening, efficient separation, and partnered with a private laboratory for rapid respiratory viral testing.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateJan 9, 2017

Neural connection keeps instincts in check

Researchers at EMBL have traced the physical connection between the prefrontal cortex and brainstem that inhibits instinctive behavior. The study found that this connection, specifically to the PAG region of the brainstem, prevents social animals from acting out impulses.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 9, 2017

High dietary red meat intake linked to common bowel condition diverticulitis

Research found that consuming high amounts of unprocessed red meat increases the risk of developing diverticulitis by 58%. Replacing daily portions with poultry or fish may lower this risk, with a 20% reduced risk observed. Insufficient dietary fibre intake and smoking are also thought to play roles in the development of the condition.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalGut·DateJan 9, 2017

Fear of diagnostic low-dose radiation exposure is overstated, experts assert

Researchers argue that the linear no-threshold hypothesis, which suggests all radiation is harmful, is inaccurate and has led to widespread fear of low-dose radiation. Studies show that low doses stimulate protective responses, reducing cancer risk rather than increasing it.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJan 9, 2017

Hospitals in Medicare ACOs reduced readmissions faster

A new study found that hospitals in Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) reduced readmissions faster than non-ACO hospitals, with ACO hospitals decreasing their rates by 14.9%, compared to a 13.1% decrease for non-ACO hospitals.

SourceBrown University·JournalHealth Affairs·DateJan 9, 2017

National Commission on Prevention Priorities releases new preventive services rankings

The National Commission on Prevention Priorities has released updated rankings for clinical preventive services, highlighting the most effective and cost-effective options. The top three services include immunizing children, tobacco-use screening, and alcohol misuse screening, with scores of 10 out of a possible 10.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 9, 2017

Medicaid expansion linked to better care quality at health centers

A new study found that Medicaid expansion is associated with increased insurance coverage and improvements in asthma treatment, BMI screening, pap testing, and blood pressure control. Care quality also improved on seven measures, including care for asthma, pap testing, and hypertension, particularly among Hispanics.

SourceBrown University·JournalHealth Affairs·DateJan 9, 2017

Aggressive prostate cancer secrets revealed in landmark study

A landmark study reveals that men with a family history of prostate cancer and the BRCA2 gene fault have a more aggressive form of prostate cancer. The study shows that these cancers are genetically similar to advanced cancers, explaining why BRCA2 patients have poor outcomes.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 9, 2017

What did Big Data find when it analyzed 150 years of British history?

Researchers analyzed 35 million articles from British regional newspapers to detect major events, gender bias, and cultural shifts. The study found significant changes in representation over time, with women's presence increasing after 1900 but still being underrepresented.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 9, 2017

Study: Some catalysts contribute their own oxygen for reactions

Researchers at MIT have found that some catalysts produce oxygen from within their crystal structure, contrary to previous assumptions. The study's findings could help fine-tune metal-oxide catalysts for enhanced energy storage processes.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Chemistry·DateJan 9, 2017