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Science News for April 20, 2017


Type of treatment for prostate cancer affects quality of life

The study found that sexual function declined after all treatments, with robotic surgery patients regaining function closest to brachytherapy and radiation levels. Urinary incontinence also decreased most for surgical patients, with robotic surgery showing slight improvement over open surgery.

SourceWiley·JournalBJU International·DateApr 20, 2017

Supplement can lessen kidney damage linked to genetic mutations in transgenic fruit flies

A novel dietary supplement has been shown to reverse cellular damage caused by specific genetic mutations in the kidneys of transgenic fruit flies. The study provides a personalized model for testing novel therapies for rare diseases such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), which currently lack treatment options.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 20, 2017

New data unearths pesticide peril in beehives

A study by Cornell University found that pesticides pose a significant risk to honeybees, with over 60% of found pesticides attributed to non-sprayed orchards and surrounding farmland. The research analyzed the bees' food stores and revealed high levels of pesticide exposure in 17% of colonies.

SourceCornell University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 20, 2017

A good night's sleep

Researchers designed a new technology that uses machine learning to model personal sleep patterns based on recorded sounds made during sleep. This method allows doctors to diagnose patients under normal sleeping conditions, leading to better treatment outcomes.

New behavioral intervention targets Latino men at high risk of HIV infection

A new behavioral intervention program called HOLA en Grupos has been shown to increase condom use and HIV testing among Latino MSM, reducing the risk of infection. The program achieved a 100% retention rate and significant increases in knowledge and skills, providing a promising solution for addressing this growing public health concern.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateApr 20, 2017

Antarctica's biodiversity is under threat

A new study finds that Antarctica's biodiversity is lagging behind the rest of the world in protected area management and bioprospecting regulation. The region faces threats from warming oceans, melting ice cover, and transnational pollution, despite some successes in invasive species management.

SourceConcordia University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 20, 2017

On the brink of eradication: Why polio research matters

Researchers like Dr. Julie Pfeiffer are studying poliovirus, a highly infectious childhood disease now close to global eradication, to gain insights into other viruses like Ebola, Zika, and influenza. This basic research can lead to new treatments and vaccines for these viruses.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateApr 20, 2017

Recognizing foreign accents helps brains process accented speech

Researchers found that increased familiarity with a foreign accent leads to better sentence processing and trains the acoustic system to process accented speech. Listeners who correctly identified the accent responded similarly to grammar and vocabulary errors in both native and foreign-accented sentences.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Neurolinguistics·DateApr 20, 2017

3-D printing helps treat woman with spinal condition

Researchers used 3D printing to create a model of a patient's lower spine, allowing for successful insertion of a catheter for spinal cord stimulation. The technique may provide additional information to improve access in cases where standard approaches prove difficult.

SourceWiley·JournalNeuromodulation Technology at the Neural Interface·DateApr 20, 2017

Study shows rapid growth in neuroscience research

A study of neuroscience papers from 2006-2015 reveals the most productive journals and contributing countries. Psychology and behavioral sciences have become popular research areas, while China's involvement has increased significantly, jumping from 11th to 2nd place in 2015.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateApr 20, 2017

Application of statistical method shows promise mitigating climate change effects on pine

A new statistical model has been developed to help guide forest management decisions under climate change. The model uses future climate scenarios to produce more accurate predictions than previous methods, allowing for the design of strategies that mitigate climate change impacts on loblolly pine plantations.

SourceAmerican Statistical Association·JournalJournal of the American Statistical Association·DateApr 20, 2017

Mass. General researchers provide evidence linking 'leaky gut' to chronic inflammation

Scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital have established a direct link between increased intestinal permeability and chronic inflammatory diseases. The study provides evidence that zonulin-dependent modulation of small-intestinal permeability enhances antigen trafficking, leading to the development of an inflammatory disease.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2017

Mapping DROSHA's cleavage sites

Researchers developed fCLIP-seq to analyze DROSHA's impact on miRNA fragments, revealing hundreds of new cleavage sites and alternative processing patterns. The study uncovers additional end modifications important for miRNA biogenesis, shedding light on its regulation in diseases like cancer.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalMolecular Cell·DateApr 20, 2017

Gut bacteria give newborns infection protection, not just digestion, mouse study shows

A mouse study reveals that Clostridia bacteria provide key protection against infection, in addition to aiding digestion. Newborn mice lack these beneficial bacteria, making them more vulnerable to pathogens. The findings suggest that the introduction of protective bacteria may hold promise for preventing gut infections in human newborns.

Same but different

A study published in Science reveals how bacteria can exhibit different behaviors despite having the same genes. Researchers found that protein complexes play a crucial role in this phenomenon, and biased partitioning of these complexes can lead to the emergence of extreme phenotypes.

Brains of one-handed people suggest new organization theory

Researchers found that brain regions for missing body parts are repurposed in congenital one-handers, suggesting a new understanding of brain organization based on function rather than body part. This discovery reveals remarkable brain plasticity and holds potential for developing prosthetic limbs.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 20, 2017

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases celebrates 10th anniversary

The journal's 10th Anniversary Collection highlights the progress made in controlling or eliminating NTDs, with a focus on disease elimination. Despite mixed success stories, researchers remain optimistic about achieving breakthroughs for at least five NTDs within a few years.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateApr 20, 2017

Study evaluates how well fellowship training prepares kidney specialists

A recent study examines how new kidney specialists feel their training has prepared them to care for patients, highlighting areas for improvement in nephrology fellowship structure and content. The findings suggest that fellows may be underprepared for home dialysis modalities and emphasize the need for more education in core nephrolog...

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 20, 2017

Study: Accomplished female scientists often overlooked

A recent study found that qualified female scientists were disproportionately overlooked by organizing committees at neuroimmunology conferences in 2016. Despite having published high-impact papers recently, women were less likely to be invited as speakers compared to their male counterparts. The study highlights the need for more wome...

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Immunology·DateApr 20, 2017

ILC 2017: New EASL clinical practice guidelines on the management of hepatitis B virus

The updated EASL guidelines provide new definitions of disease phases to guide clinicians on treatment indications. The guidelines also expanded indications for initiating treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission and offer clear cut recommendations for special patient populations. The main goal of therapy is to improve surviva...

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·JournalJournal of Hepatology·DateApr 20, 2017

Building a better battery

A University of Houston graduate student has been awarded a NASA fellowship to identify new materials for next-generation batteries. He plans to use a combined computational and experimental approach to investigate solid-state electrolyte materials for lithium batteries.