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Science News Archive February 2017


Page 1 of 37

Rare proteins collapse earlier

A team of researchers led by Paola Picotti found that only a small fraction of key proteins denature at high temperatures, contradicting previous assumptions. This discovery has implications for understanding protein stability and potentially improving the performance of heat-resistant bacteria for industrial processes.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateFeb 28, 2017

Calculating recharge of groundwater more precisely

A team of international researchers has developed a new approach to calculate groundwater recharge rates, significantly improving estimates for 560 million people in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. By accounting for subsurface heterogeneity, their model produces more realistic estimates than existing global models.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 28, 2017

Concerns over inconsistent palliative care provision across England

A study reveals significant variation in palliative care services across England, with some regions failing to provide standardised information and patient choice being hindered. Experts recommend a national framework to ensure fair access to palliative care, citing the Welsh Palliative Care Strategy as a best practice model.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Supportive & Palliative Care·DateFeb 28, 2017

Hospital floors may pose a larger health risk than previously thought

A recent study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that hospital floors can be contaminated with harmful pathogens such as MRSA, VRE, and C. difficile. The researchers cultured floor sites from 159 patient rooms and discovered that 41% had high-touch objects in contact with the floor, highlighting the need for ...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·DateFeb 28, 2017

Liver tumor growth in mice slowed with new chemo-immunotherapy treatment

Researchers developed a new treatment combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy to slow liver tumor growth in mice, with tumors growing 11 times smaller than in control groups. The study suggests that this approach could be translated to benefit patients with hepatocellular cancer, potentially extending and improving their quality of life.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Hepatology·DateFeb 28, 2017

Treatment of malignant brain tumor in children gets closer

Researchers have made a major step forward in understanding the molecular mechanisms of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a rare and aggressive brain tumor in children. They identified a possible method for treating this type of tumour using an EZH2 inhibitor, which has shown efficacy in mouse models and human cell lines.

Did seaweed make us who we are today?

According to Professor Ole G. Mouritsen, seaweeds were a crucial source of essential nutrients for early Homo sapiens brain development. These nutrients include taurine, magnesium, zinc, vitamin B12, iodine, and poly-unsaturated fatty-acids (PUFAs), which are also healthy for modern humans.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalJournal of Applied Phycology·DateFeb 28, 2017

Happy notes, happy memories

Researchers found that musical cues with high arousal and positive emotion triggered the recall of clear, vivid memories, while those with negative emotions led to less specific recollections. The study's findings suggest that emotional content of musical cues influences the type of memories accessed.

SourceSpringer·JournalMemory & Cognition·DateFeb 28, 2017

Cells adapt ultra-rapidly to zero gravity

Researchers found that mammalian cells can respond to changes in gravitational conditions extremely quickly, recovering full function within 42 seconds. This rapid adaptation challenges previous assumptions about cell behavior in space, providing good news for manned space flight.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 28, 2017

Secrets of the calcerous ooze revealed

Researchers have developed a new method to analyze the carbon content of ancient coccolithophore shells, providing insights into past CO2 levels and climate sensitivity. The study uses mathematical modeling and laboratory experiments to understand the biology of ancient creatures and their impact on the environment.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 28, 2017

Banded mongooses go to war over sex and territory

Researchers observed banded mongooses fighting over food and territory, often resulting in serious injury and death. However, they found that pregnant females were less likely to lose their litters after conflicts, suggesting a possible strategy to maintain pregnancy and increase group competitiveness.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateFeb 28, 2017

Sustainable ceramics without a kiln

Material scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a method to manufacture ceramics without heat, using calcium carbonate nanoparticles compacted with water. The resulting material is stronger than concrete and as stiff as stone, with potential applications in sustainable construction and energy storage.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 28, 2017

A better way to measure the stiffness of cancer cells

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new laser technique to measure the stiffness of individual cancer cells, which is correlated with cellular disorder. This technique has the potential to enable high-throughput screening for early cancer detection, allowing for rapid and accurate diagnosis.

SourceDuke University·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateFeb 28, 2017

Exploring the mysteries of supercooled water

Physicists at Roma Tre University developed a computer-based simulation to study the interactions of water molecules in supercooled conditions. The study reveals that a specific property of the water network can be used to determine changes in entropy, offering insights into unusual thermodynamic facets of water's activity.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateFeb 28, 2017

Genetic variant linked to overactive inflammatory response

Researchers at Cardiff University discovered a genetic link between Ifitm3 and the immune system's inflammatory response. The study found that individuals with a specific gene variant may experience an overactive immune response to viral infections, making anti-inflammatory drugs a potential treatment option.

SourceCardiff University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 28, 2017