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Science News for July 11, 2017


The fork in the road to DNA repair

Researchers at Osaka University have discovered a key role for protein SCAI in selecting between DNA repair mechanisms, NHEJ and HR, in response to damage. The study found that SCAI promotes the recruitment of HR proteins by binding to 53BP1.

SourceOsaka University·JournalCell Reports·DateJul 11, 2017

Hospital management practices may put women at risk for C-sections during childbirth

A study of 53 hospitals found certain management practices in labor and delivery units associated with higher cesarean delivery rates and maternal complications. Women receiving care at hospitals with proactive unit culture management had a higher risk of cesarean delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, and prolonged hospital length of stay.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateJul 11, 2017

Preeclampsia: New study documents its enormous economic and health burden

A new study documents preeclampsia's alarming rise, with the condition costing $2.18 billion in healthcare expenditure in the first 12 months after birth. Mothers and infants affected by preeclampsia face increased risks of adverse health events, including cardiovascular disease and respiratory distress syndrome.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateJul 11, 2017

Contaminants in food: Identifying and assessing risks as early as possible

The Bundesgesundheitsblatt special issue explores the assessment strategies for possible health risks posed by contaminants in food, including dioxins, PFAS, nano and micro materials, and metals. The study highlights the need for regular updates to understanding the risks due to changing environmental conditions and industrial processes.

SourceBfR Federal Institute for Risk Assessment·JournalBundesgesundheitsblatt·DateJul 11, 2017

High burden of traumatic brain injuries in the EU and China

Two studies published in PLOS Medicine reveal a high burden of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in the European Union and China. In the EU, 17,049 TBI deaths occurred in 2013, translating into 374,636 years lost to life. Similarly, in China, age-adjusted TBI mortality increased from 13.23 per 100,000 population in 2006 to 17.06 in 2008, ...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 11, 2017

Generous people live happier lives

A recent study by UZH neuroeconomists found that generosity increases happiness, regardless of the amount. The researchers discovered that intent alone can trigger a change in brain activity, making people happier before they take action. The study provides insight into the interplay between altruism and happiness.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 11, 2017

Simulating splash at the microscopic level

Researchers used a lattice-Botzmann method to simulate the impact of microdroplets on dry surfaces, revealing distinct physics at the microscopic level. They found that droplet sizes in spray cooling are three orders of magnitude smaller than previously studied millimeter-size droplets, and that this affects their dynamics.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateJul 11, 2017

Immune system may keep body from neutralizing HIV-1 virus

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus discovered a process protecting against autoimmune disease also prevents the body from creating antibodies that can neutralize HIV-1. By temporarily relaxing immunological tolerance, scientists believe they may be able to elicit protective antibodies with vaccination.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJul 11, 2017

Prosthetic knee type may determine cost of care for amputees

A new study by Mayo Clinic researchers examines the direct medical costs of falls in adults with a transfemoral amputation, finding that high-functioning patients are often denied more expensive prosthetic knee technologies. The study aims to provide evidence for policymakers to evaluate the value of these advanced technologies.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalProsthetics and Orthotics International·DateJul 11, 2017

How cells control nuclear size becomes clearer

A study by Hiroshima University researchers has discovered that controlling the hoarding of genetic materials in the nucleus causes it to bulk up. The swelling is also enabled by regulating the transport of mRNA and proteins from the nucleus into the cytoplasm, as well as lipid synthesis for nuclear membrane expansion.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJul 11, 2017

DOD award to Wayne State will study genetic factors impacting type 2 diabetes in obesity

A Wayne State University researcher is leading a clinical research study to develop a better understanding of type 2 diabetes in obesity and improve therapy for veterans and others with the disease. The study aims to characterize a cohort of obese people with and without Type 2 diabetes to distinguish different genetic subtypes.

Future materials are becoming 'topological'

Researchers discovered a new class of topological materials, consisting of wolfram and tellurium atoms, which exhibit two-dimensional insulation and edge spin currents. This breakthrough enables the creation of spintronic devices with increased data transmission capacity and reduced power consumption.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 11, 2017

Accessing DNA in the cell's powerhouse to treat disease

A team from Kyoto University developed a synthetic compound that can bind to mitochondrial DNA, suppressing a gene associated with nerve and muscle disease. The compound, MITO-PIP, caused a 60% to 90% reduction in the expression of a key gene involved in mitochondrial metabolism.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 11, 2017

Academic motivation suffers when economic mobility seems out of reach

New studies from Northwestern University reveal that high school and college students from low SES backgrounds are less motivated to overcome academic hardships when they doubt their chances of achieving upward mobility. The research highlights the importance of providing viable paths to future financial stability for these students.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateJul 11, 2017

Pulse rate monitoring before a C-section can improve maternal health

A new study suggests that tracking pulse rate can help determine whether a woman needs blood pressure regulating medication after a spinal block before a Caesarean section. The research recommends considering factors such as pulse rate variability, pulse transit time, and body mass index to identify patients at risk of hypotension.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnnals of Biomedical Engineering·DateJul 11, 2017

Women and men may have different bipolar disorder biomarkers

Researchers found differences in immune system factors between men and women with bipolar disorder, particularly in zinc levels associated with depression severity in women. This study suggests that biological changes in the body could be used to diagnose the disease and tailor treatments differently for men and women.

SourcePenn State·JournalPsychiatry Research·DateJul 11, 2017

Warm winter events in the Arctic are becoming more frequent, lasting longer

New research reveals Arctic winter warming events are occurring more frequently and lasting longer, with an average duration of 12 hours longer than three decades ago. The study attributes this increase to major storms in the Arctic, which bring warm air from the Atlantic Ocean, leading to peak temperatures above minus 10 degrees Celsius.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 11, 2017