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Science News for July 13, 2017


Is 'ovarian tissue freezing' superior to egg freezing?

A new study suggests that ovarian tissue freezing is a superior option to egg freezing for preserving fertility, reversing menopause, and promoting natural conception. Nearly 37% of women who underwent the procedure were able to have children later in life, with nearly two-thirds experiencing restored natural fertility.

SourceSAGE·JournalReproductive Sciences·DateJul 13, 2017

Mapping behavior in the fruit fly brain

A team of researchers has created behavior anatomy maps in fruit flies to understand how specific brain circuits generate aggression, wing extension, or grooming behaviors. The data will help neurobiologists assign behaviors to neurons and study brain circuits.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateJul 13, 2017

Researchers develop dynamic templates critical to printable electronics technology

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed bio-inspired dynamic templates used to manufacture organic semiconductor materials that produce printable electronics. This technique is also eco-friendly compared with how conventional electronics are made, which gives the researchers the chance to return the favor to nature.

Water makes the proton shake

Researchers have elucidated the ultrafast motions and structural characteristics of protons in water under ambient conditions, identifying the Zundel cation as a predominant species. The proton explores all locations between two water molecules within less than 100 fs, losing memory quickly due to strong electric field fluctuations.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalScience·DateJul 13, 2017

On the way to a biological alternative

Researchers at the University of Freiburg have made a significant step towards understanding nitrogenase's function by analyzing its spatial structure. The team discovered that a vanadium ion replaces molybdenum in the enzyme, leading to distinct effects on its geometric and electronic structure.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJul 13, 2017

BASF unveils new class of insecticide for malaria prevention

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended BASF's Interceptor(R) G2, a long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito net containing chlorfenapyr, for malaria prevention. The new product is the first to be approved from a new chemical class since the 1980s and offers a promising solution to combat malaria resistance.

SourceBASF SE·JournalMalaria Journal·DateJul 13, 2017

Bacterium actively drives colorectal cancer tumor cell growth

A subspecies of the bacterium Streptococcus gallolyticus actively promotes the development of colorectal cancer by driving CRC cell proliferation through β-catenin cell signaling. The study found that infected mice developed more tumors and greater β-catenin production than control mice.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJul 13, 2017

How neurons sense our everyday life

Researchers at King's College London have discovered a molecular mechanism that enables neurons to adapt to their environment, shaping learning and memory formation. The study reveals that Brevican protein plays a critical role in regulating experience-dependent plasticity, influencing the intrinsic properties of PV+ interneurons and s...

SourceKing's College London·JournalNeuron·DateJul 13, 2017

Cancer cells force normal cells to mimic viruses to help tumors spread, resist treatment

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine identified a process where cancer cells instruct normal cells to act like viruses, enabling tumors to spread and resist treatment. This 'virus mimic' is detected in the blood of cancer patients and could explain why some breast cancers are more aggressive than others.

Low doses of radiation could harm cardiovascular health, study suggests

A recent study published in the International Journal of Radiation Biology found that low doses of radiation can cause permanent alterations in coronary artery endothelial cells, leading to reduced nitric oxide production and increased oxidative stress. This damage can result in long-term premature dysfunction and an increased risk of ...

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Biology·DateJul 13, 2017

Elderly yoginis have greater cortical thickness

Scientists found greater cortical thickness in elderly female yoga practitioners' brains, associated with improved cognitive functions like attention and memory. Long-term yoga practice appears to shape the brain structure and could offset age-related cognitive decline.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience·DateJul 13, 2017

Testing a soft artificial heart

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a soft artificial heart made from silicone that mimics the human heart's form and function. The device lasts only 3,000 beats but paves the way for future improvements in artificial hearts.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalArtificial Organs·DateJul 13, 2017

A hit love song for toads

Researchers at James Cook University found that a specific sound frequency and pulse rate attract more reproductive female cane toads, making it easier to control the population. This technique may be used for large-scale eradication of island populations but not mainland Australia.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalPest Management Science·DateJul 13, 2017

Side effects not a major problem for new class of breast cancer drugs

The cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor class of oral drugs has been found to be generally well-tolerated in treating hormone receptor-positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer. The most common side effect is a temporary and dose-dependent decrease in white blood cells, which usually returns to normal with dosage adjustments.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Oncologist·DateJul 13, 2017

How selenium compounds might become catalysts

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have discovered that selenium can form bonds similar to those of hydrogen bonds, resulting in accelerated chemical reactions. The team's findings suggest that weaker bonds, such as hydrogens bonds, might be sufficient for activation or catalysis.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 13, 2017