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Science News for June 12, 2017


Epigenetic signaling axis regulates proliferation and self-renewal of neural stem/progenitor cells

Researchers discovered a novel epigenetic signaling axis involving PRC1, microRNA, and PRC2 that regulates the self-renewal and proliferation of neural stem/progenitor cells. The study found that Ezh2 represses miR-203 expression, which negatively regulates self-renewal and proliferation but promotes neuronal differentiation.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateJun 12, 2017

inflammatory molecule essential to muscle regeneration in mice, Stanford researchers find

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered a lipid metabolite called prostaglandin E2 that activates muscle stem cells responsible for repairing damage after injury or exercise. Treating mice with PGE2 accelerates muscle repair and strength regain, while nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit this process.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 12, 2017

Researchers find a surprise just beneath the surface in carbon dioxide experiment

A team of researchers used X-ray experiments and theoretical models to study the conversion of carbon dioxide into liquid fuels using copper catalysts. The findings revealed that oxygen atoms embedded near the surface of copper had a significant impact on the reaction, leading to more efficient reactions.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 12, 2017

Risk, benefit or cost: What stops patients from receiving a diagnostic test?

A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that the level of benefit, risk, and cost significantly influence patients' decisions to receive a diagnostic test. The researchers discovered that participants were more likely to accept a diagnostic test when the cost was lower, highlighting the impact of financial burden on medi...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateJun 12, 2017

Status epilepticus: An overview

Status epilepticus is a neurologic emergency with neuronal damage and systemic complications, emphasizing the need for timely treatment. The latest ILAE classification of epilepsy seizures and underlying etiologies are discussed, along with management guidelines and anticonvulsant drug therapies.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Drug Metabolism·DateJun 12, 2017

Mixing booze and pot is a serious threat to traffic safety

A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that mixing booze and pot increases the risk of fatal two-vehicle crashes. Drivers who used alcohol, marijuana, or both were more likely to be responsible for causing fatal crashes compared to sober drivers. The researchers analyzed data from 14,742 fatal two...

Volcanic 'plumerang' could impact human health

A team of scientists discovered a previously undetected health risk from volcanic plumes, finding that certain fine particles can penetrate deep into lungs, exacerbating asthma attacks. The study recommends considering both young and mature plumes when forecasting air pollution and dispersion.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateJun 12, 2017

Study: Underweight female runners more likely to get stress fractures

A new study from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center reveals that female runners with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 19 are more likely to develop stress fractures. Lighter women who suffered stress fractures took longer to recover, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy BMI through resistance training.

SourceMediaSource·JournalCurrent Orthopaedic Practice·DateJun 12, 2017

How do preemies perform in school?

A large-scale study found that premature babies born at 23-24 weeks were ready for kindergarten on time, while those born 25 weeks or later performed only slightly lower than full-term infants. Nearly 2% of extremely premature babies achieved gifted status in school.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateJun 12, 2017

Can a single exercise session benefit your brain?

A new review of research on acute exercise found that it improves executive function, enhances mood, and decreases stress levels in humans. Neurophysiological and neurochemical changes also show widespread brain activation after a single bout of physical activity.

SourceIOS Press·JournalBrain Plasticity·DateJun 12, 2017

Mass. General report outlines strategies to address racial, ethnic health care disparities

The report identifies five essential domains for successfully addressing disparities: knowing who to involve, shaping organizational culture, creating urgency and a vision, engaging the organization and audience, and harnessing the power of a collaborative network. These strategies were developed by participants in the Massachusetts Ge...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalHealth Affairs·DateJun 12, 2017

Vegetarian diets almost twice as effective in reducing body weight, study finds

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that vegetarian diets are more effective than conventional low-calorie diets in reducing body weight. Vegetarian diets also improve glucose and lipid metabolism, which is particularly important for people with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of the American College of Nutrition·DateJun 12, 2017

Regenerating damaged nerves with 'Pac-Man' cells

Macrophages, known as the Pac-Man of the immune system, promote healing by regrowing severed nerves in rats, offering a promising alternative to current treatments like autografts. The approach uses biological signals to recruit younger, undifferentiated cells destined to become pro-healing macrophages.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 12, 2017

Uncovered: 1,000 new microbial genomes

The U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute has released 1,003 phylogenetically diverse bacterial and archaeal reference genomes, which will aid in understanding the functions of genes, enzymes, and metabolic pathways with wide applications in bioenergy, biomedicine, agriculture, and environmental sciences.

SourceDOE/Joint Genome Institute·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJun 12, 2017

Concentration spans drop when online ads pop up

Researchers found that online ads decrease brain activity in frontal/prefrontal cortical areas, indicating a drop in concentration levels. The presence of ads also affects the frontal/prefrontal asymmetry index, with some subjects experiencing increased and others decreased activity.

SourceSpringer·JournalCognitive Processing·DateJun 12, 2017

Scientists unravel the interdecadal variability of the Afro-Asian summer monsoon system

The Afro-Asian summer monsoon is projected to intensify and shift northwards following the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) warm phase since the mid-1990s. Precipitation in the Huanghe-Huaihe River valley increased in the late 1990s, marking a significant change in the region's climate.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJun 12, 2017

Ontarians still skeptical of flu shot

A new study from the University of Waterloo found that half of those who avoid flu shots do so due to concerns over vaccine effectiveness and personal immune systems. The study also revealed that moral and religious reasons, as well as past poor vaccine experiences, contribute to avoidance.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Health Communication·DateJun 12, 2017

Winning climate strategy demands details

Scientists at Michigan State University found that examining daily climate minutia provides a better understanding of variable land climates, crucial for policy-making. The study reveals dramatic swings in northern China's climate, affecting agriculture and economic development.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 12, 2017

E-cigarettes less addictive than cigarettes, PATH study shows

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine found that e-cigarette users are relatively less dependent on their product compared to traditional cigarette smokers. The PATH study analyzed responses from over 30,000 young people and adults, showing that e-cigarettes cause less nicotine dependence than cigarettes.

SourcePenn State·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateJun 12, 2017

Healthy diet? That depends on your genes

A Cornell University study reveals genetic adaptations to plant-heavy diets led to increased frequency of FADS1 gene variants, crucial for omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid production. This discovery has implications for personalized dietary recommendations based on individual genetic backgrounds.

SourceCornell University·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateJun 12, 2017

New carbon nitride material coupled with ruthenium enhances visible-light CO2 reduction in water

A new nanomaterial capable of reducing CO2 with high selectivity and turnover number has been developed by Tokyo Tech. The material consists of carbon nitride nanosheets combined with a metal structure known as binuclear ruthenium(II) complex, resulting in unprecedented binding of RuRu' to the nanosheet surface.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 12, 2017

New study finds more than 2 billion people overweight or obese

A new study reveals that 30% of the world's population is affected by weight problems, resulting in over 4 million deaths attributed to excess body weight. The study found that nearly 40% of these deaths occurred among people with a BMI below the threshold for obesity, highlighting the risks associated with being overweight or obese.

SourceInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 12, 2017

Researchers find a surprise just beneath the surface in carbon dioxide experiment

A team of researchers from Caltech and Berkeley Lab found that tiny amounts of oxygen beneath the copper catalyst's surface play a critical role in activating carbon dioxide for conversion to ethanol. The discovery sheds light on the atomic-level details of the reaction, enabling scientists to predict ways to improve efficiency.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 12, 2017

Zig-zagging device focuses high-energy radiation emissions

Physicists have developed a way to control high-energy particle emissions in an undulator device, which could potentially be used as a source of radiation for cancer treatment or nuclear waste processing. The new device produces a much higher level of radiation than traditional ones.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJun 12, 2017

Moffitt researchers identify inhibitor that overcomes drug resistance in prostate cancer

Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center identify novel inhibitor (R)-9bMS that targets epigenetic modification of the androgen receptor gene, blocking growth in resistant prostate cancer cells. The discovery offers a new therapeutic option for castration-resistant prostate cancer patients who do not respond to enzalutamide.

Screening for genetic diseases & chromosomal defects with a single biopsy improves pregnancy rates

Researchers found that simultaneous genetic and chromosomal screening of a single biopsy improved pregnancy rates. The study used double genetic tests on cells taken from 1122 blastocysts, resulting in 99 pregnancies and 70 healthy births. This approach reduces the risk of implantation failure and miscarriage.

A plant-based diet boosts weight loss twice as effectively as a traditional diabetes diet

In a controlled study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, participants who adopted a vegetarian diet lost nearly twice as much weight compared to those following a traditional diabetes diet. The study found that the plant-based diet led to greater reductions in subfascial and intramuscular fat.

SourcePhysicians Committee for Responsible Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Nutrition·DateJun 12, 2017

Targeted radionuclide treatment for neuroendocrine tumors improves quality of life

A Phase III trial shows that peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy significantly improves patient wellbeing, particularly in advanced midgut neuroendocrine tumors. Lutathera treatment provided more relief for patients than high-dose octreotide, with improved quality-of-life metrics and fewer side effects.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJun 12, 2017

Combining radionuclide therapy with a PARP inhibitor slows neuroendocrine tumor growth

Researchers found that combining peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with a PARP inhibitor significantly slows the growth of neuroendocrine tumors. The treatment combination induced more cell death and inhibited cell proliferation in both gastroenteropancreatic and bronchopulmonary NET cell lines.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJun 12, 2017

Traditional Chinese medicine may benefit some heart disease patients

A review paper suggests that certain traditional Chinese medicines show benefits for cardiovascular health conditions such as hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. These medications have antihypertensive effects and a good safety profile, making them a potential alternative for patients intolerant of or who cannot af...

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJun 12, 2017

Insomnia genes found

A team of international researchers has identified seven risk genes for insomnia, revealing the genetic basis of this common health complaint. The study found a strong genetic overlap with anxiety disorders, depression, and neuroticism, suggesting that shared biological mechanisms contribute to insomnia and these traits.

SourceVrije Universiteit Amsterdam·JournalNature Genetics·DateJun 12, 2017

Scientists propose method to help keep new grid components operational and safe

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University proposed a new method to calculate and correct short-circuit errors in large-scale distribution systems. The method, which was published in IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica, uses real-time simulations and modeling to optimize the system in just 74 milliseconds.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateJun 12, 2017