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Science News for June 4, 2017


Emergency medicine in space: Normal rules don't apply

Experts discuss emergency medicine in space, where severe medical events and loss of crew life are significant risks during long-duration flights. Alternative CPR methods have been tested in microgravity experiments, showing a 'hand-stand' technique as the most effective method.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·DateJun 4, 2017

Steady decrease in severe health problems for childhood cancer survivors

A study of 23,600 childhood cancer survivors found a decline in severe health problems occurring five or more years after diagnosis, with the largest decreases seen in Wilms' tumor and Hodgkin lymphoma. Advances in treatment have improved five-year survival rates from 58% to 84% today.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 4, 2017
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

New drug shows durable efficacy across diverse pediatric and adult cancers

A new cancer medicine, larotrectinib, has demonstrated compelling evidence for treating a range of advanced cancers. The therapy, which targets TRK fusion proteins, resulted in responses in 76% of patients across 17 different types of cancer. After 12 months of treatment, 79% of responding patients remained progression-free.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 4, 2017

Bio-based p-xylene oxidation into terephthalic acid by engineered E. coli

Researchers developed a biocatalytic system to produce terephthalic acid from p-xylene using metabolically engineered E. coli, offering a greener alternative to traditional chemical methods. The resulting yield of 97 mol% demonstrates the feasibility of this bio-based technology for large-scale production.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 4, 2017

Nothing to fear for 'good Samaritan' doctors who assist medical emergencies

Experts at Euroanaesthesia congress discuss good Samaritan laws in Europe and their implications for doctors. They emphasize the importance of a doctor's duty to help, even if they're not able to assist fully, and note that successful claims against doctors are practically unheard of.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·DateJun 4, 2017

New technology dives deep into the cancer genome

A new genomic sequencing approach detected circulating tumor DNA at a high rate in 89% of patients, identifying genetic changes that can be matched to targeted therapies. The study found 73% of genetic changes in tumor samples were also detected in blood samples.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 4, 2017
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Pregnancy after breast cancer does not increase chance of recurrence

A retrospective study of 1,200 women found that pregnancy after breast cancer diagnosis did not increase the risk of cancer recurrence and death. However, survivors with estrogen receptor-positive tumors may want to consider their personal risk for recurrence when deciding how long to wait before becoming pregnant.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 4, 2017

Abiraterone slows advanced prostate cancer, helps patients live longer

A clinical trial of nearly 2,000 men shows that adding abiraterone acetate to standard therapy for high-risk, advanced prostate cancer lowers the relative risk of death by 37% and increases the 3-year survival rate to 83%. The treatment also reduces the chance of relapse by 70% and serious bone complications by 50%.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 4, 2017
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Routine genomic testing is feasible, but only a subset of patients benefit

A French study of 1,944 patients with advanced cancer found that comprehensive genomic profiling can guide treatment choices and lead to higher survival rates. The study's results suggest that routine genomic testing may not benefit all patients but offers hope for personalized medicine.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 4, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in ready-to-eat foods

Ready-to-eat foods such as dairy products and fresh produce contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can be directly consumed or contaminate kitchen surfaces. Organic produce had higher levels of resistance than dairy products.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·DateJun 4, 2017

New millimeter-wave technology could make future vehicles much safer

A new millimeter-wave amplifier developed by Hiroshima University and Mie Fujitsu Semiconductor can operate at a power supply voltage of 0.5 V, significantly reducing energy consumption and increasing reliability. This technology has the potential to improve driver-assistance and self-driving capabilities in vehicles.

SourceHiroshima University·DateJun 4, 2017

Two combination therapies shrink melanoma brain metastases in more than half of patients

Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center present two combination therapies that significantly shrink metastatic brain tumors in over half of patients with stage IV melanoma. The trials demonstrate the feasibility of conducting clinical trials for these patients and offer new hope for those with brain metastases.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateJun 4, 2017
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Zika virus successfully diagnosed from semen

A reliable clinical assay can detect the Zika virus from semen samples with a limit of detection of 5 viral copies per mL of semen. This assay has been validated through experiments with 100 semen samples spiked with recombinant Accuplex ZIKV and tested for other viruses.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·DateJun 4, 2017

Development of a novel vaccine for Zika

A new Zika virus vaccine has shown 100% protection in mice, utilizing the NS1 protein. The vaccine's effectiveness was demonstrated through a single-dose immunization strategy.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·DateJun 4, 2017

Vapor from novel tobacco hybrid device minimally impacts human cells

A study found that vapour from a novel hybrid tobacco heating product and two standard THPs had little to no impact on human cells in lab-based biological tests. The results suggest these products could reduce smoking-related disease risks when compared to cigarette smoking.

SourceR&D at British American Tobacco·JournalFood and Chemical Toxicology·DateJun 4, 2017
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Increasing susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus in the United States

Researchers found decreasing rates of resistance to oxacillin and other antibiotics in Staphylococcus aureus, while ceftaroline remained highly active against MRSA. The study's findings suggest a potential decrease in the prevalence of community-acquired MRSA, highlighting the importance of monitoring antimicrobial resistance.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·DateJun 4, 2017

Cardiac arrest on plane journeys: New guidelines proposed

The European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care proposes new guidelines for in-flight cardiac arrest, highlighting the importance of emergency equipment and crew training. The guidelines aim to improve treatment recommendations and reduce fatalities in such cases.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·DateJun 4, 2017

Cancer patients who systematically reported their symptoms lived longer

A recent study found that cancer patients who reported their symptoms using a web-based survey lived five months longer than those who did not. The study, led by UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researcher Ethan Basch, showed a significant median overall survival benefit of 20 percent.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·DateJun 4, 2017