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Science News for March 10, 2017


The hazards of English spelling

A new study by Kristian Berg and Mark Aronoff found that English suffix patterns can categorize words into grammatical categories, such as adjectives. The researchers analyzed a large sample of written English documents over 1,000 years, discovering consistent spellings for common suffixes like -ous and -ic.

SourceLinguistic Society of America·JournalLanguage·DateMar 10, 2017

Benefits of university seed cap programs

University-based startups can benefit from university-funded seed capital programs, which provide expanded funding opportunities, entrepreneur development, and economic growth. These programs also help faculty members and students develop their entrepreneurial skills and support the commercialization of innovative technologies.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalJournal of Technology and Innovation·DateMar 10, 2017

A closer look at brain organoid development

Researchers have characterized cerebral organoids, showing they recapitulate human brain developmental processes and involve forebrain organizing centers. These findings advance our understanding of normal organoid development and are essential for modeling human developmental diseases.

SourceEMBO·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateMar 10, 2017

A breath of fresh air for severe asthma research

A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital reveals that natural killer cells in patients with severe asthma are disabled from resolving inflammation, leading to ineffective corticosteroid treatment. Researchers also identified lipoxins as a potential therapeutic approach, as they preserve NK cell pro-resolving functions.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalScience Immunology·DateMar 10, 2017

An utter shambles

Researchers found that parenting by ADHD parents is less adequate, with more criticism and household chaos. However, they also rated their relationship to children more positively than non-ADHD parents. The study suggests a complex interplay between these factors and recommends future research on designing parent training programs.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalJournal of Attention Disorders·DateMar 10, 2017

Immunology: Live and let live

Dendritic cells, which help activate and suppress immune responses, play a key role in maintaining the balance between self and non-self in the gut. The discovery of a signaling molecule, CD40, reveals how this balance can be disrupted, leading to severe colitis, but also highlights the importance of regulatory T-cells in maintaining i...

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 10, 2017

Information avoidance

Research reveals that people deliberately avoid information that challenges their beliefs, leading to harm in individual wellbeing and societal polarization. By understanding the reasons behind information avoidance, governments and firms can develop effective strategies to reach their audiences.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of Economic Literature·DateMar 10, 2017

What cancer research can learn from military strategy

Researchers are exploring parallels between military counter-insurgency tactics and cancer treatment, focusing on targeted therapies that harness the patient's own resources. By adopting an intelligence-led approach, clinicians can adapt treatment strategies to tackle evolving tumour genetic codes.

SourceLund University·JournalTrends in Cancer·DateMar 10, 2017

Single molecule switch

Researchers successfully demonstrated a reliable and reproducible single molecule switch, enabling electric current to flow between electrodes through the molecule or not. The breakthrough could lead to advancements in molecular electronics.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 10, 2017