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Science News for March 16, 2017


Operation of ancient biological clock uncovered

Researchers at Utrecht University have uncovered the operation of the ancient biological clock in cyanobacteria, revealing a precision system comprising three protein components: KaiA, KaiB and KaiC. By slowing down time and applying cutting-edge techniques, the team identified the vital structures that govern the clock's daily rhythm.

SourceUtrecht University·JournalScience·DateMar 16, 2017

'Do no harm' vs. 'legitimate use of force'

A Canadian research team studied the ethics codes of the Canadian Medical Association and the Department of National Defence. They found that dual loyalty between medical and military professions can coexist with the principle of 'do no harm'. The researchers interviewed over 50 military health professionals, who face complex challenge...

A blood test for autism

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed an algorithm that accurately predicts whether a child is on the Autism spectrum of disorder based on levels of metabolites found in a blood sample. The algorithm, which uses big data techniques, correctly identified 96.1% of neurotypical participants and 97.6% of children with ASD.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMar 16, 2017

A multi-channel nano-optical device dramatically increases the parallel processing speed

Researchers have created a multi-channel nano-optical device that dramatically increases the parallel processing speed, allowing for faster data transfer between microprocessors. The device uses disordered arrangement of nano antennas to minimize redundancy and enable independent operation, resulting in a 40-fold increase in bandwidth.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 16, 2017

Repeated eye injections for age-related macular degeneration associated with increased risk for glaucoma

A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that patients with age-related macular degeneration who received seven or more eye injections of bevacizumab annually had a higher risk of developing moderate to advanced glaucoma. This increased risk was associated with the potential for elevated intraocular pressure, highlighting the need...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateMar 16, 2017

New anti-Wolbachia drug regimen could reduce treatment times of LF and Oncho to 1-2 weeks

Scientists have developed a shorter treatment regimen using rifampicin to target Wolbachia, reducing treatment times for lymphatic filariasis (LF) and onchocerciasis (Oncho) to just 1-2 weeks. This regimen is safe for pregnant women and children, offering a more effective and accessible solution to these debilitating diseases.

SourceLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 16, 2017

58 million Americans are exposed to loud, frequent noises, including firearms, at work and home

A recent study published in The Laryngoscope found that substantial noise exposures occur in occupational and recreational settings, with only a small percentage of those exposed wearing recommended hearing protection. Firearms use is a significant contributor to noise exposure, with only 58% of gun owners using hearing protection.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalThe Laryngoscope·DateMar 16, 2017

Better sleep feels like winning the lottery

Research by the University of Warwick found that improving sleep quality leads to optimal physical and mental wellbeing, with positive changes linked to improved scores on psychological wellbeing tests. The study suggests that working on better sleep could be an effective public health strategy.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalSLEEP·DateMar 16, 2017

Immune cell drives heart failure in mice

Researchers found that eosinophils play a key role in the progression of heart muscle inflammation to heart failure in mice. The study suggests that eosinophils may be responsible for the deterioration of heart muscle function, even in the absence of severe inflammation.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateMar 16, 2017

Agriculture, dietary changes, and adaptations in fat metabolism from ancient to modern Europeans

A study on European populations reveals genetic adaptations to dietary changes, influencing the production of vital fatty acids. The findings suggest that Europeans are adapting to a diet rich in plant-derived fats, while those with high animal fat intake produce more long-chain PUFAs.

Novel nozzle saves crystals

Scientists developed a novel double flow-focusing nozzle to reduce protein crystal consumption in X-ray crystallography. The new device enables stable experimental conditions, increases the rate of high-quality diffraction patterns, and widens the spectrum of biomolecules that can be analysed.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 16, 2017

Climate had a hand in shaping the human nose

A study published in PLOS Genetics found that nose size and shape are linked to differences in ancestral temperature and humidity levels. Wider nostrils were correlated with ancestors who lived in warmer climates, suggesting a role for climate in shaping human nasal evolution.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMar 16, 2017

Not like the other black girls

A study by Colleen Butler-Sweet found that young middle-class black women experience tension with poorer black women, feeling like 'stepsisters' due to social class differences. These women often face criticism and pressure to conform to white beauty standards, exacerbating feelings of alienation and competition.

SourceSpringer·JournalGender Issues·DateMar 16, 2017

The fed's bank bailout

New research from Washington University in St. Louis shows that the Fed's actions were effective in encouraging banks to lend, benefiting the economy. The study found that a total of 62% of bigger US banks used the Discount Window or Term Auction Facility during the crisis, leading to increased lending of almost all types.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of Financial Intermediation·DateMar 16, 2017

Nose form was shaped by climate

The study found that nose width is strongly correlated with temperature and humidity levels in different climates, suggesting a role for natural selection in shaping nose shape. The researchers also identified differences between men and women in nose features across populations.

SourcePenn State·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMar 16, 2017

Cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder discovered

The absence of protein SPRED2 alone can trigger excessive grooming behavior in mouse models. The study identifies the Ras/ERK-MAP kinase cascade as a key signaling pathway involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Administering an inhibitor to this pathway improves OCD symptoms, suggesting new potential treatments.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateMar 16, 2017

Treating cocaine addiction by reducing our appetite for drugs?

A new study in Biological Psychiatry suggests that blocking hypocretin signaling may provide a new avenue for treating cocaine addiction. The study found that blocking hypocretin signaling reduced cocaine intake in rats allowed long access to cocaine, and restored the normal GABAergic system.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMar 16, 2017

Scientists develop light-controllable tool to study CaMKII kinetics in learning and memory

Researchers at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience developed a photo-inducible CaMKII inhibitor to study intracellular signaling cascades. The tool revealed that CaMKII activation persists for approximately 1 minute, contradicting previous studies, and is necessary only for short periods of time for LTP and animal learning.