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Science News for March 24, 2017


Severe psoriasis predominantly affects men

Research from Umeå University found that women have a statistically significant lower incidence of severe psoriasis compared to men. Women with psoriasis had significantly lower median PASI values, indicating less severe disease.

SourceUmea University·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Dermatology·DateMar 24, 2017

The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP): A new model that addresses limitations of traditional taxonomies

The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) proposes viewing mental health as a spectrum, rather than categorizing it. This system simplifies diagnosis by recognizing that most patients have co-occurring disorders and classifying psychopathology at multiple levels of hierarchy.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Abnormal Psychology·DateMar 24, 2017

Clock stars: Astrocytes keep time for brain, behavior

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered that astroglia, or astrocytes, help set the pace of the suprachiasmatic nuclei to schedule a mouse's day. Altering astrocyte clocks slowed mice's sense of time, highlighting their influence on daily behavior and physiological processes.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 24, 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.

Schizophrenia-associated gene research funded by $3.1 million NIH grant

Researchers at Emory University are studying the 3q29 deletion syndrome, a genetic mutation associated with a 40-fold increased risk for schizophrenia. They will create a neuronal model of the syndrome using induced pluripotent stem cells and integrate their research with other targets identified in genetic studies.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·DateMar 24, 2017

The need to reinvent primary care

A special issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine reviews primary care innovation and suggests new models that prioritize population health and cost control. Experts highlight the importance of preserving trusting relationships between patients and primary care physicians to achieve better outcomes.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateMar 24, 2017

Survivors of childhood brain tumors have increased body fat

A new study published in Scientific Reports found that survivors of childhood brain tumors have more fat tissue overall, especially around the abdomen, compared to healthy children. This increased body fat may program their future risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes, impacting their outcomes.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 24, 2017

NASA sees Tropical Cyclone Caleb's heaviest rainfall

Tropical cyclone Caleb formed on March 23 with heaviest precipitation near its western side, dropping rain at nearly 84 mm/h. The system will slow and weaken due to increasing wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures over the next 3 days.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 24, 2017

Brain scans may help clinicians choose talk therapy or medication treatment for depression

Researchers found that specific brain scan patterns can identify which treatment is most effective for individual patients with depression. Patients with positive connectivity in certain brain regions were more likely to achieve remission with cognitive behavioral therapy, while those with negative connectivity were more likely to resp...

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMar 24, 2017
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Land-based microbes may be invading and harming coral reefs

A new study found that certain bacterial species and fungal families are present in both land-based sources and coral reefs, suggesting invasion. The researchers used high-throughput DNA sequencing to analyze water samples from coastal inlets, sewage treatment plants, and coral tissues.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateMar 24, 2017

'Bench to bedside to bench'

New technologies enable basic scientists to build upon clinical genomicist work, promoting a virtuous cycle of bench-to-bedside collaboration. The researchers' recommendations prioritize data sharing, clinically relevant genes, and better data-management practices.

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalCell·DateMar 24, 2017

New lab-on-a-chip platform seeks to improve pathogen detection

Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute develop a prototype lab-on-a-chip platform for automating molecular pathogen detection, enabling diagnostics in previously inaccessible situations. The platform integrates multiple processes without increasing complexity, promising to simplify pathogen analysis.

SourceFuture Science Group·JournalFuture Science OA·DateMar 24, 2017

Lighting up antibiotic resistance

Chinese scientists have developed a fluorogenic probe, CVB-1, to detect the activity of multidrug-resistant carbapenemases in an assay system. This technique allows for rapid detection of antibiotic resistance activity by fluorescence, enabling specific treatment strategies and reducing the overuse of ineffective drugs.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 24, 2017
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Hydrophobic proteins on virus surfaces can help purify vaccines

Researchers discovered that virus surface proteins can be used to improve vaccine purification by understanding their hydrophobic properties. By analyzing the protein structures and interactions with other surfaces, scientists hope to develop more efficient methods for detecting and concentrating viruses.

SourceMichigan Technological University·DateMar 24, 2017

On the trail of Parkinson's disease

A team of chemists from Konstanz University has made a significant discovery about the effects of selective mutations on the alpha-synuclein protein. By applying magnetic probes to the protein, they found that these changes disturb the binding of alpha-synuclein to membranes.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 24, 2017

Big data approach to predict protein structure

Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology developed a method to predict protein structures using statistical analyses. This approach allows for the prediction of even complex protein structures without experimental determination, potentially leading to new treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 24, 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.

A little vigorous exercise may help boost kids' cardiometabolic health

High-intensity physical activity for as little as 10 minutes a day may benefit young people with large waist measurements and elevated insulin levels. The study found that vigorous exercise was associated with reduced waist circumference and insulin levels, but had inconsistent effects on other biomarkers.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·DateMar 24, 2017

Neurosurgical practices must evolve and transform to adapt to rapidly changing healthcare industry

A new supplement published in Neurosurgery highlights the need for neurosurgeons to evolve their practices to thrive in an evolving environment. Dr. Dong H. Kim's recommendations focus on improving patient satisfaction, reducing costs, and enhancing quality outcomes through quality improvement initiatives and innovative approaches.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalNeurosurgery·DateMar 24, 2017

Spread of ages is key to impact of disease, animal study finds

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that disease spread varies depending on age at exposure and maternal age. Younger offspring were more susceptible to infection when mothers were younger, contradicting expectations that disease spreads in dense populations.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalEcology Letters·DateMar 24, 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.

Evolutionary advantage of the common periwinkle

The common periwinkle has evolved a unique strategy for detoxifying heavy metals, featuring a three-domain metallothionein with increased binding capacity. This adaptation enables the snail to thrive in polluted environments.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 24, 2017

Extreme space weather: Protecting our critical infrastructure

A new EU report highlights knowledge gaps in reducing risks linked to space weather and recommends policy, industry, and science collaborations to close these gaps. The report also emphasizes the need for early warning systems and better communication between science and industry.

SourceEuropean Commission Joint Research Centre·DateMar 24, 2017

New gene discovered associated with Tau, a common form of brain pathology

A new gene variant has been identified in the PTPRD gene that is associated with the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. The study found that this variant affects more than one mechanism of tangle accumulation and may be a key target for developing therapies targeting Tau pathology.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateMar 24, 2017

NASA sees System 91P coming together east of Queensland

A low-pressure system is consolidating and strengthening in the Coral Sea, South Pacific Ocean, with sustained winds near its center. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology expects conditions to favor intensification as it approaches the north Queensland coast.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 24, 2017
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Astronomers identify purest, most massive brown dwarf

Scientists have identified a brown dwarf with a composition of over 99.99% hydrogen and helium, making it the most massive known to date. The discovery sheds light on the possibility of an undiscovered population of extremely pure brown dwarfs in our galaxy's ancient past.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 24, 2017

An intriguing new gene candidate in the search for Alzheimer's disease therapies

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have discovered a new genetic variant linked to Tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease. The study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, highlights the potential for targeting the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor-type delta (PTPRD) gene as a therapeutic strategy.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateMar 24, 2017

Scientists make new discovery about bird evolution

A new species of bird, Eoconfuciusornis, has been found with exceptionally preserved soft tissues, including feathers, skin, and collagen. The discovery provides valuable insights into the evolution of flight in birds, revealing unique features such as wing patagia and plumage patterns.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalNational Science Review·DateMar 24, 2017

Which drugs effectively treat diabetic nerve pain?

A systematic review found moderate evidence that duloxetine and venlaxine were effective in reducing neuropathy-related pain, while pregabalin and oxcarbazepine showed weak evidence. However, gabapentin was not more effective than placebo.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateMar 24, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

In a quantum race everyone is both a winner and a loser

Physicists use a new measurement technique to observe Alice winning and losing a quantum race simultaneously, verifying superposition. This breakthrough opens up new areas for study in quantum mechanics, including the role of causal relations.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 24, 2017

The role of context in ethnic/racial identity among minority youth

Research highlights the importance of social context, including policies, peer groups, and family relationships, in developing ethnic/racial identity among youth. Studies show that strong familial and religious identities can lead to better well-being, while peer group support can enhance cultural identity.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateMar 24, 2017

New study identifies successful method to reduce dental implant failure

A new approach using a combination of silver, titanium oxide and hydroxyapatite nanocoatings successfully inhibited bacterial growth on dental implants by 97.5%, reducing the risk of peri-implantitis. The findings have great potential for increased patient comfort and satisfaction, as well as reduced costs.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalNanotoxicology·DateMar 24, 2017

OSIRIS-REx asteroid search tests instruments, science team

The OSIRIS-REx mission successfully tested its asteroid search instruments, detecting multiple Main Belt asteroids two magnitudes fainter than expected. The spacecraft's MapCam imager performed flawlessly, demonstrating improved imaging capabilities that will aid in avoiding natural satellites around target asteroid Bennu.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 24, 2017
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

'Jumonji' protein key to Ewing's sarcoma rampage

A University of Colorado Cancer Center study found that knocking down the Jumonji protein KDM3A inhibits Ewing's Sarcoma metastasis. The researchers also discovered another protein, Melanoma Cell Adhesion Molecule (MCAM), plays a crucial role in the cancer's spread.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalOncogene·DateMar 24, 2017

New research shows how metabolism and epigenetics play a role in cancer development

A study published in Briefings in Functional Genomics investigates the role of epigenetics in cancer development, showing that disruptions can activate oncogenes or shut down tumor suppressors. The paper also highlights the link between epigenetic changes and metabolites, which can target and amplify gene expression.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalBriefings in Functional Genomics·DateMar 24, 2017
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

BRCA testing on the rise for those without breast or ovarian cancers

Researchers found that over 60% of BRCA tests performed on unaffected women have increased since 2004, mainly driven by marketing efforts. However, study findings suggest that this trend may not lead to better diagnosis of those at risk, as many women without harmful mutations are still being tested.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateMar 24, 2017