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Science News Archive May 2017 - Page 12


Page 12 of 42

Making biological drugs with spider silk protein

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have successfully synthesized lung surfactant, a drug used in the care of preterm babies, by mimicking the production of spider silk. The new method uses a part of the spider protein that ensures proteins remain soluble and is cheaper and simpler to produce than current methods.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 23, 2017

Pediatricians can play a pivotal role in reducing pediatric firearm-related injuries

A review article highlights the prevalence of pediatric firearm-related injuries in the US, with approximately 20,000 children transported to Emergency Departments each year. Pediatricians can play a pivotal role in reducing these injuries by asking patients about access to firearms, encouraging safe storage, and supporting research in...

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalHospital Pediatrics·DateMay 23, 2017

Rare tooth find reveals horned dinosaurs in eastern North America

A rare tooth discovery in Mississippi, USA, has revealed that horned dinosaurs, closely related to Triceratops, roamed freely across eastern North America during the Late Cretaceous period. The fossil, dated to around 68-66 million years ago, challenges previous assumptions about the separation of western and eastern continents.

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ·DateMay 23, 2017

Crazy for ant eggs

Scientists at Kyoto University discovered that yellow crazy ant workers produce two types of egg: reproductive and nutritional. The latter variety is fed to larvae and also used as a supplement for queens and other castes.

SourceKyoto University·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·DateMay 23, 2017

What will happen to European criminal law after Brexit?

The UK's departure from the EU will likely result in a loss of flexibility in implementing European criminal law. The country's previous 'pick-and-choose' approach to EU integration is set to be replaced by a more rigid framework. As a result, fundamental rights may be disproportionately affected.

SourceSpringer·JournalCriminal Law Forum·DateMay 23, 2017

Let there be light

Scientists have successfully created large-scale arrays of quantum light emitters in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), a breakthrough that could enable the integration of ultra-thin single photons in electronic devices. This new method allows for deterministic and robust generation of quantum sources, opening up opportunities fo...

SourceGraphene Flagship·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 22, 2017

Study examines polyneuropathy and long-term opioid use

A study published in JAMA Neurology examined the association of long-term opioid therapy with functional status, adverse outcomes, and death among patients with polyneuropathy. The study found that patients with polyneuropathy were more likely to receive long-term opioid therapy and experience depression, opioid dependence, or overdose.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateMay 22, 2017

Medical gamma-ray camera is now palm-sized

Researchers at Waseda University developed the world's first compact Compton camera for medical imaging, capturing high-resolution 3D molecular images of a live mouse in just 2 hours. The device weighs only 580g and can image energy from hundreds to mega-electron volts.

SourceWaseda University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 22, 2017

The secret to combating pancreatic cancer may lie in suppression of a common protein

A new study by researchers at the University of Southern California reveals that reducing glucose-regulated protein GRP78 can halt pancreatic cancer development and prolong survival. The findings suggest that targeting this protein could lead to a novel approach in treating KRAS-mutation related cancers.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 22, 2017

National study looks at tobacco advertising and susceptibility to use tobacco among youth

A new national study analyzed data from the PATH Study and found that nearly half of 12- to 17-year-olds who had never used tobacco products were receptive to tobacco marketing if they recalled or liked at least one advertisement. Receptivity to tobacco ads is linked with an increased susceptibility to smoking cigarettes in the future.

Magnetic order in a two-dimensional molecular chessboard

In a breakthrough study, Uppsala researchers demonstrate magnetic order in a two-dimensional molecular chessboard lattice consisting of organometallic molecules. The researchers created long-range magnetic order at low temperatures through the transmission of Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interactions and Kondo screening.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 22, 2017

Researchers suppress fibrosis chemical signal to block haywire healing

Researchers identified a key protein, SMAD3, that facilitates pro-fibrotic TGF-beta signaling. By blocking this protein, they created a peptide-carrying SNX9 that prevents SMAD3 from entering the nucleus and impacting genes regulated by TGF-beta. This approach may lead to effective treatments for fibrosis-related diseases.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 22, 2017

Mindfulness takes practice

A new study from Aarhus University found that mindfulness practice at home is related to reduced stress, pain, and better well-being. Although the 45-minute daily home practice may seem short, it still has a statistically significant positive impact on participants.

SourceAarhus University·JournalBehaviour Research and Therapy·DateMay 22, 2017

Micro delivery service for fertilizers

A team has introduced a controlled delivery system for micronutrients based on biohybrid microgels. The system adheres selectively to leaves and slowly releases nutrients, minimizing environmental problems and plant damage.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 22, 2017

Interrogating proteins

Researchers from the Bristol BioDesign Institute created a miniprotein with a stripped-down structure to investigate molecular forces that assemble and stabilize protein structures. They discovered subtle forces beyond hydrophobic interactions, which could lead to new drug targets.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMay 22, 2017