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Science News Archive October 2017 - Page 13


Page 13 of 43

Disaster makes people with depression less healthy

Research from Rice University found that individuals with depressive symptoms before a disaster experience increased inflammation, a major risk factor for heart disease. The study tracked participants' health markers after the 2005 Texas City petrochemical refinery explosion and found a significant increase in inflammatory markers.

SourceRice University·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateOct 23, 2017

MIT neuroscientists build case for new theory of memory formation

Researchers suggest existing models of memory formation should be revised due to existence of 'silent engrams' which store memories even when they cannot be retrieved through natural cues. Memories are stored in a specific pattern of connections that form between cells during the first few minutes after an event occurs.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 2017

Single-molecule dissection of developmental gene control

A study published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology reveals the mechanism by which PHF1 increases PRC2 activity, allowing for efficient gene regulation across different species. The findings suggest that stable PRC2 chromatin interactions mediated by PHF1 are key to increased lysine trimethylation and gene repression.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateOct 23, 2017

Cryo-EM reveals ignition mechanism for DNA replication

Scientists at Van Andel Research Institute and collaborators have shed new light on the critical step of DNA replication, revealing a spring-loaded mechanism that positions DNA strands toward two side-way gates. This discovery offers fresh insights into a fundamental process of life and driver of many different diseases, including cancer.

SourceVan Andel Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 2017

Study: Gun deaths, injuries in California spike following Nevada gun shows

A new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that gun-related deaths and injuries in California spiked after Nevada gun shows. The study, which analyzed data from 2005 to 2013, showed a nearly 70% increase in firearm injury rates in California near Nevada gun shows compared to regions without such exposure.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 23, 2017

Selective memory

Researchers developed a new cache-management scheme that improves the data rate of in-package DRAM caches, reducing metadata transfer and increasing bandwidth. The 'Banshee' system adds three bits of data to each entry, enabling efficient storage and retrieval of frequently used data.

Introduction of a novel system for in vitro analyses of zebrafish oligodendrocyte progenitor cells

Researchers have developed a novel in vitro platform to analyze zebrafish oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, which could lead to improved spinal cord repair in humans. The system allows for efficient and controlled analysis of these cells, enabling the study of their differentiation into mature oligodendrocytes.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalFrontiers in Cellular Neuroscience·DateOct 23, 2017

Rhythm of memory

A study by Prof. Dr. Marlene Bartos and her team found that inhibiting circuits in the hippocampus create high-frequency brainwaves that support parallel processing and storage of information, a key mechanism for laying initial traces of memory.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 23, 2017

Activation of immune T cells leads to behavioral changes

Scientists have discovered that T cell activation leads to a depletion of amino acids in the blood, which in turn affects neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, causing anxiety and fear responses. In mice without PD-1 receptor, they found behavioral changes dominated by anxiety and exacerbated fear responses.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Immunology·DateOct 23, 2017

Crops evolving 10 millennia before experts thought

Research reveals that humans systemically affected crop evolution up to 30,000 years ago, triggering domestication of rice, wheat, and barley. This discovery proves the existence of dense populations and challenges previous understanding of agriculture's origins.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateOct 23, 2017

How hospitals respond when it's uncertain if the newborn is a boy or a girl

A new study found substantial variability across US medical centers in diagnosing and treating disorders of sex development (DSD), with some institutions lacking specialist teams. Families often face difficult decisions about irreversible procedures, highlighting the need for improved guidelines and collaboration among providers.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics·DateOct 23, 2017

Novel therapies for multidrug-resistant bacteria

Researchers have developed novel antimicrobial compounds that can treat multidrug-resistant bacteria, enhancing the effectiveness of traditional antibiotics. The combination of colistin and a manganese tricarbonyl complex showed significant antibacterial activity in killing multidrug-resistant bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 23, 2017

Solution to mysterious behavior of supercooled water

The study reveals that anomalous molecular motions in supercooled water lead to the breakdown of Stokes-Einstein behavior, with regions forming hydrogen bonds heterogeneously. The findings provide insights into the physical implications of this anomaly, which could help explain dynamic behaviors in glassy materials.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 23, 2017