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Science News Archive October 2017 - Page 40


Page 40 of 43

Visualizing life in silico

A new user-friendly interface allows cell biologists to create complex biological models using the Virtual Cell supercomputer, expanding access to modeling capabilities. The updated version of VCell enables users to define molecules and explain interactions with minimal coding, reducing complexity and increasing usability.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateOct 3, 2017

One hour of exercise a week can prevent depression

A landmark study found that regular exercise can prevent future depression and that even small amounts of physical activity can deliver significant protection. The research involved 33,908 Norwegian adults and showed that 12% of cases of depression could have been prevented with just one hour of physical activity per week.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateOct 3, 2017

What is STEM education?

Research reveals eight mental models used by teachers to construct STEM-based lesson plans, highlighting the need for better understanding of STEM education's value and online classroom design. Implementing teacher leadership techniques in digital classrooms also improves communication patterns.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalJournal of Science Teacher Education·DateOct 3, 2017

Scientists bring new insights into the heritability of HIV infection severity

A study examining HIV virulence and its effect on the human immune system found that both CD4+ T cell decline and per-pathogen pathogenicity are heritable from donor to recipient. Heritability rates revealed a significant 17% impact, indicating that viral genotype plays a crucial role in infection severity.

Benchmarking computational methods for metagenomes

The Critical Assessment of Metagenome Interpretation (CAMI) Challenge evaluated computational tools for metagenomes, assessing assemblers, binners, and taxonomic profilers. The benchmarking results provide performance overviews for developers and applied scientists, informing the selection of suitable software for research questions.

SourceDOE/Joint Genome Institute·JournalNature Methods·DateOct 3, 2017

Clumps as temporary storage

Researchers discovered that yeast cells form protein aggregates in response to stress, which are then dissolved when the stress passes. The aggregates serve as a protective mechanism for essential enzymes, enabling the cell to quickly recover from stress.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateOct 3, 2017

Got a picky eater? How 'nature and nurture' may be influencing eating behavior in young children

Researchers found associations between genetic variations and limited dietary variety, struggles for control during mealtime, and bitter taste perception. This study aims to understand the interplay of nature and nurture in shaping picky eating behavior in early childhood.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics·DateOct 3, 2017

New method to measure cell stiffness could lead to improved cancer treatments

Researchers at UCLA have developed a new method called quantitative deformability cytometry (q-DC) to rapidly determine a single cell's stiffness and size. This technique allows for standardized measurements of single cells and could lead to improved cancer treatments by tracking patient progress and predicting drug effectiveness.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateOct 3, 2017

Children without allergies can still be afflicted with asthma-like coughing and wheezing

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic found that TRPV1 protein plays a critical role in airway disease through mucus production, cough reflex stimulation and airway narrowing. The study suggests that targeting this protein may lead to new strategies to reduce the impact of RSV infections in both asthmatic and non-asthmatic children.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateOct 2, 2017

DNA: The next hot material in photonics?

Researchers fine-tune DNA-based thin films to achieve a range of refractive indexes four times greater than silicon, enabling the creation of thinner optical fibers. This could lead to applications in photodynamic therapy, optogenetics, and biosensors.

SourceOptica·JournalOptical Materials Express·DateOct 2, 2017

DNA mutations shed in blood predicts response to immunotherapy in patients with cancer

A study by University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers reveals that a simple blood test can predict which patients will respond to checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapies, with 45% of patients showing significant response. The findings suggest that patients with high numbers of genomic alterations in their tumo...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateOct 2, 2017

Non-invasive imaging predicts cancer malignancy

Researchers at Osaka University developed a non-invasive imaging technique using multiphoton microscopy (MPM) to quantify cancer severity. The method, called non-labeling multiphoton microscopy (NL-MPM), uses second harmonic generation and autofluorescence to detect malignancy with high accuracy.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 2, 2017