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Science News for September 27, 2017


NIH announces centers for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome research

The National Institutes of Health has awarded four grants to establish a coordinated scientific research effort on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers will collaborate on projects, share data, and engage with the ME/CFS community to advance knowledge and potential treatments for this debilitating disease.

Removing nitrate for healthier ecosystems

A study has identified areas where nitrogen is removed from agricultural streams, revealing that buffer zones with fine soils and organic matter are effective at reducing nitrate levels. These findings suggest that conserving existing buffer zones and reconnecting streams to them can improve water quality.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateSep 27, 2017

Plant substance inhibits cancer stem cells

Researchers at Lund University have successfully isolated and studied the plant compound damsin, which inhibits the growth and spread of cancer stem cells. The study's findings suggest that damsin and its synthetic analogue ambrosin may contribute to the development of new drugs against cancer stem cells.

SourceLund University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 27, 2017

Researchers uncover the source of diabetic pain

A new study from King's College London reveals the molecular basis of chronic nerve pain in diabetes, identifying HCN2 as a key player. The findings suggest that targeting this protein could lead to effective treatments for painful diabetic neuropathy, a condition affecting up to one in four people with diabetes.

SourceKing's College London·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 27, 2017

Back from the brink

Researchers discovered anastasis has two distinct stages and cells hold onto pro-survival molecules even when dying. The study's findings suggest this process may enable cancer cells to bounce back after treatment, raising questions about the long-term cellular effects of anastasis.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJournal of Cell Science·DateSep 27, 2017

Study reveals troubling disparities in prescribing opioids for patients with nonmalignant chronic pain

A recent study from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy found that social and cultural factors are playing a significant role in determining when patients receive opioid prescriptions. Patients with publicly funded insurance, those in the U.S. South, and Hispanic patients were more likely to be prescribed opioids.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalBehavior Modification·DateSep 27, 2017

Ancient ink for cancer treatment

Researchers discovered Hu-Kaiwen ink can kill cancer cells without harming normal tissues, offering an alternative to expensive and toxic PTT. The traditional Chinese ink absorbs near-infrared light and heats up when exposed to a laser, demonstrating its potential as a non-toxic photothermal therapy agent.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Omega·DateSep 27, 2017

The aftermath of Katrina through the eyes of addiction treatment

A study of 11 addiction treatment professionals reflects the increase in prescription drug addictions and staff-related challenges following Hurricane Katrina. The disaster led to the creation of emergency preparedness plans, but participants expressed frustration with federal help conditions.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Addictions & Offender Counseling·DateSep 27, 2017

How am I feeling? Ask my house

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a more advanced radar-based device that can accurately measure the body's vital signals without attaching cumbersome wires. This technology has great promise for remote health monitoring and could potentially be integrated into household appliances to monitor residents' vitals.

On a collision course with game theory

Researchers developed a new approach to modeling pedestrian behavior in collisions, combining game theory with the Fokker-Planck equation. Experiments confirm that the calculated paths match actual paths taken, suggesting a reliable solution for optimizing public spaces.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateSep 27, 2017

Study examines survival of very low birthweight babies

A new study published in Acta Paediatrica indicates that survival rates for babies born weighing 500g are alarmingly low. Short-term morbidity is prevalent among surviving infants, with retinopathy of prematurity and chronic lung disease being common issues.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Paediatrica·DateSep 27, 2017

The benefits & dangers when genetic testing companies partner with orphan drug developers

The partnership between genetic testing companies and orphan drug developers has both positive and negative implications. On the one hand, it can lead to faster diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases. However, there are also concerns over patient privacy and potential price-gouging due to rising healthcare costs.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalGenetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers·DateSep 27, 2017

Citizen science can predict butterfly population trends

A new study using Big Butterfly Count (BBC) data from citizen scientists shows that mass-participation science can provide additional assessments of biodiversity change. The results demonstrate the potential for citizen science to inform long-term monitoring of butterfly populations and complement standardised biodiversity monitoring.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalConservation Biology·DateSep 27, 2017

Turbocharging engine design

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory used the Mira supercomputer to simulate over 2,000 engine design combinations, reducing design time from months to weeks. The simulations identified two optimized fuel-engine concepts that can improve fuel efficiency substantially.

Modeling brain connections to understand Parkinson's disease

A computational study models the strength of basal ganglia connections between healthy and Parkinsonian brains, revealing a broad overlap in neural connection strengths. The research could lead to customized therapies specific to individual patterns of neural degeneration.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Computational Neuroscience·DateSep 27, 2017

Examining the lifestyles of microbes

University of Delaware researchers studied microbes from James Cameron's Deepsea Challenge Expedition, revealing a new branch on the microbial family tree. The Parcubacteria were found to have a simple metabolism but with extra features, indicating they may be able to perform anaerobic respiration and adapt to cold environments.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateSep 27, 2017

Should we welcome plans to sell off wasted NHS land?

The NHS plans to sell off unused land to raise funds for essential maintenance and modernization of healthcare services. Kailash Chand, a GP, raises concerns that this approach may not address underlying shortfalls in the health budget and could lead to long-term costs.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateSep 27, 2017