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Science News Archive 2018 - Page 342


Page 342 of 473

When nuclei catch up with electrons

Researchers at ETH Zurich found that ionization delays in molecules can significantly depend on the kinetic energy of both the photoelectron and the nuclei. This study extends the concept of ionization delays introduced for atomic systems, showing that variations can be as large as those with electronic kinetic energy.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalNature Physics·DateApr 16, 2018

Altered immune cells clear childhood brain tumor in mice

Researchers at Stanford Medicine have developed a CAR-T therapy that eradicates diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) tumors in mice, leaving few residual cancer cells. The treatment targets the GD2 sugar molecule on DIPG tumors and has shown promising results, but side effects such as brain swelling must be carefully managed.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateApr 16, 2018

Surviving climate change, then and now

Researchers analyzed ancient tools, ornaments, and human remains to find that early Homo sapiens adapted to climate change by staying interconnected. The study found that a vast social network helped these ancestors survive a volcanic eruption 40,000 years ago and potentially inform our response to modern global warming.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJournal of Quaternary Science·DateApr 16, 2018

Warming climate could speed forest regrowth in eastern US

A new study suggests that warmer temperatures will speed up the transition from field to forest in the eastern US, leading to increased carbon sequestration. This could result in more rapidly growing forests replacing weeds and grasses, but also raises concerns about the impact of droughts on tree growth.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 16, 2018

Freeing electrons to better trap them

Researchers at UNIGE and MBI successfully place an electron in a dual state, neither free nor bound, and regulate its electronic structure. They also discover that high-intensity lasers can amplify light, enabling new possibilities for intense laser propagation in gases.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Physics·DateApr 16, 2018

Innate immune adaptor TRIF confers neuroprotection in ALS

A deficiency of TRIF, a key innate immune adaptor, significantly shortens the survival time of ALS mice by allowing the accumulation of toxic reactive oxygens. This study reveals a new role for innate immunity in ALS pathomechanism and provides a clue to develop a therapeutic approach for protecting motor neurons.

SourceNagoya University·JournalCell Death and Differentiation·DateApr 15, 2018

2018 AACR Annual Meeting presentations highlight the clinical utility of Bio-Rad's Droplet Digital PCR technology for discovering epigenetic biomarkers and measuring immunotherapy response

Researchers used Bio-Rad's Droplet Digital PCR technology to identify potential epigenetic biomarkers for lung cancer recurrence and detect HPV cfDNA in cervical cancer patients. The studies found associations between biomarker levels and treatment outcomes, indicating the clinical utility of ddPCR technology.

Long-term obeticholic acid treatment leads to reversal or stabilization of fibrosis/cirrhosis in patients with PBC

The study confirms that long-term OCA treatment leads to reversal or stabilization of fibrosis/cirrhosis in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) who have had an incomplete response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). The majority of patients improved or maintained their histological stage, while two patients deteriorated.

Crowded urban areas have fewer songbirds per person

Research by the University of Exeter and the British Trust for Ornithology found that people in crowded urban areas see fewer songbirds but more nuisance birds. In contrast, green and leafy suburbs have up to three and a half times more songbirds and woodpeckers, associated with positive human wellbeing.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateApr 13, 2018

Automated analysis of biopsy samples enables rapid and reproducible quantification of NASH disease activity

A new study has reported a good correlation between an automated image analysis system and an expert reviewer for the identification of key markers of NASH disease activity in a pre-clinical model. The study used deep-learning algorithms applied to open-source pathology software (QuPath1) to accurately identify cell histology patterns ...

Hepatitis C virus elimination programs report encouraging results: Is elimination within reach?

Two nationwide hepatitis C elimination programs in Georgia and Iceland have reported high levels of engagement, initiation of direct-acting antiviral agents, and cure among patients chronically infected with HCV. In Georgia, over 90% of diagnosed individuals were cured, while in Iceland, the prevalence of active HCV infection among peo...