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Science News Archive 2018 - Page 434


Page 434 of 473

Studies reveal looming shortage of rheumatologists

The US rheumatology workforce is projected to face a shortage due to an aging population, retiring baby boomer rheumatologists, and changing practice trends. By 2030, the supply of rheumatologists is expected to fall short of demand, with some regions facing a particularly severe maldistribution.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateFeb 5, 2018

Assessment of Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Flint

A study examined the relationship between free chlorine concentrations and the 2014-2015 Legionnaires' disease (LD) outbreak in Flint, Michigan. The results indicate that decreasing concentrations of free chlorine in the water were associated with increased risk of developing LD, with a 80% increase per 1 mg/L decrease.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 5, 2018

Adding crizotinib to radiation therapy may help preserve hearing in patients with NF2

Researchers found that crizotinib enhances radiosensitivity of tumors and inhibits growth of cultured tumor cells from NF2 patients. A novel mouse model mimicking NF2-associated hearing loss was also created to study the molecular pathway contributing to tumor progression and radiation-induced hearing loss.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 5, 2018

Dim light may make us dumber

Researchers found that dim light exposure led to significant reductions in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and dendritic spines, impairing learning and memory performance. Bright light exposure, on the other hand, showed improvement in spatial task performance, with full recovery after a break.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalHippocampus·DateFeb 5, 2018

BU: Police shootings reflect structural racism

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found a strong association between structural racism and racial disparities in fatal police shootings at the state level. States with higher levels of residential segregation had higher rates of unarmed black victims killed by police, even controlling for arrest rates.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the National Medical Association·DateFeb 5, 2018

A good life for all within the planet's means

A study by the University of Leeds found that no country satisfies basic human needs while using resources sustainably. The research analyzed 151 countries and their resource use and well-being achievements, revealing that only wealthy nations like the US and UK meet basic needs without exceeding global environmental limits.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Sustainability·DateFeb 5, 2018

Reversing severe bone loss

A possible treatment for Hajdu-Cheney syndrome has been identified, which may also help with age-related osteoporosis. Researchers found that a medication called DAPT blocks osteoclast formation, reversing bone loss in mice with the disease.

SourceTohoku University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateFeb 5, 2018

Toddler formulas and milks -- not recommended by health experts -- mislead with health claims

A new study by NYU College of Global Public Health researchers finds that misleading labeling on toddler drinks lacks oversight, leading to confusion among parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization do not recommend these products, but manufacturers make health claims that are not supported by evidence.

SourceNew York University·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateFeb 5, 2018

Drugs sold in India pose a global threat to antibiotic resistance control

A new study reveals that millions of unapproved antibiotics are sold in India each year, posing a significant threat to global antibiotic resistance control. Multinational pharmaceutical companies manufacture dozens of unapproved formulations, contributing to the country's high rates of antimicrobial resistance.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateFeb 5, 2018

Classification of tropical forests

Researchers used phylogenetic analysis to classify tropical forests into two major regions: an American-African combined region and an Indo-Pacific region. The study also identified a dry region encompassing areas in America, Africa, India, and Madagascar, as well as a subtropical region with parts of America and Asia.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 5, 2018

New alien species invasions still rising globally

A new study reveals that up to 16% of Earth's species could qualify as potential alien species, posing significant challenges to biosecurity efforts. The research found that the number of newly emerging alien species continues to rise, with insects and molluscs being the groups most affected.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 5, 2018

Nearly one in three pugs has an abnormal gait

A Swedish study found that nearly one-third of pugs have abnormal gait, associated with breathing problems, incontinence, and neurological disorders. The prevalence of gait abnormalities was higher than previously thought, suggesting a more significant health issue.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalVeterinary Record·DateFeb 5, 2018

New technology for accelerated wound healing discovered

The technology involves delivering a human chemokine on site in wounds, increasing immune cell recruitment and specialization to accelerate healing. In preclinical studies, the treatment demonstrated potent effects on acceleration of wound healing in mice and models of diabetes and peripheral ischemia.

SourceUppsala University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 5, 2018

Soil characteristics may be related to chronic wasting disease persistence, study finds

Researchers found that soils with more than 18% clay are associated with a steep drop in cases of chronic wasting disease. Additionally, soils with pH above 6.6 also show higher incidence rates of the disease. These findings could inform future management schemes to prevent disease transmission.

A majority of middle-aged people show a high level of mental well-being

A recent study at the University of Jyväskylä found a surprisingly high level of mental well-being among middle-aged individuals. The research examined multiple dimensions of mental well-being and identified four groups with varying levels of mental well-being. Individuals on the high-wellbeing trajectories had more satisfying relation...

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Development·DateFeb 5, 2018

Ribosomes found to induce somatic cell pluripotency

A research team from Kumamoto University has discovered that ribosomes, the protein synthesizing organelle, can induce somatic cells to acquire pluripotency. This finding suggests a potential new approach for treating cancer and regenerating cells, as previously differentiated cells can be reprogrammed into multipotent stem cells.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 4, 2018

Multinational companies continue to produce unregulated antibiotics in India

A new study found that millions of unapproved antibiotics are being sold in India, with multinational companies manufacturing nearly 20% of the unapproved formulations. The researchers argue that banning the sale of unapproved FDC antibiotics and improving access to healthcare are crucial steps to controlling antimicrobial resistance.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateFeb 4, 2018

When did flowers originate?

The study reveals that flowering plants diversified suddenly in the Cretaceous period, while molecular-clock dating suggests an older origin. The discrepancy is attributed to false precision on both palaeontological and molecular evolutionary timescales.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNew Phytologist·DateFeb 4, 2018

Building miniature optical antennas using DNA as a guide

Aalto University researchers have developed a new method called DALI (DNA-assisted lithography) to fabricate precise metallic nanostructures with designed plasmonic properties. The technique uses self-assembled DNA origami shapes as 'stencils' to create millions of fully metallic nanostructures. These structures have intriguing optical...

SourceAalto University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 2, 2018

Lobachevsky University scientists synthesize a new compound with anti-tumor properties

Researchers at Lobachevsky University have synthesized a multifunctional compound with anti-tumor properties, achieved through the combination of a photoactive organic dye, biological vector, linker, and hydrophilizing fragments. The new compound selectively accumulates in tumor tissues due to its ability to bind to growth factor recep...

SourceLobachevsky University·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·DateFeb 2, 2018

Cause of severe genetic disease identified

Mutations in p63 protein lead to severe genetic disease AEC syndrome, which resembles Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or ALS more closely than other syndromes. The research lays groundwork for causal therapies by showing that protein aggregates underlie the disorder.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2018