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Science News Archive 2018 - Page 74


Page 74 of 473

Fishing for new leads in a rare melanoma

Zebrafish models have been developed to study the intricate molecular pathways underlying mucosal melanomas. The research identified a previously unrecognized tumor suppressor, SPRED1, and its interplay with oncogene KIT. These findings hold promise for developing precision cancer therapies for this rare and aggressive form of melanoma.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalScience·DateNov 1, 2018

Children who experience violence early in life develop faster

A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that exposure to early life violence accelerates biological aging, including pubertal development, while deprivation-related adversity leads to delayed pubertal development. Children who experienced violence showed signs of accelerated epigenetic aging and increased symptoms of depression.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateNov 1, 2018

Yangtze dams put endangered sturgeon's future in doubt

Researchers found that the Yangtze dams have reduced the distance of Chinese sturgeon migration by 1,175 kilometers, leading to delayed maturity and a decline in breeding activity. The environmental capacity of the spawning ground has also been reduced, contributing to the ongoing decline of the species.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 1, 2018

How cancer-causing papillomaviruses evolved

Researchers discovered that cancer-causing papillomaviruses diverged from their common ancestors half a million years ago, coinciding with the split between Neanderthals and modern humans. The viruses adapted to specific host ecosystems and then coevolved with primates for at least 40 million years.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateNov 1, 2018

Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy should be a treatment option for elderly patients with LS-S

A study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that elderly patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) can benefit from concurrent chemo-radiotherapy, similar to younger patients. The analysis showed comparable survival rates and toxicity between older and younger groups, providing robust evidence for tre...

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateNov 1, 2018

Updated European guidance for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in women

The new guidelines review and update the 2013 European guidance for diagnosing and managing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Key findings include the importance of evaluating bone microstructure and using FRAX tools in fracture risk assessment, as well as the need for long-term dietary intakes and monitoring drug treatment.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·DateNov 1, 2018

Making a map of the brain

Researchers have created a groundbreaking cellular atlas of the brain, revealing over 70 different types of neurons, their locations, and functions. This breakthrough technology allows for unprecedented insights into brain organization and behavior.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateNov 1, 2018

How invading jumping genes are thwarted

Researchers found that reproductive stem cells boost production of non-coding RNA elements to suppress jumping gene activity and activate DNA repair processes, enabling normal egg development. Temperature influences sterility in fruit flies, with a specific temperature range controlling jumping gene invasion intensity.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateNov 1, 2018

'Predicting' the origins of mysterious outbreaks using viral RNA

Using a dataset of over 500 single-stranded RNA viruses, researchers developed a model that can predict animal reservoirs and arthropod vectors directly from viral genome sequences. This approach enables faster evaluation than existing methods, which often require years, and could aid in rapid response to emerging infectious diseases.

Diabetes medications may reduce Alzheimer's disease severity

Researchers found that people with Alzheimer's disease who were treated with diabetes drugs showed fewer markers of the disease, including abnormal microvasculature and gene expressions. The study suggests targeting the brain's capillary system could have beneficial effects in Alzheimer's patients, opening opportunities for new therapies.

Seeing cell membranes in a new light

Researchers have long believed cell membranes act like a viscous liquid, but a new study suggests they are closer to a semi-solid like Jell-O. The discovery was made by Harvard University scientists who used fluorescent protein and mechanical actuators to measure membrane tension.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCell·DateNov 1, 2018

Zika circulates among wild animals in the Americas, making eradication nearly impossible

Researchers have found that wild monkeys in the Americas are transmitting the Zika virus to humans via mosquitoes, changing our understanding of the ecology and transmission of Zika virus in the region. This natural transmission cycle involving local mosquitoes and wild primates makes complete eradication of the virus highly unlikely.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 1, 2018

Experts call for a targeted approach to cancer prevention

A new study suggests that policymakers should consider the socioeconomic circumstances of an area when establishing early intervention initiatives. The research found a link between economic growth and cancer incidence, with poorer people having a greater likelihood of developing certain types of cancer.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalInternational Journal of Healthcare Policy·DateNov 1, 2018

Story tips from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, November 2018

The study found that coordinated CAVs can stabilize traffic flow, reduce fuel use by more than 40 percent, and improve travel time. The team's results also explored the potential of CAVs to indirectly influence human-driven cars' performance. Additionally, researchers at ORNL studied neutron-rich nuclei, improving understanding of nucl...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalIEEE Transactions on Intelligent Vehicles·DateNov 1, 2018

Quit rates are low and not increasing among cigarette smokers with mental health problems

A new study found that individuals with serious psychological distress (SPD) are half as likely to quit smoking as those without the condition. The researchers suggest that disparities in smoking rates between those with and without mental health problems may be contributing to these low quit rates.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateNov 1, 2018