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Science News Archive August 2018


Page 1 of 41

Biophysics: Self-centered

Researchers developed a model explaining how the plane of cell division is specified in bacteria Myxococcus xanthus. The critical component PomZ proteins bind to DNA and recruit a cluster, then detach and diffuse, tethering it to the nucleoid. This system ensures accurate division by balancing forces and thermal fluctuations.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateAug 31, 2018

Managing multiple health conditions

A study of older adults with multiple chronic health conditions and their caregivers revealed key findings about supportive and conflicted caregiver-care recipient relationships. Supportive behaviors included agreement on caregiving levels, mutual understanding, and collaborative decision-making. Conflicts arose from disagreements over...

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateAug 31, 2018

Study: Denver's inequities in park access traced to segregation, funding policies

A comprehensive case study found that Denver's parks don't adequately serve all city residents due to historical zoning codes and funding policies. The study suggests that improving park access for low-income people of color requires working with equity-oriented nonprofits and utilizing publicly owned land.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Plant Registrations·DateAug 31, 2018

Patent mining indicates promising routes for research

A patent mining method developed by Brazilian scientists uses big data tools to identify technological routes, trends, and partnerships in various knowledge areas. The method has been validated in an analysis of studies on hemophilia, revealing a promising molecule called XTEN that can extend the half-life of recombinant factor VIII.

Why two?

The FAT10 protein has a unique structure with two domains and a flexible linker, allowing it to regulate degradation in an efficient manner. This finding has significant implications for potential cancer therapies, as FAT10's presence is associated with aggressive tumor growth.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 31, 2018

Bodily sensations give rise to conscious feelings

Finnish research reveals that bodily sensations play a crucial role in shaping conscious feelings, with emotions influencing both physical and mental states. The study identifies five major categories of subjective feelings, including positive emotions, negative emotions, cognitive functions, somatic states, and illnesses.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 31, 2018

Dopamine receptor study offers hope for improved treatments with fewer side effects

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have discovered a new approach to targeted and more tolerable therapeutics for treating disorders like schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. The study found that selectively activating the G protein signaling pathway can enhance motor function while avoiding negative side effects.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateAug 31, 2018

Inspired by feet

A research team from Kiel University has developed a method to boost the adhesive effect of silicone materials by combining surface structuring with plasma treatment. They found that surfaces with a mushroom-like microstructure exhibit significantly improved adhesion, even when bent to varying degrees. This breakthrough could enable ne...

SourceKiel University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateAug 31, 2018

Better communication can enhance US chemical exposure incident response, new evaluation says

A new analysis suggests that improving communication strategies can improve treatment protocols for at-risk casualties in chemical exposure incidents. The study recommends introducing an immediate 'disrobe and dry' decontamination stage, which enables first responders to reassure victims and start providing instructions.

SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateAug 31, 2018

Water worlds could support life, study says

A new study challenges the idea that life requires an 'Earth clone' by finding that water worlds could be habitable for a significant percentage of simulated planets. Researchers used over 1,000 simulations to find that 10% of planets stay stable for more than a billion years without geochemical cycling.

Mapping trees can help count endangered lemurs

A study led by Duke University estimates total population sizes and geographic ranges for 19 lemur species across Madagascar using trees as a proxy. The findings suggest that not all lemurs are endangered, with some species having healthy populations remaining, while others face significant declines due to habitat loss and hunting.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Biogeography·DateAug 30, 2018

How damaging immune cells develop during tuberculosis

Researchers found that immune cells in lung tissue accumulate triglycerides, a type of fat, rather than cholesterol, and form through distinct mechanisms depending on the disease. This discovery may lead to new biomarkers and therapeutic strategies against tuberculosis.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateAug 30, 2018

Deadline for climate action

A new study sets a deadline of 2035 for governments to take decisive climate action to limit global warming below 2°C. The research found that even with strong renewable energy growth, humanity will likely cross the point of no return unless drastic emissions reductions are made immediately.

SourceEuropean Geosciences Union·JournalEarth System Dynamics·DateAug 30, 2018