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Science News for August 23, 2018


Fresh and raw diets for dogs may have health benefits, study says

A study published in the Journal of Animal Science found that fresh and raw diets for dogs can be more digestible than traditional kibble, leading to lower blood triglyceride levels. The diets also showed major shifts in the microbiota of the dogs' gut, but all diets were considered healthy and palatable.

Rice U. lab finds evidence of matter-matter coupling

Researchers at Rice University have discovered the first example of Dicke cooperativity in a matter-matter system, which could lead to faster information processing and lower power consumption. The discovery uses a magnetic field to prompt cooperativity among spins within a crystalline compound made primarily of iron and erbium.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateAug 23, 2018

How can parents help children navigate an increasingly diverse world?

A team of multidisciplinary researchers provides novel insights into parenting and diversity, identifying common themes and future directions for research. The study sheds light on the impact of increasing population diversity on parenting adolescents, offering new ways of thinking about parenting.

The molecular link between aging and neurodegeneration

A study published in Cell describes the discovery of a molecular link between aging and two major genetic causes of neurodegenerative diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The findings reveal possible new targets for treatment and highlight the need for a better understanding of the biology of...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateAug 23, 2018

Alzheimer's one day may be predicted during eye exam

Scientists have detected signs of Alzheimer's disease in the eyes of patients who showed no symptoms, using a non-invasive technique called optical coherence tomography angiography. The study found that patients with elevated levels of Alzheimer's proteins had significant thinning in the center of their retinas.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateAug 23, 2018

Smartphones may be used to better predict the weather

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a system to harness data from smartphones to forecast weather patterns, particularly those that lead to flash floods. The smartphone sensors can monitor various atmospheric conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and light levels, providing valuable data for accurate forecasts.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalJournal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics·DateAug 23, 2018

Caution needed when prescribing antibiotics to hypertension patients, study finds

A new rat study suggests that individual variations in genetic makeup and gut bacteria may explain the different effects of antibiotics on blood pressure. The researchers treated two strains of rats with three common antibiotics, resulting in distinct responses in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These findings highlight the impo...

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·JournalPhysiological Genomics·DateAug 23, 2018

Handheld probe images photoreceptors in children

Duke University researchers have developed a handheld probe that can image individual photoreceptors in the eyes of infants, allowing for early detection of eye diseases and brain-related traumas. The new technology uses adaptive optics and is much smaller and faster than previous systems, making it ideal for imaging young children.

SourceDuke University·JournalOptica·DateAug 23, 2018

A human enzyme can biodegrade graphene

Researchers found that myeloperoxidase can degrade both single-layer and few-layer graphene, opening up new avenues for developing biodegradable graphene-based materials. This discovery is crucial for ensuring the safe use of graphene in biomedical applications.

SourceGraphene Flagship·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 23, 2018

Pay attention to the 'noise' in your brain

A recent study published in Nature Communications found that variability in neural responses is not just random noise, but rather due to fluctuations in internally generated signals like attention. This discovery has significant implications for understanding how our brains work and focus, potentially leading to diagnostic tools for ne...

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 23, 2018

Japanese encephalitis also affects urban areas

A study by CIRAD researchers found that Japanese encephalitis circulates as intensely in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital, as it does in rural areas. Vaccinating children remains the best way to protect humans, while vaccinating sows and controlling mosquitoes can reduce virus circulation.

SourceCirad·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateAug 23, 2018

How healthy is the American diet? The Healthy Eating Index helps determine the answer

The new HEI-2015 evaluates diet quality based on 13 components reflecting aspects of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. It demonstrates reasonable variation across population subgroups and reflects many dimensions of dietary guidance, suggesting its potential as a tool to understand the influence of total diet quality.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateAug 23, 2018

How the human immune system protects against Ebola

A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that two types of human antibodies synergize to inhibit different steps of Ebola virus infection. Antibody cocktails combining complementary antiviral effects are proposed as a potential treatment strategy.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateAug 23, 2018

How sleep loss may contribute to adverse weight gain

A new study from Uppsala University found that one night of sleep loss can cause tissue-specific changes in gene expression and metabolism, leading to increased fat accumulation and muscle loss. This may explain why shift work and chronic sleep loss increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 23, 2018

Garlic ingredient from the lab bench

Ajoene, a stable organosulfur compound in garlic oil extracts, has similar health-promoting effects to allicin and exhibits anticancer activity. Researchers have developed a total synthesis approach to produce ajoene with improved yields, paving the way for its further evaluation in medicinal research.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 23, 2018

Parents' behavior during playtime may affect toddler's weight later on

A study by Penn State researchers found that mothers who engage with their children during playtime and gently guide them to clean up can help toddlers with poor regulation skills maintain a healthy weight. As preschoolers, these children tend to have lower BMIs compared to those with good regulation skills, suggesting that parents' be...

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·DateAug 23, 2018

Antimicrobial stewardship programs in dialysis clinics reduce infections, costs

Implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs in out-patient dialysis facilities can significantly reduce infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms, infection-related deaths, and costs. The programs promote the appropriate use of antimicrobials, leading to a 4.8% reduction in infections and a 4.6% reduction in death rates.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateAug 23, 2018

Fighting lung infection trumps wound healing

A recent study has found that the innate immune system responds more aggressively to lung infections than wound healing, leading to delayed wound recovery. This priority of responses, known as immune triage, highlights the complex interplay between different parts of the immune system and their impact on overall health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateAug 23, 2018

Researchers outline risk factors for facial gangrene

Researchers have pinpointed risk factors for noma, a rare disease causing facial gangrene, in northwest Nigeria. Children who were fed pap daily were at higher risk, while those breastfed colostrum and had varied diets were less likely to contract the disease.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateAug 23, 2018

Care access not main driver of racial disparities in kidney disease

A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that black and Hispanic veterans with chronic kidney disease are more likely to progress to advanced kidney disease despite equal access to nephrologist care. Genetic or environmental factors, such as APOL1 mutations, may be central to these disparities.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateAug 23, 2018

A world on fire

Wildfires in Africa, driven by agricultural practices, have intensified due to low humidity, high winds, and extreme temperatures. In contrast, South American fires, particularly in Chile, are exacerbated by a mega drought and flammable tree plantations.

Integrated analysis finds vulnerabilities to target in a high-risk pediatric tumor

Researchers identified vulnerabilities to target in a high-risk pediatric tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, through an integrated analysis of cellular origins and epigenetic changes. The study promotes precision medicine by prioritizing drug development and highlighting the importance of preclinical models in streamlining treatment strategies.

Computing catalysts

A collaboration between University of Pittsburgh and Lubrizol Corporation has revealed the molecular reaction mechanism of PIB polymer. The team found that a 'superacid' catalyst is required for initiation, which could lead to designing different catalysts and controlling the reaction.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalACS Catalysis·DateAug 23, 2018

New research proposes using local data in resolving malnutrition

A new study published in the Food and Nutrition Bulletin reveals that analyzing global data carries risks of missing local patterns and effects of health interventions. Researchers found varying rates of kwashiorkor across villages, with some areas experiencing extreme nutritional stress, highlighting the need for targeted interventions

SourceSAGE·JournalFood and Nutrition Bulletin·DateAug 23, 2018

UNC builds better particle tracking software using artificial intelligence

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has developed a new method of single-particle tracking based on machine learning, achieving higher accuracy and automation than current techniques. The technique is widely used in physical and life sciences to track individual particles such as viruses, cells, and drug-loaded nanoparticles.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Office of Research Communication·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 23, 2018

Algal blooms a threat to small lakes and ponds, too

A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found high levels of toxins in water near farm fields in rural Ohio, posing serious health risks to people, pets, and wildlife. The study highlights the need for judicious fertilizer use and measures to reduce animal waste contamination to control algal blooms.

SourceOhio State University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateAug 23, 2018

The world's cleanest water droplet

Scientists at TU Wien and Cornell University develop a novel method to create ultra-pure ice and apply it to titanium dioxide surfaces, revealing that smallest impurities are surprisingly significant. The study finds that two organic acids, acetic acid and formic acid, are the main culprits behind surface contamination.

Modifying the major model of a modern major mouse model

Scientists have created a more complete humanized mouse model by combining human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells with mesenchymal stem cells. This allows for more realistic testing of immunotherapies, leading to improved cancer treatment predictions. The new model enables researchers to compare the interaction of the immune sys...

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalMolecular Carcinogenesis·DateAug 23, 2018