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Science News for August 29, 2018


Best of ESC Congress 2018

At ESC Congress 2018, a record 156 countries were represented, with over 4,500 abstracts presented in 500 expert sessions. Key clinical trials included MARINER, CAMELLIA-TIMI 61, and ASCEND, which may impact practice and guideline updates. The congress also featured new guidelines for hypertension care.

How the forest copes with the summer heat

A University of Basel study reveals that native forest trees can adapt to extreme drought by closing their pores, preventing damage and reducing water loss. Despite this, researchers caution that prolonged dry spells could weaken trees and make them more susceptible to insect infestations.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalJournal of Ecology·DateAug 29, 2018

CNIO researchers find first indicators of prognosis for the most aggressive breast cancer

Researchers identified six protein kinases that predict the evolution of triple negative breast cancer, allowing for new pharmacological targets and potential treatment combinations. The study's findings indicate a high cure rate (95%) for patients with no activated proteins, but increased relapse risk if one or more are active.

Discovery could lead to higher immunotherapy response rates for bladder cancer patients

Researchers at Mount Sinai discovered that stromal cells in bladder cancer tumors prevent immune cells from attacking them, leading to low response rates with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. The study identified genes linked to more aggressive cancers and found that tumors with these genes were less responsive to treatment.

Attacking aftershocks

Using deep learning algorithms, researchers have developed a system that forecasts aftershocks significantly better than random assignment. By analyzing earthquake data and physics-based models, they identified the second invariant of the deviatoric stress tensor as an important factor in predicting aftershock locations.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateAug 29, 2018

Drought increases CO2 concentration in the air

A new study uses satellite technology to measure the impact of droughts on photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration. Researchers found that during dry years, natural ecosystems removed about 30% less carbon from the atmosphere, leading to faster CO2 concentration increases.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateAug 29, 2018

Researchers highlight neglected evidence on the cardiovascular risks of toxic metals

A comprehensive analysis found associations between exposure to toxic metals and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease. The study's authors call for attention to metals as a significant source of cardiovascular risk, highlighting the need for population-wide strategies to minimize exposure.

Tight-knit teammates may conform to each other's behavior

A study found that athletes who feel more closely connected to their teammates are more likely to conform to their behaviors, including both positive and risky actions. The researchers suggest that teams should find ways to encourage bonding without pressuring members to engage in negative behavior.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Sport and Exercise Psychology·DateAug 29, 2018

Better assessments for early AMD

The European MACUSTAR consortium is conducting a multi-country clinical study on early AMD, focusing on intermediate-stage disease progression. Novel tests will be developed to assess earlier stages of the disease, improving diagnosis and treatment methods.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalOphthalmologica·DateAug 29, 2018

NYC’s tobacco-free pharmacy law substantially reduces tobacco retailer density yet impact is unequal across neighborhoods

A new study finds that NYC's tobacco-free pharmacy law substantially reduces tobacco retailer density overall, particularly in high-income neighborhoods. However, disadvantaged neighborhoods experienced little to no change in retailer density, highlighting unequal impact across neighborhoods.

Study finds multiple sclerosis drug slows brain shrinkage

A clinical trial of over 250 participants with progressive multiple sclerosis found that ibudilast slowed down brain shrinkage compared to a placebo. The study showed a difference of approximately 2.5 milliliters of brain tissue between the two groups, but it is unclear if this translates to improved symptoms or function.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 29, 2018

HKBU scholars in world-first breakthrough for difficult-to-treat breast cancer

Researchers at Hong Kong Baptist University have developed a metal compound that inhibits the enzyme lysine-specific demethylase 5A (KDM5A) in TNBC tumours with less toxicity in mice. This discovery holds great promise for the development of targeted drugs for TNBC therapy, offering a new approach to treating this difficult form of bre...

SourceHong Kong Baptist University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 29, 2018

What's that smell? Scientists find a new way to understand odors

Researchers at Salk Institute and Arizona State University develop mathematical model to organize odor molecules by frequency of co-occurrence in nature, mapping pleasant directions. This breakthrough enables construction of artificial pleasant odor mixtures, with potential implications for understanding diseases like Parkinson's.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 29, 2018

Trump supporters on campuses more likely to show prejudice toward international students

A University at Buffalo study suggests that support for President Donald Trump is a predictor of prejudice against international students, along with university identity and socialization. Factors such as standardized test scores and stereotypes also play a role in shaping attitudes towards international students.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Diversity in Higher Education·DateAug 29, 2018

Terahertz wave activates filamentation of actin

Researchers at Tohoku University have discovered that terahertz wave irradiation activates the filamentation of actin protein. This non-invasive method could overcome problems with current drugs used to control actin filamentation and expand its applications in biological technologies.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 29, 2018

Cold climates contributed to the extinction of the Neanderthals

A recent study suggests that climate change contributed to the decline and eventual extinction of the Neanderthals. The researchers found that prolonged extreme cold periods coincide with a near complete absence of archaeological artefacts from the Neanderthals. This indicates that climate change played a significant role in their demise.

SourceNorthumbria University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 29, 2018

Quality of life after spinal cord injury -- what functional abilities have the greatest impact?

A study published in American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation found that mobility and self-care abilities are the greatest impactors on quality of life for spinal cord injury patients. The research, which analyzed data from 195 patients with traumatic spinal cord injury, revealed differences in priorities between tetraple...

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation·DateAug 29, 2018

Changes in breakfast and dinner timings can reduce body fat

A 10-week pilot study found that participants who delayed their breakfast by 90 minutes and had their dinner earlier lost more than twice as much body fat compared to those in the control group. This reduction was partly due to decreased food intake, with 57% of participants reporting a decrease in eating opportunities.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalJournal of Nutritional Science·DateAug 29, 2018

A climate 'wake-up call'

Research suggests that proactive implementation of fisheries management and climate action can create a more bountiful future for the world's oceans. The study finds that concerted responses to climate change can lead to increased fish populations, food availability, and profit for fishermen.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 29, 2018

On the horizon: An acne vaccine

Researchers have made significant progress in developing an acne vaccine by targeting a toxin secreted from Propionibacterium acnes bacteria. The vaccine has shown promise in reducing inflammation in human acne lesions. Future studies aim to engineer a non-toxic chemical or targeted vaccine formulation for its human application.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateAug 29, 2018

The God of small things

Researchers found that religious people regularly assign significance to unremarkable events, leading to positive emotions like gratitude and contentment. The study suggests that giving meaning to everyday events is a general phenomenon across religious groups.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalJournal of Personality·DateAug 29, 2018

Research study sheds new light on relationship between genes and bone fracture risk

A large international collaboration identified 15 genetic variations linked to bone fracture risk, contradicting previous assumptions about clinical risk factors. The study highlights the importance of increasing bone strength in preventing fractures, rather than relying solely on calcium and vitamin D supplementation.