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Science News Archive August 2018 - Page 31


Page 31 of 41

Potential solutions to drug shortages and the lack of competition in generic medicines

The authors propose increasing incentives and modifying regulations to improve competition, redirecting overinvestment in new drug development to the generic market, and pivoting from short-term survival mode to long-term organized responses. These solutions aim to enhance competition, provide patients with reliable access to vital dru...

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateAug 9, 2018

Hybrid catalyst with high enantiomer selectivity

Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a hybrid catalyst that combines simple rhodium and organic catalysts to selectively produce molecules with high enantiomer selectivity. This technology is expected to assist in rapid and low-cost drug synthesis, particularly for nucleotide medicine.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Catalysis·DateAug 9, 2018

Surprise finding in neurons

Researchers discovered a high infection rate of Purkinje neurons with HHV-6 in patients with bipolar disorder and/or severe depression. The study suggests viruses can cause cognitive disturbances leading to mood disorders, contradicting the belief that dormant viruses never cause disease.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateAug 9, 2018

New RNA & DNA-sequencing platform matches thousands of drugs to late-stage cancer patients

A new RNA sequencing platform has been developed to match thousands of drugs with late-stage and drug-resistant multiple myeloma patients, providing a more accurate treatment approach. The platform's results showed that a majority of patients benefited from personalized treatment plans based on their cancer's RNA profile.

Human microbiome influences rotavirus vaccine response

A proof-of-concept study found that antibiotic treatment prior to vaccination increased viral shedding in healthy adult men, while narrow-spectrum antibiotics showed a slight increase in early vaccine boosting. The results suggest a potential correlation between the microbiome and vaccine performance.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateAug 8, 2018

Environmental regulations drove steep declines in US factory pollution

A study by University of California, Berkeley economists found that air pollution emissions from US manufacturing fell by 60% between 1990 and 2008 due to stricter environmental regulations. The researchers analyzed data on over 1,400 products and found that changes in production technologies were the primary driver of these decreases.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalAmerican Economic Review·DateAug 8, 2018

Hybridization boosts evolution

Researchers from four international universities analyzed cichlid fish DNA to understand the formation of new species. They found that hybridization between species led to rapid evolution and adaptation, boosting innovation and species development.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 8, 2018

Hidden signs in cancer tissue

A study by ETH Zurich researchers has discovered new cancer-specific molecular changes in RNA molecules, which could inform the development of cancer treatments. The analysis found that alternative splicing occurs more frequently in tumor tissues than healthy tissues, particularly in pulmonary adenocarcinomas.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalCancer Cell·DateAug 8, 2018

Scientists squeeze nanocrystals in a liquid droplet into a solid-like state and back again

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a way to transform a liquid-like state into a solid-like state and back again by introducing a chemical compound. The study has implications for developing all-liquid electronics and interacting with cells, and could lead to new ways of controlling nanoscale elements.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 8, 2018

Immigrants use little health care, subsidize care of non-immigrants: Harvard/Tufts study

A new study by Harvard Medical School and Tufts University finds that immigrants use significantly less health care than US-born individuals, with lower rates of utilization and expenditures. Immigrants also pay more out-of-pocket health care payments, effectively subsidizing private insurance and some public programs like Medicare.

SourcePhysicians for a National Health Program·JournalInternational Journal of Health Services·DateAug 8, 2018

New NYUAD research finds 3D printers offer alternate method to create microfluidic probes

Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have developed a method to create microfluidic probes using 3D printing, which provides an effective and inexpensive technique for studying cancer cells. The new approach enables scientists to fabricate probes that can deliver reagents in a localized manner, allowing for targeted cell culture and analysis.

SourceRubenstein Associates, Inc.·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 8, 2018

Half a degree less warming can avoid precipitation extremes

A study published in Nature Communications found that reducing global warming by half a degree Celsius could significantly decrease extreme precipitation events, resulting in lower exposure to flooding and landslides. The research suggests that limiting warming to 1.5°C could robustly benefit the populous global monsoon region.

Can medical marijuana help treat intractable epilepsy?

A review suggests that cannabidiol, a compound in cannabis, may have modest efficacy in treating severe epilepsy, particularly in children. However, more rigorous clinical trials are necessary to fully understand its potential and minimize side effects.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateAug 8, 2018