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Science News Archive August 2018 - Page 7


Page 7 of 41

Treating inflammatory bowel disorder by delivering microRNAs

Osaka University researchers successfully delivered microRNAs to immune response cells in inflamed intestinal tracts using a super carbonate apatite (sCA), reducing inflammatory cytokines. The study showed that sCA could be used to treat a wide range of immunity and allergic disorders caused by immune responses.

SourceOsaka University·JournalMolecular Therapy — Nucleic Acids·DateAug 28, 2018

Protein modifications pointing to cancer

Scientists have developed a method to investigate all proteins in tissue samples that are modified by ADP-ribosylation, a stress response pathway. This allows for conclusions to be drawn about activated signaling pathways and potentially leads to new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities for cancer and other diseases.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 28, 2018

The math of malaria

A mathematical model for malaria shows that competition between parasite strains within a human host reduces the odds of drug resistance developing in high-transmission settings. The model reveals how once a drug-resistant strain becomes established, it will spread faster in high-transmission areas than in low-transmission areas.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 28, 2018

All that is gold is not biochemically stable

A study by environmental engineers at Duke University found that gold nanoparticles can be dismantled by microorganisms on aquatic plants, complicating laboratory experiments. This discovery highlights the importance of considering complex ecosystems in research design to ensure accurate results.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 28, 2018

Wilder wildfires ahead?

Researchers at UCSB and NCAR find that climate change is affecting the connection between El Niño and wildfires, leading to more extreme and frequent fires. As the Earth warms, El Niño events are expected to have a larger impact on fire risk in California and other fire-prone regions.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 28, 2018

Disentangling the relationships between cultural traits and other variables

A team of researchers identified three sources of non-independence in cultural variables: phylogenetic non-independence, spatial autocorrelation, and covariation. By controlling for these factors, they found that parasites have no more explanatory power for cultural traits than other environmental factors like biodiversity and climate.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateAug 28, 2018

New compact hyperspectral system captures 5-D images

A new compact hyperspectral system captures 5-D images with high speed and accuracy, benefiting applications such as optical-based sorting and personal medical monitoring. The system uses structured light to create detailed digital archives of historically valuable artifacts.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateAug 28, 2018

Percutaneously reducing secondary mitral regurgitation in heart failure appears futile

Researchers found that reducing secondary mitral regurgitation in heart failure patients did not improve survival or symptoms, suggesting the procedure is futile. Despite successful procedure completion, there was no significant difference in primary endpoint outcomes between intervention and medical treatment groups.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 27, 2018