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Science News for December 26, 2018


Flavonoids as P-gp inhibitors: A systematic review of SARs

Research reveals flavonoids as potent P-gp modulators with high binding affinity and low toxicity, offering a new generation of drug candidates to reverse multidrug resistance. Synthetic flavonoid dimer FD18 specifically targets the pseudodimeric structure of the drug transporter.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Medicinal Chemistry·DateDec 26, 2018
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Losing neurons can sometimes not be that bad

Neuronal cell death in Alzheimer's disease may be beneficial as it removes dysfunctional neurons, according to new research published in Cell Reports. The study suggests that the anti-aging mechanism of 'cell competition' plays a crucial role in protecting the brain from damage.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 26, 2018

Breast cancer drugs could help treat resistant lung cancers

A class of breast cancer drugs could potentially benefit patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancers that have become resistant to treatment. Lung tumours in mice caused by mutations in a gene called EGFR shrunk significantly when a protein called p110α was blocked.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 26, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

For patients with kidney disease, genetic testing may soon be routine

A new study found that genes cause about 1 in 10 cases of chronic kidney disease in adults, and identifying the responsible gene has a direct impact on treatment. DNA testing reclassified the cause of kidney disease in 1 out of 5 individuals with a genetic diagnosis.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 26, 2018

Treatment of Parkinson's disease: Separating hope from hype

Recent advancements in Parkinson's disease treatment hold promise for patients, with gene therapy approaches showing potential, and brain stimulation techniques also being explored. Despite progress, hurdles persist, and understanding the reasons for treatment failure is crucial to overcoming the disease.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Gene Therapy·DateDec 26, 2018

UC San Diego researchers identify how skin ages, loses fat and immunity

Researchers discovered the pathway that causes dermal fibroblasts to lose their ability to convert into fat cells as people age. This process affects the skin's ability to fight infections, particularly bacterial ones like MRSA. The study may lead to new treatments for obesity, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalImmunity·DateDec 26, 2018

Fish bones yield new tool for tracking coal ash contamination

Researchers at Duke University have discovered that fish ear bones can serve as a fingerprint for identifying and tracking coal ash contamination in aquatic ecosystems. The study used strontium isotope ratios in otoliths to connect high levels of toxic elements back to the contamination source.

SourceDuke University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateDec 26, 2018
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Illuminating nanoparticle growth with X-rays

Researchers developed a new catalyst composed of platinum and nickel, which is more efficient than pure platinum. The study used ultrabright x-rays to reveal the growth pathway and chemical characterization of the nanoparticles in real time.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 26, 2018

Buzzed flies reveal important step to intoxication

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified an important intermediate step in how alcohol intoxication occurs. The enzyme phospholipase D2 links ethanol molecules to lipid membranes, triggering a metabolite called phosphatidylethanol that causes nerves to fire more easily, leading to hyperactivity in flies.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalJournal of Molecular Biology·DateDec 26, 2018

Antifungal activity and detoxification of aflatoxins

Essential oils and aqueous plant extracts inhibit Aspergillus growth and aflatoxin biosynthesis, offering potential solutions to prevent food contamination. Standardization of extraction procedures and further study on active compounds are necessary to ensure safe use in food products.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Food Science Journal·DateDec 26, 2018
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

What influences a person's psychological boundaries?

Researchers found that age and sex play a greater role in forming psychological boundaries than culture. In the study, youth had a higher level of personal sovereignty than adolescents, with men being more concerned with territory sovereignty and women with time habits sovereignty.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalPsychology in Russia State of Art·DateDec 26, 2018

Confronting the side effects of a common anti-cancer treatment

Researchers found that aromatase inhibitors suppress estrogen synthesis, but paradoxically increase estrogen levels in the brain, leading to memory and thermal regulation deficits. The study calls for new therapies to prevent breast cancer recurrence while minimizing side effects.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateDec 26, 2018

Cell size and cell-cycle states play key decision-making role in HIV

Researchers found that HIV-infected cells can only reactivate in larger host cells, while smaller cells remain latent or silent. The study suggests a natural mechanism for viral reactivation and offers potential strategies for biasing viral decision-making through drug treatments.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 26, 2018

Kicking, yelling during sleep? Study finds risk factors for violent sleep disorder

A study found that people taking antidepressants, having post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety are at risk of developing REM sleep behavior disorder. Men are also more likely to have the condition. Lifestyle factors such as education level, income, smoking status and moderate to heavy drinking habits were also linked to the disorder.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateDec 26, 2018

Collecting clean water from air, inspired by desert life

Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered ways to gather water from nighttime fog and condensation using surfaces with conical shapes and grooved patterns. These designs can efficiently collect water droplets, similar to how cacti and desert grasses do in nature.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (A )·DateDec 26, 2018
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Artificial activation of cancer cells to destroy them

Researchers at Far Eastern Federal University propose using stem cell activation to target glioma tumors. The approach aims to bring cancerous stem cells into an active state, making them vulnerable to chemotherapy. This method has been approved for publishing and is considered promising despite its risks.

SourceFar Eastern Federal University·JournalFrontiers in Cellular Neuroscience·DateDec 26, 2018

Tree-ring analysis explains physiology behind drought intolerance

A study of 2,800 hectares of mixed-conifer forest found that increasing tree density due to fire suppression leads to increased drought stress and reduced resilience to wildfires. Rising carbon dioxide levels exacerbate this effect, suggesting that denser forests will be more vulnerable to drought in the future.

SourceOregon State University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateDec 26, 2018

Research shows biases against immigrants with non-anglicized names

A new study reveals biases against immigrants with non-anglicized names in the US, particularly in moral dilemmas. The research suggests that anglicizing ethnic names may reduce bias towards immigrants, but cautioning against promoting equity through name changes.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateDec 26, 2018
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Autophagy and mitochondria: Targets in neurodegenerative disorders

Research suggests that autophagy on neuronal cells can lead to neurodegeneration, highlighting the importance of targeting mitochondria and autophagy-related proteins in disease treatment. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a significant contributor to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets·DateDec 26, 2018

Give it the plasma treatment: strong adhesion without adhesives

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a method to make industrial polymers adhesive without the need for adhesives or corrosive chemical treatments. This breakthrough enables vulcanized rubber and plastic PTFE to adhere strongly to each other, or to glass and copper, using surface chemistry.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 26, 2018

How the brain enables us to rapidly focus attention

Researchers discovered a key brain mechanism that underlies our ability to rapidly focus attention. The cholinergic system plays a crucial role in triggering desynchronization of neurons, allowing individual neurons to respond to sensory information differently. This allows us to focus on specific stimuli while ignoring distractions.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNeuron·DateDec 26, 2018
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Study yields new insight on how memory works

Researchers discover that conscious knowledge is key to declarative memory, a type of memory linked to facts and events. The study, using amnesic patients with MTL lesions, found impaired performance in recognizing changes in images, highlighting the role of the hippocampus in memory acquisition.

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 26, 2018

European wheat lacks climate resilience

Researchers at Aarhus University found that current breeding programs for European wheat do not provide sufficient climate resilience. This lack of response diversity can lead to reduced yields, increased yield variability, and market volatility.

SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 26, 2018