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Science News for February 7, 2018


Recreating liver tumors as organoids for faster, more accurate drug screening

Researchers have developed a new method to grow patient-derived xenografts (PDX) liver cancer cells in culture, which maintains their proper shape and function and grows as organoids. The success of the engineered organoids has the potential to revolutionize the screening and development of liver cancer drugs.

The social evolution of termites

Researchers compared termites' genetic features to those of ants and bees, discovering similar molecular mechanisms for eusocial lifestyles. They found evidence of convergent evolution in chemoreceptor families and genes involved in pheromone recognition.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateFeb 7, 2018

Sweet route to greater yields

Researchers from Rothamsted Research introduce a rice gene that regulates sucrose accumulation in kernels, leading to increased productivity in maize even under drought conditions. The transgenic maize also improves rates of photosynthesis, resulting in more sucrose production for additional kernels.

SourceRothamsted Research·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·DateFeb 7, 2018

Super wood could replace steel

Researchers at the University of Maryland have created a new type of wood that is 10-12 times stronger than natural wood, making it a potential competitor to steel. The wood's mechanical properties are comparable to those of titanium alloys, but with improved toughness and reduced weight.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateFeb 7, 2018

Researchers develop the first model to capture crosstalk in social dilemmas

Researchers developed a new framework to analyze the effects of crosstalk on cooperation dynamics in groups. The model shows that crosstalk hinders the evolution of cooperation and requires strategies with the correct level of forgiveness. This has significant implications for understanding human behavior in social dilemmas.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 7, 2018

Acne linked with increased risk of depression

Researchers found a significant link between acne and major depression, with a 63% higher risk within the first year of diagnosis. The study highlights the importance of monitoring mood symptoms in patients with acne and initiating prompt treatment for depression.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology·DateFeb 7, 2018

Towards a better prediction of solar eruptions

Scientists identified a confining 'cage' in which a magnetic rope forms, causing solar eruptions. The resistance of this cage determines the power and type of flare. A new model predicts maximum energy release during solar flares, potentially devastating for Earth's systems.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateFeb 7, 2018

Removing fossil fuel subsidies will not reduce CO2 emissions as much as hoped

New research reveals that removing fossil fuel subsidies will only slightly slow the growth of CO2 emissions, with smaller effects in developing economies. The largest emissions savings would come from oil and gas exporting countries, but removal could have a detrimental impact on poor households, who may struggle to afford modern fuels.

More work is needed to determine appropriate drug doses for children

A recent study analyzing pediatric drug dosage guidelines found inconsistencies in recommended doses, with varying results from allometric scaling and prior patterns of use. The analysis suggests a need for more precise treatment approaches to address the complexities of pediatric dosing.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateFeb 7, 2018

Scientists halt breast cancer spread

Researchers found that restricting asparagine production in mice greatly reduced breast cancer's ability to spread, suggesting a potential new treatment approach. The study also suggests that dietary changes may help stop cancer from spreading and improve outcomes for patients.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalNature·DateFeb 7, 2018

The robots will see you now

Researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering have created a bioinspired robotic replica that can interact in three dimensions with live zebrafish. The system allows the robot to watch and mimic the behavior of live fish in real-time, promoting social interactions.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 7, 2018

First-ever questionnaire assesses impact of brachial plexus injury and surgical outcomes

A new patient questionnaire developed by Hospital for Special Surgery measures the physical and emotional impact of brachial plexus injury, assessing patients' expectations and treatment outcomes. The survey has the potential to improve patient care by aligning surgical alternatives with patient needs and expectations.

SourceHospital for Special Surgery·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateFeb 7, 2018

A step toward sensitive and fast gluten detection

Researchers have developed a fast gluten detector that can detect and quantify different sources of gluten than current tests, providing more accurate results. The new test is faster, taking only 45 minutes, and can sense less than 20 parts per million of gluten, meeting the FDA's limit for 'gluten-free' designation.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Sensors·DateFeb 7, 2018

Back pain is common in highly active older adults

Back pain is common in highly active older adults, impacting nearly half of well-functioning individuals. The condition was linked to less efficient walking and poorer endurance, which can lead to mobility issues. Better back pain management may help maintain independence and prevent future loss of mobility.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateFeb 7, 2018

Mathematics pushes innovation in 4-D printing

Researchers developed a mathematical approach to predict crease formation in soft solids, enabling on-demand control of adaptive surface morphology. This breakthrough enables the design and fabrication of morphable materials for stretchable electronics, self-foldable machines, and lab-on-a-chip devices.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 7, 2018

The big burn

Researchers found evidence of extensive biomass burning at the Younger Dryas Boundary, coinciding with a cometary cloud impact that triggered an 'impact winter', causing widespread extinctions. The study suggests that this event may have contributed to the collapse of the Clovis people and the extinction of megafauna.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalThe Journal of Geology·DateFeb 7, 2018

Yoga benefits patients with metabolic syndrome

A recent study found that yoga exercise decreases pro-inflammatory adipokines and increases an anti-inflammatory adipokine in adults with metabolic syndrome. This suggests that regular exercise, such as yoga, can help manage aspects of the condition by reducing chronic inflammation.

SourceWiley·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateFeb 7, 2018

Polluted air may pollute our morality

A study published in Psychological Science found that exposure to air pollution, whether physical or mental, is linked with transgressive behavior through increased levels of anxiety. Participants who imagined experiencing air pollution engaged in more unethical behavior than those who thought about clean environments.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 7, 2018

Freedom, not coercion

A recent study found that giving individuals a sense of freedom leads to increased feelings of responsibility. The research, involving Russian and American participants, showed that autonomy is a basic human need and that people are more likely to take responsibility when they have the freedom to choose their actions.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalJournal of Research in Personality·DateFeb 7, 2018

Case for assisted dying 'stronger than ever' says The BMJ

Most UK doctors (79%) and 80% of the public support legislation for assisted dying. A series of articles explores the debate around assisted dying, with personal accounts and expert opinions. The proposed legislation aims to provide safeguards for terminally ill patients who want to end their lives.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 7, 2018

Can interrupting a cell's power source after injury protect against post-traumatic osteoarthritis?

Researchers use a compound called amobarbital to protect joints from cartilage loss after injury, showing promise in preventing post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The study's findings suggest that targeting mitochondria after joint fractures could substantially improve quality of life for PTOA patients.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 7, 2018

Fast-spinning spheres show nanoscale systems' secrets

The Rice lab demonstrates energetic properties of colloids in spinning magnetic fields, gathering into disorganized aggregated clusters and then forming crystal-like regimes as the field strength increases. The researchers explore ways to model novel two-dimensional materials like tunable catalysts or colloids with changing surface areas.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 7, 2018

A pair of RNA scissors with many functions

Scientists at the University of Freiburg discovered RNase E as a crucial enzyme in CRISPR/Cas systems, enabling correct gene expression and immune defense. The findings suggest stronger interaction between CRISPR/Cas systems and host organisms, increasing potential for its applications.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Microbiology·DateFeb 7, 2018