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Science News for February 8, 2018


Genetic gene mutations: Opening new therapeutic avenues in metastatic prostate cancer

A recent study revealed that patients with inherited DNA repair mutations in metastatic prostate cancer can derive similar benefits from treatment with standard therapies as other patients. Ongoing research explores the potential potency of targeted therapy with PARP inhibitors, which may offer additional therapeutic options for these ...

SourceVall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology·JournalEuropean Urology·DateFeb 8, 2018

Search for genetically stable bioengineered gut and liver tissue takes step forward

Researchers from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Yokohama City University report a high-volume production method for bioengineered human gut and liver tissues that avoids tumor risks. The new approach uses genetically stable posterior gut endodermal progenitor cells, which can be programmed to form different tissue ty...

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateFeb 8, 2018

Blood sodium levels may affect cognition in older adults

A new study found that lower sodium levels in the blood, known as hyponatremia, are related to declines in cognitive function with advancing age. Slightly lower serum sodium levels were associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment and decline over time, while high serum sodium was also linked to cognitive decline.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 8, 2018

Human antibodies undermine parasite sex

Researchers have discovered that human antibodies can prevent malaria spread by destroying parasites in mosquitoes and preventing fertilization. This finding holds promise for developing a vaccine to halt the disease's transmission, which could significantly reduce global malaria burden.

SourceRadboud University Nijmegen·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 8, 2018

Rapid land changes forecast for East African savannahs

A 5000-year study of Amboseli National Park in Kenya reveals rapid environmental changes caused by human activities, including the arrival of Massai people and the ivory trade. The findings highlight the need to manage national park boundaries more strictly to keep pace with climate change.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalKungl Svenska vetenskapsakademiens handlingar·DateFeb 8, 2018

Smart Thermometer improves flu forecasting

Researchers found that de-identified smart thermometer data was highly correlated with traditional public health surveillance systems, improving flu forecasting by up to four weeks. The data also revealed age-group specific incidence and estimated the duration of fevers during flu season.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 8, 2018

Are you rocky or are you gassy?

Astronomers have discovered a trio of super-Earths around the star GJ 9827, with two of them having radii between 1.7 times and 2.5 times that of Earth, sparking debate about their composition. The study's findings provide insight into how these planets form and evolve, with implications for the search for life beyond our Solar System.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateFeb 8, 2018

Timing is everything, to our genes

A Salk Institute study has discovered that nearly 80 percent of genes exhibit daily fluctuations, with the most rhythmic genes peaking in early morning and late afternoon. This finding has significant implications for understanding circadian disruption's impact on diseases such as depression and heart disease.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateFeb 8, 2018

FSU researchers: Savanna fires pump Central African forests full of nitrogen

Researchers have discovered a new role for large-scale fires and high nitrogen deposition in the ecology and biogeochemistry of Central African forests. The findings suggest that massive tracts of biomass from savannas are swept up into the atmosphere and deposited on the forests, stimulating growth in certain species.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 8, 2018

Researchers help robots think and plan in the abstract

Scientists at Brown University have created a way for robots to learn high-level abstract representations of their surroundings, enabling them to plan and act more autonomously. By using machine learning algorithms, robots can distill complex sensory data into simple, text-based descriptions that facilitate planning and skill execution.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Artificial Intelligence Research·DateFeb 8, 2018

Stroke risk factors unique to women identified

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified unique stroke risk factors in women, including early age of menarche, low levels of dehydroepiandrosterone hormone, and oral estrogen use. The study emphasizes the need for clinicians to consider these factors, particularly in women with a history of pregnancy complications.

First 3-D imaging of excited quantum dots

A US research team has successfully imaged excited quantum dots at multiple orientations using a new technique called single molecule absorption scanning tunneling microscopy (SMA-STM). This allows for the visualization of defects in quantum dots, which can be characterized and precisely controlled to improve their performance.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateFeb 8, 2018

Improving drone performance in headwinds

Researchers from Tohoku University found that angling quad-rotor rotors by 20 degrees can reduce pitching by a quarter, improving stability in heavy winds. The study also identified the effects of rotor tilting on pitching moment generation, with outward tilting reducing pitch by 26%.

SourceTohoku University·JournalInternational Journal of Micro Air Vehicles·DateFeb 8, 2018

Deep-brain exploration with nanomaterial

Researchers have developed a non-invasive method for stimulating the brain using nanoparticles that absorb near-infrared light and emit visible photons, allowing for control of specific brain cells. This breakthrough enables the treatment of conditions such as seizures and fear memories with minimal invasiveness.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience·DateFeb 8, 2018

Circulating lipids play roles in many diseases

Recent studies investigate the role of cholesterol and other lipids in blood circulation, discovering a correlation between bad cholesterol levels and muscle damage in muscular dystrophy patients. Another study reveals a synergistic effect of hepatitis B and alcohol on cholesterol metabolism, increasing biosynthesis and impairing uptake.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateFeb 8, 2018

Alien honeybees could cause plant extinction

Introduced 'alien' honeybees are competing with native bees for resources, posing a threat to the survival of plants that rely on specific pollinators. This is particularly concerning in arid environments where super-generalist honeybees visit up to 55% of available plant species.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalDiversity and Distributions·DateFeb 8, 2018

UTHealth leads ACSM paper on safety recommendations for energy drinks

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has published new safety recommendations for energy drink consumption, particularly among children, adolescents, and individuals with cardiovascular conditions. The guidelines warn against excessive caffeine intake and advise against using energy drinks before or after strenuous exercise.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalCurrent Sports Medicine Reports·DateFeb 8, 2018

A lightning-based nowcast-warning approach to predict short-duration rainfall

Scientists developed a lightning-based approach to predict short-duration rainfall, using sharp increasing rates of lightning flashes to provide early warnings. The new method was tested over the Beijing Metropolitan Region and showed encouraging model performance, with successful early warnings for 67.8% of moderate and 87.0% of inten...

Sticking sugar to protein

The study reveals the importance of sugary appendages on protein surfaces, which differ in composition and branching. The researchers discovered the three-dimensional structure of oligosaccharyltransferase, providing insight into eukaryotic N-glycosylation.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateFeb 8, 2018

Veterans health administration outlines recommendations to combat 'crisis' of MDROs

The Veterans Health Administration has outlined recommendations to combat the 'crisis' of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) in healthcare settings. The recommendations focus on four key areas: transmission dynamics, antimicrobial stewardship, microbiome research, and special populations.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateFeb 8, 2018

Quantum dots display promise for polymers

Rice University scientists have developed a stable and economical method to make polymers through photo-controlled atom-transfer radical polymerization. The process uses photosensitive quantum dots as a catalyst, which can be triggered by light sources such as the sun or a household lamp.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Macro Letters·DateFeb 8, 2018

Nature, meet nurture

Researchers found diverse landscape of gene expression changes across all cell types in visual cortex, involving 611 genes linked to neural connectivity. The study suggests that each cell has a unique genetic program tailored to its function within the neural circuit.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 8, 2018

Sniffing out a mate with precision

Researchers discovered how male cockroaches locate a sexual mate by detecting fine structures of odor plumes, thanks to their antennae and neural circuits. They identified twelve key interneurons that convey spatial information to the brain, ensuring complete coverage over the entire flagellum.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 8, 2018