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Science News for January 9, 2018


Can CranioSacral therapy improve symptoms of concussion & mild TBI among football players?

A preliminary study suggests that CranioSacral Therapy can improve range of motion, pain, sleep, and cognitive function in ex-NFL players with concussion and mild TBI. More clinical research data is needed to understand its effectiveness in treating post-concussive syndrome and potentially chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateJan 9, 2018

Women survive crises better than men

Researchers found that women are more likely to survive crises like famines and epidemics due to biological factors, not behavioral differences. Newborn girls are particularly hardy, outliving newborn boys by up to 50%.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 9, 2018

Grocery store program improves farmers' adoption of environmental practices

A new study by Stanford researchers found that Woolworths' Farming for the Future program drove increased adoption of environmental practices among its large-scale fruit, vegetable and flower growers. The program combines annual auditor feedback with individual farmer needs, leading to significant shifts in farming practices.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·DateJan 9, 2018

Climate change drives collapse in marine food webs

A new study demonstrates how climate change can drive the collapse of marine food webs by altering trophic flows and promoting cyanobacterial proliferation. This can lead to reduced food availability for top predators, negatively impacting marine species diversity and fisheries productivity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 9, 2018

Engineers grow functioning human muscle from skin cells

Duke researchers successfully grew functioning human skeletal muscle from induced pluripotent stem cells, offering a promising path for cellular therapies, drug discovery, and studying rare diseases. The technique allows for the growth of far more muscle cells and provides an easier route to genome editing and individualized models.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 9, 2018

Patients who receive prescription opioids are more satisfied with care than other patients

Patients with musculoskeletal conditions who receive prescription opioids are more satisfied with their care than those without. However, they often experience increased pain and reduced health outcomes, highlighting the need for further investigation into the complex relationship between opioid use and patient satisfaction.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 9, 2018

New method stabilizes siRNAs without affecting gene silencing activity

Researchers have developed a new method to stabilize small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) by introducing phosphoramidate modifications, which enhances their stability and therapeutic potential. The study shows that the modified siRNAs maintain their gene silencing activity, making them suitable for various therapeutic applications.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalNucleic Acid Therapeutics·DateJan 9, 2018

Younger patients constitute half of hospital-acquired pneumonia cases, most of which originate outside of the ICU, study finds

A new study reveals that younger patients account for half of hospital-acquired pneumonia cases, most of which occur outside the ICU. The research highlights gaps in pneumonia preventive measures as a contributing factor to the increased risk. Standardizing protocols for preventive care can help reduce rates of NV-HAP.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·DateJan 9, 2018

HKBU and CUHK discovered that human-perceived temperature is rising faster than actual air temperature

Research found that human-perceived temperature (AP) increased 0.04oC per decade faster than actual air temperature (AT), with projected increases of up to 0.17oC per decade in low-latitude areas. AP is expected to continue rising, posing bigger threats to cities and communities, especially in tropical and sub-tropical regions.

SourceHong Kong Baptist University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 9, 2018

'Gyroscope' molecules form crystal that's both solid and full of motion

Researchers at UCLA have successfully formed a crystalline solid with moving parts, dubbed 'amphidynamic', which could have wide-ranging applications in technology and science. The creation of BODCA-MOF, a metallo-organic framework containing spherical molecules, demonstrates the potential for rapid motion inside a solid crystal.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 9, 2018

The road to recovery

A recent study by Clayton Lamb and colleagues found that higher road density in British Columbia leads to lower grizzly bear density, compromising the species' recovery. Closing roads can reduce the negative impact of roads on habitats, allowing bears to recolonize and recover.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateJan 9, 2018

Mass extinctions remove species but not ecological variety

A study by University of Chicago scientists found that mass extinctions removed species but retained ecological variety, whereas environmental changes lead to significant losses in functional diversity. The researchers analyzed two major mass extinctions and discovered a pattern of survival among functional groups.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 9, 2018

Sleeping for longer leads to a healthier diet

A King's College London study found that extending sleep hours by up to 1.5 hours per night resulted in a 10-gram reduction in reported free sugar intake. The researchers also noticed trends for reduced total carbohydrate intake among participants in the sleep extension group.

SourceKing's College London·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJan 9, 2018

Lyndra announces publication of feasibility study of oral once-weekly drug delivery system for HIV antiretroviral therapy in Nature Communications

A recent study published in Nature Communications presents a proof-of-concept for an oral, once-weekly drug delivery platform for HIV antiretroviral therapy. The platform demonstrates sustained oral delivery of potent anti-HIV therapies, offering a potential solution to non-adherence issues.

SourcePure Communications Inc.·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 9, 2018

Bad air quality along Utah's Wasatch Front causes more than 200 pneumonia cases each year

A study by University of Utah Health and Intermountain Healthcare found that bad air quality in the region causes more than 200 pneumonia cases each year, with older adults being particularly vulnerable. The research also estimates that improving air quality could save up to $1.6 million in healthcare costs annually.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateJan 9, 2018

Leading organizations in prenatal screening and diagnosis issue new consensus statement on genome se

The International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis, Perinatal Quality Foundation, and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine issued a joint position statement on the use of diagnostic genome-wide sequencing for fetal diagnosis. The consensus opinion emphasizes that routine use of genome-wide sequencing as a diagnostic test is not currently ...

SourceSociety for Maternal-Fetal Medicine·JournalPrenatal Diagnosis·DateJan 9, 2018

New biomarkers predict outcome of cancer immunotherapy

Researchers identified biomarkers in blood samples that predict response to immunotherapy, allowing for personalized treatment decisions. High-dimensional cell analysis and computer-aided pattern recognition enabled the detection of subtle immune responses and molecular patterns associated with therapy success.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Medicine·DateJan 9, 2018

Heart health at risk for Latinas over worries about deportation

A recent study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that worry about deportations is associated with multiple cardiovascular health risk factors in Latinas. The study, which gathered data from 545 women enrolled in the CHAMACOS cohort, found that those who were more concerned had higher waist circumferences and blood pressure.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateJan 9, 2018

How good bacteria control your genes

Researchers at the Babraham Institute have discovered that good bacteria in the gut can control gene expression by producing short chain fatty acids, which increase crotonylations and affect gene activity. This process may help prevent cancer and fight infections, highlighting the importance of a healthy diet and gut bacteria.

SourceBabraham Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 9, 2018

Sun, wind, and power trading

Renewable energy generation causes grid frequency fluctuations due to variable wind speeds and photovoltaic feed-in. Power trading appears more significant in grid frequency fluctuation than renewable feed-in, with small grids showing larger fluctuations.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalNature Energy·DateJan 9, 2018

Artificial muscles power up with new gel-based robotics

Researchers at Shinshu University have designed a wearable robot that utilizes plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel to provide assistance for individuals with weakened muscles and mobility issues. The system consists of mesh electrodes and applied voltage, enabling natural movement while decreasing muscular activity.

SourceShinshu University·JournalSmart Materials and Structures·DateJan 9, 2018

For city kids with asthma, telemedicine and in-school care cut ER visits in half

New research from the University of Rochester Medical Center shows that children with asthma who received a combination of telemedicine support and school-based medication therapy were almost half as likely to need an emergency room or hospital visit. The program, which expanded on previous research, demonstrated its effectiveness in r...

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateJan 9, 2018

Advances in Atmospheric Science launches special issue on cloud studies

A new special issue of Advances in Atmospheric Science explores the effects of aerosols on climate, with studies focusing on aerosol-cloud interactions, cloud-base height, and fine aerosol particles. The research aims to improve weather forecasting and climate models, shedding light on a crucial topic despite years of inquiry.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJan 9, 2018

The biennial rainfall relationship in the tropical western hemisphere has weakened in recent decades

A recent study found that the biennial rainfall relationship between Central America and equatorial South America has weakened remarkably since 2000. This weakening is attributed to changes in El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and tropical North Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) patterns.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateJan 9, 2018

How quickly can children learn routes?

A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology found that children aged 8-12 can learn routes quickly and efficiently with minimal repeated experience. The research suggests that young children's brains are capable of learning complex spatial information, even with a large number of turns.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·DateJan 9, 2018

Human antibodies manufactured in cattle for treatment of MERS are found safe in first phase 1 study

Human antibodies manufactured from transchromosomic cattle have been found safe in healthy volunteers, suggesting a potential novel technique for rapidly producing antibodies for passive immunotherapy against emerging infectious diseases like MERS. The treatment, SAB-301, was well-tolerated and showed promise in countering the virus.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJan 9, 2018

The bright side of an infectious protein

Researchers discovered that a yeast protein's prion domain acts like a stress sensor, triggering the formation of protective droplets and gels to help cells recover from stress. This finding suggests that prion domains have a positive function beyond their association with disease-causing aggregates.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateJan 9, 2018

Controlling superconductivity using spin currents

A KAIST research team used electron microscopy and scanning tunneling microscope to study the connection between magnetism and superconductivity. They found that low-energy spin fluctuations cannot mediate pairing between electrons, a critical step for superconductivity. This breakthrough enables the development of novel antiferromagne...

Hereditary facial features could be strongly influenced by a single gene variant

A single gene variant can have a significant impact on human facial features, according to a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The research found three genetic variants tied to specific facial characteristics, including those related to steroid biosynthesis and mucolipidosis type IV.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 9, 2018