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Science News Archive January 2018 - Page 24


Page 24 of 37

Maintaining canola oil quality

Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new technique to analyze isomers in edible oil using HPLC-MS/MS, revealing the specific oxidation compounds in canola oil resulting from heat and light. The study suggests packaging canola oil in dark containers and adding antioxidants like carotenoids to reduce oxidation.

SourceTohoku University·Journalnpj Science of Food·DateJan 12, 2018

Scientists identify a key mechanism regulating a protein required for muscle and heart function

Researchers have identified a crucial mechanism in the regulation of titin protein, a key player in skeletal muscle and heart function. The study found that disulfide bonds play a significant role in determining titin's elastic properties, and their formation can cause major changes in the protein's elasticity.

A society divided by reconstruction

The reconstruction of Banda Aceh after the 2004 tsunami has led to socio-economic segregation, with lower-income residents facing increased exposure to coastal hazards. The study found that many tsunami survivors preferred to move inland, but were unable to afford it, leading to a divide between affluent and poorer residents.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJan 12, 2018

Scleroderma study: Hope for a longer life for patients with rare autoimmune disorder

A new clinical trial has found that a stem cell transplant treatment can significantly improve the survival and quality of life for patients with severe scleroderma. The experimental procedure uses chemotherapy and radiation to destroy the body's malfunctioning immune system, then replaces it via a stem-cell transplant.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 12, 2018

Cancer's gene-determined 'immune landscape' dictates progression of prostate tumors

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discovered that specific genetic events drive distinct immune cell compositions in primary prostate tumors, dictating tumor progression and response to therapy. Profiling patients' tumors based on this new information could lead to more successful clinical trials and tailored therapies.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNature Medicine·DateJan 12, 2018

New method to map miniature brain circuits

Scientists have developed a new technique to map electrical circuits in the brain with unprecedented accuracy, revealing the detailed architecture of microcircuits. This breakthrough enables researchers to understand how the brain processes complex information and may lead to insights into behavior and sensory processing.

SourceThe Francis Crick Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 12, 2018

New therapeutic approach for advanced lung disease

Researchers have identified new drug candidates that target multiple protein kinase families to reduce inflammation in COPD. The Narrow Spectrum Kinase Inhibitors (NSKIs) show promising anti-inflammatory effects and may constitute a breakthrough in treating advanced lung disease.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJan 12, 2018

Don't let skiing and snowboarding injuries take you downhill

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends a preseason conditioning program and familiarity with equipment maintenance to reduce the risk of bone and joint injuries. Skiers are more likely to experience lower extremity injuries, while snowboarders are more likely to suffer upper extremity injuries due to falls.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateJan 12, 2018

Genetic analysis can improve depression therapy

A new study found that genetic variations in the CYP2C19 enzyme affect escitalopram levels, leading to improved therapeutic outcomes when doses are adjusted accordingly. The research identified a significant difference between patients with high and low enzyme expression, highlighting the potential for personalized medicine.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJan 12, 2018

The brain's GPS has a buddy system

Researchers have discovered that brain cells in the hippocampus process spatial information about both oneself and others. This 'buddy system' allows for joint location awareness, enabling rats to track each other's movements through a maze. The findings extend our understanding of the hippocampus' role as the brain's positioning system.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience·DateJan 11, 2018

Maintaining tiger connectivity and minimizing extinction into the next century

A recent study by National Centre for Biological Sciences reveals that high traffic roads and densely populated urban areas hinder tiger movement in Central India. Simulations show that protected corridors delimited by the NTCA can mitigate this impact, highlighting the need for informed development plans that consider biodiversity and...

SourceNational Centre for Biological Sciences·JournalBiological Conservation·DateJan 11, 2018

Restaurant and bar smoking bans do reduce smoking, especially among the highly educated

A new study found that restaurant and bar smoking bans significantly reduce smoking among college graduates, particularly in areas where the bans are comprehensive. Additionally, lower-income smokers are more likely to attempt to quit after a ban is implemented, but may need additional support for successful cessation.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateJan 11, 2018

White graphene makes ceramics multifunctional

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new ceramic material that combines the benefits of white graphene with calcium-silicates. The resulting composite has improved strength, toughness, and thermal conductivity, making it suitable for high-performance applications in construction, nuclear power plants, aerospace, and more.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJan 11, 2018

Dengue takes low and slow approach to replication

Researchers discovered that dengue virus takes over an accordion-shaped structure within host cells to produce proteins, while avoiding the larger fluid-filled space of the cell. This subtle approach allows the virus to reproduce tens of thousands of times without triggering the body's defenses.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Virology·DateJan 11, 2018

What sort of stream networks do scientific ideas flow along?

Researchers analyzed scientific connections of leading scholars, including Harry Eugene Stanley and Edward Witten, to understand modern scientific cooperation. They used Erdos numbers to visualize the flow of ideas in graphs, revealing a self-organization resulting from power law dynamics in these networks.

California's water saving brings bonus effects

Water-saving measures in California have led to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and electricity consumption. The study found that the decrease in water usage translated into a substantial electricity saving, equivalent to 1,830 gigawatt hours.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJan 11, 2018