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Science News Archive January 2018 - Page 8


Page 8 of 37

Letting silenced genes speak

Researchers at UConn Health have reversed Prader-Willi syndrome in lab-grown brain cells by targeting the ZNF274 protein, which silences many genes. The breakthrough provides clues for treating this genetic disorder and offers new hope for patients with life-threatening childhood obesity.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateJan 25, 2018

Thin is in? Think again

US women's perceptions of the perfect female figure have evolved to a thin and toned ideal, according to a recent study led by Frances Bozsik. The research found that recent Miss USA winners are no longer only exemplifying extreme thinness, but also becoming increasingly muscular over the past 15 years.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateJan 25, 2018

Heart cells sense stiffness by measuring contraction forces and resting tension simultaneously

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London discovered a new mechanism by which heart cells sense stiffness, involving both contraction forces and resting tension. The study found increased resting tension in heart cells after a heart attack or disease, leading to abnormal mechanosensing and signalling that contributes to heart fail...

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJan 25, 2018

Humans limit animal movements

A global study using GPS data from over 800 animals found that terrestrial mammalian movements in areas with a high human footprint are significantly reduced. This fragmentation of habitats due to human infrastructure can have severe consequences for ecosystems, including changes in seed dispersal, food chains, and population sizes.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience·DateJan 25, 2018

Energy supply channels

Scientists at the University of Freiburg have elucidated the mechanism of protein insertion into the mitochondrial outer membrane. The discovery sheds light on the formation and function of mitochondria, which play a crucial role in cellular energy production.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalScience·DateJan 25, 2018

The eye is not immune to immunity

A recent study published in Scientific Reports suggests that the eye is not as immune as previously thought, with some components being accessible to immune cells. This discovery has implications for wound healing and changes in vision such as cataracts, and may change the way we think about eye disorders.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 25, 2018

Artificial sweetener could someday provide cancer treatments with fewer side effects

Researchers have discovered that acesulfame potassium, an artificial sweetener widely used in foods and drinks, could lead to the development of a more selective therapy for aggressive cancers. The compound is more selective towards carbonic anhydrase IX than previously studied saccharin, potentially offering fewer side effects.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·DateJan 24, 2018