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Science News for July 12, 2018


Finding the proteins that unpack DNA

Researchers developed a high-throughput method to screen and categorize transcription factors based on their ability to displace nucleosomes. The study identified both new and previously known nucleosome-displacing factors, which tend to be highly abundant in the nucleus and bind tightly to DNA.

SourcePenn State·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJul 12, 2018

New control of cell division discovered

A class of enzymes, DYRK3, has been found to promote mixing of phases in cells during division, ensuring correct distribution of genetic material, organelles, and cell contents. This process is crucial for preventing errors like those seen in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature·DateJul 12, 2018

Study forecasts growth rates of loblolly pine trees

Researchers at Virginia Tech used ecological forecasting to predict future growth rates of loblolly pine trees, showing a potential 30% increase in productivity by the middle of the century. The study focused on planted loblolly pine plantations in the Southeastern United States and highlighted uncertainties depending on specific regions.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalEcological Applications·DateJul 12, 2018

Algae have land genes

Research on freshwater algae Chara braunii reveals ancient genetic traits associated with plant adaptation, including the stress hormone abscisic acid and electrical signal transmission. These findings provide insights into the evolutionary origins of land-dwelling plants.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCell·DateJul 12, 2018

A gene required for addictive behavior

Researchers found that mice lacking the Maged1 gene are unresponsive to cocaine and show diminished dopamine release, highlighting its role in addictive behavior. The study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying drug addiction.

SourceEMBO·JournalEMBO Reports·DateJul 12, 2018

Leading experts in diabetes, metabolism and biomedical engineering discuss precision medicine

International Conference on Engineering Biomedical Breakthroughs brings together bioengineers, diabetes researchers and scientists to share cutting-edge concepts for biomedical discovery. The conference focused on advanced biomedical imaging, bioinformatics and bioengineering tools to inform future noninvasive diagnostics.

Wearable device can predict older adults' risk of falling

A study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that a wearable device can accurately predict the risk of falls in older adults. The device uses motion sensors to measure walking patterns and combines this data with an individual's fall history to determine future risk. This prediction could enable preventative measures...

Treatment prevents symptoms of schizophrenia in tests with rats

Researchers found that sodium nitroprusside prevented behavioral alterations associated with schizophrenia in rats, suggesting a potential preventive treatment for young people at risk. The study used an animal model that mimics the condition in children and adolescents considered at risk for development of the disease in adulthood.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalCNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics·DateJul 12, 2018

Voters do not always walk the talk when it comes to infidelity

An analysis of Ashley Madison user data found that conservative voters were more likely to use an adultery dating website, while liberal Democrats were least likely. The study, published in Springer's Archives of Sexual Behavior, suggests a discrepancy between reported and actual behavior on sexual matters.

SourceSpringer·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·DateJul 12, 2018

Study highlights genetic risk of heart failure

A new population study in Sweden has found that genetic heritage is the dominant factor when it comes to heart failure in families. The study, led by Magnus Lindgren, found a 45% higher risk of heart failure in adoptees with at least one biological parent suffering from the condition.

SourceLund University·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateJul 12, 2018

Rice plants evolve to adapt to flooding

Researchers at Tohoku University have identified a key gene responsible for deepwater rice's ability to thrive in flood conditions. The SD1 gene enables the plant to increase its height and accumulate ethylene, allowing it to ride out lengthy floods.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScience·DateJul 12, 2018

Study estimates eyeglass use by Medicare patients

A new study estimates that 92% of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older use eyeglasses for distance or near vision correction. Researchers found sociodemographic differences between those who used eyeglasses, shedding light on potential implications of policy changes regarding eyeglass coverage.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateJul 12, 2018

New technologies for producing medical therapeutic proteins

Researchers at Lobachevsky University developed a new method for producing medical therapeutic proteins by eliminating SlyD/SlyX genes in E. coli strains, reducing contamination and increasing purification efficiency. The approach enables the production of a wide range of prokaryotic and eukaryotic proteins in a pure form.

SourceLobachevsky University·JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·DateJul 12, 2018

Massive genome havoc in breast cancer is revealed

Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have published a detailed map of structural variations in breast cancer cells, revealing 20,000 genetic errors that disrupt cell growth and cause cancer's hallmark. The study sheds light on how cancer cells rapidly evolve and provides valuable insights for future research and clinical practice.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenome Research·DateJul 12, 2018

New species may arise from rapid mitochondrial evolution

A recent study sequenced the genome of a Pacific tidepool crustacean and found that mitochondrial genes differ widely between populations. Hybrid offspring suffer from lowered fitness due to incompatibility. The research suggests that rapid mitochondrial evolution may be an early stage of one species becoming multiple species.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJul 12, 2018

Speaking up for patient safety

A new study reveals that patients and families are often uncomfortable speaking up about care concerns in ICU settings, with hesitation being the most common reason. The findings highlight the need for explicit support to enable patients and families to voice their concerns, leading to improved patient safety.

Antioxidant benefits of sleep

Researchers found that short-sleeping fruit fly mutants are sensitive to acute oxidative stress, supporting the idea that sleep defends against oxidative damage. The study suggests a bi-directional relationship between sleep and oxidative stress, with sleep helping to reduce oxidative stress and vice versa.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 12, 2018

In search of dark matter

A team of scientists, including a UC Riverside physicist, has imposed conditions on how dark matter interacts with ordinary matter. The study sets constraints that can aid in detecting the elusive dark matter particle and better understand its fundamental properties.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 12, 2018

Quantum dot white LEDs achieve record efficiency

Researchers have developed nanomaterial-based white LEDs with a record luminous efficiency of 105 lumens per watt, promising a promising energy-efficient lighting source for homes and offices. The new LEDs use commercially available blue LEDs combined with flexible lenses filled with quantum dots to create white light.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateJul 12, 2018

The more you smoke, the greater your risk of a heart rhythm disorder

A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found a strong dose-response relationship between smoking and atrial fibrillation. Smoking five to ten cigarettes per day increased the risk by 9% to 32%, respectively. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce this risk, with former smokers experiencing a lower risk th...

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateJul 12, 2018

Controlling the manufacture of stable aerogels

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new approach to create soft, porous materials with controlled porosity. By controlling the self-assembly of molecules, they were able to form an ultralight aerogel with permanent porosity, opening up potential applications in building insulation, energy storage and aerospace technologies.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 12, 2018

Bioengineers create pathway to personalized medicine

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking method for producing complex proteins, known as glycoproteins, in a cell-free system. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize personalized medicine by allowing for rapid and sustainable production of tailored protein medicines. The new approach uses a simplified reaction scheme tha...

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 12, 2018

About half of parents use cell phones while driving with young children in the car

A new study from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that about half of parents talked on a cell phone while driving with their children between ages 4 and 10. The study also identified correlations between cell phone use and other risky driving behaviors, such as not wearing a seat belt or driving under the influence. Researcher...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJul 12, 2018

Ant soldiers don't need big brains

A study published in BMC Zoology found that ant soldiers have smaller brain sizes than workers despite being larger, as their tasks place less cognitive demand. This suggests that investment in brain development may be reduced for individuals with simpler behaviors.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Zoology·DateJul 12, 2018

Turbulence is good for the blood

A Kyoto University study reveals that turbulence enhances platelet generation in the blood, potentially resolving global shortages of these cells. The discovery could enable mass production of platelets using iPS cell technology.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCell·DateJul 12, 2018

IceCube neutrinos point to long-sought cosmic ray accelerator

The discovery provides evidence for a known blazar as a source of high-energy neutrinos detected by the National Science Foundation-supported IceCube observatory. The observations resolve a century-old mystery about what creates and launches cosmic rays, which are highly energetic particles that continuously rain down on Earth from space.

Guardian of the cell

Researchers identify structural and functional differences in human cGAS that set it apart from other mammals, enabling its unique immune-sensing capabilities. The discovery informs the design of precision cancer therapies by targeting the protein's specific structural features.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateJul 12, 2018

Citizen science supports tick-borne disease research

A nationwide investigation utilizing citizen science highlights the value of public participation in tick-borne disease research. The study found ticks capable of carrying Lyme and other diseases in 83 counties where they had not been previously recorded.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 12, 2018

A gene required for addictive behavior

A study published in EMBO Reports reveals that the Maged1 gene plays a key role in controlling addictive behavior. Researchers found that mice lacking the gene are unresponsive to cocaine and exhibit reduced dopamine release, indicating a promising new entry point for understanding drug addiction mechanisms.

SourceUniversité libre de Bruxelles·JournalEMBO Reports·DateJul 12, 2018