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Science News for July 9, 2018


Manipulating single atoms with an electron beam

Scientists at the University of Vienna have successfully manipulated individual silicon impurity atoms in graphene with atomic precision, recording nearly 300 controlled jumps. This achievement enables potential high-density data storage and demonstrates the control of single atoms in two-dimensional materials.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNano Letters·DateJul 9, 2018

New insights on mosquitoes that spread disease

A new study reveals the presence of Asian tiger mosquitoes is negatively associated with altitude and positively associated with fresh water surfaces. Effective prevention and control campaigns can be planned by removing breeding sites, according to lead author Dr. Ana Sanz-Aguilar.

SourceWiley·JournalMedical and Veterinary Entomology·DateJul 9, 2018

New insight into Huntington's disease may open door to drug development

Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a unique type of signaling from damaged DNA that triggers huntingtin activity in DNA repair. This signaling is defective in Huntington's disease and can be restored with a molecule called N6-furfuryladenine, reversing symptoms and restoring mutant huntingtin protein levels to normal.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 9, 2018

Can fasting improve MS symptoms?

Researchers are testing whether drastically cutting calories twice a week can change MS symptoms. A study found that intermittent fasting reduced MS-like symptoms in mice, with changes in immune cells and gut microbiome.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJul 9, 2018

How antifreeze proteins stop ice cold

Researchers at the University of Utah and University of California, San Diego discovered how antifreeze proteins function, providing a direction for future research. The study found that AFPs prevent water from freezing by surrounding and binding to small ice crystals, preventing their spread.

Blood flow in the heart revealed in a flash

Linköping University researchers have developed a method to simulate the heart's function using CT scan data, which may revolutionize cardiovascular disease diagnosis. This technique allows for quick and easy investigations, enabling the study of blood flow in individual patients.

SourceLinköping University·JournalRadiology·DateJul 9, 2018

Genome editing reduces cholesterol in large animal model, laying human trial groundwork

Researchers at Penn School of Medicine successfully reduced cholesterol levels in rhesus macaques using genome editing, offering a new approach to treating heart disease patients who don't tolerate PCSK9 inhibitors. The study demonstrates the potential of this therapy for large-scale clinical trials and future treatment options.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJul 9, 2018

Parents who had severe trauma, stresses in childhood more likely to have kids with behavioral health problems

A new study from the University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences reveals that parents who experienced severe childhood trauma are more likely to have children with behavioral health problems. The study found a strong association between parents' adverse childhood experiences and their children's behavioral health issues, par...

Physician burnout in small practices is dramatically lower than national average

Research led by NYU School of Medicine found that physicians in small independent primary care practices (SIPs) report dramatically lower levels of burnout compared to the national average. The study suggests that independence and autonomy may provide some protection against symptoms of burnout, highlighting the importance of creating ...

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalThe Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine·DateJul 9, 2018

Using hepatitis C-infected donor kidneys could reduce time on dialysis for transplant patients with HCV

A computer analysis predicts that transplanting HCV-infected dialysis patients with organs from HCV-positive donors and treating the infection after transplantation is more effective and less costly. This strategy shortens wait times for donated organs, saves $41,591 per patient, and increases quality-adjusted life years.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJul 9, 2018

Genome's gyrations fit right into Rice University model

Researchers at Rice University have developed an energy landscape model that details the combination of forces driving nuclear motion in cells. The model, based on a protein folding algorithm, reveals the presence of dynamically associated domains and phase separation in chromatin segments.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 9, 2018

Seeing yourself as Einstein may change the way you think

A virtual reality simulation of Albert Einstein's body reduces age stereotypes and enhances cognitive performance in those with low self-esteem. Participants with low self-esteem who experienced the virtual Einstein body performed better on cognitive tasks and showed reduced implicit bias against older people.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJul 9, 2018

Where river meets ocean

A recent study by Nick Nidzieko reveals that larger estuarine systems are less productive per unit size than smaller ones, challenging the long-held 'larger-is-more-efficient' concept. This finding has significant implications for understanding carbon and nutrient cycling in coastal zones.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 9, 2018

Biosensor chip detects single nucleotide polymorphism wirelessly, with higher sensitivity

A team at the University of California San Diego has developed a wireless chip that can detect genetic mutations, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in real-time. The chip is at least 1,000 times more sensitive than current technology and could lead to cheaper, faster, and portable biosensors for early disease detection.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 9, 2018

Environmental impact passed on to offspring

Research shows that ambient temperature before conception influences offspring's brown adipose tissue activity and protection against excess weight and metabolic disorders. This epigenetic mechanism may explain why people in cold regions have higher levels of brown fat.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Medicine·DateJul 9, 2018

Bale monkeys living in different areas have very different DNA

A study published in BMC Evolutionary Biology found that Bale monkeys living in different habitats have distinct mitochondrial DNA profiles. The researchers discovered that populations from fragmented forests were more closely related to vervet and grivet monkeys than those from continuous forests, suggesting hybridization had occurred.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateJul 9, 2018

It takes a village...

Researchers identify myofibroblasts as key players in activating nucleus movement, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies for muscle disorders. The discovery could improve understanding of muscle differentiation, functionality, and regeneration.

SourceInstituto de Medicina Molecular·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJul 9, 2018

Can we get the immune system to tolerate organ transplants?

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a new way to enhance the immune system's tolerance for organ transplants. By increasing the activity of a regulatory protein called DEPTOR in immune cells, heart transplants were able to survive for an average of 35 days, compared to just 7 days without immunosuppressive drugs.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateJul 9, 2018

Fluorescent fish genes light path to neuroblastoma

A Rice University neurobiologist and cancer researcher has created a new type of zebrafish that produces fluorescent tags in migratory embryonic nerve precursor cells. The goal is to find the origins of neuroblastoma, which could potentially lead to treatments for cancers where SOX proteins play a role.

SourceRice University·Journalgenesis·DateJul 9, 2018

Space: Tribology's final frontier

A team led by Lehigh University's Brandon Krick is using a Molybdenum Disulphide (MoS2) coating to reduce friction in space, addressing the challenges of high-temperature and corrosive environments. The research aims to improve satellite performance and reduce energy loss.

Following the fresh water

A research team from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found the fingerprint of a massive flood of fresh water in the western Arctic, which is believed to have caused an ancient cold snap around 13,000 years ago. The cause of this event, known as the Younger Dryas, has remained a mystery for decades.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJul 9, 2018

Cross-sex hormone therapy raises risk for vascular events in transgender women

A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine has found that cross-sex hormone therapy may increase the risk for certain vascular events among transgender women. The researchers compared the incidence rates of acute cardiovascular events in a large cohort of transgender persons with those observed in age-, race-, site-, and m...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJul 9, 2018

Novel PET imaging method more fully evaluates extent of rheumatoid arthritis inflammation

A new PET imaging method evaluates the extent of rheumatoid arthritis inflammation by targeting translocator protein (TSPO) expression in joint lining tissue. The study demonstrates that TSPO PET can image not only synovial macrophages but also activated synovial fibroblasts, a critical process in RA pathogenesis.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJul 9, 2018

ANU scientists discover the world's oldest colors

Scientists from ANU and overseas have discovered the oldest colours in the geological record, dating back 1.1 billion years. The bright pink pigments were extracted from marine black shales of the Taoudeni Basin in Mauritania, West Africa, and are more than half a billion years older than previous pigment discoveries.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 9, 2018

Nanoparticles give immune cells a boost

Researchers at MIT developed nanoparticle 'backpacks' that hold immune-stimulating drugs and attach them directly to T cells, enhancing their activity without harmful side effects. In a study of mice, the approach led to tumor disappearance in over half of treated animals, offering new hope for treating solid tumors.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJul 9, 2018

Could mental health apps lead to overdiagnosis?

Research found that popular mental health apps portray mental health as ubiquitous and manageable through self-help apps, potentially leading to overdiagnosis. The study's authors caution that this approach can be problematic, especially for those with severe mental health issues, who may need external support.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 9, 2018

Certain antibodies against a sugar are associated with malaria protection

A new study found that levels of α-Gal antibodies vary with age and are higher in low transmission zones. IgM response was associated with protection against clinical malaria, especially in infants, while total IgG were linked to malaria risk. The results suggest α-Gal could be a promising molecule for future malaria vaccines