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Science News for June 4, 2018


Blood formation: Researchers engineer human bone marrow tissue

Scientists from the University of Basel and ETH Zurich have developed an artificial bone marrow niche that mimics natural biological properties, allowing hematopoietic stem cells to multiply for several days. This breakthrough could lead to personalized research models for blood diseases like leukemia and drug screening.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 4, 2018

Cod harvesting and habitat shifts

Researchers used population dynamics modeling to assess the effects of size-specific and age-specific harvesting of Atlantic cod on the eastern Scotian Shelf, Canada. Fishing practices were found to drive a significant increase in cod habitat deepening, with depths of up to 120m accounting for nearly 100% of observed changes.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 4, 2018

Beyond conventional solution-process for 2D heterostructure

Researchers have developed a facile wet-chemical method to directly grow organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite nanocrystals on dispersible MoS2 nanosheets. This enables the scalable production of solution-processible heterostructures, which exhibit improved light absorption and energy transfer due to their epitaxial interface. The use of...

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Materials·DateJun 4, 2018

The role of cohesin in genome 3D structure helps for a better understanding of tumor cells

Scientists discovered that altered cohesin SA2 variant influences gene expression and favours loss of differentiation in tumour cells. The two cohesin variants have distinct functions, with SA1 involved in topological domains and SA2 regulating gene expression through local chromatin loops.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateJun 4, 2018

First study of neoadjuvant use of PARP inhibitor shows promise for early-stage, BRCA+ breast cancer patients

A Phase II study found that over half of women with early-stage BRCA+ breast cancer who took talazoparib once daily prior to surgery had no evidence of disease at the time of surgery. The oral medication showed high response rates and manageable toxicities, offering an alternative to chemotherapy for this patient population.

The Haas School of Business partners with Ripple to speed innovation in blockchain and cryptocurrency

The Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley is partnering with Ripple to develop a comprehensive program focused on blockchain, cryptocurrency, and digital payments. The initiative will support academic research, technical development, and innovation in these areas, with a focus on reducing poverty and enhancing the greater good.

HIV study reveals new group of men at risk of infection

A new study has identified a distinct group of men who may be underestimating their HIV risk due to fear of stigma and rejection. These men, including bisexual and non-gay-identified individuals, tend to mix with each other and acquire infection from within their own networks, rather than openly gay men or heterosexual women.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalThe Lancet HIV·DateJun 4, 2018

Mixed signals from poisonous moths

Scientists studied six-spot burnet moths to examine if natural variation in wing markings indicates toxicity levels. Smaller red forewing markings were associated with more cyanide in females but not males. The study suggests evolutionary pressures may be complex and drive colors beyond matching toxicity levels.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEvolution·DateJun 4, 2018

New mechanisms discovered to separate air

Scientists from Shinshu University and PSL University have theoretically proved a new mechanism for separating air molecules using nanowindows in graphene. The study shows that the atomic vibration of the nanowindow-rim changes the effective nanowidow size, selectively allowing oxygen from air to pass through, with separation efficienc...

SourceShinshu University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 4, 2018

Thank the moon for Earth's lengthening day

Scientists reconstruct Earth's history with a new method that links astronomical theory to geological observation, enabling the analysis of ancient climate change. The study reveals days on Earth were over 18 hours long 1.4 billion years ago, and the moon's movement away contributed to the lengthening day.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 4, 2018

Cervical cancer may be driven by imbalance in vaginal bacteria, UA research finds

A study by the University of Arizona Cancer Center found that women with cervical cancer have different communities of vaginal bacteria than those without. The 'good' bacteria, such as lactobacilli, promote a healthy environment and protect against HPV infection and cancer, while 'bad' bacteria like Sneathia increase cancer risk. Hispa...

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 4, 2018

How binging creates alcohol tolerance in flies

Repeated exposure to large quantities of alcohol in fruit flies reduces the activity of a protein regulating communication between neurons. This study provides new insight into the neurobiology of alcohol tolerance, revealing that ethanol interferes with neurotransmitter release and Unc13 protein function.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateJun 4, 2018

Asthma and flu: a double whammy

A new study suggests that vaccinating asthmatic children against the flu could significantly reduce their risk of needing hospitalization for an asthma attack. The study found that kids with influenza or parainfluenza had a 37-per-cent or more chance of not responding to treatment, compared to 13 per cent for children without a virus.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateJun 4, 2018

Unlocking the genome

A team led by Prof. Stein Aerts uncovers how access to relevant DNA regions is orchestrated in epithelial cells, shedding light on biological mechanisms of gene regulation and potential new avenues for cellular reprogramming. Grainyhead, a pioneer factor, acts as a key that can be used to access specific DNA regions.

Wayne State professor receives NSF CAREER award for vaccine adjuvant research

Haipeng Liu, assistant professor of chemical engineering at Wayne State University, received a $539,422 NSF CAREER grant to develop molecular adjuvants that can enhance the effectiveness of cancer vaccines and overcome tumor-related immune suppression. His research aims to bridge the gap between synthetic chemistry and immunology.

The health effect of air pollution from traffic

A new study by Lund University suggests that removing exhaust fumes from a smaller European city could prevent 55-93 premature deaths and reduce cases of childhood asthma, bronchitis, and dementia. The study found that even below EU air pollution levels, negative health effects exist.

SourceLund University·JournalEnvironment International·DateJun 4, 2018

The search for the origin of mast cells

Researchers from CNRS and INSERM identify 'primitive mast cells' generated in yolk sac during embryonic development. These cells play a crucial role in shaping the body's immune response, contradicting previous theories on mast cell origin.

SourceCNRS·JournalImmunity·DateJun 4, 2018

Does negative political advertising actually work?

A new study by Yanwen Wang, Michael Lewis, and David A. Schweidel found that negative political advertising is effective in influencing voter preferences and turnout, particularly when created by candidates or their campaigns. In contrast, positive advertising is less effective, while PAC-sponsored ads are significantly less impactful.

Protein pair quickly makes memories of new places

Researchers found that neurogranin and FMRP proteins quickly form a complex to enable memory encoding within minutes of encountering a novel context. This process is crucial for understanding how abnormalities in these proteins contribute to human neuropsychiatric disorders.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 4, 2018

Try togetherness: Study promotes cooperative weed management to curb herbicide resistance

Scientists at the University of Illinois and USDA's Agricultural Research Service promote cooperative weed management as a highly effective solution to curb herbicide resistance. By working together and sharing best practices, farmers can delay the evolution and spread of resistance, buying time for up to two decades.

Capturing light in a waveguide array

A team of physicists has demonstrated a way to confine light in a waveguide array, making it insensitive to defects. This innovation could lead to cheaper and more efficient photonic devices, such as lasers and solar cells, by reducing material imperfections.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 4, 2018

Speed-accuracy tradeoff turns up gain in the brain

A recent study published in eNeuro resolves a long-standing issue in decision-making by showing how the brain optimizes speed and accuracy. Researchers found that the brain adjusts signal-to-noise ratio to balance speed and accuracy, shedding light on the neural mechanisms underlying this crucial aspect of human behavior.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateJun 4, 2018

HIV vaccine elicits antibodies in animals that neutralize dozens of HIV strains

A new experimental vaccine regimen has been developed using a vulnerable site on HIV to induce antibodies that can neutralize multiple strains of the virus. In tests with mice, guinea pigs, and monkeys, the vaccine elicited antibodies that neutralized up to 31% of viruses from a globally representative panel of 208 HIV strains.

Improved calculations suggest changes to statin, aspirin, and blood pressure medication

Researchers developed an improved method for calculating risk for heart attack or stroke, finding that 11 million Americans may need to discuss different prescriptions with their doctor. The new calculations suggest major changes to statin, aspirin, and blood pressure medication prescribing, particularly for African Americans.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 4, 2018

Study suggests Earth could have supported continental crust, life earlier than thought

Researchers found evidence that the Earth's continental crust could have formed hundreds of millions of years earlier than previously thought, suggesting a habitable environment for life. The study used unique instruments to count strontium atoms in ancient rocks and found silica presence, altering the classic view of early Earth.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 4, 2018

Experimental drug restores some bladder function after spinal cord injury, study finds

Researchers have discovered an experimental drug that can restore some bladder function after spinal cord injury in mice, potentially reducing the risk of bladder infections and incontinence. The drug works by blocking abnormal neural communication and appears to maintain near-normal bladder pressure and reduce unexpected urine expulsion.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 4, 2018

Non-pharmacologic approaches improve outcomes for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome

A quality improvement initiative at Boston Medical Center used non-pharmacologic approaches to care for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome, resulting in decreased medication use, length of stay, and health care costs. The new approach included skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, and parental presence, leading to significant imp...

SourceBoston Medical Center·JournalJournal of Perinatology·DateJun 4, 2018

ASCO & NEJM: AI plus ovarian suppression yields benefit in high-risk younger breast cancer patients

A new clinical trial analysis found that combining an aromatase inhibitor with ovarian function suppression yields a 10-15% improvement in freedom from distant recurrence for high-risk younger breast cancer patients. Women at low risk saw minimal benefit, while those at intermediate risk gained a 4-5% advantage.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 4, 2018

Preschool home visiting program improves academic performance

A randomized clinical trial found that a preschool home visiting program improved child academic performance, social-emotional adjustment, and reduced home problems in third grade. The intervention promoted gains in these domains, mediating significant reductions in child need for educational and mental health services.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateJun 4, 2018

Preschool and school-age irritability predict reward-related brain function

A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found an association between preschool and school-age irritability and aberrant reward-related brain connectivity. This suggests possible mechanisms underlying mood dysregulation in youth with increased irritability during these developmental st...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJun 4, 2018

Future robots need no motors

A novel actuating material system, nickel hydroxide-oxyhydroxide, has been developed at HKU Engineering that can be triggered by visible light and electricity. This material can exert a force equivalent to 3000 times its own weight, making it suitable for various applications in micro-robotics, human assist devices, and medical devices.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalScience Robotics·DateJun 4, 2018

Idera Pharmaceuticals presents clinical data from the ILLUMINATE-204 trial of the combination of tilsotolimod and ipilimumab for anti-PD-1 refractory metastatic melanoma at the 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting

The ILLUMINATE-204 trial shows an overall response rate of 38% with 2 complete responses, suggesting a promising strategy for treating patients with metastatic melanoma unresponsive to PD-1 therapy. The combination regimen is generally well-tolerated, with fewer than a quarter of patients experiencing immune-related toxicities.

New algorithm fuses quality and quantity in satellite imagery

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed an algorithm that combines high-resolution and high-frequency satellite data to produce continuous, daily images. This allows for near-real-time monitoring of various applications, including agriculture, urban development, environmental quality, and economic development.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalRemote Sensing of Environment·DateJun 4, 2018

PharmaMar presents new results with lurbinectedin

The multicenter phase II trial assessed the safety and efficacy of lurbinectedin in different solid tumors, with an ORR of 39.3% seen in recurrent small-cell lung cancer patients. The median duration of response was 6.2 months and the median overall survival was 12 months.

Targeting platelets

A new Collaborative Research Center will investigate complex interactions between platelets and inflammatory processes. The project aims to develop novel treatment concepts for diseases associated with platelet dysfunction, such as stroke and acute respiratory failure.

Hats on for Easter Island statues

The study uses archaeological evidence and physics-based processes to describe how the islanders placed the hats on the statues. The researchers propose that workers would rotate, leverage, and pivot the hats onto the statue tops using small wooden levers.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateJun 4, 2018