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Science News Archive June 2018 - Page 36


Page 36 of 40

Rigorous study finds widely used treatment for infection fails young cancer patients

A rigorous study found that ethanol-lock therapy, widely used to reduce bloodstream infections, was ineffective in preventing new or recurring infections in young cancer patients with central venous catheters. The treatment was associated with increased complications, including catheter blockages and hospitalization.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJun 5, 2018

A better statistical estimation of known Syrian war victims

Researchers from Rice University and Duke University developed a new method to accurately estimate the number of identified victims killed in the Syrian civil war. Using 'hashing with statistical estimation,' they produced real-time estimates with a lower margin of error than existing methods.

SourceRice University·JournalThe Annals of Applied Statistics·DateJun 5, 2018

Thousands of turtles netted off South America

New research reveals tens of thousands of sea turtles are caught each year by small-scale fishers off South America's Pacific coast, with over 16,000 killed. The study highlights Ecuador and Peru as key places to tackle this issue, which threatens critically endangered species like leatherbacks and hawksbills.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalFisheries Research·DateJun 5, 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