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Science News Archive June 2018 - Page 38


Page 38 of 40

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

A sense of disgust in bonobos?

Researchers at Kyoto University found that bonobos show a strong aversion to food contaminated with feces or soil, indicating an adaptive system of disgust. This instinctual response helps protect against parasites and pathogens in the environment.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateJun 3, 2018