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Science News for March 22, 2018


For graphite pellets, just add elbow grease

Scientists at Rice University have developed a method to produce strong, lightweight graphite pellets without the need for high-temperature processing. The pellets exhibit good conductivity and stability in various conditions, making them suitable for applications such as conducting cables and electrodes.

SourceRice University·JournalCarbon·DateMar 22, 2018

New study highlights unique state of 'restful alertness' during Transcendental Meditation

A new study using fMRI scans found that Transcendental Meditation practice leads to a unique state of restful alertness, characterized by increased blood flow to frontal areas of the brain and decreased activity in pons and cerebellum. This finding supports the technique's claim to induce a deeply rested yet alert mental state.

SourceMaharishi International University·JournalBrain and Cognition·DateMar 22, 2018

Probing RNA epigenetics and chromatin structures to predict drug resistance in leukemia

Researchers have discovered a key link between RNA cytosine methylation, methyltransferases, and chromatin structure in regulating 5-azacytidine response in leukemia. The study's findings offer new insights into predicting drug resistance and potential therapeutic targets for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myelo...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 22, 2018

Earwigs and the art of origami

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a self-folding material inspired by the earwig's wing, which can operate without muscular actuation. This innovation has potential applications in space travel, foldable electronics, and everyday objects.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateMar 22, 2018

Metagenomics of early childhood oral health and early childhood caries

Researchers analyzed preschool-age children's supragingival microbiomes to understand early childhood caries (ECC) development. Notable differences in bacterial species abundance were found among caries-free, restored disease, and untreated disease groups, suggesting that restorative care alone may not reverse ECC-associated dysbiosis.

Stopping exercise can increase symptoms of depression

Research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that stopping exercise can lead to significant increases in depressive symptoms within three days. The study, conducted by PhD student Julie Morgan and Professor Bernhard Baune, suggests a novel effect on mental health that warrants further investigation.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·DateMar 22, 2018

UNH researchers find landscape ridges may hold clues about ice age and climate change

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire used high-resolution LiDAR scans to identify washboard-like De Geer moraines, which provide an annual record of ice retreat. The study suggests that each ridge marks a spot where the edge of the great continental ice sheet paused or pushed forward for long enough to pile up debris.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalJournal of Quaternary Science·DateMar 22, 2018

Keys found to bee-friendly neonics

Researchers have discovered specific enzymes in honeybees and bumblebees that enable them to metabolize neonicotinoid insecticides safely. This knowledge can be used to design bee-friendly insecticides, potentially reducing the harm caused by these chemicals to pollinators.

SourceRothamsted Research·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 22, 2018

Rival competition makes ant sperm better swimmers

A study published in BMC Evolutionary Biology found that rival sperm competition makes ant sperm better swimmers, increasing their mobility, speed, and straightness by up to 50%. Researchers discovered that seminal fluid from rival males and queen secretions enhance sperm motility, suggesting a self-non-self-recognition mechanism.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateMar 22, 2018

Toward precision medicine: First comprehensive look at human retinal cell diversity

Researchers have identified over 30 different subtypes of retinal ganglion cells, the neurons responsible for processing visual information. This comprehensive understanding will enable the development of more tailored drug development and treatment strategies for neurodegenerative vision disorders.

Hidden variation

Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital identified hundreds of cancer-driving genes with unique sensitivities in various tissues. The study suggests that tissue type plays a crucial role in cancer genetics and may impact the effectiveness of treatments.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateMar 22, 2018

Obesity surgery prevents severe chronic kidney disease and kidney failure

A recent study published in International Journal of Obesity found that patients who underwent weight-loss surgery had a significantly lower risk of developing severe chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. The Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study followed over 4,000 patients with obesity for more than 20 years and showed that surgica...

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·DateMar 22, 2018

Study finds medical students receive little formal instruction in radiation oncology

A recent study found that medical students receive little formal instruction in radiation oncology, a crucial aspect of cancer treatment. The study highlights the need for radiation oncologists to take ownership over educating medical students about their specialty's value in patient care. Despite this gap, some departments reported en...

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·DateMar 22, 2018

Study supports biomarker assay for emergency department diagnosis of acute heart failure

A multi-institutional study validated age-based NT-proBNP diagnostic cutoff levels for diagnosing acute heart failure in patients seen at hospital emergency departments. The study found that a level below 300 strongly excluded a heart failure diagnosis, and the results were consistent across all groups of participants.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 22, 2018

The universal language of hormones

Cytokinins have been found to play a vital role in the communication mechanisms of bacteria, plants and animals, regulating growth, development and disease resistance. The research has also uncovered new details on how cytokinins evolve and activate enzymes, challenging previous assumptions.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalTrends in Biochemical Sciences·DateMar 22, 2018

Designing a new material for improved ultrasound

Researchers at Penn State designed a new material with twice the piezo response of existing commercial ferroelectric ceramics. The material's unique structure increases its dielectric properties and piezoelectric effect, making it suitable for medical ultrasound applications.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 22, 2018

Three-in-one molecule shows promise in helping certain breast cancer patients

A newly designed chimera could simultaneously decrease the expression of three growth factors that are over-expressed in some cancers, leading to cancer cell death. The molecule has potent anti-tumor activity and is non-toxic, simple to produce, and cost-effective compared to traditional treatment strategies.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalMolecular Therapy — Nucleic Acids·DateMar 22, 2018

FASEB Journal: Study shows offspring response to maternal diet and male hormone

A novel study found sex-specific responses to maternal diet and androgen excess in animal offspring, with female offspring developing anxiety-like behavior due to maternal androgen exposure. Male offspring were unaffected by maternal androgens but displayed anxiety-like behavior on a high-fat-high-sucrose diet.

Health check can spot psychologically vulnerable persons

Aarhus University's study found that 9% of participants in a health check were psychologically vulnerable and lacked assistance from medical doctors or psychologists. The study suggests that including mental health assessments in health checks can help identify those in need, enabling targeted support and prevention.

SourceAarhus University·JournalPreventive Medicine Reports·DateMar 22, 2018

NIH scientists say advanced vaccines could limit future outbreaks

Scientists at NIH highlight innovations that can expedite vaccine development, shortening the timeline from decades to months. These advancements enable the application of standardized manufacturing processes to multiple vaccines, creating a collective database on safety and accelerating preclinical development.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateMar 22, 2018