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Science News Archive March 2018 - Page 34


Page 34 of 41

Why people experience seasonal skin changes

A new study reveals that seasonal skin changes are caused by climatic and humidity fluctuations, which affect the skin's barrier function. The research suggests that individuals should protect their skin with emollients in winter and sunscreen in summer to manage skin disorders such as eczema.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology·DateMar 7, 2018

Slow-release hydrogel aids immunotherapy for cancer

A new slow-release hydrogel has been developed to aid immunotherapy for cancer, providing a continuous dose of immunotherapy drugs to activate the immune system. The hydrogel, called STINGel, was tested in lab cultures and in vivo trials, showing promise in killing cancer cells and preventing further implantation of cancer cells.

SourceRice University·JournalBiomaterials·DateMar 7, 2018

Direct observation of topology hidden inside materials

A joint research group has successfully observed topology hidden inside materials using soft X-rays. This achievement enables the direct determination of material topology without relying on surface appearance, which is expected to lead to the discovery of more diverse topological electronic phases.

SourceOsaka University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 7, 2018

Adult chimpanzees play more than adult lowland gorillas in captivity

A study published in PLOS ONE found that adult chimpanzees exhibit more frequent and longer play sessions compared to adult lowland gorillas in captivity. This suggests a difference in their level of social cohesion, with chimpanzees living in highly cohesive groups and gorillas having lower levels of social affiliation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 7, 2018

Diamond discovery under pressure

Researchers have discovered a diamond containing the fourth most abundant mineral in Earth, calcuim silicate perovskite, at the surface. This finding suggests that oceanic crust is recycled into the lower mantle, with potential implications for our understanding of Earth's core.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalNature·DateMar 7, 2018

US cancer treatment guidelines 'often based on weak evidence'

A recent study published in The BMJ questioned the underlying evidence for current US cancer treatment guidelines. Researchers found that these guidelines often rely on low-quality or no evidence at all. The study highlights concerns about the justification of costly and toxic cancer drugs based on weak evidence.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMar 7, 2018

Comet Chury formed by a catastrophic collision

A team of researchers proposes a new scenario for the formation of Comet Chury, suggesting it formed through a gentle encounter between two comets, preserving its primordial composition. This process allows for the survival of small bodies like Chury, which would otherwise be destroyed by collisions in the regions where they orbit.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 6, 2018

Many small differences contribute to a large variation

Researchers found that multiple small differences, rather than a single factor, explain the large variation in how people respond to drugs. The study used systems biology and metabolomics techniques to analyze protein and metabolite concentrations in cell culture experiments.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalCell Systems·DateMar 6, 2018

UGA researchers develop new method to improve crops

Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a new technique called epimutagenesis that allows them to selectively activate silenced genes in plants, resulting in increased resistance to drought and disease. This method has the potential to create crop varieties with improved yield and adaptability.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 6, 2018

Salk scientists find power switch for muscles

Researchers at the Salk Institute have identified ERRγ as a key player in delivering benefits associated with endurance exercise. By increasing ERRγ, they found that skeletal muscle energy production and endurance were restored, making it a potential therapeutic target for conditions such as muscular dystrophy.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 6, 2018

Escape artist

Researchers from the University of Toronto discovered that Captorhinus, a small reptile from the Early Permian period, could detach its tail to escape predators. The reptiles had naturally occurring cracks in their vertebrae that allowed them to break away and escape relatively unharmed.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 6, 2018

Engineering a new spin for disease diagnostics

A new liquid biopsy platform uses centrifugal microfluidics to isolate and enrich circulating disease biomarkers from patient blood, promising a less invasive diagnostic procedure. The technique, called μCENSE, separates vesicles containing biomarkers using centrifugal force, reducing extraction time from hours to minutes.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateMar 6, 2018