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Science News Archive May 2018 - Page 23


Page 23 of 44

Beef peptides block bitter tastes

Researchers have discovered that beef peptides can block bitter taste receptors on the tongue, potentially leading to improved flavors in food and medicine. The most effective peptides were produced through enzymatic hydrolysis using trypsin and pepsin enzymes.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMay 16, 2018

Global 2 degrees C rise doubles population exposed to multiple climate risks compared to 1.5 degrees C

A recent study finds that a 2°C global temperature rise could expose nearly half of the world's population to multiple climate change risks, compared to a 1.5°C rise. The areas most at risk are densely populated and located in south Asia alone, with Africa facing greater challenges due to high social inequality.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMay 16, 2018

MN childcare programs focused on nutrition and physical activities, study finds

A University of Minnesota Medical School study found that existing childcare programs in MN increased healthy food access and reduced screen time, improving children's well-being. The 'Healthy Start, Healthy State' initiatives, such as Farm to Childcare and Let's Move! Child Care, were instrumental in driving these improvements.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalPreventive Medicine Reports·DateMay 16, 2018

Less water, same Texas cotton

Researchers identify best irrigation methods for cotton in water-limited situations, challenging common assumption that producers should irrigate early and often. By reducing watering after plant emergence, yields and fiber quality can be maintained or even improved.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateMay 16, 2018

Mechanism underlying malformation associated with severe epilepsy is revealed

Researchers identified dysregulation of the gene NEUROG2 as a key factor in the development of focal cortical dysplasia, a common cause of drug-resistant epilepsy. The study found that overexpression of NEUROG2 was linked to reduced expression of microRNA hsa-miR-34a, leading to nerve cell differentiation failure.

How the gut influences neurologic disease

A study published in Nature sheds light on the connection between the gut and brain, revealing a new pathway that may help guide therapies for multiple sclerosis and other neurologic diseases. Researchers found that compounds produced by gut microbes can limit inflammation in the brain through their influence on microglia.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature·DateMay 16, 2018

Diagnosing breast cancer with an imaging pill

Researchers developed a pill that can detect breast cancer in mice using near-infrared light, reducing the need for mammograms and minimizing radiation exposure. The imaging agent was found to bind specifically to cancer cells with high accuracy, paving the way for potential future applications.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalMolecular Pharmaceutics·DateMay 16, 2018

Glass-forming ability: fundamental understanding leading to smart design

A team of researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science at The University of Tokyo investigated glass-forming behavior by simulating two model systems. Their findings reveal that a single parameter governs the process, allowing for potential applications in various fields, including materials science and engineering.

Mechanical force controls the speed of protein synthesis

Researchers discovered that mechanical forces control protein synthesis speeds by influencing ribosome tunnel geometry and protein segment movement. This finding may lead to a better understanding of disease mechanisms linked to defective protein synthesis.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 16, 2018