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Science News for November 12, 2018


Synthetic molecule invades double-stranded DNA

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a synthetic molecule that can recognize and bind to double-stranded DNA or RNA under normal physiological conditions. The Janus gamma PNAs have an extraordinarily high binding energy and can be designed to target genomic DNA for gene editing and transcriptional regulation.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalCommunications Chemistry·DateNov 12, 2018

Global warming has never stopped in the past hundred years

A new study reveals that global warming continued unabated since the Industrial Revolution, with a constant rate of change after World War II. The hiatus, often attributed to internal variability and external forcing, is actually a decadal balance between global warming and cooling from anomalous sea surface temperatures in the equator...

New records in perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells through improved light management

Researchers have developed a new approach to improve the efficiency of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells by using textures and a polymer light management foil. This design achieved an efficiency of 25.5%, outperforming previous records, and has the potential to reach up to 32.5% with further improvements.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateNov 12, 2018

Patients' own cells and materials used to create personalized tissue implants of any kind

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a personalized tissue implant technology that uses patients' own cells and materials, allowing for the creation of any type of tissue implant with minimal immune response risk. This breakthrough has the potential to regenerate damaged or diseased organs with high efficiency.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 12, 2018

New insights into the aging brain

A new study reveals that klotho acts as a shield between the brain and immune system, protecting against age-related cognitive decline. The research found that low levels of klotho in the choroid plexus lead to increased brain inflammation, which can impair brain functions.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 12, 2018

New physical activity guidelines for Americans released

The US Department of Health and Human Services has released updated physical activity guidelines for Americans, emphasizing the importance of regular exercise in improving health and reducing chronic disease risk. The guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity or muscle-strengthening activities p...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateNov 12, 2018

Scientists debunk potential link to crop cold tolerance

A new study by the University of Illinois and Massachusetts Institute of Technology refutes the idea that C4 crops like corn and sugarcane are limited in their ability to produce Rubisco, an enzyme essential for photosynthesis. The researchers found that these crops' chloroplasts have sufficient space to house more than enough Rubisco ...

Family, school support makes kids more likely to stand up to bullying

A recent study from North Carolina State University found that students with strong family relationships are more likely to intervene when witnessing bullying. Good teacher relationships also play a crucial role in encouraging bystander intervention. In contrast, those who feel excluded or discriminated against by peers or teachers are...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·DateNov 12, 2018

Major traumatic injury increases risk of mental health diagnoses, suicide

A large study found that people who experience major injuries requiring hospital admission are at substantially increased risk of being admitted for mental health disorders. The study also revealed a higher risk of suicide among these patients, with 70 suicides per 100,000 patients per year compared to the general population.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 12, 2018

Frail seniors going without desperately needed in-home healthcare, study finds

A new study reveals a massive shortage of home-based medical care for frail seniors, particularly in rural areas. The researchers found that only 2-4% of rural Medicare recipients received home-based medical care, highlighting the need for increased access to telemedicine and improved payments for in-home care providers.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateNov 12, 2018

Artificial intelligence to accelerate malaria research

A new study published by Insilico Medicine using artificial intelligence has identified potential FP2 blockers, which could lead to the development of new antimalarial drugs. The research provides insights into the properties of E64 approaches and their interaction with falcipain-2, a key target for malaria treatment.

SourceInSilico Medicine·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 12, 2018

Concussion associated with suicide risk

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 17 studies involving over 700,000 patients with concussions or mild traumatic brain injury found a significant association between the two conditions and an increased risk of suicide. However, the absolute risk was small due to the low mortality rate among these patients.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateNov 12, 2018

Lack of exercise impacts mental health in Japanese expats

A study published in Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine found that regular exercise among Japanese expatriates can reduce time spent sitting down and improve mental health. Compared to non-exercisers, those who exercised regularly spent 135 minutes less time sitting and had a higher quality of life score.

SourceKobe University·JournalGerontology and Geriatric Medicine·DateNov 12, 2018

Exosomes 'swarm' to protect against bacteria inhaled through the nose

A research team from Massachusetts Eye and Ear discovered a new mechanism by which the immune system protects itself against bacteria inhaled through the nose. The 'exosome swarm' process involves tiny fluid-filled sacs that directly attack bacteria and shuttle protective antimicrobial proteins along the airway to protect other cells.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateNov 12, 2018

Montreal researchers explain how your muscles form

Researchers at the University of Montreal have discovered two proteins essential to the development of skeletal muscle. The study, published in Nature Communications, sheds light on the 'dance' of muscle cell movement and how cells fuse together to form a single large cell, leading to improved understanding of rare muscular diseases.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 12, 2018

Cancer stem cells get energy from protein, and it's proving to be their Achilles' heel

A recent study found that cancer stem cells rely on amino acids for energy, rather than glucose, and this difference makes them susceptible to targeting without harming healthy cells. Researchers have already shown promise with this approach in clinical trials against acute myeloid leukemia, with potential applications to other cancers.

How pneumococci challenge our immune system

Researchers found that pneumolysin can interact with a special receptor in immune cells, triggering an anti-inflammatory response. This allows the bacteria to hide from further attack and grow, eventually giving rise to pneumonia. The study's findings may lead to new strategies for tackling pneumococcal infections.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Microbiology·DateNov 12, 2018

Pregnant women favor urine testing for tobacco cessation; clinicians express concern

A new study found that pregnant women with Medicaid support urine testing to promote smoking cessation, but fear consequences such as clinician reaction and government involvement. Clinicians are concerned about the impact on patient relationships, but researchers call for consensual testing to improve public health outcomes.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 12, 2018

How plants evolved to make ants their servants

Researchers found that plants developed ant-friendly traits long after ants started relying on them for food and habitat. Plants use ants to spread seeds and act as bodyguards, while ants benefit from rich nectar and shelter in hollow thorns.

SourceField Museum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 12, 2018

New study: Parents put nature in the shopping basket

A new study from the University of Copenhagen found that parents consider naturalness a benchmark for consumer choice, driven by concerns over health and protection. This preference is rooted in the increased responsibility felt by parents to make informed decisions about their children's well-being in a knowledge society.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalInternational Journal of Advertising and Marketing to Children·DateNov 12, 2018

AI capable of outlining in a single chart information from thousands of scientific papers

Researchers developed a Computer-Aided Material Design (CAMaD) system that extracts information related to fabrication processes and material structures and properties, enabling the summarization of knowledge from thousands of scientific articles in a single chart. This allows for rationalizing and expediting material design.

SourceNational Institute for Materials Science, Japan·JournalScience and Technology of Advanced Materials·DateNov 12, 2018

Thanks, statistics! A faster way to improve mobile apps

A new text-mining method developed by Cornell statistician Shawn Mankad and his colleagues can help developers improve mobile apps faster. By aggregating and parsing customer reviews in one step, the method provides guidance on a single app's performance and compares it to competing apps over time.

SourceCornell University·JournalThe Annals of Applied Statistics·DateNov 12, 2018

Racial disparities in sudden cardiac death rates cannot be explained by known risk factors

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that black patients remain at significantly higher risk for sudden cardiac death even after adjusting for income, education, smoking, and other risk factors. The researchers suggest that unknown genetic factors may be contributing to these disparities.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 12, 2018