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Science News for November 6, 2018


Making steps toward improved data storage

Researchers at Kyoto University successfully created intense terahertz pulses to fine-tune the switching behavior of a phase-change memory material. This breakthrough could lead to faster and more stable memory technologies with increased density.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 6, 2018

Brain-derived compounds show surprising -- and beneficial -- results for cancer in lab studies

A synthetic compound based on a brain hormone has shown surprising benefits in treating lung and other cancers in mice, but its effect on human cells was the opposite. The compound, MR409, is one of several GHRH analogs that spur healthy tissue growth and may alleviate concerns about stimulating cancer cell growth.

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 6, 2018

How ideas go viral in academia

A recent study from the University of Colorado Boulder found that academic ideas tend to spread faster from highly-ranked universities, even when the quality of the idea is mediocre. This suggests a power imbalance in academia, where elite institutions have an advantage in spreading their research to others.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalEPJ Data Science·DateNov 6, 2018

British Journal of Cancer press notice

A recent study published in the British Journal of Cancer found a positive association between type 2 diabetes and an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in men, with a moderately higher risk observed. In contrast, the association was weaker and not statistically significant for women. The study followed up over 87,000 women and ...

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateNov 6, 2018

From lotion to ocean liner

Researchers at RiKarbon create a bio-based oil from plant scraps and natural oils to replace petroleum-based products in cosmetics, lubricants, and renewable energy. This eco-friendly oil reduces carbon footprint and minimizes pressure on petroleum resources, offering a sustainable solution for industries.

Sign language reveals the hidden logical structure, and limitations, of spoken language

Researchers used French Sign Language and American Sign Language to analyze the logical structure of spoken language. Sign languages reveal a hidden logical structure that must be inferred indirectly in spoken language, like the sentence 'Sarkozy told Obama that he would be elected'. This study highlights both strengths and limitations...

SourceNew York University·JournalTheoretical Linguistics·DateNov 6, 2018

Emotional vulnerabilities shape complex behavioral arrangement of toddlers with ASD

Researchers discovered that toddlers with autism spectrum disorder display enhanced anger and frustration but decreased fear in response to naturalistic situations. The capacity to experience joy appears intact in the early stages of the disorder, which may help harness emotional competence for therapeutic purposes.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateNov 6, 2018

Children may be most at risk of stab injuries on way home from school

Research finds distinct temporal and geographical patterns in knife crime among young people, with children most at risk of stab injuries on the way home from school. The study reveals that stabbings peak between 1600-1800 hours, accounting for over one-fifth of all injuries, and nearly half of injuries occur within 1-5 km of home.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open·DateNov 6, 2018

Commercial airliners reveal three-dimensional distribution of atmospheric CO2 over Asia Pacific

A study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics reveals clear seasonality of CO2 over Asia, varying with latitude, longitude, and altitude. The data shows a distinct depletion of CO2 concentration over South Asia to Southeast Asia in August to September, linked to the Asian summer monsoon anticyclone.

SourceNational Institute for Environmental Studies·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateNov 6, 2018

Nobody wins in a landslide

The University of Cincinnati is studying landslides to improve public safety and understanding of these natural disasters. The research aims to add specific details on landslides to Nevada's map of known hazards, including areas prone to wildfires, flash-flood zones, and earthquake fault lines.

RNA microchips

Researchers at the University of Vienna and McGill University have created a new approach to synthesizing RNA, making it up to a million times more efficient than previous methods. The breakthrough uses photolithographic fabrication technology and a new protecting group to produce RNA chips with high yields.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 6, 2018

Ultra-hot gas around remnants of sun-like stars

Researchers have found an extremely hot magnetosphere around a white dwarf, a remnant of a star like our Sun. This discovery sheds light on the origin of highly ionised metals in some white dwarfs, which were previously a puzzle. The study reveals that the magnetic field traps material flowing from the surface, heating it up dramatically.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateNov 6, 2018

Most patients with cystic fibrosis may receive insufficient antibiotics to fight lung infections

Most cystic fibrosis patients do not achieve high enough antibiotic concentrations in their blood to effectively fight bacteria responsible for pulmonary exacerbations. Real-time monitoring of serum antibiotic concentrations could help improve clinical outcomes and reduce worsening pulmonary function.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalThe Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics·DateNov 6, 2018

A new piece to the puzzle sheds light on how UHRF1 regulates gene activity

Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München have discovered new details about the UHRF1 protein, which regulates gene activity and is produced at elevated levels in cancer cells. The research reveals an unexpected function of the UBL domain in DNA methylation and defines a new role for this domain in regulating gene expression.

Risk factors of type 2 diabetes and CVD accumulate in children with poor aerobic fitness

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that poor aerobic fitness in children is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study's findings suggest that traditional measures of aerobic fitness may overestimate its role in identifying children at increased risk.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateNov 6, 2018

Computer model more accurate at identifying sources of foodborne illnesses than traditional

A new machine-learning model developed by Google and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health can identify potentially unsafe restaurants more accurately than existing methods, helping to detect lapses in food safety in near real time. The model's overall precision rate was 52.3%, compared to 22.7% for routine inspections.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·DateNov 6, 2018

Sarcopenic obesity: The ignored phenotype that need more studies for a better understanding

Sarcopenic obesity is a condition characterized by both muscle loss and increased body fat mass. Researchers emphasize the need for more studies to understand its health consequences and develop effective treatments. Experts suggest considering sarcopenic obesity as a scientific priority, citing organizations such as ESPEN and EASO.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Nutrition Journal·DateNov 6, 2018

Regeneration science takes a leap forward

Researchers at Tufts University have discovered that delivering progesterone via a wearable bioreactor can induce partial limb regeneration in adult frogs. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for amputation injuries, potentially benefiting millions of people worldwide.

SourceTufts University·JournalCell Reports·DateNov 6, 2018

NAD can restore mitochondrial function and energy production in MTDPS liver-like cells

Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina identified nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) as a compound that restores mitochondrial function and energy production in Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndromes (MTDPS) liver-like cells. NAD was found to increase ATP levels by activating a transcription cascade that results in inc...

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalCell Reports·DateNov 6, 2018

Making cheese & co. taste better

Researchers developed a new approach to identify flavor-giving protein fragments in fermented foods. The 'sensoproteomics' method efficiently and quickly identified the decisive fragments responsible for bitter flavors in cheese, reducing possibilities from 1,600 to 17. This innovation aims to optimize the taste of various products.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateNov 6, 2018

Study shows potential to develop brain tumor liquid biopsies

Researchers have successfully detected brain tumor DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using a cheap and widely available technique, opening up new possibilities for monitoring and treating brain tumors. The test has the potential to increase detection rates and provide more tailored treatment approaches for patients with brain tumors.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateNov 6, 2018