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Science News for October 15, 2018


Attacking RNA with small-molecule drugs

Researchers at Yale University have made significant breakthroughs in targeting RNA with small-molecule drugs, identifying unique pockets within self-splicing ribozymes found in fungi. This discovery opens up new avenues for treating fungal infections and drug-resistant bacteria.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateOct 15, 2018

Physics: Not everything is where it seems to be

Physicists at University of Innsbruck and TU Wien demonstrate that elliptical polarization causes a spiral shape in light wavefronts, leading to a distorted image of actual structures. This systematic error can affect biomedical research, super-resolution microscopy, and even astronomical object position estimation.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 15, 2018

Blood test biopsy for kids with brain tumors is simple, safe way to see if treatment is working

A new blood test offers a safer approach than surgical biopsies and allows doctors to monitor treatment effectiveness even before changes are identified on scans. The study found that circulating tumor DNA in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid can reveal a driver mutation in 42 of 48 patients, indicating the tumor's genetic signature.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateOct 15, 2018

Aging and vitamins

Scientists identify 10 compounds that protect against age-related diseases by safeguarding proteins from damage. These compounds, known as putative longevity vitamins, may help prolong healthy aging and prevent the acceleration of insidious diseases associated with vitamin deficiencies.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 15, 2018

Arsenic for electronics

Scientists have successfully modified arsenene with chloromethylene groups, improving its semiconducting properties. The modified material exhibits strong luminescence and electronic properties, making it attractive for optoelectronic applications.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 15, 2018

Kids' sleep may suffer from moms' tight work schedules

Researchers found that when mothers reported less flexibility in their work schedules, their children got less sleep. However, consistent bedtimes may be the key to offsetting damage done by tight work schedules. Employers can create policies to give employees more flexibility, which could help promote sleep health from childhood.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Child and Family Studies·DateOct 15, 2018

New immunotherapy targeting blood-clotting protein

Scientists have developed an antibody that blocks the inflammatory and oxidative activity of fibrin, a blood protein that contributes to neurodegeneration in the brain. The treatment has shown promise in reducing inflammation and neurodegeneration in both mouse models of multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature Immunology·DateOct 15, 2018

Memristive device as an active synapse

Researchers from Lobachevsky University have developed a memristive device that mimics the behavior of synapses in biological neurons. The device uses pulse signals to create a simulated connection between neuron-like generators, demonstrating reproducible bipolar switching between low and high resistance states.

The easy way may not be the best

A new study reveals that cells take an approach of 'purposeful inefficiency' in responding to diseases, offering new pathways for understanding and treating conditions like cancer and Parkinson's. The research team discovered surprising genetic responses to misfolded proteins, including increased protein production and wasteful processes.

Teenaged girls did not engage in riskier sexual behavior after HPV vaccination introduced in school

Researchers analyzed data from a province-wide survey of over 300,000 girls and found no correlation between HPV vaccination and increased risky sexual behaviors. The percentage of girls reporting ever having sex decreased, while the proportion engaging in intercourse before age 14 declined and condom use increased.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 15, 2018

Ketamine is a safe, effective alternative to opioids in treating acute pain in the ED

A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine suggests that intravenous, low-dose ketamine is as effective as intravenous morphine in controlling acute pain in adults in the emergency department. The findings indicate that ketamine can be considered as an alternative to opioids for ED short-term pain control.

SourceSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateOct 15, 2018

High-performance flexible transparent force touch sensor for wearable devices

Researchers at KAIST have developed a high-performance flexible transparent force touch sensor that overcomes traditional limitations in sensing performance. The sensor features high sensitivity, transparency, bending insensitivity, and manufacturability, making it suitable for industrial-grade applications.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateOct 15, 2018

Feminine leadership traits: Nice but expendable frills?

A new study exploring the tradeoff between masculine and feminine leadership traits reveals that women internalize a stereotypically masculine view of leadership. The research, published in Frontiers in Psychology, suggests that women may feel disadvantaged compared to male leaders if they adopt traditionally feminine styles.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateOct 15, 2018

Depression and Facebook posts

Researchers analyzed Facebook status histories and electronic medical records of 683 patients to identify correlations between post language and depression. They found that language indicating sadness, loneliness, hostility, self-reference, and rumination were associated with a higher risk of depression.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 15, 2018

Don't sweat the sweet stuff

The study found that sweet and bitter tastes were quickly detected but took longer to be identified, while salty and sour tastes were vice versa. The researchers also discovered that participants' ratings of pleasantness influenced processing speed for sweet and bitter tastes.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateOct 15, 2018

Cancer survivors at risk for heart failure during, after pregnancy

Young women previously treated for cancer with cardiotoxic treatments are more likely to develop clinical congestive heart failure (CHF) during and after pregnancy. According to the study, there's approximately a 1 in 3 chance of developing CHF for women who have been exposed to cardiotoxic treatments and had prior cardiotoxicity.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateOct 15, 2018

Young innovators

Day's research develops layer-by-layer assembled nanoshells to deliver tumor suppressor miR-34a into cells, reducing cancer cell growth. Gleghorn discovers TRPV4 regulates airway development in fetal lungs, potentially leading to new therapeutic targets for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalCellular and Molecular Bioengineering·DateOct 15, 2018

Unravelling the genetics of fungal fratricide

The study found that the selfish genes were unrelated to each other and use different mechanisms to kill sibling spores, suggesting they may be more common than previously thought. The discovery provides new insights into the genetics of fungal fratricide and has implications for understanding evolutionary patterns.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 15, 2018

Memory-aided identification of false beliefs

Researchers found that 3-year-old children could retroactively combine memories with new information to spot false beliefs, a skill developing episodic memory. In contrast, 18-month-olds were unable to do so but could identify false beliefs in others, suggesting the role of episodic memory in monitoring other's belief states

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 15, 2018

New study answers old questions about why tropical forests are so ecologically diverse

Researchers found that tropical tree populations increase mainly in locations where the tree is rare, suggesting a 'negative feedback' mechanism that regulates population growth. This phenomenon could explain the high ecological diversity of tropical forests, with more species living in a smaller area than in North America combined.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 15, 2018

Most people don't know the difference between OCD and OCPD

A recent study from Binghamton University found that the general public struggles to differentiate between obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). Researchers analyzed phone interviews with hundreds of participants, revealing that those with higher education levels were more likely to r...

SourceBinghamton University·JournalCommunity Mental Health Journal·DateOct 15, 2018

HIV-positive infants are at high risk for acquiring congenital cytomegalovirus infection

Researchers found that HIV-infected infants were four times more likely to acquire congenital CMV infection compared to uninfected counterparts. Infants born to HIV-positive mothers had high rates of congenital CMV, with a sixfold greater chance of acquiring the virus during pregnancy.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalThe Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal·DateOct 15, 2018

Researchers identify a new way to determine whether metastatic cancer cells in breast cancer patients are dormant or soon to turn deadly

Researchers at Mount Sinai have discovered a new way to determine whether breast cancer cells are dormant or soon to turn deadly. Patients with high levels of the NR2F1 protein in their bone marrow are less likely to develop metastatic cancer, allowing for more targeted treatment and improved survival rates.

Increasing vigorous exercise decreases risk of type two diabetes, cardiovascular disease in childhood

A two-year study of primary school children found that increasing vigorous exercise reduces the accumulation of risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In contrast, sedentary behaviour increases risk factors. The findings support the role of physical activity in preventing chronic diseases in childhood.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateOct 15, 2018

Linguistic red flags from Facebook posts can predict future depression diagnoses

Researchers developed an algorithm that accurately predicts depression based on social media data, including mentions of hostility and loneliness. The study analyzed Facebook posts from over 1,200 people with depression diagnoses and found a strong correlation between certain language markers and future diagnoses.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 15, 2018