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Science News for October 31, 2018


Reproducing pediatric kidney disease from human iPS cells

Researchers have successfully developed kidney tissue that exhibits the early stages of congenital kidney disease using iPS cells from a patient with a nephrin mutation. The study found that repairing the nephrin mutation can normalize abnormalities and may lead to the development of effective drugs for kidney disease.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateOct 31, 2018

UMass Medical School study safely delivers RNAi-based gene therapy for ALS in animal model

A new study by UMass Medical School researchers successfully delivers RNAi-based gene therapy to silence SOD1 protein mutations linked to ALS without adverse effects. The therapy, delivered via a viral vector, achieved silencing of over 90% in some motor neurons, suggesting a safe and potentially one-time treatment for humans.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 31, 2018

Flexy, flat and functional magnets

Researchers have discovered a new class of 2D magnetic materials with promising applications in electronics. These ultra-thin layers exhibit unique properties, such as ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, and magnetism control, which can be manipulated electrically or optically.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature·DateOct 31, 2018

New study found deep sea chemical dispersants ineffective in Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Researchers analyzed data from the BP Gulf Science Data and found no correlation between subsea dispersants and deep plume formation, showing substantial amounts of oil continued to surface. The study suggests alternative strategies such as the 'capping stack' method and bio-surfactants may be more effective in managing blowouts.

Could bariatric surgery make men more virile?

A review of 28 studies found that bariatric surgery increased testosterone levels and improved erectile function in obese men, but had no impact on sperm parameters. However, nutritional malabsorption may counterbalance these hormonal changes.

SourceSpringer·JournalObesity Surgery·DateOct 31, 2018

Decoding how brain circuits control behavior

Researchers have made a major breakthrough in understanding how brain circuits control behavior by identifying two types of intermingled nerve cells with distinct roles. The study used extensive analyses of neurons' shapes, gene activity, and function to tease out which cells are responsible for planning and initiating movements.

Are we losing one of our biggest CO2 sinks?

A recent study reveals that eelgrass meadows store significant amounts of organic carbon, comparable to tropical seagrass species and mangroves. The distribution area of these meadows has decreased by at least 1/3rd over the past 50 years, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.

SourceAbo Akademi University·JournalGlobal Biogeochemical Cycles·DateOct 31, 2018

Don't underestimate the force

A team of researchers at the University of Tokyo has identified the weak van der Waals forces holding together a tiny, self-assembling box. The box can bulge to accommodate large or long guest molecules and contract to eliminate extra space when hosting negatively charged guests.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 31, 2018

Relapsed leukemia flies under immune system's radar

Researchers found that relapsed leukemia cells have reduced expression of genes involved in immune recognition, making them invisible to the immune system. Interferon gamma has been shown to turn back on these hidden immune markers, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for AML patients who relapse after transplantation.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 31, 2018

Minimally invasive surgery associated with worse survival for women with cervical cancer compared to open hysterectomy

Two studies found that minimally invasive radical hysterectomy is associated with higher recurrence rates and worse overall survival for women with early-stage cervical cancer. The findings have already changed care at MD Anderson Cancer Center and could impact surgical management of all women with early-stage disease.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 31, 2018

Virtual program successful in linking adult protective services, geriatric specialists

The virtual program, launched at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, has increased mistreated elderly Texans' access to elder mistreatment and geriatric experts by quadrupling APS worker and client referrals. The network provides access to UTHealth team for APS workers using videophone-assisted secure devices.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 31, 2018

Chirality of vitamin-D derivative affects the protonation states of its receptor protein

Researchers found that altered chirality of vitamin-D derivatives can change the protonation states of histidine residues in the VDR protein, leading to stronger binding and more stable complexes. This discovery emphasizes the importance of considering protonation states in molecular simulations for drug design.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalThe Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·DateOct 31, 2018

The when, where and what of air pollutant exposure

Researchers in South India measured personal exposure to fine particulate matter using a combination of techniques, finding significant differences between men and women. Men showed higher levels of personal exposure throughout the day, while women's exposures were related to cooking and industrial activities.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateOct 31, 2018

Large cells for tiny leaves

Researchers discovered that LMI1 protein limits cell growth, preventing large cells from developing into other tissue types, resulting in smaller leaves despite early cell growth. The study also found that LMI1 regulates pea leaf morphology by producing thread-like tendrils at the tip of the leaf and large stipules at the base.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research·JournalGenes & Development·DateOct 31, 2018

Cooling 'brains on fire' to treat Parkinson's

Researchers at The University of Queensland have developed a promising new therapy using the small molecule MCC950, which blocks NLRP3 activation and prevents brain cell loss in Parkinson's patients. The therapy shows marked improvement in motor function and may offer an alternative approach to current treatments.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 31, 2018

Ultrasensitive toxic gas detector

Scientists have created a novel gas sensor based on vertically aligned WO3-CuO core-shell nanorod arrays, achieving ultrasensitivity to ammonia (NH3) gas. The hybrid sensor exhibits high gas response and short recovery times, making it suitable for detecting toxic gases.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalNANO·DateOct 31, 2018

3 percent of children hit daily activity target

A recent study published in Journal of Physical Activity and Health found that only 3.2% of Year Five children (aged nine or ten) met the recommended daily physical activity target of 60 minutes, with even lower levels among girls. This suggests that previous studies may have overestimated the prevalence of children meeting the recomme...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Physical Activity and Health·DateOct 31, 2018

Hard cider, with a shot of sugar

Researchers analyzed 23 popular hard ciders and found that 60% of domestic brands contained added sugars from cane or corn syrup. The study's findings suggest that labels are not a reliable way to determine whether a cider has added sugar, due to discrepancies between expected and observed isotopic ratios.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateOct 31, 2018

More black South Africans are donating blood

The South African National Blood Service has increased the proportion of donations from black South Africans by fivefold since 2005. This significant improvement is attributed to the implementation of individual donation nucleic acid testing (NAT), which has reduced HIV transmission risks.

SourceStellenbosch University·JournalTransfusion·DateOct 31, 2018

Can bacteria colonies be good neighbors?

Researchers studied bacterial ecological systems using experiments and computer models to investigate population dynamics, identifying key role of stochastic effects in early colony patterning. They also found that interactions between neighboring bacteria can amplify local variation, influencing competition outcomes.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysical Biology·DateOct 31, 2018

Appendix removal tied to decreased Parkinson's disease risk in about 20 percent of cases

A large-scale Swedish study found that removing the appendix reduces Parkinson's disease risk by about 19.3%, with a greater effect seen in rural populations potentially counteracting environmental risk factors like pesticide exposure. Early intervention strategies targeting alpha-synuclein accumulation could be promising.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 31, 2018

Cytokine levels could predict immunotherapy problems

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified blood-based biomarkers that may help identify patients at greatest risk of developing autoimmune side effects from immunotherapy. The study found that levels of certain cytokines were particularly low before treatment in patients who developed immune-related adverse events.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateOct 31, 2018

Study links cottonseed oil with lower cholesterol

Researchers at the University of Georgia found that a high-fat diet enriched with cottonseed oil improved cholesterol profiles in young adult men. Participants showed significant reductions in cholesterol and triglycerides on the cottonseed oil diet, compared to minimal changes on an olive oil-enriched diet.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalNutrition Research·DateOct 31, 2018

A bullet-proof heating pad

Researchers have created a wearable heater by modifying woven fabric with DuPont Kevlar fiber and nanowires, providing uniform heat and thermal insulation. The material is strong, flexible, breathable, and washable, making it suitable for use in cold-weather clothing.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 31, 2018

Minimally invasive surgery for early-stage cervical cancer may increase risk of death

Patients receiving minimally invasive radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer have an increased risk of death compared to those treated with open surgery. A long-term analysis of nationwide databases found a 9.1% risk of death in the minimally invasive group, significantly higher than the 5.3% risk in the open surgery group.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 31, 2018

Cocaine adulterant may cause brain damage

Researchers at the University of Zurich found that people who take cocaine cut with levamisole show impaired cognitive performance and a thinned prefrontal cortex. The study suggests that drug-checking programs should be expanded to protect users from the toxic effects of levamisole.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateOct 31, 2018