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Science News for September 12, 2018


Wearable ultrasound patch monitors blood pressure deep inside body

Researchers at the University of California - San Diego have developed a wearable ultrasound patch that can monitor central blood pressure in major arteries up to four centimeters below the skin. The device provides accurate, precise readings and has potential applications in real-time monitoring of patients with heart or lung disease.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateSep 12, 2018

Sleep apnea could favor tumor growth at young ages

A scientific study has found that sleep apnea can favor lung cancer growth in young individuals, suggesting that age may play a role in the disease's aggressiveness. The research team hopes to identify and prove physiopathological consequences of sleep apnea to develop personalized medicine strategies.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateSep 12, 2018

The world needs death and decomposition

A new study by Michigan State University establishes a baseline of organisms that play key roles in carrion decomposition, promoting the importance of death in ecosystems. The research also highlights the complex interactions between decomposer communities and their impact on nutrient cycling and ecosystem processes.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEcological Monographs·DateSep 12, 2018

Is cancer fundraising fuelling quackery?

Crowdfunding sites have seen a surge in UK cancer-related appeals, with £8m raised since 2012. Critics argue that these platforms are not adequately vetting appeals, potentially leading to patients being exploited by unproven treatments.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateSep 12, 2018

Scientific institutions continue to lag behind the #TimesUp movement

A new Perspective in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights the slow response of medical institutions to sexual harassment. Key factors contributing to this resistance include myopia, money and power dynamics, and organizational complicity. The authors urge institutions to rethink their approach to creating safe workplaces.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 12, 2018

Aging may be as old as life itself

A new USC Dornsife study finds that genes can help an organism survive, rather than just being a negative trait associated with aging. This challenges the long-held hypothesis of 'antagonistic pleiotropy', which suggests that genes that enhance reproduction contribute to aging.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalOrigins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres·DateSep 12, 2018

With STDs at an all-time high, why aren't more people getting a proven treatment?

Despite record-high infection rates, many patients only receive treatment for their own infection, while partners are often left without access to antibiotics or a prescription. Experts highlight the need to overcome barriers, including stigma and policy hurdles, to increase the use of expedited partner therapy.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateSep 12, 2018

Shedding light on 100-year-old cancer mystery

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute found that cancer cells redirect energy production when lactate dehydrogenase is inhibited, instead relying on glutamine to sustain growth and survival. This discovery identifies a potential new target for melanoma treatment by targeting the ATF4-signaling pathway.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateSep 12, 2018

Ants surrender their venomous secrets

Researchers analyzed ant venom from a tropical species and identified over 2,800 venom peptides, including 37 full-length peptide precursors called myrmicitoxins. The peptides showed sequence similarities with those produced by other insects, suggesting they evolved from ancestral genes.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateSep 12, 2018

Mitochondria come together to kill cancer cells

Researchers at Hokkaido University identified a pathway that facilitates the dispersion of mitochondria towards the cell periphery, increasing cancer invasiveness. Blocking this pathway led to the aggregation of mitochondria and an increase in reactive oxygen species production, resulting in cancer cell death.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 12, 2018

Healthcare cuts 'strongly linked' to the resurgence of measles

A new study by Bocconi scholars links measles resurgence to public health expenditure cuts in Italy. The research found that each 1% reduction in per-capita real public health expenditure corresponds to a 0.5 percentage point decline in MMR vaccination coverage, highlighting the importance of investing in public health.

SourceBocconi University·JournalEuropean Journal of Public Health·DateSep 12, 2018

Brain has natural noise-cancelling circuit

The brain has a built-in noise-cancelling circuit that allows it to ignore predictable self-generated sounds, such as footsteps. This circuit works by sending a direct signal from the motor cortex to the auditory cortex, instructing inhibitory neurons to cancel out these sounds.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature·DateSep 12, 2018

Climate change may drive 10 percent of amphibian species in the Atlantic Rainforest to extinction

A Brazilian study found that climate change could lead to the extinction of up to 10% of frog and toad species endemic to Brazil's Atlantic Rainforest biome within the next 50 years. The researchers used spatial distribution data and ecological niche models to predict which areas would be favorable for each species.

The spark that created life

Researchers at Monash University have discovered structural capacitance elements in mutated proteins associated with human diseases, particularly cancers. These elements enable mutations to trigger a gain-of-function, shedding light on protein evolution and the engineering of highly evolvable proteins.

SourceMonash University·JournalJournal of Molecular Biology·DateSep 12, 2018

Mathematicians propose first continuous self-organized criticality model

Researchers present a new continuous model describing self-organized criticality, integrating areas such as economics and developmental biology. The model uses tropical geometry to describe the dynamics of critical systems, providing a universal solution for phenomena like earthquakes and sandpiles.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 12, 2018

Study first to report sexual behavior norms for US adults with dementia living at home

A US study found that 59% of partnered men and 51% of women with dementia lived at home were sexually active. However, many faced unaddressed sexual function problems and lacked clear medical guidance. The study aimed to provide normative evidence for informing decisions about sex for people with dementia.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateSep 12, 2018

New ultrasonic wave phenomenon leads to improved safety for society

Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have discovered a new ultrasonic wave phenomenon that enables precise and nondestructive detection of fatigue and early damage in thin plate materials. This technology surpasses conventional methods, allowing for accurate evaluation of material damage even before it occurs.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateSep 12, 2018

What's your data privacy style?

Researchers aim to understand how individuals protect their personal data in the digital age. The new study will develop survey instruments and conduct qualitative fieldwork to identify different strategies for navigating algorithmic privacy. It also plans to create experimental prototype tools to explore the design space around algori...

Spring is advancing unevenly across North America

A study found that spring is arriving early in 76% of US National Wildlife Refuges, but not uniformly across migratory bird routes. The team's analysis suggests that higher latitudes are advancing more rapidly than lower latitudes, threatening the synchronization of species with their habitats.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 12, 2018

Childhood trauma linked to impaired social cognition later in life for patients with major psychiatric disorders

A comprehensive review of research found a significant association between childhood adversity and impaired social cognitive functioning among adults with major psychiatric disorders. The study highlights the importance of understanding the mechanisms behind early trauma and its effects on social cognition, which may inform the develop...

SourceElsevier·JournalEuropean Psychiatry·DateSep 12, 2018

Navigating the path to a Ph.D.

The article tackles key questions about graduate school, including choosing a research program and advisor, and overcoming obstacles like burnout and unexpected setbacks. It provides a roadmap for navigating the chemistry graduate school experience, drawing on stories from students and expert advice.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateSep 12, 2018