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Science News Archive 2019 - Page 428


Page 428 of 486

Researchers find febrile infants may not need painful tests, antibiotics, hospitalizations

Researchers developed a new protocol to identify febrile infants under 60 days old who are at low risk of serious bacterial infections. The study showed that using simple laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood cell count, can confidently exclude these cases, reducing unnecessary invasive procedures and hospitalizations.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateFeb 18, 2019

Machine learning unlocks plants' secrets

Researchers at Michigan State University used machine learning to sort through tens of thousands of plant genes and identify those responsible for producing specialized metabolites. This breakthrough could lead to improved plants, plant-based pharmaceuticals, and environmentally safe pesticides.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 18, 2019

CNIC researchers identify a very early marker of cardiac damage triggered by cancer treatment

Researchers at CNIC identified a very early marker of cardiac damage in patients undergoing anthracycline therapy, allowing for early diagnosis and potential prevention of irreversible damage. The discovery has implications for patient prognosis and may lead to new therapies based on mitochondrial transplantation.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateFeb 18, 2019

How our plants have turned into thieves to survive

Scientists discovered grasses are genetically modifying themselves by taking genes from neighbors, gaining a competitive advantage and breaking the rules of evolution. This process, called lateral gene transfer, allows them to adapt to their environment without millions of years of natural selection.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 18, 2019

Kaden Hazzard wins NSF CAREER Award

Rice University physicist Kaden Hazzard has won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to create algorithms that aim to advance the creation of novel quantum matter. He will investigate new ways to simulate states of matter at extreme cold temperatures, as close as possible to absolute zero.

Climate change makes summer weather stormier yet more stagnant

A new MIT study finds that climate change is shifting the energy in the atmosphere, leading to stronger thunderstorms and more stagnant conditions. Rising global temperatures are redistributed, with more energy available for local convective processes like thunderstorms and less for larger, milder extratropical cyclones.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 18, 2019

From sea to lab

Scientists have introduced a new efficient synthetic route for marine antitumor agents trabectedin and lurbinectedin. The synthesis consists of 26 individual steps and uses a light-controlled activation mechanism to produce the complex drugs in sufficient quantities.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 18, 2019

Predicting climate change

The Crowther Lab's research uses global datasets to understand the global forest system and identify regions of high priority for biodiversity conservation. They find that warming soil will lead to increased carbon emissions, particularly in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, threatening climate change mitigation efforts.

Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and therapeutic targets in stable ischemic heart disease

Chronic stable angina affects approximately 10 million Americans, primarily older adults and women. Common comorbidities like diabetes are associated with poorer outcomes in this subgroup. The study highlights the growing prevalence of recurring ischemia, its socioeconomic burden, and therapeutic targets for management.

SourceCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·JournalCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·DateFeb 16, 2019

Is quantum computing scalable?

Quantum computing aims to break cryptography and speed up database search, but scaling is a significant challenge. Researcher Debbie Leung discusses the ingredients required for accurate quantum computing operations and recent progress with error-correcting codes.

SourceCIFAR·DateFeb 16, 2019

Drug combination may become new standard treatment for advanced kidney cancer

A phase 3 clinical trial found that a combination of two drugs, including an immunotherapy agent, significantly improved progression-free survival and response rates compared to a standard treatment. The results suggest that the new treatment may become a new standard for first-line treatment for patients with metastatic kidney cancer.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 16, 2019

How to feed the world by 2050? Recent breakthrough boosts plant growth by 40 percent

A recent breakthrough in plant growth has increased crop yields by 40% by creating a shortcut for a glitch that plagues most food crops. This technology, part of the Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) project, aims to improve photosynthesis and boost worldwide food productivity.

Tiny fibers create unseen plastic pollution

Synthetic fibers from polyester and nylon release microplastics into the environment, contaminating plants and animals in oceans. Biosynthetic fibers, derived from natural proteins, can replace synthetic fibers and provide recyclable and biodegradable alternatives.