Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive April 2019 - Page 36


Page 36 of 44

Bacterial nanowire mystery solved

Geobacter bacteria project metal-containing heme filaments called nanowires to dispose of excess electrons in oxygen-free environments. This discovery solves the mystery of how nanowires facilitate environmental cleanup and potential applications for building new materials and sensors.

SourceYale University·JournalCell·DateApr 4, 2019

Unlocking the female bias in lupus

New research reveals that females with lupus have an abnormal expression of genes linked to their second X chromosome due to incomplete X inactivation in immune system T cells. This abnormality may contribute to the genetic missteps seen in lupus, and changes in nuclear structure may also play a role.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJCI Insight·DateApr 4, 2019

Super berries power up porridge

Researchers found that Aronia berries resistant to heat during production of cornmeal porridge, retaining antioxidant content. The study highlights the potential of super berries like Aronia for functional foods like porridge.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalOpen Chemistry·DateApr 4, 2019

Can human breast milk reduce intestinal injury following bone marrow transplant?

A pilot study found that human milk was associated with decreased markers of inflammation and injury in the stool of children undergoing bone marrow transplant. The results also showed lower levels of intestinal viruses and bacteria in the stool samples of children receiving human milk compared to those receiving formula.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalBreastfeeding Medicine·DateApr 4, 2019

Durability vs. recyclability: Dueling goals in making electronics more sustainable

A new study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers highlights the challenges of designing products that balance durability and recyclability. While some products, like automobiles, can achieve both goals, many others face trade-offs between increasing device life span and reducing electronic waste. The study's findings suggest ...

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalManagement Science·DateApr 4, 2019

Researchers identify 'beauty spots' in the genome

A genome-wide association study found that genetic variations linked to beauty also impact body mass in women and blood cholesterol levels in men. The study highlights the complex relationships between beauty and other human traits.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateApr 4, 2019

Insulin insights

Researchers at Harvard Medical School discovered an unexpected mechanism by which insulin triggers changes to thousands of genes. The insulin receptor is physically transported to the cell nucleus and helps initiate the expression of insulin-related genes, providing new avenues for diabetes research and potential therapeutic targets.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateApr 4, 2019

Severe psychological distress and daily cannabis use: Implications for mental health?

Research found that daily cannabis use was three times higher among those with past-month serious psychological distress compared to those without it. The study suggests potential consequences of increased cannabis use for vulnerable groups, emphasizing the need for tailored clinical efforts to reduce excessive use.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateApr 4, 2019

Poverty leaves a mark on our genes

A Northwestern University study found that poverty can become embedded in nearly 10% of the genome, associated with over 2,500 sites and 1,500 genes. This epigenetic mark may shape gene expression and contribute to disease development.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateApr 4, 2019

ERC Advanced Grant for Thomas Rudel

Professor Thomas Rudel received a €2.5 million ERC Advanced Grant to study how Chlamydia evades the human immune system and cause chronic diseases like cervical cancer. The grant aims to develop new therapies to overcome this 'blindness' and improve treatment outcomes for Chlamydia infections.

Experts call for strategies to address public health crisis of opioid, ID epidemics

The article highlights the growing public health crisis of opioid and infectious disease (ID) epidemics, citing increased rates of HIV, viral hepatitis, and skin infections linked to rising opioid use. Experts recommend strengthened responses by infectious diseases and substance use specialists, including investments in evidence-based ...

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateApr 4, 2019

About TFE: Old and new findings

Researchers review TFE's role as a structuring agent for unfolded peptides, inducing helical conformations, while also enhancing protein denaturation. The study details recent applications of TFE in conformational studies, including antimicrobial and aggregation-prone peptides.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Protein and Peptide Science·DateApr 4, 2019

Liquid jets break up more readily on a substrate

Researchers used computational models to investigate how liquid drops behave on surfaces. They found that the presence of a substrate makes breakup more likely, leading to three possible scenarios: collapse into one droplet, break up into multiple droplets, or re-form back into a single droplet.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateApr 4, 2019

Using a promiscuous inhibitor to uncover cancer drug targets

Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute identify key molecules supporting lung cancer cell survival, demonstrating simultaneous inhibition of two signaling pathways. This approach could aid in designing drugs that selectively attack multiple proteins, beneficial for managing certain tumors.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateApr 4, 2019