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Science News for August 26, 2019


Stable home lives improve prospects for preemies

Research at Washington University School of Medicine found that stable home lives and nurturing mothers can significantly improve the psychiatric health of preterm children. The study revealed four distinct groups of preterm children, with those from healthier homes showing normal psychiatric outcomes.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateAug 26, 2019

Blue light for RNA control

Scientists at the Universities of Bayreuth and Bonn have found a way to regulate RNA molecule activity using blue light, enabling on/off control of gene expression. This breakthrough discovery is the basis for optoribogenetics, a new field of research.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateAug 26, 2019

How plants measure their carbon dioxide uptake

In a balancing act between drying out and starving in dry conditions, plants use an elaborate network of sensors to regulate their carbon dioxide uptake. The study reveals that guard cells have sensors for CO2 and ABA, allowing them to measure photosynthesis and water supply, and adjust the stomata accordingly.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Plants·DateAug 26, 2019

An innovative new diagnostic for Lyme disease

Researchers at Arizona State University describe an innovative diagnostic technique that pinpoints molecular signatures of Lyme disease with high accuracy. The method, using a multi-platform approach, uncovers six potential biomarkers for early identification of the disease.

SourceArizona State University·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·DateAug 26, 2019

One-third of pre-approved prescription drugs have not completed the FDA approval process

New research reveals that 36% of post-market studies for pre-approved prescription drugs were not completed, with 50% taking an average of 5 years to begin. The study suggests that manufacturers lack incentive to complete these studies due to lax enforcement and high costs.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalManufacturing & Service Operations Management·DateAug 26, 2019

Alberta researchers find elusive key to stopping neglected tropical diseases

University of Alberta researchers found a critical protein called PEX3 in the cells of a deadly infectious parasite, opening the door to less harmful treatment options for millions suffering from diseases. The discovery could lead to effective drug treatments that target and kill parasites without harming human hosts.

Utah's red rock metronome

Researchers measured the tower's vibrations using seismometers and found two primary resonance modes at frequencies of 0.8 and 1.0 hertz. The results help scientists understand how human-made vibrations affect seemingly unmovable rocks, offering a geological checkup for natural rock forms.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateAug 26, 2019

Researchers' review paper reveal insights into high quality fabrication of nanocomposites

A comprehensive review paper provides a thorough understanding of the scientific and technological knowledge behind nanocomposite fabrication using selective laser melting. The study highlights the potential of this additive manufacturing technology for creating customized parts with unique structures and properties.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalProgress in Materials Science·DateAug 26, 2019

Quest for new cancer treatment crosses milestone

A cancer therapy invented at Rice University has shown promising results in clinical trials, destroying tumors without debilitating side effects. Thirteen of the first 15 prostate cancer patients treated with AuroLase Therapy showed no detectable signs of cancer a year after treatment.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 26, 2019

Sea snail compound reduces cancer risk

Researchers at Flinders University have isolated a compound from the Australian white rock sea snail with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as important anti-cancer effects. The compound, part of the indole class, shows promise for preventing colon cancer tumor formation.

SourceFlinders University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 26, 2019

Parasitic worms infect dogs, humans

A human infective nematode has been identified in canine carriers for the first time in remote northern Australia. The study suggests that dogs may represent a potential reservoir of human strongyloidiasis in these communities.

SourceFlinders University·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateAug 26, 2019

A new model of heat transfer in crystals was developed by Russian scientists

A new model of heat transfer in crystals has been developed by a team of Russian scientists from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. The model describes the distribution of heat in ultrapure crystals at the atomic level, revealing certain directions along which heat rays distribute major energy.

SourcePeter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University·JournalJournal of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics·DateAug 26, 2019

Scientists advance search for memory's molecular roots

Scientists have detailed the structure of calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII), a key protein involved in encoding memories. The study reveals how CaMKII binds to actin filaments, forming rigid bundles that support dendritic spines and enable cognitive functions.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 26, 2019

Disability categories in education were redefined to exclude minorities, study shows

A University of Kansas study found that dominant groups in the education system manipulate disability categories to exclude racial minorities and keep them out of most desirable special education programs. The researchers documented how upper-class white students were moved into what was once considered the least desirable category, an...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·DateAug 26, 2019

Strike three

A team of researchers has discovered a previously unrecognized mechanism that accelerates cystogenesis in polycystic kidney disease (PKD), leading to rapid cyst growth and kidney failure. The study suggests that increasing water intake and avoiding certain foods may slow the progression of ADPKD.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 26, 2019

A 2 nm sized nanomachine able to spin and transfer its rotational energy

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology created a 2 nm sized nanomachine capable of spinning and transferring its rotational energy, outperforming natural nanomachines. The machine's ability to rotate in different directions and convert thermal energy into movement shows great promise for faster molecular transfer.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 26, 2019

Native approaches to fire management

A Stanford-led study found that incorporating traditional techniques into current fire suppression practices could help revitalize American Indian cultures, economies, and livelihoods. The approach increased the production of high-quality stems needed to make culturally significant items up to 10-fold compared with untreated shrubs.

SourceStanford University·JournalForest Ecology and Management·DateAug 26, 2019

A new way to make valuable chemicals

Researchers developed a new process to form high-value chemicals called amides by coupling carbon and nitrogen bonds in an electrochemical reaction. This breakthrough enables the production of useful substances in various industries, including pharmaceuticals.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Chemistry·DateAug 26, 2019

Flame retardants -- from plants

Researchers have identified potentially less toxic and biodegradable flame retardants from plants, which could replace hazardous organohalogen compounds. The new substances, derived from gallic acid and 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, perform as well as many existing flame retardants on the market.

Saving sage-grouse by relocation

Researchers relocated sage-grouse from Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada to Washington state to boost populations. However, it took about a year for the birds to settle in and reproduce effectively. The study shows that relocation can be a viable tool in conserving threatened species like sage-grouse.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Wildlife Management·DateAug 26, 2019