Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive August 2019 - Page 28


Page 28 of 38

Analysis of medical aid in dying in Oregon, Washington

The study examined 3,368 medical aid in dying prescriptions from Oregon (1998-2017) and Washington (2009-2017), finding that most patients were insured, non-Hispanic white individuals with cancer. The primary reasons for pursuing medical aid in dying were loss of autonomy, impaired quality of life, and loss of dignity.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 9, 2019

Smuggling route for cells protects DNA from parasites

Cells use a molecular safety mechanism to smuggle genetic information molecules around the cell, which are then used to recognize and shut down parasites. This discovery provides new insight into how animal genomes defend themselves against DNA parasites and reveals a previously unknown RNA transport route.

SourceAarhus University·JournalCell·DateAug 9, 2019

Bone strength could be linked to when you reached puberty

A new study from the University of Bristol has linked puberty timing to bone strength, finding that teens who mature later may catch up on bone density but continue to have lower bone density into adulthood. The study suggests that late-maturing individuals may be at increased risk of fractures and osteoporosis later in life.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 9, 2019

Cyborg organoids offer rare view into early stages of development

Researchers at Harvard have grown simplified organs with fully integrated sensors, offering a rare view into early stages of organ development. The cyborg organoids can monitor the electrophysiological activity of cells for up to 90 days, providing insights into how individual cells interact and synchronize during development.

Teens feel pressured to get pregnant

A new study found that nearly one in eight female adolescents between ages 14 and 19 experienced reproductive coercion, a form of abuse where a woman is pressured to become pregnant against her wishes. The study also highlights the need for clinicians to understand how to spot relationship abuse in younger patients.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateAug 8, 2019

Pairing prediction and production in AI-informed robotic flow synthesis

Researchers present an integrated strategy for computer-augmented chemical synthesis, successfully yielding 15 different medicinally related small molecules. Their AI-informed, robotically controlled platform has the potential to greatly improve the synthesis of complex molecules, reducing manual labor and increasing scalability.

Researchers discover oldest fossil forest in Asia

Researchers have uncovered the oldest fossil forest in Asia, spanning 250,000 square meters and featuring lycopsid trees with branchless trunks. The discovery provides insights into the early evolution of plants and their adaptability to coastal environments.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 8, 2019

Persistent plume

Scientists studied a massive wildfire smoke plume that lasted for nearly nine months, providing an ideal opportunity to test climate models. The findings show that black carbon was key to the plume's rapid rise and persistence, challenging previous nuclear winter studies.

New perovskite material shows early promise as an alternative to silicon

Researchers at OIST have discovered a new configuration of the inorganic perovskite material CsPbI3, which efficiently creates electricity and has been stabilized in a way that competes with industry-leading materials. The material's conversion efficiency was increased from 15% to 18% after treatment with choline iodide.

The world's smallest stent

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method for producing highly detailed structures measuring less than 100 micrometres, enabling the creation of the world's smallest stent with shape-memory properties. The stent has shown promising initial findings and could potentially open the door to minimally invasive surgery.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateAug 8, 2019

Is giant cell arteritis associated with race?

A recent study by Anna M. Gruener et al., published in JAMA Ophthalmology, investigated the association between giant cell arteritis and race. The researchers found a significant association between the disorder and certain ethnic groups, with increased risk observed in African Americans, Hispanics, and individuals of mixed ancestry.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateAug 8, 2019

Moffitt researchers identify subtypes of squamous cell lung cancer

Moffitt researchers identified three subtypes of squamous cell lung cancer (SCC) with distinct genetic, chromosomal, and protein alterations. The inflamed subtype is characterized by immune cell infiltration and higher PD-1 levels, while the redox subtype has altered oxidation-reduction signaling pathways. These subtypes did not correl...

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 8, 2019