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Science News Archive August 2019 - Page 3


Page 3 of 38

The 'inflammation' of opioid use

New research reveals a strong correlation between opioid use, brain inflammation, and negative emotional states during withdrawal. The study found that inflammation in the gut and central amygdala may contribute to the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateAug 29, 2019

University of Alberta researchers discover new biomarker for rare autoimmune disease

University of Alberta researchers have identified a unique biological marker that can predict the course of myasthenia gravis and develop personalized treatment plans. The biomarker, composed of 12 metabolites exclusive to patients with myasthenia gravis, enables early diagnosis and more effective management of the disease.

DGIST Successfully defined the identity and dynamics of adult gastric isthmus stem cells

Scientists have identified two types of gastric isthmus stem cells with different roles and characteristics in the upper and lower glands. The discovery was made through a joint research project involving South Korea, Austria, and the UK, using advanced techniques such as single-cell transcriptional analysis.

'Charismatic carbon'

A study found that seaweed aquaculture has huge potential for carbon sequestration, with suitable area sufficient to render the entire global aquaculture industry carbon neutral. However, farming seaweed alone won't balance emissions from global food production due to cost and growth constraints.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 29, 2019

A unique conducting state under UV-irradiation

Researchers at Ehime University discovered a molecular insulating crystal that reversibly exhibits metal-like conducting behavior under UV-irradiation. This unique property indicates the existence of other photoexcited states of matter with novel properties.

SourceEhime University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry C·DateAug 29, 2019

Scientists explore aged paint in microscopic detail to inform preservation efforts

Researchers used X-ray imaging and nanoscale techniques to analyze the chemical processes involved in aging oil paints. The study found that metal soaps can cause deterioration in artworks, particularly those composed of oil paints. The findings have implications for art conservation and potential solutions to prevent further damage.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 29, 2019

Hints of a volcanically active exomoon

Researchers at the University of Bern discover hints of a volcanically active exomoon, or exo-Io, orbiting the hot giant planet WASP-49b. The presence of sodium gas at an anomalously high-altitude suggests the existence of a small rocky moon that could be responsible for the observed phenomenon.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateAug 29, 2019

How visceral leishmaniasis spread through central-Southern Brazil

Visceral leishmaniasis has expanded to Central-Southern Brazil through three dispersion routes: Bolivia-Brazil gas pipeline, Paraguay, and western Santa Catarina State. The study highlights the lack of joint policies with neighboring countries as a risk factor for disease spread.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateAug 29, 2019

Biological 'Rosetta Stone' brings scientists closer to deciphering how the body is built

Researchers from Columbia University and the Spanish National Research Council have discovered a method to systematically identify the role of each Hox gene in a developing fruit fly. This breakthrough offers a new path forward for decoding the underlying genetic mechanisms that guide growth and development, aging, and disease.

SourceThe Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 29, 2019

Flathead Bio Station researcher helps uncover ocean iron level mystery

Researchers discovered that Asian dust brings nutrients to the ocean, affecting plankton growth and nutrient availability. The study confirms how tightly coupled plankton biology is to iron supply from the atmosphere, highlighting the need for considering atmospheric and ocean circulation variability in forecasting climate change impacts.

SourceThe University of Montana·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 29, 2019

The Lancet: New analyses of the worldwide epidemiological evidence demonstrate link between different forms of menopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer incidence, and find that some risk persists for many years

A new study analyzing worldwide epidemiological evidence finds a significant association between menopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer incidence. The research indicates that the risks are greater for users of oestrogen-progestagen hormone therapy than for oestrogen-only hormone therapy.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateAug 29, 2019

Brain waves detected in mini-brains grown in a dish

Scientists have successfully grown miniature brains from stem cells that exhibit functional neural networks and produce brain waves resembling those of preterm babies. The study marks a significant breakthrough in understanding human brain development and may lead to new insights into diseases such as autism, epilepsy, and schizophrenia.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateAug 29, 2019