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Science News for December 12, 2019


Telehealth increases primary care physicians' accurate diagnosis of skin conditions

A recent study published in the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare found that a telehealth program increased primary care physicians' accurate diagnosis of skin conditions by nearly 84% for adult cases and 72% for pediatric cases. The program provided expert recommendations through videoconferencing sessions with dermatologists, redu...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Telemedicine and Telecare·DateDec 12, 2019

Virus multiplication in 3D

Researchers have successfully determined the three-dimensional structure of a vaccinia virus RNA polymerase at atomic resolution, providing key findings on virus multiplication. The complex is composed of various subunits and relies on host tRNA molecules to function, enabling an essential step in the pathogen's life cycle.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCell·DateDec 12, 2019

Speech could be older than we thought

Researchers challenge the theory of a descended larynx, which proposes that speech can only emerge with the larynx in a low position. However, monkeys produce well-differentiated proto-vowels, suggesting control of articulators is key to vocalization. This finding opens up new perspectives on the emergence of articulated speech.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 12, 2019

With novel technique, new study is first to definitively map the early development of PTSD

A recent study has provided new insights into the early development of PTSD, revealing that it proceeds along two independent tracks. The research, which tracked symptoms over 30 days after a traumatic event, suggests potential interventions to prevent its development and proposes different treatment approaches for fear-based and depre...

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalDepression and Anxiety·DateDec 12, 2019

Study pinpoints new drug targets to treat Nipah virus

Researchers have identified 150 possible inhibitors of the Nipah virus, a highly deadly disease with no licensed drugs against it. The study found that 13 proposed inhibitors showed high potential against all strains of the virus.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateDec 12, 2019

Ghost imaging speeds up super-resolution microscopy

Researchers used ghost imaging to enhance the speed of super-resolution microscopy, achieving nano-scale resolution in just 10 image frames. The new approach resolves structures with spatial and temporal resolutions at which biological processes take place.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateDec 12, 2019

Breakthrough in Zika virus vaccine

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have made significant progress in developing a novel Zika virus vaccine that prevents infection in pre-clinical models. The vaccine's effectiveness has been demonstrated in mouse models, offering a promising solution to prevent congenital effects in infants born to infected mothers.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 12, 2019

Short-lived light sources discovered in the sky

A team of international researchers has discovered approximately 100 red transients in publicly available sky data from the 1950s to the present, which could be attributed to natural astrophysical phenomena or rare events. The findings have potential implications for our understanding of stellar evolution and active galactic nuclei.

SourceStockholm University·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateDec 12, 2019

People willing to risk near-certain death for an HIV cure

A new study found that nearly one-quarter of people living with HIV are willing to participate in clinical trials that carry significant risks, including near-certain death, in exchange for the potential of an HIV cure. The study highlights the need for additional ethical safeguards when enrolling individuals in such high-risk research.

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalEthics & Human Research·DateDec 12, 2019

The danger behind certain biologics

A research team discovered that dendritic cells play a crucial role in the immune system's response to disease-causing pathogens, which may explain why TNF inhibitors carry a risk of serious infections and cancer. The study suggests that programming dendritic cells could lead to better treatments for persistent infections and cancer.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 12, 2019

First-ever quality measures aim to reduce diabetes complications

The Endocrine Society and Avalere Health introduced quality measures to assess healthcare providers' ability to identify and care for older adults at risk of hypoglycemia. The measures focus on outpatient treatment for adults aged 65 and older with type 2 diabetes, highlighting key risk factors and emphasizing education to prevent futu...

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateDec 12, 2019

New drugs more likely to be approved if backed up by genetics

A new analysis confirms human genomic data can predict success in clinical trials, with genetically supported drug targets twice as likely to be approved. Historically, drugs targeting proteins with amino acid sequence changes linked to the disease have the best chance of approval.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateDec 12, 2019

Tiny insects become 'visible' to bats when they swarm

Researchers discovered small insects like mosquitoes become visible to bats in large swarms due to Quasi Constant Frequency signals. This finding sheds light on the evolution of bat echolocation and its potential applications for detecting drone swarms.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateDec 12, 2019

Achieving optimal collaboration when goals conflict

New research reveals that knowing more about a partner's actions accelerates joint physical task collaboration. Game theory insights inform the development of robots that can interact with humans in a natural, human-like fashion.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateDec 12, 2019

Study finds differences in energy use by immune cells in ME/CFS

Researchers discovered that specific immune T cells from people with ME/CFS exhibit disruptions in energy production, suggesting changes in the immune system. The study found decreased levels of glycolysis and mitochondrial function in affected cells, potentially providing clues to understanding the mechanisms underlying ME/CFS.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 12, 2019

Herpes's Achilles heel

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to disrupt both latent and active herpes virus in human cells. The findings offer a model system for using gene editing in a localized way to disrupt active replication, but the challenge of delivering gene-editing therapy to neurons remains unsolved.

New algorithm detects even the smallest cancer metastases across the entire mous

Researchers developed DeepMACT, a novel algorithm that can detect and analyze cancer metastases more than 300 times faster than human experts. The algorithm provides insights into the unique metastatic profiles of different tumor models, enabling tailored drug targeting for various cancers.

Older adults with hypothyroidism face elevated risk of death

Research published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that older adults with hypothyroidism are 26% more likely to die from all causes than their peers without the condition. However, this increased risk was not observed in individuals with milder forms of thyroid disease.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateDec 12, 2019

10-year results of NRG Oncology/NSABP B-42 trial

The NRG Oncology/NSABP B-42 trial found that extending letrozole therapy for five additional years improved disease-free survival in postmenopausal women with HR+ breast cancer. The study showed a 26% decrease in the risk of breast-cancer-free interval events and a 29% reduction in distant recurrence rates.

Many children with kidney disease may be prescribed drugs that are toxic to the kidneys

A recent study found that a significant proportion of children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are prescribed medications that may be toxic to their kidneys. Among the studied population, 71% of those with CKD and 50% without received at least one potentially nephrotoxic medication over an average follow-up period of 3.3 years.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateDec 12, 2019

Chemists' calculations may advance cancer prediction

Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding cancer prediction by developing a new method to evaluate cell dynamics and tumor initiation. Their calculations reveal that fixation times are a more important metric than lifetime risks, and that some mutated cells may fix tumors faster than expected.

SourceRice University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 12, 2019

Fundamental discoveries for future nanotools: Chemists distinguish multiple weak forces

Chemists at the University of Tokyo have made groundbreaking discoveries about how molecules bind together, using a tiny cube structure to study dispersion forces. The team has found that polarizable atoms can create stronger dispersion forces, leading to increased stability in complex structures and potential applications in drug design.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalCommunications Chemistry·DateDec 12, 2019

Hydration may affect cognitive function in some older adults

A Penn State study found that hydration levels among women are associated with lower scores on tests measuring motor speed, sustained attention, and working memory. The researchers suggest that being 'in the sweet spot' of hydration is best for cognitive function, particularly for tasks requiring sustained attention.

SourcePenn State·JournalEuropean Journal of Nutrition·DateDec 12, 2019

Deadly 'superbugs' destroyed by molecular drills

Researchers at Rice University and Texas A&M University developed molecular drills that target and kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The drills, which can be activated with light, increase the effectiveness of existing antibiotics, offering a potential solution to superbug infections.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateDec 12, 2019

Baby's first breath: A new method for helping preemies to breathe

Researchers have found a way to stimulate breathing in premature babies using pure oxygen, which may help reduce the need for invasive respiratory interventions. The technique has shown promising results in preterm rabbit kittens and human clinical studies, offering a potential non-invasive solution for supporting fragile newborns.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Pediatrics·DateDec 12, 2019

Harnessing nature's defenses against tsunamis

A hybrid approach combining mangroves, coral reefs and man-made solutions can protect coastal communities from disaster while preserving biodiversity. The study suggests ecosystem-based protection should be the basis for a coastal protection strategy, making it more cost-efficient and better protecting valuable ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·DateDec 12, 2019

Beyond 'shovelomics': Growing cassava in the air helps study the plant's mysterious roots

Scientists have developed an innovative method of growing cassava in the air using aeroponics, allowing for real-time observation of root development and identification of genes that regulate growth. This breakthrough could lead to increased yields, improved sustainability, and accelerated plant growth.