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Science News Archive December 2019 - Page 20


Page 20 of 36

Real-time photoacoustic thermometry of tumors during HIFU treatment in living subjects

Researchers developed a photoacoustic (PA) thermometry system for HIFU treatment guidance, enabling real-time monitoring of temperature increase at tumors during treatment. The system allows for simultaneous ultrasound imaging, PA imaging, and PA thermometry, enhancing the accuracy and safety of HIFU treatments.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·DateDec 11, 2019

Pathways toward post-petrochemistry

Scientists have introduced a new electrochemical method to produce ethylene from CO at room temperature and standard pressure, achieving high Faradaic efficiency and C2 selectivity. The technique uses a copper catalyst and optimized electrode structure, allowing for efficient separation of gaseous ethylene.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 11, 2019

Scientists eager to explain brain rhythm boost's broad impact in Alzheimer's models

Increasing 40Hz gamma rhythm power in the brain has been shown to strengthen neural connections and improve symptoms in Alzheimer's disease models. The study used light flickering or sound buzzing at 40Hz to achieve this effect, which was found to decline pathological amyloid and tau protein buildups and protect neurons from degeneration.

SourcePicower Institute at MIT·JournalTrends in Neurosciences·DateDec 11, 2019

It's time to explain country in indigenous terms

A research paper explores Indigenous Australian place relationships using Yanyuwa terms, highlighting the importance of understanding ecological health through Indigenous knowledges. The study examines human relationships with places that play a key role in ecological health, revealing specific terms for good land and sea management.

SourceFlinders University·JournalOceania·DateDec 11, 2019

Water common -- yet scarce -- in exoplanets

The study found that while water vapour is common in exoplanet atmospheres, its amounts are surprisingly lower than expected. The results also suggest a depletion of oxygen relative to other elements and provide clues into how these exoplanets may have formed without substantial accretion of ice.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateDec 11, 2019

Safer viruses for vaccine research and diagnosis

Researchers have developed a new biotechnology platform to produce safer 'hybrid' viruses for vaccines and diagnostics against mosquito-borne diseases. The Binjari virus, inert to humans, is used to create 'dangerous-looking' viruses like Zika and dengue that cannot grow in humans or animals.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateDec 11, 2019

Illumination drives bats out of caves

Researchers found that bats avoid all light colors and prefer dark entrances, regardless of color. Inside caves, bats react sensitively to any light, showing a slight preference for red over amber and white lights only when dark was not an option.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalGlobal Ecology and Conservation·DateDec 11, 2019

Skipping one night of sleep may leave insomniacs twice as impaired, study says

A new study published in Nature and Science of Sleep found that individuals with chronic sleep-onset insomnia who pulled an all-nighter performed up to twice as badly on a reaction time task as healthy normal sleepers. This impairment may be hidden during the normal day but exposed after pulling an all-nighter, increasing their risk of...

SourceWashington State University·JournalNature and Science of Sleep·DateDec 11, 2019

Modulation of proliferation factors in lung adenocarcinoma with an analysis of the transcriptional consequences of genomic EGFR activation

The study reveals that EGFR overexpression is associated with lower expression of multiple proliferation genes, leading to replication stress and decreased survival. Interestingly, certain proteins like CLPTM1L and PBXIP1 are upregulated in EGFR-activated cases, but this does not promote increased proliferation.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·DateDec 11, 2019

New insect virus provides a safer platform for flavivirus vaccines and tests

A new species of insect virus, Binjari virus, has been identified that can be engineered to house genes from disease-causing flaviviruses. This non-infectious virus represents a flexible tool for testing diagnostics and vaccines for various infectious diseases, including yellow fever, dengue, and West Nile encephalitis.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateDec 11, 2019

Insights into psoriasis suggest a new treatment target

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have uncovered a novel pathway explaining why skin thickens in psoriasis, suggesting new strategies for developing therapies. The study found a defect in the epigenetic covering that resulted in loss of DNA methylation hydroxymethylation mark, leading to dysregulated stem cell behavior.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateDec 11, 2019

A window into the hidden world of colons

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have created a system that allows real-time observations of individual cells in the colon of a living mouse. This breakthrough enables researchers to study the digestive system's microbiome, inflammatory bowel disease, and colon cancer, as well as explore potential treatments for gastrointestinal...

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 11, 2019

Video discharge instructions in ED associated with less AOM symptomatology

A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that video discharge instructions in the emergency department lead to a clinically important reduction in acute otitis media (AOM) symptomatology. Children of parents who watched a five-minute video experienced less symptomatology compared to those with paper handouts.

SourceSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateDec 10, 2019