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Science News for February 7, 2019


Nanomachines are taught to fight cancer

New DNA-based nanomachines can selectively target malignant cells, breaking down vital genes and inducing apoptotic death. The design allows for better interaction with folded RNA molecules, but further experiments are needed to improve specificity.

SourceITMO University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateFeb 7, 2019

Tune in and switch off

A recent study from the University of South Australia found that watching TV is strongly associated with obesity in children, even more so than other types of sitting. The research also revealed differences between boys' and girls' sedentary behaviors, with boys spending more time playing video games and having higher body fat.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalObesity Research & Clinical Practice·DateFeb 7, 2019

New pill can deliver insulin

A new capsule has been developed to deliver oral doses of insulin, potentially replacing injections for people with type 2 diabetes. The capsule contains a small needle that releases insulin in the stomach, and its design allows it to orient itself to ensure contact with the stomach lining.

Why forgetting at work can be a good thing

A new study by psychologists and information scientists found that the ability to forget information can lead to better economic decisions and reduced cognitive load. Participants who used an information system reported feeling less stressed and having more time to recall details of other products.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalErgonomics·DateFeb 7, 2019

Evidence for a new fundamental constant of the sun

A team at Northumbria University discovered a distinctive marker on magnetic waves in the Sun's corona, indicating that sound waves from inside the Sun excite these waves. This finding suggests a new fundamental constant of the Sun and has significant implications for our understanding of stellar atmospheres.

SourceNorthumbria University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateFeb 7, 2019

Novel nanoparticle technology to identify healthcare-associated infections receives $1.5 million

Scientists at the University of Toronto are developing a new nanoparticle sensor technology to detect and visually identify pathogens that cause Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs). The system, called OptiSolve Insight, will enable rapid detection and effective decontamination of surfaces, potentially reducing illness rates.

Simple drug combination creates new neurons from neighboring cells

Researchers at Penn State discovered a simple drug cocktail that converts glial cells into functional new neurons, which can survive for over seven months in a lab culture. The approach has promising implications for treating neurological disorders such as stroke and Alzheimer's disease, with the potential to be used in a pill form.

SourcePenn State·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateFeb 7, 2019

Scientists discover new type of self-healing material

Researchers create a new type of self-healing material that exhibits properties such as toughness and shape memory. The material autonomously heals under mechanical damage, including in water and aqueous acid and alkaline solutions, without the need for external energy or stimulus.

SourceRIKEN·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 7, 2019

Finally available in a bottle

Researchers from University of Freiburg successfully prepared the elusive chromium hexacarbonyl cation, a key compound for basic research and applications. The team used standard laboratory equipment and common solvents to fill the stable compound into bottles as a solution and crystals.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 7, 2019

Choosy amphipods

In a study by Goethe University Frankfurt researchers, male amphipods demonstrated choosiness in their mating behavior. The degree of choosiness was found to be influenced by population density in their natural environments.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalBiological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateFeb 7, 2019

Promising results for new acute porphyria treatment

A new drug candidate, givosiran, has shown promising results in treating acute porphyria by preventing attacks and reducing hemin need by up to 83%, according to a recent clinical trial. The study's lead author notes that the treatment can effectively prevent acute attacks in seriously afflicted patients with limited options.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 7, 2019

Engineered DNA vaccine protects against emerging Mayaro virus

Researchers have developed a novel DNA vaccine capable of inducing protective immunity against the Mayaro virus, which causes fever, rash, and joint pain. The vaccine demonstrated complete protection from death and clinical signs of infection in a mouse model, offering a promising solution for combating this emerging infectious disease.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateFeb 7, 2019

Defining the shape of cool

A team of researchers at Duke University has determined the structure of the TRPM8 protein, which is responsible for sensing cold and menthol. The findings suggest that PIP2 and cooling agents like menthol cooperate to control structural changes in TRPM8, potentially leading to new treatments for chronic pain and migraine.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience·DateFeb 7, 2019

Cancer cells' plasticity makes them harder to stop

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a direct connection between gene regulation and metabolic pathways in cancer cells, enabling them to adapt to hostile environments. The study's findings reveal three stable metabolic states that cancer cells can adopt to evade therapies.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2019

Why Asian horses don't get sick with the flu

Researchers sequenced avian influenza viruses from wild birds in Mongolia and found that they replicate in horse respiratory tracts without causing tissue damage. The study suggests that equine infections by avian viruses are more common than thought, with the failure to acquire key genetic changes being the main barrier to disease eme...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateFeb 7, 2019

Report from prestigious NIH-funded conference looks to biological 'pillars of aging'

A recent NIH-funded conference aimed to better understand the biological 'pillars of aging', which are interconnected factors driving the aging process. The study focuses on disrupting these hallmarks to contribute to chronic disease and frailty, with potential applications in improving function and independence for older adults.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateFeb 7, 2019

What happens when sand fleas burrow in your skin?

Researchers report five cases of severe tungiasis in traditional Amerindian communities, highlighting the disease's potential for life-threatening progression. Treatment with dimeticone oil has shown effectiveness in resolving inflammation and restoring mobility within a week.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateFeb 7, 2019

Duke-NUS study: Interaction between two immune cell types could be key to better dengue vaccines

A study by Duke-NUS Medical School researchers has identified a key player in the early fight against dengue virus infection: an interaction between two types of immune cells. The discovery sheds light on how the immune system recognizes viruses and could lead to the development of better vaccines for this and similar diseases.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 7, 2019

A better eyeshot of the makeup of ancient meteorites

Researchers have visualized meteorite components at unprecedented resolution using atomic force microscopy-based infrared spectroscopy. This breakthrough enables the analysis of organic matter distributions and associations with minerals in carbonaceous chondrites, crucial for understanding the formation of life and Solar System history.

SourceYokohama National University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2019

Immunotherapy drug used as 1st-line therapy for Merkel cell carcinoma improved survival

Pembrolizumab, a new immunotherapy drug, shows lasting tumor control and improved overall survival in advanced Merkel cell carcinoma patients. The study reports generally manageable side effects and supports the use of immunotherapy as an effective treatment option for this aggressive form of skin cancer.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateFeb 7, 2019

Finding chemicals inside a cell

Researchers at Xiamen University have created a device that enables the direct detection and mapping of chemicals inside biological cells. This breakthrough technique, called near-field desorption postionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (NDPI-TOFMS), overcomes challenges in high-resolution imaging and provides undistorted chemi...

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 7, 2019

Keeping things moving

A team of researchers has developed a strategy to produce renewable lubricant base oils from non-food biomass and fatty acids, offering a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional lubricants. The new method uses catalysis to synthesize the base-oils with tunable properties, making them suitable for a wide r...

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 7, 2019

Blood leukocytes mirror insufficient sleep

A study by the University of Helsinki found that insufficient sleep is associated with changes in DNA methylation in gene regulatory elements related to the nervous system development pathway. This indicates a potential link between chronic sleep deprivation and long-term health risks.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 7, 2019

Big data approach shown to be effective for evaluating autism treatments

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have successfully applied their big data-based approach to evaluating possible treatments for autism. The findings have the potential to accelerate the development of successful medical interventions by analyzing correlations between metabolite concentrations and adaptive behavior.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalFrontiers in Cellular Neuroscience·DateFeb 7, 2019

Landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria

A new study published in GSA Today reveals that Hurricane Maria triggered more than 40,000 landslides in at least three-fourths of Puerto Rico's municipalities. The study assesses the factors contributing to these extreme events and aims to enhance landslide susceptibility analyses and risk management efforts.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGSA Today·DateFeb 7, 2019

Scientists discover new type of magnet

Researchers at New York University have discovered a new type of magnet that exhibits unique properties, including sudden transitions and strong coupling with electric currents. This discovery has the potential to enhance data storage technologies and improve performance bottlenecks.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 7, 2019

Research details sticky situations at the nanoscale

Researchers detail sticky situations at the nanoscale, finding that miniscule differences in surface roughness can cause significant changes in adhesion. Their theory predicts an increase in interface toughness as roughness increases, with potential applications in micro-electro-mechanical systems and nanoscale patterning.

SourceBrown University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 7, 2019

Do fish recognize themselves in the mirror?

Researchers tested cleaner wrasse for self-awareness using a mirror test, finding that fish respond to their reflection and attempt to remove marks. The study raises questions about how to assess animal intelligence and challenges previous assumptions about self-awareness in non-human animals.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateFeb 7, 2019

Scientists develop metal-free photocatalyst to purify pathogen-rich water in minutes

Researchers from Yangzhou University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences create a metal-free photocatalyst that can purify pathogen-rich water in 30 minutes with over 99.9999% disinfection efficiency under visible light irradiation. The catalyst's high activity and low ecotoxicity make it a promising approach for global clean water sca...

Stalled fertility declines linked to disruptions in women's education in Africa

A new study found that disruptions in women's education in sub-Saharan Africa are partly responsible for the stall in declining fertility rates. The research used detailed data on over two million births and found that cohorts affected by educational discontinuities in the 1980s tend to have higher levels of fertility.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2019

This is a neuron on nicotine

A team of scientists has developed a protein sensor that allows them to visualize where nicotine collects inside cells, revealing its effects on neural cells and the nature of nicotine addiction. The sensor, composed of a special protein, detects nicotine molecules and activates fluorescent proteins to glow brightly.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of General Physiology·DateFeb 7, 2019

Game behavior can give a hint about player gender

Game behavior can be analyzed to predict a person's personality features, including gender. Researchers used machine learning on large amounts of game data from the Steam gaming platform to make accurate predictions. The study shows that even limited information about gameplay and achievements can provide good predictive values.

67 percent of bankruptcy filers cite illness and medical bills as contributors to financial ruin

A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that medical problems contributed to 66.5% of all bankruptcies, with 530,000 families affected annually. The study suggests that health insurance offers little protection to middle-class Americans and that private health insurance is a defective product.

SourcePhysicians for a National Health Program·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 7, 2019

All the data in the sky, alerted via UW eyes

The Zwicky Transient Facility has identified thousands of new objects in the night sky, including binary star systems and black holes. The facility's automated alert system has successfully generated over 1.2 million alerts each night, sharing data with survey partners who are experimenting with machine-learning classification systems.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific·DateFeb 7, 2019

Finding clues to a functional HIV cure

Scientists at George Mason University have identified a measurable indicator of cofilin dysfunction, a key protein regulating cell migration. This discovery may lead to new therapies to repair immune damages and potentially achieve a functional cure for HIV.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 7, 2019

Thirdhand smoke residue exposes children to chemicals

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati found significant levels of nicotine on children's hands, even when caregivers did not smoke in their presence. The study suggests that indoor smoking bans may not fully protect children from exposure to tobacco smoke residue.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalTobacco Use Insights·DateFeb 7, 2019