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Science News Archive February 2019 - Page 23


Page 23 of 40

Cryofixation and electron tomography reveals novel compartment in arbuscular mycorrhiza

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown compartment within the symbiotic cortical root cells of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The periarbuscular space now appears to be a complex network of membranes linking the plant cytoplasm to regions adjacent to the fungus, suggesting an efficient exchange of nutrients and molecules.

SourceDonald Danforth Plant Science Center·JournalNature Plants·DateFeb 13, 2019

UMN study provides new insight into use of cell replacement therapies to treat muscular dystrophies

A University of Minnesota Medical School research breakthrough highlights the potential of cell therapies for treating muscular dystrophy. The study identifies the molecular signature of muscle stem cells generated in vitro and their transformation upon transplantation into mice with muscular dystrophy.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2019

The first walking robot that moves without GPS

AntBot, a new robot developed by CNRS and Aix-Marseille University, replicates the navigation capabilities of desert ants using polarized light and optical sensors. The robot can explore its environment and return to its base with precision, covering distances of up to 14 meters.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience Robotics·DateFeb 13, 2019

New clue in curious case of cassowary casque

A team of Australian scientists has discovered that the cassowary's distinctive helmet-like structure acts as a thermal window to regulate body temperature. The research provides new insights into the bird's ability to cope with high temperatures, and may have implications for our understanding of dinosaur physiology.

SourceLa Trobe University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 13, 2019

DDT exposure tied to breast cancer risk for all women through age 54

A six-decade-long study found that all women exposed to high levels of DDT are at increased risk for breast cancer before age 54, with the timing of cancer risk depending on when they were first exposed. Women exposed in infancy and early childhood were most likely to develop premenopausal breast cancer.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 13, 2019

A trailblazer

Elisabeth Gwinn, a professor at UC Santa Barbara, has been awarded the AAAS Lifetime Mentor Award for her decades-long commitment to mentoring underrepresented students in physics. Her work has transformed her department and improved the lives of countless students.

Should we screen people for irregular heartbeat?

Screening for irregular heartbeat has been proposed as a potential solution to reduce stroke risk, but experts disagree on its effectiveness. Mark Lown suggests that trained clinicians can accurately identify positive cases, while Patrick Moran raises concerns about the lack of evidence on screening's benefits.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 13, 2019

Mount Sinai research program awarded $12.5 million NIH grant to continue to study the role of hormones in menopause and aging biology

Researchers from Mount Sinai will investigate the role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in regulating bone mass, body composition, and fat deposits during aging and menopause. The program aims to develop an FSH-blocking antibody for preventing and treating osteoporosis and obesity.