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Science News Archive February 2019 - Page 31


Page 31 of 40

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