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Science News for January 11, 2019


3D printing 100 times faster with light

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new approach to 3D printing that lifts complex shapes from a vat of liquid, producing objects 100 times faster than conventional methods. The method uses two lights to control where resin hardens and harden, enabling the creation of sophisticated patterns and durable materials.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 11, 2019

A new mechanism helps explain differences between eukaryotic and bacterial proteomes

A new mechanism has been discovered that allows eukaryotic cells to synthesize proteins absent in prokaryotes, leading to the enrichment of genes coding for transfer RNAs involved in this process. This finding may lead to the development of strategies to inhibit protein production in diseases caused by their overabundance.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateJan 11, 2019

New leukemia drug is more effective and easier to use

A landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that ibrutinib is significantly more effective than standard therapy in treating CLL, causing fewer side effects and requiring less frequent patient visits. Ibrutinib was shown to improve survival rates by 13% compared to standard treatment.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 11, 2019

Longer siesta on bright days

Research by neurobiologists at the University of Würzburg reveals that high-intensity light extends sleep duration and delays evening activity in Drosophila. The study's findings suggest a molecular mechanism involving photo receptors and neuropeptides that regulate the circadian clock.

Blueprint for plant immune response found

Washington State University researchers found the way plants respond to disease-causing organisms and how they protect themselves. The discovery provides a blueprint for breeding resistance to diseases or pests, enabling faster and more efficient development of crop protection strategies.

SourceWashington State University·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·DateJan 11, 2019

Integrated pathways for meeting climate targets and ensuring access to safe water

The study developed three water sector development scenarios to compare costs and impacts of achieving SDG6 goals and meeting climate targets. The analysis shows that combining clean water and climate policies can increase implementation costs, but these increases are relatively small compared to the cost for implementing each policy o...

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJan 11, 2019

Childhood body composition may help determine future lung health

A new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that childhood body composition plays a crucial role in determining future lung health. Boys and girls with higher muscle mass in childhood have higher lung function, while those with more fat mass have lower lung function.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 11, 2019

Curricular changes show success by fourth year

A new science curriculum, Integrating Biology with Inquiry (IBIS), has been shown to increase student buy-in and satisfaction over time, while maintaining learning gains. The four-year study found that students recognized the connection between their teaching methods and their learning outcomes.

SourceSUNY Geneseo·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 11, 2019

The algae's third eye

Researchers have discovered a new light sensor in green algae that inhibits cGMP production, reducing its concentration. This finding is significant as it mirrors the human eye's response to light, and could lead to breakthroughs in optogenetics.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalBMC Biology·DateJan 11, 2019

Making ammonia 'greener'

Researchers Julie Renner and Mohan Sankaran have developed an electrolytic process with a plasma to create ammonia from nitrogen and water at low temperature and pressure. This process could lead to smaller, more localized ammonia plants powered by alternative energy.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 11, 2019

Being HIV positive and staying on antiretroviral therapy in Africa: A systematic review

The systematic review identified nine themes impacting on adherence and treatment seeking, including external issues such as poverty and stigma. Long-term engagement requires adaptation and incorporation of ART into daily life, facilitated by factors like self-efficacy and emotional support. The review aims to inform service delivery a...

Menstrual hygiene needs unmet for low-income women

A study by Saint Louis University's College for Public Health and Social Justice found that nearly two-thirds of low-income women cannot afford menstrual hygiene supplies like pads or tampons, with 46% unable to buy both food and period-related products. The researchers advocate for broader education and policy shifts surrounding menst...

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateJan 11, 2019

Parasites from patients with cerebral malaria stick preferentially in their brains

Researchers found that infected red blood cells from cerebral malaria patients bind more strongly to brain-derived cells than those from uncomplicated malaria patients. This suggests that specific PfEMP1 proteins on the infected red blood cells allow for efficient binding to brain vessels, a key feature of cerebral malaria.

SourceLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateJan 11, 2019

Racial disparities in asthma related to health care access, environmental factors

A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology analyzed data from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's Severe Asthma Research Program. The research found that African American patients are more likely to experience emergency hospital visits for asthma and have poorer asthma outcomes due to socioecon...

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJan 11, 2019