Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for January 3, 2019


Cancer cells steer a jagged path

Researchers at Rice University and the Duke University School of Medicine have identified JAG1 as a key player in tumor mechanics. The study shows how cancer stem cells differentiate within tumors and spread through the interaction of JAG1 with a signaling pathway, enabling metastasis.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 3, 2019

DNA on auto-pilot

New research allows for fully automated design of DNA staple sequences, enabling the creation of complex nanostructures with ease. This breakthrough advances the field of DNA origami, opening up new possibilities for applications in material science and medicine.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 3, 2019

Research reveals overweight dogs may live shorter lives

A recent study from the University of Liverpool found that overweight dogs have a significantly shorter lifespan compared to those at ideal body weights. The study examined over 50,000 dogs across 12 breeds and revealed that being overweight can lead to poorer quality of life, joint disease, breathing issues, and certain types of cancer.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalJournal of Veterinary Internal Medicine·DateJan 3, 2019

Computers can be a real pain in the neck

Researchers at San Francisco State University found that poor head and neck alignment while working on computers can cause fatigue, headaches, and neck pain. By adopting good posture, such as keeping the head aligned with the neck, individuals can reduce muscle tension and alleviate these symptoms.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalBiofeedback·DateJan 3, 2019

Who's tougher? Baby sharks or daddy sharks?

A recent study by Florida Atlantic University reveals that younger sharks have stiffer and tougher cartilage skeletons, contrary to the assumption that adults would be stronger. The research found that cartilage from younger sharks has fewer interruptions in its mineral matrix, allowing it to absorb more energy and resist compression.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJan 3, 2019

DNA design that anyone can do

Researchers developed a computer program that translates free-form drawings into DNA structures, enabling users to create complex nanostructures for various applications. The 'PERDIX' program uses a mathematical approach to automate the design process, making it accessible to anyone with basic drawing skills.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 3, 2019

Cold reminders of Earth's last great cold snap revealed in the deep Pacific

A new study has found evidence of a centuries-long cold snap in the deep Pacific, with ongoing cooling indicating the ocean is still adjusting to surface cooling during the Little Ice Age. The research suggests that the heat loss in the deep Pacific since 1750 offsets nearly a quarter of global heat gain in the upper ocean.

Dark matter on the move

Scientists have discovered that dark matter can be heated up and pushed outwards due to star formation in galaxies. This phenomenon, known as 'dark matter heating', has been observed in 16 dwarf galaxies with varying star formation histories.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 3, 2019

Could this widely used food additive cause celiac disease?

A new review in Frontiers in Pediatrics suggests that microbial transglutaminase, a common food additive, could be both the cause and trigger of autoimmune attacks leading to celiac disease. The enzyme modifies gluten fragments, which are then recognized by the immune system as foreign, triggering an immune response.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Pediatrics·DateJan 3, 2019

Next up: Ultracold simulators of super-dense stars

Physicists at Rice University have successfully cooled a neutral plasma using lasers, a technique that could lead to new insights into exotic states of matter and potentially even breakthroughs in quantum computing. The achievement sets the stage for simulators of super-dense stars like Jupiter and white dwarf stars.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateJan 3, 2019

Archeological discovery yields clues to how our ancestors may have adapted to their environment

Researchers discovered bone and tooth specimens of wild camels, elephants, horses, and antelopes at Azraq Basin site, providing insights into ancestral human adaptation to changing environments. The team found evidence of butchery and suggests that humans may have faced challenges from predatory competitors like lions and hyenas.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalQuaternary Research·DateJan 3, 2019

A model for describing the hydrodynamics of crowds

Researchers developed a physical model describing crowd movement and behavior, predicting speed information spreads through the group like waves. The generic description can accurately predict crowd flows in various settings, with little variation between groups.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience·DateJan 3, 2019

What predicts teen partner rape?

Social scientists from Michigan State University identified consistent risk factors for partner rape among young women in their first relationships. Lower socioeconomic status, being of a younger age, and higher levels of physical abuse and coercive control predicted sexual violence. The researchers found that experiences with partner ...

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Interpersonal Violence·DateJan 3, 2019

Researchers locate the body's largest cell receptor

A team of scientists has located the body's largest cell receptor, a mysterious structure that plays a crucial role in vitamin B12 absorption. The discovery, published in Nature Communications, sheds light on why people with specific genetic changes struggle to absorb the essential nutrient.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 3, 2019