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Science News for July 22, 2019


Medicare for All unlikely to cause surge in hospital use: Harvard study

A new Harvard study contradicts the assumption that implementing universal coverage would lead to a sharp increase in hospital use. Instead, researchers found that past insurance expansions redistributed care, with increases in hospital care among newly insured individuals offset by small decreases among healthier and wealthier Americans.

SourcePhysicians for a National Health Program·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJul 22, 2019

Maintaining shelf-stable drugs

A new mathematical model describes how highly concentrated antibody solutions separate into different phases, similar to an oil and water mixture. This separation can reduce the stability and shelf-life of some drugs that use monoclonal antibodies.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2019

Testing corneal cell quality? Apply physics

Researchers in Kyoto have developed a 'quantitative biomarker' to assess the quality of corneal cells, allowing for prediction of their long-term efficacy through simple observation. This breakthrough has potential applications in preemptive medicine, enabling clinicians to intervene before severe symptoms appear.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJul 22, 2019

Multidrug-resistant malaria spreading in Asia

A study by the Wellcome Sanger Institute reveals that a multidrug-resistant malaria strain has spread aggressively across Southeast Asia, replacing local parasite populations in Vietnam, Laos, and northeastern Thailand. The resistant strain has picked up additional genetic changes, enhancing its resistance to treatment.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJul 22, 2019

Stem cell therapy furthers research for infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome

A phase I clinical trial demonstrates the potential of regenerative therapy for hypoplastic left heart syndrome through collecting, processing and injecting an infant's own stem cells directly into the heart at the time of surgery. The study showed no deaths or significant safety concerns over six months following surgery.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateJul 22, 2019

Drilling deeper

A new study reveals Americans are drilling deeper than ever to access freshwater, but this trend is not a long-term solution to groundwater depletion. Deeper well drilling can be expensive and requires more energy, and it may not address the root cause of water scarcity.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJul 22, 2019

Laugh tracks make 'dad jokes' funnier

New evidence suggests that laugh tracks increase the perceived funniness of corny 'dad jokes'. The study found that spontaneous laughter has a greater effect on humor ratings than posed laughter, and this effect holds true for both neurotypical and autistic individuals.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 22, 2019

Study finds Nunavik Inuit are genetically unique

A new study has found that the Nunavik Inuit population in Canada's Arctic have a distinct genetic profile, which may predispose them to brain aneurysms. Researchers analyzed the genetic characteristics of 170 Inuit volunteers and identified unique variants correlated with a higher risk of this condition.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2019

College spending habits may predict when 'adulting' starts

A study found that fourth-year college students with good financial habits were more likely to see themselves as adults five years after graduating. Financial behaviors during this period continued to have a positive impact on emerging adults' adult identity formation, including lower symptoms of depression and higher relationship sati...

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Applied Developmental Psychology·DateJul 22, 2019

Researchers unveil experimental compound to block therapeutic target in blood cancer

Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center discovered a hyperactive cell signal contributing to tumor growth in aggressive blood cancer. They developed an experimental therapeutic compound, UNC3810A, that targeted and slowed tumor growth by blocking the hyperactive Tyro3 protein.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2019

Learning to look

Researchers developed an algorithm that can identify a certain type of bacterial viruses called inoviruses, significantly expanding their known diversity. The tool was trained on a reference dataset and combed through over 70,000 microbial and metagenome datasets, ultimately identifying more than 10,000 inovirus-like sequences.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJul 22, 2019

New, high-resolution images reveal clues to improve anti-nausea drugs for cancer patients

A new study using a cryo-electron microscope provides critical information for developing anti-nausea drugs that are effective against cancer patients' vomiting side effects. The high-resolution images reveal the attachment site of widely-used setron drugs on serotonin receptors, offering insights into how their design might be improved.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 22, 2019

Living components

Scientists at the University of Freiburg have developed a system to control the dynamics of energy-consuming DNA structures using an artificial chemical approach. The researchers successfully programmed these dynamic systems, enabling them to adapt to different situations and respond to stimuli faster.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 22, 2019

Delay from breast cancer diagnosis to chemotherapy after an operation may shorten survival

A new study published in Annals of Surgical Oncology suggests that delaying chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery can lead to poorer overall survival. The research found that patients who received postoperative chemotherapy within four months of diagnosis had better survival rates than those whose treatment was delayed.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalAnnals of Surgical Oncology·DateJul 22, 2019

Gut microbes may affect the course of ALS

A study published in Nature suggests that certain strains of gut microbes, particularly Akkermansia muciniphila, may slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in mice. The researchers found that supplementing ALS-prone mice with this strain significantly improved their survival and reduced disease symptoms.

Genes linked to death from sepsis ID'd in mice

Scientists at WashU Medicine have found a set of genes that help cells survive exposure to cytokines, which can trigger a deadly cytokine storm. Targeting these genes may lead to new treatments for sepsis, a life-threatening condition that claims 15% of patients despite prompt medical care.

Machine-learning detection of neurodevelopmental disorders

A machine learning algorithm identified altered pupil diameter fluctuations in mouse models of autism spectrum disorders, allowing early detection of developmental disorders. The algorithm distinguished Rett syndrome patients from controls based on heart rate fluctuations, suggesting a potential biomarker for early detection.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2019

Evolutionary gene loss may help explain why only humans are prone to heart attacks

Researchers suggest a genetic mutation two to three million years ago led to a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease in all humans, while also setting up a further risk for red meat-eating humans. Human-like mice modified to lack the CMAH gene showed a significant increase in atherogenesis compared to control mice.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2019

Research in Regenerative Medicine proposes a quality control framework for umbilical cord blood-sourced allografts

A recent study proposes a quality control framework for umbilical cord blood-sourced allografts, outlining future safety and potency benchmarks. The study identifies a unique liaison among the UCB-sourced allograft, host mesenchymal stem cells, and their secreted exosomes that influences tissue regeneration in vivo.

SourceFuture Science Group·JournalRegenerative Medicine·DateJul 22, 2019

Heart disease biomarker linked to paleo diet

Researchers found that people on the Paleo diet had twice the amount of a key blood biomarker linked closely to heart disease. The study suggests that the diet's exclusion of whole grains may be to blame for elevated TMAO levels, which are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalEuropean Journal of Nutrition·DateJul 22, 2019

Gun ownership linked to greater incidence of domestic homicides

A new study found that firearm ownership significantly increases the risk of intimate partner and family homicide, with a 13% increased incidence for each 10% increase in household gun ownership rates. The majority of domestic violence victims are women who are more likely to be killed if there is a gun in the household.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJul 22, 2019

The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Rapidly spreading multidrug-resistant parasites render frontline malaria drug ineffective in southeast Asia

A multi-country randomized trial found that half of patients in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam were not cured by first-line malaria treatment. The authors call for abandoning widely used drug combinations and adopting alternative treatments to prevent further development of multidrug-resistant malaria.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJul 22, 2019

Are american nurses prepared for a catastrophe? New study says perhaps not

A recent study found that American nursing programs provide inadequate instruction on handling catastrophic situations like nuclear events, pandemics, and water contamination crises. The study's results showed most students felt underprepared for emergency response, while professors believed they needed more training to teach care duri...

SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·JournalThe Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing·DateJul 22, 2019

Risk of neural tube defects higher for babies of women on HIV therapy with dolutegrav

Researchers found a 0.2% increased risk of neural tube defects among children born to mothers on HIV therapy containing dolutegravir since conception compared to those on other regimens. The study tracked birth outcomes in Botswana and suggested that starting dolutegravir around conception may pose a risk.

Miniaturized version of ribosome found in microsporidia

A research team led by Jonas Barandun has discovered a near-atomic model of the smallest known eukaryotic cytoplasmic ribosome found in microsporidia. The study reveals that microsporidian ribosomes have lost essential genes and expansion segments, allowing them to survive with a highly compacted genome.

SourceUmea University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJul 22, 2019

More ED visits because of alcohol, 175% increase in 25- to 29-year-olds seeking care

A Canadian study reveals a dramatic increase in emergency department visits related to alcohol consumption among young adults. The research found that the number of ED visits for alcohol-related issues skyrocketed by 175% in people aged 25-29, with women being more likely to visit due to binge drinking. The study also highlights dispro...

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJul 22, 2019

Racial disparity in fatal officer-involved shootings

A study by researchers at the University of Maryland found that white officers were not more likely to shoot minority civilians than black or Hispanic officers. Violent crime rates where the shooting took place were the strongest factor in predicting the race of a person fatally shot by police.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2019

Quantifying how the brain smells

Researchers found that molecular properties of odors do not hold predictive power when new odor pairs or shuffled properties are tested, highlighting the complexity of smell perception. The study suggests that the brain extracts different features from smells and that olfactory experience is highly subjective and context-dependent.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 22, 2019

Mortality rates of major league baseball players

Research analyzed mortality rates among 10,451 MLB players from 1906 to 2006, finding differences in death rates by position and career length. Longer playing careers were associated with lower cardiovascular-related deaths but increased cancer deaths.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJul 22, 2019

Serious falls are a health risk for adults under 65

A recent study by Yale researchers has identified middle-aged adults as a vulnerable population to serious falls due to medication use. Polypharmacy and the simultaneous use of benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, and prescription opioids increase fall risk.

SourceYale University·JournalJAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes·DateJul 22, 2019