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Science News Archive June 2019 - Page 26


Page 26 of 41

The short life of Must Farm

Archaeologists from the Cambridge Archaeological Unit present a definitive timeframe for Must Farm's occupation and destruction in Antiquity. The site, located in Cambridgeshire, England, features remarkably preserved Late Bronze Age structures, including stilted houses and logboats, which provide insight into daily life 3,000 years ago.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalAntiquity·DateJun 12, 2019

Study supports glucocorticoid tapering in patients achieving disease control on tocilizumab

A randomized controlled trial demonstrated that approximately two-thirds of patients achieving disease control on tocilizumab experience successful treatment outcomes following glucocorticoid tapering. Most patients in both groups achieved treatment success, with a small loss of disease control observed at the total study population le...

How the cell protects itself

Human cells use a mechanism to protect genetic transcripts from spliceosomes, preventing damage that can lead to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The researchers found that the snRNA of spliceosomes migrates into the cytoplasm in human cells, unlike in yeast, where it remains in the nucleus.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 12, 2019

Identifying colorectal cancer subtypes could lead to improved treatment decisions

Researchers found that identifying a patient's Consensus Molecular Subtype (CMS) could help oncologists determine the most effective course of treatment. CMS categorizes colorectal cancer into four distinct subgroups based on tumor mutations, and each subgroup is associated with different treatment outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 12, 2019

Gemini Planet Imager analyzes 300 stars

The Gemini Planet Imager survey discovered six planets and three brown dwarfs orbiting 300 stars, offering new insights into the formation of Jupiter-like planets and their distribution around high-mass stars. The findings suggest that wide-orbiting giant planets are more common around high mass stars, but rare around sun-like stars.

Table salt compound spotted on Europa

Researchers spot sodium chloride on the icy moon Europa, potentially indicating a hydrothermally active ocean floor and making it a geologically interesting planetary body. The discovery was made using visible light spectral analysis, which revealed distinct absorption patterns in the visible spectrum.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 12, 2019

Body composition shown to affect energy spent standing versus sitting

Researchers found that young adults burned significantly more kilocalories per minute while standing than sitting or lying, with no significant association between energy expenditure and body composition. Increasing standing time is a simple way to boost energy expenditure, lending support to efforts to counteract sedentary lifestyles.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 12, 2019

Honeybee mite raises bumblebee virus risk

A study by the University of Exeter found that Varroa destructor mites indirectly increase infection rates among wild bumblebees by spreading deformed wing virus (DWV) through honeybee colonies. This highlights the need for beekeepers to treat their affected colonies.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEcology Letters·DateJun 12, 2019

Physics at the edge

Researchers have successfully created a graphene-based topological insulator, which enables the creation of low-dissipation ballistic electrical circuits. This breakthrough builds upon previous work and overcomes challenges related to spin-orbit coupling, a key component necessary for topological insulators.

Mathematical tools to study tumors

The study analyzed images of biopsy samples from patients with neuroblastoma and used Graph Theory to describe the organization of vitronectin fibrils. The results suggest that the degree of organisation correlates with tumour aggressiveness, potentially allowing for patient classification before treatment.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalJournal of Cancer·DateJun 12, 2019

HIB vaccine linked with better health, cognition, and schooling outcomes in Indian children

Researchers found that Hib-vaccinated children had higher HAZ scores, English and math test scores, and schooling attainment compared to unvaccinated children. The study suggests that Hib vaccination prior to age six is associated with improved long-term health, cognition, and schooling outcomes among Indian children.

SourceCenter for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy·JournalAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences·DateJun 12, 2019