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Science News for March 14, 2019


Rejection of transplanted organs: Long-awaited structure offers new insights

Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding antibody-mediated rejection, a major challenge in organ transplantation. They discovered the critical amino acids and binding site of alloantibodies on HLA molecules, providing new avenues for developing therapies to prevent or treat this type of rejection.

A peek into lymph nodes

Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new imaging technique to detect tumors in lymph nodes before they grow too large. The technique uses x-ray microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) and contrast agents to map the movement of cancer cells within the lymphatic system.

SourceTohoku University·JournalMolecular Imaging and Biology·DateMar 14, 2019

Blood diseases cured with bone marrow transplant

A new protocol has increased the rate of successful bone marrow transplants from half-matched donors to nearly 100%, offering a higher chance of cure for patients with severe inherited blood disorders. Patients experienced reduced symptoms and no longer required immunosuppressive medications.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Haematology·DateMar 14, 2019

Ocean sink for man-made CO2 measured

A global team of scientists has measured the ocean's sink for man-made CO2 over a period of 13 years, finding that it takes up 34 gigatonnes between 1994 and 2007. The absorption rate is congruent with the increase in atmospheric CO2 levels.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateMar 14, 2019

Older adults with multiple chronic illnesses

The American Geriatrics Society has identified five key principles to support the best care for older adults with multiple chronic conditions, including involving personal preferences and weighing benefits versus harms. The society also released a set of action steps to help healthcare providers make informed treatment choices.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateMar 14, 2019

Artificial intelligence learns to predict elementary particle signals

Researchers from HSE and Yandex developed a method to speed up LHC simulation using Generative Adversarial Networks. The approach accurately predicts the behavior of charged elementary particles, enabling faster analysis of experimental data.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A Accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment·DateMar 14, 2019

Ancient DNA research shines spotlight on Iberia

A large-scale ancient DNA study reveals that local Y chromosomes were almost completely replaced during the Bronze Age in the Iberian Peninsula. Genetic variation among hunter-gatherers and intermingling with people from North Africa and the Mediterranean provide new insights into the region's history.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·DateMar 14, 2019

Fighting leaf and mandible

A study in Panama's rainforest reveals that neighboring trees have different defensive traits and herbivores, impacting growth and survival. This finding suggests that climate change or habitat fragmentation will affect rainforest health.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScience·DateMar 14, 2019

Social risk factors and readmission penalties

A new model accounting for social risk factors could reduce financial penalties for at least half of all safety net hospitals, the study found. The research suggests that adjusting for social risk factors has potential to level the playing field for hospitals serving vulnerable patients.

SourceHenry Ford Health·JournalHealth Services Research·DateMar 14, 2019

Vaccine study confirms sensitivity of cholera test

A recent study using a cholera vaccine cluster trial found that conventional fecal microbiological cultures identified only 66% of patients with cholera, suggesting widespread underestimation of global cases. The study supported the sensitivity of these culture methods, but no evidence of protection was found.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateMar 14, 2019

Poor kidney function linked to higher cancer risk

A study of Swedish adults found a U-shaped relationship between kidney function and cancer incidence, with lower eGFR associated with higher cancer risk. The research suggests that individuals with mild to severe chronic kidney disease may be at increased risk for skin (non-melanoma) and urogenital cancers.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMar 14, 2019

Can an antifreeze protein also promote ice formation?

Antifreeze proteins, typically preventing ice formation, have also been found to promote its growth at extremely low temperatures. This study, published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, provides insight into the basic processes of ice formation and suggests potential implications for understanding climate.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateMar 14, 2019

Fingermark imaging for drug detection

Researchers have developed a novel method for detecting amphetamine and ketamine in latent fingermarks using nanocarrier-based biological fluorescent probes. The method allows for simultaneous detection of multiple drugs in a single fingerprint, providing a potential solution to combat drug abuse.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalNANO·DateMar 14, 2019

Machine learning sheds light on the biology of toxin exposure

A machine learning approach using high-quality animal model data sheds new light on the biology of the liver and kidneys after toxin exposure, revealing nine distinct patterns of response to chemical exposure that may be broadly relevant to studies of human disease. The analysis highlights defense mechanisms and novel biomarkers, provi...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalMolecular Systems Biology·DateMar 14, 2019

Duplicate or mirror?

Scientists have discovered that the direction of laser light hitting a molecule determines its chiral form. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient production of molecules with uniform chirality for pharmaceuticals. The research was conducted using the planar formic acid molecule and the reaction microscope method.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 14, 2019

Tobacco control policies linked to reduced smoking

A new study found that increased tobacco taxes and smoke-free policies in European countries were significantly related to a reduction in smoking among older adults. The association was particularly strong among those between 50 and 65 years old and those with lower levels of education.

SourceWiley·JournalAddiction·DateMar 14, 2019

'Tingle' wearable device improves position tracking accuracy utilizing thermal sensors

A new study published in npj Digital Medicine found that a wearable tracking device called Tingle achieves higher accuracy in position tracking using thermal sensors. The device was able to distinguish between behaviors directed toward six different locations on the head, potentially aiding in the diagnosis and management of conditions...

SourceThe Child Mind Institute·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·DateMar 14, 2019

Traffic accidents involving moose are 13 times more likely to result in human death

Motor vehicle collisions involving moose are 13 times more likely to result in human fatalities compared to deer crashes, a study found. The study analyzed data from northern New England and noted that moose-motor vehicle crashes often involve head, neck, and face injuries due to the animal's massive size and weight.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateMar 14, 2019

The genetics of regeneration

A team of researchers from Harvard University has discovered genetic switches that control the process of whole-body regeneration in animals. Using three-banded panther worms, they found that a non-coding DNA section activates a 'master control gene' called early growth response (EGR), which controls various processes by switching othe...

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateMar 14, 2019

BU: Central American kidney disease epidemic linked to occupational heat exposure

A new study finds that occupational heat exposure is linked to a decline in kidney function and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in artisanal brick makers in Nicaragua. The researchers found 12.1% of the sample had stage 3-5 CKD, with risk factors including operating ovens, less education, older age, and inadequate water intake.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases·DateMar 14, 2019

Noninvasive ultrasound stimulation of spleen could lead to new treatments for inflammatory arthritis

Researchers have discovered that noninvasive daily ultrasound stimulation of the spleen in mice with inflammatory arthritis results in significantly less joint swelling compared to untreated mice. The study is a first step towards developing new treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease affecting millions of peo...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 14, 2019

Green tea cuts obesity, health risks in mice

A new study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that green tea extract reduced weight gain and inflammation in mice fed a high-fat diet. The researchers also discovered improved gut health, including more beneficial microbes and less permeability in the intestinal wall. These findings suggest that green tea may h...

SourceOhio State University·JournalThe Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry·DateMar 14, 2019

Non-invasive imaging technique valid for identifying small airway disease in lung

A non-invasive imaging biomarker called Parametric Response Mapping (PRM) can identify small airway damage in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This technique measures lung density during inhalation and exhalation, helping to predict patients who will lose lung function.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMar 14, 2019

Converting biomass by applying mechanical force

Researchers at the University of Münster have identified a new reaction mechanism for converting biomass into fuels and chemicals using mechanical force. The mechano-catalytic reaction reduces energy requirements and eliminates unnecessary steps, leading to a more efficient and environmentally friendly process.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 14, 2019