Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for March 18, 2019


Grow a better jawbone in your ribs

Researchers developed a technique to grow live bone in the rib area using 3D-printed bioreactors and stem cells. The new method aims to replace current reconstruction techniques that use harvested bone tissues from different areas, promoting natural healing powers.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 18, 2019

Can people learn to embrace risk?

New research finds that children's risk aversion can be influenced by their social environment, with girls from matrilineal Mosuo culture becoming more risk-loving after exposure to patriarchal Han culture and vice versa. The study aims to explore the malleability of gender norms and their impact on economic outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 18, 2019

Fast-acting psychedelic associated with improvements in depression/anxiety

A Johns Hopkins study found that 80% of participants experienced improvements in anxiety and depression after using synthetic psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT. The short-acting effects of the substance may make it easier to use as an adjunct therapy, with potential benefits for individuals experiencing clinically significant negative mood.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse·DateMar 18, 2019

How heavy elements come about in the universe

A research team at Goethe University Frankfurt has successfully simulated the capture of protons by heavy elements in the universe. By using an ion storage ring, they were able to create conditions similar to those found in stellar explosions and neutron stars, allowing them to study the formation of heavy elements in detail.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 18, 2019

Experimental blood test accurately spots fibromyalgia

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a blood test that can reliably detect fibromyalgia by identifying unique biomarkers in the blood. The discovery has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes for patients with this often-misdiagnosed disease, which affects millions of Americans.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMar 18, 2019

CDC researchers report on trends in hospital breastfeeding policies

A new study by CDC researchers found that US hospital breastfeeding policies improved slightly between 2009 and 2015, with over 70% of hospitals still offering free infant formula. The study analyzed data from the Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care survey, which showed increases in model policy adoption and early breastfe...

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalBreastfeeding Medicine·DateMar 18, 2019

New potential approach to treat atopic dermatitis

Researchers found that a small yeast species called Malassezia strengthens the body's defenses against pathogens, but its balance with the immune system is key to preventing atopic dermatitis. A new potential treatment targets this balance by neutralizing interleukin-17 cytokine production.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateMar 18, 2019

Researchers create hydrogen fuel from seawater

Stanford researchers have devised a way to generate hydrogen fuel from seawater using solar power, electrodes, and saltwater from San Francisco Bay. The new method uses electrolysis to separate hydrogen and oxygen gas from seawater via electricity, overcoming the limitations of existing methods that rely on purified water.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 18, 2019

Two-drug combos using popular calcium channel blocker show superiority in lowering BP

A large randomized controlled trial found that two frontline two-drug combinations including amlodipine significantly reduced blood pressure levels more than a third combination without amlodipine. The study, conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, showed that nearly half of adults have high blood pressure, often receiving ineffective treatment.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 18, 2019

Holocaust survivors with PTSD transmit negative views on aging to their adult offspring

A study by Prof. Amit Shrira found that Holocaust survivors with PTSD and their offspring negatively perceive aging, viewing themselves as less successful than those without PTSD or exposure to the Holocaust. This transmission of negative views can lead to greater risk for physical deterioration among survivors and their families.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalThe Journals of Gerontology Series B·DateMar 18, 2019

'Inflamm-aging' causes loss of bone healing ability in the elderly

Chronic inflammation, not aging, is the main reason why bones heal more slowly with age. Researchers found that exposure to older mice's blood serum reduces stem cell multiplication and increases inflammation. Treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs restored skeletal stem cell function and bone healing ability in aged mice.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 18, 2019

UW team finds key to common cancer pathway

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered an unexpected regulator of the p53 protein, which plays a crucial role in cancer development. The research team found that an enzyme called PIPK1-alpha and its lipid messenger, PIP2, drive the stability of mutant p53, leading to cancer progression.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateMar 18, 2019

When it comes to monarchs, fall migration matters

Researchers at Michigan State University found that a critical piece of the monarch butterfly's annual cycle was missing - the fall migration. The team built a multi-scale model and included environmental factors like temperature and landscape greenness to account for year-to-year variations.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 18, 2019

Australian study links breastfeeding with lower risk of heart disease

A new Australian study found that mothers who breastfeed are 34 percent less likely to die of heart disease than those who don't. Women who breastfed for up to 12 months had a lower risk of developing and dying from cardiovascular disease, with significant findings independent of socio-economic status and overall health-related lifestyle.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMar 18, 2019

Eating fish may help prevent asthma

A recent study by Professor Andreas Lopata found that consuming certain types of n-3 fatty acids from marine oils can decrease asthma risk by up to 62%, while high n-6 consumption increases risk by up to 67%. This research suggests a potential link between fish consumption and reduced asthma severity.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateMar 18, 2019

Prenatal testosterone linked to long-term effects in females who share womb with male twin

Research finds that female twins exposed to prenatal testosterone from a male twin are less likely to graduate from high school or college, have lower fertility rates, and earn less by their early 30s. The study supports the 'twin testosterone-transfer hypothesis' and suggests long-term biological effects on behavior and outcomes.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 18, 2019

The Protein Society announces its 2019 award recipients

This year's awards recognize Professor Minoru Kanehisa for his work on the KEGG database, Professor Anthony Kossiakoff for his technological achievements in protein structure and function, Professor Hao Wu for her groundbreaking signal transduction research, Professor Shahriar Mobashery for his discovery of new antibiotics, and Profess...

Protective antibodies also found in premature babies

A study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that very premature babies carry anti-viral antibodies transferred from the mother, suggesting a previously underappreciated source of protection. The analysis also revealed that the protection offered by these antibodies lasts different durations depending on the virus.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Medicine·DateMar 18, 2019

Low-risk patients may benefit from less invasive transcatheter valve replacement

A new study suggests that minimally invasive transcatheter valve replacement is a safe and effective therapy for healthier patients at low surgical risk. Patients treated with TAVR had lower incidence of disabling stroke, bleeding complications, and atrial fibrillation, but slightly higher moderate aortic regurgitation.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 18, 2019

Evidence for ancient magnetic sense in humans

A recent study suggests humans possess an ancient magnetic sense, as their brains respond to changes in the Earth's magnetic field. The research used electroencephalography to record brain activity during magnetic field manipulations, revealing a decrease in alpha-band brain activity in some participants.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateMar 18, 2019

Seafood mislabeling rate less than 1 percent for products with MSC ecolabel vs. global average of 30 percent

A recent study found that more than 1400 Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) labeled products showed less than 1% species mislabeling rate, significantly lower than the global average of 30%. The study suggests that the MSC's ecolabeling and Chain of Custody program is an effective deterrent for deliberate species substitution and fraud.

SourceMarine Stewardship Council·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 18, 2019

Pure omega-3 prescription drug markedly reduces first, repeat and total CV events

A new study shows that a 4 gram dose of icosapent ethyl significantly reduces the occurrence of ischemic events, including heart attacks, strokes, and related deaths. The drug also prevents subsequent cardiovascular events and may be a cost-effective way to prevent CV complications in patients with elevated triglycerides.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 18, 2019

Virtual reality could improve your balance, study finds

A new study by Lund University found that virtual reality can help individuals with long-term dizziness shift their reliance from vision to other senses for better balance. The study showed differences in how men and women are affected by VR, with more women needing additional practice to master this skill.

SourceLund University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 18, 2019