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Science News Archive May 2019


Page 1 of 42

Vulnerability of cloud service hardware uncovered

Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) discovered a vulnerability in field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) used in cloud services, allowing hackers to carry out side-channel attacks and spy on other users. The finding highlights the need for protection measures to safeguard against cyber threats.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalIACR Transactions on Cryptographic Hardware and Embedded Systems·DateMay 31, 2019

Certain antidepressants could provide treatment for multiple infectious diseases

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University have discovered that certain antidepressants, known as FIASMAs, can halt the growth or kill four different intracellular bacterial pathogens. These drugs target cholesterol trafficking in cells, bypassing direct bacterial targeting and potentially providing an alternative to antibiotics.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalLife Science Alliance·DateMay 31, 2019

DNA origami to scale-up molecular motors

Researchers at Hokkaido University successfully assembled a larger biomolecular motor system using DNA origami, overcoming previous scalability challenges. The system, combining fibrous microtubules and motor protein kinesins, exhibits dynamic contraction when energized by ATP.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 31, 2019

Occupational hazards account for more than one in ten people with range of lung diseases

A joint ATS and European Respiratory Society statement reveals that occupational hazards contribute to over 1 in 10 cases of non-cancerous lung diseases, including asthma and COPD. The study estimates the burden of these conditions, highlighting a need for policy makers to prioritize prevention among working women and men worldwide.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMay 31, 2019

The body responds to variations in light between the day and night independently of the brain

New research reveals that tissues can respond to light changes independently of the central clock in the brain, maintaining minimal functions even when other tissues fail. This autonomy has significant implications for health, particularly in regards to premature aging and pathologies caused by daily phase differences.

Men who choose active surveillance for early prostate cancer often don't follow monitoring rules

A study found that only 15% of men in North Carolina with low or intermediate-risk prostate cancer who chose active surveillance followed recommended monitoring guidelines. This suggests that patients may not be adhering to the guidelines, which include regular PSA tests and biopsies. The study's authors call for further research into ...

A new way to predict complications after larynx cancer surgery

A new technique using laser angiography illuminated blood flow during laryngectomy surgery, identifying patients at highest risk of wound healing issues. This approach may enable surgeons to adjust during surgery or recovery to improve outcomes, with potential interventions including wider tissue removal and extended hospital stays.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Surgical Oncology·DateMay 31, 2019

Organic laser diodes move from dream to reality

Researchers at Kyushu University have successfully demonstrated the lasing by direct electrical stimulation of an organic film, overcoming previous performance limitations with improved materials and device structures. The breakthrough enables applications such as biosensing, displays, healthcare, and optical communications.

SourceKyushu University·JournalApplied Physics Express·DateMay 31, 2019

Astrocytes protect neurons from toxic buildup

Research at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Janelia Research Campus discovered that astrocytes collect and recycle toxic molecules from overactive neurons, protecting them from damage. This mechanism, previously unknown, could be related to Alzheimer's disease and is an important role for astrocytes beyond their support of neurons.

New records show spread of parasitic deer flies across the US

Deer keds, a type of parasite fly that occasionally bites humans, have been found in more locations than previously thought, according to Penn State researchers. The team mapped their distribution across North America, documenting new state and county records, and warned that they may transmit disease-causing bacteria.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateMay 31, 2019

Richtsmeier receives anatomist's science award

Richtsmeier investigates the role of developmental processes in morphological variation, using mouse models to study craniofacial growth patterns and the influence of genetic variants on disease phenotypes. Her current research focuses on the chondrocranium, the first skull to form during embryonic development.

Flexible generators turn movement into energy

Researchers at Rice University have created a material that generates electricity from movement, enabling the creation of wearable devices powered by human activity. The triboelectric effect is used to harness energy from contact and separation between materials, producing enough power to charge small capacitors.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateMay 31, 2019

Chasing species' 'intactness'

Researchers developed a new metric called The Last of the Wild in Each Ecoregion (LWE) to quantify ecologically intact ecosystems. However, testing LWE against another method found neither to accurately capture the abundance of large mammal species sensitive to human disturbance.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalFrontiers in Forests and Global Change·DateMay 31, 2019

Racism has a toxic effect

A USC-led study found that racist experiences increase inflammation in African Americans, raising their risk of chronic illness. Chronic inflammation is linked to heart attacks, neurodegenerative diseases, and metastatic cancer if genes remain active for extended periods.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalPsychoneuroendocrinology·DateMay 31, 2019

Community impacts from extreme weather shape climate beliefs

A recent study by Duke University researchers found that how a community or neighborhood fares in an extreme storm or flood has a stronger and more lasting effect on climate beliefs than individual losses. Damage at the zip-code level was positively associated with stronger climate change beliefs even three or four years after the event.

SourceDuke University·JournalClimatic Change·DateMay 31, 2019

ASCO 2019: 40-50 percent response rate for brigatinib after other next-gen ALK inhibitors

A new study presented at ASCO 2019 shows that brigatinib is effective in patients who have received another next-generation ALK inhibitor. The 40-50 percent response rate suggests that brigatinib may be a useful treatment option for these patients. Detailed molecular analyses will help determine the characteristics of patients sensitiv...

Towards a new era of small animal imaging research

A new study from McGill University and the University of Antwerp has developed a PET imaging platform that allows simultaneous scanning of multiple awake animals. This breakthrough enables unprecedented experimental designs and opens up new avenues for research into brain function, neurochemistry, and behavior.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNeuroImage·DateMay 30, 2019