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Science News for May 30, 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

New imaging tool for diagnosing heart disease

A new method called cardiac functional MRI eliminates the need for injections or physical stress testing, providing a safer and more detailed way to diagnose heart disease. The technique uses oxygenation-sensitive MRI to measure how well the heart's blood vessels are working to deliver oxygen.

SourceLawson Research Institute·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 30, 2019

The Lancet: Health progress threatened by neglect of gender

A new Lancet Series highlights persistent failures by governments and health institutions to address gender equality despite its impact on health. The series presents evidence-based recommendations to reduce gender inequality, reform workplaces, fill data gaps, empower civil society, and strengthen accountability.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 30, 2019

Exposure to airborne metal pollution associated with increased risk of mortality

A study published in Environment International found that exposure to airborne metal pollution is associated with an increased risk of mortality. The research used moss samples to estimate human exposure to metal particles and found that participants exposed to higher concentrations of anthropogenic metals had a higher risk of death.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·DateMay 30, 2019

Providing a critical roadmap to bridge the gap between medicine and public health

A new case study from NYU School of Medicine provides a roadmap for academic medical centers to bridge the gap between clinical practice and public health. The report outlines four core approaches to improving health and reducing health inequities, including engaging community partners, transforming healthcare operations, and shaping p...

Eating blueberries every day improves heart health

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating 150g of blueberries daily reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 15%. The research team from the University of East Anglia discovered that blueberries have a positive effect on metabolic syndrome, a condition affecting 1/3 of westernized ...

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMay 30, 2019

Scientists demonstrate plant stress memory and adaptation capabilities

Researchers have discovered a connection between two signalling systems that help plants survive stress situations, enabling them to remember and adapt to dangerous conditions. This breakthrough may lead to new bioengineering technologies to overcome crop growth retardation and development anomalies in stress-resistant crops.

SourceAKSON Russian Science Communication Association·JournalTrends in Plant Science·DateMay 30, 2019

Church, couch, couple: Social psychological connections between people and physical space

Research by Benjamin Meagher highlights the importance of ecological psychology in understanding how people shape their environments to support their personalities. By examining couples' homes and community designs, scientists can identify patterns that promote healthier behavior and positive experiences among occupants.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Review·DateMay 30, 2019

Uncovering microgel mysteries

A team of scientists at Shinshu University used a newly customized tool to study hydrogel microspheres, observing structural differences that were previously unexplained. The study reveals that the method of production greatly affects the structure and behavior of thermoresponsive microgels.

SourceShinshu University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 30, 2019

Fishing among worst jobs for health

Fishing workers in England and Wales experience poor general health, with 2.8% reporting 'bad' or 'very bad' health and 10.3% limited by long-term illness. The industry is facing social, environmental, and political change, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalMarine Policy·DateMay 30, 2019

Childhood adversity linked to early puberty, premature brain development, & mental illness

A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that growing up in poverty and experiencing traumatic events accelerates puberty, brain maturation, and mental health disorders. Poverty was associated with increased psychiatric symptoms and cognitive deficits, while trauma showed large effects on mood/anxiety and psychosis.

Emergency room or doctor's office?

A new study found that African American men are more likely to visit a doctor's office or clinic for healthcare due to higher threat sensitivity and having insurance. In contrast, those with lower threat sensitivity and no usual place for healthcare were more likely to frequent the emergency room.

Cancer-fighting combination targets glioblastoma

Researchers paired a calorie-restricted ketogenic diet with a tumor-inhibiting antibiotic to destroy cancer stem cells and mesenchymal cells in glioblastoma, a fast-moving brain cancer. The combination killed tumor cells while reversing disease symptoms and improving mouse survival.

SourceBoston College·JournalCommunications Biology·DateMay 30, 2019

Research confirms gut-brain connection in autism

A recent study has confirmed a link between gut problems and autism, revealing that the same gene mutations in the brain can also affect the gut nervous system. The discovery suggests that gastrointestinal issues may stem from the same mutations responsible for brain and behavioral issues in autism.

SourceRMIT University·JournalAutism Research·DateMay 30, 2019

New framework helps gauge impact of mosquito control programs

A new statistical framework has been developed to evaluate the effectiveness of mosquito control programs across various time and space scales. The model, applied to a citywide intervention in Iquitos, Peru, found that insecticide spraying reduced Ae. aegypti populations by an average of 67%.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateMay 30, 2019

COMMD3/8 protein complex: a potential drug target for treating inflammatory diseases

Researchers discovered a molecule involved in immune cell migration that plays a critical role in establishing immune responses. The COMMD3/8 complex promotes signal transduction of chemokine receptors to facilitate immune cell migration, which is essential for efficient immune responses and proper functioning of the immune system.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateMay 30, 2019

Teens at greater risk of violence, injury during sexual assaults than previously thought

A recent study of 563 sexual assault cases in Massachusetts found striking similarities in the types of injuries and violence experienced by adult and adolescent victims. Teenage victims were more likely to experience violence, force, and choking, with significant increases in use of force as age increased.

A new mechanism for accessing damaged DNA

Researchers from the Thomä group at FMI have identified a new mechanism by which UV-DDB detects and binds to damaged DNA tightly packed in nucleosomes. This mechanism, known as 'slide-assisted site-exposure', allows repair proteins to bind to lesions without requiring additional proteins or chemical energy.

SourceFriedrich Miescher Institute·JournalNature·DateMay 30, 2019