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Science News for November 11, 2019


How the Zika virus can spread

Researchers from Goethe University have developed reliable maps predicting the Zika virus transmission risk in South America. The models also indicate a moderate risk in Central America and lowest in southern areas of the continent. Europe is under threat, especially in Mediterranean regions and inland France.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalPeerJ·DateNov 11, 2019

Middle-aged muscle mass linked to future heart disease risk

A 10-year study found that middle-aged men with higher muscle mass had a lower risk of heart attack and stroke. The researchers suggest that preserving skeletal muscle mass through regular physical activity and a protein-rich diet may help reduce cardiovascular disease risk.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateNov 11, 2019

Australian women turning to cannabis to treat endometriosis symptoms

A new study found that over three-quarters of Australian women with endometriosis use self-management strategies like breathing techniques, yoga, and dietary changes, with cannabis being the most effective treatment. Women reported significant reductions in pain, nausea, and depression symptoms, as well as a decrease in medication usage.

SourceNICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University·JournalJournal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada·DateNov 11, 2019

Team plucks needle from genomic haystack, finding essential transcription factor binding sites

Researchers have discovered 37 essential FOXA1 binding sites in T47D cells, which act as enhancers to regulate gene expression. The team also developed a machine learning model to predict important transcription factor binding sites, offering promising insights into cancer biology and potential clinical applications.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 11, 2019

Putting a conservation finger on the internet's pulse

Scientists from the University of Helsinki have created a computer algorithm that measures online discussions about endangered species, such as rhinos. The method successfully identified major events, including the death of the last northern white rhino, and highlights the importance of public sentiment in conservation.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalBiological Conservation·DateNov 11, 2019

New research explains how HIV avoids getting ZAPped

A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals how the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) evades detection by the zinc-finger antiviral protein ZAP. Researchers found that HIV's RNA has evolved to mimic a specific sequence, allowing it to dodge ZAP's binding ability.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 11, 2019

ACP issues policy recommendations aimed at mitigating the rising costs of prescription drugs

The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued policy recommendations aimed at mitigating the rising costs of prescription drugs, including increasing transparency and lowering out-of-pocket costs for patients. The recommendations also focus on improving access to affordable medications and addressing issues in public health plans.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 11, 2019

Penn uncovers dose of medication more likely to put patients with pemphigus into remission

Researchers at Penn Medicine have discovered that a higher dose of rituximab is more likely to put patients with pemphigus into complete remission compared to the standard treatment regimen. The study found that patients over 65 had a nearly 10-fold greater chance of achieving complete remission, while those with moderate to severe obe...

Combining satellites, radar provides path for better forecasts

Researchers at Penn State combined geostationary satellites and traditional weather radar to create a system that produces the best forecasts for severe thunderstorms. The study found that assimilating satellite and radar data simultaneously leads to the most accurate predictions, with warning times increased by up to 40 minutes.

SourcePenn State·JournalMonthly Weather Review·DateNov 11, 2019

Degenerative eye condition (AMD) to affect 77 million Europeans by 2050

A degenerative eye condition called AMD is projected to affect 77 million Europeans by 2050, with the number of existing cases rising by 15% and new cases increasing by 75%. The estimated projections show that one in four older adults will have AMD, ranging from under 1 in 10 for those younger than 65 to over 27% of those over 75.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Ophthalmology·DateNov 11, 2019

Aging in good health: The inequalities are widening

Researchers found that life expectancy in Switzerland has increased, but the country's population who only attended compulsory schooling are living longer in poor health. The gap between men and women is also widening, with women experiencing a smaller increase in healthy years due to their higher life expectancy

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalInternational Journal of Public Health·DateNov 11, 2019

LSU Health research discovers potential new Rx target for AMD and Alzheimer's

Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine have discovered a new mechanism by which elovanoids may protect brain and retinal cells against neurodegenerative diseases. The study identifies elovanoids as a potential therapeutic approach for age-related macular degeneration and Alzheimer's disease.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 11, 2019

Each mouse is different

Researchers create algorithm to identify stable traits that capture mouse behavior, revealing unique individual characteristics and genetic basis. The method has potential to advance knowledge of mouse personality and its relation to mental health and disease.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateNov 11, 2019

Gold mining critically impairs water quality in rivers across Peruvian biodiversity hotspot

Research reveals artisanal gold mining is altering water clarity and dynamics in the Madre de Dios River watershed, causing increased sediment levels that contain mercury and other contaminants. This has severe impacts on fish populations and other aquatic life, disrupting natural seasonal cycles and habitat of endangered species.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 11, 2019

Project to answer last wishes spreads successfully

A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found a program that fulfils end-of-life wishes can ease bereavement by encouraging conversations about the patient's identity. The project, which costs around $5 per wish, has been successful at several hospital intensive care unit sites.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 11, 2019

Men who receive home care from spouse more likely to feel burdensome than women

A new study by University of Michigan researchers found that men who receive caregiving from their spouses are more prone to feeling guilty and depressed due to negative spousal exchanges. In contrast, wives in caregiving relationships show less susceptibility to these effects, suggesting a difference in gender dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·DateNov 11, 2019

Salmonella -- how the body fights back

Scientists discovered that blood stem cells acquire energy from bone marrow support cells in response to salmonella infection, enabling them to produce millions of bacteria-fighting white blood cells. This discovery could lead to new approaches to treating people with salmonella and other bacterial illnesses.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 11, 2019

Forecasting dengue: Challenges and a way forward

A team of scientists has developed new ways to forecast dengue infections by combining disease and climate data. The project aimed to predict maximum weekly cases, the week of peak cases, and total season cases, but models still struggle to accurately predict epidemics.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 11, 2019

Study reveals how two strains of one bacterium combine to cause flesh-eating infection

A new study reveals that genetic variations in a single species of bacteria can amplify infection, making it more dangerous than either strain alone. The researchers discovered that when the two strains work together, one produces a toxin that breaks down muscle tissue and enables the other to infect organs.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 11, 2019

Oxygen deficiency rewires mitochondria

Researchers have discovered that mitochondria undergo reprogramming under low oxygen conditions, a process that could provide new therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer. This reprogramming enables cancer cells to adapt to energy scarcity by switching to glycolysis, allowing them to continue growing despite limited nutrients and oxygen.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateNov 11, 2019

Drug discount cards could actually cost patients more

A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that brand-name drug discount cards lead to higher health care spending in Canada, increasing private insurer costs by 46% and public insurer costs by 1.3%. Despite offering some savings, these cards financially disadvantage patients who fill prescriptions with them.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 11, 2019

Teaching preschool caregivers healthy behaviors may promote healthier habits in high-risk groups

A study in a multi-ethnic community found that teaching young adults healthy behaviors and showing them ultrasound images of plaque in their arteries improved their cardiovascular health. The FAMILIA Project showed significant benefits for caregivers who strictly adhered to simple education plans, reducing risk factors for heart disease.

Heart disease and cancer risk may be linked

A new study reveals that people with cardiovascular disease are at higher risk of developing cancer, while those with more risk factors for heart disease are also more likely to develop cancer. Lifestyle habits that reduce heart disease risk, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, may also help prevent some cancers.

Injectable, flexible electrode could replace rigid nerve-stimulating implants

Researchers have developed an injectable, flexible electrode that can reduce the cost of neuromodulation therapy, increase its reliability and make it less invasive. The 'injectrode' uses a liquid that cures in the body to create a wired contact, allowing for more elasticity and flexibility compared to traditional rigid implants.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateNov 11, 2019

Citizen responder CPR and defibrillation programs may improve survival and outcomes from cardiac arrests that occur at home

A study in Denmark found that citizen responders can arrive before emergency medical services in 40% of residential cardiac arrests and perform defibrillation in nearly 50% of cases. This preliminary research suggests citizen responder programs have the potential to increase bystander defibrillation, leading to improved survival rates.

CRISPR: More than just for gene editing?

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed an electrochemical CRISPR platform that can detect specific viruses, such as HPV and parvo, in a single droplet of blood. This innovative device has the potential to provide accurate results in under an hour, compared to existing tests which take three to five days.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateNov 11, 2019

Humans' ability to read dogs' facial expressions is learned, not innate

Researchers found that humans' ability to recognize dog emotions is mainly acquired through age and experience, rather than being an evolutionarily selected trait. Participants who grew up in a cultural context with a positive attitude towards dogs were better at recognizing their emotions, regardless of whether they owned a dog themse...

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 11, 2019

Prey-size plastics are invading larval fish nurseries

Researchers found that larval fish in ocean surface slicks ingest prey-size plastics, which could impact their development and survival. The study highlights the importance of understanding complex gradients in plankton and larval fish abundance to protect these vulnerable life-history stages.

SourceBangor University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 11, 2019

Hurricanes have become bigger and more destructive for USA; new study from the Niels Bohr Institute

Researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute find that hurricanes have increased in size and destructive force, with a clear climate signal behind the trend. The new calculation method reveals a significant increase in the frequency of the most destructive hurricanes, which now rival those from the past century.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 11, 2019

Magnets for the second dimension

Scientists at ETH Zurich created quadrupole magnetic building blocks that can be assembled into any two-dimensional shape using attractive south and north poles. These modules have potential applications in soft robotics and could be used to create robots controlled by a magnetic field.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Robotics·DateNov 11, 2019

Finding Nemo's cousins

Anemonefish have a unique visual system that allows them to detect ultraviolet (UV) light, which may aid in finding both friends and food. This specialisation in the eye enables them to distinguish colour and see UV light, making it easier to navigate their environment.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 11, 2019

Stress testing the healthcare system

Scientists at CSH Vienna create model to determine regional health care system's resilience in real-time, focusing on physicians' networks and patient flows. The model helps identify critical points where the system can absorb or compensate for lost doctors without collapse.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 11, 2019

New understanding of antibiotic synthesis

Researchers at McGill University have made significant strides in understanding the functioning of enzymes that produce antibiotics and therapeutics. The study found a surprising level of flexibility in the assembly line of nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), which could lead to new therapeutic design possibilities.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience·DateNov 11, 2019