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Science News for November 7, 2019


Stanford scientists link Neanderthal extinction to human diseases

Researchers suggest that diseases may have played a crucial role in the extinction of Neanderthals. By employing mathematical models, they demonstrate how unique diseases harbored by Neanderthals and modern humans could have created an invisible disease barrier, ultimately allowing modern humans to supplant their cousins.

Heart attack modeled with human stem cells

Scientists at Okayama University created a human stem cell-based model of myocardial infarction, allowing for the evaluation of tissue damage and inflammation. This new model offers a more accurate representation of human heart conditions, enabling the development of more effective preventive and therapeutic medicines.

SourceOkayama University·JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·DateNov 7, 2019

Why beta-blockers cause skin inflammation

Researchers found that beta-blockers can cause psoriasis by interfering with the breakdown of defective cell components and disrupting autophagy. This leads to the release of inflammatory messengers, resulting in skin problems. The study suggests that fat-soluble beta-blockers are more likely to cause inflammation.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalAutophagy·DateNov 7, 2019

SDHI pesticides are toxic for human cells

Researchers discovered eight SDHI pesticide molecules harming earthworms, bees, and human cells by blocking succinate dehydrogenase activity. The study found these pesticides induce oxidative stress in human cells, leading to cell death, threatening human health.

SourceCNRS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 7, 2019

Eight tips for promoting men's health

A study by UBC professor John Oliffe reveals eight lessons learnt from successful community-based men's health promotion programs. These programs recognize social forces that uniquely affect men, such as cultural activities and elder-led circles, to improve mental and physical well-being.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalHealth Promotion International·DateNov 7, 2019

Sugar-coating proteins can help understand brain disease

Scientists at the University of Dundee have created a method to permanently attach a small sugar molecule called O-GlcNAc to proteins in human cells. This allows them to investigate its role in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, which are thought to be linked to O-GlcNAc disruption.

SourceUniversity of Dundee·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateNov 7, 2019

Voters agree with polls that favor their candidates

A new study by researchers at the University of Michigan and University of Pennsylvania indicates that individuals disproportionately find polls more credible when their preferred candidate is leading. The study suggests that emphasizing polls' methodological quality can lessen voters' biases, potentially benefiting democracy.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalInternational Journal of Public Opinion Research·DateNov 7, 2019

Millions of seabirds rely on discarded fish

A new study reveals that North Sea fishing vessels discard over 267,000 tonnes of fish, enough to feed 3.45 million birds, and this figure has declined since 1990. The discarded fish support scavenging bird species, with the largest declines observed in northern fulmars, black-legged kittiwakes, and herring gulls.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalFish and Fisheries·DateNov 7, 2019

Personalized gene networks enhance study of disease

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine developed a new method to model gene interactions and predict changes over time. The idopNetwork can create personalized networks for individual patients, showing complex gene connections and predicting outcomes.

SourcePenn State·Journalnpj Systems Biology and Applications·DateNov 7, 2019

Minimizing post-harvest food losses

Researchers from Graz University of Technology develop biological methods to improve storage of apples and sugar beet, reducing losses due to spoilage. The combined use of hot water treatment and biocontrol organisms significantly increases shelf life and reduces post-harvest pathogens.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateNov 7, 2019

For first time, potential treatment path becomes clear for subtype of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Scripps Research scientists have discovered a way to stop a problematic enzyme from wreaking havoc on peripheral nervous system cells in patients with a specific subtype of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. By preventing the enzyme's entry into the nucleus, researchers achieved a complete rescue of symptoms in fruit fly models.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 7, 2019

Thorium superconductivity: Scientists discover new high-temperature superconductor

Researchers at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have synthesized a new superconducting material called thorium decahydride (ThH10), which exhibits high-temperature superconductivity at 161 kelvins. This breakthrough is significant as it could lead to the development of more practical applications for superconductors.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalMaterials Today·DateNov 7, 2019

The medieval Catholic church's influence on psychology of Western, industrialized societies

A study by Jonathan Schultz et al. reveals how the medieval Catholic Church's marriage policies replaced extended kin networks with nuclear households, contributing to increased individualism and less conformity in Western populations. The researchers controlled for variables such as education and income to support their findings.

Study finds sex bias in bird conservation plans

A new study reveals that conservation plans often overlook habitats used by females, putting declining species at greater risk. Researchers found that female birds face a higher threat to their habitats than males, highlighting the need for inclusive conservation strategies.

SourceCornell University·JournalBiological Conservation·DateNov 7, 2019

Research reveals potential dangers during skin-to-skin contact for mother and baby following cesarean section birth

Researchers warn of risks in allowing skin-to-skin contact between mothers and newborns after a C-section, as cardiac activity can interfere with electrocardiogram readings. Both cases involved abnormal heart rhythms triggered by the baby's touch on ECG electrodes, highlighting the need for safe protocols.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·JournalEuropean Journal of Anaesthesiology·DateNov 7, 2019