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Science News for November 8, 2019


Predicting risk of chronic kidney disease

A new study used data from over 5 million people to develop equations predicting the five-year risk of reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a key indicator of chronic kidney disease. The findings can help identify individuals at increased risk and potentially prevent or manage the condition.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateNov 8, 2019

New technique to identify a common cause to TMA diseases for which there is a treatment

Researchers develop a new technique to detect activated complement pathway in patients with thrombotic microangiopathies (TMA), allowing clinicians to determine potential use of existing treatment for other diseases. The technique could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of secondary TMAs, such as pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome.

SourceJosep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateNov 8, 2019

Stress hormone helps control the circadian rhythm of brain cells

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that stress hormones, such as corticosterone, play a crucial role in controlling the circadian rhythm of brain cells. By using test rats and a new method involving medical micropumps, they were able to restore the rhythmic activity of clock genes in the cerebellum even after t...

What and how much we eat might change our internal clocks and hormone responses

A high-caloric diet alters the time-of-day dependent metabolic cycle in mice, suggesting lean and obese patients may respond differently to steroid therapy. The study also highlights the biological function of daily hormone secretion cycles and their impact on sugar and fat storage or release by the liver.

A distinct spin on atomic transport

The study demonstrates simultaneous control over transport and spin properties of cold atoms, enabling the exploration of spintronics and solid-state physics. The efficiency of the atomic spin filter matches that of equivalent electronic systems, opening up new perspectives for studying quantum transport dynamics.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 8, 2019

Oral health for older adults

Oral health risks for older adults include increased incidence of tooth decay, gum disease, and complete loss of teeth. Practicing good oral hygiene, using fluoride treatments, and getting regular dental care can help prevent these complications.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateNov 8, 2019

Coastlines' contribution to climate change might have been underestimated

A new study found that eroding permafrost coastlines in the Arctic can release significant quantities of carbon dioxide, potentially exacerbating climate change. The research simulated erosion effects in a lab experiment and found CO2 was released as rapidly from thawing permafrost in seawater as it is from thawing permafrost on land.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 8, 2019

Air pollution in India is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease

A new study published in International Journal of Epidemiology found a strong association between air pollution and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in peri-urban South India. People exposed to higher levels of fine particles had a higher CIMT index, indicating a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateNov 8, 2019

TTUHSC researchers publish preclinical data on new drug combination to treat neuroblastoma

Researchers at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center have developed a novel drug combination using fenretinide and venetoclax to treat high-risk neuroblastoma. The study found that the combination of these two drugs showed significant activity against neuroblastoma cells, with multiple complete responses achieved in patients.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalMolecular Cancer Therapeutics·DateNov 8, 2019

Superfood for Mesozoic herbivores? Emerging data on extreme digestibility of equisetum and implications for young, growing herbivorous sauropods

A study by Carole Gee and colleagues confirms equisetum's importance as a digestible and nutritious food source for herbivorous dinosaurs in Mesozoic times. The researchers found that young and growing sauropods, which require rapid growth, would have relied on equisetum as a major food source.