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Science News Archive October 2019


Page 1 of 47

Heavy smoking causes faces to look older

A study published in PLOS Genetics found that heavy smoking causes faces to look older due to accelerated facial aging. Researchers also identified a higher risk of poor lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among smokers.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateOct 31, 2019

Study aims at boosting antitumoral activity of compound extracted from an Amazon plant

Researchers in Brazil have successfully developed a modified strain of Uncaria guianensis, a medicinal plant native to the Amazon Rainforest. By modifying its alkaloid production using 'precursor-directed biosynthesis,' the team was able to create more potent chemicals with enhanced therapeutic effects.

Cocktail proves toxic to leukemia cells

Researchers at Rice University and MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a combination of drugs that target mitochondria can selectively kill leukemia cells while leaving healthy blood cells unaffected. This breakthrough could lead to more effective personalized treatment for patients with leukemia.

SourceRice University·JournalCell Death and Disease·DateOct 31, 2019

Unlocking the black box of embryonic development

A team of international scientists has developed a new method for culturing primate embryos in the lab, allowing them to study early developmental processes for the first time. The breakthrough provides valuable insight into embryonic development and potentially informs approaches to advance regenerative medicine in humans.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateOct 31, 2019

Bound by blood

A study by researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that vampire bats form lasting social bonds, even when released back into the wild. The bats' social networks were tracked using miniaturized computers weighing less than a penny, showing daily changes in their relationships.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 31, 2019

Adults in lower walkability neighborhoods found to have a higher predicted cardiovascular risk

A study by St. Michael's Hospital found that living in less walkable neighborhoods is associated with a higher predicted 10-year cardiovascular risk, up to 33% higher than in the most walkable areas. Individuals in these neighborhoods also experience higher blood pressure and increased odds of prior diabetes diagnosis.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateOct 31, 2019

Fishery in Lake Shinji, Japan, collapsed 1 year after neonicotinoid use

A study by Masumi Yamamuro and colleagues found that neonicotinoid pesticide use led to a 83% decrease in average springtime zooplankton biomass, causing the collapse of two commercial fisheries on Lake Shinji. The impact was felt throughout the aquatic food chain, with smelt harvests plummeting from 240 tons to 22 tons in just one year.

Study results may provide a better understanding of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have discovered a link between the brain's extracellular matrix and Alzheimer's disease, finding that elastin-like polypeptides increase amyloid-beta peptide accumulation in cell and animal models. This discovery offers new insights into the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 31, 2019

Simple injection of air proves successful in releasing child's tongue trapped in bottle, inspired by opening a wine bottle

A new technique using air injection has been shown to be effective in releasing a tongue trapped in a bottle, with no need for general anaesthesia or invasive procedures. This method was inspired by the author's experience opening a wine bottle and involved injecting air into the bottle to produce positive pressure.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·JournalEuropean Journal of Anaesthesiology·DateOct 31, 2019

Are we 'brainwashed' during sleep?

Researchers at Boston University have made the first-ever images of cerebrospinal fluid washing in and out of the brain during sleep. The study shows that CSF pulses in rhythmic waves, closely tied to brain wave activity and blood flow, which could provide insights into age-related impairments and neurological disorders.

SourceBoston University·JournalScience·DateOct 31, 2019

'Fungal feature tracker' could accelerate mycology research

A new software tool called Fungal Feature Tracker can analyze images of filamentous fungi to quantify their spores, branch networks and growth patterns, enabling faster data collection than traditional manual techniques. This advancement could improve our understanding of fungal biology and morphology.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateOct 31, 2019

Zoo animal research skewed towards 'popular' species

Research on zoo animals reveals a bias towards 'popular' mammal species, such as chimpanzees, with globally more fish and birds in zoos. The study suggests that zoos offer unique opportunities to study underrepresented species, contributing valuable insights into animal health, conservation, and welfare.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPalgrave Communications·DateOct 31, 2019

Malaria parasite lives on the edge

The malaria parasite expresses genes for proteins needed in later stages using two separate schemes of translational repression, which could be exploited to fight the disease. Researchers identified two programs that operate simultaneously and independently, allowing the parasite to quickly respond to changes in its environment.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 31, 2019

Evading Heisenberg isn't easy

Researchers at EPFL have found unexpected constraints on the achievable sensitivity of measurements, even with backaction-evading techniques. Tiny deviations in optical and mechanical frequencies can cause mechanical oscillations to amplify out of control, affecting quantum sensors and applications.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalPhysical Review X·DateOct 31, 2019

Mimicking body's circulatory AC could keep airplanes, cars and computers cooler

Drexel researchers developed a computational platform that can quickly produce designs for 3D printing carbon-fiber composite materials with an internal vasculature optimized for active-cooling. Microvascular composites offer many advantages over existing liquid and air-cooling systems, including being much lighter and durable.

SourceDrexel University·JournalInternational Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer·DateOct 31, 2019