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Science News for October 25, 2019


IKBFU researchers have discovered another natural antioxidant -- alder bark

IKBFU researchers have found that alder bark extracts contain high levels of polyphenols and antiradical activity, offering potential benefits for anti-aging and disease prevention. The study also reveals the presence of oregonin, a diarylheptanoid glycoside with anti-inflammatory and antimycotic properties.

SourceImmanuel Kant Baltic Federal University·JournalEuropean Journal of Wood and Wood Products·DateOct 25, 2019

MIT engineers develop a new way to remove carbon dioxide from air

A new system can capture carbon dioxide from the air at any concentration level, including 400 parts per million, and release it into a carrier stream. This technology has significant implications for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and could eliminate the need for fossil fuels in applications such as soft-drink bottling plants.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateOct 25, 2019

Can solar technology kill cancer cells?

Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new approach to detect and attack cancer cells using light-activated fluorescent dyes. The breakthrough utilizes technology traditionally reserved for solar power, offering promising results in breast, lung, and skin cancer cell lines and mouse models.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 25, 2019

Antibiotics not necessary for most toothaches, according to new ADA guideline

The American Dental Association recommends against prescribing antibiotics for healthy adults with toothaches, citing evidence that they do not alleviate symptoms and can cause harm. In cases where dental treatment is delayed or signs of infection are present, antibiotics may be considered, but only in specific scenarios.

SourceAmerican Dental Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Dental Association·DateOct 25, 2019

Immune system upgrade

Researchers develop copper telluride nanoparticles that mimic enzymes, inducing oxidative stress and triggering inflammatory processes in tumor cells. This triggers an immune response, allowing the body to defend against metastasis and relapses.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 25, 2019

Retrieving physical properties from two-colour laser experiments

Physicists have discovered that useful information about ultrafast light-matter interactions is buried deep within signals produced by two-colour pump-probe experiments. Advanced techniques are required to extract this information, which could lead to breakthroughs in fields such as vision and photosynthesis.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateOct 25, 2019

Detection of oral HPV DNA in teen, young adult females

Researchers detected oral HPV DNA in 6.2% of teen and young adult female participants, with detection decreasing over time since becoming sexually active. The study suggests that the HPV vaccine is less effective against certain types of oral HPV in vaccinated individuals compared to those who are fully unvaccinated.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 25, 2019

Experts in high-risk pregnancy respond to the published results of the PROLONG trial

The PROLONG trial found that weekly injections of 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate do not reduce recurrent preterm birth or neonatal morbidity. In contrast, a previous study showed a 34% reduction in recurrent preterm birth with this medication. The differing results may be attributed to differences in the populations studied.

SourceSociety for Maternal-Fetal Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateOct 25, 2019

Deflating beach balls and drug delivery

Researchers use deflating beach balls to model microscopic hollow spheres, revealing properties that could aid in targeted drug delivery. This understanding may help control directed motion and improve cancer treatment.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateOct 25, 2019

Researchers identify improved avenues to train plastic surgeons in microsurgery

Researchers at McGill University have identified improved avenues for training plastic surgeons in microsurgery. By adopting non-biological simulators, they found a 48% decrease in the number of animals needed for training and a 50% reduction in costs. This shift also reduces animal use, death, and improves performance on animal models.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateOct 25, 2019

Determining the shapes of atomic clusters

A team of researchers has confirmed that distinctive geometric shapes and irregular amorphous structures can be identified mathematically in atomic clusters. The new method provides insights into the structural properties and potential forces between atoms, enabling more effective engineering of nanoparticles for specific applications.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateOct 25, 2019

Novel formulation of an injectable drug to treat joint inflammation acts for ten days

Researchers developed an injectable drug formulation using lipid nanoparticles to sustain the effect of naproxen in treating temporomandibular joint inflammation. The study showed significant reduction in inflammation and absence of side effects, making it a potential treatment option for this condition.

Nerve cell protection free from side effects

Scientists at the University of Göttingen have identified an alternative erythropoietin receptor, CRLF3, which triggers protective effects in humans without stimulating red blood cell production. This discovery offers new hope for treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalFrontiers in Molecular Neuroscience·DateOct 25, 2019

Stanford study casts doubt on carbon capture

A Stanford University study published in Energy and Environmental Science suggests that carbon capture technologies can cause more harm than good, reducing only a small fraction of carbon emissions. The research concludes that using renewable energy options like wind or solar is always better from a social cost perspective.

SourceStanford University·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateOct 25, 2019

Birds do not habituate to traffic noise

Researchers found that birds in constant traffic noise had lower levels of corticosterone in their blood compared to quiet environments. This suppression may protect against negative effects of chronic stress on the immune system. Chicks from noisy parents were also smaller but caught up after leaving the nest.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalConservation Biology·DateOct 25, 2019

Small magnets reveal big secrets

A microscopic process of electron spin dynamics in nanoparticles has been identified, which could have wide-ranging impact on applications in medicine, quantum computation, and spintronics. The research provides insights into the principles of energy dissipation in nanomagnets, enabling engineers to build better devices.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 25, 2019