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Science News for September 12, 2019


Stem cell researchers reactivate 'back-up genes' in the lab

Researchers have unraveled a mechanism to reactivate 'back-up genes' on the inactive X chromosome, which could help treat Rett syndrome and other X-linked disorders. The study found that different genes require varying amounts of time to become active again, with location and proteins playing key roles.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalGenome Research·DateSep 12, 2019

Specialized training benefits young STEM researchers

A new study at Binghamton University's First-year Research Immersion (FRI) program found that instructors with extra training improved student outcomes. The FRI program provides STEM students with research experience, while the training program for research educators helped them develop skills in teaching and mentoring.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalFEMS Microbiology Letters·DateSep 12, 2019

Cells that make bone marrow also travel to the womb to help pregnancy

Researchers discovered that bone marrow-derived cells contribute to embryo implantation and pregnancy by differentiating into decidual cells in the uterine environment. The study suggests a potential role of these cells in human implantation and pregnancy, potentially leading to new treatments for recurrent implantation failure and pre...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 12, 2019

Academics call for structured drug monitoring in care homes

A new study from Swansea University shows that a structured approach to medicine monitoring, using the Adverse Drug Reaction (ADRe) Profile, can lead to positive impacts on patients in care homes. The study found that nurses using ADRe picked up issues that resulted in changes to nursing care and medication reviews for many residents.

SourceSwansea University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 12, 2019

Kidney transplants from donors with HCV safe and functional 1 year post-transplantation

A recent analysis reveals that kidneys from donors infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are now routinely used in transplants at many US centers. These organs function just as well as uninfected kidneys throughout the first year after transplantation, providing strong evidence for their safe and effective use.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 12, 2019

The genetics of cancer

A team of researchers has identified a new circular RNA that promotes tumor activity, contradicting its role as a cancer suppressor. The discovery opens up new opportunities to understand the genetics of cancer and potentially develop targeted treatment protocols.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalCell Research·DateSep 12, 2019

Study offers verdict for China's efforts on coal emissions

Researchers evaluated China's success in controlling coal-fired power plant (CPP) emissions, finding significant reductions in air pollution and premature deaths since 2005-2020. The upgrading of end-pipe control facilities and early retirement of small units led to substantial emissions reductions.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 12, 2019

Humans more unique than expected when it comes to digesting fatty meals

A recent study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that humans have highly individualized inflammatory responses to eating a high-fat meal. The researchers used a sensitive test to analyze gene expression in response to the meal, finding that responses by more than 13,000 genes differed between subjects.

SourceUS Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service·JournalThe Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry·DateSep 12, 2019

Machine learning improves the diagnosis of patients with head and neck cancers

Researchers developed a new classification method using artificial intelligence to identify primary cancerous tissue in head and neck cancers. The method achieved an accuracy of over 99% in distinguishing between primary lung squamous cell carcinomas and head and neck metastases, offering potential benefits for patients.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 12, 2019

As forests burn

The new website provides a resource for understanding why, where, and how tropical reforestation is occurring. It highlights eight key messages on livelihoods, local decision-making, planting trees, natural regeneration, and climate change, among others.

Battery icons shape perceptions of time and space and define user identities

A new study found that mobile technology alters how people view the outside world based on battery life and charging points. Battery icons shape daily activities and user identities, with full batteries linked to feelings of positivity and control, while low batteries induce anxiety and discomfort. The research reveals a strong social ...

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalMarketing Theory·DateSep 12, 2019

Ultra-thin optical elements directly measure polarization

Scientists have developed a new method to measure polarization using ultra-thin metasurface holograms. The technique uses overlapping holographic images to determine the amplitude contrast and phase difference between polarized light waves, enabling fast and compact devices for spectroscopy, sensing, and communications applications.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateSep 12, 2019

Charge change: How electric forces vary in colloids

The study highlights the importance of zeta potential in colloid surface chemistry and its effect on dispersion stability. The Navier boundary condition, considering relative velocity, is applied to particles with hydrophobic surfaces, leading to increased electrophoretic mobility and sedimentation potential.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalAdvances in Colloid and Interface Science·DateSep 12, 2019

Device generates light from the cold night sky

Researchers develop a low-cost thermoelectric generator that harnesses temperature differences to produce renewable electricity at night, when solar power is not available. The device can generate up to 25 milliwatts of energy per square meter and has the potential to be scaled for practical use.

SourceCell Press·JournalJoule·DateSep 12, 2019

A robot with a firm yet gentle grasp

A new robot hand with a dynamic grip can adjust its stiffness to absorb shocks, keeping objects intact during collisions. This technology is valuable for industries like automotive and electronics packaging, enhancing worker safety and machine performance.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalIEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics·DateSep 12, 2019

Texas Biomed researchers pinpoint why HIV patients are more likely to develop tuberculosis

Researchers at Texas Biomedical Institute have discovered that lung-specific chronic immune activation is responsible for the progression of disease in HIV patients. This dysfunction leads to a constant production of cytokines and chemokines, dysregulating the body's ability to fight off other infections.

SourceTexas Biomedical Research Institute·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 12, 2019

Gravitational lensing provides a new measurement of the expansion of the universe

Scientists have developed a new technique for measuring the expansion of the universe using gravitational lensing, which yields a somewhat higher Hubble Constant value compared to standard measurements. The method provides a valuable alternative approach to addressing the long-standing discrepancy in the Hubble Constant's value

Two studies show promise, safety of proton therapy in the brain in children with cancer

Two new studies published in Pediatric Blood and Cancer and Acta Oncologica demonstrate the potential benefits of proton therapy for children with brain cancer. Proton therapy shows promising outcomes in improving overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates, particularly in young patients. Additionally, a new technique called p...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalPediatric Blood & Cancer·DateSep 12, 2019

All on the table

The study highlights significant gaps in knowledge about underassessed foods, which represent more than half of animal production and over 25% of total food globally. The researchers argue that a more complete global food assessment is necessary to develop sensitive and versatile local solutions to environmental and food security issues.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 12, 2019

Finding (microbial) pillars of the bioenergy community

Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that many core microbes on bioenergy plant leaves originate from the soil and remain consistent across seasons. The study suggests that these microbes play a crucial role in the plant's growth and health, and their phyllosphere microbiome can be targeted for cultivation.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 12, 2019

Hepatitis C-infected kidneys function as well as uninfected organs after transplant

A new national study by Penn Medicine found that hepatitis C-infected kidneys can function comparably to uninfected kidneys in patients who do not already have the virus. The study showed a significant increase in the use of HCV-infected organs, but raised questions about why these organs are still assigned lower risk scores.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 12, 2019

Spin devices get a paint job

Physicists have developed a novel method to create high-performance spintronic devices using organic molecules, which can be easily configured for different functions. The new fabrication method uses layers of molecules that can be painted or printed onto metals, offering a promising alternative to traditional materials.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 12, 2019

Why do birds migrate at night?

Scientists have found that cryptochromes from migratory birds have evolved a mechanism that enhances their ability to respond to light, allowing them to sense and respond to magnetic fields under nighttime conditions. This discovery sheds light on how vertebrate cryptochromes function in low-light environments.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 12, 2019

The 2019 CNRS innovation medallists

Three innovative minds received the 2019 CNRS innovation medallist award for their groundbreaking work in reducing satellite size and propulsion units. Ane Aanesland and Dmytro Rafalskyi developed new propellant technologies, while Vance Bergeron created electrostimulation solutions to improve paralysis rehabilitation. Livio de Luca pi...

SourceCNRS·DateSep 12, 2019

Bone marrow may be the missing piece of the fertility puzzle

Researchers at Yale University have discovered that a woman's bone marrow plays a crucial role in determining her ability to start and sustain a pregnancy. Bone marrow-derived stem cells travel to the uterus, where they help transform the uterine lining for implantation, essential for embryo implantation and pregnancy maintenance.

SourceYale University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 12, 2019

Researchers develop chemical reaction method for more efficient drug production

Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology researchers have developed a more efficient method to produce polyene substructures, a crucial framework in many natural products and pharmaceutical molecules. The new 'one-pot' solution eliminates lengthy preparation steps and excess waste, making the production process more economical.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalChemical Communications·DateSep 12, 2019

Bones secrete a stress hormone

Research reveals that bone-derived hormone osteocalcin plays a critical role in mediating the acute stress response, which is distinct from hormones released by the adrenal glands. Osteocalcin levels rise in response to stress, triggering physiological responses such as increased energy expenditure and heart rate.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateSep 12, 2019

Simple model captures almost 100 years of measles dynamics in London

A simple epidemiological model accurately predicts measles transmission dynamics in London over almost a century, accounting for historical events like the 1918 pandemic. The study's findings suggest long-term disease dynamics can follow simple rules, with implications for understanding other ecological phenomena.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateSep 12, 2019

Big game hunting for a more versatile catalyst

Researchers at Harvard University have discovered the architecture of a copper-nitrenoid complex that can transform carbon-hydrogen bonds into valuable building blocks for chemical synthesis. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and sustainable production methods for pharmaceuticals, household products, and other chemicals.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateSep 12, 2019

The rare molecule weighing in on the birth of planets

Astronomers have discovered a rare form of carbon monoxide in the dust and gas disc around a young star, revealing it to be much heavier than previously thought. This finding provides new insights into the formation of planets and challenges existing theories about planetary system formation.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 12, 2019

UBC researchers design roadmap for hydrogen supply network

A new study by UBC researchers provides a comprehensive model for hydrogen adoption in British Columbia, recommending a refuelling infrastructure and production plants to support the adoption of hydrogen-powered cars. The study sees significant growth in hydrogen demand every year, provided policies like B.C.'s carbon tax are maintained.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy·DateSep 12, 2019