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Science News Archive September 2019 - Page 16


Page 16 of 43

A single dose of yellow fever vaccine does not offer lasting protection to all children

A study found that a single dose of yellow fever vaccine may not offer lasting protection to all children, with levels of protective antibodies decreasing substantially over time. The research suggests that booster shots may be necessary for young children, and maintaining immunity is crucial for preventing epidemics.

Alzheimer's drug also treats parasitic Chagas disease

Memantine, a drug used to treat Alzheimer's disease, has been shown to reduce parasite levels by 40% and increase survival rates of mice with Chagas disease. The treatment also lowered parasite levels in the hearts of infected animals, providing a promising alternative therapy for this neglected tropical disease.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateSep 19, 2019

Brain implant restores visual perception to the blind

Researchers at UCLA Health have developed an experimental brain implant that restores visual perception in patients who are blind due to injury or disease. The device enhances users' ability to navigate the world by detecting movement and distinguishing light and dark, with the goal of one day restoring a full field of vision.

SourceMediaSource·JournalJournal of Neurosurgery·DateSep 19, 2019

Grains in the rain

Researchers have discovered that certain plant species, including wild tomato and alfalfa, share common genes with rice that enable them to survive flooding. The study aims to improve crop resilience to flooding by activating these genes in other plants.

New research shows dapagliflozin used to treat diabetes can also

Research suggests dapagliflozin can reduce death and hospitalization rates in patients with heart failure, as well as improve health-related quality of life. The study found a 26% reduced risk of primary outcome in the dapagliflozin group compared to placebo, with benefits seen in both patients with and without type 2 diabetes.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 19, 2019

Quality control in cells

Researchers at Heidelberg University discover bacterial Rqc2 protein plays central role in quality control, eliminating toxic protein chains. This finding suggests the mechanism must have existed in the last universal common ancestor several billion years ago.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalCell·DateSep 19, 2019

Cross clade immune responses found in South Africa from the RV144/Thai HIV vaccine regimen

The study found significant cellular and antibody responses in South African participants, with higher CD4+ T cell response rates and stronger cross-clade antibody responses compared to Thai participants. The results suggest that the RV144/Thai vaccine regimen can induce a broader immune response across different HIV clades.

SourceHIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 18, 2019