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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 376


Page 376 of 512

Drug overcomes chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer

Researchers have discovered a new approach to overcome chemotherapy resistance in clear cell ovarian cancer by using low doses of 2-deoxy-D-glucose. The treatment has shown significant improvement in laboratory models and is expected to be safer for patients with reduced side effects.

SourceTranslational Research Institute·JournalCancers·DateApr 16, 2020

Pushing the limits of 2D supramolecules

Researchers created a well-defined supramolecular structure that pushes the 20-nanometer scale, overcoming a major obstacle in supramolecular chemistry. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new materials with unique functions and properties.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 16, 2020

Flatter graphene, faster electrons

Researchers have developed a technique to flatten graphene sheets, reducing microscopic distortions that scatter electrons. This process increases electron mobility, leading to improved sample quality and potentially faster electronic devices.

SourceSwiss Nanoscience Institute, University of Basel·DateApr 16, 2020

Children's fruit drinks need clearer labels, finds NYU study

A NYU study recommends revising FDA labeling regulations to help consumers make healthier choices for children. The researchers found that many top-selling children's juice drinks contain added sugars or low-calorie sweeteners, despite having nutrition claims that may mislead parents and caregivers.

SourceNew York University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateApr 16, 2020

New 'toolbox' for urological cancer detection

Researchers developed a new method to separate extracellular vesicles from urine with high purity, revealing protein signatures specific to urological cancers. This breakthrough brings us closer to developing promising new urine tests for faster diagnosis and timely treatment of urological cancers.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalJournal of Extracellular Vesicles·DateApr 16, 2020

Review assesses stem cell therapy potential for treating preeclampsia

A review assesses the potential of mesenchymal stem cells to treat preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication that can cause high blood pressure and organ damage. The study found promising results in animal models, with MSCs or their secreted cargo showing promise as novel treatment options.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalCurrent Hypertension Reports·DateApr 16, 2020

Meeting multiple management goals to maximize coral reef health

A new study analyzed 1,800 tropical reef sites worldwide to understand conditions for maximizing reef health and biodiversity. The findings suggest that high conservation levels can support all three key ecological metrics when human use is low, but become increasingly challenging with increased pressure.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 16, 2020

New guidance for the assessment of Fracture Liaison Services at a patient outcome level

The International Osteoporosis Foundation has developed a new patient-level performance indicator set to measure the effectiveness of fracture liaison services (FLS) and guide quality improvement. The set includes 11 indicators that assess various aspects of FLS, including patient outcomes and treatment recommendations.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·DateApr 16, 2020

New coronavirus research examines immune response

A new study by URMC aims to investigate how the body's immune system responds to COVID-19, including re-infection risks and vaccine effectiveness. The research will follow 100 COVID-19 patients over 90 days, tracking antibody production and immune cell activation.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·DateApr 16, 2020

Climate-driven megadrought is emerging in western US, says study

A new study suggests that climate change is driving a megadrought in the western United States, with warming temperatures playing a key role. The study, which analyzed modern weather observations and tree-ring data, finds that the current drought is already outdoing the worst past 19-year increments within previous episodes.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalScience·DateApr 16, 2020

Eco-friendly Oxy-CFBC technology to implement stackless power plant

The FEPCRC developed Oxy-CFBC technology significantly reduces air pollutants, including ultra fine dusts, CO2 emissions, and NOx, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional coal-fired power plants. The technology operates at 60% of O2 as an oxidant, reducing thermal input and increasing system efficiency.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalEnergy·DateApr 16, 2020

Seeing 'under the hood' in batteries

Researchers are using high-efficiency mrixS to study oxygen atoms and metal states in battery electrodes. The technique helps detect chemical states, track electron movement, and measure degradation, leading to improved battery performance.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 16, 2020

In search of the Z boson

Researchers from KIT participate in the Belle II accelerator experiment to enhance understanding of dark matter in the universe. They have now limited mass and coupling strengths of the Z' boson with previously unattainable accuracy using initial data collected during the startup phase.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 16, 2020

New nanocarrier drug delivery technology crosses the blood-brain barrier

A Japanese research team has developed a cyclic peptide that enhances blood-brain barrier penetration, allowing for the delivery of macromolecular drugs to the brain. The technology, which uses nanoparticles and liposomes, shows promise in treating central nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·DateApr 16, 2020

Skoltech and MIPT scientists find a rule to predict new superconducting metal hydrides

Researchers at Skoltech and MIPT have found a rule that predicts the maximum superconducting critical temperature for metal hydrides based on their electronic structure. This breakthrough allows them to predict new superconducting hydrides, including those containing two elements and hydrogen.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalCurrent Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science·DateApr 16, 2020

How tiny water droplets form can have a big impact on climate models

Researchers found that surface-active species significantly impact droplet formation, improving climate model accuracy. By accounting for curved surfaces and accurate thermodynamic models, they reduced discrepancies in predicted nucleation rates.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 16, 2020

A new tool to predict volcanic eruptions

Researchers have developed a new tool to predict volcanic eruptions by analyzing the composition of gases in the atmosphere. The tool uses precise measurements to identify the contribution of the atmosphere and Earth's mantle to these gases, allowing for more accurate predictions of future eruptions.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020

'Frailty' from age 40 -- what to look out for

A new study found that people aged 40-49 are at a high risk of 'pre-frailty', a precursor to frailty and increased mortality risk. The study suggests that individuals can take proactive steps to improve their health by addressing factors such as poor nutrition, mental state, lung function, and sleep quality.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBMC Geriatrics·DateApr 15, 2020

MDI Biological Laboratory-led program reveals high arsenic in well water

A new program analyzing Maine and New Hampshire well water samples found that 25% exceed the New Hampshire maximum safety level of 5 ppb, while 62% of homeowners haven't had their water tested. The results highlight the need for improved testing and mitigation strategies to protect residents from arsenic-related health risks.

SourceMDI Biological Laboratory·DateApr 15, 2020

Mahogany tree family dates back to last hurrah of the dinosaurs

Researchers at the University of Kansas have discovered that the mahogany family dates back to the last hurrah of the dinosaurs, with a fossil found in Canada dating back to the Campanian stage of the Late Cretaceous. The discovery pushes back the known origin of mahogany by 15-20 million years.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateApr 15, 2020

The importance of probiotic names -- and why some of them have changed

A global group of scientists proposes splitting the existing genus Lactobacillus into two genera, with 25 new genera having distinct names. This change aims to improve scientific accuracy and reflect closely related bacterial genes.

SourceInternational Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics·JournalINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY·DateApr 15, 2020

From deep water to the surface: the nexus between climate, upwelling and marine ecosystems

Researchers studied the nexus between climate, upwelling, and marine ecosystems, finding that each Eastern Boundary Upwelling System (EBUS) has unique drivers and climate variability. The study highlights the importance of considering local and remote forcing factors in predicting long-term variations in upwelling.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 15, 2020

Shedding light on dark traps

Researchers discover deep trap clusters at grain boundaries in perovskites, reducing efficiency and stability. The findings could streamline efforts to increase the efficiency of perovskites for mass-market production.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020

How probiotic Bifidobacteria could help celiac disease patients

Researchers have identified specific Bifidobacteria strains that can break down gluten proteins into smaller fragments, reducing immune response damage. These findings pave the way for new treatments and improved patient outcomes for celiac disease patients.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateApr 15, 2020

Could high blood pressure at night have an effect on your brain?

A new study shows that people with high blood pressure and reverse dipping may have small areas in the brain damaged from vascular disease, leading to memory problems. Those with high blood pressure and reverse dipping also had lower scores on a memory test, with average scores of about 33 compared to 40 for those without these conditi...

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateApr 15, 2020

Goals, opportunities, guides for advancing soft tissue and soft materials research

Researchers at UMass Amherst have outlined high-priority goals and opportunities for advancing knowledge on cavitation science, which occurs in soft materials and tissues during traumatic brain injury. The team proposes using cavitation as a unique tool to understand soft tissues and develop new medical devices.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2020

NASA observes rainfall from tornado-spawning storms in the southern US

NASA analyzed severe storms in the southern US, creating an animation of powerful thunderstorms that brought heavy rainfall and spawned destructive tornadoes. The analysis used NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) algorithm to estimate near-realtime precipitation rates.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 15, 2020

Additions to resource industry underwater robots can boost ocean discoveries

Researchers from Australian Institute of Marine Science suggest adding cameras, audio recorders, and sample collectors to remotely operated vehicles to increase scientific data gathering. This could lead to better understanding of marine infrastructure impact on ecosystems and improve ecological management and regulatory compliance.

SourceAustralian Institute of Marine Science·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateApr 15, 2020

New grant aims to develop digital approaches for patient assessment

Researchers will develop techniques for analyzing MRI and echocardiogram images to improve patient assessment and diagnosis. The collaboration aims to co-develop practical solutions for both the US and India, addressing high healthcare loads and improving diagnostic accuracy.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·DateApr 15, 2020

Where did the antimatter go? Neutrinos shed promising new light

The T2K experiment has shown that neutrinos oscillate more often than antineutrinos, pointing to almost maximum asymmetry between their behaviors. This finding offers a promising explanation for the disappearance of antimatter in the universe and may be confirmed by future experiments.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020

How expectations influence learning

Neuroscientists at Ruhr-University Bochum have found that the thalamus plays a key role in decision-making during learning, while the insular cortex is active when participants make correct or incorrect decisions. This suggests that expectations influence brain activity and sensory perception.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateApr 15, 2020

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

A survey of 450 general practitioners in Lombardy, Italy reveals the challenges faced by GPs in preventing and managing COVID-19. The study highlights the need for effective clinician education to improve COVID-19 prevention measures.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 15, 2020

Strongest evidence yet that neutrinos explain how the universe exists

A new study by the T2K Collaboration confirms that neutrinos and antineutrinos behave differently, which could explain why matter persists over antimatter in the universe. This result brings scientists closer to answering the fundamental question of why the universe is dominated by matter.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature·DateApr 15, 2020

Depression, anxiety may be side effects as nation grapples with COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing widespread emotional distress and increasing the risk of developing psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. Healthcare providers are also at risk due to shortages of personal protective equipment and prolonged work hours.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 15, 2020

Crohn's disease: Preserving inflammation-free phases

Researchers discovered that microscopic alterations in stem cell niche can predict Crohn's disease recurrence. A therapeutic approach using dichloracetate (DCA) restored intestinal stem cell functionality and maintained the intestinal barrier.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalGut·DateApr 15, 2020

Breeding a hardier, more nutritious wheat

A newly developed wheat variety contains higher levels of fructans, a naturally occurring carbohydrate that can promote healthy gut bacteria. The breeders used genomic selection to reduce the development time and cost of creating such a high-fructan wheat variety.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateApr 15, 2020

Acoustic growth factor patterning

A new combination of 3D printing and acoustic droplet ejection technology enables precise control over growth factor presentation, promoting osteogenic differentiation in C2C12 mouse myoblast cells. This technique has vast potential for various tissue types beyond bone engineering.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTissue Engineering·DateApr 15, 2020

An antibody treatment combats life-threatening sepsis in rodents

Researchers have developed an antibody treatment that improves survival in rodent models of sepsis by targeting a protein called tetranectin. The therapy boosts survival even when started late after sepsis onset, suggesting its potential for treating severe bacterial infections and secondary sepsis in COVID-19 patients.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 15, 2020