Researchers propose a new therapeutic modality for sepsis by targeting cell-free chromatin in healthy cells. The study found that three cfCh-inactivating agents improved parameters related to sepsis, including increased survival rates in mice.
SourceCactus Communications·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 26, 2020
The University of California, Davis, has received a $1 million innovation grant to develop and distribute an adaptive learning platform that complements its existing LibreTexts resource. The platform aims to foster inclusivity in STEM fields, address equity gaps, and reduce STEM attrition rates among disadvantaged students.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum used artificial intelligence to predict the structure of thin films, reducing the need for extensive experiments. The team developed a generative model that can generate images of the surface of a layer under specific process parameters, enabling the identification of optimal material formulas.
SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCommunications Materials·DateMar 26, 2020
Researchers found that increased CO2 levels reduced water loss and improved water use efficiency in trees during periods of drought and heat, but had no positive effect on carbon metabolism. The study suggests that the benefits of elevated CO2 are outweighed by the negative impacts of climate change.
SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNew Phytologist·DateMar 26, 2020
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered that intestinal alkaline phosphotase (IAP) helps maintain gut barrier function and reduces systemic inflammation, leading to increased lifespan and reduced frailty. IAP supplementation may have therapeutic potential for conditions linked to the gut and inflammation.
SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJCI Insight·DateMar 26, 2020
Research has discovered that a unique type of algae on turtle shells influences the surrounding microbial communities. This finding may contribute to supporting turtle conservation by understanding how diverse microbiomes protect animals against infections.
SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalMicrobiology·DateMar 26, 2020
A study led by University of Leeds found that energy use and fossil fuels do not contribute significantly to increases in life expectancy. Instead, growth in national income and improving healthcare systems play a more crucial role.
SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMar 26, 2020
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered a method to convert triphenylphosphine oxide into triphenylphosphine by sending an electrical charge through an aluminum container, reducing waste and toxic chemicals. This process has implications for the manufacturing of medications, fertilizers, and other substances.
SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 26, 2020
A new antibiotic resistance gene, gar, has been discovered in environmental samples from India and found in several clinical pathogens, including Salmonella and Pseudomonas. This rare gene provides resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics, which is concerning for treating multi-resistant bacteria.
SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalMicrobiome·DateMar 26, 2020
Researchers used microelectrode arrays implanted in brains of two individuals with chronic tetraplegia to map motor functions down to single nerve cells. The study found that an area previously thought to control only one body part actually operates across a wide range of motor functions, demonstrating coordination between neurons.
Researchers analyzed buccal dental microwear to determine the diet of fossil Theropithecus oswaldi, finding a more abrasive diet than current T. gelada, similar to other primates that eat fruits and seeds in forested ecosystems.
SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalJournal of Human Evolution·DateMar 26, 2020
Researchers created a platinum-titania catalyst that selectively breaks carbon-oxygen bonds in plant derivatives, producing biofuels. The strategy could be applied to design stable and active catalysts for industrial chemical production from biomass-derived molecules.
SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Catalysis·DateMar 26, 2020
Researchers have discovered that cancer cells use fats as an energy source when detached from their point of origin, and that limiting access to a specific enzyme may starve them of this resource. The study suggests that an existing drug could be repurposed to treat chemo-resistant ovarian cancer.
SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalMolecular Cancer Research·DateMar 26, 2020
A modified Grunow-Finke assessment tool (mGFT) has been validated against previous outbreaks, outlining 11 criteria for determining if an outbreak is of unnatural origin. The tool helps identify unusual strain patterns, genetic manipulation, and peculiar geographic distribution, indicating potential artificial origin.
SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·JournalRisk Analysis·DateMar 26, 2020
A new study reveals that extremist migrants can significantly impact political developments in their destination regions, leading to persistent increases in far-right attitudes. The research found that migrated Nazi elites leveraged local party branches and intergenerational transmission of beliefs, spreading extreme views for decades.
SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalThe Economic Journal·DateMar 26, 2020
An international research team discovered that Neanderthals consumed mussels, fish, and seals over 80,000 years ago, similar to anatomically modern humans. This finding suggests a potential link between seafood consumption and the development of cognitive abilities in these ancient human populations.
SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalScience·DateMar 26, 2020
A new study found that women are significantly overrepresented as authors and disseminators of physician compensation studies, which are largely unfunded. This may contribute to slow progress in addressing pay disparities.
SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMar 26, 2020
Researchers are exploring various treatment options for COVID-19, including the use of antiviral medications like remdesivir and tilarone. Several vaccine candidates are also being developed to combat the virus, with experts predicting a 12-18 month timeline for their completion.
SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateMar 26, 2020
Researchers at UW-Madison discovered that removing a specific gene from insulin-producing cells can prevent Type 1 diabetes in mice by allowing the cells to disguise themselves from immune cells. This genetic manipulation enabled the cells to evade an autoimmune response, leading to normal glucose levels and insulin production.
SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMar 26, 2020
A new study published in Jama Network Open found that childhood overweight and obesity rates have plateaued in many middle- and high-income countries, but prevalence rates remain high. The rates of both conditions have increased in the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Catalonia, Spain.
SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMar 26, 2020
A new experimental model of severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) reveals that high TGFβ activity suppresses muscle regeneration and promotes fibroadipogenic progenitors, leading to muscle degeneration. The study identifies correcting the muscle micro-environment caused by high TGFβ as a therapeutic target.
SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalJCI Insight·DateMar 26, 2020
A study of 33 newborns born to mothers with COVID-19 in China found that most infants recovered from the illness, with no long-term health consequences reported. The research aimed to better understand the impact of maternal COVID-19 on infant health and provide insights for medical professionals.
Researchers compared reusable elastomeric half-mask respirators with disposable N95 respirators, finding that healthcare personnel learned to use the reusable respirator quickly and with no additional time needed for fit testing.
SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateMar 26, 2020
Researchers at Texas Biomed launched a comprehensive multi-species study to identify the best animal model for COVID-19. The study includes four additional species and aims to pinpoint the most effective model for diagnostics, vaccines, and therapies.
Researchers identified predictive models for Crohn's disease, including a serum biomarker model with 76% accuracy, and explored the link between metal exposure in early life and IBD risk. Achieving deep remission early on was also associated with a significant decrease in long-term complications.
SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateMar 26, 2020
A randomized trial of high-dose targeted radiation versus observation found no significant difference in progression prevention among 54 men with recurrent hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. The study suggests that observation may be a viable alternative to radiation therapy for this patient population.
A study in Science reveals ancient coral records that show no correlation between volcanic eruptions and El Niño events. The analysis of oxygen isotopes in corals provides a high-fidelity record of ocean temperatures, spanning over 500 years of the last millennium.
Researchers used a computer algorithm inspired by slime mould to create a three-dimensional map of the cosmic web structure in the local Universe. The analysis revealed that intergalactic gas is organised into filaments and detected at distances over 10 million light-years from galaxies.
SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 26, 2020
The Academic Freedom Index (AFi) provides near global data on national levels of academic freedom, including five indicators measuring different dimensions of freedom. The index helps researchers and stakeholders analyze trends across states and regions to strengthen academic freedom.
SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·DateMar 26, 2020
A phase II clinical trial found that stereotactic ablative radiation (SABR) slowed disease progression in a subset of men with limited spread of prostate cancer. SABR treatment was associated with an expanded population of T cells, suggesting a full-body immune system response to their cancers.
SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateMar 26, 2020
Researchers, led by Professor Edward Holmes, have identified a similar coronavirus in pangolins that may hold the key to understanding SARS-CoV-2's emergence. The study suggests that pangolins could be intermediate hosts for the novel virus and highlights the importance of banning 'wet markets' to prevent zoonotic transmission.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that validating a person's feelings can be more effective in supporting friends and family than critical or diminished emotional messages. The study used six different supportive messages, with highly person-centered messages producing the most emotional improvement.
SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Communication·DateMar 26, 2020
Researchers successfully pressured tiny gold particles to assess their behavior under current flow, finding that gold behaves like a solid even at nanoscale. This discovery allows chip designers to continue using gold for critical wires in next-generation data processing devices.
SourceStanford University School of Engineering·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 26, 2020
A species of lipid DOPG has been found to aid healing of scratches on the cornea, even in humans with diabetes. The lipid stimulates cell growth and inhibits toll-like receptor activation, paving the way for potential clinical trials and treatment protocols.
SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateMar 26, 2020
Researchers found that Russian troll ads using fear and anger appeals worked well in getting people to engage, with a clickthrough rate of 9.2%. The study analyzed over 2,500 ads placed by the Internet Research Agency in 2016 and found that inflammatory language, such as cuss words and threats, was particularly effective.
SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalJournalism & Mass Communication Quarterly·DateMar 26, 2020
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released interim guidance on infection prevention and control in long-term care facilities to prevent COVID-19 spread. The guidance emphasizes early detection, personal protective equipment use, and cleaning measures.
SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·DateMar 26, 2020
A new study from the University of Michigan and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has found no evidence that sterile neutrinos are dark matter. The research team used archival data from the XMM-Newton space X-ray telescope to search for signs of dark matter in the Milky Way galaxy, but their analysis yielded no results.
SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience·DateMar 26, 2020
Researchers have fabricated high-performance mid-infrared laser diodes directly on microelectronics-compatible silicon substrates, paving the way for low-cost sensors for real-time environmental sensing. The new fabrication approach reduces costs by using industry-standard processing techniques.
In a new study, researchers found that male Trinidadian guppies observe nepotism when pursuing the opposite sex. They help their brothers by darting in front of other males to block access to a female. This behavior supports an evolutionary theory called kin selection, which can promote cooperation among relatives.
SourceFlorida State University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMar 26, 2020
Researchers develop new technique to analyze X-ray telescope observations of 'empty' space within Milky Way galaxy, finding no evidence for 3.5 keV line associated with dark matter decay. The study's results limit simple models of dark matter and pave the way for future discoveries.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateMar 26, 2020
Glaciers in the Caucasus region are losing mass at a rate twice as fast as the average global mountain regions, with some areas decreasing by over 16% since 1986. The melting of glaciers poses significant risks to water supply and natural disasters such as rockfalls and mud flows.
SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalThe Cryosphere·DateMar 26, 2020
A study by Texas A&M University researchers found that over 60% of urban expansion since 1970 came from agricultural land, posing serious concerns for fertility and food security. The trend, driven by small- and medium-sized cities in India, China, and Nigeria, threatens the livelihoods of millions of small farmers.
SourceTexas A&M University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMar 26, 2020
Researchers at the University of Montreal developed an AI technique to better define brain sections in newborns using MRI exams. This innovation enables quick, accurate, and reliable analysis of baby brains, supporting research on brain development and neuroprotection.
SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateMar 26, 2020
Researchers at Lund University developed a new imaging method to study protein structures within nerve cells, providing insight into the first molecular changes in neurons affected by Alzheimer's disease. This breakthrough may help explain the mechanisms behind the disease and potentially lead to effective treatments.
SourceLund University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateMar 25, 2020
The Mayo Clinic has provided guidance on how to use ECGs to monitor patients at risk of drug-induced sudden cardiac death due to COVID-19. The guidelines aim to minimize the chance of fatal arrhythmias, particularly for patients taking antimalarial drugs like hydroxychloroquine.
SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateMar 25, 2020
Research from George Washington University and National Institute of Standards and Technology reveals that nutrition has a profound effect on the gut microbiome. The authors found that dietary fiber serves as fuel for gut microbiota, while protein can promote harmful byproducts that increase the risk of negative health outcomes.
SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalNutrition Reviews·DateMar 25, 2020
Researchers discovered EGR4 acts as a critical brake on immune activation, promoting killer T cell activation and boosting anticancer immunity. EGR4 knockout mice showed reduced lung tumor burden and fewer metastases, raising new possibilities for immunotherapy.
SourceTemple University Health System·JournalEMBO Reports·DateMar 25, 2020
Iowa State University engineers develop a closed-form solution for the inverse chirp z-transform, enabling efficient computation on the unit circle and lifting restrictions of existing algorithms. The algorithm achieves high accuracy with 64-bit floating-point numbers and operates in O(n log n) time.
SourceIowa State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 25, 2020
Three new species of toothed pterosaurs have been identified in Africa, providing a window into the world of pterosaurs during the Cretaceous period. The fossils suggest that these flying reptiles were similar to those found on other continents and preyed on a superabundance of fish.
SourceBaylor University·JournalCretaceous Research·DateMar 25, 2020
Scientists discover ninth species of dragon lizard in genus Smaug, previously mistaken for similar-looking species S. barbertonensis. The new species, Smaug swazicus, is the largest southern African lizard species described since 82 years ago, with up to 13 inches from snout to tail tip.
SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalPeerJ·DateMar 25, 2020
A new study by Florida Atlantic University shows that kangaroo care improves infant brain development, particularly in full-term babies, through skin-to-skin touch and contact. The method also increases oxytocin levels in mothers and decreases stress reactivity.
SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalInfant Behavior and Development·DateMar 25, 2020
The article highlights the potential for COVID-19 to evolve into a chronic condition similar to influenza, with links to cardiovascular disease. Researchers warn of the risk of reemergence or emergence of other coronaviruses due to genetic recombination.
A recent study from Oregon State University found that parents who model and support physical activity in daily life can help children with developmental disabilities improve their motor skills. Parents can make a difference by spending quality time with their child, engaging in activities together and providing opportunities for them ...
SourceOregon State University·JournalDisability and Health Journal·DateMar 25, 2020
Researchers examined changes in adolescent mental health problems and care settings, finding shifts towards more specialized services and online care. The study highlights the need for improved mental health support for adolescents, particularly in rural areas where access to care is limited.
A team of scientists led by Michelle Staudinger calls for increased study of sand lance, a crucial food source for seabirds and marine mammals. The research highlights the need for better understanding of sand lance's biology and populations to inform conservation efforts.
SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalFish and Fisheries·DateMar 25, 2020
Researchers have introduced a method to rapidly cycle through staining, destaining, and restaining of cell samples using black hole quenchers in under 1 hour. This allows for precise characterization of immune cells in tumors, enabling the selection of suitable treatments.
SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 25, 2020
Researchers at Kazan Federal University have made significant progress in developing CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumors. The treatment uses genetically modified lymphocytes to target and destroy tumor cells, showing promising results in animal models.
SourceKazan Federal University·JournalCancers·DateMar 25, 2020
In a phase I study, fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (Enhertu) demonstrated clinical activity in patients with non-breast/non-gastric cancer types with HER2 overexpression or mutation. The overall objective response rate was 28.3 percent, with greatest response rates for NSCLC and HER2-mutant NSCLC.
SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Discovery·DateMar 25, 2020
Researchers discovered web-like patterns in whiskey droplets that can identify different brands of American whiskey, potentially used to detect counterfeits. The unique web patterns arise from the combination of solutes in each whiskey and can be matched with over 90% accuracy.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateMar 25, 2020
Researchers uncovered symbolic stone carvings and artifacts suggesting a fixed domestic space and cultural practices in highland New Guinea. The findings indicate the region independently developed hallmarks of the Neolithic around 1000 years before Lapita farmers arrived.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 25, 2020