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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 408


Page 408 of 512

Control mechanism of force-induced cell-to-cell adhesion

Researchers have discovered that physical forces, such as centrifugal force, play a crucial role in enhancing cell-to-cell attachment and increasing tissue stiffness during embryonic development. The study reveals that the FGF receptor/Erk2 signaling pathway is essential for this process.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 18, 2020

The ACMG Foundation presents Takeda/ACMG Foundation Next Generation fellowship awards

The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine has presented the Takeda/ACMG Foundation Next Generation Fellowship Awards to Dr. Aixa M. Gonzalez Garcia and Dr. Chen-Han Wilfred Wu. The awards provide funding for medical biochemical genetics subspecialty fellowship and clinical laboratory biochemical genetics training, respectively.

SourceAmerican College of Medical Genetics and Genomics·DateMar 18, 2020

Hodor 'holds the door' open for a potential new way to curb mosquito populations

Researchers discovered an insect-specific metal-sensing receptor in the gut lining that plays a crucial role in regulating nutrient uptake and development. Inhibiting this receptor, called Hodor, was fatal in mosquitoes, making it a promising target for controlling mosquito populations and preventing disease transmission.

SourceMedical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Medical Sciences·JournalNature·DateMar 18, 2020

Beetles changed their diet during the Cretaceous period

Researchers discovered four new beetle species in 99 million-year-old amber fossils from Myanmar, which helped flowering plants spread and benefited the beetles. The beetles' adaptability allowed them to form a mutually beneficial symbiosis with the emerging angiosperms.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournaliScience·DateMar 18, 2020

Bacteria cause problems for genetic research

Researchers at Linköping University discover that bacteria, not human cells, are responsible for the detection of epigenetic mark 6mdA. The team finds multiple methods used to detect 6mdA produce false positive results due to bacterial contamination and technical issues.

SourceLinköping University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 18, 2020

Bariatric surgery is linked to significantly fewer heart attacks and strokes

A nationwide study found that bariatric surgery significantly reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes among obese patients. The surgery was associated with a 60% lower rate of fatal and non-fatal heart attacks and stroke, as well as significant weight loss and improved type 2 diabetes management.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateMar 18, 2020

Black hole team discovers path to razor-sharp black hole images

Researchers predict a nested series of rings within black hole images, with each successive ring becoming increasingly sharper due to its higher number of orbits around the black hole. This discovery enables new possibilities for observing black holes using only two telescopes far apart.

SourceInstitute for Advanced Study·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 18, 2020

Radiation damage spreads among close neighbors

Researchers discovered that a single soft x-ray can destroy a protein-sized molecule by inducing radiation damage in neighboring atoms. The findings could lead to safer medical imaging and a better understanding of heavy metals' electronic properties.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 18, 2020

Overlooked caregivers? Children, teens help care for parents with ALS

A study found that children and teens aged 8-18 provide an average of 5 hours per day in caregiving activities, including tasks like medication management and cooking meals. Despite their efforts, many youth feel isolated and undertrained, highlighting the need for training and support.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateMar 18, 2020

A new window into psychosis

A recent study in mice found that psychosis may be caused by problems with specialized nerve cells and learning behavior. The researchers hope this could provide insight into the emergence of delusions in patients with psychosis or schizophrenia.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature·DateMar 18, 2020

Mirror, mirror, on the wall

Researchers found that people's prior beliefs about themselves may prevent accurate judgment of real appearance. By viewing their body from a third-person perspective, individuals rated it more attractively, pointing to potential applications for treating body perception disorders.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Robotics and AI·DateMar 18, 2020

New sensor could help prevent food waste

Researchers created a tiny sensor that can detect ethylene gas concentrations as low as 15 parts per billion. The sensor uses carbon nanotubes and palladium catalysts to measure ethylene levels in real-time, revealing when fruits and vegetables are about to spoil.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalACS Central Science·DateMar 18, 2020

Maggot analysis goes molecular for forensic cases

Researchers developed a faster and more objective alternative to traditional maggot analysis methods. They created a new hierarchical conformal predictor that can distinguish between six different maggot species, revolutionizing the field of forensic entomology.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateMar 18, 2020

Soft robot, unplugged

The isoperimetric soft robot is a human-scale, pneumatic robot that can move without a tether and navigate unstructured environments. It achieves this by deforming its soft fabric tubes while maintaining its perimeter constant.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience Robotics·DateMar 18, 2020

Women carry heavier burden of chest pain, but less artery narrowing

Women with coronary artery disease experience more chest pain due to plaque build-up, but have less extensive disease compared to men. The study highlights the need for more research and clinicians to adopt a dual focus to prevent cardiovascular events and improve patients' quality of life.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 18, 2020

Opioid withdrawal increases health risks for people who inject drugs

A new study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence reveals that experiencing opioid withdrawal increases the likelihood of needle sharing and non-fatal overdose among individuals who inject drugs. The research also highlights the urgent need for medication-assisted treatment to address this public health issue.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateMar 18, 2020

Revamping optical fibers to transmit even more data

Researchers explore alternative materials to improve optical fiber's data transmission capabilities, as telecom demands grow. They discovered fluoride glass can transmit light over a wider range of wavelengths, but it is more expensive and brittle.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMar 18, 2020

Microplastics found in a quarter of San Diego estuary fish

The study found that fish species and size affect the types and amounts of plastics ingested, with larger fish consuming more plastics. The research sheds light on how plastics enter marine ecosystems from urban watersheds and highlights the need for better understanding to reduce plastic pollution's impact.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 18, 2020

Novel system allows untethered high-quality multi-player VR

Purdue University researchers have created a novel system that allows multiple players to interact with the same VR game on smartphones, reducing latency and improving user experience. The Coterie system enables 4K-resolution VR on commodity mobile devices and supports up to 10 players in the same application.

SourcePurdue University·DateMar 18, 2020

Therapeutic HPV vaccine may improve outcomes in advanced cervical cancer

Combining therapeutic HPV vaccine ISA101 with chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and paclitaxel may extend survival in patients with advanced cervical cancer. The vaccine was well-tolerated, reducing suppressive myeloid cells to better stimulate T cell responses.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 18, 2020

Mathematicians develop new theory to explain real-world randomness

Researchers have developed a novel theory to explain the chaotic movements of particles in dynamic environments, where passive particles interact with active swimmers. The model suggests that such movements can be explained by Lévy flights, which arise from hydrodynamic interactions between swimmers and passive particles.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature·DateMar 18, 2020

Brand new shark(s), doo doo, doo doo doo doo

International team discovers two new species of six-gilled sawsharks in the West Indian Ocean, raising concerns about their vulnerability to overfishing. The discovery highlights the importance of assessing shark and ray biodiversity globally.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 18, 2020

Loss of protein disturbs intestinal homeostasis and can drive cancer

A recent study reveals that the loss of protein MCL1 can drive cancer formation in the intestine, even without bacterial-driven inflammation. The research found that mice lacking MCL1 developed tumors and intestinal damage, similar to human cases with chronic intestinal inflammation.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateMar 18, 2020

Warming seas

Researchers studying coral reef fish found species-specific physiological responses to warming temperatures, influenced by heatwave intensity and duration. The study's results signal potential long-term consequences for fish fitness and ecosystem health.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 18, 2020

How people investigate -- or don't -- fake news on Twitter and Facebook

A study by University of Washington researchers found that people often ignore fake news on social media, but some use strategies like evaluating the source or noticing inconsistencies to detect misinformation. The study provides a framework for understanding how people react to fake news and could inform interventions to resist misinf...

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateMar 18, 2020

Using 'organs-on-a-chip' to model complicated diseases

MIT biological engineers develop a multitissue model of the colon and liver, revealing how different tissues contribute to inflammatory diseases. The study finds that metabolic byproducts generated by bacteria play an important role in exacerbating inflammation.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCell Systems·DateMar 18, 2020

Crop diversity can buffer the effects of climate change

A new Stanford study found that diversified farms in Costa Rica provide a more secure habitat for birds and shield against the impacts of climate change. Diversified farms are more stable in supporting bird populations and offer refuge to threatened species.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateMar 18, 2020

Fine-tuning radiocarbon dating could 'rewrite' ancient events

A new study refines radiocarbon dating to better understand Mediterranean history, including the tomb of Tutankhamen and a volcanic eruption on Santorini. Regional variations in cosmic radiation lead to small but critical periods of variation in radiocarbon levels.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 18, 2020

Concern over industry support for wider access to medical cannabis

A recent investigation by The BMJ uncovered links between groups advocating for wider medical cannabis access and those pushing for recreational legalization. Industry funding for research into medicinal properties of cannabis has raised concerns about conflicts of interest and the potential normalization of cannabis use.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMar 18, 2020

Aboriginal scars from frontier wars

A long-running ARC-funded project explores the recruitment and impact of Aboriginal men as native mounted police in Queensland, revealing ongoing psychological impacts of historical dispossession and frontier violence. The study argues that inter-generational trauma persists among Indigenous Australians.

SourceFlinders University·JournalJournal of Genocide Research·DateMar 18, 2020

Frozen-planet states in exotic helium atoms

Physicists have mapped the energy levels of exotic helium atoms and discovered a 'frozen planet' state configuration where an antiproton is trapped. This study provides insights into the stability of such configurations, which may be more amenable to experimental research.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateMar 18, 2020

Late Cretaceous dinosaur-dominated ecosystem

A new study published in Geology found that Late Cretaceous ecosystems in North America were characterized by diverse and mixed diets, with resource interchange between aquatic and terrestrial components being common. The research used stable isotope analysis to reconstruct the diets and habitat use of dinosaurs and other animals, cont...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateMar 18, 2020

Ethylene sensor could help monitor plant health

Researchers developed an easy-to-use sensor that can sensitively detect changes in ethylene levels, a key hormone in plant health. The sensor uses a network of single-walled carbon nanotubes to monitor fluctuations in ethylene gas levels, with high sensitivity suitable for monitoring plants in the field.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science·DateMar 18, 2020

To prevent tick encounters, where you dump your leaves matters

A new study suggests that raking leaves just out to forest edges can result in a three-fold increase in blacklegged ticks. Homeowners can reduce tick habitats by removing leaves from high-use areas, composting them, or taking advantage of municipal curbside leaf pickup.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateMar 18, 2020

How gene therapy may hold key to treating life-threatening cardiac disease

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine identified a novel way to treat Danon disease using gene therapy, adding a specially designed gene that restores LAMP2 function. The treatment improved cardiac and liver function in mice with the disease, offering a new approach beyond heart transplants.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 18, 2020

New COVID-19 info for gastroenterologists and patients

Key information for gastroenterologists and patients with chronic digestive conditions about COVID-19 includes prioritizing patient safety and maintaining medication regimens. Laboratory findings in COVID-19 patients also include liver function test abnormalities, emphasizing the importance of monitoring.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateMar 18, 2020

Access to forbidden rings

Researchers at UNIGE have developed a new technique for creating chains of molecular rings that do not use standard chemical interactions but instead contact with large molecular surfaces. This discovery helps answer an old contradiction in classical chemistry and provides new prospects for molecular cyclization.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMar 18, 2020

Trauma relapse in a novel context may be preventable

A Korea Brain Research Institute study found that the posterior parietal cortex plays a role in fear renewal in novel contexts. This discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and fear-related disorders.

SourceKorea Brain Research Institute·JournalMolecular Brain·DateMar 18, 2020

Shedding light on optimal materials for harvesting sunlight underwater

Researchers at New York University develop guidelines for optimal band gap values in wide-band gap semiconductors for efficient underwater use. Various materials, such as organic and alloys, are shown to be suitable for deep waters, potentially extending the range of autonomous submersible vehicles.

SourceCell Press·JournalJoule·DateMar 18, 2020