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Science News Archive 2020 - Page 484


Page 484 of 512

'Jumping genes' help stabilize DNA folding patterns

Researchers found that jumping genes, also known as transposable elements, play a crucial role in stabilizing the 3D folding patterns of DNA molecules. This discovery contradicts the long-held assumption that the precise order of letters in the DNA sequence dictates the broader structure of the DNA molecule.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalGenome Biology·DateJan 24, 2020

Chemist and nanoscientist Chad Mirkin receives 2020 AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Prize

Mirkin is being honored for multiple contributions to the fields of chemistry and nanoscience, including the discovery and development of spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) with unique chemical and physical properties. He has also invented and developed scanning probe-based tools and techniques that allow researchers to pattern nanostructu...

Taking aim at gastric cancer

FerriIridium, a novel drug, can diagnose and treat gastric cancer by selectively activating in tumor cells. The iron-based compound reduces side effects by targeting cancer cell mitochondria, leading to their destruction.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 23, 2020

Warmer, dryer, browner

The 2018 Four Corners drought in the US was exacerbated by human-induced warming, with temperatures rising 2 degrees Celsius. The region's vegetation turned brown due to increased evaporation, resulting in economic losses of over $3 billion and impacts on Native American communities.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateJan 23, 2020

ICUs receive higher satisfaction scores for end-of-life care than other hospital units

A new study found that intensive care units (ICUs) have better end-of-life care ratings than other hospital departments, contrary to previous beliefs. The research suggests that higher staffing ratios and more favorable symptom management in ICUs contribute to these improved outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 23, 2020

Global warming could have a negative impact on biodiversity generation processes

A recent study published in Journal of Systematics and Evolution suggests that global warming could negatively impact the processes that generate biodiversity. The research focuses on the evolutionary success of Carex, a genus with over 2000 species, which is favored by cold climates during the past 10 million years.

SourceUniversidad Pablo de Olavide UPO·JournalJournal of Systematics and Evolution·DateJan 23, 2020

Kidney structural features from living donors predict transplant failure in recipients

Research found subtle structural features of donated kidneys, such as scarring and hardening of vessels, are associated with shorter kidney lifespan after transplantation. These findings may help clinicians evaluate organ quality at time of donation and identify potential predictors of transplant failure.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJan 23, 2020

Pride and prejudice at high altitude

A new study suggests that attitudes towards altitude sickness began to form over 200 years ago, with British explorers fueling distrust towards Himalayan peoples. The early 19th-century writings of British surveyors and travellers reveal a complex web of exploitation and competition between Europeans and locals.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalItinerario·DateJan 23, 2020

When caregivers need care

A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that caregivers are more likely to neglect their own health due to cost concerns. The study revealed a significant gap in healthcare access and utilization among caregivers, with 26% having no insurance coverage compared to non-caregivers.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalRehabilitation Psychology·DateJan 23, 2020