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Science News Archive April 2020 - Page 7


Page 7 of 37

Herpes virus decoded

Researchers have identified 284 open reading frames in the herpes simplex virus 1 genome, allowing for more precise study of individual genes. This breakthrough has implications for immunological therapies, such as oncolytic viruses used to treat certain tumor diseases.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 27, 2020

Researchers dig into case of geologic amnesia

Scientists have long struggled to explain the 'Great Unconformity,' a phenomenon where ancient rocks sit atop much younger sediment. New research suggests that multiple smaller events may have triggered these unconformities worldwide. The findings could help better understand the origins of complex life during the Cambrian Explosion.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 2020

Artificial intelligence could serve as backup to radiologists' eyes

A recent study found that artificial intelligence can provide results comparable to lung function tests in diagnosing emphysema and classifying its severity. The AI system can automatically analyze chest scans and create a 3D model of the patient's lungs, helping doctors better communicate with patients and track treatment progress.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateApr 27, 2020

Using cloud-precipitation relationship to estimate cloud water path of mature tropical cyclones

A study estimates the cloud water path of mature tropical cyclones by analyzing the correlation between cloud microphysical properties and precipitation intensity. The results show that a notable sigmoid function can be used to fit the cloud water path and near-surface rain rate, providing a new way to estimate cloud water path in models.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateApr 27, 2020

Sleep effects of later school start time for teens

High school students who attended later school start times slept longer and experienced improved mental health outcomes, including lower rates of depression and anxiety. The observational study suggests that adjusting school start times can be a viable strategy to address sleep deprivation among adolescents.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateApr 27, 2020

COVID-19 could spell the end of an egalitarian National Health Service

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the allocation of healthcare resources in the UK. Dr Sabrina Germain argues that the liberal egalitarian conception of distributive justice is being replaced by a utilitarian approach prioritizing patients' needs. The NHS will need to address delays in treatment and reassess public health...

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalEuropean Journal of Risk Regulation·DateApr 27, 2020

Novel anti-PD-1 drug was approved for melanoma treatment

Prolgolimab, a Russian original PD-1 inhibitor, has been approved for the treatment of advanced melanoma. The drug demonstrated significant antitumor activity and manageable safety in a phase II study, with 42 out of 126 patients experiencing an objective response.

SourceBIOCAD·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateApr 27, 2020

Hurricanes and lizard evolution

A recent study discovered that lizards in areas frequently affected by hurricanes have larger, stronger toepads than those not exposed to such storms. This suggests that hurricanes play a significant role in shaping the evolution of lizard populations across different geographic and phylogenetic scales.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 2020