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Science News Archive April 2020 - Page 8


Page 8 of 37

Rice engineers: Make wastewater drinkable again

Researchers at Rice University developed a plan to recycle wastewater, reducing the need for surface water by 28%. The 'direct potable reuse' method could also improve water quality and travel times, providing a more efficient and sustainable water supply system.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Sustainability·DateApr 27, 2020

Is it safe to vape while breastfeeding?

A new animal study suggests that maternal nicotine exposure during breastfeeding can affect offspring's skull and face development. The research team found that exposure to nicotine during lactation was associated with abnormalities in craniofacial development.

SourceExperimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 27, 2020

Researchers identify key mechanisms involved in pulmonary fibrosis development

Researchers discovered that the loss of NEDD4-2 protein leads to impaired mucociliary clearance and dysregulation of the TGF? signaling pathway, contributing to pulmonary fibrosis progression. The study provides a novel animal model for IPF research, enabling further investigation of disease mechanisms and development of new treatments.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 27, 2020

Hurricanes twist evolution in island lizards

A new study reveals that hurricanes trigger evolutionary changes in island lizards, resulting in larger toepads in populations frequently affected by the storms. The research, spanning 12 island populations and 188 Anolis species, shows a significant correlation between hurricane frequency and toepad size.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 2020

Parkinson's disease may start in the gut

Researchers have mapped out cell types behind various brain disorders, including Parkinson's disease, indicating that the disease may start in the gut. Oligodendrocytes were found to be affected early on, suggesting they play a key role in the early stages of the disease.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Genetics·DateApr 27, 2020

A step toward a better way to make gene therapies to attack cancer, genetic disorders

A UCLA-led research team has developed a new method for delivering DNA into stem cells and immune cells safely, rapidly and economically. The technique uses high-frequency acoustic waves to manipulate cells and insert cargo without damaging them, enabling the creation of gene therapies for various diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 2020

Researchers weave human tissue into new blood vessels

Researchers have developed a textile approach to tissue engineering using woven human tissue threads, which can create any shape and display excellent mechanical properties without synthetic materials. This innovative approach has the potential to aid in repairing damaged blood vessels, skin, nerve injuries, and other tissues and organs.

SourceExperimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 27, 2020

COVID-19 and pregnancies: What we know

Researchers warn of COVID-19's impact on pregnant women and newborns, highlighting the need for infection control measures and vaccine evaluation in clinical trials. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of viral transmission and its effects on maternal health.

SourceMidwestern University·JournalJournal of Clinical Virology·DateApr 27, 2020

It takes a neutron beam to find a proton

A team of researchers has used neutron crystallography to determine the structure of a large oxidase protein with high-resolution structural details. They found unusual proton behavior between a cofactor and an amino acid residue, and established a complete picture of topa quinone 30 years after its discovery.

SourceOsaka University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 27, 2020