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Science News Archive February 2020 - Page 22


Page 22 of 40

Moffitt researchers say multiple drug adaptive therapy is possible

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center present a case study of an adaptive treatment approach based on evolutionary principles in prostate cancer, suggesting it as a promising alternative to traditional treatments. The approach involves forcing tumors into repeatable treatment cycles, which may limit the development of uncontrollable dru...

Mending a broken heart -- the bioengineering way

A team of bioengineers from Trinity College Dublin has developed a prototype patch that mimics the electrical signalling properties and mechanical demands of heart tissue. The patch, manufactured via melt electrowriting, withstood repeated stretching and showed good elasticity, addressing key requirements for cardiac biomaterials.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateFeb 13, 2020

State of mind: The end of personality as we know it

Researchers propose a holistic framework for understanding how the mind adapts to situations, suggesting that changing states of mind exert coordinated effects on perception, attention, and behavior. By acknowledging and manipulating these dynamic states, individuals can improve performance and achieve a healthier state of mind.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2020

Much shorter radiation treatment found to be safe, effective for people with soft tissue sarcoma

Researchers at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found a condensed five-day radiation regimen to be as effective as traditional five-week treatment in treating soft tissue sarcoma. The new approach showed lower wound complication rates and improved cancer control without increasing side effects.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateFeb 13, 2020

Artificial intelligence is becoming sustainable!

Researchers at Politecnico di Milano developed a novel circuit that can execute advanced AI operations in one operation, reducing energy consumption and paving the way for more sustainable AI computing accelerators. This breakthrough enables faster and more efficient training of neural networks, crucial for applications like facial rec...

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 13, 2020

Storytelling can reduce VR cybersickness

A study found that emotionally evocative storylines can reduce virtual reality cybersickness, especially in non-gamers, by enhancing presence and decreasing sensory conflicts. The findings suggest that game design can be used to create more inclusive VR experiences.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalInternational Journal of Human-Computer Studies·DateFeb 13, 2020

Scientists finally figure out how millipedes actually do it

Researchers have figured out how millipedes mate by using high-tech imaging techniques and blacklights that make the different tissues glow. The findings show that the male's gonopods insert sperm into the female's vulvae through tiny claws, while the female's vulvae seal up with a gooey secretion to trap the sperm.

SourceField Museum·JournalArthropod Structure & Development·DateFeb 13, 2020

Are all sources of carbohydrates created equal?

A randomized crossover study found that eating non-fried potatoes instead of refined grains improved diet quality and was associated with lower cardiometabolic risk factors. Participants who ate potatoes had higher potassium and fiber intake, as well as a healthier index score.

SourceFoodMinds LLC·JournalBritish Journal Of Nutrition·DateFeb 13, 2020

Mathematical model reveals behavior of cellular enzymes

Researchers developed a mathematical model to describe the behavior of cellular enzymes, particularly those involved in multisite phosphorylation reactions. The study revealed that certain mutations affect the activation of key enzymes, including MEK and ERK, which can lead to cancer. This knowledge can help develop new therapeutic str...

SourcePrinceton University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 13, 2020

Boom and bust for ancient sea dragons

Ichthyosaurs experienced a rapid evolution burst around 250 million years ago but quickly lost their diversity due to overcrowded seas. The group's evolution slowed down significantly over the next 100 million years, leading to less variation between species.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalCommunications Biology·DateFeb 13, 2020

Clinical practice guideline approval process introduces potential conflicts of interest

A new study found that many US medical specialty guidelines are vulnerable to conflicts of interest due to the approval process used by guideline development committees. Most societies require approval by a committee representing the society as a whole, which creates a potential conflict between professional and economic interests.

Nitrogen-fixing trees help tropical forests grow faster and store more carbon

A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that nitrogen-fixing trees can double the amount of carbon stored in a forest's first 30 years of regrowth. Forests with these trees also take up 10% more carbon at maturity. Planting fixers as part of reforestation efforts could boost forest development and carbon accumulation.

SourceCary Institute of Ecosystem Studies·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 13, 2020

Researchers uncover the Moscow subway microbiome

A group of ITMO University researchers analyzed the Moscow Subway and found a microbiome similar to that of New York's public transportation. The study used high-throughput DNA sequencing and discovered identical types of bacteria, including Dietzia, Brevundimonas, and Pseudomonas.

SourceITMO University·JournalComputational and Structural Biotechnology Journal·DateFeb 13, 2020

How useful are current tools that assess the quality of kidney-related care in the US?

A comprehensive evaluation of existing quality metrics for kidney disease reveals that less than half are highly valid, with nearly half related to dialysis management. The study proposes refinements and new metrics to better reflect the spectrum of kidney care delivery, aiming to improve the accuracy of quality measurement.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 13, 2020

The Antarctica Factor: model uncertainties reveal upcoming sea level risk

The 'Antarctica Factor' study reveals that Antarctic ice-loss is the greatest risk and uncertainty for global sea-levels, with a possible contribution of up to 58 cm within this century. The range of estimates is quite large, from 6-58 cm, but the results are robust due to the large number of ice sheet modeling groups involved.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalEarth System Dynamics·DateFeb 13, 2020

Very tough and essential for survival

Biologists from Bayreuth investigate the role of Mauthner cells in fish and amphibian species, revealing a strong hierarchical dependence on these cells for essential functions. The researchers discovered that Mauthner cells remain functional without their cell bodies, contradicting widespread assumptions about nervous system hierarchies.

SourceUniversität Bayreuth·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2020

The curious case of the disappearing snakes

A Michigan State University-University of Maryland study found that the decline of frogs led to a significant decrease in snake diversity, with an estimated 85% probability of fewer species. The research highlights the importance of long-term data for understanding biodiversity loss and its cascading effects on ecosystems.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScience·DateFeb 13, 2020