Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for January 8, 2020


Two drugs used in combination prove to be effective against most aggressive asbestos cancer in mice

Researchers at CNIO have identified a potential effective treatment for sarcomatoid mesothelioma, the most aggressive type of asbestos cancer, using two existing drugs in combination. The study found that blocking MEK and PI3K pathways reduces the growth and invasiveness of mesothelioma cells in mice.

Catalytic protocells get zingy

Researchers have developed artificial cells capable of decomposing hydrogen peroxide and generating oxygen, as well as implementing a rudimentary chemical signalling pathway between the cells. The new protocells use a combination of synthetic and biological catalysts to create multi-functional activity.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 8, 2020

Nanobubbles in nanodroplets

Scientists have observed the ultrafast reaction of nanobubbles in helium droplets after extreme ultraviolet radiation (XUV) excitation. The findings help understand how nanoparticles interact with energetic radiation and decay, essential information for directly imaging individual nanoparticles.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 8, 2020

The calm of the deer

A study found that lynx reintroduction in Europe led to changes in deer behavior, with humans influencing their day-night rhythm. Deer reduced daylight movements by 1.37 when faced with human disturbances, while the presence of lynx increased daytime activity.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateJan 8, 2020

Study shows protein inhibitor as potential treatment approach for common mutations found in non-Hodgkin lymphomas

A study at University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center showed a potential new approach to treating follicular lymphoma and DLBCL through manipulation of molecular programs controlled by CREBBP. Inhibition of HDAC3 restores immune programs lost as a result of CREBBP mutations, paving the way for immunotherapy approaches.

Pathways to changing the minds of climate deniers

Researchers suggest four strategies to change the minds of climate deniers: reframing solutions as social system stabilizers, reducing ideological divide by emphasizing Earth's purity, having conversations with trusted individuals, and discussing values before engaging climate info. Self-affirmation is challenged when facing climate ch...

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalCurrent Opinion in Environmental Sustainability·DateJan 8, 2020

Does inflammatory bowel disease carry certain risks during pregnancy?

A recent analysis found that one-third of all pregnancies in women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were delivered by Caesarean section, a two-fold increase compared to women without IBD. Women with IBD also face increased risks of gestational diabetes and preterm prelabour rupture of membranes.

SourceWiley·JournalAlimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics·DateJan 8, 2020

Physical activity and dietary behavior parallel each other from childhood to adulthood

A recent study found that persistent physical activity during leisure time from childhood to middle age was associated with higher fruit and vegetable consumption. Conversely, decreasing physical activity was linked to lower consumption, particularly in young adulthood. The study suggests that promoting holistic well-being by combining...

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJan 8, 2020

Affirmative action policies increased minority enrollment at Brazilian universities

A new study from the University of Illinois found that affirmative action policies increased enrollment of underrepresented students in Brazilian universities. The policies, which included quota systems based on racial or socio-economic criteria, resulted in significant increases in enrollment of black and mixed-race students, as well ...

Research will help land managers take risk-analysis approach to new wildfire reality

Research developed by Oregon State University enables land managers to take a risk-analysis approach to new wildfire reality. The tools provide analytics that integrate fire risk with management difficulties and opportunities, allowing for preplanning responses that balance risk with success. This approach aims to improve outcomes and ...

SourceOregon State University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJan 8, 2020

From big data to precision cures

The University of Arizona Center for Innovation in Brain Science has received a $1.6 million grant to apply big data analytics and computational modeling to better understand Alzheimer's disease. The project aims to identify patient-specific therapeutic targets and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of drug combinations.

A response key for survival of Mycoplasma genitalium in the urogenital tract uncovered

A study by the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona has identified the regulation and metal uptake systems of Mycoplasma genitalium, a sexually transmitted pathogen responsible for genitourinary diseases. The discovery reveals strategies that bacteria use to acquire essential metals for survival, making them a promising therapeutic target.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalEmerging Microbes & Infections·DateJan 8, 2020

Examining vaping particle size and deposition

Researchers analyzed vaping particle size and deposition patterns in human airways, finding that larger particles are produced by higher device power settings and vegetable glycerin-based e-liquids. The study suggests similar human airway deposition patterns compared to regular smoking, despite smaller and less abundant particles.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical Research in Toxicology·DateJan 8, 2020

A mother's bugs

Research shows that maternal microbiota provides immunity to newborns against E. coli, a disease-causing microbe. The study reveals that antibodies are passed on to offspring through milk and the placenta, offering protection beyond just breastfeeding.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateJan 8, 2020

Automobile law in Japan has improved air quality

A new study published in Contemporary Economic Policy found that Japan's 1992 automobile law led to a 3-6% reduction in ambient nitrogen dioxide concentrations over two decades. The law resulted in estimated cost savings of $104 million due to reduced asthma-related mortality.

SourceWiley·JournalContemporary Economic Policy·DateJan 8, 2020

Disorderly DNA helps cancer cells evade treatment

A Northwestern University study discovered an inverse relationship between patient survival and the plasticity of tumor cells. Cancer cells with disorderly chromatin packing are more likely to adapt to treatments, but researchers can now develop new therapies that target chromatin packing to make cancer cells more vulnerable.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 8, 2020

Developed a band-aid-like sensor to detect human body conditions in real-time

Developed a patch-based health diagnosis sensor system that collects various health information in real-time by monitoring biosignals and certain movements. The sensor's stable structure mimics snake motions, spider webs, and paper craft, making it durable despite intense body movements.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalIEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics·DateJan 8, 2020

Nano antennas for data transfer

Researchers at University of Würzburg developed nano antennas that can emit light in a specific direction, enabling efficient data transfer. The antennas use quantum tunnelling to generate vibrations with optical frequencies and are capable of emitting light in a particular direction.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 8, 2020

Poor sexual health more common in UK women than men

A UK study found that poor sexual health affects women in diverse ways and is often overlooked by current intervention efforts. The research identified distinct groups at risk, including women with low interest in sex and those experiencing depression, alcohol or drug use. Tailored programs may be needed to address these vulnerabilities.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateJan 8, 2020

Cystic fibrosis carriers are at increased risk for cystic fibrosis-related conditions

Researchers found that people with one mutated copy of the cystic fibrosis gene, known as CF carriers, are at higher risk for various CF-related conditions, including pancreatitis and type 1 diabetes. The study's results suggest a substantial burden of illness from these conditions, impacting over 10 million Americans.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2020

Directly measuring function in tiny hearts

Researchers at Children's National Hospital developed a direct measurement technique for cardiac output in newborns, utilizing changes in blood velocity after injecting saline. The study used ultrasound dilution and reported promising results, with potential implications for personalized care of critically ill newborns.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalJOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS AND NEONATAL MEDICINE·DateJan 8, 2020

Study examines the benefits of childbirth education classes during pregnancy

A retrospective study found that participating in childbirth education classes nearly tripled the likelihood of a successful normal vaginal delivery. The study controlled for socioeconomic factors and other differences, suggesting that these classes lead to lower intervention needs and less instrumental deliveries.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics·DateJan 8, 2020

Fish switch: Identity of mystery invader in Florida waters corrected after 20 years

After 20 years of misidentification, researchers have confirmed the presence of the chanchita in Florida waters, a South American freshwater fish that could outcompete native species for habitat and food resources. The correct identification is crucial for proper management and conservation efforts in the state's aquatic ecosystems.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalBioInvasions Records·DateJan 8, 2020

New metabolic pathway discovered in rumen microbiome

A German-American research team has discovered a new metabolic pathway in the rumen microbiome of ruminants that allows the bacteria to adapt to extreme fluctuations in sodium content. This adaptation enables the production of ATP through two different respiratory circuits, one requiring sodium ions and the other using hydrogen ions.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2020

Double-checking the science

A new study reveals that ocean acidification has no direct impact on the behavior of coral reef fish, contradicting previous high-profile studies. The exhaustive analysis, led by Université de Montréal researchers, found consistently normal behaviors in fish under predicted end-of-21st-century CO2 levels.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNature·DateJan 8, 2020

Complete filling of batches of nanopipettes

Researchers at Kanazawa University developed a method to fill nanopipettes using a temperature gradient, achieving complete filling of a batch with pore diameters below 10 nm. The 'air bubble' that typically remains near the pipette's pore end can be removed by applying the temperature gradient.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateJan 8, 2020

FSU study aids fight against HIV, hepatitis B

Researchers at Florida State University College of Medicine have discovered the mechanism responsible for how two widely used antiviral drugs inhibit viruses, including HIV and hepatitis B. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more potent and effective treatments for millions of people worldwide.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJan 8, 2020

APS Tip Sheet: Trudging until take-off

Researchers from Norway, Latvia, and Israel found that allowing slower airplane passengers to board first decreases total boarding time. By simulating passenger movement using physics, the team predicted boarding times for various passenger groups, confirming that slow passengers being boarded first is up to 28% faster.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review E·DateJan 8, 2020

Brazilian scientists unveil chemotherapy resistance mechanism related to p53 mutation

A Brazilian research team identified the presence of mutant p53 protein clusters in chemotherapy-resistant glioblastoma cells, which can lead to drug resistance. The study found that these clusters are organized in a way that makes them resistant to temozolomide, a common treatment for the disease.

Bacterial link in celiac disease

Scientists have discovered a molecular foundation for bacterial exposure as a potential environmental factor in coeliac disease development. Receptors from immune T cells can recognize protein fragments from certain bacteria that mimic gluten, leading to aberrant recognition and health problems.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateJan 8, 2020

Nanomaterial fabric destroys nerve agents in battlefield-relevant conditions

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a composite material that can efficiently detoxify nerve agents, including VX and soman, under battlefield-relevant conditions. The material uses metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) integrated onto textile fibers, which can capture gases and vapors without the need for liquid water.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 8, 2020

Oregon researchers test hearing by looking at dilation of people's eyes

Researchers at the University of Oregon have developed a new method to assess hearing by measuring pupil dilation, which is as sensitive as traditional testing methods. The approach has shown promising results in detecting sound in individuals who cannot respond, such as babies and young adults with developmental disabilities.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalJournal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology·DateJan 8, 2020

Gut microbes may improve stroke recovery

Research suggests that supplementing with short chain fatty acids can improve stroke recovery by reducing inflammation and promoting neuroinflammation. The study found that mice who drank water with added fatty acids experienced better stroke recovery, including reduced motor impairment and increased spine growth.

Relation between physical violence and not having adequate check-ups during pregnancy

A study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology found that women who don't attend regular hospital check-ups during pregnancy are more likely to experience physical violence. The research highlights the importance of healthcare professionals detecting warning signs of gender violence.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalEuropean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology·DateJan 8, 2020

Sea-ice-free Arctic makes permafrost vulnerable to thawing

A new study reveals that a sea-ice-free Arctic will accelerate the melting of permafrost, leading to significant releases of carbon dioxide. The research, based on ancient cave stalagmites, suggests that past periods without summer sea ice were associated with warmer air and increased snowfall in Siberia, destabilizing the permafrost.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalNature·DateJan 8, 2020