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Science News Archive July 2020 - Page 22


Page 22 of 47

Doctors motivated by both health, malpractice concerns when ordering additional tests

A UCLA-led study found that dermatopathologists are motivated by both patient safety concerns and malpractice fears when ordering additional tests. The study surveyed 160 dermatopathologists in the US, who reported a strong emphasis on patient safety as a driving factor for their actions.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Pathology·DateJul 17, 2020

Predicting the biodiversity of rivers

Scientists combined environmental DNA and hydrological models to assess riverine ecosystems' biodiversity with unprecedented accuracy, identifying unseen hotspots for conservation strategies. The new method enables rapid application of research findings in Switzerland, finalizing guidelines for the Federal Office for Environment.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 17, 2020

New insight into the origin of water on the earth

Scientists have found that heating interstellar organic matter can produce abundant water and oil, challenging the cometary origin theory of terrestrial water. The study, published in Scientific Reports, used chemical reagents to mimic interstellar organics and demonstrated the formation of water droplets at high temperatures.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 17, 2020

Isoflavones in soybean help protect pigs against viral infections

Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that isoflavones in soybeans can help protect pigs from viral infections, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. The study found that pigs fed a diet with isoflavones had a lower rate of infection-related mortality compared to those without.

The Lancet Global Health: Benefits of routine childhood vaccines far outweigh risks of additional COVID-19 transmission in Africa, modelling study suggests

A modelling study published in The Lancet Global Health found that continuing routine childhood vaccination programmes in Africa during the pandemic could save around 702,000 child lives from vaccine-preventable diseases. This number far exceeds the potential risks of COVID-19 transmission to older family members.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateJul 17, 2020

CVIA has just published a new issue, Volume 4 Issue 4

This latest issue of Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications (CVIA) features groundbreaking research on identification of novel TTN mutations and discovery of digenic mutations. The issue includes studies on the genetic causes of dilated cardiomyopathy and the effects of glycyrrhizic acid on vascular injury.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·DateJul 17, 2020

MU advances chemotherapy-free treatment for cancer in animals and humans

Researchers at MU successfully treated bone cancer in dogs with a vaccine that stimulates the immune system against abnormal proteins specific to the patient's tumor. The treatment outperformed chemotherapy, resulting in over 400 days of cancer survival for dogs compared to about 270 days for those receiving traditional chemotherapy.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Veterinary Internal Medicine·DateJul 17, 2020

Improving lung cancer CT screening performance in real-world settings

The study found that focusing on subjects less likely to remain in the program, such as smokers and those with negative low-dose CT exams, improves cost-effectiveness and maximizes societal benefits. Adherence increased progressively with higher Lung-RADS categories, and having smoked previously was a significant predictor of adherence.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJul 16, 2020

Self-eating decisions

A new study reveals that nutrient-starved cells do not preferentially recycle ribosomes through autophagy, but instead degrade a small number of other organelles. Cells have mechanisms to control what they recycle, allowing them to maintain essential building blocks under limited nutrients.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateJul 16, 2020

Air pollution from wildfires linked to higher death rates in patients with kidney failure

Exposure to high levels of fine particulate air pollution from wildfires is associated with a 4% higher death rate among patients with kidney failure. Patients with kidney failure are particularly susceptible to the effects of wildfire smoke, highlighting the need for research into managing exposure during wildfire episodes.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 16, 2020