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Science News for June 7, 2020


ANCA-associated vasculitis: The ADVOCATE Study

The ADVOCATE study demonstrates avacopan's effectiveness in reducing corticoid use and achieving sustained remission in patients with AAV, particularly those with renal involvement. The treatment also showed improved outcomes with lower infection rates compared to standard immunosuppressive therapy.

SourceERA – European Renal Association·DateJun 7, 2020

Prophylaxis after relapse of ANCA-associated vasculitis

A randomized trial found that rituximab reduces the risk of relapse by 64% compared to azathioprine, with fewer severe adverse events. The study suggests that rituximab may be a superior treatment option for patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis, particularly those with history of relapses.

SourceERA – European Renal Association·DateJun 7, 2020
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Repetitive negative thinking linked to dementia risk

A new UCL-led study found that repetitive negative thinking is linked to cognitive decline and increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The research, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, suggests that psychological tools like mindfulness or meditation may help reduce dementia risk.

SourceUniversity College London·DateJun 7, 2020

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

The BLISS-LN study showed that belimumab added to standard therapy resulted in a significantly better primary renal response at 2 years, with 43% showing improvement versus 32% on placebo. Additionally, patients treated with belimumab had a 50% lower risk of experiencing renal events associated with poor prognosis.

SourceERA – European Renal Association·DateJun 7, 2020

Great white shark diet surprises scientists

A new study reveals that great white sharks spend most of their time foraging just above the seabed, contrary to the common stereotype of a shark's dorsal fin above the surface. The diet of juvenile white sharks consists mainly of fish species that live on or near the seafloor.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateJun 7, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Pinker flamingos more aggressive

Researchers found that pinker flamingos are more aggressive when competing for food in confined spaces. In contrast, birds fed outdoors with space to roam spend less time displaying aggression and double their foraging time.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEthology·DateJun 7, 2020

Hope for patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1

A Phase 3 study found lumasiran to be effective in reducing 24hr urinary oxalate excretion by 65.4% and normalizing oxalate levels in patients with PH1. The treatment also showed an encouraging safety profile, with mild injection-site reactions being the most common adverse event.

SourceERA – European Renal Association·DateJun 7, 2020

Sex differences in participation in large-scale genetic studies may affect results

A recent study analyzing data from over three million individuals found widespread sex-differential participation bias, suggesting that men and women are more likely to participate in genetic studies based on different characteristics. This bias can impact the accuracy of results and conclusions drawn from genetic association studies.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Genetics·DateJun 7, 2020

Climate change has degraded productivity of shelf sea food webs

Researchers found a 50% decline in North East Atlantic plankton over the past 60 years, with tiny picophytoplankton replacing more nutritious species. This shift affects fish, seabirds, and marine mammals, threatening shelf sea food webs.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJun 7, 2020
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Virus DNA spread across surfaces in hospital ward over 10 hours

A new study by UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital found that virus DNA can spread to nearly half of all sites sampled in a hospital ward within 10 hours. The study used artificial DNA replication to simulate how SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing Covid-19, spreads across surfaces.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of Hospital Infection·DateJun 7, 2020

Jodrell Bank leads international effort which reveals 157 day cycle in unusual cosmic radio bursts

A four-year study at Jodrell Bank Observatory reveals a repeating Fast Radio Burst (FRB) follows a cyclic pattern with radio bursts observed every 90 days, followed by a silent period of 67 days, repeating every 157 days. This discovery provides an important clue to identifying the origin of FRBs.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 7, 2020