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Science News Archive March 2020 - Page 21


Page 21 of 41

One drug, three action modes

The new drug Ru-Pt combines cisplatin, phenylbutyrate, and a PDT drug into one compound, increasing the chances of killing all cancer cells. It shows significant efficiency in killing cancer cells and has a ten times higher efficiency for drug-resistant cell lines than single reagents.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 13, 2020

Diagnosing hypertension in children

A new study found that testing blood pressure load, which detects elevated readings over 24 hours, is not necessary for diagnosing hypertension in children. Having high average blood pressure on a 24-hour test does strongly predict risk of cardiac and kidney disease.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMar 13, 2020

Control of the fatty acid synthase

Researchers discovered a protein called gamma subunit that controls fatty acid synthase function in mycobacteria, allowing for the inhibition of pathogen proliferation without affecting human cells. This breakthrough could lead to new therapeutic approaches against tuberculosis and provide insights into cancer treatment.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCell·DateMar 13, 2020

Brain-doping produced by your own body

Researchers discovered that Epo increases nerve cell production and connections in the brain, leading to improved cognitive performance. Cognitive challenges trigger oxygen deficits, stimulating Epo production, which drives neuroplasticity and neurogenesis.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 13, 2020

For migratory alewife, urbanization of coastal areas means smaller size, poorer health

A new study found that urbanization of coastal areas in New England leads to smaller size and poorer health in migratory alewife populations. The researchers examined nine coastal ponds and sampled alewife born in 2008, finding that those from more developed watersheds were nearly half as long and up to 10 times lighter.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalCanadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences·DateMar 13, 2020

What can you do with spiral graph? Help understand how galaxies evolve

The Spiral Graph project uses a tracing method to accurately measure the winding of spiral galaxies' arms. This approach outperforms automated methods and can estimate parameters like black hole mass and dark matter content. By enlisting citizen scientists, researchers aim to better understand galaxy evolution.

SourceNorth Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 13, 2020

Coronavirus spreads quickly and sometimes before people have symptoms, study finds

Researchers found the average serial interval for COVID-19 in China to be approximately four days, indicating a short window for public health responders to identify and isolate cases. This study provides evidence of asymptomatic transmission, which may require more aggressive control measures to curb the spread of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateMar 13, 2020

Cellular stress makes obese mothers have obese babies

A new study reveals that maternal obesity triggers cellular stress in the endoplasmic reticulum, disrupting hypothalamic development and leading to offspring obesity. Bile acid treatment mitigates these changes, reversing obesity-related metabolic issues in mice offspring.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 13, 2020

Worm nerve responses for good and bad

Researchers discovered a temperature-sensing nerve cell that transmits signals activating or inhibiting receiving nerve cells, explaining how worms respond to good or bad temperatures. Genetic studies identified three conserved genes involved in this response, suggesting a similar mechanism may exist in higher organisms.

SourceNagoya University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 13, 2020

How curved are your bones?

Researchers discovered that bones change shape in response to forces, curving to prevent fractures. The study used computational methods to monitor shape changes over an extended period, finding that the curving process needs to be highly targeted and can lead to a built-in warning mechanism.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 13, 2020