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Science News Archive November 2020 - Page 37


Page 37 of 43

Boosting treatments for metastatic melanoma

Researchers have identified a new class of sedatives that could enhance the effectiveness of radiation and immunotherapy treatments for metastatic melanoma, reducing toxic side effects. In animal models, these treatments resulted in improved infiltration of immune cells into tumors, shrinking or eliminating cancerous growths.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics·DateNov 5, 2020

Large-scale cancer proteomics study profiles protein changes in response to drug treatments

The study generated a valuable resource to aid in predicting drug sensitivity, understanding therapeutic resistance mechanisms, and identifying optimal combination treatment strategies. The dataset includes expression changes in over 200 clinically relevant proteins across more than 300 cell lines after treatment with 168 different com...

Nature-inspired solutions to sustainably increase crop yield

GAIN4CROPS project uses nature-inspired approaches to enhance photosynthetic efficiency in sunflowers, promoting climate-resilient crops and sustainable agriculture. The research could lead to decreased land, nitrogen, and water usage, aligning with efforts to conserve biodiversity and reduce environmental impact.

Archive of animal migration in the Arctic

The Arctic Animal Movement Archive provides a global dataset of animal migration patterns, revealing changes in behavior and ecosystem responses to climate change. Studies have found that golden eagles arrive earlier in spring following mild winters, while caribou herds are giving birth earlier in the north.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateNov 5, 2020

From hard to soft: making sponges from mussel shells

Researchers have discovered a new form of calcium carbonate that is soft and absorbent, found in mussel shells. They tested its ability to absorb oils and dyes, finding it highly effective but limited by scalability and cost, for potential use in marine pollution cleanup.

SourceCell Press·JournalMatter·DateNov 5, 2020

Keeping our cool

Agricultural emissions alone could exceed the 1.5°C limit by 2050 if left unchecked, according to Tilman. Reducing food production emissions is crucial to keeping the planet livable in its current state, with strategies including more plant-rich diets and easing fertilizer use.

COVID-19 is making tinnitus worse -- new study

A new study found that COVID-19 is making tinnitus worse in 40% of cases, with internal and external factors contributing to the increase in symptoms. Tinnitus affects an estimated one in eight adults in the UK, and the pandemic has made it more difficult for people to access healthcare support for the condition.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·DateNov 5, 2020

NIH researchers identify gene in mice that controls food cravings, desire to exercise

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered a gene called Prkar2a in mice that influences their eating habits and motivation to exercise. The study found that mice lacking this gene consumed less high-fat food and drank less sugar solution than those with the gene, while also being more inclined to exercise.

Changes in cancer survival after Medicaid expansion

Researchers found a significant increase in cancer survival rates among Medicaid expansion states compared to non-expansion states. The study analyzed data from breast, colorectal, and lung cancer patients and discovered improved survival outcomes following the expansion of healthcare coverage.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 5, 2020

Costs to informal carers for people in the last three months of life are larger than those to formal

A new study published in BMC Medicine reveals that informal carers provide more than half of total care costs in the UK, Ireland, and US during the last three months of life. The research emphasizes the need for improved integration and support for community palliative care services to enhance care quality and reduce burden on caregivers.

SourceKing's College London·JournalBMC Medicine·DateNov 5, 2020

Sugar-coated viral proteins hijack and hitch a ride out of cells

Researchers have discovered a potential broad-spectrum anti-viral drug target by identifying how encapsulated viruses hijack the protein manufacturing and distribution pathways in cells. This approach offers an attractive alternative to developing individual drugs for each virus, with the same compound targeting multiple viruses.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2020

New multiscale view of the human brain

Researchers developed a geometric network model to study the multiscale organization of the brain, finding that layers at different resolutions exhibit self-similar structure and efficient decentralized communication. This discovery has implications for understanding brain functioning and may lead to advanced tools for brain simulation.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 4, 2020

Mothers' lifestyle predicts when offspring will have first heart attack or stroke

A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that mothers' cardiovascular health significantly affects their children's risk of developing heart disease. Offspring of mothers with ideal cardiovascular health lived nine more years without cardiovascular disease compared to those with poor health.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateNov 4, 2020