Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for March 9, 2021


Molecule with potential to treat multiple sclerosis passes toxicology testing in zebrafish

Researchers have confirmed the safety of an anti-inflammatory peptide, TnP, which shows promise in treating chronic inflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis. The peptide has been tested in zebrafish and shown to be non-toxic, crossing the blood-brain barrier without causing neurological problems.

More collaboration between primary care and oncology may improve fragmented cancer care

Researchers conducted a randomized intervention that improved continuity of care and interprofessional collaboration between lung cancer patients and their family physicians. The bidirectional exchange of patient information and care summaries led to enhanced patient and family physician perceptions of care, resulting in better outcomes.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 9, 2021

NIH scientists use human cerebral organoid to test drug for deadly brain disease

Researchers from NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have developed a human cerebral organoid model to screen drugs for potential treatment of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a fatal neurodegenerative brain disease. The model has shown promise in reducing disease indicators by 10-fold without causing tissue death.

Citizen scientists help expose presence of invasive Asian bamboo longhorn beetle in Europe

A study published in BioRisk reveals that citizen scientists have significantly improved knowledge of the non-native Asian bamboo longhorn beetle in Europe. The researchers, led by University of Hamburg, collected data from citizen science platforms and confirmed 13 new introductions of the species in Europe, a 42% increase in records.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalBIORISK – Biodiversity and Ecosystem Risk Assessment·DateMar 9, 2021

Diverse neural signals are key to rich visual information!

A recent study published in IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering found that high signal heterogeneity from different retinal ganglion cells is essential for efficient transmission of visual information. The research team discovered that certain types of retinal ganglion cells respond similarly to electric ...

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·DateMar 9, 2021

Pediatric emergency visits, hospitalizations down sharply during pandemic: study

A new multicenter study published in Journal of Hospital Medicine found significant reductions in pediatric emergency visits and hospitalizations for common illnesses like asthma and pneumonia. The trend is attributed to public health measures such as masking, social distancing, and handwashing instituted during the pandemic.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Hospital Medicine·DateMar 9, 2021

Bacterial film separates water from oil

A team of researchers at North Carolina State University has developed a novel material produced by bacteria that can effectively separate water from oil. The material consists of cellulose nano-fibers created by the bacteria Gluconacetobacter hansenii, which are then used to filter out the oil from an oily mixture.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalLangmuir·DateMar 9, 2021

Chemical signal in plants reduces growth processes in favor of defense

Researchers found that beta-cyclocitral produced by plants after herbivore attack increases defense responses and inhibits the production of metabolites for growth in Arabidopsis thaliana. This volatile signal opens up new possibilities for developing herbicides or antimicrobial agents that block the methylerythritol 4-phosphate pathway.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2021

Determining the structure of a molecule with laser-induced electron diffraction

Scientists successfully applied novel approach to imaging gas-phased molecule Carbonyl Sulfide, revealing a significantly bent and asymmetrically stretched configuration of the ionized OCS+ structure. The ZCP-LIED technique retrieves accurate and precise information about atomic structure without exact knowledge over the laser field.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 9, 2021

Researchers use silkworm silk to model muscle tissue

USU researchers developed a three-dimensional cell culture surface using silkworm silk to grow skeletal muscle cells, outperforming traditional methods. Cells grown on silkworm silk showed increased mechanical flexibility and proper muscle fiber alignment, mimicking human skeletal muscle more closely.

SourceUtah State University·JournalACS Applied Bio Materials·DateMar 9, 2021

Lower dose, less toxic radiopharmaceutical produces better outcomes

Researchers have developed a lower-dose radiopharmaceutical that improves treatment efficacy for neuroendocrine cancers while reducing side effects. The new medication uses reversible binding technology to extend its half-life in the blood, providing an extended therapeutic time window and improved treatment outcomes.

The benefits of the Mediterranean diet pass on to the families of patients who follow it

A study found that family members of patients following the Mediterranean diet-based PREDIMED-Plus program experienced significant weight loss, averaging almost 4 kg over two years. Improved dietary habits were also observed, with family members showing increased commitment to the Mediterranean diet.

SourceIMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute)·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·DateMar 9, 2021

New collaborative care model offers help for patients with mental health need

The Penn Integrated Care program, developed by the University of Pennsylvania, provides a resource center and collaborative care services to increase access to mental health professionals. This model has shown promising results, achieving remission in symptoms for nearly 40% of patients with anxiety and 33% of those with depression.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 9, 2021

Tropical cyclone exposure linked to rise in hospitalizations from many causes for older adults

A new study found that tropical cyclone exposure is associated with a significant rise in hospitalizations among older adults, with a 14% average increase in respiratory diseases and a 4% rise in infectious diseases. Hospitalizations from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) surged 45% following exposure.

The aurora's very high altitude booster

Scientists at Nagoya University have found that an electric accelerator for auroras exists much higher in space than previously thought, beyond 30,000 kilometres above the Earth's surface. This finding offers insight into Earth and other planets as well, shedding light on the process of aurora formation.

SourceNagoya University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 9, 2021

Rare mutations may have big impact on schizophrenia pathology

Researchers identified somatic gene mutations in brain cells of people with schizophrenia that disrupted synaptic function and affected proteins critical for neural signaling. The study found that these rare mutations could contribute to the disease's neuropathology, particularly in genes associated with glutamate receptor function.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMar 9, 2021

Can chips replace animal testing?

Researchers at Hebrew University have developed human-on-a-chip technology that allows for real-time monitoring of drug treatments in humans. The technology has the potential to significantly reduce testing and production time for drugs, saving time, money, and unnecessary suffering.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 9, 2021

A new co-driver in breast cancer

UC researchers found that cooperation between HER2 and MED1 genes promotes breast tumor growth, spread, and treatment resistance. Targeting MED1 alone or in combination with current therapies may be an effective treatment strategy for nearly 90% of breast cancer patients.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 9, 2021

NYU Abu Dhabi study predicts motion sickness severity

A new study by NYU Abu Dhabi researchers found that individuals with higher sensitivity to visual cues experience more severe motion sickness symptoms in virtual reality. The study suggests personalized device settings and reduced sensory cues can mitigate motion sickness, making VR technology more accessible.

SourceNew York University·JournalEntertainment Computing·DateMar 9, 2021

Pungent-variable of sweet chili pepper Shishito: genes and seeds

Researchers found that shishito peppers with fewer seeds exhibit a range of spiciness, from weak to strong. The genes involved in capsaicinoid synthesis showed a positive correlation with pungent intensity. By suppressing these gene expressions, breeders may develop varieties with consistent flavor and reduced spicy fluctuations.

SourceShinshu University·JournalMolecular Genetics and Genomics·DateMar 9, 2021

Bird parents that receive help live longer

Researchers found that bird parents who get help with childcare live an average of one to two years longer than those who do not. This is because helpers reduce the burden of care on parents, allowing them to reproduce again and again. The study highlights the importance of hard-working helpers in ensuring the longevity of bird parents.

SourceLund University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateMar 9, 2021

Having an unhealthy heart could lead to a higher risk of being diagnosed with COVID-19

Research by Queen Mary University of London found that people with pre-existing unhealthy heart structures and poorer functioning hearts are more likely to test positive for COVID-19. The study, which used the UK Biobank database, suggests that these relationships may be linked to a higher risk of subsequent COVID-19.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalAging Clinical and Experimental Research·DateMar 9, 2021

Microscopic wormholes possible in theory

Researchers develop theoretical model suggesting microscopic wormholes could be traversable without exotic matter, using Dirac field to describe probability density function of particles. The model proposes that certain elementary particles like electrons and electromagnetic waves could traverse tiny tunnels in spacetime.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 9, 2021

Breaking the warp barrier for faster-than-light travel

Researcher Dr. Erik Lentz discovered a new class of hyper-fast 'solitons' that can enable travel at any speed without requiring exotic matter with negative energy density. The equations used in this research would allow space travel to Proxima Centauri and back within years, compared to current rocket technology's 50,000-year journey.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalClassical and Quantum Gravity·DateMar 9, 2021