Science news

• Pluto's famous 'heart' actually beats and keeps the planet alive, according to new research

  09-06-2016 23:52 via cbc.ca
  
  NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew by Pluto in July of 2015, but data it gathered will be analyzed for years to come. Recently, the New Horizons team published new work in Nature describing how Pluto's famous "heart" is actually beating. CBC Radio science columnist Torah Kachur explains.
  
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• New research explores Pluto's 'beating heart'

  09-06-2016 23:52 via cbc.ca
  
  NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew by Pluto in July of 2015, but data it gathered will be analyzed for years to come. Recently, the New Horizons team published new work in Nature describing how Pluto's famous "heart" is actually beating. CBC Radio science columnist Torah Kachur explains.
  
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• New drug clears psoriasis in clinical trials

  09-06-2016 23:48
  About 80 percent of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis saw their disease completely or almost completely cleared with a new drug called ixekizumab, according to three large, long-term clinical trials.
  
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• The Grand Canyon: Meet the Newest Dark Sky Park

  09-06-2016 23:24
  
  The glittering night skies above the Grand Canyon will soon gain extra protection from encroaching light — the national park has been designated a provisional International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) and the National Park Service. The Grand Canyon will be the 12th national park site certified by the IDA, including seven others based on the Colorado Plateau. The designation can be given to legally protected parks that are accessible to the public with exce
  
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• Elon Musk Wants to Send Astronauts to Mars as Soon as 2024

  09-06-2016 23:24
  
  A Mars mission architecture SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk will unveil in September will call for a series of missions starting in 2018 leading up to the first crewed mission to the planet in 2024, Musk said June 1. In an on-stage interview at the Code Conference, run by the technology publication Recode in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, Musk repeated earlier comments that he would announce his architecture for human missions to Mars in September at the International Astronautical Congress i
  
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• Cosmic Threads: Astronauts Inspire Space-Age Fashion

  09-06-2016 23:23
  
  Fashion and spaceflight meet in a new generation of clothing created as part of a collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and five European fashion schools. Five European astronauts will travel or have traveled to the International Space Station between 2014 and 2016. You can see more of the wild space-inspired fashion ideas here in our full gallery.
  
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• The ‘super’ El Niño is over, but La Niña looms

  09-06-2016 23:10
  
  The 2015–2016 El Niño has officially ended while its meteorological sister, La Niña, brews.
  
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• 'Will consider sexual favours if you're cute': New swap on trading site Bunz

  09-06-2016 23:01 via cbc.ca
  
  Bunz, the popular trading platform where people can trade everything from furniture to food, is seeing a new trend. In return for goods or service, members are offering to swap a sexual favour or two.
  
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• Kids’ anxieties, depression need attention

  09-06-2016 23:00
  
  Psychological troubles in childhood are no longer considered a part of normal development.
  
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• Volcanic rocks help turn carbon emissions to stone — and fast

  09-06-2016 21:13
  
  A pilot program in Iceland that injected carbon dioxide into basaltic lava rocks turned more than 95 percent of the greenhouse gas into stone within two years.
  
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• Why hierarchy exists in biological networks: New insight will aid development of artificial intelligence

  09-06-2016 21:12
  New research explains why so many biological networks, including the human brain (a network of neurons), exhibit a hierarchical structure, and will improve attempts to create artificial intelligence. The study demonstrates this by showing that the evolution of hierarchy -- a simple system of ranking -- in biological networks may arise because of the costs associated with network connections.
  
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• Researchers watch skin cells 'walk' to wounds

  09-06-2016 21:12
  Skin cells typically spend their entire existence in one place on your body. But researchers have seen how the cells will alter the proteins holding them in place and move to repair a wound. 'And they walk,' said the lead author of a paper.
  
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• New vision, model for genomic and clinical data sharing

  09-06-2016 21:12
  Experts call for a federated data ecosystem for sharing genomic and clinical data. A diverse team of international leaders in academia, research, medicine, and industry, argues that a common framework of principles, protocols, and interoperable technical systems are necessary to enable responsible and effective data sharing.
  
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• New insights into mechanism of metabolic disorders: Proteome of an entire family

  09-06-2016 21:12
  Based on comprehensive protein data on mice, researchers have gained new insights into the mechanism of metabolic disorders. A key factor in their success was the data compiled by the scientists on several different but closely related animals.
  
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• 'It's what we hoped for': Scientists turn leading climate change gas into harmless rock

  09-06-2016 21:12 via cbc.ca
  
  Scientists have a found a quick way — but not a cheap one — to turn heat-trapping carbon dioxide gas into harmless rock.
  
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• Super quantum simulator 'entangles' hundreds of ions

  09-06-2016 21:08
  Physicists have 'entangled' or linked together the properties of up to 219 beryllium ions (charged atoms) to create a quantum simulator. The simulator is designed to model and mimic complex physics phenomena in a way that is impossible with conventional machines, even supercomputers. The techniques could also help improve atomic clocks.
  
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• Nerve-insulating cells more diverse than previously thought

  09-06-2016 21:08
  Oligodendrocytes, a type of brain cell that plays a crucial role in diseases such as multiple sclerosis, are more diverse than have previously been thought, according to a new study. The findings will help increase our understanding of diseases in which these cells are affected and possibly provide clues to future treatment strategies.
  
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• How gene activation protein works

  09-06-2016 21:08
  Scientists have discovered the three-dimensional structure of a gene-specific transcription activation complex, providing the first structural and mechanistic description of the process cells use to turn on, or activate, specific genes in response to changes in cell type, developmental state and environment. Transcription is the first in a series of steps cells take to read out genetic information in DNA.
  
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• A new way to nip AIDS in the bud

  09-06-2016 21:08
  When new HIV particles bud from an infected cell, the enzyme protease activates to help the viruses infect more cells. Modern AIDS drugs control the disease by inhibiting protease. Now researchers found how to turn protease into a double-edged sword: They showed that if they delay the budding of new HIV particles, protease itself will destroy the virus instead of helping it spread. That eventually might lead to new AIDS drugs with fewer side effects.
  
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• Scientists believe they can curb CO2 emissions by 'turning excess greenhouse gas into chalk'

  09-06-2016 21:06
  
  Researchers think this could be the ‘ultimate permanent storage’.
  
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• Electric eels play defense with a mighty leap

  09-06-2016 21:00
  
  A biologist finds evidence that a 200-year-old report of electric eels attacking horses may be true.
  
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• Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg to answer your questions next week

  09-06-2016 20:48 via cbc.ca
  
  Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced today (via Facebook, of course) that he’ll host a live question and answer session next week.
  
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• Experiment 'turns waste CO2 to stone'

  09-06-2016 20:12 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Scientists think they have found a smart way to constrain carbon dioxide emissions - just turn them to stone.
  
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• Scientists turn chief global warming gas into harmless stone

  09-06-2016 20:00
  
  WASHINGTON (AP) — Scientists have a found a quick way — but not a cheap one — to turn heat-trapping carbon dioxide gas into harmless rock.
  
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• How a parasite commonly found in cats is thriving in Arctic foxes

  09-06-2016 19:55 via cbc.ca
  
  A researcher with the University of Saskatchewan is trying to figure out why a parasite commonly found in felines is thriving in Arctic Foxes in Canada's North.
  
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• New qPAINT technology gives microscopes 'super-vision'

  09-06-2016 19:48
  Knowing the exact number of molecules located at specific junctures in cells can be a critical measure of health as well as disease. For example, abnormally high numbers of growth factor receptors on cells can be an indication of cancerous and precancerous states. Now, a simplified method known as qPAINT uses the blinking pattern of the light that marks each molecule, to find, count, and study individual molecules that are just a few nanometers apart.
  
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• New comorbidity tool predicts risk of hospitalization and death in psoriatic arthriti

  09-06-2016 19:45
  New comorbidity tool predicts risk of hospitalisation and premature death in psoriatic arthriti.
  
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• Heart monitor implant could save lives in patients with serious immune disease

  09-06-2016 19:45
  Heart monitor implant could save lives in patients with serious immune disease.
  
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• Pulmonary rehabilitation underutilized by physicians, COPD patients, study shows

  09-06-2016 19:44
  A new study investigating trends on the use of pulmonary rehabilitation therapy among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease found that this therapy was underutilized, despite its health benefits and cost effectiveness. The study is the first to describe use of PR among COPD patients in a large, nationally representative sample of U.S. patients.
  
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• Diabetes more frequent in children with chronic rheumatic disease

  09-06-2016 19:44
  The results of a study involving more than 9,000 patients showed that Type 1 diabetes occurs significantly more frequently in patients with Juvenile Inflammatory Arthritis (JIA) than in the general population. A better understanding of this link between diabetes and JIA may lead to new preventative and therapeutic interventions in both these diseases.
  
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• Cancer drugs could target autoimmune diseases

  09-06-2016 19:44
  Drugs currently being trialled in cancer patients have been used to successfully target an autoimmune condition in mice , report researchers. Their study involved giving cancer drugs to mice and inducing uveitis, an incurable autoimmune eye condition responsible for 1 in every 10 cases of visual impairment. The condition was significantly less severe in mice given the cancer drugs. Current treatment options are limited and can cause further visual problems including cataracts.
  
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• One snake's prey is another's poison: Scientists pinpoint genetics of extreme resistance

  09-06-2016 19:42
  Scientists have found that the ancestors of garter snakes gained toxin-resistant nerves almost 40 million years ago.
  
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• On land and at sea, large animals are in 'double jeopardy'

  09-06-2016 19:42
  Large animals hunted for their parts -- such as elephant ivory and shark fins -- are in double jeopardy of extinction due to their large body size and high value, according to a new analysis. The study reveals underappreciated risk to marine species similar to that of iconic terrestrial species, but elevated by key differences in the sea.
  
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• Bacteria perfected protein complexes more than 3.5 billion years ago

  09-06-2016 19:42
  Researchers are resurrecting ancient bacterial protein complexes to determine how 3.5-billion-year-old cells functioned versus cells of today. Surprisingly, they are not that different. Despite a popular hypothesis that primordial organisms had simple enzyme proteins, evidence suggests that bacteria around 500 million years after life began already had the sophisticated cellular machinery that exists today.
  
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• Autism is not just a disorder of the brain, mouse study suggests

  09-06-2016 19:42
  Autism spectrum disorders are generally thought to be caused by deficits in brain development, but a study in mice now suggests that at least some aspects of the disorder -- including how touch is perceived, anxiety, and social abnormalities -- are linked to defects in another area of the nervous system, the peripheral nerves found throughout the limbs, digits, and other parts of the body that communicate sensory information to the brain.
  
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• Autism is not just a disease of the brain, mouse study suggests

  09-06-2016 19:42
  Autism spectrum disorders is generally thought to be caused by deficits in brain development, but a study in mice now suggests that at least some aspects of the disorder -- including how touch is perceived, anxiety, and social abnormalities -- are linked to defects in another area of the nervous system, the peripheral nerves found throughout the limbs, digits, and other parts of the body that communicate sensory information to the brain.
  
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• European ruling on olive tree cull sparks fear in Italy

  09-06-2016 19:23
  
  ROME (Reuters) - European countries can be forced to cull olive trees to stop the spread of a deadly bacterium, the European Union ruled on Thursday, sparking concern in a grove-dotted region of Italy.
  
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• Ocean plankton held hostage by pirate viruses

  09-06-2016 19:18
  
  The most abundant photosynthesizers on Earth stop storing carbon when they catch a virus.
  
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• Medical Labs May Be Killing Horseshoe Crabs

  09-06-2016 18:30 via rss.sciam.com
  
  Drawing the crabs’ blue blood for vital medical testing can condemn the animals to die, even after they are returned to the sea
  -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
  
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• Decade of labor reveals philosopher's guide to the galaxy

  09-06-2016 18:27
  ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Whenever you're trying to fathom a mangled sample of very old hi-tech, it helps to have the manufacturer's instructions.
  
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• Abnormal sense of touch may play role in autism

  09-06-2016 18:18
  
  Autism-related genes are important for touch perception, a sense that may help the brain develop normally, a study of mice suggests.
  
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• Obesity and smoking reduces likelihood of treatment success in early rheumatoid arthritis

  09-06-2016 18:04
  The results of a study showed that the likelihood of achieving sustained remission in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is significantly lower in patients who smoke and who are obese. These findings suggest that encouraging patients to stop smoking and to achieve a healthy body weight could significantly improve their chance of becoming symptom-free after adequate treatment.
  
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• Depression linked to disease activity and disability in adolescents with arthritis

  09-06-2016 18:04
  The results of a study confirmed a clear association between depression symptom severity and the level of disease activity and disability in adolescent patients with juvenile inflammatory arthritis (JIA). These findings highlight the importance of psychological health assessment for adolescents with JIA and underline the need for psychological support to be fully integrated into their routine care.
  
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• Weak bees make strong colonies

  09-06-2016 17:56
  Colonies of the Eastern honey bee, the original host of parasitic Varroa destructor mites, survive infestations that are fatal to Western honey bees. A research team has now discovered that a large proportion of infested Eastern honey bee larvae die, prompting their elimination from the colony, together with that of their parasites. Counter-intuitively, weak individuals contribute to society survival by preventing the parasite to spread. This is an example of how altruistic suicide can be favore
  
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• Research accelerates next-generation ultra-precise sensing technology

  09-06-2016 17:55
  The mining, navigation, minerals exploration and environmental hydrology sectors are set to benefit from new research into quantum technology, say experts.
  
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• Researchers calculate groundwater levels from satellite data

  09-06-2016 17:54
  A new computer algorithm that can "fill in" underground water levels in areas where quality data is not available could lead to improved models of groundwater flow in regions where pumping and aquifer depletion are a concern.
  
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• Lupus confirmed as risk factor for cervical cancer

  09-06-2016 17:54
  The results of a study found a doubled risk of pre-malignant cervical changes, and potentially also an increased risk of cervical cancer, among women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) compared to the general female population. The highest risks were found in women with SLE who were treated with immunosuppressant drugs. These findings highlight the importance of regular cervical screening in all women with SLE, regardless of whether the increased risk is due to disease severity or treatment
  
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• Gene profiling can help predict treatment response and could save money in RA

  09-06-2016 17:54
  Two new studies have shown that the use of gene profiling designed to predict a positive response to treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is following the lead from its use in cancer treatment. Prompt identification of those RA patients not responding to treatment supports timely switching to alternative treatment, reducing the chance of long-term joint damage and avoiding money being wasted on ineffective drugs.
  
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• Early, efficient detection and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using new delivery system

  09-06-2016 17:54
  The results of a new study showed that tiny particles made of a biodegradable polymer (BNPs -- biodegradable polymer nanoparticles) have the potential to enable early detection and efficient long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with minimal side effects. By coating these particles with a peptide that is only able to target inflamed joint tissue, BNPs may be used to efficiently and selectively deliver drugs and diagnostic probes into arthritic joints.
  
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• Biosimilar switching not suitable for all patients

  09-06-2016 17:54
  The results of a study showed that when antibodies develop in response to the biological treatment Remicade® (infliximab), they also cross-react with the biosimilar of infliximab (CT-P13: Inflectra® or Remsima®). These findings suggest that antibody-positive patients being treated with Remicade should not be switched to treatment with the biosimilar, since these antibodies will interact with the new drug and potentially lead to a loss of response. ,
  
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