Science news

• Moon, Venus to appear as beautiful duo Tuesday evening

  17-04-2018 22:29 via cbc.ca
  If you happen to be lucky and have clear skies tonight, step outside and look west for a beautiful pairing.
  
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• Smooth dance moves confirm new bird-of-paradise species

  17-04-2018 21:56
  Newly publicized audiovisuals support full species status for one of the dancing birds-of-paradise in New Guinea. This new species, called the Vogelkop Superb Bird-of-Paradise, is found only in the island's far-western Bird's Head, or Vogelkop, region.
  
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• Marine fish won an evolutionary lottery 66 million years ago

  17-04-2018 21:56
  Why do the Earth's oceans contain such a staggering diversity of fish of so many different sizes, shapes, colors and ecologies? The answer, biologists report, dates back 66 million years ago, when a six-mile-wide asteroid crashed to Earth, wiping out the dinosaurs and approximately 75 percent of animal and plant species worldwide.
  
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• Truncation- and motif-based pan-cancer analysis reveals tumor-suppressing kinases

  17-04-2018 20:20 via stke.sciencemag.org
  A major challenge in cancer genomics is identifying "driver" mutations from the many neutral "passenger" mutations within a given tumor. To identify driver mutations that would otherwise be lost within mutational noise, we filtered genomic data by motifs that are critical for kinase activity. In the first step of our screen, we used data from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia and The Cancer Genome Atlas to identify kinases with truncation mutations occurring within or before the kinase domain. T
  
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• Revisiting PD-1 signaling

  17-04-2018 20:20 via stke.sciencemag.org
  The protective effect of anti-PD1 therapy in cancer may not require the phosphatase Ptpn11.
  
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• Interleukin-2 shapes the cytotoxic T cell proteome and immune environment-sensing programs

  17-04-2018 20:20 via stke.sciencemag.org
  Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Janus kinases (JAKs) regulate transcriptional programs and protein synthesis to promote the differentiation of effector CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, we generated an in-depth characterization of how IL-2 and JAKs configure the CTL proteome to control CTL function. We found that IL-2 signaling through JAK1 and JAK3 (JAK1/3) increased the abundance of a key subset of proteins to induce the accumulation of critical cytokines a
  
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• Estrogen receptor {alpha} contributes to T cell-mediated autoimmune inflammation by promoting T cell activation and proliferation

  17-04-2018 20:20 via stke.sciencemag.org
  It has long been appreciated that most autoimmune disorders are characterized by increased prevalence in females, suggesting a potential role for sex hormones in the etiology of autoimmunity. To study how estrogen receptor α (ERα) contributes to autoimmune diseases, we generated mice in which ERα was deleted specifically in T lymphocytes. We found that ERα deletion in T cells reduced their pathogenic potential in a mouse model of colitis and correlated with transcriptomic
  
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• A switch-variant model integrates the functions of an autoimmune variant of the phosphatase PTPN22

  17-04-2018 20:20 via stke.sciencemag.org
  The R620W polymorphism in protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 22 (PTPN22) predisposes carriers to several autoimmune diseases. Two papers in Science Immunology and Science Signaling on this human disease–associated variant lead us to propose a new "switch-of-function" model.
  
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• Plastic-eating enzyme holds promise in fighting pollution

  17-04-2018 20:17
  (Refiles this April 16 story to fix affiliation in 10th paragraph.)
  
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• This ancient Maya city may have helped the Snake King dynasty spread

  17-04-2018 20:00
  
  A rural hub in an ancient Maya state gets its due with some laser help.
  
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• Studying oxygen, scientists discover clues to recovery from mass extinction

  17-04-2018 19:28
  A research team is helping to understand why the Permian-Triassic mass extinction event happened and why it took life so long to recover.
  
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• Resilience counteracts effects of childhood abuse and neglect on health

  17-04-2018 19:28
  Researchers have determined that psychological resilience has a positive effect on health outcomes for people living with schizophrenia. This is the first study to quantitatively assess the effects of both childhood trauma and psychological resilience on health and metabolic function in people living with schizophrenia.
  
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• Workplace anxiety isn't always a bad thing: It can boost performance

  17-04-2018 19:01
  Researchers have developed a new comprehensive model of workplace anxiety. It includes triggers for anxiety in the workplace and its effect on employee performance.
  
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• The 'bread basket' of the tropics? Study explores tropical grain production

  17-04-2018 19:01
  Agricultural economists wanted to learn more about the productivity of grain production in the tropics. They examine input and output factors for several large-scale farms located in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.
  
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• Statins save lives of people with high levels of LDL cholesterol

  17-04-2018 19:01
  Cholesterol-lowering drugs are more likely to save thousands of additional lives when used in people with higher levels of LDL cholesterol, or 'bad' cholesterol, according to a new study.
  
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• Solving the structure of ATP synthase

  17-04-2018 19:01
  Scientists have solved the structure of mitochondrial ATP synthase, an enzyme that makes ATP, adenosine triphosphate, the major energy source of cells.
  
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• Simulation of the AsqJ enzyme opens up new options for pharmaceutical chemistry

  17-04-2018 19:01
  Practically all biochemical processes involve enzymes that accelerate chemical reactions. A research team has now for the first time deciphered the molecular mechanism of the enzyme AsqJ. Their findings might open up new options in the production of pharmaceutically active molecules.
  
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• Confined gas research could expand natural gas market

  17-04-2018 19:01
  Researchers are developing new ways to store, separate, and transport gases.
  
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• A new Listeria species from Costa Rica

  17-04-2018 19:01
  Listeria costaricensis is the official name given to the new bacterial species just described by investigators.
  
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• Scientists believe diamonds in meteorite hail from lost planet in our solar system

  17-04-2018 18:51 via cbc.ca
  An asteroid that exploded over Sudan in 2008 could be proof that our early solar system was home to many planets.
  
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• Cambridge Analytica whistleblower to testify before Parliamentary committee

  17-04-2018 18:30 via cbc.ca
  Chris Wylie, the whistleblower at the heart of the Cambridge Analytica data-mining controversy, will appear before the Parliamentary privacy committee, says Peter Kent.
  
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• Porpoise plucked from shallow waters

  17-04-2018 18:03 via bbc.co.uk
  The young female porpoise had become stranded at Grange burn near to Grangemouth.
  
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• New tool speeds up the design of wearable tech

  17-04-2018 17:58
  People could soon power items such as their mobile phones or personal health equipment by simply using their daily movements, thanks to a new research tool that could be used by manufacturers.
  
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• Here’s why putting a missile defense system in space could be a bad idea

  17-04-2018 17:52
  
  Expanding missile defense capabilities could put the world on a slippery slope to space warfare.
  
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• Ex-Cambridge Analytica employee believes over 87 million Facebook users had data compromised

  17-04-2018 17:52 via cbc.ca
  A former director with Cambridge Analytica, a political consultancy at the centre of a scandal over the use of Facebook data, testified Tuesday before a British House of Commons committee that she believed the number of Facebook users compromised in similar ways was "much greater" than the current estimate of 87 million.
  
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• More than 100 parts for NASA's Orion capsule to be 3D printed

  17-04-2018 17:43
  FRANKFURT (Reuters) - More than 100 parts for U.S. space agency NASA's deep-space capsule Orion will be made by 3D printers, using technology that experts say will eventually become key to efforts to send humans to Mars.
  
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• Google opens Kitchener community space, pledges $2.1M for local STEM

  17-04-2018 17:29 via cbc.ca
  Google is opening a community space in Kitchener for local non-profits and organizations. The company is also pledging $2.1 million for local STEM programs.
  
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• Tesla shuts down Model 3 assembly again to fix bottlenecks

  17-04-2018 17:27 via cbc.ca
  Shares of Tesla Inc. traded lower Tuesday after reports that the company had shut down production of its Model 3 mass-market electric car again to solve manufacturing bottlenecks.
  
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• Plastic-eating enzyme could help fight pollution, scientists say

  17-04-2018 16:21 via cbc.ca
  Scientists in Britain and the United States say they have engineered a plastic-eating enzyme that could in future help in the fight against pollution.
  
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• Gerst aims to be 'nice boss' as first German ISS commander

  17-04-2018 16:20
  COLOGNE (Reuters) - Astronaut Alexander Gerst says he aims to be a "nice boss" when he becomes the $100 billion International Space Station's first German commander later this year.
  
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• GE rides gene therapy wave with ready-made viral drug factories

  17-04-2018 13:03
  LONDON (Reuters) - General Electric is raising its bet on biotechnology with the launch of prefabricated manufacturing units for producing virus-based gene and cell therapies, novel anti-cancer treatments and vaccines.
  
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• A new plastic film glows to flag food contaminated with dangerous microbes

  17-04-2018 13:00
  
  Plastic patches that glow when they touch some types of bacteria could be built into food packaging to reduce the spread of foodborne illness.
  
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• The Spice of Death: The Science behind Tainted "Synthetic Marijuana"

  17-04-2018 12:45 via rss.sciam.com
  Experts describe how rat poison linked to a recent bleeding outbreak does its damage-- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
  
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• Bialowieza forest: Poland broke EU law by logging

  17-04-2018 11:52 via bbc.co.uk
  Poland violated EU law by ordering large-scale logging in Bialowieza forest, Europe's top court says.
  
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• Kids ask Nasa astronaut about going to space

  17-04-2018 11:46 via bbc.co.uk
  Karen Nyberg, who's been to space twice, answers questions from primary school children.
  
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• Political campaigns are targeting you on Facebook. Help us find out how.

  17-04-2018 10:00 via cbc.ca
  More than 20 million Canadians use Facebook every month, and with elections looming in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick and a federal campaign next year, many of us will be besieged by political ads on the social media site. CBC is asking its readers to help track some of those ads by installing a browser extension created by the U.S. investigative news organization ProPublica.
  
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• Political ads on Facebook growing 'exponentially' in Canadian campaigns, experts say

  17-04-2018 10:00 via cbc.ca
  Millions of Canadians will cast ballots this year and they can expect to see their Facebook news feeds full of political ads tailored to their individual opinions and interests. Microtargeting is key to campaign strategies, experts say, but it has also raised concerns around transparency.
  
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• Help CBC News investigate political ads on Facebook

  17-04-2018 10:00 via cbc.ca
  More than 20 million Canadians use Facebook every month, and with elections looming in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick and a federal campaign next year, many of us will be besieged by political ads on the social media site. CBC is asking its readers to help track some of those ads by installing a browser extension created by the U.S. investigative news organization ProPublica.
  
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• University of Virginia wins at UTSA National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition

  17-04-2018 06:00
  (University of Texas at San Antonio) A team of security-savvy students from the University of Virginia prevailed over nine other teams to win the 2018 National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. The championship was held in Orlando, Fla., from April 13-15 with the top 10 college and university teams from across the nation. The University of Virginia earned the national title by successfully protecting a fictional biotech firm's network against an onslaught of persistent cyber attacks from top
  
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• Understanding Mercury's magnetic tail

  17-04-2018 06:00
  (American Institute of Physics) Theoretical physicists used simulations to explain the unusual readings collected in 2009 by the Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry, and Ranging mission. The origin of energetic electrons detected in Mercury's magnetic tail has puzzled scientists. This new study, appearing in Physics of Plasmas, provides a possible solution to how these energetic electrons form.
  
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• Under-fives should be priority for snail fever therapy, study finds

  17-04-2018 06:00
  (University of Edinburgh) Pre-school children in sub-Saharan Africa should be tested regularly for a common infection known as snail fever, which would reduce the spread of the disease.
  
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• Trust in science, news and experts is influenced by sound quality

  17-04-2018 06:00
  (University of Southern California) New research using manipulated audio clips from NPR's Science Friday and YouTube videos of academic presentations indicates that poor audio quality can create distrust -- in both the information and the source, while high audio quality strengthens their credibility.
  
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• Top-down approach gets to the bottom of cancer

  17-04-2018 06:00
  (Northwestern University) By studying patient colorectal tumors, a Northwestern University research team characterizes a fully intact protein that results from a mutation of the RAS gene, the first cancer gene ever pinpointed in human cancer cells. This finding opens the door for new targets for treatment of a gene currently thought to be 'undruggable.'
  
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• Thinking about hitching a ride on a mission to Mars? One hazard you haven't considered

  17-04-2018 06:00
  (American Academy of Ophthalmology) Retired NASA astronaut David Wolf, M.D., will provide insight into how space flight affects the eye on Thursday, April 19, when he gives the keynote address during a conference attended by many of the nation's leading eye physicians and surgeons, hosted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology in Washington, D.C.
  
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• The enzyme designers

  17-04-2018 06:00
  (Technical University of Munich (TUM)) Practically all biochemical processes involve enzymes that accelerate chemical reactions. A research team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has now for the first time deciphered the molecular mechanism of the enzyme AsqJ. Their findings might open up new options in the production of pharmaceutically active molecules.
  
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