ScienceDaily: Top News

Stress protein in fibroblasts may be a good target for future cancer drugs

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 12:29 PM PDT

A stress protein that is overactive in many types of tumor cells also has a key role in tumor-supporting cells called fibroblasts, and may be a good target for future cancer treatments, suggests a new study.

Decoding a key part of the cell, atom by atom

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 12:29 PM PDT

A team led by André Hoelz has made two big leaps forward in our understanding of the nuclear pore complex, a vital cellular gateway.

Immunotherapy may get a boost

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 12:29 PM PDT

T cells are usually very good at eliminating diseased cells. But they seem to fail when it comes to tumor cells. Researchers now describe what inhibits this immune function and how they can release the brake and boost the immune response against cancer.

Proteomic study of 2,002 tumors identifies 11 pan-cancer molecular subtypes across 14 types of cancer

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 12:29 PM PDT

A large study of 2,002 tumors from 14 types of cancer revealed 11 proteomic subtypes associated with distinct pathways in the tumors. These findings reveal the molecular landscape of cancers at the proteome level, to better understand how cancers grow and spread. The pan-cancer proteomic data is integrated into a comprehensive cancer multi-omic high-throughput data analysis platform that helps evaluate gene expression across subgroups and subtypes of tumors.

The Earth moves far under our feet: A new study shows the inner core oscillates

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 12:29 PM PDT

Scientists have found evidence that the Earth's inner core oscillates, contradicting previously accepted models that posited it consistently rotates at a faster rate than the planet's surface.

IgG antibodies in breast milk help shape infants' gut bacteria and immunity

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 12:29 PM PDT

Researchers have known for some time that maternal breast milk provides critical nutrients for newborns, and antibodies from mothers vaccinated against a specific disease-causing bacterium or virus can be transferred via breast milk to babies. Now a new preclinical study shows that one specific set of antibodies that is induced naturally by gut beneficial bacteria can be transferred from mothers to infants through breast milk and help infants defend against infection-induced diarrheal illness. The study suggests boosting these 'naturally-produced' antibodies in mothers might enhance infants' immunity against bacterial pathogens that cause infectious gastrointestinal diseases.

One in 500 men carry extra sex chromosome, putting them at higher risk of several common diseases

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 11:08 AM PDT

Around one in 500 men could be carrying an extra X or Y chromosome -- most of them unaware -- putting them at increased risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and thrombosis, say researchers.

How crops can better survive floods

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 10:08 AM PDT

Researchers show which signaling pathways make plants more resistant to flooding. The molecule ethylene is a warning signal for plants that they are under water and switches on the emergency supply for survival without oxygen. A team shows that plants can survive longer without oxygen when pretreated with ethylene.

Despite dire warnings, monarch butterfly numbers are solid

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 09:02 AM PDT

Scientists have been warning for quite some time that monarch butterflies were slated for extinction due to diminishing winter colonies. But a new study found that warming temperatures and growth in the summer population of monarchs has compensated for losses during the winter. Researchers did preach continued caution, as the study did show continuing declines in other species of butterflies.

Astronomers may have detected a 'dark' free-floating black hole

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 09:02 AM PDT

Astronomers have discovered what may be a free-floating black hole by observing the brightening of a more distant star as its light was distorted by the object's strong gravitational field -- so-called gravitational microlensing.

Words matter: How to reduce gender bias with word choice

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 09:02 AM PDT

In the workplace, even subtle differences in language choice can influence the perception of gender, for better or worse. These choices fall into two main categories: minimizing the role of gender by using gender-neutral terms or emphasizing an individual's gender through 'gender marking.' Behavioral scientists argue that by using these two approaches thoughtfully, one can promote gender equality.

For communication between brain areas, milliseconds matter

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 09:02 AM PDT

Understanding how brain areas communicate is one of the oldest questions in neuroscience. Researchers used causal techniques to uncover how two neocortical areas in the brain communicate with one another and found that their influence on each other changes over much faster-timescales than previously thought.

How mother-youth emotional climate helps adolescents cope with stress

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 09:02 AM PDT

Transition to middle school can be a stressful time for adolescents. They must adjust to a new peer group and social environment while going through the developmental changes of puberty. A recent study looks at how emotional aspects of parenting can help youth better cope with peer stressors during this transitional period.

Ningaloo corals are ill-equipped to handle future climate change

Posted: 10 Jun 2022 06:13 AM PDT

The relatively pristine coral populations of WA's inshore Kimberley region are better equipped to survive ocean warming than the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park, according to a new study.

Scientists release first analysis of rocks plucked from speeding asteroid

Posted: 09 Jun 2022 04:50 PM PDT

Scientists have now begun to announce the first results from the analysis of a handful of dirt that Hayabusa2 managed to scoop off the surface of a speeding asteroid. What they found suggests that this asteroid is a piece of the same stuff that coalesced into our sun four-and-a-half billion years ago.

Dogs inhale immunotherapy to test lung cancer treatment

Posted: 09 Jun 2022 12:58 PM PDT

An inhaled immunotherapy successfully treated cancer in some companion dogs as part of a clinical trial conducted by oncology and veterinary researchers. Results show potential for fighting cancer in humans as well.

Existing cancer therapy in narrow use shows significant activity against other cancers

Posted: 09 Jun 2022 12:58 PM PDT

A drug currently used in just 1% of cancers has significant potential against the remaining 99%, according to a new study. Ivosidenib, or AG-120, is currently used against cancers that have a mutation in the IDH1 gene. However, study results show that Ivosidenib is also effective against unmutated, or 'wild-type' IDH1. The protein coded by the IDH1 gene in cancers helps cancer cells survive in a stressful tumor environment, so any inhibitor medication that could weaken this defense mechanism is considered a promising therapy.

Researchers demonstrate 40-channel optical communication link

Posted: 09 Jun 2022 10:19 AM PDT

Researchers have develop a silicon-based optical communications link that can improve data-intensive internet applications from video streaming services to high-capacity transactions for the stock market. This device could enable the next generation of optical interconnects for use in data-center networks that form the backbone of the internet.

Heart failure patients unvaccinated against COVID-19 are three times more likely to die from it than boosted heart failure patients, study finds

Posted: 09 Jun 2022 07:18 AM PDT

Heart failure patients who are unvaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are three times more likely to die if infected with the virus compared to fully boosted heart failure patients, according to new research.