ScienceDaily: Top News

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• New drug clears psoriasis in clinical trials
• Oregon chemists build a new, stable open-shell molecule
• Researchers watch skin cells 'walk' to wounds
• New vision, model for genomic and clinical data sharing
• Perovskite solar cells surpass 20 percent efficiency
• Why hierarchy exists in biological networks: New insight will aid development of artificial intelligence
• New insights into mechanism of metabolic disorders: Proteome of an entire family
• Scientists unpack how Toxoplasma infection is linked to neurodegenerative disease
• A new way to nip AIDS in the bud
• How gene activation protein works
• Nerve-insulating cells more diverse than previously thought
• Super quantum simulator 'entangles' hundreds of ions
• New qPAINT technology gives microscopes 'super-vision'
• Heart monitor implant could save lives in patients with serious immune disease
• New comorbidity tool predicts risk of hospitalization and death in psoriatic arthriti
• Diabetes more frequent in children with chronic rheumatic disease
• Blood test can help predict RA treatment response
• Robots to provide a steadying hand at the right time
• Pulmonary rehabilitation underutilized by physicians, COPD patients, study shows
• Cancer drugs could target autoimmune diseases
• On land and at sea, large animals are in 'double jeopardy'
• Autism is not just a disorder of the brain, mouse study suggests
• Bacteria perfected protein complexes more than 3.5 billion years ago
• One snake's prey is another's poison: Scientists pinpoint genetics of extreme resistance
• Depression linked to disease activity and disability in adolescents with arthritis
• Obesity and smoking reduces likelihood of treatment success in early rheumatoid arthritis
• Weak bees make strong colonies
• Research accelerates next-generation ultra-precise sensing technology
• Our brain activity could be nudged to make healthier choices
• Researchers calculate groundwater levels from satellite data
• Lupus confirmed as risk factor for cervical cancer
• Gene profiling can help predict treatment response and could save money in RA
• Biosimilar switching not suitable for all patients
• Early, efficient detection and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using new delivery system
• Air pollution exposure may worsen lupus in children
• Consumers sour on milk exposed to LED light
• New understanding of plant growth brings promise of tailored products for industry
• Osteoarthritis just as severe as rheumatoid arthritis
• Test holds potential to diagnose myriad conditions with drop of blood
• Study shows value of dynamic forecasting in intermodal management
• Pre-procedure medication regimen could lead to less hospital time for liver cancer patients
• Likely new planet may be in slow death spiral
• The Texas butterfly effect
• Diet lacking in zinc is detrimental to human, animal health
• Witnesses can catch criminals by smell: Human nose-witnesses identify criminals in a lineup of body odor
• How El Niño impacts global temperatures
• New way for prevention of pathogenic protein misfolding
• Putting a brake on leukemia cells
• Concussion outcome predicted using advanced imaging
• High-priced drugs used to treat diabetic macular edema not cost-effective
• In the brain, one area sees familiar words as pictures, another sounds out words
• Researchers leverage social media to uncover new data on migraine sensory experiences
• Controlling quantum states atom by atom
• Being female increases stroke hospitalization risk by 23% in atrial fibrillation patients
• Researchers map mosquitoes that transmit Zika, Dengue by county
• What's driving the next generation of green products?
• Mesothelioma surgery improves quality of life, study finds
• Lung cancer breath 'signature' presents promise for earlier diagnosis
• Novel solar absorber to improve efficiency of concentrating solar power technology
• Scientists discover biomarkers that could give cancer patients better survival estimates

New drug clears psoriasis in clinical trials Posted: 09 Jun 2016 02:48 PM PDT 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.

Oregon chemists build a new, stable open-shell molecule Posted: 09 Jun 2016 02:47 PM PDT Chemists have synthesized a stable and long-lasting carbon-based molecule that, they say, potentially could be applicable in solar cells and electronic devices.

Researchers watch skin cells 'walk' to wounds Posted: 09 Jun 2016 12:12 PM PDT 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.

New vision, model for genomic and clinical data sharing Posted: 09 Jun 2016 12:12 PM PDT 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.

Perovskite solar cells surpass 20 percent efficiency Posted: 09 Jun 2016 12:12 PM PDT Researchers are pushing the limits of perovskite solar cell performance by exploring the best way to grow these crystals.

Why hierarchy exists in biological networks: New insight will aid development of artificial intelligence Posted: 09 Jun 2016 12:12 PM PDT 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.

New insights into mechanism of metabolic disorders: Proteome of an entire family Posted: 09 Jun 2016 12:12 PM PDT 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.

Scientists unpack how Toxoplasma infection is linked to neurodegenerative disease Posted: 09 Jun 2016 12:08 PM PDT Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite, infects a third of the world's population. Working on mice, biomedical scientists report that Toxoplasma infection leads to a disruption of neurotransmitters in the brain and postulates that it triggers neurological disease in those already predisposed to such a disease. The researchers note that Toxoplasma infection leads to a significant increase in glutamate -- the primary and most important neurotransmitter in the brain.

A new way to nip AIDS in the bud Posted: 09 Jun 2016 12:08 PM PDT 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.

How gene activation protein works Posted: 09 Jun 2016 12:08 PM PDT 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.

Nerve-insulating cells more diverse than previously thought Posted: 09 Jun 2016 12:08 PM PDT 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.

Super quantum simulator 'entangles' hundreds of ions Posted: 09 Jun 2016 12:08 PM PDT 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.

New qPAINT technology gives microscopes 'super-vision' Posted: 09 Jun 2016 10:48 AM PDT 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.

Heart monitor implant could save lives in patients with serious immune disease Posted: 09 Jun 2016 10:45 AM PDT Heart monitor implant could save lives in patients with serious immune disease.

New comorbidity tool predicts risk of hospitalization and death in psoriatic arthriti Posted: 09 Jun 2016 10:45 AM PDT New comorbidity tool predicts risk of hospitalisation and premature death in psoriatic arthriti.

Diabetes more frequent in children with chronic rheumatic disease Posted: 09 Jun 2016 10:44 AM PDT 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.

Blood test can help predict RA treatment response Posted: 09 Jun 2016 10:44 AM PDT

Robots to provide a steadying hand at the right time Posted: 09 Jun 2016 10:44 AM PDT Many new robots look less like the metal humanoids of pop culture and more like high-tech extensions of ourselves and our capabilities.

Pulmonary rehabilitation underutilized by physicians, COPD patients, study shows Posted: 09 Jun 2016 10:44 AM PDT 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.

Cancer drugs could target autoimmune diseases Posted: 09 Jun 2016 10:44 AM PDT 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.

On land and at sea, large animals are in 'double jeopardy' Posted: 09 Jun 2016 10:42 AM PDT 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.

Autism is not just a disorder of the brain, mouse study suggests Posted: 09 Jun 2016 10:42 AM PDT 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.

Bacteria perfected protein complexes more than 3.5 billion years ago Posted: 09 Jun 2016 10:42 AM PDT 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.

One snake's prey is another's poison: Scientists pinpoint genetics of extreme resistance Posted: 09 Jun 2016 10:42 AM PDT Scientists have found that the ancestors of garter snakes gained toxin-resistant nerves almost 40 million years ago.

Depression linked to disease activity and disability in adolescents with arthritis Posted: 09 Jun 2016 09:04 AM PDT 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.

Obesity and smoking reduces likelihood of treatment success in early rheumatoid arthritis Posted: 09 Jun 2016 09:04 AM PDT 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.

Weak bees make strong colonies Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:56 AM PDT 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 favored by nature.

Research accelerates next-generation ultra-precise sensing technology Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:55 AM PDT The mining, navigation, minerals exploration and environmental hydrology sectors are set to benefit from new research into quantum technology, say experts.

Our brain activity could be nudged to make healthier choices Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:55 AM PDT Netflix binge-watching versus a hike in the woods. A cheeseburger versus kale salad. Fentanyl versus Tylenol. New research suggests our brain activity could be influenced to make the healthier choice.

Researchers calculate groundwater levels from satellite data Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:54 AM PDT 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.

Lupus confirmed as risk factor for cervical cancer Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:54 AM PDT 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.

Gene profiling can help predict treatment response and could save money in RA Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:54 AM PDT 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.

Biosimilar switching not suitable for all patients Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:54 AM PDT 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. ,

Early, efficient detection and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using new delivery system Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:54 AM PDT 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.

Air pollution exposure may worsen lupus in children Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:54 AM PDT The results of a new study show for the first time that an individual's exposure to air pollution may have a direct role in triggering disease activity as well as airway inflammation in children and adolescents with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Consumers sour on milk exposed to LED light Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:53 AM PDT Exposure to light-emitting diode (LED) sources for even a few hours degrades the perceived quality of fluid milk more so than the microbial content that naturally accumulates over time, report researchers.

New understanding of plant growth brings promise of tailored products for industry Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:53 AM PDT In the search for low-emission plant-based fuels, new research could lead to sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel-based products. Scientists have identified new steps in the way plants produce cellulose, the component of plant cell walls that provides strength, and forms insoluble fiber in the human diet.

Osteoarthritis just as severe as rheumatoid arthritis Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:53 AM PDT The results of a new study showed patients with osteoarthritis (OA) are more likely to have the impact of their condition underestimated by rheumatologists than patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Test holds potential to diagnose myriad conditions with drop of blood Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:53 AM PDT Researchers have developed a unique method for detecting antibodies in the blood of patients in a proof-of-principle study that opens the door to development of simple diagnostic tests for diseases for which no microbial cause is known, including auto-immune diseases, cancers and other conditions.

Study shows value of dynamic forecasting in intermodal management Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:53 AM PDT A new study has determined the optimal container leasing and load acceptance policy under dynamic demand and supply forecasting. It also found that the value of dynamic forecasting depends on scarcity, stochasticity, or randomness, and volatility.

Pre-procedure medication regimen could lead to less hospital time for liver cancer patients Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:53 AM PDT Putting liver cancer patients on a medication regimen prior to undergoing a certain treatment could lead to shorter hospital stays and less chance for readmission due to complications, say researchers.

Likely new planet may be in slow death spiral Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:53 AM PDT Astronomers searching for the galaxy's youngest planets have found compelling evidence for one unlike any other, a newborn 'hot Jupiter' whose outer layers are being torn away by the star it orbits every 11 hours.

The Texas butterfly effect Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:51 AM PDT How can scientists better understand summer monarch butterfly populations in the Midwest? Check spring weather in Texas.

Diet lacking in zinc is detrimental to human, animal health Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:51 AM PDT The trace element zinc has an impact on the essential metabolic functions of most living organisms. New research has found that even minimal zinc deficiency impairs digestion, albeit without any typical symptoms such as skin problems or fatigue. Hence, short-term zinc deficiency in the diet should be avoided.

Witnesses can catch criminals by smell: Human nose-witnesses identify criminals in a lineup of body odor Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:51 AM PDT Move over sniffer dogs, people who witnessed a crime are able to identify criminals by their smell. Police lineups normally rely on sight, but nose-witnesses can be just as reliable as eye-witnesses, new research has found.

How El Niño impacts global temperatures Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:51 AM PDT Scientists have found past El Niño oscillations in the Pacific Ocean may have amplified global climate fluctuations for hundreds of years at a time.The team uncovered century-scale patterns in Pacific rainfall and temperature, and linked them with global climate changes in the past 2,000 years, which will influence climate models of current trends.

New way for prevention of pathogenic protein misfolding Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:49 AM PDT Incorrectly folded proteins can cause a variety of diseases. Now researchers have found a solution for preventing this misfolding.

Putting a brake on leukemia cells Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:49 AM PDT Cancer cells need a lot of energy in order to divide without limits. Researchers have discovered how leukemia cells cover these extra energy needs, and scientists may be able to use this mechanism to put a brake on leukemia cells.

Concussion outcome predicted using advanced imaging Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:49 AM PDT Using an advanced imaging technique, researchers have been able to predict which patients who'd recently suffered concussions were likely to fully recover.

High-priced drugs used to treat diabetic macular edema not cost-effective Posted: 09 Jun 2016 08:49 AM PDT The anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs ranibizumab and aflibercept, used to treat vision loss from diabetic macular edema (DME), and approximately 20 to 30 times more expensive than bevacizumab, are not cost-effective for treatment of DME compared to bevacizumab unless their prices decrease substantially, according to a study.

In the brain, one area sees familiar words as pictures, another sounds out words Posted: 09 Jun 2016 06:36 AM PDT Skilled readers can quickly recognize words when they read because the word has been placed in a visual dictionary of sorts which functions separately from an area that processes the sounds of written words, say neuroscientists. The visual dictionary idea rebuts a common theory that our brain needs to "sound out" words each time we see them.

Researchers leverage social media to uncover new data on migraine sensory experiences Posted: 09 Jun 2016 06:36 AM PDT Migraine ranks in the top 20 of the world's most disabling medical illnesses, yet is underreported, say researchers. In a new study, researchers leverage social media to yield important insights on migraine associated-smells and hallucinations.

Controlling quantum states atom by atom Posted: 09 Jun 2016 06:35 AM PDT A new method has been developed to precisely alter the quantum mechanical states of electrons within an array of quantum boxes. The method can be used to investigate the interactions between various types of atoms and electrons, which is essential for future quantum technologies, as the group reports.

Being female increases stroke hospitalization risk by 23% in atrial fibrillation patients Posted: 09 Jun 2016 06:35 AM PDT A 15 year study in 1.1 million patients with atrial fibrillation has found that women are 23% more likely to be hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke than men.

Researchers map mosquitoes that transmit Zika, Dengue by county Posted: 09 Jun 2016 06:35 AM PDT A new article features maps of counties in the United States where the mosquitoes known as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus have been recorded.

What's driving the next generation of green products? Posted: 09 Jun 2016 06:08 AM PDT If you purchased a Toyota Prius, you may have been driven by the desire to conserve the environment or to save yourself some money at the gas pump. But consumers may also choose to buy sustainable products to make themselves appear socially responsible to others. Before making purchases, they evaluate how their decisions will stack up against their peers', according to a new study.

Mesothelioma surgery improves quality of life, study finds Posted: 09 Jun 2016 03:47 AM PDT Many mesothelioma patients avoid surgery for fear it will degrade their quality of life. But a study has found just the opposite: Patients who underwent an operation called pleurectomy and decortication (PD) generally reported their quality of life improved after surgery.

Lung cancer breath 'signature' presents promise for earlier diagnosis Posted: 09 Jun 2016 03:47 AM PDT Being able to identify lung cancer "signature" through a simple breath test has emerged as one of the most promising ways to diagnose the disease. Now the test is being used to monitor for disease recurrence.

Novel solar absorber to improve efficiency of concentrating solar power technology Posted: 09 Jun 2016 03:47 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a novel way to significantly increase the amount of sunlight that a solar absorber can convert into heat. By converting more of the solar energy that reaches Earth's surface into heat in a low-cost way, the solar absorber can help make sustainable technologies that rely on solar heat, like solar thermal technologies, more efficient and affordable.

Scientists discover biomarkers that could give cancer patients better survival estimates Posted: 09 Jun 2016 03:47 AM PDT Cancer patients often ask doctors how long they have to live, but how precise are doctors' answers? A new statistical method applied to six types of cancer is likely to result not only in more accurate survival estimates, but also to enable scientists to determine which genetic sequences can be lethal and which are harmless.

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