science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Παρασκευή 11 Απριλίου 2014

Science News SciGuru.com

Tube feeding increases mortality in acute lung injury intensive care patients
A cancer protein’s journey to cell membrane
Does spending too much time on Facebook damage women’s body image?
Kick and kill: using Romidepsin to eradicate HIV
Insights Into How A Bird Flu Virus Spreads Could Prevent Pandemics
South American oilbird represents 80 million years of distinct evolution
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) may be a drug target in H1N1 flu virus infection

Tube feeding increases mortality in acute lung injury intensive care patients

Posted: 11 Apr 2014 07:41 AM PDT

Both enteral (tube feeding) and parenteral (intravenous feeding) nutrition have been commonly practiced in intensive care units for four decades. However, there is little independent evidence to suggest that they are efficacious. Now a new study from researchers in the University of Illinois and Rush University Medical Center, both in Chicago, suggests that it might even bring inherent dangers, with increased mortality risk. The study is published on 10th April 2014 in the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.

A cancer protein’s journey to cell membrane

Posted: 11 Apr 2014 07:34 AM PDT

The cancer protein KRas is a factor in the development of several types of cancer. Mutated KRas, for example, can be found in a large number of all tumour cells in patients with pancreatic cancer. It sits on the inner leaflet of the cell membrane and relays signals into the cell’s interior. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology in Dortmund have now discovered why KRas is almost exclusively found at the cell membrane when observed under the microscope.

Does spending too much time on Facebook damage women’s body image?

Posted: 11 Apr 2014 06:59 AM PDT

While too much attention to images of actresses and models in the media may contribute to women developing poor body image, a recent study suggests that this may extend to women who spend a lot of time on Facebook making comparisons between themselves and their friends. The research is being carried out by Petya Eckler of the University of Strathclyde, Yusuf Kalyango Jr. of Ohio University and Ellen Paasch of the University of Iowa. The team will present their findings at the 64th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association in Seattle, WA (22nd-26th May 2014).

Kick and kill: using Romidepsin to eradicate HIV

Posted: 10 Apr 2014 01:00 PM PDT

A major problem in eradicating HIV using combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) lies with the latent HIV pool that ‘hides’ in CD4 T cells, ready to replicate as soon as cART is interrupted. A new study led by researchers in Gilead Sciences, Foster City, USA shows that the potent histone deacetylase inhibitor Romidepsin is effective in a ‘kick and kill’ approach to HIV. This involves reactivating latent HIV to make it susceptible to cART. The study is published in PLoS Pathogens on April 10th 2014.

Insights Into How A Bird Flu Virus Spreads Could Prevent Pandemics

Posted: 10 Apr 2014 08:52 AM PDT

The H5N1 bird flu virus has infected and killed hundreds of people, despite the fact that, at the moment, the virus can't spread easily between people. The death toll could become much worse if the virus became airborne. A study published by Cell Press April 10th in the journal Cell has revealed a minimal set of mutations allowing H5N1 to be transmitted through the air from one ferret to another. The findings will be invaluable for future surveillance programs and may provide early warning signals of the emergence of potential pandemic strains.

South American oilbird represents 80 million years of distinct evolution

Posted: 10 Apr 2014 08:39 AM PDT

A new study shows that South American oilbird is the most genetically distinct bird and has not shared its genes with any other bird on the planet, in the last 80 million years. The cuckoo roller of Madagascar also remained evolutionarily distinct for a long time, more than 65 million years.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) may be a drug target in H1N1 flu virus infection

Posted: 07 Apr 2014 06:27 PM PDT

The deadly epidemic caused by H1N1 flu virus affects humans globally. Yearly up to half a million deaths are reported around the world due to this viral infection. A new study reported by scientists in McGill University brings hope for a possible drug that has potential to treat influenza.