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Fast heart, slow heart: Changes in the molecular motor myosin explain the difference

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
The human heart contracts about 70 times per minute, while that of a rat contracts over 300 times; what accounts for this difference? In a new study publishing 10th June in the open-access journal PLOS Biology, led by Michael Geeves and Mark Wass of the University of Kent and Leslie Leinwand from the University of Colorado Boulder, reveal the molecular differences in the heart muscle protein beta myosin that underly the large difference in contraction velocity between the two species.
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Chamoli disaster could happen again

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
Some four months ago, a devastating flood ravaged the Chamoli district in the Indian Himalayas, killing over 200 people. The flood was caused by a massive landslide, which also involved a glacier. Researchers at the University of Zurich, the WSL and ETH Zurich have now analyzed the causes, scope and impact of the disaster as part of an international collaboration.
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Binding of a second CO molecule observed

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
Freiburg researchers clarify another step in the mechanism of reduction of carbon monoxide through nitrogenase
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Researchers turned transparent calcite into artificial gold

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
? Researchers from Tel Aviv University developed a new platform that can serve as a basis for innovative medications.? Applying processes of nanotechnology, the researchers were able to turn transparent calcite into artificial gold that can be used in thermotherapy for various types of cancer.
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BU researchers create novel curriculum assessment tool to improve medical education about sexual and gender minority (LGBTQI) populations

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
Medical education aspires to mitigate bias in future professionals by providing a robust curriculum that includes perspectives and practices for caring for sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTQI) persons. To provide medical schools with a more systematic, uniform approach to teaching these topics in their curriculum, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in 2014 published 30 SGM competencies and topics that curricula should address. However, implementation of these ideals remains challenging.
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Combating maritime litter

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
Maritime litter is among the most urgent global pollution issues. Marine scientist Nikoleta Bellou and her team at Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon have published an overview study of solutions for prevention, monitoring, and removal in the renowned scientifically journal Nature Sustainability. They found that reducing ocean pollution requires more support, integration, and creative political decisiveness.
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New method to measure milk components has potential to improve dairy sustainability

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
Since the 1990s, mid-infrared testing of milk urea nitrogen (MUN) has been the most efficient and least invasive way to measure nitrogen use by dairy cows in large numbers. In a recent article in the Journal of Dairy Science, researchers from Cornell University report the development of a robust new set of MUN calibration reference samples to improve accuracy of MUN measurement.
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AMP recommends minimum set of pharmacogenetic alleles to guide clinical CYP2D6 genotype testing, pro

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
AMP has published consensus recommendations to aid in the design and validation of clinical CYP2D6 assays, promote standardization of testing across different laboratories and improve patient care. The manuscript, "Recommendations for Clinical CYP2D6 Genotyping Allele Selection: A Joint Consensus Recommendation of the Association for Molecular Pathology, College of American Pathologists, Dutch Pharmacogenetics Working Group of the Royal Dutch Pharmacists Association, and European Society for Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Therapy," was released online ahead of publication in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.
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First AI-based tool for predicting genomic subtypes of pancreatic cancer from histology slides

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
AP-HP Greater Paris University Hospitals and Owkin announced the recent results of their ongoing strategic collaboration at ASCO 2021. Their abstract demonstrates the first AI-based tool for predicting genomic subtypes of pancreatic cancer (PDAC) developed from machine learning applied to histology slides. The tool, a trained and validated AI model, is usable in clinical practice worldwide and opens the possibility of patient molecular stratification in routine care and for clinical trials.
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COVID-19 creates hearing, balance disorders, aggravates tinnitus symptoms

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
Evidence suggests auditory and vestibular effects should be added to the growing list of physiological impacts of COVID-19. During the 180th Meeting, Colleen Le Prell from the University of Texas at Dallas will talk about hearing and balance disorders associated with coronavirus infection and how pandemic-related stress and anxiety may aggravate tinnitus symptoms. Her presentation, "Hearing disorders secondary to infection with SARS-CoV-2," will take place Thursday, June 10.
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Ludwig Cancer Research study shows how certain macrophages dampen anti-tumor immunity

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
A Ludwig Cancer Research study adds to growing evidence that immune cells known as macrophages inhabiting the body cavities that house our vital organs can aid tumor growth by distracting the immune system's cancer-killing CD8+ T cells.
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Study shows when people with cerebral palsy are most likely to break bones

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
Researchers at Michigan Medicine found people with cerebral palsy have fragile bones that present high fracture risk, but at different times across the lifespan compared to the general population. The results helped them develop new sex-specific critical periods of bone health for this population.
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Research uncovers broadband gaps in US to help close digital divide

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
Events of the past year have exposed the crisis of the nation's digital divide. To tackle this problem, Michigan State University researchers have developed a new tool to smooth the collection of federal broadband access data that helps pinpoint coverage gaps across the US.
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Bacteria serves tasty solution to global plastic crisis

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
Scientists have devised a novel way of tackling the mounting issue of plastic pollution... by using bacteria to transform plastic waste into vanilla flavouring.
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Cloud computing expands brain sciences

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
Leading neuroscientist collaborates with TACC to democratize the field, support infrastructure.
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Many surgery patients get opioid prescriptions, but many don't need to, study suggests

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
Surgeons can ease their patients' pain from common operations without prescribing opioids, and avoid the possibility of starting someone on a path to long-term use, a pair of new studies suggests.
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New study gives clue to the cause, and possible treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
This study will benefit scientists and experts in brain research where new discoveries of biomarkers are needed to form part of routine clinical practice protocols. The study relies on zebrafish Parkinson's Disease model, showing how cytosolic dsDNA of mitochondrial origin can accumulate in brains cells thereby contributing to PD pathogenesis. The evidence presented in this manuscript illustrates that upregulation of DNAse II can counteract the dsDNA deposits, thereby blocking the IFI16-mediated cascade of proinflammatory responses.
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Could naked mole rats hold key to curing cancer and dementia?

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
Scientists say naked mole rats - a rodent native to West Africa - may hold the key to new treatments for degenerative diseases such as cancer and dementia.
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Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine protective against SARS-CoV-2 variants

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is protective against several SARS-CoV-2 variants that have emerged, according to new research presented this week in the journal mBio, an open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology. While this is good news, the study also found that the only approved monoclonal antibody therapy for SARS-CoV-2 might be less effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants in laboratory experiments.
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Screening uptake may contribute to higher risk of colon cancer for black people

Eurekalert - Jun 10 2021 - 00:06
Black people have a higher risk of colorectal cancer than white people, but this risk is likely not due to genetics. Data from a recent study by researchers from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Medicine adds more data to the existing evidence.
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