Routing gene therapy directly into the brain
The technique, which could be used to transplant donor-matched hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) or a patient's own genetically-engineered HSCs into the brain, was reported in Science Advances today by researchers from the Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/bch-rgt120617.php
NASA sees sees Ockhi's Rain reach India's Western coast
NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission or GPM Core Observatory satellite passed over western India on Dec. 5, 2017 at (12:21 a.m. EST) 0521 UTC and found that the remnants of former Tropical Cyclone Ockhi has reached the coast.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/nsfc-nss120617.php
New study: Traumatic brain injury causes intestinal damage
Researchers have found a two-way link between traumatic brain injury and intestinal changes. These interactions may contribute to increased infections in these patients, and may also worsen chronic brain damage.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/uoms-nst120617.php
NASA's CATS concludes successful mission on space station
A spaceborne lidar instrument that fired more laser pulses than any previous orbiting instrument has ended its operations on the International Space Station, after a successful 33-month mission to measure clouds and tiny atmospheric particles that play key roles in Earth's climate and weather.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/nsfc-ncc120617.php
Seeing through walls of unknown materials
Researchers at Duke University have devised a way to see through walls without any advance knowledge of what the walls are made out of. Besides having obvious applications in the realm of security, the approach could lead to inexpensive devices to help construction workers easily locate conduits, pipes and wires.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/du-stw120617.php
Study reveals significant role of dust in mountain ecosystems
University of Wyoming researchers led a study that found foreign dust likely fertilizes plants in many locations worldwide.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/uow-srs120617.php
UChicago scientists craft world's tiniest interlinking chains
For decades, scientists have been trying to make a true molecular chain: a repeated set of tiny rings interlocked together. In a study in Science published online Nov. 30, University of Chicago researchers announced the first confirmed method to craft such a molecular chain.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/uoc-usc120617.php
New guide: How science academies can support the sustainable development goals
The United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development identified 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) whose realization will require expertise from many sectors, including science, engineering, and medicine. Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals: A Guide for Merit-Based Academies, a new publication from the InterAcademy Partnership, explains why and how academies around the globe can support the Sustainable Development Goals - for example, by providing advice to governments about implementing the goals, and by monitoring and evaluating progress toward the goals.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/naos-ngh120617.php
Finding long strands of RNA in skin development and disease
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have discovered how unusually long pieces of RNA work in skin cells. The RNA pieces, called 'long non-coding RNAs' or 'lncRNAs,' help skin cells modulate connective tissue proteins, like collagen, and could represent novel therapeutic targets to promote skin repair.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/cwru-fls120617.php
Study: Parents' reports of children's autism symptoms differ by race
Racial differences in parents' reports of concerns about their child's development to healthcare providers may contribute to delayed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in black children, according to a study led by Georgia State University.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/gsu-spr120617.php
Existing cancer medication offers potential to treat Huntington's disease
A drug already used to treat certain forms of cancer appears to be an effective therapy for Huntington's disease, and offers a potential pathway to treat other neurodegenerative diseases.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/ddon-ecm120617.php
Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/
