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ANU scientists exploit malaria's Achilles' heel

Malaria researchers at The Australian National University (ANU) have found one of the malaria parasite's best weapons against drug treatments turns out to be an Achilles' heel, which could be exploited to cure the deadly disease.

The findings could prolong the use of several anti-malarial drugs, including the former wonder drug chloroquine, to treat the mosquito-borne disease which kills 600,000 people around the world each year.

Osteopathic manipulation can improve pain in postpartum women

Preliminary results demonstrate that osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) helps reduce acute pain in postpartum women, regardless of whether they delivered vaginally or via cesarean. The study results published today The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.

Fifty nine women from St. Barnabas Hospital in Bronx, New York received 20-30 minutes of OMT within the first 48 hours of delivery. Mean score for pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS) decreased from 5.0 to 2.9, with 13 patients reporting being pain free after OMT.

Newly found, 'thrifty' genetic variant influences Samoan obesity

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] -- The Samoas' world-leading rate of obesity is a recent phenomenon, heavily influenced by the globe's rapid shift to calorie-rich, processed foods and more sedentary lifestyles.

A new study, however, suggests nearly half of Samoans have a newly identified and significant genetic variant that contributes to obesity risk; a variant that had remained undiscovered until researchers focused on the islands' populations. In cell models in the lab, this "thrifty" variant promoted more efficient storage of more fat.

Researchers 'solve' key Zika virus protein structure

ANN ARBOR -- Researchers have revealed the molecular structure of a protein produced by the Zika virus that is thought to be involved in the virus's reproduction and its interaction with a host's immune system.

The results provide scientists around the globe with new information about the NS1 protein's role in Zika virus infections, and expands scientists' understanding of the flavivirus family, which also includes dengue, West Nile and yellow fever.

The study was led by the University of Michigan and done in collaboration with Purdue University.

Researchers discover how honey bees 'telescope' their abdomens

Honey bees are able to wiggle their abdomens in a variety of ways. Now new research published in the Journal of Insect Science shows how they are able to do it.

Study finds induced labor not associated with risk for autism spectrum disorders

Boston, MA - Induction of labor appears not to be associated with increased risk of autism spectrum disorders in children in a large new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The new finding suggests that concern about autism risk should not factor into clinical decisions about whether or not to induce labor.

The study will be published online July 25, 2016 in JAMA Pediatrics.

Living on borrowed time

Unfortunately, loss of plant and animal habitat leads to local species extinctions and a loss of diversity from ecosystems. Fortunately, not all of the extinctions occur at once. Conservation actions may still be able to save threatened species, according to William Newmark, a vertebrate zoologist at the Natural History Museum of Utah at the University of Utah.

Marijuana exposure in kids rose after recreational use legalized in Colorado

The legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado was associated with both increased hospital visits and cases at a regional poison center because of unintentional exposure to the drug by children, suggesting effective preventive measures are needed as more states consider legalizing the drug, according to an article published online by JAMA Pediatrics.

Induced labor not associated with risk for ASDs

Inducing labor appears not to be associated with risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in offspring when siblings discordant for labor induction - induced vs. not induced births - were compared, according to an article published online by JAMA Pediatrics.

ASDs are developmental disabilities characterized by impaired social interaction and language development, as well as with repetitive behaviors. The group of disorders is estimated to affect about 1 in 90 children.

Study suggests 1.6 million childbearing women could be at risk of Zika virus infection

Research by scientists in the US and UK has estimated that up to 1.65 million childbearing women in Central and South America could become infected by the Zika virus by the end of the first wave of the epidemic.

Researchers from the WorldPop Project and Flowminder Foundation at the University of Southampton and colleagues from the University of Notre Dame and University of Oxford have also found that across Latin America and the Caribbean over 90 million infections could result from the initial stages of the spread of Zika.

Nottingham researchers show novel technique that can 'taste' DNA

Scientists at The University of Nottingham have demonstrated for the first time that it is possible to selectively sequence fragments of DNA in real time, greatly reducing the time needed to analyse biological samples.

A paper published today in the academic journal Nature Methods describes a novel technique for highly selective DNA sequencing, called 'Read Until'. The method, used with real-time nanopore sequencing, enables the user to analyse only DNA strands that contain pre-determined signatures of interest.

Patch delivers drug, gene, and light-based therapy to tumor sites

CAMBRDIGE, Mass -- Approximately one in 20 people will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime, making it the third-most prevalent form of the disease in the U.S. In Europe, it is the second-most common form of cancer.

The most widely used first line of treatment is surgery, but this can result in incomplete removal of the tumor. Cancer cells can be left behind, potentially leading to recurrence and increased risk of metastasis. Indeed, while many patients remain cancer-free for months or even years after surgery, tumors are known to recur in up to 50 percent of cases.

Researchers make new projections for spread of the Zika virus

New research from the University of Notre Dame places a new upper limit on the total number of people who could become infected by the Zika virus in the first wave of the current epidemic. The team of researchers, led by Alex Perkins, Eck Family Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences and a member of the Eck Institute for Global Health, projects that as many as 93 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean, including 1.6 million childbearing women, are at risk of infection over the next 2 to 3 years of the epidemic.

A bioink by any other name: Clarifying definitions in 3-D bioprinting

Future Science Group (FSG) today announced the publication of a new article in Future Science OA looking to identify and define key terms associated with bioinks and bioprinting.

Research shows sharing of cavity-causing bacteria may not be only from mothers to children

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - New ongoing research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Biology and School of Dentistry is showing more evidence that children may receive oral microbes from other, nonrelative children.