This study explored the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) methods to detect native Hawaiian decapod species (‘opae), which are difficult to observe manually due to their low density.
Read More...Optimizing an eDNA assay and field deployment to detect decapod species in Oʻahu streams
This study explored the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) methods to detect native Hawaiian decapod species (‘opae), which are difficult to observe manually due to their low density.
Read More...Parental exposure of cannabinoids THC and CBD reduces reproductive rates in Drosophila melanogaster
The authors looked at whether CBD and THC would decrease reproductive rates in a Drosophila melanogaster model. They found that CBD had a greater impact on reducing hatching rates than THC, and that THC resulted in unexpected mortalities.
Read More...Investigating the potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles and zinc ions as promising approaches to lung cancer
Here, the authors chose to investigate the efficacy of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and cisplatin or zinc ions in inducing cancer apoptosis. While both treatments were found to reduce the proliferation of lung cancer cells, the authors suggest that further studies to identify the mechanism are necessary.
Read More...Which fruit peel helps retain the most soil moisture?
Here, the authors investigated the ability to use fruit peels to help soil retain moisture, a property that is essential to agriculture. Across a 96-hour observation period, orange, banana, and kiwi peel water emulsions were evaluated for their effects on soil moisture. They found that orange peels retained the most moisture, but banana and kiwi peels also offered improvements over their control sample.
Read More...A novel approach for predicting Alzheimer’s disease using machine learning on DNA methylation in blood
Here, recognizing the difficulty associated with tracking the progression of dementia, the authors used machine learning models to predict between the presence of cognitive normalcy, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's Disease, based on blood DNA methylation levels, sex, and age. With four machine learning models and two dataset dimensionality reduction methods they achieved an accuracy of 53.33%.
Read More...The effects of food type on mediator-less microbial fuel cell electricity output
The authors look at how different food types impact the ability of bacteria to produce electricity.
Read More...Elevated levels of IL-8, TGF-β, and TNF-α associated with pneumoconiosis: A meta-analysis
The authors looked at previous studies to evaluate the ability to use serum levels of certain cytokines as biomarkers for pneumoconiosis.
Read More...Indole-3 carbinol on lipid accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans as a novel therapeutic for Type II Diabetes
In this study the authors look at the use of Indole 3 Carbinol as a treatment for Type II Diabetes finding that it may be an effective treatment.
Read More...Modular mimics of neuroactive alkaloids - design, synthesis, and cholinesterase inhibitory activity of rivastigmine analogs
Naturally occurring neuroactive alkaloids are often studied for their potential to treat Neurological diseases. This team of students study Rivastigmine, a potent cholinesterase inhibitor that is a synthetic analog of physostigmine, which comes from the Calabar bean plant Physostigma venenosum. By comparing the effects of optimized synthetic analogs to the naturally occurring alkaloid, they determine the most favorable analog for inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) to terminate neuronal transmission and signaling between synapses.
Read More...Role of bacterial flagella in bacterial adhesion of Escherichia coli to glass surface
In this study, the authors investigate the effects that flagella have on E. coli's ability to adhere to glass surfaces.
Read More...