Although the external appearances of most mammals are drab browns and grays used to match their backgrounds, certain species stand out as exceptions, perhaps the most notable being the giant panda. Using a comparative phylogenetic approach, we examined associations between different pelage regions and socioecological variables across carnivores and ursid subspecies to shed light on the giant panda’s black and white pelage coloration. Analyses of fur color and background environments suggest that the giant panda’s white face, nape, dorsum, flank, belly, and rump are adapted for crypsis against a snowy background, whereas its black shoulders and legs are adapted for crypsis in shade. Dark markings on the head are not used in crypsis, however, but in communication: Dark ears may be involved with signaling intent about ferocity whereas dark eye marks may serve in individual recognition. There is no compelling support for their fur color being involved in temperature regulation, disrupting the animal’s outline, or in reducing eye glare. We infer that the giant panda’s unique pelage coloration serves a constellation of functions that enable it to match its background in different environments and to communicate using facial features.

Rheumatoid arthritis: New treatment option for difficult-to-treat patients

Between 3 and 5% of the population suffer from a form of inflammatory rheumatism. It affects approximately 250,000 – 400,000 people in Austria. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the commonest and also the most dangerous forms of this inflammatory rheumatic disease. Around 30% of patients achieve remission, that is to say successful control of symptoms, after just one or two years. However, despite frequent changes in treatment, many other patients have to endure the active form of the disease on an ongoing basis. A multicentre, multinational study headed up by rheumatologist Daniel Aletaha of MedUni Vienna as principal investigator has now shown that a new drug (sirukumab) is a very promising treatment option for these "refractory" patients. The study has now been published in the world-leading journal "The Lancet".

Nonostante in Amazzonia la deforestazione sia aumentata del 75 per cento tra il 2012 e il 2015, il governo brasiliano starebbe pensando di ridurre la protezione di alcune aree intatte della foresta. Greenpeace è andata sul posto per documentare cosa rischiamo di perdere. Il governo Temer starebbe infatti per presentare al Congresso Nazionale una proposta per ridurre le Conservation Units – un potente strumento contro la distruzione delle foreste. Si prevede di cancellarne una e ridurre la superficie di altre quattro del 40 per cento. In una sola mossa si potrebbe togliere la protezione a un’area grande sei volte l’area metropolitana di Londra: circa un milione di ettari di foresta.

The World Health Organization was requested by Member States to develop a global priority pathogens list (global PPL) of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to help in prioritizing the research and development (R&D) of new and effective antibiotic treatments. To date, the selection of pathogens for R&D activities has been largely guided by small and large pharmaceutical companies according to a variety of parameters, such as perceived/unmet medical need, pressure of investors, market size, scientific discovery potential, and availability of specific technologies. Previous PPLs, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Read more on: http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/WHO-PPL-Short_Summary_25Feb-ET_NM_WHO.pdf?ua=1

An analysis of nearly 30,000 patients undergoing liver transplantation in the United States between 2008 and 2014 found elevated death and organ loss rates in the first 5 years after transplantation among recipients with the highest use of opioid pain medications while on the waiting list. Higher risks mainly emerged after the first transplant anniversary, a pattern that may in part reflect sustained opioid use. Sixty five percent of those with the highest level of opioid use on the waiting list continued moderate to high level use in the first year after transplantation.

Realizzare una nuova tecnologia ad elevata efficienza e limitato impatto di emissioni carboniche, in grado di generare idrogeno ed energia elettrica da impiegare nelle stazioni di rifornimento del prossimo futuro, per incentivare la sostenibilità nel settore dei trasporti. E’ questo l’obiettivo del progetto CH2P (Cogeneration of Hydrogen, Heat and Power using solid oxide based system fed by methane rich gases) coordinato a livello europeo dalla Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) di Trento. Responsabile del progetto, avviato ufficialmente in febbraio a Bruxelles, è Luigi Crema che alla FBK guida l’Unità ARES, dedicata alla ricerca applicata sui sistemi energetici. “La Fondazione Bruno Kessler di Trento”, sottolinea Luigi Crema, “guiderà il Consorzio del progetto CH2P per sviluppare un’innovazione tecnologica in ambito energetico con una collaborazione estesa a livello europeo. In particolare verrà realizzato il prototipo di un impianto per la produzione di 100 kg di idrogeno al giorno, sufficiente a supportare un progetto pilota collegato alla mobilità. La tecnologia sarà poi scalata a dimensioni maggiori per poter alimentare flotte più estese di veicoli, come auto, autobus e treni. Il tutto nell’ottica di accelerare la transizione verso le tecnologie basate su idrogeno e combustibili alternativi, con nuove soluzioni per il mercato, a partire dal settore dei trasporti stradali che in Europa genera oltre il 40% delle emissioni di ossido di carbonio”.

New autoimmune disease triggered by thymomas

A Japanese research group has discovered that a newly-identified autoimmune endocrine disease that leads to hypopituitarism is caused by thymomas (a type of tumor originating from the thymic gland). These underlying mechanisms could help to understand and develop a treatment for similar autoimmune diseases. These findings were published on February 20 in the online edition of Scientific Reports. The research group was led by Associate Professor TAKAHASHI Yutaka, Research Fellow BANDO Hironori, and Associate Professor IGUCHI Genzo in Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine.

Sickle_Cells

A team led by Pr. Marina Cavazzana conducted at Necker Children's Hospital, AP-HP and the Imagine Institute (AP-HP / Inserm / Université Paris Descartes) in October 2014 gene therapy in the context of a phase I clinical trial / II in a patient 13 years with severe sickle cell disease. Conducted in collaboration with Pr. Philippe Leboulch (CEA / University Faculties of Medicine of Paris-Sud and Harvard University) who developed the vector used and directed preclinical studies, this innovative treatment allowed complete remission of clinical signs of disease and correction of biological signs. The results are published on March 2nd 2017 in the New England Jounal of Medicine.

Streptococcus pneumoniae with black carbon

Interdisciplinary research at the University of Leicester has explored the impact of black carbon on bacteria in the respiratory tract .Researchers from the University of Leicester have for the first time discovered that bacteria that cause respiratory infections are directly affected by air pollution - increasing the potential for infection and changing the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment. The interdisciplinary study, which has been published in the journal Environmental Microbiology, has important implications for the treatment of infectious diseases, which are known to be increased in areas with high levels of air pollution.

Using flight interception and pitfall traps, the researchers followed the development of insect fauna in areas hit by storm Lothar. (Image: Beat Wermelinger/WSL)