In this study, the authors developed a model named DNA Sequence Embedding Network (DNA-SEnet) to classify DNA-asthma associations using their genomic patterns.
Read More...DNA-SEnet: A convolutional neural network for classifying DNA-asthma associations
In this study, the authors developed a model named DNA Sequence Embedding Network (DNA-SEnet) to classify DNA-asthma associations using their genomic patterns.
Read More...Strain-specific and photochemically-activated antimicrobial activity of berberine and two analogs
In this study, the authors investigate the antimicrobial effects of berberine and berberine analogs. Berberine is extracted from plants and is a naturally occurring alkaloid, and is also excited photochemically. Using three different assays, the authors tested whether these compounds would inhibit bacterial growth. They found that these compounds were antibacterial and even more so when used with photoirradiation. This study has important antibacterial implications.
Read More...Misconceptions Regarding Blindness Are Prevalent: Possible Implications for Best-Practices and Policy Making
The authors conduct a survey to investigate the perceptions both sighted and blind people have on blindness. The results reveal both groups perceive the most challenging adversities to be the lack of awareness and understanding of their circumstances.
Read More...Activated NF-κB Pathway in an Irf6-Deficient Mouse Model for Van der Woude Syndrome
Van der Woude syndrome is a common birth defect caused by mutations in the gene Irf6. In this project, students used microarray expression analysis from wild-type and Irf6-deficient mice in order to identify gene networks or pathways differentially regulated due to the Irf6 mutation. They found NF-κB pathway to be activated in deficient mice.
Read More...The Prevalence of White Guilt Among American High School Students
Racial inequality has been a major issue throughout the history of the United States. In recent years, however, especially with the election of America's first black president, many have claimed that we have made progress and are moving towards a post-racial society. The authors of this study sought to test that claim by evaluating whether high school age students still experience a phenomenon known as white guilt. White guilt is defined as remorse or shame felt by people of Caucasian descent about racial inequality.
Read More...Development of Two New Efficient Means of Wastewater Treatment
The water we use must be treated and cleaned before we release it back into the environment. Here, the authors investigate two new techniques for purifying dissolved impurities from waste water. Their findings may give rise to more cheaper and more efficient water treatment and help keep the planet greener.
Read More...The Effect of UV Treatment on the Degradation of Compostable Polylactic Acid
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a bio-based, compostable plastic that is comparable in cost to petroleum-based plastics. This study aims to evaluate the effects of UV treatment and mechanical chopping on the degradation of PLA. Based on their findings, the authors propose an alternative PLA degradation process that may be more time and energy efficient than current processes.
Read More...Increasing MMR vaccination rates substantially reduces measles infections in Gaines County, Texas
Using county-level epidemiological data from the Texas Department of State Health Services, this study implemented an SIRV model in Python to simulate measles transmission in Gaines County under different vaccination scenarios.
Read More...Improving autonomous vehicle perception in adverse weather through image augmentation
The authors looked at ways that autonomous vehicles could be trained to better perform in adverse weather without the use of actual images taken during adverse weather events. They were able to improve performance, but models using actual images still perform the best.
Read More...Dietary calcium intake and lead body burden in U.S. adolescents
We investigated whether dietary calcium intake affects how adolescents handle lead internally. Using paired blood and urinary lead data, we assessed whether calcium status is associated with differences in lead clearance. The results point to subgroups of adolescents—particularly those with lower calcium intake—who may carry a higher internal lead burden than their blood levels alone would suggest.
Read More...