Coaxing livers to regenerate could avoid transplants

+ unpacking a colonoscopy study making waves US Edition - Today's top story: Helping the liver regenerate itself could give patients with end-stage liver disease a treatment option besides waiting for a transplant [View in browser]( US Edition | 19 October 2022 [The Conversation]( A recently published study detailed a technique to encourage the liver to generate new tissue, which could be crucial for people with severe liver disease. The researchers found that “activating a particular protein with a new medication can help [accelerate regeneration and repair after severe liver injury or partial surgical removal]( in mice,” writes co-author and the founding director of the Pittsburgh Liver Research Center Satdarshan (Paul) Singh Monga at University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences. His research team hopes this technique could one day address the shortage of livers available for transplantation. Another recent paper, which called into question the efficacy of colonoscopies, has ignited controversy and spurred a lot of media coverage. To dig into the details of this study, editors here called on University of South Carolina colorectal cancer researcher Franklin Berger, who writes that the procedure is “one of the most critical and effective tools to screen for, detect and prevent this prevalent and lethal form of cancer.” He [unpacks the crucial nuances of the study]( and explains alternatives to colonoscopies – some of which are available now and others, such as liquid biopsy cancer tests, which are still in development. The holidays are coming up and there are worries of more COVID-19 cases as the seasons change and more people spend time indoors. A team of researchers who have been closely following testing throughout the pandemic offer sound advice on using rapid tests effectively. They provide answers to common questions and explain [how and when to use these COVID-19 tests]( to know if you’re infected and how long you may be infectious. Also in this week’s science news: - [Ways to support bees, who are under stress, at home]( - [Research examines how wildfire affects animal behavior]( - [Ancient viruses are embedded in your DNA]( If there’s a subject you’d like our team of science editors to investigate, please reply to this email. Martin La Monica Director of Editorial Projects and Newsletters Tylenol overdose is one of the leading causes of liver injury requiring liver transplantation. Elena Merkulova/iStock via Getty Images [Helping the liver regenerate itself could give patients with end-stage liver disease a treatment option besides waiting for a transplant]( Satdarshan (Paul) Singh Monga, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences Liver transplant waitlists can range from 30 days to over five years. Developing treatments that spur liver regeneration could help reduce demand for scarce organs. [Colonoscopy is still the most recommended screening for colorectal cancer, despite conflicting headlines and flawed interpretations of a new study]( Franklin G. Berger, University of South Carolina Don’t be confused by recent media reports – colonoscopies are still the best way to detect and prevent colon cancer. [A new type of material called a mechanical neural network can learn and change its physical properties to create adaptable, strong structures]( Ryan Hansen Lee, University of California, Los Angeles Computer-based neural networks can learn to do tasks. A new type of material, called a mechanical neural network, applies similar ideas to a physical structure. [Wildfires reshape forests and change the behavior of animals that live there]( Taylor Ganz, University of Washington Wildfires are remaking western US forests. Decisions about managing forests that have burned should factor in how fires change animal behavior and interactions between predators and prey. [COVID-19 rapid tests can breed confusion – here’s how to make sense of the results and what to do, according to 3 testing experts]( Nathaniel Hafer, UMass Chan Medical School; Apurv Soni, UMass Chan Medical School; Yukari Manabe, Johns Hopkins University Rapid tests can be an incredibly useful tool for early detection of COVID-19. Unfortunately, they sometimes leave people with more questions than answers. - [Humans are 8% virus – how the ancient viral DNA in your genome plays a role in human disease and development]( Aidan Burn, Tufts University Bits of viral genes incorporated into human DNA have been linked to cancer, ALS and schizophrenia. But many of these genes may not be harmful, and could even protect against infectious disease. - [Anxiety detection and treatment in early childhood can lower risk for long-term mental health issues – an expert panel now recommends screening starting at age 8]( Elana Bernstein, University of Dayton Anxiety is the most common mental health issue facing children and adolescents. But research shows that early screening – including in school settings – can identify children who are at risk. - [Bees face many challenges – and climate change is ratcheting up the pressure]( Jennie L. Durant, University of California, Davis Honey bees, wild and native bees face threats from parasites, pesticides and habitat loss. Shorter winters, more extreme weather and more habitat destruction won’t help. - [AI is changing scientists’ understanding of language learning – and raising questions about an innate grammar]( Morten H. Christiansen, Cornell University; Pablo Contreras Kallens, Cornell University Linguists have long considered grammar to be the glue of language, and key to how children learn it. But new prose-writing AIs suggest language experience may be more important than grammar. - [Getting to ‘net-zero’ emissions: How energy leaders envision countering climate change in the future]( Seth Blumsack, Penn State; Lara B. Fowler, Penn State Roundtable discussions with leaders from major energy companies reveal a lack of pressure from regulators or investors and a strong belief that fossil fuel use will continue for years to come. - Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly emails: [Politics Weekly]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Global Economy & Business]( - - About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](