Top stories: Faster ocean currents, coronavirus DNA, and the largest-ever study of cancer genomes – Science Magazine

(Left to right): NASA/GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER SCIENTIFIC VISUALIZATION STUDIO; ECOHEALTH ALLIANCE; CECIL H. FOX/SCIENCE SOURCE

By Rodrigo Prez Ortega Feb. 7, 2020 , 1:30 PM

Global warming is speeding up Earths massive ocean currents

For nearly 25 years, ocean currents have been rapidly speeding up, partly because of global warming, according to new research.Based on observations and models, study authors claim that from 1990 to 2013, theenergy of the worlds currents increasedby some 15% per decade.

Mining coronavirus genomes for clues to the outbreaks origins

Scientists are publicly sharing an ever-growing number of full sequences of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)53 at last count in theGlobal Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Datadatabase. These viral genomes are being intensely studied to try to understand the origin of 2019-nCoV and where it fits on the family tree of related viruses found in bats and other species. They have also given glimpses into what this newly discovered virusphysically looks like,how its changing, andhow it might be stopped.

Massive cancer genome study reveals how DNA errors drive tumor growth

The largest ever study to analyze entire tumor genomes has provided the most complete picture yet of how DNA glitches drive tumor cell growth. Researchers say the results,released on Wednesdayin six papers inNatureand 17 in other journals, could pave the way for full genome sequencing of all patients tumors. Such sequences could then be used in efforts to match each patient to a molecular treatment.

Spider biologist denies suspicions of widespread data fraud in his animal personality research

Its been a bad couple of weeks for behavioral ecologist Jonathan Pruitt, and it may get a lot worse. What began withquestions about data in one of Pruitts papers has flared into a social mediafueled scandal in the small field of animal personality research, with dozens of papers on spiders and other invertebrates being scrutinized by scores of students, postdocs, and other co-authors for problematic data.

Colombias first ever science minister faces calls to resign over fungi-based cancer treatment

Biologist Mabel Gisela Torres Torres, the new head of Colombias newly created Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, has already been asked by fellow researchers to resign over her controversial claims that a fungal extract can improve the health of cancer patients. But Torres says she wont step down. In response, the Colombian Association of Medical Faculties issued a statement, saying: We can only regret that the course of how to do science in our country has been left in the hands of pseudoscience.

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Top stories: Faster ocean currents, coronavirus DNA, and the largest-ever study of cancer genomes - Science Magazine