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Science News for October 29, 2013


Child sexual abuse via the Internet on the rise

A study of over 6,000 Swiss adolescents found that child sexual abuse via the internet is alarmingly widespread, with 28% of girls and 10% of boys experiencing it. The majority of victims were abused by juvenile perpetrators, and most did not disclose their experiences to authorities.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateOct 29, 2013

New molecular target for malaria control identified

Researchers discovered a new molecular target for controlling malaria by blocking egg development in mosquitoes. The study found that a male hormone delivered during sex activates a protein switch, which boosts egg production. This finding holds promise for developing new tools to control malaria-transmitting mosquito populations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 29, 2013

Surviving -- then thriving

A study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that second-generation Holocaust survivors had consistently lower levels of post-traumatic growth than non-second generation survivors, contrary to expectations. The researchers suggest that this may be due to inherited trauma and guilt from their parents' experience.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalJournal of Traumatic Stress·DateOct 29, 2013

Passing the Gac

Scientists have identified a novel transposon in listeria bacteria responsible for tolerance to benzalkonium chloride. The discovery highlights the importance of thorough disinfection in food-processing facilities to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria.

October 2013 Educational Researcher examines gender gap in college enrollment

The October issue of Educational Researcher explores the role of sorting between boys and girls across public U.S. high schools in explaining the gender gap in college enrollment, particularly for black and Hispanic students. The study reveals that even modest amounts of gender sorting contribute to gender inequality in college entry.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateOct 29, 2013

Events coordination during embryogenesis

Researchers discovered how Brachyury regulates the timing of gene expression in the notochord, a precursor to the backbone, and found that certain mutations can delay or alter this process, potentially leading to birth defects and cancer. The study sheds light on a crucial regulatory mechanism in embryonic development.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 29, 2013

Joystick advances independent voting

A voting joystick created at Michigan State University has shown promise in user testing, enabling users with dexterity impairments to vote independently. The device, comparable to a joystick used for motorized wheelchairs, could greatly improve accessibility for millions of Americans.

Evaluation of hospital infection prevention policies can identify opportunities for improvement

A survey of 71 hospitals found that most had policies in place for device use, surgery, and hand hygiene, but fewer had policies on antimicrobial stewardship. Practices to reduce device risk varied between hospitals, with some using bladder scanners and others lacking proper training on urinary catheter placement.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·DateOct 29, 2013

Estrogen protects women with NASH from severe liver fibrosis

Research published in Hepatology suggests that estrogen has a protective effect against the development of severe liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The study found that men and post-menopausal women have similar risks of developing severe fibrosis compared to pre-menopausal women.

SourceWiley·JournalHepatology·DateOct 29, 2013

My eyes are up here!

Researchers used eyetracking technology to map visual behavior of both men and women as they viewed images of different females with different body types. Women were found to objectify other women more often for social comparison purposes.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalSex Roles·DateOct 29, 2013

Safer nuclear fuels

Scientists have identified promising new materials that can encase uranium-bearing fuel, reducing the risk of high-temperature oxidation and failure. These materials may eventually replace traditional zirconium alloys, which have been used for 50 years, if they prove safer in the event of a nuclear disaster.

Seeing in the dark

A new dual-band infrared remote sensing system has been developed by Chinese researchers, allowing for the simultaneous detection and identification of thermal infrared signatures. This innovation enables higher sensitivity for measuring IR spectra than existing combined imaging and spectral-analysis devices.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateOct 29, 2013

Old bat gets a new name

A team of bat biologists has reclassified the Mortlock Islands flying fox as Pteropus pelagicus, correcting a naming error made in 1882. The study also found that the species is part of a wider geographic distribution than previously thought, and its conservation status is uncertain due to rising sea levels and climate change.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateOct 29, 2013

More REEs please

The US is largely dependent on foreign sources for rare earth elements, a trend exacerbated by global demand. Dr. Lawrence Meinert highlights the need for domestic development and secure supply chains to mitigate disruptions.

Scientists shine light on world's least-studied bat

A team of bat biologists shed new light on the Mortlock Islands flying fox, revealing its first detailed observations of wild populations and a wider geographic distribution than previously thought. The species is facing threats from rising ocean waters brought on by climate change, posing a serious risk to its habitat and food resources.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalZooKeys·DateOct 29, 2013

How poverty molds the brain

Research at Northwestern University finds that adolescents from lower maternal educational backgrounds have noisier neural activity, erratic responses to speech sounds, and poorer reading performance. The study suggests that poverty can shape the brain's representation of auditory information.

Canadian discoveries pivotal to the science of toxins and illness associated with E. coli

Canadian researchers identified key contributors to understanding verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) and its associated illnesses, including Dr. Jack Konowalchuk and Mohamed Karmali's association of VTEC with hemolytic-uremic syndrome. The study highlights the significant burden and impact of E. coli-associated infections worldwide.

SourceCanadian Science Publishing·JournalCanadian Journal of Microbiology·DateOct 29, 2013

GW researchers examine increased ER reimbursements after ACA insurance coverage expansions

Researchers at George Washington University found that outpatient emergency department encounters could reimburse more for patients gaining Medicaid or private insurance through the Affordable Care Act. On average, uninsured patients who will be eligible for Medicaid would receive 17% higher reimbursement per visit, while those becomin...

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateOct 29, 2013

New study on neurodevelopmental effects of prenatal exposure to paracetamol

A new study suggests that prenatal exposure to paracetamol may increase the risk of adverse effects on child development, including poorer gross motor skills and behavioral problems. The study found that occasional use for short periods is likely not harmful to the fetus, but more research is needed to confirm these results.

SourceNorwegian Institute of Public Health·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateOct 29, 2013

This week in Molecular Biology and Evolution: A step ahead of influenza, honeybee sex

Researchers track drug resistance against flu viruses using extensive database analysis, finding most mutations are on the wane. Honeybees' genetic control behind sex determination studied, revealing 116-145 csd alleles worldwide and a novel function arising every 400,000 years.