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Science News for August 18, 2014


Proteins critical to wound healing identified

Researchers found that mice lacking specific vascular system proteins developed normally but healed poorly from injuries. Increasing FGF signaling may improve wound healing, while inhibiting it in the eye could help patients with age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 2014

Invasion of the Americas by mosquito-borne virus likely

A recent study published in Clinical Microbiology and Infection warns of the high risk of Chikungunya virus spread in the Americas and Europe due to mosquito-borne transmission. The disease can cause severe symptoms, including fever, joint pain, and muscle aches, with no available treatment.

SourceWiley·JournalClinical Microbiology and Infection·DateAug 18, 2014

Fighting unfairness

A new study by Harvard University researchers found that children as young as six exhibit in-group favoritism when reacting to unfair behavior, but by eight years old, they are more likely to intervene regardless of group affiliation. The study suggests that fairness norms may be universal and not specific to Western culture.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 2014

Smoking during pregnancy may affect grandchildren's growth

A UK study found that smoking during pregnancy affects grandkids' growth, with paternal grandmother's smoke increasing daughters' height and both sexes' bone mass. Maternal grandmother's smoke, however, linked to sons' increased weight and muscle mass during adolescence.

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Biology·DateAug 18, 2014

Neighborhood ethnic composition and problem drinking among older Mexican-American men

Researchers found that older Mexican-American men are less likely to experience problem drinking when living in neighborhoods predominantly inhabited by other Mexican-Americans. This is attributed to factors such as inter-household family networks, residential stability, and shared norms regarding alcohol abuse. The study also discover...

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalJournal of Immigrant and Minority Health·DateAug 18, 2014

Neglected boys may turn into violent adolescents

Physical neglect during childhood is a stronger predictor of male adolescent violence than physical abuse, according to Penn State researchers. The study suggests that understanding neglect's role in influencing violent behavior can lead to better education and care for at-risk youths.

Children's drawings indicate later intelligence

A study by King's College London found that children's drawings at age 4 are moderately associated with their intelligence at ages 4 and 14. The researchers also measured the heritability of figure drawing, finding a strong genetic link between drawing ability and cognitive development.

SourceKing's College London·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 18, 2014

Blood pressure medication does not cause more falls

A comprehensive study in patients with type 2 diabetes found no evidence that blood pressure medication increases the risk of falling and breaking bones. In fact, results showed possible trends towards fewer fractures in intensive treatment groups.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateAug 18, 2014

Ocean warming could drive heavy rain bands toward the poles

A study published in Geophysical Research Letters found that ocean warming causes atmospheric circulation changes, leading to increased heavy rain bands and extreme precipitation events at mid- and high-latitudes. This shift could result in more common, but intense storms in previously rare regions.

SourceWiley·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 18, 2014

Compromise needed on roads through sensitive wild areas

Compromise solutions are needed when building roads through sensitive tropical and subtropical areas, say experts. The authors propose four measures to mitigate tensions between roads and protected areas, including early involvement of infrastructure engineers and natural resource managers.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 18, 2014

Artificial cells act like the real thing

Researchers design a network-like cell system that reproduces dynamic behavior of protein synthesis, allowing for control over genetic content and protein production. The system enables the study of gene network design and emerging protein dynamics, potentially paving the way for controlling protein synthesis for various applications.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalScience·DateAug 18, 2014

Bacterial nanowires: Not what we thought they were

Scientists at USC have discovered that bacterial nanowires are not pili, but rather membrane extensions equipped with electron-transfer proteins called cytochromes. This finding challenges the previous understanding of these 'electric bacteria' and opens up new avenues for research on their potential applications in bioelectronic devices.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 2014

Rettsyndrome.org invests $1.5 million in new 2014 awards

Rettsyndrome.org has awarded $1.5 million to support translational research and launch of the neuro-habilitation therapeutic program, focusing on cognitive therapies, physical therapies, and speech therapies to aid in skill development in Rett syndrome. The grants also fund clinical research to identify effective pharmacologic treatments.

Worm virus details come to light

The research reveals the viral capsid structure, showing similarities to other viruses, and identifies potential binding sites for modification. The findings may lead to new information on host-virus interactions and the development of custom-made viruses to target parasitic or pathogenic worms.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 2014

Pygmy phenotype developed many times, adaptive to rainforest

Researchers found that the pygmy phenotype in Africa and Southeast Asia is a result of multi-gene adaptation, making individuals better suited for their challenging environments. The study suggests that this adaptation may have occurred independently in different regions.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 2014

Did an exceptional iceberg sink the Titanic?

A new study suggests that exceptional icebergs and weather conditions outside human control contributed to the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. The paper notes an increase in iceberg discharge from glaciers since the 1980s, which is linked to global warming.

SourceWiley·JournalSignificance·DateAug 18, 2014

Sun's activity influences natural climate change

Researchers have reconstructed solar activity at the end of the last ice age, showing a persistent link between solar activity and Greenland climate. The study suggests that reduced solar activity could lead to colder winters in Northern Europe, while warmer winters are seen in Greenland with greater snowfall.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateAug 18, 2014

Bionic liquids from lignin

Researchers at JBEI have developed bionic liquids from lignin and hemicellulose, which can efficiently dissolve biomass and represent a renewable platform for biomass pretreatment. The new liquids outperform current imidazolium-based ionic liquids in terms of sugar yields, making them a significant step towards cost-competitive biofuels.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 2014

Targeted brain stimulation aids stroke recovery in mice, Stanford scientists find

Stanford researchers found that targeted brain stimulation using optogenetics significantly improved motor ability and weight regain in mice affected by strokes. The study's findings have potential implications for developing new clinical therapies for stroke recovery, including the placement of electrical brain-stimulating devices.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 2014

Upgrading electronic monitoring, downgrading probation

A new electronic monitoring system is being implemented in England and Wales, combining GPS tracking and radio frequency technology. This system aims to improve the reliability and credibility of offender management, with a focus on reducing recidivism rates.

SourceSAGE·JournalEuropean Journal of Probation·DateAug 18, 2014

High-intensity exercise found safe and effective in long-term heart transplant recipients

A new study published in the American Journal of Transplantation found that high-intensity interval training is safe and more efficient than moderate intensity exercise for improving exercise capacity and blood pressure control in stable heart transplant recipients. VO2 max increased by 17% in patients performing high-intensity interva...

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateAug 18, 2014

Study at Deepwater Horizon spill site finds key to tracking pollutants

Scientists from University of Miami's Rosenstiel School conducted a drifter experiment to study small-scale ocean currents, revealing their crucial role in pollutant dispersion. The findings provide new information for predicting oil and pollutant movements in the ocean, with immediate practical applications.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 2014

Study: World's primary forests on the brink

A new study reveals that only five percent of the world's pre-agricultural primary forest cover is found in protected areas, with most forests under threat from industrial logging, mining, and agriculture. Experts call for international policies to reduce pressure on primary forests, preserving their biodiversity and ecosystem services.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalConservation Letters·DateAug 18, 2014

WSU researchers find crucial step in DNA repair

Scientists at Washington State University have discovered a critical step in the DNA repair process that could lead to new therapies for hereditary diseases. They found that a specific protein must be 'unbuckled' to allow easy access for the DNA repair crew, and this discovery may lead to targeted gene therapy.

SourceWashington State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 2014

Aspirin, take 2

Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine found that aspirin prompts the production of 15-HETE, which converts to lipoxin to reverse inflammation. This discovery may lead to new anti-inflammatory therapies by developing drugs based on lipoxin analogues.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 2014

Happiness in schizophrenia

Research suggests that happiness is an attainable goal for some schizophrenia patients, associated with positive psychological and social attributes like resilience and optimism. A study found that 37% of patients reported being happy all or most of the time, regardless of severity, duration, or socioeconomic factors.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalSchizophrenia Research·DateAug 18, 2014

Implantable heart devices result in similar survival benefits among ethnic, racial group

A new UCLA-led research study has found that racial and ethnic minorities who receive implantable devices to treat heart failure derive the same substantial survival benefit as white patients. The study, involving over 15,000 patients, monitored two years of data from a registry to improve heart failure therapies in outpatient settings.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateAug 18, 2014