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Science News for December 1, 2014


How early trauma influences behavior

Research suggests that early-life stress can have positive effects on behavior, such as improved flexibility and goal-oriented behavior, which can be passed down through generations via molecular pathways. This study reveals the beneficial impact of moderate stress in childhood, leading to better coping strategies in adulthood.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 1, 2014

Experts question aspects of certain Ebola guidelines

The authors of a Transfusion commentary argue that forgoing routine lab tests may compromise patients' health more than any reduction in the risk of transmission. Experts recommend implementing well-characterized infection prevention and control recommendations to provide a safe environment for both patients and employees.

SourceWiley·JournalTransfusion·DateDec 1, 2014

Many people with missing teeth don't need dentures

A study of over 2,700 Australians found that many people with tooth loss do not need dentures as long as they have a sufficient number and type of remaining teeth. The researchers suggest allocating resources to prevent further tooth loss, diagnostic services, and follow-up care instead.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalCommunity Dentistry And Oral Epidemiology·DateDec 1, 2014

Microbullet hits confirm graphene's strength

Rice University scientists used a novel testing method to measure graphene's ability to absorb impact, finding it stretches before breaking. The technique, LIPIT, allows for rapid evaluation of nanoscale materials, with potential applications in body armor and spacecraft shielding.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateDec 1, 2014

Prompt, appropriate medical care for dislocated shoulder injuries

A literature review suggests that prompt and appropriate treatment of dislocated shoulders can minimize risk and effects of related bone, muscle, and nerve injuries. The study found that up to 96 percent of dislocations are traumatic, occurring most often during contact sports or falls onto an outstretched hand.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateDec 1, 2014

Political correctness in diverse workplace fosters creativity

A study by University of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business researchers finds that political correctness in the workplace boosts creativity among mixed-sex teams by clarifying expectations and reducing sexist language. This challenges the conventional view that PC constraints stifle creative expression.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalAdministrative Science Quarterly·DateDec 1, 2014

Estimates of anthropogenic nitrogen in the ocean may be high

Research published in Global Biogeochemical Cycles analyzed rain samples from Bermuda to investigate the origin of oceanic nitrogen. The authors found that certain nitrogen isotopes likely represent ammonium recycled from the ocean rather than inputted from human activities.

SourceWiley·JournalGlobal Biogeochemical Cycles·DateDec 1, 2014

For cardiac arrest, epinephrine may do more harm than good

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that administering epinephrine to patients in cardiac arrest may increase the likelihood of death or brain damage. The research analyzed hospital records for over 1,500 patients and showed that those who received higher doses of epinephrine had a worse outcome.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateDec 1, 2014

Sweet smell of success

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Joint BioEnergy Institute have successfully increased the production of methyl ketones in E. coli bacteria by 160-fold, a significant improvement over previous results. The breakthrough could lead to the development of clean and renewable blending agents for diesel fuel.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalMetabolic Engineering·DateDec 1, 2014

Ozone depletion is a major climate driver in the southern hemisphere

Research on ozone depletion reveals devastating effects on Southern Hemisphere weather, including increased incidence of floods, droughts, wildfires, and changes to tree growth rates and biodiversity in Antarctic lakes. Ozone hole impacts are also felt through changes in summer rainfall and wind patterns, posing risks to natural ecosys...

SourceWiley·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateDec 1, 2014

Skipping college makes young people more likely to abuse pain pills

Young adults who don't attend college are at high risk for non-medical prescription opioid use and disorder, while college-educated peers are more likely to misuse stimulants. The study analyzed data from 36,781 young adults aged 18-22, revealing a significant gap in substance abuse patterns between college graduates and non-graduates.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalSocial Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology·DateDec 1, 2014

Understanding the brain's 'suffocation alarm'

Research identifies ASIC1a gene variants associated with panic disorder and respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath and feelings of suffocation. The study found that the genes are also linked to amygdala structure and function, raising hopes for new treatments.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateDec 1, 2014

Brain folding

A research team analyzed gyrencephaly index of 100 mammalian brains to identify a threshold value that separates species into two groups: highly folded and less folded. The study found differences in cortical folding did not evolve linearly across species, with life-history traits influencing brain development.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 1, 2014

The human eye can see 'invisible' infrared light

Researchers found that the retina can sense infrared light when laser pulses rapidly deliver a double hit of energy, allowing the eye to detect light outside the visible spectrum. This discovery may lead to developing new tools for examining and stimulating the retina.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 1, 2014

Breast cancer vaccine shows promise in small clinical trial

A new breast cancer vaccine developed at Washington University School of Medicine has shown safety and preliminary evidence of biological efficacy in patients with metastatic breast cancer. The vaccine targets a protein called mammaglobin-A, found almost exclusively in breast tissue, and primes the immune system to attack tumor cells, ...

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateDec 1, 2014

Research suggests ability of HIV to cause AIDS is slowing

Research suggests that HIV's rapid evolution is slowing its ability to cause AIDS, while access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) enables infected individuals to progress more slowly. The study found that HIV adaptation to the immune system comes at a cost, making the virus less virulent.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 1, 2014

Therapeutic bronchoscopy performed on a dolphin

A bottlenose dolphin with breathing difficulties underwent pioneering therapeutic bronchoscopy, marking the first time such a procedure was performed on a marine mammal. The dolphin's respiratory cycle improved significantly after the treatment, and she returned to her normal behavior.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateDec 1, 2014

Mutation associated with premature ovarian failure identified

A new study identifies a specific mutation in the MCM8 gene as a cause of premature ovarian failure. The mutation leads to chromosomal instability and DNA repair problems, affecting women's reproductive health. Researchers found that siblings without the mutation did not experience similar symptoms.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 1, 2014

Study: Different species share a 'genetic toolkit' for behavioral traits

Researchers have discovered a common 'genetic toolkit' for behavioral traits across different species, including house mice, stickleback fish, and honey bees. Shared gene expression patterns were found in response to intruder threats, suggesting molecular similarities run deeper than brain structural differences.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 1, 2014

Stressed-out cancers may provide drug target

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered that cancer cells with chromosomal instability are vulnerable to mild metabolic disruption, making them a potential target for new therapy. The study's findings suggest that targeting these unstable cells could lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalOncogene·DateDec 1, 2014