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Science News for December 29, 2014


A qubit candidate shines brighter

A team of researchers at Harvard, UC Santa Barbara, and the University of Chicago has developed a technique to precisely place nitrogen vacancy centers within nano-sized diamond structures, enhancing their fluorescence. This achievement is crucial for using NV centers as qubits in future quantum computers.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateDec 29, 2014

Detecting extraterrestrial life through motion

Researchers at EPFL have created a highly sensitive motion detector that can detect the movement of microorganisms, including bacteria and yeast, without prior knowledge of their chemistry. The system uses a nano-sized cantilever to capture vibrations caused by living cells, making it suitable for detecting life on other planets.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 29, 2014

Parasite eggs from the Celtic period found in Switzerland

Archaeologists discovered intestinal parasites' eggs from the Celtic period in Switzerland, indicating poor sanitation and mixed living environments. The parasite eggs suggest a lack of proper waste management and possible livestock introduction, highlighting the challenges faced by ancient communities.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateDec 29, 2014

Sugar molecule links red meat consumption and elevated cancer risk in mice

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have found that feeding mice Neu5Gc promotes spontaneous cancers and systemic inflammation. The study suggests a potential link between red meat consumption and cancer risk, and may also explain connections to other diseases exacerbated by chronic inflammation.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 29, 2014

A close look at blinking after facial transplantation

A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reveals that careful surgical planning and technique are essential for restoring blinking function after facial transplantation. The research highlights the importance of monitoring restoration of reflex blinking to protect long-term visual outcomes.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateDec 29, 2014

What you tweet when you go party can be useful for improving urban planning

Researchers used geolocalized tweets to identify land use patterns in Manhattan, Madrid, and London. They found that nighttime tweet activity is concentrated on weekends in Madrid and weekdays in Manhattan, while daytime leisure areas are prominent in London. This study shows the potential of social media data for urban planning.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalEngineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence·DateDec 29, 2014

Evolvable internet architecture

Researchers develop a novel evolvable Internet architecture framework with design constraints and models analysis to meet future Internet demands. The framework balances the advantages of both clean-slate and dirty-slate approaches, promoting flexibility and stability.

The biological spoils of war

A Harvard study found that members of an East African herding tribe who engaged in violent raids had more wives and thus more opportunities to increase their reproductive success. The study, which analyzed the data of 120 men, found a clear correlation between raid participation and higher reproductive capacity.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 29, 2014

Text messaging reminders increase second dose influenza vaccinations in children

Researchers found that sending text message reminders increased receipt of the second dose of the vaccine by the end of the season and brought children in sooner to be vaccinated. When educational information was embedded into the text messages, the effect was even greater compared to conventional text messages or written reminders only.

Study: Drug combo slows heart decline in muscular dystrophy

A new clinical trial has shown that using available heart failure drugs can slow the progressive decline in heart function in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The combination of eplerenone and either an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker significantly reduces left ventricular function decline.

SourceMediaSource·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateDec 29, 2014

Tracing evolution of chicken flu virus yields insight into origins of deadly H7N9 strain

A study found that changes in the H9N2 flu virus in chickens may have contributed to the creation of the H7N9 avian virus, which has caused outbreaks and deaths since 2013. The research suggests tracking genetic diversity of H9N2 on poultry farms could provide an early warning of emerging viruses with pandemic potential.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 29, 2014

Year of birth significantly changes impact of obesity-associated gene variant

Researchers found a significant impact of the FTO gene variant on body mass index (BMI) that largely depends on birth year, with stronger correlations in later years. The study suggests that broad environmental changes may alter the effect of the gene variant, highlighting the importance of considering time of birth in genetic studies.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 29, 2014