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Science News for December 3, 2014


Green meets nano

Researchers at TU Darmstadt develop a green method to produce gold nanotubes, suitable for building sensors to measure hydrogen peroxide, with potential applications in medical research and diagnosis. The production process is energy-efficient and uses non-toxic chemicals.

SourceTechnische Universitat Darmstadt·JournalRSC Advances·DateDec 3, 2014

Buckyballs enhance carbon capture

Researchers at Rice University have created an environmentally friendly compound that effectively captures carbon dioxide emissions from industrial flue gases and natural gas wells. The new material, combined with buckminsterfullerene molecules, achieves high selectivity and efficiency in capturing carbon dioxide while rejecting methane.

SourceRice University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 3, 2014

NJ brain injury researchers find retrieval practice improves memory in youth with TBI

A study by researchers from Kessler Foundation and Children's Specialized Hospital found that retrieval practice can improve memory in children and adolescents with TBI. This method was found to be the best learning strategy for each of the participants, improving learning and memory among this age group with TBI.

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation·DateDec 3, 2014

People conceived during the Dutch famine have altered regulation of growth genes

Researchers found that individuals conceived during the Dutch Famine had altered regulation of growth genes, which may help them withstand adverse conditions but also increase risk for metabolic disease. The study, published in Nature Communications, provides new insights into epigenetics and its impact on human development.

Ever tried a 'laser delicious' apple?

A team of researchers from Lebanon and France has developed a laser biospeckle technique capable of detecting the climacteric peak in fruits like apples, bananas, and pears. This non-invasive method uses coherent light to analyze speckle patterns, which change with time depending on the medium's scattering properties.

SourceOptica·JournalApplied Optics·DateDec 3, 2014

Colorful nano-guides to the liver

Researchers create dye-functionalized nanoparticles that selectively deliver siRNA to liver cells, reducing cholesterol production and offering new hope for personalized therapy approaches. The method uses near-infrared fluorescent dyes as address labels and tracking numbers, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of the transport process.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 3, 2014

Gut bacteria from a worm can degrade plastic

Researchers have identified two strains of waxworm gut microbes that can break down polyethylene without pretreatment, pointing towards a direct way to biodegrade plastic. The finding has significant implications for the global plastics industry, which produces over 140 million tons of polyethylene annually.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateDec 3, 2014

Carrot or stick?

Researchers found that a sequential use of reward and punishment can promote cooperation in collaborative endeavors. The study suggests that initially rewarding minor cooperators and then punishing free riders can lead to better outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateDec 3, 2014

Taming neural excitations

Researchers aimed to control harmful signals in strokes by understanding neural excitation pulses. The study found that non-local couplings can produce various spatio-temporal patterns, including acceleration, deceleration, and suppression of pulses.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateDec 3, 2014

Bioplastic -- greener than ever

A new method to produce lactic acid from glycerol, a waste feedstock, has been introduced, reducing CO2 emission by 30% compared to conventional fermentation. The process also lowers production costs, increasing the potential profit by 17-fold.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateDec 3, 2014

Does your boss find you proactive ... or pushy?

Employees who take personal initiative but lack social acumen may be seen as troublemakers. A study found that proactive behavior is only beneficial if combined with social skills and sensitivity to favorable opportunities. Employers are looking for employees with both personal initiative and political skill.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalJournal of Management·DateDec 3, 2014

Koalas selective about eucalyptus leaves at mealtime

A study found that koalas selectively eat eucalyptus leaves with higher available nitrogen, indicating a preference for nutritious food. The researchers suggest that access to quality food plays a crucial role in shaping the distribution of koala populations in habitats with low nutritional value.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 3, 2014

Tinkering with the Tao of pandas

A new study reveals that giant pandas are not as picky about their habitat as previously believed. The research, led by Michigan State University, found that pandas are willing to live in secondary forests, climb different slopes, and choose areas with varying amounts of sunshine.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalUrsus·DateDec 3, 2014

Low-grade waste heat regenerates ammonia battery

Researchers at Penn State have developed a thermally regenerative ammonia-based battery that converts low-grade waste heat into electricity with high efficiency. The battery can produce up to 60 watts per square meter of power, making it six to 10 times more efficient than other liquid-based thermal-electric energy conversion systems.

SourcePenn State·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateDec 3, 2014

Parasites and the evolution of primate culture

A new study examines how parasites impact primate culture, finding that socially transmitted pathogens increase with learning from others and environmentally transmitted pathogens with exploratory behavior. This research sheds light on the evolutionary pressures driving primate cultural development.

Virginia Tech researchers connect sleep cycle, cancer incidence

Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a link between the body's sleep cycle and cancer incidence. The human period 2 protein, which regulates the sleep cycle, was found to protect against sporadic forms of cancers. This breakthrough may lead to new prevention strategies for populations at risk due to circadian disruption.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalMolecular Biology of the Cell·DateDec 3, 2014

Mapping the interactome

Researchers at the National University of Singapore have comprehensively described the network of proteins involved in cell-cell adhesions. The study reveals 561 proteins associated with E-cadherin, including adaptor proteins and those involved in cellular transport and protein synthesis.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalScience Signaling·DateDec 3, 2014

The Lancet Respiratory Medicine: Current guidelines not clear on which children most at risk of severe flu complications

A systematic review found that premature birth, neurological disorders, and multiple medical conditions significantly increase the risk of hospitalization in children with influenza. The study highlights the need for clearer guidelines on which children should be prioritized for seasonal flu vaccination.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateDec 3, 2014

Brain activity after smokers quit predicts chances of relapsing, Penn study suggests

A Penn Medicine study suggests that disruptions in brain memory-related activity after quitting can identify smokers at risk of relapsing. Smokers who failed to quit had decreased activity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and reduced suppression of activation in the posterior cingulate cortex, indicating a higher chance of re...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNeuropsychopharmacology·DateDec 3, 2014

NIH researchers link chromosome region to duplication of gene on X chromosome appears to cause excessive growth

Researchers at the NIH have found a duplication of a short stretch of the X chromosome in people with a rare disorder that causes excessive childhood growth. They believe that a single gene within the region likely has a large influence on how much children grow.

Researchers get a rabbit's-eye view

The study uses LiDAR and remote sensing to create detailed maps of vegetation cover that provide concealment for prey, helping researchers understand the impact of human activities on wildlife habitats. The findings have implications for land management decisions and restoration of landscapes.

SourceWashington State University·JournalBioScience·DateDec 3, 2014

Check less to reduce email stress

A University of British Columbia study found that limiting email checks to three times a day can significantly reduce psychological stress. Participants who checked their email less often reported feeling less stressed compared to those who checked it more frequently.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateDec 3, 2014

Separate and unequal in suburbia

A new study reveals that suburban blacks and Hispanics live in poverty-stricken neighborhoods with lower test scores compared to their white and Asian counterparts. The research, part of the US2010 Project, highlights the persistent disparities in suburban segregation and unequal access to resources.

Laser sniffs out toxic gases from afar

Scientists have developed a system that can identify chemicals in the atmosphere from up to one kilometer away. The technique uses terahertz radiation and an infrared laser to detect toxic gases, including nerve gas, chemical spills, and industrial pollutants.

SourceDuke University·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateDec 3, 2014

Glass houses: Your personality helps predict your real estate choices

A new study by Dr. Danny Ben-Shahar and Roni Golan found a correlation between personality traits and individual real estate choices, with neurotic individuals opting for homeownership over renting. The research also showed that local 'personality types' in America are associated with statewide real estate trends.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalJournal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics·DateDec 3, 2014

Birds conform to local 'traditions'

Researchers found that great tits learn new foraging techniques by observing others in their social network, adopting the dominant behavior and creating a stable tradition. Even when birds discover multiple methods, they tend to conform to the majority behavior, passing it down to the next generation.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalNature·DateDec 3, 2014