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Science News for July 18, 2014


A new measure of biodiversity

Scientists applied a new method to Australia's Acacia genus, revealing biologically important but currently unprotected areas. The study confirmed the Wet Tropics rainforests' importance and identified places of 'super-endemism', where old and new species co-exist.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 18, 2014

Scientists find new clues to brain's wiring

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a group of proteins that program common type of brain nerve cell to connect with another type of nerve cell. This finding is an important step forward in understanding the causes of intellectual disability and autism by learning how developing brain is built.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNeuron·DateJul 18, 2014

UM-led research team contributes to the management of South Florida coastal environments

A collaborative research team published findings in Ecological Indicators on a new marine ecosystem support tool to improve decision-making by natural resource managers. The MARES project integrates ecosystem science and societal benefits into a management framework, providing exportable technology for other coastal ecosystems.

Autophagy protects insulin-secreting cells of the pancreas

Researchers found that a functional autophagy system prevents the accumulation of toxic islet amyloid polypeptide, which can lead to diabetes. In animal models, autophagy-deficient beta cells developed overt diabetes, highlighting the protective role of autophagy in pancreatic beta cell function.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 18, 2014

New trigger for ovulation could make IVF safer

Researchers have successfully used kisspeptin to stimulate ovulation in women undergoing IVF treatment, reducing the risk of OHSS. Twelve babies were born after their mothers received the hormone injection, with 12 becoming pregnant and nine having healthy embryos transferred.

SourceImperial College London·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 18, 2014

Highly charged ions

A new theoretical study by Marianna Safronova and colleagues identifies 10 highly charged ions, including samarium-14+ and neodymium-10+, suitable for atomic timekeeping and quantum information schemes. The researchers provide estimates of ion properties needed for experiments, enabling the development of more accurate clocks and qubits.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 18, 2014

Feinstein Institute researchers identify brain network

Researchers at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research have identified a brain network that measures placebo effects in Parkinson's disease patients. This breakthrough discovery has the potential to improve the accuracy of clinical trials by excluding subjects who are more likely to experience placebo effects.

SourceNorthwell Health·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 18, 2014

Novel mechanism for invasion of EV71 virus demonstrated

A new study determines glycosylation and pH-dependent conformational changes of virus receptor SCARB2 as crucial for EV71 attachment and entry. Researchers found that SCARB2 opens a lipid-transfer tunnel to trigger viral uncoating at acidic conditions, releasing the viral genome into host cells.

SourceSpringer·JournalProtein & Cell·DateJul 18, 2014