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Science News for July 22, 2014


UI study finds potential genetic link between epilepsy and neurodegenerative disorders

A new study at the University of Iowa has identified a potential genetic link between epilepsy and neurodegenerative disorders, revealing a novel pathway involved in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. The researchers found that mutations in prickle genes cause seizures in flies, leading to epilepsy-like behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2014

Are state Medicaid policies sentencing people with mental illnesses to prison?

Researchers found that tighter Medicaid policies governing antipsychotic drugs were associated with higher shares of inmates with psychotic symptoms and a 22% increase in the likelihood of imprisonment. The study suggests that limiting access to effective therapy may have unintended consequences, including more people in prisons.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·DateJul 22, 2014

Why do challenging tasks make consumers believe drugs wear off faster?

A new study by Veronika Ilyuk and colleagues found that consumers tend to overestimate the duration of pharmacological products' effectiveness. In five studies, participants who engaged in more difficult tasks consumed medications or energy drinks more frequently than those in easier conditions. Brands can use these findings to improve...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 22, 2014

Anti-cancer drug kicks HIV out of hiding

Researchers have found that an anti-cancer drug can activate hidden HIV in the body, increasing viral load and potentially allowing killer T-cells to destroy infected cells. The discovery could be a step towards developing a treatment for HIV by combining activation of the virus with a vaccine.

Supermaterial gives rejected drugs a new chance

Researchers at Uppsala University discovered that Upsalite, a highly porous magnesium carbonate, can improve the solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. By using Upsalite, about 40% of newly marketed drugs with poor solubility may have their therapeutic efficacy enhanced.

SourceUppsala University·JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutics·DateJul 22, 2014

How children categorize living things

A study by Northwestern University found that children's understanding of the natural world is influenced by their cultural background and experience with nature. Children from different communities were asked to name all living things they could think of, revealing convergences and differences in their responses.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Cognition and Culture·DateJul 22, 2014

Somatosensory stimulation inhibits excitability of pyramidal cells in rat hippocampal CA1

Researchers found that somatosensory stimulation decreases the firing of pyramidal cells and increases interneuron activity, suggesting a suppressive effect on neuronal hyperexcitability. This study provides insights into signal processing in the hippocampus and explores potential therapeutic applications for brain disorders.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateJul 22, 2014

A new multi-bit 'spin' for MRAM storage

A France-US research team reports a new multi-bit MRAM storage paradigm that can store up to 4 bits per cell, rivaling flash memory in terms of storage density. The technology uses Crocus Technology's proprietary Magnetic Logic Unit (MLU) technology to remotely control a sensor to probe magnetic configurations.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 22, 2014

The 92 percent clean plate club

A new study by Cornell University reveals that the average adult eats 92% of whatever they put on their plate, with similar results in eight developed countries. In contrast, children under 18 years old only eat 59% of what they serve themselves, likely due to uncertainty about food preferences.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·DateJul 22, 2014

Boosting the force of empty space

A team of researchers from Weizmann Institute and Vienna University of Technology proposed a method to amplify vacuum fluctuations by several orders of magnitude using a transmission line. This could lead to enhanced understanding of Casimir- and Van der Waals forces, with potential applications in quantum information processing.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2014

Creating optical cables out of thin air

Scientists at the University of Maryland have successfully created air waveguides that can guide light beams over long distances without loss of power. This breakthrough has significant implications for various applications, including long-range laser communications, pollution detection, and topographic mapping.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalOptica·DateJul 22, 2014

Law of physics governs airplane evolution

A study by Adrian Bejan explains how the constructal law governs the evolution of passenger jets, from small propeller-driven planes to modern behemoths. The analysis provides insights into successful design features and constraints that dictate airplane performance.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJul 22, 2014

Bats use polarized light to navigate

Scientists have discovered that greater mouse-eared bats use polarization patterns in the sky to navigate, calibrating their internal magnetic compass. The bats' ability to detect polarised light remains a mystery, but researchers hope this breakthrough will aid in protecting declining bat populations.

SourceNatural Environment Research Council·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 22, 2014

Self-cooling solar cells boost power, last longer

Researchers have developed a self-cooling method for solar cells using silica glass to reduce overheating, improving efficiency and lifespan. The design enhances infrared 'window' through Earth's atmosphere to redirect excess heat away from the solar cell.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateJul 22, 2014

Distinctive developmental origin for a drainage tube in the eye

A new study published in PLOS Biology reveals that Schlemm's canal forms from blood vessels through a novel process called canalogenesis. This discovery sheds light on the complex functions of Schlemm's canal, which plays a critical role in maintaining ocular health and preventing diseases like glaucoma.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 22, 2014

Room for improvement in elementary school children's lunches and snacks from home

A study conducted by researchers at Tufts University found that only 27% of elementary school children's lunches met federal guidelines for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low- or non-fat dairy. The researchers also found that snacks from home were often high in sugar and calories, with few students drinking water instead of suga...

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateJul 22, 2014

Largest genetic survey to date shows major success of giant panda breeding programs

A comprehensive genetic survey of captive giant pandas reveals high levels of diversity and low inbreeding rates, indicating a healthy population. The study's findings suggest that captive breeding centers can successfully release pandas into the wild with proper selection criteria.

New York squirrels are nuts about city life

Research shows eastern grey squirrels modify their behaviour when approached by humans, reducing unnecessary responses and improving urban survival. The study highlights the importance of understanding animal adaptations to urbanization, enabling conservation efforts and habitat management.

SourceCurtin University·JournalJournal of Zoology·DateJul 22, 2014

New water balance calculation for the Dead Sea

Researchers calculate that the eastern, Jordanian side of the Dead Sea will experience a dramatic reduction in natural replenishment rate of groundwater if precipitation lowers as predicted. This could lead to shortages in water resources, affecting not only agriculture but also the growing population, with serious social and economic ...

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateJul 22, 2014

The Optical Society launches Optica

The Optical Society's new open-access journal Optica publishes highest-impact research in optics and photonics. Key findings include the development of self-cooling solar cells, observation of rotational Doppler shift in white light, and precision time measurement on a silicon chip.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateJul 22, 2014

Dangers of desert dust: New diagnostic tool for valley fever

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new diagnostic tool called immunosignaturing to identify valley fever, which can be misdiagnosed due to low sensitivity of current methods. This technique uses a microarray platform to produce a detailed profile of immune activity from a small droplet of blood, allowing for accur...

SourceArizona State University·JournalClinical and Vaccine Immunology·DateJul 22, 2014

Fly-inspired sound detector

A team of researchers developed a tiny prototype device that mimics the parasitic fly's freakishly acute hearing mechanism, which may be useful for new generation of hypersensitive hearing aids. The device uses piezoelectric materials to turn mechanical strain into electric signals, minimizing power consumption.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 22, 2014

Researchers create vaccine for dust-mite allergies

A new vaccine developed by researchers at the University of Iowa reduces lung inflammation caused by dust-mite allergens in both lab and animal tests. The vaccine uses a booster called CpG to alter the body's immune response, producing antibodies that dampen the damaging effects of dust-mites.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalThe AAPS Journal·DateJul 22, 2014

Vitamin D deficiency raises risk of schizophrenia diagnosis

A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that individuals with schizophrenia have lower levels of vitamin D than healthy people. People with vitamin D deficiency are 2.16 times more likely to have schizophrenia, highlighting a potential connection between vitamin D and psychi...

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJul 22, 2014