Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for May 21, 2014


Shattering past of the 'island of glass'

A University of Leicester team has discovered that the entire island was covered in a searing-hot layer of green glass 45 thousand years ago. The volcanic activity on the island provides insights into hazardous eruptions elsewhere, and may help understand undersea currents triggered by earthquakes.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalGeology·DateMay 21, 2014

A faster track to the tools that track disease

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a faster method to create 18F radiotracers, which are used to detect and track certain diseases in patients. The new method avoids harsh conditions that scramble the placement of chemical bonds, resulting in improved efficiency and accuracy.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 21, 2014

Neuroscience's grand question

Researchers have developed a new theoretical model to understand how cells monitor and self-regulate their properties in the face of continual cellular turnover. The model suggests that neurons use an internal gauge to adjust ion channel expression, but this system can lead to neuronal hyperexcitability and disrupt overall homeostasis.

SourceBrandeis University·JournalNeuron·DateMay 21, 2014

Laser light needs more bass

Scientists at Vienna University of Technology create an 'optical synthesizer' that combines different frequencies to form a characteristic laser waveform, similar to music. This enables the creation of attosecond pulse radiation hundreds of times more intense than previous methods.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMay 21, 2014

Cyberbullying affects rich and poor alike

A study by Michigan State University researchers suggests that poverty and crime in neighborhoods are significant predictors of cyberbullying. The findings contradict the notion that cyberbullying is a middle-class problem and highlight the need for targeted prevention efforts in low-income communities.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Criminal Justice·DateMay 21, 2014

The brand tourism effect: When do lower status consumers boost luxury brands?

A study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that brand tourists, or fans of a luxury brand, can inspire feelings of membership pride and enhance the brand's prestige. This 'brand tourism effect' is distinct from brand immigrants, who claim group membership, and has positive implications for companies managing selective brands.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMay 21, 2014

New guidelines and technology needed for placement of feeding tubes in pediatric patients

Improper placement of nasogastric feeding tubes can have serious and potentially fatal consequences in pediatric patients. The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition recommends universal best practices, including standard approach to bedside verification, to improve patient safety.

A new strategy for diabetes treatment

Scientists at Harvard University have identified a newly discovered compound that can slow the degradation of insulin in animals, potentially leading to a new treatment for diabetes. The compound inhibits insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), elevating insulin levels and promoting insulin signaling in mice.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateMay 21, 2014

Functional nerve cells from skin cells

The new method uses transcription factors to promote cell differentiation and maturation, producing nerve cells with functional characteristics similar to mature cells found in the body. This breakthrough could accelerate the development of new drugs and stem cell-based regenerative medicine for age-related diseases such as Parkinson's...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalDevelopment·DateMay 21, 2014

Shared custody is becoming the norm

A significant shift is observed in US custody patterns with a dramatic decline in mother-sole custody cases over the past two decades. Shared custody has become more prevalent, particularly among higher-income families, while the gender and age of children involved do not significantly impact custody decisions.

SourceSpringer·JournalDemography·DateMay 21, 2014

University of Maryland School of Medicine research finds drugs that may treat MERS virus

Researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine have identified over 60 drugs that could inhibit the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). These drugs, which are either approved for another condition or in advanced clinical trials, provide new targ...

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateMay 21, 2014

Oil and gas development homogenizing core-forest bird communities

Researchers found that conventional oil and gas development in northern Pennsylvania is altering bird communities, with songbird species being pushed out and generalist species taking their place. The study revealed changes in avian guilds resulting from oil and gas development, suggesting a loss of community uniqueness.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Wildlife Management·DateMay 21, 2014

Radiofrequency ablation and complete endoscopic resection equally effective for dysplastic Barrett's esophagus

A systematic review compared the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and complete endoscopic resection (EMR) for dysplastic Barrett's esophagus. Both treatments were found to be effective in short-term treatment, but RFA had lower short-term adverse event rates. Long-term esophageal strictures were more common with EMR.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateMay 21, 2014

Blowing in the (stellar) wind

Scientists identified the mix of elements thrown off by the star before its explosion, which helped paint a picture of how heavy elements in the universe are formed. The findings revealed a nitrogen-rich wind similar to those of Wolf-Rayet stars, providing a window into the workings of the cosmos.

NIH Pain Consortium's first pain care curriculum improves clinical skills

A new online training module improved medical student clinical skills in evaluating chronic pain, with 93% of exposed students passing an exam compared to 60% of non-exposed students. The module is the first curriculum resource created through the NIH Pain Consortium's Centers of Excellence in Pain Education program.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateMay 21, 2014

Designing defenses against cyberbullying

A Pitt-led research team developed seven design recommendations to mitigate online bullying behaviors on social media. The seven recommendations include Design for Attention, Design for Consequence, and others, which aim to provide a range of active and passive features to alleviate and prevent inappropriate harassment online.

A new way to harness waste heat

Researchers at MIT and Stanford University have developed a new approach to harnessing low-temperature waste heat, leveraging the thermogalvanic effect to produce electricity. The system combines battery charging-discharging cycles with heating and cooling, allowing for efficient energy conversion even with small temperature differences.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 21, 2014