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Science News for November 10, 2014


Biochemistry detective work: Algae at night

Scientists at Carnegie Institution for Science have discovered crucial biochemical pathways in single-cell alga Chlamydomonas that allow it to generate energy from stored sugars without taking up oxygen. This process is essential for the survival of many aquatic and terrestrial organisms, but its mechanisms are poorly understood.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateNov 10, 2014

Global warming not just a blanket -- in the long run, it's more like tanning oil

A new study from the University of Washington and MIT reveals that global warming is not solely caused by carbon dioxide's 'blanket' effect, but also involves shortwave radiation. The research shows how CO2 initially traps heat, but as the planet warms, it absorbs more solar radiation, leading to continued warming.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 10, 2014

Birthweight charts tailored to specific ethnic groups may be better predictor of adverse

A study by Dr. Marcelo Urquia found that using birthweight curves tailored to specific ethnic groups can help identify babies who are at risk of adverse events, such as premature death or complications during delivery. The new charts can provide more accurate measurements and trigger fewer unnecessary medical interventions.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 10, 2014

Getting the salt out

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are exploring a new method to treat high-saline water from hydrofracturing and other processes by utilizing waste heat from thermoelectric plants. The goal is to develop a cost-effective technology that can recover clean water and reduce waste disposal costs.

Microbot muscles: Chains of particles assemble and flex

University of Michigan researchers demonstrate how chains of self-assembling particles can form and extend when exposed to an alternating electric field. This innovation could enable electronics that rewire on demand and pave the way for development of tiny, mobile robots with potential applications in medicine and manufacturing.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Materials·DateNov 10, 2014

Playing action video games can boost learning

A new study reveals that playing action video games boosts learning capabilities by fostering better templates in the brain. Action gamers excel at tasks due to their improved ability to build and fine-tune models of the world, leading to accelerated learning curves and lasting effects.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 10, 2014

For enterics, adaptability could be an Achilles heel

Researchers from RIKEN found that a subtle change in the Lon enzyme allows bacteria to quickly adapt between low-oxygen gut environments and high-oxygen outside conditions. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic targets for enteric diseases.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateNov 10, 2014

A billion holes can make a battery

Researchers at the University of Maryland have invented a single structure that combines all components of a battery, enabling miniaturization of energy storage. The tiny battery can be fully charged in 12 minutes and recharged thousands of times, making it a promising innovation for future devices.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 10, 2014

Is your relationship moving toward marriage? If it isn't, you probably can't admit it

A University of Illinois study found that couples in trouble with their relationship tend to distort their memories, whereas those moving toward marriage remember their journey accurately. This distortion helps them cope with the psychological implications of staying in a stagnant relationship.

A greasy way to take better protein snapshots

Researchers at RIKEN developed a new technique to analyze protein structures by suspending crystals in a greasy substance, enabling the use of smaller samples and faster data collection. This breakthrough could lead to improved understanding of dangerous proteins, such as those containing mercury.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Methods·DateNov 10, 2014

Re-learning how to read a genome

A recent study suggests that genes and regulatory elements share a common architecture in their reading processes, with the main differences occurring after the initial step. This unified model could provide insight into how genes evolve and shed light on the evolutionary origins of new genes.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Genetics·DateNov 10, 2014

We are not alone

A new UCSB study reveals that a fungal pathogen in amphibians disrupts the skin microbiome, leading to dramatic changes in bacterial communities. The research has significant implications for understanding infectious disease dynamics and developing responses to diseases causing amphibian extinction.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 10, 2014

Anxiety can damage brain

A new study found that anxiety symptoms in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) increase the risk of a faster decline in cognitive functions and accelerate brain damage, independent of depression. MCI patients with moderate or severe anxiety had a 33%, 78%, and 135% increased risk of Alzheimer's, respectively.

SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·DateNov 10, 2014

Study: Volunteer advocacy program benefits the incapacitated with no family or friends

A study of the volunteer advocate program found that it provided comprehensive care to incapacitated patients, including end-of-life decisions and Medicaid applications. The program's success demonstrates a viable alternative to overwhelmed state agencies and provides hope for vulnerable individuals without surrogates.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateNov 10, 2014

Sweet music or sour notes? The test will tell

The Seattle Singing Accuracy Protocol (SSAP) measures how well people handle the translation from listening to singing. The program assesses individual singers' ability to match specific tones and melodies, providing a tool for early music education programs and researchers studying musical ability.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalMusic Perception An Interdisciplinary Journal·DateNov 10, 2014

How cartilage cells sense forceful injury

Cartilage cells have multiple sensory systems that respond to mechanical strain, leading to cell death. Researchers found two ion channels, Piezo1 and Piezo2, that are critical for sensing forceful injury, and a substance from tarantula venom extract can block these channels, preventing cell death.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 10, 2014

Overall risk of birth defects appears low for women taking antiretrovirals during early pregnancy

A new study led by Harvard School of Public Health found that the use of antiretroviral medications during early pregnancy does not significantly increase the risk of birth defects in infants. However, one specific ARV drug, atazanavir, was associated with a higher risk of birth defects, particularly musculoskeletal and skin anomalies.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateNov 10, 2014

Of gods and men

A new study from NESCent suggests that societies with less access to food and water are more likely to believe in moralizing, high gods. Belief in these types of deities is strongly associated with political complexity and the practice of animal husbandry.

SourceNational Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 10, 2014

Baby photos of a scaled-up solar system

Researchers have discovered two young stars with analogues to our solar system's asteroid and Kuiper belts, surrounded by a large dust halo. These findings suggest a common model for planetary formation and evolution, providing insight into the early stages of star formation and planet creation.

Interstitial lung disease is a significant risk factor for lung inflammation

Researchers found that pretreatment interstitial lung disease significantly increases the risk of developing symptomatic and severe radiation pneumonitis in stage I non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy. The study's results suggest that clinicians should be cautious when considering SBRT f...

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateNov 10, 2014

The body's emotions

A new study demonstrates that people with multiple sclerosis often have trouble recognizing emotions conveyed by facial expressions, and now shows similar difficulties with emotions expressed through body posture. The research suggests that this difficulty is unrelated to identifying one's own emotions, a disorder known as alexithymia.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalJournal of the International Neuropsychological Society·DateNov 10, 2014

On-demand conductivity for graphene nanoribbons

Researchers have created a theoretical model to tune the conductivity of graphene zigzag nanoribbons by applying periodic ultra-short pulses. This could lead to the development of ultrafast electronic switches and graphene-based devices that only conduct electricity when an external pulse is applied.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateNov 10, 2014

How variable are ocean temperatures?

A new study shows that sea surface temperatures reconstructed from climate archives vary to a much greater extent on long time scales than simulated by climate models. The researchers found that conventional climate models underestimated the variations of sea surface temperatures by a factor of 50 on a millennial time scale.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 10, 2014

Kīlauea, 1790 and today

Research suggests that most fatalities from the 1790 Kīlauea eruption were caused by hot surges of volcanic debris and steam. The volcano has experienced both effusive and explosive eruptions, with explosive events being geologically common but less frequent in recent times.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalACM SIGSAM Bulletin·DateNov 10, 2014