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Science News for April 16, 2015


A sniff of happiness: Chemicals in sweat may convey positive emotion

A study published in Psychological Science found that people produce chemical compounds, or chemosignals, when they experience happiness that are detectable by others who smell their sweat. This implies that someone who is happy will infuse others with happiness through the scent of their sweat, similar to how smiling can be infectious.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 16, 2015

Fighting the next generation of cyberattacks

A team of US computer scientists are working on an analyzer that can hunt down algorithmic attacks, a new form of vulnerability that is nearly impossible to find with today's technology. The software will perform a mathematical simulation of the software to predict what will happen in the event of an attack.

For men, online generosity is a competition

Researchers found that men donate four times more to an attractive female fundraiser in response to another male's contribution, suggesting a subconscious competitive helping behavior. To improve fundraising success, seed campaigns with larger donations early and make fundraisers smile.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 16, 2015

New transitional stem cells discovered

Researchers at the University of Missouri have identified a new form of human embryonic stem cell that can help advance research on pre-eclampsia and other reproductive problems. These 'BMP-primed' stem cells are more robust and easily manipulated than traditional stem cells, making them ideal for future studies.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 16, 2015

A scientific look at the art of teacher talk

A new study finds that teachers' conversational art of instruction can measurably influence literacy skills. Measured, positive feedback is shown to improve student performance, while talking around standardized test questions and failing to cultivate class-wide discussions have a negative effect.

Could maple syrup help cut use of antibiotics?

Researchers found that a concentrated maple syrup extract makes disease-causing bacteria more susceptible to antibiotics, leading to lower antibiotic usage. The extract also reduces biofilm formation of pathogenic bacteria, making it a potentially simple and effective approach for reducing antibiotic resistance.

SourceMcGill University·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateApr 16, 2015

New approach to muscle regeneration restores function after traumatic injury without need for donor tissue

Researchers have developed a new method for muscle regeneration using autologous minced tissue grafts, which can restore functional muscle at the site of injury. The approach uses a collagen hydrogel-based expansion method and demonstrates similar functional recovery as donor muscle grafts with reduced tissue requirements.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalBioResearch Open Access·DateApr 16, 2015

Breath taking

Scientists have identified two sensory neuron subtypes controlling different respiratory functions in mice, revealing a complex vagus nerve system that may lead to targeted therapies. The study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying breathing control and has implications for treating various conditions.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateApr 16, 2015

How do we hear time within sound?

Researchers discover that neurons in auditory cortex encode temporal patterns using excitatory and inhibitory inputs. This breakthrough could lead to the development of state-of-the-art neural prosthetic devices capable of mimicking brain coding patterns.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 16, 2015

Nanotubes with 2 walls have singular qualities

Rice University researchers discovered that double-walled carbon nanotubes can be tuned for specific electronic properties by controlling their configuration and distance between walls. The study found that combining metallic with semiconducting nanotubes could lead to the creation of nanotube transistors.

SourceRice University·JournalNanotechnology·DateApr 16, 2015

The Lancet Neurology: Autism Series media alert

Recent breakthroughs in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research focus on precision medicine approaches, leveraging genetic technologies to identify risk genes and develop personalized therapies. Neuroimaging studies are also helping understand brain structure and function across the lifespan.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateApr 16, 2015

Osteoporosis diagnosis contributes to hearing loss risk

A study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that people with osteoporosis are at a 1.76-fold higher risk of developing sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Researchers analyzed medical records of over 10,600 individuals with osteoporosis and found that they were more likely to be diag...

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateApr 16, 2015

Important study of how climate affects biodiversity

Researchers from Uppsala University analyzed the whole genome of 40 bird species to estimate their abundance at various points in time. The study found that many species exhibit cyclical swings in numbers, often coinciding with ice ages, but human influence may push declines beyond a tipping point to extinction.

SourceUppsala University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 16, 2015

Mapping language in the brain

Researchers created a detailed brain map of language impairments in aphasia following stroke, identifying four dimensions or factors: semantic recognition, speech recognition, speech production, and semantic errors. The study found that specific brain areas, such as the left Sylvian fissure and white matter bottleneck, are associated w...

SourceDrexel University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 16, 2015

Giant galaxies die from the inside out

Astronomers observed 22 massive elliptical galaxies using the VLT and Hubble Space Telescope, revealing that star formation in their centers stopped around three billion years ago. The newly discovered inside-out nature of this shutdown may be due to a galaxy's central supermassive black hole or lack of fresh gas.

SourceESO·JournalScience·DateApr 16, 2015

Keep moving, studies advise cancer survivors

Studies published in Journal of Cancer Survivorship found that walking three hours a week can improve hormone functioning and vitality in prostate cancer survivors. Regular physical activity also reduces symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in colorectal cancer survivors, improving quality of life.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Cancer Survivorship·DateApr 16, 2015

Increasing evidence points to inflammation as source of nervous system manifestations of Lyme disease

A new study published in the American Journal of Pathology shows that inflammation plays a causal role in Lyme disease's neurologic changes, and anti-inflammatory drugs like dexamethasone may prevent these effects. Researchers found that dexamethasone prevented many neuropathologic effects, while meloxicam was generally ineffective.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateApr 16, 2015

Cancer-related PTS linked to very limited cognitive impairment among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients

A new study found that cancer-related post-traumatic stress is associated with very limited cognitive impairment before treatment among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. The study, published in the JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute, analyzed data from 166 breast cancer patients and 60 matched controls.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateApr 16, 2015

A new online resource on the Asian longhorned beetle

The article provides a thorough review of the Asian longhorned beetle's biology, life stages, distribution, ecology, and methods of detecting and controlling it. The new online resource will be particularly helpful for forest managers and policymakers, offering a summary of the scientific backing for cooperative eradication programs.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Integrated Pest Management·DateApr 16, 2015

Socioeconomic factors affect odds of death after a lung cancer operation

A recent study by the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that socioeconomic factors such as income level, education, and hospital type significantly impact lung cancer patients' odds of death within 30 days after surgery. Patients from lower-income households were 25% more likely to die than those in higher-income areas.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateApr 16, 2015

Novel plasma diagnostics method

Researchers have created a novel plasma diagnostics method by studying the pressure change at the inner walls of energy-saving light bulbs. The technique measures the force exerted on a solid surface by plasma, providing insights into processes that conventional probes can't detect.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateApr 16, 2015

After prostate cancer, start walking

A new Northwestern Medicine study found that walking at an easy pace for three hours a week improves prostate cancer survivors' fatigue, depression, and body weight issues. Non-vigorous walking also showed benefits in these areas, with brisk walking potentially leading to similar improvements.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Cancer Survivorship·DateApr 16, 2015