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Science News for April 20, 2015


Rates of opioid dispensing, overdose drop following market changes

The study found a 19% decrease in opioid dispensing and a 20% drop in overdose rates following the introduction of abuse-deterrent extended-release oxycodone hydrochloride. However, heroin overdose rates increased by 23%. The findings suggest that regulatory mandates or voluntary company actions can help stem prescription abuse.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 20, 2015

OSU innovation boosts Wi-Fi bandwidth tenfold

Researchers at Oregon State University have invented a technology that can increase WiFi bandwidth by 10 times, reducing congestion in crowded locations and homes with multiple devices. The system uses inexpensive components and integrates with existing WiFi systems, enabling faster data transfer rates up to 100 megabits per second.

Falsified medicines taint global supply

A new report from UC San Diego highlights the scope of the problem, finding that only 1,510 counterfeit incidents were reported between 2009 and 2011, despite an estimated 100,000-1 million deaths per year. The study calls for improved detection, data collection, and analysis to combat falsified medicines.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateApr 20, 2015

Big butts aren't everything to male baboons

A study of wild baboons in southern Kenya reveals that the size of a female's swollen rump doesn't matter as much as previously thought. Females with bigger backsides don't necessarily make better mothers, and males actually prefer females with more postpartum cycles over larger derriers.

SourceDuke University·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateApr 20, 2015

A 'cingular' strategy for attack and defense

The study found that two specific brain regions, the posterior cingulate cortex and rostral anterior cingulate cortex, are activated when making defensive or offensive strategies. This suggests that intuition plays a key role in rapid strategic decisions, rather than deliberate reasoning.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateApr 20, 2015

A better grasp of primate grip

A new study by Yale University reveals that early human ancestors may have had precision grip capabilities comparable to modern humans. The research team created a kinematic model of the thumb and index finger of living primates and fossil remains, finding that even ancient species like Australopithecus afarensis had impressive dexterity.

SourceYale University·JournalInterface·DateApr 20, 2015

Quantum model reveals surface structure of water

A new quantum model has been used to determine the molecular structure of water's liquid surface, revealing the intrinsic asymmetry of hydrogen bonds and their role in the surface's molecular orientation. The results accurately capture the properties of liquid water and offer a promising platform for molecular exploration.

SourceNational Physical Laboratory·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateApr 20, 2015

Telling the time by color

Research reveals color has a major impact on how our body clock measures time of day, outperforming brightness as a reliable method. The study found that changes in light color between blue and yellow are more sensitive to the body clock than changes in brightness.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 20, 2015

Darwin, Wallace, and the overlooked third man

A new paper by Dr Michael Weale from King's College London argues that Patrick Matthew deserves recognition alongside Darwin and Wallace as an originator of evolution by natural selection. Matthew's work, published in 1831, captures a valuable aspect of the theory that wasn't clear in Darwin's version.

SourceKing's College London·JournalBiological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateApr 20, 2015

Oldest fossils controversy resolved

New analysis reveals 'Apex chert microfossils' are not evidence of ancient life but rather peculiarly shaped minerals. Researchers used high-spatial resolution data to map chemical composition and morphology at the sub-micrometre scale, clearing up a long-standing debate about Earth's earliest fossils.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2015

Reducing global tobacco use

The World Health Organization recommends a 30% reduction in smoking rates by 2025. Countries must triple tobacco taxes to achieve this goal, which could save an estimated 200 million lives by the end of the century. Quitting smoking before age 40 can substantially reduce risk.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 20, 2015

Study shows new technology may improve management of leading causes of blindness

A new non-invasive OCT technology has been developed that can improve the clinical management of macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and glaucoma, the leading causes of blindness in the United States. The technology allows for earlier diagnosis and treatment, enabling more timely intervention to prevent irreversible loss of vision.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2015

PTSD common in ICU survivors

Research found that nearly one-quarter of ICU survivors suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a recent Johns Hopkins study. The study identified possible triggers for PTSD, including existing psychological problems and large amounts of sedation medication, and suggested using ICU diaries as a potential prevent...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCritical Care Medicine·DateApr 20, 2015

A cold cosmic mystery solved

Researchers discovered a massive supervoid, 1.8 billion light-years across, that could explain the unusual Cold Spot in cosmic microwave background radiation. The void's effect on light traveling through it results in colder temperatures, potentially revealing exotic physics beyond standard cosmology.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateApr 20, 2015

Dutch doctors withhold/withdraw treatment in many elderly patients

Research reveals that Dutch doctors are withholding treatment from a substantial proportion of elderly patients, driven by considerations of comfort and respect rather than ageism. Treatment was withheld in 37% of cases, with the oldest patients being more likely to have artificial feeding and fluids or antibiotics withdrawn.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Medical Ethics·DateApr 20, 2015

UK doctors unlikely to be able to repay student loans

A study published in BMJ Open found that UK doctors amass debts of over £80,000 by graduation, with women paying more interest despite earning less. The research suggests that women doctors repay more for initial debts below £50,000 due to longer debt periods and higher interest accrual.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open·DateApr 20, 2015

Living life in the third person

Cognitive scientists identified three middle-aged adults with SDAM, who lack personal recollection of past events but can learn and recall information normally. Brain imaging revealed reduced vividness and activation in midline brain regions, as well as a subtle volume reduction in the hippocampus.

SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateApr 20, 2015

Science of learning can help parents, developers grade educational apps

A comprehensive new report integrates research from psychological science, linguistics, and neuroscience to provide an evidence-based guide for evaluating the quality of educational apps. The report presents four principles that can help distinguish between apps with true educational value and those that masquerade as such.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateApr 20, 2015

Smoking may affect some women's likelihood of giving birth to twins

A study discovered that smoking can raise the likelihood of producing twins in women with certain genetic backgrounds, particularly those with a variant in the TP53 gene. The researchers found significant interactions between smoking and genetic variations, suggesting a possible explanation for reports of mothers of twins being more li...

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Biology·DateApr 20, 2015

New tactic targets brain tumors

A new study from Rice University suggests that therapies targeting the insulin signaling pathway in brain tumors may be ineffective if they target the wrong molecules. Researchers found that glioblastomas, the deadliest form of brain cancer, have a complex relationship with insulin and other growth factors.

SourceRice University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 20, 2015

Interventions developed at Johns Hopkins reduce bloodstream infections in Abu Dhabi

A bundled intervention at Johns Hopkins Medicine significantly reduced central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in seven Abu Dhabi hospitals. The program, which included evidence-based infection prevention practices and teamwork improvements, achieved a 30-40% reduction in CLABSI rates across all ICUs.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateApr 20, 2015

In utero exposure to extreme morning sickness may cause developmental deficits in children

A new study from UCLA has found that women experiencing extreme morning sickness during pregnancy are three times more likely to have children with attention disorders and language delays. In utero exposure to HG may be linked to nutrient deficiency and life-long effects on the exposed fetus.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalEuropean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology·DateApr 20, 2015

Imaging immunity

A novel approach harnessing positron emission tomography (PET) imaging identifies areas of immune cell activity associated with inflammation or tumor development. This method offers a potential breakthrough in diagnostics and monitoring efficacy of cancer therapies.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2015

Researchers produce first atlas of airborne microbes across United States

Researchers created the first atlas of airborne microbes across the US, identifying over 110,000 bacterial species and 55,000 fungal species in dust samples from 1,200 homes nationwide. The study provides new insights into human health, animal health, and crop disease, with implications for understanding climate and soil variability.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 20, 2015

Notre Dame researchers detecting low quality antimalarial drugs with a lab-on-paper

Notre Dame researchers have created a paper test card that can detect low-quality antimalarial drugs with high sensitivity and accuracy. The test card uses 12 colorful chemical tests to identify the presence or absence of key ingredients, helping people in developing countries identify suspicious medications before they harm patients.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateApr 20, 2015

Study sheds new light on a crucial enzyme for the immune response

Researchers at the IRCM have discovered a new mechanism affecting AID, a crucial enzyme for the immune response, which could lead to improved treatment for the common flu, as well as lymphoma and leukemia. The study identified a protein eEF1a that retains AID in the cell's cytoplasm, allowing it to access the nucleus and boost activity.

SourceInstitut de recherches cliniques de Montreal·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateApr 20, 2015

Detecting lung cancer at an early stage

Researchers have developed a new diagnostic method called spectral histopathology that facilitates marker-free detection of individual subtypes of lung cancers. The accuracy of this method is higher than traditional histopathology, reaching over 92%, allowing for more precise diagnosis and personalized treatment options.

Is there such a thing as 'pure' autism?

A new study published in Biological Psychiatry found no genome-wide significant associations between genetic variants and autism spectrum disorder. Instead, the researchers suggest that clinical variability in autism may be due to factors such as epigenetic changes or environmental responses. The study's results have implications for f...

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateApr 20, 2015