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Science News for August 26, 2015


Searching big data faster

A new theoretical analysis by MIT researchers demonstrates how their compression techniques can expand applications of accelerated searching in biology and other fields. The algorithms cluster similar genomic sequences, then choose one representative sequence to focus on, significantly reducing the search time.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCell Systems·DateAug 26, 2015

Self-control saps memory, study says

A new study by Duke University researchers suggests that self-control can weaken memory. The study found that when participants had to cancel an intended action, their ability to remember specific details was impaired. This finding may have implications for understanding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and addiction.

Even cockatoos conclude

Researchers tested Goffin cockatoos' ability to infer by exclusion, a cognitive capacity where animals choose between known and unknown stimuli. More than half of the birds showed evidence of this ability, indicating they could distinguish between rewarded and unrewarded stimuli.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 26, 2015

ESA recognizes 2015 Fellows

The Entomological Society of America has elected 10 new Fellows, including Dr. Serap Aksoy and Dr. Deane Bowers, for their research on vector genomics, disease control, and insect-plant interactions. The Fellows will be recognized at the ESA's 63rd Annual Meeting in Minneapolis.

Bright screens at night imperil sleep of young teens

A new study found that taking a gadget to bed can suppress melatonin production and disrupt sleep patterns in children aged 9-15, especially those in early puberty. The study also found that brighter screen lights have a greater impact on sleep, with 500 lux being the most effective at suppressing melatonin.

SourceBrown University·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateAug 26, 2015

Making the air fair

A new method for dealing with flight delays, proposed by MIT researchers, distributes delays among airlines more evenly while keeping system-wide delays virtually constant. The approach allows airlines to swap schedule slots with each other, resulting in a fairer distribution of delays.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalTransportation Science·DateAug 26, 2015

Bacterial warfare

Researchers at UCSB have discovered a mechanism by which gram-negative bacteria deliver protein toxins to their neighbors, killing them. This finding could lead to the development of targeted antibiotics that leave beneficial bacteria in the gut intact.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 26, 2015

Capturing cancer

A Harvard University collaboration has developed a 3D model of solid tumors that reflects both their three-dimensional shape and genetic evolution. The model explains why cancer cells share an unusually high number of genetic mutations and how drug resistance evolves, shedding light on tumor growth and evolution.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateAug 26, 2015

Low-level arsenic exposure before birth associated with early puberty and obesity

A study by the National Institutes of Health found that low-level arsenic exposure before birth is associated with early puberty and obesity in female mice. The researchers exposed pregnant mice to low levels of arsenic through drinking water and observed significant weight gain and premature onset of puberty in the offspring.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateAug 26, 2015

Tackling the root cause of cystic fibrosis

Researchers found a small molecule, amphotericin B, that can substitute for a protein and restore a key cellular function related to cystic fibrosis and similar conditions. This approach shows promise as a therapeutic strategy for addressing the root cause of the disease.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 26, 2015

The missing link

A new species of lizard, Gueragama sulamericana, has been found in Southern Brazil, pushing back the known origin of acrodontan lizards to 80 million years ago. This discovery sheds light on the migration patterns of ancient species and challenges existing hypotheses on lizard evolution.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 26, 2015

Wide-ranging networking boosts employee creativity

A new study by Rice University and Australian National University found that employees who build nonredundant ties in their social networks are more creative. These ties connect to indirect networks beyond an individual's direct network, offering the greatest efficiency for gathering novel information.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateAug 26, 2015

Solar cell research funded by US Department of Energy

Penn State researchers are developing new, ultra-high efficiency photovoltaic cells using a novel tracking system to concentrate sunlight 400 times over. The goal is to create standard rooftop solar panels with competitive manufacturing costs and double the efficiency of existing solar panels in sunny regions.

Few gay teenage boys get tested for HIV

Research finds that only one in five gay and bisexual teen boys have been tested for HIV due to fears of recognition and lack of knowledge on where to get tested. Testing in schools is proposed as a solution to normalize the process, making it easier for young men to receive lifesaving medical care.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateAug 26, 2015

New fungi behind emerging wheat disease

Scientists at Australian National University discovered three previously undiscovered fungi causing the disease, which affects Southern Queensland and South Australia's wheat crops. The finding provides growers with confidence in managing the disease, crucial for a $6 billion industry.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalAustralasian Plant Pathology·DateAug 26, 2015