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Science News for December 17, 2015


Despite poaching, elephants' social networks hold steady

Researchers found that elephants' social networks remained resilient due to the ability of daughters to fill their mothers' roles, driven by vertical transmission of social roles. This adaptability provides optimism for elephant recovery from human disturbance once pressure is alleviated.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 17, 2015

New research uncovers processes driving planarian stem cell differentiation

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the role of enzymes in regulating chromatin, which plays a crucial role in planarian stem cell differentiation. The study found that specific enzymes, Set1 and MLL1/2, target genes involved in cilia formation, suggesting that defects in these processes may be linked to various huma...

Buffet guilt

A study by Cornell Food & Brand Lab researchers found that diners paying less for all-you-can-eat buffets feel more physically uncomfortable and guilty compared to those paying more. The study suggests that consumers can mitigate these effects by opting for higher-priced buffets and healthier options.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalBMC Nutrition·DateDec 17, 2015

Darwin's finches may face extinction

A new study shows that parasitic flies may drive Darwin's finch populations to extinction in several decades. However, a modest reduction in fly prevalence through human intervention could alleviate the risk. Researchers propose various methods for controlling the fly population, including introducing wasps and using insecticides.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateDec 17, 2015

HKU scientists find 3 coronavirus species co-circulating in dromedary camels in Saudi Arabia and Korean outbreak of MERS caused by recombinant variant

Research reveals three coronavirus species co-existing in camels in Saudi Arabia, including one closely related to the human 229E virus. The study also finds that young camels are more susceptible to respiratory infections and that winter is the peak season for virus replication.

Early warning system to save species.

A new method, known as the 'systems behaviour chart', is proposed by Dr Simon Black to focus conservation efforts and improve management. This tool can help identify early warning signs of ecological problems, such as population declines or increased mortality rates, allowing for timely interventions to be made.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalInternational Journal of Ecology·DateDec 17, 2015

Penn Nursing research: Exceptional care requires patient-driven education

Research from Penn Nursing and colleagues finds that parents with low health literacy need learner-driven education, while those with adequate literacy want flexible teaching. The study's findings suggest that healthcare providers should assess patient health literacy and use creative communication methods to improve patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of Health Communication·DateDec 17, 2015

Scientists peg Anthropocene to first farmers

A new study suggests that the beginning of the Anthropocene era was linked to the emergence of agriculture around 6,000 years ago. The researchers found a shift in the frequency of aggregated versus segregated species pairs in ancient ecosystems, which they attribute to human activity that altered the terrestrial landscape.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature·DateDec 17, 2015

A wax shield to conquer the Earth

Researchers discovered that seeds have recycled a plant protection mechanism called the cuticle to withstand terrestrial aggressions. The cuticle increases seed viability, resistance to reactive oxygen species, and maintains dormant state, allowing seeds to survive and propagate in new environments.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateDec 17, 2015

Healthy reflections

The study found that mirrors in consumption settings can reduce the perceived tastiness of unhealthy food, leading to lower consumption. The presence of a mirror did not affect the taste of healthy food, suggesting it's only an issue for unhealthy options.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateDec 17, 2015

UZH scientists predict activity of human genes

Researchers at the University of Zurich have made a groundbreaking discovery that the nucleus acts as a passive filter to regulate gene activity, reducing random noise. By visualizing subtle physiological details with microscopic dyes, they were able to detect and predict the activity of individual genes in human cells.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCell·DateDec 17, 2015

'Smart fat cells' cross blood-brain barrier to catch early brain tumors

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have developed a new nanotechnology approach using 'smart fat cells' that can pass the blood-brain barrier to detect early-stage brain tumors. This breakthrough could transform gliomas from a death sentence into a treatable condition, enabling patients to receive timely treatment.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of NeuroInterventional Surgery·DateDec 17, 2015

A step towards quantum electronics

Researchers connected two materials with unusual quantum-mechanical properties through a quantum constriction, enabling clean materials with intriguing quantum-mechanical properties. This collaboration opens up a new research direction for ultrafast and robust electronic networks.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalScience·DateDec 17, 2015

Ancient 4-flippered reptile flapped like a penguin

Researchers used computer simulations to determine that plesiosaurs flapped their front flippers in an underwater flight motion, similar to that of a penguin, to achieve propulsion. The rear flippers were likely used for steering and stability, contradicting previous assumptions about their role.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateDec 17, 2015

Dietary cocoa flavanols improve blood vessel function in patients with kidney dysfunction

Consuming a beverage rich in cocoa flavanols improves blood vessel function and reduces diastolic blood pressure in patients with kidney failure. Individuals with failing kidneys are at increased risk of developing heart problems, but diet-based therapeutic approaches to counteract cardiovascular disease are limited.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateDec 17, 2015

Exercise eases hot flushes during menopause

A study published in The Journal of Physiology found that regular exercise can significantly reduce the physiological severity of hot flushes experienced by post-menopausal women. By improving blood flow and reducing sweating, exercise minimizes the physical discomfort associated with hot flushes.

SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateDec 17, 2015

Stem cell transplantation does not provide significant improvement for Crohn's disease

A clinical trial found that stem cell transplantation did not provide significant improvement in sustained disease remission after one year for patients with difficult-to-treat Crohn's disease. However, some patients showed objective signs of disease disappearance and discontinued active treatment more frequently in the stem cell group.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateDec 17, 2015

Nonoperative treatment of appendicitis may have unknown long-term risks and costs

A systematic review study suggests that nonoperative treatment of appendicitis is probably safe for adults but raises concerns about long-term outcomes. The study found that antibiotics-first treatment was successful in 3 out of 4 patients, but questions remain about quality of life, residual symptoms, and financial considerations.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateDec 17, 2015

Nutritional vitamin D supplements do not help treat anemia in dialysis patients

A randomized clinical trial found that vitamin D2 supplements did not reduce the need for anemia drugs in dialysis patients. The study, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, suggests that nutritional vitamin D may have no role in treating anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateDec 17, 2015

New genes associated with extreme longevity identified

Researchers found five genetic loci associated with successful aging, involved in cell senescence, autoimmunity, and Alzheimer's disease. These genes may provide clues about physiological mechanisms for healthy aging and have the potential to improve health outcomes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateDec 17, 2015

Journal of Comparative Effectiveness research discusses oncology treatment sequences

The Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research discusses new recommendations from the Center for Medical Technology Policy's Green Park Collaborative for evaluating oncology treatment sequences. The framework developed by GPC-USA aims to fill evidence gaps and identify patient-important outcomes, ultimately improving cancer patient ...

SourceFuture Science Group·JournalJournal of Comparative Effectiveness Research·DateDec 17, 2015

Autism breakthrough

Researchers found that individuals with autism have lower levels of GABA, a key inhibitory neurotransmitter, which suggests a breakdown in the signaling pathway. This breakthrough could lead to early intervention efforts through visual screening tests for younger children.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 17, 2015

Snake bellies help scientists get a grip

Researchers studied three species of snakes to understand how their unique belly shapes aid in climbing. Brown tree snakes have sharp-edged keels that allow them to grip and propel themselves up trees efficiently, a trait also seen in some corn snakes but not boa constrictors.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateDec 17, 2015

Scientists create atomically thin boron

Researchers have successfully synthesized a two-dimensional sheet of boron, known as borophene, with metallic properties at the nanoscale. The material's unique atomic configuration and anisotropy result in a high tensile strength, making it a promising candidate for applications in electronics and photovoltaics.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateDec 17, 2015

Scientists blueprint tiny cellular 'nanomachine'

Researchers have successfully mapped the structural map of a tiny cellular nanomachine called diacylglycerol kinase, which plays a critical role in bacterial cell wall synthesis. The nanomachine's evolution is an extraordinary feat of nature, and its molecular blueprint has shed new light on how it performs its cellular duties.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 17, 2015

A gene for new species is discovered

A University of Utah-led study identified a long-sought 'hybrid inviability gene' responsible for dead or infertile offspring when two fruit fly species mate. The discovery sheds light on the genetic and molecular process leading to formation of new species, and may provide clues to how cancer develops.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScience·DateDec 17, 2015