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Science News for February 2, 2015


Barriers to end-of-life care discussions identified

A Canadian multicenter survey of over 1,200 hospital-based clinicians identified key barriers to end-of-life care discussions with seriously ill patients and their families. The study found that factors such as difficulty accepting a poor prognosis, limited understanding of life-sustaining treatments, and disagreements among family mem...

SourceMcMaster University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateFeb 2, 2015

Wrinkle predictions

A team of MIT mathematicians developed a theory predicting wrinkled patterns on curved surfaces, confirmed through experiments. The theory states that curvature is the main parameter determining pattern formation, with thicker shells forming hexagonal patterns and thinner shells resulting in labyrinthine configurations.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 2, 2015

Oceans' increasing mercury levels may be harming fish

Mercury contamination is affecting fish populations worldwide, with yellowfin tuna concentrations doubling by 2050 if emissions continue to rise. Human activity is driving the increase in mercury levels, highlighting the need for urgent action to reduce pollution.

SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateFeb 2, 2015

Worms lead way to test nanoparticle toxicity

A Rice University study uses the lowly roundworm to measure the effects of various nanoparticles on individual organisms and entire populations. The researchers found that five types of nanoparticles showed little to no toxicity, while others were moderately or highly toxic to the worm population.

Identification of much-needed drug target against MRSA, gram-positive infections

Scientists at the University of Utah and Georgia have discovered a pharmacological target that could enable development of novel drugs against antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including MRSA. The target is based on a unique pathway for making heme, an essential iron-carrying molecule specific to Gram-positive bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2015

Review of nonmedicinal interventions for delirium in older patients

A meta-analysis of multicomponent nonpharmacological interventions found significant reductions in delirium incidence and falls among hospitalized older patients. These strategies also trended toward decreases in length of hospital stay and institutionalization, suggesting a potential cost savings of over $16 billion annually.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateFeb 2, 2015

New in the Hastings Center Report

The Hastings Center Report explores the controversy surrounding the Surfactant, Positive Pressure, and Oxygenation Randomized Trial (SUPPORT), a study that gauged risks and benefits of blood oxygen levels in premature infants. The debate highlights concerns over informed consent and the ethics of comparative effectiveness research.

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalHastings Center Report·DateFeb 2, 2015

Cumulative daily screen time linked to teen sleep problems

A large study published in BMJ Open found that teens who spend more than 2 hours on screens after school are strongly linked to longer sleep onset latency and shorter sleep duration. The research suggests that screen time may replace sleeping time or interfere with sleep by stimulating the nervous system.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open·DateFeb 2, 2015

A simple intervention can make your brain more receptive to health advice

Researchers found that self-affirmation increases activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, leading to a steeper decline in sedentary behaviors. The study showed that people who were affirmed before receiving health advice demonstrated higher brain activity and improved behavior change.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania Annenberg School for Communication·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2015

Mesozoic mammals -- what do we know from China?

Recent studies of Mesozoic mammals in China reveal a diverse range of species, with many exhibiting mammalian characteristics. The findings provide insights into the evolution of the mammalian middle ear and the origin of mammals, with implications for our understanding of vertebrate biology.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateFeb 2, 2015

Commonly used antibiotics with diuretic can double risk of sudden death in older patients

A large Canadian Medical Association Journal study found that combining trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with spironolactone more than doubles the risk of sudden death in older patients. The study suggests that physicians should consider alternative antibiotics for patients on spironolactone to reduce this risk.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateFeb 2, 2015

Study finds deep ocean is source of dissolved iron in Central Pacific

A new study by scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution reveals that the deep ocean is a major source of dissolved iron in the central Pacific Ocean. The research found that hydrothermal vents and sediments thousands of meters below the sea surface are the primary sources of iron, contradicting previous assumptions.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2015

One good turn: Birds swap energy-sapping lead role

A new study by Oxford University scientists reveals that migrating birds 'share the pain' of leading a v-formation, allowing them to take turns saving energy. The research found that individual birds spend an average of 32% of their time benefiting from flying in the updraft produced by another bird's flapping wings.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2015

Scientists discover organism that hasn't evolved in more than 2 billion years

Researchers discovered a type of sulfur bacteria preserved in rocks over 1.8 billion years old, which remain unchanged and indistinguishable from modern bacteria found in the same region. This finding supports Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by suggesting that evolution occurs only when environmental conditions change.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2015

Winding borders may enhance graphene

New research suggests that sinuous grain boundaries in graphene can relieve stress, resulting in enhanced mechanical strength and predictable electronic transport gaps. This discovery may lead to the development of polycrystalline graphene with precise misalignment of components, enabling the control of semiconducting characteristics.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateFeb 2, 2015

Actions and beliefs behind climate change stance

A new study found that climate change sceptics and believers share integrated expressions of self, forming specific social identities. The researchers suggest building support for mitigation policies requires approaches beyond science education, focusing on changing relationships between groups.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateFeb 2, 2015

Confidence in government linked to willingness to vaccinate

A study by Ohio State University suggests that confidence in government is a key factor in public willingness to vaccinate. People with high trust in the government were more likely to take the swine flu vaccine, while those with low trust had lower vaccination rates. The research also found that individuals who watched more news and h...

SourceOhio State University·JournalHealth Promotion International·DateFeb 2, 2015

UI researchers link smoke from fires to tornado intensity

Researchers found that smoke from spring fires in Central America intensified conditions leading to severe tornadoes in the US. The study's results suggest a novel mechanism by which smoke affects tornado severity, and highlight the importance of considering atmospheric particles in weather prediction models.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 2, 2015

First sensor for 'crowd control' in cells

University of Groningen scientists have created a molecular sensor to measure crowding in living cells, allowing for the quantification of macromolecule concentrations. The sensor uses Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to detect changes in protein-protein interactions and provides valuable insights into cellular function.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Methods·DateFeb 2, 2015

Safe production in Industry 4.0

The Fraunhofer Institute's IT Security Laboratory provides a secured test environment to assess the security of industrial automation systems and develop new defense strategies. Real-time requirements in production facilities necessitate unique IT security measures.

Discovery of a gene responsible for familial scoliosis

A variation in the POC5 gene was found to be associated with familial scoliosis in a large French family study. The gene encodes for a centrosomal protein involved in microtubule-organising centres and cellular polarity, leading to rotational deformations similar to those observed in scoliosis patients.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 2, 2015

Getting yeast to pump up the protein production

Scientists at Northwestern University have found a way to harvest industrially useful protein from yeast in greater quantities without increasing its production. By genetically knocking out proteins responsible for reabsorption, the team increased protein yields by two- to three-fold.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalBiotechnology and Bioengineering·DateFeb 2, 2015

Sleep problems may impact bone health

Recent research suggests sleep apnea impacts bone metabolism through sleep duration and quality disruptions. Daily rhythms play a crucial role in maintaining normal bone health.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateFeb 2, 2015

Possible cause of IVF failure in some women identified

Researchers at the University of Manchester have identified a possible cause of IVF failure in some women, which may be treated with therapies targeting microRNA-145 and its effects on IGF1R. The study's findings suggest that manipulating this biological process could lead to improved rates of embryo attachment during implantation.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Cell Science·DateFeb 2, 2015

Protein threshold linked to Parkinson's disease

A new study by University of Cambridge researchers identified a critical threshold in alpha-synuclein protein levels that increases the chances of aggregation and neurodegeneration. The findings provide a mechanistic description of the initial molecular events leading to Parkinson's disease.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateFeb 2, 2015

Skin based immunity secrets revealed

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which immune cells in the skin function as the body's 'border control'. This finding could improve how we fight some infections, allergies and auto-immune diseases. The discovery of CD1a molecule reveals how it interacts with lipid molecules to identify foreign invaders.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Immunology·DateFeb 2, 2015

New reset button discovered for circadian clock

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered a new reset button for the brain's master biological clock, which can be stimulated using light to alter sleep patterns. This finding has the potential to lead to new treatments for conditions like seasonal affective disorder and reduce adverse health effects of night shifts.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 2, 2015

Mining the moon becomes a serious prospect

Texas-based Shackleton Energy Company plans to mine lunar water ice and convert it into rocket propellant, with Moon Express also interested in using the resource as fuel. Meanwhile, China is making headway in mining rare-earth elements on the Moon, sparking interest in establishing a human settlement.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysics World·DateFeb 2, 2015

Babies can follow complex social situations

Infants as young as 13 months old can comprehend complex social scenarios, taking into account who knows what about whom. They are able to make inferences about others' behavior based on the information they have learned, indicating that they are developing essential skills for assessing social situations and making relevant judgments.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 2, 2015

Penn professor shows how 'spontaneous' social norms emerge

A new study led by Penn's Damon Centola reveals that social conventions can emerge spontaneously, with no centralized leader or media source, through the normal interactions of people in social networks. The research used a web-based game to test how large populations come to consensus, and found that random mixing allowed for the emer...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2015

BU study finds occupational link in kidney disease epidemic in Central America

A new BU study finds a decline in kidney function among Nicaraguan sugarcane workers, suggesting heat stress and dehydration may play a role in the high rates of chronic kidney disease. The research team recruited 284 workers performing different tasks and found that those with longer employment duration had worse kidney function.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalInternational Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health·DateFeb 2, 2015

Risk for autism increases for abandoned children placed in institutions

A recent study published in JAACAP found that abandoned children placed in institutions have an increased risk for behaviors similar to those seen in children with autism. However, when moved into child-centered foster family care at a young age, their social behaviors improved significantly.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateFeb 2, 2015

Moffitt researchers discover biological markers associated with high-risk pancreatic lesions

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center discovered six microRNAs that can distinguish between high-risk and low-risk pancreatic lesions, offering a promising biomarker for early detection. This finding may lead to the development of a microRNA-based blood test to aid in predicting disease severity and foster new prevention strategies.

Physician guidelines for Googling patients need revisions

A Penn State College of Medicine researcher proposes updating professional medical society guidelines to address when it is ethically justified to Google a patient. The proposed guidelines would help healthcare providers navigate the use of search engines in patient care.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateFeb 2, 2015

State-of-the-science help for hay fever sufferers

Hay fever sufferers can benefit from state-of-the-science treatments like sublingual immunotherapy. The American Academy of Otolaryngology recommends this treatment for patients with specific allergies who don't respond to other treatments, with a completion period of up to five years. Other key recommendations include diagnosing and t...

New mechanism of inheritance could advance study of evolution, disease treatment

Researchers at the University of Maryland have discovered a new mechanism of inheritance in roundworms that could revolutionize our understanding of evolution and disease treatment. The team found that genes can be silenced through a process called RNA interference, and this silencing can persist for multiple generations.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2015