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Science News Archive January 2015


Page 1 of 28

Orangutans take the logging road

Researchers observe orangutans walking on newly constructed logging roads in East Kalimantan's Wehea Forest, suggesting a potential adaptive strategy for survival. The finding highlights the rapid loss of Borneo's forest habitats and underscores the need to protect remaining forests.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalOryx·DateJan 31, 2015

Moffitt study find loss of certain protein is associated with poor prognosis in breast, lung cancer

Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute found that low levels of tristetraprolin (TTP) protein are associated with more aggressive tumors and poorer prognosis in breast and lung cancer patients. A network of 50 genes linked to TTP is present in various tumor types, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies.

Hot on the trail of the hepatitis-liver cancer connection

Scientists from RIKEN have found that chronic hepatitis infection and inflammation can lead to similar genetic mutations in liver tumors, potentially paving the way for targeted therapies. The study identified changes in mutations associated with aggressive biliary-type liver cancers and discovered new targets for future treatments.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 30, 2015

Researchers develop new instrument to monitor atmospheric mercury

Researchers developed a new sensor to detect ambient mercury levels in the atmosphere, providing a more accurate method for measuring global human exposure. The sequential two-photon laser-induced fluorescence (2P-LIF) instrument detects mercury at parts-per-quadrillion sensitivity, outperforming existing methods.

Evidence mounts for quantum criticality theory

A new study by Rice University and international collaborators adds to the growing evidence for a theory that explains high-temperature superconductivity and heavy fermion physics through quantum fluctuations. The research observed a sharp Fermi surface reconstruction, consistent with theoretical predictions of unconventional quantum c...

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 30, 2015

Pinholes are pitfalls for high performance solar cells

High-performance solar cells with a combination of materials like perovskite and spiro-MeOTAD are plagued by tiny pinholes, allowing water and gases to degrade the material. Researchers at OIST Graduate University believe these minuscule openings could be key to understanding the degradation of perovskite, leading to potential solutions.

Population genomics unveil seahorse domain

Researchers have determined that seahorses are more permanent residents of the western mid-Atlantic Ocean than previously thought. The study used genomic data to infer three genetically divergent subpopulations, strongly supporting Virginia Province inhabitants as a historically persistent ancestral gene pool.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 30, 2015

Complex environments push 'brain' evolution

Neuroscientists studied animats with complex neural networks that evolved to master video games of varying difficulty. The research found that in more complex environments, the animats developed intricate neural connections and increased their ability to integrate information, supporting the theory of Integrated Information Theory (IIT).

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJan 29, 2015

Study on dopamine neurons could instruct research into mobility and neurological disorders

Researchers from the University of Leicester used electrophysiology to capture electrical signals from dopamine neurons in the forebrain, revealing that these cells are active when fish swim. The study suggests that dopamine plays a key role in regulating excitability of spinal networks and may contribute to motor side effects of dopam...

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 29, 2015

Infants create new knowledge while sleeping

Research found that infant brain activity changes during sleep, forming categories and transferring learned names to similar objects. Infants who slept showed better categorization skills than those who stayed awake, suggesting a significant impact of sleep on memory consolidation.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 29, 2015

Mercury levels in Hawaiian yellowfin tuna increasing

A new study led by the University of Michigan found that mercury concentrations in Hawaiian yellowfin tuna increased at a rate of 3.8% per year from 1998 to 2008, likely due to rising atmospheric mercury levels. This increase is consistent with global trends and highlights the need for stricter policies to reduce mercury emissions.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateJan 29, 2015

Invasive species in the Great Lakes by 2063

The Great Lakes are vulnerable to future invasions due to the lack of effective regulations. Scientists predict new waves of invaders and identify key species that could arrive in the next 50 years, posing threats to native biodiversity and the multibillion-dollar fishery.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJournal of Great Lakes Research·DateJan 29, 2015

Growing functioning brain tissue in 3-D

Scientists at RIKEN have successfully induced human embryonic stem cells to self-organize into a three-dimensional structure resembling the cerebellum. The resulting neurons demonstrated proper responses to currents and inhibition, indicating functional development. This breakthrough could lead to modeling of cerebellar diseases like s...

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 29, 2015