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Science News for July 9, 2015


Graphene gets competition

Researchers have developed black arsenic phosphorus as an alternative to graphene for electronic devices. The new material exhibits an extremely small band gap and can be precisely controlled by adjusting the arsenic concentration, making it suitable for sensors and other applications.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 9, 2015

Tunneling out of the surface

A research team has discovered a new chemical reaction pathway on titanium dioxide that allows hydrogen atoms to tunnel away from the surface. This breakthrough could lead to efficient hydrogen storage technology, addressing the challenge of storing and transporting hydrogen for renewable energy applications.

SourceTohoku University·JournalACS Nano·DateJul 9, 2015

Cells help viruses during cell entry

Researchers found that adenoviruses use ceramide lipids to trigger an infection by creating small pores in the cell membrane. The virus then multiplies in the nucleus and infects other cells. This discovery could lead to new anti-viral agents for gene therapy and vaccination.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJul 9, 2015

Tropical peatland carbon losses from oil palm plantations may be underestimated

A new study by the University of Minnesota and Union of Concerned Scientists found that tropical peatland carbon losses from oil palm plantations may be significantly higher than previously estimated, with actual rates nearly twice as high as official estimates. This suggests improved strategies for measuring greenhouse gas emissions i...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJul 9, 2015

Cultural and economic factors affect European antidepressant use

A new study by researchers from King's College London found that antidepressants were prescribed more often and used more regularly in countries with higher levels of healthcare spending. Attitudes towards mental illness, such as viewing people with a mental illness as 'dangerous', were also associated with higher use of antidepressants.

SourceKing's College London·JournalThe British Journal of Psychiatry·DateJul 9, 2015

Towards an HIV vaccine

Researchers characterize immune proteins that recognize and eliminate virus, providing insight into developing a potent Nab response against different HIV subtypes. Studies examine the efficacy of Nabs in blocking direct cell-to-cell transmission of HIV, highlighting the importance of controlling virus replication via this pathway.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJul 9, 2015

Blood pressure levels and prevalence among US children and adolescents declined in past decade

A recent study published in the American Journal of Hypertension revealed a decline in blood pressure levels among US children and adolescents over the past decade. The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999-2012, finding that mean blood pressure levels, as well as the prevalence of elev...

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalAmerican Journal of Hypertension·DateJul 9, 2015

A precocious black hole

A team of researchers discovered a massive black hole with nearly 7 billion solar masses in an otherwise normal, distant galaxy called CID-947. The finding contradicts previous theories on the co-evolution of galaxies and their central black holes.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2015

Why not build houses the environmentally friendly way?

A comprehensive review of studies on green buildings found that occupants experience better indoor air quality, reduced exposure to allergens and pollutants, and improved physical and mental health. Green buildings also improve productivity, reduce absenteeism, and enhance patient care in hospitals.

SourceSpringer·JournalCurrent Environmental Health Reports·DateJul 9, 2015

Where does water go when it doesn't flow?

A new study by University of Utah researchers shows that two-thirds of the remaining water after rainfall is released by plants, while more than a quarter lands on leaves and evaporates. The study also found that only 38% of water entering groundwater interacts with soil before reaching streams and groundwater.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2015

Managing mining of the deep seabed

The International Seabed Authority is poised to set the groundwork for future deep-sea environmental protection and mining regulations. Researchers recommend establishing networks of Marine Protected Areas to balance economic interests with conservation benefits, potentially benefiting both mining and biodiversity interests.

SourceCenter for Ocean Solutions·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2015

Modeling a nervous pathway involved in touch-induced behavior

Researchers Ache and Dürr develop a computational model of a descending mechanosensory pathway involved in active tactile sensing, capturing key properties of diverse neurons. The model is validated against real neuron coding properties and provides a common framework for modeling diverse neuron types.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJul 9, 2015

Where iron and water mix

A new study reveals that chemical-laden plumes from hydrothermal vents can be traced across the Pacific for over 4,000 kilometers and impact global ocean chemistry. The iron transported by these plumes has the potential to serve as a key life-sustaining micro-nutrient in the surface oceans of Antarctica.