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Science News for June 15, 2015


Environmental activism works, study shows

A Michigan State University study found that environmental activism can mitigate the negative impacts of population growth and economic affluence on greenhouse gas emissions. The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that states with strong green voices tend to have lower emissions.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2015

How an animal's biochemistry may support aggressive behavior

Winning fish in Siamese fighting fish battles can generate more muscle energy than losing fish, highlighting the crucial role of biochemical processes. The study reveals how energy metabolism affects aggression in animals, contradicting the assumption that only conspicuous traits like antlers drive success.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Zoology·DateJun 15, 2015

Elder abuse is common around the world

Elder abuse is a common issue globally, affecting up to 47% of older adults with dementia in North America. The prevalence varies widely across regions, with higher rates found in Asia and lower rates reported in some African countries.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJun 15, 2015

New study finds battlegound state polling worked until 2012 election

A statistical analysis of poll performance in battleground states over the last three presidential elections shows polling firms produced estimates that were fairly accurate in 2004 and 2008, but underestimated support for President Obama in 2012. The authors attribute this to outdated sampling methodology that excluded cellphone-only ...

SourceAmerican Statistical Association·JournalStatistics and Public Policy·DateJun 15, 2015

More dialysis patients living in poor neighborhoods

A recent study published in Hemodialysis International found that the association between poverty and kidney disease changes over time. Adults beginning dialysis are more likely to be living in a poor zip code, with rates increasing from 27.4% in 1995-2004 to 34% in 2005-2010.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalHemodialysis International·DateJun 15, 2015

Bumble bees in the last frontier

A two-year study on bumble bees in Alaskan agricultural areas reveals declining populations of the western bumble bee species Bombus occidentalis, which is infected with Nosema and social parasites. The research provides baseline data for understanding reported patterns of bumble bee declines in North America.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalBiodiversity Data Journal·DateJun 15, 2015

From data to tomato

UCSB, UC Davis, and PowWow Energy receive $2.3 million in funding to deploy a method to measure groundwater use and provide irrigation best practices for California's major crops such as alfalfa, almonds, pistachios, and tomatoes. The project aims to optimize agricultural water and energy efficiency during drought years.

Gene therapy prevents Parkinson's disease in animal model, says Pitt study

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed a gene therapy that reduces production of brain protein α-synuclein, preventing Parkinson's disease progression in an animal study. The therapy targets mitochondria and α-synuclein interaction, showing promising results in protecting dopamine neurons.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 15, 2015

Active clinician support and assistance are critical to successfully quitting smoking

A new study finds that providing direct assistance, such as counseling and nicotine replacement therapy, significantly improves the likelihood of patients quitting smoking. The research team analyzed data from over 1,600 participants who underwent lung cancer screening, finding that active clinician support increased quit rates by 40%.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJun 15, 2015

USF biologists: Biodiversity reduces human, wildlife diseases and crop pests

A University of South Florida study confirms the dilution effect hypothesis, suggesting biodiversity loss poses a public health threat by causing disease outbreaks. The research found broad evidence that species-rich communities suffer less infectious disease, implying maintaining biodiversity could reduce parasite abundance.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2015

Evolution study finds massive genome shift in one generation

A study on the apple maggot pest discovered a massive genome shift in just one generation, with 32,000 genetic changes occurring within a single year. This significant finding highlights the importance of ecological selection at early stages of divergence and calls for further integration of studies on speciation and genome divergence.

SourceRice University·JournalEcology Letters·DateJun 15, 2015

Why did the dinosaur cross the equator...but choose not to live there?

Triassic dinosaurs failed to populate the tropics due to a highly unpredictable hot and dry climate, with extreme wildfires and elevated CO2 levels, making vegetation scarce. This study sheds light on the interplay between climate change and ecosystem evolution at low latitudes, providing new insights into the rise of dinosaurs.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2015

Underground ants can't take the heat

A new study from Drexel University found that underground species of army ants are less tolerant of high temperatures than their aboveground relatives. The research highlights the importance of considering microhabitat in predicting animal responses to climate change.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateJun 15, 2015

Study examines trends in smoking among health students

The study found a significant decline in smoking rates among nursing and physiotherapy students in Spain from 2003 to 2013. Many students remained unaware of the link between smoking and diseases, indicating a deficiency in undergraduate training.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Advanced Nursing·DateJun 15, 2015

Why big dinosaurs steered clear of the tropics

The study reveals that wild climate swings in the tropics made it difficult for large, warm-blooded dinosaur herbivores to survive. The researchers found that wildfires swept the landscape during arid regimes, continually reshaping vegetation available for plant-eating animals.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2015

Big dinosaurs steered clear of the tropics

Scientists have discovered that dinosaurs remained rare near the equator during the late Triassic period due to extreme climate fluctuations and wildfires that fueled hotter fires. The study revealed a pattern of rapid vegetation changes related to climate shifts, which led to droughts and plant die-offs.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2015

Conservation policies could improve human health

A study published in PNAS found that strictly protected areas, like parks and reserves, have lower incidences of malaria, acute respiratory infections, and diarrhea. By preserving biodiversity, these areas can act as a barrier to disease transmission, suggesting a potential double win for public health benefits.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2015

Palm oil price change could save tigers, other species

A new study finds that shoppers' willingness to pay more for sustainably grown palm oil could create profitable incentives for producers to preserve certain wildlife habitats. The study shows that higher prices for 'conservation grade' products can promote biodiversity at the least cost to oil palm companies.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2015

Wayne State research team issued patent for new anesthesia monitoring technology

A Wayne State research team has developed a new anesthesia monitoring technology that uses real-time data analysis to predict patient responses to anesthesia. This system provides individualized and dynamic prediction of anesthesia depth and vital signs, allowing anesthesiologists to make more accurate decisions during surgery.

CU Denver researcher says no evidence children of same sex couples negatively impacted

A new study from CU Denver found a developing consensus among researchers that children of same-sex couples experience no negative impact on social and behavioral outcomes. The study analyzed thousands of peer-reviewed articles and discovered an overwhelming scientific consensus in support of this conclusion.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalSocial Science Research·DateJun 15, 2015

Study provides insights on chronic lung disease

A recent study published in Respirology found that patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have significantly shorter telomere lengths than healthy individuals. The study suggests that mutations in the enzyme responsible for maintaining full-length telomeres may play a key role in the development of IPF.

SourceWiley·JournalRespirology·DateJun 15, 2015

Researchers grind nanotubes to get nanoribbons

Rice University researchers have developed a new method to create valuable graphene nanoribbons by grinding carbon nanotubes, eliminating the need for harsh chemical solutions. This solid-state process enables strong chemical coupling between nanostructures and produces novel forms of nanostructured products with specific properties.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 15, 2015

Squid inspires camouflaging smart materials

Researchers at the University of Bristol have designed a smart materials system inspired by biological chromatophores, mimicking squid skin's camouflage abilities. The artificial skin, made from electroactive dielectric elastomer, can effectively copy biological patterns and even mimic complex dynamic patterning seen in real cephalopods.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalInterface·DateJun 15, 2015

Vitamin D status related to immune response to HIV-1

Researchers found that high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation improved vitamin D status and reduced HIV-1 infection in individuals with winter deficiency. The study also showed that vitamin D's impact on the immune system can attenuate HIV-1 replication.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2015

Pharmacists play key role in improving patient health

A study published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association found that having pharmacists on primary care teams improved the treatment of blood pressure in patients with Type 2 diabetes. The addition of pharmacists led to substantial improvements in patient health, including a significant impact on blood pressure control.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of the American Pharmacists Association·DateJun 15, 2015

New calculations to improve CO2 monitoring from space

A new calculation method developed by a UCL-led team of scientists can accurately predict how much radiation carbon dioxide absorbs, reducing uncertainties in climate change modeling and enabling more accurate predictions about Earth's warming over the next few decades. The improved accuracy will enable missions to achieve their goals.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 15, 2015

Lung transplant survival rates good for Canadians with cystic fibrosis

The five-year survival rate for Canadians with cystic fibrosis who have received a lung transplant is 67 percent, according to new research published in the Journal of Heart Lung Transplantation. Additionally, half of those who have had transplants live beyond 10 years. The study found that factors such as age at transplant and certain...

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalThe Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation·DateJun 15, 2015

Lab mimicry opens a window to the deep interiors of stars and planets

Researchers mimicked the conditions of distant planets and stars using a laboratory technique, revealing how noble gases behave under extreme pressures and temperatures. This discovery sheds light on the atmospheric and internal chemistry of celestial objects, including the mystery of Saturn's internal heat emission.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2015

Injured jellyfish seek to regain symmetry

Researchers discovered a novel self-repair mechanism in moon jellyfish, where injured animals regain symmetry through resymmetrization rather than tissue regeneration. This process relies on mechanical forces and viscoelastic properties of the jellyfish's body material to rebalance the unbalanced forces.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2015

Buckle up for fast ionic conduction

Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a new method to manipulate the buckling profile of ceramic membranes, significantly enhancing their conductivity. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for industries such as energy conversion and electronics.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 15, 2015

Evidence supports therapeutic potential of plant-based terpenoids for skin diseases

A review of clinical studies suggests that plant-based terpenoids have therapeutic potential for treating various skin diseases, including actinic keratosis and hyperpigmentation. The compounds' anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties may help alleviate symptoms of these conditions.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateJun 15, 2015

Scientists find genetic variants key to understanding origins of ovarian cancer

An international genome-wide association study (GWAS) has identified three genetic variants associated with mucinous ovarian carcinomas (MOCs), offering insights into the biology of this disease. The research also highlights the link between MOCs and colorectal cancer, as well as the discovery of a key gene called HOXD9.

A protective shield for sensitive catalysts

A team of researchers has developed a hydrogel that can protect sensitive catalysts from oxygen-caused damage, making it possible to create efficient and affordable hydrogen fuel cells. The hydrogel acts as both solvent and protective environment, allowing the catalysts to remain functional even in high-oxygen concentrations.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 15, 2015