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Science News for June 16, 2015


What's on the surface of a black hole?

Physicist Samir Mathur proposes that the surface of a black hole is not a fiery firewall but rather a benign copy machine creating an imperfect hologram. This idea counters the prevailing firewall theory and has significant implications for our understanding of the universe as a hologram.

Renewable energy from evaporating water

Researchers create two novel devices that harness the power of evaporation to generate electricity and propel self-sustaining devices. The floating piston-driven engine generates enough electricity to cause a light to flash, while the rotary engine drives a miniature car.

SourceColumbia University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 16, 2015

Businesses don't always get what they want, but try to get what they need

A study of federal policy decisions between 1998 and 2002 found that businesses have a roughly equal chance of success as citizen groups when opposing them. However, businesses may excel in certain types of legislative battles, such as technical projects, where they draw little opposition. The researchers also found that businesses hav...

SourcePenn State·JournalInterest Groups & Advocacy·DateJun 16, 2015

Study reveals surprising truths about caregivers

The study found that almost one-third of the U.S. population are informal caregivers, with women providing more unpaid care hours than men. Elderly people were frequently cared for by spouses, not adult children. The researchers also estimated the value of unpaid care nationwide at $691 billion in 2012.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPopulation and Development Review·DateJun 16, 2015

Key to quick battery charging time

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered the structure and transport properties of the intermediate state in lithium-ion batteries. This finding may help accelerate battery reaction speed and significantly shorten battery charging time.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 16, 2015

Vagrant bachelors could save rare bird

A study by Zoological Society of London reveals that bachelor males in small, threatened populations can maintain genetic diversity and reduce inbreeding. These 'floaters' have a significant impact on population size and sex ratio, helping to increase breeding birds and influence the survival of the species.

SourceZoological Society of London·JournalEvolutionary Applications·DateJun 16, 2015

Journal article details 'multiplicity of barriers' to clinical acceptance of medical laser innovations

Medical laser technologies hold promise for various applications, including iron deficiency screening, breast cancer treatment, glioblastoma multiforme surgery, nasal airway obstruction relief, and varicose vein treatment. However, their translation into clinical practice is hindered by multiple barriers that need to be overcome.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateJun 16, 2015

Prescription drug benefit doesn't save money for Medicare

Researchers from Northeastern University conclude that Medicare Part D did not save the program any money overall. Despite increased access to prescription drugs, there was no significant decrease in emergency room visits, hospital stays, or healthcare spending. The study's findings challenge the Congressional Budget Office's methodolo...

SourceNortheastern University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 16, 2015

Parents' comparisons make siblings different

A new study from Brigham Young University found that parents' beliefs about their children can influence sibling differences, particularly in academic achievement. The study discovered a significant difference in GPA among participants whose parents believed one child was smarter than the other.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJournal of Family Psychology·DateJun 16, 2015

Hematite 're-growth' smoothes rough edges for clean energy harvest

A team of researchers from Boston College and China's University of Science and Technology has developed a new method to harness the power of solar water splitting using hematite and silicon as absorbers. The 're-growth' technique improved the material's surface, doubling electrical yield and achieving a record low turn-on voltage.

SourceBoston College·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 16, 2015

Diamonds are for temperature

Scientists have created tiny diamond-based probes that can measure temperature with high accuracy, from near-cryogenic cold to slightly above the melting point of aluminum. The probes use luminescent signals from green glowing diamond defects and can detect fast thermal variations.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 16, 2015

When a sudden boost in status at work isn't all good

Researchers found that American employees who experienced a sudden boost in status due to a language mandate felt mixed emotions, including happiness and fear. They knew their status was not tied to their performance or achievement, leading to feelings of instability and lack of control. This study highlights the complex nature of stat...

SourceOhio State University·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateJun 16, 2015

For those over 50, finding a job can get old

A study by Georgia Institute of Technology and University of Minnesota found that older adults receive fewer job offers, search for weeks longer, and are less likely to find re-employment after losing a job. The researchers identified factors such as age-related differences in knowledge, skills, and abilities, social networks, marketpl...

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalPsychological Bulletin·DateJun 16, 2015

Einstein saves the quantum cat

Researchers have discovered that time dilation caused by gravity can explain the suppression of quantum behavior in larger objects, such as molecules and dust particles. This effect destroys quantum superposition and forces these objects to behave classically.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 16, 2015

Communicating with hypersonic vehicles in flight

A new approach has been proposed to communicate with spacecraft as they re-enter the atmosphere, utilizing a matched layer in the antenna to replicate special conditions that enhance signal transmission. This method could also be applied to other hypersonic vehicles, such as military planes and ballistic missiles.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJun 16, 2015

Next-generation sampling: Pairing genomics with large-scale herbarium sampling

A study highlights the importance of coupling natural history collections with next-generation sequencing to obtain large molecular data sets for species-rich groups. Large genomic data sets are becoming increasingly obtainable, but the bottleneck shifts to the number of species and individuals that can be included in the study.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalApplications in Plant Sciences·DateJun 16, 2015

Extreme exercise linked to blood poisoning

Researchers at Monash University found that extreme endurance events can lead to sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Fitter individuals with a steady training program can adapt and counteract this effect without side effects.

SourceMonash University·JournalInternational Journal of Sports Medicine·DateJun 16, 2015

Eye's motion detection sensors identified

A team of researchers has identified a specific neural circuit in the eye's retina that enables motion detection. This discovery could lead to the development of artificial retinas for people with vision loss. The study focused on mice, but similar cells are also found in other species, including humans.

Designer electronics out of the printer

Researchers at TUM have successfully improved the electrical properties of printed films by optimizing the printing process, resulting in custom organic electronics. The team used X-ray radiation to study the curing process and achieved high time resolution, leading to significant improvements in stability and conductivity.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 16, 2015

Flies released to attack hemlock-killing pest

A team of scientists has released two species of silver flies from the Pacific Northwest to attack the hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect killing millions of hemlock trees on the East Coast. Early results suggest the flies have successfully reproduced and preyed on the pest in Tennessee and New York.

Device allows evaluation of the efficacy, toxicity of drugs metabolized through the liver

Researchers developed a microfabricated device to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of drugs metabolized through the liver, simplifying the process and overcoming limitations of existing systems. The device enables separate culture of primary liver cells and cancer cells, allowing for analysis of metabolic conversion and toxic effects.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalTECHNOLOGY·DateJun 16, 2015

Dancing with the cells

Researchers discovered that cells in early embryos 'dance' as they compact, a process controlled by cell contraction. The study used new methods to measure forces and tensions within the embryo, revealing that adhesion acts as an anchor rather than an engine of compaction.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJun 16, 2015

Families of orofacial clefting not at higher risk for dental anomalies

A study of children with nonsyndromic orofacial clefts and their relatives found that affected families do not have a significantly higher genetic risk for dental anomalies. Instead, the prevalence of dental anomalies is primarily due to physical consequences of the cleft and surgical interventions.

Surprisingly few 'busy bees' make global crops grow

A major international study reveals that only two percent of wild bee species are responsible for pollinating 80 percent of global crops. This finding underscores the importance of preserving biodiversity, particularly among common wild bee species such as the common eastern bumblebee and red-tailed bumblebee.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 16, 2015

Redrawing the brain's motor map

Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have updated Penfield's motor homunculus by showing the neck's motor control region in the brain is between the shoulders and trunk. This finding may help guide future studies and medical interventions for cervical dystonia and other disorders involving abnormal head movements.

Dengue mosquitoes hitch rides on Amazon river boats

A study by Emory University researchers found that large barges in the Amazon River are heavily infested with disease-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These mosquitoes can transmit dengue fever and other diseases, highlighting the need for mosquito control programs on aquatic transportation.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJun 16, 2015

Keeping a lid on inflammation

Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) play a critical role in shaping the immune response and maintaining self-tolerance. A recent study by LJI researchers identified a molecular pathway that maintains Treg cell stability and suppressive function, crucial for immune system balance. The discovery suggests that Treg cells may not be stable und...

Attention to angry faces can predict future depression

A new study published in Clinical Psychological Science found that women with a past history of depression who pay more attention to angry faces are at greatest risk for developing depression again over the next two years. Researchers used eye-tracking to analyze the attention of 160 women, including those with and without depression, ...

SourceBinghamton University·JournalClinical Psychological Science·DateJun 16, 2015

New review highlights principles of nutrition management of inherited metabolic disorders

A new review in Nutrition in Clinical Practice outlines main principles of chronic nutrition management of inherited metabolic disorders, highlighting failure to follow specific dietary treatment can lead to complications and death. Registered dietitians play a crucial role in the multi-disciplinary team delivering care to these patients.

Can personal devices interfere with hospital care?

A Concordia University study found that designated minimum separation distances (MSDs) can effectively reduce the risk of electromagnetic interference caused by wireless transmitters in hospitals. By complying with MSD policies, hospital staff can minimize the risk of device malfunctions and ensure patient safety.

SourceConcordia University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility·DateJun 16, 2015

Hyperlipidemia, caused by a high-fat diet, aggressively accelerates organ rejection

Research from Tufts University reveals that hyperlipidemia, high cholesterol and high triglycerides, accelerates heart-transplant rejection in mice. The studies, published online in the American Journal of Transplantation, found that mice fed a high-fat diet rejected their transplants faster than those on a lower-fat diet.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateJun 16, 2015

Night driving restriction reduces young driver crashes

Research from Monash University and Harvard Medical School reveals that restricting teenagers from driving unsupervised at night can significantly reduce car crashes. The study found a 19% decrease in crash rates for drivers aged 16-17, as well as substantial reductions in nighttime crashes and fatal injuries.

SourceMonash University·JournalHealth Affairs·DateJun 16, 2015