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Science News for June 18, 2015


Diet that mimics fasting appears to slow aging

A new study by USC's Valter Longo suggests that a periodic diet mimicking fasting can cut visceral belly fat, boost neural regeneration and improve learning and memory in old mice. In humans, the pilot study found evidence of reduced risk factors for aging, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer with no major adverse side effects.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJun 18, 2015

Better switchgrass, better biofuel

Researchers are using alternative breeding methods to increase switchgrass's biomass yield, ethanol production, and reduce lignin content. The study utilizes the Smith-Hazel Selection Index to select for multiple traits simultaneously, aiming to speed up the breeding process and achieve more ideal switchgrass by 2025.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateJun 18, 2015

Study suggests active volcanism on Venus

Scientists have discovered transient spikes in temperature at several spots on Venus' surface, indicating active flows of lava. The hotspots are clustered in a large rift zone called Ganiki Chasma, suggesting ongoing volcanic activity.

SourceBrown University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJun 18, 2015

Unknown midge mystery solved

Researchers uncover hidden diversity in minute midges through DNA analysis and type material examination. Two new species were discovered and one misidentified species was corrected, shedding light on the fascinating world of non-biting midges.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateJun 18, 2015

Scientists film shock waves in diamond

Researchers have used ultra-short pulses of X-rays to create a film of shock waves in diamonds, providing new insights into the structure of these hard materials. The study reveals that intense shock waves can compress diamond by almost ten percent, opening up new perspectives on its dynamic behavior under high pressure.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 18, 2015

How do toddlers use tablets?

A team of University of Iowa researchers analyzed over 200 YouTube videos to understand toddler tablet use. They found that by age two, most children can moderate their ability to use a tablet, while younger toddlers require more guidance.

Tiago Falk receives award from Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society

Professor Tiago H. Falk has received the Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society Early Career Achievement Award for his innovative research projects in biomedical engineering and multimedia communications. His work includes assistive devices for people with disabilities and low-cost methods for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.

Increased anxiety associated with sitting down

A systematic review found that sedentary behavior is associated with an increased risk of anxiety in adults and children. The link may be due to disturbances in sleep patterns, social withdrawal theory, and poor metabolic health. Further research is needed to confirm the causal relationship between sedentary behavior and anxiety.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateJun 18, 2015

Climate change won't reduce winter deaths

A study published in Environmental Research Letters suggests that climate change will not significantly reduce winter deaths. The research found that cities with warmer winters have similar amounts of winter deaths as those with colder winters, likely due to the prevalence of flu and respiratory diseases rather than cold-related causes.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJun 18, 2015

The simplistic beauty of a free radical

Korean scientists have successfully created a new class of radical compounds by reacting nitric oxide with N-heterocyclic carbenes. The resulting nitric oxide compounds show potential for targeted NO delivery, which could lead to new therapeutic applications in various human diseases.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 18, 2015

Detroit researchers help identify gene mutation that can trigger lymphoblastic leukemia

A decade-long investigation by Wayne State University and Children's Hospital of Michigan researchers identified a key gene mutation that can trigger acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The mutation affects ETV6, a gene that regulates growth rates in bone marrow, leading to an increased risk of blood cancer.

New sleep genes found

Scientists at Thomas Jefferson University have identified two new genes, taranis and Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1), as crucial for regulating normal sleep patterns in flies. The researchers found that these genes interact with other proteins to create a molecular machine that suppresses wakefulness and promotes sleep.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 18, 2015

Not like riding a bike: New motor memories need stabilizing

A recent study published in PLOS Computational Biology suggests that new motor skills memories formed during a single practice session are intrinsically unstable, contrary to previous theories. This finding has implications for our understanding of how motor skills memories are stabilized over time.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 18, 2015

Changing faces: We can look more trustworthy, but not more competent, NYU research finds

Researchers at New York University found that facial cues conveying trustworthiness are malleable, while those conveying competence and ability are less so. They conducted four experiments to test this theory, finding that subjects perceived happier faces as more trustworthy and angrier faces as more untrustworthy.

SourceNew York University·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJun 18, 2015

Cataract culprits

University of Delaware researchers have identified two genes linked to cataract formation. Deficiency in these genes leads to lens clouding and cataract development without aging or radiation exposure required. The study could contribute to interventions that delay or prevent cataract formation.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalHuman Genetics·DateJun 18, 2015

UPitt researchers find link between neighborhood quality and cellular aging

A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found a significant link between living in neighborhoods with high crime and vandalism and biological aging processes. Telomere length, a key indicator of cellular health, was found to be shorter in individuals from disadvantaged areas, similar to a 12-year chronological age difference.

What can 3-year-olds teach us about justice? Plenty

Researchers found that young children prefer to return lost items to their rightful owners and prevent a third party from taking what doesn't belong to them. This suggests that a concern for others is a core component of a sense of justice, likely central to human cooperation.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 18, 2015

Lefties are all right with kangaroos

Wild kangaroos show a consistent preference for using their left hands for actions like grooming and picking leaves. The finding expands our understanding of handedness in animals and may offer insights into neuropsychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and autism.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 18, 2015

A better way to build bones

Researchers at NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering and NYU School of Medicine are exploring a new method to amplify the body's signaling system for recruiting bone-forming stem cells to injured areas. They plan to focus on a single recruitment factor, CXCL12, which they hypothesize plays key roles in promoting osteogenesis.

Sequencing Ebola's secrets

A global team has sequenced over 200 Ebola virus genomes to capture the fullest picture yet of how the virus is transmitted and changes over time. The study reveals that cross-border transmission played a smaller role in the outbreak than previously thought, and that the virus has begun to weed out mutations that do not benefit it.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCell·DateJun 18, 2015

Safeguarding against chlamydia

A new vaccine has been developed that generates double protection against chlamydia by teaching the immune system to recognize and remember the bacteria as a threat. The vaccine uses charge-switching synthetic adjuvant nanoparticles to bind to the bacteria, targeting mucosal surfaces and inducing an immune response.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·DateJun 18, 2015

Jet contrails affect surface temperatures

Researchers found that jet contrails depress daytime-highs and nighttime-lows, mimicking the effect of ordinary clouds, with a 5-6 degree Fahrenheit reduction in daily temperature range in regions like the South and Midwest.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Climatology·DateJun 18, 2015

Best practices highlighted to prevent infections during healthcare laundry process

A new review published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology highlights best practices to prevent infections during healthcare laundry, including adherence to Standard Precautions and proper storage of laundered textiles. The study found that current industrial laundry processes are sufficient to interrupt patient-to-patient tra...

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateJun 18, 2015