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Science News for June 2, 2015


New study: Gut bacteria cooperate when life gets tough

Researchers discovered how gut bacteria respond to changes in their environment by cooperating with each other, stabilizing the community and adapting to new situations. This cooperative behavior helps the bacterial community survive and function despite fluctuations in oxygen levels and nutrient availability.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJun 2, 2015

Researchers discover two new groups of viruses

Scientists at the University of Bonn discovered two new groups of viruses, Jonchet and Ferak, which are believed to have originated from insect viruses. The researchers found that these viruses are phylogenetically independent and do not multiply above 32 degrees Celsius, making human infection unlikely.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 2, 2015

High-temperature superconductivity in atomically thin films

Researchers at Tohoku University have successfully fabricated an atomically thin, high-temperature superconductor film with a Tc of up to 60 K, exceeding that of bulk FeSe. This finding enables the control and tuning of Tc, opening up new avenues for investigating mechanism and developing next-gen nano-scale superconducting devices.

SourceTohoku University·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 2, 2015

Autism struck by surprise

A new study reveals that social and sensory overstimulation is the primary driver of autistic behaviors, contradicting decades-old views of autism as a mental retardation. The research proposes that autistic brains are hyper-functional, requiring predictable and structured environments to function optimally.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateJun 2, 2015

Why HIV's cloak has a long tail

Virologists discovered that a small section of the envelope protein, located on its 'tail', is required for it to be sorted into viral particles. This finding could help researchers design more effective vaccines and target HIV with antiviral drugs.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 2, 2015

The invisible key to methane hydrates

Researchers discovered that nanobubbles persist in liquid, influencing the formation and dissociation of natural gas hydrates. The findings provide insight into the mechanism of hydrate decomposition and could lead to more efficient and safe extraction of methane hydrates.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJun 2, 2015

Cat got your tongue? New research says 'no'

Domestic cats have a unique perception of bitterness in food due to variations in their repertoire of bitter receptors, which differs from that of other mammals. The study found that cat taste receptors were less sensitive to certain bitter compounds compared to human receptors, explaining why cats can be picky eaters.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Neuroscience·DateJun 2, 2015

QLEDs meet wearable devices

Researchers from IBS and Seoul National University created ultra-thin wearable QLEDs with resolutions approaching 2,500 pixels per inch. The technology enables the display of high-definition full-color displays on human skin.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 2, 2015

Infant brains develop years faster than we thought

Scientists discovered that infant brain development occurs years faster than previously thought, with face perception abilities emerging as early as four months. The study used electroencephalography to track brain activity in response to facial images, revealing a unique right-hemisphere processing of faces.

SourceeLife·DateJun 2, 2015

Amount of time New Yorkers spend sitting around far exceeds healthy levels

A new study by NYU Langone Medical Center and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene found that New Yorkers spend an average of over 7 hours a day sitting, greatly exceeding the recommended healthy levels. College-educated individuals, higher-income residents, and those aged 65 or older spent the most time sedentary.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalPreventing Chronic Disease·DateJun 2, 2015

Hyperbaric hope for fibromyalgia sufferers

A clinical trial involving women diagnosed with fibromyalgia showed significant improvements in symptoms after undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Brain scans revealed changes in brain activity that may be responsible for the syndrome's chronic pain sensation.

SourceRice University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 2, 2015

For a good gut feeling

Researchers found that type II interferon signals cause the release of CXCL10, an attractant for cells promoting inflammation. This study provides a new impetus for treating colitis with antibodies or direct administration of type III interferons.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalMolecular and Cellular Biology·DateJun 2, 2015

Childhood trauma gets under the skin

A new study found that childhood trauma can lead to heightened inflammation across three blood biomarkers in adults. This increased inflammation may contribute to various health problems, including type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The research suggests that different types of trauma have varying effects on inflammation levels.

SourceKing's College London·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJun 2, 2015

Weight-loss surgery puts spark back into relationships

Bariatric surgery not only benefits patients' health but also strengthens their relationships with partners, according to a new study. Couples reported improved intimacy, better conflict resolution, and enhanced sexual relationships after one partner underwent weight loss surgery.

SourceSpringer·JournalObesity Surgery·DateJun 2, 2015

Mass. General team develops transplantable bioengineered forelimb in an animal model

A team of Massachusetts General Hospital investigators has developed a bioartificial replacement limb suitable for transplantation using an experimental approach previously used to build bioartificial organs. The researchers successfully engineered rat forelimbs with functioning vascular and muscle tissue, and provided evidence that th...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalBiomaterials·DateJun 2, 2015

How a box jellyfish catches fish

The Irukandji box jellyfish uses its nematocyst clusters like experienced fishermen use their lures. The tiny but deadly jellyfish actively targets and catches complex fish that are often larger than itself, displaying a surprising complex prey capture strategy.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 2, 2015

No improvement in cognition with post-menopausal hormones

A recent study found that post-menopausal hormone therapy did not improve cognitive function, but may have benefits for certain mood symptoms. The trial included 693 recently postmenopausal women and followed them for four years, with some women experiencing improvements in mood symptoms.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 2, 2015

Schiff receives NIH Pioneer Award

Dr. Steven Schiff aims to reduce infant mortality from neonatal sepsis by identifying infection causes and developing predictive models for optimal antimicrobial treatment. His research seeks to apply engineering control principles to prevent infections, with potential applications worldwide.

Schools failing to address biased student discipline

A Michigan State University scholar argues that school districts are complicit in the oppression of students of color by ignoring the issue of biased student discipline. Researchers faced roadblocks and resistance from district administrators who viewed their efforts as a threat.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalTeachers College Record The Voice of Scholarship in Education·DateJun 2, 2015

Single 30-day hospital readmission metric fails to reflect changing risk factors

A new study suggests that the standard 30-day hospital readmission metric fails to accurately reflect changing risk factors. Researchers found that early readmissions (0-7 days post discharge) were associated with acute illness markers, while late readmissions (8-30 days post discharge) were more closely tied to chronic illness burden.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 2, 2015

Endurance athletes should be tested while exercising for potentially fatal heart condition

Current practice of testing athletes at rest may miss signs of right ventricular dysfunction that can lead to sudden death. A new study shows that exercise echocardiography can detect changes in the right ventricle's functioning during physical activity, providing a potential diagnostic tool for cardiologists managing athletes.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateJun 2, 2015