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Science News for March 19, 2015


Educated women choosing to be mothers without marrying their spouses

A study led by Benoît Laplante finds that consensual unions have become increasingly popular among higher-income groups in Latin America. University-educated women are no longer limited to having children out of wedlock, as fertility rates correlate with living in a conjugal relationship rather than its legal nature.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalPopulation and Development Review·DateMar 19, 2015

Healthy grain fiber helps barley resist pests

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered that resistant barley varieties accumulate beta-glucan in their cell walls, which may influence nutrient flow and natural defense strategies against cereal cyst nematode. This finding could lead to new targets for resistance strategies in barley and other cereal crops.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNew Phytologist·DateMar 19, 2015

The taming of the shrew

Researchers from University of Cologne measured vibrational transitions in CH5+ ions with high accuracy, revealing the molecule's structure. The findings confirm a simple model of five hydrogen nuclei moving freely around the carbon nucleus.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalScience·DateMar 19, 2015

Milky Way's center unveils supernova 'dust factory'

Researchers made direct observations of cosmic dust resulting from an ancient supernova at the Milky Way's center, supporting the theory that supernovae produce dust in galaxies of the early universe. The study provides new insights into the origins of dust, a crucial component in star and planet formation.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateMar 19, 2015

Hidden benefits of electric vehicles revealed

Researchers at Michigan State University reveal two hidden benefits of electric vehicles: reduced heat emission and potential cooling effect on city dwellers. The study finds that replacing gas-powered vehicles with electric ones could reduce urban heat intensity by nearly 1 degree Celsius, saving energy and carbon emissions.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 19, 2015

You can't play checkers with charge ordering

Researchers at CIFAR discover that charge ordering creates a stripy pattern, not a checkerboard, and competes with superconductivity along one direction. This discovery sheds light on the role of charge ordering in propelling electrons into tight pairs, allowing for free movement.

SourceCIFAR·JournalScience·DateMar 19, 2015

New technologies for getting the most out of semen

Researchers are developing microfluidic solutions for easy-to-use, disposable, inexpensive, and high-throughput sperm selection. These methods offer promising results for single-sperm genomics, in-home male fertility testing, and wildlife conservation efforts.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·DateMar 19, 2015

Some mushrooms glow, and here's why

Researchers discovered that bioluminescent fungi produce light to attract insects that disperse their spores. The circadian control of bioluminescence makes the process more efficient and helps the mushrooms save energy. Studying these organisms is crucial for understanding forest ecosystems and the carbon cycle.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 19, 2015

Rutgers University chemistry research holds great promise for advancing sustainable energy

Rutgers University chemists have developed a patent-pending HER catalyst Ni5P4 that has the potential to replace platinum in electrolyzers and fuel cells, lowering material costs while maintaining efficiency. The researchers aim to test the compound's operating stability and efficiency over extended time periods in commercial devices.

SourceYankee Public Relations·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateMar 19, 2015

Life-saving treatments learned from war being missed

Institutions like King's College London are reviewing military medical advancements to improve civilian healthcare, focusing on low-resource regions where life-saving treatments can be adapted and implemented. The review calls for research and policy changes to transfer these innovations.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateMar 19, 2015

Thinking of drinking and driving? What if your car won't let you?

Researchers estimate that installing alcohol ignition interlock devices in all new cars could prevent up to 85% of crash deaths attributable to alcohol-involved motor vehicle crashes. This would save over 59,000 lives and prevent 1.25 million non-fatal injuries. The estimated cost savings would be $343 billion over 15 years.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateMar 19, 2015

Better season-long nutrient supply in soybean a 'low-hanging fruit' to improve upon

A recent study by the University of Illinois has identified specific nutritional needs for soybeans to improve yield and seasonal nutrient supply. The researchers found that nutrients such as phosphate, potassium, nitrogen, sulfur, and copper are critical for high-yielding success.

Kidney cancer detected early with urine test

Researchers developed a non-invasive method to screen for kidney cancer by measuring protein biomarkers in urine, achieving over 95% accuracy. The findings suggest the potential for an easy-to-use screening test, similar to mammograms or colonoscopies, to identify patients with kidney cancer at early stages.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateMar 19, 2015

New strategy to protect healthy gut microbes from antibiotics

A study published in Cell Reports reveals a potential strategy for promoting the right balance of gut microbes in antibiotic-treated mice by manipulating the autoinducer-2 (AI-2) chemical signal. The researchers found that high levels of AI-2 increased the expansion of Firmicutes phylum, leading to a healthy state of the gut microbiota.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 19, 2015

Spreading the seeds of big data

MSU researchers are using big data analytics to help farmers adapt to climate variability, reducing nitrous oxide emissions and algal blooms. The project aims to integrate crop models with satellite imagery and UAVs to promote water-, nutrient- and climate-smart technologies.

Spot treatment

Acne sufferers may benefit from a new therapy that reduces breakout frequency and intensity using ultrasound, gold-covered particles, and lasers. The treatment works by deactivating sebaceous glands, reducing sebum production and preventing bacterial growth.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·DateMar 19, 2015

Atlas of thoughts

A research group at Aarhus University developed a computer game called Quantum Moves, played 400,000 times by ordinary people, providing unique insight into the human brain's ability to solve problems. The results show females outperform males in solving problems, highlighting an unexploited capacity for ingenuity in the human brain.

SourceAarhus University·JournalHuman Computation·DateMar 19, 2015

Sharper nanoscopy

Researchers have developed a new approach to sharpen nanoscale microscopy by precisely determining the light source's location, overcoming diffraction limit challenges. This innovation enables super-resolution imaging with accuracy, correcting for image-dipole distortions and improving spatial resolution.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 19, 2015

The cost of dominance

A series of University of Utah studies found that hostile-dominant personality styles are associated with increased vulnerability to cardiovascular disease, including higher blood pressure and severe atherosclerosis. In contrast, warm-dominant styles are linked to lower blood pressure and more support in marriages.

NIH-funded researchers find off-patent antibiotics effectively combat MRSA skin infections

Researchers have found that clindamycin and TMP-SMX are equally effective in treating uncomplicated skin infections caused by community-associated MRSA. The study's findings suggest that these off-patent antibiotics can be used successfully to combat MRSA skin infections acquired outside of hospitals.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 19, 2015

The dissemination of staph infections in hospitals

Research by Thomas Obadia and colleagues found that frequent contact between patients and healthcare workers increased the risk of Staphylococcus aureus transmission. The study analyzed 85,025 daily interactions over four months and validated the use of wireless sensors for infection control.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMar 19, 2015

Superconductivity breakthroughs

Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the microscopic electronic structure of cuprate superconductors, a key step towards achieving room-temperature superconductivity. The study reveals a stripe-like pattern in the static electron configuration, which differs from previous theoretical models.

SourceCanadian Light Source, Inc.·JournalScience·DateMar 19, 2015