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Science News for March 23, 2015


Quantum cause and effect

Researchers at Perimeter Institute and IQC have discovered a new class of quantum advantages that allow for cause-effect correlation determination without intervention. This breakthrough has significance for both quantum information and quantum foundations, underpinning the promise of quantum technologies.

How our DNA may prevent bowel cancer

Researchers from the University of Melbourne found that genetic variation affects the protective effect of aspirin on bowel cancer risk. The study analyzed data from 8,624 participants and found that about 1 in 25 people do not benefit from taking aspirin, potentially increasing their risk.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalJAMA·DateMar 23, 2015

'Most attractive' male birds don't have the best genes

A study by University College London researchers discovered that male birds with physical ornaments tend to have genomes with mildly negative mutations. This leads to reduced fitness in their descendants. The study focused on the Galloanserae bird group, analyzing genetic material from various species.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2015

From blue pill to blue light

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a novel biotechnological solution to treat erectile dysfunction by triggering reliable erections with gene therapy and blue light exposure. The system works similarly across all mammals, including humans, and is expected to have few side effects.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 23, 2015

Good news for serial cereal eaters

A diet high in whole grains and cereal fibers is associated with a reduced risk of premature death. Researchers found that consuming an average of 1.2 ounces of whole grains per 1000 kcal per day was linked to a 17% reduced risk of premature death compared to those consuming less.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateMar 23, 2015

Better debugger

Researchers at MIT's CSAIL have developed a new algorithm, DIODE, to detect integer-overflow bugs in programs. The system works by feeding a single sample input and recording each operation performed on it, allowing it to identify potential security vulnerabilities.

The Lancet: WHO's new End TB Strategy

The World Health Organization's End TB Strategy aims to eliminate tuberculosis through optimized implementation of current tools, universal health coverage, and adequate research investment. By implementing these approaches, the authors assert that ending the tuberculosis epidemic is achievable within two decades.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateMar 23, 2015

Danish researchers' breakthrough identification of important protein

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have developed a secure way to measure the protein apo-M, which may hold clues to diseases such as multiple sclerosis, arteriosclerosis, and diabetes. The new method uses commercially available antibodies to unfold the protein's complex structure, making it easier to identify.

UEA mathematicians solve 60-year-old problem

Researchers from UEA and international partners utilized wave turbulence theory to tackle the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam problem, a 60-year-old numerical experiment. They successfully predicted long thermalization timescales and corroborated their findings with extensive simulations.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2015

Number of births may affect mom's future heart health, UT Southwestern cardiologists find

A new study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that women who have given birth to four or more children are more likely to experience cardiovascular changes that can indicate heart disease. Researchers compared data from the Dallas Heart Study and found a U-shaped association between the number of births and heart disease risk.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateMar 23, 2015

News from Annals of Internal Medicine March 24, 2015

The US Preventive Services Task Force finds that routine screening for thyroid dysfunction in nonpregnant, asymptomatic adults lacks sufficient evidence. In contrast, the American Diabetes Association recommends individualized treatment plans for patients with diabetes, taking into account factors like age, comorbid conditions, and car...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 23, 2015

Quantum correlation can imply causation

Research from the University of Waterloo and Perimeter Institute demonstrates that quantum mechanics can distinguish between cause-effect relations and common causes, unlike classical physics. This breakthrough enables a new approach to causal inference, potentially solving long-standing problems in science.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 23, 2015

Flower-enriched farms boost bee populations

A two-year study found that flower strips on farms in the UK increased common bumblebee populations by significantly boosting their numbers and nesting density. The research suggests that targeted agri-environment schemes can boost bee populations, particularly for common species, but may not benefit rarer species as much.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateMar 23, 2015

A mathematical explanation for the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam system problem first proposed in 1953

A team of researchers, led by Yuri Lvov, has discovered that the key to thermalization in the FPU system lies in a gradual transfer of energy during coincidences of six modes. This nonreversible process leads to the irreversible transfer of energy and the eventual approach to thermal equilibrium.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2015

Insulin resistance linked to a human gene variant

A new study identifies N-acetyltransferase 2 as a key gene variant linked to insulin resistance, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Inhibition of NAT2 in a mouse model decreased insulin sensitivity, highlighting its role in complex diseases.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 23, 2015

Mutations taking place only in the brain identified as the cause of intractable epilepsy

Researchers at KAIST identify brain somatic mutations in the MTOR gene as the cause of intractable epilepsy. These mutations are specific to the brain and can lead to permanent disabilities and death. A targeted therapy using rapamycin may offer a solution, suppressing mTOR kinase activation to lessen epileptic seizures.

Archeologists discover Maya 'melting pot'

Archeologists discover that mobile and sedentary Maya groups co-existed and collaborated on construction projects, participating in public ceremonies. This finding challenges the idea that sedentary and mobile communities were separate.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2015

Colliding stars explain enigmatic 17th century explosion

A team of astronomers using APEX and other telescopes revealed that the star that appeared in the sky in 1670 was a rare stellar collision, not a nova. The team discovered a cool gas rich in molecules with an unusual chemical composition, which was too great to be explained by a nova explosion.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateMar 23, 2015

A stiff new layer in Earth's mantle

A new study by University of Utah researchers reveals the existence of an unknown layer inside Earth's lower mantle, where rock gets three times stiffer. This stiffness increase may explain why slabs of sinking tectonic plates stall and thicken at a depth of 930 miles underground.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMar 23, 2015

Combining the old and new to kill cancer cells

A team of Singapore-based scientists identified a new signalling pathway regulating cancer internal diet. The therapy combines an old anti-malarial drug with CK1α inhibition, effectively treating colon and bladder cancers. Researchers hope to develop more potent inhibitors for this treatment.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 23, 2015

Discovery could yield more efficient portable electronics, solar cells

A team of chemists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has developed a method to precisely order molecules in organic glasses, leading to more efficient and durable portable electronic devices and potentially new generations of solar cells. This breakthrough could result in displays that produce more light using less energy.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2015

Genome-wide screen of learning in zebrafish identifies enzyme important in neural circuit

A genome-wide screen of zebrafish identified an enzyme, pregnancy-associated plasma protein-aa (pappaa), that promotes learning and memory by increasing IGF availability to neurons. The study's findings have implications for understanding human neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, autism, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

New insights into survival outcomes of Asian-Americans diagnosed with cancer

A new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that Asian-Americans diagnosed with cancer have significantly lower cancer-specific mortality rates compared to non-Hispanic white patients. The study analyzed data from over 2.5 million patients and broke down the population into eight subgroups, revealing variations in survival rate...

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 23, 2015