Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for March 5, 2015


Irregular sleeping pattern may affect how teens eat

New research suggests that day-to-day variations in sleep duration, rather than overall sleep duration, can impact food intake in teenagers. The study found that teens who slept more or less on any given night consumed an average of 201 more calories per day, with higher rates of nighttime snacking and increased carbohydrate consumption.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateMar 5, 2015

Antibodies to brain proteins may trigger psychosis

A new study has identified antibodies targeting dopamine D2 receptors and NMDA glutamate receptors in children experiencing their first episode of psychosis. This finding suggests that autoimmunity may play a role in the development of psychosis, offering hope for new treatment approaches.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMar 5, 2015

Protecting crops from radiation-contaminated soil

Researchers have identified a chemical compound that prevents plants from taking up cesium, reducing the harmful effects of radiation-contaminated soil. The compound, CsTolen A, selectively binds to cesium, preventing its entry into plant cells and promoting physiological processes.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 5, 2015

Study: Little evidence that executive function interventions boost student achievement

A federally funded meta-analysis of 25 years' worth of research found no conclusive evidence that developing students' executive function skills leads to better academic performance. The study analyzed 67 studies and controlled for various characteristics, including parental education and socioeconomic status.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalReview of Educational Research·DateMar 5, 2015

Astronomers see star explode 4 times

Astronomers have observed a distant star exploding four times due to a massive galaxy cluster, providing a rare opportunity to test Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. The discovery also offers clues about the strength of gravity, dark matter, and dark energy in the universe.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalScience·DateMar 5, 2015

Video reveals acrobatic feats of praying mantises

Researchers observed young praying mantises jumping to a target with precision and accuracy, rotating their bodies at 2.5 times per second. The insects' unique ability to maintain stability and control during flight has implications for the development of tiny robots.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 5, 2015

Reliance on smartphones linked to lazy thinking

Research suggests that smartphone users who rely on gut feelings tend to use their device's search engine rather than their own brainpower. Highly analytical thinkers spend less time using smartphones, indicating a possible link between heavy smartphone use and lowered intelligence.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateMar 5, 2015

The price of protection

A new study by University of Pittsburgh sociologists reveals that women who petition for restraining orders against abusers typically experience decreased earnings due to financial instability and hardship. The researchers found that the period of petitioning is accompanied by serious losses, which are not recouped later.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateMar 5, 2015

Understanding how the stomach responds to injury could help target therapy against gastric damage

Researchers have found that IL-33 is a critical messenger triggering changes in the stomach's inflammatory response to H. pylori infection, potentially leading to new therapies targeting gastric damage. Elevated IL-33 levels may be associated with chronic infection and metaplasia.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateMar 5, 2015

Mars: The planet that lost an ocean's worth of water

Scientists have estimated that Mars once had a massive ocean covering 19% of its surface, which would have made the planet habitable for longer. The new research uses detailed observations of water in Mars' atmosphere to determine the amount of water lost over time.

SourceESO·JournalScience·DateMar 5, 2015

From chick to bedside: Removing the Wnt barrier

By disabling the Wnt signaling pathway, researchers may be able to repair damaged white matter in the brain, a potential breakthrough in treating cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis. The study's findings suggest that targeting the Daam2/PIP5K interaction could accelerate oligodendrocyte differentiation and promote myelination.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNeuron·DateMar 5, 2015

An explosive quartet

Astronomers spot four images of a distant supernova in a massive galaxy cluster, bending light due to gravitational lensing. The discovery provides insights into dark matter's distribution and helps refine estimates of its amount.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalScience·DateMar 5, 2015

How rain is dependent on soil moisture

Researchers at ETH Zurich found that rain falls most frequently in areas with lower soil moisture, which warms air and allows water vapor to rise higher. High soil moisture, on the other hand, can lead to more evaporation and precipitation, but the relationship is complex and still not fully understood.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 5, 2015

No link between psychedelics and mental health problems

A study of over 135,000 people found no correlation between psychedelic use and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts. The researchers suggest that psychedelics may even be linked to fewer mental health problems, with benefits including deeply meaningful experiences and lasting positive effects.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology·DateMar 5, 2015

Seven strategies to advance women in science

The Initiative on Women in Science and Engineering Working Group presents seven strategies to address gender imbalances in STEM fields, including financial support and education initiatives. The working group aims to elevate the entire field and ensure women have equal opportunities for career advancement.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMar 5, 2015

Making our highways safer and more efficient

A new study suggests using a Long Distance Commuter lane (LDC) on the M1 Motorway in Australia could accommodate up to 3000 vehicles per hour while minimizing bottlenecks. The LDC concept has potential for commuter travel between other cities in Australia and worldwide.

SourceGriffith University·JournalComputer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering·DateMar 5, 2015

Relief for diabetics with painful condition

A new Northwestern Medicine study found that low-dose VM202 gene therapy significantly improves pain symptoms and perception of light touch in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy. The treatment has virtually no side effects, offering hope for a potential new treatment for this debilitating condition.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·DateMar 5, 2015

Evolving to cope with climate change

A recent study by the University of Connecticut explores the potential of important fish species to adapt to a more acidic ocean due to climate change. The researchers found that related fish had similar lifespans, suggesting a significant genetic component to survival in an acidic environment.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalEvolutionary Applications·DateMar 5, 2015

The tides they are a changin'

Scientists at the University of Southampton found that ocean tides have increased by 1-2 mm per year globally, with some sites experiencing changes comparable to global mean sea level rise. This has significant implications for energy extraction, coastal flooding and erosion, navigation and sediment movement.

Ancient Mongol metallurgy an extreme polluter

A recent study by Graduate Student Aubrey Hillman found that ancient copper and silver production in southwest China produced tremendous quantities of harmful heavy metals, including lead, silver, zinc, and cadmium. The pollution levels were three to four times higher than those generated by modern metallurgical methods.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 5, 2015

Weight-loss surgery can be a safe option for obese children

A new clinical pathway has been shown to significantly reduce complications and improve growth in obese children who undergo weight-reducing procedures. According to the study, the procedure also led to improved management of life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension.

SourceSpringer·JournalObesity Surgery·DateMar 5, 2015

Estimated costs of endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure exceed €150 billion annually

A new study estimates that endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure in the European Union costs around €157 billion ($209 billion) each year, mainly due to lost productivity and healthcare expenses. The estimated cost burden includes conditions such as lowered IQ, male infertility, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMar 5, 2015