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Science News for May 20, 2015


Toward 'green' paper-thin, flexible electronics

Scientists have created a light-emitting, transparent and flexible paper out of biocompatible materials, a significant step towards bendable electronics. The innovation uses wood flour and quantum dots made from zinc and selenium, offering a 'greener' alternative to traditional plastics.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 20, 2015

Robotic sonar system inspired by bats

Engineers at Virginia Tech have created a novel dynamic sonar system inspired by horseshoe bats that can navigate complex environments with ease. The system uses two receiving channels and one emitting channel to replicate the key motions in the bat's ears and nose, reducing power consumption and computing resources.

Measuring air quality effects of natural gas extraction in Marcellus Shale region

A Drexel University team conducted a mobile air quality monitoring campaign to assess the impact of natural gas extraction on air quality in the Marcellus Shale region. The study found relatively small increases in air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic chemicals, with elevated ultrafine particles from compressor s...

SourceDrexel University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 20, 2015

Study: Include men in osteoporosis screening guidelines

A recent study found that one in four men over 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis, surpassing prostate cancer incidence rates. The research suggests adding men to osteoporosis screening guidelines to address the high likelihood of vertebral fractures and low bone density.

SourceMediaSource·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateMay 20, 2015

Male Java sparrows may 'drum' to their songs

Researchers found that male Java sparrows synchronize their bill-clicking sounds with the melody of their song, similar to human percussionists. This behavior suggests that birds may have an innate ability to produce and coordinate non-vocal sounds with vocalizations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 20, 2015

Resolving a lymphatic riddle

Weizmann Institute researchers resolved the debate on lymphatic system origins, discovering that lymphatic cells grow from a niche within embryonic veins. They also identified a key gene, WNT5B, which prompts stem cells to differentiate into lymphatic cells.

Scientists discover world's oldest stone tools

The discovery of stone tools in northwestern Kenya pushes the known date back by 700,000 years and may challenge the notion that modern humans' ancestors were the first to create such tools. The tools suggest an earlier group of proto-humans may have had the thinking abilities needed to figure out how to make sharp-edged tools.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalNature·DateMay 20, 2015

Gun violence restraining orders: A promising strategy to reduce gun violence in the US

A new report suggests that gun violence restraining orders can be a promising strategy for reducing firearm homicide and suicide in the US. GVROs allow family members or intimate partners to request an order from a civil court, authorizing law enforcement to remove guns from the individual's possession and prohibiting new purchases.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalBehavioral Sciences & the Law·DateMay 20, 2015

Seeing without eyes

Researchers found that octopus skin can sense light changes without central nervous system input, using the same opsin proteins as its eyes. This allows for a response to brightness and color, enabling camouflage and communication. The discovery has implications for understanding cephalopod behavior and evolution.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMay 20, 2015

A statistical study of first-year college rape

A statistical study of first-year college rape found that 18.6% of freshmen women experienced completed or attempted rape, with a significant increase in risk among women who had previously been victimized. The study emphasizes the need for colleges to develop effective prevention and counseling programs.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateMay 20, 2015

What happens inside a membrane

Researchers at SISSA have developed a novel method to analyze the structure of biological proteins immersed in their physiological context. This technique allows for excellent spatial resolution and study of molecules in their natural environment, providing new insights into the opening/closing mechanism of major ion channels. The stud...

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 20, 2015

Nanotherapy effective in mice with multiple myeloma

Researchers have designed a nanoparticle-based therapy that effectively treats mice with multiple myeloma, a cancer of immune cells in the bone marrow. The nanoparticles carry a Myc inhibitor, which blocks a protein active in many types of cancer, and increase survival by 23 days compared to control groups.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalMolecular Cancer Therapeutics·DateMay 20, 2015

Ultrasonic production of skimmed milk

Researchers successfully demonstrated cream separation from natural whole milk at liter-scales using ultrasonic standing waves, achieving fractionation outcomes desired for a particular dairy product. The technique allows for high volume throughputs of up to 30 liters per hour and can be used to specifically select milk fat globules of...

Sandia researchers first to measure thermoelectric behavior by 'Tinkertoy' materials

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have made the first measurements of thermoelectric behavior in a nanoporous metal-organic framework (MOF), a discovery that could lead to more efficient cooling and energy harvesting applications. The material, known as TCNQ@MOF, exhibits high Seebeck coefficient and low thermal conductivity.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMay 20, 2015

American College of Cardiology registry aims to improve cardiovascular care in India

A pilot study using the PINNACLE India Quality Improvement Program registry shows that high-quality outpatient cardiovascular care can be achieved in resource-limited environments like India. The registry collected data from 68,196 patients with coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation, highlighting areas for imp...

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMay 20, 2015

Re-engineered antibiotic shows potential for treatment of drug-resistant bacteria

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have created a second-generation antibiotic that effectively combats common bacterial infections resistant to commonly used antibiotics. The spectinomycin analogs block the growth of strains and demonstrate increased antibacterial activity against various pathogens.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 20, 2015

Chinese herbal mixture significantly reduces fatigue in cancer patients

A traditional Chinese medicine herbal mixture called Ren Shen Yangrong Tang (RSYRT) significantly reduced fatigue in cancer patients with moderate to severe symptoms. In a Phase I/II trial, RSYRT was found to be safe and effective in improving Qi deficiency, a key factor contributing to fatigue.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateMay 20, 2015

New antibody insecticide targets malaria mosquito

Researchers have discovered a novel antibody insecticide that targets the African malaria mosquito, offering an alternative control strategy to halt the spread of the disease. The antibodies work by targeting a key component of the mosquito's nervous system, killing over 90% of infected insects within a day.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMay 20, 2015

People tend to locate the self in the brain or the heart

A recent study published by Rice University researchers found that individuals generally prefer to locate their sense of self in the brain. This preference is stronger among those with an independent self-construal, who tend to assert autonomous goals and behaviors related to the brain. In contrast, people with an interdependent self-c...

SourceRice University·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateMay 20, 2015

New evidence links Arctic warming with severe weather

Research by University of Sheffield scientists links Arctic warming to extreme weather events in the UK and US, suggesting a connection between warmer Arctic temperatures and mid-latitude weather patterns. The study found increased variability in the jet stream and high pressure over Greenland, contributing to variable UK winters.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalJournal of Climate·DateMay 20, 2015

Mountain gorilla mamas sidestep having inbred offspring

In a study of mountain gorillas, researchers found that females avoid mating with their fathers to curb inbreeding. On average, seven out of ten offspring in groups with multiple males are sired by the dominant male, but none of his daughters' offspring

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateMay 20, 2015