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Science News for November 18, 2015


Secrets of dark proteome

A recent CSIRO study maps the boundaries of the 'dark proteome', a region of proteins with completely unknown structure. The research identifies surprising features in nearly half of the eukaryotic proteome, including associations with secretory tissues and disulfide bonding.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 18, 2015

Researchers find link between air pollution and heart disease

Researchers found a significant association between coarse particles in the air and increased cardiovascular hospitalizations in people 65 and older. The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, analyzed data from 110 large urban counties in the US and linked it to Medicare data on hospitalizations from 1999 to 2010.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateNov 18, 2015

Plant and food-based compounds may be key to future cancer prevention

A broad-spectrum approach to cancer treatment and prevention is being developed by researchers, focusing on low-toxicity agents from plants and foods that target multiple pathways involved in cancer development. The approach aims to improve upon current targeted therapies and reduce costs associated with toxicity and treatment duration.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalSeminars in Cancer Biology·DateNov 18, 2015

Without prescription coverage, some cancer patients do without even low-cost drugs

A University of Colorado Cancer Center study shows that breast cancer patients without prescription drug coverage are less likely to start and continue hormonal therapy due to high costs. Women from lower-income households were particularly affected, highlighting the need for affordable prescription coverage.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalBreast Cancer Research and Treatment·DateNov 18, 2015

Young whites usually more optimistic than minority peers about likelihood of living to 35

A new study finds that young whites are significantly more optimistic about their chances of living to 35 compared to minority peers. The study controlled for various risk factors and found that foreign-born Mexicans were the most pessimistic about their future survival, even after accounting for socioeconomic status.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·DateNov 18, 2015

The Lancet: Breastfeeding babies protected against HIV infection from their HIV-positive mothers with 12 months of liquid antiretroviral drug treatment

A study found that providing babies with up to 12 months of liquid formula HIV drugs while breastfeeding with their HIV-positive mothers is highly effective in protecting them from infection. The study showed that rates of HIV infection fell to 0.2% when the drug was taken, and that adherence remained a key factor for success.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 18, 2015

Brazilian Artur Avila wins TWAS-Lenovo Prize

Artur Avila, a renowned Brazilian mathematician, has won the TWAS-Lenovo Science Prize for his groundbreaking work on dynamical systems and chaos theory. His research has helped resolve major mathematical quandaries and brought global awareness of Brazilian mathematics.

SourceTWAS·DateNov 18, 2015

New options for treating autism

The research demonstrates that increasing oxytocin levels can improve social interactions in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Additionally, the study reveals a link between oxytocin and anandamide production, which may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating ASD.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 18, 2015

When did the Andes mountains form?

The Andes mountain chain was formed 14 million years ago, according to new research from the University of Bristol. The study used a novel method based on cosmic rays to determine the age of large boulders in the western margin of the Andes.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 18, 2015

Why do children develop cancer?

A recent study found that 8.5% of children with cancer have genetic mutations increasing their risk, highlighting the need for improved counseling and family testing. The study's author, Dr. John M. Maris, emphasizes the importance of understanding how other genes interact with these mutations to cause cancer in children.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 18, 2015

A 'Council of Psychological Science Advisors' tackles pressing policy issues

A special section in Perspectives on Psychological Science provides policy memos to the President from a 'Council of Psychological Science Advisors', offering recommendations on obesity, consumer debt, terrorism, and climate change. The section features articles translating scientific findings into federal policy improvements.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateNov 18, 2015

The Lancet Infectious Diseases: New gene that makes common bacteria resistant to last-line antibiotic found in animals and patients in China

Researchers found a new gene, mcr-1, that enables bacteria to resist polymyxins, the last line of defence against infections. The gene is widespread in E coli and K pneumoniae strains from pigs and patients in south China, suggesting its potential to spread rapidly into human pathogens.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateNov 18, 2015

Use your loaf to save British wildlife

A new farming scheme has been found to support 20% more species of butterflies while producing the same amount of crops as conventional farms. Farmers who sign up to the non-organic Fair to Nature growing protocol gain a premium price for their crops, in return for setting aside and actively managing wildlife habitat.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateNov 18, 2015

An easy pill to swallow

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have developed an insulin pill using novel drug delivery technology that shows early promise as a form of diabetes therapy. The pill's oral delivery system could circumvent the discomfort associated with injections, leading to improved patient compliance and potentially more effective treatment.

Dark matter dominates in nearby dwarf galaxy

Astronomer Evan Kirby measures high concentration of dark matter in small dwarf galaxy Triangulum II, potentially making it a leading candidate for direct detection. The galaxy's unique characteristics and minimal background noise make it an ideal location to search for gamma-ray signals from colliding dark matter particles.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 18, 2015

Weekday sleep changes may raise risk of diabetes, heart disease

A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has found that weekday sleep changes may raise the risk of developing metabolic problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Researchers discovered a link between social jetlag, which refers to the mismatch between an individual's biological...

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateNov 18, 2015

Whale sharks in Gulf of Mexico swim near the surface, take deep dives

Researchers tracked whale sharks in the Gulf of Mexico, revealing they use both near-surface and deeper waters for feeding, with some staying at depth greater than 50 meters continuously for over three days. The study found complex patterns of habitat utilization likely driven by shifting ocean conditions and prey distribution.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 18, 2015

Cereal science

Researchers at San Diego State University have discovered a new phenomenon in materials science using puffed rice cereal. They found that highly porous, brittle materials can deform differently depending on compaction velocity, with three distinct deformation patterns emerging at low, medium, and high velocities.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalNature Physics·DateNov 18, 2015

New study suggests more than 8 percent of children with cancer have genetic predisposition

Researchers analyzed genomic data from 1,120 pediatric cancer patients and found that 8.5% had pathogenic germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes. This study suggests that comprehensive genomic screening may be necessary for all pediatric cancer patients, not just those with a family history of cancer.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 18, 2015

Vanderbilt study finds erectile dysfunction drug may benefit patients at risk for diabetes

A Vanderbilt study found that sildenafil improves insulin sensitivity in people at risk for diabetes, potentially reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The researchers discovered that sildenafil inhibits an enzyme called phosphodiesterase 5, resulting in relaxation of smooth muscle and increased blood flow.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateNov 18, 2015

Strategy based on human reflexes may keep legged robots and prosthetic legs from tripping

A robotic prosthetic control strategy based on human reflexes has shown promise in simulation and laboratory testing, producing stable walking gaits over uneven terrain and improved balance recovery from trips. The technology will be further developed and tested using volunteers with above-the-knee amputations over the next three years.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·DateNov 18, 2015

Parents' top fears about teen cellphone use

While parents' fears about teens' digital habits are often overstated, there are valid concerns about cyberbullying and sleep disruption. Teens' online lives mirror their offline experiences, but excessive screen time can lead to negative effects for vulnerable adolescents.

SourceDuke University·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateNov 18, 2015

Forming planet observed for first time

Researchers from the University of Sydney and other institutions have directly observed a planet in formation for the first time. The planet, located 450 light years away, is surrounded by a vast disc of dust and gas, and its presence has been confirmed through images and spectral fingerprint analysis.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature·DateNov 18, 2015

A focus on fairness

A new study from Harvard University found that children globally quickly reject unequal distributions of rewards, but in three countries (U.S., Canada, and Uganda), they also accept deals that favor themselves. This suggests that fairness behaviors may vary across cultures.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateNov 18, 2015

Bringing the chaos in light sources under control

A study investigates how to control noise in quantum dot LEDs by modulating bias current, leading to stabilized light sources suitable for optical telecommunications. The researchers found that spiking competition of quantum dots enhances self-feedback and affects noise perturbation.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateNov 18, 2015

One very brainy bird

A new study finds that pigeons can accurately categorize digitized microscope slides and mammograms of benign and malignant human breast tissue. With training, they perform as well as humans in this task, demonstrating a remarkable ability to perceive and process visual cues.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 18, 2015

New urban heat island study shows surprising variation in air temperatures across Twin Cities

A new study from the University of Minnesota used a network of 180 sensors to capture detailed temperature patterns across the Twin Cities metropolitan area, highlighting the strength and variability of the urban heat island effect. The research provides valuable insights into efforts to reduce heat-related harm in metro areas globally.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJournal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology·DateNov 18, 2015