Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for November 2, 2015


Increasing vitamin D supplementation

A study by ETH Zurich researchers found that a serum concentration of around 40 micrograms of vitamin D per litre of serum is ideal for slowing or preventing bone degeneration in postmenopausal women. The study showed that daily vitamin D supplements can increase calcium absorption and reduce bone degeneration.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateNov 2, 2015

In-house test kits help motivate parents to reduce allergens in their homes

The study found that households using the test kits had a consistent reduction in dust mite allergens over the course of the 12-month study period. A significant number of parents reported adopting behaviors to reduce dust mites after seeing their test kit results, such as using special pillow covers and vacuuming with HEPA filters.

Global study in November Health Affairs

A global study in Health Affairs found no significant differences in the health, nutrition, and educational outcomes of left-behind children and rural children living with their parents. The research suggests that programs specifically targeting left-behind children may be misdirected and should focus on all rural children instead.

SourceHealth Affairs·JournalHealth Affairs·DateNov 2, 2015

West Nile virus killing millions more birds than previously thought, UCLA researchers find

West Nile virus is killing millions more birds and affecting many more species than initially thought. Survival estimates dropped dramatically in nearly half of the 49 studied species, highlighting the long-term effects of the disease. The research provides a warning for future infectious diseases that may affect humans as well.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2015

Treetop leaves of tall trees store extra water

Researchers found that treetop leaves in tall trees like coast redwood and Japanese cedar act as a water supply tank, storing water to help maintain physiological functions. This discovery helps predict future changes in forest function and CO2 absorption in the face of climate change.

Substantial differences in obstetric care for First Nations women in Canada: BC study

A Canadian study found significant disparities in obstetric care between First Nations and non-First Nations women, with First Nations mothers being less likely to undergo labour induction, epidural, or cesarean delivery. These differences may contribute to higher infant mortality rates among First Nations populations.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 2, 2015

Tissue cartography

Two postdoctoral scholars from UC Santa Barbara's Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics developed a method called ImSAnE, which constructs an atlas of two-dimensional maps for dynamic tissue surfaces. This allows scientists to analyze layered tissues with relative ease and reduces data size and processing time.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Methods·DateNov 2, 2015

The battle for informational self-determination

ETH Zurich researchers Prof. Dirk Helbing and Dr. Evangelos Pournaras propose a citizen-led platform called Nervousnet to enable self-determination and sustainability. The platform allows users to measure, analyze, and share data in real-time, promoting participatory governance and environmental awareness.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateNov 2, 2015

Predicting cancer's growth from few clues

Mathematicians at Duke University develop a method to compare common tumor growth models using only two time-point measurements of tumor size. The results suggest breast and liver tumors grow exponentially, while neurological tumors follow the two-thirds power law.

SourceDuke University·JournalBulletin of Mathematical Biology·DateNov 2, 2015

UCLA researchers find a wide variation in costs to treat low-risk prostate cancer

A new study by UCLA researchers reveals a wide range of costs for treating low-risk prostate cancer, with active surveillance being the most cost-effective option. The study used time-driven activity-based costing to analyze costs across an entire care process, finding significant variation in prices for different treatments.

What ever happened to West Nile?

A study analyzing 16 years of mark-recapture data found large-scale declines in roughly half of the species studied, including Swainson's thrush and tufted titmouse. Roughly half of the afflicted species managed to rebound within a year or two, including corvids like crows.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2015

Study: Small urban corner stores offer increased healthy food options

A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that federal policy changes led to an increase in healthy food availability at smaller urban corner stores in Baltimore. The researchers found that stores in neighborhoods with a majority of black residents showed the greatest improvement, suggesting that boosting hea...

Anti-smoking messages can backfire, research suggests

Research highlights the potential backfire of stigmatizing smoking in public health campaigns, which can lead to increased stress and resistance to quitting. Vulnerable groups may benefit from anti-smoking programs focusing on giving up benefits rather than negative stereotypes.

SourcePenn State·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateNov 2, 2015

Obese people need more vitamin E, but actually get less

A recent study suggests that obese individuals with metabolic syndrome may be chronically deficient in vitamin E, which is crucial for combating oxidative stress and associated diseases like heart disease and Alzheimer's. Experts recommend a balanced diet with daily multivitamins and healthy fats to mitigate this deficiency.

SourceOregon State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 2, 2015

Restaurants listing calorie counts on the menu offer more lower-calorie items

A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that US chain restaurants with voluntary calorie labels have an average of 140 fewer calories per item than those without labels. This trend suggests that menu labeling can encourage restaurants to offer healthier options and reduce population-level obesity.

Body odor sets female rhesus monkeys apart

Rhesus monkeys can distinguish between female group members and those from different social groups using their sense of smell. This ability helps them understand their social environment, with males and older monkeys showing greater interest in distinguishing odors.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateNov 2, 2015

Cancer cells use secret tunnels to communicate and smuggle cancer signals to their neighbors

Researchers discovered that cancer cells utilize tunneling nanotubes to exchange molecules with neighboring cells, including healthy cells, and a key regulator protein is involved in this process. The findings suggest potential new strategies for cancer treatment by targeting these secret channels.

Ultrasensitive sensors made from boron-doped graphene

Researchers have developed ultrasensitive gas sensors using boron-doped graphene, detecting noxious gas molecules at extremely low concentrations. The sensors outperform current state-of-the-art sensors by six orders of magnitude, opening a path to high-performance detection of toxic gases and other molecules.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2015

Plants keep one foot on the brakes

Researchers discovered the 'off' switch for starch production in plants, which rapidly shuts down production at night to prevent energy waste. The discovery suggests that the seemingly wasteful approach holds a clever adaptation strategy to adjust metabolism in response to fluctuating light intensity.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2015

Fireworks are fun but can reduce visibility

A study published in Weather found that fireworks on Guy Fawkes' night can reduce visibility by an average of 25% due to the release of hygroscopic particulate matter. This effect is exacerbated when relative humidity is high, posing significant safety risks for motorist and pedestrian safety.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalWeather·DateNov 2, 2015

Griffith University reveals world-first 3-D image of a protein involved in cancer spread

Researchers at Griffith University's Institute for Glycomics have determined the first three-dimensional image of a protein involved in cancer spread using X-ray crystallography. The study reveals the enzyme heparanase, which degrades a sugar molecule and is associated with angiogenesis, inflammation, and increased metastatic potential.

SourceGriffith University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateNov 2, 2015

IU Kelley School of Business research uncovers recipe for producing and managing star performers

Research by Herman Aguinis and Kyle Bradley suggests that performance follows a power law distribution, leading to more common star performers. The study recommends transparency, fairness in policies, structuring work, training development interventions, employment decisions, and compensation to effectively manage and produce star perf...

SourceIndiana University·JournalOrganizational Dynamics·DateNov 2, 2015

Making green fuels, no fossils required

Scientists at the University of South Carolina have created a new catalyst that efficiently converts CO2 into carbon monoxide, a potential fuel source. The nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes are more stable and cost-effective than traditional metal-based catalysts.

SourceUniversity of South Carolina·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 2, 2015

Planting in clumps boosts wetland restoration success

A new Duke University study finds that clumping newly planted marsh grasses can spur positive interactions and boost growth, increasing vegetative cover by up to 300% in some test plots. This approach challenges 40-year-old forestry-based practice of dispersed planting.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2015

Molecular 'brake' stifles human lung cancer

Scientists at the Salk Institute have discovered a molecule called EphA2 that stifles aggressive growth of common and deadly type of lung cancer in humans. The enzyme normally polices tissue growth but when mutated, cellular systems can run amok, leading to tumors.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2015

Study suggests increased sleep duration and chronic short sleep duration linked to increased diabetes risk in middle-aged and older women

Chronic short sleep duration of 6 hours or less increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and older women. Increasing sleep duration by 2 hours or more also associated with a modest increased risk of diabetes, even after adjusting for other factors such as diet and physical activity.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateNov 2, 2015

Cleveland Clinic: New policies would expand pediatric lung transplant access, study shows

A study published in the American Journal of Transplantation shows that new policies could increase pediatric lung transplants by twice as much. The research team tested alternative allocation models to improve pediatric access to donor lungs and found two models resulted in significantly more transplants for pediatric patients.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateNov 2, 2015

Living alone can dent healthy diets

Research by Queensland University of Technology found that people living alone are more likely to have poor dieting habits due to inadequate cooking skills and lack of motivation. The study also found a gender disparity in healthy eating practices, with men living alone having poorer diets than women.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalNutrition Reviews·DateNov 2, 2015

Engineers design magnetic cell sensors

Researchers have created genetically encoded magnetic protein nanoparticles that can be produced within cells, allowing for non-invasive tracking and monitoring of cell signals. This technology has the potential to observe communication between neurons, activation of immune cells, and stem cell differentiation, among other phenomena.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 2, 2015

Risk assessment, for the birds

Researchers studied three species of songbirds crossing the Gulf of Mexico, finding they use weather and body fat to assess migration risk. The findings can help protect migrating birds by identifying high-quality habitats along their routes.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2015

Off-label prescription drug use and adverse drug events

A study of Canadian patients found that off-label prescription drug use was associated with a higher incidence of adverse drug events (ADEs), particularly when the use lacked strong scientific evidence. The study also found that patients using multiple medications had a significantly increased risk for ADEs.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateNov 2, 2015