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Science News for November 23, 2015


University of California scientists create malaria-blocking mosquitoes

Researchers at University of California have successfully created a strain of mosquitoes capable of rapidly introducing malaria-blocking genes into its population, potentially eliminating the disease. The breakthrough uses a gene editing technique that allows for efficient creation of large populations of mosquitoes with this trait.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 23, 2015

NYU Langone enhances patient experience by reducing referrals to facilities after surgery

A new study from NYU Langone found that reducing post-surgery care referrals to facilities did not increase readmission rates, while improving patient recovery and reducing costs. The hospital implemented a program to discharge more patients home for recovery, with significant drops in facility referrals.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateNov 23, 2015

Bioart: An introduction

Bioart uses genetic engineering, bacteria manipulation, and other scientific methods to create artistic works, sparking discussions about ethics and safety. The field has evolved from Fleming's 'germ paintings' to modern-day projects like genetically engineered silk worms and metagenomics analyses.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·DateNov 23, 2015

ACP recommends generics over branded meds

The American College of Physicians recommends prescribing generic medications whenever possible to reduce costs and improve adherence to therapy. Generic medications are as effective as their branded counterparts, but underuse is a significant issue due to misconceptions about safety and efficacy.

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

Climate can grind mountains faster than they can be rebuilt

Erosion caused by glaciation during ice ages can wear down mountains faster than plate tectonics can build them, according to a new study. The research, conducted over more than a decade, revealed that erosion rates accelerated sharply about 1 million years ago when global climate cooling triggered stronger and more persistent ice ages.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 23, 2015

Canada must respect physician objectors who do not wish to refer patients for assisted death: Right to die

Physicians' conscientious objections to assisted death will be respected in Canada, with a system created to allow patients to receive medical support for dying while vulnerable patients and caregivers fight their doctors for rights. A direct service will be offered to patients, and physicians informed of the service.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 23, 2015

Want to remember new names? Sleep on it

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that a full night of sleep significantly improved participants' ability to correctly identify the name associated with a face. The study suggests that sleep after new learning activities may help improve memory, regardless of age.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNeurobiology of Learning and Memory·DateNov 23, 2015

A row-bot that loves dirty water

Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a row-bot that can operate indefinitely in remote locations by harnessing energy from dirty water. The robot's bio-inspired mechanism allows it to feed on nutrient-rich water, generating electricity through microbial fuel cells.

Infants under 12 months most at risk of physical abuse

A large study found that infants under 12 months are most at risk of serious physical abuse, with severe injuries leading to a threefold increase in mortality compared to other types of trauma. The majority (98%) of abused children were under 5 years old, and nearly all (76%) were less than 1 year old.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·DateNov 23, 2015

Higher resting heart rate linked to increased risk of death from all causes

A higher resting heart rate is associated with a greater risk of death from all causes, independent of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors. Research published in CMAJ found that every 10 beats/min increment of resting heart rate increases the risk by 9% for all-cause mortality and 8% for cardiovascular mortality.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 23, 2015

No lens? No problem for FlatCam

Researchers developed patented prototypes of FlatCam, a thin sensor chip that processes sensor measurements into images and videos. The technology decouples the parameters of light collection and device thickness, enabling large sensors with thin devices.

How the Earth's Pacific plates collapsed

Researchers have found distinctive rocks formed when the Pacific plate changed direction and plunged under the Philippine Sea Plate 50 million years ago. The discovery sheds new light on the formation of copper and gold deposits, as well as the mechanism behind massive earthquakes and volcanoes.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateNov 23, 2015

Hydra can modify its genetic program

Researchers at the University of Geneva discovered that Hydra cells can modify their genetic program by overexpressing genes involved in nervous functions. This study sheds light on cellular plasticity, a phenomenon that could influence research into regenerative medicine and neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London·DateNov 23, 2015

Anti-fat attitudes shaped early in life

Researchers found that older toddlers as young as 32 months prefer looking at average-weight figures over obese ones, with maternal anti-fat prejudice strongly correlated. This suggests that children absorb and display societal attitudes early on, highlighting the need to address weight-based prejudice.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·DateNov 23, 2015

Infertile worms resist infection-induced neurodegeneration

Researchers have found that infertile animals appear to be protected from neurodegeneration in a study using C. elegans worms. The study, which appears online now, showed that infected worms display hallmarks of neurodegeneration similar to those seen in humans, but infertile animals resist this process.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateNov 23, 2015

Stem cell treatment mediates immune response to spinal cord injury in pre-clinical trials

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a stem cell treatment that mediates an immune response to spinal cord injury, reducing tissue damage and preserving function. The treatment, involving multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs), was effective in preventing the cascade of immune responses that often lead to l...

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 23, 2015

Young women who survive cardiovascular event have long-term risks

A study found that young women who survived heart attacks or strokes had higher mortality rates from cardiovascular events, with an increased risk of cardiac and cerebral events. The researchers followed up with 226 women who had a heart attack, 160 women who had ischemic stroke, and 782 comparison patients for nearly 19 years.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateNov 23, 2015

Marine airgun noise could cause turtle trauma

Scientists warn that seismic surveys may cause behavioural changes and physical harm to turtles, including auditory damage and entanglement in gear. Researchers call for more research to address knowledge gaps and propose preventative measures to minimize the impact of seismic surveys on marine turtle populations.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBiological Conservation·DateNov 23, 2015

Blood from small children 'remembers' prenatal smoking exposure

Research led by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds that blood from preschoolers contains molecular evidence of prenatal smoking exposure, detectable 5 years post-birth. The study uses epigenetic analysis to identify a signature associated with smoking during pregnancy, which may also be linked to other toxins and hea...

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateNov 23, 2015

Loss of mastodons aided domestication of pumpkins, squash

Research suggests that wild pumpkin and squash were initially used for non-food purposes, such as containers and tools, before humans discovered their edible value. The loss of megafauna allowed wild plants to grow in new environments, leading to the evolution of palatability.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 23, 2015

Teaching problem-solving, leadership to young African-American girls lowers relational aggression

A new CHOP study finds that teaching problem-solving skills and leadership opportunities to elementary school-aged African-American girls can lower relational aggression. The Friend to Friend program improved social problem-solving knowledge and decreased relational aggression in urban minority girls, with positive effects lasting at l...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalPsychology of Violence·DateNov 23, 2015

Getting under the skin of a medieval mystery

A team of researchers used a non-invasive method to extract protein from medieval parchment samples, identifying the use of multiple mammal species in some manuscripts. The study resolves a long-standing controversy over the origin of 'uterine vellum' and sheds new light on medieval manuscript production techniques.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 23, 2015

Sensor sees nerve action as it happens

Researchers at Duke University have created a technique for monitoring neurons in action with a time resolution of about 0.2 milliseconds, allowing for the first holistic view of neural activity in mammalian brains. This breakthrough enables scientists to study how brain activity translates into specific thoughts and behaviors.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience·DateNov 23, 2015

UMD study explains racial and ethnic disparities in unintended pregnancy

A new study from the University of Maryland School of Public Health examined why African American and Hispanic women have higher rates of unintended pregnancies than White women. Researchers found that unique factors such as maternal age, income, health insurance status, US born status, and educational level contributed to these dispar...

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateNov 23, 2015

A tumor that can unroll: Engineers create new technology for understanding cancer growth

A team of U of T engineers has developed a way to grow cancer cells in the form of a rolled-up sheet that mimics the 3D environment of a tumour, offering a way to speed up drug development and ask new questions about cell behavior. The single-layer design makes it easier for other lab researchers to adopt the process.