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Science News for October 13, 2015


Tulane researchers working on new tuberculosis vaccine

Researchers at Tulane National Primate Research Center are working on a new tuberculosis vaccine by modifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis to lose stress response gene SigmaH. Monkeys vaccinated with the modified strain showed better resistance to infection and protective immune responses in their lungs.

SourceTulane University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 13, 2015

Imaging study demonstrates how the 'social brain' is functionally impaired in autism

Youths with high-functioning ASD exhibit underdeveloped and insufficiently networked social brain areas, with increased blood flow in frontal regions important for navigating social interactions. Reduced long-range connectivity between default mode network nodes may explain impairment in social responsiveness.

Safety concerns over new female sterilization device

A large study published in The BMJ found that women who underwent hysteroscopic sterilization using the Essure device had a significantly higher risk of reoperation following complications. The study analyzed data from over 8,000 and 44,000 women who underwent laparoscopic sterilization.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateOct 13, 2015

Climbing plants disturb carbon storage in tropical forests

A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that climbing vines are significantly reducing carbon storage in tropical forests by crowding out and killing trees. The researchers discovered that woody climbing plants, or lianas, substantially reduce forest-level carbon uptake and storage.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 13, 2015

New deposition technique enhances optoelectronic properties of lasers

Researchers from UC Santa Barbara develop a simple new electron-beam multilayer deposition technique to create high-quality ITO intracavity contacts, yielding significant improvements in optoelectronic properties. The technique paves the way for others to enter this realm of research and provides a critical part of gallium nitride-base...

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateOct 13, 2015

Can a 'sense' DNA drug reverse antisense drug to treat blood clots and prevent bleeding?

Scientists create a 'sense' DNA drug that can undo the effects of an antisense drug used to treat blood clots. The new approach reversed the antisense drug's activity and restored normal levels of prothrombin, preventing bleeding. This breakthrough demonstrates the feasibility of using oligonucleotides to target specific genes.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalNucleic Acid Therapeutics·DateOct 13, 2015

Number of addicted rises, but percentage in drug treatment remains stagnant

A recent study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests that the percentage of people getting treatment for opioid abuse and dependence has remained stagnant, despite a significant rise in overdose deaths. The researchers found that only 20% of individuals with a drug use disorder were in treatment during this period.

Re-thinking plant and insect diversity

Biologists at the University of York have found that there is no simple relationship between insect diet and diversity, with some plant-feeding groups being incredibly rich while others are not. The study suggests that other factors play a greater role in explaining diversity.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalThe American Naturalist·DateOct 13, 2015

With this new universal wireless charger, compatibility won't be an issue

Researchers at UC San Diego developed a dual frequency wireless charging platform that can charge multiple devices, including smartphones, smartwatches, laptops, and tablets, simultaneously using different wireless standards. The new technology addresses the issue of incompatibility between competing wireless standards, enabling univer...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalIEEE Transactions on Power Electronics·DateOct 13, 2015

Just a touch of skyrmions

Researchers at RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science have found a way to create and delete skyrmions using mechanical energy, which could lead to inexpensive and low-energy-consuming memory devices. The discovery uses a specially designed stress probe to apply mechanical stress to the surface of manganese-silicide material.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 13, 2015

Straight up, with a twist: New model derives homochirality from basic life requirements

A new mathematical model developed by University of Illinois physicists suggests that homochirality can be used as a universal biosignature. The model, based on self-replication and disequilibrium, shows that homochirality appears when self-replication is efficient enough.

Study shows social media content may hold keys to important health information

Researchers found that social media content can be linked to health outcomes, with shared data comprising nearly 1.4 million posts and tweets from over 1,000 participants. The study suggests that social media data can provide insights into health trends and behaviors, potentially informing education campaigns and interventions.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalBMJ Quality & Safety·DateOct 13, 2015

What does it take to escape the water? Plankton have clues

A new study on plankton's jumping behavior shows that velocity is the primary factor determining whether an animal can break the water's surface. Only certain species of copepods with high impact speeds of around one meter per second can jump out of the water, suggesting they may be the smallest animals capable of this feat.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalInterface·DateOct 13, 2015

Fast track referral for suspected cancer is saving lives

A recent study by researchers at King's College London found that general practices using the urgent referral pathway (two-week wait system) have lower cancer mortality rates compared to those that rarely use this pathway. Increasing its use could improve patient survival, especially for patients from low-referring practices.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateOct 13, 2015

A dominant evolutionary theme emerges to better predict clinical outcomes for cancer

A dominant evolutionary theme emerges to predict cancer clinical outcomes, with tumors trending toward a more primitive ESC state having a worse prognosis. This study analyzed global gene expression profiles from 107 cells types and over 3,000 tumors, demonstrating the robustness of this pattern across various solid tumor cancers.

Noninvasive imaging method looks deeper inside the body to study living brain

Researchers have developed a new noninvasive light-based imaging technology that can see inside the living brain, providing a tool to study how diseases change brain tissue over time. The method doubles the image depth range, enabling examination of acute and chronic morphological or functional vascular changes in the deep brain.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateOct 13, 2015

In a negative emotional climate, romantic partners may miss attempts to warm things up!

A new University of Illinois study reveals that conflict in romantic relationships can hinder a person's ability to recognize their partner's efforts to reconcile. Couples who use constructive communication styles tend to form healthier relationships with good communicators.

Building a better liposome

Computational models suggest a new design for nanoparticles used in targeted drug delivery. The researchers proposed making more stable liposomes by incorporating a nanoparticle core and polymer tethers, which acts as a hub-and-spoke-like scaffold that helps the liposome to weather stresses and strains.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 13, 2015

Pebbles on Mars likely traveled tens of miles down a riverbed, Penn study finds

A new method developed by Penn researchers can quantify the transport distance of river pebbles from their shape alone, providing evidence for an extensive river system on Mars. The study suggests that Martian pebbles traveled around 30 miles from their source, offering insights into the planet's geological history and potential for life.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 13, 2015

A resonator for electrons

Researchers at ETH Zurich have successfully built an electron resonator, focusing electrons between two mirrors. The resonator's spin-coherent coupling could enable long-distance communication between quantum dots, solving a key challenge in quantum computing.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 13, 2015

Gene therapy staves off blindness from retinitis pigmentosa in canine model

A study funded by the NIH has shown that gene therapy can preserve vision in dogs with late-stage retinitis pigmentosa. The treatment halted disease-associated cell death and preserved photoreceptor structure, improving visual performance under dim light conditions. Further research is needed to assess its safety and potential toxicity...

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 13, 2015

Spring to come 3 weeks earlier to the United States

Scientists project a median 3-week shift in spring plant growth onset due to global warming, with significant impacts on animal migration and ecosystems. The study's findings have long-term implications for the growing season of plants and their relationships with animals.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateOct 13, 2015