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Science News for October 20, 2015


Carbon canopy

A new University of Iowa study found that tree planting in the Twin Cities region offsets only one percent of the area's carbon emissions. The research identified 'hotspots' where trees are scarce and carbon generation is high, suggesting targeted tree-planting efforts may help balance carbon supply and demand.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 20, 2015

IBEX spacecraft sets gold standard for understanding galactic material around solar system

The IBEX spacecraft has provided the most definitive analyses of the local interstellar space, revealing its composition, properties, and processes at work. The mission's data has resolved inconsistencies in previous studies, confirming that the local interstellar flow is significantly hotter than previously thought.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series·DateOct 20, 2015

Dietary fat impacts autoimmune flare-ups in mice

A study published in Immunity suggests that dietary fat impacts the severity and duration of autoimmune flare-ups in mice. Short-chain fatty acids were found to alleviate symptoms by promoting regulatory T cells, while long-chain fatty acids exacerbated inflammation.

SourceCell Press·JournalImmunity·DateOct 20, 2015

The Kavli HUMAN Project -- Big Data to provide unprecedented insights on health and behavior

The Kavli HUMAN Project aggregates 20 years of measurements from 10,000 individuals to study the dynamic interplay between biology, behavior, and environment. The project reveals new insights into factors increasing risk for cognitive decline and its impact on daily life, healthcare utilization, and end-of-life decisions.

Later age recommended for first screening mammogram

The American Cancer Society recommends starting annual mammography screening at age 45 for average-risk women. Women between 40-44 can choose to begin annual screening. Clinical breast examination is no longer recommended due to lack of clear evidence on its effectiveness in detecting breast cancer.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 20, 2015

Growing old can be risky business

Aging-related changes in physical condition and life circumstances can lead to financial vulnerabilities, which may result in substantial loss of resources. The term age-associated financial vulnerability (AAFV) describes a pattern of behavior placing older adults at risk for considerable loss of resources.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 20, 2015

Program for parents helps sustain learning gains in kids from Head Start to kindergarten

A parent involvement program, REDI-P, helps young children retain literacy skills and positive learning behaviors through home visits with educational counselors. The study found that REDI-P offsets summer loss and improves academic performance and social interaction in children from disadvantaged backgrounds. By the fall of their kind...

'Green' buildings bring in more green

A recent study found that green commercial buildings have higher average rents (3.7%) and occupancy rates (18.7% in Canada, 9.5% in the US) compared to non-green buildings. Tenant satisfaction scores also increased by 7% in Canada.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalThe Journal of Portfolio Management·DateOct 20, 2015

How stereotypes hurt

A new study led by USC researcher Cleopatra Abdou found that people who encountered negative stereotypes in healthcare settings reported adverse effects, including hypertension, depression, and poor self-rated health. The researchers highlight the need for inclusive policies to reduce healthcare stereotype threat and promote health dis...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateOct 20, 2015

New CEO's gender may affect company performance

The study, which analyzed data from 3,320 CEO successions in China's Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, found that male-to-female succession tends to have lower postsuccession performance than same-gender succession. Companies with female CEOs also experienced higher early departure rates.

SourceRice University·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateOct 20, 2015

'Big Data' used to identify new cancer driver genes

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute used publicly available cancer databases to identify novel cancer driver genes associated with cancer progression. The study found 71 previously unrecognized interfaces in proteins that may serve as new predictive markers or drug targets.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateOct 20, 2015

Cause of viral infection of the brain mapped out

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine has identified a genetic defect in the immune system that can lead to fatal brain inflammation in some people infected with the herpes virus. The discovery may also shed light on other types of viral infections, such as meningitis and influenza.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateOct 20, 2015

A new way to starve lung cancer?

Researchers discovered that lung cancer cells switch to using amino acid glutamine when glucose is scarce, allowing them to continue growing under starvation conditions. Blocking this enzyme PEPCK could slow tumor growth in mice, suggesting a promising new approach to treating non-small cell lung cancer.

SourceMcGill University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateOct 20, 2015

Learning from ants how to build transportation networks

Ants build complex transportation networks by minimizing costs while maintaining efficiency and robustness. Researchers at Uppsala University applied this principle to human-made systems, finding that connecting new suburbs to the closest city area can ensure relatively cheap but efficient power networks. By adjusting the frequency of ...

SourceUppsala University·JournalInterface·DateOct 20, 2015

Super-slick material makes steel better, stronger, cleaner

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a way to make steel stronger, safer and more durable by creating a surface coating made from rough nanoporous tungsten oxide. The new material is capable of repelling any kind of liquid even after sustaining intense structural abuse.

Most earth-like worlds have yet to be born, according to theoretical study

A new theoretical study suggests that only eight percent of potentially habitable planets will ever form in the universe, while the bulk of those planets - 92 percent - have yet to be born. This conclusion is based on an assessment of data collected by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the Kepler space observatory.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 20, 2015