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Science News for September 15, 2015


Equity gap

A study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that women are nearly 13% less likely to be full professors than their male peers with identical age, experience, and research productivity. Despite efforts to increase equity, the proportion of women at this rank has remained unchanged since 1980.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalJAMA·DateSep 15, 2015

Making a smart material smarter

A team of researchers from Michigan State University has manipulated vanadium dioxide to make it usable in small devices, allowing for smart antennas with tunable properties. This technology could enable applications such as switching between communication bands or precise microsurgery.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalIEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters·DateSep 15, 2015

Popular hypertension drugs linked to worse heart health in blacks compared to whites

A new comparative effectiveness research study found that African Americans with high blood pressure have poorer cardiovascular outcomes when treated with ACE inhibitors compared to white patients. The study analyzed data from nearly 60,000 patients and found a significant racial disparity in the effectiveness of these drugs.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 15, 2015

The black box at the beginning of life

Researchers at Kyoto University have created a lab-based human germ cell development model, revealing specific key elements and events that occur at the beginning of human life. This breakthrough provides insight into how epigenetic marks are erased during early germ cell development, shedding light on conditions such as infertility.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateSep 15, 2015

Immune cells may help fight against obesity

A new study found that mice lacking certain immune cells gained excess weight and developed metabolic abnormalities even on a standard diet. Removing these cells prevented weight gain and metabolic issues. The study indicates that immune cells may help control fat tissue's energy storage and reduce inflammation.

SourceCell Press·JournalImmunity·DateSep 15, 2015

Dealing with climate change and local beliefs in Africa

Research in Malawi and Zambia highlights the importance of considering local knowledge and beliefs when addressing climate change. In two rural communities, differing responses to changing climates were observed depending on co-existing traditional and Christian beliefs.

SourceSpringer·JournalClimatic Change·DateSep 15, 2015

Dew helps ground cloud computing

A new cloud-dew architecture offers a way to counteract cloud downtime and communication difficulties by providing a buffer between the local user and cloud servers. This lightweight local server retains a copy of the given user's data, making it available with or without an internet connection.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Cloud Computing·DateSep 15, 2015

Previously unknown flea genus and species discovered in fossilized dominican amber

Entomologist Dr. George Poinar Jr. discovers a previously unknown flea genus and species in fossilized Dominican amber, characterized by unique features such as five-segmented maxillary palps. The discovery also reveals the presence of pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria similar to plague-causing pathogens and trypanosomes.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateSep 15, 2015

Students in credit crisis

Despite being aware of their financial responsibilities, many college students accumulate excessive debt due to a lack of self-control and limited expertise. The researchers suggest that education on financial management should be integrated into the curriculum at an early stage.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioural Accounting and Finance·DateSep 15, 2015

Cohort study explores association between SSRI use and violent crime

A cohort study found a modest association between SSRI use and violent crime among individuals aged 15-24, with increased risks of violent arrests and non-fatal injuries. In contrast, no significant associations were found for older adults, suggesting potential age-related differences in the link between SSRI use and violent behavior.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateSep 15, 2015

Hookah tobacco smoking seems to be increasing in both prevalence and frequency

A recent study found that nearly 1 in 5 high school seniors reported hookah smoking in the past year, with a significant proportion being regular users. The increasing prevalence of hookah use among adolescents is a growing public health concern, necessitating targeted interventions and surveillance efforts.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateSep 15, 2015

Twenty-five years ago Professor Thomas Jentsch opened up a new field of research

Professor Thomas Jentsch's discovery of the Torpedo chloride channel in 1990 marked a breakthrough in understanding ion transport processes. He identified nine different CLC chloride channels and transporters, which are essential for human function and contribute to various genetic diseases.

How much water does US fracking really use?

A new Duke University study finds that energy companies used nearly 250 billion gallons of water for US fracking between 2005 and 2014, while generating about 210 billion gallons of wastewater. The study's findings highlight the need for better treatment and disposal methods for chemical-laden flowback water and brine-laden wastewater.

SourceDuke University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateSep 15, 2015

New method could help nurses spot delirium quickly

Researchers have developed a two-item bedside test for detecting delirium, which takes an average of 36 seconds to perform and has a sensitivity of 93 percent. The test uses simple questions to assess cognitive function and can help doctors catch the condition earlier.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Hospital Medicine·DateSep 15, 2015

Understanding nature's most striking colors

Plant cellulose can self-assemble into wrinkled surfaces that produce striking optical effects, such as iridescence and color changes. The researchers found that the twisting structure of cellulose creates a pattern of parallel ridges that split light into its colored components, producing an iridescent sheen.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateSep 15, 2015