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Science News for September 21, 2015


Building a biofuel-boosting Swiss Army knife

A team of researchers at Michigan State University has created a synthetic protein that improves the assembly of carbon-fixing factories in cyanobacteria, enabling more efficient biofuel production. The new protein also provides a proof of concept for improving plant photosynthesis or installing new metabolic pathways in bacteria.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateSep 21, 2015

Could aspirin treat breast cancer?

A randomized trial will recruit 3,000 women with Stage II and III breast cancer to receive either aspirin or a placebo. The study aims to determine if aspirin can prevent breast cancer recurrence and death, with potential benefits including enhanced survival and reduced costs in developing nations.

Scientists sequence genome of worm that can regrow body parts, seeking stem cell insights

Researchers have sequenced the genome of Macrostomum lignano, a flatworm that can regrow its body parts, to gain insights into its regenerative abilities and advance stem cell biology. The genome's complex structure holds promise for studying developmental pathways and gene expression involved in regeneration.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2015

Changing clinical practice: Too fast or too slow?

A Mayo Clinic study examines the adoption and cessation of calcium magnesium (CaMg) use for oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy, highlighting the challenges of translating research into clinical practice. The study reveals a decade-long cycle of rapid changes in treatment, driven by emerging evidence and public perception.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateSep 21, 2015

Sex does not increase heart attack risk

Research suggests that sexual activity does not increase the risk of heart attack and can be resumed after a heart attack. Most patients are safe to engage in sex again, with less than half of men and one-third of women receiving information on this topic from their doctors.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 21, 2015

Role of cancer-suppressing gene uncovered

Researchers have identified a key role for the WWOX gene in suppressing cancer development. Lower levels of WWOX are associated with more aggressive and treatment-resistant cancers. The study suggests that targeting the enzyme activity of WWOX could influence cancer cell properties.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 21, 2015

BMC reduces emergency wait time, improves care for pediatric sickle cell disease patients

Boston Medical Center (BMC) has significantly reduced the average wait time for pediatric patients experiencing severe pain from sickle cell disease from 56 minutes to 23 minutes. The hospital's quality improvement initiative also improved care by reducing the time to administer pain medication and increase patient-controlled analgesics.

Deforestation can have devastating impacts on frog populations

A new study found that deforestation in Borneo's forests leads to a decline in frog species richness, with only 20% of primary forest species remaining in young oil palm plantations. The study highlights the need for rigorously enforcing riparian buffer zones to mitigate the impact of industrial monocultures on amphibian populations.

SourceWiley·JournalBiotropica·DateSep 21, 2015

Supermarkets/mom and pops battle in emerging markets: INFORMS journal Marketing Science

A study of early-stage supermarket adoption in India finds that the lower middle class is driving growth and will drive demand for modern grocery retail. Supermarkets are more popular among upper and middle-middle classes, while mom-and-pop 'kirana' stores appeal to lower-income shoppers who value credit and home delivery services.

Over 50 percent don't go for new bowel cancer test

A new bowel cancer screening test has seen low uptake in pilot areas, with only half of those invited taking the opportunity. Despite its potential to reduce cases by up to 33%, more men than women took the test, and people from poorer neighbourhoods were less likely to participate.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalJournal of Medical Screening·DateSep 21, 2015

Digestible batteries needed to power electronic pills

Researchers are exploring how minerals from a healthy diet can be used in bioelectronics to create ingestible devices that power electronic pills. The goal is to reduce the amount of expensive medications needed for each patient, making them more cost-effective.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·DateSep 21, 2015

Chronic diseases may increase risk of dementia

A study of 2176 cognitively normal participants found that those with multiple chronic conditions were 38% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Preventing chronic diseases may help maintain mental health in aging adults.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateSep 21, 2015

As polar ice melts, seabed life is working against climate change

A recent study reveals that life on the seafloor in Antarctica is acting as an important carbon sink, absorbing nearly 2.9 ? 106 tons of carbon per year. This discovery suggests a new and unexpected way to combat climate change, with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 50,000 hectares of tropical rainforest.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 21, 2015

Pushing the limits of lensless imaging

Scientists from Friedrich Schiller University Jena have created a custom-built ultrafast laser that can produce extremely high-resolution images of materials in real time. By using extreme ultraviolet light streaming at a 100,000 times per second, the researchers achieved an image resolution of 26 nanometers, surpassing previous limits.

SourceOptica·DateSep 21, 2015

Insects passed 'the Turing Test'

Russian scientists confirm Turing reaction-diffusion model's predictions in insect corneas, revealing four main morphological patterns and their universal presence among arthropods. The findings demonstrate a promising future for designing artificial antireflective nanosurfaces.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2015

Selectively logged Amazon forests play important role in climate

Researchers found that sustainably logged tropical Amazonian forests can recover their carbon stocks within a cutting cycle of 20 to 30 years. The study suggests that the time to recover initial carbon stocks depends almost exclusively on logging intensity, providing useful insights for forest managers and policy makers.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 21, 2015

Alzheimer's drug could prevent bone fractures

Researchers found that the Alzheimer's drug donepezil increases bone mass in mice by preventing osteoclasts from being made, reducing the risk of bone fractures. The study suggests that treating Alzheimer's disease with donepezil may also be beneficial for patients with osteoporosis.

SourceElsevier·JournalHeliyon·DateSep 21, 2015

Astronomers identify a new mid-size black hole

A team of astronomers at the University of Maryland and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center has found evidence for a new intermediate-mass black hole about 5,000 times the mass of the sun. The discovery adds to the list of potential medium-sized black holes and strengthens the case for their existence.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 21, 2015

Acoustic imaging with outline detection

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new type of acoustic imaging device that extracts contour information during measurement, creating detailed outline images of objects. The method uses evanescent waves and is useful for quickly recording relevant information about objects.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 21, 2015

How mercury contamination affects reptiles in the Amazon basin

Researchers found high mercury levels in Amazonian reptiles, with liver concentrations above recommended limits for pregnant women and children. The study suggests using reptiles as indicators of environmental mercury concentrations, shedding light on the region's mercury cycling.

SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateSep 21, 2015

Study: It's not cheating unless a species gets hurt

A review of dozens of ecological studies found little proof of cheating among cooperating species, challenging a commonly held belief. The study's authors provided a scientific definition of cheating that ecologists can use to determine whether one species is cheating its mutualist partner.

SourceRice University·JournalEcology Letters·DateSep 21, 2015

Exercise reduces suicide attempts by 23 percent among bullied teens

A new study finds that regular exercise significantly reduces both suicidal thoughts and attempts among students who are bullied. Being physically active four or more days per week resulted in a 23 percent reduction in suicidal ideation and attempts in bullied students. Exercise is also associated with significant reductions in sadness.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateSep 21, 2015

Proteins assemble and disassemble on command

Researchers at Duke University have deciphered the genetic code that instructs proteins to assemble or disassemble in response to environmental stimuli. This discovery provides a new platform for designer proteins and investigations into nanotechnology, biotechnology, and medical treatments.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 21, 2015

Printing lightweight, flexible, and functional materials

Researchers at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have created a new multimaterial printhead that enables the simultaneous control of composition and geometry during printing, paving the way for entirely 3D-printed wearable devices, soft robots, and electronics.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2015

Unemployment takes its toll on young people's mental health

A study of over 2,000 British young people found that those not in education, employment or training (NEET) were more likely to experience mental health problems and substance abuse disorders. However, when interviewed, NEET youths reported higher levels of commitment to work and job searching behaviors compared to their non-NEET peers.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateSep 21, 2015

DNA sequencing improved by slowing down

EPFL scientists have developed a method that improves the accuracy of DNA sequencing up to a thousand times by slowing down the process using nanopores and viscous liquids. This breakthrough paves the way for better and cheaper DNA sequencing, enabling scientists to detect mutations and identify different organisms with greater precision.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 21, 2015

Risk of stroke at time of carotid occlusion

A study published in JAMA Neurology found that patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis are not significantly harmed by medical therapy and may even benefit from more intensive treatment. The study's findings suggest that preventing carotid occlusion may not be a valid indication for stenting or endarterectomy.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateSep 21, 2015

Mice exposed to environmental chemicals may show decreased physical activity in offspring

A University of Missouri study found that female mice exposed to endocrine disruptors like BPA and EE showed decreased physical activity in their daughters, which can predispose them to obesity and other metabolic disorders. The chemicals can affect metabolism, energy expenditure, and voluntary exercise patterns.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease·DateSep 21, 2015

Targeting DNA

A modular system of proteins can detect a specific DNA sequence in a cell and trigger a response, such as cell death. The system can be customized to detect any DNA sequence and trigger a desired response, including killing cancer cells or cells infected with a virus.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Methods·DateSep 21, 2015

Stem cell-derived 'organoids' help predict neural toxicity

A team of scientists developed a new system using stem cells to model features of the developing human brain that could be targeted by toxic chemicals or drugs. The approach, described in PNAS, uses machine learning to build a predictive model from RNA sequencing data collected from neural tissue constructs exposed to different chemicals.

SourceMorgridge Institute for Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2015