Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for September 4, 2015


Plants also suffer from stress

A team of researchers has identified a protein family that helps plants grow on salt, revealing a mechanism for improving plant growth under salt stress conditions. The study found that these proteins support the cellulose synthase machinery during cellulose synthesis, helping plants maintain biomass production under salt.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalCell·DateSep 4, 2015

Decontamination exterminates antibiotic-resistant bacteria from pig farm

A study by American Society for Microbiology found that decontamination protocols effectively eliminated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae bacteria from a pig farm. The protocol involved high-pressure cleaning, disinfection, and treatment with complex solutions.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateSep 4, 2015

Highly effective seasickness treatment on the horizon

Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new seasickness treatment using a mild electrical current applied to the scalp. The treatment reduces responses in an area of the brain responsible for processing motion signals, helping prevent symptoms of motion sickness. Short-term use is expected to be safe and effective.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNeurology·DateSep 4, 2015

Common antidepressant may change brain

Researchers found that the antidepressant sertraline increased the volume of one brain region in depressed subjects, while decreasing two brain areas in non-depressed subjects. The study used middle-aged female monkeys to replicate human depression and tested the effects of sertraline on brain volumes.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalNeuropharmacology·DateSep 4, 2015

Farthest galaxy detected

A team of Caltech researchers detects a galaxy called EGS8p7, which is more than 13.2 billion years old, making it the farthest galaxy ever found. The detection challenges our understanding of the universe's evolution, particularly reionization.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 4, 2015

Inexpensive drug saves blood and money: Study

A study at St. Michael's Hospital found that using an inexpensive drug, tranexamic acid, can reduce the number of red blood cell transfusions during hip and knee replacement surgeries by over 40%. The use of this drug did not increase adverse events or hospital stays.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalCanadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d anesthésie·DateSep 4, 2015

Rice researchers demo solar water-splitting technology

Researchers have developed a system that captures energy from 'hot electrons' to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen, offering a promising means of harnessing renewable energy. The process uses light-activated gold nanoparticles and efficiently increases solar-to-electric power-conversion efficiencies.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 4, 2015