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Science News for April 4, 2016


New laser to shine light on remote sensing

A revolutionary new laser developed by the University of Adelaide can operate over a large range in the infrared light spectrum, allowing for sensitive detection of greenhouse gases. The laser's tunability and affordability make it a promising tool for scanning gases with high sensitivity.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalOptics Letters·DateApr 4, 2016

ECS publishes First Editors' Choice article

The Electrochemical Society (ECS) has published its first Editors' Choice article, detailing transformative findings in the dosage and spatial distribution of lithiation. The article uses a focused Li-ion beam to probe lithiation mechanism at the nanoscale, enabling precise dosage and control.

SourceThe Electrochemical Society·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·DateApr 4, 2016

Shifting sands on Mars

Researchers aim to learn about changes in Martian-like sand dunes' grain size, chemical composition, and shape. They seek evidence of microbial organisms in similar environments as Earth, which could provide clues about Mars' past habitability.

Surgery residency program directors believe flexible duty hours improve continuity of care

A survey of program directors found that flexible work hour schedules improve the continuity of patient care without compromising patient safety. Directors also believed that flexible duty hours would positively affect patient safety, continuity of care, quality of resident education, and resident well-being.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateApr 4, 2016

Man's best friend is getting smaller

The study found that registration of small and medium breeds increased by 4.2% and 5.3% relative to large breeds over a 28-year period. Brachycephalic breeds, such as pugs and bulldogs, are increasingly popular due to their short, wide heads, which may be linked to changes in human lifestyle and living space.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCanine Genetics and Epidemiology·DateApr 4, 2016

Vitamin D improves heart function, study finds

A daily dose of vitamin D3 improves heart function in people with chronic heart failure, improving ejection fraction from 26% to 34%. The study, known as VINDICATE, involved over 160 patients and found that taking vitamin D3 regularly may lessen the need for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics April theme: Intimate partner violence

The International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics identifies key factors associated with intimate partner violence, including infertility/subfertility as a risk factor in low- and middle-income countries. The research contributes to efforts to establish ways to identify individuals at risk and develop successful interventions.

SourceElsevier·JournalInternational Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics·DateApr 4, 2016

Western lifestyle spells the end of biodiversity

A recent study reveals that societies follow common development patterns, leading to overexploitation of natural resources and ecosystems. The Living Planet Index and Human Development Index show a stark contrast between Western countries' environmental degradation and developing countries' accelerating resource depletion. To avoid cat...

SourceNational Research Tomsk State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Studies·DateApr 4, 2016

CU Denver study shows disaster plans often neglect historic preservation

A CU Denver study reveals that many communities fail to incorporate historic preservation into their disaster management plans, putting cultural resources at risk. The study identified numerous historic sites in hazardous areas, including those in Florida's National Register of Historic Places in a 100-year floodplain.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of the American Planning Association·DateApr 4, 2016

New tool enables scientists to interpret 'dark matter' DNA

Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have invented a new way to read and interpret the human genome, using machine learning technology to predict gene-enhancer interactions. The TargetFinder tool accurately predicts complex three-dimensional interactions up to 85% of the time, opening the door to treating genetic diseases.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature Genetics·DateApr 4, 2016

Reasons reported by children, youth for being on the streets

A global review of 13,559 participants found that poverty was the most common reason reported by children and youth for being on the streets, followed by family conflict and abuse. The study highlights the urgent need for international collaborations to prevent street involvement and assist those already involved.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateApr 4, 2016

Engaging patients and the public with health care evidence

The article recommends ways to manage value conflicts and promote patient engagement in clinical care, health care organizations, public health, regulation, and among payers. It proposes strategies such as advance community-based participatory research, facilitating patient and community involvement in learning health systems, and gath...

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalHealth Affairs·DateApr 4, 2016

How is the quality of care in a commercial virtual visit?

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that quality of care varied significantly among eight commercial virtual visit companies, with differences in diagnosis accuracy and adherence to guidelines. The variation was greater for certain conditions, such as viral pharyngitis and acute rhinosinusitis.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 4, 2016

Chasing after a prehistoric Kite Runner

Researchers from Yale, Oxford, and Imperial College London describe a new species of ancient arthropod that carried its young in capsules tethered to its body. The creature, named Aquilonifer spinosus, lived about 430 million years ago and had unique brooding strategies to protect its eggs and embryos from predators.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2016

To treat a leading cause of osteoporosis, surgery is better than widely used medications

A recent study found that surgery to remove overactive parathyroid glands is associated with significantly fewer bone fractures compared to treatment with bisphosphonate medications. This suggests that medication may not be the most effective option for treating hyperparathyroidism, which is a leading cause of osteoporosis.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 4, 2016

Nanotubes line up to form films

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to make highly aligned, wafer-scale films of densely packed single-walled carbon nanotubes. The thin films offer possibilities for making flexible electronic and photonic devices, such as bendable computer chips.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 4, 2016

Gestures improve communication -- even with robots

Researchers found that robot avatars using multi-modal communication, combining speech and iconic hand gestures, are as easily understood as human actors. The study demonstrated that avatars can convey their message more effectively when using gestures with speech.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateApr 4, 2016

Vibrations make large landslides flow like fluid

Researchers used a sophisticated computer model to show that vibrations generated by large slides can cause tons of rock to flow like a fluid, enabling it to rumble across vast distances. The study found that the vibrational waves reduce the effect of friction acting on the slide, enabling it to travel further than smaller slides.

New study adds key piece to autism puzzle

A new study using eye-tracker technology shows that children with autism spectrum disorder fixate longer on a speaker's mouth rather than the eyes when the conversation turns emotional. The findings could affect speech therapy treatment, as children with ASD may miss social cues in facial expressions.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalResearch in Autism Spectrum Disorders·DateApr 4, 2016

Nanoparticles can grow in cubic shape

Scientists at the University of Helsinki and Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology have successfully grown iron nanoparticles in a cubic shape. The researchers used a mathematical model to understand the mechanisms behind this phenomenon, which is thermodynamically unexpected.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 4, 2016

Earth's internal heat drives rapid ice flow and subglacial melting in Greenland

A study by GFZ researchers reveals that Earth's internal heat is responsible for the rapid flow of Greenland's ice, driven by a geothermal anomaly that originated from the Icelandic mantle plume. The anomaly creates a region with abundant subglacial meltwater, lubricating the base of the ice and making it flow rapidly.

Kicking the habit

Neuroscientists at Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown in Lisbon report novel findings that challenge the way the scientific community has been thinking about how actions are selected and habits are formed. The study reveals that two competing pathways in the Basal Ganglia work concurrently to promote distinct, positive outcomes.

SourceJLM&A, SA·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 4, 2016

Fishing for the future of coral reefs

Caribbean coral reefs face mounting pressure from global warming, local pollution, and over-fishing of herbivorous fish. A new study suggests that implementing size limits and catch limits can help maintain reef resilience. The research provides tools for fisheries managers to revise current practices and sustain fishers' livelihoods.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2016

Relationships in distress find support in web-based program, OurRelationship.com

A nationwide study found that a web-based program improved relationship satisfaction and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in 300 couples. The program, developed by University of Miami psychologists, was completed online with minimal calls with project staff, offering an affordable alternative to traditional counseling.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·DateApr 4, 2016

Two atrial fibrillation ablation techniques equal on efficacy and safety

The FIRE AND ICE trial showed that radiofrequency and cryoballoon ablation are equally effective in treating atrial fibrillation, with similar rates of recurrence and no significant differences in safety outcomes. Cryoballoon patients were more likely to experience phrenic nerve injury, but this was rare and resolved in most cases.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 4, 2016

How crispy is your bonbon?

A new theory predicts the mechanical response of shells, from small pharmaceutical capsules to large airplane bodies. By controlling a few key variables, engineers can create uniformly smooth shells with precisely tailored thickness, with applications far beyond the chocolate shop.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 4, 2016

When the oxygen kills

Researchers identified a gene mutation increasing superoxide production, which damages DNA and cellular components. The study also shows the importance of understanding living systems and developing therapies for patients with related gene mutations.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalFree Radical Biology and Medicine·DateApr 4, 2016

New study shows increased flooding, accelerated sea-level rise in Miami over last decade

A new University of Miami-led study found significant increases in flooding frequency in Miami Beach over the last decade due to accelerated sea-level rise. The researchers suggest using regional sea-level rise projections to better prepare for future flood hazards in South Florida.

The ups and downs of transportation within cells

Researchers at Hiroshima University discovered a new role for the gene Rab6 in cell polarity, which directs proteins to specific sides of cells. The study found that Rab6 distinguishes between proteins destined for different parts of the cell, shedding light on how cells maintain their orientation.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateApr 4, 2016

New human on chip technology permits unparalleled insight into cellular function dynamics

Researchers developed a new Liver-on-Chip device with glucose and lactate micro-sensors to track metabolic function in real-time, enabling detection of chemical toxicity before cellular damage. The technology has the potential to redefine studies on neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and drug discovery.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2016

Common pesticides kill amphibian parasites, study finds

A recent study found that six commonly used insecticides kill amphibian parasites, potentially decreasing the number of parasites an amphibian must defend against. The study also showed population-specific differences in pesticide resistance, highlighting the importance of considering multiple populations when assessing toxicity.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalParasitology·DateApr 4, 2016

Unraveling truly one-dimensional carbon solids

Researchers have synthesized micrometer length-scale carbon chains, surpassing previous records by more than one order of magnitude. The discovery confirms the existence of ultra-long linear carbon chains, also known as carbyne, using various advanced spectroscopic and microscopic techniques.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Materials·DateApr 4, 2016

Study links disparities in pain management to racial bias

A University of Virginia study found that false beliefs about biological differences between black and white people contribute to undertreated pain among black patients. White medical students and residents who held these false beliefs showed lower pain ratings and less accurate treatment recommendations for black patients.

SourceUniversity of Virginia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2016

UEA research reveals 'topsy turvy' ocean circulation on distant planets

New research from UEA's Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences found that oceans on distant Earth-like planets with varying salinity levels can significantly impact their climates. The study discovered that extreme salinity levels could lead to dramatic warming in polar regions, potentially extending a planet's habitability.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2016