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Science News for August 25, 2016


Virtual peer pressure works just as well as the real thing

Researchers at NYU Tandon found that virtual peer pressure can influence behavior among citizen scientists, with groups performing better when competing against a virtual peer. The study used an experiment with Brooklyn Atlantis, a citizen science project where participants view and tag images of the Gowanus Canal.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalJournal of the Association for Information Science and Technology·DateAug 25, 2016

New study questions timing in mitral valve repairs

A new study published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery suggests that patients with isolated moderate to severe mitral valve regurgitation may benefit from surgical repair at an earlier stage than previously thought. The research, led by UAB/VA investigators, found severe underlying cardiac muscle damage in asymptom...

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateAug 25, 2016

New technique takes guesswork out of IVF embryo selection

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a new technique to choose the best embryo for implantation, boosting IVF pregnancy success rates. The method uses digital imaging and mathematical modeling to analyze differences in embryos not visible under a microscope, helping embryologists make more informed decisions.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalMolecular Reproduction and Development·DateAug 25, 2016

An effective and low-cost solution for storing solar energy

Researchers at EPFL and CSEM have developed a robust and effective system to store solar energy by converting it into hydrogen through water electrolysis. The new system, which combines existing components, achieves a high level of stability and cost efficiency, enabling the generation and storage of enough hydrogen to power a fuel cel...

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·DateAug 25, 2016

Looking to saliva to gain insight on evolution

New research on slobber shows that adaptation isn't just about creating new tools for survival. The study found repeated instructions in the MUC7 gene helped primates enhance important traits like saliva's lubricity and ability to bind microbes, suggesting evolution favors expansion of tried-and-true genetic tools.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 25, 2016

A mammoth undertaking

A new paper by UC Santa Barbara researchers recommends several ways to make ecological de-extinction more successful. They suggest resurrecting recently extinct species that fit seamlessly into their ecosystems, choosing animals with irreplaceable ecological jobs, and restoring species to functional abundance levels.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalFunctional Ecology·DateAug 25, 2016

Finding new targets to treat vascular damage

Scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified a new molecular pathway that may offer targets for drugs to strengthen angiogenesis and improve blood vessel growth in type 2 diabetes. The study found that CITED2 expression is increased in endothelial cells from patients with diabetes, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalDiabetes·DateAug 25, 2016

Digital forms of dating violence are on the rise -- what school nurses need to know

School nurses play a critical role in identifying and preventing digital dating violence, which can involve harassment, stalking, or controlling a partner via technology and social media. The American Association of School Nurses emphasizes the importance of conversation about healthy relationships, safe internet use, and online behavior.

Field Museum study challenges long-standing scientific theory

A recent Field Museum study using comparative genomic analysis has challenged the long-standing Red Queen Theory by revealing that mutualistic ant species evolve at a higher rate than their non-mutualistic counterparts. This discovery suggests that these species face an additional selective pressure due to their symbiotic relationships.

SourceField Museum·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 25, 2016

Face shape is in the genes

A genome-wide association study identified genetic variants that contribute to the formation of healthy facial traits, including nose size and face width. The study confirmed previous findings and provided insights into the role genes play in facial development.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateAug 25, 2016

NIH-supported researchers develop novel system to grow norovirus in intestinal cells

Researchers successfully cultured norovirus in human intestinal cells, a breakthrough that could lead to the development of novel therapeutics and vaccines against this debilitating virus. The study, supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, sheds light on the molecular mechanisms behind norovirus infection.

Ecological consequences of amphetamine pollution in urban streams

A new study reveals that amphetamine pollution in urban streams stunts biofilm growth, changes bacterial and diatom communities, and speeds up aquatic insect emergence. The research highlights the need for innovations in wastewater management to mitigate the effects of pharmaceutical and illicit drug pollution on freshwater resources.

SourceCary Institute of Ecosystem Studies·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateAug 25, 2016

How easy is it to spot a lie?

A study reviewed 20 research papers on deception in groups, revealing that collective interviews are used in only a third of investigations. This highlights the need for new methods to detect deception, as individualized interviews can be manipulated by suspects with prepared scripts.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateAug 25, 2016

Biofuels not as 'green' as many think

A recent study challenges the assumption that biofuels are carbon neutral, finding a net increase in CO2 emissions from their use in the US. The research suggests that crop-based biofuels like corn ethanol and biodiesel offer only modest reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceSpringer·JournalClimatic Change·DateAug 25, 2016

More to rainbows than meets the eye

Researchers are exploring the practical uses of rainbows in weather forecasting and combustion engine efficiency. A comprehensive review highlights the importance of simulating rainbows using mathematical modeling. The study also provides tips for capturing rainbows on camera, making them a rare and special phenomenon.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEuropean Journal of Physics·DateAug 25, 2016

Salk scientists map brain's action center

Researchers at Salk Institute created a comprehensive map of the striatum, a lesser-known brain structure that controls movement. The study reveals how patch and matrix neurons coordinate diverse functions, shedding light on long-standing questions about neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNeuron·DateAug 25, 2016

Hormone activation of genes takes teamwork

A team of Duke scientists used DNA-sequencing and computerized biology to study the glucocorticoid receptor's signaling system. They found that only 13% of binding sites directly respond to hormones, while the remaining 87% act as clusters that amplify signals.

SourceDuke University·JournalCell·DateAug 25, 2016

Graphene under pressure

Researchers discovered that the shape and dimensions of graphene nano-bubbles provide information on its elastic strength and interaction with substrates. The balloons can be created intentionally to make tiny pressure machines capable of withstanding enormous pressures.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 25, 2016

Dartmouth Institute-led team developing universal toolkit to predict hospital readmission risk

A Dartmouth Institute-led team is developing a universal electronic medical record (EMR) toolkit to predict hospital readmission risk. The toolkit will integrate with existing EMRs to monitor and measure risk of readmission, focusing on patients at highest risk, particularly those hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Hurricanes are worse, but experience, gender and politics determine if you believe it

Researchers analyze data from a survey of Gulf Coast residents to understand how their perceptions of hurricane threat vary depending on their gender, belief in climate change, and recent experience. The study found that those who have recently experienced severe hurricanes are more likely to perceive the increasing violence of storms.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalInternational Journal of Climatology·DateAug 25, 2016

Israeli lifestyle and environment may pose exceptional risks for Hodgkin's lymphoma

A large-scale migrant cohort study found that being born in Israel significantly increases the risk of nodular sclerosis HL, with elevated risks also observed among women, those born more recently, and taller stature. The study suggests exposure to unidentified elements of the Israeli environment may contribute to the disease's etiology.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalLeukemia & Lymphoma·DateAug 25, 2016

Perfluorinated compounds found in African crocodiles, American alligators

Two studies find high levels of perfluorinated alkyl acids (PFAAs) in the blood of African crocodiles and American alligators, suggesting exposure to long-lived industrial chemicals. PFAA levels were higher at sites with past use of firefighting foams, indicating potential environmental contamination.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateAug 25, 2016

How Lyme disease bacteria spread through the body

Researchers have developed a live-cell-imaging-based system that reveals the molecular and biomechanical mechanisms of Lyme disease bacteria's ability to spread through blood vessels. The study found that BBK32 plays a crucial role in stabilizing bacterial-vascular interactions, and bacteria use bungee-cord-like tethers to move along e...

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 25, 2016