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Science News for August 31, 2016


Want to hit your target? Good luck, short stuff

A study by Ohio State University researchers found that taller individuals have a natural advantage when it comes to spatial relations and judging the location of targets in their middle-distance vision. This ability is particularly important in situations with limited visual cues, such as darkness or obstacles.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 31, 2016

Insecure childhood can make dealing with stress harder

A study found that individuals with insecure childhood experiences had lower task performance under emotionally negative conditions and less brain activity in response to target letters. This suggests that inefficient emotional regulation strategies may lead to reduced cognitive resources for task completion.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateAug 31, 2016

Selenium status influence cancer risk

Researchers from Charité have found that high blood selenium levels are associated with a decreased risk of developing liver cancer. Selenium deficiency is identified as a major risk factor for liver cancer, with the third of the population having lowest selenium status facing a five- to ten-fold increased risk.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateAug 31, 2016

Potential new treatment for cocaine addiction

Researchers at Cardiff University have discovered a new drug treatment that inhibits memories responsible for cocaine cravings, significantly accelerating the end of drug-seeking behavior. The therapy, currently used in cancer trials, targets the brain's limbic system and could potentially speed up clinical development.

Concerns over glutathione skin bleaching in the UK

The use of glutathione for skin bleaching is on the rise in the UK despite potential risks and lack of regulation. The practice has been linked to serious side effects such as Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, as well as transmission of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateAug 31, 2016

Walking a tightrope: Regulators balancing need for safety and flexibility in approvals for new medicines

The European Medicines Agency's approval process for biosimilars shows variability, but offers insights into implementation. Regulators must balance the need for safety with flexibility to support innovation in new therapies, including personalized treatments and products on the borderline between medicines and other sectors.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateAug 31, 2016

Genetic diversity of enzymes alters metabolic individuality

Research at Tohoku University reveals genetic variants affecting enzymatic activities in healthy individuals, suggesting that moderate and rare variants contribute to metabolic differences and disease susceptibility. The study identifies five associations between metabolites and gene variants, including four related to metabolic diseases.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 31, 2016

Food puzzles enhance feline wellbeing

A review of existing empirical evidence suggests that food puzzles can improve cats' physical health by aiding weight loss, and their emotional wellbeing by reducing aggression and fear. By introducing food puzzles, owners can provide cats with stimulation and exercise, leading to a more balanced lifestyle.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·DateAug 31, 2016

LJI researchers gain new understanding of how neutrophils latch onto vessel walls to protect from infection and clean up injured tissue

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered a novel mechanism by which neutrophil receptors latch onto vessel walls, dampening inflammation. Integrins assume an unorthodox shape that exposes the high affinity patch but maintains a bent conformation, preventing it from binding to ICAM-1 expressed on blood vessel cells.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 31, 2016

A new key in fighting Kennedy's disease

Scientists at Michigan State University have discovered a new target for treating Kennedy's disease by focusing on the role of genes in muscles. Contrary to previous beliefs, researchers found that the affected gene does not cause muscle fibers to lose connections with neurons, but rather appears broken and disorganized.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateAug 31, 2016

New digital antenna could revolutionize the future of mobile phones

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a method to combine several small antenna elements into a single digitally controlled antenna, which speeds up data transfer and improves reception. This new technology has the potential to reach data transfer speeds 100-1000 times faster than current phones and improve battery life.

SourceAalto University·JournalIEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters·DateAug 31, 2016

Study assesses climate change vulnerability in urban America

A recent study assesses the climate change vulnerability of cities across the US, finding that many city planners have yet to prepare for climate-related risks. The research highlights the need for a more nuanced approach, focusing on human health impacts and sector-specific strategies to address specific challenges in urban areas.

Bloodthirsty brains

Research collaboration reveals that blood flow to the brain increased by 600% over human evolution, linked to intelligence growth. Ancient fossil skulls show larger holes in arteries, indicating faster increase in blood flow rate.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateAug 31, 2016

Freshening of the Southern Ocean

A recent study reveals that the expansion of Antarctic sea ice has caused a significant freshening of the Southern Ocean. The increased freshwater flux from the sea-ice conveyor belt explains the observed salinity changes in the region.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateAug 31, 2016

Gaming for gut research

A new video game, Colony B, helps scientists analyze how microbes relate to lifestyle habits and health. The game correlates player data with survey information from the American Gut project, revealing potential links between microbial composition and human health.

Lunar cycle affects timing of birth in cows

A study by University of Tokyo researchers found a statistically significant increase in cow births during near full and full moon phases. The study suggests that cows may be a suitable model for studying the lunar cycle's impact on animal births, with further research needed to confirm results.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 31, 2016

New study highlights high rates of suicide and self-harm among transgender youth

A new study by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center reveals that 30% of transgender youth have attempted a suicide, while nearly 42% report self-injury. The study highlights the need for mental health providers to be aware of these challenges and provides further evidence on the at-risk nature of transgender youth.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalSuicide and Life-Threatening Behavior·DateAug 31, 2016

The Lancet Psychiatry: Increasing number of US adults using marijuana as fewer people perceive the drug as harmful

A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that the number of US adults using marijuana increased between 2002 and 2014, with a corresponding decrease in perceived risk of harm. Despite this, the prevalence of marijuana use disorders remained stable, highlighting the need for effective education and prevention messages.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·DateAug 31, 2016