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Science News for December 8, 2016


Dipole orientation: New dimension in super-resolution microscopy

A new polarization-dipole azimuth-based super-resolution technique has been proposed, addressing a long-standing debate on the role of fluorescence polarization in super-resolution imaging. The technique uses SDOM technology to improve spatial resolution and detection accuracy, revealing interesting findings in biological samples.

Metaphoring the police: It's all about the right choice of word

Experiments reveal that using the protective concept of 'guardian' instead of 'warrior' to describe police can influence people's attitudes towards law enforcement. Participants who saw the police as 'guardians' felt the justice system was more fair and effective than those who considered them 'warriors'.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateDec 8, 2016

Shooting, gang violence exposure leads to PTSD

A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals a significant connection between exposure to gang violence and severe depression, with 36% of women exhibiting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The research highlights the often-overlooked impact of traumatic experiences on mental health in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities·DateDec 8, 2016

Soil pHertility

Researchers create a global map of soil pH, revealing an abrupt transition zone between acidic wet climates and alkaline dry climates. This discovery has significant implications for agriculture, as the ideal neutral range soils are found in areas like Iowa and Ukraine, which are intensively farmed.

New method helps compare cholera vaccine costs

Researchers developed a standardized approach to analyze full costs of cholera vaccines in developing countries, revealing significant variability in costs. The analysis showed vaccine delivery costs ranging from $0.36 to $6.32 per person vaccinated, with procurement costs varying between $0.29 and $29.70.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateDec 8, 2016

Researchers create hidden images with commercial inkjet printers

Scientists developed a method to print hidden images with commercial inkjet printers that can be revealed only with specific illumination, making it ideal for security-related applications. The technique uses silver and carbon ink to create arrays of rods with varying conductivities, allowing for the encoding of information.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateDec 8, 2016

Anxiety measure for children with autism proven reliable

A new method devised by Drexel University professor Connor Kerns to diagnose anxiety symptoms in children with autism has been proven effective. The Autism Spectrum Addendum (ASA) adds new questions to the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule - Child/Parent, helping determine behaviors related to autism versus anxiety.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology·DateDec 8, 2016

Study furthers research on protein involved in kidney disease

A study reveals that the liver is the primary source of Apol1, a protein linked to kidney disease, and finds a significant association between APOL1 gene variants and increased risk in individuals of recent African ancestry. The findings provide new insights into the biology of Apol1 and its potential role in health and disease.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateDec 8, 2016

Key regulator of bone development identified

Researchers at Penn State University have identified Speckle-type POZ Protein (Spop) as a key regulator of bone development. The study reveals that Spop positively regulates Hedgehog signaling during bone formation, leading to reduced bone density and brachydactyly-like symptoms.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2016

Jumping water striders know how to avoid breaking of the water surface

Researchers discovered that jumping water striders adjust their leg movements to prevent the water surface from breaking, allowing them to achieve maximum jump speeds. By studying the biomechanics of these near-vertical jumps, scientists built a mathematical model to explain the behavior and verified its predictions with actual data.

Blood-borne HPV antibodies indicate head, neck cancer prognosis

A new study suggests that blood-borne HPV antibodies can serve as a reliable biomarker for predicting the outcome of all types of head and neck cancer. The researchers found that patients with an immune response to HPV have a lower risk of dying during the five-year follow-up period, regardless of the exact location of their tumors.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateDec 8, 2016

How to make a motor neuron

Researchers found a dynamic, multi-step process in which multiple independent changes converge to transform stem cells into motor neurons. The study outlines challenges facing current cell-replacement technology but also highlights potential pathways for enhanced gene-therapy methods.

SourceNew York University·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateDec 8, 2016

Artificial beta cells

Researchers at ETH Zurich have created artificial beta cells that can effectively regulate blood sugar levels. These cells work by measuring glucose concentrations in the blood and producing insulin when necessary, making them a promising solution for diabetes treatment.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateDec 8, 2016

Tumor found in a 255-million-year-old mammalian ancestor

Researchers discovered a 255-million-year-old tumor in a gorgonopsian mammalian ancestor, revealing an ancient condition that resembles compound odontoma. This finding challenges the current understanding of vertebrate evolution, suggesting that this condition may have evolved much earlier than previously thought.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateDec 8, 2016

Fast test can monitor drug resistance in hookworms

Researchers have developed a rapid test to monitor drug resistance in hookworms, which can cause disease and stunted growth. The new test uses short nucleotide polymorphisms to detect drug-resistant mutations in as little as 1% of a sample, taking only 60 minutes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateDec 8, 2016

Oxygen can wake up dormant bacteria for antibiotic attacks

A team of researchers has identified an oxygen-dependent toxin antitoxin system that can be targeted to inhibit biofilm formation and combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. By understanding the molecular mechanisms behind this system, scientists hope to develop more effective antimicrobials.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 8, 2016

DNA methylation biomarker for prostate cancer shows promise for accurately determining patient risk

A DNA methylation biomarker called PITX2 has been identified as a reliable predictor of prostate cancer recurrence. The study found that patients with high PITX2 methylation levels were at significantly increased risk for recurrence. This breakthrough could lead to more personalized treatment strategies for prostate cancer patients.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateDec 8, 2016

Honeybee memories: Another piece of the Alzheimer's puzzle?

Honeybee memories may hold clues to understanding human long-term memory formation and combating degenerative brain diseases. DNA methylation plays a crucial role in regulating memory specificity, with implications for treating conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Molecular Neuroscience·DateDec 8, 2016

Electron highway inside crystal

Physicists at the University of Würzburg have discovered a new electronic state in topological crystalline insulators, creating conductive channels for electrical currents. The channels are narrow and robust, making the materials suitable for ultra-fast and energy-efficient computers.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalScience·DateDec 8, 2016

Copeptin levels associated with renal and cardiac disease in type 1 diabetes patients

A study found that type 1 diabetes patients with elevated albumin in their urine had triple the risk of life-threatening kidney and cardiac disease compared to those with normal levels. Copeptin levels were significantly higher in these patients, suggesting a new potential target for therapies.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Diabetes and its Complications·DateDec 8, 2016

Researchers question lifelong immunity to toxoplasmosis

A team of researchers suggests that the lifelong immunity to toxoplasmosis, once thought to be absolute, may not be as robust as previously believed. Studies have shown that even expectant mothers infected with Toxoplasma gondii at birth can still test positive for antibodies, challenging the long-held dogma.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Parasitology·DateDec 8, 2016

Transplanted interneurons can help reduce fear in mice

Researchers have discovered that transplanting immature interneurons into the brains of mice can help reduce fear response. The study found that these transplanted cells reactivated a juvenile-like plasticity in the mature amygdala, enhancing synaptic plasticity and modulating fear extinction behavior.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateDec 8, 2016

An anti-CRISPR for gene editing

Scientists have isolated three families of proteins that can turn off CRISPR-Cas9 systems specifically used for gene editing. This discovery offers a new strategy to prevent unintended changes in the genome, making gene editing more precise and controlled.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateDec 8, 2016

EEG reveals information essential to users

A study by Aalto University and the Helsinki Institute for Information Technology used EEG to model user interest in Wikipedia articles, predicting search intentions and recommending relevant documents. This technology has potential to assist humans by automatically monitoring and gathering information through wearable EEG sensors.

SourceAalto University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 8, 2016

What to do with the data?

Researchers are preparing to tackle an onslaught of petabytes of complex data from sophisticated experiments, including CERN's Large Hadron Collider. To keep up with the challenge, experts propose developing exascale supercomputers and smarter networks, as well as reengineering software to adapt to future hardware developments.

Protein disrupts infectious biofilms

A team of researchers at Caltech and the University of Oxford identified a protein that degrades and inhibits biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the primary pathogen in cystic fibrosis infections. This discovery offers a new approach to inhibit biofilm development and has promise for treating antibiotic-resistant biofilm infections.

A nano-roundabout for light

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have created a nano-roundabout for light signals using an atomic switch, allowing for precise control over the direction of circulation. The system utilizes a bottle resonator and a single rubidium atom to break symmetry and define traffic rules.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience·DateDec 8, 2016

Child mummy offers revised history of smallpox

Researchers discovered a 17th-century variola virus in a child mummy, providing a more accurate timeline for the evolution of smallpox. The study suggests that smallpox may have appeared in humans more recently than previously thought, and its evolutionary history was influenced by human migration and colonization.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 8, 2016

Why cryptophyte algae are really good at harvesting light

Cryptophyte algae have been found to harness light energy at an unprecedented rate, thanks to the ability of molecular vibrations to enhance photon absorption. This discovery has potential applications in developing more efficient light-harvesting technologies, such as sensors and communication systems.

SourceCell Press·JournalChem·DateDec 8, 2016

Report proposes standards for sharing data and code used in computational studies

A new report by University of Illinois professors recommends standardizing sharing of data sets and software code to improve reproducibility in computational research. The recommendations include documenting digital objects, making datasets and workflows accessible, and implementing reproducibility checks before publication.