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Science News for February 25, 2016


Zika virus linked to stillbirth, other symptoms in Brazil

A pregnant Brazilian woman infected with the Zika virus had a stillborn baby with severe tissue swelling and central nervous system defects. The case provides evidence that congenital Zika infection may be linked to hydrops fetalis, hydranencephaly, and fetal demise.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateFeb 25, 2016

Clinical community crucial in the future of mitochondrial replacement, say experts

The US medical community will play a key role in determining the ethically acceptable path forward for clinical application of mitochondrial replacement techniques (MRTs). MRTs aim to prevent certain debilitating diseases related to mutated mitochondrial DNA by replacing a mother's mtDNA with that of another woman. The first use of MRT...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 25, 2016

New front opens in battle against stroke

Researchers have discovered that a new medication, pioglitazone, can reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack by nearly a quarter in patients who have previously suffered a stroke or mini-stroke. This breakthrough finding presents a promising new strategy for preventing cardiovascular disease.

SourceUniversity of South Carolina·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 25, 2016

New trigger for self-powered mechanical movement

A team of researchers at Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh has developed a new way to use enzyme reactions to trigger self-powered mechanical movement. The enzyme pumps can precisely control flow rate without an external power source and turn on in response to specific chemicals in solution.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2016

Colorado School of Public Health researcher examines chronic disease in workplace

Researchers at the Colorado School of Public Health have published a comprehensive review of ways to monitor physical activity and tools for occupational exposure scientists. The study highlights complex relationships between physical activity and common chronic diseases, such as heart disease and arthritis.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene·DateFeb 25, 2016

Parental pressure pushes young athletes to doping

Research from the University of Kent shows that parental pressure is a key factor in young male athletes' positive attitudes towards doping. The study found that perfectionism and pressure from coaches were less influential on doping attitudes compared to parental influence.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalJournal of Sports Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2016

Tests show no specific gastrointestinal abnormalities in children with autism

A recent study published in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition found that children with autism do not have a unique pattern of abnormal results on endoscopy or other tests for gastrointestinal disorders. The researchers analyzed the results of diagnostic tests in 61 children with autism being evaluated for GI sympt...

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition·DateFeb 25, 2016

Sugar rush shrinks brain cell powerhouse

Researchers found that mitochondria in brain cells rapidly change shape and function in response to high blood sugar levels, affecting peripheral tissue functions. The study suggests that alterations in this mechanism may be crucial for type 2 diabetes development.

SourceYale University·JournalCell·DateFeb 25, 2016

Sustainability management: Legitimacy is more important than profit for large companies

A new study shows that large companies in developed countries prioritize social acceptance over profit maximization in their sustainability management activities. Legitimacy-oriented measures, such as improving employee motivation and reputation, are more important than profit-driven tools like eco-efficiency analyses.

SourceLeuphana Universität Lüneburg·JournalJournal of Business Ethics·DateFeb 25, 2016

Microrobots learn from ciliates

Researchers create microrobots that mimic the movement of ciliates, beating filaments propelled by green light. The robots exhibit wave-like movements and can potentially be used for medical applications, such as detecting and curing diseases.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 25, 2016

What makes the brain tick so fast?

A new study at McGill University reveals that complex interactions between neurotransmitter receptors and other proteins help explain the brain's ability to process information quickly. Researchers used multiple techniques to examine AMPA receptors, a major player in brain signaling.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNeuron·DateFeb 25, 2016

Shark research produces the unexpected

A James Cook University study found adult females remain in coastal areas year-round, giving birth and raising young. The team tracked over 100 sharks for more than two years, discovering a mysterious attraction to a specific bay near Townsville.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateFeb 25, 2016

New molecular property may mean more efficient solar and opto-electronic devices

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have identified a new molecular property that could lead to more efficient and cost-effective materials for cell phone and laptop displays. The property, directional intrinsic charge separation, was found in crystalline nanowires of an organic semiconductor molecule known as TAT.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 25, 2016

Climate change speeds up gully erosion

Heavy rainfall causes gullies to expand rapidly, with predicted climate change increasing rates up to three times faster. Researchers have developed a model to predict gully expansion and warn of devastating consequences for agriculture, water quality, and infrastructure.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalEarth-Science Reviews·DateFeb 25, 2016

Quantum dot solids: This generation's silicon wafer?

A team of Cornell researchers has developed two-dimensional superstructures out of single-crystal building blocks, showcasing atomic coherence and superior electrical properties. The discovery has potential applications in energy absorption and light emission, but challenges remain to further improve the results.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 25, 2016

Bariatric surgery may reduce life-threatening heart failure exacerbation in obese patients

Researchers found a significant reduction in emergency department visits and hospitalizations for heart failure exacerbation after bariatric surgery. Patients who underwent the procedure experienced a 40% decrease in these events, suggesting substantial weight loss can help prevent heart-failure-related adverse events.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateFeb 25, 2016

Stem cell technique makes sperm in a dish

Researchers successfully generated functioning sperm-like cells from mouse embryonic stem cells and produced fertile offspring, providing a potential platform for treating male infertility. The breakthrough overcomes major obstacles to producing functional sperm and egg cells in a dish.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateFeb 25, 2016

Genomic sequencing reveals link between STIs and leading cause of infectious blindness

A study published in Nature Communications has discovered that genes can move from chlamydia strains in the eye to sexually transmitted strains, allowing them to infect the eye and cause Trachoma. This revelation challenges previous beliefs about Chlamydia evolution and highlights the potential for new variant Trachoma strains to emerge.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 25, 2016

Post-Ebola syndrome in Sierra Leone

Researchers found that 70% of Ebola survivors reported musculoskeletal pain, while 48% experienced headaches and 14% had vision problems. The study highlights the need for further research into Post-Ebola Syndrome to understand its causes and consequences.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 25, 2016

Zika virus linked to stillbirth, other symptoms in Brazil

A Brazilian woman infected with Zika virus had a stillborn baby with severe tissue swelling and central nervous system defects, suggesting the virus may cause damage outside the CNS. The case raises concerns about the risk of stillbirths and other adverse outcomes in pregnant women exposed to the virus.

SourceYale University·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateFeb 25, 2016

Graphene slides smoothly across gold

Researchers have discovered graphene's exceptional lubricity, which could drastically reduce energy loss in machines when used as a coating. The material's ability to slide smoothly across gold surfaces has significant implications for improving energy efficiency and extending equipment lifespan.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalScience·DateFeb 25, 2016

Fine-tuning cellular energy increases longevity

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have identified ARGK-1 as a protein that can extend the natural lifespan of C. elegans by increasing energy regulation within cells. This finding may lead to new avenues for delaying human age-related diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 25, 2016

Scientists make significant anti-aging breakthrough

Researchers at Newcastle University have identified a significant decrease in mitochondrial complex II activity with age in human skin cells, offering a new pathway for anti-aging treatments. The discovery may also lead to a greater understanding of other organs' aging processes and potential drug developments for age-related diseases.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateFeb 25, 2016

Enzymatic engines

Pittsburgh researchers utilize enzymes to trigger mechanical movement in fluidic devices, showcasing a novel approach for self-powered systems. The studies reveal complex, time-dependent flows driven by simple enzymatic reactions.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2016

3-D micro X-ray images help answer questions about fried foods' internal structure

Researchers used X-ray micro-computed tomography to study the microstructure of fried potato disks and observed how oil content and pathway networks change with frying time. The findings can be applied to other fried foods, revealing a correlation between pore size and oil uptake.

Let it go: Reaction to stress more important than its frequency

A study by Penn State and Columbia University found that individuals who experience more negative emotions and perceive stressful events as more stressful have lower heart rate variability, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This suggests that reaction to stress is more important than its frequency in determining health risks.

SourcePenn State·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateFeb 25, 2016

Study: Mental abilities are shaped by individual differences in the brain

A new study suggests that individual differences in brain structure and function affect both anatomical and cognitive factors, such as intelligence and memory. The researchers identified four unique traits that explained most of the differences in brain anatomy, with the remaining differences accounting for individual differences in in...

University of Kentucky researcher helps draft 'historic' position paper on nutrition and athletic performance

The University of Kentucky researcher has helped draft a comprehensive position paper on nutrition and athletic performance, synthesizing over eight years of research to provide evidence-based recommendations for athletes. The paper emphasizes the need for individualized nutrition plans that account for various factors affecting athlet...

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateFeb 25, 2016

Potential diagnostic for dengue fever outcomes based on metabolomic profiles

Researchers from Colorado State University have discovered a potential diagnostic tool for dengue fever by analyzing metabolomic profiles in patient serum. The study found that distinct metabolic clusters were associated with different disease outcomes, including the progression to hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateFeb 25, 2016