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Science News Archive February 2016 - Page 33


Page 33 of 39

How roots grow

Root shape is determined by a combination of genetic predisposition and the self-organization of cells. The development of secondary roots follows principles of non-deterministic growth and adaptation.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 4, 2016

New science helps put spotlight on unseen global impacts

A new science framework, telecoupling, is used to examine the often unseen consequences of global transactions on human-nature interactions. The framework, developed by sustainability scholar Jianguo Liu, allows scientists to analyze how distant environmental and socioeconomic actions lead to reactions and feedbacks globally.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateFeb 4, 2016

CNIC researchers discover a new target for the treatment of fatty liver disease

CNIC researchers have identified a new target for the treatment of fatty liver disease, p38 gamma and p38 delta proteins. Inhibition of these proteins with specific inhibitors has shown potential as a treatment for fatty liver disease, potentially preventing inflammation, liver damage, and diabetes linked to obesity.

Phosphine as a superconductor? Sure, but the story may be complicated

Researchers at the University of Buffalo found that phosphine's superconductivity likely results from the compound decomposing into other products containing phosphorus and hydrogen. This understanding could aid in creating new superconducting materials, which would revolutionize electric power infrastructure by reducing energy waste.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 3, 2016

Receptors inside nerve cells may be a key to controlling pain

Blocking receptors inside nerve cells may offer a more effective and safer pain relief option by reducing drug-induced side effects. The study found that targeting glutamate receptors in the nucleus of spinal nerve cells can effectively relieve neuropathic pain in rats, with no changes in pain sensitivity observed in normal rats.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 3, 2016

Orangutans: Lethal aggression between females

Researchers observed a female orangutan being killed by another female, with a male recruited as a hired gun. Female-female aggression is rare, and the case defies typical patterns of joint coalitional killings.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateFeb 3, 2016

Wayne State chemistry professor earns NSF CAREER Award to examine unusual chemical structure

Jennifer Stockdill, a Wayne State University assistant professor of chemistry, has received a $650,000 NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award to investigate the reactivity of neutral aminyl radicals. The award also supports outreach programs aimed at promoting diversity in STEM fields among middle school girls and graduate students.

Breaking through insect shells at a molecular level

Scientists at the universities of Bonn and Leipzig found a way to break through insect shells using enzyme chitinase 2 and growth factor idgf6. This discovery offers new starting points for controlling agricultural parasites and disease-carrying insects, such as mosquitoes that spread Zika virus.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 3, 2016

No proof that radiation from X rays and CT scans causes cancer

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Oncology challenges the widely-held belief that low-dose radiation from medical imaging procedures can cause cancer. The authors argue that the linear no-threshold model, used to estimate cancer risks, has never been conclusively demonstrated by empirical evidence.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Oncology·DateFeb 3, 2016

New study challenges Jupiter's role as planetary shield, protecting Earth from comet impacts

A new simulation study suggests that Jupiter's most important role in fostering life on Earth was delivering volatile materials from the outer Solar System. The study also proposes that a Solar System with one or more planets similar to Jupiter located beyond the region of potential terrestrial planets is beneficial for life development.