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Science News for January 20, 2016


Mining social media can help improve disaster response efforts

Researchers used social media data from Twitter and Flickr to identify hotspots in need of aid during the 2013 Colorado floods. The team's innovative approach combined remote sensing imagery with machine-learning algorithms to quickly analyze images and pinpoint areas affected by flooding.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Remote Sensing·DateJan 20, 2016

Neolithic tomb reveals community stayed together, even in death

A Neolithic Spanish burial site reveals a closely related local community from 6000 years ago, with at least 47 adults and adolescents buried in a megalithic tomb. The analysis suggests that the individuals farmed cereal crops and had family members buried side-by-side, indicating significant shifts in social identity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 20, 2016

Can performance brands cause a placebo effect?

A study by Frank Germann and colleagues found that strong performance brands can improve performance in tasks such as golf putting and math tests. Participants who believed they were using a high-performance brand performed better than those who did not know the brand, even when using the same product. The effect is strongest among nov...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 20, 2016

Penn-engineered neural networks show hope for axonal repair with minimal disruption to brain tissue

Lab-grown neural networks can replace damaged axon tracks in patients with severe head injuries, strokes, or neurodegenerative diseases. The micro-TENNS, made of mature cerebral cortical neurons and long axonal projections, integrate into existing brain structures and reconstitute missing pathways.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Neural Engineering·DateJan 20, 2016

200 million-year-old Jurassic dinosaur uncovered in Wales

A new carnivorous dinosaur species, Dracoraptor hanigani, has been uncovered in south Wales, potentially dating back to the earliest days of the Jurassic Period. The fossil, discovered in 2014, represents one of the most complete theropod specimens from Wales and may be one of the oldest known Jurassic dinosaurs in the UK.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 20, 2016

Study finds no link between surgical anesthesia and MCI

A Mayo Clinic study found no association between surgical anesthesia and development of mild cognitive impairment in people aged 40 and older. Researchers evaluated over 1,700 participants and found that exposure to anesthesia did not increase the risk of mild cognitive impairment.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateJan 20, 2016

Novel study shows lower surgical mortality in hospitals with best nursing care

A novel study found that Magnet hospitals with excellent nursing care have significantly lower death rates after surgery, especially for sicker patients. The research also revealed that better nurse staffing can be achieved at the same or lower costs by reducing hospital admissions to intensive care units and shortening length of stay.

Researchers find microbial heat islands in the desert

Researchers at Arizona State University found that desert microbes can significantly warm the surface by producing sunscreen-like compounds, increasing reflectivity and altering ecosystem services. This phenomenon, known as biological soil crusts or biocrusts, could have important implications for global heat budgets and climate models.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 20, 2016

Social anxiety is highly heritable but is affected by environment

Research suggests that social anxiety disorder has a high genetic component, with environmental factors playing a significant role in its short-term development. The study found that while the risk of developing social anxiety is strongly influenced by genetic factors, environmental events have little impact on stability over time.

SourceNorwegian Institute of Public Health·JournalJournal of Abnormal Psychology·DateJan 20, 2016

Copper deposition to fabricate tiny 3-D objects

Researchers use a new technique to electro-deposit dissolved metals, creating complex structures like watch components and microtools. The process uses a force-controlled nanopipette to print pixels layer by layer, with high spatial resolution.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 20, 2016

Toward consistently good pinot noir

Scientists have identified 49 main odor compounds in young and ripe Pinot Noir grapes, finding four consistently present in mature grapes. This breakthrough could help growers determine the optimal harvest time for improved wine quality.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJan 20, 2016

Clarifying the mechanism for making blood cells

A research group led by Makoto Kobayashi has shed light on the mechanism of hemangioblast differentiation into blood cells and vascular endothelia. LSD1 histone demethylase plays a crucial role in silencing Etv2, a transcription factor gene required for hemangioblast formation.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 20, 2016

New study of gene mutations causing Leigh syndrome shows effects on embryonic development

A new study using mouse embryonic stem cells found that gene mutations leading to Complex I deficiency cause significant differences in early patterns of cellular gene expression. The mutations also disrupted energy-producing processes, affecting neuronal development and the initiation of a heartbeat.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateJan 20, 2016

2016 Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine

Andrea Ballabio and John Diffley receive the 2016 Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine for their pioneering work on lysosomal function and its significance in diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and obesity. Their research could lead to new therapeutic tools for treating human diseases.

SourceEMBO·DateJan 20, 2016

Gloop from the deep sea

Researchers at ETH Zurich are studying the Atlantic hagfish's remarkable slime to understand its structure, properties, and formation process. The slime, composed of protein threads and mucin, can immobilize vast amounts of water, making it a potential inspiration for creating novel super hydrogels with numerous applications.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering·DateJan 20, 2016

The importance of children at play

Research highlights the importance of interactive peer play in preschool for Latino children from low-income households, showcasing their strengths rather than deficits. The study found that these children displayed high levels of positive learning behaviors and social engagement during play.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalEarly Childhood Research Quarterly·DateJan 20, 2016

New genus of tree hole breeding frogs found in India

A new genus of tree hole breeding frogs, Frankixalus, has been identified in India, featuring gel-encapsulated eggs and tadpoles that devour their mother's eggs. This discovery highlights the evolutionary distinctiveness and unique life history features of this lineage.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 20, 2016

How 2 degrees may turn into 4

Climate researchers have calculated regional temperature increases based on a global 2-degree target, revealing clear-cut effects and limitations. The study provides valuable tool for politicians, decision-makers, and civilians to understand the importance of reducing CO2 emissions.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateJan 20, 2016

Neutral result charges up antimatter research

Researchers from the ALPHA Collaboration have made a breakthrough in studying antihydrogen, improving the measurement of its charge by a factor of 20. The study's results suggest that matter and antimatter may interact differently, with potential implications for our understanding of the universe.

SourceYork University·JournalNature·DateJan 20, 2016

Research reveals mechanism for direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide

Scientists at the University of Illinois have discovered a new mechanism for directly synthesizing hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen gases using palladium cluster catalysts. This breakthrough provides insight into the formation of H2O2, which can be used as an environmentally benign alternative to chlorine.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 20, 2016