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Science News for January 25, 2016


What factors influence timing of start of dialysis?

The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, examines the complex processes shaping dialysis timing and suggests opportunities for patient-centered approaches. The research reveals interrelated factors, including physician practices, precipitating events, and patient-physician dynamics.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJan 25, 2016

Fishing for answers on bone loss in space

Researchers aboard the International Space Station reared small freshwater fish for 56 days to investigate microgravity's effects on bone density. The study found increased osteoclast activity and reduced bone mineral density in the fish, suggesting a potential link between mitochondria dysfunction and osteoporosis.

SourceNASA/Johnson Space Center·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 25, 2016

Study shows animals with larger brains are best problem solvers

A study by Sarah Benson-Amram and colleagues found that carnivore species with larger brains relative to their body size were more successful in solving a novel problem-solving task, with bears being the most successful and meerkats and mongooses being the least. The results support the theory that brain size predicts cognitive abilities.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

Yale team deciphers sugar's siren song

Researchers found that the brain prioritizes calorie intake over taste quality when it comes to sugary foods. The study suggests that the brain has two separate pathways for processing sweetness and energy signals, with calorie-rich foods dominating our desire for sweets.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 25, 2016

The way to learn

The great tit's reference genome shows epigenetic processes influencing learning and cognitive processes, with conserved patterns found in humans and other mammals. The study suggests a correlation between methylation levels and molecular evolution rate.

SourceNetherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW)·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 25, 2016

Mom's in control -- even before you're born

Researchers have discovered that epigenetic information in the egg plays a crucial role in shaping the development of the placenta during pregnancy. The study found that DNA methylation marks from the egg are essential for correct placental development, particularly in regulating cell adhesion and migration.

SourceBabraham Institute·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJan 25, 2016

Global nitrogen footprint mapped for first time

The study found that the US, China, India, and Brazil are responsible for 46% of global nitrogen emissions, while developing countries export large amounts of nitrogen through food, textiles, and clothing. The results highlight the need for policies to reduce nitrogen pollution globally.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJan 25, 2016

New policies, educational programs help -- but don't solve -- problems with opioid abuse

A recent study found that medical provider training, new clinic policies, and tapering opioid use can significantly reduce the level of opioid medication used by patients. However, women had less success with the tapering approach. The research also highlighted the need for close collaboration between doctors, pharmacists, and patients...

SourceOregon State University·JournalSubstance Abuse·DateJan 25, 2016

New theory aids search for universe's origin

A new theory suggests a novel way to probe the beginning of space and time, shedding light on initial conditions. The researchers propose using 'primordial standard clocks' to put time labels on seed fluctuations, allowing for the distinction between inflation and contraction scenarios.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·DateJan 25, 2016

Acoustic tweezers moves cells in three dimensions, builds structures

Researchers created a device that moves single cells in three dimensions using surface acoustic waves, enabling precise manipulation and structure building. The technology has potential applications in regenerative medicine, neuroscience, tissue engineering, biomanufacturing, and cancer metastasis.

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

Graphene composite may keep wings ice-free

A thin coating of graphene nanoribbons in epoxy has been proven effective at melting ice on a helicopter blade. The coating, developed by Rice University, may be an effective real-time de-icer for aircraft and other surfaces exposed to winter weather, reducing the need for glycol-based chemicals.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJan 25, 2016

NIH-funded study suggests potential to predict peanut allergy immunotherapy outcomes

A new NIH-funded study suggests that changes in immune cell subtypes after oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy can help predict treatment success. The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found a novel T-cell population that likely would not mount an allergic response expanded with treatment.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

New mouse-human modeling system enables study of disease development in vivo

Scientists have created a new mouse-human modeling platform that can study neural crest development and model diseases like melanoma and neurofibromatosis. The system uses human committed stem cells injected into mouse embryos, resulting in successfully integrated chimeras with disease-relevant human cells.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

The aftermath of 1492

A Harvard study reveals that disease didn't break out until nearly a century after European contact in northern New Mexico, coinciding with mission church establishment. Native populations dropped from 6,500 to fewer than 900 in just 60 years, resulting in staggering social, cultural, and environmental impacts.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

Crouching protein, hidden enzyme

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute and UC Berkeley have made a breakthrough in understanding the proteasome, a molecular machine responsible for breaking down toxic proteins. The new study reveals how a crucial enzyme, Rpn11, is activated to remove harmful proteins from cells, providing potential new therapies for diseases such ...

Targeted axillary dissection of lymph nodes after chemotherapy improves staging accuracy of node-positive breast cancer

A new procedure, Targeted Axillary Dissection (TAD), reduces need for invasive surgery in select patients with axillary metastasis. TAD involves removing sentinel lymph nodes and additional cancerous lymph nodes found during diagnosis, improving staging accuracy and reducing complications.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJan 25, 2016

Highly efficient heavy metal ions filter

A new hybrid filter membrane has been developed to remove heavy metals from water, including industrially relevant elements like lead and mercury. The membrane's efficiency is high, with over 99% of toxic substances bound in just a single pass.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 25, 2016

Climate change: Ocean warming underestimated

Researchers at the University of Bonn used satellite data to find that ocean warming expansion contributed an average of 1.4 millimeters per year to sea level rise, more than double the previous estimate of 0.7-1.0 millimeters per year. This could lead to significantly increased risks of storm surges and coastal flooding.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

Over-hunting threatens Amazonian forest carbon stocks

A new study found that over-hunting large mammals in Amazonian forests could lead to significant loss of above-ground carbon stock, potentially disrupting seed dispersal and long-term forest dynamics. The research suggests that protecting large vertebrate populations is crucial for maintaining ecosystem services.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

New research uncovers hidden bias in college admissions tests

A new study found that standardized tests like SAT and GRE can predict student success with varying degrees of accuracy across different colleges and universities. The researchers argue that admissions policies, grading approaches, and academic support resources differ greatly between institutions, leading to biases in test results.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of Educational Psychology·DateJan 25, 2016

Clarifying the role of magnetism in high-temperature superconductors

Researchers investigated magnetism's influence on atomic vibrations in iron-pnictide superconductors, finding magnetic fluctuations play a crucial role. The study provides insight into the interaction between magnetism and atomic vibrations, potentially leading to materials that superconduct close to room temperature.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPhysical Review B·DateJan 25, 2016

A new model emerges for monsoons in a changing global climate

A new study suggests that continent-scale monsoons will adapt gradually to climate change, with changes in land use and greenhouse gas concentrations prompting adjustments in massive air circulations. Despite predictions of a sudden shift, the researchers argue that monsoon rainfall will change smoothly over time.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

ACP issues advice for evaluating blood in the urine as a sign of cancer

The American College of Physicians issues guidelines for evaluating blood in the urine as a sign of cancer. Doctors should confirm heme-positive results with microscopic urinalysis before initiating further evaluation in asymptomatic adults. Urology referral is recommended for cystoscopy and imaging in adults with microscopically confi...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 25, 2016

Increasing oil's performance with crumpled graphene balls

Researchers at Northwestern University discovered crumpled graphene balls as a promising lubricant additive that outperforms some commercial lubricants in reducing friction and wear on steel surfaces. The additive is self-dispersing without surfactants and has high performance sensitivity to concentration, making it more stable.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

Newfound strength in regenerative medicine

Researchers at the Wyss Institute have discovered that cyclic mechanical stimulation can improve muscle regeneration and reduce scarring, opening doors for new non-biologic therapies. The study used murine models of muscle injury and found a two-and-a-half-fold improvement in muscle regeneration with both magnetized gel and robotic cuf...

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

Acid-sensitive molecular changes contribute to the emergence of pandemic influenza

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists identified a molecular property of the hemagglutinin protein that contributed to the emergence of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus. The study found that the adaptation increased the protein's stability in acidic conditions, allowing airborne transmission.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

Bullying hinders positive youth development for sexual-minority youth

A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that bullying significantly impacts the positive youth development of sexual-minority youth. The research used data from a survey of over 1,800 adolescents and revealed that these youths scored lower on key indicators such as competence, confidence, and connection ...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJan 25, 2016

Flexible and transparent pressure sensor

A new transparent, bending insensitive pressure sensor was developed by Japanese and American teams to measure pressure distribution on rounded surfaces. The sensor can maintain its sensing accuracy even when bent over a radius of 80 micrometers, equivalent to just twice the width of a human hair.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 25, 2016

Most commonly used TB test fails to accurately diagnose pregnant HIV positive women

A new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that the most commonly used TB test failed to accurately diagnose tuberculosis in up to 50% of pregnant women who are HIV+. The researchers developed a new method to identify which women carrying latent TB infection are most likely to develop ...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 25, 2016