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Science News for January 26, 2016


Too many minions spoil the plot

Researchers show that large groups of people sharing in a conspiracy will very quickly give themselves away, using equation to estimate time before exposure. For instance, moon landing hoax would be revealed in just 3 years and 8 months.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 26, 2016

A look into the evolution of the eye

Researchers successfully reconstructed the internal structure of a compound eye from a predatory crustacean dating back 160 million years. This groundbreaking discovery reveals that soft tissue was preserved and provides new insights into the evolution of visual systems, challenging previous assumptions about fossil preservation.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 26, 2016

New fluorescent nanomaterials whose inspiration was taken from plant antenna systems

The Molecular Spectroscopy Group has created new multifunctional materials that mimic the photosynthetic organisms of plants. These materials capture a broad spectral range of light and convert it into chemical energy. They have been applied in various photonic applications, including tunable lasers and light modulators.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalInternational Reviews in Physical Chemistry·DateJan 26, 2016

Scientists prove key aspect of evolutionary theory

Researchers demonstrate Meselson effect for first time in any organism at genome-wide level, studying a parasite called T.b. gambiense. The study reveals that the parasite's inability to recombine with each other prevents genes from being exchanged between strains.

SourceeLife·DateJan 26, 2016

Sleep apnea treatment associated with reduced readmissions for patients with heart failure

A recent study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that early diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea may reduce six-month readmissions for patients hospitalized with heart failure. Researchers discovered a significant reduction in hospital visits among patients who used positive airway pressure therapy regularly.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalThe American Journal of Cardiology·DateJan 26, 2016

Messages from the food police

Researchers found that dieters ate 39% more cookies after seeing a negative message about sugary snacks compared to those who saw a positive message. Dieters who saw a two-sided message chose 47% fewer unhealthy snacks than those who saw a negative message.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateJan 26, 2016

Spanish missions triggered Native American population collapse, indirect impact on climate

New research reveals that Native American populations in the Southwest US collapsed rapidly in the 17th century due to sustained daily interaction with European colonizers, resulting in epidemic diseases, violence, and famine. The population decline had indirect effects on forest fires and climate, with findings published in PNAS.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 26, 2016

Cancer in China

A new report estimates 4.3 million new cancer cases and 2.8 million deaths in China in 2015, with lung cancer the leading cause of cancer death. The study highlights the need to reduce risk factors and improve clinical care delivery to prevent avoidable cancer deaths.

Titan targets tumors

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf are exploring the use of high-powered lasers to accelerate ions for cancer treatment. By accelerating ions to therapeutic energies in a short time, they can deposit most of their energy inside tumors while leaving healthy tissue unharmed.

DNA imprinting defects associated with childhood osteosarcoma development and progression

A new study from the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center found DNA imprinting defects in children with osteosarcoma and their parents. The researchers suggest that these defects may be a cause of the disease's pathobiology, and could lead to targeted treatments using DNA- and chromatin-modifying drugs.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Academic Health Center·JournalOncoTargets and Therapy·DateJan 26, 2016

A master switch that plays a key role in energy metabolism and human brain evolution

A study exploring GABPa gene regulator reveals its influence as a master switch in energy metabolism and human brain evolution. Key findings include enrichment of GABPa sites at genes important for unique human functions and associations with diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and breast cancer.

Why you should never use the term 'the mentally ill'

Researchers found that people showed less tolerance toward those referred to as 'the mentally ill' compared to 'people with mental illness.' The study involved college students, non-student adults, and professional counselors, showing that language choice can influence attitudes towards mental health.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Counseling & Development·DateJan 26, 2016

Feds back new heart patch for infants

Researchers at Rice University have won a National Institutes of Health grant to develop new patches that encourage the growth of the child's own heart tissue. The new patches are designed to blend in with the surrounding tissue, reducing the risk of rejection and improving survival rates for infants born with congenital heart defects.

Anti-hydrogen origin revealed by collision simulation

A new study published in Springer reveals that numerical calculation approaches developed to simulate collisions can be used to explain antihydrogen formation. The researchers found excellent agreement between two different methods for hydrogen, but identified room for improvement for helium.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJan 26, 2016

Updated clinical practice guideline issued on chiropractic care for low back pain

The updated clinical practice guideline supports doctors of chiropractic's role in diagnosing and treating patients with low-back disorders. The guidelines recommend a hierarchy of clinical methods based on evidence levels and promote active care strategies to improve functional recovery and patient self-reliance.

SourceAmerican Chiropractic Association·JournalJournal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics·DateJan 26, 2016

Disclosure of incidental genetic findings can have positive impact for patients

A randomized controlled study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that providing information about coronary artery disease risk to patients undergoing genetic testing for Alzheimer's disease improved health behaviors and reduced distress. The study suggests that the disclosure of secondary findings from genomic testing can h...

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 26, 2016

Progress towards data sharing

Recent progress towards data sharing is discussed in PLOS Medicine articles, focusing on public health emergencies and clinical trials. The need for recognition of researchers who share data remains a challenge.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 26, 2016

On Twitter, e-cigarette ads spread like secondhand smoke

A recent study by Drexel University and USC suggests that e-cigarette marketing on social media is as containable as second-hand smoke. The study tracked the growth of e-cigarette advertising on Twitter and found that it can reach an exponential number of users, including those who may not be directly affected by the product. This rais...

SourceDrexel University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 26, 2016

Cancer riddle, solved

University of Iowa researchers track cancerous human breast tissue cells' motion and accretion into tumors, discovering that only five percent of cancerous cells are needed to form a tumor. The team finds that cancer cells actively recruit healthy cells by extending cables to grab their neighbors, forming a larger mass.