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Science News for January 28, 2016


Why you won't lose weight with exercise alone

New research reveals that exercise alone is insufficient for weight loss due to the human body's adaptive response. A study published in Current Biology found that daily energy expenditure increases with moderate physical activity but plateaus at higher levels.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 28, 2016

Giant gas cloud boomeranging back into Milky Way

Researchers have determined that the Smith Cloud, a high-velocity cloud in the galaxy, contains heavier elements similar to those found in our sun, suggesting it originated from the Milky Way's outer edges. The cloud is now expected to crash into the galaxy's disk in 30 million years, potentially generating two million suns.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 28, 2016

NYU research: Shedding light on genetic switches

A new study by NYU researchers identifies molecular switches that turn on gene expression in the notochord, a precursor to the backbone. The team used a marine organism called Ciona and found that specific transcription factors bind DNA sequences, known as CRMs, to control gene expression.

SourceNew York University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJan 28, 2016

Refugee women at higher risk of preterm birth, study finds

A study found that refugee women, particularly those who spent time in transit countries, are at a higher risk of giving birth prematurely. This increased risk is attributed to factors such as long-term exposure to poor living conditions, anxiety, and stress. The researchers suggest implementing policies to shorten the time refugees sp...

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateJan 28, 2016

Antarctic fungi survive Martian conditions on the International Space Station

European scientists sent Antarctic fungi to the International Space Station for 18 months in conditions similar to Mars. More than 60% of their cells remained intact with stable DNA, indicating their ability to survive harsh Martian environments. Lichens from Spain and Austria also showed resilience under simulated Martian conditions.

The CNIO uses the Internet network theory to decipher the first epigenetic communication network

The study reveals that 5hmC mark acts as a key signal connecting complexes that regulate gene expression, influencing cellular differentiation and energy metabolism in embryonic stem cells. The findings suggest that 5hmC may play a central role in the coordinated evolution of chromatin-related proteins.

Too-few proteins prompt nanoparticles to clump

Rice scientists observed that blood serum proteins irreversibly attach, unfold, and bring gold nanoparticles together in low concentrations. This counterintuitive behavior has significant implications for diseases caused by aggregation, such as Alzheimer's, and nanoparticle toxicity issues.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateJan 28, 2016

Finding the right antithrombotic (anti-clotting) drug for you

Researchers from Kumamoto University used a new analysis system to evaluate the effectiveness of antithrombotic drugs in preventing and curing diseases caused by blood clots. The T-TAS system was able to accurately measure blood clotting ability, enabling healthcare providers to make informed decisions about medication management.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalInternational Journal of Cardiology·DateJan 28, 2016

Oil fires in Libya continue

The oil refinery fires in Libya have grown significantly since their initial outbreak in January, now covering a large area near Sidra on the coast. NASA has captured images of the burning areas using MODIS's thermal bands, which have been detected in red on the initial image taken on January 07, 2016

Genomics studies assess childhood, young adulthood cancers

Genomics assessments have identified actionable genetic alterations in pediatric patients with extracranial solid tumors, paving the way for individualized cancer therapy recommendations. Combined tumor and germline whole-exome sequencing has also shown diagnostic yield in children with solid tumors.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateJan 28, 2016

Forsyth scientists map mouth microbes

Researchers at Forsyth Institute use a new imaging technique to visualize bacteria in dental plaque, revealing the formation of 'hedgehog' structures that suggest functional roles within the community. This study provides critical insights into how mouth microbes interact and will help understand their role in health and disease.

SourceForsyth Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 28, 2016

Heavy fermions get nuclear boost on way to superconductivity

Physicists have discovered that nuclear effects help bring about superconductivity in YRS, a composite material of ytterbium and rare earth elements. This finding provides further evidence that unconventional superconductivity arises from quantum criticality and exposes the role of nuclear spins in exposing electronic quantum criticality.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateJan 28, 2016

Enzymes with the potential to increase wheat yields

A team of plant scientists has identified two superior forms of a naturally occurring enzyme known as Rubisco, which could improve photosynthesis and increase wheat yields by up to 20%. The researchers found variation in the enzyme's catalytic properties among closely related genotypes, including wild relatives of bread wheat.

Octopuses shed their asocial reputation

Researchers discovered that octopuses use body language to communicate during disputes, with darker colors associated with aggression. The species Octopus tetricus was found to be highly interactive, with more than 186 recorded interactions in a single location.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 28, 2016

Brain's 'amplifier' compensates for lost inner ear function

Researchers found that the adult brain's natural plasticity can compensate for a near-complete loss of auditory nerve fibers, restoring sensitivity to faint sounds but not complex sounds like speech. The brain's 'amplifier' at higher stages of processing acts as an amplifier, increasing sound detection abilities within normal limits.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalNeuron·DateJan 28, 2016

Victimized adolescents more at risk of thinking about suicide or attempting suicide at 15

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that adolescents who were chronically victimized during school years are five times more likely to think about suicide and six times more likely to attempt it at 15. The research highlights the importance of early interventions to p...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJan 28, 2016

Small is different

Researchers at TUM and Georgia Institute of Technology found that the size of platinum catalyst particles significantly affects reactivity, with clusters having fewer atoms showing lower activity. The discovery could lead to more efficient production of margarine and other chemicals, as well as new materials.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2016

Scientists decode brain signals nearly at speed of perception

Researchers used electrodes implanted in the temporal lobes of awake patients to decode brain signals and predict what object patients were seeing with over 95% accuracy. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding human perception and could lead to new treatments for paralysis and stroke patients.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJan 28, 2016

Germs, humans and numbers

A new estimate reveals that the ratio of bacterial to human cells in the body is closer to 1:1, with approximately 40 trillion bacterial cells and 30 trillion human cells. This revision challenges the long-held assumption that there are ten times more bacterial cells than human cells.

Epigenetic switch for obesity

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics found a novel epigenetic switch regulating genes in mice, leading to two distinct phenotypes. This discovery fundamentally alters our understanding of how epigenetics influences gene outcomes and has implications for obesity and other diseases.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCell·DateJan 28, 2016