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Science News for January 4, 2016


A far from perfect host

Researchers at the University of York and Exeter have discovered a single-celled protozoa called Paramecium bursaria benefits from exploiting a green algae inside it. The study suggests that symbiosis may not be mutually beneficial, but rather exploitative in nature.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 4, 2016

New national perioperative guideline for geriatric surgical quality care released

A new collaborative best practices guideline has been released for optimal care of older adults before, during, and after surgical operations. The guideline provides expert recommendations for surgeons, anesthesiologists, and allied health care professionals to address postoperative complications and prolonged recovery in older patients.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJan 4, 2016

UT study: 'Born this way' beliefs may not be the key to reducing homophobia

A recent University of Tennessee study suggests that the belief people are born with their sexual orientation is not the key to improving attitudes toward lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals. Instead, it's what else they believe about sexual orientation that distinguishes them from those with negative or positive attitudes towards ga...

SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·JournalJournal of Counseling Psychology·DateJan 4, 2016

Virgin births may be common among snakes

Researchers reveal that facultative parthenogenesis is prevalent among snake species, with potentially significant implications for vertebrate evolution. The study proposes splitting this phenomenon into two forms and identifies snakes as ideal model species to investigate the evolution of vertebrate parthenogenesis.

SourceWiley·JournalBiological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateJan 4, 2016

Stellar revelations

A team of astronomers has discovered that up to 60 percent of stars host strong magnetic fields, which can significantly alter the physical processes taking place in the core. The researchers used asteroseismology to detect these hidden fields and found that they are prevalent in intermediate mass stars.

Solving the mystery of defective embryos

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that micronuclei structures can cause aneuploidy and lead to mosaic embryos. This discovery may provide early non-invasive detection of aneuploidy, improving the chances of success for infertile couples who rely on medically assisted reproduction methods.

SourceUniversity of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 4, 2016

US emergency departments face serious drug shortages

A new study reveals a sharp increase in drug shortages affecting emergency care in the US, from 26 to 123, a 373% rise from 2008 to 2014. Life-threatening medications are particularly affected, leaving emergency department physicians without necessary treatments for critical patients.

SourceWiley·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateJan 4, 2016

Self-esteem gender gap more pronounced in western nations

Research by American Psychological Association found that self-esteem tends to increase with age, but the gender gap is more significant in Western industrialized countries. The study analyzed data from over 985,000 men and women ages 16-45 from 48 countries, revealing that specific cultural influences shape self-esteem development in ...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJan 4, 2016

New guide highlights the properties of diverse drug targets

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2015/2016 provides an overview of 1,700 human drug targets, focusing on those exploited in the clinic or with future therapeutic potential. The guide combines evidence-based data with summaries of molecular targets, allowing users to rapidly gain insight into their function and comparative pharmacology.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Pharmacology·DateJan 4, 2016

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation awards Stevens Institute and Penn Nursing grant for joint project

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has awarded a grant to Stevens Institute and Penn Nursing to use policy flight simulators to determine the usability and effectiveness of the Transitional Care Model. The goal is to accelerate decisions to implement the TCM, which addresses negative effects associated with common breakdowns in care.

Critical clues on cartilage

A team of researchers has shed new light on the relationships between cartilage structure and function, revealing microdomains that behave differently from surrounding tissue. This discovery paves the way for more effective treatments of meniscus tears and osteoarthritis.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 4, 2016

Aging stars stop slowing down, scientists discover

Aging stars stop slowing down as their magnetic field interacts with a wind of particles flowing away from its surface, according to research published in Nature. This discovery challenges previous theories on stellar rotation and has implications for understanding how the Sun influences its local environment, including planets.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature·DateJan 4, 2016

The origins of abiotic species

Researchers at University of Groningen find self-replicating molecules that diversify into distinct sets, sparking debate on life's molecular roots. The study reveals a process similar to biological speciation, but occurring at the molecular level.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Chemistry·DateJan 4, 2016

NUS study shows the causes of mangrove deforestation in Southeast Asia

A recent NUS study examines the factors leading to mangrove deforestation in Southeast Asia between 2000 and 2012. The researchers found that rice agriculture in Myanmar and oil palm plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia are major drivers of this deforestation, posing future threats to the region's mangrove ecosystems.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 4, 2016

Using genes to understand the brain's building blocks

Researchers at the Allen Institute for Brain Science have developed a taxonomy of cells in the mouse visual cortex based on single-cell gene expression, identifying 42 neuronal and 7 non-neuronal cell types. This study provides a basic understanding of brain function by categorizing cellular building blocks.

SourceAllen Institute·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 4, 2016

Students with influence over peers reduce school bullying by 30 percent

Researchers found that students who are socially influential can shape their peers' behaviors and social norms, leading to a 30% reduction in student conflict reports. The Roots program, which engages these student influencers in spreading anti-conflict messages, is a promising solution to curb school bullying.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 4, 2016

Enough oxygen long before animals rose

Studies have shown that oxygen levels in the deep ocean were at least 4% of modern concentrations 1.4 billion years ago, indicating that animals could exist and evolve with this amount of oxygen. Despite this, animals did not appear on Earth until about 600 million years ago.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 4, 2016

Challenges to conserving freshwater mussels in Europe

Research reveals significant disparities in data quality and quantity among European countries and species, hindering effective conservation efforts for the region's 16 recognized freshwater mussels. The study highlights the need for standardized monitoring and management protocols to conserve this vulnerable group and its habitats.

SourceWiley·JournalBiological Reviews·DateJan 4, 2016

Peering into the Amazon's future

A new model suggests a more nuanced response to climate change in the Amazon forest, with individual trees experiencing water stress, leading to a gradual shift from high-biomass forests to low-biomass ecosystems. This approach better captures ecosystem heterogeneity and predicts a less drastic transition.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 4, 2016

BU study: Effects of obesity on death rates understated in prior research

A new Boston University study found that most obesity research relying on one-time measures of body mass index (BMI) overlooks the health impacts of weight change over time. The researchers argue that using 'weight histories' in studies clarifies the risks of obesity and shows they are much higher than appreciated.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 4, 2016