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Science News for July 26, 2016


More power to you

Engineers from the University of Utah and Minnesota have discovered that interfacing two oxide compounds makes them highly conductive, producing a hundred times more free electrons than semiconductors. This innovation could lead to smaller power supplies and devices with reduced energy consumption, such as laptops and home appliances.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalAPL Materials·DateJul 26, 2016

Researchers printed energy-producing photographs

The researchers successfully created dye-sensitized solar cells with inkjet-printed photovoltaic dyes, achieving efficiency and durability comparable to traditional methods. The printed solar cells endured over 1,000 hours of continuous light and heat stress without degradation.

SourceAalto University·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateJul 26, 2016

Substantial growth in ordering of CTA exams in Medicare population

The study found significant growth in CTA exams per 1,000 Medicare enrollees, increasing from 2.1 in 2001 to 47.6 in 2013, with chest CTA utilization rising the most. CTA services grew most rapidly in ED settings, with the percentage of studies performed annually in EDs increasing from 11% in 2001 to 28% in 2014.

SourceHarvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute·JournalJournal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology·DateJul 26, 2016

The Lancet Psychiatry: First field trial supports removing transgender diagnosis from mental disorders chapter within WHO classification

A study of 250 transgender people in Mexico City found that distress and dysfunction were more strongly predicted by experiences of social rejection and violence than by gender incongruence itself. The researchers suggest that removing the diagnosis of transgender identity from mental disorders classification could improve health care ...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·DateJul 26, 2016

Every grain of rice: Ancient rice DNA data provides new view of domestication history

Researchers have uncovered evidence of ancient rice DNA, shedding light on the origins of domesticated rice species japonica and indica. The study suggests that indica rice was historically cultivated in East Asia or imported to the region, contradicting traditional assumptions about its exclusive presence in northern parts of East Asia.

Web-based technology improves pediatric ADHD care and patient outcomes

A new web-based software program helps reduce ADHD behavioral symptoms in children by coordinating care and ensuring patients get effective ADHD medications. This improvement leads to better treatment outcomes, with children treated by pediatricians using the technology experiencing significantly less ADHD symptoms than those without it.

The mysterious farting

Gasotransmitters, such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, play a crucial role in regulating human behavior, neurophysiological processes, and mental disorders. These gaseous substances are produced by both the host cells and gut microorganisms, influencing energy metabolism, immune function, and cognitive activities.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalMicrobial Ecology in Health and Disease·DateJul 26, 2016

Light shed on a superluminous supernova which appears to have exploded twice

Researchers used the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS to observe a superluminous supernova almost from its occurrence, revealing surprising behavior including an initial increase in brightness followed by a decline and later stronger increase. The study sheds new light on these rare events, which are up to 100 times more energetic than Type 1a's.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 26, 2016

Childhood illness not linked to higher adult mortality

A new study by University of Stirling researchers found that early-life exposure to infections does not lead to increased risk of death in adulthood. Contrary to previous theories on long-lasting inflammation, the study suggests improved adult conditions such as healthcare and diet are responsible for recent increases in lifespan.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 26, 2016

Cracking the mystery of Zika virus replication

Researchers from Tianjin University and Nankai University have unraveled the puzzle of how Zika virus replicates. They discovered a tunnel in the enzyme that holds viral RNA, allowing it to unwind its genetic material. This breakthrough could lead to the development of antiretroviral drugs against this spreading disease.

SourceSpringer·JournalProtein & Cell·DateJul 26, 2016

Overlooked benefit of successful healthy lifestyle programs: Improved quality-of-life

Researchers found that community-based behavioral lifestyle intervention programs improve health-related quality of life by nearly 10% among participants. Those with lower baseline quality of life showed the greatest improvement, with scores increasing from 61.8 to 74 after completing the year-long program.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalQuality of Life Research·DateJul 26, 2016

Lonely atoms, happily reunited

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology observe how carbon monoxide enables single platinum atoms to move and form clusters, breaking the grip of the magnetite surface. This process has significant implications for chemical catalysis, as it opens up a strategy to turn clusters into single atoms.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 26, 2016

Supervised self-monitoring improves diabetes control in clinical trial

A supervised self-monitoring approach, which includes adjusted treatment or reinforcing lifestyle changes when needed, was found to be effective in controlling diabetes. The study showed better glycaemic control and lower glycated haemoglobin levels in the intervention arm compared to those who received usual care.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 26, 2016

Vineyard cover crops reduce expense, save environment

Research by Cornell University reveals that planting cover crops beneath grapevines reduces nitrogen leaching, decreases dissolved organic carbon, and lowers neonicotinoid insecticide residues. This environmentally sustainable approach also saves vineyards money by minimizing herbicide use.

SourceCornell University·JournalAmerican Journal of Enology and Viticulture·DateJul 26, 2016

Online intervention helps sustain weight loss

An online behavioural counselling tool has been shown to be effective in helping people lose weight and sustain weight loss. Participants who used the Positive Online Weight Reduction (POWeR+) programme with brief support from a practice nurse lost more weight than those without, with an average weight loss of over 1kg over 12 months.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateJul 26, 2016

Asymmetrical magnetic microbeads transform into micro-robots

Researchers have discovered that asymmetrical magnetic microbeads can be transformed into useful tools controlled by a changing external magnetic field. The Janus particles, inspired by the Roman god of two faces, exhibit unique behavior under oscillating fields, forming linear chains and expanding to create micro-muscles on a chip.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJul 26, 2016

The case of the missing craters

The Dawn spacecraft's findings suggest that Ceres' large impact basins were erased due to its peculiar composition and internal evolution. The team proposes that a significant population of large craters was obliterated beyond recognition, likely resulting from the planet's icy crust and geological activity.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 26, 2016

Health insurance coverage is associated with lower odds of alcohol use by pregnant women

A study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that pregnant women with health insurance coverage had lower odds of alcohol use, while non-pregnant women with insurance had higher odds. The study also found that prenatal substance use poses significant threats to maternal and child health.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateJul 26, 2016

Health-eBrain study to launch phase II

The Health-eBrain Study launches Phase II to investigate the impact of Alzheimer's caregiving on brain and behavioral health. An international cohort of caregivers will use a mobile app to assess their cognitive function over 12 weeks, tracking stress levels, sleep, mood, and self-evaluation of memory.

Japanese tadpoles relax in hot springs

A recent study by Hiroshima University scientists found Japanese tadpoles can live and grow in natural hot springs with water temperatures up to 46.1°C. This unique adaptation may allow the species to thrive on small volcanic islands with limited fresh water sources.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalAmphibia-Reptilia·DateJul 26, 2016

A new type of quantum bits

Scientists have successfully realised qubits in a novel form, leveraging electron holes to overcome interference issues. This breakthrough offers potential improvements in programming and reading quantum bits for future quantum computers.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 26, 2016

Making terahertz lasers more powerful

Researchers have developed a new type of terahertz quantum cascade laser that can produce a record output power of up to 230 milliwatts in continuous wave mode. This breakthrough has significant implications for various applications, including spectroscopy, medical imaging, and remote sensing.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateJul 26, 2016

How to sound the alarm

Researchers aim to reduce errors in warning decisions by considering all three key aspects: who, what, and when. Effective warnings are crucial for mitigating casualties and increasing transparency.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalRisk Analysis·DateJul 26, 2016

Dirty to drinkable

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have created a new approach to purify water using graphene oxide and bacteria-produced cellulose. The bi-layered biofoam is light, strong, and flexible, allowing for efficient evaporation of contaminated water.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 26, 2016

Imaging the brain at multiple size scales

A new technique called magnified analysis of proteome (MAP) allows scientists to image brain tissue at multiple scales, preserving proteins within cells and connectivity between neurons. The method enables high-resolution imaging with a resolution as high as 60 nanometers, tracing connections in the human brain more accurately.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJul 26, 2016

The hot attraction of gold

Researchers at Tohoku University have discovered that gold can be magnetized by applying heat. The non-equilibrium anomalous Hall effect (nAHE) was observed in the gold film due to the heat flow, indicating the evolution of magnetization. This discovery has potential applications in thermoelectric devices and spintronics.

SourceTohoku University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 26, 2016