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Science News for March 17, 2016


School breakfasts contribute to healthy weight, study finds

A new study published in Pediatric Obesity found that eating a second breakfast at school is associated with healthier weights and reduced risk of obesity among middle school students. The study, which tracked 584 students over two years, found that students who ate double breakfasts were less likely to be overweight or obese compared ...

SourceYale University·JournalPediatric Obesity·DateMar 17, 2016

New research shows how nanowires can be formed

Scientists have successfully formed nanowires using a combination of atomic layer arrangements and real-time monitoring. The breakthrough discovery aims to control the properties of materials, enabling more efficient electronic devices and future generations of transistors.

SourceLund University·JournalNature·DateMar 17, 2016

Green Gitmo

Researchers propose transforming Guantánamo Bay into a marine research center and international peace park, uniting the US and Cuba in joint management. The proposal aims to protect coral reefs, marine life, and promote sustainable development.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalScience·DateMar 17, 2016

Calcium controls sleep duration in mice

Researchers at the University of Tokyo discovered that calcium ions control sleep duration in mice by regulating the inflow and outflow of calcium ions into neurons. This finding has implications for understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases associated with sleep disorders.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNeuron·DateMar 17, 2016

Weaving for lightweight construction

A textile engineer at Technische Universität Dresden has developed a flexible weaving technology for producing three-dimensional textile structures with excellent structural mechanical properties. The technology can be used in various applications such as aircraft fuselage, car bodies, and machine enclosures.

Measuring chemistry: Local fingerprint of hydrogen bonding captured in experiments

Scientists have successfully mapped the potential surface of a small molecule, acetone, using resonant inelastic X-ray scattering. This technique provides direct access to the ground state potential energy surface around selected atomic sites, enabling researchers to study hydrogen bonding and its effects on molecular behavior.

Rare form of diabetes may require alternate treatment

Patients with maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY1) benefit from therapies targeting a specific pathway regulating insulin secretion, not oral medications linked to beta-cell destruction. Research suggests MODY1 patients may become dependent on insulin injections sooner due to cellular stress levels.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMar 17, 2016

Keep an eye on children's calories, researchers say

A new study suggests that caregivers can lower children's meal calories by choosing lower-calorie products and strategic portion sizes. By serving larger portions of lower-calorie foods with smaller portions of higher-calorie foods, children's overall caloric intake can be substantially reduced.

SourcePenn State·JournalPhysiology & Behavior·DateMar 17, 2016

Could bread mold build a better rechargeable battery?

Researchers have discovered that a specific type of bread mold, Neurospora crassa, can transform manganese into a mineral composite with favorable electrochemical properties. This process has the potential to create more sustainable electrochemical materials for use in rechargeable batteries.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 17, 2016

CRISPR-based method tracks RNA

Researchers have developed a CRISPR-Cas9 based method to track the movement of RNA in living cells. This approach enables the study of disease-related RNA processes and may support therapeutic approaches to correct disease-causing RNA behaviors.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateMar 17, 2016

Brain calcium controls how long we sleep

Researchers at RIKEN have discovered that calcium inside neurons regulates slow-wave sleep, with seven genes identified as critical for controlling sleep duration. The study's findings could lead to new treatments for sleep disorders and neurologic diseases associated with them.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNeuron·DateMar 17, 2016

Common painkillers are more dangerous than we think

A new study reveals that older types of arthritis medicine, like Diclofenac, are associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, similar to other NSAID types taken off the market. The study recommends reduced consumption and alternative treatments for patients at high risk of cardiovascular diseases.

SourceAarhus University·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateMar 17, 2016

Mercury rising?

A new study by UC Santa Barbara researchers identified how flooding frequency and duration affect mercury biogeochemistry along a 40-mile stretch of the Yuba/Feather River system. The study found that about 5 percent of the total mercury in this lower section has the potential to become toxic.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateMar 17, 2016

Research proves it -- the smell of alcohol makes it hard to resist

A study published in Psychopharmacology found that the smell of alcohol can reduce a person's ability to inhibit their behavior, particularly when it comes to pressing buttons. The researchers, led by Dr. Rebecca Monk, used a computer-based experiment to test this hypothesis and found significant evidence supporting their claim.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychopharmacology·DateMar 17, 2016

A new recessive disease identified

Researchers at the University of Geneva identified a new recessive disease caused by the failure of a single gene, PIGG, which affects protein production and leads to intellectual disability, epilepsy and hypotonia. The discovery provides hope for early detection and prevention through personalized genetic diagnosis.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateMar 17, 2016

How HIV infection increases the risk of tuberculosis

A study published in PLOS Pathogens suggests that HIV infection disrupts the immune response to Mtb, making it harder for the body to control active TB. Researchers found that early HIV infection diminishes a specific component of the immune response called IL-10, leading to a weaker defense against Mtb.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMar 17, 2016

2016 Protein Science Best Paper Awards

Tracy Clinton and Michael Thompson received the Protein Society's Year 2015 'Best Paper' awards for their work on Ebola drug target mimics. The researchers, who came from diverse backgrounds, were chosen for their innovative approaches to solving complex protein problems.

Students as teachers effective in STEM subjects

A new study at Syracuse University's College of Arts and Sciences has found that peer-led team learning significantly improves grade performance and course completion among minority students in STEM fields. The researchers hope to expand the successful model to increase participation in these crucial subjects.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 17, 2016

3-D technology enriches human nerve cells for transplant to brain

Researchers developed a 3D micro-scaffold technology that promotes reprogramming of stem cells into neurons and supports growth of neuronal connections. The system improved cell-survival rates by nearly 40-fold compared to individual cell injections, enabling the potential treatment for human neurodegenerative disorders.