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Science News for March 18, 2016


Antibiotics for appendicitis -- yes and no

A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials suggests that antibiotics can be used as primary treatment for mild appendicitis, reducing surgeries by 92% within the first month. However, recurrence rates remain high at 23% and long-term follow-up is needed to determine effectiveness.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalBJS·DateMar 18, 2016

Dissecting the animal diet, past and present

The study highlights the importance of time context in diet reconstructions, which can lead to conflicting results. By considering different time scales for dietary proxies, scientists can gain a more accurate understanding of an animal's eating habits.

SourceYale University·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateMar 18, 2016

Turning mortal enemies into allies? Ants can.

A new study by University of Florida researchers found that victorious ant colonies recruit members of losing colonies to help defend their territory. After analyzing DNA from nearly 800 ants, the team discovered that fighting changes the genetic makeup of victorious colonies, allowing them to form lasting truces with former foes.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalBehavioral Ecology·DateMar 18, 2016

Speeding up accuracy of flood risk assessment

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a faster and more accurate flood risk assessment method that relies on an algorithm to extract key causative events driving major floods. This new approach reduces the time taken for modeling while maintaining high accuracy, potentially saving properties and lives.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalJournal of Hydrology·DateMar 18, 2016

Google glass meets organs-on-chips

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a wearable device to monitor and control organs-on-chips, a platform for testing drug compounds. The system uses Google Glass for hands-free control and monitoring, enabling high-accuracy predictions of physiological responses.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 18, 2016

New effects of ketamine abuse uncovered

Research by University of York scientists shows how ketamine causes inflammation and cell death in the bladder, leading to cystitis. The studies found that direct contact with urinary ketamine is critical to the toxicity, ruling out systemic factors.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateMar 18, 2016

Educating community research facilitators helps protect integrity of study results

A recent study by University of California, San Diego School of Medicine reports that educating Community Health Workers (CHWs) and other 'citizen scientists' can boost the integrity of scientific research. The Building Research Integrity and Capacity (BRIC) program uses eight modules to teach research ethics and concepts.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Microbiology and Biology Education·DateMar 18, 2016

Small birds' vision: Not so sharp but superfast

Research by Uppsala University and colleagues found that small passerine birds have ultra-rapid vision, with some species able to detect changes at rates of up to 146 Hz, outpacing human vision by 50 Hz. This fast vision is thought to be an evolutionary adaptation for detecting moving insects.

SourceUppsala University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 18, 2016

The science of watching paint dry

Researchers from the University of Surrey have discovered a new physical mechanism that separates particles according to their size during the drying of wet coatings. This 'self-layering' process creates two layers with independent properties, which could improve the performance of coatings across industries.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 18, 2016

Cell Transplantation research presented at Eighth Annual PPSSC Conference

Studies presented at the Eighth Annual PPSSC Conference showcased advancements in targeting stem cells, adipose-derived stem cell plasticity, and melanoma immunotherapy using genetically engineered iPSCs. These breakthroughs hold promise for developing effective treatments for regenerative medicine and cancer