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Science News for May 16, 2016


Methionine could be key to improving pregnancy rate in dairy cattle

A University of Illinois study found that supplementing Holstein cows' diets with methionine during prepartum and postpartum periods increased the number of lipid droplets in preimplantation embryos, allowing them to survive more stress. This may lead to lower embryonic death rates and improved pregnancy outcomes.

Farms have become a major air-pollution source

Farmers' use of nitrogen-rich fertilizers and animal waste contributes to the formation of tiny solid particles, or aerosols, causing heart disease and death. However, projections suggest that reduced industrial emissions could decrease aerosol production if fertilizer use doubles.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 16, 2016

Why is female sexuality more flexible than male sexuality?

A new evolutionary theory suggests women's sexual desires can change based on partner, reproductive status, and circumstances, reducing conflict in polygamous marriages. This theory may explain puzzles in human sex research, such as differences in female and male homosexuality.

SourceWiley·JournalBiological Reviews·DateMay 16, 2016

Biodiversity protects fish from climate change

A new study confirms that preserving marine biodiversity can benefit people as much as it benefits the oceans. Communities with more species are more productive and resilient to rising temperatures, while those with fewer species suffer significantly under fluctuating temperatures.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2016

Frequent religious service attendance linked with decreased mortality risk among women

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that women who attended religious services more than once per week had a significantly lower risk of both cardiovascular and cancer-related mortality. Frequent attendance was also associated with increased social support, reduced depression, and a more optimistic outlook on life.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 16, 2016

Teamwork enables bacterial survival

Researchers found that strains of E. coli resistant to one antibiotic can protect other bacteria growing nearby, demonstrating a type of mutualism known as cross-protection. This phenomenon allows bacteria to form drug-resistant communities and survive in environments containing both antibiotics.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2016

New packaging advances prolongs veggie freshness

Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new packaging method that enhances the safety and quality of onions, one of the highest-volume vegetables sold worldwide. The package and sanitizer combination led to diced onions being acceptable for purchase after two weeks of storage.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalInternational Journal of Food Microbiology·DateMay 16, 2016

Tiny ocean organism has big role in climate regulation

Scientists have discovered that a tiny ocean organism called Pelagibacterales is playing an important role in the regulation of the Earth's climate. The bacterial group produces dimethylsulfide (DMS), a gas that stimulates cloud formation, and helps to stabilize the Earth's atmosphere through a negative feedback loop. This discovery op...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Microbiology·DateMay 16, 2016

Trojan horses for hospital bugs

Researchers have identified a specific gene mutation in Staphylococcus aureus that reduces the bacterium's ability to destroy human immune cells, making it more likely to cause life-threatening diseases. This discovery provides new insights into the complex relationships between bacteria and their hosts.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2016

Neurological complications of Zika virus

A review article by J. David Beckham highlights Zika virus's impact on global health, emphasizing the need for ongoing research to develop a viable vaccine and treatment options. The article notes that exposure avoidance through insect repellent and protective measures is currently the best approach to prevent complications.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateMay 16, 2016

Study: Police more likely than others to say they are blind to racial differences

A new study reveals that police recruits and experienced officers are more likely to subscribe to colorblind racial beliefs, which can lead to problematic interactions with racial minorities. The research highlights the need for training programs that address police racial attitudes and social identities.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalRace and Social Problems·DateMay 16, 2016

Do germs cause type 1 diabetes?

A recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation found that certain bacteria can activate killer T-cells, which destroy insulin-producing cells and lead to type 1 diabetes. This discovery sheds light on the potential external factors contributing to the disease's development.

SourceCardiff University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 16, 2016

Tiny organisms have huge effect on world's atmosphere

A study published in Nature Microbiology reveals that tiny ocean organisms called Pelagibacterales help regulate the Earth's atmosphere by producing dimethyl sulfide, a gas that stimulates cloud formation and can impact climate stability. The research shows that these bacteria have a previously unknown enzyme for producing DMS.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Microbiology·DateMay 16, 2016

Speeding up key oxygen-oxygen bond-formation step in water oxidation

Scientists have developed two new molecular catalysts that can drive the key oxygen-oxygen bond-formation step in water oxidation, a crucial process for artificial photosynthesis. These ruthenium complexes enable faster and more efficient water oxidation, potentially leading to the creation of clean fuels from solar energy.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 16, 2016

Body-worn cameras associated with increased assaults against police, and increase in use-of-force if officers choose when to activate cameras

New research reveals that body-worn cameras associated with an increase in assault against police officers when they choose to turn them on and off during their shift. This finding contrasts with current thinking that cameras should reduce the rate of use-of-force, but rather found it increased when officer discretion was used.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalEuropean Journal of Criminology·DateMay 16, 2016

Children with and without multiple sclerosis have differences in gut bacteria

A recent study reveals differences in gut bacteria between children with and without multiple sclerosis. Key findings include an association between MS and increased inflammatory bacteria, as well as decreased anti-inflammatory bacteria. The discovery may pave the way for new therapeutic approaches by identifying novel drug targets.

SourceWiley·JournalEuropean Journal of Neurology·DateMay 16, 2016

Iron fertilization won't work in much of Pacific, says study

A new study published in PNAS found that iron fertilization had little to no effect on the growth of algae in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. The research, led by Gisela Winckler, used deep-sea sediment cores to test for barium and opal, and measures of thorium-232 reflected the amount of dust that blew in from land at each point in time.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2016

Older patients with atrial fibrillation at greater risk for post-op tricuspid regurgitation after mitral valve repair

A study of over 1,100 patients who underwent mitral valve repair found that older age and preoperative atrial fibrillation significantly increased the risk of developing tricuspid regurgitation. The risk was further exacerbated by impaired heart function, with patients experiencing devastating effects from severe TR.

E. coli 'anchors' provide novel way to hijack superbugs

Researchers at Monash University discovered a potential novel way to treat antibiotic-resistant superbugs by targeting the E. coli cell membrane's anchoring filaments. The 'anchors' are crucial for the bacteria to latch onto the urinary tract surface, and blocking them could lead to effective treatment.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateMay 16, 2016

Slips of the lip stay all in the family

A new study from Duke University reveals that misnaming follows predictable patterns, with people often using relationship categories and phonetic similarities to mix up names. The study found that family members frequently call other family members by the name of the family dog, suggesting a special bond between humans and canines.

SourceDuke University·JournalMemory & Cognition·DateMay 16, 2016

Exercise, more than diet, key to preventing obesity

Researchers from the University of Missouri confirm exercise plays a crucial role in fighting obesity, with significant benefits for fat tissue and metabolism. The study found exercising rats developed different gut microbes than sedentary groups, despite eating the same amount of food, indicating exercise's importance in overall health.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·DateMay 16, 2016

Maize genome 'dark matter' discovery a boon for breeders

Researchers at Cornell University and Florida State University identified a tiny percentage of regulatory DNA in the maize genome that accounts for roughly half of the variation in observable traits found in corn. This discovery enables breeders to focus on these areas for more efficient plant breeding.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2016

Cancer risk perception could lead to adverse health outcomes among women

A recent study found that minority and less educated women perceive breast cancer as a more common killer than heart disease, which may contribute to worse health outcomes. Researchers recommend that healthcare providers incorporate messages for both breast health and heart disease prevention to maximize impact.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Public Health Management and Practice·DateMay 16, 2016

Theorists smooth the way to modeling quantum friction

Theoretical chemists at Princeton University developed operational dynamic modeling (ODM), a new approach to model quantum friction, which satisfies both the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle and produces real observations. This breakthrough opens a way forward to understand not only quantum friction but also other dissipative phenomena.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateMay 16, 2016

Cooling cows efficiently with water spray

Researchers found that low-flow sprinkler systems were effective in mitigating heat stress in cows, with similar benefits to high-flow systems. Cows produced more milk when given access to sprinklers, and both types provided improved behavioral and physiological responses.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·DateMay 16, 2016

Scientists identify potential marker of EoE disease activity

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have identified elevated levels of eosinophil progenitor cells in the blood of pediatric patients with active EoE disease. This finding suggests a potential non-invasive biomarker for monitoring disease activity and reducing discomfort, costs, and side effects for patients.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateMay 16, 2016

Converting cells to burn fat, not store it

Researchers at McGill University have found a way to reprogram white fat cells into energy-burning beige or brown fat cells. This 'browning' process can help manage obesity and other metabolic disorders by burning excess energy instead of storing it.

SourceMcGill University·JournalGenes & Development·DateMay 16, 2016