Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for May 24, 2016


MD Anderson study uncovers early genetic changes in premalignant colorectal tissue

Researchers identified 2,314 genetic changes in polyps and adjacent mucosa, revealing potential drug targets for colorectal cancer prevention. The study also found similarities between premalignant and cancerous tissue, suggesting that polyps with more genetic changes may be more likely to develop into CRC.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalCancer Prevention Research·DateMay 24, 2016

Great apes communicate cooperatively

Research on great ape communication reveals cooperative turn-taking sequences in both bonobos and chimpanzees, differing in their styles of gaze-based and signal-pause response based interactions. These findings suggest that cooperative communication may have arisen to coordinate collaborative activities more efficiently.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 24, 2016

Money really does matter in relationships

Researchers found that wealthy men prioritize physical attractiveness and engage in short-term mating, while committed women may adopt more consistent strategies due to reproductive costs. The study suggests evolutionary psychology principles influence mate selection across cultures.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateMay 24, 2016

Gigantic ultrafast spin currents

Researchers from TU Wien have proposed a new method to create gigantic spin currents in a very small period of time using ultra short laser pulses. The spin current is injected into silicon without creating a charge current due to a spin-selective effect, leading to extremely strong spin-polarization.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 24, 2016

More than a myth: Drink spiking happens

A study by the American Psychological Association found that 7.8% of college students reported being drugged, with women more likely to be victims and experience negative consequences. The research highlights the need for interventions targeting those who engage in drink spiking, focusing on consent and the dangers of overdosing.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychology of Violence·DateMay 24, 2016

Money back guarantees for non-reproducible results?

An editorial published by The BMJ argues that money back guarantees are not the answer to improving data reproducibility in research. Instead, it advocates for open science and open data as key solutions. This approach would involve making all protocols, hypotheses, raw data, methods, and analyses publicly available.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMay 24, 2016

Urine tests not reliable for dehydration in older adults

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that urine tests are not reliable for detecting dehydration in older adults. The researchers tested 383 participants over 65 and found that urine tests were too low to be useful, missing some dehydrated individuals and incorrectly identifying others.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMay 24, 2016

New tools to manipulate biology

Researchers at Université de Genève have developed new tools to manipulate biology, including a novel co-factor that enables proteins to perform tasks previously thought impossible. Meanwhile, another team has created a method to visualize mRNA in live animals, providing real-time insights into cellular processes.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalACS Central Science·DateMay 24, 2016

Health academics back EU remain campaign

A group of health academics warn that a UK exit from the EU would lead to cuts in health and social care spending, increasing pressures on hospitals. The authors also express concern about the impact on the NHS workforce and loss of access to free healthcare for UK citizens abroad.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateMay 24, 2016

Once-a-week text messages to Kenyan women greatly improved likelihood of getting HIV test: Study

A Canadian government-funded study found that sending short, informative text messages to young Kenyan women's phones can significantly reduce the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The study showed a 67% increase in HIV testing among participants who received weekly texts compared to those in a control group.

SourceTerry Collins Assoc·JournalSexually Transmitted Diseases·DateMay 24, 2016

Low hormone levels linked to obesity in teens

A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has found that obese teenagers have lower levels of the hormone spexin, which may contribute to weight gain and obesity. The study suggests that spexin may play a role in regulating body fat mass and energy balance.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMay 24, 2016

UW experts develop method for including migration uncertainty in population projections

Statisticians at the University of Washington have developed a probabilistic model that incorporates global migration patterns to project populations worldwide. The study challenges existing predictions for countries like Germany and the US, predicting a larger population in Germany if immigration continues and a 10% chance of exceedin...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 24, 2016

Silencing cholera's social media

A new study reveals how LuxO, a key response regulator in Vibrio cholerae's quorum-sensing cascade, regulates the pathogenicity of the disease-causing bacterium. The researchers discovered an unusual inhibitory mechanism that permanently switches on LuxO, opening doors for potential therapeutic interventions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 24, 2016

Can telehealth fill gap in autism services?

A federally funded pilot study shows telehealth training successfully improved social communication skills in children with autism, with parents seeing benefits regardless of coaching sessions. The study suggests that telehealth can fill a gap in autism services, especially for rural and underrepresented communities.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateMay 24, 2016

Air pollution exposure may raise heart disease risk

A new study found that air pollution exposure can worsen blood sugar levels, cholesterol and other risk factors for heart disease. Participants with diabetes experienced higher changes in blood glucose and cholesterol levels when exposed to higher levels of particulate matter.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMay 24, 2016

Clue for efficient usage of low-cost nickel catalysts

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a method to form bonds between two butadiene molecules, an alkyl group, and benzene rings using a cheap nickel catalyst. This technique enables the synthesis of high-value terminal olefins from cheap butadiene, which can be used in various industrial applications.

SourceOsaka University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 24, 2016

Deep learning enters the beauty industry

Insilico Medicine presents research on applying deep learning to biomarker development and cosmetics applications at INNOCOS World Beauty Innovation Summit. The company's app RYNKL evaluates anti-aging interventions using machine learning methods, minimizing animal testing.

Nonprofit exec turnover more turbulent than previously thought

A new study from North Carolina State University finds that nonprofit executive transitions are often plagued by problems and challenges. Most executives do not leave due to voluntary retirement, but rather for reasons such as dismissals for wrongdoing or new job opportunities. The study highlights the importance of a good fit between ...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNonprofit Management and Leadership·DateMay 24, 2016

How much can a mode-2 wave move?

Mode-2 waves can carry beneficial and detrimental materials between ecosystems, trapping them inside layers of different densities. Researchers found that larger bulges result in more material carried by the wave, while small regions of turbulence can cause it to break down.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateMay 24, 2016

Getting the most out of natural gas

Researchers at ETH Zurich successfully upgraded methane into methyl bromide, a base material for fuels and chemicals, through oxybromination chemistry. The new catalyst, vanadium phosphate, enables closed-bromine recycling, making the process more efficient and environmentally friendly.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMay 24, 2016

Do dressings prevent infection?

A recent Cochrane review found insufficient evidence to conclude that dressings reduce surgical site infection. However, dressings may provide a barrier to direct injury and reduce patient anxiety. The authors recommend using basic, low-absorbency dressings at a cost of a few pence per dressing.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMay 24, 2016

Single-step hydrogen peroxide production could be cleaner, more efficient

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a new way to synthesize hydrogen peroxide in a single step, which could make it an economically feasible oxidant for various chemical processes. The method uses a palladium-based catalyst and avoids the decomposition reaction that typically occurs during synthesis.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 24, 2016

Study shows which new moms post the most on Facebook

A study by Ohio State University found that new mothers who feel societal pressure to be perfect parents and strongly identify with their motherhood role tend to post more frequently on Facebook. This behavior can lead to stronger emotional reactions to comments, including feelings of validation or disappointment. The study also found ...

SourceOhio State University·JournalSex Roles·DateMay 24, 2016

Poverty marks a gene, predicting depression

A study by Duke University scientists reveals a biological pathway for depression in adolescents from socioeconomically disadvantaged families. The research shows that these individuals accumulate epigenetic tags on a gene linked to depression, leading to increased amygdala activity and higher risk of depression symptoms.

SourceDuke University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateMay 24, 2016

Wildfire -- it's not spreading like wildfire

A new analysis of global data reveals that global area burned has seen an overall slight decline over past decades, with around 4% of the global land surface affected by vegetation fires each year. The researchers also found that there is increasing evidence that there is less fire in the global landscape today than centuries ago.

SourceSwansea University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateMay 24, 2016

A warning system for tsunamis

Scientists at the Australian National University have created a new algorithm that can accurately predict tsunamis by analyzing real-time ocean sensor data. The Time Reverse Imaging Method takes data from sensors to recreate what the tsunami looked like when it was born, allowing for better predictions of its trajectory.

Does discrimination contribute to lower rates of flu vaccination in racial/ethnic minorities?

A study found that racial/ethnic minorities are less likely to receive flu vaccinations, with those who report discrimination being about half as likely to be vaccinated. However, after adjusting for other factors, the difference becomes nonsignificant, suggesting that perceived discrimination may not be the primary cause of the dispar...

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalMedical Care·DateMay 24, 2016

Why vocal fry?

Researchers are studying the lowest vocal register, called vocal fry, to better understand its emotional properties and how it affects listeners. The technique has become popular in pop and country music, with female singers' use of vocal fry rating them as more expressive.