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Science News for May 3, 2016


New research provides insights on seal species

A new study uses advanced techniques to identify a lost type specimen of the grey seal species, shedding light on its origins. The research has implications for conservation efforts and can be applied to study existing, lost, and novel specimens.

SourceWiley·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateMay 3, 2016

Sparing livers

Researchers found that curing hepatitis C virus (HCV) could spare approximately 10,500 livers from being transplanted into HCV-infected patients over a twenty-year period. This would also lead to an estimated 7,300 livers being transplanted into liver disease patients without HCV.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·DateMay 3, 2016

Biophysics: Closing the ring

Physicists have found a novel pattern-forming mechanism in biological systems, with the discovery of a crucial protein that forms ring-shaped filaments to constrict bacterial cells. At high concentrations, FtsZ polymers self-organize into ring-like structures, leading to the formation of Z-rings and daughter cells.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 3, 2016

Early warning: Current Japanese encephalitis vaccine might not protect

A study suggests that current vaccines provide only partial protection against the G5 strain of Japanese encephalitis virus, and natural infection with a different strain may not offer protection. The findings indicate that an emerging crisis in South-East Asia is possible, warranting further research on vaccines.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateMay 3, 2016

New guidelines explain how to monitor and treat hyperthyroid cats

The new Guidelines from the American Association of Feline Practitioners provide a concise explanation of what veterinary professionals know about the etiology and pathogenesis of clinical feline hyperthyroidism. The guidelines outline six clinical categories with associated management strategies to treat all hyperthyroid cats, regardl...

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·DateMay 3, 2016

New insights on how oysters form shells

Researchers identified Pf-POU3F4, which promotes Aspein and Prismalin-14 expression in oyster shells. The study provides new perspectives on biomineralization and its similarities to bone and tooth formation in mammals.

SourceWiley·JournalFEBS Journal·DateMay 3, 2016

Replication of colored 3-D models simplified

Researchers developed a method to replicate complex, colored 3D models quickly and cheaply using an industrial production technique and accessible software. The technique has been tested with various objects, including a Chinese mask and car body shells, producing high-quality replicas.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateMay 3, 2016

Current whale migration models are too simplified

Current whale migration models are too simplistic and don't account for the complexity of their ecological behavior. A deeper understanding of factors like reproductive patterns and local adaptations is needed to understand the diversity of migratory habits in baleen whales.

SourceWiley·JournalMammal Review·DateMay 3, 2016

Web-based, self-help intervention helps prevent depression

A web-based guided self-help intervention has been shown to reduce the incidence of major depressive disorder in adults with subthreshold depression. The study found that 55 participants in the intervention group experienced MDD compared to 84 in the control group, resulting in a significant reduction in risk.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMay 3, 2016

Placenta size and offspring bone development linked

The study found a positive association between placental size and offspring bone mass at various ages, even after adjusting for factors such as height, weight, and pubertal status. Larger bones in early life are expected to lead to stronger bones in older adulthood, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateMay 3, 2016

New fabrication and thermo-optical tuning of whispering gallery microlasers

Scientists at OIST have developed a new method to fabricate glass microlasers, called whispering gallery microlasers, which are tiny optical devices that create intense light with one color or wavelength. The new technique allows for quick and easy fabrication of smaller devices for biosensing and optical communications.

Mimicking the ingenuity of nature

Scientists at the University of Würzburg have developed a supramolecular ruthenium macrocycle that mimics photosystem II, improving water oxidation efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The new catalyst enables the production of high-energy-density fuels like hydrogen, methane, or methanol.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMay 3, 2016

Placebo effects in women are boosted by vasopressin

A new study found that vasopressin increases placebo analgesic effects in women, particularly those with lower acute stress and anxiety. The findings suggest a new mechanism for the neurobiology of placebo effects and open up research directions for understanding the vasopressin system.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMay 3, 2016

Bacteria use traffic-cop-like mechanism to infect gut

Researchers at Washington State University and Harvard University have discovered a critical mechanism that enables bacteria to efficiently infect the gut. The 'type III secretion system' directs bacterial traffic, controlling whether bacteria become trapped inside vacuoles or break out into cell fluid.

SourceWashington State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 3, 2016

Can personality traits affect likelihood of using mindfulness-based stress reduction?

A study found that specific personality traits, such as neuroticism and extraversion, were associated with individual differences in the use of MBSR during and post-training. The findings suggest that MBSR programs can be tailored to targeted populations based on their personality traits.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateMay 3, 2016

Mapping the circuit of our internal clock

Researchers have identified a core group of neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus that share information during resynchronization, while those outside this central hub behave like acquaintances. Understanding the SCN's neural network structure is crucial for tackling illnesses like diabetes and posttraumatic stress disorder.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 3, 2016

Survival of the oldest

Researchers identified factors that make some species more resilient to extinction, including color variation, live birth, and low-latitude habitats. These species are more likely to adapt to future climate changes, helping conservationists predict which species are most at risk.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateMay 3, 2016

Turn up the heat to increase altitude tolerance

New research suggests that heat-based exercise is a more efficient means of improving altitude tolerance than normobaric altitude training. Heat-based training reduced physical strain and improved time-trial performance in cyclists, with similar effects on blood cells as low-oxygen training.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateMay 3, 2016

Why we steer the way we do

Researchers from the University of Leeds found that human steering in a driving simulator is influenced by visual speed signals, not just road edges. The study's findings suggest that our brains process information from across the whole visual scene to guide steering, similar to how insects choose their flight paths.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateMay 3, 2016

First recommendations published on imaging assessment of prosthetic heart valves

The European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging has released new guidelines for the imaging assessment of prosthetic heart valves. The guidelines provide recommendations for a multimodality approach to diagnose and manage complications, including echocardiography as the first-line imaging modality. The study aims to improve assessme...

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging·DateMay 3, 2016

New drug against nerve agents in sight

Researchers at Umea University and Swedish Defence Research Agency develop a three-dimensional structure of the HI-6 nerve agent antidote, revealing its binding mechanism to acetylcholinesterase. The breakthrough provides new insights into designing effective antidotes against sarin and other nerve agents.

SourceUmea University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 3, 2016

Shared sanitation facilities and risk of diarrhea in children

The study found that sharing sanitation facilities with one or two households was associated with an increased risk of diarrhea in young children. Private household sanitation facilities were not found to be associated with this risk at all sites, suggesting a global health priority for access to these facilities.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMay 3, 2016

Yoga and aquatic exercise can help combat MS symptoms

Researchers found that yoga and aquatic exercise significantly improved symptoms of multiple sclerosis, including reduced fatigue, depression, and paresthesia. The study, involving 54 women with MS, showed a significant reduction in moderate to severe depression in those who exercised three times a week.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·DateMay 3, 2016