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Science News for May 31, 2016


A jolt from the blue: Rays provide power for an electric generator

Researchers from RIKEN Quantitative Biology Center create a new type of electricity generator based on the electric organs of torpedoes, achieving peak voltages and currents comparable to conventional systems. The breakthrough could lead to a future high-efficiency power generator that uses ATP directly.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 31, 2016

Antipsychotic prescribing trends in youths with autism and intellectual disability

A meta-analysis of 39 studies found that one in ten youths treated with an antipsychotic have autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disability. The study suggests that more youths with autism or intellectual disability have received antipsychotics, raising concerns over their efficacy and potential side effects.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateMay 31, 2016

Calcium signals balance the body's response to infection against potential for self-attack

Researchers found that a specific type of calcium-based signal regulates the production of immune cells that drive and ramp down the body's massive reaction to invading organisms. The study suggests that fine-tuning calcium signals may enhance immune responses to influenza vaccines and treat chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

A new 'Einstein ring' is discovered

Astronomers have discovered a new 'Canarias Einstein ring', a rare and unusual phenomenon that provides insight into the composition of distant galaxies. The discovery was made using data from the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS (GTC) and offers valuable information about the structure of gravitational fields and dark matter in galaxy lenses.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 31, 2016

It pays to increase energy consumption

Researchers at Aarhus University found that using 10% more energy for heating can save 10% on the bill while reducing carbon dioxide emission. They developed an intelligent management system to optimize building operations, predicting energy prices and environmental impact.

SourceAarhus University·JournalEnergy and Buildings·DateMay 31, 2016

Sparrows with unfaithful 'wives' care less for their young

A new study reveals that male sparrows can distinguish between their faithful and unfaithful partners. When paired with an unfaithful female, males provide less food for their chicks. The research suggests that males make this decision based on the partner's behavior during fertile periods rather than detecting which chicks are theirs.

SourceImperial College London·JournalThe American Naturalist·DateMay 31, 2016

Female smokers more likely to kick the habit by 'timing' their quit date with their menstrual cycle

A study found that women who time their quit smoking with optimal days in their menstrual cycle may have better success. The researchers discovered that during the follicular phase, brain regions that help control behavior are less connected to those signaling reward, making it harder for women to resist smoking cues.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalBiology of Sex Differences·DateMay 31, 2016

Readmissions after complex cancer operations vary with institution type and patient cohort

A new study found that readmission rates after complex cancer operations are higher in hospitals serving vulnerable populations, such as those with high Medicaid patients or serving as safety nets. The study suggests that payment penalties tied to readmissions may create unintended consequences on financially strained institutions.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateMay 31, 2016

Studying life on the rocks

A team of scientists has developed an apparatus to measure the behavior of ice under various external forces. The device can be used to study both terrestrial glaciers and icy satellite bodies, providing insights into potential life-supporting oceans beneath the ice.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateMay 31, 2016

New findings linking abnormalities in circadian rhythms to neurochemical to changes in specific neurotransmitters

Researchers at McLean Hospital discovered that individuals with bipolar disorder have altered somatostatin expression in the brain's amygdala, which regulates anxiety and stress response. This altered circadian function is linked to severity of depression and anxiety symptoms, providing potential neural correlates for circadian rhythm ...

SourceMcLean Hospital·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMay 31, 2016

Fiddler crabs' 'Morse code' attracts Mrs. Right

Male fiddler crabs produce female-luring vibrations in their burrows, serving as a type of 'Morse code' that females decipher to learn about suitors. The length and interval of pulses convey information on male characteristics, influencing female decision-making during mating.

'Baby talk' can help songbirds learn their tunes

Research by McGill University scientists found that juvenile zebra finches learned adult songs better when interacting with an adult, mimicking human-like speech adjustments. The study suggests social interaction can enhance vocal learning, which may have implications for treating autism and other developmental disorders.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 31, 2016

Wyss Institute to lead project to uncover underlying causes of tolerance to infection

The Wyss Institute aims to discover why some individuals tolerate infectious pathogens while others exhibit life-threatening responses, which could inform the development of novel therapies. The project will search for and identify examples of tolerance across several species through experiments with clinically-relevant pathogens.

Theft behind Planet 9 in our solar system

Astronomers at Lund University propose that Planet 9, a mysterious object in our solar system, may be an exoplanet captured by the sun. The study suggests that the sun stole the planet from its original star during a close encounter.

SourceLund University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 31, 2016

Why are blacks at higher risk for cognitive impairment?

A national study led by Michigan State University sociologist Zhenmei Zhang found that blacks are 2.52 times more likely to develop cognitive impairment than whites due to childhood disadvantages and lower socioeconomic status in adulthood. Reducing racial gaps in socioeconomic resources is crucial to addressing this issue.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·DateMay 31, 2016

Looking to beat the heat and save money?

A new study published by Concordia University researchers confirms that cool roofs provide net energy and monetary savings in colder climates. Using modelling software, they found annual energy expenditure savings of $4-14 per 100 square meters in four cold-climate cities.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEnergy and Buildings·DateMay 31, 2016

UM researcher embarks on field campaign to study effects of smoke on Earth's climate

A UM researcher is leading an international campaign to study the impact of smoke particles on regional climate warming. The experiment will investigate how smoke affects marine low clouds in the southeast Atlantic Ocean. By understanding this interaction, scientists can improve global aerosol models and climate change forecasts.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateMay 31, 2016

How doctors die in the United States

A study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that doctors and non-doctors in the US experience similar levels of hospital care and intensive care unit stays at the end of life. More than 46% of doctors enrolled in hospice care compared to 43.2% of non-doctors, suggesting a shift towards more palliative care.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateMay 31, 2016

PPPL physicist conducts experiments indicating efficiency of fusion start-up technique

A recent study published in Nuclear Fusion indicates that coaxial helicity injection can improve the efficiency of doughnut-shaped fusion machines. The simulation results show that narrowing the magnetic loop's extension into the tokamak vessel can close up to 70% of field lines, increasing current flow and magnetic fields.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateMay 31, 2016