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Science News for May 9, 2016


Rice experts unveil submicroscopic tunable, optical amplifier

Rice experts unveil a submicroscopic tunable, optical amplifier that generates infrared light and boosts the output of one light by capturing energy from a second light. The innovation is a single nanoparticle serving as an optical parametric amplifier, with potential applications in chemical sensing and molecular imaging.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 9, 2016

Antarctic whales and the krill they eat

A study in the Western Antarctic sector found that fin and humpback whales do not share the same habitat or feeding grounds. The two whale species are instead connected to different krill species, with Euphausia superba being the primary source of food for both.

SourceSpringer·JournalPolar Biology·DateMay 9, 2016

Study shows where you are is who you are

A recent study reveals that our environment shapes our self-hood by influencing spatial cognition, which in turn affects how we identify ourselves. This integration of space and self highlights the importance of well-designed environments for promoting well-being.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateMay 9, 2016

Digesting sweet taste

A study from the Monell Center found that gut enzymes sucrase and maltase are also expressed in sweet taste cells on the tongue, breaking down complex sugars into glucose and fructose. This discovery may lead to the development of non-caloric sweeteners with a better sweet taste.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 9, 2016

UGA study finds Saharan dust affects marine bacteria, potential pathogen Vibrio

A UGA study found that Saharan dust increases iron levels in ocean surface water, leading to large blooms of Vibrio bacteria. These bacteria can cause serious illness in humans and other marine organisms, and their rapid growth rate short circuits the theory of phytoplankton as the first responders to nutrient plumes.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 9, 2016

Changing default prescription settings in EMRs increased rates of generic drugs, Penn Medicine study finds

A new study from Penn Medicine found that changing default prescription settings in electronic medical records (EMRs) increased generic prescribing rates from 75% to 98%. The study demonstrated the impact of well-designed default options on physician behavior, with significant cost savings for patients and health systems.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 9, 2016

Pesticide exposure linked to increased risk of ALS

Researchers found a strong link between pesticide exposure and the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Pesticide exposure was associated with increased risk in survey data and blood measurements, highlighting the need for further studies on environmental factors.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateMay 9, 2016

Wilderness Medical Society issues official guidelines for prevention and treatment of drowning

The Wilderness Medical Society has released comprehensive guidelines for preventing and treating drowning, with a focus on rescue, resuscitation, and clinical management. The new recommendations aim to reduce the 10 daily US fatalities and 3,800 annual drownings, emphasizing importance of water safety measures.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalWilderness and Environmental Medicine·DateMay 9, 2016

Do genes express themselves through poetry?

Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that DNA's regulatory regions resemble a poetic language, composed of coding and regulatory elements. By analyzing variants of a key protein and applying mathematical models, the team was able to identify conserved properties in other sequences, enabling them to 'read' the genome.

Raising a child with autism

A study by University of Miami researchers found that Hispanic parents of children with autism exhibit stress-buffering qualities like optimism and use religious faith as a positive coping strategy. The team hopes to tailor clinical interventions to strengthen these personal characteristics and responses.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateMay 9, 2016

Fort McMurray wildfire continues to burn

The Fort McMurray wildfire is burning out of control, covering an area of 161,000 hectares, with extreme fire conditions due to low humidity and high temperatures. Residents are advised not to return home until it is safe to do so, while firefighters, including 1,500 employees at the Syncrude facility, work to contain the blaze.

Pay now or pay more later: Treating hepatitis C

Researchers found that financing treatment of hepatitis C would not only save lives but ease future costs for Medicare. Expanding screenings and treatment to all patients could generate more than $800 billion in benefits over 20 years. Policymakers must determine how to encourage private insurers to invest in the latest treatments.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·DateMay 9, 2016

Pitt-developed drug works against 'superbug' biofilms and respiratory virus

A potential drug therapy developed at the University of Pittsburgh has proven effective against bacterial biofilms and a deadly respiratory virus simultaneously. The eCAP was 50 times more effective at fighting the biofilm than traditional treatment, and reduced viable virus particles by over 150-fold in RSV-infected airway cells.

Feeling the pulse of Africa

The Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) sent ten students to the PanAfrican Legume Conference in Zambia to learn about pulses and grain legumes. The conference, which drew over 500 participants from 46 countries, focused on sustainable systems for food, income, and nutritional security.

Do witchcraft beliefs halt economic progress?

A study by American University Economics Professor Boris Gershman found a negative correlation between witchcraft beliefs and trust, eroding social capital and cooperation. In regions with widespread witchcraft beliefs, mistrust and property destruction are common, stifling economic progress.

SourceAmerican University·JournalJournal of Development Economics·DateMay 9, 2016

First single-enzyme method to produce quantum dots revealed

Scientists at Lehigh University have developed a biological method to produce quantum dots using a single enzyme, reducing production time, environmental burden, and cost. This breakthrough could lead to widespread use of QDs in various applications, including sustainable fuel production and water purification.

SourceLehigh University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 9, 2016

Biofeedback system designed to control photosynthetic lighting

A biofeedback system has been developed to control photosynthetic lighting in controlled environment agriculture, allowing for efficient use of light by plants. The system successfully adjusted light levels based on the physiological performance of plants, achieving a wide range of energy conversion rates and reducing energy costs.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalJournal of the American Society for Horticultural Science·DateMay 9, 2016

Cancer may drive health problems as people age

A new study found that cancer increases the risk for certain health issues beyond normal aging, including declines in activities of daily living and physical function. However, having a cancer diagnosis did not increase the likelihood of developing arthritis or vision/hearing problems, and did not exacerbate existing conditions.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateMay 9, 2016

Best of both worlds

Ferromagnetic semiconductors have overcome a longstanding physical constraint by growing iron-doped semiconductors at room temperature. This breakthrough enables new opportunities for utilizing spin degrees of freedom in semiconductor devices, such as spin transistors.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 9, 2016

A calcium pump caught in the act

The study reveals that the calcium pump uses energy from ATP to transport calcium ions into the cell, a process crucial for muscle function and heart health. This insight could lead to the development of new drugs targeting this enzyme to alleviate ionic imbalances associated with disease.

SourceAarhus University·JournalStructure·DateMay 9, 2016

From the Himalaya to the Canadian Cordillera

Scientists analyze sedimentary archives in Alberta Foreland Basin, revealing cyclic changes in sediment source areas consistent with magmatic flare-ups. In another study, researchers uncover pre-Cenozoic geologic history of the central and northern Tibetan Plateau, tying Wilson cycles to constructing the Tethyan orogenic system.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalLithosphere·DateMay 9, 2016

International collaboration for genome analysis leads to clues about rare cancer

Researchers from 39 institutions worldwide analyzed 91 samples of adrenocortical carcinoma, uncovering double the number of genetic drivers known to fuel adrenal cancer. The study also identified three distinct subtypes of adrenal cancer linked to different outcomes, suggesting a way to use molecular biomarkers for targeted therapy.