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Science News Archive May 2016 - Page 31


Page 31 of 38

That new baby isn't imitating you

Researchers tested young infants' imitation of facial and hand gestures, finding no evidence of innate ability to copy adults. Babies may learn to imitate through observation of others mimicking them.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 5, 2016

Gene cascade specifies 2 distinct neuron sets expressing Nplp1

Researchers identified two distinct neuronal cell lineages expressing Nplp1, driven by different spatiotemporal cues and converging on a common terminal selector cascade. The study provides new insights into neuronal cell fate specification and the role of feed-forward loops in regulating gene expression during development.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 5, 2016

MIT scientists compile list of potential gases to guide search for life on exoplanets

A new approach aims to identify planets orbiting nearby stars that support life by focusing on creating a comprehensive list of molecules in their atmospheres. Researchers have searched for thousands of potentially biogenic gas molecules, sparking new research into identifying larger molecules and their potential as signs of life.

Droughts can have detrimental impacts on aquatic invertebrates

A study found that temporary streams suffer from a significant decline in invertebrate species during droughts, with only three species remaining after a long drought and 24 species after shorter dry spells. The research highlights the potential consequences of climate change-related increases in drought length on aquatic ecosystems.

SourceWiley·JournalFreshwater Biology·DateMay 5, 2016

Deep male voices not so much sexy as intimidating

Research found that deep-pitched male voices are seen as dominant by other males but have a smaller impact on attracting females. Human male traits imply physical aggression and formidability, providing competitive advantages in fighting or threatening other men more than they help attract women.

T cells use 'handshakes' to sort friends from foes

Researchers developed DNA-based tension sensors to study T cell interactions. They found that T cells use precise mechanical tugs to test whether a cell is a friend or foe, with stronger tugs indicating a foreign invader. This discovery could aid in the development of immune therapies for cancer and treatments for autoimmune diseases.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 5, 2016

Our personal skin microbiome is surprisingly stable

A recent study found that human skin microbial communities remain highly stable over time, retaining unique signatures and resisting external perturbations. However, stability varied across individuals and sites, with oily areas showing more consistent bacterial and fungal communities.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateMay 5, 2016

Role of poly(A) tails in mitosis

A new study by the IBS Center for RNA Research has found that poly(A) tail length is not linearly correlated with translation efficiency in somatic cells. The researchers used two techniques to compare poly(A) tail length and translation efficiency, finding a correlation between the two in a limited range.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMay 5, 2016