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Science News for November 10, 2016


Characteristics of cloud-to-ground and intracloud lightning in Beijing metropolitan region

Researchers investigated cloud-to-ground (CG) and intracloud (IC) lightning characteristics over the Beijing Metropolitan Region from 2005-2007. They found IC lightning occurs more frequently than CG lightning, with most activity occurring during summer months and a southeastwardly increasing pattern in flash density.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology·DateNov 10, 2016

Study of international cystic fibrosis centers highlights spread of aggressive bacteria

Researchers analyzed over 1,000 M. abscessus isolates from 500 global CF center patients, finding near-identical clones in different geographies and suggesting widespread transmission within the CF community. The study also highlights airborne transmission via contaminated surfaces as a potential mode of infection.

Self-healing materials for semi-dry conditions

Researchers at Osaka University have created rigid self-healing materials that can recover up to 99% of their strength in semi-dry conditions. The materials use a combination of physical and chemical approaches to facilitate self-healing, utilizing polyrotaxane structures and reversible bonds.

SourceCell Press·JournalChem·DateNov 10, 2016

Moffitt researchers predict melanoma responses through mathematical modeling

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a novel approach using mathematical modeling to accurately predict patient responses to cancer drugs in virtual clinical trials. This approach enables the identification of optimal treatment schedules that improve outcomes and reduce toxicities for melanoma patients.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer·DateNov 10, 2016

With a little help from my friend

A study by Max-Planck-Gesellschaft researchers found that social support from bond partners significantly reduced stress hormone levels in wild chimpanzees during conflicts and everyday affiliations. This discovery has potential medical implications for humans, highlighting the importance of supportive relationships in regulating stress.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 10, 2016

Rotting away: Getting at the evolutionary roots of wood decay

A new bioinformatics tool has revealed that the evolution of white rot wood decay strategies in fungi involves a general elaboration of the decay apparatus, including numerous enzymes with unknown functions. The study found 409 genes associated with white rot wood decay, shedding light on the complexity of this process.

Hunt for Huntington's cause yields clues

Researchers found that the length of repeating polyglutamine sequences contained in proteins is critical to the onset of disease, with aggregation beginning only when chains reach 36 repeats. The study sheds light on how mutations and protein structure influence disease severity.

Cosmic whistle packs a surprisingly energetic punch

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) emit non-radio emission, challenging models and suggesting severe consequences for host galaxies. The discovery of FRB 131104's gamma-ray counterpart opens possibilities for detecting long-lived counterparts using X-ray, optical, and radio telescopes.

SourcePenn State·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 10, 2016

Higher iron levels are associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes in pregnant women, raising questions about iron supplementation recommendations

A study published in Diabetologia found that high iron biomarkers are linked to an increased risk of gestational diabetes in pregnant women. Higher iron stores may play a role in developing insulin resistance and oxidative stress, contributing to impaired insulin synthesis and secretion.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateNov 10, 2016

The kids are alright: Youth are civically engaged, despite income inequality

A recent study by NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that youth are more civically engaged in unequal counties, with higher rates of volunteering and importance placed on helping others. This contradicts research among adults, which shows lower civic engagement in areas of greater income inequality.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·DateNov 10, 2016

Seroprevalence and disease burden of chagas disease in south Texas

A study published in PLOS Neglected Diseases reveals that Chagas disease has a significant presence in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, affecting up to 30% of those infected with Trypanosoma cruzi developing fatal cardiomyopathy. The research estimates 4,600 people are currently infected and 1,300 at risk for cardiac disease.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateNov 10, 2016

The self-driving microscope

Researchers developed an adaptive microscope that can analyze and optimize its settings in real-time, achieving five-fold improvements in resolution. This technology enables long-term imaging of entire embryos and has significant implications for high-throughput drug screens and biological modeling.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateNov 10, 2016

$384,961.42 for a house? When precise bids work and when they backfire

Researchers found that precise bids are more effective with novice negotiators who interpret high precision as a sign of competence. However, experts prefer moderately precise bids, and providing a rationale for a highly precise bid can counteract the negative effect. The study's findings have broad relevance in everyday negotiations.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateNov 10, 2016

Study uncovers link between constipation and kidney disease

Researchers have discovered a link between constipation and poor kidney health, suggesting that diagnosis and management of constipation may help prevent or treat kidney disease. Individuals with constipation had a 13% higher likelihood of developing chronic kidney disease and a 9% higher likelihood of developing kidney failure compare...

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateNov 10, 2016

IUPUI maps genome of black blow fly; may benefit human health, advance pest management

The black blow fly genome sequencing project provides a major resource for researchers studying unusual or dangerous insects. The study may benefit human health by advancing wound care and estimating postmortem interval, while also improving pest management through better understanding of insecticide sensitivity and resistance.

Water, water -- the two types of liquid water

Scientists have discovered that water exhibits two distinct states at a temperature range of 40-60 degrees Celsius, which affects its physical properties and behavior. This finding could lead to breakthroughs in understanding protein folding and disease mechanisms related to Alzheimer's and CJD.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Nanotechnology·DateNov 10, 2016

Making the most of clean energy

A Lehigh University researcher is developing business models to integrate clean energy into the grid, enabling seamless trading of surplus power among consumers and suppliers. This innovation has the potential to drastically reduce reliance on fossil fuels and associated environmental harm.

Brain scans could help predict response to psychotherapy for anxiety and depression

Research found promising initial evidence that specific neuroimaging markers can help predict the response to psychotherapy in patients with depression or anxiety. Neuroimaging markers such as activity in the amygdala, anterior insula, and anterior cingulate cortex may indicate which patients are more likely to benefit from psychotherapy.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalHarvard Review of Psychiatry·DateNov 10, 2016

Insect vector feeding recognized by machine learning

Scientists have developed machine learning algorithms to recognize insect feeding patterns causing devastating damage worldwide, including citrus greening through probing on host tissues. The technology enables rapid screening and disruption of pathogen transmission, benefiting agriculture, livestock, and human health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateNov 10, 2016

Probiotics improve cognition in Alzheimer's patients

A daily dose of probiotic Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bacteria taken over 12 weeks significantly improved the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score in Alzheimer's patients, indicating a moderate but significant improvement in cognitive function. This is the first study to show that probiotics can benefit human cognition.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience·DateNov 10, 2016

Safe fog

Researchers found that phosphorus nitride offers improved performance compared to red phosphorus, with faster burning times and reduced toxicity. The new compound's friction stability makes it a promising candidate for military applications.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 10, 2016

Animal study registries: Understanding the pros and cons

A new study published in PLOS Biology suggests that animal study registries could enhance the value and reduce waste in animal research by improving reporting and reproducibility. The study's findings also highlight potential benefits and drawbacks, including concerns about intellectual property theft and increased administrative burdens.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 10, 2016