Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for November 29, 2016


Life before oxygen

Scientists have discovered fossils of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in ancient rocks from South Africa and Western Australia, dating back to the Neoarchean Eon, 2.8 to 2.5 billion years ago. These findings suggest that life existed on Earth before the Great Oxidation Event, which led to a significant increase in oxygen levels.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalGeology·DateNov 29, 2016

Subsidized housing works better for some kids than others

A new study by Johns Hopkins University researchers found that subsidized housing significantly influences young people's standardized test scores and behavior. High-achieving children who lived in subsidized housing scored 8% higher on tests than similar peers, while low-performing students saw their scores drop. The study suggests th...

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalAmerican Journal of Community Psychology·DateNov 29, 2016

Live cell imaging of asymmetric cell division in fertilized plant cells

Researchers at Nagoya University have successfully visualized asymmetric cell division in fertilized plant cells using live cell imaging. The study reveals how the direction of this division determines the body axis of flowering plants, with a small cell forming on top and a large cell at the bottom.

SourceInstitute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 29, 2016

Brain pattern flexibility and behavior

A study analyzing brain region connectivity found that people with more flexible brain states perform better on executive-function tasks. The researchers discovered five general brain patterns, with those in the most flexible states excelling in high-level cognition.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalNeuroImage·DateNov 29, 2016

Omnipath sends strong signal

Researchers can now analyze biological signaling pathways with unprecedented accuracy thanks to OmniPath, combining 27 public databases on signalling interactions. The tool provides a comprehensive and unified collection of literature-curated signalling pathways based on an analysis of 41,000 scientific papers.

SourceEarlham Institute·JournalNature Methods·DateNov 29, 2016

Mysteries of enzyme mechanism revealed

An international team has made a breakthrough by trapping an intermediate in the mechanism of heme peroxidase enzymes and determining its structure using neutron beams. This finding could change our understanding of how these enzymes work, shedding new light on their role in biochemical processes.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 29, 2016

UA researcher explores male perceptions about HPV

A University of Arizona researcher is investigating how men perceive their role in preventing the spread of human papillomavirus (HPV). Her study found that most college-age males had heard of HPV but lacked knowledge about a vaccine that could prevent related cancers for both males and females. The researcher emphasizes the importance...

Bumpy surfaces, graphene beat the heat in devices

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new way to dissipate heat in next-generation microelectronic devices by using bumpy surfaces with graphene. The interface between gallium nitride semiconductors and diamond heat sinks was improved, allowing phonons to disperse more efficiently. This improvement can lead to better reliabil...

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateNov 29, 2016

Evidence of brain injury found in young NFL players

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found evidence of brain injury and repair in young NFL players compared to a control group. PET imaging revealed higher levels of a biomarker associated with brain injury in eight of the 12 brain regions studied, suggesting a link between concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateNov 29, 2016

Use of prescription analgesics differs significantly between persons with and without Alzheimer's

A recent study found that approximately one-third of Alzheimer's patients use prescription pain relievers, comparable to those without the disease. However, the type and frequency of analgesics used differed significantly between groups. Paracetamol was most commonly used, while anti-inflammatory medications were less frequent.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalEuropean Journal of Pain·DateNov 29, 2016

Enzyme research provides a new picture of depression

Researchers found that individuals lacking the CYP2C19 enzyme have a lower risk of depression and larger hippocampi in adulthood. Increased expression of the enzyme is associated with higher suicidal incidences in depressed patients, suggesting that early life influences may contribute to depression's development.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateNov 29, 2016

Ants communicate by mouth-to-mouth fluid exchange

Researchers discovered that ants share proteins and hormones through trophallaxis, allowing them to collectively influence colony growth and development. This process enables ants to cast 'quantitative ballots' for their colony's future by administering different amounts of growth-promoting components to their larvae.

SourceeLife·DateNov 29, 2016

Learning makes animals intelligent

Researchers have developed an associative learning model that explains how animals create effective behaviors, such as self-control and tool use. The model suggests that genetic regulation of learning influences species-specific behavior and intelligence.

SourceStockholm University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateNov 29, 2016

Military environment

Researchers at the University of Delaware developed models to improve environmental conservation on military bases, resulting in a 21% increase in military readiness and environmental protection. The study found that by considering the cost-effectiveness of project selections, the DoD can achieve significant benefits with reduced costs.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalLand Economics·DateNov 29, 2016

Shorebirds studied in 'Noah's ark'

Researchers analyzed incubation rhythms of 32 monogamous shorebird species across 729 nests, finding significant within- and between-species diversity. The study suggests that the risk of egg loss from predators is a key factor determining incubation bout lengths, with cryptic nest behavior influencing this relationship.

Researchers develop novel wound-healing technology

A WSU research team has successfully used a mild electric current to kill drug-resistant bacterial infections, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, responsible for chronic and serious infections in lung diseases and wounds. The technology uses an antibiotic in combination with the electric current to disrupt biofilm matrices, damage ...

SourceWashington State University·Journalnpj Biofilms and Microbiomes·DateNov 29, 2016