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Science News for November 3, 2016


When dictators die, stability reigns

A study found that dictatorships remain stable 87% of the time following a leader's death, whereas other forms of leadership exit result in stability only 43% of the time. This is likely due to loyal followers who support the status quo and have an incentive to preserve their privileged access to office.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Democracy·DateNov 3, 2016

Mixtec evangelicals

UCSB scholar Mary I. O'Connor's new book highlights how economic migration and religious conversion have changed the social and cultural makeup of predominantly folk-Catholic communities in rural Mexico. Globalization is at the heart of this process, affecting the home communities of Mixtecs who travel to northern Mexico and the U.S.

Study details rare cardiac side effects of immune checkpoint cancer therapies

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine details two cases of acute and unexpected fatal myocarditis that occurred in melanoma patients following treatment with a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab. High-dose corticosteroids were initially administered, but both patients died due to the severe immune reaction.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 3, 2016

Molecular conductors help plants respond to drought

Scientists at the Salk Institute have discovered key molecular conductors in plant stress responses, enabling a better understanding of how plants cope with environmental hardships. By controlling these conductors, researchers can potentially develop new technologies to optimize water use in plants and help agriculture adapt to drought.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateNov 3, 2016

Adding hydrogen to graphene

Researchers at IBS discovered that hydrogenation of single-layer graphene proceeds rapidly over the entire surface, while few-layer graphene reacts slowly from the edges. Hydrogenation changes graphene's optical and electric properties. The study also found that defects or edges are necessary for the reaction to occur.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 3, 2016

Soda tax falls flat

A new study by Cornell University economist John Cawley found that the Berkeley soda tax resulted in price increases of less than expected, indicating consumer sensitivity. The study also showed that proximity to untaxed rival stores affects the pass-through of taxes to consumers.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Policy Analysis and Management·DateNov 3, 2016

Smells like teen spirit

A recent meta-analysis found that all three sensory agents affect shoppers, but in different ways. Music is positively related to pleasure and satisfaction, while scent affects arousal, pleasure, and behavioral intentions. Retailers can tailor their environments using these stimuli to increase appeal.

SourceJournal of Retailing at New York University·JournalJournal of Retailing·DateNov 3, 2016

Physicists reveal cocktails with Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde features

Researchers discovered that two-liquid cocktails exhibit long-range correlations at equilibrium and when disturbed, resulting in coexistence of different characteristics within the same fluid. Understanding these effects is crucial for studying diffusion mechanisms in various physical and biological processes.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateNov 3, 2016

Both providers and patients drive health care spending, study finds

A new study finds that both patients and healthcare providers account for half of the regional spending differences in medical costs. Patient characteristics, such as basic health and care preferences, contribute to nearly 50% of these disparities, while provider practices and incentives drive the remaining 50%. The research provides i...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·DateNov 3, 2016

Impact of sea smell overestimated by present climate models

Scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research have published a comprehensive study revealing that current climate models overestimate the impact of dimethyl sulfide on oceanic clouds. The study found that aqueous-phase chemistry significantly reduces sulfur dioxide emissions, contradicting earlier projections.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 3, 2016

Can you smell through your lungs?

Researchers discovered two olfactory receptors in human lung tissue that regulate airway smooth muscle cell contraction. Activation of these receptors may help constrict or prevent airway constriction in diseases such as asthma and emphysema.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateNov 3, 2016

High number of sports-related eye injuries in US

A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology estimates that approximately 30,000 individuals per year report to US emergency departments with sports-related eye injuries. The majority of these cases involve males playing basketball or baseball, with the latter leading to significant blowout fractures and impaired vision.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateNov 3, 2016

Why bad genes aren't always bad news

A team of scientists discovered a comprehensive set of suppressive mutations in yeast cells, which could help explain how some people remain healthy despite carrying catastrophic mutations. The findings provide new insights into the complex relationship between genetic suppression and disease-causing mutations.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScience·DateNov 3, 2016

Words matter when talking about Alzheimer's

Researchers suggest shifting from 'curing' Alzheimer's to building resilience, acknowledging the disease is intertwined with aging processes. They propose education, infrastructure support and proper care as key components of societal response.

SourcePenn State·JournalThe American Journal of Bioethics·DateNov 3, 2016

Scientists decode the genome of Chinese licorice

Researchers have decoded the genome of Chinese licorice, a plant crucial in traditional Chinese medicine and natural sweetener. The study reveals the plant's genetic blueprint, which may facilitate the creation of sustainably bred strains with high glycyrrhizin content.

SourceRIKEN·JournalThe Plant Journal·DateNov 3, 2016

Gene regulation: Shaping up to make the cut

Researchers have discovered that distinct conformations of a protein essential for spliceosome assembly on mRNA precursors significantly influence splicing efficiency. The findings suggest that different structural configurations adopted by the large subunit of U2AF regulate splicing operations, affecting protein synthesis rates and fi...

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 3, 2016

The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Scientists identify genetic markers of resistance to frontline malaria drug that could help control outbreaks

Researchers have identified genetic markers associated with resistance to the antimalarial drug piperaquine, which could help track and contain outbreaks in Southeast Asia. The findings suggest that amplification of plasmepsin genes is linked to piperaquine resistance and may be used to identify patients at risk of treatment failure.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateNov 3, 2016

How your diet can influence your environmental impact

A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that adopting a plant-based diet can significantly decrease the environmental impact and phosphorus footprint, with a potential reduction of 72% in phosphorus fertilizer requirements. This change has a moderate effect on reducing phosphorus excreted by the environment.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·DateNov 3, 2016

New metabolomic screening method detects multiple inborn errors of metabolism in urine

Researchers have developed a new metabolomics-based screening approach that can identify multiple different inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) in a single urine sample. This method has the potential to detect numerous IEMs, which were previously detected in various bodily fluids such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalGenetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers·DateNov 3, 2016

Why some songs get stuck in your head

A study published by Durham University found that earworms, or songs that get stuck in your head, tend to have faster tempos, common melodic contours, and unusual interval structures. The researchers also identified specific songs with these characteristics, including Bad Romance and Don't Stop Believing.

WSU study reveals non-invasive prenatal genetic test is accurate five weeks into pregnancy

The WSU study reveals a non-invasive testing method, Trophoblast Retrieval and Isolation from the Cervix (TRIC), that offers accuracy similar to invasive tests like amniocentesis. TRIC can be performed five to 10 weeks earlier than current testing modalities and has the potential to identify pregnancies at risk for complications.

Blood pressure may open door to personalized medicine for PTSD

A new study reports that soldiers with higher blood pressure before starting prazosin treatment experience better symptom reduction. The study identifies blood pressure as a biomarker that can predict individual response to the medication, potentially leading to personalized medicine approaches for PTSD treatment.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateNov 3, 2016

Will temperature extremes increase in Northeast Asia?

Climate model experiments suggest Northeast Asia has experienced abrupt summer warming, with significant changes in temperature extremes since the mid-1990s. Dr. DONG's team attributes these changes to natural variability and anthropogenic forcings, with reduced aerosol precursor emissions over Europe playing a crucial role.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateNov 3, 2016

Association between sugary diet and coronary artery disease

A study from Lund University found that consuming high amounts of added sucrose increases the risk of myocardial infarction by about a third. The researchers analyzed data from over 26,000 participants and found no correlation between sugar intake and cardiovascular disease for those following general dietary recommendations.

SourceLund University·JournalBritish Journal Of Nutrition·DateNov 3, 2016

WSU researchers show genetic variants and environmental exposures have influence on health

Researchers at Wayne State University School of Medicine have shown that interactions between genetic variants and environmental exposures significantly impact human traits and diseases. The study highlights the importance of precision medicine initiatives for communities with different ancestries, including urban areas.

Collection provides tools to improve clinical research in Africa and Asia

A new collection offers practical tools and guidelines for conducting clinical research on neglected tropical diseases in resource-constrained settings. The collection addresses key challenges, including infrastructure, culture, and ethics requirements, to improve patient management and population-based control and elimination.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateNov 3, 2016