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Science News for April 12, 2017


Ants rescue their injured

African Matabele ants have developed a unique rescue behavior where injured individuals are carried back to the nest and treated. This unexpected finding highlights the importance of social insects' investment in colony care.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 12, 2017

The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Post-SARS, infection rates in China have steadied, but fast-growing and common infections now need attention

A new study tracks infectious disease trends in China over ten years, finding that while overall incidence has declined, some diseases like hydatid disease and hepatitis C are on the rise. The study highlights the need for improved prevention and control measures, particularly in remote border regions.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateApr 12, 2017

Catch me if you can

Researchers at Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown identify apterous neurons as key indicators of female receptivity in fruit flies. The discovery links a female's walking speed to her willingness to mate, with silencing these neurons reducing her receptivity.

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 12, 2017

Timely augmentation to triple oral antihyperglycemic therapy

A new study found that adding a third oral antihyperglycemic agent to metformin and sitagliptin can improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients, overcoming 'clinical inertia' and allowing more than 60% of patients to reach the target HbA1c level. The study, which included over 7,800 participants, also found that the addition o...

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateApr 12, 2017

Vitamin B diminishes effects of air pollution-induced cardiovascular disease

Researchers found that vitamin B supplements nearly reversed negative effects on heart rate, white blood count, and lymphocyte count in healthy non-smokers exposed to fine particle pollution. The findings suggest a potential preventive pharmacological intervention using B vitamins to contain air pollution health effects.

How to color a lizard: From biology to mathematics

Researchers at Université de Genève discovered that a lizard's skin color pattern forms a cellular automaton, a natural process generated by biological evolution, using a computational system invented by John von Neumann. Computer simulations implemented the discretisation of Turing's equations, which linked the biology-driven mechanis...

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·DateApr 12, 2017

Restrictions on trans-fatty acid consumption associated with decrease in hospitalization for heart attack

A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that New York counties with trans-fatty acid (TFA) restrictions on eateries experienced a significant decrease in hospitalization rates for heart attacks and strokes compared to counties without restrictions. The study, which included data from 2002 to 2013, suggests that TFA restrictions may ...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateApr 12, 2017

A simple sniff

Researchers developed a non-invasive nanoparticle delivery method that can target the brain via the nasal cavity, reaching it within minutes. The approach uses aerosol science and engineering principles to generate monodisperse nanoparticles that pass through the brain-blood barrier.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 12, 2017

Geography and culture may shape Latin American and Caribbean maize

A recent study published in PLOS ONE analyzed 194 native Latin American maize populations, revealing three distinct geographic groups of maize in Mexico and four groups in South America and the Caribbean. The findings suggest that genetic variation in maize populations may reflect human migration patterns and agricultural development.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 12, 2017

Human cognitive map scales according to surroundings

A new study at the University of Texas at Austin reveals that humans have an adaptive coordinate system that rescales its internal map according to the environment's size. This flexibility allows humans to navigate diverse places with ease. The research provides valuable insights into the human memory and spatial navigation, shedding l...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 12, 2017

Collisions generate gas in debris disks

Research finds atomic carbon in young star systems' debris disks, indicating minimal hydrogen presence. This suggests the gas is generated through collisions rather than being primordial.

SourceRIKEN·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 12, 2017

New, persistent opioid use common after surgery

A study published in JAMA Surgery found that approximately 6% of patients continued to use opioids more than three months after surgery. Risk factors for persistent opioid use included preoperative tobacco use, alcohol and substance abuse disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, and preoperative pain disorders.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateApr 12, 2017

Tick tock, stay ahead of the aging clock!

Researchers at Babraham Institute and European Bioinformatics Institute identified a mouse epigenetic ageing clock, which shows age-related changes in DNA methylation. The accuracy of the mouse clock is surprisingly similar to humans, with lifestyle interventions affecting ticking rate.

SourceBabraham Institute·JournalGenome Biology·DateApr 12, 2017

Naked DNA in water tells if fish have arrived

Researchers have recorded spring fish migrations by analyzing DNA in water samples, providing a harmless and economical alternative to traditional methods. The study's findings suggest that environmental DNA can be used to monitor fish populations, estimate abundance, and track distribution.

SourceTerry Collins Assoc·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 12, 2017

Physicians' misunderstanding of genetic test results may hamper mastectomy decisions

A recent survey found that half of women with breast cancer who undergo genetic testing do not have high-risk mutations. This highlights the need for genetic counselors to help patients and physicians understand genetic test results. Many physicians surveyed in the study stated they manage patients with uncertain significance in the sa...

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateApr 12, 2017

Predicting a patient's future firearm violence risk in the emergency department

Researchers developed a clinical risk index tool to gauge future firearm violence risk among urban youth, considering peer and partner violence, community exposure, and family influences. The SaFETy score demonstrates superior predictive power, helping emergency physicians identify high-risk individuals and tailor preventative services.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 12, 2017