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Science News for April 27, 2017


ECDC report shows strong potential of E-health to increase vaccination coverage in Europe

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has released a survey report on immunisation information systems, showing strong potential for e-health to increase vaccination coverage. Digital systems are being piloted across EU/EEA countries, including automated reminders that can identify under-vaccinated populations.

Hospital acquired complications may be especially dangerous for kidney disease patients

Patients with chronic kidney disease are at a higher risk of experiencing complications when hospitalized, including longer hospital stays and mortality. The study found that potentially preventable hospital-acquired complications are linked to an elevated risk of early death in these patients.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 27, 2017

Food insecurity can affect your mental health

A new study found that food insecurity is associated with poorer mental health and specific psychosocial stressors across global regions. Nearly one in three individuals experience common mental disorders, which may be exacerbated by food insecurity's impact on nutrition and social norms.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateApr 27, 2017

Ocean warming to cancel increased CO2-driven productivity

Researchers found that high CO2 levels boost production at different levels of the food web, but ocean warming causes stress to marine animals, preventing them from efficiently using increased resources. This led to a collapse of the food web. The study suggests that ocean warming will be an overwhelming stressor for marine ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateApr 27, 2017

Light has new capacity for electronics

Scientists have discovered a new phenomenon called the photodielectric effect, which could lead to the creation of laser-controlled touch displays. The discovery uses light to increase the dielectric permittivity of a material, allowing for more efficient energy storage and filtering.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 27, 2017

How do students with debt fare in community college?

A study found that community college students who borrow up to $1,999 in loans complete 17% fewer academic credits. The researchers suggest that student debt may be contributing to lower credit hour completion rates for some students.

SourceSAGE·JournalThe Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science·DateApr 27, 2017

The upside of worrying

A new paper by Kate Sweeny argues there's a positive side to worrying, with benefits including motivating preventive and protective behavior, recovery from traumatic events, and adaptive preparation and planning. Worrying the right amount can also motivate without paralyzing motivation, while serving as an emotional buffer.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalSocial and Personality Psychology Compass·DateApr 27, 2017

Treatment improved overall survival in elderly patients with early-stage esophageal cancer

A retrospective study found that treatment improved overall survival in elderly patients with early-stage esophageal cancer. Surgery and local therapies such as chemoradiation showed significantly improved five-year overall survival rates compared to observation, with a median age of 84 years.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateApr 27, 2017

A turbo engine for tracing neurons

Researchers designed UltraTracer to work with existing algorithms, turbo-charging them for faster processing and larger datasets. The software can compare tens of thousands of neuron shapes to better understand cell types.

SourceAllen Institute·JournalNature Methods·DateApr 27, 2017

Mental Qigong can be just as rewarding as its physical cousin

Researchers discover that mental practice of Wu Qin Xi has the same effect on EEG brain activity as physical training, increasing theta and alpha waves in beneficial ways. This finding provides hope for individuals who cannot perform physical Qigong due to mobility issues or other constraints.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateApr 27, 2017

Mother's family history could pose risk for preterm birth -- Ben-Gurion U. study

A new study by Ben-Gurion University researchers found that pregnant women with a family history of premature births are at higher risk of preterm delivery. The study followed 2,300 mothers and daughters over 22 years and found that the risk was significantly higher among those whose mothers had given birth early in their pregnancies.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalAmerican Journal of Perinatology·DateApr 27, 2017

Diabetes app forecasts blood sugar levels

Researchers developed a personalized algorithm that predicts the impact of specific foods on an individual's blood sugar levels. The algorithm has been integrated into an app, Glucoracle, allowing individuals with type 2 diabetes to make better nutritional choices.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 27, 2017

Mushrooms get defensive

Researchers have found a single enzyme responsible for producing a unique chemical defense in mushrooms, which can inhibit the growth of insect larvae. This novel mechanism is crucial for mushroom survival and highlights the importance of polyketide synthases in fungal defense.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateApr 27, 2017

Symptoms of cystitis probably caused by bacterial infection, even when tests are negative

A new study published in Clinical Microbiology and Infection found that almost all women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) had evidence of bacterial infection, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. This suggests that traditional urine testing may not be necessary for women with UTI symptoms.

SourceEuropean Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases·JournalClinical Microbiology and Infection·DateApr 27, 2017

E-cigarettes do not promote cancer growth in lab tests

A new study by British American Tobacco found that commercially available e-cigarettes did not promote the development of cancer in laboratory cells. In contrast, smoke from a reference cigarette was positive for cancer-promoting activity at very low concentrations.

SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental and Molecular Mutagenesis·DateApr 27, 2017

Protein 'spy' gains new abilities

Rice University scientists have developed a new technique to label proteins in cells using bio-orthogonal tags, allowing for high spatial and temporal control. The technique uses an engineered switch that only charges tRNA with the tag when prompted, providing a snapshot of total protein synthesis in the cell.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Synthetic Biology·DateApr 27, 2017

Twitter could have predicted the outcome of the Brexit vote

A study found that Leave campaigners outperformed Remain's Stronger In on Twitter, using effective messaging and agenda-setting strategies. The analysis also revealed the Remain camp's sporadic online approach and reliance on negative comments, which strengthened the Leave campaign's message.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalThe British Journal of Politics and International Relations·DateApr 27, 2017

Stem cells edited to fight arthritis

Scientists rewired mouse stem cells using CRISPR to produce biologic anti-inflammatory drugs that protect joints and tissues from chronic inflammation. The engineered cells can sense TNF-alpha and release a protective drug to combat inflammation.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateApr 27, 2017

Blood test predicts kids at risk for dengue shock syndrome

A blood test can predict which children are at risk of developing dengue shock syndrome, a life-threatening complication. Daily platelet counts and changes in platelet levels over time help identify patients who are most likely to develop the condition.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateApr 27, 2017

Mapping the edge of reality

Researchers developed a genetic algorithm to quantify conclusions about the rejection of classical notions of causality. The algorithm mapped out many dimensions of the departure from classical that quantum correlations exhibit.

SourceRMIT University·JournalPhysical Review A·DateApr 27, 2017