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Science News for April 5, 2017


No sugar coating, but sweet nonetheless

A research team from the University of Freiburg has developed a new method to create microprobes that can grow into neural tissue without causing inflammation. These probes can deliver strong signals even after twelve weeks, opening up new possibilities for diagnoses and treatments for conditions like Parkinson's.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalBiomaterials·DateApr 5, 2017

Simulations of DIII-D experiments shed light on mysterious plasma flows

Researchers at PPPL and General Atomics simulated a self-organized flow of superhot plasma that fuels fusion reactions. The findings show that sufficient heating can drive instabilities leading to plasma rotation, which may be used to improve fusion device performance. High-energy beams traditionally injected into the plasma are replac...

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 5, 2017

Catch shares slow the 'race to fish'

A study by Duke University economists found that catch shares reduce the 'race to fish' that compresses fishing seasons. This allows fishers to time their catches with market demand, reducing occupational hazards and improving fish quality. While exceptions exist, benefits still outweigh negatives.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature·DateApr 5, 2017

Genes key to killer bee's success

Researchers sequenced Africanized bee genomes to understand their success. They identified a region linked to ovary size and foraging strategy, key traits for adaptation and dispersal. Hybridization between different populations led to the creation of new genetic variants, contributing to the bees' exceptional abilities.

SourceUppsala University·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateApr 5, 2017

Predicting -- and preventing -- psychiatric morbidity after ARDS

A new study by Michigan Medicine researchers identified that younger age, female gender, higher severity of illness, fewer days of corticosteroid treatments, and treatment with GM-CSF were associated with more severe psychiatric symptoms. The study found that more days of corticosteroid treatments seemed to be protective from anxiety, ...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateApr 5, 2017

Lego figures don't stand a chance against time reversal

Physicists at Brigham Young University have developed an acoustic technique called time reversal that uses targeted sound vibrations to knock over Lego figures. This technology has far-reaching implications for fields like private communication, targeted noise cancelation, and even medical treatments such as destroying kidney stones.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateApr 5, 2017

Overactive bladder drug linked with increased risk of depression

A recent study found that women with overactive bladder who received antimuscarinics were 38% more likely to develop depressive disorder within three years. The use of these drugs was associated with a higher risk of depression despite their ability to improve bladder symptoms by blocking muscarinic receptors.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateApr 5, 2017

A mother's voice may help stabilize preterm infants

A recent review of published research found that hearing their mother's voice can benefit the health of preterm infants. The study linked maternal voice exposure to physiological and behavioral stabilization, including fewer cardiorespiratory events.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Paediatrica·DateApr 5, 2017

WSU researchers find a 'sleep gene'

Researchers at Washington State University have identified a key gene involved in the quality of sleep experienced by humans and animals. The study found that a variant of the gene FABP7 is associated with poorer sleep quality, suggesting its importance in regulating sleep across species.

SourceWashington State University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 5, 2017

Ideal for kangaroos -- out of the pouch, but still living at home

Young kangaroos who spend more time alone with their mothers have a higher chance of surviving in the wild. They also tend to be larger and heavier than their peers when they spend more time with their mother, according to a recent study published in Springer's journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateApr 5, 2017

Could targeting oxtyocin help treat opioid addiction?

A new review suggests targeting the oxytocin system could be an important target for developing medications to treat opioid addiction. Oxytocin-based therapies show promise in preventing relapse and may provide a novel effective approach to treating drug dependence.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Pharmacology·DateApr 5, 2017

Self-harm linked to violence towards others

A Swedish registry study found that individuals who self-harm are at a five-fold risk of being convicted for a violent crime compared to those who have never received clinical care. Self-harm behaviour and violent criminality may be manifestations of a common underlying vulnerability.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateApr 5, 2017

New study sheds light on 'lung sparing effect'

A new study suggests that severe acute malnutrition in early childhood may prioritize lung development over other less vital growth, resulting in shorter leg lengths and a higher risk of being severely short for their age. The findings have significant implications for the long-term health of children affected by malnutrition.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateApr 5, 2017

Yoga helps patients with ulcerative colitis

A clinical trial found that yoga significantly improved quality of life and reduced colitis activity in patients with ulcerative colitis. Regular yoga practice is considered a valuable adjunct to conventional medical therapies for managing the condition.

SourceWiley·JournalAlimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics·DateApr 5, 2017

Addressing addictions

A new study by Queen's University researcher Susan Brogly found that 25% of women suffering from prenatal opioid dependence were not being treated for their addiction. This is a concerning finding, as it can lead to poor birth outcomes and increased healthcare costs.

SourceQueen's University·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateApr 5, 2017

Curbing alcohol to fight HIV could save money in Kenya

A new study projects that a culturally adapted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program promoting alcohol abstinence among HIV-infected residents in Kenya could save $628,000 over five years. The program uses trained paraprofessionals with limited training to deliver the intervention, which boosts alcohol abstinence rates to 69 percent.

SourceBrown University·JournalBMC Health Services Research·DateApr 5, 2017

Algorithms can exploit human perception in graph design

Researchers have developed an algorithm to automatically improve the design of scatterplots by exploiting models and measures of human perception. The optimized designs effectively communicate relationships between two data variables, reducing unintended miscommunication.

SourceAalto University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics·DateApr 5, 2017

Charting the skies of history

Researchers at Kyoto University and Japan's National Institute of Polar Research used ancient texts to track past solar events, including prolonged auroras. They found clear patterns in solar activity and discovered that auroras were more prevalent during maximal solar cycles.

SourceKyoto University·JournalSpace Weather·DateApr 5, 2017

Cover, crimp, cultivate?

Researchers explored three organic methods to suppress weeds: using cover crops instead of disks, turning them under, or flatening with a crimper. While some found cover crops to be effective in reducing weeds, the team also noted that unexpected weather conditions and soil fertility issues impacted results.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateApr 5, 2017

Born to love superheroes

Human infants demonstrate an innate ability to recognize heroic acts from early stages of development, drawn to figures protecting the weak. As they grow, their understanding of justice becomes more complex.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateApr 5, 2017

Exploring the mysteries of the universe

The Cerro Chajnantor Atacama Telescope (CCAT-prime) will be the highest telescope of its kind, allowing scientists to study the formation of stars and galaxies in unprecedented detail. With a diameter of six meters and location at an altitude of 5,612 meters, CCAT-prime aims to solve the mystery of dark matter and dark energy.

Scientists unravel effect of ENSO and Atlantic multidecadal oscillation on the East Asian winter monsoon

Researchers found that the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation significantly modulates the Pacific SST-EAWM relationship, leading to warmer winters over East Asia when ENSO-like mode and AMO are in phase. The study suggests considering AMO phase in predicting EAWM-related climate based on ENSO variability.

Project Hotspot

Scientists drilled three 2-km-deep holes to explore the geology of a scientific borehole in the Snake River Plain. They found evidence of heat and older hydrothermal interactions, but no geothermal energy production due to a cool water aquifer.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalLithosphere·DateApr 5, 2017

When the doctor recommends against the surgery a breast cancer patient wants

A new study found that surgeons' recommendations against contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) did not increase the likelihood of patients seeking a second opinion or receiving surgery from a different surgeon. In fact, many patients were satisfied with their treatment despite no discussion about CPM. The study surveyed 1,140 pat...