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Science News for December 11, 2017


Bacteria development marks new era in cellular design

Researchers at the University of Kent and Bristol have built a miniature scaffold inside bacteria, enabling efficient production of chemicals and biofuels. The technology, which can increase alcohol production by over 200%, has significant implications for the next generation of biofuel production.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateDec 11, 2017

Major cause of dementia discovered

Researchers identify build-up of urea in brain as major cause of dementia, with potential for early diagnosis and treatment. The study suggests that high brain urea levels may be a pivotal role in all types of age-related dementias.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 11, 2017

Ben-Gurion U. researcher indicates nicotine replacement is safer for pregnant women than smoking

A new review study suggests that nicotine replacement therapy is safer for pregnant women than smoking and should be recommended to more pregnant patients who are not able to quit on their own. The therapy can improve smoking cessation rates by up to 40 percent, even if the user receives less nicotine than while smoking.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalThe Medical Journal of Australia·DateDec 11, 2017

A new weapon against bone metastasis?

Researchers developed an antibody called 15D11 that blocks Jagged1, a molecule making it easier for breast cancer cells to metastasize to bone. The antibody allows chemotherapy to keep cancer at bay by eliminating the protective effect of rebuilders in bone tissue.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalCancer Cell·DateDec 11, 2017

Midwife and signpost for photons

Researchers from the University of Würzburg have developed a new set of rules for creating optical antennas that can precisely control photon creation and emission direction. This breakthrough has the potential to enable tiny, multifunctional light pixels and reliable single-photon sources for quantum computers and optical microscopes.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 11, 2017

Electromagnetic water cloak eliminates drag and wake

Researchers at Duke University have developed a water cloaking concept that uses electromagnetic forces to eliminate an object's wake and drag. By matching the acceleration of the surrounding water to an object's movement, it is theoretically possible to greatly increase propulsion efficiency while leaving the surrounding sea undisturbed.

SourceDuke University·JournalPhysical Review E·DateDec 11, 2017

Mass. General team identifies DNA element that may cause rare movement disorder

A team of MGH researchers has identified a genetic change that may cause the rare neurological disorder XDP, which combines features of dystonia and Parkinson's disease. The discovery reveals that a DNA sequence change, including an insertion of a retrotransposon, is correlated with the age of onset for the disease.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 11, 2017

A good decision is not made in one go

Scientists at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam found that averaging all estimates yields significant accuracy gains, especially when considering multiple people. Taking the average of estimates from different individuals is a more effective approach for good decision-making than relying on personal expertise.

SourceVrije Universiteit Amsterdam·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateDec 11, 2017

Omalizumab improves efficacy of oral immunotherapy for multiple food allergies

A new clinical trial shows that combining omalizumab with oral immunotherapy increases the ability of children with multiple food allergies to safely consume allergenic foods. The treatment resulted in over 80% of children being able to eat at least two grams of two or more foods without adverse reactions.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·DateDec 11, 2017

Quantum effects explain changes in nanometric circuit electron flows

Researchers studied a nanometric circuit exhibiting quantum effects due to its small scale, revealing how electrons can transit directly or via a cavity, leading to peaks and troughs in conductance values. The study provides a natural explanation for observed phenomena, shedding light on the behavior of electrons in such circuits.

South Carolina & George Mason link women's sexual orientation to (un)happiness about birth

Researchers at George Mason University and the University of South Carolina found that heterosexual-discordant women are less happy about their births due to relationship pressures and societal expectations. The study highlights a gap in understanding birth happiness among sexual minority women, particularly those who prefer women.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalPerspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health·DateDec 11, 2017

Natural route masters

Researchers tracked bumblebee flight paths and found they refined routes to reduce travel distance, providing insights into route optimization in logistics and robotics. The study's large dataset offers a unique understanding of how animals solve spatial problems.

SourceRothamsted Research·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 11, 2017

Researchers find simpler way to deposit magnetic iron oxide onto gold nanorods

Researchers from NC State University have found a simpler way to deposit magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles onto silica-coated gold nanorods, creating multifunctional nanoparticles with useful magnetic and optical properties. The new technique uses an approach called heteroaggregation, resulting in highly uniform nanoparticles that can ...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateDec 11, 2017

Does prescription opioid use by one household member increase risk of prescribed use in others?

Living in a household with a prescription opioid user may increase the risk of prescription opioid use by other household members. According to a study published in JAMA Network, the one-year risk of prescription opioid use was an absolute 0.71 percent higher among people in households where another person had an opioid prescription.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateDec 11, 2017

LDL cholesterol, the main modifiable predictor of atherosclerosis in individuals with no risk factor

A new study by CNIC researchers found that LDL-C is the main predictor of atherosclerotic plaques in individuals with no risk factors, such as hypertension or smoking. The study suggests that reducing LDL-C levels can help prevent the appearance of atherosclerosis.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateDec 11, 2017

Researchers at Mount Sinai and Sema4 develop powerful new method for microbiome analysis

A new method developed by Mount Sinai and Sema4 researchers accurately identifies individual microbial species and strains in communities, providing a more comprehensive approach to microbiome analysis. The technique uses DNA methylation patterns as natural barcodes to discriminate between closely related species.

Pride does not come before a fall

A recent study published in The BMJ found that pride levels are inversely associated with the risk of falling in older adults. High levels of pride were linked to a 19% lower odds of reported falls. The researchers analyzed data from over 6,400 adults aged 60 and older, suggesting that pride may be a protective factor against falling.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateDec 11, 2017

Violence a matter of scale, not quantity, researchers show

A new study suggests that societal scale, rather than overall violence levels, is the primary driver of conflict-related casualties. The researchers analyzed data from 295 societies and 430 historical conflicts to find a deep scaling law guiding social organization, which explains trends in war group size and conflict casualties.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 11, 2017

How Zika virus induces congenital microcephaly

An international team of researchers identified a specific mechanism leading to Zika virus-associated microcephaly, involving protein misfolding and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This triggers the unfolded protein response, promoting apoptosis in neuronal cells and reducing cortical neuron development.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateDec 11, 2017

Scientists urge endangered listing for cheetahs

A comprehensive study published in PeerJ reveals the cheetah's precarious situation in southern Africa, with only 3,577 adult cheetahs estimated to exist. The research identifies two habitats that support a majority of individuals and highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect these majestic predators.

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ·DateDec 11, 2017

Patient satisfaction, caregiver communication can reduce risk of hospital readmission

A survey of patients found that those reporting higher levels of patient satisfaction with their care were significantly less likely to be readmitted. Good communication with healthcare providers was also linked to a lower risk of readmission. The study highlights the importance of engaging patients in an assessment of their communicat...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalBMJ Quality & Safety·DateDec 11, 2017

Stable quantum bits

Scientists from Konstanz, Princeton and Maryland successfully created a stable quantum gate for two-quantum bit systems using silicon. The research demonstrates the ability to control and read out the interaction of two quantum bits with high fidelity, paving the way for more efficient quantum computers.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience·DateDec 11, 2017

Payment incentives to psychiatrists in Ontario do not increase access for new patients

Research published in CMAJ found that payment incentives introduced in Ontario in 2011 did not increase access to care for new patients. Despite a 15% premium and $200 annual fee, psychiatrists showed no significant change in the number of monthly visits for those discharged from hospital or with previous suicide attempts.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateDec 11, 2017

Appetite-suppressing neurons

Scientists discovered an anorexigenic neural circuit involving medial septal complex and paraventricular hypothalamus projections, associated with reduced nighttime and daytime food intake in mice. The study suggests a potential new approach to treating eating disorders without inducing maladaptive behaviors.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 11, 2017

Health warnings on cigarettes could deter young people

A Cancer Research UK study found that health warnings on cigarette packaging can significantly reduce the likelihood of young people trying cigarettes. The study revealed that young people were around three times less likely to want to try cigarettes with a health warning compared to standard cigarettes.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateDec 11, 2017

Discovery sets new world standard in nano generators

Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a new way to produce high-density DC current, vastly improving over existing triboelectric nanogenerators. The discovery enables continuous flow of electricity from nanoscale movement and vibration, opening up potential applications in sensors, wearable devices, and more.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 11, 2017

'Man flu' may be real

A Canadian academic investigated the claim of man flu, suggesting adult men have a higher risk of hospital admission and influenza-associated deaths compared to women. Men also exhibit higher rates of complications and mortality from acute respiratory diseases due to their less robust immune system.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateDec 11, 2017

Sustainable dams -- are they possible?

Researchers at Arizona State University propose a spectral analysis tool to predict fisheries production and inform flow management strategies in the Mekong basin. A new study suggests this tool could provide innovative solutions for preserving river flow and biodiversity conservation in developing countries.

SourceColorado State University·JournalScience·DateDec 11, 2017

Dynamics of vaccination

A study analyzed Twitter and Google search data to identify trends in vaccine sentiment before the 2014-2015 Disneyland measles outbreak. The findings suggest that social media users' attitudes toward vaccines exhibit increased variability, characteristic of systems approaching a tipping point.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 11, 2017

Sources of environmental vanadium

The study found that human activities release significant amounts of vanadium into the environment, primarily through fossil fuel extraction and combustion. The annual global flux of vanadium is dominated by anthropogenic processes, with emissions to the atmosphere estimated to exceed natural emissions by up to 1.7.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 11, 2017

Cold suns, warm exoplanets and methane blankets

Researchers developed a model that shows how planetary chemistry could create a greenhouse effect on an exoplanet, keeping it warm despite a cold sun. The model, based on Earth's possible geological and biological chemistry three billion years ago, suggests that methane may have played a key role in maintaining the planet's temperature.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Geoscience·DateDec 11, 2017

Two holograms in one surface

A team of researchers at Caltech has developed a way to encode multiple holographic images in a single surface using carefully engineered silicon oxide and aluminum surfaces. The technology works by reflecting light differently depending on the angle of incoming light, allowing for high-quality images with no loss of resolution.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review X·DateDec 11, 2017

New study identifies genetic basis for western corn rootworm resistance in maize

Researchers have identified regions of the genome contributing to resistance against western corn rootworm, with ascorbate biosynthesis and nematode-attracting compounds implicated in the process. The study's findings offer hope for developing native resistance mechanisms into elite hybrids without using transgenics.

Tumors heat up

Scientists improve photothermal properties of bismuth sulfide nanorods by adding gold nanodots, increasing heat generation in tumor cells under near-infrared light irradiation. This leads to enhanced inhibition of tumor growth with no toxic side effects.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 11, 2017

Use of chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer declines, Stanford-led study says

A Stanford-led study of nearly 3,000 women with early stage breast cancer reveals a significant decline in chemotherapy use between 2013 and 2015, from 34.5% to 21.3%. This decrease reflects a growing trend towards personalized treatment approaches, with physicians increasingly considering tumor genomic testing to guide treatment choices.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 11, 2017

Typhoid fever toxin has a sweet tooth

A new study found that Salmonella typhi toxin targets specific cells expressing multiantennal glycan receptors, which could lead to the development of targeted treatments for typhoid fever. The research also highlights the potential for sugar-based therapeutics to combat antibiotic-resistant diseases.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateDec 11, 2017

The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology: Drug combined with food desensitization may help to relieve allergies for children with multiple food allergies

A clinical trial found that combining an antibody drug with food desensitization treatment improved allergy relief for children with multiple food allergies. The treatment, omalizumab, showed promising results in reducing allergic reactions when introducing small amounts of trigger foods into their diet.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·DateDec 11, 2017

Insecticides for malaria vectors

A study of over 7,500 children in Sudan found that indoor nonpyrethroid insecticide spraying was more effective at reducing malaria incidence than pyrethroid spraying. The increased cost of using nonpyrethroid insecticides is relatively low, suggesting that resistance to pyrethroids may be driving the switch.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 11, 2017

African deforestation not as great as feared

Researchers at Yale University have reestimated African deforestation, finding a 21.7% loss of closed-canopy forests since 1900. The study highlights the importance of focusing conservation efforts in areas with actual deforestation rather than incorrectly labelled savannas.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateDec 11, 2017

Managing concerning behaviors when opioids are taken for chronic pain

A new study establishes expert consensus on managing concerning behaviors in patients taking opioids for chronic pain, including assessing risk and safety concerns, identifying pain symptoms, and providing patient education. The study also highlights the importance of referral to other pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateDec 11, 2017

The origin of the Andes unraveled

The Andes were formed due to the South American subduction zone, where an oceanic plate sinks into the Earth's mantle, causing crustal shortening and mountain building. The subduction zone's size and depth led to large-scale flow in the deep mantle, resulting in the continent's westward drag and collision with the subduction zone.

SourceVrije Universiteit Amsterdam·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 11, 2017