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Science News for December 19, 2017


Experimental drug interferes with different mechanisms associated to Alzheimer's disease

The compound anle138b was shown to close harmful openings in the membrane of nerve cells and induce conformational changes that modify pore conductivity. Treatment with anle138b normalized brain activity and improved learning ability in mice affected by Alzheimer's disease, regardless of when treatment started.

SourceDZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateDec 19, 2017

Key to immune system's memory revealed

Researchers at Monash University have identified a novel molecular 'blueprint' that enables the immune system to fight disease by 'remembering' past infections. This discovery potentially opens new avenues for improving vaccines and therapies, including those targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases.

SourceMonash University·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 19, 2017

Cigarette smoking is increasing among Americans with drug problems

A new study found that cigarette smoking rates increased among individuals with substance use disorders, including hallucinogens and heroin, while decreasing among those with cannabis use disorders. More than half of individuals with a substance use disorder reported cigarette use in the past month, compared to 18% without a disorder.

Life on the edge prepares plants for climate change

Scientists used genetic variability to map a plant species' ability to adapt to climate change, finding that Scandinavian plants can cope with severe drought. The study suggests that relocating populations with genetic variants supporting drought adaptation could help rescue endangered species and improve crop performance.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateDec 19, 2017

Biofilms as construction workers

Researchers at Technical University of Munich use biofilms to guide microorganisms in creating tailor-made templates for new materials. This process utilizes light, heat, and other stimuli to control the movement of microbes, enabling the creation of complex networks with natural structures.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateDec 19, 2017

Cooperative learning aids in preventing alcohol use in rural middle schools

A new study found that cooperative learning significantly reduced students' association with deviant peers and growth in alcohol use among middle schoolers. By increasing students' contacts with prosocial youths, cooperative learning helps interrupt the tendency for socially marginalized students to cluster into groups of deviant peers.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateDec 19, 2017

Study examines insecticide's effects on honey bees

A large-scale study has found that residue levels in pollen and nectar from thiamethoxam-treated seeds do not harm bees, with no effect on colony survival. The research involved individual honey bees and 84 colonies, providing a robust threshold for assessing potential risk.

SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateDec 19, 2017

Couple up for long-term happiness

Research from the British Household Panel Survey shows married couples have a higher sense of well-being than singles. Those who consider their spouse as their best friend experience the largest benefits, suggesting a lifelong positive effect on happiness.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·DateDec 19, 2017

Study resolves controversy about electron structure of defects in graphene

Researchers Ana María Valencia García and Marília Junqueira Caldas resolved a longstanding controversy about the calculation of defect electronic structures in graphene. They used a hybrid functional method, which yielded results compatible with experimental data, resolving divergences between different simulation methods.

Monocytes have many faces

An international research team has discovered that monocyte-derived cells are a diverse mixture, differing from dendritic cells. This diversity affects the immune system's response to tumor cells, impacting cancer immunotherapy success rates.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalImmunity·DateDec 19, 2017

Siting solar, sparing prime agricultural lands

A new study suggests that unconventional spaces like rooftops, salt-affected land, and contaminated sites can generate renewable energy while sparing valuable agricultural land. The research found that these land-sparing sites in the Central Valley could exceed state energy demands up to 13 times for photovoltaics.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateDec 19, 2017

Discovery of unsuspected flexibility offers new pathway to cancer drug development

Researchers at the University of Illinois found that cross-system signaling activity between growth factors can direct blood vessel growth and influence cancer progression, stroke recovery, and other disorders. This discovery offers a new pathway to developing effective therapies by promoting or inhibiting this signal.

Conservation study uses tiny treadmills to test sea turtle hatchling stamina

A Florida Atlantic University study uses tiny treadmills to simulate disorientation and measures the energy spent by sea turtle hatchlings crawling on beaches. The researchers found that hatchlings expend massive amounts of energy but can still swim well, supporting the importance of lighting ordinances during turtle hatching season.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateDec 19, 2017

Rice U. physicists discover new type of quantum material

Researchers predict creation of 'Weyl-Kondo semimetal,' a quantum material with unique properties, and demonstrate its existence through modeling. The discovery has significant implications for understanding high-temperature superconductivity and strongly correlated materials.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 19, 2017

Some monkeys prone to isolation

Research on rhesus macaques suggests that some individuals are more likely to remain socially isolated due to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental influences. This phenomenon is linked to reduced life expectancy in various species, including humans, who are experiencing an increasing epidemic of social isolation.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 19, 2017

Mild obsessive-compulsive symptoms in healthy children are linked with cerebral changes

A new study by IDIBELL and ISGlobal found that mild obsessive-compulsive symptoms in healthy children are associated with specific cerebral anatomical changes. The study suggests that these symptoms may be an early manifestation of a more severe mental disorder, highlighting the importance of prevention strategies.

SourceIDIBELL-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateDec 19, 2017

A non-invasive method to detect Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have linked changes in brain anatomy to early biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a non-invasive test may detect AD before symptoms appear. The study found that specific regions of the hippocampal circuit shrink in individuals with high levels of tau and amyloid-Beta proteins.

SourceMcGill University·JournalHuman Brain Mapping·DateDec 19, 2017