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Science News for December 20, 2017


Study: Medications alone don't help smokers quit

A new study by University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers suggests that medications alone may not be effective in helping smokers quit. Despite promising results in clinical trials, the study found no evidence that pharmaceutical cessation aids improved smoking cessation rates in real-world settings.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 20, 2017

Smoking cessation drug may increase risk of adverse cardiovascular event

New research suggests that varenicline, a commonly prescribed smoking cessation drug, may be associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. The study found that patients taking varenicline were 34% more likely to experience a cardiovascular event compared to those who did not take the drug.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateDec 20, 2017

How plants form their seeds

Researchers at University of Zurich discovered how pollen tubes interact with female plant tissue, using extracellular signals to regulate growth and respond to changes in the cell wall. This knowledge opens up potential applications for plant breeding, including influencing pollination and seed formation.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2017

Life on the ice

Researchers directly observed microbial activity in Antarctic and Arctic snow, revealing metabolically active bacteria that remain active in compressed ice. This discovery could lower estimated CO2 levels before human impact, expanding the search for habitable planets.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateDec 20, 2017

Most dog treats exceed recommended daily energy allowance

Researchers found that most dog treats contain undefined ingredients, including sugars, and often exceed the recommended daily energy allowance. Treat labels should be more explicit and provide detailed information on ingredients and energy content to prevent obesity and related health issues.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalVeterinary Record·DateDec 20, 2017

Discounting humanity: Bargain hunters see customer service workers as less human

A study by UBC Sauder School of Business found that price-conscious consumers perceive customer service workers as less human. This dehumanization can lead to poorer treatment and higher job dissatisfaction among employees. The research highlights the importance of recognizing human needs in customers, even when focusing on saving money.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateDec 20, 2017

Stem cell research: (Re)-acquiring the potential to become everything

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have discovered a specific subset of pluripotent embryonic stem cells that can transform into totipotent-like cells in culture. This breakthrough could pave the way for new treatments and therapies for various diseases, including diabetes and lung conditions.

Giant bubbles on red giant star's surface

Astronomers have imaged the surface of a red giant star, π1 Gruis, in unprecedented detail. The star's photosphere features just a few convective cells, or granules, which are much larger than those on our Sun.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateDec 20, 2017

Individuals in the US diagnosed with cancer are 2.7 times more likely to declare bankruptcy than individuals without cancer, study finds

A recent study published in Oncotarget found that cancer drug affordability is correlated with wealth, with the US having the highest average monthly price per patented drug. This has led to a financial burden on both society and patients, with individuals diagnosed with cancer being 2.7 times more likely to declare bankruptcy.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·DateDec 20, 2017

Risk of chocolate poisoning in dogs peaks at Christmas, warn experts

Experts warn of a significant peak in chocolate poisoning risk for dogs during Christmas and Easter, due to increased accessibility of festive treats. Researchers analyzed 386 cases of dog intoxication from UK veterinary practices between 2012-2017, finding vomiting, heart rate increases, and agitation were common symptoms.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalVeterinary Record·DateDec 20, 2017

Emphasizing the auto in automobile: A unified approach for automated vehicles

A team of researchers from Cranfield University and Chinese institutions developed a framework combining cyber, physical, and social systems to integrate vehicle connectivity and automation attributes. They proposed the use of parallel learning theory to analyze information regarding vehicle, human driver, and driving actions in parallel.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateDec 20, 2017

Tics are common in famous boys choir

A new study found that 35% of young singers in an elite choir exhibited tics during a performance. This discovery may indicate a relation between ticcing and exceptional motor skills, potentially leading to a reevaluation of the perception of tics as a disorder.

SourceWiley·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateDec 20, 2017

Community factors and social connection may determine whether sexual minority parents view their community as tolerant versus supportive

A new study found that LGB parents' perceptions of community tolerance depend on the presence of supportive structures like legal protections, employer acceptance, and religious affirmation. However, these factors alone do not guarantee a supportive climate, as individual experiences can vary significantly.

SourceWiley·JournalFamily Relations·DateDec 20, 2017

Diabetes, but not diabetes drug, linked to poor pregnancy outcomes

A study published in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that pregnant women with pre-gestational diabetes who take metformin are at a higher risk for major birth defects and pregnancy loss compared to the general population. The increased risk is not due to metformin, but rather the underlying diabetes.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateDec 20, 2017

More tumor mutations equals higher success rate with cancer immunotherapy drugs

A new study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that tumors with high mutational burden are more likely to respond to checkpoint inhibitors, a class of cancer immunotherapy drugs. The study suggests that precision medicine could be used to guide clinical trials and improve treatment outcomes for specific patient populations.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 20, 2017

The coldest chip in the world

Physicists successfully cool a nanoelectronic chip to a temperature lower than 3 millikelvin using magnetic cooling. They also maintain these extremely low temperatures for seven hours, enabling various experiments close to absolute zero.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateDec 20, 2017

Review sheds light on prostate orgasms

A recent clinical anatomy review sheds light on the discovery of prostate orgasms, discovering that stimulating the prostate via the rectal wall can create exceptionally pleasurable feelings. The study highlights the need to explore this previously ignored area of orgasm research.

SourceWiley·JournalClinical Anatomy·DateDec 20, 2017

Are phages our best bet against antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

Researchers are exploring phages as a solution to combat antibiotic resistance. Studies suggest that phages can alter microbial balances and have been proposed for use in faecal microbiota transplantations. Despite challenges, phage therapy may offer a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Pharmacology·DateDec 20, 2017

Unifying the theories of neural information encoding

Researchers at IST Austria and Paris create framework connecting three neural information encoding theories, providing concrete predictions for previously unstudied coding regimes. The unified theory allows neurons to have mixed coding objectives, covering a range of constraints and phenomena not explained by existing models.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 20, 2017

Putting a fork in cognitive decline

A study published in Neurology suggests that consuming daily leafy green vegetables can help preserve memory and thinking skills as people age. The research found that those who ate more leafy greens showed a slower rate of decline on cognitive tests, equivalent to being 11 years younger in age.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalNeurology·DateDec 20, 2017

New AI method keeps data private

Researchers at University of Helsinki develop a new privacy-aware machine learning method that enables accurate modeling using private user device data. This method ensures limited information on each data subject is revealed, making it ideal for protecting sensitive health and human behavior data.

Study examines conflict between farmers and livestock predators

A new study found that black-backed jackals have a preference for eating livestock, including sheep and goats, over similarly sized wild prey. This has significant consequences for farmers and the management of predators in South Africa, highlighting the need to protect livestock from these animals.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Wildlife Management·DateDec 20, 2017

After obesity surgery, general practice should do more follow-up with patients on key areas such as nutrition and pregnancy advice

The European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) recommends multidisciplinary long-term follow-up after bariatric surgery, with primary care playing a crucial role. Guidelines cover essential topics such as nutrition, co-morbidities, pregnancy, and mental health, aiming to provide appropriate first-level medical care.

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder

A study published in Springer's Sex Roles journal found that men under the influence of alcohol are more likely to objectify women. The researchers used eye-tracking technology to analyze how men viewed images of attractive and unattractive women, revealing that intoxication increases the likelihood of viewing women as sexual objects.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateDec 20, 2017

Killing it softly

UCSB mechanical engineer Daniel Gianola and colleagues use machine learning to predict material failure based on a new concept of softness. By analyzing disordered materials, they found that the size of correlated softness is identical to the number of particles in motion during failure.

Hearing is believing in gene therapy's promise

A new study by Rice University professor Xue Gao outlines a strategy using gene editing to slow the progression of genetic hearing disease. The research found that delivering RNA protein complexes into hair cells significantly increased hair cell survival rates and preserved hearing in rodents.

SourceRice University·JournalNature·DateDec 20, 2017

The biggest chemistry-related stories from 2017

The American Chemical Society reviews the most intriguing chemistry stories of 2017, including breakthroughs in computing and molecular machines. Chemists also demonstrated their support for science through marches and rallies, while environmental groups protested the Trump administration's TSCA implementation delays.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateDec 20, 2017

Mars: Not as dry as it seems

Scientists propose that Martian surface reacted with water and then absorbed it, increasing rock oxidation. The planet's composition, temperature profile and iron content made the surface prone to reaction, dragging water down into the mantle.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalNature·DateDec 20, 2017