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Science News for December 25, 2017


How genes and experience influence birdsong

Research reveals that genetic diversity impacts learned birdsong tempo, with heritable contributions explaining up to 55% of variability. The quality of instruction also plays a role in shaping the relationship between genes and song tempo.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 25, 2017

Groundwater contamination and natural gas well blowout

Researchers found high methane concentrations in groundwater near a 1965 gas well blowout site in the Netherlands, suggesting ongoing methane leakage from the reservoir. Methane oxidation reduced isotope concentrations with increasing distance from the blowout site.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 25, 2017

Preclinical candidate for HIV therapy

Compound I, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, exhibited synergistic properties and suppressed viral loads in HIV-1-infected humanized mice. The compound sustained plasma drug concentrations and effectiveness for approximately 3 weeks in mice, suggesting potential in pre-exposure treatments.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 25, 2017

Transmission potential of dengue virus

Researchers found that Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes exhibited reduced dengue virus transmission potential by up to 50% compared to uninfected mosquitoes. Laboratory conditions underestimated this effect, suggesting improved vaccines and disease management approaches are needed.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 25, 2017
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Cleaner air, longer lives

New research from MIT suggests the EPA's legislation may have saved over 100,000 lives annually from 2000 to 2010 through a dramatic decline in atmospheric organic aerosol. The study found that human behaviors, such as vehicle emissions and residential burning, likely drove this change.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 25, 2017

New hope for stopping an understudied heart disease in its tracks

Scientists have made breakthroughs in understanding the early stages of CAVD by studying pig valves and creating a lab model. They found that certain sugar molecules called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) can increase blood vessel growth, but also trap low-density lipoprotein (LDL) molecules.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 25, 2017

Climate change and leaf-out date in the Alps

A study of 20,000 tree species observations in the European Alps found that climate change has led to a decline in elevation gradients of leaf-out dates from 34 days to 22 days between 1960 and 2016. This shift is likely due to increased late spring and winter temperatures.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 25, 2017
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Researchers find potential path to repair MS-damaged nerves

Gene expression in specific cells and regions provides a more precise, neuroprotective approach than traditional treatments for neurological diseases. Increasing cholesterol synthesis gene expression in astrocytes of the spinal cord can repair nerves affected by walking in multiple sclerosis patients.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 25, 2017

Declining organic aerosols in the United States

Declining organic aerosol in the US reduces premature deaths and saves lives, with a 40% decrease in anthropogenic sources since 1990.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 25, 2017

A classic Darwinian ecological hypothesis holds up -- with a twist

A University of Colorado Boulder-led study confirms that climate factors limit species expansion in stressful environments, but interactions with other species play a crucial role in shaping range limits. The researchers found that stress impacts plant growth, survival, reproduction, and germination, which drives the pattern.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 25, 2017

Researchers describe first-ever hybrid bird species from the Amazon

Scientists have identified the world's first hybrid bird species in the Amazon rainforest, created by the mating of two distinct species. The golden-crowned manakin boasts unique yellow crown feathers and an intermediate keratin structure, setting it apart from its parental species.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 25, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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