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Science News for December 5, 2017


Student-led protests for inclusive campuses are more likely at selective universities

A new study found that student diversity alone is not enough to make a college campus feel inclusive, with institutions prioritizing selectivity and prestige instead. Researchers analyzed 1,845 institutions and found that more selective universities with fewer Pell Grant recipients were more likely to experience student-led activism.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalThe Journal of Higher Education·DateDec 5, 2017

It's good to be rare, for some species

Researchers from UC Davis predict certain traits, such as internal fertilization and long-distance mating signals, can help rare species persist during crises. These traits may provide advantages for chronically rare species when compared to more common species that are likely to face extinction during great extinction events.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalEcology Letters·DateDec 5, 2017

Blood test could help predict skin cancer's return

Researchers found that a blood test for tumour DNA can predict the likelihood of aggressive skin cancer returning, with 33% of patients who tested positive being alive after five years compared to 65% of those who didn't. The study also revealed that patients with faults in genes BRAF and NRAS are more likely to experience a return wit...

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateDec 5, 2017

Working in the cold

Scientists at Fudan University have designed a high-rate and long-life lithium-ion battery with improved low-temperature performance. The battery system features a cold-enduring hard-carbon anode and a powerful lithium-rich cathode, with the initial lithiation step integrated.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 5, 2017

Hearing different accents at home impacts language processing in infants

Researchers found that infants raised in homes with multiple accents recognize words differently than those exposed to single accents. The study suggests that children from diverse linguistic environments process language uniquely and highlights the importance of considering accent variation when studying speech development.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateDec 5, 2017

Controlling spin for memory storage

Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a computational simulation that shows the potential of ultrafast laser pulses to switch electrons' spins in magnetic materials, enabling faster magnetic memory devices. The study suggests perovskite manganites and layered manganites as possible materials for testing their model.

SourceTohoku University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 5, 2017

Two Super-Earths around red dwarf K2-18

Researchers have discovered two super-Earths around the red dwarf star K2-18, one of which could be a scaled-up version of our own planet. The newly found planet, K2-18c, is likely too hot to support life, but its companion, K2-18b, has potential for liquid surface water and might harbor conditions suitable for life.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateDec 5, 2017

Shorter course of treatment may provide better outcome for intermediate-risk prostate cancer

A new study found that a shorter course of radiation therapy using higher doses over fewer days may provide a better outcome for men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The study analyzed data from over 5,000 men and showed a significant 13% reduction in the risk of recurrence with hypofractionated radiation therapy (HRT) compared ...

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalEuropean Urology Focus·DateDec 5, 2017

Men with HPV are 20 times more likely to be reinfected after one year

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that men infected with one type of HPV are 20 times more likely to be reinfected within a year. Vaccination before sexual contact is crucial in preventing initial infection, while vaccinating previously infected men could also reduce reinfection risk.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 5, 2017

Copper will replace toxic palladium and expensive platinum in the synthesis of medications

Researchers have proven the effectiveness of copper nanoparticles as a catalyst for organic synthesis reactions, which is an ideal alternative to toxic heavy metal catalysts like palladium. The use of copper nanoparticles offers numerous benefits, including lower costs, improved selectivity and yields, and recyclability.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalCoordination Chemistry Reviews·DateDec 5, 2017

US transportation and water infrastructure not broken

A new RAND Corporation study finds that US transportation and water infrastructure funding is not broken, but a national consensus on priorities is needed. Targeted spending increases can largely eliminate maintenance backlogs by 2030, while federal capital funding can include resilience requirements for natural disasters and climate c...

Scientists create successful mass production system for bioengineered livers

Scientists have successfully developed a biologically accurate mass-production platform for bioengineering human liver tissues suitable for therapeutic transplant into people. The new process allows researchers to generate single batches of up to 20,000 genetically matched, three-dimensional and highly functional liver micro-buds.

Hybrid electrolyte enhances supercapacitance in vertical graphene nanosheets

Researchers discovered a hybrid electrolyte that combines aqueous and organic characteristics to increase the performance of vertical graphene nanosheets in supercapacitors. The hybrid electrolyte and potassium hydroxide activation improved nanostructure and charge storage capacity, resulting in fivefold improvements in capacitance.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateDec 5, 2017

Cold discomfort: Increasing cancer rates and adaptation of living in extreme environments

A new study by Voskarides suggests that genetic variants beneficial for survival at extreme temperatures can predispose individuals to cancer. The study analyzes the relationship between cancer risk and local average annual temperatures, concluding that extremely cold environments contribute to cancer risk.

Entangling biological systems

A Northwestern University team creates quantum entanglement from a biological system using green fluorescent proteins. This finding advances scientists' understanding of biology and opens doors to exploit quantum mechanics for new applications.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 5, 2017

Which sequences make DNA unwrap and breathe?

Researchers develop a model explaining how DNA sequences affect nucleosome accessibility for gene expression, bridging the gap between mechanical and chemical information in DNA molecules. The study reveals specific base pair sequences that enable packaged DNA to unwind and 'breathe', allowing genes to be read.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateDec 5, 2017

Pop the bubbly and hear the quality

Researchers investigated the sounds made by champagne bubbles to determine if they could infer bubble size and ultimately assess wine quality. By analyzing acoustic properties, they found that bubble size distribution can be obtained from simple measurements, potentially aiding in quality assurance testing of sparkling wines.

UTSW researchers identify possible new way to treat parasitic infections

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a chemical that suppresses the lethal form of a parasitic infection caused by roundworms. The study developed a mouse model susceptible to the full range of infection and found that a synthetic steroid called Δ7-dafachronic acid significantly reduced worm burden.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 5, 2017

Conquering traffic congestion with mathematics

A new collaborative engineering project funded by NSF aims to make numerical computation of departure rates and route choice faster, enabling rapid rerouting and diversion. The project uses machine learning to develop statistical models of traffic flow, potentially reducing congestion by seconds, minutes or hours ahead of time.

Protein-folding simulations sped up

A new algorithm can speed up protein-folding simulations, allowing researchers to model phenomena that were previously out of reach. This technique can help scientists better understand and treat diseases like Alzheimer's, which is associated with amyloid-beta protein fragments forming hard plaques that disrupt neurons.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateDec 5, 2017

Catalyzing carbon dioxide

Researchers at Harvard's Rowland Institute have developed a system that uses renewable electricity to electrochemically transform carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, with an energy conversion efficiency of up to 12.7%. The device has the potential for industrial applications and could be scaled up to scrub CO2 from the atmosphere.

SourceHarvard University·JournalChem·DateDec 5, 2017

Women who attempt suicide exhibit different protein levels years after the attempt

Researchers found that women with a history of suicide attempts had lower circulating levels of BDNF, a protein critical for neuron function and synaptic activity, compared to those without such a history. This biomarker shows promise in predicting future suicide attempts and may be incorporated into standard blood tests at annual chec...

SourceBinghamton University·JournalSuicide and Life-Threatening Behavior·DateDec 5, 2017

When the doctor's away

A study published in JAMA found that patients treated by substitute doctors had similar death rates as those treated by regular hospital staff. However, hospitals that used substitute physicians less often had poorer patient mortality outcomes, possibly due to geographic remoteness or limited financial resources.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalJAMA·DateDec 5, 2017