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Science News for February 22, 2017


Does payer type -- commercial insurance or Medicare -- affect the use of low-value care?

A Dartmouth Institute study found that regions with high specialist to primary care ratios have more overuse of low-value services, and the use of these services remained relatively consistent over time. The study also highlighted a concerning 'potential for double jeopardy in health services receipt among black Americans'.

Is insufficient weight gain during pregnancy associated with schizophrenia spectrum disorders in children

A Swedish study found that insufficient weight gain during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of nonaffective psychosis, including schizophrenia spectrum disorders, in children. The study of 526,042 individuals born between 1982 and 1989 found that mothers who experienced extremely inadequate gestational weight gain were more l...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateFeb 22, 2017

New research horizons

Two UCSB faculty members, Stefano Tessaro and Andrea Young, have been selected as recipients of the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship for their outstanding contributions to cryptography and condensed matter physics. The fellowships will support their research efforts in building solid theoretical foundations for cryptogra...

The genetics behind being Not Like Daddy

A study by Laurine Gilles and colleagues sheds light on the genetics behind haploid induction in maize, revealing the molecular identity of a key gene that promotes fertilization. The identification of 'Not Like Dad' is an important breakthrough to fully understand the process and translate this breeding tool to other crops.

SourceEMBO·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateFeb 22, 2017

Birds of a feather mob together

A study found that male birds' mobbing behavior, such as dive bombing and aerial swoops, serves not only as protection against predators but also as a way to showcase their physical qualities to attract females. When females from the same species are present, males increase their participation in these displays.

SourceSpringer·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateFeb 22, 2017

Study says drugs could be developed cheaper and faster

Researchers have discovered a new way to identify and test new drugs using differential mobility spectrometry (DMS), which analyzes drug molecules based on their response to an electrical field. This technique can measure drug properties in seconds, allowing for high-throughput testing of hundreds or thousands of drugs.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalACS Central Science·DateFeb 22, 2017

Lollipop or edible?

A new study conducted by RTI International found that many edible marijuana products lack clear labels, making it difficult for consumers to know what they are consuming. The study suggests improvements such as web-based education and graphics on labels can inform buyers and the public about safe consumption practices

SourceRTI International·JournalInternational Journal of Drug Policy·DateFeb 22, 2017

OCD-like behavior linked to genetic mutation

A Northwestern University study found that eliminating certain receptor genes in mice leads to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)-like behaviors, such as excessive grooming. The research provides strong evidence for the biological basis of OCD and may lead to new treatments for the disorder.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 22, 2017

Severe gum disease may be early sign of undiagnosed diabetes

Researchers found that people with severe gum disease had higher HbA1C values and were more likely to have pre-diabetes or suspected diabetes. This suggests that severe gum disease may be an early sign of undiagnosed diabetes, making screening in dental practices a feasible option.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care·DateFeb 22, 2017

Rare fossil discovery raises questions

Researchers have uncovered adult and juvenile remains of a giant rodent species (Isostylomys laurdillardi) in Uruguay, raising questions about its classification. The study suggests that previously found fossils were from the same species as the newly discovered adults.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Systematic Palaeontology·DateFeb 22, 2017

Itch neurons play a role in managing pain

Researchers found that itch and mild pain signals can be transmitted through the same spinal cord neurons, with GRP neurons acting as a 'braking system' to mitigate intense pain. In mice without these neurons, pain responses were increased and scratching behaviors were altered.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateFeb 22, 2017

Simple rule predicts when an ice age ends

Scientists have developed a simple rule to predict when the Earth's climate warms out of an ice age, using astronomical changes in the Earth's orbit around the Sun. The model predicts interglacials occurring roughly every 100,000 years, which explains why we've been in a warm period for the last 11,000 years.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature·DateFeb 22, 2017

Ultracool dwarf and the 7 planets

Astronomers have confirmed the existence of seven small planets orbiting TRAPPIST-1, with sizes similar to Earth and temperatures comparable to those of Venus, Earth, and Mars. The inner six planets are likely rocky in composition and potentially harbor liquid water.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateFeb 22, 2017

Cultivating cool-for-cash-crop

Researchers explored growing cool season crops in California, finding canola achieved high yields and seed oil content, while camelina displayed greater cold and drought tolerance. The study recommends further research on more varieties of both crops for optimal growing conditions.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateFeb 22, 2017

Serendipity uncovers borophene's potential

Researchers at Northwestern University successfully integrated borophene with an organic material, forming a self-assembled monolayer next to the borophene sheet. This breakthrough enables the formation of well-controlled interfaces between distinct materials, which is crucial for creating diodes and photovoltaics.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 22, 2017

Neural networks promise sharpest ever images

Swiss researchers use neural networks to challenge the resolution limit of telescopes, recovering features that were previously invisible. The technique, inspired by a generative adversarial network, achieves better results than previous methods, such as deconvolution, and has vast potential for future astronomical observations.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 22, 2017

tDCS combined with computer games at home reduces cognitive symptoms of multiple sclerosis

A new study published in Neuromodulation found that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with computer games significantly improved cognitive measures in patients with multiple sclerosis. The treatment showed greater gains in complex attention and response times compared to those who played computer games alone.

Personalized skin lotions keep disease-causing bacteria at bay

Researchers discovered two new antibiotics in harmless skin bacteria that effectively fought off Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of skin infections. Personalized lotions with these friendly bacteria prevented colonization in patients with Atopic Dermatitis, offering a potential solution to frequent skin infections.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 22, 2017

Fighting malnutrition with education

Scientists propose three main areas to fight malnutrition: Basic Nutrition focusing on nutrient science, Applied Nutrition on population health and wellbeing, and Clinical Nutrition on diagnosis and treatment. The goal is a better integration of knowledge in healthcare professionals' daily practice.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·DateFeb 22, 2017

What's the buzz on bee parasites?

The genome of the parasitic mite Tropilaelaps mercedesae has been sequenced to better understand its interaction with honey bees and develop effective control strategies. The study revealed specific features in the mite genome shaped by its parasitic life history, highlighting the need for new targets in controlling the mites.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·DateFeb 22, 2017

First detection of an artemisinin-resistant malaria parasite contracted in Africa

Scientists have detected an artemisinin-resistant malaria parasite originating from West Africa for the first time in Africa, posing a significant threat to malaria control efforts. The finding confirms that the parasite carries a new mutation in the Kelch13 gene, which is the primary driver of resistance in Southeast Asia.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 22, 2017

Researchers aim to disrupt egg production in dengue- and Zika-spreading mosquito

A team of scientists at UC Riverside has identified five major microRNA expression peaks in the Aedes aegypti fat body following a blood meal. By disrupting these miRNAs, researchers hope to control mosquito reproduction and prevent the spread of diseases transmitted by these mosquitoes. The study provides insight into the regulatory g...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2017

Obesity reprograms muscle stem cells

A new study reveals that obesity reprograms muscle stem cells through DNA methylation changes, impairing insulin sensitivity and metabolism in fully developed muscle cells. The research, conducted by doctoral student Cajsa Davegårdh at Lund University, found that pro-inflammatory genes like IL-32 play a crucial role in this process.

SourceLund University·JournalBMC Medicine·DateFeb 22, 2017

Nanotechnology and nanopore sequencing

Nanopore sequencing is a modern and promising technique that benefits from the potential advantages of label-free sequencing and long reads. This method analyzes DNA directly taken from cells, enhancing sequencing accuracy. Recent advances in solid-state nanopore sequencing are investigated in a review published in Recent Patents on Na...

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalRecent Patents on Nanotechnology·DateFeb 22, 2017

Microhotplates for a smart gas sensor

Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology developed a microhotplate using SU-8 polymer material, achieving good thermal isolation and mechanical stability. The device displayed high temperature resistance up to 550 °C and low power consumption, making it suitable for miniature smart gas sensor chips.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalJournal of Micromechanics and Microengineering·DateFeb 22, 2017

How migratory birds respond to balmier autumns?

A study on songbird migrants reveals that temperature plays a crucial role in their migratory decisions, as milder autumns trigger restlessness and delay migration. The results have significant implications for the future of bird migration, highlighting the potential impact of changing environmental conditions.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalAnimal Migration·DateFeb 22, 2017