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Science News for February 28, 2017


Rare proteins collapse earlier

A team of researchers led by Paola Picotti found that only a small fraction of key proteins denature at high temperatures, contradicting previous assumptions. This discovery has implications for understanding protein stability and potentially improving the performance of heat-resistant bacteria for industrial processes.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateFeb 28, 2017

Calculating recharge of groundwater more precisely

A team of international researchers has developed a new approach to calculate groundwater recharge rates, significantly improving estimates for 560 million people in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. By accounting for subsurface heterogeneity, their model produces more realistic estimates than existing global models.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 28, 2017

Concerns over inconsistent palliative care provision across England

A study reveals significant variation in palliative care services across England, with some regions failing to provide standardised information and patient choice being hindered. Experts recommend a national framework to ensure fair access to palliative care, citing the Welsh Palliative Care Strategy as a best practice model.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Supportive & Palliative Care·DateFeb 28, 2017

Hospital floors may pose a larger health risk than previously thought

A recent study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that hospital floors can be contaminated with harmful pathogens such as MRSA, VRE, and C. difficile. The researchers cultured floor sites from 159 patient rooms and discovered that 41% had high-touch objects in contact with the floor, highlighting the need for ...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·DateFeb 28, 2017

Liver tumor growth in mice slowed with new chemo-immunotherapy treatment

Researchers developed a new treatment combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy to slow liver tumor growth in mice, with tumors growing 11 times smaller than in control groups. The study suggests that this approach could be translated to benefit patients with hepatocellular cancer, potentially extending and improving their quality of life.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Hepatology·DateFeb 28, 2017

Treatment of malignant brain tumor in children gets closer

Researchers have made a major step forward in understanding the molecular mechanisms of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a rare and aggressive brain tumor in children. They identified a possible method for treating this type of tumour using an EZH2 inhibitor, which has shown efficacy in mouse models and human cell lines.

Did seaweed make us who we are today?

According to Professor Ole G. Mouritsen, seaweeds were a crucial source of essential nutrients for early Homo sapiens brain development. These nutrients include taurine, magnesium, zinc, vitamin B12, iodine, and poly-unsaturated fatty-acids (PUFAs), which are also healthy for modern humans.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalJournal of Applied Phycology·DateFeb 28, 2017

Happy notes, happy memories

Researchers found that musical cues with high arousal and positive emotion triggered the recall of clear, vivid memories, while those with negative emotions led to less specific recollections. The study's findings suggest that emotional content of musical cues influences the type of memories accessed.

SourceSpringer·JournalMemory & Cognition·DateFeb 28, 2017

Cells adapt ultra-rapidly to zero gravity

Researchers found that mammalian cells can respond to changes in gravitational conditions extremely quickly, recovering full function within 42 seconds. This rapid adaptation challenges previous assumptions about cell behavior in space, providing good news for manned space flight.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 28, 2017

Secrets of the calcerous ooze revealed

Researchers have developed a new method to analyze the carbon content of ancient coccolithophore shells, providing insights into past CO2 levels and climate sensitivity. The study uses mathematical modeling and laboratory experiments to understand the biology of ancient creatures and their impact on the environment.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 28, 2017

Banded mongooses go to war over sex and territory

Researchers observed banded mongooses fighting over food and territory, often resulting in serious injury and death. However, they found that pregnant females were less likely to lose their litters after conflicts, suggesting a possible strategy to maintain pregnancy and increase group competitiveness.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateFeb 28, 2017

Sustainable ceramics without a kiln

Material scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a method to manufacture ceramics without heat, using calcium carbonate nanoparticles compacted with water. The resulting material is stronger than concrete and as stiff as stone, with potential applications in sustainable construction and energy storage.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 28, 2017

A better way to measure the stiffness of cancer cells

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new laser technique to measure the stiffness of individual cancer cells, which is correlated with cellular disorder. This technique has the potential to enable high-throughput screening for early cancer detection, allowing for rapid and accurate diagnosis.

SourceDuke University·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateFeb 28, 2017

Exploring the mysteries of supercooled water

Physicists at Roma Tre University developed a computer-based simulation to study the interactions of water molecules in supercooled conditions. The study reveals that a specific property of the water network can be used to determine changes in entropy, offering insights into unusual thermodynamic facets of water's activity.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateFeb 28, 2017

Genetic variant linked to overactive inflammatory response

Researchers at Cardiff University discovered a genetic link between Ifitm3 and the immune system's inflammatory response. The study found that individuals with a specific gene variant may experience an overactive immune response to viral infections, making anti-inflammatory drugs a potential treatment option.

SourceCardiff University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 28, 2017

Mathematical theorem finds gerrymandering in Pennsylvania congressional district maps

A new mathematical theorem developed by Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh mathematicians proves that Pennsylvania's congressional district maps are likely the result of gerrymandering. The researchers used a Markov chain to analyze the characteristics of the current map, comparing it to randomly generated typical ...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 28, 2017

Biofuel produced by microalgae

Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology have identified the key enzymes responsible for oil synthesis in microalgae. The research reveals that four lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferases (LPATs) play a crucial role in the formation and growth of lipid droplets, where TAG biosynthesis occurs.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalThe Plant Journal·DateFeb 28, 2017

Racial, ethnic, gender bias occurs in pathway from teacher to principal

A new study by University of Texas at Arlington researcher Bradley Davis found that teachers from underrepresented groups face significant barriers to becoming principals. The study analyzed data on nearly 11,000 educators over 17 years and discovered that inequitable pathways to the principalship were constructed around race and sex.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·DateFeb 28, 2017

Calculating recharge of groundwater more precisely

A new study has found that large-scale hydrologic models can be improved to provide more realistic groundwater recharge estimates. The research team compared two models and showed that accounting for subsurface heterogeneity leads to greater estimates of groundwater recharge, which is essential for securing sustainable water supplies.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 28, 2017

Could a ketogenic diet alleviate gout?

A recent study suggests that a ketogenic diet can protect against gout flares in rats by increasing levels of ketone bodies and inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome. This could potentially improve treatment outcomes for humans with the disease.

SourceYale University·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 28, 2017

See how Zika infection changes a human cell

Researchers found Zika virus alters host cell cytoskeletal architecture to build replication factories, potentially targeting with existing chemotherapy drugs. This study suggests a new approach to treating Zika-related disorders like microcephaly and neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 28, 2017

Using Google to map our ecosystem

Researchers used Google Street View to map street tree canopy coverage in Singapore, finding that increasing cover can reduce ground surface and air temperatures. The study's method could help urban planners prioritize tree planting and create greener environments.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalEcological Indicators·DateFeb 28, 2017

Lead dressed like gold

Using advanced computational theory, researchers developed a method called spectral dynamic mimicry that allows them to calculate the laser pulse shape to produce any desired spectral output. This ability could have implications for optical computing and molecular detection.

Study finds new link between childhood abuse and adolescent misbehavior

A new study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that childhood abuse impairs associative learning, contributing to misbehavior patterns later in life. Researchers discovered that abused children struggled with learning which stimuli were associated with rewards, leading to pessimism and poor decision-making.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateFeb 28, 2017