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Science News for February 6, 2017


Mimicking nature's cellular architectures via 3-D printing

Scientists at Harvard and MIT have developed a new 3D printing method that can create lightweight structural materials with tunable porosity, inspired by natural cellular structures. The approach uses ceramic foam ink to produce materials with exceptional stiffness and multifunctional properties.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2017

This spiny slug blazed a trail for snails

Scientists have unearthed a 480-million-year-old creature named Calvapilosa, an early offshoot of the line leading to modern coat-of-mail shells or chitons. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of mollusks, which includes squids, octopuses, snails, and clams.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateFeb 6, 2017

Hundreds of ancient earthworks built in the Amazon

Researchers uncovered hundreds of large, mysterious geoglyphs in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, challenging assumptions about the ecosystem. The sites were found to have been built using sustainable 'agroforestry' practices, which concentrated on economically valuable tree species.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2017

A bridge to breathing

A compact respiratory assist device is being developed to replace traditional oxygenation methods as a bridge to transplant or recovery in children with lung failure. The device aims to allow patients mobility while awaiting a transplant, potentially leading to better post-transplant outcomes.

Older than the moon

Scientists have discovered a primordial soup in the Earth's mantle older than the moon, containing helium-3, a vestige of the Big Bang. Only the hottest and most buoyant mantle plumes draw from this reservoir, suggesting it may be preserved due to its density.

Study shows planet's atmospheric oxygen rose through glaciers

A new study has determined that the first Paleoproterozoic global glaciation and significant step change in atmospheric oxygenation occurred between 2,460 and 2,426 million years ago. The rise of atmospheric oxygen was characterized by significant oscillations before irreversible oxygenation of the atmosphere 2,250 million years ago.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2017

Psychotherapy normalizes the brain in social phobia

A new study reveals that successful treatment of social anxiety disorder alters key brain structures involved in processing and regulating emotions. Cognitive behavioral therapy, a central therapy for social anxiety disorder, has been shown to restore balance between cortical and subcortical brain areas.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateFeb 6, 2017

Stanford scientists develop 'lab on a chip' that costs 1 cent to make

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a cheap and reusable diagnostic 'lab on a chip' with the help of an ordinary inkjet printer. The technology has the potential to enhance diagnostic capabilities around the world, especially in developing countries where access to early diagnostics is limited.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2017

Scientists confirm dorado catfish as all-time distance champion of freshwater migrations

Researchers mapped the long-distance movements of four goliath catfish species and found that adult dorado catfish take up to 1-2 years to reach their spawning grounds in or near the Andes. The study reveals the incredible life histories of these fish, which migrate thousands of kilometers in both directions to complete their life cycle.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 6, 2017

New study compares the effects of direct exposure to cigarette smoke or e-cigarette vapor

Researchers compared the effects of direct exposure to cigarette smoke or e-cigarette vapor on reconstituted lung tissue, finding changes in gene expression levels and increased inflammation. The study utilized a 3D airway culture system and next-generation sequencing technologies to evaluate the biological effects.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalApplied In Vitro Toxicology·DateFeb 6, 2017

Low-cost imaging system detects natural gas leaks in real time

Researchers have developed a low-cost, real-time imaging system that can detect methane gas leaks in pipelines and oil and gas facilities. The system uses active hyperspectral imaging technology and a single-pixel camera to acquire videos of gas leaking at a rate of 0.2 liters per minute.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateFeb 6, 2017

E-cigarettes safer than smoking says long-term study

A recent study has found that e-cigarette users have significantly lower levels of toxic chemicals and carcinogens in their body compared to smokers. The study also suggests that quitting smoking altogether is the best way to minimize exposure to toxins, rather than using e-cigarettes alongside traditional cigarettes.

SourceCancer Research UK·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 6, 2017

Radiotargeted therapy with SST2 antagonists could combat multiple human cancers

Researchers have found that somatostatin receptor sst2 antagonist tracers can target a greater number of sst2 sites in non-NET tumors than agonists. The study shows high binding of the antagonist in 12 breast cancers, all renal cell carcinomas, and 5 medullary thyroid cancers, while agonist binding was low or absent in these cases.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateFeb 6, 2017

Federal law increases use of services for autism without raising out-of-pocket costs

A federal law aimed at ensuring equal insurance benefits for physical and mental health care has led to modest increases in healthcare utilization among children with autism spectrum disorder. Despite these gains, researchers highlight the need for stronger enforcement of the parity law to ensure adequate access to services.

LED lighting could have major impact on wildlife

New research suggests that LED street lighting can have a major impact on wildlife, but that adjusting the lighting schedule and dimming it by 50% can reduce its effects. The study found that changing the way we light at night could have profound consequences for species such as predatory spiders and beetles.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateFeb 6, 2017

Pride -- sin or incentive?

A study by UC Santa Barbara researchers suggests that humans accurately predict the qualities valued in their local population and generate pride based on those values. The 'advertisement-recalibration theory of pride' proposes that pride serves as a motivator to cultivate traits and behaviors that increase others' valuation.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2017

Hard shell -- healthy kernel

Researchers from the University of Jena investigate the effects of five types of nuts on colon cancer cells, finding that they activate the body's defences to detoxify reactive oxygen species. Nuts stimulate the activity of protective enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase, inducing programmed cell death in cancer cells.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalMolecular Carcinogenesis·DateFeb 6, 2017

Unearthing immune responses to common drugs

Australian researchers investigated how certain medications impact MAIT cell function, finding some prevent detection of infections while others activate the immune system. This discovery may lead to better understanding and control of immune reactions to drugs, as well as new therapies that manipulate MAIT cell behavior.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Immunology·DateFeb 6, 2017

What happened to the sun over 7,000 years ago?

Researchers have identified a new type of solar event and dated it to 5480 BC using carbon-14 levels in tree rings. The team proposes causes for the event, extending knowledge of the sun's behavior and its effects on Earth. The study provides new insights into the sun's activity during the mid-Holocene period.

SourceNagoya University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2017

Picking teams and picking music in P.E.

BYU professor David Barney's research shows that playing music in P.E. class can significantly improve outcomes, making kids 5.87 times more likely to enjoy physical activity. Publicly picking teams, on the other hand, has a negative associative effect on children, leading to lower self-esteem and decreased confidence.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalThe Physical Educator·DateFeb 6, 2017

Pharmaceuticals from a coal mine?

Researchers at the University of Kentucky have discovered ten previously unknown microbial natural products from an abandoned coal mine in Kentucky. The compounds include four new geldanamycin variants and four McCrearamycins, which contain a cyclopentenone ring. These findings suggest that small structural variations can impact cell u...

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 6, 2017

Scientists catalogue 'parts list' of brain cell types in a major appetite center

Researchers have cataloged 50 distinct cell types in a major appetite center of the brain, including two newly discovered subtypes that play a role in genetic control of obesity. The study provides a comprehensive parts list for this area of the brain, allowing researchers to identify which cells are responsible for specific functions.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 6, 2017

Scripps Florida scientists find clue to why Zika, but not its close relatives, causes birth defects

Researchers discovered that human umbilical endothelial cells are more susceptible to Zika infection, allowing it to access the fetal bloodstream. The virus uses a cell surface molecule called AXL to exploit a secret passage, enabling it to cause birth defects such as microcephaly and eye damage.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2017

The solution from the skies to save endangered species

A new project from Liverpool John Moores University is using drones equipped with thermal cameras to help identify endangered species, such as rhinos and orang-utans. The technique involves analyzing thermal heat profiles to create a unique 'fingerprint' for each animal, allowing for more efficient conservation efforts.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalInternational Journal of Remote Sensing·DateFeb 6, 2017

Novel combination therapy overcomes difficult-to-treat form of antibiotic resistance

Researchers have discovered a novel combination therapy that successfully treats infections caused by a pernicious form of antibiotic resistance. The treatment regimen, which includes ceftazidime/avibactam and aztreonam, overcomes the resistance caused by metallo-ß-lactamases, a growing global public health problem.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateFeb 6, 2017

CIFAR receives $4M to strengthen health research in B.C.

The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) has received a $4 million funding boost from the British Columbia Ministry of Health to enhance health research in the province. This support enables CIFAR to facilitate collaborations among top researchers, tackling pressing health questions such as cancer and asthma.

SourceCIFAR·DateFeb 6, 2017

The power of tea

Researchers found that a green tea compound may prevent light chain amyloidosis, a condition where parts of the body's own antibodies become misshapen and accumulate in organs, by transforming the protein into a non-toxic form. The study suggests potential lifesaving benefits for patients with multiple myeloma and amyloidosis.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateFeb 6, 2017

What are the best treatments for female genital mutilation?

A new review highlights effective interventions for managing health complications from female genital mutilation, sparking further research on addressing the needs of millions affected worldwide. The World Health Organization's guidelines provide a crucial starting point, but more work remains to determine the most effective treatments.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics·DateFeb 6, 2017

Myopia cell discovered in retina

Researchers at Northwestern University have identified a retinal cell that may cause myopia when it dysfunctions, and this dysfunction may be triggered by excessive indoor time. The discovery could lead to a new therapeutic target to control myopia.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 6, 2017

Body dysmorphic disorder may be under-diagnosed in patients seeking cosmetic procedures

A survey study found that cosmetic professionals are often unaware of the true prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in patients seeking cosmetic procedures. Most respondents were familiar with BDD and its criteria, but only a small percentage routinely addressed body image problems or collaborated with psychologists.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateFeb 6, 2017

Online Pest Risk Atlas for Africa to combat climate change effects on pest management

The International Potato Center launched an online mobile-accessible Pest Risk Atlas for Africa to assess potential pest risks under current and future climate conditions. The atlas provides detailed information for pest risk analysis, including detection and identification, means of movement and dispersal, and phytosanitary measures.

How does the brain make perceptual predictions over time?

Neuroscientist David Heeger proposes a new theory that explains how the brain uses prediction and inference to make decisions. The brain's neural network can process sensory input in a feedforward manner, but also runs in a feedback mode to generate predictions, and combines both modes for optimal performance.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2017

Campus natural gas power plants pose no radon risks

A two-year study found that Penn State's power plants on campus pose no radon-related health risks, despite high concentrations of radon in the natural gas used. Researchers measured radon levels downwind and upwind from the plants, finding them to be far below a health threat.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the Air & Waste Management Association·DateFeb 6, 2017

UTSW identifies ion channel necessary for hormone and anti-obesity drug to suppress eating

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified an ion channel, TrpC5, essential for the brain's response to leptin and lorcaserin, two hormones and medications used to suppress appetite and reduce body weight. In mice deficient in TrpC5, these hormones were ineffective, leading to increased body weight and disrupted metabolism.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 6, 2017