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Science News for January 23, 2017


From tiny phytoplankton to massive tuna

A new study by Nereus Program researchers found that climate change will affect energy flows in ocean ecosystems, leading to decreased fish catch in some areas. The authors used a mathematical model to explore the processes that mediate the transfer of energy from phytoplankton growth to fish growth.

SourceNippon Foundation-Nereus Program·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2017

Choreographing the microRNA-target dance

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have uncovered a new phosphorylation mechanism involved in controlling microRNA-target interactions, allowing microRNAs to efficiently regulate large sets of target messenger RNAs. This discovery sheds new light on the microRNA pathway and its role in human disease regulation.

Engineers eat away at Ms. Pac-Man score with artificial player

Researchers at Cornell University developed an artificial Ms. Pac-Man player that achieved a laboratory score of 43,720, surpassing the existing high score for computerized play. The player uses a decision-tree approach and demonstrates accuracy in predicting ghost movements with 94.6-percent accuracy.

SourceCornell University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Computational Intelligence and AI in Games·DateJan 23, 2017

A new model for activation of the immune system

A team of scientists has redefined the activation mechanism of the complement protein C1, a crucial part of the innate immune system. The study reveals that C1 is activated when two proteins are in close proximity, contradicting previous theories.

SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2017

Mammal testing could be cut by moth larvae

A £12,000 grant from the NC3Rs CRACK IT Solutions scheme will support a partnership with contract research organisation Envigo to assess whether moth larvae can reduce mammal use for toxic chemical testing. The larvae have already helped scientists reduce their mammal usage by up to 80%, according to Dr Olivia Champion.

Microscopic submarines for your stomach

Scientists developed micromotors that speed independently through the stomach, neutralizing acid and releasing drugs at precise pH levels. This approach avoids common side effects associated with traditional treatments, making it a promising method for treating stomach diseases.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 23, 2017

Switching off the brain

A new optogenetic tool has been developed to inhibit neural activity in the Drosophila model, allowing researchers to study the relationship between neural circuits and behavior. This breakthrough could accelerate the development of therapies for neurological and psychiatric disorders.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalNature Methods·DateJan 23, 2017

Today's rare meteorites were once common

Researchers discovered most modern meteorites are rare, while many rare ones existed before a massive asteroid collision. Analyzing ancient micrometeorites and meteorites, the study found distinct differences in their composition.

SourceField Museum·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 23, 2017

Getting closer to treatment for Parkinson's

A Norwegian study from the University of Bergen has identified key mechanisms behind Parkinson's disease, which may lead to future treatments. The research suggests that mitochondrial DNA damage is a primary cause of the disease, and that healthy brain cells can compensate for this damage by producing more DNA.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 23, 2017

CU Boulder research targets cookstove pollution using supercomputers and NASA satellites

A new study investigates how cookstove emissions contribute to both indoor air quality issues and global climate change. The research reveals that reducing cookstove use in certain countries, such as Azerbaijan and Ukraine, could have the largest positive impact on climate change, despite not being major users of residential cookstoves.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2017

Enhancing health care

Indigenous patients with diabetes in Canada face culturally unsafe care, leading to poorer health outcomes. A study found that negative experiences with healthcare systems can trigger traumatic memories and disengage patients from care.

SourceQueen's University·JournalCMAJ Open·DateJan 23, 2017

Engaging fathers in parenting intervention improves outcomes for both kids and fathers

A NYU study found that a parenting program where fathers engage with their children through reading improves parents' skills and enhances preschoolers' school readiness and behavior. Fathers from low-income communities saw significant improvements in discipline approaches and language development, with a moderate effect on child langua...

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology·DateJan 23, 2017

Where belief in free will is linked to happiness

Researchers find a positive correlation between belief in free will and happiness among Chinese teenagers, contrasting with previous Western studies. The study suggests that believing in free will may lead to increased perceived autonomy, self-control, and deliberate effort to achieve goals, ultimately contributing to happiness.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJan 23, 2017

Manipulating gene expression precisely using light

Researchers at Hokkaido University have created a new technology that can precisely control gene expression by light illumination, overcoming existing limitations. The method uses ultraviolet and blue light to start and stop protein production in embryos, enabling precise timing and duration of gene expression.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalACS Chemical Biology·DateJan 23, 2017

Wasps, ants, and Ani DiFranco

A University of California, Riverside graduate student has discovered several new species of wasps that feed on ants, including one named after musician Ani DiFranco. These wasps have a unique association with extrafloral nectaries and can potentially control invasive ant populations.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalSystematic Entomology·DateJan 23, 2017

80-million-year-old dinosaur collagen confirmed

Scientists from North Carolina State University have successfully isolated and sequenced additional collagen peptides from an 80-million-year-old Brachylophosaurus specimen, lending further support to the idea that organic molecules can persist in fossils for tens of millions of years. The study demonstrates that peptide sequences can ...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateJan 23, 2017

Immune defense without collateral damage

A team of researchers from the University of Basel has clarified the role of the enzyme MPO in fighting infections. They found that MPO produces a highly aggressive acid that kills pathogens without damaging surrounding tissue, providing new approaches for immunity strengthening therapies.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJan 23, 2017

Cervical cancer mortality rates may be underestimated

Analysis of US data from 2002 to 2012 reveals significantly higher cervical cancer mortality rates among black women (77% higher) and white women (47% higher), with disparities increasing over time. Black women's corrected mortality rate is 10.1 per 100,000 women, compared to 5.7 for uncorrected rates.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateJan 23, 2017

We need to talk about school start times

A study by McGill University researchers found that students from schools starting earlier slept less and were more likely to be tired in the morning. Delaying school start times could help Canadian teenagers sleep better and give them a better chance for success.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJournal of Sleep Research·DateJan 23, 2017

Mapping the migration of house shrews

Researchers analyzed DNA sequences from 169 house shrews to uncover their genetic origins and migration routes. The study suggests that people traded on a larger scale than previously thought, with species from Asia and Africa showing similar genetic traits despite geographical distance.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalMammal Study·DateJan 23, 2017

New tools developed to help clinicians predict risk of cardiovascular disease

A new study provides powerful new tools for clinicians to predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk globally, especially in resource-poor settings. The researchers developed two models: one using lab-based blood measurements and another that can be used without bloodwork, improving CVD risk prediction in low- and middle-income countries.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateJan 23, 2017

Trees supplement income for rural farmers in Africa

A University of Illinois study found that about one-third of rural farmers across five African countries have trees on their farms, contributing 17% to their annual household income. Trees can act as biodiversity corridors, linking forests and providing wildlife habitat, while also offering income potential to poor farmers.

Strategies designed to reduce excessive body temperature during exercise are explored

Researchers have found that heat-dissipating compression clothing offers no temperature-controlling benefits during exercise in physically active young people. However, for older individuals, the use of these garments can increase body temperature and cardiovascular stress. The study suggests that athletes should avoid using heat-dissi...

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalJournal of Aging and Physical Activity·DateJan 23, 2017

Bioinvasion is jeopardizing Mediterranean marine communities

A Tel Aviv University study finds that the influx of non-indigenous species through the Suez Canal is causing irreversible damage to Mediterranean marine ecosystems, including the decline of native species and habitats. The researchers call for effective management measures to prevent further degradation and loss of ecosystem services.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalManagement of Biological Invasions·DateJan 23, 2017

Cookware made with scrap metal contaminates food

A study across 10 countries found that aluminum cookware made from scrap metal contaminates food with high levels of lead, arsenic, and cadmium. The investigation reveals a significant risk to public health, particularly for children, who may experience IQ reduction, brain damage, and cardiovascular disease.

SourceOK International·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateJan 23, 2017