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Science News for June 13, 2017


Assembly failure

A new study from Harvard Medical School suggests that RNA splicing errors, caused by a specific mutation in the C9ORF72 gene, may lead to the development of both Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The researchers found that toxic peptides produced by this mutation can prevent accurate assembly of the...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 13, 2017

Loneliness contributes to self-centeredness for sake of self-preservation

Research from the University of Chicago reveals that loneliness increases self-centeredness, which in turn contributes to further loneliness. This creates a negative feedback loop that can worsen social isolation. The study suggests targeting self-centeredness as part of an intervention to reduce loneliness may help break this cycle.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJun 13, 2017

Hybrid membrane creates a stir on the global market

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a simple yet effective hybrid filter that can remove heavy metals, radioactive waste, bacteria, and other toxic substances from polluted water. The membrane is made of denatured whey proteins and activated charcoal and has been patented in 90 countries.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalChemical Communications·DateJun 13, 2017

Scientists make plastic from sugar and carbon dioxide

Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a new process to make polycarbonate plastic from sugars and carbon dioxide, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastics. The resulting plastic is biodegradable, bio-compatible, and can be used for medical implants or as scaffolds for growing tissues or organs.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalPolymer Chemistry·DateJun 13, 2017

Pediatric nurses miss care more often in poor work environments, Penn study finds

A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that pediatric nurses who work in poor environments and have high patient loads are more likely to miss required care. The study, published in Hospital Pediatrics, revealed that over half of pediatric registered nurses reported missing at least one care activity, with those in...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalHospital Pediatrics·DateJun 13, 2017

Research finds link between spacing out and giving up

New research from the University of Waterloo found that people who can sustain focus in daily life are more likely to report maintaining passion in their long-term objectives. The study suggests that mindfulness training exercises like meditation may help mitigate mind-wandering habits and achieve goals.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalCanadian Journal of Experimental Psychology/Revue canadienne de psychologie expérimentale·DateJun 13, 2017

Why does an anesthetic make us lose consciousness?

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt discovered that anesthetics decrease local information generation in specific brain areas, which can lead to reduced signal transmission and consciousness loss. This finding challenges the previous assumption that anesthetics disrupt signal transmission between brain areas.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 13, 2017

'Big Food' companies have less power than you might think

A Dartmouth study reveals that Big Food companies have little control over the farmers who supply their raw materials, despite ambitious goals to reduce emissions and environmental degradation. The companies' reliance on commodity trading companies for staple ingredients further limits their knowledge and influence.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalAnnals of the American Association of Geographers·DateJun 13, 2017

Long term exposure to aircraft noise linked to high blood pressure

A long-term study found a significant link between aircraft noise and an increased risk of developing high blood pressure. Exposure to night-time aircraft noise was associated with a doubling in risk of heart flutter and stroke, with every additional 10 dB of noise linked to a 69% heightened risk of high blood pressure.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·DateJun 13, 2017

Photopower for microlabs

Researchers have developed a fully integrated microfluidic device that produces hydrogen fuel and converts it into electrical energy based on photocatalysis. The device is designed to be self-sustaining and can provide enough power to transmit data from a microsensor for 24 hours.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 13, 2017

Fighting fire blight and detecting Salmonella

Researchers have developed a new method to control fire blight by using a genetically modified bacteriophage (Y2) that can dissolve the slime layer protecting the Erwinia bacteria and kill it. Additionally, another variant of Y2 has been engineered to detect Salmonella by emitting light when bound to infected bacteria.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJun 13, 2017

Charred flowers and the fossil record

Researchers Victoria Hudspith and Claire Belcher found that different types of plants burned at varying temperatures and that certain flower shapes made them more likely to be destroyed by fire. This discovery affects the interpretation of charred flowers as a source of information about ancient flowering plants.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateJun 13, 2017

The role of vitamin A in diabetes

A study suggests that vitamin A plays an important role in the development and function of beta-cells, leading to improved insulin secretion. Researchers found that partially blocking the vitamin A receptor impaired cell survival and insulin secretion, highlighting its potential as a new target for diabetes treatment.

SourceLund University·JournalEndocrine Journal·DateJun 13, 2017

E. coli bacteria's defense secret revealed

E. coli bacteria defend themselves against toxins by forming dynamic tunnels through their cell wall, allowing them to expel intruders. This mechanism may also contribute to antibiotic resistance, prompting researchers to explore new strategies for combating resistant bacteria.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 13, 2017

Galaxy alignments traced back 10 billion years

A new study reveals that the largest galaxies in the universe have been aligned with their surroundings for at least ten billion years. The discovery suggests that these galaxies are especially sensitive to their environment and were influenced by their surroundings from a young age.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJun 13, 2017

Birds of a feather

A new large-scale study found that species with faster genetic differentiation rates produce more species over time. The study analyzed genetic sequences from 17,000 individuals across 173 bird species, demonstrating a link between population differentiation and speciation rates.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 13, 2017

Magnets, all the way down!

Assemblies of metallic nanoparticles behave like bulk magnets, displaying intriguing shape-dependent behavior that could improve high-density information storage technologies. The structures' magnetic behavior is influenced only by the shape of the assemblies, revealing a single bulk ferromagnet.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJun 13, 2017

Small scale, big improvements

Researchers developed a new method to study chemical reactions at atomic scale, allowing for real-time observations of the solid-liquid interface. This technique helps improve water purification methods and understand supercapacitor performance.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 13, 2017

Concussion effects detailed on microscopic level

Researchers at Ohio State University discovered rapid microscopic swelling along the axons of rodent brain tissue after laboratory-induced mild traumatic brain injury. The study found that these swellings are reversible and disappear within minutes, which could lead to improved treatment for concussions.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateJun 13, 2017

Body contouring is only for the rich and insured

A study published in Obesity Surgery found that only 2,112 out of 37,806 patients (5.58%) underwent subsequent body contouring procedures after bariatric surgery. The majority of these patients had higher incomes or health insurance, and the procedures usually occurred within two years after the initial bariatric procedure.

SourceSpringer·JournalObesity Surgery·DateJun 13, 2017

Donor microbes persist 2 years after fecal transplant to treat C. difficile infection

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have made a groundbreaking discovery that fecal donor microbes can persist in recipients for months or years after a transplant to treat C. difficile infections. This is possible thanks to a novel method developed by the team to 'fingerprint' individual bacterial strains, allowing ...

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·Journalnpj Biofilms and Microbiomes·DateJun 13, 2017

Superconducting nanowire memory cell, miniaturized technology

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new nanoscale memory cell that holds promise for successful integration with superconducting processors. The device provides stable memory at a smaller size than other proposed memory devices, eliminating magnetic-field cross-talk and enabling faster and more powerful computing.

Man(ufacturing) of steel

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are developing new steel alloys for additive manufacturing with a focus on high-strength low-alloy steels suitable for naval construction and repair. The project aims to improve mechanical properties and corrosion resistance using integrated computational materials design.

Making art activates brain's reward pathway -- Drexel study

A Drexel University study found that art-making activities like doodling activate the brain's reward pathways, regardless of skill level or experience. The study used fNIRS technology to measure blood flow in the brain during various art activities, revealing increased activity in the prefrontal cortex and positive emotional responses.

SourceDrexel University·JournalThe Arts in Psychotherapy·DateJun 13, 2017