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Science News for June 7, 2017


Scientists discover a 2-D magnet

Researchers have discovered intrinsic magnetism in isolated 2-D materials, a breakthrough that could lead to the development of more efficient and compact magnetic devices. The discovery was made using Scotch tape to exfoliate monolayers from larger crystals, revealing unique properties not seen in their 3-D forms.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalNature·DateJun 7, 2017

Study finds youth football players have significant differences in head impact exposure

A study of 97 youth football players aged 9-13 found they experienced a total of 40,538 head impacts during four seasons. The number of impacts differed significantly depending on the player's age/weight level, suggesting all athletes should not be evaluated as one group when assessing head impact exposure and injury risk.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·DateJun 7, 2017

Neuroimaging technique may help predict autism among high-risk infants

Researchers used functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fcMRI) to scan 59 high-risk, 6-month-old infants, finding that brain patterns preceded behavioral symptoms of autism. The technique accurately predicted diagnoses in 82% of cases, with 93% accuracy in smaller groups.

Natural capital: Holistic management makes ecosystems healthier, people wealthier

Researchers found that using holistic ecosystem management increases the value of stored natural capital in the Baltic Sea fishery ecosystem over five decades. The study highlights the critical role of interactions between commercially important species and how these interactions impact the overall system's wealth.

SourceYale School of the Environment·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 7, 2017

A more sustainable way to refine metals

A new method for refining metals uses organic molecules and mechanical force to remove toxins, making it a more sustainable alternative to conventional techniques. The process has been successfully tested on several metals, including germanium, zinc, copper, manganese, and cobalt.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 7, 2017

Waste not, want not

Scientists have found that supplementing cattle with dried distillers' grains can minimize the effects of harder-to-digest Bermuda grass as seasons progress. This allows for a potential two-season grazing strategy to optimize nutrition and weight gain.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateJun 7, 2017

Combatting weeds with lasers

Scientists at the University of Bonn have created a robotic system that uses short laser pulses to weaken weed vitality, eliminating the need for herbicides. The innovative technology has the potential to transform the field of sustainable agriculture.

New study shows important economic contributions of H-1B visas

A new study found that H-1B visa holders contribute significantly to the growth of assurance business human capital in the US audit industry, with skilled foreign employees accounting for 28% of this growth. The authors warn of potential negative implications if further restrictions limit hiring of skilled employees from outside the US.

Social experience tweaks genome function to modify future behavior

Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified genomic mechanisms that underlie social behavior in mice, including changes in brain regions and epigenetic modifications. These findings may provide insights into social disorders in humans and shed light on the shared biological mechanisms across animal species.

How have HPV vaccines affected cervical cancer screening?

Research confirms a positive correlation between HPV vaccination and increased cervical screening rates, contradicting concerns about reduced screening due to reassurance. However, vaccine cost and provider recommendations remain significant barriers to widespread adoption in the US.

SourceWiley·JournalDiagnostic Cytopathology·DateJun 7, 2017

Seismic CT scan points to rapid uplift of Southern Tibet

Research finds that the southern half of the Tibetan Plateau formed in less than one-quarter of the time since India-Eurasia continental collision, with most of the uplift occurring when a denser lithospheric root broke away. The study's findings support a different scenario to the traditional theory on Tibet's formation.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 7, 2017

Dating expert ages oldest modern human

Researchers have discovered the oldest securely aged fossil evidence of modern humans in Africa, pushing back their origins by 100,000 years. The findings from Jebel Irhoud, Morocco, reveal a complex evolutionary history of mankind that likely involved the entire African continent.

SourceGriffith University·JournalNature·DateJun 7, 2017

Religious coping may affect couples dealing with type 2 diabetes

A new study found that spousal engagement in healthy diet planning and shared glycemic control activities can help manage type 2 diabetes. Positive religious coping by the nondiabetic spouse is also linked to higher levels of shared activities, while negative coping is associated with lower participation.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Marital and Family Therapy·DateJun 7, 2017

Electric car subsidies may do more harm than good

A new study by Concordia economics professor Ian Irvine reveals that electric vehicle (EV) subsidies could actually increase greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. The subsidies encourage the production of more EVs but undermine efficiency requirements for conventional vehicles, resulting in a zero or negative near-term GHG benefit.

SourceConcordia University·JournalCanadian Public Policy·DateJun 7, 2017

Excessive exercise may damage the gut

Acute or chronic gut issues can arise from excessive exercise, leading to compromised gut function and increased risk of health complications. Low to moderate physical activity may be beneficial for patients with irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease.

SourceWiley·JournalAlimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics·DateJun 7, 2017

Exercise may help combat postpartum depression

Research suggests that physical exercise during pregnancy and postpartum periods can improve psychological well-being and alleviate depressive symptoms. The study analyzed 12 studies and found no correlation between exercise intensity or frequency and the effectiveness of exercise in reducing postpartum depression.

SourceWiley·JournalBirth·DateJun 7, 2017

Dining hall intervention helped college students choose healthier options

A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that encouraging fruit, vegetable, and water intake in a college dining hall led to smarter food choices. The intervention included PACE labeling and posters promoting healthier options, resulting in reduced sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and increased...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateJun 7, 2017

The first of our kind

The discovery of ancient Homo sapiens fossils in Morocco pushes back the origins of our species by 100,000 years. The fossils, dated to around 300,000 years ago, reveal a modern-looking face and teeth, but an archaic braincase shape.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateJun 7, 2017

Mutations unveiled that predispose lung cancers to refractory histologic transformation

Researchers have discovered that mutations in the RB1 and TP53 genes play a key role in treatment-resistant cancer cell-type transformation in lung cancers. Lung adenocarcinomas with complete inactivation of both genes tend to have a higher risk of transforming into small cell lung cancer during EGFR inhibitor therapy.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 7, 2017

Are wealthier people more likely to receive a diagnosis of cancer?

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that wealthier individuals are more likely to receive cancer diagnoses due to increased testing. However, mortality rates from these cancers have been decreasing, largely due to improved treatments. The authors suggest alternative payment models and reduced financial confli...

SourceThe Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 7, 2017

Pregnancy diet high in refined grains could increase kids' obesity by age 7

A National Institutes of Health study found that children born to women with gestational diabetes who consumed high amounts of refined grains during pregnancy were twice as likely to be obese at age 7. The study controlled for factors such as physical activity and vegetable consumption.

ACR Releases Guideline on prevention & treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis

The ACR's updated clinical guideline provides recommendations for assessing fracture risk and treatment for adults and special patient populations. For all age groups, the panel strongly recommends optimizing calcium and vitamin D intake and implementing lifestyle modifications to prevent glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

SourceAmerican College of Rheumatology·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateJun 7, 2017

What causes women to stop breastfeeding early?

Research identifies socioeconomic, physical, and mental factors contributing to early breastfeeding cessation in young mothers. Mothers at risk of stopping breastfeeding before 6 months may benefit from targeted interventions addressing known behavioral factors.

SourceWiley·JournalScandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences·DateJun 7, 2017

The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology: India's diabetes epidemic shifts, now increasingly common among poorer people in more affluent cities

A study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that diabetes prevalence is increasing among low socio-economic backgrounds living in urban areas of affluent states in India. Diabete's rates are higher among people from low socio-economic status, especially in cities with poor access to healthcare.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateJun 7, 2017

Engineering a new cancer detection tool

Scientists from Griffith University and partners have engineered a new tool to detect cancer by recognizing an unusual sugar present on tumor cells. The innovation utilizes the E. coli toxin, which binds to Neu5Gc, a substance produced by tumor cells.

SourceGriffith University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 7, 2017

Mammograms: Are we overdiagnosing small tumors?

Research found that slow-growing breast cancers with favorable biologic factors have an excellent prognosis, often outliving patients. The study suggests that large, aggressive tumors are more likely to cause harm and should be prioritized for screening.

SourceYale University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 7, 2017

Can pain increase the risk of dying early?

A recent analysis found that individuals with debilitating pain had a higher risk of dying during the study. Those with severe pain interference reported significantly increased risks of mortality.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateJun 7, 2017

How cells divide tasks and conquer work

A new mathematical framework developed by Tatyana Sharpee and colleagues provides a theoretical understanding of how different cell types divide work among themselves. This framework could help explain greater efficiency and reliability in cell function, as well as the impact of disease when division of labor is not effective.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNeuron·DateJun 7, 2017

Nanowires, the future of electronics

Researchers at the University of the Basque Country have developed a new suite of molecular wires or nanowires with high efficiency, enabling miniaturization of electronic circuits. These nanowires are crucial for reducing the size of electronic components and improving their performance.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 7, 2017

Sleep apnea and insomnia combination linked with depression

A new study reveals that men with sleep apnoea and insomnia have a higher prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms than those with either condition alone. The study found that 43% of men with both conditions had depression, compared to 22% with insomnia alone and 8% with sleep apnoea alone.

SourceWiley·JournalRespirology·DateJun 7, 2017

Reshaping Darwin's tree of life

Researchers from Rutgers University and international collaborators introduce the SYMPHY framework, which classifies life based on symbiotic relationships. This new approach could lead to breakthroughs in environmental issues, sustainable agriculture, and human health.

A small group of neurons modulates the amount of insulin that the pancreas must produce

Researchers discovered that a small group of hypothalamus neurons, called POMC, modulate the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas. The study reveals new molecular mechanisms involved in this connection and highlights the importance of mitochondrial dynamics in glucose sensing and insulin release control.

Recent presidential election could have negative impact on health

A new article from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggests that the recent U.S. presidential election could lead to negative health impacts, particularly among marginalized groups. The study found a link between hostile attitudes towards racial and ethnic minorities and increased risk of disease and premature death.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 7, 2017