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Science News Archive June 2017 - Page 12


Page 12 of 40

Sea sponges stay put with anchors that bend but don't break

Researchers found that the internal structure of sea sponge anchors, known as basalia spicules, allows them to bend up to 2.4 times before breaking, enabling them to securely attach to the seafloor. The study's findings may lead to the development of new materials with similar properties.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials·DateJun 22, 2017

Losing train of thought or it's hard to multi-task? You may be having one drink too many

A study found that substance use, particularly binge drinking and cocaine, is associated with cognitive impairments such as attention deficits and executive functioning issues. Cognitive impairments were also linked to daily life difficulties, impeding treatment utilization, and decreased effectiveness of treatment.

Seafood poisoning bug thwarts a key host defense by attacking the cell's cytoskeleton

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria deploy a needle-like apparatus called Type III Secretion System (T3SS) to inject toxic proteins into cells, disabling their ability to produce defensive molecules like reactive oxygen species. This allows the bacteria to escape the gut and cause l...

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJun 22, 2017

Combined molecular biology test is the first to distinguish benign pancreatic lesions

A combined molecular biology test can accurately identify benign pancreatic lesions, potentially sparing patients from unnecessary cancer screenings and operations. The test uses two proteins to rule out precancer and cancer, with a sensitivity of 95.5% and specificity of 100% for distinguishing between serous cystic neoplasms (SCN) an...

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJun 22, 2017

Australian origin likely for iconic New Zealand tree

New fossil research from the University of Adelaide suggests that the ancestors of the iconic New Zealand Christmas Tree, P?hutukawa, may have originated in Australia. The fossils, found near St Helens, East Coast Tasmania, date back to around 25 million years ago and describe two new species of Metrosideros.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateJun 22, 2017

On polygamous females and single-parent males

A study by Bielefeld University researchers found that male plover survival rates are significantly higher than females, resulting in a sex bias of only 37% females among adult plovers. This advantage may be due to males having greater body weight and growth rates at hatching.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 22, 2017

In organizations, bullying begets whining, study finds

Researchers at Northern Illinois University found a significant correlation between bullying and whining in teams, negatively affecting group dynamics. The 'poor-pitiful-me' routine can disrupt decision-making groups, while both behaviors should be considered aggressive tactics that can derail meetings and lead to suboptimal decisions.

SourceNorthern Illinois University·JournalInternational Journal of Business Communication·DateJun 21, 2017

Oral storytelling skills impact reading differently for African-American boys and girls

Research from the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute found that African-American preschoolers' storytelling skills affect reading achievement in complex ways. Girls' storytelling skills appear crucial for early reading development, while boys' skills have a stronger impact on rapid reading score increases over time.

A new virtual approach to science in space

Researchers suggest using telepresence technology to reduce communication delays in space research, enabling scientists to conduct scientific investigations more quickly. This approach could expand the number of destinations where humans can do great science, including those currently inaccessible due to safety concerns.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience Robotics·DateJun 21, 2017

HIV-positive women with cytomegalovirus likelier to pass virus that causes AIDS to infant

A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that HIV-positive women with cytomegalovirus (CMV) are more likely to transmit the virus to their infants, increasing the risk of congenital CMV infection. The study also found a significant association between gonorrhea and CMV transmission.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJun 21, 2017

New catalyst paves way for carbon neutral fuel

Researchers have developed an efficient catalyst that converts CO2 from the air into synthetic natural gas in a 'clean' process using solar energy. The catalyst produces almost pure methane without side products and operates at mild temperatures, making it viable for industrial activities.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateJun 21, 2017