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Science News for March 28, 2017


Impacts of school choice on segregation

Penn State researchers found that black and Latino students tend to move into charter schools with higher racial isolation, while white students move to more diverse schools. This study highlights the need for educational equity and raises questions about school-choice policy's effects on fostering racially diverse schools.

SourcePenn State·JournalEducation Policy Analysis Archives·DateMar 28, 2017

Female menstrual cycle in a dish

Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a miniature female reproductive tract that can test new drugs for safety and effectiveness in women. The EVATAR system, made with human tissue, mimics the body's dynamics and will help understand diseases such as endometriosis, fibroids, and cancer.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 28, 2017

Cornering endangered species

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that as certain species decline in number, their geographic areas of occupation also shrink. This makes them easier targets for hunters and fishermen, increasing the risk of extinction. The study highlights the importance of well-managed harvests to prevent overharvesting.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 28, 2017

Stop eating! You are full

Researchers have discovered a molecule sent by fat cells to the fly brain that signals when energy stores are sufficient, inhibiting feeding behavior. This finding suggests a potential appetite-suppression mechanism in humans and may lead to new weight management strategies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 28, 2017

The physics of wealth inequality

A Duke University professor proposes that wealth inequality is governed by a physical law, where systems evolve to increase access to flow. This natural tendency governs the distribution of wealth in economies, with hierarchical movement leading to greater disparities.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMar 28, 2017

Abuse accelerates puberty in children

New Penn State research reveals that childhood sexual abuse can accelerate physical growth and maturation in adolescents, increasing the risk of behavioral and mental health problems. The study found that young girls with a sexual abuse history were more likely to transition into higher puberty stages earlier than non-abused peers.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateMar 28, 2017

SHSU study examines death penalty support in Mexico

A recent study by Sam Houston State University researchers found that Mexican citizens are more likely to support the death penalty than previously thought. Contrary to U.S. studies, Catholics in Mexico were found to be more likely to support capital punishment, while older Mexicans and those living in states bordering the U.S. were le...

SourceSam Houston State University·JournalCrime & Delinquency·DateMar 28, 2017

How does oxygen get into a fuel cell?

Researchers at TU Wien have found a way to explain the reasons why oxygen does not always enter fuel cells effectively. By making targeted alterations to the surface of fuel cells on an atomic scale and taking measurements simultaneously, they discovered that strontium atoms cause problems and cobalt can be useful in fuel cells.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 28, 2017

Subaru telescope detects the shadow of a gas cloud in an ancient proto-supercluster

Researchers used Subaru Telescope to create extensive map of neutral hydrogen gas in ancient proto-supercluster. The study revealed the region is rich in gas, which is a major building block of galaxies. Gas distribution does not align perfectly with galaxies' distribution within the proto-supercluster.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 28, 2017

New strategy identifies potential drugs and targets for brain repair

Researchers have discovered small molecule drugs that activate signaling pathways leading to specific adult brain cell types from stem cells. These findings provide new insights into neural development and repair, identifying several new approved drugs with potential therapeutic value for brain injury repair.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 28, 2017

Poor outlook for biodiversity in Antarctica

A new study by an international team of scientists has found that Antarctica's biodiversity and conservation management are similar to those globally. Despite some areas of improvement, such as invasive species management, overall progress is lagging behind global targets.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 28, 2017

Key research priorities for agricultural microbiomes identified

Researchers call for a coordinated effort to understand plant-microbiome interactions to improve plant health and agricultural productivity. Five key research priorities are proposed to address nutrient use, stress tolerance, disease resistance, microbiome assembly, and functional mechanisms.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 28, 2017

ASCO and Cancer Care Ontario update guideline on radiation therapy for prostate cancer

The ASCO and Cancer Care Ontario have updated their clinical practice guideline on brachytherapy for patients with prostate cancer. The new guidelines recommend different treatment options for patients with varying risk levels, including low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk prostate cancer. For eligible patients, brachytherapy is...

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateMar 28, 2017

When writing interferes with hearing

Researchers found that certain 'super-readers' with reorganized brain circuits perform better in tasks involving written words, while others with intact auditory-visual integration achieve more accurate results. This study highlights the crucial role of brain interactions in cochlear implant success.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 28, 2017

How bacteria hunt other bacteria

Researchers studied how Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus tracks down prey using high-resolution video microscopy. The study found that the bacterial predator uses hydrodynamic flow fields generated by its own swimming movements and those of its prey to bring them in close proximity, increasing the chances of a successful attack.

SourceCell Press·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateMar 28, 2017

Marathon running may cause short-term kidney injury

A recent Yale-led study found that marathon running can cause short-term kidney injury in runners, with 82% of participants showing signs of Stage 1 Acute Kidney Injury after the event. The researchers attribute this to sustained rises in core body temperature, dehydration, and decreased blood flow to the kidneys.

SourceYale University·JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases·DateMar 28, 2017

Chlamydia: How bacteria take over control

Researchers from the University of Würzburg discovered that Chlamydia trachomatis influences mitochondria to prevent programmed cell death, allowing the bacteria to replicate. The study found that miR-30c-5p microRNA is increased in infected cells, downregulating tumor suppressor protein p53 and promoting mitochondrial division

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateMar 28, 2017

How a young-looking lunar volcano hides its true age

New research from Brown University suggests that lunar volcano Ina is actually around 3.5 billion years old, not within the past 100 million years as previously thought. The feature's youthful appearance was attributed to its porous surface, created by magmatic foam, which hides regolith buildup and skews crater counts.

SourceBrown University·JournalGeology·DateMar 28, 2017

To be or not to be ... an entrepreneur

Research finds that incorporated business owners exhibit greater self-esteem, engage in illicit activities, and are more likely to come from high-earning families. In contrast, unincorporated business owners have manual skill requirements and lower salaries before entrepreneurship. Incorporated entrepreneurs earn significantly higher m...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·DateMar 28, 2017

Meet your new electronic trauma intervention

A new study found that playing a highly visual-spatial computer game like Tetris can help prevent intrusive memories after a traumatic event. The intervention, which took just 20 minutes, reduced symptoms of acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder by 62% in patients waiting for emergency care.

SourceSpringer·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateMar 28, 2017

Dementia: The right to rehabilitation

A leading dementia expert emphasizes the importance of cognitive rehabilitation for people with dementia, sharing similarities with physical rehabilitation. Rehabilitation aims to enable individuals to participate meaningfully in everyday life and family/family activities.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 28, 2017

Mustard seeds without mustard flavor: New robust oilseed crop can resist global warming

Scientists have developed a new oilseed crop that is more resistant to heat, drought, and diseases than oilseed rape. The breakthrough technology keeps bitter defense compounds out of the seeds while maintaining them in the rest of the plant, enabling cultivation in areas previously unsuitable for oilseed crops.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateMar 28, 2017