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Science News for March 29, 2017


Bullies and their victims obsessed with weight-loss

Teenagers involved in bullying have a higher preoccupation with weight loss than their peers, with 42% of bullies and 55% of victims showing extreme obsession. Clinicians should target emotional wellbeing and self-esteem issues when treating victims of bullying.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateMar 29, 2017

Giving brown fat a green light

Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center identified a lipid molecule that signals brown fat cells to activate in mice, improving metabolism. The molecule, 12,13-diHOME, may also be used as a biomarker for brown fat activation in humans.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalNature Medicine·DateMar 29, 2017

Making cows more environmentally friendly

A study by Royal Botanic Gardens Kew suggests that plants growing in warmer conditions are tougher and have lower nutritional value to grazing livestock, potentially inhibiting milk and meat yields and raising the amount of methane released. This vicious cycle threatens to further exacerbate climate change.

SourceRoyal Botanic Gardens Kew·JournalBiogeosciences·DateMar 29, 2017

A faster single-pixel camera

Researchers at MIT Media Lab describe a new technique that makes image acquisition using compressed sensing 50 times as efficient. The technique enables the development of novel imaging systems without lenses, opening new prospects for design and applications in harsh environments or non-visible spectrum wavelengths.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Computational Imaging·DateMar 29, 2017

Pharmacist care for Canadians with hypertension would save more than $15.7 billion

A new study found that comprehensive pharmacist care can improve health outcomes and save significant money for Canada's healthcare system. The research estimates that full scope pharmacist care could prevent over 130,000 strokes, 260,000 heart attacks, and save nearly a million years of life.

SourceCanadian Pharmacists Association·JournalCanadian Pharmacists Journal / Revue des Pharmaciens du Canada·DateMar 29, 2017

Choosing a simpler path to drug discovery

A team of scientists from Kyoto University has developed a simpler approach to drug discovery using decision trees, achieving high predictive ability with reduced data sets. The new method could lead to significant cost savings in the drug development process.

SourceKyoto University·JournalFuture Medicinal Chemistry·DateMar 29, 2017

Steering towards grazing fields

A 16-year Nebraska study found minimal negative impacts of grazing cattle on corn stubble on soil properties, except for slight compaction. Grazing may even have a slightly positive effect on soil microbial community structure due to the addition of nutrient-rich manure.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateMar 29, 2017

IUPUI researcher lays groundwork for new ways to prevent youth violence in Caribbean

A recent study by IUPUI researcher Carolyn Gentle-Genitty has laid the groundwork for new approaches to preventing youth violence in five Caribbean countries. The research highlights key differences in gender and age-related behaviors, suggesting that a comprehensive approach targeting risk and protective factors is needed.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment·DateMar 29, 2017

Immunologic changes point to potential for clinical investigation of combination immunotherapy for deadly kidney cancer

A new study found that combining nivolumab and bevacizumab resulted in a 53% complete or partial response rate for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The combination therapy showed promising clinical activities and measured immunological changes, suggesting potential for improved treatment outcomes.

Team highlights work on tuning block polymers for nanostructured systems

The Epps group has made significant strides in tuning and characterizing block polymers for various applications. They aim to optimize materials design by manipulating phase behavior, thermal transitions and mechanical properties. The goal is to create high-performance materials that reduce defects and mitigate environmental concerns.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalMacromolecular Chemistry and Physics·DateMar 29, 2017

New smart system to reduce queues at roundabouts

Researchers propose a smart system to reduce long queues at certain roundabout approaches, using magnetic detection devices under the road surface to activate traffic metering signals. The system can delay and length of vehicle lines up by up to 60% while also reducing pollutant emissions as motorists stop less frequently.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateMar 29, 2017

Inflammation awakens sleepers

Researchers at ETH Zurich found that inflammation triggers the transfer of phage genes to Salmonella bacteria, increasing their pathogenicity. Vaccination can prevent this process, alleviating the risk of phage release.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateMar 29, 2017

Vaping and withdrawal

Researchers aim to determine whether quitting e-cigarettes causes withdrawal symptoms, with a focus on nicotine levels and potential health risks. A National Cancer Institute-funded study is recruiting long-term e-cigarette users for an eight-week experiment involving nicotine withdrawal reporting and breath/urine sampling.

Tests can help quantify automatic empathy and moral intuitions

A team of psychologists developed new tests to capture automatic moral and empathetic judgments. The studies found that certain situations trigger instant moral assessments, even when participants are instructed to counteract those feelings. These measures could help criminologists and psychologists understand pathological behavior.

SourcePenn State·JournalCognition·DateMar 29, 2017

Reading between the lines of highly turbulent plasmas

Researchers develop an iterative simulation model that accurately predicts changes to line shape in strong plasma turbulence, providing a system for assessing plasma turbulence. The study finds that the width of hydrogen lines increases in presence of strong turbulence, with oscillating waves at plasma frequency.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateMar 29, 2017

Adults with disabilities screened less often for colorectal cancer

Researchers found that individuals with blindness, intellectual disability, or spinal cord injury are less likely to receive recommended colorectal screenings. The study's findings emphasize the importance of increased awareness and advocacy efforts to ensure all individuals are screened appropriately for this preventable cancer.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateMar 29, 2017

Financialization's negative effect on the American solar industry

A new study reveals that financialization in the US impaired its emerging solar industry, while Japan's photovoltaics manufacturers thrived. This case study highlights the conflicting relationship between finance and production, and calls for policies that bring productive and financial capital together to support low-carbon industries.

Vulnerability to psychosis: How to detect it

A new study has identified an early vulnerability brain marker for psychosis in late adolescence, which can be detected through exaggerated emotional responses to non-threatening cues. This finding could lead to the development of new intervention strategies for at-risk youth.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMar 29, 2017

Quantum communication: How to outwit noise

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck and TU Wien have developed a new quantum communication protocol that can reliably transfer quantum information even in the presence of detrimental noise. The protocol uses an additional quantum oscillator to couple qubits, allowing for precise separation of the noisy signal from the weaker qua...

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 29, 2017

Atomic 're-packing' behind metallic glass mystery

Researchers have solved a decades-long puzzle about metallic glasses' atomic structure using a new method combining various techniques. The study revealed a hidden amorphous phase within a certain temperature range, linked to metals' ability to form glass and potentially enabling the development of stronger novel materials.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 29, 2017

Electronic health records improve weekend surgery outcomes

A Loyola Medicine study found that electronic health record (EHR) systems can mitigate the weekend effect in urgent general surgery patients. Patients at hospitals with high-speed EHR connectivity and electronic bed management systems experienced lower hospital stays and mortality rates, with reductions of up to 35%.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateMar 29, 2017

Reusable carbon nanotubes could be the water filter of the future, says RIT study

A new class of enhanced single-walled carbon nanotubes offers a more effective approach to water treatment and remediation, with the potential for regenerating filters by heating them in a microwave. The technology works because nanotubes dislike water, allowing only organic contaminants to stick to them.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalEnvironmental Science Water Research & Technology·DateMar 29, 2017

Penn State study shows aphasia may not solely be a language disorder

A recent Penn State study suggests that aphasia may be a broader cognitive disorder affecting not just language, but also hearing, vision, motor processing, attention, and executive functions. The findings imply that treating aphasia requires a more holistic approach, considering these interconnected brain networks.

SourcePenn State·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateMar 29, 2017

Every £1 spent on public health in UK saves average of £14

A systematic review found that UK public health interventions return an average ROI of £14.30 on every £1 spent, with national policies producing even higher returns. The study warns that recent cuts to public health budgets will cost the NHS and economy 'billions'.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateMar 29, 2017

Journal: Researchers can track hazardous chemicals from fast-food wrappers in the body

Researchers developed a new method to track perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) from fast-food wrappers in the body, linking them to various health issues. The study found PFASs were detected in all tested organs, including liver, stomach, lungs, kidney, heart, skin, muscle, brain, and others.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalJournal of Environmental Science and Technology·DateMar 29, 2017

How should the UK approach Brexit?

A study by Oxford University Press USA outlines strategies for the UK to adopt in future trade negotiations with the European Union. The authors propose four guidelines: giving something of value to trading partners, starting from a favorable position, using bargaining power effectively, and investing in negotiating capacity.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalOxford Review of Economic Policy·DateMar 29, 2017

Making bones stronger

A mathematical model shows that injections of peptide CK2.3 can increase bone formation and decrease bone degradation, potentially treating osteoporosis. The researchers used a combination of biological and mathematical models to calculate ideal dosages for humans and mice, aiming to develop a promising remedy for the condition.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalCPT Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology·DateMar 29, 2017

Scientists predict reading ability from DNA alone

Researchers at King's College London used a genetic scoring technique to predict reading performance throughout school years from DNA alone. Genetic scores explained up to 5% of the differences in reading ability between children, with students having highest and lowest genetic scores differing by two years in reading performance.

SourceKing's College London·JournalScientific Studies of Reading·DateMar 29, 2017

Legends of the lost reservoirs

Researchers uncover sophisticated irrigation and water-management techniques used by ancient Puebloans in the American Southwest, including the use of corn as a water-intensive crop. The team's findings shed light on how past societies managed their environment and survive in dry deserts, informing modern sustainability strategies.

Trauma and stress in teen years increases risk of depression during menopause, Penn study shows

A new Penn study reveals that women who experience multiple traumatic events during childhood or adolescence are more likely to develop depression during perimenopause. Women who experienced their first traumatic event in their teens are particularly susceptible, even if they had previously never had depression.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateMar 29, 2017

Building trust, not hate

When anonymity is lifted, cooperation increases significantly due to mutual understanding. Participants who knew each other were more likely to cooperate rather than engage in retaliatory sentiments or punishment.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 29, 2017