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Science News for May 8, 2017


A large mineral sector can undermine other companies

A large mineral sector can lead to a 'resource curse,' where the finance sector prioritizes established firms over smaller companies, hindering national economic growth. This phenomenon, studied in 70 countries, suggests that the finance sector's focus on larger companies can exacerbate the resource curse.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalEmerging Markets Review·DateMay 8, 2017

The vicious circle of inequality

A study of 45,000 individuals across 27 nations found a clear association between societal inequality and increased social dominance orientation among dominant groups. This can lead to violent persecution of immigrants, racism, and sexism. The researchers also asked white Americans if they would participate in ethnic persecution, findi...

SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 8, 2017

UTHealth researchers identify genes in children linked to stress, bipolar disorder

A recent study by UTHealth researchers has identified genetic alterations in children at high risk for bipolar disorder, which can be modulated by stress. The findings suggest that these genetic markers may contribute to the increased risk of developing bipolar disorder in children chronically exposed to stressors.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateMay 8, 2017

Drivers are slower to respond to emergencies in semi-automated cars

Researchers found that drivers who were watching videos while the car was in autonomous mode responded more slowly and severely to an emergency. The study suggests that new ways of assessing driver safety will be needed as technology develops, including designing systems to improve driver response during system failures.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Safety Research·DateMay 8, 2017

Bullying's lasting impact

A new study led by the University of Delaware found that kids who are bullied in fifth grade often suffer from depression and begin using alcohol and other substances a few years after the incidents. The study also shows that peer victimization has lasting effects on substance use five years later.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateMay 8, 2017

'Hot' electrons don't mind the gap

Researchers found that hot electrons can create a photovoltage about a thousand times larger than what is seen if there is no gap. The discovery shows the potential for nanoscale photodetectors to convert light into electricity and sensors or other sophisticated electronics.

SourceRice University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateMay 8, 2017

Interactive website helps to reduce dizziness

A new interactive website, Balance Retraining, has been developed to help people with dizziness carry out vestibular rehabilitation exercises via the web. The site provides personalized feedback and advice, and has shown promising results in reducing dizziness symptoms amongst adults aged 50 and above.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 8, 2017

Drivers of insecticide use

A new study by UC Santa Barbara scientists has found that landscape characteristics, such as crop diversity and field size, affect insecticide use. Crop diversity was shown to reduce insecticide use by 8kg per hectare in table grapes, while larger fields use more insecticide.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 8, 2017

Chemically tailored graphene

Scientists have developed a method to precisely control graphene's electronic transport properties using in-situ Raman spectroscopy. This technique allows for the creation of tailored graphene-based materials with controlled function, enabling their utilization in the semiconductor industry.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 8, 2017

Garden-enhanced intervention improved BMI and nutrition knowledge of California students

A new study found that a garden-enhanced intervention improved BMI and nutrition knowledge among upper elementary students in California. The Shaping Healthy Choices Program showed significant improvements in nutrition knowledge and vegetable identification, but not in fruit and vegetable intake or parenting practices. However, body me...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateMay 8, 2017

Secondhand smoke ups heart disease in unique group of female nonsmokers -- Amish women

Researchers found that Amish women exposed to secondhand smoke had a greater risk for cardiovascular disease, while men exposed to secondhand smoke tended to have a higher body mass index (BMI). The study, conducted in a Pennsylvania Amish community, used a novel method to track exposure and avoided recall bias. Small amounts of second...

Underlying molecular mechanism of bipolar disorder revealed

A recent study has identified the molecular mechanism behind lithium's effectiveness in treating bipolar disorder, providing a clear path to developing new diagnostic tests and therapies. The research, led by Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, utilized human induced pluripotent stem cells to map lithium's response path...

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 8, 2017

Copays don't reduce use of Medicare home health care, study shows

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that imposing copays on Medicare home health care does not reduce its usage, despite increased out-of-pocket costs for seniors. The researchers analyzed data from over 290,000 seniors and found no significant difference in home care usage between plans with and without copays.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 8, 2017

Geographic disparities in life expectancy among US counties

A study found large geographic disparities in life expectancy among US counties, with a 20.1 year gap between the lowest and highest life expectancies. Life expectancy increased overall, but masked massive variation at the county level, with some areas experiencing much larger increases than others.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 8, 2017

Why some images trigger seizures

Researchers have identified a link between certain static images and gamma oscillations that occur when viewing black and white bar patterns, which can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. By adjusting image parameters, such as contrast and bar width, these images can be reduced to minimize the risk of seizures.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 8, 2017

Rice U. unveils dual-channel biological function generator

Researchers develop biofunction generator and bioscilloscope to analyze and manipulate two biological circuits simultaneously, enabling precise control over gene expression and protein production. The technology, based on mathematical modeling and optogenetics, offers new insights into complex synthetic biological systems.

SourceRice University·JournalMolecular Systems Biology·DateMay 8, 2017

Paris 1.5°C target may be smashed by 2026

A positive phase of the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation could accelerate global warming, potentially pushing temperatures above 1.5°C as early as 2026. According to new research, this natural climate driver would likely produce a sharp acceleration in global warming over the next decade.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 8, 2017

Poor environmental quality linked to elevated cancer rates

A new study reveals an association between cumulative exposure to harmful environmental factors and cancer incidence across the United States. Counties with poor environmental quality demonstrated a higher incidence of cancer cases, with prostate and breast cancer showing strong links.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateMay 8, 2017

Reversing pest resistance to biotech cotton: The secret is in the mix

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that interbreeding genetically engineered cotton with non-Bt cotton can delay and even reverse evolution of resistance by pests. This novel strategy involves planting a mix of Bt and non-Bt seeds, which generates a random mixture of plants within fields.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 8, 2017

Fabrication technology in the fourth dimension

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a construction principle for controlling the deformation of 4D printed objects, which can support weight and change shape in response to external stimuli. The technology has potential applications in aerospace, medical devices, and more.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 8, 2017

Narrative journaling may help heart health post-divorce

A study of 109 separated or divorced individuals suggests that narrative expressive writing can lower heart rate and increase heart rate variability, both indicators of good cardiovascular health. By creating a structured story around their feelings, participants were able to process emotions in a more physiologically adaptive way.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateMay 8, 2017

Caution: Energy drinks put individuals with genetic heart condition at risk

A new study published in the International Journal of Cardiology has found that energy drinks can trigger serious cardiac events, including arrhythmias and cardiac arrest, in individuals with congenital long QT syndrome. The researchers warn young patients with this genetic condition to exercise caution when consuming energy drinks.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalInternational Journal of Cardiology·DateMay 8, 2017

Low oxygen reverses mitochondrial disease in mice

Researchers found that breathing low-oxygen air reversed brain damage caused by mitochondrial defects in mice. The study suggests that hypoxia therapy may be a potential treatment for mitochondrial diseases, including Leigh syndrome. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and develop a practical regimen.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 8, 2017

Trump's actions on sexual orientation/gender identity data collection send ominous message

The Trump administration's decision to remove sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) questions from national aging surveys and omit these categories from disability surveys may hinder the collection and use of SOGI data. This could set back years of progress in identifying and addressing LGBT health disparities.

Health in Israel: Progress and challenges in a region of conflict

Despite strong progress, Israel still faces significant health disparities, with lower life expectancy and higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, and smoking among its Arab population. The country's aging population poses a growing challenge, and addressing ethnic inequalities is crucial to ensuring universal healthcare coverage.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 8, 2017

Global warming kills gut bacteria in lizards

Climate change is shown to impact gut bacteria diversity in common lizards, with a 34% loss of microorganism diversity found at warmed temperatures. This finding highlights the importance of research into how climate change affects bacteria associated with plants and animals.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMay 8, 2017

New technology generates power from polluted air

Researchers developed a process that purifies polluted air while generating power as hydrogen gas, which can be stored and used as fuel. The device uses specific nanomaterials and is triggered by sunlight, offering a promising solution for clean air and alternative energy production.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalChemSusChem·DateMay 8, 2017

Scottish badgers highlight the complexity of species responses to environmental change

A new study found that Scottish badger populations are more likely to thrive in areas with higher minimum winter temperatures and lower elevation. However, the predicted increase in human population in the Scottish Highlands may counteract these benefits, highlighting the need for context-dependent responses in conservation management.

SourceUppsala University·JournalDiversity and Distributions·DateMay 8, 2017

Women perform worse in CPR

Research by the University of Basel found that female resuscitation teams were less efficient in CPR compared to their male counterparts. The study highlighted the importance of targeted measures to prepare and train women for emergency situations.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalCritical Care Medicine·DateMay 8, 2017

How do toddlers learn best from touchscreens?

A study found that toddlers learn best from touchscreens through simple interactions like watching, with older children benefiting more. Researchers recommend app developers to tailor interactivity to individual needs, avoiding distractions.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateMay 8, 2017

Maternal and paternal cooperation

A study by Prof. Dr. Thomas Laux and colleagues reveals that plants employ an intracellular signal pathway activated by sperm to activate gene transcription in zygotes. This collaboration between paternal and maternal factors enables the regulation of embryogenesis in plants, challenging the traditional parental conflict theory.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalGenes & Development·DateMay 8, 2017

Ultrasound for children with broken arms: Accurate, faster, less painful than X-rays

A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) assessment is accurate, timely, and associated with low pain levels and high caregiver satisfaction. POCUS was compared to X-ray for diagnosing distal forearm fractures in children, yielding a sensitivity of 94.7% and specificity of 93.5%.

SourceSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateMay 8, 2017