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Science News for November 13, 2017


What can Twitter reveal about people with ADHD?

Researchers analyzed 1.3 million tweets from users with self-reported ADHD diagnoses to understand their online behavior. The study found that people with ADHD tend to post messages related to lack of focus and mental exhaustion, often using words like 'hate' and 'sad'. This could help clinicians develop condition-specific apps that of...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of Attention Disorders·DateNov 13, 2017

Heart attack test could help patients across the globe, experts say

A low-cost rapid blood test can accurately rule out heart attack risk in nearly half of all patients with chest pain, saving millions from further tests and reducing healthcare costs. The test, which measures troponin levels in the blood, can identify a threshold level below which patients are unlikely to have had a heart attack.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateNov 13, 2017

Fuel cell X-ray study details effects of temperature and moisture on performance

A recent study at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source used X-ray-based imaging to investigate the effects of temperature and moisture on fuel-cell performance. The research found that even slight saturation produces nearly double thermal conductivity, while water evaporation increases dramatically at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalElectrochimica Acta·DateNov 13, 2017

Older people with bowel disease receive older medicines

A large registry study found that older adults with inflammatory bowel disease are more likely to consume healthcare services and undergo surgery than younger patients. The study also revealed a significant difference in medication between age groups, with younger patients receiving modern immunomodulating drugs and TNF inhibitors.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateNov 13, 2017

Early evidence of Near Eastern viniculture

Researchers discovered chemical evidence of grape wine in Georgia as early as 5400-5000 BC, and radiocarbon age determinations confirm Neolithic hunter-gatherers innovated viniculture around 5800-6000 BC. The study also found abundant grapes in the region during this period, highlighting deep historical roots of Georgian wine culture.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 13, 2017

Eating regular variety of nuts associated with lower risk of heart disease

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that eating regular variety of nuts, including peanuts and walnuts, was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Participants who consumed five or more servings of nuts per week had a significant reduction in cardiovascular disease risk.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 13, 2017

Zipping DNA

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to compress and decompress DNA, enabling the efficient transfer of large amounts of genetic information into cells. This innovation has potential applications in synthetic biology, biotechnology, and cancer research, improving diagnosis accuracy and treatment outcomes.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 13, 2017

The hidden cost of crime: Tanzanians pay as much as 7 percent to protect money from theft

In Tanzania, consumers are willing to pay up to 7% for mobile money services that provide theft insurance against street robberies and home burglaries. The study found that people prefer to store cash in mobile wallets for short periods, with costs ranging from 1.52% per kilometer or 0.8% per day.

Urban trees are growing faster worldwide

A global study reveals that urban trees have been growing faster than rural trees since the 1960s, with an average growth rate of 20% across all climate zones. The heat island effect is believed to be the primary driver of this acceleration, leading to increased photosynthetic activity and prolonged vegetation periods.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 13, 2017

Researchers put new spin on old technique to engineer better absorptive materials

A team of University of Illinois bioengineers has developed a new technique to characterize metal organic frameworks (MOFs) using infrared chemical imaging. This method allows for non-destructive analysis and provides detailed information on the structure and chemistry of MOFs, enabling better detection and utilization of these materials.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateNov 13, 2017

Parental Medicaid expansion translates into preventive care for their children

A recent analysis by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health found that when low-income parents enroll in Medicaid, their children have a significantly higher chance of receiving annual well child visits. These visits are crucial for growth and development, immunizations, and proper nutrition and child behaviors.

Record high CO2 emissions delay global peak

Global carbon emissions have surged in 2017 due to increased coal use in China and the US. The country's emissions are projected to grow by 3.5%, reversing two years of decline. This unexpected growth delays efforts to reach a global peak, with CO2 levels expected to rise to a record high.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Climate Change·DateNov 13, 2017

Archaeologists find earliest evidence of winemaking

Researchers from University of Toronto and Georgian National Museum discover 8,000-year-old wine production in ancient Middle East, dating back to early Neolithic period. The discovery confirms the use of domesticated grapes (Vitis vinifera) for winemaking, pushing back the origin of practice by 600-1,000 years.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 13, 2017

Genetic engineering mechanism visualized

A team of scientists has visualized the dynamics of the CRISPR-Cas9 complex using high-speed atomic force microscopy. The study provides unprecedented insights into the CRISPR-Cas9-mediated DNA cleavage mechanism, highlighting its potential for gene editing.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 13, 2017

Study on integrative medicine in military health finds extensive offerings, widespread use

A new study reveals that most military treatment facilities offer at least one type of complementary and alternative medicine, with an estimated 76,000 patients using integrative health services each month. The most commonly used modalities are acupuncture and stress management/relaxation therapy for pain and mental health conditions.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateNov 13, 2017

Why head and face pain causes more suffering

Scientists discovered that sensory neurons in the head and face are directly connected to the brain's emotional pathways, explaining why people experience greater fear and emotional suffering from these types of pain. This finding may lead to more effective treatments for chronic headaches and neuropathic face pain.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateNov 13, 2017

Secret alter ego of well-known protein fights leaky blood vessels

Scientists discovered a new cell signaling pathway governed by Notch signaling protein that keeps blood vessels intact, which could lead to better drug development and reduce side effects of cancer and cardiovascular treatments. The new pathway operates through a different mechanism than the protein's known transcription-based pathway.

The pros and cons of large ears

Researchers at Lund University found that large ears increase air resistance in bats, making flight less energy-efficient. However, they also provide better hearing and generate more lift, which is crucial for echolocation. The study suggests that evolution has made a compromise between flying efficiency and optimal echolocation ability.

SourceLund University·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateNov 13, 2017

New study backs up earlier findings -- Omega-6 fatty acids do not promote low-grade inflammation

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland supports earlier findings that omega-6 fatty acids do not increase inflammatory responses. The research found that a high serum linoleic acid level is associated with lower CRP levels, suggesting that linoleic acid may actually alleviate inflammation.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 13, 2017

Livestock, food supply, and greenhouse gases

A study models the effects of removing farmed animals from the US agricultural system on food production and greenhouse gas emissions. Removing animals resulted in increased food availability, but also led to nutrient deficiencies and reduced GHG emissions by 28%. The removal of animals had unintended consequences on the food supply

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 13, 2017

Five health indicators are enough to predict cardiovascular risk in healthy people

A new study finds that a simple tool, Fuster-BEWAT score, can predict cardiovascular risk in healthy individuals using five health indicators: blood pressure, physical activity, body-mass index, fruit and vegetable intake, and smoking status. The Fuster-BEWAT score is as effective as the American Heart Association-recommended ICHS index.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 13, 2017

Exposure to benzene during pregnancy: a pilot study raises concerns in British Columbia

A pilot study in northeastern British Columbia detected high concentrations of muconic acid, a degradation product of benzene, in the urine of pregnant women. The median concentration was approximately 3.5 times higher than in the general Canadian population, raising concerns about the health impacts of living near fracking sites.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalEnvironment International·DateNov 13, 2017

Bright and shining molecules for OLEDs and new drugs

A new technique for synthesizing thiophene derivatives has been developed, offering a convenient and effective two-step procedure. The compounds exhibit promising photophysical properties, including fluorescence, making them suitable for various applications, including OLEDs and potential biomedicine uses.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalChemistry - An Asian Journal·DateNov 13, 2017

Learning from photosynthesis

Researchers have developed a synthetic system for energy gathering, conversion, and transport inspired by natural photosynthesis. The system uses DNA nanotechnology to spatially control and organize chromophores, mimicking the arrangement of densely packed chromophores in plants and photosynthetic bacteria.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Materials·DateNov 13, 2017

Global emissions inching up after years of flat growth

Global carbon dioxide concentrations reached a record 403 parts per million in 2016, and are expected to increase by 2.5 parts per million in 2017. The United States and European Union are projected to see slight declines in emissions this year, while China's emissions are expected to grow by approximately 3.5 percent.

SourceStanford University·JournalEarth System Science Data·DateNov 13, 2017

Monopole current offers way to control magnets

Researchers from RIKEN discovered a way to control the properties of north and south poles in frustrated magnets using monopole currents. The system's conductivity can be controlled by applying magnetic fields, enabling efficient magnetism control with minimal energy loss.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 13, 2017

'Mini liver tumors' created in a dish for the first time

Researchers have successfully created mini biological models of human primary liver cancers, known as organoids, in the lab. These tiny laboratory models were used to identify a new drug that could potentially treat certain types of liver cancer, showing promising results for personalized medicine and reducing animal usage.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalNature Medicine·DateNov 13, 2017

How much will we pay for something? Depends on the value of what we've just encountered

A study by New York University researchers found that when we encounter low-valued items, we're willing to pay more for products later seen; conversely, high-valued items lead to lower prices. This previously undetected factor affects consumer behavior and suggests adaptation is a universal feature of cognitive information processing.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 13, 2017

Your stress and mine

A Tel Aviv University study found that people often project their own experiences with stress onto colleagues, causing miscommunication and missed opportunities. The research showed that a person's individual stress mindset colors their perception of others' health, productivity, and burnout levels.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateNov 13, 2017