Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for November 27, 2017


Removing chemical used to make Teflon-like coatings has led to fewer low birth weights and less brain damage

A new NYU report reveals that the phase-out of Teflon-like coatings, which contain PFOA, has led to a significant decrease in low-birth weight babies and related brain damage. The study estimates that this shift has saved over $13 billion in healthcare costs and improved educational prospects for thousands of children.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health·DateNov 27, 2017

Stem cells in intestinal lining may shed light on behavior of cancer cells

Scientists studied how intestinal epithelial stem cells respond to varying glucose levels, discovering a switch from renewal to growth mode triggered by higher glucose. This finding has implications for understanding cancer cell proliferation and developing new therapeutic strategies.

Male trout are now real males again

Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark found that widespread feminization among male brown trout in Danish streams had completely disappeared between 2004 and 2016. The improvement was attributed to better wastewater treatment practices, particularly the connection to municipal wastewater treatment plants.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateNov 27, 2017

Long-term logging study demonstrates impacts on chimpanzees and gorillas (Republic of Congo)

A recent study published in Biological Conservation highlights the effects of selective logging on great ape populations before, during, and after timber extraction. The research found that western lowland gorillas avoided areas during logging but returned after it passed through, while chimpanzees were less likely to return to their n...

SourceLincoln Park Zoo·JournalBiological Conservation·DateNov 27, 2017

Worried about holiday weight gain? Your scale isn't giving you the whole picture

A new study used MRI imaging technology to plot diverse changes in body organ fat storage pools during 18 months of Mediterranean/low-carb and low-fat diets, with and without moderate physical exercise. The results showed that even with modest weight loss, the Med/LC diet was significantly superior to a low-fat diet in reducing some fa...

Neuroimaging of soccer fans' brain reveals neural basis of ingroup altruistic motivation

Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the neural basis of team-related altruism in soccer fans. The study found that brain areas involved in decision-making and values, such as the medial orbitofrontal cortex, showed increased activity when donations were targeted to fans of the same soccer club.

SourceD'Or Institute for Research and Education·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 27, 2017

Parental diet affects offspring immunity: Meta-analysis

A meta-analysis of hundreds of studies found a close relationship between parents' diet and offspring immunity across various animal species. The study suggests that poor nutrition can negatively impact disease resistance and that the effects of a parental diet can be inherited and maintained in offspring even on a normal diet.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalBiological Reviews·DateNov 27, 2017

Price changes for seven foods could save thousands of lives per year, study says

A new study suggests that altering prices of seven dietary items could prevent an estimated 23,000 deaths per year in the US. The study found that subsidies for healthy foods and taxes on unhealthy foods could reduce deaths from stroke, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, especially among Americans with lower socioeconomic status.

Ambush in a petri dish

A team of researchers from Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology has made a groundbreaking discovery about the chemical communication between algae and bacteria. The study reveals that a specific lipopeptide, orfamide A, plays a central role in this process.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 27, 2017

Flip side of innovation: What causes doctors to scale back on the use of medical practices

Researchers at The Dartmouth Institute found that physicians with more experience and certain specialties tend to slow the use of carotid revascularization procedures. Despite evidence showing these procedures don't benefit older or symptom-free patients, decline rates remained inconsistent across specialties.

New strategy for multiple myeloma immunotherapy

Researchers at Osaka University developed a new strategy for multiple myeloma immunotherapy by identifying a novel therapeutic target, MMG49, specifically recognizing integrin β7. The resulting CAR-T treatment showed anti-MM effects without damaging normal blood cells.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Medicine·DateNov 27, 2017

Glyphosate renewal approved

The European Union has approved the renewal of glyphosate for five years, recognizing its importance in maintaining food production and affordability. However, experts emphasize the need to balance this decision with reducing pesticide use and finding alternative weed control methods.

Changes in bacterial mix linked to antibiotics increase risk for inflammatory bowel disease

Research suggests that antibiotic use in mothers may alter the microbiome of their offspring, increasing the risk for inflammatory bowel disease. The study, published in Nature Microbiology, found that exposure to antibiotics can change the mix of bacterial species in maternal microbes, which are then passed on to their children.

New method benchmarks organic mixed conductors

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a novel framework to benchmark and compare the performances of organic mixed conductors. By using electrochemical transistors, they evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of 10 newly developed materials, identifying top-performing conductors for specific applications.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 27, 2017

Soil researchers quantify an underappreciated factor in carbon release to the atmosphere

A study by UMass Amherst researchers reveals that anaerobic microsites play a significant role in stabilizing soil carbon, contrary to previous assumptions. The team's findings suggest that these oxygen-free zones can protect up to 10 times more carbon from decomposition, posing a previously unrecognized threat to the global carbon cycle.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 27, 2017

Barley is flavor of the month as new study settles centuries-old brewing debate

A new study reveals that specific barley varieties contribute to beer flavor beyond the malting process, with genetics and environment playing a significant role. The research found that breeding for malting quality does not necessarily result in brewing for flavor, providing insights for future barley breeding programs.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalJournal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists·DateNov 27, 2017

UBC study finds family-friendly overpasses are needed to help grizzly bears

Researchers from UBC's Okanagan campus found that female grizzly bears with cubs prefer using wildlife overpasses to cross the highway, highlighting the importance of designing structures that prioritize bear safety. The study also suggests that a diverse range of crossing design types can help mitigate road-bear conflicts.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalWildlife Society Bulletin·DateNov 27, 2017

Cells bulge to squeeze through barriers

Researchers identify a fleeting, yet key structure that allows cells to break through tissues and spread to other parts of the body. A single protrusion bulges out from the cell surface, wedges a hole through the protective layer, and swells until the breach is wide enough for the entire cell to squeeze through.

SourceDuke University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateNov 27, 2017

Trees on fire

A new computational framework simulates each stage of tree combustion, capturing detailed geometry and effects on branches and leaves. The method efficiently models the kinetic behavior of plants and their reaction to heat release in the combustion process.

As climate warms, mice morph

Biologists document changes in teeth and skull structure in two mouse species over the past 50 years, with the white-footed mouse showing more pronounced changes. The findings suggest a reversal in population proportions and highlight the consequences of climate change for small mammals.

SourceMcGill University·JournalEvolutionary Ecology·DateNov 27, 2017

Asthma in infant boys may eventually be preventable

A University of Alberta study found that infant boys born to mothers with asthma have a reduced gut microbiome, particularly lower levels of Lactobacillus, which could lead to a preventative approach to reduce the risk of asthma. The study also suggests sex-specific differences in the impact of maternal asthma on infant gut microbes.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateNov 27, 2017

Artificial muscles give soft robots superpowers

Researchers created origami-inspired artificial muscles that add strength to soft robots, allowing them to lift objects up to 1,000 times their own weight. The muscles are programmable, compact, and can be made for less than $1, opening the door to numerous applications in robotics, medicine, and space exploration.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 27, 2017

Eco-friendly waterborne semiconductor inks using surfactant

A research team at DGIST has developed a technology to produce environmentally friendly water-borne semiconductor inks using surfactant, reducing the use of toxic organic solvents. The new ink has a relatively flat surface and is expected to be applied in various electronic devices such as transistors and photodiodes.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateNov 27, 2017

US companies are investing less in science

Large corporations are investing less in science, with publications by company scientists declining across industries since 1980. The value attributed to scientific research has dropped, while technical knowledge remains stable, suggesting a shift towards commercializing existing knowledge.

SourceWiley·JournalStrategic Management Journal·DateNov 27, 2017

New pain treatment tested in humans

A new study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology demonstrates pain relief in humans using a Trk inhibitor. The study involved 20 participants and compared the inhibitor with pregabalin, ibuprofen, and placebo.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateNov 27, 2017

Researchers identify information gaps about opioid antidote naloxone

A systematic review of evidence reveals important gaps in knowledge about the safety and effectiveness of widespread off-label use of naloxone among patients, families, friends, and emergency responders. The study found that the majority of naloxone being administered nasally is probably the non-approved formulation, but little is know...

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 27, 2017

Turning emissions into fuel

MIT researchers have developed a new membrane-based system that can convert carbon dioxide into useful fuels for cars, trucks, and planes, as well as into chemical feedstocks. The process uses heat energy from solar or waste sources to store chemical energy in form of useful products.

UK obesity levels among the worst in Europe -- heart disease statistics from more than 45 countries

The study reveals huge inequalities persist with heart disease accounting for over 50% of all deaths in many middle income countries, compared to less than 30% in high income countries. The UK has the highest prevalence of adult obesity in males and 2nd highest in females, and ranks joint 5th for raised blood cholesterol.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateNov 27, 2017

How bat brain tracks prey

Neural recordings of wild bats reveal a layered structure in the superior colliculus facilitating rapid tracking and capturing of prey through echolocation. The study contributes to understanding of SC function during naturalistic behaviors, finding both sensory and motor neurons throughout the midbrain region.

Barley no longer an afterthought in beer flavor

Researchers at Oregon State University found notable differences in the taste of beers malted from two barley varieties, revealing novel flavors that carry through malting and brewing into beer. The study's results have significant implications for the brewing industry, particularly for beer connoisseurs.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists·DateNov 27, 2017

Autism and the smell of fear

Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science found that individuals on the autism spectrum exhibit distinct reactions to 'smells of fear' and 'calm sweat', including changes in anxiety levels. This suggests a possible underlying connection between smell, social cues, and early brain development in autism.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateNov 27, 2017

In harm's way

Researchers at University of California - Santa Barbara found that about half of hydraulically fractured wells exist within 2 to 3 kilometers of domestic groundwater systems. The study analyzed data from nearly 27,000 wells in 14 states and suggests increased water monitoring efforts are needed to protect water quality.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 27, 2017

Get'em while they're hot

Researchers found that providing real-time cues about sold items and current stock levels can be a viable strategy for offline merchants. Consumers tend to choose products with lower sales and fewer copies remaining in stock. However, when brand familiarity is factored in, the impact of stock level data diminishes.

SourceJournal of Retailing at New York University·JournalJournal of Retailing·DateNov 27, 2017

Clean sweep for agriculture

Rothamsted Research emphasizes the importance of accelerating UK agriculture to meet post-Brexit challenges through a focus on sustainable growth. The institute advocates for a dynamic, innovative model that prioritizes co-development, sharing, and engagement to drive impact.

Physicist assumes the possibility of vestiges of an Universe previous to the Big Bang

Brazilian researcher Juliano Cesar Silva Neves challenges the standard cosmological model by proposing the elimination of the spacetime singularity and the possibility of a prior contraction phase. The current expansion may be preceded by contraction, with potential vestiges still present in the universe.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalGeneral Relativity and Gravitation·DateNov 27, 2017

A series of fortunate events

Researchers traced ancient zircon minerals' chemical signatures to understand the recycling of carbon from the mantle to the surface. The study suggests a series of fortunate events led to optimal conditions for releasing anomalous amounts of carbon, which in turn shaped the modern carbon cycle.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateNov 27, 2017