Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for November 6, 2017


Do violent communities foster violent kids?

Researchers found that exposure to community violence is associated with increased antisocial behavior in children and adolescents, regardless of pre-existing conduct disorder. The study suggests that prevention programs can help break the cycle of violence.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateNov 6, 2017

Trial shows most people will complete treatment for latent TB without direct observation

A phase 4 randomized clinical trial found that self-administered treatment for latent tuberculosis infection had a high rate of treatment completion in the United States, Spain, and Hong Kong. The findings suggest that once-weekly isoniazid and rifapentine by self-administration is noninferior to direct observation in completing treatm...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 6, 2017

Lightning-fast communications

University of Utah researchers create a new component for ultra-high-speed communications and computing using perovskite, a mineral discovered in Russia. The technology uses the terahertz spectrum to transmit data a thousand times faster than current systems.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 6, 2017

The impact of the 'war on drugs' for female 'mules'

A University of Kent study has found that women working as drug 'mules' are not victimized by their sex but by the illicit trade and its illegal status. The research highlights a legal bias that distorts sentencing policies, drawing attention away from the negative effects of punitive drug laws.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalThe Howard Journal of Crime and Justice·DateNov 6, 2017

Language patterns and gene expression

Researchers analyzed audio clips from 143 adults to find individual language patterns related to gene expression and adversity; they discovered that these patterns better predicted adverse gene profiles than self-reported measures of anxiety and stress. This study provides a new link between spoken language and immune system regulation.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 6, 2017

Cool idea: Magma held in 'cold storage' before giant volcano eruption

A team of researchers has found that the magma body at Long Valley was much cooler before the eruption than previously thought. The discovery challenges the traditional view of a long period with a big tank of molten rock in the crust, instead suggesting that magma is stored for a short period in a cool, crystalline state.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 6, 2017

Crime-scene technique used to track turtles

Green turtles breed in Cyprus and forage in Lake Bardawil, a new important feeding ground discovered using stable isotope ratios and satellite tracking. The study found that 82% of female turtles show high consistency in their isotope ratios, indicating they return to the same places.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateNov 6, 2017

Breaking cell symmetry

Researchers discover that cortical tension plays a key role in clustering proteins and establishing cell polarity. This force-driven mechanism allows cells to establish polarity without wasting energy by actively transporting proteins or cellular components.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateNov 6, 2017

Dental filling failure linked to smoking, drinking and genetics

A new study published in Frontiers in Medicine found that patients who drink alcohol or smoke are more likely to experience dental filling failure. Genetic differences were also discovered to be associated with increased filling failure rates, suggesting personalized treatments could lead to improved outcomes.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Medicine·DateNov 6, 2017

Study: Lupus patients endorse PROMIS assessment tool as relevant, valuable and potentially useful in improving clinical care

PROMIS is a patient-reported outcomes measurement system that evaluates physical, psychological, and social well-being to provide information on the subjective patient experience. Lupus patients endorse PROMIS assessments as reflecting their experience with lupus, highlighting its potential utility in validating symptoms, tracking dise...

Afterschool program environments linked to academic confidence and skills

A new study by NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that afterschool programs with positive, responsive, and organized environments can have significant academic benefits for students. The study examined the role of afterschool classroom environment in terms of academic outcomes for youth with and wi...

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders·DateNov 6, 2017

Flavonoid derivatives targeting NF-kappaB

Researchers synthesized 30 flavanone derivatives to target NF-kappaB, identifying compounds with potent anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities against various cancer cell lines. The top-ranked compounds exhibited improved pharmacological profiles through conjugation of two pharmacophores.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalRecent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery·DateNov 6, 2017

A quasiparticle quest

Researchers have developed a device using graphene that could provide conclusive evidence for the existence of non-Abelian anyons, a key component of topological quantum computing. The device achieves extremely low disorder and tunability, allowing for the study of these particles in a controlled environment.

Controlling nerve injury repair revealed in Monash University study

Researchers found signals in a tiny worm that control the mechanism of severed nerves self-healing. The discovery enables genetic control over this process, raising hopes for treating nerve injuries in humans. The study used laser beams to sever neurons and observed how they regenerated, finding full function restored within 48 hours.

SourceMonash University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 6, 2017

Microfinance institutions are found effective in giving health products to underserved communities

A new study by The Arnhold Institute for Global Health found that microfinance institutions can effectively distribute essential health products to rural communities, leading to improved child health outcomes. Microfinance networks were used to deliver micronutrient supplements, resulting in a significant impact on the health of childr...

Brighter flexible electroluminescent film by adopting eye structure of nocturnal animals

A research team at DGIST has developed an electroluminescent film that is four times brighter than existing ones, using the retro-reflection principle of nocturnal animal eyes. The film can fabricate high luminance electroluminescent light sources by controlling luminescent particle concentrations.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·DateNov 6, 2017

More physical activity and higher intensity physical activity may significantly reduce risk of death in older women in the short term

A new study found that more moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity significantly reduces the risk of death among older women, but light intensity activity or sedentary behavior had no independent association. The research suggests that even low-level activities can have health benefits for other outcomes.

Quantum computing on the move

Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz successfully demonstrated the operation of a four-qubit register comprised of atomic ions trapped in microchip traps. The achievement marks a decisive milestone for scaling up quantum computers, showcasing the potential for entangled states to be created with long-lived multipartite en...

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 6, 2017

Depressed fathers risk not getting help

A new study from Lund University reveals that depression among new fathers may be more common than previously thought and often goes undetected. The established screening method for depression in mothers is found to work poorly on men, with symptoms such as irritability and low self-control being overlooked.

SourceLund University·JournalScandinavian Journal of Psychology·DateNov 6, 2017

Epidemics and climate

A study reconstructing climatic patterns in China from AD 1-1911 found long periods of cold and dry conditions associated with epidemic outbreaks. However, the relationship between temperature and epidemics varied across short time scales, highlighting climate's scale-dependent impacts on disease prevalence.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 6, 2017

Novel Nano-CT device creates high-resolution 3D-X-rays of tiny velvet worm legs

The TUM Nano-CT system produces images with resolutions up to 100 nanometers, allowing investigation of individual muscle strands in velvet worm legs. The device has potential applications in biomedical research and medicine, enabling non-destructive examination of tissue samples and clarification of tumor malignancy.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 6, 2017

Researchers develop data bus for quantum computer

Physicists at the University of Innsbruck have developed a technique to transfer quantum information between systems encoded differently, enabling local modification of quantum bits. This 'data bus' approach allows for more robust coupling between quantum processors and memories, paving the way for universal quantum computing.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 6, 2017

Revealed new target for development of antibiotics aimed at highly resistant bacteria

Researchers from Brazil and France identify a new target for developing antibiotics against highly resistant bacteria, inhibiting the interaction of two key proteins involved in cell wall elongation. The discovery paves the way for the development of antibiotics with a different action mechanism, offering hope in combating drug-resista...

FDG PET shows tumor DNA levels in blood are linked to NSCLC aggressiveness

Researchers found that cell-free tumor DNA circulating in the bloodstream correlates with tumor metabolism rather than tumor burden in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients. This study suggests that circulating tumor DNA may be a reliable biomarker to identify potential unresponsive NSCLC patients before treatment.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateNov 6, 2017