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Science News for October 17, 2017


The drop that's good to the very end

Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered a novel water droplet behavior that allows some droplets to form 'crowns' around particles, enabling efficient liquid deposition and coating. This breakthrough has implications for industrial spray drying methods used in detergent and instant coffee production.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateOct 17, 2017

Worms learn to smell danger

Researchers found that roundworms can prime a defense mechanism when exposed to the scent of a lethal bacterium, increasing cell survival. This discovery could lead to a non-pharmaceutical treatment for neurodegenerative diseases by stimulating the same sensory trigger in humans.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalScience Signaling·DateOct 17, 2017

Many women do not follow contraception guidelines after weight-loss surgery, Pitt study finds

A recent study published by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that many women after weight-loss surgery do not follow recommended contraceptive practices. The findings highlight the need for more frequent referral to counseling for contraception guidance throughout the bariatric surgery process.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateOct 17, 2017

Matchmaking with consequences

Researchers at the University of Würzburg have uncovered key details of how Myc proteins work inside tumor cells, revealing their crucial role in cancer development. The study found that an enzyme called polymerase-associated factor 1 (PAF1) plays a significant role in amplifying Myc protein activity.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2017

Bringing the atomic world into full color

A French and Japanese research group developed a new way to turn AFM measurements into clear color images, enabling observation of materials and substances like alloys, semiconductors, and chemical compounds. The newly developed method holds promise for becoming widely used in the research and development of surfaces and devices.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 17, 2017

On-and-off fasting helps fight obesity

A study published in Cell Research found that intermittent fasting can be beneficial for the metabolism, reducing fat build-up and stabilizing glucose and insulin systems. After sixteen weeks of on-and-off fasting, mice weighed less and had lower body fat compared to control groups.

SourceSpringer·JournalCell Research·DateOct 17, 2017

A new way to harness wasted methane

Researchers at MIT have found a low-temperature electrochemical process to convert methane into valuable derivatives, potentially leading to lower-cost methane conversion and reduced flaring. This technology could provide an alternative to high-temperature industrial processes and pave the way for widespread adoption.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalACS Central Science·DateOct 17, 2017

NSQIP geriatric surgery pilot study may help improve outcomes for older surgical patients

A new pilot study using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) found that 10 out of 14 geriatric-specific variables can predict morbidity and mortality outcomes in older surgical patients. The study identified risk factors such as cognitive impairment, surrogate consent, and...

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateOct 17, 2017

'Find the Lady' in the quantum world

Researchers propose swapping atoms to demonstrate exotic properties. The process involves swapping two identical atoms without distinguishing them, leading to questions about individuality and connection in the quantum realm. This phenomenon has philosophical implications, as it challenges traditional notions of identity and connection.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 17, 2017

Volcanic eruptions linked to social unrest in Ancient Egypt

Researchers discovered a possible reason for Ptolemy III's sudden return home: massive volcanic eruptions. These events cooled the planet's atmosphere, disrupting the Nile River's flow and leading to food shortages and heightened tensions. The study links eruptions to violent uprisings and other upheavals in ancient Egypt.

SourceFuture Earth·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 17, 2017

How bees find their way home

Researchers identified 'speed neurons' and 'direction neurons' in the bee brain that work together to create a memory for navigation. This ability is crucial for bees, as they rely on it to return to their hive after foraging trips.

SourceLund University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 17, 2017

'Wasabi receptor' for pain discovered in flatworms

A Northwestern University research team found a conserved mechanism for nociception in planarian flatworms, fruit flies, and humans. The discovery could lead to new strategies for treating acute pain in humans by designing analgesic drugs targeting the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) receptor.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 17, 2017

Fighting fires before they spark

Researchers found that mechanically thinning and prescribed burns can reduce fire-severity by up to 60% when used optimally. The study's findings have implications for forest management teams across the US, highlighting the importance of fire in ecosystem restoration.

SourceUniversity of New Mexico·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateOct 17, 2017

High blood pressure boosts risk of common heart valve disorder

Researchers found a significant association between elevated systolic blood pressure and the development of mitral regurgitation, a condition where the heart valve leaks. The study suggests that controlling blood pressure may be crucial in preventing this common heart valve disorder.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateOct 17, 2017

Tropical beetles face extinction threat

A recent study has found that tropical high-altitude beetles are at risk of extinction due to climate change. The research, conducted in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest, revealed that two plant-eating beetle groups - weevils and leaf beetles - are highly specialised to high altitudes and may disappear in a warmer world.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalInsect Conservation and Diversity·DateOct 17, 2017

New assay may boost targeted treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

A new gene expression profiling assay has been developed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, particularly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The assay can differentiate between three major subtypes associated with different outcomes, including germinal center B-cell-like and activated B-cell-like subtypes.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateOct 17, 2017

New study: nearly half of US medical care comes from emergency rooms

A new study by University of Maryland School Medicine researchers found that nearly half of all US medical care is delivered by emergency departments. Emergency department visits increased by 44% over a 14-year period, with African-American patients and those without insurance using these services at a higher rate.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Health Services·DateOct 17, 2017

Corticosteroids aid healing -- if the timing is right

A new study from Linköping University finds that corticosteroids can improve tendon healing if administered at the correct timing. The research reveals that inflammation must subside before new tissue formation begins. When given after the early inflammatory phase, corticosteroids significantly enhance tendon strength in rats.

SourceLinköping University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 17, 2017

High blood pressure linked to common heart valve disorder

A new study from The George Institute for Global Health at the University of Oxford found a strong link between high blood pressure and mitral regurgitation, a condition that makes the heart less efficient at pumping blood. Lowering blood pressure through exercise, diet or medication may reduce the risk of developing this condition.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateOct 17, 2017

Wearables to boost security of voice-based log-in

Researchers developed a wearable device called VAuth that creates a unique and secure signature using speech-induced vibrations on the user's body. The technology has achieved a 97-percent detection accuracy and successfully thwarts various practical attacks, making it a promising solution to enhance voice authentication security.

Microbes leave 'fingerprints' on Martian rocks

Researchers have discovered that a specific microbe can oxidize and metabolize metals from synthetic Martian regolith simulants, leaving behind unique signatures. This finding could enable the extraction of metals from asteroids and other celestial bodies using biological methods.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateOct 17, 2017