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Science News for October 18, 2017


Healthy coral populations produce a surprising number of offspring

A new study reveals that healthy coral populations can produce significantly more offspring than degraded populations, with higher percentages of successful parents and increased reproductive output. This finding highlights the critical role of healthy coral reefs in supporting reef recovery and re-seeding other areas.

SourceWiley·JournalConservation Letters·DateOct 18, 2017

Mass killings happen randomly, yet rate has remained steady, study finds

A new study by University of Illinois researchers found that mass killings in the US have remained steady over the past decade, with no significant increase in frequency or clustering. The study's authors suggest that a robust response system and resiliency in infrastructure are key to minimizing the impact of such events.

Is HPV vaccination safe for adult women?

A large-scale study involving over 3 million Danish and Swedish adult women found no association between HPV vaccination and serious chronic diseases. However, the vaccine may increase the risk of developing celiac disease, particularly in Denmark where the condition is underdiagnosed.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Internal Medicine·DateOct 18, 2017

Study finds epilepsy drug to be safe during pregnancy

A recent study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found that using lamotrigine during pregnancy does not increase birth malformations or neurodevelopmental disorders. The research monitored 83 children born to epileptic mothers who took the medication between 2004 and 2014.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateOct 18, 2017

Stiff fibers spun from slime

Scientists discover that velvet worm slime consists of a mix of proteins and fatty acids, forming nanoglobules that harden into stiff filaments when exposed to shear forces. These fibers have tensile stiffness similar to Nylon and can be dissolved in water again within hours.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 18, 2017

Teenage girls more likely to self-harm than boys

A recent study published in The BMJ found that teenage girls are more likely to self-harm than boys, with a sharp rise in self-harm rates among UK girls aged 13-16. The study analyzed data from 16,912 patients and found that girls were nine times more likely to die unnaturally than unaffected children.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateOct 18, 2017

Gentle touch soothes the pain of social rejection

Researchers at University College London discovered that gentle touch can soothe the effects of social exclusion, one of the most emotionally painful human experiences. The study found that slow, affectionate touch reduced feelings of negativity and social exclusion induced by social rejection, even though general mood remained the same.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 18, 2017

Is 3-D printing living up to the hype?

Industry is utilizing 3-D printing technology to reduce production time and costs, with companies like Volkswagen saving hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, material flaws and limitations continue to hinder the widespread adoption of 3-D printed products for consumers.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateOct 18, 2017

Individual receptors caught at work

Researchers used single-molecule microscopy to study receptor-G protein interactions, finding specialized sites called hot spots where they meet and interact. These hot spots play a crucial role in regulating intracellular processes and may enable more precise therapeutic approaches.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature·DateOct 18, 2017

Obesity may exacerbate asthma in children

A study of 38,679 hospitalized children with asthma found obesity to be a risk factor for repeated hospital admissions and longer stays. Those who were obese required more intensive care and had higher total hospitalization costs compared to normal-weight children.

SourceWiley·JournalPediatric Allergy and Immunology·DateOct 18, 2017

Living mulch builds profits, soil

Scientists at the University of Georgia developed an efficient living mulch system that benefits both corn production and soil health. By removing portions of clover after each harvest, farmers can reap cost savings from reduced herbicide and nitrogen fertilizer usage.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateOct 18, 2017

New Amazon threat? Deforestation from mining

A comprehensive study found that mining operations in Brazil are destroying a significant portion of the Amazon forest, with 90% of deforestation occurring outside mine lease boundaries. The research suggests that mining is now a substantial cause of Amazon forest loss, warranting action.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 18, 2017

New clues to treat Alagille Syndrome from zebrafish

A new study published in Nature Communications identifies the cells and genes necessary to make liver ducts in zebrafish, which could lead to the development of new treatments for Alagille syndrome. The research team discovered that Jagged signals come from an unexpected cell type, endoderm-derived cells within the liver itself, stimul...

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 18, 2017