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Science News for October 19, 2017


Creating a better RNA switch

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a powerful RNA switch that can activate genes thousands of times better than nature, providing precise control over gene expression. This technology has potential applications in diagnostics, metabolic engineering, and regulating RNA networks.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 19, 2017

Ancient DNA offers new view on saber-toothed cats' past

Researchers analyzed complete mitochondrial genomes from ancient saber-toothed cat samples, finding that the two species shared a common ancestor about 20 million years ago. The study suggests that saber-toothed cats continued to live in Europe much more recently than previously thought.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 19, 2017

What the Balkans can teach other states in conflict

The research highlights the importance of peaceful transition to inclusive democracy and power-sharing in facilitating voluntary returns. Notably, older people with positive memories of before wartime were more likely to return, while women were less likely to want to go back. The study also emphasizes the crucial role of lawyers and n...

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalInternational Migration·DateOct 19, 2017

How solar peaker plants could replace gas peakers

Researchers have designed a solar peaker plant that can store energy thermally to deliver power after dark, making it a viable alternative to fossil fuels for peaking. The plants, which use molten salt tower technology, can operate for up to 6 hours and have a capacity factor of 15-25%.

Space greens beat the blues

Research reveals plants can aid in reducing social and cognitive problems associated with space travel, suggesting they should be part of future mission design. The study's findings support the use of plants for both nutritional and psychological reasons to promote astronaut well-being.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalOpen Agriculture·DateOct 19, 2017

People with and without mental health conditions receive preventive care at similar rates

A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder received similar or higher rates of preventive health screenings compared to those without mental illnesses. The study examined over 800,000 patients in the Kaiser Permanente Northwest health system and foun...

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateOct 19, 2017

Leading medical organizations issue recommendations regarding hepatitis C in pregnancy

Leading medical organizations have issued new clinical guidance on hepatitis C in pregnancy, recommending screenings, treatments, and management strategies to minimize the risk of transmission. The guidelines emphasize the importance of vaccination against Hepatitis A and B during pregnancy for HCV-positive women.

SourceSociety for Maternal-Fetal Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateOct 19, 2017

The best hedge fund managers are not psychopaths or narcissists, according to new study

Researchers found that hedge fund managers with psychopathic traits made less profitable investments, while those with narcissistic traits took more risks to earn the same amount of money as their peers. The study suggests that Dark Triad personality traits are not desirable in investment managers.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateOct 19, 2017

Scientists reveal 'superbug's' artillery

Researchers at Monash University have created the first high-resolution structure of the Type II secretion system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a critical component in the bacteria's ability to secrete toxins. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new drugs targeting this nanomachine to reduce virulence and combat infection.

SourceMonash University·JournalmBio·DateOct 19, 2017

Phones keeping students from concentrating during lectures

Research suggests that smartphones and digital media are distracting students during university lectures, leading to lower academic performance. The constant multitasking of digital natives hampers their ability to focus on the lecture content, making sense of it difficult when switching attention to their phones every five minutes.

SourceStellenbosch University·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateOct 19, 2017

Studying insect behavior? Make yourself an ethoscope!

A new low-cost, easy-to-use, and self-made customizable piece of equipment called the ethoscope has been invented to study flies' behavior. Ethoscopes can automatically record fly movements and even manipulate them, saving researchers time and enabling more efficient studies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 19, 2017

The microbial anatomy of an organ

Researchers developed a 3D spatial visualization tool to understand the effects of chemicals on diseased organs in context of microbes. The tool helps advance targeted drug delivery for cystic fibrosis and other conditions where medications struggle to penetrate, revealing new insights into microbial anatomy.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateOct 19, 2017

Field trips of the future?

UCSB biologist Douglas McCauley explores the pros and cons of using virtual and augmented reality in environmental science education. He argues that while VR and AR have potential upsides, such as enhanced experiences and simulations, they may also detract from core values like face-to-face interaction and direct observation of nature.

Feel fuller, longer with mushrooms

A new study found that eating a mushroom-rich breakfast resulted in less hunger and a greater feeling of fullness compared to a meat breakfast. The study also showed that mushrooms can be as satiating as meat when protein levels are matched, indicating potential benefits for weight management and overall wellness.

SourceMushroom Council·JournalAppetite·DateOct 19, 2017

Discovery lights path for Alzheimer's research

Rice University researchers have identified a specific binding site on the amyloid beta peptide, which could facilitate the development of better drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease. The probe uses light activation to catalyze oxidation of the protein, preventing it from aggregating in the brains of patients.

SourceRice University·JournalChem·DateOct 19, 2017

Researchers find shifting relationship between flexibility, modularity in the brain

A new study by Rice University researchers reveals a strong negative correlation between the brain's flexibility and modularity, with highly modular brains showing low flexibility. The study presents a theoretical framework to explain this relationship, suggesting that flexibility and modularity tap into different cognitive processes.

SourceRice University·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateOct 19, 2017

Gut bacterium indirectly causes symptoms by altering fruit fly microbiome

A new study found that CagA, a protein produced by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, can alter the population of microbes living in the fruit fly gut, leading to disease symptoms. The researchers suggest that manipulating the balance of microbes in the gut may be able to mitigate the harmful effects of infection with H. pylori.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateOct 19, 2017

IDSA Infectious Diarrhea guidelines recommend when to test, when to treat

New culture-independent tests are more sensitive than traditional methods in detecting the cause of infectious diarrhea. However, these tests may detect multiple organisms, requiring infectious disease expertise for interpretation. The IDSA guidelines recommend testing children under 5, elderly individuals, and those with specific symp...

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateOct 19, 2017

Maternal diet may program child for disease risk, but better nutrition later can change that

A study from the University of Illinois shows that a post-weaning low-fat diet can reverse epigenetic changes caused by a maternal high-fat diet, reducing the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes. This suggests that dietary changes later in life can affect gene expression and metabolic pathways.

Scientists pinpoint jealousy in the monogamous mind

A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution found that jealousy leads to increased brain activity in areas associated with social pain and pair bonding in male coppery titi monkeys. The researchers also observed heightened activity in the lateral septum, a region involved in forming pair bonds in primates.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateOct 19, 2017

Curve-eye-ture: How to grow artificial corneas

Researchers developed a new technique to grow artificial corneas with improved transparency and strength by controlling the alignment of cells in a dish. This breakthrough could provide a solution for the shortage of donated corneal tissues and offer a practical alternative to plastic corneas.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalAdvanced Biosystems·DateOct 19, 2017

Dogs are more expressive when someone is looking

New research from the University of Portsmouth found that dogs produce more facial expressions when humans are looking at them. The study, led by Dr Juliane Kaminski, showed that dogs use these expressions to communicate with humans and not just due to excitement. Brow raising was the most commonly used expression in this research.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 19, 2017

Researchers demonstrate new ways to achieve selectivity for biomarkers in bioelectronics

Engineers at the University of Arizona have developed a new method to control charge transfer rate from an organic polymer to a biomarker molecule, advancing the field of organic bioelectronics. Their findings show that electron transfer rate depends directly on applied voltage and demonstrate Marcus' theory of inverted charge transfer.

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 19, 2017

Water striders illustrate evolutionary processes

Researchers have discovered two new genes responsible for the formation of fan-like structures on the legs of a specific water strider species. The findings suggest that genetic mutations can lead to the emergence of new structures that affect an organism's lifestyle and access to ecological niches.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience·DateOct 19, 2017

Ice stream retreats under a cold climate

A research article reveals that a warmer ocean surface in central-eastern Baffin Bay triggered the ice retreat of Jakobshavn Isbrå ice stream during the Younger Dryas period. The study used marine fossil diatoms to reconstruct past sea surface conditions, finding warmer sea surface temperatures and less-extensive sea ice cover.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 19, 2017

What characteristics do school shooters share?

A study by Kathryn Farr found that school shooters often experience social shunning, bullying, and rejection due to their perceived masculine struggles. Schools can help prevent rampage shootings by addressing adolescent masculinity issues through in-school services, discussion-based forums, and curriculum changes.

SourceSpringer·JournalGender Issues·DateOct 19, 2017

The birth of a new protein

A team of scientists at the University of Arizona has discovered that a newly evolved yeast protein can fold into a compact three-dimensional structure, contrary to the long-held assumption that such proteins are incomplete and 'works-in-progress',

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalStructure·DateOct 19, 2017

New study finds childhood cancer survivors commonly stay at jobs to keep health insurance

A national cancer survey found 23% of childhood cancer survivors experienced job lock, staying at jobs for health insurance coverage. Female survivors and those with chronic conditions were more likely to report job lock. The study highlights the need for education and literacy about insurance options to support employed cancer survivors.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateOct 19, 2017

Gut bacteria from wild mice boost health in lab mice

Researchers found that introducing wild mouse gut bacteria to laboratory mice improved their survival rate against the flu virus and reduced tumor growth. The study suggests using natural microbiota in lab mice could improve disease modeling and lead to new therapeutic approaches.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateOct 19, 2017

More teens than ever aren't getting enough sleep

A new study by San Diego State University finds that adolescents are sleeping fewer hours per night than older generations, with 40% of teenagers in 2015 sleeping less than 7 hours a night. Young people's increased smartphone use is linked to decreased sleep, with teens who spend more time online being more likely to not get enough sleep.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalSleep Medicine·DateOct 19, 2017

Rheumatoid arthritis linked to an increased risk of COPD

Research reveals that rheumatoid arthritis may increase the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions are at a higher risk, emphasizing the need for controlled inflammation and early symptom monitoring.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateOct 19, 2017

An international consortium identifies the breast cancer patients who would benefit from a treatment

A study published in Lancet Oncology identified MAF amplification as a tool to stratify breast cancer patients for zoledronic acid treatment. In MAF-negative patients, the inclusion of zoledronic acid improved outcomes, while non-postmenopausal MAF-positive patients experienced increased adverse outcomes.

Cleaning up? Not without helpers

Researchers from the University of Freiburg successfully identified the molecular composition of calcium-ATPases, crucial for controlling various Ca2+-dependent processes in cells. The discovery highlights the essential role of novel subunits Neuroplastin and Basigin in regulating Ca2+ clearance.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNeuron·DateOct 19, 2017

Terahertz spectroscopy goes nano

Researchers at Brown University have improved the resolution of laser terahertz emission microscopy (LTEM) to 20 nanometers, enabling detailed imaging of individual nanostructures. This technique can be used to study a wide variety of materials, including semiconductors and perovskite solar cells.

SourceBrown University·JournalACS Photonics·DateOct 19, 2017