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Science News for September 20, 2017


Gender-open science

The University of Freiburg is leading a three-year project to strengthen gender skills in MINT disciplines and promote equal opportunities. The initiative will develop online teaching modules highlighting the impact of diversity on medical diagnoses and combating gender stereotypes in technology.

Finding a natural defense against clogged arteries

Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center identified PKC-delta as a natural protective factor that works against chronic inflammation in diabetes, which can lead to cardiovascular disease. The study found that PKC-delta suppresses the population of macrophages and inhibits a biological pathway that protects cells from dying.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalCirculation Research·DateSep 20, 2017

Chemists speak out on sexual harassment in academia

Women and men in chemistry face traumatic experiences of sexual harassment, with many not reporting incidents due to shame or fear of retribution. In response, universities and science departments are establishing training and support networks, while legislation proposes requiring university reports to federal agencies.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateSep 20, 2017

Solving the Easter Island population puzzle

A new study reveals Easter Island's maximum population size could have reached 17,500 people, supported by the island's agricultural potential. The research, published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, aims to unravel the mystery of the giant statues and population crash.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateSep 20, 2017

Metallurgy breakthrough

Researchers at HRL Laboratories successfully 3D print high-strength aluminum alloys, including Al7075 and Al6061, overcoming a long-standing challenge in additive manufacturing. Their nanoparticle functionalization technique prevents hot cracking and retains alloy strength.

SourceHRL Laboratories·JournalNature·DateSep 20, 2017

In search of a greener cleaner

The Pitt research team is developing a new approach using machine learning and quantum chemistry calculations to predict effective and degradable chelating agent candidates. This project aims to improve the sustainability of industries such as detergent manufacturing, heavy metal treatment, and waste remediation.

Spinning a lighter, safer electrode

Drexel University researchers have created a fabric-like material electrode that could help make energy storage devices faster and less susceptible to leaks or fires. Their design uses a thick ion-rich gel electrolyte absorbed in a freestanding mat of porous carbon nanofibers, eliminating the need for flammable liquids.

SourceDrexel University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateSep 20, 2017

New hermit crab uses live coral as its home

A new hermit crab species, Diogenes heteropsammicola, has been discovered that adopts a walking coral as its home instead of a seashell. The crab transports the coral and prevents it from being buried by sediment, offering an advantage over traditional shell homes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 20, 2017

PTSD linked with increased lupus risk

A study of 54,763 women found a nearly three-fold elevated risk of lupus among those with probable PTSD and more than two-fold higher risk among those who experienced traumatic events. The findings contribute to growing evidence that psychosocial trauma affects autoimmune disease.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateSep 20, 2017

Obesity may adversely affect sperm quality

A recent study published in Andrologia reveals that obesity is associated with lower semen volume, sperm count, and motility. The findings suggest that weight loss before conception may improve fertility outcomes for couples seeking infertility treatment.

SourceWiley·JournalAndrologia·DateSep 20, 2017

Seniors with Type 2 diabetes may have increased risk for fracture

A new study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that older adults with type 2 diabetes have deficits in cortical bone microarchitecture, increasing their risk of fractures. This is particularly concerning for hip fractures, which are a significant public health problem.

SourceHebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateSep 20, 2017

Wayne State receives $1.2 million NSF grant to develop autonomous battery operating system

Researchers at Wayne State University aim to develop an Autonomous Battery Operating System (ABOS) to enhance energy efficiency, lifespan and security of battery systems. The project will investigate the effectiveness of ABOS in a realistic environment, testing its ability to control physical battery systems and predict battery state.

Winter restricts innovation

A new model for tropical plant biodiversity suggests that the storage effect enables tree species to coexist and is stronger in the tropics. Long-term forest monitoring data from 10 plots across 64 degrees of latitude reveal that successful reproductive events become more synchronized as latitude increases.

Tablets can teach kids to solve physical puzzles

Researchers found that children can learn how to solve a puzzle on a tablet computer and transfer this learning to the same problem in the physical world. The study contradicts most previous research and suggests different screen learning media have varying effects on skill transfer.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateSep 20, 2017

Steering the immune defense against fungal pathogens

Researchers have developed bifunctional molecules that bind both chitin in fungal cell walls and human antibodies, redirecting the immune system to eliminate fungal pathogens. The new approach has shown synergistic effects with antifungal agents, holding promise for fighting echinocandin-resistant fungi.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateSep 20, 2017

Two antibodies are better than one for preventing HIV infection

Researchers found that a combination of two broadly-neutralizing HIV-1 antibodies protected primates against infection with a mixed population of HIV viruses. The findings suggest that combination therapies might be essential to prevent HIV in people, highlighting the need for regimens that protect against several targets.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 20, 2017

How do human impacts on wetlands affect animals?

Changes to wetlands alter animal populations, with reduced survival and reproduction in human-altered habitats. The study highlights the complex role of wetlands in human-altered ecosystems, which can provide important habitat but also pose risks to animals.

SourceWiley·JournalBiological Reviews·DateSep 20, 2017

Real or fake? Creating fingers to protect identities

Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new type of fake finger containing multiple properties of human skin, designed to test fingerprint recognition systems' resilience to spoof attacks. The synthetic fingers aim to improve the accuracy and security of fingerprint readers used in various applications.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security·DateSep 20, 2017

New Army models predict number of cyberattacks that pierce company networks

Researchers developed a predictive model to estimate the number of successful cyber intrusions, which found that internal security policies and network access patterns are strong predictors. The model's accuracy was improved by analyzing regression results and demonstrated the feasibility of constructing a practical predictive model.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalThe Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation Applications Methodology Technology·DateSep 20, 2017

The right way to repair DNA

Researchers found that tiny protein CYREN inhibits fast but error-prone NHEJ pathway and enables slower HR pathway, offering potential tool against cancer. CYREN's discovery clarifies longstanding mystery about DNA repair pathways.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature·DateSep 20, 2017

Straining the memory: Prototype strain engineered materials are the future of data storage

Researchers at Singapore University of Technology and Design have created prototype strain engineered materials that enable fast switching in data storage, outperforming current phase change memory technologies. The new material's energy efficiency and reduced switching time could impact new 3D memory architectures.

Drones can almost see in the dark

Researchers from the University of Zurich have developed a new camera system that allows drones to capture images in high-speed motion and low light, enabling autonomous flight. This technology can assist search and rescue teams in disaster areas where conventional drones are unable to operate.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalIEEE Robotics and Automation Letters·DateSep 20, 2017

Self-control may not diminish throughout the day

Researchers monitored students' success in a 17-week online program, finding that time of day had little effect on task completion, contradicting the theory of finite self-control. Students' performance on specific tasks declined after about an hour, regardless of when they started.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 20, 2017