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Science News for September 25, 2017


Child abuse affects brain wiring

Researchers found reduced myelin coating thickness and molecular alterations in brains of adults who experienced severe childhood abuse. These changes may contribute to depressive disorders, suicidal behavior, and altered emotional processing.

SourceMcGill University·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateSep 25, 2017

Organ donation in Ontario increased 57 percent since 2006 after new Canadian donation policy

A new study published in CMAJ found that organ donation in Ontario rose 57% since 2006, primarily due to the introduction of a policy allowing donation after circulatory functions cease. The study suggests that this increase has led to a positive impact on transplant activity and the overall number of donors.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateSep 25, 2017

Filter may be a match for fracking water

Rice University scientists developed a superhydrophilic membrane that can remove more than 90% of hydrocarbons, bacteria, and particulates from contaminated fracking water. The filter keeps emulsified hydrocarbons from passing through, allowing for reuse and reducing the need for storage or transportation.

SourceRice University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 25, 2017

Lactation hormone also helps a mother's brain

Researchers found that signalling by prolactin to its receptors is essential for mothers to show vital maternal nurturing behaviour towards their young. This discovery may explain why some animal species abandon their young and highlights the importance of prolactin in establishing a bond between mother and baby.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 25, 2017

High-fidelity recording of molecular geometry with DNA 'nanoscopy'

Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute create a DNA nanotechnology-based method, called Auto-cycling Proximity Recording (APR), that allows for repeated, non-destructive recording of molecular pairings. This enables the creation of detailed views of molecular structures and observation of different structural states.

Organic consumers mean business

Research from Aarhus University found that once consumers start buying organic products, they are likely to continue and increase the number of organic products on their shopping list. This is due to a phenomenon known as a behavioural spillover effect, where purchasing organic products strengthens consumers' moral identity.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateSep 25, 2017

Do you really need that MRI?

A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that clinicians' prior image-ordering habits and equipment ownership are strong indicators of unnecessary MRI orders. This highlights the need for physicians to offer financially responsible care, particularly in cases of uncomplicated back pain and headaches.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateSep 25, 2017

How vision shapes touch

A neuroimaging study reveals that blind individuals perform better on a touch discrimination task when their hands are crossed due to stronger frontal-parietal connectivity. In contrast, sighted individuals show greater activity in parietal and premotor areas with uncrossed hands.

With extra sugar, leaves get fat too

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory found that increasing sugar levels in plant leaves increases oil content, which could lead to the production of biofuels and useful chemicals. By selectively breeding plants with specific traits, they successfully tipped the balance of plant metabolism to favor higher oil production.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·DateSep 25, 2017

Climate change can goad volcanoes into life

Researchers found that climate change led to a sharp rise in volcanic activity as the Mediterranean Sea dried up, contradicting previous hypotheses. The study used numerical models to test scenarios and confirmed that the massive loss of sea level was the primary cause of increased magmatic activity.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Geoscience·DateSep 25, 2017

Creating brain cells to detect Tourette's

Researchers at Rutgers University created brain cells from blood samples of individuals in a three-generation family with Tourette syndrome. The study found that a mutation in the PNKD gene is likely the cause of the disorder, which affects one in every 100-150 people in the US.

SourceRutgers University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateSep 25, 2017

Geophysical investigation aims revealing how vegetation responds to climate change

A team of scientists from five countries analyzed sediment cores to reconstruct the past 1 million years of the Atlantic Rainforest biome in southern Brazil. The research aimed to understand how vegetation responded to climate change, using sediment samples that contained information about plant cover, rainfall, and subsoil communities.

Psychological impacts of natural disasters on youth

A new criterion for studying post-traumatic stress disorder in children has been developed, identifying those who need support services after a disaster. The study found that two-thirds of distressed children recover naturally over time, with factors such as social support and coping skills playing a key role.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalInternational Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology·DateSep 25, 2017

Multinationals operating in tax havens avoid reporting specifics, finds study

A new study finds that US multinationals operating in tax havens often report earnings by broad categories instead of individual countries, making it harder to track profits and identify potential tax avoidance. Larger companies and those in resource-intensive industries are particularly likely to be vague about their reporting.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of International Business Studies·DateSep 25, 2017

Goodbye, login. Hello, heart scan

A University at Buffalo-led team has developed a non-contact, remote biometric tool using the dimensions of your heart as an identifier. The system, which was three years in the making, continually monitors a user's heart to ensure only authorized individuals can access their computer.

Maternal diet could affect kids' brain reward circuitry

A study found that rats whose mothers ate a junk food diet during pregnancy had offspring that preferred fatty foods and showed altered brain reward circuitry into adulthood. A balanced diet in childhood seemed to reduce this preference, but did not eliminate it entirely.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Endocrinology·DateSep 25, 2017

New delayed-release stimulant improves morning ADHD symptoms and all-day functioning

A phase 3 study of children ages 6-12 years with ADHD found that a delayed-release, long-acting formulation of methylphenidate improved ADHD symptoms and functional impairment in the morning. The medication provided sustained release throughout the day, reducing the need for multiple doses.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology·DateSep 25, 2017

Woman develops rare life-threatening condition after liposuction

A 45-year-old woman developed a rare but life-threatening condition called fat embolism syndrome (FES) after undergoing liposuction. FES is notoriously difficult to diagnose due to a lack of standardized diagnostic criteria, emphasizing the need for clinicians to think outside the box and consider alternative diagnoses.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Case Reports·DateSep 25, 2017

Tackle and scrum should be banned in school rugby, argue experts

A recent evidence review found that collision sports, such as youth rugby, carry high rates of injury, including concussions. Experts argue that banning tackle and scrum in school rugby could significantly reduce these risks. In contrast, other strategies like wearing protective equipment have weak evidence supporting their effectiveness.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateSep 25, 2017

Four elements make 2-D optical platform

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a four-component alloy with tunable optical properties, which could lead to more efficient solar cells and light-emitting diodes. The alloy's optical bandgap can be altered by changing the growth temperature, making it a promising material for various applications.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateSep 25, 2017

Filter may be a match for fracking water

Researchers create a superhydrophilic filter that can remove greater than 90% of hydrocarbons and all bacteria from contaminated water produced by hydraulic fracturing operations. The filter significantly cuts the amount of water that needs to be stored or transported, making it ideal for reusing in fracking operations.

SourceSwansea University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 25, 2017

Tension makes the heart grow stronger

Researchers found that mechanical tension plays a crucial role in the regeneration of zebrafish hearts, with supersized cells leading the way and smaller cells multiplying to cover the surface. The study's findings open up new possibilities for developing bioengineering approaches to human heart disease.

SourceDuke University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateSep 25, 2017

Prenatal weight talks are easier with props

A new study by Allina Health found that using a combination of education and a tracking tool improves communication about gestational weight gain during prenatal care. Patients at intervention clinics were more likely to remember provider advice on weight gain and report a target weight within guidelines.

SourceAllina Health·JournalMaternal and Child Health Journal·DateSep 25, 2017

Brain damage in fish affected by plastic nanoparticles

A recent study conducted at Lund University has found that brain damage can occur in fish due to exposure to plastic nanoparticles. The research shows that these tiny particles can accumulate in the brains of fish and cause behavioural disorders, including slower eating rates and reduced exploration.

SourceLund University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 25, 2017

Holograms for molecules

Scientists at ETH Zurich and Roche have developed a new diagnostic method using light diffraction on molecules, allowing for quick and easy disease detection in doctors' offices. The technique uses molecular recognition and focused laser light to identify specific protein interactions.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 25, 2017

Autism's gender patterns

The largest study to date finds a significant difference in autism recurrence risk based on sibling gender. Boys are more susceptible to autism, especially when an older female sibling has the condition. Meanwhile, female siblings with older brothers have lower risks.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateSep 25, 2017

Study examines legacies of rainforest burning in British Columbia

Researchers found that indigenous groups intentionally used fire to manage plant-life in temperate rain forests, leaving trees alive and keeping the forest open. The study suggests that this practice has been ongoing for centuries, contradicting traditional views of these forests as 'pristine' and 'untouched'.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Biogeography·DateSep 25, 2017

Escaping wildfires

Researchers developed a mapping tool to help fire crews make crucial safety decisions with an eagle's eye view. The study used LiDAR technology to analyze terrain slope, ground surface roughness and vegetation density, revealing the impact on travel rates and escape route efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalInternational Journal of Wildland Fire·DateSep 25, 2017

Hospital mortality rates after heart attack differ by age

A study led by Yale researchers reveals that hospital mortality rates for older patients with a heart attack are not representative of younger adults. The findings highlight the need to include younger patients in assessments of hospital quality and further investigate age-related differences.

SourceYale University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 25, 2017