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Science News for September 26, 2017


Discovery: Bernie Sanders spider

A research team led by Ingi Agnarsson discovered 15 new species of smiley-faced spiders in the Caribbean region, challenging previous assumptions about a single widespread species. The study highlights the importance of good taxonomy and conservation biology in protecting biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateSep 26, 2017

A democratic façade

Dr Anja Osei's project aims to evaluate parliamentary debates and surveys among Members of Parliament in seven African countries to understand the role of parliaments in autocracies. The research will explore whether legislatures enhance democracy or contribute to authoritarian rule.

Household chores: Women still do more

A study published in Springer's journal Sex Roles confirms that women consistently perform more housework than men, despite variations in life stages and circumstances. The research highlights the importance of time, money, and gender in shaping domestic labour, with women often bearing the brunt of household tasks.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateSep 26, 2017

Genetic testing helps set safe dose of common blood thinner

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that genetic testing can help set safe doses of common blood thinner warfarin. The study showed that patients who received warfarin dosing guided by their genetic makeup had a 27% reduction in adverse events, including bleeding and blood clots.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateSep 26, 2017

Novel route to polyamide 6: Catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane with ferrocene in ionic liquid medium

Researchers have developed a novel route to produce polyamide 6 by catalytically oxidizing cyclohexane with ferrocene in an ionic liquid medium. The process is highly selective and efficient, achieving over 98% selectivity and high turnover frequencies. This method has the potential to replace traditional industrial production processes.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalLetters in Organic Chemistry·DateSep 26, 2017

Nerves control the body's bacterial community

Researchers from Kiel University discovered that small molecules secreted by nerve cells influence the composition and colonization of specific types of beneficial bacteria in Hydra. The study found that these neuropeptides have antibacterial activity, which affects the balance of the microbiome.

SourceKiel University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 26, 2017

How forest fires spoil wine

Glycosylation of smoke-derived volatiles in grapevine is catalyzed by a promiscuous resveratrol/guaiacol glucosyltransferase, leading to undesirable aromas in wine. The study provides insight into the molecular mechanism behind this phenomenon and potential counter-measures for vintners.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateSep 26, 2017

Research led by PPPL provides reassurance that heat flux will be manageable in ITER

New simulations led by PPPL provide positive news for ITER. Researchers estimate a heat flux width of up to 6 millimeters within the divertor plates' capacity to tolerate, far greater than previous projections. This finding indicates ITER can produce 10 times more power than it consumes without damaging the divertor plates prematurely.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateSep 26, 2017

A majority of medical professionals improperly share log-in credentials to EMRs

A study found that nearly three-quarters of medical professionals improperly share log-in credentials to access electronic medical records (EMRs), compromising patient data. Researchers recommend improving access credentials management and granting maximum privileges for one-time use to reduce password sharing.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalHealthcare Informatics Research·DateSep 26, 2017

In plain sight

Human brains tend to miss objects that are mis-scaled, even when they're in view. Researchers found this phenomenon in eye-tracking studies, but not in computer vision algorithms like deep neural networks. This study aims to better understand human visual search strategies and improve computer vision.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 26, 2017

Chronic wasting disease

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting deer and farm animals, with limited effectiveness of past management strategies. New research proposes controlled forest fires as a risk control strategy, aiming to reduce the spread of prions shed by animal waste and carcasses.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Global Environmental Issues·DateSep 26, 2017

Drought -- a cause of riots

A study published in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management found a systematic link between droughts and riots in sub-Saharan Africa. Droughts increase the possibility of rioting by 10% in a given month, with population density playing a key role in this relationship.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·DateSep 26, 2017

The Lancet HIV: Around one in six new cases of HIV diagnosed in Europe are in people over the age of 50 years

A European study found that nearly one in six new HIV diagnoses in Europe are among people aged 50 or older. Older adults were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced HIV disease and acquire the virus through heterosexual contact. The study calls for increased awareness, targeted testing, and prevention programs for this age group.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet HIV·DateSep 26, 2017

Post-heart attack: How can scar tissue be turned back into healthy heart muscle?

Scientists at UNC School of Medicine compare two reprogramming techniques to generate patient-specific cardiomyocytes, finding that one method produces cells with embryonic cell signatures while the other yields cells with adult characteristics. This knowledge is crucial for developing new therapies and understanding cardiac disease.

Opening up a new chapter for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's

A research team led by DGIST Professor Moon Cheil has identified the reason behind olfactory dysfunction in patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The study reveals that a toxic protein called beta-amyloid accumulates in the peripheral nervous system, specifically in the olfactory epithelium, leading to olfactory failure.

Clinical trial reveals genetic fault that reduces the effectiveness of leukemia treatment

A genetic fault in the CDKN2A gene has been linked to reduced effectiveness of leukemia treatment, highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches. The study, which treated 259 people with AML or MDS, found that those with the mutation survived for 4.5 months on average, compared to 11 months for those without it.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateSep 26, 2017

Need for enhanced nursing and post-acute transitional care models for rising obesity levels

A study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing highlights the challenges of transitioning severely obese patients to nursing homes after acute care stays. The researchers found that patient size and bariatric equipment availability can act as barriers, leading to poor outcomes and increased costs.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalWestern Journal of Nursing Research·DateSep 26, 2017

Higher risk of heart failure in cold weather, study suggests

A study found that cold temperatures and atmospheric pressure increases are associated with a higher risk of hospitalization and death in elderly patients with heart failure. The researchers suggest that elderly patients should avoid fog and low cloud weather in winter to prevent such events.

SourceElsevier·JournalEnvironment International·DateSep 26, 2017

Graphene forged into three-dimensional shapes

Researchers from Finland and Taiwan have successfully fabricated three-dimensional graphene structures using optical forging, a technique that utilizes laser light to shape the material. The resulting graphene objects exhibit unique electronic and optical properties, opening up new possibilities for graphene-based devices.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 26, 2017

New approaches in targeted cancer therapy

Researchers at Cologne University Hospital have discovered a novel inhibitor that specifically targets NMC tumours, a rare and lethal form of cancer. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanism responsible for the effectiveness of the inhibitor, paving the way for new and improved therapies.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 26, 2017

Illinois researchers develop gene circuit design strategy to advance synthetic biology

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new gene circuit design strategy that can predict gene circuit behaviors using an integrated modeling framework. The framework, developed by Associate Professor Ting Lu and his graduate students, has successfully predicted key host metrics for multiple bacteria, including Esche...

The drying of peatlands is reducing bird diversity

A recent study reveals that peatland bird populations have decreased by a third in Finland and Sweden over the past three decades. The Finnish ruff is among the most threatened species, with its population falling to just 3% of its original size. In contrast, the crane species has tripled its population during this time period.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalBiological Conservation·DateSep 26, 2017

You've got questions? We've got evidence

A Canadian alliance led by Dr. Andrea Tricco aims to strengthen the health-care system by providing patients with access to relevant scientific evidence. The alliance will answer at least 100 questions over a five-year period using knowledge synthesis and collaboration with researchers, clinicians, and policy-makers.

A fresh set of eyes: Rotating plant inspectors reduces risk of medical device recalls

A seven-year review found that more frequent rotation of plant inspectors at medical device manufacturing facilities leads to fewer product recalls. The study suggests that rotating investigators reduces the risk of recalls by 21-57% depending on the number of visits, providing an objective assessment of a plant's quality.

SourceIndiana University·JournalManufacturing & Service Operations Management·DateSep 26, 2017

No evidence of hidden hearing loss from common recreational noise

A recent study has found no evidence of auditory nerve injury or permanent hearing difficulties in young adults after attending a loud event. The research suggests that traditional hearing tests may not detect hidden hearing loss caused by recreational noise, highlighting the need for alternative testing methods.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateSep 26, 2017

Warming climate could increase bacterial impacts on Chesapeake Bay shellfish, recreation

Researchers found that warming climate conditions could lead to significant economic and healthcare costs due to increased occurrences of Vibrio bacteria in Chesapeake Bay. The study used a new downscaling framework to project future increases in Vibrio species, highlighting the need for models of climate impact on estuarine environments.

The 3-D selfie has arrived

Researchers have developed a web app capable of producing 3D facial reconstruction from a single 2D image. The technique, using Convolutional Neural Networks, allows for arbitrary facial poses and expressions, with over 400,000 users already trying it out.

How to grow a spine

A team of researchers at Harvard Medical School has created a stable version of the segmentation clock in a petri dish, revealing its dynamic nature and control mechanisms. The discovery could lead to improved understanding of scoliosis and other human spinal defects.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateSep 26, 2017