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Science News for April 11, 2018


There's a better way to screen for cervical cancer

A new study suggests that high-quality cervical cancer screening can be effectively done using automated technology, which could improve coverage in underserved regions. The researchers developed a novel risk score algorithm based on computer-scanned liquid-based slide features to separate HPV-positive women for treatment.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateApr 11, 2018

Faba fix for corn's nitrogen need

Researchers found that faba bean cover crops can add a significant amount of nitrogen to the soil, reducing the need for commercial fertilizer by up to half. The timing and management of faba bean residues also play a crucial role in maximizing the benefits of this practice.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateApr 11, 2018

Brain activity can predict success of depression treatment

Researchers at McLean Hospital have identified a method to predict depressed patients' treatment prognosis by analyzing brain activity in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex. The study showed that patients with higher activity before treatment are more likely to respond positively, allowing clinicians to tailor treatment approaches.

SourceMcLean Hospital·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateApr 11, 2018

Does age at menopause affect memory?

A study of over 1,300 women found that entering menopause at a later age was associated with better verbal memory skills. After adjusting for other factors, the researchers found a small but significant difference in memory scores, recalling an average of 0.09 additional words per year.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateApr 11, 2018

It's not your fitness tracker -- it's you

A recent study published by the University of Southern California found that people from different countries have vastly different perceptions of their physical activity. The study, which tracked participants in the US, Netherlands, and England, revealed that Americans tend to overestimate their activity levels while Europeans underest...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateApr 11, 2018

The dinosaur menu, as revealed by calcium

Researchers studied fossilized remains from Morocco and Niger to reconstruct the past's food chains, explaining how large predators coexisted. Calcium isotope analysis showed that carnivores shared resources by subtly hunting different prey types, such as herbivorous dinosaurs or fish.

SourceCNRS·DateApr 11, 2018

ACMG Foundation announces recipients of 2018 Shire/ACMG Foundation Next Generation Awards

The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine announced four recipients of the 2018 Shire/ACMG Foundation Next Generation Fellowship Awards. These awards provide funding for clinical genetics and genomics residency fellowships as well as medical biochemical genetics specialty fellowships, supporting training in medical genetics.

Biodiversity: All the colors of the rainbow

Researchers have discovered three new species of chameleons in Madagascar, showcasing the island's extraordinary biodiversity. The newly found Calumma uetzi features vibrant display colors when males interact with females, while a second species, Calumma juliae, is found only in a protected forest fragment under threat from deforestation.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateApr 11, 2018

Repeat spawning comes with tradeoffs for trout

Steelhead trout that spawn multiple times have higher lifetime reproductive success, but at the cost of increased mortality and energy expenditure. The study found that single spawners die after reproduction, while repeat spawners save energy for later migrations.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 11, 2018

Fungi in fashion

Researchers at the University of Delaware created a biodegradable shoe using mushrooms, chicken feathers, and textile waste. The shoe's sole is made from a bio-composite material that can be composted, reducing waste in the fashion industry.

Can you really be obese yet healthy?

A new paper challenges the concept of 'healthy obesity,' arguing that it is flawed and misleading. Researchers propose further investigation into factors such as early life events, smoking, and obesity duration to understand why some obese individuals are healthy while others develop diseases.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalAnnals of Human Biology·DateApr 11, 2018

Alcoholic liver disease replaces hepatitis C infection as the leading cause of liver transplantation in patients without hepatocellular carcinoma in the USA

Alcoholic liver disease has become the leading cause of liver transplantation in the US, surpassing hepatitis C infection, according to two studies. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is also on the rise, ranking second as a cause of liver transplantation due to chronic liver disease.

Novel mosquito net provides children with greater protection against malaria

A two-year trial showed that a long-lasting insecticidal net treated with piperonyl butoxide reduced malaria prevalence by 44% and 33% compared to standard nets. The study also demonstrated unprecedented control through indoor residual spraying, reducing infection by 48%. WHO has revised its recommendations for the use of these novel n...

Sensing interactions between molecules

Physicists and chemists at the University of Münster have developed a microscopic method to image organic molecules with exceptional resolution. The technique uses an atomically defined probe tip that greatly increases imaging resolution by reducing undesired interaction between atoms.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 11, 2018

How life generates new forms

A recent study found that gene regulation by protein transcription factors is the most likely mechanism for generating evolutionary change. This discovery challenges previous assumptions and sheds light on the process of evolutionary adaptation.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 11, 2018

The thermodynamics of computing

Researchers found that the efficiency of information processing cannot be increased indefinitely, with thermodynamic and information theory combining to identify key factors. Better understanding and tailored software can influence the limit.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalPhysical Review X·DateApr 11, 2018

The changing chemistry of the Amazonian atmosphere

Researchers from Harvard have quantified the effect of NOx pollution on OH radicals in the Amazon rainforest, finding that daytime peak OH concentrations increase by at least 250% in polluted areas. This study highlights the impact of human activities on atmospheric chemistry, with potential implications for cloud formation and rainfall.

North-exposed ice cliffs accelerate glacier melt

Glacier research suggests north-facing ice cliffs contribute significantly to melting of debris-covered glaciers in the Himalayas. Satellites show rapid mass loss, contrary to initial assumptions that debris protects the ice from direct solar radiation.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 11, 2018

Research gives new understanding of 17th century Scottish natural history

A new study re-examines a 17th-century Scottish natural history book, revealing insights into the country's pre-industrial environmental change. The research, published in the Royal Society Journal of the History of Science, highlights Scotland's lost wildlife species and its ecosystem's preservation of ancient species.

SourceSwansea University·JournalNotes and Records the Royal Society Journal of the History of Science·DateApr 11, 2018

NIH researchers crack mystery behind rare bone disorder

Researchers have identified the genetic basis of melorheostosis, a rare bone disorder characterized by excess bone formation resembling dripping candle wax. The study found that mutations in the MAP2K1 gene were responsible for the condition, offering potential treatment targets and insights into bone development.

Why do some children read more?

A study of over 11,000 twins found that children's reading level is highly heritable and determines their reading habits. The research highlights the importance of improving both reading skills and motivation to combat a cycle where children avoid reading due to difficulties.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateApr 11, 2018