Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for April 30, 2018


Axon guidance gene influences reward system

A study found that individuals with a DCC gene mutation had reduced connectivity between brain regions involved in reward processing, leading to less impulsive behavior and lower cigarette smoking. The researchers also observed decreased volume in the striatum, a brain region critical for motivation and pleasure.

Seniors more likely to visit emergency department after home care visit from nurse

A recent study published in CMAJ found that patients who received home care visits from nurses were more likely to visit the emergency department during the evening on the same day. The likelihood of this occurrence was greater among people with non-urgent issues and those who had not been admitted to hospital.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 30, 2018

New materials for sustainable, low-cost batteries

ETH Zurich scientists have discovered two new materials that could advance the development of aluminum batteries: a corrosion-resistant titanium nitride material and a flexible polypyrene material for the positive electrode. These advancements aim to improve the energy storage capacity, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of sustainabl...

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 30, 2018

Workplace flexibility bias not just a mother's problem

A new study reveals that workplace flexibility bias, which assumes employees with family responsibilities are less devoted to their jobs, negatively impacts all workers, including men without children. Employees who feel penalized for taking time off experience lower work satisfaction and are more likely to leave their jobs.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalSociological Perspectives·DateApr 30, 2018

Farming fish saves land

A recent study found that farming fish can help feed the future global population while substantially reducing land use impacts of meat production. Replacing terrestrial livestock production with aquaculture could spare up to 747 million land hectares globally, an area twice the size of India.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 30, 2018

Following bats to predict Ebola

Researchers have created a modeling framework that considers ecological dimensions driving bat migration patterns to forecast Ebola outbreaks. The tool analyzes spatially distributed random fluctuations of environmental parameters to understand how they impact bat migrations.

Study identifies ways smaller hospitals can effectively reduce antibiotic overuse

A study found that using a centralized infectious disease support program decreased overall antibiotic use and the overuse of broad-spectrum drugs in smaller hospitals. Program 3, which included a pharmacy-based initiative and expert consultation via hotline, saw a significant reduction in antibiotic use compared to baseline data.

SourceIntermountain Medical Center·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateApr 30, 2018

How to make solar hydrogen year round

A new dynamic model proposes a seasonal control strategy with ceria particles to buffer the effect of solar radiation variation, enabling continuous hydrogen production. The system can store and release heat as needed, maximizing solar energy utilization and potentially increasing efficiency.

Genomic analysis unravels complexities of the most common form of lymphoma and enables personalized treatment

A study by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Broad Institute identified five genetic subtypes of diffuse large B cell lymphoma, which can help predict individual patient outcomes and guide personalized treatment. The analysis revealed clear links between specific genetic signatures and how patients respond to standard treatment.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalNature Medicine·DateApr 30, 2018

UMD researcher discovers mechanisms and epigenetic markers with implications for diseases ranging from cancers to infertility

A UMD researcher has discovered mechanisms dictating germline stem cell development and epigenetic markers associated with diseases such as cancers, viral infections, and male infertility. These findings provide insight into treatments for these conditions and unlock future animal and human health research.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateApr 30, 2018

Do women with epilepsy have similar likelihood of pregnancy?

A study of 89 women with epilepsy and 108 without found that women with epilepsy had a similar likelihood of becoming pregnant, achieving live births, and experiencing low miscarriage rates. The research suggests that biological and social factors may contribute to previous findings of lower birth rates among women with epilepsy.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateApr 30, 2018

Why Armenia's transition to democracy failed

A new paper by Arman Grigoryan attributes Armenia's stalled democratization to the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict and subsequent political processes. The conflict undermined liberal aspirations and empowered a military establishment, leading to the failure of Armenia's transition.

SourceLehigh University·JournalNationalities Papers·DateApr 30, 2018

Editing brain activity with holography

Researchers at UC Berkeley are developing a technology to read and write neural activity, enabling them to stimulate specific sets of neurons to simulate sensory experiences. The goal is to replace lost sensations after peripheral nerve damage or control prosthetic limbs, with potential applications in treating neurological disorders.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateApr 30, 2018

ISIL activity is not funded by oil, study suggests

A new study suggests that ISIL activity was not funded by oil as previously thought. The research used remote sensing technology to estimate oil production in areas controlled by the group, finding that production quickly fell after expansion.

SourceElsevier·JournalEnergy Research & Social Science·DateApr 30, 2018

The effects of diet on the start of the menopause

A large UK cohort study found that eating oily fish and legumes was associated with a later onset of menopause, while consuming refined pasta and rice was linked to an earlier start. The study's findings could have implications for women's health and wellbeing.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateApr 30, 2018

Identifying the mechanism in obesity's link to colon cancer

Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified a new molecular mechanism explaining the link between obesity and increased risk of colon inflammation, a major risk factor for colorectal cancer. Inhibiting an enzyme called soluble epoxide hydrolase may abolish this risk, suggesting a potential treatment for obesity-induced colonic inflamm...

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 30, 2018

Targeting chemotherapy with genetic testing benefits women with aggressive breast cancer

A clinical trial found that women with advanced triple-negative breast cancer and BRCA gene faults have better responses to carboplatin, a less toxic alternative to standard treatment docetaxel. The study suggests that genetic testing can guide treatment for this patient group, offering new hope for those with limited treatment options.

SourceInstitute of Cancer Research·JournalNature Medicine·DateApr 30, 2018

Study suggests ample warning of supervolcano eruptions

Researchers at University of Illinois found geological signs pointing to catastrophic supervolcano eruptions would be detectable hundreds to thousands of years before an eruption. The study suggests that people need not panic, as the precursors to massive eruptions will be long-lasting and far greater than recent seismic activity.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 30, 2018

Labeling and detecting RNA modifications

Biochemists and molecular biologists use a new method to label m6A modifications in mRNA, allowing for precise detection using Next Generation Sequencing. The approach enables researchers to analyze the role of m6A modifications in physiological and pathological processes.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateApr 30, 2018

The laws of star formation challenged

Researchers challenged the existing understanding of star formation by observing a distant molecular cloud, W43-MM1, with ALMA. Contrary to previous findings, they discovered an overabundance of massive cores and underrepresentation of less massive cores.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 30, 2018

Diet rich in fish and legumes may help to delay natural menopause

A diet rich in fish and legumes is associated with a delay of over 3 years in natural menopause, while a high intake of refined carbs like pasta and rice speeds up the process. The study also found that vegetarians and those who eat more fruits and poultry may experience later menopause.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateApr 30, 2018

World's first series of robot-assisted tracheobronchoplasty shows promise for successful treatment of tracheobronchomalacia

A new study presents the world's first series of robot-assisted tracheobronchoplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that expands treatment options for patients with tracheobronchomalacia. The results show significant improvement in pulmonary function tests and patient satisfaction, with low morbidity and mortality rates.

Study finds very few pages devoted to climate change in introductory science textbooks

A recent study found that less than 2% of pages in leading biology, chemistry, and physics textbooks discuss climate change. The research team analyzed over 15,000 combined pages from current editions of 16 undergraduate textbooks published between 2013 and 2015, concluding that there is a significant lack of emphasis on renewable ener...

SourceArizona State University·JournalEnvironmental Communication·DateApr 30, 2018

Horses get the flu, too

University of Rochester researchers have developed a new live equine influenza vaccine that is safe and more protective than existing vaccines. The vaccine targets the H3N8 strain currently circulating in North America and Europe, and was shown to protect horses against the virus in a small study.

Following five healthy lifestyle habits may increase life expectancy by decade or more

Researchers found that adopting five low-risk lifestyle factors—eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, and avoiding smoking—can add up to 14 years of life for women and 12 years for men. This translates to a 74% lower risk of early death compared to those who didn

Are damselflies in distress?

Researchers found that damselfly genes strongly responded to environmental changes as they moved towards the northern edge of their range. The study suggests that the blue-tailed damselfly has a wealth of evolutionary strategies available to help it adapt to a changing climate.

SourceScience in Public·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateApr 30, 2018

Man vs. machine?

Recent studies by Case Western Reserve University's Anant Madabhushi show that his diagnostic imaging lab's 'deep learning' computers can accurately diagnose heart failure and detect various cancers. The machines offer valuable tools for pathologists and radiologists, helping them become more efficient in their work.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 30, 2018

City upbringing, without pets, boosts vulnerability to mental illness

A new study published in PNAS found that children raised in rural environments with animals have more stress-resilient immune systems and lower risk of mental illness than pet-free city dwellers. The research supports the 'hygiene hypothesis,' which posits that overly sterile environments can breed health problems.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 30, 2018

Using mathematical modeling and evolutionary principles important in treatment decisions

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center used mathematical modeling to show that adaptive drug treatments based on tumor responses are more effective than maximum-tolerated dose approaches. The approach can be tailored to specific tumor types, such as melanoma and breast cancer, and may lead to better patient outcomes.

Back up: How worms travel in reverse

A study on genetically diverse worms reveals that a small protein called FLP-18 controls the length of their backward movement, which increases the likelihood of changing direction to navigate towards food. This mechanism may help the worm explore a larger area during periods of extreme hunger.

Brown widow male spiders prefer sex with older females likely to eat them afterwards

In a study published in Animal Behaviour, researchers found that male brown widow spiders prefer to mate with older, less-fertile females who are more likely to cannibalize them after sex. This surprising preference for older females suggests that males may be making decisions based on factors other than fertility.

The South Atlantic Anomaly is probably not an evidence of a reversing Earth's magnetic field

Scientists from GFZ and universities reconstructed past changes in Earth's magnetic field using paleomagnetic data. They found that the South Atlantic Anomaly is unlikely to be a precursor of a pole reversal, as it was followed by increased field strength and disappearance of similar anomalies in the past.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 30, 2018

Farming fish saves land

A new study shows that farming fish can help meet the world's future protein demands while reducing land use, with potential savings of up to 747 million hectares globally. The research highlights the efficiency of aquatic animals in converting feed to biomass for human consumption.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 30, 2018