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Science News for August 1, 2018


Innovation and speculation drive stock market bubble activity, according to new study

A new study found that major innovations lead to bubbles in their industries, which are more likely to occur if they are radical and help bolster other industries. The study also found that stocks of innovating companies outperform the market during bubble periods, suggesting that innovations add value to both companies and the economy.

Innovative technique converts white fat to brown fat

Researchers at Columbia University have developed a method to directly convert white fat to brown fat outside the body and then reimplant it in a patient. This technique uses fat-grafting procedures commonly performed by plastic surgeons, which is potentially safer than existing methods that use pharmaceuticals or chronic cold exposure.

Gas sensing gut pill beats breath test diagnosis

A breakthrough swallowable sensor has been found to be 3,000 times more accurate than current technology for diagnosing gut disorders. The gas-sensing capsule provides real-time detection and measurement of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen in the gut.

SourceRMIT University·JournalAlimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics·DateAug 1, 2018

Individual training of parents is best for small children with ADHD

A study from Aarhus University found that individual behavioral treatment and support for parent training significantly improves ADHD symptoms, parenting self-esteem, and family strain compared to routine treatment. The New Forest Parenting Programme is an effective intervention in real-life settings.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateAug 1, 2018

Active substance raises hopes of curing hepatitis E

Researchers have found a possible active substance against the hepatitis E virus in naturally occurring silvestrol, which inhibits pathogen replication in cell cultures and mice. Silvestrol is formed by mahogany plants and has been shown to be effective against the virus in both lab tests and animal models.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAntiviral Research·DateAug 1, 2018

Otago researcher claims new study a step forward in fight to eliminate tuberculosis

A new international collaborative research study has found that a four-month daily regimen of antibiotic rifampicin is as effective as a nine-month daily regimen of another antibiotic, isoniazid, in preventing people with latent tuberculosis infection from developing the full-blown disease. The study, published in the New England Journ...

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 1, 2018

Alessio Figalli wins the 'Nobel Prize of Mathematics'

Alessio Figalli, a mathematician at ETH Zurich, has been awarded the Fields Medal for solving the Monge-Ampere equation, a famous partial differential equation with applications in urban planning, imaging, and meteorology. He has also made significant contributions to optimal transport and its connections to probability.

Deportation and family separation impact entire communities, researchers say

A policy statement by the American Psychological Association highlights the negative effects of deportation on families, children, and entire communities. Research reveals increased anxiety, trauma, and depression among affected individuals, as well as housing instability, academic withdrawal, and family dissolution.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalAmerican Journal of Community Psychology·DateAug 1, 2018

Troubled waters

A study by UCSB researchers reveals that wealthy countries' industrial fishing fleets dominate the global oceans, with China, Taiwan, and Japan leading the list. This dominance has significant implications for food security and access to healthy food sources, particularly in less-wealthy countries.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 1, 2018

Hospital-associated bacterial species becoming tolerant to alcohol disinfectants

A new study reveals that hospital-associated bacterial species Enterococcus faecium is adapting to alcohols used in handwash disinfectants, increasing treatment resistance. The analysis of 19-year-old bacterial samples from two Australian hospitals suggests several mutations confer increased alcohol resistance.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 1, 2018

Synthetic suede gives high-end cars that luxury feel

The article reveals how Japanese companies have mastered the production of high-quality synthetic suede for luxury cars, offering advantages over natural leather and suede. The development of this material has led to a boom in business for manufacturers, with increased demand prompting expansions and ramped-up production.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateAug 1, 2018

Drexel's polymer pill proves it can deliver

Drexel University researchers have developed a new type of container that can deliver medicine to the bloodstream for extended periods. The 'crystalsome' nanoparticle lasts up to 96 hours in the bloodstream, surpassing current injectable medication with improved stability and reduced side effects.

SourceDrexel University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 1, 2018

Financial checkup should be part of health screenings for childhood cancer survivors

A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that 65% of adult childhood cancer survivors reported financial challenges, including reduced health-related quality of life and increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts. The researchers recommend routine screening for financial hardship to address these issues.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateAug 1, 2018

Pinpointing a molecule for sea lamprey control

Researchers have identified a pheromone, a fatty acid derivative, that guides larval and adult sea lampreys to spawning grounds. The discovery holds potential for disrupting adult sea lampreys' reproduction, offering a new approach to controlling the invasive species.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 1, 2018

A RACIPE for success

Jackson Laboratory Assistant Professor Mingyang Lu has developed a computational approach called RACIPE to capture genetic events in cellular decision-making. The algorithm could have broad impact on basic research and designing new therapeutic interventions in genomic medicine.

Fields Medal for Peter Scholze

Peter Scholze's discovery of perfectoid spaces has fundamentally expanded the range of methods used at the intersection of number theory and geometry. This award is a milestone in the long tradition of mathematics in Bonn, one of the biggest centers for mathematical teaching and research in Germany and worldwide.

Microscopic imaging pierces the 'black box' of cancer bone metastasis

Scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center have engineered a system allowing microscopic monitoring and imaging of cancer in mice, enabling better understanding and treatment of bone metastasis. The model reveals how cancer cells interact with bone and bone resident cells over time, providing insights into the disease's progression.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 1, 2018

Latent TB treatment: Shorter is better

A new study from McGill University Health Centre reveals that a four-month rifampin treatment is as effective as nine months of isoniazid in preventing tuberculosis, with significantly fewer side effects. The treatment was also more acceptable to patients, particularly those with liver toxicity.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 1, 2018

Microscale superlubricity could pave way for future improved electromechanical devices

Researchers at Tel Aviv University and Tsinghua University have discovered microscale superlubricity, achieving ultra-low friction and wear between dissimilar materials under high loads. This breakthrough has enormous implications for computer hard discs and ball bearings, leading to potential energy savings and wear prevention.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 1, 2018

Drugs for heart failure are still under-prescribed, years after initial study

A UCLA-led study found that many people with heart failure do not receive recommended medications, and when prescribed, they are often at lower-than-recommended doses. The research highlights the need for new strategies to improve medication dosing and outcomes for people with heart failure.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateAug 1, 2018

Chirality switching in biomineral structures

Researchers have discovered a method to synthesize helical biomineral structures with opposite spiral directions by adding specific amino acids, shedding light on how certain biological structures can exhibit both rotations within the same species or individual organism.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 1, 2018

Tech takes on cigarette smoking

Case Western Reserve University researchers developed an automatic alert system using wearable sensors and smartphone apps to help people quit smoking. The system tracks specific arm and body motions associated with smoking and sends personalized text messages or videos to motivate users.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalSmart Health·DateAug 1, 2018

Epigenetic immune cell diagnostic tool helps detect diseases in newborns not currently identified

A novel epigenetic diagnostic approach enables early detection of primary immune deficiencies in newborns, including Severe Combined Immunodeficiencies and X-linked agammaglobulinemia. The technology also shows promise for improving HIV treatment in low-resource countries by accurately monitoring immune cell counts on dried blood samples.

SourceCoyne PR·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 1, 2018

Researchers turn powerful, viscous disinfectants into breathable mist for the first time

A team of engineers and physicians at the University of California - San Diego developed a device that diffuses potent disinfectants for airborne delivery. The device effectively eliminated bacteria commonly causing hospital-acquired infections and also killed highly multi-drug resistant strains of bacteria including K. pneumoniae.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalApplied Microbiology and Biotechnology·DateAug 1, 2018

Racial diversity increases student leadership skills, especially for white students

A new study from the University of Illinois reveals that racial diversity in student leadership programs leads to a measurable increase in lasting leadership capacity. White students showed significant gains in leadership motivation, while non-white students benefited across all metrics.

Can we predict the long-term outcome of boys with ADHD?

A study of 207 white boys with ADHD found that higher IQ levels and concrete educational goals in adolescence predicted better adult functioning. Conversely, mild conduct problems and lower IQs were associated with poorer outcomes.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateAug 1, 2018