Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for August 28, 2018


Migrating monarchs facing increased parasite risks

Research found that migrating monarchs encounter high levels of disease when interacting with resident monarchs at tropical milkweed sites, which can lead to reproductive issues and reduced migration rates. Monarch populations are vulnerable to parasitic protozoan OE due to the loss of natural migration patterns.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalEcology Letters·DateAug 28, 2018

Discovery on East Asian monsoon dynamics

Scientists found four pivotal strengthening events in the East Asian summer monsoon between 1250-1900 CE, with ocean sediments offering a more reliable record of past monsoon signals. The study provides insights into Asian monsoon dynamics and their impact on regional societies.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 28, 2018

Chest pain drug falls short in preventing first episode of ventricular arrhythmia or death

A clinical trial of over 1,000 patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators found that ranolazine was safe but did not significantly decrease the likelihood of the first occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia or death. However, it did lower the number of recurring episodes of ventricular tachycardia.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateAug 28, 2018

The 'invisible hand' doesn't control markets

New research from Michigan State University challenges the traditional 'invisible hand' theory of market control. A third party's intervention disrupts trading relationships, establishing trust and loyalty among parties involved. This leads to favorable prices, but also creates a risk of runaway train-like effects unless regulated.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalRationality and Society·DateAug 28, 2018

Diagnosis is not best predictor of avoidable hospitalizations of nursing home residents

A recent study from Regenstrief Institute found that a patient's diagnosis is not the primary factor in determining whether a nursing home resident needs to be hospitalized. Instead, coordinated care systems and quality improvement opportunities are crucial in preventing unnecessary hospitalizations. The study highlighted gaps in commu...

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalInnovation in Aging·DateAug 28, 2018

Goats prefer happy people

A new study found that goats can differentiate between positive and negative human facial expressions and prefer to interact with the former. The researchers observed that goats spent more time approaching images of happy faces than angry ones, suggesting a preference for positive emotions.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateAug 28, 2018

The link between obesity, the brain, and genetics

New research at McGill University found that people with higher BMI tend to have reduced cognitive flexibility, increased volume in the left amygdala and decreased volume in certain memory structures. The study suggests a model where genetics play a role in obesity through brain anatomy and cognitive functions.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 28, 2018

Remote islands harbor higher numbers of non-native species

Research by an international team from the University of Vienna reveals that remote islands have higher numbers of non-native species, which can lead to extinction events and threaten unique island species. The study found that isolation from the mainland increases the number of non-native species, while native species decline.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 28, 2018

All wired up: New molecular wires for single-molecule electronic devices

Researchers designed a novel molecular wire with a polyyne backbone and a ruthenium-based unit, achieving higher conductance than previous organic molecular wires. The origin of high conductance lies in orbital splitting, which induces changes in the electron orbitals to facilitate electron transfer between metal electrodes and the wir...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 28, 2018

Genes that regulate how much we dream

Researchers identified two essential genes involved in regulating REM sleep duration in mice. The knockout of these genes resulted in drastically decreased REM sleep and altered sleep patterns. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying REM sleep, a crucial aspect of maintaining mental and physical health.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 28, 2018

New treatment can halve hospital stays for some patients with heart infection

A new treatment has been found to significantly reduce hospital stays for patients with heart infections by halving the duration of intravenous antibiotic treatment. The POET trial showed that giving patients oral antibiotics after at least ten days of intravenous treatment was as effective and safe as continued intravenous treatment, ...

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 28, 2018

If military robot falls, it can get itself up

Scientists at U.S. Army Research Laboratory and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory develop software to analyze a robot's ability to self-right from any overturned orientation. The team evaluates the Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robotic System and determines it can right itself on level ground regardless of its ...

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalIEEE Robotics and Automation Letters·DateAug 28, 2018

Treating inflammatory bowel disorder by delivering microRNAs

Osaka University researchers successfully delivered microRNAs to immune response cells in inflamed intestinal tracts using a super carbonate apatite (sCA), reducing inflammatory cytokines. The study showed that sCA could be used to treat a wide range of immunity and allergic disorders caused by immune responses.

SourceOsaka University·JournalMolecular Therapy — Nucleic Acids·DateAug 28, 2018

Protein modifications pointing to cancer

Scientists have developed a method to investigate all proteins in tissue samples that are modified by ADP-ribosylation, a stress response pathway. This allows for conclusions to be drawn about activated signaling pathways and potentially leads to new diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities for cancer and other diseases.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 28, 2018

The math of malaria

A mathematical model for malaria shows that competition between parasite strains within a human host reduces the odds of drug resistance developing in high-transmission settings. The model reveals how once a drug-resistant strain becomes established, it will spread faster in high-transmission areas than in low-transmission areas.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 28, 2018

All that is gold is not biochemically stable

A study by environmental engineers at Duke University found that gold nanoparticles can be dismantled by microorganisms on aquatic plants, complicating laboratory experiments. This discovery highlights the importance of considering complex ecosystems in research design to ensure accurate results.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 28, 2018

Wilder wildfires ahead?

Researchers at UCSB and NCAR find that climate change is affecting the connection between El Niño and wildfires, leading to more extreme and frequent fires. As the Earth warms, El Niño events are expected to have a larger impact on fire risk in California and other fire-prone regions.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 28, 2018

Disentangling the relationships between cultural traits and other variables

A team of researchers identified three sources of non-independence in cultural variables: phylogenetic non-independence, spatial autocorrelation, and covariation. By controlling for these factors, they found that parasites have no more explanatory power for cultural traits than other environmental factors like biodiversity and climate.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateAug 28, 2018

New compact hyperspectral system captures 5-D images

A new compact hyperspectral system captures 5-D images with high speed and accuracy, benefiting applications such as optical-based sorting and personal medical monitoring. The system uses structured light to create detailed digital archives of historically valuable artifacts.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateAug 28, 2018