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Science News for December 20, 2018


Cancer's metabolism subject of trailblazing study

Researchers examined cancer metabolism using flux-balance analysis and found that the Warburg effect provides a growth advantage for tumors, while glutamine addiction does not. The study also sheds light on the relationship between healthy cells and tumor cells under the reverse Warburg effect.

SourceCornell University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateDec 20, 2018

AIDS -- an approach for targeting HIV reservoirs

Researchers at Institut Pasteur have identified CD4 T lymphocytes as a key target for HIV infection and developed a new approach to eliminate infected cells. By blocking the virus's energy production, scientists can destroy infected reservoirs, potentially leading to remission.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalCell Metabolism·DateDec 20, 2018

Small family-run livestock farms stand out in Cordoba's dehesa

Small farms in Cordoba's dehesas are showing more intense production and increasing livestock density, with beef cattle and Iberian swine being the most common combination. These family-owned farms are intensifying production despite traditional ideas of low productivity, and their study reveals key characteristics of these farms.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalRevista Mexicana de Ciencias Pecuarias·DateDec 20, 2018

New optical memory cell achieves record data-storage density

Researchers have demonstrated a new technique that can store more optical data in a smaller space than previously possible on-chip, improving upon the phase-change optical memory cell. The new approach enables storing information in 34 levels, equivalent to 5 bits, and could help meet the growing need for computer data storage.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateDec 20, 2018

New threat to ozone recovery

A new MIT study identifies chloroform as a significant threat to ozone layer recovery, with increased emissions in East Asia potentially delaying the process by four to eight years. The researchers found that production of products from chloroform is on the rise in the region, contributing to the growing problem.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Geoscience·DateDec 20, 2018

Threat of 'nightmare bacteria' exhibiting resistance to last-resort antibiotic colistin

A recent study found that colistin-resistant Escherichia coli (CR-E) was prevalent among residents in rural communities in Vietnam, with 70.4% of residents carrying the bacteria. This widespread dissemination raises concerns about the potential for 'nightmare bacteria' to spread globally and render antibiotics ineffective.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy·DateDec 20, 2018

Hidden cradle of early plant evolution discovered in the Middle East

The discovery of exceptionally preserved late-Permian plant fossils in Jordan pushes back the ages of important seed plant lineages and suggests that drought-prone tropical habitats served as evolutionary cradles for early plant diversification. The findings indicate that these plant lineages survived the mass extinction event at the e...

Health checkups for alpine lakes

Researchers at the University of Alberta found alpine zooplankton to be excellent indicators of lake health, sensitive to climate changes. By analyzing over 1,200 lakes across North America, the team showed that these tiny organisms can assess ecosystem function based on their ecological traits.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalEcography·DateDec 20, 2018

When a brand is like a secret lover

A study by Society for Consumer Psychology found that hiding information about consumption choices increases sense of connection. Researchers conducted experiments where participants were asked to keep their brand choices secret, revealing that secrecy intensified self-brand connections and increased loyalty.

SourceSociety for Consumer Psychology·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateDec 20, 2018

Female penises evolved twice in bark lice

Researchers found that female penises in geographically distinct species of bark lice evolved separately due to environmental pressures and competition for male seminal gifts. The study suggests that the evolution of female penises is linked to sexual selection and mating behaviors.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalBiology Letters·DateDec 20, 2018

Optimizing tungsten carbide for 3D printing

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are partnering with General Carbide to optimize tungsten carbide for additive manufacturing. The goal is to improve durability and reduce breakage in 3D printed parts. The project aims to develop better base powders and printing methods to enhance the use of tungsten carbide in metal printing.

Field experiment on clouds and precipitation under clean air conditions started in Chile

Scientists from Leipzig Institute for Meteorology and TROPOS conduct a field experiment to understand the relationship between aerosol particles, clouds, and precipitation. They observe the atmosphere at Punta Arenas, a region with minimal pollution, to gather data on cloud formation and life cycle.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateDec 20, 2018

Faint starlight in Hubble images reveals distribution of dark matter

Astronomers have developed a revolutionary method to detect dark matter using faint starlight in Hubble images. The technique accurately studies the distribution of dark matter and has been confirmed in galaxy clusters. Future studies will survey more clusters and analyze additional data with the James Webb Space Telescope.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateDec 20, 2018

Heroes and villains influence what you buy

Researchers found that vice foods with hero labels were more compelling than the same foods shown with villain labels, while healthy foods benefited from villainous labels. In a real-world experiment, consumers were willing to pay more for bottled water and cheese curds when labeled as 'villainous' rather than 'heroic'.

SourceSociety for Consumer Psychology·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateDec 20, 2018

Leprosy declines in Morocco after implementation of preventive drug

Since 2012, the number of leprosy cases in Morocco has decreased significantly, with an average annual decline of -16.83%. This improvement is attributed to the implementation of single dose rifampicin chemoprophylaxis, which has helped to interrupt transmission and reduce disability.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateDec 20, 2018

Beyond Einstein

Physicists at LSU and Penn State develop new mathematical equations that go beyond Einstein's theory of general relativity, showing that black hole singularities do not exist. The theory predicts a funnel to another branch of space-time instead.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 20, 2018

New research shows how a fatty diet can lead to life-threatening liver disease

A new study by USC researchers reveals that a fatty diet can trigger changes in the immune system leading to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a serious form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study identified a novel type of reparative macrophage that counteracts inflammation, offering potential pathways for future therapies.

A lung-inspired design turns water into fuel

Scientists at Stanford University have developed an electrocatalytic mechanism that mimics the mammalian lung's gas exchange process, enabling more efficient conversion of water into hydrogen fuel. The design uses a thin membrane to separate oxygen and hydrogen gases, reducing energy costs and increasing current density rates.

SourceCell Press·JournalJoule·DateDec 20, 2018

Predicting the properties of a new class of glasses

Researchers at Penn State used modeling methods to predict properties of ZIF glasses, combining transparency and metallic glass nonbrittle quality, with potential applications in gas storage and energy, promising breakthroughs in transparent and bendable glass

SourcePenn State·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateDec 20, 2018

Responsible innovation key to smart farming

Agricultural technology is transforming food production, but responsible innovation is crucial to address potential environmental, ethical, and social costs. Researchers argue that policy-makers, funders, and innovators must consider the impacts on farming communities and wider society.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalFrontiers in Sustainable Food Systems·DateDec 20, 2018

A subtle strategy to spend more responsibly

Researchers discovered that couples who pool their finances favor utilitarian purchases that are easier to justify. Individuals using joint bank accounts spent significantly less on hedonic purchases and more on utilitarian products than those spending from separate accounts. This strategy may help people spend money more responsibly.

SourceSociety for Consumer Psychology·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateDec 20, 2018

Mount Sinai researchers discover new drug cocktail that increases human beta cell proliferation at rapid rates

Researchers at Mount Sinai have discovered a novel combination of drugs that induces the highest rate of proliferation in adult human beta cells, increasing insulin production and potentially treating diabetes. The study found a 5-8% daily growth rate, which is significant progress toward a cure for the disease.

Beyond the black hole singularity

Loop quantum gravity allows physicists to extend gravitational physics beyond general relativity's limitations, enabling the analysis of black hole interiors. The theory predicts a repulsive force that can overwhelm classical gravity, potentially resolving the information paradox at black holes.

Wildlife struggle to cope with extreme weather

A recent study published by University of Queensland researchers sheds light on the responses of various species to major climate events. The research found that extreme weather events such as cyclones, droughts, and floods are causing unpredictable changes to ecosystems, leading to population declines and local extinctions.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalDiversity and Distributions·DateDec 20, 2018

Police interactions linked to increased risk of client violence for female sex workers

Researchers found that street-based FSWs with more frequent abusive police interactions had a higher risk of client violence, emphasizing the need for interventions addressing relationships between FSW and police. The study also highlights the importance of decriminalizing sex work to alleviate pressure on these women.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateDec 20, 2018

Time to biochemical failure could be used as surrogate endpoint in treatment: LA prostate cancer

A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that time to biochemical failure can be used as a surrogate endpoint for locally advanced prostate cancer treatment, reducing overall survival benefit by 6% compared to traditional endpoints. The analysis of NRG-RTOG 9202 clinical trial results showed significant associ...

SourceNRG Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateDec 20, 2018

A new way to cut the power of tumors

A new approach to treating tumors has been discovered by regulating vascularization through a gene that is overexpressed in the tumor vasculature. By targeting the insulin receptor, scientists hope to deliver treatments more accurately and effectively.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateDec 20, 2018