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Science News for February 13, 2018


Plants feel the heat

A team of researchers has discovered that plants' daily cycle of heat resistance is triggered by light exposure and involves chloroplast signalling. This finding could lead to the development of crops that can withstand increasingly hot temperatures and more frequent heatwaves under climate change.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 13, 2018

The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Worldwide, more than one in ten people have infections following gastrointestinal surgery

A study of over 12,500 patients across 66 countries found that surgical site infections are a significant global health issue, with 22% of cases resistant to pre-surgery antibiotics. The incidence of infections varied greatly depending on the country's income level, with low-income countries being most at risk.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 13, 2018

Graphene on toast, anyone?

Rice University scientists have developed a technique to write graphene patterns onto various materials, including food, paper, and cloth. The new method uses laser-induced graphene (LIG) to create conductive identification tags and sensors that can be embedded into products.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 13, 2018

Direct access to physical therapy reduces costs to treat neck and back pain

A new study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy found that direct access to physical therapy for neck and back pain can reduce treatment costs by an average of $1,543. Patients who chose this approach reported similar improvement in their condition, with an average gain of over 50% in pain and disability.

SourceJOSPT, Inc. d/b/a Movement Science Media·JournalJournal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy·DateFeb 13, 2018

Study finds depression and fatigue increase women's risk of work-related injuries

A new study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that women with depression, anxiety, and fatigue are more likely to be injured at work. The study, which analyzed claims data from over 17,000 employees, suggests that behavioral health factors significantly affect women's risk of injury but not men's.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·DateFeb 13, 2018

When it comes to extinction, body size matters

Scientists propose a nuanced model for extinction that incorporates body size and metabolic scaling, revealing why animal species tend to evolve toward larger body sizes. The model predicts an energetically ideal mammal size 2.5 times that of an African elephant, making it more stable against extinction by starvation.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 13, 2018

SNMMI and ASNC issue joint guidelines for quantification of myocardial blood flow using PET

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology have issued joint guidelines for the clinical quantification of myocardial blood flow using Positron Emission Tomography (PET). The guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for the measurement and interpretation of myocardial blood ...

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateFeb 13, 2018

Heroin vaccine blocks lethal overdose

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have created a safe and effective vaccine to block heroin's lethal effects, using an adjuvant already approved by the FDA. The vaccine, which is stable at room temperature for up to 30 days, shows promise in treating heroin addiction and preventing overdose deaths.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalMolecular Pharmaceutics·DateFeb 13, 2018

Breaking local symmetry: Why water freezes but silica forms a glass

Research at The University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science reveals that water and silica diverge when cooled due to differences in atomic arrangement. Water's strong orientational order leads to easy crystallization, whereas silica's weak ordering results in supercooling and glass formation.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2018

Is cupping therapy effective among athletes?

A new systematic review of eleven clinical trials involving nearly 500 participants found that cupping therapy has a high risk of bias and inconsistent results. The authors concluded that no conclusive recommendations for or against the use of cupping in sports performance can be made until further trials are carried out.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateFeb 13, 2018

Interdisciplinary approach yields new insights into human evolution

A new themed issue of the Royal Society journal explores human evolution through an interdisciplinary lens, combining biological, anthropological and cultural perspectives. Researchers found that English speakers' regional dialects influenced Sranan creole's development, shedding light on events in human history with few other traces.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateFeb 13, 2018

Polar vortex defies climate change in the Southeast

The Southeast US has experienced colder winters despite global warming, according to a Dartmouth-led study. The polar vortex allows arctic air to plunge into the region, resulting in persistently cooler temperatures. This phenomenon, known as the U.S. warming hole, is linked to natural climate cycles and potentially to climate change.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 13, 2018

Efforts are needed to tap into the potential of nutraceuticals

A new review highlights the need for a proper definition and regulations to ensure the safety of nutraceuticals. The authors propose a regulatory system similar to that used for drugs, with standardized guidelines for manufacturers to provide data supporting health claims.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateFeb 13, 2018

Sleepless in Japan: How insomnia kills

A recent study published in Open Medicine found a significant link between insomnia and depression among Japanese hospital workers. The survey revealed that chronic insomnia can lead to depression, with alarming rates of insomnia reported among medical professionals.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalOpen Medicine·DateFeb 13, 2018

Scientists identify immune cascade that fuels complications, tissue damage in chlamydia infections

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have unraveled the immune cascade driving complications and tissue damage in chlamydia infections. The study reveals two distinct immune pathways: one clearing bacteria and another fueling inflammation, offering a roadmap for vaccine development and precision-targeted treatments.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2018

Recreating outer space in the lab

Researchers at Tohoku University successfully recreated conditions similar to those in space without an electric field-trapping boundary. The study shows the electron gas expands adiabatically when electric fields are removed, demonstrating the extension of classical thermodynamics to out-of-equilibrium systems.

SourceTohoku University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 13, 2018

#EpicDuckChallenge shows we can count on drones

A University of Adelaide study found that monitoring wildlife using drones is more accurate than traditional counting approaches. The #EpicDuckChallenge used fake bird colonies to test the technology, with citizen scientists tallying the number of birds in drone photos, resulting in a higher accuracy rate.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalMethods in Ecology and Evolution·DateFeb 13, 2018