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Science News for February 20, 2018


Sea-level legacy: more rise for each delay in peaking emissions

A new study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that delaying global CO2 emission peak by five years between 2020 and 2035 could result in an additional 20 cm of sea-level rise by 2300. The researchers used a combined climate-sea-level model to analyze the impact of delayed mitigation on global sea-level rise.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 20, 2018

Why the boss always gets the blame

Researchers found that social role, not causal influence, determines blame distribution in real life. The study tested this assumption in an online experiment with 209 test participants and found that bosses received more criticism than employees even when they didn't make the decision.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPhilosophical Psychology·DateFeb 20, 2018

Improving family-based comm. Key to enhancing sexual health outcomes of GBQ adolescents

A Penn nursing study found that sex communication with parents is rarely discussed among gay, bisexual, and queer male adolescents, often being heteronormative and reactionary. The study suggests that targeted family-based sexual health discussions can minimize risk behaviors and improve overall health outcomes for this demographic.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalJournal of Adolescent Research·DateFeb 20, 2018

MEMS chips get metalenses

Researchers developed a device that combines metasurface lenses with MEMS technology, enabling fast scanning and beam steering. The integrated device can control the angular rotation of a flat lens and scan the focal spot by several degrees.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Photonics·DateFeb 20, 2018

Patients with advanced cancer may be less competent to make decisions than doctors think

A study found that patients with advanced cancer were less capable of making treatment decisions than healthy adults, but doctors often overestimated their competence. The research suggests a shift in patient-doctor relationships, emphasizing the importance of respecting patient autonomy while ensuring decision-making capacity.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·DateFeb 20, 2018

Optimal fertilization thanks to sensor and cloud

A new nitrate sensor developed by Ruhr-University Bochum can analyze one drop of plant juice in seconds to determine optimal fertilization levels, resulting in improved crop yields and reduced waste. The sensor is linked to a cloud-based system that estimates regional fertilizer demand and provides farmers with real-time data.

Brain aging may begin earlier than expected

Researchers at Lancaster University have developed a new non-invasive technique to study brain function and its relation to aging. Preliminary results suggest that brain aging may begin earlier than expected, with declines in coherence between cerebrospinal fluid oscillations observed in participants over 25.

SourceLancaster University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 20, 2018

A matter of dynamics

Researchers found that non-selective ion channels, like the NaK channel, have a selectivity filter with sizeable dynamics, unlike selective channels. The study revealed two different forms of the selectivity filter, one for each ion type, which explains why the NaK channel can pass both sodium and potassium ions.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 20, 2018

Gut reactions to improve probiotics

Research explores how gut bacteria respond to common changes in their habitat, revealing that bacterial species can go extinct when environments are altered even slightly. This understanding could lead to the design of targeted probiotics and therapies to make gut microbes more resilient.

Hospital charges for outpatient cancer care highly variable, Medicare billing records show

A recent analysis of Medicare billing records reveals that hospital charges for outpatient oncology services can exceed Medicare payouts by twofold to sixfold. The study, published in the American Journal of Managed Care, emphasizes the need for fair and transparent pricing to protect vulnerable patients from financial burdens.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·DateFeb 20, 2018

Robo-picker grasps and packs

A new robotic system developed by MIT engineers can grasp and pack items with high accuracy, making it suitable for various applications such as warehouse sorting and kitchen tasks. The system uses an object-agnostic grasping algorithm to assess a bin of random objects and determine the best way to grip or suction onto an item.

More awareness, research needed on abuse risk of non-opioid painkiller

Researchers found that gabapentin is being mixed with other substances to produce euphoria, and some users are turning to it after crackdowns made it difficult to obtain opioid prescriptions. The medication's low cost and increasing popularity have contributed to its misuse, highlighting the need for further study on its abuse potential.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalPsychology of Addictive Behaviors·DateFeb 20, 2018

Diet or Regular? Decoding behavioral variation in ant clones

Researchers found significant variation in the response threshold of cloned ants to sweetened water, with some preferring diet soda equivalents and others requiring stronger concentrations. This diversity may be driven by epigenetic modifications that allow for individualized adaptation and potentially enhance long-term colony survival.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateFeb 20, 2018

Alexa, how do word senses evolve?

A team of researchers identified an algorithm called 'nearest-neighbor chaining' that describes how word senses accumulate over time. The study analyzed 1,000 years of English development and found that new word senses emerge through an efficient mechanism that expresses new ideas via a compact set of words.

SourceLehigh University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 20, 2018

New shark species confirmed

A team of scientists has confirmed a new species of sixgill sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, based on genetic testing. The discovery was made using mitochondrial genes and found significant differences between the Atlantic and Pacific/Oceanic species.

SourceFlorida Institute of Technology·JournalMarine Biodiversity·DateFeb 20, 2018

Rooting out Ebola's biomechanical enabler

Researchers at Lehigh University aim to elucidate the biomechanical mechanism of Ebola-host cell interaction using computational molecular adhesion mechanics and single-molecule force spectroscopy. Their goal is to provide new pharmacological targets for antiviral drug development.

Noise from ships scares porpoises

A new study by researchers at Aarhus University found that porpoises stop feeding and change their movement patterns when exposed to heavy ship noise. The study, which used electronic tags to track the porpoises' behavior, provides insight into how human activities impact these marine animals.

Rare find from the deep sea

Scientists from the University of Bonn and the US study a newly hatched dumbo octopus for the first time, revealing surprising similarities with adult animals. The rare find provides valuable insights into the extraordinary habitat of deep-sea dumbo octopuses.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 20, 2018

Designing microbial communities to help plants battle nutritional stress

A team of scientists has devised a general experimental scheme to identify and predict which small groups of bacterial species can help plants respond to phosphate starvation. The study demonstrates that the functional complexity of the root microbiome might be simplified by testing only a subset of all possible microbial combinations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateFeb 20, 2018

Can your cardiac device be hacked?

Cybersecurity risks exist in cardiac devices due to software integration and wireless communications, according to the American College of Cardiology's Electrophysiology Council. The potential consequences include device malfunction, battery depletion, and interruptions in life-saving therapies.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateFeb 20, 2018

Pillars of academic innovation

The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) recognizes and encourages inventors with life-saving and life-changing advances. The journal Technology and Innovation features research on pillars of academic innovation, including public policy, industry-university partnerships, and mentorship of innovators.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalJournal of Technology and Innovation·DateFeb 20, 2018

Oil-eating microbes are challenged in the Arctic

A new review assesses the microbial degradation potential in Arctic seas, highlighting six factors challenging oil-eating microbes, including low temperatures, sea ice, and nutrient-poor environments. The research reveals that these factors can slow down biodegradation and reduce the efficiency of microbial degradation.

SourceAarhus University·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateFeb 20, 2018

Open data help scientists to unravel Earth systems

Researchers at the University of Helsinki's BioGeoClimate Modelling Lab have developed a new model to predict soil moisture using airborne laser scanning data. The study reveals that fine-scale topography is essential for modeling water distribution, providing valuable insights into climate change impact and biodiversity assessments.

A trip to the mountains despite a heart condition?

High-altitude exposure affects cardiovascular systems differently for various individuals. Experts recommend maximum altitudes and caution when taking medications. Hiking can have a positive effect on disease progression and psychological well-being for those following guidelines.

SourceEurac Research·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateFeb 20, 2018

MicroRNA could help treat cancer and asthma

Researchers at Purdue University found that microRNA miR-223 can help control inflammatory disease by regulating the NF-kB pathway, which is critical in human bronchial epithelial cells. Supplementing this microRNA to epithelial cells may provide a new treatment option for asthma and cancer.

SourcePurdue University·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 20, 2018

Low-fat or low-carb? It's a draw, Stanford study finds

A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that cutting carbs or fats results in similar weight loss, with no association between individual biological factors and diet success. Participants followed either a low-fat or low-carb diet for one year, showing that the fundamental strategy for losing weight is to eat whole foods.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 20, 2018

Countries investing in well-being allocate resources to child and adolescent psychiatry

A new study by the Eurasian Child & Adolescent Mental Health Study network reveals a strong correlation between Human Development Index scores and the availability of mental health services. Countries with high HDI rankings have higher ratios of child and adolescent psychiatrists per population size, indicating better investment in chi...

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalEuropean Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateFeb 20, 2018

Preventing the misdiagnosis of cellulitis

A new study finds that early consultation by a dermatologist can improve health-related outcomes and reduce costs associated with misdiagnosed pseudocellulitis. The researchers estimate that this intervention could prevent up to 256,000 hospitalization days and $210 million in net cost savings annually.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateFeb 20, 2018

Fancy a jellyfish chip?

Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have developed a new method to rapidly transform the soft body of jellyfish into a crunchy treat. The technique, which uses ethanol, produces crispy jellyfish chips that could be of potential gastronomic interest.

How to get the most out of foreign investment

A study by HSE researchers found that foreign investments can have a positive effect only for companies with specific resource endowments. The presence of foreign property does not affect the performance of companies in general. Instead, dynamic capabilities play a key role in transforming foreign investment into added economic value.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalKnowledge Management Research & Practice·DateFeb 20, 2018

Latest palliative care findings on caregiver depression, LGBT partners, moral distress

A recent study on hospital palliative care reveals high rates of caregiver depression and significant moral distress among resident physicians. The research also explores the challenges faced by LGBT individuals who have lost a partner, including homophobia and additional legal and financial issues. Effective interventions, such as adv...

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalJournal of Hospital Medicine·DateFeb 20, 2018

Medicine alone does not completely suppress testosterone levels among transgender women

A recent study published in Endocrine Practice found that only a quarter of transgender women could lower their testosterone levels within the female range using spironolactone and estrogen therapy. The researchers identified four groups with varying degrees of testosterone suppression, highlighting the need for further studies to unde...

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalEndocrine Practice·DateFeb 20, 2018

When proteins shake hands

Researchers from Jena University successfully created protein nanofibres with defined properties by combining two different proteins through a self-assembly process. The hybrid fibres can be used as components in biosensors, drug delivery particles, optical probes, or bone cements.

Social media as good a barometer of public health attitudes as traditional phone polling

Researchers found that analyzing Twitter conversations about Zika and other public health crises can provide accurate insights into community attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors. This method offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional phone-based polling, which can be slow and expensive.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJMIR Public Health and Surveillance·DateFeb 20, 2018

New VaxArray potency test kit for pandemic flu vaccines

The new test kit, developed with licensed monoclonal antibodies from the US FDA, offers a rapid and sensitive potency assay for dose-sparing and adjuvanted flu vaccines. This enables a faster vaccine response in severe outbreaks or pandemics, addressing the need for speed in combating deadly avian H7N9 viruses.

Researchers invent light-emitting nanoantennas

A research group from ITMO University combined a nanoantenna with a light source in a single nanoparticle, generating, enhancing and routing emission. The scientists discovered that the emission can be enhanced if its spectra match with Mie-resonant mode, making them efficient light sources at room temperature.

SourceITMO University·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 20, 2018