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Science News for February 22, 2018


Developing reliable quantum computers

A team of researchers has developed a statistical approach to identify characteristic signatures across unmeasurable probability distributions in quantum computers. This breakthrough could help predict the behavior of photons in optical arrangements and differentiate between various particle types, bringing us closer to solving the cer...

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 22, 2018

The battle for spinach

Washington State University researchers are working on developing resistant spinach varieties against Fusarium wilt, a devastating disease that has been crippling farmers' crops in the Pacific Northwest. The team is testing over 600 varieties of spinach and studying their DNA to find genetic markers that reveal natural resistance.

Extinct lakes of the American desert west

Research reveals two distinct periods of lake existence in the region, with increased precipitation driving formation during warmer periods. The study's findings suggest a potential analogue for future climate change and highlight the importance of understanding El Niño-driven precipitation patterns in arid regions.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateFeb 22, 2018

Basque researchers turn light upside down

Researchers created a hyperbolic metasurface using boron nitride that produces concave wavefronts with infrared light, revolutionizing the miniaturization of sensing and signal processing devices. The team overcame fabrication challenges to achieve precision structuring on the nanometer scale.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalScience·DateFeb 22, 2018

Stiffness matters

Research by Prof. Dr. Prasad Shastri at the University of Freiburg found that cancer cell membrane stiffness affects nanoparticle internalization; increasing stiffness enhances polymer nanoparticle entry through pathways rich in cholesterol.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalSmall·DateFeb 22, 2018

CU scientists' discovery could speed clinical translation of stem cell therapies

Researchers at CU Anschutz have discovered a new approach to reprogramming adult skin cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with unprecedented efficiency. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of new corrective stem cell-based therapies for currently incurable diseases like Epidermolysis Bullosa.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 22, 2018

A look at the space between mouse brain cells

Researchers have developed a new imaging paradigm to study the extracellular space between brain cells, revealing its complex and dynamic nature. The technique, called SUSHI, provides high-quality 3D reconstructions of brain tissue and has the potential to improve drug delivery within the brain.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateFeb 22, 2018

New insights on the neurobiology of dying

A new Annals of Neurology study investigated the mechanisms and timing of events in the brain and circulation during the dying process. The findings suggest that spreading depolarization marks the loss of stored energy in brain cells, leading to death, but also highlight its reversibility with restored circulation.

SourceWiley·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateFeb 22, 2018

Metabolic modelling becomes three-dimensional

Researchers have developed the first three-dimensional computer model to represent human metabolic processes. This new tool, Recon3D, integrates structural data on over 4,000 metabolites and nearly 13,000 proteins, allowing for more accurate simulations of metabolic reactions and better understanding of diseases such as Parkinson's.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateFeb 22, 2018

When every fish counts

A study published in Conservation Genetics found that about a third of fish samples were misidentified as native delta smelt when using visual identification. Genetic analysis revealed 27% of the fish thought to be native delta smelt were actually non-native wakasagi.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalConservation Genetics·DateFeb 22, 2018

Newly designed molecule binds nitrogen

A newly designed borylene molecule has been found to bind nitrogen at room temperature and normal air pressure, surpassing the capabilities of traditional catalysts like iron and molybdenum. This breakthrough may pave the way for a more energy-efficient method to convert nitrogen into ammonia.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalScience·DateFeb 22, 2018

Moths in mud can uncover prehistoric secrets

Researchers have developed a new technique to study lake sediments, using moth scales to identify past and future insect outbreaks. This discovery can help improve knowledge of insect impact on forests, predictability, and links to climate change.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateFeb 22, 2018

Scottish hospitals see slower decline in deaths

Researchers found that Scottish hospitals experienced a slower reduction in inpatient deaths, with 0.3% of patients dying in elective admissions and 6% in emergency admissions, compared to 0.1% and 4% in England. The study's authors call for further investigation into the reasons behind these differences.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalBMJ Open·DateFeb 22, 2018

Tracking dormant malaria

MIT researchers successfully grow dormant malaria parasites in engineered human liver tissue, allowing them to study the parasite's biology and vulnerabilities. The team also sequenced the parasite's RNA transcriptome, paving the way for new antimalarial drugs.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateFeb 22, 2018

Gene expression study may help guide Arthritis care

Researchers identified distinct patterns in gene expression in synovial tissue samples, revealing differences in pain mechanisms among rheumatoid arthritis patients. These findings may help clinicians develop targeted treatment strategies for patients with minimal inflammation but high disease activity scores.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateFeb 22, 2018

The global footprint of fisheries

A team of scientists from UCSB and Global Fishing Watch analyzed satellite data to track the movements and activities of over 70,000 commercial fishing vessels worldwide. Their findings reveal that cultural patterns and politics play a significant role in shaping fishing practices, while natural cycles such as fish migrations are less ...

New insight into how magma feeds volcanic eruptions

Researchers created a scaled-down model of an active volcanic plumbing system to study magma flow through dykes. The novel experimental setup revealed the simultaneous measurement of fluid flow, sub-surface deformation during magma ascent, challenging existing thinking on magma flow.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalJournal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research·DateFeb 22, 2018

Gut microbes protect against sepsis: Mouse study

Researchers discovered that gut bacteria stimulate serum IgA responses that offer protection against bacterial sepsis. The study found mice with Proteobacteria-rich microbiota survived longer after sepsis, while those without IgA antibodies died quickly.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateFeb 22, 2018

Kids with chronic kidney disease have lower IQs and poorer educational outcomes

Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience deficits in academic skills, visual and verbal memory, and executive function, according to a new study. The analysis of 34 studies found that CKD patients have an average IQ 10 points lower than healthy children, with those on dialysis showing an even greater decline.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 22, 2018

Can surgery and anaesthesia affect memory?

A study of 312 participants who had surgery and 652 participants who did not found that surgery was associated with a decline in immediate memory by one point out of 30 possible test scores. Additionally, reduced working memory decline was linked to longer cumulative operations.

SourceWiley·JournalAnaesthesia·DateFeb 22, 2018

Study debunks claim that medical marijuana laws increase recreational pot use for US teens

A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found no significant change in adolescent recreational marijuana use following enactment of medical marijuana laws. The study analyzed data from four large-scale US surveys and concluded that medical marijuana laws do not increase recreational pot use among teens.

Invasion of the body-snatching fungus

Researchers have documented a strange relationship between periodical cicadas and a fungus called Massospora cicadina that hijacks their behavior and causes them to spread the fungus' spores. The infected cicadas exhibit unusual behaviors, such as wing flicking and attempting to mate with uninfected females.

Study finds racial differences in cure rates for Hepatitis C

A recent study published in Pharmacology Research & Perspectives reveals racial disparities in Hepatitis C cure rates among patients receiving optimal therapies. The findings show lower cure rates for African American individuals compared to White individuals, highlighting the need for further exploration of underlying causes.

SourceWiley·JournalPharmacology Research & Perspectives·DateFeb 22, 2018

Antidepressant response within hours? Experts weigh evidence on ketamine as fast-acting treatment for depression in Harvard Review of Psychiatry

Recent studies suggest ketamine's potential to rapidly treat severe depression. Ketamine has produced initial reductions in depressive symptoms within two hours, with peak effects at 24 hours. This could represent a paradigm shift in treating major depressive disorder and bipolar depression.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalHarvard Review of Psychiatry·DateFeb 22, 2018

Animal diversity improves reproducibility of pre-clinical research

Researchers found that using more diverse study samples can significantly improve the reproducibility of experimental results in pre-clinical animal research. By combining data from multiple studies, they showed that multi-laboratory studies produce more consistent results than single-laboratory studies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateFeb 22, 2018

The building of innovation

The Lehigh University team is building a new High Pressure Spatial chemical vapor deposition (HPS-CVD) reactor to create new materials with extreme conditions. The device will enable the growth of III-nitride and oxynitride semiconductors, paving the way for sustainable energy solutions and innovative technologies.

How bats carry viruses without getting sick

Researchers found that bats have a dampened STING-interferon pathway, allowing them to maintain a balance with viruses without triggering an immune reaction. This defense strategy is thought to have evolved as part of bat biology, including their ability to fly and host a large viral reservoir.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateFeb 22, 2018

Histology in 3-D: New staining method enables Nano-CT imaging of tissue samples

A new staining method allows specialists to investigate three-dimensional tissue samples using the Nano-CT system, delivering resolutions of up to 100 nanometers. The technique is time-efficient and compatible with conventional methods, enabling enhanced insights into tissue distribution and microscopic origins of diseases.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2018

With computation, researchers identify promising solid oxide fuel cell materials

A team of University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers has discovered new materials that could enable solid oxide fuel cells to operate at lower temperatures, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. The researchers used quantum mechanics-based computational techniques to screen over 2,000 candidate materials, yielding a list of 52 poten...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateFeb 22, 2018

Unsaddling old theory on origin of horses

A study of 20 ancient horses found they are direct ancestors of Przewalski's horses, contrary to previous thought. Their return to a wild state led to changes such as the loss of leopard spotting and night blindness.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience·DateFeb 22, 2018

Color of judo uniform has no effect on winning

A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that judo athletes who wear a white uniform have an advantage in winning, regardless of the color of their opponent's uniform. The researchers analyzed extensive data from judo competitions and found no effect of uniform color on winning.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateFeb 22, 2018

Distinguishing males from females among king penguins

A new study reveals that King Penguins can be distinguished from females by analyzing their sex-specific syllable patterns, achieving an accuracy of 100%. The technique also shows promise for accurately identifying individuals using only beak length, with a success rate of 79%.

SourceWiley·JournalIbis·DateFeb 22, 2018

Do pain medications carry different heart risks?

A Taiwanese database study of 55,629 patients with hypertension found no significant difference in cardiovascular risk between cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme selective NSAIDs and nonselective NSAIDs. Most commonly used NSAIDs have similar cardiovascular safety profiles under low-to-moderate daily doses and short-term treatment periods.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateFeb 22, 2018