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Science News for February 28, 2018


Understanding the smallest brain circuits

Researchers recorded electrical activity of hundreds of neurons in a mouse model for up to half an hour, discovering competing neural networks that operate at different timescales. The findings show that certain networks can synchronize their activity, while others slow down or speed up in a coordinated manner.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 28, 2018

Novel 3-D printing method embeds sensing capabilities within robotic actuators

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a platform for creating soft robots with embedded sensors that can sense movement, pressure, touch, and even temperature. This innovation enables complex sensing motifs to be easily integrated into soft robotic systems, opening new avenues to device design and fabrication.

Moms who co-sleep beyond six months may feel more depressed, judged

Research finds that mothers who continue to co-sleep with their babies past six months are more likely to feel depressed, criticized, and anxious about their baby's sleep. Despite the trend to discourage co-sleeping, experts emphasize the importance of finding a sleep arrangement that works for everyone in the family.

SourcePenn State·JournalInfant and Child Development·DateFeb 28, 2018

Naked-eye detection of solvent vapor

Scientists at University of Tsukuba create effective fluorescent sensor for detecting solvent vapor, utilizing a branched molecule called a dendrimer. The sensor can distinguish between various solvents through changes in emission color and intensity.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalChemical Communications·DateFeb 28, 2018

Assessing quantum dot photoemissions

Researchers at Kumamoto University developed a technique to assess quantum dot photoluminescence emission mechanisms using polyoxometalates. The study revealed previously unseen peak emissions at 410 nm due to bulk defects in the quantum dots.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateFeb 28, 2018

The fine-tuning of two-dimensional materials

Scientists at Penn State have developed a new understanding of why synthetic 2D materials often perform orders of magnitude worse than predicted. By using oxygen-terminated substrate surfaces, they enhanced the photoluminescence intensity and carrier lifetime of molybdenum disulfide by 100 times.

SourcePenn State·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 28, 2018

Unlocking the secrets of the universe

A team of astronomers has detected the fingerprints of the earliest stars in the universe, revealing a wealth of information about their formation and evolution. The detection provides the first evidence for the oldest ancestors in our cosmic family tree, born just 180 million years after the universe began.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature·DateFeb 28, 2018

Risso's dolphins plan their dives

Researchers found that Risso's dolphins gather information from previous dives and combine it with present experience to optimize their dives. The dolphins adjust their strategy based on the depth distribution and availability of prey, showcasing advanced planning abilities.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateFeb 28, 2018

Is obesity associated with having a shorter life?

A recent study published in JAMA Network found that obesity is associated with a significantly shorter lifespan and an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In contrast, being overweight was not linked to a reduced risk of death but did increase the likelihood of developing CVD at a younger age.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateFeb 28, 2018

3-D simulations reveal synergistic mechanisms of the human heart

A new study introduces a holistic 3D numerical simulation model of the human heart, taking into account the mutual interaction between blood flow and individual components. The model reveals complex effects of heart strings on the mitral valve, shedding light on potential strategies for preventing cardiac problems.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateFeb 28, 2018

Nut consumption may aid colon cancer survival

A new study found that people who regularly eat nuts have a significantly lower risk of colon cancer recurrence and mortality. Nuts also improve disease-free survival and overall survival rates by reducing insulin resistance. Regular nut consumption is associated with being leaner, contrary to concerns about high fat content.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateFeb 28, 2018

The factors that most affect our immune system

A large-scale study of French volunteers found significant immune variation among individuals due to differences in sex and age, as well as genetic variations. These findings shed new light on potential causes of diseases such as pollen allergy and lupus erythematosus.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalNature Immunology·DateFeb 28, 2018

Solar-to-hydrogen conversion: Nanostructuring increases efficiency of metal-free photocatalysts by factor 11

Researchers developed nanostructured polymeric carbon nitrides as catalysts for hydrogen production, increasing efficiency under visible light irradiation. The nanostructure with large pores and specific functionalities improved the catalytic properties, approaching that of inorganic catalysts.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateFeb 28, 2018

Dressing atoms in an ultracold soup

Physicists have discovered a way to create complex structures called Rydberg polarons using ultracold strontium atoms, which can be assembled like Lego blocks. The findings reveal new insights into the basic nature of matter and challenge traditional chemistry laws.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review A·DateFeb 28, 2018

Mapping the neural circuit governing thirst

Caltech scientists have identified a hierarchical neural circuit in the mouse brain that regulates thirst, involving excitatory and inhibitory neurons. The study reveals how this circuit integrates signals from the subfornical organ and organum vasculosum laminae terminalis to initiate drinking behavior, while also providing insight in...

Are government controls on indigenous caribou hunting warranted?

A new analysis found that subsistence harvesting by indigenous people has a positive association with caribou numbers, contradicting previous speculation. The study's results suggest that government controls on indigenous caribou hunting may not be necessary and highlight a 'science-policy gap' in U.S. and Canadian governments

Dyes for 'live' extremophile labeling will help discover life on Mars

Researchers have discovered a fluorescent dye that allows them to observe the life cycle of bacteria in real time, enabling the study of microorganisms in their natural environment. This method will help locate halophiles, ancient salt-loving organisms that thrive in extreme conditions and may hold clues to the origin of life on Earth.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 28, 2018

Soil cannot halt climate change

Scientists at Rothamsted Research have found that modern carbon emissions cannot be locked in the ground to halt global warming. The study analyzed long-term soil data and concluded that even significant increases in soil organic carbon are unrealistic over large areas of the planet.

SourceRothamsted Research·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateFeb 28, 2018

'Obesity paradox' debunked

Research debunks the 'obesity paradox' by revealing that maintaining a normal weight can postpone cardiovascular disease and reduce overall risk. Normal weight individuals live longer and have a greater proportion of life with cardiovascular disease compared to overweight or obese individuals.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateFeb 28, 2018

Opioid crisis affects children and teens too -- Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics outlines strategies to reduce opioid prescribing

A review in Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics outlines the severity of opioid use among children and teenagers undergoing surgery, with nearly one-fourth of US high school seniors having exposure to prescription opioids. Strategies for reducing opioid prescribing include education, standardized practices, and legislation to shift presc...

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Pediatric Orthopaedics·DateFeb 28, 2018

Soccer success study kicks goals

The study found that top-performing soccer teams exhibit greater total sprint distance, possession in the opponent's half, and entry passes in the final third of the field. This suggests that ball possession is a key determinant of success in soccer.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalResearch in Sports Medicine·DateFeb 28, 2018

Seeing nanoscale details in mammalian cells

The new TILT3D microscope produces clear 3-D images of structures and individual molecules within a cell, overcoming existing illumination techniques' limitations. Researchers can track the 3-D movement of molecules over time with high precision, enabling detailed studies of cellular structures.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 28, 2018

New-found stem cell helps regenerate lung tissue after acute injury, finds Penn study

Researchers have identified a lung stem cell that repairs the organ's gas exchange compartment and restores respiratory function after severe influenza and other respiratory ailments. The discovery provides new insights into lung regeneration and identifies novel genetic and epigenetic pathways important for lung regeneration.

Six decades of cosmology

Narlikar shares personal reminiscences on the evolution of cosmology over six decades, highlighting the increase in confidence in the standard model. However, he also notes that this model lacks independent observational support and an established theoretical base.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal H·DateFeb 28, 2018

Researchers find new target on lethal brain tumor that can be hunted by immune cells

A team of researchers has genetically engineered cancer-killing immune cells to hunt brain tumors displaying CSPG4, a highly prevalent molecular target. The approach holds promise for controlling tumor growth in glioblastoma patients, who currently have limited treatment options with survival benefits of less than a year and a half.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 28, 2018

Why the institution of fatherhood is taking so long to change

In working-class Russian families, conservative stereotypes about men's roles as breadwinners and homemakers prevail. Fathers tend to be emotionally distant, rarely involved in childcare. However, some young fathers are trying to break this mold by showing emotional involvement and equal parenting. This change is slow and often met wit...

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalThe Journal of Social Policy Studies·DateFeb 28, 2018

More than just a cosmetic procedure -- 'tummy tuck' reduces back pain and incontinence

A new study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reports that abdominoplasty ('tummy tuck') surgery with muscle repair can improve back pain and urinary incontinence in women after labor and delivery. The study included 214 women who underwent the procedure, showing significant improvement in both back pain and incontinence ...

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateFeb 28, 2018

'Random walk' of heat carriers in amorphous polymers

The study investigates how chain conformation influences thermal conductivity in amorphous polymers, revealing that ultra-thin polymer nanofibers exhibit higher thermal conductivity due to aligned molecular chains. An empirical function is proposed to describe the diameter dependence of chain conformation.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateFeb 28, 2018

Black holes from small galaxies might emit gamma rays

Research suggests that small galaxies with smaller black holes can also produce powerful gamma-ray jets, a phenomenon previously thought to be exclusive to massive galaxies. This discovery has the potential to shift our understanding of astrophysics and blur the lines between different types of active galaxies.

SourceClemson University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 28, 2018

Disappearing act

Researchers found the Asian tiger mosquito vanished from Palmyra Atoll following rat eradication, as humans became the sole host for mosquitoes to feed on. The study highlights a potential new approach to combatting mosquito-borne diseases by eradicating key hosts.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalBiology Letters·DateFeb 28, 2018

Children's use of non-dental services for oral pain could be costing the NHS £2.3 million a year

A recent study found that thousands of children with oral pain in London are being taken to pharmacies and non-dental health services, resulting in unnecessary use of NHS resources. The study highlights the need for integrated systems and better referral processes to ensure children receive dental treatment as soon as possible.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalBMJ Open·DateFeb 28, 2018