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Science News for January 11, 2018


The brain's GPS has a buddy system

Researchers have discovered that brain cells in the hippocampus process spatial information about both oneself and others. This 'buddy system' allows for joint location awareness, enabling rats to track each other's movements through a maze. The findings extend our understanding of the hippocampus' role as the brain's positioning system.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience·DateJan 11, 2018

Maintaining tiger connectivity and minimizing extinction into the next century

A recent study by National Centre for Biological Sciences reveals that high traffic roads and densely populated urban areas hinder tiger movement in Central India. Simulations show that protected corridors delimited by the NTCA can mitigate this impact, highlighting the need for informed development plans that consider biodiversity and...

SourceNational Centre for Biological Sciences·JournalBiological Conservation·DateJan 11, 2018

Restaurant and bar smoking bans do reduce smoking, especially among the highly educated

A new study found that restaurant and bar smoking bans significantly reduce smoking among college graduates, particularly in areas where the bans are comprehensive. Additionally, lower-income smokers are more likely to attempt to quit after a ban is implemented, but may need additional support for successful cessation.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateJan 11, 2018

White graphene makes ceramics multifunctional

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new ceramic material that combines the benefits of white graphene with calcium-silicates. The resulting composite has improved strength, toughness, and thermal conductivity, making it suitable for high-performance applications in construction, nuclear power plants, aerospace, and more.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJan 11, 2018

Dengue takes low and slow approach to replication

Researchers discovered that dengue virus takes over an accordion-shaped structure within host cells to produce proteins, while avoiding the larger fluid-filled space of the cell. This subtle approach allows the virus to reproduce tens of thousands of times without triggering the body's defenses.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Virology·DateJan 11, 2018

What sort of stream networks do scientific ideas flow along?

Researchers analyzed scientific connections of leading scholars, including Harry Eugene Stanley and Edward Witten, to understand modern scientific cooperation. They used Erdos numbers to visualize the flow of ideas in graphs, revealing a self-organization resulting from power law dynamics in these networks.

California's water saving brings bonus effects

Water-saving measures in California have led to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and electricity consumption. The study found that the decrease in water usage translated into a substantial electricity saving, equivalent to 1,830 gigawatt hours.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJan 11, 2018

Population-specific deep biomarkers of aging

A novel deep-learning based hematological human aging clock predicts the biological age of individual patients with high accuracy. The model outperforms chronological age in predicting all-cause mortality, highlighting population-specific patterns of aging.

SourceInSilico Medicine·JournalJournal of Gerontology·DateJan 11, 2018

Study examines link between epilepsy and mood disorders

A new study suggests a shared genetic susceptibility between epilepsy and mood disorders, particularly in individuals with focal epilepsy. The study found a significant increase in lifetime prevalence of mood disorders among people with focal epilepsy compared to those with generalized epilepsy.

SourceWiley·JournalEpilepsia·DateJan 11, 2018

Risk of non-infectious elephantiasis mapped in Cameroon

Researchers have mapped podoconiosis in Cameroon, a neglected tropical disease causing leg swelling, with an overall prevalence of 0.5%. The study suggests a nationwide distribution, highlighting the need for prevention and control strategies to beat this disabling disease.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJan 11, 2018

Teenagers gamble away their education

A long-term population-based study found that teenagers who gambled at age 14 and 17 had lower academic performance. The study controlled for socio-familial risk factors and impulsivity.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Gambling Studies·DateJan 11, 2018

Babies stir up clouds of bio-gunk when they crawl

A new study found that babies' crawling movements kick up high levels of dirt, skin cells, bacteria, pollen, and fungal spores, which can be detrimental to adult health. However, researchers suggest that this exposure may actually stimulate the immune system and reduce the risk of asthma and allergies later in life.

SourcePurdue University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJan 11, 2018

Women and men military veterans, childhood adversity and alcohol and drug use

A national study led by Elizabeth Evans found that childhood adversity elevates men's alcohol risk and increases women's drug risk among veterans. In contrast, civilian men and women show similar risks for both disorders with increasing childhood adversity. The study highlights the need to assess and address childhood adversity in vete...

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalSocial Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology·DateJan 11, 2018

A major step forward in organic electronics

Researchers at Linköping University developed the world's first complementary electrochemical logic circuits that function stably for long periods in water. This breakthrough has major consequences for many applications, including bioelectronics and printed electronics.

SourceLinköping University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 11, 2018

Breaking bad metals with neutrons

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory used neutron scattering to study the behavior of correlated electron systems, gaining insight into material properties. The technique allowed for accurate predictions and comparison to theoretical models, enabling a more ambitious approach to discovering new materials.

Nanotube fibers in a jiffy

Researchers have created a method to rapidly align and twist carbon nanotubes on a slide, producing short, high-strength fibers. The technique reduces production time from hours to minutes, enabling quicker testing and analysis of the fibers' properties.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 11, 2018

Failed outpatient sterilization procedures not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes: Study

Researchers found that women who underwent failed outpatient sterilization procedures were more likely to experience a live birth and less likely to have an ectopic pregnancy compared to those who had surgical options. The study, published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, included data from nearly 1,000 pregnancies after sterilization failure.

SourceBoston Medical Center·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateJan 11, 2018

New biomarkers for colorectal cancer

Researchers at the University of Luxembourg have discovered a new promising biomarker for colorectal cancer. The biomarker, MYO5B, has been found to decrease in concentration as the disease progresses, indicating lower chances of disease- and metastasis-free survival.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateJan 11, 2018

New insight into climate impacts of deforestation

A study led by the University of Leeds found that reactive gases emitted by forests have a net cooling effect, outweighing their warming impact. This means deforestation could lead to higher temperatures than previously anticipated, highlighting the need for better understanding of forest climate impacts.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 11, 2018

Northern corn leaf blight genes identified in new study

Scientists have identified two fungal genes that cause disease in corn, which could lead to the development of more resistant hybrid varieties. The discovery provides insight into how the fungus outsmarts corn's defenses and may enable researchers to create plant varieties that can detect and resist specific pathogens.

Cuttlefish hear bow wave of looming danger

Researchers discovered that cuttlefish can detect low-frequency vibrations from approaching predators, allowing them to avoid capture by swimming in the same direction as the water flow. In a controlled experiment, cuttlefish were found to be aware of the disturbance and changed their skin patterns in response.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJan 11, 2018

Super-adsorbent MOF captures twice its weight in water

Researchers have developed a superporous solid that can absorb up to 200% of its own weight in atmospheric moisture, overcoming challenges of existing porous solids. The material, Cr- soc -MOF-1, maintains its structural integrity and performance over multiple water vapor adsorption-desorption cycles.

SourceCell Press·JournalChem·DateJan 11, 2018

Are women really under-represented in clinical trials?

A recent review of US Food and Drug Administration registration data reveals that the proportion of women participating in clinical trials gradually increases from phase 1 to phase 2/3 trials. The analysis of 38 drugs with over 185,000 trial participants shows no systemic significant under-representation of women.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateJan 11, 2018

Developing a secure, un-hackable net

A new method of securely communicating between multiple quantum devices has been developed, enabling a large-scale, un-hackable quantum network. The approach uses quantum laws to ensure security and can work for any device, regardless of manufacturer, bridging the gap between theory and practical implementation.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 11, 2018

All in the family: Focused genomic comparisons

A team of researchers sequenced and annotated the genomes of six Aspergillus species, identifying biosynthetic gene clusters for secondary metabolites of interest. The study highlights a new analysis method that pinpointed candidate genes for diverse compounds, providing potential tools for improving biofuel production.

SourceDOE/Joint Genome Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 11, 2018

Undetectable=Untransmittable: Gay/bisexual men are skeptical but attitudes are on the rise

A study by Dr. Jonathon Rendina and Dr. Jeffrey Parsons found that 70% of HIV-positive and 36% of HIV-negative men perceive the 'Undetectable = Untransmittable' message as accurate, with rates increasing since earlier studies. Regular testing and PrEP use are associated with higher accuracy perceptions.

SourceThe City University of New York·JournalJournal of the International AIDS Society·DateJan 11, 2018

The Lancet Oncology: Survival for young women treated for breast cancer is the same whether or not they carry a BRCA mutation

A prospective cohort study found that young women diagnosed with breast cancer who carry a BRCA mutation have the same chances of survival as women without the mutation. After treatment, women with early breast cancer and BRCA mutations do not have a significant difference in overall survival compared to those without the mutation.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateJan 11, 2018

Cycling does not damage men's sexual or urinary functions

A new study published in The Journal of Urology found that cycling does not negatively impact men's sexual and urinary health. Contrary to previous studies, recreational and intense cycling were shown to have no detrimental effects on erectile function or prostate health.

SourceElsevier·JournalThe Journal of Urology·DateJan 11, 2018

Re-programming innate immune cells to fight tuberculosis

A team of Canadian researchers has discovered a way to re-program innate immune cells to kill tuberculosis. The innovative work aims to make vaccines more effective against TB and other infectious diseases like the flu. By targeting stem cells in the bone marrow, scientists were able to boost the killing efficiency of macrophages.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCell·DateJan 11, 2018

Experts raise concerns over raw meat diets for cats and dogs

A study published in Veterinary Record found that commercial raw meat diets (RMDs) are contaminated with zoonotic bacteria and parasites, which can be transmitted to humans. The research highlights the need for pet owners to be aware of these risks and take proper hygiene measures to minimize exposure.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalVeterinary Record·DateJan 11, 2018

Older adult-friendly emergency department staff help reduce hospital admissions

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older adults who received transitional care nurse (TCN) services at emergency departments had lower rates of hospital admissions compared to those who did not receive such services. The GEDI WISE program, which includes TCNs, helps patients transition to the...

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJan 11, 2018

Do less harm: E-cigarettes a safer option than smoking

A new study suggests that e-cigarettes can reduce premature deaths and life years lost compared to smoking, making them a promising alternative for smoking cessation. The authors argue that harm minimization is essential and that nicotine replacement therapies like gum or patches are more appealing but less effective.

SourceNew York University·JournalAnnual Review of Public Health·DateJan 11, 2018