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Science News for January 18, 2018


Crystal clear

The KAUST team has developed a methodology for acquiring atomic-resolution images of beam-sensitive materials, such as metal organic frameworks, using transmission electron microscopy. This enables the precise alignment and determination of defocus values, reducing the procedure to a near-routine process.

Root discovery may lead to crops that need less fertilizer

Researchers have discovered a way for plants to acquire phosphorus more efficiently by suppressing secondary root growth in favor of primary root growth. This trait allows plants to explore a greater volume of soil and acquire more phosphorus, making it beneficial for farmers growing in nutrient-poor soils.

SourcePenn State·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·DateJan 18, 2018

Packing a genome, step-by-step

Researchers have solved a biological mystery by detailing the step-by-step process of genome folding, which involves coiling up long chromosome tangles and twisting them into spiral staircase structures. The study provides an efficient packing strategy that explains how cells can reliably bundle their chromosomes during cell division.

Researchers find post-fire logging harms spotted owls

Researchers have found that post-fire logging operations are responsible for declines in spotted owl territory occupancy, contradicting previous reports of large forest fires. The study suggests that preserving natural processes and reducing human disturbance can help protect this imperiled species.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalNature Conservation·DateJan 18, 2018

Using electricity to switch magnetism

Scientists have successfully controlled magnetic oscillations of certain ferrous materials using electrical fields, enabling faster and more precise data storage. This breakthrough has huge implications for future electronics applications, where magnetic effects are currently difficult to write and store.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 18, 2018

How did we evolve to live longer?

Researchers at Newcastle University found that a small adaptation in the protein p62 helps cells respond to stress and activate autophagy, a process that removes damaged components from cells. This discovery could help explain why humans have increased natural defenses and longer lifespans compared to other organisms.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 18, 2018

Crop failure in the Andes

Researchers found that even small temperature increases can lead to near-total crop failure due to invasive pests. Farmers lack resources to adapt to climate change, putting millions of people at risk of food insecurity.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJan 18, 2018

Four to beam up

Jefferson Lab's Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) successfully delivered beams to all four experimental halls for the first time. This milestone enables researchers to conduct more complex studies and maximize research output, potentially leading to breakthroughs in nuclear physics.

New blood protein markers help track premature ageing disease

A new study has identified protein biomarkers that can help monitor the progression and treatment of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) in children. The research found levels of more than 40% of proteins to be significantly different in HGPS samples compared to non-HGPS control samples.

SourceSpringer·JournalPediatric Research·DateJan 18, 2018

Hybridization can give rise to different genome combinations

Swedish researchers study hybridization of Italian sparrows from Crete, Corsica, Sicily and Malta, finding independent events between house sparrow and Spanish sparrow. The populations have distinct genetic compositions due to limitations on genetic combinations, with certain genes always inherited from the house sparrow.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJan 18, 2018

How did a deadly tropical fungus get to the temperate environs of the Pacific Northwest?

A new study suggests that the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 may have led to the introduction of a deadly fungal disease, Cryptococcus gattii, into the Pacific Northwest region. The fungus, native to tropical regions, has caused outbreaks in Washington and Oregon, with symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, and confusion.

Blasting dental plaque with microbubbles

Researchers at Tohoku University developed a novel cleaning method using microbubbles to efficiently remove dental plaque from implants. The cavitating jet technique outperformed traditional water jets in removing plaque after longer exposure, particularly on hard-to-reach areas.

SourceTohoku University·JournalImplant Dentistry·DateJan 18, 2018

Bacteria under your feet

A global study reveals that only 2% of the world's bacteria species dominate soil populations, with implications for ecosystem health and climate change mitigation. The findings have important applications for agricultural soils and food productivity.

SourceEuropean Research Council·JournalScience·DateJan 18, 2018

Launch of 'DeWorm3' collection

The DeWorm3 collection presents evidence on interrupting soil-transmitted helminth (STH) transmission. Key studies evaluate the impact of biannual mass drug administration and diagnostic tool sensitivity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJan 18, 2018

New technique for finding life on Mars

Researchers develop a modular 'life detection platform' to directly detect and characterize microorganisms in extreme environments. The platform uses existing low-cost technology in new ways, enabling real-time analysis of microbial ecology and DNA sequencing.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateJan 18, 2018

Novel hypothesis on why animals diversified on Earth

A novel hypothesis proposes that animal diversification resulted from a revolution within the animals' own biology, rather than in surrounding chemistry. Cells with stem cell properties are vital for multicellular life, and tumor cells have developed mechanisms to maintain these properties despite high oxygen levels.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJan 18, 2018

Algorithm improves integration of refugees

A new algorithm developed by Stanford researchers can help resettle refugees more effectively, improving their employment success and overall integration. The algorithm analyzes historical data on refugee resettlement and assigns placements that project a 40-70% increase in employment rates compared to actual outcomes.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateJan 18, 2018

Bovine tuberculosis shows genetic diversity throughout Africa

Researchers have genotyped M. bovis samples from cattle in Mozambique, revealing a deeply geographically structured diversity of the disease. The results suggest that the diversity of M. bovis is maintained within regions through constant reinfection of animals.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJan 18, 2018

Hunter-gatherers have a special way with smells

A new study found that hunter-gatherer groups, such as the Semaq Beri, excel at naming odors with ease, while non-hunter-gatherer groups, like the Semelai, struggle. The researchers suggest that cultural practices may play a role in shaping olfactory cognition.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 18, 2018

Study examines employment trends among patients with kidney failure

A study examining employment trends among patients with kidney failure found that employment was low throughout the study period at 23-24%. Approximately 120,000 adults in the US develop kidney failure each year, a majority of whom undergo dialysis. The probability of employment in kidney failure patients increased slightly over time.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJan 18, 2018

Polymers based on boron?

Researchers at the University of Würzburg have successfully funded a project to develop boron polymers with unique properties. The team, led by Holger Braunschweig, aims to create efficient synthetic strategies to form stable boron chains, paving the way for a new class of materials.

Low-income immigrants face barriers to US citizenship

A new Stanford University study found that low-income immigrants in New York struggle to become US citizens due to high application fees. The research highlights the need for cost-effective solutions to address this barrier, such as introducing a multi-tiered fee structure and local public-private funding.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 18, 2018

Neutron-star merger yields new puzzle for astrophysicists

Astronomers studying the aftermath of a distant neutron-star merger are puzzled by the continued brightening of its afterglow, which defies initial expectations. New X-ray observations suggest a more complex emission process, potentially involving a hot 'cocoon' around a jet that shock-heated surrounding debris.

SourceMcGill University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJan 18, 2018

Research reveals atomic-level changes in ALS-linked protein

A team of researchers has described atom-by-atom changes in a family of proteins linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a group of brain disorders. The study suggests that small chemical changes can lead to big changes in assembly and disease-associated aggregation, offering new insights into disease mechanisms.

SourceBrown University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJan 18, 2018

Babies' babbling betters brains, language

New research shows that babies' babbling has a significant impact on their language development, with mothers responding more often to speech-like sounds. The study found that infants who babble more effectively learn words and vocabulary earlier in life, highlighting the importance of social feedback in language acquisition.

SourceCornell University·JournalDevelopmental Science·DateJan 18, 2018