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Science News Archive January 2018 - Page 3


Page 3 of 37

An outdoor cat can damage your sustainability cred

A new study reveals that allowing pets to roam outdoors can lead to a decrease in perceived environmental friendliness among bird lovers on social media. Even though property owners exhibit sustainable practices, those with outdoor cats are judged less environmentally concerned.

SourceCornell University·JournalGroup Processes & Intergroup Relations·DateJan 30, 2018

Viruses prefer cultivated areas to natural areas

A study by international scientists found that viruses cluster in genetically similar organisms and agricultural land, leading to a higher prevalence of viral infections. The research also reveals a vast number of viruses in the natural compartment, which can inform the emergence of plant diseases.

SourceCirad·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateJan 30, 2018

Long-term opioid use has dropped among US military veterans

A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that long-term opioid prescribing among US military veterans decreased by 30% between 2010 and 2016. The decline was largely due to a reduction in long-term opioid use, rather than a decrease in short-term use.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJan 30, 2018

Direct-to-implant breast reconstruction provides good results in older women

A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction in women over 65 resulted in good outcomes, including similar complication rates to tissue expander implant (TEI) reconstruction. The DTI approach also showed fewer hospital readmissions and reduced total hospital stay days.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateJan 30, 2018

A crystal method

UCSB researchers have developed a computational method to predict the growth rates of ionic crystals, which may save time and energy in industrial processes. The method uses transition path sampling to understand the events leading up to the transition state, providing insights into the role of water molecules and ion interactions.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 30, 2018

The fight against tooth decay gets help with a new smart material from U of T researchers

Researchers at U of T have designed a new antimicrobial material to minimize recurrent caries under fillings, affecting 100 million patients annually. The novel material packs 50 times more bacteria-fighting drugs than traditional options, offering a potential solution to this common dental problem.

Running away from carbon dioxide: The terminal connection

Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute identify a neuronal pathway that enables zebrafish to avoid carbon dioxide. The team found that the trigeminal sensory neurons and the habenula play critical roles in detecting carbon dioxide. These findings shed light on the neurobiology behind avoidance behaviors in animals.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 30, 2018

Research paves the way for the development of vaccines for emerging viruses

Scientists from Brazil and Senegal discovered the gene responsible for the mild effects of West Nile lineage 8, which could be used to develop a vaccine against more virulent lineages. The researchers found that the substitution P122S induces mutations linked to low replication rates, making it an ideal candidate for a vaccine.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJan 30, 2018

Expert panel issues new guidelines for lung cancer molecular testing

The new guidelines update the 2013 recommendations to include genetic alterations driving lung cancer and new drugs to target these alterations. Testing for ROS1 in all cases of lung adenocarcinoma is now recommended, as well as using circulating tumor DNA and cytology specimens when tissue is unavailable.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalArchives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine·DateJan 30, 2018

Your brain reveals who your friends are

A Dartmouth study found that neural responses to videos can predict friendships, with friends exhibiting the most similar brain activity patterns. The researchers analyzed over 280 graduate students and discovered that even controlling for variables, similarity in neural activity among friends remained evident.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 30, 2018

UK chalk-stream salmon genetically unique

Research by the University of Exeter and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust has discovered that UK chalk-stream salmon are genetically unique. The study found distinct differences between chalk and non-chalk salmon, but little genetic differentiation within chalk-stream populations.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Fish Biology·DateJan 30, 2018

Bringing water to the fountain of youth

A new study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution has found that recombination between the X and Y chromosomes takes place in sex-reversed XY females, helping to maintain the Y chromosome. This discovery challenges conventional views of sex-chromosome evolution and provides strong support for the 'fountain of youth' hypothesis.

Safeguarding children when sentencing mothers

A study by Dr Shona Minson explores the lived experience of children whose mothers are imprisoned, revealing negative impacts on their relationships, education, health, and wellbeing. The research highlights the importance of considering child dependents in sentencing decisions to safeguard their welfare.