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Science News for July 11, 2018


The secret life of lobster (trade): Could we be in hot water?

A recent study maps the global trade routes for lobster, revealing that a growing number of nations are acting as middlemen, making it difficult to trace seafood origins and anticipate market demand changes. The Asian market, particularly China, appears to be significantly larger than previously thought, putting Maine's industry at risk.

SourceUniversity of Maine·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateJul 11, 2018

Cleaning out pollen shells (video)

Researchers at Texas Tech University have created a simple method to clean out pollen grains, making them suitable for carrying medicines or vaccines. The new technique works on various types of pollen and can be used to deliver drugs or vaccines efficiently.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering·DateJul 11, 2018

Eradicate rats to bolster coral reefs

New research highlights the critical impact of invasive rats on coral reef ecosystems, leading to severe ecological harm. Rat eradication is proposed as a high conservation priority to restore seabird-derived nutrient subsidies, benefiting terrestrial ecosystems and coral reefs.

SourceLancaster University·JournalNature·DateJul 11, 2018

The highly complex sugarcane genome has finally been sequenced

The sugarcane genome has been sequenced using a novel method that leverages colinearity with the sorghum genome, enabling molecular screening techniques for breeding and biomass production. The reference sequence obtained is of high quality, revolutionizing genomic and genetic approaches for sugarcane species.

SourceCirad·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 11, 2018

Combination treatment fortifies the aging immune system

A combination treatment has safely enhanced the ability of the immune system to fight infections in the elderly, reducing their incidence by a year. The treatment, which inhibits TORC1 protein complex, showed improved immune response towards seasonal influenza vaccine, paving the way for therapies targeting infectious diseases.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 11, 2018

Study analyzes opioid overdose risk during and after pregnancy among Massachusetts women

A Massachusetts-based study found that opioid overdose events decreased during pregnancy but increased in the postpartum period, particularly when fewer resources were available to mothers with substance use disorder. The research team developed a unique dataset linking statewide resources and found that women with opioid use disorder ...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateJul 11, 2018

Tiny fern holds big environmental promise

Researchers have sequenced the genome of a tiny fern species, Azolla filiculoides, which has been found to have significant environmental applications. The fern's unique gene provides insect resistance and can be used as a sustainable fertilizer, while its symbiotic relationship with cyanobacteria allows for nitrogen fixation.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Plants·DateJul 11, 2018

Why are neuron axons long and spindly? Study shows they're optimizing signaling efficiency

Researchers at UC San Diego have found that axon geometry is crucial in information flow, with a 'refraction ratio' of 0.92 indicating optimal balance between signal latency and refractory period. This discovery has implications for understanding neurological disorders like autism and developing more brain-like artificial neural networks.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 11, 2018

Snorts indicate positive emotions in horses

Snort production is significantly associated with positive situations and internal states in horses, suggesting a potential tool for improving animal welfare practices. Horses living in naturalistic conditions emit more snorts than those in restricted environments.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 11, 2018

Centenary of cosmological constant lambda

The cosmological constant was first introduced by Einstein in 1917 to make the static universe model work. However, after the discovery of cosmic expansion, it became marginalized until recent observations and experiments revived its relevance as a key component of dark energy theory.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal H·DateJul 11, 2018

New gears in your sleep clock

Researchers find two opposing kinases regulating circadian clock, one stabilizing key protein PER2 and the other promoting its degradation. This discovery provides new targets for treating circadian disorders.

SourceKyoto University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 11, 2018

Scoping magnetic fields out for prevention

Physicists develop mathematical formula to approximate magnetic field circulation around a closed path or loop, based on Biot-Savart's law. The study provides a new approach to evaluate the effects of magnetic fields on human health and prevent exposure.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·DateJul 11, 2018

Reining in soil's nitrogen chemistry

Researchers found that coating fertilizer with maleic-itaconic polymers (MIPs) slows down urease activity, improving nitrogen availability for plants. The study suggests farmers have a choice depending on their soil's acidity, offering a potential solution to increase crop yields and reduce environmental impact.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateJul 11, 2018

Healthy diet reduces asthma symptoms

A new study published in the European Respiratory Journal found that healthy diets with high consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain cereals are characterised by better asthma outcomes. Men who ate healthier diets had a 30% lower chance of experiencing asthma symptoms.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateJul 11, 2018

Organ regeneration is no longer a distant dream

Researchers at Osaka University have clarified the cellular mechanism behind left-right asymmetric organ morphogenesis using live imaging and computer simulations. The team discovered that 'cell sliding' is essential for this process, which may lead to breakthroughs in regenerating organs with tubular structures.

Intimate partner violence doesn't end with the relationship

A University at Buffalo social work researcher identifies four key barriers to forming new relationships for women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV), including vulnerability, shame, low self-esteem, and communication issues. Her study highlights the need for resources to support survivors in moving beyond abusive rel...

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Interpersonal Violence·DateJul 11, 2018

How a Mediterranean diet could reduce osteoporosis

A Mediterranean-type diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil reduced hip bone loss in people with osteoporosis within 12 months. The study, involving over 1,000 participants, showed a significant increase in bone density at the femoral neck. This could be a welcome addition to current drug treatments for osteoporosis.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJul 11, 2018

Healthier hearts equal healthier guts

A new study by San Francisco State University found that exercise increases beneficial bacteria in the gut, leading to improved cardiovascular fitness. The study, which analyzed stool samples from 20 men and 17 women, revealed a higher ratio of firmicutes to bacteroides bacteria in those with better cardiovascular health.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalInternational Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism·DateJul 11, 2018

Rise of the clones

Researchers at Harvard Medical School identified inherited and acquired mutations that drive clonal hematopoiesis, an age-related white blood cell condition linked with higher risk of certain blood cancers and cardiovascular disease. The study found that inherited genetic variants can influence the acquisition of later-life mutations.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateJul 11, 2018

Database analysis more reliable than animal testing for toxic chemicals

A study published in Toxicological Sciences suggests that computer algorithms can predict toxic properties of chemicals more accurately than standard animal tests. The researchers developed a large database of known chemicals and used machine-learning algorithms to create a map of chemical structures and their associated toxic properties.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalToxicological Sciences·DateJul 11, 2018

Measuring the effects of drugs on cancer cells

Researchers at the University of Zurich have developed a new method to quickly test various anti-cancer drugs and treatment combinations at the cellular level. The approach has revealed how PARP inhibitors work in cancer cells by locking their target protein in an inactive state, leading to DNA damage and cell death.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 11, 2018

Study examines emergency department suicide prevention intervention

A study examining emergency department suicide prevention intervention found that a safety planning program reduced suicidal behavior and increased likelihood of attending mental health treatment. The program, which included personalized identification of warning signs, coping skills, and social supports, was associated with improved o...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJul 11, 2018

Taming a fatal blood cancer

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have found a potential therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a deadly blood cancer with a dismal survival rate. By targeting the F-box protein Skp2, they were able to kill AML cells and induce healthy white blood cell regeneration in preclinical tests.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJul 11, 2018

Living in greener neighborhoods is associated with slower cognitive decline in elderly

A 10-year follow-up of 6,500 people found that those living in greener neighborhoods experienced a slower rate of cognitive decline compared to those living in less green areas. The study suggests that exposure to urban environmental hazards can have negative effects on mental capacity after aging.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateJul 11, 2018

Rhino sperm from the cold

Scientists have developed a new cryoprotective mixture that significantly improves the motility of frozen rhinoceros sperm after thawing. The new mixture has been successfully tested with sperm samples from three rhino species and shows potential for increasing the success rate of artificial insemination.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 11, 2018

New study in electric fish reveals brain mechanisms for distinguishing self from other

Researchers at Columbia University identified neural-circuit activity in electric fish that enables the brain to tune out self-generated signals, allowing animals to focus on external stimuli. This mechanism may inform studies of sensory disorders like tinnitus, which disrupts the brain's ability to cancel out self-generated sounds.

Why randomized trials for proton therapy are difficult to complete (and what we can do about it)

The seven randomized trials funded by NCI and PCORI are enrolling slowly due to commercial insurance policies not covering proton therapy. Researchers propose a coalition approach involving insurers, centers, hospitals, vendors, and advocates to establish coverage for trial participation. The trials will compare cancer control and side...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJul 11, 2018

The Lancet Psychiatry: Automated virtual reality-based psychological therapy may help reduce fear of heights

A randomised controlled trial found that automated virtual reality therapy can be as effective as exposure to real-life heights in reducing fear, with participants reporting a significant reduction in fear levels after treatment. The study provides proof of concept for future psychological interventions and could increase access to men...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·DateJul 11, 2018

CRISPR's growing pains

Recent studies have raised safety concerns over CRISPR's precision in human cell lines, but companies are forging ahead with therapies. The technology makes double-stranded breaks at specific sites in DNA to repair defective genes.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJul 11, 2018