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Science News for July 23, 2018


Children of mothers with type 1 diabetes have a higher body mass index

A large study found that children of mothers with type 1 diabetes have a significantly higher body mass index, waist circumference, and fasting blood glucose level. The researchers suggest that pediatricians should monitor these children for early warning signs of the condition.

Material formed from crab shells and trees could replace flexible plastic packaging

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have created a material derived from crab shells and tree fibers that can replace flexible plastic packaging. The new material shows up to a 67% reduction in oxygen permeability compared to traditional PET packaging, making it a promising alternative for food preservation.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateJul 23, 2018

Birth study empowers pregnant women

A QUT-led study found that women who received continuity of care, lived outside major cities, and had minimal medical intervention during labor were more likely to have a 'normal' birth. The research aims to empower pregnant women with the information they need to make informed decisions about their maternity care.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth·DateJul 23, 2018

A year in words

A recent study by University of Miami psychologists found that vulnerable children benefit from interactions with their peers and teachers to develop literacy skills and social-emotional growth. The research reveals the significance of back-and-forth conversations between teachers and children in language development.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 23, 2018

WSU researcher sees possibility of moon life

Researchers Dirk Schulze-Makuch and Ian Crawford suggest two periods when Earth's Moon was habitable for simple lifeforms, including during its formation and a peak in volcanic activity around 3.5 billion years ago. Conditions were suitable for liquid water and an atmosphere to form on the lunar surface.

SourceWashington State University·JournalAstrobiology·DateJul 23, 2018

A promising approach to translational research on stem cells for Parkinson's disease

Researchers explore two approaches to stem cell therapy for Parkinson's disease, one using patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells and the other utilizing parthenogenetic-derived neural stem cells. The latter approach offers advantages in terms of reduced immunogenicity and evasion of ethical issues surrounding embryos.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateJul 23, 2018

Writing the future of rewritable memory

Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a new, atomic-scale rewritable memory that can store 45 million songs on the surface of a quarter. This breakthrough technology can withstand normal temperatures and is road-ready for commercial use, promising to revolutionize data storage and archival.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 23, 2018

Blindness gene discovered

UNIGE researchers identified a new gene, MARK3, as the cause of a recessive genetic disorder leading to childhood blindness. The discovery enables accurate diagnosis and may lead to personalized treatment options.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateJul 23, 2018

The Scream: What were those colorful, wavy clouds in Edvard Munch's famous painting?

Researchers at Rutgers University suggest that nacreous clouds with iridescent colors may have inspired the iconic red-and-yellow sky in Edvard Munch's The Scream. The study provides a detailed analysis of cloud patterns and color content in relation to volcanic sunsets, potentially linking Munch's painting to these atmospheric phenomena.

SourceRutgers University·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateJul 23, 2018

If only A.I. had a brain

Researchers developed an artificial synapse inspired by the human brain, which efficiently processes information and demonstrates excellent energy efficiency. This breakthrough could lead to the development of energy-efficient neuromorphic computing, revolutionizing AI devices and transforming industries.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 23, 2018

Environmental changes in the Mekong Delta spell trouble for farmers

The Mekong Delta is experiencing environmental changes that threaten the livelihoods of its 15 million people, with rising sea levels and droughts affecting agricultural productivity. The delta's unique ecosystem is being disrupted by dam-building upstream and climate change, leading to saltwater intrusions and reduced sedimentation.

Study finds flushing water lines protects inconsistently and may increase lead exposure

Research by LSU Health New Orleans School of Public Health found that flushing water lines may not be effective in reducing lead levels, potentially increasing exposure to children. The study suggests that certified water filters and more proactive interventions may be needed to protect children from lead in drinking water.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJul 23, 2018

'Stable marriages' between microbes, nutrients may explain diverse yet stable communities

Researchers created a mathematical model to understand microbial community stability, diversity, and reproducibility. They found that cross-feeding processes and nutrient consumption levels contribute to the emergence of multiple levels of consumption, promoting higher diversity and stability.

A new 'periodic table' for nanomaterials

Researchers created a machine learning technique to categorize different molecules based on the nano-sized shapes they form. The approach could help materials scientists identify suitable precursor molecules for synthesizing target nanomaterials.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 23, 2018

Unwrapping the brewing secrets of barley

Researchers at the University of Adelaide found a link between enzymes involved in malt production and a specific tissue layer within barley grains. The study showed that grains with more aleurone had increased enzyme activity, which could lead to improved brewing processes and new malts.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 23, 2018

Exhaled e-vapor particles evaporate in seconds -- new study

A new study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that exhaled e-vapor particles are liquid droplets that evaporate within seconds, returning to background levels rapidly. This reinforces the evidence that vaping has a minimal impact on indoor air quality compared to smoking conventional cigarettes.

SourceFontem Ventures·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateJul 23, 2018

Model fuses social media, remote sensing data with goal of identifying nuclear threats

The model uses mathematical equations to translate incompatible data streams into a neutral format, enabling comparison and analysis of satellite imagery and social media posts. Researchers tested the model using data from a 2013 flood in Colorado, resolving incompatibility issues and accurately estimating flooding locations.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing·DateJul 23, 2018

Warming alters predator-prey interactions in the Arctic

New research from Washington University in St. Louis found that warming conditions can alter the way wolf spiders interact with their prey, including springtails and fungi, leading to changes in ecosystem processes like decomposition. This shift could potentially alleviate some impacts of global warming on carbon losses from the tundra.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 23, 2018

Study provides insight into how dying neurons control eating behaviors of the brain microglia

Researchers discovered that brain microglia clearance activity in different regions goes hand in hand with natural neuronal degeneration. Microglia can mistakenly attack healthy neurons if their 'eating' behavior is turned on inappropriately, leading to cellular changes associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Noise on kids' hospital wards at night exceeds recommended maximum

A study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that noise on children's medical wards at night exceeds the World Health Organization's recommended maximum limit. Children and their parents experienced significantly less sleep than when sleeping at home, with an average loss of over an hour.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·DateJul 23, 2018

Breakthrough in battle against type 2 diabetes

Experts from the University of Stirling have made a breakthrough in understanding how people respond to lifestyle treatment for preventing Type 2 diabetes. A new genomic signature has been discovered that indicates improved insulin sensitivity in individuals whose Type 2 diabetes status improves following a treatment intervention.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJul 23, 2018

In Southern Mozambique, only half of people diagnosed with HIV enroll in medical care

In Southern Mozambique, half of those diagnosed with HIV do not enroll in medical care. The study highlights the need to develop interventions to facilitate access to care and treatment among this population. Only 44% attend a medical visit three months after diagnosis, while 25% initiate antiretroviral treatment.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalJAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes·DateJul 23, 2018

Giant neurons in the brain may play similarly giant role in awareness and cognition

Research from Rockefeller University reveals that giant neurons in the brainstem, called nucleus gigantocellularis, express genes linked to nitric oxide production and blood vessel relaxation. This discovery supports their role in initiating behavior and potentially understanding psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder and ADHD.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 23, 2018

Immune response of Ebola survivors

Researchers identified cytotoxic T cell responses to Ebola-specific proteins in 26 Sierra Leonean survivors, suggesting a vaccine targeting both viral nucleoprotein and glycoprotein could elicit cell-mediated immunity. The study provides insights into the immune response of Ebola survivors and potential strategies for vaccine development.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 23, 2018

Ytterbium: The quantum memory of tomorrow

Researchers at UNIGE have discovered ytterbium, a rare earth element that can store and protect quantum information even at high frequencies. The material's properties make it an ideal candidate for future quantum networks, where the aim is to propagate signals over long distances by acting as repeaters.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 23, 2018

Detecting damage in non-magnetic steel with the help of magnetism

Scientists from JGU and the University of Kaiserslautern have developed a process to apply a thin magnetic layer to steel, allowing for the detection of microstructural changes by changes in magnetic effects. This method has the advantage of detecting signs of fatigue much earlier than conventional testing procedures.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalJournal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials·DateJul 23, 2018

Honeybee pheromones safely repel elephants, study finds

A study conducted at Kruger park in South Africa found that honeybee pheromones safely repel elephants, showing promise for a safe elephant management tool. The pheromone-laden socks were effective in deterring elephants from approaching water holes, with 25 of 29 elephants moving away after getting close enough to smell the formulation.

SourceISCA, Inc.·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 23, 2018

Humans, climate, and fire regimes

A study analyzed prairie fire charcoal deposits to examine fire activity over the last millennium in Montana, revealing high activity during 1100-1650 CE and a strong link between humans and climate on fire regimes. Climate records showed that more than half of the fire deposits coincided with modest or short wet periods.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 23, 2018

NIST unblinded me with science: New application of blue light sees through fire

Researchers at NIST demonstrate a new method for visualizing objects engulfed by large gas fires using ordinary blue light. This technique improves the accuracy of material testing by reducing image distortion and enhancing signal clarity. The study has potential applications in fire-resistance standards testing and could lead to more ...

Overnight brain stimulation improves memory

Researchers have found that non-invasive brain stimulation during sleep can improve memory consolidation and generalization. The study used a closed-loop transcranial alternating current stimulation system to synchronize brain activity during slow-wave oscillations, leading to enhanced performance in detecting targets in novel situations.