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Science News for July 24, 2018


Chance of being prescribed opioids for minor injury differs dramatically by where you live

A new study found significant geographic variability in opioid prescribing patterns for minor injuries, with patients in high-prescribing states receiving up to three times more prescriptions than those in low-prescribing states. Reducing unnecessary prescribing could lead to 18,000 fewer opioid tablets being prescribed.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJul 24, 2018

Researchers find new way to target flu virus

A team of researchers from Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine has discovered a weak link in the flu virus protein hemagglutinin that could be targeted by therapeutic drugs. By analyzing the protein's mechanism of attachment to host cells, they propose a new approach for developing universal vaccines.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 24, 2018

Border wall threatens biodiversity

A study published in BioScience warns that the Mexico-US border wall could lead to the extinction of over 1,500 native animal and plant species in the US. The construction of physical barriers disrupts annual or seasonal migration and dispersal routes, causing habitat fragmentation, soil erosion, and changes in fire regimes.

SourceStanford University·JournalBioScience·DateJul 24, 2018

UCLA biologist works to create a new field, merging the sciences and architecture

Noa Pinter-Wollman's research aims to create a new field of study combining biology, psychology, and architecture to improve human health, teamwork, and collective behavior. The new field has implications for designing healthy environments, such as buildings and communities, that promote well-being.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateJul 24, 2018

Intestinal virus study shows major changes associated with inflammatory bowel disease

Researchers discovered altered intestinal phage communities in mice with colitis, which overlapped with healthy human phages, suggesting a potential role in IBD. The study also found specific phages linked to disease-causing bacteria, highlighting the need for further investigation into viral contributions to inflammatory diseases.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJul 24, 2018

Made-to-measure silicon building blocks

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have created a new process to produce highly functionalized organochlorosilanes, ideal crosslinkers for various applications. The process enables the production of inorganic-organic hybrid materials with unique properties.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 24, 2018

Antibiotic resistance in a leech's gut

Research by UConn microbiologists found that tiny amounts of antibiotics in chicken blood can encourage bacterial resistance. The study used leeches as a perfect test case and discovered that low levels of ciprofloxacin in poultry blood were selecting for antibiotic-resistant Aeromonas bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalmBio·DateJul 24, 2018

Plenty of habitat for bears in Europe

A new study reveals that there are still many areas in Europe where brown bears could live, but with suitable habitat for hosting the species. The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg have identified over 380,000 square kilometres of potential bear habitat, offering a ...

High glucose spikes are common in 'healthy' people

Continuous glucose monitoring in healthy participants showed that large fluctuations in blood glucose occur more commonly than expected. Researchers identified three distinct glucose behaviors: low, moderate, and severe, with certain foods causing significant spikes. The study aims to provide actionable advice to shift individuals towa...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJul 24, 2018

Surrey develops new crime fighting algorithm that could predict reoccurring illegal activity

Researchers developed an Ensemble Poisson Kalman Filter (EnPKF) algorithm that combines urban crime data and ETAS model for real-time forecasts on crime rates and predicted hotspots. The algorithm has been tested on over 1000 violent gang crimes in Los Angeles, showing promise as a tool to support law enforcement

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalComputational Statistics & Data Analysis·DateJul 24, 2018

Latest stevia research published in Journal of Nutrition

The latest stevia research published in the Journal of Nutrition explores stevia's science, safety and health benefits. The study provides a comprehensive overview of stevia's metabolism, dietary exposure, impact on blood glucose and insulin concentrations, as well as its potential for future applications.

SourcePureCircle·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateJul 24, 2018

Scientists unlock the properties of new 2D material

Researchers successfully created the first experimental realization and structural investigation of single-layer VS2, revealing its unique electronic properties. The team discovered a new vanadium sulphide compound with similar stoichiometry to single-layer VS2, raising hopes for two-dimensional magnetism.

SourceIOP Publishing·Journal2D Materials·DateJul 24, 2018

Recycling provides manufacturers with real competitive and economic advantages, study says

A study by Indiana University Kelley School of Business researchers found that recycling can be a strategic supply source for manufacturers, resulting in cost savings per unit, higher quantities, and greater profits. Recycling rare materials like tungsten can insulate manufacturers from market volatility and increase their competitive ...

SourceIndiana University·JournalProduction and Operations Management·DateJul 24, 2018

Statement by Jefferson Lab, Brookhaven Lab and the EIC users community on National Academy of Sciences electron-ion collider report

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report concludes that an EIC is essential to answering fundamental questions about the building blocks of matter. The collider will enable unique scientific discoveries with implications for particle physics, astrophysics, and other fields.

Experts band together to eradicate prostate cancer

A team of scientists has developed a faster and more accurate way to test new treatments for the most aggressive form of prostate cancer. Lab-grown tumours derived from donor patient tumours enable researchers to test drug combinations quickly and efficiently, identifying those that cause the most striking reduction in tumour growth.

SourceMonash University·JournalEuropean Urology·DateJul 24, 2018

Bigfoot was a dinosaur

An international team of researchers has confirmed that Brachiosaurus dinosaurs inhabited the US region, including the largest dinosaur foot ever found. The discovery was made in Wyoming and measured over 4 meters high at its hip.

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ·DateJul 24, 2018

Where Martian dust comes from

Scientists have discovered that Mars' massive dust storms originate from a single geological formation near the equator. This vast deposit, called the Medusae Fossae Formation, has been eroding over time and polluting the planet with fine, powdery dust particles.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 24, 2018

Transplanted kidney survives longer

A recent study by KU Leuven researchers reveals that the lifespan of transplanted kidneys has stagnated despite improvements in the past. The study analyzed data from over 100,000 recipients across Europe and found that the average lifespan of a transplanted kidney is now around 15-20 years.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalKidney International·DateJul 24, 2018

Empathetic dogs lend a helping paw

Research shows that dogs that remain calm and exhibit empathy during their owner's distress help out faster. Therapy dogs performed as well as other dogs in opening doors, highlighting the importance of traits like obedience over human-animal bonding.

SourceSpringer·JournalLearning & Behavior·DateJul 24, 2018

No sign of symmetrons

Researchers at TU Wien use the PF2 ultra-cold neutron source to test the existence of symmetrons, a theory that could explain dark matter. The experiment excludes a broad range of parameter values, but the team is cautious and seeks further measurements or discoveries.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 24, 2018

Study explores risk factors linked to chikungunya and dengue outbreaks

A large-scale study of chikungunya and dengue outbreaks over 50 years revealed that population density and neighboring outbreak countries are key risk factors for new outbreaks. The research suggests focusing resources on densely populated areas near existing outbreaks to mitigate the spread of these mosquito-borne diseases.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalSpatial and Spatio-temporal Epidemiology·DateJul 24, 2018