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Science News for July 30, 2018


Largest king penguin colony has shrunk nearly 90 percent

The largest king penguin colony on Île aux Cochons has plummeted in size by nearly 90%, with researchers attributing the decline to climate change and vegetation encroachment. Satellite images reveal that the colony's population began declining in the late 1990s, coinciding with a major climatic event related to El Niño.

SourceCNRS·JournalAntarctic Science·DateJul 30, 2018

What keeps the brain awake

A subset of dopaminergic neurons are inhibited during the day by light-responsive neuropeptide Pigment Dispersing Factor (PDF) and its receptor (PDFR), promoting wakefulness. High daytime levels of PDF increase daytime sleep, while reducing PDFR expression decreases daytime sleep.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateJul 30, 2018

Peste des petits ruminants: a model for use in eradicating the disease

Researchers developed a dynamic model to simulate virus spread and conducted a national serological study to assess transmission levels and vaccine coverage required. The results suggest that certain pastoral production systems act as virus reservoirs, emphasizing the need for adapted vaccination strategies in high-risk populations.

SourceCirad·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 30, 2018

New approach to terpene syntheses

Chemists at the University of Basel have developed a novel synthesis method for terpenes that uses molecular capsules to mimic nature. The method significantly reduces the number of steps and improves yield in the synthesis process.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Catalysis·DateJul 30, 2018

Brain game doesn't offer brain gain

Researchers debunk claims that brain training games improve working memory and cognitive skills, finding no transfer between trained and untrained tasks. The study's findings support previous research showing that getting good at one game does not enhance IQ or working memory.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateJul 30, 2018

Injectable trace minerals improve oxidative stress after aflatoxin challenge in dairy cows

A new study found that injectable trace minerals alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress in lactating Holstein cows exposed to aflatoxin. The researchers discovered that the minerals increased liver concentrations of selenium and iron and boosted serum glutathione peroxidase activity.

Plate tectonics not needed to sustain life

A computer model of a planet's lifecycle reveals stagnant lid planets can sustain liquid water and potentially life for billions of years. The presence and amount of heat-producing elements are key indicators of habitability, according to Penn State researchers.

SourcePenn State·JournalAstrobiology·DateJul 30, 2018

Better way found to determine the integrity of metals

A new AI model developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo can accurately detect atomic structures in metals, leading to greater confidence in determining their integrity. The system uses deep learning and generates images of defects to produce a highly effective algorithm for identifying various types of crystal structures.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 30, 2018

Lasers write better anodes

Researchers at KAUST have developed a laser-based process to create three-dimensional hard carbon anodes with improved conductivity and capacity for sodium-ion batteries. This breakthrough enables the mass production of high-performance anodes, paving the way for widespread adoption of sodium-ion batteries in energy storage applications.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateJul 30, 2018

Extreme conditions in semiconductors

Researchers from the Universities of Konstanz and Paderborn have successfully demonstrated Wannier-Stark localization in a high-purity gallium arsenide crystal. This state results in drastic changes to the electronic structure of the crystal, leading to extreme optical nonlinearity and potential chemical reactivity.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 30, 2018

Supercomputing the 'how' of chemical reactions

The Atesins used supercomputers at the Texas Advanced Computing Center to study organometallic compounds and understand the structure of a palladium catalyst. Their research revealed that the most stable form of the molecule is chair-shaped, and repulsion between this conformation and the substrate dictates the final product.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalComputational and Theoretical Chemistry·DateJul 30, 2018

Poor mental health days may cost the economy billions of dollars

A study by Penn State researchers found that poor mental health days can lead to a 1.84% drop in per capita real income growth rate, resulting in $53 billion less total income each year. Investing in mental health resources may help mitigate these effects, particularly in rural counties with limited access to services.

SourcePenn State·JournalReview of Regional Studies·DateJul 30, 2018

New electrocatalyst developed for ORR

A team of researchers from Beihang University has fabricated a new type of nonprecious metal-based electrocatalyst, VNQD-NG, for oxygen reduction reaction. The material exhibits high electrocatalytic activity, long durability, and high selectivity for ORR.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalNANO·DateJul 30, 2018

Nano-optic endoscope sees deep into tissue at high resolution

Researchers have developed a new class of endoscopic imaging catheters that overcome the limitations of current systems, achieving higher resolution and functionality. The nano-optic endoscope incorporates metalenses into its design, enabling high-resolution imaging at extended depth of focus without complex optical components.

Climate taxes on agriculture could lead to more food insecurity than climate change itself

A new IIASA-led research suggests that climate mitigation schemes in agriculture could lead to more widespread hunger and food insecurity than the direct impacts of climate change. The study highlights the need for smarter, inclusive policies that prioritize development goals alongside emissions reduction.

Australia facing increased intense rain storms

A landmark study by Newcastle University researchers finds that heavy, short rain storms are intensifying rapidly in Australia, leading to increased flash flood and urban flooding risks. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, shows that these extreme events are substantially larger than expected under climate change.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJul 30, 2018

ASU research finds silicon-based, tandem photovoltaic modules can compete in solar market

New solar energy research from Arizona State University demonstrates that silicon-based tandem photovoltaic modules can become increasingly attractive in the US market, with potential to reduce costs and increase efficiency. The study found that 32% efficient anticipated tandem modules can cost more than three times that of projected 2...

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Energy·DateJul 30, 2018

In a Weyl thermopile

Physicists at the University of Tokyo have discovered a new method to generate electricity in special materials called Weyl magnets, exploiting temperature gradients. This could lead to the creation of low-power, low-maintenance electronic devices.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 30, 2018

Study: Student loans hamper wealth accumulation among black, Hispanic adults

A new study suggests that student loans hinder wealth accumulation among black and Hispanic adults. By age 30, these individuals had significantly lower net worth ($36,000) and financial assets ($11,780), compared to their peers without debt. The study highlights the importance of college education in building wealth among minority you...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalChildren and Youth Services Review·DateJul 30, 2018

Diversity and education influence India's population growth

A new study suggests that incorporating regional differences into population projection models in India can significantly impact projected population growth. The research highlights the importance of considering education level, which is associated with lower fertility rates, in determining population projections.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 30, 2018

Researchers reveal hidden rules of genetics for how life on Earth began

Researchers from University of North Carolina and University of Auckland have made a significant advance in resolving the mystery of genetic translation. Their analysis reveals previously hidden rules by which key translational molecules interact, suggesting that simpler ancestors of these molecules worked together at the dawn of life.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJul 30, 2018

Songi Han to receive 2019 BPS Innovation Award

Songi Han is recognized for her inventions of solid-state and time-domain-capable dynamic nuclear polarization instrumentation, advancing fundamental understanding of surface water properties in biological materials. Her work characterizes surface water in soft materials, contributing to our knowledge of biological hydration.

Looking inside the lithium battery's black box

Researchers at Columbia University have used Stimulated Raman Scattering microscopy to directly observe ion transport in electrolytes for the first time. They discovered a lithium deposition process with three stages: no depletion, partial depletion, and full depletion of lithium ions. The study also found a feedback mechanism between ...

Researchers in China link dangerous foodborne pathogen to centipedes

Researchers detected the Angiostrongylus cantonensis parasite in two patients in a Chinese hospital who consumed raw wild centipedes, linking it to foodborne illnesses. The parasite can cause meningitis, paralysis, and death, and has been found in snails, giant African land snails, and other regions.

SourceBurness·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateJul 30, 2018