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Science News for July 4, 2018


Shining new light on the pineal gland

Researchers discovered a genetic link between left-right brain asymmetry and melatonin production in fish, shedding light on pineal gland function. The study found that a protein called Bsx controls the development of the pineal complex, leading to disrupted sleep-wake cycles.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalDevelopment·DateJul 4, 2018

Mothers who follow five healthy habits may reduce risk of obesity in children

A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that mothers' adherence to healthy lifestyle practices can significantly lower the risk of childhood obesity. The study, which examined data from over 24,000 children and their mothers, found that following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy wei...

Expanding primary care buprenorphine treatment could curb opioid overdose crisis

Primary care physicians can play a crucial role in addressing the opioid overdose crisis by expanding access to medication-assisted treatment. Buprenorphine treatment has been shown to be effective in treating opioid use disorder, but its adoption is hindered by misconceptions and barriers. Expanding primary care buprenorphine treatmen...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 4, 2018

Volte-face: Research advises selling electric vehicles to untapped market of women

A new study by University of Sussex researchers recommends targeting highly educated women and retirees for electric vehicle sales, citing their environmental awareness and characteristics that make them ideal customers. The study highlights the need for a nuanced approach to increase electric car ownership, transcending gender neutral...

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·DateJul 4, 2018

What you eat while pregnant may affect your baby's gut

A study published in Microbiome found that maternal diet during pregnancy can influence the infant gut microbiome, with varying effects depending on delivery mode. Vaginal delivery was associated with a higher abundance of Bifidobacterium and Enterobactericeae, while caesarean section was linked to increased Streptococcus and Clostridium.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalMicrobiome·DateJul 4, 2018

Swimming bacteria work together to go with the flow

Bacteria can reduce liquid viscosity and make it flow frictionlessly. Researchers at the University of Bristol found that bacterial suspensions can exhibit negative viscosity, a phenomenon previously thought impossible in physics. This discovery could lead to the development of bacteria-powered machines.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 4, 2018

Pathway of Alzheimer's degeneration discovered

Researchers at McGill University used sMRI and PET scans to track brain degeneration in early-stage Alzheimer's disease, revealing a link between cholinergic neurons and cortical regions. The study suggests that combining PET with sMRI may be a powerful tool for diagnosing Alzheimer's before cognitive symptoms appear.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCell Reports·DateJul 4, 2018

Summer fun: How plants beat the heat

A team of researchers at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science has discovered a gene in plants called Heat Inducible Lipase 1 (HIL1) that helps protect them from excessive heat. This gene enables plants to modify their fats, which stabilize chloroplast membranes and prevent damage from high temperatures.

SourceRIKEN·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateJul 4, 2018

New 2D spectroscopy methods

Physicists have developed two novel principles for optical spectroscopy, allowing for the direct observation of excitation-excitation interactions and energy transport in systems. This breakthrough enables the study of dynamic properties such as energy transport in natural light-harvesting systems and artificial dye aggregates.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 4, 2018

Asian hornet nests found by radio-tracking

Scientists used tiny radio tags attached to Asian hornets to track them to five previously undiscovered nests in southern France and Jersey. The technique has the potential to help protect Britain's beleaguered pollinator populations from the invasive species' devastating impact on honeybees and other pollinators.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJul 4, 2018