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Science News for June 26, 2018


Social awkwardness scuppers standing meetings

Research from King's College London and Brunel University London found that standing in meetings can be difficult due to social pressure, with participants feeling awkward about breaking rules. However, some reported increased engagement and motivation when standing, and suggested ways for employers to encourage active meetings.

SourceKing's College London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 26, 2018

Lynxes in danger

Research shows that illegal lynx hunting is a major factor in declining populations in the Šumava national park, with mortality rates increasing from 3-4% to 15-20% between 1998-2014. The study suggests that stopping hunting and preserving habitats are crucial to maintaining the population.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalBiological Conservation·DateJun 26, 2018

Marshall School of Medicine research team defines possible anti-aging intervention

A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that the Na/K-ATPase oxidant amplification loop plays a key role in aging and may be targeted for anti-aging interventions. Researchers successfully demonstrated the therapeutic potential of pNaKtide, a synthetic peptide, in improving impaired physiological functions.

Majority of teenagers need food safety education

A new study from the University of Waterloo found that fewer than 50% of recommended food-handling practices were followed by Ontario high school students. The researchers observed significant improvements in thermometer use after a training program, but many students continued to engage in risky behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Food Protection·DateJun 26, 2018

Zika in high resolution

Researchers have created the highest-resolution image yet of the Zika virus, providing a detailed atomic model that enables efficient vaccine and antiviral compound design. The discovery was made possible by the stability of the Zika virus compared to its flavivirus cousins.

SourceCell Press·JournalStructure·DateJun 26, 2018

Relational mobility may influence your interpersonal behaviors

A large-scale analysis found higher relational mobility in North America, Europe, and Latin America compared to Asia and the Middle East, associated with increased personal self-esteem, closeness in friendship, and proactive behavior. Societal threats and subsistence style also influenced relational mobility scores.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 26, 2018

Twisted meta-molecules as they really are

Researchers have devised a highly sensitive method to test the chirality of materials, overcoming false positives from competing effects. By using twisted meta-molecules, they separated chirality from sources of error, allowing for accurate measurement and potential applications in fields like telecommunications and pharmaceuticals.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalACS Nano·DateJun 26, 2018

Food insecurity has greater impact on disadvantaged children

A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that food insecurity has a greater impact on behavior problems and poor cognitive outcomes in vulnerable children, particularly those born to single mothers living in urban neighborhoods.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateJun 26, 2018

Narcissistic adolescents may perform better at school -- Queen's University Belfast researcher

A study by Dr Kostas Papageorgiou at Queen's University Belfast found that adolescents with subclinical narcissism may be more mentally tough and perform better at school. The research suggests a positive correlation between narcissism and mental toughness, which can lead to improved academic achievement.

SourceQueen's University Belfast·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·DateJun 26, 2018

History of side-necked turtle diversification revealed

A new phylogeny of the Pleurodira suborder, including the Yellow-spotted Amazon River turtle, provides insights into the evolutionary history and biogeographical distribution of side-necked turtles. The study found that Pleurodira fossils are scattered across continents, with the oldest species dating back to 125 million years ago.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJun 26, 2018

New study links poor sleep quality to atrial fibrillation

A recent study has found that poor sleep quality is an independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), which can lead to symptoms like heart palpitations and shortness of breath. The researchers also discovered that disruptions in sleep patterns, such as reduced REM sleep, predict a higher risk of AF.

SourceElsevier·JournalHeart Rhythm·DateJun 26, 2018

New insights into pruning

Researchers at the University of Münster have discovered a correlation between the spatial organization of a nerve cell and its process degeneration. The study found that specific arrangement of cytoskeleton components influences the direction of dendrite degeneration in fruit flies.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalDevelopment·DateJun 26, 2018

Serotonin speeds learning

A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that serotonin plays a crucial role in learning by influencing an animal's decision-making strategies. When the interval between trials was short, mice relied on their working memory, while longer intervals activated their long-term memory, allowing them to learn from past rewar...

SourceChampalimaud Centre for the Unknown·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 26, 2018

New studies illustrate need for rigorous review of infection preventionist staffing models across healthcare systems

Two new studies highlight the critical need for evaluating and updating standards for infection preventionist (IP) staffing levels, citing severe gaps in staffing and outdated coverage benchmarks. The studies found that actual IP labor needs are 31-66% higher than current benchmarks, indicating a greater need for IP oversight.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·DateJun 26, 2018

Fluciclovine PET/CT locates recurrent prostate cancer and advises management

A clinical trial found that 59% of patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer had their clinical management changed by fluciclovine PET/CT imaging. The study detected disease in the prostate, pelvic lymph nodes, and less commonly, bone, guiding treatment decisions for men with recurrent prostate cancer.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJun 26, 2018

More post-acute care isn't always better, study finds

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that patients covered under Medicare's fee-for-service plan spent more time in nursing homes after hip fracture hospitalization, yet saw slightly worse health outcomes. In contrast, those covered under Medicare Advantage had shorter stays and similar or better health outcomes.

SourceBrown University·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 26, 2018

Research on cancer-frying nanoparticles heats up

Scientists at the University at Buffalo have developed heated magnetic nanoparticles that can selectively target and destroy tumors with significant amounts of heat under low-magnetic fields. The new technology has potential benefits over other treatments, including minimal side effects and deeper penetration into hard-to-reach body pa...

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalSmall·DateJun 26, 2018

Substance found in grapes prevents agglomeration of a mutant protein that leads to cancer

Researchers found that resveratrol inhibits mutant p53 protein aggregation, preventing breast cancer cell migration and proliferation. This breakthrough could lead to a treatment for over half of malignant tumors, targeting novel strategic targets in cancer research.

Blockade at the receptor

Researchers found that Chlamydia trachomatis deactivates immune cells by activating a protein that cleaves key receptors, allowing the bacterium to evade detection. This discovery holds promise for developing targeted therapies against Chlamydia infections.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJun 26, 2018

Study solves mystery of genetic-test results for patient with suspected heart condition

Researchers have developed a technique to determine the significance of gene variants of uncertain significance in patients with suspected heart conditions. By using advanced genetic-editing tools and stem cell technology, they were able to confirm that a patient had a mild case of long QT syndrome and rule out another condition.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJun 26, 2018

In search of biomarkers to detect patients with latent 'Plasmodium vivax' infection

A study by ISGlobal reveals the presence of proteins from hypnozoites in circulating extracellular vesicles, providing a potential diagnostic tool for asymptomatic patients. This breakthrough could help identify and stop malaria vivax transmission, an essential requirement to achieve the WHO's target of eliminating malaria by 2030.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateJun 26, 2018

Why popcorn tastes better when you eat it with chopsticks

Researchers found that using chopsticks while eating popcorn, finding novel ways to drink water, or watching a video with hand-goggles all intensified the experience and made it more enjoyable. These unconventional methods help focus on what's enjoyed about the product, making experiences feel brand new.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJun 26, 2018

A bright light in a dark room

A team of researchers has developed a minimal logic system to bridge the gap between mathematical proofs, algorithms, and real-world outcomes in control systems. The work, published in IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica, aims to improve the realism of theoretical mathematics by focusing on computational certainty.

SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateJun 26, 2018

UMass Amherst geoscientists offer new evidence for how the Adirondack Mountains formed

Researchers at UMass Amherst used advanced seismic imaging and data from the National Science Foundation's EarthScope program to construct a detailed model of the tectonic plate beneath the Adirondack Mountains. They discovered a 'pillow' of low-density, relatively light rock material that appears to have been squeezed up under the mou...

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJun 26, 2018

Timings and behaviour influence worm's response to force

Researchers discovered that worms' behavior at the time of experiencing stimuli influenced how their brains interpreted information, leading to a more sophisticated understanding of mechanosensory circuitry. The study paves the way for further investigations into how simple brains interpret sensory signals and turn them into actions.

SourceeLife·DateJun 26, 2018

What nipple size means for evolutionary biology

Researchers found female nipple sizes vary significantly due to functional use in breastfeeding, contradicting previous claims. The study's findings support the idea that highly variable features result from weak evolutionary selection.

SourceSpringer·JournalAdaptive Human Behavior and Physiology·DateJun 26, 2018

New insight into how Autism might develop in human brain

A team of scientists from McGill University discovered a key role for the GRIN2B gene in early neural stem cell development and autism. They used genetic engineering to reprogram skin cells into brain cells with the patient's mutation, showing how improper protein production leads to impaired brain development.

SourceMcGill University·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateJun 26, 2018