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Science News for June 28, 2018


The evolution of testes

The study uses DNA sequence data to analyze the evolution of testes in mammals, finding that African species lack the testicular descent process due to non-functional genes. This suggests that the testicular descent process was ancestral and lost in these species.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJun 28, 2018

Low-cost prosthetic foot mimics natural walking

MIT engineers developed a simple, low-cost passive prosthetic foot that can be tailored to an individual's body weight and size, allowing for a more natural gait. The custom-designed prostheses use a design framework that predicts a user's biomechanical performance based on the mechanical design of the prosthetic foot.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·DateJun 28, 2018

Building bridges with water molecules

A team at TU Wien has uncovered the mystery behind water molecule structures on iron oxide surfaces, revealing complex bridge-like structures that play a significant role in chemical reactions. These findings have wide-ranging implications for processes such as corrosion and catalyst function, and pave the way for further research into...

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 28, 2018

Mars valleys traced back to precipitation

A recent study suggests that Mars' river networks were shaped by superficial run-off of rainwater, contradicting previous hypotheses about groundwater seepage. The researchers found similarities in the branching angles of Martian valleys with those in arid landscapes on Earth.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 28, 2018

Revolutionizing retinal studies

Researchers have developed a new system using ultraflexible mesh electronics to track the firing patterns of dozens of retinal cells chronically in awake animals. This allows for new insights into how retinal ganglion cells behave over multiple circadian cycles, revealing dramatic changes in cell activity at different times of day.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateJun 28, 2018

Perceptions on Zika

A study found that women with a bachelor's degree and men who knew someone at high risk for the virus were more likely to have knowledge or concerns about Zika. Targeted prevention interventions by gender and education level can effectively educate the public.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateJun 28, 2018

CAR-T immunotherapies may have a new player

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and University of Minnesota have developed a new CAR-T immunotherapy using natural killer cells engineered from human induced pluripotent stem cells. These cells demonstrated heightened activity against ovarian cancer with less toxicity, offering potential advantages ...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJun 28, 2018

Empathetic police are less effective in the face of public criticism, study says

A new study from the University of Texas at Austin found that empathetic police officers who feel undervalued perform poorly in their duties. In contrast, conservative officers with punitive approaches to justice tend to maintain high performance levels despite public criticism. Policymakers are urged to address the issue by implementi...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalAdministrative Science Quarterly·DateJun 28, 2018

The problem with solving problems

A study by Daniel Gilbert and colleagues found that as the prevalence of a problem is reduced, humans naturally redefine the problem itself. This can lead to missing the fact that the problem has been solved. The phenomenon was demonstrated in several experiments using different types of problems, including blue dots and faces.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateJun 28, 2018

The fingerprints of molecules in space

Scientists led by Roland Wester have confirmed the presence of molecules in space using terahertz spectroscopy, a method that allows for accurate measurement of spectral lines. The study's findings provide new insights into the chemical composition of interstellar medium and may aid in detecting unknown species in space.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 28, 2018

Study investigates the reproductive habits of the fungus that causes athlete's foot

A recent study published in the journal Genetics found that the fungus Trichophyton rubrum exhibits asexual reproduction as its primary method of reproduction. The research suggests that mating between individuals is rare and requires highly specific conditions, resulting in low genetic variability within the population.

Less than a quarter of American youths previously treated for anxiety disorders stay anxiety-free

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that only 22% of American youths who received treatment for anxiety disorders stayed anxiety-free over a six-year period. The study also revealed that 30% remained chronically ill and 48% relapsed, highlighting the need for more dur...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJun 28, 2018

More than half of Amazonian armadillos carry leprosy

A new study found that 62% of armadillos in the Brazilian Amazon are infected with M. leprae, the bacteria causing leprosy. Residents who consume armadillo meat have higher levels of leprosy antibodies, highlighting the risk of transmission.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJun 28, 2018

Team sports have ancient roots

Researchers found evidence of coalitional play fighting among hunter-gatherer societies, suggesting it was a universal feature of human psychology. This type of play involved coordinated action and non-lethal physical force, mirroring skills used in lethal raiding.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Nature·DateJun 28, 2018

Cheating on cheaters

Researchers used Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its mutants to study cheating behavior in bacteria, revealing that manipulating social interactions can prevent population collapse. The team created a mathematical model to predict how to change stable interactions among cheaters and cooperators.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 28, 2018

Pulse wave analysis provides reliable information on heart health in young people

Researchers developed a non-invasive method to measure arterial stiffness and peripheral arterial tone in adolescents aged 16-19. The study found that aortic pulse wave velocity is highly reproducible but augmentation index shows poorer reproducibility, especially among those with higher fitness levels or lower body fat.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalClinical Physiology and Functional Imaging·DateJun 28, 2018

Smoking associated with delayed shinbone healing

Researchers found that smoking significantly delays bone healing and increases risk of nonunion among women aged 30-49. The study analyzed patient records over 20 years and revealed a significant delay in bone healing among smokers, with implications for treatment and prevention strategies.

SourceLehigh University·JournalJournal of Orthopaedic Trauma·DateJun 28, 2018

Carbon dioxide-to-methanol process improved by catalyst

Researchers have developed a new catalyst that increases the rate of methanol formation by three times over palladium alone and four times over copper alone. The catalyst combines palladium and copper in a precise atomic ratio, creating an ideal surface structure for efficient CO2-to-methanol conversion.

SourcePenn State·JournalACS Catalysis·DateJun 28, 2018

#Hookahlife: Social media posts spread misleading information on hookah use

A new study found that Instagram users portraying hookah use in a positive manner despite its serious health risks. Most posts were promotional and associated with nightlife, community, and hookah identity. The study suggests policymakers should explore approaches to reduce promotional posts and create counter-marketing campaigns.

SourceSAGE·JournalHealth Education & Behavior·DateJun 28, 2018

Strategic classroom intervention can make big difference for autism students

Research from Florida State University and Emory University found that teachers receiving SCERTS training significantly improved student outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder. The study showed that trained teachers led to increased student participation, back-and-forth conversations, and better emotional regulation.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·DateJun 28, 2018

Correcting the eyesight of microscopes

Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science discovered that asymmetric apertures can cause astigmatism in microscopes, leading to degraded image resolution. By correcting for this effect, they improved the technique of line-temporal focusing microscopy, achieving unprecedented resolution in biological structures.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 28, 2018

Healthcare spending in late life is not wasteful, predictive model shows

A predictive model analysis of Medicare claims reveals that less than 5% of end-of-life healthcare spending goes to those with a mortality risk above 50%, who are more likely to survive. Adjusting for the amount spent on sick individuals, 30-50% of end-of-life spending can be eliminated without affecting survival rates or quality of life

The neuroscience of human vocal pitch

A study published in Cell found that a specific region of the brain's frontal lobe controls vocal pitch, enabling humans to convey meaning through speech and language. By examining neural activity and using brain sensors, researchers identified increased activity in this region when participants altered their voice pitch.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateJun 28, 2018

Novel drug therapy partially restores hearing in mice

Researchers at the University of Iowa and National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders have discovered a novel drug therapy that partially restores hearing in mice with an inherited form of progressive human deafness. The study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying this condition, suggesting a new treat...

Nanoaggregation on command

Researchers create nanoaggregates of microtubules by controlling their aggregation in response to light. The aggregation can cause cell death, making it a potential target for diseases caused by protein misfolding.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 28, 2018

Illinois study finds benefits and tradeoffs in feeding rice bran to pigs

A new study from the University of Illinois provides information on the effects of rice bran on growth performance and carcass quality of growing-finishing pigs. The results show that including 30% full-fat rice bran in diets improves gain-to-feed ratio without affecting carcass characteristics or meat quality.