Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for June 6, 2018


Education linked to higher risk of short-sightedness

A study published in The BMJ found that spending more years in full-time education is associated with a greater risk of developing myopia. Every additional year of education was linked to more myopia, with university graduates being at least 1 dioptre more myopic than those who left school earlier.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJun 6, 2018

Breeding better Brazilian rice

Researchers at Embrapa have developed improved rice varieties with increased yields and reduced plant height, allowing for more efficient use of resources. Over a 45-year period, grain yield improved by an average of 0.62-0.73% per year, resulting in thousands of pounds in increased yield for farmers.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateJun 6, 2018

Human drug addiction behaviors tied to specific impairments in 6 brain networks

Research reveals that impaired neural mechanisms in six large-scale brain networks contribute to human drug addiction behaviors, affecting cognition, emotional processing, and decision-making. The study identifies consistent impairments in brain function across these networks, which can inform the development of targeted treatment inte...

Restricting unwanted immune reactions

Scientists at the University of Münster have decoded a mechanism that regulates the release of S100A8/S100A9 protein complexes, which can trigger or amplify inflammatory reactions. The researchers aim to develop new treatment options for autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders with fewer side effects.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 6, 2018

Recorded calls beat Facebook ads in getting residents to request free smoke alarm

A Baltimore campaign found that automated phone calls were more effective than Facebook ads in encouraging residents to request free smoke alarm installations. The campaign, which ran in 2014, reached over 90,000 households via landline and resulted in 458 requests for smoke alarms, compared to just 25 from Facebook ads.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Public Health Management and Practice·DateJun 6, 2018

A laser that smells like a hound

University of Adelaide researchers have developed a laser that can measure gas composition in under one second with high accuracy and precision. The device uses patterns of light absorption to differentiate between different gas compounds, mimicking the sensitive nose of a bloodhound.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateJun 6, 2018

Different outdoor professions carry different risks for skin cancer

A new study of 563 participants found significant differences in skin cancer risk among outdoor professionals, with mountain guides facing the greatest threat. The research highlights the need for tailored prevention efforts based on individual profession and environmental factors.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology·DateJun 6, 2018

Drug combination offers more effective care for patients suffering miscarriage

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that a two-drug combination of mifepristone and misoprostol can effectively complete miscarriages, reducing the need for surgical intervention. The study showed that 91.2% of women experienced gestational sac expulsion after receiving the treatment.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 6, 2018

California's other gold

Sea urchin researchers found that understanding local dynamics can make fishing resource management more effective. The study quantified the relationship between uni quality and fishermen's behavior, revealing a predictable pattern that links seasonal reproductive cycles to fishing patterns.

Link found between neurotransmitter imbalance, brain connectivity in those with autism

A study at the University of Missouri-Columbia has identified a link between neurotransmitter imbalance and brain connectivity in individuals with autism. The research found that those with low functional connectivity tended to have impaired listening comprehension and reduced balance of excitatory to inhibitory neurotransmitter levels.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateJun 6, 2018

Study on economics of fishing on the high seas

A new study by National Geographic Society researchers found that 54% of high seas fishing industry is unprofitable at current scale without large government subsidies. The global cost of fishing in high seas ranged between $6.2 billion and $8 billion USD, with profits ranging from a loss of $364 million to a profit of $1.4 billion USD.

SourceNational Geographic Society·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 6, 2018

Do arthritis treatments provide mental health benefits?

A recent review of over 70 clinical trials found that rheumatoid arthritis treatments alone are unlikely to improve mental health outcomes. Instead, integrated psychological support alongside routine care may achieve optimal mental health outcomes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and depression.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateJun 6, 2018

Optimal sleep linked to lower risks for dementia and early death

A study of Japanese adults aged 60 found that short and long daily sleep durations were risk factors for dementia and premature death. Participants with optimal sleep duration (5-6.9 hours) had a lower risk of dementia and death compared to those with shorter or longer sleep durations.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJun 6, 2018

Disaster recovery requires rebuilding livelihoods

A new Michigan State University study found that disaster recovery policies must consider the livelihood portfolio of families to avoid long-term devastation. The research focused on the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake in China, where rebuilding efforts inadvertently worsened poverty and environmental degradation.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEcological Economics·DateJun 6, 2018

Sensor detects whiff of bad breath

Researchers developed a sensor that can detect halitosis with high sensitivity and portability, providing doctors with a convenient test for diagnosing the condition. The sensor uses a color-changing chemical reaction to detect traces of hydrogen sulfide gas in breath samples.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateJun 6, 2018

New nuclear medicine method shows promise for better detection of neuroendocrine tumors

Researchers have developed a new nuclear medicine procedure that can safely and effectively detect cancerous gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The novel radiolabeled tracer Ga-OPS202 has been shown to improve imaging contrast and sensitivity for detecting primary tumors or liver metastases.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJun 6, 2018

Inside the brains of killer bees

Researchers examined neuropeptide changes in aggressive and non-aggressive Africanized honeybees, finding that specific peptides can trigger aggression. The study provides new insights into the neurological basis for honeybee behavior, highlighting the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateJun 6, 2018

Bioengineers identify safer way to make rugby tackles

Researchers have identified a safer way to make rugby tackles by reducing the impact on the head. The recommended techniques include tackling at the lower trunk and avoiding high-impact tackles to the upper trunk. These strategies aim to minimize the risk of concussions and other head injuries.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalJournal of Science and Medicine in Sport·DateJun 6, 2018

Organic insect deterrent for agriculture

Researchers at TUM have developed a biodegradable insect deterrent that repels pests without poisoning them, potentially saving bees and other beneficial insects. The new product is produced by bacteria that use terpenoid-based compounds to protect themselves from pests, offering an alternative to traditional synthetic pesticides.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateJun 6, 2018

Study examines how pathogens affect bird migration

Researchers found that haemosporidians impede migratory performance in infected birds, causing them to arrive later at breeding grounds. Infected individuals have elevated white blood cell counts, indicating an immune response that may divert resources from migration.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Zoology·DateJun 6, 2018

Single molecular insulator pushes boundaries of current state of the art

Researchers at Columbia University have developed a single molecular insulator that can effectively block leakage current in transistors, paving the way for smaller and more efficient devices. The breakthrough uses quantum interference-based approach to create a novel technique for blocking tunnelling conduction at the nanoscale.

Simpler model gets to the point with proteins

Rice University researchers develop a molecular modeling framework that combines experimental data with coarse-grained simulations, enabling more accurate protein dynamics modeling. The technique reveals unanticipated molecular properties and can be scaled up to larger systems, reducing simulation time by hours.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Chemical Theory and Computation·DateJun 6, 2018

New tools reveal prelude to chaos

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis developed mathematical tools that determine when randomness emerges in stochastic systems, describing the kinetics before dissolving into randomness. The tools have potential to predict onset of chaos in nanoparticles to checking accounts.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPhysical Review E·DateJun 6, 2018

Mangos help promote gut health

A new study suggests that eating mangos may be more effective than taking a comparable amount of fiber in relieving constipation. The research found that mango polyphenols helped improve gut health by reducing markers of inflammation and changing the microbiome.

SourceWeber Shandwick Chicago·JournalMolecular Nutrition & Food Research·DateJun 6, 2018