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Science News for June 8, 2018


Nano-saturn

Scientists synthesize a nanoscale Saturn system consisting of a spherical C60 fullerene as the planet and a flat macrocycle made of six anthracene units as the ring. The structure is confirmed by spectroscopic and X-ray analyses, enabling a new structural motif for researchers.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 8, 2018

Holes in the head

Researchers compared ancient Peruvian trepanation outcomes to those during the American Civil War and found a significant difference in mortality rates. The study suggests ancient Peruvians may have prevented infection through unknown methods, leading to better survival rates over time.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalWorld Neurosurgery·DateJun 8, 2018

Thorny life of newborn neurons

Researchers found that frequent nerve signals strengthen dendritic spines in adult-born neurons, allowing them to connect with the existing neural network. This process is crucial for learning and memory formation in the hippocampus.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2018

Carbon dioxide reduces belly fat

A Northwestern University study found that carbon dioxide gas injections eliminate fat around the stomach, but modest changes were not sustained over six months. The technique is considered safe and non-invasive, offering an alternative to existing methods for fat reduction.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology·DateJun 8, 2018

Scientists go deep to quantify perovskite properties

Researchers at Rice University and Los Alamos National Laboratory developed a scale to measure exciton binding energy in perovskite quantum wells, enabling the design of efficient optoelectronic devices. This breakthrough could impact solar cells, LEDs, and other technologies.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 8, 2018

ORNL launches Summit Supercomputer

Summit will provide unprecedented computing power for research in energy, advanced materials and artificial intelligence, enabling scientific discoveries that were previously impractical or impossible. Summit will be capable of more than three billion mixed precision calculations per second, or 3.3 exaops.

Bees and the thought of naught

Researchers taught bees to recognize 'greater than' and 'less than' inequalities, and they successfully applied this knowledge to understand the concept of zero. This groundbreaking study reveals that even with a limited number of neurons, insects can grasp abstract mathematical concepts.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience·DateJun 8, 2018

New hope from the 'seven year switch' in Type 1 diabetes

A study published in Diabetes Care found that the rapid decline in insulin production associated with Type 1 diabetes follows a two-phase pattern: an initial exponential fall and a subsequent stable phase. This discovery suggests that people with Type 1 diabetes may retain some working beta-cells for seven years after diagnosis.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalDiabetes Care·DateJun 8, 2018

A 'super' receptor that helps kill HIV infected cells

Monash researchers have discovered a unique set of 'super' receptors on immune cells capable of killing HIV across genetically diverse populations. These killer CD4+ T cells can recognize HIV fragments in people with different HLA molecules, a feature that may help control the spread of the disease.

SourceMonash University·JournalScience Immunology·DateJun 8, 2018

Study: Are birth mothers satisfied with decisions to place children for adoption?

A Baylor University study found that birth mothers' satisfaction with their decision to place children for adoption is affected by time, age, education, income, and contact with the child. The research revealed that higher education, financial success, and older age led to decreased satisfaction, while current contact with the child an...

SourceBaylor University·JournalFamilies in Society The Journal of Contemporary Social Services·DateJun 8, 2018

Ten thousand bursting genes

Researchers developed a new technique called intron seqFISH that allows for the imaging of over 10,000 genes within single cells. This technique provides precise and instantaneous snapshots of single cells, revealing that gene expression oscillates globally across many genes on a surprisingly short timescale.

Gene editing just got easier

Researchers have developed a simpler and faster CRISPR method that allows for off-the-shelf genome engineering, reducing the barrier to entry for this powerful technology. The approach targets universal sequences found in gene knockout collections, enabling rapid single nucleotide editing and generating chromosomal mutant collections.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 8, 2018