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Science News for March 12, 2018


How the color-changing hogfish 'sees' with its skin

Researchers at Duke University discovered that hogfish sense light with their skin, which differs from eye-based vision. The skin's unique ability allows it to detect changes in brightness or wavelength, such as moving shadows or light fluctuations, enabling the fish to adapt its color pattern accordingly.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Comparative Physiology A·DateMar 12, 2018

Female researchers publish childcare recommendations for conference organizers

A group of women in science, including Dr. Patricia C. Lopes, have published recommendations for conferences to better accommodate parents with young children. The suggestions include financial support, flexible registration options, and inclusive policies to reduce the 'baby penalty' on female researchers' career mobility.

SourceChapman University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 12, 2018

Holography approach improves heads up displays for planes and cars

Researchers developed a holographic heads-up display that increases the size of the displayed image, allowing drivers and pilots to see information without shifting their gaze. The technology uses holographic optical elements to redirect light and create a larger eye box, making it easier to view critical data.

SourceOptica·JournalApplied Optics·DateMar 12, 2018

Keeping GPUs young

TU Wien and UC Irvine's chip management method improves GPU performance by slowing down the aging process in more than 95% of cases. The technique distributes tasks among cores to minimize physical stress, increasing overall system speed.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalIEEE Transactions on Computers·DateMar 12, 2018

Why some older people are rejecting digital technologies

A new study reveals that older adults' resistance to digital technologies stems from personal values, societal concerns, and fears. The study suggests that designers of online services must offer better safety nets and reassurance to attract older users. Social isolation and a desire for face-to-face interaction also contribute to this...

SourceLancaster University·JournalCommunications of the ACM·DateMar 12, 2018

Will run for meth

Researchers found that mice increased their running on a wheel two hours before the door to the nebulizing chamber was open. The activated brain regions included those implicated in reward processing and craving: the orbitofrontal cortex, dorsomedial hypothalamus, and lateral septum.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateMar 12, 2018

Canakinumab reduces risk of cardiovascular events in populations with unmet clinical need

A new analysis found that canakinumab substantially reduced cardiovascular event rates among patients with diabetes and those with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease. The drug also showed benefits in reducing rates of major adverse cardiovascular events among high-risk atherosclerotic patients.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 12, 2018

Managing blood pressure in barbershops yields substantial improvements

A study presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session found that African-American men who received frequent monitoring and medication management from a specially-trained pharmacist in their barbershop saw a marked drop in blood pressure, with systolic blood pressure dropping by an average of 21 mm Hg. The ...

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 12, 2018

Digging up the Precambrian

Fossilized burrows from the late Ediacaran period show earlier origins of animal behavior, challenging previous theories. The discovery of large-sized, penetrative trace fossils indicates a radical transformation in marine ecosystems during this time.

SourceNagoya University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateMar 12, 2018

Mexico well ahead of US in LGBT rights

A new study by University of Vermont professor Caroline Beer reveals that Mexico is more progressive than the US when it comes to LGBT rights. In contrast to the US, where religion suppresses LGBT rights, Mexico sees a positive correlation between liberal governance and increased LGBT-friendly legislation.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalState Politics & Policy Quarterly·DateMar 12, 2018

Elephant declines imperil Africa's forests

A Duke University study found that reduced forest elephant populations will lead to significant changes in tree species composition and structure, as well as understory density and nutrient availability. Without intervention, up to 96% of Central Africa's forests may undergo major transformations.

SourceDuke University·JournalConservation Biology·DateMar 12, 2018

Plants overcome hunger with the aid of autophagy

Researchers at Tohoku University discovered that plants activate autophagy in leaf cells to derive essential amino acids during periods of low sunlight. This process allows plants to survive and grow under conditions of energy scarcity, enabling them to adapt to environmental challenges.

SourceTohoku University·JournalPlant and Cell Physiology·DateMar 12, 2018

Polymer nanoparticle shows ability to locate and treat breast tumors

Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have developed a fluorescing nanoparticle that can find tumors and generate heat to destroy cancer cells. The nanoparticles, called Hybrid Donor-Acceptor Polymer Particles (H-DAPPs), successfully localized and killed breast cancer in mice, showing potential for future human trials.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMar 12, 2018

Can pursuing happiness make you unhappy?

A study published in Psychonomic Bulletin & Review found that people who pursue happiness often feel like they do not have enough time, which paradoxically makes them feel unhappy. This effect is due to the pursuit of happiness causing participants to think of time as scarce.

SourceSpringer·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateMar 12, 2018

Riding the (quantum magnetic) wave

Scientists have successfully converted quantum waves into electrical current using an organic-based magnet, paving the way for faster and more efficient electronics. The breakthrough, achieved by researchers at the University of Utah, could lead to new generations of electronic systems that use magnons instead of electrons.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 12, 2018

Glass matters

The chemical topology of silica surfaces can significantly impact the effectiveness of various chemical processes, including catalysis, filtration, and nanofabrication. Researchers found that hydrophilic silanol groups attract water molecules, forming a barrier that reactants must overcome to proceed with the desired process.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 12, 2018

Movable silicon 'lenses' enable neutrons to see new range of details inside objects

Researchers at NIST and NIH developed a new method that uses movable silicon gratings to focus neutron beams, allowing for the examination of objects at unprecedented scales. This breakthrough could complement existing scanning techniques, enabling scientists to probe the interiors of materials without damaging them.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 12, 2018

Mutating Ebola's key protein may stop replication

Researchers at Purdue University may have discovered a way to stop Ebola virus replication by mutating its most important protein, VP40. The study found that altering the amino acid sequence of VP40 reduces lipid binding and prevents viral budding, offering new targets for therapeutics.

SourcePurdue University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMar 12, 2018

The Great Recession took a toll on public health, study finds

A new UCLA-led study finds that the Great Recession was associated with increased blood pressure and glucose levels, particularly among older homeowners and those still in the workforce. The study analyzed data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and suggests that economic crises can have measurable effects on public health.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 12, 2018

In the eye of the medulloblastoma

Researchers from CNRS and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified a gene cluster involved in medulloblastoma tumour development. They found that genes normally expressed only in the eye can be activated in brain tumors, promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting cell death.

SourceCNRS·JournalCancer Cell·DateMar 12, 2018

Why is it so hot at night in some cities?

Urban heat islands are caused by cities trapping more heat than surrounding areas due to their structure, affecting energy consumption and air quality. Researchers studied 50 cities and found that well-organized cities with straight streets retain more heat at night, leading to increased energy bills in hot climates.

SourceCNRS·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 12, 2018

iPad app that allows patients to order tests doubles colon cancer screening rates in study

A new iPad app that educates patients about different options for colon cancer screening and allows them to order their preferred test has been shown to significantly increase screening rates. In a randomized controlled trial, patients who used the app were twice as likely to undergo screening compared to those in the usual care group.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 12, 2018

Benefits of Bt corn

The widespread adoption of Bt field corn led to significant reductions in European corn borer and corn earworm infestations. This resulted in lower recommended insecticide sprays, total insecticides applied, and crop damages on pepper, green bean, and sweet corn crops.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 12, 2018

A new solution for chronic pain

Researchers uncover mechanism behind neuropathic pain and develop innovative treatment blocking FLT3 molecule. The treatment shows immediate and long-lasting therapeutic effects in animal subjects, reducing hyperalgesia and allodynia.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 12, 2018

Would you pay for an Ebola vaccine? Most say yes

A majority of US adults (59.7%) would pay at least $1 for an Ebola vaccine, according to a national survey conducted during the 2014-2016 West African outbreak. Participants who had traveled internationally and were interested in getting vaccinated were more likely to be willing to pay.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalHuman Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics·DateMar 12, 2018

Study yields more than a million new cyclic compounds, some with pharmaceutical potential

Scientists have generated a vast library of unique cyclic compounds that can bind to their targets with stability and effectiveness. The new compounds have the capacity to interrupt specific protein-protein interactions that play a role in disease, offering potential therapeutic agents for various conditions.

Smoking heightens risk of psychoses

A recent study by the Academy of Finland found that daily and heavy smoking are independently linked to a higher risk of psychoses. Smoking begun at an early age was a particularly significant risk factor, with prevention of adolescent smoking likely to have positive effects on mental health in later life.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica·DateMar 12, 2018

Painting a clear picture of how nitrogen oxides are formed

A team of researchers from the US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory has developed a comprehensive model for nitrogen oxide formation in combustion. The study reveals that temperature and fuel mixture richness significantly impact NOx production, providing valuable insights for engine companies seeking to reduce emissions.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalProgress in Energy and Combustion Science·DateMar 12, 2018

Stroke research: 32 hits

A new study has identified 22 new genetic risk factors for stroke, providing extensive insight into the biology and pathways leading to the disease. The results demonstrate shared genetic influences with multiple related vascular conditions, including blood pressure and coronary artery disease.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Genetics·DateMar 12, 2018

Taking the jab (and the chill) out of vaccination

A team of researchers from James Cook University and Cardiff University have created a fully synthetic flu vaccine that protects mice from swine flu and works on human cells in the laboratory. The vaccine is hyper-stable, meaning it can survive stomach acid and human blood, making it suitable for oral administration.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 12, 2018

Socioeconomic status may affect survival of patients with anal cancer

A study published in CANCER found that living in low-income areas increases the risk of early death among patients with anal cancer. The researchers analyzed data from 9,550 patients and found that those in lower income areas had worse overall survival and cancer-specific survival compared to those in higher income areas.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateMar 12, 2018

Brown adipose tissue made transparent

Researchers have developed a new non-invasive method to measure the metabolic activity of brown adipose tissue, making it easier to verify its heat generation. The method uses multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) to visualize changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin, allowing scientists to study its effects on energy b...

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMar 12, 2018

Humans behind majority of raptor deaths in Ontario, study finds

A University of Guelph study found that human encroachment is the leading cause of death among Ontario's at-risk birds of prey, with trauma and starvation being the top causes. The study analyzed over 1,500 bird deaths from 1991 to 2014 and highlighted the need for public awareness and habitat preservation to protect raptor populations.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalJournal of Wildlife Diseases·DateMar 12, 2018