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Science News for March 19, 2018


Epidural stimulation shown to normalize blood pressure following spinal cord injury

Researchers at University of Louisville have found that epidural stimulation can safely and effectively elevate blood pressure in individuals with severe spinal cord injury. The study, published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, included four research participants who experienced significant improvements in blood pressure regulation.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateMar 19, 2018

Programming DNA to deliver cancer drugs

A research team at the University of Delaware has developed technology to program strands of DNA into switches that turn proteins on and off. The technology could lead to the development of new cancer therapies and other drugs by activating non-toxic cancer prodrugs into their therapeutic forms.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMar 19, 2018

Environmentally friendly cattle production (really)

A Michigan State University study evaluated adaptive multi-paddock, or AMP, grass-fed operations and found that they can potentially offset greenhouse gas emissions. The research also showed that the finishing phase of beef production could be a net carbon sink, with carbon levels staying in the green rather than in the red.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalAgricultural Systems·DateMar 19, 2018

Making intricate images with bacterial communities

Researchers from Stanford University have developed a technique called biofilm lithography to create intricate designs with bacterial communities. The method involves shining blue light on bacteria that secrete a sticky protein, resulting in sharp images of patterns such as polka dots and circuits.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 19, 2018

Deeper insight into viral infections

A new bioinformatics analysis method has been developed to study viral infections, revealing over 500 different proteins and peptides, including 200 previously unknown to science. This discovery improves the identification of translation events and opens up new possibilities to understand the effects of viral infections on the organism.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Methods·DateMar 19, 2018

Historians to climate researchers: Let's talk

A Princeton University historian team analyzed four case studies to understand how societies coped with natural stresses, revealing socioeconomic factors often played a more significant role than environmental changes. Historians' nuanced interpretation adds context to past events, helping policymakers prepare for global climate change.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 19, 2018

How allergens trigger asthma attacks

A team of scientists has identified a human protein called interleukin-33 (IL-33) that reacts to various environmental allergens, including mold, pollen, and cockroaches. This discovery establishes a direct link between genetics and the environment, and offers new potential targets for treatment of allergic diseases.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Immunology·DateMar 19, 2018

Certain antidepressants more effective in treating youth anxiety disorder, analysis shows

A meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials found that SSRIs were more effective in treating youth anxiety disorder than SNRIs. Patients started to see improvements from medication around two weeks, with the most significant improvement occurring in the fourth week of treatment.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateMar 19, 2018

Young at wrong end of deprivation gap, finds study

A study by the University of Manchester found that relative deprivation increased among young adults aged 30-59 and infants aged 0-4, while the over-60s experienced a decrease. The researchers attribute this to government policies, education funding, and housing costs increasing relative to real wages.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateMar 19, 2018

Cosmologists create largest simulation of galaxy formation, break their own record

Researchers from multiple institutions developed the largest-ever hydrological simulation of galaxy formation, expanding on their 2015 'Illustris' simulation. The new model includes a more precise accounting for magnetic fields and improves understanding of black hole physics, shedding light on star formation limits.

SourceGauss Centre for Supercomputing·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 19, 2018

Modified biomaterials self-assemble on temperature cues

Biomaterials with precisely ordered structures could be used for various biomedical applications due to their precise control of self-assembly. The hybrid approach allows researchers to expand the chemical diversity of protein-based materials by combining different alphabets, such as amino acids and lipids.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMar 19, 2018

A third of young adults have ridden with an impaired driver, NIH analysis suggests

A third of recent high school graduates have ridden in a motor vehicle with a substance-impaired driver, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health. The study found that 23% of young adults had ridden with marijuana-impaired drivers, while 20% had ridden with alcohol-impaired drivers.

Smithsonian reports first evidence of live-traded dogs for Maya ceremonies

Researchers analyzed animal remains from Ceibal, Guatemala, and found that dogs, turkeys, and cats were raised for ceremonial purposes, with dogs being traded across the landscape. The study sheds light on the role of animals in Maya civilization and challenges previous assumptions about their management.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 19, 2018

At first blush, you look happy -- or sad, or angry

A groundbreaking study found that people can correctly identify others' feelings up to 75% of the time by analyzing subtle changes in blood flow color around the nose, eyebrows, cheeks, or chin. Computer algorithms developed from the research accurately recognize human emotion via face color with up to 90% accuracy.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 19, 2018

New osteoarthritis genes discovered

A study published in Nature Genetics has identified nine novel genes associated with osteoarthritis. Researchers used the UK Biobank resource and found that five of these genes differ significantly in their expression between healthy and diseased cartilage, offering new targets for future research into therapies.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature Genetics·DateMar 19, 2018

New optical modules could improve thyroid cancer screening

Researchers developed a point-of-care device that simultaneously probes patient hemodynamics, chemical constitution, and anatomy to diagnose thyroid nodules. The device uses near-infrared time-resolve spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy to collect tissue data, promising improved accuracy and reduced costs.

SourceOptica·DateMar 19, 2018

Decoding the chemistry of fear

Researchers at the Salk Institute found that nematode worms exhibit a rudimentary fear-like response when exposed to chemicals from their predator, which has parallels to human anxiety. This discovery may lead to refined prescriptions for current anti-anxiety drugs and enable new treatments for PTSD and panic disorder.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 19, 2018

Muslims face high rates of discrimination in Canada

A recent study from the University of Waterloo found that Muslims are the least liked group in Canada, with higher rates of discrimination than most other demographic groups. Residents of Quebec and those with conservative views hold more negative feelings towards Muslims.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalCanadian Review of Sociology/Revue canadienne de sociologie·DateMar 19, 2018

Treating postmenopausal vulvovaginal symptoms in women

A study of 302 postmenopausal women found that prescribed vaginal estradiol hormone tablets and over-the-counter vaginal moisturizer didn't improve symptom relief or sexual function compared to a placebo. The researchers conclude that a better understanding of the underlying mechanism is needed to develop more effective treatments.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMar 19, 2018

Termite queen, king recognition pheromone identified

Researchers have identified a wax-like hydrocarbon called heneicosane as a royal recognition pheromone in termites, enabling workers to recognize and care for queens and kings. This discovery could upend current understanding of insect social behavior and evolution, suggesting that CHCs evolved as royal pheromones 150 million years ago.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 19, 2018

Premature hearts less able to cope with exercise

A study published by the British Heart Foundation found that premature hearts are less able to cope with exercise, leading to increased risk of heart failure. Researchers compared the heart function of adults born prematurely to those carried to term and discovered a significant difference in blood leaving the heart during exercise.

SourceBritish Heart Foundation·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 19, 2018

Three genes essential for cells to tell time

A recent study by University of Tokyo scientists has identified the Ask genes as crucial for regulating circadian rhythms and responding to cellular stress. The research found that cells lacking these genes are impaired in their ability to adapt to daily changes in environmental conditions, leading to disruptions in sleep-wake cycles.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 19, 2018

Fighting illegal fishing

Indonesia's anti-IUU fishing policies have successfully kick-started fishery recovery without reducing local fishing effort or catch. The country's policies reduced foreign fishing in its waters by over 90% and total fishing by 25%, generating a 14% increase in catch and a 15% increase in profit by 2035.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMar 19, 2018

Agriculture initiated by indigenous peoples, not Fertile Crescent migration

Researchers at the University of Liverpool discovered that small-scale farming was initiated by indigenous communities in Turkey's Anatolian plateau, contradicting previous theories. The study found evidence of crop cultivation and herding of sheep and goats, suggesting a stable and persistent use of crops for over 5 centuries.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 19, 2018