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Science News for May 17, 2018


A bolt of insight

A team led by the University of Utah has observed lightning-triggered gamma-rays in more detail than ever before, detecting 10 bursts of downward terrestrial gamma ray flashes between 2014 and 2016. The study provides a major advance in understanding the production mechanism of these rare and high-energy radiation events.

Acute kidney injury during hospitalization linked with higher risk of heart failure

A new study reveals that acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events, particularly heart failure, in patients even after discharge from the hospital. Researchers found that AKI was linked to an 18% increased risk of composite outcomes including heart failure and atherosclerotic events.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMay 17, 2018

How intestinal worms hinder tuberculosis vaccination

Research in mice shows that chronic intestinal worm infection reduces the number of white blood cells in lymph nodes near the BCG vaccine injection site, hindering the immune response to tuberculosis. De-worming treatments can restore immune function after infection.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMay 17, 2018

Detecting the shape of laser pulses

A team of researchers at the Institute for Basic Science developed a new method to measure laser pulse shapes in ambient air. The patented technique, TIPTOE, uses tunnel ionization and achieves temporal characterization of laser pulses without X-ray pulses or vacuum conditions.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalOptica·DateMay 17, 2018

Hookah responsible for over half of tobacco smoke inhaled by young smokers

A new University of Pittsburgh analysis discovered that hookah smoking accounted for over half of the tobacco smoke volume consumed by young adult smokers in the US. In contrast, those who smoked tobacco only using a hookah had lower but still substantial toxicant exposures compared to those who used both hookahs and cigarettes.

International consortium wants to sequence the DNA of 1.5 million species

The Earth BioGenome Project aims to sequence genomes of every eukaryotic species on Earth, filling the huge knowledge gap in biodiversity research. With a cost estimate of approximately US$4.7 billion, the project will lay the scientific foundation for a new bioeconomy and bring innovative solutions to global problems.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 17, 2018

La Trobe's infection-busting discovery

A team of La Trobe University scientists has discovered a peptide found in the flowers of the ornamental tobacco plant Nicotiana alata that can target and destroy Candida albicans cells, making it a promising lead for developing a new class of antibiotics.

SourceLa Trobe University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 17, 2018

Marine animals have been following their preferred climate for millions of years

Researchers at FAU have discovered that marine animals have been migrating for millions of years in response to changes in temperature. Coral, molluscs, and sponges have followed their preferred cold and warm zones for half a billion years, with isotherms shifting towards the poles or equator as temperatures rise or fall.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateMay 17, 2018

The survival of sea birds affected by ocean cycles

Researchers studied the effects of El Niño and Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) on Nazca booby survival. Young birds face low survival rates during El Niño events due to depleted fish stocks, while adults experience higher mortality in warm PDO phases due to increased reproduction difficulties.

SourceCNRS·JournalEcology·DateMay 17, 2018

Mosquito spit may affect your immune system for days

Researchers have discovered that mosquito saliva can trigger a prolonged immune response in humans, detected up to 7 days after a bite. The study found that the proteins in mosquito saliva interact with human immune cells, leading to changes in cytokine levels and T helper cell responses.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateMay 17, 2018

Hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury have increased risk of heart failure

A recent study by Kaiser Permanente found that hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury have a 44% higher relative risk of heart failure within one year of discharge compared to those without acute kidney injury. This increased risk highlights the importance of monitoring for signs of heart failure in these patients.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMay 17, 2018

Blood type affects severity of diarrhea caused by E. coli

A study by Washington University School of Medicine found that people with blood type A are more likely to experience severe diarrhea caused by E. coli. Researchers identified a protein responsible for this blood-group difference, which could lead to the development of a vaccine targeting this protein.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 17, 2018

Riding bacterium to the bank

Sandia National Laboratories scientists have engineered E. coli to efficiently convert tough plant matter called lignin into valuable platform chemicals. This breakthrough solves three problems: cost, toxicity and speed, paving the way for economically viable biofuel production from renewable sources.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 17, 2018

One way social isolation changes the mouse brain

Researchers found that social isolation in mice upregulates neuropeptide Tac2/NkB, leading to increased aggression and persistent responses to threatening stimuli. The peptide is overproduced in multiple brain regions, causing diverse behavioral changes that persist even after social isolation is reversed.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateMay 17, 2018

Single surface protein boosts multiple oncogenic pathways in acute myeloid leukemia

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine found that a signaling protein called interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP) plays a critical role in driving the development and progression of acute myeloid leukemia. IL1RAP amplifies multiple key pathways, making it a promising target for treatment.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateMay 17, 2018

Study co-authored by UCLA scientists shows evidence of water vapor plumes on Jupiter moon

A study co-authored by UCLA scientists reveals evidence of water vapor plumes on Europa's surface, providing further support for the possibility of a vast ocean beneath its icy outer shell. The research suggests that there are energy sources in the moon's interior that would be required if life were to develop on Europa.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMay 17, 2018

Automated system better identifies patients at risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia

A new automated system has been developed to identify patients at risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia, outperforming traditional manual surveillance methods. The system uses an algorithm to analyze electronic health records and was found to be 100% accurate in detecting ventilator-associated events.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateMay 17, 2018

The right moves

A new study reveals that the brain relies on an exquisite balance between two populations of neurons in the striatum to control movement. The findings could help researchers develop new treatments for Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases by understanding how movement gets translated into desired action.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateMay 17, 2018

How Nagana is carried by tsetse flies

Tsetse flies transmit Nagana disease to livestock by injecting trypanosomes into the skin, which then invade the bloodstream and cause severe illness. Understanding how these microbes develop inside the fly may lead to new methods of controlling the spread of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMay 17, 2018

Injections for knee osteoarthritis -- 'subtle but significant' impact of revisions in clinical practice guidelines

The study analyzed an insurance database of over 1 million patients with knee osteoarthritis treated between 2007 and 2015. Updated guidelines from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons led to a decline in hyaluronic acid injections, while steroid injection rates leveled off after a recommendation against its use was made.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateMay 17, 2018

Want to help your child succeed in school? Add language to the math, reading mix

A University of Washington-led study reveals that children's language skills are the strongest predictor of their future academic success, including better performance in math, reading and social areas. The study found that language skills, such as vocabulary and grammar, can provide a foundation for social interaction, executive funct...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalEarly Childhood Research Quarterly·DateMay 17, 2018

Big data reveals new Alzheimer's risk genes

A large-scale study has identified three new genes linked to the risk of Alzheimer's disease, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying the condition. The findings, published in Translational Psychiatry, are based on genetic data from over 300,000 people and could pave the way for new approaches to treating the disease.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateMay 17, 2018

Critically endangered South American forests were man made

A new study reveals that ancient communities in South America, particularly the Southern Jê people, played a significant role in expanding the critically endangered Araucaria forests between 1,410 and 900 years ago. The forests, which date back to the time of dinosaurs, were initially established on grasslands and expanded into highlan...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 17, 2018

The ultrafast dance of liquid water

Researchers at Stockholm University have discovered correlated motion in water dynamics on a sub-100 femtosecond timescale, indicating a complex network of hydrogen bonds that play a role even on ultrafast timescales. The study reveals the coordinated dance of water molecules due to the formation of tetrahedral structures.

SourceStockholm University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 17, 2018

Innovative light-delivery technique improves biosensors

A new approach to injecting light into silicon microdisks enhances the performance of chip-based biosensors, leading to more sensitive detection of diseases. The end-fire injection technique offers improved robustness and reduced cost, paving the way for commercial applications.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateMay 17, 2018

Climate-threatened animals unable to relocate

Researchers studied species' characteristics to predict their relocation abilities, finding that some animals are unable to adapt to changing habitats. Climate change will impact 30 of the 62 mammal species in Europe, with many being at greater risk than previously thought.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalDiversity and Distributions·DateMay 17, 2018

Self-assembling 3D battery would charge in seconds

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a self-assembling 3D battery architecture that enables lightning-fast charging times. The battery's innovative design eliminates energy storage losses and increases power density, making it potentially revolutionary for electronic devices.

SourceCornell University·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateMay 17, 2018

Diabetes researchers find switch for fatty liver disease

Duke researchers have identified a key fork in the road for the way the liver deals with carbohydrates, fats, and protein. By targeting BCAA breakdown, they found that activating this process reduces fat deposition in the liver and improves glucose regulation. This approach offers a promising new target for combating fatty liver disease.

SourceDuke University·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMay 17, 2018

Microglia are key defenders against prion diseases

Researchers discovered that microglia can defend against prion infections by trapping and destroying aggregated prion proteins. Eliminating microglia with a specific drug accelerated disease progression in infected mice. The findings suggest targeting microglia to slow the course of prion diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

What happens if we run out?

A large-scale study is proposed to test the efficacy of strategies for preventing pesticide resistance in critical weed and insect species. The authors recommend providing resources for landscape-level studies and incentives for farmers to participate, highlighting the need for a multi-faceted approach to addressing this pressing issue.

Sex, viruses and cancer

Researchers found that combining erectile dysfunction drugs with the flu vaccine can reduce cancer spread by over 90% in a mouse model. The treatment works by blocking immune cells that suppress the immune system after surgery, allowing natural killer cells to fight cancer more effectively.

SourceThe Ottawa Hospital·JournalOncoImmunology·DateMay 17, 2018

Biodiversity suffers as climate warms

A global temperature increase of 2°C would double risks for plants, animals, and insects, leading to widespread biodiversity loss. If left unchecked, warming could trigger systemic ecological simplification, threatening ecosystem services crucial for human well-being.

SourceStellenbosch University·JournalScience·DateMay 17, 2018

Supercomputing the emergence of material behavior

Researchers at UCSD designed a two-dimensional protein crystal that can toggle between states of varying porosity and density. The material's structural dynamics were simulated using all-atom molecular dynamics, revealing new insights into the emergence of complex properties in biomolecules. Control over the opening and closing of pore...