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Science News for May 18, 2018


Variations in placental microbiota appear related to premature birth

A study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found a surplus of pathogenic bacteria in placentas from premature births, supporting the hypothesis that maternal infection may cause preterm birth. The research also discovered evidence of placental bacteria in healthy pregnancies, challenging conventional wisdom.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateMay 18, 2018

Matabele ants: Travelling faster with detours

The Matabele ant, a species of termite-eating ant, uses detours to increase its speed while traveling back to the nest. By taking the quickest route rather than the shortest one, they reduce their travel time by an average of 35%. This navigational skill is unique to this species and allows individual ants to make decisions independently.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMay 18, 2018

Ammunition with risks and side effects

A study by researchers at Technical University of Munich found that alternative shotgun ammunition materials containing copper and zinc can be highly toxic to water organisms, potentially threatening environmental protection. The study suggests a ban on these materials may be necessary to replace lead shot.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalKnowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems·DateMay 18, 2018

Drug used to treat daytime sleepiness does not appear to improve driving in those with sleep apnea

A study found that armodafinil did not improve driving performance or reduce daytime sleepiness in individuals with moderate to severe sleep apnea. However, participants taking the drug lost more body fat than those receiving a placebo, suggesting potential benefits for weight loss.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMay 18, 2018

UNC researchers discover how body temperature wrecks potential dengue, Zika vaccine

Researchers from UNC School of Medicine found that natural body temperature affects the stability of a promising vaccine component, potentially rendering it ineffective against dengue and Zika viruses. The study suggests that stabilizing the pairing propensity of this component is critical to creating an effective vaccine.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMay 18, 2018

Flow of cerebrospinal fluid regulates neural stem cell division

Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München discovered that cerebrospinal fluid flow stimulates neural stem cell division through ENaC channel protein. The study highlights a new mechanism controlling neural stem cell proliferation and has implications for brain function and treatment.

Optimum shade for cocoa

Researchers found that a shade-tree cover of approximately 30% has a predominantly positive effect on cocoa plants, maintaining maximum soil moisture and keeping pests and diseases in check. This amount of shade also increases animal and plant species, carbon sequestration, and cooling effects on temperature.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Sustainability·DateMay 18, 2018

Cannabis: It matters how young you start

A new study by Université de Montréal researchers found that boys who start smoking marijuana at the start of their teens are 68% more likely to have a drug abuse problem by age 28, compared to those who start between 15 and 17. The study also found that frequent cannabis use increases the risk of addiction.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalThe Canadian Journal of Psychiatry·DateMay 18, 2018

Genome editing method targets AIDS virus

A Japanese research group has developed a CRISPR/Cas9 system to target and block HIV-1 production in infected cells. By targeting two regulatory genes tat and rev, they were able to significantly lower the expression and functions of both genes.

SourceKobe University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 18, 2018

Giraffes surprise biologists yet again

A new study by University of Bristol PhD student Zoe Muller found that giraffe group sizes are not influenced by predation risk, contradicting a long-held assumption. Giraffe groups were smaller when adult females had calves, highlighting the complexity of their behavior and ecology.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJournal of Zoology·DateMay 18, 2018

Safety program for surgical patients sharply drops surgical site infections

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found a 61.7 percent reduction in colorectal surgical site infections in Hawaii's 15-hospital collaborative using AHRQ's Safety Program for Surgery. The program also improved hospital safety culture, with 10 out of 12 categories showing significant improvements.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateMay 18, 2018

Label-free method for rapid cancer diagnosis

Researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum have developed a label-free method for rapid cancer diagnosis using infrared imaging, which can perform analysis in just a few minutes. The technique, combined with bioinformatical image analysis, shows promising results with 97% accuracy compared to traditional histopathological analyses.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 18, 2018

Where GM meets GE

Rothamsted Research will conduct a field trial of genome-edited (GE) Camelina, a genetically modified crop that accumulates omega-3 fatty acids, alongside a traditional GM version. The trials aim to investigate the efficiency of genetic engineering in developing plants with desired traits, such as improved nutrition and sustainability.

Effective methods for automated design of complex technical objects and systems

Researchers at Lobachevsky University have proposed a two-fold approach to overcome the computational complexity of multicriteria problems. By re-using search information and using effective global search algorithms, they aim to find multiple compromise options that cannot be improved simultaneously with respect to all partial criteria.

SourceLobachevsky University·JournalJournal of Global Optimization·DateMay 18, 2018

A new map for a birthplace of stars

A new map for a birthplace of stars provides unprecedented detail of the structure of the Orion A molecular cloud. The maps will help researchers calibrate star formation models for extragalactic studies and better understand how fast and efficiently stars form in the region.

Fingerprints in birefringence

Researchers discovered that supercharged polypeptide fluids can form ordered phases in response to physical forces, resembling fingerprint patterns. The persisted order was detected using polarized optical microscopy, opening possibilities for biometric fingerprint detection.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 18, 2018