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Science News for May 2, 2018


Improving 3-D printing of plastic parts

Researchers developed structured core-shell polymer filaments to improve the strength of 3-D printed plastics. The new filaments have a polycarbonate core and an olefin ionomer shell, which self-reinforce the printed parts and make them more resistant to impacts.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 2, 2018

Blood pressure-regulating hormone may be a key marker of sociality in monkeys

Researchers found a potential biomarker for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in monkeys with low social behavior, which had lower arginine vasopressin concentrations in their cerebrospinal fluid. This discovery suggests that AVP may be a target for developing new drugs to alleviate social impairment in ASD patients.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 2, 2018

Math sheds light on how living cells 'think'

Researchers have developed new mathematics to understand how proteins work together as an integrated network within cells, enabling them to adapt and reset themselves after exposure to a new stimulus. This finding has potential applications in various fields, including cancer therapies and understanding the human hormone system.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 2, 2018

River dolphins are declining steeply in the Amazon basin

Populations of freshwater dolphins in the Amazon basin are declining rapidly, with both boto and tucuxi species facing severe decline rates. The study reveals that these species would be classified as Critically Endangered under IUCN Red List criteria if current trends continue.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 2, 2018

Cracking open the formation of fossil concretions

Researchers at Nagoya University developed a method to analyze concretions using L-shaped cross-plot diagrams, revealing that they grow quickly due to the presence of organic matter. The study found that concretions can preserve well-preserved fossils of soft tissues, which are rarely fossilized under other conditions.

SourceNagoya University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 2, 2018

Liver fix thyself

Scientists from Cincinnati Children's and UCSF have discovered a mechanism behind an unusual form of tissue regeneration in mice with Alagille syndrome, a rare liver disease. This discovery may lead to a viable treatment for human disease by instructing other types of liver cells to switch identities.

Tip sheet for the Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment May 2018 Issue

The article explores four key strategies to prevent environmental generational amnesia, which can accelerate environmental degradation. Coral reef restoration is also discussed, highlighting the importance of herbivory, reducing coral predation, and promoting algae-farming fishes. Additionally, passive acoustic monitoring in freshwater...

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateMay 2, 2018

Pioneering paper shows infection control and prevention in clinics is in everyone's hands

A pioneering paper provides a practical guide for infection control in clinics, emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene, injection safety, cleaning, sterilization, and high-level disinfection. The guide promotes a proactive approach to infection prevention and control, empowering patients to hold healthcare providers accountable.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases·DateMay 2, 2018

Energy recovery of urban waste

Researchers propose a two-stage system converting urban waste into gas under reducing conditions, then burning the gas efficiently in optimized equipment. This method minimizes toxic substance generation and reduces CO2 emissions by up to 300 kg per ton of treated waste.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalWaste Management·DateMay 2, 2018

Rare sharks are no longer in the 'dark,' thanks to new species survey method

Researchers analyzed genetic material from organisms to assess dark diversity of sharks and found three times more species in wilderness areas than traditional visual methods. The results suggest a lower estimated dark diversity of sharks in the region, potentially impacting IUCN Red List classifications and aiding conservation efforts.

Bats go quiet during fall mating season

Hoary bats exhibit unusual silent behavior during their fall mating season, potentially to avoid eavesdropping from competitors and mates. The study suggests that this 'inconspicuous echolocation' may provide an advantage in the mating game but poses a deadly risk when encountering obstacles like wind turbines.

French bulldogs at risk of various health problems

A recent UK study found that French Bulldogs are prone to various health conditions, with ear infections, diarrhea, and conjunctivitis being the most common. The research also suggests that male French Bulldogs may be less healthy than females, highlighting concerns about the breed's welfare due to its extreme physical features.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCanine Genetics and Epidemiology·DateMay 2, 2018

An ironic health care twist for undocumented immigrants

A new analysis highlights that undocumented people in certain states may get more medical help due to the current administration's effort to give states more flexibility with their health care spending. States like Florida and Texas have already received permission to increase funding for safety-net hospitals, leading to a 50-70% rise ...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 2, 2018

Yale physicists find signs of a time crystal

Researchers at Yale University have found hints of time crystals in monoammonium phosphate (MAP) crystals, which are easy to grow and commonly used in children's kits. The discovery presents new challenges for understanding how time crystals form and could lead to improvements in atomic clocks and quantum technologies.

SourceYale University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 2, 2018

Why plants are so sensitive to gravity: The lowdown

Researchers discovered that plant statoliths exhibit fluid behavior due to molecular 'motors' stirring them about, enabling the detection of slightest gravity changes. This finding provides insight into what makes plants sensitive to gravity.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 2, 2018

The case for hope: Educating as if survival matters

A new article in BioScience proposes that education can be a powerful tool to empower students and inspire action on environmental sustainability. The authors argue that teachers should encourage students to investigate environmental issues, collect data, and participate in citizen science and conservation efforts.

SourceCornell University·JournalBioScience·DateMay 2, 2018

Nanodiamond turns into controllable light source

Researchers from ITMO University developed a controlled light source based on nanodiamond, doubling emission speed without additional nanostructures. The artificial defects in the diamond crystal lattice enable efficient control of light emission, crucial for quantum computers and optical networks.

SourceITMO University·JournalNanoscale·DateMay 2, 2018

Flaw found in water treatment method

A recent study from Johns Hopkins University reveals a flaw in the water treatment process that can create toxic transformation products, including 2-butene-1,4-dial. This compound has been linked to negative effects on human cells and may be responsible for toxicity in cigarette smoke and car exhaust.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 2, 2018

Understanding fear of guilt key in better treating OCD

A new study at University of Waterloo found that fear of guilt evokes feelings of doubt in decision-making, leading to indecisiveness and repetition in OCD patients. The study's results suggest that addressing this specific factor could improve treatment outcomes for individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders·DateMay 2, 2018

Organic printing inks may restore sight to blind people

Researchers have developed a tiny, simple photoactive film that converts light impulses into electrical signals, stimulating neurons and potentially restoring sight to blind people. The technology uses cheap and widely-available organic pigments and has been successfully tested in experiments with non-functioning retinas.

SourceLinköping University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMay 2, 2018

Researchers discover connection between circadian rhythm and aggression

A study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen has confirmed a connection between the circadian rhythm and aggression in Alzheimer's patients. The team identified a circuit linking the brain's circadian clock to an aggression centre, suggesting a potential target for pharmacological intervention. This discovery may lead to new ...

It all comes down to roughness

The study shows that using rough particles can significantly reduce the amount of material needed to achieve sudden solidification in suspensions. This could lead to improved cement flow characteristics and potential applications in everyday materials like bullet-proof vests.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 2, 2018

New leads on treating dementia and Alzheimer's

A recent study sheds light on the role of inflammation in dementia and Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that inflammation is a major cause rather than just a consequence. The research found that many genes linked to dementia regulate susceptibility and response to inflammatory damage.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateMay 2, 2018

Protecting campus free speech, even when it challenges beliefs

A Cornell University study suggests that understanding biases is key to resolving conflicts over free speech, as psychological science has shown many types of bias can prevent opposing sides from accepting each other's arguments. The researchers argue that college experiences should involve challenging beliefs, even when uncomfortable.

SourceCornell University·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateMay 2, 2018

Why Antarctic snow melts even in winter

Researchers found that Antarctic glaciers can experience surface melting during the winter months due to warm winds. The Larsen C ice sheet shows large meltwater lakes forming, which may affect ice-shelf stability and contribute to sea-level rise if ponds cause ice shelves to break up.

SourceSwansea University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 2, 2018