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Science News for May 21, 2018


Soft machines

Researchers at UCSB have created a new type of actuator that combines speed and softness, enabling faster and more versatile soft robotic systems. The actuator, made from liquid-metal alloy conductors and magnetized polymer composites, allows for fast and low-voltage movement in various applications.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMay 21, 2018

Turning entanglement upside down

Physicists develop novel strategy to probe entanglement Hamiltonian, providing direct access to entanglement spectrum and facilitating investigation of complex many-particle systems. This approach enables concrete statements about entanglement properties, overcoming the challenges posed by classical computers.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Physics·DateMay 21, 2018

Major fossil study sheds new light on emergence of early animal life 540 million years ago

A comprehensive analysis of fossil euarthropods suggests the 'Cambrian Explosion' was a gradual process, with the origin of animals dating back to around 550 million years ago. The study challenges two competing hypotheses on early animal evolution, presenting a middle-ground between slow and rapid evolution.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 21, 2018

International anesthesia standards updated with WHO in global effort to improve surgical care

The World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists and WHO have updated international anesthesia standards to improve surgical care worldwide. The guidelines aim to provide concrete standards for facilities, equipment, medications, and professional aspects of anesthesia care.

SourceWorld Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists·JournalCanadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d anesthésie·DateMay 21, 2018

Computer redesigns enzyme

University of Groningen biotechnologists successfully redesigned aspartase enzyme using computational method, producing kilograms of pure building blocks for pharmaceuticals and other bioactive compounds.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMay 21, 2018

Discovery for grouping atoms invokes Pasteur

Scientists have discovered a new method for combining atoms into shape-shifting molecules, enabling the creation of novel materials and drugs with unique properties. This breakthrough builds upon past discoveries of isomerism, paving the way for the development of countless new compounds.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMay 21, 2018

Hurricanes: A bit stronger, a bit slower, and a lot wetter in a warmer climate

A new analysis of 22 recent hurricanes suggests they would become stronger and wetter in a warmer climate, with increased rainfall rates. The study found that average hourly maximum wind speeds would rise by 6% and rainfall rates would increase by 24%, leading to more devastating flooding.

Eczema drug effective against severe asthma

Dupilumab alleviates asthma symptoms and improves lung function in moderate to severe asthma patients. The drug significantly reduced asthma exacerbations by half in some patients, with improved rates of emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 21, 2018

Reading the minds of pilots on the fly

A team of researchers at Drexel University has successfully measured the brain activity of pilots in real-time using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, or fNIRS. The study shows that pilots who flew a real aircraft committed more errors and had higher cognitive load than those who operated a flight simulator.

SourceDrexel University·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateMay 21, 2018

Age-related racial disparity in childhood suicide

A study examining age-specific suicide rates between black and white US youths from 2001 to 2015 reveals significant disparities. The findings highlight the need for targeted suicide prevention efforts for black children, suggesting a greater risk of suicide among younger black youth.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateMay 21, 2018

One year's losses for child sexual abuse in US top $9 billion, new study suggests

A new study finds that child sexual abuse has a profound economic impact on the US, with estimated annual costs of $9.3 billion and lifetime costs per victim ranging from nearly $200,000 for nonfatal abuse to over $1 million for fatal cases. The study's authors hope to inspire policymakers to invest in prevention efforts.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalChild Abuse & Neglect·DateMay 21, 2018

Extrasolar asteroid has been orbiting the sun for 4.5 billion years

A Brazilian scientist and her co-author found that an extrasolar asteroid has stably occupied a stable path corresponding to Jupiter's orbit for at least 4.5 billion years. The asteroid is believed to have originated from outside the Solar System, likely captured by Jupiter's powerful gravitational field.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 21, 2018

Are humans causing cancer in wild animals?

Researchers from Arizona State University warn that human activities are influencing cancer rates in wild animal populations. Studies have shown that pollution, pesticides, microplastics, and artificial light pollution are contributing to the prevalence of cancer in various species.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMay 21, 2018

Flexible, highly efficient multimodal energy harvesting

Researchers at Penn State developed a new composite material that can efficiently harvest mechanical and thermal energy using a 3D piezoelectric ceramic foam supported by a flexible polymer. The material outperforms traditional piezoelectric composites, offering improved flexibility and energy output.

SourcePenn State·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateMay 21, 2018

UNM scientists find widespread ocean anoxia as cause for past mass extinction

A team of researchers led by Maya Elrick found that a global marine anoxic event occurred during the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction, which lasted for at least 1 million years and coincided with the extinction of 85% of marine life. The study suggests that low oxygen concentrations in the ocean were a major driver of the mass extinction.

SourceUniversity of New Mexico·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 21, 2018

Vocal neurons encode evolution of frog calls

Researchers discovered a population of neurons that give rise to unique mating calls in two closely-related frog species. The findings suggest that changes in these cells over time may have shaped vocal patterns in vertebrates. Ancient circuits involved in breathing control were found to be linked to the evolution of vocal patterns.

Insufficient sleep, even without extended wakefulness, leads to performance impairments

Chronic short sleep duration, independent of extended wakefulness, results in vigilant performance impairments, with attention lapses increasing fivefold and reaction time doubling. Participants on restricted sleep schedules worsened over time, suggesting they cannot adapt to chronically insufficient sleep.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 21, 2018

New form of local anesthetic does not reduce opioid use or complications after knee surgery

A new study published in Anesthesiology found that liposomal bupivacaine, a long-acting local anesthetic, did not reduce opioid prescriptions or complications after total knee replacement surgery. The study included over 88,000 patients and found no significant benefit from adding liposomal bupivacaine to multimodal pain management reg...

SourceAmerican Society of Anesthesiologists·JournalAnesthesiology·DateMay 21, 2018

World's biggest fisheries supported by seagrass meadows

Seagrass meadows support global fisheries production by providing nursery habitat, promoting health of connected habitats, and supplying trophic support. However, the coastal distribution of seagrasses makes them vulnerable to threats such as land runoff and trawling, leading to declines in seagrass and fisheries.

SourceSwansea University·JournalConservation Letters·DateMay 21, 2018

How animals holler

Research by Ingo Titze and Anil Palaparthi found that animals' high radiation efficiency is due to wide mouths, high frequencies, and body acoustical reflecting chambers. Humans lack these traits, limiting our ability to make long-range calls like animals do. The study aims to improve human call efficiency for emergency situations.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateMay 21, 2018

A better way to control crystal vibrations

By doping aluminum oxide with neodymium, researchers can control phonon frequencies and speeds, leading to improved thermal conductivity and efficiency in thermoelectric devices. This breakthrough provides a simpler and cheaper way to tune material properties, enabling new applications in solid-state lighting and electronics.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 21, 2018

Sleep better, parent better: Study shows link between maternal sleep and permissive parenting

A new study from the University of Illinois found that mothers who don't get enough sleep or have poor quality sleep are more likely to engage in permissive parenting with their adolescents. Mothers who receive adequate sleep, on the other hand, are less likely to be permissive and report better parenting behaviors.

What can snakes teach us about engineering friction?

Researchers at Drexel University have found that snake skin's unique texture and micro-structure create a distinct friction profile, which can be used to inform the design of textured surfaces. By studying over 350 species of snakes, they have developed a framework for creating 'smart surfaces' with new frictional capabilities.

SourceDrexel University·JournalJournal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials·DateMay 21, 2018

Quantum effects observed in photosynthesis

Researchers have found quantum effects in photosynthetic systems at low temperatures, challenging the idea that these effects are unique to non-biological systems. The study also reveals that regular vibrations, not superposition, were responsible for earlier reported observations.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMay 21, 2018