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Science News for May 22, 2018


Procedure plus medication is better than standard treatment for heart disease patients

A five-year analysis of the FAME 2 trial shows that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) along with prescribed medication is more effective than medication alone in preventing urgent hospital admissions, revascularizations, and likely heart attacks. The study found significant benefits for patients with stable coronary artery disease.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 22, 2018

Research reveals concerning childbirth trends

Research reveals a significant rise in postpartum haemorrhage in Victoria, with one in five women experiencing primary blood loss after childbirth. The study highlights the need for improved monitoring and treatment protocols to address this concerning trend.

SourceLa Trobe University·JournalAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·DateMay 22, 2018

Study: Guns in Chicago just '2.5 handshakes' away

A recent study by Northwestern University researchers used network science to map the gun market in Chicago, finding that individuals are on average 2.5 handshakes away from a gun. Gang membership was found to reduce this distance by 27 percent, highlighting the role of gangs in facilitating access to guns.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Urban Health·DateMay 22, 2018

How Australia got planted

A new study reveals that C4 plants, which dominate Australia's landscape, first expanded around 3.5 million years ago due to a strengthened summer monsoon. The research suggests that human influence on the atmosphere will play a significant role in shaping ecosystems in the future.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 22, 2018

Annual Report to the Nation

The Annual Report to the Nation on Cancer finds a decline in US cancer death rates among men and women of all racial and ethnic groups. Prostate cancer incidence has increased, while mortality has stabilized, with trends linked to changes in PSA screening.

Raiding the rape field

Researchers found that incorporating flowering areas and agri-environmental schemes in agricultural landscapes increases predator species and individuals, leading to effective natural pest control. The distance between the flowering plot and the oilseed rape field is crucial for this effect.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateMay 22, 2018

Magnesium magnificent for plasmonic applications

Rice University researchers have synthesized and isolated plasmonic magnesium nanoparticles that show promise with all the benefits of their gold and silver cousins. The particles proved to be unexpectedly robust and can concentrate light in nanoscale volumes, useful for chemical and biological sensors.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 22, 2018

Embryonic gene regulation through mechanical forces

Researchers found that mechanical cues contribute to the regulation of gene expression during early development. External pressure can activate or restore the expression of a crucial developmental regulator gene, brachyury. This mechanism is conserved across species, including zebrafish and fruitflies.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 22, 2018

Study: Ancient mound builders carefully timed their occupation of coastal Louisiana site

Researchers studied the Grand Caillou mound in coastal Louisiana, uncovering a timeline of natural and human events that shaped its construction and abandonment. The study provides insights into how Native peoples selected their villages' locations, using methods such as sediment coring and radiocarbon dating.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalThe Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology·DateMay 22, 2018

New study sheds light on the opioid epidemic and challenges prevailing views about this public health crisis

A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that fatal drug overdoses among young non-Hispanic white adults accounted for 62% of mortality rate growth between 1999 and 2015. The study highlights the rapid rise in lost life years and mortality rates for this population, particularly those aged 22-39 years.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateMay 22, 2018

How wheat can root out the take-all fungus

A team of scientists from Rothamsted Research has found that certain commercial cereal varieties can support beneficial fungi that suppress the take-all fungus, a devastating disease in wheat crops worldwide. This could provide a potential biological management strategy to control the disease.

SourceRothamsted Research·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·DateMay 22, 2018

Young toddlers may learn more from interactive than noninteractive media

Research suggests that younger toddlers benefit more from interactive digital media than traditional TV and videos. Interactive features help children connect screen experiences to real-world interactions. However, not all types of interactivity are beneficial, and individual differences play a significant role in learning outcomes.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development Perspectives·DateMay 22, 2018

Digging into new ethical issues around stem cells

A special section in Perspectives in Biology and Medicine examines the newest and most complex issues surrounding stem cells. The issue includes essays on the potential impacts of using a person's own stem cells on patients, health-care systems, and the public trust in science and medicine.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalPerspectives in Biology and Medicine·DateMay 22, 2018

Study finds popular 'growth mindset' educational interventions aren't very effective

A study by Michigan State University and Case Western Reserve University found that growth mindset interventions have little to no effect on academic achievement for typical students. The researchers suggest that the benefits of these interventions are overstated and that something other than mindset is causing the observed effects.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalPsychological Science·DateMay 22, 2018

Posttraumatic stress affects academics

A new Penn State research study found that posttraumatic stress symptoms increase risks for academic difficulties in student veterans. Partnered women were particularly affected due to relationship problems impacting their academic functioning.

Hepatitis C infections resulting from medical treatment occur despite clear guidelines

A study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that 63% of Hepatitis C infections resulting from medical treatment were discovered after patients became acutely ill. Researchers highlight the importance of proactive reporting and proper infection control practices to prevent such incidents.

SourceAmerican Osteopathic Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Osteopathic Association·DateMay 22, 2018

Power to the people

The University of Utah's Masood Parvania is developing microgrid controllers that can distribute electrical power more efficiently and securely in case of a power outage. His team will test these technologies on a new laboratory setup, also aiming to educate the next generation of power engineers.

As harmful as dehydration?

A study by McGill University Health Centre researchers has uncovered the mechanisms of overhydration leading to hyponatremia, a common condition in patients with traumatic brain injuries. The study reveals that glial cells detect overhydration and trigger the release of taurine, which inhibits hydration sensing neurons.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 22, 2018

Students taught by highly qualified teachers more likely to obtain bachelor's degree

A study by Se Woong Lee found that students taught by successive teachers with expertise in the subject they're learning are more likely to succeed both short-term and long-term. This suggests that schools can increase student success by prioritizing teacher qualifications and collaboration among educators.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEducational Evaluation and Policy Analysis·DateMay 22, 2018

Lead exposure found to affect fertility rates

A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that exposure to lead in the air and topsoil is associated with lower fertility rates among US women and men. The study analyzed data from the 1970s to 2000s and found that reduced airborne lead levels boosted fertility, while higher levels of lead in soil decreased it.

'Virtual safe space' to help bumblebees

The Bumble-BEEHAVE model predicts individual and interacting effects of stressors on bumblebee survival and informs management recommendations. The tool aids in designing field experiments, risk assessments, and assigning bespoke management advice.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateMay 22, 2018

New tech may make prosthetic hands easier for patients to use

Researchers developed a user-generic musculoskeletal model that translates neuromuscular signals into commands for prosthetic devices. The technology has shown promising results in early testing with able-bodied and amputee volunteers, potentially paving the way for more intuitive and reliable prosthetic control.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·DateMay 22, 2018

The case for not taxing multinationals

A new study by Nicolai Foss and colleagues argues that taxing Multinational Enterprises (MNEs)' profits is inefficient and detrimental to global welfare. The authors propose replacing corporate tax with a hike in taxes on dividends and sales, claiming this would be more effective and harmonize easier.

SourceBocconi University·JournalJournal of International Business Studies·DateMay 22, 2018

Remote control of transport through nanopores

Scientists have developed a way to alter external factors like voltage to control the transport of molecules through biological channels. The study, published in EPJ E, shows that applying an electric current can overcome energy barriers and facilitate molecule transfer.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateMay 22, 2018