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Science News for May 23, 2018


Long-term study shows crop rotation decreases greenhouse gas emissions

Crop rotation has been shown to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by up to 35% compared to continuous corn or soybean. Rotating crops also increases yield benefits of over 20%, with tillage not affecting emissions. The study highlights the importance of crop diversification and soil management in reducing environmental impact.

Asthma management: Allocating duties

Asthma management is complicated by heterogeneity and variability, making it difficult to implement optimal strategies. The role of physicians in managing asthma complexity is particularly challenging, requiring knowledge, dedication, and experience.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Respiratory Medicine Reviews·DateMay 23, 2018

Tuberculosis: Pharmacists develop new substance to counteract antimicrobial resistance

Researchers at Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg found a way to increase the effectiveness of common TB antibiotics while reducing resistance. The new compound blocks the bacteria's pumping mechanism, improving drug efficacy. Tuberculosis is a major global health threat, with 490,000 cases of multi-resistant TB reported in 2016.

Men take shortcuts, while women follow well-known routes

A study published in Springer's journal Memory & Cognition found that men tend to take shortcuts and navigate more efficiently than women in known environments. Women, on the other hand, follow learned routes and are more likely to wander, leading to slower navigation times.

SourceSpringer·JournalMemory & Cognition·DateMay 23, 2018

Cultivating cannabis

State agricultural organizations and researchers are working to improve cannabis cultivation through biological means of pest control and sequencing the cannabis genome. This effort aims to increase the crop's value by providing better growing conditions and fertilizers, ultimately reducing the demand for trained scientists.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMay 23, 2018

Strain directs spin waves

Spin waves transmitted through a magnetic insulator film have the advantage that energy loss is small and long-distance transmission is possible. By studying the influence of stress magnitude on spin waves, researchers found that large stress can transmit spin waves even with weak permanent magnets attached.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·DateMay 23, 2018

'Uniquely human' muscles have been discovered in apes

A recent study has found that 'uniquely human' muscles, such as those associated with bipedalism and facial expressions, are present in various ape species. Researchers have discovered that these muscles are not exclusive to humans, but are also found in bonobos and other apes, suggesting a more complex origin of human soft tissues.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateMay 23, 2018

Controlled nano-assembly

Scientists have introduced a universal pH-regulated assembly method for DNA nanostructures, using ethylenediamine to control self-directed cohesions. This method enables the formation of various geometries without specific base sequences, expanding dynamic DNA nanotechnology applications.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 23, 2018

Depression speeds up brain aging, find psychologists

A comprehensive study published in Psychological Medicine found a strong link between depression and cognitive decline in older adults. The research, which analyzed data from over 71,000 participants, revealed that people with depression experienced a greater decline in cognitive state than those without depression.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalPsychological Medicine·DateMay 23, 2018

Brexit is bad for our health

Experts call on UK health professionals to support a 'people's vote' to protect public health as Brexit poses significant threats to the NHS, including reduced funding and access issues.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMay 23, 2018

3D printed sugar offers sweet solution for tissue engineering, device manufacturing

Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a 3D printer that creates delicate networks of hardened isomalt sugar structures, which can be used to grow cells and tissue, or create microfluidic devices. The structures' ability to precisely control mechanical properties makes them ideal for biomedical applications.

Valves for tiny particles

The ETH Zurich researchers developed nanovalves that can control individual nanoparticles in liquids using electric forces. This technology enables sorting and manipulation of tiny particles such as metal, semiconductor, virus, liposomes, and antibodies.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 23, 2018

Cause of E. coli beach closings? Gulls

Researchers have identified gulls as the major source of E. coli beach closings on Lake Michigan beaches in Indiana. The team found that trained dogs patrolled beaches with a dog deterrence program reduced gull abundance by nearly 100% and beach closures, resulting in improved water quality.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateMay 23, 2018

Lifestyle counseling program may reduce risk of certain cancers

A 5-year lifestyle counseling program for adult men was linked with a reduced risk of developing cancers related to overweight, diet, and smoking over 25 years. The study found that changes to a healthier diet and stopping smoking in adulthood can reduce the risk of some cancer forms.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Internal Medicine·DateMay 23, 2018

Penn researchers identify source of molecule linked to nasal polyps, asthma attacks

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified the source of IL-25, an inflammatory cytokine linked to chronic rhinosinusitis and asthma. The study found that solitary chemosensory cells in the sinuses produce IL-25, which can recruit immune cells and lead to inflammation.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateMay 23, 2018

Atomic-scale manufacturing now a reality

Researchers have developed an automated atom fabrication process using machine learning, paving the way for mass production of atom-scale devices. This breakthrough aims to reduce energy consumption by 1000 times and increase computation speed a hundredfold, making it a game-changing technology for the information age.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalACS Nano·DateMay 23, 2018

'These could revolutionize the world'

Vanderbilt University researchers have discovered a way to produce cheap and small carbon nanotubes from air, which are supermaterials stronger than steel and more conductive than copper. This breakthrough could steer the conversation towards using these materials in future technology, rather than just focusing on reducing emissions.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 23, 2018

Surgery benefits older women with breast cancer

A UK analysis of 18,730 patients found that surgery reduced the risk of dying from breast cancer by 40%, compared to primary endocrine therapy. The study suggests that surgery may be a more effective treatment option for older women with oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

SourceWiley·JournalBJS·DateMay 23, 2018

Latest WHO data on child obesity shows that Southern European countries have the highest rate of child obesity

The latest WHO data shows that southern European countries have the highest rate of child obesity, with rates ranging from 5% to 9% in countries such as France and Norway. However, some countries like Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Greece have seen a decrease in childhood obesity rates due to significant efforts in management and prevention.

Study finds antioxidant-enriched vitamin reduces respiratory illnesses in patients with CF

Researchers found that an antioxidant-enriched multivitamin may decrease respiratory illnesses in people with CF by prolonging the time between illnesses and reducing inflammation. The study, led by Children's Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado School of Medicine, involved 73 patients with pancreatic-insufficient CF.

SourceChildren's Hospital Colorado·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMay 23, 2018

Military-civilian partnerships aim to help meet military medical readiness needs

A new reference manual is in development to provide standards for military-civilian training platforms, ensuring combat readiness and retaining critical skills. The partnership aims to address challenges facing military surgery and civilian trauma care, including standard pre-deployment training and skills retention.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateMay 23, 2018

Antidepressant use may be linked to increased risk of weight gain

A UK-based research team found that prolonged antidepressant use is associated with a sustained increase in weight gain over at least five years. The study analyzed data from over 300,000 adults and showed that patients prescribed any of the 12 most commonly used antidepressants were more likely to experience weight gain.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMay 23, 2018

Electronic health records fail because they are merely digital remakes of paper charts

Electronic health record systems can be transformed into platforms that allow doctors to access real-time patient information, reducing physician workloads and improving healthcare quality. This approach enables personalized alerts and notifications, similar to social media feeds, to reduce errors and delays.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 23, 2018

Lightening up dark galaxies

A team of astronomers has identified at least six strong candidates for dark galaxies by leveraging the ultraviolet light from quasars to 'illuminate' gas in the intergalactic medium. The discovery could help fill a gap in our understanding of galaxy evolution, as it provides direct evidence for the existence of dark galaxies.

Rapamycin lotion reduces facial tumors caused by tuberous sclerosis, UTHealth reports

A new cream containing rapamycin has been shown to significantly reduce disfiguring facial tumors in people with tuberous sclerosis complex, with 80% of patients experiencing a significant improvement. The treatment offers hope for individuals affected by the condition, which affects over 50,000 people in the US.

In helping smokers quit, cash is king, e-cigarettes strike out

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that financial incentives significantly improve smoking cessation rates, with free e-cigarettes and cessation aids offering no additional benefit. The study enrolled over 6,000 participants and found that those receiving financial rewards remained smoke-free for at leas...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 23, 2018