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Science News for May 7, 2018


AI detects patterns of gut microbes for cholera risk

Researchers used machine learning algorithms to identify patterns within human gut bacteria that predict susceptibility to cholera. The study found that a set of 100 microbes associated with the disease can be predicted by AI, potentially leading to improved vaccines and preventive approaches.

SourceDuke University·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateMay 7, 2018

Invisible structures exposed!

Researchers used AI and image analysis to reconstruct the structure of plants with hidden branch structures, including those under leaves. The new technology will help in future cultivation techniques such as detailed daily management and forecasting plant growth.

Thank brain for gratitude

Researchers discovered a brain network that gives rise to feelings of gratitude, identifying the medial prefrontal cortex and perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) as key regions. These areas process relevant social information and integrate it into complex emotions, such as gratitude.

Night shift work and human health

Research suggests that night shift work can disrupt human circadian rhythms, leading to gene expression changes and immune system dysregulation. The study's findings highlight the potential risks of long-term night shift work on human health, particularly in relation to medical disorders such as diabetes and cancer.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 7, 2018

Social context matters in spread of disease

Researchers found that the sex composition and mating dynamics of a fruit fly community significantly impact disease transmission rates. Males faced a greater risk of infection when outnumbered by females, highlighting the importance of social context in disease spread.

SourceRice University·JournalBehavioral Ecology·DateMay 7, 2018

New insights into blood vessel growth

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt found that single cells in the innermost layer of blood vessels proliferate after injury and contribute to the formation of new vessels. This process, known as clonal expansion, is thought to play a significant role in tissue damage repair, such as in diabetes or heart attacks.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalCirculation Research·DateMay 7, 2018

Global tourism carbon footprint quantified in world first

A comprehensive study by the University of Sydney reveals that global tourism is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with small islands and luxury travel being key drivers. The research estimates that tourism-related emissions are four times greater than previous estimates and are growing faster than international trade.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMay 7, 2018

A new way to watch brain activity in action

New technology tracks brain cell interactions in mice, shedding light on neuronal activity and potential insights into brain disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. The device captures three-dimensional images of neurons flashing on and off as they communicate with each other.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature Methods·DateMay 7, 2018

Alligators on the beach? Killer whales in rivers? Get used to it

Recent studies suggest that large predators such as alligators, sea otters, and mountain lions are re-colonizing ecosystems they once occupied due to conservation. This challenges the long-held assumption that these species are habitat specialists. As populations recover, these species are adapting to new habitats with surprising ease,...

SourceDuke University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 7, 2018

Preclinical M.D. Anderson study suggests ARID1a may be useful biomarker for immunotherapy

Researchers identified a link between ARID1a mutations and mismatch repair deficiency, which can render tumors susceptible to immune checkpoint blockade therapies. The study found that tumors with ARID1a mutations exhibited increased sensitivity to anti-PD-1 therapy, suggesting potential benefits for patients with these mutations.

Women see through flashy cars and bling

A study published in Evolutionary Psychological Science found that women prioritize practical qualities over flashy displays of wealth when evaluating potential partners. Men who conspicuously display their wealth are perceived as less committed to long-term relationships and more interested in short-term sex.

SourceSpringer·JournalEvolutionary Psychological Science·DateMay 7, 2018

Reflecting on possessions can curb people's impulse buying

A study by Rice University found that reflecting on personal possessions can reduce impulse buying by lowering willingness to pay for new products. The researchers discovered that people who reflected on using their possessions recently were less likely to buy impulsively and expressed a lower willingness to pay for new items.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Public Policy & Marketing·DateMay 7, 2018

Deadly duet

Researchers at TUM have deciphered the mechanism of action for a class of pore-forming bacterial toxins. This breakthrough could lead to new substances that inhibit toxin interaction and prevent fatal cell damage.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 7, 2018

New CRISPR technology 'knocks out' yeast genes with single-point precision

Researchers have developed a novel CRISPR-Cas9 technology that enables precise editing of any gene in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by deleting single nucleotide changes. This allows for individual gene studies and optimization of genome engineering, potentially increasing productivity in industries such as ethanol production.

Higher risks associated with vaginal birth after cesarean, although absolute risk small

Researchers found that attempted VBAC is linked to higher relative rates of severe adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes compared to elective repeat cesarean delivery. This is particularly concerning for women with a history of single previous cesarean section, where predicting successful VBAC can be challenging.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMay 7, 2018

HKU AIDS Institute invents universal antibody drug for HIV-1 prevention and immunotherapy

A research team led by Professor Chen Zhiwei at HKU invented a single gene-encoded tandem broadly neutralizing antibody, BiIA-SG, which displays potent activity against all genetically divergent global HIV-1 strains tested. The new findings show that BiIA-SG prevents diverse live viral challenges completely in humanized mice.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 7, 2018

Breakthrough bioelectronic medicine discovery made by decoding immune system's neural signals

Researchers have cracked the code of neural signals used by the immune system to communicate with the brain, opening doors to diagnostic and therapeutic targets for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. The discovery provides insight into how the nervous system regulates inflammation and immunity.

SourceNorthwell Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 7, 2018

How companies can help safeguard intellectual property when expanding into risky countri

New research from the University of Notre Dame shows that firms can protect their intellectual property by operating regionally through downstream commercialization activities. This approach helps substitute weak country-level protection with complementary assets offered at the regional level, creating barriers to imitation for competi...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Management Studies·DateMay 7, 2018

Simple treatment may minimize hearing loss triggered by loud noises

A new study from USC Keck School of Medicine finds that exposure to loud noises damages hearing by killing sensory hair cells and filling the inner ear with fluid. Injecting a salt- or sugar-based solution into the middle ear can prevent up to 64% of neuron loss, offering hope for preserving hearing function.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 7, 2018

Police violence takes 'substantial' toll on youth and people of color

Research estimates that police violence resulted in over 57,000 years of life lost in 2015-16, disproportionately affecting young people and people of color. The study uses The Counted database to track deaths and injuries due to police violence, highlighting the need for better data to inform policy.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateMay 7, 2018

Providing clinicians feedback on their opioid prescribing data alters future prescribing

A study found that providing clinicians with timely and actionable feedback on their opioid prescribing data significantly decreases future opioid prescribing among those who underestimate their baseline prescribing. This intervention may help combat the opioid epidemic by addressing inaccurate provider self-awareness.

SourceSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateMay 7, 2018

What will happen when our sun dies?

A team of international astronomers predicts the sun will turn into a planetary nebula, marking the end of its active life. The new model shows that low-mass stars like the sun can form bright planetary nebulas, solving a long-standing scientific puzzle.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMay 7, 2018

Treating noise-induced hearing loss

Researchers have identified a potential treatment for noise-induced hearing loss, where osmotic stabilization of fluid volume in the inner ear after exposure can prevent subsequent hearing loss. Increasing solute concentration in perilymph reduces endolymph volume and helps preserve synaptic ribbons on hair cells.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 7, 2018

A new molecular target identified in depression

A new mechanism involved in depression has been discovered, and a potential drug targeting this mechanism shows promise as an effective treatment with fewer side effects. The research found that Elk-1, a molecule directly involved in depressive disorders, can be targeted to give quicker response times.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Medicine·DateMay 7, 2018

Russian cuckoo invasion spells trouble for Alaskan birds, study finds

Researchers warn that Alaska's songbird population may suffer significant losses if the invasive common cuckoo and oriental cuckoo expands its breeding range in the region. The cuckoos, known as brood parasites, lay their eggs in nests of other species, leading to the elimination of reproductive success for hosts.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Field Ornithology·DateMay 7, 2018

Wrap an electrode material for Li-ion battery into the inner spacing of carbon nanotube

A new electrode material for lithium-ion batteries with high capacity has been proposed using phosphorus-encapsulated carbon nanotubes. The electrodes showed an improvement in electrochemical reactivity and reversible charge-discharge reactions, resulting in capacities two times higher than that of graphite used in commercial LIBs.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·DateMay 7, 2018

Genetics help make a weed a weed

A recent study by University of British Columbia researchers found that the Jerusalem artichoke's ability to produce a large number of tubers is a major driver of its invasive success. The trait evolved independently multiple times in invasive populations, highlighting the potential for invasiveness to evolve repeatedly.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMay 7, 2018

Could reading our circadian clocks according to DNA repair optimize chemotherapy?

Researchers measured DNA repair in mice treated with cisplatin over a 24-hour period, finding nearly 2,000 genes repaired according to the circadian clock. This study suggests that understanding the interaction between circadian clocks and DNA repair could lead to more effective chemotherapy regimens.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 7, 2018

A new connection between glucose and lipid regulation in cancer metabolism

A new study by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine identified an enzyme that helps cancer cells make the building materials they need to quickly proliferate. Inhibiting this enzyme could slow down cancer growth, leading to more effective treatments.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMay 7, 2018

SimEarth

The Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) simulates the Earth's atmosphere, oceanic, land and ice components together. The new model can help researchers anticipate decadal-scale changes that could influence the U.S. energy sector.

Importing food damages domestic environment

A new study by Michigan State University researchers shows that importing food can damage the environment at home. The study found that shifting from sustainable crops like soybeans to water and nutrient-intensive crops like corn increases nitrogen pollution in importing countries.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 7, 2018