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Science News for May 8, 2018


Hunting dogs may benefit from antioxidant boost in diet

Researchers found that hunting dogs fed a test diet with added antioxidants and nutrients performed similarly to those on a commercial diet, but showed improved indirect measures of oxidative stress. The study suggests that athletic dogs may benefit from supplementation of vitamin E and taurine to minimize oxidation.

Troubling stats for kids with intellectual disabilities

A new study found that over the past 40 years, most students with intellectual disabilities spend little or no time in general education classes, contradicting federal law which aims for inclusive education. The study suggests a plateau in progress toward less restrictive settings since the 1990s.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAmerican Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities·DateMay 8, 2018

Switching off insatiable hunger

Researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have developed a new drug to treat patients with genetic obesity caused by a leptin receptor defect. The treatment has shown significant weight loss in patients, and the study's findings provide insights into the fundamental signaling pathways regulating satiety.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNature Medicine·DateMay 8, 2018

Regulation of the Hoxb gene cluster maintains blood-forming cells and inhibits leukemia

Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research discovered a global regulatory element within the Hoxb cluster that controls its expression in blood-forming stem cells. This mechanism helps maintain normal hematopoiesis and prevents acute myeloid leukemia by regulating Hoxb cluster genes in a methylation-dependent manner.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMay 8, 2018

Patients and families who experience delirium report more distress than those who do not

Researchers found that delirium episodes cause distress for both patients and their families, with severity playing a role in emotional pain. The Delirium Burden questionnaire provides a reliable tool to measure this experience, potentially aiding future clinical trials in finding solutions.

New research unveils bird migration strategies

Researchers at Cornell University have combined weather radar and human observations to study bird migration patterns in North America. The study confirms key predictions of migration theory, including the role of body size, wind compensation, and behavioral shifts during migration.

SourceCornell University·JournalEcology Letters·DateMay 8, 2018

The far-reaching effects of ocean floors on the sea surface

Research from Hokkaido University reveals that low rises on the ocean floor regulate surface flows, creating sharp SST fronts with significant impacts on climate and marine resources. The study found that Rossby wave propagation is deflected by eddy-driven flows over bottom rises, leading to thickness jumps and jet formation.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 8, 2018

Theory for one type of superconductor solves puzzle in another

A 2017 theory by Rice University physicists Qimiao Si and Emilian Nica helps explain the behavior of an iron-based high-temperature superconductor, solving a long-standing puzzle. The theory proposes orbital-selective pairing as the key to understanding this phenomenon, revealing a new mechanism for these unusual materials.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 8, 2018

Voltage loss in cable bacteria

Using Raman spectroscopy, researchers have followed electrons through individual cable bacteria and found that voltage loss prevents efficient functioning beyond 3 cm into the sediment. The bacteria can distribute energy between cells using cytochromes, but lose electrical potential when electrons are unloaded to oxygen.

SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 8, 2018

New shrew species discovered on 'sky island' in Philippines

The discovery of Palawanosorex muscorum, a unique mammal species found in the Philippines' Mt. Mantalingahan, sheds light on the country's rich biodiversity and the importance of protecting its 'sky islands'. The species' habitat is crucial for regulating water flow, which has significant implications for the local economy and population.

SourceField Museum·JournalJournal of Mammalogy·DateMay 8, 2018

Uterine cancer survivors are more likely to have cardiovascular problems

A new study found that uterine cancer survivors are more likely to experience cardiovascular problems years after treatment. The researchers identified a significant association between endometrial cancer diagnosis and an increased risk of heart diseases, peripheral and vascular atherosclerosis, and other circulatory disorders.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMay 8, 2018

The secret of a long life

Research team from the University of Freiburg found that termite queens can live up to 20 years due to their unique genetic profile, which differs significantly from older workers. The discovery suggests that the superorganism concept may hold the key to understanding longevity in social insects.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 8, 2018

Simple post-surgery step reduces bladder cancer recurrence

A randomized clinical trial found that flushing the bladder with a chemotherapy drug immediately after surgery significantly reduces the chances of bladder cancer returning. The study, published in JAMA, showed a 34% reduction in the risk of recurrence for patients receiving the treatment.

SourceSWOG·JournalJAMA·DateMay 8, 2018

Equal subsidies 'surprisingly powerful,' in promoting use of gold-standard medications

A new study by Gonzalo Romero and colleagues suggests that equal subsidies for gold-standard medications can be an effective way to promote their use. In the worst-case scenario, this approach still reaches at least half of treatments, while in better conditions, it may achieve up to 85% of maximum possible drug treatment outcomes.

Our vulnerable nervous system: What affects its protective sheaths?

A team of scientists at FAU has discovered how protein molecules regulate the formation of myelin sheaths in the nervous system. The study found that Nfat proteins are essential for successful interaction between other protein molecules, and their inhibition can lead to myelin loss and neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 8, 2018

Decoding tornadoes' infrasound waves

Researchers have discovered that tornado-producing storms emit infrasound waves that can be detected hundreds of miles away. By analyzing these waves, meteorologists may gain valuable insights into the formation processes and life cycle of tornadoes, enabling early warning systems and potentially saving lives.

Heartbeat out of sync

Researchers developed a method to improve electrical transmission in the heart by introducing the Connexin 43 gene into cells forming the infarct scar. Mice with overexpressed Cx43 showed reduced cardiac arrhythmias compared to control animals.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 8, 2018

Stay safe, take the bus

A Montreal study reveals that bus travel is significantly safer than car travel, with four times fewer injuries for passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians. The study's findings suggest that permanent speed-reducing structures and public transit are key to reducing road injuries.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJournal of Urban Health·DateMay 8, 2018

Watch how a T cell passes HIV sexually to a new host

Researchers have developed an in vitro model of urethral mucosa to visualize the HIV transmission process. The study reveals that infected T cells target epithelial cells above macrophages, leading to viral production and shedding via transcytosis. Macrophages then capture and store the virus, posing a challenge for treatment efforts.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 8, 2018

Scientists observe stronger-than-binary correlations with entangled photonic qutrits

Researchers have observed stronger-than-binary correlations in quantum mechanics for the first time, utilizing three-dimensional entangled photon sources. The experiment, conducted 8 meters apart, demonstrates the existence of such correlations, which could lead to a deeper understanding of fundamental problems in quantum theory.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 8, 2018