Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for November 5, 2018


Study: At-risk mothers receive less support, information on breastfeeding

A new study found that single mothers, those with less education, and mothers enrolled in the WIC Program may receive fewer resources and information to help them breastfeed. Despite receiving support from professionals, demographic differences and stress levels may affect their ability to engage in breastfeeding practices.

Meditation: An effective new therapy to reduce eye pressure in primary open-angle glaucoma

A new study published in the Journal of Glaucoma found that mindful meditation practice significantly lowers intraocular pressure, reducing stress-related biomarkers and improving quality-of-life. Meditation also positively influences other indicators, such as reduced cortisol levels and increased brain-derived neurotrophic factors.

What can a tau mouse model reveal about the effects of repetitive brain injury?

Researchers have developed a mouse model expressing human tau protein to study the effects of repetitive brain injury on cognitive function, motor dysfunction and white matter damage. The study found that repetitive concussive injuries resulted in chronic disruptions in white matter and associated neuroinflammation.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·DateNov 5, 2018

Is there a universal hierarchy of human senses?

A study conducted by researchers at the University of York found that cultures' emphasis on specific sensory experiences, such as music or pottery, affects their ability to communicate about different senses. This challenges the long-held assumption of a universal hierarchy of human senses.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2018

Oldest evidence of dairying on the East Asian Steppe

Researchers discovered dairy pastoralism in Mongolia as early as 1300 BC through cultural transmission rather than population replacement or migration. Milk proteins were found in tooth tartar and dental calculus of ancient Mongolians, indicating the livestock were cattle, sheep, and goats introduced by Western Steppe herders.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2018

Changing temperatures are helping corn production in US -- for now

A new study by Harvard researchers found that warmer temperatures and localized cooling have contributed to increased maize production in the US. A longer growing season and reduced exposure to high temperatures have boosted yields, with over a quarter of the increase attributed to these factors.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2018

Cell transplant restores vision in rats

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have successfully restored vision in rats with severe retinal degeneration through cell transplantation. The study demonstrates that donor cells can integrate into the retina and generate nearly normal visual activity in the brains of blind animals.

How clear speech equates to clear memory

A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers found that listeners who heard sentences spoken in a clear style did better on memory recall tasks than those who heard them spoken in a conversational manner. The researchers suggest that clearly produced speech may be an efficient way to convey information and improve retention.

First-of-its-kind research models immune responses in cellular immunotherapies

Scientists have developed a first-of-its-kind model of immune responses in cellular immunotherapies, such as stem cell transplantation and CAR T-cell therapies. This breakthrough research aims to personalize treatments and reduce complications like graft-versus-host disease. The model has the potential to identify optimal donors for tr...

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateNov 5, 2018

Breakthrough for treatment of fibrotic diseases

Scientists have found a drug combination that can halt the progression of fibrosis, a condition responsible for almost half of all deaths. The study, published in European Urology, tested a combination of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and selective oestrogen receptor modulators on cells and animals.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalEuropean Urology·DateNov 5, 2018

Identifying a piranha by its bark

Scientists have discovered that different piranha species can be identified by the pattern of their barks, which could lead to more efficient conservation efforts. The study's findings suggest that passive acoustic monitoring may be a useful tool for studying piranha behavior in the wild.

Efforts to prevent pressure ulcers in hospitals may not be making headway on the worst kind

A new study finds that hospitals' progress in reducing hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) is largely due to preventing less-costly and less-dangerous early-stage HAPUs. The study recommends better data tracking methods, including using the same approach as for infections, to adjust rates and penalties based on patients' underlyi...

WEIRD science

Researchers found that traditional personality traits, like the Big Five, may not be universal across cultures. To improve psychological science, experts recommend considering socioecological theory and diversifying study samples from non-Western populations.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2018

Physicists name and codify new field in nanotechnology: 'electron quantum metamaterials'

Researchers Nathaniel Gabor and Justin C. W. Song propose a new field of study, electron quantum metamaterials, which involves manipulating electrons in subwavelength structures to exhibit unusual behavior. This field has the potential to produce radically new phenomena, such as superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 5, 2018

More than intelligence needed for success in life

Non-cognitive skills such as attention, self-regulation, and perseverance play a significant role in determining academic achievement, cognitive ability, and language outcomes. However, the existing evidence base in this field is limited due to publication bias and methodological flaws, underscoring the need for further research.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateNov 5, 2018

Prejudice against women in power is greater than we think

A new study by Adrian Hoffmann and Jochen Musch found that people are significantly more prejudiced against women (37%) than initially thought (23%), as indirect questioning methods reveal honest responses. The study suggests that women are more reluctant to express prejudice, possibly due to societal expectations.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateNov 5, 2018

Coping with errors in the quantum age

ETH Zurich researchers have demonstrated a novel quantum error correction technique that can monitor and correct errors in real-time. The technique, which uses trapped ions to encode quantum information, has been successfully tested with repeated measurements on the same system, exceeding previous experimental limits.

Caterpillar, fungus in cahoots to threaten fruit, nut crops, study finds

Scientists have discovered that a fungus and a caterpillar are in a symbiotic relationship, allowing the caterpillar to thrive in orchards while also helping the fungus spread. The navel orangeworm caterpillar can metabolize aflatoxins produced by the Aspergillus flavus fungus, making it immune to its toxic effects.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Chemical Ecology·DateNov 5, 2018

Teachers and Trump

A new study from Michigan State University found that teachers felt immense pressure to respond in a certain way to the 2016 presidential election. Researchers argue that neutrality in the classroom is not an effective teaching tactic and can marginalize certain groups.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·DateNov 5, 2018

New efficiency record set for perovskite LEDs

Perovskite LEDs have achieved close to 100% internal luminescence efficiency, opening up applications in displays, lighting, and communications. The devices outperform conventional OLEDs in terms of light-emission efficiency due to a composite layer of perovskites with an insulating polymer.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 5, 2018

Modeling dam removal tradeoffs

Researchers developed a multiscale model analyzing economic, social, and ecological tradeoffs of dam removal. The model found that large numbers of dams optimize tradeoffs among ecosystem services, river safety, and economic costs, assisting future damming decisions by considering scale and location.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2018

People in Canada have good health, are living longer: Global Burden of Disease Study trends

A recent study found that Canadians have good overall health, with a high level of health-adjusted life expectancy. The leading causes of death and disability are noncommunicable diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The study also shows an aging population, with people over 65 years outnumbering younger Canadians.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 5, 2018

Dam problems, win-win solutions

A team of researchers identified potential decisions that maximize combined ecological and economic benefits by simulating trade-offs and using machine-learning approach. They found opportunities to improve balance between certain criteria by coordinating multiple dam decisions at larger spatial scales.

SourceUniversity of Maine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2018

Taming plasmas: Improving fusion using microwaves

Researchers successfully employed microwaves to suppress Alfvén waves in plasmas, a crucial step towards harnessing clean and nearly limitless energy through fusion. The study, conducted at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility and ASDEX-Upgrade facility, demonstrates the potential of using electron cyclotron waves to control wave activity.

Clues for drugging the 'undruggable'

Researchers have identified a new way to target and degrade a class of proteins called zinc finger transcription factors, which play critical roles in health and disease. By modifying thalidomide analogs, scientists can selectively degrade specific zinc fingers, offering a promising lead for developing new cancer treatments.

SourceFriedrich Miescher Institute·JournalScience·DateNov 5, 2018

Enhanced views of Earth tectonics

Scientists have used satellite gravity data from the GOCE mission to image the structure of the Earth's lithosphere, revealing large-scale tectonic features and complex patterns in ancient cratons. These findings improve our understanding of Antarctica's deep structure and its connection to the rest of the planet.

SourceBritish Antarctic Survey·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 5, 2018

Hot temperatures can trigger an RNA response in plants

A team of Penn State researchers found that hot temperatures lead to changes in plant RNA structure, linked to a loss in messenger RNAs. This process may help plants cope with heat stress and drought conditions, offering insights into developing more resilient crops.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2018

Nutrient-recycling microbes may feel the heat

A study by UCR researcher Sydney Glassman explored how climate change affects the ability of microbes to recycle nutrients. The research found that specific microbial communities play an independent role in decomposition, and their response to climate change is not solely dependent on the environment they reside in.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2018

Shorter sleep can lead to dehydration

A study by Penn State found that adults who sleep six hours per night have significantly more concentrated urine and higher odds of dehydration compared to those who sleep eight hours. This is due to the body's hormonal system regulating hydration, particularly the hormone vasopressin.

SourcePenn State·JournalSleep Health·DateNov 5, 2018

Air pollution linked to autism: study

A Monash University study found a strong link between air pollution and the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. Exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) from vehicle exhausts, industrial emissions, and other sources increased the risk of ASD by up to 78%. The study adds to previous research on prenatal air pollution ex...

SourceMonash University·JournalEnvironment International·DateNov 5, 2018

New conservation approach

A new Stanford-led study supports a conservation approach that focuses broadly on ecoregions, providing evidence that these regions meaningfully divide plant and animal communities. This opens a path to more affordable and effective protection of little-known species and valuable natural services.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateNov 5, 2018

Music improves social communication in autistic children

Researchers found that music-based therapy improved autistic children's social communication skills and family quality of life. The study also showed increased brain connectivity between auditory and motor regions, potentially explaining the benefits. Music intervention was effective even after only eight to 12 weekly sessions.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateNov 5, 2018