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Science News for October 1, 2018


Progressive movement

Strong graduates from more educated and wealthy families are more likely to enroll in a university far from home. Socioeconomic factors, including academic performance and family background, inhibit student migration. Students' expectations, ambitions, and views towards human capital also play a role.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalJournal of Further and Higher Education·DateOct 1, 2018

Nitrite's got to be cruel to be kind

Researchers at Umeå University discovered that Vibrio cholerae uses nitrate respiration to control its population expansion and survival, even in the absence of oxygen. This smart metabolic mechanism allows the bacterium to thrive in the intestine's low-oxygen environment.

SourceUmea University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateOct 1, 2018

Genes key to identifying drug resistant parasites in Brazil

A study published in eBioMedicine found that the absence of four particular genes in the Leishmania infantum parasite makes it less susceptible to miltefosine, an oral drug used to treat visceral leishmaniasis. This discovery could lead to a new prognostic test to predict treatment outcomes and tailor medicines accordingly.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalEBioMedicine·DateOct 1, 2018

European Psychiatric Association comprehensive review demonstrates that exercise is an effective treatment for major mental health conditions and should form a core part of treatment

A comprehensive review by the European Psychiatric Association recommends exercise as a key treatment for mental health conditions, reducing symptoms of depression and schizophrenia. The guidelines suggest structured exercise, two to three times a week, can improve cognition, cardiorespiratory health, and overall well-being.

SourceElsevier·JournalEuropean Psychiatry·DateOct 1, 2018

How have mortality rates changed over time for infants, children?

Mortality rates for infants and children in the US have declined significantly since 1999, according to a study analyzing death certificate data. The study found decreases in deaths from sudden infant death syndrome and unintentional injuries among young people, but increases in suffocation and strangulation deaths in infants.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateOct 1, 2018

New study finds nanoparticles show promise in therapy for triple-negative breast cancer

A new study from George Washington University Cancer Center found that nanoparticle-encapsulated doxorubicin is promising in treating triple-negative breast cancer. The smallest nanoparticles with slowest release of medication showed increased cell kill in resistant cancer cells, offering potential strategies to overcome drug resistance.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalPrecision Nanomedicine·DateOct 1, 2018

New best practices recommended for feeding tube location verification in pediatric patients

The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) has released new best practices for verifying the correct placement of nasogastric tubes in pediatric patients. These guidelines aim to improve patient safety by standardizing education, tube verification methods, and radiographic evaluation.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalNutrition in Clinical Practice·DateOct 1, 2018

Keeping our cells stable: A closer look at microtubules

A team of researchers has used cryo-electron microscopy to study how microtubule-associated proteins regulate cell structure and transport. They found that MAP4 stabilizes microtubules while blocking kinesin's movement, which could lead to new treatment strategies for cardiac hypertrophy and neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceKobe University·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateOct 1, 2018

A wrench in Earth's engine

A team of researchers from CU Boulder has discovered that stagnant slabs, which form when oceanic plates are forced deep underground, may be caused by a thin layer of weak material at the boundary of the planet's upper and lower mantle. This discovery could change how scientists think about tectonics and volcanism on Earth's surface.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Geoscience·DateOct 1, 2018

A new global marine environmental forecasting system will serve the public soon

The new global marine environmental forecasting system will provide accurate predictions of ocean temperature, salinity, velocity, and tidal currents with a horizontal resolution of 10 km. The system's accuracy is expected to reach an advanced international level, enabling clear identification of ocean mesoscale phenomena.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateOct 1, 2018

'Turbocharging' photosynthesis in corn hikes yield

Researchers from Cornell University and the Boyce Thompson Institute found a way to overexpress a key chaperone enzyme called RuBisCO Assembly Factor 1 to increase RuBisCO content in corn. This discovery has the potential to improve photosynthetic efficiency, leading to increased biomass production and reduced environmental footprint.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Plants·DateOct 1, 2018

Immune cells help older muscles heal like new

Biomedical engineers at Duke University discovered that immune cells, specifically macrophages, play a critical role in regenerating lab-grown adult muscle tissue. The discovery could lead to new treatments for degenerative muscle diseases and enhance the survival of engineered tissue grafts.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateOct 1, 2018

Study: Having an online social forum for class networking gives physics students a boost

A new study by Indiana University found that online social forums for class networking improve physics students' success in calculus-based physics courses. The study analyzed data from a course where students participated in an online forum and found that those who were most central in the network achieved higher final grades.

SourceIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science·JournalPhysical Review Physics Education Research·DateOct 1, 2018

New weather model could increase tornado-warning times

Researchers at Penn State have developed a new weather model that incorporates data from next-generation satellites to improve tornado forecasting. The model was able to forecast supercell thunderstorms with high accuracy and suggests that lead times for tornado warnings can be extended beyond 30 minutes.

SourcePenn State·JournalMonthly Weather Review·DateOct 1, 2018

Don't treat e-cigarettes like cigarettes

A new study emphasizes the need for distinct research methods when studying e-cigarettes due to their varying nicotine levels, vaping method, and ability to be started and stopped. This distinction is crucial in understanding the unique risks associated with e-cigarette use, particularly among teens.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateOct 1, 2018

Study looks at brain networks involved with free will

Researchers used lesion network mapping to analyze how brain injuries disrupt volition and agency, finding that symptoms localize to interconnected brain networks. The study suggests that targeting these networks through brain stimulation may lead to new approaches for treating disrupted free will in neurological and psychiatric patients.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 1, 2018

Invasive plants can boost blue carbon storage

Researchers found that certain invasive plant species can increase blue carbon storage by boosting biomass and soil carbon, while other plant invasions have a negative impact. The study's findings provide valuable insights for ecosystem managers seeking to enhance carbon storage in coastal environments.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateOct 1, 2018

A biofuel for automated heat generation

Researchers from Tomsk Polytechnic University discovered that straw, chips, sawdust, and peat can generate more heat than they consume during pyrolysis, a process that can be optimized for efficient energy production. This technology has the potential to make energy generation from biofuel more resource-efficient and environmentally fr...

Democrat/Republican divide is worst it's ever been

A new study by Michigan State University finds that party polarization is at its worst level since the early 1970s. The research analyzed publicly available data on who sponsors bills in Congress and found that politicians co-sponsor legislation only about 200 times, viewing nearly half of their colleagues as opposition.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalSocial Networks·DateOct 1, 2018

Disease causing mutation found in French-Canadians

A team of Canadian scientists discovered a French-Canadian founder mutation gene linked to synucleinopathies, a group of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease and dementia. The GBA mutation increases the risk of developing these diseases, particularly in people with other mutations.

SourceMcGill University·JournalClinical Genetics·DateOct 1, 2018

TRIPODS+X meets Machine Learning+X

The NSF-funded TRIPODS+X program at Lehigh University brings together top experts to leverage machine learning techniques for various academic pursuits. The workshops focus on areas such as chemistry, robotics, supply chain management, and cognitive neuroscience.

Expert: Keep up with latest discoveries through automated updates in reporting genetic test results

A new model is proposed to generate ongoing automated updates for genetic test results, allowing clinicians to better communicate relevant information to patients. This could enable personalized medicine by providing continuous interaction between clinics and labs, reanalysis of changing data, and more accurate diagnoses.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateOct 1, 2018

Community satisfaction demands interaction

A University at Buffalo sociologist's new study shows that neighboring interactions can positively affect residents' attitudes and behaviors, even in highly disadvantaged communities. The research reveals that community matters in the 21st century, with consistent interactions snowballing into neighborhood investment.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalCity and Community·DateOct 1, 2018

Specific protein identified as regulator of glioblastoma tumor migration

A specific protein called TEAD1 has been identified as a key regulator of tumor migration in glioblastoma, a devastating form of brain cancer. By deactivating this protein, researchers may be able to stop tumor cells from migrating away from the main tumor mass, increasing the success rate and overall survival time for patients.

How to improve health care in Canada

A recent analysis suggests that improving health care in Canada requires expanding public funding for cost-effective treatments, investing in primary care, and embracing technology. The authors propose engaging patients to determine services and standardizing quality-improvement tools to improve healthcare quality.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 1, 2018

Attosecond pulse leads to highest molecular level probe resolution

Researchers have developed a way to convert low-intensity infrared beams into high-intensity X-ray beams, enabling ultra-fast probes for molecular dynamics studies. By enhancing higher-order oscillations in laser sources, they achieved attosecond-level resolution, opening the door to new insights into electron behavior.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateOct 1, 2018

Removal of ovary for fertility preservation found safe in girls as young as 5 months

Researchers at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago report successful surgical techniques and outcomes for single ovary removal in girls as young as 5 months old. The procedure causes no complications and can be performed on an outpatient basis without delaying cancer or other therapies.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalJournal of Pediatric Surgery·DateOct 1, 2018

Providers often fail to consider ehrlichia when treating tick-borne infections

Researchers at the University of North Carolina Health Care discovered that medical providers in central North Carolina frequently neglect to test for Ehrlichia when treating tick-borne infections. The study found nearly 80% of patients were tested for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, but only one-third were tested for Ehrlichia. This dis...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateOct 1, 2018

Research brief: A look at 377 metros -- can local food product meet local household demand?

Researchers from the University of Minnesota's Sustainable Healthy Cities Network found that one in five metropolitan areas have sufficient milk and egg production to meet residents' demands, while about one in ten can fully meet fruit and vegetable needs. This challenges common assumptions about local food self-reliance in urban areas.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateOct 1, 2018

A universe aglow

Astronomers using MUSE instrument on ESO's VLT detected an unexpected abundance of Lyman-alpha emission in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field region, covering nearly the entire field of view. This discovery suggests that almost all of the sky is invisibly glowing with Lyman-alpha emission from the early Universe.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateOct 1, 2018