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Science News for October 11, 2018


Russian scientists created a new method for diagnosing drilling rigs for oil production

Researchers at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University developed a new method of nondestructive testing to diagnose drilling rig elements in oil wells, improving efficiency and reducing repair costs. The method uses mathematical models of fracture mechanics to estimate damage throughout the structure.

Dying star emits a whisper

A Caltech-led team observed a faint and rapidly fading supernova, suggesting the presence of an unseen companion gravitationally siphoning away the star's mass. The explosion resulted in a dead neutron star orbiting its dense companion, marking the first time scientists have witnessed the birth of a compact neutron star binary system.

Do lizards dream like us?

Researchers confirm lizards enter two distinct sleep states similar to slow-wave and REM sleep in humans and other animals. However, the study reveals differences in brain activity between species, including slower eye movements and unique cerebral patterns in lizard brains.

SourceCNRS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 11, 2018

How yeast cells detect genetic infections

Researchers discovered a novel defence mechanism in yeast cells that uses centromeres to detect and neutralize foreign genetic material. This mechanism ensures that potentially harmful DNA is confined within one cell, while the daughter cell contains only reliable DNA.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalCell·DateOct 11, 2018

Higher levels of the hormone prolactin in women are associated with protection against type 2 diabetes

A large prospective cohort study found that higher levels of prolactin in women are associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Women with the highest 25% of prolactin levels were 27% less likely to develop T2D than those in the lowest 25%. The association was similar regardless of menopausal status and other risk factors.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateOct 11, 2018

New route of acquiring antibiotic resistance in bacteria is the most potent one to date

Researchers at NUS Medicine and University of Glasgow have discovered lateral transduction, a new mode of genetic transfer that enables the transfer of large sections of bacterial chromosomes between bacteria. This highly efficient mechanism could explain the rapid evolution of antibiotic-resistant strains.

Optical illusion spooks raptors

Scientists develop visual pattern that triggers long-term avoidance of high-risk areas by raptors, improving collision detection and reducing plane and wind turbine collisions. The 'looming' effect created by concentric black circles on a white background is effective in repelling birds from specific areas.

SourceCNRS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 11, 2018

A novel biosensor to advance diverse high-level production of microbial cell factories

Researchers developed a simple and robust malonyl-CoA biosensor to monitor intracellular malonyl-CoA abundance in bacteria. The biosensor enabled rapid screening for gene targets increasing malonyl-CoA accumulation, leading to high-level production of four natural products.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 11, 2018

UCI-led study reveals that cells involved in allergies also play a key role in survival

Researchers discovered that mast cells release histamine from the gut, triggering the formation of oleoylethanolamide, which stimulates ketogenesis and supports brain and muscle function during prolonged fasts or intense exercise. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that mast cells are solely responsible for allergic respo...

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalCell Metabolism·DateOct 11, 2018

How teens with type 1 diabetes can guard their hearts

A study highlights strategies to help teens with type 1 diabetes manage high cholesterol and blood pressure, including offering realistic guidance, encouraging regular exercise, and promoting healthy eating habits. The research emphasizes the importance of personalized approach and team effort in addressing these conditions.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalPediatric Diabetes·DateOct 11, 2018

Long-term exposure to ozone has significant impacts on human health

A new study by Duke University and the University of York estimates that long-term ozone exposure in Europe, the USA, and China led to 266,000 premature mortalities in 2015. The research uses observed air quality data instead of chemical transport models, finding smaller human-health impacts compared to prior modeling results.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateOct 11, 2018

Ultrasound helps predict the success of fistulas in individual dialysis patients

A new study suggests that ultrasound measurements after surgery can predict the likelihood of arteriovenous fistula maturation in individual dialysis patients. At 6 weeks after AVF creation, ultrasound measurements of AVF blood flow, diameter, and depth predicted future AVF maturation with moderate accuracy.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateOct 11, 2018

White Americans see many immigrants as 'illegal' until proven otherwise, survey finds

A survey found that many white Americans assume immigrants from certain countries are 'illegal' due to stereotypes and lack of documentation, leading to discriminatory treatment. The study highlights the impact of social perceptions on immigrant standing in American society, revealing a new source of ethnic-based inequalities.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateOct 11, 2018

Novel topological insulator

Researchers at the University of Würzburg and the Technion have successfully built a topological insulator operating with dual excitations, offering a novel platform for switched electronic systems and laser applications. The discovery showcases the potential of this material for advanced optoelectronic devices.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature·DateOct 11, 2018

How parenting affects antisocial behaviors in children

A study of identical twins found that parenting styles that are harsher and less warm increase the likelihood of aggressive behavior and callous-unemotional traits in children. The researchers suggest that interventions aimed at improving parental warmth and reducing harshness could help prevent these behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateOct 11, 2018

Deep learning can distinguish recalled-benign mammograms from malignant and negative images

A deep learning approach can identify nuanced mammographic imaging features specific to recalled but benign (false-positive) mammograms, distinguishing them from those identified as malignant or negative. The study achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.76-0.91, indicating high performance in detecting false recalls.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateOct 11, 2018

Physical activity has health benefits for smokers, regardless of air pollution levels

A new study finds that regular physical activity improves lung function in current smokers, regardless of air pollution levels. The study, led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, analyzed data from over 4,500 people and found that physical activity benefits even in areas with high air pollution.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironment International·DateOct 11, 2018

Researchers create a functional salivary gland organoid

Scientists successfully grew three-dimensional salivary gland tissue that produced saliva in mice, paving the way for potential treatments for patients with failing organs. The research used embryonic stem cells to create an organoid, a simplified three-dimensional tissue that resembles a real organ.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 11, 2018

Link between gut flora and multiple sclerosis discovered

New findings suggest that the immune system's response to a protein called GDP-L-fucose synthase, found in both human cells and bacteria, may play a key role in multiple sclerosis. The protein is believed to activate T cells in the intestine, leading to an inflammatory cascade that damages the protective coating around nerve cells.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 11, 2018

'Fudge factors' in physics?

Researchers find that widely-used correction methods are based on a faulty assumption, potentially leading to inaccurate predictions. The team proposes new universal method for prediction that works for the right reasons.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 11, 2018

Efficiently turning light into electricity

Researchers at Osaka University have discovered carrier multiplication in certain perovskites, increasing efficiency up to 44% compared to traditional solar cells. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of more efficient photodetectors and solar cells.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 11, 2018