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Science News for October 22, 2018


Losing control of gene activity in Alzheimer's disease

A study published in Nature Neuroscience has uncovered a link between gene activity and Alzheimer's disease, identifying genes involved in the pathology of the condition. The research found changes in histone acetylation across the genome, providing a framework for studying histone modification studies in other brain diseases.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 22, 2018

New tool gives deeper understanding of glioblastoma

Researchers have developed a new tool to study genetic switches in glioblastoma tumors, which drive cancer growth and survival. The new technique uses ChRO-seq data to classify tumors into subtypes based on active switches, with potential applications in predicting patient outcomes and developing new therapies.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Genetics·DateOct 22, 2018

Rising temperatures and human activity are increasing storm runoff and flash floods

A global analysis by Columbia Engineers reveals a significant increase in storm runoff extremes driven by both climate change and human-induced changes. The study suggests that projected responses of storm runoff extremes will dramatically increase, threatening ecosystem resilience and infrastructure systems.

Fish give up the fight after coral bleaching

Researchers found that coral bleaching causes a decrease in aggressive behavior among butterflyfish, suggesting a link between bleaching and population declines. The study suggests that fish adjust their behavior in response to environmental stressors, but these changes may not be sustainable in the long term.

SourceLancaster University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateOct 22, 2018

New definition returns meaning to information

A new paper proposes a broadly applicable formal definition of semantic information, which emphasizes how information contributes to a system's ability to perpetuate itself. Semantic info is causal necessary for a system to maintain its existence over time.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateOct 22, 2018

Targeting specific genomic mutation in breast cancer improves outcomes, first study shows

A new study shows that targeting the specific genomic mutation PIK3CA in hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative advanced breast cancer patients significantly improves progression-free survival. The study found that nearly twice as long PFS was observed in patients with PIK3CA mutations treated with alpelisib compared to the placebo gr...

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateOct 22, 2018

Low-income obesity patients lose weight in new study

Low-income obese patients lost a clinically meaningful amount of weight using a free phone app and coaching calls in a primary care clinic. The study found that 43% of participants lost more than 5% of their body weight, while 56% reached a healthy weight loss threshold.

SourceDuke University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateOct 22, 2018

Asian elephants could be the maths kings of the jungle

Researchers found that Asian elephants possess numerical skills comparable to those in humans, unaffected by distance, magnitude, or ratios. The study used a touch-panel task to train an Asian elephant named Authai to judge relative quantities, with a success rate of 66.8%.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Ethology·DateOct 22, 2018

Nanosized ferroelectrics become a reality

Researchers at the University of Groningen have successfully created nanosized ferroelectric materials using hafnium oxide, which can store information like magnetic bits. The discovery could lead to more efficient and compact computer memory by leveraging the unique properties of these materials.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Materials·DateOct 22, 2018

Researchers have discovered a new cell structure

A new type of protein complex has been discovered in human cells, which attaches to its surroundings and plays a key role in cell division. This discovery challenges current knowledge of cell division and may provide answers to an unanswered question about how cells remain attached to the matrix during division.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateOct 22, 2018

Modern conflict: Screen time vs. nature

A new study found that gaps between screen time and outdoor time are most pronounced for girls, African American students, and eighth graders. Connection to nature plays a positive role in young people's physical health and psychological development, but contemporary children are spending less time outdoors than their predecessors.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalEnvironment and Behavior·DateOct 22, 2018

Nose breathing enhances memory consolidation

A recent study published in JNeurosci found that nose breathing enhances memory consolidation. Researchers compared the effects of nose and mouth breathing during a one-hour consolidation period after participants were exposed to various odors. Nose breathers showed increased odor recognition, suggesting that nose breathing may facilit...

How Darwin's finches diversify

A study on Darwin's finches reveals two pathways of species generation and diversification driven by selective mating based on body and beak size. The authors note that hybridization between similar lineages can drive speciation, highlighting the importance of conservation of diverse environmental conditions.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 22, 2018

Study finds availability of nitrogen to plants is declining as climate warms

Researchers found a global decline in nitrogen availability due to climate change, which can impact forest carbon sequestration and ecosystem health. The study suggests that even with reduced carbon emissions, many ecosystems will face nitrogen limitations, highlighting the need for sustainable land management practices.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateOct 22, 2018

New agent against anthrax

A new agent has been developed to combat anthrax by reprogramming the human immune system's siderocalin protein to neutralize a special iron complexing agent produced by the bacterium. This approach is expected to provide an effective treatment against the life-threatening infection.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 22, 2018

Antibodies linked to heart attacks

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered high levels of antiphospholipid antibodies in patients who suffered a heart attack without any autoimmune conditions. The study involved 800 patients and found that 11% had elevated IgG antibody levels, which is associated with blood clots.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 22, 2018

HIV-infected Hispanic adults face higher risks of HPV-related cancers

A new study reveals that HIV-infected Hispanics in the US are at a higher risk of developing HPV-related cancers than their non-Hispanic counterparts. The study found significant disparities in cancer incidence rates among Hispanic and non-Hispanic populations, highlighting the need for targeted HPV-vaccination and screening programs.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateOct 22, 2018

Would you zap your brain to improve your memory?

A study by Drexel University researchers explores the public's willingness to use brain stimulation devices, revealing a divide between personal and moral acceptance. Participants were more likely to support using brain stimulation on others to repair cognitive functions than enhance their own abilities.

SourceDrexel University·JournalBrain Stimulation·DateOct 22, 2018

Community health workers can reduce hospitalizations by 65 percent and double patient satisfaction with primary care

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine finds that community health workers can significantly improve clinical outcomes among chronically ill patients. By providing hands-on support, coaching, and social services, community health workers reduced hospital stays by 65% and improved patient satisfaction with primary care.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateOct 22, 2018

For the brokenhearted, grief can lead to death

A study from Rice University found that grief can cause inflammation leading to negative health outcomes such as cardiovascular problems and premature mortality. Researchers discovered that widows and widowers with elevated grief symptoms suffered higher levels of bodily inflammation.

SourceRice University·JournalPsychoneuroendocrinology·DateOct 22, 2018

When you are unhappy in a relationship, why do you stay? The answer may surprise you

A new study suggests that people tend to stay in unsatisfying romantic relationships because they consider their partner's needs and wants. The more dependent the partner is on the relationship, the less likely the person is to initiate a breakup. This altruistic component highlights the complexity of relationship decision-making.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateOct 22, 2018

Mechanics of birds' nests subject of NSF research

Experts aim to understand how birds create resilient nests using twigs, leaves, and other materials, with potential applications in building, packaging, self-repairing, and shock-absorption. By studying the collective mechanical interactions of disordered filaments, they hope to develop new technologies inspired by nature.

A chemical criterion for rating movies

Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Chemistry found that isoprene levels in cinema air correlate with film age ratings. The study measured over 13,000 audience members during 135 screenings of eleven different movies, providing a reliable indicator for deciding how movies should be classified.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 22, 2018

How we remember what we read

Researchers discovered brain regions deactivated during successful reading recall, suggesting a mechanism for filtering out irrelevant information and focusing on memory commitment. The findings provide new insight into natural reading processes and the neural basis of successful text encoding.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateOct 22, 2018