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Science News for October 29, 2018


Scientists from the California Academy of Sciences describe 17 new species of sea slugs

The California Academy of Sciences has described 17 new species of sea slugs, shedding light on the evolution of color patterns and their significance in coral reefs. The discovery highlights the importance of nudibranchs as indicators of ocean health and reveals diverse ecosystems across the Indo-Pacific region.

SourceCalifornia Academy of Sciences·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateOct 29, 2018

Mass shootings trigger blood donations

The article highlights the impact of mass shootings on blood donation rates and transfusion needs. A report by Vanderbilt University Medical Center shows that mass shootings can lead to a significant increase in blood component transfusions, with some hospitals requiring up to 2.7 units per admission.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery·DateOct 29, 2018

Interventions to delay and prevent type 2 diabetes are underused, researchers say

Lifestyle interventions, medication, and surgery can effectively delay or prevent type 2 diabetes in the majority of patients, but limited access to these treatments is a major issue. Evidence-based interventions show that weight loss through lifestyle changes or metabolic surgery can reduce the risk of diabetes by up to 78%.

SourceAmerican Osteopathic Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Osteopathic Association·DateOct 29, 2018

Beyond 1984: Narrow focus on wildfire trends underestimates future risks to water security

Historically, 4-12% of western US land burned annually, while current trends underestimate future risks. Climate-driven drying and excess vegetation have led to low wildfire rates, shifting assessment towards inevitable future fires. The authors highlight the need for more widespread effective management strategies.

Deforestation triggered mass extinction of endemic animal species in Haiti

A research collaboration found that Haiti has lost over 99% of its primary forests, triggering an ongoing mass extinction of reptiles, amphibians, and other species. The country is expected to lose all remaining primary forest cover in less than two decades, resulting in the disappearance of most endemic species.

SourceTemple University College of Science and Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 29, 2018

Scientists refine the search for dark matter

Researchers from Lund University have developed a more effective technique to search for dark matter in the universe. By analyzing larger amounts of data generated at CERN, they hope to find signs of new particles that could connect visible and dark matter.

SourceLund University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 29, 2018

Synchronized telescope dance puts limits on mysterious flashes in the sky

Astronomers have discovered that fast radio bursts, which are exceptionally bright flashes of energy coming from deep space, do not emit at low frequencies. The Murchison Widefield Array and Australian SKA Pathfinder telescopes were synchronized to observe the same point in the sky, allowing researchers to capture the same view and gai...

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 29, 2018

A new method to quickly identify outliers in air quality monitoring data

Researchers have developed a new method to identify outliers in air quality monitoring data, which can automatically flag erroneous data and improve forecasting accuracy. The method uses probability of residuals to discriminate outliers, allowing for simultaneous evaluation of spatial and temporal consistencies.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateOct 29, 2018

Modelling a future fuelled by sustainable energy

Researchers at the University of Adelaide modelled the transition to a sustainable energy future, examining the relative productivity of fossil fuels and renewables. The study shows that fuel productivity determines the viability of renewable energy and how economies will transition from fossil fuels to sustainable sources.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalEconomic Modelling·DateOct 29, 2018

Improving climate models to account for plant behavior yields 'goodish' news

A new study from Berkeley Lab found that accounting for plant nutrient uptake at night and during non-growing seasons can weaken terrestrial ecosystem feedbacks with the atmosphere, leading to weaker greenhouse gas emissions. The study's findings imply that plants may be able to take up more carbon dioxide and soils lose less nitrous o...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Climate Change·DateOct 29, 2018

Honeybees at risk from Zika pesticides

A new study suggests up to 13% of US beekeepers are in danger of losing their colonies due to pesticides sprayed to contain the Zika virus. The researchers calculated the percentage of colonies that could be affected by comparing data on bee densities with areas at risk from Zika.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Apicultural Research·DateOct 29, 2018

New evidence of durable immune response to 3 experimental Ebola vaccines helps drive new wave of vaccine development targeting a number of diseases with epidemic potential

Three experimental Ebola vaccines showed persistent immunity for at least two and a half years, driving new vaccine development against diseases like Lassa fever, Nipah virus disease, and MERS-CoV. The study's findings have implications far beyond the Ebola fight, providing insights that could expedite vaccine development.

Sniffer dogs could detect malaria in people

Researchers found that sniffer dogs could scent malaria in samples of socks worn by infected children, with an accuracy rate of 70% for malaria-infected samples. The trained dogs could distinguish between the scent of malaria parasites and uninfected individuals, providing a non-invasive way to screen for the disease at ports of entry.

Mass shootings may trigger unnecessary blood donations

A recent study analyzed the impact of mass shootings on blood supply and demand for blood products. The research found that a call for immediate blood donation was unnecessary and resulted in wasted blood resources. The study suggests that cities develop protocols for mass casualty events, such as issuing calls for donations by ZIP code.

SourceNorthwestern Memorial HealthCare·JournalJournal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery·DateOct 29, 2018

Engineering a model of mitochondrial evolution

Scientists create a yeast mutant with deficient mitochondria and an E. coli bacterium with the necessary enzymes to form a symbiotic relationship, allowing the chimera to persist for over 40 generations. This model provides insight into the origins of mitochondrial endosymbiosis and can be used to explore further mechanisms.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 29, 2018

Alterations to seabed raise fears for future

The ocean floor is dissolving rapidly as a result of human activity, with calcite formation being neutralized by acidic CO2. Researchers predict that this process will intensify in the future, leading to long-lasting repercussions on marine ecosystems.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 29, 2018

Illinois study provides whole-system view of plant cold stress

A recent Illinois study provides a global view of plant cold stress by examining the entire collection of genes, metabolites, pathways, and reactions. This approach identifies significant metabolites associated with important traits and offers a step forward in metabolic profiling techniques.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalFrontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·DateOct 29, 2018

Donor hearts at increased disease risk offer better survival rates for transplant recipients

Researchers found that accepting an organ from a donor at higher risk of disease transmission offers a higher one-year survival rate for candidates on the heart transplant list. Patients who decline such offers may wait longer or become too ill to undergo the procedure, resulting in higher mortality rates.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateOct 29, 2018

New guidelines on best practices for videoconferencing-based telemental health

The American Psychiatric Association and the American Telemedicine Association have released new best practices for videoconferencing-based mental health services, covering topics such as emergency situations, technical considerations, and patient selection. These guidelines aim to enhance the delivery of effective and safe telemental ...

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTelemedicine and e-Health·DateOct 29, 2018

Anti-cancer virus fits tumor receptor like a 'key in a lock'

Scientists have discovered how the Seneca Valley Virus interacts with tumor receptors, allowing it to selectively target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. The study provides detailed images of the virus and its receptor, enabling researchers to design improved cancer therapies.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 29, 2018

Oral curcumin shows no benefit in reducing inflammation following vascular surgery

A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that oral curcumin did not reduce inflammation or improve outcomes in patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. In fact, the study showed an increased risk of post-surgical kidney damage in patients taking curcumin.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 29, 2018

Tobacco smoking pre-dated European contact in Pacific Northwest

Researchers found biomarkers of nicotine in 1,200-year-old stone pipes from the Columbia River Basin, challenging the idea that bearberry was the main ritual smoke plant. The discovery establishes a history of ritual tobacco use in the interior Pacific Northwest, informing education and smoking abatement programs.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 29, 2018

Study: Coal power plant regulations neglect a crucial pollutant

A study by Rice University researchers found that Texas would be healthier with stronger limits on sulfur dioxide emissions from coal plants. The study analyzed 13 coal plants and concluded that particulate matter is the deadliest air pollutant, causing respiratory diseases, heart attacks, and strokes.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the Air & Waste Management Association·DateOct 29, 2018

Scientists neutralize reactive nitrogen molecules to enhance cancer immunotherapy

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have found a way to inhibit T-cell activation by targeting nitration of an amino acid in cancer cells. This approach could enhance cancer immunotherapy by identifying activity-based markers and designing approaches that shut down specific mechanisms inhibiting T-cell activation.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 29, 2018

Interior Northwest Indians used tobacco long before European contact

Researchers at Washington State University have uncovered evidence of ancient tobacco smoking in the interior Pacific Northwest dating back over 1,200 years. The study's findings challenge long-held views on the region's pre-contact smoking practices and highlight the sophistication of indigenous cultures in managing plants and animals.

SourceWashington State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 29, 2018

Truck driver pain and discomfort can be alleviated

A Canadian study found that truck drivers experience high rates of musculoskeletal pain and discomfort, with factors including organizational safety climate, job satisfaction, and physical fitness contributing to the issue. The study identified potential solutions, such as holistic programs addressing multiple risk factors, and encoura...

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Transport & Health·DateOct 29, 2018