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Science News for October 4, 2018


Artificial enzymes convert solar energy into hydrogen gas

Artificial enzymes convert solar energy into hydrogen gas using a new method developed by researchers at Uppsala University. The technique utilizes photosynthetic microorganisms with genetically inserted enzymes combined with synthetic compounds, enabling efficient production of renewable hydrogen gas from solar energy.

SourceUppsala University·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateOct 4, 2018

Diabetes may begin more than 20 years before diagnosis

A Japanese study found that increased fasting glucose, higher BMI, and impaired insulin sensitivity were detectable up to 10 years before the diagnosis of diabetes as well as prediabetes. The study suggests that elevated metabolic markers for diabetes may be detectable more than 20 years before its diagnosis.

The homing instinct of relocated snakes

Researchers tracked adders translocated from a development site in Essex and found that male snakes dispersed significantly more than resident ones. One male even returned to his original home after being released, highlighting the need for new conservation strategies.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalHerpetological Journal·DateOct 4, 2018

Living organisms find a critical balance

An interdisciplinary team of researchers at Arizona State University discovered that living organisms exist in a middle ground of criticality, balancing between robustness and adaptability. The study found that all 67 biological networks shared a special property: they existed in between two extremes, neither too stable nor unstable.

SourceArizona State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 4, 2018

Teachers' views on LGBQ students are changing

A new study published in Springer's journal Social Psychology of Education reveals that American teachers have become more acceptant of homosexuality in recent years. However, many still hold negative attitudes towards LGBQ students, with a significant portion of educators viewing them unfavorably.

SourceSpringer·JournalSocial Psychology of Education·DateOct 4, 2018

Clemson researcher warns of spread of homemade steroids

Homemade steroids have become a widespread issue, with online tools and cryptocurrency facilitating their rapid spread. Clemson researcher Bryan Denham's study examines the impact of these substances on public health, noting that purchasing black-market steroids is similar to buying other illicit substances.

SourceClemson University·JournalContemporary Drug Problems·DateOct 4, 2018

What you can't see can hurt you

Researchers from the University of Utah discovered that homeowners change their behavior when they can visualize air quality in their homes. By using portable air quality monitors and a smartphone app, participants were able to see real-time data on PM2.5 levels and adjust their daily habits accordingly. This study has the potential to...

Mayo researchers ID potential new treatment for one type of triple-negative breast cancer

Researchers have identified estradiol as a potential new treatment for triple-negative breast cancer with estrogen receptor beta expression, effectively inhibiting tumor growth in studies. Estradiol stimulates the expression of cystatins, which exhibit tumor-suppressing effects on neighboring and distant cancer cells.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2018

Teaching wild birds to sing a new tune

For the first time, researchers have shown that young wild sparrows can learn to sing a new tune by listening to experimental vocal tutors. The birds then pass on these new songs to subsequent generations, confirming the ability of wild birds to learn and adapt their songs through exposure to adult birds.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 4, 2018

Ghost objects in the sky

Astronomers have found a new type of gamma-ray burst that could not be detected by traditional telescopes. The discovery was made using archived radio data and suggests that these 'orphan' bursts may be related to the collapse of massive stars.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 4, 2018

UCLA researchers discover aggressive prostate and lung cancers are driven by common mechanisms

Researchers at UCLA have discovered that late-stage prostate and lung cancers share common molecular mechanisms. The study found that these cancers can evolve similarly, even from different organs, which could lead to the development of drugs to treat not just prostate and lung cancers but also small cell cancers of almost any organ.

Windier wind farms

Researchers at UCSB and Cambridge developed models to optimize wind farm productivity by improving airflow mixing and using vertical-axis turbines, potentially leading to orders-of-magnitude improvements in energy production. This could enable more efficient use of land and reduce costs.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·DateOct 4, 2018

How malaria infection activates natural killer cells

A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals how malaria infection triggers the immune system's first line of defense by activating natural killer cells through the MDA5 receptor. Treatment with a small molecule that activates MDA5 restores the ability of non-responder natural killer cells to clear infected red blood cells.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateOct 4, 2018

Nanoparticles to treat snakebites

Researchers developed nanoparticles that bind to venom toxins, mitigating local damage and systemic distribution of toxins in mouse experiments. The treatment has the potential to be administered subcutaneously after a bite, offering a new approach to treating snakebites in rural settings.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateOct 4, 2018

Even small gifts boost business

A study by the University of Zurich found that even small gifts can significantly increase sales, particularly when given to the boss. In a controlled experiment, sales representatives gave customers six tubes of toothpaste worth around 10 francs, leading to orders almost twice as high.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalManagement Science·DateOct 4, 2018

Light makes Rice University catalyst more effective

Rice University researchers have created a new catalyst that can convert ammonia into hydrogen fuel at ambient pressure using light energy, significantly lowering the activation barrier. The catalyst, made of copper with trace amounts of ruthenium, uses plasmonic effects to enhance its efficiency.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateOct 4, 2018

Large-scale wind power needs more land, causes more climatic impact than previously thought

Researchers found that large-scale wind farms would require five to 20 times more land area than previously estimated, and their operation would warm average surface temperatures by 0.24 degrees Celsius in the continental US. The study suggests that localized warming occurs even with smaller projections of wind power generation.

UMN researchers use 3D technology to identify optimal stem cells for transplantation

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have discovered a subset of muscle stem cells that are located close to blood vessels and are likely to be the more potent stem cell population in maintaining muscle health. This groundbreaking study uses 3D technology to study the interaction between stem cells and blood vessel...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateOct 4, 2018

Physician experts highlight research ahead of Otolaryngology's Annual Meeting

The American Academy of Otolaryngology will present cutting-edge research on various otolaryngology topics at their Annual Meeting. Key studies include evaluating the prognostic utility of hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width ratio in head and neck cancer, investigating the association between depression and long-term overall surv...

Rethinking lethality in youth suicide attempts

A Mayo Clinic study found that firearms were involved in 85% of first-time youth suicides, resulting in high lethality rates. The study also revealed that prior mental health concerns were absent in 41.2% of youth index attempters.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateOct 4, 2018

Gastric banding as effective as metformin in slowing prediabetes, type two diabetes

A study funded by NIH found that gastric banding is as effective as metformin in stabilizing disease for people with prediabetes or new-onset type 2 diabetes. Participants who underwent gastric banding surgery lost significantly more weight and showed similar improvements in insulin sensitivity compared to those taking metformin.

Viruses in blood lead to digestive problems

Researchers found that viruses like West Nile and Zika can kill neurons in the gut, disrupting bowel movement and causing intestinal blockages. The study provides clues to sudden onset of digestive woes and potentially points to a new strategy for preventing such conditions.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell·DateOct 4, 2018

Community health workers could help tackle NHS workload crisis

A modelling study suggests that integrating community health workers at scale could significantly reduce the NHS primary care workload crisis. The researchers estimate that 110,585 community health workers would be needed to cover England's general practice population, costing £2.22bn annually.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateOct 4, 2018

Concerns about a US defense agency program aimed at modifying crops (and more?)

A US defense agency program aims to genetically modify crops using infectious viruses, sparking concerns about its potential military applications and the risk of creating new biological weapons. The approach, known as HEGAAs, would deliver the viruses through insects, raising questions about transparency and public deliberation.

The constructive role of noise

Researchers discovered coherent resonance and stochastic resonance in an excitable semiconductor superlattice, enabling faster detection of weak signals. This breakthrough can be used to extract information from noisy data, analyze astronomical observations, and process image signals.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 4, 2018

The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology: Vitamin D supplementation in adults does not prevent fractures, falls or improve bone mineral density

A large meta-analysis of 81 randomised trials found no effect of vitamin D supplementation on bone mineral density, fractures, or falls in adults. The study suggests that clinical guidelines should be changed to reflect the best available evidence and that there is little justification for using vitamin D supplements for musculoskeleta...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateOct 4, 2018

Observations challenge cosmological theories

A study from the University of Bonn confirms that galaxy clusters formed too slowly than expected, potentially requiring a rework of current theories. The researchers will analyze their data in greater detail to confirm whether the standard model needs to be revised.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateOct 4, 2018

Cracking the (reimbursement) code: Hard work, big changes covering care we need with age

The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has successfully secured recognition and reimbursement for several key geriatrics services, including Transitional Care Management and comprehensive assessment and care planning for cognitive impairments. The society's efforts involved working with groups like the CPT Editorial Panel and the RUC to...

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 4, 2018

Climate change efforts should focus on ocean-based solutions

The study assesses 13 ocean-based measures to reduce atmospheric CO2, counteract ocean warming, and mitigate sea-level rise. Ocean-based renewable energy stands out as the most promising solution, with moderate effectiveness for reducing marine pollution and protecting marine habitats.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateOct 4, 2018

Food security under changing climate

A team of researchers has developed a new approach to improve crop resilience under changing climate conditions, using advanced imaging techniques and bioinformatics. The project aims to understand the molecular basis of pollen development and male fertility in key crops such as corn, wheat, and barley.

Disruption in combination inhaled corticosteroid therapy may lead to an increased rate of costly exacerbations and hospitalizations for Medicare patients

A study of 44,832 Medicare patients found that disruption in their regular combination inhaled corticosteroid therapy led to a higher rate of costly exacerbations and hospitalizations. Approximately 45% of patients did not receive an ICS/LABA after a formulary block, potentially impacting symptoms and disease control.

Thirteen ocean solutions for climate change

The Ocean Solutions Initiative presents a comprehensive review of thirteen ocean-based measures to counter climate change. The measures can be grouped into four categories: reduction of climate change causes, preservation of ecosystems, protection of the ocean from solar radiation, and direct manipulation of species adaptability.

SourceCNRS·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateOct 4, 2018

Amputation injury is communicated to opposing limbs

Scientists at Tufts University have found that amputation of one limb immediately reflects in the bioelectric properties of the opposing, un-damaged limb in developing frogs. The phenomenon, dubbed 'bioelectric injury mirroring,' indicates that information about damage to tissues is available within 30 seconds.

SourceTufts University·JournalDevelopment·DateOct 4, 2018

Research affirms the power of 'we'

Researchers analyzed 30 studies of nearly 5,300 participants to find that couples who frequently use first-person pronouns like 'we' and 'us' tend to have healthier and happier relationships. The study's findings support the idea that interdependence is key to relationship success, and 'we-talk' is a strong indicator of this.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·DateOct 4, 2018

Why huskies have blue eyes

A DNA study of over 6,000 dogs found that a specific genetic duplication on chromosome 18 is strongly associated with blue eyes in Siberian Huskies. This discovery sheds light on the genetic underpinnings of eye color in dogs and demonstrates the power of consumer genomic data.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateOct 4, 2018

Neanderthal healthcare practices crucial to survival

Research at the University of York suggests that Neanderthals had a well-developed system of care for injuries and childbirth challenges. The study of over 30 individuals with minor and serious injuries found evidence of healthcare dating back 1.6 million years ago, indicating a fundamental role in survival strategies.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalQuaternary Science Reviews·DateOct 4, 2018