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Science News for September 19, 2018


Discomfort or death? New study maps hot spots of child mortality from diarrhea in Africa

A new study has mapped areas across Africa with high concentrations of child deaths from diarrhea, revealing uneven progress over 15 years. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions in local communities to mitigate the problem, as national strategies may be less effective due to regional inequalities.

SourceInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 19, 2018

Gaia detects a shake in the Milky Way

The Gaia satellite has detected substructures in the Milky Way's star disk, indicating a 300-million-year-old gravitational disturbance caused by the Sagittarius Dwarf galaxy. Researchers used precise data to analyze shapes and twisting patterns, leading to new findings on galactic archaeology

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalNature·DateSep 19, 2018

Viral RNA sensing

Scientists have created a nanosized sensing probe for RNA molecules using DNA origami and gold nanorods. The probe can detect concentrations as low as 100 picomolar of the target RNA, making it a promising diagnostic tool for viral infections.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateSep 19, 2018

Seeing pesticides spread through insect bodies

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a technique to visualize the behavior of pesticides inside insect bodies, enabling them to follow their uptake, breakdown, and distribution. This method has potential applications for developing safer pesticides and reducing harm to beneficial pollinating insects.

SourceOsaka University·JournalAnalytical Sciences·DateSep 19, 2018

UA study reveals Arizona EMTs face 39-percent greater risk of suicide

A recent UA study found that Arizona EMTs have a 39% greater risk of suicide compared to the general public. The study's authors aim to address this issue by developing educational resources and resiliency training programs for EMTs. Their efforts hope to minimize the risks associated with EMS service and support community heroes in need.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalPrehospital Emergency Care·DateSep 19, 2018

Snooker in the live cell

The Umeå University researchers created a method called Multi-directional Activity Control (MAC), which allows for real-time observation and control of cell signaling pathways. Using this technology, they successfully controlled the shuttling of proteins and organelles between different compartments in a single cell.

SourceUmea University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateSep 19, 2018

Premature brains develop differently in boys and girls

A study found that premature baby boys' brains are affected more severely than girls', with significant sex differences in gray matter and white matter. The research used MRI scans to analyze the brains of 33 infants, showing that even at one year old, there are major sex differences.

SourceSpringer·JournalPediatric Research·DateSep 19, 2018

Team of researchers determines absolute duration of photoelectric effect for the first time

A team of researchers at Technical University of Munich has developed a new method to measure the time between X-ray photon absorption and electron emission. The study reveals that photoelectrons can be generated in around 40 attoseconds, which is twice as fast as expected. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in photocathodes ...

Analysis finds HPV vaccine safe

A review of bivalent HPV vaccine data found no new or unexpected safety concerns. The majority of adverse event reports were classified as non-serious and mild.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateSep 19, 2018

Simulations of every woman's breast tissue address delay on enhanced MRI cancer detection

Purdue University researchers have simulated how over 20 different breast tissue ratios respond to heat given off by MRIs at higher field strengths. The simulations showed that a fivefold increase in SAR could still stay within FDA limits for most breast tissue ratios, enabling the use of 7 tesla technology for safer cancer detection.

SourcePurdue University·JournalMagnetic Resonance in Medicine·DateSep 19, 2018

New micro-platform reveals cancer cells' natural behavior

Researchers developed a new cell culture platform to observe cancer cells' never-before-seen behaviors, revealing the mechanisms behind pancreatic cancer's clinical properties. The study shows that cancer cells can self-organize into micro-tumors and evade the immune system by releasing chemical markers on their surfaces.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 19, 2018

Study examines how heartfelt guilt affects individuals

A recent study in the Australian Journal of Psychology found that heartfelt guilt leads to elevated arousal and biased preferences towards cleansing products. Participants who experienced guilt showed enhanced memory recall of threat words and a stronger desire for cleaning items.

SourceWiley·JournalAustralian Journal of Psychology·DateSep 19, 2018

A little labeling goes a long way

New research reveals infants can acquire object categories using just a few labeled examples, sparking the process of categorization. This 'semi-supervised learning' strategy efficiently integrates all subsequent objects into their evolving category representation.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalDevelopmental Science·DateSep 19, 2018

Scientists crack genetic code of cane toad

A team of researchers has successfully sequenced and assembled the cane toad genome, providing a reference for understanding its interplay with ecosystems. The findings also identify three new viruses that could potentially be used as biocontrol agents, offering new hope in controlling the invasive species' population.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalGigaScience·DateSep 19, 2018

Characterization of pregnancy microbiome reveals variations in bacterial diversity

Researchers characterized the maternal microbiome during pregnancy, revealing variations in bacterial diversity across different body sites and gestational stages. The study highlights the importance of the maternal microbiome in supporting healthy pregnancy outcomes and may inform targeted interventions to promote fetal development.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press·JournalGenome Research·DateSep 19, 2018

Commercially relevant bismuth-based thin film processing

Researchers at Osaka University developed a two-step process to produce materials with good morphological properties and excellent photoresistor performance. The technique improves photo response performance by up to 100 times compared to other methods, making bismuth sulfide a promising material for optoelectronic devices.

SourceOsaka University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateSep 19, 2018

Researchers develop microbubble scrubber to destroy dangerous biofilms

A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has developed a system that harnesses the power of bubbles to destroy microbial biofilms. The system uses diatoms loaded with an oxygen-generating chemical, which creates microbubbles that propel tiny particles through the surfaces of tough films and deliver an antiseptic deathblow to...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateSep 19, 2018

$2 million award to reimagine US power grid

Michigan State University has been awarded a $2 million grant to develop new designs for long-duration storage on the US power grid. The project, called Scalable Thermochemical Option for Renewable Energy Storage (STORES), aims to create modular thermal storage systems that can store heat energy in the form of chemical energy.

Magnetic field milestone

Physicists from the University of Tokyo have generated a record-breaking magnetic field of 1,200 teslas using electromagnetic flux compression. The field was sustained for over 100 microseconds, far exceeding previous records. This achievement has significant implications for material science and fusion power generation.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateSep 19, 2018

UMN researchers discover influenza virus doesn't replicate equally in all cells

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have made a groundbreaking discovery about the influenza virus, finding that its replication rate differs significantly between various cell types. The study reveals that certain cells are protected from severe infection, while others remain vulnerable to viral damage.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 19, 2018

Fiber optic sensor measures tiny magnetic fields

Researchers developed a light-based technique for measuring weak magnetic fields, like those from the brain. The sensors can detect the brain's magnetic field and have the potential to replace MRI machines, offering an alternative for real-time brain activity mapping.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateSep 19, 2018

'Robotic skins' turn everyday objects into robots

Yale researchers have developed 'Robotic Skins' technology, enabling users to animate everyday objects and create multi-functional robots on the fly. The skins can perform different tasks depending on the properties of the soft objects and how they are applied, allowing for complex movements.

SourceYale University·JournalScience Robotics·DateSep 19, 2018

A material without limits

Researchers at Lehigh University have developed a new, more efficient way to produce cubic boron nitride, a material with exceptional durability and potential for improved power conversion efficiency in electronic devices. The approach enables larger crystals of the material to be produced at lower costs and reduced energy consumption.

Diverse forests are stronger against drought

Research by University of Utah biologist William Anderegg and colleagues found that diverse forests are more resilient to droughts due to a variety of hydraulic traits in tree species. Forests with multiple types of trees and diverse water use patterns showed less impact from droughts, with satellite data confirming the findings.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature·DateSep 19, 2018

How long does a quantum jump take?

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have successfully measured the duration of the photoelectric effect, a crucial process in quantum physics. The results reveal that different quantum jumps take varying amounts of time, ranging from 100 to 45 attoseconds for electrons from tungsten atoms.

Firmware at the blink of an eye: Scientists develop new technology of alloy steel rolling

Researchers at NUST MISIS have developed a new technology to simplify hot rolling of seamless pipes made from alloy and high-alloy steel. The innovation uses a two-stage method with lubricant and coolant, significantly improving tool lifespan and production efficiency.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalThe International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology·DateSep 19, 2018

New insight into aging

Researchers at McGill University found that aging brains retain neuroplasticity but experience dysregulation leading to unstable learning. Increasing GABA levels in older rats prolonged the effects of audio tone exposure, suggesting a potential strategy for improving retention in the aging brain.

SourceMcGill University·JournaleNeuro·DateSep 19, 2018

ESMO 2018 awardees announced

The ESMO Award 2018 is bestowed on Jean-Charles Soria, a pioneer in developing anti-cancer drugs, while Tony Mok receives the ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award for his practice-changing contribution to lung cancer. Pasi Jänne and Margaret Foti also receive awards for their translational research and mentorship efforts, respectively.

Young children's oral bacteria may predict obesity

A study found that two-year-old children's oral bacteria may predict their weight gain trajectories, suggesting a potential early indicator for childhood obesity. Lower diversity in oral microbiota and a higher Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio were associated with rapid infant weight gain.

SourcePenn State·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 19, 2018

Puerto Rico, one year later

Chemists in Puerto Rico remained resilient and united after Hurricane Maria, causing a humanitarian crisis and billions of dollars in damage. The storm impacted the pharmaceutical industry, academic institutions, and environmental health, with researchers studying the effects on water and air quality.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateSep 19, 2018

Researchers train robotic gliders to soar

Scientists from the Salk Institute and UC San Diego use reinforcement learning to train gliders to navigate atmospheric thermals, reaching heights of 700 meters. The research highlights the role of vertical wind accelerations and roll-wise torques as navigational cues for soaring birds.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature·DateSep 19, 2018

Study examines foraging of mountain gorillas for sodium-rich foods

A new study examines mountain gorilla foraging habits in Rwanda, highlighting the need to adapt local land use practices to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. The research reveals that accessing sodium-rich foods can lead to increased risk of hypothermia and crop damage, emphasizing the importance of reevaluating agricultural practices.

SourceWiley·JournalBiotropica·DateSep 19, 2018

Changes are needed to fund US water infrastructure

A new study highlights the need for policy changes to allow private capital to invest in US water systems with aging infrastructure. The Journal of the American Water Resources Association article notes that public-private partnerships and loan guarantees are hindered by existing federal budgetary policies.

SourceWiley·JournalJAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association·DateSep 19, 2018