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Science News for September 24, 2018


A turbo boost for materials science

A team from Lehigh University and UC Berkeley is developing an efficient Bayesian-guided computational framework to guide the search for new materials. This approach leverages deep learning neural networks to accelerate traditional physics-based simulation methods, enabling researchers to explore previously computationally intractable ...

Birds' voiceboxes are odd ducks

A study examining the windpipes of birds, crocodiles, salamanders, mice, and cats found deep similarities in the presence of a reinforced airway structure, suggesting that the syrinx may have evolved for structural support. This challenges the long-held assumption that the syrinx is an evolutionary odd duck.

SourceField Museum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 24, 2018

Four extremely young asteroid families identified

Researchers affiliated with São Paulo State University have identified four extremely young asteroid families using a numerical simulation method. The newly discovered families are estimated to be less than 7 million years old and were dated using the backward integration method, which is precise for young families.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 24, 2018

Breakthrough in blending metals

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a method to synthesize multimetallic clusters with precise control of size and composition, opening up new possibilities for advanced functional materials. The team successfully formed clusters composed of up to six metal elements, including platinum.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 24, 2018

How fruits got their eye-catching colors

New evidence supports the idea that fruits develop eye-catching colors to attract animal dispersers. Fruits eaten by mammals have higher reflectance in the green spectrum, while those dispersed by birds reflect more in the red. The study also found a link between fruit color and environmental factors such as UV light.

SourceDuke University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 24, 2018

New AGS-NIA conference report explores links between senses and cognitive health

Experts discuss the connection between impaired vision, hearing, and cognition, highlighting the need to understand their inter-related processes and develop new tools to measure sensory and cognitive impairments. The report outlines important priorities for future scholarship and clinical practice to address these health concerns.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateSep 24, 2018

Breakthrough in designing a better Salmonella vaccine

Researchers discovered that non-circulating memory T cells offer optimal protection against Salmonella infection, leading to the development of more effective and safe vaccines. The study's findings have significant implications for addressing enteric fever and invasive non-typhoidal Salmonellosis in resource-poor communities.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 24, 2018

Research forecasts US among top nations to suffer economic damage from climate change

A new study estimates that the US is expected to suffer significant economic damage from climate change, with losses of around $50 per ton of carbon emissions. The study reveals that the US will pay approximately $250 billion annually due to its high level of CO2 emissions, outpacing other major economies like India and Saudi Arabia.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Climate Change·DateSep 24, 2018

Sex in plants requires thrust

Scientists discovered that pollen tubes exert forces similar to car tire pressure as they navigate through plant tissue to fertilize eggs. The research found that cells can 'feel' and respond to physical resistance in their environment, leading to changes in growth patterns.

SourceMcGill University·JournalTECHNOLOGY·DateSep 24, 2018

Study shows invasive lung cancer surgery can lead to long-term opioid use

A study published in JAMA Oncology found that patients treated with more-invasive surgical techniques for early-stage lung cancer were more likely to become chronic opioid users. In contrast, those who underwent minimally invasive VATS surgery were less likely to fill opioid prescriptions after surgery and in the long term.

Exploring the effects of integrative health in cancer

A Special Focus Issue on Integrative Oncology investigates complementary and integrative medicine in multiple age groups, nations, and special populations. Research articles and commentaries discuss the options and effectiveness of nutritional strategies, aromatherapy, massage, and self-care toolkits for cancer patients.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateSep 24, 2018

A new way to count qubits

Researchers have created a new method for measuring the state of qubits, a crucial step towards building powerful quantum computers. This breakthrough could lead to significant advancements in fields like pharmaceutical development and cryptography.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2018

Common weed killer linked to bee deaths

A new study from the University of Texas at Austin finds that exposure to glyphosate, a common weed killer, reduces healthy gut microbiota in honey bees and makes them more vulnerable to infection. This compromise can lead to bee deaths, particularly when exposed to opportunistic pathogens.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 24, 2018

History of New York City marshes

Researchers reconstructed three centuries of sedimentation history for NYC marshes, finding a significant decrease in inorganic mineral sediments since the 19th century. This reduction weakens marsh structures, suggesting future preservation will require adding mineral sediment to dredged basins and the marshes themselves.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 24, 2018

How Earth sheds heat into space

Researchers from MIT's EAPS department found a linear relationship between the Earth's surface temperature and its outgoing heat, which may break down at higher temperatures. The study suggests that water vapor feedback is responsible for this relationship, and it could help climate scientists model the effects of climate change.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 24, 2018

Children whose mothers use marijuana are more likely to try it at younger age

A study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that children whose mothers use marijuana during their first 12 years are more likely to start using cannabis earlier than children of non-users. This relationship holds even after controlling for social environmental factors, suggesting a potential risk factor for early init...

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateSep 24, 2018

Ready-to-use recipe for turning plant waste into gasoline

Bioscience engineers at KU Leuven have created a roadmap for producing cellulose gasoline, a second-generation biofuel, by converting plant waste into hydrocarbon chains. The process involves adding cellulose to the petroleum refining process, resulting in a strongly bio-sourced gasoline.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalNature Energy·DateSep 24, 2018

Children whose mothers use marijuana may try it at a younger age

A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that children whose mothers use marijuana are more likely to start using the drug themselves an average of two years earlier. This can lead to negative consequences such as impairments in concentration and decision-making, increased impulsivity, and reductions in IQ.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateSep 24, 2018

Earthquake risk estimation

Researchers developed a method to estimate seismic risk by modeling various earthquake scenarios and identifying common impacts. The study suggests that most scenarios produce lower impacts than the worst-case scenario, with urban areas posing less risk than rural western Nepal.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 24, 2018

Weathering of early Earth rocks

Researchers analyzed silicon and oxygen isotopes in zircon crystals to infer the presence of sedimentary rocks, such as cherts or banded iron formations, on early Earth. The findings suggest that these rocks may have existed over 4 billion years ago, providing a window into the planet's primordial chemistry.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 24, 2018

Establishing metastasis

Scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina discovered that over-expression of VRK1 actually slows down cancer cell migration and invasion, but enables cells to form colonies under 3D conditions. High levels of VRK1 are associated with aggressive breast cancers and poor prognoses in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Desert ants have an amazing odor memory

Researchers found that desert ants can learn multiple food odors in a short time and retain them throughout their lives. In contrast, they require repeated exposure to learn a single nest odor and may forget it quickly after removal from the nest. These findings suggest different memory processes for food and nest-related cues.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 24, 2018

New earthquake risk model could better inform disaster planning

Researchers developed a new seismic risk modeling approach to assess earthquake impacts and identify common hazards across multiple scenarios. The 'ensemble modeling' method provides critical information on likelihood and probable scale of future earthquakes' impacts, enabling targeted disaster mitigation resources distribution.

SourceDurham University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 24, 2018