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Science News for September 26, 2018


Fecal microbiota transplantation helps restore beneficial bacteria in cancer patients

Researchers found that autologous fecal microbiota transplantation (auto-FMT) restored beneficial gut bacteria to near baseline levels within days, mitigating the effects of intense antibiotic treatment. This approach may prove a simple way to quickly restore a healthy microbiome following intensive antimicrobial therapy.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 26, 2018

Researchers add surprising finds to the fossil record

Researchers discovered a new fossil that shows large angiosperm trees grew in North America by the Turonian age, dating back nearly 15 million years earlier than previously thought. This find provides more detail to our understanding of the landscape during this period and sheds light on the evolution of flowering plants.

SourceAdelphi University·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 26, 2018

Wearable defibrillator lowers sudden cardiac death, but only when you wear it

A UCSF-led study found that wearable cardioverter defibrillators lower mortality among patients who wear them consistently, but do not significantly reduce sudden cardiac death. The devices were more effective in reducing overall mortality, with a 35.5% lower risk of death compared to those who did not wear the device.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 26, 2018

Spheres can make concrete leaner, greener

Researchers create spheres that can be made at low cost and promise to mitigate the energy-intensive techniques now used to make cement. The spheres are suitable for various applications, including bone-tissue engineering, insulation, ceramic, and composite materials.

SourceRice University·JournalLangmuir·DateSep 26, 2018

New protocol for measuring background levels of drugs in crime labs

Scientists at NIST and Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division developed a protocol to measure background drug levels, which can affect test results. The study found detectable amounts of 13 substances, including fentanyl, on various surfaces, highlighting the need for regular cleaning and increased sensitivity in labs.

Is student debt keeping Americans away from marriage?

Research shows that modern couples are delaying marriage to focus on paying off student loans and saving. The study highlights how attitudes towards marriage, living together, and debt have changed over two generations, suggesting that debt is becoming a barrier to marriage.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Family and Economic Issues·DateSep 26, 2018

Olfactory cells may act as 'Trojan horse,' carry anticancer therapy to deadly brain tumors

Researchers genetically engineered olfactory ensheathing cells to carry an anticancer drug, reducing tumor growth and improving survival in a mouse model. The treatment delivered the medication directly to glioblastoma cells while sparing healthy tissue, leading to a significant reduction in tumor size and prolonged survival.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateSep 26, 2018

Your Facebook friends don't mean it, but they're likely hurting you daily

Research from University at Buffalo suggests that unintentional social exclusion on Facebook and other social media sites can hinder thought processes, leading to negative emotions and increased susceptibility to advertising messages. The study's findings highlight the importance of critical thinking when interacting with these platforms.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalSocial Science Computer Review·DateSep 26, 2018

Combination HIV antibody infusions safely maintain viral suppression in select individuals

Researchers found that a combination of multiple antibodies targeting distinct regions of HIV can suppress the virus and prevent resistance. In a pilot clinical trial, participants who received infusions of broadly neutralizing antibodies maintained viral suppression for over 15 weeks after stopping antiretroviral therapy.

Manta rays could teach us a thing or two about effective filtration

Researchers studied manta ray filtration using physical modeling and CFD, discovering a novel non-clogging mechanism that resists clogging. The 'ricochet' separation process allows water to pass through while tiny particles are eaten, promising applications for industrial wastewater treatment and reducing microplastic pollution.

Protecting probiotics from the stomach

Researchers have created a stable encapsulation system using cellulose and alginate to protect probiotics from stomach acid, allowing them to survive until reaching the intestine. This breakthrough may lead to more effective treatments for conditions like diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateSep 26, 2018

Leaders may create ineffective cultures because they are stuck in the past, study shows

Researchers from the University of Toronto found that leaders tend to transfer their past cultural experience to new groups, creating ineffective cultures. This 'cultural transfer perspective' highlights the need for leaders to disconnect from their past experiences and analyze current circumstances to create effective cultures.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateSep 26, 2018

Study: Damaged liver cells undergo reprogramming to regenerate

Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered how damaged liver cells repair themselves by reprogramming into an early stage of postnatal organ development. The findings reveal that injured liver cells undergo partial reprogramming, which is regulated by a specific RNA-binding protein called ESRP2.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateSep 26, 2018

The origins of the High Plains landscape

The High Plains landscape was formed 20 million years ago through geological uplift and erosion, resulting in a unique ecosystem with hundreds of thousands of ephemeral lakes. These lakes provide crucial breeding and wintering habitats for millions of birds and recharge the Ogallala aquifer, North America's largest groundwater reservoir.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateSep 26, 2018

Big increase in economic costs if cuts in greenhouse gas emissions are delayed

A new analysis warns that delaying efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions could result in substantial economic costs, potentially exceeding the benefits of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. The study suggests that the remaining carbon budget for this goal is very small, requiring unprecedented scale and significant investment.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalAnnual Review of Environment and Resources·DateSep 26, 2018

The whole day matters for cognitive development in children

A new study from CHEO Research Institute found that children aged nine and 10 who meet Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines for physical activity, screen time, and sleep time have superior global cognition. The results suggest a positive relationship among childhood global cognition, future academic success, and lower all-cause mortality.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·DateSep 26, 2018

Tracking hydrogen movement using subatomic particles

A Japanese collaboration has successfully tracked hydrogen movement in solids using negative muons, a technique that could aid the development of hydrogen storage materials. By detecting local nuclear magnetic fields, researchers were able to study the dynamics of light elements in a solid from the fixed point of the nucleus.

SourceOsaka University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 26, 2018

Clear the air

A University of Utah engineering study shows that smart controllers for home heating and cooling systems can clean pollution with minimal additional energy costs. The 'SmartAir' setting, which turns on the HVAC fan based on both temperature and air quality, cleaned the air almost as well as continuous operation but used 58% less energy.

Limiting children's recreational screen time to less than 2 hours a day linked to better cognition

An observational study of over 4,500 US children aged 8-11 found that limiting recreational screen time to less than two hours a day is associated with improved cognition. Half of the children met only one guideline, while those who met all three (sleep, screen time, and physical activity) had better cognitive development.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·DateSep 26, 2018

A self-powered heart monitor taped to the skin

Researchers at RIKEN developed a self-powered heart monitor that can be taped to the skin, utilizing sunlight as a power source. The device achieves high photo-conversion efficiency and demonstrates accurate heartbeat detection in both rats and humans under various lighting conditions.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature·DateSep 26, 2018