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Science News for September 3, 2018


Evolutionary origins of animal biodiversity

Research team analyzed thousands of features across all living animal groups to create a 'shape space' for animal body plans. The results show that fundamental evolutionary change occurred in fits and starts, with animal designs continuing to evolve to the present day.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 3, 2018

Evolution of animal designs

The study reveals that animal biodiversity has expanded episodically to the present day, contrary to theories of a single Cambrian explosion. The development of life until the Cambrian period included a wide range of designs, with regulatory genes playing a key role in increasing diversity.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 3, 2018

Children born through IVF may have higher risk of hypertension

A Swiss study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that children born through IVF may have a higher risk of developing arterial hypertension by age 16. The study measured ambulatory blood pressure and found that ART adolescents had a higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than control participants.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 3, 2018

Light exchange

Scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science have successfully demonstrated a logic gate that enables the exchange of information between photons and atoms, a breakthrough necessary for scaling up quantum computers. This achievement paves the way for the development of more powerful quantum computing systems.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Physics·DateSep 3, 2018

Pathology and social interactions: Safety in numbers

Researchers found that social isolation accelerates tumor growth in sick flies, while healthy flies avoid sick individuals with advanced tumors. This study suggests that social interactions play a substantial role in cancer development and progression.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 3, 2018

Can social media networks reduce political polarization on climate change?

A study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that exposure to anonymous, bipartisan social networks can lead liberals and conservatives to improve their forecasting of global-climate trends. In the study, 88% of Republicans and 86% of Democrats correctly analyzed climate data after interacting in social media networks.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 3, 2018

Assay identifies antibiotic in bear saliva

Researchers used a microfluidic platform to screen the oral microbiome of Siberian brown bears and identified an antibiotic-producing strain of Bacillus pumilus that kills Staphylococcus aureus. The study also uncovered a mechanism by which Bacillus resists this antibiotic, suggesting its potential for discovering novel antibiotics.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 3, 2018

Chaos-inducing genetic approach stymies antibiotic-resistant superbugs

Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder develop Controlled Hindrance of Adaptation of OrganismS (CHAOS) approach to disrupt gene expressions in bacteria, effectively stunting their ability to evolve defenses. The method offers a sustainable long-term solution to combat antibiotic-resistant superbugs that infect nearly 2 million p...

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalCommunications Biology·DateSep 3, 2018