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Science News for September 5, 2018


Burly bird gets the worm

A study at the University of Exeter found that larger garden birds, such as house sparrows and greenfinches, dominate access to better food sources like sunflower hearts. Smaller bird species like blue tits and coal tits face limited access to quality food, pecking quickly to make the most of their time.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 5, 2018

Lymph node structural cells rein in human immune responses

Researchers identified four mechanisms by which Fibroblastic Reticular Cells dampen down T cell responses, including pathways involving prostaglandin E2 and transforming growth factor beta. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding immune responses in situations where T cells don't work as well as they should.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 5, 2018

Physics model acts as an 'EKG' for solar panel health

Researchers created an algorithm using physics of panel degradation to analyze solar farm data, providing a portable EKG for solar farms. The approach can inform better panel designs, prolong lifespan, and cut electrical bills, ultimately transforming the industry's diagnosis and decision-making processes.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProgress in Photovoltaics Research and Applications·DateSep 5, 2018

Rice U. lab probes molecular limit of plasmonics

Researchers from Rice University's Laboratory for Nanophotonics studied plasmons in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with fewer than 50 atoms. They found that these molecules can support molecular plasmons in the visible spectrum, offering a new area of research at the intersection of plasmonics and molecular chemistry.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 5, 2018

Perceiving support -- not receiving it -- helps people cope with worry and waiting

A recent study by UC Riverside researcher Kate Sweeny found that perception of romantic partner's responsiveness during anxious waiting periods is associated with reduced stress. People who perceived their partner as supportive reported better sleep and overall health, even if they didn't receive actual support.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateSep 5, 2018

Study: Ways to maximize nutrition and growth for the smallest preemies

A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that changes in calorie and protein intake were estimated during five transition phases from full intravenous nutrition to full enteral nutrition. The researchers recommend specific approaches to maximize calorie and protein intake during various transition phases.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateSep 5, 2018

Could a demon help to create a quantum computer?

Researchers at Penn State successfully organized atoms in a lattice to lower entropy, which could aid in creating a quantum computer. This achievement uses uncharged atoms as qubits, enabling multiple states simultaneously and making computation more efficient.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateSep 5, 2018

Scientists identify weak point in deadly eye melanoma

A natural plant compound called FR900359 has been identified as a potential treatment for uveal melanoma, shutting down the overactive signaling that drives cell growth. The compound traps G alpha q in its inactive state, preventing tumor cell growth and potentially reversing cancer-like changes.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience Signaling·DateSep 5, 2018

Researchers date 'hibernating' HIV strains, advancing BC's leadership in HIV cure research

Researchers have developed a novel method to date 'hibernating' HIV strains, revealing a genetically diverse latent reservoir that can persist for decades. The study confirms the importance of understanding the timeline and characteristics of HIV in the latent reservoir for developing an effective cure.

SourceBC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 5, 2018

New study introduces approach that can roughly double success rates of kidney transplants

A new study has introduced a 'failure-aware' algorithmic matching approach to improve the success rate of kidney transplants. The method takes pre-transplant compatibility failures into account probabilistically and can roughly double the number of successful transplants, depending on the setting.

Does neuroscience hold the key to understanding the criminal mind?

A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found that individuals with higher criminal tendencies prefer to gamble, even if they know it increases risk. The researchers used fMRI to show increased activation in brain areas involved in cognitive analysis and reasoning for those with higher criminal tendencies.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·DateSep 5, 2018

Graphic images on cigarette warnings stick with smokers

A new study suggests that graphic images on cigarette warnings are more effective in reducing smoking rates than text-only warnings. The study found that smokers who viewed graphic images remembered the warnings slightly longer than those who received text-only warnings, and were more likely to quit smoking six weeks later.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateSep 5, 2018

Yale researchers 'teleport' a quantum gate

Yale researchers successfully teleported a quantum gate between logical qubits, enabling deterministic inter-module operations and advancing modular quantum computing. This breakthrough is crucial for building large-scale, error-correctable quantum computers.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateSep 5, 2018

PGDx machine learning approach outperforms existing mutation detection methods in study

A study published in Science Translational Medicine shows that PGDx's CerebroTM technology can detect tumor-specific mutations with higher sensitivity and positive predictive value compared to existing methods. This improvement is crucial for accurate treatment decisions, particularly for biomarkers like tumor mutation burden.

SourcePure Communications Inc.·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 5, 2018

A step ahead in pharmaceutical research

Scientists at the University of Würzburg have developed a new method called BRET that allows them to test the activity and potency of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) ligands in living cells. This breakthrough enables faster discovery of novel pharmaceutical substances with less side effects.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCommunications Biology·DateSep 5, 2018

Scientists take to Twitter to study flying ants, starling murmurations and house spiders

Researchers gathered data on popular ecological phenomena like flying ant emergence and starling murmurations using Twitter hashtags and text, replicating most findings from primary citizen science studies. The study shows that passive citizen science via social media can generate robust and interesting data for ecological research.

SourceBritish Ecological Society·JournalMethods in Ecology and Evolution·DateSep 5, 2018

When it rains, snake bites soar

A new study found that rainy years lead to a 3.9% spike in snake bites across California's 58 counties, contradicting the notion that drought increases encounters with venomous reptiles. The researchers suspect that rodents, which thrive in rainy conditions, may be the primary driver of this unexpected trend.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalClinical Toxicology·DateSep 5, 2018

Chilean scientists discover crucial event right before the death of a star

Researchers from Chile and international institutions have discovered a critical event right before the death of a star, revealing a previously unknown flash in Type II Supernovae. This breakthrough was made possible by using unique data analysis techniques developed in Chile, including machine learning and high-performance computing.

Pay of NHS doctors varies by ethnic group

A study by The BMJ reveals a small but significant pay gap between white and black minority ethnic (BME) hospital doctors in England. For consultant grades, the gap is larger, with white consultants earning an extra £4,644 per year compared to BME consultants. Further investigation into the reasons behind these differences is warranted.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateSep 5, 2018

Tau interferes with nuclear transport in Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have found that tau protein interferes with the nucleus's ability to communicate with the cell, disrupting the function of the nuclear pore complex. This alteration accelerates tau aggregation and neurofibrillary tangle formation, leading to neural dysfunction and death in Alzheimer's disease.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateSep 5, 2018

A nursing perspective on the opioid crisis

The Journal of Addictions Nursing special issue provides a unique nursing perspective on the opioid crisis, highlighting research topics and expert views. The publication presents seven original research papers addressing various aspects of OUD, including medication-assisted treatment, overdose prevention, and stigma reduction.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Addictions Nursing·DateSep 5, 2018

It is all about the distribution

Researchers developed a three-dimensional model to estimate usable wind energy and found that repowering old plants with larger ones increases yields by several hundred percent. The study suggests that this approach can significantly reduce the cost of generating electricity comparable to brown coal.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalEnergy Conversion and Management·DateSep 5, 2018

Australian fur seal pup population is shrinking

A long-term monitoring program for Australian fur seals has tracked a decline in pup populations, with the first reduction since species-wide protection was implemented in 1975. The study highlights the importance of regularly assessing monitoring programs and provides valuable information on how to improve them.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 5, 2018

Inter Faculty, vol. 8

This Inter Faculty volume delves into the importance of engagement in human sciences, discussing identity, linguistic concepts, and ethical interpretation. Research papers explore topics such as maintaining national minority rights, grammatical gender in Japanese and Ancient Greek languages, and Confucian ethics.