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Science News for April 1, 2019


New 'blue-green' solution for recycling world's batteries

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries using an environmentally friendly deep eutectic solvent. The solvent successfully extracted over 90% of cobalt and significant amounts of lithium from powdered compounds and used batteries, making it a promising approach to curtail hars...

SourceRice University·JournalNature Energy·DateApr 1, 2019

Study estimates how common carriers of polyglutamine disease-associated gene variants are in general population

Researchers estimated how common carriers of intermediate and pathological range polyglutamine disease-associated gene variants were among the general population using data from five European studies. The study found that approximately 2% of participants carried intermediate range variants and 1% carried pathological range variants.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateApr 1, 2019

Farming for natural profits in China

Researchers at Stanford University found that adopting diverse agricultural lands can provide flood control, water purification, and climate stabilization, while also doubling farmers' incomes. The 'Ecological Development Strategy' aims to support both economic growth and environmental health in rural regions like Hainan Island.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 1, 2019

First bacterial genome created entirely with a computer

Researchers at ETH Zurich develop a computer-generated genome for Caulobacter ethensis, which is based on the genome of a harmless freshwater bacterium. The new genome contains over 800,000 DNA letters and was generated using an algorithm that simplifies genetic information to facilitate production.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 1, 2019

Scientists construct new family tree for perching birds

Researchers constructed a massive family tree using DNA samples from 221 bird specimens, discovering two African species in a distinct new passerine family and five additional proposed families. This study reveals that global temperature changes and continent colonization were not the sole drivers of passerine diversification.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 1, 2019

The inflammation connection

Researchers at the Center for Genomic Regulation discovered a novel way to control inflammation by understanding how cells produce IL-1β, a crucial molecule involved in inflammation. By targeting the unfolded protein response and GRASP55 pathways, they identified potential avenues for developing anti-inflammatory drugs.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateApr 1, 2019

Natural climate processes overshadow recent human-induced Walker circulation trends

A new study reveals that recent intensification of the equatorial Pacific wind system known as Walker Circulation is unrelated to human influences and can be explained by natural processes. The observed strengthening of the Walker circulation from about 1990-2013 was a naturally occurring phenomenon, contrary to projections of anthropo...

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Climate Change·DateApr 1, 2019

How common are advanced care planning conversations with hospitalized, older patients?

Advance care planning conversations with hospitalized, older patients are infrequent due to emotional challenges and physician reluctance. Despite training and financial incentives, only a quarter of physicians regularly document ACP conversations, leaving many patients without input on end-of-life care.

SourceThe Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice·JournalJournal of Hospital Medicine·DateApr 1, 2019

Sugar could be sweet solution to respiratory disease

A new study led by University of Manchester biologists reveals how glucose levels in the lungs control immune responses during inflammation. The research found that blocking sugar receptors may reduce inflammation in chronic conditions, while inhalation therapy could enhance immune response against some infections.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Immunology·DateApr 1, 2019

Drinking diplomacy

In 18th-century Russia, a Spanish diplomat's initiative to establish an informal men's club called the 'Order of the Anti-Sober' aimed to foster socialization and political discussion among elites. The club's rules promoted camaraderie, excluding prejudices and encouraging close relations among members.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalThe International History Review·DateApr 1, 2019

Chicago tops list of most dangerous cities for migrating birds

A study by Cornell University found that Chicago tops the list of most dangerous cities for migrating birds due to its unique combination of light pollution and geography. The research also revealed that four eastern cities in the US make the autumn list, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts to reduce bird mortality.

SourceCornell University·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateApr 1, 2019

New polymer mixture creates ultra-sensitive heat sensor

Scientists at Linköping University have developed an ultra-sensitive heat sensor based on a polymer mixture that uses ions as charge carriers, resulting in a signal 100 times stronger than traditional materials. The new material has potential applications in wound healing, electronic skin, and smart buildings.

SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 1, 2019

In phase 3 trial, rituximab not associated with clinical improvement in patients with ME/CFS

In a phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, researchers found that B-cell depletion using rituximab over 12 months was not associated with clinical improvement in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, contradicts previous phas...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateApr 1, 2019

Study links insurance coverage to access to hospital care

Researchers found that uninsured and Medicaid patients are more likely to be transferred from emergency departments, discharged without admission, or admitted to hospitals with limited critical care services. Financial incentives for hospitals may contribute to these disparities in access to acute hospital care.

SourceYale University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 1, 2019

ESA tipsheet for April 1, 2019

Researchers found that cities like Chicago, Houston, and Dallas have the highest levels of exposure to artificial lights, disrupting nocturnal bird migration patterns. A study also showed that humans' connection to nature decreases with age, particularly in teenagers and males. Meanwhile, a network for tracking urban wildlife and using...

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateApr 1, 2019

Well-known drug has less risk for preterm delivery in PCOS

A study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal found that metformin can halve the risk of late miscarriage and preterm births for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women who received metformin during pregnancy also gained less weight, but there was no effect on gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateApr 1, 2019

The hotter it gets, the more forests act as insulators

Research shows forests in temperate, boreal, and tropical regions lower air temperatures by an average of 4°C compared to surrounding areas. The study suggests that management strategies can improve forest microclimates and mitigate the effects of global warming on biodiversity.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 1, 2019

How the brain finds meaning in metaphor

A study by University of Arizona researcher Vicky Lai found that the brain's sensory-motor region is activated within 200 milliseconds of hearing an action-based metaphor. This suggests that this region plays a crucial role in comprehension, supporting previous findings from fMRI studies.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalBrain Research·DateApr 1, 2019

Be the change you want to see in the world

A new European study suggests that individuals can play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by making voluntary lifestyle changes, such as eating less meat and using fewer cars. However, the authors argue that these changes alone are insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5C, highligh...

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalEnergy Research & Social Science·DateApr 1, 2019

URI researcher calculates temperature inside moon to help reveal its inner structure

A University of Rhode Island scientist has determined the temperature at the boundary of the Moon's core and mantle, finding it to be between 1,130 and 1,470 degrees Celsius. This discovery will help create a temperature profile through the Moon, allowing researchers to better understand its internal structure, composition, and evolution.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalGeochimica et Cosmochimica Acta·DateApr 1, 2019

Putting a new spin on Majorana fermions

Physicists propose a novel method to produce robust Majorana fermions in magnetic materials with different phase boundaries. This could lead to the creation of stable qubits for quantum computers, addressing limitations of current technology. The team plans to experimentally verify their findings using engineered systems.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 1, 2019

A bald gene find­ing

A recent study found a gene variant in the SGK3 gene causing hairlessness in Scottish Deerhounds. The defect results in puppies born with thin fur that loses all their hair in weeks. This discovery may also provide insights into human non-hormonal baldness, as the SGK3 gene is also associated with early hair loss and baldness.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalHuman Genetics·DateApr 1, 2019

Just an hour of weekly walking staves off disability

A new Northwestern Medicine study found that an hour of weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity can help older adults maintain their independence and reduce the risk of mobility disability by 85%. The study also showed that this amount of exercise can lower the risk of activities of daily living disability by almost 45%.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateApr 1, 2019

Rise of religion pre-dates Incas at Lake Titicaca

Researchers have uncovered ancient ritual offerings near Lake Titicaca that pre-date the arrival of the Incas by several centuries. The findings suggest a more complex and ambitious spiritual system among the Tiwanaku people, who developed in the area between 500-1,100 AD.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 1, 2019

Climate change threat to dolphins' survival

A recent study found that climate change can have long-lasting negative impacts on dolphin populations, with a 12% decrease in survival rate following a heatwave in Shark Bay, Western Australia. The researchers also observed fewer births among female dolphins, which persisted for at least six years.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 1, 2019

How to ice-proof the next generation of aircraft

Scientists have discovered a new method to control icing on next-generation aircraft using plasma actuators. The technology can transfer heat locally while mixing well with incoming airflow, preventing stress on composite materials. Researchers tested three configurations of actuators in high-speed cameras and infrared thermal imaging.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateApr 1, 2019

Skyrmions could provide next generation data storage

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a way to combine multiple skyrmions into 'skyrmion bags' that can store and transfer data more efficiently. This breakthrough technology has the potential to increase data storage capacity, reduce power consumption, and pave the way for next-generation computing devices.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Physics·DateApr 1, 2019

Same properties, lower cost

Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a technique to transform copper into a material that mimics properties of gold and silver. The new medium, made of copper nanoparticles, has applications in the production of electronic devices and is suitable for environmentally friendly printing technologies.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 1, 2019