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Science News for April 15, 2019


Irregular schedules raise risk of injury for miners working long hours

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago found that injured miners who worked shifts longer than 9 hours tended to have irregular schedules or less than two years on the job. Long work shifts were associated with a 32% increased risk of injury resulting in death and a 73% increased risk of multiple worker injuries.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·DateApr 15, 2019

Historic logging site shows first human-caused bedrock erosion along an entire river

Researchers have found that logging practices can cause significant bedrock incision, eroding geology at a rate of up to 100 times the natural rate. The study, conducted on the Teanaway River in Washington state, shows that human activity has transformed the riverbank, creating new terraces and altering the landscape.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2019

Rice advances the art of protein blacksmithing

Researchers develop a new method to create detailed structural models of proteins using force-driven simulations, reducing computational power requirements. The technique, inspired by metallurgy, allows for faster computation and more accurate results than existing approaches.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2019

Dementia more preventable in Asia and Latin America

A new study found that nearly half of dementia cases in low- to middle-income countries, such as China and India, could be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors like education, hearing loss, and obesity. Improving childhood education and health outcomes throughout life may lead to significant reductions in dementia rates.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateApr 15, 2019

Low-calorie sweetener derived from lactose gets manufacturing boost from yeast

A new strain of yeast can produce tagatose in much larger quantities than traditional enzymatic manufacturing techniques, making it a cost-effective alternative to sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. The glycemic index of tagatose is lower than that of sucrose and fructose, carrying a lower risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.

Need for social skills helped shape modern human face

A new review suggests that social communication played a significant role in shaping the modern human face. The study, led by University of York researchers, concludes that our faces evolved not only due to factors like diet and climate but also to facilitate nonverbal communication and establish large social networks.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 15, 2019

Household pollution and air quality in India

Reducing household fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions in India could decrease mean annual ambient PM2.5 exposure by over 17%, averting premature mortality and meeting the national air quality standard for 103 additional districts. Complete mitigation of emissions from cooking alone would be necessary to achieve this goal.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2019

For busy medical students, two-hour meditation study may be as beneficial as longer course

A Rutgers-led study found that a two-hour introductory mindfulness class can be just as effective as an eight-week immersive course in reducing stress and depression among medical students. The research suggests that even brief meditation practices can lead to improved mental well-being, making it accessible for time-crunched individuals.

SourceRutgers University·JournalMedical Science Educator·DateApr 15, 2019

Cometary surprise found inside meteorite

A team of researchers discovered a primitive class of meteorite containing a slice of carbon-rich material similar to extraterrestrial dust particles thought to have originated in comets near the outer edges of the Solar System. This finding provides insights into the Solar System's architecture and formation.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 15, 2019

Tel Aviv University scientists print first 3D heart using patient's biological materials

Researchers successfully engineered and printed a 3D vascularised engineered heart with cells, blood vessels, ventricles, and chambers that matches the immunological, cellular, biochemical, and anatomical properties of the patient. The use of native patient-specific materials is crucial to eliminating implant rejection risks.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateApr 15, 2019

Climate change could undermine children's education and development in the tropics

A new study suggests that extreme heat and precipitation in early childhood can lead to lower educational attainment, even among better-off households. The research found that climatic conditions affect education negatively in multiple ways, particularly in Southeast Asia and West and Central Africa.

SourceNational Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2019

Google searches reveal popular bird species

Google searches have identified popular North American bird species, with large birds and those visiting feeders drawing more attention. The study found that owls were the subject of public curiosity, while conservationists can use this information to focus efforts on lesser-known species.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2019

Genetic analysis has potential to transform diagnosis and treatment of adults with liver disease of unknown cause

A new study published in the Journal of Hepatology reports that whole-exome sequencing (WES) can diagnose the genetic cause of liver disease in a significant proportion of adult patients. The analysis identified four monogenic disorders in five unrelated adults, enabling new treatment options and shedding light on underlying molecular ...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Hepatology·DateApr 15, 2019

NRL develops laser processing method to increase efficiency of optoelectronic devices

Scientists at NRL discovered a new method to passivate defects in next generation optical materials, improving optical quality and enabling miniaturization of light emitting diodes. The technique produces a 100-fold increase in material's optical emission efficiency, paving the way for high-efficiency optoelectronic devices.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 15, 2019

Same-sex marriage legalization associated with reduced anti-gay bias in the US

A new study by McGill University researchers found that state legislation played a significant role in reducing anti-gay bias in the US. By analyzing data from over 1 million respondents, the team discovered that laws supporting same-sex marriage led to a sharp decline in biases, with the effect being roughly double the previous rate.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2019

'Flight recorder' of rocks within the Earth's crust

Daniela Rubatto's research provides a new way to connect minerals' ages to their formation conditions, reconstructing the speed and duration of rock travel within the Earth's crust. Her innovative method uses an ion microprobe to extract valuable information from minerals, contributing to better understanding geological processes.

New study reveals 'silence' around suicide in young people

A new study by the University of Stirling has identified a silence around suicidality among children and young people, with many feeling they cannot access help or are not listened to by healthcare professionals. The research emphasizes the importance of using explicit language, such as 'suicide,' in mental health conversations.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalChild and Adolescent Mental Health·DateApr 15, 2019

Kin relationships in megalithic burial sites

A study found kin relationships among people buried in Neolithic megalith tombs, indicating a societal role for these enigmatic structures. The genomic data revealed affinity to farming groups with past admixture with hunter-gatherer groups, highlighting a previously unknown role for megaliths in Neolithic societies and families.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2019

Engineering 'hairpins' increases CRISPR accuracy

Biomedical engineers at Duke University developed a method to improve CRISPR accuracy by adding a short tail to the guide RNA, creating a 'lock' that prevents off-target activity. The approach increases accuracy by an average of 50-fold across five different CRISPR systems.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 15, 2019

Physicists improve understanding of heat and particle flow in the edge of a fusion device

Researchers have discovered a hill-like bump of electric charge at the X-point in tokamaks, which prevents plasma particles from traveling straight between upstream and downstream areas. This finding could lead to more accurate predictions about exhaust and make future large-scale facilities less vulnerable to internal damage.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateApr 15, 2019

Sizing up a starry night

Researchers discovered the diameter of a giant red giant star 2,674 light-years away and a sun-like star at 700 light-years, setting a record for the smallest star measured. The team used asteroid occultations to calculate the stars' sizes with high accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 15, 2019

RNA transport in neurons -- Staufen2 detects its target transcripts in a complex manner

A team of scientists has discovered that the neuronal transport factor Staufen2 scans and binds to its target transcripts in a more complex manner than previously thought. This finding opens up new approaches to improve our understanding of RNA transport and synaptic plasticity, which is essential for memory and learning.

Scanning for cancer treatment

Researchers combined CRISPR with drug discovery to understand how AML treatment works and which weaknesses can be exploited. The study revealed that LSD1-GFI1B relationship is critical for AML survival, enabling more targeted treatments.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateApr 15, 2019

Could climate change cause infertility?

A new study by University of Lincoln researchers suggests that extreme temperatures can impact the reproductive behavior and physiology of males before females, potentially leading to infertility. The study found that rising temperatures hampered sperm production in male Indian meal moths, affecting their ability to mate.

SourceUniversity of Lincoln·JournalJournal of Evolutionary Biology·DateApr 15, 2019

Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District and Tetra Tech awarded the 2019 INFORMS Edelman Award

The Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District and Tetra Tech won the 2019 INFORMS Edelman Award for their successful implementation of Csoft, a software solution that maximizes storage, conveyance, and treatment capacities to better protect the environment. The project has saved over $200 million in infrastructure costs and improved commu...

Hospital study finds substantial proportion of patients and healthcare workers shed flu virus before symptoms appear

Researchers found that a significant proportion of patients and healthcare workers shed the flu virus without displaying symptoms, making it difficult to control its spread. The study, conducted at a tertiary hospital in Zurich, tracked over 700 healthcare workers and inpatients during two consecutive influenza seasons.

Shocking economics

Researchers propose a novel method from physics that makes economic effects of major events computable for the first time. The new method calculates resilience and outputs, testable predictions can be made and visualizations help understand economies.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 15, 2019

The history of humanity in your face

Researchers reveal how the modern human face evolved over four million years, influenced by dietary changes, tool use, and social interactions. The study's findings suggest that the face's shape and features reflect our species' adaptability to different environments and cultural contexts.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 15, 2019

Plastic's carbon footprint

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have conducted the first global assessment of plastic's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, finding that current strategies are insufficient to curb emissions. Recycling and replacing fossil-based energy with renewable sources offer promising solutions, but significant reductions will require unpreceden...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Climate Change·DateApr 15, 2019

Severe haze in China

A recent study synthesizes research on severe haze pollution in Northern China, highlighting its complex interaction between human activities and atmospheric conditions. The findings suggest that improving haze prediction and developing effective regulatory policies require additional knowledge and public awareness campaigns.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2019

Brain marker for angry dreams

A new study has identified a brain activity pattern, called frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA), that predicts anger experienced during dreaming. Individuals with greater alpha-band brain activity in the right frontal cortex during REM sleep and pre-sleep wakefulness tend to have more angry dreams.

North Atlantic warming hole impacts jet stream

The North Atlantic warming hole has a significant impact on the North Atlantic jet stream, leading to changes in atmospheric circulation and storm tracks. The cooling pattern caused by the warming hole is predicted to become greater and more apparent as the century progresses.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Climate·DateApr 15, 2019

Meteoroid strikes eject precious water from moon

Scientists found evidence of water vapor in lunar exosphere after analyzing data from NASA's LADEE mission, which orbited the Moon from October 2013 to April 2014. The team detected dozens of events where meteoroids struck the Moon's surface, releasing a short-lived water vapor that could be used as a resource for future human explorat...

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 15, 2019

Necrophagy: A means of survival in the Dead Sea

Researchers from UNIGE discovered that bacteria can thrive in the Dead Sea's sediments, surviving extreme conditions by feeding on ancient corpses. This finding has significant implications for searching for life on other planets and highlights the importance of understanding how microorganisms adapt to hostile environments.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalGeology·DateApr 15, 2019

China, India economic development key to achieving MDG for safe drinking water

Research led by The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science found that China and India's rapid urbanization, especially in China, and rural development in India were major enablers of the success in achieving MDG Target 7C-Water. Economic development was also found to be imperative in expanding drinking water coverage.

A breakthrough in acidic water electrolysis via ruthenium-based catalysts

Researchers from University of Science and Technology of China successfully developed a ruthenium-based single-atom alloy catalyst accelerating water electrolysis with lower overpotential. The catalyst shows improved stability and activity compared to commercial RuO2, making hydrogen production through water electrolysis more efficient.