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Science News for April 17, 2019


Logical reasoning: An antidote or a poison for political disagreement?

A new study explores ideological belief bias, where people judge logical arguments based on their believability rather than sound premises. Liberals and conservatives showed varying levels of ability to identify flawed arguments supporting opposing views. The findings suggest that being open to the other side can lead to a better under...

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateApr 17, 2019

Increased screen time in preschool is linked to inattention

Children with more than two hours of screen time per day were five times more likely to report clinically significant externalizing problems and had a significantly increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In contrast, children who engaged in organized sports showed fewer behavioral problems.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 17, 2019

Lessons learned from the drift analysis of MH370 debris

A team of scientists at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre of Ocean Research Kiel used simulation techniques to analyze the drift of MH370 debris and propose new strategies for tracking marine objects. The study found that Stokes drift, caused by surface waves, plays a crucial role in determining the final position of drifting objects.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalJournal of Operational Oceanography·DateApr 17, 2019

Why lightning often strikes twice

Researchers have discovered needle-like structures in positively charged lightning leaders that store negative charges, causing repeated discharges to the ground. This new finding explains why lightning often strikes twice and provides a deeper understanding of lightning development.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature·DateApr 17, 2019

A 'virtual' view with a little bit of math

Researchers developed a mathematical model to standardize the results of a ballistocardiogram, allowing for tracking of health changes and potential early detection of cardiovascular diseases. The model can capture information on elasticity of arteries, contractility of heart ventricles, and viscoelasticity of blood vessels.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·DateApr 17, 2019

Need more energy storage? Just hit 'print'

Researchers from Drexel University and Trinity College in Ireland have created a conductive MXene ink for 3D printing micro-supercapacitors, which outperforms existing energy storage devices. The ink can be used to print flexible energy storage components of any size or shape.

SourceDrexel University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 17, 2019

How superstitions spread

A model by theoretical biologists demonstrates how superstitious beliefs can become established in a society's social norms, guiding the behavior of large groups. The research suggests that even irrational beliefs can be beneficial when correlated with others' actions, leading to coordinated behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2019

Bacterial therapy in a dish

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a system called BSCC, which enables rapid screening of engineered bacterial therapies in vitro. They successfully tested a potent therapy for colon cancer using a novel bacterial toxin combined with an optimal drug delivery genetic circuit.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2019

U-M study: 'Induced' driving miles could overwhelm potential energy-saving benefits of self-driving

A University of Michigan study found that self-driving cars could partially or completely offset energy savings due to induced driving miles. The researchers estimated that a 38% reduction in perceived travel time cost would eliminate fuel savings, suggesting the possibility of 'backfire' and net increases in energy consumption.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalApplied Energy·DateApr 17, 2019

Folding revolution

A Harvard Medical School scientist has developed a new approach using deep learning to predict protein structure from amino acid sequence. This method achieves accuracy comparable to current state-of-the-art methods but at speeds upward of a million times faster.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell Systems·DateApr 17, 2019

Microbiome science may help doctors deliver more effective, personalized treatment to children with irritable bowel syndrome

A new diagnostic classification technique enables stratification of pediatric patients with IBS, allowing for tailored nutritional and targeted therapies. Researchers identified correlations between certain microbes and metabolites with abdominal pain, providing insights into novel treatment approaches.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateApr 17, 2019

Neuron and synapse-mimetic spintronics devices developed

Researchers from Tohoku University have developed artificial neuron and synapse devices using spintronics technology, mimicking the brain's architecture. The devices demonstrated fundamental behavior of biological neurons and synapses, including leaky integrate-and-fire and spike-timing-dependent plasticity.

SourceTohoku University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 17, 2019

Novel antibody may suppress HIV for up to four months

Researchers have developed a new antibody that can suppress HIV levels in people who undergo short-term pauses in their antiretroviral therapy regimens. The Phase 2 study, conducted in Taiwan, found the antibody, UB-421, to be safe and effective in maintaining HIV suppression without inducing antibiotic-resistant strains.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 17, 2019

Study identifies how Enterococcus faecalis bacteria causes antibiotic resistant infection

A genomic study of a 1980s hospital outbreak in Wisconsin reveals how Enterococcus faecalis bacteria adapts to the modern hospital environment and causes repeated antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections. Researchers identified mutations that allow the bacteria to resist antibiotics and develop new strategies for prevention and trea...

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 17, 2019

A comprehensive look at cow's milk

Scientists have developed a centralized database of all known bovine milk compounds, including over 2,300 previously unknown metabolites. The comprehensive analysis was made possible by combining targeted chemical analyses and digital text-mining tools.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateApr 17, 2019

Critical errors in inhaler technique common in children with asthma

A recent study found that nearly half of children hospitalized for asthma demonstrate improper inhaler use, with adolescents being the most common offenders. The study highlights the importance of proper inhaler technique in managing asthma, particularly among older teens who may feel they no longer need a spacer device.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalJournal of Hospital Medicine·DateApr 17, 2019

Improving quantum computers

Scientists are developing better manufacturing processes and control equipment for superconducting circuits and trapped ions. New materials like silicon spin devices and topological materials are also being explored to reduce noise and error in qubits.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateApr 17, 2019

Amazonian soils mapped using indicator species

Researchers from Finland and Brazil developed a method that uses both plant and soil data to produce a map of soil properties in Amazonia. The study leverages digital herbarium databases and fern species occurrence data to estimate soil properties, providing valuable insights for conservation efforts.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalMethods in Ecology and Evolution·DateApr 17, 2019

Finding the key to flightlessness

A Harvard University study explores the genetics behind the evolution of flightless birds, finding that different species turn to similar regulatory pathways when evolving flight loss. The team discovered a shared suite of morphological changes that led to a similar body plan across all flightless bird species.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateApr 17, 2019

Espresso yourself: Coffee thoughts leave a latte on the mind

A Monash University study found that exposure to coffee-related cues can trigger cognitive benefits, such as increased alertness and energy levels, in participants from Western cultures. The research used mental construal theory and demonstrated the power of psychological associations in shaping our thinking and behavior.

SourceMonash University·JournalConsciousness and Cognition·DateApr 17, 2019