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Science News for April 3, 2019


Racial disparities persist in access to kidney transplants

Racial disparities in access to kidney transplants continue, with patients from underserved groups more likely to be listed as inactive and less likely to receive transplants than white patients. A new study analyzing data from 2014-2016 found significant inequities despite a system aimed at increasing access for vulnerable populations.

SourceYale University·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateApr 3, 2019

Order hidden in disorder

Scientists found that amorphous systems converge to hyperuniformity, a hidden order on large scales, as they optimize individual cells' geometrical properties. This discovery has implications for the development of novel materials, including photonic metamaterials and block copolymers.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 3, 2019

Dr. Roger E. Stevenson receives Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award from ACMG Foundation

Dr. Roger E. Stevenson, a senior clinical and research geneticist at the Greenwood Genetic Center, has received the 2019 ACMG Foundation David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes his vision in founding the center, groundbreaking research on X-linked intellectual disability, and leadership in establishing programs...

Racial bias associated with disparities in disciplinary action across US schools

A study by Princeton University researchers found that racial bias contributes to disciplinary disparities in US schools, with black students experiencing higher rates of suspension and expulsion. The study analyzed data from over 3,100 counties and found a correlation between county-level measures of racial bias and disciplinary action.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 3, 2019

A soft spot for stem cells helps cornea healing

Researchers at Newcastle University develop a potential revolutionary way to treat eye injuries and prevent blindness by using an enzyme to soften the tissue hosting stem cells. This approach has important implications for developing new ways to heal corneal damage, which affects almost 500,000 people worldwide.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 3, 2019

Gorillas gather around and groom their dead

Researchers observed mountain gorillas gathering around the bodies of deceased group members, spending time in contact with their corpses, and even grooming them. These behaviors were surprisingly similar across different gorilla groups and suggest a complex understanding of death among these animals.

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ·DateApr 3, 2019

Anti-inflammatory plant-based diet helps reduce gingivitis

A randomized trial found that a plant-based whole food diet reduced gingival bleeding and increased vitamin D values in patients with gingivitis. The experimental group also experienced weight loss and showed significant benefits without changes to plaque values.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal Of Clinical Periodontology·DateApr 3, 2019

Widely used public health surveys may underestimate global burden of childhood diarrhea

Researchers found that a one-week recall period in public health surveys yields higher estimates of childhood diarrhea prevalence than the traditional two-week period. The study suggests that future versions of the Demographic and Health Surveys should use a one-week recall period to improve accuracy.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateApr 3, 2019

The future of agriculture is computerized

Researchers at MIT's Media Lab have created basil plants with enhanced flavor and potential health benefits using computer algorithms. The team used hydroponic containers with controlled environmental conditions to grow the plants, which were then analyzed for volatile compounds. Machine learning algorithms evaluated millions of possib...

The brain's auto-complete function

A new study reveals that hippocampal neurons provide pointers to complete memories by firing strongly during recall. This process, called reinstatement, helps the brain reconstruct associated objects from memory, similar to initial learning. The discovery has implications for understanding memory deficits and potential treatments.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 3, 2019

Predicting the uphill battle

Researchers developed a series of models that strongly predict how terrain slope affects human travel rates, accounting for variability in movement. The study used crowdsourced fitness-tracking data from nearly 30,000 people, resulting in more advanced models than previous ones.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalApplied Geography·DateApr 3, 2019

New insights on liver injury in men taking body building supplements

Researchers found that men taking bodybuilding supplements experienced prolonged and difficult-to-treat liver injuries, often accompanied by jaundice and generalized itching. The study also revealed that many products contained illicit anabolic steroids not accurately listed on the label.

SourceWiley·JournalAlimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics·DateApr 3, 2019

Detecting eye and brain disease earlier

Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago are developing functional optical coherence tomography and OCT angiography to study minute changes in the retina indicating early stages of brain diseases. The technique, led by Xincheng Yao, aims to detect neurovascular coupling changes that precede clinical symptoms.

Shorter stays in a skilled nursing facility tied to higher risk for readmission

A new study by NYU School of Medicine found that shorter stays in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are associated with a higher risk of hospital readmission among elderly heart failure patients. Patients who stayed at SNFs for two days or less had a risk four times higher than those who stayed longer.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Medical Directors Association·DateApr 3, 2019

Unique patterns of brain activity predict treatment responses in patients with PTSD

A neuroimaging study identified unique brain activity patterns that predict poorer responses to talk therapy in patients with PTSD. Patients with impaired verbal memory and VAN function had poorer outcomes after psychotherapy, while those with intact verbal memory or normal VAN function were more responsive.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 3, 2019

New family of glass good for lenses

Penn State researchers develop a novel zinc germanosilicate glass with high transparency, UV shielding, and favorable forming properties, making it an ideal material for lens applications. The new glass composition overcomes roadblocks associated with achieving high refractive index, such as crystallization and toxicity.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Non-Crystalline Solids·DateApr 3, 2019

Sunscreen application has better face coverage than SPF moisturizers

A study published in PLOS ONE found that SPF moisturizer users incompletely cover their eyelid regions during application. The researchers compared sunscreen and moisturizer application and found significantly better coverage with sunscreen. This highlights the importance of using sunscreen for optimal sun protection.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 3, 2019

Ushering in ultrafast cluster electronics

Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a computational approach to predict the behavior of clusters of molecules, enabling faster electronic devices with on/off switching and reversible conductivity. This method could lead to the creation of cluster molecular electronics, a new field of science.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 3, 2019

More CO2 than ever before in 3 million years, shows unprecedented computer simulation

A team of scientists successfully conducted the first computer simulation that matches ocean floor sediment data on climate evolution over 3 million years. The study reveals that changes in CO2 levels were a main driver of ice ages, and current greenhouse gas emissions are now triggering unprecedented climate change.

Sleeping pill use linked to greater need for blood pressure medications

A study of 752 older adults found that using sleeping pills regularly was associated with an increasing number of blood pressure medications over time. The association held true regardless of sleep duration, quality, or other factors, suggesting that sleeping pill use may indicate a future need for greater hypertension treatment.

SourceWiley·JournalGeriatrics and Gerontology International·DateApr 3, 2019

Tipping the scales

A team from TUM has successfully marked proteins with ubiquitin in a targeted manner, paving the way for exploring the inner workings of this vital regulatory system. The discovery may lead to a better understanding of protein function and its impact on diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateApr 3, 2019