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Science News for December 10, 2019


Video discharge instructions in ED associated with less AOM symptomatology

A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that video discharge instructions in the emergency department lead to a clinically important reduction in acute otitis media (AOM) symptomatology. Children of parents who watched a five-minute video experienced less symptomatology compared to those with paper handouts.

SourceSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateDec 10, 2019

Trashed farmland could be a conservation treasure

Researchers propose transforming low-productivity agricultural land into conservation reserves, which could help nations meet their United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The approach recognizes the value of uncontested lands, allowing for quicker and cheaper conservation efforts than traditional methods.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Sustainability·DateDec 10, 2019

Lower BMI means lower diabetes risk, even among non-overweight people

Researchers found that a lower body mass index (BMI) is associated with reduced type II diabetes risk, including in individuals who are not overweight. A study of 287,394 British individuals found that a 1 kg/m2 BMI reduction lowered diabetes risk by 37% among non-overweight people without a family history of diabetes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 10, 2019

Justified and unjustified movie violence evokes different brain responses, study finds

A new study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that scenes of unjustified and justified violence in movies activate different parts of the adolescent brain. Viewers show a synchronized response in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex when watching justified violence, suggesting they see it as acceptable for self- or f...

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateDec 10, 2019

Smits wins Batchelor Prize

Professor Alexander J Smits has been recognized for his seminal contributions to the understanding of wall turbulence, particularly in its structure and behavior at extreme conditions. His work on bio-inspired propulsion and drag reduction has inspired new interests in biomimetic flows.

Researchers say 30% of patients taking opioids experience adverse drug interactions

A new study reveals that approximately 30% of patients taking opioids experience adverse drug interactions, which can lead to decreased efficacy and increased risk of addiction and overdose. The authors emphasize the importance of a thorough medication history and consulting a pharmacist before prescribing opioids.

SourceAmerican Osteopathic Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Osteopathic Association·DateDec 10, 2019

Hastings Center Report, November-December 2019

The Hastings Center Report highlights concerns over GoFundMe's role in facilitating unproven medical treatments, which can harm donors and recipients. The report also explores the doctor burnout crisis, advocating for legal interventions to safeguard healthcare workers' safety and well-being.

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalHastings Center Report·DateDec 10, 2019

ERC Consolidator Grant for Thomas Böttcher

Research team around Dr Thomas Böttcher studies phage-host interactions to understand the transition from latent to active states, with potential applications for developing alternative antibiotics. The team aims to uncover molecular signals controlling dormant phages and their impact on the human microbiome.

Potentially toxic chemicals from LCDs in nearly half of household dust samples tested

A study by the University of Saskatchewan has discovered that liquid crystal monomers from LCDs are present in nearly half of household dust samples, with 90% of these chemicals showing concerning properties. The findings raise concerns about the potential toxicity of these monomers to humans and the environment.

SourceUniversity of Saskatchewan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 10, 2019

Improvements needed for hepatitis C testing in youth

A recent study found that under 30% of young patients with substance use history were tested for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), emphasizing the importance of improved screening and treatment. The study highlights the need to connect those found to have current infection to treatment, particularly among young people who inject drugs.

SourceBoston Medical Center·JournalJAMA·DateDec 10, 2019

Research explores how grape pests sniff out berries

A new study found that female grape berry moths detect a subset of volatile organic compounds emitted by grapes, as well as nearby plants like gray dogwood and apple trees. The researchers suggest that the moths use these common volatiles to find their target habitat before using other cues to locate specific berries.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Chemical Ecology·DateDec 10, 2019

Making robots more perceptive

Nader Motee is investigating real-time perception and planning for networks of robots, aiming to improve efficiency and resiliency. His research also focuses on risk-aware planning and control to mitigate effects of local failures in nonlinear dynamical networks.

Breathing new life into the rise of oxygen debate

A study published in Science reveals that the three major oxygenation events on Earth occurred spontaneously due to feedbacks between the global phosphorus, carbon, and oxygen cycles. This new theory drastically increases the possibility of high-oxygen worlds existing elsewhere, making intelligent life more common.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalScience·DateDec 10, 2019

Oxygen shaped the evolution of the eye

Researchers discovered a pattern of mechanisms improving retinal oxygen supply that evolved with enhanced vision in all bony vertebrates. The findings add to our understanding of the evolution of the eye, highlighting its dynamic morphology and relationship with retinal oxygen supply.

Chiton mollusk provides model for new armor design

Researchers developed a parametric 3D modeling methodology to mimic the geometry of individual scales from the chiton mollusk. The scale armor model provides dual protection-flexibility performance through converging inward upon one another when under force, offering varying amounts of flexibility.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 10, 2019

ASTRO issues new guideline on radiation therapy for basal, squamous cell skin cancers

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has released a new clinical guideline for the use of radiation therapy in treating basal and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. The guideline provides recommendations on when to use radiation as stand-alone therapy or following surgery, as well as dosing and fractionation schedules.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·JournalPractical Radiation Oncology·DateDec 10, 2019

Stardust from red giants

Researchers have discovered a new model explaining why our planet has a higher concentration of stardust from red giant stars compared to other bodies in the solar system. The study, published in Nature Astronomy, suggests that the Earth's unique mix of elements was formed during its formation around the Sun.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Astronomy·DateDec 10, 2019

Natural ecosystems protect against climate change

Researchers at University of Göttingen found mangroves absorb carbon efficiently, prioritizing conservation and restoration. The study analyzed a five-meter-deep core of sediment in Segara Anakan Lagoon, revealing the interaction between climate fluctuations and human activity affected carbon accumulation.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateDec 10, 2019

Gut feeling: A network approach towards understanding IBD

Researchers have developed a combined experimental and computational pipeline to understand the role of genes in IBD. The study uses organoids to analyze gene expression and identifies 'master regulators' that overlap with IBD-related processes. This breakthrough enables design of new experiments to explore IBD-related processes further.

SourceEarlham Institute·JournalMolecular Omics·DateDec 10, 2019

Greenland ice losses rising faster than expected

The Greenland ice sheet has lost 3.8 trillion tonnes of ice since 1992, with the rate of ice loss increasing seven-fold over three decades. The study's findings show that the ice sheet is tracking the IPCC's high-end climate warming scenario, predicting 40 million people will be exposed to coastal flooding by 2100.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature·DateDec 10, 2019

Have you found meaning in life? Answer determines health and well-being

A recent study by University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that the presence of meaning in life is associated with better physical and mental well-being, while the search for meaning in life may be associated with worse mental well-being and cognitive functioning. The researchers also discovered an inverted U-shaped ...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateDec 10, 2019

Can salmon eat their way out of climate change?

Researchers found that juvenile Coho salmon grew fastest and survived longest when exposed to natural temperature gradients and plenty of food. However, there is a catch: while food can help offset the effects of rising temperatures, it cannot completely compensate for the impacts of climate change.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalCanadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences·DateDec 10, 2019