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Science News for December 19, 2019


Adulthood with autism

A recent study by MU researcher Nancy Cheak-Zamora found that many young adults with autism struggle to achieve independence due to a disconnect between caregiver support and individual efforts. The research recommends shifting the perception towards strengths and skill sets, providing opportunities for mastery of tasks like cooking an...

A new role for a triple-negative breast cancer target

Researchers have discovered that the protein deltaNp63 plays a vital role in supplying energy to the mammary gland during puberty, while also being implicated in aggressive forms of cancer. The findings suggest that targeting this protein could be a viable approach for treating triple-negative breast cancer without affecting normal dev...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalFEBS Letters·DateDec 19, 2019

MAGIC system allows researchers to modulate the activity of genes acting in concert

Researchers have developed a new functional genomics system, MAGIC, which allows them to modulate the activity of multiple genes in concert. By combining individual gene edits with custom DNA sequences, scientists can explore synergistic effects and better understand complex traits.

Rapid diagnostic tests accurately diagnose Chagas disease

Researchers report that two commercially-available rapid diagnostic tests can be combined for conclusive diagnosis of Chagas disease. The tests provided a sensitivity of 97.7% and specificity of 96.1%, outperforming the conventional serological method.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateDec 19, 2019

Watching TV makes us prefer thinner women

A comprehensive study by Durham University found that TV exposure can have a causal effect on people's perceptions of body ideals, leading to the preference for thinner female bodies. The researchers are advocating for a shift towards a 'health at every size' attitude and media representation of diverse body types.

SourceDurham University·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateDec 19, 2019

Understanding the mechanisms of seemingly chaotic synchronization in trees

A team of scientists at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have developed a method to model the synchronization behaviors of different tree species using control parameters. They found that two populations of Zelkova serrata trees 20 kilometers apart were completely synchronized in a '3-year cycle', demonstrating the Period...

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 19, 2019

Study busts 9 to 5 model for academic work

A recent study published in The BMJ found significant variations in how researchers worldwide manage their work-life balance. Chinese academics were shown to be the most prolific during weekends and late at night, while Scandinavian countries took a more balanced approach. This highlights the presence of a 'culture of overwork' across ...

Many pregnant women with HIV prescribed treatment that does not meet federal guidelines

A study led by NIH-funded researchers analyzed data on pregnant women with HIV and found that nearly 20% received treatment regimens not aligned with federal guidelines for use during pregnancy. The study highlights the need for further research into prescribing practices for pregnant women living with HIV.

How microbes reflect the health of coral reefs

A study by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution compared seawater from protected and impacted reefs in Cuba and Florida Keys, finding that protected reefs have higher microbial diversity and lower nutrient concentrations. This suggests that offshore and highly-protected reefs are healthier than nearshore reefs with less protection ...

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateDec 19, 2019

Scientists uncover world's oldest forest

Scientists have uncovered fossils of trees from the world's oldest forest, dating back 386 million years, in a sandstone quarry in Cairo, New York. The discovery provides new insights into the evolution of trees and their role in shaping the world we live in today.

SourceCardiff University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 19, 2019

Honey, I shrunk Michelangelo's David

Scientists from ETH Zurich have successfully created a miniature copper statue of Michelangelo's famous sculpture using 3D printing technology. The technique allows for the creation of metal structures at the nanometer and micrometer scale, enabling the production of complex geometries with high precision.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalMicromachines·DateDec 19, 2019

Understanding why songbirds choose their homes

A new study by University of Alberta biologists found that birds of the same species do not use the same habitats in different parts of the Canadian boreal forest. This phenomenon, known as differential habitat selection, has significant implications for conservation planning and management strategies.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalDiversity and Distributions·DateDec 19, 2019

A surprising new source of attention in the brain

Research at Rockefeller University discovered a new brain area, PITd, that steers attention and challenges the long-held concept of attention control. The finding suggests a rethinking of old concepts about attentional control and highlights the complexity of the brain's attention mechanisms.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 19, 2019

Novel 3D microscopy technique reveals new phenomena in living cells

A novel 3D microscopy technique allows researchers to quantify previously unseen or unexplained cell behavior. The technique has been applied to study the dynamics of organelles and fat droplets within living cells, revealing new aspects of their behavior such as synchronization of swelling among droplets.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 19, 2019

New liquid metal wearable pressure sensor created for health monitoring applications

A KAIST research team created a highly sensitive wearable pressure sensor for continuous health monitoring. The sensor overcomes issues of limited stretchability and signal drifting with its integration of liquid metal, achieving an extremely low detection limit and enhanced pressure sensitivity.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateDec 19, 2019

Playing the angles with dramatic effect

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory propose most complete picture to date of metal-insulator transition in transition metal oxides, enabling improved tuning and control for low-power and ultrafast microelectronics. The study reveals that size of vegetable ion within crystal structure affects transition temperature, making materi...

Racial/ethnic differences in mortality for dialysis patients in US territories and states

A recent analysis reveals higher mortality rates among Hispanic and Asian patients undergoing dialysis in the US territories compared to their counterparts in the 50 US states. The study highlights the need for research into potential kidney disease-related disparities in these territories.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateDec 19, 2019

New algorithm suggests four-level food web for gut microbes

A new computational model suggests that the human gut microbiome follows a four-level food web, with energy flowing from microbes that consume nutrients in food eaten by humans, to those that eat nutrients produced by these microbes. The model predicts systematic changes in species composition along the length of the gut.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateDec 19, 2019

On-chip light source produces versatile range of wavelengths

Researchers have designed a silicon-based chip-integrated light source that can transform infrared wavelengths into visible wavelengths, enabling highly miniaturized photonic instrumentation. The new optical parametric oscillator (OPO) light source simultaneously generates near-infrared wavelengths for telecommunication applications.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateDec 19, 2019

Emotion concepts are not the same worldwide

A new study found substantial variation in how languages conceptualize emotions across thousands of languages, with patterns emerging from colexification. Language families in close geographic proximity share more similar views on emotion than distant ones, highlighting the importance of culture and common ancestry.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalScience·DateDec 19, 2019

Antioxidant use during chemotherapy risky for breast cancer patients

A new study led by Christine B. Ambrosone found that breast cancer patients taking antioxidants during chemotherapy had a 41% increased risk of disease recurrence and a similar but weaker risk of death. Patients using vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acid supplements also showed poorer outcomes.

SourceSWOG·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateDec 19, 2019

Fossil expands ancient fish family tree

A second ancient lungfish has been discovered in Africa, adding to the understanding of evolving aquatic life forms over 400 million years ago. The new genus, Isityumzi mlomomde, was found at high latitudes and represents a significant finding for the study of Western Gondwana.

SourceFlinders University·JournalPeerJ·DateDec 19, 2019

The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Scientists call for government action to control and treat unprecedented outbreak of childhood HIV in Pakistan

A recent study found that one in three children affected by the outbreak are yet to receive treatment, highlighting the need for urgent government intervention. The average age of children affected is just 3 years old, and most cases were transmitted through reused needles and contaminated blood products.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateDec 19, 2019

Study shows surgery patients overwhelmingly prefer pre-surgical safety checklists to be completed in front of them

Patients overwhelmingly agree that anaesthesia providers should use checklists in their presence, with high scores indicating reduced risk of errors and improved patient safety. However, anaesthesia providers underestimate patient discomfort, suggesting a need for increased collaboration between patients and healthcare professionals.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·JournalEuropean Journal of Anaesthesiology·DateDec 19, 2019

The Internet of Things by satellite will become increasingly accessible

Researchers have developed algorithms that limit control information without affecting network performance, enabling IoT via satellite to become more efficient and accessible. This is crucial for applications like smart farming and home automation, where wireless communication between machines is essential.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalInternational Journal of Satellite Communications and Networking·DateDec 19, 2019

New gene for male infertility discovered

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital identify a genetic abnormality in the SYCP2 gene as a possible cause of male infertility. The study found that variants affecting this gene were associated with low sperm count and loss-of-function variants, making it a potential diagnostic marker.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateDec 19, 2019

SUTD and collaborators developed novel methodology to predict spinal fractures in patients

A new computational clinical tool predicts osteoporotic vertebral fractures by analyzing patient-specific finite element analysis of functional spinal units from routine clinical scans. The method enables more accurate patient-specific analysis, paving the way for a spinal risk assessment tool and targeted early treatment strategies.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalThe Spine Journal·DateDec 19, 2019

Augmenting attention treatment therapies for difficult-to-treat anxiety in children and adolescents

A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that computer-based attention training reduced anxiety in 50% of participants. The treatment involved targeting neutral or threatening stimuli, leading to comparable reductions in anxiety. This promising result provides a potential aug...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateDec 19, 2019

Addressing committed emissions in both US and China requires carbon capture and storage

The US and China need to deploy carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to reduce committed emissions, which threaten the 1.5°C climate target. CCS retrofits are essential for deep decarbonization in both countries, but current high costs require government policies to incentivize deployment.

SourceCollege of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateDec 19, 2019

How can healthcare achieve real technology driven transformation?

The Journal Healthcare Transformation: Artificial Intelligence, Automation, and Robotics explores the challenges and opportunities for integrating technology into consumer healthcare. A recent article found that five telemedicine companies provided nearly half of telemental health visits, highlighting the need for coordinated care.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHealthcare Transformation·DateDec 19, 2019

Reducing mouse allergens may improve lung growth in asthmatic children

A new study suggests that lowering exposure to mouse allergens can lead to improved lung growth in asthmatic children living in low-income neighborhoods. The research found a strong association between mouse allergen exposure and lung function growth, with potential implications for long-term lung health and even longevity.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateDec 19, 2019

Mathematical models provide a snapshot of the human gut microbial community

The study uses mathematical models to predict metabolites generated by microbial species within the gut, revealing a four-level trophic organization. The findings suggest that species composition changes along the gut, with bacteria near the end forming the lowest trophic level.