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Science News for February 13, 2019


Hailey Herleman receives Distinguished Early Career Contributions-Practice Award from SIOP

Dr. Hailey Herleman has made significant contributions to the practice of industrial-organizational psychology through her thought leadership, exceptional service to clients, and collaborative approach to applying analytics to workforce issues. She is a recipient of the Distinguished Early Career Contributions-Practice Award from SIOP.

AAAS recognizes three universities with Bronze Awards for STEM equity achievement change

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has recognized Boston University, University of California, Davis, and University of Massachusetts Lowell for their efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. The institutions have made significant changes to address barriers to equity and inclusion.

Decoding the human immune system

Scientists have sequenced a key part of the human immune system, discovering unexpected overlaps between adults and infants' antibody sequences. This finding could provide potential new targets for vaccines and treatments that work across populations.

SourceHuman Immunome Project·JournalNature·DateFeb 13, 2019

Cryofixation and electron tomography reveals novel compartment in arbuscular mycorrhiza

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown compartment within the symbiotic cortical root cells of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The periarbuscular space now appears to be a complex network of membranes linking the plant cytoplasm to regions adjacent to the fungus, suggesting an efficient exchange of nutrients and molecules.

SourceDonald Danforth Plant Science Center·JournalNature Plants·DateFeb 13, 2019

UMN study provides new insight into use of cell replacement therapies to treat muscular dystrophies

A University of Minnesota Medical School research breakthrough highlights the potential of cell therapies for treating muscular dystrophy. The study identifies the molecular signature of muscle stem cells generated in vitro and their transformation upon transplantation into mice with muscular dystrophy.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2019

The first walking robot that moves without GPS

AntBot, a new robot developed by CNRS and Aix-Marseille University, replicates the navigation capabilities of desert ants using polarized light and optical sensors. The robot can explore its environment and return to its base with precision, covering distances of up to 14 meters.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience Robotics·DateFeb 13, 2019

New clue in curious case of cassowary casque

A team of Australian scientists has discovered that the cassowary's distinctive helmet-like structure acts as a thermal window to regulate body temperature. The research provides new insights into the bird's ability to cope with high temperatures, and may have implications for our understanding of dinosaur physiology.

SourceLa Trobe University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 13, 2019

DDT exposure tied to breast cancer risk for all women through age 54

A six-decade-long study found that all women exposed to high levels of DDT are at increased risk for breast cancer before age 54, with the timing of cancer risk depending on when they were first exposed. Women exposed in infancy and early childhood were most likely to develop premenopausal breast cancer.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 13, 2019

A trailblazer

Elisabeth Gwinn, a professor at UC Santa Barbara, has been awarded the AAAS Lifetime Mentor Award for her decades-long commitment to mentoring underrepresented students in physics. Her work has transformed her department and improved the lives of countless students.

Should we screen people for irregular heartbeat?

Screening for irregular heartbeat has been proposed as a potential solution to reduce stroke risk, but experts disagree on its effectiveness. Mark Lown suggests that trained clinicians can accurately identify positive cases, while Patrick Moran raises concerns about the lack of evidence on screening's benefits.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 13, 2019

Mount Sinai research program awarded $12.5 million NIH grant to continue to study the role of hormones in menopause and aging biology

Researchers from Mount Sinai will investigate the role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in regulating bone mass, body composition, and fat deposits during aging and menopause. The program aims to develop an FSH-blocking antibody for preventing and treating osteoporosis and obesity.

New study finds ecosystem changes following loss of great white sharks

A new study has documented the unexpected consequences of great white shark decline on an ocean ecosystem. Sevengill sharks, a top predator with unique characteristics, have emerged as a result of great whites' disappearance. The researchers observed sevengill shark sightings increasing in number after great whites vanished from surveys.

Ancient fossilized tracks suggest multicellular life far older than previously thought

Newly discovered fossilized tracks suggest that multicellular organisms could be 1.5 billion years older than previously thought, with origins dating back to 2.1 billion years ago. This discovery has sparked debate and skepticism among researchers, who are exploring alternative explanations for the early emergence of complex life.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2019

Sensitive sensor detects Down syndrome DNA

A new biosensor has been developed to detect fetal Down syndrome DNA in pregnant women's blood, offering a fast, sensitive, and cost-effective alternative to traditional tests. The sensor can detect DNA concentrations as low as 0.1 fM/L, making it more sensitive than other reported field-effect transistor DNA sensors.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 13, 2019

Undersea gases could superheat the planet

A new study reveals that naturally occurring carbon gases trapped in undersea reservoirs escaped to superheat the planet in prehistory, disrupting the Earth's atmosphere and causing global warming. The findings challenge the long-standing paradigm that ocean water alone regulated carbon dioxide in the atmosphere during glacial cycles.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateFeb 13, 2019

Human cells can also change jobs

Researchers at UNIGE show that human pancreatic cells can be converted to produce insulin in a sustainable way, potentially compensating for lost or dysfunctional cells. The conversion was successful in both diabetic and non-diabetic donors, with modified alpha cells showing improved resistance to autoimmune diabetes.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·DateFeb 13, 2019