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Science News for February 22, 2019


Studying species interactions using remote camera traps

Researchers developed a framework to detect species interactions using camera trap data, highlighting the need for standardized data collection and collaboration. The study found that many records are needed to produce trustworthy results, but standardization can achieve this by combining datasets from multiple studies.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalRemote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation·DateFeb 22, 2019

Geographic distribution of opioid-related deaths

The study analyzed data on over 351,000 opioid-related deaths from 1999 to 2016, revealing a significant increase in mortality rates in the eastern United States. Synthetic opioids were found to be driving these increases, prompting policymakers to reconsider their strategies for reducing opioid-related deaths.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 22, 2019

Food allergies: A research update

A new paradigm shift in food allergy treatment is on the horizon, allowing children to gradually reintroduce forbidden foods and reducing long-term anxieties. Researchers and clinicians will provide support as families navigate these new treatments and manage psychosocial concerns related to daily life.

Researchers engineer a tougher fiber

North Carolina State University researchers created fibers that combine rubber's elasticity with metal's strength, resulting in a tougher material. The fibers can stretch up to seven times their original length before failure while absorbing energy, making them suitable for applications like soft robotics and textiles.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 22, 2019

A quantum magnet with a topological twist

Researchers at Princeton University observed exotic electronic properties in kagome magnets, including negative magnetism and flat-band electrons. The study used state-of-the-art scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy to explore the behavior of electrons in a kagome-patterned crystal.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 22, 2019

US patient advocacy groups received majority of pharma donations in multi-country study

A new study found that US-based patient advocacy organizations received 74% of total contributions from the world's 10 largest pharmaceutical companies in 2016. The study highlights inconsistent reporting and disclosure across countries, impeding transparency of pharma contributions to patient advocacy groups.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 22, 2019

Machines whisper our secrets

A team of researchers at the University of California, Riverside, has developed a method to reconstruct what a researcher is doing with a DNA synthesizer by recording its sounds. The technique uses machine learning algorithms to identify patterns in the sound signals and can detect the type of DNA being produced with high accuracy.

A tasty Florida butterfly turns sour

In a study published in Communications Biology, viceroy butterflies living in northern Florida have evolved to produce a foul-tasting chemical, making them unpalatable to predators. This discovery challenges traditional mimicry theories and suggests a continuum between Batesian and Mullerian mimicry.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalCommunications Biology·DateFeb 22, 2019

Physician well-being improving, but burnout risk remains

A national survey of physicians found that burnout is improving, but the risk remains high, particularly due to electronic health record demands. Physicians report reduced emotional exhaustion and improved satisfaction with work-life integration, but more organizational change and research are needed to sustain this trajectory.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateFeb 22, 2019

More water resources over the Sahel region of Africa in the 21st century under global warming

Scientists from Institute of Atmospheric Physics found a strong relationship between historical precipitation biases in South Asia and the western North Pacific and future Sahel precipitation projections. The study reveals a 109% increase in Sahel summer precipitation and a 119% increase in available water resources due to global warming.

Scientists reveal impacts of anthropogenic nitrogen discharge on nitrogen transport in global rivers

The study found that anthropogenic nitrogen discharge significantly increased DIN in US rivers due to fertilizer use, while European rivers were affected by point source pollution. The total anthropogenic impact on Pacific Ocean export has risen from 10% to 30% over the past 20 years.

Illinois researchers are first to count growth factors in single cells

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a technology platform that digitally counts growth factor binding in individual cells. This breakthrough allows for direct cause-and-effect relationships between growth factors and cell behavior, leading to a better understanding of cell signaling and resistance to cancer treatme...

Potential of strategic partnerships to form a Health Equity Network of the Americas (HENA)

The Health Equity Network of the Americas (HENA) aims to address persistent health inequities in the region by fostering intersectoral partnerships. HENA's approach focuses on increasing knowledge of effective practices, promoting adoption of policies and programs, and ensuring successful implementation.