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Science News for February 27, 2019


Health insurance is not assurance of healthcare

A new study from Case Western Reserve University finds that low- to middle-income individuals with subsidized health-exchange insurance are more likely to experience problems with access and affordability. They are 2.5 times more likely to have difficulty paying medical bills and skip needed care, compared to Medicaid recipients.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateFeb 27, 2019

Environmental variables may influence B cell development and allergies in children

Researchers examined antibody isotype and B cell receptor composition in young children, finding associations between environmental exposures and increased somatic hypermutation frequencies. This study sheds light on the complex relationships between environmental factors and immune system development in childhood.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 27, 2019

Iridescent color from clear droplets

Researchers at Penn State and MIT discovered that uniform-sized clear water droplets on a surface can produce bright iridescent colors. The color is due to total internal reflection and light interference, creating an optical effect not possible in perfect spheres.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateFeb 27, 2019

Human settlements and rainfall affect giraffe home ranges

A new study found that giraffes living near human settlements have larger home ranges than those living far from towns, while areas with more rain have smaller home ranges. This suggests that humans are impacting giraffe habitat and forcing them to travel longer distances to access critical resources.

SourcePenn State·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateFeb 27, 2019

Newly identified drug targets could open door for esophageal cancer therapeutics

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have identified two molecular pathways that could lead to new treatments for esophageal cancer. By blocking the JNK and TGF-beta pathways, tumors can be slowed in growth and even regressed in mice. The study's findings suggest a new targeted therapeutic avenue for this deadly form of cancer.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateFeb 27, 2019

New mechanism of bone growth discovered

A study published in Nature reveals that bone growth in mice follows the same principles as cell production in blood and other tissues. The discovery suggests that bone growth may be more dynamic than previously thought, with cells generated from a stem-cell like progenitor cell.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature·DateFeb 27, 2019

CVIA special issue on women's heart health to coincide with 'The Heart Truth'

This CVIA special issue addresses the #1 threat to women's health, cardiovascular disease, with a focus on overlooked topics and fresh perspectives. Key findings include novel imaging modalities for diagnosing stable ischemic heart disease in women and psychosocial stressors uniquely affecting female cardiovascular risk.

SourceCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·JournalCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·DateFeb 27, 2019

Light wakes up freshwater bacteria

Researchers discovered that freshwater bacteria grow faster in daylight and use blue light absorption mechanisms to regulate growth. The study suggests that these bacteria have special genes that allow them to sense light and adjust their metabolism accordingly.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Bacteriology·DateFeb 27, 2019

Capturing carbon from the air

Negative-emission technologies (NETs) that capture carbon dioxide from the air could address about 30% of needed reductions in carbon-dioxide emissions. Scientists estimate that NETs face challenges on cost-effectiveness and disposal methods.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateFeb 27, 2019

Ancient extinct sloth tooth in Belize tells story of creature's last year

A team of researchers from the University of Illinois has discovered that a giant sloth found in Belize, which lived around 27,000 years ago, had a diverse diet that shifted between wet and dry seasons. The study reveals that the creature adapted to its environment by relying on plants more available during dry periods.

Batmobile with cruise control

Scientists at Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research investigate energy requirements and travel speeds of migrating Nathusius' bats. Bats are found to travel at the speed where their range reaches a maximum, enabling them to cover long distances with minimal energy expenditure.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateFeb 27, 2019

New continuity of care tracking method for GPs

A simple method to measure continuity of care has been developed, showing benefits for patients, including lower mortality rates. The new St Leonards Index tracks continuity on a monthly basis in practices with personal patient list systems, aiming to help GPs improve continuity and patient care.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBJGP Open·DateFeb 27, 2019

Infant sleep duration associated with mother's level of education and prenatal depression

A new study found that babies sleeping less at three months old are more likely to have mothers without a university degree or experience prenatal depression. The researchers analyzed data from over 600 infants and their mothers, revealing that maternal education and prenatal depression significantly impact infant sleep duration.

Federal same-sex marriage ruling improved life satisfaction for individuals, study shows

Researchers found that psychological distress dropped and life satisfaction increased after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, with improvements felt regardless of marital status. The study also showed that those who were more distressed before the ruling experienced greater improvement afterwards.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·DateFeb 27, 2019

What controls the tips of our chromosomes?

A study published in EMBO Journal has discovered the key aspect of regulating telomeres, which are protective caps at the end of chromosomes. The research team found that the protein complex CST is responsible for maintaining telomeres, and a chemical modification regulates its S component, allowing telomere duplication and elongation.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateFeb 27, 2019

Now you see heat, now you don't

Researchers have fabricated a film using DuPont Kevlar fibers and polyethylene glycol that absorbs heat and releases it slowly, making objects invisible to thermal cameras. The composite film performs comparably to other stealth films but is simpler and cheaper to make.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 27, 2019

Colon cancer growth reduced by exercise

Research published in The Journal of Physiology suggests that exercise may play a role in inhibiting the growth of colon cancer cells. After high-intensity interval training (HIIT), growth was reduced and inflammation increased, indicating a potential anti-cancer effect. This study highlights the importance of regular physical activity...

SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateFeb 27, 2019

Oldest frog relative found in North America

A team of paleontologists has discovered the oldest known frog fossils in North America, dating back to the Late Triassic period around 216 million years ago. The fossils, found in Arizona, provide new insights into the ecosystems of the time and highlight the importance of microfossil collection and analysis.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalBiology Letters·DateFeb 27, 2019

Detecting cyanide exposure

Researchers have identified a new biomarker, ATOEA, that accurately detects cyanide exposure and persists in the body longer than the toxic compound. This breakthrough enables faster diagnosis and treatment of cyanide poisoning.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical Research in Toxicology·DateFeb 27, 2019

Immunizing quantum computers against errors

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new way to encode qubits in trapped-ion mechanical oscillators, which could lead to more efficient quantum error correction. By exploiting the properties of periodically arranged oscillatory states, they can detect and correct errors with high precision.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateFeb 27, 2019

Researchers discover cell mechanism that delays and repairs DNA damage that can lead to cancer

A new study reveals a specific mechanism in human cells that delay propagation of DNA damage, giving cells a chance to stop piling up mutations. The discovery relies on precise timing and control inside the cells and identifies key molecular proteins involved in repairing DNA lesions.