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Science News for February 4, 2019


Time parents spend with children key to academic success

A large study found that parental time has a powerful impact on educational achievement. The longer a parent is absent, the less impact their education has on their child's success. Mothers' education levels have a stronger effect than fathers', particularly in larger families where mothers spend more time with children.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Labor Economics·DateFeb 4, 2019

Policy statements on the effects of media overlook scientific complexity

A scholarly review found that policy statements on media effects frequently oversimplify complex issues, relying on biased evidence and exaggerated claims. The study evaluated 24 policy statements from professional organizations and identified widespread citation bias, false consistency, and overgeneralization.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalAdvances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science·DateFeb 4, 2019

How private households can stall economic growth

A study by the University of Bonn shows that growing income uncertainty among private households can lead to an economic downturn. This is because households may hoard money, reducing demand and negatively impacting the economy. Government investments can stabilize the economy by making it more attractive for households to spend.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalEconometrica·DateFeb 4, 2019

New clues discovered to lung transplant rejection

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine identified a process that may prevent antibody-mediated rejection in lung transplants. They found that giving immunosuppressive drugs can help the lungs survive and induce growth of lymph node-like structures within the grafts, which contain cells that dampen immune responses.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 4, 2019

MERMAIDs reveal secrets from below the ocean floor

A team of researchers used floating robotic seismometers to image the interior of the planet and discovered a mantle plume under Galapagos, suggesting an alternative explanation for the Earth's constant temperature over 4.5 billion years. The findings hint at the importance of mantle plumes in regulating the Earth's heat budget.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 4, 2019

Biotechnology to the rescue of Brussels sprouts

A team of European researchers has identified multiple genes that are resistant to Albugo candida, a disease causing white rust in Brassicaceae family plants. The discovery was made using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model plant and has the potential to design new genetic improvement strategies for different cultivated crop species.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 4, 2019

CEOs profit from issuing negative news releases ahead of stock option grant dates

Researchers found that CEOs who release more negative news before their executive stock option grant date see significant gains. The study suggests that CEOs underpaid compared to peers and with discretion are more likely to manipulate the system. To guard against further gaming, additional regulation and governance are recommended.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateFeb 4, 2019

Mother's age, race, weight affect hormone concentrations in pregnancy, Rutgers study finds

A Rutgers study found that hormone concentrations in early fetal development are significantly affected by maternal age, body mass index, and race. Older mothers, heavier women, and those of African descent had distinct hormone profiles, with potential implications for future health risks such as breast and ovarian cancer.

SourceRutgers University·JournalMaternal and Child Health Journal·DateFeb 4, 2019

Women's brains appear three years younger than men's

A new study finds that women's brains are metabolically three years younger than men's of the same age, which may contribute to their greater mental sharpness in later years. The researchers used PET scans and machine-learning algorithms to measure brain metabolism and calculate each person's brain age.

Electrical activity in prostate cancer cells

Researchers at the University of Seville have characterized the normal electrical activity in PC-3 prostate cancer cells, showing a low-frequency pattern between 0.1 and 10 Hz. This study aims to explore the relationship between electrical patterns and cell proliferation, with potential applications for medicine delivery.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalSensors·DateFeb 4, 2019

New progress toward chip-based ghost imaging

A new, low-cost chip-based light-illuminating device enables fast and practical ghost imaging for applications like biomedical imaging and LIDAR. The device uses a compact optical phased array to generate random speckle patterns, allowing for higher sensitivity and faster imaging than traditional methods.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateFeb 4, 2019

Rust never sleeps

Researchers at PNNL use APT to trace oxidation-reduction reactions and create the first 3D atomic maps of iron oxide crystals. These 'atomic maps' reveal a dynamic iron cycle, showing iron atoms filling in potholes on crystal surfaces and driving growth.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 4, 2019

Biggest ever map of human Alzheimer's brain published

A team of researchers has created the largest dataset of its type ever, mapping the relative levels of over 5,825 distinct proteins across six regions of the brain. The study reveals new molecular targets for Alzheimer's disease and identifies changes in the cerebellum that may protect it from damage caused by the disease.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalCommunications Biology·DateFeb 4, 2019

Research shows hidden fire risk of emollients

A recent study published in the Fire Safety Journal found that commonly-used emollients can increase fabric flammability, posing a hidden fire risk. The research, conducted by Anglia Ruskin University, tested various emollients and found that even paraffin-free products can ignite fabrics quickly.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalFire Safety Journal·DateFeb 4, 2019

Advocating for social issues at work more likely to succeed linking morality and mission, study says

A recent study published by the American Psychological Association found that employees who frame their arguments in moral language are more successful in getting buy-in from management when the issue aligns with the company's values and mission. The study suggests that using moral language without explicit links to the organization's ...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateFeb 4, 2019

Male killer whales hunt more than females

Researchers monitored southern resident killer whale population and found that males dive deeper and are more successful hunters than females. The team tracked the animals' movements and diving patterns using archival tags to estimate how much fish they capture, revealing sex differences in foraging activity.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateFeb 4, 2019

Balloon-guided catheters provide better blood flow following stroke interventions

Researchers compared two groups of patients who underwent clot retrieval with either a balloon-guided catheter or a conventional guide catheter. Patients treated with the balloon-guided catheter showed improved restoration of blood flow scores and clinical outcomes, highlighting its potential to enhance stroke patient care.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of NeuroInterventional Surgery·DateFeb 4, 2019

It's all in the code: protein production efficiency can be predicted by gene sequence

Researchers discovered a correlation between mRNA codon composition and protein abundance, revealing the importance of gene sequence optimization for efficient translation. The study's findings have significant implications for medicine and bioengineering, offering new avenues for treating diseases and boosting biotech applications.

Heat waves, food insecurity due to climate change may weaken immune systems

Research in mice at the University of Tokyo found that heat waves can reduce the body's immune response to flu. However, providing supplemental nutrition before and after infection can help restore normal immune function. The study suggests that food insecurity may weaken the immune system, making people more susceptible to illness.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 4, 2019

Cutting health care costs

A new Harvard University study reveals that reducing spending on cardiovascular disease has slowed healthcare cost growth among the elderly population. The research found that investments in preventative care can produce significant savings, with nearly half of the reduction attributed to cardiovascular health.

SourceHarvard University·JournalHealth Affairs·DateFeb 4, 2019

Laughter may be best medicine -- for brain surgery

Researchers at Emory University discovered that electrical stimulation of the cingulum bundle can induce laughter and a sense of calm in patients undergoing brain surgery. The technique has potential applications in treating depression, anxiety disorders, and chronic pain via deep brain stimulation.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 4, 2019

Study examines women, men and brain marker of Alzheimer's disease

A study examining nearly 300 clinically normal adults found that women showed more tau deposits in the brain than men, associated with greater Aβ plaque deposits, supporting potential reasons for differences in AD risk between men and women. The findings may be limited by the study population's age and demographic characteristics.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateFeb 4, 2019