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Science News for February 6, 2019


Do microplastics harm humans?

Researchers are unsure if microplastics cause harm to people as they accumulate in the body and organs, with varying effects depending on composition and additives. Microplastics have been identified in human feces, raising concerns about potential health risks.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateFeb 6, 2019

Study estimates misuse of prescribed opioids in the United States

A new study estimates that 3.9 million US adults misused prescription opioids annually, with risk factors including co-occurring substance use disorders and psychological distress. Prescribers should be vigilant about potential misuse among patients prescribed potent opioid medications for long-term use.

SourceWiley·JournalPharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety·DateFeb 6, 2019

Simpler parts make for a more efficient system

Researchers at George Washington University found that decentralized systems perform better when individual parts are less capable, as overly smart components lead to overcorrections and mistakes. This discovery has potential applications in company structure, autonomous vehicles, AI algorithms, and even biological evolution.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 6, 2019

Bubbles of brand new stars

Researchers have spotted a massive young stellar object with a jet emitted by a fledgling star, shedding light on the early lives of stars. The observations were made possible by ESO's MUSE instrument, which has been improved by the addition of Adaptive Optics Facility.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateFeb 6, 2019

An elegant mechanism

Mitochondrial researchers at the University of Freiburg discovered a critical role for the metabolite channel porin/VDAC in protein import into mitochondria. The study shows that porin/VDAC stimulates carrier protein import independently of its channel activity, forming an 'elegant mechanism' to regulate mitochondrial function.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalMolecular Cell·DateFeb 6, 2019

Certain characteristics linked with depression before and after giving birth

A study found associations between depression during pregnancy and postpartum periods with smoking, intimate partner violence, and pre-existing medical conditions like migraines or premenstrual syndrome. The findings suggest that different perinatal depression trajectories have distinct characteristics, paving the way for individualize...

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Neuroscience Research·DateFeb 6, 2019

Atomic-scale simulation of antiarrhythmic drug interaction with cardiac cells

Researchers at UC Davis developed a novel simulation that provides insights into vital atomic-scale drug-cardiac cell interactions. The study advances the development of new antiarrhythmic drugs targeting voltage-gated sodium channels, which can help predict individual patient responses to drug therapy.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2019

Climate change poses greater risk of mental health challenges for children born to depressed mothers

A new study finds that climate change increases the risk of mental health problems in children born to mothers with prenatal depression who experience natural disaster-related stress. Infants of depressed mothers displayed greater distress and fear, less smiling and laughter, and lower soothability.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalInfant Mental Health Journal Infancy and Early Childhood·DateFeb 6, 2019

What can worms tell us about human aging?

Researchers have developed a community-agreed model of worm metabolism, which has been re-optimised for relevance to metabolic changes during ageing. The model predicts that Oxaloacetate production becomes limiting in aged worms, potentially leading to extended lifespan by up to 20%.

SourceBabraham Institute·JournalFrontiers in Molecular Biosciences·DateFeb 6, 2019

Microbial manufacturing

A team of Harvard researchers has unraveled the process by which bacteria manufacture streptozotocin, a key compound used to treat pancreatic cancer. The study reveals an iron-dependent enzyme with two domains that catalyze different steps in the production of nitrosamine compounds.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateFeb 6, 2019

Male Y chromosomes not 'genetic wastelands'

Researchers sequenced a large portion of the fruit fly Y chromosome, discovering duplicated sequences and gene conversion mechanisms that enable genes to survive on the often-misunderstood Y chromosome. This new understanding challenges traditional views of the Y chromosome as a 'genetic wasteland',

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalGenetics·DateFeb 6, 2019

Brain patterns indicative of consciousness, in unconscious individuals

Scientists have identified four distinct brain pattern profiles associated with conscious and unconscious states, shedding light on the neural dynamics underlying human consciousness. The findings hold potential for developing reliable biomarkers of consciousness and externally induced manipulations to restore awareness.

Electron-gun simulations explain the mechanisms of high-energy cosmic rays

Chinese physicists develop mathematical equations and computer simulations to model photodetachment of negative ions via photons, simulating cosmic rays' collisions with planets. The speed of a moving surface significantly affects the chances of photodetachment, with Chloride (Cl-) ions being less prone than hydrogen (H-) ions.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateFeb 6, 2019

Micromotors deliver oral vaccines

Researchers create micromotors coated with red blood cell membranes and titanium dioxide that target the mucus layer of the intestine, stimulating a broader immune response. The oral vaccines successfully delivered in mice, producing ten times more IgA antibodies against Staphylococcal α-toxin than static particles.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 6, 2019

Discovery may bolster chemotherapy potency while protecting the heart from side-effects

University of Alberta researchers have discovered a way to make chemotherapy more effective against cancer while blocking its harmful side effects on the heart. By stabilizing a specific metabolic protein, they were able to prevent heart damage and enhance tumor regression in preclinical mouse models.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 6, 2019

Study examines association between birth weight, risk of developing psychiatric disorders in adulthood

A Swedish study involving over 500,000 siblings found that lower birth weight was associated with a small but significant increased risk for several psychiatric disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression. After controlling for family-related factors, the study fo...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateFeb 6, 2019

The interplay between relationships, stress, and sleep

A new study found that positive relationship experiences in early adulthood reduce stressful life events, leading to better sleep quality later in life. The research suggests relationships play a crucial role in reducing stress, which in turn affects health behaviors.

SourceWiley·JournalPersonal Relationships·DateFeb 6, 2019

Bees have brains for basic math: Study

Researchers found that bees can recognize colors as symbolic representations for basic math operations and use this information to solve problems. The study suggests that advanced numerical cognition may be found widely in nature among non-human animals.

SourceRMIT University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 6, 2019

Providers' concerns about behavior change don't justify withholding HIV PrEP

Providers' reluctance to prescribe PrEP stems from concerns about increased risk-taking behavior among users. However, research suggests that PrEP can facilitate healthy sexual behaviors and enhance overall well-being. The authors propose strategies to mitigate biases and promote patient-centered care for PrEP dissemination.

SourceHarvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 6, 2019

Gypsum as an agricultural product

Gypsum, recovered from coal-fired power plants, is a rich source of calcium and sulfur, promoting better root development and reducing aluminum toxicity. Its application also improves soil structure, reducing erosion and phosphorus movement, benefiting various crops like corn and alfalfa.

More than enough on our plates

A smaller portion of fish and chips has been developed by Newcastle University researchers, with the introduction of the Lite-BITE box. This smaller meal option, weighing around 600 calories, has been well-received by both customers and takeaway owners in the North of England and Scotland.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalBMJ Open·DateFeb 6, 2019

'Twilight Zone' could help preserve shallow water reefs

Researchers at University of Queensland found that corals from the 'twilight zone' can grow faster in shallow light environments, offering a potential solution to preserving coral habitats. The study suggests that mesophotic corals can thrive with limited light, challenging current views of these deep-water ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateFeb 6, 2019

Effects of teenage motherhood may last multiple generations

A study found that grandchildren of adolescent mothers have lower school readiness scores and lag behind in physical and social development. The multigenerational effect suggests that interventions targeting children born to adolescent mothers should also consider their own grandchildren.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 6, 2019

Study 'strongly supports' extending cervical screening intervals

A large pilot study confirms HPV screening is practical on a large scale and more sensitive than smear testing, detecting substantially more cervical lesions and cancer. The study's findings support extending screening intervals to at least five years without increasing the risk of potentially life-threatening disease.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 6, 2019

Controllable electron flow in quantum wires

Princeton researchers have demonstrated a new way of making controllable 'quantum wires' in the presence of a magnetic field. They found channels of conducting electrons that form between two quantum states on the surface of a bismuth crystal subjected to a high magnetic field. The current flow in these channels can be turned on and of...

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature·DateFeb 6, 2019

The silence of sickle cell disease

A study led by John Wood, MD, PhD, finds that patients with sickle cell disease experience reduced oxygen delivery to the white matter of the brain, despite normal total oxygen delivery. This disparity leads to debilitating silent strokes with significant effects on executive function.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalAmerican Journal of Hematology·DateFeb 6, 2019

Are most patients with fibromyalgia misdiagnosed?

A recent study found that only fair agreement exists between clinicians' diagnosis of fibromyalgia and the published criteria used by the American College of Rheumatology. Clinicians failed to identify nearly half of patients who met the criteria, highlighting a need for improved diagnostic methods.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateFeb 6, 2019

'Unclonable' tag combats counterfeiters

Scientists have created an 'unclonable' tag that can never be replicated, using physical unclonable functions (PUFs) with microparticles forming random patterns. The system correctly identified 76% of the tags, with estimated 2.5 x 10^120 unique codes.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateFeb 6, 2019

Developed self-controlling 'smart' fuel cell electrode material

A team of researchers led by Professor Kang Taek Lee developed a new electrode material that uses nickel to improve the oxidation reaction efficiency of hydrogen. The material exhibits high-performance and high-durability due to the controlled exsolution of nano metal catalysts, which helps stabilize the fuel cell's performance.

New music styles: How the challenger calls the tune

A study of over 8 million albums from 1956 to 2015 reveals that new musical styles emerge as a result of counter-signaling from outsider groups. This challenges traditional theories on the evolution of fashion and trends in music, highlighting the role of elite competition in driving innovation.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateFeb 6, 2019