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Science News for January 22, 2019


Heart disease risk begins in the womb

A new study finds that offspring whose mothers had complicated pregnancies may be at greater risk of heart disease later in life. The research suggests that the prenatal environment can directly influence long-term cardiovascular health. Antioxidant therapy during pregnancy could potentially protect against heart disease in offspring.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 22, 2019

Scientists boost stability of low-cost, large-area solar modules

Researchers at OIST Graduate University have developed a new perovskite solar cell design that improves stability and scalability, enabling the creation of low-cost, large-area solar modules. The devices achieved an efficiency of over 20% and demonstrated their viability for commercialization in the near future.

Parental PTSD affects health behavior and aging among offspring of Holocaust survivors

A new study by Prof. Amit Shrira found that Holocaust survivors with PTSD and their adult offspring exhibit unhealthy behavior patterns, age less successfully, and have more medical conditions than those without PTSD or exposure to the Holocaust. The research highlights the intergenerational transmission of trauma and its impact on aging.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalPsychiatry Research·DateJan 22, 2019

Dengue immunity may be protective against symptomatic Zika, study finds

A new study found that prior dengue virus infection in children may be protective against symptomatic Zika virus infection. The research, published in PLOS Medicine, involved over 3,000 children aged 2-14 years and showed that those with a history of dengue infection had a lower risk of being symptomatic when infected with Zika.

Widely available food in US workplaces: Perk or hazard?

A new study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that nearly a quarter of employed adults obtain high-calorie foods at work. The CDC investigated food acquisition habits through the Food Acquisition and Purchasing Survey, which revealed that these foods often don't align with the Dietary Guidelines f...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateJan 22, 2019

To halt malaria transmission, more research focused on human behavior needed

A recent review article suggests that understanding human behavior is crucial to preventing malaria transmission. Researchers found that while bed nets have been effective, they only work when people sleep under them, and there are gaps in knowledge about when and where people are exposed to malaria-transmitting mosquitoes at night.

Annals of Family Medicine media tip sheet

New research found that respiratory tract infections in children can persist for up to three weeks, with symptoms lasting longer in younger children and those with lower respiratory tract symptoms. The study also suggests that repeated flu vaccine immunization may enhance long-term protection against respiratory illness.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 22, 2019

How much rainforest do birds need?

A study published in Biological Conservation found that forest cover below 40% can lead to a decline in original bird communities and the replacement of specialized species with generalists. The research suggests that highly specialized birds begin to decline significantly at forest cover levels as low as 70%.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalBiological Conservation·DateJan 22, 2019

Good neighbors

Researchers found that territorial damselfish are not exclusively herbivores and may even engage in planktivory. These findings demonstrate adaptation to high competition for resources and highlight the importance of considering species-specific partitioning of resources.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalMarine Biology·DateJan 22, 2019

Antiepileptic drugs linked to accumulation of hospital days in persons with Alzheimer's disease

A new study found that people with Alzheimer's disease who used antiepileptic drugs had more accumulated hospital days compared to those without. The study, published in the Journal of American Medical Directors Association, suggests a potential risk-benefit ratio for antiepileptic drug use in older adults with Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalJournal of the American Medical Directors Association·DateJan 22, 2019

Human mutation rate has slowed recently

Researchers from Aarhus University discovered that the human mutation rate is slower than in our closest primate relatives. This finding may impact conservation efforts and our understanding of species evolution. The study estimated a common ancestor for humans and chimpanzees to have lived around 6.6 million years ago.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJan 22, 2019

Farm manure boosts greenhouse gas emissions -- even in winter

A University of Vermont study found that farmers' spring and summer decisions on manure application can increase greenhouse gas emissions during winter. The research highlights the importance of considering long-term effects of management decisions, as agriculture is expected to expand in northern regions with warming climates.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateJan 22, 2019

All too human

Researchers found that more efficient neural codes in humans and monkeys resulted in reduced robustness, potentially contributing to disorders like ADHD, anxiety, and depression. The study supports the 'washing machine' theory of brain evolution, suggesting a trade-off between efficiency and error resistance.

Racial discrimination increases activism in black young adults

A recent study found that experiencing racial discrimination makes black teens and young adults more likely to engage in social and political activism. Cultural racial discrimination increases willingness for low-risk activism, while institutional discrimination has a complex relationship with high-risk activism. Public regard plays a ...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Community Psychology·DateJan 22, 2019

Precision pest control

A new smartphone app is being developed to help farmers in hot climates identify and record the spread of locusts on their land. The app uses advanced computer vision technology to recognize locusts through the phone's camera and record its location, enabling farmers to target pesticides more accurately and reduce crop damage.

£20 million to tackle nitrogen pollution

The UK Government has committed £19.6 million to a research project addressing nitrogen pollution in South Asia, with potential solutions for sustainable agriculture and industrial recycling. The project aims to form a coherent picture of the nitrogen cycle and support progress towards meeting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Without habitat management, small land parcels do not protect birds

A study of a long-protected northeastern virgin forest plot found that small forest fragments may not provide conservation benefits. Nearly half the species present at initial protection are now gone, and yearly species composition is highly dynamic. Effective management is needed to prevent degradation of habitat.

SourcePenn State·JournalBiodiversity and Conservation·DateJan 22, 2019

Price disclosure legislation unlikely to lower drug costs

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that price disclosure legislation may not be effective in lowering drug costs. The research found that consumers are less likely to ask about high-priced drugs if they see a clear price disclosure, but this effect is short-lived and can be undermined by coupon programs.

SourceClemson University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJan 22, 2019

Increasing skepticism against robots

A cross-European analysis of public attitudes towards robots reveals growing skepticism, particularly in areas like surgeries and autonomous cars. Men tend to view robots positively, while women are more skeptical, with blue-collar workers and older populations showing more positive views.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateJan 22, 2019

Women, your inner circle may be key to gaining leadership roles

A study by the University of Notre Dame and Northwestern University found that women who maintain a female-dominated inner circle are more likely to gain leadership roles. The research, which analyzed over 700 former graduate students, showed that having strong ties to other women improves job placement levels for women in male-dominat...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 22, 2019

Dengue virus immunity may protect children from Zika symptoms

Researchers found that prior and recent dengue virus infection was associated with protection from symptomatic Zika virus infection in a pediatric cohort. However, previous exposure did not affect the rate of total Zika virus infection. The study suggests that prior dengue virus immunity might cross-protect against symptomatic Zika.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 22, 2019

Heating up cold tumors

Researchers have identified a cellular mechanism by which cold tumors can be made susceptible to immunotherapy. The study found that inducing UCP2 expression in tumor cells prompts an anti-cancer immune response, drawing killer T cells and conventional type 1 dendritic cells into the microenvironment.

SourceLudwig Institute for Cancer Research·JournalNature Immunology·DateJan 22, 2019

How hot are atoms in the shock wave of an exploding star?

Researchers measured temperatures of slow-moving gas atoms surrounding a star after an exploding star's shock wave, answering a long-standing question about their physical processes. The results confirm the relationship between atomic weight and temperature, settling an important issue in astrophysics.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJan 22, 2019

How sex pheromones diversify: Lessons from yeast

The study found that one pheromone operates strictly while the other is free to undergo diversification, a mechanism that may lead to reproductive isolation and speciation. This asymmetric system allows for flexible adaptation to mutational changes while maintaining recognition of mating partners.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 22, 2019

Study confirms 1-hour discharge rule for patients given naloxone after opiate overdose

A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine confirms that patients treated with naloxone for opiate overdose can be safely discharged from the emergency department after one hour. The study found minimal risk of adverse events and suggests the St. Paul's Early Discharge Rule as a useful predictor of high-risk patients.

SourceSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateJan 22, 2019

Study offers promise for preventing necrotizing enterocolitis in preemies

Researchers at Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago have discovered a promising direction towards understanding and preventing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. Blocking NF-κB activity prevented recruitment of white blood cells into the intestine, leading to decreased development of NEC.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateJan 22, 2019