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Science News for January 24, 2019


Worms can process rice straw, scientists discover

Scientists discovered that earthworms efficiently process rice straw, increasing its fertility and preventing the burning of crop residues. This method reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves soil health, making it a more sustainable alternative to current practices.

SourceSechenov University·JournalEuropean Journal of Soil Biology·DateJan 24, 2019

How to escape a black hole: simulations provide new clues about powerful plasma jets

Researchers have combined decades-old theories to provide insight into the driving mechanisms of plasma jets in black holes. The simulations describe how twisting magnetic fields and 'negative-energy' particles produce these powerful displays, allowing black holes to steal energy and propel it far from their event horizons.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 24, 2019

New drug targets for BRCA-driven cancer uncovered

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have discovered two new genetic targets, APEX2 and FEN1, which show promise as potential treatments for hereditary breast and ovarian cancers. The study's findings suggest that inhibiting these enzymes could complement existing Parp inhibitors and address drug resistance in BRCA-driven cancer.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJan 24, 2019

Sleep deprivation accelerates Alzheimer's brain damage

A recent study published in Science has found that sleep deprivation increases levels of the key Alzheimer's protein tau, leading to accelerated brain damage and dementia. In mice and people, researchers discovered that disrupted sleep causes tau tangles to spread through the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience·DateJan 24, 2019

NUS engineers develop novel strategy for designing tiny semiconductor particles for wide-ranging applications

The National University of Singapore engineers have developed a novel bottom-up synthesis strategy to consistently construct TMD QDs of specific size, offering a cheaper and more scalable method. The synthesized MoS2 QDs demonstrate potential biomedical applications, including photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 24, 2019

Lessons learned from the adult neurogenesis debate

University of British Columbia professor Jason Snyder reviews the conflicting reports on adult neurogenesis in humans, pointing to methodological differences as a major issue. He argues that there is evidence for low rates of neurogenesis in specific brain regions, particularly the hippocampus.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Neurosciences·DateJan 24, 2019

'Cascade of Care' framework aims to reduce opioid deaths

A new 'Cascade of Care' framework aims to address gaps in addiction care and monitor treatment outcomes for individuals with opioid use disorder. The model identifies key stages through which people must progress to increase the chance of reaching remission, and emphasizes prevention services targeting populations by risk level.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalThe American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse·DateJan 24, 2019

Graphene can hear your brain whisper

Researchers have developed a graphene-based sensor that can detect brain activity below 0.1 Hz, unlocking new insights into epilepsy and brain function. This technology could lead to novel multiplexing strategies, enabling unprecedented mapping of low-frequency neural signals.

SourceGraphene Flagship·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 24, 2019

Do economic conditions affect pregnancy outcomes?

Researchers analyzed dataset of singleton births in Michigan from 1990-2012, finding a 3% increase in preterm birth odds with each one percentage point increase in state unemployment. This study suggests that broader socioeconomic factors, such as economic conditions, may contribute to pregnancy health disparities.

SourceWiley·JournalPaediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology·DateJan 24, 2019

What atoms do when liquids and gases meet

Researchers from UC3M and Imperial College London have developed a new theory that explains the behavior of liquids and gases at the microscopic scale. The study reveals that the arrangement of atoms exhibits certain mathematical properties called resonances, which provide a consistent description of liquid-gas fluctuations.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalNature Physics·DateJan 24, 2019

Stellar winds, the source material for the universe, are clumpy

Researchers led by Penn State astronomer Pragati Pradhan found that stellar winds, composed of protons, electrons, and metal atoms, contain dense clumps. The Chandra data revealed a 'Compton shoulder' indicating back scattering by surrounding matter, providing new insights into star environments.

SourcePenn State·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 24, 2019

Research shows what it takes to be a giant shark

Researchers found that sharks can become giants by evolving two possible pathways: mesothermic adaptation for self-temperature control or filter-feeding pathway for plankton consumption. However, these giant sharks face risks such as prey scarcity and toxic microplastics threatening their extinction.

SourceSwansea University·JournalEvolution·DateJan 24, 2019

Smoking cessation strategies targeting stress reduction may be more successful in women

A recent study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that female smokers experience more stress and craving after viewing cellphone-delivered stress-inducing images than male smokers. This suggests that improving quit outcomes in women may require gender-specific cessation strategies. Researchers hope to use the data from this...

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateJan 24, 2019

Sleep deprivation may affect our genes

A new study found that sleep deprivation can cause DNA damage in healthy individuals, increasing the risk for cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Even a single night of sleep deprivation can trigger events contributing to chronic disease development.

SourceWiley·JournalAnaesthesia·DateJan 24, 2019

Children shape their learning environment

A study published in Cognition found that children with ASD learn language at a continuous pace, influenced by cognitive abilities and parental input. The research highlights the active role children play in shaping their linguistic environment, leading to diverse language development outcomes.

SourceAarhus University·JournalCognition·DateJan 24, 2019

It's a bird-eat-bird world

Researchers at the University of Queensland found that 94 species of animals in Australia's forests and woodlands attack bird nests. The top five nest predators were the pied currawong, square-tailed kite, tiger snake, laughing kookaburra, and grey strike-thrush, attacking prey from 40% of measured species.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalAustral Ecology·DateJan 24, 2019

Environmental protection in outer space

The protection of extraterrestrial life is not stipulated in international space research agreements. However, launching miniature interstellar probes poses a risk to habitable but sterile oxygen planets. Research suggests that these planets are unlikely to support life due to the corrosive effect of free oxygen.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalActa Astronautica·DateJan 24, 2019

3D printing may help treat osteoarthritis

Scientists use 3D printing to create articular cartilage and subchondral bone from mesenchymal stem cells. This technique shows promise in repairing osteochondral defects in mini-pigs' knees.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Orthopaedic Research®·DateJan 24, 2019

Enzyme that breaks down amino acids may promote aging

A study published in Life Science Alliance found that the enzyme D-amino acid oxidase (DAO) promotes cellular senescence and aging by producing reactive oxygen species. By inducing DNA double-strand breaks, researchers found increased expression of DAO is dependent on p53, a cancer-suppressing protein.

SourceKobe University·JournalLife Science Alliance·DateJan 24, 2019

Lubricant for oil tankers

Scientists propose using high-tech coatings that can retain air for weeks to reduce drag and fuel consumption of ships. This technology has the potential to save up to 20% of fuel and reduce global CO2 emissions by almost one percent.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (A )·DateJan 24, 2019

Materials that open in the heat of the moment

Researchers at Kyoto University have designed a temperature-controllable copper-based material that can dynamically change pore sizes, allowing for improved gas separation and storage. The material can selectively adsorb gases based on temperature, opening channels to separate gases with different molecular sizes.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience·DateJan 24, 2019

To sleep well, let yourself be rocked!

Researchers from UNIGE, HUG, and UNIL demonstrate that slow and repeated movement during sleep modulates brain wave activity, leading to improved deep sleep and memory consolidation. Rocking has been shown to synchronize brain waves and reinforce deep sleep, with benefits also observed in mice studies.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 24, 2019

Self-assembling nanomaterial offers pathway to more efficient, affordable harnessing of solar power

Researchers at ASRC developed self-assembling nanomaterials that produce singlet fission reactions to create more usable charges, increasing theoretical solar cell efficiency up to 44%. The new materials could shorten the time for creating commercially viable solar cells and prove more affordable than current fabrication methods.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateJan 24, 2019

Crocodiles have complex past

Modern-day crocodiles and alligators originated from various ecosystems over time, including land, estuarine, freshwater, and marine environments. This challenges the long-held assumption of a simple evolutionary path from a land-based ancestor.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 24, 2019

Semiconductors combine forces in photocatalysis

A two-dimensional heterostructure of black phosphorus and bismuth tungstate shows enhanced photocatalytic activity, splitting water and breaking down nitrogen monoxide more effectively than conventional materials. The addition of a platinum-based co-catalyst further boosts the process efficiency.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 24, 2019

Follow-up phone calls by pharmacists help patients after hospital discharge

A new study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology finds that pharmacist-led follow-up calls can significantly reduce hospital readmission rates and improve patient outcomes. The intervention also had positive effects on healthcare costs, patient beliefs about medicines, and patient satisfaction.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateJan 24, 2019

An entire botanical garden of genomes

Researchers from China's National GeneBank and BGI sequenced 761 plant specimens, representing 689 vascular plant species, to create the world's first digital botanical garden. The project triples the number of plant genomes with available data, providing insights into plant evolution and agricultural yield improvement.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·DateJan 24, 2019

3D human epidermal equivalent created using math

Researchers have successfully constructed a three-dimensional human epidermis based on predictions made by their mathematical model of epidermal homeostasis. The epidermal equivalent exhibits excellent barrier functionality and thickness, providing a promising new tool for basic research and drug development.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 24, 2019

Dopamine modulates reward experiences elicited by music

A new study published in PNAS reveals a causal link between dopamine and the reward responses in humans when listening to music. Researchers found that dopamine manipulation led to opposite effects on musical pleasure and motivation, with levodopa increasing hedonic experience and risperidone reducing both.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 24, 2019

Important signaling pathway in breast cancer revealed

Researchers at Kanazawa University have discovered a critical signaling pathway that drives the proliferation of cancer stem cells in breast cancer. The pathway, involving Semaphorin 3 and MICAL3 proteins, is targeted by inhibiting these proteins to reduce breast-cancer stem-like cells.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 24, 2019

New global task force report questions effectiveness of spinal fusion procedures, provides recommendations

A new report from a global task force of bone health experts suggests that surgical procedures for spinal fractures may not be effective in reducing pain or improving quality of life. The report recommends against the use of vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty, citing a lack of evidence supporting their benefits.

SourceBurness·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateJan 24, 2019

Zika vaccines should induce responses by CD4+ T cells

A study published in PLOS Pathogens suggests that CD4+ T cells are essential for local control of viral infection and can confer protection against lethal doses of the Zika virus. The findings support the development of vaccines targeting this cell type, which may be safe and effective against infection in multiple contexts.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJan 24, 2019