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Science News for January 25, 2019


Putting understudied terrorists under a microscope

Researchers at Michigan State University found that ideological cyberterrorist attacks by far-left groups are on the rise, targeting companies and organizations with data breaches, web defacements, and doxing. The attacks have a significant economic and emotional impact, making them a growing threat.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalTerrorism and Political Violence·DateJan 25, 2019

New method yields higher transition temperature in superconducting materials

Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new method to raise the transition temperature of superconducting materials, potentially leading to more efficient and reliable power grids. The breakthrough, reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, uses high pressure to increase the superconductors' abi...

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2019

Anti-flu antibodies can inhibit two different viral proteins, NIH study reveals

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have discovered that antibodies targeting the hemagglutinin protein on influenza viruses also inhibit the neuraminidase enzyme. This inhibition enhances antibody neutralization and activation of innate immune cells with anti-viral activity. The study suggests a promising approach for uni...

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJan 25, 2019

Tobacco use in adolescence is tied to paranoia, largely due to shared genetic influences

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found a significant association between tobacco use and paranoid experiences in adolescents. The study, which used data from over 3,700 twin pairs, suggested that genetic influences played a key role in this link.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJan 25, 2019

Static electricity could charge our electronics

A study by the University at Buffalo suggests that tiny structural changes occur at the surface of materials when they come into contact with each other, leading to the triboelectric effect. This phenomenon has the potential to unify existing theory and create more sustainable power sources for small electronic devices.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Electrostatics·DateJan 25, 2019

Women gain weight when job demands are high

A Swedish study of over 3,800 people found that high job demands are associated with significant weight gain in women, but not in men. The researchers suggest that women's greater responsibility for childcare and household tasks may contribute to this finding.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalInternational Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health·DateJan 25, 2019

The hitchhiker's guide to defeating glioblastoma

A new method of using multiple microRNAs to weaken cancer cells has shown promising results in preclinical models, increasing survival in a murine model of glioblastoma by five-fold when combined with chemotherapy. The treatment strategy weakens tumor cells but does not directly kill them, making it an advantage for further treatment.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 25, 2019

Platinum forms nano-bubbles

Researchers at DESY NanoLab discovered that platinum oxidizes more readily than expected when exposed to high pressures of oxygen, forming nano-bubbles. This phenomenon has significant implications for applications such as catalytic converters in cars and electrochemical sensors.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalSolid State Ionics·DateJan 25, 2019

Cellular stress at the movies

Biological imaging experts at Colorado State University have used a custom fluorescence microscope to capture individual RNA molecules interacting with stress granules. The results show that RNA translation is completely silenced before the RNAs enter the stress granules, providing unprecedented details of the cellular stress response.

SourceColorado State University·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJan 25, 2019

Muscle memory discovery ends 'use it or lose it' dogma

Researchers have found that nuclei gained during training persist even when muscle cells shrink due to disuse or disease, allowing for rapid growth when retrained. This discovery has important implications for public health policy and suggests that exercise in early life can help prevent frailty in old age.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateJan 25, 2019

Inequality promotes deforestation in Latin America

A new study by Graziano Ceddia reveals that greater inequality increases deforestation in Latin America, while less inequality better protects forests. Increasing agricultural productivity can help reduce pressure on remaining forests, but it also incentivizes the conversion of more forests to cropland.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2019

UH researchers report new class of polyethylene catalyst

Researchers at UH have reported a new class of polyethylene catalyst with exceptional turnover frequency and potential for high-strength plastics in medical and other applications. The nickel-based catalyst has the potential to produce ultra-high-weight polyethylene, but further work is needed to improve its commercial viability.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 25, 2019

New insight into unique sugar transport in plants

Researchers from Aarhus University have solved the structure of a Sugar Transport Protein (STP) and discovered a novel domain that plays a crucial role in the transport mechanism. The discovery provides valuable insights into how plants develop correctly and respond to fungal attacks.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 25, 2019

Harvard researchers report positive trial results with artificial pancreas smartphone app

The interoperable Artificial Pancreas System smartphone app has shown improved time in the target glucose range and a statistically significant reduction in time below 70mg/dL. The study suggests that this system could provide personalized care for patients with diabetes, offering flexibility and convenience.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalDiabetes Technology & Therapeutics·DateJan 25, 2019

Autism and theory of mind

Researchers developed a new test to examine theory of mind in people with autism. The study found that individuals with autism struggle with tracking Sally's beliefs about the environment and making logical conclusions about her behavior. This understanding can help develop treatments for autism in the future.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 25, 2019

Fish oil does not appear to improve asthma control in teens, young adults

A study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society found that four grams of fish oil per day for six months did not improve asthma control in adolescents and young adults with uncontrolled asthma. The researchers suggested that obesity may cause systemic inflammation, which reduces the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory t...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 25, 2019