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Science News for January 28, 2019


In test of wisdom, new research favors Yoda over Spock

Researchers from the University of Waterloo discovered that a balanced mix of emotions improves wisdom. Wise reasoning no longer requires uniform emotional control but rather recognizing multiple perspectives and integrating them for compromise. This study provides new insights into the relationship between wisdom, emotion, and balance.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·DateJan 28, 2019

Groundbreaking new reusable adhesive works underwater

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new reusable adhesive that activates quickly and maintains strong adhesion underwater. The shape memory polymers (SMPs) can be manipulated to transition between two states, allowing for reversible dry adhesion and enabling applications such as wet or submerged wall mounting.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·DateJan 28, 2019

Artificial skin could give superhuman perception

Researchers at the University of Connecticut created a sensor using iron oxide nanoparticles in silicone that can detect pressure, temperature, and vibration, as well as magnetic fields and sound waves. The sensor could potentially help burn victims feel again and serve as an early warning for workers exposed to high magnetic fields.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 28, 2019

Plasmonic pioneers fire away in fight over light

Researchers at Rice University argue that photoluminescence, not Raman scattering, is responsible for the remarkable light-emitting properties of metal nanoparticles. This breakthrough could lead to improvements in solar-cell efficiency and the development of new biosensors.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 28, 2019

A solid scaffolding for our cells

Researchers at UNIGE have deciphered the fundamental role of the Not1 protein in regulating ribosome activity, allowing proteins to assemble at the right time and place. This discovery sheds light on a crucial element of cellular machinery and its potential link to diseases.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateJan 28, 2019

Bad brakes

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a faulty molecular brake that interferes with the heart muscle's ability to contract and relax. The study found that a mutation in the MyBPC3 gene leads to an overactive motor that propels abnormal muscle contractions, causing the heart to beat too much and relax poorly.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 28, 2019

Study examines long-term opioid use in patients with severe osteoarthritis

A study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology found that prescription opioids are commonly used long-term to treat pain in older patients with severe osteoarthritis. The study also revealed substantial statewide variation in rates of treatment with long-term opioid therapy for osteoarthritis, which was not fully explained by difference...

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateJan 28, 2019

How do fish and birds hang together without colliding? Researchers find the answer is a wake with purpose

Fish and birds are able to move in groups without separating or colliding due to the interaction of followers with their leader's wake. This phenomenon allows slower followers to keep up with faster-flapping leaders by surfing on their wake, enabling efficient energy harvesting from natural resources.

SourceNew York University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 28, 2019

Not all saturated fats are equal when it comes to heart health

A new study published in the International Journal of Cardiology confirms that diets rich in palmitic and stearic acid, found in meats, increase cardiovascular risk. In contrast, eating fewer long-chain saturated fats and consuming plant-based proteins lowers the risk of myocardial infarction.

SourceElsevier·JournalInternational Journal of Cardiology·DateJan 28, 2019

What you eat could impact your brain and memory

Researchers at Iowa State University discovered a link between the satiety hormone Cholecystokinin and reduced Alzheimer's disease risk, with higher levels associated with a 65% decrease in cognitive impairment. The study suggests that dietary factors may play a role in preventing or slowing disease progression.

SourceIowa State University·JournalNeurobiology of Aging·DateJan 28, 2019

UBC researcher adopts play-by-play method to understand how counsellors can promote health

A UBC researcher has developed a method to analyze behaviour change counselling sessions, enabling counsellors to identify what makes interventions work. By examining minute details of interactions between clients and practitioners, the new approach helps counsellors promote positive changes in their patients.

Measuring forces of living cells and microorganisms

A new technique using micropipette force sensors measures the tiny forces exerted by living cells and microorganisms with high precision. The method allows for testing the reaction of cells to environmental factors and has potential applications in biomedicine, such as identifying drugs for infectious diseases.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Protocols·DateJan 28, 2019

How ion adsorption affects biological membranes' functions

A new mathematical model describes how ion adsorption affects biological membranes' electrical properties at different pH levels. The model reveals that calcium ions have a greater ability to adsorb than barium ions, with hydroxide-containing ions being more readily absorbed.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJan 28, 2019

Peptide papers point to new ways of tackling bacteria

Researchers have solved a 20-year riddle of how crucial step in antibiotic biosynthesis occurs, opening way to potentially redesigning antibiotics. The team structurally characterised the peptide bond forming domain in Ebony enzyme, revealing its novel types of condensation domain and its role in regulating neurotransmitters.

SourceMonash University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 28, 2019

Penn engineer's 'metallic wood' has the strength of titanium and the density of water

Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new material called metallic wood that has the strength of titanium but is four to five times lighter. The material's porous structure can be infused with other materials, making it suitable for applications such as plane wings or prosthetic legs that also serve as batteries.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 28, 2019

Future changes in human well-being to depend more on social factors than economic factors

A new study projects that global well-being will depend more on social factors than economic ones in the next three decades. The researchers used a mathematical approach to project the subjective well-being of the world's population, taking into account dimensions such as freedom, corruption, generosity, and social support.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2019

Study shows flight limitations of earliest feathered dinosaurs

A new study reveals that Anchiornis, one of the earliest known feathered dinosaurs, had feathers with thicker alpha-keratins instead of beta-keratins, lacking necessary biomechanical properties for flight. However, its molecular composition may signify an intermediate stage in the evolution of avian flight feathers.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 28, 2019

High rates of opioid prescriptions may be linked to poor labor force participation

A new US study found that prescription opioids are negatively affecting labor force participation and unemployment rates nationwide. The study discovered a strong adverse effect of opioids on labor markets, with a 10% increase in opioid prescriptions per capita leading to a 0.6 percentage point drop in labor force participation rates.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·JournalThe Journal of Human Resources·DateJan 28, 2019

Train the brain to form good habits through repetition

A new study published in Psychological Review reveals that forming good habits depends more on repetition than satisfaction. The research suggests that our brains tend to stick with repeated actions, even if they're no longer rewarding, and opens up a better understanding of conditions like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalPsychological Review·DateJan 28, 2019

Injection of opioids linked to significant increase in bacterial heart infections

Researchers discovered a significant rise in infective endocarditis among Ontarians who inject drugs, with hydromorphone prescriptions linked to the increased risk. The study found that reusing injection equipment, common among opioid users, allows for bacterial contamination and increases the chances of heart infection.

SourceLawson Research Institute·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJan 28, 2019

New therapeutic targets for kidney fibrosis emerge

A new study identifies key factors involved in cell cycle arrest and illuminates a novel intracellular structure, paving the way for new therapeutic targets to treat kidney fibrosis. The research team found that blocking the formation of TASCCs reduced the severity of kidney fibrotic disease progression in preclinical models.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 28, 2019

Fiber sensors may leave the jacket on

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have successfully mapped liquids outside coated optical fibers, enabling sensing applications beyond the lab. The use of a polyimide coating overcomes the protective barrier previously hindering sensor performance.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 28, 2019

Humans colonized diverse environments in Southeast Asia and Oceania during the Pleistocene

A new study reviews palaeoecological information associated with hominin dispersals into Southeast Asia and Oceania, highlighting human species' ability to specialize in 'extreme' settings. This specialization stands in contrast to other hominin taxa, reaffirming the importance of studying environmental adaptations of Homo sapiens.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalArchaeological Research in Asia·DateJan 28, 2019

Kick-starting the genome in early development

Researchers at the Babraham Institute have identified two proteins, Dppa2 and Dppa4, as key factors responsible for activating the zygotic genome. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular regulation of early development in mammals, shedding light on a previously unexplored area of human development.

SourceBabraham Institute·JournalGenes & Development·DateJan 28, 2019

Hand hygiene compliance among paramedics 'remarkably low'

A study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal found that paramedics' hand hygiene compliance is remarkably low, with only 15% of instances adhering to recommended standards. The over-reliance on gloves indicates a tendency towards self-protection rather than patient protection.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·DateJan 28, 2019