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Science News for January 30, 2019


Should we stop using electroconvulsive therapy?

Experts debate the effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in treating severe depression, with some arguing it has no long-term benefits compared to placebo and can cause brain damage. Others claim ECT is effective and safe for treatment-resistant depression, with most side effects resolving within weeks.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJan 30, 2019

We need to fine-tune our 'maps' of the visual cortex, study shows

Researchers used advanced brain scans to map the visual cortex in Old World monkeys, finding complex topographic organisation unlike previously thought. This improved understanding will enable more precise navigation of the brain and potentially reveal human visual cortex organization.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 30, 2019

First study to find digital ads work, on millennials

A study published in Political Communication found that digital ads increased voter participation in a Dallas municipal election by 2.6 percentage points. The ads targeted millennials with information and reminders, resulting in higher turnout rates in competitive districts.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalPolitical Communication·DateJan 30, 2019

Kidney transplantation to minority patients with a different blood types is safe

A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that minority patients with blood type B can receive kidneys from donors with blood type A2 without compromising their health. The study showed comparable patient and graft survival rates for both groups, but higher costs for type B recipients who receive...

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJan 30, 2019

Tulane study says seas may be rising faster than thought

A new Tulane University study questions the reliability of sea-level rise measurement in low-lying coastal areas, suggesting higher rates of relative sea-level rise due to subsidence. The research, published in Ocean Science, calls for a rethinking of how sea-level rise is measured in rapidly subsiding coastal lowlands.

SourceTulane University·JournalOcean Science·DateJan 30, 2019

Green alternative to PET could be even greener

Researchers at the University of Groningen have developed an enzyme-based polymerization method to create a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional polyethylene terephthalate (PET). By using a commercially available enzyme, they successfully produced furan-based copolyesters with improved properties.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalChemSusChem·DateJan 30, 2019

Are e-cigarettes safer and more effective than other treatments for quitting smoking?

A new study found e-cigarettes to be more effective than nicotine-replacement therapy in quitting smoking, with a one-year abstinence rate of 18% compared to 9.9% for NRT. However, health experts caution against recommending e-cigarettes as a primary treatment due to unknown health risks and long-term use concerns.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 30, 2019

South Asians at risk for tuberculosis often are not tested

A recent Rutgers University study reveals that South Asian immigrants who travel frequently to countries with widespread tuberculosis may have latent infection without symptoms, highlighting the need for better screening and treatment. Approximately 1.7 billion people worldwide, including 13.6 million in the US, have latent TB.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of Community Health·DateJan 30, 2019

Risk aversion rises with violent crime

A study by researchers at the University of Colorado Denver found that fear of violence causes people to take fewer risks, which may hinder their lives and economy. The study used longitudinal survey data from Mexico's war on drugs to establish a causal link between fear and risk-taking attitudes.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Denver·JournalThe Review of Economics and Statistics·DateJan 30, 2019

Your body image is impacted by those around you

A new study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that social interactions significantly influence body image, particularly when surrounded by people who are not preoccupied with their bodies. Spending time with non-body focused individuals can lead to improved eating habits and a more positive body image.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalBody Image·DateJan 30, 2019

A closed cage-like molecule that can be opened

Researchers at Kanazawa University designed a metallomolecular cage that can be opened through disulfide exchange reactions with thiolate anions. The cage's 'hatch' opens to allow cesium ions to enter, demonstrating its potential as a molecular container with on-demand guest uptake/release systems.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·DateJan 30, 2019

Eyes are faster than hands

A new machine learning-based intention detection method predicts grasping/releasing intentions based on user behaviors, enabling SCI patients to pick-and-place objects. The method utilizes a first-person-view camera and is advantageous in detecting user intentions without requiring person-to-person calibrations.

SourceSeoul National University·JournalScience Robotics·DateJan 30, 2019

Researchers identify high-risk areas for infant deaths in Harris County

A study by UTHealth researchers identified three high-risk areas in Harris County where SUID cases are most likely to occur. Modifiable risk factors included unsafe co-sleeping, improper sleep position, and tobacco use. The study suggests that following the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations can reduce SUID incidence.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalAmerican Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology·DateJan 30, 2019

Good results with autologous breast reconstruction after failed implant reconstruction

A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reports that autologous breast reconstruction after failed implant reconstruction is associated with significantly improved patient satisfaction and quality of life. The procedure has an acceptable complication rate, despite some additional challenges related to previous breast ca...

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateJan 30, 2019

NIH-supported scientists develop tool to measure success of HIV cure strategies

A new assay developed by NIH-supported scientists can accurately count the cells comprising the HIV reservoir, enabling researchers to understand whether their strategies are working. This advance aims to speed HIV research by allowing scientists to easily quantify the number of proviruses that must be eliminated to achieve a cure.

Succeeded in finding intermediates synthesized in oxidation

A research team led by Professor Jaeheung Cho has found a new active intermediate synthesized in the oxidation process using biomimetic catalysts and artificial oxidants. This discovery clarifies the oxidation mechanism and clears the long-standing debate on the role of metal-iodosylbenzene intermediates.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 30, 2019

New research: The Aussie plants facing extinction

The Threatened Species Recovery Hub has identified the top 100 Australian plant species facing extinction, with ground orchids topping the list. Urbanization, inappropriate fire regimes and introduced plant diseases are major drivers of these extinctions, highlighting the need for urgent conservation efforts to save these unique species.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalAustralian Journal of Botany·DateJan 30, 2019

Maestro's techniques

Researchers analyzed impasto layers in three of Rembrandt's paintings and found a rare lead mineral called plumbonacrite, which was not previously known to occur in historic paint layers. The study suggests that Rembrandt used a unique paint recipe.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 30, 2019

Harnessing light for a solar-powered chemical industry

Researchers at RMIT University developed a nano-enhanced material that captures 99% of light and converts it into chemical energy, offering a sustainable alternative for the chemical manufacturing industry. The innovation has potential applications in desalination, night vision technology, and producing valuable chemicals.

SourceRMIT University·JournalACS Applied Energy Materials·DateJan 30, 2019

How a one-hour 'planting party' lifts spirits, builds skills among women in prison

A one-hour workshop on houseplant-potting improved the moods of incarcerated women and provided a respite from their surroundings. The study highlights the value of interaction with nature for therapeutic and rehabilitative goals, suggesting that such activities can have a lasting impact on quality of life while in prison.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalInternational Journal of Prisoner Health·DateJan 30, 2019

Aging and chronic diseases share genetic factors, study reveals

A study published in Communications Biology found that chronic conditions like cancer and diabetes share common underlying mechanisms with aging. The researchers analyzed genetic data from over 300,000 people and identified 12 genetic loci associated with healthy life expectancy.

SourceGero·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJan 30, 2019

Vaccination with Streptococcus mitis could protect against virulent sibling, Streptococcus pneumonia

Researchers found that vaccination with Streptococcus mitis boosted production of IgG and IgA antibodies, as well as Th17 cells, offering protection against certain serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The study suggests that this natural human colonizer could be used to develop a safe vaccine against the disease.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJan 30, 2019

E-cigarettes more effective than nicotine replacement therapies, finds major trial

A clinical trial found e-cigarettes to be almost twice as effective as nicotine replacement treatments in helping smokers quit. The study, funded by the National Institute for Health Research, involved 886 smokers and found that e-cigarette users were more likely to achieve abstinence and experience a reduction in smoking urges.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 30, 2019

Combined SPECT and cardiac MR imaging can help guide ventricular tachycardia ablation

Researchers found that combining iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) SPECT imaging with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) helps identify specific subsets of heart tissue more prone to arrhythmias. This approach enables physicians to achieve improved VT suppression and shorter procedure times.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJan 30, 2019

Highly sensitive method to detect potential cancer biomarker

A highly sensitive method for detecting cancer biomarkers in exosomes has been developed using molecular imprinting technology. The device, created by Kobe University researchers, can detect about 150 exosomes in 10 microliters and achieves unprecedented high-sensitivity detection of 6 picograms per milliliter.

SourceKobe University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 30, 2019

Measuring stress around cells

Researchers developed sensors to map cell-generated forces in 3D tissues, finding that small tensions can balance large compressive loads. This insight could help understand developmental processes and develop novel tissue-engineering strategies.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 30, 2019

ESA tipsheet for Jan. 31, 2019

The ESA releases new research on the Great Barrier Reef, where sharks are declining despite protected areas. The study suggests that illegal fishing is a major factor, while stricter regulations have led to fish population recovery in the Northeast Atlantic.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateJan 30, 2019

Two windows into the brain

Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found a correlation between increased blood flow and social deficits in ASD, suggesting a compensatory mechanism. They also discovered lower levels of healthy neurons were linked to higher brain activity.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJan 30, 2019