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Science News for January 7, 2019


Stem cell signal drives new bone building

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a cellular protein signal that drives both bone and fat formation in stem cells. Harnessing this signal, WISP-1, could help fractures heal faster, speed surgical recovery and prevent bone loss due to aging or injury.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 7, 2019

Suicide risk increases significantly following a cancer diagnosis

A new study published in CANCER found that suicide risk increases significantly in the first year following a cancer diagnosis, with the highest increase seen for pancreatic and lung cancers. The study's authors emphasize the importance of screening for suicide risk and providing social and emotional support to newly diagnosed patients.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateJan 7, 2019

A little squid sheds light on evolution with bacteria

A recent study sequenced the genome of the Hawaiian bobtail squid, revealing unique evolutionary footprints in symbiotic organs that house beneficial bacteria. The research provides clues about how these partnerships are maintained and lays the groundwork for furthering knowledge of human microbiome relationships.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2019

Intermittent fasting could improve obese women's health

A study published in Obesity found that obese women who followed a diet with intermittent fasting lost more weight and improved their health compared to those who only restricted their diet or fasted intermittently. This research suggests that intermittent fasting may be an effective approach for improving obesity-related health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalObesity·DateJan 7, 2019

Why people reject city trees

A study by University of Vermont researcher Christine Carmichael found that nearly 25% of eligible Detroit residents rejected the city's tree planting program due to negative past experiences with street trees. The opposition was primarily driven by concerns over maintenance responsibilities and lack of decision-making power. The resea...

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalSociety & Natural Resources·DateJan 7, 2019

How the brain decides whether to hold 'em or fold 'em

A Johns Hopkins study found that the brain's push-pull dynamic between hemispheres contributes to risk-taking behavior, with cumulative feelings from past bets influencing decisions. Researchers used stereoelectroencephalography to analyze neural signals and developed a mathematical equation to calculate each patient's bias.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2019

Racial differences in Alzheimer's disease unveiled

Researchers identified racial disparities in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and progression among African-American participants, who had lower levels of brain protein tau. This may lead to under-recognition of the disease in African-Americans, as they often have lower tau levels than Caucasians, according to a new study.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateJan 7, 2019

Risk-taking bias in the brain

Researchers discovered that individuals with epilepsy exhibit increased high-frequency brain activity in the right hemisphere when making risky bets and the left hemisphere when avoiding risks. The findings suggest a brain-based mechanism for risk-taking biases, which can be influenced by past behaviors.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2019

Scientists call for more diversity in genomic research

A University of Oxford study reveals that genomic research has been limited by a lack of diversity, with most subjects from the UK, US, and Iceland. The study analyzed nearly 4,000 scientific studies between 2005 and 2018, finding that ancestral diversity has stalled and non-white groups are under-represented.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJan 7, 2019

Scientists identify new fuel-delivery route for cells

Researchers at WashU Medicine have identified a protein responsible for transporting nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) into cells, where it can be used to produce energy. This finding has implications for understanding the process of aging and developing therapies to boost cellular energy levels.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Metabolism·DateJan 7, 2019

Senescent cell research moves into human trials

Researchers have conducted a safety and feasibility clinical trial on removing senescent cells from patients with pulmonary fibrosis, showing clinically meaningful improvement in physical function. The study used a drug to clear senescent cells and found benefits in gait speed, walking speed, chair rise test, and physical function tests.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalEBioMedicine·DateJan 7, 2019

Climate model uncertainties ripe to be squeezed

New evaluation tools and global climate models will enable a more complete comparison of models to ground-based and satellite measurements. This combination can significantly reduce uncertainties in key aspects of future climate change, according to a study published in Nature Climate Change.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 7, 2019

Insect biological control shields tropical forests

A study reveals that introducing a parasitic wasp to control the cassava mealybug can reduce crop losses, restore farm profitability, and slow deforestation. The approach provides a sustainable solution for tackling invasive species, promoting biodiversity conservation and profitable farming.

SourceCirad·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJan 7, 2019

Satellite images reveal global poverty

Researchers from Aarhus University have developed a method to map economic living conditions using high-resolution satellite data, capturing household-level information with 62% accuracy. This approach makes space-based monitoring a promising technology for effective poverty tracking and achieving the UN's sustainable development goals.

SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2019

Recent research suggests new therapeutic role for caffeine in neuropsychiatric disorders

Researchers suggest caffeine as a potential therapeutic tool for treating motivational symptoms of depression and cognitive impairments in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. A new study also proposes targeting the adenosine A1R-D1R heteromer to improve spinal cord injury outcomes.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Caffeine and Adenosine Research·DateJan 7, 2019

Whites struggle to tell real from fake smiles on black faces

Research by the American Psychological Association found that whites and non-black minorities have difficulty distinguishing genuine from fake smiles on black faces, which can lead to negative outcomes in interracial interactions. The study suggests that this bias may be related to reluctance to make eye contact with black faces.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJan 7, 2019

Socio-economic study looks at boosting Panama Canal reliability

A recent study by University of Wyoming researchers analyzed the feasibility of eco-friendly land management practices to improve Panama Canal water flow and reduce erosion. The research, published in PNAS, suggests that offering contracts to private farmers could increase dry-season water flow, but market supply and scalability are li...

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2019

The Lancet Child & Ado. Health: Caring for preterm babies in single family rooms may help prevent sepsis and improve exclusive breastfeeding

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that caring for preterm babies in single family rooms reduces the incidence of sepsis and improves exclusive breastfeeding rates compared to traditional open ward neonatal units. However, long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes were not significantly different between babies cared for in single...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·DateJan 7, 2019