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Science News for June 12, 2019


Monkeys face climate change extinction threat

A new study finds that New World monkeys are highly vulnerable to climate change, with many species facing substantial temperature increases and habitat changes over the next 30 years. The research suggests urgent action is needed to mitigate the effects of climate change on primate populations.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJun 12, 2019

Discovery of field-induced pair density wave state in high temperature superconductors

The discovery of a field-induced pair density wave state in high temperature superconductors provides new insights into the mechanism behind enigmatic high temperature superconductivity. The study reveals modulations in electronic states with multiple signatures of a pair density wave state, which competes with superconductivity.

The benefits of being different

Researchers discovered six distinct color morphs of the Asiatic golden cat in Northeast India, showcasing unique adaptations to varying habitats and prey. The phenomenon may provide insights into the species' resilience to climate change and habitat degradation.

SourceZoological Society of London·JournalEcology·DateJun 12, 2019

High-density of alcohol outlets and advertising affect youth drinking

A comprehensive alcohol policy can help curb adolescent alcohol use in Tanzania, where high-density outlets and advertising contribute to rising youth drinking. The study suggests that restricting outlet density, enforcing minimum drinking age laws, and using economic policies like taxation can reduce access to alcohol among adolescents.

The Wikipedia gender gap

A recent University of Washington study found that women and non-binary editors face harassment, doxxing, and death threats on Wikipedia. To create safe spaces, these individuals use sophisticated tactics for managing online identities and boundaries.

Evolutionary discovery to rewrite textbooks

A team of researchers at the University of Queensland has challenged the long-held theory that multi-celled animals evolved from a single-celled ancestor resembling a modern sponge cell. Using new technology, they found that the first multicellular animals were more like a collection of convertible cells, contradicting years of tradition.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature·DateJun 12, 2019

Braces won't always bring happiness

A recent study from the University of Adelaide found that having braces does not necessarily lead to increased happiness or psychosocial outcomes in later life. In fact, people who did not receive orthodontic treatment were significantly more optimistic than those who had braces treatment.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalOrthodontics and Craniofacial Research·DateJun 12, 2019

Breathing new life into dye-sensitized solar cells

Researchers at Kyoto University have made significant advancements in dye-sensitized solar cells by introducing a new molecular dye that enhances power conversion efficiency to 10.7%, surpassing previous records. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the field of sustainable energy.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 12, 2019

New study shows legacy of DDT to lake ecosystems

A new study reveals that DDT persists in remote lakes at concerning levels half a century after its ban, impacting key aquatic species and potentially entire lake food webs. The study found high levels of DDT in modern sediments, similar to those found in previously sprayed areas of Canada and the U.S.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJun 12, 2019

Climate change benefits for giant petrels

A new study finds that climate change will benefit giant petrels with warmer weather and improved foraging conditions, allowing them to dominate access to carrion on land and travel less at sea. However, females may be harmed by increased longline fishing, which could impair their survival.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateJun 12, 2019

A homing beacon for chemotherapy drugs

Scientists have created a hydrogel that attracts chemotherapy drugs to tumors in mice, reducing side effects caused by the drugs acting on healthy cells. The approach uses cucurbituril to target therapies to a tumor, resulting in improved treatment outcomes and reduced toxicity.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science·DateJun 12, 2019

Construction kit for custom-designed products

Researchers at Goethe University have developed a novel method for producing new peptide drugs, using fragments of natural NRPS systems as building blocks. The approach enables the easy production of peptides in excellent yield, with applications for modifying clinically relevant drugs and producing peptide libraries.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Chemistry·DateJun 12, 2019

The short life of Must Farm

Archaeologists from the Cambridge Archaeological Unit present a definitive timeframe for Must Farm's occupation and destruction in Antiquity. The site, located in Cambridgeshire, England, features remarkably preserved Late Bronze Age structures, including stilted houses and logboats, which provide insight into daily life 3,000 years ago.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalAntiquity·DateJun 12, 2019

Study supports glucocorticoid tapering in patients achieving disease control on tocilizumab

A randomized controlled trial demonstrated that approximately two-thirds of patients achieving disease control on tocilizumab experience successful treatment outcomes following glucocorticoid tapering. Most patients in both groups achieved treatment success, with a small loss of disease control observed at the total study population le...

How the cell protects itself

Human cells use a mechanism to protect genetic transcripts from spliceosomes, preventing damage that can lead to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The researchers found that the snRNA of spliceosomes migrates into the cytoplasm in human cells, unlike in yeast, where it remains in the nucleus.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 12, 2019

Identifying colorectal cancer subtypes could lead to improved treatment decisions

Researchers found that identifying a patient's Consensus Molecular Subtype (CMS) could help oncologists determine the most effective course of treatment. CMS categorizes colorectal cancer into four distinct subgroups based on tumor mutations, and each subgroup is associated with different treatment outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 12, 2019

Gemini Planet Imager analyzes 300 stars

The Gemini Planet Imager survey discovered six planets and three brown dwarfs orbiting 300 stars, offering new insights into the formation of Jupiter-like planets and their distribution around high-mass stars. The findings suggest that wide-orbiting giant planets are more common around high mass stars, but rare around sun-like stars.

Table salt compound spotted on Europa

Researchers spot sodium chloride on the icy moon Europa, potentially indicating a hydrothermally active ocean floor and making it a geologically interesting planetary body. The discovery was made using visible light spectral analysis, which revealed distinct absorption patterns in the visible spectrum.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 12, 2019

Body composition shown to affect energy spent standing versus sitting

Researchers found that young adults burned significantly more kilocalories per minute while standing than sitting or lying, with no significant association between energy expenditure and body composition. Increasing standing time is a simple way to boost energy expenditure, lending support to efforts to counteract sedentary lifestyles.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 12, 2019

Honeybee mite raises bumblebee virus risk

A study by the University of Exeter found that Varroa destructor mites indirectly increase infection rates among wild bumblebees by spreading deformed wing virus (DWV) through honeybee colonies. This highlights the need for beekeepers to treat their affected colonies.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEcology Letters·DateJun 12, 2019

Physics at the edge

Researchers have successfully created a graphene-based topological insulator, which enables the creation of low-dissipation ballistic electrical circuits. This breakthrough builds upon previous work and overcomes challenges related to spin-orbit coupling, a key component necessary for topological insulators.

Mathematical tools to study tumors

The study analyzed images of biopsy samples from patients with neuroblastoma and used Graph Theory to describe the organization of vitronectin fibrils. The results suggest that the degree of organisation correlates with tumour aggressiveness, potentially allowing for patient classification before treatment.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalJournal of Cancer·DateJun 12, 2019

HIB vaccine linked with better health, cognition, and schooling outcomes in Indian children

Researchers found that Hib-vaccinated children had higher HAZ scores, English and math test scores, and schooling attainment compared to unvaccinated children. The study suggests that Hib vaccination prior to age six is associated with improved long-term health, cognition, and schooling outcomes among Indian children.

SourceCenter for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy·JournalAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences·DateJun 12, 2019