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Science News for June 20, 2019


High school seniors losing trust in law enforcement, justice system

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that high school seniors' confidence in law enforcement declined significantly between 2006 and 2017, while their faith in religious organizations and schools remained relatively stable. The researchers also discovered racial and ethnic disparities in trust, with black t...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateJun 20, 2019

Early-and-regular cannabis use by youth is associated with alteration in brain circuits that support cognitive control

A new study found that early and regular cannabis use by youth is associated with alterations in brain circuits that support cognitive control. Chronic cannabis use may lead to reduced activation in the frontostriatal circuits that govern cognitive control and conflict resolution.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJun 20, 2019

Spotting objects amid clutter

Researchers at MIT develop a new algorithm that can accurately pick out an object, such as a small animal, in a dense cloud of dots within seconds. The technique prunes away outliers quickly, even for increasingly dense clouds, making it suitable for applications like driverless cars and robotic assistants.

Cereal grains scientists fight hidden hunger with new approach

Biofortification, a process of developing micronutrient-dense staple crops through breeding and biotechnology, is being used to address global nutrition issues. Provitamin A-biofortified maize has been shown to be an effective source of vitamin A, while zinc-biofortified wheat varieties have reduced pneumonia and vomiting rates in youn...

SourceAACC International·JournalCereal Foods World·DateJun 20, 2019

Researchers find a mechanism to improve pancreatic islet transplantation in type 1 diabetes

Researchers from the University of Barcelona and IDIBAPS identified a molecular target, PTP1B phosphatase, that promotes the creation of new blood vessels in transplanted pancreatic islets. This study aims to improve the revascularization process, increasing the viability of cells and restoring regular sugar levels and glucose tolerance.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 20, 2019

Many elderly patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma benefit from targeted therapies

A new study found that elderly patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who received targeted therapies experienced improved overall survival rates compared to those treated with older, more toxic treatments. The study analyzed data from over 1,100 Medicare patients and showed a three-month survival advantage with targeted therapies.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 20, 2019

The gym proving too expensive or time consuming?

A new study found that a home-based high-intensity interval training (Home-HIT) programme is as effective as supervised, lab-based cycling or Government-recommended moderate intensity exercise for obese individuals. Home-HIT reduces barriers to exercise, such as time and cost, making it a more attainable exercise goal.

SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateJun 20, 2019

Retracing ancient routes to Australia

Researchers used sophisticated modelling to determine the likely routes travelled by Aboriginal people tens of thousands of years ago and the sizes of groups required for survival. The simulations indicate that at least 1300 people arrived in a single migration event or smaller waves, averaging 130 people every 70 years over 700 years.

SourceFlinders University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 20, 2019

Restrictive approach to blood cell transfusions safe for heart surgery patients

A restrictive approach to blood cell transfusions in heart surgery patients resulted in fewer transfusions without increasing the risk of acute kidney injury. The study found that reducing transfusions could prevent adverse effects and conserve the blood supply, while minimizing negative impacts on kidney health.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJun 20, 2019

Gold for silver: A chemical barter

Researchers study thiolate-protected gold-silver alloys, revealing intra-cluster and inter-cluster metal exchange that affects cluster stability and geometric structure. This understanding is crucial for harnessing novel physical and chemical properties of these clusters.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateJun 20, 2019

Nursing home care cost significantly outpaces general inflation and medical care prices

A recent study found that nursing home care costs are high and rising faster than other medical care and consumer prices. The study revealed significant price variation across states, with Texas having the least expensive out-of-pocket cost ($131 daily) and New York State having the most expensive ($334 daily).

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalMedical Care Research and Review·DateJun 20, 2019

Laser method promising for detecting trace chemicals in air

Researchers developed a mid-infrared picosecond laser-driven electron avalanche technique to detect electric charges and chemicals in air. They measured electron densities down to one part per quadrillion, equivalent to picking out one free electron from a million billion normal air molecules.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateJun 20, 2019

First results from ruminant genome project will inform agriculture, conservation and biomedicine

The Ruminant Genome Project has provided unprecedented insights into the genomics, evolution and adaptation of ruminants, a group with significant importance in agriculture, conservation and biomedical fields. The study revealed large declines in ruminant populations nearly 100,000 years ago, coinciding with human migration out of Africa.

'Robot blood' powers machines for lengthy tasks

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a system of circulating liquid, called "robot blood", to store energy and power robotic applications. This synthetic vascular system enables robots to perform sophisticated tasks for longer periods, increasing energy density while maintaining mobility.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateJun 20, 2019

Coincidence or master plan?

A team of scientists from Kiel University and Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology applied the neutral metaorganism theory to various model organisms. The study found that the predicted microbial community compositions matched experimental data for many organisms, suggesting a possible lesser role for selection in shaping micr...

SourceKiel University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJun 20, 2019

Post-Soviet food system changes led to greenhouse gas reductions

A new study found that post-Soviet changes in food systems resulted in a net emissions reduction of 7.61 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalents from 1991 to 2011. This decrease was mainly due to the decline in domestic livestock production and soil organic carbon sequestration on abandoned cropland, particularly in Russia and Kazakhstan.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJun 20, 2019

Slime travelers

A new UC Riverside-led research reveals that some of Earth's oldest animals could travel on their own to get food, settling a longstanding debate about the earliest animal communities. The team analyzed over 1,300 fossils of Dickinsonia, which moved like worms to consume microorganisms.

Scientists map toxic proteins linked to Alzheimer's

Researchers from McMaster University mapped a toxic protein linked to Alzheimer's disease, providing new insights into its behavior and interactions with neurons. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the structural features that differentiate toxic and non-toxic forms of amyloid beta.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalChemical Science·DateJun 20, 2019

Assembly of the human oral microbiome age 1 to 12

A study examining oral bacterial microbiome composition in children aged 1 to 12 found that species richness increased with age in both supragingival and subgingival plaque. The results suggest a common pattern of maturing microbial communities, becoming more complex with advancing age and including a stable core of major species.

Scientists make single-cell map to reprogram scar tissue into healthy heart cells

Researchers at UNC McAllister Heart Institute develop stable platform to reprogram human fibroblast cells into cardiomyocytes, creating high-resolution molecular roadmap. The approach identifies key genetic facilitators and signaling molecules driving cell fate development, offering new insights into human cardiac reprogramming.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJun 20, 2019

Vanilla makes milk beverages seem sweeter

Researchers at Penn State used vanilla to reduce sugar content in flavored milk, finding that participants perceived the beverage as significantly sweeter. The study aims to develop a reduced-sugar chocolate milk for the National School Lunch Program.

SourcePenn State·JournalFood Quality and Preference·DateJun 20, 2019

Spiders risk everything for love

A study published in Behavioural Processes found that wolf spider's display of courtship behavior can make them an easy target for birds. Females prioritize males with symmetrical tufts on their forelegs and robust leg fur, which indicate overall health and immune competence.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalBehavioural Processes·DateJun 20, 2019

Study: Phenols in cocoa bean shells may reverse obesity-related problems in mouse cells

Scientists at the University of Illinois found that three phenolic compounds in cocoa bean shells can repair damaged mitochondria, block inflammation, and restore insulin sensitivity in white fat cells. The study suggests that consuming these compounds could prevent mitochondrial dysfunction in adipose tissue.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalMolecular Nutrition & Food Research·DateJun 20, 2019

Bats' brains sync when they socialize

Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered synchronized brain activity in Egyptian fruit bats during social behaviors like grooming, fighting, or sniffing. The finding opens the door to future studies on how brains process social interactions and has potential implications for understanding diseases affecting social behavior.

B chromosome first -- mechanisms behind the drive of B chromosomes uncovered

Scientists from Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research identified a B chromosome-specific repeat and asymmetric spindle as key mechanisms behind the drive of B chromosomes. The study reveals that over 93% of B chromosomes accumulate in generative sperm nuclei, providing new insights into chromosome drive.

Pigs help scientists understand human brain

Researchers have used a new imaging method to analyze brain activity in live pigs, discovering that pig brains are better platforms for studying human neurological conditions. The study suggests a promising approach to determining biomarkers or brain signatures that lead to CTE diagnosis while patients are still alive.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalBrain Connectivity·DateJun 20, 2019

Researchers find link between exposure to world trade center dust and prostate cancer

A study by Mount Sinai researchers found that World Trade Center responders with prostate cancer exhibited chronic inflammation in their prostates, which may have contributed to their cancer. The researchers suggest that this link could lead to the development of anti-inflammatory therapies for similar cases.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalMolecular Cancer Research·DateJun 20, 2019

How bacteria kill host cells from the inside

Researchers found that extracellular pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa can enter host cells and induce cell lysis through the type III secretion system. The study reveals a new mechanism of bacterial killing in macrophages.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJun 20, 2019