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Science News for June 27, 2019


Rethink environmental regulations in Africa, study urges

A new Illinois study finds that Western environmental systems and regulations in Africa are not working as intended, leading to conflict between small-scale miners and multinational corporations. The researchers argue that domestic-level 'translators' have become part of the global system of governance, leading to a lack of translation...

Goat milk formula could benefit infant gut health: Study

A laboratory study by RMIT University found that goat milk formula contains naturally occurring oligosaccharides with prebiotic and anti-infection properties. These compounds promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibit harmful bacteria in the gut, which could protect infants against gastrointestinal infections.

SourceRMIT University·JournalBritish Journal Of Nutrition·DateJun 27, 2019

Reducing overtesting in the emergency department could save millions

A new study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine highlights the potential for emergency departments to reduce low-value imaging tests and associated costs. By analyzing data from a statewide quality network, researchers estimate that implementing benchmark standards could avoid $3.8 million in annual spending on unnecessary care.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJun 27, 2019

People's motivations bias how they gather information

A new study suggests people stop gathering evidence earlier when it supports their desired conclusion than when it opposes it. This bias is driven by a tendency to weight favorable evidence more heavily than opposing evidence, leading individuals to prematurely conclude in favor of their preconceived notion.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 27, 2019

Lightning bolt underwater

Scientists at Ruhr-University Bochum created underwater plasmas using optical spectroscopy and modelling, producing extreme conditions that briefly surpass the sun's temperature. The resulting plasma breaks down water molecules into their components, releasing oxygen crucial for regenerating catalytic surfaces.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPlasma Sources Science and Technology·DateJun 27, 2019

Researchers grow active mini-brain-networks

Scientists have created functional neural networks derived from cerebral organoids, which can mimic the development of the human brain. The study provides a new tool for understanding brain function and may lead to breakthroughs in drug discovery, modeling neuropsychiatric disorders, and regenerative medicine.

SourceCell Press·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateJun 27, 2019

Helping select the cells with the most potential

Osaka University researchers discovered a key regulatory mechanism in the development of normal pluripotent embryonic cells using the Hippo pathway. They found that TEAD and YAP proteins support pluripotency in blastocysts by activating cell competition, leading to elimination of low-potential cells.

SourceOsaka University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJun 27, 2019

Astronomers make history in a split second

In a world first, an Australian-led team of astronomers has determined the exact location of a powerful one-off burst of cosmic radio waves using CSIRO's ASKAP radio telescope in Western Australia. The galaxy from which the burst originated was imaged by three of the world's largest optical telescopes and published in the journal Science.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalScience·DateJun 27, 2019

LGBTQ Asian-Americans seen as more 'American'

A new University of Washington study examines how racial stereotypes influence perceptions of LGBTQ individuals. The research found that gay Asian Americans were seen as significantly more American than their straight counterparts, with some studies suggesting this is due to a perceived 'American' identity tied to sexual orientation.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateJun 27, 2019

Some crocs of the past were plant eaters

Researchers found ancient crocodile relatives had complex teeth indicating herbivory, appearing three to six times in the dataset. The findings suggest a veggie diet arose at least three times and possibly six times in the distant cousins of modern crocodiles shortly after mass extinctions.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 27, 2019

Risk prediction model may help determine if a lung nodule will progress to cancer

A new risk prediction model using clinical and radiological features can stratify individuals with lung nodules as having high or low risk of developing lung cancer. The model, which combines variables such as age, smoking history, and nodule characteristics, showed a sensitivity and specificity of 73% and 81%, respectively.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Prevention Research·DateJun 27, 2019

Growing embryonic tissues on a chip

Scientists have developed a method to grow human embryonic stem cells in culture, mimicking the dynamic range of morphogen concentrations that tell stem cells what type of specialized cell and tissue to become. This breakthrough has potential applications in regenerative medicine, drug testing, and understanding developmental biology.

UI researchers validate optimum composites structure created with additive manufacturing

A team of researchers successfully validated an optimized composite material structure created using additive manufacturing, resulting in a stiffer and stronger material. The structure features a curved deposition line pattern, which was found to be the most optimal for achieving maximum stiffness and strength.

Computational tool predicts how gut microbiome changes over time

A new computational modeling method, MTV-LMM, predicts how the gut microbiome will change over time by analyzing snapshots of microbes found in a person's gut. This could lead to better diagnosis and treatment of diseases, as well as insights into other types of temporal microbiome processes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 27, 2019

New AI tool captures top players' strategies in RNA video game

A new AI tool called EternaBrain uses a neural network approach to predict the choices of top players in an internet-based videogame. The researchers discovered that EternaBrain outperforms random guessing and performs similarly or better than previously developed algorithms.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 27, 2019

FEFU scientists likely found way to grow new teeth for patients

Researchers at Far Eastern Federal University have discovered chromophobe cells that contribute to human tooth development. The findings provide a basis for developing bioengineering therapies in dentistry and gastroenterology, potentially leading to more effective treatments with longer-lasting implants.

SourceFar Eastern Federal University·JournalInternational Journal of Applied and Fundamental Research (Международный журнал прикладных и фундаментальных исследований)·DateJun 27, 2019

Researchers criticize study calling for expansion of genetic testing for breast cancer

A recent study calling for expanded genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer has been criticized by researchers at the University of Cambridge. The criticism highlights methodological flaws in the study and potential conflicts of interest among its authors, leading to concerns about the accuracy and practicality of such tests.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 27, 2019

The Lancet Global Health: Mexico City Policy linked to 40% increase in abortions in sub-Saharan African countries reliant on US foreign aid

The Mexico City Policy is associated with a 40% increase in abortions and a decrease in modern contraceptive use among women in sub-Saharan Africa. The policy's restriction on funding to abortion-giving organizations likely contributed to the rise in abortions, as it reduced access to modern contraception.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateJun 27, 2019

How inhaled fungal spores cause fatal meningitis

A study published in PLOS Pathogens found that pathogenic fungal spores can escape the lung and infect the brain, causing fatal disease. The research sheds light on how Cryptococcus, a common human fungal pathogen, causes meningitis.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJun 27, 2019

Some extinct crocs were vegetarians

Researchers have discovered that multiple ancient groups of crocodyliforms were not the carnivores they are known for, but rather plant-eaters. The study found evidence of herbivory in extinct relatives of modern crocodiles up to six times, suggesting a wide range of dietary ecologies.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 27, 2019

Solar energy could turn the Belt and Road Initiative green

Researchers found that the region covered by the Belt and Road Initiative has significant solar energy potential, capable of meeting up to 41 times current electricity demand. The study suggests a possible solution to reduce BRI countries' need for fossil fuels, achieving emission reduction goals set by the Paris Agreement.

SourceCell Press·JournalJoule·DateJun 27, 2019

Children living in countryside outperform children living in metropolitan area in motor skills

Finnish children from rural areas demonstrated better motor skills and spent more time outdoors than their urban counterparts. Participation in organized sports also supported motor development. The Skilled Kids study highlights the importance of environmental factors on childhood motor skills.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJun 27, 2019