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Science News for June 5, 2019


No assumptions needed to simulate petroleum reservoirs

Researchers found that by making the right choices in modeling, temperature gradients can accurately predict pressure and composition changes without assumptions. The study developed an equation to express pressure gradient, which revealed special cases where residual entropy affects pressure gradients.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateJun 5, 2019

Telomere length unaffected by smoking

A new meta-analysis of 18 studies found that smoking does not accelerate telomere shortening, challenging the long-held assumption that smoking affects telomere length. Adult telomere length is now considered a static biomarker rather than a dynamic indicator of ageing.

Reducing opioid prescriptions after C-sections

A pain management protocol called Enhanced Recovery After Surgery has been shown to be effective in reducing opioid prescriptions after C-sections. The protocol involves a combination of long-acting opioids and non-narcotic medications to limit inpatient morphine use, resulting in shorter hospital stays and improved patient satisfaction.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateJun 5, 2019

Breathing in black carbon from polluted air linked to alterations in lung blood vessels

A new study has found that exposure to diesel pollutants can cause subtle changes in the lungs, making people more prone to developing chronic lung disease. The research, published in the European Respiratory Journal, found that breathing in black carbon from polluted air was associated with an increased volume of peripheral blood vess...

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateJun 5, 2019

Extending sleep may lower cardiometabolic risk

Extending sleep duration has been associated with improved insulin sensitivity and reduced appetite for sweet and salty foods. Higher total sleep time was linked to lower caloric intake from protein and decreased overall sugar consumption.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Sleep Research·DateJun 5, 2019

Honey bee colonies down by 16%

A global survey of 25,363 beekeepers found that honey bee colonies declined by 16%, with higher losses in some regions. Beekeepers who moved their colonies to access other forage or pollination faced fewer losses than those who kept them in the same place.

SourceUniversity of Strathclyde·JournalJournal of Apicultural Research·DateJun 5, 2019

Study compares different strategies for treating insomnia

The study found that individualized therapy approaches such as stimulus control and sleep restriction are effective in treating insomnia, while a combination approach was minimally effective. The research used a strategy focused solely on sleep education and hygiene, which showed minimal impact on symptoms.

SourceWiley·JournalWorldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing·DateJun 5, 2019

New polymer tackles PFAS pollution

A new polymer has been discovered that can effectively remove PFAS from water, reducing the risk of contamination in drinking water sources. The low-cost and environmentally friendly method uses waste cooking oil and powdered activated carbon to purify thousands of liters of water.

SourceFlinders University·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering·DateJun 5, 2019

Pioneering 3D printed device sets new record for efficiency

Researchers at Swansea University have developed a 3D printed thermoelectric device that converts heat into electric power with an efficiency factor of up to 1.7, significantly higher than the previous best for printed materials. The breakthrough could boost energy efficiency in industries with high temperatures, such as steelmaking.

SourceSwansea University·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateJun 5, 2019

Individuals who attempt suicide carry an increased genetic liability for depression, regardless of their psychiatric disorder

A genome-wide association study found that individuals who attempt suicide carry an increased genetic liability for depression, regardless of their underlying psychiatric disorder. The study analyzed the genomes of over 6,500 suicide attempters and 17,000 non-attempters with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJun 5, 2019

Verifying 'organic' foods

Scientists have developed a strategy to determine organic food authenticity by analyzing the metabolites generated within plants when pesticides break down. The technique involves identifying and screening the metabolites of seven common pesticides using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJun 5, 2019

Was Mona Lisa's smile a lie?

Researchers found Mona Lisa's smile was non-genuine due to its asymmetry, indicating a lack of happiness on the right side. The study suggests that Leonardo da Vinci may have deliberately included an asymmetric smile to convey hidden messages or emotions.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalCortex·DateJun 5, 2019

Economic downturns may affect children's mental health

A new Health Economics study found that U.S. children's mental health worsened as the economy weakened, with special education services for emotional problems rising. The effects were seen across sexes and ages, suggesting policy responses to poor economic conditions may have larger benefits than anticipated.

SourceWiley·JournalHealth Economics·DateJun 5, 2019

Does weight loss surgery help relieve acid reflux?

A new study published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics found that gastric bypass surgery improves acid reflux symptoms in most patients shortly after surgery. However, symptoms often return within 2 years, especially in women and older individuals with other medical problems.

SourceWiley·JournalAlimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics·DateJun 5, 2019

Foam-free methane storage promoter proposed

Researchers at Kazan Federal University developed a novel method for storing methane by accelerating hydrate formation under high pressure and low temperature. This process is more environmentally friendly, safer, and cheaper than traditional liquefied gas technology, making it an attractive solution for the petroleum industry.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalIndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research·DateJun 5, 2019

To fight TB infection, early protection is crucial

Researchers identified a master cell that coordinates the body's immune defenses in the first days after TB infection. Boosting this cell's activity could help prevent TB and reduce new infections. The findings suggest a new avenue for TB control and may aid development of more effective vaccines.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature·DateJun 5, 2019

Jam-packed: A novel microscopic approach to amorphous solids

A team of researchers at the University of Tokyo developed a new method for understanding amorphous solids using computer simulations. They focused on local mechanical properties and introduced a new order parameter called vibrability, which controls atomic vibrations in soft discs or spheres. This discovery may help design more effici...

US soldiers have worse heart health than civilians

A new study found that US soldiers have worse cardiovascular health compared to civilians of similar ages, particularly in blood pressure. The researchers, who analyzed data from over 263,000 active duty Army personnel and a representative civilian population, aimed to identify areas for improvement.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateJun 5, 2019

Details of first historically recorded plague pandemic revealed by ancient genomes

Researchers analyzed human remains from 21 archaeological sites to study the impact and evolution of Yersinia pestis during the first plague pandemic. They reconstructed 8 new genomes from Britain, Germany, France, and Spain, revealing a previously unknown level of diversity in Y. pestis strains.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 5, 2019

Populist Eurosceptics don't gain from terrorist attacks

A study by the University of Kent found that people in Germany became more positive towards the EU after a terrorist attack, despite no change in attitudes towards immigration or refugees. The researchers suggest further research is needed to understand the role of media and politicians' reactions on public responses.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalEuropean Journal of Political Research·DateJun 5, 2019

Visible public health leadership needed to boost vaccine coverage

Recent falls in vaccination rates and uptake of other preventative programs, such as bowel and breast cancer screenings, indicate a fragmentation of public health arrangements. Visible public health leadership is needed to address these weaknesses and prevent further deterioration.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateJun 5, 2019

Microorganisms on microplastics

Researchers found that eukaryotic microorganisms, such as dinoflagellates like Pfiesteria piscicida, thrive on microplastic particles, reaching densities 50 times higher than in surrounding water. This discovery highlights the potential for microplastics to transport microorganisms over long distances.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateJun 5, 2019

Is there a limit to human endurance? Science says yes

A new study found that humans can only burn calories at 2.5 times their resting metabolic rate before the body starts breaking down tissues to make up for the caloric deficit. This limit is linked to the digestive process and applies to various endurance activities, including marathons, ultra-marathons, and pregnancy.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 5, 2019

Estimating microplastic consumption

Researchers estimate that Americans consume between 74,000 to 113,000 microplastic particles annually, depending on age and sex. This analysis suggests significant exposure to microplastics through food consumption, especially bottled water versus tap water.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJun 5, 2019

The bacteria building your baby

A recent study found that nearly all newborns had bacteria in their first poop, contradicting the long-held assumption of a sterile womb. The researchers collected amniotic fluid samples from 50 healthy women undergoing planned caesarean deliveries and discovered bacterial DNA in almost all viable samples.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateJun 5, 2019

As hot as the sun's interior

Researchers at Friedrich Schiller University Jena have successfully created plasma using nanowires and long-wavelength ultrashort pulse lasers. The new method achieves higher temperatures than previously thought possible in a laboratory setting, opening up new avenues for studying plasma and its properties.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalPhysical Review X·DateJun 5, 2019

Stopping Parkinson's disease before it starts

A research team from Osaka University has developed a novel gene therapy approach that targets α-synuclein, a protein associated with Parkinson's disease. By using amido-bridged nucleic acid-modified antisense oligonucleotides, the treatment effectively decreases α-synuclein production and reduces disease severity in mice models.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 5, 2019