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Science News for March 27, 2019


Cities under pressure

Researchers at Newcastle University found that balancing sustainability objectives is a complex challenge. The 'best case' scenario for London involves concentrating development in central areas to reduce flood risk, transport emissions, and urban sprawl, but this comes at the cost of exposing more people to extreme temperatures.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalCities·DateMar 27, 2019

Study shows arctic warming contributes to drought

A new study reveals that arctic warming contributes to drought in mid-latitude regions by reducing precipitation and weakening wind patterns. Researchers analyzed geological evidence from lakes and glaciers to estimate past dry conditions, finding that Wyoming experienced several thousand years of drought-like periods.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalNature·DateMar 27, 2019

Glowing tumors show scientists where cancer drugs are working

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new technique using PET scans to track the interaction between cancer drugs and tumor cells, providing valuable insights into how effective treatment is. This breakthrough could streamline cancer therapy by enabling doctors to tailor treatments, determine therapeutic doses, and avo...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 27, 2019

Eating small amounts of red and processed meats may increase risk of death

A new study found that consuming even small amounts of red meat may increase the risk of death from all causes, especially cardiovascular disease. The research, part of the Adventist Health Study-2, analyzed over 7,900 individuals and found a significant association between low intake of red and processed meats and higher risks of tota...

New medication gives mice bigger muscles

Researchers have developed a new group of medicinal products called IASPs that increase muscle and bone mass in mice. The treatment has shown promise in counteracting osteoporosis and improving muscle mass, but its effects on blood cells are still being studied.

SourceAarhus University·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateMar 27, 2019

Mount Kilimanjaro: Ecosystems in global change

A recent study on Mount Kilimanjaro reveals that land use and climate interactions significantly impact tropical mountain ecosystems, resulting in reduced biodiversity and altered ecological functions. The research found that different elevation zones exhibit varying levels of change, with the savanna zone being particularly vulnerable.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature·DateMar 27, 2019

3D printer threads electronic fibers onto fabrics

Scientists have developed a method to print electronic fibers onto fabrics using a 3D printer. The technique allows for the creation of flexible, wearable hybrid materials with unprecedented properties, enabling the integration of functions such as sensing and actuating into smart wearable systems.

SourceCell Press·JournalMatter·DateMar 27, 2019

GRAVITY instrument breaks new ground in exoplanet imaging

The GRAVITY instrument has made the first direct observation of an exoplanet, revealing a complex atmosphere with clouds of iron and silicates swirling in a planet-wide storm. This achievement showcases the unique possibilities for characterising many known exoplanets.

SourceESO·JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics·DateMar 27, 2019

Birds bug out over coffee

A University of Delaware study found that certain native tree species provide better food resources for insects and attract migratory birds to coffee farms. Shade-grown coffee farms can serve as habitat refuges for wildlife, improving farm productivity and biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalBiotropica·DateMar 27, 2019

Two novel pancreatic cancer cell lines with highly metastatic activity were established and analyzed

Researchers established two human pancreatic cancer cell sublines with high metastasis potential, MIA PaCa-2 In8 and Panc-1 In8, which demonstrated increased migration, invasion, and clonogenic abilities compared to their parental cells. The study also identified a dysregulated lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) net...

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateMar 27, 2019

Codifying the universal language of honey bees

Virginia Tech researchers Margaret Couvillon and Roger Schürch have decoded the universal language of honey bees, allowing scientists to interpret the insects' sophisticated communications. By deciphering waggle dances, they hope to better understand pollinators' preferred forages and food sources.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateMar 27, 2019

Physicists constrain dark matter

Researchers have constrained a theoretical model of dark matter particles using data from Earth-based radio telescopes. The study found that ultralight particles interact weakly with photons, making them hard to study, but also revealed a constraint on the available models describing dark matter composition.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics·DateMar 27, 2019

Signs of 1906 earthquake revealed in mapping of offshore northern San Andreas Fault

A new study published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America has revealed signs of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake in a high-resolution map of the offshore northern San Andreas Fault. The map shows two large zones of slope failure on the seafloor, indicating that the fault ruptured in multiple strands.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateMar 27, 2019

Solving a hairy forensic problem

Researchers developed a new method to distinguish between drug ingestion and external contamination of hair by analyzing single hairs from volunteers. The team found that splitting the hair lengthwise increased sensitivity for zolpidem detection, allowing them to separate ingestion from contamination.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateMar 27, 2019

Rivers raged on Mars late into its history

A new study by UChicago scientists found significant river runoff persisted on Mars later into its history than previously thought. The intense runoff, which was wider than those on Earth today, occurred at hundreds of locations and suggests a complex climate with strong greenhouse effects.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 27, 2019

Helping infants survive brain cancer

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys have created a mouse model of choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC), a challenging type of brain cancer that affects young children. The study identified three promising drug compounds with biological activity, including dinaciclib and flavopiridol.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalCancer Research·DateMar 27, 2019

The salt-craving neurons

Researchers at Caltech have identified specific neurons responsible for salt cravings in the mouse brain, which are triggered by oral sodium signals. These findings could potentially lead to new avenues for regulating sodium intake and mitigating health issues related to excessive salt consumption.

Harvesting water energy using slippery surfaces

Scientists have developed a new triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) called SLIPS-TENG, which can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy in harsh environments. The device uses a slippery lubricant-impregnated porous surface to address durability and biofilm coverage issues.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateMar 27, 2019

Biophysicists use machine learning to understand, predict dynamics of worm behavior

Researchers used an algorithm to model the decision-making of C. elegans in response to a sensory stimulus, achieving predictions that matched experimental results. The Sir Isaac platform demonstrated improved accuracy compared to prior models, offering insights into the potential of artificial intelligence in scientific discovery.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 27, 2019

Drexel study: Smartphone app detects diet cheat

A new smartphone app called OnTrack can predict when users are likely to lapse in their weight loss plan and send personalized coaching messages to help them stay on track. The study found that participants who used the app reported high levels of satisfaction and experienced a significant reduction in unplanned lapses.

Many NHS partnerships with drug companies are out of public sight

An investigation by The BMJ found that many NHS trusts are keeping secret details of their partnerships with drug companies, despite official guidance for transparency. Joint working arrangements between the NHS and industry have spent over £7.5m on projects such as ADHD medication reviews and age-related macular degeneration treatments.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMar 27, 2019

Fullerenes bridge conductive gap in organic photovoltaics

Scientists create novel polymeric material with fullerenes, boosting power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells by three-fold. The new interlayer material improves device stability and electrode performance, overcoming intrinsic problems related to combining hard and soft materials.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 27, 2019

Putting the science in science communication

Nadkarni's Ambassador Model training program empowers scientists to engage the public through meaningful connections, promoting shared values and community involvement. The program's effectiveness is demonstrated through high ambassador participation rates and increased interest in science among participants.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalBioScience·DateMar 27, 2019

Dissolving the gordian knot

A team of researchers has identified a 'druggable' mechanism for pathological tau protein aggregation, which could lead to new treatment options for devastating neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery focuses on the RASD2 gene and its potential as a target for farnesyl transferase inhibitors.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 27, 2019

Let's not make big waves

A team of researchers has successfully generated ultra-short spin waves in an astoundingly simple material, opening up new possibilities for the development of spintronics. The achievement uses a magnetic material shaped into circular disks to create spin waves with wavelengths as short as 80 nanometers.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 27, 2019

Simplified synthesis

A novel iron catalyst has been discovered to simplify and streamline organic chemical synthesis, reducing costs and waste. This breakthrough could have huge implications for industries such as pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Catalysis·DateMar 27, 2019

How nerve cells control misfolded proteins

A team of researchers has identified a protein complex called Lubac that marks misfolded proteins, stopping them from interacting with other proteins and directing them towards disposal. This discovery holds promise for the development of new therapeutic approaches to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateMar 27, 2019

Self-sustaining, bioengineered blood vessels could replace damaged vessels in patients

A team of researchers has developed self-sustaining, bioengineered blood vessels that can safely integrate into the native circulatory systems of patients. The vessels, currently being tested in phase 3 clinical trials, offer a promising alternative to replacing damaged vessels with those from human donors or animals.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 27, 2019