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Science News for May 13, 2019


How viable is your liver after you die?

Researchers studied 16 donated livers and found significant impacts of race and gender on hepatocyte yield and viability. The findings suggest expanding liver selection criteria for improved therapeutics development and bioengineering applications.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalTECHNOLOGY·DateMay 13, 2019

Skoltech researchers developed new perovskite-inspired semiconductors for electronic devices

Researchers at Skoltech have developed new perovskite-inspired semiconductors with enhanced light-conversion efficiency of over 24% for solar cells. The materials overcome toxicity and stability issues by introducing bismuth and antimony halides, exhibiting record-high performance in solar cells.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateMay 13, 2019

Rare instance of ammonite preserved in amber

A rare marine ammonite shell, identified as a juvenile from the Late Albian to Early Cenomanian age of the Cretaceous Period, is preserved in Burmese amber. The discovery suggests that the amber was formed on a beach with resin-producing trees close enough to the water to capture both terrestrial insects and remains of marine organisms.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 13, 2019

Human gut microbiome physiology can now be studied in vitro using Organ Chip technology

Researchers have developed an 'anaerobic Intestine Chip' that stably maintains a complex human microbiome and provides a protective physiological barrier. This breakthrough technology allows for direct investigations of health and disease-related human-microbiome interactions under low oxygen conditions.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateMay 13, 2019

Collagen fibres grow like a sunflower

Researchers at Universite Paris-sud studied how collagen fibrils form complex tissues. They found that the fibers grow in a unique, parabolic profile, with a constant diameter throughout growth, similar to a sunflower's florets.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateMay 13, 2019

The Lancet: Preventative antibiotics after assisted childbirth almost halve maternal infection rate and reduce overall antibiotic use

A new study found that giving all women a single dose of preventative antibiotics after childbirth involving forceps or vacuum extraction could prevent almost half of maternal infections. The trial, involving 3,420 women, suggests that this simple intervention could reduce antibiotic use by 17% and save the NHS £52.60 per woman.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 13, 2019

Families with a higher socioeconomic position have a greater risk of exposure to chemicals

A new European study found that families with a higher socioeconomic position are at a greater risk of exposure to environmental chemical contaminants. Pregnant women and their children from more affluent backgrounds had higher levels of pollutants such as PFAS, mercury, and pesticides in their bodies.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalInternational Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health·DateMay 13, 2019

New study finds people are using Twitter to bridge political divides

A new study on Twitter conversations about President Trump found that people are engaging in rich and engaging discussions to bridge political divides. The study revealed that participants tend to engage with those who have different beliefs and backgrounds, and that pleasant conversations are more likely to receive positive replies.

SourceSAGE·JournalSAGE Open·DateMay 13, 2019

Turning off growth to make flowers grow

A new study reveals that the transcription factor KNUCKLES plays a crucial role in terminating floral stem cell activity by initiating epigenetic events. This process involves the suppression of WUSCHEL gene expression, leading to the recruitment of Polycomb Group complexes and the formation of repressive H3K27me3 marks on chromatin.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateMay 13, 2019

Common food additive found to affect gut microbiota

A new study found that titanium dioxide nanoparticles, used in over 900 food products, can affect the gut microbiota and potentially trigger diseases like inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer. The research suggests that better regulation of E171 consumption is needed to ensure safe use.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·DateMay 13, 2019

Catch a virus by its tail

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have uncovered a critical mechanism that enables segmented RNA viruses to replicate and survive. The discovery provides new potential targets for the development of antiviral drugs, which could help combat emerging and fatal viruses such as Lassa fever and Rift Valley fever.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 13, 2019

Flu virus' best friend: Low humidity

Researchers at Yale University have identified low humidity as a key factor in increasing flu virus transmission and severity. The study found that low humidity impairs the immune response, preventing cilia from removing viral particles and reducing airway cells' ability to repair damage.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 13, 2019

Underwater power generation

Researchers have designed a new power generator that uses Prussian blue to extract electricity from seawater. The system can switch between two modes of operation, providing both long-term steady power and high power density for tasks such as underwater device operation.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 13, 2019

Bone cells suppress cancer metastases

Researchers discovered a type of bone cell that can subdue cancer cells, slowing their growth in breast cancer patients. Osteoblasts release factors that halt cancer cell growth, restoring production of the cell-cycle checkpoint protein p21 and putting cancer cells to sleep.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalBreast Cancer Research·DateMay 13, 2019

Parents unknown

A study published by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute has identified eight potentially new species of phoronid larvae, a type of horseshoe worm found in Panama's two oceans. The larvae were collected from plankton samples and analyzed using DNA sequencing to distinguish between different species.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalInvertebrate Biology·DateMay 13, 2019

Brain researchers seek 'fingerprints' of severe mental diseases

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that large-scale systems in the brain interact with each other in distinct ways for different psychiatric conditions. The researchers used brain network connectivity data from over 1,000 individuals to identify correlations between brain networks and symptom...

SourceMcLean Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 13, 2019

Keeping Chicago's families healthy

The University of Illinois Chicago will launch a program using community health workers, social workers, and doulas to improve health outcomes for pregnant women and their children in historically underserved neighborhoods. Maternal mortality rates are disproportionately high among black women, prompting the initiative.

New research accurately predicts Australian wheat yield months before harvest

A new study published in Agricultural and Forest Meteorology successfully predicts Australian wheat yield two months before the crop matures using a combination of climate and satellite data. The researchers achieved an accuracy rate of approximately 75% in their predictions, outperforming traditional statistical methods.

Bladder drug and atherosclerosis

Researchers found that mirabegron increases cholesterol synthesis in mouse models of atherosclerosis, leading to accelerated plaque growth and increased cardiovascular risk. The changes were linked to thermogenic fat breakdown induced by mirabegron treatment, raising concerns for patients with LDL receptor mutations.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 13, 2019

Bladder drug linked to atherosclerosis in mice

Researchers found that mirabegron accelerates atheroclerosis in mice by activating brown fat, potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke in humans. The study suggests patients with cardiovascular disease or mutations affecting LDL removal should exercise caution when using this drug.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 13, 2019

BU finds screenings for social determinants of health need to be tailored to clinics

A Boston University School of Medicine study found significant variation in social determinant screening practices among community health centers. Researchers suggest tailoring these processes and involving staff and providers in implementation decisions can help overcome issues with time, workflow, and knowledge.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalThe Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine·DateMay 13, 2019

The moon is quaking as it shrinks

Researchers found that at least eight moonquakes were likely caused by tectonic activity along thrust faults, not asteroid impacts or internal moon movements. The team suggests the moon may be shrinking today and still experiencing quakes

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMay 13, 2019

Cost-effectiveness analysis of 12 cervical cancer screenings

A cost-effectiveness analysis of 12 cervical cancer screening strategies incorporates women's preferences to estimate quality of life and economic outcomes. The study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of different screening methods, considering their potential impact on health and finances.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 13, 2019

Green energy nudges come with a hidden cost

A recent study from Carnegie Mellon University finds that simple green energy nudges can decrease support for more effective climate change policies, such as a carbon tax. The researchers found that when participants were also offered a nudge, their support for the tax declined significantly.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMay 13, 2019

Virus screening in kidney transplant recipients

Researchers used VirScan to detect antibodies against viruses in kidney transplant recipients and found results concordant with conventional viral screening. Antibody responses remained largely unchanged one year after transplantation, suggesting a safe and reproducible approach to monitor post-transplant viral infections.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 13, 2019