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Science News for May 14, 2019


NEOMED receives $500,000 OhioMHAS grant

Northeast Ohio Medical University has received a $500,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to collaborate with other Ohio medical schools on developing a comprehensive curriculum for pain management and opioid use disorder treatment. The project aims to improve systems of prevention and treatment f...

Postpartum depression: For impoverished mothers of color, it takes a community

A University at Buffalo researcher emphasizes the importance of considering community realities and resources in treating postpartum depression among low-income mothers of color. The study's findings highlight the need for social workers to advocate for expanded services, including childcare, transportation, and access to healthcare.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalFamilies in Society The Journal of Contemporary Social Services·DateMay 14, 2019

New research identifies patterns of tree distribution in African savannas

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that tree distributions in African savannas follow distinct patterns, regardless of environmental factors. The research used LiDAR data to identify power law distributions that capture significant statistical correlations at large scales.

SourceArizona State University, Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2019

Symbionts as lifesavers

A recent study has found that endosymbionts in amoebae significantly influence the proliferation and spread of Legionella pneumophila. The researchers discovered that these bacteria weaken the infectivity of Legionella by competing for nutrients, ultimately leading to slower multiplication and reduced virulence.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalmBio·DateMay 14, 2019

Novel study discovers 'metabolic fingerprint' to help treat, diagnose and prevent cervical cancer

Researchers at the University of Arizona have discovered a 'metabolic fingerprint' that distinguishes patients with cervical cancer from healthy women. The study identified three compounds that distinguish cervical cancer patients from healthy women, showing promise for future diagnostics, interventions or therapies.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalEBioMedicine·DateMay 14, 2019

New theory of dissemination and implementation shifts direction of practice change

A new theory in dissemination and implementation science empowers primary care practices to discover and enact their own wisdom, shifting the source of change from outside-in to inside-out. The authors highlight three pioneer practices that developed innovative business models and clinical care approaches, achieving success without dis...

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 14, 2019

New method enables 'photographing' of enzymes

Scientists at the University of Bonn have developed a new method to study enzymes in action, allowing for the measurement of spatial positions and conformational changes. This breakthrough enables better understanding of biomolecules and potential insights into enzyme disorders.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·DateMay 14, 2019

Scientists develop ultrasensitive organic phototransistors based on novel hybrid-layered architecture

Researchers create high-performance organic phototransistors using a novel hybrid-layered architecture that combines charge-trapping effect and efficient carrier transport, enabling enhanced photodetection performance. The devices show excellent flexibility and reliability in photosensitive imaging systems.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMay 14, 2019

A step towards probabilistic computing

Scientists at the University of Konstanz have demonstrated how skyrmions can be used for probability-based computing. They successfully developed a material where skyrmions can form and exploited thermal diffusion to create a reshuffler, a crucial component for probabilistic computing.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 14, 2019

Online intervention reduces mothers' intentions to visit doctor for respiratory tract infection

An online intervention with real-time information on locally circulating viruses reduced mothers' intentions to visit the doctor for a respiratory tract infection. Participants in the intervention group had lower intentions than those in the control group, according to the study published in The Annals of Family Medicine.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 14, 2019

A new sensor for light, heat and touch

Researchers at Linköping University developed a sensor that combines pyroelectric and thermoelectric effects with nano-optical phenomena, enabling rapid and stable detection of temperature variations from warm objects or sunlight. The sensor is also pressure-sensitive and can distinguish between different materials.

SourceLinköping University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMay 14, 2019

A nerve cell serves as a 'single' for studies

Scientists at the University of Bonn and Amsterdam created a novel human nerve cell model consisting of a single nerve cell from pluripotent stem cells, providing highly standardized conditions for investigating nerve cell functions. The model was tested with various stimulation experiments and demonstrated highly reproducible data.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 14, 2019

Producing food whilst preserving biodiversity

Researchers at the University of Göttingen advocate coordinated approaches that combine nature conservation and agricultural production in sustainably managed landscapes. This approach enables the highest species diversity, promotes ecosystem services such as pollination and biological pest control, and benefits people.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalPeople and Nature·DateMay 14, 2019

Pelvic exercises may beat bedroom blues

A study by James Cook University found that pelvic floor exercises can effectively manage erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE) in men, with cure rates as high as 47% for ED and 83% for PE. Physiotherapists recommend non-invasive exercises to build strength and control.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalPhysiotherapy·DateMay 14, 2019

Study: Treats might mask animal intelligence

A new Johns Hopkins University study found that rewards can improve learning incrementally but mask the true knowledge animals have attained. The researchers trained mice, rats, and ferrets on various tasks with and without rewards, revealing a distinction between knowledge and performance.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 14, 2019

Five rules to tackle antibiotic resistance

A leading scientist proposes five rules to tackle antibiotic resistance, including protecting new drugs and using diverse antimicrobials. The World Health Organisation warns of a post-antibiotic era, and the study aims to provide a roadmap for integrated microbial management.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEvolutionary Applications·DateMay 14, 2019

Dead zones in circadian clocks

Researchers from Kanazawa University discovered that saturation of transcription or translation generates a dead zone in the circadian clock system, enabling it to remain insensitive to light signals during daytime. This finding highlights the fundamental properties of circadian clocks determined at the single-cell level.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMay 14, 2019

It's in the weeds: Herbicide linked to human liver disease

A recent study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found a significant association between glyphosate exposure and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in human subjects. The study, led by Paul J. Mills, PhD, examined urine samples from patients with NAFLD and healthy individuals, revealing higher levels of glypho...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateMay 14, 2019

Colonial policies can result in economic growth

A new study found that areas near historical Dutch sugar factories in 19th century Java are more developed today, with higher per-capita consumption and better schooling. The research suggests that the creation of a colonial manufacturing industry led to a more modern economy, with places near factories having more public infrastructure.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalThe Review of Economic Studies·DateMay 14, 2019

For-profit dialysis provider charges private insurers 4 times more than government payers

A new study has found that for-profit dialysis providers are charging private insurers up to four times more than government payers for the same treatment. DaVita alone controls 37% of the U.S. market and operates over 2,500 clinics, with annual financial statements revealing significantly higher prices paid by private insurers.

Reading the dark heart of chromosomes

Researchers use cutting-edge sequencing technology and microscopy to discover the sequences of all centromeres in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. They found that centromeres contain a high number of transposable elements, including retroelements, which may play a role in centromere function across species.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 14, 2019