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Science News for May 20, 2019


Why are gels elastic?

A team of scientists discovered that the elasticity of gels arises from the packing of clusters of particles in the gels. The researchers used graph theory to identify the boundaries between these clusters, which act as rigid units within the gel, determining its elastic modulus.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 20, 2019

Studies: Benralizumab not effective reducing exacerbations in moderate to very severe COPD

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that benralizumab, an asthma drug, was ineffective in reducing exacerbations in patients with moderate to very severe COPD. The study involved over 3,000 patients and showed no significant decrease in COPD exacerbation rates among those receiving benralizumab.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 20, 2019

Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets and sea level rise

Researchers used structured expert judgment to estimate probability distributions for future sea level rise, yielding long upper tails and a small but meaningful chance of exceeding 2m by 2100. The results suggest coastal communities should consider the possibility of 21st-century SLR in excess of 2m when developing adaptation strategies.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 20, 2019

AJTMH tipsheet for May 2019

A California study reveals chronic Q fever cases may be more common than previously believed, with a higher case fatality rate than national averages. Meanwhile, a mass treatment campaign in Bolivia has effectively eliminated human fascioliasis, a parasitic worm disease once prevalent in up to 25% of the population.

SourceBurness·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateMay 20, 2019

Superconductor's magnetic persona unmasked

New experiments by US, Chinese and European physicists have found iron selenide's magnetic properties are highly anisotropic, like other iron superconductors. The material's structure and electronic behavior are surprisingly similar to those of other iron-based superconductors.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Materials·DateMay 20, 2019

SCAI releases multi-society endorsed consensus on the classification stages of cardiogenic shock

A new five-stage system defines cardiogenic shock based on narrative patient descriptions, physical findings, and biochemical/hemodynamic markers to facilitate rapid assessment and communication between providers. The consensus aims to standardize vocabulary, recognize risk for adverse outcomes, and inform interventions.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateMay 20, 2019

Resilience of Yellowstone's forests tested by unprecedented fire

A recent study found that Yellowstone's re-burned forests have a six-fold decline in lodgepole pine tree seedlings and lost significant carbon storage capacity after experiencing two consecutive fires within fewer than 30 years. The researchers estimate it would take over 150 years for the forest to recover its lost carbon.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 20, 2019

Circadian mechanism may not be driver behind compound linked to obesity and diabetes

A Penn Medicine study found that compound SR9009 can affect cell growth and metabolic function without the presence of protein REV-ERB, challenging previous understanding of its effects on obesity and diabetes. The research has significant implications for researchers and the general public.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 20, 2019

Size is everything

A new method has been developed to predict the vulnerability of ecosystems, focusing on predators' body mass and prey characteristics. The approach enables researchers to determine habitat structure and stability without comprehensive data on all organisms.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMay 20, 2019

Giving rural Indians what they want increases demand for cookstoves

A new study led by Duke University researchers found that adopting common business practices can increase the demand for improved cookstoves in rural India. The study showed a significant increase in adoption rates, with nearly half of households purchasing stoves in intervention areas compared to zero purchases in control villages.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 20, 2019

Hyperspectral camera captures wealth of data in an instant

Rice University's NASA-funded TuLIPSS project develops a portable spectrometer that can capture hyperspectral data instantly, unlike current systems that scan line-by-line. The device, called TuLIPSS, uses optical fibers to deliver image components to a detector and customize the balance of spectral and spatial data.

SourceRice University·JournalOptics Express·DateMay 20, 2019

Just released: Proceedings from inaugural Medical Summit on Firearm Injury Prevention

The proceedings from the inaugural Medical Summit on Firearm Injury Prevention identify a consensus-based approach to reduce injury, disability, and death from firearm violence. The article outlines a public health framework for addressing the crisis, including research, education, and targeted injury prevention initiatives.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateMay 20, 2019

Expert judgement provides better understanding of the effect of melting ice sheets

An international team of scientists used structured expert judgment to estimate plausible ranges for future sea level rise from melting ice sheets. Their findings suggest that coastal communities should not rule out the possibility of 21st-century SLR in excess of two metres when developing adaptation strategies.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 20, 2019

Synthesis of helical ladder polymers

Scientists have successfully synthesized helical ladder polymers using a novel electrophilic aromatic substitution method. The resulting molecules exhibit well-defined right-handed helical geometry and can be modified to create nanoscale architectures for various applications.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 20, 2019

Synthetic biologists hack bacterial sensors

Researchers have created a system that can systematically rewire two-component systems in bacteria, allowing them to identify the function of an unknown sensor. This technology has wide-ranging implications for medical diagnostics, pathogen study and environmental monitoring.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMay 20, 2019

Virulence factor of the influenza A virus mapped in real-time

The study found that acidic environments make the HA0 molecule flatter and more circular, inducing conformational changes. The researchers used high-speed atomic force microscopy to visualize the structure of HA0 in real-time, paving the way for developing therapeutic approaches against influenza A viruses.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects·DateMay 20, 2019

Mount Sinai discovers placental stem cells that can regenerate heart after heart attack

Researchers at Mount Sinai have discovered Cdx2 cells, a type of placental stem cell, that can regenerate healthy heart cells after heart attacks in animal models. These cells have the ability to target injury sites and avoid rejection by the host immune system, making them promising for regenerative therapy.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 20, 2019

New single vaccination approach to killer diseases

Scientists have developed a new single vaccination approach that simultaneously protects against both influenza and pneumococcal infections, overcoming the limitations of current vaccines. The approach combines vaccines targeting different components of the virus and bacteria, inducing enhanced cross-protective immunity.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature Microbiology·DateMay 20, 2019

The return of the wolves

The study explores how humans can coexist with wolves in Europe's fragmented landscapes. Scientists recommend protecting farm animals, strengthening ungulate populations, and influencing wolf behavior through deterrence measures. The research aims to provide a balanced view of wolves' ecological value and minimize conflicts.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalBiological Conservation·DateMay 20, 2019

Counter-intuitive climate change solution

A Stanford-led paper proposes converting methane into carbon dioxide as a climate change solution. The process could eliminate one-sixth of all causes of global warming and generate significant profits with a price on carbon emissions. Zeolite, a crystalline material, can act as a sponge to capture methane.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Sustainability·DateMay 20, 2019

Rocky mountain spotted fever risks examined

A comprehensive study in Mexicali, Mexico, found that half of the neighborhoods had diagnosed human cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, with some areas having almost one in 10 infected ticks. The study also gauged residents' knowledge and found that fewer than half used pesticides to prevent bites.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateMay 20, 2019

New Finnish study: Dietary cholesterol or egg consumption do not increase the risk of stroke

A new Finnish study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that dietary cholesterol and moderate egg consumption are not associated with an increased risk of stroke. The study, which followed 1,950 men for 21 years, also found no association between these factors and stroke risk in carriers of the APOE4 phenotype.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMay 20, 2019

People in higher social class have an exaggerated belief that they are better than others

Research by Peter Belmi, PhD, found that individuals from higher social classes exhibit exaggerated beliefs about their abilities and are misinterpreted as more competent due to overconfidence. This study suggests that social class shapes attitudes towards one's abilities and perpetuates class hierarchies.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateMay 20, 2019

Anxiety might be alleviated by regulating gut bacteria

A recent review of studies found that regulating intestinal microbiota through probiotics and non-probiotic interventions can effectively reduce anxiety symptoms in people. Probiotic supplements were only effective in about half of the studies, while non-probiotic interventions showed a 86% rate of effectiveness.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalGeneral Psychiatry·DateMay 20, 2019

The healing power of a smile: A link between oral care and substance abuse recovery

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that patients who received comprehensive oral care as part of their substance use disorder treatment had a significant increase in completing their treatment programs. The results show that participants who underwent FLOSS (Facilitating a Lifetime of Oral ...

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalThe Journal of the American Dental Association·DateMay 20, 2019

Novel technique reduces obstruction risk in heart valve replacement

Researchers developed a novel technique called LAMPOON to prevent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, a common complication of transcatheter mitral valve replacement. The study found that the new method increased treatment options for high-risk patients and achieved better survival rates compared to other methods.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMay 20, 2019