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Science News for May 6, 2019


Clinical trial concludes transcatheter aortic valve replacement can be considered for patients in all surgical risk classes

A clinical trial found that transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is equivalent or potentially preferable to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for low-risk surgical patients. TAVR showed strong post-procedure benefits, including reduced re-hospitalizations and improved quality of life metrics at 30 days.

Hopping bacteria

Bacteria use a hopping motion to move through tight spaces in the human intestine, improving medical and environmental technologies. Researchers at Princeton University developed a new model with improved accuracy, leveraging complex geometry simulations.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 6, 2019

When a tree falls in St. Louis, will the power go out?

Researchers mapped eight tree species in Forest Park using satellite imaging data and machine learning techniques. The data will help inform best practices for managing healthy green spaces and trimming programs to avoid power outages following storms. By analyzing tree health and species, experts can track growth rates and identify tr...

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalSensors·DateMay 6, 2019

The perils of a leader who is too extroverted

A new study suggests that overly extroverted leaders can come across as pushy or annoying, while a moderate amount of assertiveness and warmth may be more effective. However, prosocial motivation can help highly extroverted leaders receive better marks from their peers.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateMay 6, 2019

Radical desalination approach may disrupt the water industry

Researchers at Columbia University have developed a novel desalination approach called temperature swing solvent extraction (TSSE) for treating high-salinity brines. TSSE can efficiently remove salt and recover water, with the potential to transform the water industry by reducing energy consumption and costs.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateMay 6, 2019

New 3-foot-tall relative of Tyrannosaurus rex

A new, smaller relative of the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex has been discovered by Virginia Tech paleontologist Sterling Nesbitt. The newly named Suskityrannus hazelae stood 3 feet tall and weighed between 45-90 pounds, with a diet likely consisting of small animals. The fossil dates back 92 million years to the Cretaceous Period.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMay 6, 2019

Heart failure deaths rising in younger adults

Death rates due to heart failure are increasing among younger adults under 65, with black men under age 65 facing the largest increase in premature death. The study found that an estimated 6 million adults in the US have heart failure, which is the number one reason older adults are admitted to hospital.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMay 6, 2019

Public dread of nuclear power limits its use

A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that public fear of nuclear power leads to a 40% decrease in chosen nuclear generation. The team surveyed over 1,200 US respondents and showed some with the names of energy sources and others with risk information to disentangle the root causes of public opinion.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalEnergy Policy·DateMay 6, 2019

Genetic adaptation to climate change

A new approach to assessing species vulnerability considers genetic variation, reducing overestimation of extinction risk. The study found that bats can adapt to changing environments, allowing them to breed with populations in different climates.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2019

Men taking medications for enlarged prostate face delays in prostate cancer diagnosis

Research reveals men treated for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with 5-α-reductase inhibitors experienced a two-year delay in prostate cancer diagnosis and were twice as likely to have advanced disease. PSA suppression from these medications led to delays in diagnosis, potentially resulting in worsened clinical outcomes.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 6, 2019

A step closer to future 5G smartphones with the world's first Antenna-on-Display

Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed an innovative Antenna-on-Display (AoD) technology that embeds antennas within super-resolution displays. This technology eliminates the trade-off between ergonomics, esthetics, and technology in 5G smartphones, enabling the deployment of new concepts for 5G devices.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalIEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters·DateMay 6, 2019

Making a 'to do' list for trauma docs

A digital procedural checklist for trauma centers has been developed and implemented, supporting trauma teams without hindering performance. The checklist, which includes over 55 tasks, was designed through years of collaborative research and testing, and its use in real trauma settings showed positive results.

Vaccine design can dramatically improve cancer immunotherapies

Researchers at Northwestern University have designed spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) that stimulate powerful anti-cancer immune responses, completely eliminating tumors in 30% of animals and improving overall survival. The study's findings highlight the importance of chemical structure and three-dimensional presentation in vaccine design.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2019

Study reveals final fate of levitating Leidenfrost droplets

A team of researchers has detailed the final fate of levitating Leidenfrost droplets, finding that smaller drops escape and larger ones explode violently. The study's findings suggest that contaminants play a crucial role in determining the droplets' behavior, with minute quantities having significant effects on their lifetime.

SourceBrown University·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 6, 2019

UNH researchers discover new strain of canine distemper in wild animals in New Hampshire, Vermont

Researchers have identified a new strain of canine distemper virus in wild animals in New Hampshire and Vermont, which is highly contagious to domesticated dogs. The virus has been found in eight infected mammals, including gray foxes, raccoons, and skunks, and is significantly distinct from vaccine strains.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalJournal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation·DateMay 6, 2019

Low-cost intervention boosts undergraduate interest in computer science

A recent study found that an online growth mindset intervention increased interest in computer science among undergraduates, with no direct impact on performance. The intervention led to a positive, indirect effect on students' final grades, highlighting the value of fostering a growth mindset in computer science education.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateMay 6, 2019

Unexpectedly big wins improve two kinds of memory

Brown University researchers discovered that unexpectedly good outcomes enhance the memory of specific events, which may have implications for treating individuals with depression. The study found that participants were better at remembering specific images from rounds where they had a high likelihood of winning.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateMay 6, 2019

Bacteria causing infections can be detected more rapidly

A team of researchers at POSTECH has developed a fluorescent probe called BacGo that can detect Gram-positive bacteria precisely and promptly. The probe is more sensitive than the traditional Gram staining method, which has several limitations, including slow detection and limited selectivity against Gram-positive bacteria.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 6, 2019

Ash dieback is predicted to cost £15 billion in Britain

A new study predicts that Ash dieback will have a devastating impact on the UK's economy, with estimated costs of £15 billion over the next decade. The disease is expected to kill 95-99% of ash trees in Britain, leading to significant losses in ecosystem services such as water and air purification and carbon sequestration.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 6, 2019

Tip sheet: Studies on opioid-prescribing practices

Researchers found that certain surgeries, such as colorectal and cardiovascular surgeries, increase the likelihood of patients continuing to refill opioid prescriptions. Generalist nurse practitioners and physician assistants may also be overprescribing opioids, suggesting a need for education and better oversight.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe American Journal of Surgery·DateMay 6, 2019

Kinship and violence in Neolithic Poland

A genomic study of a mass grave in Neolithic Poland reveals an extended family structure, with mothers and children together, but older males absent. The analysis suggests that the massacre may have been linked to the expansion of Corded Ware groups, supporting the notion that violence was a common response to population pressure.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2019

Five things to know about physician suicide

Physician suicide is a serious issue with increased suicidal ideation beginning as early as medical school, nearly 1 in 4 students reporting suicidal thoughts within the last 12 months. Suicidal physicians face unique barriers to care due to confidentiality and stigmatization concerns from peers, employers, and licensing bodies.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMay 6, 2019

Secrets of the 'blue supergiant' revealed

Astronomers observed blue supergiants for the first time using data from NASA space telescopes, discovering wave patterns on their surface that reveal properties of these stars. The discoveries confirm two types of waves, providing new prospects for studying massive stars.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMay 6, 2019

Blue supergiant stars open doors to concert in space

Researchers discovered that almost all blue supergiants shimmer in brightness due to waves on their surface, enabling the study of their internal physics and chemistry. This breakthrough enables astronomers to probe the progenitors of supernovae from a novel perspective.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMay 6, 2019

Direct dispensing of naloxone by pharmacists can cut opioid overdose deaths, study finds

A new study from the RAND Corporation found that allowing pharmacists to dispense naloxone without a physician's prescription can sharply reduce fatal opioid-related overdoses. States that adopted laws enabling direct dispensing of naloxone by pharmacists saw a significant decrease in overdose deaths, with an average reduction of 27% d...

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 6, 2019

Filming how our immune system kills bacteria

Researchers use atomic force microscopy to track the formation of deadly holes in bacterial surfaces, discovering a bottleneck that prevents harm to human cells. The study provides insight into how the immune system kills bacteria and may guide the development of new therapies harnessing the immune system against bacterial infections.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 6, 2019

Bullying among adolescents hurts both the victims and the perpetrators

A new study reveals that bullying has a profound impact on both victims and perpetrators, leading to increased substance abuse and social issues. Research found that girls are more likely to internalize problems and exhibit psychosomatic complaints, while boys and girls are equally likely to engage in risk behaviors after being bullied.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalChildren and Youth Services Review·DateMay 6, 2019

Social media has limited effects on teenage life satisfaction

A large-scale Oxford Internet Institute study of UK teenagers found that social media use had limited effects on life satisfaction, with some bidirectional effects observed. The researchers used improved data and statistical approaches to test the relationship between social media use and life satisfaction, finding modest trends.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2019

Shipwrecks off NC coast harbor tropical migrants

A new study by Duke University scientists reveals that tropical and subtropical fish are taking up residence on shipwrecks and other sunken structures off the North Carolina coast. The artificial reefs created by these structures serve as stepping stones for fish moving northward in search of suitable habitat.

New class of catalysts for energy conversion

Researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum have discovered a new class of high entropy alloys suitable for electrocatalytic applications. These materials show potential in reducing energy losses and improving activity comparable to platinum catalysts in oxygen reduction reactions.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalACS Energy Letters·DateMay 6, 2019

Even more amphibians are endangered than we thought

Researchers used ecological and evolutionary attributes to model extinction risk for data-deficient amphibians, finding over 1,000 species threatened with extinction. Half of these species are likely Endangered or Critically Endangered, primarily in the Neotropics and Southeast Asia.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 6, 2019

Study: AI can detect depression in a child's speech

A machine learning algorithm can detect signs of anxiety and depression in young children's speech, potentially providing a fast and easy way to diagnose conditions that are difficult to spot. The algorithm is highly successful at diagnosing children with an internalizing disorder with 80% accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalIEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics·DateMay 6, 2019

Designed with women in mind

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are developing a novel repair device for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) designed specifically for the vagina. The device aims to improve treatment outcomes while minimizing complications, addressing issues that negatively impact women's quality of life.

Program involving community volunteers shows promise for reducing health care use by seniors

A new research study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that a community volunteer program can reduce healthcare usage among older adults and shift care from hospitals to primary care. The Health TAPESTRY program combines volunteers with electronic software to support optimal aging, leading to increased physica...

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMay 6, 2019

The fossilization process of the dinosaur remains

A multidisciplinary study reveals that most ornithopod dinosaurs were young individuals with similar internal structures to unfossilized bones, while ankylosaurs showed various traces associated with specific groups. The research also found evidence of rapid burial, microbial activity, and a wetland ecosystem supporting a diverse fauna.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalCretaceous Research·DateMay 6, 2019

Ancient ritual bundle contained multiple psychotropic plants

An international team of anthropologists discovered a ancient ritual bundle in southwestern Bolivia containing multiple psychoactive substances, including cocaine, DMT, and ayahuasca. The researchers believe the shaman who owned this pouch consumed multiple plants simultaneously to produce different effects or extend their hallucinations.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2019