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Science News for May 9, 2019


A new view of wintertime air pollution

A recent study found that targeting nitrogen oxides emitted by cars and power plants may increase harmful wintertime air pollution in the US West. Instead, limiting volatile organic compounds could be a more effective way to reduce particulate matter pollution.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 9, 2019

Are otters threatening amphibian populations?

Research in southern Italy found that otters eat 12% of their prey items, including 28 species, with increased predation in Alpine regions during winter and spring. This suggests a previously underestimated threat to small amphibian populations.

SourceWiley·JournalMammal Review·DateMay 9, 2019

Finnish researchers discover a new moth family

Researchers have discovered a new moth family, Ustyurtiidae, in Eurasia, revealing the existence of previously unknown species. The newly described family is a sibling group of the false burnet moth family Urodidae, and its members are well adapted to hot desert conditions.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalInsect Systematics & Evolution·DateMay 9, 2019

Scientists grow precursors for human pigment cells

Researchers at Kobe University successfully grew precursors for human pigment cells, providing a stable supply of melanocytes for research on melanoma and other pigment cell-related illnesses. These precursor cells can be used to study the causes of albinism, freckles, and melanoma.

SourceKobe University·JournalPigment Cell & Melanoma Research·DateMay 9, 2019

Plants and the art of microbial maintenance

A joint study reveals that plants utilize their root-derived chemicals to shape and maintain diverse microbial communities. The findings provide a gateway to engineering plant root microbiota in major crops, potentially leading to improved productivity and sustainability.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalScience·DateMay 9, 2019

The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology and The Lancet Respiratory Medicine: Whole body MRI may help to detect spread of cancers more quickly

New trials suggest whole body MRI can diagnose cancer stage more quickly and accurately than standard imaging for colorectal and non-small cell lung cancers. This reduces treatment decision time from an average of 13 days to 8 days, while costs are lowered by nearly a quarter in some cases.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·DateMay 9, 2019

Back to the sources of neural diversity

Swiss and Belgian researchers decipher the genetic programmes of neurons in the cerebral cortex to understand how specific cell types are generated. They found temporal patterns of gene expression that control the developmental scenario, which may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalScience·DateMay 9, 2019

Bullying linked to student's pain medication use

A school-based survey study in Iceland found that bullied students were more likely to use pain medications, despite controlling for pain levels. The study suggests that interventions aimed at reducing bullying may help reduce analgesic use in adolescents.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Paediatrica·DateMay 9, 2019

Substrate defects key to growth of 2D materials

Penn State researchers have discovered a way to control substrate defects to improve the quality of 2D materials, enabling wafer-scale growth. The new method uses hexagonal boron nitride as a surface to orient transition metal dichalcogenides in a preferred direction.

SourcePenn State·JournalACS Nano·DateMay 9, 2019

Study questions current regulations on light pollution and calls for paradigm shift

Researchers argue that Spain's current regulations on light pollution are inadequate and propose a change in approach to minimize the problem. Using white light instead of yellow light can provide significant energy savings while maintaining user safety, with potential benefits for environmental and economic aspects as well.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalLEUKOS The Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America·DateMay 9, 2019

A deep-dive into the impact of arthritis drugs on gene expression

A new computational framework has compared four rheumatoid arthritis medications' impact on biological pathways in mice, revealing previously unknown differences in gene expression. The study suggests that some treatments may affect non-arthritis-related genes, providing new insights into arthritis pathology mechanisms.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMay 9, 2019

Does sunscreen compromise vitamin D levels?

Researchers found that using high UVA protection factor sunscreen allows for better vitamin D synthesis due to increased UVB transmission. Despite concerns, optimal sunscreen use does not harm vitamin D production, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology·DateMay 9, 2019

Serotonin boosts neuronal powerplants protecting against stress

Serotonin enhances mitochondrial biogenesis, cellular respiration, and ATP production, reducing reactive oxygen species and stress damage in neurons. The study identifies serotonin as a potential therapeutic target for treating mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons, with implications for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 9, 2019

Specific identification of chronic lung disease in premature babies

A new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol has been developed to identify premature babies with chronic lung disease, allowing for earlier diagnosis and personalized treatment. The study, published in Thorax, reveals increased T2 and decreased T1 relaxation times in MRI data, indicating the presence of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Mathematical framework explores how the brain keeps a beat

A new model demonstrates how a network of neurons can act as a 'neuronal metronome' by accurately estimating time intervals between beats within tens of millisecond accuracy. This framework relies on rhythmic brain activity patterns known as gamma oscillations to keep track of time.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMay 9, 2019

Good genes

Researchers discovered that whales and elephants have evolved to beat cancer through unique genetic mechanisms. By studying the genomes of humpback whales and other cetaceans, scientists found evidence of faster-evolving parts of the genome that help these animals adapt to their environment.

SourceArizona State University·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateMay 9, 2019

Exploiting parasitic yeast to kill yeast pathogens

Researchers discovered a parasitic yeast species that can kill emerging multi-drug resistant yeast pathogen Candida auris. The study identified genes and proteins involved in the predatory behavior of Saccharomycopsis schoenii, which could lead to new biocontrol agents or novel antifungal agents.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMay 9, 2019

Biodiversity and carbon: perfect together

Researchers found positive correlations between biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration in ten of twelve landscapes, indicating a shared benefit. The study suggests that increasing biodiversity can also increase carbon storage, highlighting the interconnectedness of these two goals.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateMay 9, 2019

Diabetes linked to numerous cancers in large Chinese study

A large Chinese study found that type 2 diabetes is associated with an elevated risk of 11 types of cancer in men and 13 types of cancer in women. The study, which examined data from over 410,000 adults, revealed significant increases in cancer risk for both men and women with diabetes.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Diabetes·DateMay 9, 2019

Fooling nerve cells into acting normal

Researchers at the University of Missouri have made a groundbreaking discovery about how neurons function normally. By artificially augmenting the electrical signals of isolated neurons, they found that the cells can adjust to changes in their environment without significant harm. This finding could lead to new treatments for spinal co...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 9, 2019

The bird that came back from the dead

Scientists discovered two instances of flightless rail species colonizing Aldabra island, evolving independently after tens of thousands of years. The study provides the first evidence of iterative evolution in rails, revealing how a single species from Madagascar gave rise to two distinct species on the island.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateMay 9, 2019

Traces of Roman-era pollution stored in the ice of Mont Blanc

Researchers have found traces of Roman-era pollution in the ice of Mont Blanc, revealing significant atmospheric pollution from heavy metals. The study provides a record of atmospheric conditions in ancient Rome and sheds light on the impact of ancient emissions on the present-day environment in Europe.

SourceCNRS·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 9, 2019

Childhood maltreatment linked to e-cigarette use during young adulthood

A recent study published in The American Journal on Addictions found a significant link between childhood maltreatment and e-cigarette use during young adulthood. Childhood maltreatment was also associated with negative urgency, leading to impulsive behavior when distressed, which contributes to increased e-cigarette use.

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal on Addictions·DateMay 9, 2019

Gravitational forces in protoplanetary disks may push super-Earths close to their stars

Researchers at Penn State have found that gravitational forces within protoplanetary disks can cause super-Earths to migrate closer to their host star. This simulation shows that chaotic interactions among planets and the gas disk can lead to synchronized orbits, resulting in super-Earths being pushed towards the star.

SourcePenn State·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 9, 2019

New clues about how ancient galaxies lit up the universe

New observations using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope reveal that some of the earliest galaxies in the Universe were significantly brighter than anticipated. The excess light suggests that these galaxies released high amounts of ionising radiation, which may have played a key role in the Epoch of Reionisation.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 9, 2019

NIH trial tests long-acting HIV medication for people unable to stick to daily regimens

The LATITUDE study evaluates the effectiveness of a combination of two experimental injectable formulations of antiretroviral drugs in managing HIV infection. Volunteers will receive either conventional oral ART or long-acting injectable therapies, with the goal of achieving durable viral suppression and improved treatment adherence.

Location is everything for plant cell differentiation

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the location of proteins within a cell and the position of the cell itself play crucial roles in determining cell type. The study found that ATML1 protein accumulation is inhibited in internal cell layers, leading to epidermal cell differentiation. This post-transcriptional regulation enables plants to form a s...

SourceOsaka University·JournalDevelopment·DateMay 9, 2019

Inflammatory bowel disease during childhood linked to higher cancer rates and early death

A new study found that children with inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, have a higher risk of developing cancer and dying early compared to the general population. The study suggests that cancer surveillance and mental health assessment are crucial for young patients with these conditions.

SourceWiley·JournalAlimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics·DateMay 9, 2019

Fragmented turtles

Scientists studied the impact of fragmentation on Dahl's toad headed turtle populations in Colombia, finding restricted gene flow and genetic erosion. They recommend gene flow restoration via genetic rescue to counteract these threats and provide guidance for this strategy.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateMay 9, 2019

How the dengue virus replicates in infected cells

The dengue virus uses nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) to replicate in infected cells, with a key role in viral RNA replication and formation of the membranous replication organelle. A novel interaction between NS1 and NS4A-2K-4B is required for viral RNA replication but not for replication organelle formation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMay 9, 2019

New treatment could become first targeted therapy designed for 'untreatable' childhood brain cancer

Researchers have discovered a new type of drug that targets the genetic weakness in 'diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma', a devastating childhood brain cancer. The treatment also shows promise for patients with stone man syndrome, a rare genetic disease where muscles and ligaments turn to bone. Clinical trials are expected to begin in 2021.

SourceInstitute of Cancer Research·JournalCommunications Biology·DateMay 9, 2019