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Science News for November 25, 2019


The heat is on

An international team of scientists analyzed 3 million species records from 200 ecological communities worldwide to reveal the impact of ocean warming on fish communities. The study found that subtle changes in species movement in response to rising temperatures made a significant impact on the global picture.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Climate Change·DateNov 25, 2019

Cellular origins of pediatric brain tumors identified

A research team discovered that several types of highly aggressive and fatal pediatric brain tumors originate from stalled development of progenitor cells in the pons and forebrain. The cells' progress is arrested, and they transform into malignancies while retaining features of the original cells.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Genetics·DateNov 25, 2019

Prostate cancer: radiation therapy effective in patients with no further treatment options

A new radiation therapy regimen combining lutetium-177 and actinium-225 has been shown to stabilize tumour growth and improve survival rates for patients with late-stage prostate cancer. The study demonstrated significant reductions in side effects, including dry mouth, compared to previous radionuclide therapies.

SourceSaarland University·JournalEuropean Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·DateNov 25, 2019

Downstream signaling: Cilia release ectosomes to deliver important messages in the kidney

Researchers at MUSC found that primary cilia generate approximately 60% of small EVs produced by renal tubule cells, with manipulation of cilium length affecting EV production. The protein content of EVs varies depending on cilia length, suggesting a significant role for cilia in intercellular communication.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateNov 25, 2019

All the feels

Researchers found that people experiencing higher felt love had significantly higher levels of psychological well-being and extraversion personality scores. They also developed a method to analyze noisy data using Bayesian latent stochastic differential equations model.

SourcePenn State·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·DateNov 25, 2019

Are toddlers meeting screen-time guidelines?

A recent study found that most 2- and 3-year-old children fail to meet recommended daily screen time limits. Maternal screen time and home care were associated factors for non-compliance at younger ages, while only maternal screen time was significant at 3 years old.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateNov 25, 2019

How diversity of respiratory quinones affects microbial physiology

Researchers discovered a fear-greed tradeoff in bacteria that use ancient respiratory quinones for aerobic respiration, leading to oxidative stress and growth limitations. The study provides fundamental insights into microbial bioenergetics evolution and potential strategies for modulating bacterial growth and survival.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 25, 2019

Using artificial intelligence to analyze placentas

A team of researchers has developed an AI-powered system that can analyze placentas using computerized photographic image analysis, potentially improving health outcomes for mothers and babies. The system uses artificial intelligence to detect features linked to abnormalities and potential health risks.

Ammonia synthesis made easy with 2D catalyst

Rice University scientists create inorganic catalyst from molybdenum disulfide that mimics natural bacterial process to produce ammonia on demand under ambient conditions. The method uses electricity and can be used for small-scale production or even in space applications.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 25, 2019

Study reframes the history of LGBT mental health care

A study on the Eromin Center, one of the first LGBT counseling centers in the US, highlights the importance of clinical activism and community-based practice in providing support for LGBT people. The center's approach, which focused on self-acceptance and personal strengths, has had a lasting impact on the field of mental health care.

SourceCornell University·JournalAmerican Psychologist·DateNov 25, 2019

Planets around a black hole?

According to latest theories, planets could be formed even in harsh environments around a black hole, with tens of thousands of Earth-like planets possible within 10 light-years of a massive black hole. This finding opens up new possibilities for astronomy and challenges current understanding of planet formation.

A monkey's balancing act

A study reveals that endangered monkey species in national parks make calculated decisions to balance risks and rewards of sharing space with humans. The research highlights the negative impact of human food consumption on their physical health and the need for sustainable conservation programmes to save declining species.

SourceUniversity of Lincoln·JournalAnimal Conservation·DateNov 25, 2019

Reconstructing source of radioactive ruthenium

A study reconstructs the source of radioactive ruthenium detected over Europe in 2017, identifying the southern Ural Mountains in Russia and the Mayak Production Association facility as the likely source. The authors estimated that approximately 250 TBq of radioactivity was released, with most of it occurring on September 26, 2017.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 25, 2019

Forests face climate change tug of war

The study reveals that the winner of the climate tug of war between CO2 fertilization and heat stress depends on the ratio between the two. If forests can acclimate, they can tolerate a lower ratio, but if not, it's above 89 parts per million CO2 per degree C of warming. Other factors like forest fires, insect infestation, and exceptio...

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 25, 2019

Liquid-liquid transitions crystallize new ideas for molecular liquids

Researchers have discovered a significant coupling between crystallization and liquid-liquid transition (LLT) in molecular liquids, leading to drastic enhancements of crystal formation. This finding has implications for understanding and controlling crystallization in various fields, including materials science and disease research.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 25, 2019

New hospital tech disrupts doctors' and nurses' jobs, forces improvisation to ensure patient safety

The introduction of electronic patient records in a Saudi Arabian hospital led to changes in the division of labor between physicians and nursing staff. As a result, staff had to improvise their actions to ensure continued patient safety, often requiring complex renegotiations to re-establish professional boundaries.

SourceLancaster University·JournalJournal of Information Technology·DateNov 25, 2019

Paleoclimate of the Middle East

A study analyzing carbonate minerals in Soreq Cave, Israel, suggests the summer monsoon periodically impacted the region during the last interglacial period. The findings coincide with archaeological evidence of human migration out of Africa, implying paleoclimate may have influenced early human movement.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 25, 2019

Screen time patterns of kids

A study analyzed nearly 3,900 children's screen time use and its association with parental education levels and child sex. The findings highlight the importance of considering sociodemographic characteristics when examining screen time patterns.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateNov 25, 2019

Cellular origins of pediatric brain tumors identified

A research team identified that several types of highly aggressive pediatric brain tumors originate from stalled development of progenitor cells in the pons and forebrain. The findings represent a significant advance in understanding these diseases, which are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Genetics·DateNov 25, 2019

Air pollution linked to higher glaucoma risk

A new UCL-led study found that living in a more polluted area is associated with a greater likelihood of having glaucoma, a debilitating eye condition that can cause blindness. People in areas with high levels of fine particulate matter pollution were 6% more likely to report having glaucoma than those in less-polluted areas.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateNov 25, 2019

New discovery in C. difficile biology could lead to treatments for dangerous infections

A new study published in Nature Microbiology has discovered that epigenetic chemical modifications play a crucial role in the survival and spread of C. difficile bacteria. The research found that inhibiting these modifications can reduce bacterial populations by up to 100 times, paving the way for potential treatments for this deadly i...

Researchers reach milestone in quantum standardization

Cycle benchmarking provides a solution to compare the capabilities of quantum processors across different architectures and applications. Researchers have made significant progress in characterizing errors in quantum systems, paving the way for establishing universal standards for measuring quantum computer performance.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 25, 2019

Changes in oxygen concentrations in our ocean can disrupt fundamental biological cycles

Researchers found that a decline in ocean oxygen can break down feedback mechanisms controlling the marine nitrogen cycle, which is essential for all forms of life. The team used a data-constrained earth system model to show that extreme deoxygenation can lead to a collapse of the ocean's bioavailable nitrogen inventory.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 25, 2019

A missing link in haze formation

A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania has discovered a crucial link between alcohol molecules and haze formation. Alcohols like methanol reduce particle formation by consuming sulfur trioxide, converting it to more sticky compounds that promote growth.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 25, 2019

Hops compounds help with metabolic syndrome while reducing microbiome diversity

Researchers found that xanthohumol and its derivatives can decrease microbiome diversity while reducing inflammation and improving energy metabolism in laboratory animals with high-fat diets. The study suggests that hops compounds may help combat metabolic syndrome by altering bile acid metabolism and changing gut microbiota.

SourceOregon State University·JournalMolecular Nutrition & Food Research·DateNov 25, 2019

Using gene scissors to detect diseases

A team of scientists at the University of Freiburg has created a microfluidic chip that recognizes small RNA fragments, enabling faster and more precise disease diagnosis. The CRISPR biosensor can detect increased levels of miRNA in blood samples from patients with brain tumors.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 25, 2019