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Science News for October 15, 2019


Investigating the full spectrum of suicide

A recent study published in Injury Prevention described a method for categorizing self-injury mortality, allowing closer examination of national trends in suicide and drug-related deaths. The study found that suicide is likely underreported for females due to less violent and less obvious methods.

SourceMcLean Hospital·JournalInjury Prevention·DateOct 15, 2019

New treatment combination could work against broader array of cancer cells, study finds

Researchers at University of Maryland School of Medicine identify new pathway to destroy cancer cells using PARP inhibitor and DNA methyltransferase inhibitor combination. The therapy has a synergistic effect when combined with radiation therapy, potentially expanding treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer patients.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 15, 2019

Heavier birth weight linked to childhood allergies

A systematic review of over 2.1 million allergy sufferers found that each kilogram increase in birth weight is associated with a 44% increase in the risk of food allergies and a 17% increase in the risk of eczema. However, increased birth weight has no influence on the risk of childhood hay fever.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateOct 15, 2019

The lunar cycle drives the nightjar's migration

Researchers found that the daily foraging activity of European nightjars more than doubles during moon-lit nights, leading to synchronized migrations about 10 days after full moons. This suggests that cyclic influences can synchronize pulses of migration.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 15, 2019

Researchers discover potential therapy to treat detrimental effects of marijuana

Researchers discovered a neurosteroid drug can correct behavioral problems and brain abnormalities caused by prenatal exposure to THC. This finding suggests a therapeutic approach for children born to mothers who used cannabis during pregnancy, highlighting the need for caution and guidance for pregnant women using cannabis.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 15, 2019

Rise in testosterone level boosts young women's running capacity

A clinical trial found that testosterone significantly increases young women's running capacity, with a notable impact on anaerobic performance and lean body mass. The study suggests that allowing female athletes with high testosterone levels to compete without hormone reduction could be fair.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateOct 15, 2019

Researchers describe a survival strategy in living corals which was only seen in fossil records

Researchers uncover a previously unknown survival mechanism in corals that allows them to recover from mass mortality episodes caused by heatwaves. This 'rejuvenation' process enables some polyps to survive extreme conditions and eventually form new colonies, providing new perspectives for the survival of Mediterranean reef corals.

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 15, 2019

Fire blankets can protect buildings from wildfires

Existing fire blanket technology can shield isolated buildings from short wildfire attacks, but technological improvements are required for severe fires and high-housing-density areas. Further research is necessary to develop more effective materials and deployment methods.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Mechanical Engineering·DateOct 15, 2019

The brain does not follow the head

Researchers found that human brains evolved independently of changes to the braincase, despite both being affected by bipedalism. The study used CT and MRI data to quantify spatial relationships between brain structures and cranial structures.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 15, 2019

Heron survey fishes out detail in ghostly galaxy outskirts

The HERON collaboration completes the largest survey of nearby galaxy haloes, finding that diameter correlates with galaxy brightness; vast haloes found in bright galaxies, also seen in smaller discs. The team's low-cost system reveals faint stars tracing dark matter structures, offering new insights into galaxy evolution.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 15, 2019

Creating miracles with polymeric fibers

A team of researchers from University College London has developed a new method for fabricating polymeric nanofibers and microfibers without the use of electric fields. The technique, called pressure gyration, produces thinner and more consistent fibers than traditional centrifugal spinning methods.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·DateOct 15, 2019

How status sticks to genes

Research on rhesus macaques reveals that past social status has a lasting impact on gene expression, with low-ranking females showing signs of 'molecular memory' even after improving their social standing. The study sheds light on how stressful experiences can shape long-term health outcomes.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 15, 2019

Receptor complexes on the assembly line

Researchers identified a step-by-step assembly process of AMPA receptors on the endoplasmic reticulum, critical for excitatory neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. The assembly line involves specific proteins and complexes, and its disturbance leads to severe brain dysfunction.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNeuron·DateOct 15, 2019

On the causes of regional haze

Researchers Xu Dahai and Chen Junming investigated the physical and chemical origin of secondary fine particles in haze. They defined atmospheric self-purification ability and established equations to analyze key factors forming secondary fine particles, revealing their macro mechanism and synergistic effect. The study provides a quant...

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Earth Sciences·DateOct 15, 2019

Taming the wild cheese fungus

Microbiologists discover that wild-type Penicillium molds can evolve rapidly into domesticated strains, such as Penicillium camemberti, used in cheese production. After just weeks of growth, the wild mold resembles its domesticated cousin, changing its metabolism and appearance

Making conservation 'contagious'

A study by University of Queensland researchers found that most conservation initiatives follow a slow-fast-slow model, where adoption is slow initially but grows quickly as early adopters connect with potential adopters. The research aims to help designers create initiatives that reach scale and have a lasting impact on biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Sustainability·DateOct 15, 2019

Genetics to feed the world

A recent study published in Nature Genetics explores the potential of genomic selection to boost wheat yields and quality. By analyzing genomic data from diverse environments, researchers found that this approach can predict disease resistance, grain quality, and climate resilience with varying degrees of accuracy. The findings provide...

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalNature Genetics·DateOct 15, 2019

Startled fish escape using several distinct neuronal circuits

Researchers identified a cluster of 38 neurons in the hindbrain that mediate delayed escape responses in zebrafish, characterized by flexible trajectories. This circuit may represent an evolutionarily ancient pathway for defensive responses to threats sensed via acoustic or vibrational cues.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 15, 2019

Pro-science vs anti-science debates

A recent survey reveals rich patterns in anthropologists' views on sensitive controversies, with disciplinary subfield, gender, and politics identified as key predictors. The study draws on social intuitionism to interpret the results, suggesting that shared moral intuitions may aid scholars in coming to consensus.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalCurrent Anthropology·DateOct 15, 2019

Physicists shed new light on how liquids behave with other materials

Physicists have made significant breakthroughs in understanding how liquids behave with other materials, including finding super-repellant substrates that can repel water. Their findings provide a comprehensive framework for tailoring material properties, which has important implications for various physical and biological systems.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 15, 2019

Weight-loss surgery cuts risk of birth defects

A Swedish study found that children born to women who underwent gastric bypass surgery had a lower risk of major birth defects, which could be attributed to improved blood sugar control and weight loss. The researchers recommend special antenatal care for bariatric surgery patients to ensure fetal health.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJAMA·DateOct 15, 2019

Being attractive helps, but it isn't everything

Research finds that physically attractive candidates can gain up to 11 percentage points in US House of Representatives elections and 3.8 percentage points in German Bundestag elections due to their appearance. However, competent appearance and likeability have a lesser impact on voter decisions.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalAmerican Politics Research·DateOct 15, 2019

Read to kids in Spanish; it'll help their English

A new study found that children with strong early reading skills in their native Spanish language performed better in reading English, even after controlling for English proficiency. This suggests that well-developed Spanish reading proficiency plays a greater role in English reading development than speaking English.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalChild Development·DateOct 15, 2019

The 7 types of sugar daddy relationships

A recent study by sociologist Maren Scull found seven types of sugar relationships in the US, including sugar prostitution, compensated dating, and pragmatic love. The research highlights genuine emotional connections and nuanced forms of companionship, challenging stereotypes and deviantizing these relationships.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Denver·JournalSociological Perspectives·DateOct 15, 2019

Searching for water

A team of researchers from the University of Delaware examined the age, origin, and sustainability of fossil aquifers in the Mega Aquifer System (MAS) in the Arabian Peninsula. They used a combination of geochemical analysis, satellite data, and field investigations to determine the quality and age of the water.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Hydrology·DateOct 15, 2019

New study debunks myth that only children are more narcissistic than kids with siblings

Researchers from Germany analyzed data from over 500 people and found that both only children and those with siblings hold similar views on narcissism. The study's findings suggest that growing up without siblings is not associated with increased narcissism, challenging a common stereotype.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateOct 15, 2019

Piranha fish swap old teeth for new simultaneously

Researchers at the University of Washington have confirmed that piranhas and pacus lose and regrow all teeth on one side of their face multiple times throughout their lives. This unique system allows them to distribute stress over their teeth, enabling efficient chewing and potentially justifying the loss of a full set of teeth.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalEvolutionary Ecology·DateOct 15, 2019

Synthetic cells make long-distance calls

Engineered E. coli bacteria using transcriptional circuits from Rice lab researchers can synchronize gene expression across large distances, enabling collective action in community settings. The discovery could lead to treatment of gut microbiome conditions and interaction with bioelectronics.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateOct 15, 2019

AAFP releases updated Feline Zoonoses Guidelines

The American Association of Feline Practitioners has released updated guidelines for feline zoonoses, which are preventable diseases transmitted from animals to humans. The guidelines aim to educate veterinary teams and cat owners about these risks and provide recommendations for prevention and treatment.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·DateOct 15, 2019

The giant geode of Pulpí

The Pulpí geode is an 11-meter hollow ovoid with crystal-paneled walls, formed from gypsum crystals up to 2 meters in size. The team studied the geology and geochemistry of the abandoned mine where the geode was found, revealing that the crystals formed at around 20 °C.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateOct 15, 2019

Artificial intelligence and farmer knowledge boost smallholder maize yields

A four-year study in Colombia's maize-growing region shows that combining farmers' knowledge with data on weather and soils can increase yields substantially. Machine learning algorithms helped develop site-specific guidelines for crop management, reducing fertilizer costs and stabilizing yields.

Mindfulness may reduce opioid cravings, study finds

A study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that combining mindfulness techniques with methadone therapy reduces opioid cravings and improves pain management. Researchers at Rutgers University discovered that mindfulness-based interventions can increase self-awareness, self-control over cravings, and emotional regulation.

SourceRutgers University·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateOct 15, 2019

E-cigarettes: 5 things to know

E-cigarette use among Canadian youth has increased significantly, with a threefold risk of starting cigarettes among nonsmokers aged 14-30 who try e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes are unregulated devices with unknown long-term health risks and potentially serious pulmonary effects.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 15, 2019

Increased risk of tularemia as the climate changes

Researchers at Stockholm University developed a method to predict impacts of climate change on tularemia outbreaks. The study shows that relatively small changes in climate and water conditions can sharply increase incidence of tularemia in humans.

SourceStockholm University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateOct 15, 2019

Targeting deeply held values crucial for inspiring pro-environmental behavior

A recent study suggests that targeting deeply held values is crucial for inspiring pro-environmental behavior. Researchers found that people with egalitarian values tend to care more about benefiting the environment, while those with hierarchical values prioritize authority and influence. The study's conclusions highlight the importanc...

Gene mutation in the chloride channel triggers rare high blood pressure syndrome

Researchers have discovered that a gene mutation in the chloride channel causes hyperaldosteronism, leading to abnormally high blood pressure and kidney damage. The study used a mouse model to investigate the pathological mechanisms of the disease, providing insights into the effects of an open chloride channel on aldosterone production.

Lost in combat?

Researchers uncovered a collection of 31 unusual objects, believed to be the personal belongings of a Bronze Age warrior who died on the battlefield 3,300 years ago. The discovery provides insights into the equipment and origins of the warriors, with evidence suggesting at least some were from southern Central Europe.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalAntiquity·DateOct 15, 2019

Heart attack registry to provide new insight into STEMI occurrence, treatment in India

A new study tracking STEMI patients in North India reveals lower rates of female representation among treated patients and significantly younger patient demographics. The registry aims to provide insights into risk factors, practice patterns, and prognosis to improve treatment outcomes for this underserved population.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalClinical Cardiology·DateOct 15, 2019