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Science News for October 17, 2019


How roots grow hair

A team of researchers has identified a key regulator of root hair growth in plants, revealing a new mechanism for controlling this process. The discovery, made using 'smoke detectors' from fire-following seeds, shows promise for improving crop yields and drought resistance.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateOct 17, 2019

How aerosols affect our climate

Researchers used a massive NASA dataset to develop a framework explaining the sensitivity of local temperatures to aerosols. The study found that the longwave effect of aerosols is more significant than previously thought, contributing to a smaller terrestrial diurnal temperature range.

SourceYale School of the Environment·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 17, 2019

A simpler way to make some medicines

Chemists at Ohio State University have discovered a new way to synthesize the most common molecule arrangement in medicine, which could make it easier and more efficient for drug makers to produce medicines. This breakthrough could lead to a reduction in waste and an improvement in the production process.

SourceOhio State University·JournalChem·DateOct 17, 2019

Researchers discover how left-right information is integrated to correct organ positioning

Scientists from CSIC-UMH have discovered a molecular mechanism that ensures the right equilibrium needed in left-right signaling cascade during development, leading to correct heart positioning. This mechanism involves a transient wave of small molecules called microRNAs that travel along the left-hand side of the embryo.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateOct 17, 2019

Study provides first evidence that fat accumulates in the lungs of overweight and obese people

A recent study published in the European Respiratory Journal has provided evidence that fatty tissue builds up in the airway walls of individuals who are overweight or obese. This accumulation alters the normal structure of the airways and leads to inflammation in the lungs, which may contribute to increased asthma symptoms.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateOct 17, 2019

Ants fight plant diseases

Aarhus University researchers have found that ants inhibit at least 14 different plant diseases through the secretion of antibiotics and pheromones. The discovery has sparked hope for new biological control agents in agriculture, which could be used to combat resistant plant diseases.

SourceAarhus University·JournalOikos·DateOct 17, 2019

Dementia and eating disorders: it is a problem of (semantic) memory

A recent study reveals that semantic memory deficits are involved in specific eating disorders in patients with dementia. The research found a correlation between the severity of these eating disorders and reduced performance on semantic memory tests, suggesting that these behaviors depend on the integrity of semantic memory. This brea...

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalJournal of Neuropsychology·DateOct 17, 2019

Mathematical modelling vital to tackling disease outbreaks

A new study by researchers at the University of Waterloo highlights the importance of mathematical modelling in tackling disease outbreaks. The study concludes that combining data from multiple medical and public health sources can provide more informative insights for public health planners, enabling effective intervention strategies.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalNature Microbiology·DateOct 17, 2019

Photosynthesis olympics: can the best wheat varieties be even better?

Researchers conducted a 'Photosynthesis Olympics' study to identify the most efficient wheat varieties, finding that top performers were up to 90% better than worst ones due to genetic differences. The results have significant implications for breeders and farmers, offering potential for improved yields with reduced inputs.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·DateOct 17, 2019

Scientists unwind mystery behind DNA replication

Researchers found that intrinsic mechanical properties of chromatin determine how fibers entwine during DNA replication, preventing tangles and ensuring proper segregation. The study highlights the importance of physical principles in biological processes and provides new insights into chromatin behavior.

SourceCornell University·JournalCell·DateOct 17, 2019

Online abortion medication demand highest in states with restrictive abortion policies

A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that US residents requesting online abortion medications cited difficulty accessing clinical care and personal preferences as reasons for their requests. The demand was highest in states with restrictive abortion policies, with Mississippi leading the way.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateOct 17, 2019

Aspirin use after biliary tract cancer diagnosis

Researchers found that aspirin use was associated with a lower risk of death among patients with biliary tract cancer, which includes gallbladder cancer. The observational study included nearly 3,000 patients and suggests that long-term aspirin use may be beneficial for these patients.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateOct 17, 2019

A new approach to tackle superbugs

A novel approach to tackle superbugs has been discovered using nanocapsules made of natural ingredients, which can prevent bacteria from attaching to stomach cells. The research aims to reduce antibiotic-resistant strains and is a potential preventative measure.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalACS Applied Bio Materials·DateOct 17, 2019

Mapping global biodiversity change

A recent study mapping global biodiversity change reveals varying rates of loss and gain in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The research found that some regions are recovering while others are experiencing significant declines, with changes occurring faster in marine than terrestrial assemblages.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience·DateOct 17, 2019

Collective behavior 480 million years ago

Researchers studied fossilized Moroccan Ampyx trilobites and found evidence of orderly lines during storms, suggesting ancient group behavior. This discovery implies that group behavior may have conferred an evolutionary advantage on early animals, allowing them to survive environmental stress.

SourceCNRS·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 17, 2019

Embryo's early development revealed in a dish

Bioscientists at Rice University have created a system to form all major cell types of ectoderm in a culture dish, allowing for the most comprehensive analysis yet of signaling pathways that drive patterning. The balance between two signaling pathways, BMP and Wnt, is critical, and cells can take more than one road to get there.

SourceRice University·JournalDevelopment·DateOct 17, 2019

Lessons from Ridgecrest

A comprehensive analysis of the Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence reveals a web-like network of interconnected faults, challenging standard models of large seismic events. The complexity of the rupture is only clear due to the combined data from orbiting radar satellites and ground-based seismometers.

Giving robots a faster grasp

Researchers at MIT have created an algorithm that significantly speeds up the planning process required for robots to adjust their grasp on objects. The new approach uses motion cones to efficiently calculate feasible pushes and reposition objects in less than a second, compared to traditional algorithms that take over 500 seconds.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalThe International Journal of Robotics Research·DateOct 17, 2019

The Lancet Haematology: First global estimates suggest around 100 million more blood units are needed in countries with low supplies each year

The global demand for blood transfusions exceeds the available supply by 30 million units annually, with the largest shortages found in lower-income countries. The estimated shortfall varies sharply between countries, with some requiring up to 75 times more blood than their supply can provide.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Haematology·DateOct 17, 2019

High-risk patients benefit from undergoing surgery at teaching hospitals

A new study published in Annals of Surgery found that high-risk patients who underwent general or vascular surgery at major teaching hospitals had significantly lower 30-day mortality rates (15.9% vs 18.2%) and reduced costs compared to non-teaching hospitals. Orthopedic surgery patients showed similar outcomes at both types of hospitals.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAnnals of Surgery·DateOct 17, 2019

How do ketogenic diets affect skin inflammation?

A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that ketogenic diets heavy in coconut oil and palm oils worsened psoriasiform-like skin inflammation in mice. In contrast, well-balanced ketogenic diets with long-chain triglycerides did not exacerbate skin inflammation.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateOct 17, 2019

Communicating uncertainty about climate change

A new Stanford study found that expressing uncertainty about climate change predictions increases public trust in scientists, but acknowledging unknown factors can undermine credibility. When climate scientists include best-case and worst-case scenarios, Americans are more trusting and accepting of their statements.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateOct 17, 2019