Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for October 2, 2019


Spying on topology

Scientists have developed a new way to extract topological information from quantum materials using ultra-fast laser light, which can distinguish between trivial and topological insulators in a millionth of a billionth of a second. This method could lead to the development of optically-controlled electronics that process information te...

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 2, 2019

Antidepressant medications appear to be generally safe

A new study of 45 meta-analyses found that antidepressants are not associated with strong adverse health outcomes, and most reported effects were likely due to underlying psychiatric conditions. The study suggests that antidepressants are generally safe but cautionary measures should still be taken during treatment

SourceLinköping University·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateOct 2, 2019

Machine learning predicts behavior of biological circuits

Researchers at Duke University use machine learning to model complex biological circuits, achieving speeds of hours instead of years or months. By training a deep neural network on large datasets, they uncover patterns and interactions between variables that were previously impossible to discover.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 2, 2019

Understanding the genomic signature of coevolution

Researchers found that genetic diversity makes a striking comeback in the host population after resistance evolution, thanks to an interplay between selection and population growth. The study's findings suggest that eco-evolutionary feedback plays a key role in shaping molecular evolution during species interactions.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 2, 2019

Canadians told to stop taking aspirin to prevent first heart attack, stroke

New research warns Canadians against taking daily aspirin for primary prevention due to increased risk of major internal bleeding and potential increase in cancer deaths. Experts recommend alternative preventive measures such as smoking cessation, exercise, blood pressure tracking, and considering the Mediterranean diet.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalCanadian Family Physician·DateOct 2, 2019

A new scientific instrument for the nation

The University of Delaware will lead the development of a world-class neutron spin echo spectrometer, allowing scientists to detect molecular motion in various materials. The instrument will advance research in engineering, soft matter, and biological sciences, benefiting humanity through new medicines and technologies.

Inventing the world's strongest silver

Researchers create metal that is 42 percent stronger than previous record while maintaining electrical conductivity. The team's discovery combines nanocrystalline and nanotwinned structures to overcome traditional trade-offs between strength and conductivity.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Materials·DateOct 2, 2019

Leg amputees feel and use the prosthesis as a real limb

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a neuroprosthetic system that allows leg amputees to feel sensations from the prosthesis, giving them a sense of control and confidence while walking. The system involves tiny electrodes implanted in the nerve, allowing the brain to perceive the prosthesis as an extension of the body.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 2, 2019

Most kidney transplants between people with HIV have long-term success

Researchers found high rates of overall survival and kidney graft survival in recipients living with HIV who received kidney transplants from deceased donors with HIV. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that outcomes were comparable to those in a previous US study using kidneys from donors without HIV.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 2, 2019

Hovering closer to the secrets of hummingbird flight

A team of researchers is working on understanding the agility of hummingbirds to develop robotic systems that can mimic their complex escape maneuvers. By studying the aerodynamics, perception, motion planning, and control of hummingbird flight, the team hopes to create robots that can achieve high agility in fluid environments.

Asthma changes obesity rate in black female teens living in disadvantaged neighborhoods

Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans found that asthma status reversed the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and obesity in African American adolescent females. The study analyzed data from 129 participants and found that those with asthma were less likely to be obese compared to those without asthma.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalObesity Science & Practice·DateOct 2, 2019

Battling BPA with biofilms

The University of Pittsburgh researcher is using biofilms and electrodes to remove BPA from water, a common contaminant found in plastics. The project aims to create an effective method for degrading BPA, which has been linked to fertility problems and other health issues.

A study of educational sabotage

A study by domestic violence expert Rachel Voth Schrag explores the impact of educational sabotage on survivors, revealing tactics such as financial aid disruption, physical violence, and guilt induction. The research highlights the importance of addressing school sabotage to promote students' well-being and safety.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalViolence Against Women·DateOct 2, 2019

How opt-out organ donation could affect US waiting lists

A new study from the University of Michigan suggests that an opt-out organ donation policy could alleviate some of the burden on US waiting lists, but its impact would be marginal. The researchers found that such a policy could potentially translate to large gains in life years for thousands of patients awaiting organ transplantation.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 2, 2019

Two ancient migration events in the Andromeda Galaxy: Dynamical footprints uncovered by galactic archaeologists in galaxy next door

Astronomers have uncovered two historic events in the Andromeda Galaxy, with evidence suggesting major changes to its structure occurred a few billion years ago and much earlier. The findings provide insights into the evolution and formation of both the Andromeda Galaxy and our own Milky Way.

Seafood consumption during pregnancy may improve attention capacity in children

Eating a seafood-rich diet during early pregnancy is associated with better attention outcomes in children, according to the study. The researchers found that consuming fatty fish and lean fish had a positive effect on children's attention capacity, while canned tuna and shellfish were linked to lower scores.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateOct 2, 2019

How to make online recommendations work better

A new study in the Journal of Marketing finds that user-based framing outperforms item-based framing in online recommendations, providing customers with a sense of taste matching beyond product attributes. This approach increases click-through rates and can be adapted at little cost to maximize return on recommender systems.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateOct 2, 2019

Tracking the HI virus

A European research team has developed a method to track the HI virus's spread between living cells using superresolution STED fluorescence microscopy. The study reveals that the HIV pathogen creates a specific lipid environment for replication, providing a potential target for antiviral drugs.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 2, 2019

Planes and vehicles main culprits masking iconic natural sounds in peaceful national parks

Research found that vehicles and aircraft are the main culprits masking iconic natural sounds in peaceful national parks. The study analyzed nearly 47,000 hours of audio clips from 66 national parks, revealing that anthropogenic noise causes a ten-fold increase in natural background sound levels in over a third of parks.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateOct 2, 2019

Nuclear war between India and Pakistan would launch a global climate catastrophe

Researchers warn that a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan would release massive amounts of black carbon into the atmosphere, blocking out sunlight and cooling the planet by 2-5°C. This would lead to severe droughts, diminished plant growth, and potentially mass starvation, threatening global stability.

Cancer data provide insights into occurrence, overdiagnosis, and treatment advances

A 40-year epidemiological study found that cancer incidence and mortality rates often move in concert for certain cancers, such as lung cancer, indicating a desirable trend. However, other cancers like thyroid, kidney, and melanoma show rising incidence rates with stagnant mortality rates, suggesting overdiagnosis may be at play

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 2, 2019

Tunable optical chip paves way for new quantum devices

Scientists demonstrate a new type of quantum device using a silicon carbide photonic integrated chip that can be tunable, paving the way for next-generation quantum information processing devices. The approach overcomes some of the fragility drawbacks of previously reported SiC platforms.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateOct 2, 2019

ADHD and risk of giving birth as teenagers

A Swedish study of over 384,000 women found that those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had a higher likelihood of giving birth as teenagers. The research suggests that teenage girls with ADHD may face increased risk of early childbirth, highlighting the need for closer monitoring and support.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 2, 2019

Quantum vacuum: Less than zero energy

A research team investigated the possibility of negative energy in quantum physics, finding that while energy can be less than zero under certain conditions, it must be paid back. The study placed tight bounds on negative energy and connected it to quintessential properties of quantum mechanics.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 2, 2019

Going to sleep on your back in late pregnancy

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that sleeping on one's back during the third trimester of pregnancy may be associated with average lower birth weights. The study investigated this potential link and found a correlation between back sleepers and smaller newborns.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 2, 2019

Recommendations to prevent secondary fractures in adults 65+ with osteoporosis

A multistakeholder coalition has issued clinical recommendations to prevent secondary fractures in older adults with osteoporosis. The guidelines recommend increased communication with patients regarding fracture risk and mortality outcomes, as well as fracture risk reduction strategies.

SourceHebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateOct 2, 2019