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Science News for October 7, 2019


Medicare overpayments for graduate medical education could total $1.28 billion annually

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that Medicare overpaid hospitals by an estimated $1.28 billion annually for Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs. Capping GME payment rates could free up over $1 billion, potentially addressing doctor shortages and strengthening the physician workforce in underserved areas.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateOct 7, 2019

Ethiopian parents can't make up for effects of life shocks on children by spending more on education

New research from Lancaster University and Heriot-Watt University reveals that Ethiopian parents' attempts to level the playing field for disadvantaged children by investing more in education are ultimately ineffective. The study found that even with greater investments, low-ability outcomes persist later in childhood.

SourceLancaster University·JournalJournal of Population Economics·DateOct 7, 2019

Icaros: Flight simulator home trainer

Researchers at the German Sport University explored the effects of full-body exergaming in VR on cardiovascular system and strength endurance. Results showed that VR-based training had little to no cardiovascular benefit but created incentives for increased physical activity, motivating users to take up exercise.

SourceGerman Sport University·JournalJMIR Serious Games·DateOct 7, 2019

Early humans evolved in ecosystems unlike any found today

Researchers found that ancient plant and animal communities differed significantly from today's, with a greater diversity of megaherbivores and non-ruminant species. The study suggests that environmental changes driven by grassland expansion and arid climate pulses may have influenced human evolution.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 7, 2019

Violence linked to social isolation, hypervigilance and chronic health problems

Exposure to violence negatively impacts physical and psychosocial health in urban adults. Social isolation and loneliness are associated with limited physical activity, poor nutrition, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Chronic hypervigilance also linked to increased blood pressure, memory impairment, and anxiety disorders.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalHealth Affairs·DateOct 7, 2019

The benefits of updating agricultural drainage infrastructure

A new study from Iowa State University highlights the need to update agricultural drainage infrastructure, which can benefit crop production and the environment. The research recommends installing higher capacity pipes and implementing long-term conservation practices, such as denitrification wetlands, bioreactors, and saturated buffers.

SourceIowa State University·JournalNature Sustainability·DateOct 7, 2019

Young infants with fever may be more likely to develop infections

Researchers found that young infants with fevers are more likely to develop serious bacterial infections. Infants under eight weeks old have a doubled risk of developing such infections. Parents are encouraged to seek immediate medical attention if their child develops a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Emergency Medicine·DateOct 7, 2019

The story of thalidomide continues

A recent study reveals that thalidomide causes developmental abnormalities by inducing the breakdown of two types of p63 proteins, leading to limb defects and ear damage. The findings may contribute to the re-emergence of safe, non-teratogenic thalidomide-derived drugs as cancer and inflammatory disease treatments.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateOct 7, 2019

Costs of natural disasters are increasing at the high end

The economic cost of natural disasters has increased disproportionately for major events like hurricanes and tornadoes, while lesser events have seen less growth. Climate change is driving these increases, with the top 1% of damages estimated to rise by $26 million annually.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 7, 2019

New silk materials can wrinkle into detailed patterns, then unwrinkle to be 'reprinted'

Researchers at Tufts University have developed silk materials that can form highly detailed patterns in a matter of seconds, which can be erased and reformed using vapor, enabling reversible printing and thermal regulation. The technology has potential applications in optical electronic devices, biomedical materials, and smart textiles.

SourceTufts University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 7, 2019

Predicting terror activity before it happens

A new predictive model can forecast a terror organization's future violence after just 10 attacks, allowing security forces to identify and neutralize the most destructive groups. The model, developed by Northwestern University researchers, uses data from publicly available sources like the Global Terror Database.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 7, 2019

SUTD physicists unlock the mystery of thermionic emission in graphene

Researchers from SUTD discovered a new theory that describes thermionic emission in graphene, improving the accuracy of models used to design devices. The new approach overcomes limitations of existing Dirac cone approximation, enabling universal descriptions of graphene-based devices across different temperatures and energy regimes.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateOct 7, 2019

Story tips from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, October 2019

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have demonstrated that metal foam can enhance the evaporation process in thermal conversion systems, enabling the development of compact heating, ventilation and refrigeration units. The small-scale evaporator proved metal foam is well-suited for compact systems.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 7, 2019

The last mammoths died on a remote island

A team of researchers found that the last woolly mammoths on Wrangel Island survived for another 7,000 years without significant changes in their diet or environment. However, when they finally died out, it was due to extreme weather events and potentially human activity.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalQuaternary Science Reviews·DateOct 7, 2019

Another casualty of climate change? Recreational fishing

New research from North Carolina State University and Oregon State University predicts a decline in recreational fishing participation due to climate change, with temperature extremes having the greatest impact. The study forecasts a 2.6% decline by 2080 under stringent mitigation efforts, but warns of a 15% drop if no action is taken.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists·DateOct 7, 2019

Published studies may exaggerate the effect of burnout on quality of patient care

A systematic review suggests that published studies on burnout and patient care quality may exaggerate the magnitude of the effect. The review analyzed 145 study populations and found that many results were due to biases in measurement and analysis, leading to overestimation of the relationship between burnout and poor quality care.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 7, 2019

Antipsychotics linked to accumulation of hospital days in persons with Alzheimer's disease

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that people with Alzheimer's disease who used antipsychotic drugs accumulated more hospital days over a two-year period. The study, based on the MEDALZ cohort, found that antipsychotic initiators had approximately eleven more hospital days per person-year compared to non-initiators.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalJournal of the American Medical Directors Association·DateOct 7, 2019

Drops in income may not only hurt the wallet, they may harm the brain

A study published in Neurology found that young adults experiencing annual income drops of 25% or more are at risk of having thinking problems and reduced brain health in middle age. Participants with higher income volatility during peak earning years showed worse brain aging, including smaller total brain volume and reduced connectivity.

A timekeeper for siesta

The study reveals that the compound eyes of fruit flies play a crucial role in synchronizing their circadian clocks with light exposure. As daylight periods increase, the evening activity peak is delayed and the 'siesta' period is extended, highlighting the flexibility of the circadian clock mechanism.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 7, 2019

Treatment for 'low T' could someday come from a single skin cell, USC research shows

USC researchers have successfully grown human testosterone-producing cells in the lab, paving the way to treat low testosterone with personalized replacement cells. The breakthrough could potentially bypass side effects associated with current treatments, such as infertility and increased risk of prostate cancer.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 7, 2019

New study is 'chilling commentary' on future of antibiotics

A new analysis found that the current annual US sales of new antibiotics to treat carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is $101 million, significantly short of the needed $1 billion. This shortfall threatens the financial viability of new antibiotic development and may lead to reduced treatment options for patients. Researchers...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateOct 7, 2019

Picoscience and a plethora of new materials

Researchers at Yale University are developing new materials that can mimic neurons, compute with magnets, and calculate using quantum mechanics. The team used a precision measurement technique to create artificial crystals composed of elements from the periodic table.

SourceYale University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 7, 2019

Models designed to predict when and how the roads of Bizkaia will deteriorate

Heriberto Pérez's research developed deterioration models using International Roughness Index (IRI) and Coefficient of Transverse Friction (skid resistance), enabling predictions on road conditions after vehicle use. The models provide a strategic approach to optimize repair costs and improve pavement durability.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalProceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers·DateOct 7, 2019