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Science News for September 17, 2019


Study: Bigger cities boost 'social crimes'

A recent study found that certain types of crime, such as robbery and car theft, increase at a faster rate than the population in larger cities. In contrast, rape grows only linearly with city size. The researchers suggest that social interactions play a key role in the growth of these crimes.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalPhysical Review E·DateSep 17, 2019

Suicide risk factors vary by ethnic group

Researchers found that depression is not a significant predictor of suicide attempts among certain racial and ethnic groups, highlighting the need for tailored risk profiles. Protective factors like religiosity among black adults may also play a role in reducing suicidal thoughts.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalThe Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease·DateSep 17, 2019

UK study shows increasing proportion of younger adults with type 2 diabetes, with younger cases having a worse metabolic profile

A UK study found that the proportion of younger adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has increased since the start of the century. Younger cases have a more aggressive metabolic profile, including higher BMI, blood glucose levels, and cholesterol levels. This trend is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.

Peatlands trap CO2, even during droughts

Researchers found that two Sphagnum species in the Le Forbonnet peatland can survive extreme temperatures and droughts. This suggests that preserving peatlands is crucial for mitigating climate change.

SourceCNRS·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateSep 17, 2019

Did microbes assist life in colonizing land?

A comparative microbiome study has identified significant differences in the composition of microbial communities between aquatic and terrestrial organisms. The researchers suggest that microorganisms may have played a key role in the evolutionary transition from purely aquatic life to life on land.

SourceKiel University·JournalMicrobiome·DateSep 17, 2019

UM study abroad students fuel understanding of gaps in conservation data

A collaborative study between University of Montana and Universidad de Concepcion in Chile found substantial gaps in scientific information relevant to conservation planning for threatened and endangered terrestrial mammals. The research highlights the importance of developing strategic research agendas for at-risk species worldwide.

SourceThe University of Montana·JournalConservation Science and Practice·DateSep 17, 2019

A Matter of concentration

A team of scientists at the University of Freiburg has found that the concentration of Argonaute proteins plays a central role in regulating the balance between stem cells and differentiated cells in plants. This balance is crucial for plant development, growth, and adaptation to environmental changes.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalPlant Communications·DateSep 17, 2019

New hunt for dark matter

Researchers propose using gravitational-wave observatories to detect axions, which could be a type of dark matter. Axions are predicted to modulate light polarization and can be detected with existing laser-based experiments, offering a cost-effective solution to the hunt for dark matter.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 17, 2019

March of the multiple penguin genomes

The Penguin Genome Consortium has sequenced high-coverage penguin genome sequences, providing an unparalleled amount of information on the genomic landscape of all living penguin species. This study reveals key insights into the evolution of life on the ice and will help predict population trends under future climate change scenarios.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·DateSep 17, 2019

Programmable swarmbots make flexible biological tools

Biomedical engineers create biomanufacturing platform using bursting bacteria and shrinking capsules to produce targeted proteins, enabling flexible and efficient production of diverse biologics. The new technology simplifies the creation of protein complexes and offers an easy way to produce multiple proteins simultaneously.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateSep 17, 2019

Tortillas tell the story of folate deficiency in Mexico: study

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a significant proportion of Mexican women of childbearing age have inadequate folate intake. The study suggests that fortification of staple foods with folic acid has improved overall folate intake, but still leaves vulnerable populations at risk.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateSep 17, 2019

Electronic nose can sniff out which lung cancer patients will respond to immunotherapy

A new electronic nose can identify lung cancer patients who will respond to immunotherapy with 85% accuracy, outperforming the current gold standard of immunohistochemistry. The non-invasive test detects chemicals in patient breath and provides instant feedback, potentially avoiding ineffective treatment and side effects.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateSep 17, 2019

Raising the profile of lupus

A new two-year grant aims to improve outreach and care for people with lupus, focusing on historically black colleges and universities. The initiative includes educational outreach efforts, a patient navigator program to reduce hospital readmissions, and partnerships to increase understanding of health disparities among healthcare prov...

Research reveals the crucial role of recycling in the evolution of life in our universe

New research by astrophysicists at the University of Kent reveals how matter discarded as stars die is recycled to form new stars and planets. The study found that elements such as carbon and oxygen are transferred through a process of fragmentation, providing vital clues about the emergence of life in our universe.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 17, 2019

Feeling depressed? Mahjong might be the answer

A new study from the University of Georgia suggests that playing mahjong can reduce rates of depression among middle-aged and older adults in China. The study found that urban residents who played mahjong were less likely to feel depressed, while rural Chinese overall tended to report poor mental health.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateSep 17, 2019