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Science News for February 10, 2020


Review of evidence finds excessive smartphone, social media use may be linked to youth mental health

A new review in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests an association between excessive smartphone and social media use and mental distress among adolescents. The authors provide guidance for physicians, parents, and teachers on how to help teens achieve a healthy balance between device use and other aspects of their lives.

'Women my age tend to drink -- it's normal'

Research found that middle-aged and young-old women tend to consume alcohol at levels exceeding low-risk guidelines. They prioritize appearing respectable and in control over the quantity of alcohol consumed. Health advice needs to acknowledge that women may socially construct their drinking practices to focus on non-biomedical impacts.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalSociology of Health & Illness·DateFeb 10, 2020

New repair mechanism for DNA breaks

Researchers at the University of Seville have identified new factors necessary for repairing chromosomal breaks that can cause cell death. The discovery involves proteins modifying histones, which are essential for chromosome structure and cohesion.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2020

New world map of fish genetic diversity

A global distribution map of fish genetic diversity has been created, revealing uneven distribution across marine and freshwater species. Temperature plays a key role in shaping genetic diversity among marine fish, while habitat complexity and changes over time are crucial for freshwater species.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2020

Tropical cyclones: How they contribute to better forecast in the Maritime Continent

A new study reveals that tropical cyclones can create drying effects in the Maritime Continent due to induced zonal wind anomalies. Observational data shows that these events decrease precipitations in the region not directly affected by typhoons, highlighting their role in regional climate patterns.

SourceCMCC Foundation - Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2020

Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy connected to elevated risk of ADHD

A study found a significant association between low maternal vitamin D levels during early to mid-pregnancy and an increased risk of diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The research used the Finnish Maternity Cohort, which included 1,067 children with ADHD and their matched controls.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateFeb 10, 2020

Acid-loving microbe can improve understanding of past climate

Researchers from Dartmouth College used an acid-loving microbe to improve the accuracy of past climate records by studying its response to food and energy availability. The findings suggest that factors other than temperature can influence the membranes of single-celled archaea, adding complexity to paleoclimate studies.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateFeb 10, 2020

DNA-like material could bring even smaller transistors

Researchers have discovered a new material that could lead to the creation of even smaller transistors, enabling faster computing and lower power consumption. The material, shaped like a one-dimensional DNA helix, is made from tellurium and can be encapsulated in nanotubes to build functional transistors.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature Electronics·DateFeb 10, 2020

Observing proteins in their natural environment

Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum successfully detect protein structures in Escherichia coli bacteria using EPR spectroscopy and nanobodies. They can measure distances between proteins within native membranes, opening up new possibilities for studying membrane protein dynamics and functions.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2020

APS tip sheet: Predicting epidemics' speed

Scientists have developed a new model to predict the speed of epidemics in networks, providing insights into the trajectory and rate of global spread. The analysis assesses each node's likelihood of infection by a certain time, enabling more accurate forecasting of epidemic dynamics.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 10, 2020

Increases in minimum wage may not have anticipated positive health effects, study shows

A new study by researchers at the University of Washington found that increases in minimum wages had no overall effect on the health of working-age people. However, they did find a mix of negative and positive effects associated with the health of certain subgroups, including increased obesity rates among working-age people of color.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateFeb 10, 2020

Dolphins gather in female family groups

A new study shows that female dolphins in southern Australia form social clusters with mothers' groups, while maintaining loose bonds with same-sex individuals. The research highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect marine sanctuaries and regulate aquaculture and fishing practices.

SourceFlinders University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 10, 2020

NIH scientists link higher maternal blood pressure to placental gene changes

A study by NIH researchers found that higher maternal blood pressure during pregnancy is associated with chemical modifications to placental genes, including DNA methylation. The findings suggest a potential link between early origins of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure in pregnancy.

What makes a 'good Samaritan' good? That opinion depends on the beneficiary

A study published in Psychological Science found that people who help strangers are generally viewed as morally better and more trustworthy than those who help family members. However, this judgment changes when the helper has to choose between helping a stranger or a family member. The researchers suggest that familial obligations pla...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 10, 2020

Immune gene activity and late-life health disparities

Research suggests that inflammation-related genes are associated with biobehavioral factors like body mass index and smoking, while interferon-related genes are linked to individual demographic factors such as sex and race/ethnicity. The study's findings could help explain social disparities in chronic diseases that emerge decades later.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2020

Superior 'bio-ink' for 3D printing pioneered

Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a new 'bio-ink' for 3D printing that can serve as scaffolds for growing human tissues. The ink combines modified hyaluronic acid and polyethylene glycol to form a gel with controlled stiffness and binding sites for cells, enabling precise tissue growth and repair.

SourceRutgers University·JournalBiointerphases·DateFeb 10, 2020

Single HPV vaccine dose may be effective against cervical cancer

A single dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is as effective as multiple doses for preventing preinvasive cervical disease, which can later develop into cervical cancer. The risk of preinvasive cervical disease was lower in adolescents who received one, two, or three doses of the HPV vaccine compared to unvaccinated teens.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateFeb 10, 2020

Brain-wave pattern can identify people likely to respond to antidepressant, study finds

Researchers at Stanford Medicine have developed a brain-wave signature that can predict which individuals with depression are most likely to respond to sertraline, an antidepressant. The study used electroencephalography and AI to identify the pattern in participants before treatment, allowing clinicians to make informed decisions abou...

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateFeb 10, 2020

Supercharged light pulverises asteroids, study finds

According to a University of Warwick astronomer, the majority of stars in the universe will become luminous enough to blast surrounding asteroids into successively smaller fragments. This process will be triggered by the YORP effect, which creates an imbalance that spins up orbiting asteroids until they break apart.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 10, 2020

But what about flow? The effect of hydrodynamics on liquid-liquid transitions

A team of researchers from The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science has expanded our understanding of liquid behavior by describing the role of hydrodynamics in these transitions. They found that changes in density lead to hydrodynamic fluctuations, affecting domain growth and long-range interactions.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2020

The many lives of charcoal

African charcoal production supports nomadic lifestyles, while its large-scale use contributes to deforestation. Despite efforts to regulate, charcoal remains a significant source of energy worldwide, with millions of metric tons produced annually.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalResources·DateFeb 10, 2020

Summary report on small cell lung cancer research points to progress and challenges

Recent advances in immunotherapy are starting to show hope for small cell lung cancer patients, but current treatments have limited durability and many patients don't respond. Researchers call for further exploration of underlying disease mechanisms and development of predictive biomarkers to advance the field.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateFeb 10, 2020

Palliative vs. standard care for Parkinson's disease

A randomized clinical trial found that outpatient palliative care was associated with better patient and caregiver outcomes for patients with Parkinson disease. The study included 210 patients and 175 caregivers and examined the effects of palliative care on quality of life, mood, and sleep.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateFeb 10, 2020