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Science News for February 17, 2020


Light moves spins around

Scientists have discovered a new microscopic process called optical intersite spin transport (OISTR) that allows light to trigger a displacement of electrons between atoms, influencing the local magnetization. This process is accompanied by a leveling of electron reservoirs and can be tailored by bringing together specific types of atoms.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 17, 2020

Adolescent male chimps still need their mamas

A new study of wild chimpanzees finds that males whose mothers were present during their tween and teen years had higher odds of survival later in life. The study also suggests that adolescent males benefit from their mother's wealth of experience and knowledge, such as how to avoid predators or find food.

SourceDuke University·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateFeb 17, 2020

Heavy backpack? Good for you

A Rice University study found that public school students have healthier core strength than home-schooled children due to daily use of heavy backpacks. The research also revealed a disparity in push-up performance between the two groups, with public school students meeting requirements and home-schoolers narrowly missing them.

SourceRice University·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Education·DateFeb 17, 2020

Climate change and precipitation in Mediterranean climates

A study reveals that Mediterranean-like climates are experiencing variable responses to climate warming, with some regions drying faster than global-mean warming. The differences result from distinct regional changes in atmospheric circulation driven by separate fast and slow sea-surface temperature responses to greenhouse gases.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2020

Leadership and assertiveness

A recent study by Jackson Lu, Richard Nisbett, and Michael Morris found that East Asians are disproportionately underrepresented in US leadership positions due to relatively lower assertiveness. The research suggests that diverse leadership styles are valuable for organizations and highlights the need for recognition of these differences.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2020

New computational tools identify alternative splicing changes in aggressive cancers

A new study identifies a strong cancer driver gene linked to alternative splicing changes in aggressive cancers. The researchers developed computational tools and biological model systems to analyze RNA sequences from nearly 900 prostate tissue samples, revealing over 13,000 alternative splicing events.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2020

Magnetographic imaging of muscle activity

Noninvasive magnetographic imaging of muscle activity allows spatial and temporal mapping of physiological electric currents, enabling studies of the cardiac cycle and lower back pain. This breakthrough method offers diverse applications in medical research and could provide new insights into muscle function and pain mechanisms.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2020

New artificial neural network model bests MaxEnt in inverse problem example

A new artificial neural network model has been developed to solve inverse problems, demonstrating accuracy comparable to the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) approach. The model's versatility and robustness against noisy data have been showcased in various tests, including recovering electron single-particle spectral densities.

How many gender subtypes exist in the brain?

Researchers at McGill University have discovered at least nine directions of brain-gender variation using a unique dataset and machine learning algorithms. This finding has important consequences for promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in Canada and beyond.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateFeb 17, 2020

Scientists pioneer new way to study exoplanets

A team of scientists using the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) radio telescope has detected radio waves from exoplanets interacting with their star's magnetic field, which can heat and erode a planet's atmosphere. The discovery paves the way for novel ways to probe exoplanet environments and determine habitability.

SourceNew York University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateFeb 17, 2020

Offspring sex and maternal aging

A study on wild bighorn sheep suggests that male offspring may lead to a faster decline in reproductive success and aging rates in mothers. Females that produced more male than female offspring early in life experienced reduced winter survival rates among their offspring, contributing to accelerated maternal aging.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2020

The origins of roughness

Scientists discovered that all materials develop identical statistical properties when exposed to mechanical deformation, leading to self-affine surface roughness. This finding explains the observed universality of surface roughness across different scales and materials.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 17, 2020

Atomic structures mapped in measles, mumps, flu and RSV

Scientists have determined the 3D atomic structure of a key enzyme complex in paramyxoviruses, a family of RNA viruses that includes measles, mumps, human parainfluenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This discovery could lead to the development of new antiviral drugs for these viruses as well as coronavirus.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2020

Charity care provided by nonprofit hospitals

A study examining nonprofit hospital finances found that those with higher net income provided more charity care, while lower-income hospitals offered less. The analysis suggests a correlation between financial status and charitable healthcare services.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2020

New VA/DoD guidelines address sleep-related issues in military personnel, veterans

The U.S. Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense have jointly issued new guidelines for assessment and treatment of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea in military personnel and veterans. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is the recommended treatment, while positive airway pressure therapy is suggested for sleep apnea.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2020

Visualizing diffusive dynamics beyond tracking limit with standard optical microscope

Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology developed a new approach to detect crystallization signs without fluorescent labeling or tracking. They used particle image diffusometry to analyze microscopy movie data, revealing the collective motion of molecular clusters before nucleation.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateFeb 17, 2020

Memory games: Eating well to remember

A study of 139,000 older Australians found strong links between certain food groups, such as fruit, vegetables, and protein-rich foods, and reduced memory loss and comorbid heart disease. Age-specific dietary guidelines may be necessary to prevent cognitive impairment in older populations.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalInternational Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 17, 2020

Potential drug against antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Researchers developed AB569, a combination of acidified nitrite and disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, which killed Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The agent was found to be nontoxic to human cells at bactericidal concentrations, suggesting a potential therapeutic agent for ...

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2020