Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for February 3, 2020


New method for removing oil from water

Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed an environmentally friendly technology to remove oil from water. Textiles with special surface properties passively skim off the oil and move it into a floating container without using chemicals.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (A )·DateFeb 3, 2020

Fragile: Handle with care

A recent study found that patients transferred between hospitals have a higher risk of dying than those admitted through the emergency department, even after controlling for patient-level characteristics. The researchers aim to improve transfer safety by identifying key variables and optimizing stabilization processes.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateFeb 3, 2020

Scientists listen to whales, walruses, and seals in a changing Arctic seascape

A year-round acoustic study in the northern Bering Sea recorded over 30,000 calls from whales, walruses, and seals, providing valuable insights into climate change's effects on these species. The study supports previous scientific knowledge with a finer-scale resolution, revealing consistent seasonal distribution and movement patterns.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalMarine Mammal Science·DateFeb 3, 2020

Weather radar records drastic drop in mayfly populations

Researchers used radar technology to quantify mayfly swarms in the Upper Mississippi River and Western Lake Erie Basin, estimating up to 88 billion mayflies can swarm annually. A 50% decline in population was observed between 2012 and 2019, raising questions about causes of such reductions in mass emergence.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2020

Tumbleweeds or fibrils: Tau proteins need to choose

Tau proteins exhibit distinct aggregation behaviors, with phosphorylation influencing their formation of either solid fibrils or disordered clumps. The researchers' findings offer new insights into the causes of Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia, potentially leading to the development of therapeutic interventions.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2020

Microplastic hotspots

Researchers discovered a substantial concentration of microplastics in the Delaware Bay, accumulating in hotspots driven by tidal, wind, and buoyancy variations. The study used field sampling and modeling to simulate microplastic distribution and found high concentrations near salinity fronts where surface currents converge.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateFeb 3, 2020

If cancer were easy, every cell would do it

A new paper explores how bodies evolve to prevent cancer by making growth factors costly to use and limiting cell proliferation. Individual cancer cells are kept in check when there's a high energetic cost for creating growth factors that signal cell growth.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 3, 2020

Making high-temperature superconductivity disappear to understand its origin

Researchers used a new technique to study the origin of superconductivity in cuprates by overdoping a material until it disappeared. They found that purely electronic interactions likely lead to high-temperature superconductivity and that this interaction emerges exactly when superconductivity starts, strengthening as it gets stronger.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 3, 2020

More grocery stores means less food waste -- and a big carbon cut

According to new research from Cornell University, opening more grocery stores can significantly reduce global warming by lowering food waste. The study found that even small increases in store density can have a high impact on reducing waste, with benefits comparable to converting thousands of cars to electric power.

SourceCornell University·JournalManufacturing & Service Operations Management·DateFeb 3, 2020

How the development of skulls and beaks made Darwin's finches one of the most diverse species

A new study reveals that the rapid evolution of Darwin's finches and Hawaiian honeycreepers was linked to their beaks and skulls. The researchers found that these birds had a stronger association between their beaks and skulls than other bird lineages, allowing for more versatile evolution but constrained along specific directions.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateFeb 3, 2020

Shift workers at risk for heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes

Shift workers are at a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome, heart disease and type 2 diabetes due to disrupted circadian rhythms. Employers and workers can take steps to mitigate these risks, including establishing consistent sleep schedules, controlling light exposure and promoting healthy nutrition and exercise.

SourceAmerican Osteopathic Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Osteopathic Association·DateFeb 3, 2020

HIV antibody therapy is associated with enhanced immune responses in infected individuals

Researchers have found that combining two anti-HIV antibodies with ART can suppress the virus and boost T cell responses, offering new hope for HIV treatment. The study suggests a potential interaction between humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity, which could lead to improved control of the virus.

Smartphone texting linked to compromised pedestrian safety

A pooled analysis of 14 studies found that text messaging was associated with significantly lower rates of looking left and right before crossing, as well as moderately increased rates of collisions and close calls. Listening to music was not linked to any heightened risk of pedestrian behaviours.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalInjury Prevention·DateFeb 3, 2020

Meat isn't good for you

A new study from Northwestern University and Cornell University links red and processed meat consumption to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and death. The research suggests that reducing red meat intake may be an important strategy to reduce cardiovascular disease and premature death.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateFeb 3, 2020

Occupational gender bias prevalent in online images, Rutgers study finds

A Rutgers study found that online images of men and women in certain occupations tend to reinforce existing gender stereotypes. The research analyzed search results from four digital media platforms and compared them to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' data, revealing prevalent biases in librarianship, nursing, computer programming...

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of the Association for Information Science and Technology·DateFeb 3, 2020

Fireflies face global threats

Firefly beetles are threatened by habitat loss and artificial light, with pesticides posing additional problems. The authors propose four primary goals to improve firefly prospects: preserving suitable habitats, controlling light pollution, reducing insecticide use, and developing sustainable tourism guidelines.

How nature tells us its formulas

A team of researchers has found a way to derive quantum field theoretical descriptions for many-particle systems directly from experimental measurements. This breakthrough could simplify the study of complex quantum systems and provide new insights into fundamental questions in physics.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review X·DateFeb 3, 2020

Homicide among pregnant, postpartum women in Louisiana

A recent study examines the causes of death among pregnant and postpartum women in Louisiana, revealing a disturbing trend. Homicide was found to be a leading cause of death for these women, highlighting a pressing need for increased support and resources to address this critical public health issue.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateFeb 3, 2020

Value transformation framework model seeks to guide transition to value-based healthcare

The Value Transformation Framework (VTF) provides a step-by-step guide for healthcare organizations to shift to value-based care, focusing on improving quality of care and outcomes. The framework addresses three domains: Infrastructure, Care Delivery, and People, with 15 Change Areas offering flexible steps toward improvement.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal for Healthcare Quality·DateFeb 3, 2020

Elevated fasting blood sugar in pregnancy linked to harmful outcomes for mothers, babies

A new study by the University of Alberta found that pregnant women with elevated fasting blood sugar levels are at a higher risk of complications, including large babies, high blood pressure, and preterm births. Despite receiving diabetes drug treatments, these women were more likely to experience adverse outcomes.

Planned hydropower dams threaten fish in the tropics

The study maps the impact of current and future river dams on fish habitats worldwide, revealing that habitat fragmentation will increase by a quarter or more in tropical regions like the Amazon, Niger, Congo, Salween, and Mekong river basins. This will disrupt the life cycles of freshwater fish species, causing extinction risk.

SourceRadboud University Nijmegen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2020

Building a safer CAR-T therapy

Researchers have devised a new type of chimeric antigen-receptor (CAR) T cell that can be reversibly inactivated with small molecules, offering novel solutions to the safety concerns of CAR-T therapies. The 'STOP-CAR-T' system has been shown to work as well as traditional CAR-T systems and can be controlled by an approved drug.

SourceLudwig Institute for Cancer Research·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateFeb 3, 2020

Hepatitis B: New therapeutic approach may help to cure chronic hepatitis B infection

Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München developed a novel therapeutic approach to cure chronic hepatitis B infection. By knocking down the expression of the virus' proteins, they enabled successful vaccination with TherVacB, a novel therapeutic vaccine. The therapy aims to cure existing chronic diseases by activating immune cells.

Scientists discover new non-sticky gels

Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered a new class of material, 'non-sticky gels,' that forms when colloidal particles behave as liquid crystals. This breakthrough enables the development of gel formulations with improved mechanical properties and longer shelf-life, addressing a major limitation in many products.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2020

Researchers turbocharge hydrogen fuel cells with novel ion-conducting copolymer

A team of researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering has developed a novel polymeric material that enhances oxygen permeability in fuel cells, generating more power while reducing the need for expensive materials like platinum. This breakthrough could drive greater adoption of hydrogen fuel cells in transportation and beyond.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 3, 2020

Life in dead wood

Research project in Ebrach Forest investigates optimal dead wood placement to promote biodiversity, with sun-exposed trunks showing rare species but also numerous shaded species. The study was funded by €500,000 and will run until 2023.

Study demonstrates liquid biopsy as effective predictor of stage III melanoma relapse and treatment

A study published in Clinical Cancer Research found that circulating tumor cells were associated with a decrease in relapse-free survival at six months, and this association persisted at a 54-month longer-term follow-up. This suggests that CTC assessment may be useful in identifying patients at risk for relapse who could benefit from m...

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateFeb 3, 2020

How and when spines changed in mammalian evolution

A new study from Harvard University and the Field Museum of Natural History sheds light on how changes in spines happened in mammal evolution. Researchers found that regions evolved long before new spinal functions, suggesting a combination of developmental changes and adaptive pressures played a significant role.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateFeb 3, 2020

Making light work

Researchers have developed a novel technology that enables the communication between light beams through solid matter, paving the way for a new form of computing. The innovative material, resembling raspberry Jell-O, incorporates light-responsive molecules that can contain and transmit information between filaments of laser light.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2020

Natural herb kratom may have therapeutic effects and relatively low potential for abuse or harm, according to a user survey

A survey of over 2,700 kratom users found the substance has a lower rate of harm than prescription opioids for treating pain, anxiety, and depression. While self-reporting surveys are not always reliable, the results suggest kratom may have medical applications to explore as an alternative to opioid use.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateFeb 3, 2020

Math models add up to improved cancer immunotherapy

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital developed mathematical models to predict how tumors may respond to immunotherapy and how adding other anti-cancer drugs could lead to improved treatment. The models suggest that normalization of the tumor microenvironment, including blood supply, could improve treatment efficacy.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2020

Study: How to safely remove ovary in girls for best results in fertility preservation

A study from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago defines the safest laparoscopic technique for removing ovaries in girls, resulting in better quality ovarian tissue for future transplantation. This technique minimizes damage and maximizes fertility preservation, increasing pregnancy rates after transplantation.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalJournal of Pediatric Surgery·DateFeb 3, 2020

Researchers study the intricate link between climate and conflict

A new study from the University of Notre Dame finds that climate change may not directly lead to more conflict, but rather affects regional instability through variations in income. The research explores the complex relationship between drought, crop failure, and conflict, suggesting that expectations and adaptation can alter predicted...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2020

Finding the source of chemical reactions

Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have experimentally detected the transition state in chemical reactions, a hidden aspect that controls product formation. This breakthrough could improve industrial processes and lead to the synthesis of new life-saving drugs.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2020

A roadblock for disease-causing parasites

Researchers discovered that activating a mosquito's immune system can prevent the transmission of disease-causing parasites like Dirofilaria immitis and Brugia malayi. By boosting the immune response, mosquitoes can block parasite development, potentially stopping diseases like canine heartworm and human lymphatic filariasis.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 3, 2020

Helping patients with binge eating disorders: There's an app for that

A new study found that a behavioral therapy-assisted smartphone app delivered via telemedicine was an effective treatment for symptoms of binge eating disorders. Patients who received the app-based treatment reported significant reductions in binge days and achieved higher remission rates compared to those receiving standard care.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateFeb 3, 2020

New research finds that ACOs are struggling to integrate social services with medical care

Despite initial efforts to improve patient outcomes through integrated care, a recent study found that Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) face significant challenges in integrating social services into their medical practices. The researchers identified limitations in data collection and partnership development as major obstacles.

IDIBELL researchers discover that a molecule of blood is effective against autoimmune kidney disease

Researchers have identified C4BP as a promising therapeutic agent for autoimmune kidney disease, showing improved symptomatology in mice with lupus nephritis. The study demonstrates the immunomodulatory capacity of C4BP, transforming proinflammatory activity into anti-inflammatory and tolerogenic effects.

SourceIDIBELL-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute·JournalKidney International·DateFeb 3, 2020

First childhood flu helps explain why virus hits some people harder than others

A new study published in PLoS Pathogens found that a person's ability to fight off the flu virus is determined by the sequence of flu viruses they've been infected with throughout their lives. The study also revealed that people who were first exposed to the less severe H1N1 strain during childhood had extra protection against H3N2 lat...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateFeb 3, 2020

For complex decisions, narrow them down to two

Psychologists from the University of Basel found that people focus their attention on the two most promising options when choosing between multiple alternatives. This leads to faster decisions and improved efficiency. The study's results propose a mathematical model describing dynamic interactions of preference formation and eye moveme...

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateFeb 3, 2020

Many with military-related PTSD do poorly in treatment with first-line psychotherapies

Recent clinical trials of Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy show limited effectiveness in treating active duty military personnel and veterans with PTSD. The studies suggest that emotionally demanding therapies may not be beneficial for all patients, and more personalized treatment approaches are needed to acc...