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Science News for March 2, 2020


Sinking sea mountains make and muffle earthquakes

A new study found that underwater mountains pulled into subduction zones can set the stage for powerful quakes and create conditions that end up dampening them. Researchers used a computer model to simulate the effects of seamounts on surrounding rock and sediment, finding that the brittle rock ahead of the seamount creates powerful ea...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMar 2, 2020

OHSU-led evidence review shows new therapy for Hepatitis C is highly effective

A systematic evidence review by OHSU researchers found that new direct-acting antiviral therapies are highly effective in eliminating the Hepatitis C virus infection. The review informed a new recommendation for universal screening of Hepatitis C, with the therapy being more than 95% effective even in young people.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateMar 2, 2020

Study links frequent tooth brushing to lower risk of diabetes while dental disease and missing teeth associated with increased risk; stronger effect of tooth brushing in younger adults and women

A study published in Diabetologia found that frequent tooth brushing is linked to a lower risk of developing diabetes, with an 8% reduced risk for those brushing three times a day or more. In contrast, dental disease and missing teeth are associated with a higher risk of diabetes, with increases of 9% and 21% respectively.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateMar 2, 2020

How three genes rule plant symbioses

A study published in Nature Plants reveals that three genes are shared exclusively by plants forming intracellular symbiosis with different microbial partners. This finding demonstrates a conserved genetic program underlying diverse types of symbioses, allowing plants to access additional nutrients.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalNature Plants·DateMar 2, 2020

Radionuclide levels in freshwater fish differ between lakes and rivers

A new study by the National Institute for Environmental Studies in Japan found that biotic and abiotic factors affecting radionuclide accumulation in fish are dependent on the ecosystem and differ between lakes and rivers. The study analyzed 30 species of fish from five rivers and three lakes in Fukushima, revealing significant differe...

SourceNational Institute for Environmental Studies·JournalJournal of Environmental Radioactivity·DateMar 2, 2020

Atomic vacancy as quantum bit

Researchers from JMU have successfully demonstrated the existence of spin centers in boron nitride crystals, exhibiting magnetic dipole moments and optical properties. This discovery paves the way for developing artificial two-dimensional crystals with tailored properties.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 2, 2020

Despite best intentions, researchers don't always share findings with study participants

Most clinical trial participants are not informed about the results of studies they participated in, despite wanting this information. Researchers want to share findings but lack effective communication skills to reach lay public. The study highlights the need for better training on communicating research results to study participants.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Science·DateMar 2, 2020

Beef consumption hurting river quality

A new study published in Nature Sustainability shows that irrigation of cattle feed crops is the leading driver of water shortages and fish imperilment in the Western United States. Sixty fish species are at an elevated risk of global extinction due to flow depletion, primarily caused by irrigation of cattle-feed crops.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Sustainability·DateMar 2, 2020

KITE code could power new quantum developments

Researchers developed open-source software to assist in creating quantum materials, which could vastly increase computing power and reduce energy consumption. The Quantum KITE initiative uses sophisticated computer programmes to predict material properties, enabling the creation of realistic simulations with unprecedented atom numbers.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateMar 2, 2020

The Lancet Oncology: Targeted treatments for pancreatic cancer may help eligible patients live an extra year

Results from 46 patients who received targeted therapies alongside standard chemotherapy showed a 31-month average survival compared to 18 months for those without molecular changes. Targeted therapy has already improved survival for many forms of cancer and could be a game-changer for pancreatic cancer patients with specific alterations.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateMar 2, 2020

Kin selection and host manipulation

A study on the parasitic lancet fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum found that genetically identical brain flukes are often present in both ant brains and abdomens, suggesting kin selection plays a key role in its evolution. This manipulation of host behavior supports an altruistic strategy, where clonemates are cotransmitted into ants.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 2, 2020

The GDP fudge: China edition

A study found that Chinese firms in provinces with lower GDP growth are more likely to engage in earnings management to prop up provincial GDP figures. This leads to a range of negative consequences for the firms, including high bad debt expenses, inventory write-offs, and asset impairment losses.

Prebiotic RNA synthesis

A team of scientists discovered ribozymes that utilize the prebiotically plausible 2-aminoimidazole group to catalyze RNA synthesis. This finding implies a complex interplay between nonenzymatic and enzymatic RNA synthesis during Earth's origin, challenging existing theories.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 2, 2020

Story Tips: Antidote chasing, traffic control and automatic modeling

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have made significant breakthroughs in developing new antidotes for certain poisons that can mitigate their effects more efficiently compared to existing remedies. Additionally, a novel system has been designed to direct traffic lights and reduce fuel consumption by identifying the most fuel...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMar 2, 2020

Paper: Disposal of wastewater from hydraulic fracturing poses dangers to drivers

A study by Yilan Xu shows that fracking-related trucking leads to a surge in road fatalities and severe accidents, with an additional 17 fatal crashes per year across sampled road segments. The researchers propose a tax or toll fee to internalize the costs of fracking-related trucking activities.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·DateMar 2, 2020

The magnet that didn't exist

Scientists from QuTech have observed experimental signatures of Nagaoka ferromagnetism using an engineered quantum system. This phenomenon was predicted by Japanese physicist Yosuke Nagaoka in 1966 and has never been observed naturally. The researchers created a two-dimensional lattice of four quantum dots, which allowed them to trap t...

Two stars merged to form massive white dwarf

Astronomers have identified a massive white dwarf star with a unique carbon-rich atmosphere, suggesting it was formed from the merger of two white dwarfs. The discovery raises questions about the evolution of massive white dwarf stars and the number of supernovae in our galaxy.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 2, 2020

Hydrogen energy at the root of life

A new study by Dr. Martina Preiner and colleagues simulates the emergence of life in a lab environment using hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide as starting materials. The team found that these simple chemical reactions can produce the same building blocks used by early cells, providing insight into the origins of life.

SourceHeinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMar 2, 2020

Why is an empty shampoo bottle so easy to knock over?

A physics professor and first-year physics major demonstrate how the center-of-mass of a nearly empty shampoo bottle affects its stability when placed on a tilted surface. The study reveals that the altitude of the center of mass is a nonlinear function of the liquid level, with lower levels resulting in higher altitudes.

SourceLehigh University·JournalThe Physics Teacher·DateMar 2, 2020

How quickly do flower strips in cities help the local bees?

A study found that urban flower strips attract a significant number of city bee species, with one-year-old strips supporting over a quarter of the total bee fauna. The findings suggest that these greenery interventions provide essential support for pollinators and can serve as effective conservation measures.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalJournal of Hymenoptera Research·DateMar 2, 2020

'Smart water' may aid oil recovery

Scientists at Rice University found that low-salinity brine can create emulsion droplets in crude oil, enhancing oil recovery. The research also revealed the wettability of rock determines how easily it releases oil.

SourceRice University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 2, 2020

Study finds 'far-reaching' impact from Affordable Care Act

A new study by New York University researchers found that the Affordable Care Act has had a significant impact on reducing financial barriers to healthcare, with 19.3 million people gaining coverage since its implementation in 2010. The law's market reforms have also led to measurable gains in the financial well-being of poor Americans.

SourceNew York University·JournalHealth Affairs·DateMar 2, 2020

Re-thinking 'tipping points' in ecosystems and beyond

A new model by Catalina Chaparro-Pedraza and André de Roos shows how small environmental changes can induce slow evolutionary changes in species, leading to delayed regime shifts. This research has implications for understanding complex systems beyond ecosystems, including financial markets.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMar 2, 2020

Study finds irregular sleep patterns double the risk of cardiovascular disease in older adults

A new study finds that irregular sleep patterns, such as no regular bedtime and wake-up schedule or varying amounts of sleep each night, may represent a novel and independent heart disease risk factor. Older adults with these patterns are nearly twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 2, 2020

Widely used weed killer harming biodiversity

Researchers from McGill University found that widespread use of Roundup herbicide can trigger loss of biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems, making them more vulnerable to pollution and climate change. The study discovered that some ecosystems adapt by evolving resistance to the herbicide, but this comes at a cost of plankton diversity.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMar 2, 2020

The fantastical Adelaide Fringe

A new study from the University of South Australia shows that the Adelaide Fringe festival plays a crucial role in building the state's social capital, helping to combat 'brain drain'. The festival achieves this through placemaking, regeneration of urban spaces, and creating vibrant experiences for residents and visitors.