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Science News for March 9, 2020


How new data can make ecological forecasts as good as weather forecasts

A new study reveals that analyzing large-scale ecological patterns can help predict changes in ecosystems. Ecologists are using decades of weather data to forecast bird migrations and wildlife population fluctuations, which can inform conservation measures. The research aims to improve understanding of the climate-ecology link, enablin...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalTrends in Ecology & Evolution·DateMar 9, 2020

Focusing continuity of care on sicker patients can save millions of dollars annually

Research by Southern Methodist University and Texas Tech University found that higher continuity of care leads to improved patient outcomes, including fewer inpatient visits and lower readmission rates. However, at the highest levels of continuity of care, outcomes worsen, suggesting a potential benefit from having multiple providers.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalManufacturing & Service Operations Management·DateMar 9, 2020

Clotting problem

A team of researchers led by University of Delaware Professor Velia M. Fowler has made a groundbreaking discovery about MYH9-related disorders, a condition affecting 1 in 25,000 people. The study found that mutations in the MYH9 gene disrupt platelet formation and movement, leading to unstable clots and various health issues.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalBlood·DateMar 9, 2020

Apixaban may be a safer and more effective than rivaroxaban for preventing stroke and blood clots

A large cohort study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that apixaban was associated with a lower risk of stroke or systemic blood clots compared to rivaroxaban in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The study also showed that apixaban was linked to a lower risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or bleeding in the brain.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 9, 2020

Ultrathin organic solar cell is both efficient and durable

Scientists have created an ultrathin organic solar cell with a high energy conversion ratio of 13% and long-term storage stability. The research used a simple post-annealing process to increase durability, achieving both efficiency and longevity.

SourceRIKEN·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2020

Uncovering novel relationships between SLCs and cytotoxic drugs in human cells

Researchers uncovered how approximately 80% of screened cytotoxic compounds rely on solute carriers for activity, providing insights into drug mechanisms and SLC biology. The study also highlights the need for systematic surveys of transporter-drug relationships to develop more effective precision therapies.

Why organisms shrink

Researchers at FAU found that belemnites, ancient squid-like creatures, shrank significantly as water temperatures rose during the Toarcian period. The study suggests climate change played a significant role in shaping the morphology of aquatic organisms and may have contributed to their extinction.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateMar 9, 2020

Nationwide study shows disparities in outpatient care for common orthopaedic problems

A nationwide study found that racial/ethnic minorities and individuals with lower incomes are less likely to receive office-based care for musculoskeletal conditions, while those with public insurance status are more likely to use emergency department care. This disparity contributes significantly to healthcare expenditures.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateMar 9, 2020

Strong signals show how proteins come and go

Bioscientists at Rice University have developed a novel system to amplify gene expression signals, allowing for more sensitive detection of target genes. The system, consisting of two modules, provides high-resolution dynamic information on gene expression dynamics, which are critical for understanding cell behavior.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMar 9, 2020

Ship noise hampers crab camouflage

Research shows that ship noise affects shore crabs' ability to change color and behave normally, reducing their camouflage effectiveness. The study found that juvenile crabs exposed to ship noise changed color half as quickly, making them less camouflaged.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 9, 2020

Community factors influence how long you'll live, study shows

A new study by Penn State researchers found that community characteristics play a significant role in determining life expectancy, with factors such as fast food restaurants, population density, and jobs in the extraction industry negatively affecting lifespan. Conversely, social capital, good access to physicians, and lower population...

SourcePenn State·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateMar 9, 2020

Astronomers pinpoint rare binary brown dwarf

Researchers discovered a rare eclipsing binary brown dwarf system using the SPECULOOS project, confirming theoretical models of brown dwarfs' cooling processes and providing valuable insights. The system consists of two brown dwarfs orbiting each other, offering opportunities to study their atmospheres and climates.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 9, 2020

Sea turtles have a deadly attraction to stinky plastic

Researchers found that sea turtles respond to odors from biofouled plastics in the same way they respond to food odorants. This 'olfactory trap' explains why sea turtles ingest and become entangled in plastic debris. Biofouling, the accumulation of microbes on wet surfaces, is a major factor contributing to this attraction.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 9, 2020

Mosquito-borne viral diseases

A European research network is funding a study to investigate how biological diversity influences chains of infection for mosquito-borne diseases. The project aims to develop reliable risk assessments and identify the impact of biodiversity, landscape diversity, and socio-economic conditions on disease transmission.

Evolution of sedentary behaviors

Researchers examined Hadza adults' activity patterns, finding they spent nearly 10 hours a day in nonambulatory postures similar to industrialized populations. However, Hadza adults spent more time in squatting and kneeling postures, which produce muscle activity, suggesting humans need daily muscle activity from both movement and resting

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2020

Wearing clothes could release more microfibers to the environment than washing them

A study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that wearing clothes can release up to 400 microfibers per gram of fabric during normal activity, while washing clothes can release up to 4,000. This suggests that one person could release almost 900 million polyester microfibers per year through simply wearing garments.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 9, 2020

Circulatory failure is predictable

A method combining vital signs and medical data predicts circulatory failure in ICU patients several hours in advance, enabling early intervention. The approach uses just 20 relevant variables to achieve 90% accuracy and cuts alarm systems by 90%. Further development is needed for clinical trial testing.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Medicine·DateMar 9, 2020

Show me the methane

A team of researchers from UC Santa Barbara has developed a system using hyperspectral imaging and machine learning to detect methane leaks, achieving an 87% success rate. This method can differentiate between methane and other hydrocarbons, pinpointing the location of emissions.

Is your coffee contributing to malaria risk?

A study by University of Sydney and University of São Paulo found that 20% of malaria risk in deforestation hotspots is driven by international trade of goods like coffee, timber, and palm oil. The research calls for consumers to be more mindful of their consumption and procurement, supporting sustainable land ownership in developing c...

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 9, 2020

Anticholinergic burden is associated with adverse outcomes in a middle-aged population

A study of over 500,000 middle-aged adults found that anticholinergic burden is associated with an increased risk of future adverse events such as falls, dementia, heart attacks, strokes, and deaths. The use of multiple medications with anticholinergic properties can have cumulative negative effects on the body.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 9, 2020

Protecting DNA origami for anti-cancer drug delivery

Researchers develop peptoid-coated DNA origami that maintains structural integrity and functionality in different physiological environments, enabling potential use in delivering anti-cancer drugs and proteins. The method involves designing peptoids to stabilize DNA origami, with the brush-type architecture achieving optimal protection.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2020

Groovy key to nanotubes in 2D

Researchers found that the alignment of nanotubes in 2D films corresponds to parallel, submicroscopic grooves on the paper. The grooves likely form during the factory production process, and removing them allows for control over alignment direction.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 9, 2020

Head evolution in turtle ants

Researchers studied turtle ants using a species-level comparative analysis, finding that the evolution of head shape and size is reversible and decoupled within soldier and queen castes. This suggests that flexible adaptive evolution at the species level facilitates adaptive diversification of derived social lineages.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2020

Researchers map protein motion

Cornell structural biologists develop a new method to capture collective protein motion, revealing subtle breathing motions that direct biochemical function. The technique adds valuable information to regular crystallography experiments.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 9, 2020

Spending on experiences versus possessions advances more immediate happiness

A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that consumers derive more happiness from experiential purchases than material ones. The researchers recruited over 2,600 adults and monitored their emotions and purchasing behavior, discovering that happiness was higher for those who spent on experiences a...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateMar 9, 2020

Underrepresented college students benefit more from 'active learning' techniques in STEM

Active learning techniques have been shown to significantly narrow the achievement gap between overrepresented and underrepresented students in STEM fields. In a recent study, instructors incorporated more active learning methods into undergraduate STEM courses, resulting in exam scores narrowing by 33-42% and course passing rates impr...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2020

Violence faced by sexual minority adolescents

A new study has quantified the risk of physical and sexual violence faced by LGBTQ+ high school students in the US. The research found a significant association between sexual minority status and increased rates of violence, highlighting the need for targeted prevention strategies.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateMar 9, 2020

A flexible brain for AI

Scientists at Osaka University created a flexible computing device from field-programmable gate arrays, increasing circuit density by 12 times and reducing energy usage by 80%. This innovation may lead to custom machine learning hardware with enhanced performance and reduced electricity consumption.

Stone-Age social networks

A study of ostrich eggshell bead exchange reveals that relationships among hunter-gatherer groups existed across hundreds of kilometers in late Middle Stone Age southern Africa. The size of the network provided access to high ecological diversity and offered a social strategy against scarcity.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2020

New study presents stretchable and colorless solar cells, using Si microwire composites

Researchers at UNIST have developed flexible and transparent solar cells that can absorb reflected light, increasing their efficiency. The new solar cell structure takes advantage of the theoretical light absorption mechanism to recycle reflected light, enabling it to maintain over 95% initial efficiency even after bending tests.

Tax incentives for businesses could contribute to the decline of the middle class

A new study by West Virginia University researchers found that economic development incentives may contribute to the decline of middle-class jobs. The study examined the impact of tax breaks on employment trends in two cities, San Antonio and Birmingham, and found that incentivizing creative-class industries led to job losses in workin...

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalEconomic Development Quarterly·DateMar 9, 2020