Watching thoughts — and addiction — form in the brain

Study shows standing up for beliefs in face of group opposition is worth the effort
Going with the flow might appear easier than sticking up for yourself when confronted with unanimous disagreement. But a new study from the University at Buffalo that assessed bodily responses suggests that standing up for your beliefs, expressing your opinions and demonstrating your core values can be a positive psychological experience.

Refining optogenetic methods to map synaptic connections in the brain
A fundamental question in neuroscience is how neuronal circuits give rise to brain function, as disruptions in these connections can lead to brain disorders. Translating the rules governing the functional organization of neural circuits requires knowledge of the synaptic connections among identified classes of neurons as well as the strength and dynamics of these connections. Researchers from MPFI optimized optogenetics to map the neural circuits of the brain of rodents with single neuron resolution.

Why do they treat me like that? Taking the mask off of envy
While overt signs of envy can often be received badly, University of Cincinnati Lindner College of Business research indicates that how that envy is perceived and attributed by the envied person makes all the difference in how it is handled.

That’s not fair! — Managing envy in the workplace
In a recent University of Cincinnati Lindner College of Business study, Joel Koopman, UC assistant professor of management, looked at envy in the workplace. Koopman’s research found a strong link between an employee’s feelings of envy after they perceive a supervisor has treated them worse relative to their co-workers and the length of time by which they process this information.

Flesh-eating infections in rheumatoid arthritis patients spur new discovery
Rheumatoid arthritis patients taking medications that inhibit interleukin-1beta, a molecule that stimulates the immune system, are 300 times more likely to experience invasive Group A Streptococcal infections than patients not on the drug, according to University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers. Their study, published Aug. 19 in Science Immunology, also uncovers a critical new role for IL-1beta as the body’s independent early warning system for bacterial infections.

Young, gifted, first-generation minority science students motivated by prosocial values
There are as many motives as there are undergraduates taking introductory science courses, but if you look closely at groups of freshmen science students such as those from underrepresented minority (URM) backgrounds, you can see striking motivational differences across and within these groups. That’s a major finding in a new survey of 249 freshmen by psychology researchers in California.

A new Goldilocks for habitable planets
The search for habitable, alien worlds needs to make room for a second ‘Goldilocks,’ according to a Yale University researcher. A new study, appearing in the journal Science Advances on Aug. 19, suggests that simply being in the habitable zone isn’t sufficient to support life. A planet also must start with an internal temperature that is just right.

Do Pokémon Go and augmented reality games offer real health benefits?
The combination of augmented reality technology, geocaching, and other novel techniques to create innovative active video games has potential personal and public health implications, as discussed in the Editorial ‘Pokémon Go, Go, Go, Gone?’ published in Games for Health, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Games for Health Journal.

NASA sees Tropical Storm Lionrock south of Japan
Tropical Storm Lionrock was moving south of Japan when NASA’s Terra satellite passed overhead and looked at the large storm in infrared light.

NASA spies Tropical Storm Mindulle’s southern side strength
NASA’s Terra satellite provided an infrared view of Tropical Storm Mindulle that showed thunderstorm development was strongest in the southern quadrant of the storm. Mindulle was formerly known as Tropical Depression 10W before it strengthened into a tropical storm. Guam has posted a high-surf advisory as the storm approaches.

NASA’s Terra Satellite sees Tropical Storm Dianmu over Vietnam
NASA’s Terra satellite saw Tropical Storm Dianmu after making landfall in northeastern Vietnam.

Increased eye cancer risk linked to pigmentation genes that dictate eye color
New research links specific inherited genetic differences to an increased risk for eye (uveal) melanoma, a rare form of melanoma that arises from pigment cells that determine eye color. scientists report the first evidence of a strong association between genes linked to eye color and development of uveal melanoma. Reported data suggests that inherited genetic factors associated with eye and skin pigmentation could increase a person’s risk for uveal melanoma.

New Study Challenges Assumption of Asbestos’ Ability to Move in Soil
A new study led by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego scientist Jane Willenbring challenges the long-held belief that asbestos fibers cannot move through soil. The findings have important implications for current remediation strategies aimed at capping asbestos-laden soils to prevent human exposure of the cancer-causing material.

Proton pump found to regulate blood pH in stingrays
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego have discovered the same enzyme used by ‘boneworms’ to dissolve whale carcasses, and that helps promote photosynthesis in corals, also regulates blood pH in stingrays. The study could help scientists better understand the enzyme’s function in human kidneys to regulate blood and urine functions.

First 3-D map of cell-building protein linked to cancer
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have revealed for the first time the three-dimensional molecular ‘map’ of a protein that has been pinpointed as a driver of many types of cancers.

Revolutionary method to map brains at single-neuron resolution successfully demonstrated
Neuroscientists today publish in Neuron details of a revolutionary new way of mapping the brain at the resolution of individual neurons, which they have successfully demonstrated in the mouse brain. It involves introducing unique RNA barcodes into individual neurons and later identifying these barcodes, via sequencing, in distant brain areas.

Hawaiian fruit flies had multiple ancestors
Scientists in Japan have discovered that Hawaiian drosophilids (fruit flies) had plural ancestors from continents, refuting the ‘Single Hawaiian origin’ hypothesis.

Scripps Florida study finds ‘missing evolutionary link’ of widely used natural drug source
A well-known family of natural compounds, called ‘terpenoids,’ have a curious evolutionary origin. In particular, one question relevant to future drug discovery has puzzled scientists: exactly how does Nature make these molecules?

Chinese researchers reveal redox sensor protein role in pathogenic mycobacteria
A new research report appearing on Aug. 30, 2016, in Cell Reports dissects the cellular role of WhiB6, one of the WhiB redox sensor family proteins, in virulence and intracellular survival of pathogenic mycobacteria, according to researchers from the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Vaping may lead to fewer respiratory infections for ex-smokers
The majority of smokers who successfully switch to vaping say they have fewer respiratory infections, according to a study led by Queen Mary University of London.

NASA monitors the ‘new normal’ of sea ice
This year’s melt season in the Arctic Ocean and surrounding seas started with a bang, with a record low maximum extent in March and relatively rapid ice loss through May. ‘A decade ago, this year’s sea ice extent would have set a new record low and by a fair amount,’ said NASA sea ice scientist Walt Meier. Now, ‘it’s the new normal.’

The first stage of the cascade
G proteins are molecular switches on the insides of cell membranes. They convey important signals to the inner workings of the cells. The associated receptors are targeted by all kinds of medications. Scientists at the Technical University of Munich are now shedding light on precisely how the individual amino acids of the G protein move during the switching process. The discovered mechanism signposts new approaches to the design of new active agents.

Maternal language shapes infants’ cry melodies
The very first cry of neonates is marked by their maternal language. This seems to be especially apparent in tonal languages, where pitch and pitch fluctuation determine the meaning of words. Chinese and German scientists under leadership of the University of Würzburg have demonstrated this phenomenon for the first time by with newborn babies from China and Cameroon.

Scientists have created a ceramic, resistant to extreme temperatures
Scientists managed to create a new multi-layered ceramic material with heat resistance of the upper layer of more than 3,000 degrees Celsius.

Europe’s oldest known living inhabitant
A Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii) growing in the highlands of northern Greece has been dendrocronologically dated to be more than 1,075 years old. This makes it currently the oldest known living tree in Europe. The millennium-old pine was discovered by scientists from Stockholm University, the University of Mainz and the University of Arizona.

Cloth masks offer poor protection against air pollution
Results of a new study by environmental health scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst suggest that inexpensive cloth masks worn by people who hope to reduce their exposure to air pollution vary widely in effectiveness and could be giving users a false sense of security, especially in highly polluted areas.

Natural mother of pearl structure, synthetic replication
Chemists at the University of Konstanz, in cooperation with the University of Science and Technology of China, synthetically reproduced the structural configuration of natural mother of pearl or ‘nacre.’

Vertebroplasty helps reduce acute pain among patients with spinal fractures
Vertebroplasty is a safe and effective procedure to reduce acute pain and disability in patients who have experienced spinal fractures within a 6-week period, according to a new study published this week in The Lancet. In this procedure, a special cement is injected in the fractured vertebra to stabilize the fracture and relieve patients of pressure. The study also found patients’ hospital stays reduced by 5.5 days with vertebroplasty.

NASA spots strong convection in strengthening Tropical Storm Kay
NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over tropical cyclone Kay as it was designated a depression in the Eastern Pacific and identified areas of strong convection. That strong uplift of air continued to generate more powerful storms in the system and on Aug. 19 it strengthened into a tropical storm.

Does early voting affect political campaigns and election outcomes?
A study of early voting patterns in states that have adopted an extended voting period shows several important trends related to voter age and partisanship (voters with strong party affiliations versus independents). The study results and their policy implications are discussed in an article in Election Law Journal.

NASA sees wind shear affecting Tropical Storm Fiona
An image from NASA’s Aqua satellite showed that southwesterly wind shear was affecting Tropical Storm Fiona, pushing clouds to the northeast of the center.

Spider silk: Mother Nature’s bio-superlens
Hot on the heels of a paper revealing that a team at Bangor University’s School of Electronic Engineering has used a nanobead-derived superlens to break the perceived resolution barrier, the same team has achieved another world first by using spider silk as a superlens to increase the microscope’s potential.

2014 Napa earthquake continued to creep, weeks after main shock
The 2014 Napa earthquake continued to creep, weeks after the main shock.

Study shows swimming is an effective part of the treatment for fibromyalgia
A study performed by researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo shows swimming is as effective as walking to relieve pain and improve quality of life for patients with fibromyalgia, that experience chronic diffuse non-inflammatory pain in the musculoskeletal system deriving from malfunctioning of the system that transmits and modulates the transmission of nervous stimuli between the periphery of the body and the brain. The study involved 75 sedentary women who had fibromyalgia.

UCLA physicists discover ‘apparent departure from the laws of thermodynamics’
UCLA physicists have revolutionized our understanding of a popular technique, known as buffer gas cooling, which is crucial in fields ranging from forensics to the production of antimatter.

UTEP researchers innovate brain preservation technique
By figuring out how to preserve specimens in the remote locations in which they are found — locations almost completely opposite those of a controlled laboratory or 21st century urban area — researchers from The University of Texas at El Paso have given science one more way to study a wide range of creatures, particularly those threatened by global climate change.

Scientists have conducted a mathematical analysis of a rare cavernicolous crustacean
A scientific collaboration of researchers from the Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Smithsonian Institution has discovered previously unknown regularities of arthropod limbs based on studies of the remipede Speleonectes tulumensis, a rare crustacean found in saline waters of caves. The results of the research have been published in PeerJ, an open-access interdisciplinary journal.

‘Born to be bad’ or ‘born to be benign’ — testing cells for esophageal cancer risk
Genetically analyzing lesions in the food pipe could provide an early and accurate test for esophageal cancer, according to research led by Queen Mary University of London, Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam and Arizona State University.

Parents more likely to support HPV vax requirements if states include opt-out provisions
Parents are more likely to support laws that would make the human papillomavirus vaccine mandatory for school entry if their state offers opt-out provisions, however, the study’s lead author cautioned that such opt-out provisions may weaken the effectiveness of the vaccine requirements.

Majority of parents support HPV vaccination requirements for school, but with opt-outs
A national survey found that parents were more likely to agree that laws requiring students to be vaccinated against HPV for school entry are a ‘good idea’ when there is an opt-out clause. This provision, said the University of North Carolina researchers, could make the laws far less effective. It also means physicians and other health care providers are key to improving HPV vaccination rates.