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Science News Archive November 2013 - Page 6


Page 6 of 30

Underestimated future climate change?

A new study by Thomas Frölicher suggests that the Earth's atmosphere could continue to warm for hundreds of years after a complete stop of CO2 emissions, leading to a 25% increase in global temperature. The ESM2M climate model reveals that regional ocean heat uptake is crucial in understanding the effects of climate change.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Climate Change·DateNov 25, 2013

New immunotherapy for malignant brain tumors

Researchers developed a new immunotherapy approach that successfully treated glioblastoma, a fatal brain tumor, by stimulating the immune system and inducing tumor rejection. The treatment, combining intra-tumoral Interleukin-12 with CTLA-4 blockade, achieved a success rate of up to 80% in preclinical trials.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateNov 25, 2013

Oxytocin leads to monogamy

Researchers found that oxytocin administration increases attractiveness of partner and strengthens monogamy by stimulating brain's reward center. The study suggests a biological mechanism for maintaining love relationships.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 25, 2013

Controlling our circadian rhythms

A new study in The Journal of General Physiology has shed light on the biophysical processes underlying regulation of circadian rhythms. Researchers found that decreased BK channel activity, particularly a specific variant containing SRKR, contributes to reduced SCN neuron excitability during the day.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of General Physiology·DateNov 25, 2013

Black hole jets pack a powerful punch

Researchers have found evidence of iron and nickel in the jets from a typical black hole, revealing that these heavy atoms carry more energy than lighter particles. This discovery suggests that black holes' accretion disks power jets, which could generate detectable gamma rays and neutrinos.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature·DateNov 24, 2013

UNL scientists develop novel X-ray device

Researchers at UNL's Extreme Light Laboratory developed a novel method to generate research-quality X-rays using a 'tabletop' laser, increasing accessibility to the technology. The new device produces high-energy X-rays with potential applications in Homeland Security, medical imaging, and scientific research.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 24, 2013

Diamond 'flaws' pave way for nanoscale MRI

Researchers at Cambridge's Cavendish Laboratory have achieved high coherence in nitrogen-vacancy centers of nanodiamonds, enabling the creation of ultra-precise nanoscale magnetic field and temperature detectors. This breakthrough could enhance our understanding of chemical reactions within single cells and signalling in neural networks.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Materials·DateNov 24, 2013

The physics of beer tapping

Researchers explore beer bottle-fluid interactions using cavitation analysis, explaining the formation of foam due to rapid expansion of smaller bubbles. The study's findings can be applied to other engineering concerns, such as erosion of ship propellers and carbon dioxide release in natural disasters.

Pill-popping galaxy hooked on gas

A massive gas cloud called the Smith Cloud is hurtling towards our Galaxy, and may be a key source of fuel for star formation. The cloud has been found to have a magnetic field that helps keep it intact, protecting it from disintegrating as it approaches the Galaxy's disk.

Stuck on flu

Researchers at UC San Diego discovered how flu viruses exploit a mucus-rich barrier to infect cells, and found that blocking neuraminidase activity could prevent infection. This finding could lead to new drugs or therapies that more effectively inhibit viral activity.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalVirology Journal·DateNov 22, 2013

Copper promises cheaper, sturdier fuel cells

Researchers at Duke University have developed copper nanowire catalysts that can efficiently harness solar energy to split water into hydrogen, a promising step towards cheaper and sturdier fuel cells. The material is abundant, inexpensive, and flexible, making it ideal for use in various applications beyond solar energy production.

SourceDuke University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateNov 22, 2013

New dinosaur discovered in Utah

A new, 30-foot-long dinosaur has been discovered in Utah, revealing a key gap in the fossil record of large predatory dinosaurs in North America. The discovery indicates that carcharodontosaurs dominated the ecosystem for longer than previously thought, before tyrannosaurs took over.

SourceField Museum·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 22, 2013

Biodiversity higher in the tropics, but species more likely to arise at higher latitudes

A new study reveals that biodiversity is higher in the tropics due to increased genetic diversity among subspecies, which are more likely to arise in harsher environments typical of higher latitudes. This counterintuitive finding suggests that species turnover and extinction rates may be balanced near the equator.