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Science News Archive December 2014 - Page 4


Page 4 of 28

Startling benefit of cardiology meetings

Research published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that high-risk patients admitted to hospitals during cardiology meetings are more likely to survive than on non-meeting days. The study suggests that a less intensive approach for these patients may be beneficial.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateDec 22, 2014

Blocking Notch pathway leads to new route to hair cell regeneration to restore hearing

Scientists have discovered that blocking the Notch pathway enables cochlear progenitor cells to proliferate and regenerate hair cells, potentially leading to new treatments for hearing loss. The study reveals a new function of Notch signaling in limiting proliferation and regeneration potential of postnatal cochlear progenitor cells.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 22, 2014

Hands on: Crafting ultrathin color coatings

Scientists have developed a technique to coat metallic objects with an extremely thin layer of semiconductor, producing vibrant optical effects on paper and other flexible materials. The ultrathin coatings can produce bright, solid colors using the same two metals, applied with only a few atoms' difference in thickness.

SourceHarvard University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateDec 22, 2014

Distribution of fish on the northeast US shelf influenced by both fishing and climate

Scientists studied four commercial and recreational fish stocks in Northeast U.S. waters and found that climate change affects their distribution, while fishing pressure has significant impacts on a more immediate time scale. The study shows that different species respond differently to temperature and fishing pressure.

SourceNOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center·JournalICES Journal of Marine Science·DateDec 22, 2014

Ecosystems need maths not random nature to survive

Researchers discovered a universal mathematical property called Trophic Coherence that explains how ecosystems maintain stability and grow larger, unlike previous thought. This finding has implications for conservation efforts and may apply to finance and engineering fields.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 22, 2014

Store remodelling benefits bottom line

Research from Monash University found that store remodelling increases retail sales by nearly 50%, with new customers driving a 43-44% increase in sales. Existing customers see a 7-10% boost. The study suggests remodelling should be viewed as a marketing investment to retain and attract new customers.

SourceMonash University·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateDec 22, 2014

Acoustic tweezers manipulate cell-to-cell contact

Researchers develop acoustic tweezers that can precisely position groups of cells for study, eliminating the risk of cell damage. The device achieves a throughput of thousands of cells and enables precise control over cell-to-cell contact, paving the way for studies on cellular communication and information transfer.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 22, 2014

Light-emitting e-readers detrimentally shift circadian clock

Researchers found that reading from light-emitting e-readers before bed suppresses melatonin release and shifts the circadian clock, leading to longer sleep latency and reduced REM sleep. Exposure to short-wavelength-enriched blue light disrupts natural sleep patterns.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 22, 2014

Study: Extra income boosts health of elderly in poor countries

A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that providing additional $67 per month to elderly residents in poor countries improves their health outcomes. Participants who received this supplement showed significant improvements in lung function and memory, as well as increased access to healthcare services.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 22, 2014

New technique reveals immune cell motion

Researchers developed a new technique to study neutrophil motion in confined spaces, revealing a second mode of motion that doesn't rely on integrins. The findings suggest that physical confinement is key to reproducing this motion and may lead to the development of new drugs to optimize neutrophil movement in specific tissue types.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateDec 19, 2014

The state of shale

Researchers at University of Pittsburgh have contributed three studies to a special issue of the journal Energy Technology, focusing on smart wells, wastewater management, and information gaps related to shale gas drilling. The research aims to improve extraction through wireless communication and safely reuse drilling wastewater.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalEnergy Technology·DateDec 19, 2014

One in every three people with type 1 diabetes produces insulin years post-diagnosis

A recent study published in Diabetes Care found that approximately one-third of people with type 1 diabetes produce insulin, as measured by C-peptide, even up to 40 years after diagnosis. This challenges the long-held assumption that these patients lose all ability to produce insulin, highlighting potential implications for clinical pr...