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Science News Archive March 2014 - Page 26


Page 26 of 34

Moffitt Cancer Center pioneers worldwide standard in diagnosing melanoma

Sentinel node biopsy has significantly improved 10-year disease-free survival rates and melanoma-free survival for melanoma patients, reducing the need for extensive lymph node surgery. The procedure has become a worldwide standard in diagnosing melanoma, thanks to Moffitt Cancer Center's pioneering role in its development and teaching.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 10, 2014

Where nothing grows anymore

Researchers found that high sodium concentrations in the soil lead to instability and increased erosion in Tuscany's Crete Senesi badlands. The presence of vegetation helps stabilize the ground, but agricultural use is eroding the landscape, threatening its disappearance in 35-40 years.

Impersonating poisonous prey

Prey animals adopt garish colors to live long and prosper, even if they aren't poisonous. The evolutionary benefit of mimicry works, with predators reacting to the impersonations and avoiding eating the imposters. This study used evolving populations of digital organisms in a virtual world called Avida.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 10, 2014

Malnourished children are better fed when mothers have network of peers

A University of Illinois study found that mothers participating in a vocational training program gained a network of peers, leading to increased bargaining strength and improved children's consumption of rice and dairy. The program empowered women, allowing them to exert more say over household resources.

Elsevier announces the launch of OA journal: Colloid and Interface Science Communications

The open access journal Colloid and Interface Science Communications provides an innovative channel for publishing short initial reports on new fundamental concepts, research findings, and topical applications. The journal covers topics such as nanomaterials, energy production and storage, biotechnologies, and pharmaceutical products.

SourceElsevier·JournalColloids and Interface Science Communications·DateMar 10, 2014

Agroforestry can ensure food security and mitigate the effects of climate change in Africa

African smallholder farmers can benefit from agroforestry practices to increase storage of carbon, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve resilience to climate change impacts. Agroforestry is a win-win solution that addresses both mitigation and adaptation needs in food-focused production systems.

SourceWorld Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)·JournalCurrent Opinion in Environmental Sustainability·DateMar 10, 2014

NASA data shed new light on changing Greenland ice

New research using NASA data shows that only a small number of Greenland's largest glaciers are responsible for the majority of ice discharge into the ocean. The study used satellite observations and ice thickness measurements to calculate ice flow rates, providing a clearer picture of how glacier dynamics affect the Greenland Ice Sheet.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 10, 2014

Atomically thin solar cells

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have created the world's thinnest solar cells using tungsten diselenide, a material that can absorb light and convert it into electrical power. The ultrathin layers exhibit high transparency and efficiency, making them suitable for flexible displays and glass facades.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 9, 2014

New bioinformatics tool to visualize transcriptomes

ZENBU integrates genome browsers with data analysis and linked expression views to facilitate interactive visualization of next-generation sequencing results. The tool allows for dynamic combination of thousands of experimental datasets, enabling scientists to discover new biological mechanisms.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateMar 9, 2014

Scents and sustainability

Researchers at the University of California - Davis have engineered bacteria to produce esters, a key component in scents, flavors, and chemical processes. This breakthrough could lead to a $20 billion industry shift towards renewable sources.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMar 9, 2014

Promising news for solar fuels from Berkeley Lab researchers at JCAP

Researchers at JCAP have developed a new hybrid material that stores nearly 90% of the electrons generated by solar energy in hydrogen molecules. This breakthrough could address one of the major challenges in using artificial photosynthesis to produce renewable solar fuels. The material, which combines gallium phosphide and cobaloxime ...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateMar 7, 2014