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Science News Archive May 2014 - Page 24


Page 24 of 31

Fueling aviation with hardwoods

A multi-university team has developed a technology to transform lignocellulosic biomass into a jet fuel surrogate via catalytic chemistry. The proposed approach could potentially produce aviation fuels at a cost of $2.88 per gallon, making it a promising alternative to traditional petroleum-derived fuels.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateMay 8, 2014

Mummy-making wasps discovered in Ecuador

Twenty-four new species of Aleiodes wasps were discovered in the cloud forests of Ecuador, mummifying caterpillars in an unusual way. These small organisms have a significant impact on forest ecology by controlling plant-feeding caterpillar populations, helping to sustain biodiversity.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateMay 8, 2014

Researching an endangered relationship

New Jersey Institute of Technology researchers are investigating how climate change may disrupt the vital relationship between bees and plants, which could lead to poor crop pollination and lower yields. The study, supported by a $150,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, aims to understand how temperature changes may affect ...

GaitTrack app makes cellphone a medical monitor for heart and lung patients

Researchers developed GaitTrack app that uses eight motion parameters to analyze a person's walking pattern, providing valuable insights into cardiopulmonary, muscular, and neurological health. The app has shown promising results in monitoring chronic lung disease patients, predicting lung function with high accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalTelemedicine and e-Health·DateMay 8, 2014

A lab in your pocket

Researchers at Michigan Technological University have developed software to design lab-on-a-chip hardware, enabling the simultaneous testing of dozens of medical conditions with a single drop of blood. The technology could revolutionize medical diagnostics by providing fast and accurate results miles from the nearest clinic.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalIEEE Transactions on NanoBioscience·DateMay 7, 2014

Malaria severity not determined solely by parasite levels in blood

A recent NIH-funded study tracked Tanzanian children's risk of severe malaria over time, finding no simple relationship between parasite density and disease severity. The research suggests that even mild episodes of malaria may pose a significant risk of severe illness, contrary to previous mathematical models.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 7, 2014

New care approach eases depression among women

Women who received collaborative care for depression at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic showed significant reduction in symptoms, with more than half experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder as well. The approach, called Depression Attention for Women Now, improved patient engagement, treatment recommendations, and follow-up care.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateMay 7, 2014

Nanoscale heat flow predictions

Researchers developed a predictive theoretical model for heat flux in novel nanomaterials using atom-scale calculations. This could help optimize thermal budget of nanoelectronic devices and produce energy through thermoelectric effects.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateMay 7, 2014