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Science News Archive October 2014 - Page 23


Page 23 of 35

Taking infestation with a grain of salt

A study by SDSU biologist Jeremy Long found that scale insects have a complex effect on cordgrass growth, with salinity being a key factor. In fresh water, infested plants grew taller, but in salt water, the effect was reversed. The research suggests that plants can overcompensate for grazing when not stressed by salinity.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 13, 2014

York leads the way in carbohydrate research

The University of York has secured a £320,000 grant to purchase the UK's first automated carbohydrate synthesizer, transforming glycoscience in the country. This technology will enable researchers to synthesize complex sugars, which have been challenging to produce due to their complexity and chemical synthesis challenges.

Spinal cord injury victims may benefit from stem cell transplantation studies

Researchers have discovered that ependymal progenitor cells can respond to purinergic receptors, which may lead to potential therapeutic alternatives in treating spinal cord injuries. A second study found that transplanted bone marrow cells enhanced neurological repair and remyelination of damaged areas.

Greater rates of mitochondrial mutations discovered in children born to older mothers

A study by Penn State scientists found that children born to older mothers have higher rates of mitochondrial DNA mutations, which can cause over 200 diseases. The researchers also discovered the size of the 'bottleneck' period during egg-cell development, providing crucial information for genetic counseling and family planning.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 13, 2014

Lose the weight, not the potatoes

A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that eating potatoes as part of a balanced diet can aid in weight loss. The research, led by Dr. Britt Burton-Freeman, involved ninety overweight men and women who were given various calorie restrictions and provided with potatoes, healthful recipes, and...

SourceFleishman-Hillard, Inc.·JournalJournal of the American College of Nutrition·DateOct 13, 2014

Inside the Milky Way

Researchers analyzed images from the Russian spacecraft RadioAstron and found small spots in the overall image, which they call substructure. This phenomenon can be used to infer the actual size of the underlying source, including the black hole's emission region.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 13, 2014

Uncertain reward more motivating than sure thing, study finds

A recent study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that uncertainty can be a motivating factor for individuals. Researchers discovered that people are more likely to invest time and effort into pursuing an uncertain reward, rather than a certain one. This phenomenon is attributed to the positive experience of making the...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Booth School of Business·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateOct 13, 2014

Tailored flexible illusion coatings hide objects from detection

Researchers at Penn State have developed a metamaterial coating that allows coated objects to function normally while appearing as something other than what they really are. The 'illusion coatings' work by using copper patterns designed to create the desired result, enabling practical applications for cloaking metal antennas and sensors.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateOct 13, 2014

A new land snail species named for equal marriage rights

Scientists discovered a new land snail species, Aegista diversifamilia, in eastern Taiwan, confirming previous suggestions of cryptic species within the previously identified A. subchinensis. The new species is larger and has a different shell shape than A. subchinensis, highlighting the importance of biogeographic barriers.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateOct 13, 2014

Stress may be harder on women's hearts than men's

Researchers found that mental stress can cause reduced blood flow to the heart in women, leading to ischemia, a prevalent component of cardiovascular disease. The study suggests sex distinctions in how the body responds to mental stress, with women experiencing increased negative emotions and decreased positive feelings.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateOct 13, 2014

Some sections of the San Andreas Fault system in San Francisco Bay Area are locked, overdue

Four urban sections of the San Andreas Fault system have stored enough energy to produce major earthquakes, according to a new study. Three fault sections – Hayward, Rodgers Creek and Green Valley – are nearing or past their average recurrence interval, indicating they are overdue for a significant quake.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateOct 13, 2014

Disputed theory on Parkinson's origin strengthened

The Braak hypothesis suggests that Parkinson's disease begins in the digestive tract and spreads to the brain. Researchers at Lund University have now found direct evidence of this process, tracking the spread of alpha-synuclein protein from the gut to the brain in rat models.

SourceLund University·JournalActa Neuropathologica·DateOct 13, 2014

Atomic map reveals clues to how cholesterol is made

Researchers have gained new insight into the complex molecular process of cholesterol production by mapping the structure of a key enzyme involved in the process. The study revealed two pockets within the enzyme's architecture that help spark the synthesis of cholesterol, with potential implications for the treatment of high cholesterol.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature·DateOct 12, 2014

Revving up fluorescence for superfast LEDs

Duke University researchers have developed a way to increase the photon emission rate of fluorescent molecules, reaching record levels. This breakthrough has significant implications for ultrafast LEDs and quantum cryptography, enabling secure communication that could not be hacked.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 12, 2014