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Science News Archive August 2015 - Page 2


Page 2 of 32

Millipede research 2.0

The first new species of millipede is described using high-detail 3D images, providing unprecedented access to anatomical information. The cybertype-enhanced description allows for widespread sharing and study of the digital specimen, enabling researchers to analyze its unique traits without dissecting the original holotype.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 31, 2015

Epigenomic changes are key to innate immunological memory

Researchers have discovered that epigenomic changes induced by pathogen infections, mediated by a transcription factor called ATF7, are the underlying mechanism of innate immunological memory. This finding could increase our understanding of the hygiene hypothesis and lead to the development of more efficient vaccines.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Immunology·DateAug 31, 2015

Evidence of ancient life discovered in mantle rocks deep below the seafloor

Researchers found fossilized microbes in ancient rock samples from the Iberian continental margin, confirming a long-standing hypothesis that interactions between mantle rocks and seawater can create conditions for life. The discovery provides important insights into the possibility of 'intraterrestrial' life in rocks below the seafloor.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 31, 2015

Quantifying the impact of volcanic eruptions on climate

A new method reconciles observational proxy and model evidence, demonstrating that the Tampora and Samalas eruptions generated an average drop in temperature in the Northern Hemisphere fluctuating between 0.8 and 1.3°C during the summer of 1258 and 1816. This cooling did not last for more than three years at a hemispheric scale.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Geoscience·DateAug 31, 2015

Study: Some with low-risk prostate cancer not likely to succumb to the disease

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine analyzed survival statistics of 1,298 men with low-risk prostate tumors and found that only two died of prostate cancer after 15 years, while three developed metastatic disease. This suggests that carefully selected patients in active surveillance programs are unlikely to be harmed by their disease.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateAug 31, 2015

Knee and hip replacements may be bad for the heart

A study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology found that osteoarthritis patients who underwent total knee or hip joint replacement surgery were at increased risk of heart attack immediately following arthroplasty. However, long-term risk was insignificant, while the risk for venous thromboembolism remained years after the procedure.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateAug 31, 2015

Using nanotechnology to fight cancer

The new Northwestern University Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence will use nucleic-acid-based nanoconstructs called Spherical Nucleic Acids (SNAs) to discover new aspects of cancer biology and create effective cancer treatment options. SNAs are nontoxic to humans, offering a versatile tool in medicine.

Single mothers much more likely to live in poverty than single fathers, study finds

A University of Illinois study finds that single mothers earn significantly less than single fathers, widening the gender gap. Single mothers are more likely to live in poverty and struggle financially due to lack of child support, whereas single fathers tend to be better off financially after a divorce.

Lizards can stomach island living

A study found that island-dwelling Balkan green lizards have a longer small intestine and hindgut compared to their mainland counterparts. They also possess cecal valves, which slow down food passage and provide fermenting chambers, allowing them to digest more plant material.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe Science of Nature·DateAug 31, 2015

Deciphering the olfactory receptor code

Scientists have created a tool that can identify thousands of chemosensory receptors stimulated by specific smells in various species, from mice to flies. This breakthrough could help unravel the logic of chemosensory code across animal species and has countless applications, including understanding behaviors triggered by odorants.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 31, 2015