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Science News Archive July 2015 - Page 5


Page 5 of 34

Identifying ever-growing disturbances leading to freak waves

Researchers have made significant progress in identifying growing localised patterns as early indicators of freak waves. By resolving the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, they can extract pertinent information from localised disturbances' characteristics, shedding light on complex dynamics.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJul 28, 2015

Autism costs estimated to reach nearly $500 billion, potentially $1 trillion, by 2025

UC Davis researchers estimate that the total costs of caring for people with autism spectrum disorder will range from $162 to $367 billion in 2015 and potentially reach $1 trillion by 2025. The study recommends increased investment in research and early intervention programs to reduce these costs.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateJul 28, 2015

A new litmus test for chaos?

Researchers from the University of Maryland have described a new definition of chaos that can be applied to a wide range of chaotic systems. Expansion entropy, a flexible type of entropy, is used to identify chaotic behavior in models that are forced by external inputs. This new definition has the potential to help advance computer mod...

Major European mouse study reveals the role of genes in disease

A major European mouse study has identified the roles of 320 genes in mice, shedding light on their functions and potential links to human diseases. The study, led by Helmholtz Munich, provides valuable insights into genetic variations that can be used to develop personalized medicine approaches.

'Carbon sink' detected underneath world's deserts

A new study suggests that the world's deserts may be storing significant amounts of climate-changing carbon dioxide, with estimates suggesting up to 20 billion metric tons stored in underground aquifers. This discovery could improve models used to predict future climate change and enhance calculations of the Earth's carbon budget.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 28, 2015

Plant light sensors came from ancient algae

A new study from Duke University found that plant light-sensing molecules were inherited from ancient algae, contradicting the prevailing idea of bacterial origins. The researchers analyzed 300 DNA and RNA sequences from phytochrome proteins in a wide range of algae and land plants.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 28, 2015

Link between mood, pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Researchers link positive and negative mood to daily pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients, suggesting that interventions targeting depression and momentary mood may improve pain and quality of life. The study's findings may have implications for individuals with chronic pain beyond rheumatoid arthritis.

SourcePenn State·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateJul 28, 2015

Doctor warns about lead poisoning risk from recycling older electronic equipment

A pediatrician at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center warns that recycling older electronic equipment poses a lead poisoning risk to children. Elevated blood lead levels have been detected in two cases, highlighting the importance of preventing take-home exposure to hazardous chemicals and substances.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalMMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report·DateJul 28, 2015

BMJ partners with European Society for Medical Oncology

BMJ has partnered with the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) to publish a new open access cancer journal called ESMO Open. The journal will cover various aspects of cancer treatment and include study protocols and phase I clinical trials. It aims to provide rapid access to high-quality research on cancer care worldwide.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJul 28, 2015

Origins of life: New model may explain emergence of self-replication on early Earth

A new model suggests that template-assisted ligation could have enabled the leap from monomers to self-replicating polymer chains in primordial soup. The model proposes a cycle between 'day' and 'night' phases, driven by environmental changes, where polymers join together to form longer chains via template-assisted ligation.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJul 28, 2015

Experimental MERS vaccine shows promise in animal studies

A two-step regimen of experimental vaccines against Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) prompted immune responses in mice and rhesus macaques, producing broadly neutralizing antibodies against multiple strains of the MERS coronavirus. Vaccinated macaques were protected from severe lung damage when later exposed to MERS-CoV.

More secondary schools serve healthier lunches

Significant improvements were made in National School Lunch Program nutrition for middle and high school students after the US Department of Agriculture updated its nutrition standards in 2012-13. At least 80% of secondary students attended schools that offered nonfat milk and fruits and vegetables daily by 2013.

Ewing's sarcoma: A dangerous liaison

Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München elucidated the molecular level interactions between an inherited mutation and a spontaneous somatic mutation in Ewing's sarcoma. The team discovered that a germline susceptibility variant increases risk for the disease by interacting with a driver mutation, promoting tumorigenesis.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 28, 2015