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Science News Archive June 2015 - Page 3


Page 3 of 36

Physicists shatter stubborn mystery of how glass forms

Scientists have described the molecular-level process of glass formation, combining two decades-old theories to predict bulk behavior, surface flow, and the elusive glass transition. The new theory has implications for developing nanomaterials with conductive properties and calculating pharmaceutical uptake.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2015

Stuck on you: Research shows fingerprint accuracy stays the same over time

A groundbreaking study published in PNAS has found that fingerprint recognition accuracy stays the same even after years of aging. Using large-scale data from the Michigan State Police, researchers Anil Jain and Soweon Yoon demonstrated that fingerprints remain stable over time, addressing a long-standing concern in forensic science.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2015

Atmospheric mysteries unraveling

Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder discovered that halogen reactions from ocean air can turn mercury into a water-soluble form that stays high in the atmosphere for long periods. This process may help explain why mercury deposition is so widespread and persistent in some regions.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2015

Exit dinosaurs, enter fishes

Scientists discover that mass extinction event triggered by asteroid strike led to the rise of ray-finned fishes as the ocean's most diverse and dominant vertebrates. The abundance of ray-finned fish teeth began to explode after the extinction event, becoming eight times more abundant in 24 million years.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2015

First-ever possible treatments for MERS

Scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have discovered two therapeutics that neutralize the MERS virus, providing early hope for treatment and prevention. The study validated these treatments using animal models, setting the stage for clinical trials to test their effectiveness in humans.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2015

His and her pain circuitry in the spinal cord

Researchers found that male and female mice process pain using different cells, with female mice relying on T cells to sound the pain alarm. This discovery has far-reaching implications for developing targeted pain medications and highlights the need for more inclusive preclinical research.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJun 29, 2015

Too exhausted to fight -- and to do harm

Research from the University of Cambridge found that exhausted immune cells are bad news for infections, but good news for autoimmune diseases like lupus and Crohn's disease. The study suggests that targeting T cell exhaustion could lead to more effective treatments for these conditions.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·DateJun 29, 2015

Who takes care of whom? Surprising new evidence

A new study reveals that adults in the US provide over a billion hours of unpaid caregiving every week, primarily provided by women. The researchers project a rise in the need for such care, with the value of unpaid care projected to increase to $839 billion by 2050.

SourcePopulation Council·JournalPopulation and Development Review·DateJun 29, 2015

Societies issue recommendations for left atrial appendage occlusion

The American College of Cardiology has released recommendations for the implantation of left atrial appendage occlusion devices, which may lower the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. The new guidelines emphasize team-based care and the need for robust clinical data on outcomes for patients treated with these devices.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJun 29, 2015

GPs and the Fit for Work scheme

The GP's advisory role in the new Fit for Work scheme aims to provide additional support for those at risk of long-term incapacity. GPs can help patients weigh up pros and cons of returning to work, reducing negative consequences.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalBritish Journal of General Practice·DateJun 29, 2015

Let's talk about sex

A study by Ben-Gurion University researchers found that seniors are using online communities to discuss sex and share advice on keeping their mojo working. The websites provide opportunities for this population to explore its sexuality and overcome sexual vulnerabilities, such as health issues and limited access to information.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalJournal of Leisure Research·DateJun 29, 2015

OU student use nation's weather radar network to track bird migration at night

Two University of Oklahoma doctoral students have developed a technique to forecast the orientation behavior of birds as they migrate through the atmosphere at night using the nation's weather radar network. The approach has discovered broad-scale flight orientation of nocturnal migrant birds, offering a promising development for biolo...

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalIEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing·DateJun 29, 2015

Using bacterial 'fight clubs' to find new drugs

A team of Vanderbilt chemists used a novel approach called 'fight clubs' to identify promising new anti-cancer compounds from natural sources. By analyzing the interactions between bacteria and other microorganisms, they discovered a class of biomolecules with broad-spectrum activity.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalACS Chemical Biology·DateJun 29, 2015

Cattle ID system shows its muzzle

Researchers in Egypt have developed a biometric identification system for cattle using unique muzzle features, reducing the risk of food fraud and improving tracking efficiency. The system achieved high accuracy rates of 94% in actual tests, making it a promising solution for ranchers to control their stock.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Image Mining·DateJun 29, 2015