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Science News Archive March 2015 - Page 12


Page 12 of 38

UEA mathematicians solve 60-year-old problem

Researchers from UEA and international partners utilized wave turbulence theory to tackle the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam problem, a 60-year-old numerical experiment. They successfully predicted long thermalization timescales and corroborated their findings with extensive simulations.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2015

Number of births may affect mom's future heart health, UT Southwestern cardiologists find

A new study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that women who have given birth to four or more children are more likely to experience cardiovascular changes that can indicate heart disease. Researchers compared data from the Dallas Heart Study and found a U-shaped association between the number of births and heart disease risk.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateMar 23, 2015

News from Annals of Internal Medicine March 24, 2015

The US Preventive Services Task Force finds that routine screening for thyroid dysfunction in nonpregnant, asymptomatic adults lacks sufficient evidence. In contrast, the American Diabetes Association recommends individualized treatment plans for patients with diabetes, taking into account factors like age, comorbid conditions, and car...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 23, 2015

Quantum correlation can imply causation

Research from the University of Waterloo and Perimeter Institute demonstrates that quantum mechanics can distinguish between cause-effect relations and common causes, unlike classical physics. This breakthrough enables a new approach to causal inference, potentially solving long-standing problems in science.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 23, 2015

Flower-enriched farms boost bee populations

A two-year study found that flower strips on farms in the UK increased common bumblebee populations by significantly boosting their numbers and nesting density. The research suggests that targeted agri-environment schemes can boost bee populations, particularly for common species, but may not benefit rarer species as much.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateMar 23, 2015

A mathematical explanation for the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam system problem first proposed in 1953

A team of researchers, led by Yuri Lvov, has discovered that the key to thermalization in the FPU system lies in a gradual transfer of energy during coincidences of six modes. This nonreversible process leads to the irreversible transfer of energy and the eventual approach to thermal equilibrium.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2015

Insulin resistance linked to a human gene variant

A new study identifies N-acetyltransferase 2 as a key gene variant linked to insulin resistance, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Inhibition of NAT2 in a mouse model decreased insulin sensitivity, highlighting its role in complex diseases.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 23, 2015

Mutations taking place only in the brain identified as the cause of intractable epilepsy

Researchers at KAIST identify brain somatic mutations in the MTOR gene as the cause of intractable epilepsy. These mutations are specific to the brain and can lead to permanent disabilities and death. A targeted therapy using rapamycin may offer a solution, suppressing mTOR kinase activation to lessen epileptic seizures.

Archeologists discover Maya 'melting pot'

Archeologists discover that mobile and sedentary Maya groups co-existed and collaborated on construction projects, participating in public ceremonies. This finding challenges the idea that sedentary and mobile communities were separate.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 23, 2015

Colliding stars explain enigmatic 17th century explosion

A team of astronomers using APEX and other telescopes revealed that the star that appeared in the sky in 1670 was a rare stellar collision, not a nova. The team discovered a cool gas rich in molecules with an unusual chemical composition, which was too great to be explained by a nova explosion.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateMar 23, 2015