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Science News Archive May 2015 - Page 27


Page 27 of 31

Scientists X-ray chocolate

Researchers at Hamburg University of Technology, DESY, and Nestle found that reducing porosity, storing products at ideal temperatures, and controlling crystallization can help minimize fat bloom. This study provides new insights into the formation of fat bloom, an issue affecting millions in the food industry.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 6, 2015

Insight into the Ebola virus nucleocapsid assembly mechanism

Researchers solved the structure of Ebola virus nucleoprotein core domain to 1.8 Å resolution, revealing RNA binding groove similarities with other viral NPs. The findings provide valuable insights into EBOV genome assembly and transcription mechanism, as well as potential antiviral therapies targeting RNP formation.

SourceSpringer·JournalProtein & Cell·DateMay 6, 2015

A better way to build DNA scaffolds

The McGill team has devised a method to create longer DNA strands, including custom-designed sequence patterns, using an enzyme called ligase and polymerase. This approach produces large amounts of these longer strands in just a few hours, making the process potentially more economical and commercially viable than existing techniques.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 6, 2015

Customers will pay more today if there's payback later, shows equal billing study

A study of equal billing plans found that customers prefer to pay a little more each month to ensure a refund at the end of the term. This irrational attitude leads to increased customer loyalty and satisfaction. Companies can benefit from this by setting up their equal billing plans to issue refunds at the end of the term.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalInternational Journal of Research in Marketing·DateMay 6, 2015

Age matters in health messages

A study by Dr Mark Moss and colleagues found that age has the biggest influence on motivators and barriers to exercise among older people. The researchers suggest that new health messages should tailor their information to account for differences between 'young' and 'older' older adults.

Not so cold-blooded creatures

Endothermic fish, including sharks and tunas, can swim two and a half times faster and twice as far as cold-blooded species. This unique physiological characteristic allows them to maximize their swimming distance and speed, providing benefits for hunting and reproduction.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2015

Perception of US care for the dying worsens

A new study reveals that the perception of quality care for the dying in the US has worsened over the last decade, with loved ones reporting a decrease in satisfaction. Despite efforts to improve end-of-life care, significant gaps remain between patient and provider preferences.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Palliative Medicine·DateMay 6, 2015