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Science News for October 16, 2015


Future coastal climate not cool for redwood forests

A study published in Global Change Biology predicts that a warmer future with normal rainfall will leave California's coast redwoods with a significantly different climate than they have experienced for decades. The study also suggests that redwood forest bioclimate will expand by 34 percent northward from the coast of California into ...

Scent is the route to the very best fruit

Researchers found that spider monkeys can distinguish between ripe and unripe fruit odors with over 70% accuracy, a skill honed through coevolution with tropical trees. The study suggests that a species' sense of smell is not inherently good or bad, but rather adaptive to their ecological niche.

SourceLinköping University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 16, 2015

Wayne State scientists make advancements that may lead to new treatments for Parkinson's

Researchers led by Assia Shisheva found a novel interaction partner of the ArPIKfyve-Sac3 complex in the brain, which binds Synphilin-1 and prevents its aggregation. This discovery may lead to new therapeutic approaches for reducing cytoplasmic aggregates in Parkinson's disease.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateOct 16, 2015

New Jersey researchers use neuroimaging to explore reading deficits after left stroke

New Jersey researchers used neuroimaging to investigate reading deficits in patients with subacute left hemispheric stroke. They found associations between phonological deficits and lesions in the anterior temporal lobe and mid-fusiform gyrus. This study may lead to targeted interventions for acquired reading deficits, benefiting indiv...

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateOct 16, 2015

The end is in sight for reading glasses

Researchers are developing a new eye lens that can adjust focus automatically, using liquid crystals to tackle age-related conditions like presbyopia and cataracts. The lens could be implanted in a quick surgical procedure, offering hope for millions of people affected by these vision problems.

How plants turn into zombies

Scientists at Jena University have discovered how bacteria infect plants by hijacking the regulation of flower development, preventing normal growth and sexual reproduction. The study sheds light on the molecular reasons behind this phenomenon, where infected plants 'become the living dead'.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalTrends in Plant Science·DateOct 16, 2015

Maternal influences

Researchers analyzed 640 pregnancies in 142 mares to understand the impact of maternal lineage on gestation length and foal characteristics. The study found that certain maternal lineages produce more female foals, with young and older mares contributing to this trend. These findings have implications for horse breeding practices.

Anti-clumping strategy for nanoparticles

Researchers identified key factors leading to nanoparticles' instability and aggregation in industrial applications. The conditions include the electric force imbalance between particles and attractive or repulsive forces.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateOct 16, 2015

Scientists demonstrate how to improve ultrathin CIGSe solar cells by nanoparticles

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin improved ultrathin CIGSe solar cells by integrating nanoparticles into the back contact, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced charge carrier loss. This innovative approach enables more efficient light trapping and absorption, paving the way for further design enhancements.

Marshall University research team publishes study in prestigious Science Advances

Researchers at Marshall University have identified a novel mechanism for blocking the signal by which the cellular sodium-potassium pump amplifies oxidants, leading to obesity and metabolic syndrome. The study, published in Science Advances, suggests that the Na/K-ATPase might be a therapeutic target for treating these conditions.