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Science News Archive October 2015 - Page 27


Page 27 of 38

Could 'The Day After Tomorrow' happen?

A University of Southampton study suggests that an abrupt collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) could lead to cooling, rather than warming, for a period of 20 years. Global warming would continue after this initial cooling, with a globally averaged temperature offset of about 0.8°C.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 9, 2015

Antioxidants cause malignant melanoma to metastasize faster

Research at Sahlgrenska Academy found that antioxidants double the rate of metastasis in malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer. The study's findings contradict previous assumptions that antioxidants protect against cancer and suggest patients with cancer or an elevated risk should avoid nutritional supplements containing antioxidants.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 9, 2015

A cure for vitamin B6 deficiency

Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a genetically modified cassava variety that produces several-fold higher levels of vitamin B6, addressing the widespread deficiency in Africa. The new trait is stable under different conditions and has been confirmed to be bioavailable for human consumption.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateOct 9, 2015

Chance effect of lab's fluorescent lights leads to discovery

Scientists at Penn State and University of Chicago discovered a new way to use light to draw and erase quantum-mechanical circuits on topological insulators, allowing for non-invasive and faster experimentation. The technique uses ultraviolet and bright red light to manipulate the electronic properties of these materials.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 9, 2015

Threat posed by 'pollen thief' bees uncovered

A new University of Stirling study has uncovered the secrets of 'pollen thief' bees, which take pollen from flowers without providing pollination services. The research found that these smaller bees often stay longer at each flower and visit fewer flowers in each run, contributing little to seed production.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalArthropod-Plant Interactions·DateOct 9, 2015

Many colonoscopy patients do not accurately recall important exam details as time lapses

A new study found that patients' recollections of their last colonoscopy are variable, with many unable to recall key details such as the date of their procedure or the presence and number of polyps. The study suggests that doctors can contribute to these issues by not repeating crucial information to patients.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateOct 8, 2015

Opposites don't attract when learning how to use a prosthesis

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology found that upper limb amputees who learned from fellow amputees using a similar prosthetic device showed significant improvement in motor skills and brain activity. The study suggests that people are better equipped to adapt when learning from someone with similar physical characteristics.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNeurorehabilitation and Neural Repair·DateOct 8, 2015

Bio-inspired robotic finger looks, feels and works like the real thing

A bio-inspired robotic finger developed by Florida Atlantic University's Erik Engeberg has been shown to mimic human motions and offer advantages over traditional mechanisms. The finger uses shape memory alloy technology and a unique thermal training technique to recover its trained shape, demonstrating rapid flexing and extending motion.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalBioinspiration & Biomimetics·DateOct 8, 2015

Sex change hormonal treatments alter brain chemistry

A new study in Biological Psychiatry finds that hormonal treatments for sex reassignment alter brain chemistry, increasing serotonin levels in female-to-male transsexuals and decreasing them in male-to-female transsexuals. These changes may explain why testosterone improves symptoms in some forms of depression.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateOct 8, 2015