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Science News Archive October 2015 - Page 37


Page 37 of 38

Molecular switch keeps the circadian clock running on time

Researchers discovered a molecular switch that balances the activity of two key proteins in the circadian clock, PER2 and CK1. This finding provides insights into familial advanced sleep phase disorder (FASP) and may lead to new treatment strategies using drugs that inhibit these proteins.

SourceCell Press·JournalMolecular Cell·DateOct 1, 2015

Mission impossible?

A study by UCSB and NASA reveals that humans are inherently bad at watching computers work, with distractions and daydreaming leading to failures in practical monitoring tasks. Pilots missed 25% of altitude crossings despite high levels of cockpit automation, highlighting the challenges of task monitoring.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalConsciousness and Cognition·DateOct 1, 2015

Collaborative behaviors, traditional practices

A new report by IOP Publishing and Research Information Network (RIN) analyzes the changing information practices of physical scientists, with 70% collaborating with researchers outside their department in the last five years. Researchers prefer building personal collections of research articles, with 87% storing electronically.

New polymer creates safer fuels

Researchers at Caltech have developed a polymeric fuel additive that reduces the intensity of postimpact explosions in jet engines, without affecting fuel performance. The additive works by inhibiting droplet breakup under impact conditions, thereby reducing explosion size and turbulence.

Infrared thermography can detect joint inflammation and help improving work ergonomics

A study from the University of Eastern Finland found that infrared thermography can detect joint inflammation in ankle joints, but not knee joints. The technique also showed potential in evaluating office ergonomics and assessing musculoskeletal conditions, which could ease the workload in specialized healthcare and reduce costs.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalPhysiological Measurement·DateOct 1, 2015

A natural history of neurons

Scientists have discovered that brain cells contain significant numbers of somatic mutations, which contribute to human development and disease. The study provides a new perspective on the role of these post-conception mutations in shaping brain cell lineages and potentially driving neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·DateOct 1, 2015

A balanced diet is good for corals too, study finds

A new study published in Limnology and Oceanography found that a nutrient-rich, balanced diet is beneficial to corals during stressful thermal events. The researchers discovered that excess nitrogen alone and zooplankton made high-temperature bleaching events worse, while a balanced mix of nutrients afforded coral resilience.

Languages less arbitrary than long assumed

A recent study by Mark Dingemanse and colleagues reveals that language is less arbitrary than previously thought. The researchers found that iconicity, where word forms suggest meaning, and systematicity, a statistical relationship between sounds and grammatical usage, complement arbitrariness in vocabulary structure.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateOct 1, 2015

Blueprints for limbs encoded in the snake genome

Researchers at the University of Georgia found that the same genetic tools responsible for limb development in animals also control the formation of external genitalia in snakes. The study suggests that snakes retained DNA associated with limb development through millions of generations, as it may have been important for their reproduc...

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateOct 1, 2015

Are the blueprints for limbs encoded in the snake genome?

Researchers have found that snakes share similar genetic patterns with mammals and birds in their limbs and genitalia, suggesting a common ancestry. The study's findings suggest that these genetic elements may play a crucial role in phallus development and genital shape variation among species.

SourceCell Press·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateOct 1, 2015

The ecology of microbial invasions

A review article in Trends in Microbiology reveals that microbial invasions follow a general ecological pattern, with invasion phases including introduction, establishment, spread, and impact. The study found that species diversity is the best defense against invading microbes.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalTrends in Microbiology·DateOct 1, 2015

Extending a battery's lifetime with heat

Researchers from California Institute of Technology found that heat can shorten dendrites by up to 36% and possibly extend battery lifetimes. By analyzing the effect of temperature on individual lithium atoms, they discovered that increased temperatures trigger atomic motion, leading to the breakdown of dendrite structures.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateOct 1, 2015

Keeping the body ticking

A team of scientists discovered a molecular switch that regulates the body's circadian clock, allowing it to keep time. The 'phosphoswitch' maintains clock speed despite temperature changes and metabolic signals.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalMolecular Cell·DateOct 1, 2015

Deworming shows growth similar to placebo in pre-school children in Peru

A randomized controlled trial in Peru found that deworming treatment had no significant impact on growth in pre-school children, similar to a placebo. The study highlights methodological challenges and the need for further research to accurately detect the true effect of deworming on growth in early childhood.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateOct 1, 2015