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Science News Archive October 2015 - Page 7


Page 7 of 38

Young women less likely to be informed of heart disease risk by providers

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that young women under 55 are 11% less likely to report being told they are at-risk for heart disease before a heart attack. The study analyzed data from over 3,500 patients and found that women were also less likely to receive preventative therapy.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateOct 26, 2015

Elephants boost tree losses in South Africa's largest savanna reserve

A recent study by Carnegie Institution for Science found that elephants are responsible for a high tree-fall rate in Kruger, driven by population density and fire frequency. The research used LiDAR technology to map millions of trees across the reserve, providing insights into ecosystem management and conservation.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 26, 2015

Breeding in the crowns of coconut palms

Researchers found that coconut rhinoceros beetles were breeding in the crowns of coconut trees on Guam, with all life stages present. This unusual behavior is attributed to the loss of birds and rats due to brown treesnake predation, which normally feeds on larvae in this habitat.

SourceUniversity of Guam·JournalFlorida Entomologist·DateOct 26, 2015

Fossil landscapes in New England

The study found that the glacial ice covering New England's highest peaks was unable to erode the rock below, preserving the landscape in a fossil state. The contrast between stable summit landscapes and adjacent valleys deeply eroded by glacial ice contributed to the development of northern Appalachian topography.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateOct 26, 2015

Large, violent animal packs shaped the ecosystems of the Pleistocene epoch

Researchers found that intense attacks from packs of large carnivores, including lions and sabertooth cats, helped keep herbivore populations in check. This study challenges the long-held assumption that mammoths, mastodons, and giant ground sloths were limited by reproductive timing due to resource scarcity.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 26, 2015

Snake venom helps hydrogels stop the bleeding

Rice University scientists have developed a nanofiber hydrogel infused with snake venom that can stop bleeding within seconds, even in the presence of anti-coagulants. The material, called SB50, has great potential to treat surgical bleeding in patients taking heparin or other anti-coagulant drugs.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering·DateOct 26, 2015

Two mutations are better than one

Biologists at SDSU discovered that fruit flies with two muscle protein mutations have nearly three-quarters of the myosin protein function restored, compared to those with a single mutation. This finding suggests a new view of human heart disease and potential treatments.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateOct 26, 2015

SwRI scientists predict that rocky planets formed from 'pebbles'

Researchers used a new process to model planetary formation, showing that rocky planets grow from pebbles, resulting in the massive differences between Earth and Mars. The VSPA model explains why Mars is smaller than expected by suggesting that aerodynamic drag prevents pebbles from colliding with objects near the Red Planet.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 26, 2015

Too much, too late: Doctors should cut back on some medicines in seniors, studies suggest

Two new studies published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggest that doctors should work together with patients to de-intensify treatment for high blood pressure or diabetes in older people. In some cases, stopping or cutting back on medications can be safer than continuing treatment due to the risk of low blood pressure and sugar levels.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateOct 26, 2015

Ancient babies boost Bering land bridge layover

Two infants buried in Alaska, 11,500 years ago, share genetic material with Native Americans in North and South America. The study supports the Beringian standstill model, suggesting that Native Americans descended from Asian migrants who spent time in Beringia before moving to the Americas.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 26, 2015

Seeing sound

Researchers discovered that intrinsic neural connections can be used to help the blind detect their environment, making tasks easier and more intuitive. The study used a sensory substitution device to translate images into sound, allowing blind people to associate different sounds with features of their environment.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 26, 2015

How clean is the International Space Station?

A study published in Microbiome found that Actinobacteria, a type of bacteria associated with human skin, made up a larger proportion of the microbial community in the ISS than in Earth cleanrooms. Opportunistic pathogens were also present in the ISS dust samples, but the risk of infection to astronauts remains unknown.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalMicrobiome·DateOct 26, 2015

Rewilding the future

A new study synthesizes research on trophic rewilding, outlining key priorities for rewilding science. The study concludes that species reintroductions and ecological replacements can restore lost food-web cascades with strong ecological effects.

SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 26, 2015

Simpler method for measuring viral infections in bees

Researchers at Aarhus University have created a model that groups the incidence of viral infections into four categories, allowing beekeepers to easily assess the severity of infections. This simplified system benefits both scientists and beekeepers, enabling them to make informed decisions about disease prevention and breeding.

SourceAarhus University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 26, 2015

Declines in whales, fish, seabirds and large animals disrupt Earth's nutrient cycle

A new study reveals that the loss of large land animals, whales, and seabirds has disrupted the global nutrient cycle, with a significant reduction in phosphorus transport. The researchers calculate that the ability of these animals to transport nutrients around the globe has been reduced to just 6% of its former capacity.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 26, 2015