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Science News Archive April 2016 - Page 39


Page 39 of 39

Massive deforestation found in Brazil's Cerrado

The study found that agricultural land has doubled within the Cerrado region, replacing native vegetation and altering the water cycle. Continued agricultural growth could reduce rainfall or delay critical rainy periods, threatening both natural vegetation and agricultural production.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateApr 1, 2016

New toolkit can improve primary healthcare for people with developmental disabilities

A new evidence-based toolkit will help family health teams in Ontario provide more proactive care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The toolkit includes a four-step process to implement health checks, resources for clinicians and patients, and examples of how to embed the tools into Electronic Medical Records.

SourceCentre for Addiction and Mental Health·JournalIntellectual and Developmental Disabilities·DateApr 1, 2016

Ancient DNA shows European wipe-out of early Americans

A recent study published in Science Advances found a striking absence of pre-Columbian genetic lineages in modern Indigenous Americans, suggesting extinction with the arrival of Europeans. The research reconstructed ancient DNA from 92 pre-Columbian mummies and skeletons, revealing a separation that appeared as early as 9000 years ago.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 1, 2016

Artificial molecules

Scientists at ETH Zurich and IBM Research have developed a new method to manufacture micro-objects with precisely defined magnetic, non-magnetic and differently charged areas. The technique enables the creation of small rods, tiny triangles and basic three-dimensional objects.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 1, 2016

Rise of the ridiculously resilient ridge: California drought patterns becoming more common

Recent decades have seen increased frequency of large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns associated with California's precipitation and temperature extremes. The researchers found that the 'Ridiculously Resilient Ridge' pattern, which diverts winter storms northward, has become more common, leading to increased dry conditions.

Is there a link between oral health and the rate of cognitive decline?

A systematic review of studies found associations between poor oral health and increased risk of cognitive decline, particularly among those with dementia. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the potential causal link between oral health and cognitive status.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateApr 1, 2016

Autism diagnosis taking too long, experts say

A study found that autism diagnoses are still being made at an average age of 4.5 years, with some children not diagnosed until 30 months old. Early intervention can improve social and communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateApr 1, 2016

Confronting diseases in Africa

Chronic diseases like hypertension and heart disease are rising in Africa due to infectious disease spread, healthcare worker shortage, and lack of investment. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to address the growing epidemic and promote health equity.

SourceSAGE·JournalHealth Education & Behavior·DateApr 1, 2016

Engineered monomeric streptavidin

Researchers have engineered a novel variant of streptavidin that forms a stable monomer and binds biotin without crosslinking, allowing for efficient biotinylation of targets. The optimized monomeric streptavidin (mSA) can be fused to proteins to create a bi-functional molecule, enabling proximity-dependent biotinylation techniques.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalTECHNOLOGY·DateApr 1, 2016

Professional burnout associated with physicians limiting practice

A Mayo Clinic study found a strong association between physician burnout and reducing clinical practice hours, particularly among primary care specialties. The research suggests that increased emotional exhaustion predicts physicians cutting back on work hours, exacerbating the existing US physician shortage.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateApr 1, 2016

Invited review: Artisanal Mexican cheeses

Experts warn of disappearing artisanal Mexican cheese varieties due to lack of documentation and standardized production processes. Standardization and preservation efforts aim to protect these unique cheeses and secure protected designation of origin (PDO) status.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·DateApr 1, 2016

Study raises online golf tutorials to above par

A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology suggests that watching online tutorials with prior knowledge of the demonstrator's skill level can lead to improved performance. The researchers found that this approach enables students to better detect technical errors and imitate expert-level shots.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateApr 1, 2016

Breakthrough in cybersecurity is no phish story

A University at Buffalo researcher has developed a comprehensive model to explain why people fall for spear phishing attacks, accounting for user vulnerabilities and behavior patterns. The model proposes a new approach to training and education, using individual profiles to identify specific weaknesses, and enables organizations to dev...

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalCommunication Research·DateApr 1, 2016

New cause of exceptional Greenland melt revealed

A new study found that exceptionally warm weather episodes, rather than radiant energy, cause significant melting of the Greenland ice sheet. The research revealed that climate models tend to underestimate the impact of these events, which are expected to occur more frequently in the future due to climate change.

SourceYork University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 1, 2016

Growing skin in the lab

Researchers successfully grew skin tissue with hair follicles and sebaceous glands in the laboratory using reprogrammed iPS cells. The tissues formed normal connections with surrounding nerves and muscle fibers, paving the way for potential functional skin transplants.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 1, 2016

Light helps develop programmable materials

Researchers at Lund University have developed a method to control the movement of active particles using light, which can be used to create programmable materials. This technology has potential applications in environmental science, such as locating oil spills, and medicine, including delivering pharmaceutical substances.

SourceLund University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 1, 2016

Low-cost and lightweight

Researchers at PNNL have developed a stronger titanium alloy using a novel nanostructure, with potential applications in lightweight vehicle parts. The alloy achieved a 10-15% increase in strength, making it suitable for high-strength-to-cost ratio and greater fuel economy.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 1, 2016