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Science News Archive August 2016 - Page 28


Page 28 of 38

Neutrinos, ever bizarre, enjoy the spotlight

Recent neutrino discoveries by T2K and NOvA experiments at Colorado State University provide evidence of oscillations between neutrinos and antineutrinos, violating a longstanding physics principle. The findings hint at the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance and offer opportunities to study the weak nuclear force.

Bleed like hell

Researchers found that platelets must undergo a process called mitochondrial necrosis, where they release calcium and reactive oxygen species, causing the cell to collapse. This programmed death allows platelets to transition into super-activated states, which accelerate blood clotting.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalJournal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis·DateAug 9, 2016

Heat release of later-age concrete and the concrete strength development

Researchers investigate relationship between hydration heat and concrete strength, establishing a preliminary hydration heat model to predict heat release in later-age concrete. The study finds that increasing concrete strength reduces hydration heat, improving pipe cooling effects and controlling temperature peaks.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Construction and Building Technology Journal·DateAug 9, 2016

Researchers ID key drivers of heart complications in sickle cell anemia

A study published by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center reveals the molecular pathways responsible for heart anomalies in sickle cell anemia. The research opens a path to non-invasive diagnosis and development of new targeted therapies, aiming to improve quality of life and reduce mortality among SCA patients.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 9, 2016

Boron carrier for targeted tumor therapy

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology created a boron carrier system that uses albumin to target tumors, improving the delivery of boron in cancer treatment. The new system was tested on mice and showed promising results, with high concentrations of boron in tumors and low levels in healthy cells.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·DateAug 9, 2016

New Piltdown hoax analysis points to work of 'lone forger'

A multi-disciplinary team analyzed the Piltdown specimens using DNA and 3D X-ray imaging, revealing that an orang-utan specimen was used to create the fakes. The forgeries were created using a consistent method, suggesting the perpetrator acted alone, with some researchers now accusing Charles Dawson of being the 'lone forger'.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateAug 9, 2016

'Game on for Pokémon Go,' says The BMJ pundit

Pokémon Go has been linked to increased physical activity and social connections, with players walking longer distances and interacting with strangers in public spaces. However, the game also carries risks, such as accidents and thefts, that have sparked concerns about its impact on mental health.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateAug 9, 2016

Seasonal allergies could change your brain

Research published in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience found that seasonal allergies can lead to increased neuron production in the hippocampus, a region responsible for forming new memories. This discovery raises questions about the long-term consequences of allergies on brain development and function.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cellular Neuroscience·DateAug 8, 2016

Study suggests tiger sharks opt for scavenging on dead and dying sea turtles as a feeding strategy

Researchers found that tiger sharks prefer to scavenge on dead and dying green turtles, avoiding hundreds of healthy individuals. This behavior is similar to terrestrial carnivores, such as hyenas and polar bears, which selectively scavenge when the opportunity arises.

Targeting brain cells to alleviate neuropathic pain

Researchers discovered that microglia brain immune cells play a major role in the initiation and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Targeting these cells within a few days after nerve injury can greatly reduce chronic pain in animals. This breakthrough could lead to more effective painkillers with fewer side effects.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 8, 2016

Nature, not nurture, defines cricket social networks

Researchers found that cricket populations have innate social rules, resulting in stable networks that form year after year. The study, published in BMC Evolutionary Biology, suggests that these networks are conserved over evolutionary time, influenced more by population size than environmental changes.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateAug 8, 2016

Pesticides used to help bees may actually harm them

A study published in Frontiers in Microbiology found that pesticides applied to hives to control Varroa mites can damage the gut microbiome of honeybees, impacting their ability to metabolize sugars and peptides. The research suggests that these chemicals can specifically harm the microbes crucial for honey bee nutrition and health.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateAug 8, 2016

Latin-American, Caribbean health systems need more investment as populations age

The study found that despite progress toward universal coverage, citizens still reported gaps in primary care organization, financing, and delivery in six Latin American and Caribbean countries. People with better experiences at the primary care level were less likely to say their health system needed major reforms.