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Science News Archive December 2016 - Page 13


Page 13 of 32

Mystery of super flash solved

Astronomers discovered a rare event where a star was destroyed by a massive black hole's gravitational tides, producing an unusually bright flash of light. The event occurred in a distant 'red' galaxy with older stars, defying typical supernova models.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Astronomy·DateDec 15, 2016

Facial feminization surgery for transgender patients

A new study examines 200 feminization rhinoplasties in conjunction with lip-lift techniques and forehead reconstruction. The procedures significantly improve the appearance of male-dominated facial features, enhancing transgender patients' self-esteem and overall well-being.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Facial Plastic Surgery·DateDec 15, 2016

Computer model predicts potential impact of short-course therapy against multidrug-resistant TB

A computer simulation developed by Johns Hopkins researchers helps predict the potential impact of a new short-course treatment regimen for drug-resistant tuberculosis. The model suggests that this regimen could lower MDR-TB incidence in Southeast Asia by 23% over eight years, potentially averting over 100,000 cases annually.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateDec 15, 2016

Global map of roadless areas reveals roads fragmenting majority of land

A new study reveals that roads now fragment land to an extent that only 7% of road-created patches are greater than 100 square kilometers. The research highlights the significant impact of roads on the environment, including deforestation and fragmentation, chemical pollution, noise disturbance, and increased wildlife mortality.

Exciting new creatures discovered on ocean floor

Scientists at the University of Southampton have discovered six new animal species in undersea hot springs off the coast of Madagascar. The unique marine life was found around hydrothermal vents, highlighting the importance of exploring other hydrothermal vents in the southwest Indian Ocean to assess potential impacts from mining.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 15, 2016

How brain tissue recovers after injury

Astrocytes play a crucial role in brain tissue recovery after injury, with the Ror2 protein promoting their proliferation. The research team discovered that Ror2 is activated by basic fibroblast growth factor, which enables astrocytes to start proliferating and minimizing inflammation around damaged neurons.

SourceKobe University·JournalGlia·DateDec 15, 2016

Turning back time: Salk scientists reverse signs of aging

Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered that intermittent expression of genes normally associated with an embryonic state can reverse the hallmarks of old age. This approach resulted in the rejuvenation of mice with a premature aging disease, countering signs of aging and increasing their lifespan by 30%. The early-stage work...

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell·DateDec 15, 2016

How hearing 'twist my arm' engages the brain

Researchers found that hearing metaphors involving arms or legs activates the left extrastriate body area (EBA) in the brain, which is responsible for visual perception of those body parts. This finding supports the concept of grounded cognition, where comprehension of abstract concepts is built upon concrete experiences.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalBrain and Language·DateDec 14, 2016

Marital history linked to stroke survival

Research found that adults who were in a stable marriage had better prospects of survival after having a stroke, with risks being 71% greater for those who never married compared to continuously married adults. The study also found that multiple marital losses and depressive symptoms impeded recovery after a stroke.

University of Minnesota research shows people can control a robotic arm with only their minds

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have made a groundbreaking breakthrough in developing a noninvasive brain-computer interface technology that allows people to control a robotic arm using only their minds. Eight healthy human subjects successfully controlled a robotic arm to pick up objects and move them from one location to a...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 14, 2016

Raw foodies: Europe's earliest humans did not use fire

Scientists at the University of York found evidence of raw animal tissue, uncooked starch granules, and pollen grains in a 1.2 million year old hominin's dental plaque. This suggests that Europe's earliest humans did not use fire for cooking until around 800,000 years ago.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalZeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften·DateDec 14, 2016

Zika antibodies from infected patient thwart infection in mice

Researchers have identified two neutralizing antibodies against Zika virus that exclusively target the virus, demonstrating high specificity and protecting mice from infection. These antibodies, Z23 and Z3L1, block infection by targeting the virus' envelope protein, offering potential hope for preventative and treatment approaches.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateDec 14, 2016

Medical care of child with Down syndrome probably not a financial burden for most families

A study published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics found that medical care costs for children with Down syndrome are less than $100 a month higher than those for typically developing children. The average monthly cost difference is lower when the child is older, ranging from $537 a year for children aged 13-18.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics·DateDec 14, 2016

Rain out, research in

A new, fully-automated rainout shelter has been developed to enable precise testing of crop varieties for their tolerances to water stress. The shelters use a portable solar power system and customizable features like rain sensors and surveillance cameras.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateDec 14, 2016