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Science News Archive February 2016 - Page 25


Page 25 of 39

Healing the soil

The four empty lots in Chicago's South Side have poor-quality soils with high alkaline levels and excess chemicals, including lead and heavy metals. Soil testing is crucial to determine the extent of contamination and guide remediation efforts.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateFeb 10, 2016

Exercise and meditation -- together -- help beat depression

A combination of mental and physical training reduced depressive symptoms in students with major depressive disorder. The study found that individuals experienced fewer negative thoughts and improved focus after just eight weeks of MAP training. This innovative approach offers a low-cost solution for depression treatment.

SourceRutgers University·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateFeb 10, 2016

Scientists take nanoparticle snapshots

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory used a Linac Coherent Light Source to observe xenon nanoparticles in extreme environments, capturing their dynamics over time. The technique allows for high-resolution imaging of materials in the gas phase, with implications for studying aerosols and combustion.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 10, 2016

Daters move toward (or away from) marriage in four different ways -- where do you fit?

A University of Illinois researcher identified four distinct approaches that dating couples use to develop deeper commitment. Dramatic daters experience wild swings in commitment levels due to negative events, while partner-focused couples prioritize mutual involvement and conscientiousness. Conflict-ridden couples face tension between...

Water plus magma = increased explosivity

The interaction of water and magma can dramatically increase the explosivity of a volcanic eruption, producing billowing clouds that deposit tephra as fine-grained ash within 10 km of the vent area. The study of the 2008 Okmok eruption in Alaska provides insights into water-magma interactions and their impact on eruption parameters.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalACM SIGSAM Bulletin·DateFeb 10, 2016

Drones learn to search forest trails for lost people

Researchers developed AI software to teach a quadrocopter to autonomously recognize and follow forest trails. The drone was able to find the correct direction in 85% of cases, outperforming humans who guessed correctly 82% of the time. This breakthrough enables drones to complement rescue teams and accelerate searches for missing people.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalIEEE Robotics and Automation Letters·DateFeb 10, 2016

Chronic alcohol use helps bacteria harm the liver

Research reveals that chronic drinking also promotes the growth of gut bacteria that can travel to the liver and exacerbate liver disease. The study found that boosting intestinal defense against certain bacteria may help patients with alcoholic liver disease.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateFeb 10, 2016

Baby physics

Infants as young as a few months can understand the physical properties of liquids, including loose cohesiveness and changes in shape with movement. This 'naïve physics' knowledge is evident even when faced with unexpected behaviors, such as liquids getting trapped on grids or solids passing through them.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 10, 2016

Publish, don't perish!

Pathogens and Immunity, an online, open-access journal, simplifies the submission and review process, reducing it from one day to five minutes. Senior editors at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine revise biomedical publications standards in immunology and infectious diseases.