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Science News Archive February 2016 - Page 5


Page 5 of 39

Sustainability management: Legitimacy is more important than profit for large companies

A new study shows that large companies in developed countries prioritize social acceptance over profit maximization in their sustainability management activities. Legitimacy-oriented measures, such as improving employee motivation and reputation, are more important than profit-driven tools like eco-efficiency analyses.

SourceLeuphana Universität Lüneburg·JournalJournal of Business Ethics·DateFeb 25, 2016

Microrobots learn from ciliates

Researchers create microrobots that mimic the movement of ciliates, beating filaments propelled by green light. The robots exhibit wave-like movements and can potentially be used for medical applications, such as detecting and curing diseases.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 25, 2016

What makes the brain tick so fast?

A new study at McGill University reveals that complex interactions between neurotransmitter receptors and other proteins help explain the brain's ability to process information quickly. Researchers used multiple techniques to examine AMPA receptors, a major player in brain signaling.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNeuron·DateFeb 25, 2016

Shark research produces the unexpected

A James Cook University study found adult females remain in coastal areas year-round, giving birth and raising young. The team tracked over 100 sharks for more than two years, discovering a mysterious attraction to a specific bay near Townsville.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateFeb 25, 2016

New molecular property may mean more efficient solar and opto-electronic devices

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have identified a new molecular property that could lead to more efficient and cost-effective materials for cell phone and laptop displays. The property, directional intrinsic charge separation, was found in crystalline nanowires of an organic semiconductor molecule known as TAT.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 25, 2016

Climate change speeds up gully erosion

Heavy rainfall causes gullies to expand rapidly, with predicted climate change increasing rates up to three times faster. Researchers have developed a model to predict gully expansion and warn of devastating consequences for agriculture, water quality, and infrastructure.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalEarth-Science Reviews·DateFeb 25, 2016

Quantum dot solids: This generation's silicon wafer?

A team of Cornell researchers has developed two-dimensional superstructures out of single-crystal building blocks, showcasing atomic coherence and superior electrical properties. The discovery has potential applications in energy absorption and light emission, but challenges remain to further improve the results.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 25, 2016

Bariatric surgery may reduce life-threatening heart failure exacerbation in obese patients

Researchers found a significant reduction in emergency department visits and hospitalizations for heart failure exacerbation after bariatric surgery. Patients who underwent the procedure experienced a 40% decrease in these events, suggesting substantial weight loss can help prevent heart-failure-related adverse events.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateFeb 25, 2016

Stem cell technique makes sperm in a dish

Researchers successfully generated functioning sperm-like cells from mouse embryonic stem cells and produced fertile offspring, providing a potential platform for treating male infertility. The breakthrough overcomes major obstacles to producing functional sperm and egg cells in a dish.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateFeb 25, 2016

Genomic sequencing reveals link between STIs and leading cause of infectious blindness

A study published in Nature Communications has discovered that genes can move from chlamydia strains in the eye to sexually transmitted strains, allowing them to infect the eye and cause Trachoma. This revelation challenges previous beliefs about Chlamydia evolution and highlights the potential for new variant Trachoma strains to emerge.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 25, 2016

Post-Ebola syndrome in Sierra Leone

Researchers found that 70% of Ebola survivors reported musculoskeletal pain, while 48% experienced headaches and 14% had vision problems. The study highlights the need for further research into Post-Ebola Syndrome to understand its causes and consequences.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 25, 2016

Zika virus linked to stillbirth, other symptoms in Brazil

A Brazilian woman infected with Zika virus had a stillborn baby with severe tissue swelling and central nervous system defects, suggesting the virus may cause damage outside the CNS. The case raises concerns about the risk of stillbirths and other adverse outcomes in pregnant women exposed to the virus.

SourceYale University·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateFeb 25, 2016