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Science News Archive July 2016 - Page 8


Page 8 of 36

Less fertilizer good news for the Great Barrier Reef

Researchers at James Cook University have developed a more efficient fertilizer that reduces nitrogen loss by up to half. The new technology allows for improved balance between plant growth and environmental protection. Testing on a North Queensland dairy farm showed promising results, with significant reductions in pollution.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalCrop and Pasture Science·DateJul 25, 2016

Living on borrowed time

A study published in Nature Communications suggests that timely conservation action can slow extinction rates and save species. The research found similar patterns of species loss following habitat disruption across various taxonomic groups, including birds, mammals, plants, reptiles, and invertebrates.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 25, 2016

Induced labor not associated with risk for ASDs

A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found no association between induced labor and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in offspring. The study analyzed Swedish birth registry data, comparing siblings discordant for labor induction, and found no increased risk of ASDs among offspring born via induced labor.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateJul 25, 2016

Novel statistical method captures long-term health burden of pediatric cancer cures

Researchers developed a measurement called cumulative burden to capture chronic disease in childhood cancer survivors, showing that Hodgkin lymphoma patients have more cardiovascular conditions and severe heart problems than adults without childhood cancer. This method should aid efforts to reduce and better manage late effects of canc...

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateJul 25, 2016

Enhancing molecular imaging with light

A new platform called spectroscopic photon localization microscopy (SPLM) increases the resolution of molecular imaging by fourfold, making it faster and simpler. This breakthrough can be applied to various fields like materials science and life sciences to study nanoscale environments.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 25, 2016

Do lengthy travel times to Primary Stroke Centers offset benefits of specialized care?

A new study found that receiving treatment at Primary Stroke Centers (PSCs) led to significantly better survival rates for patients traveling less than 90 minutes. However, the benefit was nullified when travel time exceeded 90 minutes. The study used a cohort of Medicare beneficiaries with acute stroke admitted between 2010 and 2013.

Vast majority of guns recovered by Pittsburgh police not in possession of legal owners

A study analyzing 762 gun recoveries found that nearly 80% of perpetrators carrying a gun were not the lawful owners, indicating significant theft and trafficking issues in the region. The study also found that more than 30% of recovered guns were reported stolen before recovery, with women being underrepresented as victims.

Evidence suggests migratory birds are not a reservoir for highly pathogenic flu viruses

A study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that wild ducks and other aquatic birds do not carry highly pathogenic flu viruses, which caused widespread poultry outbreaks in North America. The research suggests that existing immunity in wild birds may explain why these viruses do not persist in their populations.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 25, 2016

Salmonella protein reduces drug resistance in tumors

Researchers at UMass Medical School developed a Salmonella 'nanobug' mimic to deliver the protein SipA, which naturally reduces a well-known drug-resistant molecule found in many types of cancer cells. The nanobug dramatically boosts tumor sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs, shrinking colon and breast cancer tumors in mice.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 25, 2016

New theory explains how beta waves arise in the brain

Scientists have developed a specific mechanistic explanation of beta waves, suggesting that excitatory synaptic stimulation from the thalamus drives pyramidal neurons to produce these waves. The theory is supported by computer models and measurements in animal models.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 25, 2016