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Science News Archive June 2016 - Page 24


Page 24 of 40

Mounting tension in the Himalaya

A new research paper suggests that the Himalayan region is experiencing a buildup of strain energy due to past earthquakes. Historical earthquakes and recent afterslip data indicate that only part of the fault moved during the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, leaving significant strain stored in the fault system.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJun 13, 2016

Miniature scaffolding could support fight against superbugs

Researchers have discovered a new class of antimicrobial materials that use carbon nanodots to kill drug-resistant bacteria. The materials, which include molecules such as PAMAM, exhibit greater efficacy against certain strains of E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and may also enhance the effectiveness of existing antibiotics.

SourceElsevier·JournalBioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry·DateJun 13, 2016

Chemicals from wood waste

A research team at ETH Zurich has developed a new manufacturing method for succinic acid, a major basic chemical product, using bacteria that convert cellulose from wood waste into glucose. The process is more cost-effective and eco-friendly than traditional oil-based methods.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateJun 13, 2016

Writing their name in the stars: Citizen scientists discover huge galaxy cluster

Two volunteer participants in Radio Galaxy Zoo discovered a rare C-shaped galaxy cluster that they pieced together from much smaller images of cosmic radio waves. The team's dataset, with over 1.6 million images classified by 10,000 volunteers, has already reached almost 60% completeness.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 13, 2016

Love is blind... to food waste

Research from Cornell Food & Brand Lab reveals that caregivers often serve large portions to show affection, leading to unnecessary food waste. The study suggests connecting food pantries with nutritional educators can reduce food waste in lower-middle class households.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJournal of Food Products Marketing·DateJun 13, 2016

Military members with PTSD/depression can be treated successfully in primary care settings

A new study found that military members with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression can experience significant improvements in symptoms after enrolling in a treatment program that includes specially trained care managers and telephone therapy options. The approach resulted in better outcomes and improved access to high-qu...

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJun 13, 2016

Rolling on Molly: US H.S. seniors underreport ecstasy use when not asked about Molly

Researchers found that reported lifetime use of ecstasy was significantly higher when 'Molly' was included in the definition. The study suggests that underreporting among infrequent users may be contributing to the perceived decrease in ecstasy use among adolescents and young adults. The researchers emphasize the need for better educat...

SourceNew York University·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateJun 13, 2016

Current diversity pattern of North American mammals a 'recent' trend, study finds

A new study of fossil records found that the modern latitudinal diversity gradient for North American mammals is an exception to the rule, with more species at the equator than poles. The team analyzed 63 million years of mammalian life and found a strengthening of the gradient between 10 million and 4 million years ago.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 13, 2016

Good fathers sing simple songs

Researchers found that females in the Chinese Hume Warbler species prefer males who sing simple songs over those with complex songs. This preference may be driven by the need to minimize predation risk and optimize nesting behavior.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalAvian Research·DateJun 13, 2016

Study suggests another look at common treatments for hemophilia

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients with severe hemophilia A who received human plasma-based treatments developed inhibitors at a lower rate than those who received recombinant Factor VIII. This could lead to more effective treatment options for families affected by this rare genetic condition.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 13, 2016

Children less likely to trust ugly people

A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that children's perception of trustworthiness is linked to attractiveness, with more attractive faces being deemed trustworthy. The ability to make this judgment develops with age, becoming more consistent as children approach adulthood.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJun 13, 2016

PET points to tau protein as leading culprit in Alzheimer's

A new PET study reveals that tau protein tangles in the brain may be driving the neurodegeneration behind Alzheimer's disease. The research found a significant correlation between increased tau and decreased metabolic activity in the brain, suggesting that tau imaging could be used to detect neuronal injury earlier than amyloid imaging.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJun 13, 2016

Algorithm ranks thermotolerance of algae

The algorithm combines all published algae studies prior to February 2015 to rank genetic types' thermotolerance, helping identify colonies at risk from climate change. By pinpointing thermotolerant algae, conservationists can focus their efforts on preserving coral reefs.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalFunctional Ecology·DateJun 13, 2016