Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive March 2016 - Page 34


Page 34 of 41

Eating peanut in early years helps reduce risk of allergy even with later abstinence

A study led by King's College London found that early introduction of peanut to infants at high-risk of developing peanut allergy significantly reduces the risk of peanut allergy until 6 years of age. The study, which followed on from the LEAP study, concluded that a 12-month period of peanut avoidance after initial consumption did not...

SourceKing's College London·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 4, 2016

Transition to child care easier when parents and providers form partnership

A University of Illinois study reveals that parents and child-care providers forming a partnership benefits the child's development during the transition from home to child care. Factors such as child temperament and maternal depressive symptoms influence the ease or difficulty of this transition.

Zika virus infects human neural stem cells

Researchers have found that Zika virus infects a type of neural stem cell responsible for brain development, leading to cell death and disruption of growth. The study provides new insights into the potential effects of Zika on neural tissue and may lead to the development of therapeutics.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMar 4, 2016

IVF, often cited for high twin birth rate, could reduce it

The US twin birth rate has surged over the last 30 years, partly due to reproductive technologies like IVF. Implementing single embryo transfer IVF could reduce unintended twin births by minimizing serious medical complications. This approach is recommended for insurance coverage and curtails the national twin birth rate.

SourceBrown University·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateMar 4, 2016

Building a better mouse trap, from the atoms up

UConn researchers develop a systematized approach to materials design using machine learning. They create numerical fingerprints of polymers based on atomic configurations, enabling computers to quickly scan theoretical compounds for desired properties. The breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the search for new materials.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 4, 2016

New research uncovers the 'myths' behind aviation's climate change crisis

A new study exposes the 'myths' surrounding sustainable air travel, revealing that technological solutions are often overstated and failing to drive meaningful policy change. Despite growing emissions, industry and government rely on unfeasible technologies like solar flight, perpetuating a culture of non-accountability.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalTransportation Research Part D Transport and Environment·DateMar 4, 2016

Protection against peanut allergy by early consumption persists after 1 year of avoidance

A clinical trial has found that regular peanut consumption begun in early infancy and continued until age 5 reduced the rate of peanut allergy in at-risk infants by 80% compared to non-peanut-consumers. After a one-year period of peanut avoidance, only 4.8% of original peanut consumers were found to be allergic.

SourceBenaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 4, 2016

Can social support be a bad thing for older adults?

A study published in Social Science & Medicine found that social support can reduce depressive symptoms but also lead to feelings of loss of control, increasing symptoms. This contradictory effect is more pronounced for women than men, highlighting the need for policy-makers to consider both positive and negative effects.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateMar 4, 2016

Construction of Sacramento Kings arena using drone monitoring system developed at Illinois

The University of Illinois team has developed a predictive visual data analytics tool called Flying Superintendent to streamline construction progress monitoring. This technology utilizes drone-based images and 4D BIM to quickly identify performance problems, allowing project stakeholders to prioritize issues and take corrective actions.

First code of conduct for the use of virtual reality established

Researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have prepared a list of ethical concerns related to the use of virtual reality (VR). They recommend minimizing risks by providing clear warnings about potential psychological trauma, hallucinations, and unconscious influence. The authors also emphasize the need for regulations regard...

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalFrontiers in Robotics and AI·DateMar 4, 2016