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Science News Archive March 2016 - Page 6


Page 6 of 41

An up-close view of bacterial 'motors'

Researchers used electron cryotomography to visualize bacterial 'motors' in three dimensions, revealing the complexity of type IVa pilus machine and flagellum structures. The study provides insights into pilus assembly, structure, and function, as well as correlations between motor strength and torque-generating protein complexes.

Synthesizing real-life tweets

A computer model mimics bird's syrinx to generate authentic sounding birdsong, utilizing Twitter updates for a unique crowd-generated audio-artwork. The system can manipulate acoustic space in real-time, offering an acoustically original experience.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Arts and Technology·DateMar 29, 2016

New tool mines whole-exome sequencing data to match cancer with best drug

A new tool, IMPACT, interprets whole-exome sequencing data to identify candidate genes linked to cancer and recommends FDA-approved targeted treatments. The tool has been validated in patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma, showing its potential to accelerate precision medicine.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateMar 29, 2016

Sweet, tasty and healthy -- the new essence of juice?

Researchers at Aarhus University found that adding lime to fruit juice with stevia and β-glucans increases its nutritional value while promoting a sensory experience. The study's results show that the combination of ingredients can balance out the bitter aftertaste of stevia and improve the overall taste.

SourceAarhus University·JournalFood Research International·DateMar 29, 2016

New scrolling technique accelerates skim reading

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a new scrolling technique called Spotlights, which uses the spotlight metaphor of human visual attention. This technique significantly speeds up browsing of long texts by 60%, reduces time spent locating desired locations, and increases the probability of noticing points of interest.

Effective graphene doping depends on substrate material

Researchers at Juelich's Peter Gruenberg Institute have discovered that effective graphene doping is influenced by the choice of substrate material. The scientists found that nitrogen atoms in the interface layer can dope the lattice without destroying it, leading to promising results for future applications in micro- and nanoelectronics.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 29, 2016

Conspicuous consumption may drive fertility down

A new mathematical model suggests that competition for social status is a key driver of declining fertility rates worldwide. As the cost of achieving social status increases, people invest more in material goods and less in children, leading to lower family sizes.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateMar 28, 2016

The non-driving millennial? Not so simple, says new research

A new study by University of Vermont researchers suggests that high school age teens' decisions to begin driving when they're of age are influenced by infrastructure and land use patterns in their community. The study found that teens from suburban areas with limited public transportation options obtained their driver's license earlier...

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalAnnals of the Association of American Geographers·DateMar 28, 2016

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) shown to form multiple types of functional lymphocytes in vivo

Researchers demonstrate that iPSCs can differentiate into multiple types of functional lymphocytes, including CD4+ T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells. The ability to generate functional lymphocytes from somatic cell-derived hematopoietic stem cells supports the clinical application of iPSC technology.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateMar 28, 2016

Study: Autism intervention studies lack diversity

A recent study found that only 17.9% of published autism intervention studies reported racial and ethnic diversity of participants, with white children making up a majority. This lack of diversity presents a problem as response to interventions is not guaranteed, and it's unclear why some children respond positively while others don't.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Special Education·DateMar 28, 2016

Researchers develop new method of trapping multiple particles using fluidics

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method for trapping multiple particles in solution, which relies on fluid flow to manipulate and assemble particles. The Stokes Trap technique can trap a range of submicron- to micron-sized particles, including single DNA molecules, vesicles, drops or cells.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 28, 2016

Reports suggest osteopathic manipulative treatment resolves concussion symptoms

Case reports published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association document improvements in concussion-related symptoms following osteopathic manipulative treatment. These treatments can help restore cerebrospinal fluid flow to promote healing and alleviate symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness, and tinnitus.

SourceAmerican Osteopathic Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Osteopathic Association·DateMar 28, 2016

Widespread sexual harassment persists in India

A recent study found that 40% of women in Delhi experienced sexual harassment in the past year, leading to a significant impact on their daily lives. The research highlights the importance of addressing women's safety in public spaces and implementing effective measures to prevent such incidents.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalInternational Criminal Justice Review·DateMar 28, 2016

Fairy circles discovered in Australia by researchers at Ben-Gurion U. and Helmholtz

A team of researchers at Ben-Gurion University and Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research found that fairy circles occur due to the way plants organize themselves in response to water shortage. The study, published in PNAS journal, provides new evidence on the cause of these barren circular patches of land.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 28, 2016

Doubts about career potential can pave way for immoral professional conduct

Researchers found that negative feedback can prompt immoral behavior in high-achieving students pursuing careers in law, business, and STEM fields. Those who received negative feedback were more likely to endorse questionable behaviors, such as breaking contracts or disparaging others, to demonstrate their professional capabilities.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateMar 28, 2016