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Science News Archive May 2016 - Page 8


Page 8 of 38

Health academics back EU remain campaign

A group of health academics warn that a UK exit from the EU would lead to cuts in health and social care spending, increasing pressures on hospitals. The authors also express concern about the impact on the NHS workforce and loss of access to free healthcare for UK citizens abroad.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateMay 24, 2016

Once-a-week text messages to Kenyan women greatly improved likelihood of getting HIV test: Study

A Canadian government-funded study found that sending short, informative text messages to young Kenyan women's phones can significantly reduce the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The study showed a 67% increase in HIV testing among participants who received weekly texts compared to those in a control group.

SourceTerry Collins Assoc·JournalSexually Transmitted Diseases·DateMay 24, 2016

Low hormone levels linked to obesity in teens

A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has found that obese teenagers have lower levels of the hormone spexin, which may contribute to weight gain and obesity. The study suggests that spexin may play a role in regulating body fat mass and energy balance.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMay 24, 2016

UW experts develop method for including migration uncertainty in population projections

Statisticians at the University of Washington have developed a probabilistic model that incorporates global migration patterns to project populations worldwide. The study challenges existing predictions for countries like Germany and the US, predicting a larger population in Germany if immigration continues and a 10% chance of exceedin...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 24, 2016

Silencing cholera's social media

A new study reveals how LuxO, a key response regulator in Vibrio cholerae's quorum-sensing cascade, regulates the pathogenicity of the disease-causing bacterium. The researchers discovered an unusual inhibitory mechanism that permanently switches on LuxO, opening doors for potential therapeutic interventions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 24, 2016

Can telehealth fill gap in autism services?

A federally funded pilot study shows telehealth training successfully improved social communication skills in children with autism, with parents seeing benefits regardless of coaching sessions. The study suggests that telehealth can fill a gap in autism services, especially for rural and underrepresented communities.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateMay 24, 2016

Air pollution exposure may raise heart disease risk

A new study found that air pollution exposure can worsen blood sugar levels, cholesterol and other risk factors for heart disease. Participants with diabetes experienced higher changes in blood glucose and cholesterol levels when exposed to higher levels of particulate matter.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMay 24, 2016

Clue for efficient usage of low-cost nickel catalysts

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a method to form bonds between two butadiene molecules, an alkyl group, and benzene rings using a cheap nickel catalyst. This technique enables the synthesis of high-value terminal olefins from cheap butadiene, which can be used in various industrial applications.

SourceOsaka University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 24, 2016

Deep learning enters the beauty industry

Insilico Medicine presents research on applying deep learning to biomarker development and cosmetics applications at INNOCOS World Beauty Innovation Summit. The company's app RYNKL evaluates anti-aging interventions using machine learning methods, minimizing animal testing.

Nonprofit exec turnover more turbulent than previously thought

A new study from North Carolina State University finds that nonprofit executive transitions are often plagued by problems and challenges. Most executives do not leave due to voluntary retirement, but rather for reasons such as dismissals for wrongdoing or new job opportunities. The study highlights the importance of a good fit between ...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNonprofit Management and Leadership·DateMay 24, 2016

How much can a mode-2 wave move?

Mode-2 waves can carry beneficial and detrimental materials between ecosystems, trapping them inside layers of different densities. Researchers found that larger bulges result in more material carried by the wave, while small regions of turbulence can cause it to break down.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateMay 24, 2016

Getting the most out of natural gas

Researchers at ETH Zurich successfully upgraded methane into methyl bromide, a base material for fuels and chemicals, through oxybromination chemistry. The new catalyst, vanadium phosphate, enables closed-bromine recycling, making the process more efficient and environmentally friendly.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMay 24, 2016

Do dressings prevent infection?

A recent Cochrane review found insufficient evidence to conclude that dressings reduce surgical site infection. However, dressings may provide a barrier to direct injury and reduce patient anxiety. The authors recommend using basic, low-absorbency dressings at a cost of a few pence per dressing.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateMay 24, 2016

Single-step hydrogen peroxide production could be cleaner, more efficient

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a new way to synthesize hydrogen peroxide in a single step, which could make it an economically feasible oxidant for various chemical processes. The method uses a palladium-based catalyst and avoids the decomposition reaction that typically occurs during synthesis.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 24, 2016

Study shows which new moms post the most on Facebook

A study by Ohio State University found that new mothers who feel societal pressure to be perfect parents and strongly identify with their motherhood role tend to post more frequently on Facebook. This behavior can lead to stronger emotional reactions to comments, including feelings of validation or disappointment. The study also found ...

SourceOhio State University·JournalSex Roles·DateMay 24, 2016

Poverty marks a gene, predicting depression

A study by Duke University scientists reveals a biological pathway for depression in adolescents from socioeconomically disadvantaged families. The research shows that these individuals accumulate epigenetic tags on a gene linked to depression, leading to increased amygdala activity and higher risk of depression symptoms.

SourceDuke University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateMay 24, 2016

Wildfire -- it's not spreading like wildfire

A new analysis of global data reveals that global area burned has seen an overall slight decline over past decades, with around 4% of the global land surface affected by vegetation fires each year. The researchers also found that there is increasing evidence that there is less fire in the global landscape today than centuries ago.

SourceSwansea University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateMay 24, 2016