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Science News Archive October 2016 - Page 10


Page 10 of 44

After blindness, the adult brain can learn to see again

A new study published in PLOS Biology shows that the adult brain retains residual capacity to process restored or artificial visual inputs. Blind individuals who received a prosthetic implant were able to recognize unusual visual stimuli and improve their perception over time with extensive training.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 25, 2016

Indian roadside refuse fires produce toxic rainbow

A Duke University study found that roadside garbage fires in India produce a toxic rainbow of pollutants, with concentrations 1,000 times greater than ambient air. The variability in emissions stems from the diverse trash materials and smoldering combustion, highlighting the need for improved waste management practices.

SourceDuke University·JournalAtmospheric Environment·DateOct 25, 2016

Study uncovers brain changes in offending pedophiles

Researchers found altered brain activation patterns in pedophiles with and without a history of child sex offenses, suggesting non-offending pedophiles employ self-control mechanisms. Interventions targeting inhibitory control may help prevent child sex offenses.

SourceWiley·JournalHuman Brain Mapping·DateOct 24, 2016

Calcium induces chronic lung infections

Researchers at the University of Basel discovered that calcium induces the transition from acute to chronic infections in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a life-threatening pathogen. This shift enables the bacteria to adapt and survive in the lungs, making treatment more challenging for patients with cystic fibrosis.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Microbiology·DateOct 24, 2016

Abaloparatide benefits a wide range of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

A recent analysis of the ACTIVE trial results shows that abaloparatide-SC provides consistent protection against bone fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, regardless of baseline bone density or age. The therapy has been found to reduce fractures and increase bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateOct 24, 2016

Scientists trace plant hormone pathway back 450 million years

Researchers discovered that abscisic acid (ABA) promotes femaleness in ferns, which is linked to spore dormancy. ABA also plays a key role in regulating stomate function in flowering plants, allowing them to conserve water during drought. This study sheds light on the evolution of plant hormones and their roles in ancient species.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 24, 2016

International study proves old blood is as good as new

A large international study of almost 31,500 patients showed that using older blood for transfusions does not increase the risk of death. The research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, provides strong evidence that stored blood can be safely used to ensure a stable blood supply.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 24, 2016

Increasing muscle strength can improve brain function: Study

A recent study published in Journal of American Geriatrics Society found that increasing muscle strength can improve brain function in adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment. The SMART trial involved 100 community-dwelling adults who performed resistance exercise and showed significant improvements in global cognition and brain function.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 24, 2016

Maze Runners

A Harvard Medical School study has found that mice navigate mazes by weighing all available cues before making a decision, suggesting a more complex process than previously thought. The researchers used virtual-reality maze experiments and injected mice with a virus to visualize neuronal activity in real-time.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 24, 2016

Weather forecasts for the past

A new study has found that features in animal teeth can detect unfavourable weather conditions, such as long dry periods or heavy rains. This method, known as reverse engineering, allows researchers to infer annual rainfall and average temperatures from fossil records, providing valuable information about past environmental conditions.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 24, 2016

The quantum sniffer dog

A microscopic sensor has been developed at TU Wien that can identify different gases simultaneously using a laser and detector in one. The sensor, made of a sophisticated layered system of materials, emits light in the infrared range and measures its strength to detect gases with unique 'fingerprints'.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalACS Photonics·DateOct 24, 2016

Hybrid nanostructures hold hydrogen well

Rice University scientists have discovered a new material that can store large amounts of hydrogen efficiently, making it suitable for next-generation green cars. The pillared boron nitride and graphene hybrid outperforms other materials in terms of surface area and recyclable properties.

SourceRice University·JournalLangmuir·DateOct 24, 2016

New maps show where to generate solar energy in South Carolina

Researchers at Clemson University created maps showing the suitability of lands in South Carolina for generating solar energy, with a focus on five-megawatt and one-megawatt developments. The study found that about 4.2% of state land area is suitable for five-megawatt developments, enough to install 69.6 gigawatts of capacity.

SourceClemson University·JournalBioPhysical Economics and Resource Quality·DateOct 24, 2016

MRSA uses decoys to evade a last-resort antibiotic

Scientists at Imperial College London discovered that MRSA releases decoy molecules to escape being killed by daptomycin. The decoys are made of the same type of fat as MRSA cells and allow the bacteria to evade destruction. Further experiments showed that a second antibiotic, oxacillin, can partially prevent decoy release.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature Microbiology·DateOct 24, 2016

Modeling belief systems

A new mathematical model describes the relationship between belief systems and interpersonal influence, revealing an underlying cognitive consistency that links multiple beliefs. The model has the potential to study overlooked complex issues by analyzing the structure of logic constraints.