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Science News Archive October 2016 - Page 2


Page 2 of 44

New model explains the moon's weird orbit

A new research paper suggests that the impact that formed the moon also caused calamitous changes to Earth's rotation and tilt. The model indicates that the remaining anomalies in the moon's orbit are relics of the Earth-moon system's explosive past, with a large tilt of up to 80 degrees.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateOct 31, 2016

Getting into the flow: Sexual pleasure is a kind of trance

A new paper from Northwestern University researcher Adam Safron suggests that orgasm is linked to synchronized brain activity and neural entrainment, producing a sensory absorption and trance-like state. This understanding could change the way people view their sexuality, emphasizing the role of rhythmic aspects in sexual experiences.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalSocioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology·DateOct 31, 2016

Coherence vs. control

Researchers at UCSB explore the delicate balance between coherence and control with a simple yet complete platform for quantum processing. They successfully integrated the control of three superconducting qubits, creating an artificial magnetic field that allowed photons to interact strongly with each other and the pseudo-magnetic field.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 31, 2016

Live long and... Facebook?

A study of 12 million Facebook users found that using the platform is associated with living longer, particularly for those who maintain real-world social ties. Moderate online activity complements offline interactions, while excessive online time is linked to a higher risk of mortality.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 31, 2016

Researchers bring eyewear-free 3-D capabilities to small screen

Researchers at Seoul National University have developed a new method to make convertible displays that achieve near-viewing capabilities without the need for eyewear. This technology simplifies and shrinks the architecture of the display, allowing for closer viewing distances and practical applicability to mobile devices.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateOct 31, 2016

Web-based cognitive exercises improve memory and attention in cancer survivors

A new study suggests that a widely available web-based program can help cancer survivors reporting cognitive symptoms. The 15-week program improved self-reported cognitive function, lowered anxiety and depression, and improved fatigue. Objective neuropsychological function test results were not different between the two groups.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateOct 31, 2016

Cell extrusion mechanisms

Researchers discovered two distinct mechanisms of cell extrusion from epithelial sheets, with low-density cell crawling and lamellipodia extension being the predominant mechanism at low cell density, while purse-string contraction takes over at high densities.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 31, 2016

White coat hypertension may indicate risk for heart disease in some people

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that white coat hypertension is associated with an increased risk of heart disease in older patients. Researchers analyzed data from over 650 patients and found that those diagnosed with white coat hypertension were more likely to experience cardiovascular eve...

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateOct 31, 2016

Making sense of the seneses: 'Context' matters when the brain interprets sounds

A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that nerve cells dedicated to hearing rely on surrounding context to properly interpret and react to familiar sounds. Researchers observed patterns based on a basic divide in the nature of nerve cells, with excitatory and inhibitory neurons working together to balance brain activity.

Mystery solved behind birth of Saturn's rings

A team of researchers presented a new model for the origin of Saturn's rings based on computer simulations. The study found that Kuiper belt objects were destroyed by tidal forces when passing close to giant planets, forming icy ring systems. This process explains the compositional differences between Saturn and Uranus' rings.

SourceKobe University·JournalIcarus·DateOct 31, 2016

Watching RNA fold

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a technology platform that provides high-resolution representation of RNA folding during synthesis. This breakthrough allows for the study of RNA folding in unprecedented detail, potentially leading to discoveries in basic biology, gene expression, and disease.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateOct 31, 2016

Screening drugs to kill cancer cells in their safe spaces

Researchers have developed a powerful screening method to identify drugs that more effectively target and kill pre-leukemic stem cells. By mimicking the bone marrow environment in a drug screening assay, they identified a compound called 2-methyoxyestradiol that reduces survival of pre-leukemic cells without affecting normal cells.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 31, 2016

Weakness is good...when controlling light

Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a new method for controlling light using one-third of the energy typically required. The asymmetric metawaveguide technology has the potential to lead to more powerful and energy-efficient computer chips and other optics-based technologies.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 31, 2016

A common heart problem caused by cancer therapy avoided blood vessel treatment

Researchers at the University of Helsinki discovered that gene therapy stimulating blood vessel growth in the heart can alleviate cardiac atrophy caused by doxorubicin. The study found that this treatment prevented blood vessel rarefaction in mouse hearts, providing a potential solution for protecting patients from cardiotoxicity.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 31, 2016

Some Los Angeles earthquakes possibly triggered by oil production in early 20th century

A new study published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America suggests that a handful of damaging earthquakes in the Los Angeles Basin may have been induced by oil production activities in the early 20th century. The researchers found links between earthquakes and significant oil production activities nearby, but note t...

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateOct 31, 2016

The French-Canadian connection

A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics identified a rare genetic variation in the RNF213 gene that is linked to an increased risk of intracranial aneurysm in French-Canadian individuals. The study found that 10% of patients with IA had at least one of these variants, compared to 0% in controls.

SourceMcGill University·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateOct 31, 2016

Disparities in postop readmission may be reduced by improving nurse-to-patient staffing

A cross-sectional study of nearly 107,000 Medicare patients found that older black adults have a 30% increased likelihood of readmission compared to white counterparts. Increasing nurse-to-patient staffing ratios may help reduce these disparities by improving health outcomes for all patients, particularly high-risk groups.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 31, 2016

Drones take off in plant ecological research

Researchers can now gather broad-scale ecological data using micro-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, eliminating traditional pitfalls. Drones amass vegetation data for monitoring habitat restoration efforts, rare plant populations, and agriculture, providing large amounts of information with minimal effort.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalApplications in Plant Sciences·DateOct 31, 2016

Study links athletic performance to mortality

Researchers found that basketball players scored more points after being presented with death-related prompts, boosting their self-esteem and performance. Participants who thought about death performed 40% better in a second game and attempted more shots, suggesting a subconscious effort to regain a protective sense of self-esteem.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Sport and Exercise Psychology·DateOct 31, 2016

Advancing our understanding of how the disease lupus is prevented in healthy individuals

A team of researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University has identified a molecule called CD72 that prevents the immune system from mistakenly reacting to a component of the body's own cells. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease associated with inflammation of various organs.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateOct 30, 2016