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Science News Archive October 2016 - Page 7


Page 7 of 44

Finding patterns in corrupted data

Researchers have developed a new algorithm that can efficiently fit probability distributions to high-dimensional data, even when the dataset contains corrupted entries. The algorithm relies on two insights: selecting an appropriate metric for measuring distance from distributions and identifying regions where cross-sections should begin.

Long-term oxygen treatment does not benefit some COPD patients

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that long-term oxygen treatment does not improve survival or reduce hospital admissions for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and moderately low blood oxygen levels. Researchers say these results underscore the need for new treatments for COPD.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 26, 2016

Schmallenberg virus may reappear, warn experts

Schmallenberg virus is unlikely to be circulating in southern England, but its reappearance is possible as herd immunity decreases. The virus causes mild clinical signs in adult cattle and can damage the fetus in pregnant females, leading to abortions, stillbirths, and congenital defects.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalVeterinary Record·DateOct 26, 2016

Making a new pitch for coal

Researchers are working on a $1.6 million project to create a new use for coal, turning it into a carbon-fiber material that could help revitalize struggling coal communities. The process produces substantially less CO2 than traditional methods.

Next-generation smartphone battery inspired by the gut

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a prototype of a next-generation lithium-sulphur battery, inspired by the cells lining the human intestine. The new design overcomes a key technical problem hindering commercial development and offers a fivefold energy density boost compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateOct 26, 2016

A songbird's travelogue

A study using geolocation technology tracked the 10,000-kilometer migration of Great Reed Warblers from Turkey to sub-Saharan Africa, revealing key regions of importance for the species. The research highlights the lack of protection many of these regions receive, posing a threat to bird populations.

How AIDS conquered North America

Researchers reconstructed the origins of the AIDS pandemic in unprecedented detail by recovering genetic material from 40-year-old serum samples. The study suggests that HIV emerged in New York City around 1970 and spread rapidly across North America, with the city serving as a critical hub for the epidemic.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature·DateOct 26, 2016

Iron supplements in the fight against lead

A study led by ETH Zurich researchers found that iron fortification reduces blood lead concentration in children, particularly those with iron deficiency. The trial involved over 450 Moroccan schoolchildren who received iron-fortified biscuits and showed a significant reduction in blood lead levels.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateOct 26, 2016

Neuro chip records brain cell activity

A new technology, developed by University of Calgary researchers, enables recording brain cell activity for weeks with higher resolution than conventional methods. This allows researchers to investigate neurological diseases and cognitive functions like learning and memory in animal models.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 26, 2016

Elderly Chinese immigrants feel at home in US with living conditions, independence, study finds

A study found that elderly Chinese immigrants in the US feel at home due to favorable social policies like Medicare and Medicaid, as well as affordable cost of living. However, language barriers continue to be a significant issue, with many unable to speak fluent English and relying on family members for translation.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalJournal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology·DateOct 26, 2016

Upper Paleolithic humans may have hunted cave lions for their pelts

A recent study published in PLOS ONE suggests that Upper Paleolithic humans might have exploited cave lions for their pelts, leading to their eventual extinction. The researchers analyzed fossilized toe bones from the La Garma site and found evidence of human modification, which they believe could be part of a single lion pelt.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 26, 2016

Warmth under climate change has cascading effect, destabilizing forest ant communities

A five-year study in Harvard and Duke forests found that adding warmth predicted in climate-change models destabilized forest ant communities. The loss of stability makes communities less resilient and slower to rebound when disturbed, with relative abundance of thermophilic species growing while heat-intolerant species declining.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 26, 2016