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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 461


Page 461 of 461

New study finds EPA and DHA omega-3s lower risk of coronary heart disease

A new study has found that increasing intake of EPA and DHA omega-3s can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, particularly among populations with high triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels. The study analyzed data from 93,000 and 732,000 subjects across 18 randomized controlled trials and 16 prospective cohort studies.

SourceGOED·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateJan 3, 2017

Songbirds divorce, flee, fail to reproduce due to suburban sprawl

Research finds that urbanization is hindering the ability of certain songbird species to reproduce successfully, even after relocating. The study, published in PLOS ONE, found that forced dispersal due to suburban development can cause birds to abandon their territories and struggle to find new mates.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 3, 2017

Medicare bundled-payments model cut joint replacement costs by more than 20 percent

The study found that bundled payment models can reduce healthcare costs without compromising quality, with a 20.8% decrease in average cost for joint replacements and improved post-acute care spending. The hospital system's use of evidence-based data and incentivizing physicians also played a key role in achieving these savings.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJan 3, 2017

The beating heart of solar energy

Researchers found that small solar cells under the skin can generate enough power to fully charge pacemakers or extend their lifespan. This technology has the potential to reduce device replacements and size, saving patients discomfort and stress.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnnals of Biomedical Engineering·DateJan 3, 2017

Streamlining the Internet of Things and other cyber-physical systems

The study proposes a new approach to designing cyber-physical systems by integrating machine learning, real-time sensors, and effective communication interfaces. The team encourages combining model-based design with data-based learning to establish a durable design methodology for these complex systems.

SourceMichigan Technological University·DateJan 3, 2017

Reducing severe violence among adolescents

A new special section of Child Development explores the developmental course of violent offending, including factors such as emotion regulation skills and judgment. The research aims to inform novel practices and policies to prevent severe youth violence.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateJan 3, 2017

Study provides new look at Cesarean rate in China

A new study by Dr. Jan Blustein reveals China's cesarean rate is substantially lower than the WHO's reported figure of 46.2%, with a rate of 34.9% in 2014. The study highlights geographic variations in cesarean rates across different regions of China.

SourceNew York University·JournalJAMA·DateJan 3, 2017

Inflammation halts fat-burning

Researchers at the University of Bonn found that inflammation in abdominal fat blocks fat-burning by inhibiting cGMP signaling. Administering cGMP-stimulating active ingredients may be a possible starting point for treating obesity and preventing related complications.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 3, 2017

Childhood poverty can rob adults of psychological health

A study by Cornell University researcher Gary Evans found that children from poor backgrounds are more likely to develop antisocial behavior, helplessness, and chronic physiological stress as adults. Early intervention and increasing poor families' incomes can help mitigate these issues.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 3, 2017

North-South divide in science may hinder action on climate change

A study published in Nature Climate Change finds that a lack of research led by Southern scientists hinders global agreements and nationally-appropriate actions on climate change. Practical steps are recommended to bridge the divide and promote inclusive scientific development.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 3, 2017

Shell game: Understanding gene patterns behind mollusk diversity

A new study reveals that no single model or common molecular toolkit exists behind the diverse array of mollusk shells. Instead, each species has evolved its own 'shell secretome' through a combination of co-opting existing genes and rapid evolution of novel genes.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateJan 3, 2017

Sex hormone-sensitive gene complex linked to premenstrual mood disorder

A complex of genes regulating epigenetic mechanisms is linked to premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a condition affecting 2-5% of women of reproductive age. Dysregulated expression of these genes suggests abnormal cellular response to sex hormones, which may hold hope for improved treatment.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJan 3, 2017

UBC discovery opens up new treatments for problem gamblers

Researchers found increased brain activity in the insula and frontal cortex of problem gamblers when exposed to gambling cues. The study suggests that targeting the insula could be a promising approach for treating problem gambling.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateJan 3, 2017

Detecting misinformation can improve memory later on

Research published in Psychological Science found that people who notice inconsistent misinformation have better memory for the event compared to those who don't see it. This suggests that detecting and remembering misinformation can actually enhance memory recognition.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 3, 2017

First experimental proof of a 70 year old physics theory

Researchers have demonstrated the magnetic behavior of iron trithiohypophosphate (FePS3) crystals, providing the first experimental proof of Onsager's 1943 prediction. The team used Raman spectroscopy to measure magnetism in 2D FePS3 monolayers and found consistent patterns with bulk samples.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 3, 2017

New study estimates frequency of flight-disrupting volcanic eruptions

A new study from the University of Leeds has made reliable estimates of volcanic ash events in Northern Europe, finding that ash clouds occur approximately every 44 years. The research team analyzed records of volcanic ash fallout over the past 1,000 years and found evidence of 84 ash clouds, most linked to Icelandic eruptions.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateJan 3, 2017

Null results research now published by major behavioral medicine journal

The journal Translational Behavioral Medicine now publishes research with null results, providing a unique opportunity for scientific researchers. This shift in publication policy sets it apart from other behavioral medicine titles and supports the advancement of science by learning from unexpected outcomes.

SourceSpringer·JournalTranslational Behavioral Medicine·DateJan 3, 2017

Vaccine shows promising results for early-stage breast cancer patients

A new HER2-targeted dendritic cell vaccine has shown promising results in a clinical trial, stimulating an immune response in 80% of patients and inducing regression of early-stage breast tumors. The vaccine was well-tolerated and effective in both invasive and non-invasive disease settings.

SourceMoffitt Cancer Center·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJan 3, 2017

Infant's prolonged infection reveals mutation that helps bacteria tolerate antibiotics

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered a mutation in the relA gene of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium that enables the bacteria to tolerate normally effective antibiotic therapy. The mutation resulted in elevated levels of alarmone, priming the bacteria to survive exposure to multiple antibiotics.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalmBio·DateJan 3, 2017

The researchers created a tiny laser using nanoparticles

Researchers at Aalto University developed a plasmonic nanolaser that operates at visible light frequencies and uses dark lattice modes, allowing for ultrafast and tiny coherent light sources. The nanolaser uses silver nanoparticles arranged in a periodic array, which radiate in unison to produce high-intensity laser light.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 3, 2017

For the first time, researchers identify key proteins that may make Zika so deadly

Scientists have identified seven key proteins in the Zika virus genome that may be responsible for its damaging health effects. The study provides valuable clues for future research on how the virus interacts with human cells and how to develop treatments or prevention strategies.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 2, 2017

New study finds evolution of brain and tooth size were not linked in humans

Researchers found that brain size evolved at different rates for different species, especially during Homo's evolution, while chewing teeth evolved at similar rates. This challenges the classic view that larger brains led to smaller teeth as a result of tool use.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 2, 2017

Alcohol abuse increases risk of heart conditions as much as other risk factors

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that alcohol abuse increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, heart attack and congestive heart failure, similar to other well-established risk factors. The researchers analyzed data from California residents with ambulatory surgery or emergency care and found...

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJan 2, 2017

The emergence of a new dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia

A new dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia proposes a biological basis for the disorder, with dopamine signaling playing a key role in its development. The hypothesis has been revised numerous times since clinical observations first implicated dopamine decades ago.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJan 2, 2017

Parental obesity linked to delays in child development, NIH study suggests

Children of obese mothers are more likely to fail tests of fine motor skill and social competence, while those born to extremely obese couples also show signs of problem-solving ability delays. The study's findings suggest that paternal obesity also has a significant impact on child development.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateJan 2, 2017

A closer look at the eye

Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have developed a new imaging technique that can distinguish individual retinal ganglion cells, which bear most of the responsibility for relaying visual information to the brain. This breakthrough could enable earlier diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases like glaucoma.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 2, 2017

AMPK -- the enzyme that makes physical activity healthy

A new study reveals that AMPK plays a key role in enhancing insulin's ability to stimulate glucose uptake in muscles after physical activity. This discovery may lead to the development of an 'exercise pill' for people with limited mobility or those who struggle with physical activity.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalDiabetes·DateJan 2, 2017

Research on dinosaur embryos reveals that eggs took 3 to 6 months to hatch

Research on dinosaur embryos shows that non-avian dinosaurs took 3-6 months to hatch, similar to reptiles. This finding suggests prolonged incubation may have affected their ability to compete with rapidly evolving bird populations, contributing to the mass extinction event.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 2, 2017

Think chicken -- think intelligent, caring and complex

Research shows chickens possess complex cognitive abilities, including numerical understanding, self-awareness, and referential communication. They also experience emotions like fear, anticipation, and empathy, and demonstrate problem-solving skills in social situations.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateJan 2, 2017