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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 63


Page 63 of 461

Paradoxes in microbial economies

Researchers identify three paradoxical dynamics: the curse of increased efficiency, where less efficient microbes thrive; and the curse of decreased inefficiency, leading to slower population growth. The study highlights complexities in engineered microbial communities and microbiomes, challenging assumptions about optimal strategies.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 8, 2017

Autoimmunity may underlie newly discovered painful nerve-damage disorder

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have found that immunoglobulin infusions can improve pain and function in patients with autoimmune small-fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN), a condition previously thought to be idiopathic. The treatment has shown significant symptom relief for 75% of patients, allowing some to discontinue treatment.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalTherapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders·DateNov 8, 2017

Academic performance predicts risk of suicide attempt

A recent study found that poor academic performance at age 16 significantly increases the risk of suicide attempt, with those in the lowest GPA quartile facing a near five-fold higher risk. Researchers followed 26,315 Swedish individuals from age 16 to 46 and controlled for potential confounding factors.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica·DateNov 8, 2017

Lupus linked with increased risk of dementia

A new study of 4886 SLE patients and 24,430 controls found a higher proportion of dementia among SLE patients (1.56% vs. 0.51%) and a 51% higher likelihood of developing dementia after adjustments.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·DateNov 8, 2017

Video of blood clot contraction reveals how platelets naturally form unobtrusive clots

A Penn study reveals the physical mechanism of how platelets contract and shrink blood clots, which can inform new ways to diagnose and treat conditions like ischemic stroke and deep vein thrombosis. The research found that contracting platelets cause clots to shrink by bending and shortening individual fibrin fibers.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 8, 2017

The revolt of the Rust Belt may explain Trump's election

The article attributes Trump's victory to a rejection of the Democratic Party by working-class voters in the Rust Belt, citing institutions like labor unions as key factors. The author argues that regional characteristics and institutions connected these voters to national politics, explaining unusual voting behavior in 2016.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Sociology·DateNov 8, 2017

Microbial murder mystery solved

Killer cells use a methodical approach to destroy bacterial invaders, inflicting oxidative damage and targeting critical proteins with the deadly enzyme granzyme B. The discovery offers new insights into how immune systems combat bacteria, potentially leading to the development of new antimicrobial drugs.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalCell·DateNov 8, 2017

Astronomers discover a star that would not die

An international team of astronomers discovered a star that exploded multiple times over 50 years, challenging existing theories on cosmic catastrophes. The star, iPTF14hls, was found to be at least 50 times more massive than the sun and may be the first example of a rare 'Pulsational Pair Instability Supernova'.

SourceW. M. Keck Observatory·JournalNature·DateNov 8, 2017

Walk this way: A better way to identify gait differences

Researchers at Osaka University designed a novel gait recognition method that can overcome intra-subject variations by view differences. The proposed architectures outperformed state-of-the-art benchmarks in accordance with their suitable situations of verification/identification tasks and view differences.

SourceOsaka University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology·DateNov 8, 2017

Nanoshells could deliver more chemo with fewer side effects

Researchers at Rice University and Northwestern University have developed a method to use nanoshells to deliver high doses of cancer-killing drugs inside tumors. The approach uses laser-activated gold nanoparticles to release approved drugs in laboratory cultures, demonstrating clinical applicability.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 8, 2017

Exercise may benefit patients with leg ulcers

Researchers found that supervised exercise accelerated ulcer healing time by 22 weeks compared to compression therapy alone. The study suggests benefits for patients with venous leg ulcers, including cost savings.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology·DateNov 8, 2017

Cool textiles to beat the heat

Researchers have developed a new material for clothing that can cool people down without external energy needed, using a nanocomposite thread made from boron nitride and polyvinyl alcohol. The fabric is more efficient at moving heat away from the body than pure polyvinyl alcohol or cotton fabrics.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateNov 8, 2017

Visual intelligence is not the same as IQ

A new study reveals that visual intelligence is a separate entity from general intelligence (IQ), with considerable individual differences among people. Researchers developed a novel test to measure visual object recognition and found that performance on this task was not predictive of IQ.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateNov 8, 2017

Transforming fibrils into crystals

An international team of experts has made a fundamental discovery by transforming amyloid fibrils into crystals, a process previously thought to be impossible. The transformation involves untwisting the fibril to form an elongated, matchstick-like crystal with unprecedented stability.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 8, 2017