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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 78


Page 78 of 461

Spider silk could be used to power microphones in hearing aids, cell phones

Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a new type of microphone that uses spider silk to improve directional sensing across a wide range of frequencies. The study, led by Professor Ron Miles and graduate student Jian Zhou, found that the fine fibers are able to pick up velocity rather than pressure of air waves.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 30, 2017

Under pressure

Climate change and human activities are putting North Atlantic right whales under immense pressure, with food scarcity and high mortality rates exacerbating their decline. The study predicts population growth will be hindered by climate-mediated food availability and policy-driven mortalities.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateOct 30, 2017

Wristband devices detect dangerous seizures in patients with epilepsy

New research published in Epilepsia indicates that wristband devices can improve the detection and characterization of seizures in patients with epilepsy. The devices detected 95% of seizures while keeping false alarm rates at a bearable level, providing real-time alerts to caregivers and improving patients' quality of life.

SourceWiley·JournalEpilepsia·DateOct 30, 2017

Depression is on the rise in the US, especially among young teens

Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found a significant increase in depression among Americans aged 12 and older from 2005 to 2015. The prevalence of past-year depression rose from 6.6% to 7.3%, with the most rapid increases seen in young people and those with lower levels of income and education.

Immigrants living in the country without authorization at risk for anxiety and depression

A new study by Rice University found that nearly a quarter of Mexican immigrants living near the California-Mexico border without legal authorization have a mental disorder, with major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder being the most prevalent. The study's findings highlight the need for culturally s...

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·DateOct 30, 2017

Political views have limited impact on how we perceive climate anomalies, study finds

A new study by researchers at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University found that individual perceptions of climate anomalies are largely immune to political bias. The study used high-resolution data and address-based panel survey to examine how people in Oklahoma perceived climate anomalies, including extremes of tempe...

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateOct 30, 2017

Building a sustainable future: Urgent action needed

A new report highlights the need for sustainable solutions to address growing energy demands from emerging middle classes. The study finds that adoption rates of energy-efficient materials and technologies vary greatly across countries due to differences in climate, economic power, and public perception on climate change.

SourceCambridge University Press·JournalMRS Energy & Sustainability·DateOct 30, 2017

Research aims to help renewable jet fuel take flight

University of Delaware researchers have developed catalysts that transform lignocellulosic biomass into high-carbon molecules suitable for jet fuel, enabling cost-competitive and sustainable production. The process operates at low temperature and is scalable, addressing the need for non-petroleum-based fuels for aviation.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalChemSusChem·DateOct 30, 2017

Emotional states discovered in fish

Researchers discovered that fish respond emotionally to their environment, with brain areas linked to positive and negative emotions activated. The study suggests a simpler neurologic basis for emotional assessment than expected, potentially evolving around 375 million years ago.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 27, 2017

Malaria parasite in the Americas is more genetically diverse than previously thought

A recent study found that populations of Plasmodium vivax in the Americas are as genetically diverse as those in Southeast Asia, contradicting previous assumptions. The research suggests that P. vivax may have originated from Africa, Europe, and Asia, and its genetic diversity was retained upon arrival in the Americas.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateOct 27, 2017