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Science News Archive April 2017 - Page 27


Page 27 of 37

How to mix the perfect cocktail

Researchers have developed a method to predict interactions among multiple drugs in combination, bypassing the need for astronomical measurements. The new mathematical model enables scientists to identify optimal blends for chemotherapy cocktails and potentially aid personalized medicine.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 9, 2017

A rusty green early ocean?

Researchers suggest ancient ocean had green rusty mineral, green rust, which could have delivered substantial proportion of iron to early ocean sediments. Green rust forms under low oxygen conditions and can transform into iron oxides over time.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature·DateApr 9, 2017

In search of the wild fava bean

Researchers have identified ancient fava beans in Northern Israel, dating back 14,000 years, to understand the evolution of the crop and improve its biodiversity. The findings provide crucial clues about the time and place where wild faba plants grew naturally.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 9, 2017

Controlling electron spin for efficient water splitting

By controlling electron spin, scientists have almost fully suppressed hydrogen peroxide formation during water splitting, paving the way for efficient solar-based hydrogen production. This breakthrough could lead to more stable and efficient photoelectrochemical cells, increasing the feasibility of using solar energy to split water.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 9, 2017

Nutrition report calls for greater cooperation and coordination in promotion of pulse as consumer-friendly food stuff

A special issue of Annals highlights the potential of pulses to address global nutrition issues and environmental concerns through increased consumption. The report emphasizes the need for multi-sectoral partnerships, research, and public interventions to promote pulse consumption and yield improvements.

SourceNew York Academy of Sciences·JournalAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences·DateApr 7, 2017

Osteoporosis drug found safe in long-term trial

A new study confirms denosumab's short-term and long-term safety in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis. Women on long-term treatment experienced no increase in adverse effects compared to those on placebo or shorter treatment durations.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateApr 7, 2017

A new parameterization of canopy radiative transfer for land surface radiation models

A new parameterization of canopy radiative transfer is proposed, improving the accuracy of land surface radiation models by determining surface albedo and transpiration. The method reveals a relationship between direct and diffuse radiation, treating them separately in previous studies.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateApr 7, 2017

Plotting the demise of Alzheimer's

Researchers are testing an anti-amyloid drug on people with elevated amyloid levels but no cognitive decline. The goal is to identify an early stage of the disease and delay onset by five years by 2025, which could save billions in healthcare costs.

400 million years of a stable relationship

A team of scientists has identified a transcription factor called MYB1 that regulates the lifespan of arbuscules in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The discovery provides new insights into the molecular basis of balance in AM symbiosis and could lead to more effective symbiosis, potentially improving crop yields.

SourceBoyce Thompson Institute·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 7, 2017

Making spines from sea water

Scientists have discovered that sea urchins extract calcium ions from seawater through a process where they drink in water and manipulate the ions within their cells. This method is more energy efficient than previously thought, but presents new challenges for understanding how these cells concentrate and expel ions.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 6, 2017

Married couples with common ancestry also share similar genes

Researchers explored genetic similarity between spouses from three generations of white people in the Framingham Heart Study. They found that individuals preferred spouses with the same ancestry, but this preference decreased over time, resulting in a more genetically diverse population.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateApr 6, 2017