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Science News Archive August 2017 - Page 13


Page 13 of 41

Fatal attractions for disease-carrying mosquitoes

Researchers have developed several innovations to stop mosquito-borne diseases like malaria by exploiting their behavior and biology, including attracting and killing them before they suck blood or reproduce. These breakthroughs use pheromones and other attractants to manipulate mosquitoes without harming the environment.

Lego proteins revealed

Researchers have discovered that self-assembling protein complexes can form long, stiff filaments through a single mutation. This phenomenon has implications for both biological research and nanoscience, as it may indicate that Lego-like assemblies are more common than previously thought.

High-resolution modeling assesses impact of cities on river ecosystems

A new study uses high-resolution geospatial modeling to quantify the effects of urban infrastructures on US rivers and streams. The research found that urban land transformation and electricity production together affect seven percent of U.S. streams, influencing habitats for over 60 percent of North American freshwater fish species.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 23, 2017

Best ever image of a star's surface and atmosphere

A team of astronomers has created the first two-dimensional velocity map of a star's atmosphere using ESO's Very Large Telescope Interferometer. The study reveals turbulent, low-density gas much further from the star than predicted, challenging current theories on convection.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateAug 23, 2017

New understanding of how muscles work

A new technique developed at McGill University has made it possible to study the behavior of individual sarcomeres in muscles. The researchers found that neighboring sarcomeres adjust to the activation of one single sarcomere, leading to a cooperative mechanism that is crucial for understanding muscle contraction.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 23, 2017

New drug targets for a rare kidney and liver disease

Researchers have identified new potential drug targets for a rare kidney and liver disease by studying the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease. The study found that a protein complex, FPC, plays a key role in the development of cysts, fibrosis, and hypertension associated with ARPKD.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 23, 2017

Climate game changer

Research identifies Nitrospira inopinata, a microbe that can outcompete others in oxidizing ammonium, potentially reducing greenhouse gas effects and improving environmental balance. The discovery has significant implications for climate change research and may lead to practical applications such as wastewater treatment and soil purifi...

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalNature·DateAug 23, 2017

Large studies find screening reduces mortality for those with detectable type 2 diabetes but not for general population

Three large trials found that screening for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors does not reduce mortality in the general population, but individuals diagnosed with diabetes experience reduced mortality rates. The studies suggest that benefits to the general population may be increased by targeting screening to those at grea...

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateAug 23, 2017

Parenting style reduces kids' distress in war

Researchers found that mothers' authoritative parenting styles and warmth helped protect children from mental health symptoms after exposure to war. Maternal permissive or authoritarian styles were associated with more severe internalizing and externalizing symptoms.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateAug 23, 2017

A song's structure can be linked to its popularity

A new study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience has found that the harmonic structure of pop songs is linked to their placement in the Billboard Top 100 charts. The research analyzed chord-by-chord transcriptions of 545 songs and found that rare chords and surprising harmonies are key factors in a song's popularity.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateAug 23, 2017

Peas that like it hot

A new study reveals genetic insights into heat tolerance in peas, identifying two key traits: longer flowering duration and higher pod numbers. These traits can help breed more resilient pea varieties for warmer climates.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateAug 23, 2017

The breaking point

Researchers developed a new theory to understand how cracks propagate, revealing a nonlinear relationship between forces and material response near the crack's edge. This discovery may lead to better understanding of material failures and development of new strategies for protecting the environment.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Physics·DateAug 23, 2017

Bacterial infection stresses hematopoietic stem cells

Recent research reveals that bacterial infections activate hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow, inducing proliferation but also causing stress and reduced ability to produce blood. This finding suggests a link between bacterial infections and dysregulated hematopoiesis, highlighting potential prevention methods for blood diseases.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateAug 23, 2017

Religious affiliation impacts language use on Facebook

A study of 12,815 U.S. and U.K. Facebook users found that religious affiliation is associated with the use of positive emotion and social words, while non-religious individuals use more negative emotion and cognitive processes. The researchers also discovered that non-religious people make more frequent mention of the body and death th...

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateAug 22, 2017

An AADR perspective on the 'Advancing dental education: Gies in the 21st century' project

The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) suggests that dental schools prioritize research participation, collaboration with other departments, and flexible curricula. AADR also advocates for increased funding from various sources, including the National Institutes of Health, to support dental research and training.