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Science News Archive December 2017 - Page 11


Page 11 of 33

Routines, practice and mental rehearsal mitigate some risks of armed self-defense

Researchers identified three types of risk-mitigation strategies: readiness practices (routines), simulated scenario practices (target shooting and training), and mentally-rehearsed scenarios. These efforts decrease some risk but cannot fully prepare individuals for actual self-defense situations, which can pose unexpected risks.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateDec 18, 2017

A radical approach to methane oxidation into methanol

Researchers at Osaka University have created a radical reaction that converts methane into methanol and formic acid using a clean, low-temperature process. The process achieves this goal without the need for high temperatures or pressures, converting over 99% of methane into the target products.

SourceOsaka University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 18, 2017

Illuminated: The mechanism behind shear thinning in supercooled liquids

Two researchers at The University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science have revealed new insights into the behavior of supercooled liquids when they are made to flow by shearing. They found that the two-body structural entropy is the key quantity to understanding shear thinning, which is an industrially very important process.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 18, 2017

Radiosurgery or whole-brain radiation in patients with multiple brain metastases?

Researchers have discovered that radiosurgery can be an effective treatment option for patients with four or more brain lesions, even when the number of deposits exceeds the traditional three-lesion threshold. The study found no significant difference in survival rates between patients treated with radiosurgery for 4-10 metastases and ...

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateDec 18, 2017

Restoring aging genes in rats

Researchers found that overexpressing FKBP1b restored gene expression in hippocampal neurons, improving water maze performance and reversing age-related memory impairments in rats. The study suggests addressing FKBP1b deficiency may be a new avenue for countering age-related memory loss.

The body's street sweepers

A new study reveals that platelets actively migrate to sites of infection, collecting bacteria into aggregates and facilitating the activation of neutrophils. This active function has significant implications for our understanding of immune defense and potential therapeutic targets for inflammation reactions.

Orbital mayhem around a red dwarf

Researchers at UNIGE detected an exoplanet with a highly inclined orbit around a red dwarf star, evading circular motion and instead following a polar path. This unusual behavior is attributed to the presence of an unknown companion planet that disturbs its path.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·DateDec 18, 2017

Columbia engineers develop floating solar fuels rig for seawater electrolysis

Researchers have developed a novel photovoltaic-powered electrolysis device that can operate as a stand-alone platform on open water, producing hydrogen fuel from sunlight and water. The device separates gases using buoyancy-driven product separation, resulting in high product purity without actively pumping the electrolyte.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy·DateDec 15, 2017

Russian scientists developed a new technology of energy generation from bituminous coal

Researchers have created an electrochemical generator that converts bituminous coal into electrical energy, producing only water and heat as byproducts. The technology has been proven effective in joint generation of electrical and heat energy, with the added benefit of a simpler configuration compared to existing coal power plants.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy·DateDec 15, 2017

Erectile dysfunction is red flag for silent early cardiovascular disease

A new study reveals a significant association between erectile dysfunction and impaired endothelial function, as well as increased carotid intimal medial thickness, indicating an early manifestation of atherosclerosis. The findings support a more aggressive CV disease risk assessment and management for persons with erectile dysfunction.

SourceSAGE·JournalVascular Medicine·DateDec 15, 2017

Single-photon detector can count to 4

Engineers at Duke University have successfully counted the presence of at least four photons at a time using a widely used method of detecting single photons, providing easier paths to developing quantum-based technologies. The discovery will unlock new capabilities in physics labs working in quantum information science around the world.

SourceDuke University·JournalOptica·DateDec 15, 2017