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Science News Archive December 2017 - Page 32


Page 32 of 33

Astronomer's map reveals location of mysterious fast-moving gas

Australian scientist Dr. Tobias Westmeier has created the most detailed map ever of high-velocity gas clouds in the Universe, revealing over 13% of the sky is covered by these mysterious clouds. The map shows gas clouds moving at speeds of up to a few hundred kilometers per second and provides new clues about their origin.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateDec 3, 2017

Monopole current offers way to control magnets

Researchers from RIKEN in Japan have discovered a new method to control magnets by manipulating the properties of virtual monopoles. By applying a magnetic field, they can control the behavior of north and south poles in frustrated magnets, leading to a dissipationless current.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 1, 2017

Study links child abuse, high school dropout

A new study by Duke University researchers found that child abuse and violence are associated with higher high school dropout rates, particularly among girls who experienced childhood violence. The study suggests that policies aimed at reducing violence against children may also help lower the national dropout rate.

SourceDuke University·JournalReview of Behavioral Economics·DateDec 1, 2017

Teens get more sleep when school starts later

Research by Penn State found that high school start times after 8:30 a.m. increased the likelihood of teens obtaining eight hours of sleep, benefiting their overall health. Earlier school start times were associated with decreased time in bed and morning wake-up times.

SourcePenn State·JournalSleep Health·DateDec 1, 2017

Robot learning improves student engagement

A study at Michigan State University found that online students using robot-learning technology feel more engaged and connected to instructors and fellow students in the classroom. The innovative system uses robots with video screens controlled by remote users, allowing for individualized interactions.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalOnline Learning·DateDec 1, 2017

When Listeria monocytogenes goes to sleep....

Researchers discovered Listeria monocytogenes can change its behavior when infecting liver and placenta cells, producing a dormant form that is more tolerant of antibiotics. This finding explains the long incubation period of listeriosis and may lead to new therapeutic strategies.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateDec 1, 2017

Mosquitoes more likely to transmit dengue virus in hot weather

New research published in Frontiers in Microbiology finds that higher temperatures and temperature fluctuations accelerate the growth of the dengue virus in mosquitoes, making them more infectious. This could help prevent outbreaks during warm periods by reducing mosquito numbers or controlling exposure.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateDec 1, 2017

Harmful effects of being overweight underestimated

A new study analyzed data from 60,000 parents and children to establish the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and mortality risk. The research found that previous studies had underestimated the harmful effects of being overweight, with high BMI linked to increased mortality risk.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateDec 1, 2017

Neutron spectroscopy: New detector module MultiFLEXX increases count rate tenfold

The new detector module MultiFLEXX enables faster data collection by measuring multiple angles and energies simultaneously, reducing measurement times by a factor of 10. This results in significant gains in acquisition efficiency, particularly useful for applications involving temperature or magnetic field mapping.

New imaging study reveals how saturated fatty acids damage cells

Researchers at Columbia University developed a new microscopy technique to track fatty acids in living cells, revealing that saturated fats cause hardened membrane patches that can lead to cellular damage. In contrast, unsaturated fats can 'melt' these patches, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies for lipid disorders.

SourceColumbia University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 1, 2017

The microbiological art of making a better sausage

A team of Italian investigators found that commercial starter culture produced sausages with higher acidity, but inferior taste, as compared to spontaneous fermentation. The study used Next Generation Sequencing techniques and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry to analyze the microorganisms and metabolic pathways involved.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateDec 1, 2017

Sperm RNA may serve as biomarkers of future health, Wayne State researchers find

A study by Wayne State University School of Medicine researchers found that sperm RNA elements can predict human health, potentially leading to improved fertility clinic predictions and better neonatal care outcomes. The discovery may also enable the development of preventive measures against diseases.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalSystems Biology in Reproductive Medicine·DateDec 1, 2017

From Alaska to Amazonia: First global maps of traits that drive vegetation growth

Researchers have created detailed global maps of key plant traits that significantly impact carbon cycle calculations. The maps show substantial local diversity, contradicting previous simplistic models that assumed identical trait values across regions. This advancement will lead to more accurate modeling of carbon cycle feedbacks.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 1, 2017

Under pressure: Novel technology to model pressure-induced cellular injuries in the brain

Researchers at MUSC develop an ex vivo model of ICP-induced cellular injury to understand early cell-injury mechanisms and identify biomarkers associated with pathological pressure. The novel model successfully initiates cellular stress in a cell-specific manner, offering potential for therapies to minimize neurological deficits.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Neuroscience Methods·DateDec 1, 2017