Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive January 2017 - Page 30


Page 30 of 35

Investigators identify optimal conditions for growth of Legionella bacteria

Researchers found that Legionella pneumophila grows well in warm tap water installations with ample dissolved organic matter, supporting biofilm formation. The study suggests that microgram-per-liter concentrations of biodegradable compounds can induce bacterial growth on surfaces, promoting proliferation of the bacteria.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJan 6, 2017

Rocky mountain haze

A new study from University of Utah researchers finds a correlation between drought and high-elevation aerosols in the western US, suggesting that wildfires are driving the increase in summer haze. Aerosol particles can trigger cloud formation, exerting their own influence on global temperature and climate.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJan 6, 2017

Open-source plant database confirms top US bioenergy crop

Researchers have created an open-source database to facilitate bioenergy research, confirming Miscanthus as the top US bioenergy crop. The database, BETYdb, contains over 40,000 records of yield data for various biomass crops, revealing that Miscanthus is 2.4 times more productive than switchgrass under different environmental conditions.

Risk of long-term disability in older adults who visit the ED

A study by Yale researchers found that older adults who visit the emergency department (ED) are at increased risk for disability and decline in physical abilities up to six months later. The discharged group had significantly higher disability scores than the control group, and were also more likely to be living in a nursing home.

SourceYale University·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJan 6, 2017

Many kidney failure patients lack advance directives near the end of life

A study found that patients with kidney failure were less likely to have advance directives than those with other serious illnesses, but those who did had better end-of-life care. The presence of treatment-limiting directives and surrogate decision makers reduced hospitalizations, intensive procedures, and inpatient deaths.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJan 5, 2017

New microscope chemically identifies micron-sized particles

Researchers developed a new microscope that can chemically identify individual micron-sized particles using infrared spectroscopy without detectors. The instrument uses photothermal modulation of Mie scattering, allowing for non-destructive analysis and identification of multiple species simultaneously.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateJan 5, 2017

Great Barrier Reef almost drowned; climate implications

The Great Barrier Reef nearly drowned during the Last Interglacial period due to rapid sea-level rise from melting glaciers and polar ice sheets. The reef's shallow growth recommenced once the sea-level rise stabilized, but modern pressures such as pesticide run-off, warming temperatures, and dredging could threaten its survival.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalGlobal and Planetary Change·DateJan 5, 2017

Halting lethal childhood leukemia

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a genetic driver of mixed lineage leukemia, a rare and deadly form of childhood leukemia. They identified a targeted molecular therapy that halts the proliferation of leukemic cells by stabilizing the wild-type MLL protein, which drives cancer.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCell·DateJan 5, 2017

Consumption of grilled meat linked to higher mortality risk among breast cancer survivors

A study published in JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that high consumption of grilled, barbecued, and smoked meats may increase mortality risk after breast cancer diagnosis. The research evaluated the link between these meat types and survival time among 1508 Long Island women with breast cancer.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJan 5, 2017

Hummingbirds see motion in an unexpected way

Researchers found that hummingbird brains are uniquely attuned to detect fast visual motion in any direction. This discovery sheds light on the birds' remarkable ability to zoom and stop quickly while sipping nectar. The findings have implications for understanding flight behaviors, competitive interactions, and courtship displays.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 5, 2017

New therapeutic agent proves more effective treatment for advanced prostate cancer

A German multicenter study confirms the efficacy and safety of Lu-177-PSMA-617 radioligand therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, demonstrating a positive response rate of 45% and manageable side effects. The treatment offers an additional option for end-stage patients with high response rates and low toxicity.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateJan 5, 2017

Worms have teenage ambivalence, too

A study by Salk Institute scientists reveals that adolescent roundworms exhibit erratic behavior when seeking food, unlike adult worms which show efficient behavior. This discovery provides insight into the drivers of neurological development and may shed light on human brain function and diseases.

SourceSalk Institute·JournaleNeuro·DateJan 5, 2017

Older lung cancer patients face significant treatment burden

A study by Yale researchers found that older lung cancer patients can spend an average of one in three days interacting with the healthcare system within the first 60 days after surgery or radiation therapy. Patients with a higher number of medical conditions treated with surgery had the most post-treatment burdens.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Oncology Practice·DateJan 5, 2017

Telecommunications light amplifier could strengthen integrity of transmitted data

Researchers at Singapore University of Technology and Design have developed a compact optical amplifier that can amplify light by 17,000 times, strengthening the integrity of transmitted data. The device's efficiency enables new opportunities in low-cost broadband spectroscopy, precision manufacturing, and hyperspectral imaging.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 5, 2017

Researchers identify factors associated with stopping treatment for opioid dependence

A study published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment found that black and Hispanic patients, as well as unemployed individuals and those with hepatitis C, are more likely to disengage from treatment programs for opioid dependence. Long-term engagement in therapy is crucial for treating this chronic condition, similar to hypert...

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Substance Abuse Treatment·DateJan 5, 2017