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Science News Archive June 2017 - Page 24


Page 24 of 40

Long term exposure to aircraft noise linked to high blood pressure

A long-term study found a significant link between aircraft noise and an increased risk of developing high blood pressure. Exposure to night-time aircraft noise was associated with a doubling in risk of heart flutter and stroke, with every additional 10 dB of noise linked to a 69% heightened risk of high blood pressure.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·DateJun 13, 2017

Photopower for microlabs

Researchers have developed a fully integrated microfluidic device that produces hydrogen fuel and converts it into electrical energy based on photocatalysis. The device is designed to be self-sustaining and can provide enough power to transmit data from a microsensor for 24 hours.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 13, 2017

Fighting fire blight and detecting Salmonella

Researchers have developed a new method to control fire blight by using a genetically modified bacteriophage (Y2) that can dissolve the slime layer protecting the Erwinia bacteria and kill it. Additionally, another variant of Y2 has been engineered to detect Salmonella by emitting light when bound to infected bacteria.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJun 13, 2017

Charred flowers and the fossil record

Researchers Victoria Hudspith and Claire Belcher found that different types of plants burned at varying temperatures and that certain flower shapes made them more likely to be destroyed by fire. This discovery affects the interpretation of charred flowers as a source of information about ancient flowering plants.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateJun 13, 2017

The role of vitamin A in diabetes

A study suggests that vitamin A plays an important role in the development and function of beta-cells, leading to improved insulin secretion. Researchers found that partially blocking the vitamin A receptor impaired cell survival and insulin secretion, highlighting its potential as a new target for diabetes treatment.

SourceLund University·JournalEndocrine Journal·DateJun 13, 2017

E. coli bacteria's defense secret revealed

E. coli bacteria defend themselves against toxins by forming dynamic tunnels through their cell wall, allowing them to expel intruders. This mechanism may also contribute to antibiotic resistance, prompting researchers to explore new strategies for combating resistant bacteria.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 13, 2017

Galaxy alignments traced back 10 billion years

A new study reveals that the largest galaxies in the universe have been aligned with their surroundings for at least ten billion years. The discovery suggests that these galaxies are especially sensitive to their environment and were influenced by their surroundings from a young age.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalNature Astronomy·DateJun 13, 2017

Birds of a feather

A new large-scale study found that species with faster genetic differentiation rates produce more species over time. The study analyzed genetic sequences from 17,000 individuals across 173 bird species, demonstrating a link between population differentiation and speciation rates.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 13, 2017

Magnets, all the way down!

Assemblies of metallic nanoparticles behave like bulk magnets, displaying intriguing shape-dependent behavior that could improve high-density information storage technologies. The structures' magnetic behavior is influenced only by the shape of the assemblies, revealing a single bulk ferromagnet.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJun 13, 2017

Small scale, big improvements

Researchers developed a new method to study chemical reactions at atomic scale, allowing for real-time observations of the solid-liquid interface. This technique helps improve water purification methods and understand supercapacitor performance.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 13, 2017

Concussion effects detailed on microscopic level

Researchers at Ohio State University discovered rapid microscopic swelling along the axons of rodent brain tissue after laboratory-induced mild traumatic brain injury. The study found that these swellings are reversible and disappear within minutes, which could lead to improved treatment for concussions.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateJun 13, 2017

Body contouring is only for the rich and insured

A study published in Obesity Surgery found that only 2,112 out of 37,806 patients (5.58%) underwent subsequent body contouring procedures after bariatric surgery. The majority of these patients had higher incomes or health insurance, and the procedures usually occurred within two years after the initial bariatric procedure.

SourceSpringer·JournalObesity Surgery·DateJun 13, 2017