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Science News Archive June 2017 - Page 28


Page 28 of 40

Fractal planting patterns yield optimal harvests, without central control

Balinese rice farmers' planting patterns create fractal designs that yield optimal harvests without global planning. The pattern's emergence is driven by water availability and pest damage, making the system more resilient. Farmers adapt locally, taking individual decisions that optimize their own harvests, resulting in a stable system.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 9, 2017

Biodiversity is 3-D

A recent study explores the species-area relationship and volume-species relation, finding that higher canopies are associated with more plant species due to increased biospace. This correlation is observed across different climate zones, suggesting a fundamental role in ecology.

SourceNational Research Tomsk State University·JournalPlant Ecology·DateJun 9, 2017

Study shows Cesarean patients sent home with more narcotic pain medications than needed

A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that most women who undergo a cesarean childbirth are prescribed more opioid pain medications than needed when released from the hospital. Most patients use opioids for an average of eight days after discharge, with many storing unused tablets in unlocked locations.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateJun 9, 2017

The first nanometrically-sized superelastic alloy

Researchers have created a new alloy that exhibits superelastic behavior at the nanoscale, requiring much higher stress to deform than larger materials. This discovery opens up new channels for developing flexible microsystems and electromechanical nanosystems, including implantable devices with potential applications in smart healthcare.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 9, 2017

Chemists brought mixed folded proteins to life

Researchers from ITMO University and Hebrew University have developed a method to recover protein structure after chemical denaturation, working for both specific molecules and multiprotein systems. The technology simplifies and cheapens the production of drug proteins for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's treatment.

SourceITMO University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 9, 2017

Mussels add muscle to biocompatible fibers

Researchers at Rice University have created hydrogel strings using a compound found in mussels, allowing for controlled growth of cells on surfaces. The aligned fibers promote ordered cell growth, making it possible to direct cell growth from one location to another.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 9, 2017

Batteries from scrap metal

Researchers have developed a novel method to create stable and low-cost electrodes from discarded stainless steel mesh, ideal for potassium-ion batteries. The new electrode design uses a waste material to store potassium ions, overcoming the limitations of sodium ion batteries.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 9, 2017

Cash for weight loss

A new study published in Social Science and Medicine found that a rewards programme increased weight loss magnitude and duration by more than twice as much as a control group. The programme, which offered cash or lottery tickets for meeting monthly weight loss goals, also led to higher rates of sustained weight loss.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateJun 9, 2017

Drug combination benefits patients with tophaceous gout

A phase III clinical trial showed that combining lesinurad with febuxostat was more effective at lowering blood urate levels than febuxostat alone. The combination group achieved target urate levels in significantly more patients over 12 months.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateJun 9, 2017

Chemists brought mixed folded proteins to life

Scientists have discovered a way to revive mixed folded proteins by applying an electrostatic interaction between folded or denatured proteins and alumina nanoparticles. This breakthrough could simplify and reduce the production costs of drug proteins for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's treatment.

SourceITMO University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 9, 2017

Infants born preterm may lack key lung cells later in life

Research from the University of Rochester Medical Center suggests that preterm infants may be more susceptible to lung diseases due to a lack of alveolar type II cells. These cells play a crucial role in rebuilding lung tissue after damage and producing pulmonary surfactant, a vital compound for healthy lungs.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology·DateJun 9, 2017

The largest virtual Universe ever simulated

The University of Zurich has simulated a gigantic catalogue of 25 billion virtual galaxies from 2 trillion digital particles using the revolutionary code PKDGRAV3. This simulation will help optimize the observational strategy of the Euclid satellite, which aims to investigate dark matter and dark energy.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalComputational Astrophysics and Cosmology·DateJun 9, 2017

Overriding the urge to sleep

Researchers at California Institute of Technology have identified a neural circuit in the brain that controls wakefulness. The discovery could lead to new treatments for insomnia and other sleep disturbances. The study found that stimulating these neurons with light can help overcome tiredness, while silencing them can induce sleep.

Male sexual behavior linked to elevated male sex hormone receptors in muscles of sex-changing fish

Researchers at Georgia State University have discovered a link between male sexual behavior and elevated male sex hormone receptors in the muscles of sex-changing fish. The study found that males express more androgen receptors in the supracarinalis muscle, which is associated with increased rates of courtship and aggressive displays.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 8, 2017

New software tool could help doctors diagnose genetic diseases

A new software tool called Mendel,MD can help doctors analyze patients' genetic data to diagnose diseases caused by mutations. Developed for easy use by physicians, the tool is freely available and has been validated using clinical cases and tests at multiple research centers.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 8, 2017

Developing fetuses react to face-like shapes from the womb

Researchers found that fetuses at 34 weeks gestation turn their heads to look at face-like images, indicating a possible instinctual preference for faces. This discovery suggests that babies' preference for faces begins in the womb and does not require learning or experience after birth.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 8, 2017