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Science News Archive June 2017 - Page 30


Page 30 of 40

Human brain tunes into visual rhythms in sign language

A new study reveals that humans can entrain to the temporal structure of sign language, regardless of whether they are fluent or non-fluent signers. The researchers developed a novel metric to measure visual rhythms in sign language and found that brain waves locked into specific frequencies of sign language.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 8, 2017

ALMA finds ingredient of life around infant Sun-like stars

Astronomers using ALMA have found the complex organic molecule methyl isocyanate in the disk of a young Sun-like star, providing new insights into the formation of life. The discovery suggests that these protostars are well-suited for Earth-sized planets to form and may hold clues to understanding how life emerged on our planet.

SourceESO·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 8, 2017

Making vessels leaky on demand could aid drug delivery

Rice University scientists have discovered a way to selectively open gaps in blood vessel barriers, allowing large molecule drugs to reach targeted tissues. The technique uses magnets to manipulate nanoparticles and alter the endothelial cell's structure, creating temporary 'leakiness' that can be controlled.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 8, 2017

Improving adolescents' social and emotional lives must go beyond teaching them skills

Effective SEL programs focus on improving emotional environments, values, and mindsets rather than just teaching skills, according to UT Austin psychology assistant professor David Yeager. These approaches help teens find purpose in learning and communities, leading to improved academic performance and social-emotional well-being.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalThe Future of Children·DateJun 8, 2017

Scientific advances in thoracic oncology in 2016 highlighted by the IASLC

The IASLC published a comprehensive summary of the year's key developments in thoracic oncology, covering prevention, early detection, pathology, staging, surgery, adjuvant therapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. The publication highlights significant progress in small cell lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateJun 8, 2017

Self-learning robot hands

The Famula project has created a system that learns to recognize everyday objects through trial and error, mimicking human learning. The robot's language capabilities are also being developed to improve its interactions with humans.

LA BioMed researcher honored for contributions to medicine

Dr. Jack Edwards, a leading researcher at LA BioMed, has been recognized with the Rhoda Benham Award for his continuous outstanding contributions to medical mycology. His work focuses on understanding fungal diseases, aiming to develop new anti-fungal agents and immunotherapies to prevent life-threatening infections.

New study shows setting stretch goals can undermine organizational performance

A new study published in Organization Science found that setting stretch goals can lead to lower risk-adjusted performance and higher variation in performance across organizations. The researchers discovered that about 80% of participants failed to reach their assigned stretch goals, often abandoning them for more manageable targets.

Synthetic nanochannels for iodide transport

Scientists at IBS create nanostructures that function as channels for iodide transport in cell membranes, offering a new approach to diagnose and treat iodide transport disorders. The newly developed synthetic ion channels, called porphyrin boxes 1A (PB-1A), selectively allow the passage of negatively-charged ions, such as iodides.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 8, 2017

Mind changing can be risky

Researchers found that leaders who change their moral minds are perceived as hypocritical and less effective, but framing the change as a result of a transformative experience can mitigate this perception. The study suggests that taking a moral stance without underlying beliefs can backfire if a leader needs to change their mind later.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJun 8, 2017

Brain imaging reveals neural roots of caring

A study using brain scans found that feelings of empathy involve distinct brain activity patterns, with empathic care overlapping with value and reward systems and empathic distress linked to mirroring systems. The researchers discovered consistent patterns across individuals, predicting emotions based on brain activity.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateJun 8, 2017

Wayne State receives $3.05 million NIH award to improve diabetes care in youth

A Wayne State University research team will conduct a five-year trial to test an intervention on tablet computers that helps parents engage in effective parenting to assist their diabetic adolescents complete daily care. The study aims to improve health outcomes and metabolic control among African American youth with Type 1 diabetes.

Tiny glow sticks

Chinese researchers create microscale optical waveguides using lanthanide metal-organic frameworks, offering potential for low-loss light conduction and polarized emissions. The novel structures emit luminescence in different colors depending on the used lanthanide, making them suitable for color-tunable optical applications.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 8, 2017

Scientists discover a 2-D magnet

Researchers have discovered intrinsic magnetism in isolated 2-D materials, a breakthrough that could lead to the development of more efficient and compact magnetic devices. The discovery was made using Scotch tape to exfoliate monolayers from larger crystals, revealing unique properties not seen in their 3-D forms.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalNature·DateJun 7, 2017

Study finds youth football players have significant differences in head impact exposure

A study of 97 youth football players aged 9-13 found they experienced a total of 40,538 head impacts during four seasons. The number of impacts differed significantly depending on the player's age/weight level, suggesting all athletes should not be evaluated as one group when assessing head impact exposure and injury risk.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·DateJun 7, 2017

Neuroimaging technique may help predict autism among high-risk infants

Researchers used functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fcMRI) to scan 59 high-risk, 6-month-old infants, finding that brain patterns preceded behavioral symptoms of autism. The technique accurately predicted diagnoses in 82% of cases, with 93% accuracy in smaller groups.

Natural capital: Holistic management makes ecosystems healthier, people wealthier

Researchers found that using holistic ecosystem management increases the value of stored natural capital in the Baltic Sea fishery ecosystem over five decades. The study highlights the critical role of interactions between commercially important species and how these interactions impact the overall system's wealth.

SourceYale School of the Environment·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 7, 2017