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Science News Archive May 2017 - Page 5


Page 5 of 42

Identifying species from a single caviar egg

A new tool enables identification of high-end caviar from Beluga sturgeons by analyzing DNA from a single caviar egg, contributing to conservation and fair international trade. The development helps distinguish Beluga caviar from Bester and other species using targeted genetic variants.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 30, 2017

LGBQQ college students face barriers to campus mental health services, study finds

A RAND Corporation study found that LGBQQ college students are more likely to seek off-campus mental health services due to concerns over confidentiality and uncertainty about on-campus eligibility. Despite this, they experience higher rates of psychological distress, academic impairment, and stress compared to their heterosexual peers.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateMay 30, 2017

Death by volcano?

A team of scientists found that massive volcanic eruptions may have caused the end-Ordovician extinction, which wiped out 85% of marine animal species. The eruptions released sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, interacting in complex ways to affect the climate.

HIV: A therapeutic advance for resource-limited settings

The study found dual therapy with lamivudine and a boosted protease inhibitor to be effective as second-line treatment in patients infected by HIV with multiple mutations. The combination resulted in lower rates of treatment failure, increased CD4 cell count, and better tolerability compared to monotherapy.

SourceANRS·JournalThe Lancet HIV·DateMay 29, 2017

A new spin on electronics

Researchers at University of Utah have discovered that organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites possess contradictory properties necessary to make spintronic devices work, enabling exponentially more data processing and overcoming size limitations in traditional electronics.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Physics·DateMay 29, 2017

Graphene and quantum dots put in motion a CMOS-integrated camera that can see the invisible

Researchers at ICFO have developed a graphene-QD CMOS image sensor that can capture visible and infrared light simultaneously. This breakthrough technology enables applications such as night vision, food inspection, fire control, and environmental monitoring, while also reducing production costs and enabling mass-market production.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·DateMay 29, 2017

Keep your balance -- even in old age

The 'Keep Control' project aims to improve understanding and diagnosis of balance and gait deficits in older adults, with a focus on developing innovative treatment options. The initiative, coordinated by Kiel University, brings together experts from Europe to enhance diagnosis and therapy for fall-prone individuals.

New antibiotic packs a punch against bacterial resistance

Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have discovered a way to make vancomycin, an existing antibiotic, even more potent by adding three independent mechanisms of action. This new version has a 1,000-fold increase in activity against bacteria, making it a promising alternative to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 29, 2017

Wake-promoting compound validated

Researchers have successfully developed a non-peptide compound that promotes wakefulness and remedies narcoleptic symptoms in mouse models. The compound, YNT-185, penetrates the blood-brain barrier and induces significant wakefulness without desensitization or sleep rebounds.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 29, 2017

Cells pumping iron to prevent anemia

Researchers at Kyoto University identified a key gene that regulates iron uptake, revealing a functional defect in the duodenum and potentially leading to new treatment methods for anemia. The study found that Regnase-1 degrades iron-controlling genes, such as TfR1, which can help prevent debilitating disorders like hemochromatosis.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 29, 2017

Model for 2-D materials based RRAM found

Researchers at Lanzalab developed a compact model to describe the functioning of RRAM devices using graphene/h-BN/graphene van der Waals structures. The model accurately predicts the device's behavior and explains dispersion in cycle-to-cycle data, enabling simulation and mass production.

SourceLanzalab·Journal2D Materials·DateMay 29, 2017

Neurons can learn temporal patterns

A study at Lund University reveals individual neurons can learn precise timed intervals, expanding the brain's learning capabilities and potential applications in AI research. This breakthrough may also shed light on autism, ADHD, and language disorders in children.

SourceLund University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 29, 2017

Previously, on Arctic warming

Scientists from Kyoto University and UC San Diego discovered that early 20th century sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific and North Atlantic warmed more than previously thought. The researchers found that rising Pacific-Atlantic temperatures were the major driver of rapid Arctic warming during this period.

SourceKyoto University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 29, 2017

Vision keeps maturing until mid-life

The visual cortex develops until late 30s or early 40s, contradicting previous expectations that it matures in first few years of life. This discovery extends the timeline by 4.5 years, challenging current understanding of brain function and sensory areas development.

Detailed view of a molecular toxin transporter

Researchers from ETH Zurich have defined the three-dimensional structure of ABCG2, a human multi-drug transporter. The protein recognizes and transports over 200 substances, including toxins and medications, making it a double-edged sword in cancer treatment and drug development.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateMay 29, 2017

How self-regulation can help young people overcome setbacks

A recent study found that self-regulation skills are a significant predictor of resilience in young people at risk of social exclusion. Helping these students acquire self-regulation skills, such as setting goals and coping with adversity, can equip them to do better in school and life.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateMay 29, 2017

Quantum states reveal themselves with measurable 'fingerprint'

Researchers have discovered that all entangled states of two particles have a unique classical fingerprint. This breakthrough enables the certification of quantum computers and encryption devices, ensuring their authenticity. The discovery uses a simple set of measurements to act as an identity check for any two-particle entangled state.

Historical rainfall levels are significant in carbon emissions from soil

Researchers found that soil microbes respond differently to shifts in moisture, with those from wetter areas respiring twice as much carbon to the atmosphere. This discovery suggests historical rainfall levels can impact climate modeling, improving predictions of local or regional differences in soil respiration and climate history.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 29, 2017