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Science News Archive November 2017 - Page 13


Page 13 of 42

Sunrise and sunset guide daily activities of city-dwellers

Researchers used 'reality mining' to analyze mobile phone records of one million people, finding that the timing of sunrise and sunset still guides daily activities. The study also reveals sex differences in sleep duration, with women sleeping more than men as they age.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateNov 21, 2017

Can an insulin pill delay or prevent type 1 diabetes?

A daily insulin pill did not slow down or prevent type 1 diabetes development among individuals with a higher risk of developing the disease. The trial involved 560 participants who received either oral insulin or a placebo, and found that time to diagnosis was not significantly different between groups.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateNov 21, 2017

Ice shapes the landslide landscape on Mars

A new study explores the impact of ice on Martian landslides, finding similarities with Earth's ice-lubricated landslides and demonstrating how ice influences shape and velocity. The research uses glacial morphology and remote sensing measurements to model landslide dynamics.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·DateNov 21, 2017

Finding their inner bird: Using modern genomics to turn alligator scales into birdlike feathers

Researchers identified key genes involved in scale and feather development, demonstrating their ability to convert scales into feathers by turning on specific molecular circuits. The study reveals five morpho-regulatory modules essential for modern feather formation and potentially explains how early birds evolved flight.

Second HIV test helps prevent incorrect HIV diagnosis in infants

A new study suggests that a second HIV test can substantially reduce incorrect diagnoses in infants, saving costs on unnecessary treatment. The study found that confirmatory testing reduces the number of infants incorrectly diagnosed with HIV by 99.6%, leading to cost savings over a lifetime.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateNov 21, 2017

Baby-boomers and millennials more afflicted by the opioid epidemic

A recent study at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that baby-boomers and millennials are disproportionately affected by the opioid epidemic. The study analyzed data from 1999 to 2014 and found that these age groups experienced a significantly increased risk of death from prescription opioid overdose and heroi...

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateNov 21, 2017

Legal analysis finds Arkansas law that bars protection of LGBTQ people unconstitutional

A new analysis by NYU College of Global Public Health finds Arkansas' law prohibiting local governments from enacting civil rights protections for LGBTQ individuals to be unconstitutional. The law, which was enacted in response to a similar attempt by Fayetteville, Arkansas, violates the Establishment and Equal Protection clauses.

SourceNew York University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateNov 21, 2017

A model by which plants adapt their photosynthetic metabolism to light intensity

Researchers proposed a model explaining how plants regulate photosynthesis in response to varying light intensities through redox systems like thioredoxins and NTRC. The chloroplasts have protective antioxidant enzymes, such as 2-cys peroxiredoxin, which play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of these redox systems.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 21, 2017

Hidden properties of solids

Researchers at UCSB have successfully measured Berry curvature in solid matter for the first time using a unique laser experiment. This breakthrough has significant implications for designing new materials with optimized Berry curvature for applications in electronic and optical devices.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPhysical Review X·DateNov 21, 2017

Good cells gone bad

Researchers from TSRI have identified a process in nerve cells called the S-nitrosylation reaction that may contribute to Parkinson's disease. The study found that this reaction can trigger cell death by preventing the proper removal of damaged mitochondria, leading to neuronal damage and death.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateNov 21, 2017

The main switch

Researchers at the University of Freiburg discover that DNA folding reorganization is a key switch for defining cell types during cardiomyocyte differentiation. The study reveals that spatial genome organization determines cellular identity and provides insights into future reprogramming strategies.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 21, 2017

Refining pesticides to kill pests, not bees

Scientists at Michigan State University have discovered a key to designing more selective pesticides that target pests without killing beneficial insects like bees. By understanding the molecular differences between mammals and insects, they hope to create new chemicals that spare bees while effectively controlling agricultural pests.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 21, 2017