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Science News Archive November 2017 - Page 29


Page 29 of 42

Efforts are needed to study elder abuse among veterans

A new Journal of the American Geriatrics Society article calls for increased research on elder abuse among US Military Veterans, who face high risk due to known risk factors. The study highlights the need for a national scope and partnerships with federal agencies to improve care and prevent abuse.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateNov 9, 2017

Driving national discussions

A recent study by Harvard University researchers found that even smaller media outlets can have a significant impact on the national conversation about major public policy issues. The study, which involved 48 news outlets and over 35 experiments, showed that discussion of a particular topic across social media rose by more than 62 perc...

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateNov 9, 2017

Scientists figure out how cell division timer works

Researchers at KU Leuven unravelled how the cell division timer is switched on and off, potentially leading to effective cancer therapy. The discovery involves a biochemical clock that gives cells time to fix attachment-related problems, allowing for more efficient cell division.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalMolecular Cell·DateNov 9, 2017

Crested pigeons use feathers to sound the alarm

Researchers have found that crested pigeons produce a critical high-pitched sound as they fly away from danger, which serves as an alarm signal. The birds' wings produce alternating high and low notes in flight, with the high notes being crucial for sounding an alarm.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 9, 2017

UK study shows cell signaling interaction may prevent key step in lung cancer progression

A UK study published in Scientific Reports has identified a novel cell signaling interaction that may prevent a key step in lung cancer progression. The research, conducted by the University of Kentucky, found that microRNA molecules can alter TGFβ activity and prevent epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a critical process in metastasis.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 9, 2017

Fruit fly brains inform search engines of the future

Researchers at Salk Institute have found that fruit fly brains use an efficient method to perform similarity searches, expanding the dimension of odor information to improve detection. This approach could inform computer algorithms and enhance their ability to find similarities quickly.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateNov 9, 2017

Building better silk

Researchers at MIT have developed a method to create reconstituted silk that is more than twice as stiff as its natural counterpart. The material has potential applications in medical sutures, scaffolding for new skin or other biomaterials, and sensing devices.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 9, 2017

Survey finds pediatric doctors attempts to address parental health issues are limited by barriers

A national survey of pediatric primary care physicians found that while most address at least one parental health issue during child health visits, fewer feel responsible for doing so. The study highlights the need to better understand how health systems can support current practices and improve parental health promotion in pediatrics.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateNov 9, 2017

Telling teeth

Researchers at Wits University found that the Willems method of dental age estimation is more accurate than the Demirjian method in different populations. The study highlights the need for population-specific standards for age estimation in Africa, where birth registry and date of birth challenges are common.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 9, 2017

How challenges change the way you think

Research in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that challenging situations negatively impact the brain's ability to acquire spatial and sequential context. Participants performed poorly on tests after watching clips of positive, negative, and neutral situations.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateNov 9, 2017

Taking blood using 'push-pull' method gets accurate results with fewer pokes

A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers has found that the 'push-pull' blood sampling technique is as accurate as venipuncture, but requires no presample to be discarded and minimizes contamination risk. The method uses a catheter's dead space to collect samples, reducing needle pricks and pain for patients.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·DateNov 9, 2017

Parasites suck it up

A recent study has identified a fatty molecule in human blood that controls the malaria parasite's decision to switch from replicating in humans to transmitting to mosquitoes. This discovery improves understanding of a critical stage in the Plasmodium life cycle and may lead to new strategies for controlling and treating malaria.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateNov 9, 2017

Star kills its 'congenial' to form together a dwarf-binary system, astronomers confirm

A team of Brazilian astronomers observed a unique binary system consisting of a low-mass white dwarf and a brown dwarf. The white dwarf's existence was cut off due to the loss of matter caused by the companion, resulting in its premature death and transformation into a white dwarf.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateNov 9, 2017