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Science News Archive October 2017 - Page 23


Page 23 of 43

Waves in lakes make waves in the Earth

Scientists have discovered that waves in lakes can generate microseismic signals that can reveal subsurface geology and track ice cover duration. By analyzing these signals, researchers can create a seismic 'CT scan' of the Earth, providing valuable insights into geological structures.

Harvey runoff menaces Texas' coral reefs

A recent expedition to the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary revealed a 10% drop in salinity levels due to Hurricane Harvey's floodwater plume. The team hopes to track the plume as it migrates through the Gulf, aiming to understand its impact on the reefs' health.

Cocktail tests on toxic waste called for

Scientists found that low concentrations of toxic chemicals can affect aquatic creature behavior, including feeding and swimming speed. The study calls for low dose and mixture toxicity testing to assess the impact of complex pollutant mixtures on aquatic ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateOct 16, 2017

Attending a middle vs. a K-8 school matters for student outcomes

A new study by NYU Steinhardt School found that attending a middle school compared to a K-8 school negatively impacts certain measures of students' beliefs about their academic abilities, particularly in reading skills. The researchers suggest strengthening middle schools by focusing on the instructional and social environment, teacher...

SourceNew York University·JournalThe Journal of Early Adolescence·DateOct 16, 2017

The importance of asymmetry in bacteria

A team of researchers from Newcastle University discovered the MlaA protein, which removes lipids from the outer membrane to increase permeability for toxic compounds. This process could be exploited by drugs to decrease bacterial virulence and enhance antibiotic effectiveness.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateOct 16, 2017

SUTD researchers developed single cell level sorting technology using sound waves

A research team from SUTD developed a highly accurate single cell level sorting technology using sound waves, which enables the isolation of rare cell populations in complex biological samples. This technology has the potential to advance precision medicine for cancer treatment by examining DNA mutations at single cell level.

Gestational diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that women with a history of gestational diabetes were at a modestly higher risk of cardiovascular disease. However, adhering to a healthy lifestyle appeared to help mitigate this risk in younger women, particularly those who were predominantly white and followed healthy habits over time.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateOct 16, 2017

Predictions by GSI scientists now confirmed

Researchers detect electromagnetic waves from neutron star merger, confirming predictions of heavy element production. The event is a milestone in understanding astrophysical processes and requires precise nuclear data to be fully understood.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 16, 2017

Nidoviruses redundantly express genes and encode more proteins than previously believed, study finds

Researchers discovered 96 transcription regulatory sequences (TRSs) used by arterivirus Simian hemorrhagic fever virus to produce subgenomic messenger RNAs, exceeding the previously reported nine TRSs. The study found that multiple TRSs are involved in producing structural proteins and alternative reading frames.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 16, 2017

A new target for marijuana

A study published in JNeurosci found that chronic exposure to THC may alter inhibitory function in GABA neurons, increasing dopamine levels and promoting addictive qualities. This discovery could lead to a new target for treating cannabis use disorder.

Healthy lifestyle reduces cardiovascular risk after gestational diabetes, NIH study shows

Researchers analyzed data from over 90,000 women and found that adopting a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising moderately, and not smoking can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease after gestational diabetes. Women who failed to adopt a healthy lifestyle had a 43-percent-higher risk for cardiovascular disease.

Rice's Laurence Yeung named 2017 Packard Fellow

Laurence Yeung, a geochemist at Rice University, has been awarded a 2017 Packard Fellowship to support his research on the atmospheric system. He plans to use the grant to take risks and explore new ideas in his field, including the development of a compact device for isotopic measurements.

Rice U. study: Vibrating nanoparticles interact

Rice University researchers have found that placing gold nanodisks into groups can selectively alter their vibrational frequencies, a discovery that could lead to new ways of converting light energy into mechanical energy. The study's findings show promise for applications in secure communications, sensing, and other fields.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 16, 2017

Spinning strands hint at folding dynamics

Researchers at Rice University have created a platform to study polymer folding dynamics using magnetic beads. The new method allows for the observation of complex behaviors, such as bending and coiling, in semiflexible fibers like actin and DNA.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·DateOct 16, 2017

Integration of smoking cessation within CT lung cancer screenings shows life-saving results

A study integrating smoking cessation programs with low-dose CT lung cancer screenings found that this approach can decrease mortality rates while being relatively cost-effective. The research suggests that adding a robust smoking cessation intervention to an organized LDCT screening program could result in significantly fewer deaths, ...

Marketing study examines what types of searches click for car buyers

Researchers analyzed survey data on automobile purchases between 2002 and 2012 to compare time spent on internet sources with time spent on offline sources. The study found that those who searched more online tend to spend more time at dealerships, while consumers older than 50 spend less time searching and are less likely to be satisf...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalJournal of Interactive Marketing·DateOct 16, 2017

Biopsy specimen found to be reliable for evaluating DLL3 expression in small cell lung cancer

A study published at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) conference found that biopsy specimens are a reliable material for evaluating DLL3 expression in small cell lung cancer. High levels of DLL3 expression were correlated with poor survival trends, smoking history, and neuroendocrine differentiation.

Sound and color

Researchers are developing a system to alert ships to the proximity of whales using acoustic monitoring, thermal imaging, and big data analytics. The goal is to reduce fatal collisions between ships and whales, particularly in the Santa Barbara Channel where important feeding grounds overlap with busy shipping lanes.