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Science News Archive September 2017 - Page 5


Page 5 of 39

Ancient ink for cancer treatment

Researchers discovered Hu-Kaiwen ink can kill cancer cells without harming normal tissues, offering an alternative to expensive and toxic PTT. The traditional Chinese ink absorbs near-infrared light and heats up when exposed to a laser, demonstrating its potential as a non-toxic photothermal therapy agent.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Omega·DateSep 27, 2017

The aftermath of Katrina through the eyes of addiction treatment

A study of 11 addiction treatment professionals reflects the increase in prescription drug addictions and staff-related challenges following Hurricane Katrina. The disaster led to the creation of emergency preparedness plans, but participants expressed frustration with federal help conditions.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Addictions & Offender Counseling·DateSep 27, 2017

How am I feeling? Ask my house

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a more advanced radar-based device that can accurately measure the body's vital signals without attaching cumbersome wires. This technology has great promise for remote health monitoring and could potentially be integrated into household appliances to monitor residents' vitals.

On a collision course with game theory

Researchers developed a new approach to modeling pedestrian behavior in collisions, combining game theory with the Fokker-Planck equation. Experiments confirm that the calculated paths match actual paths taken, suggesting a reliable solution for optimizing public spaces.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateSep 27, 2017

Study examines survival of very low birthweight babies

A new study published in Acta Paediatrica indicates that survival rates for babies born weighing 500g are alarmingly low. Short-term morbidity is prevalent among surviving infants, with retinopathy of prematurity and chronic lung disease being common issues.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Paediatrica·DateSep 27, 2017

The benefits & dangers when genetic testing companies partner with orphan drug developers

The partnership between genetic testing companies and orphan drug developers has both positive and negative implications. On the one hand, it can lead to faster diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases. However, there are also concerns over patient privacy and potential price-gouging due to rising healthcare costs.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalGenetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers·DateSep 27, 2017

Citizen science can predict butterfly population trends

A new study using Big Butterfly Count (BBC) data from citizen scientists shows that mass-participation science can provide additional assessments of biodiversity change. The results demonstrate the potential for citizen science to inform long-term monitoring of butterfly populations and complement standardised biodiversity monitoring.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalConservation Biology·DateSep 27, 2017

Turbocharging engine design

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory used the Mira supercomputer to simulate over 2,000 engine design combinations, reducing design time from months to weeks. The simulations identified two optimized fuel-engine concepts that can improve fuel efficiency substantially.

Modeling brain connections to understand Parkinson's disease

A computational study models the strength of basal ganglia connections between healthy and Parkinsonian brains, revealing a broad overlap in neural connection strengths. The research could lead to customized therapies specific to individual patterns of neural degeneration.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Computational Neuroscience·DateSep 27, 2017

Examining the lifestyles of microbes

University of Delaware researchers studied microbes from James Cameron's Deepsea Challenge Expedition, revealing a new branch on the microbial family tree. The Parcubacteria were found to have a simple metabolism but with extra features, indicating they may be able to perform anaerobic respiration and adapt to cold environments.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateSep 27, 2017

Should we welcome plans to sell off wasted NHS land?

The NHS plans to sell off unused land to raise funds for essential maintenance and modernization of healthcare services. Kailash Chand, a GP, raises concerns that this approach may not address underlying shortfalls in the health budget and could lead to long-term costs.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateSep 27, 2017

Discovery: Bernie Sanders spider

A research team led by Ingi Agnarsson discovered 15 new species of smiley-faced spiders in the Caribbean region, challenging previous assumptions about a single widespread species. The study highlights the importance of good taxonomy and conservation biology in protecting biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateSep 26, 2017

A democratic façade

Dr Anja Osei's project aims to evaluate parliamentary debates and surveys among Members of Parliament in seven African countries to understand the role of parliaments in autocracies. The research will explore whether legislatures enhance democracy or contribute to authoritarian rule.

Household chores: Women still do more

A study published in Springer's journal Sex Roles confirms that women consistently perform more housework than men, despite variations in life stages and circumstances. The research highlights the importance of time, money, and gender in shaping domestic labour, with women often bearing the brunt of household tasks.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateSep 26, 2017

Genetic testing helps set safe dose of common blood thinner

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that genetic testing can help set safe doses of common blood thinner warfarin. The study showed that patients who received warfarin dosing guided by their genetic makeup had a 27% reduction in adverse events, including bleeding and blood clots.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateSep 26, 2017

Novel route to polyamide 6: Catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane with ferrocene in ionic liquid medium

Researchers have developed a novel route to produce polyamide 6 by catalytically oxidizing cyclohexane with ferrocene in an ionic liquid medium. The process is highly selective and efficient, achieving over 98% selectivity and high turnover frequencies. This method has the potential to replace traditional industrial production processes.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalLetters in Organic Chemistry·DateSep 26, 2017

Nerves control the body's bacterial community

Researchers from Kiel University discovered that small molecules secreted by nerve cells influence the composition and colonization of specific types of beneficial bacteria in Hydra. The study found that these neuropeptides have antibacterial activity, which affects the balance of the microbiome.

SourceKiel University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 26, 2017