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Science News Archive 2018 - Page 102


Page 102 of 473

Building a better battery layer by layer

Researchers at Shinshu University developed a self-assembled monolayer coating that promotes efficient transportation within electrodes, suppressing side reactions in high-voltage lithium-ion batteries. The coating improved power density and cyclability, allowing the battery to maintain capacity even after 100 cycles.

SourceShinshu University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 12, 2018

A new mechanism for how animal cells stay intact

Researchers at Stanford University have found a unique way that animal cells stay intact in the marine organism Trichoplax adhaerens (Tplax), using fast contractions in its epithelial layers. This discovery could inform our understanding of complex animals and the creation of advanced materials.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 12, 2018

Why don't we understand statistics? Fixed mindsets may be to blame

A study found that fixed mindsets can lead to difficulties in solving statistical problems, even when simpler solutions are available. The researchers suggest that a lack of education in natural frequencies may be the cause, and hope to encourage curriculum designers to incorporate this concept into school mathematics and statistics.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateOct 12, 2018

Unapproved ingredients in over-the-counter supplements

A study analyzed FDA warnings from 2007-2016 and identified over 700 dietary supplements with unapproved pharmaceutical ingredients. Most of these products were marketed for sexual enhancement, weight loss, or muscle building, highlighting the need for stricter regulation of over-the-counter supplements.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateOct 12, 2018

Does open heart surgery affect cognitive abilities?

A recent study found that open heart surgery can cause some cognitive decline in the first month after surgery, but cognitive health largely returns to normal within six months. Aortic valve surgery may be associated with more early cognitive problems than mitral valve surgery due to the older age of patients.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 12, 2018

Did mosasaurs hunt like killer whales?

University of Cincinnati biology professor Takuya Konishi proposes that mosasaurs hunted like killer whales by ramming their prey with their snouts. The young Tylosaurus mosasaur found in Kansas had a similar facial structure to orcas, with a protruding snout and robust cranial vault.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateOct 12, 2018

Russian scientists created a new method for diagnosing drilling rigs for oil production

Researchers at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University developed a new method of nondestructive testing to diagnose drilling rig elements in oil wells, improving efficiency and reducing repair costs. The method uses mathematical models of fracture mechanics to estimate damage throughout the structure.

Dying star emits a whisper

A Caltech-led team observed a faint and rapidly fading supernova, suggesting the presence of an unseen companion gravitationally siphoning away the star's mass. The explosion resulted in a dead neutron star orbiting its dense companion, marking the first time scientists have witnessed the birth of a compact neutron star binary system.

Do lizards dream like us?

Researchers confirm lizards enter two distinct sleep states similar to slow-wave and REM sleep in humans and other animals. However, the study reveals differences in brain activity between species, including slower eye movements and unique cerebral patterns in lizard brains.

SourceCNRS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 11, 2018

How yeast cells detect genetic infections

Researchers discovered a novel defence mechanism in yeast cells that uses centromeres to detect and neutralize foreign genetic material. This mechanism ensures that potentially harmful DNA is confined within one cell, while the daughter cell contains only reliable DNA.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalCell·DateOct 11, 2018

Higher levels of the hormone prolactin in women are associated with protection against type 2 diabetes

A large prospective cohort study found that higher levels of prolactin in women are associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Women with the highest 25% of prolactin levels were 27% less likely to develop T2D than those in the lowest 25%. The association was similar regardless of menopausal status and other risk factors.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateOct 11, 2018

New route of acquiring antibiotic resistance in bacteria is the most potent one to date

Researchers at NUS Medicine and University of Glasgow have discovered lateral transduction, a new mode of genetic transfer that enables the transfer of large sections of bacterial chromosomes between bacteria. This highly efficient mechanism could explain the rapid evolution of antibiotic-resistant strains.