Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2018 - Page 106


Page 106 of 473

Altruism can be trained

Scientists discovered that specific mental trainings can improve prosocial behavior over several months. Affect Module, consisting of daily practices, boosted altruistic behaviors, making it a potential step towards a caring society.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 10, 2018

The culprit of superconductivity in cuprates

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences found that a strong chemical bond between the apical cation and oxygen in cuprate compounds impacts superconductivity temperature. This discovery sheds light on key component of complicated phenomena in cuprates, opening up new avenue for materials design.

Study identifies gene that makes gentle touch feel painful after injury

Researchers identified PIEZO2 as a gene controlling tactile allodynia, a form of pain caused by gentle touch after injury. The study found that PIEZO2 plays an essential role in the nervous system's reaction to injury and inflammation, making it a target for developing precise treatments for relieving painful skin injuries.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 10, 2018

Tiny tools for a big industry

Researchers explore using nanoparticles as tiny scouts to map connectivity between wells, optimize injection schemes, and identify oil-rich spots. Nanomaterials also show promise in keeping surfactants from sticking to rocks and magnetically separating oil microdroplets.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateOct 10, 2018

Larger families reduce cancer risk

A study of 178 countries found a strong negative correlation between family size and cancer incidence, with larger families having a protective effect against various types of cancer. The protective effects are stronger for males than females, with non-reproduction-related cancers also being involved.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalBMC Cancer·DateOct 10, 2018

The fine print

Researchers have developed a method to 3D-print cells to produce human tissue such as ligaments and tendons, eliminating the need for additional surgeries and reducing reliance on harvested tissue. The technique involves printing stem cells on hydrogel to form tissue that can grow in vitro before implantation.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine·DateOct 10, 2018

Study of nearly 41,000 women who almost died giving birth shows who's most at risk

A new study analyzing nearly 40,000 hospital stays found that women of color and those with pre-existing health conditions had higher rates of severe maternal morbidity. The study highlights the importance of targeted prevention efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care for women around the time of delivery.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateOct 10, 2018

Shrimp talent quest finds a winner

Researchers found that the peppermint shrimp outperformed other species in a set of experiments, reducing parasite infection by 87% and targeting environmental stages. This discovery provides a viable candidate for a natural biocontrol agent to combat parasites in aquaculture industries.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 10, 2018

Muscular men prefer an unequal society

A study by Aarhus University researchers reveals that men's political attitudes towards inequality are influenced by their physical strength, not logic or reason. The results suggest that strong men are more likely to support unequal societies, as it aligns with their instinctual desire for status and resource control.

SourceAarhus University·JournalPolitical Psychology·DateOct 10, 2018

Innovative sensing technique could improve greenhouse gas analysis

Researchers have developed a ghost imaging technique that can measure atmospheric greenhouse gases with subnanometer resolution, improving detection sensitivity and accuracy. The new approach enables measurements using less powerful light sources and at wavelengths where highly sensitive detectors aren't available.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateOct 10, 2018