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Science News Archive 2018 - Page 113


Page 113 of 473

Teaching wild birds to sing a new tune

For the first time, researchers have shown that young wild sparrows can learn to sing a new tune by listening to experimental vocal tutors. The birds then pass on these new songs to subsequent generations, confirming the ability of wild birds to learn and adapt their songs through exposure to adult birds.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 4, 2018

Ghost objects in the sky

Astronomers have found a new type of gamma-ray burst that could not be detected by traditional telescopes. The discovery was made using archived radio data and suggests that these 'orphan' bursts may be related to the collapse of massive stars.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 4, 2018

UCLA researchers discover aggressive prostate and lung cancers are driven by common mechanisms

Researchers at UCLA have discovered that late-stage prostate and lung cancers share common molecular mechanisms. The study found that these cancers can evolve similarly, even from different organs, which could lead to the development of drugs to treat not just prostate and lung cancers but also small cell cancers of almost any organ.

Windier wind farms

Researchers at UCSB and Cambridge developed models to optimize wind farm productivity by improving airflow mixing and using vertical-axis turbines, potentially leading to orders-of-magnitude improvements in energy production. This could enable more efficient use of land and reduce costs.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·DateOct 4, 2018

How malaria infection activates natural killer cells

A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals how malaria infection triggers the immune system's first line of defense by activating natural killer cells through the MDA5 receptor. Treatment with a small molecule that activates MDA5 restores the ability of non-responder natural killer cells to clear infected red blood cells.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateOct 4, 2018

Nanoparticles to treat snakebites

Researchers developed nanoparticles that bind to venom toxins, mitigating local damage and systemic distribution of toxins in mouse experiments. The treatment has the potential to be administered subcutaneously after a bite, offering a new approach to treating snakebites in rural settings.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateOct 4, 2018

Even small gifts boost business

A study by the University of Zurich found that even small gifts can significantly increase sales, particularly when given to the boss. In a controlled experiment, sales representatives gave customers six tubes of toothpaste worth around 10 francs, leading to orders almost twice as high.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalManagement Science·DateOct 4, 2018

Light makes Rice University catalyst more effective

Rice University researchers have created a new catalyst that can convert ammonia into hydrogen fuel at ambient pressure using light energy, significantly lowering the activation barrier. The catalyst, made of copper with trace amounts of ruthenium, uses plasmonic effects to enhance its efficiency.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateOct 4, 2018

Large-scale wind power needs more land, causes more climatic impact than previously thought

Researchers found that large-scale wind farms would require five to 20 times more land area than previously estimated, and their operation would warm average surface temperatures by 0.24 degrees Celsius in the continental US. The study suggests that localized warming occurs even with smaller projections of wind power generation.

UMN researchers use 3D technology to identify optimal stem cells for transplantation

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have discovered a subset of muscle stem cells that are located close to blood vessels and are likely to be the more potent stem cell population in maintaining muscle health. This groundbreaking study uses 3D technology to study the interaction between stem cells and blood vessel...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateOct 4, 2018

Physician experts highlight research ahead of Otolaryngology's Annual Meeting

The American Academy of Otolaryngology will present cutting-edge research on various otolaryngology topics at their Annual Meeting. Key studies include evaluating the prognostic utility of hemoglobin-to-red cell distribution width ratio in head and neck cancer, investigating the association between depression and long-term overall surv...

Rethinking lethality in youth suicide attempts

A Mayo Clinic study found that firearms were involved in 85% of first-time youth suicides, resulting in high lethality rates. The study also revealed that prior mental health concerns were absent in 41.2% of youth index attempters.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateOct 4, 2018