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Science News Archive 2018 - Page 135


Page 135 of 473

Premature brains develop differently in boys and girls

A study found that premature baby boys' brains are affected more severely than girls', with significant sex differences in gray matter and white matter. The research used MRI scans to analyze the brains of 33 infants, showing that even at one year old, there are major sex differences.

SourceSpringer·JournalPediatric Research·DateSep 19, 2018

Team of researchers determines absolute duration of photoelectric effect for the first time

A team of researchers at Technical University of Munich has developed a new method to measure the time between X-ray photon absorption and electron emission. The study reveals that photoelectrons can be generated in around 40 attoseconds, which is twice as fast as expected. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in photocathodes ...

Analysis finds HPV vaccine safe

A review of bivalent HPV vaccine data found no new or unexpected safety concerns. The majority of adverse event reports were classified as non-serious and mild.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateSep 19, 2018

Simulations of every woman's breast tissue address delay on enhanced MRI cancer detection

Purdue University researchers have simulated how over 20 different breast tissue ratios respond to heat given off by MRIs at higher field strengths. The simulations showed that a fivefold increase in SAR could still stay within FDA limits for most breast tissue ratios, enabling the use of 7 tesla technology for safer cancer detection.

SourcePurdue University·JournalMagnetic Resonance in Medicine·DateSep 19, 2018

New micro-platform reveals cancer cells' natural behavior

Researchers developed a new cell culture platform to observe cancer cells' never-before-seen behaviors, revealing the mechanisms behind pancreatic cancer's clinical properties. The study shows that cancer cells can self-organize into micro-tumors and evade the immune system by releasing chemical markers on their surfaces.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 19, 2018

Study examines how heartfelt guilt affects individuals

A recent study in the Australian Journal of Psychology found that heartfelt guilt leads to elevated arousal and biased preferences towards cleansing products. Participants who experienced guilt showed enhanced memory recall of threat words and a stronger desire for cleaning items.

SourceWiley·JournalAustralian Journal of Psychology·DateSep 19, 2018

A little labeling goes a long way

New research reveals infants can acquire object categories using just a few labeled examples, sparking the process of categorization. This 'semi-supervised learning' strategy efficiently integrates all subsequent objects into their evolving category representation.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalDevelopmental Science·DateSep 19, 2018

Scientists crack genetic code of cane toad

A team of researchers has successfully sequenced and assembled the cane toad genome, providing a reference for understanding its interplay with ecosystems. The findings also identify three new viruses that could potentially be used as biocontrol agents, offering new hope in controlling the invasive species' population.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalGigaScience·DateSep 19, 2018

Characterization of pregnancy microbiome reveals variations in bacterial diversity

Researchers characterized the maternal microbiome during pregnancy, revealing variations in bacterial diversity across different body sites and gestational stages. The study highlights the importance of the maternal microbiome in supporting healthy pregnancy outcomes and may inform targeted interventions to promote fetal development.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press·JournalGenome Research·DateSep 19, 2018

Commercially relevant bismuth-based thin film processing

Researchers at Osaka University developed a two-step process to produce materials with good morphological properties and excellent photoresistor performance. The technique improves photo response performance by up to 100 times compared to other methods, making bismuth sulfide a promising material for optoelectronic devices.

SourceOsaka University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateSep 19, 2018

Researchers develop microbubble scrubber to destroy dangerous biofilms

A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has developed a system that harnesses the power of bubbles to destroy microbial biofilms. The system uses diatoms loaded with an oxygen-generating chemical, which creates microbubbles that propel tiny particles through the surfaces of tough films and deliver an antiseptic deathblow to...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateSep 19, 2018

$2 million award to reimagine US power grid

Michigan State University has been awarded a $2 million grant to develop new designs for long-duration storage on the US power grid. The project, called Scalable Thermochemical Option for Renewable Energy Storage (STORES), aims to create modular thermal storage systems that can store heat energy in the form of chemical energy.

Magnetic field milestone

Physicists from the University of Tokyo have generated a record-breaking magnetic field of 1,200 teslas using electromagnetic flux compression. The field was sustained for over 100 microseconds, far exceeding previous records. This achievement has significant implications for material science and fusion power generation.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateSep 19, 2018

UMN researchers discover influenza virus doesn't replicate equally in all cells

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have made a groundbreaking discovery about the influenza virus, finding that its replication rate differs significantly between various cell types. The study reveals that certain cells are protected from severe infection, while others remain vulnerable to viral damage.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 19, 2018

Fiber optic sensor measures tiny magnetic fields

Researchers developed a light-based technique for measuring weak magnetic fields, like those from the brain. The sensors can detect the brain's magnetic field and have the potential to replace MRI machines, offering an alternative for real-time brain activity mapping.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateSep 19, 2018