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Science News Archive 2018 - Page 149


Page 149 of 473

Discovery of the earliest drawing

Archaeologists have discovered the oldest known abstract drawing made with a piece of ocher used as a pencil, dated to 73,000 years ago. The drawing, found on a silcrete fragment in Blombos Cave in South Africa, confirms that early humans intentionally created and used symbols.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateSep 10, 2018

The universality of shame

Research found that the intensity of shame people feel when imagining various actions accurately predicts the degree to which those actions would lead others to devalue them. This universal human quality helps individuals balance personal costs and benefits with social costs and benefits.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 10, 2018

Binge drinking affects male and female brains differently

Repeated binge drinking alters gene expression in the brain, affecting hormone signaling and immune function in females, while nerve signaling is impacted in males. This study highlights the importance of tailoring treatments for male and female patients with alcohol use disorder.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Genetics·DateSep 10, 2018

Just seven photons can act like billions

Researchers created a system with just seven photons and found that phase transitions occur in these small systems, allowing for the study of quantum properties. This discovery has potential applications in measurement or sensing, as well as exploring properties at the smallest scale when phase transitions occur.

SourceImperial College London·JournalNature Physics·DateSep 10, 2018

Peatlands will store more carbon as planet warms

New research suggests global warming will cause peatlands to absorb more carbon initially, but the effect will weaken as warming increases. The study highlights the importance of protecting intact peatlands and restoring drained peatlands to prevent rapid rates of peat decomposition.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Climate Change·DateSep 10, 2018

Switch in the climatic factors controlling vegetation dynamics on the Tibetan Plateau

Researchers analyzed precipitation and temperature records with NDVI data from 1982-2011 to find a shift in the climate factors controlling vegetation dynamics on the central and southeastern Tibetan Plateau. The study suggests that global warming may be contributing to this change, potentially impacting regional ecosystems.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateSep 10, 2018

Articles focus on Medicaid work requirements

Two research letters examine the impact of Medicaid work requirements on recipients, estimating the number at risk of losing coverage and calculating associated spending. State-level estimates also provide insight into those meeting proposed work requirements.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateSep 10, 2018

Algorithm accurately predicts how electromagnetic waves and magnetic materials interact

UCLA engineers have developed a new computational tool that accurately models how magnetic materials interact with incoming radio signals at the nanoscale. This allows for the design of next-generation communications devices with improved data transport capabilities and reduced noise interference.

SourceUCLA Samueli School of Engineering·JournalIEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques·DateSep 10, 2018

US wildfire smoke deaths could double by 2100

A new study simulates the effects of wildfire smoke on human health, predicting that deaths from chronic inhalation of wildfire smoke could increase to over 40,000 per year by the end of the 21st century. The number of fire-related particulate matter deaths is expected to more than double in the worst-case-scenario prediction model.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeoHealth·DateSep 10, 2018

Intravascular ultrasound-guided percutaneous coronary intervention: An updated review

The use of intravascular ultrasound guidance during percutaneous coronary intervention has been shown to improve clinical outcomes, particularly in reducing ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization. IVUS guidance has also been associated with a decrease in intraobserver variability in angiographic borderline lesions.

SourceCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·JournalCardiovascular Innovations and Applications·DateSep 10, 2018

Clinical need absent, unclear in nearly 30 percent of outpatient opioid prescriptions

A national analysis of physician visit records found that nearly 30 percent of outpatient opioid prescriptions lack clear documentation of the reason for use. This raises concerns about inappropriate prescribing and lax documentation practices. The study highlights the need for stricter requirements on documenting the need for opioids.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 10, 2018

Device to corral viable sperm may speed IVF process

A microfluidic device created by Cornell University scientists can corral viable sperm in minutes, improving IVF chances. The device uses rheotaxis to separate highly motile sperm from weaker ones, reducing the time-consuming and tedious process of conventional methods.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 10, 2018