ANU archaeologist discovers Cornish barrow site
A Bronze-Age burial mound in Cornwall has been discovered, dating back 2,000 BC. The site will be excavated to uncover its secrets and shed light on the region's prehistoric past.
Science News Archive 2018 - Page 363
Browse by Month - 2018
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New colon cancer finding could lead to earlier diagnosis -- and better outcomes
Researchers at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation have made a groundbreaking discovery about colon cancer, revealing that certain hidden polyps may be responsible for up to 30-40% of cases. The study also found that these polyps are caused by a mutation in the BRAF gene and could potentially be detected through fecal samples.
Decades-long trends, not flawed vaccine, explain resurgent whooping cough
A recent study concludes that natural population turnover, incomplete vaccination coverage, and waning protection from a highly effective yet imperfect vaccine explain the resurgence of whooping cough in the US. The disease's high contagiousness and potential for fatal complications make it essential to understand its causes.
Research uncovers a potential new strategy to fight ovarian cancer
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified a key regulator of a cellular pathway that selectively targets mutant p53-R175H proteins, which promote ovarian cancer growth. The study suggests designing drugs directed at this regulator might lead to better ways to control cancer growth.
Kobe's smart city project begins underground
A 3-year initiative aims to develop an airflow control system based on AI sensors detecting human movement and air currents in the underground complex Santica. The goal is a 50% cut in energy and CO2 emissions.
The Lancet: Potential genetic link in sudden infant death syndrome identified
A case-control study in the UK and USA found rare genetic mutations associated with impaired breathing muscles in children who died from sudden infant death syndrome. The study suggests a possible genetic element to the disorder, but more research is needed to understand the link and potential treatments.
A new method for quantitative estimation of the degree of similarity of coordination polyhedra
Researchers propose a new approach to estimate degree of similarity between coordination polyhedra and reference polyhedra. The method is tested on over 400 crystalline structures and demonstrates its consistency with structural crystal chemistry theorems.
Fifth International Symposium on Arctic Research
The Fifth International Symposium on Arctic Research was the largest of its kind held in a non-Arctic country, attracting 344 participants from 18 nations. Researchers discussed global warming impacts, climate change effects, and new research projects such as MOSAiC.
New study shows drug that kills mosquitoes could be used to fight malaria
Researchers developed a new antimalarial drug that kills mosquitoes, reducing the spread of malaria. Adding high doses of ivermectin to existing drugs increased mosquito mortality by up to 61%.
Sensors to prevent Parkinson's patients from falling
A new EIT Health project, 'MoveIT', aims to analyze gait patterns and warn patients of potential falls. The project uses sensors placed on patients' shoes and upper body to gather data for further research.
Finding the Achilles heel of cancer
Researchers found that cancer cells have extra and longer centrioles, disrupting cell division, in aggressive breast and colon cancers. This discovery may aid in classifying tumors for prognosis and predicting treatment response.
Study: Parental conflict can do lasting damage to kids
New research shows that even low-level parental conflict can have lasting damage on children's emotional development. Shy children are particularly vulnerable, with shyness exacerbating the problem. Children from high-conflict homes struggle to accurately identify neutral interactions, leading to potential instability in adulthood.
Dark matter is a no show in ghostly galaxy
Researchers found a galaxy with almost no dark matter, challenging the long-held idea that galaxies start with dark matter halos. The team discovered 10 globular clusters in NGC1052-DF2, which could account for all the mass in the galaxy.
Mandatory nutrition policies may impact sugar consumption
A University of Waterloo study found that mandatory nutrition policies in Ontario reduced sugar-sweetened beverage consumption by 16% compared to Alberta. The study suggests that schools alone may not be enough to curb adolescents' intake of sugary drinks, highlighting the need for broader environmental changes.
USDA's NIFA invests in food safety outreach and educational programs
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded $4.7 million to support food safety education for producers and processors affected by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The funding will provide customized training to small and mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, and socially-disadvantaged farmers.
Automated electric taxis could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs
Researchers developed a model to test the cost and capabilities of a fleet of shared, automated electric vehicles in New York City. The study found that about 6,500 vehicles could be sustained on 1,500 medium-power electric vehicle chargers across Manhattan, resulting in a 33,000-ton reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per year.
NASA finds Tropical Storm Jelawat strengthening
Tropical Storm Jelawat is intensifying due to cold cloud top temperatures as low as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm's maximum sustained winds strengthened to 50 knots on March 28, forecasted to reach hurricane force within 24 hours.
By river, ocean, or wind, rocks round the same way
A team of scientists has discovered that rocks round up in the same way regardless of their origin, with a common process guiding their shape evolution. By combining mathematical models and laboratory experiments, the researchers found that collisions between particles favor the chipping off of small sediment fragments.
Rapid pair production - Detection of a new reaction path in the atmosphere
Researchers from TROPOS and universities of Innsbruck and Helsinki observe rapid pair production in laboratory experiments, indicating significant formation of non-volatile accretion products. This discovery is crucial for understanding the climate impact of secondary organic aerosol.
SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 28, 2018
PSU researcher to examine volcanic ash to aid evacuations
Researchers from PSU, Stanford, and USGS will investigate volcanic ash behavior to inform emergency evacuations and air traffic decisions. Using high-resolution cameras and lasers, they aim to gain a better understanding of how far volcanic particles drift and cluster.
Latest nanowire experiment boosts confidence in Majorana sighting
Scientists have captured compelling evidence for Majorana quasiparticles, which are predicted to form the backbone of a type of quantum computer. The latest experiment uses ultra-thin semiconductor and superconducting aluminum to unlock the particles' presence, with results confirming theoretical predictions and demonstrating robustness.
UTSW study helps explain launch switch for most common malignant pediatric brain tumor
A recent UTSW study sheds light on the mechanisms underlying Sonic Hedgehog subtype medulloblastoma development, revealing a crucial role for the G protein-coupled receptor Gpr161. The research suggests that Gpr161 acts as a tumor suppressor by preventing excessive granule cell proliferation.
Fungi found in the guts of healthy adults just travel through
New research finds that fungi in healthy adults' gut samples correspond to species present in saliva, foods, or experimental diets. These fungi pass through the GI tract as part of digestion rather than colonizing.
Plants, fungi and bacteria work together to clean polluted land
A study by McGill University researchers found that complex interactions among roots, fungi, and bacteria drive the degradation of hydrocarbons in polluted soil. This discovery suggests a new approach to phytoremediation, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary research.
Monterey Bay Aquarium study finds sea turtles use flippers to manipulate food
Researchers at Monterey Bay Aquarium discovered sea turtles using their flippers to handle prey, a behavior thought to be unlikely in marine tetrapods. This 'exaptation' suggests flippers may have been adapted for novel tasks 70 million years earlier than previously thought.
Increase in heart rate as blood pressure falls could be early sign of neurological disease
Researchers discovered a simple bedside test that can diagnose neurodegenerative brain diseases, including Parkinson's and Lewy Body dementia. The test measures changes in blood pressure and heart rate after standing up, providing clues for healthcare providers to identify potential patients with synucleinopathies.
SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateMar 28, 2018
It's a trap!
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered the mechanism by which holes become trapped in zinc oxide nanoparticles, a material with potential for solar energy applications. The study uses X-ray techniques to visualize hole trapping in specific regions of the nanoparticle, revealing its impact on material performance.
Photosynthesis uses vibrations as 'traffic signals'
Researchers discovered that proteins use vibrations to direct energy across pigments in plants, allowing for efficient energy transfer. This discovery could help design better solar materials and is a classical mechanism rather than quantum effects.
CNIC scientists identify a promising target for the treatment of heart failure
Researchers have identified a new therapeutic target, OMA1, which protects cardiomyocytes from death and deterioration in heart function when the heart is under stress. Inhibition of OMA1 prevents heart failure in models of chronic tachycardia, hypertension, and myocardial ischemia with cardiac hypertrophy.
SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 28, 2018
13,000-year-old human footprints found off Canada's Pacific coast
Researchers have discovered 29 human footprints in intertidal beach sediments off the coast of British Columbia, dated to around 13,000 years ago. The findings suggest that humans were present on the west coast of Canada about 13,000 years ago, as it emerged from the most recent ice age.
How self-driving cars could shrink parking lots
Researchers at U of T Engineering found that optimizing for autonomous vehicles can increase parking lot capacity by 62%. A well-designed AV parking lot can accommodate more cars than a conventional one, with square-shaped lots capable of increasing capacity up to 87%.
SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalTransportation Research Part B Methodological·DateMar 28, 2018
High-precision control of valves and locks without the need for sensors
Researchers at Saarland University develop a sensor-free control methodology for electromagnetic valves and locks, achieving high-precision control without additional position sensors. The new technology allows devices to maintain intermediate positions and operate continuously variable systems.
Brain-wide tracing of single neurons reveals breadth of information transfer from visual cortex
Researchers used a novel barcode-based tracing method to map the projection patterns of individual neurons in the visual cortex. The study found that most primary visual cortex neurons distribute information to multiple downstream areas, rather than projecting to a single target.
Decade of fossil collecting gives new perspective on Triassic period, emergence of dinosaurs
A decade of fossil collecting in Tanzania and Zambia has provided new perspectives on the Triassic period, revealing regional patterns and similarities across different geographic areas. The findings highlight the presence of early dinosaurs, such as Teleocrater, and other animals that co-existed with them.
NASA set to launch rocket carrying Penn State-led experiment
The Water Recovery X-ray rocket, WRX, will test a newly-developed X-ray spectrograph and study the X-rays from a supernova remnant in the Milky Way galaxy. The mission will provide information about the conditions in the Vela supernova remnant, including temperature, density, chemical composition, and ionization state.
2018 HFSP Research Grants
The Human Frontier Science Program awarded over $34 million to 31 winning research teams in a global competition that started with 771 submissions from scientists in 50+ countries. The funding supports cutting-edge, interdisciplinary projects under the theme Complex mechanisms of living organisms.
Mitochondrial replacement moratorium should be reconsidered, researchers say
Researchers from Brown University and Harvard Law School urge the US to allow mitochondrial replacement therapy to prevent fatal mitochondrial diseases in children. The procedure replaces mutation-bearing mitochondria with donated mutation-free ones, saving lives and alleviating human suffering.
Towards greater MRI sensitivity by harnessing quantum hyperpolarization
A new technique uses engineered diamond crystals to increase the strength of magnetic field produced by molecules, increasing their signal when measured by MRI. This could enhance imaging sensitivity for patient diagnosis and personalized medicine.
Stand Up To Cancer grants encourage 'innovation in collaboration'
The SU2C Phillip A. Sharp Innovation in Collaboration Awards aim to strengthen collaboration among scientists conducting cancer research, with five teams receiving $1.25 million to work on new projects across institutional and national lines. The grants focus on synergies among researchers from different institutions and skill sets.
Weather phenomena such as El Niño affect up to two-thirds of the world's harvests
Researchers at Aalto University found that El Niño and similar climate oscillations impact crop production worldwide, particularly in South Asia, Latin America, and Europe. The study highlights the potential of improved forecasting skills to improve agricultural resilience and food security.
Berkeley Lab scientists print all-liquid 3-D structures
Researchers create reconfigurable material using liquid tubes, which can be customized into reaction vessels for various uses. The material can conform to surroundings and repeatedly change shape, opening doors for new chemical synthesis and electronic applications.
Global cancer trial sets new standard for post-surgery chemotherapy
A global clinical trial collaboration published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that stage III colon cancer patients can cut their chemotherapy treatments in half after surgery, reducing costs and side effects. For low-risk patients with shallow tumors and few affected lymph nodes, a three-month course is shown to be safe ...
USDA invests in research to develop genetic control of waterhemp
Researchers aim to develop a new type of weed control system using genetic modification techniques. The goal is to introduce specific genetic controls that could change the sex ratio of waterhemp and Palmer amaranth populations, leading to population crashes.
USU's David Peak receives national award for undergrad research mentorship
David Peak, a physics professor at Utah State University, has received the national Council on Undergraduate Research-Goldwater Scholars Faculty Mentor Award. He has mentored over 30 USU undergraduates to 36 Goldwater Scholarships and Honorable Mentions.
Can the causal order between events change in quantum mechanics?
Researchers develop new theoretical framework to describe quantum causal structures transformation. They found that continuous and reversible dynamics prevent definite causal structure from becoming indefinite, but specific circumstances can determine the causal order.
'Fog harp' increases collection capacity for clean water
Researchers at Virginia Tech have improved the traditional design of fog nets to increase their collection capacity by threefold using a 'fog harp' system featuring vertical wire arrays. This innovative design sheds tiny water droplets faster and more efficiently, increasing overall water yield.
Oregon memory researchers link two brain regions to conceptual organization
Researchers used fMRI to study how subjects process individual experiences into memories and found the hippocampus plays a role in conceptual memory formation. Consistency and similarity across new experiences contribute to building abstract thinking, enabling people to form coherent concepts.
Double danger: The peril of childbirth for women with rheumatic heart disease
Research reveals that women with rheumatic heart disease in Africa and Asia face a double danger: complications during pregnancy, and cultural pressures to become mothers. Health programs targeting the condition must prioritize female patients of childbearing age.
Social awareness increases prove brain changing in adults with autism
Researchers at the Center for BrainHealth found that a clinician-driven virtual learning platform improves social competency and socio-emotional abilities in high-functioning adults on the autism spectrum. The study reveals increased activation in the brain's socio-cognition hub, leading to improved empathy and social interaction.
A paperlike LCD -- thin, flexible, tough and cheap
Scientists have developed a paper-thin, flexible and durable liquid crystal display that can be updated rapidly like a newspaper. The new optically rewritable LCD design enables fast switching of images and text without power consumption.
From spud to French fry: Information experts optimize potato production
Researchers at Saarland University are developing an AI-based platform to optimize potato production, providing real-time forecasts and insights to farmers and food manufacturers. The system uses data from various sources, including sensors on artificial potatoes, to predict product losses and identify optimal harvesting times.
Majorana trilogy completed
Researchers at Delft University of Technology provide definite proof for Majorana particle existence, showcasing perfect quantization of zero-bias peak. This achievement enables exploration of Majorana quantum computing, with potential applications in topological quantum computing.
Public willing to pay to improve water quality
Researchers from the University of Missouri found that members of the public are more willing to pay for improved water quality than other ecosystem services. Participants in a nationwide survey consistently preferred higher monthly payments for water quality improvements over flood control and habitat protection.
Dining out associated with increased exposure to harmful chemicals called phthalates
A recent study found that consuming food at restaurants, fast-food outlets, or cafeterias is associated with increased levels of phthalates in the body. The study suggests that eating at home may be less likely to contain high levels of these chemicals, which are linked to fertility problems and other health issues.
Is there association between weight-loss surgery, change in relationships?
A Swedish study found that weight-loss surgery is associated with changes in relationship status among obese patients. The observational study analyzed data from over 29,000 patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery and compared them to obese individuals without the procedure.
OU professor receives NASA Earth Science funding for first-of-its-kind research
OU Professor Cameron Homeyer received a NASA Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science grant to study the effects of storms on atmospheric composition. He aims to link ground-based radar observations with satellite data to better understand storm characteristics.
Catching the right fish
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new screening method that speeds up the search for drugs using a 35 million compound DNA-encoded chemical library. The library consists of drug candidates with a stable ring-shaped basic structure and varied attachments, allowing for highly-specific binding to proteins.
Study changes long-held concepts of cell decoding
Scientists at NIDA uncovered evidence of a more complex role for GPCRs, suggesting a conceptual advance in biochemistry and pharmacology. The discovery reveals that GPCRs form part of pre-coupled macromolecular complexes that act as computing devices to gather and process information.
Revolutionary brain-mapping technique provides new blueprint for cortical connections
A new brain-mapping technology has revealed that neurons in the primary visual cortex communicate with higher visual areas of the cortex more broadly than previously believed, following specific patterns. This discovery could provide a means of linking visual information across the brain to form complex percepts.
Stroke affects more than just the physical
A new study reveals that stroke survivors experience 'hidden' problems like sleep issues, depression, and fatigue, which can significantly affect their well-being. The study found that social support programs and executive function training may improve these areas.