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Science News Archive 2018 - Page 364


Page 364 of 473

Ragweed casts shade on soy production

Scientists found that common ragweed can drastically reduce soybean yield by 76% in some cases, highlighting its potential threat to soybean production. The study suggests that early detection of weed growth is crucial to predict crop yield losses and inform pesticide application decisions.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateMar 28, 2018

UNH research finds dramatic increase in flooding on coastal roads

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have found a dramatic increase in flooding on coastal roads along the East Coast, with 90 percent more frequent high tide floods occurring over the past 20 years. The study estimates that tidal nuisance flooding will cause over 3.4 billion hours of delays by 2100.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateMar 28, 2018

BU study: Diagnosing Ebola before symptoms arrive

Researchers at Boston University have discovered a common pattern of immune response among monkeys exposed to Ebola virus, occurring four days before the onset of fever. This finding suggests a possible biomarker for early diagnosis and could lead to better quarantine and control of outbreaks.

SourceBoston University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 28, 2018

Scientists find link between congenital cardiac malformation and adult adrenal cancer

A genetic mutation in EPAS1/HIF2A gene is found to be the main reason for the development of adrenal gland tumors in adults with cyanotic congenital heart disease. The study also reveals that patients with this severe type of heart disease have a sixfold higher risk of developing these tumors.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 28, 2018

Communication via calcium wave

Scientists have identified a complex signal chain involving the auxin hormone and calcium channels in plant cells. Calcium waves are used to communicate local auxin signals over long distances, influencing root architecture and differentiation processes.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 28, 2018

Fleet of automated electric taxis could deliver environmental and energy benefits

Researchers at Berkeley Lab analyzed the cost, energy, and environmental implications of a fleet of self-driving electric vehicles operating in Manhattan. They found that shared automated electric vehicles could get the job done at a lower cost while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 28, 2018

West Greenland Ice Sheet melting at the fastest rate in centuries

A study by Dartmouth College reveals that the West Greenland Ice Sheet melted at a dramatically higher rate over the last twenty years than at any other time in the modern record. The researchers attribute this unprecedented ice loss to a combination of specific weather patterns and an additional long-term warming trend associated with...

SourceDartmouth College·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 28, 2018

Screening high-risk individuals can reduce multiple myeloma mortality

Researchers found that screening individuals with a high lifetime risk of developing precursor conditions like MGUS can reduce the prevalence and specific mortality of symptomatic multiple myeloma. By implementing regular screening and preventative measures, mortality rates can be lowered by up to 19% in certain groups.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalJCO Clinical Cancer Informatics·DateMar 27, 2018

Understanding the strange behavior of water

Researchers uncovered the anomaly in water's properties by using supercomputers to 'untune' its interactions, revealing a specific molecular arrangement that contributes to its unusual behavior. This discovery provides a simple explanation for phenomena such as water expanding on cooling and insects walking on its surface.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 27, 2018

Preclinical testing suggests some antioxidants may be effective in treating mitochondrial disease

Researchers found two compounds effective in prolonging lifespan and protecting against brain damage in animal models of mitochondrial disease. These findings suggest that N-acetylcysteine and vitamin E may be viable leads for clinical trials to treat mitochondrial disease, which has no proven effective treatments.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalMolecular Genetics and Metabolism·DateMar 27, 2018

What else can molecular perovskite do?

Researchers have designed molecular perovskite-based energetic materials with improved explosive performances, including high detonation heat, velocity, and pressure. The new materials also exhibit increased thermal stability and low impact sensitivity, making them suitable for military devices and civil industry.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Materials·DateMar 27, 2018

Unresolved puzzles in exotic nuclei

Unstable atomic nuclei like Helium-8 and Lithium-8 can be investigated through beta decay and detection of decay products. The author discusses available experimental data and models applied to 'exotic' nuclei, revealing unresolved puzzles in the connection between microscopic structure and observable quantities.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal A·DateMar 27, 2018

How to deal with embarrassing situations

Researchers discovered that people who are self-conscious in public may feel more embarrassed when watching ads with embarrassing content. However, adopting an observer's perspective can reduce feelings of embarrassment and increase willingness to take action. The study suggests devising strategies to overcome embarrassment avoidance i...

SourceSpringer·JournalMotivation and Emotion·DateMar 27, 2018