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Science News Archive 2018 - Page 401


Page 401 of 473

Violence against girls in conflict-affected populations reinforces gender norms

In conflict-affected populations, adolescent girls are perceived as responsible for their own safety and burdened by violence, with communities holding differing views on responding to abuse. Research highlights the need for programs addressing victim-blaming and silencing experiences of violence through community structures.

Innovative 'invisible ink' detects TB

Scientists have developed an innovative process to detect TB bacteria using a fluorogenic trehalose analog, called DMN-trehalose. This new stain only illuminates inside living TB bacteria, making diagnosis more accurate and quick. The innovation aims to simplify the traditional smear microscopy process.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 1, 2018

Yellow fever virus is detected in urine and semen almost a month after infection

Researchers detected yellow fever virus in urine and semen samples from a patient who survived the disease almost a month after infection. The discovery suggests the virus may be contagious for a period longer than previously thought, potentially allowing asymptomatic individuals to transmit the disease.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateMar 1, 2018

Patients with head injuries do better when treated by trauma centers, even if it means bypassing other hospitals

A new research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that patients under 65 who are taken to a trauma center have a higher chance of being favorably discharged, while those over 65 have a lower risk of mortality. The study also highlights a serious care disparity for these severely injured patients.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateMar 1, 2018

Nervous system puts the brakes on inflammation

Research by Weill Cornell Medicine scientists reveals that the nervous system can dampen excessive inflammation in the gut and lungs, which may lead to new treatments for diseases like asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. The study also found that beta-adrenergic receptors play a crucial role in controlling the immune response.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalScience·DateMar 1, 2018

Vitamin D reduces mortality

A Norwegian study found that individuals with normal vitamin D levels can reduce their risk of death from cardiovascular disease by up to 30%. The optimal amount of vitamin D varies from person to person, and measuring levels is advised for those who have experienced cardiovascular disease.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMar 1, 2018

Diet, bugs and beating high blood pressure

Researchers found that three healthy diets generally reduced blood pressure in most participants, but some individuals responded less well due to differences in their gut bacteria. The study suggests a potential new approach for identifying an individual's clinical response to diet therapy and adherence to prescribed diets.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMar 1, 2018

Discovery shows wine grapes gasping for breath

Researchers discovered that grapes experience internal oxygen shortage during ripening, leading to cell death and potentially affecting wine quality. The study's findings suggest that manipulating oxygen supply can reduce cell death, and may lead to new ways of selecting grape varieties for warmer climates.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·DateMar 1, 2018

Do you know where your xenon is?

Researchers discovered xenon compounds with nickel and iron at extreme pressures and temperatures, which could explain the missing noble gas in Earth's atmosphere. The study provides evidence for previously theorized compounds of iron and xenon under core conditions.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 1, 2018

Understanding the smallest brain circuits

Researchers recorded electrical activity of hundreds of neurons in a mouse model for up to half an hour, discovering competing neural networks that operate at different timescales. The findings show that certain networks can synchronize their activity, while others slow down or speed up in a coordinated manner.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 28, 2018

Novel 3-D printing method embeds sensing capabilities within robotic actuators

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a platform for creating soft robots with embedded sensors that can sense movement, pressure, touch, and even temperature. This innovation enables complex sensing motifs to be easily integrated into soft robotic systems, opening new avenues to device design and fabrication.

Moms who co-sleep beyond six months may feel more depressed, judged

Research finds that mothers who continue to co-sleep with their babies past six months are more likely to feel depressed, criticized, and anxious about their baby's sleep. Despite the trend to discourage co-sleeping, experts emphasize the importance of finding a sleep arrangement that works for everyone in the family.

SourcePenn State·JournalInfant and Child Development·DateFeb 28, 2018

Naked-eye detection of solvent vapor

Scientists at University of Tsukuba create effective fluorescent sensor for detecting solvent vapor, utilizing a branched molecule called a dendrimer. The sensor can distinguish between various solvents through changes in emission color and intensity.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalChemical Communications·DateFeb 28, 2018

Assessing quantum dot photoemissions

Researchers at Kumamoto University developed a technique to assess quantum dot photoluminescence emission mechanisms using polyoxometalates. The study revealed previously unseen peak emissions at 410 nm due to bulk defects in the quantum dots.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateFeb 28, 2018

The fine-tuning of two-dimensional materials

Scientists at Penn State have developed a new understanding of why synthetic 2D materials often perform orders of magnitude worse than predicted. By using oxygen-terminated substrate surfaces, they enhanced the photoluminescence intensity and carrier lifetime of molybdenum disulfide by 100 times.

SourcePenn State·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 28, 2018

Unlocking the secrets of the universe

A team of astronomers has detected the fingerprints of the earliest stars in the universe, revealing a wealth of information about their formation and evolution. The detection provides the first evidence for the oldest ancestors in our cosmic family tree, born just 180 million years after the universe began.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature·DateFeb 28, 2018