Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2018 - Page 406


Page 406 of 473

Flu may impact brain health

Research found that flu strains H3N2 and H7N7 caused memory impairments and structural changes in the hippocampus of mice. The infections also activated brain immune cells and altered gene expression, suggesting a potential threat to healthy brain function.

The giant wave that marks the beginning of the end -- the neurobiology of dying

In humans, a massive wave of electrochemical energy release in the brain occurs after oxygen deprivation, known as 'spreading depolarization', which can trigger pathophysiological cascades. Researchers have found that this event is similar to animal studies and that it remains reversible if circulation is restored before nerve cells die.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateFeb 26, 2018

Scorpion venom component can reduce severity of rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that a scorpion venom component, iberiotoxin, can specifically block the potassium channel in fibroblast-like synoviocytes, reducing rheumatoid arthritis severity. Treatment with iberiotoxin reversed joint damage and inflammation in rat models without inducing side effects.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalJournal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics·DateFeb 26, 2018

For energy experts, new method is a gas

Researchers have created a novel non-invasive method to quantify untapped natural gas reservoirs by analyzing the compositional distribution on porous surfaces inside shale rocks. This method provides both average and deviation values of material properties, aiding decision-making in the industry.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 26, 2018

Study links responsible behavior in high school to life success 50 years later

A new study by University of Illinois researchers found that students who behaved responsibly in high school, showed interest, and had good writing skills tend to earn higher incomes and have higher occupational prestige 50 years later. Education was the factor mediating this relationship.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateFeb 26, 2018

Ketamine works for female rats, too

A groundbreaking study published in eNeuro finds that low-dose ketamine promotes resilience to future adverse events in female rats, similar to its effects in males. The researchers identified a neural circuit involving the prefrontal cortex and dorsal raphe nucleus responsible for ketamine's stress-reducing properties.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateFeb 26, 2018

Could cleaning up beaches make Americans better off?

A new study by Ohio State University found that cleaning up beaches in Orange County, California could bring in significant economic benefits, ranging from $13 to $42 per resident. The research estimated that reducing ocean debris by 25-75% could lead to a $46 million boost to the county's economy in just one summer.

SourceOhio State University·JournalMarine Resource Economics·DateFeb 26, 2018

How do your friends plan to vote?

Researchers found that social-circle questions led to more accurate predictions for election outcomes than traditional polling methods. Social-circle questions provide information about people who aren't explicitly included in the sample and can help anticipate the processes of social influence.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateFeb 26, 2018

Infants' expectation of ingroup support and fairness

In a series of experiments, researchers found that infants prioritize ingroup support over fairness when resources are limited. The study involved 72 participants aged 18-20 months and 48 participants aged 25-33 months, who observed resource-allocation events involving a puppet distributor and two potential recipients.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 26, 2018