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Science News Archive 2018 - Page 409


Page 409 of 473

Developing reliable quantum computers

A team of researchers has developed a statistical approach to identify characteristic signatures across unmeasurable probability distributions in quantum computers. This breakthrough could help predict the behavior of photons in optical arrangements and differentiate between various particle types, bringing us closer to solving the cer...

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 22, 2018

The battle for spinach

Washington State University researchers are working on developing resistant spinach varieties against Fusarium wilt, a devastating disease that has been crippling farmers' crops in the Pacific Northwest. The team is testing over 600 varieties of spinach and studying their DNA to find genetic markers that reveal natural resistance.

Extinct lakes of the American desert west

Research reveals two distinct periods of lake existence in the region, with increased precipitation driving formation during warmer periods. The study's findings suggest a potential analogue for future climate change and highlight the importance of understanding El Niño-driven precipitation patterns in arid regions.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateFeb 22, 2018

Basque researchers turn light upside down

Researchers created a hyperbolic metasurface using boron nitride that produces concave wavefronts with infrared light, revolutionizing the miniaturization of sensing and signal processing devices. The team overcame fabrication challenges to achieve precision structuring on the nanometer scale.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalScience·DateFeb 22, 2018

Stiffness matters

Research by Prof. Dr. Prasad Shastri at the University of Freiburg found that cancer cell membrane stiffness affects nanoparticle internalization; increasing stiffness enhances polymer nanoparticle entry through pathways rich in cholesterol.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalSmall·DateFeb 22, 2018

CU scientists' discovery could speed clinical translation of stem cell therapies

Researchers at CU Anschutz have discovered a new approach to reprogramming adult skin cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with unprecedented efficiency. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of new corrective stem cell-based therapies for currently incurable diseases like Epidermolysis Bullosa.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 22, 2018

A look at the space between mouse brain cells

Researchers have developed a new imaging paradigm to study the extracellular space between brain cells, revealing its complex and dynamic nature. The technique, called SUSHI, provides high-quality 3D reconstructions of brain tissue and has the potential to improve drug delivery within the brain.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateFeb 22, 2018

New insights on the neurobiology of dying

A new Annals of Neurology study investigated the mechanisms and timing of events in the brain and circulation during the dying process. The findings suggest that spreading depolarization marks the loss of stored energy in brain cells, leading to death, but also highlight its reversibility with restored circulation.

SourceWiley·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateFeb 22, 2018

Metabolic modelling becomes three-dimensional

Researchers have developed the first three-dimensional computer model to represent human metabolic processes. This new tool, Recon3D, integrates structural data on over 4,000 metabolites and nearly 13,000 proteins, allowing for more accurate simulations of metabolic reactions and better understanding of diseases such as Parkinson's.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateFeb 22, 2018

When every fish counts

A study published in Conservation Genetics found that about a third of fish samples were misidentified as native delta smelt when using visual identification. Genetic analysis revealed 27% of the fish thought to be native delta smelt were actually non-native wakasagi.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalConservation Genetics·DateFeb 22, 2018

Newly designed molecule binds nitrogen

A newly designed borylene molecule has been found to bind nitrogen at room temperature and normal air pressure, surpassing the capabilities of traditional catalysts like iron and molybdenum. This breakthrough may pave the way for a more energy-efficient method to convert nitrogen into ammonia.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalScience·DateFeb 22, 2018

Moths in mud can uncover prehistoric secrets

Researchers have developed a new technique to study lake sediments, using moth scales to identify past and future insect outbreaks. This discovery can help improve knowledge of insect impact on forests, predictability, and links to climate change.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and Evolution·DateFeb 22, 2018