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Science News Archive 2018 - Page 431


Page 431 of 473

Cockroach ancient geographic and genomic history traced back to last supercontinent

Researchers have used genomic data to gain the most detailed information yet of cockroach evolution. The study suggests that extant families evolved during the breakup of Pangaea and prior to continental separation within Gondwana, with divergence times dating back up to 180 million years.

You might be paying too much for ads on Google, Bing

A new study from Binghamton University found that advertisers may be getting more clicks by placing ads in lower positions if they prioritize website quality, brand equity, and selling proposition over top spot ad placement. The model helps advertisers quantify expected clicks based on these factors.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalJournal of Business Research·DateFeb 6, 2018

China's need to turn milk green

A study published in Global Change Biology warns that China's growing milk demand will strain global dairy resources, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions and land use if left unchecked. Improving domestic milk production efficiencies and adopting more sustainable practices could mitigate these impacts.

SourceRothamsted Research·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateFeb 6, 2018

Pores with a memory

Researchers have developed a process to produce porous films made from shape memory polymers with precise dimensions, which can be reversibly changed with light. The films feature micropores that switch between different shapes and/or sizes, expanding possibilities in fields such as electronics and separation processes.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 6, 2018

Type-2 diabetes: Insulin held up in traffic

A study by Uppsala University researchers reveals that a vesicle attachment defect is the root cause of insulin secretion problems in type-2 diabetes. The defect leads to slowed arrival of new insulin-containing vesicles at the cell membrane, resulting in insufficient insulin release.

SourceUppsala University·JournalCell Metabolism·DateFeb 6, 2018

Starving liver cancer

Researchers discover a two-step process to kill liver cancer cells by silencing an enzyme and adding metformin, potentially accelerating new treatments for this deadly disease. This approach has shown promise in treating liver cancer, where surgery is often not an option and available drugs are only moderately effective.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 6, 2018

Matchmaking for cancer care

A team of computer scientists has developed a new system to rapidly determine which cancer drugs are likely to work best given a patient's genetic markers. eGARD, the first publicly available system of its kind, can match genetic signatures with outcomes with 95 percent precision.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 6, 2018

Can over-the-counter pain meds influence thoughts and emotions?

Research suggests that over-the-counter pain medication can impact individuals' sensitivity to painful experiences, ability to empathize with others, and processing of information. This could have implications for public health and policymakers should consider potential risks and benefits.

SourceSAGE·JournalPolicy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2018

Sick bees eat healthier

Researchers found that sick bees living with the gut parasite Nosema ceranae preferred higher-quality pollen when given the option. This preference could influence which flowers are visited by bees, impacting both native and crop pollination.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalMicrobial Ecology·DateFeb 6, 2018

Unusual lung structures may raise risk of pulmonary disease

Researchers at McGill University and Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that variations in large airway branches are associated with higher COPD prevalence. People with certain airway tree variations are more likely to have COPD, especially if they smoke, highlighting the importance of quitting smoking as the best antidote.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2018

Bilingualism could offset brain changes in Alzheimer's

A new study by Concordia professor Natalie Phillips explores the effects of bilingualism on patients with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. The research found that multilingual individuals may be able to compensate for AD-related tissue loss by accessing alternative networks in their brains for memory processing.

SourceConcordia University·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateFeb 6, 2018

Scientists can now measure activity of key cancer cell-survival protein

Researchers have developed a new way to measure the activity of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), a protein associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients. By identifying specific client proteins tied to Hsp70 activity, scientists can now develop potential therapies by testing small molecules in real-world environments.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateFeb 6, 2018

The recipe for life

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found evidence that the amino acid arginine was essential for protein-aptamer interactions, potentially altering our understanding of the origin of life. This discovery provides new insights into the ideal conditions for life to emerge, with implications for various hypotheses and experiments.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 6, 2018