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Science News Archive 2018 - Page 465


Page 465 of 473

Black hole breakthrough: New insight into mysterious jets

Researchers gained new understanding of relativistic jets' behavior through advanced supercomputer simulations, revealing how space-time is dragged into the rotation of rotating black holes. The study confirms that tilted disks lead to precessing jets that periodically change their direction in the sky.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 10, 2018

Changing how we view chlorine in soil

A recent study from Linköping University reveals that the supply of fresh organic compounds increases chlorination in soils, potentially changing our view on chlorine's significance. The discovery highlights new ecological functions of chloride and its potential impact on risk models for radioactive waste.

Can CranioSacral therapy improve symptoms of concussion & mild TBI among football players?

A preliminary study suggests that CranioSacral Therapy can improve range of motion, pain, sleep, and cognitive function in ex-NFL players with concussion and mild TBI. More clinical research data is needed to understand its effectiveness in treating post-concussive syndrome and potentially chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateJan 9, 2018

Women survive crises better than men

Researchers found that women are more likely to survive crises like famines and epidemics due to biological factors, not behavioral differences. Newborn girls are particularly hardy, outliving newborn boys by up to 50%.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 9, 2018

Grocery store program improves farmers' adoption of environmental practices

A new study by Stanford researchers found that Woolworths' Farming for the Future program drove increased adoption of environmental practices among its large-scale fruit, vegetable and flower growers. The program combines annual auditor feedback with individual farmer needs, leading to significant shifts in farming practices.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·DateJan 9, 2018

Climate change drives collapse in marine food webs

A new study demonstrates how climate change can drive the collapse of marine food webs by altering trophic flows and promoting cyanobacterial proliferation. This can lead to reduced food availability for top predators, negatively impacting marine species diversity and fisheries productivity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 9, 2018

Engineers grow functioning human muscle from skin cells

Duke researchers successfully grew functioning human skeletal muscle from induced pluripotent stem cells, offering a promising path for cellular therapies, drug discovery, and studying rare diseases. The technique allows for the growth of far more muscle cells and provides an easier route to genome editing and individualized models.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 9, 2018

Patients who receive prescription opioids are more satisfied with care than other patients

Patients with musculoskeletal conditions who receive prescription opioids are more satisfied with their care than those without. However, they often experience increased pain and reduced health outcomes, highlighting the need for further investigation into the complex relationship between opioid use and patient satisfaction.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 9, 2018

New method stabilizes siRNAs without affecting gene silencing activity

Researchers have developed a new method to stabilize small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) by introducing phosphoramidate modifications, which enhances their stability and therapeutic potential. The study shows that the modified siRNAs maintain their gene silencing activity, making them suitable for various therapeutic applications.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalNucleic Acid Therapeutics·DateJan 9, 2018

Younger patients constitute half of hospital-acquired pneumonia cases, most of which originate outside of the ICU, study finds

A new study reveals that younger patients account for half of hospital-acquired pneumonia cases, most of which occur outside the ICU. The research highlights gaps in pneumonia preventive measures as a contributing factor to the increased risk. Standardizing protocols for preventive care can help reduce rates of NV-HAP.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·DateJan 9, 2018

HKBU and CUHK discovered that human-perceived temperature is rising faster than actual air temperature

Research found that human-perceived temperature (AP) increased 0.04oC per decade faster than actual air temperature (AT), with projected increases of up to 0.17oC per decade in low-latitude areas. AP is expected to continue rising, posing bigger threats to cities and communities, especially in tropical and sub-tropical regions.

SourceHong Kong Baptist University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 9, 2018

'Gyroscope' molecules form crystal that's both solid and full of motion

Researchers at UCLA have successfully formed a crystalline solid with moving parts, dubbed 'amphidynamic', which could have wide-ranging applications in technology and science. The creation of BODCA-MOF, a metallo-organic framework containing spherical molecules, demonstrates the potential for rapid motion inside a solid crystal.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 9, 2018

The road to recovery

A recent study by Clayton Lamb and colleagues found that higher road density in British Columbia leads to lower grizzly bear density, compromising the species' recovery. Closing roads can reduce the negative impact of roads on habitats, allowing bears to recolonize and recover.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateJan 9, 2018

Mass extinctions remove species but not ecological variety

A study by University of Chicago scientists found that mass extinctions removed species but retained ecological variety, whereas environmental changes lead to significant losses in functional diversity. The researchers analyzed two major mass extinctions and discovered a pattern of survival among functional groups.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 9, 2018