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Science News Archive 2018 - Page 70


Page 70 of 473

Breakthrough for treatment of fibrotic diseases

Scientists have found a drug combination that can halt the progression of fibrosis, a condition responsible for almost half of all deaths. The study, published in European Urology, tested a combination of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and selective oestrogen receptor modulators on cells and animals.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalEuropean Urology·DateNov 5, 2018

Identifying a piranha by its bark

Scientists have discovered that different piranha species can be identified by the pattern of their barks, which could lead to more efficient conservation efforts. The study's findings suggest that passive acoustic monitoring may be a useful tool for studying piranha behavior in the wild.

Efforts to prevent pressure ulcers in hospitals may not be making headway on the worst kind

A new study finds that hospitals' progress in reducing hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) is largely due to preventing less-costly and less-dangerous early-stage HAPUs. The study recommends better data tracking methods, including using the same approach as for infections, to adjust rates and penalties based on patients' underlyi...

WEIRD science

Researchers found that traditional personality traits, like the Big Five, may not be universal across cultures. To improve psychological science, experts recommend considering socioecological theory and diversifying study samples from non-Western populations.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2018

Physicists name and codify new field in nanotechnology: 'electron quantum metamaterials'

Researchers Nathaniel Gabor and Justin C. W. Song propose a new field of study, electron quantum metamaterials, which involves manipulating electrons in subwavelength structures to exhibit unusual behavior. This field has the potential to produce radically new phenomena, such as superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 5, 2018

More than intelligence needed for success in life

Non-cognitive skills such as attention, self-regulation, and perseverance play a significant role in determining academic achievement, cognitive ability, and language outcomes. However, the existing evidence base in this field is limited due to publication bias and methodological flaws, underscoring the need for further research.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateNov 5, 2018

Prejudice against women in power is greater than we think

A new study by Adrian Hoffmann and Jochen Musch found that people are significantly more prejudiced against women (37%) than initially thought (23%), as indirect questioning methods reveal honest responses. The study suggests that women are more reluctant to express prejudice, possibly due to societal expectations.

SourceSpringer·JournalSex Roles·DateNov 5, 2018

Coping with errors in the quantum age

ETH Zurich researchers have demonstrated a novel quantum error correction technique that can monitor and correct errors in real-time. The technique, which uses trapped ions to encode quantum information, has been successfully tested with repeated measurements on the same system, exceeding previous experimental limits.

Caterpillar, fungus in cahoots to threaten fruit, nut crops, study finds

Scientists have discovered that a fungus and a caterpillar are in a symbiotic relationship, allowing the caterpillar to thrive in orchards while also helping the fungus spread. The navel orangeworm caterpillar can metabolize aflatoxins produced by the Aspergillus flavus fungus, making it immune to its toxic effects.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Chemical Ecology·DateNov 5, 2018

Teachers and Trump

A new study from Michigan State University found that teachers felt immense pressure to respond in a certain way to the 2016 presidential election. Researchers argue that neutrality in the classroom is not an effective teaching tactic and can marginalize certain groups.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·DateNov 5, 2018

New efficiency record set for perovskite LEDs

Perovskite LEDs have achieved close to 100% internal luminescence efficiency, opening up applications in displays, lighting, and communications. The devices outperform conventional OLEDs in terms of light-emission efficiency due to a composite layer of perovskites with an insulating polymer.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 5, 2018

Modeling dam removal tradeoffs

Researchers developed a multiscale model analyzing economic, social, and ecological tradeoffs of dam removal. The model found that large numbers of dams optimize tradeoffs among ecosystem services, river safety, and economic costs, assisting future damming decisions by considering scale and location.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2018

People in Canada have good health, are living longer: Global Burden of Disease Study trends

A recent study found that Canadians have good overall health, with a high level of health-adjusted life expectancy. The leading causes of death and disability are noncommunicable diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The study also shows an aging population, with people over 65 years outnumbering younger Canadians.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 5, 2018