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Science News Archive 2018 - Page 77


Page 77 of 473

Hard cider, with a shot of sugar

Researchers analyzed 23 popular hard ciders and found that 60% of domestic brands contained added sugars from cane or corn syrup. The study's findings suggest that labels are not a reliable way to determine whether a cider has added sugar, due to discrepancies between expected and observed isotopic ratios.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateOct 31, 2018

More black South Africans are donating blood

The South African National Blood Service has increased the proportion of donations from black South Africans by fivefold since 2005. This significant improvement is attributed to the implementation of individual donation nucleic acid testing (NAT), which has reduced HIV transmission risks.

SourceStellenbosch University·JournalTransfusion·DateOct 31, 2018

Can bacteria colonies be good neighbors?

Researchers studied bacterial ecological systems using experiments and computer models to investigate population dynamics, identifying key role of stochastic effects in early colony patterning. They also found that interactions between neighboring bacteria can amplify local variation, influencing competition outcomes.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysical Biology·DateOct 31, 2018

Appendix removal tied to decreased Parkinson's disease risk in about 20 percent of cases

A large-scale Swedish study found that removing the appendix reduces Parkinson's disease risk by about 19.3%, with a greater effect seen in rural populations potentially counteracting environmental risk factors like pesticide exposure. Early intervention strategies targeting alpha-synuclein accumulation could be promising.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 31, 2018

Cytokine levels could predict immunotherapy problems

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified blood-based biomarkers that may help identify patients at greatest risk of developing autoimmune side effects from immunotherapy. The study found that levels of certain cytokines were particularly low before treatment in patients who developed immune-related adverse events.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateOct 31, 2018

Study links cottonseed oil with lower cholesterol

Researchers at the University of Georgia found that a high-fat diet enriched with cottonseed oil improved cholesterol profiles in young adult men. Participants showed significant reductions in cholesterol and triglycerides on the cottonseed oil diet, compared to minimal changes on an olive oil-enriched diet.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalNutrition Research·DateOct 31, 2018

A bullet-proof heating pad

Researchers have created a wearable heater by modifying woven fabric with DuPont Kevlar fiber and nanowires, providing uniform heat and thermal insulation. The material is strong, flexible, breathable, and washable, making it suitable for use in cold-weather clothing.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 31, 2018

Minimally invasive surgery for early-stage cervical cancer may increase risk of death

Patients receiving minimally invasive radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer have an increased risk of death compared to those treated with open surgery. A long-term analysis of nationwide databases found a 9.1% risk of death in the minimally invasive group, significantly higher than the 5.3% risk in the open surgery group.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 31, 2018

Cocaine adulterant may cause brain damage

Researchers at the University of Zurich found that people who take cocaine cut with levamisole show impaired cognitive performance and a thinned prefrontal cortex. The study suggests that drug-checking programs should be expanded to protect users from the toxic effects of levamisole.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateOct 31, 2018

Flexible, stable and potent against cancer

Scientists have developed novel conjugates made from antibodies and a kinesin spindle protein inhibitor, showing high effectiveness in vitro and tumor models. The linker between components allows for tuning the activity of the cytostatic drug, reducing side effects in cancer treatment.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 30, 2018

Russian scientists obtain new results in the study of inorganic pigments with apatite structure

Researchers at Lobachevsky University have synthesized a high-purity sample of barium hypomanganate chloride and characterized its crystal structure and chemical environment. The study has stabilized the degree of manganese oxidation and measured its isobaric heat capacity, revealing anomalous behavior below 15K.

SourceLobachevsky University·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics·DateOct 30, 2018

Tiny light detectors work like gecko ears

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a system that uses tiny detectors to map the angle of incoming light waves, inspired by the unique structure of geckos' ears. This technology could support advances in lens-less cameras, augmented reality, and robotic vision.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateOct 30, 2018

Flood of genome data hinders efforts to ID bacteria

A recent study published in Genome Biology found that the rapid growth of genomic databases is affecting the accuracy of bacterial species identification. The research, led by Rice University scientist Todd Treangen, reveals that the imbalance in database coverage hinders the ability to quickly identify pathogens.

SourceRice University·JournalGenome Biology·DateOct 30, 2018

When silence acts as a mirror

A study by the Society for Consumer Psychology reveals that people generally assume silent group members share their own opinions, even when outnumbered. This 'mirror effect' could lead leaders to misinterpret group consensus and quiet individuals to inaccurately agree with dominant views.

SourceSociety for Consumer Psychology·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateOct 30, 2018

NSF awards two grants for polymer research

Researchers at Virginia Tech aim to create new ways to use renewably sourced plant and wood polymers to tackle long-standing challenges in medical drug solubility. The project focuses on designing biodegradable polymers that can help orally administered drugs reach the bloodstream effectively.

An end to arachnophobia 'just a heartbeat away'

A new study found that exposing people with phobias to their fear at the exact time of their heartbeats significantly reduces phobia severity. Researchers combined computerized therapy with online heart rhythm measurements to treat patients with spider phobia, showing improved anxiety levels and reduced physiological responses.

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateOct 30, 2018