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Science News Archive August 2018 - Page 15


Page 15 of 41

Pointy eggs more likely to stay put in birds' cliffside nests, study finds

A new study by University of Illinois researchers found that the conical shape of murre eggs makes them more stable on cliffside ledges. Increasing the egg's conicality reduced its tendency to roll off the surface, providing experimental support for natural selection shaping the unique form of murre eggs.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateAug 22, 2018

Brazilian D'Or Institute and L'Oréal R&I develop functional human sensory neurons

Researchers from D'Or Institute and L'Oréal R&I successfully generated functional human sensory neurons that respond to painful stimuli. The breakthrough discovery has significant implications for the study of chronic pain, analgesic drugs, and the development of reconstructed human skin with enhanced neuro-inflammation predictivity.

SourceD'Or Institute for Research and Education·JournalFrontiers in Molecular Neuroscience·DateAug 22, 2018

Kids connect with robot reading partners

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison created a robot named Minnie to serve as a reading buddy to middle school kids, resulting in increased excitement about books and attachment to the robot. The study showed that social learning through interaction with the robot improved comprehension and motivation for reading.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience Robotics·DateAug 22, 2018

Murky lakes now surpass clear, blue lakes in US

Research reveals a significant shift from clear to murky lakes in the continental United States over the past five years. Murky lakes have increased by 12% while clear lakes declined by 18%, posing concerns for water quality and aquatic life.

SourceWiley·JournalLimnology and Oceanography·DateAug 22, 2018

Macaws may communicate visually with blushing, ruffled feathers

A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that macaws use facial displays such as blushing and ruffling their head feathers to convey positive emotions during social interactions. The researchers observed that these behaviors were more common when the birds were interacting with humans, suggesting a form of visual communication.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 22, 2018

Unexplained illness in Tanzania puts pathogen discovery to the test

Scientists compared two genetic sequencing methods to identify viruses behind illnesses in Tanzania. VirCapSeq-VERT proved more efficient than unbiased high-throughput sequencing, detecting Dengue virus and other pathogens with similar accuracy. The study's findings support the use of VirCapSeq-VERT as a cost-effective method for monit...

Shrimp heal injured fish

Researchers at James Cook University found that shrimp clean parasites from injured fish without aggravating their injuries. The interaction between cleaner shrimp and client fish also reduces stress levels, potentially increasing the fish's ability to heal.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalMarine Biology·DateAug 22, 2018

One of the most popular ADHD drugs may cause hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms

A recent study found that around 1.1% to 2.5% of ADHD patients treated with methylphenidate may experience psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations. The medication, commonly prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy, can cause these adverse effects in some children and adolescents.

SourceExeley Inc.·JournalScandinavian Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology·DateAug 22, 2018

Breaking down band structures

A team of Harvard researchers has created a system to represent and classify band structures in materials, allowing for the prediction of their properties. This breakthrough can aid in designing new materials with specific electronic properties, such as topological insulators, which have potential applications in quantum computing.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 22, 2018

New galaxy found?

Chris Carr, an Ohio undergraduate, discovered a new galaxy 37 million lightyears away using deep sky images from the Burrell Schmidt telescope. The detection is part of the Leo I galaxy group and is considered the lowest surface brightness object ever detected via integrated light.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 22, 2018

Why are young adults wasting so much food? Study looks at perceptions and food behaviors

A study found that young adults, particularly college students, are high food wasters due to a lack of learned food management behaviors. The study's findings suggest that environmental factors, such as access to refrigerators and cooking facilities, also play a role in their behavior.

Maternal depression may alter stress and immune markers in children

New research suggests that depression in women may impact their children's stress and physical well-being, leading to higher cortisol and s-IgA levels. Children of depressed mothers tend to exhibit psychiatric disorders and social withdrawal. Early interventions targeting maternal stress and parenting behavior are advocated.

SourceWiley·JournalDepression and Anxiety·DateAug 22, 2018

Epic genetic: the hidden story of wheat

The study reveals geographical patterns in epigenetic changes between 100 landraces of wheat, suggesting that these changes have arisen due to environmental conditions. This discovery provides breeders with a new tool to improve how plants respond to local conditions, enabling farmers to grow the best possible crop for their environment.

SourceEarlham Institute·JournalGenome Research·DateAug 22, 2018

Vulnerable youth stress the importance of influential adults in their school lives

Research finds that even vulnerable kids can identify specific adults who made a difference in their education. The study's participants highlighted the need for communication and collaboration among adult providers to ensure youth don't fall through the cracks. Better support systems are crucial for improving educational outcomes.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalChildren and Youth Services Review·DateAug 21, 2018

Irony is the new black

Researchers found that ironic consumption allows consumers to signal their identity or beliefs to groups they know, while hiding from those outside. This phenomenon can lead to a new brand identity and cultural rebirth for passé products like Pabst Blue Ribbon.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateAug 21, 2018

Certain antibiotic-resistant infections on the rise, new research shows

A California emergency department study found nearly 6% of urinary tract infections were caused by drug-resistant bacteria, with no identifiable risk factor for infection in many cases. The researchers urge wider use of urine culture tests and improved follow-up systems to address the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.

SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateAug 21, 2018

AMP addresses clinical relevance of DNA variants in chronic myeloid neoplasms

The Association for Molecular Pathology recommends a minimum of 34 critical genes for high-throughput pan-myeloid sequencing tests to standardize clinical practice and improve patient care. The report provides evidence-based guidelines for the management of chronic myeloid neoplasms, including diagnostic and prognostic information.

SourceAssociation for Molecular Pathology·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateAug 21, 2018