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Science News Archive August 2018 - Page 27


Page 27 of 41

Historic space weather could clarify what's next

Scientists have discovered a repeatable pattern in how space weather activity changes with the solar cycle, enabling better understanding and planning for space weather. The breakthrough allows for more accurate forecasting of potential threats to Earth from solar flares and extreme space weather.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalSpace Weather·DateAug 13, 2018

When it comes to regrowing tails, neural stem cells are the key

Scientists discovered that neural stem cells in spinal cords are the limiting factor for tail regeneration. Unlike salamanders, lizard neural stem cells cannot produce diverse cell types needed for bony vertebrae development. This finding may aid understanding of why humans can't regenerate their tails.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 13, 2018

Easter Island's society might not have collapsed

Recent study analyzes chemical makeup of tools used to create giant statues, suggesting a sophisticated society where people shared information and collaborated. The results contradict the popular narrative that Easter Island's inhabitants ran out of resources and warred themselves into extinction.

SourceField Museum·JournalJournal of Indo-Pacific Archaeology·DateAug 13, 2018

Research reveals molecular details of sperm-egg fusion

Scientists have described the detailed structure of proteins enabling sperm-egg fusion in two species: Arabidopsis thaliana and Trypanosoma cruzi. The study reveals similarities and differences between the proteins, shedding light on how they work and potentially leading to new insights into human fertilization.

SourceBrown University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 13, 2018

Racial and ethnic minority patients have lower rates of Medicare preventive care visits -- income and education partially explain the difference

A study found that Medicare preventive care visits are lower in racial and ethnic minority patients, with income and education partially explaining the difference. The rate of use increased modestly since its introduction but remains low, highlighting the need to promote its use among beneficiaries and providers.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalMedical Care·DateAug 13, 2018

Potential biomarker for autism

Researchers have identified altered brain waves and movement abnormalities in young children with autism spectrum disorder, which can be detected as early as infancy using non-invasive neuroimaging techniques. These findings may represent an objective approach to diagnosing autism in young children.

Why zebrafish (almost) always have stripes

A new mathematical model explains the formation of zebrafish stripes by highlighting the crucial role of a single pigment cell type. The model shows that iridophores lead the process, providing redundancies to ensure reliable stripe formation even when cellular processes go wrong.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 13, 2018

Collaborate, but only intermittently, says new study

Researchers found that groups that interacted only intermittently preserved the best of both worlds, having an average quality of solution nearly identical to those that interacted constantly. However, this intermittent interaction allowed high performers to learn from low performers and achieve even better solutions.

SourceHarvard Business School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 13, 2018