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Science News Archive August 2018 - Page 5


Page 5 of 41

What's that smell? Scientists find a new way to understand odors

Researchers at Salk Institute and Arizona State University develop mathematical model to organize odor molecules by frequency of co-occurrence in nature, mapping pleasant directions. This breakthrough enables construction of artificial pleasant odor mixtures, with potential implications for understanding diseases like Parkinson's.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 29, 2018

Trump supporters on campuses more likely to show prejudice toward international students

A University at Buffalo study suggests that support for President Donald Trump is a predictor of prejudice against international students, along with university identity and socialization. Factors such as standardized test scores and stereotypes also play a role in shaping attitudes towards international students.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Diversity in Higher Education·DateAug 29, 2018

Terahertz wave activates filamentation of actin

Researchers at Tohoku University have discovered that terahertz wave irradiation activates the filamentation of actin protein. This non-invasive method could overcome problems with current drugs used to control actin filamentation and expand its applications in biological technologies.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 29, 2018

Cold climates contributed to the extinction of the Neanderthals

A recent study suggests that climate change contributed to the decline and eventual extinction of the Neanderthals. The researchers found that prolonged extreme cold periods coincide with a near complete absence of archaeological artefacts from the Neanderthals. This indicates that climate change played a significant role in their demise.

SourceNorthumbria University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 29, 2018

Quality of life after spinal cord injury -- what functional abilities have the greatest impact?

A study published in American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation found that mobility and self-care abilities are the greatest impactors on quality of life for spinal cord injury patients. The research, which analyzed data from 195 patients with traumatic spinal cord injury, revealed differences in priorities between tetraple...

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation·DateAug 29, 2018

Changes in breakfast and dinner timings can reduce body fat

A 10-week pilot study found that participants who delayed their breakfast by 90 minutes and had their dinner earlier lost more than twice as much body fat compared to those in the control group. This reduction was partly due to decreased food intake, with 57% of participants reporting a decrease in eating opportunities.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalJournal of Nutritional Science·DateAug 29, 2018

A climate 'wake-up call'

Research suggests that proactive implementation of fisheries management and climate action can create a more bountiful future for the world's oceans. The study finds that concerted responses to climate change can lead to increased fish populations, food availability, and profit for fishermen.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 29, 2018

On the horizon: An acne vaccine

Researchers have made significant progress in developing an acne vaccine by targeting a toxin secreted from Propionibacterium acnes bacteria. The vaccine has shown promise in reducing inflammation in human acne lesions. Future studies aim to engineer a non-toxic chemical or targeted vaccine formulation for its human application.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateAug 29, 2018

The God of small things

Researchers found that religious people regularly assign significance to unremarkable events, leading to positive emotions like gratitude and contentment. The study suggests that giving meaning to everyday events is a general phenomenon across religious groups.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalJournal of Personality·DateAug 29, 2018