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Science News Archive December 2018


Page 28 of 33

Greenland ice sheet melt 'off the charts' compared with past four centuries

Research shows Greenland's surface melting has increased dramatically since the mid-19th century, with a 50% increase in total ice sheet meltwater runoff versus the start of the industrial era. This study provides evidence that climate change is driving unprecedented rates of ice sheet melting, which could accelerate sea level rise.

A microbe's membrane helps it survive extreme environments

Stanford researchers discovered a protective lipid-linked cellular membrane in archaea, allowing them to thrive in highly acidic habitats. The discovery could provide new evidence about the evolution of life on Earth and shed light on molecular fossils.

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'Sun in a box' would store renewable energy for the grid

Researchers propose new storage system to deliver electricity on demand using molten silicon and high-temperature pump, offering cost-effective alternative to pumped hydroelectric storage. The system could be paired with existing renewable energy systems to capture excess electricity during the day and store it for later use.

Information from citizens could improve flood modelling

A new study uses citizen science to enhance flood forecasting by integrating water level data into models. The Hydrological Alert Model with Participatory Basis (HAMPB) model has shown promising results in improving forecast accuracy.

Neighborhoods with more green space may mean less heart disease

Research found that living in areas with dense vegetation is associated with lower stress levels, better blood vessel health, and improved cardiovascular function. The study's findings suggest that increasing green spaces in neighborhoods could be a significant public health intervention for reducing heart disease risk.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

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Study solves puzzle of snail and slug feeding preferences

A study by the University of Plymouth found that snails are attracted to seedlings based on their volatile scent preferences, while those with repellent chemicals avoid damage. This discovery provides insights into the complex interactions between slugs and snails in natural habitats.

Type 2 diabetes: A therapeutic avenue is emerging

Researchers have discovered a new therapeutic avenue for treating type 2 diabetes by targeting the interaction between hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and a transcription factor responsible for fatty acid synthesis. Decreasing HSL expression leads to improved insulin sensitivity, which may help prevent or manage the disease.

DNA damage leads to genetic diseases and cancer

Scientists discovered that DNA damage, not just errors in DNA doubling, causes many genetic mutations. This challenge traditional views on mutagenesis and its role in hereditary diseases and cancer.

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New drug target discovered for potential blood pressure treatment

Scientists identified a key player in blood pressure regulation, PKD2 channel, which regulates blood vessel constriction and relaxation. The study found that switching off PKD2 reduces blood pressure in mice, indicating potential as a new drug target for treating high blood pressure.

Revolutionary technology pinpoints biopsies to detect prostate cancer

A new medical software system, SmartTarget, enhances prostate cancer detection by overlaying MRI scans onto ultrasound images, guiding surgeons during biopsies. The technology has shown that combining both techniques can detect clinically relevant cancers missed with current methods.

NUS engineers invent groundbreaking spin-based memory device

Researchers have developed a novel ferrimagnetic spintronic memory device, outperforming traditional ferromagnet-based memories in terms of stability and efficiency. The new technology has the potential to accelerate the growth of the spintronic industry.

Strong growth in global CO2 emissions expected for 2018

Global CO2 emissions are expected to reach 37.1 billion tonnes in 2018, with a solid growth in coal use for the second year in a row and sustained growth in oil and gas use. Emissions need to peak and rapidly decrease to address climate change.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

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How the brain hears and fears

Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found that brain cells in mice associate sounds with emotions through experience and learning. The amygdala, a key brain region, shows specific patterns of neuron activity when animals are trained to fear or anticipate rewards.

Paving the way for more efficient hydrogen cars

Scientists have used metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to set a new record for hydrogen storage capacity under normal operating conditions. The researchers found that a MOF called Ni2(m-dobdc) had the highest hydrogen-storage capacity, with 11.9 g of fuel per liter of MOF crystal.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

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Breakthrough in blood vessel engineering

A team at the University of Delaware has pioneered methods to grow a self-assembling, functional network of blood vessels. The system works across centimeter scales, necessary for functional tissue replacement, and could someday be utilized for tissue and organ transplantation into humans.

COSINE-100 experiment investigates dark matter mystery

The COSINE-100 experiment has released its first results, confirming the absence of a dark matter signal in the data. The study challenges the DAMA claim as a WIMP signal, significantly challenging the traditional Standard Halo Model for dark matter.

Infections during childhood increase the risk of mental disorders

A new study from iPSYCH shows that childhood infections increase the risk of mental disorders, with high temperatures and hospital admissions being particularly associated. The study found an 84% increased risk of mental disorders in children who were hospitalized for infections.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

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Possible alterations in the DNA involved in cancer

A study published in Cell Reports reveals the role of protein PIF1 in repairing G-quadruplex DNA structures, which can impede DNA repair mechanisms. The discovery sheds light on potential therapeutic options for cancer treatment and could improve patient outcomes.

Modeling the microbiome

Researchers analyzed the interactions between five core species of bacteria found in the fly gut, revealing a nuanced tradeoff between lifespan and fecundity. The study suggests that the presence or absence of individual species influences the host's fitness, and that the microbiome's influence cannot be solely attributed to its parts.

Dirty air now could harm hearts of offspring later

Researchers at Ohio State University found that mice exposed to polluted air before conception had heart problems and impaired function in their offspring. The study suggests that pollution-related cardiovascular disease may start even before conception.

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Whole-brain imaging of mice during behavior

Researchers developed high-resolution functional ultrasound imaging to study brain activity in awake and behaving mice. They found that out of 181 consistently identified brain regions, 87 were modulated during the optokinetic reflex, a stabilizing eye movement response.

Molecular adlayer produced by dissolving water-insoluble nanographene in water

Researchers from Kumamoto University and Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a method to dissolve water-insoluble nanographene in water using molecular containers. The method successfully produced a highly ordered 2D molecular adlayer on a gold substrate, revealing its potential for next-generation functional nanomaterials.

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Study examines effects of different opioids on driving performance

A recent study found that opioids like methadone and buprenorphine can impair cognitive tasks and increase sleepiness, with four participants stopping their tests due to drowsiness. The study's results indicate that patients should be informed about the potential driving impairment caused by these medications.

Researchers advance biomass transformation process

Scientists developed a strategy to transform 70% of carbon in ABE fermentation mixture to 4-heptanone with high selectivity using tin-doped ceria. The catalyst achieves excellent performance despite the presence of water, which is detrimental to most catalysts.

Breast cancer patients who take heart drug with trastuzumab have less heart damage

A recent study presented at EuroEcho-Imaging 2018 suggests that breast cancer patients who take the beta-blocker carvedilol together with trastuzumab have better-preserved left ventricular function compared to those who take trastuzumab alone. This may indicate that carvedilol can help prevent heart damage caused by trastuzumab treatment.

A new therapeutic target for metastatic and resistant prostate cancers

Researchers have identified NSD2 as a new vulnerability in aggressive, metastatic prostate cancers that have become resistant to hormonal therapies. The study suggests a combined therapeutic approach using an NSD2 inhibitor drug with conventional antiandrogenic drugs to re-sensitize resistant tumors.

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Sea invertebrate sheds light on evolution of human blood, immune systems

Researchers have found that Botryllus schlosseri, a marine invertebrate, has a blood-forming system with uncanny similarities to humans. This discovery may provide a way to improve immune function and find new tools for biological discovery. The study also reveals parallels between the blood systems in Botryllus and mammals.

Wind power vulnerable to climate change in India

A new study found that warming waters in the Indian Ocean are causing a decline in wind power potential in India, with western regions experiencing the steepest decrease. The research suggests that investing in wind turbines in areas with stronger monsoon winds can help minimize the impact of climate change.

People and plants: Working together for the planet

The new journal explores the unbreakable bond between people and plants, highlighting its impact on societies, cultures, and ecosystems. It aims to publish emerging plant science with societal relevance, covering six themes: plant conservation, genomics applications, diversity, global change, natural assets, and their interconnections.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

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Widespread decrease in wind energy resources found over the Northern Hemisphere

A new study reveals a significant decline in wind energy resources over the Northern Hemisphere, with 30-80% of stations losing wind power potential since 1979. Climate models are found to be inadequate in simulating long-term wind energy changes, underscoring the need for careful consideration when using GCM-based projections.

Rethinking the history related to indigenous sites in northeast North America

Scientists used radiocarbon dating to re-evaluate the history of key indigenous sites in Canada, finding that European trade goods were not reliable chronological markers. The study suggests that notable 'contact-era' events may need to be revaluated, as previously dated sites now date 50-100 years later than assumed.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

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Using graphene to detect ALS, other neurodegenerative diseases

Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago used graphene to identify cerebrospinal fluid from patients with ALS, multiple sclerosis, or no neurodegenerative disease. The study found unique changes in graphene's vibrational characteristics depending on the patient's condition.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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Extreme ethnic inequalities in the care system

Research reveals extreme ethnic inequalities in the care system, with disparities affecting children from minority ethnic groups. The study found that 'White British' children are ten times more likely to be in care than 'Asian Indian' children, and 'Black Caribbean' children are 20 times more likely.

Multifunctional dream ceramic matrix composites are born!

Researchers created AI2O3/Ti composites with improved fracture toughness, electrical conductivity, and photocatalytic ability through percolation structure and chemical treatment. The composites also showed machinability like metals and antibacterial properties.

Monitoring species: Are we looking long enough?

Conservation efforts rely heavily on estimates of animal populations, but monitoring periods are often short due to funding cycles and experimental time frames. Research by Easton R. White suggests that 72% of species require at least 10 years of continuous monitoring for high statistical power.

Arc welding fume is detrimental to human health

Researchers at Far Eastern Federal University found that arc welding produces toxic nanoparticles in the air, which can be inhaled through the respiratory system. The particles contain metal oxidation products, particularly those with diameters under 1 nanometer, and can translocate to the central nervous system.

Small molecules come into focus

Scientists at Harvard University and Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a new immunoassay technique that measures extremely low concentrations of small molecules using single-molecule detection. The method was tested on two important human body molecules, cortisol and PGE2, achieving up to 50 times greater sensitivity than conventi...

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Can rice filter water from ag fields?

Researchers have discovered that rice plants can be used to clean runoff from farms before it enters waterways, capturing pesticides and reducing their presence in rivers and streams. The study found that levels of three common pesticides dropped by as much as 97% in fields where rice was planted.

Reflecting antiferromagnetic arrangements

A team demonstrated an x-ray imaging technique that can image antiphase magnetic domains in antiferromagnets, a key step towards controlling their magnetic structure. This could lead to the development of smaller, faster, and more robust electronics using spintronics.