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Science News Archive December 2018 - Page 23


Page 23 of 33

Proteins for making tough rubber

Researchers at Sichuan University developed a synthetic analogue to vulcanized natural rubber by attaching short protein chains to the polymer backbone. This results in a self-reinforcing effect under strain, making the material tougher and more recyclable. The new rubber's properties closely resemble those of vulcanized natural rubber.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 10, 2018

Geomagnetic record of South Atlantic Anomaly

Researchers report a high-resolution geomagnetic field record spanning 1,500 years from Brazilian caves, indicating recurrent periods of rapid directional change consistent with westward migration and expansion of reversed flux patches. The study provides insights into the core-mantle boundary dynamics and Earth's magnetic field evolut...

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 10, 2018

Frog sex in the city

Male tungara frogs in urban environments produce more complex and conspicuous calls to attract females, which are preferred over those of forest frogs. This adaptation suggests that urbanization drives changes in sexual signaling to improve mating success.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateDec 10, 2018

Smelling the forest not the trees: Why animals are better at sniffing complex smells

A recent study by University of Sussex researchers found that animals are more adept at detecting complex mixed odorants than individual pure ingredients. This discovery has significant implications for the development of artificial systems that can mimic animal senses, such as detecting drugs and explosives or improving food safety th...

SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateDec 10, 2018

How does cancer spread?

Researchers at McGill University Health Centre found a gene called EGFRvIII that changes the content of messages exchanged between cells, leading to aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma. This discovery holds promise for developing tests and tailored treatments for patients with glioblastoma.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalMolecular & Cellular Proteomics·DateDec 10, 2018

Editing consciousness: How bereaved people control their thoughts without knowing it

A study by Columbia engineers and psychiatrists reveals that avoidant grievers unconsciously monitor and block their mental state to prevent painful thoughts. The researchers used neural decoding to track the interactions between mental processes, showing that this control occurs outside of conscious awareness.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateDec 10, 2018

Journalists can restore media trust

A first-of-its-kind study from LSU shows that journalists can increase media trust by defending their profession while also doing more fact checking. The combination of these two actions had positive effects on mainstream news use and confidence in facts in politics, but fact checking alone did not.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 10, 2018

Making cities smarter

The convergence of cyber and physical infrastructure enables better decision-making and efficient resource use in smart cities. Chengshan Xiao, Professor at Lehigh University, is exploring novel hybrid precoding designs to reduce cost, complexity, and power consumption in next-generation wireless networks.

How will the winds of climate change affect migratory birds?

A new study from Cornell University suggests that climate change could have both positive and negative impacts on migratory birds. The research estimates how wind assistance is expected to change during this century under global climate change, with stronger winds from the south expected in spring and fall migration periods.

SourceCornell University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateDec 10, 2018

Small but versatile

New research reveals that marine ammonia oxidizing archaea can use cyanate and urea as alternative energy sources, enhancing their metabolic capabilities. This discovery sheds light on the remarkable adaptability of these microorganisms, which play a key role in the marine nitrogen cycle.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Microbiology·DateDec 10, 2018

Addressing sleep disorders after traumatic brain injury

Scientists review interplay between sleep and TBI to improve diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Early treatment is crucial for optimal cognitive recovery, and non-pharmacologic interventions like regular bedtime routines and sleep-conducive environments can help.

SourceIOS Press·JournalNeuroRehabilitation An International Interdisciplinary Journal·DateDec 10, 2018

Regrowing damaged nerves hinges on shutting down key genes

Researchers identified a suite of genes that must be turned off for axons to regenerate in peripheral nerves after injury. To regrow, neurons must transition back to an immature state and re-engage developmental programs. The study provides evidence for the idea that cells must become less mature to regenerate.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 10, 2018

DNA find

A QUT-led collaboration reveals the banded hare-wallaby is the closest living relative of the giant short-faced kangaroos. The study combined DNA evidence with fossil and anatomical data to trace body size change over millions of years.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalSystematic Biology·DateDec 9, 2018

Molecular insights into spider silk

Researchers from the University of Würzburg have provided new insights into the molecular-level structural details responsible for spider silk's exceptional strength, extensibility, and biodegradability. The study suggests that a molecular clamp connecting protein building blocks contributes to the material's flexibility.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 7, 2018

News about a plant hormone

Scientists have found that jasmonic acid triggers the quick closure of stomata, a crucial mechanism for plants to conserve water during drought stress. The discovery also reveals a molecular crosstalk between jasmonic acid and abscisic acid, two key plant hormones involved in regulating stomatal conductance.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateDec 7, 2018

Harnessing the power of 'spin orbit' coupling in silicon: Scaling up quantum computation

Researchers have discovered a new way to manipulate spin-orbit coupling in silicon to create compact and efficient qubits for large-scale quantum computing. This breakthrough enables fast read-out of the spin state of just two boron atoms in an extremely compact circuit, hosting all devices in a commercial transistor.

Elucidating protein-protein interactions & designing small molecule inhibitors

Researchers have developed computational methods to predict and design small molecule inhibitors that can disrupt protein-protein interactions, a critical property of cell sustenance. The study provides insights into the challenges faced by researchers investigating protein-protein interactions through computational methods.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Topics in Medicinal Chemistry·DateDec 7, 2018

A new 'spin' on kagome lattices

A recent study reveals that Fe3Sn2 exhibits nematic electronic state and giant magnetization-driven energy shift, shedding new light on the presence of spin-orbit coupling in kagome lattices. The research also shows that the material can be manipulated to change its electron energy structure through tuning the magnetic field.

SourceBoston College·JournalNature·DateDec 7, 2018

Being yelled at: Our brain on alert in a flash

A recent study by researchers at the University of Geneva found that our brains quickly differentiate between angry and happy voices, with a faster response time to perceived threats. This enhanced auditory attention enables us to detect potential dangers more effectively, leading to improved survival behavior.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateDec 7, 2018