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Science News Archive December 2018 - Page 28


Page 28 of 33

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.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 5, 2018

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.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalBiomaterials·DateDec 5, 2018

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 5, 2018

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.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 5, 2018

CEASE program increases smoking cessation assistance provided to breastfeeding mothers

A new study by MassGeneral Hospital for Children finds that breastfeeding mothers are more likely to quit smoking when they have access to evidence-based assistance. The CEASE program, which trains pediatric office staff to screen and support smoking families, provides nicotine replacement prescriptions and referrals to state quitlines.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateDec 5, 2018

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.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateDec 5, 2018

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.

UC San Diego researchers develop sensors to detect and measure cancer's ability to spread

Researchers have engineered sensors to monitor multiple signaling pathways driving tumor metastasis, enabling the prediction of a tumor cell's potential to spread. The development of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) biosensors has the potential to transform cancer cell biology and inform personalized treatment strategies.

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.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·JournalChildren and Youth Services Review·DateDec 5, 2018

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...

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 5, 2018

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.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateDec 5, 2018