Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive December 2018 - Page 9


Page 9 of 33

Intellectual curiosity and confidence help children take on math and reading

A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that openness-related traits like curiosity and confidence are linked to better performance in math and reading. Executive functioning was also strongly associated with academic skills, influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateDec 19, 2018

Edging closer to personalized medicine for patients with irregular heartbeat

A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis has made a significant step towards precision medicine for patients with Long QT Syndrome Type 3, a life-threatening form of irregular heartbeat. By analyzing genetic variation and the nanoscale interaction of a commonly used drug treatment, they determined which patients woul...

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalCirculation Research·DateDec 19, 2018

Plastic waste disintegrates into nanoparticles, study finds

A new study from Lund University investigates the degradation of plastic waste, finding that it can break down into nanoplastics under mechanical stress. The researchers warn that this could lead to adverse consequences for animals and humans, as nanoplastic particles are extremely small and can be ingested by living organisms.

SourceLund University·JournalNanoscale Advances·DateDec 19, 2018

Lung transplant patients face elevated lung cancer risk

A large registry-linkage study found a 13-fold increased risk of lung cancer in single lung transplant recipients' native lungs compared to the general population. Longtime since transplantation and prior smoking are associated with higher lung cancer risk.

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateDec 19, 2018

Convincing Chinese smokers to kick the habit -- by text

A 12-week-long mobile phone-based intervention encouraging Chinese smokers to quit resulted in a 6.5% success rate, significantly higher than control group rates. Researchers suggest this approach could improve population health and be considered for large-scale use in China.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 18, 2018

Explaining differences in rates of evolution

A team of ETH Zurich researchers has found a way to harmonize conflicting results from fossil-based and phylogenetic analysis of species emergence and extinction. By considering different mechanisms of speciation, such as budding, cladogenesis, and anagenesis, they have developed a computer model that accounts for these assumptions, pr...

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 18, 2018

Greener days ahead for carbon fuels

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a copper catalyst that can efficiently convert carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals and fuels without wasteful byproducts. This breakthrough could enable the production of renewable fuels, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Catalysis·DateDec 18, 2018

Deciphering infanticide

Research by Harvard University's Catherine Dulac reveals that male mice engage in infanticide due to a combination of sensory cues, including the shape of pups and specific pheromone signals. These signals allow males to identify newborn infants and recognize their need for nurturing versus protection from attack.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCell·DateDec 18, 2018

Mystery of coronae around supermassive black holes deepens

Researchers from RIKEN and JAXA use ALMA radio observatory to measure magnetic field strengths near two supermassive black holes. The findings reveal that the magnetic fields are insufficient to heat coronae to one billion degrees Celsius, contradicting previous assumptions.

SourceRIKEN·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateDec 18, 2018

Internet-based interventions can help reduce problem drinking

A meta-analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials found that Internet-based interventions significantly reduced mean weekly alcohol consumption and improved adherence to low-risk drinking limits. Older adults and those with lower education levels showed greater treatment response, while human-guided interventions had a stronger impact...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 18, 2018

Mindfulness training may help support weight loss

Researchers found that participants who completed mindfulness training lost an average of 3 kilograms more than those who did not attend the course. The study suggests that mindfulness techniques can help improve eating behavior and facilitate successful weight loss in individuals with obesity.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateDec 18, 2018