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Science News Archive February 2018 - Page 20


Page 20 of 36

Milky Way ties with neighbor in galactic arms race

Researchers have discovered that the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies are roughly the same size, with Andromeda being 800 billion times heavier than the Sun. This finding challenges previous estimates of dark matter in the Andromeda galaxy and suggests that scientists may need to revise their understanding of the local group.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 14, 2018

Study: Rigorous hand hygiene-intervention practices can lower mortality, antibiotic prescription rates in nursing homes

A new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that implementing consistent hand hygiene measures in nursing homes can lead to lower mortality rates and reduced antibiotic prescriptions. The study assessed 26 French nursing homes and found a 30% lower mortality rate in the intervention group compared to the co...

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·DateFeb 14, 2018

Asthma linked to infertility but not among women taking regular asthma preventers

Women with asthma who use short-acting asthma relievers take longer to become pregnant than those without asthma, but using long-acting asthma preventers has no impact on fertility. The study of over 5,000 women in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland shows a significant difference between short-acting and long-acting treatments.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateFeb 14, 2018

The search for dark matter: Axions have ever fewer places to hide

A new analysis of ultracold neutron measurements imposes strict constraints on the interactions of axions with nucleons and gluons. Researchers discovered frequency changes in neutrons that could be indicative of an 'axion wind', suggesting a specific direction of movement for these hypothetical particles.

Hydrogen transfer: One thing after the other

Researchers used time-resolved spectroscopy to study the mechanism of light-dependent hydrogenation of protochlorophyllide. They found evidence of partially stepwise hydride transfer involving three discrete intermediates. This discovery sheds light on how light energy can be harnessed for chemical reactions.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 14, 2018

Most parents don't believe their child's BMI report card

A study found that 53% of parents questioned the accuracy of their child's BMI report card, leading to limited behavioral changes. Schools can support parents by providing resources and healthcare professional guidance to help improve children's health.

SourceSAGE·JournalHealth Promotion Practice·DateFeb 14, 2018

Remote jets are clearer now

Astrophysicists develop model to test hypothesis about supermassive black holes and their impact on galaxy jets. The study suggests that part of the jet's power comes from the rotating black hole, which loses angular momentum as it emits energy. By measuring magnetic fields in jets, scientists can estimate this rotational energy loss.

Dance of auroras

Researchers have made the first direct observation of electron scattering in auroras, revealing a previously unknown mechanism behind the colorful displays. The discovery was made using a specialized sensor on the ERG satellite and confirms that chorus waves are capable of exciting electrons to create pulsating auroras.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature·DateFeb 14, 2018

Cardiac macrophages found to contribute to a currently untreatable type of heart failure

A Massachusetts General Hospital team discovered that macrophages, immune cells known for removing debris, are actively involved in the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Elevated levels of inflammatory cardiac macrophages were found in both mouse models and human patients with HFpEF.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateFeb 14, 2018

Understanding how the body builds immunity, to build better influenza vaccines

Researchers analyzed blood samples from 35 healthy adults and found a marked increase in antibody-producing B cells and circulating T follicular helper cells after vaccination. The study's findings suggest that intranasal vaccination might be more effective than injections, with implications for ideal inoculation routes.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 14, 2018

Living human tracheas

Case Western Reserve University scientists have engineered natural windpipe replacement structures using patient cells and self-assembling modules. This approach overcomes challenges in current tissue-engineering methods, enabling the creation of functional living tracheas that can be implanted into patients with damaged airways.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateFeb 14, 2018

Neural networks everywhere

MIT researchers developed a special-purpose chip that increases the speed of neural-network computations while reducing power consumption. The chip can calculate dot products for multiple nodes in a single step, improving efficiency and making neural networks more practical for handheld devices.

Tiny membrane key to safe drinking water

CSIRO scientists have developed a new filtering technique using Graphair that can remove almost all contaminants from water in a single step. The breakthrough technology has the potential to provide clean drinking water for millions of people worldwide who currently lack access to safe drinking water.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 14, 2018

Turning background room temperature heat into energy

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba have developed a new kind of thermoelectric system that can harness small energy differences at low temperatures, producing an electrical energy of 2.3 meV per cycle. The device has shown promising prospects for large-scale heat energy recovery and could help industries become more efficient.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalApplied Physics Express·DateFeb 14, 2018