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Science News Archive February 2018 - Page 26


Page 26 of 36

Blood sodium levels may affect cognition in older adults

A new study found that lower sodium levels in the blood, known as hyponatremia, are related to declines in cognitive function with advancing age. Slightly lower serum sodium levels were associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment and decline over time, while high serum sodium was also linked to cognitive decline.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 8, 2018

Human antibodies undermine parasite sex

Researchers have discovered that human antibodies can prevent malaria spread by destroying parasites in mosquitoes and preventing fertilization. This finding holds promise for developing a vaccine to halt the disease's transmission, which could significantly reduce global malaria burden.

SourceRadboud University Nijmegen·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 8, 2018

Rapid land changes forecast for East African savannahs

A 5000-year study of Amboseli National Park in Kenya reveals rapid environmental changes caused by human activities, including the arrival of Massai people and the ivory trade. The findings highlight the need to manage national park boundaries more strictly to keep pace with climate change.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalKungl Svenska vetenskapsakademiens handlingar·DateFeb 8, 2018

Smart Thermometer improves flu forecasting

Researchers found that de-identified smart thermometer data was highly correlated with traditional public health surveillance systems, improving flu forecasting by up to four weeks. The data also revealed age-group specific incidence and estimated the duration of fevers during flu season.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 8, 2018

Are you rocky or are you gassy?

Astronomers have discovered a trio of super-Earths around the star GJ 9827, with two of them having radii between 1.7 times and 2.5 times that of Earth, sparking debate about their composition. The study's findings provide insight into how these planets form and evolve, with implications for the search for life beyond our Solar System.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateFeb 8, 2018

Timing is everything, to our genes

A Salk Institute study has discovered that nearly 80 percent of genes exhibit daily fluctuations, with the most rhythmic genes peaking in early morning and late afternoon. This finding has significant implications for understanding circadian disruption's impact on diseases such as depression and heart disease.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateFeb 8, 2018

FSU researchers: Savanna fires pump Central African forests full of nitrogen

Researchers have discovered a new role for large-scale fires and high nitrogen deposition in the ecology and biogeochemistry of Central African forests. The findings suggest that massive tracts of biomass from savannas are swept up into the atmosphere and deposited on the forests, stimulating growth in certain species.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 8, 2018

Researchers help robots think and plan in the abstract

Scientists at Brown University have created a way for robots to learn high-level abstract representations of their surroundings, enabling them to plan and act more autonomously. By using machine learning algorithms, robots can distill complex sensory data into simple, text-based descriptions that facilitate planning and skill execution.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Artificial Intelligence Research·DateFeb 8, 2018

Stroke risk factors unique to women identified

Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified unique stroke risk factors in women, including early age of menarche, low levels of dehydroepiandrosterone hormone, and oral estrogen use. The study emphasizes the need for clinicians to consider these factors, particularly in women with a history of pregnancy complications.

First 3-D imaging of excited quantum dots

A US research team has successfully imaged excited quantum dots at multiple orientations using a new technique called single molecule absorption scanning tunneling microscopy (SMA-STM). This allows for the visualization of defects in quantum dots, which can be characterized and precisely controlled to improve their performance.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateFeb 8, 2018