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Science News Archive February 2018 - Page 29


Page 29 of 36

Back pain is common in highly active older adults

Back pain is common in highly active older adults, impacting nearly half of well-functioning individuals. The condition was linked to less efficient walking and poorer endurance, which can lead to mobility issues. Better back pain management may help maintain independence and prevent future loss of mobility.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateFeb 7, 2018

Mathematics pushes innovation in 4-D printing

Researchers developed a mathematical approach to predict crease formation in soft solids, enabling on-demand control of adaptive surface morphology. This breakthrough enables the design and fabrication of morphable materials for stretchable electronics, self-foldable machines, and lab-on-a-chip devices.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 7, 2018

The big burn

Researchers found evidence of extensive biomass burning at the Younger Dryas Boundary, coinciding with a cometary cloud impact that triggered an 'impact winter', causing widespread extinctions. The study suggests that this event may have contributed to the collapse of the Clovis people and the extinction of megafauna.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalThe Journal of Geology·DateFeb 7, 2018

Yoga benefits patients with metabolic syndrome

A recent study found that yoga exercise decreases pro-inflammatory adipokines and increases an anti-inflammatory adipokine in adults with metabolic syndrome. This suggests that regular exercise, such as yoga, can help manage aspects of the condition by reducing chronic inflammation.

SourceWiley·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateFeb 7, 2018

Polluted air may pollute our morality

A study published in Psychological Science found that exposure to air pollution, whether physical or mental, is linked with transgressive behavior through increased levels of anxiety. Participants who imagined experiencing air pollution engaged in more unethical behavior than those who thought about clean environments.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 7, 2018

Freedom, not coercion

A recent study found that giving individuals a sense of freedom leads to increased feelings of responsibility. The research, involving Russian and American participants, showed that autonomy is a basic human need and that people are more likely to take responsibility when they have the freedom to choose their actions.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalJournal of Research in Personality·DateFeb 7, 2018

Case for assisted dying 'stronger than ever' says The BMJ

Most UK doctors (79%) and 80% of the public support legislation for assisted dying. A series of articles explores the debate around assisted dying, with personal accounts and expert opinions. The proposed legislation aims to provide safeguards for terminally ill patients who want to end their lives.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 7, 2018

Can interrupting a cell's power source after injury protect against post-traumatic osteoarthritis?

Researchers use a compound called amobarbital to protect joints from cartilage loss after injury, showing promise in preventing post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The study's findings suggest that targeting mitochondria after joint fractures could substantially improve quality of life for PTOA patients.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 7, 2018

Fast-spinning spheres show nanoscale systems' secrets

The Rice lab demonstrates energetic properties of colloids in spinning magnetic fields, gathering into disorganized aggregated clusters and then forming crystal-like regimes as the field strength increases. The researchers explore ways to model novel two-dimensional materials like tunable catalysts or colloids with changing surface areas.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 7, 2018

A pair of RNA scissors with many functions

Scientists at the University of Freiburg discovered RNase E as a crucial enzyme in CRISPR/Cas systems, enabling correct gene expression and immune defense. The findings suggest stronger interaction between CRISPR/Cas systems and host organisms, increasing potential for its applications.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Microbiology·DateFeb 7, 2018