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Science News Archive January 2018 - Page 30


Page 30 of 37

For city kids with asthma, telemedicine and in-school care cut ER visits in half

New research from the University of Rochester Medical Center shows that children with asthma who received a combination of telemedicine support and school-based medication therapy were almost half as likely to need an emergency room or hospital visit. The program, which expanded on previous research, demonstrated its effectiveness in r...

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateJan 9, 2018

Advances in Atmospheric Science launches special issue on cloud studies

A new special issue of Advances in Atmospheric Science explores the effects of aerosols on climate, with studies focusing on aerosol-cloud interactions, cloud-base height, and fine aerosol particles. The research aims to improve weather forecasting and climate models, shedding light on a crucial topic despite years of inquiry.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateJan 9, 2018

The biennial rainfall relationship in the tropical western hemisphere has weakened in recent decades

A recent study found that the biennial rainfall relationship between Central America and equatorial South America has weakened remarkably since 2000. This weakening is attributed to changes in El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and tropical North Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) patterns.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateJan 9, 2018

How quickly can children learn routes?

A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology found that children aged 8-12 can learn routes quickly and efficiently with minimal repeated experience. The research suggests that young children's brains are capable of learning complex spatial information, even with a large number of turns.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·DateJan 9, 2018

Human antibodies manufactured in cattle for treatment of MERS are found safe in first phase 1 study

Human antibodies manufactured from transchromosomic cattle have been found safe in healthy volunteers, suggesting a potential novel technique for rapidly producing antibodies for passive immunotherapy against emerging infectious diseases like MERS. The treatment, SAB-301, was well-tolerated and showed promise in countering the virus.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJan 9, 2018

The bright side of an infectious protein

Researchers discovered that a yeast protein's prion domain acts like a stress sensor, triggering the formation of protective droplets and gels to help cells recover from stress. This finding suggests that prion domains have a positive function beyond their association with disease-causing aggregates.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateJan 9, 2018

Controlling superconductivity using spin currents

A KAIST research team used electron microscopy and scanning tunneling microscope to study the connection between magnetism and superconductivity. They found that low-energy spin fluctuations cannot mediate pairing between electrons, a critical step for superconductivity. This breakthrough enables the development of novel antiferromagne...

Hereditary facial features could be strongly influenced by a single gene variant

A single gene variant can have a significant impact on human facial features, according to a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The research found three genetic variants tied to specific facial characteristics, including those related to steroid biosynthesis and mucolipidosis type IV.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 9, 2018

'Hide or get eaten,' urine chemicals tell mud crabs

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have identified two urinary chemicals, trigonelline and homarine, that trigger a warning response in mud crabs when exposed to blue crab urine. This finding has implications for understanding ecological balances in marine ecosystems and informing better management of fisheries.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2018

Camelina oil improves blood lipid profile

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that camelina oil reduces overall and LDL cholesterol levels in individuals with impaired glucose metabolism. Camelina oil, rich in alpha-linolenic acid, showed a positive effect on blood cholesterol levels but had no similar effects for fatty or lean fish.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalMolecular Nutrition & Food Research·DateJan 8, 2018

ACA Medicaid expansion resulted in fewer hospital closures, especially in rural areas

The ACA Medicaid expansion was positively associated with improved hospital performance and a reduced likelihood of hospital closure, particularly in rural markets. This is due to increased access to healthcare for previously uninsured adults, resulting in better health outcomes and less need for emergency care from hospitals.

Air pollution alerts without enforceable actions may be inadequate in protecting public health

A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that air quality alert programs, like Toronto's, had limited effects on protecting public health. However, the authors suggest that collective and enforceable actions, such as improved urban planning and emission control, may be more effective in reducing health risks from air poll...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·DateJan 8, 2018