Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive July 2018 - Page 24


Page 24 of 38

In search of dark matter

A team of scientists, including a UC Riverside physicist, has imposed conditions on how dark matter interacts with ordinary matter. The study sets constraints that can aid in detecting the elusive dark matter particle and better understand its fundamental properties.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 12, 2018

Quantum dot white LEDs achieve record efficiency

Researchers have developed nanomaterial-based white LEDs with a record luminous efficiency of 105 lumens per watt, promising a promising energy-efficient lighting source for homes and offices. The new LEDs use commercially available blue LEDs combined with flexible lenses filled with quantum dots to create white light.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateJul 12, 2018

The more you smoke, the greater your risk of a heart rhythm disorder

A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found a strong dose-response relationship between smoking and atrial fibrillation. Smoking five to ten cigarettes per day increased the risk by 9% to 32%, respectively. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce this risk, with former smokers experiencing a lower risk th...

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateJul 12, 2018

Controlling the manufacture of stable aerogels

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new approach to create soft, porous materials with controlled porosity. By controlling the self-assembly of molecules, they were able to form an ultralight aerogel with permanent porosity, opening up potential applications in building insulation, energy storage and aerospace technologies.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 12, 2018

Bioengineers create pathway to personalized medicine

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking method for producing complex proteins, known as glycoproteins, in a cell-free system. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize personalized medicine by allowing for rapid and sustainable production of tailored protein medicines. The new approach uses a simplified reaction scheme tha...

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 12, 2018

About half of parents use cell phones while driving with young children in the car

A new study from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that about half of parents talked on a cell phone while driving with their children between ages 4 and 10. The study also identified correlations between cell phone use and other risky driving behaviors, such as not wearing a seat belt or driving under the influence. Researcher...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJul 12, 2018

Ant soldiers don't need big brains

A study published in BMC Zoology found that ant soldiers have smaller brain sizes than workers despite being larger, as their tasks place less cognitive demand. This suggests that investment in brain development may be reduced for individuals with simpler behaviors.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Zoology·DateJul 12, 2018

Turbulence is good for the blood

A Kyoto University study reveals that turbulence enhances platelet generation in the blood, potentially resolving global shortages of these cells. The discovery could enable mass production of platelets using iPS cell technology.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCell·DateJul 12, 2018

IceCube neutrinos point to long-sought cosmic ray accelerator

The discovery provides evidence for a known blazar as a source of high-energy neutrinos detected by the National Science Foundation-supported IceCube observatory. The observations resolve a century-old mystery about what creates and launches cosmic rays, which are highly energetic particles that continuously rain down on Earth from space.

Guardian of the cell

Researchers identify structural and functional differences in human cGAS that set it apart from other mammals, enabling its unique immune-sensing capabilities. The discovery informs the design of precision cancer therapies by targeting the protein's specific structural features.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateJul 12, 2018

Citizen science supports tick-borne disease research

A nationwide investigation utilizing citizen science highlights the value of public participation in tick-borne disease research. The study found ticks capable of carrying Lyme and other diseases in 83 counties where they had not been previously recorded.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 12, 2018

A gene required for addictive behavior

A study published in EMBO Reports reveals that the Maged1 gene plays a key role in controlling addictive behavior. Researchers found that mice lacking the gene are unresponsive to cocaine and exhibit reduced dopamine release, indicating a promising new entry point for understanding drug addiction mechanisms.

SourceUniversité libre de Bruxelles·JournalEMBO Reports·DateJul 12, 2018

The secret life of lobster (trade): Could we be in hot water?

A recent study maps the global trade routes for lobster, revealing that a growing number of nations are acting as middlemen, making it difficult to trace seafood origins and anticipate market demand changes. The Asian market, particularly China, appears to be significantly larger than previously thought, putting Maine's industry at risk.

SourceUniversity of Maine·JournalFrontiers in Marine Science·DateJul 11, 2018

Cleaning out pollen shells (video)

Researchers at Texas Tech University have created a simple method to clean out pollen grains, making them suitable for carrying medicines or vaccines. The new technique works on various types of pollen and can be used to deliver drugs or vaccines efficiently.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering·DateJul 11, 2018

Eradicate rats to bolster coral reefs

New research highlights the critical impact of invasive rats on coral reef ecosystems, leading to severe ecological harm. Rat eradication is proposed as a high conservation priority to restore seabird-derived nutrient subsidies, benefiting terrestrial ecosystems and coral reefs.

SourceLancaster University·JournalNature·DateJul 11, 2018