Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive July 2018 - Page 35


Page 35 of 38

Spearfishing makes fishes more timid

Researchers found that fish adjust their escape behavior and keep a safe distance outside the shooting range when a speargun is present. The level of timidity varies depending on the size of the fish, type of diver, and location within protected areas.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalICES Journal of Marine Science·DateJul 3, 2018

Personality pressure

A new study by Harvard University researchers suggests that natural selection can favor different personality types in lizards, affecting their behavior and survival. In the experiment, bold lizards were found to survive longer when predators were present, but their mortality increased when predators were absent.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 2018

Scientists identify mechanism that may explain why males are more at risk than females for neurodevelopmental disorders

Researchers have identified O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) as a key molecule responsible for the sex-specific patterns of gene expression. High levels of H3K27me3 in the female placenta produce resilience to stress, which may explain why females are less susceptible to neurodevelopmental disorders than males.

SourceUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 3, 2018

When oil and water mix

A new paper by Daniel J. Soeder and Douglas B. Kent summarizes the environmental impacts of shale development, providing a balanced understanding of fracking's merits and demerits. The study addresses various potential impacts of fracking, offering insights for non-geoscientists and experts alike.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGSA Today·DateJul 3, 2018

Feeling young could mean your brain is aging more slowly

Researchers found that elderly people who feel younger than their age show fewer signs of brain aging and have increased gray matter volume in key brain regions. This suggests that caring for brain health may be important for those who feel older than their age.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience·DateJul 3, 2018

The impact of the sugar tax in Chile: A bittersweet success?

A new study reveals that Chile's sugar tax led to a significant decrease in the purchase volume of sugary soft drinks, particularly among high socioeconomic groups. However, the reduction was statistically insignificant for low-income groups, suggesting that further evaluations are needed to address socioeconomic inequalities.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJul 3, 2018

Testosterone increases men's preference for status goods

A study published in Nature Communications found that testosterone increases men's preference for luxury products associated with high social status, rather than power or quality. The research team tested 243 male participants and found a causal link between testosterone levels and increased liking for status-enhancing goods.

SourceINSEAD·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 3, 2018

UTA urban researcher shows impact of urban sprawl on life expectancy, innovation hubs

A recent study by University of Texas at Arlington researcher Shima Hamidi finds a correlation between urban sprawl and decreased life expectancy in the US. The study suggests that changes in urban planning and building practices can help improve quality-of-life issues, including life expectancy and economic mobility.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJul 3, 2018

Self-healing seed pods

Researchers discovered a self-sealing mechanism in the seed pods of Banksia plants, where special waxes melt at 45-55°C to seal small cracks. This adaptation protects seeds from environmental challenges, such as moisture and pathogens, and may have potential applications for dimensionally stable wood.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJul 3, 2018

Creating room to breathe on the microscale

A new microfluidics technique has been developed to construct microchannels with efficient gas exchange, potentially delivering nearly a third of the oxygen needed by preterm newborns. The design uses both sides of the membrane for gas exchange and is more effective than previous single-sided counterparts.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateJul 3, 2018

3D printing achieves more accurate and precise physical models from patient imaging data

Researchers developed a rapid method for creating highly detailed physical models directly from volumetric data stacks, overcoming current limitations in 3D data processing workflows. The new approach enables accurate anatomical details to be replicated in 3D-printed models, improving diagnostics and presurgical planning.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·Journal3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing·DateJul 3, 2018

Study finds new genomic regions associated to weight gain in Nelore cattle

A Brazilian research project has identified six genomic regions linked to weight gain in Nelore cattle, a breed adapted to tropical climates. The study, led by Diercles Cardoso, used DNA analysis to pinpoint genes associated with growth and weight gain, offering potential for improvement of the breed's food efficiency.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalGenetics Selection Evolution·DateJul 3, 2018

A novel switch to control genome editing

Researchers at University of Bath and Cardiff University have developed a novel switch to control genome editing, enabling reliable protein expression on demand. The switch uses a cheap, non-toxic amino acid as the control mechanism, addressing concerns over antibiotic resistance and 'leakiness'.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 3, 2018