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Science News Archive March 2018


Page 1 of 41

Stanford researchers probe the complex nature of concussion

Researchers found that concussions occur when a deep area of the brain shakes rapidly and intensely, straining surrounding tissues. The study's findings suggest a complex relationship between head impacts and brain motion, highlighting the need for further research to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of concussions.

SourceStanford University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 30, 2018

Adult-onset neurodegeneration has roots in early development

A study published in Journal of Clinical Investigation found that adult-onset progressive degenerative diseases have their roots in early developmental defects. Researchers used a mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 and discovered altered neural circuitry in the cerebellum, which sets the stage for later disease vulnerability.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 30, 2018

Calculating the impacts of natural events on wildlife

Researchers developed a new approach to measure the impact of natural disasters on wildlife populations, finding that frequent intense events exert strong selection pressures on species. The study suggests that the 2011 tsunami had a relatively small impact on organisms living in Japan's intertidal zone, comparable to a Pacific storm.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 30, 2018

Cracking eggshell nanostructure

Researchers at McGill University have discovered a unique nanostructure in chicken eggshells that contributes to their strength and fragility. The findings, published in Science Advances, could lead to improved food safety by enabling the selection of genetic traits in laying hens that produce consistently stronger eggs.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 30, 2018

Butterflies of the soul

Researchers have detailed for the first time how interneurons emerge and diversify in the brain, tracing their lineage from earliest precursor states to mature forms in mice. The study identified key genetic programs that determine the fate of developing interneurons, shedding light on their functions and potential treatment strategies.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateMar 30, 2018

Is there life adrift in the clouds of Venus?

Researchers propose that Venus' cloudy atmosphere could be a niche for extraterrestrial microbial life due to its highly acidic conditions and presence of sulfuric acid. The atmosphere's unique properties, such as the dark patches composed of concentrated sulfuric acid, have sparked interest in exploring this possibility.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalAstrobiology·DateMar 30, 2018

What stops mass extinctions?

Researchers found that frogs surviving the chytridiomycosis epidemic developed stronger defenses against the fungus, inhibiting its growth. However, captive breeding programs face challenges in replicating these findings, highlighting the need for further research on disease dynamics and host resistance.

Polymers that mimic chameleon skin

Researchers have developed a biocompatible synthetic material that replicates tissue mechanics and alters color when it changes shape, like chameleon skin. The material is composed of a unique triblock copolymer with carefully selected structural parameters, exhibiting flexibility, strain profile, and optical properties.

SourceCNRS·JournalScience·DateMar 29, 2018

Flipping lipids for cell transport-tubules

Researchers developed a process to observe lipid-flipping enzymes' activity in conjunction with membrane deformation. They found that ATP10A enzyme flips phosphatidylcholine lipids, causing curvature changes that trigger tubule formation, enhancing endocytosis and membrane dynamics.

SourceKyoto University·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateMar 29, 2018

The limits of friction

A team of physicists from Konstanz and Italy successfully suppressed static friction between two surfaces using a colloidal monolayer. This allows for the use of extremely small forces to move objects, greatly improving efficiency in micro- and nanomechanical systems.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMar 29, 2018

Slow, steady waves keep brain humming

New study reveals that ultra-slow waves are not just noise in the brain, but a fundamental process that coordinates complex brain activity. The waves enhance electrical activity in areas and persist even under anesthesia, suggesting they may be linked to consciousness.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNeuron·DateMar 29, 2018

Making a leap from high-ability high school to college of lesser academic status can be a real downer

Undermatching students from high school to college show significant depression symptoms, highlighting the impact of school ability transitions on mental well-being. Researchers found that downward transitions are linked to depression at levels similar to background factors, suggesting a need for counselors to consider school environmen...

SourceBaylor University·JournalYouth & Society·DateMar 29, 2018