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Science News Archive March 2018 - Page 20


Page 20 of 41

Elusive venomous mammal joins the genome club

The Hispaniolan solenodon's genome sequence reveals it survived the dinosaurs and provides crucial insights for conservation. The data supports subspecies split within the population, requiring independent breeding strategies to ensure their survival.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·DateMar 16, 2018

Plasmons triggered in nanotube quantum wells

Scientists at Rice University and Tokyo Metropolitan University developed a novel way to manipulate light at the quantum scale by using single-walled carbon nanotubes as plasmonic quantum confinement fields. The discovery could lead to the development of unique lasers and other optoelectronic devices.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 16, 2018

Colorado cannabis workers are happy, but need better safety training

A study by Colorado State University researchers found that cannabis industry workers in Colorado are generally job-secure and valued safety, but lack formal training and face hazards such as ergonomic concerns and slips, trips, and falls. The industry needs to establish best practices and guidelines to improve worker health and safety.

SourceColorado State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine·DateMar 16, 2018

Soil fungi may help determine the resilience of forests to environmental change

A recent study found that soil fungi can impact the ability of forests to adapt to climate change. Soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratios increase with ECM dominance and are more associated with low soil nitrogen levels. This suggests that mycorrhizal guilds may be emerging functional traits that define species in terms of their ecological roles.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalJournal of Ecology·DateMar 16, 2018

BU: Brazil yellow fever outbreak necessitates vaccines

A yellow fever outbreak in Brazil highlights the need for tourists to get vaccinated before visiting affected areas, with the risk of severe illness and death being up to 60% among those who contract the disease. The Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccine is currently unavailable in the US due to manufacturing difficulties.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalMMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report·DateMar 16, 2018

Signaling pathways to the nucleus

The University of Freiburg team found that auxin-mimicking molecules accumulate primarily in the endoplasmic reticulum before entering the nucleus, regulating gene expression. This signaling pathway helps control various plant processes, including development and responses to environmental changes.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 16, 2018

Which skills will help patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Patients with OCD suffer from a severe reduction in quality of life due to the maladaptive strategies they use. The study suggests that teaching children skills such as coping with bullying and emotional turmoil through cognitive training may help improve their daily lives and prevent mental health disorders.

SourceSpringer·JournalCognitive Therapy and Research·DateMar 16, 2018

The view from inside supersonic combustion

Researchers used numerical modeling to study the dynamics of supersonic flow, revealing two induced combustion modes and a local quasi detonation mode due to incident shock waves. The simulations provide valuable insights for scramjet engine design, enabling the optimization of mixing and combustion processes.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateMar 15, 2018

A small protein with many applications

Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a llama-antibody, or nanobody, that can prevent the cleavage of the C3 protein, which plays a crucial role in the innate immune system. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for kidney diseases and conditions where the immune system is overactive.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMar 15, 2018

Faulty cellular membrane 'mix' linked to Parkinson's disease

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have uncovered a link between a genetic mutation in the GBA1 gene and the formation of fatty plaques in the brain that contribute to Parkinson's disease. The study found that changes in the mixture of fatty molecules cause protein pieces to stick together, forming 'dead zones' in the brain.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 15, 2018

Scientists map the portal to the cell's nucleus

Researchers at Rockefeller University have mapped the architecture of the nuclear pore complex in yeast cells, revealing a massive cylindrical configuration with flexible components. The study provides insights into cell transport and may aid efforts to understand and treat diseases linked to defects in the pore complex.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature·DateMar 15, 2018