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Science News Archive March 2018 - Page 28


Page 28 of 41

Why is it so hot at night in some cities?

Urban heat islands are caused by cities trapping more heat than surrounding areas due to their structure, affecting energy consumption and air quality. Researchers studied 50 cities and found that well-organized cities with straight streets retain more heat at night, leading to increased energy bills in hot climates.

SourceCNRS·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 12, 2018

iPad app that allows patients to order tests doubles colon cancer screening rates in study

A new iPad app that educates patients about different options for colon cancer screening and allows them to order their preferred test has been shown to significantly increase screening rates. In a randomized controlled trial, patients who used the app were twice as likely to undergo screening compared to those in the usual care group.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 12, 2018

Benefits of Bt corn

The widespread adoption of Bt field corn led to significant reductions in European corn borer and corn earworm infestations. This resulted in lower recommended insecticide sprays, total insecticides applied, and crop damages on pepper, green bean, and sweet corn crops.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 12, 2018

A new solution for chronic pain

Researchers uncover mechanism behind neuropathic pain and develop innovative treatment blocking FLT3 molecule. The treatment shows immediate and long-lasting therapeutic effects in animal subjects, reducing hyperalgesia and allodynia.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 12, 2018

Would you pay for an Ebola vaccine? Most say yes

A majority of US adults (59.7%) would pay at least $1 for an Ebola vaccine, according to a national survey conducted during the 2014-2016 West African outbreak. Participants who had traveled internationally and were interested in getting vaccinated were more likely to be willing to pay.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalHuman Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics·DateMar 12, 2018

Study yields more than a million new cyclic compounds, some with pharmaceutical potential

Scientists have generated a vast library of unique cyclic compounds that can bind to their targets with stability and effectiveness. The new compounds have the capacity to interrupt specific protein-protein interactions that play a role in disease, offering potential therapeutic agents for various conditions.

Smoking heightens risk of psychoses

A recent study by the Academy of Finland found that daily and heavy smoking are independently linked to a higher risk of psychoses. Smoking begun at an early age was a particularly significant risk factor, with prevention of adolescent smoking likely to have positive effects on mental health in later life.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica·DateMar 12, 2018

Painting a clear picture of how nitrogen oxides are formed

A team of researchers from the US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory has developed a comprehensive model for nitrogen oxide formation in combustion. The study reveals that temperature and fuel mixture richness significantly impact NOx production, providing valuable insights for engine companies seeking to reduce emissions.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalProgress in Energy and Combustion Science·DateMar 12, 2018

Stroke research: 32 hits

A new study has identified 22 new genetic risk factors for stroke, providing extensive insight into the biology and pathways leading to the disease. The results demonstrate shared genetic influences with multiple related vascular conditions, including blood pressure and coronary artery disease.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Genetics·DateMar 12, 2018

Taking the jab (and the chill) out of vaccination

A team of researchers from James Cook University and Cardiff University have created a fully synthetic flu vaccine that protects mice from swine flu and works on human cells in the laboratory. The vaccine is hyper-stable, meaning it can survive stomach acid and human blood, making it suitable for oral administration.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 12, 2018

Socioeconomic status may affect survival of patients with anal cancer

A study published in CANCER found that living in low-income areas increases the risk of early death among patients with anal cancer. The researchers analyzed data from 9,550 patients and found that those in lower income areas had worse overall survival and cancer-specific survival compared to those in higher income areas.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateMar 12, 2018

Brown adipose tissue made transparent

Researchers have developed a new non-invasive method to measure the metabolic activity of brown adipose tissue, making it easier to verify its heat generation. The method uses multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) to visualize changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin, allowing scientists to study its effects on energy b...

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMar 12, 2018

Humans behind majority of raptor deaths in Ontario, study finds

A University of Guelph study found that human encroachment is the leading cause of death among Ontario's at-risk birds of prey, with trauma and starvation being the top causes. The study analyzed over 1,500 bird deaths from 1991 to 2014 and highlighted the need for public awareness and habitat preservation to protect raptor populations.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalJournal of Wildlife Diseases·DateMar 12, 2018

Study finds that genes play a role in empathy

A new study found that genetics contribute to individual differences in empathy, with genetic variants associated with lower empathy linked to higher autism risk. Women are also more empathetic than men, but this difference is not due to DNA, suggesting non-genetic factors at play.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateMar 11, 2018

Beta blocker shows mixed results in protecting against chemo-induced heart damage

A study found that women with breast cancer who took the beta blocker carvedilol during chemotherapy had lower levels of a protein indicative of heart injury, but no difference in heart function. The study's lead author notes that further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore potential benefits for higher-risk patients.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 11, 2018