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Science News Archive March 2018 - Page 3


Page 3 of 41

Scientists penalized by motherhood

A study by Cornelia Lawson et al. reveals female scientists with young children receive less funding and citation rates compared to their male counterparts. The researchers highlight the need for support systems for women with childcare responsibilities.

Meditate regularly for an improved attention span in old age

Regular meditation practice has been shown to improve sustained attention and response inhibition in older adults, with benefits partially maintained over seven years. Despite plateauing, the cognitive gains observed suggest potential long-term benefits of continued meditation practice.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Cognitive Enhancement·DateMar 28, 2018

Simulations document self-assembly of proteins and DNA

Researchers developed an algorithm to simulate molecular dynamics of patchy particles, which are made up of a rigid body with only two charged patches. The findings provide new insights into what makes biological entities like protein/DNA combinations self-assemble.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateMar 28, 2018

Study: Parental conflict can do lasting damage to kids

New research shows that even low-level parental conflict can have lasting damage on children's emotional development. Shy children are particularly vulnerable, with shyness exacerbating the problem. Children from high-conflict homes struggle to accurately identify neutral interactions, leading to potential instability in adulthood.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·DateMar 28, 2018

Mandatory nutrition policies may impact sugar consumption

A University of Waterloo study found that mandatory nutrition policies in Ontario reduced sugar-sweetened beverage consumption by 16% compared to Alberta. The study suggests that schools alone may not be enough to curb adolescents' intake of sugary drinks, highlighting the need for broader environmental changes.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateMar 28, 2018

Automated electric taxis could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs

Researchers developed a model to test the cost and capabilities of a fleet of shared, automated electric vehicles in New York City. The study found that about 6,500 vehicles could be sustained on 1,500 medium-power electric vehicle chargers across Manhattan, resulting in a 33,000-ton reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per year.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 28, 2018

By river, ocean, or wind, rocks round the same way

A team of scientists has discovered that rocks round up in the same way regardless of their origin, with a common process guiding their shape evolution. By combining mathematical models and laboratory experiments, the researchers found that collisions between particles favor the chipping off of small sediment fragments.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 28, 2018

Increase in heart rate as blood pressure falls could be early sign of neurological disease

Researchers discovered a simple bedside test that can diagnose neurodegenerative brain diseases, including Parkinson's and Lewy Body dementia. The test measures changes in blood pressure and heart rate after standing up, providing clues for healthcare providers to identify potential patients with synucleinopathies.

It's a trap!

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered the mechanism by which holes become trapped in zinc oxide nanoparticles, a material with potential for solar energy applications. The study uses X-ray techniques to visualize hole trapping in specific regions of the nanoparticle, revealing its impact on material performance.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 28, 2018

Photosynthesis uses vibrations as 'traffic signals'

Researchers discovered that proteins use vibrations to direct energy across pigments in plants, allowing for efficient energy transfer. This discovery could help design better solar materials and is a classical mechanism rather than quantum effects.

SourceCIFAR·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 28, 2018

CNIC scientists identify a promising target for the treatment of heart failure

Researchers have identified a new therapeutic target, OMA1, which protects cardiomyocytes from death and deterioration in heart function when the heart is under stress. Inhibition of OMA1 prevents heart failure in models of chronic tachycardia, hypertension, and myocardial ischemia with cardiac hypertrophy.

2018 HFSP Research Grants

The Human Frontier Science Program awarded over $34 million to 31 winning research teams in a global competition that started with 771 submissions from scientists in 50+ countries. The funding supports cutting-edge, interdisciplinary projects under the theme Complex mechanisms of living organisms.

Global cancer trial sets new standard for post-surgery chemotherapy

A global clinical trial collaboration published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that stage III colon cancer patients can cut their chemotherapy treatments in half after surgery, reducing costs and side effects. For low-risk patients with shallow tumors and few affected lymph nodes, a three-month course is shown to be safe ...

SourceSWOG·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 28, 2018