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Science News Archive May 2018 - Page 32


Page 32 of 44

Stress helps unlearn fear

Researchers found that stress can render extinction learning context-independent, allowing patients to transfer knowledge from one situation to another. This could improve the efficacy of exposure therapies for anxiety disorders.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalBehavior Therapy·DateMay 9, 2018

Drexel study: 'Non-smoking' doesn't mean smoke-free

A Drexel study finds that third-hand smoke chemicals can be reemitted inside and attach themselves to aerosol particles, making people likely exposed to more harmful chemicals than thought. The research reveals a new pathway of exposure to third-hand smoke through aerosol particles in indoor environments.

SourceDrexel University·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 9, 2018

Heart failure: The Alzheimer's disease of the heart?

Researchers have identified protein clumping in the hearts of mice and people with heart failure, suggesting a potential link between the two conditions. The team used non-invasive PET scans to visualize the clumps, which could lead to advances in monitoring disease progression and testing new therapies.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCirculation Research·DateMay 9, 2018

The big bell test

The BIG Bell Test challenged Einstein's local realism by using human volunteers' unpredictable choices to close a stubborn loophole. Participants contributed over 90 million bits, demonstrating strong disagreement with local realism and introducing new methods in entanglement study.

Hostility towards minorities can be contagious

A recent study found that hostility towards members of other ethnic groups is more often imitated than hostility towards co-ethnics. The study examined adolescents from schools in eastern Slovakia and their behavior towards the Roma minority, finding a significant influence on their choices.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 9, 2018

Study about 'shock therapy' for depression suggests more patients should try it sooner

A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) could be a cost-effective option for patients who fail to get relief from two other types of treatment, such as antidepressant medications and talk therapy. ECT emerged as a cost-effective choice for patients with treatment-resistant depression.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateMay 9, 2018

A detective story of wildfires and wine

Scientists are making progress in understanding 'smoke taint' in wine after wildfires, discovering links between volatile phenols and glycoconjugates. The study found that fermentation can increase smoky compounds, complicating efforts to remove taint from tainted wines.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMay 9, 2018

Spinal fluid could be used to predict the progression of multiple sclerosis, study finds

A six-year study by the University of Birmingham has found that analyzing spinal fluid from patients with MS at diagnosis can predict future disease progression. The research identified a distinct immune response, characterized by an unusual antibody ratio, which may indicate early trigger and risk of disability.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalJournal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry·DateMay 9, 2018

Diverse Parkinson's-related disorders may stem from different strains of same protein

A study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that misfolded α-syn proteins embedded in brain cells cause different Parkinson's-related disorders, depending on the type of cell. The researchers discovered a distinct strain of α-syn protein, which is 1,000-fold more potent in causing disease in animal models.

Computer-designed customized regenerative heart valves

A team of researchers has successfully designed and produced individualized, computer-modeled regenerative heart valves grown from human cells. These bioengineered replacements can grow and regenerate themselves without causing immune reactions in patients' bodies, addressing a major limitation of current artificial implants.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 9, 2018

Study reveals challenges of menstrual hygiene management in emergencies

Researchers developed a toolkit to address menstruation-related needs of girls and women fleeing disaster or conflict, but found a lack of effective approaches for managing menstruation with dignity in challenging settings. The study highlights the need to expand practical guidance for vulnerable groups, including girls with disabiliti...

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of International Humanitarian Action·DateMay 9, 2018

UTSA researcher identifies barriers impacting PrEP use among Latino gay and bisexual men

A new study led by UTSA researcher Phillip Schnarrs found that family approval is a major barrier to PrEP uptake among Latino gay and bisexual men. The research suggests that racial disparities, limited knowledge, financial barriers, language barriers, and lack of insurance coverage contribute to the low PrEP adoption rates among minor...

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalAIDS and Behavior·DateMay 9, 2018

Brood parasitism in fish

The cuckoo catfish has evolved a clever method to smuggle its eggs into cichlids' nests, exploiting their brood care behavior. Cichlids from Lake Tanganyika have learned to defend themselves against the parasite's trick, but those without 'evolutionary experience' are vulnerable to its strategy.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 9, 2018