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Science News Archive November 2018 - Page 10


Page 10 of 42

Intermittent fasting: No advantage over conventional weight loss diets

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that intermittent fasting has no advantage over conventional calorie restriction diets for weight loss and improved health outcomes. The HELENA study, which followed 150 overweight participants for a year, showed similar results for both dietary methods in ter...

SourceGerman Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 26, 2018

LGB students at higher risk of self-harm

Researchers at Lancaster University and other institutions found LGB students are more likely to experience self-harm and suicidal thoughts due to low self-esteem. The study highlights the need for targeted support and prevention efforts in universities and public policy to address discrimination and improve acceptance of LGB individuals.

SourceLancaster University·JournalArchives of Suicide Research·DateNov 26, 2018

Trazadone associated with similar risk of falls and major fractures as antipsychotics in seniors with dementia

New research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that trazadone is associated with a comparable risk of falls and major osteoporotic fractures to atypical antipsychotics. This finding challenges the assumption that trazodone is a safer alternative for treating behavioral symptoms in seniors with dementia.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 26, 2018

Family matters for future wealth

Research using actual income numbers from two generations of Australians found that family structure matters when it comes to income mobility. The study estimated the intergenerational elasticity of income in Australia at 0.4, indicating a moderate level of income advantage or disadvantage being transferred across generations.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalEconomic Record·DateNov 25, 2018

Gip1 structure places G proteins in lockdown

Researchers at Osaka University have discovered the structure of Gip1, a protein that sequesters G proteins to block signaling processes. The unique molecular bonding arrangement allows interactions with G proteins, providing a better understanding of their mechanism.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 25, 2018

Biorefining of microalgae

A team of researchers at the University of Konstanz is developing an integrated biorefining process to produce chemical building blocks from microalgae. The process uses supercritical carbon dioxide as a solvent and aims to simplify the extraction stage, making it more eco-friendly and efficient.

Ultracold quantum mix

A team of researchers has successfully created a Bose-Einstein condensate of Dysprosium and Erbium atoms, demonstrating quantum degeneracy of these species. This achievement opens up novel research possibilities for dipolar quantum matter due to the long-range interaction among the two species.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 23, 2018

Can Superman trigger heroic helping in people?

Priming individuals with superhero images, such as Superman, increases their likelihood of engaging in prosocial behaviors. However, the study found no direct effect on perceptions of meaning in life. The research used both self-reported and actual helping behavior experiments to explore this phenomenon.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateNov 23, 2018

Ocean circulation in North Atlantic at its weakest

A recent study by HKU researchers found that ocean circulation in the North Atlantic is at its weakest since the past 1,500 years. The weakening of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is attributed to global warming and associated melt of the Greenland Ice-Sheet, which has significant implications for climate change.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 23, 2018

Better understanding of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) regulation can lead to new insights into disease

Researchers have gained a better understanding of how cells regulate hydrogen peroxide, an intracellular messenger linked to several diseases. This discovery may enable the development of more sensitive and specific fluorescent biosensors to visualize endogenous H2O2 in real-time.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 22, 2018

Transparent fruit flies

Scientists have made fruit flies transparent using a new clearing method, allowing for high-resolution imaging of complex neural networks. This breakthrough enables the study of the connectome and behavior of Drosophila melanogaster, with potential applications in understanding neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 22, 2018

Gigantic mammal 'cousin' discovered

Researchers at Uppsala University discovered a new species of gigantic dicynodont, Lisowicia bojani, in Poland. The species is estimated to be around 4.5 meters long, 2.6 meters high, and weigh 9 tons, making it the largest non-dinosaurian terrestrial tetrapod from the Triassic period.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScience·DateNov 22, 2018

Scientists from CMU and NTU Singapore discover how mechanical strain shapes plants

The study reveals that biomechanical factors play a crucial role in shaping plant organs, with mechanical stress and deformation influencing leaf geometry. The research provides insights into the formation of complex 3D shapes in plants, which can inform the creation of bioinspired structures in soft materials like hydrogels.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 22, 2018

Environmental change, not hominin hunters, drove the demise of African megaherbivores

A new study challenges the traditional hypothesis that ancient hominins led to the decline of African megaherbivores. The research reveals that environmental changes, such as changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide and tropical grassland expansion, drove the long-term decline of these large-bodied species over 7 million years.

Leukemia epigenetics in focus

UK researchers identify molecules that can effectively inhibit dysregulated proteins responsible for acute myeloid leukemia, a severe and rapidly progressing cancer type. The discovery sets the stage for new biological experiments and cancer treatment approaches.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 22, 2018