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Science News Archive November 2018 - Page 30


Page 30 of 42

Study demonstrates that long-term follow up in a trauma patient population is achievable

A recent study published in Academic Emergency Medicine demonstrated that long-term follow-up in a trauma patient population is feasible. The study used established contact strategies and various interview locations to track hard-to-reach populations. Researchers suggest exploring newer methods of contacting participants through techno...

SourceSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateNov 8, 2018

Men focused on muscle building struggle with binge drinking and other problems

A new study from NTNU and Harvard University reveals that young men who strive for an unattainable muscular body are at risk of depression, weekend binge drinking, and disordered eating. The study also shows that over one-third of young men have been on a diet in the past year, unrelated to obesity.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·DateNov 8, 2018

A buzz-worthy surprise during the total solar eclipse

During the 2017 total solar eclipse, researchers captured a surprising phenomenon: bees stopped buzzing as Earth fell into complete darkness. The study, led by Candace Galen at the University of Missouri, found that bees did not use the unusual darkness as a cue for night and instead flew during periods of reduced light.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalAnnals of the Entomological Society of America·DateNov 8, 2018

Blue light can reduce blood pressure

Exposure to whole-body blue light significantly reduces systolic blood pressure by almost 8 mmHg, similar to blood pressure lowering drugs. Blue light also improves other cardiovascular risk markers such as arterial stiffness and increased blood vessel relaxation.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateNov 8, 2018

Bees on the brink

A new study led by James Crall at Harvard University found that exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides has profound effects on a host of social behaviors in bees, including reduced nursing of larvae and decreased social interaction. The study also showed that pesticides impair bees' ability to regulate temperatures inside the nest.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateNov 8, 2018

Species' longevity depends on brain cell numbers

Researchers found that brain cell numbers, not body size or metabolic rate, are the key factors determining maximal longevity in animals. The study suggests that a higher number of cortical neurons leads to longer lifespans and better adaptability.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Comparative Neurology·DateNov 8, 2018

ThyroSeq test helps patients avoid unnecessary diagnostic thyroid surgery, study shows

A genetic test called ThyroSeq has been shown to reliably distinguish between benign and cancerous thyroid nodules using a small sample of cells. The test correctly identified cancerous nodules as positive 94% of the time and detected benign nodules as negative 82% of the time, preventing unnecessary diagnostic surgeries.

The Lancet: Latest global disease estimates, combined with health worker shortfall, show that global progress in health is not inevitable

The Global Burden of Disease study reveals that global mortality rates for adults stagnated or worsened in some countries in 2017, with fertility rates declining globally. The report also highlights a shortage of healthcare workers, with half of countries facing a shortfall and only 41 having sufficient physicians to serve their popula...

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 8, 2018

Catalyzing CO2

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new system that captures CO2 from power plants and heavy industry, converting it into industrial fuels with high efficiency. The improved system uses renewable electricity to reduce carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, addressing the two main challenges of cost and scalability.

SourceHarvard University·JournalJoule·DateNov 8, 2018

Combination chemotherapy and immunotherapy effective in Phase II leukemia study

A Phase II study found a combination of azacitidine and nivolumab therapy resulted in a 33% overall response rate and 22% complete remission rate for patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia. The drug combination was particularly effective in patients who had not previously received hypomethylating agents, with an overa...

How do peptides penetrate cells? Two sides of the same coin

Scientists at IOCB Prague have discovered a previously unknown passive mechanism by which positively charged short peptides can penetrate cells. This process is based on membrane fusion induced by the transported peptides and shares the same mechanistic basis as known processes in neurons during nerve impulses.

Grants aim to give veterans better access to cancer trials

The SWOG Cancer Research Network and The Hope Foundation for Cancer Research provide grant support to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers to enroll veterans in cancer clinical trials. This program aims to create a sustainable national network of sites offering new treatment options through clinical trials.

SourceSWOG·DateNov 8, 2018

Genetic 'whodunnit' for cancer gene solved

Researchers at the Salk Institute found that late-stage cancers trigger AMPK's cellular recycling signal to cannibalize cell pieces, supplying large lung tumors with nutrients. Blocking AMPK in some conditions may stop advanced tumor growth.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Metabolism·DateNov 8, 2018

Replaying the tape of life: Is it possible?

A review explores the complexity of evolution's predictability, revealing a mix of contingency and determinism in evolutionary change. The study analyzed various empirical studies to characterize repeatability and contingency in evolution, finding that there is no easy answer to whether history affects the repeatability of evolution.

Powerful method probes small-molecule structures

Researchers have developed a faster and simpler technique to analyze the structures of small molecules, reducing the time needed for X-ray crystallography. This new method, microcrystal-electron diffraction (MicroED), allows scientists to study small-molecule structures at high resolution in under 30 minutes.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science·DateNov 8, 2018

Why modest goals are so appealing

Research led by INSEAD marketing professors found that people prefer small incremental goals over maintenance goals, even when there is no gap between the starting point and desired state. The brain's negativity bias plays a significant role in this preference, making modest attainment goals more appealing.

SourceINSEAD·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateNov 8, 2018

Biodiversity draws the ecotourism crowd

Research at Michigan State University found that better biodiversity leads to more tourists visiting protected areas. A 1% increase in biodiversity results in a 0.87% increase in annual visitors. Strategic management and local community participation can enhance economic development and livelihood benefits.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEcosystem Services·DateNov 8, 2018

Metallic nanocatalysts imitate the structure of enzymes

A team of researchers has successfully replicated the internal channel structures of natural enzymes in metallic nanoparticles, resulting in three times greater catalytic activity. The study focused on the oxygen reduction reaction and found that active centers within the channels enhanced reaction efficiency.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 8, 2018