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Science News Archive October 2018 - Page 28


Page 28 of 47

Does open heart surgery affect cognitive abilities?

A recent study found that open heart surgery can cause some cognitive decline in the first month after surgery, but cognitive health largely returns to normal within six months. Aortic valve surgery may be associated with more early cognitive problems than mitral valve surgery due to the older age of patients.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 12, 2018

Did mosasaurs hunt like killer whales?

University of Cincinnati biology professor Takuya Konishi proposes that mosasaurs hunted like killer whales by ramming their prey with their snouts. The young Tylosaurus mosasaur found in Kansas had a similar facial structure to orcas, with a protruding snout and robust cranial vault.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateOct 12, 2018

Russian scientists created a new method for diagnosing drilling rigs for oil production

Researchers at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University developed a new method of nondestructive testing to diagnose drilling rig elements in oil wells, improving efficiency and reducing repair costs. The method uses mathematical models of fracture mechanics to estimate damage throughout the structure.

Dying star emits a whisper

A Caltech-led team observed a faint and rapidly fading supernova, suggesting the presence of an unseen companion gravitationally siphoning away the star's mass. The explosion resulted in a dead neutron star orbiting its dense companion, marking the first time scientists have witnessed the birth of a compact neutron star binary system.

Do lizards dream like us?

Researchers confirm lizards enter two distinct sleep states similar to slow-wave and REM sleep in humans and other animals. However, the study reveals differences in brain activity between species, including slower eye movements and unique cerebral patterns in lizard brains.

SourceCNRS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 11, 2018

How yeast cells detect genetic infections

Researchers discovered a novel defence mechanism in yeast cells that uses centromeres to detect and neutralize foreign genetic material. This mechanism ensures that potentially harmful DNA is confined within one cell, while the daughter cell contains only reliable DNA.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalCell·DateOct 11, 2018

Higher levels of the hormone prolactin in women are associated with protection against type 2 diabetes

A large prospective cohort study found that higher levels of prolactin in women are associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Women with the highest 25% of prolactin levels were 27% less likely to develop T2D than those in the lowest 25%. The association was similar regardless of menopausal status and other risk factors.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateOct 11, 2018

New route of acquiring antibiotic resistance in bacteria is the most potent one to date

Researchers at NUS Medicine and University of Glasgow have discovered lateral transduction, a new mode of genetic transfer that enables the transfer of large sections of bacterial chromosomes between bacteria. This highly efficient mechanism could explain the rapid evolution of antibiotic-resistant strains.

Optical illusion spooks raptors

Scientists develop visual pattern that triggers long-term avoidance of high-risk areas by raptors, improving collision detection and reducing plane and wind turbine collisions. The 'looming' effect created by concentric black circles on a white background is effective in repelling birds from specific areas.

SourceCNRS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 11, 2018

A novel biosensor to advance diverse high-level production of microbial cell factories

Researchers developed a simple and robust malonyl-CoA biosensor to monitor intracellular malonyl-CoA abundance in bacteria. The biosensor enabled rapid screening for gene targets increasing malonyl-CoA accumulation, leading to high-level production of four natural products.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 11, 2018