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Science News Archive October 2018 - Page 35


Page 35 of 47

Big discoveries about tiny particles

Researchers have discovered that polymer nanoparticles exhibit distinct characteristics compared to larger particles of the same material, including surface mobility and elastic modulus. The findings could improve the performance of materials used in various applications, such as filter membranes and sound wave propagation.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 8, 2018

Magnetic map of Atlantic salmon

Nonmigratory Atlantic salmon can extract positional information from Earth's magnetic field, orienting themselves appropriately in response to different magnetic conditions. This skill may enable salmon escaping from aquaculture to better navigate and invade habitats, challenging previous assumptions about their navigational abilities

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 8, 2018

Study shows land-locked Atlantic salmon also use magnetic field to navigate

A new study shows that land-locked Atlantic salmon use the Earth's magnetic field as a navigational tool, similar to Pacific salmon. The ability is retained even after several generations of fish in a land-locked lake. This raises concerns about the impact on native salmon and ecosystems if these fish escape aquaculture pens.

SourceOregon State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 8, 2018

US researchers explore variations in employment outcomes for people with disabilities

Employment outcomes for people with disabilities vary significantly across states and counties, influenced by economic conditions, physical environment, and policy variables. Research finds that environmental factors are a strong predictor of employment rates, highlighting the importance of considering local context in policy development.

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalJournal of Disability Policy Studies·DateOct 8, 2018

AFib patients with cancer history less likely to see cardiologist, fill prescriptions

Patients with AFib and a history of cancer are more likely to experience suboptimal antithrombotic care, leading to increased risk of stroke. Cardiology providers play a crucial role in improving outcomes for these patients, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateOct 8, 2018

A new method to pinpoint genetic differences between species could benefit human health

Researchers at the Buck Institute have developed a new method to pinpoint genetic differences between closely related species, which could lead to breakthroughs in understanding human longevity, disease resistance, and regenerative abilities. The technique was tested using an ancient divergence in yeast and has wide applicability to pl...

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalNature Genetics·DateOct 8, 2018

Mountain snowpack and climate warming

The study found that mountain snowpack is vulnerable to climate warming, with a 20-40% decrease in above-average snow water equivalent for 1-2°C temperature increases. Regional variations were observed, with northern regions more susceptible than southern ones, affecting water resource management and wildfire activity.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 8, 2018

Immunotherapy effective against hereditary melanoma

Researchers found that immunotherapy is effective in treating metastatic melanoma in individuals with CDKN2A mutations, with nearly two-thirds of patients responding to treatment. The study suggests that tumours with CDKN2A mutations have a larger number of mutations, making them easier to recognise by the immune system.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJournal of Medical Genetics·DateOct 8, 2018

New knowledge about retrovirus-host coevolution

Researchers from Uppsala University have identified previously unknown retroviral insertions in European rabbits, shedding light on how ERVs spread in host populations. The study reveals substantial variation across ERV insertions in different rabbit populations, providing a genomic record of retrovirus-host associations.

SourceUppsala University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 8, 2018

Genetic disease healed using genome editing

Researchers at ETH Zurich successfully heal genetic disease phenylketonuria in mice using a modified CRISPR/Cas9 system. The technique achieved a high correction rate of up to 60% and restored normal levels of phenylalanine, eliminating the disorder's symptoms.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Medicine·DateOct 8, 2018

Neoadjuvant combination checkpoint blockade trial yields high response rates for patients with high-risk stage three melanoma

A phase II study led by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that neoadjuvant combination checkpoint blockade produced a high response rate among patients with high-risk stage 3 melanoma, with nearly half having no sign of disease at surgery. However, the trial was closed early due to high incidence of side effects.

The cosmological lithium problem

Researchers used the n_TOF facility to explore a neutron channel that could increase the destruction rate of Be-7 and resolve the Cosmological Lithium Problem. However, the results indicate that neutron channels alone are not enough to resolve the issue, leaving scientists with additional challenges to address.

SourceUniversity of Seville·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 8, 2018

Dopamine and belief updating

Researchers discovered that neural encoding of sensory information leading to belief updates is negatively related to dopamine receptor availability. The study also found a link between dopamine and the ability to flexibly update beliefs, with paranoid ideation being negatively related to sensitivity to meaningful sensory information.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 8, 2018

Global sea level could rise 50 feet by 2300, study says

A study published in Annual Review of Environment and Resources projects that global sea levels will likely rise 6-10 inches from 2000 to 2050, but more sensitive projections beyond 2050 depend on greenhouse gas emissions and projection methods. Rising seas pose a significant threat to coastal populations and ecosystems worldwide.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAnnual Review of Environment and Resources·DateOct 8, 2018

Guided by CRISPR, prenatal gene editing used in treating congenital disease before birth

Scientists have performed prenatal gene editing in laboratory animals to prevent a lethal metabolic disorder, offering the potential to treat human congenital diseases before birth. Using CRISPR-Cas9 and base editor 3, researchers reduced cholesterol levels and improved liver function in mice with genetic mutations.

Mayo clinic researchers question benefits of long term oxygen therapy in COPD

A recent study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that long-term oxygen therapy does not decrease hospitalization risk or increase life expectancy for many patients with mild to moderate COPD. However, it may lower quality of life due to its significant costs and practical challenges.

SourceAmerican Osteopathic Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Osteopathic Association·DateOct 8, 2018