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Science News Archive October 2018 - Page 42


Page 42 of 47

Warmer springs can reduce summer plant productivity

A new study reveals that warmer springs in northern regions lead to reduced plant productivity in summer and autumn months. The team used satellite images to survey 41 million km2 of land and found that the early onset of spring does not continue into the summer, resulting in depleted water resources and reduced biomass.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature·DateOct 3, 2018

Kidney care conflicts of interest: Experts call for transparency on joint-venture dialysis clinics

Nephrologists and health policy experts advocate for greater transparency in joint-venture dialysis clinics to ensure patient referrals and clinical outcomes are not influenced by financial ties. The lack of disclosure poses a significant barrier to evidence-based research, depriving patients of critical information.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 3, 2018

Stem cells organize themselves into pseudo-embryos

Researchers have developed artificial pseudo-embryos from mouse stem cells that display characteristics of early embryonic development, including the formation of antero-posterior, dorso-ventral, and medio-lateral axes. These structures, called gastruloids, could complement animal embryos in studying mammalian embryonic development.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·DateOct 3, 2018

Wheat that pumps iron, naturally

Researchers successfully biofortified wheat to naturally increase its iron content, a process that could help address global iron deficiency. The breeding lines showed no significant decrease in grain yield, making it a promising solution for improving nutrition without compromising farmers' profits.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateOct 3, 2018

Alternatives to pesticides -- Researchers suggest popular weeds

The study reveals that botanic soil amendments with popular weeds like black nightshade and jimsonweed can effectively control nematodes. Researchers report a significant reduction in female nematode populations when treated with weed extracts, making these natural alternatives a promising eco-friendly solution.

SourceExeley Inc.·JournalJournal of Nematology·DateOct 3, 2018

Low vitamin D linked to earlier death in Thai men

A new study found that low vitamin D levels are associated with a 77% higher risk of death in community-dwelling Thai older men. The risk is significant only in diabetic males, suggesting cardiovascular disease may be the link.

SourceWiley·JournalGeriatrics and Gerontology International·DateOct 3, 2018

Sexual harassment and assault linked to worse physical/mental health among midlife women

A new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine suggests that experiences of sexual harassment and sexual assault could have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of midlife women. Women who were younger or more financially stressed were more likely to be harassed, and both sexual harassme...

Tropical frogs found to coexist with deadly fungus

A study by University of Maryland researchers suggests that frog populations in El Copé developed the ability to tolerate chytrid fungus, enabling them to persist despite severe species losses. The findings, published in 2018, could mean good news for other hot spots of amphibian biodiversity hit hard by the chytrid fungus.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalEcological Applications·DateOct 3, 2018

Study sheds light on atypical periprosthetic femoral fractures

A study published in Journal of Bone and Mineral Research found that 8.3% of patients with total hip replacements experienced atypical femoral fractures, a type of rare stress fracture. The researchers also discovered a strong association between bisphosphonate use and the risk of these fractures.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateOct 3, 2018

Recording device for cell history

ETH Zurich researchers have created a molecular recording system that writes transcriptional events into DNA, allowing permanent storage and later access. The CRISPR-Cas system records genetic information about pathogens infecting the cell, storing it in a specific stretch of DNA known as a CRISPR array.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateOct 3, 2018

New model of polarization sheds light on today's politics

A new model of polarization explains how voters strategically vote for parties to empower their preferred party, contributing to increased polarization. The model also highlights the impact of gerrymandering on polarization and suggests policy changes, such as increasing local party coordination, could help address the issue.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateOct 3, 2018

Articles examine aspects of sexual assault, harassment

Two studies investigate the impact of workplace sexual harassment and assault on blood pressure, mood, anxiety, and sleep among midlife women. The research found that sexual harassment is linked to higher hypertension rates and poor sleep, while assault is associated with depression, anxiety, and clinically significant elevations.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateOct 3, 2018

Transition metal dichalcogenides could increase computer speed, memory by a million times

Researchers propose using transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) to build faster computers that can process information in femtoseconds, a million times faster than current electronics. TMDCs have the potential to increase computer memory speed by a millionfold due to their unique hexagonal lattice structure and optical properties.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalPhysical Review B·DateOct 2, 2018

Giraffe babies inherit spot patterns from their mothers

A new study reveals that giraffe babies pass on their unique spot patterns to their mothers, with larger spots and irregular shapes linked to increased survival. Researchers used modern imaging techniques to analyze coat patterns in wild Masai giraffes, confirming a 49-year-old hypothesis about heritability.

SourcePenn State·JournalPeerJ·DateOct 2, 2018

What kind of sex do German men have at 45?

A large-scale study in Germany found that nearly ten percent of gay men had engaged in vaginal sex with women in the past three months, challenging traditional notions of sexual orientation. Additionally, a significant percentage of heterosexual men were found to have had non-traditional sex practices, including oral and anal sex.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalSexual Medicine·DateOct 2, 2018