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Science News Archive September 2018 - Page 10


Page 10 of 37

Children whose mothers use marijuana may try it at a younger age

A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that children whose mothers use marijuana are more likely to start using the drug themselves an average of two years earlier. This can lead to negative consequences such as impairments in concentration and decision-making, increased impulsivity, and reductions in IQ.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateSep 24, 2018

Earthquake risk estimation

Researchers developed a method to estimate seismic risk by modeling various earthquake scenarios and identifying common impacts. The study suggests that most scenarios produce lower impacts than the worst-case scenario, with urban areas posing less risk than rural western Nepal.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 24, 2018

Weathering of early Earth rocks

Researchers analyzed silicon and oxygen isotopes in zircon crystals to infer the presence of sedimentary rocks, such as cherts or banded iron formations, on early Earth. The findings suggest that these rocks may have existed over 4 billion years ago, providing a window into the planet's primordial chemistry.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 24, 2018

Establishing metastasis

Scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina discovered that over-expression of VRK1 actually slows down cancer cell migration and invasion, but enables cells to form colonies under 3D conditions. High levels of VRK1 are associated with aggressive breast cancers and poor prognoses in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Desert ants have an amazing odor memory

Researchers found that desert ants can learn multiple food odors in a short time and retain them throughout their lives. In contrast, they require repeated exposure to learn a single nest odor and may forget it quickly after removal from the nest. These findings suggest different memory processes for food and nest-related cues.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 24, 2018

New earthquake risk model could better inform disaster planning

Researchers developed a new seismic risk modeling approach to assess earthquake impacts and identify common hazards across multiple scenarios. The 'ensemble modeling' method provides critical information on likelihood and probable scale of future earthquakes' impacts, enabling targeted disaster mitigation resources distribution.

SourceDurham University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 24, 2018

Results from the COAPT trial reported at TCT 2018 and published simultaneously in NEJM

The COAPT trial found that the MitraClip device significantly reduced hospitalization rates and mortality, while improving quality-of-life measures and functional capacity in heart failure patients with secondary mitral regurgitation. The study also showed a substantial reduction in the need for heart transplants or left ventricular as...

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 23, 2018

Preventing underage drinking among youths on rural reservations

A recent study evaluated the effects of combined individual- and community-level interventions to reduce underage drinking by American Indian/Alaska Native youths. Reports of drinking frequency declined among students in the intervention group relative to comparison groups, with significant reductions in heavy drinking frequency.

SourcePacific Institute for Research and Evaluation·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateSep 23, 2018

Prosthetic valve mismatches common in transcatheter valve replacement, ups risk of death

A large study found that severe cases of prosthesis-patient mismatch after transcatheter aortic valve replacement increase the risk of death and heart failure readmissions by 19% and 12%, respectively. The study identified predictors of PPM, including smaller valve prostheses, larger body surface areas, and female or younger patients.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 23, 2018

'Pinning down' how salty droplets dry

Scientists at Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a method to pin the edge of drying droplets, creating various geometric patterns. By adding microscopic latex particles to salt solution droplets, they can achieve controlled re-crystallization and form beautiful snowflake-like patterns.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 22, 2018

Study: Emissions from most diesel cars in Europe greatly exceed laboratory testing levels

A new MIT study finds that 10 major European auto manufacturers produced diesel cars emitting up to 16 times more NOx on the road than in lab tests, resulting in approximately 2,700 premature deaths per year across Europe. Improving emissions control technologies could prevent up to 1,900 premature deaths annually.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAtmospheric Environment·DateSep 21, 2018

New battery gobbles up carbon dioxide

A new type of battery developed by MIT researchers can convert carbon dioxide into a solid mineral carbonate as it discharges. This approach could potentially reduce the cost of carbon capture systems and make them more economically viable. The battery is made from lithium metal, carbon, and an electrolyte that incorporates captured CO2.