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Science News Archive September 2018 - Page 34


Page 34 of 37

It is all about the distribution

Researchers developed a three-dimensional model to estimate usable wind energy and found that repowering old plants with larger ones increases yields by several hundred percent. The study suggests that this approach can significantly reduce the cost of generating electricity comparable to brown coal.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalEnergy Conversion and Management·DateSep 5, 2018

Australian fur seal pup population is shrinking

A long-term monitoring program for Australian fur seals has tracked a decline in pup populations, with the first reduction since species-wide protection was implemented in 1975. The study highlights the importance of regularly assessing monitoring programs and provides valuable information on how to improve them.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 5, 2018

Inter Faculty, vol. 8

This Inter Faculty volume delves into the importance of engagement in human sciences, discussing identity, linguistic concepts, and ethical interpretation. Research papers explore topics such as maintaining national minority rights, grammatical gender in Japanese and Ancient Greek languages, and Confucian ethics.

More hospital doctors are opting to retire early

Hospital doctors in England and Wales are taking early retirement, with a significant increase in NHS pension claims due to ill health or voluntary early retirement. The data shows a 22% rise in total doctor pensions claimed between 2008 and 2018, with more doctors opting for early retirement on health grounds.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateSep 4, 2018

Think pink for a better view of climate change

Researchers found pink noise energy signatures in historical climate proxy data before and after the Industrial Revolution, suggesting a possible link between pink noise and Earth's climate dynamics. The study's findings could have implications for understanding 'resonances' that couple and amplify warming processes.

SourceYale University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 4, 2018

The Mona Lisa decrypted

Dr. Mandeep R. Mehra proposes a novel explanation for the Mona Lisa's smile and facial features, attributing them to clinical hypothyroidism. The theory is supported by visible signs of thyroid dysfunction in the painting, including thinning hair and yellow skin.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateSep 4, 2018

Clown fish: Whence the white stripes?

Researchers found that clown fish stripes are essential for individual recognition and critical to their social organization among sea anemones. They also discovered the evolutionary history of striped patterns, which originated from a common ancestor with three stripes.

SourceCNRS·JournalBMC Biology·DateSep 4, 2018

S, N co-doped carbon nanotube-encapsulated CoS2@Co

Researchers developed a new type of hydrogen production catalyst with low cost, high catalytic activity, and high stability. The S, N co-doped carbon nanotube-encapsulated CoS2@Co composite exhibits excellent electrocatalytic properties, including rapid water dissociation under various operating currents.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateSep 4, 2018

No evidence that moral reminders reduce cheating behavior, replication effort concludes

A replication effort of a 2008 study found no evidence that making a list of the Ten Commandments reduces cheating behavior. The original study suggested that people are less likely to cheat after thinking about moral reminders, but the new findings contradict this result. Despite using large sample sizes and following the same protoco...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalAdvances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science·DateSep 4, 2018

Attention network plays key role in restoring vision after brain damage

A new study published in Clinical Neurophysiology found that attention plays a key role in restoring vision in patients with hemianopia, a condition where half of the visual field is impaired. After five weeks of vision rehabilitation training, patients showed significant improvements in their visual function.

Methane to syngas catalyst: two for the price of one

Hokkaido University researchers have created an improved catalyst for the conversion of methane gas into syngas, overcoming challenges faced by previous studies. The new catalyst successfully generates syngas at a lower temperature than conventional methods, making it more efficient and cost-effective.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalCommunications Chemistry·DateSep 4, 2018

BPS announces 2019 Society Fellows

The Biophysical Society has honored 10 distinguished members as 2019 Society Fellows for their groundbreaking work on cytoskeleton filaments, protein folding, single-molecule methods, and cellular dynamics. These individuals have made significant contributions to the field of biophysics.

How much insects eat

A new study reveals that climate change is driving an increase in insect herbivory damage on plants, with warmer winters and urbanization having opposing effects. The research used herbarium specimens to track changes in insect damage over more than a century, providing valuable insights into the impact of climate change.

SourceHarvard University·JournalJournal of Ecology·DateSep 4, 2018

Tilted pulses

Researchers from Konstanz and Munich have successfully directed and controlled ultrashort electron pulses using laser light cycles, enabling precise material studies in the femtosecond and attosecond range. This achievement has significant implications for ultrafast materials research and the production of intense X-ray flashes.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 4, 2018