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Science News Archive 2019 - Page 207


Page 207 of 486

Key gene behind hallmark of Lou Gehrig's disease identified

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have pinpointed the RPS25 gene as a key player in the formation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) protein aggregates. Inhibiting this gene's function reduced toxic protein levels by 50 percent, suggesting a potential target for treating ALS and extending lifespan.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 29, 2019

Infants expect leaders to right wrongs, study finds

A new study by University of Illinois psychology professor Renée Baillargeon and graduate student Maayan Stavans found that infants as young as 17 months old expect leaders to right wrongs in their social groups. In experiments with bear puppets, infants stared longer when a leader ignored wrongdoing than when she rectified it.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2019

Discovery could lead to new treatments for Parkinson’s, other brain diseases

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the alpha-synuclein protein's function in repairing DNA breaks, which may lead to new treatments for Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The study reveals that alpha-synuclein plays a critical role in binding broken strands of DNA within the cell's nucleus.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 29, 2019

Deep brain stimulation modifies memory

Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that stimulating the cingulate cortex worsened memory recall in epilepsy patients. However, deep brain stimulation also modified hippocampal brain waves and demonstrated a direct role for the cingulate cortex in memory encoding.

'Mommy bloggers' study reveals factors that drive success in social influencer marketing

A recent study from the University of Notre Dame reveals that attention-grabbing content and weekend posting on Facebook can increase engagement, while excluding giveaways and focusing on high-expertise bloggers may yield better results. The research provides a framework for successful influencer marketing campaigns by considering plat...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateJul 29, 2019

Oddball edge wins nanotube faceoff

The Rice team found that the Janus configuration, with a half-circle of zigzags opposite six armchairs, allows for tight contact with solid catalysts and preserves continuous nanotube growth. This discovery advances understanding of growth mechanisms and has implications for designing efficient catalysts.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateJul 29, 2019

Continuing the Apollo legacy

Scientists have recalculated the Moon's age to approximately 50 million years after solar system formation, based on hafnium-tungsten systematics from Apollo samples. This new estimate significantly differs from earlier research findings and sheds light on planetary evolution.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJul 29, 2019

Camera can watch moving objects around corners

The new camera system uses a high-powered laser to capture reflected light from objects around the corner, allowing for real-time monitoring of movement in 3D. This breakthrough enables faster and more accurate tracking of objects beyond visible light spectrum, with applications in autonomous cars and robots

Travelling towards a quantum internet at light speed

Researchers successfully transferred and verified angular momentum basis of quantum information from laser light to an electron trapped on a quantum dot. This achievement marks a significant step towards realizing a quantum internet with secure and rapid quantum information transmission.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2019

New insights into how the brain works

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that removing inhibitory interneurons' ability to regulate excitatory neurons dramatically changed odor responses. The study highlights the need for better understanding cell type relationships in brain function.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2019

Candida auris is a new drug-resistant fungus emerging globally and in the US early detection is key to controlling spread of deadly drug-resistant fungus

Candida auris is a highly contagious, deadly fungus that causes severe infections; its emergence has highlighted gaps in fungal identification capacity worldwide. Early detection is crucial to controlling the spread of this drug-resistant fungus, which can be transmitted between patients in healthcare settings.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJul 29, 2019

Study shows power of refocusing student stress in middle school transition

A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers finds that proactively addressing students' anxieties with reassuring classroom activities can lead to higher grades, better attendance, and fewer behavioral problems. The intervention boosts students' sense of belonging and reduces fears about fitting in.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2019

Who dominates the discourse of the past?

A recent study by Washington State University researchers found that women and professionals outside of university settings are underrepresented in high-impact, peer-reviewed archaeology publications. The authors suggest that structural barriers, lack of time and resources, and limited opportunities contribute to this disparity.

SourceWashington State University·JournalAmerican Antiquity·DateJul 29, 2019

It pays to explore in times of uncertainty

A study examining fishing boat captains found that those who explored new territory experienced less impact from disruptions when popular grounds were closed, suggesting the benefits of exploration in uncertain environments. This strategy may provide a way to future-proof livelihoods by drawing on knowledge of alternatives.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2019