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Science News Archive 2019 - Page 208


Page 208 of 486

Study: Black students receive fewer warnings from teachers about misbehavior

A study by University of Illinois social work professor Kate M. Wegmann found that black middle school students were significantly less likely to receive verbal or written warnings from their teachers about behavioral infractions. Black students were also more likely to experience exclusionary forms of discipline, such as suspensions a...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalChildren and Youth Services Review·DateJul 29, 2019

Energy from seawater

The Stanford group's battery captures blue energy by releasing sodium and chloride ions, then reincorporating them through rapid wastewater and seawater exchanges. The technology has shown 97% effectiveness in capturing salinity gradient energy over 180 cycles.

SourceStanford University·JournalACS Omega·DateJul 29, 2019

A catalyst for sustainable methanol

Scientists at ETH Zurich developed a new catalyst technology converting CO2 and hydrogen directly into methanol, enabling the production of fuels and chemicals from renewable resources. The approach has significant potential to close the carbon cycle and produce sustainable methanol on an industrial scale.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2019

African smoke is fertilizing Amazon rainforest and oceans, new study finds

Research found that African biomass burning is a substantial source of phosphorus deposition to the Amazon, Tropical Atlantic Ocean, and Southern Ocean. This discovery has significant implications for understanding Earth's climate and may impact primary productivity and carbon dioxide drawdown in both ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2019

Cannabidiol reduces aggressiveness, study concludes

A Brazilian study found that cannabidiol attenuates social isolation-induced aggression in mice by facilitating the activation of serotonin and CB1 receptors. The researchers used a resident-intruder test model to demonstrate that lower doses of cannabidiol inhibit aggressive behavior, while higher doses have little effect.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProgress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry·DateJul 29, 2019

Uncovering the roots of discrimination toward immigrants

A new study in Germany found that religious differences can drive anti-immigrant bias, even when immigrants follow local social norms. The researchers used an experimental approach to measure bystanders' behavior and found that Muslim immigrant women who wore a hijab received less assistance than native German women.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2019

Tart cherry juice may juice up the brain

Daily intake of Montmorency tart cherry juice improved memory scores among adults aged 65-73, with notable reductions in movement time and errors during visual and spatial working memory tasks. Compliance was high, but larger studies are warranted to confirm findings.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalFood & Function·DateJul 28, 2019

Do babies like yawning? Evidence from brain activity

A new study found that 5- to 8-month-old babies exhibit face-specific brain activity in response to yawning, suggesting a neural basis for their preference. The research used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain activity while babies viewed yawning and mouth movement.

SourceChuo University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 27, 2019

Are US adults meeting physical activity guidelines?

Between 2007 and 2016, the proportion of US adults meeting aerobic activity guidelines remained relatively stable at around 65%, while sedentary behavior increased from 5.7 to 6.4 hours per day. This trend suggests a stagnation in physical activity levels despite updated guidelines recommending less sitting.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 26, 2019

Burnout symptoms associated with racial bias in medical residents

A recent study by Mayo Clinic researchers found an association between increased symptoms of burnout and heightened racial bias in medical residents. Physicians experiencing high symptoms of burnout tended to exhibit more racial bias, both explicit and implicit, but recoveries from burnout were linked to reductions in bias.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 26, 2019

Two therapeutic targets identified for deadly lung cancer

Researchers have discovered that two enzymes, SIK1 and SIK3, play a critical role in driving tumor growth in non-small-cell lung cancer by promoting inflammation. The findings highlight a potential new target for therapies and could lead to improved treatment options for patients with this deadly form of lung cancer.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCancer Discovery·DateJul 26, 2019

The democratic governance of agricultural multinationals is essential for environmental sustainability

Researchers studying Barilla Sustainable Farming in Italy found that partnering with different stakeholders can promote sustainability in agri-food supply chains. A two-level approach to implement crop diversification and sustainable management practices is suggested to achieve a more sustainable agricultural system throughout Europe.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalAgricultural and Food Economics·DateJul 26, 2019

Solar energy becomes biofuel without solar cells

Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a way to produce butanol, a fourth-generation biofuel, using solar energy, water, and CO2 without the need for solar cells. The microorganisms can efficiently capture the sun's energy and bind to carbon dioxide in the air.

SourceUppsala University·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateJul 26, 2019

Mouse genetics influences the microbiome more than environment

A recent study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found that genetics has a greater impact on the microbiome of mice than their maternal birth environment. The researchers tested two different inbred laboratory strains of mice and found that the offspring's microbiomes were similar regardless of which parent was black ...

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJul 26, 2019