Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2019 - Page 215


Page 215 of 486

Exposure to air pollution among women in Mozambique greatly intensified by the use of kerosene lamps

A study by ISGlobal found that women using kerosene lamps for lighting had significantly higher exposure to black carbon particles, leading to increased risk of tuberculosis, respiratory infections, and low birth weight. The study's findings highlight the need for alternative energy sources in rural areas.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalEnvironmental Health·DateJul 23, 2019

Finding alternatives to diamonds for drilling

Researchers have created a predictive model to guide the synthesis of new materials that are tough enough for the mining and space industries. The 'Mendelevian search' algorithm considers all possible combinations of elements in the periodic table, resulting in highly accurate predictions of material properties.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJul 23, 2019

Hidden dynamics detected in neuronal networks

Researchers from Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University have identified a second critical mode in neuronal networks, allowing for parallel information processing. This newly discovered dynamics permits the network to represent signals in numerous combinations of activated neurons.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 23, 2019

Ozone threat from climate change

A new study found that rising temperatures due to climate change will increase the number of days with high concentrations of ozone in the Mid-Atlantic region, posing significant health risks. The study, led by Cristina Archer, analyzed nearly 50 years' worth of data and found that near-ground ozone levels can exacerbate respiratory co...

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology·DateJul 23, 2019

Hit your head, lose your sense of smell

A study published in Brain Injury found that patients with mild concussions experienced reduced sense of smell within 24 hours of their accident, which returned to normal after six months. However, anxiety persisted for a year after the injury, affecting approximately 65% of concussed patients.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalBrain Injury·DateJul 23, 2019

Facebook can help college students with lower confidence build relationships

College students with lower social self-efficacy benefit from using Facebook to form new connections, while those with higher confidence rely on traditional media. The study found that Facebook can compensate for reduced face-to-face interaction with close friends and works best when supplementing traditional media in making new colleg...

SourceBinghamton University·JournalInternational Journal of Human-Computer Studies·DateJul 23, 2019

Novel powdered milk method yields better frothing agent

Researchers at Penn State have developed a novel method to create skim milk powders with enhanced properties and functionality, offering a potential replacement for synthetic emulsifying agents. The new processing technology could lead to the creation of foaming agents that are recognizable on food labels.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Food Engineering·DateJul 23, 2019

Medicare for All unlikely to cause surge in hospital use: Harvard study

A new Harvard study contradicts the assumption that implementing universal coverage would lead to a sharp increase in hospital use. Instead, researchers found that past insurance expansions redistributed care, with increases in hospital care among newly insured individuals offset by small decreases among healthier and wealthier Americans.

SourcePhysicians for a National Health Program·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJul 22, 2019

Maintaining shelf-stable drugs

A new mathematical model describes how highly concentrated antibody solutions separate into different phases, similar to an oil and water mixture. This separation can reduce the stability and shelf-life of some drugs that use monoclonal antibodies.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2019

Testing corneal cell quality? Apply physics

Researchers in Kyoto have developed a 'quantitative biomarker' to assess the quality of corneal cells, allowing for prediction of their long-term efficacy through simple observation. This breakthrough has potential applications in preemptive medicine, enabling clinicians to intervene before severe symptoms appear.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJul 22, 2019

Multidrug-resistant malaria spreading in Asia

A study by the Wellcome Sanger Institute reveals that a multidrug-resistant malaria strain has spread aggressively across Southeast Asia, replacing local parasite populations in Vietnam, Laos, and northeastern Thailand. The resistant strain has picked up additional genetic changes, enhancing its resistance to treatment.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJul 22, 2019

Stem cell therapy furthers research for infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome

A phase I clinical trial demonstrates the potential of regenerative therapy for hypoplastic left heart syndrome through collecting, processing and injecting an infant's own stem cells directly into the heart at the time of surgery. The study showed no deaths or significant safety concerns over six months following surgery.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateJul 22, 2019

Drilling deeper

A new study reveals Americans are drilling deeper than ever to access freshwater, but this trend is not a long-term solution to groundwater depletion. Deeper well drilling can be expensive and requires more energy, and it may not address the root cause of water scarcity.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Sustainability·DateJul 22, 2019