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Science News Archive 2019 - Page 346


Page 346 of 486

Climate change could undermine children's education and development in the tropics

A new study suggests that extreme heat and precipitation in early childhood can lead to lower educational attainment, even among better-off households. The research found that climatic conditions affect education negatively in multiple ways, particularly in Southeast Asia and West and Central Africa.

SourceNational Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2019

Google searches reveal popular bird species

Google searches have identified popular North American bird species, with large birds and those visiting feeders drawing more attention. The study found that owls were the subject of public curiosity, while conservationists can use this information to focus efforts on lesser-known species.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2019

Genetic analysis has potential to transform diagnosis and treatment of adults with liver disease of unknown cause

A new study published in the Journal of Hepatology reports that whole-exome sequencing (WES) can diagnose the genetic cause of liver disease in a significant proportion of adult patients. The analysis identified four monogenic disorders in five unrelated adults, enabling new treatment options and shedding light on underlying molecular ...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Hepatology·DateApr 15, 2019

NRL develops laser processing method to increase efficiency of optoelectronic devices

Scientists at NRL discovered a new method to passivate defects in next generation optical materials, improving optical quality and enabling miniaturization of light emitting diodes. The technique produces a 100-fold increase in material's optical emission efficiency, paving the way for high-efficiency optoelectronic devices.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 15, 2019

Same-sex marriage legalization associated with reduced anti-gay bias in the US

A new study by McGill University researchers found that state legislation played a significant role in reducing anti-gay bias in the US. By analyzing data from over 1 million respondents, the team discovered that laws supporting same-sex marriage led to a sharp decline in biases, with the effect being roughly double the previous rate.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2019

'Flight recorder' of rocks within the Earth's crust

Daniela Rubatto's research provides a new way to connect minerals' ages to their formation conditions, reconstructing the speed and duration of rock travel within the Earth's crust. Her innovative method uses an ion microprobe to extract valuable information from minerals, contributing to better understanding geological processes.

New study reveals 'silence' around suicide in young people

A new study by the University of Stirling has identified a silence around suicidality among children and young people, with many feeling they cannot access help or are not listened to by healthcare professionals. The research emphasizes the importance of using explicit language, such as 'suicide,' in mental health conversations.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalChild and Adolescent Mental Health·DateApr 15, 2019

Kin relationships in megalithic burial sites

A study found kin relationships among people buried in Neolithic megalith tombs, indicating a societal role for these enigmatic structures. The genomic data revealed affinity to farming groups with past admixture with hunter-gatherer groups, highlighting a previously unknown role for megaliths in Neolithic societies and families.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2019

Engineering 'hairpins' increases CRISPR accuracy

Biomedical engineers at Duke University developed a method to improve CRISPR accuracy by adding a short tail to the guide RNA, creating a 'lock' that prevents off-target activity. The approach increases accuracy by an average of 50-fold across five different CRISPR systems.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 15, 2019

Physicists improve understanding of heat and particle flow in the edge of a fusion device

Researchers have discovered a hill-like bump of electric charge at the X-point in tokamaks, which prevents plasma particles from traveling straight between upstream and downstream areas. This finding could lead to more accurate predictions about exhaust and make future large-scale facilities less vulnerable to internal damage.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateApr 15, 2019

Sizing up a starry night

Researchers discovered the diameter of a giant red giant star 2,674 light-years away and a sun-like star at 700 light-years, setting a record for the smallest star measured. The team used asteroid occultations to calculate the stars' sizes with high accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 15, 2019

RNA transport in neurons -- Staufen2 detects its target transcripts in a complex manner

A team of scientists has discovered that the neuronal transport factor Staufen2 scans and binds to its target transcripts in a more complex manner than previously thought. This finding opens up new approaches to improve our understanding of RNA transport and synaptic plasticity, which is essential for memory and learning.

Scanning for cancer treatment

Researchers combined CRISPR with drug discovery to understand how AML treatment works and which weaknesses can be exploited. The study revealed that LSD1-GFI1B relationship is critical for AML survival, enabling more targeted treatments.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateApr 15, 2019

Could climate change cause infertility?

A new study by University of Lincoln researchers suggests that extreme temperatures can impact the reproductive behavior and physiology of males before females, potentially leading to infertility. The study found that rising temperatures hampered sperm production in male Indian meal moths, affecting their ability to mate.

SourceUniversity of Lincoln·JournalJournal of Evolutionary Biology·DateApr 15, 2019

Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District and Tetra Tech awarded the 2019 INFORMS Edelman Award

The Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District and Tetra Tech won the 2019 INFORMS Edelman Award for their successful implementation of Csoft, a software solution that maximizes storage, conveyance, and treatment capacities to better protect the environment. The project has saved over $200 million in infrastructure costs and improved commu...