Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2019 - Page 41


Page 41 of 486

Human migration out of Africa may have followed monsoons in the Middle East

A new study suggests that summer monsoons from Asia and Africa reached the Middle East at least 125,000 years ago, providing suitable corridors for human migration. This finding corresponds with cyclical changes in Earth's orbit that brought increased summer precipitation, supporting animal and human migration into the region.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 26, 2019

Analysis of US life expectancy

Analysis of US life expectancy reveals a nearly 10-year increase from 69.9 years in 1959 to 78.9 years in 2016, driven by factors such as drug overdoses, suicides, and organ system diseases among working-age adults.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateNov 26, 2019

A record-setting transistor

Researchers created a high-electron mobility transistor with record-low gate leakage current, high on/off current ratio, and high current gain cutoff frequency. The device has the potential to expand bandwidth for wireless communication systems, enabling more information transmission in less battery life.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalApplied Physics Express·DateNov 26, 2019

Mommy drinking is on the upswing -- but women without children still drink more

A study found that women without children increased their binge drinking from 21% to 42% between 2006 and 2018. In contrast, men without children reported the highest levels of binge drinking, while young men with children experienced a decline. The researchers suggest physicians should screen all adults for alcohol use disorders.

New modeling will shed light on policy decisions' effect on migration from sea level rise

A new modeling approach can help researchers, policymakers and the public better understand how policy decisions will influence human migration as sea levels rise. The approach suggests that global policy decisions about greenhouse gas emissions and coastal policies will determine whether people need to migrate and where they may go.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateNov 26, 2019

We love coffee, tea, chocolate and soft drinks so much, caffeine is literally in our blood

A study by Oregon State University found that 18 batches of supposedly pure human blood serum contained caffeine, cough medicine, and anti-anxiety drugs, highlighting potential issues with contaminated blood transfusions. The research also tested for interactions between botanical supplements and prescription drugs.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis·DateNov 26, 2019

LSE study calls for improved mental health support

The study found that the current system of immediate psychological help after a terrorist attack is inadequate, with most people seeking external help and expressing dissatisfaction with their GP's response. The researchers recommend improving the system to provide better support sooner.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Health Services Research & Policy·DateNov 26, 2019

Did human hunting activities alone drive great auks' extinction?

A study published in eLife analyzed ancient genetic data to investigate the decline of great auks. The findings suggest that intense hunting by humans likely caused their rapid extinction, even if the birds weren't already under threat from environmental changes. This highlights the potential for industrial-scale exploitation to drive ...

SourceeLife·DateNov 26, 2019

Scientists dissect and redesign protein-based pattern formation

Researchers dissected protein pattern formation into its main functional modules and rebuilt the process from scratch, identifying the minimal ingredients needed for self-organisation. The new system produces less regular patterns than native systems but is still sufficient for reproducing basic biological processes.

SourceeLife·DateNov 26, 2019

Building a better battery with machine learning

Argonne researchers used a machine learning algorithm to relate known molecular structures to larger data sets, reducing computational costs while maintaining precision. The approach improved the accuracy of predictions about battery electrolyte candidates, enabling scientists to identify potential materials for next-generation batteries.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalMRS Communications·DateNov 26, 2019

Using fungi to search for medical drugs

Researchers from the Hubrecht Institute and Utrecht University have set up a library of products derived from over ten thousand fungi to find new therapeutic compounds. They found 34 known compounds, including the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin, using zebrafish embryos as a test subject.

SourceHubrecht Institute·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 26, 2019