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Science News Archive 2019 - Page 419


Page 419 of 486

Uncovering the origins of cultivated strawberries

A recent study published in Nature Genetics reveals the intricate evolutionary history of cultivated strawberries, which originated from the hybridization of four diploid species native to Europe, Asia, and North America. The octoploid strawberry genome analysis has identified genes controlling fruit quality traits and disease resistan...

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Genetics·DateFeb 25, 2019

New skeletal disease found and explained

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new skeletal disease linked to an abnormal expression of small RNA molecules. The study reveals that the disease causes skeletal dysplasia, joint pain, and delayed cartilage cell maturation in patients, providing potential diagnostic and therapeutic options.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Medicine·DateFeb 25, 2019

Stop recruiting children, UK Armed Forces urged

Experts argue that the UK's policy of recruiting children to the Armed Forces is harmful to teen health and causes specific health harms. The UK is one of only two countries in the world to recruit teenagers, with 15-year-olds allowed to begin the enlistment process at age 16.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Paediatrics Open·DateFeb 25, 2019

Nanoparticle computing takes a giant step forward

Researchers developed a nanoparticle-lipid bilayer hybrid-based computing platform that enables parallel computation using nanoparticles. The system consists of mobile Nano-Floaters and immobile Nano-Receptors, which can perform AND, OR, and INHIBIT logic operations, and are modularly wired to form complex logic circuits.

SourceSeoul National University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 23, 2019

Studying species interactions using remote camera traps

Researchers developed a framework to detect species interactions using camera trap data, highlighting the need for standardized data collection and collaboration. The study found that many records are needed to produce trustworthy results, but standardization can achieve this by combining datasets from multiple studies.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalRemote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation·DateFeb 22, 2019

Geographic distribution of opioid-related deaths

The study analyzed data on over 351,000 opioid-related deaths from 1999 to 2016, revealing a significant increase in mortality rates in the eastern United States. Synthetic opioids were found to be driving these increases, prompting policymakers to reconsider their strategies for reducing opioid-related deaths.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 22, 2019

Food allergies: A research update

A new paradigm shift in food allergy treatment is on the horizon, allowing children to gradually reintroduce forbidden foods and reducing long-term anxieties. Researchers and clinicians will provide support as families navigate these new treatments and manage psychosocial concerns related to daily life.

Researchers engineer a tougher fiber

North Carolina State University researchers created fibers that combine rubber's elasticity with metal's strength, resulting in a tougher material. The fibers can stretch up to seven times their original length before failure while absorbing energy, making them suitable for applications like soft robotics and textiles.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 22, 2019

A quantum magnet with a topological twist

Researchers at Princeton University observed exotic electronic properties in kagome magnets, including negative magnetism and flat-band electrons. The study used state-of-the-art scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy to explore the behavior of electrons in a kagome-patterned crystal.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 22, 2019

US patient advocacy groups received majority of pharma donations in multi-country study

A new study found that US-based patient advocacy organizations received 74% of total contributions from the world's 10 largest pharmaceutical companies in 2016. The study highlights inconsistent reporting and disclosure across countries, impeding transparency of pharma contributions to patient advocacy groups.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 22, 2019

Machines whisper our secrets

A team of researchers at the University of California, Riverside, has developed a method to reconstruct what a researcher is doing with a DNA synthesizer by recording its sounds. The technique uses machine learning algorithms to identify patterns in the sound signals and can detect the type of DNA being produced with high accuracy.