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Science News Archive 2019 - Page 93


Page 93 of 486

Loosen up!

A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that exercise can reduce artery stiffness associated with heart failure. Regardless of intensity level or duration, any type of physical activity was beneficial for heart health compared to no exercise at all.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateOct 22, 2019

A 'shocking' new way to treat infections

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a novel electrochemical therapy to treat metal-based implant infections, which are a persistent problem with five to 10 percent failure rates. The new approach damages the microbe cell membrane, increasing susceptibility to antibiotics and eradicating drug-resistant cells.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateOct 22, 2019

When a freestanding emergency department comes to town, costs go up

A new study by Rice University experts found that freestanding emergency departments increased average emergency department spending by 3.6% per insured beneficiary in Texas, Florida, and North Carolina. In contrast, entry of a freestanding emergency department resulted in higher out-of-pocket payments for emergency care in three states.

SourceRice University·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateOct 22, 2019

Clay minerals call the shots with carbon

Researchers found that different clay minerals interact with organic matter to varying degrees, affecting carbon sequestration. Smectite and kaolinite form stable complexes with organic substances, while mica and chlorite bind tightly with continental carbon.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateOct 21, 2019

OU-led study reveals dry season increase in photosynthesis in Amazon rain forest

A University of Oklahoma-led study found a significant increase in photosynthesis in the Amazon rainforest during the dry season, as measured by satellite-based solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence. The study provides new insights into the dynamics of Amazonian photosynthesis and its impact on global atmospheric carbon concentrations.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2019

'Artificial leaf' successfully produces clean gas

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have successfully developed an artificial leaf that can directly produce syngas, a widely-used gas currently made from fossil fuels, in a sustainable way. The device uses sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce clean gas without releasing additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Materials·DateOct 21, 2019

International research community calls for recognition of forests' role in human prosperity

A new special issue of World Development examines the ways forests serve to alleviate poverty around the world. Research highlights the importance of forests in promoting broader prosperity, including through community-based forest enterprises, ecotourism, and ecosystem services.

Researchers watch quantum knots untie

Researchers at Aalto University have studied the dynamics of quantum knots, finding that they untie themselves within a short period before forming a vortex. This discovery opens up new avenues for experimental research and suggests that quantum knots may be more unstable than previously thought.

SourceAalto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 21, 2019

Find FH® machine learning model flags individuals with FH for first time at national level

A new machine learning algorithm identified individuals with probable familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) for the first time at a national scale, reducing the number of people needed to be screened. The FIND FH model performed comparably well on diverse healthcare data and has been implemented in several US healthcare systems.

SourceFamily Heart Foundation·JournalThe Lancet Digital Health·DateOct 21, 2019

Speech and social class perception

Using audio recordings, researchers found that listening to speech patterns allowed strangers to accurately predict social class, age, gender, and race more than half the time. Speech patterns were less accurate for social class judgments compared to other categories, suggesting they may perpetuate social inequality.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2019

Forests on the radar

Researchers found that coarser radar data provide comparable and sometimes superior results to high-resolution laser scanning data in monitoring forest biodiversity. Better, standardized ground-based biodiversity data are needed nationwide for more effective monitoring.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 21, 2019