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Science News Archive 2019 - Page 95


Page 95 of 486

Catastrophic events carry forests of trees thousands of miles to a burial at sea

Research team finds wood chips from ancient trees dating back 19 million years in ocean core samples, revealing a previously unrecognized way carbon remains locked away for millions of years. The discovery suggests that the amount of carbon exported and buried by modern rivers may be 50% greater than previously thought.

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

Closures affect 1 in 8 pharmacies in the US

A study by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found that one in eight pharmacies in the US closed between 2009 and 2015. Independent pharmacies in urban areas are disproportionately affected, with nearly half closing due to lack of access to preferred pharmacy networks and 340B contracts.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateOct 21, 2019

Family members can assist in preventing post-operative delirium by as much as 16.8%

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that adapting the Hospital Elder Life Program for non-volunteers and family members can effectively prevent post-operative delirium. The tailored intervention reduced delirium occurrence by 19.4% compared to usual care, with greater functional and cognitive recovery afterwards.

Analysis of US pharmacy closures

Pharmacy closures in the US are becoming increasingly common, with significant implications for patient access to essential medications and care. The research letter highlights several risk factors associated with closure, including demographic changes, consolidation of pharmacies, and regulatory issues.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateOct 21, 2019

Song-learning neurons identified in songbirds

A study published in PNAS reveals that corticobasal ganglia projecting neurons play a crucial role in song learning during juvenile development. In contrast, adult birds with disrupted projection neurons maintain their pre-learned song structure and exhibit normal vocal fluctuations.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2019

Mystery solved: Ocean acidity in the last mass extinction

A Yale University study reveals that the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event was triggered by a sharp drop in ocean acidity, leading to the demise of marine calcifiers and a 50% decline in species productivity. The research provides new insights into the recovery of marine life after the event.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2019

New deep-water coral discovered

Researchers have discovered a new species of deep-water coral, Psammogorgia pax, in the Pacific Ocean off Panama. This find is significant for its contribution to understanding the ecology and biodiversity of mesophotic coral communities, which are difficult to access and require increased protection.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalBulletin of Marine Science·DateOct 21, 2019

Uncovering the principles behind RNA folding

A Northwestern University research team discovered similarities in RNA folding among riboswitches, which could impact the design of future RNA-specific therapeutics and synthetic biology tools. The findings could also inform efforts to treat diseases triggered by RNA-level misfolding.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateOct 21, 2019

New haptic arm places robotics within easy reach

The University of Bristol's Mantis robotic arm provides light, affordable, and simple solution for everyday users, enabling them to build and use robots without expensive kit or skills. The system simulates the sense of touch, providing haptic force feedback, and can be built and used by anyone from a secondary school student.