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Science News Archive 2019 - Page 97


Page 97 of 486

SNAP provides a model for ensuring a right to food

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) addresses the right to food by providing targeted assistance to low-income households and expanding automatically in response to changes in need. SNAP achieves a right to food through its entitlement program, access to food nationwide, and respect for participants' dignity and autonomy.

Mars once had salt lakes similar to Earth

A team of scientists, including Texas A&M University researcher Marion Nachon, found that Mars' Gale Crater lake underwent drying episodes, potentially linked to the planet's global drying. The study reveals signs of liquid water and salt ponds similar to those on Earth, particularly in South America's Altiplano region.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateOct 18, 2019

Wind turbine design and placement can mitigate negative effect on birds

A new study found a negative effect of three birds lost for every turbine within 400 meters of a bird habitat, but also suggests ways to minimize the impact through wind turbine design and placement. The researchers estimate that about 150,000 birds are affected by wind turbines in the U.S. every year.

Energy flow in the nano range

Researchers at the University of Würzburg have developed two new spectroscopic methods to study energy transport on the nanoscale. By deciphering the behavior of double-walled nanotubes, they aim to improve artificial light-harvesting antennas and photovoltaics.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 18, 2019

How roots grow hair

A team of researchers has identified a key regulator of root hair growth in plants, revealing a new mechanism for controlling this process. The discovery, made using 'smoke detectors' from fire-following seeds, shows promise for improving crop yields and drought resistance.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateOct 17, 2019

How aerosols affect our climate

Researchers used a massive NASA dataset to develop a framework explaining the sensitivity of local temperatures to aerosols. The study found that the longwave effect of aerosols is more significant than previously thought, contributing to a smaller terrestrial diurnal temperature range.

SourceYale School of the Environment·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 17, 2019

A simpler way to make some medicines

Chemists at Ohio State University have discovered a new way to synthesize the most common molecule arrangement in medicine, which could make it easier and more efficient for drug makers to produce medicines. This breakthrough could lead to a reduction in waste and an improvement in the production process.

SourceOhio State University·JournalChem·DateOct 17, 2019

Researchers discover how left-right information is integrated to correct organ positioning

Scientists from CSIC-UMH have discovered a molecular mechanism that ensures the right equilibrium needed in left-right signaling cascade during development, leading to correct heart positioning. This mechanism involves a transient wave of small molecules called microRNAs that travel along the left-hand side of the embryo.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateOct 17, 2019

Study provides first evidence that fat accumulates in the lungs of overweight and obese people

A recent study published in the European Respiratory Journal has provided evidence that fatty tissue builds up in the airway walls of individuals who are overweight or obese. This accumulation alters the normal structure of the airways and leads to inflammation in the lungs, which may contribute to increased asthma symptoms.

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateOct 17, 2019

Ants fight plant diseases

Aarhus University researchers have found that ants inhibit at least 14 different plant diseases through the secretion of antibiotics and pheromones. The discovery has sparked hope for new biological control agents in agriculture, which could be used to combat resistant plant diseases.

SourceAarhus University·JournalOikos·DateOct 17, 2019

Dementia and eating disorders: it is a problem of (semantic) memory

A recent study reveals that semantic memory deficits are involved in specific eating disorders in patients with dementia. The research found a correlation between the severity of these eating disorders and reduced performance on semantic memory tests, suggesting that these behaviors depend on the integrity of semantic memory. This brea...

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalJournal of Neuropsychology·DateOct 17, 2019

Mathematical modelling vital to tackling disease outbreaks

A new study by researchers at the University of Waterloo highlights the importance of mathematical modelling in tackling disease outbreaks. The study concludes that combining data from multiple medical and public health sources can provide more informative insights for public health planners, enabling effective intervention strategies.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalNature Microbiology·DateOct 17, 2019

Photosynthesis olympics: can the best wheat varieties be even better?

Researchers conducted a 'Photosynthesis Olympics' study to identify the most efficient wheat varieties, finding that top performers were up to 90% better than worst ones due to genetic differences. The results have significant implications for breeders and farmers, offering potential for improved yields with reduced inputs.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·DateOct 17, 2019

Scientists unwind mystery behind DNA replication

Researchers found that intrinsic mechanical properties of chromatin determine how fibers entwine during DNA replication, preventing tangles and ensuring proper segregation. The study highlights the importance of physical principles in biological processes and provides new insights into chromatin behavior.

SourceCornell University·JournalCell·DateOct 17, 2019