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Science News Archive April 2019 - Page 23


Page 23 of 44

Physicists improve understanding of heat and particle flow in the edge of a fusion device

Researchers have discovered a hill-like bump of electric charge at the X-point in tokamaks, which prevents plasma particles from traveling straight between upstream and downstream areas. This finding could lead to more accurate predictions about exhaust and make future large-scale facilities less vulnerable to internal damage.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateApr 15, 2019

Sizing up a starry night

Researchers discovered the diameter of a giant red giant star 2,674 light-years away and a sun-like star at 700 light-years, setting a record for the smallest star measured. The team used asteroid occultations to calculate the stars' sizes with high accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 15, 2019

RNA transport in neurons -- Staufen2 detects its target transcripts in a complex manner

A team of scientists has discovered that the neuronal transport factor Staufen2 scans and binds to its target transcripts in a more complex manner than previously thought. This finding opens up new approaches to improve our understanding of RNA transport and synaptic plasticity, which is essential for memory and learning.

Scanning for cancer treatment

Researchers combined CRISPR with drug discovery to understand how AML treatment works and which weaknesses can be exploited. The study revealed that LSD1-GFI1B relationship is critical for AML survival, enabling more targeted treatments.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateApr 15, 2019

Could climate change cause infertility?

A new study by University of Lincoln researchers suggests that extreme temperatures can impact the reproductive behavior and physiology of males before females, potentially leading to infertility. The study found that rising temperatures hampered sperm production in male Indian meal moths, affecting their ability to mate.

SourceUniversity of Lincoln·JournalJournal of Evolutionary Biology·DateApr 15, 2019

Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District and Tetra Tech awarded the 2019 INFORMS Edelman Award

The Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District and Tetra Tech won the 2019 INFORMS Edelman Award for their successful implementation of Csoft, a software solution that maximizes storage, conveyance, and treatment capacities to better protect the environment. The project has saved over $200 million in infrastructure costs and improved commu...

Hospital study finds substantial proportion of patients and healthcare workers shed flu virus before symptoms appear

Researchers found that a significant proportion of patients and healthcare workers shed the flu virus without displaying symptoms, making it difficult to control its spread. The study, conducted at a tertiary hospital in Zurich, tracked over 700 healthcare workers and inpatients during two consecutive influenza seasons.

Shocking economics

Researchers propose a novel method from physics that makes economic effects of major events computable for the first time. The new method calculates resilience and outputs, testable predictions can be made and visualizations help understand economies.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 15, 2019

The history of humanity in your face

Researchers reveal how the modern human face evolved over four million years, influenced by dietary changes, tool use, and social interactions. The study's findings suggest that the face's shape and features reflect our species' adaptability to different environments and cultural contexts.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateApr 15, 2019

Plastic's carbon footprint

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have conducted the first global assessment of plastic's life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, finding that current strategies are insufficient to curb emissions. Recycling and replacing fossil-based energy with renewable sources offer promising solutions, but significant reductions will require unpreceden...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Climate Change·DateApr 15, 2019

Severe haze in China

A recent study synthesizes research on severe haze pollution in Northern China, highlighting its complex interaction between human activities and atmospheric conditions. The findings suggest that improving haze prediction and developing effective regulatory policies require additional knowledge and public awareness campaigns.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2019

Brain marker for angry dreams

A new study has identified a brain activity pattern, called frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA), that predicts anger experienced during dreaming. Individuals with greater alpha-band brain activity in the right frontal cortex during REM sleep and pre-sleep wakefulness tend to have more angry dreams.

North Atlantic warming hole impacts jet stream

The North Atlantic warming hole has a significant impact on the North Atlantic jet stream, leading to changes in atmospheric circulation and storm tracks. The cooling pattern caused by the warming hole is predicted to become greater and more apparent as the century progresses.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Climate·DateApr 15, 2019

Meteoroid strikes eject precious water from moon

Scientists found evidence of water vapor in lunar exosphere after analyzing data from NASA's LADEE mission, which orbited the Moon from October 2013 to April 2014. The team detected dozens of events where meteoroids struck the Moon's surface, releasing a short-lived water vapor that could be used as a resource for future human explorat...

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 15, 2019

Necrophagy: A means of survival in the Dead Sea

Researchers from UNIGE discovered that bacteria can thrive in the Dead Sea's sediments, surviving extreme conditions by feeding on ancient corpses. This finding has significant implications for searching for life on other planets and highlights the importance of understanding how microorganisms adapt to hostile environments.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalGeology·DateApr 15, 2019

China, India economic development key to achieving MDG for safe drinking water

Research led by The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science found that China and India's rapid urbanization, especially in China, and rural development in India were major enablers of the success in achieving MDG Target 7C-Water. Economic development was also found to be imperative in expanding drinking water coverage.