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Science News Archive August 2019 - Page 37


Page 37 of 38

How little we know: Experts document the lack of research on youth firearm injury

A review of 33 years' worth of medical studies reveals key areas for new research to explore. The study found that only a few hundred studies have been published on the topic, many with methodological flaws. Experts recommend more research on larger samples, school- and family-level risk factors, and protective factors.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Behavioral Medicine·DateAug 1, 2019

Human genetic diversity of South America reveals complex history of Amazonia

A new study explores genetic roots of 26 populations from diverse regions and cultures of western South America and Mexico, revealing long-distance connections between speakers of the same language. Genetic analysis also found a distinct ancestry component in Amazonia present at high frequency in populations from Ecuador and Colombia.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateAug 1, 2019

Sustained police effort explains higher arrests for gun murders

A new study by Duke and Northeastern universities reveals that sustained police efforts lead to higher arrest rates for gun murders compared to nonfatal shootings. The researchers found that persistence in investigating fatal cases results in more arrests due to increased resources and cooperation from witnesses.

SourceDuke University·JournalCriminology & Public Policy·DateAug 1, 2019

Police officers' exposure to peers accused of misconduct shapes their subsequent behavior

A Northwestern University study found that police officers who had colleagues previously named in use-of-force complaints were more likely to be named in subsequent complaints. The researchers recommend police departments consider the impact of assigning officers with histories of using excessive force on other officers' behavior.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCriminology & Public Policy·DateAug 1, 2019

Story tips from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, August 2019

The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed dynamic vision sensors that can interpret live information in real-time, revolutionizing robotics and autonomous vehicle sensing. Additionally, researchers are using additive manufacturing techniques to unlock new potential in tungsten for fusion energy, while also ...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateAug 1, 2019

New approach could make HVAC heat exchangers five times better

Researchers discovered that adding an organic solvent to common water-based turbulent heat exchange systems can boost their capacity to move heat by 500%. This approach achieves 10 times more improvement than other methods, revolutionizing heat exchange in HVAC and large-scale applications. The additive is non-corrosive, non-flammable,...

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 1, 2019

Supercomputing improves biomass fuel conversion

Researchers used supercomputing and nano-imaging to reveal how a 'lignin-first' approach can facilitate the efficient breakdown of plant biomass. The study found that pretreating plant biomass with specific co-solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran and water, can help break down lignin and increase enzyme access to cellulose.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 1, 2019

Veterans with traumatic brain injuries have higher suicide risk

A study of over 1.4 million military veterans found that those with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are more likely to die by suicide, with a significant increase in firearm use as a means of suicide. The researchers emphasize the importance of screening for lifetime history of TBI to prevent future deaths by suicide.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation·DateAug 1, 2019

From greenhouse gas to fuel

A novel catalysis system reduces carbon dioxide to methane in a single step, eliminating intermediate steps. The system uses copper and nanostructured silver surfaces, yielding higher methane concentrations than copper-only systems.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 1, 2019

3D printing the human heart

A team of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University has developed a new technique to 3D bioprint tissue scaffolds out of collagen, allowing them to overcome challenges associated with existing methods and achieve unprecedented resolution and fidelity. The technique, known as Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogels (FRESH...

System to image the human eye corrects for chromatic aberrations

A new imaging system cancels chromatic optical aberrations in individual eyes, allowing for precise assessment of vision and eye health. The technology provides the first objective measurement of longitudinal chromatic aberrations (LCA), which could lead to insights into visual halos, glare, and color perception.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateAug 1, 2019