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Science News Archive August 2019 - Page 5


Page 5 of 38

Canadian astronomers determine Earth's fingerprint

Two McGill University astronomers have assembled a transit spectrum of Earth, a fingerprint of the planet's atmosphere in infrared light. This detection could help scientists identify planets capable of supporting life, such as TRAPPIST-1 system with seven habitable zone planets.

SourceMcGill University·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 28, 2019

Chance, not ideology, drives political polarization

A new study suggests that chance and opinion cascades, rather than deeply rooted ideological differences, drive political polarization. The researchers found that early movers can trigger a cascade in which later partisans pile on to their party's position, leading to large political differences.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 28, 2019

A dual imaging approach may improve diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer

A new dual imaging approach combines transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and photoacoustic imaging to detect anatomical features and molecular information of the prostate. This technology has shown promise in detecting prostate cancers with high accuracy, including distinguishing malignant regions in patients with advanced disease.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 28, 2019

Estimate of cigarette consumption in England

A study comparing survey and sales data found that estimated total cigarette consumption in England fell by almost one-quarter between 2011 and 2018. The decline is equivalent to approximately 1.4 billion cigarettes per year, highlighting the need for continued tobacco control efforts.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 28, 2019

Could marriage stave off dementia?

A new study found that married people are less likely to develop dementia as they age, whereas divorced individuals are twice as likely to experience the condition. The research analyzed data from over 15,000 respondents and suggests that marital status is an important social risk factor for dementia.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalThe Journals of Gerontology Series B·DateAug 28, 2019

Youth: Transgender people should use bathroom they're most comfortable in

A new study reveals that young people aged 14-24 overwhelmingly support the right of transgender individuals to use the bathroom they feel most comfortable in. Contrary to current policies in many schools, youth respondents believe bathroom use is a personal and private decision, and a matter of equality, freedom, and human rights. Thi...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Homosexuality·DateAug 28, 2019

Excess body fat increases the risk of depression

A new study finds that excess body fat increases the risk of depression, with a 17% higher probability for every ten kilograms of extra weight. The study suggests that psychological consequences of being overweight or obese drive this increased risk, rather than biological effects.

SourceAarhus University·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateAug 27, 2019

Fat pumps generate electrical power

A study from Aarhus University has found that fat pumps in cell membranes create an electrical current, which may play a role in controlling essential processes in the body. This discovery highlights the importance of flippases in maintaining cellular function and suggests potential connections to neurological diseases and Alzheimer's.

SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2019

Researchers discover a new form of immunotherapy

Researchers have discovered a new form of immunotherapy that targets and removes specific immune cells called macrophages, which support cancer growth. The technique has shown promising results in treating malignant melanoma, with tumors shrinking after the removal of these cells.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateAug 27, 2019