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Science News Archive December 2019 - Page 23


Page 23 of 36

How playing the drums changes the brain

Researchers found that professional drummers have fewer but thicker fibres in the corpus callosum, a brain structure responsible for motor planning. This leads to more efficient brain organisation and better performance in drumming tasks. The study also revealed that drummers' brains are less active in motor tasks.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalBrain and Behavior·DateDec 9, 2019

Navigating navigating land and water

Researchers at Tohoku University have cracked the code of centipedes' flexible motor control mechanism, enabling them to walk on land and swim in water. The study's findings will aid in developing robots that can adapt to various environments.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 9, 2019

The genetic signature of memory

A recent study identified distinct gene signatures associated with memory creation, found in cortical and subcortical regions of the brain. These genes play crucial roles in memory processes, immune signaling, neuronal generation, and mRNA production.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateDec 9, 2019

Medicaid expansion doubled access to primary care, increased attention to health risks

The Michigan Medicaid expansion program successfully doubled access to primary care and increased the discussion of healthy behaviors among low-income residents. According to new studies, nearly 90% of enrollees reported reduced stress and worry due to HMP coverage, with many going without dental care they needed before enrollment.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateDec 9, 2019

When penguins ruled after dinosaurs died

A newly discovered penguin species, Kupoupou stilwelli, found on Chatham Island has proportions close to its modern relatives, indicating it waddled on land. The 62.5-60 million-year-old fossil provides insight into the evolution of early penguins and their adaptation to subtropical seas.

SourceFlinders University·JournalPalaeontologia Electronica·DateDec 9, 2019

Storing data in everyday objects

Scientists create 'DNA of Things' technology, storing 3D-printing instructions and other data in everyday objects like plastic rabbits. The method uses DNA molecules, allowing for secure information transfer and hiding in everyday items like glasses or construction materials.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateDec 9, 2019

Separating drugs with MagLev

The MagLev method uses magneto-Archimedes levitation to separate and isolate different drugs from sample mixtures, allowing for precise identification. The technique can distinguish between up to seven substances simultaneously and has the potential to complement or replace existing portable drug identification techniques.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 9, 2019

Genomic cut and paste using a Class 1 CRISPR system

Japanese researchers have developed a Class 1 CRISPR gene editing system that enables efficient DNA repairs in human cells with minimal off-target effects. The Cas3 protein-based approach achieves superior genome editing efficiency compared to traditional Class 2 systems, opening doors for new therapeutic applications.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 9, 2019

You create your own false information, study finds

A new study from Ohio State University found that people tend to misremember numerical statistics on controversial issues to align with their existing beliefs. When presented with accurate data, participants often flip or distort the numbers to match their preconceptions, even when they're correct.

SourceOhio State University·JournalHuman Communication Research·DateDec 9, 2019

Finding the smallest genes could yield outsized benefits

A study from the Salk Institute identified over 2,000 previously unknown small open reading frames (smORFs) in human cell lines, expanding the number of human genes by 10%. These tiny genetic sequences may hold key to understanding human biology and developing new treatments for diseases like cancer and diabetes.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateDec 9, 2019

Identification of a key protein linked to ageing

Scientists from Institut Pasteur have identified a key protein associated with ageing, which is progressively depleted in cells leading to senescence. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms of senescence and its link to cellular ageing, paving the way for potential therapeutic targets.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 9, 2019

Aspirin's health benefits under scrutiny

A new study suggests that taking aspirin daily to prevent a heart attack or stroke may no longer be recommended for adults without a history of these events. The study found that the potential benefits of aspirin are similar to its potential harms for most people, highlighting the need for personalized advice from doctors.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalFamily Practice·DateDec 9, 2019

Urban growth causes more biodiversity loss outside of cities

Researchers found that direct urban expansion leads to significant habitat destruction, but the broader environmental impacts of urbanization are much greater, with climate change and land-use change driving global biodiversity loss. The study highlights the need for more research on indirect effects in developing countries.