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Science News Archive December 2019 - Page 6


Page 6 of 36

Adulthood with autism

A recent study by MU researcher Nancy Cheak-Zamora found that many young adults with autism struggle to achieve independence due to a disconnect between caregiver support and individual efforts. The research recommends shifting the perception towards strengths and skill sets, providing opportunities for mastery of tasks like cooking an...

A new role for a triple-negative breast cancer target

Researchers have discovered that the protein deltaNp63 plays a vital role in supplying energy to the mammary gland during puberty, while also being implicated in aggressive forms of cancer. The findings suggest that targeting this protein could be a viable approach for treating triple-negative breast cancer without affecting normal dev...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalFEBS Letters·DateDec 19, 2019

MAGIC system allows researchers to modulate the activity of genes acting in concert

Researchers have developed a new functional genomics system, MAGIC, which allows them to modulate the activity of multiple genes in concert. By combining individual gene edits with custom DNA sequences, scientists can explore synergistic effects and better understand complex traits.

Rapid diagnostic tests accurately diagnose Chagas disease

Researchers report that two commercially-available rapid diagnostic tests can be combined for conclusive diagnosis of Chagas disease. The tests provided a sensitivity of 97.7% and specificity of 96.1%, outperforming the conventional serological method.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateDec 19, 2019

Watching TV makes us prefer thinner women

A comprehensive study by Durham University found that TV exposure can have a causal effect on people's perceptions of body ideals, leading to the preference for thinner female bodies. The researchers are advocating for a shift towards a 'health at every size' attitude and media representation of diverse body types.

SourceDurham University·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateDec 19, 2019

Understanding the mechanisms of seemingly chaotic synchronization in trees

A team of scientists at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have developed a method to model the synchronization behaviors of different tree species using control parameters. They found that two populations of Zelkova serrata trees 20 kilometers apart were completely synchronized in a '3-year cycle', demonstrating the Period...

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 19, 2019

Study busts 9 to 5 model for academic work

A recent study published in The BMJ found significant variations in how researchers worldwide manage their work-life balance. Chinese academics were shown to be the most prolific during weekends and late at night, while Scandinavian countries took a more balanced approach. This highlights the presence of a 'culture of overwork' across ...

Many pregnant women with HIV prescribed treatment that does not meet federal guidelines

A study led by NIH-funded researchers analyzed data on pregnant women with HIV and found that nearly 20% received treatment regimens not aligned with federal guidelines for use during pregnancy. The study highlights the need for further research into prescribing practices for pregnant women living with HIV.

How microbes reflect the health of coral reefs

A study by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution compared seawater from protected and impacted reefs in Cuba and Florida Keys, finding that protected reefs have higher microbial diversity and lower nutrient concentrations. This suggests that offshore and highly-protected reefs are healthier than nearshore reefs with less protection ...

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateDec 19, 2019

Scientists uncover world's oldest forest

Scientists have uncovered fossils of trees from the world's oldest forest, dating back 386 million years, in a sandstone quarry in Cairo, New York. The discovery provides new insights into the evolution of trees and their role in shaping the world we live in today.

SourceCardiff University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 19, 2019

Honey, I shrunk Michelangelo's David

Scientists from ETH Zurich have successfully created a miniature copper statue of Michelangelo's famous sculpture using 3D printing technology. The technique allows for the creation of metal structures at the nanometer and micrometer scale, enabling the production of complex geometries with high precision.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalMicromachines·DateDec 19, 2019

Understanding why songbirds choose their homes

A new study by University of Alberta biologists found that birds of the same species do not use the same habitats in different parts of the Canadian boreal forest. This phenomenon, known as differential habitat selection, has significant implications for conservation planning and management strategies.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalDiversity and Distributions·DateDec 19, 2019

A surprising new source of attention in the brain

Research at Rockefeller University discovered a new brain area, PITd, that steers attention and challenges the long-held concept of attention control. The finding suggests a rethinking of old concepts about attentional control and highlights the complexity of the brain's attention mechanisms.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 19, 2019

Novel 3D microscopy technique reveals new phenomena in living cells

A novel 3D microscopy technique allows researchers to quantify previously unseen or unexplained cell behavior. The technique has been applied to study the dynamics of organelles and fat droplets within living cells, revealing new aspects of their behavior such as synchronization of swelling among droplets.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 19, 2019