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Science News Archive February 2019 - Page 15


Page 15 of 40

Visualizing mental valuation processes

A new computer model has been developed to map mental valuation processes in the brain, enabling accurate predictions of food choices. The model takes into account individual valuations and efficiency principles, allowing for the prediction of decision behavior.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 19, 2019

Research shows structural barriers are the biggest reason for low participation in clinical trials

Research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that patients face structural and clinical barriers to participating in clinical trials, with nearly 22% deemed ineligible. The team calls for policy changes such as expanding trial locations and proactively discussing options with patients to increase access and participation.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 19, 2019

Beyond the bulkheterojunction

A novel concept proposes a lateral alternating multilayered junction for organic solar cells, enabling long-distance carrier transport and extraction. The structure shows promising results with high exciton-collection efficiency, paving the way to exceed conversion efficiency of 20%.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalACS Applied Energy Materials·DateFeb 19, 2019

Prenatal forest fire exposure stunts children's growth

Research from Duke University and National University of Singapore reveals pre-natal exposure to forest fire haze leads to a 1.3-inch decrease in expected height at age 17, resulting in long-term human capital losses and permanent stunting effects on children's growth.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 19, 2019

Putting the brakes on aging

A new gene therapy using CRISPR/Cas9 targets the accumulation of toxic proteins in progeria syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. The therapy improves health and life span in mice, providing insight into molecular pathways involved in accelerated aging.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Medicine·DateFeb 19, 2019

Children with autism, co-occurring ADHD symptoms lag in key measures of independence

New studies provide insight into the struggles of children on the autism spectrum with co-occurring ADHD symptoms, highlighting difficulties with adaptive behavior and brain connectivity. Researchers found a strong relationship between ADHD symptoms and adaptive behavior scores in both home and school settings.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateFeb 19, 2019

The Lancet Oncology: Rapid scale-up of HPV vaccine and screening could prevent up to 13 million cases of cervical cancer by 2050

A modelling study predicts that combining high uptake of HPV vaccine and high HPV-based cervical screening rates can prevent up to 13.4 million cases of cervical cancer within 50 years. Cervical cancer elimination is expected in most countries by the end of the century, with average rates falling to less than 4 cases per 100,000 women.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateFeb 19, 2019

Women more likely to take Bible literally, but that may be tied to intimacy, not gender

A recent study from Baylor University found that women are more likely to believe the Bible is literally true than men. However, this may be because they report higher levels of closeness to God, which increases with prayer and Bible study. The study suggests that intimacy with God plays a key role in literalism, rather than gender.

SourceBaylor University·JournalJournal for the Scientific Study of Religion·DateFeb 19, 2019

Seeing the unseeable

Scientists at Cardiff University used x-ray crystallography and computer simulation to study the binding of viruses to cells. They found that adenoviruses can bind weakly to a different entry receptor called CAR, previously undiscovered mechanism.

SourceCardiff University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 19, 2019