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Science News Archive February 2019 - Page 24


Page 24 of 40

New study finds ecosystem changes following loss of great white sharks

A new study has documented the unexpected consequences of great white shark decline on an ocean ecosystem. Sevengill sharks, a top predator with unique characteristics, have emerged as a result of great whites' disappearance. The researchers observed sevengill shark sightings increasing in number after great whites vanished from surveys.

Ancient fossilized tracks suggest multicellular life far older than previously thought

Newly discovered fossilized tracks suggest that multicellular organisms could be 1.5 billion years older than previously thought, with origins dating back to 2.1 billion years ago. This discovery has sparked debate and skepticism among researchers, who are exploring alternative explanations for the early emergence of complex life.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2019

Sensitive sensor detects Down syndrome DNA

A new biosensor has been developed to detect fetal Down syndrome DNA in pregnant women's blood, offering a fast, sensitive, and cost-effective alternative to traditional tests. The sensor can detect DNA concentrations as low as 0.1 fM/L, making it more sensitive than other reported field-effect transistor DNA sensors.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 13, 2019

Undersea gases could superheat the planet

A new study reveals that naturally occurring carbon gases trapped in undersea reservoirs escaped to superheat the planet in prehistory, disrupting the Earth's atmosphere and causing global warming. The findings challenge the long-standing paradigm that ocean water alone regulated carbon dioxide in the atmosphere during glacial cycles.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateFeb 13, 2019

Human cells can also change jobs

Researchers at UNIGE show that human pancreatic cells can be converted to produce insulin in a sustainable way, potentially compensating for lost or dysfunctional cells. The conversion was successful in both diabetic and non-diabetic donors, with modified alpha cells showing improved resistance to autoimmune diabetes.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·DateFeb 13, 2019

Pitch perfect: Strategic language use maximizes the chances of influencing an audience

A new study by Cass Business School academic Dr Ruben van Werven has identified four key language strategies used by influential entrepreneurs to connect with investors. These strategies include implying a point without making it, presenting the imagined future as a reality, being explicit about the current situation, and supporting th...

SourceCity St George’s, University of London·JournalInternational Small Business Journal Researching Entrepreneurship·DateFeb 12, 2019

Laser-induced graphene gets tough, with help

Researchers at Rice University have developed composites of laser-induced graphene that can be used for wearable electronics, heat therapy, water treatment, anti-icing, and antimicrobial surfaces. The new composites were created by infusing LIG with materials like plastic, rubber, and wood, and show improved mechanical robustness.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 12, 2019

Women scarce in the one percent

A new study by University of North Carolina at Charlotte researcher Jill Yavorsky and colleagues finds that men control the majority of income resources in top one percent U.S. income distributions. Women's income alone is sufficient for one percent status in only 5% of elite households, highlighting a glass ceiling that extends beyond...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateFeb 12, 2019

Large study fails to link phthalates and increased breast cancer risk

A large study examining phthalate exposure and postmenopausal breast cancer found no association between the two. The research, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, suggests that more research is needed to investigate younger women and potential associations between phthalate exposure and breast cancer risk.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 12, 2019