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Science News Archive February 2019 - Page 3


Page 3 of 40

A trap for positrons

Researchers at TUM and Max Planck Institute have developed a magnetic field trap to confine positrons for over a second, a breakthrough in studying electron-positron pair plasmas. This achievement has significant implications for plasma physics and astrophysics, including the study of neutron stars and black holes.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 28, 2019

Health insurance is not assurance of healthcare

A new study from Case Western Reserve University finds that low- to middle-income individuals with subsidized health-exchange insurance are more likely to experience problems with access and affordability. They are 2.5 times more likely to have difficulty paying medical bills and skip needed care, compared to Medicaid recipients.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateFeb 27, 2019

Environmental variables may influence B cell development and allergies in children

Researchers examined antibody isotype and B cell receptor composition in young children, finding associations between environmental exposures and increased somatic hypermutation frequencies. This study sheds light on the complex relationships between environmental factors and immune system development in childhood.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 27, 2019

Iridescent color from clear droplets

Researchers at Penn State and MIT discovered that uniform-sized clear water droplets on a surface can produce bright iridescent colors. The color is due to total internal reflection and light interference, creating an optical effect not possible in perfect spheres.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateFeb 27, 2019

Human settlements and rainfall affect giraffe home ranges

A new study found that giraffes living near human settlements have larger home ranges than those living far from towns, while areas with more rain have smaller home ranges. This suggests that humans are impacting giraffe habitat and forcing them to travel longer distances to access critical resources.

SourcePenn State·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateFeb 27, 2019

Newly identified drug targets could open door for esophageal cancer therapeutics

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have identified two molecular pathways that could lead to new treatments for esophageal cancer. By blocking the JNK and TGF-beta pathways, tumors can be slowed in growth and even regressed in mice. The study's findings suggest a new targeted therapeutic avenue for this deadly form of cancer.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateFeb 27, 2019