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Science News for June 28, 2019


Skoltech scientists found a way to control the electrical characteristics of optical memory devices

Researchers from Skoltech have identified relationships between photochromic material structure and device electrical performance. The study found that certain molecular structures improve switching speed and reliability, paving the way for the development of new organic memory elements.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry C·DateJun 28, 2019

How to improve corporate social and environmental responsibility

A new study suggests that NGOs can use targeted reports to encourage companies to adopt more responsible practices through vertical integration. This approach can help promote sustainable sourcing throughout industries, even in the face of high external pressure. By specifying both violating and non-violating firms in their reports, NG...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalManufacturing & Service Operations Management·DateJun 28, 2019

There's need to intensify diabetes screening amongst older patients living with HIV

A recent study highlights the need to screen older individuals with HIV for diabetes mellitus, which shows a significant correlation with age and race. The study also suggests that traditional glycated haemoglobin tests may underestimate diabetes diagnosis in HIV-positive patients, emphasizing the importance of considering alternative ...

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Public Health Journal·DateJun 28, 2019

In the drive to decrease low-value care, many don't assess the right impacts on patients

A review of 117 efforts to reduce low-value care found that most measured only the reduction of test and treatment use, while few assessed intended patient benefits or unintended consequences. Only half of ongoing studies aim to measure patient-reported outcomes, highlighting a need for more comprehensive evaluation.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJun 28, 2019

Researchers look to unlock post-traumatic stress disorder puzzle

A team of researchers has identified a key link between pre-existing brain circuit function and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) vulnerability. The study found that rats with altered neural circuit connectivity were more prone to fearful responses to threats, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of PTSD.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 28, 2019

Going the distance: Brain cells for 3D vision discovered

Researchers at Newcastle University have identified neurons in praying mantises that enable complex 3D perception, enabling more efficient algorithms for machine vision. The discovery provides new insights into the neural basis of depth perception in insects, shedding light on how these tiny brains process spatial information.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 28, 2019

Low-cost retinal scanner could help prevent blindness worldwide

A low-cost, portable optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanner has been developed by Duke University, promising to bring vision-saving technology to underserved regions. The device produced images of 120 retinas that were 95% as sharp as those taken by commercial systems, allowing for accurate clinical diagnosis.

SourceDuke University·JournalTranslational Vision Science & Technology·DateJun 28, 2019

A primate's response to death

Researchers review 200 years of non-human primate interactions with their dead, observing behaviors like defense of deceased companions and emotional responses. The study reveals a complex cognitive understanding of death among primates, including an ability to grasp objects and distinguish between living and dead.

SourceKyoto University·JournalBiological Reviews·DateJun 28, 2019

Study: Society pays heavy price for failure to diagnose and treat conduct disorder

Conduct disorder is a highly impairing psychiatric disorder that requires improved diagnosis and treatment. The condition is associated with a seven times greater health burden than ADHD and is linked to depression, anxiety, and substance abuse in children. Correct diagnosis and management can improve patient well-being and life chances.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalNature Reviews Disease Primers·DateJun 28, 2019

Study connects low social engagement to amyloid levels and cognitive decline

A new study found that low social engagement in elderly men and women is associated with greater cognitive decline over three years, particularly among those with high levels of brain amyloid-β. Researchers say social engagement may be an important marker of resilience or vulnerability in older adults at risk of cognitive impairment.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·DateJun 28, 2019

When the dinosaurs died, lichens thrived

A new study reveals that lichens, organisms made of fungi and algae, seized the opportunity to evolve and diversify rapidly after the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs. The research found that some lichens grew sophisticated structures similar to plant leaves, filling the niches left vacant by extinct plants.

SourceField Museum·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 28, 2019