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Science News Archive June 2019 - Page 13


Page 13 of 41

Retracing ancient routes to Australia

Researchers used sophisticated modelling to determine the likely routes travelled by Aboriginal people tens of thousands of years ago and the sizes of groups required for survival. The simulations indicate that at least 1300 people arrived in a single migration event or smaller waves, averaging 130 people every 70 years over 700 years.

SourceFlinders University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 20, 2019

Restrictive approach to blood cell transfusions safe for heart surgery patients

A restrictive approach to blood cell transfusions in heart surgery patients resulted in fewer transfusions without increasing the risk of acute kidney injury. The study found that reducing transfusions could prevent adverse effects and conserve the blood supply, while minimizing negative impacts on kidney health.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJun 20, 2019

Gold for silver: A chemical barter

Researchers study thiolate-protected gold-silver alloys, revealing intra-cluster and inter-cluster metal exchange that affects cluster stability and geometric structure. This understanding is crucial for harnessing novel physical and chemical properties of these clusters.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateJun 20, 2019

Nursing home care cost significantly outpaces general inflation and medical care prices

A recent study found that nursing home care costs are high and rising faster than other medical care and consumer prices. The study revealed significant price variation across states, with Texas having the least expensive out-of-pocket cost ($131 daily) and New York State having the most expensive ($334 daily).

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalMedical Care Research and Review·DateJun 20, 2019

Laser method promising for detecting trace chemicals in air

Researchers developed a mid-infrared picosecond laser-driven electron avalanche technique to detect electric charges and chemicals in air. They measured electron densities down to one part per quadrillion, equivalent to picking out one free electron from a million billion normal air molecules.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateJun 20, 2019

First results from ruminant genome project will inform agriculture, conservation and biomedicine

The Ruminant Genome Project has provided unprecedented insights into the genomics, evolution and adaptation of ruminants, a group with significant importance in agriculture, conservation and biomedical fields. The study revealed large declines in ruminant populations nearly 100,000 years ago, coinciding with human migration out of Africa.

'Robot blood' powers machines for lengthy tasks

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a system of circulating liquid, called "robot blood", to store energy and power robotic applications. This synthetic vascular system enables robots to perform sophisticated tasks for longer periods, increasing energy density while maintaining mobility.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateJun 20, 2019

Coincidence or master plan?

A team of scientists from Kiel University and Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology applied the neutral metaorganism theory to various model organisms. The study found that the predicted microbial community compositions matched experimental data for many organisms, suggesting a possible lesser role for selection in shaping micr...

SourceKiel University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJun 20, 2019

Post-Soviet food system changes led to greenhouse gas reductions

A new study found that post-Soviet changes in food systems resulted in a net emissions reduction of 7.61 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalents from 1991 to 2011. This decrease was mainly due to the decline in domestic livestock production and soil organic carbon sequestration on abandoned cropland, particularly in Russia and Kazakhstan.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJun 20, 2019

Slime travelers

A new UC Riverside-led research reveals that some of Earth's oldest animals could travel on their own to get food, settling a longstanding debate about the earliest animal communities. The team analyzed over 1,300 fossils of Dickinsonia, which moved like worms to consume microorganisms.

Scientists map toxic proteins linked to Alzheimer's

Researchers from McMaster University mapped a toxic protein linked to Alzheimer's disease, providing new insights into its behavior and interactions with neurons. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the structural features that differentiate toxic and non-toxic forms of amyloid beta.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalChemical Science·DateJun 20, 2019

Assembly of the human oral microbiome age 1 to 12

A study examining oral bacterial microbiome composition in children aged 1 to 12 found that species richness increased with age in both supragingival and subgingival plaque. The results suggest a common pattern of maturing microbial communities, becoming more complex with advancing age and including a stable core of major species.

Scientists make single-cell map to reprogram scar tissue into healthy heart cells

Researchers at UNC McAllister Heart Institute develop stable platform to reprogram human fibroblast cells into cardiomyocytes, creating high-resolution molecular roadmap. The approach identifies key genetic facilitators and signaling molecules driving cell fate development, offering new insights into human cardiac reprogramming.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJun 20, 2019